Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-18 00:00:00

THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIME.
Sir,—Mr. Coningham, the honourable member
for 11,ig,hton, applied to the House of Commons on
19th May to be allowed to appoint an ordinary com-
mittee of fi.tecn to inquire into my petition fcr are
invstigation of tho proceedings of certain high
functionaries of the Duchy of Lancaster, in first
s preventing me from exercising the rights, powers,
and privileges of my office of auditor, and (after-
wards) in superseding me by a near connection
of the Receiver-General to audit that officer's
accounts for Par:iament."
This petition called in question the acts of Lord
Belprar, Earl Granville, and the Earl of Harrowby
who had been Chancellors of the Dueby—also the
proceedings of the Receiver-General, his deputy
and the Clerk of the Council.

The opposing powers would assent only to a
committee of five members, and on condition that
they were not to be appointed by Mr Coniughani
This select committee have published a report
on the subject, but without it being accompanied
and confronted by the evidence upon which it pro-
fesses to have been drawn up, although I have
protested against such a course being adopted
when a limited number of copies of the evidence
have, for some weeks, been printed for the com-
mittee. _ _ _

The evidence, which the Chancellors and other
functionaries of the duchy hive put forward in
atteropting to justify their endeavours to deprive
the auditor of the means of checking their pro-
ceedings, have been merely the expression c f their
own opinions by which they have asserted that the
Chancellor of the Duchy is "autocratic," and,
even, if he required the auditor to sign a document
containing a fraud, he ought to do so.
My evidence on the contrary has, throughout,
been supported by the production either of the
correspondence, Acts of Parliament, charters,
patents or outer documents, and by the le2al
opinion of Sir Fitzroy Kelly, that the proceedings
of the duchy officials, in preventing me from
being present at the Council of the Duchy, and
interfering with the functions of my office, have
been illegal
The committee have, however, shut their eyes to
these facts and acted only on the unsupported
statements of the noblemen and other officials of
the Duchy.
I thereore ask, and trust, that as I have had,
and still have, to contend upon my own resources
against what is daily termed to me the " over-
pte,-;-cring influence" and combinations which have
been brought to bear against me, you will not allow
your judgment to be overruled by the report of the
committee, but that you will form your opinion
of the matter on the evidence itself.
Throughout the whole of the examination I was
pressed by the committee, hut more particularly
by the chairman, to draw inferences from the facts
I put forward in evidence, until, at the risk of
giving off,olee, I positively refused to commit
myself to any other statements than frets; after
which the Chairman framed some of his questions
as inferences. The report, which avoids noticine
the evidence I have produced to prove separately
each paragraph of my petition, now throws its
whole weiliht to prejudice the facts by alluding to
them as inferences on my part.
This matter cannot be allowed to rest, and I
hope you will exercise your power in directing
'public attention to the evidence, and in procuring
a searching investigation into the management of
these ducal estates for some years back.—l am, sir,
your most obedient soevent,
FRANCIS ROBERT BERTOLACCI.
5, Cornwall-terrace, St. George's-read,
Pimlico, 5 August, 1857. _ _

P :;!.—The committee was composed of:—
Sotherton Eccourt, EFq , (Chairmen), the Member for
Noah WilAire; Lord Harry Vane, the Member for
County of Durham, South; Viscount Goderich, the liem-
ber for West Riding of Yorkshire; James Haus Hamilton,
EN., the Member for County of Dublin, and Thomas
William Brarnsten, DA., the Member for South Essex,

Sir Fitzroy Kelly's opinion on the Duchy of Lancaster Case.

The Duchy of Lancaster from its earliest
institution as a separate " Appanage' of the Crown
of England, has been governed by a Chancellor
atkd a Council composed of special officers, namely,
the Receiver-Geueral, the Attorney-General, the
Surveyor-General and the Auditor. The Chancellor
is appointed by the Sovereign ; and he is empowered
to nominate, in the Sovereign's name, the officers
above mentioned and constituting the Council, as
well as" Stewards and Receivers feodaries Auditors,
Escheators, Coroners, Bailiffs," Sz%
The constitution of the Duchy is not defined
by any particular enactment, but every Charter
and Act of Parliament and document relating to
the Duchy from the earliest period of its history
expressly show that its " government and guidance'
and the control and management of its property
are confided to the " Chancellor and Council"
conjointly.
The Auditor of the Duchy has invariably taken
bis seat as a Member of the Council ex officio, and
this privilege is necessarily implied from the
nature and responsibility of his duties and from
the terms of his patent of appointment and of tie
usual oath administered to him. On the 15th
May, 1854, Mr. Francis Robert Bertolacci was ap-
pointed to the office of auditor by the Chancellor
of the Duchy upon the resignation of Mr. Lock-
hart, but has been excluded from the Council.
Under these circnmstances your opinion is
requested as to,
Whether the Chancellor was legally empowered
to deprive Mr. Bertolacci of his seat in the Council
and to divest his (Ace of a privilege coeval with
the first institution of the Duchy, and exercised,
without any exception, by all his predecessors.

OPINION.

The patent of appointment to the office of Chan-
cellor of the Duchy being, as far as it is before me,
silent upon the question whether the auditor is
a member of the Council, and the patent of the
auditor himself being also silent upon this point,
it appears to me that the right of the auditor to sit
and act as a member of the Council depends alto-
gether on usage.
I do not find that under any patent, or charters,
or other legal instrument, the members constituting
the Council are specified. Under these circum-
stances, therefore, if the auditor has always sat
and acted as a member of the Council, it must be
presumed that he has done so of right, and he
cannot lawfully be excluded. (S geed)
Temple, '.27th July, 1857. FITZROY KELLY.

THE TRANSATLANTIC TELEGRAPH

CABLE

SOFT & PURE WATER FROM THE RED STONE

vcrszcs

DEAD-WATER WASHINGS FRONI BOG HILLS.

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE NOItTII3RN TIMES.
Sir,—l you the analysis of S:uthport vsater—
which may have escaped our Corporation. You will
see our old f iend Mr. Thomas Spencer reeornmerds
" deep sinkings in the red s2ndsfo ?e, which cannot
foil to yield an abundant supply of pure, and, by com
parison, soft water"—by ealculaTiou at foot. We may
inquire from De. Duncan, err paid medical officer, would
any sane person, or wise governm'nt board of Lealt'a, say
that any water eontairne. Il 90 per cent. of organic
matter was fit for human drink. It is well known it will
generate fever and cholera : it is only a question of time,
as is proved by the periodical visit of cholera—arising
from stagnant water on the face of the earth ; obs'ructing
the red or blue rays of light, which the British Association
are now examining into ; watching the rays of light
through the spectrum. Is it nothing that 8,000,000 of
human beings should he swept away during the last cycle
of cholera—(potato disewe),—in 1848 51, in In lant The
bo:-water kills the potato—bad potatoes, threugh famine,
kill young, old, rich, poor, living, and embrio. Let,
therefore, a mixed commission be appointed by Government
to report upon the possibility of supplying water free of
cost to the people by sta'ionary engines anti reservoirs on
Cr !wn lands, from the slid rock.
'1 he plpulati,n of Ireland in 1813 was 12,000.000.
O'Connell boasted of it, and in 1851 he said it woad be
10,000,000; but it was only 6,000,000 (circa); therAure,
death had swall - wed them up alive. Where were the
diff-rance ? Alas ! let echo ! answer where are they! Go
tin Killarney and you will hear a dozrn Echos from one
11a3t of !he trumpet

Oh ! for the pure water of life from the living rick !
are we to have n. ne ! Hive th dumb-dogs in the
pulpits nothing to say on tbi 3 question? Let a cubscrip-
ti,in be made to open St. George's Hall to discuss this
question surely some priests will speak."—Aadrew Savage.

SOUTHPORT WATT R.
From the Southport Visitor of 18th May, 1851.

87, Upper 3taniford-street, London, May Ist, 18,54.
SIR,-1 be; leave to tender my revort of the chemical
analysis of five samples of water, which were forwarded to me
for that purpose, by your order, on the 20th of ll.cember,
18.33.

In it I have embodied the results of the preliminary exa-
mination of the same samples, the malt of which was tendered
on the sth of March, 1854

When I received them, the samples were severally labelled
with the name of the place whence taken, and the date. They
also bore the signiture of their collecto-, Mr. James Rarer.
Four of them purpor.ed to be taken from pumps in the town-
ship of Southport, and the fif. It from Searisbrick Deif or
Quarry, at some little distance from the town, in the direction
whence the proposed supply is intended to be derived.
The results of the several analyses I have given in grains of
solid matter to an imperial g lion. The hardness is calculated
by Dr. Clarke's Scale.

SAMPLE No. I.—Mawdley's pump, taken December 12th
—Clear and colourless, but smelt faintly of sulphuretted
hydrogen, and deposited a little floculent matter on standing
exposed to the air. A given quantity, evaporatni to dry-
ness, yielded 54.10 grains of solid matter to the gallon,
consisting very nearly of—
Sulphate of Limo
Nitrate of Lime
Sulphate of Soda..
Carbonate of Lime
.14.60
O • •
Carbonate of Magnesia
Chlorides of Sodium and Calcium ....
Silica and Iron
Organic Matter

Tot l Grains . _54.10
SAMPLE No. 2—Uarket Pump, taken December 12th—
A given quantity, evaporated to di yoces, yielded at the rate of
61.25 grains of solid matter to the gallon, consisting very
nearly of—
Sulphate of Limo 16.03
Nitrate of Lime
Sulphate of Soda

Carbonate cf Elms
Carbonate of Magnesia
Chlorides of Sodium and Calcium ... 20,05
Silica and Iroa
Ozganic Matter

Total Grains.... ... 61.25
SA MPLE No. 3—Hunt's Fillip, taken December 12th—
Deposited a trace of flocitlent matter on standing exposed
to the air. A given quantify, being evaporated to dryness,
yielded at the rate of 87.50 grains of solid matter to the
gallon, consisting very nearly of—
Sulphate of Limo
Nitrate of Lime ... „ ~,..
Sulphate of Soda
Carbonate of Lime
Carbonate of Magnesia
Chlorides of Sodium and Magnesium ..... , 21.10
Silica and Iron
Organic Matter

Total Grains 87.50
SAMPLE No. 4—Sltarrock•'a Pump, taken December 12th—
A given quantity, evaporated to dryness, yielded at the rate 4)1
42 grains to the gallon, consisting very nearly of—
Sulphate of Lime
Sulphate of soda
Carbonate of Lime
Carbonate of Magnesia
Chlorides of Sodium and Calcium ..11.09
Nitrate of Lime
Silica and Iron
Organic Matter

Total Grains 42 00
SAMPLZ No. s—Scarisbrick Quarry, talcen December
10:h—Clear, but wiili a very slight tinge of colour, derived
from Oxide of Iron, which deposits on standing. A given
quantity, evaporated to dryness, yielded at the rate of 13.20
grains of solid matter to the gallon, consisting very nearly of—
Sulphate of Lime
Carbonate of Lime ..... . .... 1.46
Carbonate of Magnesia
Chloride of Sodium
Silica and Iron
Organic Matter

Total Grains
The hardness of each Sample is, respectively.—
No. 1 29 degrees No. 4 25 degrees
No. 2.. 28 „ No. 5 9 ~
NO. 3 5O „
The hardness of the first four samples, taken within
the town,hip, averages 31 degrees, which is more tha❑
double that of the present hard water supply to London,
and seven or eight times that of many of the towns of
Lancashh e and Yorkshire, which are now suppled with
soft water.

The average solid contents contained in a gallon of the
same samples is 61 grains, being three times as much to
the same quantity as the present London supply; nine or
ten times that of the average soft water supplies recently
introduced.

With regard to Sample No. 5, from Seatisbrick Quarry,
it exhibits an average specimen of the quality of water met
with in shallow siukings in the country parts of this
district.

I have to call your attention to the organic matter found in
the town pumps, the amount of which is very large ; besides
which, the amount of ❑itrogenous matter contained in all of
them affords sufficient evidence that they are in not very
remote communication with the drainage of the town.
Nitrogenous matters, when found in well water, have beyond
doubt thick oxygen in the percolations from cesspools, or other
accumulations of animal refuse. On the other hand, the
water from Scarisbrick (Sample No. 5), which is at a consider-
able distance from the town, is altogether free from nitrogenous
matter, and is, by comptrison, soft.
It may be stated, as a rule, that all shallow wells in the
new red sandstone ds'ricts are liable to be effected by the
drainage waters of the immediate surface, and when they are
situated in a town, such drainage water not only contaminates
that of the wells, but has also the effect of rendering them
extremely hard, as we see in the present instance. This
hardness goes on increasing with the increase of buildings and
population.

I may ta'e, in conclusion, that DEEP SINKING, AT A
REASONABLE DIS TANCE FROM. THE TOWN,
CANNOT FAIL TO YIELD AN ABUNDANT SUP-
PLY OF PURE, and, by comparison, soft water. All my
experience of other parts of the new red sandstone district,
coupled with my acquaintance with the locality from which you
propose to derive your supply, points to such a result.—l am,
sir, your very obedient servant, Trtomts SPeNCER,
Fellow of the Chemical Society.
To William Harper, Et.q.

• The following is the organic matter in the above
report :

'No. 1..5.50 grains in .54 10 equal per 100 grains 10 09
~ 2..8.6U „ 61.25
3..7.40 „ 87.50 „ 8 001
4..5.40 „ 42.00 if f Sf ft 12 36
Is 2. .5. 0 13.20 „ ~ „ 15.02
Averages 11.90 per cent. organic matter in Southport
water, by analysis of Mr. Thomas Spencer.

Respectfully submitted, through you, to our Corporation,
by TOWS truly,
WILLIAM DANSON.
Liverpool, August 17, 1857.

MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL.

LIVERPOOL, Monday Evening
•
There was rather mere business done in our
Cotton Market to-lay, and priers may be quoted
1-161. per lb. higher. The Sidt s were about 12,000
bales, including 4,000 on speculation and for
export.

In the Liverpool Share Market the transanctions
were to a fair extent at firm prices.
There is no particular variation in the state of
the Money Market, but the tendency is rather
favourable, owing to the diminished inquiry, and
the large supply. Good employment, however, is
still found for capital at the current rates, and
only in few cases are hills negotiated below the
official minimum. Notwithstanding the Eastern
exchanges are rather lower, the drain of silver to
India is expected to continue, and active prepara-
tions are in progress for the shipments on the
28th inst , by the steamer Colombo, which will
nrobably take out upwards of a million sterling,
These arrangements are (wising occasional with_
drawals from the banks, but they excite no uneasi-
ness, because extensive remittances, which will, no
doubt, make up the deficiency, are due from Austra-
lia. The quotation for 60 days bills on London at New
York continue steady, viz , 1091, and this ensures
a continuance of gold receipts from that quarter.
The Asia, arrived yesterday, brought about
184,0001, and these small supplies added to those
from the antipodes and Mexica, will sustain the
bullion in the bank vaults at a satisfactory point,
despite the efflux to the East and the Continent
On Saturday a further small parcel of gold, viz.,
12,000/.. was withdrawn from the Bank. Last week
the imports of the precious metals amounted to
402,0001, and the exoorts, as far as can be ascer-
tained, about 126 400/
In the London Market for the Public Funds and
Securities to-day there was not so much done, and
we must quote prices s per cent lower than on
Saturday. At the cicse, however, the market was
rather stronger, with an upward tendency. Consols
for Money closed at 911 to 91-1, and for the Account
at 911 to 91i. Exchequer Bills 4 dis to 2 prem ,
and the New Three per Cents, 918 to 92.
The London Railway Share Market was very
firm to-day. The following were the closing
prices :—Caledonian, 761, 77 ; Eastern Counties,
11 9-16, 11 11-16; East Lancashire, 96, 97 ; Great
Northern, 971, 981; Do. A, 911 ; Great Western,
531 ; Lancashire and York,hire, 991 991; Leeds
Northern. 45, 46; London and North Western,
1021. 1022 ; London and South Western, 45, 46 ,
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire. 391, 40 ;
Midland Stock, 841, 81# ; North British, 46t, ;
South Sastern and Dover. 73, 731; York, Newcastle
and Berwick, t)3l, 961 ; York and North Midland,
781 79; Great Western of Canada, 21, 24 ; Oxford,
Worcester, and Wolverhampton, 32, 33
Although the weather was fine in London to-day,
and the show of Wheat rather large, there was an
advance in its price of 23. per quarter on English,
and is. on Foreign. Norfolk Flour sold at 435. to
445. per sack. Buyers at 425. . _

Advices from Pa-ris lead to an inference that the
operations of the Bank of France to maintain and
increase its stock of gold will be prosecuted on a
larger scale than they were during the past month.
It be remembered that according to the official
return last published, the coin and bullion
showed a decrease of rather more than 683,000/,
although 12,000/. had been expended in premiums.
The demand for the continent in payment for
silver is at the same time not likely to abate.
Under these circumstances, the movements of
bullion for some time are likely to be active; and
whilst they continue large arrivals will be neces-
sary to meet the requirements of our own as well
as foreign markets.
At the London Wool Sales this day there was
no change to notice in prices, but the biddings
ruled very active. The sales will be concluded
about Friday next.
Trade, in the textile manufacturing districts of
the north of E7-,gland, is described in letters re-
c:dved this morning as remaining steady, but in
some departments more activity seems to have
been experienced during the last few days. In
Manchester, for instance, the accounts from India
have caused -an increased inquiry for particular
articles, which, notwithstanding the large stocks
on hand, has rendered quotations rather firmer.
On the whole, business in this town is improving,
but in Leeds the progress of commercial
operations is not considered favourable, owing
to the unsettled state of affairs in the East, and
the tightness of the Money Market. In the other
towns no material alteration has taken place. The
iron trade of South Staffordshire is pronounced
healthy ; and at the recent bank meeting held in
that locality, satisfactory dividends have been de-
clared, which may be accepted as some indication
of the prosperity of business.
The accounts from New York by the steamer
Asia are satisfactory in a monetary point of view,
the rates of discount still being moderate. The
local banks were granting extended facilities, but
it is thought that a period of stringency will soon
be experienced.

The prospectus of the Dwelling-house Improve-
ment Company, Limited, has been issued, with a
proposed capital of 200,0001, in shares of 21 each,
upon which the deposit is fixed at, ss, per share
It is mentioned that the formation of the company
" has been promoted by an association of gentle_
men desirous of proving, by example, that the
dwellings and homes of the middle and working
classes may be built in an improved style, with
great increase of comfort, health, and convenience,
combined with economy; while, at the same time
the capital invested will be amply remunerative."
The directors propose to begin their operations by
erecting new or altering existing buildings, an,t
establishing them as "economic chambers and
model dwellings," provided with resident superin-
tendents.

The half-yearly meeting of the Great Northern
Railway Company, called for the 29th instant, is
afterwards to be made special, to receive a report
fr,)m the committee, whnih was appointed on the
12th of March last, •' to inquire fully into the
accounts of the company, including the registra-
tion."

The half-yearly meeting of the Submarine
Telegraph Company is called for the 26th instant;
and that of the olass A shareholders of the St.
Andrew's and Quebec Railway Company for the
31st instant.

LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET.-A-o. 17.
There has been an improved demand for cotton to day,
and with fair supplies, prices are 1-16 d per lb higher. The
sales—including 600 Pernambucos 81c1 to 91.1, 90 Baliias
Bid, 150 Maranhams 9(1 to 9il, 400 Egyptia.ts 10d to A4l,
2,500 Surats 411'1 to 61d —are reportvd 12,000 bales, of
which 4,000 are on speculation and for export.

LIVERPOOL PRODUCE MARKET.—AuG. 17.
SUGAR : The market remains very inactive ; including
Saturday's transactions, the sales consist only of 30 hhds.
90 barrels Demerara, at 463 6d to 493 for brown, and 55s
to 57s for grainy, 250 bags Dunarnatt Dates at 525, 70 hhds.
Cuba at 49i, and 50 boxes Havana in bond at 38s per
cwt.

MOLASSES OR Rum : Nothing has taken place.
COFFEE we have only to report 200 bags Rio, of which
the prices has ❑ot transpired.
Rice : There has been rather more doing, but the
market still continues heavy ; the business comprises
6,200 bags Bengal at 103 31 to 13s, and 6,000 bags Arracan
at lOs 91 per cwt.

LINSEED: We have also to report 1,200 bags Bombay,
.o arrive, at 675.

RAPE : 500 bags Calcutta, on the spot, at 60s per
quarter. •

: 120 tons indirect at £6 15s to £6 17s 6d.
HEMP : 16 tons loose Bombay at £25.
Coia YARN : 1,900 bundles at £26 per ton.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE MARKET.—AuG. 17.
Per stone, 201hs. Per gollos. a. ct. s. ri
s. d. P. ii.':
Potatoes, Pink Eyeso 0 to 0 0
Hay, 01d...... 0 6 to o 81 Ditto, Kemps .... 3 6 ,c, 4 0
Ditto, new.. • .
Ditto, clover
Green Clover
Vetches 0 2 to 0 0 Ditto, cattle u o to a 0
Straw, wheat 0 3 to 0 4, Per ton.
Ditto, oat
Ditto, barley ..., 0 0 to 0 0 Carroti.
u to
0
Oats, in straw .... 00to 0 Oi Jangle wurLei
:Manure.....

LIVERPOOL CATTLE MARKET.—Ana. 17.
The supply of beet to-day being moderate, former
prices were well supported; sheep and lambs were much
less in number than last week, but could nut be sold

Coastwise.

English
Scotch
Irish

Foreign ....

E. C. Rail ..
Gt. N. Hail..

Exported

%%lieut. ,
qrs.
I 4128
1541

liarley.lllalt.ll
qrs. qrs.
281 4434
4 j

89i;1

1501 ....

Peas
qr. It
256.

70.251 '442 127_23! 1501

9143' 12! 191 I 2181
1196 89! ....!

LONDoN CATIJ,E AIAIIII.—AuG. 17

1695 G
2245
cwts.
131

The number of beasts is rasher larger than on Monday
last; however. the demnnd has improved, and C3B—
secpiently higher prices are realised. The supply of sheep
is small, and all descriptions are dearer. Lamb trade is
dull at late rates. Calves are rather dearer. From
Germany and Holland there are 1,500 beasts, 4,600 sheep,
and 258 calves ; Spain, 85 b ass ; and 1,930 from the
Northern and Midland JJunties.
Per stone of 81b3. s. d. E. d., Per stone of Sibs. s. d.
Best Scots, Herefords 4 10 5 t_ Best Dt:s & Ht'-bred .. 0 0
Best Short-horn 4 fi 4 8 (lest Lonwooli .... 4 8
Second quality beasts 3 4 4 2 Do. do. Short .... 0 0
Calves

8 d.
o 0
5 0
O 0
4 8
O t.
6 0
322

Pigs
Best Dris & Hf-breds 6 9 5

Beats at market, 4,13'; ; she?j
pigs, 315.