The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-09 00:00:00

REPORT

Of THE COMMITTEE OF MERCHANTS, SHIPOWNERS, AND
UNDERWRITERS OF LONDON, AND OF THE REPRESEN-
TATIVES OW THE PRINCIPAL OUT-PGRTS IN GREAT

Koncluded fipm one Paper of Wednesday.)
Such are the facts relating to the existing system of Classification
of shipping, elicited by the investigation entrusted to your Com-
mittee; ouch the beat practical remedies their inquiries and consi-
deration have enabled them to suggest for its amendment ; and
such the reasons on which they ground the claim of their recom-
mendations to public approbation and support.
There remains but one branch of the subject on which your
Committee have been required to express an opinion,—" the best
mode of raising a fund adequate to meet the expenses of the system
recommended for adoption." On this most important considera-
tion, the nature of the suggestions they have felt it their duty to
offer., may have prepared the general meeting for the conclusion to
, which they have themselves unanimously arrived, that all expects-
, lion of obtaining funds adequate to ensure the vigorous and perma-
nent adminiatation of a system of classification. under which Oa-
meter should be impartially assigned, and rigidly maintained,'
according to the intrinsic quality of-ship+, must, except wader the
sanction and authority of Parliamentary provision, prove visionary
and hopeless—From this declaration naturally results the inquiry,
on whom the burthen of the maintenance of such a system ought
in equity to he imposed.
From the preceding facts and observations, your Committee con-
ceive it to be established, that as the existing system injures alike
the merchant, the underwriter, and the shipowner, and its improve-
ment would consequently be productive of mutual advantage, the
expense of maintaining an amended system, ought in abstract
equity to be equally borne by all.
To the Merchant there can be no doubt the most important be- I
nefit would accrue, in the increased security for the transmission of
his property ; a consideration which renders him equitably liable
to contribute to the expense. By the Underwriter, the. advantages
would be still more directly and sensibly telt, in the protection ,
that would be afforded him against the absolutely fraudulent sys-
tem under which, in reliance on the quality of ships, as designated
by a code of registration proved to be fallacious and unjust, lie has
hitherto been exposed to enormous loss, arising from the acceptance
of risks at rates of premium calculated on the supposition of the
ships being good, whilst in fact he has been, from the inferiority
anti in many cases insufficiency of those ships, incurring a
, much higher degree of hazard, for which he has received no
'adequate compensation. On this view, a contribution in some form
from the Underwriters. and the Marine Assurance Companies,would
appear reasonable and equitable. Nor would the justice done to the
fair and respectable shipowner,be less Important: by assigning to his
well-constructed, and well-repaired ship, the character her quality
deserves, instead of her being subjected to indiscriminate classifica-
tion with those of inferior description, the comparative value of his
property would be improved. By the diminution of tisk, conse-
quent on the elevation of quality, the burthen of insurance may
be expected to be diminished ; and by the advancement in general
estimation, the ultimately extended employment of British ship.
ping in distant voyages may be fairly anticipated. All these re-
sults would point to a trifling duty on Tonnage; while the general
consideration that, by the adoption of the proposed improvement,
numbers of valuable lives may be annually saved, stamps it as an
object of the most interesting national importance; and would
abundantly justify its accomplishment at national expense, which
might, if this view of defraying it should be resolved upon, be met
by a small addition to the duty on marine insurance.
Your Committee are, however, fully aware, that to any, or all
of these modes, weighty objections may be urged. The direct in.
terposition of public support would, in all probability, transfer to
the Executive Government (could even such an arrangement be
effected), the superintendence of a system Imperatively reqniring
Cur its effective administration the aid of mercantile and professio-
nal knowledge and experience. The imposition of any addition to
the existing duty on policies, would perhaps be viewed as aggravate
ing the evils arising from the pressure of its present heavy amount ;
while neither foreign commerce, nor the carrying trade, are in a
situation to allow the merchant or the shipowner to contemplate
any addition to their burthens, without jealousy and alarm. On
all these considerations, your Committee feel that the decision of
the source from which the revenue should be derived, will fall
more correctly within the scope of the deliberations of the General
Meeting, to whose wisdom they therefore refer it, adding only, that
as the charge for surveyors will amount, according to their recom-
mendations, to about 7.7001. per annuli], and they consider the ex-
penses of secretary, printing, committee, travelling. &c. consequent
to the maintenance of the system, will not exceed 6,000/. in addition,
the whole burthen wal be so small, compared with the advantages
to be derived by any one of the great interests for whose joint bene-
fit the alteration Is proposed, that it cannot be doubted that rather
than suffer it to fail from want of funds, either of those interests
would be ready to take on itself the charge of maintaining it, under
Parliamentary provision.
In conclusion, your Committee feel it right to remark, that
although the general question of the propriety of classification in
the abstract, did not constitute any part of the tnquiry delegated to
then), they are aware that an opinion is entertained, in some quar-
ters, that, to assign character to shipping at all, is an interference
with the rights of property, which it would be preferable altogether
to omit.

To objections urged against their recommendations, on this
ground, it might perhaps be sufficient to call attention to the fact
that the practice of classing ships is actually in force ; and to re-
mark that it is, at best, extremely doubtful whether any attempt to
discontinue it, could, or would be successful. As long, there-
fore, as the system of assigning character exists, it will surely
require no argument to prove that the principles on which it is
conducted should be such as will impart real and correct informa-
tion ; and that, to continue a system of classification, proved to
be fallacious in principle, and most injurious in operation, would
be to countenance injustice, deception, and fraud. But your
Committee cannot forbear further urging the consideration, that,
even abstractedly viewed, it will be apparent that where the
effects of the exercise of the rights of property are not confined to
the yossessor, but extend to affect the security of others, and still
more, where they involve the public safety, every principle of rea-
son and general security demands that individual rights should be
subject to public control. So closely is this principle interwoven
with the very existence of the social compact, that our Statute
Book abounds in instances of limitation on the employment and
disposal of property; but in none is the analogy more forcibly il-
lustrative of the present argument, than in that law, by which, in
the erection of buildings, individuals are restricted from pursuing
their own interest, or following their own opinions, where the ex-
ercise
of this, abstractedly, unquestionable right interferes with
general security, or even, in many instances, with general vwe-
-1 nience. And can it then be contended, In the very face of conclu-
sive evidence, proving that property and life are continually seen-
ficed to the negligence and tupitli'y of those who, from ignorance,
or hope of fraudulent gain, coostruct insufficient ships, or neglect
to maintain them in a sties of secure effidevicy that the public is
entitled to no protection, heat control should interfere with the
rights of property ? or that, that can be private right, which di-
rectly produces public wrong ? Your Committee are persuaded it
is unnecessary to enlarge on this topic, and that, whatever may be
the opinion entertained with respect to the specific propositions
submitted by them, the necessity for some provision against the
dangers arising from ignorance, negligence, and fraud, will be ge-
nerally admitted.
Your Committee have now only, finally, to claim for their sug-
gestions a candid and dispassionate examination. The task atm.
mitted to them has been difficult, laborious, and delicate. If not
executed with ability, it has at least been undertaken in anxious
desire to elicit the truth, and pursued with unwearied zeal, and
lnlexible impartiality. To the public decision they commit the
result of their lahours, satisfied with the conviction if having faith-
fully performed an arduous duty ; and should the suggestions they
have offered have. the good fortune to excite the lively and general
interest which the importance of the subject undoubtedly deserves,
and to etitnttlate all concerned to an active and disinterested union
of exertion, your Committee are sanguine in anticipating, that
their boilable Efforts will have been instrumental in effecting an im-
provement, calculated to terminate an erroneous, unjust, and de-
structive system; to elevate the character, and by consequence, ex-
tend the employment of the British mercantile marine, and through
iia means, to add sinews to that naval power, to which, under Pro-
vidence, is to be mainly ascribed the security and prosperity of this
country ; and which, aided by the fostering encouragement of en-
lightened policy, has exalted the political and commercial import.
ance of Britain, and rendered bee the admiration and the envy of
the world.

PLYMOUTH, NE it 5. • The funeral of Captain Max-
well. who died suddenly on the ptecedirg Wednesday. on board of
his Majesty's ship Aurora, while weighing anchor to proceed to
Bermuda, under his command, took place yesterday ; and a more
splendid obsequy was never witnessed here. The corpse was re-
moved from on board the ship in the Sound, lowered
,into a boat,
manned by seamen in mourning, which preceded about 20 others.
containing officers in mourning and the ship's crew. About half-
pas' ten this procession reached the Admiral's. hard Stonehouse,
where it was joined by the Marines and troops in garrison, at-
!
tended by the superb band belonging to the Marines, with their in-
atrurnents surmounted with crape. An immense train of officers,
naval and military, also attended ; among whom were our much
respected Conimander-in-Chief, Sir James Saumarez, Major. Gen-
eral .51r John Cameron, Military Commander, Colonel Vinezoinbe,
Royal Marines, &e. The corpse being deposited in the chapel at
Stonehoute, the troops- fired over the grave, and the procesaion
dispersed.
Rs i.u.r OF THE Poon.—The munificent subscription
rimed in London, fur this benevolent purpose, continues, we ob.
serve, to receive handsome accessions from varinns parts of
the country, and amounted on Saturday to 114,00 W. Various
sums bare been remitted by the London Committee to the dis-
ireswd (atrine, and amongst others, we notice, to Milton 501.;
Salisbury S 01.; Rawtenstall 2001.; Little Halton loll'.; Bacup,
near Rochdale. ZIOL t and subsequently another of IOU! ; Eden.
field, near Bury, tiri/. • Illaslingdeo, for Musourr, flentreada, and
ite!ghlanuring township., SOW; Manchester LOW ; Blackburn,
tor the neighbouring townahips, 1.0001. The following is the
amount distributed by our local Committee during the past week, EA RTHOHAE E.—Onthe latliand 17th of Ma the
to about the usual number of individualst--Oatmeal. 23,44.11b5.; T,
bacon, 2,4641b5. ; East India Rice, 2,s7ollia.—Rioekbarn Mail. ancient and splendid city of Grenada, In the south of Spain, was
, visited by repeated and severe shucks of earthquakes, attended with
STATE or TRADE,—The improvement in the dements tremendous subterraneous rumblings. At the dawn of day on the
at Manchester having happily continued, we have spin to report a 17th, a violent shock was felt, which was follesed twenty minutes
similar favourable aspect to manufacturing matters here ; and are after by one of still greater violence, and which lasted more titan
glad to observe that the large groups of involuntarily idle indivi- three Acoondo. The horrible noise with which it was accompanied,
duals, which, for several months oast, have thronged our streets, and the agitation of every edifice, drove the inhabitants for safety
are radually diminishing. I,Ve always consoler Saturday'a to the squares and public walks which presented a most singular
market a more sure criterion whereby to judge of the contlinon of apectacte when day-light exposed the situation and dreases, or
the lebouriog claases than Wednemlay'n, and it therefore give us rather undress of the multitude. But few casualties occurred,
sincere pleasure to ass the market on Saturday last resume an however, though numbers of private houses and public buildings
active and busy appearance, such at has not been the case for a lorg were seriously damaged. The weather had grown lighter, but
period. There Is, nevertheless, still a wide field for charity ; was it slight convulsions were still felt, and orders had been given to en-
not tor the bounty now dispensing, these favourable circuit). inces camp the garrison on the surrounding fields, in order to remove it
could not be observed, as the poor weavers would otherwise be from the chief seat of danger.
obliged to lay out their scanty pittan:e in the purchase of those
ANOTHER MURDER NEAR MANCHERTER.—MACCLEB-
- necessary articles which our Committee dispense to
them; and it still continues a lamentable fact, that numbers are, stare, JUNE 7. Scarcely luta the interest caused by the late
murder at Winton begun to subside, ere this town has been again
arid for some time must be. totally without employment; and
thrown into agitation by the news that a young woman has met her others are not obtaining half their usual earnings.—Blacktrara
Mail.
death at Congleton, under very suspicious circumstances. It ap- '
,
pears that, being missed, search was made for her an Saturday ty last,
Ilpyrrards of 400 of die distressed weavers of Belfast are
and she was discovered in the privy, with a knife sticking in
now daily employed at breaking stones. Their number is daily her throat, an I various reasons induced persona to believe that
increasing, though we trust that the greater portion of the neces- she had riot crone fairly by her death. The tinnily with whom she
..ntous hits received employment. They are raid by the ton weight lived (that of Mr. Lockett, solicitor) have given every
,facility to
far ilksir work ; and al.hough this arrangement was at first pro- the elucidation of the matter: but though a verdict of ' suicide"
duetteeef some diacoatent, amongst those who were least inclined has been returned, the friends of the girl have expressed great dlr.
to labour, and who preferred to be paid a chilling per day as before, satisfaction, and their determination, if possible, to get a new in-
the Mafia ars now contented, and all goes on qttietly and ardente- quest, to he held at Leek, where she had formerly lived. The sen-
tinel*. The aceounur of the appearance of trade daring the week ration in this town upon the subject can hardly be described, and,
are improving: and we may hope, in • short time, to see these coupled with some eircuinstanczs eounected with time Illiieands,
poor fellows returning to their more congenial pursuits, after ex- will form the theme of conversation far some time. It appears that
penencing a aeries of suffering and privations, under which their one of them lied been paying hi. addresses to a Miss Hancock, the
quiet and anted,/ conduct is deserving of the highest praise, and is daughter of the person who keeps the Bull's Head, and she is said
swieliarly creditable to the peaceable and sober character of the to be much affected.. It ja. even reported that a day had been fixed
litorth of Irslind. The subscription fur their relief. is getting on
wish spirit; It now amounts se 2,4431. es. d. W are happy to for die marriage. Miss H. is what may be called • peen girl, and
has become an object of INNOti NUACJAND rasp QM
ow 'tea ups conon mills of Belfast either analretAat wink, Os in 90,603. attic
will be or before tbe olcia of the tesk.,lo9l/14.* r.

JAMES LINDSAY, Jug. Cti
Landon, Bth Feb. 1026.

THE BRITISH PRESS.

LAW NOTICES.
-.N.--

ant oil Tn. LORD CRONCOCILTLOR, ATCHANCERY.
rtsivrsiNslBB,
UR OF
en!' OAT, AT 10.
Apals.
Williams v. Goodeldld—Appeal partpe In re Sykerßankrupt petition per
heard j
vudgment
Demean v. Eille--Appeel Glamis . Strathmore—Tiro poll-
Name v. Duke of Norfolk—Appeal thug*
Water' v. Taylor—Appeal In re Stoekley—Part heard, bank
Es parte Grlmstead—Bankrupt pe.• rupt petition
tition per judgment Es parte Pritchard—Two bankrupt
Dakin v. Cope—Appeal per jadg• petitions
ment 1n re NVatson—Bankrupt petition
Emden v. Coventry—Per order

VICE-CRARCELLOR'S COURT.
woes TIM VICE-CS•NCIILLOR, TI'S LATE AT ■ALT-FAIT TU.

Muttons only.

The blaster of the Rolls wiIIROLLS C
bear causes.OUßT. farther directions, and peti-
tions by consent, to-morrow, at nine In the morning.—Causes, further
directions, and petitions, must be net down by two o'clock In the afternoon
of this clay.
Gruen/ petttion day at the Rolls on Thursday next, the 15th inst. at nine
in the morning.
Short causes at the Rolls on Friday next, the Ii th Inst. at ten In the
morning.

CONSISTORY COURT.
THIRD SZNSION IN TRINITY TBRM, 1826.
11P01 SIR Y•RISTOTHKR ROBINSON, THIS DAY. AT TRN.

APPOINTED SITPINOS.
VOURTN AND LAST SISSION IN TIINITT T/{ll, 1826.
COURT 01 ARcum—before Sir Juhn Nichol, Tomorrow.
Cott RS OP AI/MI RA LTY.—liefore Lord Stowell, on Tuesday nett.
COURT or PAIROSATIVI.—Before Sir Juba Nichol, OD Wednelld&T
next.

COVRT o► DILIOATIM—Before the Surrogates, on Thursday neat.
COMMISTORT COOMlT.—Before Sir Christopher Rubinson, un Friday
neat.

--••
The Court of Admiralty sits at Eleven ; the other Courts at Ten.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF CHANCERY, THURSDAY, Julrz 8.

TDENTIOROUGIT V. THE BISHOP OF LONDON.
The Court was early crowded with persons interested in this
cause, which, the public are aware, relates to the tight of electing
the Minister and Parish Officees of the parish of St. Stephen's,
Coleman-street.
The LORD CurargEhhon, on coming into Court this day,
said it was his wish to get rid of this Cause as soon as possible, as
far as he was concerned ; but as a trust interest was involved in
the cause, the difficulty was to know rata; yui trust. There were
three descriptions of persons interested in the elections—those who
paid the church and poor, those who paid the poor, and those
who contributed to the support of neither. The two latter par-
ties were not before the Court ; and as it appeared that. a resolu-
tion was passed by the parish in the year 1715, to exclude all
persons from voting, except those who paid church and poor,
it was thereby to be inferred that, previously to that period, the
other two classes were accustomed to vote at those elections.
Mr. HART suggested whether that was not carrying a legal in-
ference rather too tar.
The LORD Citmecer.ton said he was anxious to receive every
information on the subject, and would look further into the evi.
dence to-morrow, to ascertain if it contained anything which could
remove the difficulty, which in his mind was, to know who the per-
sons were who were entitled to vote; and if he could arrive at that
point, he would have no difficulty to send the parties back to an
election.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, THURSDAY, Jugs 8.
(In Banco.)
TAIL KING v. JOHN •YN!TRONG.

This was ane;:oicio information, filed by his Majesty's At-
torney-General against the defendant, a labouring man, residing
in Benett-street, Manchester, for a riot, and an assault committed
upon the Officers of Excise at 31anchester, in the execution of
their duty, while conveying to the Excise-office no less than five
private stills, and a quantity of new spirit, which had been seized on
the defendant's premises, and the premises of other persons in his
neighbourhood, on the 17th March, 1025.
The prisoner, who had absconded after the offence had been cam.
milted, was apprehended in March last; and this information being
tiled against him, he suffered judgment to go by detault in Easter
Term last. The Attorney-General now moved for the judgment
of the Court.

The affidavits on the part of the prosecution were put In,, by
which it appeared, that in consequence of information which the
Officers of Excise had received, on the 17th of March, in DM,
they went to the defendant's premises, on suspicion that he carried
on an illicit distillery under ground. On going into the cellar they
found several tubs, and other things, which had evidently been
used in the purposes of distillation, together with about half a gal.
lon of new raw spirit, and some wash ; the still, however. was re-
moved, though the spot where it had stood, and had been worked,
was clearly manifested. The officers then went to the premises of
several other persons, in consequence of the information they had
obtained, and seized in all, at different places, no less than five
stills, capable of holding about six gallons each, a quantity of new
spirit, wash, tubs, &c. and, placiog them in a cart, were proceeding
to the Excise-office with them, when they were attacked by a riotous
mob, headed by the defendant. Having seized the horse's head,
he exclaimed to the mob, " If there's any one among you of my
name, we will have the things." Some one in the mob then asked,
" What is your name?" • Death or Liberty !" exclaimed the
prisoner, and immediately struck ore of the officers ; others of the
mob followed his example, and the attack became general. The
officers were knocked down, trampled upon, and heaten' amid
cries of " kill them ! murder the bloody —;" and at length
they escaped in such a mangled state as-still to ftel the effects of
their ill usage.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL declined saying any thing in
aggravation of punishment, as this was a case where judgment
had been suffered to go by default. The defendant put in a written
paper, in mitigation of punishment, wherein, after admitting his
offence, he attributed it to the effects of drunkenness, and the first
aggression on the part of the Excise Officers. He urged, that he
had a wife and two children dependent on him for support, and
therefore hoped that their Lordships would extend mercy to him
on that ground.
After their Lordships had consulted together,
Mr. Justice BAYLEY addressed the prisoner at some length,
commenting on the enormity of his offence, and congratulating
him that none of the Excise Officers had died of the wounds
which he had instigated, if he had not actually inflicted; for had
that been the cane, undoubtedly his life would have become forfeit
to the laws of his country. Taking the whole of the circum.
stances into consideration, the Court sentenced him to nine months
imprisonment and hard labour in Lancaster Castle.

THE IMO V. 0. RAWLINSON, ESQ.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved for a rule to chew cause
why a Mandamus should-not issue, directed to George Hawlinson,
Esq. one of the Magistrates at Marlborough-street Office, com-
manding him to hear and determine a certain information exhibited
against a hackney-coachman, for obstructing the King's highway in
Howland.strcet. Tottenham-court road. It appeared from the
affidavits on which the Learned Counsel moved, that formerly
there was a hackney-coach stand in Howland-street, when that
part of the town had been but half built. Latterly that coach-
stand had become a nuislnce, and had been ordered to be removed
by the Commissioners of Hackney Coaches, who were empowered
to make such order by the 12th Geo. 111, cap. 69. The order so
made prohibited any hackney.coachman, under a penalty of 10a.,
from placing his coach for hire in Howland.street; and several
hackney-coachmen having infringed this injunction, they were
summoned before Mr. ltawlinson, who was of opirion that he had
not jurisdiction ; but recommended that a Mandamus should be
obtained, in order that It might be ascertained whether he had
authority to interfere or not. Under those circumstances the pre-
sent application was made.—Rule granted.