The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-31 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 31, 1848.

how or other this apparent system turas out to be no
system at all. It is clear that no rule has been UNITED STATES-MEXICO.
established. Luck is the sole guide; and hon. -----.-
members, instead of being tried by a majority of The Britannia, Capt. Song., arrived yesterday at
friends, find, like the hon. members for Leicester and Liverpool from Boston, bringing—besides 3,0001. in
Cheltenham, that the mode of appointment has been specie, and 41 passengers—files from New York
reversed, and they have to save their seats as best up to 16th lied. ; Boston, 17th; New Orleans, Bth ;
they can against a majority of political opponents. Mexico, April 27,1; and Queretaro, 25th April.
We will not discuss the individual impartiality of The United States news possesses little interest.
the two hon. members who have born so recently se_ Some anxiety was felt respecting the result of the
seated as chairmen, for the Le
committee is elections in France, which was relieved by the arrival
still sitting ; and Mn M. J. O'Costs ELL of the Cambria. Fears were, however, still enter-
rather conspicuously manifested his absence of fluted of a reaction of the recent political ,convulsions,
party bias, when, on the Lincoln commit. not only in France, but throughout Europe. A gene-
tee, he gave the casting vete, and divided with eel stagnation of trade has been the consequence,
the two tory members against the liberal member, which, says the New York Courier and Enquirer,
Mr.
which but it is clear that the disadvantages "brie distress, or at least, discouragement to many
midst- which a member defending his seat labours— a fireside, which little dreamed that its well-being
enough before a friendly tribunal—are vastly in- was at all connected with any condition of European
creased when the majority is against him. It is the Politica?
fashion to praise the working of the existing plan : The commercial accounts by the Cambria, although
yet when it is examined there is the same inherent favourable, did not produce any movement in the
defect as there has been in all former modes of in- markets.
It is not pretended that hon. members are The proposition to aid Yucatan has made no pro
free from a bias in favour of their own friends; it is rest. 'there seemed to be a desire, rather implied
only a part of human nature that son leaning than expressed, in the executive party in the senate,
should exist and the care which the Speaker takes to follow up aid by annexation. ouch a measure
to name men from. opposite sides, and which would, it appears from the tone of most of the oppoid-
the committee take in selecting the chair_ tion speeches, and a vast majority of the papers, be
men's panel, and afterwards in choosing the decidedly unpopular. Meanwhile the province re-
members for ea.rh particular case, shows that honour- rained in great need of some kind of succour. The
able members themsevs do not believe that the or_ ludians were committing great depredations, and the
dinary weakness ..fl
ailn is lost whenever the three- whites were flocking for protection to Belize, and her
hold of a committee roam is passed, or that the re- Majesty's superintendent had despatched two large
duction of the numbers from 11 to 5 has quite vessels to bring away any who may wish to avail
changed our nature. ()I this bias the committees are themselves of this opportunity. Many rumours of
possibly unconscious, but it exists and manifests itself horrid murders are rite among
.the poor refugees, as
el seem horrified and panic-stricken.
in trifling and in more weighty points. Take for in-
stance, the propriety of 'toeing a particular question The Indians had taken the town of Balcalar, in
the south-eastern part of Yucatan. No fortifications
—what one committee will allow, another may not
had been thrown up on the aide towards the moun-
permit to be put, and the judgment may most maters- twins and by that way the Indigos broke in and at
ally affect the parties. Or the question of agency, on
once commenced burning and pillaging. The whole
which, rather than on the main facts, the bulk of the
town was soon laid in ruins. Some 40(1 or 500
cases have this year depended : Mr. HAMILTON, in
Yucateese retired into forts. Belize itself was in
the Bolton committee, may be satisfied with nothing
imminent danger of an attack. At the last accounts
short of the strictest legal agency, and may require it
10,000 Indiana were on the Itio Honda, 40 miles
to be proved that hie political friend actually knew of
south of Balcalar, and the inhabitants of Belize were
the illegal act and adopted it, being satisfied in his
holding meetings to prepare for their approach.
own mind that his friend never would have
Orders had been sent to Jamaica for more troops.
sanctioned it if it had come to his know-
The Indians had elected a king, under the name of
ledge. Whilst with respect to the members of
Tutulxiu, which was the name of their king or chief
another party, of whose mode of conduct harsh things
only have met the ear, Mr. KER SETMER may deem before the conquest by the Spaniards.
From Mexico we learn that the great difficulty in
it sufficient proof of agency, that in some public
the way of ratifying the treaty with the United
street the member and tome active man spoke tether,
other, or peradventure walked arm in arm togr, States was that of getting together a sufficient num-
ber of members of Congress at Queretaro to form a
and finally had a cup of tea at the close of the mem-
point sas quorum. There seemed to be no lack of will on the
I bar's long day's canvass. It is upon such part of the distant representatives but a want of
these that hon. members may be unconsciously
money to defray their necessary expenses. To meet
swayed. Indiscreet, impracticable, violent men,
this How had enforced a sort of loan of 150,000
there will be attached to every side in every election,
dollars to 200,000 dollars, to be employed exclusively
and the more unscrupulous the man is, the more
by the government to pay the necessary expenses in
assembling the general congress, and for its support
active he becomes; and the less the real agent or the
member knows of his doings. To defend the seat,
in this city for two months.
when evil practices have been carried out by such
men, is hard enough ;if the member or his reopen- 'this measure was, it would seem, successful, and
the latest advices front Queretaro announce that a
Bible supporters authorise, or sanction, or recognise
quorum was almost formed. It was imperative that
the acts, the member ought to be responsible ; but
where he has been ignorant of all that has been core the treaty should have been ratified by the 15th of the
sup?, and knows nothing directly or indirectly of the current month. The U. S. peace commissioners were
to leave the city of Mexico on the 30th ult. for Queer-
parties with whose acts it is so sought to involve him, it with the anomalous escort of a " squa
is only common fairness that he shall be tried before a
taro, dron of
cavalry."
tribunal, not only the most pure, bat above all suspi-
cion, and that he shall not suffer for the hot-headed Meanwhile new revolutionary movements were
breaking out in San Luis, in consequence of the pre-
and corrupt proceedings of every man of the party
sence of Psredes in that city ; and a rebellion was in
who moved in the election. progress at Sierra Gorda. this state of things does
Of the existitig chairmen two only (Mr. STUART Pcog
not look well for the peace of the republic.
WORTLEY and :Sir. GRANGER) are lawyers of cmi-A revolution had broken out at St. Domingo. This
nonce
; the rest are very good men, no doubt, some
news was brought to New York by the brig Ells
with slight experience at the bar, and others as chair-
t. Williams.
men of quarter sessions. These are not persons to worth,The Cap
people, throughout the whole extent of the island,
whom a judicial inquiry, involving all the niceties of were.
,si arming against
anarth.e. government. The
at night
ari previous
the law of evidence, should be entrusted. What is
required is a competent tribunal, independent of the which was to b`joined )anotht force !if insurgegts, ';',01!)0
house, of whose strict impartiality no one can for an strong, raised Jacrnel, and both together were to give
battle t i the government troops. The people appeared to be
instant doubt. Every one sees the purity and the in-
much exasperatedo ogai,at the president. While lying about'
tegrity of the bench of judges, and no eon Rude that during lvcirilim wh
eme hieeahrdeerrred '
the House of Commons have lust any constitutional thretYdelnylisefsterr 11 degprarrene'
rights by allowing the Common Pleas to decide an- the e ntire day the email Mt hea4 guns landward, and It:enhni!
cording to law the question of the franchise ; and (erred that the insurgents and government forces had met,
and were fighting near Port au Prince.
good sense would dictate the delegation of the powers
of election committees to a purely legal tribunal, Adviecs from Venezuela are to the 30th of April.
The British consul was about to leave that state. The
where matters will not be decided at hap-hazard or
civil war still raged.
from any latent political feeling. We want not to
screen the guilty, but we require that those who are
really both morally and legally free from stain should
not be made the scapegoats of electoral impurity.

WE believe we may announce with perfect accu-
racy that her Majesty's ministers will be prepared
early in the next et scion of parliament to re-introduce
into the House of Commons that Bill for the Removal
of the Jewish Disabilities which it has pleased the
House of Lords to reject this session. This is a very
proper resolution on the part of government; and if
the bill when re-introduced be then only passed
through the lower house with greater promptitude,
and with larger majorities than it lately was, little
fear of its success nerd be apprehended.
Meanwhile Mr. ROTHSCHILD has been rec3m-
mended by his political friends and leading supporters
to present himself as a member for London at the bar
of the house. On the oaths being presented to him,
he will of course decline to take them ; and with that
refusal his duty will terminate. What remains is for
the house to decide. It may either hear counsel on
the question of the oaths at the bar, or refer that
question to the coneideration of a select committee, or
at once issue a new writ, or take no steps in the
matter. But, whatever may be done, it cannot be
the policy of the liberal party in the house, we should
suppose, to originate any motion for a new writ,
though it is most certainly the duty c.f the liberal
party in the City, should a writ be issued, to re-elect
lir. ROTHSCHILD, and thereby show the House of
Lords the sense of that great constituency on their
monstrous decision.
The course most desirable is, we think, to allow
Mr. ROTHSCHILD to remain member, to await the
events of the next session. But, as this is a question
in which the City constituency thateepy interested,
it would probably be as well they should pro-
nounce on it.

COMIdEILCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
New Yoatt, MAT 16.—MONET.—The large aggregate
export of specie within the last four and a half months, amounting to
about one and one quarter million a month, excites some little uneasi-
ness—and if business generally was more active and thexcite demands
great
upon the banks were equal to the average calls, would e
uneminese. The banks, nevertheless, are Ptrong, and proceed in their
usual course—cautiously but not rigidly. Eschalliff 06 [Ando', raw
at limn 104 to 11. The government stocks keep well up. United
Slav P SLacti of '67, command from 104 to 44; and Treasury Notes,
bearing 6 per cent. interest, convertible Into e 6 per cent. stock at the
plramire of the ladder, and,
bearing, meanwhile, 6 per cent. interest,
bring from 1024 to 1024.
Corner.—Toe rnarket is quiet. The sake since the arrival of
the Cambria do not probably exceed 1,000 bales—ate following quo*
tAlioll2l : Upland& Florida. Mob. &N. Orlns.
Inferior
Ordinary to good ordinary st to 3 ......... to 54
Middling to gaol middling
Middling fair to fair 6to .. .. to I
....
Fully fair to good !air 7 to 7
rine.
BRIAOPTCTIP.—Since the ailing of the steamer America the mar-
ket for flour has been dull and declining. Priceis havin been
nd on
late
the
advance for some time previous, owing to the short supply a
opening of the canal, have, since the receipts were at hand, taken a
downward track - the range for the better brands of Oenemee have
been from G doL 50e. down to 6 dol. 184 e. and 6 dol. 25c. to G
closing
dol. for
the common kinds, including Oswr go, Ohio, and Miehigan—
dull at the ;carat quotations—buyers not being willing to operate at
' over 6 dol.; to arrive during the month it is offered at 5 dol. 624 e. to
5 dol. line—India meal sells at 2 dol. 44c. to 2 d. 1. 50c. for Jersey,
and etc flour at 3 di 625.—Wheat is in fair demand for home use,
at 1354. to 1404. for Genesee, and 1500. for Obto mixed. Indian
corn is in light supply, with • good export demand, and has slightly
inleanoed —the sans being at Inc. to 55e. for Jersey yellow, and SIC.
to 56c. for Southern mixed.—Barley Is out of waren, and held at 60e.
to 05c.—Oats sell at tSe. to etic.—Ry4s, 72c. to 73c.—The receipts of
New York State and Western flour since the opening of navigation
' to 63,592 brls.

GERMANY.

PRUSSIA.—FRANKFORT, MAY 26.—Tile CoN-
ATITUENT ASSEMBLY.—This day the assembly
was chiefly occupied with the report of the
committee appointed to investigate the origin of
the recent melancholy collisions at Mayence.
It appears by it that on the 21st inst., the
towns people were the originators of the conflict,
which ended on that day in the death of 6 Prussian
soldiers. The majority of the committee decided in
favour of the reorganisation of the civic guard of May-
ence. Finally, the assembly voted, by a small majo-
rity, the order of the day, with tha hope that " go-
vernment would do their duty." In consequence of
this decision the greatest excitement prevailed during
the evening of the 26th in Frank ort, and extraordinary
military measures were taken to prevent or repress
disorder. Martial law was again proclaimed at is,-
ence on the 25th.
BERLIN, MAY 26.—The constituent assembly has
appointed a commission to draw up a report respecting
the arrest of Herr Waldener (a member of the as-
sembly) at Treves, on the charge of taking part in
the recent disturbances in that place. Herr Milde. of
Breslaw (an opposition member of the late Prussian
Diet), has been nominated President of the National
Assembly.
AUSTRIA.—VIENNA, MAY 25.—Counts Hoyos
and Wilczek returned to Vienna last night from their
mission to the Emperor at Innspruck. They were
the bearers of a letter to Baron Pillersdorf, in which,
in reply to the entreaty of the ministry that his
Majesty would return forthwith to Vienna, the
Emperor says that the city has of late deviated so
fearfully from the loyalty which it has always mani-
fested towards him and his ancestors, that he felt
compelled to quit it for a season, nor did
he intend to return thither till such time as he should
be fully persuaded that it had returned to its former
allegiance. The Emperor says, in conclusion, that
he feels persuaded that the ministers will continue
to transact all business which may be called for by
the state of the empire or the welfare of the throne
and that his Majesty's temporary change of residence
would by no means be permitted to interrupt the
regular course of business.
The numerous addresses that have been presented
from almost every part of his Majesty's dominions,
speak in terms of the highest indignation of the ex-
cesses which took place in the capital on the 15th of
May. Nearly all of them entreat his Majesty to
transfer his capital and the national diet from Vienna
to some other city.
The Wiener Zeitung of the 25th says, that from a
report from Count Radetzki, received by thevident e Minister
of War, dated Verona, May 19, is
material change has taken place in his position, and
that the rumour which was in circulation yesterday
of the fall of the fortress of Peachier& was u'terly
without foundation.
PRAGUE.—The flight of the Emperor from Vienna
has had the notable effect of making the Bohemians
at once consent to elect deputies for the Diet of
Frankfort. The Vienna bank has ceased cash pay-
menta.

WHATEVER may be the intentions of the present
House of Commons urn the motion for further re-
form and the prevention of bribery, there is one point
on which all representatives must be agreed—the
tire helplessness helplessness of honourable and untainted mem-
bers, when charges ot corruption are brought against
themselves or their supposed agents. They are
the mercy of unscrupulous witnesses and committee-
men unused to the sifting of evidence. The present
system of trying election petitions may be an im-
provement upon the schemes which preceded it : the
old custom of balloting for a certain number, and
then reducing the list by what was technically called
" knocking the brains out of the committee," and
ultimately leaving a majority of partisans to decide
the fate of the member or the petitioner, according to
the political opinions of that majority, rather than
the evidence, may have been somewhat better than
the still older plan of putting the question of the
right to sit directly. to a vote of the whole house, and
taking the decision of a majority of that as-
sembly ; but mend it and patch it we
will, there is the same inherent vice in
the whole plan. Put it in any way, there must still
be a political majority, one way or the other, on the
tribunal before which these questions are now and
have heretofore been decided. Once it was the actual
majority of the minister of the day ; next it was the
casual majority which the ballot box gave ; now it is
an avowed and ascertained majority, made on the ap-
pointment of the chairman by the committee of elec-
tions, or the chairman's panel, to whom the house has
delegated this most important power.
The custom which has obtained under PEEL'S last
bill has been for the Speaker to name for the general
committee an equal number of members from each
political party; whilst, under Sir ROBERT PEEL'S
government, he had the balance, as the chairman was
of his friends, and, under the RUSSELL government,
the Secretary at War (Mr. Fox MauLE) is chair-
man. Upon this general committee devolves
the nomination of a certain number of mem-
bers to act as chairmen, and they become,
what is technically called, the "chairman's paneL" In
the present session a round dozen were named, and
here again an equal number was taken front the whig
and tory parties—six of one, and ball-a-dozen of the
other. Of the parties selected a word or two
presently.
On the reference of a petition to the general
committee of elections they meet, and according to
custom, name four members to try the petition, two
on one side and two on the other, without much re-
gard to their legal knowledge or general abilities. It
ts manifest, therefore, that the political complexion of
the committee and the turn which will be given to
the inquiry, will wholly depend on the chairman, and
where
the general committee do not directly inter,fere,
the " chairman's panel " virtually selects the balanc-
ing power; they report to the general committee who
is to make the all important majority.
Now we do not pretend to a knowledge of the mys-
teries by which the Individual chairman of each com-
mittee is selected. It is obviously the most material
part of the system, and some very odd result&
follow the plan which is now adopted In the early
days of the present session there seemed to
be something like a rule. The whig and tory chair-
men seemed to come out alternately, and the particu-
larchairman to each committee appeared
because be selected
became of a coincidence ot opimon with the sitting
member: thus Great Marlow and Yarmouth, an
Harwich and Bolton, had tory chairmen; and West
Gloucester, and Derby, and Lanca.ter bad whigs.
This was undoubtedly a fair enough plan, for hon.
members could not be inclined to stretch the
evidence against men who thought with them;
whilst if they reported, as the Great Yarmouth
and the Derby committees did, against members
holding the eame opinions as the majority of the tri-
bunal, there was greater weight given to the decision,
and all tints n's ?natality were thrown away. Some-

bt Court.
The Queen Dowager visited tile Duchess of
g Cam-
bride yesterday.
Prince ueorge has arrived in town from Dublin.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governor of the Mauritius.
to own R
on fight Hon. E. Strutt and Mn.s Stratt returned
Mnday, from Kingston Hall.
COURT AND GENERAL MOURNINO.—An order ap-
pears in a supplement to the Gazette that in consequence
of the demise of the Prince.' Sophia the Court shall go into
mourning from the lit (to-morrow) to the 22nd of June. It
is alms expected that all persons will war decent mourning
for ten days, to commence from to morrow.
____------.,

BELGlUM.—Bitussms, Mat 29.—CwiNGE 07
MII4IBTRY.—The Moniteur of this date contains a decree
ordering that the mina
he
tendered by M. Vezot, of his
office of minister of finance, he accepted, and charging M
Frere Orban, minister of public worka, with the ministry o
finance, ad interim. The Prince of Prussia,
have
court, has not arrived. Their fdaj His s returnedet
to Lacken
about eight o'clock in the evening. H Majesty gave a pd.
vete and official audience to M. Bellooq, accredited minister
plenipotentiary from the French republic to theta lgian go-
vernment. His Masty received M. Bellow; groat dis-
tinction ; General Dupont, aide-de-camp to his Majesty,
having been sent with two royal carriage., bconvey the
minister and his attendants to the palace. The King ex-
pressed his desire that the friendly relations between the two
countries might be consolidated.

two of am essepany's ships bates third" lega esagrylid,rlow
line tarp the bast all MMUS. Os hesseleettrier
whir le twared by the leder miler the had of ifs
nkstver b sugar la versus Inure little sheet
301 y awl ths sea freeman Is re lea Mho maths las
not been IN Gra ernes atria a hop war le fa-
vested la seallstalwing • ea way* et hid et GRIM Agree* 01111•11.
By fie ths mar isperhe pert NOB to tubbisZn eetsbasholla ths
Externßiss, vbs es . amigo Moak at rig resieregalni
to be kept up The dkargrovi of ea imp* el seeds at
Leman, and oaths rdaltaid of Borns*, whir bee hissa aroneared
by the Culcutta Coal Orairees to be si! to the bat Owlish soul,
and better than any Worn pro
labial. Is a Natter of pecu-
liar interest to this imeraty, gad r seta theartations of the
lectern Archipelago Company to the 6~27 Ws It a duty to
ald) are sufficiently matured to admit
td their supplying coals at
seduced rate to the never.' depots at Mug Kong. Ringueores
and other places, for the use of your vewels, the saving Of
expense under this Important bead will In that case be considerable. '1
Since the annual Inertial in December the directors have considered
It dateable to send out to India the company'', steamship the Oriental,
of 1,780 lona, for the Calcutta and Suer lute, and also th•• Achilles,
of 1,000 tons, to be placed upon the Bombay and China
line, as the traffic upon the latter by the company...ships has already
considerably increased, and Is likely still further to extend itself.
The company'. new steam-vowel, the Canton. intended
for wy'kc°
between hung-hang, Macao, and Canton, Is now completed, and
will shortly take her dep inure for China. In the report made
In May, 1847, it was stated that the directors contemplated
taking the necessary steps in the course ol that year to lerue shares to
the proprietors on terms beneficial to them, to represent the addi-
tional capital sanctioned by the lords of the 'I manor, to be mind;
Out the stole of the money market since that time petaled out to the
hood the propriety of holding that measure in abeyance, it being con-
sidered mole desirable to adopt the temporary expedient of employ-
ing pert of the referred fund to meet demands legitimately belonging
to "capital amount." The amount that will be required for date pur-
pose, during the year IBM, cannot arced from 80,0001. to 100,0001.;
and as many inquiries have been made by proprietors who are desi-
rous of investing In thaw securities, the direetors wl'l
take an
early opportunity of adopting the necessary steps and making known
the condition+ upon which such additional capital will be raised.
It may here be satisfactory to state that the total amount of out-
Monate instohnosta on shame to thin date does not exceed 3,1751.
In consquence of the rate of the Royal Tar, oral the loss of the Tiber,
Is 180, the directors have purchased the Won ship, Jupiter, which
vowel is well adapted for the mall contract service on the peninsular
line. By this measure, and by the thinthuti in of the service in the
Mediterranean, which will release the Ariel from duty there, the
directors are now enabled to klispeape with the use of any chartered
ship ; and Slay beer to report that, considering the extent of service
to be annually performed, the company has never, since its forma-
tion, been to the efficient working state that it is in at the pre-
sent moment. rho company's new steam-ship, the Euxine, has
Been stationed on the Constantinople line since
In Janother January
et and from her great capacity, and periority
reWsp,
ecnt is tultairubly adapted for the service she is engaged In, and it
is expected toil fnereine the company's receipts upon that important
branch of Its operations. Reference has been made from time to
thee, at othetiatp of the proprietors, to the facilities for tranait of pas-
onagers and goods through Egypt, and the directors are enabled to
state that it has been much improved during the last twelve months.
The Poeba of Egypt requested the directors of this company to
contract on his account fur the a instruction of a very
superior strain vessel, for posseinters' accommtalation on
the Nile, which is in course of completion in Lowlim ; the
needful pandit for this object hare been received by the directors, end
it is expected that she .111 arrive in Alexandria in August or Sep-
tonbet next. The b dame of profit and Ices for six montiv, after pro-
viding for the ineurance and repairs accounts, will he 020291. Ile 2d.,
from which the Awn of 169151. (being at the rate of five per cent.
per annum on the value of the company's ships afloat) boa tote de-
ducted, and carried to them.. dit of " depreciation account" ; net
hulanee then available for dividend for the half-year ending 3lst March
last will be 15,7111. II s. 2d. The breed of directo rs, therefore, re-
commend that the usual dividend of four per cent. (frec of incon.e tax)
for the Aix months be now declared, and some payable on and after
the 22nd June next.
Mr. 3 C. MORRIA, in moving the adoption of the report, ex-
preocd his satisfaction at the rate of the company's accounts,
which he bad recently investigated with conaderable
minuteness. The points en which he had hail any doubt
were onl' two in number. The first was with regard to the
reserve fund of 100,0001., which he tuned, with the excep-
tion of 34,0001., was not invested in any public sr curities ; he
had, however, come to the cinclusion that the course
pursued by the directors in this respect wee a mostjudicious
one; in
hen as the amount, if so invested, would not yield
more than 3 or 31 per cent., while, under the pr -sent system,
forming as it did a part of the stork of the company, it
yielded 8 per cent., or in other words, it enabled the com-
pany to pay 8 per cent., which could not be the can .4 the
difference in the interest was wi..hdrawn. The other pint
to which he referred was with regard to the condition of the
company in the event of a war.
Mr. CARLETON, one of the managing directors, said it would
be impossible to say, with any degree of accuracy, what would
he the position of the owners of shipping property in the
event of a war ; but he had taken the opinion of several prac-
tical persons on the subject, and had heard but one opinion
expressed—that a war would increase the value of shipping
property by from 25 to 50 per cent. He would leave it to
others to say how far that expectation might be realised in
their particular case. With regard to the reserve fund he could
speak with more accuracy. When the accounts were last made
up there had been a sum reserved out of the pr 06,5 to meet
the several risks of assurance and depreciation of property
under those two several heads. The insurance account wag
123,5391.; and the depreciation account. which was a charge
of 5 per cent. on the value of the ships, made every year
out of the profile, amounted to 1.18,3191. In the event of
a loss of any of the company's ships, there were those two
accounts to supply it, in addition to the amount for which
any such vessel was insured from the underwriters at Lloyds.
In the case of the Great Liverpool, the loss of that smelted
been supplied without touching the original capital of the
company. In order that there might be no delay in supply-
ing the place of a lost vessel, the directors. had considered it
expedient to have several ships in progress, and that plea
was always acted on. The capital of the company
was one million, independently of the new capital which
they were authorised to raise. On the score of that amount
they hal received in money 971,9651., and they had. built
ships costing more than 1,176,000/. They had also a re-
pair account, which was a per centage charged out of the
profits to provide for anticipated repairs. That account had
to its credit at the present time from 30,13E11. to 40,0002. He
considered that the directors bad taken the best means of
devoting their money, which, had it been invested in go-
vernment securities, would not be worth within 10 per cent.
Of its present value.
In answer to Mr. Dent, Mr. CAttLETON further stated that,
in the event of a war, the government hail a right to the
company's vessels, the purchase-money to be settled by
arbitration.
Some conversation then ATOM) out of remarks made by
Mr. BENT, who threw out several suggestions for the ma-
nagement of the company.
Alter some further conversation, Mr. BURTON seconded
the adoption of the report, which woe agreed to unanimously.
A resolution adopting the dividend proposed was also passed.
Mr. CARLETON then wished, before the meetiogrparated,
to make a short statement in reference to a rumour which
had been in circulation some time ago, to the effect that the
company not long ago held bad bills to the extent of 60,0001.
He said they were certainly in a position to encounter heavy
lures, because all their remittances must come in bills from
the East. During the commercial crisis they had MN run-
ning to maturity to the extent of 56,0001., but of those the
only bad bill was one for 801. ; and of another for 1,8001.
there was no doubt of their receiving 1,5001.
Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and the proceed-
+ terminated.

BElttriCK-tIPON-'NEED. —By a notice in the
Gazette of last night Betwick-upon-Tweed is appointed an
English port, from and after the Ist of June next. The limit
of the port will commence at St. Abb's Head, being the
southern extremity of the port of Leith, and continue along
the coasts of the counties of Berwick, Durham, and Nor.
thumherland, to the south aide of the Aln Water, or Creek
of Alnmouth, being the northern extremity of the port of
Shields, in the latter county, and will include the Fern
Islands, and three of the lesser islands. The limits seaward
are to extend to the die:since of three miles from low-water
mark out to sea.

THE REFORM MOVEMENT

MEETING IN SOUTHWARK.
A public meeting of electors of this borough was
held last evening, at tbe Literary Institution, Borough-road,
to consider the propriety of promoting various measures of
parliamentary reform. Mr. Apsley Pellatt presided, and
had
dhatakt geenntplei.manbeatecoweredn-
called upon Mr. Lee Stevens to make some explanation re-
gardimglyitadtheaocorisrtrin
eepofnthdeenemeeewthingich.
PENINSULAR ANI) ORIENTAL STEAM himself and the high bailiff in reference to a requisition
NAVIGATION COMPANY. whict had been addressed to that officer, requesting him to
Yesterday the usual half-yearly meeting of proprie- convene a meeting. The high bailiff had refused to do so
tors was held at the new offices, 122, Leadenhall-street. Sir at thee
t
and place requested, on the ground that
John Pine, Bart, presided. a meeting of the kind should be held at the Town-hall, and
Mr. Howell, the secretary, read the report, whil stated ; fl business hours, in oreer to give every one an opportunity
That during the het half-year the company's ships ham continued of attending.
to perform, with regularity and effency, the terries under contract The CHAlitliAt4 then addressed the meeting, and described
with the Lords Commimioners of the Admiralty. The absence of all the insufficiency of the Reform lull in carrying out the
oh.
casualtlea to the company's 'reels during the period alluded to has jects for which it was framed, and the necessity for further
caused the "Insunouse nand," created for the purpose of meeting
losses, to remain undiminished; at the close of the last year it .
and more active measures. He regretted that Lord John
amounted to 03,5091. 9s. 4d., and out of the mat Rix soonthdprotits Russell end his party, after so promising a beginning as they
it is intended to add the sum of 5,1001., witch will make tbat fund had made by. bringing forward so many useful reforms,
amount to 1T5,6891, Os. MI. The amount of risk covered on the toe- should by their after and recent course have suffered ship-
ing property at Lloyd's and elsewhere is about 500,000/. The board wreck in his estimation and in the estimation of every honest
with much regret emir* the resignation of Bir John Campbell, an in- reformer. It was necessary that thepeople should be
more
ticaution to that effect baring been made by the hon. proprietor in .. .. _ .
3.n.y, lava The b., ap.,„„ jc.hu.,-0,,,,„, a dine., hilly and fairly represented in the House of Commons, that I
to fill the vcancy thus oslimed.. t
he the loot meeting of propels- the suffrage theuld be materially extended, that triennial
tors, the Loreto COMIIIiAI4OIICIII of the Admiralty called for leaden parliaments and electoral districts should be established; and
from this and some other companies for the purpose of conducting Use he urged them, in order to secure these objects, to combine
mail packet service between Mammas, Malta, and Alexandria, the together, and sacrifice small differences in opinion far tie
portion between Marseilles and Malta having hitherto been pert benefit of the common cause.
twice a month by Admiralty packets. For this Rennie, two
waaeW
of 300 horse power, and ace of rso bone power were required. Their Mr. L. STEVENS moved the first resolution. He said
lordships intimated their intention to merge therein part of the ter- they were on that occasion the representatives of eight thous
rice hitherto performed once a month by this company—namely, be- sand elector., of all altars of political opinions, to any 01
tweet, Melts and Alexandria, under a temporarf arrangement made whom the •offered
in 1845. Their lordships have einee determined to conduct this pees/non an opportunity for the expression
branch ef the l't-ollice service with her Majesty's vessels, and have of opinion. He moved:
further decided open his the eemi-mouthly mail between That this me: is of opinion that the political movement made at
Southampton and Malta, which departed on the led of Manchester, and promulgated by Mr. George Wilms. is well timed
each month with Bombay mails. As the only object the and in the right direction • but that whist entirely agreeing in the
directors had in view, In taking this contract in 1815, at an unusually urgent neceseity that edits for the carrying triennial in the
figore, wan to complete the omit arrangements in the Mediterra- u cute, vote by ballot, and equal electoral districts, this meeting is ens
neon connected with India, and thereby to ensure the accommodation satisfied with household suffrage,, but adopts instead residenthil W-
and comfort of
the
coo to and fri m Bombay, the withdrawal of frage, whether by entire or oartial occupancy without reference ha
that service from the oompany is net expected to diminish their pro- rent or property, i,j, upon the
the, r„,,, 0/ itx months, prev
lite, whilst it is the general opinion, and, tacked, it can scarcely be mid..
doubted, that the coat of thc senice, *henceforward to be wormed,
must be materially increased. The proprietors are aware that the 'Lae
_present system of septennial parliaments was prattle-
original contract entered into with the company by her Majesty's Siva Of many evils, prominent among which Mal, that it
government, in 1040, for h mils to and from Alexand was Par allowed the disgraceful coalition which at present existed
a period of five years, and t
at,th, under the arrangement then made. between those two incumbrances to the state—the whip
that mud s. role is cow performed: the amount at present payable for and kirk There were many present, doubtlem, who
the was MOW being 28,b001. per annum. Thor Lord, of the Admiralty aired to hay,
imam
parliament._
(loud cheering)—but he
twine iilvo lately determined upon calling fr tendes for this branch ,
of the ',voice, to come into operation in 1849, the directors have sub- considered that a triennial act was amply euffineat for their
mated a propostrion for perfonsung it upon terms which will main- wants ; for it would be found that under the septennial em
thin the interests of the propnetors, and also provide that, In parliaments on an average had endured for about three
tha, e • in any other future mail service which may be yearn, and therefore it might be justly anticipated that if a
intrustad te this company, the sante sball be performed triennial act was obtained, the system would ap- 1
for the lowest contract payment consistent with efficiency.
Since the cot meeting, the subject of priming aces tirculating the proach as nearly to on annual system as could poosibly
=ma: accounts of the company has been under their consideration. be desired. (Cheers.) An additional reason for advocating
Extgerrned statements of profits, to the prejudice of theact
ompany,
company, a triennial act was that it would procnrt them the support of
A deputation consisting of Lord Ashley, M.P., have Ma n circulated, analog out of the circumstance of the accounts w any in peps°. t.i....in the House of Commons and
nothing made blic • and, as someproprietors le.ve
.expressed a .
Lord Duncan, M.P., the Mayor of Bath, and the town detain upon l'u ,dt , . elsewhere—who were opposed to annual parliaments. Mr.
the subject, the directors ooaaider it may DC Stevens,
clerk, had an interview with Viscount Morpeth, yesterday, edstiseeto decide the q watt. ti at (a a gam si meeting in t •lent reviewed the question of vote by ballot in all
at the office of her Majesty's Commissioners of Hoods end December nest. An anxious desire esker pWC the I:StAblil4l2o
t its bearings ; and pointed out the injmtice of condemning
Forests iu Whitehall.place. al a ecthruuffication by stesm.vesel -. linnet n Tas.aud and ten. tr. i pima es an " an-Berndt '• one, it being, as he main-