The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-12 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 1853.

611e1IFICATION OF ENTRIeS OF FRER GOODS.
12th Head, p. 69 —The proper and primary business of a
revenue department, with respect to free goods, is the bu-
siness of search only; but a previous entry is considtred ab-
solutely necessary.
The present law and practice may not be satisfactory,
but the changes roposi.il by the parliamentary committee
did not appear to tho lords of the Treasury to meet
the difficulties of the case. The subject is still under con-
sideration.
The use of manifests is in future to be dispensed with.
(Does this apply to outward, or to inward manifests, or to
both ?)
Additional facility is recommended for the entry of free
goods, by the establishment of a separate branch for free
entries only • but so far as regards the actual mismination
of such good's, my lords request that, in place of relaxing
the mode of examination, the commissioners of customs will
consider what means they can recommend with a view the
more effectually to prevent the importation of free goods,
and especially such as are bulky, being made the vehicle
fomuggling.
With respect to goods outwards, the recommendations of
the parliamentary committee cannot be adopted ; but
cockets are to be dispensed with, except when the shipper
applies for them, as in some foreign markets they ere of
great utility, being enasiderrd in the light of certificates of
origin.—See Commissioners' Report, p. 37.
[See the suggestions opposite the seventh head, and aloe
a note below.]
This heads much too important to be passed over hastily.
Under the plan proposed the smuggling may be enormous.
As manifests are to be dispensed with, is any other form to
be substituted to show the contents of a cargo? If cockets
are to be abolished, thi re will be great necessity for wa•ching
the old system of dummies." As the extent of smuggling
is now so fully acknowledged, it may be wise to consider
whether each case should not be recorded and published, as
has ba.m frequently suggested by various members of the
committee. There seems to be some misapprehension with
regsrd to the price paid for entries. The usual charge is
2s. 6d. The provisions generally under this head are not
intelligible.
CODIFICATION.
13th Head, p. 70.—A new consolidation of the whole
Customs' laws is to be made in accordance with the Trea-
sury minute, to combine all the new provisions of the laws
passed since thelast revision.
A consolidation of all government orders which it is
thought better not to include in such consolidated act, is to
be made forthwith, and published.
All new orders and regulations to be published from
mouth to month.—Sec Commissioners' Report, p. 46.
[Suggestion 17. That the acts, treasury orders, by-laws,
and board's orders relating to the Customs should be at
once printed with a view to codification, and issued annu-
ally, under the supervision of the board, at a cheap price to
the public.]
It is now more than two years since this codification was
promised, and there is very little hope of obtaining a satis-
factory document, unless something decisive is done at once.
The delay has been most extraordinary. It must be clearly
recited in the preamble of the bill that all former act.,
orders in council, and board orders, are repealed.

THE RECENT CHARGE AGAINST M.
KOssuIII.—MEETING IN LAMBETH.

A very numerously-attended public meetiug of
the inhabitants of the borough of Lambeth was held last
evening, at the Horns, Kenniegton-eomirion, to consider
the alleged employment of the police by the maw nment as
political spies in the ease of M. Kossuth, and especially
in reference to the late proceedings at BSW-street Police-
office.
The chair was taken by Mr. W. WILLIAMS, the member
for the borough. Lord Dudley Stuart, 11.1'., Mr. Mu-
rough, M.l'., and aeveral of the principal inhabitants of
the parish, were present on the platform. Letters were
read from Mr. Wilkinsn, and Sir J. Walmeley,
stating their inability to attend, but expressing sympathy
in the object of the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN, in °peeing the business, expressed his
satisfaction at seeing so many of his constituents present to
join in denouncing a practice foreign to the character and
principles of the English constitution, and which had beta
resorted to contrary to the principles of hospitality which
this country always professed, to bring that illustrious in-
dividual, M. Kossuth, within the grasp of Austrian
tyranny. (Shame.) After setting the police to dog M.
Kessuth's steps day after day, and week after week,
to endeavour to bad a pretext for charging him with
violating English law, the Home Secretary had bees
compelled to admit that there war not the shadow of a
ground for any charge against him. Bat perhaps the most
humiliating part of this affair was the disclosure that we
had in this country a system of spy police that would do no
discredit to Austria or to France under their present
rulers, but which was utterly foreign to English habits and
English feelings. (Cheers.) If M. Kossuth was subjected
to this treatment, Englishmen:might experience it at any
moment. The Homo Secretary had, in short, stated in
the Howe of Commons that nothing had been done in re-
gard to M. Kossuth, which would not be done in the case
of any individual who might be suspected. He thought,
considering the enormous charge which the police entailed
upon the ratepayer, they might be put to a better purpose
than that of watching the houses of private individuals,
dogging their steps, and acting as spies upon all their ac-
tions, and, a• their representative, he offered his services to
put down this infamous system of espionage which, in the
case he had alluded to, had been mane the means of casting
an insult on the country.
Mr. BLACK moved a resolution expressing the indignation
of the meeting at the employment of the police as political
epics, and their opinion that the explanations of ministers
lin the House of Commons had shown that setting spies to
watch the house and person of M. Kossuth, together with
the attempt to damaze his character through the discredit-
able prosecution of Mr. Hale, were mat disgraceful and
unjustifiable acts, contrary to the free spirit of English law,
and in violation of that hospitality which it had been the
policy of this country to exercise towards foreigners of all
shades of opinion. lie gave a history of the prosecution of
Mr. Hale and the police proceedings against M. Kossuth,
urging in conclusion that the only remedy for such a ss•-
tem, either in the case of Englishmen or foreigners, was in
the return to the old constitutional practice of placing the
control of the police in the hands of the local authorities.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. WEBBER and carried
unanimously.
31r. F. DOIJLTON moved a Tote of thanks to Lord D.
Stuart, Sir J. Walmaley, Messrs. T. buncombe, Bright,
Cobden, and other members of parliament, who had in-
quired into and reprobated the base and unconstitutional
practice of setting spies to watch the conduct of political
refugees; and that they be requested to continue their ex-
ertions to prevent any iafringement of public liberty,
whether attempted by the police or by any minister of the
crown. He regarded the meeting but as an expression of
the feeling of the country to succour and protect the op-
pressed of every land. Looking at the state of the continent
at the present time, one was led to fear for the ultimate
triumph of " right over might," but one almost despaired
when, turning to our own country, we found men high in
authority, using that authority to aid in the oppression
of those whose only crime was, that they laved their
country too well. (Hear, hear.) For himself, he had
never had much confidence in the present administration.
He could cot forget that it was composed of men who had
been instrumental in the death of the brothers Bandeira
and of those who when ministers in 1848 had allowed
France to crush the rising liberties of Rome without even
a protest. The police spy system had been going on for
months, and probably for year', and would continue unless
the peopl interfered to prevent it. It was ridiculous to
charge Kossuth with collecting arms and ammunition here
(which having given his honour that he would not do, he
had.not done, though he would have been morally right in
doing so)—when we knew that in the revolutions in Spain
and Portugal arms, ammunition, and even men had been fur-
nished by this country.
The Rev. H. CHRISTSISS seconded the resolution. He
admitted that we must have a detective police, but that
necessity rendered it the more incumbent upon us to take
security against the abuse of the system. He regretted
much to see Lord Palmerston's name mixed up in these
transactions—but he attributed the suspicion that fell on
that noble lord (who, by his noble conduct, had earned for
himself the hatred of the despots of Europe), to the com-
pany be was now keeling—to his being mixed up in the
same government with Lord Aberdeen and the frigid and
mediocre Lord John Russell.
The resolution having been put and carried,
Lord D. STUAKT, who was much cheered, stated that he
had accepted the invitation to be present with pleasure—
deeming it a privilege to join in the 'amnion of the princi•
plea of liberty and in upholding that which had long
been the boast of this country, the right of afford-
ing free refuge to the .unfortunates of every nation
and of every colour. (Hear, hear.) Englishmen
desired that all men who left their country for
political reasons should find here a free, quiet, and safe
asylum, but we know that one of the most illustrious refu-
gees that had ever honoured this country with his presence,
Louis Koesuth—(hear, hear)—had been denied that safe
and quiet refuge— that his steps had been dogged by po-
lice spies, and to please Austria a vile conspiracy bad been
got up to bring him within the penalties of English law.
(Shame.) And when the charge was found to be utterly
groundless, it was not until after frequent interrogations in
parliament that Lord Palmerston had got up and exone-
rated M. Kossuth as he ought to have done at first. But
that answer es to the employment of the police in a dis-
graceful system of espionage was not so satisfactory. If the
system did not exist it would not have needed so many
words to answer the question, and if it did exist it was a
duty they as Englishmen owed to themselves to demand its
instant abolition. (Cheers.) They knew that there was
no law applicable to a foreigner that was not applicable to
themselves, and if the detective police could be set to watch
political refugees, they might be set to track the footsteps
of Englishmen. (Hear, hear.) Two years ago none so
popular as Lord Palmerston. He was then considered the
friend of Hungarian patriotism and of liberty all over
the world. It was not so now, and the name of Lord
Palmerston was now received in a very different manner at
public meetings and in public company from what it was
then. (Hear, hear.) But the person who was more
directly responsible was the head of the government, and it
had long been supposed that Lord Aberdeen had no strong
leaning towards the patriots of Europe, and that he looked
with too much favour on the principles pursued by despo-
tic governments. Lord Aberdeen might have changed, and
become more liberal, end unless he had, he would not long
do for Prime Minister of England. (Hear, hear.) He
could conceive that Lord l'almerston, acting as he did in a
subordinate capacity, had been pressed to commence this pro-
secution, and that having failed in convincing his colleagues
that such a prosecution must redound to the discredit of the
government and the honour of Kossuth, said, " Well, If
you will have it so, you must, and take the consequences."
(Hear, hear.) But there were others who were still more
to Manse than the government. He should like to know
who furnished the information to the Taus, on which it
banded its charge and its abuse against M. Kouuth. (Hear.
hear.) It bad been proved that all the statements detailed
and precis* words from which the Times bad published,
were wholly and entirely false ; they had never been re-
trained or explained. M. Koanth himself might well look
with contempt at these attacks, for nothing which could be
said by the Tuner, or any other paper, would destroy the
feeling of admiration which the people of England enter-
tained for him on account of the noble stand
he had made in defence of the liberties of his Fatherland.
(Hear, hear.) He by no mesas wished this country to
engage in foreign quarrels, but when we saws people strag-
gling in defence of their canetitutiona rights he thought we
might properly use our aflame to prevent their being
overran by foreign armies. He would leave the parties to
fight oat the quarrel by themselves, but we ought to insist
that others should in like manner abstain from interference.
Had we taken this course in reference to the struggle
between Hungary and Austria ; had Hungary been
allowed to fight her own fight without the interference of
Russia, she would have been free at this time, and would
have been a valuable ally of ours. The same with Poland.
Had we prevented her being swallowed up by Russia, she
would have been free, and Hungary having her as a free
ally would have been free also. (Hear, hear.) He thanked
them for the confidence they had expressed in him and the
other members of parliament the resolution referred to, and
assured them that that confidence would not be abused.
After a brief address from Mr. Murrough, M.P., the
meeting separated.
all

14th Head, p. 70.—N anous regulations are enumerated
with the view of obtaining as much uniformity of practice
as possible. Cases not exceeding 1001. are, in some eases,
to be deeded on the spot.
Classificition of ports is to cease, and each port is is
future to be treated with reference to its own special cit.

.1.•4011.1...6••
The extension of credit upon post entries to be discoun-
tenanced as much as much as possible.—See Commissioners'

Report, p. 47.
[Suggestion s.—That whatever system prevail at London,
the practice of the outporta should be uniform with it.]
It is difficult to see why facilities should be granted to
one port more than another. Why should not Liverpool,
null, Glasgow, and other ports, have the ume advantages
as London ?
With respect to post entries, they should always he com-
pleted before the goods are delivered. This is usually done.
The beads of the Treasury Minutes Nos.lo and 11, though
highly important, were not mentioned in the Report pre-
emoted to the Earl of Derby or in that presented to Mr.
Gladstone, as they were considered to involve matters of
detail rather than principle. No. 12, when recommended
by the parliamentary committee, appeared to many persons
dangerous and objectionable, and having been noticed in
the lath suggestion, it was not put separately. The facili-
ties which it would offer to smugglers are fully explained hi
"Postulates and Data," p. 281 :
" To a person accustomed to the trade of the port of
London this proposition is simply ridiculous, as a free
entry only takes a few minutes, and making out a copy of a
long manifest would occupy as many hours, besides leading
to great irregularity. Some of the continental ships' mani-
fests, for instance, would take three boors at least, there-
fore the object is evidently not to simplify Custom-house
business ; but the Select Committee have been astutely
duped into sanctioning a plan for smuggling on an extensive
scale.
In the port of London smuggling to any extent would
be difficult if not impossible, but at the outports it would be
easy enough, and unscrupulous traders would reap a rich
harvest in a short time. Of course none of these worthies
would think of importing tea, tobacco, sugar, as tea, to-
bacco, sugar, &c., but they would quietly give orders that
any goods subject to high duties should be described in the
bill of lading and invoice as something else, and by
making things pleasant ' to the officers in charge, these
goods would be allowed to pass free, and there would be a
repetition of the disgraceful practices of 1841 with the scan-
dalous compromises of 1843. It is unnecessary to dwell on
the lon of statistical information which under such a system
must necessaril be very defective, and therefore for prac-
tical purposes valueless ; but if a premium to the cunning
smuggler is to be held out by a select committee of the
Rouse of Commons, why not do it more openly 1"
The only suggestion of the Customs Reform Committee
which has not been noticed is No. 11 : "That the gnu
revenue derived from the Customs should be paid into the
Exchequer ;" but the necessity of doing so has been fully
admitted, both by the present and the late Chancellor of
the Exchequer. It will give, not merely the amount of
salary to each officer, which can now be obtained without
difficulty, but it will also show what pensions are paid out
the customs revenue, what sums are received for fines and
Indishatlons, and what amount is yielded by seizures of
anleggled goods.
By order of the comettee,
R. L. MoRGAN, Ron. Secretary.
19, St. Swithin's-lane, May 7, 1853.