The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-05 00:00:00

LORD PALMERSTON ON THE SOUTHAMPTON

ELECTION.

The story of Lord Palmetston's conversation respecting the
Southampton stiugglo is to the following effect :--About ten
days ago one of his lordship's tradesmen, Mr. Wm. Lankester,
member of an extensive ironmongery firm in Southampton,
was sent for by his lordship on business, and this being arranged
his lordship asked how the election matters stood ? Mr. Lan-
kester replied that they were in a great bustle, that they had
thought Mr. Weguelin would have united the Liberals when
Mr. James left the field, hut that Mr. Andrews had sp'it the
Liberal party by coming forward in three weeks after. On
this, as Mr. Lankester states, Lord Palmerston said, " Very
impolitic; he is not fit for it," and added, that though Mr.
Andrews was a good fellow enough, he was uneducated. Mr.
Lankester then informed his lordship that Mr. Weguelin had
ono to Southampton with the highest introductions. His
lordship replied, " Oh, he is quite the right man ; he !las
position, influence, education, and a high character ; he is quite
a fit and proper man for such a town as Southampton, and the
()lice is not fit." Mr. Lankester expressed his fears that the
result of Mr. Andrews coming forward would be the return of
the Conservative candidate, and that Mr. Wilcox would
then resign his seat, and Southampton would he represented
by two Tories. Ills lordship replied, " Very sad, he (Mr,
Andrews) is not fit." On the following eveeing a public meet-
ing of Mr. Weguclin's friends was convened at the Victoria
Rooms, and Mr. Lankester, who is chairman of Mr. Weeuelin's
committee, read from a document his notes of the above con-
versation. This evoked a great storm. As soon as Mr.
• Andrews heard of it he wrote a letter to Lord Palmerston,
enclosing a copy of the reporter's no'es of Mr. Lank,ster's
• statement, and asking whether the conversation had been cor-
rectly reported ? Ou Saturday Mr. Andrews received a reply
by post from Lord Palmerston, iu which he complimented Mr.
Andrews on the high position ho has attained in the munici.
pality, which he views as hi 3 proper and legitimate sphere of
duty, and admits having used the expressions attributed to
him. His lordship, however, deprecates the idea of intending
to interfere in the election in any way, and says that ho has
written a letter to Mr. Lankester, who had committed "
gross violation of confidence" in making public that which
was merely a private conversation. Mr. Andrews wrote to his
lordship on Monday, requesting permission to publish the
correspondence to this letter. No reply has yet been received
from his lordship. This little episode has increased the fury
of the flames raging in Southampton.
The following ie the correspondence which has passed between
Mt. Andrews and Lord Palmerston on this subject :
" Southampton, Dec. 24.

"My Lord,—l beg to enclose you a statement taken floret
the reporter's notes made from a written paper read before a
very large meeting last night at the Royal Victoria Rooms by
Mr. W. Lankester, and put forward for the purpose of
injuring me in the estimation of my fellow townsmen, and
damaging my prospect as a candidate for the representation of
the borough.
'•1 have therefore to request your lordship kindly to inform
me if that statement is a correct representation of what took
place between yourself and Mr. Lankester, because I can
hardly think it possible that your lordship could have spoken of
me as you aro therein represented to have done.—l have the
honour to be, my Lord, your lordship's most obedient servant,
" IL ANDREWS.
"To the Right Hon. Lord Viscourt Palmerston."
The statement enclosed was to the effect that 'Mr. Andrews
was uneducated and not fit to represent Southampton.

" Broad!ands, Dec. 26.

" My dear Sir,—l hays received your letter of the 24th
inst., arid I have written to Mr. tankoster to express my
surprise that anything which pasvd betwee❑ him and me in
a private and casual conversation when he came here on pro-
fessional business should have been made use of by him in the
manner stated in the report which you have sent me, for the
purpose of influencing the course of the canvass for the South-
ampton election.
" I have no pretension to interfere in any manner whatever
in that mattcr ; and I should not lows said a word to him
on the subject if I had thought I should iu any way be quoted
by him.

'' It was not unnatural that I should wHi what was
doing at Southampton, and I thought Mr. Lankester could tell
me.

" No doubt in the short conversation which ensued I
expressed my opinion as to the eligibility of the several canal-
dwes ; and every man in the county who has conversed with
an acquaintanc7, on the subject has probably done the same,
whatever his'opinions may be.
" I have great respect and regard for you. I think the
talent and ability you have displayed, and the high position
which, by your untiring energy, you have made for yourself in
Southampton do you very great honour but I must frankly
say, in answer to your appeal, that I do net think you are so
well calculated as Mc. Weffuelin is to represent Southampton
in the House of Commons.

" Your business avocations, lying in Southampton, world
interfere with your attendance in Parliament, unless at a
great sacrifice of your private interests, and your habits of
thought as connected with the nature of your commercial
pursuits, cannot tend so much as those of Mr. Weguelin to
prepare a member for the consideration and discussion of
many of the matters which must, from time to time, be dealt
with by parliament.
" 'therefore, believing, from what I have heard, that if two
candidates sand upon the liberal interest,. and thus divide the
liberal party, the conservative party will be able to give a
trrjority to their candidate, and thinlcing Mr. Weguelin the
best of the two liberal candidates, I cannot but regret that
you should, by dividing the liberal party, endanger the liberal
cause at Southampton. This is my personal and private
opinion, founded, however, upon public grounds Ido not
consider that it involves any disparagement to you. I never
should have thought of making it known, with a view to
influence the decision of the electors of Southampton ; and I
should not have stated it to you if it had not been for your
letter of the 24th.—I remain, my dear sir, yours faithfully,
" Richard Andrews, Esq." " PALMERSTON.

" Southampton, Dec. 29, 1856.

" My Lord,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your
lordship's letter of the 20th instant, and shall feel obliged if
your lordship will be so kind as to allow me to publish it. I
beg most respectfully to remind your lordship that I made no
appeal to you beyond asking if Mr. Lackester's statement was
a correct representation of what took place between your lord-
ship and himself. I am exceedingly sorry your lordship's
name should h,ave been drawn into our electioneering
squabbles, but for that I am not responsible. Waiting your
lordship's reply, I remain, my lord, your lordship's obedient
servant, " ANDIAEWS.
" To the Right Hon. Lord Palmerston."

" Broadlands., Jan. 1, 1857
"My dear Sir,--I can have no objeeion to your publishing
my last letter to you.—Yours faithfully,
"ll:chard Andrews, Esq."

" PALMRRSTON.

Six new Fellows of the University of London have been
appointed by the CroVen, viz. :—Lord Staple?, M. P., Right
Hon. M. Talbot B ines, M.P., James Frey -.nod, M.P.. Sir
F. Ryan. Dr. W. Withey Gull (Guy's Hospital), and Dr.J.
F. Wood.
INDIAN Irtoer.—The' Government of Bengal has just
published a report on a new iron field examined by Mr.
Smith, a viewer, sent out by the Court of Directors. It is
at Parrool, a place about ten miles beyond Raneegunge, the
laast station on the existing railway. It is close to the coal
mines, and the means of carriage both by rail and water are
close at hand. The quantity of ore Mr. Smith estimates at
about 6 400,000 tons to the square mile, but the limits of the
field remein to he ascertained.
LOUIS NAPOLEON JUDGED BY PRESIDENT BITCHANLN.—
The pr sent Emperor of the French—the universal suf—
frege republican Emperor—the president elect Baal, was
undoubtedly a great man. No matter what his present
motives were, or his antecedents had been, he was ruling
and occupying his position with wonderously dexterous
success. The Empress is a sweet, beautiful feminine
creature, whose manners and conversation are most fascina-
ting, She was better calculated to retain the good will of
the masses than her husband, and she was likely, by her
womanly graces and never-tiring benevolence, to ward off
from him many a plotted blow. Mr. Buchanan thought
that republicanism could never have a fair trial in France
until the departments were restored, and the municipalities
in good working order. Then a federal republic would be
likely to be permanent, but rat till then. Paris and the
army were France at present, and he thought Louis Napo-
leon would be able to retain those in his service.—Conver•
satiwis of President Buchanan.
FATAL ACCIDENT TO A THIEF —On Wednesday, a fatal
accident ot a singular nature occurred at Cardiff to an Irish
woman, named Catherine Murphy. The Bute docks are
constantly thronged with Irish people—men, women, and
children— who steel any thing which comes in their way,
principally coal, and who, in many instances, have laid vio-
lent bands upon any one who has ventured to interfere with
'hem. Many precautions have been adopted by the Taff
Vale railway authorities, but all to no effect. The coal is
tipped into vessels by means of large shoots, and at one end
of these are heavy weights, acting as a counterpoise. These
weights. on the shoot being emptied, fall into large wooden
trunks, at the bottom of which is nailed a strong hoard. In
order to facilitate the stealing of coal, it appeared that the
deceased had removed this board, and had placed her head
and hand into the trunk for the purpose of pulling down the
loose coal, and while she was in the act of doing so, the
weight descended, and not only struck the unhappy creature
a- terrible blow or. the head, but confined her in the trunk
for at least a quarter of an hour, notwithstanding every
exertion was used to extricate her. When she was
taken out it was found that her head had been literally
smashed, and death must have been almost instantane-
ous. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of " accident&
death."

MR. LANGSTON, Jr.?,. AND MR. CARD WELL,

M.P., AT OXFORD.

The members for the city of Oxford dined on New
Year's Day with upwards of 400 member; of Lodge 59
of the aliment Order of Druids and their friends, is the
Town hall. The mayor, the sheriff, the ex.m tyor,
Aldermen Sadler and Shiers, several . members of the
town counsil, and many of the principal citizens, were
also present.
" The Healths of the City Members" having been
drunk, with loud cheering,
Mr. Langston, M. P., expressed the pleasure he felt in
thus -meeting a number of his constituents. The chair-
man had placed upon him, as one of their representatives,
a rather difficult task, for he had forbidden any allusion
to politics. If he steered clear of them, some might
think he was afraid to enter upon any subject which
was interesting to them. He presumed that he
might venture to allude to the events of the past
year, and to congratulate them on the attainment
of peace, especially as those subjects were fully gong
into by his colleague and Mr. Bacon at their last festival.
(Che As.) They were indebted for the peace which
they now enjoyed to the spe-cites made scot only in that
ball but in every part of the kingden, as they expressed
the determination of the frople to support the govern-
ment in the carrying on of the war. and it was that
expression which had brought about that peace which he
hoped would long endure. It was time they were at war
with Persia, but he hail it on good authority that that
unfortunate affair was likely to terminate before paella
ment met. (Cheers.) He had been informed that it
was their intention to hold a public tneeing for the
pnrpnse of expressing their objections to the income tax,
which they were led to believe would at the determina-
tion of the war be removed, and suite other tax devised of
a less objectionable character. (-Cheers ) If he were
right in that conclusion, he could candidly tell them
that he entertained the same objections himself ;
and they were still further strengthened by his cape_
rience as a cosnmissione.r of taxes, and of the income tax
(Cheers.) There had been considerable agitation on this
subject in Gloucestershire, where one of the servants of
governMent had surcharged a great many nersens, who
were obliged to go and make an oeh that they hart sent
in a fair return. There were such strong objection; to
that tax, that he thought it should not be imposed unless
it could be shown that the same amount could n-t be
raised in any other way. In conclusion, Mr. Langston
thanked them for the kind and flattering reception they
had given him, end wished them all many happy years.
(Much cheering )
Mr. Cardwell, in returning thanks, said a rnst words
on the events of the past year, and on the subjects which
were likely to occupy the attention of parliament in the
year they had just enterede There was no part of the
duty of a member of parliament which he discharged
with so much pleasure as supporting the remission
of public burdens. He hail had the honour of
serving in her Majesty's Treasury when greater
remissions of taxation were made than at any pre-
vious time in the financial history of this country. It.
W 33 not possible to escape witnessing its result and its
effect, not only on the material interests of the kingdom,
but morally on all who lived by labour, placing them as
it did, in easier circumstances, and giving them an
appetite for higher things, and for the cultivation of the
intellectual powers. (Cheers.) They could not witness
such effects without wishing to have a fair and prop-r
mitigation of the public burdens; but at the same time
he thought it would be unfair to the government, when
they were about to enter into a full statement. of their
views, to interfere and a,tempt to forestall them by
making any statement as to this or that peculiar burden.
(Cheers.) Believing as he did that they would faithfully
fulfil their duties, and give expression to their opinions, he
felt assured that the House of Commons would give them
a calm and dispassionate attention, and he should rejoice
if their policy fur the readjustment of the public burdens
was such ss to entitle them to the supper- of the House
of Commons. (Cheers ) His hon. colleague had
reminded them of the vexation belonging to the income
tax, and it was the duty of every government and every
House of Commons to mitigate its hardships by every
means in their power. (Cheers ) When that branch
of the revenue :recently lost its chairman by death, the

person appointed to fill bit plecd was no partisan, but
one who had risen front the lowest ranks of the service ;
he had been a comrnissi'iner, and was made chairman
of the Board of Inland Revenue for no other reson

but his just and faithful services in the lower
branches. Although he Orr Card well) was not
cognisant of what had been going on at Glou-
cester in reference to the Income Tax, he argued
from the appointment of Mr. Pressly to the chairmanship
of the Board of Inland Revenue, :hat any complaints
made to him would meet with all the attention which the
people had a right to expect. (Cheers.) He firmly
believed that by the restoration of universal peace a new
commencement would take place in all the different
objects of social and moral improvement, and that the
attention of parliament and the people, by the ciroulation
of opinion through their municipal institutions and a
free press, would be directed to measures of progress
such as no other country dreamt of, and would be carried.
not by strife or conflict, but by the gradual, silent, and
irresistible growth of sound and judicious public
opinion. (Cheers.)

The Weekly Register and Catholic Standard announces
that in addition to the Protestant clergyman (11r. Howell)
whose conversion we last week announced, the Rev. Fred.
Woodward, M A., of Brasenese Colleze, Oxford, has been
received into the Catholic church. Mr. Woodward was
lately curate of St. Philip., Clerkenwell, and formerly
curate of Aston Abbotts, near Aylesbury.
GREECE.—The Legislative Session of the Greek Chain,
hers was opened by King Otbo on the 19th of December,
with the usual formalities, when His Majesty made the
following speech : " Gentlemen Deputies and Sena—
tors—Having returned, after an absence of some month.,
to our well-beloved Greece, it is with real pleasure that I
see yon assembled around me, and that I can express to
my devoted people, through the medium of their repre-
sentatives, all the affection I entertain for them, and my
gratitude for the attachment and fidelity they have always
shown towards me, awl which is the indissoluble link
between the Throne and the nation. It was by manifest-
ing them anew during my absence that the cares of the
regency intrusted to the Queen. my beloved consort, were
alleviated. I also express my satisfaction to the legislative
holies, whose active and patriotic zeal has facilitated the
work of the government during the same period. Since I
last addressed the Chambers peace, which is the most
solid foundation of the prosperity of nations, has been
restored to Europe, and I have powerful reasons for
believing that the foreign troops which the war introduced
into Greece will be soon withdrawn. I have the satis-
tisfaction of announcing tto you that I am on a friendly
footing with all foreign Powers. Before every other
consideration, my Government, remembering the oblige-
tions'of Greece towards the great Powers, her benefactors,
has spontaneously offered to respond to them to the best of
its power. The condescending dispositions and goodwill
of the Powers towards Greece give me the best hopes of a
happy and final settlement of that transaction. Brigandage,
which is abhorred by the nation, was not long since
a great evil at home and aroused the indignation of foreign
States. By wise and energetic measures, by the valour
of our soldiers, and the willing support of the people,
my Government has succeeded in extirpating that scourge
and in restoring complete security to Greece. There is
only the frontier line where brigandage cannot be sup-
pressed without the firm co-operation of the adjoining
State. To obtain that result I have concluded a special
convention with Turkey, which my Government has
punctually carried out. The object of my most constant
and serious solicitude is the internal development, material
as well as intellectual, of Greece. It is for the Greek
people the surest foundation of all progress and prosperity.
To attain this end the Government has taken various
measures, and laws of great importance have been decreed.
My Government is actively employed in their execution.
Foreign capital has been sought for to multiply and
perfect the means of communication, without which no
material progress is possible, to restore oar rich plains
which became swamps, to agriculture, and to construct
necessary ports. lam happy to inform you that capitalists
have commenced to respond with confidence to the appeal.
Great praise and national gratitude are due to the enthu-
siastic patriotism which the Greeks, wherever they are,
display in advancing the progress of Christian civilisa-
tion in their country in offering the first fruits of their
indefatigable labours for the erection of sacred edifices,
of schools which provide knowledge and improve the
morals, aud of pious, scientific, and philanthropic
establishments. The regular course of government
renders it necessary that the budget of each year should
be discussed by the Chambers before the sums it contains
are expended. Two budgets having been voted together
in the preceding session, that this order may be
re-established and sanctioned my Government will
bring before you immediately the budget of 1858
Various bills will be submitted to you during the annual
sessine. A reform of the taxes and the disposal of the
national property, which is one of its conditions, will be
one of the first subjects you will have to consider. A
new tariff will be laid before you, based upon those
healthy principles adopted by the most enlightened
nations. Experience has proved that many errors are to
be found in the communal and electoral laws. My
Government will submit to your consideration improve-
ments in both, so as to give every possible guarantee to
communal and: constitutional liberty. Laws to
protect the rights of public officials, the national
domains, which will regulate the duties of the lower
clergy and the scientific activity of the nation, will call
for your serious attention. I recommend all these laws,
which concern the dearest interests of the nation, to your
prudence and patriotism. May that Divine Providence,
whose shadow always rests on Greece, guide and bless
your deliberations for the welfare of the country. The
first session of the fifth Parliamentary period is open."