The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-16 00:00:00

THE ELECTIONS.

TOWER

•SIR W. CLAY.

A meeting of electors of the Tower iiiindata took I
place last evening at the Manor Rooms, Heaney, to hear
Sir W. Clay, M.P. There was • crowded ensnares,. Mr.
John Simpson was unanimously called se to pre de.
The Cum 'Luso said the electors had great reams b ems-
inundate themselves on having had the valuable services et
Sir W. Clay as their representative in parliament for 20
years. (Cheers.)
Sir W. Casa was loudly applauded on rising. He said
be should not have thought it necessary to agitate the
Tower Hamlets by say electioneering proceedings at this
lowly period had it not been for the fact that his colleague,
Mr. Thompson, bad introduced to the electors • gentleman
hitherto a stranger. He had been introduced to the electors
under Mr. Thonspeon's auspices, or at least there was a
close coalition between them. (Hear, boar.) Mr. Thomp-
son had been his colleague for five years; they had
eat on the same benches, been members of the same
liberal party, and had generally voted or the sawn
side. He (Sir William Clay) had nee. r done
anything to injure Mr. Thompson, and was, therefore, sur-
prised that he should, contrary to the ordinary courtesies of
life, have brought forward a candidate to t..rn his colleague
out of office. (Hear, hear.) He had a perfect right to do
this, but nothing should have tempted him (Sir William) to
act so. Oa the terms of that coalition he would not say a
word; it was for the electors to judge of them. Having
been honoured with their coafidence in five parliaments, he
thought it right, after this very summary proceeding, to
meet his constituents face to face, to ascertain what he had
done which should cause hint to lose that confidence—
whether they had changed their principles, or whether he
bad been unfaithful to his. (Year, hear.) Ito bad, there-
fore, cheerfully embraced this opportunity of meeting the
electors. What were the circumstances ot the approaching
dissolution A tory government had forced themselves
into power, and then professed surprise at finding them-
'elves there. (Hear, hear.) He blamed them not for tutu-
Loft out the late government, but because, having oh-
tamed power, they shrank from stating the prin-
ciples on which they proposed to govern. For five
years they had claimed protection to native industry,
which if it meant anything meant protecting everybody
against everybody else. (Cheers.) Why should they now
abandon this principle, if principle it could be called ? He
confessed he did not like the new ministry, because be
could not understand them. Every one of their numerous
explanations required to bo explained, and the Chancellor
of the Exchequer gave them at the rate of about two a
week. (Laughter.) lie now said that all he meant by
protection was a modification of taxation, but it was to be
such a severe modification that parliament would sooner
consent to protection than accept it. (Hear, bear.) A
protectionist had been defined to be a supporter of the go.
vernment of Lord Derby, whoa, oracular responses were
more difficult to be understood than any from the oracle
of Delphos down to "the weird eiders." (Cheers and
laughter.) After opposing Sir Robert Peel's policy and
the repeal of the cora laws, he now admitted that he
should not attempt to re-enact the navigation laws; and
as for protection, it wee said nut to be worth a thought.
The Prince Rupert of debate—the bold, outspoken Stan-
ley—had sank so low that he dared not even say what his
principles were. (Hear, hear.) Ho had to ask the coun-
try what those principles were to be. (Cheers.)
Should the result of the election be to send
back the Chancellor of the Exchequer to his
literary leisure he might appropriately entitle his
first work—" Adventures of a Ministry in search of a Prin-
ciple."
.(Cheers.) But the country would not furnish them
with f mu:loes, nor return a parliament which would keep
them in °Mee. This might have happened had not the
people tasted the benefits of free trade ; having done so,
ty would not submit to be deprived of it. (Cheers.) Free
trade was safe ; and be would quit that part of the ques-
tion by observing, that thi re bad not been a more weans
advocate of free trade than himself. lie had been a free
trader before Sir R. Peel, and before the Anti-Corn Law
League,—even before the principle was very popular in the
Tower Hamlets. (Hear, bear.) Lent Derby professed his
readiness to craft barriers against the inroads of demo-
cracy ; ho would not assist those isms**, mere than by an
attempt to re-impose protection la wag shape. To secure
good government, the people mei be fully end fairly re-
presented. There were great anomalies and evils to be to
dressed in our present parliamentary system ; them were
admitted by all reformers ; the gob wanes was as le the
extent of the necessary reform. Amy lad emmiummil the
reform bill of 1822, as a failure t Hbwssented; kr it bed
fairly fulfilled the expectances entertetned of U. ilinse ft
passed, there hed been more benedrial burieletiou dies is
the previous Iffleyears ; and marry maimshad hem passed
which weld met bare bees pond bet Are the Rehm Bill.
Ile thoeght k might to baurimitusided the ballot and
triennial yeafemstare—aw volda he had voted ever since
he had a left Vpesilemint.(Chsees.) He thought the
franchise mat te he eemblerably mbuyed ; this Labe be
dose wilt miser rad riventage to the eumuutoity.
(Chun) Ile hod suppeeted Mr. orme's moues. but was
wink& without wessaliikas himself to ileedie, fairly
to esembee the plant bessight fore 7 parties.
, bear.) Lied Derby bad putting
411111•1011. mainly in the charge of the established
elmmit. Though he (Sir W. Clay) was a member of that
Amid pietist against such a amass. (Cheers.)
;lb= be
adeseeted us liberty my sires he could
Wok ; be bat the abolition of &arch rates end
edges mweleous teekelestied aeasi be bid also endea-
voured Is abate that maga Weeps% the established
drench in Ireland. Amen) Seek had been his course
hitherto; and he sherahl imilimes to purnio it with all the
sod in his power. (Chews.)
Mr. &urn= Moan ts mid he rejoiced in these opportu-
nities of essillifts ofd sesetituents coming together, and
for kir remiss he was an advocate of short parliaments.
(Cheers) navies supported Mr. Thompson at the last
ebutien, and net eupperted Sir W. Clay, he wished to state
the semme why be rimuld withdraw his support from Mr.
Themgesa sad new support Sir W. Clay. (Cheers.) His
*NON wow the ammo as then ; but he would not be •
party to a &beim (Cheers.) If the facts of the coalition
was tree it wet high time the people of tbo Tower Ham-
lets held Isle k, or they had better go back at once to the
darted eaten end Old Sarum. (Hear, hear.) He had
bow teid, by a gentleman whom name be should not object
menden,fe possencs of the Rev. Dr. }Lassie, now on the
piselbezlrhat en the lath of March a lam of 1,50 W. was
ley Mr. Ayrton or one of his friends, to Mr.
sirmosiapel. (Hear, hear.) If this were so it
I wild met to be salunitted to ; and if Sir W. Clay were tan
the., mere ermismatim than he was he would support him.
(Chews.) This was talked of everywhere, and the Tower
MEMs iris mkt a laughingstock. Nothing could have
Greened to de mere injury to the cause of advanced prin.
eiples. (1 err, bow.) In refusing his support to Sir W.
Clay at dm ha shake, ho thought he had done him in-
justice; bland emir Sothis conclusion from closely
lag his voles in the prom, parliament. Though a church-
L man, Sir William was favourable to the abolition of
church-rates. Be bad therefore great pleasure in moving,
"That this meeting, having hard the statement of Sir
Wm. Clay, is of opinion that he is entitled to the cordial
support of the electors of the Tower Hamlin." (Cheers.)
After some discusaioa, intermingled with inquiries and
I interruptions,
The resolution was carried with six dissentients.
Sir W. CLOT briefly thanked the electors for the support
L afforded him on this occasion. _ _

Mr. BRAD, is moving a vote of thanks to the chairman,
denied that he or three who acted with him at the last
election, had made any mistake in supporting Mr. Thomp-
son. It was Mr. Thompson who had made the mistake, to
going into the house as their representative, end not acting
as such. (" No, no," and disapprobation.) By going
through the division lists, it would be seen that Mr.
Thompson had forfeited all claim to their confidence.
(Cries of " Question.")
A gentleman challenged Mr. Read to attend a meeting,
at which Mr. Thompson would be present on the following
evening, and make the same statement. (Cheers.)
The vote of thanks to the chairman was unanimously
agreed to.
Pe

BRlSTOL.—Another week has elapsed without the
committee appointed at the Conservative meeting, held on
the 16th of March, having been able to bring forward a
candidate in their interest, and the probability of Mr. H.
Berkeley, the old and tried liberal representative, and Mr.
W. 11. 13. Langton, the Mayor of the City, and whose po•
' litical opinions arc quite in keeping with the progressive
spirit of the age, being permitted to walk over the course,
gain. strength daily. It is not thought that Mr. Philip
Miles will allow himself, as had been suggested, to be again
put in nomination ; indeed his retirement from a seat which
he has so long filled, and the refusal of all the gentlemen
applied to, who reside in Bristol and its neighbourhood, to
permit their nevus to be brought forward, must be taken
as strongly indicative of what is felt in the tory camp to be
the real state of the electoral register.
EAST SUSTOl.li.—The death of Lord Iteudleaham
has caused a vacancy in the representation of East Suffolk,
which Sir Fitzroy Kelly, bee Majesty's Solicitor. (knead,
under an invitation from a large party of the resident land-
owni re, appears desirous of SolieiturAleneral
left town for Suffolk oa Tuesday, and since his arrival

64N4i4sheingsbiklitg 'imer Ssilsitest ;I.ettlie ad-
dressee. esidldenee sapped of the ei . At
Wedllardept'W Met the farriers sftet
mealest. and lig& mite, of lb speech thus spoke of the
Xenon* peat: sorbs eldest eland great was to prevent
the Bowan cads*, gelestheed of Ireland from being edu-
cated abroad, where they astpdeod foreign ideas and
rind**. and Mae le the constitution
aelifg country, end inceneident Id* the attaeltment
whisk they owed to the dime and people. It
was with the view of giving to the eandidatee for the priest-
hood an opportunity of being educated in their own emus-
ts,, that this great was drat senetlemed by perilemeat. I
freely say, that I entertain grave double, at the present
moment, whether that object—excellent as it woe originally
—emcee either attained or ever attainable. What I feel it
me duty to say to you, upon that @abject, is this—that
although no man would be more resident, nay, no man
would mon steadily refuse, than I would, to be • party to
any act, however expedient, however just on
other grounds, by which the good faith of par.
liament might be compromieed,—yet I shall support,
end cordially support, the motion for a committee of inquiry
into all the circumstances attending this grant, which as
about to he brought before the Howe of Commons. And
if, am the result of the labours of that committee, end as
the report of that committee, it should be fuund—eon-
aistently with the good faith of parliament, and con
'ideally with what becomes all public men to einem—
strict honour and integrity in their dealings with their
fellow•countrymen—that it is possible to put an end to that
grant, I, for one, shall rejoice in concurring with the go-
vernment, of which I eat an unworthy member, in an act
entirely to repeal and put an cud to It.

_ -
EXETER.—The news of Sir Fitzroy Kelly having
become a candidate fur ELM Suffolk took the citizens by
surprise, inasmuch as he had recently published en adding"
offering his service" to the electors at the next general elee-
Son. On Wednesday hills were posted about the city, call-
ing on the elector' to reserve their TOW, and stating that
a requis Non was in the course of signature, to be presented
to Bar Stafford Henry Nurthcote, requesting him to offer
Memel( as a candidate to repress nt Exeter in parliantent.
The hon. Intronet is in favour of free trade, and of high
church principles. Bankers, lawyers, and others, were to
be seen in Brod, group., di‘cuwing the Solicitor-Oeneral's
(as yet unexplained) conduct, and Sir Stafibrd Northcote's
chance of success.

EDINDCREIII.—We born from a third edition• of
the &Muth Preu of Wedni sdey last, that in connquenee
of the retirement of Sir William Hasson Craig, a meeting
of the parliamentary electors of the city of Edinburgh was
held on that day in Queen street Hall to consider what
step it would be advisable to take in order to wore St and
proper persons to represent them in Parliament at the next
election. The meeting was very namerously attended, and
the Lord Provost occupied the chair. A letter from Mr.
Cowan was read, in which he intimated his intention of
gain soliciting the suffrages of the electors.—Mr. Adam
Black said they were much indebted to his lordship far hav-
ing so promptly called them together upon this important
omission. He concurred generally In all that his lordship
had said, and thought they should not begin by pro-
posing one or more candidates, but agree to a general re-
solution, end he, therefore, begged to move as follows :
"That in consequence of the announcement of Sir Wil-
liams 0 iheonCraig's rca gnation,it is desirable that a candidate
shall be brought forward of decided opinions in favour of
free trade and liberal principles, and that with the view of
uniting the different sections of the liberal party it he re-
mitted to the origiusl fiber committee, in conjunction
with the committee appointed et last election, to procure fit
and proper persons as candidates for the representation of
the city, and to report to a future meeting."—Mr. William
M'Cne in seconding the resolution, regretted that no notice
had been taken of the great question as to the withdrawal
of the Maynooth grant, on which the two committees had
been more unanimous than on any other question. It was
doubtless intended that the resolution should be of such
a general nature as to please all parties, and he had,
therefore, much pleasure in seconding tho resolution.
The motion having been carried, Mr. Aytoun rose and
moved, " that in the opinion of this 'meeting no candidate
for the representation of Edinburgh should be brought for-
ward, who is not decided in his opinions as to the grant to
Mammoth, and who is not resolved, should tie be returned
to parliament, to oppose every grant of money by the state,
for the endowment of the Roman catholic priesthood."—
(A voice: " And all religious grant".")—Professor Dick
moved, " That if the instruction referred to in Mr. Aytoun 's
motion was to be given to the comm ttee, they should also
be instructed to look out for a candidate who would oppose
all endowments of religion." Both these resolutions were
also adopted. After some further unimportant proceed-
ings, the meeting separated.
LEITH.—Mr. Henderson, of the firm of Henderson
Remington, and Co., East India proprietors' has been put
forward on tory principles for the Leith Burghs. The
local papers state that he has not the slightest chance of
success.

NORTH STAFFORDSIIIRE.—Mr. Addcrloy has pub-
lished a long address to the freeholders and electors, its the
course of which he states that his attention to the subject
of coloneation was recognised by Lard Derby in hie offer of
the Secretaryship of the Board of Control to his govern-
moat. Umni the subject of protection Ur. Adderley says :
" neck the earliest (indeed the only) opportunil offering
itself to me during the; recess to avow, at Burton, openly
and distinctly, that, though I had not, in the slightest de-
gree, abandoned my opinion that the agricultural interest
had a right to protective duties, as an equiv.,leat to their
extra share in national burdens, yet 1 considered that the
nature of that particular equivalent had become,
whether rightly or wrongly, so odious in the eyes
of the general body of the nation that it would bo un-
wise to accept it any longer, even if it could be oh-
, mined. Whatever other modes there may be tbr an
adjustment of unequal
tx taxation, it appear. to me that
those at least must • abandoned which have the tendency
in any degree (and the less the degree the less reason for ad-
hering to them; to raise the price of road. At all events,
mull the nation changes its mind ou the subji et and ceases
to retain its present repugnance to protective duties, 1, for
sea, will not seek that kind of boon to a suffering clams of
the community which would only more deeply injure
them. Some say that it is necessary to postpone the deci-
sion of this opinion till the approaching appeal to the coun-
try has mom clearly tested the national feeling. For my
own part I consider that the national feeling is already
amply tested. I believe that the earlier this decision is
avowed the better. As an agriculturist myself I give up,
and as the repeuentative of a great body of agriculturist. I
recommend them to give up, that mode of compensation fur
any special tuition we bear which we cannot receive with-
out unmerited odium attached to it. I then demand from a
country proverbial fur its love of fair play that the class
which so concedes a right to its wishes should be relieved
from those burdens which will, in consequence, rest upon
them uncompensated; and that, if the principle be estab-
lished that none of the necesuries of life should be taxed,
that that principle muy be impartially carried out to its
full extent. Such views I have supposed to coincide in the
main with the opinions held by Lord Derby, and certainly
prevalent among his party, and I have thought it right,
therefore, to add no more to my Burton statemeut hitherto,
than that I believed I agreed with him. At all events, I
had no sort of doubt that I should follow him, as the un-
questioned leader of the conservative party, though submit-
ting to the de facto commercial system, yet favourable to
the great agricultural interest, the sole possible refuge from
the dangerous end obnoxious coalition which the late mi-
nistry has contrived to present to us as the only alternative
in opposition."
Oaggali.—lt is stated that Mr. Inglis has been
wasucemsful in his canvass.

Porrsmourn. Tho report of Lord Frederick
Fitaclarence being appointed Commander-in-Chief of her
Majesty's forces at Bombay, in succession to Lieut.-Gene-
ral Sir John Grey (now on his way home), is confirmed.
There are now only Sir Francis Baring and Sergeant Gaze-
lee in the field for the two scats, which will be vacant at
the general election.
SUNDERLAND.—On Tuesday forenoon, Mr. George
Hudson, M.P., arrived from London, and met the electors
in the Commission-rooms, High-street. Considerable inte-
rest was felt, as it was understood that the hon. gentle-
man would declare himself a free-trader, and the lam
room wu crowded. Mr. C. Bramwell was in the chair.
Mr. Hudson entered at great length upon the topics of
the day; he denied that the corn laws was the only
question cant upon its trial at this elestlon; there were other
and as important subjects at issue ; one was, should the
present. minutry have a fair trial ? Were the gentlemen!
of England, who were in the habit of presiding over
quarter sessions, and conducting the affairs of the counties
in which they dwelt, capable of guiding the helm of the
state, or should the affairs of the nation be handed over
for ever to a family party ? He said they hail been told that
free trade had produced unprecedented prosperity in
this country. Was that so in Sunderland? (Loud cries
of " Yes, yam," with some cries of " No" from the table
where Mr. Hudson's supporters stood, followed by cheers
for free trade.) Were not shipwrights' wages lie. per day
in 1844 end 1845 and were they not now es. per day?
(Loud cries of "No.") He understood that was the fact.
(" No," and bisect.) Well, be that as it may, no one would
oppose a repeal of the present corn laws more than their
humble servant. (Loud cheers, in the midst of which an
sped shipowner of the name of Russier caused great confu-
sion by shaking his stick at Mr. Hudson, and eaclaiming
he wu a traitor.) Alter delivering his speech, Mr. 'lnd-
ian proceeded on his canvass. The friends of Mr. Fenwiek,
the TMg candidate, and Mr. Seymour, the radical condi-
=still at daggers drawn, and are not likely to be re-
'Under present circumstances, Mr. Hudson's seat
is were. lie would not have been in that position if he had
not &dared himself in favour of free trade.

ISllllllMaimaisin.—Sir David Dundee is about,
no bollensoe min bora the representation of this county,
aai lbs Mop& of Brand, eldest son of the Duke of
Ilkstbsrlead, is to Ale kariorlf to the electors on liberal
prinsipts&—erstestart.
Tuntwa.--Ilisre bee beat some talk of a second
free trade siollisto to embed the rest with Mr. Berry
Baldwin, the protectionist mersirat. Many of the hon.
gentleman's It k ere now free traders,
and they nee be brelbrmil le swan Mr. Baldwin on
protectionist prindpiss, if saseire lee near were to come
forward. Lord fioyersor Y can of Ids toss.
WOLYERHAMPTON.—Mr. E. Webster, of Lincoln's-
inn, London, offers himself as a embalms to represent ttil
borough, and addressed the electors yesterday.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEON F.—The following
members were admitted Fellows of the College at a meet.
ing of tho Council yesterday afternoon:—Messrs. nutrias
Francis Fernandes, Madras Medical Establishment, diploma
dated October 6, 1838; Thomas Eaton Lander, Shitfnal,
Shropshlis, April 18, 1842; and James Morris, lark-street,
Oroovenor-square, June 18, 1948.

ROYAL wzrr INDIA MAIL STEAM•PACKET

main d share-
, Taw isa
r.
sexrd:ti the li•Mbet Tevern ;
. Chappell, MN., reed dr report,
whis rel k t'ike ar
audited amounts of the Paid Mail
Steen-Pada fate .ay have am usual been plated and
sent to sin ofebe shareholders. The surplus on the
working aessemit a 1851 exhibits an increase over that of
1850, of 61,6361. 11d.; but the several items of the ac-
count do not admit of comparison with former years, owing
to the alteration in the West India, and the addition of the
Breed service. Of the latter, the result of ten voyaaes is
included in the !mount. The leases of the Jamaica wharf
and of the Southampton premise, having expired during
the year, the balances of these accounts have been charged
against profit and loss as has also the difference between the
original coat of the Line, sold in July last, and the sum
obtained for her. The amount expanded in repairs of the
Teviut and Dee has placed those vessels in a state of effi-
ciency for many years service. The amount at which the
company's ships have hitherto stood in the balance-sheet,
being their original cost, it has been deemed desirable, at
the close of the first contract of the company with
the government, to reduce this amount to as near
au approximation to their actual value as pos-
sible, looking to their use in carrying out the
operations of the company ; and the cam of 450,0001. has
been assumed as cue at which they may be fairly taken
under all circumstances. In order to effect this reduction,
the reserve fund, after including the profits of 1850, has
been applied, and a further thin of 95,4271. Is. ld. from
theme of 1861. The Prince, having been purchased during
the year, is of mane not included in the arrangement.
'The amount advance,' toward the completion of the new
steam ships of the company, to the 31st of December last,
is 360,9031. Bs. bd. The proprietors were informed, so long
ago as last October tweleemonths, that tee directors had con-
tracted for five new steamers of the largest claw. At the
general meeting in April, 1851, it was further stated that
the whole of those vessels were rapidly progressing; but, in
October last, the directors felt compelled to notice the
delays experienced hi executing the different shipbuilners'
and engine-makers' contracts, expressing a hope, however,
that, on sad from the beginning of the present year, the
whole might be completed, so as to commence simul-
taneously the performance of an accelerated service. If
this expectation has not been realised, the disappointment I
has arisen from causes altogether beyond the control of the
directors. However, notwithstanding the obstruction occa-
sioned by such delays, on the 2nd of January, as
anticipated, the Amason, the !Int of Um cum-
paiq's new steamers, left England with the West India
math), being as ably commanded, as efficiently officered,
as numerously manned, as well constructed, and (as may
be verified by comparison) more amply provided with
means of safety, than any other steem.ship upon the ocean,
public or private. The calamity that ensued is known to
all, but from the searching investigations made by this
company and the Board of Trade, it would appear that the
cause of the fire will never be ascertained. If anything
could console the directors under this terrible disaster it
would be in the reflection that of the nine boats with which
the ship was provided seven escaped conflagration, and six
of them seven are now in Eng.and or at Brest, having
each saved a number of human lives: The Orinoco,
being the second new ship, left England on the led
of February, and returned to Southampton on the
bth of the present month, having steamed the whole
voyage out and home at an average rate of about ten nauti-
cal miles per hour ; a higher rate of epeed than has perhaps
ever been attained by any steam ship in a voyage of such
length, between port and port: and es the first trip is
always in some degree experimental, the directors are glad
to state that they have received information from their su-
perintending engineer, that a few trifling alterations in the
furuaces or new arrangement of the fire bars, to be made
with the concurrence of Means. Maudslay and Co., the
manufacturer, of the machinery, will probably so regulate
the consumption of coal as to effect a considerable saving on
each voyage, and at the same time increase the ship's speed,
independent of which there is ample space to stow a larger
quantity of coal on board than was consumed upon'the first
voyage, should it be found requisite to do so hereafter. The
Parana, being the third of the new ships, has already made
a very iatisfactory voyage from Greenock to Southampton,'
and been since tried by the Admiralty surveyor, giving a
speed in four performances over the measured mile equal to
an average of twelve and a half knots per hour, the
highest speed (as the surveyor ,take) yet accom-
plished on his trial of any steam ship in the
kingdom. This ship will take out the mails
on the 17th last., the Orinoco proceeding with those of the
led of May; and it is hoped the Magdalena, now at Glas-
gow will be completed in time to take out the mails on the
17th, of May. The contract for constructing the Demerara
made her deliverable in the river Clyde ' ready for sea ;'
but as this ship was stranded at Bristol before she had been
put into possession of the company her lose has to be covered
by the policies of insurance effected by the ship builder.
The whole of this matter is now in course of arrangement,
and the directors trust that (however inconvenient the
delay) the company will not suffer pecuniary injury from
the occurrence. That no time might be lost in supplying
the deficiency occasioned by the destruction of the Amazon, i
the directors entered into an agreement with Messrs.
Cunard and Burns for the purchase of the Arabia (now
called the Plata) when complete for sea, which it is esti-
mated will be about the beginning of next June. This
ship is only about thirty tans larger than the other new
steamers of the company, and of about two hundred
horses greater nominal steam power; therefore a higher
rate of speed may possibly he accomplished. As the engines
and boilers of the Demerara bail been completed, but not
put on board, before she was stranded, the director., by.au-
thority of the Admiralty, at once contracted for a new iron
ship of 2,700 tone to receive the Demerara's machinery ;
and the builders have undertaken that this newt (named
the Atrato) shall be completed by the end of the present
year. Since the last general meeting in October, the
company's colonial superintendent has returned from his
mission to Chsgres, New York, &e., having ably arranged
all matters respecting a loan to the Panama Railway Com-
cuy ; and 128,000 dollars, or say 25,4511.6. 3d. sterling,
accordingly
been advanced by the directors upon de-
benture bonds to assist in the promotion of that im-
portant object. By the terms of agreement be-
tween the two companies, a favourable portion of
Manzanilla Island at the Atlantic terminus of the railway is
secured for the purposes of the Royal Mail Steam Packet
Company, where it is proposed to erect a wharf and other
suitable premises. The railway is rapidly progressicg,
having been opened already to a distance of about 23 miles
from Navy Bay; and upon one occasion lately 1,000 pas-
sengpas-
sengersfrom New York were conveyed by it, producing a
receipt of 6,000 dollars. It is expected that the works will
be completed as far as Gorgona (beiug the most difficult
and inconvenient portion of the route), before next
autumn. Connected with this vast undertaking the forma-
tion of a company for establishing steam conveyance be-
tween Panama, New Zealand, and Australia, contiuues to
occupy the anxious attention of several influential associa-
tions; amongst which may be classed the two Pacific Steam
Navigation Companies, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Com-
pany, and the Panama Railway Company. Thus en-
couraged, the project will soon be submitted for public
consideration ; and the directors trust that it will receive
the individual support of the eompaay'.2 proprietary, whose
pecuniary advantage it is so pre-monody calculated to
promote. In conclusion, the directors recommend a divi-
dend for the last half of the lastivear at the rate of 21.
per share (free of income tax), payable on and from the 20;h
inst."

By the statement of accounts laid before the meeting, it
appeared that the receipts had been 566,214'. 2s. 2d., and
the disbursements 309,2981. 12s. 44., leaving a surplus of
106,98.51. 9s. 10d.
The CHAIRMAN said that considering that the state-
ment of accounts had been distributed among the share-
holders, and that the report had gone so fuily into all the
particulars which it was thought would be interesting to
the proprietors, ho should say nothing further than to con-
gratulate them upon the position and prospects of the
company, which, notwithstanding the unfortunate loss of
the Amason, were exeeedinglysatixfactory. Ho should at-
tend to any questions which might be put to him, and give
every information in his power, and he should now propose
that the report be adopted, printed, and circulated.
Mr. T. BAILING, M.P., seconded the motion.
Mr. RIDOWAY said, ho had seen a letter in that
day's papers from the secretary of the company re-
lative to the Conway, in which he stated that she wee
quite " seaworthy." That might be ao, but he (Mr.
fLidgway) maintained that she was not fit to carry the
mails. With regard to the state of the Dee, in the face of
the contradiction of the secretary, he would maintain, and,
if necessary, prove, that she had not the comforts and re-
spectability which should be essential to a vessel belonging
to this company. With regard to the Amason, it had been
stated that the cause of the fire would never he ascertained,
but he said that it was caused only by neglect, and the se-
cretary, in hie evidence before a committee of the House of
Commons, had admitted that five of the company's ships
had been lost by growl neglect. The shareholders ought
not to be satisfied with having their affairs conducted by
three men only, which was the case ; for the directors, al-
though men of the highest standing, had their own affairs
and these of other companies to attend to; besides
which they were generally West India merchants, and he
thought an infusion of new life into the direction was ne-
cessary when they saw how badly their affairs wore
managed. It must be • source of satisfaction to the corn-
paay to find that so much had been done by the public to
relieve the sufferers by the loss of the Amason, and he
thought that there should be some expression of feeling on
the part of the meeting with regard to thu different orphan
asylums that heel received the children of those who were
lost. (Loud cheers.) It was due to them to express the
thanks of the meeting to them. (Hoar, hear.) Ho was
still of opinion that for the future the reports of the com-
pany should bo de,ivered before the time of the meeting,
and that the proprietors should not be called on at a mu-
ment's notice to bear read and express approbation of the
items of a lengthy report.
Dr. 11EA't Ills said that when he addressed a few re-
marks to them in this place six months ago, he expressed a
hope that they might soon realise a somewhat better return
for their invested capital than what bad hitherto been
given—that at keg 8 per cent. instead of 6i per annum
might he looked for. Ihe melancholy circumstances which
had happened in the affairs of the company since the period
of the last lialll early meeting led him to tear that the
prospect of realising such e speetations was more distant
now than it was then. The wreck, as he might call it, of
the Demerara in the River Avon (and what led our
directors to that quarter for so large a vessel it was difficult
Ito imagine), the sad loss of the Amazon. and tiro want of
adaptation, between the capacity for teal and the power of
the engiuus of the Orinoco, were events and facts little cal-
culate(' to advent,' the proitecrity of the company.
After some diseussion, the report was agreed to.

On the molMet that a dividend of V. a Aare for the half
me be made,
Mr. RIDO WAY moved, n an amendment, that the divi-
dend be V. 6s. a share.
The amendment wee negatived by a large mnjority, and
the original motion agreed to.
The retiring electors and auditors were re-elected.
On the motion of Mr. RIDGWAY, a vote of thanks was
carried to the directors of the orphan asylums who had re-
ceived the orphan children of the sufferers by the lose
of the Amason, and with the usual vote of thanks to
the chairman and directors, the business of the meeting
concluded.

MIL HUDSON'S NOTION OF A MINISTRY.

(Prom the Doily Nora.)
At an election meeting, reported in another column,
Mr. GEOROtt Munson—the representative, not of
the people of Sunderland, but of some large docks
which, when his name was attractive to capital, he
got made there—put the question of the continuance
or termination of the DPRHY cabinet to a public

meeting in that town in this way :
Were the gentlemen of England, who were in the habit
of prcviding over quarter 'Loden', and conducting the attain
of the counties in which they dwelt, capable of guiding the
helm of the state, or should the affairs of the nation be
handed for ever ton family party ?
Who, then, are "the gentlemen of England ?"
1/0 they belong, as Mr. II utisoN, in the true spirit
of fiunkeyism, seems to think, to the territorial sys-
tem entirely? Is it land only, acres solely, rents
exclusively, that produce gentlemen ? If so, Sunder-
laud must be badly off; for there, as CRABBE
says, ;they " plough the ocean, not the main."
DRYDEN, with larger views, speaks of " God
Almighty, gentlemen ;" and SDAKEAPEART, not
irreverently, describes our Ssvinuit us the
first true gentleman. Mr. GEORGE IlunsoN, on
the contrary, has the vulgar notion that gentlemen
are persons who " conduct the affairs of counties,"
who receive rents, who commit poachers, who trans-
port small knaves at Quarters Sessions. He has no
idea that there is a gentleman unconnected with the
soil ; the more of it a man the greater gen-
tleman he becomes in Mr. ri.= (pinion ;—uho,
doubtless, never considered himmelf a gentle man
until he bought Newby Hall, and becalm, owner of
the ridiculous house at Knightsbridge.
And this is a feeling that possesses, consciously or
unconsciously, the squierarchy of the country. '1 hey
deem themselves to be its " gentlemen ;" and they
hold that the government of the country ought to
be in the hands of "gentlemen." Hence it is that
they will, at a general election, support a ministry
which they feel is going in office to back
out of its views in their favour expressed in op-
position ; hence it is that they are preparing to
endure free trade at its hands, rather than run the
risk of a cabinet not composed of gentlemi n in their
sense ; hence, too, it is that Mr. DisßAEci has sported
his absurd theory that the counties are inadequately
represented in parliament. 'I he "gentlemen of
England " are said to be identical and co-extensive
with the landed interest ; and that interest ought
to govern the country. This is the theory that Mr.
Hensos, very unintentionally, we dare say, has
again brought to the surface. It is a theory that
despises merit and intelligence, and ignores the
people. But on its support only has the DERBY admi-
nistration the smallest chance of lasting.
Now, the landed interest is a fact, and a great
fact; one that we cannot disturb, if we wished ;
and one that we do not wish to disturb.
We are quite willing to believe that it has the
character of ballast, and does sometimes in a
storm steady the ship. But for it either to
sot up a monopoly of all the gentlemanly
feeling of the country, or to claim as having the
right of governing the country, is a piece of intole-
rable presumption. And if, at the general election,
such is the issue to be raised, we aro quite content to
fight the battle on it.
For never let us forget what the landed interest,
what the gentlemen, what the ballast of England did
for the country during the long reign of GEORGE 111.,
when they did govern it. 'lo them, and their coarse,
vulgar material spirit, we were indebted for the Ame-
than war and its two hundred millions of debt; to
them, and their vain glorious unreasoning blustering,
wis owe the French war and its four hundred millions
of debt; Irish rebellion, protestant ascendancy, radi-
cal conspiracies, black acts, paper money, and corn
laws.

True, they have since improved. But why? Be-
cause they lost power; ceased to govern the country;
and had only influence to obstruct occasionally its pro-
gress. Their improvement has been caused by their
comparative powerlessness;—bv the country having
been governed by men who ha at least larger sym-
pathies than those of a class ;—by the rising authority
of our towns and the middle classes; and by the
growing intelligence of the operative sections of
society. But, even in opposition, they have been the
drag on improvement, on progress, on reform ;—they
have delayed for years the enactment of measures
they could not at last resist ;—they have maligned,
slandered, and damaged a policy they could not
avert;—they resisted to death free-trade in food, and
even now, when making up their minds to submit to
it, they depreciate its value and importance. if then
the landed interest have been thusffiischievous and
dangerous in opposition, how much more mischievous
and hurtful are they likely to be in power?
Their improvement is but the reflection of liberal
opinions, and the shadow of progressive truths;
it is not honest, or real, or self-contained; it is not to
be relied on. Their true feelings peep out ever and
anon; and they did so when Mr. litlnsoN claimed
&continuance in power for them, because they were
" the gentlemen of England." Insolent presumption ;
Norman pretensions are at the bottom of the whole.
The real gentlemen of England--its intellectual
capacity—its deep religious convictions—its moral
worth—ts enterprising spirit—its high courage—and
its great fortunes, have come to a pretty pass, if
they are worthily represented by Lord DERBY and
his colleagues in the councils of Queen VICTORIA.
We do not wish to undervalue the men composing
it, but to pretend that the present cabinet has the
confidence of the intelligence, much less the numbers
of the country, is the very height of absurdity. In
parliament they are in " an acknowledged minority ;
out of it, their minority is of a helpless, hopeless
description. Their supporters do not know what to
say for them; and all that their organs utter
their own acts contradict. At first they had
opinions, but no policy. But now they have neither
policy nor opinions; they are reduced to a cry ; such
as Mr. Huusixs has sported for them at Sunderland.
And what is this cabinet of " English gentlemen "
doing? It is prepared in office to renounce every
opinion on economical questions, which out of office
it expressed ; it is ready to practise hypocrisy on a
larger scale, and in a more flagrant manner, than
the world ever saw before; it is willing to exhibit
such a dereliction of principle and of honour as no
ministry in England has yet .condescended to ; it
has obtained the votes for the estimates and tho
Mutiny Bill on pretences that were false, and on
promises that it seeks to violate; and it is throw-
ing out baits and lures of the meanest description to
all sections and parties. If these be the manners,
the habits, and the conduct of " English gentlemen"
in a cabinet, the latter days must indeed be on us.
But they arc not. The morality of the counties
rises against men who act thus—against a ministry
thus trifling with personal honour and probity—
against a cabinet which can set so ill an example of
honesty. Look at the election addresses of conser-
vative candidates. Is there one to be found which
expresses entire confidence in them ? Why, even
Mr. COCHRANE, in advancing claims to Southamp-
ton, has his reserves ; whilst Mr. ADDERLEY is
obliged to rest his case fur re-election by adjusting
the dispositions of the ministry to his own superior
intelligence. Look where we will, then, the tory
candidates arc compelled to " hum and to haw " over
the government. Glib upon every other point, they
stumble over the character of the 'administration
they mean, if elected, to support. An unenviable
plight, this, for " English gentlemen !"
No, no, Mr. GEORGE Ilunsox your inquiry
either recoils on your own head, or it proves too
much. Either you have advanced an insolent theory,
which every man of spirit and intelligence uncon-
nected with land will resent—or, if your friends in
the cabinet be, par excellence, " English gentlemen,"
they are certainly not supporting the chat acter
either with candour or truthfulness.

COLN i. llvictt COUNTY Lt•N,TIe ASYLUM.—
The committee of visiting magistrates to this uylum have
Renounced to the several parochial authorities having
pauper lunatics confined there that they are enabled, from
the lit of this mouth, to reduce the charge fur maintenance
from Os. ed. to Rs. A'.d. per week for each pauper lunatic
confined there belonging to the county ; for those uot be-
longing to the comity the charge of las. per week is: con-
tinued.