The Express.
London, England, 1851-07-02 00:00:00

THE COPYRIGHT QUESTION.

Yesterday a public meeting of authors,
,publishers,
printers, stationers, and others interested in the subject of
copyright, was held at the Hanover-square Reims, to take
into consideration the present state of the laws relating
thereto, es recently interpreted by the Court of Error. Sir
EDWARD BULWER. LITTON, Bart., occupied the chair, and
was supported by Mr. H. G. Bohn, Dr. Worthington, Mr.
W. llowitt, Mr. John Britton, Mr. C. Jefferye, r. G.
Cvuickshnnk, Mr. Macfarlane, Mr. R. H. Horne, Ac.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he
had been requested to take the chair at this meeting, which
I had been convened in order to afford an opportunity of
bringing before the public a question which was not only
interesting in itself, but highly important to all who pos-
-1 sewed property in literary copyright. The object of the
present meeting was to ascertain the general feeling upon
this subject, and, although there might be gentlemen present
whose views were opposed to his own, he should freely ex-
: press his opinions ; but at the same time he should consider
It his duty to give an impartial hearing to all who might
think proper to take any part in the discussion. lie would
commence his observations by bringing under their notice
• the legislative enactments which affected this question, and
he would first call their attention to the Nth Anne, by which
j act, and other acts confirming and extending it, copyright
was given to authors in their works. The effect of thia mea-
sure was to show that the object of the legislature was to
do that which would be advantageous to their own country-
men, and not to confer benefits upon foreigners or aliens.
Until very lately foreign author had no pecuniary interest
in the question, because every author felt that it was much
more lucrative to publish works in the language with which
his own country was familiar. He now begged this fact to
be observed—that authors had at various times published
their works first in other countries than their own, not so
much for the sake of pecuniary benefits, as for the purpose
of safety. One of the most celebrated of French writers,
Voltaire, had agitated this question, but he could nut ob-
tain a copyright of his work- in other countries, and he
constantly complained of mutilated piracies. A few
years after the passing of the act of Anne, Voltaire
came to England, and commenced in London the
foundation of his fortunes. lie conceived the idea
of publishing his poem of the " by subscription;
and the list of names was headed by the Princees of Wales.
He was then iutimate with some of the most eminent
statesmen and authors of England. Amongst those was
Bolingbroke, who was at that time on influential member
of the government and one of the most powerful members
of that parliament by which the act of Anne had been
puled. It was therefore quite clear that if the legislature
had intended to vise a copyright to foreigners, Voltaire
would have been informed of it; but no such circumstance
ever occurred, nor was that distinguished author ever led
to believe that he, as a foieigaer, could be pos-
sessed of a copyright in Great Britain. This was
an interesting tact to consider, and it was also in-
teresting to recollect that the subscription raised by
the " Ilenriade " amounted to 0,0001. ; ro that if the
mere purchase of the work could have given a copyright to
the author, he would moat assuredly have been entitled to it.
Voltaire corrected a isecond and a third edition of this
work, the latter appearing in London in the year 1733, and
so little copyright did he possess that in the course of the
next year a reprint was published containing none of the
corrections or improvements which Voltaire hod adopted in
those editions which he had himself published. Ile would not
fatigue the meeting by alluding to the matter of litigation
which that brought this question into dispute, but he would
merely observe that the subject was not agitated until the
year 1822, and it was only one or two years ago that a case
of " Boucey v. Parlay,' was adjudged by Mr. Baron
Rolle, now Lord Cranworth, who decided that the act of
Anne was intended fur the benefit of English authors and
English learning, and that by the mere fact of first pub-
lishing in this country, a foreigner was not entitled to a
copyright in his work. 'this judgment had recently been re-
versed by a decision of Lord Campbell, who had stated that
he saw no reason fur supposing that the act of Anne was
not intended to exclude foreigners front the benefit of its
provisions, but that en the contrary, he considered that the
foreign author was entitled to the same privileges and ad-
vantages as the native. Ile did not fur a moment doubt
that this was an impartial decision on the part of
Lord Campbell, who added the position of a man
of letters to the honour and dignity of his foren-
sic acquirements, but it appeared to him that Lord
Campbell had regarded the matter according to an abstract
view of literature, philosophy, or political economy, rather
than in reference to an nbsolute adjudication of the ques-
tion. In reviewing the decision of Lord Campbell, and in
tendering his objections to it, the hon. chairman proceeded
to oh-true that the learned Judge had quoted the recta of
Edward IV. and Richard I I 1., to show that even in those
early times the legislature desired to encourage the intro-
duction of foreign books into this country, with a view to
sell them here. No doubt that such was the ease, and the
act of Anne repealed this provision ; but the question was,
whether an author was justified in consigning his works
to one publisher, or whether he had a right to
reach the public through a variety of channel,. According
to his (Sir C. Bulwer Lyttonai) view of the case, the con-
struction of the act by Lord Campbell, would tend rather
to impede ,than to encourage the diffusion of learning.
It wax an extraordinary fret that, owing to the
facilities which existed fur publishing works at a cheap
rate without advantage to the author, there was in all parts
of literature a considerable diminution of sale. In the
lighter literature of this country, with which he (the chair-
man) was more especially familiar (cheers), larger
numbers of books were purchased for the cir-
culating libraries, and therefore this branch of
the business might be said to be sufficiently remu-
nerative. But looking at the graver literature—which
the act of Anne was more particularly intended to encou-
rage, he might observe that those works belonging to this
class sold but slowly, and an amount of two or three hun-
dred copies would make all the difference between profit
and lose. Those who might be considered habitual readers
must have observed that that branch of literature which
was commonly called the Belles l.ettres hnd been gratin.
ally becoming extinct, and this fact he regarded as tend-
ing to show that the encouragement to English authors
was not such us they had a right to expect from the pro-
visions of the act of Anne. Some years ago, when he
occupied a seat in parliament, he placed on the books, of
the House of Commons a motion respecting copyright.
lie was the first person, he believed, who took up that
question, and he determined not to withdraw his '
motion until the government consented to enter
into some negotiations upon the subject. The result
had been the lateniatirnal Copyright Act, by which the
English gave to foreigners a copynght in their works pub-
lished in this country, provided they would give us a
copyright in our works published in theirs. The measure
Lad been reciprocated in Germany, and was gradually
making progress in other countries ; and he had not the
slightest doubt, until the recent construction of the act of
Anne, that the great object of the international copyright
would ere lung be accomplished. As far as he was concerned,
he would frankly state, that if he had held a copyright in
America when he commenced his career as a writer, it
would have made a difference to him of 60,000/. ; and with
regard to the literature sought to be encouraged by the act
of Anne, he might observe, that the object of that measure
would be more fully carried out if the people on the other
side of the Atlantic could be converted into contributors
instead of despoiler. Sir Edward then proceeded to point
sat, at considerable length, that it was quite impossible for
America to encourage a healthful national lite-
rature whilst the people of that sountry had
the opportunity of getting our works at a much
shaper rate than they could purchase their own. In
giving these opinions he held himself free from all political
'onside rotions with which the question was unfortunately
mbar used, and he trusted that nothing that might be said
.en the present occasion would tend to irritate or excite
She feelings of their Transatlantic brethren (whose love of
nationality he admired), or to belie those sentiments of
affectiou cunt respect which they
.professed to feel for the
Americans as their cordial allies in the glorious mission of
civilisation. (Cheers.)
Mr. BOHN then read a long pamphlet, setting forth his
viewsupou the subject, and proposed a resolution to the
effect, that the meeting viewed with apprehension the re-
cent decision of the Court of Error reversing the previous
decision of the Court of Exchequer, and thereby declaring
that foreign authors resident abroad are entitled to British
copyright, although subjects of a state which declines to
avail itself of the international copyright act. That such
decision, if finally established, must prove extremely pre-
judicial to the interests of British literature in all depart-
ments whilst it removes a material inducement to the accept-
ance by
_foreign states of the International Copyright Act."
Dr. WORTHLNOTON seconded the resolution.

Mr. ERNEST JONES proposed an amendment to the
effect that the meeting regarded with satisfaction the recent
isi decon of Lord Ca:upbell as ono of the first preparatory
steps towards the establishment of a law of international
copyright.
Mr. VIILKS, a bookseller, seconded the amendment.
Some discussion then ensued, in the course of which Mr.
Henry Colburn, the publisher, expressed an opinion that
the literature of the country was seriously endangered by
the present unsatisfactory state of the law as affecting copy-
rights.
Mr. JEFFERTS, the defendant in the cause of "Boosay
e. Jefferys," offered some observations respecting the &111-
conies which beset the authors and publishers of music, in
canpes= of the want of • proper adjustment of the
copyright question.
Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting, some in
support of the original resolution, and a few of them in
furtherance of the amendment, and after a protracted dis-
cussion the former was earned.
Mr. G. CRVIKSHINK proposed a resolution, to the
effect that the suoject was one of great national interest and
importance, and that the expense of determining the mean-
ing of the law ought not to devolve upon a private indivi-
dual, and that a society be established to take all neces-
sary steps with a view to a proper adjustment of the
question.
Mr. MACFARLA.NE seconded the resolution, which was
carried.

It win neat resolved that an appeal be made to the Howe
of Lords for • reversion of the dreision of the Court of
Error ; and in the evoke et such appeal being unsuccessful,
that an application be made for • declaratory act of par-
liament to determine the sal state of the law as regards
copyright.
After thin the =MIN mprated with a vote of thanks
to the Chairman.

7ARY COMMITTEES.

TILE SMITHFIELD MARKET REMOVAL BILL.
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH TILE STANDING 011,DLILI OP THE

Yesterday the standing orders committee of the
House of Lo;vls, to which the government bill for the re-
moval of Smithfield 'market was referred, met in the royal
gallery at 12 o'clock. This committee, which, in the late
Earl of Shaftesbury's time, consisted only of the noble earl,
to whose jurisdiction the standing orders were exclusively
confined, now consisted of Lord Itedcsdale (thu chairman
of committees), Viscount Hawarden, Lord Colchester, Earl
Waldegrave, Lord Beaumont, and Lord Camoys. There
was a large number of parliamentary agents and municipal
people present.
Mr. Lyon,'. of the firm of Lyon, Barnes, and Ellis, of
Spring-gardens, to whom the conduct of the measure is en-
trusted, appeared in support of the government bill ; and
Mr. Tyrell, the City Remembrancer,:and other g -
ea behalf et the corporation of the Ctty of Lon—don
sition to the bill.

7 --- -.
is Oppo-

The noble Chairman read the memorial, which had been
presented to their lordship by the Mayor and corporation
of the City of London, complaining of non-compliance
with the standing orders. The memorial represented that
the bill in question proposed to provide a metropolitan
market in lieu of the present one in Smithfield, of which
the Mayor and corporation were siezed in fee, the market
being held by them prescriptively, and conlirned to them
by divers charters nod acts—that King Edward 111. did
by charter grant and confirm to tite citizens of London that
no other market should thenceforth be established within
a seven mile circuit of the City, and that this grant had
been perpetuated by divers aces of parliament—that the
petitioners had, since 1828, expended upwards of 40,000/.
in enlarging and improving Smithfield, which now pro.
diced to them a net revenue of 5,000/. per annum—that
if the bill passed into a law, the rights and interests of the
petitioners would be seriously atketed, no compensation
being proposed to be granted to them by the said bill.
The memorialist further alleged that the standing orders
of their lordships' house aoplieable to the bill had not been
complied with. In the first place, because the
notices in tho case of a bill of the first class
relating to the erecting, improving, repairing, maintaining,
or regulating a maraet or market-place, or to corporation
property, had not been given as required by the standing
orders of the home—that no notices had been given in the
London Go:ktte or newspapers in March last fur three suc-
cessive weeks, by order of the House of Commons; that
the promoters of the bill intended to ask for power that no
new market for the sale of cattle or horses should beopened
in the City of London or Westminster, or liberties thereof,
or in the borough of Smthwark, or any place distant leas
thnn 5 miles in a st,.:Littht line from St. Paul's, whereas the
bill contained a provision that after the opening of the new
market no other market shall be opened within 7 miles of
St. Paul's; that the bill, if passed into a law, will virtually
repeal the charter and acts of the corporation of London,
and that notice of intention to amend or repeal any former
act is required to be specified in the notice, but that no no-
tice has been given of such intention to amend or to repeal
such acts. The memorial concluded with a prayer from the
corporation for permission to be heard by their counsel
against and witnesses aga:nst the passing of the hill.
Mr. Lyon haring stated the objects of the bill to their
lordships, and Mr. Tyrell having argued the standing order
question, in the terms of the preceding petition, in the
course of which Lord Beaumont expressed an opinion that
the bill being a public bill, the standing orders were not
applicable to it. The room was cleared, and their lordships
remained some time in deliberation, but on re-admission

the parties and the public were left to conjecture the deci-
sion of their lordships, it being a remarkable custom in
these matters not to annouz:ee the conclusion the committee
have come to, but to proceed with other business. The
consequence was that more than one version of the nature
of the decision got abroad ; the decision in reality being
that their lordships hail resolved that the standing orders
were not complied with, and that they would report their
opinion that the bill ought not to be proceeded with, it
being open to the house either to confirm that report, or to
determum that the standing onion might be dispensed with.

THE 3IETROPOLITAN WATER SCPPLY COMMITTEE
yesterday resumed their inquiry (Sir James Graham chair-
man), and adjourned to this day.

MILITARY.
(From last night's GuxUe.).
OFFICE OF 011.1)S.kNCE,Ng 30.

RL Rsgt. of Artirle.ry....:.oentletnto Cadet7to be gee. IJeut". : C. C.
TPOSDALS, Mee Parkin, prom.; C. E. T.mitieno, vice Yield, Korn. ;
J. T. B. Stowe, vice Bradshaw, prom.; C. J. Trim., vice I. 11,
Campbell, prom.; O. J. Senor, roe Form% prom ; It. W. O.
LAVIRARD, Om Sir W. Johmm, Bart., prom.; 11. N. Elms, Me.
Seymour, prom., A. W. A. ootivie, vice P. Maki., prom.; R. H.
New ivr, rim Heim prom.; T. Mom", vies Owen, pram ; C. E.
Sununu, Nice Milman, prom. ; W. CARLY, vieo So) le, prom.; I.
Lyons, yam JobtistOn, pr m.
Corm of ftl. Engineers.—Gentlemen Cadets to be Ste. L;eutr.: C. N.
31oarm, nice Clarke, pr0rn.....;!. E. Pam, ELM bsinbrigge, prom.

.. . .
ADMIRALTY, Jr:qu Id.
Corp* of BL Mari:lN.—Gait. Cale. C. P. DALT to be Re. lieut.
amt. Cutlet W. SuNvaes to be see. lieut.

SPORTING.

NEWMARKET JULY MEETLNO-7TuED.ty.

HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES of 20 sore each, sft if de-
clared, &c. ; for 3-yr-olds and upwards. New T.Y.C. (10
subs, 4 of whom paid 5 tors each to the second. )
Mr. Barn's Trinket, 3 yr', 7st 2tb (T. Smith) 1
Lord altden'.. Sagacity, aged, lit 21b
Doke of Bedford's Newport, 3 yea, mot 101 b (Butler) 3
Sir J. Hanley's Cranberry, 4 yrs, met Mk (Marion) 4
Colonel Peet's f by :lane out of Palmyra, 3 yea, 7st Mb
rkapple) 3
Colonel anson's c The Black Sea, 3 yrs, est 11Ib (G. E. sharp)
JULY STAKES of DO SOTS each, 30 ft, for 2-yr-olds ; colts
Est 71b, and fillies Sot 51b ; the second to save his stake.
New T.Y.C. (2t3 subs.)
Lod Jena Scott's Br otha to Elthlron by Pantaloon
(Wintekoure) 1
Clamber (Marlow) 2
dleoffseesUaeean

Colosel AlWM'Sll.4.e.ye by Doe John (Onika; 4
Sir J. Ilawley'a beascer Maroon) 5
MATCII, 200, h ft, New T.Y.C.—Lord Enfield's Poodle,
84 41b, rteeired forfeit from Duke of Bedford's Carrier.
71b.

MATCH, 200, h ft, New T.Y.C.—Mr. Greville's Chaffinch.
Sat sat, received 11 sorb. forfeit from Duke of Bedford'.
Martinet, Bst 71b.
BETTING UP TO SIX O'CLOCK.
CUMBERLAND PLATE.
7 to 1 apt Testator.
DE I 7to 1 agst Maid of Mutant.
BBY.
10 to I opt Brother to Eltbiron.
EXTRIEep FOR WEDNEbIoAY.
Tow"; PLATE, for 3-yr-olds.—lrmundas, Theseus, Hip-
"riff. WEEMIKTB of 10 sews. each, for 2-yr-ohls.—Franee,
Manilla filly, Sineinglc filly, colt by Theon out of Car-
Milan.
SWELI,STAKZ4 for 3-yr-olds, 13.11—a:ulna, Harp, Knight
of the Thistle, Despair.
The races commence t.t 3 and finish at 5 o'clock.

CARLISLE RACES.—TeESDAY.
FatE lIANDIcAr.
zaMugu? 1
Jack LC=lOl 2
HUNTER 3. STAKES.

RIFIc
2
Malay
COSBY CASTLE STASES. T.Y.C.

per. s.ii,7nie;ii;p7l;ii I
1

Ur. 'Whim's Evades
Mr. A. Michas Allra Sarah ....... 3
Won cleverly.
Testator is scratched for all Ina engagements at this
meeting.

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OP A TRAINING MASTER
THE LEEDS PAUPER INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.—This
school, built by the Leeds Poor Law Guardians, was
opened for the educating and training of orphan children;
but since its establishment the want of harmonious co-ope-
ration amongst the officers has been a source of constant
trouble to the guardians. Irregularities, from some cause
or other have continued, and on Monday evening tho Board
of Guardians assembled at the establishment to investigate
I them. The first thing which occurred on the board mem-
bling was the presentationof a letter of resignation from
Mr. Alfred Leggett, the second training master of the
school. Some of the guardians expressed their surprise at
this, and having heard some rumours of misconduct on the
part of Mr. Leggett, they determined to investigate them.
The result was the most satisfactory proof that the second
master had been guilty of the most grossly immoral conduct,
and that he had corrupted the mind of one of the pauper
children, agirl of IS years of age. Itcame out in the tonne of
the investigation that ho had taken her with him to various
places of resort in the neighbourhood of Leeds, and had had
frequent interviews with her. At first Mr. Leggett denied
the truth of the most grave part of the charges, but after-
wards, through the chaplain, be made a full confession of
his guilt. The guardians, after hearing all the circum-
stances of the case, determined not to accept the resigna-
tion of the party implicated, but to apply to the Poor Law
Board to order his dinning forthwith ; and in the mean-
time suspended him from office, ordering him to leave the
establishment the same night.

BAILTWAYS.
THIS DAY.

Two o'CLoct..

Only a limited amount of business is offering in
the share market to-day, and, in the absence of more
extended operations, the general feeling continues
dull. In a few instances rather better prices have
I been paid than were obtainable yesterday afternoon,
including Lancashire and Yorkshires, London and
North Westerns, and Midlands, whilst Berwicks and
York and North Midlands have slightly receded. The
general range, however, is much the same as yesterday.
The South Eastern traffic return now published is
extremely good. The total receipts aro 17,061!.,
against 13,5371. in the corresponding week of last
year, showing an increase of 3,3211., and giving an
average return of 63.38/. per mile per week against
57.83/. in 18.10.
SHARES AND STOCKS DNOIIARANTEED.

Was to-day op
to I &dock.

MONEY MARKET.

THIS DAY.

Two o'Ctoes.
Business in the English stock market to-day has
not been extensive, but confidence in the firm-
ness of the market, which received a slight
check yesterday, has returned, and quotations, sup-
ported by the continued action of the government
broker, have undergone an improvement of I. The
continued influx of specie must also be noted as one
of the favourable influences now in operation.
Another arrival of 200,0001. sterling is reported from
Liverpool this morning by the Pacific, from New
York.

Consols opened 97 buyers, and arc now firm at
97 to ex-div. for the 17th inst. The business list
as officially given stand thus :—Three per Cent.
Consols, for the opening, 97, 4 ; Three per Cent.
Reduced, 974, i; New Three-and-a-Quarter per
' Cents., 984, t • Long Annuities, 1860, 7 7-16,-',Z ;
ditto 30 years, 7 3-16, h ; Bank Stock, 214.
Exchequer Bills have been in request to-day, and
an advance of ls. has been conceded, all clesses of
bills having been transacted at 491. and 465. prem. ;
whilst tndia Bonds, under I,OOOL, mark 69a. and
Ms. prem.
The foreign bond market has been almost entirely
deserted, quotations being nominally unaltered. For
Peruvian , stocks the feeling is very firm, and
the full extent of the recent improvement is
maintained. Spanish remain quiet, operators
preferring to await the result of the proceedings at
the meeting of to-morrow. The following figures
represent the entire bargains of the morning, viz.:
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents., 594, 1, ex div.
Peruvian Five per Cents., 1849, 90; ditto Deferred,
43. Spanish Active Five per Cents. for account
16th July, 211, ; ditto lime per Cents. for
account, 39t, ex"div.

The New‘i3;dinian Railway loan does not appear
to be exciting any great amount of attention in the
City. To use a `liroker's term, people are by no
means " Ecreedy" after it.
At the yearly meeting of the London Dock
Company, held yesterday, a dividend of 21 per cent.
for the lalf-year was declared, which leaves a ba-
lance in favour of the company of 165,121/.
Another slight decline took place in the foreign
exchanges yesterday, in which Paris, which had re-
mained stationary for some time, participated. Short
bills on Paris were negotiated at 24.974 to 25 ; ditto
3 months, ut 25.171 to 20. Hamburg was a shade
higher than last post, closing 13.71 to 3. Amster-
dam did not vary, and was done at 11.17 to 1.
Frankfort may be quoted a trifle lower, at 1181 to f.
Bills on :Italy were again in demand, and Genoa,
Leghorn, Naples and Sicily found buyers at rates fa-
vourable to the seller. St. Petersburg was like-
wise in demand. and transactions took place at 37
to 5-16. Lisbon and Oporto maintained previous
quotations, but drafts on Spain being more offered, did
not find ready takers. Madrid ruled at 49 to 4,
Cadiz 50 to 4. The exchange on Austria was lower
in quotation, but few bargains were done : several
foreign banking houses having lately bought consi-
derable amounts, arc anxious to sell now at a profit
before stemming speculative purchases. Vienna was
negotiated at 12.25 to 30; and Trieste at 12.27 to
32.

The bullion market is without the least change.
The last quotations of exchange at foreign places
on London arc as follow:

Previous Latest
Quotations. Quotations.
Alexandria 9B 1 971 1
Amsterdam, short 11.84) 11.80
Ditto, 2 months 11.75 11.76
Bremen, 2 months
Cephalonia — 511
Charleston 1094 1091
Christiania, 3 months
Copenhagen, short
Ditto, 3 months
Constantinople, 3 months 1124 1124
Calcutta(document hills)
6 months 2s. 01d. 01d. 2s. 11.
Hamburg, short
Ditto, 3 months
Havana
Leipzig, 3 ntonths 6.198 6.20
Lisbon, 90 days sll_ id. 641 d.
Mobile llO 110
Milan, 3 months 291.12 291. 0 9
Matanzas
New York llO4 1 1104 1
New Orleans llOl 110 111
Nappy .... 669 672
Odessa
__. .. _ . 6.22 6-7 27 1-7 6.23 4-7 25 5-7

Philadelphia
Palermo, 3 months 57.18 57
Paris, short
Ditto, 3 months 24f. 821 24f. 821
ltiga, 3 months 3Bd. 1-16 384 d.
Smyrna
St. Pe
Savannah
Stockholm, short
Ditto, 90 days 11.30 11.38
Trieste
Valparaiso 46ld. 46d.
Venice
_ .

A memorial has been presented to Lord Palmer-
ston, praying for his interference in behalf of the
holders of Mexican Indemnity Bonds. Although
there arc dividends held in hand for them, and bonds
for exchange in the Bank of England, they arc kept
from conversion and enjoyment of their property
because the Mexican government says it is engaged
in Mexican Chancery proceedings with some of their
London agents.
The memorial commences by referring to several
previous letters received from the Foreign-office, and
then proceeds with a detail of the circumstances
that have occurred. The Mexican Active and De-
ferred Bonds, held by the memorialist since 1827,
were deposited in Hitt) for the sake of security with
the London Joint Stock Bank, and by that es-
tablishment forwarded to Messrs. John Schneider
and Co., who then were the London agents of the
government of Mexico, for their conversion into the
New Consolidated Stock. The conversion of the
" active " portion was immediately jwrfected, and
the dividend on them was paid ; but it was stated
that the " Deferred" Bonds could not be
converted for want of the requisite bonds
to do so, although at that time (and it is presumed
they exist even now) there were in the Bank of Eng-
lund Ii bonds utplicable solely to the carrying out
of the conversion. On the 16th March, 1650, a
letter signed by four holders of these unconverted
Deterred Bonds was delivered to Senor Mora, then
minister of Mexico here, pressing for the immediate
conversion of these bonds, an application which
Colonel Facie, the Mexican financial agent, pro-
mised to back at Mexico. Senor Mora, in answer,
referred the case to the financial agency, but
engaged to procure a positive answer from his
government on the first opportunity. Colonel Facie,
in a letter dated the 26th of April,
in answer to a further application from the
memorialists, stated that he had received no
instructions relative to the Deferred Bonds, and
added—" I beg at the samo time to decline any
answer to further written communications, as all
questions on the subject will be answered rerbally
at this office." Another communication was then
addressed to the Mexican committee ; who stated in
reply that memorials from six firms holding Deferred
Bonds shut out from the conversion of 1846, had
already been forwarded to Mexico, which Mr. Fel-
rennet was instructed to support, and that the com-
mittee at the same tune had addressed the Presi-
dent on the subject generally, though former
representations had remained without reply except
through Col. Facio. The memorial proceeds to call
attention to the hardship to which more than sixty
persons are thus subjected, their bonds being ren-
dered either unsaleable or of trifling value, and the
dividends, which have been paid to the amount of
41 per cent. on the Active Bonds, being withheld,
whilst they are hopeless of even an answer from the
Mexican government in reply to their repeated
appeals. The memorial also complains that the
Deferred bondholders are whhont aid from the com-
mittee, who, although expressly appointed to repre-
sent the interests of- all classes of bondholders, seem
to ignore all other claims than those fixed by the
Mexican Congress on the Gth April, 1850, at

10,241,640/. The memorial, in conclusion, earnestly
solicits his lordship's interest with the Mexican re-
presentative in London to do justice to the claims of
the 'Verret' bondholders.
ESOLISII FUNDEL—Taim DiT.
Beak Stock, ^_lll4 Long Mumltleei
3 per CL Reduced, t India Stott, gate
31.
Co
abut Ditto Bon&
Comohp" CtioCr reet.l77 17, 97 Bechequer DAN 1,0001.,464. SO ea

FOBBION FUNDS.
44 per Ct. Relrlan, 91 3 5 per Ct. Iteslean, 348 I
6 per Ct. Brazilian, 86 20 44 per Ct. Po:avian, 674 84
Do. New. 868 Ditto Deferred. 41 2
6 per Ct. Bum, Am.. 610 6 per CL Peetuguiere, 85 7 ex ittiv
6 per Ct. Chillan, 103 X 5 per Ct. Rennin, 112 14
3 per Ct. Milian. 4$ ta•r Ct. Harden. 1024 8
3 per Ct. Daniel:. 75 7 5 tar CL Spain*, Active, 434 4
SI Par CX Dutch, POI I 3 yet Ct. Ppantalt, 31 $
4 per Ct. Ilutea, RI 1i 110. Parrive. 6
ICquailar..', I
1 per Ct. lirenada. 1617 2i per C:. Vencerta IS 4
Be. Wen's&

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