The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-06-07 00:00:00

FOREIGN NEWS FRANCE.—The Corps Legislatif closed on Saturday. So pressed for time were the members, that notwith standing their unanimity on all points, they were obliged to postpone the Literary Property Bill. The bill making attempts on the life of the Emperor, or members of the Imperial Family, capital crimes, does not, as originally proposed, extend the punishment of death to crimes against the state, which are to be punishable by confine ment in a fortress, or by transportation to a penal colony. It is now understood that a change has taken place in the intention of the Empress, who no lon ger p urposes journeying to the Pyrenees this summer. It is in contemplation to establish at Lyons a camp of observation, which will make the third in France—the other two being at St. Omer and Satory. The Prefect of the Bouches de Rhone has imitated the conduct of the Chinese Imp er i a li s t au th or iti es , b y i ssu i ng an edict against gossiping. This functi o n ar y has in structed the police at Marseilles to arrest persons who propagate false news, whether with good faith or not. AUSTRIA.—There is a report at Vienna favourable to the 'Pope that negotiations will shortly be re-opened between Austria and Switzerland. If not, and in the event of any fresh complication arising either in the Swiss question or in that of the East, very disastrous conse quences, in a financial point of view, are immediately apprehended. SWITZERLAND.—M. de Buol has notified to the Swiss Charge d'Affaires at Vienna, that the recall of M. de Karnicki has not the signification of an international rupture, and that if Switzerland desires such a rupture she must bear its consequences. In consequence of this information the Swiss Envoy, who had been recalled by his Government, has applied for fresh instructions, and the Federal Council, in reply to his application, has in structed him to remain at his post, and to continue his diplomatic relations. PRUSSIA.—Among official quarters at Berlin there is a strong conviction that no war will take place between Austria and Switzerland. A conference which took place between the King and Prince Menschikoff is much talked of. The latter is stated positively to have declared that peace must be maintained even at the expense of some sacrifices. RUSSIA.—A most important telegraphic despatch, with every appearance of authenticity, has arrived. It bears date Berlin, June 2d, and positively states that Gen. Danenberg had received orders from St. Peters burgh to proceed with the 4th corps d'armee of Poland, by forced marches to Bessarabia, and to replace the Russian army encamped on the frontiers of Moldavia, which is destined to invade the Principalities on the 10th instant. The French squadron has anchored in the Bay of Berica. Differences have now arisen between Russia and Persia, as it would appear from the following intelligen ce received from St. Petersburgh : The Czar demands from the Shah of Persia either the immediate repayment of the loan of 50,000,000 f., or the cession of the territory of Asterabad, on the shores of the Caspian. The Shah has refused compliance with either demand. It is said that the Prince Dolzomki, Secretary to Russian Embassy at Teheran, has given a blow to secretary of the Shah, and that Ahmet Effendi, Turkish Ambassador, who took the part of the insul dignitary, has addressed a letter to the Foreign Cons at Teheran. the the the Ited sole TURKEY.—The particulars of events which led imme diately to the rupture at Constantinople are now stated with sufficient appearance of accuracy to be in the main reliable. Prince Menschikoff's ultimatum, if such it be, was presented on Monday, the 16th. In terms as harsh as its spirit was hostile and overbearing, it demanded a favourable answer in three days, with no other alterna tive than an appeal to arms. The Turkish Ministers were prepared to give an immediate refusal, but the Sultan, by Imperial decree, ordered the convocation of an Extraor dinary Council of the Ministers, the Mushirs, the Ulema, the Viziers, both military and civil, and all the Effendis, to the rank of Caala. Fifty-seven Pachas, nineteen Effendis, and twelve Kazaskiers attended the council, under the presidency of the Grand Vizier, who had the venerable Hosref Pacha seated at his right hand. After a protracted deliberation they came to a unanimous decision that they could not comply with the demands of Russia. Redchid Pacha, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, then had a long conference with Lord Stratford, and on the follow ing morning Redchid Pacha communicated verbally to Prince Menschikoff the adverse decision of the Porte. The official reply to the Russian note was not given till the 19th, but relations were broken off the day before. The Extraordinary Council met again on that day (the 18th), and drew up a " fetva,'' or assent of the law. The " fetva" is simple and emphatic. It enumerates the de mands of Russia, and then says olmaz (they cannot be.) On the same evening the Ambassadors of England and France called to take leave of his Excellency, their visit being a formal leave-taking, and no more, as all oppor tunity for diplomatic skill had passed. At a late hour the Sultan summoned all his Ministers into his presence, and addressed them to the effect that he had done all in his power to secure the good-will of the Rus sian Emperor, by granting every reasonable request ; but now that a demand was made which infringed upon the preregatives of the Crown, and which, more over, he had no right to cede, he was bound to refuse. If, then, it pleased the Almighty God to MR. MONSELL TO LORD ABERDEEN. inflict on the nations the scourge of war, he himself 25, Chapel-street, Grosvenor-square, Jnne 2. was guiltless of it ; but he never should forget that he My Lord,—l was not present in the House of Commons was the descendant of Othman, and bearing that in mind on Tuesday night, and only learned from the newspapers he would be the first to risk his person at the head of his what had passed in the debate. troops, in defence of the holy territory of Islam. The It appears that in the course of a discussion upon the preparations for war on the part of the Sultan are going ecclesiastical revenues of Ireland, Lord John Russell, on actively. Thirty thousand troops are on their way from who is the organ of the Government in the House of Egypt —many, indeed. have arrived ; and troops and am- Commons, spoke of the Roman Catholic Church in a munition are everywhere in movement. The redif militia manner which could not fail to be most . offensive to the is being collected, and for the present two camps will be members of that communion. His Lordship described, organised at Brussa and Shamla. Omer Pasha will be not individual members of the Roman Catholic Church, named Seraskier. The Egyptian fleet and the Turkish but that church itself, "under the direction of its head," vessels, under the command of Ahmet Pacha, are ex- as hostile to free institutions and disloyal to civil govern pected to anchor before the Seraglio early next week. nients, and, therefore, the qualification which his Lord- Several English and German officers have been engaged, ship added to his censure could not apply to any who, and have already taken charge of their vessels. A foreign like myself, are in deep and thorough unity of sentiment Legion is to be formed, and the Seraskier has received the and spirit with that church and its head. offer of their services from a deputation of Italians and No other Minister expressed dissent from the opinions Poles. It is believed that in Roumelia, the very part of his Lordship ; they have, therefore, gone forth as the most threatened, the Turks will be able to oppose at opinions of the Government, and of a Government pub. once 80,000 men under arms. The present Grand Vizier, licly professing such opinions I cannot with honour re being an Albanian, and exceedingly popular, will be able main a member. through his influence to raise the whole of that warlike Of the votes given upon the question before the House population. It was the general opinion at Constantinople Ido not complain ; but sentiments so thoroughly hostile that Russia would use what force she has at hand to com- to the civil equality of the communion to which I belong mence hostilities directly ; but the few who are better I cannot pass by. informed doubted much whether that power would enter Acknowledging, therefore, as lam on many accounts upon so dangerous a course, and questioned whether bound to do, the great and consistent liberality of your Russia dare even move her troops into Turkey. It is not Lordship, and of many members of your Government, the Turkish military only, but the whole nation, that will and the great personal kindness which 1 have received at rise against the Muscovite. your hands and theirs, I beg respectfully to tender my resignation of the office which your Lordship has hitherto thought me worthy to fill. I am, my Lord, your obliged and faithful servant, WILLIAM MONSELL. WEST AFRICA.—On Thursday the African Steam Com pany's mail ship, Forerunner, arrived off Plymouth. The intelligence she brings chiefly concerns the dispute with the King of Ashantee. When the Forerunner arrived at Cape Coast Castle, on her outward voyage, the governor and troops had left the fort to settle the dispute with this king, and had encamped near Dungua, in the face of an army of upwards of 20,000 men, the English, with their allies, being 16,000. The disturbance was caused by two chiefs, who were sworn to support the English, breaking their fidelity, and accepting bribes to join the opposite party. They were imprisoned in the English fort, but afterwards let out on bail. They again attempted to cross the River Prat, and join the King of Ashantee. Ensign Brownhill, of the Gold Coast Corps, with a party of thirty soldiers, succeeded in bringing them back. They were secured in the cells of the castle, and afterwards beheaded by order of a court-martial. Governor Ken nedy has succeeded at length in putting a stop to the sys tem of selling children out of Sierre Leone to the people on the banks of the river. He also recovered about 70 of them from the chiefs, and is actively prosecuting his benevolent object with every hope of success. One lady passenger, Mrs. Paley, died on board the Forerunner, on the 6th of May. She and her husband, a clergyman of the Church of England, attached to the mission of Abo kuta, went out with the Bishop of Sierra Leone in De cember last. Mr. Paley died there on the Ist of April ; Lis wife came on board very ill, at Lagos, and died five days afterwards. Slaving bad again commenced on the African coast, and one or two captures had followed. The Ferret took one ship in the New Calabar River ; and the Linnet bad captured two in the River Pongas. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE CANIBRIA By the British and North American Royal Mail steam ship Cambria, Capt. Long, which arrived in the Mersey yesterday morning, we have advices from New York to the 24th, and from Boston to the 25th tilt. The Cambria brought 4'279,323 specie in freight, and the following seventy-six passengers :—From Boston : Mr. H. Howard and lady, Miss Dove, Mrs. Mlntosh, two children and servant, Mr. G. D. Oxnard and lady, Mr. J. P. Higginson, Mr. J. A. Higginson, Mr. N. Snow. Mr. S. Puree, Mr. H. Russell, Mr.W. A. Conant, Mr, W. Brumme, Mr. J. Stephenson, Mr. J. M`Master, Mr. J. B. Kelley, M r . S. E. B rown , M r . J . Dove. Dr.' P. B. F. Randall, Mr. J. T. Robinson, Mr. T. Banks, jun.. Mr. R. Stephens, Mr. C. Lemme, Mrs. Wrigley, Mr. C. H. Griffiths, Mr. T. D. Bennett, Mr.W. H ouston, Mr. A. Phillips and child, Mr. R. Hutton, M r . C or b yn , Mr. Jones and lady , Mr. Janfroid, Mr. H. E. Rawson, Mr . ' Ronsett, Mr. Stakelbv and servant, Mr. Crottes, Capt. A. Delralle, Mr. H. E. Kenp, Mr. A. Rienhart and friend, Mr. C. Shann, Mr. W. M. Smorfitt, Mr. J. M. Burns, Mr. J. Stroud and son, Mr. A. J. Colby, Mr. T. Butress, Mr. J. F. Kerr, Mr. J. Grier, jun., Mr. Hare, lady, four children, and nurse ; Mr. A. Beazley, Mr. P. Haynes, Mr. F. Merchant, Mr. J. Brown, Mr. W. Robertson, Mr. C. Martin, and Mr. J. B. Begger. Front Halifax: Mrs. De Vries, Captain Hamilton, R. N., Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Parky, Mrs. De Woolfe, Mr. Coltart, Commander Ry nasten, R.N., Mr. Macdonald, and Mr. Cotton. The United States mail steam-ship Franklin, which left Southampton on the 11th ult., arrived at New York at 7, a.m., on the 24th. MontLE, May 20.—Sales for the week 7,000 bales Receipts for the week 1,000 bales. Exports 1,600 bales, Stock 36,000 bales. Middling cotton closing at 9ic, Freight to Liverpool, 7-16 d per lb. SAN FRANCISCO, April 29.—There has been moderate activity in general business since our last weekly reference to the market, but without much deviation from the prices then ruling. The number of arrivals from sea during the week has been twenty-eight, of which one was from Boston, two from Valparaiso, two from China, one from Australia, one from Sandwich Islands, one from Liverpool, three from other foreign ports, and seventeen from Oregon and domestic coast ports. There has been a fair jobbing business done for the local and interior trades. The money market was very tight. THE IRISH MEMBERS OF THE MINISTRY. The following is a copy of the correspondence which has taken place between Mr. Monsell, on the part of himself and his Romanist colleagues in the ministry, and the Earl of Aberdeen, on the subject of Lord John Rus sell's speech on the motion for an Irish Church Revenue Appropriation Bill : To the Earl of Aberdeen The Royal Mail steam-ship Europa, Shannon, com mander, hence for Boston, arrived at Halifax on the 24th ultimo. LORD ABERDEEN TO MR. MONSELL Downing.sreet, June 3, 1853. My Dear Sir,—lt is with great concern that I have re ceived your letter, in which you tender your resignation, in consequence of the proceedings which took place in the Rouse of Commons on Tuesday last. I have to inform you that while the vote on that occasion had the sanction of the Government, the reasons for that vote given by Lord John Russell, and the sentiments of which you complain are not shared by me nor by any of my colleagues. I wish this to be distinctly understood, as I might be justly charged with a departure from those feelings which, both in and out of office, I have held, and still hold, with regard to the Roman Catholic body, and the open avowal of which had appeared to several Roman Catholic gentlemen to justify them in accepting office under the Government. Words spoken in the heat of debate are liable to be misapprehended, and Lord John Russell desires me state that he did not want to impute want of loyalty to the Roman Catholics, and that he expressly said that political and social equality ought to be maintained. I have made a similar communication to Mr. Keogh and Mr. Sadleir ; and, after the explanation, I confidently trust that you will not persevere in an intention which would be to me the cause of sincere regret.—l have the honour to be, my dear Sir, very truly yours, W. Monsen, Esq. ABERDEEN. MR. MONSELL TO LORD ABERDEEN. The Golden Gate left San Francisco for New York on the 30th April, with 43'2,137,307 in gold dust. Accounts from Washington of the 23rd ult. state that the following diplomatic appointments had been made by the President :—Ministe r to Great Britain, James Buchanan ; Secretary of Legation, John Appleton ; to Spain, Pierre Soule ; to Russia, Thos. 11. Seymour ; to Prussia, Peter D. Vroom. The mission to Prance has not been deter 25, Chapel-street, Grosvenor-square, June 4. My Lord,—l beg to to acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt of your Lordship's letter. That letter puts it beyond doubt that the basis upon which I accepted office remains unshaken, and that the sentiments of which I complained are not those of your Lordship's Government. It is, indeed, deeply to be lamented that a circumstance should have occurred which required so imperatively the reassertion by your Lordship of the principles which you have so long professed ; and I cannot conceal from myself that even the frank and generous consistency with which your Lordship has met the occasion may prove insufficient in some qaarters to allay apprehensions which have been excited. With me, however, it is otherwise. I have trusted, and I do trust, th at your L or d s hi p , as a highm inded states man, resolved to deal justly and liberally with a religious communion which has l ong suffered from opposite treat ment; and henceforth, unless I shall learn from your own lips, or from formal acts, that the policy of the Govern ment is changed, I shall accept every fresh difficulty which attends its course as a fresh reason for offering to your Lordship a continuance of the services, humble as they are, which I am capable of rendering. Under these circumstances, I can have no hesitation in acceding to your Lordship's wishes, by withdrawing my resignation.—l am. my Lord, your faithful and obliged servant, To the Earl of Aberdeen W. MONSELL. MR. COMMISSIONER PHILLIPS, while crossing the Strand, London, on Tuesday, w as k noc k ed down by a cab, but fortunately sust a i ne d no i njur y. FEARFUL EXPLOSION AND SERIOU S ACCID N Wednesday, an explosion o ccurred i n a hougEeiTns.G—roe a n Queen-street, Westminster, which was attended with s erious, if not fatal, injuries, to one o f the Coldstream guards and his wife. The house was let out in lodgings, and Eliza Dye, the wife of one of the Coldstream guards,' was engaged to cican the place. For the last day or two a strong smell of gas has been experienced by the inmates, but no one could tell whence it came, especially as no gas was laid on in the building. On Wednesday after noon, Robert Dye, the husband of the woman, called to see her, preparatory to his return to the barracks at Kensington. Whilst there, the soldier and his wife went into the coal cellar in front of the kitchen, and under the pavement, when an explosion took place, which blew the stone flags up in the street, set fire to both man and woman, and forced them a considerable distance. Their screams brought assistance, and several persons rushed down stairs and rescued them, and having extinguished the flames ab ou t th e i r a pp are l, th e y w ere found to be so fearfully injured that they were at once removed to West minster Hospital. .It is at present impossible to tell whether they can recover. An escape of gas from the mains in the street having accumulated in the cellar btu been found to have been a l cause of the dimter. mined on _nation is indulged in by the New York rs in consequence of the searching for deserters of a ed States schooner, at Bermuda, by One of H. M. Much hid pap( From New Zealand we have advices to the Gth of A pr il . The King d e li vere d a speech on the opening of the Legis lature on th e 6th. I t was repor t e d that Captain Cash, of the whaler Columbus, had discovered coal on the northern shores of the O c h o t s k Sea, in lon. 156 E., which proved to he of a superior qua li ty. CA LIFORN lA.—By the arrival of the steam -ships United States and Falcon, at New Orleans, we have advices from San Francisco to the 30th April. We find no mention of the amount of gold brought by the se s t eamers , b u t the accounts from the mines appear to be of a very favourable character. Two fires had occurred at sprz Francisco, but they were fortunately extinguished before any damage m importance was done. The banking-house of Page, Bacon, and Co., had been robbed of £3,000. New dis coveries of gold near Negro-hill were reported. The agricultural prospects were in a very flattering condition. The grand jury of the District Court of San Francisco had ignored the bill brought against Captain Sampson, of the steamer Independence, for manslaughter ; but said if they had the power they would bring bills against the owners and agents of the Vanderbilt line, on account of miserable outfit, unseaworthiness, and other acts, and the unjusti. flable negligence which entailed the loss of 100 lives. Three men were executed at Sacramento on the 28th April, for murder. Their names were, Thompson, aged 25, a native of Southampton, and Stewart and Ackerman, Americans. The two latter smoked cigars until they mounted the scaffold. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. MONEY MARKET, NEW YORK, May 24.—There were moderate sales at the Stock-board, with little or no varia tion in price. The money market is becoming somewhat easier every day. Loans on call 6 per cent. Foreign ex change is firm, with a moder a t e b us i ness d o i ng. L ondon, 1091 to 110 ; Paris. 5.124 to 5.13*; Amsterdam, 41 to 41+ ; Frankfort, 40i to 41 ; Bremen, 791 to 791-; Ham burg, 36+ to 30; Antwerp, 5.15 to 5.161. COTTON.—(From W. P. Wright's Circular, of May 24.) Since my circular of the 18th inst., we have received Liverpool dates to the 7th inst., per Africa. The cotton market there was firmer, and, in some cases, 1-16 d. per lb. higher than on the Atlantic's departure on the 4th inst. This news was not equal to the expectations of holders of cotton in this city, who had generally expected an advance of kd. to +d., and as many had been holding for some weeks past in anticipation of better prices, some of them, under the disappointment, offered their stocks rather freely on Friday and Saturday last, and submitted to a reduction of lc. to ic. per lb. in middling and good middling qualities, while on the lower grades a greater decline must be taken in order to effect sales; this ap plies more particularly to upland cotton, as being in greater abundance. Orleans and Mobile, of good staple and clean, are scarce, and are not offered lower. Yester day the business was only to a moderate extent, and without further change in price ; buyers do not show any spirit,and holders are desirous of lessening their stock some what. The excess in receipts now amounts to 249,000 bales. The increase in exports to Great Britain is 67,000; France 7,000; other foreign ports, 2,000. Total increase in ex ports, 76,000 bales. The decline in the excess of receipts this week is greater than was expected, and now stands at 249,000 bales. Next week some further slight reduction may occur. The total last year at Charleston and Sa vannah was 11,500 bales, and it may not be reached during the present week. The excess in export to Great Britain is down to 67,000 bales, as compared with last year. The number of vessels at present loading for Great Britain is 70; last year, 81 ; year before, 90. To France the export exceeds that of last year to date, 7,000 bales. BREADSTUFFS.—The tone of the flour market latterly has been much depressed, and there is a disposition on the part of the trade to meet the foreign demand, without, however, leading to any extensive transactions. Prices are 6+c. to 124 c. per barrel below the quotations of this day week. Wheat, with the exception of prime Genesse, which is wanted for milling, is rather easier to buy. In dian corn dull, at a small decline from last week's prices. PaovistoNs.—Pork is dull. The market is well sup plied with beef, and prices are heavy. Lard sells freely, at 93c. to 10c. for barrels. FREIGHTS.—To Europe freights are dull. To Liver pool, for cotton, +d. to 9-32 d. per lb. ; flour, Is. 9d. to 2s. per barrel; grain, in bulk, sd. to 54d. per bushel. To London, flour, Is. 9d. to 2s. pe r b arre l. T o H avre, ..-_ IL I IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. NEW ORLEANS, May 21.—The receipts for the week are 13,500 bales. Excess at this port 239,000 bales ; excess at all the ports, by table of this date. 258,000 bales. Sales for the week 20,000 bales, closing firmly at 9ic. to 10c. for middling. Stock 169,000 bales. May 23. There is a better feeling to-day, and middlings are selling at 10c. to 10.1 c. per lb. The accounts per Africa are con strued as favourable. HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY, MAY 31. THE OATH OF ABJURATION.—Lord LYNDHURST moved the second reading of the Alteration of Oaths Bill, the object of which he described as being simply to strike out from the oaths taken as qualification for seats in par liament, or other offices, such portions as were inope rative and absurd. He proceeded to illustrate this pro position by examples drawn from the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration.—The Earl of DERBY had no objection to the alteration of the oaths, but regarded with considerable suspicion the use which might be made of such a measure, if passed at so advanced a period of the session, especially by the introduction of amendments. After some discussion, the bill was read a second time. The Aggravated Assaults Bill was reported, with amendments. The Burial-grounds Bill was read a second time. The Sales of Bullion Bill went through committee. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1853. THURSDAY, JUNE 2. COUNTY COURT EXPENSES.—Lord BROUGHAM pre sented a petition, complaining of having had to pay 19s. 7d. as expenses in a suit in the county court for a balance of £4 6s.—being 24 per cent. upon the sum recovered—and this without including any expenses for professonal assistance. —The LORD CHANCELLOR said he was quite alive to the importance of this subject, and that it was his anxious wish to have the whole matter sifted with the least possible delay.—• Lord CAMPBELL said, that the monstrous evil brought under their notice did not arise, he believed, from the fees alone, but from the fact that, according to the present constitution and procedure of the county courts, there could not be a judgment without trial. CONVERSION OF STOCK.—The LORD CHANCELLOR stated that, owing to the unfavourable state of the money market, no further assent would be given to the accept. ance of the new 21 per cent. stock on behalf of suitors in Chancery. _ OATHS.—On the order of the day being read for going into committee on the alteration of Oaths Bill, the Earl of ELLENBOROIJGH said that, though he was anxious to be relieved from the mummeries of some parts of the old oath, still he regarded the wording of the new oaths with great suspicion. Besides, it was not desirable that ano ther opportunity for a debate on Jewish disabilities should arise during the present session. He therefore moved, as an amendment, that the bill be committed that day three months.—Lord DERBY expressed his suspicion of the bill in its present shape, but was willing, if a similar measure were introduced at an earlier period next session, to give it his support.—Upon a division, the amendment was carried by 84 to 69, and the bill was accordingly lost. The Common Lodging-houses Bill, the Aggravated Assaults Bill, the Sale of Bullion Bill, and the Evidence Amendment Bill were severally read a third time and passed. _ Certain returns connected with the accounts of the Ecclesiastical Commission were then agreed to on the motion of Lord Powis. The Earl of ALBEMARLE presented a petition from the citizens of Bristol, praying the house not to legislate per manently for India till full inquiry had taken place into the condition of the several presidencies.—The petition was ordered to be referred to the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, and their lordships adjourned. FRIDAY, JUNE 3. THE Rim PARANA.—In reply to a question from the Earl of Malmesbury, the Earl of CLARENDON said, that owing to the great skill and exertions of Sir Charles Hotham, the representative of Her Majesty's government at Monte Video, a treaty had been effected for the open ing of the communications with that part of the world by means of the River Parana. DENMARK.—Lord BEAUMONT moved for a copy of a certain treaty with respect to the succession to the crown of Denmark, and for the production of papers relating thereto.—The Earl of CLARENDON said it would be im possible to produce the correspondence moved for, owing to its volumnious character. A portion of that corres pondence it would be improper, under any circumstances, to produce ; but he had no objection to the production of a copy of the treaty as moved for.—After some observa. tions from the Earl of MALMESBURY and Lord BEAU MONT the subject dropped, and their lordships soon after adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY, MAY 31. BLACKBURN ELECTION PETITION.—The SPEAKER in formed the house that he had received a letter from the agents of the petitioners against the return for the borough of Blackburn, stating that it was not intended to proceed with the petition. PETITIONS.—Mr.Cn ARLES TURNER presented petitions from the bookbinders of the town of Liverpool, from the letter-press printers of Liverpool, from the journeymen coopers of Liverpool, from the operative tinplate workers of Liverpool, from the sailmakers of Liverpool, from the operative millers of Liverpool, and from the engineers of Liverpool, in favour of the Combination of Workmen Bill.— Mr. TOLLEMACHE presented a petition from the saltboilers, Batmen, and tradesmen of Northwich, in the county of Chester, and Mr. PILKINGTON, from Blackburn, to the same effect.—Mr. PILKINGTON presented petitions from Blackburn against opening the Crystal Palace on Sundays; from the solicitors of Blackburn against the Registration of Assurances Bill ; and from Darwen, in favour of granting members to the University of London.— Mr. CHARLES TURNER presented petitions from the operative ropemakers of the borough of Liverpool, pray ing that no further reduction be made in the import duties on foreign cordage, cables, cable-yarn, or standing and running rigging. CUSTOMS' ACTS.—Mr. Bouvente brought up the re port of the Committee on the Customs' Acts. and the re solutions were read and agreed to. THE IRISH CHURCH.—Mr. G. H. MooRE, in a length ened speech, moved for a select committee to inquire into the ecclesiastical revenues of Ireland, with the view of ascertaining ho,v far they are made applicable to the benefit of the Irish people. He enlarged upon the evils he attributed to the Irish Church Establishment, upon its vast revenues, exacted from Romanista. and generally upon the religious policy pursued in Ireland, which was worse, he said, in principle than in practice, which endowed the religion of the rich, and handed over that of the poor to the uncontrolled operation of the voluntary principle.—The motion was seconded by Mr. M. O'CON NELL.—Sir J. YOUNG inferred that the object of Mr. Moore was the total abolition of the Church establish ment of Ireland, which a Romanist might be expected consistently to advocate; but in ascribing all the evils of that country to its Church establishment, he had over looked its bad commercial system, and other agencies to which those evils were really attributable.—Sir R. INGLIS opposed the motion, the object of which he considered to be, not the gratification of abstract curiosity, but, as dis closed by the speeches in support of it, the overthrow of the Established Church of Ireland, though its existence was guarded by the Act of Union and by the oaths of members of that house, and it was an integral part of the institutions of the whole empire. —Mr. LUCAS supported the motion, which he remarked was said to be unconsti tutional ; but how could they talk of a constitution in Ireland when they were discussing the monstrous iniquity of the Established Church there, and when inquiry into this despotism was refused ?—Lord JOHN RUSSELL opposed the motion, and after some further discussion it was negatived by 262 to 100 Mr. KERR obtained leave to bring in a bill to prevent the spread of the contagious disease commonly called glanders.—(A laugh.) DURHAM ELECTION PETITION.—The adjourned de bate on the motion for a select committee upon the Dur ham election petitions, was resumed, and ultimately the motion was agreed to. WEDNESDAY, JUNE L PETITIONS.-Mr.CH ARLES TURNER presented petitions from the shipwrights, shipjoiners, and journeymen tailors of Liverpool, and from a meeting of the industrious classes of the borough of Liverpool, in favour of the Combination of Workmen Bill.—Mr. T. PARKER presented a petition from Preston to the same effect.—Mr. TR ICKNESSE presented a similar petition from the painters of Wigan.— Mr. TOLLEMACHE, from the weavers of Congleton, in the county of Chester ; and Mr. CROOK, from the opera tive members of the trades at Bolton—viz., the cotton spinners, stonemasons, ironmoulders, tobacco manufac turers, engineers, millwrights and smiths, carpenters and joiners, brushmakers, cloggers, tinplate-workers, boot and shoemakers, cabinetmakers, bedquilt weavers, curriers, bricklayers, coachmakers, and brassfounders. CRIMINAL APPEALS.—Mr. I. BUTT, in moving the se cond reading of the New Trials (Criminal Cases) Bill, represented the present state of the law, which, by a fiction of modern times, had departed from the ancient principle, as full of anomalies, denying to a party whose honour or life was in jeopardy an appeal which was granted in the most trivial civil cases. He proposed to give a right of appeal from the finding of the jury in matters of fact as well as upon points of law, without the consent of the judge, providing that it should not interfere with the execution of the sentence, a special tribunal of appeal being appointed in capital cases. He had framed his bill with reference to Ireland only, but he submitted this as an imperial question, equally applicable to England.— The :motion was opposed by Lord PALMERSTON, who said punishments were not intended as vengeance wreaked upon the accused, but to protect society by deterring from crime, and the sentence of the law should be certain, and as rapid as was consistent with the ends of justice. His opinion was that the present state of the law afforded to an innocent man every protection against an unjust sen tence ; judges could reserve points of law, and, as to facts, recourse could be had to a quarter where a remission or commutation of the sentence was never refused in proper . cases. After some further discussicin, the bill was thrown out without a division. EXCLUSION OF JUDGES.—The third reading of the Judges' Exclusion Bill being moved by Lord Hotham, Mr.DRUMMOND moved to defer it for six months,.re- marking that the bill, though it professed to be a measure of reform, did not look to history as a guide for the future, but sought to surrender many present advantages on a mere speculation of what might hereafter occur.—Mr. MACAULAY said he would throw open the house not only to the Judge of the Admiralty Court, but also to the Lords Justices of Appeal and the Vice-Ch a ncellors, who would, in his opiniOn, add to the credit of that great assembly, and render it far more efficient for the - dis. charge of some of its duties.—Upon a division the amendment was carried by:226 to 125, and the bill was consequently lost. _ CoNiBINA - :rroNs.—On the order for the third reading of the Combination of W or k men Bill, at the suggestion of Lord PALMERSTON, who, on the part of the govern ment, did not obj ec t t o th e pr i nc i p l e o f th e bill, it was read a third time, and further proceedings were post poned for a fortnight, in order to afford time to prepare amendments. THURSDAY, JUNE 2. Mr. J. FFILDEN presented a petition from inhabitants of Ormskirk, praying that a bill now before the house, entitled " A Bill to enable the East Lancashire Railway Company to extend their railway to Southport and Rain ford, and to enter into arrangements with the St. Helen's Canal and Railway Company," may pass into a law.— Mr. Coox presented a petition from the congregation of the Methodist New Connexion, St. George's-street, Bol ton, against tithes, tithe-rentcharges, and church-rates. NEW EXCHEQUER BILLS. —Th e CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that the total amount of the Exche quer Bills of the June issue which had been sent in for money was £2,360,000, for exchange for Exchequer Bonds 4237 ) 000, and for new bills In/545,890m0, nuking a total of :X8,487,000. The outstanding bills amounted to £750,000. THE INCOME-TAX.--The re-committal of the Income tax Bill was then proceeded with, the house having re solved itself into a committee for that purpose. On the 13th (reformed) clause, making the duty under schedule A, in Ireland, on rateable hereditaments, payable in the first instance by the landlord or immediate lessor, Mr. I. Burr moved an amendment, to limit the immediate liabi lity of the landlord to cases where the annual value was under £l5. and beyond that value the occupier to be liable in the first instance. The amendment was nega tived on a division. Several other amendments met a similar fate. The several new clauses were agreed to, and the bill was ordered to be reported. CUSTOMS DUTIES.—The house then went again into committee on the customs, &c. acts. The deferred items underwent much discussion (many being again postponed), and the resolutions were ordered to be reported. FRIDAY, JUNE 3. NATIONAL EDUCATION.—In reply to a question from Lord J. MANNERS, Lord J. RUSSELL said he could not say whether he could during the present session pass his Education Bill. It was certainly not his intention to pro ceed with it until after the Charitable Trusts Bill should have been considered when sent down to them by the House of Lords. ADVERTISEMENT DUTY.—In anwer to a question when the duties on supplements and advertisements would be brought forward, the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, the Government must, of course, first look to those portions of their financial measures which were of the most vital and extensive importance. After having dis posed of the Income-tax, which he hoped would be the case on Monday, then would come the Succession-tax Bill, which was a matter of great importance. He hoped, when they had gone through committee on that measure, they might then be in a condition to consider the adver tisement and stamp duties. INCOME-TAX.—The Income-tax Bill, as amended, was considered, and ordered for third reading on Monday. The report of the Customs Acts, &c., Bill was brought up and agreed to. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. Sir CHAS. Woon moved for leave to bring in a bill to provide for the government of India. After entering into a lengthened detail of what had been done under the pre sent system, he addressed himself to the question, what should be the form of the future government—whether it should be double, or whether it should be a single autho rity, administered by a Secretary of State. Her Majesty's Ministers had to determine whether the form of the In dian Government should remain as it was, or be assumed by the Executive Government at home ; and they thought it would be wiser and safer to maintain the present form of Government, improving its constitution in such a manner as would render it more fitting for the administration of Indian affairs. Leaving the relations between the Board of Control and the Court of Directors as they stood, as well as the responsibility to that house and the President of the Board, they proposed to improve the constitution of the Court, and to impose restrictions upon its patron age. They proposed to reduce the number of elected members of the Court to 12, and to add six named by the Crown from Indian servants who have been 10 years in the service of the Crown or the Company, making the num ber 18 instead of 24; which would obviate the objection that the best Indian servants could not obtain seats in the Court. They proposed that one-third of the mem bers of the Court should vacate their seats every seven years, but be immediately re-eligible. They did not think it fair, however, to tie up the hands of Parliament for any period from making a change in the form of the Indian Government, if the experiment should not answer. It was proposed therefore that it should only continue until Parliament should otherwise provide. It was in tended that the directors should receive £5OO a year, and the chairman £l,OOO, their powers, privileges, and quali fications to be alike. With respect to the limitation of their patronage, it was proposed to do away altogether with the nomination to appointments to Haileybury Col lege, opening them to unlimited public competition, and giving them, not by favour, but to merit, and merit alone. It was proposed to adopt the same course with reference to appointments to the scientific military branch at Addis combe, and to assistant-surgeons. As to the direct appoint ments to the Indian army, these, not being fit. subjects for competition, would be left, as at present, in the hands of the Directors. In respect to the Executive Govern. ment in India, the principal change proposed was the separation of the Governorship of Bengal from the Go vernor-Generalship, constituting a Lieutenant. Governor of of that Presidency, continuing the Lieutenant-Governor ship of Agra, and giving power to the Supreme Govern ment to constitute a new presidency in the districts on the Indus. It was proposed to improve and enlarge the powers of the Legislative Council of India, adding two judges thereto. He then indicated certain alterations which could not be introduced into the bill, including the education of civil servants, and securities for the due qualification of candidates for judicial offices in India, and the consolidation of the Courts of Sudder Dewanny Adawlut with the Queen's Courts, the amalgamated Court being an ultimate Court of appeal, with original jurisdiction in certain cases ; and concluded a speech of five hours with a rapid survey of various subordinate topics—native judges, furloughs, native education, and the prospects of Christianity in India. Mr. BRIGHT said the scheme which the Government had devised bore the marks of its being a half-way measure, whereby the whole system of homes pocus might be carried on just as before. He objected to the bill en tirely on the ground of its maintaining the double Govern ment, which was a mockery and a delusion, and he was convinced that it could not be approved by the whole Cabinet The debate was then adjourned. COURT AND FASHION SIR JOHN HOPE, BART., M.P. for the county of Edin burgh, lies dangerously ill in London. THE QUBEN has appointed the Earl of Home to be Keeper of the Great Seal, and Lord Panmure to be Keeper of the Privy Seal, for the Kingdom of Scotland. GRISI AND MARIO have engaged to go to America for five months. They are to get £17,000 and all their ex penses paid. M. GENERAL THE HON. GEORGE ANSON, M.P., has, it is said, been appointed to succeed M.-General Sir Joseph Thackwell in the command of a division of the Bengal Army. THE DUKE or GENOA, brother of the King of Sar dinia, arrived in London on Tuesday. from Paris, ac companied by the Marquis d'Azeglio, Sardinian minister at this court, His Royal Highness had an audience of Her Majesty, by appointment, on Wednesday, OXFORD UNIVERSITY.—The following is a list of those upon whom the degree of D.C.L will be conferred on the occasion of the installation of the Earl of Derby as Chan cellor of Oxford University :—The Marquis of Chandos, Marquis of Blandford, Earl of Hardwicke, Earl of Eglin ton, Earl of Malmesbury, Lord Colchester, Lord Redes dale, Lord Stanley, M.P., Lord St. Leonards, M.. General Sir E. Cust, Lieut.-General Reeve, Sir E. Lytton, Bart., .XP., Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., Sir Roderick Mur chison, Mr. Philip Pusey, Professor Aytoun, Right Hon. B. Disraeli, M.P., Right Hon. S. H. Walpole, M.P., Right Hon. J. W. Henley, M.P., Right Hon. Jos. Na pier, M.P., Mr. David Forbes, Right Rev. C. Words. worth, Bishop of St. Andrew's, T. B. Macaulay, M.P., the Duke of Richmond, Sir J. S. Pakington, M.P., M.-General Sir H. Smith, Bart., the Bishop of Ohio, Mr. G. A, Hamilton, M.P., Dr. Forbes Winslow, Mr. S. Warren. A ROYAL TROUSSEAU.—A letter from Berlin gives the following description of the trousseau of the Princess Anne of Prussia, who is about to be marri e d t o a P r i nce of Hesse Cassell :—Of the two large rooms which the trousseau occupied, the first contained the house and body linen, laid out foe, the most part in 20 dozens and 24 dozens, all marked with her Royal Highness's name (12 dozen poaket-handkerchiefs had the Royal arms woven in them). In connection with the travelling couch were 24 dozen day and night chemises, as many undress and night caps, and other incomprehensible and unmention able articles in like profusion. The linen takes up three sides of the room ; the fourth is occupied by the chaussure, consisting of 24 pairs of silk and leather shoes, and 24 dozen pairs of stockings. In the second room were gloves, embroidered handkerchiefs, collars, scarfs, hats, bonnets, artificial flowers, &c., in bewildering profusion • to make all complete, there was a riding habit. 12 cloaks, in silk and velvet; and, besides all these, the lball and court MR. PHILIP PUSSY has been elected President of the dresses, as well as the wedding robe, a diadem of brilliants, Royal Agricultural Society of England for the ensuing and much too many more things for me to enumerate. year. The receipts of the last year were £6,816, and the According to old practice here, the body of the wedding expenditure £5,685, giving a balance of £1,131 in favour dress of white satin was not with the skirt and train, but of the society. The Gloucester meeting will be held in is kept in the jewel chamber, where it is decorated with the middle of July. the crown jewels, and not brought out to Charlottenburg PLYMOUTH ELECTION.—The candidates were Mr. till the last moment. Roundell Palmer, Peelite, and Mr. Braine, Liberal. The HER MAJESTY'S DRAWING-ROOM.—The Queen held polling took place on Thursday. Palmer, 944 ; Braine, a drawing-room (the first this season) on Wednesday after- 876. The ejection of Mr. Mare, the late member, was on noon, in St. James's Palace. Upwards of 200 ladies were the petition of Mr. Braine, who paid all the costs. presented at the reception, which was very numerously EPSOM Reces.—The total number of passengers con attended. veyed between London and Epsom during the four days His Royal Highness the Duke of Genoa, their Royal over which the races extended was 41,164. On the Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Derby day alone 26,926 persons availed themselves of this Duchess, and the Duchess Caroline of Mecklenburgh means of transit. This enormous amount of traffic passed t S h t e r e ri l i t a z k , e t h o e ; r Cambridge, Royal her Highnessesserenthe Highness Princess the Mary Princessand over il y t p h the o railway pu 08l HYDROPHOBIA.—The without — is h e inhabitants accident to a singleo of E y a mand passenger. t h e Adelaide of Hohenlohe, and his Serene Hi g hness Prince surroun di ng v ill ages i n N or th D er by s hi re h ave b een h or- Edwardof SaxeWeimar, werepresent a t th e d raw i ng - room . rifled b y t h e ravages o f a ma d d og. Th e ra b id animal, it The Queen wore a train of blue and silver cloth, with i s stated, had bitten probably upwards of fifty dogs, gold stars, trimmed with gold braid and silver blonde, besides other animals, before it was killed. The extent of The petticoat was white net over white satin, trimmed the danger is, therefore, incalculable. with gold braid and white roses, with green and gold leaves. A MONSTER YACHT.—The American steam-yacht er North Star arrived at S ou th amp t on, on W e d nes d ay , a f t feathers. Her Majesty's head-dress was formed of diamonds and a passage of ten d a y s , e i g ht h ours, an d f or t y m i nu t es, Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge I wore a blue moire antique train, embossed with white from New York, which port she left early in the morning flowers and trimmed with blue. The stomacher was of of the 21st ult. Th e N or th St ar i s a b eau tif u l new steam diamonds. Three skirts of blue tulle, embroidered with yacht of over 2,000 t ons b ur d en , b e l ong ing to Commod ore silver, over a blue silk petticoat. Vanderbilt, of N ew Y or k, th e pi onee r of the various li nes Her Royal Highness's head-dress was composed of of mail-steamers between that city and the Pacific; Thi s feathers and a tiara of diamonds of wheat-ears, with l ace steamer has been constructed specially for the private use of that gentleman, and the present is her first voy age. lappets. The necklace and earrings were di a m on d s . S Her Serene Highness the Princess Adelai de o f H o h en l o h e She was built by Mr. Simonson, of New York, and h er d eck , nsions are—length of keel, 260 feet; length of wore a train of white watered silk, brocaded with silver deck, 270 feet , beam, 38 feet. The engines are from the spar leaves, trimmed with white satin ribbon and silver ; the All ' . the cylinders being 60 inches diameter, stomacher of silver blonde and blush roses ; the petticoat aireWorks, _ with 10 feet stroke, and the paddle-wheels 34 feet in dia of white satin, trimmed with tulle, silver blonde, and eter . The steam o s such is c i gi generated ga ic in pi four o po proportions t ion s boilers, as t e i a i e c s h e 24 blush roses. The dress was of English manufacture. The feet m long and 10 feet diameter, with single return flues. diamonds. head-dress was formed of feathers, roses, and A steam-yacht f I - tit' • -- is' diamonds. likely to excite great interest in this country. Her cabins Her Majesty will hold drawing-rooms, at St. James's and interior arrangements are of the most commodious Palace, on Tuesday next, and on Thursday, the 23d inst. and elegant description, and fitted up entirely for the convenience of the family of the o miler, by whom he is FRAMPTON'S PILL OF HEALTH.—" For upwards of accompanied. The North Star will shortly proceed to nine years (w r ites Mr. Th omas Province, o f Winchmore St. Petersburgh, and thence to the Mediterranean, touch- Bill, Middlesex,) I have experienced the efficacy of this ing at several European ports, merely on a visit of pleasure. excellent medicine. I had long previously been afflicted Some idea of her size may be formed when we state that than the Victoria and Albert Royal yacht. She cost with headache and indigestion ; but a friend having in- th e North Star is of larger tonnage and greater power duced me to make a trial of Frampton's Pills, I now inform you that a few doses gave me great relief ; and .8'500,000, and her weekly expenses are about £350, ex during that long period o f ti me I h ave t a k en them in elusive of fuel. The crew cons:sts of nearly 100 men, preerence to any other medicine; and I have the happiness including officers, seamen, engineers, firemen, &c. The of f saying that I never had a better state of health, which vessel, after coaling, will be thrown open to the public, I attribute to Frampton's Pills. I beg further to add, and her stay is expected to occupy ten or twelve days. that this medicine is in general use by my family, and we The rapid voyage of this vessel from New York to South know of nothing to equal it." In any case where an ampton is an evidence of her great speed, particularly aperient medicine is required, they need only be tried to when the newness of the machinery is taken into account. be universally adopted. Sold by all medicine vendors, ' During one twenty-four hours the log of the North Star Price is. i id. p er b ee . s ee th e name o f " Thomas Prout, sh ows t h at s h e ran 344 miles. Her consumption of coals 1 29, Strand, London," on the government stamp, has been 500 tons. Nine of the sufferers are dead, and several others are in a hopeless state. At the time of the accident there were 320 passengers on deck, of whom 36 were scalded by the steam as it escaped from the fractured boiler. They were all of the labouring class. Of six women who could not be removed from the Pigeon-house Fort, owing to the severity of their injuries, one died on Friday morning, and two others are not expected to survive. GREAT FIRE IN LONDON. AWFUL DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, --- - - On Sunday forenoon, shortly after ten o'ciock, the neighbourhood of the City-road, London, was visited by one of the most extensive conflagrations that bas occurred in that locality for many years, which in less than half an hour fired premises containing property valued at nearly half a million sterling. The whole was not destroyed ; but the damage done, it is feared by those well able to form an estimate, will considerably exceed £lOO,OOO. The fire broke out in the premises belonging to the Patent Gutta Percha Company, situate at the edge of the Wenlock-basin, City-road, and extending about 100 feet into the Wharf-road—a thoroughfare filled with warehouses and stores of vast extent. The premises of the Gutta Percha Company, although not more than from 80 to 100 feet in depth, yet stretched in the other direction upwards of 200 feet, and could not fail from being observed by any one passing over the City-road bridge, on account of a lofty and massive chimney shaft, which towered hi g h above the su rronn di ng house-tops. The building was most substantially built of brick, and was considered fire-proof, each compartment being shut off by means of heavy iron doors ; but the contrary proved the fact, and scarcely any portion of the factory now remains except a few of the bare walls, and even these are expected to fall, and if not they will have to be pulled down. The factory was divided in the following manner, so as to afford sufficient room for 300 hands to work :—The machine-room was in the centre of the premises, extend ing from the front to the water side. Adjoining this portion was a wing on the left, used as the engine houses, and which contained three powerful boilers for driving the machinery. Over the machine-room, in the centre of the premises on the ground floor, was another extensive range of buildings, occupied as cutting-rooms and band-houses. On the ground floor to the right was another wing used as the rolling-houses, containing ma chinery valued at several thousand pounds. Above the last-named was another extensive building, termed the press-rooms and manufactory of gutta percha articles, whilst the fitters' and carpenters' shops, and the pattern makers' stores adjoined them. Behind the premises already enumerated stood the manufactory for picture frames and articles of that description, each portion being stored with tons weight of the gutta percha, an article equally as inflammable as spirits of turpentine. Adjoining the gutta percha company's works on the one side, or rather separated from them by a space of not more than two feet, were the extensive factory for making Edwards's patent fire-lighters, belonging to Mr. W. Gortori. In the yard of these works stood a pile of wood (and so close to the premises on fire that it became ignited) containing 140 fathoms, or about one ship load and a half. From the fact of the Wenlock Basin, which was 100 feet wide, being besides filled with water, not the least fears were at first entertained of the flames being able to attack the wharf and warehouses on the opposite side, but such was the extraordinary progress of the fire, that several buildings on the opposite side of the water were ignited. Two vessels lying in the basin near the factory were destroyed, and many miles in length of wires in gutta percha for the Electric Telegraph Company were also consumed. As soon as the firemen had obtained the mastery over the fire in the cpposite warehouses the whole force was brought to bear upon the main factory, but in spite of which hour after hour was spent, and mean while the flames continued to roll upwards in immense bodies, and even as late as half-past 7 o'clock on Sunday evening the fire was far from being entirely extinguished, but all danger of any further extension of mischief was Over. The total loss will amount to many thousand pounds; the damage done at the gutta percha works alone will reach to between £60,000 and £BO,OOO. The loss will principally fall upon the Royal, the Imperial, the Scottish Union, the Yorkshire, the Sun, the Hand-in. Hand, the County, and other offices. Upwards of 300 men will be thrown out of employ by this disastrous event. FRIGHTFUL STEAM-BOAT ACCIDENT. A most lamentable and fatal accident occurred on Thursday on board the Times screw steamer, one of the vessels belonging to the Dublin and Liverpool Steam packet Company, and commanded by Captain James Collis. She left the North-wall, Dublin, for Liverpool, at six o'clock, p.m., having on board 330 deck passengers, chiefly emigrants, and seven cabin passengers. She also carried, as part of her cargo, a number of cattle. When nearly opposite the Pigeon-house, at about seven o'clock, a partial explosion of one of her boilers took place, causing a rent, through which there was an immediate and destruc tive escape of steam. A scene of the greatest confusion and terror ensued. A number of the passengers who crowded the deck were instantly overwhelmed and fright fully scalded by the steam ; and those who escaped its destructive effects were in the greatest alarm for their lives. The condensed steam and boiling water shot up from the midship hatch and the window of the engine room, and descended on the deck passengers who were gathered in the waist of the vessel. Scarcely anything could be imagined more appalling than the sight which the deck presented—men, women, and children, rushing to every side for shelter from the scalding steam ; others —many of them women—screaming in agony ; the terri fied cries of their friends, and of numbers who were in search of, and apprehensive for, the safety of their friends, added to the bellowing of the cattle and the bleating of the sheep and lambs, with which the vessel was laden, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost without parallel. On the vessel being stopped, the boats were lowered, and the sufferers conveyed ashore. Nothing could be more frightful than the appearance some of the poor creatures presented as they were taken from the boats. On examination, it was found that thirty.three persons were injured, many of them severely, and that two, a boy about four, and a g i r l a b ou t th ree years old, were dead. Inspector Finnemore had stretchers brought for the conveyance of those who could not be taken on cars to the different hospitals in the city. Some of the passen gers who had escaped uninjured were sent by a float up the river and landed at the wharf ; and those who had received partial injuries, which did not render it necessary to send them to hospital, were treated with the greatest humanity by numbers of citizens, who exhibited the utmost amount of sympathy for them. None of the cabin passengers were injured. The second e ng i neer was severely, the first engineer slightly scalded. As soon as the accident became known to Mr. Middle ton, the agent of the company, he immediately despatched the Mona steam-tug to the vessel in order to afford any assistance that might be required, and directions were given that no expense should be spared that might be necessary to procure proper treatment for the passengers who were injured. The engineer, William Galway, gives the following account of the accident :—" At about half-past six the vessel was going at about nine miles an hour against the tide, which was then flowing—the pressure of steam on the boiler at the time being ten pounds to the square inch less than it was calculated to bear. When the vessel had proceeded down the river to the point nearly opposite the Pigeon-house, he was going up the ladder from the engine room, after having left the machinery in charge of Patrick APlntyre tthe assistant engineer), when the explosion took place. He immediately rushed down, seized the safety-valve and stopped the engines, and in doing so was severely scalded on the hands. He also states that at the time the vessel started the water in the boilers was fifteen inches above the level of the action of the flame from the furnaces. In accounting for the cause of the accident he states, that in one of the landings, or compartments of the boiler, a portion of the rivets bad been frayed, and when the pressure was put on, the part that was thus indurated gave way. The pumping gear for supplying the engines with water was in perfect order, and at work at the time of the accident." LIVERPOOL TOWIN The monthly meeting of the Council—also a special Council—was held on Wednesday, the Mayor, Samuel , Holme, Esq., in the chair. TAE APPOINTMENT OF MAGISTRAIES Mr. GLADSTONE recapitulaiedwlTarl7adtaken place upon this matter, and said that the statement which he had already made was essentially correct. The papers were sent privately by Mr. Walpole to Mr. Macken zie, and, from that time to this, they had never been seen at the Home-office. The whole thing rested entirely between Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Walpole, as it wg utterly impossible for the Government to know what had taken place between these two gentlemen. It was, how ever, clear and indisputable that neither the papers, " the strong expression of opinion," nor the " box" itself, to which Mr. Walpole said he had placed the list for his suc cessor, were forthcoming at the present hour. THE TOWN CLERK'S SALARY. The proceedings embraced the following recommenda tions : I.—To grant an increase to the salary of the Town clerk, of £5OO per annum, the consideration of which was postponed at the l as t mont hl y C ounc il . 2.—ln consequen ce o f th e res i gnat i on b y M r. M . D • Lowndes of the appoi n t men t o f c l er k to t h e j ust i ces f o r parochial business, that th e a dditi ona l d ut i es be performed by the present clerks t o th e j us ti ces , at £lOO per annu m each, and that one of th e c l er k s l ate l y emp l oyed b y Mr ;.. Lowndes be engaged per manen tl y i n t h e mag i stra t e s clerks-office, at the salary of £lOO p er annum. 3.—To adopt the rep or t o f th e surveyor on t h e ventila tion of the Council- c h am b er . 4.—To purchase, f or th e sum o f £19 , 000 , t h e freeho ld. property of the United G as C ompany, f ront i ng Dale street, bounded by H a tt on - gar d en an d Ch eaps i de, an d' containing in the wh o l e 6,617 square yar d s o f land, o r thereabouts, togethe r w ith th e messuages, s h ops, build ings, and erections the reon . s.—To purchase f r e e h o ld p roper t y i n Sh aw ' s- b row , from the trustees and execu t ers o f th e l ate W m. H ughes , for the sum of £645. Mr. JOHN HOLMES moved the increase of salary to the Town-clerk, remarking that, since the Highway Board had been abolished, he bad been very much employed at home in the evenings, in consequence of the increased duties imposed upon him. Mr. JAMES LAWRENCE seconded the motion. The letter which the Town-clerk had previously sent to to the Council having been read, Mr. T. H. TURNER supported the advance, alluding particularly to the admirable mode in which Mr. Shuttle worth managed the business of the Corporation in Lon don, and stating that, in many cases, he had disarmed opposition where another person would not have been so successful. The Council was mainly indebted to him, also, for the Government allowance for the cost of prose cutions. Mr. Moss opposed the advance as an extravagant, ridiculous, and wasteful excess. He moved a negative.—• Mr. GODFREY seconded the amendment of Mr. Moss. Mr. DOVER thought that £2,000 a year—an income not exceeded by our merchants, taking one with another —was quite a sufficient remuneration, particulariy when it was understood, at the time the salary was voted, that it was to be a fixture. As to the Government allowance for prosecutions, Mr. Cardwell claimed the credit of gain ing that.—Mr. PARKER supported the increase. Mr. AVISON, who, after the most serious considera tion, felt bound to oppose the increase, reverted to the first meeting of the council after the Municipal Reform Bill, when the salary of £2,000 was fixed as a maximum. Looking at the salary relatively, Mr. Avison deemed that very few of the solicitors in Liverpool were individually in receipt of £2,000 a year ; while the remuneration of the other legal functionaries in the town did not amount to that sum. Mr. Mansfield, the stipendiary magistrate, for instance, received £l,OOO a year; the judges of the Bankruptcy Court, barristers of high standing and great ability, £l,BOO a year each; and Mr. Pollock, judge of the County Court, £1,200 a year. Mr. Heron, the town clerk of the Manchester Corporation, received now £1,500, but only recently he was paid but £l,OOO. The strongest reason in favour of the increased salary was Mr. Shuttle worth's being overworked. He was overworked ; and the Council was negligent of its duty in allowing this; but it could not be cured, or his life extended, by addi tional salary to the Town-clerk himself. Let him have additional help. Mr. TYRER thought that there was no parallel between Liverpool and Manchester in regard to the duties of the Town-clerk : in the case of the latter town he believed there were no corporate funds. Mr. GODFREY said that, instead of increasing, the per sonal duties had positively decreased, and this had been admitted by the Town-clerk himself. Why, at present they had five deputy t own - c l er k s, at an aggregate salary of 1,850. He had been materially relieved, too, by the appointment of a clerk of the peace, at a salary of £BOO a year. Mr. Shuttleworth had (the speaker believed) entered the Town.hall at £lOO or £l5O a year, and before he was thirty-four he h a d arr i ve d at t h e top dale tree, as Town-clerk, with £2,000 a year. How many of his pro fessional compeers bad been so successful in Liverpool? Mr. Godfrey opposed the advance. Mr. Hour was favourable to the increase, since so many different interests, which eighteen or twenty years ago did not extat, had now become engrafted on the cor poration, each imposing mor e l a b our on th e T o wn-clerk. n _ Mr. VENNETT followed on th e same s ide, a dvocating the advance on p u bli c groun d s. M r. Sh ut tleworth W 4. perfect slave to the corporation. Mr. GLADSTONE was no t prepare d to vote SUMS of £5OO at a time to any official, without the fullest conside ration and justification. Family reason s were amo ngst but, w here B AN h N e E h R a had aa was the of two clerks, the Ch a i rman o f t h e Fi nance Committee would not recognise the m . d o . 8 gt thea t h tious sameeg nl p e er n ga t e atl urged e O nl n yi O t oa f n f S ab a ve l o a h u r a y rf Mr. PicToN, under all the circumstances, was in favour of the resolution, as the duties of the office had materially increased since the salary of £2,000 was fixed, seventeen years ago. The Town-clerk showed in his letter that, if the remuneration of his department remained upon the former footing of fees, it would amount now to £14,000 a year. If the Town-clerk, who never shrunk from ad ditional labour imposed upon him, was still willing to undertake the whole work, he (Mr. Picton) did not think the Council ought to object to the arrangement; but that it would be advisable, under all the circumstances, to sanction the resolution of the Finance Committee. Mr. BIGHAM recommended gentlemen to think of their constituents. Ninety.nine out of every hundred in the town were opposed to the increase. When Mr. Shut tleworth performed extra duties, the Council had voted him a present of £5OO ; but don't let them saddle an additional £5OO for ever upon the Corporation, when there was no specific list of increased duties established by the Finnnce Committeee. Mr. Hoi;sox supported the advance, as did also Mr. STEWART, who dwelt upon the fact that the Town-clerk, unlike some of the Government officials enumerated by Mr. Avison, had no retiring pension to fall back upon, should illness unfit him for duty. The fact cited by Mr. Godfrey, that the Town-clerk had once been receiving but £lOO in the same building, and that he was now receiving £2,000, was all to the Town-clerk's honour. A man must not stay at £lOO a-year forever. Mr. J. HOLMES having very briefly replied, the motion for or against the confirmation of the proceedings of the committee, and the sanction of the additional £5OO, was put, and the confirmation carried by 35 to 19. The numbers were— For—Councillors Mellor, Anderson, Tyrer, Holt, James Holme, Fernihough, Jeffreys, J. Gladstone, jun., Toulmin, Clayton, Wagstaff, Tobin, Brancker, Gardner, Picton, Hodson, Wood, Stewart, Horsfail, Gregeon, Royden, Halhead, Alderman Bennett, Preston, John Holmes, Lawrence, Parker, Robinson, Cooper, Wood, Procter, Molyneux, Bent, Turner, and the Mayor. Against—Councillors 'Woodruff, Thompson, Bighorn, Nicholson, Bradley, Moss, Holden, M`Guffie, Godfrey, Avison, Banner, M`Nicoll, Fleming, Robertson Glad stone, Nicholson, Beckwith, Henderson, Aldermen Langsdale and Dover. The TOWN-CLERK, who entered the room shortly after wards, expressed his acknowledgments to the Council. The second recommendation was not confirmed, the Town-clerk being instructed to refer to the minutes of the Council for 1847, in order to obtain further informa tion as to the case. The other recommendations of the committee were carried tthat relating to the surveyor's report excepted)► as were those also of the Watch Committee, Dock Com mittee, Courts of Law and St. George's Hall Committee. The Council then adjourned until to-morrow. THE SHIP BLOOMER FROM LIVERPOOL FOR AUSTRALIA. --. .. 0 . - - - The following letter has been received by Mr. John aged s e s ho d s i p e i ci hospital of also heart disease Payne, Dumfries, from hi s b ro th er , M r . Charles Payne, who sailed from Liverpool in the ship Bloomer, belonging to Gibbs, Bright and Co. Liverpool, in March l as t : ea with decline, Ship Bloomer, April 13 t h , 195 3 ; DEAR BROTHER,—I take this opp or t un i ty of let t i ng yon know how we are all getting on. Al •je got well round 23rd ult., another died of decline o n th e 28th. There isn Holyhead. ) yo l euand. O g man n One laid man,up in h who Ido not think w ill get better. The other nassen gers on board are a ll i n good health. It blew a fearful hurricane on the 28th an d 29 th ult., and carried away our mainsail. There a re s i x sea-captains on board as passen gers, who say they never saw a ship behave herself in the manner before. Th e gale could not lay her down. We are in very w arm weather at present. In ten days We passed Madeir a w ith a fa i r w i nd, and are now got into t he trade wind s . Th ough we are 19 days sailed, it seems CO me as if it were only one. There is plenty of music on board, singing, dancing, and all sorts of games. The passengers are the finest sort of people that could be our board of any ship. We have sacred music every day, and sermons on Sundays. There are two clergymen on board , one belonging to the English Church, and the other to the Wesleyan body. There is also a doctor of medicine' Captain Allen is one of the finest men I ever met, and 19 , continually with the passengers. There are plenty of provisions on board, far more than we can ever use. Yo, u can get ale, but no spirits, on board without the doctor ! order. I can get anything on board I wish, which makes it very pleasant. We are now passing the island of St. Antonio, and e%: . pest to cross the line in eight days. Yo u w ill percelYe where we are when I am writing, but I will not date th e letter until I see a sail. Jane and the children are all the l'i r well ; she was sick two days, but h as recover ed. ' and Mrs. Ptingle a r e also both we ll. A grea t p a rt of _ crew are from the neighbourhood o f D um f r i es , who ar e very kind to us. A great many of the passengers cr'' from Ayr, Kilmarnock, and Glasgow, and various in Ayrshire, There are 28 cabin passengers. 7th inst. a small yacht of about, 60 tons, with five men 0n450 board, passed us, hound for Geelong. We are now .15t ;t miles from the line, and having a fair wind, will cross_;',„ on Wednesday. I got 10s. from the captain for clir'FirA the sheep on boatd, 13 in number; so, you see, Aust7• the wages are commenced with ine already. Many ° as passengers have left their wives and families at h ome , pot they intended to return in a few years ; and shoulda., spared and keep my health, T do not see why I mother,!:o and do the same.—Read this to my father and at h, give my respects to all friends.— Your brother till _.,...,. CHARLE S rA j r " ol „, ' P.S.—Ship in si g ht thi s d a y, 13th April ; tO' g we cross the line. r o n the