The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-16 00:00:00

PRODUCE, &e.

SYDNEY. DEC. 23.

Being holiday time business is entirely stiapesedeTl,eiCept
indeed fur the purpossmi of enjoyment, which the lower
cla.sse. in Sydney seem to be partaking of to a pretty good
figure.
The demand by tho trade for consumption during the last
fo,tnight has been great, and the consequence has 1,. en that
in the face of a cessation of exit trtatiou to your market, and
the large supplies which we are receiving, prices on the
whole keep very firm.
The advice. from your city are, however, of too depress-
ing a character not to have that. eft et on our market, w;icti
the present temporary (Atilt:mesa is over. For Same lead-
ing articles IL look fur very weiterial reduction:. Flour is
gone down to 221., and your market is cu critical that it
may go lower, particularly if V.D.l.and and South A ustralia
should choose to send their produce to our mark t, in erele-
rence to yours. Brandy : Some few parcels have b. cu tarred
at 11.., but there is a general re inctince to speculate in the
article, as the importations seem likely to be very large.
Rum : Large quantal. h•:ve lately arrived, and the price
is slightly reduced. Strong E.sst India may be quoted at
2..91. to 3t. Gin, 21i. to 22.. ; li, er in casks in ;treat de-
in sod, both ale slid port. r, best brand•, fetching 8/. los. to
9/. ; bottled beer, Bass',, Id:. 91. ; cigars, 2a, 721. fid. to
755. ; 3a, 8.5.. to 90s. ; tobacco. nothing at all doing, stock
very large, and sales dull. Sugar in great demand. The
Australian Sugar Company are rho only holdera of raw
sugars, and the price is eonw quretly well kept rip ; good
Manilla realises 22.. Teas : rho market very bare, parti-
cularly good qualities ; good skins, 85s. ; Cosigous, 935.
Gold : Pert Phillip, 725. Pd. ; N.S.W., 70e. 9d.
MELBOUNE, JAN. 1.
We are again able to quote active markets, whether it be
in foreign merchandise cr in evluni..l produce; indeed, the
consumption has created an impetus :hat will be a long time
wearing out. preventing a glut and consequent depression
of prices, whilst the extra freightage from Great Britain,
and the heavy charges incurred in our port for transmission
of goals adtis ►s.othcr cause ter Ito continuation of high
rates. The demand for stout and puntr has been very
great, and we believe the stock to be very light; increased
rates are quoted for tlicee!articles 8/. to 91. per hhd. is at
present the market value for good London brands. Ale has
been readily bought on moderate terms. Spirits and
wines continue to receive attention. Cider in bottle
taken freely. Teas have arrived during the past week,
the value of this commodity remains steady. There is a
good inquiry for small packages. Green teas of first
quality are wanted. A few 'equities have been made for
hops of tine quality. Pickles s:e sought for, and high
rates paid. bsrdinea, lobst. r, end salmon, also herrings in
tins are all wanted. Pipes:continue se irce. Tobacco, large
quantity on hand, and prices Inaking downward. Flour
continues to come in, and the value of this article has not
improved ; holden appear inclined to give way in price,
rather than incur the heavy expenses of warehousing, dc.
Imported hams, bacon, and cheese, have realised good
priccs, and, being articles lit every day consumption, will
probably bring remunerative quotations fur some time.
Liverpool salt is scarce, and wanted. Whiting is also asked
for. Slates and timber command high rates, the &mend
being vary great. aro high and likely to pay im-
porters for come period. Iron and wooden houses arc very
saleable on paying terms. Boots and shoes are lower, and
invoices not FO tree of sale as throe menthe ago. There is
still a tolerable inquiry for good: of good workmanship, and
suitable for the time of year. The trade are fairly supplied
with stock.

GEELONG, llsc. 31.

In produce and suppiiss there is little or no alteration
since last week. Fin: llonr may be quoted at 251. to 261. ;
seconds, at 221. to '231. ; bran, 25. GI to Bs. per bushel ;
potatoes, 161.; oats, I*..:s. to 151. ; wheat, 90.; maize, 7a.;
' three bushel sacks, 151. per dozen ; woolpacks, 3s. 9d.
each ; twine, Is. 3d. per lb. ; hysou skin, g ml, 41. 10s. to
51. ; second quality, 3:. 105. ; coaguu, 51. 10s. Sugar :
Mauritius, 221. to 261.; ratien, 221. Tobacco : Barrett's,
Is. 9d. to 2s. ; Kerr's, Is. 3,1. ; keg, BM. to Is. Cigars,
71. Soap, 381. Candles : Ta:low, 71d. ; sperm. 10. 6d.
Bacon and hams, Is. 3d. to le. Gd. Cheese : Colonial,
ls. 3d. ; English, Is. 6d. Butter, of good quality, IL 44.
to ls. 9d. Tarpaulins, 3s. per o ord, made up. Hay, 121.
to 161. per tou. Coals, 51. to W. 10s. The stock market
may be quoted nearly the aline as last week. Heavy
draught horses, 55/. to 701.; inferior, 351. to 5J1.; good
hacks, 301. to 35/. ; inferior, 151. to 2.51. ; working bullocks,
161. to 241. per pair; fat beasts, good, 61. to 71. ; sheep, 16s.
fur goon weights ; bullock drays, 301. to 401. Horse cub
and drays, 30/. to 401. Spring costs, 35!. to 45/.

ELECTION EXPOSURES.
WITHDRAWAL OF THE NORWICH ELEC.

TION PETITIONS.
EXLXINATION OF COLONEL FOXINTER, MR. BAOOE, XL

BENTINCK, AND MR. BROWN.
Yesterday, the committee—sr. Duncombe in the chair—
was again crowded to escess, both by members of the house
—chiefly connected with the clubs, Conservative and Carl-
ton—as well as by a general public audience; and so deeply
interested were many hon, members, that they did not hesi-
tate, for want of standing room, to elevate themselves upon
every available panel or partition that presented a feasible
foothold. The two pliant colonels were again confronted,
and their military and moustachied demeanour, and sol-
dierly and sang froid sallies, excited a sustained sensation.
Colonel Forester, on being recalled and cross.examined
by Colonel Dickson, said-1 do not recollect the meeting at
Brown's office, when Kitten, and Collins, and Brown went
through the bribery eases. I do not recollect going through
the bribery cases with Brown, on that occasion. Cannot
say whether I wrote to Colonel Knox or Lord Ranelagh,
with reference to applying to you not to push the subject of
the petitien. I considered Brown would he in a scrape if
he was brought be(oru a committee of the House of Com-
mons for being accused of having withdrawn the petition,
as Kitton'had stated, without his authority. Brown told me
he had Kitton's authority, and I think he was consequently
perfectly justified in wit'Arawing the petition. I was two
or three times at Brown's nib e, but cannot fix the date.

Colonel Dickson—lt appear; i) me perfectly extraordi-
nary that you should not remember hearing the reading of
the bribery cases at Brown's office, and Brown's saying,
" That's good—that's esoellont—mark that." We were
all together, and it appears to me that Colonel Forester's
recollection is—
Colonel Forester. cross•examined by Colonel Dickson, "`
continued—l wrote a long letter to Fitton on the 16th,
begging of him not to do anything till he saw me. I do
not know whit you mean when you ask me if I have not
been striving in every way to shelter Brown. Do you call
speaking to Colonel Knox to ask you not to bring the
matter forward screening Brown ? I asked Colonel Knox
to appease you, and not to bring the matter forward and
make a disturbance. I knew Colonel Knox was going to
see you with Lord Ranelagh on baldness, and I thought
they might perhaps persuade you not to be so violent as you
were. (Laughter.) I think Lard Ranelugh said that, from
what he had heard, he thought you had been ill-treated. I
presume on the petition being withdrawn. I did not hear
Brown say he would soon settle that matter, and that he
would go or get Lord Itcnelagh to go to Lord Lansdale, and
that that "screw " would make Dickson bold hard.
(Laughter.)
Colonel Dickson (who stood with arms folded throughout
the examination, the witness being seated)—And now, sir,
you have thrown out an iminuation that I have produced
your private letters written in that little, clerk, hybrid
apartment, of a civil, and military, and electioneering na-
ture, at tke Carlton—that efacial residence of yours.
(Laughter.)
Mr. Drummond objectA to the questions being put in
this insinuatny manner.
Col. Forester—l have not been here when that took
place. I enn't know a hat ..c means. Do you mean when
I saw you ?
The Chairman—When Colonel Dickson called at the
Carlton.
Cul. Dickson—l tl ink it is necessary I should defend my-
self as to the charge of producing private letters. I mean
the little dark ro.,in at t'lc Carlton where you wrote your
letters. _ .

Col. Forester—l consider that, between gentlemen, all
letters written—
Col. Dickson—Upon business—
Col. Forester—Upon business, with regard to electioneer-
lag, are considered private as between one individual gen-
tleman and another. That is my opinion. I wrote at *
time when we were on terms of friendship. I might have
said other things in tlin::e letters which were disagreeable,
and might hare compromise I other people, and yolt produce
those letters without tie. sanction of the gentlemen who
wrote these lett vs—(Applauce from one or two parties in
the room, which was met wilt erica of "Order I—and
without tn.Mg C It d uiwn'.•> GI, committee. 1 con,ler
that i• a course oue gentleman ought not to pursue towards
another.

Colonel Diason—Tne two letters are before the commit-
tee—an de6ixing me 9.), tilt: part ut yo areal' and Mr. kui bra

iekenzii •go door to Dover. Da you call that a private
Lev, e, sir. .r o public letter It is not raziked private,
sad I Isis' .1 to Justify myself fro., this imputation.

C ester—lt'w tautens not. about t'. contents ; but
if o,le man writes t. another in vor.liclettee that I-tter
is eorisider• I cunfidential and private. That is say opii.ion.
Colonel Di,.'4,40n may have a contrary opinion, and the pubs
IM may has u another. (Lan4hter
Crional :Sickson—Tha letter speaks for itself. If such
letter* war never to be produced befoul a tribunal like
this, a gre.....1eal of evUleneu could not b! obtained There
was nothii private in the secun I letter inf.wming mu that
Kitton come front Norwich, and was air.sut to take up
the petitio,
Col. Eur.ster —I was drawn into the correspondence by
Col. Dirk- .n himself. 1 did nut seek I:.m, he came
SO Mee.

Cu:. Dic ton—l gave niT name 11l at the Carlton, like
litany nth. iteuple, u cantliJetes s. re.. Lord Derby's go-
vernment, soil to go down Yeti tight L nil Drrhy :ay
place. 1g .:se in my name to Cul. For stet. Ile heti 11 lut
a 0M.% here conservative earanlatrs were to go end

Cul. For *tee —I never proposed it to Col. Diekson, he
proposed it 'dmeelf.
117 the I in. Chairman—ls it true, Col. Forester, that
gas had a 4of places where candidates were reluiret ?
len fir ha a list of certain place. for gentlemen in the
country w• ting to rte and saying they waittee candidates.
Why did t.-•y write to you specially ?—Becausa I had been
in comespo•idenee with different people• and differeut gentle-
Men attacl • it to different boroughs, asking them if they rc-
gaited a andidate as a supporter of Lord Derby,
that I t ought they had totter provide them.
selves .1 a candidates if they could from the
neighbour:. sad and the county, hat that if they
could not) pride the/melees with a csniliaate that I would
do my hest •n send them down a candidate in support of the
Derby late:est.
lie C 1.., man—Have you done tli it &stile representative
of the inns evative party, or on tour own iadividual re-
sponsibility e On my own individo tl responsibility.—You
were a member of Lord Derby's government? I was a
member pt viously to Lord Derby being in (Ace, and I
had then b en in correspondence.—But when you sent fir
Cul. Maisie' about Abingdon, Dover, and Norwich, you
were a member of Lord Derby's government? I was.
By Col. iiekvon—Mr. Forbes Maektoxie had nothing to
do with it t all. On several OCCSaIIoDI I asked his advice,
but I ennui ler he bad nothing whatever to do with it ex-
cepting its: I went to him occasioned,. and asked hit ad-
vie, about ^erthin people and certain Places.
The Cheormmt—Was there a committee 1/I existence at
the Celia/ for the purpose of superintending these elections?
—Na committee except myself—myself and Mr. Brown.
Tory were :he committee then ?—(Laughver.',—Yes, Brown
acted with rue. Ie Brows a member et the Calton?—lie
L not. .

By Colobal Dickson—l could not take Brown into the
Carlton. I cculd not take any gentleman who called on
me in. I should take them into a private room, intended
for the rervption of strangers not members of the club.
That was me reason I took Brown there ; but the room is
ao mare private or appropriated to me than any other in
the club, tempt that at the time I mentioned.
By the Chairman—lt was devoted to election purposes.
(Laughter) Brown sat there during the general election
when I was there. He left the club whin I did. lam
not aware of his going there in my absence. I certainly
did keep u .use there with my own papery in it. I did not '
make it an Pelee, and it was not called " Brown's Room."
He was never a member of the club. It might have been
called my rocm because I need it. Brown kept no papers
there. I hot electioneering papers there, and Brown had
access to the room when I wee there. There arc several
ante•roome At the Carlton. The room we were in is not
exactly a '• dark" room, but the balustrade comes up and
ratlp r shades the light. Some of these rooms are used for
washing toe members' hands. (Laughter) Brown has
been writing in that room, but (pointedly addressing the
committee) I really cannot see what this has to do with
the inquiry, and I shall therefore decline to answer any
questiou connected with the Carltoa whatever. (Laughter.)
Thb, mid the gallant colonel, (producing a letter from his
pocket), is I believe the order of reference to the select com-
mittee appointed to inquire into the circumstances wider
which Its.: petition against the returnof the sitting members
for Norwich has been withdrawn, and I will answer any
questions with reference to that.
Cal. Dickson (through the chair)—You have said that
Mr. Forbes Mackenzie had nothing to do with the matter.
Do you wit know that Forbes Mackenzie sent me down
through the post a Truth, of pamphlets, directed to the
committee rooms, Norwich, at which my supporters were
Ter) much annoyed; sad I ask you whether you did not
ask me, whoa I came beck, whether I had distributed the
pamotilJts sent down to Norwich.
C Foreseer—Yon ask me a question I decline to
answer_. . . .

Col. Foreeter (exhibiting the letter in an official envelope,
with a large black seal, and handing it to the eenunittee)—
That u tho teeter that Mr. Forbes Mackenzie sent me from
the Treasory requesting me to distribute the pamphlets.
The ',Nett is to fix and associate Cal. Forester, Mr. Mac-
kenzie, and Mr. Drown together.
Col. Fe I decline to simmer the question.
A ormsiilerable pause here took place white thecoramittee
steamed together.
lee Chair inan—Cotenel Forester, has an objection to this
question, hi:elfin he considers it irreleveut to the inquiry.
The committee are the best judges whether it is relevent,
end whether we require it to ascertain the truth.
Colonel Forester—Well, I'm ia the hands of the eons-
MEW.
'the Choir/non—ls there any breach of confidence in-
volved is answering it.
Odour' koroeter—Not at all. I consider it has nothing
tad., with the isquiry.
The Chairman—Are you aware of the fact of Mr.
Forbes Meek. nee seeding these pamphlets to Colonel
Dickson to distribute ?—I am net aware of it. Neither do I
know antibing of the pamphlets in question. They might
lath gene down.
117 1:4100.1 Dickson—With refereoce to your questitsa as
whether Brown kad the permission of Kitten or lot,
that he of glit to have informed you that the petition we-
about to be withdrawn. I considered that the matter
all lay between Kitten and Brown. I had nothing to do
with the withdrawal of the petition. I kuow nothing about
it, and was never asked upon the subject. I was told after
it was withdrawn.
By Mr. Brown—l ask the hen. member whether, being
in coustaut intercourse with me, he ever heard me say etu-
des" approaching to showing an intention to throw over,
or behave badly by, Colonel Dickson ?—1 n heard
Brown say anything of the sort.
By the Chairman—Have you ever had any conversation
with Brown as to the withdrawal of the petition previous to
its taking place ?—I have asked Brown what was going on. I
have askod him several times whether the Norwich petition
was going on, or what coon they were going to pursue,
sad be told me that they were going on. I asked Colonel
Dickson, whenever I met him, how hies petition was going
ea, and he said he meant to persevere. Brown told me the
petition was going on up to the period it was withdrawn.
The Norwich people came to me for • candidate. I think
it was Mr. Kitten who came. I know two or three gentle-
men came up, and I saw them previous to the election.
Col. Diekson—Kitten did not come up. It was Means.
Pattison gad Stewart who came up to the Carlton to get •
second candidate to join Lord Douro.
The Chairman—But you were not a member of the
Carlton ?
Dickson—But I was sent for, and I saw Mr. Stewart
there, and I waited there while he went to Lord Douro.
Mr. Edward Stewart is • solicitor, and one of the leading
conservatives of Norwich.
The Chairman to Col. Forester—Who caused these
gentlemen to c.ime to you ?—Common rumour, I suppose—
(laughter) ; I never corresponded with them. Coleman ru-
mour that I had the management and su perinten ling of these
matters at the Carlton. That I was superintendiag the
elections for the party. I believe Brown came tome on the
subject of the Norwich petitions—Why did you interfere
at all after the withdrawal of the petition—why did you
mix yeunelf up with its withdrawal ? I did not. But
why write these letters to appease Colonel Dickson ? Of
meone I thought there coved be no good gained to anybody.
—Not to the petitioner if the petitions were reinstated ? I
thought there was no power to reinstate a petition if it had
been withdrawn by an agent who wag authorised to with-
draw it.—That is a question whether Brown was an agent
or not i I considered Brown an agent—the parliamentary
agent, but I should not have :bought that Brown would
have withdrawn the petition, unless under the instructions
if Kitten, and Brown told me he had those instructions.
By Colonel Dickson—You have stated that you never
corresponded with goy influential persons at Norwich
previous to the election with regard to the state of parties
there. Will you say that you did not write to Kitten to get
his opinion as to the state of parties, and as to the likeli-
hood of conservative candidates being successful at Nor-
wich ? I believe I did : I said I wrote to the boroughs
sod ditErent places generally ; I have corresponded with
most of the boroughs, asking them if they wanted can-
didate".
By the Chairman and the Committee—l know no-
thing
shout the " pairing off" of the petitions. Colonel
Dickson came to me, as any other gentleman, and asked me
if I knew of any seat, and I gars him the hest advice and
information.—Do you think that tlko system of "pair-
ing " petitions is justifiable under any cireumatanees,
whether in a good or a bad case ? I bad nothing to do with
it.—But I ask you your °Palos, because you say if it was •
good case it should not be paired. But suppose it was •
bad rase, do yeti think it woul I be justifiable ? I think it
ought to be withdrawn.—Tbet is not an enterer; is the
system a good system in your opinion ? No, certainly not.
—Don't you think it is a vicious system, and •
bad prin iplo ? I don't think it is a good prin-
ciple, because I think if the petition is a bona
fide petition, it ought to go in or it ought to be withdrawn.
(Laughter.) You must do one or the other—on its own
atern• ? Not with reference to any other petition.—Yoe
said before that • petition in a good case ought not to he
rompromiseil a Crrtsinly not.—Ought it to be compromised
if it was a bad ease ? People make the best of • thrombi
that they can for themselves. (laughter.)—lllow • bar-
gain ? Who with? They make the best terms for the
withdrawal of the petition.—What are the terms you ap•
prove of? 'I he terms fur the withdrawal of the petition;
if it is • had ease it should not go on, if • good one it
ought.—Bot do you approve of pairing" under any eir-
eunastatick I have nothing to do with " pairing." I
never paired " a petitioe. I never entered into a com-
promise. " l'airing " never entered my head. I have
heard of psrliamentary "gents " pairiog " petitions.—Do
hyou think it a desirable system or a bad one ? Upon my
onour—(dryly)—l have not thought about it. (Laughter.)
Suppose brown had • had case and Cuppock a good one,
would Coppek have power to compromise the bad against
the good? With the mention of than who had given hits the

authority for the petition; but in my opinion it is a wro:11
prior.' Ole.
Mr..Thummond—Wrong or right, is it uniformly the
system m• both sides ? 1 believe so.
Mr. Lags, e. M.P.. was nest east:lined, but his evidence
rueetuseg nut. to, of interest.
Mr. Bentine;.'. M.P., was next examined by Mr. Brown
—ls there any Found whatever for the insinuation that I
had any object, direct or indirect, in withdrawing the pett-
non against your return, or that there wu any object of a I
pecuniary character, u Colonel Dickson calls it, for the
substnitisl motive ?—I will answer the question by repeat-
ing what my colleague has said, that I considered the I
question an indelicate one, and that there was
no fouudation for any inenuati in of the kind. I never had
:he slightest communication with you on any subject eon-
iiected with anybod's pecuniary arrangements, not even
with my own. Did lever transact an atom of business for
you or your Lazily to the best of your belief, and have I any
reason to expect I shall do so as far as your know ?—tione
whatever. (Loud laughter.)
Colonel Dickson was then recalled and examined by
the committee. The gallant colonel at the request of the
committee entered into a rapid review of his political con-
nexion with " the patty."

By the Committee—l felt a gratitude to Lord Derby be-
cause he ezpretsed an opinion that I bad been iWused, and
I did not mind standing to support him. Tnat was the
TMOU I sought a seat in parliament I was desirous of
supporting his administration. I felt I had been ill-used
by Lord they. Was the oliject of getting returned to par-
liament the getting the chance of an appointment ? No, I
bad served for 20 years, mi,itary end civil, and I had the
very highest ts.stimonials. I should have been content with
an apppointment rather than have gone to narliament ; but
people, I presume, have all got their motives in going into
parliament. (Great laughter, in which the committee
joined.)

Mr. B. H. Brown was then examined by the Chairman.
He wen: into a minute narrative of the proceedings in
connexion with the Norwich petition, principally a reca-
pitulation of the points put to the witne”es in his Crum-
examination. He was at the Carlton with Colonel Forester
gratuitously and not professionally. He had seen people
with regard to boroughs and had answered letters, and
had communication with every borough in England for
years past. Letters were addressed to him at the Carlton
on these subjects, and probably were 110 now.
Did not transact any business in the Carlton. I
wrote letters for Colonel Forester. Was at the
Carlton more as a friend cf Colonel Forester's
than as an agent in superintending the general elections for
his party. %Vitae-se held the solicitorship of the India
i board; it was given him in December. it was only 2001. a
year, and excepting for the honour he was glint willing to
resign it. From the first interview he had with Kitton he
never imagined the petition would be prosecuted, and had
Kitton's authority to withdraw it. Kitten expressed his
objection to the Norwich petition being paired with the
West Norfolk, but solemnly declared that he never directly
or indirectly prohibited its being Tinted against any other
petition. Ile had no doubt that the Norwich petition was
a good one, and that any member of the House of Commons
might have been unseated en such a petition. Ho was
ashamed when he saw such petitions faikil. At interviews
with Coppoek, Coppock entirely coincided with the view
witness took about petitions. He proceeded to explain the
peculiar arrangements that were carried out in practice
between himself and Mr. Coppock with reference to the
Middlesex, Gloucester, Youghal, and other petitions. They
were to go together. He withdrew one set, and Coppoek
another. Believed the Norwich petition, if presented,
would have unseated the member. Understood there
were immense tea pattiesven by P.to. (Mr. Suliser
gi
here denied this statement.) He pooh-la:oohed the cases
of intimidation. I beg to state (said the witness) that I was
sole agent in both petitions, and, as such, I withdrew them
under the Bth section of the Election Petition Act of 1848
(11 &12 Vie ,e. 98, sec 8) ; and, if you will do me the
favour to ask the examiner of recognisance', you will find
that the only pen sons who can be recognised la this room
as the agents far this petition are Messrs. Thompson, De-
! lienham, and Brown. Ihey are the only agents the House'
i of Commons can recognise as the agents fur this petition.
Thought that petition was very much a speculation on the
part of Kitton, whose full authority I ha to withdraw the
petition. Kitton got it up. Admitted he had said he was
sorry if he had done anything wrong, but it was an error
i judg e Chment.
Thairman—Why did you not say to at first ? There
would have then been an coil of the case. Do I understand
you now to say that you have erred, and that it was an
error of judgment.
Mr. Brown—l do not consider that I have erred. I
would do it again under similar circumstances.
After some further evidence the committee adjourned to
Thursday.