The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-01 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY.

Yesterday, an adjourned meeting in this matter,
in which a large number of persons are interested, was
held in Vice-Chancellor Turner's Court, before his Honour
the Master in Chancery Iluntohry, to receive affidavits and
depositions, to satisfy the court that the order absolute
to wind up the affairs of the undertaking had been obtained
by the solicitors and parties concerned, with the sanction
and authority of Mr. Feargus O'Connor, M.l'., who was
present during the proceedings, occupying, with some of
the directors and others connected witlt the defunct scheme,
the bench allotted to solicitors, the Master at the last
meeting having intimated that he would not appoint an
official manager until all the circumstances connected with
the transaction were fully explained ; and that unless this
were satisfactorily done, there might be reasons fur rescind-

Mg the order.
The following counsel were present:—Mr. Bagshawe,
Mr. Roxburgh, Mr. Win. James, Mr. Chichester, Mr. De
Gee, Mr. Sweet, Mr. Rogers, Mr. A. Hill, and numerous
solicitors.
The proceedings were commenced by Mr. Drake, the
chief clerk, reading the following resolutions," handed in
to the court, passed at a meeting of the land members of
the Leicester Branch of the National Land Company, on
the 27th of September, and which, in their literatim form,
if they do nothing more, go to illustrate the fact that " the
echoolinaster" is not yet universally abroad.
" We, being members of the Leicester Branch of the
National Land Company hereby declare, that fur a con-
siderable time past wo have viewed with suspitiou ' the I
acts of the solicitor and directors on whom devolved the
management of the company's affair's and being fully con-
vinced that the majority of our feller members hat e long
since ceased to repose trust in these men, we cannot refrain
from expressing our entice disaproval of Mer conduct with
regard to thier appointment of an official mancuer in
winding up of our affairs ' • wo therfuro earnestly
hop that the Master in Chancery will not be
induced to gratify thier sinster motive by the
selection of thier nomine, one whomo we sincerely
belive would be icapable of nfording satisfaction to the
poor men, who have been induced to embark thier hard-
earned pence in the project. We, after due consideration,
feel confidence that Mr. 'lhoinas l'rice, having is prior kno-
lidge of the misdeeds of the directors, and from his well
known business habits, his qualification of the highest order,
his uniform uprightness and 'mutuality, is emenently cal-
culated for the office of official manger; and having the uter-
meet confidence in that gentellinan, we hereby respectfully
pray that Master liumplay will be plumed to apoint Mr.
l'rice to assist his Honour in winding up the company.
Proposed by. William Lapworth ; seconded by James
Clarke; carried unianimotie.'—W tus.n GREENE, chir-
man ; *f MINUS NEWTON, secretary."
Itiemlutions were also read, forwarded from a meeting of
the Bristol branch shareholders, in favour of the same can-
didate for the official managership, and denying that be-
cause he had been manager of the Land and !.about Bank
in connexion with the Land Company, he was "ineligible"
to be appointed official manager to wind up the affairs of
the latter company.
Mr. Sweet then proceeded to read the affidavits filed
with the court since the last meeting.
The affidavit of Mr. W. I'. Roberts, solicitor, of Man-
chester, set forth that he was solicitor on behalf of the
company, appointed by the g. neral body of shareholders,
and had been so from the company', formation. Mr. Feargus
O'Connor, M.P., late of Notting-hill. terrace, was one of the
promoters, and eliaitinan mid manager of the company,
and as such always gave deponent the necessary instructions
for transacting the general legal business of the company,
either directly, or through Mr. Chinery, of ltubert--street,
Arlelphi, who was formerly denent's managing clerk, and
Was now his London agent. Mr.o Feargus O'Connor, as such
general manager having failed to get the company Reno:L-
atently registered as a joint stock company, by the decision of
the Court of Queen's Bench, in Trinity Term,lS.so, instructed
deponent in July of that year, as his solicitor, to apply to
parliament for au act to wind up the company, to do al-
that was necessary to obtain such act, and to wind up its
affairs as soon us possible. Steps were taken for
this, but in consequence of the lateness of the
session, Mr. Feargus O'Connor informed deponent
that lie had been assured by members and officers of the
House of Commons that the bill could not be got through
all its stages before the SeS4Oll closed, and instructed him
to suspend further proceedings until November, when Mr.
Feargus O'Connor again instructed deponent to do all that
was necessary for renewing the application to parliament in
the last session. Notices were given, arid the bill was pre-
pared and introduced into the Rouse of Commons upon
the petition of Feargus O'Connor and other directors of
the company, representing the general body of share
holders ; and during its progress through both houses de-
ponent was constantly in communication with Mr. O'Con-
nor, personally or by letter, or through his agent, on the
subject of the progress of the bill and the company gene.
rally, and Mr. O'Connor attended the standing order curn-
mittee of the House of Commons, and gave evidence in
support of the preamble, and was constantly in attend-
ance in the House of Commons during its progress, i.ud
was fully aware of its passing the house, and of its intro.
duction and progress through the Lords, but at the time
it went into committee, and shortly before its third reading
and passing, Mr. O'Connor left England fur the conti-
nent without communicating with deponent or his agent.
Deponent was consequently unable to cummunicate with
Mr. O'Connor further upon the business and state of the
company, but considered that ho had full per-
functory instructions so soon as the act of parliament was
obtained to procure the necessary order for winding up the
company without delay, in the name of Mr. O'Connor,
notwithstanding the absence of the latter, and deponent's
inability to communicate with him as general manager,
after having ghee in that capacity the fullest instructions
to deponent to wind up the company in his name. Had he
not done so lie would have neglected his duty, and deponent
was bound to present the petition to the court in the name
of Mr. Feargus O'Connor, to show the earnest desire of
that gentleman, so often expressed during the progress of
the bill in parliament, to fulfil his promise to the House of
Commons to have the company wound up, and its assets
realised and distributed, as the law would not allow the
association to exist as a company. Deponent was not aware
that Mr. O'Connor knew that the act of parliament hail
passed, or that an order had been obtained to wind up the
company, although the order had been obtained by witness
nominally in Mr. O'Connor's name, which was prominently
mentioned in the act of parliament.
An affidavit was also read iu confirmation of the above
statements, from Mr. Chinery, the London agent for Mr.
Roberts.
The affidavit of Mr. Feargus O'Connor, of Colliam-house,
Hillingdon, set forth that gentleman's recognition and ap-
proval of all the proceedings that had been taken in the
matter in his name by Mr. Roberts, as solicitor to the com-
pany. His absence on the Continent since July last was
caused by ill-health.
Mr. Sweet then contended that the facts contained in
the affidavits that had been read were strictly consonant
with each other, and that the parties had not any intention
of misleading the court. It was possible that Mr. Roberts,
on the first starting of the company, might have been Mr.
O'Connor's private solicitor; and Mr. O'Connor, finding
that he belonged to a class of men in this country whose
political opinions coincided with his own, arid finding him fit
in all other respects, might, with the sanction of the share-
holders, appoint Mr. Roberta solicitor to the company for
its formation, and Mr. O'Connor alone being the recog-
nised actor, with the responsibility of everything being
done in his name, but in all his private affairs, on the com-
pany being formed, employing another solicitor. Mr.
Roberts had not, as had been alleged, any private connexion
in Lis capacity as solicitor with Mr. O'Connor. Owing to
some alleged illegalities in the constitution of the company, all
matters were dune in Mr. O'Connor's name, mid there was
nothing more in it than in a common ease of trying to evade
the revenue laws, in which there was nothing heinous. In
ender to avoid the liability to penalties by carrying on the
Land and Labour Bank in connexion with the Land Coin-
, piny, in order to avoid the forfeiture of the estates, every-
thing was done in Mr. O'Connor's name by Mr. Roberts,
as his solicitor, and that was what was meant on "priv'ate's
'pension, by saying that Mr. Roberts acted as his
sslicitor.
His Honour the Master —Am I to understand from your
abghfutreatthedobeubnteli; benefit of
eethemlrvrasdtiwonscomeet—Othap.t the ban
company?
fthathat there
wreiaasncoartrithede
solni
the company got no benefit from it. (Laughter.)
Mr.lataes—lt was clearly ascertained that the land com-
pany could not be bankers, and Mr. O'Connor was then
registered as the proprietor. It was his private bank, and
not the shareholders' bank.
The Master—Did Mr. O'Connor ever intend to claim any
intermediate benefit arising from the conduct of the bank?
Mr. Sweet—No I believe not.
Mr. James—Mr. O'Connor being advise! by 3lr. Sweet,

u counsel for the company, that he must be the sole han-
ker, it was carried on in his name.
Mr. Sweet li..lievetl it would be found that the bank was
Mr. O'Connor's and not the company's.
Mr. Chinery—The bank was established contrary to Mr.
O'Connor's wish.
Mr. Sweet—Some of the witnesses, in the ]louse of Com-
mons, stated that the bank was essential to the success Of
the scheme and theory of the land company, and that the
money without it woul I not come in fist enough. Mr.
Price was paid his salary out of the deposits of the bank.
Mr. James—Mr. Priee's engagement was a personal one
with Mr. O'Connor, and his payment was also personal.
The Master—Probably Mr. O'Connor held a letter of in-
demnification from the shareholders for whose interest he

did this.
Mr. Roxhurgh.—The deposits were paid into the hank,
and the salary of Mr. Price and other clerks was paid out
of them, and so Mr. Price had been manager of the Land
and Labour Bank for five years, at 5001. a year, the com-
pany would be 2.5001. the worse for Mr. Price.
Mr. James.—The Bank is 3,0001. the better for Mr.Pricc.
(Laughter.) The Bank began with a deffiit of 6,000/.. and
ended, under Mr. Price's management, with a deficit of
ouly 3,0001.
Mr. Roxburgh.—And no profits throughout. (Laugh-
ter.) The banking profits were purely visionary.
Mr. Sweet.—The profits were made by lending money to
the National Land Company and receiving interests. (Cries
of " Not so.")
Mr. James protested against these unauthentic assertions,
and denied their correctness.
Mr. Sweet submitted it was of great importance that the
question raised, as between Mr. Roberts and Mr.O'Connor,
should be set right.
Mr. James urged that the connexion he formerly asserted
to subsist uctween Mr. Roberts and Mr. O'Connor was still
so, and that Mr. Roberts was Mr. O'Connor's solicitor. as it
suited, and according to the emergency of the moment.
Mr. O'Connor.—No, no.
Mr. Bagshaw (addressing the Master).—Mr. O'Connor
wishes me to inform you that Mr. Roberts never was his
solicitor; and that he knew nothing of the proposal of lir.
Amycr or Mr. Price.
Thu Muster said it still appeared to him that ho was right
in requiring the further evidence that had been given re-
specting the authority received front Mr. O'Connor to pre-
sent the petition for winding up the cowpony in his name.
The atfidai its were not inconsistent one with another, but
the original affidavits were defective in not having stated
that the petition was presented with Mr. O'Connor's
sanction. Unquestionably, on a review of all the facts, it
would have been far better and far more correct for
the parties to hate stated that the petition had been
presented and the order obtained " nominally " for Mr.
O'Connor, and in his name, in consequence oi the manner
in which his name appeared in the act of parliament. It
would have been better to have stated that the order was
obtained under Mr. O'Connor's general uothority, but the
original affidavits made no averment of this. The affidavit,
however, of Mr. O'Connor confirmed the fact of a general
delegation of authority. With respect to the connexion
that might be supp.sed to subsist between Mr. O'Connor
and Mr. Roberts, in the capacity of solicitor, ho confessed
that lie did not quite understand it. Witit reference to the
appointment of either an interim manager or of two official
managers to wind up the company's affairs, it was a paint
to which he would give particular attention IL was not,
on tire present occasion, prepared to COMIC to a candy4on,
but would take time to consider, and notify it by public
advertisement.
The

then terminated.

NAVAL.
PORTSBOUTIt, SEPT. 30.—Tlin Victoria and Al-
bert, royal yacht, Captain Lora A. Fitsclarenee, railed to-day,
for Liverpool, to attend on her Majesty there. The liAle-
roplion, 48, Captain Lord G. Paulo?, we. token out of dock
to-day.; her copper, though on fur ti years, was in an excel-
lent state of preservation. The Port Admiral, Sir T. D.
Capel, G.C.11., struck his flag at sunret to-night, and paid
his last visit to the Victory, flag ship, this morning. Out
of compliment to the gallant Aainiral the crow manned
yards. Thu Avon, steam vessel, arrived yesterday from
Plymouth with supemutnerarEcw for the Bellerophon, aad
sailed again for the eastward. 'rho Dauntleos, screw steam-
frigate, Captain Ilalsted, will sail for Lisbon ou Thursday or
Friday.

PRIZE MONEY.
(From hiss night's Gazette.)
THE ST3ll. Notice is given, that accounts pro-
ceeds of the tonnage bounties fur the slave vessels Venni-
menu) Fehr, seized on the 24th April, 18.50, and Vineador,
on the 2nd May, 1830, by her Majesty's sloop Star, will be
deposited in the registry of the High Court of Admiralty,
on the 4th Octob,.r next, agreeably to act of parliament.—
Joust G. and TI(0311A3 ::rti.witu., Agents, No. 22, Arun-
delstrect, Strand.
THE Hvinta.—Nntice is given to Commander Greg
Skipaith and the Milan and crew of her Majesty's ship
Hydra, who are entitled to share in the proceeds arising
from the capture of the slaver, name unknown (suppox:d
Imogene), on the 13th October, 1819, that the distribution
thereof will be mode on the 29th day of October next, at
No. 1, James street, Adelphi, and where the list will be re-
called every Wednesday and Friday for three months.
Flag £lO7lO 9: Eighth I:10 7104
Commander.... 38913 31 Ninth 7 13 111
Third chum.... 51 19 4i Tenth 5 3 11 i
Fourth
Fifth 23 7 8j Twelfth
Sixth l3 11 9 Thirteenth llB 11}
Seventh

J. WOODUEAD, AWnt.

MILITARY.
(Front Is-t Iststr's (Anrete.)
MAIWYTICE, non. att.
3rd Rcgt. of Foot. —quell. 11. C. ItsAuo, Iron97th F.. to be surto
Vito meveni tn, dem-moss.
I; th F.—Nag. M. 11nAutotto to 62 ens., by pur., vice Crowe, app. to
:.3rd F.
Itit% F.—Lieut. T. W. Musts's, from 75M F., to be Mu!., vice Abbott,
who nob.
28th F.— goorterninst. SPI.NCP. from 82n.1 F., to be quarkrro st.,

Mee COMILII who rep.
43r41 F.—Aw44...Surf:hit. Be .nr,.e, from F., to be
i'Jth F.—Lieut. C. C. AliikJir. from tild that F., to be Mot., Tice
11,...t,n, who each.
761 h F.—Lao.. B. T. 111:aaw, from the 46th F., to be raymae , vice

Doran, dec.
sun ut.T. Lion r .o Le cwt., vvittenut pur„ vice Mitchell,
dce.; Env. G. E. S. %V ini L. en Lobe :kut., without pus., vsse Lt.lit-
feat; kinis. 11. Ccaum, Iran usc 97th V., us be ern., vim T. Whit.
leek.
WAR-OFFICE ALMA" LIST 1011 OCTOBER.—Aecord-
ing to this list, the following names of deceased officers have
been received since the last was published :—Major-General
Rowdier, E. I. Co.'s Service, July 18.51 ; Capt. Campbell,
72nd ltegt., Sept. 5, 1851; Capt. W. IL Forbes, R.A., Sept.
1, 1851; Capt. F. Hay, kvilf-pay 31th Regt., July 23, 1851;
Capt, O'Heggerty, half-pay 69th Regt. Dec. 1849 ;
Lieut. Vaughan, 91th Regt., Aug. 3, 18:51; Lieut. Slater,
3rd W. 1. ltegt., July 21, 1851; I.ieut. Herbert, half-pay
41st Regt., Sept. 12, 1851; Lieut. Cleghorn, halt-pay .52nd
Regt., Sept. 10, 1851; Lieut. Kettlewell, half-pay ttith
Regt., Aug. 29, 1851; Surgeon Stevenson, 3rd Foot, Sept.
3, 1851 ; Surgeon I). M`lntyre, M.D. stall; Mauritius,
, July 18, 1851 ; Assistant-Surgeon Curline, 6th Dragoon
Guards, Sept. 20, 1851 ; A.ssistaut-Surgeon Richardson,
47th MIL, Aug. 26, 18.51

HEALTH OF LONDON DCIIING TILE WEEK.

(Fries the Meal Itepirt.)
The health of London is much better than it was
in the two previous week., when the deaths of 1,028 and
1.097 persons were register, I. The deaths of 908 persons
were recorded in the week ending Satunlay, Sept. 27; 470
were miles, and 480 were females; 190 were of the age of
60 and upwards, 460 were children under the age of 10, and
308 were men and women in the middle period of life. The
decrease in the mortality is general over the lice divisions
of London. 141 persons died in the public institutions: G 9
in workhouses, 8 in military and naval asylum,' 08 in hos-
pitals, 3 in lunatic asylums, 2 in military and naval hos-
pitals, and lin prison. Small-pox and typhus have de-
clined, but they were the causes of 13 and 46 deaths. Of
the small-pox victims 11 had not been vaccinated ;2, it
is stated, had been vaccinated. 39 children and 2 adults
died of scarlatina, which is prevailing in many districts. 7
persons died of erysipe:as, 8 woman in childbirth and of
mettle the following fever. Consumption was fatal to 12:1
persons ; 100 of the 308 deaths at the age between 15 and
60 were referred to this constant cause which bereaves hu
many parents of their children, so many children of their
parents. Violence, typhus, heart disease bronchitis, and
cancer are the diseases next in the order Of fatality at the
same period of life. Diarrlmai is declining ; the deaths in
the 0 tett weeks were 174, 192, 101, 97, and 91 in
number. The deaths from cholera in the same weeks
were 28. 17, 17, 7, 9. Half of the cases were of intro
than three days duration. It has been mentioned beft.re,
that half the fatal cares of the epidemic cholera terminate
in 21 hours after the first striking symptoms have appeared.
Another singular difference is shown in the annexed table.
The population of London on the north side of the Thames
in 18.51 was 1,748,090, on the south side of the Thames,
610,540; numbers nearly in tho proportion of 3to 1. Yet
the numbers of deaths from cholera iu the year 1849 on both
sides of the river was nearly equal, 7,003 and 7,137. In
the recent summer cholera the deaths have been distributed
more equally, and in the proportion of the population.
DEATILIS NUM CIIOLEItS
Ina net, !forth Di.tt lag gottth
of the Thames. ut the Thames.
Week ending August
9th Id
2,1 1851.. 12
„ „
16th „ 19 9
23.1 15
„ 30th „ 23 5
&ptember 6th „ 12
13th„ 9 8

'27th „

The epidemic year iS

7,000

7,137

Population in 1861 1,715,e95

616,5t'

TUE ULST6I RAILWAY.—The report submitted to
the half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this railway
affords evidence of the improved state of the country
through which the line passes, as compared with the pre-
ceding threeyears. The traffic has increased, and the share-
holders will an consequence receive an augmented dividend.
The amount recommended iv equal to about 1; per cent. on
the paid-up capital. The former dividend was 193, a sit are ;
the present will be 21s. The revenue account shows that
23,896/. 9s. Id. had been receited. For ordinary working
expenses, 7,305/. 9s. 8.1. were paid, together with
4;411.3.1.8d. interot ou borrowed mintal, leuvoffiall,W:-
of 12,2091. available for dividend. i.. 1. 1.1:...,.;',..\
isse v')...:?..)—i-f•sfs.: . pi
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