The Sun. — London, England, 1853-04-20 00:00:00

I s l a r e found the that Lord Auckland had appointed th t h . men pass him by. And the only solution which he which was most comprehensive ali d impartialthe present wished to which draw sir ü ß p . Portsmouth could arrive at for that dereliction of public duty on part of the hon. gentleman was, that w eer. ) If the of the Navy, anti he h th ad e d s u ta t t ie e s d et. instr i nction as s t o o de er i t El erm. In May, 1845, Lord Auckland in a the e o N ffi vi c sh e there was no Conservative candidate. (Hear.) - 1 1 1 V i - s a d ' r e a r ft w instru i c ) tions that the surveyor would be at liberty circular of 1835 house granted him the committee he is was ( confident that to correspond with the officers of the yards ; but that he or to enter he could prove still further that this stroke of the was not to issue any orders of a general kind, He had now dis- into correspondence with the superintendents of the yards. had - been also virtually cancelled, not by a pen, but by act and deed. (Hear.) Lord Auckland. The superintendents charged the duty he had assumed. He had stated that It could not be imagined that this most important subject he did not bring the m and it high in the service, motion forward from any personal could have escaped . was alwae s intended were officers should communicate directly with the Secretary of public duty, and if hostility to the hon. gentleman. (Hear.) He had that they of the Admiralty.He believed that every Secretary of the been actuated solely by a sense Admiralty had corresponded with the superintendents of the late Board of Admiralty, he the house granted the committee, and the result of it the yards. But the hon. baronet (Sir 13. Hall) said that should be to acquit should be ready to admit his hiserror, and would be happy he should wish to lay the wh o l e res p ons ibilit y on the Sur to have it shown that the influence of a great pu bli c de- veyor of the Navy. He questioned whether it was not p a rtment of the state had been properly exercised, and much better that they should be able in parliament to call its patronage honestly distributed. (Cheers.) upon the Secretary of the Admiralty to explain every ap- Sir G. FECHELL seconded the motion. pointment, from that o f J o h n S m i t h ( of whom he knew Mr. STAFFORD rose amid loud cheers from the Con- nothing) to those of th e o th er i n di v id uals whose names had of the hon. been mentioned. He th oug ht th a t thi s was a wholesome servative benches to reply to the allegations practice, and he was not disposed to shirk that responsi bility, or to repent that he had undertaken to relieve an member for Marylebone. He commenced by tendering an acknowledgment to the hon. baronet for the courteous tone over-worked officer from a charge which had lately been in which he had spoken of him, and then asked the indul- forced upon him. In doing so, he had acted upon the opinion of the highest naval authorities. He would not venture to go over this public or private letter which had genre of the house whilst he attempted to defend - his con duct whilst Secretary of the Admiralty ; a task which been addressed to the Duke of Northumberland by Sir Baldwin Walker. In that letter Sir B. Walker stated that would have been much easier were he now . filling that office, for, notwithstanding the Admiralty, courtesy of Sir J. Graham, he felt it his duty to call his grace's attention to the evil there were docu- connected with the system of promotion in the dockyards, the present First Lord of th that he out of and complained that correspondence had been carried on with ments at the Admiralty which, now was He (Mr. St a ff or d) h a d taken upon himself to correspondthe authorities of th e dockyards without hi s i n t erven ti on . office, were not so accessible to him as they would have been if he were now a member of the Government. With with them, but he had never interfered with the steam de an respect to the hon. baronet the member for Marylebone, partment, which he thou ht B. Walker then said that ht ought to be left under the he would take leave to answer his c h arges no t exac tl y i n control of the . the order in which they w ere ma d e. Th e h on. b aronet . there would b e no one S to control the estimates, and that the surveyor could not be held responsible if they were ex had most justly stated that it was the privilege of the re- ceeded. He (Mr. Stafford) believed that those who had to presentatives of the people to ask questions of the Execu- answer for these estimates were responsible .l t i o Parliament ie tive Government in reference to several departments, and and the country, and from that responsibi 1 that the Executive Government had the choice of either salty which neces shrink from the responsibility not shrink; and he hoped that no secretary of y th e e .Zdmi giving an immediate answer or refusing to do so. t would sariryattached to the administration of the finances of that There was another course open to those officials—that of gigantic establishment. (Hear.) But ter rethwe admirals, giving to hon. members subsequent explanation. He be- who would exercise a centrol lieved that the house would not judge harshly of any mem- commodores, them as officers and men ber of the Government, however subordinate, if, after yardscommodores he aV ew cap en ta e l u n o. s h u . perin e tre e n l d v ent of the dock having made a statement, he came down to the house and those establishments, and he could wish tho e se l estabnliper o i business said that, on further inquiry, he found that he had to give ments no better luck than that they might b o g u an answer different from that which he had already given the cent o the names of various per hon. baronet had mentioned r 1 of the officers who at present did control u them. to the inquiry of an hon. member. (Hear.) He (3/I.r. The e s whom he said had been unfairly promoted. He (Mr. Stafford) aknowledged that the hon. baronet put questions rt nity of looking over the to him in the terms which he had quoted. He acknow- Admiralty, had had a s n . opportunity Stafford), through the courtesy of the First Lord of the With u regard to the Devonport lodged that he had given answers such as the hon. baronet papers 1? had stated, and that he had declined tosubsequent give any West of Englandmight be g an axe entries, ithe these s ca pe f the hon. baronet from the explanations. In fact, he never once thought of giving any b e no better judge of the sort of men entered than the hon. such explanations. (Hear, hear.) It was his practice when baronet himself. John Smith and others might have been Secretary to the Ad m i ra l ty to go to the First Lor d o f the entered, on the responsibility of the sup er i n t en d en t , f or a Admiralty, th e D u k e of Northumberland, every morning week's work. Th e super i nen d en t s wou l d never have men tioned the ent r y o f men f or the purpose stated by the hon. with such p a p ers as h e thought were sufficient l y i mpor t an t t o baronet. For instance, he (Mr. Stafford) sent down a list of 12 boys be entered at Wool w i c h, b u t w h a t did Cap be submitt e d t o h im. On the 26th of April, 1852, the Duke of N to orthumberland told him that the Surveyor of . the Navy taro Eden do ?He refused 11 of them. (A laugh.) Captain was exe , eedingly annoyed by a circular which . had been issued Eden, in a sailor's straightforward, frank, and honest man ner said—" I know nothing of politics in the dockyard, and if you send me down unfit men, I will chuck them on the 19th, and which, he considered, had cast a stigma , neck and heels into the streets." (Hear, and laughter.) upon his character. - The Duke of Northumberland said He believed that every one of these superintendents would that he did not believe the surveyor would remain in office unless that stigma was removed. He (Mr. Stafford) im- have said the same. He should do them dishonour if he thought that, with f o ld e d arms, th ey would h ave mediately said that nothing could be easier than to remove mated him t o a tt em pt any po liti ca l j obbing. (Hear.) The per that imputation—that another circular could beissuedthat next case which the hon. baronet had mentioned was that of Atkinson, who had been . appointed on probation, and day. The duke assented, and he (Mr. Stafford) proceeded ,which was sub-to his office to draw a rough draft at the end of his period of probation was reported as not sequently issued. Sir B. Walker had written a letter ' • little longer. being sufficiently competent • and all he (Mr. Stafford) had done was to ask that he might be trieda n addressed to the. Admiralty, and entrusted to Admiral (Hear.) With regar d t o th e case o f L ongson, h e was a man Hyde Parker, in which he complained of th e s ti gma which the said circular of the 19th April cast u p on hi m as Sur-who had served 17 y ears an d 11 mon th s, an d w h o h ad b een discharged for having been found drunk. According to veyor of the Navy. Admiral Hyde Parker, however, be- thepolice report, he and another man had bee n t a ki ng complaint of lieving that the fresh circular rem ove d any ' r some of contractors'th te e efoed rum, e that soit, determined to destroy th a t l e tt er. (Cheers.) The and consequenence of the hi g h c h arac t er re; therefore, in , ordered to be reprimanded and dis hon. member for Marylebone h a d as k e d him (Mr. Stafford) charged we . i given him by the master ship wr i g ht , an d as he whether he had ever seen that lett er . H e was not going neglected his duty for about a minute, he was to shrink from answering fairly, and ho would say in reply restoredn about five weeks after his dismissal, that hay that, according to the best of his belief, he never did see ing been considered sufficient punishment for so small an that letter. Not being aware that any such letter was offence. (Hear, hear.) With re gar d t o th e case of the ever written, he cert a i n l y did say in the House of Com- miller o was promoted, alth oug h , as it was said, he had been reorted as suffering from a disease o the srmatic mons, in reply to th e h on. b aronet, that no such letter cord, and consequently unfit for promotion, f the truth was, had been addressed to the Admiralty. Sir B. Walker, that he (Mr. Stafford) had not appointed him, but had sine finding that no answer had been returned to his letter, Pl y directed him to call a t S omerse t - h ouse, to be examined wrote another letter to th e b oar d , complaining that no by Dr. Bryce, the seco n d surgeon i n t h e naval service, who answer had ben vouchsaf e d t o pronounced him to be in p er f ec t h ea lth , and quite able to his previous communica- discharge all the duties of a miller, which situation he be tion. Having ultimately discovered that his first letter loved he was now filling to the entire satisfaction of all charge himself with as h a d b een brought against much him. to did not reach it s d es ti nat i on, he wrote the following letter concerned. He did n o t cons id er th a t h e had so to him (Mr. St a ff or d) :—" With reference to your letter (Cheers.) He knew not what other hon. members who of the 26th inst., I beg to acquaint you that, since my would follow might have to say against him, but having communication of the 25th inst., I have been informed taken all the cases brought forward by the hon. baronet, very fairy handed them to him before bringing on that my letter of the 21st of April, addressed to the Secre- 7 this ') had otiom he could not see that any very great amount tart' of the Admiralty, which was delivered to Vice- of blame m could fairly be charged against him. (Cheers.) Admiral Hyde Parker, was not brought before the board ; H o came n ow to the case of Cotsell, and he hoped that the and, with refer ence t o th e lett er o f th e 10th of May, house would favour him with attending very minutely to it was a communication addressed to the First Lord the dates in this case. The hon. baronet had yesterday of the Admiralty, and not to the Secretary." He had offered to show him the deposition which he had to-night taken a most straightforward course, and he did not see produced, but he (Mr. Stafford) said, in return, that he had that he had anything to conceal in the stateme n t which no wish to see it. He could not see that this deposition, ho had made. He thought that the aff a i r h a d bee n settled signed by Mr. Scott, relieving officer, had at all effected as far as Admiral Parker was concerned. When the rtes- him, in asmuc h as it did not even say that Cotsell had seen tion of the letter was mooted in the Chatham committee him when he came to London. he thought that the simplest way would be to move for the si r B. HALL said that the substance of the deposition correspondence, with a view to its being laid on the table was, that after the election Cotsell, having got this appoint of the house. He believed that it would explain itself most want, stated to the deponent (Scott) that now the election completely. When the motion for the correspondence was was over, he did not mind telling. how he had got it. He made, the hon. and gallant member for Brighton moved, said that Mr. Stafford had promised him the appointment, by way of amendment, an additi on — ,, A n d in case such and that he went up to the Admiralty, where he saw a correspondence shall not be in the office, that the serve or gentleman whom he knew. He was taken into a room, shall bo directed to furnish copies of any letter or letters and saw the appointment of Wells lying on the table. After addressed by him to the Secretary or the First Lord of the some conversation the appointment was put on one side, Admiralty on such subject." He (Mr. Stafford) received a and the gentleman told him that he need not trouble him letter addressed to himself, and he must say that he read it self any more about it. with considerable surprise ; and although it was most dis- Mr. STAFFORD- Certainly the election was over, but tasteful to him to mention a private letter, yet when he the election committee was not over. (Hear.) Why did found that the letter which ho received was in answer to a not this relieving officer come before the committee with private note, written by himself to the Surveyor of the that statement ? (Hear, hear.) In the list delivered in by Navy on the 2c] of the same month, he felt that he could the petitioners, he found that the name of Costell was set not do otherwise than refer to it. His letter was marked " private and confid en ti a l . " Th e hon. gentleman then down both as a brib er an d a person b ri b ed, and the person read the letter, which was t o th e following effect :—That bribing him was th e S ecretary of the Admiralty. (A he from Sir G. Pechell). The hon. and gallant gentle he found that great dissatisfaction existed amongst his man might laugh if he chose ; calumnies such as this political friends as to the arrangements and promotions in might be good to divert a mind like that of the hon. and the dockyards—and that there was a general impression gallant gentleman, but those who had charged Costell with that all these things were disposed of for political pur- being bribed, and himself (Mr. Stafford) with having C h a t s, insomuch that there seemed no alternative but to bribed him, had an opportunity—if they had the manli resume the system which had existed previously to Sept., ness and courage to do so—to bring forward the charge 1849. He need not say that he did not throw any blame on before one of the constituted tribunals of this country ; him (Sir B. Walker) who was altogether too much removed they might have put him and Costell upon their oaths, from politics to understand these matters. (Hear, hear.) For and forced them to tell the truth, or risk the consequences himself he hated all notion of patronage, which only exposed of perjury. (Cheers.) But instead of taking that course, him to trouble, and he stated the case to him in perfect now, at the latest hour, when it was too late for himst, to frankness for the purpose of obtaininc , his opinion. That communicate with Costell, the relieving officer came for letter might have been right, or it might c have been wrong, ward to make this charge, which, after all, went no far but he certainly had not expected to see a quotation made ther than to show how closely the eyes of enmity had from that letter. (Hear, hear.) He must be permitted watched for every act of his which might not be able to to observe, with respect to the second letter which had bear the strictest scrutiny. (Hear.) No more than that been referred to, that it always rest e d with the discretion did it prove in the estimation of the house. (Hear hear.) of the First Lord of the Admiralty to say whether a letter Costell said that he had asked to be transferreh from was public or private. The First Lord of the Admiralty Chatham and Portsmouth, and certainly he had made such was a Cabinet Minister, but the other members of the a request as he (Mr. Stafford) was going round the dock board were not in the Cabinet, neither was the Secretary ; yard, saying at the same time that he had sent a memorial and, considering the vast amount of correspondence that to the Lords of Admiralty on the subject. He had told took place, the house world see that it was not only wise Costa. that he would consider his request, but that was but indispensable that the First Lord should have the all. Without for the moment alluding to the political power of saying whether a letter should be considered pub- part of the question, he would observe that, upon Costell's He or private. He did not know what had been done in appointment hung four others, all whom were recommended this case—he did not know whether there had been a pri- by the highest testimonials of their respective superiors. vats interview, or whether the First Lord had written an The rank of master at Portsouth was the chancel answer. He (Mr. Staff or d) t rusted that he had shOwn to the l° ship of the smithery, smith and this man had raised himself to satisfaction of the house that lie believed he was answering claim it from the lowest situation in his business, who was conscientiously when he gave the answer which he had supported by Mr. Abethell, the master shipwright. The given, and that he did not stand charged with the public Surveyor of the Navy denied having any share of the offence of wittingly stating that which was not the fact. appointment. Costal had petitioned to be promoted He now came to the first question proposed by the hon. to Portsmouth, while Wells was willing to remain baronet (Sir B. Hall). The hon. baronet wished to know at Chatham ; and on the 29th of January the surveyor "the circumstances under which a circular sent to the wrote to the Admiralty superintendent respecting that superintendents of her Majesty's dockyards dated Sept. man, that for gene: al fitness for the situation of master 26, 1849, was cancelled on the 19th of April, 1852, with- smith, with regard to his endeavours for economy and ap out any order or minute of the board." He (Mr. Stafford) preciation of all modern improvements in smithery, he had had to state that he had looked through the general board e highest opinion of Costell." (Hear.) Si r B. W a lk er minute - book, and finding th a t th e circular had not been w th as asked before th e committee who had e xam i ne d W ells, issued by a general board minute, he had ascertained that and he replied that he could not recollect. Upon the 16th it had been issued by a board minute. Then it was said October, 1852, Wells was directed to proceed to Somerset that he had signed it by their lordships' command. He House, and was there examined by himself (the Surveyor had to inform the hon. baronet that the secretary only of the Navy) and Mr. Lloyd, the chief engineer. So, el ected as the servant of the board —that he had no vote, though the surveyor had examined Wells himself on the and that his duty was merely to carry out the directions of 16th October, 1852, yet in February, 1853, the matter the board. The circular in question, however, was re- had so entirely passed from his memory that he could not affirmed by a general minute on the 26th of April, and recollect who examined the man. In another part of therefore it had received a double guarantee. At the his evidence Sir B. Walker said he did not know whether board held on that day there were present the Duke of Nor- Wells had any letter from the Admiralty appointing him, thumberland, Sir Hyde Parker, Sir T. Herbert, Captain and that he never saw him until he had been dismissed. Duncombe, and Captain Mylne, and they deemed it ad- (H ear , h ear. ) S o, a l though he would not swear whether visable to revert t o th e sys t em previously in force, "of this man had ever forged an anchor, he would swear having all the communications on the subject addressed to that he had never seen him. (Hear, hear.) Now, h e this office in th e fi rs t instance." Theref ore th e c h arge o f would approach the political part of the question. The his having made this alt era ti on w i t h out the knowledge of hon. baronet had stated that these claims would never the board, at all events, fell to the ground. With regard have been recognised, in spite of the eulogies of Mr. to the cancelling of the circular, which he was called Abethell, if Cotsell had not been an elector. It so hap upon to explain, he hoped that the house would hear penecl that his (Mr. Stafford's) great opponent upon this him, and then judge as to the state of circumstances which occasion had been the hen, member for Liverpool, the then had induced the board to determine that it should be can- Secretary to the Treasury, who complained that Wells was celled. When Sir Henry Ward was at the Admiralty, the a staunch supporter of his, and had voted for him and his administration of that department was conducted with the colleague. He had a long interview with that hon. gen greatest firmness and success; but it afterwards fell into tleman at the Treasury, and never did a man care less for the more amiable hands of Mr. John Parker, then a mem- the dockyard and more for his friend than he did ; and, ber of the house. Ho (Mr Stafford) had two letters which without being actually angry, had intimated that, as the were samples of innumerable communications which he had Admiralty was the junior department to the Treasury i it received on th e su bj ect of dockyard patronage. The writer ought to give way. But he (Mr. Stafford) declined to give of the first said that when the Whigs, in 1848, began to way, and did not give way, preferring to maintain the feel their power, they thought it necessary to devise some rights of the dockyard men. The right hon. baronet at system by which, if they left office, the dockyard patronage the head of the Admiralty, upen the 21st February last, would! still be left in their hands. They consequently had had said that if the dockyards were justly administered, stuffed every hole and corner in these yards with Whig without consid era ti on of political influence, chances offered Tet , k,le, excluding altogether those who did not belong to themselves to every man, even in the humblest position, the Liberal interest, and the writer expressed his belief to attain to the highest. A noble sentiment, upon which certai n asappointmentice The writer of the second letter Cotsell to command the trade in a pla . en of good conduct and experience, merely laboured in an inferior capacity. And lot him remind the fresh handsbecausethilntztained Conservative opinions, had had house of the value of the men who toiled in these yards— in one of the dec.., Over their heads. Mr. ----, an officer they formed the dockyard battalions, to whom were en the Whi gs , th e '''',: Vs, showed the greatest partiality for trusted the priceless materials of our navy. They were men worst work. 0-14 r, zeatives being invariably put to the loyal and proud of their Sovereign and their country—pre that these stateme n t s G er a and a laugh.) He did not say pared to shed the last drop of blood for the good of either. change, but it was repeate,.eene sufficient to justify the They were men who keenly felt the blighting of their pointments had been mai la or y: one lde. The Conservative preferred. (Hear.) The hon. baronet had made charges rangement, of course, for hon. extremely convenient an- respecting the general superintendents. In all boroughs, hear, and a laugh)—but only let tleemmesna y°PoPosj.te—(hes.r, where dockyards were situate, the Government naturally ere so evidently not let them shield up for purity in docky a id s ` mice, and must have influence. But what were the facts ? At Ports like Irish reciprocity, all the appointments were Politics, when, mouth there had beenno contest ; the hon. baronet opposite made on one side. (Hear, hear.) He found that the Se had no enemy to contend with but the heat. If the late cretaryeat- War always corresponded with the supe '' - Government had been inclined to use its influence so an tendeets of the yards ; the hon. member for Tyrone ( r eT; scrupelously as it was suggested it had done, there might Corry), when in office, haul done so, an.l he (Mr. Stafford), eaely have been a contest there. From Devonport there previously to did not see why the communication should be ch o k e d „p wa ' no Petition, and, if ther e h a d been any opportunity of by Somerset-house, as had been the case r e assault upon that score, it would not have been omitted by 1 Sept., 1849. Throughout the whole of the dockyard! in- piyahion.ttaronet who brought the matter forward. From . Geotyie:rnment influence. From Greenwich W I a io n ; from Rochester none, and from structions it would be seen, that communications from baronet o ti f ler° was a Petition, but it contained no the dockyards were to be made directly to the Board of there was no had been cirOcnn;a* te Aie held in his hand a placard Admiralty. These instructions, which were dated in Chatham theTe inChatham at the time of i 1844, were signed by the Earl of Hadding,ton, Sir which in twhehiAelmtihrealty was electorse were warned that G. Cockburn, Sir W. H. Gage, and by "AllMa S y . ep H eo er e - tthhee seeeleic.etitoanry, Sir F. bent. One instruction was as follows :-- se every circumstance from the officers of the yards are to be submitted by the Smith upon his canvass, but that a comcc4miPtren?yfinthge house ottocadillseedlobefore tthe.committee; Superin tend,..^nt to the Secretary for the direction of the would compel that Seerweatasrny did not co ev n e am a word in board." He was free to c onfess that, so far from following of his visit. Notwithstanding this threat, the terrible Secre the suggestions which he had chiefly tart' to the Admiralty ')ehtical precedents, • hwere to be found in the evidence and the report of that committee studied were, those which person who reference to him. He (Mr. Stafford) beli d that, with of Sir H. Ward and Lord Auckland; and any of the working of that de- out the votes of the dockyard men, Sir F. S • mith wished to obtain a knowledge ) If anything could partment could not do better than to read that evidence would still have been elected, (Hear. prove the absence of improper abuse of patronage on the part of the Government, it was the absence of petitions from any other boroughs having dockyards attached. The hon. baronet had accused him of going to Devonport and walking through the dockyard there, and had also talked about a dinner at which certain persons were present, among whom, he said, were the two candidates ; but in one case he was wrong, for the hon. and gallant member for Devonport was not there. (Hear.) With regard to having availed himself of the Black Eagle that ch arge h e mus t a d m it ; an d h e could not wish the'hon. baronet any better enjoyment than a trip in that vessel if he were fond of yachting. (A laugh.) Among the charges made was one that he had employed a steam -vessel at the Government expense, to enable him to visit the ports of the Mediterranean, to which he could only reply that he never took a Government vessel a mile out of her way. He had corresponded with Admiral Dundas, and finding that a steamer was to call at cer tain ports, he contrived to be at those ports in time to meet it, but he never caused it to move one mile out of its way on that account. (Hear.) The only expense to which he put the Government was 121., and he had been the happy y o f h g e o s i n h o g u d throughree o tl lcet guestdt 0 0 0 c f h k A i y s a r d l m a d t lest a l s t h e p h c o u o u n u da Dundas, w f s i t t s w e t h e h r e o e s c P i h a t advisable, detail some curious circumstances with regard to some persons never in that house, as well as to others elsewhere. He would frankly admit that it would have been better if he had not gone round the dockards, and would recommend his successor not to do so. He made that admission, although he had never canvassed in the dockyards, and hadalways, with two exceptions, been accompanied by the superintendent of the yard, expressly to be relieved from demands of suitors. No conversation did he hold, except to assure people that the Government would not press against any man for freely exercising his political rights. (Hear.) He had given these assurances because complaints had been made against the other side, and that was all he had done. Still, h e re p ea t e d, it would have been better if he had not gone at all. He was not aware that there was any other matter which had escaped him, and as the house had heard him with patience, he was sure it would decide with justice. He had been called to that office in the middle of a session, and on the eve of a ge neral election, and those who were the most competent to judge of the difficulties and temptations attending such a po sition would be the most lenient judges. However, he did not appeal in misericordictnt, but relied upon the truth to justify him. He had the satisfaction of knowing that the men, without whose able and zealous aid he could not have carried on the business of his office, were fully aware that he had not wasted his time in political jobs, and there were officers, some at home, and some abroad, high in command, whose thanks he had earned, and who would add their tes timony to that of his own conscience, that he had always endeavoured, without distinction of party, to co-operate with them in promoting the welfare of that gallant and glorious service with which he had been connected. (Hear, hear.) Sir F. TFIESIGER said no scrutiny could obtain any additional facts ; there would therefore be no use in appointing a committee. If a committee was to be ap pointed to inquire respecting the last resolution, it would be necessary to alter and exterd its wording, so that it might include not the distribution of patronage in a par ticular office, but the distribution of patronage generally. There was no use in trying to disguise from themselves the facts with respect to such distribution of patronage. Sup posing that they were to inquire into the distribution of patronage by the Treasury ? (Hear.) Was there a single member of the house who bad not asked for favours from the treasury for political friends on account of electioneer ing services ? (Hear, hear.) They must be fair, open, and candid in this matter. The excise and post-office appointments were notoriously given to the members for boroughs and counties who supported the Government for the time being. (Hear, hear.) To propose an inquiry, therefore, into the distribution of patronage by the Ad miralty did, in the present state of their political know ledge, seem to him to be a mere affectation of purism. (Hear, hear.) It was ridiculous, absurd, and hypocritical. (Hear, hear.) The facts were now known to every member of the house—the matter was ripe for decision at the pre sent moment, and it would therefore be a senseless and unreasonable proceeding to institute an investigation. (Hear, hear.) Sir J. GRAHAM said, havinglistened with attention to the debate, he did not hesitate to declare that all doubt, all shade of doubt—if his personal knowledge of the hon. gen tleman opposite could allow any to exist—that might have rested on his mind as to the personal honour of the bon. gentleman entirely disappeared. (Hear, hear.) It was quite certain that a misunderstanding did arise be tween honourable seen who were officially associated. The Surveyor of the Navy wrote a letter, which ha addressed to the Sseretary of the Admiralty Board, which he thought a sense of duty compelled him to write, but it appeared that that letter never came into the hands of the hon. gentleman. Nor was it sent in the customary channel ; but it was put into the hands of the senior lord, who communicated it to the First Lord. It appeared that he, on reading the letter, requested Sir H. Parker to communicate with the hon. gentleman and Sir B. Walker, for the purpose of preventing his resigna tion. A long interview consequently took place between the hon. gentleman, Sir H. Parker, and Sir B. Walker, the result of which was that a minute which had been pre pared by the hon. gentleman was carried into effect, for the purpose of saving the honour of Sir B. Walker with regard to the revocation of the order previously in force. And Sir B. Walker, on the whole accepted that arrange ment as satisfactory. Now upon this point he thought an inquiry was necessary, in order to afford Sir B. Walker an opportunity of explaining himself. (Hear, hear.) It was said that political motives caused the removal of Mr. Wells, and the transfer of Mr. Cotsell to Portsmouth ; not giving him promotion, but having the effect of open ing:the way to promotion in the other dockyard. If there was no taint of political influence in that arrangement, there was no harm done, but it was alleged that it was connected with political matters at Chatham. He could not help saying that this was a legitimate subject of in quiry by a committee. The hon. and learned member for Stamford had talked of such inquiries with the utmost contempt—treated them as absurd, hypocritical, and said that all political parties were tainted in this respect. He (Sir J. Graham) was no purist—(hear, hear, and a laugh) —and he said it was impossible to carry on the govern ment without there being a fair share of patronage given to the supporters of the Government. It matured little in the dockyards from whom the nominations flowed; no doubt they came first from political friends ; but if you adhered to the system of strict examination of nominees before they were appointed, ho cared not from whom the nominations came, but it became of vital importance that when once persons were in the dockyards promotion should come from merit only. He had said he was no purist, and he repeated that, although much patronage must be granted to the G overnment, w hi ch, in the first in ' sance, was checked by the examination, but after ap pointments were made, political influence should be ex cluded. (Hear.) He knew the tendency almost inevitable to endeavour to conciliate political friends, and he knew how difficult it was to avoid such influences. He believed that the Duke of Northumberland, anxious to avoid this difficulty, gave up all the patronage to the hon. gentleman. An election took place ; there was a pressure from political friends, who said that they were deserted, that you were untrue and unjust to them, and an honourable man might perhaps in such a moment forget what was due to public virtue. The right hon. gentleman then concluded by say ing to the effect, that he would make every allowance for such circumstances, and was not desirous that undue pres sure should be put on the hon. gentleman ; that all he wished was that for the future much that had occurred should be avoided, and that for that purpose an inquiry should be made, for the sake of the hon. gentleman him self, who, although his personal honour had been cleared to night, might yet be open to a charge of error in judg ment ; there should be inquiry when the honour of a dis tinguished officer was in question, and he hoped that all sides of the house would show a willingness to grant an inquiry without narrowing its sphere, and he thought that the hon. member for Marylebone would do wisely in adopt ing the suggestion of th e h on. an d l earned member for Stamford, and that if he enlarged the terms of his inquiry it would be more satisfactory. (Hear.) Mr. DISRAELI said that the question during a pro tracted struggle had assumed various and varying aspects. It had now taken after the speech of the right honourable gentleman the form of an allegation of corruption on the part of the late Government ; and he must make some re ference to an individual who had been merely mentioned in the debate, but who from his position was much inte rested in the que -tion ; he meant the nobleman who had lately presided over the Board of Admiralty. He (Mr. Disraeli) could have wished that any other department of the late Gevernment had been questioned rather than the Admiralty, for he would say most solemnly that there was no individual who had ever presided over that depart ment of the Government who pursued a more conscientious course in the disposal of his patronage, or exercised the power of his department with a greater desire for the good of the country. (Cheers.) The right hon. gentleman (Sir J. Graham) had observed that the competition of the private yards could only be counteracted by rigidly carry ing out the system of promotion ; and it was on that prin ciple that his hon. friend had proceeded. Now, he must confess, that if the question depended on the vindication of his honourable friend (Mr. Stafford), in whose case there was not, as it appeared to him, a single flaw, there would be no necessity for appointing a committee; but he ad mitted that as the discussion proceeded, the question as sumed a different form, and it was quite impossible that a vote of the House of Commons could decide upon the con duct of Sir Baldwin Walker. He felt that it would be most invidious and unjust not to give that gallant officer an opportunity of entering into explanations. He had no personal acquaintance with him; he knew him only by reputation, as a distinguished officer and most honourable man. Under the circumstances, he should recommend his hon. friend not to oppose the motion for a committee. (Cheers.) C. Shapland Whitmore, Esq., Hon. Frederick Ponsionby, and John Carlon Heath, Esq. He would put the question of treating in this case entirely aside, but he might say that the committee had not been able to extort evidence from adverse witnesses, who gave their testimony in a very un satisfactory manner, and he only expressed the opinion of the committee when he 'said that a great amount of perjury had been committed. (Hear.) It was, however, shown that the agent for the sitting member was a gentleman named Parker, and that when he arrived in the borough he went to the house of a man who was familiarly known as the "King of the Island," and offered him 1501. down for his interest, which was supposed to extend to some 20 or 25 votes. This offer was made so openly that the agent of the opposite party, who had been sent as a spy to the enemy's camp, was present at the time. He (Lord R. Grosvenor) had no doubt that an advance was made by the opposite party upon the offer made on behalf of the sitting member, for the King of the I s l an d , " and all his liege subjects, voted for the unsuccessful candidate. It was proved before the committee that at the previous election a highly re spectable merchant, Mr. Miller, was requested by a stand ing committee in Malden to go down and canvass the borough. Mr. Miller inquired what the expenses would be. " Oh," said the agent, "we should be much obliged if, as a preliminary, you would have the goodness to pay 4,0001., which is the amount due to the electors for the last elec tion." (Hear, and a laugh.) Mr. Miller took the opinion of counsel on the point, and he was told by his adviser— the late Mr. Talbot—that if he complied with the request of the committee he would vitiate his election. (A laugh.) He (Lord R. Grosvenor) hoped that, under these circum stances, the house would assent to his motion. Mr. BANKES expressed his regret that a motion of so much importance should be brought forward at so late an hour, because he thought no motion for a commission ought to be agreed to without full discussion. (Hear, hear.) The house divided ; the numbers were— For the address .............................. 69 Against it ... ......................... 48 Majority for the addre55......... —2l TAXING-OFFICER (IRELAND). Sir J. YOUNG moved for leave to bring in a bill to make better provision for the efficient discharge of the duties of the taxing-officer in and for the common law business in Ireland. After an inquiry made by Mr. WHITESIDE, and answered by Sir J. YOUNG, Leave was given. On the motion of Mr. GROGAN, a return was ordered respecting the clerks employed in the Census-offices in Eng land and in Ireland, and the clerks employed temporarily in the Poor Law Com missioners' -office, Dublin. Mr. WHITESIDE asked when the notice which stood on the paper in Sir J. Young's name, and which h a d j us t been passed over, w ou ld b e proceeded' with? It was on an important subject—viz., for a bill to continue the powers of applying for a sale of lands under the Encumbered Estates Acts. Sir J. YOUNG would be glad to move it, but had been told not to do so late at night, as there would be discus sion. Mr. WHITESIDE would repeat his question this day. The committee on the County Rates and Expenditure Bill was deferred till this clay. BUSINESS FOR THURSDAY. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in moving the adjournment of the house, wished to mention that, on Thursday, the first business would be the statement of the Secreta to the Treasury (Mr. J. Wilson), with respect to the Customs; after th a t the committee on the bill for the redemption and conversion of stocks ; and after that the Pilotage Bill. Mr. WHITESIDE said there had been an understand ing that the bill for the reform of the superior courts of common lrw in Ireland should come on next Thursday. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that, if so, some arrangement should be made to take that bill on Thursday or Friday. Mr. J. M`GREGO.R hoped the Pilotage Bill would not be taken late on Thursday night. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it would not. The hous e adjourned at a quarter past one o'clock. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE of YESTERDAY. DIVIDENDS DECLARED. Joseph Loader, of Finsbury-pavement, upholsterer, second dividend of 2s. in the pound, payable at 3, Guild hall-chambers, Basinghall-street, on any Tuesday. James Biekford, Brighton, jeweller, first dividend of Ils. 6d. in the p oun d, paya bl e a t 3, uildhall-chambers, Basinghall-street, on any Tuesday. William Williams, and Robert Mudge Marchant, of 18, Great George.street, Westminster, of Liverpool, and of Campden, Gloucestershire, contractors, a dividend of 20s. in the pound, payable at 3, Guildhall-chambers, Basing hall-street, on any Tuesday. Emil Kretschmar, of 15, King-square, manufacturing jeweller, second and final dividend of id. in the pound, payable at 12, Abchurch-lane, City, on Saturday, April 23, and three subsequent Saturdays. May Metcalfe and Co., of Great Yarmouth, soap manu facturers, second dividend of 2id. in the pound, payable at 12, Abchumh-lane, City, on Saturday, April 23, and three subsequent Saturdays. William Benning and John Girton Gilleat, of Fleet street, booksellers, second dividend of sid. the pound, payable at 2, Basinghall-street, on any Wednesday. Sinckler Porter, of Chester, attorney-at-l aw , secon d divi dend of 2.id. i n the pound, payable at 11, Eldon-chambers, S o Johnu t h J o c h rnessswae, at j L aotb i h v oi ei e rn r pegi first Royal dividend NewtoniAv iin.(cieandTdeh, South John-street, Liverpool, on any Thursday. ell Richard Blundell, of Liverpool, distiller, third dividend of 20. in thee ound, payable at 11, Eldon-chambers, ur ofN Hall, 4 d a e Nwycorst 5-12d.thi Northumber land, in.mu pb theoenr pound,lari d , payable Tyne, on Saturday, April 23, and any subsequent Satur day. Robert llennie, late of Lidford, Devonshire, barrack master, a dividend of 3s. sd. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. Richard Wade, late of Chatham, linendraper, a dividend, of 2s. 4Ad. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lin coln's inn. James Haliburton, jun., of Commercial-road, Lambeth clerk in the Admiralty, a dividend of ls. 90. (making ss. 2id.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's inn. John Pritchard Smith, late of Pontypool, Monmouth shire, skinner, a dividend of 6s. 10d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. Richard Morse, late of Gloucester, boot and shoemaker, a dividend of is. 14d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal street, Lincoln's-inn. John Albinson, jun., late of Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire, iron founder, a dividend of .4d. in the pou n d, p aya bl e a t 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's inn. George Edward Cocksege, late of Frindsbury, Kent, lieu tenant in her Majesty's Royal Navy, on half-pay, a divi dend of 4s. Bd. (making 10s. 11d.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal street, Lincoln's-inn. Henry William Neville, jun., late of Deptford, mate of a steam-ship, a dividend of ls. 84d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. Robert Douglas, late of Clay Gate, Surrey, colonel in the army, a dividend of 4s. (making 2s. M.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. Peter Smith, late of Hoo, Kent, lieutenant on half-pay, a dividend of 3s. Od. (making ss. 9d.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. Thomas Powis, of Crimscott-street, Bermondsey, City, fruit meter, a dividend of 2d. (making ls. 4id.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal street, Lincoln's-inn. William Dickson, of Tillotson-puce, Waterloo-bridge. road, Surrey, clerk in the Admiralty-office, Somerset house, a dividend of Is. 2d. (making 2s. 114 d.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. Thomas Henry Carstairs, of 81, Lombard-street, City, professor of writing, a dividend of ls. 5t,,d, in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. John Daniell, of 86, Harrison-street, Gray's-inn-lane, auctioneer, a dividend of 3 s . 6d . i n the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln'i inn. Augustus Grafton, of 14, Sheffield-terrace, Kensington, secretary to a diorama, a dividend of 7s. 9d. in the pound payable at 5, Portugal-street, Li nco l n ' s-inn. , William Durand Cooper, of 21, King's-row, Walworth time-keeper on the London, Brighton, and Dover Railway, a dividend of 3s. 9d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal. street, Lincoln's-inn. Charles Dore, of Austin-friars, City, clerk, a dividendoi 3s. 2d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lin. coin's-inn. James Turner Powell, of Middleton-square, Clerkenwell, clerk in the Paymaster-General's office, a dividend o f l s . ld . in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. Henry Martin, late of Havant, Hants, licensed victualler, a dividend of 10s. 10id. in the politic', payable at 5, Por tugal-street, Lincoln's-in n . Edward Evans, late of Great Turner-street, Commercial road East, painter, a dividend of 7s. 3d. (making lrs. 7d.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. William Inwood, late of Abingdon, Berkshire, grocer, a streetdenLinco of Gs. 5d.. in the pou n d, paya b le at 5, Portugal- William ns-inn Grix, late of Brighton, schoolmaster, a dividend of 74d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lin coln's-inn. Walter Bullen, late of Garden- s t ree t , S tepney, locker in her Majesty's Customs, dividend of ss. Bd. (making 13s. Bd.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. William Everett, late of Salisbury•street, Portman-mar ket, superannuated clerk of Chelsea Hospital, dividend of 3s. 3d. (making 14s. in the pound), payable at 5, Portugal street, Lincoln's-inn. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. Archibald Kintrea and Edward Capps, of Cross-street South, Great George-street, Bermondsey, soap-makers— Thomas Morris, Thomas Jones, and Peter Basset, of Liver pool, woollen-drapers (so far as regards T. Morris)—Purton Weston and Trayton Weston, of Haddonham, Bucking. hamshire, drapers—W. Chadwick and E. Chadwick, of Batley Carr, Yorkshire, joiners—J. Priddy and R. P. Priddy, of 7, Dockhead, cheesemongers —Henry R. Linnell and W. Rigby, of Macclesfield, tanners—Nathaniel W. Thompson, Robert P. Downing, and Patrick M'Anaspie, of Liverpool, cement manufacturers—Jardine, Matheson, and Co., of- China, merchants (so far as regards Alexander Matheson)—Michael Longridge, William Smith Longridge, Robert Bewick Longridge, Charles John Longridge, Henry Gordon Longridge, and Thomas Stirling Begbio, of Bed lington, Northumberland engineers (so far as reg ar d s T. S. Begbie)—William Harris and Michael Smith, of West Bromwich, Staffordshi re , millers—Joseph Lief, Alf re d Carter, and William Henry Grove, of 33, Queen-street, Soho, jewel-case manufacturers (so far as regards W. H. Gr ove) — EdwardLarchin, Edward Johnson Seaton, William Haldimand Prinsep, Josias Bracken Canning Alexander, and Henry Barnardiston Raymond Barker, of Ratcliffe cross, brewers (so far as regards H. Larchin)—John Smith and George Dawes, of Southampton and Salisbury, car riers —Ernest Leviny and Frederic Booke, of 86, New man-street, Oxford-street, jewellers, Richard Scovell, John Scovell, and James Warner, of Hambell, South ampton, shell-fish merchants (so far as regards John. Scovell)—Benjamin Vezey and Charles Shell, of Muddi ford, Hampshire, farmers—Henry Jenkins and Matthew Jenkins, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, conlectioners—William Drane and Josiah Corrie ' of 43, Ludgate-hill, jewellers— Peter Clayton, j un ., and Charles Augustus Cordingley, of Manchester, cotton spinners —Thomas Earle, Thomas Web ster Harby, and Henry Earle, of London, contractors—A. Gabrielli and Thomas tdmond, of 37, Old Broad-street and Bombay, merchants—T. B. Hughes and Josiah Beazley, of LiverpoOl, cotton brokers—Joseph Barker and William Horwood, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, linen-drapers—Thomas Peacock and William Towndrow, jun., of Macclesfield, hat manufacturers—Thoma s Cannon and Co., of Richmond, Yorkshire, linendrapers—William Wallace and John Wal lace, of Cardiff, drapers. SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. George Ainslie, of Kincardine, merchant, April 22 and May 13, at twelve, at Marshall's Commercial Inn, Kincar dine. Lord J. RUSSELL said he rose simply for the purpose of saying that if he saw any words in the motion, which appeared to him to contain any imputation upon the per sonal honour of the hon. member for Northamptonshire, he should certainly move their omission. He did not, however, find any such worth, and he must say that he thought the hon. gentleman had successfully vindicated himself by his speech. (Cheers.) He could not approve of the revoking of the minute of 1849. In the mainten ance of that minute he thought a great public principle was involved ; for upon promotion for merit only depended the efficiency of the service. (Hear.) It was quite need less to vindicate the character of the Duke of Northum berland, upon which no imputation could rest. (Hear.) Captain DUNCOMBE said, though a personal friend of Sir Baldwin Walker, he thought there were some discre pancies in his evidence, and these he had no doubt would be explained. Mr. NEWDEGATE deprecated an inquiry before a select committee, when there had been an opportunity of examining witnesses on oath before the election committee. Mr. M. MILNER wished the hon. baronet who had in troduced this motion to leave out of the inquiry all the circumstances connected with the appointment of Wells and Cotsell, which would only serve to keep up an unne cessary agitation in the dockyard. (Hear, hear.) Sir B. HALL was willing to strike out all the wards after the word " borough" in one part of the resolution, as had been suggested by two honourable members ; but he could not consent to strike out anything else. (Hear.) The motion, as amended, was then put from the chair and agreed to without a division. Sir B. HALL said he hoped the house would have no objection to allow the committee of selection to name the members to serve on this committee. (Hear, hear.) CHURCH RATES. Mr. PHILLIMORE said he had a motion on the paper for leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend the law re lating to church rates, but at that late hour it could not bo expected that ho should go on with it. He hoped, however, as he had given way in favour of the motion which had just been disposed of, the Government would find it convenient to name a day when he could bring his motion foward. (Hear, hear.) Lord J. r RUSSELL was understood to reply that the hon. and learned gentleman should have Thursday. MALDON ELECTION. to issue a com Lord R. GR OSVENOR moved an add ress t o th e Crown, mission to inquire into the existence of cor rupt practices in the borough of Maldon :—Commissioners, Charles M`Carthy, of Glasgow, surgeon, April 26 and May 17, at two, at the Buck's Head Hotel, Glasgow. Dennis Hayes, of Edinburgh, boot and shoemaker, April 22 and May 13, at two, at Dowell's and Lyon's •Rooms, Edinburgh. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 20. 18 til Att tt Vtg) Znyd7i • The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he wished to make a statement with regard to an error in the custom resolutions he had laid on the table,for which he took blame. Among the class of articles on which he proposed to reduce duties, was that of soap, and in the resolutions it appeared that the duty on hard soap was to be reduced to 16s. ; on soft soap, 18s. ; and on Naples soap, 16s. These figures were prepared by him before he had an opportunity of submitting to the S - overnment his proposition for abolishing altogether the Excise duty on soap, and before it had been determined to submit that proposition to Parliament, and owing to the pressure of business, it had escaped him to strike these duties out of the resolutions. It was his intention that the duty on the importation of foreign soap should cease altogether when the Excise duty, was remitted at home. (Hear.) PUBLIC HOUSES (SCOTLAND) BILL. The house then went into committee on this bill, Mr. Bouverie in the chair. On the first clause being proposed, Sir F. H. DAVIE moved the insertion of an amend ment for the purpose of preserving the life interest of grocers in the sale of spirits, on the ground that some protection should be afforded to those who had invested their capital in business in expectation that they would be allowed to deal in spirits. Mr. F. MACKENZIE considered that grocers could not have a vested interest in the sale of spirits in Scot land, as their licenses had to be renewed every year. His object was to put an end to a practice which was productive of the greatest mischief in Scotland ; he alluded to persons who went to shops to purchase small groceries, spending their small balances of coppers, or the discount they received, in whiskey. The principle of the bill was the separation of grocers from dealers in whiskey, and to this the amendment of the honourable gentleman was directly opposed. He considered that combining grocers and victualling shops was the cause of the chief evils which existed in Scotland in regard to drunkenness. Mr. JOHN MACGREGOR supported the amend ment, and protested against the principle of the bill, which he did not think would have the effect of remedying the evils of drunkenness which he grieved to say existed to a great extent in the country. Mr. EWART said every Scotch member must be anxious to remove from their country the dreadful stigma which now rested upon it, hut he had very great doubts of the governmert success of Legislation upon such matters, for it was contrary to the principle of freedom of trade. Mr. C. BRUCE, considering that the main cause of drunkenness in Scotland was to be attributed to the facility of selling spirits over the counter in grocer's shops, he would vote against the amendment, because if it were agreed to, it would defeat the real object of the Mr. ROME suggested that the bill should be post pond in order that an inquiry might be made by select committee into the licensing system in Scotland, similar to that which was about to take place on the same sub ject in England. Mr. F. MACKENZIE said a select committee was appointed many years ago on the Scotch licensing sys tem. It was composed of men of all parties who were well acquainted with Scotland, and the present bill had been founded on their report. He could not assent to the suggestion of the hon. member. Mr. S. WORTLEY hoped the house would not con sent to any postponement of tha bill. He knew that intemperance in Scotland was greatly on the increase, and it was absolutely necessary that some remedy should be immediately applied. Mr. COWAN opposed the amendment, but admitted that in remote villages and towns, where there were no public-houses, grocers might be allowed to sell spirits. He would have no objection to the amendment if it were limited to that object. Mr. Craufurd, Mr. Dunlop, and Mr. Fergus sup ported the clause as it stood. The LORD ADVOCATE did not think it was fair to ask for the postponement of the bill at this stage of its progress. The subject matter of the bill was a crying evil, almost great enough to overshadow almost every other in Scotland, and he would gladly have seen a more efficient remedy than that provided by this bill. He believed, however, that it would tend to remove one very great and injurious temptation to the lower classes. He would not enter into the causes of drunkenness in Scotland, but he met it] at every step he took in his ca pacity in that country, and it was impossible to conceal from himself that it was on the increase. He could not, under these circumstances, refuse to give his assent to the clause. Mr. L. HEYWORTH gave his hearty concurrence to the bill, and only regretted that it had not gone further. After a few words from Mr. STAPLETON, Mr. HUME thought that nothing effectual could be i done except by going to the root of the evil, and by extirpating intemperate habits from domes ' tic circles where young persons were contaminated by the expample of their parents. So far from objecting to take any steps to diminish drunken ness, he was ready to introduce a Maine law for prohibit ing the sale of all spirituous liquors in England and Scotland. (Laughter.) What he intended to say was, that the house was deluding itself iu thinking that the bill was a remedy when it was not. After some discussion, in which Mr. MVREGOR, Mr. ELLIOT, and Mr. DUNCAN took part, Mr. DRUMMOND said he did not wish to be under. stood as saying anything which might be supposed to justify or tolerate what was properly called the desecra tion of the Sunday, but he must say that the supersti tious reverence which was paid to the Lord's Day in Scotland was in his opinion one of the very great causes of drunkenness in that country. People there lost caste in respectable religious assemblies if they were seen almost to take a walk on the Sunday. (Cries of "Oh, oh.") He should be very sorry t o pro ceed to give instances which had occurred withi n his own knowledge. He believed he was speaking in the presence of many gentlemen who knew tue truth of what he said. (Hear, hear.) If they restrained the people from those ordinary recreations which they, in , his opinion, were religiously entitled to, they would , force them to resort to their only other enjoyment, which was perpetual drunkenness. (Hear.) He spoke SUN OFFICE, Seven, o' Clock. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS—(THIS DAY). The SPEAKER took the chair shortly after twelve o'clock. BUSINESS. Mr. SOTHERON PRIVATE moved, that in .the case of the London and South Western Railway (Basingstoke and Salisbury branch) petition for a bill, the standing order No. 151 be dispensed with ; and that the petition for the bill may be presented to the house, notwithstanding that more than three clear days have elapsed since the same was endorsed by the examiner of petitions for pri vate bills ; and that on the presentation of the said pe tition, the report from the standing orders committee thereupon be read, and that leave be given to bring in the bill, notwithstanding more than three clear days have elapsed since the said report from the standing orders committee has been presented ; and that Mr. Francis Scott and Mr. Danby Seymour do prepare and bring it in. Agreed to. On the motion of Mr. HAYTER, the following mem bers were nominated to serve on the Select Committee on Whichwood Forest Bill :—Mr. Wilson, Col. North, Lord Seymour, Mr. Granville Harcourt, the Marquis of Chandos, Mr. Langston ; five members to be added by the Committee of Selection. PETITIONS. Sir E. FILMER presented a petition from Kent, against the admission of Jews into Parliament. Mr. M`CANN presented a petition, signed by the Mayor and 496 inhabitants of the county of town of Drogheda, comprising the influential merchants and traders of the town, praying for an additional member to represent its several important manufacturing, commer cial, and shipping interest in Parliament. Several petitions were presented in favour of the Public Houses (Scotland) Bill ; and a number of peti tions were also presented against the same bill. Mr. F. MACKENZIE presented a petition from Edinburgh against the abolition of the university tests in Scotland ; alto several petitions from Liverpool against the opening of the Crystal Palace on Sundays. SALE AND PURCHASE OF LAND BILL. On the motion of Mr. DRUMMOND, the second reading of this bill was postponed. PETITIONS. Mr. CHRISTOPHER presented a petition from Lin colnshire, in favour of the alteration of the law of settle ment for the poor; also two petitions from Gains borough, in favour of the distribution of Parliamentary papers to literary societies. Mr. J. MACGREGOR presented a petition from Kent, against all taxes on knowledge. Mr. MACAULAY presented three petitions from Edinburgh, praying for the abolition of the taxes on gradations in the universities in Scotland ; also, several petitions, numerously signed, against the Public-houses (Scotland) Bill. Mr. FORBES presented a petition from the county of Fife, against the abolition of the Scotch university tests. POOR LAW. Mr. VERNON moved for returns of all applications made to the Poor Law Board, according to the provi sions of so much of the act 13 and 14 Vic. c. 57, as re lates to preventing the holding of vestry or other meet ings in churches ; such returns to - specify the applica tions granted and refused : of all eases where, under the provisions of the said act, lands or premises have been taken on lease or purchased, and sales or exchanges have been effected for the purpose of obtaining building suit able for vestry meeting : of all cases where the Poor Law Commissioners have given authority for money to be borrowed for such purposes, and charged to the Poor Rate : and, of all appointments of vestry clerks under the said act. Agreed to. Sir J. WALMSLEY moved for .returns showing the amount of annuities for lives and for terms of years granted in each of the years ending the sth day of January, 1852 and 1853, and the amount of capital stock cancelled in each of the said years on account of such terminable annuities : and, of the amount of the annui ties for lives and for terms of years which have ceased in each of the said years, ending the sth day of January, 1852 and 1853 (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 657, of Session 1851). Agreed to. REPEAL OF DUTIES ON SOAP r ; from authority when he said that, in the town of Glas * ei-rttr s g te w epe a d l o n t e il e m 3 s o e , l o v o e s 0 p in e r s w o h n i s s k eve r a y n S l a a t i u d r d a b y night 1 perfect s t a t e o f insensibility Ltil Monday nyrning‘. How was this to be corrected 1 Certainly not by the Legislature, but by the common sense. of the higher classes putting no faith in these absurd superstitions, and by giving an example of common sense to the people, who would readily follow them, and by finding some better way of managing their Sunday than tithing anise and cummin, and forgetting matters of law. (Hear.) Mr. A. HASTIE agreed that Scotchmen consumed a great deal of whisky, but they were not much worse in that respect than the people of many towns in England. He did not think the bill would do much good, but in deference to the feelings of the people in Scotland, he would give it his assent. Sir H. F. DAVIE said as the opinion of the house was ' against him, he would not put it to the trouble of a division. The amendment was then withdrawn, and the clause with some verbal alterations was agreed to. Clauses 2,3, 4, and 5 were agreed to. Clauses 6,7, and 8 were postponed. Clauses 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. 16, 17, and 18 were agreed to. In schedule A, Mr. MACKENZIE then moved a clause, by which hotels were prohibited from selling spirits off their pre mises on Sundays, and all other public houses should be closed altogether on Sundays. Mr. HUME said he had no objection to try the ex periment, although he doubted whether it would succeed. Sir J. ANDERSON thought that the claims of public houses on Sundays would be acceptable to all classes in Scotland. Mr. COWAN supported the clause ; which was agreed to. Mr. HASTIE moved a clause giving a magistrate in Parliamentary boroughs the same powers as those pos sessed by magistrates in Royal boroughs. Mr. F. MACKENZIE opposed the clause. The committee then divided, and the numbers were— For the clause 93 Against it Bl Majority for the clause —l2 The remaining clauses were then agreed to, and the house resumed. Sir T. TROLLOPE reported from the general com mittee of elections that they had nominated the commit tees to try and determine the Berwick-on-Tweed and Hereford petitions. MAYO ELECTION. Lord H. VANE reported from the Mayo election committee that G. H. Moore, Esq., and G. G. 0. Higgins, Esq., were duly elected, and that it appeared from the evidence given that there had been great abuse of the spiritual influence on the part of the great body of the Roman Catholic priesthood at the last election. JUDGES EXCLUSION BILL. On the motion that the Speaker do leave the chair for going into committee on this bill, Mr H. DRUMMOND said it had been his intention to move that the Speaker do not leave the chair until this day six months. (A laugh.) That was, that the bill be not committed until this day six months ; but he should reserve his opposition for the third reading. The house then went into committee on the bill, and the clauses were agreed to. Mr. HUME said he wished to make a proviso to the effect that, provided always that the Recorder of the city of London, after the present Parliament, shall during his continuance in office as such recorder be in capable of being elected or sitting as a member of the House of Commons. He wished this proviso to apply only to future recorders, not to the present right hon. gentleman who held the office. The RECORDER of LONDON was much obliged to the honourable gentleman for the exception he wished to make in his favour, but the committee should remember that there was a great distinction between the position of the offices under discussion, and that of the judges con t emp l ate d b y this bill. The Re corder of London did not hold his office under the Crown, nor had he any jurisdictiou beyond the limits of the City. The office conferred no title or distinction on the holder, while the duties attached to it, which consisted of acting as law adviser to the Corporation— acting as its mouthpiece on State occasions, and officiating as Speaker with the Lord Mayor, could in no way prevent the holder from fulfil ling the functions of a legislator. True he had to at tend for a week in every month in the Central Criminal Court, but in that respect his situation was only ana logous to that of . an hon. member who attended quarter sessions as a magistrate. There was in fact a wide differ ence between the Recorder of London and a judge who held his appointment from the Crown, and who was considered to hold too exalted a position, or to be too much occupied with his public duties, to be able to per form the duties of a member of Parliament. In his own case or that of the Speaker of the House, there was no humiliation in being called upon to take part in the turmoil of a contested election, and though he should abstain from voting on the question, he could assure the house that, inasmuch as it was part of his duty to be constantly on the spot in the metropolis, he expe rienced tio difficulty whatever in performing the public duties which were demanded of him as a legislator. (Cheers.) Mr. HUME argued that the duties of the Recorder of the City of London were by far too onerous and mul tifarious to admit of his being an efficient member of Parliament, and he must therefore por.uvort, with - hl - = proviso. Sir G. GREY entirely disapproved of the spirit and principle of the bill ; but with regard to the amendment under discussion, lie could see no reason for excluding the Recorder for the City of London from Parliament any more than for excluding the Recorder of Bristol, Liverpool, or any other large town. Mr. WHITESIDE also opposed the proviso. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL believed that the amendment, if carried, would be pushing the principle of the bill too far, and he must, therefore, resist its introduction. Mr. LABOUCHERE contended that this question ought to be left to the decision of the constituencies themselves. They were the best judges of who should represent them, and it was unjust to push this bill to the extent that was now demanded. Already they had excluded two men of talent and emi nence from the house, and the house should now draw the line where these exclusions should stop. Mr. ATHERTON insisted that the exclusion from Parliament ought only to extend to judges of the superior courts, and he should therfore oppose the amendment. Viscount MONCK opposed the amendment. , Mr. HENLEY suggested that the amendm en t s h ou ld I be deferred until the bringing up of the report, as if it it were inserted now it might endanger the passing of the bill by strengthening the hands of its opponents. Sir H. H. INGIS was opposed alike to the bill and the amendment. Mr. HUME announced his intention to accede to the proposal of the right hon. gentleman the member for Ox fordshire, and withdrew his amendment on the under standing that he should move it again upon the bring ing up of the report. After a few words from Lord HoTHAM, Mr. VERNON, Mr. Sergeant MURPHY, and Mr. MALINS, the amend ment was withdrawn. The whole of the clauses in the schedule were then agreed to, and the house having resumed, the Chairman reported the bill. The report was ordered to be received this day week. COUNTY ELECTIONS POLL (SCOTLAND) BILL. This bill as amended was considered, the amendm ents were agreed to, and the bill was ordered to be read a third time on Thursday, the 28th instant. COCKERMOUTII ELECTION. On the motion of Mr. C. BERKELEY, the evidence taken before the Cockermouth election committee was ordered to be laid before the house. The other orders were then disposed of, and the h ouse adjourned at half-past five o'clock. ELECTION COMMITTEE.----(TIII3 DAY.) BARNSTAPLE. The case on both sides having been concluded, the room was cleared, and on the re-admission of the parties the chairman read the following resolutions : " That the last election for the borough of Barnstaple was a void election. " That Sir W. Seager and W. Brenaridge, Esq., were, by their agents, guilty of bribery. " That it was proved to the satisfaction of the committee that W. Bremridge, Esq., w as , in one in stance, cognisant of a corrupt ffer made to a voter." The question of costs was then entered into. MAYO. This committee came to a decision this afternoon, for which see our Parliamentary report. ADDITIONAL COLONIAL BISHOPRICS. (THIS DA Y.) This afternoon a very crowded meeting of the clergy and laity was held at Willis's Rooms, Ki ng -street, St. James's, for the purpose of considering " the great benefits which would accrue to the Church and depen dencies of the British Empire, by the erection of bishoprics to those provinces which are virtually cut off from episcopal superintendence ;" and also to "take measures for raising contributions towards the endow ment of addititional colonial h 1.). • 18 opnes. Among those present we noticed the Archbishop of Canterbury, th e D uke of Newcastle, the Earl of Chi chester, Lord Harrowby ; the Bishops of London, Ox ford, Winchester, Chester, Exeter, Norwich, St. Asaph, Lyttleton, Quebec, Cape Town, and the Bishop Elect of Lincoln ; Archdeacon Hale and Sir R. H. Inglis ; the Rev. Messrs. Howarth, J. S. M. Anderson, Dalton, Beresford, Hope, and a great number of the principal clergy of the metropolis. Shortly after three o'clock the chair was taken by The Archbishop of CANTERBURY, who, in opening the proceedings, said he could not express the feeling of satisfaction with which the presence of so large an assemblage inspired him. The proceedings of the after noon he would briefly explain was the foundation of new colonial bishoprics. A simple reference to facts will show that rarely has a meeting of Churchmen met with more gratifying results than have followed from the meeting held in this room twelve years ago, for the erection and endowments of additional bishoprics. The result of the present assemblage he was sure would not be less satisfactory. His Grace then called upon the secre tary to re a d th e report of the Council for Colonial Bishops. The Bishop of LONDON moved the first resolution, to the effect that the blessed results following the exten sion of the episcopacy ought to be regarded with feelings of great th an kf ulness. The Right Rev. Prelate then entered into a statement of facts ofgood effects following the establishment of colonial bishoprics. The Earl of CAMIUTZII briefly seconded the rescau tion, which was put to the meeting and carried unto mously. The Duke of NEWCASTLE, in proposing the seco n d resolution, s a id th at when he entered that room be h a not the slightest idea of taking part in the proceeding s ' At the requ es t, h owever, of many of his noble I'6o. i t he had bee n ca ll e d upon to propose a resolution, he had scarcely had time to read. Occupying the 130- i tion he did, h e th oug h t lie was merely fulfilling one tl its duties by being present to-day; and their former Bev cess was a source of the highest satisfaction to Much. had been done, but much remained to be do ll 6 ; The unfort una t e occurrences at the Cape having tero7 mated, he had every hope, with the bl ess i ng o f Alroin God, that th e o li ve branch of peace h e ld ou t w ould "", everlastingly embraced.—The resolution was to the eft that two new hishoinics be founded, viz., Graham e Town and Natal. The Bishop of CAPE TOWN, in coming forward to second the r eso l u ti on, was received with marks of gr 7 approbation. • The resolution having been put to the meeting, it v 446 carried unanimously ; as were also some others. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to lb. chairman. SPO.RTI2VG INTELLIGENCE. SPORTING NOTES.—No. CCCCXIV. MALTON MEETING.—MaItort has a much more attl, tive bill of f are thi s year than usual, the conse quencelio take it, of the concocters being more energetic 010 their wont. The Craven Stakes, yet to close and not commences the sport to-morrow at half-past one. Two-year-old St a k es l oo k very much like a match b e • tween THE P RESIDENT, who can go the pace When be o f likes, and THE J EWESS, The rest, with the exceptioll, Taper and B r id esma i d, are but indifferent aniinsr Rosa May and Cardsharper, much fancied by the publi c ' are very inferior in quality. The Mahon Handica the p oug ht to be carried off by - ANDREW Or HOBBY HORSE ; Paquetta occupying third place. The Birdsall Handicap will fall to the lot of MAO ° NORTON if sufficiently forward in his work, of wilick however, I entertain a slight doubt. The entries for the Selling Plate and Amateur Stril will not be out until this evening, and the animals nail nated for the Union Hunt Cup come not within ray k el3 " THE SPIRIT OF THE TURY• YORK RACES.—TUESDAY. The business al Tattersall's on Monday prevent most of the metropolitan speculators from traveril northward until th e f o ll ow i ng morn i ng, when they qua, tered betimes at th e Ki ng ' s - cross station, and were plea' santly and punctually conveyed by the 9-30 a. m . ex -pre! to Old Ebor. The weather w as co ld an d s h owery, the course W5 O _ good conditio n , an d t h e arrangements were unexeeptiv , able. The sport, marked by some shortcomings, was iieel as follows : The CRAVEN STAKES of 5 sovs each, with 30 adde d three-year-olds, Est 81b ; f our, Bst 41b ; five, Bst six and aged, 9st 31b. Mares and geldings alloW ed 31b. One mile. 8 subs. Mr. Ewbank's Broughton, by lago, 3 yrs, Est 8117 1 Mr. R. Chilt on ' s A u d u b on (Wells) 9 , 3 yrs, 6st 81b (Carron) Mr. H. R o bi nson ' s Billy Richardson, 4 yrs ' Bst 71b (BunzbY) Sir C. Monk's Hunca Munca, 3 yrs, Est 51b (Ashman) Betting. -6 to 4 agst Broughton, 7to 4 agst Audubon' A fine race, in with the two favourites, Broughto n j winning by a short neck ; Billy Richardson a very b third. Hunca Munca lost start. The ZETLAND STAKES of 10 SOW each, with 50 acide 6l for t wo - year - olds ; colts, Bst 71b, and fillies Bst 31 , Winners befor e s t art i ng, 21 b extra; beaten horses rg' , lowed 21b. T.Y.C. 16 subs. Mr. Merry's Wild Huntsman, by Harkaway, Bst 71b Mr. E. Harrison'srrison's H ora ti o (Mar)ow , Bst 71b (Chariton) ) Mr. John s t one ' s c. by Verulam out of The Hind, Bst 71b.. : ........................ (Aldcroft) Betting-7 t o 4on H .. oratio. A good race, won on the post by a head ; three or four lengths between second and third. The FLYING DUTCHMAN'S HANDICAP, of 100 sous, adat to a Sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, 10 ft, and only 6 declared, &c. Winners extra. Two miles over tt old course. 32 subs, 20 o f w h om pay 5 sovs . The highest weight accepting being Bst 31b, it 0 ' raised to Bst 71b, and the others in proportion. Mr. Knowles' Talfourd, 3 yrs (including 91b extra), sst 131 b (Oliver) Lord Derby's Hobby Horse, 3 yrs, sst 71b (Wells) 3 Mr. Miln er ' s G rapeshot, 3 yrs, Est ......... (Carroll) The followi ng a l so ran : Mr. J. Osborne's Little Davie, 4 yrs, (including 51b extra) fist 21b (Pattle). Mr. Meiklam's Cleveland, 4 yrs, fist 41b (Waddington)', Lord Ch es t er fi eld ' s Jacqueline, 3 yrs, sst 71b (Ashla n ,i Betting. -6 to 4 agst Hobby Horse, 7to 4 asst fourd, 4to 1 agst Grapeshot, 100 to 8 agst any other. They ran i n a cluster. Approaching the milelr st n d Talfourd took the lead,. With Jacqueline second,--i n o Hbbv Tiorse tiara_ _At ilia harul A _Hobby H orse , go i ng up next to the ra :is reached Talfourd's girth. After a fine race, Hobby' Horse was beate n by a short neck. Half a length be' tween the second and the third. • The SELLING STAKES of 25 Bova, added to a Sweepstak o S i of 5 sovs eac h, f or 3-yr-olds and upwards. Onemile and a quarter. Mr. Merry's Desdemona, 3 yrs ......, ........ . .......... Mr. T. W a lk er ' s b c by Birdcatcher out of .......... 4 yrs Eight ran.............................. ............................ The CHAMPION HANDICAP of 10 WWII each, with 6 ° added ; the winner of any handicap value 3001. W carry 41b. extra. One mile. Mr. J. Osborne's Lady Agnes, 4 yrs, 7st 21b Mr. Pedley's Trousseau, 4 yrs, fist 5117.,.,,........ 9 .. Mr. Mor r i s ' s H unger f or d, 5 yrs (includin g 41b extra), Bst4lb Only three ran. BETFING AFTER THE RACES. 2,000 GUINEAS. 6 to 4 agst West Australian (taken). CHESTER Cap. 15 to 1 agst Talfourd. 20 to 1 agst Peg gy ( taken). 25 to 1 agst Richmond. Peggy was backed at the odds quoted for a large etun• COUNTRY MARKE2'S. L r 7 ERPOOL—APRIL 19. This market was better attended by millers and dealers than for some time, who were free purchasers of wheat at prices simil ar t o those of last week, but some holders re quire(' higher rates. Flour did not move so freely wheat, but it could not be had any cheaper than o f l a te. Indian corn in good request and prices improved 9d to 1 6 per qr. si nce l ast Tuesuay. American white corn sold at 30s 6d, and yellow 32s per 4801 b. Other articles of the grain trade supported late rates. 19. The wheat trade IPSWICH—ArniL holds the same firmness we have for some weeks noticed and pric es r ma i n th e same. The sup ply at m ar k e t was small, only indeed sufficient for the local consumptive demand. Two or three samples of malting barley were offered, which sold at 34s and 36s p er qr. Beans, peas, &c., nominally as of late. PER QUARTER. PER QUARTNE• Wheat, red (old) ... 40s to 43s Barley, grinding 27s to 3 1 ° Ditto (new) ........ 00s to 00s Beans Ditto, whit® (new) 50s to 53s Peas Ditto (old) . ........ 00s to 00s Oats Barley, malting ... 34s to 36s Flour, per sack AVERAGES FOR THE WEER ENDING APRIL 16, 1853. Wheat ......... 778 quarters, at 44s 9cl Barley ........ 420 338 2d 2, Oats ............ 10 „ 21s Od Beaus ......... 27 „ 338 9d Peas ........... 11 „ 32s Od HULL--APRIL 19. As to-day's market there was a very small attendance of farmers, ani a small show of wheat. Fresh-conditioned corn brisk sale at is advance. Other qualities fully so dear. Little busin. ss in barley. Oats neglected. Beane much the same as last week. Peas more inquired for. More firmness in linseed, A large business has been done in linseed, cakes during the week. Nothing doing in rape' seed. Rape cakes are scarce and lively. Bones fully sup port our quotations. The following are the present prices of grain : s s Wheat, English, red 45 to 47 Ditto white 47 to 49 1 Dantzic and Konigs berg Pomeranian and Ham- s 0. Peas, gray and black 33 to 35 Linseed, Black Sea._ 46 t o 48 Ditto Petersburgh 40 to 4 6 Ditto Riga and Arch angel ............... 40 to 44 Ditto Konigsberg and Memel , 48 to 50 burgh ------- Danish, Holstein, and 44 to 46 Frieslaud 42 to 44 Russian and Odessa 40 to 43 Oats, English • lB to 24 Ditto Danish Ditto Friesland Ditto Russian lB to 19 Barley, maltin Ditto grinding......, 2B to 29 Beans Ditto foreign Peas, white and yel. 36 to 39 48 to 43 Liu& e. Per Ton. , Hull 7/ 08 Od to Ditto fine for. 71 1 58 Od 0/ 00 Ditto inf. for 6l 15s to 01 Os Rapeseed 271 Os to 01 09 Rape cakes . Tares, English 36s to 00s Ditto foreign Guano 5/ 9/ to 121 Od Bones 102 s 6d to 1050 Rye Meal BIRTHS. OF A SON. On the 17th inst., at Bayswater, the wife of Marla Meredith, Esq. OF A DAUGHTER. On the 18th inst., at 11, Eaton-terrace, the wife of Win. Parke, jun., Esq. MARRIED. On the 16th inst., at Amblesido Church, Westmoreland, David Alex. Cannan, Esq., of London, to Jane Dorothea, second daughter of the late L. Claude, Esq., of Liverpool. On tho 14th inst., at Burntisland, the Rev. G. H. For bes, to Eleanor Maria Irby, eldest daughter of the late Major Wemyss, of the Scots Greys. On the 17th i ns t . DIED. , Geo. E. Browne, of Upper Thames street and Leytonstone-road, eldest son of the late Captain G. Browne, R.M., of Epsom. On the 18th inst., in B loomsbury-street, Margaret, wife of the Rev. Dr. Moseley, in the 79th year of her age. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Pri n t er, at The Sun O ffi ce ,No. 113, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county 0 Middlesex, Wednesday, Apr 4 20, 1553.