The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 1, 1852.

ment to introduce, during the present session, any
measure for amending the laws relating to the collection
of the local taxes in Ireland.
Lord NAAS said it was not the intention of the Go-
vernment to introduce a bill relating to the collection of
the local taxes in Ireland,--observing, that they hardly
thought it prudent to deal with that subject until they
saw the effect of the General Valuation Act which was
passed last session.
MINISTERS' MONEY IN IRELAND.

After a large number of petitions had been presented
from various places in Ireland praying for the repeal of
Ministers' Money in Ireland, •
Mr. FAGAN rose to move—" That this house will,
upon Thursday next, resolve itself into a committee, to
take into consideration the law relating to the rate or
tax called Ministers' Money, in Ireland, with the view
to repeal so much thereof as relates to the said rate 'or
tax ; and further to take into consideration the act 3 and
4 Will. IV., c. 37, called the Church Temporalities Act,
for the purpose of amending the same, so as to provide
thereby a substitute out of the revenues of the Ecclesias-
tical Commissioners as a provision for the Protestant
ministers in certain corporate towns in Ireland, in lieu
of the annual sums now received by them under and by
virtue of the act 17 and 18, Charles 11., c. 7."
He had so often brought this subject forward in
a former Parliament that it was hardly necessary for
him to detain the house with any lengthened statement ;
but there were several new members in the house who
were no doubt quite ignorant of the merits of the case,
and he must therefore, to some extent, go over the
ground again. He had no desire to rob the Established
Church of any of its just revenue; nor did he wish to
aim a blow at that Church through this motion. Those
who received the tax were equally as much opposed to
it as himself, and they were joined with him in
endeavouring to get it abolished. It yielded some-
thing like 15,0001., and was imposed upon a num-
ber of corporate towns in Ireland, the inhabitants of
which were Roman Catholics. It was raised upon
an obsolete valuation, while, from the change of
circumstances which had taken place since it was
established, more than a century ago, it fell upon
the poor in an unjust proportion compared with the
rich ; for instance, in Cork where the rich portion of the
city only paid upon a valuation of 8401. a-year, the
poorer portion had to pay upon 3001., and to show the
injustice of this, he need only mention that under the
poor-law valuation the latter paid upon 6,0001. a-year,
while the former had to pay upon 30,000/. a-year.
(Hear, hear.) When he brought this subject forward
before, he was met with the assertion that the in-
justice of the tax could be got rid of by remov-
ing it from the shoulders of the occupier to the
owner of the house to be levied in the shape of a rent
charge but in every phase the tax was ,too objectionable
to admit of its continuance in any form. The report of
the select committee appointed in 1848, had reported
against the tax while the present Prime Minister, when
he was Secretary for Ireland, denounced a similar impost
in strong and eloquent language. But there was an ad-
ditional reason for his success on this occasion. The
noble lord the member for the City of London, when he
was in office, promised to introduce a measure for the
abolition of this tax, and he called upon the noble lord
to show that he was in earnest then by voting for this
motion. The revenue of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners,
so far as the Irish Church was concerned, had increased
upwards of 20,0001. since 1848, when the select com-
mittee recommended the abolition of this tax, and he
must therefore insist that no difficulty could possibly
arise in finding a substitute for this tax. (Hear, hear.)
But if the house would 'only grant him this committee,
he was prepared to show how the income of the commis-
sioners could be still further increased, and this he
thought was an additional reason why the house ought
to adopt his resolution. He had now done ; he had
shown to the house that the Protestant clergy were op-
posed to the tax, that a committee of the house had
recommended its abolition, and that one side of the
house had pledged itself to remove it; and he now
called upon the house to adopt the resolution, and thus
carry out the recommendation of her Majesty to legislate
for Ireland in a liberal spirit. (Hear, hear.)
The motion having been seconded,
Mr. WALPOLE thanked the honourable member for
the temperate manner in which he had brought forward
the subject. There could be no doubt that the tax
which the motion referred to was highly objectionable in
many points of view. It was levied upon :an unjust
principle, and the Protestant clergy-who received it were
as much opposed to it as the Roman Catholics who paid
it. (Hear, hear.) That he thought was a strong
circumstance in favour of its removal, and the
house had to consider how it could be abolished.
If this was simply an abstract motion, pledging the
house to abolish the tax in its present shape, he perhaps
should have found no objection ; but it unfortunately
went further, and required the house to resolve that on
a future day it would go into a committee of the whole
house for the purpose of considering of a substitute.
There was no question that the tax was levied in
an objectionable mode, but to remove it on that ac-
count, without providing a substitute for it, would be
grossly unjust, and before the house should consent to
its abolition they should be satisfied that the tax could
be provided for through some other means. Cer-
tainly, the funds in the hands of the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners would not be available for such a pur-
pose, but if they were he doubted very much whether
it would be right to use them in that manner. The
funds possessed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners
were obtained from taxes that were levied upon the
Protestant clergy, and the house would, therefore, per-
ceive that, if their suggestions were adopted, the effect
of it would be to deprive one portion of the Irish clergy
of their income, and to tax another portion to provide
a substitute for it. (Hear, hear.) Still, he thought
something ought to be done for the purpose of re-
moving the injustice and inequalities of the impost.
(Hear, hear.) He was now in communication
with the Lord-Lieutenant upon this very subject, and if
the motion was withdrawn, he would pledge himself that
after the recess the matter should be again brought for-
ward by the Government in ip shape of a pledge. He
would, therefore, riot negative the motion, but simply
move the previous question by way of amendment. (Hear,
hear.)

Mr. Serjeant MURPHY said it was clear, from what
had been stated by his hon. friend and colleague, and
from the admission of the right hon. gentleman, that this
question had not been mixed up with sectarianism, or
party or polemical topics, and that many persons of dif-
ferent religions agreed that it would be for the welfare
both of Protestants and Roman Catholics of several
towns in Ireland if this question received a speedy solu-
tion. He complained that for the last eleven years all
Governments had met the question in the same concilia-
tory manner as the right hon. gentleman, and made the
same promises with regard to the abolition of what was
admitted to be a vexatious tax. All Governments had
fully admitted that it was a grievance, but inquired what
was to be the substitute for it. Lord Stanley, 'when
connected with the Irish Government, had said, " Find
me a substitute for the tax ;" but no private member
would take the responsibility of finding a substitute, and
therefore resort was had to a select committee. In
1848 a number of witnesses were examined before such
a committee. One of the leading features of the re-
port of that committee was, that there should be no in-
terference with the temporalities of the church, so
far as related to the sustenance of the clergy. The
right honourable gentleman said he would not do
away with the impost, because it was an impost not on
persons but on property. Now a committee sat on the
annuity tax in Edinburgh, and their report touched on
this very point. They said—" Your committee are
deeply impressed with the necessity, both on account of
the interests of religion, and for the sake of the peace
and good government of the city of Edinburgh that an
attempt should be made, and that without delay, to come
to some final settlement of the question, which has
hitherto produced results which all must deplore, and
which your committee agree with Mr. Lefevre in think-
ing must otherwise become a source of danger to the
church. Now, in Edinburgh there might be some diffe-
rence of opinion. Yet they were all Protestants, and
Edinburgh was a rich town ; whereas in Ireland the tax
was levied on the occupants of hovels, who were in a
state of the greatest distress. He said then the right
hon. gentleman ought to do as the committee which sat
on the Edinburgh Annuity Tax did—make the concession
for the sake of peace. He hoped his hon. friend would
not be contented with this sort of aye and nay promise
on the part of the Government : he asked him to be con-
tent with nothing less than a promise from the right hon.
gentleman that a bill should be laid on the table after
the recess, doing away with the anomaly of paying for
that which they did not receive. They had done away
with tithes and with cess, and he believed that if they
did not carry this principle out, a discontent would be
produced like that which preceded the Reform Bill, and
which, in this case, would have the effect of materially
interfering with the entire establishment of the church
in Ireland.
Mr. NAPIER said it was not his intention to make
any observations which might prevent the dispassionate
discussion of this question. But when his right hon.
friend (Mr. Walpole) stated in the course of last session
that it was the intention of Government to take this
question into consideration, that was no idle promise
with a view 'to postpone a discussion, but it was with
the bond fide intention of having it considered ; and he
might say that he had himself paid great attention to it,
and but for the state of his health he should have been
ready with a bill on the subject now. During the time
of the late Government, he believed it was their honest
desire to try to settle this question, and though on that
as on other questions he would not thrust himself upon
them, he was not unwilling to give them his assistance
in that house. He knew the obstacle that stood in the
way • it was to the state of the funds of the Ecclesiasti-
cal Commission. They could not abolish this tax, and
draw the requisite funds from the Ecclesiastical Commis-
sion, without postponing and displacing trusts which he
was confident that house would not postpone or displace.
He admitted that it was highly desirable to exempt houses
inhabited by the poorer portion of the Roman Catholic
population ; but while he did that, he could not consent
to lay the tax on the poorer clergy, of whom there were
many in Ireland. The average income, indeed, of the
beneficed clergy was not more than from 1201. to 170/.
arar, and he thought it would be an equitable thing to
P t a tax on these clergymen which was properly pay-
able by the owners in fee of houses, who were generally
Protestants. In the parish to which he belonged, the
greater portion
of .
he thoughtexit
mwotulttdhhe inhabitants were Protestants, and
order to be hard to tax the poorer clergy in
It had been stated that some
Protestants in The higherl ranks were in arrear on one oc-
casion, and he had
been struck off the list of
voters once, because thaescel,efllectors had not called for the
rate, and some of the •
Juages, he believed, were also
struck cff. No doubt this tax inlittavvorig.in was a tax on
P roperty and not on persons.
ed as had
been observed, at the timeiv
whole et liperospeetrirni I no
eft
toths oef Co harlwn iens
11. The Crown had the

its possession, and it had a right to make arrangements
for the interest of those who were settling in the town,
and, accordingly, these arrangements by which Protes-
tant ministers were to be supported, were made to en-
courage protestants to come and settle in Ireland. But
the act of Charles 11. did not impose a personal tax ;
there was no remedy against the person ; the remedy
was against the property, and then whatever the tenant
paid, he was entitled to deduct out of his rent. He men-
tioned this to show that however inconvenient the tax
might be now, it was a just tax in its inception and ori-
gin. He thought, however, that there should be some
relief for the poorer class of the population ; and he
had prepared a measure which he thought would settle
the question on an equitable principle.
Mr. HUME thought it a great pity that, with a
church possessing such ample funds as the church of
Ireland there should continue a tax of this description,
producing so small a sum as 15,000/. a year. He com-
plained that they did not know what the learned gentle-
man was going to do. He said he would bring in a bill,
but would that bill take away the stigma of a person of
one religion being forced to pay for the religion of an-
other ? It was the same in Scotland with regard to the
annuity tax. He thought they should make a sacrifice.
The peace of the church in Ireland was of much more
importance than 15,000/. a year. He believed it was
originally a tax on property, but circumstances having
changed, and the Catholics being now far the most nu-
merous, it was a st;gma upon them. Religion ought to
bring peace and goodwill among men, but instead of that
a few paltry pounds were'made the cause of discontent.
He trusted that Ministers would also take into conside-
ration the annuity tax in Scotland, which was of the
same nature.
Lord BERNARD said hon. members should bear
in mind that this was merely a preliminary session,
for the avowed object of discussing certain ques-
tions, but he trusted he should be excused saying a
few words on this subject. The house would bear
in mind that the property in these towns was es-
sentially the property of Protestants at the time
the tax was imposed, and those who had purchased
it since had purchased it subject to this tax. He believed
that at present two-thirds of the tax at least fell on Pro-
testants ; and the others could deduct it from the head
rents, a great portion of which belonged to the Pro-
testants. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners at present
had no funds at disposal, many churches were in a state
of dilapidation, and there would be many more claims
for repairs if the clergymen thought their applications
would have any success.
Mr. MAGUIRE said he would not have arisen were
not this question one of considerable importance in some
of the principal localities of Ireland. He urged his hon.
friend to persevere in his motion, which he did not in a
spirit of hostility to the Government, but because the
right hon. gentleman (Mr. Walpole) had given no suffi
cient assurance that he would take this question into
practical consideration, nor the principles on which the
proposed bill was to be founded. The right hon. gentle-
man spoke of the necessity of avoiding religious contro-
versy in that house ; but he conceived there was some-
thing still more important, and that was the necessity
of avoiding acrimony and hostility in Ireland. If
the right honourable gentleman or the Attorney-Gene-
ral would give an assurance that a measure would be
introduced which would do away with this acrimony,
he would counsel his honourable friend to withdraw this
motion. He did not object to this tax because it was a
tax on one description of persons more than another ;
but on a question of principle... Ever since the Union,
legislation had been, with slight exceptions, on the prin-
ciple of civil and religious liberty ; but this tax was a
violation of that principle. To his own knowledge, in
the city of Cork, in Upper Blackmire, there was a dozen
Roman Catholic proprietors of his who had, in the last
twenty years, built 100 houses, and he asked if it was
fair that they should be subject to this tax ? He ad-
mitted, that houses of worship should be kept in a proper
condition. In the county of Cork there were several
Protestant churches without congregations ; and there
were four parishes in the diocese of Down which had
only three persons for a congregation, which three per-
sons migrated from one church to another, and then to
the third. If the settlement of this matter were just in
the time of Charles 11., no one would say it was just in
that of Queen Victoria, when the Catholics were to the
Protestants as seven to one in some localities, and in
others in even a greater proportion. Nothing could be
more irritating to Catholics than to have to pay this impost,
for they regarded it as a badge ofconquest and religious in-
feriority. But see how the system worked. There were con-
scientious men who refused to pay this tax, and who suf-
fered their goods to be seized. One witness described the
case of a man who had been a respectable merchant, but
who had been reduced in life. The collector demanded
of him U. 7s. for three years' ministers' money. He re-
fused, on the ground of inability, to pay, and the furni-
ture which had been left him by the mercy of the sheriff's
officer was seized. He would leave the house to consi-
der what would be the effect upon an excitable people
to see a man treated thus by the representatives of a
minister of religion. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Maguire) had
the honour to know the Dean of Waterford, the Bishop
of Limerick, and others of the established clergy, all or
whom, he was sure, wished to be on good terms with their
Catholic neighbours. One clergyman had declared that he
was anxious to avoid the shame of having to fight for his
income ; and many others had expressed similar opinions.
One of the witnesses, a collector, stated that he did not
give notice of the sales ; and there were therefop no
means of knowing what became of the surplus property,
even if ten times more were taken than was necessary to
satisfy the demand. A Quaker in Cork had two sacks of
flour taken, and it was never known what became of them,
but the collector was himself in the flour trade, and some
people were malicious enough to say that they had seen
him with his own orthodox hands dispensing the ravished
flour of the Quaker. (Loud laughter.) An instance had
also been known in which the executors of a deceased
clergyman had demanded eleven years' arrears, and it
was only after the claim had been compromised' by the
payment of four years that the person was allowed to
exercise his right to vote. It was impossible to modify
the tax, so as to make it tolerable; for in any form it
would be odious. He (Mr. Maguire), Catholic, had
Quaker tenants; and though he regretted to see them
subject to the demand, he should object to its being re-
moved to his own shoulders. Never was a time when it
was more necessary to cultivate a good feeling between
Catholics and Protestants, than now. An industrial
movement was going on, which he trusted would be so
developed as to lay the foundation of at least a local
prosperity in many parts of Ireland. Catholics, Pro-
testants, and Quakers, were all promoters of it together;
and when all were anxious to increase the material in-
terests of the country, it was most important to do away
with anything that could give rise to rancour or ill-
feeling. (Cheers.) In the name, then, of religion,
which was dishonoured by the tax—in the name of jus-
tice he called upon them to abolish an impost so dis-
graceful and so injurious. (Cheers.)
Sir J. SHELLEY trusted that the hon. gentleman
would not press his motion to a division, until they had
the measure of the Government before them. If they
should be dissatisfied with that measure, the hon. gen-
tleman would be in no worse position than he was now.
Captain JONES observed that the hon. gentleman
opposite had objected to being forced to pay ministers'
money, because he was a Roman Catholic; and he had
argued as if it was imposed on him as a badge of conquest
and religious inferiority. He was sure that no Protestant
ever thought of looking upon it in such a light. He
objected to the proposal to burden the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners with minister? money, because their funds
were inadequate.
Mr. FORTESCT.TE thought that the impost ought,
nevertheless, to come from the funds of the Commis-
sioners ; but he regretted that this was only an isolated
measure, and not a portion of a general reform.
Mr. MONSELL trusted the hon. gentleman would
withdraw his motion.
Mr. FAGAN replied. He regretted that he felt it
his duty to divide the house, for he was quite satisfied
that the intention of the right hon. gentleman (Mr.
Napier) was not to abolish the tax, but to transfer it
from the occupiers to the landlords.
The house then divided on the " previous question,"
namely, whether the motion should be put, and the
numbers were :
Ayes

Noes..

94
140

The motion was therefore not put to the house. 46
BANK NOTES BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed, and the
house adjourned at a quarter past seven.

PAIRS.—Mr. Kershaw paired off with Mr. Arkwrie,t
in favour of Mr. Fagan's motion for the abolition of
ministers' money in Ireland.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. —On 'Saturday even-
ing last, the professors of this institution gave the first of
a series of three soirees, designed for the re-union of men
of eminence in the various branches of medicine, litera-
ture, and art. The Flaxman gallery, which is a collec-
tion of the original works of the celebrated sculptor
whose game it bears, was thrown open to visil;ors, as was
the general library, upon the tables of which were ar-
ranged various optical and other scientific 'instriunents,
as well as some rare specimens in natural, history, and
works containing elaborate engravings ill' istrative of ar-
chitecture, engineering, and Australian cznithology. The
Flaxman gallery was lighted from the outside, and the
windows being of ground glass, the subdued light was
found peculiarly well adapted for ',,he inspection of the
numerous works of art with vr'hicth the gallery abounds.
The soirée was attended by I,` 200 persons, among whom
were many fore igners of liter
.ary distinction.
AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTUP „AL COMPANY. —Among the
effects produced by the go- id discoveries has been a re-
markable alteration in the circumstances of the Austra-
lian Agricultural Compan y. The shares of that under-
taking within the past ye r have been sold at a price as
low as about 15 ; and nr ,w they are quoted at 65. It
appears that for several months past dispatches have
been received from the
hief officer of the company in
the colony intimating tb
.e existence of gold in their large
tract of 300,000 fi,cres of land on the Peel River ;an
that the latest ad, ices confirm the fact of many parts of
it being rich, not milv from deposits in the alluvial soil,
but also from the is esence of gold-bearing quartz. The
selection of this la ,nd was made for the company many
years ago by Sir N Villiam Parry, as being some of the
finest in the colon; y for both pastoral and agricultural
purposes.
BRITISH ANTF.,BI 'ATE CJIIIRCH ASSOCIATION.— On Mon-
day night the a .utu mna 1 meeting of this association was
held at the Lon( lon Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. The chair
was taken by 1 LpsleYi Pellatt, Esq., M.P., who was sup-
ported by Fray Lk ~rougley, Esq., M.P. • Edward Miall,
Esq., 11.13.4 V. "lard. Williams, Esq.; 'Wm. Edwards,
Esq.; H. lucent, Esq.; Charles Rawlins, Esq., of
Liverpool, an Ir, n umber of reverend gentlemen. Re-
solutions were, past;ed, and speeches made in favour of
the object of the association, after which thanks were
.voted to th chairman, and the meeting terminated,

FROM THE GAZETTE OF YESTERDAY.

FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. 29.
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Ricardo
Cooper as Consul at Port Philip for her Majesty the
Queen of Portugal and the Algarves.
The Queen has also been pleased to approve of Mr.
James Duncan Thompson as Consul at the Cape of
Good Hope for his Majesty the King of the Belgians.
DOWNING-STREET, NOV. 30.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint William M.
Edye, Esq., to be Resident Magistrate of Fort Peddie,
in the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope.
WHITEHALL, JULY 6.
The Right Hon. Sir John Jervis, Knt., Lord Chief
Justice of her Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, at
Westminster, has appointed Robert Shindler, of Chat-
ham, in the county of Kent, Gentleman, to be one of
the Perpetual Commissioners for taking the acknowledg-
ments of deeds to be executed by married women, under
the Act passed for the abolition of fines and recoveries,
and for the substitution of more simple modes of assur-
ance, in and for the county of Kent.
WHITEHALL, Nov. 26.
Tie Right Honourable Sir John Jervis, Knt.' Lord
Chief Justice of her Majesty's Court of Common Pleas,
at Westminster, has appointed Brutton John Ford, of
the city of Exeter, Gentleman, to be one of the Per-
petual Commissioners for taking the acknowledgments
of deeds to be executed by married women, under the
Act ?assed for the abolition of fines and recoveries, and
for de substitution of more simple modes of assurance,
in and for the city and county of the city of Exeter,
also :n and for the county of Devon.
WHITEHALL, Nov. 19.
The Lord Chancellor has appointed John Stansfield,
of Todmorden, in the county palatine of Lancaster,
Gentleman, to be a Master Extraordinary in the High
Court of Chancery.

WHITEHALL, Nov. 25.
Tie Lord Chancellor has appointed Robert Shindler,
of Brompton, in the county of Kent, Gentleman, to be
a Msster Extraordinary in 9}e;,lijgh Court of Chancery.
Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of the North Riding
of Yorkshire.
A•thur Stephens, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant,
Nov, 26.
Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Carnarvonshire.
Sir Thomas Erskine, Bart., to be Deputy Lieutenant ;
Thomas Edward Mostyn Lloyd Mostyn, Esq., to be
Deputy Lieutenant.
Royal Carnarvonshire Militia William Wynne,
Gat., to be First Lieutenant; John Richards, to be
Surgeon.

Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Brecknockshire.
Royal Brecknock Rifle Regiment of Militia—Martinus
Van Kerkwyk Bowie, Adjutant, to serve with the rank
of Captain, Nov. 24.
[The following article is substituted for the one which
appeared in the Gazette of Friday, Nov. 26.]
Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

Royal Wiltshire Militia—Alfred Olivier, Gent., to be
Lieutenant, Nov. 11.
Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Riding

of Yorkshire.

In the 2d Regiment of West Riding Yeomanry
Cavalry—Lieutenant Joseph Priestly Edwards to be
Captain, Nov. 13.
Ist Regiment of West York Militia--The Honourable
Egrenont William Lascelles to be Major, Nov. 23.
3d Regiment of West York Militia—Captain Dun-
can Littlejohn, late of the Madras Army, to be Cap-
tain ; John Bohum Chantrell, Gent., to be Lieutenant ;
Edward Nicholson, Gent., to be Lieutenant ; Maurice
Rogers, Gent., to be Lieutenant, Nov. 25 ; Ralph
Creyke, Esq., Rawcliffe-hall, to be Major, Nov. 26.
Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Middlesex.
Royal East Middlesex Regiment of Militia—George
Francis Stuart, Esq., to be Captain, vice Stewart, re-
sigred.
Royal Westminster Regiment of Middlesex Militia—.
Charles Christopher Baynes, Gent., to be Lieutenant.
Cnnmissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire.
J'irst Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own
Eardley Snowlys, Gent., to be Ensign,
Noy. 24; George Robinson, Gent., to be Ensign, Nov.
25.

second Regiment—Ensign Archibald William Clarke,
to ie Lieutenant, vice Molyneux, resigned, Nov. 24.

BANKRUPTS.
Vennal, stone mason, Hastings, to surrender Nov.
1, at half-past one, and Jan. 14, at eleven, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Nicholson, official assignee, Basing-
hail-street ; Gregson and Son, Angell-court ; Scriven
ana Young, Hastings.
M. Casey, juvenile outfitter, Baker-street, Portman-
scpare, Dec. 10, at twelve, and Jan. 13, at one, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-
street Buildings ; Low, Wimpole-street.
William Robinson, linen draper, Maidstone, Kent,
Dec. 10, at twelve, and Jan. 18, at one, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Stansfield, official assignee ; Nichols and
Verulam-buildings, Gray's Inn, and Morgan,
Midstone.
IV. Cooke, miller, Albert-terrace, Bow, Dec. 10, at
ona, and Jan. 18, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Stansfield„ official assignee ; Ellis, Cowper-street, Corn-
hil .

Warren, dentist, George-street, Hanover-square,
The. 10 and Jan. 14, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Weitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Mur-
roigh, New Inn, Strand.
T. P. Willis, brewer, Portsea, Hampshire, Dec. 14,
at one, and Jan. 13, at twelve, at the Court of Bank-
ruptc3. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane ; Pow-
nail and Cross, Staple Inn ; Hellyer, Portsea.
George Lester, builder, High-street, Poplar, Dec. 10,
and Jan. 11, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Edwards, official assignee, Sambrook-court ; Steinberg,
Bread-street, Cheapside.
Richard Jones, hatter, Coventry, Dec. 16 and Jan.
13, at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court. Chris-
tie, official assignee, Birmingham ; Hodgson, Birming-
ham.

Henry Ifastings, tea dealer, Cheltenham, Dec. 13 and
Jan. 10, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Hut-
ton, official assignee, Bristol ; Sabine, Bristol.
DIVIDENDS.
At the Court, Basinghall-street.
J. Thomss, Little Stanhope-street, May-fair, builder,
Dec. 21, at half-past eleven—J. Ingram, New-road,
Southamptcn, seedsman, Dec. 20, at half-past eleven—
D. F. Kennett, Oxford-street, licensed victualler, Dec. 20,
at eleven.

In the Country.
R. Hunter, Swansea, Glamorganshire, linen-draper,
Dec. 23, at eleven, at the Court, Bristol—S. W. Elder,
Cheltenham, plumber and glazier, Dec. 22, at the Court,
Bristol—C. Lucas, R. Wilkinson, and E. Bond, Man-
chester and Hayfield, Derby, calico-printers, Dec. 22, at
twelve, at the Court, Manchester—T. Crook, Preston,
Lancashire, manufacturer, Dec. 23, at twelve, at the
Court, Manchester—J. Steele, Rochdale, Lancashire,
brewer, Dec. 23, at twelve, at the Court, Manchester—
R.Liverpool.
Pace, Liverpool, ship-owner, Dec. 21, at the Court,
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS.
J. Wheatley, Kennington-cross, livery stable-keeper,
25., on Tuesday, Dec. 7, or any subsequent Tuesday,
between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Pennell,
Basinghallitreet.
E. Butt, Newcastle-place, Edgware-road, laceman,
35., on Tuesday, Dec. 7, or any succeeding Tuesday,
between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Pennell,
corn
Basinghall-street.
S. Ashlin, Eastcheap,
Tues-
day, Dec. 7, or any succeeding Tuesday, between
eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Pennell, Basing-
hall-street. -factor, is. 6d., on

T. J. Edwards,
Ring-street, Bloomsbury, dressing-
case maker, 45., making with former dividends, 205., on
•MondaT, Dec. 6, or any subsequent Monday, between
eleven, and three, at the office of Mr. Cannan, Alder-

_
man'oury-
ee nr eleven 1. Holmes, Regent-street, Westminster, shawl ware-
tlouseman, 25., on Monday, Dec. 6, or any subsequent
Monday, between eleven and three, at the office of Mr.
Cannan, Aldermanbury,
F. Ricketts, Moorgate-street, City, merchant, 30.,
on Monday., Dpeacenc.d.6,6tho: any subsequent Monday, between
three,
eleven and three, at the office of Mr. Cannan, Alder-
manbury.
T. Trevenen, Moorgate-street, City, merchant, Is. 2d.,
any subsequent Monday, be-
at the office of Mr. Cannan,
Atown lnvu y
Monday,
lde b

Chaer.it4o,nor any subsequent Saturday, between
Sunderland, ship builder, 205., on
Miron. Aday., De
ten and three, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne.
R. Till, Worcester, grocer, is. 34d., any Thursday,
between elevei and three, at the office of Mr. Christie,
Birmingham.

W. fi. RieliA.dson, B. Richardson, and J. Richardson,
Wordsley, Statordshire, glass manufacturers, 135., any
Thursday, between eleven and three, at the office of
Mr. Christie, Eirnungham.
NOTICES OF CERTIFICATES.
At the Court,
City, corn Basinghall-street.
S. Bradley, Mark-lane,
Dec. 22, at one---117. Marshall, Hay' and malt factor,
s-wharf, Tooley-
street, provision agent, Dec. 21, at half-past eleven—E.
S. Manico, Mark -lane, City, merchant, Dee. 23, at two
C. W. Wass, New Bond-street, picture dealer, Dec.
23, at half-past eleven—S. Mitchell, Commercial-road,
East, bootmaker, Dec. 21, at half-past two.

In the Country.
I. Isaacs, Plymouth, dealer in watches, Dec. 23, at
eleven, at the Hall of Commerce, Plymouth—T. Crook,
Preston, manufacturer Dec. 23, at twelve, at the Court,
Manchester—W. Miller Manchester, manufacturer,
Dec. 22, at twelve, at the Court, Manchester—G. Blakey,
Lincoln, dealer in perfumery, Dec. 22, at twelve, at the
Town-hall, Hull—T. Lamplugh, Great Driffield, York-
shire, draper, Dee. 22, at twelve, at the Town-hall,
Hull.

CERTIFICATES GRANTED.
E. Davis, Northampton, currier and shoe manufac-
turer, certificate of the second class—D. Gideon, Mino-
ries, and Uxbridge,
—N Warren, M clothier, certificate of the third class
aelesfield, silk dyer, certificate of the
third class.

Ami'erdam.

PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
L. Hargreaves, T. Taylor, and J. Dobson (as far as
rerrods L. Hargreaves), Fall Barn, Forest of Rozendale,
Lancashire, stonemasons—G. Stagg and R. Kilvert,
Manchester, house painters—C. Hancock and H. W.
young, Tokenhouse-yard, solicitors—J. Bibby and H.
Oockshott, Preston, Lancashire, and Dundalk, Louth,
corn merchants—W. Askham and IV. F. Askham, Eck-
figton, Derbyshire, surgeons—J. Womack and J.
Litchfield, Manchester, accountants—S. Martin and F.
Gray, Birmingham, and Gough-square, London, tin-plate
workers—R. B. Scholefield, S. Holdsworth, J. Yeardley
and E. Briggs, Castle Mills, near Rochdale, hatters--
D. Kjdson, J. Dugdale, J, Jackson, and x. Hodgson,

Green's Mill, near Bacup, Lancashire, millwrights—J.
Gillham and J. Womack, Haymarket, tailors—H. Wood
and Anne Gresham, Blackburn, Lancashire, tea dealers
—C. Hodgson and R. Hodgson, Durham, coach manu-
facturers—l. Rutland, jun., and D. Ball, junr., Cooper's-
row, Tower-hill, wine merchants—E. Burdes, W. Burdes,
and E. Anderson (as far as regards W. Burdes), Sun-
derland-near-the-Sea, lime burners—G. French and D.
Pratt, jun., Walsall, Staffordshire, mercers and drapers
—W. P. Toms and T. 0. Toms, Plymouth, plumbers
and braziers—Ann Armitage and J. Armitage, Mytholin-
bridge, near Huddersfield, dyers—J. Moon, jun., and
J. Woolacott, Barnstaple, furnishing ironmongers.

INSOLVENT PETITIONERS.
John Flewitt, Nottingham, baker.
Richard Howell, Cullompton, Devonshire, merchant's
clerk.

John Hodson, Chorley, Lancashire, brazier.
Joseph Morris, Derby, fishmonger.
Charles Bancroft, Derby, labourer.
William Davies, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire,
tensed victualler.

Thomas Anderson, North Shields, brewer.
Thomas Widdrington Morrison, Tynemouth, draper.
John Genders, Birmingham.
William Racteliffe, Birmingham, journeyman painter
and glazier.

John English, Carville, Northumberland,
victualler.
John Evans, Maesteg, Carmarthenshire.
James Jones, Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, miner,
William Griffiths, Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire.
Henry Brookes, Liverpool, shopkeeper's assistant.

icensed

SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
T. 11121 wraith, Pinvallie, Ayrshire, farmer, to meet
within the King's Arms Inn, Ayr, Dec. 6 and Jan. 3,
1853, at one.
R. Johnston, Saltcoats, draper, to meet within the
Saracen's Head Inn, Sa,4coats, Dec. 6 and 27, at one.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.

(From the London New Price Current of Nov. 30.)
SUGAR.-To-day West India Sugar was operated in
with reluctance for home consumption, and in some
cases the rates accepted were rather under those of
Friday, although there was not a large supply. Of
Barbadoes 200 hhds at auction were only in part dis-
posed of at barely previous valuations, fine yellow went
at 38s 6d to 40s, and mid to good 36s to 38s per cwt.
Total operations are only 300 hhds, &c.
REFINED.-There is yet a reluctance to operate in re-
fined sugar for home consumption, and supply being
plentiful, prices incline downwards, especially for inferior
qualities. The rates taken for brown lumps have been
44s to 44s 6d; Titlers, common to fine, 44s 6d to 495,
double 49s 6d to 508; Hambro loaves 45s to 49s 6d, and
standard lumps 45s to 458 6d. For forward delivery
there are several buyers rather under present terms.
To-day home dealers were reluctant to operate in refined
sugar, and the rates taken for brown lumps were 445,
and low to fine grocery 445 6d to 47s 6d per cwt.
Crushed Sugar is still wanted for shipping, at previous
prices.
MAURITIUS.-There is no further decline, supply being
less than previously, fine yellow at 36s 6d to 388 6d,
good 35s to 368, low to mid 33s to 34s 6d, good to fine
brown 308 6d to 32s 6d, low to mid 27s 6d to
30s, common to fine grey 31s to 375, grainy brown 33s
to 355, yellow 36s to 425, and white 43s to 47s per cwt.
Stock differs little from last season. This afternoon
Mauritius Sugar attracted little attention, and prices
declined 6d per cwt for inferior and brown. At auction
7,065 bags were sold, good to fine yellow went at 358 to
36s 6d, mid 33s 6d to 348 6d, low 32s 6d to 335, good to
fine brown 30s to 325, low to mid 27s to 29s 6d, very
inferior 25s to 26s 6d, and common to fine refining 31s
to 36s per cwt.
EAST INDIA.-This afternoon there was a reluctance
to operate in Bengal sugar, yet lower rates were not ac-
cepted. Of 3,500 bags at auction a small part oily sold,
fine grainy white at 45s to 465, yellow ditto 408 to 425,
other sorts 36s to 395, ord to mid white Benares 37s 6d to
38s 6d. In Madras little was done privately, and 1,377
bags at public sale were taken in at 28s to 28s 6d for ord
soft yellow.
FOREIGN.-1,500 chts 'Havannah have been sold,
brown at 33s 6d to 34s 6d, low to middling yellow 35s
to 38s, good to fine 38s 6d to 40s, florrets 41s to 41s 6d;
200 chts Brazil, white 35s to 40s, yellow 348 to 358,
brown 31s to 38s 6d ; 150 hhds Porto Rica, fine yellow
40s to 41s, low to good 34s 6d to 425, brown 32s to 345;
2,000 bags China, brown 31s to 325, yellow and grey
32s 6d to 34s ; 8,000 bags Manilla, clayed 33s to 34s 6d,
not clayed 30s to 32s ; small parcels Java, brown and
yellow 32s to 365, grey and white 36s 6d to 40s. To-
day the private operations in foreign Sugar were small
for all purposes, and last week's rates are kept up with
difficulty. None was offered at public sale.
MOLASSES.-There are many buyers of West India,
and high rates are paid for all sorts, but few parcels are
on offer. Since this day week 400 puns have been sold,
Antigua at 17s, Demerara 158, and St. Kitts 14s 6d per
cwt. Bengal and Mauritius 'wanted at 13s,
13s r6d, Cuba and Porto Rico 15s 6d to
168 Od per cwt, but supply is scanty. Stock of
molasses is 3,000 tons less than last year, and deliveries
are 800 greater, rates ruling higher by_ is 6d per cwt.
Tamarinds continuo lunch in request, West India at 348
to 425, and East India at lOs to 13s, while no incease is
apparent in supply. Honey is not cheaper, but pur-
chases are limited ; Narbonne at 593 to 655, Cuba 36s to
465, and Jamaica at 38s to 50s per cwt.
COFFEE.-This afternoon Mocha coffee attracted less
attention, and rather lower rates were taken. Of 300
bales and 25 hf-do at auction a small part only found
buyers at 85s to 90s for good long berry. Plantation
Ceylon is not cheaper, still demand was limited for all pur-
poses. At public sale 134 cks 74 bgs were only in part
disposed of, fine at 66s to 69s 6d, good middling
to good 598 to 655, low mid to mid 55s to 58s 6d, other
sorts 49s to 54s 6d, and triage 42s to 48s. The public
sales of 670 bags Madras and Mysore went at easier
prices, from 47s to 52s for good to fine ord, and very ord
41s 6d ; Native Ceylon is less required, yet good ordi-
nary new import cannot be obtained under 478 per cwt.
TEA.-Prices for low to good common range at 9d to 91d,
rather blackish leaf to blackish leaf 10d to llid, strong
and Pekoe flavour is to is 7d, fine to superior of the
new crop is 8d to 2s 2d. Pouchong at present is
not much required, still the currency is firm at 6d to 9d
for clean, supply not being larger. For Oolong there
is a quiet market, with sellers of fine at is 6d to is Bd,
low to good 10d to is sd. Fine Souchong is
much wanted at is 6d to is 10d, and good is 2d to
is 5d ; in low to mid however sales have been small at
10d to is ld. For Green Tea the following is the pre-
sent currency :-low to middling Hyson is Id to is 4d,
good to fine is 5d to 28 Bd, choice 2s 9d to 3s Od, young
Hyson Canton 8d to 11d, Hyson kind is to is Bd, fine
and superior is 5d to 2s 3d, Twankey 8d to Is, Gun-
powder Canton 8d to is, Hyson kind is id to 2s 9d,
fine 28 10d to 3s 6d, Imperial Canton 10d to is, Hyson
sort is ld to 2s 2d, and Hyson skin 6d to Bd.-
INDIGO.-The market has a firm aspect, and stock is
4,000 chts less than last year's; home and export de-
liveries being 6,000 larger. Spanish is wanted, and the
currency is firm ; fibres at 5s 3d to 5s 6d ' • sobres 4s 8d
to 5s 2d. Cortes, good to fine 4s 3d to 4s 8d ; middling
3s 8d to 4s 2d ; low to ordinary 28 6d to 3s 7d per
pound.

RICE.—To-day the Rice market presented a firm as-
pect, and of East India many parcels were sold pri-
vately ; mid white Bengal realised lls 6d, and good 12s
per cwt. There was no public sale.
COCHINEAL.—At present only a limited demand exists,
and prices have declined id to 2d per pound ; at auction
250 bags were disposed of : Teneriffe, silvers at 3s 9d to
4s, black 4s to 4s 5d : Honduras, silvers 3s 6d to 4s Od,
pasty from 2s to 3s 4d. The rates taken privately were
for low to fine Honduras black 4s to 5s 4d. Mexican
3s 10d to 4s sd, silvers 3s 7d to 3s 9d.
SALTPETRE. —ln consequence of previous moderate
rates having been accepted, a much better demand has
been experienced. At auction, 5,000 bags Calcutta
were nearly all disposed of; 81 to 71 per cent. refrac-
tion went at 26s to 26s 6d ; 101 to 91 ditto 25s to
25s 6d ; 19f to 101 ditto 23s 6d to 25s 6d ; privately
fine sorts realised 28s to 295, and Madras from 23s to
26s per cwt. Stock of saltpetre exceeds that of last
year by 1,000 tons, but deliveries are 1,500 larger.
For British refined there is better sale at 28s 6d to 29s
6d. Nitrate of soda keeps in small supply, and is wanted
at 16s to 16s 6d per ewt.
TALLOW.—Stock compared with this time last year
shows a decrease of 20,000 casks, and rates are higher
by 108 to 11s per cwt. Up to Thursday, Russian on
the spot and for delivery up to the close of the year was
operated in with caution, and prices declined to 46s to
468 3d per cwt for fine Y. C. Home melted is quoted
firm at 49s 3d, subject to usual allowance for
cash, and supply does not increase. Of Australian 600
cks at auction nearly all found buyers—beef 42s 3d to
46s 6d, mutton 44s 6d to 47s 3d ; 176 cks South Ame-
rican 45s 6d to 47s 9d ; 215 bxs 54 cks East India 468
to 49s 3d ; 16 Portugal 44s 9d, and 93 cks Belgian 45s
6d to 47s 6d per cwt. The sales declared for Friday are
of little moment.

OILS.--An extensive demand exists for cocoa nut, and
there is a further advance ; Cochin realising 39s to 40s ;
Ceylon 38s to 395, and other sorts 37s to 37s 6d per cwt.
Since this day week 1,000 hhds have been sold. Palm
has been much in request, and realised higher rates,
good to fine quality is 35s to 365, and stock is moderate.
Lard Oil 60s to 625, and there is no increase of supply.
In Olive large transactions have taken place, and prices
are improving ; Gallipoli selling at 551. to 561. and other
sorts 521. to 541. per tun. Rape Oil is not higher, still
many parcels have been sold ; brown at 32s 6d, to 335, re-
fined 345 to 34s 6d, and Foreign 35s to 35s 6d per cwt.
pale at 351. lOs to 361., and other sorts 331. to 351.;
Southern 341. to 381. for low to fine. Cod held for 331.
lOs to 341., but is not much required. Sperm has been
dealt in with more freedom at 851. 108 to 37/. and Head-
matter 871. to 891. per tun. Ground nut Oil is 33s 6d
to 34s per cwt., and Spermacetti Is 6d to is 7d per lb.

COURSE OF EXC:

:A.NGE-YESTERDAY.

11 17

liitto, three months.. 11 ls%
Rotterdam ............ II 18
Antwerp .............. 25 42%
Brussels ......... ..... 25 42%
.. ...• 13 71,4
Altona.—
Paris 22%
Ditto, three months .. 25 42%
Marseilles 25 45
Bourdeaux •• •• •• ••
Frankfort-on-Maine ...• 120
Berlin..•••• •• •• •• •• ••
Vienna.........••••• •• 11 43
Trieste ................ 11 44
Petersburgh .•
Madrid 49%
Cadiz .• .• ••• • .• 50
Barcelona •••• ....•• .•
8011119 .• •• ••61. O• I. ••

Gibraltar..
Leghorn . • • • ..
30 65
Genoa .....Milan . • 25 60
Venice.... • • • • . -
Naples
...... . • 4i14
Palermo ........ •• • • l2 i
Messina ...... l2 114
Lisbon ••• • • • 5314
Oporto ......... ...... 631 A
Rio Janeiro... .....
Buenos Ayres... •• •
New York 60 day's s!glit
Philadelphia ....
PRICES OF BULLION, PER OZ.
Foreign. Gold in Bars £3 17 9
Portugal Gold Coin.. 0 0 0
Spanish Doubloons .. 0 0 0
New Dollars...,
Silver in bars 3, 0 0 0

ATTEMPT AT RAPE BY A POLICEMAN.

Yesterday at Hammersmith Police Court, John Kelly
• a policeman, 44 T, was brought up in custody, by order
of the Commissioners of Police, and placed in the dock,
charged with violently assaulting and attempting to
commit a rape upon Martha Moore, a married woman,
in Han well.
The complainant, a respectable-looking woman, about
thirty years of age, deposed that her husband was a
police-constable in the same division as the prisoner, and
they resided at West-end, Northolt. On Monday last,
while returning home, about half-past four o'clock, she
saw the prisoner, who was dressed in plain clothes, near
the Southall railway station. He bowed to her, but
she took no notice of him ; he then crossed the
road, and asked her if if she did not know him. She
replied that she did not ; he also asked her where
she was going, and said she was going greatly out of
her way, and that if she went back with him he would
direct her the nearest road. She consented to return, and
they walked as far as the Hanwel] iron railway bridge when
he commenced taking indecent liberties with her. [The
witness here described what ensued, which is quite unfit
for publication]. She struggled very hard to release
herself from his grasp, and screamed out for assistance.
She heard the sounds of a coach, and again screamed,
but it did not stop, and the prisoner still continued to
hold her in his arms. Fortunately a man in a white
smock frock appeared in sight, and the prisoner released
his hold. Her cloak had been dragged off her shoulders
in the struggle, and she also lost a bag of biscuits
which she had bought for her children. She ran to the
man and claimed his protection. The man walked with
her until she met her husband. She did not know the
man who accompanied her, and she did not tell her hus-
band what had occurred until the man had turned back
and was gone.
Mr. Beadon observed that it was very singular not to
tell her husband, or to obtain the man's name.
The witness said she did not think of anything, and
was so flurried at the time that she was not aware of
what she did say. The prisoner went away in an oppo-
site direction when she spoke to the man.
Inspector Cooke said the prisoner had no business to
be away in plain clothes. In the evening, when it was
time for the prisoner to go on duty he sent word to the
sergeant that he was sick, and he had subsequently said
that he had been sick in bed the whole day, and that he
was very ill.

The piisoner said he met the complainant, and they
walked together, and she stopped outside a public-house,
where he brought her some gin and shrub, which she
drank.

The witness denied this. He asked her to go with
him to Hanwell, and have a glass of something, but she
declined.

The prisoner said he could produce witnesses who
would prove that she drank with him. They walked
together arm in arm, and she first induced him to act in
the manner he had done. He should never have taken
liberties with her but for her willingness. Complainant.
would never have said anything about the matter if the
man had not been passing. It was her wish that they
should go that road and not the other.
Mr. Beadon remanded the prisoner.