The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-28 00:00:00

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Yesterday being the day appointed at the but
prorogation of parliament for the house to meet for the
purpose of making a further prorogation in conformity
with the decision of her Majesty in Council, the ROOM of
Lords was opened for that purpose at two o'clock.
There were, as usual, several ladies on the beck beaches
of the body of the home, who were admitted to be specta-
tors of the ceremony. Behind the bar there were also
several pencine in attendeace for the same purpose. The
only alteration appestat is the appearance of the home
was the placing of a few new statues on their pedestals, on
the left-band side of the throne.
The Lords Commiseionen were the Lord Chancellor,
Lord Campbell, end Lord !Healey of Alderley.
The Lords Commissioners keying taken their seats ea
the beach placed for that purpose in hest of the throws,
The LORD CHANCELLOR said they were met to hirer
her Majesty's commission read for the farther prorogation
of parliament, and he directed Mr. Palmas, Yeoman Usher
of the Black Rod, to summon the presence of the Knee of
Commons to hear the commission read.
Mr. Pulsars, the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod, than
retired, and in a short time appeared at the bar with Kr.
W. Ley, the Deputy-Clerk Assistant, Mr. Williams and
Kr. Tindal, doorkeepen, who represented the Comma's of
Great Britain sad Ireland.
Mr. Shaw Lenten, Deputy-Clerk of the hones, then read
bet Majesty's cenamiseion proroguing the parliament from
that day to Tuesday, the 29th day of November next.

The LORD CHANCELLOR then said—My lords aid
gentlemen, by virtue of her Majesty's cOMMillide which
Makin been read, and in obedience to the same, we have
la her Majesty's name, to prorogue this present paths!
meat from this day to Tuesday, the 29th of November
neat ; and we hare to declare that the parliament is pro-
warted accordingly.
Their lordships then withdrew.
The proceedings did not occupy more than a few minutes.

I'AN DIEMEN'S LAND COMPANT.

Yesterday a special general meeting of the pro-
prietors of this company was held at their offices in Great
Winchester•street, for the purpose of electing two directors.
. .

Mr CATTLRY, the governor of the company presided, and
explained that in consequence of the change that had oc•
cured, the board had been reduced by two members below
the minimum number required by the act of parliament, and
it was to fill up the vacancies thus occasioned that the
present meeting had been summoned. The number of
proprietors who wen qualified for the direction (t►at was.
such as had held 60 shares for six months previous to the
meeting) we not very high, but of those two gentlemen
had been proposed (but of whom personadv he knew
nothing), and ea there were no other candidates, he presumed
they would be elected. The two gentlemen whom names
bad been given in were Mr.W. Liam, of Milk-street, and Mr.
Lonergan, of Anstiafriars.
The name, of Mr. Lines and Mr. Lonergan were then put
to the meeting, and both gentlemen were elected unaai-
mously.
After some conversation, and a vote of thanks to the
Chairman, the meeting separated.

THUNDER-friol3l.—A storm of thunder and light-
mine broke over London yesterday about half-past five
o'clock, and lasted nearly an hour. Advice, from tinsmith
coast state that the storm was very violent there in the
early part of the day. A correspondent writes from Has-
tings that early yesterday morning a carter, in the employ
cif Mr. Godfrey Philcoz, of Cogburst, Oue-tling, was en-
geed in feeetias the hems in hie master's stable, and while
eseepiel the 111“11 be held in his head was struck by
MOWN red dIFN. tkeesta the weather hoarding attached
ie die OM% bat neither he nor any of the horses sustained
df• eitheme *jury.

RELIGIOUS PERSECI*TION.
-
DEPUT AT lON TO LORD CLARENDON.

Yesterday a deputation of gentlemen who have
interested themselves in making representations to the
government to procure the release of lkliss Cunii.ghame
from imprisonment in Tuscany, waited upon Lard Claren-
don at the Foreign-office, to thank him for the promptitude
with which he had communicated with the govt raiment of
the Grand Duke, and also to acqu:tint his krdsliip with the
circumstances of the religious persecution which is now pre-
vaihng in the kingdom of Sweden.
The deputation was headed by Sir E. Culling Eardley,
Ban., and included the Rev. Dr. Steane, the Rev. J. S.
Blackwood, LL.D.; the Rev. klr. Latrohe ; the Rev.
C. J. Glynn; and the Rev. J. A. James.
The deputation having been introduced to Lord Clump
dos,

Sir Cuutso EARDLEY thanked his lordship fur the
exertions he and other members of her Majesty's govern-
ment had made fur the liberation of Miss Cunin.thame
Their first impulse on becoming acquainted with the fact
of her release was to thank the frre.runeent, having
formed the hope that her liberation was the immediate con.
sequence of their interference. Two questiorui,however, met
them with reference to the subj. ct. The one was a question
of time as to whether his Lordship's despatches could have
been sent oat in sufficient time to hues procured lier;release.
Upon this point they were in doubt. They felt, however,
that the course which the government had adopted was in
ravc/ur of their wishes, and this kindness having Well done,
it was a matter of secondary importance whether the dis•
charge of Miss Cuninghame from prison was the immediate
result of the interference of the British government or not,
The other and more important question which met them

was whether her liberation had been obtained as a matter of
grate, or whether it had been conceded in the name of her
Majesty's government. The deputation did not mean to
prescribe the motive which had actuated the g4vernment,
or to dictate to the government what should regulate its
conduct with reference to transactions of this nature.
Neither had they any desire of extracting from the noble
lord anything which his lord .hip might think incon.
siatent with the public service. Those whom the deputa-
tion represented considered that the liberation of Miss Can.
ingbarne had been effected inconsequence of ,the dem gnels
made by the British government in Tuscany, and not as
a favour granted to Miss Cuninghame personally, and it
was under this belief that they felt a debt of gratitude was
due to the government for vindicating the principles of re-
ligious liberty and procuring the liberation of a lady in
whose person those principles had been outraged.
The Earl of CLARENDON said the despatch sent from the
Foreign-office did sot arrive is time to be acted upon by
Mr. Scarlett, but he had received ptirate letters on the
subject, and the delay which had occurred was one of those
delays which could not be helped. There was, however, no
doubt as to the course they had to pursue, and that course

was communicated to the Tuscan government ; but it was
not until after Mr. Barlett had obtained the relesso 01
Min Caninghame. He mat say he regretted vs perceive
that attacks had been directed against Mr. Scarlett for his
conduct in this matter, which he considered had been very
judicious. Mr. Scarlet% had represented to the Tuscan
government that Miss Cuniughame was in ignorance of the
law, that that law was extremely harsh towards her, and
that the people of England would be sure to take it up and
demand redress. Mr. Searlett, in fact, described exactly
what had since taken place, and he strongly recommended
to the Tuscan government to do that of their own accord
which they must already have seen the propriety
of conceding. He did not wish to 1190 harsh phrases; hut
strong opinions had been expressed us to the course which
the Tuscan guernment bad taken in the matter sable.
quently to Miss Cuninghaine's imprisonment. It was not
for him to dive into the motives which might have led the
Grand Duke of Tummy to liberate bliss Cuningharne. He
could only say thatoo fares Mr. Searlett's reports went, the
conduct of the ministers of the Grand Duke was highly
creditable to them. Theyentirely approved Mr. Searlett's
efforts to procure her release. They Resisted ►im in every
way to their power. They did all they could to prevent
any aggravation of her position ; and they joined in the
hope that her request to be permitted to see her mother
might be granted. Except in the privation of her liberty,
there was nothing, as she herself admitted to Mr. Scarlett,
of which she had to complain. He (the noble earl) could
not really pretend to say what considerations could have
weighed in the mind of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. He
had been sines informed that the judges were likely to give
an opinion in ►er favour. Of course, however, no one had
reason to contemplate this when the imprisonment took

place. Upon this point ha could pronosince no opinion,
nor could he tell them what were the motives
which operated upon the Tama government, and in-
duced them to release Miss Cuninghapse. He knew that
his despatch was communicated to the Tuscan government
as an earnest of what might be ezpeeted if Miss Caning-
haws were not set at liberty, and it stated also the grounds
on which they claimed that she should be at liberty to
leave the country if she thought proper. Since her libera-
ties he might say that the government at ones acceded to
Mr. Scarlett's request. She was desired to quit the Tuscan
dominions, but Mr. Searlett said he thought it would be a
hardship if she were made to leave the country while her
mother, who was then a resident in it, was very ill. That,
too, was at me coaceded. He did not know whether Miss
Caninghame had left Lana yet; if not, there she was still
with her mother. He thought, however, there had been
manifestations enough con the part of the British govern-
ment and of the people of this country with reference to the
subject, and certainly quite saltiest to leave no doubt upon
the minds of the Tuscan government as to the manner
in which the transaction was viewed by the people of.
England.
Sir CULLING SARDLST said that the noble earl's obser-
vations did act apply so much to the motives of the Tau
can government as to those of their own. He did not
wish to inquire what wee the met phraseology of the
anal remosstraaces which had bees made, but what he

desired was to thank the goverment fee having so nobly
viadieated the principle of relieve, liberty.
The Earl of Cksaaxaox said he had already told the
deputation, sad he had told Lord ithaftesbary distinctly,
that no British "abject had a right to go into another
country sad not observe the laws is forts in that country.
Those laws might be as creel and as barbarous as possible,
but if British subjects west of their own accord and lived
wider them, they could not disobey those laws altogether.
Sir C. Balmer suggested that there was a difference
between expelling from a territory people who disobeyed the
laws of the country, and patting them is prison.
The Earl of CLAZINDOX thought it was not quite appo-
site to be dientsdag these points now. The question was
whether the law existed, mad whether the law could make
exceptions in favour of foreigner.. We should not do it,
for instance; and whoever was in this country was expected
to obey the law. lie had said to the Tuscan government
that it was melancholy to think that persons in high places
shoed oonecientiously bring thematic.. to believe that
each persecutions could be acceptable to the Almighty or
in harmony with the mild doctrines of Christianity.
The Deputation then inquired whether it was competent
for the government to make a representation by way of
petition or otherwise to the Diet of Sweden which was
about to meet in the course of the ensuing month, with
reference to the religious persecutions carried on by the
government of that country spinet all persons not pro-
freeing the religion of the State, several instances of which
were mentioned, the Swedish law bearing very bard upon
all persons professing another religion than that of the
State.

The Earl of CLAIIINDON said he could net on the instant
give an answer to the deputation, as to whether her Ma-
jesty's government could approach the Swedish Diet for the
purpose, as it depended upon the regulations as to whether
foreigners could come before the Diet by way of petition.
If they would give him leave to consider the question, as
he bad the means of making the inquiry, he would give
them the best advice in his power.
The deputation, after some further observations, thanked
the noble earl for his courtesy, and retired.

PLEASURE PARTIES are popular in Glasgow. Yes-
terday week (Fast-day in Glasgow), between half-past
seven in the morning and noon, seventeen steam-boats
departed from the Broomielaw, each of which was com-
puted to carry 400 pleasure seeken. The Barrhead and
Atamilton branches of the Caledonian carried away 4,600
pass/apes; the Glasgow and South Western, 4,090;
the Edinburgh and Glasgow, 3,300; the Caledonian
from Buchanan-street Station, 2,000; and the Greenock.
4,600.
A MAN KILLED BY A RAILWAY TRAlN.—Yester-
day morning Mr. W. Payne received information of the
death of Henri Con hear, aged 30, who was employed at
Messrs. Myers works, Crystal Palace, Sydenham. The
deceased was crossing the railway for the purpose of re-
turning to London, whoa he was knocke.l down by one of,
the trains, and crushed to death almost instantaneously. Ile
was conveyed to the accident ward, Guy's Hospital, but
life was extinct.
The annual soiree of the People's College, Sheffield,
was held oa Wednesday evening, in the Cutlers' Hall. The
number of students and friends of the college preseat was
about 300.

COURT OF 003/3/0-V COUNCIL.

Yesterday a Court wu held for the despatch of
public basisees.

THE ROYAL COMMISSION.

DIPUTY Baxxocti—My Lord Mayor, before proceeding
to the business of the day I wish to ask a question which
may be of advantage to some members of this court. It is
'a connexion with the Royal Commission appointed
inquire into the doings of the Corporation of L indon
observed In a letter y day certain statements made,
and the letter itself was dated from one of the gcsernment
offices at the West End. This morning I find another
letter, referring to the same subject, dated from King's
Bench-walk, Temple. I wish to know whether the Royal
Commissioners are to conduct their inquiry at the West
End of London or in the City, or whether ail definite
arragementhas been made in the matter. (Hear, bear.)

- ,
I cannot help thinking that it would be more convenient it
these gentlemen would come into the City, rather than drag
people to the west-end of London, at very great iacin-
venience, for the purpcse of being examined. (dear, hear.)
la the exact locality knows in which these gentlemen in-
tend to hold their inquiry ; and if so, where is it?
The Lout> lilmron—The inquiry certainly will be com-
menced in Downing-street, at the office of the First Lord
of the Treasury. I was surprised to see the letter that
appeared in yesterday's papers, because, as I understood, it
was a letter communicated to me as the head of this corpo-
ration, and as I had shown it. to no cue it could not'
have been from any copy of that letter that the communi.
cation appeared in the newspapereots having been addressed
to the Lord Mayor. (Hear, hear.) I have written to the
commissioners stating my unwise, and assuring them that
whatever information is necessary fur the inquiry will be
most freely and cheerfully afforded by the officers of this
corporation, and that I should not feel myself at liberty to

communicate to the public press any communication that
the commissioners might choose to send to me, without their
sanction. (Cheers.)

Mr. J. WOOD—As the subject has been mooted, it is right
that I, as chairman of the consolidated committee to
whom this court referred the watching and the conduct Of
this business on the part of the corporation, should say
• word. Seeing that letter in the newspaper yesterday,
I, accompanied by the Remembrascer, thought it my
duty to call upon the Lord Mayor, for the purpoee of aseer,
taming by what means it had obtained publicity. (Hear
bear.) I was very much pleased en learning front his lord-
ship that it had not obtained publicity from anything that
he had either dine or said. How that letter got into the
papers, his lordship does not know, nor can he nor can you;
but I should certainly have thought it the very height of
indiscretion, if I may be pardoned fee saying so, if his
lordship had, without the sanction of the commissioners,
permitted that document to go forth, because upon the face
of it it might or might not be intended as a public commu-
nication. It was a document sect for the information of
this court. The Consolidated Committee met yesterday,
and passed a resolution, desiring the Town Clerk to commu-
nicate with the secretary to the commissioners, re-
questing to be informed whether it was the in-
tention of the government to hold their sitting
in public or in private. (Hear, bear.) The com-
mittee, of course, can assume nothing. They know
nothing further than the information conveyed to his lord
ship. An answer, no doubt, will be returned to that corn•
munication' and when received the committee will meet,
and will, if necessary, come up to this court. I ask the
court not to come to any conclusion themselves as to what
course the commissioners intend to take. The matter will
be watched by the Consolidatgid Committee in conjunction.
In the mean time, the committee may rely upon the in-
terests of the Corporation being thoroughly guarded by the
Consolidated Committee.
DUES OF THE rota 07 LONDON.
- - - - - - -

The Town Clsrk read the following document, which
bad been received by the Lord Mayor :
' Shipping Dues Commission-dike,
15, Parliament-street, Oct. S.
" My Lord,—Her Majesty having been pleased to issue a
commiuion, of which • copy is attached, we the &Mimi':

@loners have the honour to request that jour lordship will
be good enough to furnish us with the requisite informa-
tion as respects the charges (with the exception mentioned
in the commission) levied or leviable in the port of London
on ship, or goods carried in ships by or on behalf of the
corporation of the City of London. We have the honour
to forward to your lordship some cone' of the questions
which we have addressed to the authorities of the various
harbours throughout the kingdom, showing the particular
points to which our inquiries are directed. We have the
honour to be, my lord, your most obedient te,
" H. MANNER. SUTTON,
" C. B. W. BITHUNI2
" C. BLACKBURN."
CONTEMPLATED PURCHASE OP SOUTHWARK NUIDOE.
Mr. R. C. BUCKNALL, chairman of the Bridge House
Estates Committee, moved the adoption of the following
report, which wu read by Mr. Woodtherpe.
To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen,
and Commons, of the City of London, in Common Council
assembled: We, whose names are hereunto sabeeribeder
your oemmittee for letting the Bridge House Estates to
whom, en the 12th day of May last, it was referral to ens-
eider whether it was desirable to throw open Southwark-
, and to ascertain it the proprietors were willing
to dlrpeee of their interest therein ; also, to cousider the
tents for so doing, and to confer with her Majesty's
government, as to raising the necessary foods for the
purpose; do entity that we proceeded in the said reference,
and nand to be laid before us the several proceedings of
this committee in relation to a former negotiation
with the director of the Southwark-bridge Company, when
they stated their willingness to well the bridge for the sum
of W 0,0001.; and having carefully considered the same, we
directed a communication to be made to the directors of the
Southwuk-bridge Company, referring to the former sago-
Salim, and 'Wing that we had since been given to under-
seas,' that sew alteration had taken place in the views of
the compasy, and requesting to be informed the terms
upon which the directors would now be disposed to urt
with their 'Merest in the bridge. We have sines received
a letter from the secretary to the company, stating that the
directors wets of opinion that subsequent to the
communisation which peeled between them and
your committee, in the year 1519, eireamstances
had occurred to increase the prospective value
of the bridge, and the directors therefore did cot feel justi-
del in recommending the proprietors to sell the bridge with
the approaches for ain sum than 300,00 W. ; but if your
committee would agree to purchase the bridge at that sum,
exclusive of parliamentary and all other expenses, the
directori would take the sense of the proprietors thereon.
And we, having folly considered the subject, are of opinion
that it would not be expedient to parches, Southwark-
bridge upon the terms proposed bythe company. All which
we submit to the judgment of this Honourable Court.—
Dated this 14th day of October, 1833.—R. E. Bueknall,
James Bailey, Jamas Waterton, J. R. Thomson, James M.
Barnard. R. Chaplin, Thos. Barkley, W. Lter, R. G.
Pend, W. Rawtrey,. Joseph Canton, James Warren,
William W. Pilate.'
Deputy Bung= mid that part of the reference made to
the Bridge-heoss Rents* Committee was to inquire of the
government windier they would assist the corporation in
any way in raids( the fends. As the committee were
silent epos this paint, he apprehended they considered the
sum so
this
large that they had taken no steps
sun this poet tithe reference. (Hen, hear.)
Deputy PZWIIIIM• said he should be very sorry if the
court were to epos to the report under the present circum-
stances, which were of a totally different character to those
which existed in 1849. When it was considered that Can-
non-street had been rebuilt, that Queen-street had been
pulled down as far as Southwark-bridge, it must be at
once pereelved that the bridge was infinitely mere
valuable now than it was a few years ago. (Hear,
hear.) Extreme inconvenience was sustained daily
on account of the crowded state of London-
bridge and its approaches, and it was quite et*
dent that another bridge was required • r the pup
pose of eouveying the enormous truth° of the City to au
Surrey side f the water. (Hear, hear.) Southwark-bsWsn
would take off more than one-third of the traffic, and would
be one of the
had
possible reliefs to the metropolis.
The bridge had cost between 700,0091. and 800,0001., and the
proprietors now offered to sell it for 380,0001, thus making
an immense pecuniary sacrifice ; and, as a new bridge and
proper approaches could not be made for anything like this
sum, he would move—" That the report be referred back
to the committee to ascertain by professional inquiry as to
the strength and durability of the Southwark-bridge, and
that they be authorised to continue the negotiation with
the directors and to report to this court."
After a discussion, the amendment was carried.
Mr. Da JERSEY then moved that the words after " dura-
bility of the Southwark-bridge" be omitted.
Deputy Hirsh seconded the motion, which was nega-
tived.
The amendment was again put and carried, and the court
adjourned.