The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-12 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

..

OSBORNE, TuunsnA.Y.

The Queen, thf; Prince, and the Royal Family, re-
urtirt at Oiboruo, and take daily exercise iu the grounds.

Fuslifield, Mr. Wororzow Greig, and Mr.
William Cubirt, mirgistrates of surrey, had an inter-
view 'with Mr. Secretary Wa!polo yesterday, at the
Hotne•effice.
His Exceil ncy the Chevalier Bunsen had a•x inter-
view with the Earl of Derby yesterday, at his official re-
sidence in Downing street.
A deputation from Rotherham bad an interview yester-
day with the General Board of Health, at their offices,
Whitehall. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Baxter,
J. Yates, and Aldred.
A deputation from the ComrnisP,ioners of Leamington
Priors also had an interview with the General Board of
Health, at their offices, Whitehall, in the cour,e of yes-
terday. The deputation co❑sistee of Messrs Carpenter;
Bowen, Whitehouse, and Thorne (Commissioner), at-
tended by Mr. Hay rues, their clerk.
Mr. Hope had an interview with Sir John Pakington
yesterday at the Colonial-office.
Mr. William E. Hilliard cad an interview► with Mr.
Secretary Walpole. Mr. J. F. Kent had also an inter-
view with the Right Hon. Gentleman yesterday.
A deputation from Liverpool, consisting of Sir Charles
x, Mr. Rigge, and Mr. Elwin W. Field, accompanied
by Mr. C.rd well, M.P., had an interview with the Right
Kin. J. W. Henley and Lord CAchestcr, yesterday, at
the Board of Trade.
Messrs. John Aldred, James Yates, and Baxter, being
a deputation from Rotherham, on the Board of Health
Act, had an interview with Lord John Manners, yester-
day, at the Office of Public Works and Buildings.
_ The Dean of Manchester and Mr. Entwistle had an

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interview yesterday with Mr. ,Secretary Walpole.

A deputation from the Falkland Islands Corporation
bad an interview with the Right Hon. Sir John Puking-
tin, at the Colonial-office, yesterday. The deputation
consisted of Mr. William Gore Oast,lcy, Chairman,
Mr. James J. Cummins, Deputy Chairman ; Admiral
Sir George R. Sartorius, Mr. John Hackhlock, and Mr.
John Pownall Dale, the Company's Colonial Manager.
t. The Right Hon. J. W. Henley arrived in town on
Wednesday evening, from Oxfordshire.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer left town yesterday
afternoon for Aylesbury.
The Mayor of Salford and Mr. Brotherton, M.P., ac -
companied by the Town Clerk of Salford, had an inter-
view yesterday with Mr. Secretary Walpole.
A deputation on the subject of equalising the poor-
rate in the city of London unions had an interview with
Mr. Secretary Walpole yesterday. The deputation con-
sisted of Sir James Duke, M.P., Mr. Alderman Sidney,
M.P., Mr. W. Pritchard, High Bailiff of Southwark;
Messrs. Charles Hawkins, Whiteside, Pilcher, A. Mac-
dougall, J. Terry, W. Patten, B. Blakerley, Liddon, and
Mr. Warwick, secretary to the Association for avails-
ng the Poor Rate.

Alcvci

EAT INDIA CHARTER.
Among the subjects projected for Legislative discus-
sion at the present period, not the least important was
the Charter of the East India Company, which by the
terms of the last renewal becomes open to reconsidera-
tion in the year 1854. As a question of such magnitude
1: would naturally suggest much previous deliberation, it
was understood that Ministers would either procure the
appointment of committees in aid of this special duty, or
~ would justify by argument their non-adoption of so ob-
. eioue a course. In either case the general subject of In
d'art Government would have been publicly debated, and
this great subject would have been advantageously submit-
ted to the operation of popular opinion. It is now, how-
ever, believed that between the embsrrassments of
a new Ministry and the antagonism of an old one, be-
tefeeri the absorbing question of free trade and the pro-
spects of a general election, the discussion upon the In-
dian Charter is likely to be indefinitely postponed, so
that the administration of our eastern dependency will
aoetinue unqualified by the scrutiny of its appointed
censors. It would, of course, be difficult, considering
the domestic engagements of Lord Derby, to impeach
him of remissness in not adding to his duties the review
or reconstruction of a political fabric in a distant quar-
ter of the globe; but we cannot conceal our opinion that
this neglect of so important a topic is calculated both to
Prove injurious in itself, and to expose in no common de-
gree the drawbacks of Parliamentary Government.
We consider that at this moment the prevalent im-
pression in the best informed quarters is favourable upon
the whole to the East India Company; or is so, at any
rata, to such an extent as to suggest very serious doubts
Whether any form of government could be bodily substi-
tuted for the present without prejudice to both Indian
and imperial interests. If India is not governed as well
as it might be there is at least no Crown colony which
is governed better, and some, therefore, of the Com-
pany's faults may be fairly imputed to the inherent diffi
culties of all colonial administration. It almost seems as
if statesmen in proportion to their acquaintance with the
subject became disposed to avoid disturbing it. Minis-
tries have clearly little desire to augment the existing
duties of office by the assumption of the government of
India, partly perhaps, because the perplexities thus as-
sumed would exceed the patronage, and partly, it may be
imagined, because they reasonably despair of producing
any better case than their predecessors when the time
of account shall come round to themselves.
At the same time, although there might be this gene-
ral verdict forthcoming in the company's favour, it can-
not be denied that many points have been suggested, and
Rime • establish, d, on which considerable reforms are
desirable in the administration of our Indian empire.
We may almost say, indeed, that not one of the nume-
rous writers whose productions have been elicited by the
anticipated discussion on the charter omits to put some
such opinion upon record in his remarks. However
they may admire the company and its institutions, they
Invariebly indicate certain departments or usages of the
Government in which a change would be desirable. In
this category of suggestions we do not include the ques-
tion of the land revenue and its essessrnent, since this
Subject has evidently bet n started less upon any genuine
Convictions than in aid of distinct and ulterior purposes.
It is greatly to be wished that our supplies of In-
dian cotton could be increased to an extent which
would relieve us of absolute dependence on the'
Produce of a single foreign possession; but it is vain to
argue that, because cotton is not so grown, the land as-
sessment of the Indian Government must of necessity Ise
the obstacle to its growth. Nevertheless, the general
amount, imposition, and distribution of the taxes levied
by the Company might be fairly and profitably brought
under public consideration. That Indian authorities
Could be kept from going to war by giving a control
over their operations to popular associations at home is
What no reflecting person will be likely to believe. Self-
interest is a stronger cheek than any external restriction,
and nothing can be more certain than that every consi-
deration of self-interest would dissuade the East Melia
Company from going to war. Bat that India
Could be made more generally productive, and
especially that it could yield abundant crops of cotton,
Seems almost confessed by the fact that none but reme-
diable causes have been alleged as preventing this re-
Buie It the impediment lies in the want of roads, it is
quit, clear that roads can be made with a very practi-
cable expenditure of money; if in the want of railroads,
We see that railroads are as possible in India as else-
Where. If all that is needed is capital, there is abun-
dance of capital forthcoming under proper conditions;
or, it local agents are required, the country is open to
their visits. There is, doubtless, much room for
amendment, as well in the applicutinn of revenue as in
the civil and even military administration of ledie;
but it would bo hard to assert, from a comparison
between the acts of the company and those of the
authorities who control it, that the former could bo be-
neficially modelled upon the example of the latter.
Certainly, the most questionable appointments are not
tiorseeetowbich emanate exclusively from the Court of
Directory, nor would the abuses to be reformed be con-
fined to the councils of Leadenhall-street alone. In every
point of view,
destinies of such a however, we since rely regret that the
themagnificent
and those who cling animosities of
chance of a bread-tax parties at home ;
so convulsively to the smallest
have one more misfortune to
answer for, in their retard.
condition of a hundred en,iiitorg all improvement in the
people.—Times

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~u.

It will be seen from a co----naraun.
'cation, which ap-
pears in another co'.umn, that the
;Ito amend their
British Electric Telegraph Corn
meosothject of the
pany*sseiZild reading of the
former Act, is to be moved to-night. As
injurious to
• Bill is to break down P. monopoly which is
the putlic interests. we do trust that the House oifn
will, this evening, show that they have the convenience
and
interests of the community at heart, byacquiescing in e
Second reading of thisimportant Bill.—Morning Acirertisteir.
TUE LATE EXTRAORDINARY TRIAL BEFORE
THE
Thou COURT OF GENOA.—A full report of the trial of Henry
Wikoff (an Attaché of the American Embassy), for a con.
iracy to effect a forced marriage between himself and Miss
Jane Gamble, an English lady, both well,
between
Jas
in this
eountrv; together with numerous letters that passed
he d to-or-
ale parties, and portrait of Wikoff, will be
publis
Pvc, price 2s. 6d., and post free, 35., by Mr. Shoberl,m 20,
Groat Marlborough-street. All persons desirous of obtaining
early copies of the report of this trial (which has excited so
great a sensation all over the Continent), should apply,
without delay, to Mr. Shoberl, of whom may also be had
Alice Rivers; or, the Confessions of a Young Lady. Written
by Herself." In 3 vols., with portrait.
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—THE ROYAL EXHIBITION
TzuscOrEs.—A new and most important invention in
telescopes, possessing such extraordinary powers that some,
inches, with an extra eye piece, will show distinctly
Jupiter's moons, Saturn's Ring, and the double stars with the
lame telescope, weighing only three ounces, can be seen a per-
, !),i's countenance, 3 ,A 2 miles distant, and an object from 16 to
miles ; they supersede every other kind for the waistcoat-
Pocket, and are of larger, and all sizes, with increasing powers
accordingly ; also a valuable newly invented very small
Powerful waistcoat-pocket glass, the size of a walnut, by which
a Person can be seen and known, 1 miles distant, they
answer every purpose on the race-course, at the Opera-houses ;
country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at twelve to four.
teen miles, they are invaluable for
.shooting, deer stalking,
3lehting, hunting, to sportsmen, gentlemen, game-keepers,
Slid tourists To be had at Messrs. S. and B. Solomous,
,epticians, 39, Albermarle-street, Piccadilly, opposite the York
lintel. Opera and race-course glasses with wonderful powers;
In object can he clearly seen from fourteen to sixteen miles.
roraluable preserving spectacle lenses The invisible organic
vibrator and all kinds of acoustic instruments, for relief of
extreme deafness. 39, Albermarle-street, Piccadilly, opposite
the York Hotel.
CIIEr4ING OF THE PENZANCE AND REDRUTIT RAIL-
.
The branch line of the West Cornwall Railway from
Penzance to Redruth was opened yesterday (Thursday) for
Tegular ssener traffic. Captain Laffan, the Government
t,'_q)ectorpa of Raig lways, has made the usual examination of
`u° works, some of which are rather of a formidable cha-
t', ratter, between Penzance and Cambourne. The viaducts in
thevi •
8 vicinity are very extensive. The length of the branch
is miles, and during the day three trains run each way.
Si 2, uy or August the line will be opened throughout to
rnro•
, Lieut.- General Viscount Hardinge transacted bu-
v.:"ba yesterday at the Ordnance-office 45 Diader-General,
"44114 Igarcliza of --Angleiea, migried.

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X

MEETING OF LIBERAL MEMBERS AT
LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S.

Yesterday a meeting of. Liberal Members of Parlia-
ment was held at Lord John Russell's residence in
Cheshamsplace. Although the meeting was called
for twelve, the proceedings did not commence until
one o'clock. A great number of persons assembled
in front of the Noble Lord's residence, to see the
Members arrive. The attendance was very numeroue.
The following is a correct list of the names of the
Members present :
Thomas Alcock, A. Anderson, Sir A. Armstrong, R.
B. .Armsiron,g,C. Anstey, John Bagshaw, Might H. n .
M. T. Baines, M. T. Bas,,, J. Bell, R. M. Beliew, Hon.
H. Berkeley, C. G. Berkeley, R. Bernal, Sir T..Birch,R..
J. Blewitr, John Bright, J. Brotheron, H. Brown; Wm:
Brown, Edward H. Banbury, P. S. Butler,Sir E. Buxton,
J. B. Carter, Hon. C. Cavendish, G. H. Cavendish, Wm.
Chaplin, Sir Will Clay, Janes Clay, Colonel Clif-
ford, Richard Cobden, Sir T. Colebrooko, Wm. Collins,
Hon. Wm. Cowper, R. Crowder, L. Dawes, lion. T.
V. Dawson, Sir C. Douglas, George Duff, James Duff,
Sir J. Duke, Grorgo Duncan, T. S. Dencomhe,
T. Dundas, Viscount Ebrington, John Ellis, Hon.
Eliot, Vi,count Enfield, Sir De Lacy Evans, William
Ewart, John Fergus, Hon.,G. W. Fitawilliam. Captain
Fordyce, Matthew Forster, Hon. J. W. Fortescue, C.
Fortescue, W. J. Fox, C. Geech, Right Hon. T. M.
Gibson, G. C. Glyn, C. Grenfell, G. W. Grenfell,
Sir George Grey, R. W. Grey, Lord R. Grosvenor,
S:r Beejamin Hail, J. A. Hardcastle, Richard Harris,
Alexander Hattie, W. G. Hayter;;',T. L. Er„adiatr,
Edward Heneage, James Heywood, Lord Marcus
Hill, C. Hiudley, T. B. Hobhouse, T. Law Hodges, R.
Hoilond, Lord G. Howard, Hon. C. Howard, Sir R.-
Howard, Joseph Hume, E. Hutchins, James Ksrshaw'
Right Hon. H. .Labouchere, J. H. Lat"sstore, Sir C.
Hon. G. Littleton, James Lock,
Lemon, G. C.
C. Lushington, W. A. Mackinnon, John Mackie, the
O'Gorman Mahon, R. D. Mangles, J. G. alarshall,
William Marshall, John Martha Colonel Matheson,
Right Hon. Fox Manic, Viscount Melgund, Robert.
Milligan, T. A. Mitchell, George Moffatt, Sir W.
Molesworth, 1) avid Morris, Francis Mowatt, M. J.
O'Connell, S. C. H. Ogle, William Ord, Lord Alfred
Paget, Lord Charles Paget, Lord George Paget, John
Parker, F. Poe', Edward Pendarves, Robert P:oleca Sir
C. Philips, Francis Pigott, W. Pinney, W. M. PCver,
Sir R. Price, John L. Ricardo, E. R. Rice, J. A. Roe-
back, Colonel Romilly, Lord John Russell, Hiietings
Russell, Captain Seabed, G. P. &rope, 11. D
Seymour, Lord SoymOur, R. D. Shafto, Earl
Shelburne, Right Honourable R. V. Smith, M.
T. Smith, John B. Smith. Sir William Somerville,
Henry Spearman, W. R. C. Stansfield, Sir George
Stauuton, Edward Strutt, Admiral Stewart, H. W.
Tancred, R. J. Tennent, Colonel Thompson, George
Thompson, Thos. Thornely, John Townley. Richard
Townley, Captain Townsend, G. Trail. J. S. Trelawney,
Right Hon. H. Tufnell, Lord H. Vane, Hon. C. I'.
Villiers, C. B. Wall, Sir J. Walmsley, Colonel Wat-
kins, B. M.Gie Wilcox, Wm. Williams, Sir H. Wit-
lianison, James Wilson, Sir Charles Wood, Sir W. P.
Wood, W. B. Wrightson, James Wyld, Marmaduke
Wyvill.
Sir Alexander Cockburn was prevented from at-
tending the meeting by severe indisposition.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL commenced by referring to
the circumstances under which he had requested the
supporters of the late Administration to meet him.'
He alluded to the acceptance of office by the Earl of
Derby, whose Administration was composed of gen-
tlemen whose views and proceedings were in favour
of a protective policy, and of a duty upon the impor-
tation of corn. He then referred to what had taken
place in 1846. He had himself come into office in that
year, in succession to the late Sir Robert Peel, and
upon his doing so Sir Robert Peel called upon him,
very properly as he thought, to state the principles
upon which he meant to conduct the affairs of the
country. Sir Robert had previously established a
freer trade in the article of corn than before existed,
and on this ground the Right Honourable Baronet
had a right to call upon him (Lord John) to state
distinctly whether he meant to carry out the same
policy. Such a course was perfectly fair, and in ac-
cordance with Parliamentary practice ; and he (Lord
John) had no hesitation in assuring his lamented
predecessor that he meant to carry out that po-
licy. Under these circumstances, a new Adminis-
tration having recently come into power, he con-
ceived that a similar course should be now taken ;
and with that view he had written to Mr. Disraeli,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking hith
whether it was the intention of the Govern-
ment to melee any statement on Monday next with
regard to the principles upon which they intended to
proceed. He mentioned Monday, because it was ob•
viously impossible that any business could be done
to-morrow (Friday). The Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer wrote to him in reply, to the effect that it
was not the intention of the Government to make any
such statement on Monday.—(This announcement
was received with ironical cheers.) Lord John Rus-
sell then proceeded to state that he had consulted Sir
James Graham and Mr. Cobden upon the subject;
and, he added, that both those gentlemen, with others
whom he had consulted, coincided in opinion with
him, that it was perfectly right to call upon the Go-
vernment for an explanation of their principles. At
the same time, those with whom he had advised, as well
as himself, had no desire whatever to offer any factious
opposition to the Government by attempting to stop
the supplies, or to delay measures which were re-
quired in carrying on the business of the country,
provided the Government made some statement
of their intentions. The commercial, the ggri•
cultural, and the general interests of the
country absolutely required that Parliament
should know at the earliest period whether
the Administration of Lord Derby meant to carry
out the policy of free trade, or to attempt to reverse
it. There had been some indications that they did
intend to reverse it. Mr. Christopher had said, in
his address to the Lincolnshire electors, that his:con-
viction was that Lord Derby was sincerely desirous
to reverse a policy which had been so injurious to
the country. Now he (Lord John Russell) trusted
that the policy of free trade would be continued, be-
cause he was confident that, so far from having been
injurious, as Mr. Christopher thought, to the in-
terests of the country, it had been highly beneficial to
them. This, then, was the issue. It was, therefore,
of the first importance that Ministers should be
called upon to state the principles, in this respect,
upon which they meant to carry on the Government.
If they were about to restore protection, let it be
known at once. There were a number of reports
in circulation as to their intentions on other points.
It was said, for example, that they meant to confine
their views at present to measures of an internal
character, to measures of social improvement, to
legal reform, and to leave the subject of protection
out of the question—at least at present. He
did not know how this might be; but he was satisfied
that any such policy could have no other but injuri-
ous effects upon the country. It would also be un-
precedented, he ventured to think, after the circum-
stances he had mentioned at the commencement of
his address Having made these observations, the
questions arose as it appeared to hint, what course
ought now to be adopted. As he had said before, he
had consulted with several friends upon this subject;
and he Was glad to state that they were all of the
same opinion as himself—that the course to be taken
was to endeavour to elicit from the Government what
they meant to do. It was their opinion that Mr. Vil-
liers should not bring on his motion of which he had
given notice; that no abstract resolution on the sub-
ject of free trade should be proposed, but that their
proceedings should be confined to asking a ques-
tion upon the first opportunity allowed by the
forms of the House, with the intention of eliciting
the views of her Majesty's Government. When
those views had been, ascertained, and when they
knew what they had to contend for, he thought
another meeting should be held, as united action was
desirable and essential, to consider what further steps
should be taken by the Liberal party. Before con-
cluding he would say a word with regard to the Bill
proposed by himself to amend the representation. It
was his intention to postpone that measure for the
present session. The subject was one that could be
effectually dealt with only by a Government; it was
imP?ssible for any independent Member to undertake
it with success, and therefore he did not mean to
proceed with it. At the same time Lord Derby had
statedthat there were one or two measures com-
menced by t
The the late Government, with which he meant
to
proceed.
Noble Lordwitthhen sat down, his observations
app;iarr.ivngiLtLoimsitesetimmedipanimous concurrence; and
and entirely
Ile said he con-
curred most cordially
John
nnntirely in the suggestions
iliesshell. Ile would nut
thrown out by Lord
propose the resolution which placed upon the
notice-book of the House, but woaualciconform most
willingly to the course of first ascertainingsteps the policy
of the Government, and then taking such
it as might be deemed necessary at a upon
subsequent
meeting.
Mr. COBDEN, fin. whom a call was maden
, h :
-efly
said that be approved of the course proposed by ttie
Noble Lord. Any proceeding with regard to the
new Administration ought, in his view, to be simply
directed to the object of ascertaining their intentions
with reference to the mtintenance or otherwise of the
Poli?yof
tree
circumstances
e etrade .
f the
country. t
t wast e first question
the present was
most important in relation to the commercial and
agricultural interests that some definite action shoUld
be taken; that uncertainty and doubt should be re-
moved as early as possible, for they had already begun
to produce their natural effects ; and, having such
views, be recommended a united action.
Nlr.Hum
fromEfollo a
d, and, in the midst of signs of
disapprobation
pressed an o ;
arrived at, Lord John
Ihrhon thatp, obretfioorne oafnytbceonticleluestionng' ye/x:5
Russell ought to state upon
what principles he would form a Government, sup
posing
the ingL
presentor dp e r by
Governmentresi
the principles of that which most likely would suc-
ceed them. Lord John Russet's
g n ed,
o I
out,
t wouldunle
sbe e t uselesshey
knew
to
turn o
Reform Bill was an
inadequate measure. He ought to have placed the
representation upon a broader basis, dto have d I and

TrHE SUN,