The Express.
London, England, 1849-03-10 00:00:00

THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

DEPUTATION TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL.
A deputation on the navigation laws had an inter-
view with Lord John Russell yesterday, at his official red.
dente in Downing-soreet—the deputation consisted of Mr.
John Masterrams, M.P., Sir Haworth Williamson, Bart.,
H.P., Mr. L. W. Buck, M.P., Mr. E. Cardwell, M.P.,
Sir T. B. Hire', Bart , M.P., Mr. E. S. Ceyley, M.P., Sir
John V. B. Jobastone, Bart., M.P., the gad Mulgrave,
M.P. ; Mr. Duncan Dunbar, Chairman of the Central Com-
mittee for upholding the Principles of the Navigation ; Mr.
G. F. Young, Chairmen of the General Shipowner,. Society;
Mr.'W. Tindall, D.,puty Chairman, and Mears. A. Ridley
and W, Phillips, member, of the Committee of the (leniyel
; T. 12:11., M. C. Chapelle's, its.A
W. R. Coulborn, a deputation from Liverpool ; Messrs. W.
Ord, Thomas B. Simey and Robert Brown, a deputation
from Sunderland ; Messrs. Hodgson Smith, Michael Hick,
and William B Fowler, a deputation from Scarborough;
Mr. Joseph Straker, deriutyfrom North Shields; Mr. Thom..
18. Chanter, deputy from Barnstaple and Bideford; Mr.
I William Ash. deputy from Exeter; Mr. W. C. Harnett,
deputy frets Whitebaven; Mr. Thomas Restarick, deputy
from Devosport ; Messrs. William Smith arid Thomas H.
Henderson, a deputation from Newcastle ; Mr. John Pope,
deputy from Plymouth ; Messrs. Meek Whitwell and Wil-
liam Braes, a deputation from Bristol; Messrs. Hamlin
Hercus, and Cutnbert, a deputation from Greenock ;• Mr.
Robert Odkisua, deputy from port Glasgow ; and Mr. W.
Boner, secretary to the General Shipowners' Society.
The deputation were introduced to his lordship by Mr.
Masternma, M.P., and Mr. Cardwell, M.P.
Mr. DUNBAR having explained that the deputation
waited on him to solicit from his lordship a tro•consideration
of the bill introduced into the House of Commons to nerd
the navigation laws, and having explained his own view,
several of the other gentlemen addressed his lordship.
Lord J. RUSSELL said.—This is not a new question at
all. lam very happy to hear all the representations that
hou tan make, but I cannot consider it as a new question,
eld out for the first time, on whisk opinions are to be taken,
—a measure having been introduced last year on the sail ett, on
hiel apm ,kal of discussion took place. I feel Mr. Young as
wit ge 2`„; other raembees of the deputation have pot forth
the objeetitna tit the leoPelled mosatife pat ability
and information ; but mallet regard this as a new ques-
tion which I should take into consideration, or one on which
my mind is cot mado up ; and therefore, receiving your re-
presentations, and very math lamenting that Ido not take
the same view as yourselves, I as only my we must proceed
with the bill, which is to be brought forward to night.
The deputatioa then withdrew.

GOVERNMENT AID TO IRISH RAILWAYS.
A meet.n; of members of parliament of all shades
of political feeling was held on Thursday at one of the oosa-
mittee-roome of the House of Commons, with the view of
considering what measures should be taken in the insert
distressed condition of Ireland, for procuring permanent
assistance towards the construction of railways in that
country, and the employment of the destitute people. Sir
Lucius O'Brien. Bart., M.P., was celled to the chair. Major
Blacken and Colonel Dunne were appointed secretariee.
A deputation was in attendance from Nome of the railway
compaties at present entitled to borrow money on the secu-
rity of the works, under the act of parliament. Those gen-
tlemen laid before the meeting a plan which it was said bad
already received the favourable consideration of the Lord
Lieutenant or Ireland. The plan was explained in the
Express of the 28th Feb.
Mr. Reynolds, Sir R. Ferguoe, Mr. St George, Sir
Andrew Armstrong, Sir Lucius O'Brien, Lord Mandeville,
Mr. Fagan, and other gentlemen present addressed the
meeting at some length, and expatiated on the advantage
in the increase of employment, the lesseningment, of destitu-
tion, and the consequent diminution of poor rates, which
had been as:ertained to have resulted to the district of
country traversed by the Great Southern and Western line,
in consequeoce of that company having been enabled by the
Revetment loan of 800,0001. to carry forward their works.
With the view of removing the unfounded prejudice so gene-
rani entertained, that a government lean for public works
in Ireland was equivalent to a government gift, it wee stated
on the authority of the Secretary of the Exchequer Loan
Commissioners, that of the money advances made by that
body for Irish works, aU bad been paid with two exceptions,
and that in thosetwo cases of default the commissioners had
not been allowed to exercise their own discretion as to the
security, but were compelled by the government to grant the
loan.
After the deputation had made their statement, the entire
question was discussed at considerable length—the unani-
mous feeling of the meeting being, that the best interests of Ire-
land required that active and immediate steps should betaken
for procuring such government aid as would serve to secure
the completion of those railways which are now partially
formed, but unable, from want of funds, to carry on their
works to completion. It was also strongly urged and uanh
meusly acquiesced in, that the present was a most suitable
moment for peeving the case on the consideration of the go-
vernment ; and as it appeared from the vote on the rate in
aid that Ireland was henceforth to be exclusively charged
with the support of her destitute poor, it was contended she
might justly claim such • temporary advance of funds, by
way of loan, as would enable her, by affording employment
in the construction of railways, to relieve in some measure
the present destitution of her people, and to give to her
agriculture its only hope of success, ready access for its pro-
duce to the market.
On the motion of Sir R. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. St.
George, it was resolved that the chairman 'timid write to
Lord John Russell, requesting him to appoint an early day
for receiving a deputetion on this important subject. The
noble lord, on yesterday afternoon, replied to the communi-
cation, by expressing his readiness to afford an interview,
and appointing a day for that purpose.

Cnotzu.—Yesterday the following fresh oases
were reported to the Board of Health :-Bt. Georg* in
the East, 1 fatal; Bdiabargb, 1; Glasgow, 3, 1 fatal ; Kit-
bind*, 3 ; Ricearton, 1 ; Hamilton, 1; Greenock, 1; Old
Monkland, from 27th ult., 21, 12 fatal; Charlestown, Dan-
ferieline, 4, 1 fatal.—Total, 36 new sues; 16 deaths.

ABOLITION OF CIIIIRCIT RATBS.-MEETINO OP
DISSIWTABS. —Yesterday a general meeting of the pro-
testant dissenting deputies, who represent eoneregations io
the metropolitan districts, took place at the King's Head,
Poultry. The special object of the meeting WAS to afford an
°molt inity of deliberation to the deputies respe:ting the
adoption of measures calculated to secure support end atten-
tion for Mr. Teslawny's motion for the abolition of church
rates, which comes on in the House of Commons on Tuesday
next. Mr. J. R. Mille having been callnd to the chair,
stated that their committee had had an interview with Mr.
Trelawny, and they were happy that the motion of which
he had riven notice, and which he would move on Tuesday
next, was for the total abolition of chnrck-rates as they now
existed. Letters were read from several members of par-
liament, promising to support Mr. Trelawny's motion, end
arrangements were made for sending deputations from the
dissenting body to the metropolitan representatives, for the
purpose of endeavouring to procure their support also. The
meeting then separated.