The Sun. — London, England, 1845-11-22 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND. THIRD REPULSE OF THE BRITISH TROOPS. (From the Bombay Gentleman's Gazette.) We are sincerely grieved to lay before our readers, this morning, an. account of a third repulse, by the belligerent natives of New Zealand, of our troops. In this repulse, as in the second, .no stain attaches to British valour; on the contrary, there has been much of daring bravery, to the ex cess of which (looking how much the feelings of men affect the judgment even of the sage and experienced , like Co l on el Despard), we cannot but attribute this third disaster. It will be seen, that according to the report of the New Zealander, a newspaper published in Auckland, a private of the 96th Regiment was captured by the New Zealanders, and that, Heki not being present, he was burned alive, and that his cries were distinctly beard in the British camp. We heard this before we saw yesterday's Sydney Herald, and in clination and horror made us dread taking up the newspaper which contained such a recital. In perusing the whole ac count, however, we are happy to see the circumstance is not mentioned in the dispatches of Colonel Despird. May we therefore hope that no such cries were heard, but that the report arose from incidents and intentions which may be imagined to have been kindled in a case of so much trouble, disappointment, and disaster? The accounts published in this day's Australian willjinform our readers of certain things:- 1. That the troops numbered 490 men, and that the guns whieh bad been taken from Auckland were inefficient—their recoil being so great as to upset the carriages. 2. That in consequence a heavy gun from her Majesty's ship Hazard was subsequently brought to the camp, over execrable roads, with great labour. 3. That on the Ist of July, at 10 in the morning, after this gun had opened its fire, "a sudden attack was made on our position from a very thick wood close in its rear, and Waka's people were driven from it." The position and the gun were regained by a party of the 58th, with a loss of only one man. 4. That in the afternoon of the same day, after all the shot (26 in number) had been discharged by the Hazard's gun, the troops were formed in parties for attack and support, and the storming of the pah took place at or soon after three o'clock on the afternoon of the same day. 5. That among the orders issued by Colonel Despard was one, that the storming party should provide themselves with hatchets and axes for cutting away the palisading of the pah, or stockade, about to be attacked, and also with ropes for pulling them down. 6. That this order was not obeyed. 7. That the storming party evinced the same high valour which we have read of in the Peninsula, at Bajados, and Ciudad Rodrigo, &c. ; but that for want of the hatchets, axes, &c., the brave assailants could make but little impression on the stockade. They got through the first palisading, but could make no impression on the second, the enemy being ranged inside in pits up to their breasts, and firing through loop-holes not higher from the ground than a foot or so, which rendered their fire irresistible; for while the British were attacking the inner palisading, the enemy inside could coolly take their aim at every advancing soldier. To the pali sading they could only present their bayonets. It is evident, from this account of the battle, that the British have been punished (as great armies have been often punished before) for their contempt of the enemy. Had they not despised the natives, both as regards their bravery and ingenuity, they would not have stormed their fortress of poles and planks, with merely powder and ball and bayonets. And we think we may say further, that although hatchets, axes, and ropes in the bands of such brave men, might in their ardour have enabled them to penetrate the second barrier of poles and planks, yet the numbers inside would have caused an immense slaughter of our troops, supposing the enemy to have maintained anything like a fight before they opened their gates and ran. And, consequently, that nothing but cannon should have been used for the destruction of the pah ; and that, consequently, until more heavy guns, or some light artillery could have been obtained and planted behind entrenchments at such small distances as would cause the shot to tell, the attack should have been deferred. So far, according to the dispatches of Colonel Despard. In a private letter, dated the 12th of July, eleven days after the repulse, the writer speaks of their " finding a way of getting their large guns to the top of a hill, not far distant from the pah, and firing down on it." The result of this second cannonading (on what day soever it took place) was the evacuation of the fortress in the night ; and it is remarkable that this evacuation took place two hours before it was known to our little army. The negative surprise, and positive surprise of the gun, in the first instance, seemed to indicate that we had too few troops to establish a system of pickets, without sacrificing to a certainty the lives of such pickets. Yet we can hardly comprehend how warfare can be carried en without patroles in advance, either on foot or mounted. But it is very easy to sit at home, as we now do, and find fault in read ing a defeat, when, if we knew all the circumstances, we should see that our suggestions had been impossible of execution. What surprises us is, that there is no dispatch from Co lonel Despard of the evacuation of the pah, as described in the private letter alluded to ; nor of bringing up more guns from her Majesty's ship Hazard ; nor of their being brought to bear on the pah ; nor of their effects. Yet the evacua tion of the fortress, being the great object of the expedi tion, seenis of sufficient importance to merit a distinct dispatch. We trust this private letter will not turn out mere hearsay. Again, if the guns, subsequently to the repulse, brought from her Majesty's ship Hazard, were, by taking a new po sition; made effectual, so far as to cause the enemy to evacuate their pah, the question instantly occurs, why these guns were not brought up before the troops were allowed to storm ? If this private letter prove a trite narrative of events subsequently to the repulse, it is clear that, by delay ing operations only 10 days, there would have been no need of the assault. Colonel Despard expressly says, that the surprise of the gun. la a party of the enemy, caused him to come to an im media decision ; that is to say, to a determination to storm the pah that very afternoon. The last event, if the private letter be correct, shows that the commander should have determined to use his forces in preventing these surprises; and in the meantime, seeing the good effects of a single gun, to have sent for two or three more before he hazarded an assault. But, as we have said above, it is easy, at this dis tance, to'find fault. Since writing the above, we have been favoured from dif ferent Sources with the following scraps of intelligence, all highly interesting either to the public or to individuals : Ensign O'Reilly was wounded in the elbow so severely, that if his arm escape amputation, the power of bending it will not return. Lieutenant Johnsen had a narrow escape. A ball struck the edge of the peak of his cap, and glancing aside did him no harm. Major Macpherson was shot in the fleshy part of the thigh—a painful, but not dangerous wound. The Gallant Grant (Captain of Grenadiers) had expressed a presentiment that he should not return alive; it did not, however, unnerve his arm, for just previously to his being shot, he had with his sword struck off the head of a New Zealander in forcing his way through the palisade. His remains were found mutilated, but had not, as reported, been exposed in any way to the action of fire. Poor Beattie died co the tenth day after the battle. Of married soldiers, the 99th lost only one. The 58th lost three sergeants, all married men. Can nothing be done for their widows? We are afraid they are too poor and humbla to be thought off. Our Legislative Council might vote them a trifle a piece. On occasion of the successful attack which took place with the hazard's heavy guns, subsequent to the date of Colonel Despard's second dispatch, and which we have noticed above on the authority of a private letter, it is supposed the shot was very destructive to the enemy in the pah. The killed were buried previous to its evacuation; the wounded carried off. . A private letter says : " We had the opportunity afforded us of observing how well skilled these savages are in the science of defence. Their stronghold was a perfect warren—houses under ground; a triple row of stout fencing, stout enough to resist six-pound shot, two of which were found sticking in one of them ; the space between the fences deeply trenched, afford ing shelter to the defenders, and also the means of tiring low, and with correct aim. " Captain Grant, 58th, and Lieutenant Beattie, 99th, who most gallantly led the forlorn hope with 20 Grenadiers, were buried on the 15th at Waitimate. " Another pah near this place (Waitimate) was destroyed by the. light companies of both regiments, accompanied by 40 of the 96th and the friendly natives. No lives were lost on cabir side, and a horse and an old woman fell into our hands, and an abundance of potatoes." We copy the following dispatches, &c., from the New Zealand Gazette of the 7th of July. The particulars therein narrated of the proceedings at the late battle may therefore be considered as officially authentic : DISPATCHES FROX COLONEL DESPARD TO GOVERNOR FITZROT. Camp, before Heke's Pab, July 2. Sir,—Llt is with much more regret that I can express that have to acquaint your Excellency that an attempt was yesterday made by the troops under my command, in the afternoon, to carry the fortified position or pah of Heke with out success, and we were repulsed with heavy loss. The particulars shall be forwarded to you with as little delay as possible. 1 inclose herewith a list of wounded. Many of the latter, I am sorry to say, are severe and dangerous. It is impossible to say too much in praise of the bravery and good conduct of both officers and men. I have the honour to be, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servannt, • H. DESPARD, Colonel Commanding the Troops. To his Excellency Governor Fitzroy, /cc., Auckland. Return of killed and. wounded of the force under command of Colonel Despard, 99th Regiment, from 30th of June to the let of July, 1845. Her Majesty's ship Hazard—Lieutenant Phillpotts killed; one seaman killed ; two seamen wounded ; one private of the Royal Marines killed. Her Majesty's 58th Regiment—Captain Grant killed ; three sergeants and 11 rank and file killed ; two sergeants and 33 rank and file wounded ; two privates since dead. Her Majesty's 96th Regiment—Three rank and file killed; five rank and file wounded. Her Majesty's 99th Regiment—One sergeant and 14 rank and file killed ; Brevet-Major Macpherson, severely wounded ; Lieutenant Beattie, severely wounded, since dead ; Lieutenant Johnson, slightly wounded ; Ensign O'Reilly, severely wounded ; one sergeant and 21 rank and file wounded ; two privates, since dead. Volunteers (Pioneers)—Four rank and file wounded; Mr. H e nry Clerk, interpreter to the force, severely wounded. The names of the, non-commissioned officers and privates killed and wounded, as yet known, are as follows : Her 31a jesty . s 58th Regiment—Killed 'Sergeants ; Corporal William Stewart; M orro w, and Andre w Wilson Private's Davis, Claxton, Punchett, Goodrum, Fisher, Norton, Reynolds, Payne, Sutton, D oherty, Leech, Molloy, and Anderson. T w o sergeants and 33 rank a n d fil e woun d e d, names not yet reported. R!gimentKilled •. Grenadiers-ser- Her *Majesty's 9 9 th giant Thomas Todd ; Privates, M a rtin Moran, John Hill, William Watson, Willia m Po p e, and John Magrath. Light C.ompariv—Georga Maher , J ohn Noble, James Hughe s , J o h n Eaton, Patrick Hicken, Henry Moseley, James Stock, and Benjamin Heath. Wounded : Grenadiers, James Crane, Hugh Dowse, Jacob Edmonds, Michael Farren, Robert Hughes, Henry Spencer, William Swan, Hector M'Cormlck. Light Company—Sergeants, Maley Thomas and Bradley Martin ; Privates, William Bridges, Thomas Crawley, D Fl avid Mark, Thomas Comiers , And rew Duncan, Patrick ym, and Duncan Murray. Camp, before Heke's Pah, July 2. Sir,—Annexed is a detailed account of the action that took place between the troops under my command, and the rebels, in the early part of the forenoon of yesterday, as also of our assault on the pah, and our repulse, which took place in the afternoon afterwards. Finding the guns which I had brought with me from Auckland quite ineffective for breaching, from their very defective carriages, as', they frequently upset from their own firing, I requested Captain Johnson, of her Majesty's ship Hazard, to send me one of his heavy guns, which was ac cordingly brought up to the camp, a distance of 15 miles land carriage, over most execrable roads, with great labour and difficulty, on the 50th; and during that day a platform was erected on the side of a hill on the right of our position, the top of which hill was occupied by our ally, Waka Nene and his tribe. A sergeant's guard of the 58th Regiment was also there, to protect a six-pounder that had been placed there with A view of raking the euelny's positiou. The THE Hazard's gun opened its fire about ten o'clock, A.M., and while the attention of everybody was occupied in observing its effects, a sudden attack was made on this position from a very thick wood close in its rear, and Waka's people were driven from it. I was in the battery, half way dwn the hill, when this attack was made, when I instantly ordered up a party of the 58th Regiment, under Major Bridge, who gallantly charged up the hill so as to turn the enemy's left flank, and regained the position with the loss of only one man. This attack showed me the necessity of coming to an im mediate decision, and I accordingly determined on attack• ing the pah by assault, in the afternoon, as soon as the few shots brought up from the Hazard (twenty-six in number) were expended ; which I expected would so loosen the stock ades, as to enable the men attacking them to cut and pull them down. In pursuance of this resolution, a storming party was ordered to parade at 3 o'clock, p.m., for this purpose, and I issued instructions for its guidance, as detailed in the ac companying memorandum. The parties for the attack were enabled to advance within 60 or 100 yards of the point of at tack, and there remain unperceived :by the enemy, in a ra vine under cover. When the advance was sounded, they rushed forward in the most gallant and daring manner, and every endeavour was made to pull the stockade down. They partially succeeded in openimg the outer one, but the inward one resisted all their efforts, and being lined with men tiring through loopholes on a level with the ground, and from others half way up, our men were falling so fast that,notwithstanding the most daring acts of bravery and the greatest perseve rance, they were obliged to retire. This could not be, effected without additional loss in the endeavour to bring off the wounded men, in which they were generally successful. The retreat was covered by the party under Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme, of the 96th regiment; and too much praise cannot be given to that officer for the coolness and steadiness with which he conducted it under a very heavy fire. I must here remark that the hatchets and axes, as well as the ropes for pulling dawn the stockade, and the ladders, were all thrown away or left behind by those appointed to carry them ; and to this circumstance I attribute the main cause of the failure. I trust that it will not be thought that the character of the British has been tarnished on this occasion. One-third of the men actually engaged fell in the attack, and during the eight days that we have been engaged carrying on ope rations against this place, one-fourth of the whole strength of the British soldiers under my command (originally not ex ceeding 490) have been either killed or wounded. From Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme I have received every assistance during the time of these operations, independent of his gallant conduct in covering the retreat. Major Mac pherson of the 99th Regiment, who led the principal attack, and was severely wounded, also deserves every praise for the daring manner in which he led his men to the assault, and though slightly struck on the left breast at the commence ment he gallantly persevered till struck down by a serious wound. Equal praise is also due to Major Bridge of the 58th Regiment for the coolness and steadiness with which he led his men to the attack, and his perseverance till called off. Where every individual has behaved equally well it seems invidious to particularise names; but I can not avoid mentioning the unwearied toil, zeal, and energy displayed by Lieutenant Wilmott of the Royal Artillery, in conducting that department with the most inefficient means. Captain Marlow, Royal Engineers, and his department gave me every assistance in their power while labouring under the same inefficient means as the artillery. I must not omit either to mention the able assistance and active zeal that has been displayed by Lieutenant and Adjutant Deering, of the 99th Regiment (acting as Major of Brigade), whether under fire of the enemy, or in conducting the necessary de tails. The three officers, with Major Macpherson's party, were all either killed or wounded, Captain Grant, Lieutenant Beatie (who volunteered the forlorn hope), and Ensign O'Reilly. The volunteers from the New Zealand Militia, acting as pioneers under Lieutenant Figg, deserve to be mentioned, and that officer himself has undergone unceasing toil of the most harassing nature with zeal'and energy. Lieutenant Wood and the militia volunteers for the artillery, deserve to be included in this commendation. Captain Johnson, of her Majesty's ship Hazard, has given the most unwearied assistance, in every possible way, from the commencement of our operations, by sending up supplies of all sorts, even from his own ship, when our public stores were deficient. The seamen and marines of her Majesty's navy have always borne the same character for bravery and intrepidity wherever they have been employed, and the few, eighteen in number, that joined this expedition from her Ma jesty's ship Hazard have nobly supported the same charac ter. Lieutenant Phillpotts, RN., fell when endeavouring to force his way through the stockade. I inclose herewith a corrected list of killed and wounded. I have the honour to be, your Excellency's Most obedient and humble servant, H. DESPARD, Lieutenant-Colonel 99th Regiment, and Colonel on the Staff in New Zealand. To his Excellency Robert Fitzroy, Governor, &c., Auckland, P.S.—The wounded are doing well under the able care and constant attention bestowed on them by Dr. Pine, of the 58th, and Dr. Galbraith, of the 99th Regiments. 11. D. Camp, July 1. The following are the directions, and the distribution of the troops, for the attack on the pah, at three o'clock, this evening : The principal attack will be made on or near the right angle on the front face (that face being considered the front one that is opposite the camp), and the whole column for this attack will be formed as follows—two sergeants and 20 volunteers from the three corps will form the advance, and proceed with the most perfect silence till they reach the stockade. This party will be followed closely by the assaulting body under Major Macpherson, composed of 40 Grenadiers from the 58th, and 40 Grenadiers from the 99th Regiments, and will be accompanied by a small party of seamen, and by 30 pioneers from the volunteer militia. The seamen, and as many pioneers as there are sufficient tools for, will be sup plied with axes or hatchets for the purpose of cutting down the stockade. Those pioneers that cannot be supplied with axes or hatchets are to carry the ladders as well as strong ropes, which will be supplied by the artillery department, for pulling down the stockade. Major Macpherson's party will be closely followed by Major Bridge of the 58th Regiment, having under him the remainder of the Grenadiers of the 58th, to be made up to 60 rank and file from the battalion of the same regiment. and 40 rank and file from the light company of the 99th Regi ment—in all, amounting to 100 rank and file. A supporting party will be formed under Lieutenant- Colonel Hulme, 96th Regiment, consisting of the whole of the detachment of the 96th Regiment, completed to 100 rank and file by the battalion men of the 58th Regiment. The moment an entrance is made into the pah, this party will instantly follow the preceding parties. The remainder of the force will be under the personal command of Colonel Des pard, for the purpose of directing assistance wherever ne cessary, with the exception of 40 rank and file of the 58th Regiment, under command of Captain Thompson, of that corps, who will occupy the hill overlooking the pah and the camp ; it being considered neceseary to do so, from the at tempt made by the natives in the morning to get possession of it. By order, R. B. DEERING, Lieutenant 99th Regiment, Acting Brigade-Major. OXFORD TO ROME, DIRECT.—We have heard a strange story from Oxford, to the effect that the Rev. R. Coffin, vicar of St. Mary Magdalene, in that city, whose in tention to resign his preferments was announced in last week's Church and State Gazette, was, previously to his quitting the University, in constant attendance on a poor fe male, named England, the wife of a printer there; and that the Rev. Mr. Newsham, the Romish priest, at whose chapel Mr. Newman is a communicant, has become her spiri tual adviser. This case, we are informed, has created a general mistrust of the Tractarian clergy who yet remain among the inhabitants of Oxford. We should be agreeably surprised if the report we have above noticed were to prove unfounded. But we entertain strong fears, on the contrary, that it is not only well-founded in itself, but that it might be matched by other cases, similar in spirit and in detail. If, however, but one such case can be sub stantiated, surely the authorities in the University and the Church will be aroused to the conviction that it is time to interfere, and check the evil, by punishing the evil doers. When we contemplate the apathy which exists in quarters where the most jealous enthusiasm ought to prevail —and when we behold treachery daily practised without the slightest censure being levelled at the traitors—we are in duced to imagine that they whose designation in the Church intimates that they are " overseers," fancy that they are en joined, by their official appellation, not to hold high watch for the interests of that Church, but to overlook all that is done in the way of injuring her efficiency.—Church and State Gazette. S O CIETY or ARTS.— A third adjourned special meeting of the members was held on Wednesday evening, to take into consideration some proposed alterations in the re gulations of the Society. It is much regretted by its friends that, notwithstanding all the attempts that have recently been made for its resuscitation, some most strenuous exer tions are required to prevent its dissolution, although it has been in existence for nearly a century. MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PIGEONS.—During the past fortnight, several persons in the vicinity of Drury lane, keepers of pigeons, have found their birds, although healthy but a few hours previous, dead in their houses. On Saturday last, a person named Chullis, residing in Bear-yard, found nine out of fifteen dead, and on Tuesday, a young man named Adams, a neighbour, found the whole of his flighs (thirteen) dead. This led to an inquiry, when it was disco vered that the whole of them had been poisoned. The manner in which this diabolical act has been accomplished is still a mystery. HORRIBLE DISCOVERY.—The Univers states that some masons in demolishing a house in the Rue St. Nicholas d'Antil discovered nine human skeletons. It was the opinion of the professional men who have inspected those remains, that the remotest crime (for the skeletons were those of mur dered persons no doubt) must have been committed 15 years since, and the most recent 15 months ago. The person who inhabited the house, which has for many years been known as a house of ill-fame, has been arrested. COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDE PARK.—The workmen to the number of 200, that have been employed by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, making the numerous improvements throughout every part of Hyde Park for upwards of four months, have completed their undertakings. There are now thirty-two long, broad, and excellent gravel-walks made, which communicate with every gate throughout the Park. ENLARGEMENT OF THE GREEN PARK. —Yesterday the workmen completed the removing of the iron and wooden railings which inclosed the garden belonging to Earl Covens try, in the Green Park, fronting Coventry House, Piccadilly, the whole of which is now thrown open to the public, being an addition of three acres of land to the Green Park. The alter ations of widening Piccadilly are proceeding rapidly, and will be completed in about a fortnight. EXTRAORDINARY DEMAND FOR i 8 stated that the demand by the printers for this little letter q is so great, that the type-founders are doing nothing else but casting for it. So many esquires have found their way into print, that the printers have been thrown out of their calcu lations, and the supply is not adequate to the demand. AYLESBURY, Nov. 20.—The adjourned cessions for this county were held yesterday before Sir Thomas Aubrey, Bart., Chairman, and a bench of magistrates. Baron Meyer Rothschild took the oaths, and qualified as a magistrate for the county. At these sessions, Grenville Pigott, Esq., re signed the situation of doputy-chairman, in consequence of his having been appointed one of her Majesty's Poor-law Com missioners. A PROM liiniG SPEC ULATION .—I t i s rumoure d th a t a company i s i n the course of formation to lease the contents of Lord Ashley's waste paper basket at a rental of so much per annum. The enormous number o f p ersons w h o made Lord Ashley the medium of subscribing large sums to be nevolent purposes, added to his Lordship's habit of throwing down his letters unread, must render his waste paper basket one of the most profitable as well as the safest i nves t ments of the present day. Supposing that only two 100/. notes find their way into this receptacle for his Lordship's corre spondence in the course of r week, there will be an income of upwards of 100,0001. per annum. Several of the waste paper dealers have promised to join the direction, and an influential provisional committee will be forthwith adver tilsed.—Yunch, SUN, LONDON, S LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Nov. 21. (Sittings in Banco.) THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL V. BRYAN. This was an information filed against the defendant, who was a paper-maker at Bristol, for infringing the Excise laws, by sending out paper without the legal and proper stamp being previously placed upon it, which was tried in the sit tings after Trinity Term, and a verdict returned for the Crown. Mr. Chambers subsequently obtained a rule nisi calling upon the Crown to show cause why the verdict should not be set aside and a new trial had, on the ground that the Learned Judge who tried the cause had rejected evi ence which was of gi.eat, importance to the defendant's case. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL and SOLICITOR-GENERAL lIONV appeared to show cause against the rule. The evi dence rejected on the trial was the answer of one of the witnesses, named George Parkhurst, to a question from Mr. M. Chambers as to where he got his infor mation implicating the defendant in the case, or whether he was not the source through which the Excise ob tained the information against the defendant. The Crown objected to any answer being given to the question, and the Court held the objection to be good. The Attorney-General and Solicitor-General now contended that the Court was right in allowing the objection, because it was justified by public policy, for a Government informer was not bound to disclose the channels by which lie obtained his information, although it might tend to discredit the evidence of the wit ness and materially benefit the defendant, inasmuch as such a disclosure might hold him up to public ignominy and ven geance. It was a well-established rule that private hard ships must give way to the public convenience ; but, never theless, it was for the Court then to decide whether such a rule existed or not. Now there was no doubt that it did exist; and next came the point—upon what was that rule founded? Why it was founded upon public policy. Well, then, the Court next had to consider whether it was a para mount rule, or whether it was to give way to a rule which, at first sight, appeared to be an inferior rule. Now they contended that the private rule and advantage must give way to the public good, and therefore the Court properly re jected the evidence in question, which wouki have had the effect of serving the purposes of a private individual at the expense of public policy and public convenience. Mr. M. CHAMBRRX admitted that certain parties, such as attorneys and priests, were exempted from the general rule of evidence that witnesses were bound to answer questions calculated to elicit the truth or simplify the circumstances of the case under consideration, and a witness could claim this exemption when questions were put to him which involved a great public policy. In cases, for instance, of high treason, a witness could refuse to answer questions tending to hold up parties engaged in the public service to odium and con tempt, but the present case was not of such great public magnitude and importance. It was, on the contrary, a Simple petty matter of misdemeanour and finesse, and the privilege and exemption claimed by the witness Packhurst did not apply to it. He contended, moreover, that Packhurst was the informer himself and had an iaterest in the case, and he -was, therefore, entitled to put the objected question to him, to test his credibility, unless it would violate some over whelming public principle, which he had already shown it could not do. The other rule relied on the case of Hardy, who was tried some years ago for high treason, and he relied himself upon the same case. In that case the Lord Chief Justice held that the channels of information for the public good must be protected, and the names of third parties to whom information had been given, who did not appear as witnesses, could not be disclosed. But that was not the state of the case here. The question put to the witness was, not " to whom did you give information ?" but, " did you do so and so ?" and the Court had never yet interposed to pre vent such a question being answered. In cases of high treason they were prohibited from asking, to whom did you give such and such information? but they were not pre vented from asking, " did you give such and such infor mation ?" The case of Watson had also been mentioned, in which Mr. Dowling, a short-hand writer, was protected from answering a particular question, as to whom and whether he gave certain information, as it would have laid him open to great danger and held him up to execration. But it must be remembered, that Mr. Dowling was only a corrobo rative witness, and not the informer himself. In the re cent case of O'Connell, a witness was protected by the Court from giving up the names of certain parties, but he was not privileged from a question as to whether he gave such and such information calculated to throw discredit upon him or his evidence. Mr. Baron PARKE—YOU admit, Mr. Chambers, that the question, " to whom did you give such and such information, or from whom did you receive such and ouch instructions?" cannot be put. Mr. CitAltuEits--Certainly, my Lord. Mr. Baron Paulin—But you can ask, " did you give such and such information ?" Mr. CHAMBERS—Just SO, my Lord. Mr. Baron PARKE—WouId not this, in fact, then, be dis• closing the chaanels whence th© Government obtained it, information ? The LORD CHIEF Jusvica—Certainly it would ; and I ap prehend, that if the witness gave the information, he is the channel whence the Government obtains its information, and entitled to the privilege of answering the question. Mr. CHAMBERS submitted, then, if his Lordship's dictum were correct, they had hitherto been acting erroneously, for the rule, it would seem, was to be general and not limited, and would apply to all cases. Let them look, then, at the dangerous policr they were establishing. A witness might trap a third party with a crime, but the counsel for the accused would be prevented from arriving at this fact, because the rule just laid down by their Lordships would prevent hint from asking, on cross-examination, " Did you not do so and so and give such and such information ?" That was precisely the case here, and he contended that the rule only applied to higher cases of crimes and offences, and not to petty cases of larceny and misdemeanours. He humbly submitted, therefore, that he was strictly in order when he asked the witness in this case the question complained of. Mr. Baron PARKE-Mr. Attorney-General : Can you tell us if it has been the practice to ask the question complained of? The ArroRNRY-GENERAL replied that his experience in these cases was so very limited, that he could not take upon himself the responsibility of answering the question of the Learned Baron. So far, however, as he understood, it was not ; but their Lordships would be good enough to remember that this was the first case where the question of "Did you give such and such information ?" had been brought before the Court. The question heretofore argued before the Court was not " Did you give the information ?" but "To whom did you give it ?" The LORD CHIEF BARON—The matter relates to a rule or law of extreme importance, and as there are no immediate cases bearing on the point, the Court will take time to con sider the question. ECUADOR BONDHOLDERS. Yesterday a meeting of the holders of Ecuador bonds (for merly Colombian) was held at two o'clock, at the London Tavern, to consider the propriety of accepting an offer, made by Colonel Wright, on behalf of the Government of Ecuador, in liquidation of loans contracted in 1822 and 1824, when that State formed, along with Venezuela and New Grenada, the republic of Colombia. Mr. Robinson was unanimously called to the chair. The CHAIRMAN opened the business by reading Col. Wright's letter, containing the proposal which appeared in all the Tuesday's papers. Having done so, the Hon. Gentleman went into an explanation of the circumstances which had led to the present meeting. The committee had received the proposal from Colonel Wright, and in consequence they had thought it the wisest course to call the bondholders together to take their sense of the proposal. As a means of understanding the capacity of the State of Ecuador, Colonel Wright had supplied him with a state ment of the revenue and expenditure for several years. The following is an abstract of the statement in question : In 1839, revenue 1,007,480 dolls. ; expenditure 1,290,128 ; deficit 282,648 dolls. 1840, revenue 870,316 dolls. ; expenditure 1,084,713 dolls. ; deficit 214,397 dolls. 1841, revenue 772,042 dolls. ; expenditure 1,230,569 dolls. ; de ficit 458,327 dolls. 1842, revenue 703,369 dolls. ; expen diture 1,231,208 dolls. ; deficit 527,839 dolls. 1843, revenue 1,154,236 dolls. ; expenditure 1,218,043 dol. ; deficit 63,807 dol. He was anxious, seeing that a great increase had taken place in the revenue from 1842 to 1843, to know if there had been a similar improvement in 1844. In order to learn this he had written to Colonel Wright for information, but ke (the Chairman) had not received any answer, arising, no doubt, from that gentleman being out of town. Looking at the proposal made in all its bearings, he was not disposed to ac cede to the terms. They were promised only a sixth of their debt, though it appeared there was no security for even that, the expenditure being greater than the' revenue. Beyond the one per cent. per annum premised, there was no likelihood of increase, unless they could manage to send out from 5,000 to 25,000 persons as emigrants, as they were promised 1 per cent. for every 5,000 persons sent out; but that proposal was not likely to be realised, as there was a great objection to South America as a field of emigration. But even were that piacticable, which he did not think it was, they would require at least 120,0001. as a fund to carry that into effect. He left it in their hands to deal with the proposition as they 'thought fit. He could not, however, advise them to accept the terms; the sum was so paltry that he was almost ashamed to name it to them. Whether the rejection of the proposal would lead to better terms, as had been stated by a writer in the Times the other day, he could not say, as he was ignorant of the resources and means at the disposal of Ecuador to merit its obli gation. After a brief discussion, in which the strongest feeling was expressed against the proposal, a resolution was put and carried, with but two dissentients, that it be rejected. It was also agreed that the committee be empowered to take measures to effect more favourable terms for the bondholders, and that the assistance of the British Government be re quested to forward their negotiations. The meeting then broke up. BANK OF ENGLAND. (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 15th day of November, 1845. ISSUE DEPARTMENT. Notes issued 26,974,685 Government debt 11,015,100 Other securities... 2,984,900 Gold coin and bul lion 11,478,722 Silverbullion... £26,974,685 I £26,974,685 M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the 20th day of November, 1845. BANKING DEPARTMENT. Proprietor& capita 1,14,553,000 Rest Public deposits (in cluding Exche quer, Savings banks, Commis sioners of National Debt, and divi dend accounts) 6,524,834 Other deposits 8,899,130 Seven day and other bills Government secu rities (including Dead Weight Annuity) Other securities 15,041,397 Notes Gold and silver coin 595,40 .£34,323,046 M. MA' Dated the 20th day of Novei I £34,323,046 ,RSTIALL, Chief Cashier. ;tuber, 1845. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION .—The only tower which remains unfinished upon the telegraphic line of com munication between Paris and Madrid is nearly finished. By the new system adopted they will be able to transmit a dis patch from Madrid to Paris in two hours. MARGARET-STREET CHAPEL.—Several members of the congregation of the Rev. W. If. Richards, successor to Mr. Oakley, minister of Margaret-street Chapel, have re cently entered the Church of Rome. We may add, that, among the more recent converts to Popery, is Mr. Capes, a brother of the ex-reverend gentlemen who has lately passed from the ministry at Bridgewater to mathematics at Prior Park. It is really a subject of universal surprise that these occurrences produce neither protest nor precaution on the part of the ecclesiastical authorities. Church and State Gazette. TVRDAY EVENING. NOVEMBER _22. 1845 decline, and the consumption is going on satisfactorily. Prices are still under those of last year. Brandy is little wanted, and the tendency of prices still downwards ; the stock here is a full average one. Of Geneva several parcels have been taken for exportation. For English Corn Spirits the demand has been active at lOs 9d per gallon nett cash, and a further advance it is expected will shortly take place. Malt Spirits, according to quality, is worth 12s 9d to 13s 6d. Gin has has been extensively dealt in. Oms.—Although there are sellers of Gallipoli Oil upon rather lower terms, still the home trade operate with caution, and there are few export orders. Rape Seed Oil is still wanted, and prices are kept up, the supply being small. For Palm the demand has fallen off, and a decline in the value has taken place. Cocoa at present is not to be had upon lower terms, but it is little wanted. For Linseed Oil further reduced rates have been taken, and for forward delivery many contracts have been entered into at 24s 3d to 24s 6d. Cod has further declined in value, but in consequence of 28/. per ton having been accepted, the operations have been on a more extended scale. In Seal there has been mere business transacted, but upon easier terms. TALLOW.—lmporters of Russia have been more inclined to realise this week, there having been large arrivals, and the rates accepted are rather lower ; on the spot, however, the demand has been very good. 41s 9d to 42s per cwt has been the current rates for fine new Petersburgh Yellow Candle. For delivery in the three first months of next year many contracts have been entered inte at 42s 9d to 43s per cwt. Home made has met with a good demand at 41s 6d to 42s nett cash. COURSE OF EXCHA/ Amsterdam CF. 12 104 Ditto, at sight.— ...... 12 7 Rotterdam 2 U. 12 11 Antwerp 26 15 Ramburgh M.B. 13 15 rGE.-(YESTERDAY.) Gibraltar... .....» Leghorn 3O 75 Genoa .. 26 10 Milan ...... Naples Palermo, per oz. ll9l Lisbon ......... ......... 521 0p0rt0..... .. 521 Rio Janeiro Bahia ............ Buenos Ayres NewYork,2ldyssight Philadelphia PRICES OF BULLION, PER OZ. Foreign Gold,bars...£3 17 9 Portugal Gold Coin 3 17 5 New Doubloons-- 0 0 0 New Dollars 0 0 0 Silver in Bars. 0 4 Ahem Paris, 3 days' sight— 25 75 Ditto, 3 months 26 5 Marseilles 26 10 Bourdeaux 26 10 Frankfort on Maine 1221 Petersburgh, 3Us — Berlin Vienna, effee. 8 Trieste, ditto Madrid 36/1 Cadiz Bilbao Barcelona Senile PROMISSORY NOTES. (From last Night's Gazette.) An account of the Average Aggregate Amount of Promis sory Notes payable to bearer on demand, which have been in circulation by the Banks in Scotland, by the Bank of Ire land, and by all other Banks in Ireland, during the four weeks ending the Bth day of November, 1845, pursuant to the Act of 4th and sth 'Victoria, cap. 50 : SCOTLAND. Chartered, Private, and Joint-Stock Banks £3,598,988 IRELAND. Bank of Ireland Private and Joint-Stock Banks Total ..... ..... - ..... £11,418,528 H. L. WICKHAM. Stamps and Taxes, Nov. 21, 1845. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS LIVERPOOL,' Nov. 21. _ STOCK EICHAXGE.—The sales are—Bolton, Wigan, and ,iverpool, 27—Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, 2: 1 4 —Buck inghamshire, 2%—Chester and Birkenhead, Is,ew 20/, Shares, 6 1 /,' 2 —Derby and Crewe, s—Grand Junction, 233 Ditto, Quarter Shares, 494—Ditto, 401. Shares (L. M. ), 54—Goole and Doncaster, 2 —Lan ca shire and North York shire, 2%—London and Birmingham, 32/. Shares, 41—Ditto, Fifth Shares, 21—Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 2 1 / s —Midland, 145—North Union (A), 201—North Stafford shire, s—Nottingham and Boston, 48s. 9d.—Oxford, Wor cester, and Wolverhampton, 164—South Eastern and Dover, 35—Ditto, Consolidated Thirds, 134—Ditto, Half Shares, 3 7 7 8 —Newry and Warrenpoint, 3 1 A—Great Western Ca nada, 3%. FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE At the Court at Windsor, the 20th day of November, 1845, present the Queen's most Excellent Majesty in Council. It is this day ordered by her Majesty in Council, that the Par liament, which stands prorogued to Thursday the twenty seventh day of November instant, be further prorogued to Tuesday the sixteenth day of December next. Her Majesty having been pleased to appoint the Right Hon. Rowland Viscount Hill to be Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the county of Salop, his Lordship this day took the oaths appointed to be taken thereupon, instead of the oaths of allegiance and supremacy. In pursuance of the directions of an Act, passed in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the Third, intituled " An Act to repeal so much of two Acts, made in the tenth and fifteenth years of the reign of his present Majesty, as authorises the Speaker of the House of Commons to issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown for making out writs for the election of Members to serve in Parliament, in the manner therein mentioned, and for substituting other provisions for the like pur poses ;" I do hereby give notice, that the death of John Irving, Esq., late a Member serving in this present Parliament for the county of Antrim, hath been certified to me in writing, under the hands of two Members serving in this present Parliament; and that I shall issue my warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the said county of Antrim, at the end of fourteen days after the insertion of this notice in the London Gazette.—Given under my hand the 19th day of November, 1845, CHARLES SHAW LEFEVRE, Speaker. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Southamptonshire. North Hants Yeomanry Cavalry—Captain W. 11. T. Hawley to be Adjutant, Nov. 8. POOR-LAW COMMISSION OFFICE, Somerset-house, Nov. 18, 1845. This is to notify, that the Poor-law Commissioners have appointed George Grenville Wandisfort Pigott, of Dodders- hall, in the county of Buckingham, Esq , to be an As sistant Poor-law Commissioner, pursuant to the provi sions of an Act, passed in the fifth year of the reign of hie late Majesty King William the Fourth, in tituled " An Act for the amendment and better adminis tration of the laws relating to the poor in England and Wales ;" and that the said George Grenville Wandisfort Pigott, on the 18th day of November instant, took the oath required by the 11th section of the Act, before the Hon. Mr. Justice Patteson, one of the judges of her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench.—By order of the Board, EDWIN CHADWICK, Sectetary. WHITEHALL, Nov. 18. The Lord Chancellor has appointed Hugh Bearer Roberts, of Bangor, in the county of Carnarvon, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. BANKRUPTS. John Brown, builder, Hornsey-road, Middlesex, to sur render Nov. 28, at half-past one, and Jan. 10, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Basing hall-street ; Elderton, Lothbury ; Richards, Croydon. Charles Bowen, wine merchant, Harp-lane, tower-street, City, Nov. 28, at one, and Jan. 10, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee, Aldermanbury ; Gale, Basinghall-street. George Pratt and John Bodle, builders, Queen's-road, Not ting-hill, Middlesex, Dec. 2, at twelve, and Jan. 6, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy, Graham, official assignee, Cole man-street; Leigh, George-street, Mansion-house. Joseph Hamsher, glove manufacturer, Tabernacle-square, Hoxton, Dec. 2, at half-past one, and Dec. 30, at halt-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official as signee, Old Jewry-chambers; Brisley, Pancras-lane, Cheap side. James Carse Kendall, tavern keeper, Islington, Dec. 2, at half-past one, and Dec. 30, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street ; Wells, Bell-yard, Doctors'-commons. George Sawyer, tailor, Lewes, Sussex, Dec. 5, at half past twelve, and Jan. 13, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry ; Wood and Fraser, Dean-street, Soho. William Henry Blackmore, plumber, Dean- street, Soho, Dec. 2, at half past two, and Jan. 7, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street buildings; Wood and Fraser, Dean-street, Soho. John Parr, coal-dealer, Paddington, Dec. 5, at twelve, and Jan. 30, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane, Lombard- street ; Maples, Pearce, Stevens, and Maples, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry. Charles Morgan Harman, veterinary surgeon, Milbank street, Westminster, Nov. 28, at two, and Jan. 10, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, Aldermanbury, official assignee; Barton, Wolsingham-place, Kennington-road. Robert Worley, provision merchant, Newgate-street, Dec. 2, at eleven, and Jan. 6, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street; Lawrence and Plews, Bucklerebury. William Atkin, grocer, Stockton-upon-Tees, Durham, Nov. 28, at one, and Dec. 30, at two, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne District Court. Baker, official assignee, Newcastle-upon- Tyne; Hanle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Chieholme, Hall, and Gibson, Lincoln's Inn-fields. William Lancelot Kelly; printer, Tewkesbury, Dee. 5, at one, and Jan. 2, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Kynaston, official assignee, Bristol ; Baylis and Drewe, Basing hall-street, London ; Richards and Co., Tewesbury. William Chaloner, tailor, Lincoln, Dec. 2 and 23, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Young, official as signee, Leeds ; Pocock, Bartholomew-close, London ; Mence, Barnsley ; Bond, Leeds. DIVIDENDS. Dec. 12, W. H. Mills, Mark-lane, City, wine-merchant— Dec. 12, J. D. Taylor, Brook-street, Holborn, oilman—Dec. 12, J. Currie and L. E. Seignette, Mincing-lane, City, mer chants—Dec, 12, W. and R. Smith, Bow-lane, City, ware housemen—Dec. 12, W. and J. Walker, St. John's-square, Clerkenwell, manufacturers Dec. 12, T. Wood, Little Queen-street, Holborn, wine-merchant--Dec. 16, C. S. Har vey, George-street, Hanover-square, dress-maker—Dec. 13, J. Gale, sen., and J. Gale, jun., Love-lane, Shadwell, rope makers—Dec. 18, J. Beet, Bradford, Yorkshire, dyer—Dec. 18, J. Warner, Garforth, Yorkshire, malster—Dec. 20, J. Austin, Manchester, brick-maker—Dec. 13, W. 11. Hay ward, Manchester, cotton-spinner—Dec. 16, T. Wright, jun., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, shipowner—Dec. 15,: J. Maybury, sen., Bilston, Staffordshire, iron-plate manufacturers. CERTIFICATES to be granted unless cause be shown to the contrary on the day of meeting. Dec. 12, G. Luckin, High Holborn, bootmaker—Dec. 16, It. M'Entire, Paternoster-row, City, commission-agent—Dec. 25, E. Glover, Shelton, Staffordshire, publican—Dec. 18, J. Crab, Chardstock, Dorsetshire, hemp-manufacturer—Dec. 12, T. Davies, Liverpool, merchant—Dec. 12, J. Marsh, Brewood, Staffordshire, grocer—Dec. 12, D. Dames, Liver pool, paper-stainer—Dec. 12, W. Soffe, Strand, print-seller —Dec. 12, R. Mackenzie, Bond -court, Walbrook, eommis sion-agent—Dec. 12, R. Garrett, :Henfield, Sussex, linen draper—Dec. 12, J. Guy, Bury-street, Westminster, pub s lisher—Dec. 12, I. de J. Ventura, White Hart-court, Bi shopsgate-street, City, merchant—Dec. 12, H. D. I Coggan, Friday-street, City, warehouseman—Dec. 12, J. Botcherby, Darlington, Durham, coal-owner. scoTcy SEQUESTRATIONS. • • James Harley, Glasgow, wholesale general warehouse man, Nov. 26, and Dec.l7, at 11 o'clock, at the Black Bull Inn, Glasgow. John Smith, Burghead, grocer, Nov. 25,$and Dec. 16, at 12 o'clock, at the Gordon Arms Inn, Elgin. PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, com puted from the Returns made in the week ending the 18th day of November, 1145, is 38s. ld. per cwt. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of Nov. 21.) Smut—To-day the business transacted in the West In dia Sugar market was . extyemely limited; although some merchants were more mclined to sell, only 60 hhds, &c. were disposed of at a decline of 6d to is per cwt. The total sales for the week amount to only 540 hhds and tierces. REFLNED.—To-day easier rates were again taken for re fined goods for home consumption, brown lumps according to quality, selling at 63s 6d to 655, and standard lumps 66s per cwt, but at these rates several purchases were made. Bonded Crushed is again cheaper, 33s 6d to 333 9d per cwt having been taken for the best. In Loaves there is a good deal doing. Ktunerms.—There has been less disposition manifested to purchase this description of Sugar, but holders have shown firmness and obtained previous rates for the small parcels dis posed of by private treaty. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon Bengal Sugar met with little attention, and at public sale 660 bags went at barely the former value. Of Penang 594 bags, 24 baskets, and 1 case, were offered, and went a little cheaper. FOREIGN.—The market has again been scantily supplied with Foreign Sugar, but exporters and our refiners working under hond are cautious in their proceedings s but holders show firmness, and refrain from pressing sales. MOLASSES. —For West India previous rates are asked, the supply at market being small, but there has been a consi derable falling off in the demand this week, and only small parcels have been sold. Bengal Treacle is worth 19s to 21s per cwt, and is wanted. In Honey there has again been a good deal done, and prices keep on the advance. Solos.—To.day the market was well supplied with Cassia Lignea, and three parcels amounting to 1,812 chests were brought to auction ; the trade evinced little desire to ope rate, and a small part only sold at a decline on the rates of the last auction of 3s to 4s per cwt. Malabar Pepper met with little attention. Of Nutmegs 3 chests sold, good brown at 53 4d per lb. Cocoa.—British Plantation has been purchased with cau tion by private treaty, and former rates have been barely supported, Trinidad grey selling at 38s to 435, red 39s to 445, and superior 45s to 475. None has been offered at auction. Foreign is little wanted, and prices are on the decline. COFFICE.—This afternoon Ceylon Coffee was in excellent request, and at auction 3,305 bags were all . sold at an ad vance on former rates of 1s per cwt; good ordinary bold pale Native bringing 48. 6d to 49s 6d, one lot 50s, and bold Triage 46s 6d to 47s per cwt. By private treaty several parcels of Native and Plantation were disposed of. TEA.—The market has presented a tranquil appearance for all descriptions this week, there having been further arrivals, and the stock of Black and Green being large causing the trade to be cautious in their proceedings. Congou of all kinds has been purchased with caution, and the rates taken have been rather under those previously quoted. Pouchong is however not offered upon lower terms, but there are not many buyers at present. For Twankay there are not many buyers. The cheapness of common Caper, however, has induced the trade to operate with more freedom. Notwithstanding the low rates at which Hyson is to be purchased, still the trade operates with caution. Imperial has been taken with caution. Gunpowder is dull of sale. Scented Orange Pekoe has been purchased with more free dom and prices are firmer, fine bringing 2s 10d to 3s. Young Hyson has been sold to a fair extent. The lower sorts of Congou are a little cheaper than last year, whilst the better are much the same as at that time. Twankay is a little cheaper than last season, and Hyson, Imperial, and Gun powder are 5d to is per lb lower. FRUlT.—Since this day week there has been a brisker de mand for all descriptions : the public sales have been very extensive. All bought in, but a great part appears to have been subsequently sold. By private contract some large operations are reported to have been made : a par. cel of new Cephalonia offered at public sale and bought in at 48s ; a portion has been sold pri vately below that price. Fine Valentias are in demand at 435, and are very scarce. Since this day week 70,000 drums Figs have been offered at public sale, but the' greater part being of inferor quality have been bought in, a few lots selling from 38. to 645. Imperial French Plums, in car tons 100 s to 131 s, half-cartons 1021 to 1265, quarter cartons 102 s to 1355, eighth cartons 95s to 132 s ; Prunes, in chests and half-chests 28s to 30s. A parcel of new Greek Figs, in cases, were offered and taken in at 325. Soistrrs.—For all descriptions of Jamaica Rum prices rule very firm, but the supply at market is small, especially of the good and fine qualities. There has been a falling off in the home and export demand this week, and the total sales amount to only 250 puncheons, at 3s 7d to 3s 10d for 29 to 36 per cent. over proof, and small parcels of better quality at 43 to 5s per gallon. Leeward Island is wanted, but business has been checked by the scanty supply, and buyers are compelled to pay 2s 2d to 2s 3d proof strength. In Calcutta sales have been made at 2s 1 1 /d to 2s 2d proof with certificate, and the market is still scantily supplied. Of common Demerara small parcels have been sold at full prices, strong kinds are wanted and fetch 3s 2d to 3s 6d. The stock of all kinds is still on the MANCHESTER, NOT. 21. STOCK EXCEADIGI.—The sales are—Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, 34 —Chester and Manchester Direct, 295. 6d.— Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding, 28s. 6d.—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, 52s.—Leeds and Thirsk, 12 1 ,4 c. n.— Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester, 20 c. n.—Leicester and Tamworth, 47s.—Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester, and Stockport, 37s.—Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, 51. 7s.— Manchester mad Birmingham, Quarters, I I—Manchester and Bury Atmospheric, 275. 6tl.—North Staffordshire, 51. Bs. 3d. —Preston and Wyre, 33—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 3 1 A — South Eastern and Dover, Consol.No. 3,13 1 4 —Trent Valley, Midland, and Grand Junction, 21. 4s. 6d.—Welsh Midland, 2 1 / B —West Riding Union, 71. 25. LEEDS, Nov. 11. _ _ STocx EXCEIWGE.—The sales are—London and Croy don, 20 1 / B —Manchester and Leeds, Fifth Shares, 10 3 / 4 p.— Midland, 142—Huddersfield and Sheffield, 19—Leeds and Bradford Extensions, 371 s —Leeds anti Dewsbury, 20 c. n. —Newcastle and Berwick, 12%—Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, 15%—London and York, 41. Gs. Gd.—Bos ton, Newark, and Sheffield, 3%—Direct Northern, 2 Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 4 1 4—West Riding Union, 6 3 / 4 —East and West Yorkshire, 2s. dis.—Grand Union, ss. p.—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, 17s. p.—Lancashire, Yorkshire, and North Eastern, 2s. 6d. p.—Leeds and York, ss. dis.—Leicester and Bedford, 10s. p.—North Staffordshire, 54—North Western, VA —Nottingham and Boston, 181. p. —Wakefield aid Harrogate, 15s. p.—Welsh Midlands, 2 1 A — York and Carlisle, 3. HULL, Nov. 21. STOCK EXCYLANGE.—The sales are—London and Croy don, 20 3 4—North British, 24—Armagh, Coleraine, and Port rush, 1 5 A—Axholme, is. 6d.—Derby and Gainsborough, —East Lincolnshire, 21. E—East Coast, 2—Hull and Barnsley Junction, 20—Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 41-A.—Lon don and York, 4M —Welsh Midland, 3. SHEFFIELD, Nor. 21. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties, 20%—Caledonian Extension, 3%—Grand Union, Notting ham to Lynn, 1 3 / 4 —Manchester, Sheffield, and Midland Junction, p%—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 3%—Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, 3. HUDDERSFIELD, Nov. 21. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—London and York, 4 1 ,&—West Riding Union, 7%—Grand Union, 1/.l6s.—Hud dersfield, Halifax, and Bradford Union, 6 3 A—Leicester and Bedford, 375. 6d. YORK, Nor. 21. STOCK Exceriascm.—The sales are—York and North Mid land Extension, 24—Newcastle and Berwick, ll%—Ditto, Dalkeith, 5 1 ,4—Ditto, New Carlisle Branch, 21. 183.—Wake field, Pontefract, and Goole, 30 c. n.—London and York, 41. Is. 3d.—Coventry, Nuneaton, Birminghane and Leicester, L Us. 3d.—Grand 'Union, 11/2—Great Grimsby, Louth, &c., 4s. p.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 2% p-- Nortk Staffordshire, s—Welsh Midland, 2/. 12s. BRISTOL, NOT. 21. STOCK EXCHANGL—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter, New, 7 1 / —Birmingham and Gloucester, 124%—Midland, New, 20%—North Devon, 2—Vale of Neath, 3 5 / B —Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth, 4 1 4—Dutch Rhenish, 7 1 ,1. EXETER, Nov. 21. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Exeter, Yeovil, and Dorchester, 1 4 p.—North Devon, 1 ,4 p.— Central Cornwall, p.—Taw Vale Extension, p.—South Wales, 4 1 /—South Devons, Sl—Eastern Counties, New, 6 3 / 4 p.—Bristol and Exeter, Thirds, 81. EDINBURGH, Nov. 19. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 6/. 14s- British and Irish Union, 745. 6d.-Caledonian Extension, 705.-Carnwath and West Linton, 375.-Cornwall and Devon, 485.-Edinburgh and Glasgow, 72-Edinburgh, Glas gow, and Dumbarton, 215.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmos pheric, 475.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmospheric Direct, 40s. -Edinburgh and Northern, 925. 6d. -Ditto, Lochgelly, 365. -Edinburgh and Peebles, ex new, 475.-Edinburgh and Perth, 6-Edinburgh, Portobello, and Musselburgh, 355.- Forth and Clyde Junction, 535.-Glasgow and Dundee Junc tion, 51s. 6d.-Glasgow and Lesmahagow, 4 1 / 8 -Great North of Scotland, 685.-Great North and South Wales, 12s. 6d.- Lanark and Lothians, 725.-North British, Carlisles, 665.- Perth and Cried Direct, 495.-Scottish Central, 16-Scottish North Western, 455.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 575.-Stra them Junction, 623. 6d. GLASGOW, NOT. 20. STOCK EXCLIANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 6YB-Air drie and Bathgate, 675. -British and Irish Union, 755.- Caledonian, 10%-Ditto, Extension, 725.-Caledonian and Ayrshire Junction, 475. 6d.-Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction, 605.-Cornwall and Devon Central, 475. 6d.-Dun dee and Forfar Junction, 445. 6d.-East of Fife, 425.-Edin burgh, Glasgow, and Dumbarton, 225. 6d.-Glasgow and Belfast Union, 515.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, New, 19-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 57 5. 6d.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 4 1 / 2 -Great North of Scotland, 675. 6d.-Great North and South Wales, 12s. 6d.-Lanark and Lothians, 695.-Scottish Southern, 425. 6d.-Scottish Western, 548.-Scottish Central and aledonian Junction, 425.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 565. DUBLIN, Nov. 20. STOCK EXCHA-NGE.-The sales are-Belfast and Holly wood, 214-Bandon and Bantry, 1 1 A-Cork and Waterford, 1 1 4-Cork and Youghal, 2 1 4-Dublin and Drogheda, 80- Irish North Midland, 1 1 / 8 -Killarney Junctions, 1% -Water ford and Limerick, VA-Waterford, Wexford, and Dublin, 1 3 4-Waterford and Tramore, 2. SUGAR DUTIES. rim TO THE EDITOR O F THE S UN qu i Pray, Sir, have the goodness to observe how the Ar& osis Dodger's Sugar Duties' measure has worked. loil "a n' tion ci"es *bli r of your readers will remember that at the time this was under discussion in the House of Commons, " P la" that did the Premier enact his part, they were led to believ Indian he was actually levelling a deadly blow at the West monopoly—that he was positively taking a step ill th: % g a d, direction to extinguish a baneful system, which many for ages past, robbed the sugar consumers of millions of money. Not a bit of he (the ts v e lit ro ev er e i the community might then think, single hair knew his game too well to injure a the head of that horrid monster—monopoly ; be felt _ l . l n y some kind of change was necessary, because the it,ll7at amount of duty on sugar limited the consumption of ...,t the public, by abstaining from the uses f sugar, on acVn' e of the extravagance of the duty-piprise, rendere.o thee amount of revenue colleeted upon it both uncertain f!11..: limited. In this dilemma, thinks he to himself, I must con. tinue a lan which shall have the appearance of an appre c", to free tod • which in effect shall yield a revenue, whether the the consumed or not, and which shall enrich my.pets, th e n i g a e, in order to lull the vigilance of the Liberalsta_bbe° Indians, into the bargain. With these ends in view he oF. _Li the income- tax, and by the aid of its operations thrusts lus !IA; into our pockets, and obtains our cash, leaving us to duty the su m sugar or not, as best suits us ;he next reduces the _,°: British sugars eleven shillings per cwt., rnakieg at t . time a hocus pocus fuss about discriminating duties, trsyl-w!...: in the confusion, to slip, unobserved, a differential dutr,i; East India sugar, upon the plea that that class of 3 ' l l o a t, superior in whiteness to West India muscorado, slindposre on a hint to subservient customs' officers, they woulu ; c old it liable to the higher rate of duty ; by these means 11 ,,,° " se of have upset, if he could, a formal decision of the goose Commons, namely, that the rate of duty- on East and opt India sugar should be assimilated. In this canning. attde the he was, however, foiled by Mr. Hogg, who per is drift of the wily Premier's scheme, and threatened to is the inquity and expose the trick; ' but his anger was app= by such a wording of the clause enacting the disc ugir duty, w o a li s c w e r o n u e l d d , gi the In the course of the debate on these sugar dal eir i, rneunldlearnidtsvoopiedr.ation, as far as East India r curious fact came out upon undeniable docuntent9; t i deuce, that sugar had been, and would be, producedi9o. por West Indies, by free labour, at something lea' tb,a n n a ale cwt., and that a prize had actually been conrre" li r - AO in the , a if. producer for his skill ; and yet Sir Robert Peel, of this evidence, determined to protect these sugoll, b t, e Op, ferential duty of 103. per cwt.—tantamount to lawribl'jor el nation pay for the cultivation of the cane and the la b° the converting its juice into sugar, and then peoaittleof colonists to sell it in a close market to those who h ada iniert paid for the manufacture of it. Oh, but, argued the d for by so doing we shall throw over the colonial B r itish we will permit foreign sugar to compete with Dr i f t l3§. 44 nial in our home markets ; therefore, upon a duti %jos< per cwt. on muscovado, and 28s. per cwt. on al'lt i e sf! A " rior to muscovado (the two duties conjointly hall be tection of 10s. per cwt.) free labour foreign sugar ,--„- id ° mitted into this kingdom. For fear this;resolutiods"Lt 4 he door too widely, it was determined ---first, "Yborint foreign sugar should be certificated by properly a 11 .. . n 0 P. - persons as the result of free labour, and which Pe,,n'f'stioli,%l to be appointed here, and sent to theirrespective deswiatylm and, secondly, the clause enacting a discriininatin_ It cet artfully contrived to apply to these sorts of sugwp e el t 4 .- therefore, be no matter of surprise to Sir Robert ` i re- i the British sugar markets should in state they - t,o' be the the 216 The Gazette averagel_, price of sugar, given ontbe cedr November, 1845, compared against that given i l l .0 41- responding week of 1844, will abundantly testify olor the consumers or the producers reap the benefit alio, ton in the duty on sugar :—The Gazette of 21st of ,odo her, 1845, quotes the average price of British 10,740 n odnio sugars to be 38s. ld. per cwt., and for the eorr se P -- t of 1844, 31s. 0-Id. per cwt. tbe 113 ' This sugar duties' question displays the Way , of Hon. Gentleman has for -/ is ofide'• tiffere monopoly. t no nt ...4 quently, that he does not at the present multle—iditlaiwat with the corn-laws, by opening the orts for we, ' w ent, 7,( of all kinds of grain ; we ought to feelpno disaPrlinec- is '' his conduct—it is just what might have been e s . „ t . him. I am, Sir, your obedient grin. B. IRELAND. SMFi r THE POTATO DISEASE—GOVS R , 0 it COMMISSION. rdie rl° ill c o ott r op o o l r o co ril nlnevn.c2eoo.—peTrahteionnse.w AmongstGovernm :te ab D ou u t n to rxi Co ' are the following gentlemen :—Mr. Twistletti):t thstost commissioner ; Col. lll‘Gregor, inspector-genera, vole, the A ed stabulary ; Sir J. Dombraine inspector-general vole, c o y guard ; - Commissary-General ' Routh, Professor lost i tßs Mr. 11Plienna, Assistant Under-Secretary to thseeifes toe' best The Commissioners are to apply theg os e toe' best mode of obtaining depots of provisions in ~'"i t, ia 1 " , where distress is likely to be most severely ' e . 0 et quence of the failure of - the potato crop. sti e had infe ° lll ,4 # 44l(t LONDONDERRY, Nov. 19.—We have ,,f ~. t,. fle several pits having been opened in the course -" Agsm - d et' and their contents found to be in a deplorable stit t not e 0 have cases reported to ns of some Moores which o f tOsst i ting materially worse ; but the owners of solve fir fg s al , using them up as rapidly as they can, as /be d ,buts ° cattle ; and this alone must considerably contr' _„, o f minish the stock in hand in the spring mont t g s ibe e v- 4 0, 1 LIMERICK, Nov. 19.—The general alarm 0 .',,,a, thei gr iak people for their staple food having almost subs' 4to regard with little apprehension the chance of A d OP be d and we hope for good reasons. The proportio n i dos l 7 diseased potatoes in the country is still very con!0 Of eto Are the reports of the progress of the distemper are ' d istrl d isli conflicting, and therefore unsatisfactory. Sol ° j 5 C S' f t i l quite favourable, others the reverse. The diseas e c os ? A ss very insidious. Another month will decide Ol i o ter crop . in Ireland ; a partial scarcity may arise, b il 0 0,1 famine are quite exploded. „oil netev . „ Roecommox, Nov. 17.—1 t is scarcely nee e- i g tniir th ; that the almost entire potato crop in this count/ -,, the r* lost. The poor people are leaving them unduP - e lf der tity they found sound would not pay their hire ea , A ill black cattle and pigs will not eat them. t hat A l it ' RANAGILER, Nov. 18.—I am happy to sa t bis, ii , speaking the potato rot is not at all so ba d ' l , il y 0'0i:I bourhood as was at first anticipated; and if e." to tetteSi ri ) and caution be observed in storing the sound 1""" threl i er will be ample food left in the country to avert h a ve pot" famine during the ensuing summer. As yet , I I L I ' C 013 1; of any one about here turning their attention to the diseased potatoes into farina or starch -44 r. . DO 0 that the disease does not exist to any extent. the la, gn ott ROSCREA, Nov. 18.—The potato crop is for ; c epP" rr h „ pitted ii this neighbourhood, and, with fell e frall o re getting on well. It is not, perhaps, generally sc ti or for three years past this potato disease has be e ° 1 :0 served in the country; one gentleman in this t o. str barrels last year. s AS P tile d FAILURE OF. MESSRS. WILLIAM- bl A s -t, Much excitement was caused this mornincolliPiA nouncement that the eminent firm of Richard edio ,to ' . Co., of Dame-street, in this city, had suspeli d u oil seep Messrs. Williams and Co., were the most e:', s OP, sod, brokers in Ireland, and for many years—•P lse t liers, tury—they have been notaries to the Bank 0 1 ',„, i ' e e o f ~00- e the bank of Messrs. Latouch and Co. The h i. °_," - t reire - , Williams and Co. have long enjoyed the big se o f and were in very extensive business as st e nWhets .4 brokers. Their transactions, as notaries to the t v' t fli . s land, must have been to a very large amoi ni ,;;;eai i tc't v- t various estimates of their liabilities—some rePr 50bratt, as very considerable; but nothing certain 0 0 th ,,, l eetilred be known until Monday next, for which day a --,, by e e creditors of the establishment has been o ils iii be There are confident expectations that the firm if e, to resume business in a short time- . ti o 0 114 Al ATTEMPT TO MURDER SIR F. --r , 0 ,; ( 0 The Evening Post contains the following :',,-,, / Rote " MULLINGAR, Nov. 19.—An outrage 01 - of 7is 111 character was perpetrated within three in fles vr e mg it g last night. About half-past eleven o'clock SiL f dlesi'P kins, Bart., of Rochfort, was returning home , el,",i sal* his neighbour, Colonel Caulfield, of Bloom t co deliceor,t ep.- descended from his phaeton, was in the ac d set Chol d his hall-door, when a shot was fired at him, ! p ro f tb:doPol grazed his temple and forehead; the remain sll' consisting of a ball and upwards of a d0zen5'70.417,70 the door. Sir Francis immediately, he ste, or ie , 0 0: 4 1 two men whom he perceived at a little distall:oitti:oosl gun, the other a pistol, both of whom, aft er I l ifa %101 l blows on Sir Francis, succeeded in knocking „Ale' ijel effecting a retreat, leaving behind a hat and e v" Ali n do lost in the struggle. ,-rt ,se/," e tsr - ot "This day a man named Seery, living at 1)/1 4 ;• as w ifilif 14 from Rochfort, and some time since ejeettr,cPcisigoteildr was arrested on suspicion, by order of Sir x r.,-vesti )J understand, the affair will be immediatelY,,,"l e srls' • o te the magistrates. Sir Francis, we are bapPY - os o tained no seriou injury. '° ,fai, "As to the motives for this attack varioil t pr' c i, d , ? do nt afloat, which it would be premature to noti,c'?:". o resr,t Wiff 9 . , Francis purchased, about eight years ago, i nk'ochif h ," . rofr ficent seat, formerly the residence of the -- Biell,„ 1 ""vv , having previously lived near Athboy, countfoie /sr , A. a young man, and has taken an active part i n A tVtir / Society of this country." s'''" te r e BS. 4 0* THE ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE -1 . 0 0 ' l ,:r-1,0 0 ENNISKILLEN, TUESDAY.—The investiget-eid rO-01 attempt to assassinate Folliott Barton, E....eq,',.,,' ofle id lis Ge e" before the magistrates, Messrs. D'Arcy, on o (i t 'd ilt u eo and Colonel Barton, assisted by Mr. ter, e ,,, n 'ti ' on ~ drift° Solicitor's-office (who attended by the e''' - •ttileei, al, vernment), was closed after a continuous B _ l oo_ 4 00 days, on Saturday last, and two men of th i e it f,ll, o tt patrick have been fully committed for trito ti o I'' jog assizes. They are both Protestants — b a sin ta. B i / learn, the case is perfectly free from partY,".: fi tatt o JO Y° Mr. Barton still lingers in a very hoPc ie ,',.,tesl i " I hear, five wounds, all of which have pen Freeman's Journul. 414 60 SOS c itd THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT 1l 11:4,1111,:K0.101 SENAL.—The Board of Ordnance has gr, lll th o sum of Is. a week to the orphan son 01 " , O P' Purtill, who perished by the late 00°1 Laboratory department of the Royal Arseimeo_,.l,<,o6:o,. LIB OXFORD AGRICULTURAL S ri• or) . serve that the above society has just elec"be 01‘ of Brazennose College, their president for.,.t is r etil,, c e: i The five new members of the committee, It the r o ot) tv all among those who signed :the address to Thit e deP preventing the condemnation of Tract 9 ,°,,.dge following fast in the steps of the " Church and State Gazette. :--- 4 r DO 9 1. BBIRTHS.BIRTHS., TA C o te , pi On the Gth inst., at Florence, the lady of de o f or , Parcien, of a daughter. the ASII Iiii ' 0 On the 16th inst., at the Crescent , Claphso' f s ow of Charles Pritchard, of a daughter. the ° I On the 16th inst., at Stoke Newingtori , ..` A. °'' 0 14 soy, Esq., of a daughter.: Vi- j• fi/ On the 18th lest., at Deptford, Kent, 0 11 " _ A y , Of i d , le- r daughter. tl l6 OA ,„ of On the 19th inst., in Upper Bedford - p led/ Francis Fnnell Esq., of a daughter. . the l - On the e , 20th inst., at Caveudish - sq u4r- ' Id: J o Palsted Cobden, of a son. i3.4 91,,e0r - ,4 I C n ' ArARM Cop ED. _will , to 4 , 4.9 w - On the 12th ult., at Trinity Chu rcit , „,i-is, $ stem second surviving son of Francis Coleman ~,..-- n I ron ft , eldest (laughter of Colonel the lion. P h ilip +' former place. f CD t y. DIED. a irlf ° ° dal . . j _moot 0 t ic, land,On E th s e q B , t m h lijust,.,ofatQFuleoernensctreem, AtnivneaCy.r.,,faaiurfaa.trt ',.. ,_ i . e s, On the 16th inst., at HOItOII, George PY Ab ingd $ 044 ltev. John Myatt, neat i t t On the 16th inst., at Sutton Court nelr ,- ell e D. 0 , 1• 0 Cary, Esq., aged 28. OA S ' ; 00 # O f On the 18th inst., Jane 8., the Wife ofr , Chelsea. „„ t a, tito am • On the 19th inst., at Cobham , gn i ' 7- . ft ,,,. .- it , Vault, Esq. j . re lic., - j to On the 18th inst., at Bayswater, Luc I: 0i Smart, of Princes-street, I,eicester7sclu ge* 4 0, Of i ffa iru ,po 0 4,0 1° 11. London: Printed one Published by its . Strill.ms Strand, Printer, at 1714 Sun Office. 2.1 1. 1 04 0 0". of the Savoy, in till Conti cif _2, 1845. 1845. TRANSPORT OF TROOPS BY RAILWAY. The commission appointed last session to receive evidence on the relative merits of the broad and narrow gauges has eat several times, but the information obtained has, with one exception, possessed very little, if any, interest for the public generally. The exception to which we allude is that of the evidence given at the sitting of the commission on Wednes day, when Sir Willoughby Gordon, Quarter-Master-General of her Majesty's forces, was examined relative to tha facili ties afforded by railways for the transport of troops. The fol lowing is a condensed report of the General's evidence : For the last three years and a half, ending the 30th of June, there were conveyed by railway 212,000 persons, of whom 9,600 were women and 11,000 children, without a single accident being reported—a security previously unknown by any other mode of conveyance for troops. Has no preference for the broad or narrow gauge. Knew nothing of their com parative merits. Had never any want of accommodation on either. All the railway companies were anxious to meet the views of the Horse Guards. Had as much accommodation as if the railways were under his own direction. By the CHAIRMAN—In case of war, could the railways be made available for the defence of the country? Witness— Certainly. The effect of the rapidity of the railways was ouch that they could do as much with a small army as could have formerly been done with a large one. The break of a gaut;e would diminish these advantages. The practical in conveoience would be similar to that of a ferry. Great in convenience would result from want of cover. I know the stations at Paddington and at Slough, and am enabled, to speak of thcm. The break of a gauge at Slough would cause great inconvenience from the delay that it would occasion. It would be vt•xy inconvenient to unpack the baggage and ammunition aftt"r they had been once stowed away. The effect to cavalry I Tould be the same. When cavalry were removed, the horses were placed in boxes lightly nailed up, and they came out of them after a journey of 100 miles per fectly fresh. The removal of infantry, which might be ac complished in nine hours by railway, would require 17 marchings to effect the same distance. The expense by rail way is less. With regard to cavalry, the horses cost no more than if they were in stable, the only expense is for the men. The CHAIRMAN—Do you think the Government should keep a portion of the railway stations for the carriages and boxes for the horses? Witness --In time of war it might be desirable to have a stock of carriages and boxes at the dis posal of the Government. In my opinion an uniformity of gauge would be advantageous. It has been suggested that in case of an insurrection there would be a danger that the railways might be broken up. Ido not think that could be easily done. If such a thing was expected, patrols might be stationed on the line; the military would take care to pro vide against anything of that kind. The CHAIRMAN.—What would be the effect of lines of rail way along the coast in a military point of view. Wit ness—During the last war we had large bodies of troops along the coast in Kent, Sussex, and Devonshire, at a great expense ; but now we could concentrate our forces at one point. When the last war first broke out we had troops in Essex, Norfolk, Northampton, and so on northward. We had, besides, large bodies of troops in Kent, Sussex, Hamp shire, and Devonshire, which were all separate corps, and could not be moved without great labour and expense. In a similar state of things it would be much better to concentrate them at a central point in the interior, to be conveyed to the coast as might be required. The CHAIRMAN.—Then you think this point should be a focus, with radii diverging to the coast. Have you formed any opinion where that point should be fixed? Wit ness—l have not. That would have to be decided on. There might be more than one point. The Martello Towers, which it was at one time suggested should be sold, might be ve7 useful in repelling the approach of hostile steamers. This closed General Gordon's examination. RAILWAY SURVEYING.—On Sunday night, or rather on Monday morning, the gamekeepers in the employ of George Savile Foljambe, Esq., of Osberton-hall, Notting hamshire, were alarmed by seeing lights in various direc tions. Under the expectation of capturing a gang of poach ers, the keepers bore down, and came upon a whole troop of surveyors, employed for one of the Lincoln and Retford lines of railway. One party presented their pieces; the other levelled their surveying-poles, with the flag at one end and shod with iron on the other, like so many foot-lancers. Now, did not strict truth forbid it, there would be here a fine field for fancy to describe the battle that ensued; but it so hap pened that the gamekeepers, finding the other party the stronger of the two, and also that they were not poachers, but trespassing by night to make a survey which their master had forbidden by day, thought that discretion was the better part of valour, and they quietly beat a retreat, leaving the midnight surveyors, with their bull's-eye lan terns, chains, poles, and theodolites, in quiet possession of the field.—Doncaster Gazette. HUMAN VERSUS HORSE POWER. Considerable sensation was created last week in the neighbourhood of Airgrie, by the appearance of a large carriage drawn by no less than three hundred men. In the front of the carriage a person was stationed, who seemed to direct this mighty Juggernaut, and on its nearer approach it was found to con tain an anvil block, weighing seventeen tons, which was on its way from Monkland Ironworks to Gartness Ironworks, for one of Naysmith's steam-hammers about to be erected there. The carriage weighed three tons, making twenty tons in all ; and as it had to be let down a steep and rather awkward road, it was found necessary to apply intelligent power for the purpose. We understand the Monkland Iron Company are making a large addition to their malleable iron works at Calder Bank, for which they have ordered an en gine of about 200-horse power, and which will materially increase their power of production of rails, plates, &c.—Edin burgh Pest. ST. IVES.—No pilchards have been taken since our last report. The season draws to a close, but we hope to secure a few thousand hogsheads more before finally with drawing the seins. Up to this time about 10,000 hogsheads have been landed from the seins this season, which, at 505., will air oust to just 25,0001., a tolerably fair sum to realise in a few weeks.—Penzance Gazette. Governor's Island, in Boston' harbour, says the Journal, has been purchased by the United States Govern ment, of Henry G. Andrews, of Boston. The commanding position of Fort Winthrop, upon its summit, when repaired and fortified, will, with the other fort, make Boston 119 safe from foreign attack as any city in the Union. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, FRIDAY.—The Court-martial ordered to try Second. Lieutenant George Shedden Dunbar, of this division of Royal Marines, on a charge of drunkenness, which trial concluded on Monday last, when the sentence was sent up to the Admiralty for approval and sanction by her Majesty, re-assembled this afternoon at two o'clock in the mess-room of the Royal Marine Barracks, when the following was de livered as the finding : Charge—" For having been in a state oI intoxication at the Victualling Store Barracks, Portsmouth, on or about the afternoon of the 30th day of October, 1845 ; such conduct being unbecoming the character of an officer and a gen tleman." The Court came to the conclusion, "That Lieutenant Dunbar was guilty of having been in a state of intoxication at the Victualling Store-barracks on the 30th of October last, but did fully acquit him of all conduct unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman, as, in the opinion of the Court, such intoxication was chiefly, if entirely, pro duced by his previous indisposition, increased by his impru dent use of violent remedies. The Court having found the prisoner guilty to the extent above set forth, cloth there fore sentence him to be admonished to be more cautious in future." The above sentence must be most satisfactory to Lieu tenant Dunbar, as, after [a strict and careful investigation by fifteen officers of high rank and experience, his character has been cleared from all imputation, and must now stand higher than if it had not been subjected to investigation by a public tribunal. The Victory, 104, Captain Moubray, resumed her old posi tion off the Common Hard, Porteea, this morning, her moor ings having been examined and repaired. The Rattler screw steam-sloop, Commander SMith, was taken into the basin yesterday to complete the repair of her defects and At her for service on the coast of Africa. The Dee steam troop-vessel, Master Commander Driver, was taken alongside the jetty this morning to complete the repair of defects and have her machinery examined and re gulated. The Netley tender sailed to-day for Devonport with super numeraries. The Manoeuvrer naval lighter sailed to-day with stores for Sheerness and the river depots. The Leander 50-gun frigate is up in frame and her wales and bilge-planks) brought on. The workmen are now con structing a temporary shed over her, the weather having much retarded their progress; when the shed is (completed the frigate will be proceeded with with all possible dispatch. The Rifleman steam-gun-vessel is in a similar state of progress ; but being in a covered dock, her work is not re tarded by the state of the weather. She will be out of hand by the time required—six weeks from the day of laying her keel. The Dauntless steam-frigate, of 1,454 tons, to mount 36 guns, building on the plan of Mr. Fincham, master ship wright of this dockyard, is in frame as far aft as the begin ning of the after dead-work. She will work with a screw propeller, is being built on one of the new slips, and rapidly progressing in construction. The following are her dimen sions : Ft. In. Length between the perpendiculars 2lO 0 Length of keel per tonnage lB4 0 Breadth extreme Breadth moulded Depth of hold Burden, 1,454 tons. Horse power (screw), 520. The Arrogant, another steam-frigate, of 1,800 -tons, to mount 46 guns, building on the slip which adjoins the above, on the design of Mr. White, of Cowes, is in a similar state Pf forwardness to the Dauntless. Some anxiety is manifested by the dockyard officers in charge of these two fine vessels on account of the apparently slow progress which is made in the work. The men appear not to be properly skilled into the methods used in Govern ment yards, being mostly all strangers and hired men. The shortness of the days also impedes the work. The Arrogant is only to have steam as an auxiliary, being ordered to be masted and rigged as a regular sailing frigate. The Daunt less, on the contrary, will be exclusively a steam. frigate, and have masts and yards of a lighter character, such as steamers of war usually carry. The Thalia, 42, Captain Hope, was inspected Yesterday by the Commander-in-Chief Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, and her crew mustered, as usual, prior to being paid off. The President, 50, Captain Stanley, flag of Rear-Admiral Dacres, is still at Spithead, windbound. In Harbour—The St. Vincent, Victory, Excellent, Vic toria and Albert, Thalia, Fairy, Dasher, Comet, Dee, and Echo steamers ; Diligence navy transport, and Emerald and Fanny tenders. In Dock—The Prince Regent, Amphitrite, Trincomalee, Leander, Harlequin, and Rifleman. In the Basin—The Nelson, Edinburgh, and Rattler. At Spithead—The President. ROYAL MARINES. First Lieutenant S. J. Hadfield, with 11 privates of the divisional companies, and one sergeant, one corporal, and 11 gunners of the artillery companies, are ordered to embark in the Dee steam-sloop, Master Commander Driver, for passage to Pembroke Dockyard. It is supposed the gunners are sent there for the purpose of taking charge of the ordnance stores, and manning the guns in the fort lately erected for the de fence of the dockyard. APPOLNT:%IEATIL Captain—H. B. Martin, to the Grampus. Master—J. Hutchings, to the Grampus. Surgeons—J. H. Patterson, M.D., to the Helena; Robert Butler, M.D., to the Star. Mate—W. G. Herbert, to the St. Vincent. Midshipmen—H. Freeman, to the Endymion ; S. C. H. Robinson and H. R. D. M'Murdo, to the Alarm. Naval Cadets—G. G. Lomax, to the Agincourt; C. E. Batty, to the Bloodhound; F. Law, to the Crocodile; R. Purvis, to the. Alecto; G. Borlasse, to the Blazer; A. Gillet and E. C. Miller, to the St. Vincent. Boatswain—J. Hall, to the Vesuvius. Master's Assistant—A. C. Webb, to the Lizard. The Royal Society and Society of Antiquaries each held their first meeting for the session at their respective apartments in Somerset-house yesterday evening. The time of each meeting was chiefly occupied by the announcement of presents which had been received during the recess. At the former, Professor Faraday will on an early evening read a paper on his new theory of the identity of light with heat and electricity. ACCIDENT TO Two MEN AT ROTHERHITHE.— Yesterday morning an accident, attended with very melan choly circumstances, occurred to two men, named John Hogg, aged 19 years, and James White, aged 30. They were en gaged with several other men on board a brig named the Mary, of Bridport, which was unshipping her cargo at the Lavender Dock, Lower Rotherhithe. The two men alluded to were weighing heavy stones for making cement, when the crane or machine for that purpose gave way, and fell with an awful crash upon them. They were extricated, after con siderable difficulty, in a deplorable state. The young man, Hogg, received a fracture of the skull and extensive lacera tion of the scalp. He was placed on a shutter and conveyed to Guy's Hospital. Very slight hopes are entertained of his recovery. The other man received a compound fracture of the right thigh, and other serious injuries about his body. He was removed with all speed to the Dreadnought Hospital ship, where he was readily admitted and attended to by the surgeon on board. He lies in a very exhausted state. Ltricomes INN, Nov. 20.—The undermentioned gentlemen were called to the bar, and were sworn in :—Mr. J. Browne, Mr. E. W. Robertson, Mr. E. Martin, Mr. E. N. Ayrton, Mr. D. Stuart, Mr. M. Ware, Mr. M. H. Power, and Mr. A. B. Richards. THE AMAZING CARELESSNESS or COLLIERS.— It was Professor Faraday, we think, who amused the British Association by stating that when he was in the Has well pit, observing the preparations for a blast, and holding a candle in his hand, he inquired, "Where is your enp9wer ?" when a collier answered, " Yon are sitting upon it, A still grosser act of incaution, and, unhappily, disastrous in its consequencies, may now be recorded. Two pitmen, named Dickenson and Crozer, were last week " decanting" some gunpowder, and one of them was smoking his pipe at the time. The powder exploded, the men were blown up by the blast, and they are now totally blind.—Gateshead Observer. DESPERATE AFFRAY WITH POACHERS.—On Tues day morning about one o'clock, a gang of about ten or twelve poachers were discovered at their vocation in Sandridge cover, Melksham, by Bell and Ponting, Mr. Bruges' keepers, who in trying to take two of them into custody, were set upon by the whole gang and very roughly handled. Two shots were fired at Wells, which fortunately missed their aim, though one of them carried away the skirt of his coat. The poachers lost the barrel of a gun, some bludgeons, &c., in the affray. Eleven men have been taken into custody by the police on suspicion of being engaged in this affair, and are awaiting their examinat ion.— Wiltshire Independent. 1