The Sun. — London, England, 1851-07-11 00:00:00

THE TOTAL ECLIPSE of THE SUN ON JULY 28. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—Theaproaching eclipse of the sun on Monday, July 28, is the only one that will be total in parts easily accessible from this country for many years to come, and for this reason it is not improbable many c ontinental tourists may be induced to locate themselves on the line of the total phase in order to witness the grand natural phenomena that occur on such occasions. The more ob servers there are the better, and it is a matter of fact that amateurs have hitherto succeeded quite as well as professed astronomers in their descriptions and observa tions. On this account I beg to send you the following summary of the most remarkable appearances, celestial and terrestrial, which have been noticed in past years, in the hope that it may be acceptable to many who have no opportunity of consulting astronomical works upon the subject. I prefix a few particulars relative to the eclipse of the 28th of this month. The last total eclipse of the sun visible in London took place in April, 1715, and there will be no other till the morning of August 19, 1887. The eclipse of the present year will be total in the southern parts of Nor way and Sweden, in northern Prussia, Poland, and Russia; the principal places within the zone covered by the moon's shadow being Christiania, Bergen, the well known port of Gothenburg, Carlskrona, Dantzic, Konigsberg, and Warsaw. The eclipse will be more or less visible to the whole of North America, the North Atlantic Ocean down to the thirtieth degree of latitude, the whole of Europe, and the northern part of Africa. The total eclipse will commence on the N.W. coast of North America, near Queen Charlotte's Island, traversing the continent of America, over the Rocky Mountains, to the Slave Lake, which will be in entire darkness at lh. 30 P.M. Greenwich time. Afterwards the central line passes over Melville penin sula into Greenland, where it arrives at 2h. 5. Hence it passes north of Iceland, and reaches the coast of Norway, at a place called Brmkke, about forty miles north of Bergen, the total eclipse extending at this time over a zone 150 miles broad. Its after course lies in the direction of the town of Elbing, near the coast of Prussia, between Dantzic and Konigsberg, thence across the south-west of Russia, near Kobrin, in the province of Grodno, Jitomir, and Ivanovka, to the Sea of Azov, which will be involved in darkness about 6b. P.M. local time, while the sun is yet at a considerable altitude in the heavens. By a special calculation of the circumstances of the phenomenon for Christiania, we find the total eclipse will begin at 3h. 46m. 35. P.M. mean time at that place, and end at 3h. 48m. 475., so that the duration of total darkness will be 2m. 445. Similarly, by calculating the :ondition for Gothenburg, in Sweden, it appears that the tal phase will commence at 3h. 64m. 495. P.M., and end E;3b. 58m. 7e. local time. At Dantzic the last ray of ehe sun will vanish 4h. 30m. 558 ' " I " the darkness ending at 4h. 33m. 593. At Konigsberg this phase will commence at 4h. 38 1 n. 8.3., and end at 4h. 41w. 13s. The sun will be hidden at Bergen 3m. 225., at Carlskrona 3m. 1919 a nd at Wlrsaw Im. 5 70 - ALI London about 82-100tha of the sun's disc will be covered by the moon, and although some degree of ob. scurity must neces s arily take place, it is not likely to be very great. The gloom, however, is usually of a peculiar nature, sensibly different from that caused by a clouded sky, and if the heavens are overcast at the time, a mist has sometimes risen as the greatest phase approached, giving the surrounding landscape the same appearance that we notice early on a dull October morning. In the metropolis the eclipse will commence at four minutes a f te r 2 o'clock P.M., and w ill end at a quarter past 4; the middle or greatest phase will take place at 12 minutes after 3 o'clock, and at this moment the sun will appear as a harrow crescent, having the convex border towards the horizon. _ _ The progress of a solar eclipse after the first contact of the moon with the sun's limb is not usually of any particular interest, even to the astronomer, until a short time before his disc is wholly obscured by our satellite. The diminution of light then becomes very marked, and the darkness rapidly deepens as the centres of the sun and moon approach, the final extinction of the sun's rays being always very sudden. As soon as the total eclipse has commenced, or, according to some accounts, a few seconds before the narrow solar crescent has vanished, a very beautiful appearance presents itself, in the form of a luminous corona, or border of light, which surrounds the sun and moon during the continuance of the total eclipse, and disappears witnin a few seconds of the time when the first returning ray is seen. It has been described as composed of a circular zone con tiguous to the dark border of the moon, and of a second zone, less luminous, contiguous to the first. But the greater number of the observers of the eclipse of July, 1842, do not allude to any second zone of light further distant from the moon's limb than the brighter one, the intensity of light appearing to them to dimi nish ♦ery gradually from the dark burder of the moon until it assimilated itself with the general ground colour of the heavens. Other observers, compare it to the "glory" with which the painters surround the heads of saints, divergent rays of light streaming off from the moon's limb in every direction. Others, while giving the corona the same general form as before, refer to certain rays, or aigrettes, as the French term them, extending beyond the auroleola. The brightness of the corono varies greatly at different stations during the same eclipse, according to atmospheric conditions, and possibly with some regard to the altitude of the sun and moon above the horizon. In the total eclipse of July, 1842, tfie light was so intensely brilliant at Lipesk, in Russia, that the eye supported it with difficulty, and many persons doubted if the sun had really vanished. Yet in France and Italy its brightness was far inferior; the light was not strong enough to throw a perceptible shadow, and one observer at Padua estimated its intensity to be that of the full mcon as 1 to 7. As might be expected, there is a similar want of accordance with regard to the colour of the luminosity forming the corona. In 1842 some persons, who were most favourably situated and under the best atmospheric conditions, considered it perfectly white without the slightest tinge of colour during its continuance. At Milan it was straw-coloured, and the astronomers of the Observatory at Paris, who went to the south of France to make their observations, agree in giving a yellowish tinge. On previous oceasions it bas been described as pearl or peach-coloured, reddish, golden yellow, or presenting the hues of the rainbow. In 1706 it was like a ring of gold at Nuremburg. The breadth has also been variously estimated. At Perpignan in 1842, the light of the corona could be traced to a distance Equal to one-third of the moon's apparent diameter from her bor der. At Lipesk, where it was so advantageously viewed, some of the rays attained a distance of six or eight lunar diameters. The Astronomer Royal observing at the Superga, near Turin, assigned the corona an angular dimension of only one-eighth of the moon's apparent breadth. Some observers have drawn attention to an ap parent flickering and whirling motion of the corona, re sembling the effects produced by certain kinds of fire works. At Lipesk, in 1842, this luminous ring was in a state of violent agitation. _ But the most ie . markable phenomenon during a total eclipse, and that which most excited the attention of astronomers in July, 1842, is the sudden visi bility of rose-coloured prominences, or "red flumes" as toy are usually called, in different positions on the dark border of the moon, and projected on the light of the corona. Their appearance is always instan taneous, and the same form is preserved as long as they are visible. At some places three or more were seen, in others only two; generally they were perceived on the north ern li m b of the moon at distances of thirty degrees or upwards from each other. M. Arago says they were of a rosystint:hbut with a violet-hue in some in points (possibly frown the efrpot of contrast), and at tained an altitud e of more that one minute of arc from Other the moon's limb. ofr astronomers compare them to the snowy summits Alps illumined by the rising or setting sun, and the resemblance was further strengthened by the immobility of the protuberance and the absence of all a PP t>ara nce o f sc i nt ill at i on . Professor Santini, of Padua, h ea l lls them" pyramids of Milan fire," and an observer at compares them to " burning coals." Many authorities, ti r while agreeing in the general reddish colour of these prominences, mention the purplish or viola hues . of certain p o i n t s , an d also record the appearanc e of a border of rosy light round a considerable extent of th e moon's limb. ry D ur i n g the eclipse of August, 1850, Island it was total at l 41a H o nolulu, in the Sandwie t hat the red flames were largests'onittheweasastern re marked limb at the commencement of total darkness,l but the dark body of th e moon seemed gradua e ll a y st t o o r eoi• F r them es it advanced ac ross the sun ,in an and as gradually to render visible more andy direction, more of the red flames on the opposite limb. T his is pre cisely the ef f ect th at should be p roduce d , supposing them to exist in th e u pp er re g ions of thep solar g atmosphere, and the observation consequently p els _ much strengthens the view taken with respect to the very na ture of the rose-coloured prominences by M. Arago. It was further remarked at Honolulu that in the re • e point occupied bythe tern protuberance was visible when els •of a dark spot that ortion the sun's surface w brought into view da ys afterwards by his as rotation. These some the interest axial• acts will add to .attaching to the observations of the approaching eclipse. The corona and red flames are the most conspicuous celestial phenomena -- and at the same Lim a a total eclipse of the sun, upon the physical e most important as bearing are others which well structuredeserve of that luminary. But there such observers as are peor,vied attention at the hands of derate power. Amongst the ? with telescopes of mo• visibility of the contour of the may be instanced the sun's disc prior or subsequentetenoon w hi c h i s o ff the even before the 'first mutest (~f '' the total phase, arid the appearance of dishes of white or sun and moon ; over the surface of our satellite as the or coloured light the illumination of solar spots near eclipsethe progresses; peculiar colour of portions ef her moon 's edge ; disc, as black blue girdle, reddish purple gradually darkening with a the centre, or dusky gray brighter towards the towards a greater or less illumination of the entire .the sun; moon and the visibility of the spots upon her disc of the sUr. e. e se ; the formation of what are termed „ Bai beads, " or bright dro p , which beco me visible when the uneclipsed portion of the sun is very narrow, i e , inameeiattly before the commencement and aft er the end if the total eclipse, &c. It appears to be highly desirable that the positions of the solar spots should be determined with some degree of accuracy fourteen days before; and atter the eclipse, and I will venture to suggest this class of cbservation to amateur astronomers who are provided with suitable means. Those portions of the sun's disc which prPtent facula, or streaks of a brighter character than the greater part of Lis surface, should also be noticed. As already remarked, the diminution of light is not 11 . pally very grea t u ntil about a quarter of a n hour before the commencement of the total eclipse. The brighter planets then become visiblethe naked and when to the i sun _ s wh n 1 iy obscured, stars of the first and second magnitudes come into view. In 1842 the greatest number of star s was ten, and few Persons could distinguish more i than five or six. (During the approaching eclipse the sun will be situate in Cancer, the i brightest stars in his vicinity being Castor, Pollux, l Capella, and Regulus; the planet Venus will be 18 de grees distant from the sun towards the west, Mercury about 15 degrees eastward and a little south, Jupiter east of the meridian and 5 degrees below the equator, and Mars near the western horizon). It is recorded by historians, that during the total eclipse of Agathocles, B.C. 310, the stars appeared in every direction, and in describing the famous eclipse of B.C. 610, which put an end to the war between the Binge of Medea and Lydia, and is said to have been predicted by Thales, Herodo. tus says, " the day was turned into night." The heavens, as the totality approaches, assume a dull sombre aspect, the azure blue of the sky becomes livid or purplish, and occasionally broad bands of red or orange light appear near the horizon. This change in the colour of the heavens is perceptible when the eclipsed portion of the sun amounts to eight digits, and was noticed as early as A.D. 840. The figures of persons near the observer gradually as sume a pale, cadaverous aspect, or on some occasions become olive-green. At Cremona, in 1842, the whole landscape appeared as though it were illuminated by a " Bengal light," and in other prices objects put on first a greenish tinge, which subsequently changed to saffron, violet, or purple, as the obscurity grew deeper. The unnatural appearance of human figures is a fact particularly mentioned by those who wit nessed the last eclipse in Europe, as tending to excite the most painful impr ess i ons; one writer compares the effect to that prod uce d b y b urn i n g spirits of wine. M. Arago states that at Perpignan, in the south of France, nearly 20,000 persons turned out to observe the total eclipse of July, 1842, notwithstanding the early hour of the morning at which the phenomenon occurred. At Milan, Turin, Padua, and other places within the moon's shadow, e enthusiasm was eq ually great. The streets of Honolulu, in the Sandwich Islands, tal were covered with pieces of smoked glass after the in Paris by the mere announce • eclipse of August , 1850 — a fact contrasting strikingly with the alarm p roduced ment of a to t a l eclipse in 1654, when, as M. Arago num bers sought protection in caves. The sudden prevailed amongst the vast multitudes col- Sait la l eC et e t n e c d s e, i that the populous cities of Southern France and Italy in 1842, as the last ray of the sun vanished, and the universal shout of welcome with which his re-appearance ' was greeted, have been well described by the French phi losopher. The effects of a total eclipse upon the animal creation are very curious. In 1842 horses came to a sudden stand-still, and neither whip nor goad would induce them to move. Oxen in the fields arrayed themselves in a circle, back to back, or with their horns outwards, as to resist an attack. Dogs fled for refuge to their masters, howling piteously during the continuance of the darkness. A hen surrounded by her chickens hastily collected them under her wings. Birds fell upon the ground apparently dead from fright, or perished by dashing themselves against the walls and chimneys. At Venice swallows were readily taken in the streets, fear having deprived them of the power of escape. Owls and bats made their appearance, but quickly retreated when the Eclipse was over. Bees, which had left their hives in great numbers at sunrise, returned until the darkness ceased, and a swarm of ants was seen to atop suddenly on their march. Delicate plants, as the convolvulus, mimosa, &c., closed their leaves. In short, from past experience, there can be no doubt that the naturalist will find much to interest him in the approaching eclipse as well as the astronomer, and it is very possible that even in this country, where the eclipse will be very large, though not total, some of the above phenomena may be wit noised. The thermometer in the shade is not usually much affected, though to the senses there is a chill, damp feeling in the air. At Perpignan, during the last eclipse, there was a heavy dew, which fell in small drops from the trees. Great preparations have been made for securing proper observations on the 28th of the present month. English, French, and American astronomers will locate themselves at various points in Sweden and Norway. The Russian Government have equipped six stations, with three observers at each; and the Prussian astro nomers will arrange themselves at different places near the shores of the Baltic. If the weather prove favourable, we may expect observations along the whole course of the moon's shadow, from the western coast of Norway, where it enters Europe; to the Sea of Azov. The results can hardly fail to improve our knowledge of the physical constitution of the sun, with which the corona and red flames appear to be connected. A very fair idea of the nature of these phenomena may be obtained from the diagrams exhibiting at the Poly technic Institution, which, with the accompanying de scription, as evincing the care taken to present faithful views of scientific subjects to the public, reflect much credit on the parties concerned.—l remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, J. R. HIND. July 9. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. CALEDONIAN GUARANTEED. Meetings of the various guaranteed interests were held in Glasgow on Thursday, finally to consider and determine in regard to the Caledonian Railway Amend ment Bill, which has passed the Commons, and is now proposed to be introduced to the House of Lords. At the meeting of the Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coat bridge Company Mr. A. Baird was called to the chair. The report of the committee of directors stated that they had carefully watched over the interests of the company in connexion with the Caledonian Arrange ment 8111. They had accordingly required that in place of any new payment of annuity, being directed as for the first time, or in lieu of the existing an nuity, the Act should simply confirm the present ob ligation, and that in the clause respecting the lien there should be no new lien created, but the old lien preserved. The first of these demands was contested by the pro moters of the:Bill, and the second was forced on them by Parliament. As the Bill stood it sought to legalise the borrowing of 150,0001. over the Garnkirk, while the ori ginal Act only gave power to borrow to that extent, in clusive of the Garnkirk debt, amounting to 48,000 L, so that by that sum there had been an over issue of de bentures. On the whole, considering that by the'Act all doubts as to the Garnkirk Company being creditors, and not shareholders are effectually resolved; that their right to rank first of all the guaranteed interests on the Caledonian funds is distinctly declared; the lien and security of the shareholders in and over the Garnkirk Railway are preserved; and a much more rapid and effectual means of enforcing the lien is provided, with a declaration that payment cannot be disputed on any ground until the sum in arrear shall be consigned in bank;—for all these reasons the committee had no hesi tation in recommending that the Act should be ap proved of. The clauses of the Bill we're then read over, and a short discussion followed; after which Mr. A. ORR moved— " That the Bill be•aproved of, and that it be remitted to the directors to prosecute the 'measure in Parliament, and agree to such amendments as might not be inconsis tent with the interests of the Garnkirk shareholders." The motion was agreed to, and the meeting separated, some of the members stating that the arrangement was expected to add 51. per share to the value of their stock. At the meeting of the Clydesdale Junction guaranteed shareholders Mr. Pritchard was called to the chair. The report of the committee on the subject was then read, which stated that as it stood the Bill was substan tially the same as when submitted to the recent meeting of the Clydesdale Junction shareholders. The arrears of past dividend, to the extent of 20,0004, are directed to be provided for immediately after the passing of the Act by the issue of Caledonian debentures or bonds. One clause had been introduced into the Bill of a novel character. It saves the rights of Mr. Bakendale, of London, a holder of 300 shares in the Clydesdale stock. Mr. Bakendale (said the committee's report) is . in no peculiar position different from other persons. He had, like Mr. Baird, Mr. Johnston, and others, instituted proceedings for recovery of his redemption price ; but he was not a party to the application for appoint ment of judicial factor. He petitioned, like others, against the Bill, and conducted his opposition on his own account. He never acceded to the proposed terms of compromise, and the committee on the Bill consi dered that in the circumstances they could not legislate against him adversely, but were bound to reserve his whole claims. The committee would have done the same for the whole shareholders of the Clydesdale who had given notice to redeem and instituted actions; but as the obvious effect of such a provision would have been to defeat the Bill, the committee of the Clydesdale did not consider themselves warranted in making a de mand to that extent, and thereby encountering so serious a risk; and, therefore, at the expense it may be of Mr. Bakendale obtaining some advantage over the other shareholders, they admitted his clause. The committee are ready still to recommend the whole share holders to accede to the Bill and to adopt its provisions, rather than be thrown back upon the legal remedies, which Mr. Bakendale may yet find to be very barren of any pecuniary benefit to him. The committee concluded by recommending the general meeting to protest against the isolation of a siegle shareholder against the wishes of the united body, and to lodge a short petition against the Bill in so far as that clause is concerned. A short discussion followed, chiefly regarding Mr. ji k endale's position, in which it was stated that he was likely t o get into a perpetual law suit, without securing any of the advantages which the incorporation by this Act would otherwise give him. The CHAIRMAN then moved the approval of the Bill in the usual terms, which was agreed to—one gentleman said, in c l u di ng t h ose p . proxies, the Bill was app roved of by gentlemen The SOLICITOR p r e e n s e h n o t l d a l n n g d 4,435 shares. The meeting then separated. At meeting of the Wi s h aw and Coltness share holder=, heerit,Mr. Glasgow was called to the chair. The Caledonian Arrangement Bill was unanimously approved of, on the ;nation of Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Robertson. At the meeting of the Farrhead an d Neilston share holders h e ld in the c( ropany's cffiee, Mr. Campb e ll was called to th e c hair. It was , how e v e r , resolved to ad journ the proceedings till Monday, to permit of some co mmunication as to details Long made with parties in London. tlt —lt in intended HEREFORD, Roes, AND GLOTRIEST. , • es possible. to commence the works on this line as s o on The tunnels at the Lea and at Ballingha— m a re th works to be proceeded with, as they will requireportion longer time for their completion than any other will % viers . of the line. It is believed that the lando with efirs a t aff)rd every facility to the company to proceed vn the works, no soon as the necessary arrangements aro made. NORTH ►STAPEORDBHIRE.--It appears ' the works on the Ashbourn branch of this railway are to be com menced immediately by Messrs. Brassey, on terms which are considered to be extremely favourable. The eremony of cutting the first sod took place last week, n s pleas of land at Clifton, near tialabourn, and a THE SUN, LONDON, public dinner was given on the occasion, by some of the inhabitants of the latter place, to the contractor and en gineer, with a view to express their gratification at the probability of having railway communication extended to that town. HOP INTELLIGENCE. MAIDSTONE.—The accounts from the plantations are a shade better this week. The weather has certainly been in flavour of the crop, being such as is proverbially said to " bring hops out of bare poles. Still there is abundant cause for apprehension. The vermin has made a most vigorous attack, and it remains to be seen whe ther the plant has constitution enough to resist its effects, backed as they are by slackness of bine, lateness of season, and in some places, we hear, mould. A corre spondent, whose locality we need not indicate, says—" I do not speak of any particular parish when I report that mould is found, but say that it is alarmingly extending." FARLNIGII AND YALDING.—The hops do not look so well this week. Some that were tolerably clean have got fouler, the lice following the branches; others are more fire blasted. The nights have been very cold and the weather for the last few days very ungenial. The prospect becomes worse as the time draws on. WATEurricatunir.—There is a continued increase of vermin, and the bine in many of the grounds shows very strongly that it is greatly suffering from the vermin and the drought, and unless there is an alteration soon we shall have but very few hops. MEREWORTH.—We have here fire blast, vermin, and honey dew upon the increase, and also slack bine • as such there is not much ch ance o f a crop; t h e hops hare not looked so bad before for years. NETTLESTEAD.—There are some grounds in this pa. risk in which there is a good quantity of bine, but ver min and honey dew, and the apparent want of rain, give the bine a very unhealthy appearance. LOOSE.—We have considerable improvement in the growth of bine since my lest report, but there is still much vermin following the young shoots, and a slight sprinkling of fly. There is rather a large number of niggers, and an appearance of a succession, which is the only thing favourable. It is the opinion of every planter that they are in a most uncertain state. AYLES.FORD.—The vermin are cn the decrease, and with hot favourable weather there is now a prospect of growing some hops on the good grounds. OTHAM.—The hop-grounds in this parish are very unequal; our best grounds have made considerable pro gress, but the slack gronuds, of which we have many, have advanced but little. We have still some fly and lice, but not sufficirnt at present to cause alarm. The grape grounds are suffering from the drought and are turning yellow. Ulco . inE.—The greater part of our plantations con tinue in a very sickly state; the lice follow up the young shoots, and honey dew is dripping from the leaves; the bine is at a stand still in many grounds; there are some few exceptions in the best goldings upon the Rock, where they are still growing. BROOMFIELD —We are rather improving, but have too much company to be pleasant; we have never been so foul as some of our neighbours. • WROTHAM (Town District.)—The warm weather has forced the strong bines on very rapidly this last week, in which there is apparently less vermin, but still sufficient to injure them should the weather take an unfavourable turn; the weak bine grounds, of which there are several, have made but little progress, are loaded with lice and nits; the fly is pretty mush dead, leaving their progeny to do the mischief. OTFORD AND SHOREHAM.—The vermin have de creased considerably the last few days, and there is a chance in some of the grounds of growing two bags per acre. TONBRIDGE,—In some instances we note an improve ment since last week, in others the contrary. After one or two heavy mornings that we have experienced, fresh fly was found on the mid shoots. SWANSCONBE.—Since the rains we have less fly, and some grounds certainly are much cleaner and continue growing, promising a moderate crop; others are swarm ing with lice and honey dew, with a very bad appear ance of any hops. STAPLEHURST.—We have received fresh swarms of fly in our grounds within the last few days, which are committing great ravages; honey dew also has spread much in the grounds; the grounds appear in a very pre carious state. CRANBROOY.—Since our last re port the weather has continued favourable to the growth of the bine—the gentle irrigation of the grounds on Tuesday last, accom panied as it was by a copious discharge of electricity from " nature's battery," has operated as an abstergent, and has imparted a freshness and vigour to the plant which will no doubt be productive of good. Some of our plantations now present to the eye of a superficial observer a picturesque and pleasing appearance. The poles are " in verdure clad, and the young and tender offshoots; (which have till now displayed considerable re luctance to advance) are evincing a desire to " make friends," but on a close examination it is found, that like the enc hanted fruit in the palace of a sorcerer, the ob ject of our admiration loses its attraction as soon as it is grasped by the adventurer a hand, for on turning up the leaves myriads of fly and lice are still observable. On the other hand, however, there is a large quantity of niggers as well as fly goldings, which may be seen sedu lously trucidating the " warmint," and we think in the aggregate we are justified in reporting an improvement upon our last week's statement on this subject. BOLVENDEN.—Many of our plantations are very foul, and considerable honey dew at the same time; there is great increase of the nigger, and some of our grounds are clearing, . _ 0 • HORSMONDEN.-Our hops are still very foul, though some fancy there is a slight decrease in the lice. The bine continues to grow, the hot weather being much in their favour. CANTERBURY.—There appears little variation in the grounds since last week, excepting the appearance of honey dew in some instances. Rain is sadly wanted. The bine grows vigorously, and his now " shaking hands" across some of the alleys. General accounts speak of the bine being beset by vermin, and of the pre valence of honey dew—the chances being against a crop.—Maidstone Journal. SEABORNE MAILS. [N signifies that the mails are sent front the General Post-oftlo , by the night—and 3d by the morning—dispatch.] When made up in From PLACES. General Post-office port dis- what whendue. London. patched. America (by Brit. pkt.)N July 11 Liverpool .. July 14 America (by U.S. pkt.) N July 18 .. Liverpool America (by U.S. pkt.) M July 16 .. Southampt. Arrived Africa (West coast).. N 14th of the month Plymouth Aug. 3 Alexandria* • • ...... N 19th & 30th of mo. Dover .. July 18 Belgium •• • . •• N Daily .. Dover .. Daily Brazil • • ; • .. M 9th of the month Southampt. July 12 Buenos Ayres • • .. M 9th of the month Southampt. July 12 California(viaChagres)M 2d& 17th of month Southampt. July 20 Cape of Good Hope N 14th of month Plymouth.• Aug. 3 Constantinople* .. • • If ;7th 17th 27th of molDover .. July 10 Central America .. Mi2d & 17th of m on. ISouthampt. July 20 Channel Isles • • .. NMon., Wed., &Fri. Southampt. Tn. TILS a Chill . Mll7th of the month ISouthampt. July 20 France .• M &NlTwice daily .. .. Dover • • Twicedaily Greece* • • .. • • N,7th 17th 27th ef mo ; Dover • • July 10 liamburgh NTuesday & Friday ;London .. Tues. Sat. Holland .. • • .. MlWedn es. & Satur. l London Moa.Thrr Honduras Nll7th of the menth'Southampt. July 20 Ireland .. M & N' Twice daily .. ..1 Holyhead Twicedaily India (via Sonthamp.) M 20th of the month,Southampt. July 23 India (via Marseilles) N7th& 24th efmonth l Dover • • July 16 Mediterranean (via Southampton) • • M,2oth of the month Southampt. July 23 Mediterranean (via Marseilles) .. N,7th&24thofmonth Dover .. July 16 Mexico M 2d of the month.. Southampt. Aug. 5 xadeira .. • • .. M 9th of the month Southampt. July 12 Malta . N 1 1 7r i v t lli o ,, f 9 m tk o , n 27 t th h Dover July 10 N a pl es * , • • • • Nl s th 15th 25th of mo :Dover .. July 12 Papal States* N s th 15th 25th of uso ; Dover .. July 12 Peninsular.. 31 1 7th 17th 27th of mo'Sotithampt. July 16 Peru .. .. • • .. Mll7th of the month ISouthampt. July 20 Tuscany* .. N sth 15th 25th of mo Dover .. July 12 West Indies .. M 17th of the month Southampt. July 20 West Indies (except Havanna & Nassau) M l 2d of the Month Southampt. Aug. 5 * The mails to those c ountries thus marked (*) are conveyed by French packet via. Marseilles. CALIFORNIA.—MaiIs to and from California, v6m the United States are now despatched and due by every American packet. la, via the United States (can packet. THE VACANT GARTER.—It was currently ru moured last evening, in the lobbies of the Houses of Parlia ment, that the garter vacant by the death of the Earl of Derby would be conferred on Earl Fitzwilliam. His Eminence Cardinal Wiseman visited Jersey last week on his way from opening a new church at Guern sey, and administered the rites of confirmation to a large number of individuals on Sunday. Mr. Turnbull, ad vocate, of Edinburgh, who is at present residing in the island, had a long private interview and the honour of dining with his Eminence the preceding day. Mr. Turnbull, it is generally known, is the political leader of the Scottish Roman Catholics. ROYAL SANTIAGO MINING COMPANY.—The an nual meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, 38, Broad-street-buildings, City. Mr. Taylor took the chair, in the absence of Baron de Goldsmid, and in doing so he said that the absence of the Baron was caused by a dispatch which he had received that morning respecting the Mexican bondholders, which he was that moment commu nicating to a meeting of parties interested. Mr. Docker read the report. It stated that the expenditure up to the 28th of February amounted to 10,547/. for the half year. They had received 910 tons of ore from the Perseverencia Mines, and 20 tons of precipitate. Of this quantity 508 were brought to Swansea, but the ore was so largely im pregnated with mundic, as to be of lower produce of copper than the previous shipment, and had netted only 1,916/ The 20 tons of precipitate realised 982/. In the course of the year a considerable quantity of ground had been opened by means of shafts and levels, but the produce had been of a fluc tuating character. In January last 11 miners were sent from Cornwall to the mines, and the result of the operations had been favourable. 438 tons of ore raised last year had been examined, and they had extracted 250 tons of good ore. There was 176 tons of ore on the way to Swansea, which would realise 2,030/., making the receipts for the half year 5,129/. A favourable opinion was expressed of some of their mines, owing lo certain indications which had been observed. The accounts showed that 10,5471. had been ex pen 4 ed during the year, and 5,1291. received, showing a loss of 5,418/. on the working. The tot avail able assets were 14,089/. The chairman. in moving the adoption of the report, entered into a statement of his views with regard to the undertakirg, and a long discus sion took place relative to the call proposed of 2/. per share on the 7,000 shares; and, ultimately, the report was adopted, and a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. _ _ York Sti C A o k u P r ie S r f Majorthe New D a liaLOTll4,:u.i7erAwcriotrersetshpaotndtheen tlatoe venzac related the following incident illustrative of the sharp shooti ng at the battle of New Orleans. He stated that, on the morn i ng after the battle, twe l ve b r oiled robins were p'aced on the breakfast table, prepared for General Jackson and his suite, which had been shot with a rifle through the head, by one of the Kentucky Riflemen, who had been in the conflict; h e h a d fi re d thi r teen times, and m issed hitting his bird in the bead only once. " This cir cumstance being soon blow n i n the neighbourhoo d , a certifi cate of the fact was requested an d obtained f rom General J ac kson and his aids, by the British officers, that, by such evidence on their return to London, they might exhibit to their Government the character Of the enemy at New Orleans. " FRIDAY IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. ROUSE OF LORDS, July 10. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. The Earl of HARROWBY presented a petition from Bath against beer-houses. PRIVATE BILLS. On the motion of Lord REDESDALE several private Bills were forwarded a stage. POOR-LAWS (IRELAND). The Earl of GLENGALL complained of the conduct of certain poor-rate collectors in the west of Ireland. In one instance twenty sheep, belonging to a man who owed no poor-rates, had been seized on the land of a de faulter, and sold for 21.., and they had been bought by the poor-rate collector himself. The parishioners of va rious parishes in Galway had expressed their fears of the consequences of the number of ejectments sued out by the Law Life Insurance Company of London, who bad brought 970 ejectments, and those 970 families would be thrown upon the poor-rates for support. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE was understood to say that inquiry should be made into the circumstances. LAW REFORM-L--COUNTY COURTS BILL. Lord BROUGHAM said that many objections had been made to the Bill for extending the jurisdiction of county courts to bankruptcy cases. One of those objectiens was that it made the operation of the clause enforcing residence on the judges, and debarring them from prac tice, prospective. He thought there was force in the objection, and would, when he again proposed the Bill, make it retrospective; but he did not intend to proceed further with the Bill during the present session. With regard to the other Bill for extending equitable jurisdiction to the county courts, he felt con vinced that some such measure was requisite to render convenient or at all tolerable and bearable to the country the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery, and he was therefore extremely sorry that he did not feel that he was in a position to propose to their Lord ships to proceed further with this Bill during the present session. BURGESSES AND FREEMEN PARLIAMEN TARY FRANCHISE BILL. Lord BEAUMONT moved the second reading of this Bill. The Small Tenements Rating Act bad incidentally disfranchised a large number of persons, to whom it was the obj , ct of the present Bill to restore the franchise. The Marquis of SALISBURY objected to the Bill, because it conferred on the owner practically the right of conferring the franchise on his tenant, or of with drawing it from him. Ba hoped this error would be currectid in Committee, but he would not oppose the second rt ading of the Bill. Lord FORTMAN supported the Bill. Lord BEAUMONT would be happy to consider the Aubjec , . in Committee, and if the words of the clause gave to the owner the power of conferring the franchise or depriving a tenant of it, he would consent to any alte ration in the clause which should guard against such an occurrence. The Bill was then read a second time. Lord WHARNCLIFFE presented a petition from the inhabitants of St. Leonard's, against being included wish Hastings in the General Board of Health Bill. On tr:e motion of the Marquis of CLANRICARDE, the Attorneys' and Solicitors' Regulation Act Amend. ment 13111 went through Committee. EVENING, JULY 11, 1851. SYNOD OF THURLES. Lord MONTAGUE took an opportunity to correct a misstatement of what fell from him the other evening on the subject of certain resolutions having relation to the proceedings at the recent Synod of Thurles. He had been made to say that when certain resolutions condemnatory of the Queen's Colleges were passed at the Synod of Thurles, such was the strong feeling evinced by some of the Roman Catholic clergy and laity that these resolu tions bad not been forwarded to Rome. The observa tions he made had reference, not to the resolutions in question, which had been forwarded to Rome, but to counter resolutions which were passed after the original resolutions bad been agreed to. - MERCHANT SEAMEN'S FUND. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH rose to move for a Copy of a report from Mr. Alexander Glen Finlaison to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere on the Merchant Sea men's Fond, dated March 18, 1850, and laid before the House of Commons, and by them ordered to be printed on the 26th of March, 1850; also any reports received by the Board of Trade since the report of the Commis sion of 1848, relating to the present condition and pro spects of the Merchant Seamen's Fund. The Noble Lord said be viewed with the greatest regret the mea sure introduced by her Majesty's Government for wind ing up the Merchant Seamen's Fund. He could not hope to prevail on Government to desist from pressing forward their measure, but he hoped he should be able to state reasons that would satisfy the Noble Lord con nected with the Board of Trade that it would be un wise to carry the measure into effect according to its provisions. The Noble Lord here went into a history of the Merchant Seamen's Fand, which was established to provide pensions to worn-out seamen, the widows of seamen, and their children. After reciting the various legislative changes which had taken place since the first Act was passed, the Noble Lord brought down his statement to 1844, when the fund had so dwindled down that Government deter mined to wind it up, and to make new rules, which had been embodied in the Government Bill. He proposed to draw attention to one or two parts of this Bill, because the question was of much import ance, inasmuch as it affected the feelings and interests of all the seamen in the merchant navy—seamen's widows and seamen's orphans. The persons to be af fected by the Bill were of all others the most deserving of kind consideration. One provision of the Bill was, that no contribution was to be received from any person after a specified period, Government only undertaking to bear the weight of the pensions already incurred. Now there were a number of persons who were entitled to pensions, but to whom pensions bad not yet been granted, who had paid their contributions regularly, who bad thererefore an inchoate right to a pension, and yet who would be deprived of their right by the careless way, he would not say the insidious way, in which certain pro visions had been introduced into the Bill. The provision ho particularly wished to draw attention to was the one which provided that seamen who had contributed for an aggregate period of sixty months were required to con tribute continuously for two years more, otherwise they would forfeit all claim to relief from the fund, their widows and children. Now, it must be recollected that a great dumber of seamen acquired right to these pen sions every year. These persons had contributed for five years, and yet they were required by the Bill to con tribute for two years longer. He would show their Lordships how unjustly this provision would eork. From a calculation made in 1847, it appeared about 800 seamen acquired yearly a right to relief from this, they being worn out in the service. Of necessity this number for two years would be deprived of pensions because they could not comply with the conditions of the Bill by contributing continuously for the next two years to the fund. There would b e at l east 1 , 600 persons thus unjustly deprived of their pensions. But this num ber would be greatly augmented, because such a thing as continuous payment was not known in the administra tion of the Merchant Seamen's Fund. The seaman only paid during the Lim o ho was empl o y e d, an d as h e was on l y employed about Line months in each year, a young sea man would thus be seven years before he could work out his five years' payments, and nearly four years before he could work out his 24 months' continuous payment. The operation of this provision would extend the number of 1,600 to which he bad referred, to 3,200 and more, and thus this large number of deserving persons would be deprived of pensions to which they had a just claim. The provision for continuous payment was absurd, and would practically deprive a vast numder of persons entitled by right to pensions. The result would be that the con tinuous payment would not be continued beyond the five years, sad the Government would thus be deprived of all resources for the payment of those pensions to sea men. There was another provision of the Bill which to be granted hereafter should b e granted on a that all pensions was equally objectionable —namely, uniform scale, according to the average rate of the pre sent pensions. At the present moment the pensions in some ports were extremely liberal; Liverpool, for in stance, where it amounted to nearly 121. a year; but in some of the smaller ports to which worn-out seamen went, and where the wages being less the contributions were smaller, they did not amount to more than 12s. Could anything be more preposterous than that they should be all reduced to one level? Those who had been in the receipt of the 121. per annum bad, moreover, es tablished their rights by usage, and yet the Bill pro posed to deprive them of those rights by establishing one uniform rate, which would average no more than 525. the year. No doubt many seamen would obtain an ad vantage by this; but it would be entirely at the expense of others. But that was not all. The average number of pensions, it was provided, was not to exceed the aver age number granted at each port each year for the last five years. This would bo a manifest injustice and wrong. .t Liverpool, for instance, there were a greater number granted last year than in the year before, and a greater number that year than in the year preceding it; and the same held good at many other ports of the kingdom. But taking the average of the last five years would be to take a smaller number than that of last year of the pen sions given in each cl a ss, and consequently the injustice and the wrong was made manifest. There was then a provision that the aggregate amount of pensions should not exceed the amount of the preceding year, until the new rules came into operation—no doubt to place a check upon the trustees; but how would this act? In the first eleven months of the present year as many pen sions had been granted as in the whole of the past year; and consequently, whatever might happen—however much destitution might prevail—the trustees would be wholly pee erless to deal with it. These points he re commended to the attention of the Noble Earl and her Majesty's Government. He did not for a moment sup pose that her Majesty's Government would intentionally or knowingly do wrong to the seamen, but he certainly did think that they had been guilty of a most culpable terror in the prepar a ti on o f th ese p r opo s iti o ns. It wa s with a feeling of the deepest regret, humiliation, and shame, that be saw the determination of her Majesty's Government to wind up accounts in this affair. All the other Governments or Europe—France, Austria, as re garded Venice, Rome even— made a fitting provision for their worn-out seamen; while England, who depended on that class for the dominion of the seas, and who in the next war might have, as she had done before, to de pend upon them for her safety—for her very existence —for all, threw the obligation of providing 'for them in their old age and infirmity to the winds, and commended them to the mercy of boards of guar dians to get relief as they best could from an unwilling or indifferent community. He could not bear to look at t h e poss ibl e even t i n this case. He had been always taught to look on them as the fa voured children of the state, and he always considered them in the same light as ho did seamen of ships of war. According to old pr ac ti ce , an d un d er the authority of Acts of Parliament, the Crown had a right to call on their services, He looked upon it, therefore, as au act of great impolicy to disgust these men. Instead, how ever, of serving them, the other measures of the Govern ment, especially those on the navigation laws, had still further injured them by depriving them of employment. These seamen, who formed the nursery of our fleets, should, in his opinion, have been attached to the country, instead of being left to give their services to foreign states. He regretted many things that passed daily be fore his eyes, He regretted that though this country had increased in material wealth—though not in the same proportion as other countries—her people were not in mind, in spirit, and in statesmanlike wisdom, the great people that they formerly had been. Looking, however, at what passed daily, he was led more and more to the conclusion that one of the greatest calami ties that could affect a constitutional state was the pro tracted existence of a weak, timid, and irresolute Go vern ment.—(Hear.) Earl GRANVILLE did not think it advisable to en ter as the Noble Earl had done on the discussion of a Bill not yet before their Lordships; he should, there fore refrain from following the Noble Earl in his analy sis, and content himself with saying that when the Bill should come before the House he hoped he would be able to show that it deserved in no sense the character given of it by the Noble Lord. He (Earl Granville) was not there to defend the Act of 1834; but he was bound to remind the Noble Earl that no want of cour tesy had been shown to the Commission of which he was chairman, by the Government, in the matter. A Bill had been framed in accordance with the recommen dation of the Commission, but there was not a single Member of a single port in the country who did not come forward and object to it. The Government were therefore induced to bring in another Bill; but this Bill was looked upon by the sailors, for whom it was in tended, as an evil, and therefore no course was open to them except the one they had taken in this in stance. The House of Commons, with unexampled liberality, had enabled the Government to carry out their views in the matter, and therefore he (Earl Granville) regretted all the more the speech had been made by the Noble Earl. Notwithstanding the Noble Earl's pre dictions however—predictions which he (Earl Gran ville) had been in the habit of hearing for years when ever any large measure was carried—he believed that the country was never in a more prosperous condition than at present, and that all the efforts that had been made had been successful in achieving the moral and physical welfare of the people. Lord COLCHESTER complained of the late period at which important Bills were sent up to their Lord ships, and maintained that if they did not discuss them beforehand they would not have the opportunity of dis cussing them at all. He regretted that the fund had been allowed to pass into a state of inpol% eecy, and he regretted also that the Government had not brought for% and a satisfactory provision for the aged and de cayed sailors. England was the oily country in Europe which left this class of her population unprovided for. Sweden, France, Belgium, Spain, Austria (as regarded Venice), and the United States, providing for their aged and distressed seamen. The motion was then agreed to. LODGING-HOUSES. On the motio❑ of the Eurl of SHAFTESBURY, the Lodeing-houaes Bill went through Committee. THE GUNPOWDER STORES (LIVERPOOL). On the motion of Earl GRANVILLE. the Gunpowder Stores (Liverpool) Exemption Repeal Bill was read a second time. SANITARY STATE OF THE METROPOLIS. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY gave notice for Mon day to call the attention of the House to Mr. Grainger's report on th© sanitary state of some portion of the me tropolis. The House then adjourned. HOUSE OF C'OMMOIVS. July 10 MERCHANT SEAMEN'S FUND BILL. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) After a short discussion, in which Lord J. M4nners, Mr. Wuwn, Sir G. P.chell, Mr. Forster, Mr. Duncan, and other Hon. Mtmbera took part, the clause was withdrawn. The Chairman Vi 23 then ordered to report progress and ask leave to sit again, and the House having re sumed he did so accordingly. LANDS CLAUSES CONSOLIDATION (IRE LAND) BILL. The House then went into Committee on this Bill, Several clauses were agreed to, and the Chairman re. ported progress and obtained leave to sit again. The House then adj.,urned until Five o'clock. The House resumed at Five o'clock. PETITIONS. Sir J. PAKINGTON presented a petition from the Agricultural Society of the Island of St. Christopher complaining of distress in the West Indies, and praying that British subjects might be protected against unfair competition with the foreigner. Mr.SOTHERON presented a petition from the county of Wilts, in favour of the repeal of the attorneys' certi ficate duty. Mr. BUME presented a petition from Boston, com plaining of the conduct of Sir J. Brooke in Borneo. Mr. J. STUART presented a petition from the Isle of Skye, complainiag of distress in that island, and praying that advances might be made by the Govern ment for the purpose of relieving the destitution of the people. THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Mr. STAFFORD gave notice that to-morrow he would move for a copy of the deed of covenant, and the conditions attached thereto, with regard to granting the site for the Great Exhibition, in Hyde•park. NEW WRITS. Mr. HAYTER moved for a new writ for Scarborough, in the room of the Hon. George Augustus Phipps, styled the Earl of Mulgrave, who since his election had ac cepted the office of Comptroller of her Majesty's House hold.—Agreed to. Mr. HAYTER also mcved for a new writ for the borough of Arundel, in 06 room of the Earl of Arun del and Surrey, who had accepted the office of Steward of her Majesty's Chiltern Hundreds.—Agreed to. Mr. FORBES presented a petition from Stirling in favour of the Attorneys' Certificate Bill. OCCUPATION OF ROME BY THE FRENCH TROOPS. Mr. B. COCIIRANE asked the Noble Lord at the head of the Government, in the absence of the Foreign Secretary, whether any communications had lately been received by her Majesty's Government with regard to the occupation of Rome by the French troops; also, whether her Majesty's Government had heard that Civita Vecchia and other stations about Rome had been fortified with a view to the aceommadation of 10.000 ad- ditional troops about to to sent from France; also, if a permanent occupation were contemplated by France, whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Govern ment to acquiesce in that occupation? Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that no communications euch as were alluded to bad been rece-ived by her Ma jesty's Government, therefore he could not answer the questions put to him With regard to the last question, he could only say that from the last communications re ceived, he was induced to believe that it was not the in tention of the French Government permanently to oc cupy Rome. THE WESTMINSTER SEWERS. Viscount DUNCAN asked the Chief Commissioner of Woods, Forests, and Works, &c., whether any and what amount of damage has been done to the houses and property of the Crown by the operations of the Commissioners of Sewers in constructipg their new sewers in Westminster, and whether any claim for compensation will be made on that account. Ho also asked the Noble Lord whether it was true that the infernal machine erected by the Commissioners in Palace-yard last year had destroyed the foundations of the Comptroller-General's offices? Lord SEYMOUR said that last year be had remon strated with the Commissioners on the dangerous con sequences of their proceedings. These remonstrances had, however, no; and he had now to state th a t all those buildings in the vicinity of the sewer age operations of the Commissioners, including the United Service:Museum and the old Exchequer.. bill Office were more or less damaged. The claim for compensation rested with the occupantl, and not with the Crown, and no doubt they would be able to obtain it.—(Hear, hear.) The Chief Justices Salaries Bill was read a third time and passed. INHABITED HOUSE DUTY BILL. On the motion tor the third reading of this Bill, Mr. DISRAELI said he could not let that opportu nity pass without again expressing his disapprobation of the Bill; which he considered was one of the most im politic financial measures that could be introduced under existing circumstances.—(Hear, hear.) He believed that very few months would elapse ere the country would regret that such a measure had received the sanction of the House. After a few words from Lord JOHN RUSSELL, the Bill was rend a third time and passed. ASSESSED TAXES COMPOSITION BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. PUBLIC WORKS, FISHERIES, &c., BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. PRIVATE LUNATIC ASYLUMS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was read a second time. TURNPIKE ROADS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was read a second time. UNLAWFUL OATHS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was also read a second time. SIR JAMES BROOKE AND BORNEO. Mr. HUME moved for an address to her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to appoint her Royal Commission to inquire into the proceedings of Sir James Brooke on the north-western coast of Borneo, since his appointment as her Majesty's "Commissioner and Consul-General to the Sultan and Independent Chiefs of Borneo;" and, especially, into the attack m a de by her Muje‘ty's and the Honourable East India Company's naval forces, under his advice and di rection, on certain wild tribes of that island, called the Sakarran and Sarebas Dyaks, on the night of th e 31st July, 1849 ; and further tbat her Majesty will graciously command. that the opinion et her Nlajesty's judges be taken and laid by her Majesty's Ministers before this H ouse , touching the . legality or otherwise of the holding by Sir James Brooke, at one and the same time, of the following ap parently incompatible offices, viz., of sovereign ruler of Saraw..k, he being a British subject; of her Majesty's Commissioner and Consul-General to the Sultan and independent chiefs of Borneo, he, Sir James Brooke, residing at Sarawak, where there is no independent Chief; and also of the appointment of Governor of the British settlement cf Labuan, distant 300 miles from Sarawak, at which British settlement Sir James Brooke has not been actually present more than a few months during the last three years. The Hon. Gentleman said he bad at last obt a i ne d an opportun i ty o f calling the at tention of the House to transactions which had long been before the public, and to which be bad given 4 great dial of consideration. He was sorry that, on the last occasion when this subject was introduced, some Hon. Members diverted the attention of the House from what was a question or public interest to a question of certain squabb:ee between private individuals, and he now wished the subject to be considered as of great national importance, and as effecting the honour and the cha racter of this country. He had been asked that very day, " Why do you introduce a question of this kind after so long a period has elapsed, and when, the matter being passed, it cannot he remedied?" He could not for a moment acquiesce in any such opinion, and he was anxious to remind the House that he had endeavoured from a very early period to bring the question before their consideration, but he must say he never knew a question which was kept in so much doubt and secrecy, or in which he had encountered so much difficulty in obtaining from the Government those official documents and papers which ought to have been laid on the table long ago. His attention had been first drawn to the subject by an extract from a Singapore newspsper which appeared in the Daily News of the sth of June, 1849, and which stated that in March and April the naval force of the Nemesis, belongieg to the East India Company, and in the pay of the British Govern ment, had joined a collection of prahus with Sir James Brooke, and had proceeded to attack certain portions of the Dyaks of Serebas and Sakarran rivers, in the island of B orneo; b ut the para graph which most attracted his attention was the one in which it was asked whether it was creditable to our naval forces to aid or take part in cruel butche ries, and brutal murders of the helpless and the de fenceless. After reading this account he (Mr. Hume) came down to the House and asked the Firt Lord of the Admiralty if any dispatch had been received from the Nemesis? The answer of Sir F. Baring was, that there was no account wbatever. Now it was well known that every naval officer in command was bound, by the regu• Wiens of the service, to dispatch to the Admiralty, on the first opportunity, an account of any transactions of this nature in which he had been engaged. On the 4th of February, 1850, when the House met, he again re peated his question whether the Government had re ceived any official information respecting the massacre of the Bornean Dyaks; but on that occasion also he failed in obtaining the papers. On the 20th of March he moved for copies of Sir Francis Collyer's ord. rs to Captain Farquhar. Sir F. Baring replied that some of the papers he had not get, and ono he apprehended he should have to write out for; but he had no objection to their production—that was to eay, when he could get them. Again, on the 23d of May, 1850, when the vote for pirate head money was proposed, he repeated his desire for the official papers, and fer a copy of Cap tain Farquhar's instructions ; but these instructions had never yet been produced. He mentioned these circumstances to show that be, at all events, was not chargeable with the delay which had occurred; be cause he had done everything in his power to bring the question before the House at an earlier opportunity. Ha then referred to the transactions that occurred in July, 1849, when from 1,500 to 2,000 persons were slain by discharges of musketry and grape-shot, when they were incapable of making any resistance, and when, in point of fact, they had offered no resistance. He maintained that the extermination of these persona under the pretence that they were pirates was not justifiable. He denied that the persons so slain were pirates; that they did not use the boats which pirates used; that they were not aimed as pirates, and that they did not belong to the same race as those described to be pirates in the paper circulated that day and delivered to members by her Majesty's Ministers. But then, he said, that even if they were pirates, they should have been captured and tried, and not destroyed when they were making no re sistance. It was a violation of the law so to slay them; and it was, also, a violation of the treaty entered into by this country on she 27th of May, 1847, with the Sultan of Borneo. There was nothing done on the part of these alleged pirates to justify the extreme measure adopted by Sir James Brooke. The orders of Sir Thomas Cochrane, the commander in chief of the squadron on the coast, were, that the vessels of these pirates were to be seiz, d and detained. His orders., however, were grossly violated by the blowing- up of their boats, and the massacre of their unfortunate crews. Sir Thomas Cochrane, on the sth of March, subsequently, stated by the adoption of this course there was a non-acquiescence with the Act ef Parliament, witty the treaty entered into, end with the orders of the Admiralty. As Le (Mr. Hume) found it impossible to obtain from the Govern ment cr the East India Company a tittle of evidence to prove that the Sarebas or Sakarran were at all mixed up with any warlike operations against the British forces, he would now quote, in support of his argument, the opinion of Sir James Brooke in reference to th e Sakar ran—he said they were a tribe that only armed them eelvee with spear and sword; they knew nothing of the musket or fire-arm; that from their great dread of fire arms they were sure to fly away in the utmost terror upon a shot being fired. That was sufficient to show that these, at all events, were not very formidable ene mies. A bock had been published by a Mr. George Windsor Frle, which stated that Sarawak was a place of much importance, and had made great progress in the way of commercial enterprise. Captain Daniel, who had commended a ship upon the coast, had written to him (Mr. Hume) in the latter part of last year, in reply to a communication from him, stating that during the entire time of his stay there he had never fallen in with any of the pirates referred to, nor bad he heard of them attack ing any British vessel. He (Mr. Hume) had also a letter from an officer at Plymouth, dated Dec. 5, 1850, who stated that during his 16 months' stay upon the coast of Borneo he had never seen one pirate, which greatly dis appointed him, as he had heard that the coast abounded with them. In the inquiry for which he (Mr. Hume) sought he was solely it tluf need by a desire to see the character of this ci untry kept up, and the cause of hu manity respected. What had the Government done since he first asked for this inquiry? They had abandoned the system of head-money, after having expended a great many thousands of pounds in th e d estruct i on of innocent and un'ortunate men. That, at all event s , went far to show that such a system was unjust and improper. He had written to Dr. Miller, who was a surgeon em ployed upon that memorable and unfortunate occasion, who gave similar testimony to that he had already quoted. The Hon. Member, hsvii , g quoted the opinions of Lieutenant Ridout, Captain Barker, and Captain Has tings, said he made this appeal to the House and the Government, upon the positive evidence he adduced, to grant this inquiry. At the end of the last session a let ter was addressed to him by a gentleman who was for several_ years st itioned Nt Singapore. The *titer said that he fully concurred in the remarks he had made in the House of Commons on the subj.ct—that the case was one which demanded the fullest inquiry, and that he had no hesitation in saying that he would as soon go on a trading voyag- to Borneo as to any part of the British empire. He then proceeded to denounce the destruction of these pirates as a massacre and a murder of the worst description. Au address, signed by a great number of the inhabitants of Singapore, had been forwarded to him (Mr. Hume), which stated their approval of his in tention to move for this inquiry, and denying that the parties so cruelly treated deserved the cha racter that was given them. He thought that the Noble Lord could not refuse his assent to this in quiry. In addition to his other arguments in favour of hie motion, he would point to a letter addressed by Sir James Brooke himself to Lord Palmerston, in which he stated that he had no objection whatever to such an in quiry. Was it possible to suppose that Sir James Brooke's character could he cleared up without an in • quiry? This gentleman was the only man who de nounced these pirates. It was utterly impossible that they could be such as they were represented with the class of boats which it was admitted they used. He thought he had made out a very strong case for the in quiry. He might be told that there was the certificate of the recorder at Singapore standing in the way of his motion. He, however, contended that a certificate given by Sir C. Rawlinson at Malacca should not prevent the inquiry for which he sought. Sir C. Rawlinson said that the depositions of certain witnesses had been taken be fore him; but where were they? Why were they not produced? Not a single man of the 2,000, in respect to whom the certificate was given, was brought before him. But he said, also, that the depositions of certain other witnesses who were absent from the jurisdiction of the court were taken under certain commissions issued by him. But Sir James Brooke, who had made this attack, was the first commissioner. The depositions were also taken before the Rev. F. M'Dowell and Arthur C. Cruikshank. The only other evidence was the affidavit of Sir James Brooke himself, which was at variance with all hls previous proceedings, and was evidently got up for the purpose; besides, who ever heard of attach ing any weight to the testimony of one so deeply inte rested in the event? The judge ought never to have admitted it, and on that account alone inquiry was ne cessary. As to the address which had been referred to, he attached no weight to it, for he had in his posses sion an analysis which showed that it was signed by only 13 out of 27 houses. An address from Batavia had also been published in the papers; but when was that got up? In January, 1851. There was no question, said Sir J. Brooke, as to the existence of piracy, and the necessity for its supprestion. No one would deny this, and the Dutch and Spaniards had been engaged in a praiseworthy manner in attacking the Illanooris Soo loos, the real pirates; but be denied that the poor Dyaks belonged to that class. His only object was to have an inquiry into a natter in which the cause of humanity was involved, and as the Government had adeved the proceedings of Sir J. Brooke, it was a question how far they might be impli cate d , and it was therefore necessary, t both for the ch aracter of t h e cou ntry, the Governm ent , and of Sir J. B roo k e hi mse lf, tba an inquiry sh ou ld b e instituted. There was another point on which he wished to say a few werde He had asked the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in what capacity Sir J. Brooke had acted. He asked whether he held the ap pointment of Cansul-Genfral. The answer was, y e s. He then asked he Under. Secretary for the Colonies whether he held the' appointment of Governor of La hen • and be said he still remained Governor. lie then asked the Noble Lord at the head of Foreign Affairs whether he had any official information that the Presi dent of the United States had recognised the Rs ja Brooke as the ruler of an independent state, and in that point of view be was to be regsrded by British and other subjects. The Nob!e Lord stated that a commu nication had been received from the President cf the United States desiring to establish a treaty of corn meree with Sarawak, but none Was concluded; that Sarawak was not a British ttrritory and as to the rela tion in which Sir J. Brooks stood towards it he knew nothing, and could only say that the British Govern- meet had given him no power to exercise rover( ign au thority there. He had, thetefore, not obtained the sanc tion of the British Government, and, therefore, could not legally hold poser there. This was plain from the opinion given by. Dr. Lushirgton respecting deo rigiit of the New Zealand Association to hold laud in 1841. On this ground alone, if there were no other, an inquiry might be justified. It was fitting that they shoulc know by what authority this murder of 2,000 men had been committed, for which we bad paid so dearly. lie much lamented that the late Right How Baronet the Member for Tamworth was n.. longer among them, be' cause he held a letter in his hand from the late Right Hon. Baronet, in which he expressed an opinion tha t delay would b e dangerous, that au inquiry ought to take place. He said he had read wi-b great pain the fact! I which had been stated, but would suspend wasgrnee.. until a full explanation had been given. It that fun . explanation which he (Mr. Hume) sought. It was pos sible that he might be wrong, but still respect for the feelings of large bodies of' men, for the character of this country, and cf Sir J. Brooke himself, ought to induce . the Governm ent to support hi s motion, and he s h ou ld have great satisfaction if the result of the inquiry sheltie prove that he was misteken. He would, therefore, eon' elude by moving the address. Mr. HEADLAM said he had listened with great at tention to the speech of the Hen. Member for Montrose on this subject last year, and he never in his life gave° vote with a more decided conviction of its propriety than when on that occasion he voted in a majority of 169, which negatived the motion, in opposition to Vet' (Hear, hear.) The Han. Member complained of 11, 0 ' Members not c o nfi n i ng t h emse l ves to the charges before the House, but when a high-minded gentleman is charged with something very like murder, those who mode the J charge must not b e surpr i se d if t h e fr i ends of S i r J. Brooke sought to trace these calumnies to their source. —(Cheers.) Lawyers had a maxim that no man who had been eine acquitted ought to be again tried for the same offence.—(Hear, hear.) This doctrine, though true in general, he did not wish to carry to any absurd extent, and be therefore a d m i tte d t h at i n matters 0f great public interest an e xce p t i on m i g h t b e ma d e; and had the Hon. Member f or M ontrose now b rought for ward any very important evidence which was not before the House on the former occasion, or shown any reason for reversing the decision of the House, he might have been justified in again dragging Sir J. Brooke forward before the country; but atter listening to the . Hon. Member with the greatest attention, he was bound to say that he had adduced no material evidence whatever on this occasion which he might 13(4 have brought forward last year—(Hear, hest) - " and with respect to the new documentary evidence. It nude the case of Sir J. Brooke infinitely stronger than before.--(Hear.) The motion asked, in the first place' for an inquiry into the proceedings of Sir J. Breoket, secondly, for a n i nqu i ry i nto the attack of the 31st o f July, 1849; and, thirdly, asked her Majesty to command that certain questions of state policy might be sub muted to the judges. Now, it was not customary to confound questions of state policy with indictments for murder.—(Hear, hear.) But be would pass to the real charge against Sir J. B roo k e, w hi c h seemed to be tilt& The Hon. Member for Montrose said that these tribes, the Sarebas and Sakarrans, were not pirates, but herrn' less unoffending people, and perfectly incapable, from want of civilisation and development, frcm doing any harm to any one, least of all to Europeans; that alt they had done was to carry on intertribal wars, and that they had never committed piracy; that at all events they had not committed any at that time, and even if they had that an unnecessary degree of cruelty bad been exercised. What evidence had they on the subject ? In addition to the abundant testimony already before the House, documents had been laid on the table that dal which most completely confirmed that testimony with respect to the cru e l massacres perpetrated by t h es e pirates. Borneo, as the Honourable Member for Montrose observed, was a large place; but here were referen ces t o th e very tribes and places 10 question by their names.—(Hear.) It appeared that though the Dyaks from Sarebas and Sakarrau were not themselves very strong in arms, they were joined by Malays and Arabs shereefs. In the papers laid before them that morning, he found a report quoted, dated 00' tuber, 1830, which recommended that these pirates should be attacked when they had returned to their re-' treats. Great stress had le, en laid upon the fact that there were several vessels from this country which bad never seen any pirates; but it should be remembered that piracies in these seas took phce only during a cer tain period of the year ; and it was absurd to say that corn tain vessels having seen no pirates, therefore none ex. ieted there, W hy, so far hack as the year 1834, we were in treaty with the King of the Netherlands for the ex' press purpose of putting down piracy in the Malayan Archipelago, and the King of the Netherlands adopted measures for suppressing it. In addition to this, we had a treaty with Borneo to put an end to it. Sir James Brooke had received instructions frcm the Noble Lord at the Foreign-office to use his power and in fluence with the same object in view, and numerous representations had come from the mercantile emu muuity complaining of piracy. Under these circunr stances it was that Sir James Brooke, when be had adopted the very best mode of suppressing piracy, was denounced in this Hoene and before the country as the murderer of an uneffending race of men.- . " (Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member then read a letter which had been written by a naval officer at present in the coast guard, and formerly serving on board the Ariadne ship of war in the Indian Seas, in which the writer bore his personal testimony to the existence of pirates on the coast of Borneo, and stated that on 00 0 occasion he himself narrowly escaped with his life from them, and that at another time an attack upon the Ariadne by three prahus filled with men was prevented only by firing a 24-pound shot across their bows. The writer added that he thought an instance like that, where a vessel of war had deen attacked by these " daring robbers," was sufficient to convince even Mr. Cobden himself of the piratical character of the tribes.-- (L , aughter, and Hear, h ear .) I n t h e year 1844, Captain Keppell was engaged in similar operations against the Desks of Sarebas, and bis conduct was then sektiow' ledged and approved by the company at Singapore, the commander-in-chief on the station, and the Lords of the Admiralty. Ceptain Keppell suid that on that occa sion the pirates were the first to fire, and that in less than a quarter of an hour they were driven from their guns. Mr. COBDEN (we understood)—You said just nor they bad no fire-arms. Mr. HEADLAM—No. What he had said was that the Dyaks, taken by themselves, had not many fire-arms; but that they were in communication with and under the influence of the Arab shereefs, and that when the corn biped fleet went forth —composed of Dyaks and sbereefs and Malays—they were armed with fire-arms.—(Hear, hear.) Captain Keppell then proceeded to say that no less than 56 guns of various s;zes were taken, as well as a vast quantity of ammunition; that a ton and a half of gunpowder tell into the hands of our people, and that besides this 200 piratical boats were destroyed. After having punished the two principal tribes of the pirates, Captain ice ppell next determined on &necking the tribes who furnished the fire.arres, who mustered 10,000 war riors, and could put to sea with a hundred prahus; and he stated in his report that the interests of British com merce would he greatly advanced by the continuance of measures f.)r the suppression of piracy in those seas. All be meant by that was, that after making these examples s, me slight supervision might be exercised, so as to prevent the renewed growth of these piratical commu nities, and their return to their former practices; and Captain Ke ppell and Sir J. Brooke seemed both to enter tain the opinion that very little force would be necessary for that purpose. But this plan was not adopted, and the result was, that the tribes, forgetting what had taken place, again resorted to their o ld practices, and in consequence a similar example of them was required to be made in 1849. "Wi7h regard to this question of " piracy," ho confessed that he was a little sur prised at hearing the doctrine which had been pro pounded by the Hon. Member for Montrose. The Hon. Member seemed to think that in respect to pirates who roamed about the seas murdering men and women, and destroying all the vessels that came within their reach, no step was to be taken except to capture them and bring them to trial under the 3d and 4th Victoria— (Hear, hear, and a l augh) —that when the pirates were returning from a marauding expedition to the river from which they bad sailed forth, a steamer and one or two boats were then to catch them; that instead of pre venting their issue from the river in the first place, the forces were to w a it unt il t h e y h a d seen th e act of piracy committed, and afterwards proceed to capture and try them according to law. He (Mr. Headla m ) cou ld no t agree th at that was the best mode of suppressing piracy. He did not thick that such a course had ever been adopted b y any nat i on i n the history of the world, and he did not believe that that was the intention of the treaties between this country and the Netherlands, and Sir James Brooke and the Sultan of Borneo. A ques tion might arise as to what constituted piracy, and Sir J-im„ ver y properly stated that it app ea red c l ear t o hi m that the plunder or seizure of a peaceful trader on the high seas constituted an act of piracy without reference to colour or nation. The good e ff ec t s o f C a pt a i n Kep pell,s operations against the pirat e s we r e s t a t e d b y Si r James Brooke to consist in the fact that they no longer ventured to take the sea in force, and that the loss of life and injury to commerce had greatly diminished. These good effects, he said, cont i nued for two years; but in 1846 he was convinced that the former habits of the people were too strongly planted in them to be eradicated by peaceful means, and that the impression produced upon them bad gradually worn off. In that year their depre datioesat sea b ecame more f requent, though not of a formidable character, and after his departure for England, in 1847, the pirates threw off all reserve and harassed the trade as much as before. In consequence Sir James made representations to the Commander-in-Chief in the Indian seas, who, after satisfying himself of the faces, ordered Commander Parker to make a similar at tack to that which had been made with so much success in 1844. These instructions of Rear-Admiral Collier had been produced, and they completely justified Com mander Parker in the course be had pursued—(Hear) —and rot a word was contained in them which showed that the admiral entertained the slightest doubt of the propriety of making such an attack. It was said that European vessels had not been assailed in the Malayan Archipelago. But let the House observe the mode in which the trade was carried on in those seas. Vessels were sent from this country to Sirgapore, and from thence their merchandise was conveyed in email Dyak boats, to the coast of Borneo, and it was against those smell beats that the acts of piracy were committed. Aud if the pirates put a stop to this transit of European goods from Singapore to the coast of Borneo, surely it was practically the Caine, as far as injury to commerce and to particular tribes was concerned, as if European ves sels themselves had been attacked. But, in point of fact, European vessels had been attacked, though he ad mitted the number was not very great.—(Hear, bear.) With regard to the allegation of cruelty which bad been brought against Sir James Brooke, the Hon. Member quoted a passage from a letter of Commander Parker, to the effect that when a consultation took place on board of one of her Majesty' s chips on the Bornean coast, with the view of tasking arrangements for cut ting off" about 3,000 of the pirates who had escaped in the action of the previous day, Sir James Brock.) de cidedly rejected the proposal, as one which was calcu lated to occasion "an unnecessary effusion of blood." The Hon. Gentleman then read a letter from the Bishop of Calcutta to glow that the rule of 6'4 Janus Brooke in lihra w chara(