The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-05 00:00:00

ftrtplal Parliament. %.‘ HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. The Annual Indemnity Bill, brought from the Commons, was read the first time. The Bishop of EXETER gave notice, that on the 16th in stant he would move for sundry returns on the subject of emigration to New South Wales.- The Marquis of BRF.DALBANE, on presenting petitions against the Earl of Aberdeen's bill regarding the Church of Scotland, observed that their lordships were doubtless aware that the General Assembly had declared against the noble earl's measure ; and, he added, not only were the clergy, but, he might say, the people of Scotland, against the bill. The Earl of HADDINGTOS observed that, according to all the information he had been able to collect, he came to con clusions the reverse of those stated by the noble marquis, in so far as concerns the sentiments of the people of Scotland regarding the bill alluded to. Lord BROUGHAM said that, from all he could learn, the people of Scotland did not desire to place themselves in re sistance to the law. The LORD CHANCELLOR moved that the house resolve into committee on the Administration of Justice (two addi tional judges) Bill. The motion led to a long discussion, in which Lords Lynd hurst, Brougham, Ahinger, Denman, &c., took part, but, in conformity with an amendment of Lord Lyndhurst, the bill was referred to a select committee. The remaining business having been disposed of, their lordships adjourned. • HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from Feargus O'Costsrott, praying to be removed from York Gaol to the custody of the Marshal of the Marshalsea, where he could have the medical advice of those who knew his illness. He gave notice that he should call attention to the petition on Tuesday. Sir H. PARNht.t. brought in a bill for taking a census of the population. The bill was read the first time. Col. SIBTHORP inquired of Mr. Handley whether it was his intention to proceed with the Settled Estates and Drainage Bills during the present session ? Mr. HANDLEY answered, that he was very anxious that the bills should be passed during the present session, if pos sible; but, from the obstructions with which he had been met, he was fearful of succeeding ; however, he fully expected that on Thursday he should be enabled to proceed with both bills. Col. SIBTHORP gave notice that, on the motion for going into committee on the Drainage of Lands Bill, he would move, as an amendment, that the bill be committed that day six months. He would also move the like amendment on the motion for going into committee on the Settled Estates Bill. Mr. O'CoNN tu. gave notice that he should move, by way of amendment, on the motion of Mr. Serjeant Talfourd, re garding Feargus O'Connor, for an inquiry into the state of prison discipline,, and into the difference in the treatment of persons confined for felonies and misdemeanors. Mr. W. MILES moved for a return of the number of poor law unions in England and Wales, which notwithstanding the orders of the poor law commissioners, had refused to ap point chaplains; the number of inhabitants in each union and each workhouse ; and the number of deaths that had taken place in each workhouse. Mr. HODSON HINDE asked the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the report of the coin- • missioners on turnpike loans would be soon presented, and whether it was his intention to propose any measure to Par liament during the present session founded on that report ? Mr. Fox MA ULE answered that-the report was already in type, and he hoped it would be presented to the house shortly. He did not, however, think it would be in his power, at this period of the session; to carry through any measure founded upon the recommendations of the report, although, perhaps, he might introduce a bill on the subject, with the view of giving the country an opportunity of becoming acquainted with its provisions. Mr. Serjeant JACKSON asked when it was likely that the registration of voters (Ireland) bill would be laid on the table ? Lord J. RUSSELL answered that he hoped the bill would be presented in the course of that day's sitting. Mr. GLADSTONE asked whether any despatch had been received from the Governor of British Guiana, on the subject of the civil list of that colony, and, if so, whether there would be any objection to present it, and the papers connected with it ? Lord J. RUSSELL answered that no despatch had been re ceived at the Colonial-office on the subject from the Gover nor of British Guiana. Mr. EASTHOPE asked whether the Under. Secretary for the Home Department had made inquiries, as promised, into the case of Nathaniel Cave, and what was the result of such investigation ? Mr. F. MAULE answered that, having been authorised by the Secretary of State, he had written a letter, calling upon Mr. Mountain to explain his conduct. From that explana tion it appeared that Mr. Mountain had done contrary to law ; but it also appeared that the regulations of the house of correction were most improper, because they placed par ties for trial on the same gaol allowance, of merely bread and water, as parties convicted of crime, and who were suffering the punishment of imprisonment. Mr. EASTHOPE expressed the hope that there would be no objection to lay that correspondence before the house. He gave notice that he should• move for its production. On the motion of Sir E. KNATCHBULL the Lords' amend ments to the tithe commutation act amendment bill were adopted. Mr. O'CONNELL moved for a committee on Mr. Brad shaw's petition. Mr. LABOUCHETLE observed, that not being in the house when the learned member for Dublin moved for a committee on the claim of Mr. Bradshaw for compensation for loss sus tained by the levying of duty upon the manufacture of beet root into sugar, he begged now to state that a more unau thorised claim he never heard of; for what ground had Mr. Bradshaw for supposing that the government could allow him to manufacture the sugar free of duty, when such heavy du ties were levied on East India sugar for the protection of our colonial sugar. . . . . Colonial - Sim-map asked whether it was the intention to diminish the duty on other than West India sugar? • Mr. LABOUCIIERE said that he really could not now an swer the question. Mr. O'CONNELL observed that the government had allowed Mr. Bradshaw to go on fur more than a year and a half, and then suddenly came upon him decidedly there was a case for inquiry at all events, and he should press his motion for a committee. It was negatived by ayes, 71; noes, 90; majority against the committee, 19. Sir R. PEEL expressed surprise that the Canada govern ment (Union) bill had gone through committee on Friday.. He did not wish to interpose any delay to its passing, but he thought it would be more satisfactory to Canada, and to that house, if the bill received every consideration, and he therefore hoped the noble lord would postpone it till after the short recess at Whitsuntide, in order that an opportunity might be afforded for. its discussion. • - Lord J. RUSSELL said, that the proper course to discuss the details of a bill was in committee. It was far from his: wish to carry the bill hastily, but he bad fixed it for Friday, because some members wished to make observations on a few of the clauses. He had no objection to accede to the proposition, if it applied to the third reading, and to postpone the third reading of the bill till after the recess. Mr. GLADSTONE said, that he certainly considered that the district clauses were to be further discussed. They were brought on in the absence of the right hon. baronet, and he considered that a further opportunity of examining them _ ought to be given. Lord J. RUSSELL said that the details of a bill were gene- rally considered in committee, but he thought that any ob jections to the elau3es might be discussed upon the motion for the third reading of the bill. The house then proceeded to the consideration of the Customs' Duties, &c. bill, and to the consideration of cer tain amendments proposed by different members. The report was ordered to be received on Tuesday. The report of the Canada Government bill was received, and Lord J. RUSSELL said, thit he proposed to move the third reading on Friday se'nnight. The remaining business having been disposed of, the house adjourned. HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY. The Bishop of EXETER postponed his notice respecting the course pur3ned by the Governor-General of Canada with respect to the monastery of San Sulpice. Lord LvNiiii oasT, after a speech of considerable length, moved for a copy or the treaty negotiated with the Neapolitan government by Mr. Macgregor ; and of the correspondence between i•4r. Macgregor and Lord Palmerston, relative to that treaty. Lord MELBOURNE said that the papers were not of such a character as to warrant their production now, as negotiations on the subject were still pending. Lord LYND u its . r, after some further discussion, withdrew the motion. The Marquis of NORMANBY moved the consideration of the commons' amendments to the prisons' act amendment bill; and in doing so, he directed particular attention to the provision that persons suffering imprisonment for writing and might not be subj ec t e d to t h e publishing seditions rules and reguiatioas applicable to a different c l ass o f offenders. Lord LYNDHUP.SI* suggested that it would be better to have the bill reprinted. The bill was eventually ordered to he re-printed (as amended by the coalitions) and then further considered. Their lordships adjourned till Thursday. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TrrEsnAr. The report of the New Zealand company bill was received. The Exeter port dues bill was read a third time and passed, though a leAding clause was opposed by the govern ment. Mr. F. KELLY presented a petition praying for inquiry into Mr. Feargus O'Connor's treatment in York Gaol. Sir R. IN Gus gave notice that he should, on the 16th inst., bring forward his motion on the subject of church extension. Mr. EASTIIOPE postponed till the same day his motion to relieve dissenters, from church-rates. Mr. MACKINNON postponed for a fortnight his motion re lative to the exportation of hill coolies. Mr. BAINE S gave notice that he should, on Wednesday, move for returns relating to the aborigines in the British colonies. Mr. HAwEs brought hi the " Affirmation Bill," which was read a first time, and ordered to be read the second time on Friday. Mr. F. MAMA , : gave notice of his intention, on an early day, to move for leave to bring in a bill to amend the Prisons Act of last session. as far as it related to Scotland. Mr. PAKINGTON said he observed with great surprise that the second reading of the Canad a Clergy Reserves' Bill, brought in last night, was fixed for Thursday. He was sorry that the noble lord the Secretary for the Colonies was not in his place ; but perhaps some member of the government would be able to inform him whether the bill would actually come on so soon. Mr. F. MAULE answered that it was only fixed for Thurs day in a hurry, but there was no intention of bringing it on then. Mr. T. DUNCOMISE asked whether any report had been re ceived from the visiting magistrates as to the present treat ment of Mr. Feargus O'Connor, in York Castle? Mr. F. MAULE said he had received such a report, a n d h e found that considerable relaxation had taken place in Mr. O'Connor's treatu►ent. Mr. DUNCOM tin asked whether it extended to his diet? Mr. F. ilAl;;;;tnswered that it did. Mr. Sergeant TA Lvov': I) said he had received a letter from Mr. O'Connor, stating that he was treated exactly in the same manner as before. Mr. F. MAUL!; replied that precise information would be given on the subject. Mr. S. O'BRIEN, pursuant to notice, brought forward his motion respecting emigration ; anti, after some discussion, the " previous question" was carried. • Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD afterwards, moved addresses on the cases of Vincent and Mr. O'Connor; but these were resisted. DISCONTINUANCE OF H OLSTE R P ISTOLS IN THE BRI TISH ARMY.—The new military saddles now to be made for the life guards and royal horse guards (bl ue ) , an d w hi c h are , to be immediately served out to the reg i ments, are made without holster pipes for the pistols, whi c h are to be discos tinued throughout the British army. A. new invented car bine is being made for the use of the cavalry, with percussion cocks and caps. The improvements are stated to be very great. It is also intended to do away with the grenadier caps worn now by the household cavalry, and steel helmets adopted :in their places. N tib 111• N c- 4, •\\ TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. Tile Town Council met on Wednesday in the Town-hall ; 11layor in the chair. THE DOCK BILL The proceedings of the Finance and Dock Committees, as to the proceedings with respect to the Dock Bill, and the Harrin ,, ton and Herculaneum Dock Bills, were first read over by the deputy town-clerk. In the proceedings of both committees there was a copy of the following seven propo sals promoters of this bill desire to inform the chairman of the committee, Lord Sandon, simply the result and par ticulars of the communications between the parties during the adjournment. The promoters are further desirous of in for9iing his lordship, that, on mature consideration of the pr►nciples and objects of opposition, they _propose to recom mend to the dock trustees and to - the town-council the follow ing inodifications of the bill :- 1.--Constitution of the Trust.—The trust to be composed of twelve members of the town-council, 'selected by the council, and twelve members elected by the dock rate-payers; the 24 by ballot to choose a chairman (with a casting vote) from among themselves, or ten and ten. The veto to remain in the town-council. _ 2.—The dock trustees to build and have the management of the proposed new warehouses. 3.—The private warehouse-owners to be secured by suffi cient schedule clauses in the bill for bona fide renting of goods in the dock warehouses. 4.—That the Mersey river, from the Black Rock to War rington and Frodsham Bridges, shall be relieved from the Liverpool dock charges ; as to Runcorn, and to such ports or places as shall from time t o ti me b e declared legal ports of discharge by her majesty's president of the board of trade and the commissioners of customs, the bill, however, insur ing to the dock trustees such modified rates as is equitably chargeable for the conservancy, lights, buoyage, telegraphs, life-boat establishment, and common cost of the river; and for the contingent use of the Liverpool docks, in stress of weather or other occasions; full rates in case of actual use. 5.—A1l parochial-rate questions (after argument) to be de termined by the committee. 6.—The question of the opening the exclusive rights of the dock trustees, involved in the passing or rejection of the Harrington and Herculaneum bills, to be determined by the committee ; the interest of the bond-creditors to be consi dered and secured as parliament may determine. 7.—The price of the land for the proposed new docks to remain as agreed by the dock trustees and town-council, and as provided for in the bill. On mature consideration of all the important local ques tions and principles involved in the bill and the opposition, the promoters feel that the above concessions are bona tide the utmost they can recommend to those they represimt in. Liverpool ; to the full as far as will be entertained by the dock trustees and town-council, and the utmost that can he conceded with a just consideration of the interests of the port and town. _ . I f the above proposed modifications of the bill do not satisfy the opponents, it only remains with the promoters to with draw the bill (should'the committee support further conces sions), and to give such opposition as in their power to the other dock bills referred to the committee. These proposals had received the sanction of the Dock Committee at a special meeting held the preceding day, and were by them recommended to the council for adoption ; and they had also undergone discussion in the Finance Commit tee, but that body contented themselves with resolving that the proposals should be laid before the council for further discussion. A letter dated June 2, from Mr. John North, solicitor to the warehouse owners and to some of the associated bodies opposing the bill, was also read, stating that the committee had met to consider the proposals, but that, as they had been made without authority to bind the poposers of the bill, it would serve no useful purpose to take them into considera tion until the town-council had decided on them. Mr. ISAAC HOLMES complained that the proposals, which were of the utmost importance to the whole of the town of Liverpool, and a copy of which was in the hands of the members of the Dock Committee, had not been placed in the hands of every member of the council. He also thought that time ought to be given for the consideration of matters of such vital importance. The MAY 011. interrupted Mr. Holmes to state, that he (Mr. H.) knight, if he had chosen, have availed himself of his privilege and have seen the proposals, by calling at the Town hall, as some other members had done, in accordance with what was stated in the council summons. His worship then called upon Mr. Evans, as one who was in possession of the whole details of the measure, to give the council the neces sary information. . . Mr. Alderman EVANS rose and said, in the first place, that the best answer to the observation of Mr. Holmes, was, that in the newspapers, at that moment, the whole of the pro posals were given at length, and surely Mr. H. had the same access to them as other persons. Mr. HODGSON—In what paper pray ? Mr. EVANS—In the Courier of this morning. Mr. HoncsoN-011 Mr. EVANS then proceeded to say that he conceived it necessary to resist in Coto every application for delay. Every body, it was said, knew their own business best, and there were motives in asking for this delay which it was not exactly expedient to explain. There had already been quite sufficient delay, and there had been no good ground offered for the granting of any further delay. He hoped that the nature of the decision which would be come to by the council that day would in London produce a very prompt effect ; and in all likelihood, in half the time the subject was decided here, itwould be decided there. There was no good reason, and no necessity, to prolong this kind of mental agony, either for the committee in London or for parties here. Therefore with regard to Mr. North's application, lie de cidedly objected to granting the prayer of it. He knew not whether he was now competent to go on with any notice of the dock proceedings, or whether or not the Finance Com mittee should take precedence of him. Would the Mayor have the goodness to decide ? • The MAYOR said that the Finance Committee ought cer tainly to take the precedence, hut the council would probably like to hear Mr. Evans's statement first. Mr. BOLTON suggested that as the Dock Committee had expressed an opinion, and the Finance Committee had not, there was a peculiar propriety in the Dock Committee taking the precedence. Mr. EVANS proceeded. He said that the proceedings of the Dock Committee involved matters of greater interest to the locality than ever was supposed to belong to any measure which had hitherto been discussed within those walls. He was confident that the council would be as patient and in dulgent as the great importance of those subjects demanded ; but, notwithstanding, he . should endeavour to be as concise as possible in all he had to say on the subject. The council was quite sufficiently informed of the merits and origin of the • .. . bill now before parliament; he should therefore not attempt tolTeumber the debate with the details of its progress before it was' bid before the parliamentary'committee in London. That committee, as it happened, was called the Lancashire committee ; and comprised in its members many men most conspicuous in this country for their wealth, their rank, their talent, and their business habits. Still there were not many `of that committee so conversant with Liverpool, or with the ,details of trade, as to be able, as readily as gentlemen here Would be, to comprehend all the merits the case, either what had been urged in favour, or what had been urged against, the bill. Notwithstanding that deficiency, and the disadvan tage of hearing disjointed evidence, without the summing up of their able counsel, who did it in a luminous manner, he I believed, he was warranted in saying that they had arrived mentally at an approval of all the leading objects of the bill. There were some objections which, without having been spe cially made, they had discovered to exist in the breasts of some few of the members of the committee, which those proposals were intended either to meet or to remove. The leading points of objection were the continued infliction upon all parts of the estuary of the Mersey of the Liverpool dock-rates. There fore, one of the leading desiderata of the members of the par liamentary committee was to procure exemption for Runcorn and other places. He would not enter into any investigation of the merits or justice of that exemption ; it was quite suffi cient to say that they had ascertained that the question must not only be entertained, but that the desire must be acceded to. Upon a review, however, of all the consequences attend ing that, the deputation were perfectly satisfied that they were giving what they could not retain ; what must of necessity be taken from us, whenever we went to parliament for any pub lic improvement whatever; and, moreover, that there was an assurance that in the future extension of the commerce of the port there would be an ample provision for the loss that might take place from whatever private individuals were likely to add to the present dock means. The other leading desire in - the committee was, to make an alteration in the constitution of the Dock Committee. They found there were noble lords and others possessed with most erroneous ideas on this sub ject, and most particularly apprehensive that the docks should give to the municipal government of Liverpool a great political influence. To a man living at a distance, and judging by generalities, it was not very easy to disprove that by assertions. It was very well known here, how ever, that the political influence derived out of the docks was absolutely nothing. But if that influence existed at all in practice, it could certainly never be exercised collectively by the council or the Dock Committee ; and if it existed, like all other influence, it was in the hands of active and influential individuals. Hut if improvement was to be stopped by all these little considerations, he did not know how they could ever accomplish anything ; and if, on the other hand, the influence of the council was to be apprehended, would there not be as much reason, if the constitution of the Dock Committee were amended as some proposed, to fear that of the rate-payers ? Upon the very few occasions where party marshalled itself, there was in most cases a majority on one or the other side; and he could not conceive why it should be desirable to hand the influence over to a body much less responsible than the council, and more likely to abuse it than those who were lia ble once every month to be brought formally to account before their constituents. I t had been observed, that this question was one which was reserved, at the passing of the Municipal Re form Act, for future legislation ; and what was contemplated by that ? Why, not so much as they were now doing. More was never contemplated by Mr. Ifuskisson, or by those then acting in the business, than mere equality—not even that, for on all former occasions it was contemplated that the coun cil would have a casting vote in the chairman, whom it had aright to appoint. Therefore the argument, that the queS tion was open as a reserved point, was more than met ; they had more than met the views of those persons, which never exceeded an equality of numbers, with the chairman in addition appointed by the council. He was perfectly aware that legislation was not for feeling, but for interest ; but he did maintain,.that where a party feeling,was intimately con nected with public interest, it ought to have its weight. For that council, in . its character of trustees, to acquiesce in predominance to the rate-payers, was to do nothing u prepared .ed the to ascendancy contend lgeisysintgbla'n acknowledge past misgovernment—acknowledge inferiority on their part to the Dock Committee, and at once to concede all those high qualifications to the rate-payers. that as the good of the community es'lie was req alone to be found in of fixed principles, whichw , Now, under these circumstanc their trust, and positively sub government, he was warranted as in adding that the municipalcouncil could could not, without betraying proposals whatever that minority in the Dock Committee. would place that body in a sub mitting to invasion, listen to any to give up, and those ho be tween those who were called on be refused an attempted There was a wide difference, on occasions of this kind, cannot be compelled to acquisition without disgrace; but y were attempting to acquire. You ma a y Now, to call on the trustees without degrading yourselves.• docks to a body give up anything, where no case is o made out to warrant it, to hand over the virtual command of the whose very efforts to get it might be deemed an indicationtheir future intention of opposing that council, would be, he conceived, a perfect act of suicide. In arriving ataperfect of equality, h e did conce i ve th a t th e y were putting a good d bill, .to haz ar d ; b ut h e expecte d t h at they s h ou ld ge t, the more than an equivalent for that. Besides, the principle of equality might be deemed a consent and agreement, not dissent or degradation. They must be naturally led to institute a comparison between the council and what were called the rate-payers. There were noble lords and others who were abused with clap-trap words about political assem blies and mercantile bodies, and the necessity of a division between them. Now, that council was, and ever must be, a great mercantile body. Liverpool never could have a metropolitan character ; it would always be dependent upon commerce ; and therefore that body must be an assembly, with moderate exceptions, of merchants and rate-payers. Therefore they (the council) contained within themselves all the mercantile knowledge, all the interests of the rate payers, with the responsibility superadded of being the repre sentatives of the community at large. There had been much o b serva ti o n about the rights of the ra t e - payers. There they had no more ear thl y r i ghts than the n the roads or can a l s . Th e only manlier p co en u p ld ie b :la en o o t r r i a g v h e t l s o ; in which they could be spoken of was, whether they were not the best machinery that could be employed—whether it was not expedient to use them ? He himself was a rate payer; but did he pay the dues out of his own pocket ? No; A ~ ~~ for it most assuredly formed.part of the value of the goods, and he expected to beTrepaid again. He heppened to deal in an article, his share of which paid to the government £130,000 a-year ; hut what would they say if he went to the Excise or the Customs, and asked them to make a place for him there? It was exactly the same way with the rate-payers here. He admitted that the question was open on the ground of expediency and of investigation, whether the rate-payers, as mercantile men, were not the best qualified to sit on the Dock Committee ; but he did maintain that the rate-payers were to be found in the council-room—that the mercantile intelligence was there, and must ever be there ; and those who apprehended it would not exist in that room might be on the look-out for other casualties or they might be expect ing a millenami or something else; but there was no quotation, according to all probability (the basis of all human legislation,) that the council would contain within itself a mx jority of great merchants and great rate-payers, and would be possessed of all the requisite knowledge, and all the requi site interest, to manage the docks in the best practical man ner, while they themselves were under the check of a re sponsibility greater than that of any other body that was ever known for such a purpose. He would refer any gen tleman to what was the responsibility of the Dock Com mittee and dock trustees. Was there not a battery of about seven or eight newspapers ; was it not for ever pointed at them, with their lighted matches ready, to pour into them for the slightest error or neglect ! And the machinery, also, was so complete, that if the periodical press neglected them, there was the council before which they must - come, and they, being within the room them selves, were held personally responsible in a manner that the rate-payers never could be. He had heard it observed that the fact of their being there caused them to be a little complimented. Gentlemen said, " Oh, if everything goes on as now, I have no fault to find with the committee; they are men of honour and mercantile intelligence, and matters are sate in their hands." He would ask, if it were so now, why should it ever be otherwise ? Or, if it were otherwise with these that went from the council, might it not be the same wWh those that went from - the rate-payers ? If there was Scylla on one side, there was Charybdis on the other. Were he not anxious to redeem his pledge of being concise, which was extremely difficult on an occasion when the mind was so full of arguments on every side as his was, he could go into a minute description of what was the general character of the rate-payers. In elections for the House of Commons, there was a moral inculcated everywhere, that the man who goes to vote was bound to give it according to his conscience. But he was not left to that only; the legislature came in, and in flicted a penalty on every man who gave his vote for gain or improper purposes. But the rate-payer was under no such restraint. He considered his vote as hi 3 own • he would do 'as he liked with it • he felt an obligation in the world, and, therefore, he would more easily contemplate a view of job bing or of advantage to himself or relations, or getting men into-it (the Dock Committee,) than a man who was respon sible for his good conduct, and whose conscience was alive with regard to his vote. Now, to show the character of this kind of a constituency : there was one moment, when there was some movement, that everything was carried by impulse; at another, there was perfect apathy. (Hear.) When there was not an affair of general interest, no man felt it touch himself directly; and the consequence was, that the very few active and interested men who were always on the watch to pervert all public institutions to their own benefit, would continue to put into the Dock Committee those who would suit their own purpose. There was no question that if the Dock Committee, at this moment, were elected out of the rate-payers, the council would have seen such a spirit of op position to dock warehouses as would positively have foiled the bill ; or if the warehouse-owners erected them, they would pounce on them, and make them a source of emolument to themselves or their friends. As an exemplification of what this species of what lie called desultory constituency was, he would refer to the parish—to the vestry—to the very recent in telligence which they had in London, by which he conceived that the town was scandalised. It was perfectly obvious that the vestry was packed with anti-warehousemen. They had sent up a petition in their vestry character. He believed the late chairman of the Warehouse and Land Association had also been made a churchwarden ; and there was also in London, at that moment, a deputation, with the parish-cierk at their head, at a vast expense of the public money—nay, pretend ing to be looking out after the parish interests, when in reality it was the warehouse interest under the parish flag, and in disguise. The interests of the parish were never refused. They (the council) were asked for no conference on the sub ject; they supposed they had provided for them in every respect; and if there was anything left out, if it was neces sary they (the vestry) should take any care, they had only to look after the bill to interpose their clauses. But what did they do? They went up and opposed the bill with, as he had already said, a packed vestry, and a churchwarden of the warehouse-owners, and lately the president of that body. He mentioned this to show that where there was an unsettled constituency to elect persons to fulfil offices that did not di rectly come into contact with the interests of the community, that neglect and apathy were always sure to ensue, and that what was everybody's business was always found to be no body's business, except the few interested men who were always prowling about such elections, in order to turn them to their own advantage. He conceived that where a govern ment had worked well, and no case had yet been made out against them, nothing could be more injudicious, or more at variance with the legislative spirit of this country, than to interfere with them. If they had submitted to have the Dock Committee altered in any way, and at variance with that feeling and principle in this country which was for letting what did well alone—if they had given their consent to it, it had been, as. he had already observed, in order to gratify .a theoretical idea, to procure quiet and contentment for the future, and to obtain the great advantage of the bill now be fore parliament. It had been observed that they (the coun cil) ought to relinquish equality because they had the veto. Now, with regard to political influence, with regard to pa tronage, they..(perhaps the deputation) firmly believed that that was the root of all the objections on the part of several members of parliament. That veto did nothing at all ; for the Dock Committee very - properly preserved within itself the nomination of all its own stipendiary servants. There , fore, that part of it that consisted in patronage never came before the council to receive a negative.- They had had, among other clap-trap cries which members of parliament had raised, that of monopoly and competition. He had merely mentioned this subject, because nothing was more necessary than to undeceive them on , that point. The landed gentry of this country were obliged to form their opi nions on general principles, and therefore they were likely to make the greatest particular errors ; for, without making themselVes acquainted with the exceptions, which were very often stronger than the rule, they pushed on, as they thought, to produce a good result from a general principle, and they really produced the very reverse; so that they produced, out of a desire to destroy a monopoly, another and a most intense monopoly ; and when they wished to promote competition, they actually annihilated it, Now, the present dock govern- , merit, he maintained, was the hest specimen of the unpaid, voluntary syStem of government ever yet presented ; and the system in itself was so complete, so self-executing, that no door was left open for corruption, or even for nudversation . of any kind. Not a single shilling could be raised for dock rates which had any other outlet, in the way of improvements, except for the docks themselves, or fur the reduction of dock rates. It was like a ring ; it could never get out of the circle in any other way whatever; therefore, so far .from . being a monopoly, it was the very reverse. There were no exactions;. there was no motive for exactions ; and. the public. were the recipients of the advantage in the long run. Nothing went collaterally into the pocket of anybody. Above all, there was that security, with regard to integrity, which could be derived from the most intense competition ; for what could competition do more than give you the whole advantage of the matter in question ? Under the ()flees which they made there (in the proposals), he could not anticipate the least harm to the Liverpool public. They would be in possession of the central part of the town; they would be .the great re gulator of the rates—the keepers down of exaction, and, as it were, the great model by which every other establishment must regulate itself. They would, too, have the dock ware houses, and there lie admitted there could be no rivalship. They bad observed, too, at the end of the proposals, that " if the committee were to support further concessions," &c. (See above.) Unquestionably, if they did not get their bill, it would become the duty of the trustees to oppose others getting advantages which they had not, and an advantage that would not provide anything for the security of the bondhol ders, which it was the bounden duty of the trustees to take especial care of. He had observed that the concessions which the deputation had been under the necessity of making, had resulted from necessity, and that they had gone to the very verge when they went to equality in the Dock Committee. Beyond that, they certainly could not go without compro mising or throwing away. the best interests - of the community. He never could anticipate anything from the ascendancy of the ratepayers in the Dock Committee less than the ultimate seizing hold of, for their private benefit, the great advantages of the docks and warehouses, which ought to go to the pub lic, to promote the welfare of the whole community of Liver pool. He did believe that the whole advantage would depend on the Dock Committee having the management of the ware houses in their hands. Now, he could not conceive how any member of that council, after voting for giving the majority to the rate-payers. could look their constituents in the face, To do anything which would diminish the power and influ ence of that council, was positively to disfranchise the con stituency of Liverpool, because that would be to take away in detail the great materials for municipal good government, and lessening the inducement for men of the highest orders to enter into the council'. He moved that the proposals and determinations of the Dock Committee, with respect to the bill.now before parliament, be confirmed. Mr. CURRIE seconded the motion. He said that the Finance Committee had given their serious and undivided at tention to the important subjects involved in the proposals ; and, though they had declined coining to ally resolution on them, they had made up their minds that, under the circum stances, the course proposed was the best that could be adopted. The Dock Committee knew, from past experience, that whenever the time arrived that the dock trustees went before parliament, there were persons prepared to follow •them, as they had a right to do, to obtain privileges which they did not then possess. With regard to the claim of the two docks to the south of the town, it was felt to be most in vidious for a public body to oppose gentlemen who were corning forward to make the most of their property; and, although a large cunt of money had been lent, under the sanction of acts of parliament, to the dock trustees, and al though it was wrong to do anything inconsistent with the most perfect security of the bondholders, yet, if it could be shown that measures could be taken by which the security of the bondholders could be maintained, he could see no im impropriety in the concessions proposed. .If that security could not be given, it was their duty not to proceed with the bill. But he was sure that the claimants of -exemption were all willing to give the most perfect security to the present bondholders, and he could not have consented to the propo sals until that perfect security had been giycn. With respect to the alteration of the constitution of the .Dock Committee, it appeared to him that, theoretically speaking, the rate payers were not the parties who had of themselves a positive right to he members of the committee, inasmuch as a great ; ;rinilei a eni r asal t ient:get o id:ctne f iltezd:i t llet h ,diiootrt e yi rate-payers were not principals, but merely agents, and that the money they disbursed with one hand they re ceived eo h taio e tils,hca o reaey t etl other. They reduce the that, lto,T T ei ef a e :x. y rareetra s easet t s:le o oao- o nt pf d iloalcon i )ei n rleartt a frhosagoi d etiruil i nargtedtoei. goverment, different manifestly elitd btxer dr i e,o,earlgtivdhrii di rect I tri t n would he to the benefit of the permanent inhabitants of the. town, or to the interest of the bondholders, and while they had a sufficient number to prevent mismanagement, the m yo . utt d t e o rli b ia c u sat E is A fi ß e L d E . thought that Vile had ever heard a weak speech from occasion.ben introduced [ zip the certainty that He wondered what was that delivered on what would have been s the id present th e b ila apparent t i o n i d e e t e e d u , td t these things would happen ? Ever pre beenlte; dieted them ; for it was an easy matter Everybody, they would have to concede these privileges to the sottlttherticatolnodeikhs iL i ti v et the euch questioned and an alteration in the constitution of y t e could not help wondering what would havee of the council if the truth of those predictions conk; the billve very on could not listen to such concessions, it in nt en to wh th o e i m ia hand would not i b m e c e ,e n whether s l a n i the h e , e , is true—quite impossible." Nevertheless,. they had now found it quite impossible to get their bill without. Mr. Evans, in his extremely elaborate speech, had made out a • • t himself • for he had wade out the rate-payer s to case against , be jobbers, described them as s b ell es under no restraint, as having peculiar views of their own, as not possessing the high-mindedness of the council ; and yet he was going to in_ ' As to telkin s crease their number in the Dock Committee . . 6 about a political interest, why, there was a political interest, and lie was not ashamed to avow it. Was any man more anxious than he (Mr. Evans) to have on th e council good, right, staunch radicals ? And why ? For the patronage, the power that it would give them, of course ; and it was in vain to talk that it did not give them power and a certain degree of influence ; aye, and he defied Mr. Rathbone to contradict him ; it was no use to deny it. The alderman then referred to the previous doings of the Finance Committee, and con trasted them with the opinions now advocated in their name by the chairman of that committee. He then cited the opening of Mr. Currie's speech, which, he said, was in its usual strain, about " serious and undivided attention—im portant subject," and so 'forth, imitating rather awkwardly the manner of Mr. Currie, but producing, nevertheless, a generatroar of laughter. He concluded by moving, as an amendment, " That the council cannot consent to any in crease of the rate-payers in the Dock Committee." - As some time elapsed, and no person rose to second the amendment, 111 r. EARLE observed—l did not think any of my political 7riends would second this ; they are too much aliVe to the _ _ Mr. Alderman FREME at length seconded the amendment, and said that in so doing this was no new. feeling with him. He had always thought the rate-payers were an ephemeral body, having not the least interest in the welfare of the town, and that even the old council, badly constituted as it was, was, much better. He proceeded to animadvert upon the Finance Committee, for having, as he said, come to a con clusion of the proposals, foUnding his remarks on a misun deritanding of what had fallen from Mr. Currie, and when corrected by that. gentleman, and afterwards by the Town clerk, he observed that, as he hut seldom troubled the coun cil, •he was entitled to some fair courtesy, and he should not be kept strictly to the fact. This remark produced another burst of laughter. He also expressed a wish that the bill should be delayed a year, as he deemed it improper to come to a decision on such important matters Nvith breathless haste. Mr. COGLAN had not made up his mind whether to vote for or against the amendment, though he confessed that his prepossessions were in unison with the opinions of Mr. Earle, and against an increase of the number of rate-payers. Before that point was conceded a strong case ought to be made out. If a great national measure could not be obtained without a minor sacrifice, and if this could be made apparent to him, he would oppose the amendment. He wanted to know what it was that had brought the committee, composed of men of sound minds, to the conclusion that it was neces sary to give up a point which they admitted ought not to be given up ? The MAYOR observed, that perhaps the council would like to have the propositions of the opponents of the bill read. Mr. Alderman G. HOLT said that, for the most part, the feelings of the deputation were like those of the mover and seconder of the amendment ; but they saw in the committee a strong feeling in reference to the rate-payers, and found that the bill was not to be had without some price, some sacrifice. They had assented to the increase of the number of the rate-payers with reluctance ; but that was supposed to be the lowest price for which the bill could be had, and there foreikwas, after due consideration, done to obtain the bill. The TOWN -CLERK now read the proposals of the opponents of the dock bill, together with the correspondence between the parliamentary agents. Mr. COGLAN iher► said that he was quite satisfied ; he had not been aware of the modest preiposals of the opponents of the bill. Mr. RATHBONE said that the persons who made such monstrous proposals were a party of selfish men who would throw over everything, even the dock dues, to gain their object. The opposition to the bill was of a political nature ; that was the whole secret; and it was a great shame that the interests of the town should be sacrificed in that way. The talk about breathless haste was nonsensical; the subject had been under discussion for the last three or four years—(Mr. G. Holt—" For half a century")—and it was very well known that when they went to parliament there was a parcel of people in Manchester, Runcorn, and other places, that would come and pounce upon them. Why the Manchester people were jealous of us he did not know; he might as well be jealous of his own mouth and throat. There had been jealousy, too, on the part of the gentlemen of Cheshire, although it had added 100 per cent. to the value of their estates. There was a selfish set here also, animated by poli tical considerations. Indeed, no question was ever discussed here, but some, dirty, political meddling came in. He would never be a party to political considerations on the one side or the other, when the interests of Liverpool were at stake. He knew the difficulties that had to be contended with, and that it was not the best measure that could have been devised ; but he knew that it was the best that could be obtained, and he therefore cordially and conscientiously gave them (per haps the proposals, or the Dock Committee) his support. Mr. HooosoN thought that a decision ought not to be ex pected until ample time had been given for examination and consideration. It was most extraordinary to call on the council for an immediate decision on points of such impor tance—points, too, that had not come before several mem bers until that morning, when they were announced in the council. A great deal had been said as to what was to be ' given up, but nothing as to what was to be gained. What was there in the bill? This was surely paying dear for their whistle, when they were called upon to make such concessions as had been proposed. He was himself an uninterested party, and had no objection to dock warehouses, if they were not to be built by a public body ; but he was strongly opposed to giving up the rates for the purpose of establishing a mo nopoly. He meant, if the amendment of Mr. Earle were lost, to bring forward one for the withdrawal of the bill. 'Mr. Alderman SHELL commented upon the inconsistency displayed, as he said, by the parish authorities. They op posed the bill on the ground that the erection of dock ware houses by the dock trustees would be injurious to their es tate, and yet they sanctioned the exemption of the southern docks from dues, which, by decreasing the business of the port, must necessarily injure the warehouse property, and thus affect the parish. rates, whilst the erection of the dock warehouses•would not have that effect, as the same amount of business must still be done. Besides, the docks and ware houses at Harrington would pay no rates. Any man who told him that he could not see in this a factious spirit of op position, must be content to be considered by him as one destitute of common sense or honesty. He should certainly vote against the amendment, because he could not see on what grounds it could be supported. Mr. BUSHEEL alluded to the admission of Mr. Earle with respect to party power and influence, and then to the con demnation by Mr. Rathbone of all party oppositon to what he considered measures generally beneficial. He (Mr. Bushell) contended that the rate payers had only taken a lesson from the council, which, in the election of aldermen, had invariably shown• itself to be influenced by party cousi deratiions. He confessed, with others, that the propositions of the warehouse-owners were monstrous ; but he was less surprised that they should have asked for the estuary of the Mersey to be thrown open than that the Dock Committee should have acceded to the proposal. He could not help thinking, however, so anxious had the promoters of the bill shown themselves, that they would almost have consented to block up the mouth of the river, if they could by so doing have gained their warehouses. -They had, indeed, almost „done - -,as bad as that; for on the inland bonding question, where they ought to have been most active, they had been most apathetic. fie should certainly pretest, in the strong est language, against these extraordinary changes. He stood . , . there, not au advocate of any interest whatever, but with a firm determination to do his duty to those who had elected him, He eared not for any party, political or mercantile ; he would use his own judgment, without reference to one or the other ; and if gentlemen would do so more frequently, and devote their ability, •of which there was much in that chamber, to the promotion of the public welfare, the coun cil would be able to rise from the disgraceful position into which it had too often fallen, when they suffered party feel ings to interfere with their better judgment. He begged to say that he could neither vote for the motion nor the amend ment. Mr. Alderman LEATHOM said that the two gentlemen who had been referred to, Mr. Lowndes, the vestry-clerk, and Mr. Deane, the clerk of the commissioners of the highways, came up to London when the deputation of the Dock Com mittee were there. They came to the committee-room, and said that they had come for the purpose of having some cor rections made in the bill. Mr. Lowndes said that there was no provision for parish rates ; and they (the deputation) said that there was such a clause. He denied that; and they gave to him a copy of the bill, in which he found the very clause that he had gone to London to ask for ! He expressed 'his surprise, and said that he had not seen it in the copy of the bill he examined. Mr. Deane wanted some such clause for his estatepend they thenght OW was not a demand which ought to be tolerated. The two gentlemen then went off, and they (the deputation) saw no more of them till they came up to oppose the bill. Mr. L. then went onto say that every possible attention had been paid to the subject now under discussion ; the deputation had had constant conferences with their counsel, and with men in parliament, as to what was the best course to be pursued, and, considering the most ex travagant demands of the opponents - of -the bill, they finally resolved to make the proposals which had been read. The proposal of Mr. Freme to delay the bill for one year, though sufficiently absurd, was not so bad as one made by a member of the Dock Committee, who was not a member of the coun cil, that it should be delayed for fourteen or fifteen years, in order that full justice might be dente:' Mr. SANDS asked whether ships going into the new docks would be subject to the town dues, the same as those enter ing the present docks Mr. Ctillltli4,—Certainly. The MAYOit stated that the parliamentary committee ad journed on Friday last, for a week, in order to give the coun cil and opponents of the bill an opportunity of consulting to gether, and, if possible, coming to an arrangement. The council lateetin ,, had been called on Saturday. If terms were not come to, the committee would themselves raise the lead ing questions in their own way. It was necessary; therefore, in order that the subject should be fairly before the committee on Friday next, that the council should that day come to a decision as to whether they would or not confirm the pro posals of the deputation. Mr. GLADSTONE observed that those gentlemen had argued on false premises • • who supposed that th e ware ho us e own e rs were a party to the exemption clauses. They had merely acted with other parties in order to defeat the bill. With re gard to the proposals now before the council, while he be lieved that there was, in part, something in them that was right in itself, he must confess that, looking at the responsible position which he and every member stood in towards the public, his own feeling was that they wbuld not be justified in conceding such changes as were now proposed, without consulting the constituencies that sent them there. One gentleman, who, he must confess, spoke with more freedom than met with the approval of the deputation, had very can didly told them that the bill was not so much a matter of right or wrong, as a bargain—that there was a positiVe sale in the question, and that this was the lowest price which would be accepted, He felt interested in pertain of the proposed changes ; bet still he recollected that he should have, in clue time, to deliver an account of his actions to those who had sent hint thither. Now, should he be acting consistently, should he be acting with honesty, if he disposed of any part of that charge which had been placed in his hands ? Ile really thought that this subject was being discussed with breathless haste. He granted that the measure had for some time been before the council ; but here were modifications for which he, at least, was not at all prepared. With regard to the position in which members stand, he must say that he felt his own position to be an awkward one. As a rate-payer, it was his interest to diminish the number of representatives in the Dock Committee sent by the council. But there his private interest was at variance with his public duty. His duty to those who sent him there was to see that those con cessions were not made without their consent--the consent of his constituents. They (the council) had no right to part with one jot of what belonged to others, until they were sent back to those who sent them there, and had obtained their decision. However, whether the proposals were right or wrong, there was no question that if they were conceded it would be a voluntary act of the council ; and they were of such a nature that they ought to be extorted, not given. (Hear, hear.) They might be right in themselves ; but the council could not, with common honesty, part with them, and honesty ought to stand first. After a moment's pause, Mr. Gladstone said, I heard some gentleman say that he hoped I would keep honest ; I always was. Mr. RATHDONE—I am very glad yon did hear it, Mr. R. added something else, to the eil'ect, we believe, that he hoped Mr. Gladstone would not be so ready to accuse others of dishonesty. Mr. GLADSTONE—I would ask you. sir, whether I did accuse any one of dishonesty The MAYOR—No ; 1 most certainly did not hear you do so. _ _ Mr. GLADSTONE—I am quite satisfied with that. On a n important subject he w as a pt, however, like others, to ex press himself with warmth ; but he had not accused any mem ber of that council of bein g dishonest, nor had he ever in tended to do so. H e was stating the nature of the charge placed in his ha n d s , an d h e was to be taunted for so doing, with an attempt to accuse individuals of what he never be lieved. He had been called to order by one who, of all others, ought to be the most silent, if a rigid scrutiny were gone into, He should no t hesitate to' expres s himself with freedom while he was there ; and he did not think that while it was unquestionably for th e i nterest of the ra t e - payers t o o bt a i n an alteration in the representation of the Dock Committee (of which to.a certain extent, he himself approved), he could not, as a member of the council, consistently consent to any alter ation without the approval and sanction of his constituents. Mr. BLACKBURN said that be did not expect to hear the doctrine of delegation advocated by a gentleman like Mr. Gladstone. To do 'as Mr. G. suggested, they would on all occasions have to appeal to their constituents, without trust ing to their own judgment. This was a great question, and one on which they were bound to give a decision. If they could decide nothing without going back to their constituents, they were perfect automatons—tools in the hands of others. Mr. B. Went on to contend that the proposed concessions were not only necessary for the obtaining of a great benefit, but that they were in fact merely nominal, and would do Liverpool no injury whatever. They had nothing to fear from the competition of any parties. The Liverpool docks only paid rates for their own support, but the others would have to pay a profit to the proprietors in addition. He however, felt a strong objection to letting in so many of the rate-payers into the Dock Committee. if it could be avoided. He thought thought that the entire management of the docks ought to be in the council. If it had not been for the self-elected coun cil, the rate-payers would never have got in a single member of their body. Indeed, the demand would never have arisen, because the necessity would never have been supposed to exist. He should decidedly vote against the amendment of Mr. Earle. _ _ ..._.. _._ As Mr. Evans declined to reply, the council proceeded to vote on the amendment. For the amendment there were 4, namely, Messrs. R. Gladstone, D. Mather, W. Earle, and W. P. Freme. Against it there were 52, composing the remainder of the councillors present, the list of whom will be found in the next division. Mr. HODGSON then proposed the amendment previously noticed by him—" That in consequence of the sacrifice of local interests now stated to be necessary to secure the pass ing of the dock warehouse bill in parliament, that bill be now withdrawn." Mr. H. LAWRENCE seconded the amendment. He did not see the necessity of the warehouses at all, and he fully coincided with the observations of the worthy alderman of the ward which he represented (Earle), who had expressed his admiration of the sound principle of letting well alone, and not abandoning it for the sake of a theoretical good. He was opposed to the concession to the Harrington and Her culaneum docks. _________ Mr. BOLTON opposed the amendment. He said that many gentlemen had sacrificed a great deal of time and comfort in carrying on the bill; the parties now opposing the bill were always likely to be opposing it, and was it probable that, if they withdrew it now, it would be more easy to get a bill at a future time? The members of the parliamentary com mittee had now been embued with the measure, and if it were withdrawn an enormous sacrifice of time and money must necessarily take place in again getting to the stage which they had now reached, and without any better chance of success, if even the demands did not increase upon them. He should sincerely regret if the concessions were not made. He did not like them all; but, like a man selling an article, he was willing to get the best price he could. Mr. Alderman EARLE made a few observations. He eulogised thexonsistent conduct of Mr. Gladstone, who had seen the subject in its true light, hut not so many other mem bers, whose names he was surprised to find recorded against his amendment. Mr. BusnELL.—l think you cannot accuse me of party feeling, when I voted with Mr. Rathbone and his friends. Mr. EARLic.—Oh ! that won't do ! Mr. Bushell is fond of wrapping what he says in delicate language, but this is too soft for any of us, however soft we may be., The vote was then taken. For the amendment of Mr. Hodgson there were 22; against it, 34. For the amendment :—Messrs. D. Hodgson, J. Holmes, I. Holmes, R. Houghton, W. Preston, H. R. Sandbach, G. Wright, T. Sands, H. Holmes ' J. Cooper, J. Lawrence, T. Robinson, H. Lawrence, J. N. Wood, R. Gladstone, C. Bushell, R. Jones, jun., J. S. Leigh, J. Smith ; Aldermen Jones, Earle, and Freme. Against the amendment :—Messrs. G. Quayle W. Thorn hill, T. Case, B. Frankland, J. Mellor, E. Pllcher,l T. Bol ton, J. Priestley, J. Woollright, R. Bright, W. Rathbone, H. Hornby, R. V. Yates, W. Lassen, T. Blackburn, T. Morecroft, E. Segar, T. Coglan, W. M`Kee F.. Jordan, W. M. Duncan, W. W. Currie, D. Macher ; Aldermen Sheil, Hornby, Leathom, G. Holt, Moon, Evans, Barclay, Bulley, T. Holt, Harvey ; the Mayor. Absent :—Messrs. J. Barton, J. Carson, R. Rigby, G. H. Lawrence, and J. Platt ; Aldermen Booth, Roskell, and Benn. The original motion was then put and carried by a ma jority of 34 to 17. Five gentlemen who voted for the amend ment had left the room. The leases were then read and confirmed. The business relating to the by-laws, which had been left over from the last two councils, on account of insufficient attendance, was also despatched in an interval between the dock business. It was merely of a formal nature. The council adjourned at three o'clock, leaving all the other matters specified in the notice untouched. TO THOMAS LEATHOM, ESQ. SIR,—In the report of the proceedings of the Town Coun cil of yesterday, published in the Liverpool Mail of this morning, you are represented to have stated in Council that " Mr. Lowndes, the vestry-clerk, and Mr. Deane, the clerk of the Commissioners of the Highways, came up to London when the deputation of the Dock Committee were there. They came to the committee-room, and said .that they had come for the purpose of having some corrections made in the bill. Mr. Lowndes said that there was no provision for pa rish rates ; and they (the deputation) said that there was such a clause. He denied that ; and they gave to him a copy of the bill, in which he found the very clause that he had gone to London to ask for. He expressed his surprise, and said that he had not seen it in the copy of the bill lie examin ed. Mr. Deane wanted some such clause for his estate, and they thought that was not a demand which ought to he to lerated. The two gentlemen then went off, and they (the deputation) saw no more of them till they came up to oppose the bill."—Now, I am very sure you have no intention of misrepresenting he matter ; but I take leave to say that you are entirely in error in the statement you have made, and I, therefore, subjoin a narrative of what did occur at the meet ing to which you refer. About a fortnight before the Easter recess, the promoters of the dock bill expressed their determination to go into com mittee before the holydays. This was deemed so objection able, considering the important interests involved, that Mr. Deane and myself were deputed to wait upon the promoters of the bill, not, as you say, to have corrections made in the bill, but to ascertain whether they could not be induced to postpone the committee until after Easter, in order that the sense of the inhabitants'of the parish upon the bill might, in the meantime, be taken; and 1 mentioned that two vestry meetings were about to be held, at one of which the dock bill would naturally be• brought under consideration, viz., the vestry for the appointment of overseers, and Easter Tuesday. In the course 'of the conversation which ensued, an inquiry was made how the parish was interested in the question, see ing that there was a clause in the bill for rating the new ware houses. I did not, as you represent, deny the existence of the clauge, as I was well aware at the time of its being in serted ; nay more, I received, several weeks before, a copy of the clause in question in M.S., from Mr. Worthington. the dock solicitor ; but I stated that that clause did not go far enough, as it did not indemnify the parish for the rates they would lose by the destruction of the ship-building yards, which could not be transferred to any other part of the pa rish ; and that the class of .warehouses which would be dis used if the bill were passed into a law, and which now yielded rates to the parish: would cease to do so, being in many cases inconvertible to other profitable purposes, and for which there was no indemnity in the bill. Mr. George Holt commented upon these objections, as being, in his view, rather fanciful than substantial. I am ready to admit, however, that on being asked as to further objections, I stated that I conceived that there was an injustice in the transfer of the burden of the prosecutions from the Dock to the Corporate estate, the tines being, at the same time, transferred from the Borough fund to the Dock estate. You told me that I was under a misapprehension as to these clauses, and then produced to me a print of the hill ; and on contrasting sea. 82 and 91 and 92, I admitted at the time that I had misapprehended their meaning ; and I have no doubt that you have confounded in your own mind the rate-paying clauses and the clauses 1 have ! just referred to as to penalties. Mr. Deane then went into a discussion with members of the deputation as to the mean ing of the rate-paying clause, when it was admitted that the precise language used had been adopted in order that the proposed warehouses might not be subject to paving and sewerage rates. As it is my object solely.to set myself right in a matter in which your statement conveys an imputation against me as a professional man, I shall content myself by adding that the dock bill was afterwards discussed in public vestry, and, in obedience to resolutions then passed, I am instructed by the Select Vestry to oppose the bill in committee. I gm, Sir, your very obedient servant, M, D. LOWNDES. Brunswick-siref-tt 4th June, 1840. Harrington Chambers, North John-street 4th June. 1840. DEAR have perused your letter to Mr. Leathom, and it entirely corresponds with my recollection of the cir cumstances. I may add, that before we proceeded to Lon don together, I had several discussions with you as to the meaning of the word " parochial" in the rate-paying clause, after the bill was in print; so that I can vouch for your knowledge of the existence of that clause before the interview in question ; and I am very sure that no such clause was " asked for" by you; nor was our object at that time to ask for clauses at all, but to obtain a postpopenient of the second reading of the bill, or, at all events, of the committee until after the Easter recess. I am, dear Sir, your's truly, EDWD. G. DEANE. Mr. M. D. Lowndes, Vestry-Clerk, Brunswick-street. CHURCH OF ST. SILAS, PEMBROKE-PLACE. LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE. Evidences of the deep-rooted and inalienable attachment of the people of England to our venerable and truly apostoli cal Church are. multiplying around us in every direction. We can scarcely open either a metropolitan or provincial newspaper without recognising some fresh token of this feel. ing, In all quarters of the kingdom we hear of churches being erected, enlarged, embellished, or endowed. Our own town, within the last few years, has been signally conspi cuous for these gratifying manifestations of deep-felt and abiding love of our glorious Protestant Church—manifesta tions which fully justify us in predicting that the " church of our forefathers" will yet survive in noble triumph the ma lignant assaults of her enemies. - The zeal of the Protestant population of Great Britain, as evinced in the erection and endowment of so many noble temples for the worship of the ALMIGHTY, seems to have gone on kereasing in the same ratio as the zeal of the go vernment in providing for the religious destitution of the country has declined. The • culpable apathy, indifference, neglect, or hostility of our present Popish-ridden adminis tration, has served to stimulate into vigorous activity the dormant energies of all classes of Churchmen, and caused them, with au alacrity unexampled in the history of the na tion, to rally round the church and its ministry, and to con secrate, more and more, to the hallowed cause of Church Ex tension, their talents, their influence, and their wealth. We were gratified on Tuesday with an additional proof of the hold which- our scriptural church possesses on the affec tions of the people of .Liverpool. This gratification we derived from witnessing the laying of the foundation stone of the church of St. Silas, in Pembroke-place. The circum stances connected with the origin of this church are of a pe culiarly interesting character. They exhibit a pregnant in stance of the mutual confidence and reciprocal affection which ought ever to subsist between a pastor and his flock ; while they afford a striking illustration of the value and efficacy of combined and persevering exertion, in surmounting the greatest difficulties, and rendering practicable apparent im possibilities. It is well known that the Church of St. Jude has been long found much too small to accommodate the numbers who habitually frequented it, not to say any thing of the many thousands living in the neighbourhood, who rarely, if ever, attended any place of worship whatever. Conscious of the inadequacy of church room in St. Jude's, and wishing to make some additional provision for the spiritual destitution of the eastern districts of the town, the talented and beloved minister of the above church, the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, ventured to suggest that the congregation should voluntarily supply the funds requisite for the erection of another church:, hi the vicinity of that in which he officiates. The plan pro, posed for accomplishing this truly noble and christian pur, pose will be more fully understood by perusinc , the following copy of a letter which the Rev. Hugh M'Neile addressed to the congregation of St.. Jude's, We sincerely hope that the publicity which we feel it to be our duty to give to this most interesting document will be productive of similarly beneficial results in many other parts of the country. We subjoin the address : " TO THE CONGREGATION OF ST. JUDE'S CHURCH, LIVERPOOL. " MY DEAR FRIENDS AND BRETHREN,—We are entrusted with the Gospel, the glorious Gospel of the grade of God : to embrace it, to enjoy it, to adorn it, to propagate it. Many thousands of our fellow-townsmen never hear it. They are beyond our reach—beyond the reach of all the Christian ministers and congregations in the town. They have no opportunity—no church room—even it they wore willing to seek it ; and they are naturally unwilling. They must be sought ; and there is no one to seek them. " I have brought this subject before you. I have ex plained its causes, and urged its claims. On a late occasion, encouraged by your affectionate confidence, I proposed-that, as a congregation, (but not, of course, to the exclusion of any of our friends,) we. should build a church, and by so much diminish the evil. " The object of this paper is to bring this proposal prac tically before you. That we should build a church some what similar to our own St. Jude's—not quite so large, not nearly so expensive —but under the management in detail of the same trustees. Also—That our contributions should be all free donations, looking for nothing in return but the happiness of seeing another thousand or fourteen hundred of our fellow-townsmen enjoying what we enjoy in time and for eternity—the happiness of ministering of our substance in furtherance of the cause for which Christ died. _ _ " There are difficulties in the way of every good work in this fallen world. But be not deterred. External difficul ties vanish like summer clouds before the rising sun of a resolute mind. It is a lingering reluctance within that avails itself of the cry, There is a lion in the street.' Be resolved —supply the funds—and the deterring mountain connected with site, patronage, &c. &c. &c., will become a plain. " 'Co the poor among you I would say. ' Do thy diligence gladly to give of thy little.' To the rich I would say, ' Leave our poorer friends but little to give.' " I am always, my dear brethren, " Your faithful servant for Christ's sake, " St. Jude's, Oct. 1838." " HUGH M'NEILE. This letter was accompanied with a promise of a donation of £lOO from Mrs. M`Neile. The appeal was laid before a meeting, held in the school-room of St. Jude's Church, and convened by the churchwardens, and most nobly was it re sponded to. A large amount of the funds was immediately raised. Subsequent difficulties were, however, as anticipated by Mr. M`Neile, encountered in maturing the arrangements for commencing the erection of the church. These difficul ties were met in the spirit recommended by the reverend gentleman. They have literally " vanished like a sum mer cloud," and we have now the grateful task to re cord:the happy fruition of a design at once sious in its' origin, and noble in its achievement. We trust that the success which has attended this experiment upon the chris tian sympathies of St. Jude's congregation, will operate as a salutary example to both pastors and people in many other parts of the kingdom. Would that we had hundreds, nay thousands of such men as Mr. M`Neile in the church ! We should then have little cause to fear anything from the exer tions of Papists, or any other class of schismatics ; and just . . As little cause should we have to complain of the want of scriptural schools or church accommodation. Thank God. such characters, animated with a like burning zeal and Chris tian courage in their ministerial vocation, are multiplying within the walls of our Zion. May their numbers be daily increased! must be the prayer of every true friend to the church. We now proceed to describe the interesting and affecting ceremony of LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. At a quarter before eleven o'clock a number of clergymen, and all those members of St. Jude's congregation whose at tendance was not prevented by their occupations, assembled within that edifice for the purpose of proceeding to Pembroke place. A procession was formed of the congregation, headed by the Rev. Rector Campbell, the Rev. Mr. M`Neile, and the clergy, which proceeded through files of the children of St. Jude's Sunday and day schools. Each party having taken the place allotted to him, the proceedings cominenced by the children of the schools singing a hymn. The Rev. HUGH M`NEILL, in presenting a silver trowel to the Rev. Augustus Campbell, junior rector of Liverpool, for the purpose of laying the stone, spoke as follows :—Mr. Rector,—ln the name of the congregation of St. Jude's, who have supplied the funds necessary for the erection of a new church ; in the name of the building committee, who were appointed for the management in detail of the necessary preliminary arrangements ; in my own name as the privi leged minister of that congregation, and chairman of that committee; and in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose saving truth it is our earnest desire to propa gate to the glory of God the Father,—l have now the high gratification to present you with this trowel, and to request you, as one of the rectors of this great and populous parish, to lay the foundation stone of a church to be called St. Silas, in memory of that holy man of God, the com panion and fellow-labourer of the Apostle Paul, in imprison ments, in tumults, in distresses, for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Rev. RECTOR, having taken the trowel, spoke as fol lows .—Mr. M`Neile, I cannot proceed to the part which has been assigned to me in the ceremony of this day, without first returning my humble thanks to Almighty God that lie has permitted me in His mercy, by the partial restoration of my health, again to appear among you, to evidence my anxiety, and, as far as my feeble powers will permit me, to co-operate with you, my brethren in the ministry, - and with my friends and fellow-members, the lay members of the christian church who are assembled this day, in the fur. therance of this blessed and peaceful work, the foundation of a house of prayer for the prinnotioir of his horiOC and glory, and to do his will upon earth in the salvatien of souls. I call it a merciful and a peaceful work, because, although in the present day we are unhappily too often reminded Of those troublous times, in which the chosen people under the con duct of Nehemiah, after their return from the Babylonish captivity, were forced to labour at the building of the temple with a worktool in one hand and a sword in the other ; still 1 am sure we shall all of us affirm that a state of war fare is not our choice ; that though it is our inclination as well as our duty, in compliance with St. Paul's precept, if it be possible to do as much as lies in us to live peaceably with all men—with this proviso, however, that it is not law ful to sacrifice Christian truth even for the sake of Christian peace—at whatever cost, the sanctuary of truth must be defended, and its foundations securely laid. Let us, however, pray to Go.', the author of peace, and the lover of concord, that he will be pleased to bless this work with the abundance of peace, and incline the hearts of all who profess and call themselves Christians, to hold the faith in unity of spirit and in the bonds of peace, provoking each other only to love good works, and remem bering, "How good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in , unity,' teaching us that,, as we, own one shepherd, we shoUld all dwell, ifit were-possible, in one fold —that as we are all subject to one civil government,_we-ought all, if possible, to be members of one church, glorifyin g . God not only with one mind, but with one mouth—and that we need seek no other fold than that pure and reformed pint of Christ's Holy Catholic Church which his been established in • England from the earliest ages, a a witness and keeper .of the holy writings, which, though ensfm'ed and corrupted for a time by a foreign superstition, was emancipated and purified from that slavery and corruption at the' time of the reformation, and which contains and preserves the primi tive catholic doctrines and the ordinances of primitive ca •tholic government—holding the faith first delivered to the saints, and having a ministry duly ordained and commis sioned to preach authoritatively the written word, arid ad minister from their true source the sacramental grace of the Christian government— which, therefore, has a sacred: and hereditary claim to our attachment, and which surely has not forfeited them by any spots and blemishes which may have sullied either her faith or her government:by her contact with the civil power. Animated by these sentiments of devoted attachment to our own pure church, which we consider the purest form of the purest religion, but bearing no ill will whatever towards any other community, I rejoice unfeign edly that I have been permitted by God to bear ,my part in the foundation of a sanctuary where the pure word of God will be preached, and the sacraments duly administered, ac cording to the ordinances of that part of Christ's Holy Ca tholic Church which is established in these realms. Mr. CAMPBELL then performed the ceremony of laying the stone ; and it having been pronounced tobe well and truly laid, The Rev. HUGH M`NIALE proceeded to supplicate the divine blessing as follows :—Almighty God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do, or can do unto thee any laudable service, we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice ; yet we beseech thee mercifully to accept this, the free will offering of our hearts and hands, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 0 Lord God, without whom not a sparrow can fall to the ground, and who has numbered even the hairs of. the head of all thy faithful people, merci fully extend thy preserving care over all who will be engaged in the building of this house. Let no hurt, no fracture, no bruise, no calamity, no disaster :of any kind, befall any of the workmen engaged in this building - but prosper thou in all things the work of their hands : and as thou hast given us to-day to lay with joy and gladness the foundation of this house, grant us in due time to see it finished with joy and consecrated with thanksgiving unto thy holy service. 0 Lord God, when any of thy people shall have sinned against thee, and shall assemble In this house, and shall cry to thee, and confess their sins, and say, " We have offended. against thy holy laws ; God be merciful to us, miserable sin ners,"—hear that from heaven, thy dwelling-place; and when thou hearest, forgive ! 0 Lord God, when any of thy people, sensible of their exposure to the evils, the tempta tions to the dangers of -a fallen world, shall assemble in this house, and cry to thee, and say, " From all evil and mischief, from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the devil, from thy wrath and from everlasting damnation, good Lord deliver us,"—hear, in Heaven, thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest, protect ! 0 Lord God ! when any of thy people shall feel sensible of their wants, and of the wants of all their fellow-countrymen, of all ranks and degrees in life, and shall assemble in this house, and shall cry to thee, for their Sovereign, and all in authority under her—for the bishops, priests, and deacons of thy Holy Church — for the magistrates, that they may maintain truth and execute justice, hear in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and when thou hearest, bestow! 0 Lord God, when any of thy peo ple, trusting to thy gracious promise, and coming to the ordi nances-of thy holy church, shall-bring. their children to this house to be baptised in the i name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ' • and when they assemble themselves in this house, to eat of that bread and drink of that cup, which Jesus Christ has commanded to be received, and when they shall cry to thee for faith, not to doubt but earnestly believe that God favourably alloy,•eth their charitable works, and shall plead thy promise, 0 hear in heaven, thy dwelling place • and when thou hearest, make those ordinances channels of mercy, grace, peace, purity, and love, for Jesus Christ's sake ! 0 Lord God, who 'last in thy wisdom appointed, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe, send in thy good providence for this house a preacher, and a suc cession of preachers, men of God who love thy truth, and who have overcome this wicked world, men who know and feel that by the deeds of the law no flesh . living can be justified, and who will proclaim, from the heart, Jesus Christ the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes, men filled with the Holy Ghost and with power, men dead to the temptations of the world around, and living unto God in private from house to house, and in the public congregation glorifying Him who died and rose again that we might live for ever ! 0 Lord God, who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings does perfect praise, when any of thy people shall assemble in this house to glorify thy holy name, and shall say, " We praise, and we bless and we glorify, and we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, 0 Lord God, heavenly Kin., God and Father Almighty, 0 Lord Christ, the Lamb of God thattakethaway the sins of the world, thou only art holy ; thou only art the Lord; thou only 0 Christ with the Holy Ghost art most high in the glory of God the Father," then, Lord, hear in heaven thy dwelling-place—and when thou hearest accept ourpraises and thanksgiving. Pre- Pare in this house many hearts to bless thee; mercifully awaken many consciences ; mercifully inflict many salutary pangs of godly sorrow ; mercifully communicate faith in thy dear Son ; mercifully guide them in the paths of holiness and peace ; mercifully prepare multitudes who shall worship here, to join that sacred throng who at Christ's feet shall fall, and raise the everlasting song, that crowns him Lord of All ! Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, bless this work, be gun, continued, and ended in thee ; and bless all its conse quences to our comfort and to thy glory, for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen. The Lord's Prayer was then repeated, after which the Doxology was sang, and the assembly dispersed. The church of St. Silas will be a handsome structure, and a decided ornament to Pembroke-place. It will be built after the Gothic style, with a tower and spire fronting the street. The length in the interior will be 87 feet 2 inches, and the breadth 47 feet; and it is expected to be covered in before winter. The architect is Mr. Clayton, of Ormskirk, and the builders are Messrs. Miller and Blackie. THEATRE-ROYAL, LIVERPOOL. For the BENEFIT of Mrs. KEELEY. Fifth Night of lgr. YATES, Proprietor and Manager of the Theatre-Royal, Adelphi ; Mt. and Mrs. KEELEY, of the Theatres-Royal, Covent-Garden and Adelphi ; and Mi. PAUL BEDFORD. THIS present FRIDAY, June 5, 1840, the performances will commence with the new Drama of JACK SHEPPARD; Adapted from - the popular Romance of the same name, by J. B. Bnckstone, Esq. The OVERTURE and Music composed, selected, and ar ranged, (partly from Old English Airs,) by Mr. G. H. RODWELL. The Drama produced under the immediate direction of Mr. PATES. Abram Mendez Mr. Yates. Jack Sheppard Mrs. Keeley. Joe Blueskin Mr. Paul Bedford. • (As originally performed by them in London.) To conclude with (for the first time here) a new Diabolical, Local, Melo-Dramatic, Pictorial Extravaganza, written by M,essrs. Peake and Buckstone, called THE DEVIL IN LONDON; Or, Sketches in 1840. * * * * * * * *.. .. Mr. Yates "lepliistopholes Mr. Paul Bedford Peggy Paragon.. Mrs. Keeley As originally performed by them in London. Mr. John.... Mr. Keeley. On MONDAY next, June Bth, for the BENEFIT of Mr. BEDFORD, JACK SHEPPARD. To conclude with the popular Drama of OLIVER TWIST. ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. THE BOMBARDMENT of ALGIERS will take place THIS EVENING (Friday), and on MONDAY EVENING next. This Exhibition will be repeated every MONDAY and FRI DAY, weather permitting, during the Season. Admittance, One Shilling. Ebt .t.ibirpool tanbarb. FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 5, 1840. We have received our files of the Berbice Advertiser, to the 13th of April, and of the Guiana Chronicle and Guiana Times to the 15th of April, all inclusive. The former of these journals furnishes us with some very interesting details respecting the prosperity of the British Guiana labourers—details that will appear almost incredible to many of our readers. Their truth, however, may be implicitly relied upon in every parti cular. It appears that the labourers of plantations Annandale and Lusignan, had jointly purchased • the plantation New Orange Nassau, on the east coast of Demerara river, for fifty thousand dollars, to be paid for in silver in the course of a fortnight. Well might the Berbice Advertiser exclaim—" Hear this, ye per secuted coloured people of America! Hear this, ye thousands of English and Irish and Scotch who are dragging out a half-starved existence ! The fact that in the course of twenty months freedom, two planta tions have been purchaged by the lately emancipated, while others are preparing to buy as property presents itself, will speak in favour of immigration with resistless eloquence." This fact also speaks volumes in reply to the base and unfounded calumnies to which the agents of the Anti-Slavery Society have given currency. Can we find any parallel in England to the case of these Guiana labourers ? Who ever heard of such an instance of labouring prosperity in this country ? And yet, forsooth, the negroes are an oppressed and ill-used class of people ! The planters are perpetually cheating them of their " just rights !" So, at least, says Mr. Scoble. How comes it to pass that these " degraded and ground-down labourers" are thus enabled to accumulate out of their savings such princely sums of money ? It appears that the above plantation, New Orange Nassau, which was devoted to the cultivation of cotton and plantains, is to be converted to a sugar plantation.. The labourers who have purchased it may become rich in a few years. If in twenty months after freedom, they can pay down upwards of ten thousand pounds, the result of hired labour, what may they not becour in twenty years, working on their own soil, and having all the profits ? We wish we could make known these facts to every one intending to emigrate from Great Britain and Ireland. • While others of our colonial possessions possess undoubted claims on the attention of emigrants, we know of none that offers such numerous advan tages, or holds out such golden prospects to the in-. dustrions labourer, as British Guiana. This is truly a land of rich promise, the soil of which produces almost spontaneously all that is necessary for the support of human life, and which gives a grateful and abundant supply of exportable produce in return for the most trifling amount of, labour. Much has been said respecting the unhealthiness of the climate of British Guiana. On this . point we beg to refer the attention of our readers to the extracts which we have given in another column, from the excellent work of Mr. Schomburgk, who has had the advantage of a residence in the colony, and who has traversed it in its length and its breadth. We feel convinced that the time is not far distant when the tide of emigration frdm this country will be directed towards our West India colonies, and that they will yet rise, if judiciously governed, into a degree of prosperity to which the history of commerce can scarcely produce a parallel. All that is requisitein,order to raise the West Indies from their present state of depression is, the accession of a continuous and abundant supply of labourers. The Guiana Times public tv an extract of a letter which had been received from-Ar. Carberry, the agent of the " British Guiana Immigration Society," dated at Boston, from which it appears that the Legislature of Maryland had introduced a bill giving permission to liberate their slaves, on condition of their emigrating to Guiana and Trinidad. Formerly, this could not be done, unless the'slave consented to go to Liberia. It is said that the planters in the sugar and the cotton States of America are anxious to part with a large portion of the negro population, n hich, in many cases, had become redUndant. We know of no fitter outlet for them than our West India colonies, where it is al most impossible that they should ever become too numerous. Since the above was written we have been favoured with a file of the Guiana Times and Chronicle to the 2nd of May, inclusive. These papers are chiefly oc cupied with discussions on the protracted struggle in. the Colonial Legislature on the subject of the Civil List. The Guiana Times of May 2 contains an elabo rate and instructive review of this debate and of all the circumstances connected with it, which we shall transfer to our pages, if possible, in our present publication, or, at all events, in our next. It will be in the recollection of those of our readers who are interested in the affairs of the West Indies that Mr. Young, the Government Secretary of Demerara , left that colony for England in the month of September ' last, ostensibly for the purpose of promoting the cause' of immigration, and forwarding the general interests of British Guiana. In this supposed character he . came provided with despatches from Governor Light,. which were said to have for their object the promotion of the same cause. Subsequently to Mr. Young's arrival in London, he placed himself in close commu nication with the West India body, and consulted with them in a confidential manner on the subject of immi gration. Matters appeared thus to be going on very smoothly, and the most sanguine expectations of success' were raised in the colony by the reports from England- At length, Mr. Young reached Demerara to report upon the issue of hiS mission to the Home Govern ment. The Local Legislature was convened to receive his report, and then it was discovered that the gentle' man bad been to England, as the Guiana Time s remarks, " not to obtain a reform of the institutions 01 the colony, nor to procure labour for the resuscitatio n of its declining agriculture, but to suggest to h" r Majesty's Government, themselves but superficiallY versed in colonial all'airs, the increase of his (the Ce lonial Secretary's) salary from £ 1,200 to £2,000, twenty-one years, and the proportionate augmentatio n, during the same period, of the salaries of alMost all thr other ojicers standing upon what is known as the Ci eil List." If the Colonial Legislature consented to conced e these favours, it was announced that they, in return' were to be allowed, but only during the Queen's Plea sure, to give their sanction to an immigration ordi nance. It was rendered imperative, however, that su c h ordinance should prohibit the colony from see kii* labourers either in Af r i ca or India. It w as for thej stipulated that the Governor should have the perl' e A t ; j controul over the annual amount to be expend e ,` o immigration purposes. The colony was also t o la`` • the benefit of an import duty, which should include of articles of British origin and manufacture, the ra,teeri which was to be left to the discretion of the ment, on its view of the public exigencies. The Court of Policy, in which the govern ment in fluence is predominant, acceded to thi s lan but the Combined Court remained, in whi ch - the former is 'st*.