The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-03 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

BRUSSELS, TIIVRSDAY.
It is asserted in a well-informed quarter that all
the preliminaries to the concluding of an alliance,
offensive and defensive, between Great Britain and
France, have been agreed to—the equivocal dec!ara-
tions and conduct of the Austrian cabinet giving rise
to many suspicions, not to say well-founded appre-
hensions, in London and Paris.

The relations between the Austrian and Prussian
courts are less friendly than formerly.
The following details, taken from the Observateur
Beige of this evening, respecting the rejecting of the
Austrian note—the last one on the tapir—will be
found interesting; I have grounds for believing that
they are correct :

Lord Cowley was at Fontainblcau when he learned that
the cabinet of London was inclined to accept the Austrian
proposition (the one unfolded in the article from the
Wats, given yesterday in the Daily News). The lan-
guage of the Emperor on learning this news betrayed great
irritation, and his behaviour became cold and reserved.
Lord Cowley lost no time in returning from Fontainbleau
to Paris, whence he immediately expedited a courier to
London, and in 48 hours afterwards Lord Cowley informed
the Emperor that he had received from Lord Clarendon a de-
spatch intimating the intention of his government to reject
the Austrian proposition, and containing the proposal to de-
mend of Austria explanations concerning her neutrality.
From that moment the former most friendly understanding
between the Emperor and the Ambassador was restored.
He has been heard several times to declare, " I am still a
partisan of peace; but just as resolved to make war, if this
be to assist the good cause of Turkey, and deliver Europe
from the tutelage of Russia."

The demand of the cabinets for explanations from
Austria was forwarded on the 25th.

BRAZILS.

- - ••• -

(PROM 01:11 OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.
By the arrival this morning of the clipper barque
Genevieve, Captain Cowper, wo have received ad-
vices from Pernambuco to the let November.
On the 2nd November the Genevieve passed the
Royal Mail steamer Great Western, from South-
ampton, with the October mails. She left the Bella
and the Oberon loading for Liverpool.
'the Parkhill sailed for this port, from Pernam-
buco, 26th October.
The English barque William Russell, Shellord,
Muter, arrived at Pernambuco on the 24th October,
from Bahia, leaky ; a survey has been held, and it
is probable she will have to discharge her cargo.
She is laden with tobacco, bound for Bremen.
The following extract from M. Carneiro's circular
shows the state of trade at Pernambuco :
ElPuMTS.—Sugar : Our arrivals increase on a very slow
Neale, and considerable disappointment is felt at the very
backward state of our new crop ; advices from various of
the sugar districts are far from satisfactory, and represent
that the yield will not only be very late, but also much less
than had been expected. Front the desire to be operating,
our sugar dealers are buying at extremely high rates, but
which we hope to see decline as the receipts increase. Since
our last number only 78 tons have been shipped, making
the total exports since Ist Nov. last to date, 65,581 tons,
and which may be regarded as the result of the crop of
1852 to 1853. We do not hear of anything doing at Paraiba
or Maceio in new sugar.
Ccrerote.—The receipts continue to be equally limited as
for some time put, being only 614 bags since the date of our
last number. Since the intelligence received to 24th Sept. I APOTHECARIES' HALL—Names of gentlemen who
from England, our market has assuratd, a very unsettled i passed their examination in the science and practice of
state; the sales have been confined to small parcels, at pricesreceived
medicine, and certificates to practise, on Thursday,
varying from 5.800 to I;.200, according to quality Dec. 1, 1853:—Charles Slater Adams, Weilnesbury, Stat.
and we do not look for miles of any extent to take ' fordshire ; sWilliam Roberta, Mynyddy-Guf, Angleseal
place until the intelligence per mail due 31st inst. shalt j Henry Ludlow, LehrLeicestershire.
have reached us. Only 84G bags have been shipped since „ FIRE AT MILE-END.—Yesterday morning, between
oar last number, making the entire shipments since the Ist the hours of one and two o'clock, a lire broke out on the
eif July last 11,7.51 bag., against 14,062 bags within cones- premises of Mr. R. Davis, oil and colourman' Cambridge-
, pleading period last year. The stock on hand to-day for road, Mile-end. The flames were dip... Jeered by the police
Into and shipment is 4,910 bags. In Paraiba prices have ion duty, who, without a moment's delay, aroused the in'
undergone a decline of about roe 500 per arroba to the ; mates ; but the flames wire progressing an fiercely that they
grower since receipt of the news to tre 24tn Sept. At a sale ; hail great trouble in c6ct :rig a safe rt trcat before the flames
on the 28th of 1,200 bags, a great portion, of superior broke forth with terrific fury, owing to the inflammable
quality, sold at 0.100 per arroba all round, with a nature of the stock, spreading their trightful havoc. The
credit. fire was at length subdued, but not until considerable
Iliona.—We are not aware of any transactions since our damage war done to Mr. J. Dobson's (boot and shoemaker)
last number ; dealers coatinue equally firm in their do- and the adjoining houses. The cause of the tire is unknOwn•
mends, and as no stock whatever is held, we scarcely look All the parties arc supposed to be insured.

CITI" CoRPOR.II if ).% coMMISSIoN.

The cinuminiuners met yesterday; Mr. Labatt-
then la the chair.
Mr Edward Leigh Pemberton, solicitor to the Board of
.1•4 I—I was formerly solicitor to the
c,,mmienosess of Wods., end have been engaged in law
be
with the eurputttion in respect to the right of
the bed of the river In 1837 the solicitor to the
.1.1 Adisinalty called our attention to an act of puha-
I wee enostruction of a pier at Greenwich which
contused a annals directing the payment of a fine acid en
tninad rust to the corporation of London. It appeared to
ow that the corporation, in requiring this fine and rent,
wire inftisgiag en the riehts of the crown, as owner of the
e.,,5. coeurspordence rook place, and the result was that
a elute ens inserted in the bin saving the rights both of the
worn and .1 the corporation in respect to the
O+ the occasion of laying the foundation
of the sow Bmses of parliament I was again
ka to inquire ado the eighta of the corporation
to novice to the conservancy of the river. I laid a case
b, to., !ha then Attorney and Solicitor General (the
Freest Chancellor and Chief Justice), and their opinion
ins in favour of the rights of the crows. They advised us
to act iss if those rights were undoubted, but not to enter
voiuntatily into a contest with the corporation. The
Cmiwissioser. of Woods acted on that advice. In 1843
tie eeerta:,,,n guititert licenses for the embankment of the
oot as I.OllWITAtors, but at owuen of the soil. On
app•
lication I received • espy of one of these licenses, which
au granted to Mr. Cubits ler making an embankment in
the laic of p gs. The corporation got • pecuniary conside,
nom for making that peens. Acting by the advice of the
morettens of the crown—the present Chief Baron and the
late sir Follett—measures were taken to have the
richt to the bid of the decided by the competent legal
trbwege. The witness detailed at great length the legal
coie,st b, fore the different courts—the Rolls, Chancery,
and Bosse of Lords. The matter was undecided up to the
pretest moment, end the proceedings occupied 423 sheets.
The Chairman—When do you think the ease will be
gully decided ?
Mr. Pemberton—It is quite irnponible to say. Should
she Court of Chime ry decide finally on the case, 1 don't
whequite as appeal tu the House of Lords.
Mr. Lewitt—How den the exercise of the right now stand?
Pentbert in—The corporation go on to grant licences,
but they gin tea I 4 days notice before they grant them. We
*digit their right as conservators of the river, and that they
should have the opportunity of judging if an embankment
usjusions or nut, and of stopping it if it should be injus

rice,:
Tee Chairmin—W,ie the richt of the corporation is the
coasersaaey of the river ever in any Eiszner disputed by the
/Iowa?
Mr. Pemberton—Not in any manner that I am aware of,
be if it was disputed it would be by the Board of Admi-
ralty, as reprea•ntwg the navigation, end not by the office
of Woods and Forests, as representing the ownership of the

intl.
Mr. Beck, a wharfiager of blrworth, said—l am •
timber. slate, rind cirn merchant, as well as a wharfinger.
When I first commenced business I found that as I did not
serve as apprentictihip I could not carry on that portion
of my twine's which consisted in carrying goods of other
persons. I was therefore obliged to give it up. I had •
noel of 28 tons built, in which I could carry my own
goods bat ant the goods of any other person. But if I put
the name of a widow on the barge I could carry the goods
of any one else, so Vitt it would be easy to evade the rego
latione of the company. A person came to me last night
to hits my boat to bring goods from the Med-
way, but I could not do an because the present
reggiseions are against it. This seems to me as
amurd as it would be not to allow a man to sail to any part
of the world tint's, he was first apprenticed. Ido not .ay
that the chafers at, too high, but I think there would be
a considerable inereair of business if the trade were thrown
open. 1 think that the enrportion do not do their duty as
maservatovi of the river There are a great many shoals. I
think that the übstructiona of Putney and Battersea
Bridges, from which we frequently suffer loss, should be
done away with. I think the conservancy might be effl
deftly performed by the corperation if they employed effi-
cient officers, but those who tat on the committee were
wholly unacquainted with the subject. 1 could appren-
tice my son at 14 or 15 years of age, and he might obtain
his freelom though he had never been on the wharf at all.
Such is the case also with the lightermen. 1 have heard
that the wateraien claim their privilege because they new
liable to be impres,ed as seam n, and to furnish a certain
number of watermen for the royal navy when required.
Mr. Hickson was then !lolls'', and his evidence eon-

Rimed.
The Chairmen—Vase you applied your mind to the
remedies which you think ought to be applied to the cor-
poratioe of Load=
31r. Hickson—l think what is desired is to consider
rather the best mode of transition from the present system
to an improved one, than what may be the beet theoretical
system. I will therefore state what I think ought to be
abolished, and what ought to be substituted in the present
system. In the ti7st place, then, I think the 14th clause of
the Municipal Reform Aet ought to be applied to the City.
This clause would take away the exclusive privileges of the
different fellowahips of porters,watermen, meter ofBcers,i4c.
I would further propose the application to the City of
London of the clause of the same act which repealed all such
existing charters and privileges as were inconsistent with
the principles of the act. It has been proposed that au
equalisation of the wards and en extension of the suffrage
should take place, and that the reform of the City of London
should proessid on that basis. But I am sure that would
net be effectual. You would not succeed in obtaining a
cossolidatios of other., which is a moat important matter of
reform, by so partial a reform as that. I would not give
cooservaney of the River Themes to the corporation. It
ought to be transferred to the Woods and Forests,
at least till some better organisation was formed.
On the subject of compensation to the officers, I would deal
with them on a liberal scale. The City has a separate
police system, which has worked injuriously to the metros
polls at large ea well astir the City itself, because it centre
an additional expense. It is also the cease of inefficiesey,
because thieves who are in the City remain there till they
are known le the police, and then they tome to the metros
politas districts. On the other hand, when they are known
in the metropolitan districts, they go into the City. Atlas
same time I think the inhabitants should have the power MI
appointing watchmen in addition to the police if they wish.
I would be prepared to introduce the popular element late
the appointment ef the police, if we were now going to less
a general municipal' government for the whole metes/i.
We have seen that the police officers who are appohded
the government on a recent occasion entered the homes sr
the first generals of France, and made them prisoners.
1 he Chairman—But I think in that case the police were
supported by a large military force.
Mr. Midterm—That may he; but I think in England,
where we are jealous of our liberty, it would be well to
have the popular element introduced into the appointment
of the police. The area of the metropolis is seven hundred
and 'half square miles, and the police force 5,600. The
City area is one and a half square miles, and the police
fere, is 500. With regard to the coal duty, I think it
would be better to raise the coal tax at the mouth of the
pit, where it is cheap, rather than in the City, if the tax is
to exist at all, which I think is a very objectionable one.
The tax on coal is not merely 13.1., I think it is as much as
18d. in consequence of the impedimenta and delays it wow
sions. The machinery for collecting the tax is becoming
more cumbersome and inefficient. The amount of the coal
Ma niece 1830 was 2,000,000 i., and assuming that 750,0001.
la sow due on the and rate the interest would be met by
the Id. tax, which would produe• 48,0001.
The Chairmen—But would not that involve a permanent
burden instead of a temporary one.
Mr. Hickson—Yes; but an additional fund might be
raised by an additional tax on coal toed in furnaces. My
view is that with respect to strictly local matters
the new corporatism should have unlimited power of action.
They should be allowed to spend their own money in any
way they pleased, but should not be allowed to spend the
money of others. With regard to sewage, I think that the
local sewers might be placed under district bodies, but with
respect to arterial drainage that should be under a general
board. The paving of the side streets might be also left to
the paving boards, but the paving of the main arteries of
London ought to be placed under the general body In all
such cases the Isere interests should override the lessor. '
The lighting I think might he left to district management.
Amongst the new functions which I would give to the new
municipality of London Proper, whisk I think ought
to be a model municipality, would be the power
of electing a hoard of guardians to carry oat
the provisions of the Poor Law Amendment Act.
The ge expenditure of the Central Union in the City
of London for the three years 1834, 183.5, and 1836, when
the population was 87,000. was 89,0001. ; for the three
',ten 18.50, 1881, and 1882, 85,4491., w hen the population was
65,900; being a difference of 29,0001. There are 98
parishes in the central union, and 101 guardians, besides
15 ix officio owes. Now, I ask where are 116 efficient per-
mits to be found in the City to attend to the business of
poor law guardians, besides 100 perhaps to attend to the
duties of the corporation. I would, therefore, propose that
the duty of attending to the poor should he given to the
corporation. There are numerous ecclesiastical juris-
dictions, to the amount of 110, in the City. Them
I would consolidate, and give the new munici-
pality the power of communicating with the ec-
clesiastical authorities as to the mode of managing
the funds. I would do this in connexion with the church,
and not in opposition to it. I would also give the new
municipal council the function of communicating with the
charity commissioners and punishing breaches of the charity
trusts. The machinery of the charity commission is inade-
quate, and they might obtain material assistance from the
new municipal council in this respect. I think a public
prosecutor might be appointed for this purpose. On the
subject of the qealifications for electors is the City there
are at present various kinds of franchises. I am inclined
to think the best qualification that could be
adopted ia that for guardians under the Poor
Law Act, which rives the vote not only to the person
resident in the district, but to the person who has pro-
perty in it. The spurn of voting papers has been intro-
duced ander the l'oor Law and Board of Health Acts, and
as the system has woraed well, 1 think it would be well to, !
introduce it in the City elections. That would get rid of
the evi: system ef public-house intiseace. The system of
not requiring the psamial attendance of the voter affects in
a great degree the right* of the chartered companies.
These companies administer property to the large amount,
at the lowest estimate of 250,0001. I think it should be de-
fined b 7 act of pediment to whom the property belonged.
1 would rattier it should be made the private property of
the master and wardens of the companies than have
it opener as now, in eating, and feasting, and corrupting.
Another question is, what should be the share of each elec-
tor in the municipality? At present, in consequence ef
the smallaeu of some of the wards, and the greater latest

of others, the influence of the elector is very various. This
system tends to throw the power into the hands of separate
(cations. The system in the City, at present, is to luta for
certain lists. I think that system I. bad, and that the elec-
tor. should exercise their judgment as to the limes. of the
individuals. I think it is most important that the mlnority
should be always represented, as well as the majority. I
would therefore have the aldermen ■nd the Lord Mayor
elected from members of the CoMIMPII Colll2Cit.

The Chairman—Would you confine the election exclu-
sively to the body of the Common Council ? There may be
many gentlemen in the City of London who would sot ob-
jeet to the chief seat, and yet would object to become •
common councilman.
Mr. Ilick‘cs—l don't think that would make much dif-
ference ; but I think for all purposes a parson appointed
to any particular office should have some previous training.
I know there is a disposition alwar to elect some great
magnate, or a man of great reputation or great
wealth, bu: it does not follow that such a

man 'Would be necessarily the most qualified to fill
a particular office. The name of Mr. Baring has been men-
tioned. Mr. Baring sad Baron Rothschild are men of
(rest wealth and influence, but it does not follow that they
would maks the best Lord Mayors. I think the great mer-
chants have objected to become Olken of the corporation
because the sphere of their usefulness is so restricted, and
therefore it is that I would increase it. I would divide the

City into ten ward', each ward tirrettrn tan common

councilmen, and the common council to elect ten aldermen
811,i the lord mayor. I would not have the aldermen ma-
. .. . .

gistrates under thi new municipal act. I was at one time
in favour of giving municipalities to the different metropo-
litan boroughs, but I now think it would be more advisable
to divide the metropolis into equal municipal districts.
It has been suggested that the parliamentary boroughs
' should be constituted into separate municipalities. I was
mriginally of that opieion also, but I think HOW that the
municipalities should be formed into districts as nearly
equal as possible.
Mr. Thames Woolley, examined—l am a butcher, re-
siding in Aldgate High-street. There are from 30 to 40
.laughter-houses in the district in which I reside. We are
obliged to employ journeymen freemen in the slaughtering
of bullocks, and we pay them 2s. Bd. for each bullock.
Freemen claim the sole right to be employed under •
penalty of M. 1 had three actions brought against me fir
employing persons who were nut freemen. 1 compromised
the first, and I took up the freedom in the case of the other
pe. sons ; bat then these required an advance in their wages.
This system is unknown tent t in our neighbourhood.
We desire to oppose it, but we arc brought into the Lord
Mayor's court,end mules compelled to employ these persons.
I bzlieve it is neatest the wish of the officers of the corpora-
tion that this system is carried on; and it is but a month
since Sir John key prevented an action from being brought
against me by one of these persons. The practice that I
' ban spoken of is not carried on in Newgate Market. Under
Ibis system some of these freemen get tea or twelve shillings
• day. If the trade were open, 1 could get the work done
at 39 per cent. less. I think the whole system of freemen
ought to be abolished.
Mr. Thomas Pillow said—l am • lighterman, and my
premises are situated in Lower Thames-street and Simond's.
wharf. I um • member of the governing body of
the Watermerie Company, and am acquainted with the
mode of its proceedings. A witness in the early part of the
day has said that he could not bring his barge from the
Medway without being a member of the cotupar.y. That is
a mistake. Our right extends only from Yar.tlet Creek to
Staines. There we have exclusive rights of navigation and
landing, and there only. We have nothing to do wilt
loading or unloading. It is to be observed that we enjoy
those exclusive rights, not under charter, but by act of
parliament. I was myself fined by the Company of Water-
men; it was on the occasion of a strike. There are four-
teen freemen in my employment; they struck, sod I told
my assistant to employ any persons he amid bud. Au ac-
tion was brought against me fur employing persons who
were not free. I was brought before the alderman and a
nominal fine of one shilling was imposed ups,. me.
He could not help imposing the fine, but he told
the men that if they obstructed the business of
the river in that way their privileges would be taken from
them, Ile was nut aware that I was a member of the
court. I think, if you were to take away the privileges
of the freemen altogether the remedy would be worse than
the disease, because a person should be brought up from an
early age, in order to be able to perform the duties effi-
ciently. Utile trnde were thrown open altogether, incompe-
tent persons would be employed, which would lead to loss
of life and property. I don't think a smart man would
learn the business in two months; at the same time I
think the present system ouget to be amended. The terms
of the act nf parliament under which the company oasts re-
strict the supply as much as possible. We are prevented by
law from having more than one apprentice till we have
served four years in the company ; after that we may have
two if we employ 12 barges; if we have 20 we may have
three, but not any mon, though we should have a hundred
barges. I would, therefore, suggest that we should be
allowed to have as many apprentices as we please. If the
trade were thrown open I think the freemen would suffer,
but not very much. The members of the Watermen's
Company arc not confined to freemen of the City, nor
does membership entitle them to exercise any fran-
chise in the City. There are at present 7,786 freemen of the
company on the books ; the number has been gradually
increasing lately. The number of apprentices now is 1680.
The master lightermen included in the above number, but
not being owners of craft, are 800. The number of barges
and lighters is now 5,107. We are compelled by our Act of
Parliament to furnish men fur the royal navy, when neces-
sary. Our whole body is, in fact, liable to be called upon
to serve. We have furnished 500 at • time. The last
time we did so was at the commencement of the French

revolution.
Mr. C. Brown ssid—l am one of the rulers of the fellow-
ship of porters The governing body is composed of the
Lord Mayor, twelve raters, a le w clerk, a beadle, two corn
sifters' • fruit sifter, and others. The number, by an set
of the Common Council, is limited to 3,000, but there are
noly 2,000 at present. The fellowship port, rs iv • very old
institution, and its privileges extend irom Yantlet-creek to
Staines. It claims its rights under prescription from
the corporatism. AU the members of the fel-
lowship mall be citizens of London. The num-
ber of min varies with the amount of business,
which was lairerly diminished very much in consequence
of the desk nompanies being allowed to employ their own
insillmeeit. is consequence of an importation of po-
etises. the gambeisia sent to the fellowship to supply them
with ail psalm. They had employed other persons, and
the erompisaas was five sacks were stolen. The fellowship
of porton ads a protection to the public ; each member is
obliged to give two securities in 401. for his general good
conduct, and in case of dishoaesty being proved against
him he is dismissed the fellowship. A great mistake
exists as to the wsges of the members. They
are not paid for their labour more than the
ordinary rates. Large jobs pay them, but small
ones do sot; in feet they are frequently livers by the
latter. Their wages are 2d. per quarter on some articles, to be
divided amongst the seven or eighewho work, and the sifter
hes also to be paid out of that. The price is 24d. per
quarter when pees, tares, wheat, and barley are to be re-
moved. That is all that the men who do this labour re-
ceive. I believe that if the fellowship were done away with
the merchants would have to pay more, and would often
find • difficulty in obtaining men.
Mr. Lewis—Are there a great many applicants for ad-
mission ?
Witness—There are.
Mr. Lewis—Do you think that if the price of labour in
the fellowship were below the market price you would have
so many applications?
Witness.—Only yesterday there was a strike automat
the men for an increase of wages, bat the men of the
oentinne to work. Our charge for removing /S
toes and turnips from one vessel to another is Id. par wok
each sack weighing licwt. If carried from the *Mk
fourth, or fifth vessel, not beyond 90 yards, it is lid. per
seek. We considered that we had a right to be employed
in the docks, and we represented tits cam to the corpora-
tion, bat they did not maintain our privileges
es I think they ought to have done. I paid 601. redemp-
tion fee to be admitted to the fellowship, and W. •
a year ; I think there are a hundred others in the fellow •
ship who have done the same, under the impression that
we were to work exclusively between Yantlet and Staines;
but we found to our regret that the dock companies were
allowed to employ their own men, and no compensation
was given to us. The corporation compelled the fellowship
to lend the corn sifter 7,0001. without any interest is 1827,
and sines that time he his received 87,0001. He receives a
Id. on every Is. we earn. With regard to the oyster metage
it is the public that pays all the dues. The men are only
paid for their work. All above that goes to the meter.
The commission then adj wised till Friday.

THE STRIKES IN THE NORTH.
WIGAN.
The strike among the (»niers here has been vir-
tually at an end, with the exception of a partial suspension
of operations which continues to exist at the Walthew
House (Messrs. Snineker and Co.'s) and the Oidlow Cannel
(Meseta. Ryland') collieries. We understand that the
Bispham colliery has fully resumed work, and that a portion
of the Walthew /douse collieries have returned to work with
the fresh hands brought from a distance and set to work
during the strike. A melting of the colliery owners was
held at Wigan on Thursday to consider the propriety of
taking steps to terminate the partial strike at the two col-
lieries above mentioned. The meeting was very fully at-
tended, the only colliery not represented being that of Kirk-
less Hall. Messrs. Braneker and Messrs. Ryland* expressed
their apprehension of the evil results of the continuance of
the strike, which might lead to another general turn-out,
causing much distress and misery to the families
of the weekmeo, and the meeting, fully concurring in
their views, unanimously adopted the following resolution :
"Thu meeting hears with satisfaction that the men at
the Biapham colliery, and also a portion of the Walthew
House men have resumed work at the old rates of wages,
and that the rest of the miners employed at the Walthew
House colliery, and those at Mr. Darlington's, Coppel col-
liery, still on strike, have expressed their willingness to re-
turn to work. Restkved that, in consequence of these im-
portant instances of the willingness of the bulk of the men
to resume work, this meeting pledges itself to support
Messrs. Braucher and Co. and Mr. Hylands in terminating
Vie partial strike which still exists, by supplying them with
coal and cannel; and that this meeting be adjourned for a
fortnight, to allow the miners still out on strike to resume
work."

MINING IN RusslA.—The Mining Journal of St.
Petersburg states =at the mines belonging to the state
have this year furnished to the Mint 1,457 roods and 28
pounds of gold, representing a value ill 19,q02,336 friable,
(79,609,3521.), and 1,367 ponds of silver (4,979,5240,er is
all 21,147,219 roubles (84,488,8761.)