The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-04 00:00:00

Iniptrial pariiaintnt. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY , The House of 'Lords did not sit to-day. ROUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. A ilolber of petitions were presented against any further grant to Maynooth College, in favour of securities for pre serving unimpaired the Protestant religion, as by law esta blished, for church extension, and on other subjects. Mr. DAaBY and Sir E. SUGDEN postponed their motions respecting the Messrs. Hansard and the sheriffs. ADJOURNED DEBATE.—WANT OP CONFIDENCE IN MINISTERS., Lord POWERSCOURT said the speeches last night must have convinced her Majesty's government of the truth of the old adage, " that it was comparatively easy for a man to defend himself against his enemies, but that it required supernatural aid to guard him against his friends." (Hea r, hear, and laughter from the opposition s ) Of all the speeches which had been delivertsi spun this -debate, none were more calculated to injure the governmeut than the •two prihcipal speeches on their side of the house—the speeches of ' the noble lord (Howick) and of the right hon. gentleman . the new secretary at war (Mr. Macaulay). if the noble lord were in his place, he (Lord P.) would congratulate him upon the open and manly manner in which he had avowed his reasons for resigning his post in the government—reasons, not fronfany personal motive, or from disappointed ambition, but on strong public grounds—(hear, hear)—and he might congratulate gentlemen opposite on the support of the noble lord, coupled, as it had been, with a speech which must inevitably injhre them most deeply. With regard to the other speech to which he alluded, he must say that it was a new thing, and, in his opinion, a most unpopular thing, for a member of the cabinet to come down to. that house, and boldly and openly declare that he upheld and admired that system of agitation to which the country owed all the evils it was now labouring under. (Cheers.) He thought it was a new thing, and altogether an unprecedented thing, for a cabinet minister to conic down to the house and speak in terms of disparagement of the high and honourable office of a privy councillor, in terms which expressed that that high and honourable office visas merely an empty name, and a nominal title of distinction. Itappeared to him to be a new and anotna lousthing for a cabinet minister to risein his place in parliament ostensibly for the purpose of answeriog a number of serious charges brought against the administration of which he was a member, by. the. risilit hon.. baronet the member for Pem broke, and instead of alluding in the most distant manner— (renewed cheering)—sto any one of these charges, to fly off and - talk about the rethrrnation—about s6the nondescript animal, half roundhead, half cavalier —about the times of Milton and Raleigh, and fifty other things, which had no morel() do with the matter in hand than if he had talked of the sudden death of King Rufus, and entertained the house with d pane gyric upon his heroic deeds. (Cries of Hear.") He (Lord Powerscourt) thought the speech evidently well digested— (cheers from the opposition)—concluded in a very odd and peculiar manner. If he saw any resemblance to any hero, it .was the ancient Roman, who, as long as he found hostile weapons against him, defended himself with great bravery, but when he found a mortal blow had been inflicted by a friend, breathed out those memorable wads, " et to Brute !" He believed he spoke the sentiments of the great consti tuency that he represented when he stated that the present state of the country required a strong government—a govern ment which would unite mon of education, and the best wishes of both houses of parliament—a government com posed of men, who, by their talent, character, and influence would be enabled to carry on the affairs of the Government with success. At the commencement of the debate he thought no individual on the other side of the house would have had the hardihood to assert that the present Govern . ment was entitled to that designation. He was satisfied that a weaker or a more inefficient government never presided over the destinies of a great nation than the present. It could not be denied that the voluntary principle was the principle on which the Government meant to act, but they did not think the time had yet arrived when they could declare the extreme limits to which they meant to carry their views. He knew there were yet some of their supporters who de clared an adhesion to the protestant establishments of the country, but that adhesion was given in such a manner, so sleepy were they in their support, that they were more calcu lated to paralyse their energies than to advance the sacred cause, which they declared their anxiety to struggle for; with regard to the - Church, he could not help adverting to the policy which the Government had pursued ; he thought every effort they made to what they called submission was no thing more or less thali a surrender of those sacred rights to the enemies of the church. He knew full well that the large and thinking portion of the people outside that house would not suffer a continuance of such a government; there was also a numerous and highly respectable party in that house, who were perfectly free from any kind of bigotry and prejudice, these, backed by the st ronger b o dy ou t s id e of these walls, would form a phalanx so powerful that it would be impossible for the ministers to retain their place. (Hear.) He was ready to admit that they cheerfully ab stained from all outward expressions of dislike to the church, but they also abstained from all expressions in its favour, and did not hesitate to give the party to which he had alluded all the increased weight. of their expressive silence, because if they expressed openly their adhesion to that church, they would run the risk of offending that party by which they were supported, and if they would insert the word protestant . into any of their state documents they would offend the ears of that numerous body who, if they were sincere disciples of the religion which they professed, must ardently desire the abolition of protestantism. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) The voice of public opinion called for men to assume the reins of government, who would notbe ashamed to announce their principles of religion, who would truckle not to any party, but who would manfully assert in a straight forward manner the principles of their policy—a party who would not stand upon the breadth of court favour alone—not upon party claims alone—but would rest their claims upon the public coatidence on their sound opinions and principles. This was the policy which they had pursued with regard to the church which they were afraid to attack, but he considered their conduct in state affairs were even more culpable. Under the' names of forbearance and generosity they had displayed a despicable and culpable weakness. He would not allude,. except in passing, to the speech of the noble lord at Liver pool, or to that of the Attorney-General at Edinburgh, which had been so ably commented upon last night. He should say, however, that it was unworthy and undignified on the part of the ministers of the crown to go in imitation of an hat. gentleman opposite, on an agitating tour through the counti-y. There was one part of the speech of the noble lord which he would allude to—that was, his boast of.a paltry economy in the secret service money. He wondered whether the noble lord, when he made that boast contemhlated his coming to the house a hi; .c extravagant demand with which he came down a fes. h s slsts ago? lie wondered whether it ever struck him, When he boasted of that paltry economy, that a judicious expenditure of that money might have sated the lives of many of those who fell at Newport, by obtain ing for him a timely notice of the danger which was intended. Mr. Fox Ma ehE defended the speech of Mr. Macauley, and said, the opinions of the public as to the conduct of the ministry had to be decided out of doors, and to that quarter he was ready to defer. The noble lord could not produce one single measure which the government had ever, intro duced which tended to injure the church ; but they could produce many measures passed by that house through her majesty's present government on the subject of the church, ever y one of which tended to confirm and strengthen the principles on which it was founded in the hearts of the people Mr. LIDDELL attacked the ministers on their finances. Captain PECHELL defended them on their exercise of naval patronage, and assailed a speech lately delivered by the Rev. Mr. Anderson, at Brighton. Mr. LASCELLES refuted the charge of disunion which had been preferred against the tories, and rebuked Mr. Macauley for having chosen such a crisis as the present for the utter ance °Len eulogy on agitation. Mr. HANDLEY, though professing himself friendly to the existing corn law, yet commended the ministers for leaving the question an open one. Sir A. DALRYMPLE vindicated the speech of Mr. Anderson. Mr. SYDNEY HERBERT successfully ridiculed the childish notion that the tories desire to repeal. the Roman Catholic relief bill ; and exposed the inconsistency of Mr. Handley, who was mot only supporting a government very generally opposed to his own opinions on the corn laws, but had ea gerly canvassed for the new solicitor-general, one of the most inveterate enemies of that code. Any hope of disunion among the conservatives would meet, he said, with signal disappointment. They were a compact phalanx, looking with the utmost confidence to their leader ; to whom, indeed, Lord Howick also must shortly accede, unless he should continue to think that the government, though too discredi table for him to belong to, was not too discreditable for him to support. Mr. WARD explained the reasons why, after having so often expressed opinions unfavourable to the ministry, he was now about to aid them with his vote. The expectation of a more radical Policy, which was the motive with the con servatives to oppose the government, was with him the mo tive to support it. Last year he would have voted against ministers ; but ministers and himself had found " a middle point" on which they could agree. The point was progres sive reform—not such as Lord Howick advocated, which was merely nominal, but a real reform. Me principle of open questions had been conceded by Lord John Russell, and an open question had really become a necessary step in every great change. The masses would not be conciliated, and ra dicalism was at length placed in a favourable position. The most eloquent advocate of the ballot had been brought into the cabinet; and these were sufficient inducements to the radicals to give their confidence to the ministers. Lord STANLEY then rose, and spoke for upwards of are hour and a half with great vigour and effect. It had been asked, he said, why this motion had not been made in some former year. It was because the leading members of the party had felt that it did not become them to displace a mi nistry,'unless they had a prospect of becoming able to con duct a government themselves. But it was now become known from the people, and even from one of the late mi nisters, (Lord Howick), that the most respectable sup porters of the present cabinet were rapidly falling off from them, and that the eyes of the country were opening. But, whether the present battle should be won or lost—and he knew that this division would be against him—the result would not produce the slightest variation in the course of the great con servative body. Fail as often as they might, they would still watch and controul the government, still keep the fixed line of their duty as a great united party, still defend the ministers when in the r i g h t against th e i r mischievous allies, and still defeat those ministerial measures which would he detrimental to the country. Th e • w ugs might continu e to possess the places of the government, but its authority would be wielded by the tories. Parties would now stand unmasked before the people, who would know what were the connexions, and what the expectations, by which the government were kept in p o wer. They were support e d now by men who sa "We don.t approve them, but we use them . becau se push them onward for our own purposes:, The most 1: e can important questions now likely to arise were those relating to ti t ies l of bread, the mode of exercising the elective'franchisen,pandy the extent to which that franchise should be distributed. On subjects of such importance the principle s of the government should be known to membe r s before they pledged themselves to its support. Yet, who could understand the sentiments of these ministers on the corn-laws ? Each had a separate opinion—the gentleman who had last acceded to th e cabinet i being a known stickler for that free trade n corn which the head of the administration had characterised as the maddest of all conceivable speculations. Of the. ballot the same new comer was a vehement advocate; while the leader of the House of Commons declared it to be dangerous and uncon stitutional. If it were asked as to extension of franchise, what was to be the limit, the answer "was " progressive re form ;" which seemed to mean all that every body fancied. Lord Howick, however, had objected to progressive reform so construed. That noble lord was not a man to be startled at a tolerably large measure of reform ;. but the new doctrine was too much even for him, and he refused to go further. It was imp oss ib le to imagine' a government less deserving of confidence than one where all shades of opinion were admit ted, but no man was found who held tip his hand and said, " Thus far will I go, and no further." At the conclusion of Lord Stanley's powerful address, the debate was again adjourned, to be resumed the next evening. The house adjourned at a quarter-past twelve o'clock. IIOUSE OF LORDS. ---FRIDAY. Lord BROLIOHi.:.i ask'ed the Lord Chancellor if he were prepared to make, such an alteration in the objectionable clause of Prince Albert's ent unpleasant discussions. Naturalization Bill as would pre- The Lord CHANCELLOR replied, that he, : pliould P ropose that the clause be a tered so as to give her 'Majesty the power to allow the Prince to take precedence heir apparent to the throne. . . Lord fixouou bald, "but io.cop-4ue...0n1y during th e life of her Majesty?" The Lord CHANCELLOR replied—" I am nol prepared to go farther." - It having been agreed that the discussion on the measure should be taken in committee, the bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday next. Lord NORMANBY stated, in answer to a question from the Bishop. of Exeter, that Mr. Pare, the superintendent registrar of births, &c., at Birmingham, had acted as vice president of a Socialist society from May 1838, to May, 1839, but that since June last he had ceased to have any connexion with the society. Lord Nornianby, at the same time, at tempted a vindication of Mr. Pare, and of the doctrines of the Socialists, which, though founded on the unexceptionable testimony of Mr. Pare himself, was unmercifully exposed by the Bishop of Exeter. . Lord LONDONDERRY asked if the Ministers had any in formation.respecting the .military occupation of Minorca by France, or of the establishment there of naval and military :hospitals? Lord MELBOURNE, who was scarcely audible in the gal lery, could give no information on the subject, except that he understood they were possessed of some small island off Minorca, which was principally. used as a depbt for coals. Lord RIPON wished to' know how long they had had oc cupation of that island? . - Lord CLARENDON said that some of the papers were con fidential, but, as they had passed through his hands, he could assure his noble friend that they were perfectly satisfactory. So far as he (the Earl of Clarendon) was con cerned, he should be very glad that they should be produced. Lord LYNDHURST.—That will be the better course, and then we can judge for ourselves whether they. are satisfac tory or not. • Lord COLCHESTER gave notice, that on Monday be will move that all the papers connected with the subject be laid upon the table. Lord LONDONDIVIRY gave notice, that on Thesday Se'n night he will move for copies of any communications that may have passed between her Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government relative to the convention of Bergara. The House adjourned' till Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY. The House of Commons was almost exclusively occupied with the adjourned debate on Sir John Y. Buller's motion. It was begun by . _ _ _ Lord MORPETH, who misstated most materially, though no doubt very ingeniously, the argument of his opponents, as if their great oliection, or, as be called it, their main staple of attack against the government were, that it is sup ported by adherents who go further than the members of the cabinet ; whereas the real complaint is, that though the mem bers of the cabinet have now shown themselves prepared to go to lengths which the respectable part of their adherents have always reprobated, those adherents do nevertheless, most inconsistently, continue to support them. He then attempted a vindication or - the principle of open questions, and complimented the opposition on the talents they had displayed for obstruction.. He entered into various consider ations connected with Irish affairs ; and we can give no clearer specimen of the nature of his views on these subjects than by recording that, after a large tribute to the abilities and influence of Mr. O'Connell, the noble lord was actually bold enough to say that those powers had, on the whole, been exerted in flavour of order ! He admitted that the country required a strong government ; but when the oppo sition called on the ministry to make way for themselves, he must ask what means had that party fur forming a govern ment likely to be strong ! It was a party of which the mem bers differs from each other on a variety of most important points—on the Roman Catholic bill, on Irish education, even on corn laws. Since the first notice of this motion there had been an appeal to several constituencies; and they had all returned a verdict in favour of the government. Lord Morpeth seemed to forget that, except in one case, the con stituencies which had given this verdict were all selected by ministers themselves as being the most likely to return whig members. On the other hand, at Beverley, where the vacancy was made by the conservatives, a conservative was elected : and in the instance of Denbighshire (the only case of vacancy which, happening by death, was independent of arrangement on either side) the freeholders supported a conservative with so strong a hand, that his opponent did not venture to abide the poll. Lord Morpeth concluded with a few set sentences, in which he told the tories to go on as they had begun, and rekindle the tires of former bigotry, while the whigs would rely on the returning sense of the people. (Is not that word " returning" strangely pregnant with the confession of con fidence departed ?) Mr. Serjeant . JACKSON answered this speech with great vigour. He explained the causes to which the present com parative tranquillity was owing." He inveighed with just in dignation against the pusillanimous conduct of ministers to wards the member for Dublin, who would be guilty of high treason should he take a single step towards the pi actical ex.; ecution of any one of his own seditious doctrines. The learned Sergeant denied that the Roman Catholics, of whose physical force the agitator was accustomed to talk so largely, were available to any such extent for the purposes of insur rection : for, to his own knowledge, a large proportion of the Roman Catholic body were as sound and loyal as any class of people in the world, and firmly determined to preserve the connexion of the two countries. Mr. C. Woon said that he left office on the same grounds which had been stated on Wednesday night by Lord Howick. He explained that one of the eight officers, supposed by Sir James Graham to have been promoted in consequence of their having stood contested elections at the last dissolution, had been, in fact, promoted several months before the contest. Mr Wood vindicated some other of the naval appoint ments to which Sir James Graham had objected, and Sir C. ADAM followed to the same effect. Mr. MACLEAN, from the Conservative side of the house, spoke at length against the foreign policy of ministers ; and then • Mr. O'CONNELL rose, and delivered his usual quarterly speech upon Irish affairs. Beginning with himself, he stated that the office of Chief Baron in Ireland had indeed been offered to him. but that was when, for a while, he had laid repeal aside. He had refused the offer, in the fear that he might, be tempted to deviate from the impartiality which a judge ought ever to observe. A party now sought to take the places of the ministers; and what were the principles of that party ? Much had been heard of disturbances through out England and Wales, but that party had suggested no remedy for them. What would they do I Would they re lease Thorogood, and relieve the dissenters from church rates? Did they think to prosper by holding out the immut ability of the corn laws ? Did they offer any hope of de parture from their doctrine of finality in matters of reform ! The operatives. were loudly reminding the legislature that this doctrine had already produced the most disastrous dis affection. He then proceeded to the subject of Ireland, which under a Tory governme n t co u ld b e ru l e d, h e sa id, on ly b y force ; and gave his usual passage about " centuries of op pression," with this variation, that he this night took credit for only., six instead of seven. He boasted of her present tranquilit y , kid of her temperance societies. H e com pl a i ne d of the attcki'whiah had been made on the Roman Catholic religion and clergy, in newspapers, in sermons, and in speeches, particularly by Mr. Bradshaw. It was against such rneri'as- this that he had said he would bring 500,000 fighting men into the field. He finished with repeal, justice to Ireland, and a general flourish about his ancestors and himself. Mr. Bumastinw said a few words from under the gallery, Which were not audible at the distance of 20 feet from him. Sir R. PEEL said, he felt that no gentleman in the house, however tired he might be of this protracted discussion, and however anxious to bring the debate to a conclusion, would not admit that, considering the nature of the motion, and considering the position in which he stood, he was almost entitled to claim the indulgence of the house. (Hear, hear.) He was confident, moreover, if he must detail his opinions on many of the facts, and if be must vindicate himself from some accusations, he was confident that, considering the pros minent place he had been made to occupy throughout this discussion, he should not be charged with silly vanity or need less egotism. (Hear, hear.) Two demands had been made on the opposite side in the course of the discussion. One of them, which was made with perfect justice, was, that those who withdrew their confidence from the present Government should specify the grounds of their refusal. The other de mand was, that those who, from their position, might be re garded as the probable successors of the present Government in the event of its dissolution, should state on what grounds of public policy- they proposed to conduct the affairs of the country. (Hear, hear.) The absolute justice of the first de mand he admitted ; he felt that it was incumbent upon him to specify the grounds on which he withheld his confidence from the present Government. The other demand, that he should explain.or detail his own views of public policy, he did not consider equally obligatory on him, but it was a de mand which he felt to be reasonable and politic to accede to. He knew too well the little,value to he placed on professions ; he had seen too much of magnificent promises out of office, and of meagre performances in office (hear, hear;) he had too much experience of solemn engagements entered into for the purpose of turning out a Government violated when that object was attained. He had little desire to benefit limself by this practice; he had little desire to employ conciliatory ' speeches in order to gain the good-will of the other side of the house ; but he did rejoice at an opportunity of fully and freely explaining himself. He proceeded in the first instance to a compliance with the first demand—namely, to specify the ground upon which, with perfect cordiality, he gave his vote in favour of the motion of his hon. friend, and recorded his denial of confidence in the present Government. He with held his confidence from theta on every ground upon which confidence was to be given (hear, hear); he withheld his con fidence from them from the results of their public policy ; he withheld his confidence from them on their own confession of their incapacity (hear, hear) •, he withheld his confidence - from them on the testimony. of their most valued friends; be withheld his confidence from them on account of the consti tutional grounds and public principles which they had been forced to :avow in order to maintain their station. He would consider first the results of their government, and he should compare them, not with any remote period, not with the results of Conservative policy—he should compare them with the results of a period with which the present Ministers must be familiar, from the recollection of events in which they had a share, and from respect towards one by whose counsels they professed to be led. In 1834 the men under whom they had carried through - the Reform Bill retired from office, and Lord Grey gave, on his retiring from office, an account of the condition in which he left the Government. Let them compare the testimony of Lord Grey in 1834 with the results of their policy and with the state in which he (Sir R. Peel) found the country on the day upon which he was about to record his denial of confidence in the Government. Lord Grey said, on the Dth of Ju4, 1834, " With respect to the internal st a t e o f th e c O untry " —now mark the contrast in every particular—" with respect to the internal state of the country, let it be borne in mind that we now leave it in im proved circumstances tiade in a sound and healthy condi tion, the inanufaCitireis generally employed, public credit improved, the revenue greatly increasing, and all interests in a better condition; with one single exception—agriculture ; and even the depression of that in.erest less affects the tenantry than the landlord s , who will be . called on for a re duction of rents, to which they must submit. Political and tradeS' unions have disappeared, and without the application of any extraordinary powers on the part of government. We have exerted the ordinary powers of the law with a firm hand, and the result has been successful." (Hear, hear.) Such was the testimony borne by Lord Grey, and such the results of the adthinistration of the government of that noble lord, in which his noble friend the member for North Lan cashire, and his right hon. friend the member for Pem broke, had.taken a part. Since then the present government had had Unlimited Control, except for a period of three or four months, over the affairs of this country. He called upon them to render an account of their stewardship, and to tell him whose fault it was that this country now presented such a contrast as it did to that of 1831. (Hear, hear.) They told him that since then, they had effected great public mea sures, th a t reform had been' progressive, that no obstruction had been sufficient to control the steady march of their pro gressive improvements. How came it then that trade in 1840 should be in an unsound and unhealth • condition; that public credit, inst ea d of being ha proved, should have deteriorated, and that for months our took credit for that imprOve. discount? Agriculture had's public securitie • should have been at a indeed improved. Perhaps they to their manly and consistenT But how happened it if Lordhe attributed. improvement, and considered that it was Greyciaurse it was to_ extin guishing political unions, and by prfolcieaCedodmescrucceeded.in di am administration of the laws had suppressed the spirit of 4r:der—how happened it, if his efforts had been attended w the present Government had complete sucess, and if t t h o ey t o d h th y did, in a course of useful reform to an exteanst former Government had gone, and which could which have no was " througho ut t h e been anticipated — ans Wer hi m the question, to what was it owing that this country was now convulsed with political dis srubrotrndgintahteioir headsn r eading, and roerdbeelrli n t n h that tdh insuspiritrrection of ea land? (Cheers.) To what (said the right hon, b • onet) siiitce the period to which I have referred . have the principl es which you profess respecting the constitution of the Govern ment tended to lead ? The noble lord the member for Nor- _ thumberland said that from month to month your supporters have been dropping off. Will the noble lord opposite observe what has been the tendency of those same principles with re spect to the members of the Government and its constitu tion ? How happens it that ever}, man who has attempted to assert the authority of the laws—who has engaged himself on the side of adherence to the ancient institutions of the country, or Who had been so engaged at the period of the Reform l3ill—how happens it that every man, with few ex-. ceptions, and amongst them the splendid exception of the noble lord—that every man conspicuoUs for talents, or enjoy= ing from his superior station any share in the confidence of the country, has step by step been driven from the Government ? Since the beginning of the year 1832 the following members of the government left it:—Lard Grey, Lord Stanley, Sir J. Graham, the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Ripon, Lord .Broughani, Mr. C. Grant, Mr. S. Rice, and Lord Howick. Step by step these men, for some reason or other, have been gradually expelled from the government. They have been expelled because it was necessary to make a sacrifice of them in order to conciliate a different party. The-last instance was that of the noble lord the member for Northumberland. .That noble lord has left the government because he distrusts 'the principles on which it now acts. Yet the noble lord read :us a lecture upon the withdrawal of individual 'members of a :government. I ask you (addressing the noble lord) upon what ground did you relinquish your connexion with the go vernment—you, who are prepared to vote confidence in that government ? Upon what account did you sever your con nexion with them ? (Hear.) • You left upon public princi ple. It was no mortification or personal disappointment that led you to take that step ; for you had too little interest •in office, and too high an ambition to have felt either ; you left it upon the consideration of public principle. Are you, then, entitled to censure us for withdrawing our confidence from the government and publicly recording our vote to that effect? How strong must have been the motives which could justify your secession ? The government was in great diffi culty, and you returned to office to protect your Sovereign, according to your own avowal. You think that an unjust and ungenerous attempt was made to dictate to Her Majesty what should be the appointments in the household. I differ from you. I think it would have been humiliating to me, as well as unconstitutional, to have submitted to the conditions that were proposed. (Hear.) I adhere to that opinion ; but you entertain a different one. How strong, then, must your con viction have been of the danger to which those ministers. were exposing the country, when at such a time and - under such circumstances you withdrew your aid from them—you, who were bound to• them by every tie of private friendship and personal esteem. We have none ; we have always opposed them ; you have always given them your support. What strong considerations must have influenced you at this period of great public difficulty; how convinced mast you have been of the danger of the course which they were pur suing, and the principles which they avowed, when you and the hon. gentlemen who retired with you could break your connexion with them, and retire from the service of the crown. (Hear, hear.) You retired at a time' when, so far us the public were aware, the proposal was to place the the right hon. gentleman, the President of the Board of Trade in that office you had vacated. I certainly was not aware that the right hon. gentleman professed any opinions which would not bear to 'be contrasted with those of his col leagues, or which could alarm the public as to the conse quences of such an appointment. Will the noble lord let me ask him whether the subsequent appointments tended to conciliate him and his colleagues? (Hear, hear.) The right hon. gentleman the Secretary at War had not been appointed when the noble lord withdrew. That ap pointment has taken plaae since; and I ask the noble lord whether the lecture which he read on the first night of the debate, upon the subject of politiCal agitation, has tended much to conciliate him with confidence towards the Govern ment? (Hear.) I say therefore (addressing the ministers) that I have the evidence of your own colleague, of your own friend, of him who entertains for you personal regard and private esteem, and he thinks you unworthy of public confi dence, at least so unworthy that he cannot consent to commit his fortunes with yours. (Cheers.) I say, then, that I con vict you upon your own testimony, and upon your own incompetence. Lord J. RUSSELL said, that at the end of to-night's de bate, the right hon. gentleman opposite had chosen to make a three hours' speech, which he had divided into two parts — one in which he endeavoured to prove that this country was in a state of calamity, of internal discord and disorder, that our finances were fatally embarrassed, our credit nearly ruined, our difficulties almost insuperable ; and having for about ari hour and a half proceeded in this strain, he had de voted the remainder of it to prove that he was capable, was ready, and was willing to remedy those disasters, and fill that place in the councils of the Crown now occupied by Lord Melbourne. (Cheers from the Ministerial benches.) He readily admitted that the commencement of a session was the best time to bring forward this motion ; but he must complain that not even the usual motion for papers, by which to obtain information, had preceded the present dis cussion. No complaints of the disturbed state of the country had been made last session, when he was employed day by day in providing against the dangers that then threatened it. He (Lord J. Russell) was inclined to ascribe those dangers. to the existence of a large and uneducated population in those great cities which had sprung up within the last 100 years, exposed to the temptations of an advanced state of society, and the violent language of an inflammatory press. It was difficult then to stop the excitement created by large meet ings and an inflammatory press. . The debate terminated, as had been anticipated, ill favour of ministers, Sir J. Y. Bulfer's motion having been negatived by a majority of 21, the numbers being 208, and 287. The ministers and their dependents in the house amount to more than 31, so that we are rather surprised at the smallness of the majority. The hobse adjourned at a quarter to 5 o'clock. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. MANCHESTER, FRIDAY EVENING. The attention of several of our leading turf gentlemen seems exclusively given to, the approaching great coursing Meeting at Chatsworth. The noble patron of the club is expected to be present : he nominates a dog in the principal prize. 100 to 11 is offered on the field for,the Chester Cup ; 100 to 8, bar Cowboy. The field will yet be backed against nine. , , • , THE DERBY.—We have not seen• any business since 'our last remarks. TATTERSALL'S-I'n unsnAy. To report all that was done at " The Corner" to-day will be a short and easy task, for truly the business transacted was small enough ; its importance, however, in one material item was too striking to be passed over. ' We allude to the Confederate movement, which, slow at first, was so marked throughout the afternoon, and .so decisive at the finish, that, after a bet of 15 to 1 in 50's against him, his friend (we speak in the singular person) had the satisfaction of unequivocally seeing him first favourite ; a. rise which no one could possibly have anticipated a fortnight ago. Angelica, backed for a trifle at 16 to 1, was head and head with Launcelot, who was not without supporters. Theon was, nominally, at the same price, but his partisans were non est. No direct odds were offered against Bokhara ; but as he was backed for an even 500 against Confederate, and the same against Angelica, we are entitled to•infer that he can scarcely be a worse favourit: than the latter. Ottoman, at 24 to 1, was friendless, and an offer to back Gambia (against whom 25 to 1 was laid) against him for 500 even met with no response. Grey Milton dropt several points, and a considerable increase on last quotation was betted against Chameau. No other change, and nothing dune on the Oaks. THE DERBT. 15 to 1 agst Mr. Houldsworth's Confederate (tk and aft. off) 16 to 1 agst Lord Oxford's Angelica colt (taken) 16 to 1 agst Lord Westminster s Launcelot (tk. and aft. off) 16 to 1 agst Duke of Cleveland's 'neon. 18 to 1 agst Lord Jersey's Muley Ishmael. 24 to 1 agst Duke of Grafton's Ottoman. 25 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Gambia (tk. and aft. off) 27 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Warden. 40 to 1 agst Lord G. Bentinck's Grey Milton (taken) 40 to 1 agsi Capt. Gardnor's Monops (taken and aft. off) 50 to 1 agst Mr. Ford's Chameau (taken) 50 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Maroon (taken.) 500 even Bokhara agst Angelica colt (taken.) 500 even Bokhara agst Confederate (taken.) LIVERPOOL AUTUMN MEETING, 1843 The following splendid entry for a Produce Sweepstakes of 200 sovs each, p.p., for the Liverpool Autumn Meeting, 1843, closed on the Ist of January, 1840. The stake will amount to £3OOO. The GRAND JUNCTION STAKES of 200 sous each, p.p., for the produce of mares covered in 1839. Colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b. To start at the stable corner and run in. Untried stallions or mares, or mares whose produce have never won before the day of nomination allowed 31b ; both, 51b. To name three mares and bring one to the post. No produce. No forfeit. LBR. COVERED RV ALP. Lord Stanley's Roselaf .. Voltaire 3 Lord Stanley's Mysinda Amurath .. .. 5 Lord Stanley's Miss Bowe Camel 3 Lord Milltown's Cotteen Lord Milltown's Costa Lord Milltown's Brandy Bet . Lord .George Bentinck's Camarine's dam.. Bay Middleton 3 Lord George Bentinck's Camarine Bay Middleton 3 Lord George Bentinck's Lady Emilina Bay Middleton 3 Lord George Bentinck's Flycatcher . Bay Middleton 5 Lord George Bentinck'sChapeand'Espag-neßay Middleton 5 Lord George Bentinck's Mol t sßose Bay Middleton 4 Lord Eglinton's Spaewife LiverPool .... Lord Eglinton's Rectitude Ray Middleton 3 Lord Eglinton's Zillah Sheet Anchor.. 5 Lord Westminster's Decoy Touchstone .. 3 Lord Westminster's Languish Lord Westminster's Sarcasm Pantaloon .... 3 Lord Kelburne's Emilia, by Abjer Retainer Lord Kelburne's Actaeon Bay Middleton 5 Lord Kelburne's Ardrossan Sir T. Stanley's Rabbitcatcher's dam Sir T. Stanley's Augustina Despot Sir T. Stanley's Catton in Suaanetta's dam.. Despot Sir James Boswell did not name. Colonel Anson's Scandal Colonel Anson's Louisa Velocipede.... Colonel Anson's Rotterdam Gladiator .... 3 Mr. Wreford's Monimia Camel Mr. Wreford's Margellina BaY Middleton 3 Mr. Wreford's Victoria Mr. Sadler's Defender's dam.. Defence ...... Mr. Sadler's Europa Mr. Sadler's Euryone Defence' Mr. W. Sadler's Tilly Defence 3 Mr. W. Sadler's Etniliana Camel - ' . Mr. W. Sadler's Temper . ' Venison .. 5 Mr. Mostyn's Queen oF Trumps .... Touchstone .. 5 Mr. , Mostyn's Usury Mr. Mostyn's Birdlime Velocipede.... 3 Mr. Johnstone's Proserpine,byßhadamanthusVelocipede. . Mr. Johnstone's Wagtail, by Whisker.... Jereed , . 3 Mr. Johnstone'sMarchioness, byVeloci-1 out of Chapeau de Muley Muloch 5 Paine, by Rubens ...: MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—The first meeting of a society whose objects are " to promote improvements in the optical and mechanical construction of microscopes, the reading and discussion of papers upon new and interesting subjects of microscopical inquiry, and the exhihition of subjects," took place on Wednesday evening, in the rooms of the Horticul tural Society, Regent-street; Professor Owen, F.R.S., the President, in the chair. The meeting was well attended, and there were p resent many of the leading members of the I Geo logical Society, the Society of Arts, and several other pro minent institutions. Dr. Arthur Farre was appointed secretary ; Mr. N. B. Ward, treasurer; and a council was also formed, consisting of Dr. Lindley, Dr. F. Farre, Messrs. Loddies, Quekett, Solly, Gwilp, Bowerbank, &c. The pre sident read a paper illustrative of the light thrown upon zoology and geology by the aid of the microscope, particu larly as regardfng the investigation of the teeth in extinct fossil animals. Microscopic investigation, connected as it is with the minute points of science, lends its aid at the point where all ordinary means fail. The operations of this society must be very extensive, for • microscopic investigation was important to the botanist and the chemist, as well a s th e a d m a i ni paperng fossil on an improved vegetable r ruc struction of a microscope, by which in any motion produced, t g u e r o e l s o . g i st, iv t r p . aticuly Jackson a rl that of the lens, as well as the object, were connected, and a steadiness in the motion was secured. Several microscopes ne i x n t r e e x a of improved construction were exhibited by the members. The present subscription to the society is one guinea per annum, with one guinea entrance. THE CORN LAWS • We have been favoured with the following copy of a letter, which has been addressed. to the members of both Houses of Parliament. It furnishes some very powerful arguments in favour of the present system of corn-laris.:;,- • . The merchants' and manufacturers of Sheffield having pre . rented a petition to her Majesty's Government, praying for the .admission,.of , American flour. into_ this country, for. a limited period, and at a low fixed duty, for the purpose of enabling the Ainericans to discharge the veryheavy debt tow cowing. by them to this country, I take the liberty very respect, fully of.calling your attention to the following remark's, in which T have endeavonred' to show,• that tire , prayer of the petition may he granted, with benefit both to the agricultural and mercantile interests, and that an alMost immediate re vival of trade and consequent prosperity would be the ; whilst a refusal will cause our portfi to be 'opened to conti nental corn, to the injury both of our agricultural and Manu facturing population. in presenting these remarks- to your notice, I am not influenced either by.party or politics, but solely by a desire to promote the befit interests of lily country, and to relieve. the mechanic from the distress and misery which at present surround him. If my conclusions meet with your approval, I flatter my self that the prayer of the petition will have your slipper . should the subject be brought before parliament. I will first endeavour to show what will be the consequences of the importation of continental corn into this country, and at the same time combat the most favourite argu men t s of the Anti-Corn-law League, by which they strive to induce ma nufacturers and their workmen to join in the cry for a repeal of the corn-laws. To the operatives they allege, that it will produce abundance of orders, and consequently high wages. The employers are told, that not only fresh markets will be opened to them, but that they will be enabled to manufacture at a less cost, " for cheap food will produce cheap labour," I think I shall be able to show that both of these arguments are fallacious. The Anti Corn-law League assert, that by a free importa tion of foreign corn the continental nations will be induced to give up their manufactures, and devote themselves solely to agriculture. This might be the case if we could take all the surplus corn which the whole labouring population of those nations could raise, at stich•.a - price as would afford them higher wages than could be otherwise obtained. The most sanguine repeater will hardly p rom i se thi s . I feel asstirec4 that if we take the corn of the continental nations, we shall find to our cost that, instead of crushing their ma nufactures, it would be the means of extending and improving them. All that the continental manufacturers want is-capital, to enter-into successful competition with British merchants in every foreign market, and with this we should furnish them—for gold; and gold only, will be taken in exchange for corn. It is a welt-known fact, thatforeign merchants, at the present time, underiell the BritiSh in. almost' every article, and, that they do not engross the whole trade, is owing to their want of machinery, and the inferior quality of their goods. The repeal of the corn laws would furnish capital — capital would furnish machinery—arid machinery and capital would soon improve the quality of .the goods ; so that, in stead of the British manufacturer obtaining an additional market for his goods, he would find' the home trade ruined, and a formidable rival abroad. As the Anti-Corn-law League maintain that a directly contrary effect would be produced, I will pursue this part of the question a little further, and inquire into the probable result of " repeal," as relates to some particular country ; take Poland for instance, from whence we might expect to receive by far the greater portion of foreign corn. The Poles would, there is no doubt, require gold in payment, from ne cessity alone, as the people are too poor to purchase our goods in 'exchange, the regular wages of the peasant being only five pence per day, and that of the mechanic ninepence per day— labour is so very low, and the raw material so abundant and cheap, that they can produce the few articles which they require at a much less cost than we could. They have already established numerous small manufactories to meet the de mand. They have iron ore of an excellent quality, which can be raised with little l.:bour, in districts where both wood and coal are abundant, the vast dominions of Russia are open to them on one side, .and Prussia on the other ; they only re quire capital to become a manufacturing nation. Although the whole of the gold received by them for corn would not be devoted to trade, but part of it to agricultural improvements, still there would be a surplus sufficient to give a very material impetus to the manufacturing interest, the consequences of which would be very detrimental to British commerce. ' In a former part of this letter I observed, that the master manufacturer is ,invited to join the Anti-Corn-law League, on the representation that repeal will bring with it cheap bread, cheap labour, and the consequent ability to compete with continental manufacturers, in price. Experience shows that this argument is as fallacious as the other. My father, who has been extensively engaged in' the manufactures of Sheffield for upwards of five and thirty years, assures me that during the whole of that period the price of labour has been regulated by the demand for, and not by the price of food; as a proof of this, the highest wages were paid at a time when flour, even the finest, was only two shillings per stone ; the loivest, when flour, of a very inferior quality, was sold for seven shillings and sixpence per stone. But whether the above opinions are correctly fornied or otherwise, it is clear that the.preseta is not the time to repeal the corn-laws, for even their most violent opponent will admit, that for some length of time we should be obliged to pay in specie for the corn imported from the continent. It would, therefore, be highly dangerous to try the experiment whilst the country is labouring under the effects of the last importations, for I beliesie that the distress at present existing in this country, is owing principally, if not entirely, to the Bank of England being so nearly drained of her bullion. Although not a mercantile man myself, I am deeply inte res'ed in all that relates to commerce, my nearest connexions being mainly dependent upon the foreign trade. I have, therefore, no other motive in opposing the introduction of continental corn than such as arises from a conviction that it would be equally injurious to the manufacturer as to the agriculturist: • However just the above remarks may be with reference to the importation of continental corn, they do not apply to American flour; this we may obtain in quantity to make up any deficiency in the late harvest, without the advance of a single sovereign. , The important question, ,then, to he-de termined, is this—did the last harvest produce , r,utticient corn to render us independent of continental importations I am . convinced that it did not, and that we shall require a considerable quantity of corn or flour from some quarter ; my reasons for this opinion are the following:—Firstly, that the old stock. of English wheat is nearly exhausted, and it is the interest of . the farmer to reserve what remains on hand for seed ' , Secondly, that the•greater part . of the new wheat is unsound, some of it so, much so as to e unfit for Bread, and the remainder will require td be mixed with•ncoatidera ble portion of sound corn to 'make. it into•wholesome flour. Thirdly, that a great breadth of land, owing to the wet sea son,. is - unsown, and,. .should the spring prOve unfavourable, must remain so. If such be.the case, we shall -be obliged to import as extensively next year as we have done this. Should the ports be opened to admit'continental corn, this country will be drained of its, specie, and the pressure in the money market will be infinitely, greater than has yet been experienced. Trade will he wholly suspended, and ruin, to a fearful extent, will spread over the commercial part of the nation ; even now a dreadful winter is anticipated ; the prin cipal manufaCtories are almost at a stand, and thousands of workmen totally out of employ. This anticipated evil may be averted, and the preient alarming state of the manufac turing districts greatly and almuSt immediately improved, by an order in council permitting, the importation of American flour,' as prayed for. By this the Americans would be ena bled to pay us every sixpence which they owe to this country —new life would be given to the cotton trade—the _mills woald again be lighted up with their wonted brilliancy—the Bank of England, being relieved from all fear of a demand for gold wherewith to purchase corn, would extent its circu lation, and lower the rate of discount—money would become as abundant as it was before the late drain of bullion—all the channels of trade would re-open, and commercial enterprise resume its accustomed activity. Nothing can prevent this sudden transition from the present state of depression to that of prosperity, if this boon be conceded to the manufacturers; and all these beneficial results may be attained_by, com mercial interest, without the least injury to the agriculturist, it not with a positive - benefit, as 1 will proceed to show.. Take the population of the United Kingdom at 2i .millions ; of these from seven to nine millions are dependent upon manufacture-sond commerce ; the greater portion of the S e. are now suffering from the stagnation of trade, and will ine vitably continue in this state for the whole of " next year, if gold is again sent in exchange for corn. I will suppose that four millions of mechanics are now subsisting upon little better than paupers' Allowance ; the difference in the con sumption of agricultural produce by those four millions for twelve months, on an average of one shilling per week for each person, would be upwards of ten million pounds sterl ing, more ,than double the value of- all the . American flour which could possibly be imported. It is, therefore, evident that, even if there be corn to supply the kingdom until next harvest, the agriculturist would be much benefitted by the admission of American flour, as at least five millions more of his produce would be consumed. There are also minor rea sons why the farmer should join i>> the petition for the ad mission of American flour; one is, that he would be able to dispose of the better part of his unsound corn, (to mix with good flour,) which he must otherwise give to his cattle: Another reason is, that the supply from America being limited ; such a quantity cannot be imported as seriously to injure the farmer, even if unattended with the beneficial re sults before pointed out. This would not be the case if the ports were opened to the whole world, then the quantity im ported would be regulated entirely by the profit attending such importation. A further advantage, which the farmer would' derive from the privilege being confined to America, is that the price of corn would not be reduced ' • for the moment it was known in New York that fl o ur might be imported into England, that instant would the price advance, so as to leave the shipper a bare profit at the market price in Liverpool. I have endeavoured to show some of the beneficial effects which would result from the admission of American flour; I will now shortly advert to some of the evils which will ensue to the country in general, if the prayer of the petition be not granted. It is well known that the Anti-Corn-law League are meditating a desperate attaelcupon the Corn-laws, dur ing the next session of Parliament. If the measnre I now advocate be not conceded, their power will most probably ef fect some modification of those laws, which will cause the ports to be opened to foreign corn, drain the Bank of its gold, and perpetuate those evils under which the country is now labouring. The distress in the manufacturing districts is already most appalling, and increases every succeeding week. Driven to desperation, the hitherto peaceful opera tives will fill the ranks of chartism, and violence will reign through half the kingdom. To the agricultural interest I would appeal, for with them it rests to determine whether England, for the next twelve months, shall be a scene of anarchy and wretchedness, or of peace and prosperity ; if they join in the petition of the manufacturers, there is little doubt but that American flour will be immediately admitted; and millions,of their countrymen be saved from want, misery, and crime. _ _ _ .. As foreign corn in bond-is most probably already paid. for, it would be only just that it should be admitted on the same terms as the American flour, should the prayer of the peti tion be granted : besides being an-act of justice to the im porter, this would benefit the farmer, as it would keep up the supply of sound corn to mix with the unsound of the late harvest, without which the latter would, be unmarketa ble ; and also, because no flour can be expected from Ame rica until the , rivers are again open, the cities havibig only sufficient for their own consumption. On these considerations I trust that your assistance wil be afforded to the manufacturing interest in the;present emergency, for, whatever may be the opinion of some, it is my firm conviction, that the great interests of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, are now inseparably united, and must rise or fall together. ' • I have the honour to,be, Your most obedient servant, EDWIN JNO. PICKSLA.Y. London, Ist January, 1840. DENBIGHSHIRE ELECTION.—It .has truly been said that Denbighshire and conservatism are so clogely allied that they are incapable of separation. This sentiment has been again verified by the election of the Hon. Hugh Cholmondeley, without opposition, to succeed his late venerated uncle, _Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, deceased, in the parliamentary representation. The men of Gwynedd have nobly done their duty. The undeviating and constitutional loyalty of Welsh- men is as creditable to them as the mountains and streams of their dear native land are beautiful and. attractive. Mr. Cholnaondeley was proposed in an able speech by Lord Dun gannon, and seconded by Lloyd Wynne, Esq., of Coed COch. The nomination was received with .the most irapturous , plii u :.; dits. The hon. member immediately- set off for ' London, and arrived in time to vote in the division, shewing the want of confidence of his constituency in , the. O l Connell-Mel bourne administration. TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. THE NEW DOCK BILL. A spec al meeting of the Town Council was held on Satur day, to take into consideration a Bill for Parliament prepared by the COmmittee for the affairs of the estate of the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks, pursuant to the resolutions of that Committee,'-adopted by the Council at their meeting on the 2d of October last. . The MAYOR, having briefly stated to the Council the ob jects for which ,they were specially assembled, re%uested that, as the subject Was one of vital importance, they should address theinselves to it in a calm and deliberate spirit, avOiding, .as.'snuch as, possible, any personal or acrimonious Observat ions. The Town-Clerk read the following resolutions from the Dock Committee, passed at a meeting of that body, held on' the 23d , ofsJanuary, 1840: " The proposed new Dock Bill having been submitted by the Solicitor,L-Resolved, that the Solicitor be instructed. to forward to the Town-Clerk a fair copy of the bill, as soon as it can he 'prepared; for the purpose of being laid before the Trustees. Resolved, also, that this-Committee do respect fully request - the aid and co-operatiOn of the Town Council in.their endeavours to obtain the bill now directed to be sub mitted to them ; that the very important improvements, contemplated by the provisions of the said bill may be car ried into effect as early as practicable," Mr. BARTON presented the following petition, signed by 5925 carters, porters, coopers. &e., of this town, against the proposed measure of building Warehouses on the Dock Quays:-- To the Worshipful the Mayor and Town Council of the Borough of Liverpool. The Memorial of the Coopers, Carters, Porters, and Warehouse-keepers - mid others, resident in the Borough of Liverpool. " Sheweth,—That your memorialists find that it is the intention of the council to allow the dock trustees to erect warehouses on the dock quays, and to retain thein in their own possession, and to do the work now performed by the tradesmen of this town on the merchandise that may be stored therein. " Your memorialists respectfully state that they regard the proposed application of public funds for the purpose as most unjust in its principle, and at the same time unfair and oppressive towards the :great body of master tradesmen and others now engaged in conducting the business. • • " Your- memorialists are of opinion that the delay and obstructions in the discharging and loading of vessels, which is frequently complained of, is n o t a tt r ib u t a bl e t o tine want of warehouses on the dock quays, but to the defective ma nagement of the docks, and your memorialists feel satisfied that the erection of close sheds, as lately recommended by nearly three hundred merchants, would afford all the facili ties expected to result from the erection of dock warehouses, without inflicting injury upon any interest. " Your memorialists consider the large accession of influ ence which this measure would insure to the corporate body, as inimical to the free and unbiassed expression of public opinion, without reference to the political sentiments that are or may be predominant in the town council. " On these grounds, youi memorialists earnestly request that the town council will rescind the resolution adopted on the 2nd October last, relative to the erection of warehouses on the dock quays. " November Ist, 1839." The Town-Clerk read the-resolutions adopted at the Coun cil held on the 2d October, 1839. The first of those resolu tions set forth, that the Committee, since their late unsuc cessful endeavours to seek a bill in Parliament that would enable them to effect substantial improvement in working the docks, had accomplished a full investigation into the practi cal working - of the docks, which investigation confirmed their former opinion, that no plan of dock improvement which did not include Warehouses to be erected, to a certain extent, on the Dock Quays, would meet the wants of the trade, &c. It was, therefore, expedient to make a new dock to the westward of the Salthouse Dock, such dock to be sur rounded by warehouses ; and, further, to build warehouses, two stories in height, on the west side of the Prince's Dock. The remaining resolutions were for power to make Graving Docks, &c. These were adopted at a Council held on the 2d October last. The MAYOR said, the Town-clerk had drawn up a short report on the subject, which he wished to read to the Council. The Town-clerk read the Report, which was to the effect, that the Town-clerk had laid before the Council printed copies of the heads of the Dock Bill, with the clauses numbered, and the pages for facility of reference to any clause that might be desired to be read at length. The Town-clerk submitted, that, supposing a motion made and carried for confirmation of the proceedings of the Committee, still such confirmation should be subject to references of the several clauses to the committees interested in them. The report was approved. Mr. MATHER inquired whether the clauses of the bill were to be put separately ? The MAYOR believed, that, under the standing orders, a member of the committee must move each clause separately. Mr. EVANS said, in moving the confirmation of the Dock Committee proceedings, relative to the bill in question, he was moving formally for what he considered as already granted. The Council had, on the last occasion when the question was under discuSsion, decided in the affirmative of a principle as to the value and necessity of Warehouses on the Dock Quays. The Council, in negativing the motion made by Mr. Sands, to constrain the sale of dock land, in order that private indiiiduals might build warehouses there, had declared in the affirmative on the proposals of the Dock Committee. Those proposals were, to have Warehouses built on the Dock Estate, and to let the administration of the affairs of such warehouses be in the Dock Committee, or, by their instrumentality, through incorporated companies. As the Committee had prepared a bill in exact accordance with what had been already sanctioned, he could not expect any serious obstruction to the future course of that bill. Under such circumstances, he deemed it unnecessary to repeat the arguments with which gentlemen were so familiar, and 'which would only go to prove what they had not denied, that the union of warehouses with docks and ships must be extremely beneficial, and that warehouses in that position held the same' relative value to warehouses elsewhere that railroads held to common roads. When he said he would not go into detail, he meant that lie would not, unless compelled by the course of the debate, go into recomMen datory. 'detail. 1r there arose arty discussion, he reserved to himself the right of meeting it, as he trusted he could, in the most effective manner, in support of the measures of the Dock Committee. • &fore he sat down, helhought it well to cast a light over a mos t i mportant mistake committed by those who represented the warehouse interest. In this country there was no ordinary degree of syMpatlsy with wealth and large possessions„ particularly amongst the rich. It was an act of justice and of kindness to meet this great interest with the syinpathy that may have been excited by the repre : - sentation that the warehouse interest 'amounted in value to four millions of money ! He had not considered hitherto, that the amount of value had much to do with the case ; but, as it had pleased the warehoUse interest to represent it so, he had looked into the question, and would let them know the result, not advancing anything on his own authority, but go verning himself altogether by theirs. They stated the value of the property to be four millions, and the number of ware houSes to be 1100, averaging 170 square yards each, making an aggregate of 187,000 square yards, which, multiplied by six for the number of storeys, would yield 1,122,000 square yards. Atthe value which, according to the opinions of the surveyors of the docks, and for the Corporation, was a high one, at the utmost and full average value of £2 per yard for the floorings—or for ground area, or that upon which the building stands, of £l2 ; upon that calculation it came out to be, that the value of the warehouse property was not four millions, but £2,244,000. Deducting counting-houses, and sail-lofts, and beer-shops, and lumbe r - rooms , an d many other places which were not applied to the storage of mer chandise, it was most probable that the nett or real value would not be quite two millions. Here was a great mistake :committed by the parties who made the statement. The value he (Mr. EVans) had putupon the property would be gene - rally allowed to be correct. This was not their only error of calculation. ,;,They had also overstated the number of ware houses which the Dock Committee *ere preparing to build bY'about 60,000 yards. The nett amount of warehouses built would be about 180,000 square yards. He believed the ex isting wareliouse property to be not above one-half what had been stated ; hut the warehouse interest could not pretend to say that it - would all be destroyed. If this were so, the amount might be about two millions ; but they could not pretend to an injury of more than a small per centage. It must be exceedingly consolatory to them to learn that they were not in a position to be injured to the extent they imagin ed : they must' be gratified to find that they were not so la mentably wealthy, with two millions, as they conceived. It ought to alleviate their afflictions to know that the value of the warehouses was not more than half what it was reported to be. As it was impossible to know what direction some gen tlemen's minds might take on this or any other question, he would leave some of the points to be replied to by other gen tlemen who were acquainted with all the necessary details. Mr. Evans moved that the bill now submitted by the Com mittee for the affairs of the estate of the Trustees of the Li verpool Ducks be adopted by the Council, subject to the re port of the Town-clerk. Some conversation arose on the right of Mr. Evans to in troduce new matter into his reply. Mr. EVANS said, he should only reply upon such point's as arose in the course of the debate. Mr. BOLTON seconded the motion. It was admitted that an increase of dock accommodation was wanted,. in order that the business of the port might be properly carried on. The improvements suggested were important, in order that they might successfully compete with other ports which had these advantages. A petition from the carters, porters, and others bad been read, and these classes stated that the mea sure would injure them. The reply to this was, that every improvement that had been made had resulted in giving greater employment to human beings. It was admitted that the propriety of -having warehouses near the docks had been conceded. (No, no !) There had been two prominent schemes propounded : one of these.was to let the Dock Com mittee have the management of the proposed warehouses ; the other scheme was to let the land to a joint stock company and give them the management: The effect of the last pro-_ position would be, that the profits, which it was desirable should go in mitigation of the dock charges, would go into the pockets of private individuals. The great object with the Dock Committee was to reduce their charges. The heads of the bill, which consists of 100 clauses, in addition to a long preamble, were then read by the Town-clerk. The latter stated, that it was necessary to read the heads of the bill, and the members of the council must be unanimous in declaring that the reading of the whole bill was not required. Any member who wished any clause to be read at full length must call for such clause, and it would be read. It was ultimately understood, that the members of the council were to call for the reading at length of what clauses they pleased, and that their arguments were to be grounded on what was contained in such clauses. Mr. BOOTH believed Mr. Evans had said, that he did not expect any opposition to the warehouse clause. He (Mr. Booth).wished that to be cleared up. If a former council could reverse a resolution, that council might do the same. He, for his own part, was willing to adopt the views of Mr. Evans that there should be no debate. If this were to be acted upon, he would at once propose a resolution condem natory of the warehouse clause. The MAYOR said, it had been understood that they were to read those clauses which members might call for. Mr. H. LAWRENCE thought the most regular plan was to first put the question upon the bill itself; they might then go into the particular clauses. Mr. MATnEE. called for clause 40 to be read at length. It was to the effect, that the warehouses on the quays of the proposed .new dock shall be of such dimensions and height, &c. as the trustees shall think proper. Mr. Mather said, he should object to this, and propose, that the warehouses be only of.the height of two storeys. Mr. H. LAWRENCE said, it was most inconsistent to be debating about clausesbefore they had decided whetherthe bill V.ras,o be brought in at all or not. The 50th clause provides that the occupancy of the ware houses by the trustees shall be subject to the payment of pa rochial rates. Mr. EARLE remarked, that this was a most strange pro vision., after it had been so broadly stated, that it was incon sisteotto think of paying those rates. Mr. ROBINSON called for clauses 59 and 60' to be read, but llid not Make any reaaark thereupon. Mr. ISAAC HotstEs called for the preamble, as he thought ,they ought to get into-the subject ; and, if the preamble em bodied the objects of the bill, he should, probably, found an amendment on it. - • • Mr. MATHER called for section 53, empowering the trus tees to let the warehouses on" the west side of the Prince's Dock s under rules and regulations, to any incorporated joint stock company. The blanks, in clause 52, which had been previously open, were filled up by Mr. LEATHOM, there having been'some dissatisfaction expressed, by the opponents of the proposed measure, that the information should be witheld. The effect of the clause was then as follows : " That the warehouses to be erected, under the powers of the act, may be used as public warehouses at the following periods after the passing of the act, and not sooner :—one half of the warehouses on the west quay of the Prince's Dock, at the expiration of two years, and the remainder at the expi ration of two and a half years ; one-third part of the ware houses, to be erected on the quays of the intended new dock, at the expiration of three years, another third part at the ex piration of four years, and the remaining third part at the ex piration of five years. Mr. BOOTH proposed .the following amendment on Mr. Evans's motion :—" That this COuncil, having in view to carry into effect the recommendation of the Finance Com mittee, confirmed by the Council of the Bth March last, re commending the erection of large clOied sheds in the Dock Quays in preference to warehouses, cannot sanction those clauses of the proposed bill which authorize the erection of such Warehouses on the Dock Quays by the Dock Trustees." Mi. EARLE ; seconded the arnendment. There had, he said, been as much exaggeration in some of Mr. Evans's statements as there had been in the other party stating the warehouse property to be worth four millions. Certainly Mr. Evans was correct in his calculations on that point, and it was impossible to contradict them. He (Mr. Earle) con ceived, that a property worth even two millions four hundred and forty thousand pounds was worthy of some consideration, and, he had 'no doubt, it would receive attention in Parlia ment. He fully agreed, that the lic good should be pre ferred before private interests, ughtto be well proved that the good would be comme e with the injury that would be done, for it was an insult to their understanding to endeavour to persuade the owners of warehouse property that the measure would not injure them. He, however, • did not think the government would sanction the measure, and this brought him to another ground of objection. They were run ning their heads into a contest which would cost a great deal of money. The warehouse owners and those interested in warehouse property were prepared to go on with a strenuous opposition at their own expense, and the Trustees of the Docks would go on with the public money. People had got into their heads, that warehouses 'were wanted at the docks, and all other improvements were, consequently, stopped. He would, by and by, move a resolution, that the Dock Com mittee should be compelled to go on with the other improve ments proposed, and which were necessary, and not continue to deprive them of what was really required, because they had got it into their heads, that, because warehouses were wanted, they should have nothing else till they got them. The MAYOR said, the Town-clerk declared Mr. Booth's amendment irregular, as it went to the effect of substituting sheds for warehouses, the latter having been decided upon at the last council on this subject. It would be found, there fore, that such a motion could not be entertained without notice. The TOWN-CLERK explained, at some length, that, as the notice of the present council.was to take into consideration a bill prepared pursuant to the resolutions of the Dock Com mittee, adopted by the Council on the 2d of October. 1839, and, as the amendment went to the rescinding of a portion of those resolutions, it could not now be entertained. Any proceedings of that nature ought to be upon a distinct notice of motion of intention to rescind a resolution formerly passed. They could not now step in to overturn a resolution. Any member, who thought &expedient .to rescind the resolution, could give suitable notice, and move an adjournment. Several members expressed their astonishment at this view of the Town-clerk, and asked, for what purpose they had met, if they must not object to the clauses of the bill. The TOWN-CLERK said, there was plenty of matter in the bill to which attention might legally be directed, and in which alterations might be made; but those portions of it which had been determined upon, by the adoption of the resolutions of the Committee, could not be interfered with without due notice. Mr. SMITH, Mr. JOHN HOLMES, and one or two other members said, 'they distinctly recollected, that, when these resolutions passed, the Council were told, that the whole question would be still open for debate when the bill was brought forward. Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said, he had not received his sum mons till Wednesday evening, which left no time to give notice. Mr. H. LAWRENCE (who had spoken several times) was about to address the Council, when Mr. SHIM, Arose, and begged to remind gentlemen of the standing orders. Mr. Lawrence had addressed the Council three or four times, a course which was not sanctioned by their rules. He should make it a point, in future, to inter fere every time he saw those rules violated. The observa tions made by the Town-clerk were just, and he hoped they would be productive of some change in the mode of summon ing. The question before them was one of great importance, and they had been called at the very latest moment permitted. For his own part, he never received his notice in proper time. He ought to have it three clear days before the meeting of the Council ; yet, he never received a summons for Wednes day till Monday morning. If individuals were obliged to give notices of amendments similar to the present, they ought to have their summonses delivered in time to enable them to do so. Mr. Sheil explained, that, as his counting-house closed early, the notice might, probably, be put into the let ter-box on Saturday night, and he not get it till Monday morning. He could not agree to any doctrine that in fringed upon the freedom of debate, and, with regard to this bill, he thought sufficient time had not been given for parties to maturely consider all its clauses. Mr. HENRY LAAVRENCE said, his intention was merely to move an adjournment, and to give the following notice. Mr. Lawrence read his notice as follows :—" I hereby give notice, that it is my intention to move, that the resolution of the Council, of the 2d October 'last, so far as relates to the erec tion, by the Dock Trustees, of Warehouses on the Dock Quays, be rescinded, and that the clauses for empowering the Dock Trustees to build such warehouses, and all refer ences thereto, in the preamble of the intended bill, be omitted." .Mr. G. HOLT thought it incorrect to adjourn. The Dock Committee had drawn up a bill in compliance with resolu tions formerly adopted ; and this was an attempt to get rid of a previous decision by a side-wind. He met the proposal to adjourn by a direct negative. Mr. BOLTON and Mr. RATHBONE expressed their accord ance with the views of Mr. Holt. Mr. HUGH Houmav said, it could not be the wish of the Dock Committee to pass the bill without giving those who were opposed to it an opportunity of pushing their objections. If there were no other way of getting over the difficulty, he should vote for the adjournment. Mr. EVANS said, it had been observed, that gentlemen who were . not in the Council when the resolutions were passed were not bound to them ; but, surely, there was some obligation on , those who were in the Council at that time. The Council divided ou the question, when there appeared for the adjournment, .Messrs. Hodgson, John Holmes Isaac 'Holmes, Ifonghtoni.Preston, Sandbach, Frankland, Wright, Barton, • Sands, H. Holmes, H. Hornby, Cooper, J. Law rence, Robinson, IL Lawrence, Wood, Gladstone, Bushell, R. Jones, G. H. Lawrence, Leigh, Smith, Duncan, Mather, Booth, C. H. Jones, Earle, Moon, Freme, and Dr. Carson. Against the adjournment, Messrs.• Thornhill, Mellor, Fil cher, Bolton, Priestley, Woollright, Bright, Rathbone, Yates, Blackburn, Morecroft, Segar, Coglau, Platt, M`Kee, Currie, Sheil, J. Hornby, Roskell, Leathom, G. Holt, Benn, Evans, Barclay, Bul!ey, T. Holt, E. Harvey, and the Mayor. For the adjournment, 31- against it, 28; majority, 3. Absent, Mess rs . Q uay l e , Lassen, (on the continent,) Rigby, and Jordan. The TOWN-CLERK, in reference to what had fallen from Mr. Sheil, gave it as his opinion, that the service of the summons on the Saturday night for the ensuing Wednesday was good, but he could not, by any means, approve of the summonses being left in a letter-box. It was decided, that the adjournment of the Council should be till Wednesday next, when the subject of the Dock Bill is to take precedence of all other business. Mr. BOOTH gave the following notice of motion :—" I give notice, that I shall move, at the next meeting of the Council, that those recommendations of the Finance Committee, on the subject of the intended Warehouses on the Quays of the Docks, which were adopted by the Council, on the Bth March last, be made part of the provisions of the new Dock Act." The Council adjourned, at half-past one o'clock, to eleven o'clock on Wednesday next. LIVERPOOL SHIPWRECK AND HUMANE SOCIETY. The committee for the manag,ement of this excellent society met on Friday, and awarded the following gratuities, viz.:— Three pounds to the captain, and two pounds to each of the crew of the Magazine life-boat, for saving the crew - and passengers of the Corsair, from Halifax to Liverpool, on shore on Jordan's Flats, on Tuesday the 28th instant. Two pounds to the captain, and one pound to each of the crew of the Liverpool life-boat, that went down in the tow of the steam-tug President, to assist in saving the lives in that ship. 'Twenty pounds to the steam-tug company, and ten pounds to the captain of the President, for going to the assistance of the Corsair, and for towing the life-boats, containing the people, into port. Five guineas and a vote of thanks to Captain Gill, of the Mona's Isle steamer, and five guineas to the crew, for taking the Magazine life-boat in tow on her passage to the Isle of Man, and placing it to windward of the wreck. We are happy to see, that the liberality of the committee of this useful and honourable association is fully equal to the important cases to which:their attention is directed, and we trust that our townsmen generally will come forward hand somely, to enable them to continue to meet all exigencies. No less a sum than £4OO has been expended already this year, in promoting the objects of this society ; and, if further calls, of which many are to be expected at this season, are made upon its funds, it is apprehended the committee will not have the power to respond to them without a renewal of the public subscriptions. The following is a copy of a report presented by the Marine Surveyor to the Dock Committee, on Thursday last : " Marine Surveyor's Office, Jan. 30, 1840. " The Marine Surveyor feels much satisfaction in laying before the Committee a report of services rendered by the Magazine and Liverpool-life-boats, on the 27th instant, by which the passengers and crew (20 in number) of the barque Corsair, wrecked on the Jordan Flats, were rescued from a watery grave. _ _ _ " the wreck having been descried from the various light houses, about 10 a.m., the distress flags were immediately hoisted; and the Magazine life-boats' crew appear to have been particularly prompt and active in launching and man ning t.neir boat, and proceeding to her assistance. The Mona's Isle, steam-packet to the Isle of Man, Captain Gill, it appears, was at this time passing the Rock lighthouse, on her outward-bound passage, but on perceiving the distress-signal flying at the lighthouse, her commander, at once, with the most praiseworthy humanity, returned to wards the Magazines, (although he had the mail and several passengers on board,) and took the life-boat in tow, con ducting her as far as the Formby light-vessel, from whence the crew made sail in the life-boat, and on boarding the wreck succeeded in getting the whole of the crew and passengers into the boat. " On the distress-signal having been perceived flying at Bidston, I had immediately despatched the Liverpool life boat ; an application for this boat, on the part of the Humane Society, (which is herewith submitted,) having reached me after she had started. " She was subsequently towed out by the President steam er, that vessel having been despatched to the wreck by the Steam Tug Company, and reached the scene of action just as the last man of the rescued crew was in the act of being lowered into the Magazine life-boat. " Both boats then pulled to windward to the President, which was lying to for them, and by that vessel they were subsequently towed into port, the rescued people being in the Magazine life-boat. " The life-boats' crews express the utmost confidence in their respective boats ; and it affords a gratifying proof of their good qualities, that with 31 individuals in the Magazine boat she was perfectly manageable and seaworthy, and could have run into port under sail. (Signed) " WM. LORD, Maiine Surveyor. " To the Dock Committee." Upon this report the Committee resolved,—That £5 be paid to the master, and £3 each to the crew of the Maga zines life-boat, as a reward for their meritorious exertions ; that the thanks of the Committee be presented to Captain Gill, of the Mona's Isle steam-packet ; and that a copy of Mr. Lord's report be forwarded to the Committee of the Humane Society. Captain Clegg has received a further distinction for his gallant and intrepid conduct in saving the paSsengers from the steam-boat Huskisson, having been presented on Thurs day by the committee of Lloyd's with the large silver medal. THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE.--Mr. Evans, of the British Hotel, Moodields, intends, we understand, having a public dinner at that hotel, on the day,of the Queen's marriage. RAILWAI' INTELLIGENCE. RAILWAY PROSPECTS. From a statement which is now before us, it appears that there are now in England 6823 miles of railway completed and in operation, and it is expected that in the course of the present year 6301 miles additional will be com pl e t e d, ma king altogether 1313 miles of railway, which will be brought into operation before the end of 1840. There will then remain for subsequent 'completion in England 413 miles, the entire number of miles for which railway acts have been passed be- • ing 1726 miles. The amount to be raised by calls for railway purposes dur ing the present year is calculated to be £5,908,500., a sum considerably less than was called up during the past year of depression and suffering. The amount remaining to be called for, after 1840,_ is £3,865,000, which will compl e te the capital authorized to be raised for railways in England by acts of Parliament passed up to the close of last session. The above statements, which we find to be tolerably accu rate, are encouraging to those interested in the prosperity of railway property. As the present year progresses, the drain for railway capital' will gradually diminish, and estimating the cost per mile, of the 6301 miles expected to be completed this year, at an average of £25,000, (which is beneath the mark,) it will be perceived that a capital of £15,750,000 will become productive by their completion. If we add to this the fact, that in the 6821 miles stated to be completed are in cluded portions of Several great lines which, although now in operation, and some of them working profitably, cannot be expected to develop their full resources until wholly com pleted, we may fairly add an additional £5,000,000 to the capital which the termination of 1840 will bring into pro ductiveness. We may also mention the fact, that many of those lines which are expected to be opened this year are junction lines, or feeders to other great lines, the profitable working of which will be materially increased by the additional traffic thus brought upon them, and that upon many.of the lines already opened the arrangements for merchandize and other traffic have hitherto been incomplete. It is not, therefore. too much to anticipate that the dividends upon these lines for the present year will materially relieve the market, and afford solid grounds of confidence to the holders of railway property. CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY. The application to parliament made by this company, for leave to raise additional capital by the issue of half-shares, appears to have created a feeling to the prejudice of the un dertaking, greater than we think could havp arisen, mliss aided by misrepresentation or the prejudices of opposing in terests. The necessity for increase of capital,' beyond , the'; original estimate, was announced by the directot:s,at thellast half-yearly meeting, and the cause which had led to it fully explained ; and although, as supporters of the railway sys tem, we deprecate the too frequent recurrence,of discrepancies between the parliamentary estimates and the actual cost of railways, yet we must express our conviction that the expla nation then given ought to have been perfectly satisfactory to the shareholders and the public. As respects the former, such, we believe, has been the case ; but yet the bare fact of this application being necessary has afforded a handle to par ties interested in depreciating its stock, which they have not been slow to lay hold of. The increased expense of the line has been mainly owing to one or two causes, over which the engineers could have no control, and which they could scarcely foresee. The direct ors have had to submit to soine very exorbitant charges for land, and have been also induced (we think wisely) to pur chase for stations, &c. to a more ample extent than was ori ginally contemplated or may at first be wanted. An increase has also been made to the weight of the rails, by which greater durability is insured. Some contingencies have oc curred, but to a trifling extent, to increase the cost of execut ing the works ; but in most cases, we believe, the enlarged cost in this way has been caused by alterations of the original plans, adopted with a view to the general improvement of the line, the benefit of which will arise from increased facility of working. A considerable sum has slso been sunk in pur chasing the rights of the Woodside Ferry Company, by which the directors secure in their own hands a valuable property, together with the greatest degree of accommodation for their Liverpool traffic. Under these circumstances an application to Parliament became indispensable, in order to complete the undertaking, thus enlarged,, and to provide the means of conducting the carrying department efficiently. Supposing that the full amount applied for—Xl2s,ooo—should be required, in addi tion to the original capital of X 250,000, the entire cost per mile would not then exceed £27,500, which upon a short line of fifteen miles is not excessive, and upon which the estimated traffic of the company would afford an ample re muneration. We have reason to believe, however, that small portion only of the whole amount of the new shares will be called up ; yet we quite approve of the policy of the directors, in applying for power to raise a larger sum, order to .enable them at a future time to avail themselves of any contingency which may offer for the advantage of the undertaking. The works upon the line are rapidly and satisfactorily pro gressing, and are fully expected to be completed in t he course of the ensuing summer. We would, therefor e, strongly urge upon those Who have so far adhered' to the undertaking, to continue their confidence until its opening, When we think the evil prOgnostications and the interested motives of those parties who are now engaged in decrying it will be disappointed, Until within a few months its stock has maintained itself firmly in our market; and however much, and for whatever motives, it may be temporarilg de preciated, we have little fear of its being for the present good and safe investment, and, ultimately, when the re sources of the line shall be fully developed by the proposed Ruabon branch, and a connection formed with the rich mineral district, to which that branch will give it access, 3 highly profitable one. DUTY ON RAILWAY PASSENGERS. A meeting of deputations from several of the leading Scotch lines was held on the 24th ult., in Glasgow, to con sider the best mode of endeavouring . to effect a change in the present system of levying the passenger duty on railways• The unequal pressure of this tax has of late been much noticed, and has been adduced by the directors of several c.impanies as a complete bar to the establishment of traini for the conveyance of the humbler classes of travellers at $ rate proportionate to their means. Upon lines of railwaY where are average fare of 3d. pee mile is paid, the government duty, (which is a fixed duty in the shape of a poll tax,) 4 1-6 per cent ; on 2d. per mile it is 61 per cent ; and on Id• per mile it is 121- per cent upon the entire receipts. It wil l therefore be evident, that upon lines of expensive construction and working, the profitable conveyance of passengers a t low fares is impracticable, and a large class of the cony munity is thereby shut out from the facilities which railway/ offer to their more wealthy brethren. We trust that the directors of our English railways wi ll at once take up this subject and co-operate with theic Scottish neighbours. To railways in the manufacturing LW' districts, an alteration of the mode of levying the duty' (which is all that is sought) would be of great advantage; and the accommodation that might then be offered to th e labouring classes and smaller tradesmen in their journeYst either of recreation or business would be welcomed as 9 book, not unappropriately following, and perhaps exceeding in value, to theist at least, the reduction of the postage upon their letters. LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY.-HALF YEARLY MEETING. The half-yearly general meeting of this Company was lola on Thursday last, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-stree t ' John Barman, Esq., in the chair. The attendance was vell large. We are unable to give a full report of the proceedinV' which are too long for our columns, but have pleasure in ail' verting to a few statements contained in the directors' re" port, which are calculated to afford considerable satisfac tion to the proprietors. First, with respect to the works—it is now announced that the line will be completed and opened to within seventeen miles of BrightOn by the end of - the ensdin autumn. The remainder of the line is progressing rapidly and satisfactorily Next, with respect to the share list, it may be remembered' that at the last half-yearly meeting the arrears upon calls amounted to the immense sum of £122,896. Of this the directors have since recovered £110,708, leaving in arrest the comparatively trivial amount of £12,188, a considerab le portion of which the directors expect will be shortly pai d • Of the call which has been made since the last meeting, t he sum of £207,728 has been paid, leaving an arrear of £7:x, 448• The whole of this amount, however, the directors anticipat ed being paid. The directors announced for forfeiture a number of s hare / held by parties unable to pay, or who have sold but not heel' relieved from responsibility by registration. In the 1801. case, the nominal holders have given security for p a yment the calls due, upon condition of their having the shares for feited and their responsibility put an end to. It was state d by the chairman, that of the 36,000 shares which made the capital of the Company, the total number that wool have to be reallotted, under the forfeiting clause, would h e only 144 shares This statement was received by the wet ing with great applause, and speaks volumes in favour of t i " . soundness of the share list. Power was taken by the directors to borrow the sum - £600,000, previous to doing which, however, it was 01 ' . nounced that another call must be made, to compel tbe amount of one half the capital, necessary to be paid up h e ; fore the.borrowing clause becomes operative. It was thoug h that a £5 call would be sufficient. After hearing a highly satisfactory report from Mr. I tti h s ; trick, the engineer, and re-electing the retiring directors, t " meeting broke up. YORK AND 'NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY CO, PANY—GENERAL MEETING. t he On Thursday last the half-yearly general meeting 0 ' proprietors of this company, was held iu the Comp 3 s 0 rooms, Blake-street, York. There Wits it large attenJa o t he directors and shareholders. Mr. Alderman lludsoo , chairman of the company, occupied the chair. 1)/ The Chairman commenced the business of the in eeti d i . g„,, calling upon the Secretary to read the report of the 113 - tors. The report congratulates hlf,,.pr4rietnyy - on . th abated success of the. line; The receipts ou the . 1 4 ' h er open, from the 30th of 1\44:,„ . 4330, to the 30th'ofp'ecen' :su?s bast I