The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-12-11 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL TOWN COUNCIL.

THE quarterly meeting of the Town Council was held on
WfilnesdaY, John Stewart, Esq., the Mayor, presiding. The
attendance of members was full.

VISIT OF THE KING OF SARDINIA.
The MATo a, before proceeding with the ordinary business,
intimated that, in discharge of what he considered a part of
his official duty, he had addressed a letter to Sir George Grey,
the Home Secretary, intimating that if it were the intention
of His Majesty to visit the provinces, the people and Corpora-
tion of Liverpool would be happy to receive him with a cor-
dial welcome. In answer he had received a communication
from the Home Office, intimating that the stay of His Ma-
jesty in England would be too short to allow of his visiting
Liverpool. He also intimated that he had received an invita-
tion to the banquet at Guildhall, in London, on occasion of
the presentation of an address to the King of Sardinia, which
his engagements, however, prevented him from accepting.
PROPOSED NEW POLICE COURTS, FIRE-STATION, &C.
The proceedings of the Finance Committee contained re-
commendations :—To purchase from the New Hebrew Con-
gregation, for the sum of £2OO, property in Hardman-street,
and to complete the improvement of that street; to purchase
from Mr. Henry Booth, for the sum of £l3O, sufficient land
to preserve an area of not less than two yards wide in front of
property intended to be built in Hope-place, and as considera-
tion for abandoning the right to erect any buildings except
dwelling-houses; to erect courts for magisterial business,
police-offices, coroner's court, and other public buildings, on
property in Dale-street and Hatton-garden, purchased from
the Gas Company; and to sell, for the sum of £7OO, the re-
version of property in St. James's-street, Hardy-street, and
Upper Frederick-street, on which it is intended to erect a
Roman Catholic place of worship. The committee reported
that the cost of constructing new police-courts, bridewell,
coroner's court, fire-station, &c., Was estimated at £27,800, and
that when these buildings were ready for occupation they
would release the present sessions-house and fire-police sta-
tion. The latter was valued at £lO,OOO, and the old prison at
£18,025, altogether, including the other property, worth
£70,000. The total cost of the new buildings; including the
value of the site, &c., was estimated at £45,000. The plans
had been laid before the Watch Committee and the borough
magistrates, and been approved by them.—On the proposition
of Mr. HORNET, the recommendations of the Finance Com-
mittee were confirmed.
POLICEMEN CHARGED WITH RECEIVING BRIBES.
The proceedings of the Watch Committee included the re-
port of an investigation before the head-constable and the
Council, into a charge preferred by Messrs. Mackay and Co.,
'timber merchants, against police-officers Murphy and Mac-
millan, of receiving bribes to prevent them laying dock in-
formations. The circumstances were stated to be as follow : Offi-
cer 754 (Murphy) recently laid an information against Messrs.
Mackay and Co., for leaving timber on the Brunswick Dock
Quay, for which offence the defendants were fined 40s. by the
presiding magistrate, Mr. Alderman S. Holme. On that
occasion, Mr. Mackay stated in court, that if he had given the
officer a few shillings, as he had done on former occasions, the
information would not have been laid. This :resulted in the
inquiry ; and the report stated, that after a long and patient
investigation, the Council had arrived at the conclusion that
the charges had not been proved. Mr. Gre,gson, in moving
the confirmation of the proceedings, suggested that all the
persons rated for the fire-police, who had refused to enter into
composition for their rates, be now required to pay the full
amount.—Mr. Godfrey, a member of the Watch Committee,
impugned the accuracy of the report of the investigations in
question, and entered into a long detail of the whole case.
He asserted that every means had been taken by the com-
mittee and by Major Greig to shield the officers, and to throw
doubt on the statements of the witnesses adduced by Mr.
Mackay.
A debate of some warmth ensued, in the course of which a very
acrimonious discussion arose, in consequence of Mr. Gregson,
chairman of the Watch Committee, in 'replying to the ob-
servations of previous speakers, saying " There is one gentle-
man in this Council who is systematically bringing charges
against the police-force."
Mr. HODSON : And will continue to do, until it is altered.
Mr. GREGSON : Before a gentleman attempts to take away
the character of others, he ought certainly to have his own
character secured. That gentleman possesses an unenviable
public character ; and, if he understood his proper position,
when he enters the door of this room, he would hang his
head and find the darkest corner in it. [These unusual ob-
servations produced the greatest silence in the Council, broken
only by Mr. Gregson's own voice, and the restless motion of
Mr. Hodson, who turned round, and, with compressed lips
and knitted brows, looked keenly at Mr. Gregson. That
gentleman proceeded.] He has brought a charge against a
policeman of receiving £2 a week in the shape of bribes. I
call upon him to substantiate that charge. I can assure him
the freest and fullest inquiry, and I think he is bound to bring
it forward. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HODSON rose 'amidst profound silence. He said, Mr.
Mayor, I ask Mr. Gregson whether he alluded to me when he
spoke of the darkest corner in the room ? Was that an allu-
sion to me ? I call upon you, Mr. Mayor, to support me as a
member of this Council. I again put it to Mr. Gregson
whether that observation referred to me ?
Mr. GREGsON (after a slight hesitation) Mr. Mayor, I did.
Mr. HODSON : Then, sir, I call for an explanation before
this Council. Mr. Gregson has made a charge, and I demand
from him, in this room, to state what he means.
Tobjec-
tionable
Mr. Gregson, at the instance of the Mayor, rose and said, if
M words.AT on I hope Mr. Gregson will withdraw the
he had said anything to injure or pique Mr. Hodson, he was
sorry for it.
Mr. HODSON : That will not satisfy me.
The MA-von : Sit down; Icannot allow these personal matters.
The subject was allowed to drop, and ultimately the pro-
ceedings of the committee were confirmed.
DOCK COMMITTEE : ME. PICKTHALL'S APPOINTMENT.
The confirmation of the proceedings having been moved by
Mr. C. TURNER,
Mr. W. EARLE expressed extreme surprise that the chair-
man had not alluded to a matter which was the subiect_of
thall to a vacant clerkship at the Albert Docks. He rose now
to move a vote on that appointment, on the ground that the
promotion had been effected through favouritism and undue
influence, used by the Chairman of the Warehouse Committee,
Mr. Alderman Robinson, in favour of his nephew, who had
been promoted over the senior clerk, Mr. Benson, a gentle-
man in every way qualified for the situation.
Mr. Alderman LANGSDALE had great pleasure in seconding
the motion. There was a system of favouritism on the part
of officials, to please those in high places, to an extent which
justified Mr. Earle's remarks. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. T. D. ANDERSON, as a member of the committee in ques-
tion, was sure that Mr. Robinson had taken no improper steps
to secure the election of Mr. Pickthall, inasmuch as it was
not until after the selection had been made by the committee,
after they had carefully considered the claims of the respec-
tive candidates, that Mr. Pickthall was known to be Mr.
Robinson's nephew.
Mr. BRANCKER opposed the motion.
Mr. Alderman ROBINSON strenuously denied the assertion
that he had influenced the committee in the appointment o
his nephew.

. _
After some observations from Mr. Alderman PARKER, for
W:iich Mr. EARLE said "he did not care a pinch of snuff."
Mr. PicroN and Mr. Alderman S. HOLME spoke against
the motion, as being mischievous and weakening in its ten-
dency,and derogatoryto the influence and positionof the council.
Mr. HOLT, unless he heard something from the chairman
of the Dock Committee to put a different colouring on the
transaction, would certainly record his vote in favour of Mr.
Earle's motion.
Mr. BANNER coincided with Mr. Holt, and thought that
Mr. Benson ought to have been appointed.
Mr. J. B. LLOYD reminded the council of the importance
of using their privilege to veto with the greatest prudence.
Mr. JOHN AIKIN, while satisfied that Mr. Robinson was in-
capable of doing anything wrong, considered that the appoint-
ment of officers according to merit was a very important
matter, and, believing that Mr. Benson had a prior claim to
the appointment, he should vote for Mr. Earle's motion.
Mr. C. TURNER explained that, at the- time the appoint-
ment was made, he, as one of the committee, was, in the first
instance, favourable to the claims of Mr. Benson, and he in-
tended to vote for him ; but, when the claims of both candi-
dates were submitted, he was convinced of the superior quali-
fications of Mr. Pickthall, without having the least idea that
he was Mr. Robinson's nephew.
After some further discussion, Mr. Earle's amendment was
put, and lost by 38 to 8.
aSTI e opE:Re
eGeE'diSi IsAT
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iiter
EnsAti:
George's-hall PROPOSED
CONCERTS.eorge,s ;A' rws
anr(l;
CommitteeEf
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hi
e co-
prised: 0
ums
an application from Mr. Charles
of the St. George's-hall for a public meeting in favour of the
restoration of Polish independence, in reference to which the
committee had passed a resolution, subject to the confirmation
of the Council, to the effect that the application be granted on
the understanding that the meeting should be held between
the hours of ten a.m. and one p.m.; that the sum of £2l
should be paid to the Corporation Treasurer ; that a certain
number of police should be obtained at the cost of the ap-
plicants ; and that there should be a sufficient guarantee,
entered into by one or more respectable inhabitant or in-
habitants, that the hall should sustain no damage, and that
whatever damage was occasioned should be at the risk, of the
applicants.

The proceedings also contained a recommendation that
permission be granted for the erection of a marble statue of
the late Venerable Archdeacon Brooks in the great hall. This
latter recommendation having been unanimously confirmed, a
long discussion ensued, with reference to the application for
the use of the hall for the Polish meeting. Ultimately, on
the proposition of Mr. Picton, a resolution was adopted, to
the effect that specific regulations be laid down for the
guidance of the committee, empowering them -to grant the
use of the hall for public purposes, excepting for political
meetings, subject to regulations hereafter to be adopted.
Applications from several literary and scientific, as well as
various musical societies, for the use of rooms in St. George's-
hall, was referred to- the committee, and a resolution was
adopted, on the suggestion of the Chairman, that all such
applications should be left to the sanction of the committee.
Mr. J. H. TURNER had great pleasure in.reporting that the
proceeds of the cheap organ performances, after deducting all
charges, amounted to the sum of £297 bs. ed.—(cheers);—
besides which the treasurer had received £lOO for the use of
the hall on four other occasions.—(Hear, hear.) He had great
pleasure in stating that, after the assizes, the concerts would
be resumed.
An application from M. Rogers to preside at a concert to
be given shortly at St. George's-hall, was refused, the Council
recognising the principle adopted at Glasgow and Birmingham,
of confining the use of the organs in those towns to their own
organists, except on the occasion of visits from eminent
players.

The Council then adjourned until Wednesday (to-morrow).

SELECT VETRY.—er a ute, which in ,
relative to Dr.S
Bradley, Aft
at thedisp usual meeting ofed thenothing Select
Vestry, on Tuesday, the Vestry-clerk submitted the following
return of the amount of relief granted to irt.door and out-door
Paupers? during twenty-seven weeks, commencing in May and
ending in November, in the years 1853-4-5 :

From Decrease of Relief granted Relief punted
May to Relief in entire in the first Week in the last Week
Nov.
Quarter. of the period. of the period.

1853 £1,072 14 2 I £743 0 4 £785 13 1
1854 162 4 9 889 15 6 900 9 4
1855 6,106 0 6 1,120 1 6 853 19 0

In a lengthy discussion which ensued, Mr. Woodruff and
several other members argued that this return entirely dis-
proved the statement of Dr. Bradley, that he had saved £6,000
to the parish. On the motion of Dr. Bradley, a committee was
appointed to enquire into the truth of the charges preferred
against him by Mr. Dignam.

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE PACIFIC.

By the United States mail steam-ship Pacific, Capt. Eldridge,
which arrived on Sunday morning, we nave ::‘,.L."4,„7.1:1-...t from
New York to the 28th ult. She brought 81 passengers, and
$9,000 in specie. The steam-ship Washington, from South-
ampton, about which some uneasiness was felt, arrived at New
York on the 27th ult., after a boisterous passage of twenty
days. On the 17th-ult. she experienced a violent hurricane.
The Washington Union, by authority of the State depart-
ment, says that Mr. Buchanan had conferred with Lord Cla-
rendon with regard to the augmentation of the British West
India squadron. Lord Clarendon stated that the squadron
originated in no act unfriendly to the United States. Its ob-
ject was to protect British commerce against Russian priva-
teers said to be fitting out at our ports. The case of the Maury,
as represented by Mr. Barclay and Mr. Crampton, was cited in
justification.

- The committee appointed by the New York Chamber of
Commerce to ascertain and report the facts connected with
the seizure of the Maury had made their report, and the
Chamber had adopted it. The report states that the character
of the owners of the vessel had been needlessly assailed, owing
to want of proper inquiry by the British diplomatic agents.
It asserts that the United States Government has always
strictly enforced the laws of neutrality. The British agents
had not properly apologised to the owners of the Maury for
the infamous impeachment against them.
From Washington we learn that the question as to the
legality of the drafts drawn by the Mexican Government, in
anticipation of the three millions payable under the Mesilla
.Valley treaty, had been before the Cabinet, and, without being
formally discussed, had been indefinitely postponed. There
had been an immense Know-Nothing demonstration by torch-
light at Washington.
An important seizure of letters had been made by the special
agent of the General Post-office, of a portion of the foreign mails
taken from Havre by the Vanderbilt line of steamers. It ap-
pears a portion of these mails have been regularly handed
over to private carriers, who have delivered the letters and
collected the postage, thus violating the United States law,
which provides that all ship letters shall only be distributed
through the Post-office. _ _

In Georgia a bill had been introduced into the Legislature,
proposing to confiscate, for the benefit of owners of fugitive
slaves, the debts due by citizens of Georgia to citizens of the
State to which slaves may have escaped, if the authorities of
that State refuse to deliver up the slaves upon claim of their
rightful owners. _

-By the arrival of the steam-ship Daniel Webster, at New
Orleans, advices have been received froth California to the sth
ult. The mining news is of an encouraging nature. The
Indians in Oregon were continuing their depredations on an
extensive scale. An additional force of 200 men had left San
Francisco to join Colonel Walker, who still retained quiet
possession of Granada and the Transit route. He was daily
receiving accessions. On the 13th instant Mr. 'Wheeler, the
United States Minister at Nicaragua, formally recognised
Walker's government. General Corral had been found guilty
of treason and shot, and Espinoza had been banished. Colonel
Kinney remained at Greytown, but fifty of his followers had
joined the Walker party,
Advices from Havana, to the 23rd ult. had also been re-
ceived at New Orleans by the arrival Of the steam-ship
Granada, but the news was unimportant. Sugars were wholly
unchanged.

Froni. Mexico the dates are to the 18th ult. Gen. Alvarez
had entered the capital with 5,000 men, the garrison having
evacuated it. The seat of government was about to be per-
manently removed to Boleno de Hidalgo. Senor Urago had
been appointed Minister to Prussia. Senor Sciato had resigned
the Secretaryship of the Treasury. A cordial feeling existed
between the President and Vidaurri.
Advices have been received from Venezuela to the Bth ult.
The port was perfectly healthy and tranquil. In Laguayra
and Porto Cabello cholera was raging to an alarming extent.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, 281 at Nov.
The New York Shipping and Commercial List, iti review-
ing the state of the New York market, states that there is an
unmistakeably more hopeful feeling in financial circles now
than for several weeks past, a turn of the tide from compara-
tive panic to positive confidence, a grateful and most oppor-
tune offset to the shadows which were cast across the
Atlantic, threatening us, but a few days since, as it were,
with the cloudy prospects that beset the monetary circles of
London and Paris. Capital is abundant, the banks are dis-
counting liberally, and with an almost entire suspension of
specie shipments, a tendency to lower rates is natural. We
have now reached a period of the year when there is less de-
mand for money for the prosecution of business, the close of
the year being appropriated rather to a settling and balancing
of old accounts than to the formation of new ones. Hence the
necesties of the mercantile community are. less exigent than
they were a few weeks since, while the fall trade was yet in pro-
gress. This is a good augury for the coming winter, present-
ing as it does, an agreeable contrast to the universal contrac-
tion, depression, and doubt, which were the prevailing fea-
tures of the times at the same period last year. We quote
first class business paper 9 to 12 per cent., according to date of
maturity. The bank statement for the past week might be
considered as favourable, but for the measures taken by the
Boston Banks to fortify themselves in view of the monetary
stringency there, and the unsettled condition of Eastern cur-
rency, the augmentation would have been larger. There was
an increase in the specie to the amount of $412,322, and dis-
counts, $282,488, while in the circulation the decrease was
$162,012, and deposits, $648,207. Exchange on England was
in good demand at 108 to 1084 per cent. Bills on France
were quoted at 5.21-if. to 5.25 f.
COTTON.—The cotton market, on the receipt of the Canada's
advices, opened better, with a fair demand, but closed quiet.
The advancing tendency in prices last week were checked by
the more free arrivals from the South, and with only a
moderate demand, previQus prices were barely maintained.
The sales were estimated at 7,500 bales.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS, EXPORTS, AND STOCKS OF COTTON.
Avv...v,pLa to " fitwotan
Great Britain. Foreign Ports Shipped.
1855 723.523 265,023 400,157 331,386
1854 452,505 137,054 221,151 288,582
Increase 271,018 127,969 179,006 42,804
Messrs. J. T. Stewart and Co., in their circular of the 27th
ult., state that, " The very abundant rains which prevailed be-
tween the 6th and 9th instant, in Alabama and part of Missis-
sippi, have not been sufficient o keep the rivers navigable for
large: class of boats, but the swamps are said to be filled, and
very partial rains from this period will render them again na-
vigable. The Tombigbee river, as high up as Columbus, near
the head of navigation, had risen ten feet from low water mark,
and a large number of flat boats had drifted down from that
section, from which quarter we have reliable advices from col-
lecting attorneys, to the most prominent jobbing houses in our
city, that they are now only commencing to send to market
the cotton crop of the two years preceding the present. On the
same unbiassed authority we state our conviction that there is,
on that river section, now, upwards of 60,000 bales of old cot-
ton. Red River, Ouchin, Arkansas, and Yazoo, all contain yet
considerable portions of old cotton, certainly over 250,000
bales."

BREADSTUFES.—In the flour market during the past week
there has been an advance of 624-c. per barrel on medium and
common qualities, of which 25c. per barrel has since been lost,
the closing rates showing an improvement of 371 c. per barrel
on our last quotations. In wheat, red and mixed sorts had
advanced sc. to 10c. per bushel, with very little offering for
sale. Indian corn must be quoted sc. per bushel higher, with
a good export demand,
Puovisroxs.—The pork market was quiet, and prices a
shade easier; the demand being restricted to the wants of the
home trade, the sales amounting in the aggregate to but
1,300 bbls., closing at $21,75 to $22,50, according to the yard
whence deliveries are made. $2l for thin mess and city
prime mess, and $2O for prime. For beef a moderate demand
had prevailed, and the market was without material change.
Prime mess beef was in fair demand for export, and the
market was firm. Lard is ie. better, with a fair demand ;
sales 2,800 bbls. and tea. at 12c. to 121 c. Butter and cheese
in moderate demand.

SALT.—Liverpool continued in small supply, and the market
firm, at previous rates. Sales of an invoice of 750 sacks
Marshall's fine at $1,471; and one of 200 sacks A._ll W"
$1,721, four months.
ißcnc.—The market generally was quiet. 200 tons Scotch
pigs
brought t. 1..-31 to $32, six months. English sheet without
change; singles remain scarce, doubles and trebles plenty.
CoAL.—There was a better supply of Liverpool, with an
accumulating stock, and but a small demand, prices favouring
the buyer. We hear of no sales, but $9,75, four months, is
as high as Orrel can be quoted.
FREIGHTS.—The freight market closed better, under in-
creased offerings to Great Britain. In other directions there
was no change noticeable. We quote to Liverpool, for cotton,
3-16 d. per lb. ; flour, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per brl ; grain, 71-d. to
Bd. per bushel. To London : Flour, 4s. per brl. Grain, 10d.
to 12d. per bushel. To Havre : Cotton, 4c. to lc. per lb.;
flour, 90c. to 95c. per brl. ; grain, 23c. to 25c. per bushel.
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 27.—Cotton firm. Sales to-day,
10,000 bales, at 9c. to 91c. Sugar advanced lc. Sales of
fair, at 5-ic. to 6ic. Molasses active, 294 c. Corn, 90c. Cotton
freights, to Liverpool, id., and to Havre, lc.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRANCE.

The steam-frigates Albatross, Magellan, and Cacique, and
the steam-corvette Primauguet landed at Marseilles, on the
3rd, about 4,000 men of the Imperial guard, coming from the
Crimea—namely, 1,318 Zouaves, 1.260 men of the Ist Regi-
tr&nt of Voltigeurs, 1,260 of the 2nd Regiment, and 104
grenadiers of the Ist Regiment. The corvette Fulton, which
arrived on the same day, direct from Kamiesch, had on board
a strong detachment of Foot Chasseurs of the Guard. One-
half of these troops proceeded from the quay to the railway,
and immediately left for Paris. The ship-of-the-line St. Louis
was expected at Toulon with the remainder of the Grenadiers.
The transport Dordogne was loading at Marseilles a quantity
of war materiel for the army in the Crimea.

DENMARX.—A considerable sensation has been caused at
Copenhagen by the disappearance of the Portuguese Minister
at that court. He has been for some time subject to occasional
attacks of melancholy, and, on Sunday before last, he left his
residence, and has not since been heard of.
FRANCE.—General Canrobert's return to Paris has set afloat
rumours that the day after his departure from Stockholm an
act, convention, or protocol was signed between the Swedish
Minister for Foreign Affairs on one side, and the English and
French Ministers Plenipotentiary on the other, and that the
articles of that convention, or by whatever other name it may
be called, are most satisfactory to the Allies and advantageous
to Sweden' The official statement of the Moniteur, on this
subject, is looked for with anxiety.
AUSTRIA.--A private despatch, from Vienna, announces
that the Austrian army is to undergo a further reduction of
80,000 men. This report was current on the Vienna Exchange
on Thursday.
RussrA.--The Vienna Correspondence says :—" The Odessa
Imperial Commercial Bank has suspended its cash payments.
Unpleasant scenes have occurred in consequence. The Gen-
armerie remind people that, by refusing to take bank notes,d
they display animosity towards the Government. The pre-
mium on silver is already 12 and 15 per cent."