The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-31 00:00:00

COLONIAL

CANADA.—The journals are occupied with the
exciting subject of the elections, to tha exclusion of all other
matter. According to the last return on the 6th of January
(the latest date), there had been returned to serve in the new
parliament, 21 ministerial members, 19 oppasitian, and one
doubtful. Mr. Pupineau had been returned for St. Maurice.
and Mr. Turcottec had lost hi • eleetion by a majority of up.
wards of 300 votes. At Three ltiveis on Jan. 4, a poll
having been commenced, the proceedings were stopped
by a row. At 4-30, p.m.. the poll etood so follows :
Dumoulin, 174; Polette, 170. The polling booth was then
forcibly entered by Mr. Duntoulin's supporters, and several
of Mr. Polette's voters acre driven back, and nut allowed to
record their votes; whereupon the returning officer declared
the poll closed, as he cold net any longer continue it accord-
ing to law. No member was consequently returned ; and it
was rumoured that the returning officer would make a special
return to that effect. Messrs. La Fontaine and Holmes
have been elected far Montreal.
NEW BRUNSWICK.—Our files from St. John's
are to the Bth of January. A despatch had been received
from Earl Grey, in answer to the resolutions pass .1 by the
common cowed of this city, relative to the influx of
pauper emigrants the past season. The Colonial Se-
cretary ngrets the additional burdens to which the
province leas beau subjected, and expresses his
willingness to bring the subject beiore the imperial
parliament, in order that this colony may be reimbursed for
the expenses incurred is sueporting so many destitute
people. The resolutions were prepared and laid before the
common council by his worship the mayor, who has thus
brought the matter directly udder the notice of her Majesty's
government, snit relieved the local legislature (torn any dis-
cussion on the subject.
JANIAICA.—We glean the following from our files
of Kingston papers : Oa the 9th of Dl:Ginter, in the House'
of Assembly lea. tabled in committee on the state of the
island, it wan moved that the report trout the committee to
which was r'fe'red the governor's second message on the
Rum Duties Bill should be taken up and read. Upon this
an amendment was proposed by Dr. Spalding to the effect :
Thu the boon how learned with surprise that it bas pleased her
Majesty to disallow two acts of the bag swains of the Jamaica legisla-
ture—th- one emitted •` An act to tramcar certain parochial expendi-
ture to the public of this inland, and to relieve parochial taxation and
for other purls., ;' the falser en, Wed t' An act to regulate the fees
of the clerks al the peace and the clerks of the magistrates of this
island, and for other purposes."
This amendment was negatived, as well as another pro-
posed by Mr. Parquitarson to the same purport, and recom-
mending that an additional duty of 6d. be imposed on rum,
and a vote was carried for agreeing to the report, as amended
in the committee, that i- to say, with the recommendation
as proposed be Mr. Jonlm, Chit the house will introduce a
bill to provide for tl.e parochial officers to September, 1848,
out of the so neral re venue.
A meceng of V e lion. Commissioners of Public Accounts
took place in the Assembly Room, Spanish Town, en the 9th
Dec. An appleation on 110,81. ui the home government was
made fur the pa) intent of 20 0001., being one of the instal.
meats due on the loan. T..c matter wan referred to the house.
Three circulars OIL the subject of education from Lord
Grey were loot befor. the House of Assembly on Dec. 3.
On the Vith, iii the House of Assembly, a bill was brought
before the limee for reducing the s daries of certain judicial
officers, when it was proposed to fix the chief justice's salary
at 2,000/ ; but o.i the mutest. of Mr. Carr, it wu carried, 12
to ii, that it he ri due, .1 to 1,3001. Tee assistant judges'
salaries ti be 1,2.431 ; vice-chancellor, 1,200/. ; and chairmen
of quarter mei as, 8001. On the 16th a long debate took
plea on the question to opp dniment of an beand agent in
Great Briteate A bill to that effect proposed by Mr. Barclay
was cciaf etel be a majority of two. On the subject the
Jame lea Deapaft A Lass:
The Ilnune is taw.* may be said to have crowned the work of
mat-legislation by it. wowf to appoint an agent. lf ever there was
a period when it was peeuliar.y neve:earn that Joontea should be
represertnl to I...milun by an able advocate, well instructed and in.
formed in the ne ensities of the colony, WA( time Is the orenent. We
never agreed in the uswine economy of abolishing the °thee of inland
agent ; but had we been ever ao strong an advocate for the suspen-
sion of the .. monument last ...ion, we Phalli feel that the present
COCA India question abKll44llO, jus'alled its revival.
The committee aepotnted by the House of Assembly to
inquire into the deer. wed state of agriculture in this island,
the cause of such deptetsion, the extent of abandonment of
cultivation and breaking up of sugar and coffee factories,
which has taken phee since the passing of the British
Emancientiort Act in 1832, had rep trted to the house:
That niece the passing of the British Slave EmuncipaCon
Act, of the 6,3 sugar estates then in cultivation in the inland,
140 had teen eh.',, ewed, and the works broken up, containing
165,632 wren of land, and employed in the cultivation of 22,553
puncheons of rum. That theme preemie, now extinct, produced,
in the year 1512, 14,175 hogsheads of auger, and 5,903 puncheons of
rum. That during the same Dere° I, 40 coffee plantations have been
atondoneil, an l their works broken up, containing 109,400 acres of
land, and having employed in their cultivation, in, the year 1032,
26,e,10 labourers. That of 134 sulfurgl'en en evidence, the
eeePo made in 1532, were-25.928 labda of sugar, and 10,009
puncheons of rum. In 1547, 17,339 lihds. super, and 833 phns.
rum, showing a decrease of 5,369 hada. sugar, and 1,677 phns. rum.
That upon certain estates shown to have had attached to them, and

engaged in their cultivation in the year 1832, 41,820 labourers, there
now remain resident on those properties only 13,973, the others,
amounting to 27,817, having generally become indepeadent eettlere.
That the sum of 1,405,1971. les. 11d. was expended in the culti-
vation and manufacture of 37,006 hogsheads of sag a, and
26,711 puncheons of rum, giving the result that, after de-
duties proceeds of the rum, avenged at 141. per pan-
theon, the actinil met of sugar averagid 11. 2.. 7,d. per cwt., con-
sequently, that is its value te now, by slave competition, reduced in
the British market to about 13., exclusive of charges, it is self-
evident sager cultivation cannot be continued; that there le an actual
loss on every ewt. of is. 710., witbout biking Into account interest
on capital, and on mosey expendsd, equally, at the least, to is. 64.
more per cwt.; while, aa regards ma., the evidence M conclusive
that it is, if possible, even in a worm condition. That it is shown by
the evidence, that up to the present )car, funds have been regu-
larly at command to pay labour. That the plough and other
implements of husbandry have been used in all cases where
practicable. That except it might be about the factories, machinery
cannot,be mode more available as a substitute tor labour. That in re-
spect to immigration, the Asiatic labourers have not been found to
answer the purpoaea or the country ; while, on the other hand, the
Africa= hate proved eminently u-eful, as shown especially in St.
Thomus in tue haat, where, from their numbers, the estates on which
they are located have lath able to keep their factories at work don lug
Saturdays; and to have their general labour better performed. That
from the now independent condition of the mass of the people,
the command of labour has become exceeduagly precarious,
often not to he had at all when most wanted; that
hardly In any case will the people work on estates for more than five
days in the week; that in severe! districts they refuse to work more
than four data in the week ; that the average time of field labour Is
from floe to six hours a day; that the Labour given for the wages in
not only inadequate u, quantity, but generally ill performed; that on
the anniieroary of freedom, oral at Christmas, the entire agricultural
population spend from one to two weeks is idleness; that in thine
districts this is ph. the case at Easter; that et all these periods,
even Lf the canes are rotting on the ground, and the coffee
falling from the trees, no rots of stages will induce the
people to work, and that labour continues to become more
totem every year by the people withdrawing from the plantations.
That the queetion now left for the nraish government to decide is,
whether, putting the ruin of the colonists altogether out of view, the
national interests will be promoted by annihilating sugar too roffee
cultivation in Its own (Monies, the inevitable effect of which must be,
and that serenity, to trawler to fureiguers u high-priced monopoly of
those in the BeltiM menet. Mourning that such canine be
the wi-b of the government, or people of Englthd, it is matter of drop
interest how the Belau the calamity is to be averted. It has been
shown that, even with motection, many of the properties
have been ruined by the emancipation tee +sure, and that
all have been meet seriously Injured; that rugrir cannot be pro-
duced in Jamaica under 270. per cwt. to give common intere,t on
capeal, while in Cebu your committee are well informed that 123.
per cot. is it remunerative price In this state of things it so self-evi-
dent that whatever palliatives may be applied, nothing but protection
in the home market can avert the immediate abbindcounent of Lugar
and coffee cultivation in the British robe:ties. Ina ratio as the means
of labour are provided. the &meant of protection may be safely with-
drawn, until nt no di-taut period these valuable possession,' dab
again ountribute, as they formerly did, to the national width and
pro:canny. la the ineautime the only alternatives are, protection or
destruction. The committee recommended that the eatntance of this
report be enaliodled in a memorial to her Majesty.
'rRINIDAD.—A meeting of the shareholders of the
West India bank resident in this island took place on the
17th Dec. It was then decided that a committee (to consiet
of Messrs. Fuller, L wh, and Fat) should be app doted to
investigate the affairs of this branch of tho bank, and that
two of their number should proceed as a deputation
to Barbados, to be present at the general meeting of the
directors to no held there on the sth of Jan. We (Pot of
Spain Gazette) know that we are only giving utterance to
the feelings of the whole community when we express our
hope that the result of this approaching conference will be
the speedy resumption of business by an institution
that has been of such extensive service to this bland,
and in the prosperity of which we are all of us
more or leis interested. The same paper says :
We omitted to notice in our last the arrival of her Majesty's
steamer Growler, 22 days from Sierra Leone, with 341 cap-
tured Africans and 14 delegate.. Ws regret to say that
there had been no less than 45 deaths from dysentery, and
that the captain also died on the voyage hither. The people
seemed cheerful, but still suffering somewhat from the debi-
lity consequent on their treatment on board the slaver. We
believe they have all, or nearly all, been distributed to appli-
cants for their services.
BAItBADOES.—Mr. Robertson, the secretary of
the West India Bank, has published a letter, in which he
states this strong tact in support of the liabilities of the con-
cera, that by the Lot montnly balence-sheet there was in
cash on hand and due to the bade, a surplus of 101,604 deb.l
63 cents. It, yond the amount due by the hank on deposits!
and notes in circulation in the island.
A metting of the shareholders of this bank took pia e
on the 23rd of Weember. The report was read, and the
reasons assigned for the suspension of payment by the beak
are given thus by Cm manager, who raid:
In the first place I think it attributable to the failure of Prima.
Ward, and Co., New York, vetch caused an interruption to buoimee
with that agency. &meetly, an advance Wok place in ex-
change In America, which occasioned a corresponding the
here. At the oatue time the Commissariat was urgetiating
government paper here at a lower exchange than the
hooka. In the third place lawas acting in accordance with direction
in a letter from the secretary—Mr. Robertson, datei the 23rd Ode.
ber, 1847, desiring caution ill the negotiutiun of bills of exchange."
The mere*. y stales—" that when he discovered that there would Mt
a deficiency of specie, from the proceeding+ of the cornmiseariet,
issued circulars to the managers of the branch banks (this
branch included) to prepare by remittance to protect the
credit of the institution, in London; and thereby have the
means on which at all times he could raise specie, by
gelling at St. Thomas or otherwise, where thecae could be procured
on the most advantageous terms. ilia iustructions in -friniciad were,
to a certain extent, Hot curried out, from necesaity ; and in
liarbadoes, no attention wee paid to them, that he could
perceive. The murmeer's utter disregard of his instructions
and recommendations, and his neglecting to answer letters
addressed to him by order of the directors, canoed him at hat to
abstain from advising him, ant I be saw the maid approaching, when
he stated to the manager that We comminsary.general hod informed
him that he was prepared Cu receive trailers for a very large amount ;
and thelised that he (the manager) should look to the names of the
parties having th- means of drawing upon him, that he might
prevent their tendering for bill, and thereby prevent disappointment
to depositors. That at that time the manager 11411indispoeed as to
health, but his duties were still carried on. That at that time there I
were no funds in the banker's hands that he could attempt to draw
fur, the capital and deposits of this island having been atatobred in
oral advance."
The committee found that undue accommodation to a large amount
had been given to ludic-M.ls, whose accounts show them heavily in-
debted to the book. They also find that each credits to • very large
amount have been granted from time to time by the directors; and
which in many instanced have not been operated upon benencially to
the bank. The manager has also incautiously suffered one of them
to be drawn upon before the necem.ry security bond wart completed;
and imprudently allowed many—including some current or run-
Theeta, to he oyerdnewn to • very considerable amount.
committee have examined the aeoounts and document.) sub-
mitted to their inspection to the 27th of November last; and they think
that after all engigemente are token into consideration, and estima-
ting a very liberal allowance fur i.e, there will he a large ourplua
of the paid. up capital remaining, and by collecting the debts firmly,
but with discretion, considerably reducing the cash credits by closing
some of them altogether, and by lessening the amount
of others; by tee delimitate granting a few months de.
(maniac under an allowance of full interest; by adopting • different
system of management, and placing the oitablishmeut under an active
supervision by a commission—the committee see no reason why the
bank may not at a given time resume operation.
A resolution was ultimately adopted that the report
brought up be referred to the directors for their considera-
tion, and for any obervations they may think fit to make on
it—and that this he expected from them at their next general
meeting, on the sth January.
The legislature was opened by the governor with the usual
form on the 30th of Dec.

THE SOUTHAMPTON PORTION OF THE INDIA MAIL.
—The Indus, with the second portion of the .set overland
India mail, arrive dat Southampton on Saturday. She ex-
perienced dreadful weather in the Mediterranean; both
topmasts splintered by lightning.

VW Court.
WINDFOR, SUNDAT.—Yesterday, the Duke of
Norfolk, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, and Sir R.
and Lady Gardiner took their departure from the Castle.
The King and Queen of the Belgians visited the
Duchess of Kent, yesterday afternoon, at her residence,
Frogmore-house.
The royal dinner party at the Castle yesterday
evening included the King and Queen of the Belgians, the
Duchess of Kent, MAIL and Madame Van de Weyer, La
Marquise de Trarlynies, Ludy I,4uny Howard, Baroness de
Speth, and Major de Meerkerke.
The Queen and Prince Albert, the King of the
Belgians, the ladies and gentlemen of the court, and the
domestic household attended divine service, this morning,
in the private chapel of the Castle ; the Ron. and Rev. C. L.
Courtenay officiated.
The Queen of the Belgians attended divine service
at the Roman catholic chapel, Spital.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied
by Prince Fredtrii k of IL sae, and attended by Lady
Augusta C ...Innen and Baron Knescbeck, 'mired at their
residence at Kew on Saturday, trom honouring the Duke of
Rutland with a visit, at Belvoir Castle.
Viscount Palmerston arrived in town on Saturday
afternoon, from Windsor C vele

SURVEYOR OF TILE NAVY.—CaptaiP Sir Baldwin
Wake Walks, K.C.8., to whom is offered the appointment
of surveyor of the navy, is expected in England, from the
Pacific, vui Panama, by the neat West India mail steam-
packet. Mr. Edvc, the deputy surveyor, has been granted
the salary of surveyor, namely, at the rate of 1,0001. per an-
num, since the retirement of Sir William Symonds.— United
Service Gazette.
MR. PENDARVES, M.P.—The rumours respecting
the decease of the hon member for West Cornwall (E. W. W.
Pendarves, E-q.) are invorect ; the worst fears were enter-
tained by hi. friends of his recovery, but happily accounts
have bscn rev. iced which warrant a belief that the health of
the hon. go:lle:inn has rallied, if not pronounced out of im
mediate danger.

THE WEST INDIA ASSOCIATION.—On faraday,
the 27th instant, a deputation of the West India Association,
Brook-street. consisting of the following gentlemen, were in-
troduced to Earl Gres-, by Mr. Pattison, the member for the
City of London : Dr. Hodgkin, chairman ; Dr. Norton Shaw,
hon. sec.; Mr. Mai., Mr. Geddes, Mr. Land, Mr. Cargill,
Dr. Fergusson, and Mr. H. li. Cohen, of Jamaica; Colonel
Warren, of Demerara; Captain Sughrue, of Trinidad ; Mr.
Jahn Hodgkin, Mr. Cornelius llandbury, and Mr. Robert
Alsop.—Mr. Pattison, in introducing the deputation, stated
that among those introduced to his lordship were several
determined free traders; that he (Mr. Pattison) did
not wish to identify himself with the question
advocated by the deputation, and that he would
leave them therefore to speak for themselves.—
An address was then read by Dr. Norton Shaw, stating that
the deputation represented some anti slavery gentlemen, as
well as some West Indians, and that there were same free-
traders among them. It recommended a permanent differen-
t tial duty on slave-grown sugar. His lordship listened to the
address with much apparent interest, and acknowledged the
great importance of the subject, which he stated was occupy-
ing the serious consideration of her Majesty's government,
and the result of their deliberation would very shortly be
made known in parliament. —Dr. Hodgkin then stated to hie