The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-07-08 00:00:00

Prim NORTIIERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.

THE COLLISION ON THE PAVER

The excitement occasioned by this deplorable catas-
trophe is still intense. Throughout yesterday the
coroner's court was crowded by numbers of the passen-
gers of the Mail, who fortunately escaped, but though a
jury was sworn, and the bodies viewed, the inquest will
not be proceeded with until Wednesday morning, when
it will be opened at half past eleven o'clock, in the
sheriff's court, St. George's Hall. The borough coroner,
P. F. Curry, Esq., considering that so important an
enquiry as the inquest no doubt will turn out to be,
could not be conducted either with propriety or comfort,
in the present confined court, which in hot weather is
somewhat like a stove, applied to the Courts of Law
committee for the use of the above room, and, as was to
be expected, the request was at once complied with. It
has been intimated to the coroner that Mr. Aspinall,
instructed by Mr. John Yates, j in., will attend the
enquiry i❑ his professional capacity, but on whose
behalf is to be as yet seen. We have good reason far
believing, however, that these gentlemen, Mr. Aspinall
and Mr. Yates, will merely appear to watch the proceed-
ings on the part of the relatives and friends of those
whose death has been caused, as at present informed,
every oue believes by gross negligence in some quarter;
but as the enquiry will be of a most important character
and may possibly give rise to other legal proceedings, of
a different kind, we abstain from offering any comment,
or giving insertion to the many versions of the occur-
rence which are to be heard out of doors. It may be
well to observe, however, that as yet only one version of
the occurrence is before the public, and that a correct
judgment in the painful and serious issue involved, can-
not be formed until the statements which will be sub-
mitted on both sides have heen thoroughly sifted by a
We may state, that the licensed pilot in charge of

the Excelsior

as William Brewer, and that his return
to Liverpool is expected by this day. Four of the six
bodies taken in the first instance to the dead house have
been identified, namely, those of Michael Syren, John
Corley, Michael Doran, and Martin House. They will
be buried this day, in St. Martin's churchyard. The
bodies of Michael Syren and John Corley were identified
by their brothers, who Were also on board the Mail at
the time of the collision, and it was pleasing to observe
the anx;ety displayed by them when before the coroner,
yesterday, that the decent rites of sepulture should be
faithfully performed towards their deceased relatives
and friends. The assurance that everything would be
done to meet their wishes on this score, was received
with great gratitude, and it seemed to mitigate, in some
measure, the suppressed but strong grief under which
the poor men laboured. The dead house at the Ns est
side of Prince's dock was a centre of attraction to the
idlers and loafers of the town throughout the whole of
yesterday. Crowds of people were continually gathered
round, gossiping of the catastrophe which had given to
this chamber of death so many tenants, and 'numbers
there were who, to gratify their m irbid and insatiable
curiosity, climbed up the sides of the building, and
peered through the grated windows at the sickening
spectacle which the mutilated corpses laid out side by
side on the floor beneath presented. As to the men who
were removed to the Northern Hospital, we were
informed, on enquiry there yesterday, that Lawrence
Darken, who was so badly injured as to have been at first
almost despaired of, spent a favourable night, and that
he may now be considered out of danger; and we arc
happy to be able to state, that the same favourable
report has been also made as to the state of the other
sufferers. It was rumoured about the town, in the early
part of yesterday, that twenty of the passengers are still
missing, but we believe that such is not the fact.

---
The following are the jury before whom the inquest
will be held :

Joseph Duckworth, foreman'Charles Caldwell
Stephen White, miller George Wilkinson, publican
William Brown, shipbroker John Williamson
William Rawle, chemist Charles Robertson, merchant
Godfrey Barnsley Shaw, cot- John Clay, merchant
ton broker James D wyer, fruit merchant
George Walker James Shaw
Walter Charles Woodward, John Rimington
jeweller Joseph Woodhead
Before adjourning the enquiry, the coroner bound the
jury over, each in his own recognizances of £lO, to
appear on Wednesday morning. He also suggested that,
as many of the sufferers, as well a 3 others of their
fellow passengers, have been reduced to the greatest
want, their case was one which called for the sympathy
of a generous public, and he felt convinced, that as soon
as the state of these poor people was made known, the
inhabitants of Liverpool would at once extend to them
a liberal aid.
The jury expressed a like hope.

The Corn market at Marseilles was Tiet last week, in
consequence of the prospects of an abundant harvest.
A rumour, that the Emperor of the French and the
Emperor of Austria are shortly to have an interview,
is revived in Paris.

The MoniteurO f Saturday contains a long report of
the Minister of Marine on the organisation and reform
of the French naval service.
The Belgian Government has declined to license a
Credit Mobilier Bank, under the plea that it would
afford a stimulus to gambling.
THE IRISH RAILWAY FORGERIES —Thirty thousand
pounds sterling will be lost by the Great Southern
Railway, from Limerick to Cork, by the forgeries of the
convict Knighting. —Limerick Chronicle.
THE ORDER OF ST. PATRICK.—There are at this date
four vacancies, unhappily, by the late demise of Knights
of the Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick. First—By
demise of the late King of Hanover. Second—The demise
of the late Earl of Listowel. Third—The demise of the
Hon. Baron Carew. Fourth—The very late demise of
Right Hon. the Earl of Cork .
EXTENSIVE FlRE.—Shortly before eight o'clock on
Saturday morning, the stores of the Turkish Contingency
Depot, in King-street, Westminster. were discovered
to be on fire. Engines were soon on the spot, and
vigorously worked ; but, notwithstanding, the damage
done was considerable in value. The fire was occa-
sioned through a foul chimney flue.
PALMER'S JIIELY.—Mr. Mayor, jun., the foreman of the
jury, denies the allegation that the jurors had memorialised
for compensation for loss of time, &c. He felt that the
duty which it was their lot to perform infinitely out-
weighed the loss and inconvenience occasioned. He would,
however, suggest that it would be a welcome and deserved
tribute to those who constituted the said jury to receive
a special immunity from service in the same or proximate
capacity.
THE LATE EARL or CORK.—It is a very remarkable fact
that the Earl of Cork, who died on Sunday week,was tried
at the Old Bailey for picking pockets. He was in Covent
Garden on one occasion:about fifty years ago, when some
expert light fingered gentry were plying their trade. An
alarm having been made, one of the roofers succeeded in
conveying a handkerchief, which he had stolen, into Lord
Cork's pocket, and which having been found in his posses-
sion, the noble lord was placed on his trial. His brother
officers attended, and of course he was acquitted.—Free-
man.
The Debats has published an article which treats upon
the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Mauritius to the
Queen of Great Britain, praying that the use of the
French language in the Courts of Law and in pubiic
documents may not be superseded by English. It
asserts that, after half a century of English occupation,
the people affectionately preserve the customs, traditions,
and language of France ; and, further, that although the
French tongue has been proscribed for ten years the
immigration of French is much more numerous than
that of the English.

ALARMING FIRE IN DUBLIN —An extensive fire broke
out on Friday night, shortly after twelve o'clock, in the
soap-boiling establishment of Messrs. Barrington & Son,
east side of King's-Inn-street, and in a few hours com-
pletely destroyed the premises. The conflagration caused
great alarm, owing to the quantities of palm oil, resin, &c.,
on the premises, which rendered it impossible to save the
building. Mr. Montgomery's livery stables adjoining
were also threatened, and strenuous efforts became neces-
sary to rescue the horses. The origin of the fire is not
known. We believe the Messrs. Barrington are insured.
Some thousands of pounds worth of property must have
been destroyed. Happily, no lives were lost.
ECCLESIASTICAL DIFFICULTY IN CANADA.—A difficulty
of a very singular character has occurred in reference to
the appointment of a clergyman to the Bishopric of King-
ston, lately formed out of the diocese of Toronto. It
appears that the Secretary of State for the Colonies
agreed that if a sufficient sum were raised for the endow-
ment of the Bishopric, the persons subscribing should have
the nomination of the first bishop, and a large number of
churchmen in Canada soon subscribed, among themselves,
the required sum, upon the somewhat singular conditions
that the clergyman selected should not be a Canadian ;
and it was afterwards agreed that the money should be
handed to the Colonial Secretary, together with the name
the Rev. Thomas Hiucks, who consented to accept the
canb?prie if he could be appointed without becoming a
Iciate, or Presenting himself for election by any body
i.7l:ineregjiatrslaity. The Bishop of Toronto insists upon
thus the __.l":eol3 being elected by his clerical synod, and
r remains.

ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN
INDEPENDENCE,

On Friday last, a sumptuous dinner was given by Mr.
Peabody, at the Star and Garter, Richmond, to upwards
of 100 American and a few English gentlemen, in cotii-
memoration of the 80th anniversary Of the declaration of
the independence of the United States. The grand dining
hall was fitted up for the occasion with busts of the
Queen and of Washington, the American eagle, the
standards of England and of the United States, and other
appropriate decorations. Mr. Peabody took the chair
shortly after seven o'clock, supported on the right by the
American Minister, Mr. Dallas, and on the left by Mr.
W. Brown, M.P., Mr. Steil, of .Manchester litr. Morgan,
of London ; Mr. Somerbk, of Boston, United States; Mr.
P. N. Dallas, Secretary of Legation ; and Mr. Croskey,
United States Consul at Southampton, acted as vice-
presidents. Mr. John Macgregor, M.P., Mr. S. C. Hall,
and Mr. J. E. Jones, the sculptor, were among the
English guests. After the removal of the cloth,
Mr. Peabody rose, and with some appropriate intro-
ductory remarks, passed round the loving cups, Mr.
Peabody drinking to the guests from each State of the
Union separately, and afterwards to those from "Old
England and her Colonies."

Mr. Peabody, in proposing the first toast, " The day We
celebrate," called not only upon his own countrymen, but
upon all who were friendly to the sacred cause of liberty
and civilisation, to do honour to the memory of those
great men who had pledged their fortunes, their honour,
and their lives to support that cause.

The toast was received with loud acclamation.
Mr. Peabody claimed a bumper for the next toast,
which, he was sure, needed no speech from him to
recommend it. The toast he had just proposed was the
only one to which he would have given precedence over
the present. He had never yet known an American who
wonld not drink the toast of Her Majesty the Queen "
with as much enthusiasm as the most loyal of her sub-
jects.

The toast was drunk with enthusiastic cheering.
Mr. Peabody said, he should next give " The President
of the United States," which was received with great
applause.

Captain Mackinnon, 11. N., proposed " The Memory
of Washington," which was drunk standing, and in
silence.

Mr. W. Bro Vin, M.P., said—Before proposing the toast
which has been placed in my hands;
Hermit me to con—
gratulate you on tr.ling you to celebrate a day which
will ever be remembered in the history of the world—a
day from which we, the subjects of her Majesty, hate
derived as much advantage as you, the citizens of the
United States. (Cheers.) We are not answerable for
the sins of statesmanship, for the grievous errors-of our
forefathers ; and your illustrious Washington--wise in
the senate, skilful in the field----who must for ever live in
your hearts, is also remembered with profound respect
by England as well as by the whole of the civilised world.
(Cheers.) How rejoiced would he be, were he living at
this moment, to see the prosperity of the cotintry which
he may be said to have brought into existence, to
see the enterprising spirit of his couati,„men lead-
ing them, now to ruake a Communication between
the two great oceans—the Pacific and the Atlantic
—now to bridge over lofty rocks, and now to explore the
perilous Arctic seas. (Cheers.) I deny that England
feels any jealousy towards the United States; we rejoice
in your prosperity; .we have wisdom enough to know that
by the prosperity of other nations, particularly as regards
the United States, we are as much benefited as they are.
(Cheers.) The notion that the fortunes of one country
arise from the misfortunes of another is, I trust, by this
time exploded. True, some slight differences exist now
between us, but when we find gentlemen like his Excel-
lency, for whom we all feel the deepest respect, and the
Minister with whom he has to negociate anxious to get
rid of those differences, there can be little doubt that they
will soon be amicably adjusted. (Cheers.) I beg to propose
" The health of his Excellency the American Minister,"
whose character stands so pre-eminently high both in his
own and in this country.

The toast was drunk with loud cheers.
Mr. Dallas : It is extremely difficult, amid expressions
of so much personal kindness, not to loose sight for a
moment of the great national demonstration on account
of which we are assembled, and I return you my most
hearty thanks for the personal compliment you have paid
n (Loudm et tcoh
Cheers.)
celebrateer s)
vir ethe r
eanniversary
royf,
to me. I rejoice to find in this land so many ardent and
opatriotic Ae
nmd
ee
nr iccea.
but 80 years of age ; we are at this moment honoured by
the presence of one of the leading men of America, who
is only one year younger than his own country (Gen.
Mercer) (cheers); but, notwithstanding the youth of our
country, how justly proud may we be of her ! (Cheers.)
At the time of her birth she was a puny creature, sickly,
feeble, diminutive, Look at her now. (Cheers.) She
then contained but 2,500,000 people. Her population is
now 27,000,000! Her territory was then a margin of the
Atlantic. It is now an immense continent ! Her wealth
was then comparative poverty. Her resources are now
actually exhaustless (Cheers.) Her moral greatness,
too, bears a fair proportion to her physical development.
There is in her physical configuration every thing to
delight the eye and exalt the imagination ; she has the
noblest mountains, the most extended lakes, the widest
rivers, the richest prairies. And in harmony with this
is the progress of her genius and of her moral principles,
and the great elevation of her political maxims
(Cheers.) When Americans look back at the short period
during which their country has existed upon the theatre
of the world, they have, therefore, some reason to be
proud (cheers): nay, I go further, this great country.
whence sprang the chief stock of the United States, has
reason to be proud. (Cheers.) In all our great charac-
teristics we may be said to resemble the people of Great
Britain. We are brave (cheers); we are commercial;
we are free ; and, perhaps in some respects we transcend
them in .having carefully separated civil and religious
liberty. (cheers.) But resemblances of this sort, gentle-
men, instead of being the cause of harmony and union,
are often the cause of difficulty and dispute. Two brave
men are equally fearless of each other; one will never
yield to the other on a point of honour, and, therefore,
they sometimes come into collision. Two merchants pu,-
suing the same course of adventure will sometimes find
their interests clash. The spirit of the Press, too, which
in free countries should ever be free, often brings on a
state of feeling which requires to be dealt with by the
wisest and most conciliatory measures. It is a matter of
sincere regret, but perhaps it is in the order of Providence,
that the freest nations are net always the sincerest
friends. I cordially concurred in the first, second,
and third toasts that were proposed. With regard to the
second, permit me to observe that if there is one feature
of the American character more prominent than another,
it is the heartiness with which they receive the toast of
the lady whose name is always foremost in the hearts of
Englishmen. (Loud cheers.) I ask my countrymen who
are acquainted with the universal spirit of America, who
know the extent to which we carry our civilisation,
whether we do not always drink a double bumper to the
ladies in prefererce to the gentlemen ? (Cheers and
laughter.) As to the present toast, gentlemen, I thank
you for the manner in which you have received it, its
only merit being that it comes from William Brown, of
LiOerpool.
__(Loud cheers.) _

General Cadwalader was the next speaker. He made
some references to the military education of the American
people, and expressed a hope for the lasting friendship of
Great Britain and the United States. He said—l am con-
fident, if her Majesty the Queen or her Royal Consort
(for the Queen is a lady and the American people are a
gallant people) should visit her dominions in Canada and
return home through the United States, that the royal
progress would be everywhere hailed with as much respect
and as much enthusiasm as would be shown by her own
loyal subjects. (Loud cheers.) There is, in the United
States, a large Conservative class, who are entirely re-
moved from the arena of politics, and I can say that these
good people think that the public press in America and
the public press of England can well afford to consult the
national peculiarities of each other. Allow me, sir, to
propose the toast I have in iby hand—" Great Britain and
the United States ; frank intercourse. cordial friendship,
and perpetual peace between them." (Drunk with immense
cheering.)

Mr. John Mq,ggregor, M.P., proposed the health of his
friend Mr. Georte Peabody, who was a most active pro-
moter of that amity which ought always to exist between
two nations speaking the same language, and descended
from common ancestors.

Mr. Peabody, in returning thanks for the very kind
reception given to the toast, said that ho was exceedingly
gratified at being 'urrounded on that glorious day by so
large a number of his countrymen and his English friends;
that he was most happy to witness the perfect harmony
which had prevailed throughout the proceedings of the
evening: and he trusted that it ever would be so, and
that his life might be spared to meet his friends on many
similar occasions. (Cheers.)
Mr. Corbin, with a few appropriate remarks, then gave
" Our English guests," which was drunk with all the
honours, Mr. S. C. Hall replying►.
The next toast, " Professor Morse," whose name was
associated with the wonderful improvements in the electric
telegraph, having been responded to,
Mr. Peabody proposed " The hon. Mr. Cameron, of
Canada."

Mr. Cameron, in returning thanks, observed that he
was happy, as a colonist of Great Britain in the New
World, to tell them how proud the Canadians felt of Old
England, and how attached they were to their sovereign—
feelings which arose from the kind and fostering hand
whicl4 England extended to them, and to the perfect
freedom she had granted them in the management of their
own affairs. (Cheers.)

The concluding toast of "The Ladies " having been
given by Mr. Peabody, the company separated shortly
before twelve o'clock, all of
,them highly gratified with
their evening's entertainment
The national airs of the two countries were played at
intervals during the evening, by a very efficient band.

LORD CAMPBELL AND THE TRIAL OF PALMEIL—A large
number of practising solicitors of Wolverhampton,
several days ago, transmitted an address to Lord Camp-
bell, expressing their entire disapproval of the attack
made upon his lordship and Mr. Baron Alderson, in the
very scandalous letter purporting to have been issued by
the Rev. Thomas Palmer. Lord Campbell returned a
suitable acknowledgment.—Wolverhampton Chronicle.

ESCAPE OF JAMES SADLEIR.--• The way that Mr. James
Sadleir effected his escape from the surveillance of the
police, who were known to be upon his track, is thus
related. He had been stopping at Bray, and occasionally
visited Kingstown Harbour to have a row. On the
occasion of his last pull from the shore he went on board
a yacht, which immediately sailed into the bay and has
not returned. It is said that Sadleir was put on board an
outward-bound vessel for America.

THE ENQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE

STEAMSHIP PRINCESS ROYAL,

tt will be painfully remembered that this fine vessel,
one of the passenger steamsl*ps plying between Liverpool
and Glasgow, was wrecked in a fog on the coast of Wig-
tonshire a few months ago. Peculiar interest is given to
the subject by the scene of the disaster, which is at no
great distance from the spot where the remains of the ill-
fated- Orion still lie. An enquiry was ordered by the
Board of Trade tinder the provisions of the Mercantile
Shipping Act, and the case, in its bearing on the ship's
officers, has been thoroughly investigated by an influ-
ential and intelligent bench of magistrates, with the
able assistance of Captain Brittain, R. N., as naval
assessor. The Court met in the Town-hall of Stran-
raer ; Colonel James M'Douall, of Logan (late Colonel
of the 2nd Life Guards), Major Maitland, of Freugh,
Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, and Mr. Charles Kerr were
the acting justices. Mr. Skene, collector of customs,
appeared as promoter of the enquiry, in his capacity of
district receiver of wrecks, under the direction of the Board
of Trade, and Mr. M'Neel Caird, procurator-fiscal of
Wigtonshire, and Mr. Adair, attended on the part of
Captain John M'Chlery, the master of the Princess Royal.
The case was conducted with great ability by Mr. Skene.
He opened the proCeedings by stating that the object of the
enquiry was to ascertain whether the loss of the Princess
Royal had been caused by any wrongful act or default of
the master; and he thereupon required that the master's
certificate of competency should be deposited in the hands
of the Court to await the issue of the investigation. This
demand was immediately complied with, and the examina-
tion of witnesses then proceeded. From the clear opinion
formed by the court at the close of the evidence, Captain
M'Chlery's certificate of competency was immediately
restored to hini, which seemed quite in accordance with
the popular feeling; and on the ceremony of its restora-
tion being accomplished he received the congratulations
of his friends amid strong demonstrations of applause
from the crowded audience. The court and the naval
assessor unanimously concurred in the following resolu-
tions, which were drawn up in the shape of a " Report to
the Board of Trade : "

The Court, having fully investigated the whole matter,
heard the evidence adduced, and considered the same, beg
unanimously to report to the Board of Trade as follows,
viz. :--

l. That the ship ran on the Seaar Laggan Rock during
a fog so dense that neither the beacon on that rook nor
the lan; of it were seen till immediately before the
ship struck. •

2. That the courses stated by the master to have been
steered are completely confirmed by the other witnesses.
3. That it has been proved by all the witnesses who were
competent to give an opinion on the subject, that these
courses ought to have carried the ship five or six miles
clear of the land and of the rock on which she struck.
4. That the evidence points decidedly to a deviation of
the compasses as the probable cause of the ship's loss.
5. That this was the ship's first voyage northward after
the adjustment of her compasses, so that het officers had
nQt had full opportunities of testing their accuray by per-
sonal observations of the landfalls made on that course.
6. That it is acknowledged by the master that the 1; ad
was not hove to take soundings; that the explanation
given by him on this point is, that there is deep water
close in shore; that the soundings shown on the chart, in
the position in which he believed himself to be, correspond
so nearly to the Soundings close op to the rock on which
the ship struck, that the'heaving of the lead would have
been of no practical use; that, being in a tideway, he
would, by stopping the ship when going parallel to the
shore, have risked the loss of his position ; and that from
his intimate knowledge of the coast, and having sighted
land at Portpatrick when he was nearly two miles off
land, neither he nor any of his officers had any reason to
doubt, from the course they were steering, that they were
five Miles from land imMediatCly tiefae the ship struck.
These reasons were fully supported by the evidence and
practical judgment of the professional witnesses, and the
Court are satisfied that they are well founded in the
particular circumstances of this case.

7. That in the whole circumstances of this case the
master stands honourably acquitted of blame as to the
cause of the accident; and the Court have in consequence
returned his certificate. _

8. At the same time, the Court cannot but regret the
practice which exists among passenger steamers of rim
ning at great Speed in time of fog; although satisfied that
in this ease the speed was not in any respect the cause of
the accident.

9. That the attempt made by the master, although
unsuccessful, to run the ship through between the Laggan
Rock and the shore, when her critical position was
discovered, was probably the only means by which she
could then have been saved. and evinced promptitude and
judgment.

10. That credit is justly due to him for his coolness and
decision after the ship struck; for the manner in whkh he
maintained discipline among the crew and order among
the passengers ; for the condition of his boats and tackle ;
and for the consequent success with which he brought to
shore every human being on board without a single
casualty.

To these findings, in regard to the master, the Court
think it proper to add that, while the action of the com-
passes may have been impeded or influenced by the foggy
state of the atmosphere, it does not appear that the
adjustment of the compasses in this case was made under
the most favourable circumstances for obtaining, as far as
possible, a continuance of their accuracy, more particu-
larly as it appears that at the time of adjustment the
weather was exceedingly unfavourable for accurate and
steady observation ; that the ship was not then loaded, or
in the state in which she was intended to go to sea; that
she heeled to one side during the process, thus probably-
rendering the adjustment inapplicable to her normal con-
dition when upright ; and that part, at least, of a quantity
of scrap and bar iron, which wore then in the after hold
near the compass (as temporary ballast till the ship should
come to be loaded) had been altered in position, and some
of it landed after the adjustment was made; all or any of
which causes may account for the deviation indicated by
the rest of the evidence.

For these reasons the Court submit to the Board of
Trade, as worthy of consideration, whether means ought
not to be taken to place an operation of such extreme
delicacy and importance as the adjustment of compasses
(especially in iron ships) under some authorised control
or inspection.

The Court, on reviewing the whole circumstances of
the case, further recommendation to the Board of
Trade that Mr. M'Chlery, the master of the vessel.
should be allowed the expenses incurred by him in his
defence.

PATRICK MAITLAND, J.P., Chairman.
JAMES M'DOUALL, J.P.
NATHANIEL TAYLOR, J.P.
CHARLES KERR, J.P.
GEORGE BRITTAIN, Lieutenant, R.N.,
Nautical Assessor.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE

STOURBR EDGE RACES.-YESTERDAY.

PRESTWOOD STAKES.

Indian Queen
Eight ran.
STOURBRIDGE STAKES.
Goldhill
Seven ran.

THE SOUND DUES AND ONE OF THEIR

COMPLEMENTS

From the Economist.

The fc;'lowing letter brings under notice one of the
many impediments, chiefly derived from the olden times,
still thrown in the way of trade. When every branch of
it has been violently compressed the instant it budded
into existence, been diverted from its natural direction,
as in spite of obstacles it would grow, and been made at
once stunted and crooked, the protectionist classes, who
have tried to train it to their purposes, or have lopped it
at their will, declaim against it as ugly and stunted.
That, trade, as one of the great branches of industry,
for the protection of which government exists, should
pay its fair proportion of the expenses concerned in its
protection—that if it require peculiar protection, such
as is supposed to be given by consuls, and peculiar
services, such as are rendered almost exclusively to
foreign trade by mail packets, should pay for them—
seems quite fair; but in feudal times it was tolled and
taxed, as if it were an alien enemy which tried by some
kind of magic to plunder or to conquor all who allowed
themselves to be drawn within its influence. Society
has not yet got over the old prejudice which continually
shows itself in objurgations, where power is limited to
vilification, and in new restrictions, where it is united
with the means of imposing them. To increase a
revenue, while luxury, classed as a vice, was repressed,
or a foe subdued was considered the very acme of
political wisdom and was the theme of continual eulogy.
Sound Dues and tolls on rivers were recommended to
unenlightened but ♦ery presuming rulers, by their
quality of checking a vice, keeping men and goods at
home, for the nse of the state, as well as by their sup-
posed effect in filling the sovereign's coffers. In Europe
most of the tolls on rivers have been commuted or have
fallen into disuse, and at length, after ages of submission,
the Sound Dues are found to be no longer bearable, and
means are about to be adopted to get red of them. But
if land tolls over the narrow isthmus, where commerce
must pass, are to be substituted—if the rail is now to
fall under the clutches of the Fise as the highway and
ship formerly did—trade will not gain much by the
change. The tolls by Which Denmark impedes the
trade between South Western and North Eastern
Europe across the narrow neck of which canaries,
at Hamburg and Lubeck, the waters of the North Sea
from those of the Baltic, have, we believe, been made
the subject of investigation by the committee sitting
under the chairmanship of Mr. Villiers to enquire into
the Sound Dues. The greatness of these two Hanse
towns was in former times partly due to their situation
on either side of the isthmus, and now that steam has
facilitated, at least in the summer season, the cot-nullifi-
cation between the two seas of the Cattegat and the
Sound—always, however, a difficult and dangerous
navigation—it would be scandalous were Denmark to be
countenanced in continuing tolls on the passage of goods
between Hamburg and Lubeck : which, as the trade of
the two extremes of Europe increases, may in the autumn
and spring be more required and extended than ever.
These tolls are some of the latest examples now in
existence of an endeavour to direct or stop trade by
peculiar fiscal burdens, and are well described in the
following letter

TO TAR EDITOR OF THE ECOHOM/ST.

Sir,—The question of the Sound Dues being at
present under consideration, the time is not inopportune
for calling attention to a similar duty levied by Denmark
on goods passing overland through Holstein and Lauen-
burg, principally on the road between Hamburg and
Ltibeck. This transit duty stands in so close a connec-
tion to the Sotind Dues, for the protection of which it
was originally introduced, that if the one be abolished,
the other ought not to be allowed to continue.
The road between Hamburg and Lubeck has always
been one of the principal highways of commerce
between the western and northern countries. Passing
over the short isthmus of land which separates the North
Sea from the Baltic, it constitutes the shortest and safest
communication between the two seas, saving the long
dangerous voyage round the Cattegat and the Sound.
Until recently this road, which has to pass through
some portions of the Danish territory, was entirely
exempted from toll by ancient treaties ; the road was
nevertheless always an object of jealousy to Denmark, as
competing with commerce through the Sound, and
lessening the revenue from the dues levied there.
For this reason Denmark kept the roads between
Hamburg and Lubeck for ages in the most wretched
condition, and when at last it could no longer refuse the
construction of better roads, it took care to check this
line of commerce by imposing on the hitherto free land
transit, an equivalent to the Sound Dues. Thus was
introduced, in 1839, the transit duty in Holstein and
Ltmenhurg, amounting to 6s, Holstein currency per 100
lbs gross weight, with 6 per cent besides as dues and
and perquisites (equal to about 41d sterling per cwt). It
was important for Denmark to gain the favour of Russia
for this measure, and therefore certain articles, princi-
pally the staple goods of Russian produce, were alone
exempted. All other goods passing between Hamburg
and Lubeck have to pay this duty, which is so heavy
that, now that a railroad connects the two places, the
duty at present exceeds the actual cost of the carriage on
this distance.

Through this transit duty, the Sound Duos have in
in fact been transferred to the land, hut without even
the slightest equivalent; in the case of the Sound, Den-
mark at least defrays the expense of the lighthouses and
other burdens for the benefit of navigation, but in return
for the transit duty levied on the railroad between Ham-
burg and Lubeck, Denmark renders no service whatso-
ever. This railroad, not even excepting that portion of
it which passes over the Danish territory, has been
entirely constructed at the expense of Lubeck. That
the real object of the transit duty was to protect the
Sound Dues is quite evident, from the fact that only that
part of the traffic which is carried on in the direction
between the two seas is subject to it, while the traffic
from Hamburg to Prussia, passing over the same Danish
territory, pays only one-fifth of the same amount.
The transit duty being thus evidently considered, even
by Denmark, as a substitute for the Sound Dues, it
should by no means be allowed to remain in force whilst
the Sound Dues are abolished. Injurious as it is at
present to all the trade going by way of Hamburg and
Lubeck, the freight of the railroad between these
places being just doubled by the amount of the duty, it
would become intolerable, if maintained, after the Sound
passage is made free. The commerce of all the coun-
tries, especially of England, is doubly interested in pre-
venting the freedom of one passage to become a barrier to
another commercial highway. Thus, after the naviga-
tion through the Sound shall have been at last released
from toll, trade will be injuriously affected, if the pas-
sage overland by the way of Hamburg and Lubeck is not
free. " For the transmission of goods, this commercial
route, at all times important, is of the greatest advantage
during the autumn and spring season, when the naviga-
tion through the Sound is dangerous and difficult. Ham-
burg and Lubeck have always been the principal
markets where the northern countries take their supply
of transatlantic produce and British manufactures.
Nearly one-third of the whole import of Sweden goes by
the way of Lubeck, and the commerce of Finland is also
to a great extent carried via Lubeck. Both Hamburg
and Lubeck offer the greatest facilities to commerce
•by their numerous steam boat lines to all parts of
the north. It would; therefore, be most injurious
to allow this road to be obstructed by Denmark
through the maintenance of the transit duty, which is
in fact nothing else but the Sound Dues in another
shape. If Denmark is now to be paid large sums for the
abolition of the Sound Dues, foreign countries may
reasonably stipulate that the whole of the commerce
through Denmark should be free from these oppressive
transit tolls by land as well as by sea. The abolition of
the Sound Dues would be a most incomplete measure,
unless it provided at once for the entire freedcm of the
intercourse between the North Sea and the Baltic. For
this purpose, the removal of the transit duty between
Hamburg and Lubeck, must be insisted upon as a
natural and necessary consequence of the redemption of
the Sound Dues.—Yours,
June, 1856. A MERCHANT TRADING TO THE BALTIC.

THE TRANS-ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.—The Secretary of
the Navy has ordered the United States propeller Arctic,
Lieutenant Berryman, now at Brooklyn Navy Yard, to be
fitted out immediately to make soundings for the New
York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company,
between St. Johns, Newfoundland and Valencia Bay on
the Irish coast. The officers appointed to the vessel are
Lieutenant Commander D. 11. Berryman, Lieutenant
Strain, Acting Master J. G. Mitchell, Passed Midshipman
Thomas and Midshipman Barnes. Eighteen able bodied
seamen have been advertised for, and it is expected that
the steamer will leave on her expedition in about four
months. It will be recollected that it was Lieutenant
Berryman, who, when in command of the Dolphin, made
the deep sea soundings between the American and Irish
coasts, and we believe that it is on his report that Lieut.
Maury founded his well-known theory of the existence of
a continuous bar across the Atlantic formed by the
deposits of icebergs. The deepest soundings taken by
Lieut. Berryman was 2,700 feet, but as he was then in the
Dolphin, and had many difficulties to encounter which
interfered with the accuracy of his calculations, it is
believed that other and more favourable results will be
arrived at when he has at his command a vessel like the
Arctic, officered and manned as she will be. There are
strong reasons for arriving at the conclusion that as soon
as the correct soundings to Valencia Bay are got at, they
will not show a greater average depth along this bar than
2,000 feet. Thus nature seems to have specially laid down
a foundation for the great work which is henceforth to
connect the two hemispheres. On this submarine cause.. way the telegraph cable will repose as firmly and securely
as if protected by an artificial embankment. We look
forward to the result of Lieut. Berryman's labours with
great interest. They will, in all probability, disclose
some new facts tending to diminish still more the difficul-
ties of the proposed undertaking. In any case his report
will be of great importance in a scientific point of view,
and will protably complete the discoveries of which the
inquiring and suggestive genius of Lieut. Maury has given
us only the first conception.

POLICE v COURT.-...ESTERDAY.

BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD.)

A MILITART " LARK."—Mr. Robert Robinson, and Mr.
Edward Bromilow, two officers of the 2nd Lancashire Militia,
which has returned from Glasgow previous to being disbanded,
were charged by Police-officers Nos. 540 and 346, the first
named gentleman with creating a disturbance and pulling down
part of Startup and Brown's shed, corner of Roe-street, on
Saturday night, and the other with attempting to rescue his
brother officer. Both defendants appeared to be very young
men. Officer 540 stated, that late on Saturday night he saw
Mr. Robinson tear down part of the shed in question, and that
when arrested he refused to give his name. A crowd soon
collected, and apprehensive of a disturbance, the constable
whistled for assistance. Officer 364 soon came up, and
advised the gentleman to give his name, but he still refused to
do go, and called out for "some of the Lancashire (militia.)
men to come forward and let daylight into the peelers. 4
(Laughter.) Mr. Bromilow who, at the time came to the
rescue of his brother officer, also called out for some of Capt.
Littledale's men to do the same kindly office for the peelers,
and strove to take his friend from the constables. Officer 384
deposed to the same effect. A person named Carney, who
keeps an eating-house near the nril ic,t, corroborated the
statement of the officers, and complained that his trowsers had
been torn, and that he had also received a few kicks in the
scuffle. When called on for their defence, Mr. Robinson
admitted having pulled down one of the boards of the shed in a
lark, but denied that Mr. Bromilow had anything to do with
that act, or that he attempted to rescue him, or urged on any
of the men of their regiment to that end. The constables had
certainly stated much that was correct, but they bad also
greatly exaggerated the affair, for so far from encouraging their
men to interfere with the police, he and his brother officer had
done all in their power to restrain them. Many of the men
were about at the time, and had he or his friend called out for
their assistance, as stated by the police, they (the police)
would, in a moment, have been swept away. Had it not
been for the interference of his "fat friend"—(laughter)—the
witness Carney, who improperly tripped him up, nothing would
have occurred: As for himself, he had been shoved and kicked
when down, as his back could still painfully prove. (Laughter.)
Mr. Bromilow gave the same version of the affair, and, in the
most positive manner, denied that he or any other person
called out for "any of the Lancashire men to come forward
znd let daylight into the peelers." On the contrary, he
restrained the 127" from interfering with the police, and had
he not done so they cont.: ::ot have stood a moment. Another
officer of the same regiment, whost; lame was not made public,
was examined in support of the defendants' statements. He
corroborated what they said in defence oilhe occurrence. Mr.
Mansfield observed it was to be regretted :.hat the matter
should have occurred, as it would serve as a sort advertise-
ment to Startup and Brown ; but he, at the Ban.: time,
believed that it had been much exaggerated. He ordered
Robinson to pay 8s 6d, the amount of the damage of the shed,
with costs, and dismissed the complaint as against Mr.
Bromilow.

WIFE BEATING.—WiIIiam Halloran, a tall muscular mad,
was placed in the dock charged with having committed a brutal
assault on his wife, by striking her with a tongs. The cow-,
plainant's head was completely bandaged, a convincing proof of
the cruel treatment which she had received at the hands of her
husband. He was drunk at the time he committed the assault,
hut his wife, who did not wish that he should be severely
dealt with, nevertheless admitted that it was not the first time
he had so ill-used her. He was committed for a month.
(BEFORE MR. ANDERSON.)
Catherine Flynn was committed for one month for stealing
a pair of boots from Anne Riley, of Marybone.

Mary Abbott was committed for ono month, for stealing £2
from John Couch, in Peter-street.

Margaret Baker was sentenced to two months' imprisonment
for stealing a coat from a house in Mann-street.

John Wright, a young lad, was charged with stealing a pieco
of carpet from a house in Islington. The prisoner, when
arrested, was found in an entry cutting up the carpet. He was
committed to gaol far three months.

CHARGE of FORGERY.—Richard Bibby, who was charged
on Saturday, with having forged the name of his father to a
bill of exchange for £3OO, was again brought up. The
particulars of the case wore not gone into, but it was ad-
journed for a week, the prisoner meanwhile being admitted
to bail.