The Express.
London, England, 1848-06-03 00:00:00

ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN IN FAVOUR
OF REPEAL.

As was announced in the Court Circular yesterday,
the Lord Mayor of Dublin and several other members of the
Irish Mi.iropo'itan Corporation, were honoured with an in.
terview by the Queen on Thursday at Buckingham Palace.
for the purpose of presenting to her Majesty an address of
congratulation on the birth of a princess. One passage in
the document ran thus:
. . . .

Most gracious Majesty, we humbly and with all due deference
venture to suggest teat the main Calm of the misery of Ireland is
that her lawn are not made by an Irish parliament; that, instead of a
sister natin, she has been legislated for as a mere province; and that
the certain and effectual coarse to restore her priaperity, to preserve
the integrity of the empire, and to attach moat of the people clo
Inland, is by the restoration to behind of the power to make her oafs
laws and to manage her own resource. by th,i moral as speedily as
possible of the act of legislative union, and the asseirr ding of your
Majesty's Irish parliament. Thus, as we humbly conceive, ail. the
prosperity of Ireland be secured; that of your Majesty's other domi-
nions increased ; and, let what may happen in other countries, the
throne of sour Majesty he hosed on the most socuro, steadfast found.,
Min--the love, duty, and allegiance of your Majesty's people.
The Queen then read the-following reply in a distinct and
emphatic tone
I thank you cordially for your address, of congratulation, and for
the interest you expiess in my domestic happinoo. It is my con.tant
aim to promote the peace, comfort, and constitutional liberty of all
chase. 01 my people, and my greatest satisfaction is derived from the
insurance of their loyal and affectionate nt. I have felt deep
sj mouthy for the suffering of many of my suhjiebi in Ireland. I bare
riven my cordial asnet ion to the various acts passed by the lesinlature
for the miugation of that suffering, and I trust that by means or
those acts, ailed by private charity and local efforts, the pressure of
severe d 4 tress has been materially relieved. lam fully persuaded
that measures calculated to ad, once the intents's and promote the
welfare of that portion of my United Kingdom will continue to receive
from the imperial parliament the mast careful and attentive consider-
a• ion

CONTRIBUTIONS POE A GERMAN WAVY. —OU
Thursday evening a preparatory meeting of Germans was
held a: the Hall of Commerce, to take measures for raising
a subscription for providing a German navy. Mr. Hubner
was called to the chair. After allotting to the disturbed
state of the Continent, the eheirman expressed his opil ion
that peace could be maintained only in proportion to the
amount of respect paid to • nation. He then went on to
chow that stn ugth was the only guarantee for that repect
Now on the seacoast Germany was not strong ; live hundred
miles of her shores were open to the attacks of enemies of all
kinds. To provide against this weakness, to complete the
defence of the country, Germany wanted, a small fleet, to-
wards which proclamations of the new parliament had
called upon all Germans to contribute. They had hitherto '
abstained from unseen ring this summons, in crier to avoid the
appearance of hostile demonstrations against Denmark.
There being no longer any reason to fear on this account, the
present meeting was held with a view to take measures for
furthering the proposed subscription. A much larger meet-
' ing was to be It Id in a few wet kr ; in the meantime. term-
lara would be sent to all Germans is England to give them
an opportunity of making some sacrifice for the good of their
country. He concluded by hoping that those present would
support the object of the meeting in word and deed. A cir-
cular was then read to the meeting and adopted. Several
handsome subscrir ion§ were announced. and a considerable
sum from the Prince of Prussia, and one from Chevalier
Bunsen. Thanks having been voted to the proprietor of the
hall, who gratuitously lent it for the evening, so also to the
elms:man, she meeting separated.

CHARING-CROSS-BRIDGE COMPANY.—On Thariday a
special general meeting of the proprietors of Charing.croes
bridge was held at the company's office, for the purpose of
receiving and considering the report of a committee ap-
pointed at a general meeting held on the 29th of February
last. Mr. Hawes, the deputy.chairinan, presided. The
first report stated that the committee having examined the
particulars of dem and of the Market Company for the use
and hire of the market, and charges fur materials incident to
the same, for such period as the market had Inca kept out
of possession of the bridge fl .at, covenanted for by the lease,
and also haviog heard the explanation of Mr. Hawes and
Mr. Curtis, the solicitor of the directors, and having in-
spected the law papers connected with the proceedings in the
action pending, the committee had come to the resolution
that, with a view of an amicable adjustment, a sum of
52.11. should be offered to the Market Company in
full satisfaction of all claims, and in the event of refusal,
that judgment should be allowed to go as by default against
the Bridge Company, that the damages might be assessed by
a sheriff's jury. Such proposal having been made and re-
jected by the market, the committee regret to say that the
action is still pending. They could not conclude the report
without expressing their disapprobition that the company
had been again involved in litigation by the directors, and
they were of opinion that the same had been caused from
want of due compliance with the spirit of tke terms and con-
ditions of the lease on the part of the bridge directors, in nut
giving to the market the free passage over the bridge and
use of the float at the time of opening the bridge, and
the want of confidence on the part of the mar-
ket com'tany to negotiate matters in difference with
the deputy chairman of the bridge directors. The
second report stated the committee did not re-
cognise as legal any claim, as affecting the company under
any of the provisions of the acts, in connexion with the
attempted sale of the bridge, nor did they recognise any
special or general meeting connected with such transaction,
and they are of opinion that all votes, orders, resolutions,
dc., affect only the directors in their private capacity, wholly
unconnected with the affairs of the company, and assign
these as their reasons fur not recognising in the accounts the
sum of 10,0001. alleged to have been received by the
directors, and stated to form part of the liabilities of the
cmthany.—The reports having been adopted, Mr 0. Brown
proposed "That in consequence of the peculiar position
this company is in, with reference to the sum of 10,0001, said
to be mixed up with the affairs of the company, a committee
should be formed to arrange the affair."—The Chairman said
that he could not receive that resolution, as it had nothing
to do with the reports. The meeting was called solely to
receive and consider the reports.—A proprietor inquired
whether that was the chairman's awn construction of the
law, or that of the legal officer of the company.—Mr. Curtis,
the solicitor, referred to the act, and gave it as his opinion
that it would not be legal to pass resolutions at that meeting.
—A proprietor then seked whether the meeting was initia-
-1 fled with the legal opinion given. (Cries of " No," and
great confusion.) lie (the proprietor) wss a legal man, and
he had no hesitation in saying the opinion was contrary to
all reason and common seas.—Mr. Elkins said [that if their
chairman refused to put the resolution, they could order
him to leave the chair, and if he refused to go, they
could turn him out and elect another in his stead.
After a noisy discussion, of nearly three hours' duration, Mr.
Brown proposed a resolution to the effect that the retire-
ment of Mr. Mawr., the deputy-chairman, would tend to the
texture prosperity of :he company's affairs —The Chairman
I said that when the next halt-yearly meeting took place he
should present himself before the shareholder', and is • less they
distinctly assured hint that they were satisfied with his conduct,
no longer would he allow himself to be their deputy chair-
man.—Mr. Seeger said that no man could pay vreater atten-
tion to the affairs of the company than Me Bowel, and if
he retired he knew that a great many more gentlemen would
also.—The Chairman refused to entertain the resolu-
tions, and declared the meeting at an end.—After the chair
was vacated, Dr. Moore was called on to preside, and the
two resolutions were duly carried by about 14 persons who
remained behind.
TILE WATERLOO BRIDGE COMPANY.—On Thursday
afternoon the half-yearly general assembly of the proprietors
of Waterloo Bridge was held at the Freemasons Tavern,
Great Queen-street. John Beashal, Esq., was in the chair.
—Mr. Powell, the secretary, read the report of the commit-
tee. The tolls received during the past half year amounted
to 1,0061. lls. Id., being a diminution of 3291. Us, lid, from
the toot, and an increase of 4871. on the carriage toll. At
the last general assembly the committee reported that, after
paying the current charges and expenses, and making a divi-
dend of 3s. 2.1. in the pound, in August last, there remained
a balance in reserve of 1,7441. 18e. 7d., and they had now to
report that, atter availing themselves of that surplus to the
extent of 1,1871. 10s. 7d. to provide far the interest of the
company's bonds and for a dividend of 3s. in the pound on
the perpetual annuities in February last, there remained a
balance in reserve of 5.571. Bs. lid. The committee looked
forward with anxiety to the completion of the railway exten-
sion front Nine Elms to the Waterloo Bridge-road, and the y
had now the great otitis action to inform the proprietors that
the works of this desirable undertaking were in such a for-
ward state as to lead them to anticipate that the station
would shortly be opened ; fin 1 the committee had been in-
formed that the railway company appointed the 30th instant
for this purpose. The total receiptaot the year had amounted
to 7,1331. 12s. Bd.—The report was unanimemly adopted,
and there being no further business the meting maarated.
CIIARTISTA AND CONFEDERATES (IN CLERI: EN W ELL-
latil7.ll.-4 Le esimusts ,t.tl their emiedee,,,te e
assem-
bled as usual, on Cterkesamli.,6reen last nigl t, butt with

considerably diminished strength ; between 800 and 1,000 per-
sons only being prt sent. Their proceedings were ofa character
to excite amusement only, as will be seen by the two circum-
stances we aball instance. A young man of respectable ex-
terior having taken op his position at the lamp from which
the speakers have usually addri mud the mob, he soon col-
lec,ed around him th,ee or tour hundrid boys and rabble,
amongst whom he scrambled a plentiml supply of coppers.
This amusement lasted for about half-an hour, at the ex-
piration of which, on account of either the exhaustion of his
exchequer, or the abatement of his benevolecl dispo-
sition, he essayed to move away from hie newly made friends,
but his attempted escape was resisted, and in the struggle that
ensued his hat was broken to pieces, and his, oat literally term
to shreds, in which condition be with much difficulty of ected
a retreat. His place was taken by a working man, named
11 aggeity, who requested the mob att. ntively to listen to
wh►t he had to asy. lliggerty said he was ashamed of the
bad conduct of men who professed to be actuated by a desire
of tor *reeding a great political prime ple. The most trivial
circumstance drew them off from the great matter they had
in hand_ Ile believed the exhixition which had just taken
place was a device of the police, and that the poor fool who
had been distributing his snooty was an instrument in the
bands of the government to get up a row, and to afford an
excuse for the government to set t: sir hell-hoands
upon the people. "Do you believe," continued the
speaker, " that you are promoting chartism and
repeal, or that you are likely to liberate honest John
Mitchel, by miiking such infernal ass s of yourselves ?" (This
exclamation drew down upon the speaker a volley of the
most frightful yells.) He contiimed—" Don't be offended
with me, I only tell you the truth and speak to you as a
friend. Circumstances have occurred which we could not
foresee, and to some extent we have mixed cur point ; but
don't be dismayed, we will win our point ye t." Whilst the
speaker was int at on thus giving advice to his friends a cry
was raised which spread general dismay. "The Bobbies are
coming" acted like an electric shock upon the mob, who fled
in all directions, and Haggerty, liuding that his advice was
no longer required, a'so made off. About tit y policemen at
this time arrived, and after some encounters with the refrac-
tory persons who !entailed completely cleared the green.

THE REFORM MOVEMENT.

LEEDS.—The following is a copy of a requisition
now in course of signature amongst the parliamentary elec-
tors of this borough :
To TOO W011,1i114,1, TII, M•TOR or Tflld BOILOVOIt er Lean..—
We, the undereignid, electors of the borough of Leeds, atruiot longer
remain idle ern manes of the stimng events which seem to be crowd-
ing upon the attention of the nation. It is vain to disguise the fact
that we are on the eve of taking another great step in our progres-
sive march of electoral reform. The Waring corruption of the pre-
tent limited constituency, the weequal distribution of electoral power,
and the acknowledged flume u( use people for the exercise of their
rights, imperatively demand the serious consideration of all. When
a thing has become inevitable, there is wisdom, if not seen pely, is
obeying as it were the chest of Provide cr, and performing our task
I or our duty with alacrity and cheerfulness: that a change is neves iry
is evidenced by the etmenatton of our trade, the stoning condition of
our operative*, and the loud call of millions of our orderly and
trious fellow citizens far 11111111.14011 within the tide of our constitution.
Excessive agitation is ever highly detrimental to trade and commerce,
and, it long continued, may paralyze, it not utterly destroy them.
Prudence, and the interests ot all, demand a speedy settlement of the
great questions that now slows the country. Let none deceive teem-
selves with the fallacious expectation that this agitation can be
stopped by ought thou of consummation. The moderate tee, and
the ounsolniation of our previous triumphs, have prepared us for an-
other movement in our orderly march to rational freedom.. Amidst
the crash of empires and the fall of thrones, the English
nation, ever loyal and peaceful, sublimely purthea its mag-
nanimous course of political amelioration; its reward might,
and must. be, liberty. Let us then add our voicth to the
genet 3 cry Gir enfranchisement, retrenetunalt, and economy.
Let us convince Lure: John Russell (who decLued in his place in par-
liament on Tuesday night, May 23rd, that the middle and working
classes generally neither required universal nor household suffrage),
that be to profoundly ignorant of the state of feeling and opinion in
this country. In order to ascertain the opinion of the people of Leeds
on these great questions, and with a view to petition the legislature to
pass each laws so will compose the minds and sandy the reasonable
expectation, of the people, we humbly re=t4tinur worship to call a
public meeting of the inhabitants of this