The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-01-26 00:00:00

JANUARY 4 26. 1 Mr.--BlackbOrn sat down amidst loud applause. The Tow N-C.I.ErIK then read the following resolution and pe-, titian proposed by Mr. Blackburn, As follows: "That petitions . be presented to both houSes of parliament,. praying for the abitlition of the apprenticeship syStem in all tl}e British cblenies, that the meinbers fur the boiough be reqnested . to present the same to the Commons, that the Earl of Derby be requested to.present the same to the Lords, and that the follow- . ini,cbe the petition:— . " Showet h,—That your petitioners, in common with the coun rY generally, regarded the abolition act of 1833-as designed by the imperial parliament to provide the means of inouediate rebel and prqgresstve improventeut to the negroes in the British colonies. "That your petitioners regret - to find that the said act has been proved, by official and accumulated evidence, to have be come, in the hands of the administrators, an instrument of cruelty and misrule; and, that by colonial statutes some of the worst teatures of slavery, with great agnravations, though under a milder name, are still permitted to exist. "'That the apprenticed labourers are not allowed adequate maintenance; that the privileges nominally :onferred upon them have not been duly enjoyed; that the whip is still severely used; that the flogging of women is still practised, in manifest and flagrant violation of the spirit of the abolition act, and the recorded intention of its projectors. " That no sufficient protection has ever been afforded to the faithful special Magistrates, in the fair and conscientious admi nistration of justice between the employer and the apprentice. That your petitioners are apprehensive that no such altera tion or amendment of the said act can be made as will obviate the evils resulting from the enactments of colonial assemblies, or render it beneficial to the negro; and that any act which does' ndt confer upon hitn entire emancipation will assuredly' furnish occasions of injustice and oppression. "That as the slaveholders . have received the sum -if twenty millions sterling to repair any loss which they might sufferfro(n the projected change, and as the conditions on which the grant was made have been systematically violated, in despite of the imperial legislature and the repeated remonstrances of collinial . governors, your petition ers are ent i t l e d to see k t h e i mme di ate liberation of the negroes from every species of thraldom. " Your petitioners, t herefore,earnestiy implore your honorable house to pass a law for the entire abolitionof the apprenticeship system, and the deliverance of the negroes in our colonies from every vestige of bondage on the Ist of August, 1838. " And your petitioners will ever pray," Sic. Mr. Councillor J O HN CROPPER begged leave to second , the resolution. 'He did so being fully persuaded that every senti ment that Mr. Blackburn, had uttered-could be substantiated on official documents. mr. Councillor G. H. LAwnsTic3 rose to oppose the petition on account of its iriegularitv for discussion there, and also be cause he was interested in the welfare of the colonies—not only because he was connected with them, but because he .was anxious for .. tlii, prosperity of:the negro, , and also because he felt it inctimbeut on hint to ,protest against-discussions of that nature in that council, for.it did seem to him that if every indi vidual came forward with subjects of that kind, not appertain ing to the town, there would be no end to them. Discussions •on " Vote by ballot," " extension of suffrage," and " aneual parliaments," might be brought on, and that council might he -transferred:into , a mere,frothy, frivolous debating society. He honoured. the.feelings of those who had introduced the subject in this town, and .amongst them numbered some of his heist friends; -but he did think they might turn their philanthropy to better account in those places where slavery really existed in all its horrible barbarity—to Cuba, to the Brazils,_ and to the United States, and endeavour to p resent the traffic of slaves /rather than attempt to interfere with and upset the abolition act and infringe a solemn compact with the nation. Surely they were not in earnest in expecting that any success would attend their agitation of Ibisquestion—an agitation which even Mr. Fowell Buxton repudiated -and the Edinburgh Reriew dis countenauced, though it did not condemn, tie was free to confess that it might have the erect of showing the colonial legislature that the eyes of this country were upon it—that though it had done much in a state of great difficulty and ex citement more was expected from is, and that equ.d and not in operative laws most preVail—that protection for all parties was demanded from this country. Still, this advantage, if it were one, he was of opinion, would he more th+a-costnterbalanced by the spirit of and discontent it might engender in the minds of labour;rs towards their employers. He knew the abolition act had been of benefit to the planter, and of still greater benefit to the slave,and he believed without the apprentice ship system before freedom idleness would have taken the place of industry and perseverance, which were becoming more and more apparent. He thought it too much to ask parliament to interfere in the system which was working satisfactorily to the planter and beneficially to the tregroes, on the strength of the representations of a few individuals. It was the opinion of many, he did not give it as his own, that the negroes were better off now than they were likely to be when they were free in 1840. He concluded with proposing the following resolution, as an amendment :—" That this council looks forward with satisfac tion to entire extinction of slavery in the British colonies as de termined"by the emancipation act,- and sees nu reason to in terfere now with its provisions."). Mr. Alderman SHAND seconded the amendment. He con tended that the negro would be benefited by emancipation, yet it would have the contrary effect.if it Caaltl upon him too sud denly. People did not immediately give freedom to their chil dreq, but,made aPpientices of them. He thought it would ap pear presumptuous in the Council, to get up and tell the government that they were in error; that what they had decreed should take' place in 1840, the Town Council of Liverpool wished to have done in 1838. If they wentam, the effect of this agitation:would be to set master and. negro in opposition. It would be, much more wise to south than to irritate. The coin positio.sl which bad been so much spoken of, was but a poor compensation in a pecuniary point of view, for he had known in divildals who were impoverished by the chonge which had taken place.. It was said that the 20 millions had been given fur nothing, and that .it had also been given on certain conditions. If so, the blame rested on those who had taken suanuch money out of the people's pockets for nothing,. Mr. Councillor Comm. said that the Council bad not taken up the subject, but it had been forced upon the general attention of them and of the country, and it was impossible fur any iudi vidtial to look on without feeling intensely. He did nut know however how far the Council ought to go in a matter of this na ture. He thought. inquiry ought to be made respecting the frauds4lleged to have been committed, and that for the remain ing (Wp years -he.law ought to be -strictly. enforced. If Mr. Blackburn could modify his resolution down to this point, he should be happy to uo with hint. • Alderman Buowlx siguified his accordance with what ttad.lastfallen frotu Mr. Currie. He ,wished Mr. Lawrence so • etif • his amendment that it should trine the government to urea the fulfilineut of the contract for the next two years. Sir • Councillor G. H. LAWRENCE and Mr. SHAND acquiesced end retired for the purpose of altering the amendment. Air Couucillor David HoorisuN supported Mr. Blackburn's resolutio n . H e conten d e d that nothing had been shewn to prove at the apprentice s hip s y stem was any ame li ora ti on o f th e slaves' cond it i on an d at all fitted him tor perfect freedom, but o t the contrary that he w ou ld b e as un fit te d or more so at th e ermination of his apprenticeship as if einaticip 'led at once. - I % l r. C ounci l lor G . H. LAWltlitscE here -returned with his altered ameut;tnent to the following effect "That this council looks forward with satisfaction to the en tire extinction of slavery in the British colonies, as determined h .. Y. the em anc i pat i on act of 1833, and feels bound to call upou the goverinuent to. see that none of its provisions are in any way violated." Mr. Alderman BROWN was not satisfied with the amendment. Mr. Councillor PLATT supported the motion arid congratula ted the council on the altered tone of public feeliug on this subject withip . the last half-century. Alderman So (EL supported the motion. He thought the amendment not improved by the alteration. He contended that it was a subject very fitting for the. council to debate on. That council was to take into consideration all matters of local importance and a question in which the payment of 20 millious was a questiOn fitting to be taken up by one of the greatest commercial communities in the world. He contended in re- ply to Mr. Shand that 20 millions was ample compensation. There were about 800,00( slaves including the aged and children and 20 millions of. money paid for these was equal to £23. for each .slave, robust, and infirm which he cunteuded was a very liaudsoine equivalent. It was very good advice to tell theta to go to Cuba, the Brazils and the United Slates; it was "go where you like, only leave we alone." Mr. Councilor Bot.ToN supported the motion. Mr. Councillor COGLAN rose in support of the motion. He said his remarks would have this novelty attached y them, compared with the speakers that bad gone before hint that they would be brief. Mr. Coglan then in exemplification of lireoity spoke for a quarter of an hour on the s - aute points as his pre decessors. Mr. Alderman EVANS said when he gave a pledge of brevity he would keep it better than his friend hail done (a laugh). Ile thought if the Council went to Parliament too Ireptentiv, and when the occasion did nut appear to call for it, they might injure their immediate interests. He should wish to see a good amendment offered, otherwise he .should vote for Mr. Blackburn's motion. 'I hey ought to look upon the twenty millions of money paid and the time of the negroes as a bargain. It seemed wrong to ask for a remission of two years of time from the planters- without offering compensation tor it. If th ey did not Q, so they would be inflicting innumerable private wrongs. He thought if they were to urge a partial manuutis sion, whenever the planters violated the laws, Parliament would meet their views. Mr. Alderman BRoWN proposed a second amentment to the following effect: " That petitions be presented to both houses of Parliament, prayin g that such measures may be devised and adopted as will effectually secure the protection, relief, and benefit to the negro, really intended by the apprenticeship plan of 1833, against any futAtrefiolaiion. Or, that if it shall appe.as-iWParlianient that such security against future violation cannot be effected then, that an act tnay be passed for the determination of the whole apprenticeship system, and the absolute abolition of slavery upon theist of August, 1838." Mr. Alderman LEATHOM was sorry to hear Mr. Blackburn make some of. the statement he had done. He had the oppor tunity of seeing the papers of some estates iu the West Indies, and . cuuld, therefoie, speak to the facts of their management. He. denied that the master had the power or making the ap prentice work 45 consecutive.hours without incurring the dis pleasure of the goiernor, and being fined by the law. As to the food, the cooking. was made ready for the labourers, as it always had been, and the returns gave t h e num b er of cooks employed. As to the education, and religious instruction of the appren- . tices, he could only say that schools were provided, and that there was a chapel on the estate, of which he Nitta:lll:irk , spoke, where a friend of his had seen 12:10 negroes regularly and de voutly assembled as„in any chapel in England. If Mr. Black burn was aware of any isolated cases of wrong, he should not vtsit the whole of the planters with their fault. Mr.: Councillor ltamsnuN read an extract from Lord Sligo's report, to prove that abuses against the law existed in the colonies. Mr. Councillor BLACKBURN replied at considerable length, when • - Mr. Alderman EVANS tendered in the resolution he had thought of moving as a third amenoment to the following effect. That petitions be adopted, concluding with a prayer, that an act may b e passed that will grant emancipation forthwith in everk. case in which the act of 1833 shall be found to be violated —such emancipation extending to all slaves upon the planta tion or elsea here, the property of the offending planter." The-Mayon went to the division, when the following were the results : Mr. G. 11. Lawrence's amendment-7 for, 40 against. Mr. Brown's amendment-15 for, 31 agaiust. Mr. Evans's amendment-1a for, 31 against. The original tnotion-42 for, 7 against. The original motion was carried by a majority of 35- BV-LAws. The next question for discussion stood in summons as fol lows: • 3 1 The hy.laws made tinder the 99th section of the municipal corporation act of 5 and 6 Win. 4, c. 76, as they now statid, in consequence of the Liverpool. amendment act of last session, whereby most of such by-laws are•superceded ; and the plotter course, therefore, a mending and simplifying the local code." Tbev were referred to the Finance Committee, cud the count cif Woke up at a past_three o'clock. ; On the arrival of the Dover mail-coach at the Elephant and Ca~litionSatorday morning, an outside passenger, a poor Wan, Jr, death. SIR ANDREW HALLIDAY. ON THE WEST = INDIA . • QUESTION. . To the EditUr of the Dumfries Galloway Courier. Stis,-1 have read with some attention, and am sorry to add, with deep regret. the letters which have appeared in the COurier, train the pen of my old and insist esteemed friend, Dr. Duncan, of Ruthwell, on - tne West India Apprenticeship Sysi im." That a clergyman of the Doctor's good sense, sountg judgment, and high character, should lend the sanction of fits name to the circulation of reports,, in every instance groSsly exaggerated, and, in many, utterly false, has surprised me not a little, and the more especially as the Rev. Doctor appears to be perfectly ignorant of the true bearing of the titres, lion on which he has written. It may be possible that in Ja maica some irregtilaiities have taken place, and some cruelties have been practiced. but I can assure you, sir, that, even in that colony, they could neither be so frequent or so continued, unless, indeed, all the authorities were asleep, and the law totally disregarded. That this, however, is not altogether the case, we have proof in a trial that lately took place in the. island, where an apprenticed labourer recovered thirty pounds damages against the keeper of a house of correction for putting him to hard labour when the sentence of the magistrate was simply imprisonment. I have no reason to speak well of West India planters They persecuted me with a rancour that perhaps ue.er was : equalled, because they supposed that. I was one of their enemies—int , character having precedel me as a humble philantropist, and my zeal, like Dr. Duncan's having out-run discretion. A most horrid instance of cruelty and barbarity was detailed to me in a manner most circumstantial, by a cler gyman of great worth, and long experience too, in the colonies. lie had the details from the suffring individual in a public prison, and they were in a great measure confirmed by the keeper of the prison. The object of their being mentioned to me, was to get an investigation ordered from the colonial office (with which it was known I corresponded), as it was said the local authorities wished to screen the guilty planter, and had refused. to hear the slave's. complaint. Now, sir, through my representation, an inquiry was ordered—the whole matters fully and fairly investigated—and then it turned out to be an artfully contrived tissue of falsehoods, founded upon a very trifling incident, or rather accident, that might have happened in even the best reaulated European family, as well as between a West Indian planter and his slave. .if, then, a man who hadsexpe rience—who had resided for years in the colonies, could be so easily imposed upon, we may well suppose that a wandering philanthropist like Mr. Sturge—Who went out on purpose to collect such tales, would find no lack of' informers. I never met with more shrewdness, cunning, aye, and sly wit among any race of men, than 1 found among the negro population of the West Indies. They will comprehend in amoment your object or intention in entering into conversation vvith them— more especial'}- if a stranger in the colonyand they are sel dom at a loss, in framing a romance to suit the taste of the in quirer, or to gratify him with such information as they see, he is in quest of. BLit lam wandering from the suhject, which is the principal cause of my-addressing you—the question of abol ishing "the Apprenticeship. system!' And now, sir, 1 assert, without th e f ear o f con t ra di ct i on f rom pract i ca l men, and I can prove trout the most ample, satisfactory, and authenticated documents, that whatever may have taken place in Jamaica, the system has worked well—is working well—and that to alter or interfere with the existing arrangements would be far more ruinous to the negro population than to their mas ters the planters. The apprenticed labourer is now as free as any labourer- in England, or any farm servant in Scotland. His interests are more strictly cared for, and his comforts more firmly secured, than are those of the labouring population in Britain. Every bias of the law is in favour of the negro and against his employer,,so that if cruelties are practised, or injus tice done him, the wh o l e p ower o f t h e cour t is at his command; ,find in the colonies (at least those which I have visited) neither power, wealth, nor rank, could save a guilty master from that punishment which the law inflicted. But, as I have already said and shown, that I have little reason to praise West India planters, I must, in justice to that greatly misrepresented and calumniated class of men, state, and I do it with pleasure. that there have been few instances indeed, in the inward and lee ward colonies, where any disposition was shown either to con travene the law or ill-treat the negro. It is impossible to do so with impunity. In the colonies, where the proprietors are, for the most part, resident, the utmost harmony and good order prevails among all classes of the community. Whenever there was anything like harshness in the commencement of the sys tem it was only when the estates were under the management of hirelings; and I imagine the disorders that have taken place in Jamaica may be traced to the same cause; and from these hirelings, whether attorneys, managers, or overseers, not being so strictly looked after as they have been in the lesser colonies. It requires some person more acquainted with human nature than au bon. Earl or a noble Marquis to govern properly a West India colony. Look at the good order, industry, and happiness which such men as Sir James Carmichael Smyth can procure for a whole community, by merely carrying into effect the wholesome laws which have been passed for their govern ance. Sir Lionel Smith has neither the temper norahe talents of the governor of British Guiana; but still I am certain, that since he assumed the command in Jamaica, thoaltuses upon which Dr. Duncan has so largely commented,.never could have taken place. But ought a whole nation to be. ruined and laid desolate because there are a few individuals a ho may have com mitted robbery or murder to be found within the boundaries ? Are our West India possessions to he lost and destroyed be cause in Jamaica there are one or two cruel managers? trod forbid! As well might yon turn ten thousand children of seven years of age into the streets of Loudon, and tell them to pro vide for and manage then own concerns, and expect that they would be able to do so, as suppose for a moment, that the great mass of the negro population of our West India colonies could exist or prosper if released from the superintendence of their white masters and employers. Except in some of our oldest colonies, such as Barbadoes and Antigua, the cegto is a perfect child in intellect, and perfectly without care or consideration fur the future. The present system ought rather to be prolonged than shortened, if we have any, the least regard for the temporal or eternal welfare of our sable brethren. The character of the people has changed murein the last three years than even the most sanguine could have anticipated—the value of moral con duct begins to be understood—religiots knowledge is eagerly sought after—the churches and chattels are crowded, and schools cannot be built fast enough—every day the people ate becoming more orderly and industrious, and instead of this country being a loser by the sum, huge as it was, that they paid for the chains that bound the slave, it will, in a short time, (unlesi the devil, in the shape of some radical Ex-Chancellor, unhinge. the whole frame,) be retained a thousand-fold. Al ready have our exports to the colonies been snore than doubled, while the increase of their staple products exceeds by a third the most prodtictive seasons of slave labour. Let all such good men as my Rev. Friend of Ruthwell join in petitioning the go vernment to send out only such men to the West Indies as are fit to be Governors and magistrates —men who will carry into effect the regulations of the legislature, and act uprightly. Age and infirmities are not compatible with such important trusts; political interest nor private friendship ought to guide the Mi.. luster in these critical times. If a colony is well governed unuer the existing laws, there can be neither oppressors nor oppressed. The utmost extent that a labourer can be com pelled to work is icily 45 hours in the set en days.. if he work 71 hours daily, he is employed for , six days; but if be works for 9 hours. daily, which was the term of slave labour latterly, he has fulfilled his duty to his master in jive days, and has the sixth to himself. This, now, is generally the arrangement, and if the sixth day is given to his employer, he has regular wages. In fact, sir, 4 never witnessed more contentment or real hap pines than amongst the labouring classes in our windward and even our leeward colonies; and why disturb their tranquillity? All the non-prtedial will be free in six or seven months—the prce,lial in two years, from August next. This, now, is perfectly understood by all and contentedly acquiesced in; 1 never heard the least impatience expressed in any quarter. But there are many men, alas! who think they know better whatl is good for us than we do ourselves; and such, I fear, are the would-be philanthropists who have begun to agitate the question of the West India. apprenticeship system. I enclose a few remaiks extracted from a Demerara paper, and I can from personal knowledge corroborate every sentence of what the editor has stated. I pray you find a place for this extract in your widely circulated journal, and you will oblige, sir, . yours very truly, ANDREW HA LLIDAY. The following are the remarks of the editor of the British Guiana Gazette on the meetings lately held in England:— " In zeal for the cause of human rights, and for the untram !netted mental and bodily freedom of the whole human race, we (if we be acquainted at all with our own hearts) would yield to no contender for the entire abolition of slavery on the face of the globe. Cruelty and injustice could not be more detested by any Sturge, Palmer, or Lloyd, in England, Ireland, or Scotland, nor by any lady whose nettle appeared in the Glasgow petition to the Queen, than they are by ourselves; but if the principal object of these philanthropists (for such we really be lieve them to be) be the .moral amelioration of the sable popu lation of the West Indies, we doubt much whether it would not be retarded rather than advanced by the immediate and total annihilation of the apprenticeship.. " The narrations of the speakers at the several mehtings which have been lately held at home are well calculated to rouse the sympathies of a humane mind, and to lead to resolutions of a rash and hasty character in kindly bosoms, which, if the sub jects to which they relate were better understood and tnore ma turely considered, would never have been forested. "'I hat negroes, or, indeed any people, are better fitted for religious and moral improvement when they are impressed with the idea that industry and sober habits are necessary for their well-being, than when they have no ambition to obtain a higher station in society than that of the wandering and unci vilized tribes of men in thei r natural condition, is nearly a self evident fact which has been often tested by experieuce. It is by acting upon this priaciple that the present Moravian mis sionaries are more successful, in proportion to.their numbers, in civilizing and moralizing, than any other society, who have their labourers in the field of missions. The use of the spade and plough, of the scythe and the reaping -hook, is by them taught simultaneously with the doctrines of Christianity at the greater number of their stations; and by these means they in fuse a spirit of contented industry and independence, which would' be much 'longer in taking possession of the untutored mind, in the absence or neglect of such inst.' uction. " In all the districts of this colony, where subordination, con-, tenteduess ' and attention to business prevail, these is always found to be the most numerous' attendance at church and at school, and we are much mistaken, if an attempt were made by a clergyman to seal home, religious instruction on the negro mind, if he would not find it touch more practicable among , those who are under the influence of the apprenticeship, than' he would among Many who are entirely free. It is prestimed . there are few' in any . part of this dependency, upon estates where the appredticeshipis working as it ought to do,' who do not attend public worship on the Sabbath; and we are well as sured, on the other hand, both from personal knowledge and from respectable authority, that of the free negroes who are go ing at large about Georgetown and its vicinity, very few indeed does the worshipping teinple ever cover. " These gentlemen,:philanthropie as they are, who have con tributed so much to inspire the lit itish mind with an abhorrence• of the condUct of the West Indians generally, ought to reflect on the moral - consequences of passing an obliterating sponge over the Act of August, 1831; and to ponder - deeply whether they will net, by their precipitancy, roll back the tide of im provement and amelioration which is, undoubtedly, in general, gently flowing, and which would, in all probability, if let alone, bear and float the long benighted negro to the happy shores of Christian knowledge and dignified citizenship. The proceedings and enactments of the British legislature in the formation of the emancipation act, were founded on the soundest policy, and on a deep knowledge of human nature. The greatest f r i e nds t o the unrestrained privileges of mankind, (among whom are we ourselves,) must see the direful conse quencesthat would have attended upon the unrestrained eman cipation of the negoes at the commencement of the apprentice ship, and, we verily believe, that many of these consequences would even yet be the result of its entire abolition. " To many of these lovers of mankind in England and Ire land, and particularly to the fair daughters of ' Glasgow and its vicinity,' who never saw human nature only in its highest state of elegance and refinement, it may appear highly laudable to urge upon the government the beneYolence of the sudden and final overthrow of the bondage of their sable brethren. But while we do not ield to any of them in sympathy towards suffering humanity, we beg to assure them, that our most firm conviction is, that suet, a measure, under present circum stances would tend but little to better their temporal condition, and wiitild certainly much retard their religious and moral amendment. It there be any truth in the horrible relations to which we have•so often alluded, they are rare cases.'and there is sufffeient.authority in the hands of the magistrates to put an rrtinediate'stop to them. No magistrate can be doing his duty in any..diiirict : where idleness, insubordination, and thievint; characterise the labourers, or where.sitvage, unnecessary, rod ; unrelenting cruelty is practiced . by . . masters and drivers, and "where each or any of these is known to exist, we humbly:con ceive that by a strict vigilance on the part of governors and sheriffs, they might soon he put a stop to. " if a man has been a few times deceiVed by rogues, it makes him that he will scarcely trust honest men ; just so it is with the people of Engldnd. They .have heard , several appalling ac counts of horrid cruelty in Jamaica and some other of the islands, and so the whole apprenticeship must be abolished •in all our West Indian territories. If these ladies and gentlemen wouVallow their reflecting powers to keep pace with their.b.- nevolence, they would - pause before they would be instrumental in effecting a measure which, although it might gratify one part of their desire for doing good, would throw a great (r -stacle in the way of that mental enlightenment, in comparison with which, these very individuals esteem all earthly gains as nothing. "Some means that would cause careless add partial magis trates to perform their duty faithfully to both parties—that would check cruelty and unnecessary afflictions by the master, and subdue the disposition to disobedience and idleness in the servant, would gradually effect a greater good than could pos sibly be done by the immediate abolition of the apprenticeship." ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, • GREAT. CHARLOTTE-STREET, LIVERPOOL rilH IS EVENING, FRIDAY, Jan. 26, and following night, will be perfertned a grand Military Drama, founded an Anecdotes during the present struggle, called WARS IN SPAIN; THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, appeals of common sense, or he wonld have long since acknowledged the justice and propriety of our original -remarks on the subject. But whilst we despair of 'effecting any change in - the opinions of the " simple swain" that does the slop-work of the Telegraph, we derive great satisfaction from the reflection that the public of Liverpool agree - with us in the belief that the meeting of the Reform Association was a private one. The silence of all the radical papers in town, with the solitary exception of the Telegraph, affords a strong proof that the liberals themselves are generally of our opinion in reference to this question. Before we dismiss the subject we may as well indulge in a remark or two on the distinction between a public and a private meeting. The former we conceive to be one to which every class of the public is admissible, without any previous qualification, whether convened for an in definite or a specific object. We should, therefore, de signate the meetings of the Birmingham Political Union, if none but members were allowed to attend, as private cabals. The mere circumstance of one thousand, or ten thousand, or even a hundred thousand persons being in attendance on any occasion, would make no difference, if all were excluded who had not the qualifi cation of membership. The Ribbonmen of Ireland have on various occasions assembled in thousands; but no one surely would call a meeting of a secret society a public meeting. The meeting in the Sessions'-house, to which the Telegraph alludes, was a public meeting. The de• feat of the radicals on that occasion only proves that the public of Liverpool, who were invited to attend, dis played better generalship than the faction with whom the invitation originated. The meetings of the Trades `men's Conservative Association are private meetings. We never maintained the contrary. The meeting in the Clarendon-rooms, in 1834, was . a public meeting. The gatherings in Clayton•square Were also, all of them, public meetings; but they would not haiebeen so if no one had been admitted into that area but on presentAon of a ticket, purporting that those who were admissible were members of a political club. The next time the Telegraph magnifies the meetings of the Reform Association into public assemblages, we shall put the accuracy of the definition to the test by ap plying for admission ourselves. BIRKENHEAD.—In our paper of Friday last we in serted the proceedings of the Vestry held on the preced ing day at the Church in Birkenhead. The polling was resumed the next morning, and at its final close the numbers were,—for the bill, 132 persons-286 votes; against it, 66 persons 84 votes. Application will, therefore, be made to Parliament—a measure at which the great majority of the more respectable inhabitants seem much pleased. THE EMIGRATION AGENTS.—We had intended, if our suace had permitted, to have followed up our remarks of Tuesday last, by some further animadversions on the in famous system of fraud to which the poorer classes of emigrants from this port have been for many years past liable. We find, however, that the length of our re ports will preclude us from entering at present into the details of the question. We are in possession of a mass of evidence upon the subject which has fully convinced us of the immediate necessity for adopting some active measures to put down the nefarious practices which cer tain unprincipled characters have resorted to, in their transactions with emigrants from the agricultural dis tricts- Hereafter we may deem it incumbent upon us to give publicity to the facts to which we have just al luded. In th e meant i me we are g l a d to fi n d t h a t t h e a tt en ti on of Sir Georgesu bject, Grey has been drawn to this important on the representation of the Town Council. It is to be hoped'that a bill may be shortly introduced into Parliament for the purpose of redressing the grievances under which emigrants have so long suffered, and of ef fectually preventing the frauds which have been suffered for so long a period to disgrace the town of Liverpool. Humanity demands the interference of the legislature on 'behalf of those poor pet sons who are the habitual dupes of the harpies who assume the title of emigrant brokers; whilst justice requires that the latter should be placed under the strict surveillance of the law, and liable to its severest penalties. Our sense of duty will lead us to discuss this matter more minutely hereafter. IMPORTANT APPEAL AGAINST A POOR RATE ON THE GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY. An appeal, involving the very important question as to the extent to which railway companies may be liable to be taxed to the poor-rates in the different townships along the lines, came on for hearing at the qua' ter sessions at Kirkdale on Saturday last. The rate appealed against was for the township of Newton, through which the company were obliged to admit (indeed their own books showed) that there was much mote traffic than rwr o ugh - any other township along the line, there being—be sides i.assengers, horses , and carriages—goods , coal , l im e, &c., to and from Warrington; they were therefore rated 'upon an assumed 'nett value to let" of £l,S=to per mile per annum. Mr. Halton first put in certain admissions agreed upon by both parties, (Mr. Wagstaff on behalf of the respondents and Messrs. Clay and Swift on behalf of the appellants; and then the learned gentleman proceeded to open the case of the re sponderits. lie l to to admitth having, their tw: s ibnechea the that e the ni ee had com pany s behaved nd he fairly of appeal was given , allowed an accountant on behalf of the towns hip to inspect and examine all their books and accounts. That the townshiphad in this was obtained such information as e nabled them (though not absolutely to support the rate to the full extent of the £l.BOO per mile,) to satin . ) , themselves, and they hoped to satisfy the court also, that the full annual value to let of the tolls earned in (that is to say, of the railway through) Newton was £1,234 per mile, after deducting £2O per cent. for tenants' profits and for maintaining the railway in Newton, and £7O for parochial charges in that township; the gr os s annual produce being shown by the company's books, and being stated in the admissions, to be £1,659 per mile in the township. Mr. Hutton then called as his witness a gentleman who formerly had a lease of the Warrington and Newton Railway, who proved that it had only•cost him £57 per mile to maintain it, the gross tolls on the business carried on by him then being £640 per mile; and that before be had the lease the line was kept in repair by another party under a contract, of £l5O per mile. Upon this evidence Mr. Hulton proposed to allow a de duction of twice as notch per mile, for maintaining the way, as the 'witness proved that he had spent upon it; but Dr. Brown, for the appellants, objected to this, and cross-examined the witness, who admitted tfiat he had spent 'as little as possible on the railway, because he was liable to have his lease detriuined by three months' notice at any time. Dr. Brown then opened the case of the appellants, who, he , said, relied entirely on the cases decided by the King's Bench, and in particular on the Duke of Bridgewater's case, 9 throe wall and Cresswell, and the Oxford canal case, 10 Barnewall and Cresswell. Applying these decisions to the present case, he claimed to deduct from the admitted gross produce, first, £2O per cent. as the profits ofa proposed lease, then £7O (as tweed) for Parochial charges, and then £450 per mile for the expenses of maintaining the railway, police, point-men, engineers, and the other necessary payments of. such a tenant ; and in this way the learned doctor made it appear that the ",full annual value to let" of the tolls earned in Newton was _only £827 per mile. He contended thatthe witness for the township hail fully entitled him to most, if not all, of the £450 per eiile for the one single item of maintaining the railway, because if it had cost £l5O per mile when there - was only a traffic of £6lO per mile, it was almost reduced to a rule-of-three question, now a hen the traffic was three times as great (the expense of maintenance i t h o e being in proportion to th e quan tity o f t ra ffi c; ) b u t, b es id es t h e mere.maiutenaure of the way, th e a pp e ll an t s c l a i me d t o d e d uc t (as expenses to k e ep lessee would . points ootus in plac e , &c., the police, and subject)e men whicha switches and and the engineers employed in superintending the state of the way, repairs, &c.; and it was in respect of all these, together with the maintenance of the way, that the. £450 per mile was claimed.. The learned doctor then called his witness, and Mr. Hutton replied ; after which the magistrates had a long con sultation, and, we understand, a protracted discussion as to the different facts; and at a late hour they gave their decision, — £26 per cent. for profits of a supposed lessee. £:300 (instead of £4so.per ruile) , for maintenance of the way, &c.; and the £7O for•parochial charges. The result of the appeal thus being, in figures, that the appellants will have to pay £l4 17s. instead of £27 7s. Gil. (the amount of the rate at 4d. in .the pound, on two thirds " the nett annual value to let"—the rates on all other property in this township being only on two-thirdS.) FArly on Wednesday morning, a boy employed on board the Pocahontas Philadelphia packet, Princes Dock, was severely wounded by a crook falling on his leg. He was carried to the Northern Hospital, Leeds street. During the night of Tuesday a woman was rescued from drowning in the . canal, near the. Northern Hospital,. Leeds street, to which excellent institution she was conveyed: by the ,We understand sbe is likely to recover. duAND JUNCTION RAlLwAlt.—On Friday last, a lady travel ling towards London by the Birmingham train, left in the wait ing -room at the Hartford station a bag, containing with other articles, about £lO in gold. On arriving at Birmingham, she in formed the clerk at the station of her loSs, and begged him to cause enquiry to be made at Hartford. Her request was so promptly as well as civilly attended to, that within fourteen hours of the lady's arrival in London, the bag and all its contents were safely restored to her. Vr MR. • RUMUALL'S LECTURF.S 4 ON PHRENOLOGY.—We are obliged by want of space. to omit till Tuesday next, Mr. Rum ball's lecture of Tuesday. - - THE EASTERLY GALES.—.The long prevalence of the easterly gales has now for some weeks kept vessels beating about in (he channel unable to make the port. h will betray gfeat neglect on the part of the government, if steamers and vessels are not sent out to relieve them. We have heard of several vessels having been spoken to, six and even seven weeks ago, and one in Want of provisions. hill of s'hcih are unable to make the poit. This measure .has, on fortnor occasions of a similar nature been resorted to. We trust that on this point at least, on the score of humanity.. that government will shake off the apathy which distinguishes all its movements. THE CHARGE OF MURDER ON THE COAST OF , AFRICA. On Tuesday, at the Police-office, this case Which was ad journed from the night before, again came on before Mr. Hall. We gave a full report in our last pater of the evidence of the seamen on board the Kingston. implicating Captain Cain, the waster, as having ordered his Kroolp , ys, white off New Calabar, to beat his steward. Lewis Hausford, till he died. The prisoner when brought up appeared downcast aid de pressed. Mr. Statham, the partner of Mr. Curry, appeared on behalf of the ptisoner. Mr. Hall said there was one person whore evidence he was wishful to have, but he had absented himself. However, they must endeavour to procure him ; and his exaalination might be appended to the evidence Mr. Statham.—What is his name, sir? Mr. Hall —I had ral her not mention his name: you have no right to require his name. Dl Staihain.— You seem to say that under an impressio❑ that we have some hand in keeping him nw,iy. I can only say I have been no party in keeping hint away, sir. Mr. Hall.—l am sure you would nut, Mr. Statham; I don't suppose you would. Mr. Statham said it only remained for him to lay the pri soner's case before the magistrates. He did not mean to deny for one moment that the steward was flogged ; but he hoped he should be able to prove something in mitigation of the cap tain's conduct, by showing that he only ordered him to be flogged after violence had been offered to himself in his own cabin, and after great provocation. He was sorry to say he had only one witness, who was an apprentice on board the ship, and was in the cabin at the time the assault was committed. Mr. Statham then proceeded to recite the evidence to he brought forward, whi c h will b e f oun d i n t h e ev id ence which follows. If this were the time he could bring forward stone of the first mer chants in the town to speak to the character of the prisoner. He had been eleven years in the service of Mr. Horsfall, and had been a captain five years. No doubt that would have its weight with a jury. He called George Lees,vrho deposed that he was 17 years old last May, was now apprentice on board the Kingston, and sailed from Liver pool on the 2d of March for New Calabar, and arrived there at the latter end of April. Was there on the 20th of May. He knew the steward Lewis Hansford, who sailed from Liverpool. About five o'clock in the evening he was in th e ship stowing away some cloth. The captain told him to go and tell the stew ard to pump some ru n t up; he told him. and he did it. It was just then going dusk. The steward came into the cabin after wards; he had not nailed the tin over the bunghole, he said he was looking for the tacks. There was a sideboard in the cabin. There was a tumbler and decanter on it. There was some rum in the decanter. Ile was in the shop stowing away efoth, , and could see the steward. He saw the steward-put the decanter down, and put the stopper in. There was a black boy in the cabin along with him. In consequence of his saving something he looked round and then saw the steward putfina the decanter down. The captain was in the other cabin talking to one of the pilots. He could not see the steward. He might have heard the decanter moved. The steward after that went on deck. He saw him looking about for something before he put the decanter down, and asked him what he was looking for, he said tacks. He said he wanted them to nail the tin over the bunghole of the ruin puncheon. It was not a likely place to find tacks. There was nothing put there but tumblers and decanters, and water. The'captain asked him a question about the steward, and in consequence of his answer sent him to fetch him down. The steward t•atne down into the cabin, and he (the witness) followed. The captain said, " What have you been dotr.g amongst the decanters r' The steward said " Nothing," as sulky as could be. The captain told him he had, that he had been drinking. The steward denied this, and said he had not. The captain asked him would he tell a wilful lie to his face. The steward said he was not telling a lie. The captain then struck him with a small cat made of fishing line, over one of the shoulders, and said, " Oh, you'll tell a lie, will you! I will make you tell the truth." The steward said "he was a hard working man, and he would he d—d if he would be imposed on," and seized the captain with his left band to his neck and his right hand to his knee. He moved his right hand and laid hold of the captain's privates, and lifted him np and hove him down against the door heavily - , and the steward fell with him, the steward being uppermost. The captain's head struck against the door-handle and key. His head was wounded by it, and he tiled much. The wound was about one inch and a half in size. The steward still kept his hands where he had Stated, and the captain was not able to speak plain; he said " Kroo," which witness understood to mean that he was to call for the Krooboys. He called the Krooboys, named Walker anti Grey. Walker was at the gangway trying palm oil. He was not landing front a boat. Witness went back into the cabin. The pilot was in this cabin before the Kroobays came. He was a black man, and did not come home with them. Wit ness and the pilot pulled the steward off the captain; they were not able to pull him off. The Krooboys came down in about two minutes, and pulled the steward off with some difficulty. The steward was a stout man. When they go: him off they took him on deck. and he resisted, and tried to get back to the cap tain, but the Krooboys prevented him. They then took him on deck. The captain had the print of the stewards hands on his neck, and his face was of a blue colour. He appeared to he in pain, and sat down. He soon afterwards went on deck; in two or three minutes, and witness followed him. The steward was opposite the cabin Omit when they went on deck; the Kroobovs were holding him and had him down, and kept him down. The captain ordered them to flog hm. The Kroobovs flogged him. Walker and Grey and two other boys came in about five minutes time. They at first held him, and the captain told him to let him go, and they did. He did not get up; be could not rise, he was in too great a pail). They let him. go in about eight minutes. The flogging continued a quarter of an hour. Five persons flagged him, and the captain made six. He did not see the captain knock him down with the butt end of a cat, but he saw the captain kicking him. He saw one of the boys that was flogging him strike him on the face, the boy's name was Dogabow. He and the steward had not been on good terms. The steward died soon afterwards; he was almost dead when they had done. He was buried in the morning. That was not the usual time of burying. They bury people as soon as they die. He was examined before Captain Dawson, and Captain Hemmingway. Before he was examined no threats were made to hint, and none to any of the men that he heard. Captain Grant was on board, and present during the examination. He was the Captain of the Heyworth, and took part in the examination. He was examined. that was all. Witness was examined by Mr. Dawson and Mr. klemmingway. Nobody else interfered in the examination. Captain Caln was present walking about in the cabin, but did not take a part in the examination. A fortnight or three weeks after the affair the captain was taken ill, but not sooner. He bad a touch of the fever before. He had never had any difference with the steward until the steward attacked him. He never saw the captain be have unkind to him beftire. At the time of the flogging the pilot's canoe was alongside with two boys natives, in. The most that were hogging him at one time were five, who were flogging him nearly all the time, two had cats, and the others had pieces of , lead line. During the time of the hogging he heard the the captain call the steward " a son of a to come and attack him in his own cabin." He did not hear bim say more than that. He bad once said that he did nut hear the captain use violent language. The boy having been admonished by Mr. Hall to speak out boldly, and tell the truth, was examin.ti by Mr. H A Lt.—The scuffle took place about four O'clock in the afternoon. The deck was three steps from the cabin. It war by the captain's order that the Kroomen dragged the steward out. He did not tell them what they were to do with him. Ihe Kroonaeu began to flog him after they had let him go, when he was too weak to get up, by the captain's orders. The same men flogged him again. The captain said "pay him well." They flogged him for about seven minutes more. He saw the capt a i n ki ck hi nt w hi le t h e y were fogging him many times, in all parts, whenever he eould get a chance at him. lie never heard the captain say " kill hint, kill him:" he said " pay him well " When the boy was flogging him on the face the steward said " Oh, my eyes " The captain, at that lime, was standin g quite c l ose to him. H e saw some rope en ds used in beating the loan, besides eats and lead lines. The second mate used a rope's end two or three times, and he gave it to one of the pull-away boys, and he continued to use it. The second mate brought the lead lines to flog him by the captain's order. All the time they were flogging him his shirt and singlet were off his back, and his back was quite bare. The captain ordered his shirt and singlet to be taken off. They flogged him a little time with his shirt and singlet us, and then the captain made them take it off. He did not see his body before he was buried for fear of getting the cat himself. He remembered seeing his head near a hook while on the deck, and the captain kicking his head on the hook. There was a cut on each side of his head with the hook. boos acre pot on his hands when he was ding, by the carpenter, by the captain's orders. He did not move afterwards. The ship arrived here on new year's day. He mentioned what he had seen done to the man after they had arrived. A gentleman came to him, and asked him. He never told any one to the best of his recol lection the flogging lasted half au hour to th ree quar t ers o f a n hour. He never recollected seeing inspector Tyrell. He re- membered telling the same gentleman he before mentioned, that they were all afraid of speaking the truth, when they had been examined. He never told any one that ho beard the cap tain tell the black boy to cut him over the eye. He saw him after he was dead. His face, and neck, and eyes were all swol len. Dogabow who flogged him on the eyes, was a Calabar boy. By Mr. Statharn.—Dogabow belonged to the ship at that time; no other person from Calabar flogged him. The steward did not appear to be sober when he Came to look for tacks. Mr. Hall inquired what other evidence Mr. Statham had Mr. Statham said he had only the evidence or ChelLciWan. Mr. Hall said The did not know how to aihninster an oath to the black man; he would rather leave it to the judges. Mr. Statham said, perhaps Mr. Hall would try to make him understand the nature of an oat h. Mr. Hall said he felt some difficulty about it, because ke was quite aware that the oaths differed very touch; there were some of them of a less binding nature than others. He thought if they meant to have the man examined, they , had better have him examined in London, and let the court determine in what way his conscience was to be hound. Mr..Curry.—Onlv if you could arrive at th e manner of ad ministering an oath to him you might determine on committing the prisoner for .felony only, which was of importance for the captain. Mr. Hall.—After your last evidence ! Mr. Curry.—Well, if you are determined to commit him. Mr. think you had better reserve this evidence for the Central Criminal Court. Mr. Curry.—Don't you think, on the evidence of the last witness, we have shown sufficient provocation 'to reduce the charge to manslaughter. Mr. Hall.-1 wish to abstain from all comment, because the charge is one of the most painful and distressing nature. But I stiti feel inclined, as I before told you, to commit him to take his trial on the charge of murder. lam not working any in justice to him in so doing, for a man may be guilty of man slaughter committed for murder. But I think it would not do for ins to determine on such a case; I must leave it to higher authority. It is my duty, I think, to send him for the higher offence, leaving, it to the Central Criminal Court, whether to be found guilty of murder or manslaughter. should, therefore, commit him to take his trial far murder. Mr. Curry said they had endeavoured to get the evidence of the surgeodwho had examined the body, who would prove that his wounds were not sufficient to cause death. They were told be was in the Isle of Man, but they had sot been able to find him. Did Mr. Ilall think the prisoner could be admitted to unexceptionable bail? Mr. Hall.—Oh, no, 1 cannot hear of it. My mind is per fectly made up about that. I should require bail of an enor_ twins amount. Mr. Curt-.—l dare say we could get it. Mr. Hall.—No, my mind is made up; I yvoe't {lsar of it. I feel it my duty to bind Mr. Horstall, the toaster of the boy, over, for the boy's appearance to give evidence. Mr. Curry said he would acquaint Mr. Horsfall with his de termination, ►hough they should take'the boy up. Mr. Hall then gave the usual caution to the prisoner, ant to say anything which might criminate himself, as it would be taken down, and then asked him if he chose to say anything? The prisoner, after conferring with his attorney,dectined sav ing anything. He was then committited to take his trial at the next Central Criminal Court for .►larder. [The court ruse at a quarter past five o'clock.] ACCIDENT TO THE N.W. LIGHT SHI As the Independence was leaving this port on Wed she ran foul of the N.W. Light Ship. The following is. master's report to the Dock Committee:— " Meteor, 2-Ith Jan., 1838. " I have to report to you that the American packet-ship In dependence, of New York. has run foul of the N.W. Light Ship at noon to-day, in coming out of Liverpool. The day was quite clear. She ran right stem into us, blowing strong from the 6.E.. stove our larboard bow in, completely started the plank, carried away the timber-beaus, night-heads, staunch eons, sprung the bowsprit, carried away the fore shrouds, in jured the foremast, if nut sprung it, and left her bower anchor on our larboard bow. The ship ❑ever so much as hove to, to see whether we were going down or were adrift, but carried oa right before the wind. The lanterns are not the least injured, and the moorings held, but I think the vessel has gone a little to the westward, owing to the chains being dragged out of the mud. I have nailed canvas and tarpaulings all over the bow, to prevent water from coming in, but she won't be safe if the wind comes to Le westward and heavy, for if the canvas washes off she witl be all open forward, and we shall not be able to keep her free. She is quite free at present. All the injured part is above water. 1, and all the men, stood on the fore grating long before the ship came near us, waving with my hat and shouting to him to keep away, but all in vain. There were two men standing on her forecastle long before she struck us. (Signed) JOHN JONES, Master." The Independence proceeded, and was off Hob bead 61 hours after leaving the dock. LOSS OF THE KILLARNEY STEAMER, AND OF TWENTY-FOUR LIVES. (From the Curk Constitution.) One of the most calamitous occurrences that we have for a long time had to deplore, took place on our coast on Saturday —we mean the total destruction of the Killarney Steamer, and the loss of not fewer than iwenty-four lives. The Killarney, which belonged to the City of Bristol Company, left this on Friday morning for Bristol, but, the weather being very tem pestuous, she only made Poorhead, awl was obliged to return to harbour. She put off again that evening about 5 o'clock, and got abreast of Youghal. Here she was found so " labour some." that a number of pigs were thrown overboard for the purpose of lightening her, and it was deemed advisable to try and regain the harbour. '['hey could out, however, keep full steam on her, for she had been leaking, and the water had so increased iu the hold in which the coals were kept, that they became quite wet and would not burn freely. There were dry coals in the fore cabin, but they were not easily procurable. .From 4 o'clock on Saturday morning, they could scarcely keep any steam up, and in 12 hours after—about 4 o'clock:in the evening —she struck on a rock under the Rennies, near Curhine' and about two miles from Roberts' Cove. It wo'ald seem im possible to account fur her reachrng this coast, and it is said that all endeavours were made to keep her then off the land. The sails were spread, but they were shivered to atoms. When she struck, the anchor was let go, and the vessel swung round and touched a large rock that rose a considerable height above the level of the sea. The people on the cliffs, seeing her ap proach the danger, called out, but their calls, if heard, could not be attended to. The rock against which she swung was in the centre of a bay, the jutting promonbiries of which are perhaps a mile apart. The rock is about 200 yards from the cliff, (there is no beach.) and the cliff, which is quite perpen dicular, is about 600 yards above the sea. On her striking, twenty-one persons acre able to reach the rock, when immedi ately the vessel and all that remained in her went down! Thoee who got on the rock were—Mr. Bailey, the Captain ; George Rose, mate; Win. Hancock, seamen; John Price, Ditto; John Champion, ditto; Cbas. Goodlin, ditto; George Porter, coal-trimmer; Chas. Atfel, seamen; Win. Peterson, ditto; two engineers, Scotchrnen ; the cook, a black; James Archer, seaman; Richard Reed, ditto; the stewardess; a young boy intenued for a steward; a bov in care of pigs; Johtt Ward, head steward, and his brother; Mr. John Collis, of Castlecooke; Mr. Thomas Foster, of Ballyinaloo; Dr. Spo lasco; a woman whose name could not be learned; a sea man, who was afterwards drowned in trying to swim ashore. Of those perished, the head steward - and his brother, the stewardess, the boy intended for a steward, and the boy in care of pigs, the seaman who tried to swim ashore, and poor young Foster. He a nd M r . C o lli s were apprent i ces of Mr. Richard Beamish, the engineer, and were going over to him. 'Mr. Foster, while on the rock, slipped; Mr. Collis made a grasp to save him, and the lad, seeing his danger, sprang upwards. He rose three feet of the rock, but he fell on his head, and Mr. Collis says he h .ard his neck crack, and he tumbled into the sea ! He was second son of the late Clement Foster, Esq., of Ballvmaloo, and nephew of John Cuthbert Kearney, Esq., of Motifieldstown. Mr. Kearney, and Mr. Foster, his brother, were at the scene of desolation yesterday morning; they had not heard of the wreck till then, and their feelings we leave our readers to imagine. Mr. Collis, is the third son of William Collis, Esq., Castlecooke. Foul - Seen were rescued from the rock, but one of them died (a carpenter) soon after he was got on shore. The great diffiulty was to get a rope to reach th em . On Sunday, ducks with rapes fastened to them were sent out— only one reached, and that they were not able to catch. Wire was attached to ballets, and rope to the wire, and sundry shots were tired, but without the tops reaching tie unfortunate peo ple. The gentry around were all present giving their assis tance :—Captain Knolles, of Oatlands, and his son, Richard Knolles, Esq., George Daunt, Esq., and Arthur Daunt, Esq., of Newbro', Dr. M'Derrnott, Charles Newenham, Esq., Mr. Hull, of the Coast Guard, at Robert's Cove, and his brother— and, "though last, not least," Lady Roberts, of Britfieldstown. Nothing could exceed her ladyship's attention to the sufferert when rescued—Sir Thomas was not at home. On Sunday, when all fforts to reach them with a rope by the above-mentioned means, were found vain, Mr. Hull, brother to the officer of Coast-guard, suggested the fastening e long rope to one part of tke Promontory, and carrying it along the beach to the other side, until a rope, dependent from the middle of it, was brought within reach of those on the rock. '['his was effected, but the dependent rope was so weak, arid it was so late—then after 4 o'clock, and just dark—that it was necessary to give over further exertions for that evening, and, direful as was the alternative, leave the sufferers exposed to the fury of another night. The night, however, was not so tem pestuous as the preceding, and at daylight many were on the spot to give their assistance, Lady Roberts amongst the fi►st. On going away at night the rope was left extended as we have described, and ready for operations in the morning; but during the night some inhuman wretches cut the rope and carried it off ! ! - On Monday morning captain Manby's Life Preserving Ape pantos was brought from Kinsale, but the same difficulty wee experienced in reaching the rock with the rope. Shots wer again fired from guns aad small cannori brought for the purpose but without success, and Mr Hull's plan was again resorted to. This suoceeded; captain Manby's apparatus was affixed to the centre rope, about I l o'clock, Iwo loaves of bread, and a little wine and spirits were lowered to them—the first they had par taken of since Friday. After refreshing themselves, they were hauled up in the cradle, one by one, the woman first. The following were those drawn sp—Mr. Collis, Doctor Spolaseo. a woman, passengers; the Captain; George Rose, mate; Wm. Hancock, John Price, John Champion, Charles Goodlin, James Atfel, and Wm. Paterson, seamen; George Porter, coal-trimmer, and James Mason, carpenter, who died soon after. _ _ They were all put into neighhooring cottages, and attended to under the immediate superintendence of Lady Roberts, who provided them with covering, gruel and other nourishing drink. Dr. fit' Dermott, and indeed all in the vicinity, were most at tentive. Mr. Collis, who appeared to have suffered less than would have been supposed, was taken to Britfieldstown, Sir Thos. Roberts's; and the captain to the Water Guard Station; the rest were cninfortahlv provided for, and seldom were indi- Nidwils more in want ofit, the, having beer the whole of Saturday night, (and a most dreadful night it was,) all Sunday, and Sun , day night, exposed to both winds and waves—besides which they were wet before they left the vessel. The woman who lay on the rock and was rescued, had on her nothing but her night dress and a small handkerchief. The stewardess was washed ashore with only buskins on her. Mrs. Morris, whose husband, is among the dead, had two stays, on. and 180 sovereigns stitched between the linings. These were riled when she floated ashore, as well as some rings that were on her fingers! Inhuman as this act may appear, we cannot marvel at it, after the cutting and making off with the rime that was intended as the means of sav ing from death 14 suffering fellow-beings. The Cabin Passengers were—Robert Laws, Esq.. and his wife; Thos. Foster, Esq.; John Collis, Esq.; Mr. Nicolai (or Nichol), we are not sure which,) 99th refit.; Dr. Spolasco and son: _ The fate of Mr. and Mrs. La we and young Mr. Foster is de plo►ed by every one to whoop it has been mentioned. Mr. Laws had tarried with him throu..:ll lite the respect and esteem, not merely of his mercantile brethren, bet of all who knew him. HAe never reached the rock —bis lady , we understand, did, but did sot long survive her husband. A sea, according to one report, washed her off—aeccorillog to another, she dropped from the rock and sank. Mr. poster's fat*, when all seemed safe, we have already described. Mr. Nichol, er Nicolai, was not seen after the vessel struck. The •names of the deck passengeis we have been unable to ascertain. Two of them were the Dean named Morrison and his wife, mentioned above. There were 6 others, besides 6 persons in charge of pigs. The crew, including the Captain and mate, were ahont eightee❑ in •umber. Altogether, there were 37 persons on hoard. Thirty-seyen human beings alive and well oe Saturday morniug, aed now four and twenty of them in eternity ! The crew were nearly all from the aeiglthourbood of Bristol. The cargo consisted principaliy of Boar, butter, leather, and pits, and must have been valuable. Of tie pigs, of which there were 650 on hoard, 108 belonged to the Messrs. Adams of Blackpool; 2011 to a poor man named Michael Murphy, who some time ago lost 300 on board one of tie London vessels, and 70 to a woman of the name of Sullivan. The vessel, we under stand, was worth about £lO,OOO. Altogether it is a most calamitous affair. The country-people, however, are endeavour ing to turn it to account. In every direction they ate to be seen moving off with pigs' heads, hams, &c., under their arms. The only part of the vessel now visible, is the top of the Engine. which lies adjacent to the rock. Mr. Beale. Mr. M. H. Conway, and Mr. Robinson, of the St. George Company, went down to render their assistance immediately on the news of the disaster reaching Cork. Mr. G. ETToN's C O NCEIIT.—VIII9 gentleman's concert was held on Wednesday, in Mr. Lasselt's Saloon, St. Anne's, and we were glad to see that he had so crowded ae audience. We have not space for a lengthened critique, but we may state that the choruses were very excellent, as also were sonic of the glees. An aria curia solo on the violin, by Mr. Eyton, was loudly ap plauded, and the glee of " Hail smiliag, more," was cleverly played on four trombones, and met with hearty approbation. • THI ROYAL AMPHITHEATER. —We see that Mr. Bates, the spirited manager of this theatre, bus announced that he will devote the procee4s of his louse on next Thursday evening, for the benefit of the Soup Charily for the Lour. It does Mr. Bates intioite credit, and v%e hope, for Ike sake of the charity, he will have a crowded louse. HER MAJESTY THE QUEIIN. - Mr. Lacy, Bold-street, has on view at present, an etching which will well repay anyone the trouble of inspecting. It represents her Majesty in her robes of state, as she appeared when she when to prorogue the first • parliament. The countenance is radiant with rnajesty, and the figure beams with grace: the drapery is thrown with the most consumate taste. It is a magnificent work of art. The origi nal was painted by Chalon, the present engraving is by Cousins. EMPEROR WHEAT.—We perceive by an advertisement, that Mr. Pollard, of Thorney, the discoverer of the celebrated Chevalier Wheat, has introduced, another new sort, which even excels the Chevalier in point of quality, it is called the Emperor Wheat, we certainly or% er saw finer grain. and we have no doubt from the high testimonials of its merits, that it is really as productive as stated, - - • Should the rumoured union between the AlarTlis of Douro and Miss Burdett Coutts take place, the sf.cond Dyke of Wel lington will be the fist in Health, as the first has been in funs: and glory. A vobig member of convocation at Oxford, not satisfied Irak giving himself that desiguatiou, at the ond of a loti desertatiott In a provincial journal ; sigus b►naeelf " A Distincitunetliso r4gAtzZi" OR, CA RUSTS AND CHRISTiNOS ! Aided by the appearance and varied evolutions of the Regular Military. Scenes in the Circle—Arab and Bedouin Exer c i ses . _ _ After which an - Equestrian Nursery' Tale, called Jack the Giant Killer. The whole to conclude with the Laughable , Burletta, called A, FLIGHT TO AMERICA. The public are respectfully infortiWthat a BENEFIT will be given hivtlie SUFFERING POOR, on THURSDAY NEXT, February 1, 1838, on which occasion the Profits that may arise from the liberality of the visitor will be given for that benevo lent purpose. Prices of admission—Dress Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 25.; Lower Gallery, Is.; Upper Gallery, 64: Children, half price, from the commencement, the'BOie‘ and v Pif only. Second Price at Half : past Eight o'clock: Boxes, Is. 6d. ; Pit, Is.; Galleries, 6d.—Box Office open every day from Eleven till Three o'clock, when Mr. HALE will be in attendance. Doors open at Six o'clock, and the Performance begins at half-past. Private Boxes may be had nightly for Parties, at 21s. and 425. Instructions in the Art of , Riding Given. Rid'ng Master, Mr. Ginnett. Terms may be known on application at the Amphitheatre. Proprietor, M r. BATES. Stage Manager, Mr. NEVILLE. TO CORRESPONDENTS. We have received the following donation to the fund for pro viding soup for the distressed poor. Messrs. Rubinson,, and Girvin, £lO. Tirie iLibErpool FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY 26, 1838. n- The Publication of the STANDARD commenced this morn ing at 6 o'clock. LATEST INTELLIGENCE • FROM THE WEST INDIES.— By the Skylark, we have received papers from Jamaica to the 12111 ultimo, and from British Guiana to the 22d of November. The Jamaica papers speak of the spread of disaffection among the negroes in the Port Royal mountains ; but they do not enter into any particulars. In the Jamaica Royal Gazette of the 9th ult. we find the following judicious remarks on the system of immi gration, to which a partial trial had been already given It is with very great pleasure we refer to the report presented to the House from the Commissioners of the Township of Alta mont, inserted in our paper of last week, which enters so mi nutely into every matter connected with the establishment of the Township,The. arrival of the emigrants, and their ultimate location, as to leave no circumstance untouched, of any know ledge which we might wish to acquire regarding this interesting colony, hidden. Ili fact, it is one of those reports we can look to with pleasure as affording every information which may be desited regarding it. We confess we are of those who look upon the settlement of Townships by European emigrants as one of the great experiments on which the safety of the colony dePends, and in the language of the report, "cannot but con gratulate the country on the successful commencement of an undertaking, by which alone the resources of this extensive island ever can be fully developed. Its diversity of high and low lands affords a diversity of climate equally favourable to the European as well as to the Aftican labourer:—The low lands are already occupied principally by the latter class, but the interior high lands remain, to a large extent, as yet in a state of nature.—lf upon these lands a labouring white population can be settled, bringing along with them the indus try and the moral and religious habits of the Scotch peasantry, their example cannot fail to have a powerful influence on the other inhabitants, and Jamaica, with such assistance may yet . rise reinvigorated to a higher prosperity, than it never could have attained under a state of slavery. The object is of vast importance, and well deserves in the opinion Of the Commis sioners, the cotdiatsupport of the Legislature." It cannot but afford the well wishers of Jamaica the greatest possible pleasure in knowing that although these people have had among them cases of measles, chichen pox, ophthalmia and intermittent fevers, yet no case of serious illness had occurred,—a circum stance not at all unusual or unlooked for in the fine healthy climate, which those located in the mountainous parts of Jamaica enjoy. CANADA.The Packet• Ship North America, which sailed from New York on the Ist inst. has not yet ar rived, although she was telegraphed off this port on Tuesday last. We have therefore, little to add to the very conclusive intelligence with which we presented our readers on Tuesday last. The only important news we have to relate is, the confirmation of the accounts which we published on Tuesday, afforded in the following despatches of Sir John Colborne, which we find in the London Gazette of Wednesday : COLONIAL OFFICE, DOWNING-STREET, JAN. 21. Dispatches have been received from Lietenant-General Sir John Colborne, K.C.B , Commander of the Forces in Canaria, dated 13th and 15th December, 1837, of which the following are extracts and copies : Extract from it Dispatch from Lieutenant General Sir John Colborne, K.C.8., to Major General Lord Fitzroy Somerset, K.C.8., dated Montreal, December 13, 18:7. I have the honour to acquaint you, that, on the return of Colonel Gore from St. Hyacinthe with part of the force under his command, 1 detached Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, of the 24th regiment, with ten companies, to attack the rebels which had entered St. Armand, from Swanton, in the United States; the brave and loyal volunteers of Missisqui, however, had, previously to the march of that officer from St. John's, dispersed the Canadians of which he was in pursuit. They were commanded by Bouchette and Gaynon. I proceed this day, with all my disposable force, towards St. Bus tache, in expectation of speedily putting down the revolt in the Grand Brule, in the county of Two Mountains. Head-quarters, St. Benoit, Grand Brule, December 15, 1837. My Lord,—ln transmitting to you a copy of a dispatch to the Gene ral Commanding-in-Chief, I beg to inform your lordship, that I en tertain no doubt that the revolt in Lower Canada is completely at an end. The whole of the habitans who Were in' arms, in the county of the Lake of the Two Mountains, the most disturbed pail of the dis trict, sine.. the commencement of the revolt, are returning to their homes, and bringing in their arms to my head-quarters. I have the honour to be, &c., J. COLBORNE, Lieut. Gen The Right Hon. Lord Gienelg, her Majesty's Secretary of State, Colonial Department. (Copy.) Head-quarters, St. Benoit, Grand Brute. My Lord,—l marched with the disposable force under my com mand from Montreal, on the 13th, and entered St. Eustache on the next day ; this village has been occupied for ten days, by about 12 hundred rebels, commanded by Chenin and Girod, two of the most active of their leaders. On the appearance of the Queen's troops, the greater of the rebels disPersed, but others remained. and fired from the church and adjacent houses, which were taken without much loss. -1 continued my march to Saint Benoit, Grand Brule, this morning ; a section of the country in which more outrages have been committed than in any other part of the country, since the commencement of the revolt. _ _ It appears that the rebel army dispersed yesterday ; and this morn ing the peasantry, which had been assembled, are bringing in their arms to' head-quarters ; and I have reason to believe that, in'every part of the country the habitans have returned to their houses, and that the revolt has been completely put down. Our loss has been in-, censiderable ; the details of the march I shall take an early opportu nity of communicating to you. I have the honour to he, &c. .1. COLBORNE, Lieut. Gen. Major Gen. the Right Hon. Lord Fitzroy, &c. TIIE " TELEGRAPH. "--This contemptible 'Print con tinues to re•asserti from week to week, with a dogged pertinacity strongly indicative of mental delusiod, that the late private and exclusive . meeting of the Reform Association was a public meeting. There are some people vt hose native dulness is such that they are inca. gable of even comprehending an argument, much less to allow the force of reason to have a convincing influence on their minds. To this class of unfortunate imbeciles the editor of the Telegraph • appears to belOng. We have dime all we could to convince him of his erroneous impression as to the nature and composition of the meet ing in question; but all our efforts seem to have.been in vain. The simpleton appears to be proofagainst the