The Sun. — London, England, 1840-08-29 00:00:00

11VEN1NG EDITION. -._ LITERATURE. ALISON ON POPULATION. Mr. Alison, as we have already shown, has written his whole book wavering between two !I more opinion, and has been constant to neither. Every page almost supplies contradictions between what h e h as been taught or the theories he has i!orined, and what he has observed. Here is a spe cimen of the result of observation either by him self or ot'acrs : "In tl•iis, as in every other instance, the laws of nature are enforced in human affairs by the de velopir.ent. of active propensities, springing from eir tunis'cances which call for their operation. Essential as j !lutnso i n th e h a bi ts o f man ki n d i s to t h e i r we lfa re Ituen the situations in which they are placed has under- Pee an alteration, it is brought about without the ac " by whom it is accomplished being conscious of its oeration. They are never called upon to do violence to their in clinations, or to sacrifice their happiness for the 14)el f aP r of the community to which they belong. It is in ...onsw I 'E . • lngtheir own wishes, and in striving rfter their lop O • enjoyments, that they are led to do tlit which the otterests of society require. duall3y the w i s d om o f N ature t h e we lf are o f t h e indivi ual is made the basis on which the prosperity of the v iliale f a b r i c of human prosperity i s rested. The i r exer tions for their own a d vancemen t are th e means by w hi c h "ut only provision is made for a further multiplication t he species, but the desires awakened which regulate !" increase. The same Invisible Hand which has 4tt h e the wing of the bird to the air, and the fin of the j th ' l ' the water, has watched with equal solicitude over j b: still more important concerns of the social world, andl situation aPted the human mind not to one but to every „ . 11 ,_`;° 11 in which it can be placed, and every exigency' the it can be reduced, from the physical situation Gf toe , pecies. ,, • 14 the passage, Mr. Alison is a perfect believer ul t . the wi s d om o f Nature. No despiser of revela .,4llts-no impugner of statesmanship—no advo- 4 4tt e for the all-sufficiency of the natural desires h tl , 4 passio ns of man as the proper guides on is c onduct—no denier of the utility of legislation '...1 ° defender of the utmost license for the passi ons ever p enne d a p assage m ore o pp ose d t i ° all human laws and our revealed religion, ~A B te ad of the world being a state of probation, z , - 7re man is a stranger and a prisoner, it is de ja-dribed as a beautiful and fitting home, admirably i - h ' a Pted to him, and he to it. 'l The sinner fallen, Ito a world for which he was not created, is rere he.n.,trd to be as well suited to his Paradi., s e as the " apll to the air or the fish to the water, But that is e, very reverse o f t h e ge neral doeArine of Mr. Ali ies book, an d h e evidenth; writes fine sentences e the one we have que,red, without the most re :te conjecture of their bearings or meaning. In ;let° of men consulting their desires, and striving t h et their own e nj o y men t s , promoting that which e interest of soc i e ty requires, we are told in other plac es that " the human species has to contend with .1 3 hysical difficulties •"that " it is inclined to tiviolence arid crimes ;" that " the most ac ve causes of human woe in any age are to be 4 , in d in human wickedness," " that population has " Unhealthy action," and that " the ambition of k ratif Ying desires" is th e ru i n of states ; and so on ro ughout th e b oo k. A t every page a l mos t we fl d the principles of the all-sufficiency of nature of _ o e Propri ety o f consu l t i ng man ' s w i s h es, an d o f t h e ; r nplete and perfect adaptation of man to the W orld some continually, and in times in plain terms, Iltrad:Leted and denied. ti , Mr. Alison ha s a w h a l e c h a pt er a b ou t th e acivan "ges of a national church, and borrowed statements a re he b e li eves th e grea t er part,--" that there lte seven h un d re d an d s i xty t h ousan d unconverte d 'Pa gans in the city of London," that is, immediately 2 u nd St. Paul's, while the Bishop of London has iore wealth than he knows what to do with, and the sinecure prebends have of late been docked by "e Legislature as superfluous. Sometimes we read of t he " dreadful influence of civilization upon the eilara;:ter of the bulk of the lower orders, (p. 105, 1131 . and sometimes it is proved through several P a ges (chapter on the changes in the progress of s ociety, which limit the principle of increase), "that t he civilization of Brabant, Holland, Switzerland, and England, has no such effect, and that the de gradation of the population of our country, which is the example Mr. Alison has in view when he speaks of " dreadful influence of civilization," is caused, " either by the fluctuations of trade or the influx of the Irish ?" We do not quarrel with Mr. Alison for e mbracing either of these contradictory opinions— he may believe that civilization has most dreadful sh e ets, though it would not then be deserving of al t e t,, ll . ar n e ; or be may believe that it is wholly he lve w hich it must be, to be called civilization— critnin Y complain of his wanting the power to dis arid si ate , as to which is the more correct opinion, di f ea ully adhering to that which he prefers. hioh e very age," we are told at page 283, t o beeer_orders have a tendency to become luxurious, o re 'me selfish, to become , corrupt, because they th e r , s eli evedfrom the necessity of daily exertion ; c a Y " ay e a tendency to become pusillanimous, be- Use t hey have so much to lose from the consc ifre-ces of valour. These are the , well known 12 e 9 ets of the acquisition of opulence. At page . „ m r , h owever, and many other places, an opulent —cra nY, relieved from supplying their own b a ton is described as the source of enterprise, am i?n, and of the incessant desire of rising in the World, Which becomes the governing and healthy f o rtn e i, s i e Of man. We have both tirades against 4 1 . H . Y> and judicious statements that the spread of totifieial wants is the great counteracting principle ev il amongst the people. It is one part of Mr. ison' s ttitution object to prove that the aristocratic con of England, while it does not prohibit tr o r t e f r om o ' rising in the world, is far superior to any hrestraining • h er in the principle of population, and °t ( ' s ` theref ore, h e implies, i n t h e or d er o f nature . I. 1 , page 31, and many others.) At the same j vn e, he informs us " that in Greece and Rome the thigher ranks corrupted the lower, and, long before ignorant masses were contaminated, cor fluiPti°ll, sensuality, and every species of pro of'gaeY had utterly poisoned all the sources Public welfare in the dignified portion of °elet Y• The same fact is exemplified in every rs page of human history. " In one p l ace we nd the high table land of American republicanism o d r,F,Jihed as equally pernicious with the " flat level Oriental despotism," " in repressing the desire of mankind to improve their condition." " Political rwer bei ng equally vested from the outset of life all classes, it is considered as no distinction any m ote than the air which they breathe or the water w l , ni ch they d r i n k." So s a ys Mr. Alison, in page 3 ) of the Americans, which is as false as any " th ing can well be. Arid so Mr. Alison himself * ll :Plies in p age 144, w h en h e a ttributes the energies °' republi can Gr ee ce, of warrior Rome, and the success of republican France to " permitting the talents of the great body of the people to bear upon th e fortunes of State." That he says, in page I Lj l, is " what constitutes the strength of the free States, while in page 133 he denies its efficacy in A merican republicanism. But Mr. Alison ;ivies 1 . 4 the following passage, which we will quote for its Own sak e , amore distinct proof that he makes assertions at random, without ever reflecting on their tnea ning or their value, when he ascribes to " mere Ntitical institutions," or supposes a political insti tution can suppress the desire of mankind to im- Prove their condition ; " Th ere i s somet hi ng so l emn an d a l mos t aw f u l . in the incessan t a d vance o f t h e grea t s t ream of civilisa ttin, Which in America is continually rolling down from . summit of th e All eg h an y m ountains, and over spreading the boundless forests of the Far West. No thing similar ever was witnessed in the world before. 'Vast as were the savage multitudes which ambition, or i f ug t of plunder i n Getigistan or Timour brought down Tartary to overwhelm the opulent regions of the earth, they are as nothin g compared to the ceaseless flow ° f human beings which is now in its turn sent forth from t ine abodes of civilised man into the desert parts of the world. N ot l ess than three hundred thousan d persons , all in the prime of life, now yearly crop the Alleghany Inountains, and settle on the banks of the Ohio or its trib utary streams. They do not merely pass through, like a devastating fire, or a raging torrent, they' settle where they take up their abode, never to return. Their war is with the forest and the marsh—not against the cprrupted cities of long-established man. Spreading thilbselves out over an extent of nearly twelve hundred miles in length, these advanced posts of civilisation t,°4lrnence the ince ssan t war w i t h the plough an d t h e hatchet, and at the sound of their strokes, resounding through the solitude of the forest, the wild animals and the Indians retire to more undisturbed retreats. Along a tract of nearly twelve hundred miles in length, the average advance of civilisation is about ,eventeen miler a year. The ground is imperfectly cleared indeed . y these pioneers of humanity, but still the forest has disappeared under their strokes ; the greeo field, th wooden cottage, the signs of infant im provement have appeared, and behind them another wav r , of more lyz.p.i.thy and refined settlers appear, who olmplete the work of agricultural advancement. The wild animals el the forest retire before this incessant advance of civilization ; by a mysterious instinct, or the information of other animals of their race, they become aware of the approach oi the great enemy of their tribe, and r fiAr does the alarm penetrate that they arc Ircquently found to commence their retreat two hundred miles in advance of the actual totvid of the European hatchet." At one time we tried 'Sceptically 'doubting whether the command of God for inanitid to mul tiply and replenish the `eao,ll be fulfilled, and doubting whether the increase of people in modern times has com'pensated the decay of the human species in Asia Minor, Turkey, and Persia. At another he quotes the sounder view of Chateau vieux, which is applicable, we believe, to other countries as well as Italy, " that notwithstanding the diminution of the population of the Italian tow m, there is reason to believe not only that the in habitants of Italy on the whole have gone on progres sively increasing during all this period, hut they are at this moment more numerous than they were at any former period of its histely, not excepting the most flourishing days of the Roman empire." What can be made of a writer who builds a whole series of fine arguments on the vast population of the an cient world, talks about the regeneration of na tions, and has a whole ch ptrr about the piinciple of decay and renovation, yet knocks all on the head by assenting to the just conclusions of Chateau yieux, that there has been a successive increase of population? At p. 108. in opposition to Mr. M'Culloch, most of the evils of Ireland are attributed to the want of resident gentry. "It is by the establish ment of a numerous and resident body of landed proprietors that the great evil is prevented of the labouring classes sinking into degradation." This is false, as the present condition of the peasantry of England proves. At p. 160, in order to give a blow to Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Alison seems to be of the same opinion, for he says that "the turbulence of the Irish poor, and the insanity of their politi cal leaders, have withdrawn the fields of Ire land from the blessings of British improvement." In like manner we find eulogiums, in sundry places, On instruction without any qualification ; but when Mr. Alison treats especially of the advantages and dangers of popular instruction, we ascertain that he means instruction given by the priesthood, that other knowledge is poison, exc,- i , t it be corrected by the condiments of priesteraft. We are not controverting, or even explaining, Mr. Alison's opinions, or it could easily be shown that they —we do not speak of the facts he has bor rowed from historians or geographers—are a mass of incongruous superficial errors. For example, the notion that the desire to rise in the world, as he phrases it, or, as it is also described, to improve • the condition of mankind, is the offspring of a po- litical constitution, where the gradations of society are numerous. The desire is hot begotten by institutions, though they may direct, divert, or almost suppress it. It may assume various shapes, but it is a part of human nature which has existed, like the appetite for food, in all ages, and is as conspicuous in " the flat level of Oriental despotism," when it takes to hoarding up money, or pillaging from others the only means by which its objects can be accomplished, as in the high table land of American republicanism, where it is reducing into cultivation the yet untenanted forests. It is a poor mistake in a philosopher, and a sad mistake for a devout believer in the efficacy of nature, to ascribe a desire which has prevailed with mankind in all times and countries to a fleeting and temporary political constitution. If we were disposed to enter into controversy with Mr. Alison, there is scarcely a page of his book which would not supply mate rials for it ; but controversy with such a random vague writer is out of the question, for he who continually contradicts himself does not require to be refuted by any other person. As a psychological problem, an inquiry into the origin of such a mind and such a book would be curious. We can only say, that Mr. Alison has been bred a Tory, and is by ambition a philosopher. Observation and his traditionary creed are at va riance, and so he falls into all kinds of contradic- Toryism and philosophy are the opposite oles of politics, and when the circle is completed 1 one mind the power is neutralized, and much rubbish is deposited. Mr. Malthus, it is well known, began his Essay on Population to refute Condorcet and Godwin. He sought in nature an excuse for the errors and climes of legislators, to which they ascribed the miseries of society, and he found it in the diverse ratios of population and food. It is now known, though the advance of population is the great source of all the changes in society, and is therefore connected with everything evil as with everything good—that food, which is always the produce of labour, and population must of neces sity keep pace with each other, and Mr. Alison has collected many facts which disprove the as sumed different ratios of increase, which is the 'oundation of the Malthusian system. The excuse tolls. for bad government falls away, and another must be found. Mr. Alison is willing to ascribe the misery of society under other Governments to the follies and errors of rulers, but being a Tory he can come to no such conclusio❑ as to the English Government ; and, like Mr. Malthus, he invents a theory or strains facts to make out a case for the British Constitution in Church and State. He endeavours to make nature correspond to his own ideal of political and religious perfection, and tries, through two volumes, to reduce her to his own di mensions. THE LATE DESTRUCTIVE FIRES The dreadful fire which broke out on Hore's whar continued to rage during the whole of Thursday night and yesterday under the immense pile of ruins created by the falling in of the roof and wall of the building. During the whole of yesterday the neighbourhood of apping presented the appearance of a fair being held there, thousands of persons being assembled in every street and avenue leading to the ruins and from which they could be seen. Barriers ware placed at such a distance, guarded by detachments of police, in order to prevent accidents arising in the event of the falling of that portion of the buildings still standing. Notwith standing the sigilance of the police one man succeeded in passing the barrio ; the result was the loss of his life. He stationed himself at a portion of the building near where a crane of nearly a ton weight was still attached to one of the upper stories, which had not fallen in, but which was in a tottering con dition. He had been there but a few seconds when the crane gave way, bringing along with it a large por tion of the brickwork, and the whole mass fell upon him. Ile was picked up in a shockingly mutilated con dition and lifeless. His name was ascertained to be Swinford, and it was stated that he had come from Suf folk only two days before. The unfortunate man Lind sey, who fell from one of the upper stories during the fire, still lies in the London Hospital in a very danger ous state. As soon as the fire was discovered the Thames police proceeded to convey the new iron floating-engine which was stationed in the Docks, and which had never pre viously been worked, to the edge of the wharf. It is of such extraordinary dimensions as to require 140 men to work it, and throws several tons of water per minute, it being built for the London Fire establishment. Had it not been for this stupendous engine it is believed the loss of property would have trebled its present amount. The other force employed were the two floating engines from Southwark-bridge and Rother hithe, and 13 land engines ; and from a calculation which has been made it appears that upwards of 17 tons of water were thrown upon the flames per minute. The firemen have ascertained that the fire first origi nated on Hose's premises, but the firm are unable to account for it. It has been ascertained that there was a large quantity of cotton waste on the premises, such as is used for cleaning and oiling machinery, and it is the opinion of Mr. Braidwood that that was the cause of the fire, as he had known it to ignite by itself, by oil getting among it, of which there were also several barrels in the place. The fire, which broke out in Bermondsey at the time when the above was at its height, also involved a fearlul destruction of property. The loss sustained by the destruction of the mills and the machinery therein is estimated at 6,0001. Mr. Frear is not insured. Messrs. Hasland's loss is esti mated at between 3,0001. and 4,0001. The other suf ferers are not insured. At the fire in Hereford-street, Whitechapel, the loss is estimated at 2,0001. The Dublin Pilot puts forth the following flat tering comparison of crime committed in England and Ireland during the past month :—" Since the Ist of July inclusive there have been committed in England twenty murderous attempts, of which thirteen have terminated fatally ; and these are exclusive of the cases of stabbing. lo Ireland, during the same period, eight murderous at tempts have been made, of which four had a fatal termina tion. In England, the cases of stabbing are thirteen ; in Ireland, there has been but one case, and the solitary criminal was an Englishman ! In England, there have been sixty suicides within a month ; in Ireland, there has been--one ! Trash Gregg said, the other day, that if England embraced Popery, she would sink to the degraded level of Ireland. Pour bedlamite ! We can say, with all our hearts, when looking at the foregoing contrast, ma y God in his mercy preserve Ireland from sinking to the moral level o England. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1840. MEXICO; Extract of a letter f:ottt the city of Mexico, dated fful,y 2,5 • - • .•. URAND BALL IN COMMEMORATION OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE QUEEN. On the 23d of May, the members of the British L.e gation, with the principal E ng li s h res id en ts of this city, gave a ball and supper, on a scale of magnificence un precedented, in honour of h er M a j es ty' s n uptials. From the first moment that an intimation was given that this object would be effected by a subscription, all seemed to vie with each other in zeal and activity in the cause, and an unanimity prevailed which spoke but one sen timent, and that one a high and chivalrous feeling of devotion and loyalty. Before I proceed further, I must give you some idea of the situation of the scene of these festivities, which was a building admirably adap ted to the purpose, being a part of the National Mining College, the use of which had been granted. It is a modern structure, built in the purest taste, unequalled in this " City of Palaces," for its architectural beauty, and in its class perhaps not surpassed in the world. In the court-yard was stationed a military band, filling the immense space with martial strains. The soldiers, with their officers in rich uniforms, composing a numerous guard of honour, stood in groups, or strolled about, adding much to the general gaiety of the scene. Having crossed the spacious court-yard, ascended the magnificent staircase, and traversed a portion of the corridor, you entered a lofty quadrangular apartment of considerable dimensions, having at one extreme a gallery, and at the other a platform about two feet high, extending the width of the saloon, and used as the the atre for public examinations ; the adornments of this apartment are perfectly chaste, and accord with the general elegant simplicity which characterise this build ing ; on the present occasion it was fitted up, I need not say, with splendour, for the ball-room, having three fine chandeliers along the centre, with smaller ones and candelabra along the sides and ends, large mirrors, vases of alabaster and statues. Two flags, from a Bri tish man-of-war, lying at Vera Cruz, having been sent up for the occasion, were hung in peaceful repose at the head of the saloon,—that flag which had so oftea waved in scenes of strife and carnage, was now stilled, and reared o'er " silken halls," where the only strife was to please, the only weapon the shafts from spark ling eyes ; beneath the colours was suspended a por trait of our youthful Queen, whose dignified simplicity was the theme of general admiration. _ A little before nine o'clock her 'Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary, Richard Pakenham, Esq., with the other members of the Legation and Consulate, all in full dress uniform, attended by several other English gentlemen, with the English ladies, were in readiness to receive the company, which soon after began to arrive ; by ten o'clock a considerable number having assembled, dancing commenced with several sets of quadrilles. Carriages continued to crowd the entrance for several hours, until the ball-room was thronged with a company falling little short of 2,000 persons, whose elegant ap pearance and manner, generally, might have graced the proudest city in Europe. The dresses of the ladies were mostly of a costly description, and in excellent taste, a considerable number making a dazzling show of the choicest diamonds and other jewel lery. The scene was also much enlivened by the numerous and rich uniforms of the corps diplo matique—the public authorities—military &c. Be tween eleven and twelve General Bustamente, the Pre sident of the Republic, was ushered in by the British Minister, and a little after one the President led the way to the supper-rooms, having on his arm Mrs. Cal deron, an English lady, and wife of the Spanish Minis ter ; the tables were laid with much taste, and, of course, were well supplied with every delicacy that could be obtained ; the wines were choice, and the cham pagne flowed as abundantly and sparkled as brightly as it does on the other side of the Atlantic on similar great fetes. General Bustamente from the head of the table proposed the health of her Majesty in a complimentary speech (in Spanish of course), which was received with great enthusiasm by all, including her Majesty's fair subjects, you may be sure. After the repast dancing was again resumed, and kept up with untiring activity until seven the following morning, when the musicians concluded their almost unceasing exertions with our national anthem, which they had previously performed, and repeated several times during the evening ; in fact there was an unin terrupted flow of melody, for during •the intervals in the ball-room some martial strain would occasionally float on the air, and reach the ear from the court below ; harmony everywhere and in every sense pre vailed. And thus concluded a festival which will long hold a place in the memory of those who participated in it, on account of the interesting event commemorated by it, for the magnificence with which it was conducted, and for the joy and happiness which was so liberally dispensed." THE ULSTER AIEETINti. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN., Sir,—Through the medium of your truly patriotic Journal ; I bPg respeetfullY to answer the last and the most iinportthlt question put in your publication of the 22d inst., in a letter dated from Gray's Inn, Aug. 20, and signed " An Honest Reformer." The question I propose to answer is, " Is this move ment honest ?" and my answer is, " Unquestionably it is not honest." The following arc my reasons : Now that no further material legislative reform of the political or religious institutions of England are essential in the estimation of the bulk of the popula- Lion of England, it is in vain to expect that the sym pathy of the English Reformers can be roused by any ippeal from Ireland in favour of the red;ess of mere Irish grievances. The Ulster proceedings are operative only to distrust the Repeal agitation, which, be it remembered, is now reproduced by the desperate attempt of the English members in the last Session of Parliament, to dictate to the people of Ireland in a vital matter, in which Ireland alone was specially constituted and appointed by the express words of the Act of Union the legiti mate and constitutional judge—for if the English Mem bers, by outnumbering the representatives of Ireland in the Imperial Parliament, can remodel the elective franchise of Ireland, they can of course dictate " who are to elect," and consequently " who arc to be elected," and if so, the representation of Ireland had better be extinguished. In the arduous and critical position in which Ireland is now placed, an agitation of an exciting and universal nature, upon some question which is vital to the best interests of Great Britain, trill necessarily induce all thinking men in England to look to their own indivi dual power, and to the stability of their national powers and resources ; and in this way, and in no other, the Anti-Irish portion of the Imperial Legislature will be coerced and made to understand and to practise, and to extend unto Ireland, the unalloyed principle of equal laws and equal justice in every part of the United Empire. This godly principle comprehends civil and religious liberty. It therefore comprehends the most ample justice to Ireland ; and, if honestly realised, Ireland will necessarily prefer it above all other human institu tions, not excepting even theßepeal of the Union. Under these very peculiar circumstances, an expanded and statesmanlike mind would seek to establish unanimity amongst the Reformers of Ireland ; instead of which there are men who prohibit and prevent the exercise of that irresistible power which is so desirable to enable the honest Reformers of Ireland, by a well-directed pursuit, to place our interests, and the interests of Great Britain on an imperishable foundation. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, AN HONEST IRISH REFORMER, And not a Member of any Association. Dublin, Aug. 25,1840. - _ THE JEWS OF DAMASCUS. COPY OF PETITION PRESENTED TO THE VICEROY OF EGYPT. May it please your Highness, Having heard in Europe of the accusations made against the Jews of Damascus (subjects of your High ness), and of the tortures and sufferings inflicted upon them, to extort evidence against themselves, and know ing that our religion not only does not sanction the crime of which they are accused, but teaches us to hold the use of blood in the greatest abhorrence, we have been deputed by our co-religionists in Europe to appeal to your Highness for justice. your heard with the greatest delight that, as soon as your Highness was informed of the tortures which had been inflicted, your Highness gave instant orders that they should not be renewed. iVe come, therefore, having the most entire convic tion that your Highness (who has earned so great a re• nown in Europe by your valour in the field, your wis dom in council, your tolerance for all good subjects without distinction) will with your usual benevolence grant our petition. We come without hatred—with out passion, and with only a sincere desire to ascertain the truth. We therefore entreat your Highness will grant to us power to proceed to Damascus, to institute such inqui ries as may lead to the acquisition of satisfactory infor mation on the subject of the accusation which has in volved the entire Jewish population of that city in suf ferings hitherto unheard of ; and that such information may he officially authenticated by the authority of the Governor of Damascus, and laid before your Highness. That your Highness will further grant us every faci lity for procuring evidence—protection for the persons of the mission—absolute security for all parties giving evidence—permission to see, as often as might be deemed necessary, and to interrogate the accused ; and that your Highness's authority and permission may be granted by a firman, registered here in the archives, officially sent to the Governor of Damascus, and by him to be publicly proclaimed in the streets of that city. May we be permitted to add, that the eyes of all Eu rope are fixed upon your Highness, and that your granting our request will give satisfaction to all the civilized world. It is understood that the great Prince who has obtained so much glory has a far greater love for justice. It is a homage to your genius—) our love of truth—your desire to execute justice—that this de• putation, from all the Israel►tes in the world, should ap peal with confidence to your Highness, knowing that such an appeal cannot be made in vain. MOSES MONTEFIORE. Alexandria, 4th August, 1840-5600. RUSSIA. We find in the Invalide Busse, of the 11th inst., that Count Woronzow, Governor-General of Southern Rus sia and Bessarabia, had obtained a leave of absence and permission to travel abroad for the re-establishment of his health. The Count would be replaced, during his absence, by General Federow (1), Military Governor of Bessarabia. The Gazette of the Senate of the 12th inst. pub lishes the following imperial ukase, addressed to Count Strogonoff, Minister of the Interior : " We have appreciated with a particular satisfaction, from the reports and verbal account you gave us of your mission, the zeal and benevolent dispositions with which, amidst the difficulties arising from a want of provisions, all the classes of the population and the local authorities of the Governments of Tula, Kalouga, Riazan, and Tamboff, concurred in the accomplishment of our views, and the active solicitude with which the noble landlords ministered to the wants of their peasantry, devoting all their resources to their support, and supplying them with grain to sow their fields, at the same time that the merchants distinguished themselves, on their side, by sacrifices on behalf of the indigent. In these charitable works, so conformable to the spirit of the Russian nation, we see a new mark of the blessing of the Almighty for our solicitude in favour of our faithful subjects. " Approving with perfect benevolence so praise worthy a conduct, we charge you to convey the assu rance of our satisfaction to all the classes of the pcpu lation of the above Governments, and in particular to the nobility. " We express to you with pleasure our satisfaction for the zeal and attention with which you discharged the mission we had confided to you. " NICHOLAS." " Gatchina, Aug. 4, 1840." The C'orrespondant de Hambourg states that the Emperor Nicholas has addressed the following letter to the Baron Fiquelmont, the lace Austrian Ambassador at the Court of St. Petersburgh : " PETEAHOFF, JULY 31.—We have remarked with particular satisfaction, during your residence at our Court as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipoten tiary from his Majesty the Emperor of Austria, your constant efforts to increase the amicable relations be tween the two empires. " Wishing to give you a proof of our sincere acknow ledgment and our esteem for your merits, we confer on you the insignia of the Order of St. Andrew, set in brilliants, and we assure you of our Im N per r. ICHOL ial favouAS." FACTORY INFORMATIONS. —At the Borough Court, Bolton, on Monday, John Wild, cotton-waste spinner, Great Bolton, was summoned by Mr. Ewings, inspector of factories, to plead to two charges of over working children. Mr. Ewings said that he had two corn plaints to prefer against the defendant, for working more than forty-eight hours in the week two children under thirteen years of age, named Martha Greenhalgh and Martin Crawley, one on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, and the other on the 17th, 18th, and 19th instant. He called upon the defendant to plead, as this was enly a preli minary step ; and, if he pleaded not guilty, summonses would have to be taken out for the witnesses. The defen dant pleaded guilty. Mr. Ewings then said that, on a Nish to the mill, he found these children working more than the hours allowed by law. It was a cotton waste mill, and a dreadful place to go into ; it was quite sufficient, therefore, for adults to work the proper time. There was a school in connection with the mill, but the vouchers were not correct. He did not press for a heavy penalty, as the defendant had sent the children home. The defendant, in mi:igation, said that one of the children worked for his father ; indeed, neither of them had been in his employ. About a month ago, on finding them working there, he sent them away , but had been absent from home ; and their parents had taken advantage of it, and put them on again. He did not inten d i n future permitting any childen under thirteen years of ag e t o b e employed there. The defendant was fined 20i. in each case; and, on the application of Mr. Ewin g s, the penalties were ordered to be placed in the bark, to other sums already there, to be appropriated to the use of Sunday schools. A Constance Paper states that the son of the nurse of Josephine Beaubarnois, end foster-brother of the late Queen of Holland, mother of Prince Louis Napo leon, whose name was Rousseau, has been so much affected at the news of the attempt at Boulogne, that he has died of grief. He was seized with a nervous fever the m omelit he heard of it, took to i.his bed, and death ensued on the 17th inst. He kept his eyes constantly fisted on the por trait of Prince Louis till be died. SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS. Yesterday the eighth half-yearly meeting of the Pro= priCtors of the above undertaking, was held in their office in 13iS110pSgate-street. JOSEPH LIGGINS, Esq. took the chair at one tecloell. He placed himself in the hands of the Proprietary. If they desired it, the Secretary would read over the minutes of the proceedings of the last court. They were rather long, and had been sent to each Proprietor, but if they desired it they should have them read. Mr. RicxAims desired to have that part of the pro ceedings of the last meeting which referred to the Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company read. That having been done by the Secretary, The CHAIRMAN said, before proceeding to present the Report agreed to be laid before the meeting by the Directors, he was anxious to address a few preliminary observations to the Proprietors. At the last meeting he had told the Proprietors that the Directors then came before them under the influence of mingled feel ings of pain and pleasure. He was most happy to say that, upon that occasion, they met the Proprietors under feelings of the most unalloyed satisfaction.— Itherefore learnt with regret, that the Committee to whom it has been referred by her Majesty's Govern ment to decide on the port in the English Channel the best calculated fbr the Post-office service, has named Dartmouth for that pilipase. " This selection, however, has reference only to the port for taking up and dropping the inail-bags ; it still leaves the Mail Packet Company perfectly free to act on their original preference for Southampton 64 their Home Station. The words of the Admiralty instrtio. tions to the Committee of Inquiry are—' The Report of the Committee will decide where the mails shall be placed on board, the Company having the power to start their vessels from any port they please, provided they can be at the port appointed, at the hour agreed on. The same official instructions state that The Chair man of the Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company has submitted to my Lords Commissioners of the Admi ralty, that Southampton be fixed on for the purpose. " It remains then to be seen whether the Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company will do more than merely call at Dartmouth in passing. The Directors have reason to expect that they will not ; and that they will adhere to their choice of Southampton, as already officially an nounced by them to her Majesty's Government. " They are fortified in this expectation by the fact— and they report it to the Proprietors with much plea sure—that since the last half-yearly meeting, another great Company, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Na vigation Company, having contracts with her Majesty's Government which embrace the conveyance of the (Cheers.) There were several reasons which bad created that pleasing state of mind. In the first place he stood in a proud position—in such a one as few Chairmen of such undertakings occu pied as yet. He had the pleasure of informing the Proprietors that, as a Corporation, they were out of debt--(Cheers)—and in possessicn of the fee simple of a large soil of the very best description of any to be found in the country. That was one cause of unmixed happiness to the Directors. The Corporation were now in full possession of 208 acres of land, and in his con science he believed that it would be found to be the most valuable of any in the United Kingdom. Another source of congratulation was, that their works had been carried on in a manner to give the utmost satisfaction— there had not been a single incident since they had commenced that was calculated to cause fear or appre hension. There had been no giving way ; no imper fections had been found, although they had undergone a most severe trial in the almost unexampled gales of January last. He was aware that he was pursuing an unusual course, but he was perfectly aware that many rumours injurious to the Company had been in cirula tion, and be hoped, by giving every explanation in his power, to preclude the necessity for some remarks which he had good reason to believe were intended to be made.—(Hear, hear.) It must be a matter of deep importance to the Proprietors to know whether. the Directors had seen any reason to fear that the hopes they had formerly held out would not be realized—whether those who had sunk their capital in the speculation would be reim bursed. He was most happy to state, fearlessly and conscientiously, that the hopes of the Directors had not sunk even in the slightest degree.—(Cheers.) They still felt the utmost confidence that it would turn out that they had not deceived themselves or the Proprie tary.—(Hear, hear.) He could not plead ignorance of the reason which caused Mr. Richards to have the part of their last meeting's proceedings, relating to the Royal Steam-Packet Company, read—he was not ignorant that a paragraph had appeared in many newspapers, stating that the Government Commissioners had reported in favour of Dartmouth— he was perfectly aware of the fact, but he had no doubt that he would very shortly justify everything which the Directors had said upon the subject at the last meet ing. True it was that the Commissioner s had re po rted in favour of Dartmouth, but he rejoiced to state that that alluded only to the calling at that port for the mail-bags.—(Cheers)—that did not by any means imply that the Company's noble packets were to re main there. If Mr. Richards would put himself in a position to attain information, if he would allow him self to seek it in a proper manner, he (the Chairman) would have been most happy to have shown him a copy of the Charter of the Company, in which he would have found a distinct provision that the Company were to have the power of sailing their packets from any port they pleased. Only yesterday he had been favoured with a conference with the Directors of the Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company, and they expressed a hope that the fact of that conference having been held, would show that they bad a strong desire to make Southamp ton their port.—(Cheers.) They said that Reports had been laid before them stating that they would not have the docks ready for their use in proper time, and they were anxious to be put in possession of authentic information upon that point, so that the Government might not have it to tell them of the superiority of Dart mouth, because of the total want of accommodation at Southampton. They therefore asked whether any objec tion would be offered to an engineer of their selec tion going over the works and the calculations of Mr. Giles, in order to see whether they could be practically carried out in the proposed time. He at once told them that there would be no objection what ever, for although they had a full reliance upon their own engineer, still, as the works were of such magni tude, the Directors bad consulted Mr. William Cubitt upon the plans and specifications—he was an eminent engineer, and one often employed by the Government —he fully concurred with Mr. Giles, and therefore the Directors could not hesitate in allowing an inspection of their works by any engineer in the country. They then put the question, supposing that the Royal Mail Steam- Packet Company were not in existence, how soon would Indian Mails between England and Alexandria, as also the Mails and Despatches between Malta and the lonian Islands, and between England and the Peninsula , with a fleet of eight steam-ships actually equipped, and a large additional number about to be contracted for, have already advertised Southampton as their port of departure. Their first vessel under the Alexandrian contract, the Oriental, of nearly 1,700 tons burthen, is now at Southampton, and will start from thence on Tuesday next for her destination. " The Directors congratulate the Proprietors on this actual selection of Southampton by the one Company, and they desire its adoption by the other, chiefly as affording the opportunity for manifesting at once, and in a manner the most palpable and conclusive, the great resources and means of accommodation which the port will afford with even one dock open. In other respects, the quays and warehouses of the Company will undoubtedly be more profitably employed in land ing, housing, and shipping heavy cargoes in ordinary merchant ships. " At the same time, such is the extent of accommoda tion the dock-laced will afford, that the Directors are willing to offer every inducement to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company to adhere to Southampton as their port of outfit ; and to attract to it other great Companies for the same purpose. " Were the present a fitting occasion to enlarge upon the remarkable facilities which the Company's Docks will be calculated to afford to commerce, it would be easy to show that no port in this great commercial country possesses greater facilities and means of accom modation for a general trade, while as regards acces sibility, in every state of the wind, perfect security in the most tempestuous weather, and freedom from ice during the severest frosts, it stands unequalled. It fol lows that the Southampton Docks must command an immediate and abundant amount of business ; and must become an equally safe and profitable investment to its Proprietors." The following is the Engineer's Report : " Beaufort-buildings, London, 24th August, 1840. " To the Directors of the Southampton Docks. " Gentlemen,—Since I made my last half-yearly Re port to you, the operations at the Docks have still been directed to the inclosure of the ground for the Close Dock, and the construction of the Tidal Dock. " THE CLOSE DOCK. " The ground here is now securely embanked from ;he sea, and the advantages thereby obtained are two- fold : " The first is that of placing the execution of this Dock and its Lock, as well as the Western Quay wall of the Tidal Dock, beyond the control or the interfe rence of the tideway. " The second is the acquisition of impervious and adhesive soils, which are found here, for embanking and forming wharf gronnii on the northern and southern sides of the Close DlFtltk, as spaces necessary in the first instance for the Contractors' use in carrying on their various works for both Docks, and finally as permanent quays for warehouses, stowage, and transit ; and at the same time it produces soils fit for embanking the sides of the Tidal Dock, to inclose its grountl from the sea, in order that the works of this dock may, as much as possible, be also carried on without obstruction from the tide. " The excavation of the ground within the Close Dock is accordingly in full progress for the above pur poses. The wharf on the northern side of this dock will be 400 feet wide, and that on the southern side 300 feet, or more if requisite. " A twenty-horse engine is erected on the southern side of the Close Dock for working the necessary pumps for draining the ground within this Dock during its excavation, and the final construction of the Lock and Quay Walls belonginc , to it, and the Western Quay Wall of the Tidal Dock.' " This pumping power will, if found necessary, be likewise applied to the draining of the Tidal Dock works during their completion ; and, at intervals, the engine may be employed in unloading soil excavated from the Tidal Dock. - " Lime-kilns are built near this engine, a landing stage and crane at the western side of the Close Dock, and smiths' and carpenters' shops on the north-west. Large stores of timber are provided for the foundations of quay walls, coffer-dams, and other uses ; and stone for masonry ; blue lias limestone and culm ; gravel for concrete ; waggons, rails, barges, pile-engines, and other implements are prepared for carrying on the works. you have yoiir first dock completed ? - His answer was the Ist of December, 1841, but that if there were shown s any reason for its being done earlier it would be com pleted. Under those circumstances not many days would probably elapse without some further communi cations upon the subject. It was well known to them all that at the period of last meeting they were involved in law proceedings with many of their shareholders. It was then known that a verdict had been given in favour of the Company, but some points of law were still un settled. He was most happy to inform them that after a most patient consideration of the whole case the Judges unanimously decided in favour of the Company, and by their judgment fully justified the conduct of the Direc tors upon the occasion. He would not trespass further on their time, but would at once move that the Secre tary do read the Report. The Secretary then read the following REPORT. " The Directors present to the Proprietors their Eighth Half-yearly Report, with increased confidence in the prospects of the undertaking, corroborated by in creasing evidence of its commercial and national import ance. " The period which has elapsed since they had last the pleasure of meeting the Proprietors has been em ployed in such a prosecution of the works as must soon put these views to the test of proof. In the mean time the accompanying Report of the Company's Engineer will show the progress actually made, and supersede any details which the Directors could offer on the subject. " Adverting to that passage of the Directors' last Report in which they stated that they had with regret been compelled to take legal proceediugs to procure payment of certain of the calls ; that those proceedings had for a time been resisted on technical objections ; but that the sole effect of the delay would be to add to the heavy amount of costs which the defendants had already brought upon themselves, the Directors have now to report that the anticipations they then expressed have been fully realised. The Company's Act of Par liament underwent a rigorous and unsparing scrutiny before the full Court of Common Pleas, and the result was a complete vindication of the powers of the Act, and an absolute and final verdict for the Company upon every one of the points raised. "Since this decision, which produced prompt payment of the calls sued for, with the Company's costs in addi tion, other Proprietors have come forward and discharged their arrears ; and the Directors are happy to add that the calls generally have, within the last few months, been paid with unprecedented alacrity. " One more call will be all that will be required to be paid during the present year. " The share-list is still improving ; and to relieve it of certain names of Pioprietors who have either become bankrupt or have died insolvent, shares to the number of 120 will be submitted to the present meeting for for feiture. The deposit of 2/. 10s. which has been paid on the whole of these shares will thereupon become for feit to the Company. " With respect to forfeiture, the Directors have un deviatingly acted on the resolution of the last half-yearly meeting, in proposing no share whatever for forfeiture unless in cases of actual insolvency. " The Proprietors will remember, that at the last half-yearly meeting the Directors bore testimony to the creditable conduct of the large body of labourers on the Company's works, who are concentrated on the town of Southampton, and that that meeting voted a sum of money towards raising the means of providing them with spiritual care and instruction. It gives the Directors pleasure to say that the liberality of the Pro prietors on this occasion, which has been most warmly and thankfully acknowledged by those who undertook its application, has produced very satisfactory results. The workmen, now nearly 600 in number, conduct , themselves with a degree of order and propriety which is highly commendable. " The Directors have now to advert to the only cir cumstance connected with the interests of the Com pany upon which they cannot speak with satisfaction. They allude to the selection of the port for embarking and landing the .West India Mails. " The Directors have in former Reports declared their expectation, that Southampton would be the er port selected for this important servi ce ; and they ref to the fact, that the Directors of the Royal Mail Steam- Packet Company themselves have given Southampton their decided preference, to justify the ex p ectat i o n which they so entertained' and expressed. They have " TIDAL DOCK. " The foundations of the quay walls on each side of the entrance, containing together 450 feet in length, are in progress of construction by means of piling and coffer-dams. Piles are also driven for the foundations of the quay walls, on the south-eastern and southern sides of this dock a further length of nearly 1,000 feet. " The mud from the site of this dock has been re moved by barges and barrowing to a great extent, and a considerable portion of gravel excavated on the nor thern side, and there formed into embankment. This embankment, as well as those on the eastern and southern sides of this dock are now in further progress of formation by means of soil from the Close Dock, for the purpose of inclosing its site entirely from the sea during the completion of the dock ; a plan which 1 could not heretofore prosecute for want of such soil. When these embankments are finished, which I expect will be about the end of this year, I shall possess the means of resorting to manual excavation in the Tidal Dock, and building the quay walls without coffer-dams. " A powerful new dredging engine and boat are also made for removing the soil from the Tidal Dock, and which will be applied to this work, while the above em bankments round the Docks are being made, so that two-fold means of carrying on the works of the Tidal Dock are thus supplied, vii.—The first by means of the dredging engine accompanied by coffer-damming for the foundations of the quay walls ;—the second by simulta neously inclosing the site of the Dock from the sea, which when done will afford the means, if then found expe dient, of completing this Dock by manual excavation and its quay walls without coffer-dams. " The dredger will also be employed in deepening the channel of the Itchen when released from the Tidal Dock work. " The quantity of soil to be removed in forming a channel from the Itchen's mouth to the Tidal Dock, in the shape of an inverted arc, the bed of which is to be 18 feet under low-water mark of spring tides, is about 200,000 cubic yards. The soil consists of mud, clay, and peat, the most easy of all soils to be dredged. The expense of this work will be about 10,0001., and the whole of it can be done by the steam dredger in one summer, assuming the weather to be ordinarily moderate. " The number of men at present at work is between five and six hundred. " The steam dredger is equal to the raising of 1,000 cubic yards of soil in twelve hours. " I remain, Gentlemen, "Your very obedient, fatthful servant, " FRANCIS GILES." ABST From RACT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS, the Commencement of the undertaking to 30th June, 1840. RECEIPTS. Deposit on 6,608 Shares,at 21.105. per Share.£l6,s2 o 0 0 Ist Call on 6,100 ditto, at 21.105. 15,250 0 0 2d ditto 5,405 ditto, at 3/. ditto 16,215 0 0 3d ditto 5,009 ditto, at Si. ditto 25,045 0 0 4th ditto 12 dit to, at 51. ditto GO 0 0 Interest on Calls in arrear ........... 374 18 1 Interest and Profit on Exchequer Bills 358 15 9 5 Interest from Country Bankers Produce of Sale of Fixtures and Fittings of the " Royal Gloucester Baths," at Southampton Fees ......... ..................... . 226 11 0 26 18 0 £74,082 11 11 EVENING EDITIO'' Office expenses, salaries of secretary, and clerks, postage, advertising, agency, and miscellaneous disbursements Law charges Travelling expenses Stationery and printing 482 2 i Half-yearly interest on capital Invested in Exchequer Bills 4,oool.—cost £4,041 0 0 Balances and securities in band ... £61,720 0 7 12,362 11 4 £74,082 31 11 The CHAIRMAN then moved that the Report be re ceived, adopted, printed, and circulated among the' shareholders. Mr. RICHARDS then rose and proceeded to address the meeting amidst great confusicn. The CHAIRMAN said he should put it to the meeting whether, after the course Mr. Richards had constantly pursued with respect to the affairs of the Company, they thought it right that he should have a hearing. Hereupon a long and angry discussion ensued, which terminated in a refusal to hear Mr. Richards, as that gentleman had not paid up all the calls due upon his shares. Upon the question being put that the Report be read and adopted. Mr. MADDEN wished to know upon what authority, or at what general meeting of the Proprietors the re muneration of 1,0001., a year to the Directors was voted. The SECRETARY, by the direction of the Chairman, referred to the proceedings of the Company, and read a resolution come to on the 1 Ith of August, 1836, by which it was resolved that the annual sum of 1,000/. should be applied in compensation of the services of the Directors, to commence from the date of the Act of Incorporation. The CHAIRMAN said that that vote had only been acted upon•by the Directors for a short time. For three years they had performed their duties without any remuneration at all, in addition to which they had not received one farthing for personal expenses, although several of them had been obliged to sacrifice a great outlay. The Directors had, however, felt, that as they had resigned their claims voluntarily, in the exercise of the same discretion they had the power to resume the operation of the vote since the last half-yearly meeting, and therefore it was that some items appeared in the accounts which had not been there for the last three years. Mr. MADDEN must object to those items in the Re port, and would move that they should be referred to another general meeting. He could not conceive that a vote come to four years ago was binding upon the Proprietors for ever. There was also an item in the Report for law charges of 1,000/. and upwards, and also another of between 5,000/. and 6,000/., which w ,s also stated to be for law expenses ; he wished to know the particulars of those items. The CHAIRMAN said, with reference to the item of 5,0001., it was distinctly set forth in the Report in what manner that had occurred—it was in the forma tion of the Company, and the passing of the Bill in Parliament ; and he was sure that every gentleman who had been a Proprietor of Joint Stock Compa❑ies must be aware that those expenses were unavoidable. If the Honourable Proprietor considered that the vote of one meeting was to be repealed by that of ano!her called ten years afterwards, upon no better grounds than those adduced by the Honourable Proprietor, he would venture to ask him what he thought would be the fate of any Company? Were their Acts of Par liament to be torn to tatters, and the expenses incurred in obtaining them to be thrown away ? With respect to the 1,0001., it was incurred in part in proceedings against the Honourable Proprietor himself, who had thought fit to refuse to pay his calls, when he knew be was legally liable. Mr. MADDEN said, when he refused to pay his sails he was not aware that he was legally liable. The CHAIRMAN observed, that so determined was the Honourable Proprietor not to pay his calls, that he had stated that he had r.o settled residence in the country, and he would leave it rather than pay them. Mr. MADDEN felt bound to say a few words in explanation. He was originally entrapped into becoming a Shareholder of the Company, and be had been told that he was not legally liable, hut when he founi that it had been decided that he was, he at once called upon the Directors to pay his calls ; but because he did not immediately give a cheque for the amount he was waited upon while in bed by a Sheriff's officer. He then offered to pay the money, but he would not take it, and the result was, that lie was kept in custody of the officer for 10 or 12 hours. The CHAIRMAN could not but congratulate the Hon. Proprietor upon his being entrapped into becoming a shareholder of that Company, for he believed that he would find to his great gratification that he had become a proprietor of property which would redound very much to his advantage. With reference to the course taken to obtain payment from the Hon. Proprietor, he was sure the majority of the Proprietors would approve of it, after the declaration of the Hon. Proprietor, that he would leave the country sooner than pay his calls. He hoped that this would be a lesson to Proprietors in fu ture who were liable to pay their calls. Mr. MADDEN said it was his intention to move the omission of those parts of the Report to which he had referred. The CHAIRMAN felt it right to say on behalf of those with whom he was associated, and himself, that they staked their credit upon the Report, as they had sub mitted it for the approval of the Proprietors, and they would not submit to any alteration in it. They culled for a distinct approval of the Report as it existed, and they knew they could justify every item in the account ; they should therefore take a distinct and decided vote on the question as it stood, and by that they would stand or fall in the estimation of the Proprietors. Mr. MADDEN thought be was entitled to some apo logy for the outrageous proceedings that had been taken against him. He had now paid the last call which bad been made upon him. Mr. RIGMAID, a Director, said that he was present when Mr. Madden declared that he would never pay another call, at which time he stated thathe had no fixed residence in the country, and snapped his fingers at him. The statement of Mr. Rigmaid was affirmed by the Secretary, who stated that Mr. Madden said he was not liable, and that when told he was, he said he was happy to say that he was a single man, that he was not tied to the country, and that if the payment of the calls was en forced he would leave it. Mr. MADDEN said that the Secretary was mistaken. The SECRETARY—I put the matter down on paper, before the Hon. Proprietor had gone a hundred yards. I communicated it to the Directors, and they informed their solicitor of it ; and upon his stating that it was necessary, 1 made an affidavit of it, and 1 challenge any man breathing to say that that statement is false. Mr. HEATHFIELD observed that part of the 5,000/., which had been adverted to by the Hon. Proprietor, was for engineering and other works. He thought it highly creditable to the Directors, that they bail ol)- tained the Act at so small a cost. As to the 1,000 /., that was a summary of charges for law expenses durie6 several years. As to the charge for the Directors, it was trifling in the extreme. He knew how' arduous their duties had been, and he felt sure that the remu neration that had been awarded them, hardly paid their cab hire. Mr. RICHARDS then attempted to address the meet ing, but could not obtain a hearing. After some very angry conversation, the question that the Report be received, printed, and circulated, was put to the vote, and carried with only one dissentient voice, which was that of Mr. Madden. The CHAIRMAN said the next question be bad to submit was the confirmation of a resolution of the Court of Directors, that the 120 shares be absolutely forfeited, and that the Directors do dispose of the same to the best advantage. That subject had already been alluded to in the Report. The shares had been held by parties who had either became bankrupt or insol vent, or were dead, and whose representatives refused to pay up the calls. A PROPRIETOR observed that the Eastern Counties Railway Company published in the Lon/on Gazette n th u e mb n e a r m o e f s s a h nd ares id h d e r l e d sses of h by each, t e defaulters, andh e thought vsitl the number le i the same course ought to be pursued by the Southampton Do T ck he C c orn HA p l a ß n CHAIRMAN stated that the Directors had in formed themselves of the particulars of each case, and they came under one or other of the denominations he had stated. The Eastern Counties Railway Company were compelled by their Act to publish the names, &c., of the defaulters in the London Gazette, but as their Act did not require it, the Directors, in the exercise of their discretion, abstained from doing an act which might wound the feelings of the friends of deceased parties. The PROPRIETOR acknowledged that that was a very amiable feeling, but as it operated to the loss of the Company, he thought it might with very great pro priety be waived. The resolution was then carried unanimously. ------"-- Mr. HEATHFIELD wished to as k whether the Tidal PAYMENTS. Dock was to be completed first, before otber works were Law and Engineering Charges, Parliamen. proceeded with ? t a ry and other expenses , incident to the esta bli s hment of the Company £5,900 19 5 The C H AIRMAN—Yes. The Corporation of Southampton , for the dock land ( 208 acres) .... 5,000 0 0 it el\nitrirelilyE?ATHFlELD—And is it intende d to com p lete For the interest of several persons in certain The CHAIRMAN—Most assuredly. oyster coves situate on the dock land lOO 0 0 Mr. HEATHFIELD would ot r furteady her a before Ti Ham Lintott in the dock land 4OO 0 0 Dock was completed, or would the working of the dock The lessees of the Royal Gloucester Baths, f depend upon its being finished ? for their leasehold interest (in full) ... . 4,896 12 1 The CHAIRM AN re p lied that the working of the dock Purchase of stone in the O s b orne Quarry,. would not depend upon its being finished, but should a and of soil and timber at Woolston Cliff, necessity arise, it would be the anxious desire of the as materials for con s t ruct i ng t h e wor k s. .. 2 , 371 5 0 Directors to get a portion of the dock completed, and Direction, from 19th M ay , 18 3 6 , to 30 t h to open it for the purpose of carrying on the public June, 1840 Engineering Works of survey, boring, and other prelimi- some extent, at a period of three or four months earlier 1,375 3 0 Lbwn would_ probably_be required for the entire cotri nary operations - The contractors, on account of work done, pletion of the work. He was sure the Proprietors would 30,203 12 1 give the Directors credit for being animated by an anxious and materials supplied EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE IN CALIFORNIA. NAY 25.—The Mexican barque barque Guipuscoana had lately arrived at San Blas from Upper California, with forty-six prisoners on board, twenty-four of whom were British subjects, and twenty-two North Americans. It appears that California is still ruled by the same persons who formed themselves into a temporary Government, and virtually separated that country from Mexico in 1836 ; but some time ago, finding that they were likely to encounter a strong party in favour of Mexico, they sent over a deputation to offer their adherence to the Republic, on the condition of their being confirmed in their posts. This proposition, in consequence of the inability of the Mexican Government to do otherwise, was agreed to, and those self-elected rulers have ever since governed the country nominally as a dependency of Mexico. It seems, however, that the foreign settlers, chiefly consisting of English and Americans, had increased so much as to inspire jealousy and alarm on the part of this usurping Government, which, being composed of men of low origin, devoid of education, and without any knowledge of the princirles of government, thought they had only to dispose of this raco of intruders as their own will and pleasure directed. They in the first place got up some accusation against a Mr. Graham, an American settler, and who had acquired some pos sessions and property in the country, and who was ini mical to some of the rulers. This person they resolved to get into their power, and ordered an armed force to proceed to his house, and to take him dead or alive. This force went in the middle of the night,found Graham in bed defenceless, but they did not capture him without dis charging their fire-arms into his bed, and seriously wound ing him, after which they carried him to Mounterey in triumph. This formidable person haring been secured, their next step was to issue a general order for the arrest of all English and American in habitants of Upper California, which was effected to the number of upwards of two hundred. Those con fined in the prison of Mounterey were very illAreated, put in irons, and confined in a very small space. During this time the farms and other property of the prisoners were taken possession of by the Government officers, and plundered and destroyed in all manner of ways. The whole, however, were liberated, except the forty six before mentioned, amongst whom is Mr. Graham. These persons came to San Blas under the charge of one of the members of the California Govern ment, whose name is Castro, and who was one of the leaders of the separation of 1836. This per son had the whole of his prisoners in irons during the voyage from California, and treated them, while on board, with great cruelty. On their arrival at San Bias they were immediately marched on foot to 'Tessin, a city fifty miles inland, the intention of Castro being to continue their route to the Mexican capital, a distance of nearly a thousand miles I He was, how -1 ever, prevented from putting his intention into execu tion, by the interference of Mr. Barron, British Vice consulat that place, who, on investigating the affair, found that there was no accusation against them of any men to particular capitalcrime; and, considering of Mexico, beneaththat to a vertical ma: e these h sun, and in such hands as Castro and his guards, would be a punishment worse than death, took up their cause with his usual zeal and energy, and not only requested that they should go no further, but that they sho - ald be properly lodged and treated till their case was repre sented to the British and American Ministers in Mexi co, and that Castro should be immediately put in safe custody until the orders of the Mexican Government should be received respecting him, and until he should answer for his unjust and atrocious conduct towardsthose people whom he had been the chief instrument of tear ing from their possessions and families, as well as for the cruel and tyrannical manner in which he had Latish properly and A treated them and othe rs in California, and particularly on their voyage to San Blas. It is o nly doing justice to the Mexican authoriti es in Tessic, to acknowledge that they most readily con ceded Mr. Barro n's. request , and Castro, with his subo rdinates, arc p rison ers , whilst the lodged,merican and treated with due humanity. British and AinericansTahree Minis ters in Mexico have been informed of all that has taken place, and proper steps will no doubt he taken, not only to do justice to those now here, but to ensure security to our countrymen and others who have selected Califor nia as the country of their residence. The American corvette San Lours, and the French corvette Donald(' had proceeded to California before the arrival of the Guipuscoana at San Blas, but did not fall in with her at sea. The British corvette Satnarang was also on the west coast of Mexico when the accounts arrived from California of such arrests having taken place, but as she was under orders for Chili, could not proceed with the other men-of-war to investigate the affair." Some of our readers may have become acquainted with the singular and beautiful country in which the above narrated events occurred, from a work published last year b Mr. Forbes, entitled a " History of Up per Lower California." These lawless arrests of British and American subjects seem to call for inquiry on the part of her Ma,jesty's Government, as the Soma rang, being freighted with bullion for the southern coast, was prevented from proceeding to investigate the affair in company with the American and French cor vettes. Along t h e west coast of Guatemala, Mexico, and California, no British ship of war is permanently stationed, but a vessel is sent down by the Admiral on the station twice a year to collect money for England. '24 on OS S i ; o a I 0