The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-24 00:00:00

ANNIYERRA, TON WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY. !ASSOCIATION OP CHAMBERS OP COMMERCE
OP THE UNITED KINGDOM.

The anniversary festival to commemorate the
birthday of Washington took place yesterday evening at
Si. James's Hall, and was attended by about 120 pertain.
The room was decorated with the Union gag intermingled
with the national banner of England.
In the absence of Mr. Morse, the Consul of the United
States, who was absent from illness, General 0. VANDBE.
MGM presided. Amongst the company, including a large
number of !edam, were the Hon. Charles Francis Adams,
the American Minister ; Mr. Charles L. Wilson, and Mr. B.
Moran, Secretaries to the American Legation ; Mr. White,
M.P., Mr. Coningham, M.P., Professor Newman, the
Rev. Newman Hall, the Rev. Mr. Warren, Mr.
Isaiah Vecree, jun., late United States Secretary of Legation
at Si. Petersburg; Dr. W. P. Ballard, JudgeJ. G. Winter, of
Georgia ; Mr. J. Snow, Mr. R. Hunting, Hr. C. F. Dennett,
Dr. Richardson, Mr. A. Roderick, Mr. W. Wilkes, Dr.
Coffin, do.
The following letter from Mr. J. Stuart Mill was read :
"Blackheath-park, Feb. 21.
" Dear Sir,—Although I am prevented by pressing occu-
pations from accepting your invitation to join you in cele-
brating the glorious memory of Washington, and the great
work of liberation in which he took so important • part, I
am thankful for the opportunity afforded me of associating
myself, if only by letter, with the principles and purposes
which are identified with that illustrious name.
" The prospects of the human race are so deeply. inter-
ested in the success of the great experiment which is work-
ing itself oat in the United States, that the lovers of free-
dom and progress in other countries feel whatever injures,
and still more whatever diabonoura America as • Personal
calamity. Foremost among all which injure and
dishonour a country stands the personal slavery of human
beings. Rather than consort to the further extension of
this scourge, the American people have voluntarily Moaned
all their present sacrifices ; and because what was originally
a war against slavery his grown into • war for its extinc-
tion—(loud cheer)—my hopes for the future welfare and
greatness of the American Republic were never so high se
in this, to superficial appearance, the darkest hour in its
history.—l have the honour to be, dear sir, very faithfully
yours, " J. S. Mitt."
The CHAIRMAN proposed as the first toad, " The memory
of Washington." In doings° he observed that Washington
eau the founder of those great institutions which ware„now
exposed to such deadly unaulta. The name of that peg
man could never be dissevered from the Union ; and when
the latter was broken, the fair fame of the former would I
have been tarnished. (Hear, hear.) For the last two years
it had been customary with a certain clue of persons in this
coustry to compare Washington and Jefferson Davis, be-
cause both resisted established authority. Nothing could be
more unwarrantable than such a comparison ; for while
Washington rebelled against wrong and oppression, the
leader of the South rebelled in order that slavery might be-
come permanent in the Union.
The toast was drunk in solemn silence.
After the toasts of "The President of the United States,"
and "The Queen," both of which were drunk with great
enthusiasm,
The Quietist( gave " The Union," the chief instrument
in bearing an infant republic on to prosperity and greatness.
May the Union never be divided, and may it carry order,
peace, and new 'scarifies to liberty, with a higher civiliaa-
Jima over every care of the rebellious states.
The toast was drunk with three times three, the band,.
which was present, afterwards playing " Yankee Doodle.
Mr. ADAMS, the American minister, who on rising to re-
spond met with a very hearty welcome, said—Mr. Chair-
man and ladies and gentlemen, in responding to the senti-
meet I feel in some degree embarrassed by the manner in
which it has been associated with myself. If I was at
home, as I was in the days to which you, dr,
have been pleased to allude, when I was a
candidate for the office of President without any
chance of being elected—(laughter)-1 should have
liked nothing better as a theme to descant upon. But
theme are now changed very much ; and I find myself
placed, without any act of my own, in a situation in which,
according to all the ordinary usages at least of the European
world, it would not be vary proper for me to indulge in any
very extensive or very harardous talk. (Laughter.) I feel
myself in a somewhat similar position to that of the Irish-
man who, having got somewhat exhilarated, said to himself,
"Faith, it's not I, but somebody else." Standing
in the position which I have now the honour
to occupy, I feel that it is not I but somebody
else that is here, and therefore I hope you will be so kind
as to excuse my not making a 'pooch this evening. I should
have been delighted to extend the subject in connection
with the associations which the chairman has presented
but in a foreign country and in • foreign situation, I feel
myself to be, as it were, in a straitjacket, and I would there.
fore rather decline the responsibility of speakieg. (Hear,
hear.) Bat, before sitting down, I may perhaps be pea
mated to make one remark connected with the sentiment
to which I had to respond, and with an observation which
fell from the chairman in his opening address.
You remarked, sir' in effect, that Union and Washington
went together—that the chain of connexion between those
two ideas are indissoluble. Never was there a remark'
made in relation to American affairs more true than that.
(Cheers.) The Union was as much the work of Washington
as of any mortal man. He devoted the whole of hie efforts
for years to the bringing about the Union ; he crowned it by
accepting the nitration which finally effected the
oompleteness of the hood ; and one of the last
acts of hie political life was, as you must all
remember, that memorable legacy by which he
enjoined bin countrymen to keep the idea of the Union,
as the ark of the covenant, ever sacred in their minds.
(Cheers.) Yet I have heard it contended in some gutters
that if Washington had been alive at this time he would
have been found arming the rebels. The persons who talk
in that way have little perception of the character or prin-
ciples of the persons about whom they are asking. (Hear,
hear.) What! Washington stimulate • rebellion against
the authority be had ever prized ! For what ? We all know
what has been the object of the gentlemen who stimulated
the present rebellion—it was to extend and perpetuate
slavery. (Cries of "True.") Would Washington have
taken part in any such movement, when the very last act
of his life, as hie testamentary disposition shows, was the
'liberation' of all hie slaves? (Hear, hear.) I think, there-
fore, we may dismiss, with contempt, for ever the preten-
sion that, under any circumstances, the name of Washing-
ton could have been annotated with such • dishonourable
and dishonest movement. Strange as it may be, it
is yet perfectly true, that from this time forward
the name and memory of Washington must be
kept in reverence, and guarded with care, exclusively
by the loyal portion of the Americana. It can never be re-
garded with admiration by those on the other side. (Cheers.)
They have voluntarily abandoned all the glorious sasocia-
tious of their history ; they have surrendered every point
upon which the nation had previously fixed its eyes with
pride ; sad they have opened for themselves a new career
whether of glory or of shame it is for posterity to decide.
They must, at allevents,look back with feelinpof satisfaction
on the past. The past was • pledge of freedom ; their future
is a pledge of slavery, and between the two an impassable
ocean ' I ever remain. It is, then, for us to cherish and
cultivate, while honouring the memory of Washington, the
glorious associations connected with the perpetuation of the
Unica. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. CONINGHAII, M.P., at the request of the chairman,
made a few remarks relating to the commemoration. They
were, he observed, told the other day by an eminent par-
liamentary authority, that this fratricidal civil war was the
result of republican institutions. To such assertion he
(Mr. Coningbam) gave a most emphatic denial ; the
cause of the war was that which had caused half
the calamities of the human race, namely, slavery. The
North was engaged in s deadly struggle against an accursed
slave power which had too long controlled the counsels of
the Union ; and he trusted that the banner which they all
witnessed would yet wave over a united people. (Cheers.)
Mr. WHITE, M.P., afterwards addressed the assembly in
a similar strain.

GENERAL MEETING.-(THL3 DAY.)

-
This morning commenced, at the Westminster
Palace Hotel, the annual meeting of the Areociation of
Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom ; Mr. 8.8.
Linn in the chair.

The folk—wing—here the chambers represented end the
names of the delegates :—Mr. Dust= Lupton and Mr. W.
Hirst, Leeds ; Mr. T. With°, Leeds end Goole; Mr. J. V.
Godwin, Mr. John Darlington, end Mr. Jacob Behrens, Brad-
ford; Mr. Game Dixon and Mr. J. S. Wright, Birmingham;
Mr. Oliver Ellis, Dewsbury ; Mr. O. Allhusen, New.
castlison-Tyne ; Mr. Robert Jackson, Mr. J. .Dobson
Smith, Mr. IL Hall, and Mr. W. Smith, Sheffield ;
Mr. W. II Wills, Mr. Mark Whitwell, and
Mr. L. Bruton, Bristol ; Mr. J. Lumedeo, Mr. H. J.
Atkinson, and Mr. C. Norwood, Hull ; Mr. J. W. Game,
Mr. C. H. Jones, Mr. Joseph Wrigley, jun., and Mr. Joseph
Battley, Huddersfield ; Mr. E. Akroyd and Mr. J G. Bow-
man, Halifax ; Mr. Frank P. Fellows, Wolverhampton ;
and Mr. Edward Day, Dewsbury.
The draft report of the standing committee wee read end
adopted.
Reviewing the measures of commercial reform which
characterised the past year, the report referred to the
treaty of commerce signed in January last between
France and Italy, and expressed an earnest hope that the
negotiations for an Anglo-Italian commercial treaty day now
be brought to an immediate and eatisfactory issue. Reference
was made to the satisfactory treaty with Belgium and with
the King of Burmeh ; to the passing of the Merchandise
Marks Act. 1862, by parliament ; to the extension of the
Mateo( ownership of registered designs in articles made
wholly or chiefly of metal, from three years to five ; and to
the act for the incorporation, regulation, and winding up of
hiding companies and other usociatious. The committee
express a hope that the petty import and export charges
imposed by the Customs Act of 1862 may be abolished this
suckle. The Partnership Law Amendment Bill, the
Patent Laws, and the International Maritime Law
were commended to the attention of the chem.
hers. The committee trust that at no very distant
date a bill may be enacted which shall not only cons°.
lidate the entire Astute law of bankruptcy, bat render pro.
ordure in bankruptcy whet it ought to be, at once the most
simple, economical, and speedy method of dealing with the
evil to which it relate*. The attention of the various
chambers of commerce is urgently required—the commit.
tee observe—to the tumatidaotory fiscal relation. with Greet
Britain of foreign state" (especially of the Zollverein, Aus-
tria, Ramie, Spain, and Portugal). The report proceeds to
review the objectionable provisions of the tariffs of these
states, any specific allusion to the enormous protective do.
ties imposed on the manufactured of this country by the
United States of America being purposely avoided. "The
present circumstance" of that great country," say the com-
mittee, "ammo exceptional, that the committee can here only
expellee a hope that, at the termination of the present na-
happy and disastrous civil war, the tariff of the United States
may be shined in • spirit more in accordance with 'modems.
mercial principle", and with the present opinions of the
other leading commercial nations of the world." la the
negotiations or oontromcial treaties it is very important at
ell times that the special interests of British manufacturers
should be duly considered. It would be a fatal misfits
(rye the report) to follow the details of the treaties which
may have been concluded with other states by the Fresh,
ce by any other foreign government. With regard to oer
repeal of the navigation laws, the committee observe that it
is to be regretted that many of the principal maritime na-
tions deelhoe to respondst all to this liberality on the part
of Great Britain ; but by imposing extra tonnage dues on
British, as compared with their own shipping, and bydifferen-
tial duties on the goods carried therein, succeed, in manyin.
stances, in practically excluding British vessels from partici.
paling in the foreign, colonial, or coasting trade of such
conutries altogether. This is a ground for just complaint,
and one to which the attention of the Foreign-office and of
the Board of Trade should be constantly directed by the
, various chambers of commerce. In concluding their report
the committee advert to the increase of our exports and
the gratifying result, to Franca no lees than to Ragland, of
; the adoption of a more liberal commercial policy by the
; former.
The following is the programme of subjects for discussion
by the association to-day and tomorrow :
Name of Chamber
Subjects proposed. proposing.
The Partnership Law Amendment Bill, 1862 Birmingham.
The Extension of the Principle of Limited
Liability to Private Partnerships
; The Desirability of • General hfsatton
of Partnerhire Leeds.
The Patant:Laws 1 Bradford, Birmingham,
;Medd.
_ . _,Y,

The Defects in the liiiikrapiey Ast, 1.861, -
as exemplified in its practical working... • Birmingham.
The subject of Foreign Tariffs generally Bradford.
The Desirability of an Improved Mode of
Commnaication between the Foreign Office,
the Board of Trade, and Chambers of Com-
merce, in reference toOommercialQueetions Bradford.
Belligerent Rights at Sea Bristol.
Desirability of Abolishing the Petty Import
and Export Charges imposed by the Customs
Act. 1860
The fficheldt Tolls

Impropriety of granting Powers to Railway
Companies to run Steam-Vessels Hull.
The Abolition of Extra Batas charged on
Goods removed Inland for Bonding Leeds.
bioarporMiou of Chainbess of Commerce
The Desirability of Tribunals of Commerce Bat'.
The Desirableness of an Alteration in the
mode of conducting Legislation on Private
Bills
Private Bill Legislation
The Desirsbility of the Abolition of the Duty
on Fire Insurance, or its reduction and ex-
tension to all kinds of Insurance against
Fire
The Question of having Extra Facilities
Granted for the Transmission of Patterns
by Post Bradford.
The Metric system of Weights and Measures,
and the Report of the Select Committee
' of Parliament thereon Huddertia
A 000sidwable pert of the moaning WAS occupied is
discussing Mr. ikholefield's bill on limited liability. There
was great diversity of opinion with respect to it. more par-
ticularly in relation to the partnership of clerks ; and the
question wan ultimately disposed of by a resolution reCOlll.
mending the bill to the oonaiderstioo of the associated
chambers of commerce in their separste capacity.
A resolution was afterwards passed unanimously io
favour of the compulsory registentioo of all partnerships
The meeting then pranged to the consideration of the
patent laws.

Mrurra.—A. parliamentary return, issued thi3
morning, shows that is the year 1862, the estahlishmee:
of all the militia regiments is the United Kingdom
amounted to 4,677 akin, 5,874 now-commissiooed office"
and 173,740 privates. The numbers present were 2,57,

. .
officers, 5,255 noncommissioned officers, and 87,391 pr.
vates. The numbers absent were 46t officers, with leave.
77 of without leave, 42 non-commissioned °Pico

with leave, 51 non-

officers without kat:.

The remaining toast. were :—" The Constitution—may
the slaveholders rebellion begun spinet it, by tyranny and
treachery, to perpetuate human bondage and to secure selfish
ends, terminate in universal freedom, and a more firmly
established union." "The United Stater and Great Britain
—compeers in the march of civilisation. May the blessings
of peace ever cement the natural alliance." "Me Army
and Navy of the United Stake—patriotic defenders of a
glorious country and its flee institution& The lover of free-
dom will for ever bold them in grateful remembrance."
"The Press— tho mighty lever of public opinion—ita freedom
and purity giro a healthy development to national senti•
emit" "The Ladies—true to their mission, the firmest
supporters of uniform' liberty."

1,144 privates with leave, 12,312 privates without lam
The numbers wanting to complete were 1,666 office".
696 pon-oommieeioned offloers, and 23,127 privates..

Yesterday the competitive trial of srmill-1,03
rifles to be need at the next Wimbledon meeting of t.n
National Rine Association commenced at the governm,:t
long range, Woolwich Arsenal.
Miss Constance Aylmer having recovered fres)
her severe indisposition, will make her reappearance at :ha
Princess s Theatre on Monday next (March 2), u Moth,
Gibbs, in the drama of AU that Glitters is not Gad.
Twenty-two candidates have already preseutel
themselves for the post of director of the Italian Opera .1
Paris, lately resiroed by 111. Cando. The Ft
gramme states that M. Basler, director of the Tbess
Royal of tiadrid, stood. the best chance of obtaining the
direction.
The MoviTnel9l) of Genoa states that Garibabli'i
health csitinnes to improve. He walks about in his WA
with the aid of crutches, and is able t.) go as fir as the
shore. His thoughts are directed towards Poland. 11r hat
just written to General Corte, a member of the committee
for assisting the Poles, to express his approval of the fix•
mation of the committee. _

The Princess-Dashes de Poi: nee Talleyrand-
IN'rigord, widow of the Prince Duke de Poi:, formerly
Freoch ambassador ►t Bt. Petersburg, has just died at
Versailles. at the age of 77. Under the First Empire the de.
ceased was lady of honour to the Empress Maria Louisa, and
under the Restoration was mistress of the robes to the
Duchess de Berry.

At Turin the celebrated actor Salvini, hurt by
some very reascreable and moderate strictures on his style
of performance, in a festilleton of the Gaz:etta di Torino.
hat challenged the writer of the article, Botto, and laid
him low with two sabre cute.

M. Leoomte, in the Monde IlluetrA relates the
following anecdote on the subject of the recent marriage of
Marshal Canrobert :—" At the close of the Crimean war a
ball was given at the residence of M. Magee, then Minister
of Finance. The marshal, on entering one of the rooms,
saw a young and charming person, dressed in piak and
crowned with flowers, who oatne up to him and invited him
for the nest dance. 'Monsieur le MartMhal,' she said,
'deign to regard me sea Russian, and make me--dance ?
'lmpossible, mademoiselle,' replied the marshal, 'there
is an armistice." And an amnesty for my boldness, I
hope! The warrior offered his arm to the lady to lead
her to her place, but on the way he met a young officer.
' Here, monsieur,' said the marshal, ' take your 'place in
the quadrille with this lady, and remember that this night
a marshal of France has envied a subdieuteoant.' The
lady was M rile. Flora Macdonald, who has just married the
marshal."

—.—
" Winter," mays the Courtier de Lyon "ha:, At
length arrived within the last few days, but it is so saki
that Montpellier, Nice, and Genoa might envy it. Is do
morning the thermometer is at one or two degrees belay
freezing point, and in the middle of the day at ten or tegrt
degrees (Centigrade) above it. The wind blows from 00
north, and the sun shines in an almost cloudless sky." TM
ame delightful weather prevails in Paris.
The Telegrafo of Barcelona gives a stranger:.
count of an apparatus for flying in the air, lamented by
farm labourer named Orujo, residing near Malsga. It o°°.
slats of fans attached to the heels, and large wings oval'
ing from the shoulder to the waist and moved by do
bands. The inventor, ►he above mimed journal states, log
already risen to a height of 9100 yards, and moved about
all directions even against the wind. He had also rer
formed the distance of a league in less than a 'miner ef A
hour. Credal Judants Apello I