The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-09 00:00:00

plained of ; the means placed in their hands would have
rtceiveil a more speedy and more effective destination ; and
the stlec!ion of auxiliaties necessary for the promotion of
such objects would have proved more judicious.

The 4117emeine Zeitung to the lat of Septcmbet has
been received, from which we make the following
extract:—

Romr, Avo. 17.

The Pope proceeds in his political reforms with indefatigable
activity, though almost incomparable obstacles are every where
thrown in his way. Even many well-disposed men, to whom Heaven
has given more good-will than energy to carry it into Oren,
are said often to advise to let things alone ; tut the Pope
does not seem ItspOSt ti to listen to them. Posterity will bless him
for this, even if his contemporaries should be so short-sighted
as to desire the return of the old abuses. I have frequently men-
tioned those that had cr apt into tt.e administration of the Customs.
The Pope, of his own ace rd, without consulting the Board of
Finance, 'which was just engaged on a very different plan, has dis-
missed all the officers and subalterns, anti half the soldiers of the
Customs : the other half is to be ncw.organized. The chic guard,
or rather its general staff, which alone existed, and had a bureau,
which occasioned considerable expense without doing any good, is
dissolved, and the officers placed on half-pay. The Administration
of F,cclesiustical Estates in the provinces has had the same fate,
being wholly abolished, and unitel with the Ministry of Finance.
The most important reform, however, as it seems, will be expe-
rienced by the Chamber, espe-ially that part of it called the Com-
p- fiateria. A few days ago the Chief Itevisore and eight of his sub-
akerns were dismissed. The new Itevisore has received orders to
,rate accurately the number of clerks lie wants, and to choose
among the most able and honest individuals in the office ; the
others will be discharged. The chase and the fisheries, ei impor-
tant branches of the subsistence of the people, have likewise at-
tracted the Pope's attention. It is said that all restrictions on both
will be shortly abolished, only of course continuing the pro-
hibition of them in certain seasons of the year.

CITY, FRIDAY EVENTINO.
The intelligence from Portugal by yesterday's mail was
a sufficient hint to the depressionists to spread rumours in
' pl,n'y this morning as to further news of an alarming
nature from that country : they were, however, totally
1. void of credit. Consols were named at 79 at the open-
ing of the market ; but there were no takers at that quo-
tation. At an early period some heavy money sales took
pace, which, in conjunction with the reports we have
mentioned, perhaps, sent them down to 781, and they
closed at Is': for money, and for the Account at 7f4 79.
The report of Mr. CANNING being about to visit Paris is
again the ; indeed, if report is to be believed, he is
now in his post-chariot on his way to the French capital !
In the Foreign Market there has not been much doing.
Mexican have varied about one per cent. There were reports
of letters being in town from Mexico by the Antelope,
which was mentioned, in the Ship News of yesterday, as
being cff Torbay ; they ec•ild not, however, be traced.
Ihe Orozembo, from New York, arrived at Cork on the
3d inst., where she was waiting fur orders, having out-
sailed the packet ship. She left New York 15th August,
but is not the bearer of any news. Tha arrival of the
packet, which is hourly expected, will, in 911 probability,
decide the question of the Mexicar dividends; the Bonds
closed to day at MI, ln other Foreign Stocks there is
little or nothing doing; indeed, partridge-shooting has
robbed the Stock Exchange of some of its most devoted
and obedient servants. The only Shares quoted at a pre-
mium are Brazilian, which arc 7.
The Colonial Market does not show any particular move-
ment : demand and prices retain the same steady character
as for some days past.

In the Curn Market prices show littlo variation since
Monday's market. There is an evident backwardness on
the part of purchasers at present, and the holders of grain
arc not at all disposed to recede to the level at which per-
ms are prepared to put prices, until some more correct
idea :an be formed of what is likely to be the scale, as re-
gards the imported articles. Cargoes arc constantly ar-
riving in the River; and it would seem, from the advance
of prices which has taken place on the Continent, that
with the proteeti.ig duty the effect on the English market
will not be very material.
Exchanges generally show a disposition to advance.

Sir Henry HaWord and Mr. Macgrigor, Sergeant Surgeon
to the King, visited the Duke of York yesterday. The
health of his Royal Highness continues in the same favour-
able state it has been for some days part. The unfavour-
able state of the weather yesterday prevented his Royal
Highness from taking his usual airing.
Prince Pulignac, the French Ambassador, and the Mar-
quis Palmella, the Portuguese Minister, transacted busi-
ness yesterday afternoon with Mr. Secretary Canning, at
his Office, in Downing-street.
The Earl of Liverpool transacted business yesterday
afternoon with Mr. Canning. at the Foreign Office, Down-
ing-street, after which his Lordship left town for his seat,
Combe Wood.

The Earl of Liverpool, Mr. Secretary Canning, &c.
dined with the Corporltion of the Trinity House on
Thursday.
Lord Howard de Walden, Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, entertained a select party at dinner yes-
terday, at his residence in South Audley-street. Among
the company were some of the Foreign Ambassadors and
Ministers.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was occupied yesterday
morning with the Earl of Liverpool, at his Lordship's re-
sidence at Whitehall. In the afternoon the Right lion.
Gentleman left town for Charlton.

Lord Charles Somerset transacted business yesterday
with Mr. Hay, Under Secretary of State for the Colonial
Department, at the Colonial Office.
Mr. Wilmot Horton left town yesterday for the seat
of Viscount Palmerston, near Romsey, on a visit to his
Lordship.

A Boa.rd of the Lords of the Treasury was held on Thurs-
day, at the Treasury Chambers.
A King's messenger was plat up from the Foreign Office
on Wednesday evening, with despatches, which, it was
understood, were fur the British Ambassador at Con-
stantinople.
The health of the Countess of Eldon has slightly im-
proved within these few days.
We perceive by the bills that Mr. Honeyman, of the
Surrey Theatre, takes his benefit on Monday next. We
sincetely wish him a bumper, for the able anannerin which
he has cowhietell that Theatre.

vet bey has br`
.Acie°l2errtathrirn'r:::
,norantldo yietthramtienok
iitn
lodged,sinee thin iiinosrealengpacywadsutPr paid,
to pay any; and suspect the 750/. to have been trawl:Mir :7
trained, as one who Itad been a Solicitor of SouT
to have
ipr
osobeoithTer
alleleat ec
tt(l thevaluben t
toofmth;e
3p "or! icy.
pbell will be able 4
aseertatn the periods when the %tamps were respectively procured
'• This letter is rather prolix, but I have written itt haw, ul
must make the same apology as the person didfilmf.orvy
that he had no time to make it shorter. I hope all are aelinll^.
Board : If you have a spare moment 1 shall be very h 4t
happy lobate
a line front you. Farewell.
" Believe me, Met faithfully.youre.
" JOS. "ATM VICL"
NO. 11.
I al a
tp`:ars3t3l. day,,Vigneo tth:o.o3:lg: eh
this dy.e.—:44.11)!
peditimi, when your letter arrived. In attempting sea e e'•
no
hope of coming close to the Pule ; at present, I think, as far.' i
can is.ke my observations with any correctness, I ant at the fares
ridiein, but the muss of corruption is so solid and compact, drii•
eshud4ob ffurtherireui
nc. ksittaken
detaililt ry:tn,eoilu' 'Alma yr e h
pee,3° I ti• ,
tinl
tn,,ettio..
as it has been, tar this last half century. that th" eis
Wipe of its re eking away in fragments, like the polar iceailwra
open a way theme h i•. Howes er, we roust do as well as -
You ask if I think they had any intimation of my coeneink;
do not think I carne upon them quite enerpectedty, as the Lora
Advocate, whom I had seen in London about a fortnight befit
had given intimation of it ; but it 'was an useless warning, " a„..-erer
were not in a condition to avail themselves of it; had ,lin' beep
it; any tot-ea/ref order before hand, they might have bet.irved -•'-orije—".
;
selves a little, and have lisd oil in their lamps; but even this p
Faration would have been useless, for they had uo lamps Sill
fur instance, I wanted to refer to the inventories of two or thalta;
prevailed up totlati'dete,
persons, I desired Mr. Bremner to tern to his General Index ita
which be did with great snlem.-:y. Mr. Forbes anti 31r. Hammy
wire the names I wanted; but as he dil not seem to turn to them
very readily, I desired he would hand ire over the hone; a
this, be was obliged to confess "they hadn't got ar.,crr at later 11."
I then took up the book, a fine pm,:rraus fruit,to see how tt
they had got, when I found t•.ey hail gat as far as truer AT
under which twelve names were entered. The fact was, din;
cSoellt,truhlitiodn etiedn
irregularity, introduced ttlileeredfoarye,bweittineich, for the Oct tan •iose
never had been an Index Book kept in ;he °dice. and the pm
you may easily Imagine.
'• With regard to the Plate Lieense Duty, which you *dent toss
being apparently very ill collected, I proceeded, on the reotipto
your letter, to make some inquiry into this. Thirking gallon
best to begin et the beginning, I sent for Ale cur instate!
tor, and desired lie would request the Goldsmiths' Company to Sc
a day. when I - would attend during the process ofaassyingana
marking the plate, which I did on Thursday last. I found every
thing conducted with extreme exactness, awl an anziety to give
every information. The senior members of the Corporation, to.
pellet with the Warden arid Assay Officers, were present. A per.
son of the name of Scott, employed by Mr. Bremner, brim the
pigtails with him (the instrument with which the mark is iaiptened
on the difletent articles of plate brought to be stamped). slid talas
it away with him reline the marking is dorm, keeping it, in
' the mean time, in his custody, or in Mr. Bremner's, till
the next suss day. Of this circumstance the Corporation very
grievously complained ; and they explained the origin of it,
which wan this:—lt seems that, many years ago, a member
of the Corporation, of very unpriocieled character. privately affixed
the mark to different articles of pl its, without accountiog for the
duty : this was &tette by the War en, tad h • Corporation in.
, stand, sent no its of the transaction t t the Stamp-office. The
°feud. r immediately fled the kingdom. Mr. Bremner forthwith
' took the instrument of impress from the Corporation, and either
keeps it in his own possession or Mr. SCOTS, the person he rm.
pointed to at and with it, and who has ever since attended with
as above described. Now, u the most respectable ptesons, and at
the most tri: din why, compre this Corporation, is very nets.
' ral ,hat they iould feel indignant at the public an it
and perpetual re.
fl ction upon them winch this deprivation conveys. anti that they
, should be neat anx ou to have this stigma removed. 1 told them,
• t''erefore, wh n they urged the subject, that I was quite sure that
i t sets not the wish of the Board of *amps to adopt, or to sanction,
any meesure 01 pregiution which in itself implied a distrust of the
integrity Or t e Gohismitlis' Company as a telly, and that they
would v ry p neltly discontinue that measure in particuler, whit
was e t by chi rn to coovee tha imputation. I undertook total
thus mu It, be awe, in the first pate, I most conscientiously
thrught that in ju thee they dem-reed it, and in the zest place
(which it was not necessary to tell them) because I apprehend the
measure i:self to be nothing more or less than an illegal or.
authorized act on the part of 31r. Bremner, winch is made
subservient to his own speculauinns of private profit. 1 think
it quite clear that the taking this instrument of office out of
the hands of the Corporation into his own private custody is rot
within the legal authority of any individual, and my only won her
is that the Company submitted to if all, much more for so long a
period. Then, so far from being a serorke to the Bet error', It It
quite the reverse; for it is enacted by the Act (Stat. 24 tiro. 111.
e. L3l the.. defrntt of re...thing the ditty, the respective Coo:.
pani. s or Aesay.offieers shad be accountable fir the said duty. as if
admen/ rtes is,ed.' -Now, if this Mr. Scott were to connive with
any individual of the ami.i.ny, and were secretly to furnish Inn
with the porei, it is quite clear that the Company and Assay-otti.
eerie would stand relieved from the responsibility to which they are
here subjected, by this special interference of an officer, acting, as
they would urg, under the Board's authority, show acts they had
no power to crone d. If, moreover, an individual of a Car-preening,
with the Cle ck of he Warden, and under the eye of the Assay-ME-
C •ts, may a .ilelently use this instrument in marking plate, what
shall peeve, t . n individual out of a Coreoration, with this lout
men: in his private possession at all hours, and with no check of
any kid d, from mak rag the some improper use of it ?
' • Then as to the coil of lids preventive. I suppose Mr. Bran.
ner may pay the man he thus employs about ten shillings a week
(he is in at ietlance about an hour and a half, three days in the
week ; Mr. I' remner never yet was present himself), and in out
item of an stem nt which he showed me of some charges incurred,
when in Lando , sore time since, was twilie hundred pounds foe
this duty of reel erinlendenec at Cord:milks to secure As
prate duty. So that he means to punch the Board out of this,
at any rate, let what will become of the instrument. When hs
spike to me ale ut this charge and the allowance of it, it was before
I h: d made the present inquiry, and I of cootie told him, that as
• the tra • saetion cut of which it arose occurred before I cause to the
B. azd, I could }hie no opinion whatever upon It.
" Now, as to the zie e t state of the plate duty in Scoilasl.
One should naturally have thought that one who had taker so
strorg a measure to s• cure it at head-querte in would at least hare
been a tfficientiv vigi:an ia the tubordiume districts. But I leaned
at Goldsmiths' Ball that very little plate was stamped hut what was
manufactured at Edinburgh, and that it was the common practice
in all the Northern towns in Scotland to sell it below the standard.
and without the legal mark. I inquired of Mr. Waddell, the In.
spector, how all this could happen ? who told me that lie had per.
caased plate of this description at :girth and Aberdeen, for the
purpose of proaccu ing the venders ; but that Mr. Bremner was of
opinion that the law as it stands would not reach them, and till
plate so purchased in 1815 lies still at the Stomp Office. ea/
t.nward I went to the Stamp Office ; after looking into the Art,
and inquiring front Mr. Tr rimer if this statement was correct, he
said, ' yes, it was ;• I told him I hail been looking into the Act,
and that it scented to me to be quite sufficient for prosecuting any
of these frauds; and I then requested he would point out where. in
his opinion, the detect liv • upon this he turned to the rearming
clause of the 24th Gee. 111. c. 53. a. 11. No goldsmith, silver-
s:nith, or other person, dealiug in gold or silver wares, shall ex.
nose to sale any geld or silver wares, or manufacture of gold or
• liver, made after the said day (lot December, 1784). or export the
same out of Great Britain, until the same (being of the standard
directed by law) shall be marked with the King's head, besides
all other marks, directed by law, on penalty of Me ; and fee
default, &c.'
It would be difficul to gu Is how any man could puzzle him.
self into a doubt on the sufficieney of this clause for the purpose of
moiecutinn. However, Mr. 'Bremner's doubt arose on the peen-
the.ie; his legal reading of i: was this:—' The silver must be
brought to be marked, and it cannot be expose I to sale without
being marked ; but then it says, ' being of the stir deed directed
by law,' and their silver is net of the standard, and there:Fre thee
don't bring it to be marked, and I don't see how we can prom to
them.' lhe Board will be as much surprised as I was at h.arerg
AO grossly stupid a construction of the law fiom a Soh-
Herr of Stamps. I need not detail any of the discussion
which passed upon the subject It ended in his acknow.
]edging it very likely that we might succeed in prosecuting.
that it was not too late to prosecute the venders of that u:-
'tramped plate which was in the office (bought in IMO, and that
he should proceed against them immediately. It turned out, in the
course of my inquiry on this subject, that he had never even taken
the Lord AdVIICAte'S opinion, with re.tarel to the doebt he enter-
tained on this clause of the Plate Duty Act, nor instituted a single
prosecution' by say of trying the point, during the Ih;rfy,f;,,,r
years which have parsed since its enactment, but muttered the plate
seised by the Inspector, es being b *re flue standard and wish, erptd.
to lie locked up in his office, and tee offenders in all parts Mascot.
land to defraud the rev,7tire and evade the law, during all that
period without check or control.
" This statement, I think, will sufficiently account for the de.
ficieney of the prate duly.
" I don't recollect whether I mentioned that I had been to Glas-
gow. I found every thing there kept in great order, except the
books of account, books of raven tor y, dtc., all wl.ich were in sad
contusion. They have now procured a new set of books, and the
whole will in flume be kept under prop:r alahabetical entry and
index of reference, and brought into regular official arrangement.
" I shall ante again soon, but I am a a incessantly occupied, tied
so notch fatigued, that I need plead no other apology for the inter-
val that may pairs between my letters.
With best wishes to the 'board, believe me, my dear Sir.
" Yours faithfully,
"J. Bindley, Esq." " JAS. SEDGWIL
No. 111.
" Dumbreck's Hotel, 211th April, 1818.
44 My dear Mr. am extremely obliged by your cote•
municarion of this morning, end the mote so, because 1 know
letter of tour aides to be the product of no slight exertion to both
your hands and your eyes, which, however, though you say they
• have hail their best days,' do certainly bear no very decided t:sti.
mot-) to the truth of your assertion.
• I am glad to hear that our last re nlitence improved upon des
predecessor* t I declare to Heaven it astonishes me, when I see the
fraud, irregularliy, and connivance which prevail in every thirg
comlectel with the Si: mp Revenue here; haw our remittances here