The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-02 00:00:00

Committee were properly chosen or not at present. The object of
.the Alee:ing was to receive the Report, in order that every Gentle-
man might read and consider It in his closet. At the next Sleeting
it would be competent fur Mr. Urquhart to propose whatever
amendment he pleased.
Mr. MAnSTI at.t. then addressed the 3lecting, In reply to part of
the observations made by Mr. Urquhart.
The Cuatastan wished to say two words. Whether they con-
sidered him as their Representative. as their Chairman, or at a
mercantile man, In whatever character he appeared, he must de-
clare that, in his opinion, the mercantile body were, both
collectively and individually, ranch indebted to the Com-
mittee. for the labour, the intelligence, the impartiolity, and the
shility they had shown In drawing up this Report ; and that they
deserved the very best thanks of every man in:erested in the ship.
pingo!' this country. With respect to the Committee, whether
well composed Drill composed, the parties who furm:d it were not
to blame, hut those who appointed them. It was of a self-notni-
noted Commilee.

The Resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. Elva at DGE (the gentleman who has for • lung time devoted
his time and fortune to the Inspection of our navy and merchant
ships, the result of which ruts impressed him with a conviction that
the maritime glory of Great Britain is about to fall under the In-
glorious attack of the dry rot) now rose to address the Meeting,
but after several attempts to convince the gentlemen present that
the subject he was about to introduce was of vital importance to
the very existence of this country, and demanded their instant and
undivided-attention, they could not be prevailed upon to give him
a hearing, notwithstanding the Chairman put the question to the
vote, and Mr. Burrldge himself begged and implured of them to
allow him to proceed.
_ _ _

A Resolution. that a copy of the Report should be sent to the
different ports of the kingdom, was then put end agreed to.
The thanks of the Meeting was then voted to the Committee,
for thrir able Report, and fur the lebour which they had bestowed
upon it.
Mr. MARSHALL then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chair.
man, in dine. which he alluded to the circumstance of that gen,le-
inan being about to withdraw himself fro.n the representation of
the City of London in Parliament, and passed a high eulogitim on
his talents and integrity as a rublic man, and on his mural cha-
racter in private life.
. _

The Citsinsisa shortly returned thanks, and the Illceting
separated.

RE port. of the Committee of Merchants. Shipowner., and Un.
derariters of London, and of the Representatives of the prin-
cipal Out-ports in Great Britain, appointed on the 22d Jan.
II:2d, to collect the fullest infornostion on the subject of the
system at present pursued in the classification of merchant
shipping in the remstty books at Lloyd's, and to consider and
report to 'subsequent General Meeting, such alteration, in the
present system, and to suggest such rules and regulations for
the future classification of Shipping. as they might consider
exnedient ; with their opinion as to the best mode of raising
a Fund adequate to meet the expenses of conducting the system
recommended for adoption.
In undertaking the perto mance of duties so extensive and im-
portant as those involved in their appointment, your Committee
were prepared to encounter much difficulty, labour, and anxious
consideration ; It was not, however, till they had actually igaged
in the investigation, filet the full extent of the inquiries it com-
prehended became apparent, or that they were aware of the time
that must unavoidably elapse before they could be enabled to pre-
sent a Report in any degree satisfactory to themselves, or likely to
prove available to the great object of their appointment. Whether
their labours may lead to any improvement of the system, the de-
fects and errors of which prompted the general dissatisfaction from
which the inquiry originated, they presume not to anticipate ; but
while the Report they now ofra will afford sufficient proof that it
is to the extended nature of their Investigations, and not to any
remissness In the discharge of their duty, that the long protraction
of tl.e inquiry must be attributed, they feel confident that it will be
found at least to supply materials for correct conclusions on the sub-
ject of the classification of merchant shipping, at once authentic, in-
westing, anti valuable.
Determined, from the commencement of their investigation, that
on a subject on which so many conflicting opinions had been ex-
premed, and so much prejudice excited, no conclusions should be
admitted but such as should be founded on the strong authority
of evidence,- mpartially selected and attentively examined, your
Committee spared no effort to obtain from every quarter inte-
rested in the inquiry, or postwasing information calculated to eluci-
date it, such testimony as should at once justify their recommend..
thins, end command public reatect the concurrent readiness with
which their applications have been received, has afforded them the
advantage of obtaining the invaluable evidence and opinions of the
Commissioners and Surveyors of his Majesty's Navy; of the
Master-builder of his Majesty's Dock-yard, Deptford •, the prin-
cipal Surveyor of Shipping to the Honourable East India Com.
pony; the Surveyors to the existing registry books; the Ship-
owners' Societies at Livia:pool. Hun, Sunderlattl, Whitchsven,
and Yarmouth ; and of a considerable number of most respectable,
impartial, and intelligent Shipawnera Brokers, Agents to Under-
wriiers, Shipbuilders, and where, whose long experience, high
character, and extensive practical knowledge, convey abundant
assurance that, a ha:ever may be the general opinion as to the re-
commendations framed on their testimony by the Comtn:ttee.
the evidence itself must stand far beyond the reach of impeach-
ment or suspicion.
(To be continued to-morrow.)