The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-13 00:00:00

;- .rt r,......' r.- _ . it as gr. n% in con •sheet, he er of pre %de avail t it to the r to leave t the time before his fitted the requestig state. ban kraP , Ogle , b l t m enials exam ins- course of )ped v hat these set seemed 3 g uilty rse ev br his Car. great Pro" when . t the 0 1 11, . e matuccv 3ey t ip to d that n° ques s. ask such a rtific s, c ue d he s si ` he tering t a " a on'tO CO Wbert,, i g furs larked WI Lation, an a lett ° an go d , up icr , he u p t° DA Y.) at th e 7, autrage °— A ryleben. e ; g O P P° O II OO a ftern ize i in, se fhe e, te "- at wit kle 0 near l y . eg late gd &Msge of dot. 1 6rree! nr y l°11 the 10 riling lersooth A Y ,; ) ) D i re•%i ver i of ;weer bepr-- bo 11 ° ,lied ' spr .lane'._„4 L 29 P l 7 - 1, o te, on e totalbe°P Aii • do vao re , e ver, e d i n o ► lengt h to t With his lnt y Se reCte cod O a f ' 4. OW %p., etp e roPe on the Ad soa oitteu to go o LI Pi I of , yde r„rio r. A le 00 u ` vtg to rde r ~gpo• fUrthir 30 - 1 13e/1" E10 ,13e hi s t ? vbor a 1,- - DeC eelbe6 Ult the IV PoP tu atended to your 11554). f• olloTing g rec ent ' .3°llo' 3W : di provis i vi rang, a n ✓ creating cation, by les of til ° peodiari e t sin vvb le4 :, ,bation o f m ust Also o is tore- ,need.' An a of tb ° have f rim ittee ° leyall_„ 4lr o ut if r oelf a g ree t ierYe ce in Poi ac tieg d deot„ a t , en tso.;„ nprO W " iat ion - A CO; obje ct ;;( rre dls snllitel 130 ill °I T ire be se cted ig , b ll ; alid; e l ,011 3 "" action of otee, of Pri l ,l t ioo, ntel 3a t b e ns to 11/1— • so Pal op oos t IS P r ; ur W t t to a govv o ," l' lll4P l iboritY to 00,11 3, P i g . adi d s to j a i the e c°ll - C Lot therefore ever be entered by any Church of England Ins Pector, nor by any inspector who did not enjoy the Confidence of the Committee of Privileges. If the managers of such schools desired the aid of Government to enable thm to apprentic e p up il teac h ers — to procure f or these eool assistants exhibitions to Normal schools at the close of their apprenticeship —or an augmentation of the salaries o f their masters, the principle on which the inspectors of s chools are appointed would oppose no obstacle to their appli cantion for s uc h a i d, for no person would be so employed who ;lid not en j oy the confidence of the Committee of Privileges. he oPposite conception is a delusion which the proceedings of "e Committee of Council as recorded in their minutes from the Year 183 9 to this date disprove. Those minutes contain abun dant th at the Committee of Counc i l h ave w i t h un "avering impartiality endeavoured, on all occasions, to pro tect the i n t erests of the mindrity from civil injustice, while ' le y have p a id d ue respect both to the r i g h ts o f consc i ence end to the religious institutions and convictions of all classes of her Majesty's subjects. l am, Rev. Sir, your obedient humble servant, "JAMES PHILLIPS KAY SHUTTLEWORTH. Rev. Robert Eckett, 6, Argyle-square." I) ARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. roni the Votes and Proceedingv of the House of Commens.) FRIDAY, MARCH 12. I. • e followi ng R a il way Bill s were rea d a secon d ti me , com ,eltted, and re f erre d to the C omm i ttee of S e l ect i on : o efi eld and Ed monton E xtens i on . anch ester and Birmin g ham and North Staffordshire Junction. rcford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton (No. I—Extension ud Ainendmeut). t ie " t iebur g h and Northern (Improvement of the Ferry be 4he R een i ve Perry Port ou Craig and the Northern Shore of Tay). b h : l ine (from the Leeds and Selby Railway to Gains rough, with Branches). 7 1 STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. 00•4 e following Resolutions were reported from the above ramitte • 1, T p oi ., That in in the case of the South Metropolitan Waterworks 2 : 1 °, 11 . the st an di ng or d ers oug h t not to be dispensed with. dl That in the case of the Westminster and Part of Mid- Sewers petition, for leave to deposit a petition for a ti le the standi ng orders ought to be dispensed with :—That 3.Perties be permitted to deposit their petition accordingly. p ort That the Committee having considered the Special Re -I'd 111 , 41 e by the Examiners on the Glasgow, Kilmarnock, B,,rdrossart Railway (Amendment, Deviations, and ic -"ekes ) petition, are of opinion that, with reference to the with therein stated, the standing orders have been complied fel t and that,: with reference to so much of their report as kitty the petiti on f or th e Bill re f erre d b ac k t o th e Corn tionmee for re -consideration (together with the above-men -47, °Pecial Report), they are-of opinion that the standing b °Ught to be dispensed with, and that the parties be ' t reaitt.,l to proceed with their Bill. tecvead and thi r d reso l u ti ons agree d t o .—R e p or t t o lie on tabl 14_ - ""'v-S GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL-OFFICE. 1.6„:" follo w i ng R a il way Bill s are appo i nte d to b e read a "'Aid tim e TUESDAY, MARCH 16. Ktford and Limerick. GI WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17. tdreester and Hereford Railway and Canal Purchase. iL b is t lrgh and Glasgow, Monkland and Kirkintilloch, Bal er — mnq and Slamannan Railways Amalgamation, Sale, L eme. 11,A, ILWAY INTELLIGENCE. Th e WEST LONDON RAILWAY. day u m alf•yearly meeting of this company was held yester- Re l ,' l n R. It Grounds in the chair. The report stated it `ue lessees decli ne d t o b r i ng th e li ne i n t o op e r a tion until had she to the Thames. The claim of a landowner ac e ng been d ec id e d, t h ey w ill now b e ena bl e d t o c l ose th e Atte r account with the London and North-Western Company Xtli.which the deposits made upon the Thames and kb gutab ridge Extension shares will be returned to the Iv hers The line is to be extended by the Great lre; ~t ern Company across the Thames to join the South- Itud - arn Railway. The receipts were stated to be 272,0351., lik,f of disb ursements 271,8901., leaving a balance of cash in 144/ 11 e • directors expressed their confidence that they would he hp eoe bled to int ro d uce a c l ause i n to the Act to protect the ! g r eets of th e company. tO ola tions were passed adopting the report, re• electing dirtlrectors, who go out by rotation, and authorising the ti t to pe attach the common seal of the company to a e i tors tea On to Parliame North owers to compel the Great West ei a nd London and Western Companies to carry out r agreement with the West London Company. , BRISTOL A.ND EXETER RAILWAY. dray a special meeting held at Bristol, on Thursday, the of, of two Bills now before Parliament were approved J o ! ' 4, Make a branch railway, from Lyng, near Taunton, to G ll l the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway, at Castle uurY ; and also to make a branch line from Bleadon to 4, 148 ,,,t0nbury. It was mentioned that an agreement had been w nte with the Exeter and Crediton Railway Company, thulch had been subsequently repudiated and rejected by till, proprietors of the latter railway ; but it was thought St a Parliamentary Committee would set the matter to ,`'ghts. The m ee ti ng , i n t h e meantime, sanctioned that Treement, in accordance with the wish of the directors. --- COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) IRE LATE ACCIDENT AT HER MAJESTY'S NEW PALACE. lfancti 12.—1 t is stated that some men were employed ?1 11 oving a centre under one of the arched passages o f th e 1 4 cipal building now in progress when the arch gave way, e , fell on the scaffold below, precipitating that and the Oen it to the ground, a distance of nearly forty feet. The tiimminal foreman of the , bricklayers, who was on the arch at giving directions to his men, fortunately escaped h k t irt, but th ree o f the men on the scaffold were injured 4 . : E eriously ; indeed, James Blake WAS thought to be Geleshe still remains in a very dangerous state. Clement kob N e f fhai been set, and he is going on favourably, 't t he i te sr ' s heel two of his ribs fractured. In consequeuce W et e 6 4l 7 fall of snow, the men employed on the building "en ve ' ll O ff in the morning, or the loss of life might have t oy ed 7' serious • there has often been a hundred met! em er t hi s Pa rt Of the work. On hearing of the accident data -,esq and the Prince gave directions that every ttoff2n.oe should be rendered the sufferers. Drs. Cass and the f o ste r, her Maj es ty' s s u rgeons, have been attending on The tu hate men. urt leaves O s b orne on the 17th. veter%ts.t, THE HON. SIR EDWARD PAGET, G.C.B.—This I r, e k Officer h as b een very ser i ous l y ill a ll t h e w i n t er , b u t, L°eg L c ua .rioePPY to say, is now better than he has been for a r. • ZUBERNIAN BALL.—Another opportunity ut te I exercise of those benevolent feelings, which have 44 "dY so munificently manifested in behalf of our suf -1414g fbellTe, countrymen, presents itself on the occasion of a zle t l :,, - " e u is to take place at Willis's Rooms, on the 7th of .414 11."1,. n th, in aid of the funds for the relief of the destitute wait 44 , u ch as has already been done by the English corn ""'elit',"° forward this most humane object, we have no tlp oe teat the p ublic will eagerly respond to this fresh call k th, ) s y m pathy. The ball is under the patronage of "ilidlo„,Yal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Zetit e '",., of the m os t exa lt e d o f our n o b i l i ty, and is also • e s Z tt need bv some influential gentlemen connected with `eeee,r`veration- of London. The tickets are issued at e price, and there can be no doubt that, under th e 1141-"geh,4ten(lence of the committee of managemen . t t the ar ig:::setllints:ill b e suc h as to ensure to the visitors the uegree of personal enjoyment in the practice of t. a 'll4 re creation, while they will have the moye grai kre Yellection that in pursuing their own pastime they in a work of genuine and comprehensive . charity. kr, c e „ u nderstand that Mr. W. F. Beadon will succeed ~Ti l" ve as police magistrate at Wandsworth. • ; t BOOKSELLERS' PROVIDENT INSTITUTION.— +tiptanual general meeting of this society was held on t adsY evening, at the Albion tavern, Aldersgate-street, v ery numerously attended; among those present we ale,B. E. Green, Mr. E. Hodgson Mr. Brown, Mr. 44.3,,a1r. Fell s Mr. Greenland, Mr. B aldock, ' Mr. Ives, body whicho f members b e e s r t a s b i l n i s t h e r e e t i, ted aboutin Sharp,, of andw he e institution, la.rge u °ol▪ 4 • - ; r3 ego, for the purpose of relieving booksellers and 1'41 4 4 ssistants. their widows and children, " when in ~lelie"„° 1 1 5 circumstances." The chair was taken by Mr. , 4 , o e.'`‘isbet, of Berners-street, the President of tin institu- Lee r „„ ... °4 d after some formal business had been gone through, 41 o t Wert of the directors for the past year was read by the f 4 ,Dpl I tY Secretary Mr. Meyrick, and reeeived with great ,( I ,_ 4 4 7 We are sorry our limits will not permit of more e, lta B• te short notice of the state of the institution as dis ;all - „*,'7 the report ; but it will be su ffi cient to say that iNt - r ``.. ° etnoutit granted in relief was larger than in any at, Idlar, the funds of the society are still rapidly increas i.°ing reached in . a short space of time upwards of f r ond this, notwithstanding the very liberal contri 4apj'a m the trade in support of the retreat at Abbott's A vote:44 most valuable branch of the parent society. Q t aanks was passed to the President, Vice-Presid ents , 'lido: l . 46 es, for their assistance during the past year. Mr. e Bellthe chairman of the reli , f committee, passed some sadln.erited encomiums upon the honorary medical office t keZr• Fellowes warmly eulogised the services of b , 44 ett -a 2 Secretary who returned thanks for the comp 1- 441 t. him. The' directors also received the acknowledg the meeting for the labour and attention they bad 4h ejd th •• • e institution during the past year ; .and after a eve r pus vote of thanks to Mr. Nisbet, the chairman, who hero fo remost in works of benevolence, one of the most institution "`‘l - eat,"lsioN B ~c FROM THE UNITED STATES —The A,".11 0, 4 7 from New York, Richmond from Charleston, and f ierpe o flvrow from New Orleans, which were reported at Li le the 10th and 11th instant, bring 2,105 barrels t e e- .1 bags and 2,290 quarters Indian corn, 1,277 bar k 4, 01 144 corn meal, and 23,294 bushels rice. 18nb1.414 M ATERNITY CHARITY.—Her Majesty has Lgla th a aed to intimate that she will become the patron of "tientialitY, which, since its foundation in 1757, has afforded ktsi stin relief to 346,3.57 necessitous married women, by klic Laitg b ern in their accouchement at their own homes, 1,44 q ui g them with medicines, `gbialst„,.4=dxeellency Count Raczynski, the Prussian °rtagal at the Court of Lisbon, has arrived in town from and is about to proceed to Berlin. 1,• cel °b ell and Lady Peel's dinner party was to his Or'rviPli; the t i ine ae i t hli.. i nster and s, M Lort kiand American - M inister i and Mrs. Bancroft, the cwde h Spea . ker, the Dean ' Mr. Harcourt, Mr. R. M. . 4 r• X - 4,„"lr• Wm. Hamilton, ra.nn Mr. ' Pickersgill, Mr. Barry, Landseer, Ur. aizzi, Mr. E. Smirke, &c. ard ent, att Her Royal Highness the Duchess ill ended by the Ladies Fanny and Mary Howard, t ench pes hlurrae, and Sir George Couper, honoured the For 14 3's with her presence last evening. Itt res - 3°ln e time p t, Mdlle • Mars, the celebrated t h 0 04 1% 5 80 ' bas bee!' serio . u a s s ly ill, and her malady has now be- Pe of b • a rming that her friends have not the slightest e lng able to save — Galignani. blvd.. was erro neously stated , yesterday, that the i4u ch 'ng ▪ - adi°i ning the royal dairy in the Home-park, at r, `° l4)l' s intended for the slaughtering . of . cattle for the "141 Y of the roya.l he Tilipia rystdln at Wipdsor , 4 11 11 ,,4 . a11e truth is, that the building in questions simply et: a rier N ° . e t . s e e :lo ,e r a the purpose of boiling Swedish turnips 446,', of 4 0 '. ` 1 !o 1 for feeding cattle and . poultry; and, in j."llo d h u a e a l n g . course of erection, it was erected last been in use these four month s. „ th e COUNTESS OF SHREWSBURY. 11.ev "'PA before her death transferred to her chaplain oe " 2 l ,,keri' k r 4 ° Y r eins Staples, the ' yearly annuity of 3,100 . 1. , 1 fromcu funds, and has secured to him an annuity ildAXted. her English property. He is also. the residuary n ehiP a d p e e ne of the acting executors under the will. Her "'Me re caal Property in this country is estimated At SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS, FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. TIMES.—Lord John Russell does not at all overstate the difficulty of his path when he says that clouds and darkness rest over Ireland, and legislation is beset with perils. Often and often as statesmen may have thought that they had come to the bottom of Irish distress, no one can deny that a worse than all has arrived, and, moreover, that a worsestill remains. The half of a populous island, usually verging on famine, now actually suffers that dreadful extremity; nor is there any appearance of early relief. The usual food of the people has perished, and threatens not to return for a period far beyond the calculations of man. The only storehouse to which the public purveyor can look for relief is that natural magazine created by the industry of the people, over and above their own simple wants, and usually reserved for the payment of rent and other outgoings; and the supplies providentially arriving from distant shores. The former of these is that which common sense and economy would teach us most to depend upon. But here is the difficulty. To arrest that nourishing and fertilising stream on its course, to de tain it on the spot, to convert it into the relief of distress, the wages of labour, and the material of reproduction, is at least an apparent and possible loss to those who have hitherto exacted, wasted, or alienated this store. Hence a serious struggle between the rights of the many and the rights of the few—between starving peasants and straitened pro prietors—between famine and pestilence on the one hand, and decay of fortune and position on the other. Such are the perilous alternatives betbre the House. Such the clouds and darkness over Irish affairs. For our own part, we do not hesitate to avow, as we have ever avowed on similar occasions, that at such a crisis the few must give way to the many,the part to the whole. While we most thoroughly, and at the same time most gladly, believe that the pro prietors exaggerate the sacrifices demanded at their hands, we assert with all boldness that land was created for man, and not man for land ; that landlords are made for the people, and their peculiar interests are only ministerial and subordinate to the good of the whole. A general in the field must lay hold of the stores that he finds, and devote them in the first instance to that purpose which he is bound to con sider a paramount object—the maintenance of his army. The compensation he may think proper to afford to the owners is another and a secondary question. What is Lord John Russell but our commander-in-chief in an unex ampled campaign; Ireland the field, famine the foe, and the army a vast population, without magazines, order, material, or, in a word, any other resource than the boldness and skill of their chief ? The necessity of the crisis admits not the usages, or, rather, the abuses of peace. If an evil custom has deprived the labourer of his hire, this is just the time to found a more equitable system. Labour and wages, popula tion and wealth, have suffered a long divorce, and must now be reconciled. Grant that the change is great, and what a man would not willingly undertake ; it is forced on the Legis lature. Society is reconstructed in disaster; each new birth is in throes, and institutions are the monuments of wrong. In "clouds and darkness" it is necessary to take a short and simple rule, the guidance of great moral truth. The first law of nature, that the people must be fed, and that more particularly from the work of their hands, is the clue of this labyrinth. IR the public weal an enlightened statemen will discern the cloud by day and the pillar by night through this terrible wilderness ; and public weal is an empty name, unless it includes the relief of those who are ready to perish, and the employment of those who are able to work, but have not the opportunity. The Minister takes an unassailable position when he rests the new Irish Relief Bill on the new facts of the case. He is entitled to call it the child of necessity. It is contrary to the theories of his less experienced age, and less fearful times. Ireland has under gone a virtual revolution. The food of independent poverty has failed. The spontaneous charity of the lower classes has been exhausted. The armies of mendicancy have been destroyed or disbanded. All that miserable system which was rather an apology for society than a civilized society itself, bas fallen to the ground. Politicians held it up as long as they could. Secretaries of State found it convenient, and eulogized the noble and trustworthy custom of a per petual and inbreeding beggary. The right of preying on the infant resources of rising enterprise, and blighting the first bloom of prosperity, was cried up as a sacred and irfallible refuge, which it would have been im pious to supplant with the coarse expedient of a poor's rate. All that is passed. Providence, not man, has put an end to that folly. The cottier remains without a crop ; the beggar without a dole. A physical revolution has over thrown the reign of mendicancy and conacre. There is no possible, no conceiveable alternative, but to create another system on the ruins, or, rather, in the place of the old. Time is the greatest i nnova t or , an d we only submit to his laws when we erect a new system on a new foundation—that is, the present facts of the case. Without a real poor-law, offer ing relief to the destitute and employment to the idle, how are we to meet the phenomenon of a people in the midst of comparative abundance, but deprived of their wonted food; paying rent, but without a maintenance; depending on a root that will not thrive, or on neighbours that cannot give? A great crisis justifies and demands " a great experi ment." The dictates of nature are interpreted by the voice of the people; and from all sides are returned "innumerable echoes " to the Ministerial decision. In vain does Mr. Shaw invoke that jealousy of popular interference, and that reaction against an out-door pressure, which Legislatures are so apt to experience. For our own humble selves, we can truly reply that Mr. Shaw ascribes to us an influence which we neither possess nor de sire. The people of this island, who are now imperiously de manding that Ireland shall no longer be without a good poor-law, would be as little disposed to ascribe that unani - 1 mous wish to our simple suggestion, as the House of Com mons itself. What would our words have been worth had we not known that we appealed to a national sentiment, and to the simple facts of the case? We have no strength but truth, and we claim no credit but for having stripped the question of all prejudice and disguise. CHRONICLE.—The last of the Irish confiscations is at hand. History records four great ones, which were all, so to speak, in the same direction. The fifth will be something like a reversal of three of those ancient injustices. Eliza beth, the first James, Cromwell, and William created, by successive batches, the greater portion of the landed proprie tary of Ireland. The plantation of James in the north still stan:is secure. It can bear an English poor-law almost as well as England. But the descendants of the Elizabethan adventurers, and of the Cromwellian and Williamite soldiery, had their doom pronounced last night by, Lord John Russell. The Noble Lord spoke with the tone of a man whose mind is made up. He is navigating in a fog, but he has at least de termined upon one thing to be done, and we scarcely expect to see him waver until he feels that the ship is aground. Let us not, however, be supposed capable of doing injustice to a man for whom difference of opinion cannot abate our respect. In applying an extended poor-law to Ireland, we have no shadow of doubt that Lord John Russell acts from a strong conviction that it will improve the condition of the people of that country. His sanguine anticipations, the bright colours in which he paints the future, the touch ing warmth of language and manner in which he appeals to every noble feeling in the Irish breast, and the generous confidence in which he imagines priest, peasant, and pro prietor combining to work a poor-law, without a taint of selfish passion to give rise to abuse, would convince us, if we did not already know as much from the character of the Noble Lord, that he has' full faith in the soundness of his own policy. No Minister, we believe, has ever dealt with this painful and oppressive Irish question in a more honest and earnest spirit. We can only lament that facts the broadest and most palpable fail to make their due impression upon his mind, that in employing means to attain useful ends he should seem insensible to all breaks and chasms in the reasonings by which he connects causes and effects to gether, and that he should waste unrivalled opportunities and resources in reliance upon a delusion which must connect the memory of his Administration with the discredit of signal failure. The statement of last night had reference, first, to the extraordinary relief works, upon which nearly three millions and a half of the Irish population are now de pendent for support ; and, secondly, to the Bill for a perma nent extension of the Irish poor-law. With reference to the first point, we shall simply repeat, as bearing upon the second, the amount of expense, and the fact of the existence of grievous abuses. The expenditure upon the public works has increased thus : 12,0001., wl,ich it declares at the same time cannot be col lected. A loan therefore is demanded to prevent twelve hun dred wretches from being turned out to die. The Scarill union likewise wants a loan. The Cavan union has even fingered a trifle of the Government money. What is to he done, if the guardians of these western and southern unions will not, or cannot, collect the rates? Dissolve them, and send down paid officers. The paid officers can easily assess, but how are they to collect? Does it seem likely that any considerable rate can be got from the occupiers? If not, is there any provision for putting receivers upon the estates of the landlords? We really do not see bow, if the law is to be vindicated in the west and south, it will be possible to stop short of a system in which local agency will be entirely at an end, and by which the administration of relief will become purely a Government operation, the rents being collected as rates to defray the expenditure. What, then, is to be done? It is clear that some other large measure, something more than an extension of employment which loans to landlords will create, something which will reduce the pauperism of those districts within manageable limits, is an indispensable preliminary to the working of any poor-law. Here lies the deficiency of the Government policy. When is it to be, or is it to be supplied ? September and October ... £54,000 November ... ... 208,000 December ... 545,000 January ••• •• ... 736,000 February ... 944,000 This is independent of the Commissariat and some other ex penses. We are at this moment, then, expending at least 250,0001. per week, out of which, according to the statement which we published yesterday, ten western and southern counties must be receiving 160,0001., or at the rate of eight millions a year, for the relief of their poor. As to abuses, they were inevitable. The superintendence of the Board of Works is as perfect as it is in the nature of such a thing to be, but it cannot secure the honest performance of task work. It has been necessary to adapt the task to the powers of the feeble, who without such merciful consideration would have starved. But the strong, as might be expected, have taken advantage of the laxity, and we hear of the able-bodied coming lazily at eleven o'clock in the day to do the easy work of a woman era child. This has happened, we say in evitably happened, even under a vigorous and well-ordered superintendence. Lord John Russell, however, maintains that such experience is anything but conclusive against out door relief to the able-bodied under a poor•law. The prin ciple of giving out-door relief to the able-bodied, we can no longer doubt, will be legalized in Ireland with a bond fide in tention to carry it into effect. In what manner the Govern ment is ultimately to withdraw its hand from the immense mass of destitution which it now sustains, and to let the weight down upon the boards of guardians, we do not yet understand. Orders, indeed, are issued to disband the army of paupers upon the works by succes sive detachments, but as they leave the works they come upon the soup kitchens. They will still feed out of the Treasury. Six months will bring the harvest, but what will the harvest bring? Take those ten counties of the south and west, in which 480,000 persons, representing a population of two millions, and forming two-thirds of the whole labouring class, are now hanging npon the Govern ment. Assume that the land will be generally tilled—though how it is become so, when the dismissal of the workmen is only to begin on the 20th of March, we cannot see. In the most favourable event that we can ho p e for, what will the harvest bring? Not potatoes, except a few as piesluxures for the rich. The cheap and productive potato of the nt will not be grown. The potato acre will require at least two acres of grain to replace it. But we can scarcely expect so much as one. The land which, in the ordinary course would have grown potatoes in the present year, instead of being so much added to breadth sown with corn, will grow some green crop only partially usable as human food , or will be laid down in pasture. How, then, are the two millions of paupers in the south and west to be got off the soup kitchens? Suppose them reduced to one million, is the one mil lion to be handed over to the care of the boards of guardians? No one who reads Lord John Russell's speech can avoid feeling that it does not deal with the tremendous difficulty arising from the m ass o f d es tit u tion in certain dis tricts. He expects a poor-law to work in those districts, without showing any clear conception of the amount of pau perism which the machinery of a poor-law can endure with out breaking down. What will be the extent of the ordi nary pauperism of the ten counties, if our chief reliance for removing it is to be placed upon a poo r -l aw ? Th e i r work houses are built to accommodate 40,000 persons. They now contain 50,000. Let the aged and infirm be removed, and let the flood of able-bodied poverty roll into the spa c e so va cated. Fifty thousand will be housed. One-twentieth of the million whom we have supposed to remain destitute after harvest will be off the roll of the soup kitchens. The towns, which even now for the aged and infirm only are levying 4s. and ss. rates, will be making assessments of 10s.in the pound, though with no great prospect of collecting them. Still we have the nineteen-twentieths, the 950,000 in these ten counties, on our hands. Are we to transfer them, or a part of them, and how many of them, to the unions as out-door paupers ? The counties in question have no doubt a rental of five millions to be taxed, but how far will it go, and by what kind of measure is it to he made available ? Lord John Russell thinks the sheet-anchor upon which he can rely for a safe administration of out-door relief is the local board, with its strong interest in keeping down the local rate. Suppose the boards should look so very sharply after this interest, as to refuse to as sess a rat e four times, five times, or ten times the amount of any former one? Castlebar has begun —becoming restive even upon a matter of a shilling in the pound. The local board there is at an end, and the rate is to be made and levied by paid Govern ment officers. The Balliva board has struck a new rate of NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PLYMOUTH, MAncmll.—Her Majesty's steam-vessel \ Bloodhound, Lieutenant-Commander Robert Phillips, came in this morning from Lisbon and Oporto. Besides j dispatches for the Admiralty, she brings the letters of the Oriental and Peninsular Company's steam-ship Tiber, lost off Oporto ou the 21st ult. The Bloodhound is the bearer of letters from her Majesty's ships Trafalgar, 120, Captain J. N. Natt ; Hibernia, 104, Captain P. Richards ; Canopus, 84, Captain F. Moresby ; Superb, 80, Captain A. L. Corry ; America, 50, Captain Sir T. Maitland ; Thetis, Captain Codrington ; the steam sloop Medea, Commander Hammond ; and the steam vessel Jackal), Commander Western. Since she came in harbour the Bloodhound towed from Barnpool into the Sound her Majesty's sloop Mariner, 12, Commander Mathison, under a salute from her Majesty's ship Queen, 110, Captain Sir H. J. Leeke. The Mariner is this day to be paid advance, and in spected by Admiral Sir John Louis, when she will be ready for sea. PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 1 9 . The Curlew mortar-ves sel returned to harbour, last evening, the official experi mental trial having been declared eminently successful. Colonel Armstrong, of the Royal Artillery, and Captain Chads, of the Excellent, were the officers appointed by the Admiralty to report upon this trial, which took place at St. Helen s yesterday, under the personal superin tendence of the inventor, Lieutenant Julius Roberts, of the Royal Marine Artillery, and in the presence also of Captain Henderson, C. 8., of the Sidon steam-frigate, Captain Wilford, Royal Artillery, Professor Main, of the Royal Naval College, Lieutenants Schoenberg, Ba - table, Rains, &c., of the Royal Marine Artillery, Lieuts. Hodgkinson and Burroughs, of the Excellent, and other officers. It is unnecessary to detail the principle upon which Lieutenant Roberts' mortar is suspended, as a minute detail was given with th© report of the first experimental trial. Yesterday the firing commenced soon after eleven, with shells (loaded) weighing 90016. each ; two dis charges being made with 51b. of powder each, two with 81b., two with 1216., two with 151 b., and 18 with the full service charge of 201 b. The times of flight with each of these discharges were as perfect as from any mortar fixed on a land battery at an elevation of 45 degrees—the angle at which Lieutenant Roberts's mor tar was suspended—thereby proving the correctness of range it would always give (4,200 yards) with a full service charge. The whole of the pillars and framework which sup ported the mortar were not in the slightest degree shaken or moved. The deck planking was a little raised by the explosive effects of the charge. After proving most satisfactorily the efficacy of the mortar slung upon Lieu tenant Roberts' plan, a trial was made of it" fixed" after the usual manner, to see the difference of the two prin ciples more forcibly. The mortar was therefore secured, as well as its peculiar position would admit, by means of chocks behind, to prevent its recoiling, and to cause the shock to act downwards, as in land or other fixed mor tars, and fired first with a charge of 51b. of powder, which produced but little consequence beyond the chocks being forced out and the muzzle jumping upwards; two other discharges were then made with 121 b. and 201 b. of powder, which produced a strikingly manifest impression on the vessel, causing her to plunge deep into the water, forcing the muzzle of the mortar upwards with a sudden jerk and striking it forcibly against the cross bar, on which it is mainly suspended, flattening the edge of the muzzle and also the links of the chain cable supporting it. The ship also commenced to show considerable weakness from the concussion, which left no doubt but that a succession of charges fired upon this "fixed" principle would soon destroy the vessel. This most in contestibly decided the question of the vast superiority of the slung over the fixed mortar. The Bloodhound steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Commander Phillips, arrived at Spithead this morning from the Tagus, last from Plymouth, where she yesterday landed all her dispatches, mails, &C. She left Lisbon this day fortnight, when the . Hibernia, Trafalgar, C ano p us , Su perb, America, Thetis, and Jackall steamers were there. The Thetis was ordered home to repair the damages she sustained by getting aground on entering Lisbon. The Superb and America were to accompany her to the chopsofthe Channel,tbe orderstowhich of ti c m a e p t t h a e in y w c o o u r l ry, dco o m f p t e b t e e in sailing under o r iron steamer be bebeach haatd Lisbonb en aground, beingaSnudpeornb. discovered that the iron on her bot tom was worn to within a quarter of an inch in thickness . Co mmander G. Blane, late First Lieutenant o f the S p artan, has come home. The hauled a e ka 1 up l The Mariner naval transport, Lieutenant Still, agent, arrived this morning from Bermuda with 210 convicts, whose terms have expired, under the charge of Surgeon M'Crea, RN., and old stores. Captain Frankland, late of the Alarm ; Captain Noble, late Commander of the Vindictive ; and Lieutenant W. E. Shaw, late of the En dymion, came home passengers in her. She will dis charge such of her returned prisoners as have belonged to the naval service into the hulks at this port, and pro ceed with the remainder to the river, where they will be placed at the disposal of the Home Secretary. The African steam tug, master commanding Barker (acting), sailed to-day for Sheerness. The Monkey steam tug, Mr. W. Bryant, second master commanding, sailed for Woolwich this evening. The Talbot, 26, Captain Sir Thomas Raikes T. Thomp son, Bart., is hourly expected here from South America with a second freight of money. We do not clearly understand the terms on which the naval authorities manage these things, but we apprehend it is scarcely reconcileable with the principles of strict justice for one officer, and that one too, a man of title, and, we may thence presume, of fortune, to bring home two freights in the course of one term of service, when there are so many poor officers to whom such a matter would be a real God -send. The Talbot is ordered, on her arrival here, to be paid off all standing, end to be immediately recommissioned to carry meal and other provisions to Ireland. It is understood she will be officered and man ned from the flag ships. CHATHAM, MARCH 12.—The Antelope steam-packet is alongside the Shere hulk, and is now masted. She has also received on board a sufficient quantity of ballast to bring her down to the proper draught of water to enable her to proceed on a tr i a l tr ip, w hich it is expected she will make in a f ew d ays. The Terpsichora corvette, b u ildi ng by blessrs.Wigram at Blackwell, will b e rea d y f or go i ng ou t of dock on the 18th inst , when s h e w ill b e i mme di ate ly towed to this port to be fitted for comm i ss i on. The Semarang, 26 guns, i n d oc k, fitting for a guard ship, at Gibraltar, w ill b e undoc k e d nex t spring tides. She is nearly coppered, and will be ready to proceed on her voyage about the end of this month. stores The for Rochester, portsmo So Portsmouth dly d g a n wick, i m m a master, dockyards. Messrs. sailed sd ay with Messrs. Rigby and Co. have taken the contract for the internal fitments of the new school for the dockyard ap prentices at the sum of 3151. John Vokes, storehouse labourer, which situation he has filled for some years, has been superannuated on a pension of 201. per annum. The Royal Dockyard battalion for the service of this yard, is to consist of 12 companies; each co m p an y will comprise 75 men. A four gun battery is to be imme diately constructed at th e east en d o f the ynd for the service of the battalion. A distressing ac c id en t occurre d on Wednesday to Edward Benton, a sawyer, Baker, of Lambeth, and who are the contractors of the new works carrying on for the enlargement of the yard, who had his right leg broken by a piece of timber cant ing on it. The sufferer was immediately taken to Mel ville Hospital, where he now remains. in the employ of Messrs. RAILWAY RETURNS. RAILWAY TRAFFIC.—The following are the Total Receipts of Rall. ways for the past week—that is to say, up to the date to which the respective returns are made, together with the receipts of the same week in the previous year: ,ti o Week ending NAME OF RAILWAY. 1 ~..t r,r i _ U .E , --- ---- ____ X A Mar. 6 Arbroath and Forfar ... •••••• • • " '' 212 187 Last . 2 1 , ~, 5 Chester and Birkenhead .•••••• • • • • • • 586 551 7 Dublin and Drogheda.. ••••••• • • •• • • 738 fi2l 9 Dublin and Kingstown ••••••• • • • • • ' ' 680 706 7 Dundee and Arbroath .••••••• • • • • • • • 263 251 HU . . . Assoc..• "6:811 5 5_ : , 20 7 Durham and Sunderland .• . ..... -•• • • 6 Edinburgh and Glasgow .... ........ 3,234 2.965 I Eastern Counties and North Eastern • • 8, 655 6.6,4 6 East Lancasihre Feb. 7 28 Eastern Union ..... .••••••• • • " • • ' • • 41 Mar. 6 Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr ...... 2,157 1,952 6 Glasgow and Green0ck......... .... 1,008 807 Gravesend and Rochester •••••• • • • • .• 6 Great Southern and Western •••• • • • • 1,045 _ 7 Great Western. &c ••••••••• • • • • • • • • • 15 ,708 16,075 Feb. 28 Ipswich and Bury •••••• • • • • • •_. ••• • • • 334 Mar. 6 London and North Western, Bte. ..... 35,320 35 , 875 7 London and Blackwall.• ••••••• • • • • • 701 •• • 12 6 London and Brighton .••••••• • • • • • • • 5,076 4,540 London and Croydon .••..•••• • • • • •• ...... s Li n 3eo e edl tll7 s e n ld 'a , an an ndi d Lincolnshire 1,751 7 London and South Western .•• . • • • ~ '- 7 ' 799 700 Feb. mll araManchester. . p Manchester , oh Manchester , rs tter 528 1,616 Mar. 6 Midland, Bristol, and Birmingham.... 431 and Carlisle .............. 1 7,013 14,915 6 Newcastle and Carlisle •• • ....... .• • Newcastle and North Shields .• .... •.. 2 2 °2 1,778 6 Newcastle and Berwick .••. .. . ..... 7 Norfolk •••• • • • • 6 North British .. • .................... I ' s" 1 194 8 Paris and Rouen ..••••••• • . • • • • • ... 1,322 ' 6 Preston and Wyre ••• • • • ..... ....... 5 Shrewsbury and Chester .••• . • • • .. 540 477 19 6 South Eastern and Branches ........ 5• 3 „ 5 South Devon. •••••.••••• • • • • • • • • • •• 8 44 28 5 ' 159 6 Taff Vale .• • • ••• • • 1 ' 307 900 6 York and Newcas tle .••••• • • • • • •• .. 724 6 85 8,206 , 6 York and North Midland . —..... •• •• ..• 6,584 196 4,593 A NEW ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.--The Leo Sau murois states, that at this moment there is being established on the Tours and Nantes Railroad an apparatus composed of an iron wire extending from one end of the railroad to the other. An electric current is to pass constantly along the wire, and, by means of small pistons placed at intervals of 200 yards, whenever a train is in motion its passage at each point of the railroad will be indicated to the fixed machire by the movement of a small piston, which, by interrupting the electric current for a moment, will designate the number of the post before which the train is passing. By these means the director of the fixed machine will receive information almost every second as to the speed of the train in motion, and as to the position occupied by it. It is unnecessary to insist on the importance of such an indication. By always knowing the exact position of a train on its passage, it will enable the conductor to moderate the speed of the trains, and to send assistance with greater promptitude in case of accident, so as to prevent the interruption of the road as much as possible. THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH IN THE CITY.—The intention of forming the central telegraph station at the Royal Exchange has been abandoned, owing to the limited space that could be allotted it in that building, for a more commodious and extensive site in the neighbourhood of Moorgate-street. It is expected that in less than twelve months the proposed subterranean electric telegraphs from the several metropolitan railway stations will be completed and brought to one point. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 13, 1R47 RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTE itDAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP I. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in this group re-assembled in Room 30, at the usual hour this morning; Lord Granville Somerset in the chair. NORTH Z.ENT EXTENSION (STROOD TO CHXLHAM). Mr. Ausznz said, with the permission of the Committee, he would proceed with the evidence in favour of the project, after taking the testimony of a Noble Lord in favour of THE MXII-RENT SCHEME. Lord Camden was the Noble Lord referred to. His Lord ship gave the preference to the South-Eastern Midi Kent line, because it better accommodated the country, and did the least possible residential injury. There was another reason which induced him to prefer that line, namely, that it would better facilitate the transit of coal than the Brighton Com pany's line. He understood that the gradients of the South- Eastern line were much easier than the Brighton. His Lordship was cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT, who elicited from his Lordship the fact, that he was almost the only Sevenoaks' landholder who preferred the South-Eastern line r while his Lordship admitted that the Brighton line would better accommodate the village of Bromley. The Noble Lord was also cross-examined by a Learned Counsel on behalf of Sir Percival Dyke, who petitioned against the line because it would destroy his family residence in Kent. NORTH KENT EXTENSIO77. Lord Sands was next called to give evidence in favour of this line. his Lordship gave strong and decided testimony in favour of the South-Eastern Company, who, he said, had done everything in their power to give Kent efficient rail way accommodation. The people of Faversham undoubtedly were in favour of the South-Eastern line. A long discussion took place as to whether the corporation of Canterbury should be heard as petitioners against the preamble of the Bill. Sir Edward King, Port Admiral at Sheerness, was more familiar with the water communication to the metropolis than with the land communication, but he still had no doubt that a line connecting Sheerness with Woolwich and London would be of advantage. Cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT —The present garrison at Sheerness numbered some 200 men, and the stores at present came by water. He was nut able to give a positive opinion as to the relative merits of either conveyance. Mr. Stephen Lushington had sat in Parliament as Member fur Canterbury, and was well acquainted with the district around Faversham andCanterbur,y. He was greatly in favour of the lines promoted by the South-Eastern Rail way Company. He was chairman of the committee of the Faversham Navigation; he was aware that great sums were laid out in the improvement of that port, and he considered that the money was well laid out. The general feeling of the district Landowners was in favour of the line from Strood to Chilham. and so important was deemed the necessity of having a communication by rail with Ashford, that the con sent of all the landholders, without an exception, was given to the formation of the line from Faversham to Chilham. Meetings had been held at which the proprietors attended, and the universal feeling was in favour of the South-Eastern line. Mr. Plumptre, M.P., thought the South-Eastern Company had chosen the route best fitted to supply the wants of North Kent. He believed that were it not for the technical objec tion which was raised last year, with respect to the purchase of the Rochester Canal, that there would be no excuse for the intrusion of the Brighton Company. Sir Brook Bridges considered that it was absolutely neces sary that a full communication should be given between Lone don and the great towns of Kent; and the South-Eastern Company being already in possession of Gravesend, Strood, and Rochester, he thought it would be for the interest of the county if the whole chain of railways were in their hands. Mr. George Neame, alderman of Canterbury, was the pro prietor of considerable property in that locality. He was de cidedly in favour of the South-Eastern extensions, and he thought that the public feeling was generally expressed in favour of this company. Cross-examined by Mr. HOPE—He had been connected with the Whitstable Company, and had no reason to com plain of that connexion.—(Laughter.) He had had a lover's quarrel with the South-Eastern Company on more than one occasion—once when they raised the fares. He had attended a public meeting in consequence, and had pretty soundly expressed his opinions there.—(Laughter.) The meeting only grumbled—(Laughter)—and did nothing more. The South-Eastern afterwards explained their reasons for raising the fares, and, he believed, to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. _ The Committee then adjourned till Monday, at twelve. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The Committee on standing orders met yesterday at the usual hour. The following were the decisions which the Committee came to during the coarse of the day KILMARNOCK AND AYR DIRECT RAILWAY. Allowed to proceed. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (Branch to join the West London Railway; Widening and Enlargement or the West London Railway; and Branch to Hammersmith, to join the London and South• Western Railway near Lambeth.) Allowed to proceed. EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN RAILWAY (Branch from Burntisland to Dunfermline Branch). Allowed to proceed. WATERFORD AND LIMERICK RAILWAY. Allowed to proceed. DUBLIN IMPROVEMENT. Allowed to proceed. WATERFORD, WEXFORD, WICKLOW, AND DUB LIN RAILWAY (Repeal of the Act). Allowed to proceed. 'GRAVESEND CEMETERY. Not allowed to proceed. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. BANK OF ENGLAND. (From last night's Gazette.) An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Nth of Victoria, cap. 32, for the Week ending on Saturday, the 6th day of March, 1847. ISSUE DEPAATMENT. Notes issued.— •• • . 21,993,685 Government debt 11,015,100 Other securities .... 2,984,900 Gold coin and bullion 9,445,493 Silver bullima ...... 1.548,392 £24,993,885 X 24,993,885 M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. 1847. , EPARTMEN T. Dated the 11th day of March. Government securi ties (including Dead Weight Annuity) .. 11,990,079 Other securities •• . • 16,905,705 Notes • • Gold and silver coin • . 601,650 X 35,212,174 MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. BANKING Proprietors' capital.. 14,553,000 Rest .. • • ••• • • • 3,951,9,3 Public deposits (in cluding Exchequer, Commissioners of National Debt, Sav ings -banks, and Di vidend accounts) . • 6,571,731 Other deposits •.. 9,285,661 Seven day and other bills....••••••.••• 846,860 4 35,212,174 Dated the lith day of March, 18, MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of March 12 ) SUGAR.—To-day, although there was-a large amount of business transacted in East India and Mauritius Sugar, for home consumption, no improvement took place in the value. REFINED.—To-day there was a large amount of business transacted in refined goods for home use; but the refiners were willing sellers at former reduced rates, 63s 6d being taken for standard lumps. Bonded crushed Sugar is cheaper, and 35s to 35s 6d accepted for first sort. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon there were six public sales of Bengal Sugar, consisting of 6,638 bags and 80 chests, the principal part of which was disposed of, and generally at former rates for white and the better sorts of yellow, but brown and inferior yellow kinds went 6d cheaper. FOREIGN.—This afternoon at public sale 73 cases and 35 brls Bahia Sugar, duty paid, were offered, and chiefly taken in and withdrawn. Mauurrws.—This afternoon Mauritius Sugar was in ex cellent request, and 5,600 bags 490 casks at public sale were sold at fully previous rates, and, in some instances, rather above. MorAsszs.—There has been little business transacted in any kind of West India this week, and the tendency of prices is downwards for all sorts. There is a fair quantity on offer. At public sale this afternoon 90 hhds of Cossipore taken in at 275. TEA.—Public sales are announced to take place on Thurs day next, the quantity announced at present is 16,000 pkgs. None has arrived this week; whereas the quantity on which duty was paid was very large, and a fair quantity was taken for exports. There has been a desire generally manifested by holders of Congou to realise on account of the heavy arrivals, and they have submitted to a slight reduction on former rates. COME.—This afternoon Ceylon Coffee was less in re quest. At public sale 1,003 bags Plantation Ceylon were offered, but a part only sold at full rates. RICE.—To-day East India Rice met with little attention privately. At public sale 2,088 bags Bengal were offered, but all the sound was taken in at the full value. SALTriaitE.—There was a good demand for Rough to day; and 1,500 bags of Calcutta at public sale were sold at full rates. English Refined is selling at 30s to 30s 6d. Nitrate of Soda is yet in good demand at 17s to 17s 6d per cwt. SPIRITS.—The demand has been extremely limited for all swoaretsko;f but Vi'estnlonlddeiara peaßaurmforrinhlordeiuspsnesaana to and exportation tn this a n y further decline in prices; whilst buyers, on the other hand, only take sufficient for their immediate wants. Calcutta can be obtained at 3s 5d to 3s 6d proof. In Leeward Island there has been scarcely any business done, and 3s 8d to 3s 9d is the nearest value. For Demerara the market is in a flat state, the value of strong sorts is 5s to 55 3d. For Brandy the market is in a quiet state, and prices tend downwards. Oms.—Holders of Olive Oil manifest much firmness, and large parcels have been disposed of. Palm met with little attention for exportation, but the home demand is good ; prices do not improve. In Rape Seed Oil a large amount of bu-iness has been transacted, and at firmer rates. There are several buyers of Cocoa Nut, but little is yet to be had, and prices are on the advance. Linseed Oil met with less atten tion this week, the prices taken on the spot have been 26s 6d to 26s 9d. In Cod Oil several purchases have been made, but holders are still inclined to sell at 271 to 271105. Seal met with a fair demand, and prices rule high. A good demand exited for all sorts of Southern, and, the supply being less plentiful, holders are enabled to obtain stiffer rates. Sperm met with increased attention, but little improvement in the value can be quoted. DISTRESSING SuicmE.—Yesterday morning a female named Jane Coussans, the wife of an omnibus con ductor, residing at No. 2, Cannon's-buildings, Suffolk-street, Mile-end, committed suicide under the following very dis tressing circumstances :—For some time past she has been leading a very irregular life, and during the absence of hem husband a man named Cullingford frequently visited her. This circumstance came to the knowledge of her husband, and on Saturday last he met Cullingford in the Whitechapel. road, and accused him with having had an intimacy with his wife. Cullingford admitted that he had, and Coussans im mediately struck him. He was instantly given in charge of a police-constable, and on the following Monday he was taken before the magistrates at Worship-street, anti after a long inquiry he was discharged. On the same evening Mrs. Coussans endeavoured to destroy herself, but was prevented by her husband. She continued very low and dejected during the week, and repeatedly said she should never be happy any more. Yesterda y morning she procured her husband's breakfast as usual, and in about two hours after he had left home she was discovered suspended from a nail in the wall, between the windows. Mr. Anningson, a surgeon, was immediately called in, and pronounced life to be quite extinct. She was i 9 years of age, and has left two children. Mr. Hart Davis, Deputy Chairman of the Customs, had an interview, yesterday, with the Chanceller of the Exchequer. Lord James Stuart had an interview, yesterday, with Sir Grevrge Grey, At tin 119uie Office, AMERICAN NEWS. FOUR DAYS LATER FROM THE UNITED STATES. LATE AND INTERESTING FROM MEXICO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY. The New York packet ship Virginian, Captain him, which sailed from that city on the 13th ult., arrived here this morning, after a passage of twenty-seven days. She brings papers to the 13th ult., which are four day s later than those brought by the Henry Clay. The new iron steam ship Sarah Sands, which sailed from Liverpool on the 20th of January, arrived at New York on the 10th of February, after a passage of twenty-one days. She encountered strong head winds and very boisterous weather, but proved herself an excellent vessel. 'With the screw, all her sails being furled, she steamed during the twenty-four hours 132 miles in a heavy head sea; without the screw she went, with all sail set, during the same time, 261 miles; and with all sail set, with the screw, she went during twenty-four hours 270 miles. These facts must be highly gratifying to her proprietors, and afford them much encouragement in prosecuting the enter prise which they have commenced. The passengers who went out by . the Sarah Sands have presented her commander, Captain Thompson, with a hand some silver pitcher. The Sarah Sande was to leave New York, on her return passage, on the 24th ult. Should she have sailed on that day, she wilt have been now at sea six teen days, and may be expected here in the course of to morrow. The news by the Virginian is of an interesting and im portant nature, and as the advices taken out by the Sarah Sands appears to have had considerable affect on commercial affairs, we shall at once proceed to notice the LATEST STATE OF THE ➢iARKETS. Our last advices from New York were to the 9th ult. At that date Flour was quoted at 6 dols. 50c. to 6 dols. 87 1 ,4 c. per barrel, but the arrival of the Sarah Sands had the effect of raising prices to 7 dols. 25c. to 7 dols. 50c. The market for all descriptions of Bread stuffs seemed to be much excited, but there was less buoyancy on the 12th, and the sales of Flour light, while the heaviest transactions were confined to Indian Corn, at declining prices; but it appears that prices were considered to have reached a point of unusual, if not extraordinary elevation. Many dealers feared that the Cam bria's advices, which left Liverpool on the 4th of February, would be less favourable, and were therefore disposed to ope rate cautiously until her advices came to hand. Freights had advanced, but the business done therein was not very exten sive. Engagements were made for flour to Liverpool at 75., and of grain in sacks at 2s. and 2s. ld. To Ireland engage ments were made at Bs. 6d. for flour, and 2s. 2d. for grain in sacks. High prices were being paid for provisions of all sorts, prime mess pork being quoted at 14 dolls. 62ic., In cotton there was rather a flat market, and prices are reported as being firmly supported. The state of the other markets will be found below. PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS. The Bill for raising ten additional regiments passed the Senate on the 10th. Much discussion took place before its provisions were agreed to. The Three Million Loan Peace Bill was then taken up on the same day, and Mr. Cass spoke at length upon it. He was in favour of a vigorous prosecu tion of the war, and opposed to the plan laid down by Mr. Calhoun. This latter gentleman proposes :- 1. To define a boundary from the mouth of the Rio del Norte to the pass of that river, in latitude 33 deg., thence in a straight line across to the Pacific, just cutting across the head of the Gulf of California, and striking the Pacific about thirty miles below San Diego, giving us that port and Los Angelos, and San Fernando, and the great port of San Francisco, along the Pacific. 2. He proposes that we shall fall back to this boundary. 3. That we shall keep up the blockade on both sides, and levy a duty of 10 per cent. to pay expenses. 4. That this is the cheapest and most judicious plan of closing the war. A resolution was adopted by the House on the 12th to close the debate on the Three Million Bill at twelve o'clock on the 15th ult. SYMPATHY FOR IRELAND. Meetings all over the Union are being held, for the pur pose of devising means to assist the starving population of Ireland. An immense meeting was held at Washington on the 9th ultimo ; the Hon. G. M. Dallas president. Mr. W. Hunt, of New York, by unanimous consent, intro duced a Bill to the House of Representatives appropriating 500,000 dollars to be expended by the Secretary of the Trea sury to purchase articles of subsistence to relieve the suffer ing poor of Ireland; which was referred to the Committee of the whole House on the state of the Union. • MEXICO. The accounts from the United States army state that Ge nerals Scott and Worth are to have command of the main and regular army, now concentrating at Tampico, or some place in its neighbourhood, the destination of which was to be Vera Cruz. General Taylor was at Monterey, in com mand of the volunteers. He is under orders from General Scott, who now holds the supreme command. General Wool, who had a force of 3,000 men was at Saltillo. General Patter son arrived at Tampico on the 23d of January, with 4,500 men. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert took their usual early walk yesterday, in the pleasure grounds of Osborne House. The Royal children took their usual walking and riding exercise yesterday forenoon on the beach, and in the vicinity of Osborne Mouse. The Hon. Miss Napier, Maid of Honour in Waiting to her Majesty, arrived at Osborne House on Thursday afternoon. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Fanny Howard and Sir George Couper, arrived at her residence, Clarence House, St. James's, soon after one o'clock yesterday afternoon, from Frogmore House, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge honoured the Earl and Countess Granville with their company at dinner yesterday evening, at their residence in Bruton•street. _ ... .. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Fanny Howard, Sir George Couper, and Lord James Murray, honoured the performance of the French Plays with her presence yesterday evening. BURFORD'S NEW PANORAMA OF GRAND CAIRO. Mr. Burford has just completed a magnificent pano rama of Cairo, the " City of the Caliphs," or, as the inhabitants style it, " the mother of the world." It has been prepared from drawings on the spot, by D. Roberts, Esq., M.A., who has obtained deserved celebrity for his beautiful drawings of remarkable spots in the Holy Land. The view of the city has been taken from the summits of one of those extraordinary mounds which formerly encircled the city, and which not only impeded the free circulation of the air, so absolutely necessary in such a climate, but almost invariably destroyed its salubrity by loading it with clouds of that fine species of sand which proves so destructive to the eye-sight of the natives daring the peculiar seasons which periodically visit that part of the world. The majority of Mahomedan cities are beautiful and magni ficent in the extreme, but Cairo, from its hundreds of mosques, whose handsome and noble domes, cupolas, and elegantly decorated spiral minarets, which tower high above the ordinary houses, has no equal in that extraordinary land. We are not only presented with a spacious view of that city, glowing in the noon day sun, but of the equally beautiful and equally interest ing surrounding country. In the distance, we behold the Pyramids, the majestic Nile, the tombs of the Caliphs, the Libyan mountains, the isle of Rhoda, Gezeeh, Old Cairo, the great Mosque in the citadel, and the Pacha's Palace. We have also beautiful groups of figures on horseback, among whom are Mehemet Ali, Ibrahim Paella, Egyptian ladies riding, dancirig girls, boatmen of the Nile, &c., &c. A more pic turesque or life-like scene could not be presented to the imagination so truthfully is it depicted on the canvas. Most Egyptian cities are built on no regular plan. The houses are of all sizes and forms, and are scattered about in the most extraordinary and inconvenient manner ; the streets are miserably narrow and most irregular ; but the general effect is thereby heightened. Looking at Cairo as depicted on the panorama scarcely a street can be perceived. The houses hare, with scarcely an exception, flat roofs, on which the inmates congregate at certain periods of the day. The panorama is beautifully and carefully painted, and will be found one of the most interesting exhibitions to be met with in London at the present moment. M G R is o under E W mp'sß peculiarE NE FIT. George Wild takes a benefit on Monday,—O u at oltdhe Olympicfavourite, Theatre.Rcircumstances that he makes this appeal to the public. The whole of his wardrobe, public and private, was lost i n th e wrec k of the Sirius steamer, on her voyage from Dublin t o C or k . A n actor ' s wardrobe is his stock-in-trade, and Wild's pecuniary loss • on this occasion must be very heavy. On his return to London, the theatre at which he was engaged was prematurely closed before he had been there a fortnight ; and we are sure that hi • s appeal to his old friends, old associates, and old and new patrons, to ra lly round him, will not be disregard e d. " Jack in the Water" will not be deserted; "Life's a Lottery" we all know; but in the lottery we feel sure that, on the eveni •ng of the 15th of March, Mr. George Wild will draw a prize. GRAVESEND, MARCH I 2 .--THE ----HE LATE COLLISION ON TILE RivErt.—Mr. Carttar, coroner for the Western Divi sion' of Kent, having stated his intention not to hold an in quest on the bodies of the two men taken from out the schooner sunk by the Queen Victoria steamer, and brought to Gravesend by the undertaker Odden, the latter removed them this morning from the store in which he had them in keeping to the opposite side of the river, near Tilbury Fort, where, it is presumed, an inquest will be held on them by the coroner for Essex, within whose jurisdiction they were found. Yesterday the vessel was taken from where she was run ashore, after raising her at Shellhaven, and towed up to London, where she now lies at Smooke's Wharf, Millwall. Of the bodies of the two other persons drowned where she sunk there is as yet no account. CANTERBURY ELECTION.---WEDNESDAY Our Liberal friends will be glad to hear that the canvassing returns of Lord Conyngham's committee, just made up, are of the most satisfactory character. Many promises have been received from Conservative voters, who declare they cannot'support a Protectionist candidate in times like these. All old friends are staunch, and many new ones acquired; so that from all appearances the success of the Liberal cause may be confidently anticipated. —Kent Herald. THE RENTAL of IRELAND.--A Parliamentary paper, issued on Friday, gives the aggregate net rental value of all Ireland, as assessed to the poor-rate, at ,13,167,4211.65. Bd. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, March 12. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his scat upon the Wool sack, at Five o'clock. BIRMINGHAM AND WORCESTER RAILWAY. The Earl of RIPON presented a petition from the Bir mingham and Worcester Railway Company complaining of the conduct of the London and North-Western Rail way Company, in purchasing up the Birmingham and Oxford Railway, in order to defeat the policy of an Act passed last session. He would accordingly move that the petition should li e u p on the table of the House. Lord LYNDHURST said it was a matter of great importance, and he considered that the House ought to grant a Committee of Inquiry into the facts of the case. The course they have adopted was this—out of the 50,000 shares, they had purchased 38,000 ; the remaining shares were divided among the shareholders and the dependents of the company. The object was plainly to defeat the opposition of a rival company, and he would suggest that his Noble and Learned Friend should move for a Committee of Inquiry into the allegations of this petition. Lord BROUGHAM quite concurred in the opinion that these allegations should be left to the inquisition of a Committee, for the Bill alluded to was clearly a fraud on Parliament. The only difficulty that struck him was, that this matter was under a course of inquiry in a court of law. Lord LYNDHURST had made inquiry and was cer tain that tio such difficulty existed. Lord BROUGHAM was sure that his Noble and Learned Friend would perceive that he was in favour of the Committee. Lord LYNDHURST said that there were more in terests that' those of the Oxford and Birmingham Company invested in this question. There was the Great Western Company also, who were largely airect(d by the conclusion to which they might come. After a few words from the Duke of BUCKINGHAM and the Earl of WICKLOW, Lord BE AUMONT said that he was quite opposed to this Committee, for a Bill was at the present moment pending before the other House of Parliament to enable the London and Birmingham Company to lower their tolls, "and as that Bill would have to go through both Houses there would be ample opportunity for inquiry. Lord LYNDHURST' was of opinion, that as the Lon (lin and Birmingham Railway was already in the pos session of the Oxford and Birmingham Company, that Bill could not affi et the matter at all. Lord CAMPBELL professed himself wholly ignorant of the facts of the case, and he would, therefore, refrain from offering any opinion whatever ; but he must say that he perfectly concurred with his Noble and Learned Friend on the cross-benches (Lord Lyndhurst), and with his Noble and Learned Friend opposite, that inquiry was quite necessary, but he thought that object could be obtained without a Committee. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE agreed with his Noble and Learned Friend, that this was not a matter with which they should proceed hastily. As the subject divided itself into two parts, that very materially affected the interests of the public ; he would suggest that they should refer it to the Railway Board that had been specially appointed to superintend the operation of railways. After a few words from Lord BROUGHAM, Lord LYNDHURS r then said, that after what fell from the Noble Marquis, he would suggest that the fur ther consideration of the subject should be adjourned till Tuesday next, and he should then move the appointment of the Committee. He would now move that the petition be printed, to which he presumed there would be no objection. Lord BROUGHAM thought they would be better able to consider the question than the Railway Board, and he would not give his reasons why he thought so. The subject then dropped. PAUPERS. Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from Black burn, complaining of the influx of the Irish poor into this country, and praying for a stringent law to compel the landlords of Ireland to support them. The Noble Lord proceeded to comment on the statements of the petitioners, and stated that the poor were sent over at 2s. 6d. a head, at the expense of the landlords of Ireland. The Earl of IJEVON said that there was one state ment made by his Noble and Learned Friend which ought not to have been made without the best founda tion. That statement was, that the poor of Ireland were sent over by the landlords of Ireland at 2s. 6d. a head, to be fed by the people of England. This was a reflection upon a large, and, as he believed, a highly respectable body of men, on whom he believed it was a reflection as unnecessary as it was unjust. Lord BROUGHAM had the greatest confidence in the sources of his information. The Earl of DEVON wished to know whether his Noble and Learned Friend spoke in explanation or reply ? Lord BROUGHAM—Which I please. The Earl of DEVON spoke to Order. Lord BROUGHAM—So do I; and I put it to your Lordships whether I am not entitled to a reply on a debate upon a petition, and, if I am not in order in that motion, whether I am not entitled to speak on a motion for a Committee for the consideration of that petition? His only object in the presentation of this petition was to show the practical effects of the present proceedings of Government. He had the beet possible authority for the assertion that the poor of Ireland had been sent over to this country at the expense of others, to be sustained in this country. His Noble Friend was a member of a committee before whom he had summoned his informants, and they were ready on oath to confirm the statements which they had made to him of the faet which he had put before the House. The Earl of DESART would put it to their Lordships whether they were to be wvaried night after night by the attacks of the Noble and Learned Lord, who possessed abilities and varied attainments to which many of those who had to make their defence could not pretend? Lord BROUGHAM had but one object in all these attacks, and that was to impress on the minds of the landlords of Ireland the truth that the poor of that country were not to be supported by the people of Eng land, nor even at the expense orthe Irish people, but that the landlords were themselves to bear their portion of the burthen. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE only rose to refute the absurdity that the sustentation of the Irish people was to be at the expense of the English. They had come to us in an extreme exigency, and it was our duty to relieve them as a portion of the population of Great Britain, for in truth Ireland was a portion of Great Britain. He was prepared to prove to his Noble and Learned Friend that if Government had not interfered for the relief of the distress of Ireland, instead of thou sands hundreds of thousands would have f a ll en un d er the influence of the angel of death that was spreading destruction over that country. He did not regret the part that Government had taken ; they came in not as principals, but as auxiliaries, in the relief of the dis tress, and he was convinced that, in consequence of the prudent course which they adopted, a stimulus was given to the dormant energies of the people which would be productive of the most beneficial results. At that moment Parliament was engaged in framing a poor-law, and when that Bill came up to that House it would be his duty to invite the cooperation of his Noble and Learned Friend and their Lordships to make that law as effective as possible. In malting that Bill it was the object of the Government to impose, as far as possible, the support of the poverty of Ireland on the property of Ireland, and he trusted that this, and the other mea sures for the improvement of that country, would meet with the support of their Lordships. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented a petition from the poor-law guardians of the County Down, praying for an alteration of the law relating to the present mode of poor law assessment. The Noble Marquis again complained of the animadversions of the Noble and Learned Lord (Brougham) against the Irish landlords. TIDAL HARBOURS. Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from Ely, praying heir Lordships to establish a board for the regulation of the idal harbours of this country. TRANSPORTATION. Lord BROUGHAM moved that the report of the Select Committee, that sat last August on the subject of the renewal of transportation, should be laid on the table.—Agreed to. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE laid on the table a copy of the committal of John Hockham to Tothill-fields prison. POOR-LAW ASSESSMENTS. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented petitions from several parishes against unequal assessments under the poor law. RAILWAY S. The Earl of AUCKLAND laid on the table several returns respecting the railways leading to the severa l G overnment out ! ports. HANOVERIAN JEWELS. Viscount STRANGFORD said that through the courtesy of the Noble Marquis he was permitted to make a communication in private with respect to the relation between this country and Hanover. The object which Le had in view was one which nearly affected the present Sovereign of Hanover, and one which had excited much notice among the public. The ques tion which he wished to put was as to whether her Majesty's Government would have any disinclination to state what was the position of the present negotiation between this country and Hanover with respect to the jewels claimed by the Sove- reign of that country as heirlooms. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had no objection to give all the information which he possessed, although he decidedly refused to produce any papers connected with the subject. The dispute had originally arisen with respect to certain jewels which had been brought over to this country by. George 1., and which had been successively the property of George 11., George 111., and of the late King, and part of which had been in the possession of Queen Char lotte. The illustrious persons who were particularly interested in this affair had, alike with sense of their position and the claims of justice, agreed not to appeal to law, by which they could not be bound, but to a decision by;which they would be hound in honour. They had agreed to submit the decision of this dispute to three of the most eminent lawyers of this coun try. Those three were the late Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, Lord Lyndhurst, and Lord Langdale. Un happily the final settlement of the question had been postponed through the sudden death of Sir Nicholas Tindal ; but thus much he (the Marquis of Lansdowne) might state, that before the decease of that eminent person, all the three Commissioners were unanimous in agreeing that Queen Charlotte had not a right to dispose of the jewels by will which she had been pos sessed of during life ; but on the other portion of property they had not decided. At their last meeting they had had con siderable discussion, but before the next time appointed for their meeting, one of the Commissioners had died. This, however, did not materially interfere with the settlement of the question, for it was known that they had been unanimous in the belief that as far as the first proposition was concerned these jewels could not be retained by her Majesty otherwise de than as heir-looms. With respect to the other jewelg' no cision had been arrived at; yet, seeing th e state of . t he case, and knowing that the Commissioners had been u nanimous, proposition proposition had been made on the part of her M init°oust'hae King of Hanover to take the deci s io n o f the tw o remaining Commissioners, rather than reopen the whole question, and thereby oblige the reconsideration of all the arguments which bad been adduced upon the subject. Lord BROUGHAM said if the House of Hanover had not succeeded in this case they need not abide by the decision. He believed this country had nothing whatever to do with the matter, and he thought it better if they abstained from ex pressing any ti cotphinoizilitnittiv House the arbitrators decided OttlO be better to leave the matter to - 4 three judges, another being appointed in lieu of Chief Justice Tindal. The LORD CHANCELLOR said there was no need to use the expression that possession was nine points of the law. There should be no improper use of the fact of pos ses•ion in this case, for there was no intention of making a profit by the possession of the property. The subject then dropped. Their Lordships then adjourned. -now HOUSE 01 , COMMONS. March 12. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. The following Bills were read a second time and ordered to be committed : Axholme Railway (from the Leeds and Selby Railway to Gains borough, with branches). Bingley Gas. Edinburgh and Northern Railway (improvement of the ferry between Ferry Port on Craig and the North Shore:of the river Tay). Enfield and Edmonton Railway Extension. Leominster Canal Navigation Sale. Liverpool Corporation Waterworks. Manchester and Birmingham and North Staffordshire Junction Railway. Newhaven Harbour, Ouse Lower Navigation, and Lewes and Laughton Drainag e . Oxford, W orcester, and Wolverhampton Railway (No. 1 --EN t( nsion and Amenultn• nt). Portland Harbour of Refuge Lnd Breakwater. Rochdale Improvement. ArAcrifirF HARBOUR. On the motion of Sir A. L. 1 - TAY, the second reading of the Macduff Harbour Bill was Postponed till this day week. STOCKTON AND HULL RAILWAY. Mr. BRfaiIERTON presented a petition from Lord Brougham and others against the Stockton and Bun Railway Bill. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee upon the Bill. POOR-LAW FOR IRELAND. The O'CONOR DON presented a petition from the , High Sheriff and Magistrates of the county of Ros common, in favour of a general assessment for the relief of the poor ; and praying that an extensive system of emigration might be introduced as a means of relief to the distressed. WINDOW-TAX. Mr. BROTHERTON prest. - ;:d several petitions against the window-tax. The petitioners stated that the tax was unfavourable to the health and comfort of the inhabitants. THE FAMINE. Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL presented a petition from the county of Mayo, complainiug of the wort of energy in the Irish landlords, and praying that the House would take some further measure to prevent the spread of the calamity which now exists. HARBOURS AND TIDAL WATERS. Mr. HUME presented a petition from the ship owners of Ilfracombe, praying the House to further, as s , on as possible, the Bill now before it for the better management of harbours and tidal waters, and stating that the harbour of Ilfracombe would receive much be nefit from such a measure. Mr. MILNER GIBSON presented a petition from the Chamber of Commerce at Manchester, praying for a better management of harbours and tidal waters. Also a petition from Manchester against the rating of tenements ; and three petitions from the same place against the law prohibiting marriages between certain degrees of kindred. POOR-LAW IN IRELAND. Lord CASTLEREAGFI presented a petition from the board of guardians of a parish i❑ the county Down, praying for an extension and alteration of the Irish poor-law. Also, a petition from the parish of New townards, praying for an equalisation of the rating system. Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from the assess ors and collectors of property and the assessed taxes, in the county of Stafford, complaining that they did not receive adequate remuneration, and praying that the House would take some step to increase it. Mr. P. SCROPE presented a petition from the parish of Craig, in the Queen's County, praying for an efficient poor-law ; and also for such measures as would enable them to do what the inhabitants of every country on the face of earth were enabled to do—namely, maintain themselves by their industry on the face of their native land. MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS. Messengers from the House of Lords brought up a message intimating that their Lordships had agreed to several Bills which had been sent up for their approval. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. AGLIONBY gave notice that on Tuesday next he would ask the Secretary for the Home Department a question as to the course the Government intended to take with respect to the introduction of a general Bill for the lighting, paving, and general improvement of towns. RATE OF WAGES ON PUBLIC WORKS IN IRELAND. Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL, seeing the Right Hon. the Secretary for Ireland in his place, wished to call his attention to a statement which he had made last week, in answer to a question from the Honourable Member for Limerick, respecting the rates of wages in the west of Ireland. It appeared that the answer of the Right Honourable Gentleman had been misunderstood. It was stated that the Right Hon. Gentleman had said that the wages of labourers on public works were nearer is. 2d. than 8d a day. The Gentlemen who wrote to him (Mr. O'Connell) said that this was an error, as no person in Sligo, or the neighbouring county, had ever received more than Bd.; he udded that that could not support a family with the prenent high rate of provisions. Mr. LABOUCIIERE said that he would repeat to the House what he had stated on the occasion referred to by the Hon. Member. He said that from informa tion he had received from Sligo, it appeared that the system pursued was this—that as far as possible the principle of task work was introduced, and under that system an able-bodied labourer would earn nearly Is. 2d. a day. If day work was given, then only Bd. per - day was paid ; but in the cases of families where they could not be supported by the labour of one member of that family, it was allowed to give labour to another person from the same family, rather than give a higher rate of wages than was to be had in agricultural operations. EXPORTATION OF GRAIN FROM ENGLAND, Mr. H. BAILLIE wished to ask a question of the Noble Lord at the head of the Government. The Noble Lord was perhaps aware that France and Belgium had prohibited the exportation of corn from those countries, and that there were now Belgian agents in this country making large purchases ofgram. There was ageneral anti cipation, therefore, that in consequence of these purchases the prices of food would advance, and a scarcity ensue. He wished, therefore, to know whether the Government would feel called upon to prohibit the exportation of corn from this country? Lord JOHN RUSSELL complained 'that the Hon. Gentleman had asked a question on this important subject without giving notice of his intention of doing so. He would, however, tell him what was the general opinion of the Government under these circum stances. The members of the Government were aware that a great demand existed in France and Belgium for grain, and that prices had risen in those countries, but they were also of opinion that to prohibit the exportation of corn was not the way to cause articles of food to be brought into this country, because they thought that the importing merchant, if he had a security that he could bring corn here, and be permitted to re-export it if he thought proper to send it to other markets, would bring it here ; but if it were at once shown that when he did come here they refused to allew him to re-export it, then the probability would be that he would avoid their market. Although he had not been prepared to meet the question of the Hon. Member, he had no hesi tation in saying that this would be the ruling principle of the Government. CUSTODY OF OFFENDERS BILL.—PRISONS BILL. In reply to a question from an Hon. MEMBER, Sir G. GREY said the Custody of Offenders Bill and Prisons Bill had just come down from the Upper House, and he proposed then to move that they should be read a first time. He would, with the permision of the Douse, fix Thursday next for the second reading, when the discussion would be taken upon them. The Bills were according read a first time. CAPTAIN WARNER'S INVEN nom Sir R. PEEL said, a short while ago certain officers' were appointed to ascertain the value of Captain War ner's invention. In the report which those officers had' made upon the subject, allusion was made to certain minutes that had been kept in the course of the investi gation, and he wished to know if Government had any objection to lay these minutes on the table? Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied, that he under stood Captain Warner had no objection to the produc tion of the minutes, and he would readily lay them on the table. LOUGH FOYLE. Mr. BLAKE said a short time ago plans and specifi cations were prepared for the improvement of Lough Foyle, bat the works had not yet been commenced. Now he should be glad to know the cause of the delay. Mr. LABOUCHERE replied that the officers of the Board of Works were not answerable for the delay. It had occurred solely from the parties interested in these works not having sent in their assent to them. He must add, however, that the assent had just been re ceived, and he did not think there would be any further delay. EMIGRATION TO AMERICA. Mr. VESEY wished to know whether the Govern ment had made any preparations, or had it in contem plation to assist poor persons emigrating from Ireland upon their arrival at Quebec. He believed that up wards of 400 families were now preparing in one part of Ireland to proce e d t h ere, without the assistance of the emigration committee ; and, as it was not probable than that sufficiente ywould s u b m e t o enabl ed carry them to colahcrocsts the to Atlantic, it i more t would i th th e e m re a fo n r y e be de s i ra bl e assistance upon' their te Government . ent could Mr. HAWES said that there was a fund in Canada, available for the sick and destitute emigrants who might be landed there. This fund was, however, very small, arising mainly from a tax upon the emigrants, and from a vote taken with the estimates for Canada, and required considerable care in its distribution. He did not anticipate that the fund at present existing in Canada would be found insufficient for the purpose. He would add, that during the last year the number of ( migrants to North America had been up wards of 125,000, the system of emigration had been found to work well, and in general no complaints were made of their condition. POOR-RATES (IRELAND). Sir J. GRAHAM wished to know when the return, which he moved for about a fortnight since, on the sub j et of levying poor-rates in Ireland, and also showing how the account of the sum of 1,200,0001. advanced for building workhouses in Ireland stood, would be ready? Ur, ?ABNER replied, that the papers referred to by you'd I• ~ .I