The Express.
London, England, 1852-02-10 00:00:00

THE STRIKE--REOPENING OF TILE SHOPS.
According to previous announcement the members
of the Association of Employers of Operative Engineers
yesterday re-epened their shops, which had been closed in
consequence of the digitate with the Amalgamated Society,
sine* the 10th alt. At Mandalay and Field's establishment;
we are informed, that three engineers (fitters), and a few
boiler makers, making a total of about eight, signed the
declaration u skilled workmen ; while seven foremen and
eight apprentices quitted work rather than sign the declara-
tion proffered by the employers. At Simpsun's, Belgrave-
road, Fissile°, five foremen, and four apprentices'
gave a week'. notice of leaving upon the same grounds,
no skilled workmen being known to have gone in. At
Rennie's, Holland-street, Blackfrisrs, three loremen gave a
similar notice, as digit alas, it is stated, several firemen and
apprentice. at Miller and itavenhill's, Olaashouse•fields,
where eight skilled workmen, however,went in and signed,
twii of whom are said to be members of the Amalgamated
Society. At Orison's, City-road, 20 men went in as
" moulders." The number of skilled men who went in at
other shops is said to be of no importance, and the
members of the Amalgamated Society express full conti-
d nee in the continued failure of the step thus taken by
the employers.
It was stated yesterday evening, at the Central Commit-
tee of Unskilled La'iourers, that not more then 30 men
belonging to that unfortunate claw had received employ-
ment. The labourers flocked early to sign the declaration,
but having done so were told that there was no work yet,
and that they would be sent for when wanted, mu an-
nouncement which caused a considerable amount of dis-
appointment.

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.-THE
SEARCH FOIL SIK JOHN FRANKLIN.

Last evening, a meeting of the members of this
society took place at the Royal Institution, Albeinarleistreet,
Sir Itonenica MUIIeIIISON, President, in the chair. The
minutes of the last meeting having been read, and other
routine matters having been gone through,
Lieutenant Pis, It N., read a short paper on the rain ject
of his journey to St. Petersburg, with a view to undertake
an expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Mr. Pint
observed that he was under the necessity of stating that
his wish to trace the expedition of Sir John Franklin on
the north-eastern shores of Siberia had not been carried
out. Never, perhaps, had it been the good fortune of any
traveller to leave his native country under more favourable
auspices. Lady Franklin, with that devotion and unshaken
perseverance for which she was distinguished, provided
:3001.; the Prime Minister, at the request of the Fresh!e rat
of the Royal Geogiaphical Society, supplied him with
funds to aid in the operations; the Secretary of State for
Foreign Aliens directed one of the Queen's eireign service
messengers, Captain Robbins, to accompany him to the Rus-
sian capital. Sir It. Murchison furnished him with intro-
ductory letters, and the public in general gave such strung
evidence of their interest in the cause, that he felt justly
proud of his mission. At Berlin he received the most
marked attention, and approval of his plan, from the illus-
trious Humboldt and Adolph Ermann, both great Siberian
travellers The King of Prussia, also, took a deep interest
in the project, and strongly recommended hint to the Em-
peror of Russia. In St. Petersburg he devoted himself to
the furtherance of his plan; and he referred those who
might be interested in the subject to the correspondence
which passed between the Russian government and himself,
and which was now in the hands of the secretary of this
society. The first document was a paper forwarded by the
Chancellor of the Empire, Count Nesselrode, detailing
the obstacles which would oppose his progress, and
which would prevent the government front assisting.
The second was his reply, in which he endeavoured
to prove the feasibility of the plan. After this he hail a
long interview with the emperor, in which he was permitted
to state his reasons fur persevering, and was desired by his
Majesty to put them into writing. This he did, and re-
ceived a reply front Admiral Matinochin. lie (Lieut. Pitn)
refrained from offering any comment on the subject of the
correspondence, and he was convinced that no one would
regret the failure of his mission more than the president of
this society. Ile begged further to state that there were
two gentlemen who, though their names had not been men-
tioned, had opened their purses and tendered their assist-
ance—he alluded to Sir Francis Beaufort and Mr. John
Barrow. Finally, Mr. l'im observed that the 3001. placed
at his disposal by Lady Franklin had been refunded, and
this sum could nut hut be acceptable at a time when that
noble-minded woman was making renewed efforts to rescue
her gallant husband. Wish respect to his own plan, he still
maintained its feasibility, and he was rejoiced to find that,
though circumstances had prevented him from executing it,
others, acting upon the same idea, were about to prosecute
&scheme which was similar to his own. Mr. Donald Bemoan
was about to proceed to Bhering's Straits in a steamer pur-
chased by public subscription, to search the north-eastern
shores of Siberia; and Commander It. Maguire, in her
Majesty's brig Plover, would, it was believed, penetrate to
Herald's Island to explore that region. Thet their efforts
might ultimately lie successful wail the ardent wish of one
who would himself incur any risk in order to discover traces
of an officer for whom he entertained the highest admira-
tion, and of whom the laud that gave him birth might he
justly proud.
The CHAIIeSIAN wished to remark that the documents
alluded to by Lieut. Pins were not under any suet of con-
cealment, hut they were of so voluminous a character that
it was nut thought necessary or desirable to read them to the
meeting. He very much regretted that the scheme pro'-
posed by Lieut. Pirn was considered impracticable by the
I Russian government, but it must be borne in mind that in
their relations with a foreign government this was a ques-
tion for them to decide. They had not refused to Lieut.
I'im the privileges he sought, but they had raised all objec-
tion—that, inasmuch as the expedition of Lieut. I'im would
lead him into the vast and distant region of Tchuktchi, he
would be Involved in great danger and risk. A large ex-
penditure and long preparation would be necessary, and it
was feared that atter nil the result would very probably be
that the young officer's life would he sacrificed. It was
due, however, to Lieut. Pile's courage to say
that, notwithstanding these objections, he still per-
severed and endeavoured to convince the hue-
, sian government that his scheme wee practicable.
There was no doubt whatever that if the plan Lad been
carried out, it would have added very materially to their
knowledge of geography in northern Asia, and might also
have thrown light on the fate of Sir John Franklin and his
companions. He (the Chairman) was happy to state that
Lieutenant Pim had now volunteered to join the Arctic
Expedition prepared by her Majesty's government, and
under the command of Sir Edward Belcher and his old
officer, Captain Kellett. Ile had cot only returned the
3001. to Lady Franklin, but he handed user to Lord John
Russell the funds placed by his lordship at his diem...it. and
had ',premed a wish that the money might be appropriated
to the subscriptiou for Captain lte-ateon, wit,, tit.treu L. AC-
complish the same objec. as Lieut. I'im by other means.
Thanks having been voted to Lieut. l'im, and Mr. Peter-
mann, a paper was read by the secretory respecting IMO
important discoveries in Africa by the Rey. D. Livingston
and Mr. C.Oswell.
The business then terminated.

MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.—The an-
nual meeting of the chamber was held yesterday, at Man-
chester. Thomas Baxley, Esq., the president, took the
chair. Mr. David Prism moved hat the report of the di-
rectors for the past year be received and entered on the
minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Joseph Sim-
son. afr. Itenry Ashworth, of Boltou, said it was very
satisfactory to notice the prestress vrnich had taken place in
the trade of this country since the adoption of free trade
principles by the legislature. It was about the year 1842
that the change in the fiscal arrang.ments of this country
commenced. Sir Robert Peel then bigan to re-
move tho duties from a very large number of arti-
cles, some at rates which rendered them prohibitory
and many others mere or lees restrictive. Reductions of
duty on some thousand articles took place about that pe-
riod, and from that time to the present we had seen the
repeal of many obnoxious fiscal regulations. To show what
had been the result of this policy, he referred to the pro-
gress in the exports of our produce and manufactures. In
the years 1810, 1811, and 1812 the average of the declared
value of the extorts was 50,140,6921. per annum. In the
years 1819, 18.50, and 18:4, the average was at least
68,771,1641. per annum but as he had not the whole
of the returns for 1841 ho bad only reeisotieri the
exports to be the rams as those of 1840, though
it was well known there had been an increase of
three millions. In the three years 1840, 1841, and 1812,
the average value of the export of cotton manures-
tures was 23 millions sterling. During the three years It;:.";
1860, and 18.51 they were nearly 28 millions in averege
value, showing en increase of 20 per cent. In the woollen
manufacture the average of exports in the former period
was 6,800,000 f., and in the latter it was 9,000,8001., or an
increase of 67 per cent. In the linen manufacture the ex-
ports during the first period were 3,500,000/., and the latter
4,800,0001. The average stelae of the exports of the bulk
of our other manufactures, including earthenware, hardware,
machinery, &e , was in the fernier pe, het 8,7,-0,000r., and
in the latter 14,800,tr0ft, showing an increase of 68 per
cent. The motion was earrii ii unanimously, the directors
and officers were appointed fur the ensuing year, and the
meeting terminated.
THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION BILLS IN
PARLIANIENT.—Yesterday the bills proposed this session by
the City of London Corporation came on for bearing on
standing orders, and were declared to have compile d w ith
their requirements. The first and most impartaut meaeure
warn the bill proposed for regulating eleetbitin witi.in the
City, and for cooferring rights and privileges upon persona
occupying and rated to premise. therein. The bill p.opesee
to extend the right of voting at elections to eves/ tea ernes
who shall have occupied within the City or its liberties for
a year and a day pre-sinus to the lot 8, ptemhzr in any year
and rated to an amount of not les. than 10 . per
No person is to be quililied to be chosen alderman, ehe-
riff', or comical. councilman, unless pios.eso d of real or
personal caste of the valor:M.l,ooM, and rated to the police
rate at not then de/. The second bill was fur cif, cting
improvement- end widening of Cie north end at Dawgate-Lill,
Threadneedle street, opposite Old Ilroad.street, tue south-
east corner of Markdare, end pail of the north side of Great
Tower-street, for which purpose the oorporatimt propose to
I raise 40,000'. on the ere:lit el the City revenues aid estate..
The third hill, culled the London (City) Small Debts
14x-
tension Bill," hir the more easy recovery of 'mall debts and
demands then ii., proposes that actions to be thereafter
commenced in the Shia Curt, fur sum. not above 601.,
shall be heard and determined under the provisions of the
proposed set, nail Cod in certain cases, on agreement of the
parties, the court shall have power to try, causes although
the matter. be beyond its jurisdiction. Court to be held at
Guildhall. The bill contains 137 clauses.