Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-20 00:00:00

'ROBERT MUL LINER, (ou,eussor to GOES? & Co.), (Late with Wm. Horne, London), !lAA Yt.33 NIA.I4LIPACTUREII, Si aml tit, C:riAtLOTP4-STE.F.E r, LIVERPOOL, MANUFA.CTUHR:t OF EVERY DZSCIIIPTION OF FASHIONABLE CARRIAGES. Sole frp the .P.ee,! . Dior:vises, for which a Prize :Veda! was atcoirded at the(iee it Exhibition. A Great Variety of New and Fashionable CARRIAGES always on view, which are ready for Joined - late uar. Estimates 4ivel, for epairs. CAREtIAGr.S TAKEN IN EXCHANGE. Good Standing on inolerate tenns. Carriages sold by Coal mission. Merchants supplied with CArriages for exportation on liberal arms. LANCASHIRE & YORICHIRE RAILWAY. GRAND ART Tii.EASURES and VISIT of HER MAJESTY the QUEEN, PRINCE A BERT, the ROYAL FAMILY, and the t'ltiNCE of PR U sSIA, to MAN CHESTER, Jane 39, 1857.—1 he public are respectfa ly Informed that, as it is now finally arranged that Her Mat Grac.ons jesty and the Royal Farnily will proceed in state from Wors ey to the Art Treasures Exhibition en the above day, SPECIAL [RAI s will run as often as required from an early hour, from Rochdale, Oldham, Ashton, titlibridge, Middleton, Bolton, Vs igan, ._iverpoil, Soul; port, Preston, aad Blackburn, in c.d.:r to afford the inhabitants of those laces an opportunity of witnessing a tigat never befurd seen here, and which may not occur again for many years to ome. As many are expected to visit Mauchesnr on that day it is recommended that Return Ti .kets be taken at the stati,ns the day before, in order to avoid confusion t-.ere on the morning of starting.—Full particulars, in b.l.s, &c , to be had at tt.e station in a few days. Saperiateneent's Office, Victoria Station, I Maneletttr, Jane 19, 1857- BY O::,.DER, T, ANCASHIRE & YORKSHIRE RAILWAY (LAND ART TREASURE 3 EX:11E1:10N, MANCHESTER, The Public are respectfully informed that on MONDAY, June 22nd, and WEDNESDAY, Jut.e 24th, a SPECIAL TR.a iN will leave the fol lowing Stations for the Great Art Treasures Palace. FARE FOR THE DOURLY JOURNEY, ist Class. 3rd Class. s. d. s. d. Liverpool. a' 8 4) a.m F.re .... 7 3 .... 4 0 Boo.ie Lane...... 847 „ „ .... 7 3 .... 4 0 Preston Real .... 832 „ „ .... 7 3 .. .. 4 0 A ntrea Kirkby . 9 5 „ „ .... 7 3 .... 4 0 Rainford .. 915 , „ .... 6 6 .... 3 9 Pinabo Lane...... 922 „ „ .... 6 4 .... 3 6 Orrell . .. ...... 92g „ „ .. . 6 0 .. .. 3 6 Pemberton Wigan .. 9 40 „ „ .. .. 5 3 .... 3 1 }Hadley .. ..... 950 „ „ .... 5 0 .... 2 10 Westhoughton .... 9 58 „ „ .... 4 6 .... 2 8 Bolton .. 10 10 „ „ .... 3 9 .. .. 2 3 The Fare includes FREE ADMIS,ION to the Art Treasures Palace. The Train will run direct to the Art Treasures Exhibition, and Parties wishing to visit any of .he cAlLir wrions Places of Attraction in Manchister, can do so after visit ng the Exhibition. The Eadway Ticket will admit once to the Palace. The Train will Return from the Old Trafford Station, adjoin;ng the Ishibition, at 5.45 p.m. No Luggage allowed by this Train Superintendent's jiftice, Victoria Station, I .7 m Manchester, a 16, 1857. BY ORDER. TI ANCASHIRE & RAIYWAY, RAND ART TREASURES EXHIBITION, MANCHESTER, The Public are resp3cluily informed that on Mo.IvDAY, June 22nd, and WEDNESDAY, June 24th, a SPECIAL TRAIN will leave the fol lowing Stations far the Great Art Treasures Palace. FARE FOR THE DOUBLE JOURNF ir. Ist Class. 3rd Class, s.d. s. d. Fare .... 6 9 .... 4 4 „ .... 6 9 .... 4 2 „ .... 6 9 .... 4 0 „ .... 6 6.. .. 3 8 .... 6 0 .... 3 6 „ 5 9 .... 3 3 ... 5 3 .... 3 1 Southport .. ....at 8 50 a.m. Bescar Lane .... 9 0 „ Burscough Bridge 9 10 „ Newburgh ...... 9 18 „ Appley Bridge.... 925 „ Gathnrst Wigan .......... 937 „ The Fare includes FREE ADMISSIO to the Art Treasures Palace. The Train will run direct to the Art Treasures Exhibition, and parties wishing to visit any of the other various places of attraction in Manchester, can do so after visiting the Exhibition. The Railway Ticket cull only admit once to the Palace. The Train will Return from the Old Trafford Station, adjoining the Exhibition, at 5.45 p.m. No Luggage allowed by this Train. Superintendent's Office, Victoria Station, Manchester, Jane :6, 1857. EY ORDER. eonlitrziat Aap. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, 16, Exchange-bu idings, Tar, Bark, and Whale Oil Foots. - J. H. Rayner and Co. At eleven o'clock, on the quay, east side Brunswick Dock, a large quantity of Timber.—Duncan, Ewing and Co, 10" For particulars see advertisements. AJUSEAENTS, PUBLIC .UEErINGS, Ecc. THIS DAY, ROYAL -1x rni rnEATES —Dramatic Performance-7 p.m. IlalloLEn's GRAND CIRQUE VARLETS, Dale-Street -7.30 and 7 p.m CONCERT HALL, Lord Nelson-street—The Italian Union-7 p.m. TEUTONIC HALL (Upper), Lime-street—Diorama ot India-2 p.m. FREEMASON'S HALL —.Gallery Of Anatomy-11 a.m. to 10 p.m. ALLAN'S CRYSTAL PALACE, LIMO •street —lO a.m. to 10 p.m. ROYAL COLOSSEUM—GeneraI EntertainrnerA-6.30 p.m. ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS—Grand and Varied Entertainments. (Er For particulars see advertisements. E e l 0 + 4r4 0. 1.) C t k ( , , SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1857 THE DAY'S NEWS. In the House of Lords last night the Transpor tation and Penal Servitude Bill was read a third time and passed. Some discussion ensued upon Lord Redesdale alluding to the resignation of the Bishop of Norwich, for the purpose of directing the attention of the House to the desirability of making some definite arrangements for the retire ment of prelates. The L )rd Chancellor was of opinion that no further legislation was at present warted. The law was sufficient to allow a Bishop to retire. Such retirement would of course incapacitate him from occupying a seat in that house, as such seat was held in virtue of the office of Bishoprick. The matter then dropped: In the House of Commons, a petition was pre sented by General Thompson, from Mr. Newell. parliamentary agent, stating that a sum of had been offered to High Rothwell, a witness in the Rochdale election petition case, for the pur pose of inducing him to proceed to New Orleans, out of the way. Newall and Rothwell were both called to the bar of the House, and main tained the accuracy of the information. The briber, a Mr. Peter Johnston, was ordered to attend the bar of the House forthwith. Sir Geo. Grey stated that tampering with witnesses of the House of Commons was a very serious offence, and the law was severe in such cases—the pains and penalties being of a rather stringent character. In reply to Mr. Hamilton, Lord Palmerston stated that it was not in the power of the English Go vernment to remonstrate with the American Executive on the bombardment of Greytown, nor to look for indemnity, as the law of nations would not authorise the interference. He at the same time stigmatised the conduct of the Govern ment who ordered, and the officer who obeyed, such order for the bombardment of Greytown as bar barous in the extreme. A long discussion followed, in which Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Disraeli, and others, took part. Lord Palmerston was severely censured for his cowardly share of this business, and Mr. Roebuck stated, that if it had been China instead of America which had com mitted the outrages complained of, we should have had the ministry calling out for vengeance on the insulters of the English flag, Sze. Mr. Bentinek remarked that there had for some time been a want of determination to resent outrages committed by the American government, and contended that that policy was more likely to provoke hostilities than to avert them. Lord John Russell defended the ministry, and the subject dropped. In Committee of Supply, a number of votes were agreed to, and the house adjourned. There was a large gathering of nverend and other gentlemen at the Colleoiate Institution yes terday, on the occasion of the delivery of the prizes at the close of the Midsummer e-lamination A full report of the proceedings will be found in another column. At the Police Court, 3esterday, the three men charged with the death of a seaman on the voyage from D3naerara, to Liverpool, were committed for trial on a charge of " Wilful Murder." An important meeting of the association for the supply of cotton, was held at Manchester, yester day. Several interesting speeches were delivered on the occasion, including one by Lord Stanley, M P., a full. report of which, will be found in our columns of this morning. To-clay, the 20th of June, her Majesty, the Queen, will enter on the 20th year of her happy and prosperous reign—happy and prosperous for herself and her people, because of the progress of the arts of peace and the extension of industry and commerce. The anniversary is to be celebrated however, in a way little in accord with the spirit which has led to these results. Military reviews, the glancing of sabres and bayonets, the roar of cannon, and the parading of soldiery, at the great camps, and all over the country, will mark the day. . . A testimonial is to be presented to Sir Joshua Walmsley, at Leicester, on Tuesday next. A social tea meeting will be hell in the evening, when Sir Joshua Walmsley, Dr. Noble, J. F. Hollings, Esq , and the other gentlemen engaged in the presenta tion, will If present. The annual motion of Mr. Berkeley on the ballot, will be made on the 30th instant. A London cotempory in noticing the fact, says :—Mr P. W. Martin, M.P. for RocheSter, is engaged on the 30th to attend a performance at the Rochester Theatre. Surely, the electors of Rochester would be better pleased to see their representative attending the most important division of tha session. The hon. membr was elected, it is pre sumed, to represnnt the constituency of Rochester in the House of Commons, and not in the Theatre. Mr. E. G. Salisbury, M.P. (Chester), " will be absent from town on the 30th." Why, the hon. member deos not say ; but the electors of Chester will, it is hoped, be satisfied with the reason for their member's absence on an occasion when it is of the utmost importance that every member favourable to the Ballot should record his vote is support of Mr. Berkeley's motion. -44 A fact, carrying with it consequences quite as important and general as anything in parlia mentary or foreign politics is now silently pro gressing; to completion. We me an th e h arves t o f 1857. '- From all the reports made the crops in these islands promise 'to be extraordinary abundant ; and we are happy to add that the harvest abroad is of a similar character. The prospect is one aplenty and contentment. We have interesting itt elligence from the Con tinent this morning. It is thought that the warning given to the Paris Siecle will probably irritate the opposition in Paris, and produce some thousand additional votes against the government. But it is estitnated that the suppreasion of the Siecle at this moment would have cost the government 100,000 votes in Paris, while the public resentment occassioned by the warning will only be measured by 10,000. The government has, therefore, acted with tact and prudence. A pamphlet, by Louis Blanc is circulating privately, in which he strongly urges opposition candidates, who may be elected, not to take the oath. His advice is that they should not content themselves with a simple refusal, but state their reasons ! That, if inter rup: ed, they should p'ersist; and, if threatened, resist until they are turned out of the Chamber by physical force Then, he says, the Government will either prosecute them, or it will not. It will suffer a moral check, and if it do prosecute, the people's representatives have the glorious consolation (?) of joining their fellow-citizens who are refugees in London. The Danish Government seems to hesitate about assuming definitely the attitude of resis tance to the German Powers, said to be prepared in its last Note, drawn up, but not sent. Denmark waits to consider further of the matter ; but letters from Copenhagen describe the feeling there, and generally in the nation, to be one of determined hostility to the claims of the Con federation. In Sardinia the conflict between the Stato and the Church threatens a partial revival. The cool ness shown at the interview between Buoncoin pagni, the Sardinian representative, and the Pope, and the mutual attitude generally of the State and the Clergy, are to form the topics of impend ing interpellations in the Chambers. In the meantime the soldiers are turning the monks out of their convents at the point of the bayonet, in enforcement of the law, which the monks refuse to obey. From a statement in a Brussels paper it would seem that Protestantism, or at least opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, is making consi derable strides in Bavaria. It is part of the reaction, more or less observable on the continent, against the revival of inordinate ecclesiastical pre tensions. Letters from St. Petersburg state that cholera, which is never totally extinct in that capital, is now raging violently, and that the average deaths exceed seventy a day. The Bank returns are again of a very favourable character. Last night's Gazette says that the amount of bullion in the bank coffers, on the 12th inst. was £10,909,255, against £10,290,649 the previous week, showing an increase of £618,606. This week's returns are above those of any week since September last. THE existence of Slavery is not merely a political question, but a moral one ; it comes up again and again, appealing to the consciences of men ; and it must return, many a time and oft, till it is satisfactorily disposed of--that is, till it is settled in harmony with justice and Chris tianity. There is no need of referring to the common rights of man, the cruelty of the traffic, or the horrors of the middle passage ; every one deplores the evil, admits its enormity, and would be glad to see any practicable method of getting rid of it. Probably, the planters of the Southern States of North America would co-operate in its removal, if any safe and effectual means could be indicated. None are so blind as those who will not see; and it is hard to reach, by argument, men whose interests lie the other way, whose chief property is locked up in this hideous American " domestic institution." A deputation of gentlemen has waited on the Prime Minister to urge renewed and better devised efforts to put down the traffic, and the system ; and they have offered, as we think, some useful and really feasible suggestions. It is instructive and very encouraging to see how, in a free country, advancing in knowledge and civilisation, the public mind works out for itself the solution of many problems which were really dark and difficult. A safe and effectual solution, we believe, will be obtained of this most difficult question of slavery ; and it will come through the action of good and earnest men ; impelled by benevolence, and guided by the light of experience. That experience shows, that our efforts have hitherto not produced the full results that were expected and desired. Our blockade of the African coast, at a cost of half-a million a-year in money, has not put down the Slave Trade. Low, swift-sailing craft, are built to elude our cruisers; it is even alleged that the strictness of our watch has aggravated the horrors of the run across the Atlantic ; that if the Slave Trade were open, the unfortunate negro would suffer less in the transit. Five thousand slaves are, on the average, imported every year into Cuba ; and the Americans of the South, speaking our language, quoting our classic authors, and professing our THE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY, JUNE 20. 1857 religion, rear their own slaves, as our farmers multiply their breeds of cattle. This is a sore evil, which lies heavy upon the conscience of all kind and Christian men and women. How can we rest quietly in our beds, while we think of the horrible misery endured by creatures who are certainly human, but whose crime is, that they differ from us in the hue of their skin ? The heart of humanity has been bleeding and torn for the sufferings of the poor African, ever since CLARKSON and WILBERFORCE raised their voices in his behalf. The wonder is, and the shame is, that civilised nations have borne this so long, and that there has not, ere no been a crusade of humanity organised to sweep this accursed thing from the face of the earth. If it is self-interest that supports the system, or the apprehended money loss to the estates consequent on freedom, this shows where we are to direct the blow and apply the remedy, We do not suppose that the slaveholders believe their own argument touching Africans not being men, but an inferior race expressly organised by the hand of nature to be made beasts of burden. This may figure in a fiery speech, or may be secretly uttered in confidential conversation ; but it cannot be put forward without a blush; and it is not believed. But the money loss is a serious argument. "If you manumit our slaves, you confiscate our property. If the nations of the earth will have Sugar and Cotton, then the enslaved African must toil for them." To this we quietly and confidently answer, No. The extinction of Slavery is written in the decrees of Providence. The spirit of humanity will not suffer it to live. We are satisfied that a great change in this matter is impending over America. When things are at the worst, they sometimes mend. Meantime, what can England do practically and effectually towards the exinction of this horrible evil and prolonged crime ? In the first place, as has been suggested, why should not our war vessels watch the approaches to the island of Cuba itself, instead of sweeping over a longer range of African coast. Our gun-boats were not ready for the Baltic, but they might do good service in the West Indies. They might be so manned and armed as to cope with the fleet slavers. Out of our eighty gun-boats, if we had to send sixty to China, we might spare twenty for Cuba. A court of appeal to try all cases of slave property, or suspected slave property, should be set up within our dominions in Jamaica. If the judgment, as at present, is given on Spanish soil, we can easily divine how the scale will incline. The screw ought to be turned on Spain, and if she will not keep her promise, she ought to be placed beyond the community of civilized nations. The horrible evils of Slavery and the Slave Trade, are too serious for the play of diplomacy. When the captured Slave is set free, suitable arrangements must secure his working as a free labourer, else he lapses again into Slavery and helplessness. Bat our chief reliance for the extinction of this horrid trade, and the crimes and miseries that attend it, would be the introduction of free African labourers instead of Slave labour. Political economy has proved that, in the long run, free labour is cheaper than slave labour ; and self interest will make, or has made, the same discovery. If, therefore, a regular and legiti mate trade could be set up, by which free African labourers could be conveyed wherever they are needed ; this seems the most likely method to put an end to the Slave system. So long as there is Slavery in America and Cuba, there will be a Slave Trade; the demand will create the supply, in spite of our African squadron. Let intelligent, enterprising men work their estates with free labourers, intro ducing machinery, and modern improvements, treating the labourer as a fellow creature—and Slavery and Slave work will be driven out of the field. This would be the- effectual solution of the problem. No outbreaks of the slave would then be feared; no wicked fostering of internal feuds among African chiefs; a great source of immorality and corruption to the white as well as the dark man would be dried up; marriage, property, religion, could be permitted and encouraged among the sable race ; and every African might enter on the path of civilisation. Mercy is twice blessed, blessing him that gives and him that takes. Free labour is as sound in policy as it is just and humane in morals. We should all of us throw our energy into this great field of moral agitation. It is surely a fitting and a Christian work to bid the oppressed go free. But though Slavery and the Slave Trade have ceased within the British dominions, there can be no assured freedom to the African while these are permitted anywhere. By wise and well-considered means we have to work till the world shall be as free as Britain, and the sun in his course shall not look down upon a single slave. IN another portion of our impression of to-day will be found a letter from Mr. JAS. M'DoNALD, together with a number of affidavits bearing on the circumstances connected with his recent incarceration in Birkenhead Bridewell. These documents are a triumphant vindication of Mr. )NALD'S conduct. What will the Birken head police have to urge against his truth-telling statements, supported as they are, by the voluntary declarations of respectable witnesses. We are informed that these affidavits could hive been multiplied to a much greater extent. What the magistrate will say in justification of his decision in this case we are curious to learn, Had Mr. JOHN DEAN CASE complied with Mr. MMONALD'S request, for an opportunity to pro duce the evidence which we now publish, as a matter of course Mr. M'DoNALD would have been acquitted. That, however, might not have suited the purposes of certain police officers. Mr. M'DoNALD's case discloses a fearful instance of tyranny. A body like the Birken head police, combining together to bid defiance to all interference with any of their members, however gross their conduct, cannot be longer tolerated in this country. Such a combination is a reproach to our free institutions. It is ridiculous to talk of Continental despotism, when we have at our own doors such a body of petty tyrants—men clothed and paid by the public, to watch over and protect their interests—depriving a citizen of his liberty—immuring him in a dungeon— excluding him from all means of producing witnesses to prove his innocence, and by ex parte evidence inducing his judge to pass a sentence upon him, which, if carried into effect, would have been the means of ruining him for ever. We repeat, the whole proceeding was a disgrace to the e olice of Birkenhead, and a scandalous mockery of jnstice. But the case can not rest where it now is. Some steps must be taken to convince the Birkenhead police and the Cheshire magistrates that although they are invested with the most arbitrary and despotic authority, it is not to be exercised for the grati fication of private vengeance. It is not the mere injury done to Mr. M‘DoNALD that calls for the serious consideration of every lover of constitutional liberty, so much as the principle involved in this gross outrage. It is not because a man has reported a police man for misconduct, or that he is suspected of being the author of an article condemnatory of Orangeism in a police force, that he is to become a marked man ; to be waylaid, as it were, and deprived of his liberty ; compelled to consort with felons, and restored to freedom only on the payment of money. We cannot use language too strong to denouuce such a proceeding— it was altogether outrageous. However, the triumph of Mr. M'DoNALD's enemies has been but short lived. His conduct—his character-- is now before the world, and it stands out in bold relief when placed in juxtaposition with that of his defamers. Unable to silence Mr. M‘DoNALD on the one great question of which he has been the champion and the chief, his enemies had recourse to the dernier resort of a despot's persecution ; but, as that failed, they must have revenge, and slander has been their favourite weapon. But they have been paid back with interest. What will Mr. SAMUEL HOLME say or do when he has perused these affidavits on behalf of Mr. M'DONALD ? If he possesses any gentlemanly feeling in his constitution, he will not wait for the next meeting of Council to make the amende honourable to Mr. M'DONALD. This is the only reparation he has in his power to make at present, and we shall look forward with some degree of interest to the course he will pursue in the matter. CANADIAN EMIGRATION.—THE WELLINGTON FUND.-- When the war ceased, s considerable numher of artisans, who were engaged at Woolwich, were necessarily throe el out of employment. The Wellington Fund Emigration Committee have sent a considerable number of these artisans to Canada frrom this port, and this day the ship Henry Cook, sails with them for Quebec. The whole party consists of 276 persons, 29 being single men—she others being married, and having families. Mr. J. M. Walthew, the well-known Australian emigration agent, was selected by the London Committee to manatee the ship, and arrangements of the emigrants; and for his jedicious and well-regulated arrangements, he received due acknowledgements from all concerned. Mr. Thoma s B. Parker, the Secretary of the Family Colonization came down from London on Monday, and inspected the ship and all her arrangements, and expressed his entire approbation of all that had been done for the comfort wed co avenience of the passengers on board. The emigrants were forwarded by special train from North Woolwich on Wednesday evening, and were takes from Lime street, where Mr. Woods, the chief superin endent, had busses ready, and transferred to the ship, where tea and refresh ments were provided for them. They were presented with tickets of the Grand Trunk Railway to take them from Quebec to Toronto, where arrangements are made to get them employment. THE REG ATTA. —A yachting match on the Mersey is always an object of interest, and our glorious river seldom witnessed a more lively scene on its bosom and its shores than we witnessed at Wick Ferry yesterday. The weather, what shall we say about it? for the sailing Yacht., it was all that the most enthusiastic waterman could desire. As one of your facetious advertisers says, " A thing of beauty is indeed a joy for ever ;" but yesterday we were not restricted to view one thine of beauty only—all around us vaas loveliness itself. We had, within a few yards of us the magnificent new royal yacht, the Victoria and Albert, the worthy ocean home of our beloved Queen. It was not necessary that this noble specimen of our supremacy in naval architecture should be subjected to the criticism ef pr - itessional men. She has only to be seen to be admired ; in fact, a more chaste, taunt, and beautiful ship never swam on the waters of the Mersey. At Rock Ferry we found that the Messrs. Hetherington had very liberally and discreetly knocked their toll-gate, at the head of the slip, down, and left their splendid pro menade open to the public, free of charge. This is a step in the right direction, and we hops their considerate liberality will meat with its just reward. It was truly refreshing to see the company, consisting, as the great bulk of them did, of the better class of artizans, tradesmen, and others in the middle and humbler spheres of life, enjoying the cool breeze, inhaling the health-giving air of Cheshire, and enjoying themselves in such a way as to cause no sorrow on the morrow. All appeared orderly. happy, and harm , nieus. Amongst the thousands congre eated around the neighbourhood of the hotel and ferry we I . did not see a single drunken or disorderly character. As one of your "penny-a-liners" would express it, there was a galaxy of beauty and fahien. We merely say that there was a moat respectable t urn out of w li-dressed and well conducted gentlewomen, whose happy faces were rel.lent of honour, virtue, and modesty. The fresh breeze, although highly favourable for showing the sailing qualitics of the yachts, was adverse to the rowing department, and al this is always the most popular act in regatta dramas, considerable disappointment was felt ; however, it is to be hoped that the " blustering railer," rude Borers, will he in better t , meer to-day, when no doubt the All of Liverpool will find means, by hook or crook, to reach the Rock Ferry. The Charm won the cup, value £2O. The Sallie was well up. Mr. Brass y's yacht, the Cymba, won the race of the day. The Pilot, No. 4, distanced all her co:npetitors, el hough the schooner-rigged craft was close in ' her wake. There was considerable confusion about the starting, and an absence .of aneans for procuring cerrect information as to the actual performances of the various yachts which is much to be regretted, and for which we are indebted to the committee ; and it must be our apology for not giving further details of the days proceedings. Toe parties engaged in affairs of this kind know full well that but for the publicity given to their proceedings by the press, they would excite but little interest ; and they have only themselves to blame if, through their indifference (I* inertness in their own 'affairs, matters are passed over, which, under other eireenWances, we might be happy to I chronicle. THE MERSEY CONSERVANCY AND DOCKS BILL. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTIR.) HOUSE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY, JUNE 19. The Se lect Committee resumed its sitting at twelve o'clock this day, Sir J. Graham in the chair ; the other members of the committee all being present. The examination of Mr. Shuttleworth was resumed. At the request of Sir James Graham, the witness promised to prepare a return showing the money received from the Dock Committee for land bought of the Corpora tion from 1811 to the present time. By Mr. Burke : I was examined at great length before the committee appointed last year to inquire into the local charges upon shipping, in reference to the Town Dues. The evidence which I gave appears in the minutes of the evidence taken before the committee. In the course of that inquiry, it appeared from Domesday Book that the site of Liverpool was vested in the kings of England, and it remained in that possession until the reign of Edward 111., when it went to the Dukes of Lancaster, and was sub sequently merged in the crown in the reign of Henry IV. In 1628, in the reign of Charles 1., the Town Dues were sold to the City of London, in consideration of certain advances made to the king by his predecessors, and the city of London subsequently sold them to Richard Molyneux, the ancestor of the present Earl of Sefton, subject to the Payment of a fee farm rent reserved to the Crown. In 1761, about which time Sir Richard Molyneux was created an Irish peer by the title of Lord Molyneux, an Act of Parliament was obtained which empowered Sir Richard to purchase the reversion of the fee farm rents from the Crown. In 1672 a lease of the tolls for 1,000 years was purchased by the Corporation of Liverpool; but the burgage and ferry rents were reserved. In 1777 the Cor poration purchased the reversion expectant on - the deter mination of the lease, and thus became sole owners of the fee, including burgage and ferry rents. The Corporation also became owners of the lordship, and town and anchor age dues—a moiety of which had been leased to them as far back as the reign of Henry VII. The anchorage dues consist of a charge of is 6d on foreign ships, Is 3d on British ships on a foreign voyage, and is on every other British ship. The Town-dues are a small charge some times levied on the packages, and sometimes on the tonnege. So far back as 1571 the Corporation were in receipt of a due of this description. At the request of the learned counsel, Mr. Shuttleworth here read a description of the various tolls collected by the Corporation contained in the report of the Commission on Shipping Dues in 1854, which, he stated, gave a fair account of charges. Examination resumed : The commissioners who made that report visited most of the ports in the United King dom, and upon two occasions held an open court of inquiry in Liverpool. They called on the corporation to give written replies to a number of queries upon the sub ject, and I supplied the answers. I now hold in my hand a report which I drew up from the report of the com missioners, from which I find that Town Dues are levied in a great number of ports throughout the kingdom. The Shipping Bill last year proposed to deal with all these ports, and not with the case of Livcrpo( 1 Wone. If dues are wrongfully levied, any person upon whom they are levied_has the power of compelling the persons by whom they are levied to prove their title to them in a court of law. In the courts of law the whole legal question might have been raised. So early as the reign of Philip and Mary, the Corporation, who were lessees under the Molyneux family, disputed the title of that family ,to the dues, claiming them themselves as lessees. Sir Richard Molyneux filed an injunction to restrain the Corporation from receiving the dues on their own account. They set up their title against their own landlord, insisting that the dues belonged to themselves and not to Sir Richard. i!lThe application for an injunction was heard in the Duchy Court of the County Palatine, and the decision was that the dues belonged to Sir Richard Molyneux, as lessee of the Crown, and not to the Corporation. In 1692 a dispute arose between the freemen of the Borough of Lan caster and the Corporation with respect to an exemption claimed by the freemen from the payment of dnes, but no decision was given in the case. The freemen, however, have continued to pay the dues from that time to the present. In 1700 there was a similar dispute between the freemen of London and the Corporation. The right of the Corporation to levy the dues was not questioned, but the only point raised was whether the freemen of London ought not to be exempted from payment. The case was tried in the Exchequer Chamber, and it was decided against the Corporation that as freemen of London they were exempt. In 1799 a question arose whether the exemption applied to all freemen of London, whether • resident within the city or not. The Court of Exchequer heard the case, and it was determined that the exemption only applied to freemen resident within the pity. In 1830 for the first time the question of title was raised. At that time several of the merchants of Liverpool associated themselves together, in order to try the question of the'title of the Corporation to the dues. There were, however, two parties among the merchants. One thought the Corpora tion were entitled to something, but that the dues on certain articles were excessive; and the other held that they were entitled to nothing. The trial came off in 1833, before Lord Denman. Issue was joined upon the title generally, and not upon the question of excess. The case was gone into upon evidence at great length, and the decision was in favour of the Corporation for the whole amount claimed. A bill of exceptions was ten dered on the part of the defendants, but it was never prosecuted; and the statement that it was not prosecuted because a compromise was entered into is not correct. Since that time the title of the Corporation to the dues has never been disputed. When the Municipal Corporation Act passed, it was a matter of considerable complaint that the freemen were exempted from the pay ment of the Town Dues. By that act the Town Dues were specifically recognised as part of the borough fund. A question of the right of the corporation of Exeter, to levy dues upon vessels entering Teignmouth, was tried in 1844, before Mr. Justice Coleridge, and the decision was in favour of the corporation. Sir James Graham said—He was very sorry to interrupt the learned counsel, but if the committee were to inquire into the Exeter case, it would be necessary to ascertain, mutalis mutandis, whether it was identical with the case of Liverpool. Mr Burke said—The two cases were analagous, and he proposed to show the decision which had been come to where the question of right had been fairly tried. Mr. Webster thought it would be impassible to enter into cases of this kind, unless all the facts were made known t o the committee. . _ Sir J. Graham remarked that there were other cases for instance, Hull and the Humber—Newcastle and the Tyne—in which the question of title had been raised ; and if the case of Exeter were to be inquired into, there was no reason why the other cases should not also be brought before:the committee, and he need not remind the learned counsel that if that course were followet4the inquiry would be interminable. Mr. North thought it would be better that the learned counsel should be allowed to take his own coarse. Lord Henniker agreed with Sir J. Graham. He knew a case himself—the case of Ipswich—in which the circum stances were very peculiar. Sir Jas. Graham, after consulting with the other mem bers of the Committee, said it was their opinion that the Exeter case should not be inquired into, and the evidence relating to it was then ordered to be erased from the short-hand writers' notes. Examination resumed—The solicitor to the Earl of Sefton, who was examined before the Shipping Dues Committee last year, produced a statement relative to the tolls, dated 1566, and stated that the dues were dealt with by the Molyneux family as ,private property. An attempt to resist the tolls was made a few months ago. A. number of goods were shipped at Garston, about six miles from Liverpool, in the Mirage, and the agents re fused to pay the dues. On being applied to they said they were only agents for gentlemeh at Manchester, who had requested them not to pay the dues. I consequently took out a writ against them, and applied for the name of their solicitor. They replied that they were only agents in the matter, and expressed a hope that I would not sue them, but their principals, Messrs. Smith and Co., of Manchester, who were anxious to try the question. . Accordingly I wrote to 'dews. Smith and Co., represzoit ing the circumstances, and telling them that if they took upon themselves the responsibility of shipping the goods and refusing to pay the dues, I wood take out a writ against them instead of their agents. 'Several communica. tions passed between us, and at length, on the 20th of February, I,received a letter from Messrs. Smith and Co., in which they stated that in consequence of the present position of various bills in Parliament, they had advised their agents to withdraw the objection in this instance to the payment of the dues. The dues were consequently paid, and no dispute as to the title of the corporation has been raised since. No other case besides that of Liverpool was investigated before the Local Dues on Shipping Committee last year, though th e reference to the Committee was general and not special. The Committee made no report, but mt rely re ported the eyjdence to the House. A report, proposed in committee, aySpears upon the minutes, and in that report it is stated that the question of title was not a question to be decided by a parliamentary committee, but a majority of the committee refused to adopt the report. Tolls are levied for the benefit of the county of Chester, upon ships navigating the river Weaver. A. bill has been introduced this session to compel a reduction of the dues, but the committee unanimously threw it out. Mr Burke said he had no further que Ilona to put to Mr. Shuttleworth, and Mr. Webster then proceeded to cross examine the wit ness, who said : I have no return of the value of the Cor poration property. Mr. Robertson Gladstone moved for such a return, in the Corporation, eighteen mont hs a g o. It was ordered, but has not yet been completed. I am, therefore, unable to give the committee any account of the extent or value of the Corp orat i on property. Mr. Webst er : I t h as b een said that it is worth £6,000,000 • Is that true? Mr. Shuttleworth can form no estimate, but I should 5 3 .7 that £6,000,000 is a very exaggerated estimate. Mr. Vebster : Have you any return of the value of the privileges conferred upon the freemen in eonsequenre of their being exempted from the payment of Town- Dues? Witness : No, 1 have net. The income of the corpora tion, irrespective of Town-Dues, is about £90,000 per annum. Mr. Webster here cross-examined Mr. Shuttleworth at some length, in reference to the purchase by the Corpora tion in 1828, for £lBO,OOO, of 206 acres at Wallasey Pool, and also in regard to the scheme of Messrs. Telford, Stephenson, and Nimmo, for dock accommodation at Birkenhead. _ _ _ Mr. Shuttleworth continued : I was not concerned in these matters at the time, but I took the statement of Mr. Foster, the former Town-clerk, when I gave evi dence before the Shipping Dues Committee last year, and I told the committee that I had no doubt that the object of the purchasers of the property in 1828 of Messrs. Laird and Tobin was to prevent the establish ment of a rival port on the Birkenhead side of the Mer sey. I stated, however, in my examination in chief the other day, that though statements of such a nature had been circulated with regard to the intention of the Cor poration, they did not appear to be well founded, inas much as the Corporation, soon after the purchase was completed, took steps for the formation of docks at Bir kenhead. The Corporation have constantly proposed to build warehouses. Sack a proposition was made in 1799, and again in 1841. The Albert Dock Act of 1841 was the first act in which the Dock Committee obtained power to build warehouses. Prior to that date the warehouses had been built by private individuals, who bought land on Corporation leases or upon land of their own. I am not aware that the Dock Committee ever proposed to build warehouses, but that the Corporation vetoed the proposi tion. Prior to 1841 there was a very strong contest upon the question of warehouse accommodation between the shipowners and the w ,rehouse interest. kr. Webster : Did not the trading interest support the erection of warehouses and the corporation oppose it ? Witness : The corporatio❑ did not oppose it as a body, or otherwise the Dock Bill would never have come before parliament. Sir J. Graham ; Then the Town Council, as a town council, took no part in the contest ? Witness The question was discussed in the Town Council, but the majority of the council must have approved of the proposed powers, or, as I have just said, the bill would never have cornp before parliament ar all. By Mr. Webster : The warehouse . question was one of the questions discussed at the municipal election, and no doubt it was made an election cry. About the year 1838 the Corporation became o Nners of the Birkenhead Ferry Hotel. The purchase comprised the hotel, the land ad joining. and the ferry. I cannot say what the motive for effecting the purchase was. In 1843 the state of the landing-place at George's Pier was much complained of by the people at Woodside, and in the end the Dock Committee resolved to construct the pre sent landing-stage. I don't think I ever stated that the Corporation knew nothing of Mr. Rendel's plans for docks at Wallasey Pool until 1844. The objections or the Corporation to the bill based on the plans of Mr. Rendel were two. The first was, that the construction of doeks as proposed at Wallasey Pool would cause a large abstraction of water from the tide of the Mersey, which they considered would be prejudi cial to the channel of the port ; and the other was, that the bill proposed to deprive them of the right to levy Town-dues. The whole question before the Parlia mentary committee in 1844, as far as the Corporation were concerned, resolved itself into the question of the alleged interference with the sea channels. Mr. Webster: But was it not put of Mr. Rendel's scheme that a - large portion of the water shonli be re turned each tide into the Mersey, Witness : I believe it was. Mr. Webster : And was it not contended that the water so returned would be even more beneficial to the sea chan nels than the water running off from Wallasey in its then state ? Witness : Yes, it was. Between high and low water the coasters used to beach on the shore at Walla sey Pool. The Liverpool Docks Bills have been opposed by merchants and traders of the port on the ground that it was objectionable to continue the exten sion of the docks to the north. The bill of 1865 contained a clause to consolidate into one estate the docks on both sides of the Mersey; bnt they have taken no steps hitherto to carry the clause into effect. The clause was notinc!uded in the bill introduced by the Corporation last year, and the reason is this :—lf the estate at Birken head had been handed over to the trustees of the Liverpool Docks they would have become responsible for all the expenses and interest,'and they considered that they were not in a condition to take such a responsibility upon themselves, because, if they did so, th e y wou ld necessarily entail an increase of the rates on the Liver pool side of the river. The cost of completing the works according to Mr. Rendel's plan may be about £400,000, but I am not in a position to state the actual cost. Mr. Hartley's estimate for the construction of the works at Birkenhead, by the bill of the Corporation this year, is £1,412,000. The corporation agreed to pay half the expenses of the rating bill, in conjunction with the vestry, in 1849. The bill was not prosecuted. In point of fact, it never went to a second Beading. The pa rochial authorities promoted a second bill—the Con. poration Rating Bill, which was withdrawn on the Cor poration agreeing to pay £12,000 yearly to the watch rate—a rate authorised under the provisions of the Munici pal Reform Act towards the police expenses. In ordinary cases the watch rate is paid out of a borough rate, but we have no borough rate in Liverpool which would come within the meaning of a borough rate under the Municipal Corporations Act. Since 1850 no watch rate had been levied. I think that the title of the corporation to levy anchorage dues is the same as their title to levy town dues. I was informed last year that anchorage dues are levied on the Mersey by some persons who have no connection with the corporation, but I do not know of my own knowledge that the statement is correct. Mr. Webster : Can you tell me of any other case in which a right to levy anchorage dues over the same dis tance is exercised by two different persons ? Witness: I cannot; but I never heard, until last year,that anchorage dues were levied by any other persons than the Corporation. The right of the Corporation to levy dues is not 'confined to the boundaries of the borough, but they assert their right all over the port of Liverpool. The ancient grants bear out this claim, and if there is anything ambiguous in the grant it is ex plained by ancient and common usage. The Town-dues have been levied upon new articles of import which had no existence when the grant was made. Ido not con sider that the aotion of 1833 was compromised. The defendants presented a bill of exceptions, but the bill was not prosecuted. The only thing the Corporation agreed to give up was their costs. I believe that if the case had been tried, and the decision had been in favour of the Corporation, the reductions which the Corporation subsequently made in the dues would still have been made, The reduction of the dues took place after the trial. It was stipulated in a letter to Mr. Hornby that the dues should be reduced on the bill of exceptions being given up. Mr. Shuttleworth was then examined by Mr. Bremner on behalf of the pilots, and stated that in the year 1800 the number of ships entering the port of Liverpool was 1,371, and the tonnage 450,000. In 1856 the number had increased to 29,000, and the tonnage to 4,320,000 tons. The witness was re-examined by Mr. Locke, but rilthing of consequence was elicited. The committee adjourned at four o'clock. BANK RUPTS. • Ebenezer Price, Victoria Road, Elaiston, Upholsterer. Edward Belson Dudley, Worcestershire, Inkeeper. Thomas Bruce Cooper, Tork-place' Old Kent road, builder. Henry Remington, Railway-21am FenchurclaNtasatter and Engineer. William Booth, City Central saw 'mills, Upper Whitecross street. William Gifford, St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, Sadler and Harness maker. William Rawle, Liverool, Broker. Walter Loflge, Almondbury and Iludder4field, Cloth manu facturer, and merchant. William Ebenezer Bincott ; C Glamorganshire, Whole sale Tea dealer and Provision merchant. William Reynolds, Pontypridd, Glamorgansbire, Draper and Shopkeeper. Charles Worters Broughton, Southampton-street, Covent Garden. Tailor. Frederick Baxter, Nottingham, Silk Throwster; William Stock, Newton, near Warrington, Lancashire, Glass manufacturer. At the Convocation held in Oxford, on Thursday last the Rev. Dr. Mame and the Rev. Thomas Cowan, of this town, were admitted to the denees of D.O I. and M.A., The Rev. T. S. Pain also took the degree of M.A. ANNUAL EXCURSION OF THE HISTORIC SOCIETY. —A visit to the Arts Treasures Exhibition at Manchester has been decided Upon by the members of this society, and arrange ments have been made for a speci d train to carry them by way of Chester and Warrington, where many of the country members of the society are expected to join the excursion. (See advertisement.) ACCIDENTAL DEATHS.-0a the 3rd inst., a man named William Rirnmer, who was engaged about the Pheasant Inn stables was hurt by a h orse ki c ki n g him, and h e di e d yeserday from the result of the injuries. A boy named trickle, about eight years of age, was missed from his home on Friday, and yesterday his body was place.' up from the Canal, Inquests will be held in the above eases this day,