The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-06 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE.

This association, for promoting the people's charter,
hell a soiree last tYCOMII, in the gnat school-house' in Ta-
bernacle-row. Covers (i. c. cups and saucers) were laid for
400 and upwards, of which number barely half were present.
At seveno'clock _ .

Mr. MIALL took the chair, and after some preliminary
observations, stated that he had a most important fact to
communicate to his auditory ; namely, that the principles on
which the present association was bounded had made their
way into the very highest circles—(hear)—and had mani-
fested themselves in quart, re where he little expected to
meet them. The doctrines of universal suffrage had worked
their way even into the m nd of a cabinet minister: Lord
John Russell him,: It was the convert to whom he alluded.
They all, no doubt, recollected his speech on introducing
the Jewish Emancipation Bill. The argument used by the
prime minister, in order to induce the House of Commons
to permit hint to bring in the bill was that, inasmuch as the
Jews paid their share of the taxes, obeyed the law, and bore
their share of the burtheas imposed upon the people at large,
they were entitled to a shore of political power, and to a fair
participation in public affairs. He (Mr. Miall) wondered
where Lord John had picked up this doctrine—(hear)—
which certainly was to be found in some of the publications
of the National. Alliance. (Hear, and a laugh.) The same
doctrines and reaeonintts were exactly applicable to the vast
masses of the people who at present had no voice in the en-
actment of the laws which they ebep el, or in the eleettne of
the men who taxed them. If the conduct of those who o-
posed the extension ul the franchise was examined, it would
be found that, however re:at:tent they might he to give the
power of voting to the uneece, they did not shrink
from making an appeal to them, ts to the no-
tion at large, upon any question of a political bearing ;
nor did they hesitate to detend, at public meetings where
the majority of the listeners were non-electors, these acts
over which their auditors had no control. (Hear.) Lord
John (tassel', whig as be was, feared tocarry out his princi-
ples to the full extent, hut it was to be hoped, from the
strenuous exertions of the people, that ultimately he or some
statesman who shout t succeed him would grant the fair and
legitimate demands of the people.
Mr. Inex, the aeretury, read some letters of apology
from gentlemen excusing themselves on various pleas from
attending. Amongst them was one from Mr. Joseph Sturgo,
in which the writer inveighed stront,ly against the agitatioa
in progress respecting an increase in the army, character-
ising it as a movement on the rat of the aristocracy to pro-
vide remunerative places fur their idle worthless younger
scions. _ _ _

Mr. C. J. Buxtixu moved the first re,olation, to the
following eIL at:
'that, in the opinion of this meeting, no government has a right to
la: the people without their own eunwnt. That as till taxes levied
on the unrepresented ore unjuA and tyrahnic.ll, the princip.es of
represent:llion, pro. °tabled by the Alliteit.A., arc strictly just in them-
selves, and are ittooduiely nis.e•sary nut only for.the oecunty of indi-
vklual fib rty, but 41.0 tor the auvancimont of national happiness;
we therefore plrelite our-elves, both by pinion:it and ',trunk. y aid, to
promote their prop notion, and to .uWain Vie non emer4 till the prin-
ciples tit the peopb 's cltarwr 5c..11 become the law of the Land.
Kr. Lowlier seconded the resolution. In reference to the
chances that had occurred in political feeling on the subject
of reform, the ep,..eker stand that during a recent visit to
Stirling, he lied, by permissi.m of the magistnicy of that
botough, stood in the very elair in which the judge who
sentenced the reformers of 1794 to be hanged for tree-on,
had addressed a large body of men in favour et the very prin-
ciples for advocating which these 'laicise were sacrificed.
The re soluti ,n then unanimously agreed to.
The SECRETARY theta c led the attention of the meeting
to the subscription p.apeMi which had been circulated amongst
them, and grated that the sum of V. 2s. had already found
is way to the tahle.
Mr. Oftener rose to propose the second and last resolu-
tion, as follows :
That: the best thanks of this meeting are justly due to Col. T. P.
Thumiown, M.P.; W. J. Fut, NI.P.; Jo.uph Storer, J. 11. Furry, 11.
Vbieebt, Ur. Eppu, and K. 311111, for the noble stand male by them
at Uir maid ekvtuoti, bo lich.lf of the peop:e's rights.
The speaker sanitised great reluctance to move a vote of
thanks to any person as in hit own case he always avoided
such testimonials whenever he could. If, however, the reso-
lution merely meant to convey an adhesion to the principles
of the National Alliance, it had his hearty and unreserved
approbation. The movement in which they were engaged
was calculated to do good, !tar a more profuse sprinkling of •
democracy in the 'louse of Commons would be highly bene-
ficial.

Dr. Hahn', on being called on to second the resolution,
said he did so *al the same reluctance that the proposer
had manifested—(a lough)—for he disliked all such exhibi-
tions. (A latyh.) He was a radical, and had always been
so—radical in religion, radical in politics. He only wishe
people would give over smoking, snuffing, and drinking.
Hod had given mankind 2,00 d articles of loud, and only one
of drink. (A laugh.) Why, therefore, should men pros.
trate their strength and reason by resorting to strong liquors.
The resolution was carried by acclamation.
Mr. Geoitoe THOMPSON M.P., rose to r, turn thanks; he
could not, however, let that opportunity pass without de-
Oaring his deep attachmatt to the objects of the National
Alliance, and, at the same time, to pledge himself to irre-
vocable adhesion to the prineiplesof the Alliance, and he re.
ferred all who heard hint to his future actions in proof of
his sincerity. (Hear.)
Mr. J. H. PARHY having also returned thank.,
Dr. Errs, in his turn, also offered his thanks for the
honour that had been done him, and enlarged upon the pro-
posed extension of the army. When the people had some
thing to defend, then was the timo to call upon them to
spend millions in national defences. At present, what they
were called upon to pay and to tight for were the bench of
bishops, the House of Peers, the burthen of the national
debt, and the unjust system of taxation which prevailed.
Let the poor man have his voice in the election of his
rulers and lawmaker. ; give him an interest in the state, and
a stake in the country, ani he would then be ready to put
his sword through an invading Frenchman ; though, to say
the truth, he (Dr. Epps) did not believe that the people of
France—the domestic people, that was to say—had any de•
sire to go to war, hut only the noisy loungers in coffee-houses
and other idlers, who wished to live by plunder and. blood- ,
shed.

Mr. MIALL lastly returned thanks, and declared that in
his d, sire to become a public man he had been actuated by
an insuperable lore of religious freedom; for this cause he
was willing to endure all the reproaches that had been made
against him of being a forward, vain, and assuming man—
(hear, hear)—and if he could in the end obtain the recogni-
tion of his principles, he should detm himsel f amply rewarded,
even if he did not reach the object for which he had struggled.
The speaker then proceeded to touch on the subject of the
outcry for the national defence, and attributed it to the
fears entertained that Louis Philippe, who had filched their
liberties from the people that trusted ►im, was about to die,
and ther:by the keystone to the continental union of states
being taken away, revolution, it was feared, would ensue in
France, bringing in its train the seine consequences
that had followed in the movement of 1830, by
rousing the people of England to demand their
political rights with energy, and, as then, with success.
Fur this cause the aristocracy of England insidiously sought
to get an addition made to the internal army, in order that
when the dem ,nd for their rights should be made by the
people, they might answer such by pointing the steel or the
musket to each man's breast. Such was the view which he
took of the question, and such, in his opinion, was the
whole secret of the outcry respecting national defences.
Atter some further observations, the Chairman announced
that the business of the meeting was over.

SOVEREIGN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY.
The second ordinary general meeting of this com-
pany was held yesterday at the Thatched-house Tavern.
Lord ARTHUR LENNOX, M.P., on taking the chair, said
that the directors felt great pleasure in meeting the proprie-
tors on this occasion, as he was sure they would find the
affairs of the company in every way satisfactory. Although
nominally twenty-one months in existence, they were vir-
tually only twelse, and the report which would be submitted
to them had reference, therefore, to the period of one year
oily. The amount of business which had been offered with-
in that period was very considerable, and the income might
have been made much grsater; but the directors looking to
the future and permanent good of the company, rather than to
immediate profit from improper risks, bad endeavoured to
treat every proposal in the way, as it were, of a claim after
death ;to look upon it, in fact, as if the party enuring bad
actually died, and to determine, before accepting any
premiums, whether the facts stated in the proposals tendered
to them were such as would justify the payment of the
claim without dispute or litigation. By this means
they placed the Validity of the policy beyond
question, and rendered it more valuable. (Hear, hear.)
out of 409 proposals only 229 were accepted, and the pro-
prietors would no doubt be gratified to learn that the com-
pany had commenced its second year with an income
of 4,0001. per annum from life premiums alone, less
the amount of lapsed policies. Considering the state
of the money market, and the commercial distress
that prevailed during the put year, he could not but
regard that fact as highly gratifying. (Hear, hear.)
There was one other circumstance upon which he felt it his
duty to congratulate the proprietors, as showing the utmost
diligence on the part of the directors, and the greatest judg-
ment and care on the part of its medical officers,
namely, that there bad not been, within the twelve
months ending the 9th of October, 1847, nor since
the commencement of the company, a single death
amongst the assured. Under the deed of settlement us divi-

. 11,

sion of profits could take place until IMO, but e-17-7 eeOMe
"....."'`e
recommended a dividend for the year out of the Waver
earned by capital of four per cent. A larger mama at
dividend might have been recommended, but mandoline ie.
state of the money market, and the uncertainty of the
tinued absence of casualties, they deemed it morn
not to propose a higher rate. The proprietors were eve,.
that such of them as introduced business to the ooepb
were entitled to the same commission thereon is allowed g
agents, and he might mention, as an inducernem to Sillies.
that some proprietors would this year, by this memo. tsswh
a dividend upon their capital nearly equal to 20/. per 0„,
' The lincitrra KY then read the report, which stated
had reference only to the operations M the company der,
he
the twelve months coding Oct. 9, 1817, which may
genii d as the first year of the company's beelines, inmate,
as tie previous nine months were, in a great measure, ne,•
pied in perfecting the various forms and other mach,,,
necessary far tne establishment of the company. The co
pursued, of declining many proposals where the most eon.
rate information as to the state of health of the life p
ropeui
could not be obtained, although calculated at first t 4,41
away business from a new office, is now Justly app •
and has, the directors hope, obtained for the policies of this
cornpeny a character for security that has materially erin
tributa d to the succers which has so far attended tae
operation.. In the course of the business of the
past year, out of 409 proposals which have been mode
to the company, 229 only have been accepted, making, wick
the 84 issued in the first nine months, a total of 311 pone,
granted by the company, which have produced from life pre.
miums alone 3,9311.19... 3d. Independent of renewed pre.
miunas and those derived from new policies issued hint* the
9th of October last, the aura of 1,6191. 14s. 4d. has be,
received fur annuity premiums during the year. This emu,
of business hu been obtained during one of the most nide.
vourable veers ever known for the establishment of a new
office, and has been, fur the most part, derived from tke sees
tropulie, or its immediate neighbourhood, the directom not
having as yet extended the business of the eiompany to the
provinces, except in a few instances, where they have bete
able to select agent. on whose judgment they cou:il rely.
The directors are glad to have it in their power to state that
the rare which they have taken in the selection of the lives
proposed for assurance, aided by the skill of the medicsl ore.
cera, has been so tar attended with the most sanstactory re.
sults; no claim having arisen upon the funds of the commrez
ce in cansequen of any death amongst the
The subscribed capital has been constantly and nrofitably
employed. The working expenses of the office have been re.
duced to the lowest scale, and with a very slight additional
owl sy the present establishment will be found equal to the
transacting of a airy large increase of business. The pro.
prictors will be aware that, by the deed of settlement, so
division of profits can take place until the year 1n39; the
direetois, however,have it iii their power to snake &dividend
nut of the interest earned by the substrib,d apitil, and re.
commend 'hat such a dividend shell be diclar.d after the
rate of If. per cent. far the year ending the 9th of October
last. The directors would especially incite the attention of
the proprietors to a means of promutiog the interests of the
company, by making known the plan, peculiar to this office,
of granting immediate an: deferred annuities, which, when
considered in reference to the other part. of the company's
eperatione, will he found to be an important brisech id ban.
ness, whilst at the same time it affords great ad autsges to
the pialr:ic.

S .verr.l questions were thin asked iu reference to the
accounts, and, ui on their I eing sa.istactorily answered by
the director.; the retort was uniinimomly adopted.
The CRAW: tals Loiap, in reply to a qutt.tion, Mated that
it wee not ihteoded to pay the dividend up m its share*
upon which ad the culls had not been p•id, and a onverms-
tion arising on the subject, it was terminated by the adop.
lion of a res dution emanating from the prtierictor-, la the
effect tt That the shares of such proprietors es than omit
to pay the instalments due upon their shares on or before
the I.ith of July, 1848, shall be declared forfeited to the
company."
A PROPRIETOR then moved:
flat inasmuch shares taken up at any ti•ne Pew, the yeas
Is, a In to the current rate in dteid.n I. Le enotka to
participote in any diciaion of profit, which may be ihon dethred
equally with those held by ariginal proptictont a i 4 the Opinion of
the meeting that the directors nhouto le recoininenital to 111 a hunt
to the Inane of further Awes in the capital of the mop any at par.
Ile thought it unfair that those who ran no ri-k in establish.
irg she comp,ny should, now that it was pluc, ii u;ion a firm
bass, be admitted to the same advantages an original pro-
prietors. lie had no objection that all p‘not.s taking new
slier. s at once should be enti led to [Lima advantages, bet
certainly rot after.
Mr. Mthat, and several other proprietors, concurred in
the ju-tics or excluding persons who came in at the eleventh
I hour from a participation of profits, but were of opinion at
the same time, that as the company was only in it:
it migat be w we II not to come to any resolution of that kind
I this year, but to leave the matter open, a, an ioducement to
pens-.tie to join the company, and thus s o end their Capital.
It w is their interest to enl-st as large a number of the public
as it ut., possible, and, therefore, he not inter:. ring at pre-
sent, they might indirectly benefit the company as much as
if they chromed this provision, howev:r just.
A Volt suggested that the difficult, might M
met he issuing th, new shares at a premium; but the chair-
man thought such a course would be inadvisable, as d♦
steeling the inducement just alluded to; and haying under.
takes that the subject should be renewed at their seat
me. ticg, the motion was withdrawn.
The usual officer* were then appointed, and cordial thanks
baying been voted to the directors the meeting .ipar...ted

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.; SCROOLS.—We yester-
day had an opportunity of inspecting this establishment, ea
the occasion of the rec. pion of the 20 children elected at tbe
genet Al quarter:y meeting of governing held on ea. 28-11 ult.,
and reported in the Ex,,reas of the 29th. The nsansgers,
with a praiseworthy regard to economy, iustead of pin chasing
ground aid incurring the expense of erecting new buildings,
have secured for the purpeses of these schools a line old-
ta•hioned roomy mansian, with extensive grounds, at Wan-
stead, on the borders of Epping Forest, capable, with the
imptsternients and additions contemplated, of acrommo-
dating 500 children. The number in children, male and
female, who arc at present the recipients of the benefits of
the inditution is 35, there being room in the present build.
ing for an addition, foe several year to come, of 20 every
half-year, e hich numb, r, the funds permitting, it is proposed
to elect. The management, as conducted by the house com-
mittee, leaves little to be desired : the children (who, as has
a.realy been stated, are the orphans of membisi of the
comtni reitsl body, or the progeny of such of that class as
are reduced by age and misfortune to destitution) are pro-
vi 'ed with an education fitting them fur au, p 4ition to
which they may be hereafter called, together with board,
lodging, and clothing —care being taken that, while a peeper
regard to the obligations due to their benefact les is into,-
ceted, the degrading influence of dependence upon
charity shall be, as far as it is possible, avoided.
The elothieg is in no way distinctive from that worn by
children in more fortunate circumstances, end the arrange-
ments, except in regard to a more efficient superintendence,
differ in no respect from those of a find-chi:a b- arding
schol. Of the children introduced yesterday upon the
foundation, consisting of 14 boys and 6 girls, a portion heal
been for some months at the institution exiting for election.
The rest were brought down accompani.d by their friends
(to whom the rites of he•pitality were extended! in two om-
nibuses engaged for the purpose. In the evening the com-
mittee and several of the patrons of the establishment met
together in the board-room, wheu several toasts were given,
includieg, "Prosperity to the Commercial Travellers'
Schools," "The Treasurer" (G. Moire, Esq.), "The
Secretary " (Mr. Lawrence), " The Cnairmau," " The
Press, and success to the Daily News especially,
whose exertions as a vehicle of commercial information
and in furtherance of the cause of charity could not be
too highly commended." 'lnc treasurer, took occa-
sion, in acknowledging the compliment paid to him, to
observe that amongst the children admitted that day were
three or four whose fathers had been cotemporaries with him,
and hid entered life with prospects qoite equal to his own,
but had tailed to seize the tido of prosperity, and had sled,
leaving their families destitute.
WREAL CURTIS COPPER MINING COMPANY.—The
ordinary general meeting of the above company took place
yesterday at the Guildhall Coffee-house. At half-past two
o'clock, Mr. Stapley, the deputy chairman of directors, took
the choir, and Mr. Bull, the company 'a solicit a, proceeded
to read the report. From this document and the balance-
sheet annexed it appeared that the operations of the com-
pany had, in the first instance, been much reta-ded by mis-
management at the mines, bat that recently a change of
officers had taken place, everything was going en prospe-
rously, and there was a fair prospect of ultimate success.
With rc ference to monetary affairs, the direct..rs had re-
ceived, by advances from individual directors and payment
of call+, 7,4051 10s. 6d.; out of which they had paid for the
Wheal Curtis mine, 3881.; for plant, &c., 3,6761. 10s.;
with other small items, amounting in the whole
to 4,2211. 45. 7d. ; outlay on the mane to 3,1841. 15s. 7d.
The liabilities of the company's acceptances, Sc., are
2,7591. 10s. 10d., to meet which there ken amount due on the
call+ which, when paid, will leave a clear balance in favour
of the company of 9991. 17s. Letters were read from the
captain and purser of the mine, giving most flattering ac-
counts of their progreu, and holding out the strong hope
of an exceedingly rich vein of copper ore.—Mr. Thoroghgood,
a shareholder and ex-director, moved the adoption of the
report, and begged to confirm its gercral veracity from his
own experience.—Mr. George seconded the motion, which
was carried without opposition, as was also a supplemental
reeolutien ordering the report to be printed and circulated
among the directore.—Mr. Bull, solicitor to the company,
was elected a director in the room of Mr. Thorogbgood, re-
signed ; the other directors were re-elected, and auditors
appointed. Resolutions recommending prompt payment of
the calls were then passed,the buppl.munal deed was signed,
and the meeting separated.
Sourn SEA COMPANY.—The half-yearly general
court of the South Sea Company was held yesterday. The
deputy-governor, Mr. C. Franks, presided, and about a
dozen proprietors were present. As is customary, two
tabular statements were laid before the court, each made up
to the day of meeting. One was a general statement of the
company's affairs, under the old act 6 George 11., and the
other an account of the clear revenue and profits for tke
half-year ending on the day of meeting, after the current
payments for interest and other outgoings, charges, and en-
posses, had been allowed and deducted. The first account,
after enumerating the public securities and other property
held by the company, and the claims against them, showed
a balance in the company's favour of 20,4741. 12., Ild.—the
assets being 813,9231. 2s. 3d., and the engagements
776,3531. 7s. 4d. The second, or revenue account, showed
that the half-year's income was 156,3381. 12s. 9d., and the
outgoings and general charges 91,8151. 10s. 7d. ; the half-
year's dividend on 3,662,7841. 8.. 6d. South Sea Stock, at
11 per cent., would absorb 64,0981. 14s. 64., consequently
there remained a surplus of 6211. 7s. 81. The accounts
having been received, a dividend of 11 per cent. on the whole
stock was declared, and the court separated.

Ctutams
Facile
Ptaalp.•
Uses •
ymperty Tas
Poet Oak,
Crown Land. ....... .....
Meeelkneea•
barren and other Moneys ,
itriaiymente ul .ktlvxnces