The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-09 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 9, 1847.

that in this rote of things, landed property has fall; s to a
third or • foe oh of the value which it bore up to 1810. It
is shown, to,. in the same papers, on the evidenee of a
former gover. or, that before the convict system of POO was
adopted, the colony was in a proeperous mate, and life and
property nes: ly u secure in it as in England.
1 think, toy it is satisfactorily shown by the same papers
that all these calamities hose resulted tram the convict
system, seta' abed by the house government in 1810; but I
would now el-tree, that if her Majesty's r presentative in
the colony b.• I done his duty to the colonists and to the
British public, by representing to the home authorities, in
a clear and a 'tine manner, the ruin that woo Ming nets-
ironed by this system, it certainly would hove been put a
atop to long „o.
The Colon Al Legislative Council, as at present consti-
tuted, consie*3 entirety of members who are appointed to it
by the hen government ;or rather, in practice, by the
Governor, an l confirmed by the home authorities. It will
be seen, fro: what follows, that such a council is not effl-
Ment nor bei.ofteial to the interest:sof the free colonists. One
of the mem sera lately moved in it, " That, consider-
ing the di-ceased and bankrupt state of the colony,
• committee should be appointed to inquire into
the amount of the expenses that arc annually im-
posed on am colonies fur the meinter once of the
convict csta osliments." The Governor, shortly after
this motion e ss rude, admitted in the council, or rather the
Colonial Seer tary did no on his behalf, that the burthens so
imposed cm:masts were unjust and oppressive ; yet he
refused the ri mired committee, awl one half of the mem-
bers of the c oncil Icing paid servants of the government,
and all of liens b. ing subject.lo be dismissed by the Gover-
nor nut only from their seats in council. but Mao from the
ether offices tir which they receive salaries, if they refuse to
give him tl iir support in the council—the committee II
referred to was never formed; not, I believe, hue the
infonultion required by the mover of it ever been
eomniunican 1 in au official boon to the home authorities.
No one, I believe. doubts that her Majesty's sues:visite
government, since 1810 have, in all they have done for Van
Diemen's Ls id, considered they were actinx fairly towards
the free celoaists ; but the reverse, as has been shown, has
been the set: .ad result. Since 1840, the convict system of
that year—• •tabliabed by the home govinirsout, without
the consent knowledge of the colonists—has driven a hall
of the See i ,habitanteo from the island, after baying sold
their proper lie in it for a third, or even fourth, of what
they Sere • rth up to 18-10; and, if the other half have not
follioveil the - example, it is only because they have nut been
able to seli their properties in the island on any terms.
Considering. however, the bishop's description of the place II
i.e., that it i • not fit for the I-e sislenco of any one who regards
his own bee intertats—tho injustice done to this latter half
of the colon Al is even greater than to the dormer.
If a far legislative vaincil had been granted to
the colonies:, when they petitioned for it in 1935, the
Measures ,-high have proved so disastrous to the
colony would wirer have been brought into operation;
or, if they h id, would speedily have been put a stop to by
the repress: Wines of that council; for it cannot be that
either of he Majesty's late go' ern runts wool -I Lave allowed
the colony to have been distrused, as it has been, if the local
authorities hid given them full information with regard to the
disastrous carets that ware being produced by their =n-
acres. Sinalar disasters may occur again, and it will he
acting rants icy to the rules which prudence dictates, if the
'Monists are not now allowed to be go:riled by a legislative
loaned, chorea by themselves, from the effects of such occur-
Mete.
It may b • said, in opposition to free institutions, that the
Colony is a pen...l settlement, and that therefore the eolonisto
who have eons there have no right to expect to be governed
by free institutions, cr that the colonists are not yet ripe for
such institutions. In 1840, Sir J. Franklin the then gover-
nor, stated, in the Legislative Council, that • coneidi red the
oboists wire quite capable to govern themselves ; and es
he had much better data on which to form his opinion
than say one in Enalend can possibly base, I think
what he has said on thus head should be conclusive.
With regard to the colony being a penal settlement,
I think it has been folly shown that that circum-
stance alone makes a free colonial council India
pensable, because ito bein,.; so induces the home authorities
to interfere with the interests of the colonists in ways which
they would not otherwise think of.
I do not propose to enter into a detail of all the grievances
oft ,e colonists ; but in regard to taxation I would observe :
the number of free colonials still in Van Diemen's Laud
may be about 18,003, of whom Kay one-half consist of
persons from the better clears of gaiety at home,
who went to the colony with considerable funds
daring the prosperous and judicious government of Sir
G. Arthur, and the other halt of emancipated convicts. In
Adelaide the number of inhabitants is about 23,000, and they
are taxed to the 'mount of 23,0001. per annum, whereas the
free colonists in Van Dicman's Land pay taxes (65,000/. of
them in import duties) to the amount of 100,000/. per
annum! The salary of the governor at Aaelaide iv 1,5001.-
per annum; that of the governor of Van Dientan's Land
was some years ago tined by the Home Government at
2,5001.; but the present anomalous is gislative council, one-
half the members of which have no intention of being per-
eminently connected with the colony, have raised it to 4,0001.
When the free settlers now in Van Dieman's Lind went
there, they did so on the recommendation of the ministers of
her Majesty's predecessor. They went, too, under the as-
surance coutained in the Governor of the colony's official
report, that the colony, though a penal settlement, was
nearly as safe for life and property as England; and that
It was still rapidly improving. By the wording, too, of
the act of Parliament conatitutang the present legis-
lative council, they were led In believe that the island would,
at no distant period, be favoured with free institutions. The
colony has now suffered certaiuly very heavy reverses; but
as these reverses are entirely owing to the errors of the home
government, ouch a state of things should not preclude the
Colonists from the advantage of a free local council, anil
which, as I have already attempted to show, is the
only means they have to protect themselves from the
effects of such errors in future. It will be seen, too, from
what is said in the preceding paragraph, it is time the free
colonists were removed from the control of the present ano-
malous council.
It is now proposed se a general system, that crown land be
Siren to the convicts on " easy terms." In reference to this
proposal I would wish it to be kept in mind that for the last
16 years at least, the government have been selling the
111.0W1111111de in the colony to the free settlers, and that, in con-
sequence, large sums have been invested in this way. One
family, so far back as 1832.3, bought in one district (and at
One sale, I think), crown land to the amount of 23,0001.,
sad on which they must sine' then have spent 5,0001. or
10,0001. in knees, buildings, And other improvements. From
1833 to 1810 this land could have been resold, at any
time, to considerable advantage, soy, with the improves
Meats, at at least 40,0001. ; but, owing to the effects
of the convict system of 1840, it is not now
worth 10,0001. I do not speak at random. but what is
actually known to me; besides which, what is just stated is
fully confirmed by the affidavit before referred to. and which
has already been submitted to the inspection of her Mejesty's
laic Colonial Secretary. This, then, is what I consider
wholesale injustice to the family in question. But that is
Puled and cannot be remedied ; for the free colonists, who
have been hunted out of the island by the convicts, cannot
Row be brought back ; nor, now that the place is full of con-
victs, can life and property be made as secure as they were in
lie G. Arthur's time. The only thing therefore to be done
is to guard against mishaps in future. At the time the family
referred to purchased their land, they were assured, by the
Government regulations, that crown land would not there-
after be sold but by auction, and to the highest bidder. If,
then, her Majesty's government now allow men, merely M-
euse they have been convicts, to select the beet smell bits of
mown land in the island at a low Notre, are they not there-
by cheapening the price of all land in the colony, and heap.
ing further injustice on the head, of all those who have pur-
etimed crown lands in the course of the last sixteen years?
All this, too, shows clearly, that a free legislative council is
absolutely necesary for the well being of the colony ; be-
canae such a council could moot effectually oppose any pro-
posed measures of the home government which the colorists
Ina_y_consider inexpedient.
With regard to the proposed mode of disposing of land, I
would further observe, that if, after • short probation,
you make the convicts, free men, and induce them
to settle on small properties of their own in the interior
of the island—you render the state of the free settler
even worse than it is at present. While convicts are in the
looked
ley of the free settlers they are usually tolerably well
after ; even when they are in the government gangs
there is some care taken of them ; but if you make them
free men and distribute them all over the colony, wherever
they find a bit of crown land to their fancy, or rather
wherever they conceive they can live by plunder, you do
great injustice to the free settler. B. :—The family be-
fore referred to, have 30.000 acres of land in •
favourable situation in the centre of the island,
with say 15,000 sheep upon them. Now, supposing 100 or 200
of these convicts, on being emancipated, get crown land, and
build a village in the vicinity of thus family, at the end of the
first twelve months there would probably be few of the
15,000 sheep remaining. Icy far the largest fortune that
ever was made by any man, bond or free, in the colony, was
Made by a convict cattle stealer; end now that the police is
so:totally inefficient, and us many convicts at large, no
doubt the convicts will keep their saroir faire in stealing in
practice.
In March last, when a petition from the colonists in
Van Diemen's Land wan presented in the House of Lords,
the late Colonial Secretary justified his proceedings towards
the colony, by stating that before he acted, be had consulted
two parties, who, he conceived, should have been able to
give him advice. Neither of these parties, however, were
actual colonists, nor had any interest whatever in the colony.
The only real excuse that could then have been offered was
Zce ; but if her Majesty's present ministers pro, ecd to
rnire the value of land still further ;n the colony, as they-
appear to intend to do--they will not unw have even that
excuse to offer. If they do so proceed, and a member of
the family before referred to, come to London and I resent a
petition to parliament, praying that his purchium of crown land
is 1832-3 may be cancelled, and his funds returned to him,
on the grounds, that his agreement with the government in
respect to the land had been violated, and the land itself ren-
dered nearly valueless, entirely by their proceedings ; and if
he should suhatantiate his eau, as I doubt not he could do
fully; 1 cannot see on what grounds parliament could refuse to
giant hie request. Certainly it the mutter were referred to
tray two merchants in London, they would gore • decision
in his favour.
What should be done for the colony, then, is this :—Let
the home government provide. at their own expense, a full
sad sufficient police for the protection of the tree settlers.

mill in

• That the emigration of which our correspondent 'peaks is
=appears from the following paragraph In the Potnere.
er, of I Sib July laid :—.• liwaisrervor.—The following return
din n s the umber of persons who have left tuts port during the last
eronths:—Mdea, 1221; female., 357; children, 270. A/10 lb
d4nOg the same period: 304 ; females, at; ehlldrells 37.
Hof arrivals, ...VI; total departure, 1,04.11 i excess of departures,

Send a second Sir G. Arthur to rule the convicts, and
be will soon put them in very different training to
what they are in at present. Let si free legult-
tire assembly be given to the colony. Let the governor
be instructed to form a committee from such assembly, to
inquire what part of tho establishments in the is'and are ren-
dered necessary by the presence of convicts, nod let the
expenses of such, or at least the greater part of them, he
defrayed by the home government; and let the governor
further be instructed not to impose any taxes on the inhabi-
tants, beyond those that are usually paid in the neighbour-
ing colonies. If all this be done fairly, lam persuaded that
the revenue of the colony will net uuly be equal to its
expenses, but that there will he an annual rurplus of
from 20,0001. to 40,0001.; and wL,eh ought to he
employed ax the legislative assembly !air deem to the ad.
vantage of the colony. The debt contracts by the Gorernor,
amounting to upwards of 110,0001., stioull be paid off by the
home government.
If all this be done, the state of the colony will soon be
very different from what it is at present. Cone iets have already
ceased to be sent to it. Wages are now high at Port Philip,
say 301. per annum to a time-expired convict, beside board
and lodging ; and an the number of sheep there is still ie.
waving rapidly, it is likely that 2,000 time-expired men
will have gone there and to Adelaide in the enure.° of the
present year, and probably an equal number will go in the
name directions in 1847. This will relieve Van Dietneu's
Land of a great part of its present over-atoek of convict
labour ; and if, in the mean tune, the colonial goveruuscut
do not give too many pass tickets to the crinvies, those
a ho now hold such ticket or tickets of leave will all dad em-
ployment or, fair terms. If, on the contrary, the govern-
ment do, as they have done in late yearn., continue to press
pass-holders on the labour-market when there is no demand
for them, they will only force these men to take to the bush,
and to live by plunder.
If the home government now pay a fair proportion of the
expenses of the convicts in Van Diemen's Land, such propor-
tion will, for the present, amount to a very large sum ; but
every year the amount will be consi lerabiy diminished. If
the price of wool c,intinue as ut present, I expect that three
years hence every able-bodied convict then remaining in
Van Diemen's Land will find satisfactory employment in it.
The police force may then be greatly diminished, as it is
the road gangs and idle pass holders now render the
lives of the free settlers uncomfortable. When the con-

ewe come to be fewer in number, and to be deposed over
the country, employed in agricontural labour, or in tending
sheep, they will be, in a groat measure, out of the way of
temptation to recur to their old balks. As to the aged and
ineafahle convicts, am they have been sent to to.e colony by
the home government they must remain at their espense.—
I em, sir, your obedient servant, G. M.
Exeter, -Dec. 31.
There is one subject which I find I have omitted to
notice. Van Diemen's Land is a grain-growing country,
where. many small shipments of wheat have in late year..
been sent to England, though freight is seldom under
IR*. per quarter, and the duty till lately has
been ds. per quarter. There were several distilleries
in the colony up to 11438, the spirits made at which
paid • trifle less duty than the ruin imported
from the West Indies via England. In that year
the Governor, considering that the duty on spirits would
he woe" easily collected, if rum only were drank. pre-
vailed on the legislative council to prohibit shoe, cher distil-
lation from grain. This measure, however (the impolicy
of which, in a young grain-growing colony, must be mani-
fest), was not carried through the council without much
oppoation. One of the members, a paid servant of the
government, would not vote fur it, and, in consequence,
bat his seat in council, and his salaried appoint-
ment. Another member wan allowed to resign his
government appointment and seat in the council
while the bill was on the tape, in order that the Go-
vernor. with a council so modified to his will, might pass it.
This bill is still in force, hut a petition has lately been cent
home from the colonists praying, inter also, that it may be
annulled.
No sitequate compensation has ever been wade by the Van
Diemen's Land government to the distillers for the lob of
the use of their utensils and other property, rendered value-
less by this act, though their case was brought gully before
both the local government and the legislative council. I
mention this as another proof that a free legislative council is
urg'ntiy required by the colony.
I h tee reason to believe that tue right hon. lord now at the
bead of the Col nisi-office has given much attention to the
affair, of Van Diemen's Land ; and is writing this letter it
the furthest from my wish to say anything disrespectful to
him or to any one else. In stating my case, I had
to attribute all the disasters that have assailed
the island to her Majesty's late government ; but I think I
have proved all that by evidence that will not hear to be dis-
puted. In stating my case, I have el, weed some few faze,
without referring to proofs: this I did merely to avoid pro-
lixity: but I am quite ready to prove all I have advanced.
My chief object in writing this letter is to fulfil a promise
I have mado to some of the respectable settlers in Van
Dienarn's Land--viz., to protect their interests as far as I
can. I have myself some property there still; but I am so
tired of waiting for justice to the colony, that I have lately
instructed my agent to sell one farm, if 4,0001. can now be
i got for it—though 20,0001. was at one time offered for it.
My impression is that if either the Governor, who has
lately been sent out, be not fitted for the situation ; or if the
place do not get a free legislative council, or if that
council be not allowed to manage the colony and convicts as
it may see right, the island must continue as it is at present,
according to the bishop's showing—" a hell upon earth."
Leek here upon this pictore, and on this."
Look at the picture drawn of the colony by Sir George
Arthur in 183 G, and on that by the bishop in 180 ; and say
whether the free colonists have not reason to curse the day
when they gave credence to the representations of the Colo-
nial-office in London, or put themselves and their properties
in any way under its control. G. M.

IT. Somerset and J. Arnistrnne. To be Lieut.., with out pnr. : Emen,
C. E. Phi!Motto, J. Kale, and J. R.Donisell, vice Armstrong'. To be
Ensigns, without pur.: E. M. Jone., D. I:WM, A. T. Armstrong,
vice Phi noon.. ; W. If. C. G00(16014 vice Sada ; and H. J. Palmer,
Moeal 'Donnell.
Ilimver.—The name of the undermentioned oaf oer was tanitte3 in
the let of those prodiuled by brevet in the Gazette of Nor. 10,
J Crvehtort, an h... 59 th F., to be a l.ln the army. To
be majors in the a, my: Capt.. J. 11.,M1104 of 6ith P.; E. L'Eatriume,
of 70th F.; C. H. 1.. Thiling, of 28t6 F. ; and J. E. Dupuis, of it .yal
Artillery.
Moments. Brew.—Amet.—Sura. W. 0. Mnekrnale, 1.1.0., from Ist
Drag. Wm, to be staff sore. of are. clew, vice J. F. N1•i.41. who
mt. no ; M. Tweddell to be assist.wurg. to the forte; W. 0.
Ildelmon to be vand..aurr. to the( umes.
Co3llll,24lllLlAT.—Dep.4bm.-Gen. C. Palmer Mho earn.-gen. Assist.
Cams.-lien. J. E. Daniel, W. Tbornron, and J. Bland to be dep.-
, T. Turner, J. Campbell, J. Pat)
G. Shepheard, R. Neill, W. H. Maturin, J. W. Royal, R. Routh,
M. Mabee., and P. TWIN, to be assist—cone lea. Coe. Clerk!. F.
S. Parker, T. lirowne. P. W. Waklion. C. Potwieter, H. More, I'.
Coxworthy, J 11. Tubby, W. Tinting, 11. Bartlett, A. C. Cieeksliank,
and H. Robinvon tore din.-aviist..eums..en.
EllitAtt wln the Gown, of May 1, 18 In 20th P.—For J. W. lbw
tuck to be Ens., by pur., viol Barry, wbo eel ; reed, vice l'arry,
who ret

OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, JAN.
RI. Artillery—See. Lieut. A. W. Drama to be llnt lieut., vice Frye,

TUE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE COURT OF ALDER-
Ras AND Comitos COUNCIL—The sub-committee of the
Common Council met on the subject of the refusal of the
Lord Mayor to put. the questitm for the third reading of the
bill to alter the qualiticetion of the candidates for the Com-
mon Council. Mr. Peacock in the chair.—Mr. Ashunt said
he had requested that the former reso!uti ins might he read,
that the meeting might act consecutive, by redeeming
their pledges to their cumnitoents. The difficulty with a
popular and numerous body was to preserve unity of action.
The only question before the Court of Common Council at
the present moment was, the refusal of the Lord Mayor to
put a question regularly moved, arid the right of the court
to insist upon his putting it, or having it put by. an offeer of
the court. The Lord Mayor was merely the minister of the
court, to preserve order and regulate the speakers, not to
license or suppress discussion; but if he could refuse to put
a question to the court he possessed the power to suppress
any law improvement, or even an effort to make one, and the
court must asaemble to discharge such (Wits as it should
please him to permit. The present question was a lawful
question. The Lord Mayor had submitted it twice to the
court—on the first and second rendinz of the hill, and
would, they all knew, hove put it upon the occasion in ques-
tion, but that tit.? &Wenn. n wished to raise the struggle which
they knew must come open that bill rather than upon others
a Ilia were to give the freedom without fine to all the rated
inhabitants residing in the City, and to control their pre-
sent irromonsibility. They hod an instinct which told them
that if the corporation were thrown open, elections for life
and irresponsibility would come. They dreaded parliament,
but if they would not allow 'armlet to come from within, it
must come from a ithout. The committee were under obli-
gation to his friend for suspending the requisition. They
needed not to do mu: now than to insist upon having the
question put. If they did not insist upon that they would
surrender the primary right upon which all others
depended. Mr. it. L. Jones argued earnestly in favour of
iusisting upon putting the qui stion. Neither the Lord
Mayor nor the speak.i of any legallycimstituted assembly
could say "you shall not proceed with the business of a,
report you have received." If such were the ease the Lord
Mayor might practically suppress the court, and say that no
question should Le put for receiving n repult of which his
lordship did not approve. The committee then proceed, dto
tin a day for bringing up the information required frost the
several oqicers, and appointed Wednesday tne 14th inst. to
call together the general committee of me when.
DISTRESSED NEEDLEWOMEN's SOClETY.—Yester-
day a meeting of the supporters and friends of the society
ee :St held at the llanover-square Rooms, Mr . J. L. Hansard
in the chair, for the purpose of considering the expedii ney
of presenting some mark of respect to Mr. Alderman Fate-
brother, the president, and Mr. Roper, the hon. secretary of
the society. A resolution, approving of the object of the
meeting, and appointing a committee to carry it out, was
unanimously adopted. Subscriptions, amounting to 391. 125.,
including 101. lOa. from the chairman, were announced, after
which the meeting separated.
SOCIETY OF LICENSED VICTUALLERS.—On Thursday
afternoon a court of governors was held at the %Worn, Ohl-
Kent-road. From the report read by Mr. o..irt, the secre-
tary, it appeared that during the quarter the sum of 9561. 13s.
had been distributed amongst 25.5 distressed members, and
that 721. was weekly dispensed to those objects of benevolence.
ST. PANORAS r. TIIE I'ooll LAW COMMISSIONERS.
—On Thursday night a crowded meeting of the parochial
committee, of St. Fames., took place, when Ir. Midis
moved the following resolution, which was adopted
Ttua this minrolti.e. fully convinced that the interference of the
Poor law Vorninaseitinert with the man,gement of the parish will tend
neither to the advantage of the poor nor the Interne of the rate-
payer., most medially rejoice that the ve,trymen and directors of the
pout are of opinion that theironler ought not to be obeyed, :mil giving
regulations tor the government of the workhouse is dkiral, trust that
the vestrymen and direct," of the poor will peracverc and ire every
means in their power to frustrate their attempt to destroy the man-
agement of parochial affairs by the vestrymen freely elected by the
rate-payers.
THE MARVLERONE GUARDIANS AND POOR-L.IW
COMMISSIONURS.—Yesterday, a meeting of the directors and
guardians or the poor of St. Marylebone was held in the
board-room of the workhouse. The chair was taken by Mr.
Minis, and the secretary read a communication from the
joint committee of the directors and vestrymen to the effect:
That this committee, while duly impressed with their local arta, are
of opinion that information aboulti not he withheld when required by
the I'mo.lsev Cunumveinneros but •Imukl any order, rule, or modes
Dos named he the Poor-law Vonmessiuners, virtually affect the repeal
of our local Privileges without the ("peeved enactment of the him-
Wore, that such unconstitutional proceeding be meted to the utmait.
This communication was signed n C. Flood, Vestry (Jerk
for Marylebone. Jan. 7, 1847." At the conclusion of this
document, a protracted discussion took place between dif-
ferent members of the board. Mr. Potter moved:

That the foregoing communie.dion be deferred until Friday neat.
He considered the matter required consideration, and the
hoard ought not to come to any resolution upon it hastily.
Mr. Daniel reminded the board that the Poor-law Comm,.
stoners had limited the time for the production of the docu-
ments. The resolution haying been seconded, Mr. Laurie
moved as an amendment .. . .

That this board agree with the committee f. their report, and that
the information required by the Poor-law Commissioners be trans-
mitted to them forthwith, in accordance with the report.
When, on a show of hands, there appeared for the former
resolution two, and for the amendment fifteen. It was then
moved and secmded that a copy of the resolution carried be
sent to the Poor-law Commissioners. The question was put
and carried by a large majority. The board then adjourned.
CHANGES IN ST. JAMES'S num.—For the ac-
commodation of the public, a very handsome portico and a
noble Night of stone steps is now being constructed at the
north end of the private gardens attached to Buckingham
Palace, intended as a public entrance for foot passengers
from Grosvenor-place to Constitution-hill, St. James's park.
It will be a very great convenience to the inhabitants of Dei-
gn's-square and the vicinity, and is expected to be cora.
pleted in • month. The statues on the north and south
wings of Buckingham Palace, together with the architectural
frontage to St. James's-park were yesterday removed for the
intended enlargement, the excavations for which are already
complete.
,
TIM ADELPHI THEATRE is about to be rebuilt on
a larger scale; adjoining properties have been purchased for
that purpose.— The Budder.
VAIMIRES.--" The singular creatures, which are
productive of so much annoyance, constitute the genus
phylloatoma, an named from the leaf-like appendage attaches!
to their upper lip. They are peculiar to the continent of
America, being distributed over the immense extent of ter-
ritory between Paraguay and the isthmus of Darien. Their
tongue, which is capable of considerable extension, is fur-
nished at its extremity with a number of papilla., which
appear to be so arranged as to form an organ of suction, and
their lips have also tubercles so arranged. These are the
organs by which they draw the life-blood both from man
and beast. These animals are the famous vampires of which
various travellers have given such redoubtable accounts, and
which are known to have nearly destroyed the first establish-
ment of Europeans in the New World. The molar teeth of
the true vampire, or spectre-bat, are of the most carnivorous
character, the first being short and almost plain, the others
sharp and cutting, and terminating in three or four points.
Their rough tongue has been supposed to be the instrument
employed for abrading the skin, so as to enable them more
readily to abstract the blood, but zoologists are now agreed
that that supposition is wholly groundless. Having carefully
examined, in many mien, the wounds thus made on hones,
mules, pigs, and other animals, observations that have been
confirmed by information received from the inhabitants of
the northern parts of Brasil, I am led to believe that the
puncture which the vampire makes in the skin of animals is
effected by the sharp hook-nail of its thumb, and that from
the wound thus made, it abstracts the blood by the auctorial
powers of its lips and tongue. That these bats attack man,
as well as animals, is certain, for I have frequently been
shown the sears of their punctures in the toes of many who
had suffered from their attacks, but I never met with a
recent case. They grow to a large size, and I have killed
sonsethat measure two feet between the tips of the wings."—
Oardner's Trarels in Brazil.
INQUEST, YESTERDAY. DESTITUTION.— Before
Mr. W. Baker, at the Horn of Plenty, Globe-road, Mile-end,
on the body of John Gould, aged 53 years. The deceased had
been oat of employment for a very considerable time, and
was wandering through the public streets without food, or
any clothes to cover him. His body had become frighfully at-
tenuated, and he was in • deplorable state of destitution. On
Wednesday morning last he was discovered by a labourer ly-
ing in the street, opposite Shadwell church, in a dying state.
He was conveyed to the Mile-end work-house, where he ex-
pired on the following morning. Mr. Storey, a surgeon, said,
that he bad no doubt but that the deceased had died from
starvation and want. The jury returned a verdict of
" Natural death."

REPEAL OP TILE. MALT TAX AND StE KNATCH-
RuLL.—The Kent Herald of Thursday says:—" Ma east
Kent farmers are pretty generally in favour of pressing the
repeal of -.he milt tax on government, hut apparently with-
out any very definite notions of how the gap in the national
revenue is to be supplied. The ex-minister, Sir Edward
Knatchbull (the fanners' ez-" friend "—for we believe the
title is scarcely allowed him after his sanction of Sir Robert
Peel's initiatory measures), has delivered an opinion on the
subject which we suppose will scarcely be palatable to the
enthusiasts for repeai. It is contained in a letter addressed
to Sir Brook Bridges, the chairman of the East Kent Agri-
cultural Association, and was read at the recent meeting of
that body; the following is a copy
My dear Sir, —The vast importinee of the quention to be conaldered
at the email meeting of our Agricultural Moreistion on Saturday
nest, leads me to regret, blond what I can ,sprcaa, my inaboity
to attend. I am not well enough to venture to Imre home for the
purpose of engaging In the expeetrd diseurnion, I desire, however,
ah every reapeetful apology from me, that the mare, and the only
eau. of in, ahrience, may he elated to the meeting, and, at the vme
time, 1 hope I may ,e alio eed, with deference, to submit the opinion

entertain upon the great question bey re us. Under feelings of great
irritation, excited not without eulficient muse, the whole agricultural
body is disposed to make every exertion for the repeal of the malt duty.
I hope the meeting at Canterbury viii not, without fill and deliberate
consideration, eon-hide that each a room' no regards the general in.
tern-la of the country, but especially their own particular Intermits, is
either prudent or expellent. It from the to carrot they have re-
ceived, the fanners of England are angered, and are careless of what
conarvpienecs may follow, from the ellneendni exercise of their power
in effecting the repeal of the malt tax, I 01.41 not deny that they have
hod enough of provocation to lead them astray, but I Mall lenient
that they have adopted a mane, which appears to me to be unwire
end impolitic. It should be recollected, that the repeal of the malt
tax le not the only speedo* to be considered, at last by thoec to
whom your Interesta In parliament are confided. The
win rum.
of 5,000,000 i. annually from the public income, will com-
pel the government to resort to male other at, necessary
to meet the expenditure of the country. If your representative
vote for the repeal of the malt tat, no doubt ouch a vote,
under the (cellos which now prevails, would be highly popular—but
they will then have ',reformed only half their duty —they will be re-
quired to rote upon the propindtioo fir some other tax, and will then
pri.lcab!y gad that their find vote has placed them in a initiation of dif- •
fieulty, from wh!th we ought to endeavour to relieve them. In the
present elate of the country, and in the preen' state of the public
mind. if the agriculturists emceed in their attempt, they must,
think, he prepared to cement to an increase of the property tat. its
other course is open to them—lt is weaknea+tu euppose that at pre-
met they can carry the re-imposition of the taxes repealed in the last
nod former realms of parliament. The change from the malt duty to
an int-named property tam will not benefit the landed interest or to.
country in general. fo meet the deficiency the property tax mutt le
doubled in the mac of all those who ore now subject to it, or it may be, a
comiderable increase will be made to their present payments, while a
proportion of what is requited, will he hemmed upon those who me
now altogether exempt. If the latter mode, which I think moot
likely, should he adopted, the whole people of England would he
liable to Ihi tax, which would be fined upon them now and for ever.
I think it will be found that the mem* from the repeal of the man-
tas will be much than the amount required to be paid in
direct taxation. It is mead in favour of the repeal of the malt
tax, that the situation of the labourer would be greatly im-
proved, and that he wouw, no he is mid to have done
in former Enna, have the enjoyment of god beer. with his
own family, in his own cottage. This etanddemtion would
have great weight with me, if I believes! that this advantage
woukl follow --It might to • certain, tint to • very limited
extent—their benefit, Wrongly as it is urged, is greatly overrated.
I do not expect to witness u return, to who, in thin matter, a mid to
have been the former habits of the Labouring claim s. any mare than
I expect the time to aeries, when the tercatoccupici s of load shall receive
their farm set rants in their own houses, midi dine with the mat the rase
table. ]ti mid fun thee In favour of the repeal of the melt tax, that
great benefit will result to the farmer, from the unretracted use of
barley in the feeding of cattle. Ido not presume upaa this punt to
offer any deckled amanita,. It is, I believe, a disputed queweton, and
one mem which much difference of opinion exists— but admitting all
that a presucuid, the numbers benefit.' will be comparatively
few, whatever may be the amount of advantage. I do not
think it should he relived for more than It to worth In de-
ciding Upon the present most important emmtion. Upon the whole,
I can come to noMher ton elusion than that which I have metered,
adverse make present cirrountaurn, to any attempt to obtain a re-
peal el the malt tax. it w ill not, I hope, be supposed, from anything
I Tune 4,:0re,11, lb,d I approve of the measurtw of the last radian of
parliament, or that I am esti+fied with the conduct of those who sue-
mdeil in caret ing those measures. Whatever may be our trollop,
innakVef opinion, we may entertain, the immediate question is, how
docs it become us now to set! My de 'ire is, that the agriculturists
should take a courr, tight and safe for themselves tend for the
country. The government and the left-lature have adopted mea-
sures which we disapprove—each party is confident in the

awfulness of its own policy -our opponents have previdlrd.
All that at present we ought in my judgment to do, is
respectfully but confidently to oaf irm our opinions- to al-
low the measure• which we condemn to have a fair Viet-
h they sweets!, and are not productive of the a vile we apprehend, all
will he right -but let us Cisirovolle to have it under...trod, that It irt
these 1311,SLIFV14, In their entirety, as passed hy ptrliament, to which
go are willing to give this fair trial-those measures are the rep al
of the corn laws, the change of the custom laws, together with !ha
imposition of the property tax, fora limited tame, to prevent aLy
tn-
eoaveniesee and loss to t'ic revenue, during the transition f one one
to anther system of Lotation. It will be but for us to reeme our
strength, to refrain from any violent measure% till the merits of
the n•w system have been tested-if the new policy prosper% of
atone the property tax will mime at the promised time. An attempt
to it.muntie the property tax, will be on admission of the
Colon: of the new experimental policy. It appear. to me, that what
I have suggested is the strongest pAtion we ran os,upy, but it is
one in which we -hall nor toil ourselves placed, If we mmeorsl in
abolishing the malt tax. I perceive, though I have omitted much
that I could have aided, while I have host ly and imperfectly en-
prnrvl
what I base neaten, that I have troubled you at math no
great a length-it t roe in ettaclusion add one w.,rd for myself. My
o;,diems respecting thelustioe and policy of protection to native in-
dustry sc,nnus unchanged. 1 Mill think •it is t f the highest im-
portance to the welfare of all dames in this country, that
the main source of our supply of corn should lie de-
rived from domestic agriculture! I think, if I had con-
sidered the policy of sir Robert Peel's government in
1543 (I acted under a trnictly opposite conviction', m preparatory to
the measures of the last nice of parliament, 1 should bare jwv, In
forfeited the good opinion and tonfldence of those, whom I had for ill,
ntaty yeara the honour of reoresenting in the House of Commons. I
non certain, that if, as has leen as-erted, the mainlertinee of the rem
low was unjust, I must for a ling time have barn acting under
ip-
not met. great and unpardonable, or eke under something like dis-
simulation, Dot much to be approved or admired. I do nut beliere
either Imputation attaches to me.-I era, Sze., E. Ksszassru.