The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-19 00:00:00

se who were disposed to deny that it was a great inis:orinne th at so I b arke a propos t ion of the property of Irelarcl was Itele however,ns who only occasiocails re.ided there bell t. usted, ~ that this was an evil which vould adua 4—curi ed ; end, he might say. tha , there were two measures, ° b u l l Which Ae had been ie-opos;ed to that 14011.1., and the other be t 7 announced by her Alajesty's Government, as about to tbestirnitted to the consideration of the Legislature, which he o f ent ould be a fair and legi h it m ate means t co unteracting the evils under whic Ireland was b " .. ," suffering. One of these was the poor-law which been lately discussed. This law—and it was one of the trgest recommendations which, in his eyes, the measure iin,"'Samhorised property, whether it was held by absentee tbeelor.ds or resident proprietors, to contribute its fair share to t o jellef of the distress in Ireland. He would acknowledge t .'ae Hon Member for Westmeath that, in the course of his rience in Ireland, he had observed many and striking '" of this ki n d, to which the Hon. Member had alluded , 4iistere the exertions of the resident proprietors to meet the s i re " which ex i s ted in their neighbourhoeds, wee curbed wse rendered abortive by the refusal of those landlords who ; e r e not present to witness the destitution which existed, to p c s , (te to the schemer which were originated for the e itri4se of alleviating that misery and that distress. It . ssts h be no longer possible when this Bill P.ssed, F to refuse their assent to such measures as might be t ' s ' ed necesseiry for the relief of the evils which stir m.tt",`"idedthe There was another measure to which he Coder equal force He believe d that many of the evils to 7r, which Ireland was suffering were attributable to the fact, that9iat property was in the hands of absentee proprietors, but dtt was in th e ha n ds of persons so eneurnt ered that it was apluible for them properly to perform those duties which eil il v ed upon them.' He did trust, therefore, that the Bill Ilis r o th e Noble Lord at the head of the Government would e Y off r to the Legislature would facilitate the sale of eprcurnhered estates, and thus benefit Ireland b 1 placing s s ° ,,,i )er ,tY in the bards of those persons who, havitig money ib e l'ed as the disposition to imoruve the. soil, would perfo n' duty to their destitute and poorer neighbours.—( Hear, tZ r ' ) While he agreed with the Hon. Member for Limerick bas e t that the arose resoluti rum on th he had s brought forward would ,e th inke effect of counteracting, or remedying the evils which t o itt ed, but he c o u ld not concede to the Hon. Member. that stil prop r i etors oug h t to b e i nc l u d e d among absentees, tr ° Possessing property in Ireland and England, spent the 11: 01 " portion of their t ime in the latter country. pro,.. n_eVer could consent to make . any difference . between the tirletors of the two countries, and consider those as ab sentees who onlhad an occasional residence in Ireland , for he a''red that many men who held property both in Ireland and °l4 „ h ind would feel it to be their duty to reside partly in one e s 4 , l " e tr Y and partly in the other, he could not therefore "to consider them both as d absentee proprietors. In ssidering both these countrit s then as portions of the ;nliire he had t o l oc k at their g neral interests. and doing so ti: eo uld not agree to the proposition of the Hon. Member , nt becau se a l an dl or d res id e d p a rt of the year out of Ire- Yet 4 that he was to be considered as an absentee proprietor. while saving this he was not at the same time quite e n "iited to the truth that every one who drew his subsistence thatl the soil ought to do their duty by the country, and sh se it was not at all likely that . those who were ft ) nt from the county were elite to relieve the distress which e 3; did not see, and with the details of which, of course, they ° , 4 not be acquainted so well as others who were upon the and woo had seen them. He would now read a passage s r ,: a pamphlet which was published about a hundred years p;„"',lnd which produced a great sensation at the time it hap s c u. The author was Sir Thomas Prior, some of whose ggestions were very striking at the present moment. That Culensan said that there were many gentlemen who drew 4 ' 'Urns of money from the country why never contributed 300ing to the burdens of the State. Taking all these topes to e p resume d t h a t th ere w er e not less than from -200,000'. s ,0001. a y ear by these w ho spent their money in foreign i?notries, who left their own without assistance, and who never l insong the people during the whole of their lives. He s sr ,` : e l that the Legislature would take those persons under their st",',Luesation, and " compel them to contribute to the burdens s i ls `ne country, and that, as soon as possible, sorne remedy tilauld be found. He then went on to state that in his opinion, eb t b t Sentee tax ought to be laid upon the landed proprietors ° liv ed cut of the country, but that a tax on the land itself -'old be still mere important. Now, with this; under general t e l ' i rcur nstances, h could not agree, although he quite agi-eed so'inecessity for making those who resided abroad do their duty if the country, and he also quite agreed in the assertion, that w he landlords were to be compelled, that a great change ticruhl.take place—such a change as would speedily make a me ets o e improvement in many parts ot Ireland. But the Hon. p ri ni ternan said that a tax should be laid on the absentee pro se etors. Now, he thought that the word tax was not a proper 4U I to be w, applied to such an imposition as that b e te ,h was now devised ; fur if the imposition was to 6 / ' , Tied on the proprietors of land in Ireland, he - Laboueh e r e ) c o n ceived that it ought to be laid 1 1 ,, t r i lthe property of the country, on all the land.—( Hear, *) But if such at a x were to be levied, it ought te he suc j h 414unosition as would compel the sale of the encumbered sat te s p ; for he thought that it was a moat unwise, a moat un at„ a most constituti on al principle to pass law upon, that es ii ta r nan who p ossesse d an esta t e i n thi s country should be to reside upon it. And if such a principle was in -15 to this country, it was equally inapplicable to Ire bniu,.• Stich a principle would be as inconsistent with the wirs'ottluillal .institutions of these two portions of . the state, as it s a . be inconsistent with the social institutions of this coon- Saud altogether inconsistent with the interests of the united l onger He did not k now t h at h e nee d d e t a i n th e House on this Bill. He quite agreed with the Hon. Gentle tnkn the • • °Pluton which he had expressed, that there t tie be lt d utie s number of men at the present moment discharging Chni wer e in to the country in a most admirable manner, think thatTt Vi" interested in the soil, but he did not Prietors iiiwas desirable that a tax should he laid upon pro le order to compel them to discharge their duty which, consequence of the possession of property, they owed to their c poor neighbours, Which it was the duty This, he believed, was not a matter of th e Ministry to settle, for they had none all that they could by i t • tati n th f n reducing the measure for facili „ g esa e o encumber e d ine assertion of the estates. He could not assent to Hon. Gentleman that such a Bill was ne ssary for the protection of Property in Ireland; and, be -1"iog that it would be inconsistent alike with the interests t a q , this country and Ireland, if the Hun. Member pushed it to a Sir n, he should certainly vote agai ns t it. A...8R0K E thought that the amount of the tax ought de r expended on the property fr o m w h ence t h e mone y wa s H r iret:. T wo years ago when this me asure was b e f o re the o r Vie, he had recommended that a tax, not of . I o,_bot of 15 proprietors,cnt., should be levied on the propert f tes ( . .?fabsen tee it, and spent in subsoiling, raining, encing, ti , e B r : . ask houses and cottages for labourers, and other improve -0,,,Lt on the several estates, for the benefit of those who were 1 14 :"d upon them. He thought that such a measure would byre been far better than that which the Gov . eriiment had be forward for the relief of the poor, and if such a tax b t ° be imposed he would readily vote for it : nor would he th e fit all inclined to limit the amount.—( Hear, hear.) But . Hi tt e e was one thing that he could not agree with in one point tl itt speech cf the Hon. Member for Limerick, and . that was, 1 4 „ 1 n o gentleman sh o uld be allowed to hold property in Eng iq Ireland at the same time, for such a rule would ts s i c c r L ect amount to practical repeal of the union. . Nor !s r , `,e assent to the assertion that all the English proprietors ( E s s e r( be considered as absentees, for the Duke of Devonshire, L 'itxwilliam, and Colonel Wyndham, who all possessed isr" c Properties in Ireland, went over constantly and expended t e r: s ums in the improvement of their estates. Such men he th es 4 C ould consent to consider as absentee proprietors. Bute el Were the exceptions, for he knew and could name several t eat drew large sums from the country who had never been Ik e their estates for thirty to thirty.five years together, but s ty f t; their money on t h e C on ti nen t o r in England, without lis t ;,`uight of the duties which they had to discharge to the rhvi,i ntr Y who were resident in Ireland, Several of these in sea, dal, had been applied to in the present distress, and had is t ; c rer 5/. or something of that sort. But this was not to be t o e red at, for it was impossible for them to see, and therefore bie c i cei t the distress and destitution that now pervaded the t his Yet, after all, it was not the want of the money 'lse ' h ° ll l , l be expended on the estates so much as the depriva tes„:t a resident gentry. That was a necessity . which no l 'as Y, could supply, especially the want of the influence which to be exercised over the minds of all classes by the cal es of the higher classes. In Ireland, under the present ttsi,f"Y , he knew several instances where those who . were L sb 7nt had distinguished themselves by their exertions in sos,'` e ' r of the poor, frequently to the loss of health, and in se re cases to the loss of life itself. One instance he could se e ',where a lady had fallen a sacrifice to the benevolent 1 1 :: p tL . ," , in behalf of her neighbours. Disapproving therefore he should of the principle of the Hon. Member for Limerick, ould yet, in the event of his dividing the House, vote for bee s t ut t as he said, because he agreed with him entirely, but "'hie ,he believed that it would bt icg about something . Wrightti be instrumental in the removal of a great evil. kis ses ': BELLEW could not agree in the supposition that the his s ",eeisrn was the main cause of the evils to which Ireland of a 'w subject, for the misery was suffered not from the want th,Je:ident gentry—though he was very far from underrating te re " t ovfit—but it was the want of confidence in the expends court?' capital, and in the consequent want of enterprise in that ti s , "'Y. This, he thought, would be relieved by the introduc v,,ooand enforcement of a roper poor-law, for such alone atebare the effect of causing the sale of encumbered es ates, hi s i w h °uld occasion a greater distribution of property than any Ole now prevailed, and the whole benefit of ich would ki s l t l t ZtelY come to the tillers of the soil. Something of this Is e "ad beers formerly attempted, but it had failed. from the trieioliar circumstances under which the country laboured. e stt er e was the agent, the middle-man, the farmer, and the th, t er, all demanding subsistence from the soil, and d rain consequence was, that there was a continued si l !tus upon the land, of which no one got any g like an adequate benefit. By the sale of estates, dtch a poor-law would oblige, the whole of this evil would be o ne away with. But far as he was therefore from ascribing t u tl e present miseries to this one mischief of absenteeism, or i„PPosing that an y s i ng l e remedy would suffice to place Ireland ter'i.state of prosperity. for he believed that it would require a of measures for that purpose, he yet was by no means f ritis iled to screen those who in this time of distress had re tie from doing their duty to their tenants. Unfortunately dra wis ue w personally of several instances where individuals se rtl .11 o g several thousand pounds a year had sent such a paltry th, t twards the suhscriotions rased for the distressed poor. thei r , th e committees had been inclined to threaten to publish i rep letter, and their names. If an absentee tax were to be lee , °ce d it ought not, he should say, to be limited to its h Or fifteen, or even twenty per cent. for in his opinion fr obl 'u,td at lea s t h e fifty p e r cent. of the amounts drawn that ,the estates in Ireland, none of which were ever spent in t eeis ra itt rY. But he would repeat, that it was not abseil . dene..that was at the root of the evil, but the want of confi etimsalin enterprise, and, until that was removed, none of . the Ar cs , e which I re l an d produced would be spent for its un ornent, The Hon. Gentleman then read an extract from 24 )00 1 , 1 ` °f Dr. Taylor's, to show that an aggregate of , was annually drawn from Ireland to be in vested in t,,, n „ glish Funds. While such an evil as this continued, no ttr wlaZ i e r ali sentee proprietors could ever occasion a p ro p os- Ai r. r emedy, ' 4 O • O'CONNELL said the real cause of the pr esent It h 0.( 7' e' Ireland was the want of a resident land d proprietary. Peed; "'Tressed her manufactures, and made her peopl e de try " Lit on agriculture. When that branch of indus- W ith was depressed, the landed interest became depressed over e ' t ' and induced them to resort to a sysLern of ie b„r ° ,l?ulating their land, in which they had . been . encouragth f l the y ' b r t at . House. Manufacturies would revive in Ireland nes fo. !" rich and wealthy customers to support them. It was ev e , i want of capital, because of th t there was sufficient tha t tt the present depressed state of the country. But were tt ° r et " l' it at to be embarked in manufactures there would be th s , i ti!'n fo r i t. Th is was self-ev i dent, f or h ow was it possible . Irelandrish manufactsries could compete with English. Give th ere v ; how ever, a res id ent l an d e d propr i e t ar y, and then t lov, i ns c uld be c us t omers an d i n d ucemen t s for c apitalists, who do t rested th e i r money i n G overnmen t an d othere securi tn rei t ,: o r t e vive manufactories. With regard, therefore, to the t neli em , his Hon. Friend, the Member for Limerick, he was Peetoi,. ,t° support it. Ireland was a country which h +el most lt bsee s ' r 'Y suffered trom the evils of absenteeism. The word Ise 4os e elsrn itself hid its origin, as adopted in the English ow e 1 !, 5 With Ireland. It existed even when Ireland had its the x t ,*arnent, and why did it so exist ? Why. because "sett l Parliament st's s held in great subjection by l es ". and all measures a for the improvement of Irish manu "tr' to lit ,*ere overuled by the same power. Gradually, how ter times, these restrictions were removed from Irish A m e'" n hi- if )10 o f °lc „d &dr' e Me°ber n • s LOON DOS', commerce, and the Parliament of the oou nf o woula move for the papers ;,f which he had given notice, e , s ee er eesseee—oeres elellesseSammeleeset o - Pecame move I free a iid unshaekled. No c ourory in the voted more fhautieheil than illustrative ef thie case. did 'relent' durine the short existence of that. freedom of Oat. , The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER justified the and freedom of Parliament. Her tradeond maeofac'ere.,Moreasd removal of Ale. elara frees the office of Registrar of Benefit I ab-erteeian direinishees and the whole condition of •t g h real p if , y 7 ,: l l e : ,`, N i i o a c r i:t , i , l a ' e h r e itl N em ot a il n e .o l i or g d rea w t as e m4 ; t r a ie k i e )e n e. in seating that o ti n ia ly t ' the office for six months, and he (the Chancellor of the Exche- i held strewed manifest symptoms cf improvement. This state of things lasted up to the time of the union, but after that act was consummated, trade began to decline. Menefee- yeller) had acted upon what was the admitted rule, namely, that ru s es gradually dropped until they became almost extinct, and the' person holding the office should change with the Attorney- i i d ;i d fur at u by slow depress the country became mise r a bl y im p overished, . Genetrasccela;LniidngtheLosradm-eAdrvuoiceatealsoaphpoeildnteidn t S he "t i l n a d n and her population reduced to a state of almo s t h o p eless star- ever y vation. All this was owing to the absenteeism produced by the who fillet.d the office of registrar. The Right Hon. Baronet union, and in this state would Ireland remain until Parliament then proceeded to read the names of the Attorneys-General took steps to diminish that evil. English capitalists did not ob- ! for Ireland for a series of years, and the appointments which jest to investing their money in some of the most disturbed parts ,! each had nu ale to the offiee of registrar. He did not under of South America, but nothing would induce them to send it I stand that the commissioners had at all exceeded their duty. to Ireland, and the reason why they would not was ! He had consulted the Lord-Advocate of Scotland and the At simple and just. They knew very well that it was im- torney-General of Ireland, and had been given to understand possible to compete with English manufactures in England, ; by those eminent legal authorities that there was not any- and where was the use of their starting works and establish- thing in the construction of the Act to justify merits in Ireland when there were no customers to but' the Mr. Mara's complaint. Neither did he zee that goods they might manufacture? These were positive facts, there was anything in the construction of the Act and any attempts of the manufacturers in that country, which l to justify the impression that there had been injustice Hen had been been made, had failed in consequence of the powerfu l op. 'flitted in .ehe displacement of Mr. Mara. The Right Hen. position of English houses. Those persons were able to give Gentleman then read an extract from the Act, to show the credit to their customers, and the Irish manufacturers having provisions which affected this particular ease. If Mr. Mara no capital to fall back upon, nor any home market to take off had any reason to complain of the deficiency of his salary, he their produce, had not, of course, been able to compete with ought to have asked for more. It was always customary, on them in the markets. It was to meet these circumstances that an' change of the Attorney-General in Ireland, for the the lion. Member for Limerick had brought forward his motion officials under him to be changed elm, and there was not one for taxing Irish absentees. It had, however, been said that l word in the Act, that he could discover, to justify the sup these Irish absentees were good and excellent landlords, iposition that the system would be altered. With respect to Why, then, if they were such good landlords , that was a strong , the papers fur which the Noble Lord had asked, he had seen reason who they should go over to Ireland to reside, it could some parties on behalf off Mr. Mara,: and ;though he did no t not be supposed that by their going over to that country they see that they could serve any purpo,e, he should have no objec would become bad landlords, or ;hat they would change ski tion to grant them. and sun by going there. The lion. Member then went on to 1 Mr. GOULBURN could not see that there 'was sufficient repeat the statements which he had made on a previous even- reason made out for thel dismissal of Mr. Mara, for the ing respecting the revenue of Ireland, and proceeded to show, Right Honourable Baronet must know that the real ob from the details of various returns made to the H ouse, that ject for the attainmii.t of which this Act was passed, the remittances from the Irish to the British Exchequer, e x. was to obviate the inconvenience of ebanging the under officials ceeded, by upwards of 9.000,0001. per annum, the in the office of the Attorney-General. Then the Right Hon. amount reitatted from the British to the Irish Exchequer , Baronet appeared to rely. and laid great stress on, the construe and cased upon the Horse to insist upon those persons who tion of the Act of Parliament ; certainly, when there was the were drawing their rents from Irish property t o return to opinion of so many lawyers, liexlid not feel himself qualified to Ireland, at least, to spend a portion of their incomes in that give an opinion ; but when he looked to the fact to which he eousitry, and by so doing tend to ameliorate the condition of hail just alluded, there was, in his opinion, sufficient reason to the people, and draw forth the resew"' of that impoverished believe that this Act was not intended to affect suecc an indi country. vidual as Mr Mara. It WU admitted that an interval must Lord CASTLEREAGH thought that at all events no elapse betw een the retirement of one, and the appointment of charge could be brought against the Irish Members for an another Attorney-General. Now, during than interval, Mr. unwillingness to make sacrifices, in order to meet the present Mara had acted as the certifier under the Act, and it was distressing emergency of Ireland, but, at the same time, as an highly important that the acts of that gentleman should be con- Irish Member, he must protest against any precedent being set firmed and adm tied as legal. by a legislative measure of imposing conditions upon the After a few words from the CHANCELLOR of the EX possession of property, such as would be imposed if the CHEQUER in explanation, the motion was then agreed to. motion of the Hon. Member for Limerick were acceeded to. GREECE. Should the proposed poor.law measure he carried into opera- Lord JOHN MANNERS postponed his motion on the Lion, there would be no doubt but that all the property in subject of Greece till after Ea ter. Ireland would bear its portion to the support of the country, RAJA OF SATTARA. but he did not think it would be fair, if, in addition to the. Mr. HUME then rose to move for copies of a dispatch charges which would be laid upon property by that measure, from the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the another tax were to be levied upon the absentees themselves. East India Company to the Right Hon. the Governor-General There seemed to be a very general feeling in tha House agaiisst of India, respecting the Ex- Raja of Sattara, dated the 24th Irish landlords as a bolly, which he did not think they day of March, 184 ti ; and a copy of the reply of the Right d e served, the Hight Hon. Member for Marylebone had Hon. the Governor- iceneral of India to that dispatch ; tog, exerted all the stores of his eloquence against that body, ther with copies of the several documents referred to in that He (Lord Castlereagh) was happy to see that the Right Hon, reply, or connected with it; and of any other letters which Member had received the reward of his exertions, in the shape have been addressed by the present Governor-General of India of a vote of thanks from the parochial vestry of Marylebone, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company, relating and he had no doubt that the Right Hon. Baronet would be to the case of the Ex-Raja of Satara, from the period of his pretty secure at the ensuing election. - (Laughter.) Lord-hip's arrival to the present time ; also copies of the Colonel RAWDON thought that this motion did not go minutes of dissent of members of the Court of Directors far enough. He thought that the resolution of the Hon. which have been recorded by any member of that Court, and Member for Limerick did not go far enough, for the evil o f not hitherto published, relating to the case of the Ex-Raja a b sen teeism was not confined to the non-expenditure of of Sattara, from the :10th of April, 1849, to the present ti me , money. The absence of that moral influence which the Sir J. C. HOBI'IOUSE wished, as a favour, that his lion. presence of the landed proprietary would have in improving Friend would postpone his motion till a future day. the social mad moral condition of the people was one of its worst Mr. HUME said he could not accede to the request of the consequences. He thought that the House had a perfect Hon. Member. The Right Hon. Gentleman had had two right to task those who had so greatly abandoned these duties. weeks to consider the motion, and he could not consent to A great moral influence would be exercised by the landed pro- postpone it any longer. The rtaja of Sattara's conduct had prietors of Ireland if they were in that country to give their b 'en impugned in connexion with the East India Company, advice and assistance as grand jurors, and to fulfil the various and a t ('quest had been sent out to Lord Hardinge, the Gover other duties which devolved upon them. Their presence would nor-General. requesting him to make a report upon the sub also have the effect of greatly mitigating the horrors of the ject. The Noble Lord accordingly made a report, and that distress which at present existed, and from a letter which he report had LOW been in the hands of the Government seven or lately received from Armagh, he feared the statement that had eight months. If the document had been discreditable to the been made with reference to the small holdings is that county Raja it would have been published, and he thought it nothing were very erroneous. but right that it should be laid-before the public if it contained Mr. FITZGERALD thought that instead of a tax of 10 per any thing to his credit. cent., a tax of 50 per cent, would not be too much to impose. 'Jr. WILLIAMS seconded the motion. on those who had so greatly abandoned their duty. He was Sir J. C. HOBHOUSE said it was an unending task at very much surprised at the Hon. Member below him Alder- any time for any Member of the Government to refuse the man Humphery) stating that the absentee proprietors spe n t production of papers. At the same time, he thought the more money in Ireland in proportion to their rental than the House would agree with him that those papers ought not to be resident proprietors; but with all deference to the Hon. Gen- produced. His Hon. Friend was wrong in his description of tleman, he very much doubted the correctness of that assertion. these papers ; but, nevertheless, as a general proposition, he He had no doubt from the statement so eloquently made by did not think it was proper that the private correspondence be. the Hon. Gentleman that the London Societ y had ex p ended a tee en the Governor-General of India and his subordinates large amount of money on their property, hut he did not think should be produced to the House. But, independently of that tNat could be said of many other absentee proprietors. these considerations, there was a fact in connexion with these Mr. R. YORKE rose amidst cries of " Divide." He said papers, which ought to nesative their production. Copies of he should be exceedingly brief in what he had to say. He these confieential dispatches and correspondence had, some , wished to ask the el- use two questions; first, how, in pressing way or other, found their way to England. His Honour- , this question of absenteeism, would they define? and, se- able Friend had shown him a e envelope, which con condly, how, in pressing such a tax would they reconcile it vinced him of this, and he thought was a sufficient reason , with the great constitutional question of an invasion upon per- why the papers should net be hastily produced. sonal liberty? If they would answer these questions as shortly He would ask the House whether they would sanction that , as he had put them, he should vote for the motion.—(Cheers which was evidently a fraud or breach of trust, and a perjury on , and laughter.) the part of the persons employed. If such proceedings were Mr. W . V. ST OAP T did net think that a 10'. per cent. to be sanctioned, the Government of India, and not only that, tax would be sufficient to induce the owners of property to re. but all the other branches of the Government would be unable side in Ireland. He should, however, vote for the motion. to carry on their proceedings. It was a most shameful tran- Mr. S. CRAWFORD agreed in the general principles section, and that was the reason the parties had not cared to brought forward by the Hon. Gentleman the Member for make the matter public ; they knew that they would be liable Kilkenny (Mr. J. O'Connell), but found great difficulty in to be asked how they obtained possession of the papers.and saying that he should vote for the motion before that was a question which they knew they could not wekl. t.he House. He considered that whatever legislation answer. He would only say, that had not such they took on the subject should not be confined solely to Ire- a course of nefarious conduct been pursued, he would have hail land, but should apply to the whole nation.—( Hear.) If they no objection to produce the papers. As it was, however, h. t axe d Irish proprietors who did not reside in their country, would most positively refuse to produce them, and called uon th e y must decide, on the same principle, that an English the House to support him in the resolution to which he had , landlord, who spent his income in Ireland should be taxed arrived. likewise. He, therefore, felt great difficulty in giving his sup- Mr. WILLIAMS thought that the papers ought to be pre port to a proposition which proposed to lay a tax upon the pro- duced, in justice to the Raja of Sattara. prietors of land in one country which was not to be levied Mr. BRIGHT wiis well aware that there were many mean t on proprietors in this country, who resided tit' their property or existing in India by which copies of the correspondence of the out of the country. The evidence which had been adduced on officials of the Government could be obtained ; and he thought the subject of abs.enteeisee proved that many of the it rather hard that because some dishonesty or irregularity ab s entee landlords of Ireland utterly neglected their estates; had taken place in obtaining copies of the correspondence, that but he was acquain'ed with instances in which the estates of therefore, the official returns should be refused; especial) , as non-resident proprietors were well cultivated, well managed, they might tend to justify the character of the dett.roned and on which the poor found employment, but no man ought Raja. to neglect his duty in Ireland, and reside in a distant part of it, Sir EDWARD COLEBROOK was of opinion that they as well as in En eland. He was in favour of the lan lord- of should have full information on this subject, unless the Right Ireland being compeer," to support their own poor, but he was Hon. Gentleman thought that injury would result to the Govern afraid the proposition would not have that effect ; and besides, ment, by the production of the paper. He had not given any would be fraught with evil. lie hoped, therefore his Hon. sufficient reason for their refusal. Friend would not press the motion to a d.vision. Sir. AGLIONBY thought they were losing time in that Mr. S. O'BRIEN explained, that what he stated respecting discussion, and as the Right Honourable Gentleman had not the estates of the Irish Society was not derived from personal objected to the production of the papers, and had only refuse inspection, but from the evidence which had been published them on account of the precedent this would establish; he with respect , to them. He believed, however, that their estates hoped the Hon. Member for Montrose would rest satisfied at were well managed. In mentioning the name of Lorri Port- present, and had no doubt they would be produced on a future arlington and other proprietors of Ireland, he disclaimed hay- ocsasion. ing introduced them for the purpose of drawing any invidious Mr. B. ESCOTT . thought that the papers should not be distinctions between them and other proprietors He felt it refused, even if fraud had been committed in procuring tht his duty to take the sense of the House on the motion which he papers, as it was necessary that the House should have the fullest information on the subject--that it might have an op bad proposed. portunity of pronouncing a entreat judgment on the case of the The House then divided, when there appe ared, For th 19 unfortunate Prince to whom they referred. A sa motion st it Majority... SMITHFIELD MARKET. assent to this motion it would give its sanction to what was a Mr. 0. GORE moved for a Select Committee to inquire most objectionable and dishonourable proceeding with regard into the necessity for the removal of Smithfield Market, as a to procuring these documents. tie thought, therefore, that he nuisance, in the centre of the British metropolis, to some ap- was quite right in refusing them, and he should not have inti propriate site. comprising an area of not less than 12 acres, mated that he would produce them on a future occasion, as this and the establishment of abbatoirs in the vicinity of London. would be holding nut an eneourasement to such practices. He had obtained the consent of all the persons whose interest Dr. 130'WHING said the Raja had nothing to do with the would he affected. surreptitious way in which the papers had been obtained, and Lord MORI'ETH said that there was room for great im- therefore he trusted his cause would not suffer from it. lie provement. for he believed that there remained undeniable had known instances in which the House had printed papers grounds of complaint. The safety of life was much endan • obtained in such a way. gered, as was also the health of the inhabitants. He wa s After a few words from Lord PALMERSTON, very glad that the interested parties did not oppose the inquiry, Mr. lIUME said he considered that the papers might have and he could assure the Hon. Member that there was still a been abstracted from a sense of justice of the claim of the Raja lees intention on the pate of the Government to throw any ob- ( Oh, oh.) He had endeavoured to bring the subject before the stacle in his way. He hoped a due weight would be given in House for some time past; but he had not hid an opportunity the Committee to the interest of the parties concerned. of doing so until that evening, and he hoped now the producs Mr. S. O'BRIEN said he was very glad that his Hon. tion of the papers would not be delayed on the ground o f e ti. Friend had pursued the course which he had done ; and as he quette. He, however, had no objection to withdraw that p ar t had not entered into the question, he would follow the example of the motion to which the Hon. - Baronet objected. set him. He only hoped that a fair Committee would be ap- The motion so amended w. s then agreed to. pointed. CORPOR PUNISHIIENT IN THE NAVY. Mr. WAKLEY was rejoiced that the Government did Mr. HUNIE moved for a return of the number of persons not not oppose the motion, for he considered it most necessary flogged in the British navy in each of the years 1845 and 1846, that some inquiry should be made. He was requested to op • specifying the name of the ship, the offence, the sentence, and pose the motion, but after what had been stated, he could not the number of lashes inflicted; and also for an abstract of the think of doing so. total number of corporal punishMents in the navy, and the total Mr. PROT HEROE said that some arrangement should be number of lashes inflicted, in each year, up to the 31st day of made respecting the days upon which fairs were held. Under December, 1846. the present system, the drovers were not able to attend re • Admiral BOWLES had no objection to the production of ligious worship upon Sundays, in consequence of the Mun- papers which had reference to the infliction of cor day's fair. poral punishment in the navy, and the circumstances Mr. HUaIPHERYS said that if the market was removed, under which the different punishments were inflicted. the cattle, in future, would not be striven through London. He should rejoice when the hour would arrive that would Mr. HENLEY wished the Government to take the matter enable them to abolish eorperal punishment altogether. All entirely int-, their own hands. If it was left in those of a private that he objected to was, the giving the names of the vessels, as Member they would have only some half and half measure. in many instances the commanders were compelled to resort to Sir B. HALL thanked his Hon. Friend for bringin g forward corporal pu n ish ment to p reserve subordinatien. Neither had the question, and he hoped the interest of the inhabitants they any opportunities to inflict secondary punishments such as would be studied by the committee. the army had, by prisons and drills, for they had seldom room to Mr. ORMSBY - GORE said that he could assure the Noble imprison morethan threemen. There always existed some kind of Lord that he would take the interests of all parties into con- organisation in the army, but a ship might be in commission but sideration when he was appointing the Committee. one year, and the officer in command had to bring his men into Sir. GREENE proposed that the number of acres should be discipline, which could not be done without some little severity. omitted in the wi rding of the resolution. Moreover , every three years the whole task had to begin again , Mr. ORNISBY GORE objected, as less than twelve acres as they g e nerally had an entirely new crew to goiern , whichces, Mr. bw O u V otu A l hd l al enable oa add bpeled m t i th t oe t em bet to introduce offthei diffe introducerence e o be n t i s a e ar e y e ß n ill, t ia h nt e in, t ah w tm o nci s ng e th r The motion was then agreed to. s i would be wholly insufficient. THE CASE OF MR. MARA. Lord LINCOLN said that soon after the commencement of by the establishment of home stations. He die not think that the present session he had brought under the notice of the corporal punishment could be entirely done away with, but he House the petition of Mr. Mara. He. hoped that lion, wished to have the wholesome chock of public opinion over its Gentlemen had read thet petition as it would save him much exertion, and no officer, where it was required, would hesitate trouble in explsining. In the course of last session a Bill to resort to it. affecting friend's societies was brought in by the Hon. air. FOX MAULE teonght the clause was one of those Member for Finsbury. That Bill was afterwards amended wh . ch ought to be confined to very narrow limits, although it and sent up to the Upper House, where the mode of appoint-. could not be entirely done away with. ment for the Commissioners was altered, and vested in the Mr. WILLIAMS heard with admiration the wish and hope hands of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the of the GeTant Admiral. Since the last returns had been National Debt. A clause was introduced by the counsel granted the punishment in the army had been lessened. for the Home-office to confirm the present holders The returns were then agreed to. of the offices in their situations, and to vest LUNATIC ASYLUMS. the at er appointments in the hands of the Commissioners of The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved for leave to bring the National D e b t , The Bill, as thus amended, passed the in a Bill for the regulation of lunatic asylums. House of the Lo r d s on th e Sib o f June, anti on the 6th of July BILL FOR LIGHTING AND IMPROVING TOWNS. wa t PEELc hi ng, the present Government entered upon their offices. On the L , ord_IIIORPETH moved for leave to bring in a Bill for strength of being confirmed in the appointment which he had wished to know draini i n f g it was d intended to the passing of the Act, recognised Mr. Mara dispense with l the necessity of applying for private Bills ? as a registrar of these friendly societies. On the I Ith of they were on y to . have this Bill, he did not think that it would August a letter was written from the Treasury to Mr. fulfil the expectations raiser; by her Majesty's speech on sana- Mara. containing instruction s i n re f erence t o his office ; and tors improvement. in two months afier another l e tter was a dd re - se d to him, scat- Lord aIORPETH intimated that a more general measure ing that an ebjection existed to his appointment being eon- on sanatory reform was tinder consideration, and would be in firmed, in consequence of the Omission of the clause, welch troducee on a future day. The present measure cc as only to was subsequently passed by the Lords, on the first, tossing of facilitate the pregress of private Bills the Bill in the Lower and Upper Houses. Another letter Lord LINCOLN did nor think the Bill so extensive as it informed him that his office had been filled up ought to be. by a Mr. Cannel, a private friend of the Attorney .General After a few words from Mr. AGLIONBY, ter Ireland. He should be able to prove, on reference to the The motion was agreed to. Ate, that this appointment was most unjust and impolitic. On the motion that the House go into Committee upon the The words in the 10th clause, upon which Mr. Mara was Mr. P. SC itOPE obtained leave to bring in a Bill to displaced, were /other equivocal, but it was evident from the exempt from poor-rate (in England) the occupiers of tenements context that no ground whatever existed for his dismissal. under the value of 51. in rural, and Si. in town parishes, if cot' The Noble Lord then cited the opinion of Mr. Napier, the tified by the medical officer of the union to be properly drained barrister, as to the illegality of the removal of Mr. Mara, and maintained in a condition not to be prejudicial to the health which he further supported by the reading of several sections of the inmates of the neighbourhood. from the Act of Parliament bearing on the question. This Mr. WARD obtained leave to bring in a Bill for extending was the opinion, he said, which had been come to by a high the period of service of boys in her Majesty's navy ; also a Bill legal authority. He thought, therefore, that the removal of for the establishment of naval prisons, and for the prevention of fir. Mara and the appointment of Mr. Conroe was an illegal desertions from her Majesty's navy. act, or, if not illegal, a direct contravention of the 'mention of The Annual Indemnity Bill was brought in by Mr. vile Legislature, which was, that the removal of such officers Po }mita. as these should no lenger be made dependent on the change of HARBOURS, DOCKS, AND PIERS CLAUSES Government. It was not only a proceeding against the inten- BILL. tion of Parliament, which was to obtain officers of experience and Mr. WARD moved the postponement of the Committee on ability, but it was most unjust in the present instance to the the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Bill t ill Monda y . individual wko had been removed. H ayin g said thus much, he Mr. C. BERKELEY moved that it be committed that day FRIDAY EVENING, MA.ltell 19, lB4 i six months. The Government were not aware of the effect which this Bill would produce. Ile had takoo a high legal opinion on the subject, which made it perfectly clear to him that it would interfere with the rights of patties living thirty miles along the banks of the Severn, which had exited for 700 years. He had proposed a clause to obviate this injustice, but the Admiralty would not take any notice of it. Mr. WARD assured the Hon. Member that no discourtesy was intended towards him. The Bill did not emanate from the Admiralty, but from the House, and was intended merely to consolidate the clauses to be introduced into private Bil's having no enacting power. If the Hon. Member would con sent to allow the postponement of the Bill till Monday, ha would endeavour so to modify it as to save existing ri g hts. The Committee w as th en postponed till Monday. GENERAL REGISTER HOUSE ( EDIN BURG H )BILL. This Bill passed through Committee, and was ordered to be reported. The other orders of the day were then disp House adjourned at a Quarter-past One o'clock. THE NAVIGATION LAWS. The Select Committee on the subject of the navigation-laws met yesterday in Committee-room No. 2. There were pre sent Mr. Milner Gibson (chairman), Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Mit chell, Admiral Dundee, Mr. Hume, Mr. T. Baring, Sir R Peel, lion. M. Villiers, Mr. Lyall, Sir George Clerk, Alder man Thompson, Hon. Mr. Liddell, and Sir Howard Douglas. The examination of Mr. Browning was resumed. By Mr. Hume —lie thought the repeal of the navigation laws would tend to increase the number of ships built in Great Britain. He grounded this opinion upon the fact that the materials for ship-building would become cheaper by the lowering of the freights for their importation. It would not tend to lessen the number of ships built in the North American Colonies, but in every other country he thought it would. That amount of British capital which was now employed in building. foreign ships w..uld then be employed in building British ships. He knew one English house, the firm of P eter Dixon and Co., of Gottingen, who built Swedish ships; but those ships were not able to corn pete with our North American colonies. He believed the effect of the repeal of the navigation•laws would be to raise the rate of wages on the Continent to a level with those here. Re knew the effect of the late reduction in the import duties on cattle had been to raise the price of meat in Holland from 2d. to 3d. per lb. He thought a great advantage would arise to this country, particularly with regard to the South Sea whale fishing, if British shipowners were allowed to buy ships in Holland and elsewhere, wherever they could pick up a bargain. He thought this permission would not injure our own shipwrights, because they would be repaired in this country, in order to insure their being admitted into Lloyd's books. The navigation. laws caused a great disadvantage to the Australian colonies, as they prevented the colonists pur chasing vessels strended on their coasts, which'frequently happened. The consequence was, that the vessels, when re paired, were sent to the Persian Gulf or to Cochin China for sale; but there was risk in. both cases, as the vessels must proceed on these voyages without a register, and they were liable to be seized by British or foreign cruisers and treated as pirates. Admiral Dundas—Did you aver know an instance of a vessel being seized under such circumstances? Mr. Browning admitted that be did not. By Mr. Baring—Though the price of meat had not been raised in Holland, he did not know that the rate of wages had risen ; for when he was there there was a great scarcity of employment. When he mentioned last day that the Dutch East India ships refused to go to America for cargoes of corn, he supposed that it was because they could not com pete with English ships; at all events, the tact was, they did not go ; but he could not, of his own knowledge, speak to the reason. Mr. Baring—You told us also that in the China, Singapore, ind Manilla trade, B: itish ships were preferred to American ; will you tell the Committee in what particular trade the pre ference was shown, seeing that a British vessel is not allowed to take foreign produce to America any more than an American vessel is allowed to bring foreign goods to England? Mr. Bro ning had heard several merchants say that they would give the preference to English ships. Examination by Mr. Baring continued—The average freight of wool from Sydney to this country he believed might be quoted at lad. The expense of pressing and stow ing amounted, he believed, to 11. per ton, and that expense fell upon the shipowner. The duration of the voyage averaged four months. The average duration of the voyage from Mobile or New Orleans to Liverpool was thirty days, and the average rates of freight for cotton from these ports was about id. per lb. That the freight from Australia was not much higher in proportion than the freight from New Orleans, arose from the fact that ships wett to New Orleans in ballast, while ships going to Australia carried freights both ways. fie did not think that the colonists of Australis had any great reason to complain of the present state of things. Mr. Baring—Would you advise a repeal of the navigation laws, distinct from what might be done by other countries? Mr. Browning—Oh yes; my opinion is, that if we repeal our navigation-laws, foreigners could no longer justify their re strictions by our example. Mr. Baring—But suppose they do not become such easy converts? Mr. Browning—Oh, they would find themselves so crippled that they would be obliged to give them up. Mr. Baring—But suppose they did not, would it not be a disadvantage to our trade that our coasting, our colonial, and our foreign trade should be open to every flag, while at the same time eaeh country would keep to its own ships exclusive advantages in coasting and colonial trade? Mr. Browning—Yes, it would be a disadvantage at first, just as a bridge interferes with ferrymen. Mr. Baring—At first; but not afterwards ? Mr. Brown ing —We would build cheaper. Mr. Baring—But in the meantime would it not be an ad vantage to foreign merchants ? Mr. Browning—Oh, cer tainly; but we cannot alter the policy of foreign nations. Mr. Baring—Would not it induce parties to purchase :American and other foreign ships in preference to British ? Mr. Browning—lt might. Sir Robert Peel What advantages have the North American ports over British ports for shipbuilding, except in the article of timber I. Mr. Browning—That is the only I ifference. Sir Robert Peel—What is the difference in the price of copper sheating ? Mr. Browning—There is a difference of .boutd. per lb. in our favour. Sir Robert Peel—What is the rate of wages there ? Mr. Browning—Quite as much, perhaps higher, than in England. Sir Robert Peel—Then we have every advantage in ship mildinff' that is possessed by the North American States, ex cept in the article of timber ? Mr. Browning—W e have. Sir Robert Peel- , -What alteration could we make in the law which would give the British ship-builder similar advan tages to the North American ship-builder, and which he doe , not at present possess? Mr. Browning—There is no altera tion required so far as regards the colonies. Sir Robert Peel—Do the same observations apply to the United States? Mr. Browning—No. Sir Robert Peel—What advantages do the ship - builder s in the United States ports possess either in the shape of low duties or of raw materials? Mr. Browning—The raw ma erial, except in the State of Maine, is dearer in the. United States than in this country, and theylabour under a disadvantage in regard to the price of metal, chain cables, anchors, &c. !fir Robert Peel—Do you consider that the rates of insu rance, apart from the stamp duty on the policy, are the same in both countries? Mr. Browning—l think they may be effected here at a cheaper rate. Sir Robert Peel—. Then, with regard to Holland, are you of opinion that a slop of a given quality may be built here cheaper than in Holland? Mr. Browni n g — rate ot wages tells much against the ship-builder. Sir Robert Peel—But is not the trade between this coun t •tnd Holland entirely in our hands? Air. Browning—Yes, it is. y Sir Robert Peel—And that is the best test of the state of he trade? Mr. Browning—To be sure. Sir Robert Peel—On a former day y ou gave an o p inion that if the navigation-laws were repealecf the timber, the in surance, the copper, and the light dues, ought all to be abo lished, in order to give them fair play; do you mean that there cannot even be a partial alteration in the navigation .aws, whether as respects our colonial or our foreign inter ,:ourse, unless there be a previous reduction in the duties you mention ? Mr. Browning thought that foreigners had an ulvantage over British ships in relation to light dues, which the latter were not called on to pay. Mr. Villiers call e d a tt en ti on t o ihe fact that the question was not answered. Sir R. Peel—ls not the British shipowner interested in having his ships built c heaply. M r. Browning— eiY Sir. R. Peel—Suppose the navigation-laws cause a, heave treiglit on timber, would that be any advantage to the ship? owner whose ships were not empl o yed in carrying timber? Mr. Browning—Of course not. Sir R. Peel—And so with copper ore? Mr. Browning — To be sure. Sir R. Peel—ls it not the interest of the shipowners .gene • rally that there should be low freights for the ringing i o r t those articles that are used in the building of s lips? b Browning—Decidedly. that it is for Sir R. Peel—Then it is not correct to assume the interest of the shipowners generally to have high i freighet , -In these materials for ship-building? Mr. Brown g L —D cidedly. Mr. Liddell—Would not the repeal of the navigation-laws by bringing the whole commercial navies of the world compete with us, lower freights? Mr. Browning—l think we would then obtain a monopoly by our iadastry.— (Laughter.) Mr. Liddell—Whatl A monopoly on ships? Mr. Brown ing—No doubt of it. Admiral Dundas--Do you think there are fewer or more foreign naval powers to contend with us now in peace or war than when the navigation-lawn were first passed? ell. Browning—Our advantages are greater now than they were then. Admiral Dundas—A.ye, but Are they more- or less? Mr. Browning—l think they are fewer. Admiral Duni:las—N . . ould the repeal of the navigation-laws add to the protection of this country in its supply of seamen ? Mr. Browning—lt would very materially add to its strength. Admiral Dundas—ln what way ? Mr. Browning —Be cause, it the navigation-laws were repeale4, an d racilitirf ,vere afforded for naturalisation, we should have a supply ot Swedish and Norwegian sailors. Sir R. Peel—But if a war were to break out between this country and these Northern Powers, should you have the same confidence in them as in British seamen? Mr. Brown ng—l think that the pressing o !seamen must be given up and that this country ought to give the seamen the market value for their services, and then there could be no doubt we 'night man our navy to any extent had a w ar w i t h America, Admiral Dundas—Suppose we would the men now in the American service come to us? Mr. • Yes would. The American is Browning—Yes, they navy getting extremely unpopular will our seamen. Admiral Dundas—Unpopular in peace, but very popular in time of war. Mr. Browning—l question that. Admiral Dundas—But suppose these men were captured in war, what would become of them? Mr. Browning —Well, I don't know what the Americans might do.— (Laughter.) Admiral Dandas—Suppose half our navy were manned with American seamen, when an American war broke oat where would our convoys be if these men refused to fight? Browning.--Oh, I don't think the Americans would come into our navy at all. Sir R. Peel—You say that the wages of seamen ought tt he mised from 2-. 5s per month to the American level I. 3/ se. per month ? Mr. Browning—..A :es, and with sin-1;: store=, such as sugar. Sir R. Peel—Has y tur house tried the experiment of suet , 2111 increase? —(Laughter. ) Mr. Browning --I have occa sionally paid as high as 31. per month. Sir R. Peel—But if you were sending out a ship from 8 British port would you give more than the current rate of wages ? Mr. Browning—Of course not. Sir R. Peel—Then how do you suppose it possible to raise the rate of wages? Mr. Browning—My remarks applied only to a time of war. To man the navy in an emergency, you must give the market value of seamen. Sir H. Douglas—By the repeal of the navigation-laws, and affording facilities for naturalisation, would not the safety of the State be endangered, by being ee much entrusted to these foreign seamen? Mr. Brawning—l think it would to a small extent ; but except in the case of a war with their own country, when they might be free from service. the Scandinavian race generally shows an attachment to our service. Sir H. Douglas—le it not a fundamental rule of national law that no subject can divest himself of his allegiance? Mr. ' Browning—Yes. Sir H. Minglas—Then would it not be a dangerous expe riment to leave the satety o' the State to them? Mr. Brown- I Olio]: they would not come. ~ Sir G. Clerk-• You stated before that great ioconye nience was experienced in the Australian colonies from their not t.eing allowed to purchase Dutch ships tor the whale fishing. Do Your ships that are engaged in the fishing also bring home the oil? Mr. Browning— No; it is sent home on freight. Sir G. Clerk—Then what is there in the navigation-laws which prevents you from purchasing Dutch ships to be employed in the whale fisheries ? Mr. Browning—Be cause there is a differential duty of 15/. per ton on sperm oil caught in foreign ships, which, however, expires in 1849 ; with regard to block duty, the duty practically does not apply. By Mr. Hume—The French ships that brought sugar from Bourbon to Australia were not allowed to carry the produce of the colony to another British colony; the con sequence was they were paid for their cargoes in gold, and this in the years 1841 and 1842 bad led to serious inconve niences in the country, by deranging the currency. By Sir G Clerk—The chief supply of sugar brought to Australia came from Manilla and Java, which were brought in British ships, and he could not say that he had ever known more than four or five French ships arrive in the colony in the course of one year. By Mr. Baring—lf there bad been no navigation-laws these vessels would have taken the produce of the colony to Ceylon or other British colonies. At the same time be did not think there was 411 y-thing, even in the present state of the law, to prevent these ships taking the colonial produce to British India. By Mr. Hume—He saw no reason why the Australian co lonies should not flourish to as great an extent as Singapore, if the navigation-law were repealed. By Sir G. Clerk —He did not think that a French ship could go to Singapore and bring back produce to the United Kingdom any more than she could go to Australia and bring back produce to the United Kingdom. Sir G. Clerk—Then what restrictions do the navigation laws impose on Australia that they do not impose on Singa pore? Mr. Browning did not know if it was not that Sin gapore was a free port. I'he Committee adjourned till one o'clock on Tuesday. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of annmons.) THURSDAY, MARCH 18. The following Railway Bills were read a second time, com mitted, and referred to the Committee of Selection : Eastern Counties (Enlargement of London and Stratford Stations, and Amendment of Acts). Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway Act Amendment and Branches. South Devon Extension and Amendment). NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL-OFFICE. The following Railway Bill is appointed to be read a second time on Thursday, March 25: Chester and Holyhead (Extensions at Cheater and Holy head, &c.—No. 2). PARLIAMEN TARY DIVISIONS. ( From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, MARCH 18. ABSENTEE PROPRIETORS (IRELAND). Motion made, and Question put, " That inasmuch as the non-residence of Landed Proprietors in Ireland is one of the causes of social disorganisation of that Kingdom, it is ex pedient to imp .se a charge by way of Special Assessment, in aid of local objects of an useful nature, upon the estates of absentee proprietors, with a view to make some compensation for the evils resulting from their non-residence." The House divided : MINORITY-AYES, 19. Berkeley, Craven Hall, Sir Benjamin Rawdon, Colonel Blake, M. J. - Macnantara, Major Sibthorp, Colonel Brooke, Sir A. B. M`Carthy, Alex. Waklsy, Thomas Browne, R. D. • Newry, Viscount Callaghan, D. O'Brien, C. TELLERS. Chapman, B. O'Brien, Timothy O'Brien, W. S. Collett, John • O'Connell, D., jun. Tuite, H. M. Fitzgerald, R. A. O'Connell, Jolla MAJORITY-NOES. 70. Aglionby, 11. A. Grey, Sir G. Morpeth, Viscount Arundel, Earl of Grosvenor, Earl Morris, David Bannerman, A. Hastie, Archibald Mostyn, E. M. Baring, F. T. Hatton, Captain V. O'Brien, A. Stafford Barnard. E. G. Hawes, Benj. Owen, Sir John Bellew, R. M. Heathcoat, John Palmerston, Viscount llowl.•s. Admiral Heneage, Edward Parker, John Bewring, Dr. Herbert, Sydney Peel, Sir Robert Bright, John Hobhouse, Sir J. Plumridge, Captain Brotherton, Joseph Hope, Sir J. Ricardo, J. L. Cardwell, Edward Hume, Joseph Scrope, G. P. Chaplin, W. J. llumphery, Ald. Staunton, Sir G. Christie, W. D. Inglis, Sir it. Stuart, V. Christopher, R. James, William Thompson, Alderman Cowper, W. F. Jermyn, Earl Thorliely, T. Craig, W. G. Jervis, Sir John Trotter, John Dennistoun, J. Jones, Captain Wad, H. G. Dundas, Sir David Labouchere, Henry Wood, sir Charles Escott, Bickhakt Lambton, 11. Vyse, R. r meter, Mathew Lincoln, Earl of Yorke, Henry R. Gibson, Thomas M. Macaulay, T. B. Glynne, Sir S. Mackinnon, W. TELLERS. Gore, W. 0. Mitchell, T. A. Tufhell, H. Goulburn, Henry Moffatt, George Hill, Lord M. Graham, Sir James Monahan, J. H. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTE RSA LL'S.—THURSDAY. The business transacted yesterday was on a very limited scale, barely sufficient, indeed, to warrant a uotatioe. The only horses in any demand were Halo and the q Euclid colt for 'he Northampton Handicap, and the Liberator for the Derby; the prices agreed with those laid on Wednesday at Warwick, where Pavilion is also stated to have been in force. Closing quotations:— NORTHAMPTON ItANDICAP. 6 to 1 agst Mr. Gregory's Euclid colt—taken 6 to 1 agst Duke of RiAnond's Halo—taken 7 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's Doleful 12 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Queen Mary 15 to 1 agst Mr. G. H. Moore's Wolfdog 20 to I ag't Mr. O'Brien's Lord &holm. TW:4 THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES. 7 to 1 agst Mr. O'Brien's The Liberator—taken METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. 20 to 1 agst Mr. John Day's Bourtoii 25 to 1 apt Mr. Itamsbottom's Pine Apple. cuesTrit CUP. 18 to 1 ag't Herbert's Antler—taken 30 to 1 agat Mr. Ir-win's Mickey Free 1000 to 15 agst Mr. Payne's Queen blab 131t111117. 12 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Epirote— taken 23 to 1 agst Sir R. Pigot's Conyngliain—taken 30 to 1 agst Mr. O'Brien's Liberator—taken 1000 to 20 agst Mr. Stephenson's Black Dwarf taken 4 or 5 times 50 to 1 agst Mr Holine's Pavilion—take 1000 to 15 1100 to 25 agst Mr. Fuller's Oxonian—taken Colonel Peel has named his b f by Touchstone out of Malibran. 2 yrs, " Jenny Lind," and his b f by Slane out if Ilester, 2 yrs, " Lola Nlontes." His Grace the Duke of Richmond and Mr. Gratwicke are declared to be confederates on the turf. WARWICK SPRING 51EETING.—WEDNESDAY. Match, 50 sovs., 2 miles—Col. Wyndham's Cecy, 6 yrs, 1 Ist, received, from Mr. Nunn's Prince Eugene, 6 yrs, Ilst 71bs. Match, 100 h ft, 2 miles—Mr. W. Cowper's Roebuck, 5 yrs, Ilst 71b, beat Mr. Jacob's Mersey, 4 yrs, 10st 121 b. The Warwickshire Innkeeper's handicap Hurdle Stakes of 10 sous each, 5 fr, and 30 added, 2 miles (7 su'is). Mr. W. H. Johnstone's Rough and Ready, 5 yrs, list I Mr. Wbittield's Gipsey Queen, lOst 51b Lord Strathmore's Red Lance, list 101 b--Captain Gam. bier's The Parson, lOst 61b—and Mr. J. Mason nd Bel shazzar, lOst 121 b, also started. The Farmers' Plate of 501., and 10 soy. for the second. 2 miles, was won in two heats, by Mr. F. Robbins's Valiant, 5 yrs, 12st 31b, beating Mr. R. Robbins's Midnight, 5 yrs, list 71b. LEAMINGTON GRAND MILITARY STEEPLE CHASES. THURSDAY. Sweepstakes of 10 soya. each, h ft. Three miles. Lion. It N. Lawley's The Roarer, 12st ...... (Sir E. Poore) 1 Mr. Buchanan's Matchless, 12st 2 Mr.*D'Arcy'sCulverthorpe, 12st 71b 3 The following also ran :—Pullaway, list 121 b; Edmond, 12st; Tommy Tinkle, 12st; Lopez, 12st; and Major A, 12st. 2 to 1 agst Culverthorpe (taken freely), 7 to 1 agst Roarer (taken), and won, after an excellent race, by a neck. Sweepstakes of 5 sous. each, Btc. Sir. L. Little nd Carlow, lOst 121 b .(C a pt a in Little) 1 Hon. H. Forester nd ortgage, Ilst 2 The following also ran Gambier, The Parson, llst (41b over); Captain FOrrest nd Rowland, list; Lieutenant H. Johnstone nd Seven Stars, 1 Ist; Captain Conolly's Liberty, list; and Lieutenant Gordon's Queen of Hearts, llst. sto 2 agst Carlow (taken). Won by a length. INTELLIGENCE EXTRA. CROXTON PARK, 1847. Acceptances for the Granby Handicap of 20 Sovs. each, Sce. Griselle, 4 yrs, Ilst 101b—Fair Rosamond, 6 yrs, list Ilb Icicle, 4 yrs, list—The Magnet, 5 yrs, lOst 12:b—Satyr, 6 vrs, lOst 101b—Tragical, 4 yrs, lOst 71b—ldolater, 5 yrs, 10st 61b —Trojan, 6 yrs, lO s t 41b — b r c, by Jerry, 4 yrs, lOst 21b—Rough and Ready, 5 yrs, lOst—Martext, 4 yrs, 10,4—Merman, 4 yrs, lOst—The Pony, 5 yrs, lOst 111 b Watchdog, 3 yrs, 9st 31b. Acceptances for the Gold Cup. Naworth, aged, 1 Ist 61 b—Inglewood, 4 yrs, I Ist 41b— Idolator, 5 yrs, 10st 61b—Rough and Ready, 5 yrs, lOst— Martext, 4 yrs, 9st 1 31b—Watchdog, 3 yrs, 9st. NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING, 1547. WEDNESDAY. Duke of Bedford's Captain Phoebus, 5 yrs, 9st, agst Mr. Bowes's Ukraine, 4 yrs, Bst 51b. T.Y.c., 100, h ft. 4weepstakes of 50 sons. each, h it, for three yrs old. D.M. Bela Donna, Bst 71 b—Tanats, Est 51b—Marie Louise, let 21h—Lady Lurewell, 831 24b —Sorrel, 7st 91b—Mouseling, 7st slb. MAJOR -GENERAL ENERAL COCKBURN.—We regret to record the death of Major-General J. P. Cockburn, of the Royal Ar tillery, who expired at his residence on Woolwich-common vesterdev morning after a lingering illness from general debi !iiy. Till within a recent period he held the office of Director of the Royal Laboratory Department of the Royal Arsenal, in office which he resigned on his promotion to the rank of M ijor-General, and in which he was succeeded by Lieutenant- Colonel Hardinge, K. H. The dates of his promotion in the corps are as follow !—Entered the Royal Military Academy on the 19th of March, 1793; 2d Lieutenant, March 6, 1795; Ist. Lieutenant, January 27, 1796 ; Captain, May 17, 1803 ' • Brevet-M a jor, June 4, 1 814 ; Regimental Major, July 29 , 1825 ; Lieutenant-Colonel on the same day; Colonel, Jan. 10, 1837 ; and Major-General, November 9, 1846. The de ceasei officer was in his 69th year. He was at the capture ,f the Cape of Good Hope in 1795, in the expedition to MT- Ala, and at the capture of Copenhagen in 1807. AMEEICAN PRODUCE.—The American line of racket ship Mediator arrived in the London Docks from New York, has brought 12,419 bushels of barley, 183 boxes of .heese, 50 tierces of rice, 100 casks of lard, 50 of bacon, 1,500 )arreli of dour, 1,910 bags of wheat, 25 barrels and 226 sacks .t corn meal, 564 bags of corn, 800 barrels of oil cake for • it tle, and a variety of other articles of general merchandise. The General Taylor, which has arrived in the St. Ka _harine's Dock from New York, has brought 1,830 casks and 1.121 boxes of cheese, 31 packages of beans. 215 of beef, 3,960 barrels of flour, 71 of corn meal, 20 of ba con, 104 of lard, 271 of pork, 20 of tongues, and 2,121 sacks of barley. THE GENERAL FAST.—JEWISH FORM OP PRAYER. —Yesterday evening, the Rev. Dr. Adler, Chief Rabbi . of the inembers of the Jewish persua sion in these kingdoms , issue d a form of prayer to b e used in t h e s y na g ogues within his control, on Wednesday, the 24th inst., being the day ap nointed by her Majesty for the general fast. SALE Or A DRURY-LANE RENTER ' S SHARE.— Yesterditv a renter's share in the Theatre Royal Drury-Jane (No. 163), was put u p to p ublic competition at the Auction Mart. It entitled the holder to ls. 3d. for every night of performance, and free admission to the theatre, except on certain nights tor charitable purposes, the free admission for this season being parted with. it fetched 57/. Y ' ~-.i. ~....:.~ r,rl7rr rf r( I, D. The Queen, accompanied the Prince et ;Vales and the I -fs'l'. PaTerce's Dav:--lltelert, Meet 17. Princess Rayal, teok an airing yesterday atternOn itt tneopen the festival diy of tl - .-e patro l ; sa i nt of Ireland, th csrridge and lour. His Hoy.d Highness Prince; Albert rode aneually indulgid in by the people on the occ• out 'on horseback at the same time. The Equerries in Wait- military relieving geed at the Castle was remari ing, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey and Colonel Bouverie ' order and good-humoured festivity which chant attended on horseback. demeanour of the immense assemblage who tl Lord John Russell had an audience of the Queen yesterday square at the castle.. Shortly a f ter e l, ven o ' clock at Buckingham Pala ce . ing, which could be heard at a great distar•ce, Her Royal Highnes s th e D uc h ess of Kent visited the Queen the approach of Lieutenant-Gen era l Sir Edwart yesterday, and remained to luncheon with her Majesty and who, attended by his staff, rode at th e h ea d o f her Royal Consort. and from the royal hermits to the Castle the gall Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice, was greeted, es well from the windows as from tin and the Princess Helena, took an airing yesterday in the with every demonstration of popular affection. .esps Royal gardens. On reaching the Castle, Sir Edward distnounted, and joined The oyal dinner-party at Buckingham Palace yesterday the Lord Lieutenant aid a numerous party of his Excel included • her Royal Highness the Duchess of. Kent, his lency's private friends and officers of the household. Excellency Count de Reveutlow, Lady Fanny Howard, Soon after the arrival of Sir Edward Blakeney, his Excel- Baroness de Speth, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl and lency, uncovered, appeared on the balcony over the state Countess Grey, Viscount and Viscountess Falkland, Viscount entrance, attended by Mr. Corry Conellan, and followed and Viscountess Mahon, and Colonel the Ri g ht H on. G . L. by the Ladies Ponsonhy attired in Irish poplin of national Dawson Her Majesty'sDamen green. His Royal - Highness Prince George of Cambridge private band attended in the e.vening. stood beside his Excellsncy, and on being recognised, was Her Majesty and Prince Albert inspected yesterday the loudly cheered. The instant the balcony sindow was thrown finished full-length engravings by Mr. Atkinson, from Mr. open, the approach of his EXcellency Was anticipated by the. Winterhalter's pictures of the Queen and her august Con- dense crowd which fi led the square, and as he aovanced to sort, in the robes of the Order of the Garter, painted for the the ballustrade, the acclamations which rent the air, in token Royal Collection, which were submitted by Mr. Moon. of the popular admiraiion which hls Excellency enjoys, her Her Royal Highn ueen ess the Duchess of Cambridge visited were never equ a ll e l on any similar occasion except during Majesty the Q Dowager yesterday, at Marlborough the viceroyalty of Lord gorniunby. Tilt, Ladies Ponsonlry House. were the next o bj ects of popular favour, and the familiarity' His Rival Highness the Duke of Cambridge visited the with which their names wer4 enunciated by the crowd, German Hospital yesterday. excited their Ladyships' merriment and, in - silently ex • The Commissioners for Metropolitan Improvements h e ld a press i ng the sentiments by widen they were moved, there meeting yesterday at the Office of the Woods and Forests in was no stiff timidity nor affectation in their tine open- Whitehall-place. There were present Viscouet Morpeth, Lord nest o f cowl/en ince. Gra in.tehree, Kathleen—you are the Colborne, the Lord Mayor, Sir Robert H. Inglis, Sir Cbarles jith of Irish ladies, in your purer greet, coat, li,t, ansctillse snapped and Lemon, Mr. Alderman Humphery, M.P., the Hon. C. Gore, a B m oeotian giant 'in the county ..f m and Mr. A. Milne. his sinews and kicked up his lilt heel, in genuine Irish style. A Deputation from Birmingham had an interview with the Ills Excellency and the vicereg a l party remained on the Right Hon. E. Strutt yeste-dav, relative to Railway and Ca- balcony until the military were marched off to their bar. nal Amalgamation, at the Office of the Commissioners of racks, shortly after which the 'roved dispersed in the most Railways, in Great-street. The Deputation consisted of perfect good humour and decorum. Mr. W. Scholefield, Mr. P. H. Manta, Mr. F. Clark, Mr. J. RELIEF Costaurrees.—Hi s Excellen c y t h e L ord-Lieu- Bourne, and MgW. - R. Lloyd:tenant has directed chat relief committees shall be constituted Sir Howard Douglas had an interview with Lord John according to the general'order of the 4th of March instant, Russell yesterday, at hie official residence in Downing-street. breach of the electoral divisions of the following unions re- Viscount Torrington had an interviery with Earl Grey yes- spectively :—Drogheda, Dunitanagban Dunmanny, Ennis terday at the Colonial Office. killen, Innisleiwen, Kiln ;Hck, Manor-Hamilton. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England ha I a gene- A PEER OF THE lELSII Pattey.e--The Northern Whig cone ral meeting yesterday, at their office in Whitehall place. tains the following Lord Mounteashel's Munificence.-- A cerrespendetit writes . u.s as - follows, under date of the 11th inst.:—` Lord Mountcashel's munificent subscription of 101. (don't mistake this tor 100/.) arrived to the Kells Relief Fund last week. His estate of Kells comprises eight towniands,' yislding shout 2,000/. a year of the best paid rents in the north of Ireland.! His Lordship is a strenuous defender of the Irish landlords; and we saw that, a few days ago, he lamented the smallness of certain landlord subscriptions in Cork, though lie still stood up for his older. What a splendid offering he presents—ten pounds for eieht townlands!" THE LATE MURDERS IN KILRENNT.-111 addition to the I)4 , mi:tit:its winch ee give in our last of the atrocious mur tlers cf ..r. Pri:n and the police-constable, the Kilkenny Journal •• Four of the men were seen running towards the Grove ht Carrickshock, carrying five guns and a bag of money. The latter, no doubt, contained the money Mr. Prim liad with him, about 300!. 'in silver and copper. The fellow who had been shut, crawled to a house, where he asked some children to allow !din to lie down, and where he w a s subse quently taken by the pelice. He is from Carrick, in the county Tipperary, the place where, it is conjectured, all the essessins came trom. There is one thing certain, that they were strangers, for-Mr. Prim was universally' and deservedly beloved by the people of the barony (Kells), and indeed by every one who knew him." • ATHLONE, MARCH 15.—Another fire broke out this day about halt-past one o'clock, when unfortunately five houses were burned down, anti had it not been for the exertions of the military, end the convenient supply of water, there is little doubt but that the greater portion of the Connaufht side of the town would have been now in smouldering ruins. The devastation yesterday was not so great as in the confu sion I was led to believe. The number of houses destroyed amounted to eighteen. EMIGRATION.—A great many persons, farmers, and others, who applied on Tuesday to the grand jury for pre eentmeets for damages, &.., stated that they were preparing to go to Arnerica.—Tippet at y Vindicator. ULSTER 11AmwAv..—The.tratlic on this railway (twenty five miles opened) Was, - tor 'the week ending 14th March 1847 :—Passengers, 12,501 ; amount , 430/ . 19s. 9d.; goods, 280/. 19s. sd.—Total, 721/. 19s. 24. Corresponding week of last year:-- Passengers. 12,193; amount, 415/. 15s. 4d.; goads. 242/. Is. 3d.— Total, 657!. 16s. 7d. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Sonnambula was performed for the first time this sea son last evening, with Gardoni as Elvino. As might have been anticipated, his success was complete. Girdoui is nature's own Elvino. Young, imposioned, tender, a perfect artiste, he unites all the advantages of his predecessors wii hour any of their defects. In Mario we missed the exquisite tenderness of Rubini, who only lacked youth to be perfect in the part; moreover, Maria was somewhat too attentive to himself. It was Mario acting Elvirio—nario singing Bel lini's music, and singing it exquisitely; but still it was evi dent that the singer thought mire of Mario than of Elvino. Such is not the case with Gardoni. He is Elvino indeed, and in truth lie throws himself completel3 into the part, he is the peasant lover—his auditors feel for him, and with him. The finale to the first act was a perttct triumph for Gardoni and Castellan (who, of course, was the Amina). It was rapturously encored, and, at the conclu sion, they were both called_ before the curtain. 'Lien came the Pasci ii Guardo, the nzorcenu• of the °pet* which was given by Gardoni with an im passioned tenderness that has never been exceeded. ills manner of giving the words " Ii piu triste de' mortali Seno o cruda e it son per te," was the very acme of despaiv—not of despair seeking re venge, but of the despair of a broken heart, which would fain seek in the grave an asylum for the woes of life. Then came the "Ah I perche non posso odiarti," (known to the English playgoer as " Still so gently o'er me stealing "), in which Gardoni surpasses all his predecessors, exhibiting all the tenderness of Ruhini, with more than Rubini's power, and singing the music fairly as it is written. The applause was en ha,iastic, and most deserved. His clear, silvery tones told beautifully in this exquisite air. Gardoni has made the character of .Elvino his own. Unless Ruhini again comes on the stage, ifo tenor must' venture on Elvino while Gar doni lives. Castellan was the Amina, and, in saying this, we ought to lay an accent on the word the, for she is the Amine par excellence of the present day, and never did she personate the character better than last evening. Signor F. Lablache was the Count Rodolpho, and sang the " Vi Raviso" in a manner worthy of his sire and of himself. Madame Castellan, Gardoni, and F. Lahlache were called for at the conclusion of the opera, and received with the cus tomary honours. A selection from Lucia di Larnmernmr, with Fraschini as E igardo, followed; anti then came the new ballet of Thea; ou, La fits aux fleurs. The characters in the new ballet. are—Thea (the favourite Slave of H ,ssan), Mdlle. Carolina Ro-ati; La Fee aux Fieurs, Millie. Marie Tagiioni ; Prince Hassan, M. Paul Taglioni. Tee,fulloa ing is the plot:— "We are in a magnificent garden of Bagdad. Within an oriental kiosk, reposes the youthful Prince Hassan, sur roundede by odalisks. Near the kiosk is - raki, regarding with passionate and tender looks the Prince, who, all un moved by the music of his slaves and the voluptuous dances of his odalisks, is absorbed in the contemplation of some flowers which he holds in his hand. Nothing can withdraw him from his reverie, and Thea becomes dejected at his in difference. Hassan desires to be left alone. Thea entreats that she may remain; but the Prince commands her to leave him. She feigns acquiescence, but conceals herself behind one of the columns of the kiosk. Hassan appears de lighted at his solitude, and goes with rapture from flower to flower, while Thee follows him with all the marks of jealousy. She again attempts to tear him frotn his ecstasy ; but the Prince appears to have eyes for his flowers only. At last he quits the scene. " The neglected beauty weeps in despair; but a sudden thought brings smiles to her lips. She approaches the statue of the Fee aux Fleurs, and entreats the resto ration of her lover's heart. She then forms a crown of flowers and throws it in the air; the crown lights on the head of the statue. Then bec meet motionless and disappears, as does also the kiosk.—in the place of which arises a lovely rose tree, surrounded by every variety of flower. 'The Prince retu us, and sees with joy the change which has taken place. lie kisses the fl , wers, aspires their perfumes, and is about to pluck a rose, when, behind the tree, appears the i'e - e our Fleur,. She seem. in anger, and reproaches hitis , ail with his audacity. The Prince throws himself on his knees and impl.‘res pardon ; but the fairy will grant it only on condition of his marrying the flower which snail have conceived a passion for him. Sur prised at this proposition, he nevertheless consents. The fairy conducts him to a bank of turf, places on his head a crown ,rf p .ppies, and the Prince sleeps It is night; a blue tone issues from each fliral group, the flowers become animated and are change.t t.i nymphs, w2i smile, walk, dance, and form a living garland round the Kr aux nears. While du- flowers dance, Th4a, who represents the rose, escapes, takes the poppy crown from the Prince'.. head, and returns to mix with her companions. Hassan awakes; he is dazzled by the tableau which presents itself, but seeks the rose, the object of his dream. falls at the feet of Thee, and offers her hie heart and hand. The Queen of Flowers appears to sanction their union." In the first tableau, after an introduction by the corps de ballet, we have La Mo reska, a pas Seal, by Mdlle. Carolina Rosati, which is a perfect triumph of chocrographic art. Tier tours de—(we were about to add, force, but we must change the word)—her tours de grace in this won derful pas are perfectly astonishing. The audience was taken by surprise by the exquisite grace and perfect origi nality of this pas. It surpasses anything that even Fanny Ellsler has doue. Then came I,es Clochettes, a grotesque Indian dance, by M. Gouriet and a corps de ballet of negro boys, and then a scene dansante by M. Paul Taglioni and Mdlle. Rosati, which was a marvel of grace an I power. In the second tableau we are introduced to La fee our fleurs (*demoiselle Marie Taglioni), who give s us the danse de l'animation desfieurs, one of those grand pas that may wnh truth be called the poetry of motion. None but a Taglioni could have imagined it—none but a Taglioni could execute it. The ballet concludes with a grand pp: d' ensemble, by Madlle. Rosati, Monsieur P. Taglioni. and the cops de ballet, in which the dancing of Mademoiselle Rosati excited the audieuce to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The scenery is beautiful, the ballet its .1f i • poetical, and it acts closely. The attention never flAgs ; and Thea will no doubt continue a favourite ballet during the whole of the season. At the conclusion Carolina Rosati and Paul Taglioni were called before the curtain. The house was crowded in every part. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. KILEENNY, MARCH 15.—PLUNDER, OF A PAY CLERK Thomas Mackey and William Mackey were indicted for that they, on the 16th of December last, at Rochestewn, being armed did assault Frederick Burrower, a pay clerk of the Board of Works, and rob him of 400 half-crowns, 1,000 shillings, 100 sixpences, and other moneys. A witness, named James Wallace, was produced to Drove an alibi for one of the prisoners, and, in answer to the first questioo, said, " I cannot speak a word of English."— (Loud laughter.) However, he was compelled to give . his evidence in that language. Tho jury found a verdict of Guilty, and the prisoners were sentenced to transportation for life. THE BREADALBANE BUTTON. (From t he Ayr Advertiser.) We have befor e , in our columns, taken notice of the corn mencement of this new species of manufacture in the village of Mauchline, and of its rapid progress under the direction of its indefatigable inventor, Air Andrew Smith, until now within a few years, it, has become the chief manufacture of the village. Yet the extent of the manufactory, abstractly considered, might not inarit much attention, were it not that th:Te are other circumstances connected with it, which we think may justify a few additional remarks. It is with manufactuies as it is with painting and poetry, not very difficult to acquire a little local fame ; but to corn mence the manufactory of an article in a country village, that can only obtain a remunerative consumption by being sent and sold over the whole civilised world, when it has to meet and.compete with articles for a similar use—the pro duct of manufactures of centuries standing —to bring the product of such a manufactory to such perfection, as to ar rest the attention and call forth the approbation of the most enlightened portion of the community, and to obtain for it the patrons to of the first pe:-sonage in the empire —all within the apace of three or four years, surely says something for its real merits. , _ _ . Our deservedlA esteemed -- mpresentative in Parliament, Lout James Stuart. having repeatedly sent to Mr. Smith's manufac:tiry for , onte of his buttons, which were much ad-. inired,.Mr Smith hgd only to hint to his Lordship, that the patronage of his Royal 141 mess Prince Albert would be of advantage to. him, when his 14 , rdship instantly dispatched such an account Mr. Smith's business to the 'Palace, as at once procured fin - hint the favour required, and a set of but tons were got Up for his Royal Highness at the small village of Mauchline,.Which when shown to the very first manufacturers in Birmingham were pronounced by theta to be the most - beautiful articles thay had ever seen ii the button line. We subjoin a copy of the Hon. G. E. Anson's lever acknowledging the receipt, and acceptance of the buttons, and we sincerely wish that the Royal favour may he of benefit to Mr. Smith, as we are sure he will not consider thiSdistinction so much in ttu light of a reward -tor the past as a stimulus to future exertions:-- • • " Windsor Castle, December 30, 1846. - 0 Mr. Andrew Smitb—Sir, I beg to acknowledge the re ceipt of your letter, and to inform you that I have, in ccm pliance with your request, and that of Lord James Stuart, laid the buttons which accompanied it before his Royal High ness Prince Albert, who has most gracl.usly received them. and expressed his approbation of your invention. (Signed) G. R. ANSON." DREADFUL DESTITUTION AND DEA'III. Ye-terday a long inquiry was gone into, before W. Carter, Esq , the Coroner, at the Duke of IVellington Tavern, Wel lingren-street, Newington-causeway, resp..cting the death of Sarah Stocker, aged 69 years, lately residing at a lodging house, situate No. 42, Wellington-straet, who, it was alleged, died from want of tl:e common neces•kari‘s of life. The body, when viewed by the Coroner and jury, presented a very painful sight, being nothing more than a skeleton. Elizabeth Barter stated that the deceased was her cousin. They lived together for the la-t twelve years. They formerly occupied a house at No. 6, Borough-road, Southwark, which they let out furnished; but. owing to pecuniary difficulties, they had lost everything that they possessed, which com pelled them to take a small room, where they employed themselves in making shirts, for which they received 4d. each. Witness received 2s. 6d, per week from St. George's parish, and with their joint .labour. they could only earn on an average about 25., which amounted to 4s. 6d., out of which they had to pay 2s. weekly for rent, leaving them only 2s. 6d. to subsist upon during the winter. Me deceased had been under the care of Mr. Babbage, for fever and' cough, who prescribed for her, and she got better. About six weeks since the deceased became unable to work, front weaktr,ss and the want of nourishing food, which wit ness was unable to give her. The deceased and witness were often without food. Sometimes they managed to get a little coffee and bread, and very often were compelled to have only bread and water for days together. On Saturday week wit ness and the deceased took a lodging at No. 42, Wellington street, which witness subsequently.found to be in the parish of Newington. Witness then went to the relieving officer of St. George's, for a surgeon's order for the deceased, and was informed that, as she had removed into another parish, they could not assist her. Witness then proceeded to the poor house at Newington, where she saw two gentlemen. They offered to take her into the house, but having a dislike to the rules of a workhouse, she refused to go in. On Friday last. the deceased complained of sore throat, and could not swallow anything. Witness made her some coffee and toast, but she could not take any. On the tullowing morning she was no better. She became worse, and (tied at twelve o'clock the same night. A juror—Were you able to have any firing during the in clement weather? Witness— No, Sir; and but very little covering. The deceased slept on an old sofa, and lon a few chairs, with a piece of carpet and anything we could find in the room. W had sold everything that we could to get food We had subsisted for seven or eight months with only 2s. 61., and were unable 'o get meat or any animal food. 'f he poor woman, whose appearance indicated that she had , uffered the greatest distress, was led out of the room by the fficer (Mr. Brooks), who, at the suggestion of the jury; -upplied her with some refreshment. Mr. Robert Brooks, one of the relieving officers of St. Mary, Newington, said, in answer to the Coroner, that if the witness Barter had properly represented the case to the authorities of the workhouse every assistance would have been afforded them. _ HER MAJESTT'S THEATRB.—There were present at her Majesty's Theatre yesterday evening—The Marchioness of Aileshury, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Marquis of Granby, the Marquis of Sligo, his Excellency the Russian Minister, the Baroness Brunnow, and Mademoiselle Ogla de Lechner. M. de Berg, the Earl of Munster, the Earl of Granville the Earl and Countess of Cadogan, the Viscount Duncannon, the. Viscount Cantalupe, the Countess Nicholas Esterhazy. Lady Augusta Seymour, Lady Paget, Lord Adoldhus Fitz. clarence, Lord Macdonald, the Count Koudriaft'sky, Sir John Rae Reid, Bart., the Right Hon. Fox Malik, the Hon. G. Byng, Major Baring, Major Buckley, Mr. Hubert, Miss De Burgh, Mrs. Stanley, Mr. E. Msjoribanks, Mr. Trelawney, Sir George Wombwell, Bart., Sir W. M. Stanley, Captain Greville, Colonel Wildman. POTATOES NOT EARTHED-UP FREE FROM DISEASE. I beg to observe; that I have for the last eight years been in the habit of planting my potatoes whole in November with a dibble, from twenty inches to two feet apart eve ry and from six to eight inches deep, and never earthing way, thm The result has invariably been a m u st excellent crop, e acid this last season none were diseased exc e pt t wo rows separate from all the rest, and which had been highly manure , l with decomposed animal matter the previous year.—F. MORGAN. Tenby, Feb. 20. Gardener's Chronicle. AN ALDERMAN'S FAMILY SOLD TO PAT tits Denis. —The American papers more and more show the horrors or slavery, how it is abrogating all that common sense, morality. or religion dictate. The following is from the IVa‘hington Patriot:—" We noticed, a short time s ince, the sud den disappearance from Charleston, South Carolina, 0. a certain alderman and bank director on account of debts he could not pay, and who wss married to a mulatto woman, by whom be had six children..lt turns out now that this mulatto woman was his slave! and, consequently thr six children are slaves also! The result is, the creditors of the absconding alderman have made arrangements to seiz. the wife and children and sell them for her husband's and their father's debts!" brow:suns Coustissiorc—The number of applica tions to this offiee of all kinds since the passing of the Act has been 150. Of these 132 are for inclosures, 1 tor the conversion of stinted into regulated pasture, 10 for the exchange of lands, 4 to complete proceedings under local Acts, and 3 for setting cut copyhold boundarie under the Inclosure Amendment Act the number of acres, comprised 'in the applications for inclosure and conversion, is 105,381 a. 2r. 26p. The number of cases since the last annual general report is 104. Quantity of land, 77,150 a. Ir. 4p. Of these, 90 have been for inclosures, of which 57 will, we believe, require the previous authority of Parliament, and 33 will not. There are 9 for the exchange of lands, and 2 to complete proceedings under local Acts— the inclosure of Netteswell and Copthall Commons, and arable common fields, county of Essex, containing 207 a. 3r. 14p. part of which is waste land of a manor. Of this application the Commissioners observe—" We consider this proposed inclosure expedient, on the ground that the common rights are at present of little value, and that even in some instances parties forego the exercise of them ; whilst the whole of the waste land is fit for arable purposes, and that it will confer great benefit on those interested and oii the neighbourhood." THE BLESSING or A CHEAP AND ABUNDANT Sup- PLY OF WATER..-" I wish to add my testimony to that of every practical man who is acquainted with the class of habitations, that a greater blessingpoorer be conferred by Government upo n the working could Be arce es ,; London, or one more essential t o h ea l t h and co-mefilia4B, that of a cheap and abundant Supply of water, and that the present mode of supply is about the moat expens i ve an d inefficient that can be devised. -.. Evidence of W. E. Mason, Esq.l before the Health of Tow n e Commission. -- The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of " Natural death ;" and added, that they were of opinion that the death had been accelerated by deprivation and want of food. ,------ ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE ZTREN STEAM -BOAT.—. On Wednesday afternoon au accident took place on board the Soren, when off the Isle of Dogs, on her way to Woolwich. A noise was keard its the engine-room, and immediately afterwards it was discovered that a tube or tubes had given way in the boilers, by which a volume'of water escaped into the furnaces beneath, forced out a quantity of hot coals into the engine-room, and had dreadfully burned the head and bodies of the engineer and stoker. The vessel drifted until it reached the pier east of Greenwich Hospital, when the un• fortunate sufferers were put into a waterman 's skitr, and, without loss of time, conveyed on board the Dreadnought, siee Seaman's Hospital ship, where the moat prompt p assistance fellows. was rendered by the surgeons on board. :t w o as i ncsgat contactruusNl cause ka sh with another remain in a very bad state, but their lives Ja re ckson, stoker. of. Their names are Green, engineer, and . BRIDGE. — AbOUt are not BARGE SUNK AT WESTMIN b ST r Eit e p n r e o o c f ee t d h i e ng pie u rs p two the river, with yes yesterday, strong sa tide,s ahieiriansg one to reel com -1 e t t h e e i ybrrti)dugnei round, and her hseureshtefronrazfor coining went down bottom upwards,. irr, she turned over, filled, and the south side. The c.ttor under the third (Master Hearninanaall,h(i two ') boys) escaped in the small boa& with h . 11 ' She belooged 2B to oo ll o lr b . ric rzett , lir w ick i lt e tye s r he ß w oc as hes pr t o e ceedi.ag r, and to loaded with , •: -- - 1 Nine Elms. ' 4 "l‘ , _ °~_ i , 1 Jeintt.: he tnelifte,At -ka the act the thr •the w±j k t 4f- , a rd B - *l k s ' f the rij apl Rant vete s aya.- le pave and respect.