The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-12 00:00:00

REPORT.

The ninth article of the Massachusetts Declaration of
Rights, says, that " all elections ought to be free, and
the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, having such
qualifications as they shall establish, by their frame of
(4.,,vernment, have an equal right to elect officers, and
be elected to' public employments."
To secure this freedom of election, the laws of this
Commonwealth require that all elections be made by
ballot.
The ballot (from the French word ballote, signifying
a little ball, and referring to the practice of depositing
little balls, either black or white, to express like or dis-
like to a particular candidate) is intended to be stricktly
secret, and is to be distinguished from voting merely,
which, from the origin of the word, signifies an expres-
sion of voice in favour of or against a particular indi-
vidual or measure.
Every precaution which the circumstances of the
case at the time seemed to 'indicate has been adopted by
the past legislatures of this Commonwealth to secure to
all its citmlas the full advantages of the ballot.
In accomplishing this object, two considerations have
presented themselves, one to make the ballot secret, the
other to make it sure; one to protect the voter in the
unbiassed expression of his wishes, and the other to
guard effectually against fraud.
To ensure that only one ballot was deposited by each
voter, it was necessary that his ballot should be dis-
tinctly seen, and if aeon by the inspecting officers, it
would necessarily be seen by other persons who might
place themselves around the polls for that purpose.
The fifth section of the 42nd chapter of the statues of
1839 provides that each ballot shall be deposited "open
and unfolded." This was deemed necessary to prevent
fraud; yet white it secured to some extent that object, it
exposed the ballot to the observations of others who
might be curious in regard to it.
The most important ballots—as for governor, lieute-

nant-governor, senators, members or congress, and
eh ctors of president and vice-president—aro usually
printed. Each political party may, and generally
does have, oven when there is no such de-
sign, ballots of different sizes, of different embellish-
ments, of different quality of paper, oftentimes of
different colour. Either of these circumstances is suffi-
cient to enable a looker-on to determine the political
character of the ballot, although he may not see one of
the names burne upon the ticket; and hence it is well
known that spectators, who stand around the ballot-box
with a check-list, are enabled not only to determine and
mark down how each man votes, but to keep such a
reckoning of the ballots as to know, with great accuracy,
the state of the polls, long before the inspecting officers
have counted the votes.

Thus the ballot in this commonwealth, in its true cha-
racter, is but a name. Yet your committee are confi-
dent that this is not, and never was, the wish of the pre-
sent or any past legislature of Massachusetts. They feel
assured that it is, and ever has been, an objectof sincere
desire, to secure to each citizen the free and unbiassed
exercise of his elective franchise, and that the present
system was adopted, oily because no other at the time
seemed feasible.

The progress of events, however, has at length
brought to our minds a mode by which the rights of the
citiz-?u may be fully secured, and yet the most effectual
guarantees against fraudulent voting obtained.
The use of letter envelopes, which has within a fow
years been introduced into this country has, it is be-
lieved, suggested a very simple, cheap, and efficacious
remedy, for all the evils which have heretofore been
compla►ned of.
It each voter be required toplace his ballot in a sealed
envelope, and iu that manner deposit the same in the
ballot-boa, no one ca❑ know unless he chooses to an-
nounce his vote, as he has an undoubted right to do, the
character of the ticket, or the persons for whom he has
voted.

Nor can the voter practise any deception, since he
could not well deposit more than one envelope, and if he
placed in one envelope more than one ballot for the same
person, it would certainly be detected on opening the
envelope, and his object be frustrated.
By this simple arrangement four desirable results
will be attained.

In the first place, as each voter can rightfully deposit
but one envelope, by counting the whole number of enve-
lopes, it can be correctly ascertained how many persons
have voted, even when they
are voting for several dif-
ferent candidates for different offices at the same time;
and by comparing this number wits the number of names
checked by the inspecting officers, on the voting list, it
can be determined to a certainty, if desired, whether any
one has deposited more than one ballot.
In the second place, the depositing of two or more
ballots by accident, as now otten happens, owing to the
fact that printed tickets frequently adhere so closely to-
gether as to escape the observation of the voter, will be
discovemd by the inspectors, when the votes are taken
from the envelopes to be counted, and the error rec-
tified.

In the third place, no one call feel it to be an object to
put into his envelope more than one vote for the same
office, because the fraud must be inevitably discovered,
and his vote be rejected.
There is no way, in fact, under this system, in which
a fraud can be effected, except by putting in more than
one envelope, and such a thing will be next to impos-
sible, without discovery, as the voter may justly be re-
quired by law. to hold his envelope in such a manner,
when placing it in the ballot box, that the inspectors can
distinctly see whether there is more than one or not.
In the fourth place, the long desired object of securing
a true ballot, toe unbiassed expression of every man's
views and feelings will be attained. No one, by this
arrangement, c rn know how another votes, unless the
voter himself ch ooses to disclose it. It is believed that
tow men would he willing to incur the scorn and exe-
cration which wc, ,uld justly attach to the man who should
attempt to place his fellow-citizen at the political con-
fessional, and co. lapel him to divulge the manner in
which he had exert :iced his elective franchise, and hence,
under this syst, in, ,Vie rights of the voter would be fully
secured.

Such, in brief, is the plan by which your committee
propose to obviate magi y of the difficulties that attend
the present mode of voting.
It cannot be fairly of to this measure that it is
a complicated one, for nothing can be more simple. It
is provided, in the Bi 11, submitted herewith, that uni-
form, I,of-sealing ea% elopes, shall be furnished at the
polls, and all that is required of the voter is, that he
shall take one of the me envelopes and place his vote
therein before he depus tits it in the ballot box.
Any parson who is (tempos mentis, or in any sense of
the term qualified, ph:?sicaliy or mentally, to vote at all,
can surely perform an act so simple.
Apia, it cannot be urged that this plan involves a
great increase of labour. It is confidently believed that
out little, if any, more will be required under this,
than under the old system, after the public had become
familiar witt i it. The only additional labour required will
be the oper sing of thc envelopes. This would require
but little m ore time than is now consumed in sorting
the votes. Indeed, it is doubted whether, ou the whole;
it might not be found, by experience, to be quite as ex-
peditious as; the present mode of conducting elections.
Nor can she expense be well objected to, for it is not
possible to conceive of any way of securing the great
objecza p. roposed, secrecy and security, at a smaller
cost than that which your committee propose. It
has been ascertained that the self-sealing enve-
lopes, of • suitable size and quality, and stamped
with the arms of the state (to prevent them
from bein; ; used for other purposes), may be had at the
rate of on a dollar and fifty cents per thousand, and pro-
bably they 'will be obtained tor less. At this price, however,
aiiiix,itoewnivuegeol?es will cost less than one cent, and in all proba-
ubitlieteynitthi.:uwtiolnducrid:adbbacer will be sufficient to supply each voter
of the a tare, .on an average through the entire year; if so,
then er 17.5,000ntvdooutenrds, the whole cost would be but
commonwealth.
seventy-fiveprantin
adollars. a Probably,ta less
number how-
ever,
a envelopes would be required, and that the whole
.se would not be more than halt a cent, annually, to
e Nli c i el. Get ea rn init tnhee
seriously
eLpet,e
mentioned as an objection to
plan, in view of the facts presented, and well known
to hia
. great part of the voters of this state, that the
pros out ballot is secret. The law now requires, as
has beers before stated, that thein tickets be " open
and unfolded"nsnh,wapheet"nelp,,lasocurerdecloyloumr e
abbsitlyll ballot-box.
It'
nt,haenyd
are
eeir
pdpi effaerreedn t i
Inn
oendveti
8-t
nbtsehte
n. i sed by any one who wishes to ascertain hoeiirseaedaie-lhy
tic i :Cnrceet,boafonrde.cyaonunrotc be.om Committee
Btecesitdheast,
n lan votes. Our present ballot, therefore,
viterya
01! receiving ballots prevailed in different places--
th lit in some towns and cities a sliding cover was
pti ivided for the ballot-box, which was removed
w) senever any person deposited his vote; in others, that
ae ~ aperture was made in the top, through %lice the
voter deposited his ticket; while in others still it up
1 ire
p. . -d that the box was esstirely open, and the ballots
.
only be seen when
ml .6.r, 1, . not deposited, but afterwards
by ci igse desirous to observe them.

Again, it may possibly ba urged, as an objection to
this change, that there is no necessity for it, because no
man is influenced by fear, or any other consideration,
his vote just as he
from giving pleases,_ and that it is a
reflection on the independence of the voters of Massa-
chusetts to enact such a law. But this assumption is
doubtless as false as the inference is unfounded. It cer-
tainly re quires but a liMited knowlidge of human nature
to perceive that every roan, whatever his rank or condi-
lien in life, is liable to be more or less influenced by
those with whom he is connected.
No man acts irrespective of surrounding influences.
Some are more independent of circumstances than others,
but there are none, whatever their condition, who do not
sometimes act under more or less constraint, in giving
an open and easily recognised ballot. This will, we
think, appear probable if we take into view the follow-
ing considerations:—
In the first place, almost every individual is attached
to some political party. Ile feels that, on the whole,
his party is nearer right than any other party, and
wishes to act with it. But if ho bo a true man, he
will never give up his conscience to the dictation of
others. He will always reserve to himself the right
of deciding upon men and measures, and if either
are, presented which he cannot approve, be will
wish, silently at least, to refuse his concurrence.
But this he cannot now do. Nothing can be more im-
perious, more absolute, than the dictation of party spirit.
It knows no mercy; it permits no disobedience to its
behests; it is satisfied only with the most entire submis-
sion to its mandates. This is the character of all parties;
there is no difference. If a candidate be presented, no
matter how obnoxious, how unsuitable, every man of the
party must give him his vote under the pains and penal-
ties of excommunication.

Ifre
watched, the
individual,pol Is a
who n
wouldarrowly
fain obey the dictates of his own breast, must deposit
ar party
yanditetlhinegs urnufonrthuitgia highhte
r his vote; for it can scarce be calka 0..
ballot, under the
espionage of party leaden', whose. e.fgle-eyed vigilance
he can hardly hope to escape, and whose angry
froins he may feel quite unwilling to encounter.
Is
.it not so ? And, if. En, shall we hesitate
to provide, if we can, an easy and effectual
remedy—a remedy by which the peaceable and retiring
citizan may be allowed to express his sincere convictions
at the ballot-box without incurring a merciless storm of
party deounciation? Is it ari), reflection on such a man,
to Suppose that he would gladly avoid, if he could, so
unpleasant an alternative? And ought he not to have
the privilege of doing so? Shall a man, in the exercise
of his elective franchise, be obliged to meet obstacles of
this nature if there is no necessity for it?

Again, in a community like ours, no inconsiderable
portion :stand to each other in the relation of employer
and employed. The number of those who depend on
others for employment in this commonwealth is vastly
greater now, in proportion to the whole population than
it was forty years ago, and the number is constantly
and rapidly increasing. Now, is it any reflection upon
the character of persons thus situated to suppose that
they may be desirous to avoid all offence to those on
whose good will their own and their families welfare to
a considerable degree depend?
We need not suppose that the employer utters any
threats; we need not suppose that there are any overt
it unreasonable to
acts of intimidation, but will not an influence, greater or
less, be exertej over the minds of persons thus situated?
choosesuppo to foregosethatsom some
at least, under
such the right of fief-
f: age, rather than exercise it contrary to their own con-
victions, or the well known wishes of their employers?
Again, many. persons are placed in the relation of
tenants, tenants at will often, others that of debtors.
Will neither of these classes over be likely to feel em-
barrassment in the expression of their political prefer-
ences at the polls?
In addition to all these influences, there are others of
a general nature, from which no one, whether high or
low, rich or poor, aro wholly
exempt—the influence of
social life. No man ordinarily wishes to offend a neigh-
bour or make .an enemy, and rather than incur the
hazard of doing Dither, how many will be induced to
forego, in some degree, their real preferences and
opinions?

rigThhtse, raingdhtshof
17 sacredgu
aorfd
eadl p titchael
. If
juryman, in the exercise of his functions, be required to
be free from all bias, and to act without fear, favour,
affection, or hope of reward, how much more ought the
citiz-ea, in the discharge of his highest duty, that of
should be most is
the
c most
arefu
g
electing his rulers, to be equally free from all bias what-
ever? If we are bound to uard the jury box, are we
not, still more bound to guard the ballot box, that foun-
tain and source of all political power, and surest safe-
guard of public liberty?
Man can only be a true sovereign when he is truly a
free man, and when called to act as sovereign_ at the
ballot box, ought not every extraneous influence to be
removed far from him?
Nor is the supposition that men may act from the bias
of the circumstances in which they are placed, any neces-
sary reflection upon their intelligence, hunebty, or
capacity. When the juryman is rdected on aaccount of
his interests, his connexions, or relationship, we do not
regard it as any impeachment of his character. Far
from it. We look to the great principles of human na-
ture; we reason from all observation and experience,
and we decide that however honest a man's intentions
may be, if there be. ought in his circumstances which
would make it for his interest to give a verdict one way
rather than another, he is not qualified to act as an im-
partial juror.
So in the case of the ballot. however unconsciously,
every man's actions are liable to be influenced by the
circumstances in which he is placed; if, therefore, any-
thing can be done to remove all improper biasses, and
give an entirely free and untrammelled expression of
public opinionNn the election of public officers, all fair
and candid men must admit that such a measure is
greatly to be desired.
Your Committee will only add, in conclusion, that
they will not yield to any, in their confidence in the
integrity, highmindedness, and patriotism of the voters
of this commonwealth. They believe that it would be diffi-
cult to find a body of me;
in any state in this union, or
any country in the world, in which there is more virtue,
intelligence and independence, and in presenting the
foregoing considerations in regard to the influences that
are or may be brought to bear upon their fellow-citizens,
they feel that they are only admitting that they, like
themselves, are men, and bound to act in obedience to
the well established laws of the human mind.
In view of these considerations and facts, your com-
mittee, regarding the subject as worthy the attention of
the legislature of this commonwealth, respectfully report
the Bill._A©a,aa Walker, William Kim-
ball, John M. Bliss, George
C vvdrey. Charles F. Bates.

NAVAL IN 11.ELLIGENCE.
The new patent reconstructing the Admiralty Board
Sir James Stirling being added for that of Admiral
Dundas, but in order of seniority Sir James will stand
will be issued in a few day
feurth, or next to Rear-Admiral Houston Stewart. In
a statement made by a contemporary, borrowed by the
s. the name of Rear-Admiral
way from a weekly paper, credit is taken for naming
Sir James Stirling as the
new lord some ,ix months
since.
, member of the board on every
vacancy since 1846, nut notwithstanding our contem-
porary's sagacity, it is well known that the seat at the
~Admiralty was offered to Captain the Hon. R. S. Dun-
elm, C. 8., of Deptford Dockyar as likely to be alt is within recollection that Sir James has been
named
d.

EXPE D4ll E
THE OFFICERS op-------..„,
ewicahrderß,
Eelseqh.e,
fro,
rbrnoerrniyinoft7eo„,
Captain Sir Edward 13e1e4-I°N.NEW ARCTIC
who has been appointed to
aAbrleestitc s.,eaairlcohrsi n gitt
he expedition,
Bi
British
hee
that', C. 8., F.R.S., F.G.S.,
and it cannot be denied that command of the new
f Eg.,Goveraninsotior_
of
he is
afloat 28 years,
O'Byrne—
etsevYoloette entered the navy,
one of the first and
navy. According to
it,)ehiasmsepctoontid;gsor
Justice, and anfatnedor-f-
An"dBreirwEßd
great-grandson of
son of William Beleh Halifax;cwar rand-
wards
tsh
aGnovße
tr,ni
cohre
ro,
Massachusetts,
mar, on board the
New Hampshire, and New J
April 9, 1812, as a first•class
Abercromby, 74; was on board the
force engaged at the defence of Gaeta • , part of the
ta, 84
vember following, transferred to the Superb,was "oxt, in No-
Charles Ekins, with whom he foughtat 74, Captain
Algiers, August'27, 1816; and afterwa --ci the battle of
eeipt of his first commission, bearing dart, 5, until the re-
served in the Pb
44, and Salisbury, sjulY 21, 1818,
Jamaica, and Phaeton, 46, at Portsinonutl), flag-ships at
11, 1819, Mr. Belcher was appointed to• On March
sloop, Captain Henry John Leeks the
Afthe Myrmidon,
whence he invalided in April, 1820. ll:inn station,
active duties in September, 1821, on bo resumed his
bury, commanded at the time by c ard the Salis-
Maude, with whom he served for three years William
Halifax station; and, on April 18,
izars on the
selected to not as assistant-surveyor to ea 5, he was
rick William Beechey, in the BlossomnFr-
about to sail to Behring's Strait, on avo, 24, then
covery, the outlines of which have been Y!le of dis-
the head of ' Captain Beechey.' His given under
the rank of commander took place Marchol: I_n6otion to
while serving ou board the Southampton, 5,
.., 1829,
in the East Indies of Rear-Admiral Edw. -
,I7".ag-ship
Owen; after which we find him commanding from Ma
27, 1830, until Sept. 10, 1833, the Etna,
---tna, surveying
vessel, on the coast of Africa, also in the river Douro,for the protection of British property during the hotitiii
ties:between PAN and Miguel, a an_ next In the Medi-
terranean, and, from Nov. 9, 1836, until August 2, 1842,
the Sulphur, another surveying vestrl, ehidi_
i employed
in South America and the Bost Indies. During
..., the lat-
ter part of that period Captain Belcher figured conspice,
ously in the various scene 3 connected with the war it
China. On Jan. 7, 1841, he united in the vigorous
operations put into force against
,the enema's forts at
Cheunpee, and in the course of,tne same day he admi-
rably effected the destruction, wi.h the Nemesis and the
boats of the Calliope, of 11 out of 13 war junks. He
next, on Feb. 27, acquired the thanks of bit. Gordon
Bremer for the gallantry be displayed (the Sulphur
being the leading ship), in an attack made by
a squadron under Sir Thomas Herbert on the
Chineee camp, fort, and ship Cambridge, mounting
in the whole 98 guns, at their position below whom:
Poa Reach. During the advance of the British on
Canton, we find the Sulphur, in company With three

of the Wellesley's boats, destroying, on March 2,
nszpa
isotkiet battery,approaches
r ocaptainac h aers mt
oe armedq withCantonu
r acquired.
eglutincsh,
and manned by about 250 chosen Tartar troops; eleven
days
creek for his zeal at the capture of several rafts, and of
lastr W
afterhfoa which
the
fort
ta protecting e
masked
h
Cap-
taine
Belcher also distinguished hinrelf by his great
zeal at the ensuing reduction of that city, and in-
deed ho appears to have been altogether in-
defatigable in the laborious duties of sounding
and exploring the various inlets through which
the ships were carrie 1 in their previous progress
up the Canton river. On the 23d of the following May,
at the onset of the operations, which immediately pre-
ceded the second capture of the sane city, Ceptein
Belcher, by a most spirited and judicious reconnaissance,
established the practicability of effecting a landing of the
troops at a point which had been previously selected by
Sir Hugh Gough for that purpose. The value of his
services on the occasion was warmly attested both by
the last-mentioned officer and Sir Humphrey Fleming
Senhous®. Ou the same day he caused the self-dostruc-
, tiou of 28 of the enemy's vessels, and, having landed
with a party at a mandarin temple at Teingpo, he
spiked and threw into the sea five small guns.
In such high esteem were Captain Belcher's services
held, that he was awarded a post commission, May 6,
1841; the decoration of a C.B. Oct. 14 following; and
the honour of knighthood Jan. 21, 1843. Having been
in further command since Nov. 18, 1842, of the Sama-
rang, 26, employed on surveying service in the East
Indies, he at length returned home, and was paid off in
January, 1847.
" Sir Edward Belcher's well-known Narrative of a
Vo)age round the World, performed in her Majesty's
ship Sulphur, during the Years 1836-42,' will fully de-
velop the nature of his very important services during
the period the volume embraces. To this officer we have
also to ascribe the authorship of A. Treatise on Nauti-
cal Surveying."'
We may add to the above that whilst in command of
the Semarang, in the Sarawak river, the ship sunk; but
Sir Edward, with scarcely no other resources then those
created by himself, not only raised her, but brought
her safe to England in a very short time, during a
tempestuous passage. Moreover, during the time the
ship was under water, the pirates came down upon him,
but he most gallantly defeated them with great
slaughter.
oHf
tehnirsy
ne hellos,
expedition,
. B .
wlBa4s2b) ,0 r
nthe
osveecmo nbde r
command of

1806, and is cousin of Commander Arthur Kellett,
RN. He entered the navy Jan. 7, 1822. and from 1823
until 1826 served in the West Indies on board the Ring-
dove. Towards the close of the latter year, after having
accompanied a body of troops to Lisbon, in the Glou-
cester, 74, Captain Joshua Sydney Horton, he joined the
Eden, 26, Captain William Fitzwilliam Owen, under
whom ho was again employed on the coast of Africa
(whither he proceeded for the colonisation of Fernando
Po), until his return to England in the summer of 1831
—the last three years as first . lieutenant (commission
dated Sept. 15, 1828). He had command during part of
that time of the Cornelia tender, and was on board the
Eden at a period of dreadful sickness, when 46 men were
laid up with fever, without a surgeon, and only two
officers besides himself wore left to perform duty. Being
next appointed, Nov. 7, 1831, to tha .A.,d'tna surveying
vessel, Captains Edward Belcher, William George
Skyring, end William Arlett, he returned to
his former station, where, at the time that
Captain Skyring was murdered, he held the post of first
lieutenant, and was afterwards detached in charge
of the Raven, as assistant to the .lE:na. On Oct. 29,
1835, shortly after the latter vessel was paid off, Lieu-
tenant Kellett assumed command of the Starling cutter,
of 105 tons, and was ordered upon surveying service to
the west coast of South America. While there he held
the acting command, from July, 1836, until February,
1837, of his Majesty's ship Sulphur, during the inter-
val which elapsed between the resignation of Captain
Beechey and the advent of Captain Belcher. He then
went back to the Starling, and in that small vessel, on
his return to the Pacific, after a voyage round Cape
Horn, he proceeded to China, visiting en route the
Marquesas and Tahiti, and touching at the New He-
brides, Solomon Islands, Borneo, &c. Arriving at his
destination in December, 1840, Lieutenant Kellett (whose
vessel on her passage had been struck by lightniog and
dismasted) joining in the warfare then commencing
against the Chinese, in which, as will be seen, he bore a
very eminent part. On Jan. 7, 1841, we find him unit-
ing in the operations against the enemy's forts at Chu-
enpee, and in the course of the same day serving with
the Nemesis and the boats of the Calliope under Captain
Belcher, by whom ho was spoken of in terms of high
commendation, in the destruction of eleven out of thirteen
large war junks—an event which was achieved in admi-
rable style. Ho next, ou Feb. 26, acquired the thanks
of Sir Gordon Bremer for his gallantry and z nal in the
actio❑ which preceded the capture of the forts at the
Boca Tigris. During the operations of March against
Canton he acquired every favourable consideration tor his
useful exertions in sounding, conjointly with Lieut.l
Richard Collinson and Mr. Richard Brown, master of
the Calliope, the various inlets through which the ships
had to pass, and conducting them in safety to an anchor-
age off that city. In the discharge of these duties Mr.
Kellett was indeed indefatigable. At one period, in ad-
dition to its own vessel, the Algerine, and the Young
Hebe and Louisa tenders, were simultaneously placed
under his orders. In May, 1841, when the British re-
newed hostilities against Canton, our officer, whose
promotion to the rank of commander took place on
the 6th of that month, again found opportunity
of distinction. Proceeding afterwards to the north-
ward he succeeded, on the night previous to the
attack upon Chapoo, May 18,• 1842, in thoroughly
sounding (with the assistance of Captain Collinson) be-
tween the anchorage of the ships and the snore,
and thus enabled the Cornwallis, Blonde, and Modeste,
while the troops were landing, to take up excellent po-
sitions against the sea batteries. In the ensuing June
he appears to have again, with much zeal and perse-
verance, co-operated with Captain Collinson in surveying
the channel before Woosung. After the fall of Shanghae,
to her position in front of which place he had piloted
the North Star, 36, Captain Kellett proceeded with Cap-
tain Bourchier 30 miles up the river into the interior,
and contributed to the destruction, on June 20, of two
batteries mounting five guns each, He was also present
in all the operations up the Yang-tae-Kianse where he
led the Commander-in-Chief's ship to Nanking, As a
further reward for his particularly useful services, Cap-
tain Kellett was advanced to post-rank, Dec, 2:3, 1842,
and nominated, the next day, a C.B. He obtained
leave to return to England in August, 1843, but since
Feb. 8, 1845, has been again afloat, as captain of the
Herald, 26."
We may also add to Captain Kellett's services that
he has lately brought home and paid off the Herald,
after six years' surveying services in the Pacific, during
which period he had some sharp encounters on the east
of Mexico, and visited the Plover in the Behriugs Straits,
and assisted to penetrate the icy barrier of that region.
—Herald,

Forty men who were employed repairing the Cam•
brian, 40, in dock, have been taken from that ship and
placed in the mast-house, to hastea the completion of
the masts of the advanced ships at Devonport.
Argus, steam-ship of 200 horse power is ordered
from Portsmouth, to join the steam reserve at De-
vonport.
PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.—The Agnes, a barque
of 600 tons, with a general cargo, bound to Trinidad,
got under weigh from the Mother Bank, and by some
mishap grounded off Old Castle Poia a near West
Cowes. Intelligence having been brought of the cir-
cumstance to Admiral Sir Thomas Briggs, the com-
mander-in-chief at Portsmouth, he dispatched the
Sprightly steamer at one P.M., to her assistance, but
she did not succeed in getting her off the following tide.
As the tides are " taking off," she has been obliged to
discharge 100 tons of her cargo. The Sprightly laid out
a bower anchor for her, and returned to report progress
to the Admiral, and she has gone down again to assist.
It is expected she will come off next tide. The Sprightly,
Master Commander Allen, will take down to Hurst
Castle Colonel Sir Frederick Smith, commanding the
Royal Engineers at Portsmouth, to inspect the castle
and defences at that point.
SHEERNESS, FEB. 10.—Her Majesty's steamer Fear-
less, 70-horse power, Captain Frederick Bullock, em-
ployed on the survey of the Thames and Medway, came
into port to-day at 9.30 A M.
Her Majesty's ship Waterloo, 120, flsg of Vice-
Admiral the lion. Josceline Percy, Commander-in-Chief
at the Nore, was to have been removed to moorings in
the harbour this afternoon shortly before high water,
every preparation being made for that purpose. About
2 nit., however, it came on to blow very strong from the.
north-east, and the wind continuing until the tide bad
begun to ebb, her being taken out of the basin was de-
ferred until a more favourable opportunity.
The Ganges, which was lying in the basin alongsi.de
the sheers, was removed from that position to make
way for the Waterloo.
Her Majesty's ship Russell, 72, fitting for service, is
getting her tanks on board. It is stated the is iutended
to supply the place of the Alligator, 26, as hospital ship
at Hongkong.
Her Majesty's steam frigate Cyclops has had some
streaks of her copper removed for the purpose of being
caulked to a few feet below the load line.
Her Majesty's ship Ganges, 84, is to have her masts
taken out, and will be placed alongside the sheers for
that purpose on the Waterloo leaving the basin.
Two companies of Artillery, it is rumoured, are to be
added to those at present in the garrison.
About 2 P.m., during a sudden squall, a boat belonging
to her Majesty's screw-steamer Amphion Was upset in
the harbour, and immediately sank. There were three
hands in the boat, one of, whom was unfortunately
drowned. The other two were rescued from a watery
grave by the boatswain of the Hart, tender to the dui.
yard, who, on witnessing the accident, immediately re-
paired to their assistance.
A little after 4 o'clock one of the
heaviest squalls ex-
perienced here for many years occurred; during the time
it continued (about ten minutes) it blew a perfect hurri-
cane, accompanied with hail and rain. Up to the present
moment we have heard of no
accident, though we fear
some must have occurred.
Wind, N.ll
;
thermometer, 40 deg.; barometer, 29.680.
PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY. —. Her Majesty's steam-
vessel Hydra, Commander T. Belg rave which left Ports-
eveniu
mouth on Saturday g With Lieutenant-General

Paymaster and Purser Edward A. Williamson (1830),
to the Simone).
Surgeon James Arrnit Miller (1846) to the Simoom.
Clerk in Charge James Lewis (1850), to the As-
sistance discovery-ship, pieced in commission to-day at
Woolwich, for service in the Arctic expedition, under
Captain Sir Edward Beleher and Captain Kellett.
Captain Sir Edward Belcher visited Woolwich Dock-
yard yesterday, to inspect the Resolute discovery-04,
formerly commanded by Captain It. T. Austin, C. 8.,
daring the searching expedition of 1850 and 1851, and
the Assistance, employed under Captain Ommanney on
the same service, and decided on having the Assistance,
but it is not yet certain that the Resolute will be approved
of, as a further consultation will be held on her present
condition and the condition of her masts. Mr. James
Lewis, whose appointment is noticed above, was private
secretary to Captain Austin during the last Arctic ex-
pedition, and recently a clerk on board the Victory flag-
ship at Portsmouth, until his appointment to be clerk in
charge to the Assistance.
It is expected that a number of appointments will be
made during the present and next week to the Pioneer
thean haved
them
sailinganci In
vessel,trep i d
iscrew
order t
s teoa
expeditem
ready for sea at an early period of the seasme. It is
still expected that there will be three steamers and two
v e slsteam-vessels,
them, and
sailing vessels employed in the next Arctic expedition, so
as to be amply prepared for any emergency during
their enterprising search of Wellington Channel in
which direction all the energies of Captain Sir Edward
Belcher's expedition will be directed.
Surgeon Robert M'Cormick has, it is said, again
offered his services to proceed with the next expedition.
It will be recollected that this gallant officer, although
he has a pension for wounds, offered his services to the
last expedition, and even begged permission to go out
with a whale boat in one of Captain Penny's vessels
that he might be put down in Wellington Channel,
up which Surgeon M'Cormick had been convinced in
his own mind for several years past that Captain Sir
John Franklin, and the officers and crews of the
Erebus and Terror, had proceeded on their search for a
north-west passage. The Admiralty declined acceding
to Surgeon M'Cormick's request on the former occasion,
as they did not wish to interfere with Captain Penny's
own arrangements when he reached the Arctic regions
in 1850. It is not yet known whether Surgeon M'Cor-
mick will be employed in the next Arctic expedition.
Several of the officers who attended Sir Francis Baring's
levee yesterday were anxious to be appointed to the
next Arctic expedition, among others, Lieutenant Pim,
just returned from St. Petersburgh, and Lieutenant Os-
born, who commanded the Pioneer screw-steamer daring
Captain Austin's expedition.
The Valorous, 18, steam-sloop, fitted with engines of
400 horse power by Miller, Ravenhill, Salkeld, and Co.,
was brought down the river on Monday, by the Monkey
and Zephyr steam-vessels, from the East India Docks,
at Blackwell, to Woolwich, and is now under the shears
to have her masts put in to-morrow, and when they are
fitted she is to be taken round to Devoaport to be made
ready and stationed there as an advanced war steamer.
THE MEDITERRANEAN.
We have correspondence from Malta to the 2d Feb-
ruary. Under the command of Captain Hope John-
stone, of the Albion, that ship, with the Superb, 80,
Captain Purcell; Trafalgar, 120, Captain Greville; Ven-
geance, 84, Captain Lord E. Russell; and Bellerophon,
78, Captain Lord G. Paulet, were cruising off the island.
A correspondent says:—
" I advised in my last of the return of the Queen,
116, to port, and also of the departure of three ships,
supposed to be bound to Corfu. They have since been
seen with the fleet outside, performing
sundry evolu-
tions, and the report of their going to Corfu seems to be
premature.
" Phaeton, 50, Captain Elliott, from Corfu, arrived on
31st January.

" Spite' steam-sloop,sailed for Leghorn on Saturday.
" Scourge, steam-sloop, from Leghorn, arrived yes-
terday.

" Racer brig arrived at Smyrna on the oth January,
from Rhodes, and left on the 27th for England.
" Grecian, merchant screw-steamer, arrived here from
Smyrna on Saturday last. She broke her shaft at
Smyrna, and it took her twenty days to repair, or at
least before she could get away.
" Lord Blaquiere's yacht, the America, last from Gi-
braltar, arrived this morning; and her old antagonist,
Titania, Mr. Stephenson, owakir, left port on Saturday
for Marseilles.

"We were yesterday visited by a frightful gale from
the N.E. It was, indeed, awful. In the harbour two
Turkish vessels, the Ahter, from Tunis, in ballast, and
Saijan from Monastier, with oil, were wrecked. The
flag ship had four anchors down. The Grecian, screw-
steamer, had her fires lit all day in the great harbour;
and the Terrible, steam-frigate, in the Sleima Creek
Some vessels were dismasted, and some abandoned, but
to-day all is calm.
" A large barque (supposed the Anna from Odessa).
sailing from Konigsburg, and of course Prussian, bad
run past the island, about five P.M. She found out her
error, and wore round, and was in a fair way for the port,
when her foresail split, and she could not fetch in ; she
was thrown broadside on the rocks off Fort Ricasoli,
and a few minutes served to dash her to pieces. Not a
soul was saved. Of the part of the garrison in the fort,
who hastened to her relief, several men were seriously
hurt, but the report of several being killed by water or
dashed to pieces, is happily unfounded. The Fort is in
quarantine."

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
DIRECT LONDON AND EXETER.
Yesterday a meeting of the shareholders of the above
company was hold at the George and Vulture Tavern,
Lombard-street. The object was stated to be to take
into consideration the conduct of the official manager
appointed to wind up the affairs of the company. Mr.
Anthony was in the chair. Mr. White, ex-secretary
of the company. entered into a lone statement, most of it
irrelevant to the subject. Mr. Valance, the solicitor,
who has been acting for the interests of the share-
holders, explained the proceedings in Chancery, conse-
quent upon the resolution to wind up the company's
affairs with great fulness ; and the impression produced
on the meeting was so satisfactory, that a resolution for
a vote of thanks to Mr. C. Wrighte, the official manager,
and Mr. Valance, the solicitor, for their attention to
the affairs and concern for the interests entrusted to them,
was unanimously adopted.

EAST LANCASHIRE.
The half-yearly meeting of the company was held
yesterday, at the railway station, Bury. There was h
very numerous attendance of proprietors. Mr. Dugdale,
chairman of the company, presided.
The report having been read by the Secretary,
The CHAIRMAN said there had been a steady and pro-
gressive increase in the traffic and revenue of the com-
pany during the past half-year; and the directors had
been enabled to pay off loans to the amount of 20,0001.,
for which 5 per cent. had been paid, and to the amount
of 160,0001. for which 4i per cent. had been paid, the
whole being reborrowed at 4i per cent. The satisfac-
tory position of the company was such that they could
get money at 4 per cent., and ho said his colleagues had
determined not to give more than 3; per cent. in future.
There was an increase to the mortgage debt of 62,6041. r
The apparent discrepancies between the amount charged
ear, the increase
to revenue and the amount stated in the account to have
been received, arose from the amount charged being the
payments
during the
Ppirtiaol r to
average mortgage eh bi of the half-yi .
2,7851.
Bs.
having been received at various periods
June,
for land, pos-
session 11. bad been added to ca
1849, and the
hat=year arising from deterred
of which was had
only une,
conveyance of which had be( n
There had been an expenditure lately completed.
and more would be needed . of 3,4601. for stock,
increasing business of the c in consequence of the
ceipts were more than thos
e ompany. '
The gross re-
-15,6804 but the werkin for the last half-year by
gper cent. He believed expenses had decreased 2i
had diminished the the (ir,,at, Exhibition last year
traffic, but the Queen's visit
to Lancashire had pleasure
The increase in made up in part for the deficiency.
the
local merchandise traffic, during the
half-year had been
x principally in goods, there had in-
deed been an increase rease in coals and minerals; but the
balances on goods, &c., rendered for car-
riage to the end of N
less than November, were only 4,7711, being
at any former amount of
period. The total
capital proposed to be charged on revenue was
3,710,6951,, b •
half- being an increase of 34494/. on the last
Year. This included the land for the dock branch
and all deferred payments; and he believed the time
was now arrived when all capital should be charged to
revenue. The fixed charges on capital for the present
half-year were 36,307/.; and when all the authorised ca-
pital had been expended the ultimate fixed charge would
be about 38,5001. per half-year, calculating the loans at
the average rate of 44, and the Preference Fifths at 4t.
Ho hoped, however, that money might be obtained at
less than 4} when thelatter were paid. The company
had lost 5,8141. (its proportion) on the Leeds and Liver-
pool Canal; but since the canal had come into the hands
of the company the working staff had been greatly re-
duced, and the increased rates upon all through traffic
would more than cover all the loss. The Bacup branch
bad been completed within the estimate of the engineer.
Ho concluded by moving the adoption of the report and
accounts.
This was seconded by Mr. Rossom, of Liverpool,
who
spoke in favour of amalgamation with the Laneashile
and Yorkshire.
The resolution was carried.
Messrs. Thomas Dugdal, Wm. Leaf, Wm. Blacklock,
and Joshua Bower, i
,112., were re-elected directors; Mr.
John bolt, of Shibbilee, taking the place of Mr. Good-
man, the Mayor of Leeds, who could not attend to the
duties. Mr. Wm, Bates was re4ppo3cted auditor.

tr rca
Malton branch, wito power for M
ORDE3S.
oncet,ll NEWCASTLE,
sDfoßri,;(l..,t.et:t Ktioßn
bArLIWTAhYi
r—;4l'sensci
Company to subscribe,
thereto 35,000/, and also the
same company's Bills for deviation of Aucklund
branch, complied with' the standing orders. The Parlia-
mentary estimate in evidence set forth that Thirsk and
Melton deviations •
100,0001.; but that by tile
would cost 8,84 q., and that the total
cost of cmistructing Aton and Draeld
the Tbirsk and Melton lino will be
adoption of the deviatod line
a saving of 5,0.5 E/. will be effected. The estimao for
constructing the deviation in the Bishop Aucland bra,leb
is 190,0001., and the total cost of constructing that lin ep
according to the proposed deviated in lieu of the already'
authorized line, will be 365,000/, and a saving
BASINGSTOKE AND SALISBURY RAILWAY.—The stand-
ing ordcre were declared not complied with in some im-
material particulars, for,thia new line at an estimated
cost of '280,000/, of 7,0001.
will be effected by adopting the deviated line.
BIRKENHEAD, LANCASHIRE. AND CHESHIRE RAIL-
WAY.—This company's two Bills—the object being, as
stated by Messrs. Plitt and Co., the Parliamentary
agents, to be an extension to Poulton and Duk, of
Bridwater'a Canal,
other work:- a: a cost f f.(' '7 •
With " branchline to Liscarc -
lease to anti iikaalganaate aitti toe kareat vw eatern, aria
Shrewsbury, and Birmingham, and Shrewsbury and
Chester R4ilweqs--were adjourned to Monday next.
SOUTH-EASTERN AND READING, GUILDFORD, AND
REIGATE RAILWAY --The. promoters of this measure,
which seeks an amalg,;mation or merging of the la:,ter
in the former line, complied with the requirements of
the standing orders.
The Bills of the Cork and Bandon Railway (for in-
creasing their capital by 40,0001, and to mi:ke arrange-
ments with respec:, to their present capital and mort-
gage debt), and the Bill of the Glasgow, Kilmarnock,
and Ardrossan, stated by Messrs. Graham and Weems,
the Parliamentary agents, to be for the dissolution and
winding up of the company, and to release them from
liability to make and maintain their undertaking, pay-
ing 14,300/. towards the debts affecting Ardrossan
Harbour, also complied with the standing orders of the
House.

co
mNpOaßnTyri,s
Billßß Ti For c
oLrApX CO o
ratin3iN
glPacoT.—mpaYneyS tteor dwaoyrk this
IE t era patent granted for this purpose to M. Claussen, in
Scotland, passed through standing orders.

THE CATASTROPHE AT .HOLMFIRTH.
HOLMFIRTH, WEDNESDAY MORNING.— The scene of
the late fatal and devastating calamity continues to at-
tract thousands of the curious from all parts of the
country. On Saturday and Sunday, notwithstanding
the heavy and almost ceasslees showers of rain on the
latter day, the crowds that flocked into the town and up
the valley were enormous. The ordinary trains were
found inadequate to accommodate the vast multitudes
that pressed into the stations all along the line to Holm-
firth, and extra engines and carriages, cattle pens, and
horse boxes, were brought into use to convey the people
to the scenes of misery spread on every side, in a valley
which last week could boast of all the comforts of civi-
liz-al and indu-.trious life. It is stated that one train
from Bradford landed two thousand people in the town
on Sunday morning; and at the Huddersfield Railway
Station, where the average of daily fares to flohnfirth
and the valley of the Holm amounts to about .5/., the
receip's aro said to have increased to upwards of 1201.
rhe day was exceedingly wet and unfavourable for out-
door excursion, or there can be little doubt that
the Own and valley, to the source of the
flood, would have been a vast stream of human
beings. Since Saturday, several bodies have been found;
three in the dam of Bottom's Hill, and two others lower
in the valley; and another at Dalton, a little below Hud-
dersfield, and again this day one in a dam a little below
Hinchllffe Mill, and an infant a few hours old at Holm-
firth. The body of Mr. Jonathan Sandford, of Dyson's
Mill, still remains undiscovered, and his friends, anxious
to pay the last tribute of respect to one so generally
esteemed for his upright condnct and manly bearing,
have offered a reward of 10/. to any one who can dis-
cover the boJy. His two children and servant, who were
hurried to destruction at the same moment, have been
found, and the last sad offices have been performed over
their bodies. Mr. Sandford is described as being six feet
high, fresh looking, and rather round shouldered.

The magistrates and police have been very active in
the distric., aud the latter have received instructions to
proceed against parties who have appropriated portions
of the property washed away by the flood.
The light-fingered gentry have flocked here from all
parts, and have taken advantage of the opportunity of-
fered by the crowds to exercise their nefarious vocations.
During Monday and yesterday five of these depredators
were apprehended in Hulmfirth, and sent to Hudders-
field, handcuffed together, by the last train. Two were
also apprehended at the Huddersfield station during
Tuesday, fur the sam3 offence. In the latter case the
object of the rascals' plunder was one of the Holmfirth
manufacturers, who had lost considerably by the inun-
dation, and had attended the Huddersfield market to sell
a few goods to enable him to procure a few of the neces-
saries
some of the money fell
a ,
the station had wit-
nessed tep
he had been deprived of by the flood. Before
stepping into the railway carriage he found that his
purse,oao containing had been extracted
m shis pocket. The
operating,h ew a
porterrs
of
andstl
on the platform as the operators were stepping into the
carriage. Two of a gang of five who had been seen to-
gether were taken into custody and lodged in the lock-up.
The Coroner and jury will assemble again on Friday
next to open the proceeding for an inquest on the bodies
found since their last meeting, to enable them to be in-
terred.
The Huddersfield subscription alone new amounts to
upwards of 6,0001.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
A melancholy accident occpustriirtnuegdatittioutnthe Brighton Pa-
vilion on Tuesday. At the north side of the grounds is
otohffetphdoearmtearg Brightone
Eanoydr
a magnificent oriental arched gateway, built by William
IV., and in the lodges on eitherbeseinde
sotofrmthyis, gaan.tdewnan
oecegae.drtilovriebreotphi
tnemedcolornseintghe gates, a
meantime
raeavacetnutrime de
orders
tthli le:
rugates should be
surveyorgSsf lives
aouusnas tdec o:Rfawoewebieenessdi Robert
night,
8 the
lAco :ow: rinwe ,bwnfiha!esiciajaktcti hgeatekht rtnetehernhey a)si western
ns half
eeeo of the gate and
fora
pneerwh:hni n g 0
sod the
ay afternoon gate
remained securedm adeo, bnayn props.
iMonday
tohntadhtaeyi in the
snThdeulester, several',
gparsonsr
e g ate
d b
the awsintodrmbloawroinseg, hail fell,
tbe
neTwnougrd:t shtddh.oaeAnye.s:O•eanaather was gust
the Pavilion grounds congregated ewhobi werebehind
th we alki n g
proppedi n
gate, when a gust of wind of more than ordinary strength
occurred, and the gate fell, It
oak plank, was a massive structure
heavy. Screams of females soon brought assistance to
strengthened with ironjand very
the spot, when a
horrible sight presented itself. The
gate, which it took
a female, who appeared to be dead. On being extricated
however, she was ound f to be living. She turned out to
only daughter be the of Mr. Michelson, of 11, Grand
Parade, and on being taken home she died in half as
hour. A gentleman was found to have fractured his leg
and his collar bone. He is a Mr. Sheriff, a gentleman
of fortune, residing at 10, Lewes-crescent, Kemp-town.
After being attended by Mr. Lawrence, jun., surgeon,
the unfortunate gentleman was removed in a litter to his
residence, where he lies in a very precarious state. A
daughter of Mr. W. V. Langridge, clerk of the peace far
Sussex, also sustained some, but not material, injury.
Several other persons, nursemaids and others, who had
been driven for shelter from the squall, were much
frightened and slightly injerei.

MURDER. AND ATTEMPTED SUlClDE.—lnformation
was yesterday received of the murder of an infant by its
mother, and the attempted suicide of the latter. It appeals
the unfortunate woman was Elizabeth Goodwin,
married and residing with her husband, a carpenter, and I.ler.
child (deceased), at No. 18, George-street, BagniggeeWe e 11,!..
road, St. Pancras. For some time past she had b n
she
served to be very low-spirited and to express a wish thatto an
heer
was in the grave. Her friends frequently urged .f aged 2t,,
hbrout avail.
up, and not give way to such dullness, but
She was dotingly found of her child sixteen months last, about
was constantly caressing it. On Saturday nightlation, who
half-past FAX o'clock, she sent for a female
.re
in a very de-
came to her house, on which she found her
wish be ' her to in
wit
old, and
pressed state of mind, when she repeatednight she retired to
the grave. At about ten on Saturday night
cozy
1 hour on Sun-
rest with her husband and child.
day morning a young woman, noise, and shortly
Igaini; the same house,
had her attention attracted by' a gurg
husband, was awoke by the
afterwards Mr. Goodwin,
thechild in the struggles of death,
same noise, when lie found his me deadly poison,d
sadhis
the • wife having administered to it so
bed bleeding profusely from a wound
the mother lying on the
she liad inflicted with a razor. He in-
stantlyin her throat, whiclhatm,
and Mr. Vickers, a neighbouring
made an
alarm,
for, who rendered every assistance. The
resitint
surgeon, was sent
poor child died shortly afterwards. The unhappy mother is
still alive. She is kept very quiet, and all that she has been
heard to say in th
• reference to e child is that " the dear child
is in heaven, where she hopes soon to be with it."
[AD.-arzszanair.]—Hollowav's Pills for the COO
vE
of Liver and Ban el
and Prevention we Complaints, Dropsy, and
~„,. Various are the which disorder the liver,
Apoplexy es
bowels causes
stomachs, and . ,frequently producing nausea, headache,
indigestion, and drowsy and heavy sensation, generally the
forerunners of the most alarming and direful diseases, as
dropsY9 apoplexy, paralytic strokes,
,&c. These; and other
baneful consequences are immediately prevented by a few
doses of Holloway's Pills. They speedily and effectually
banish every symptom of disease from the system, promote a
proper circulation of the blood, and restore vigour to the diges-
tive organs. Persons at the turn of life should not fail to take
them, for they stand pre-eminent as the best family medic ne
in use.._ Sold by all vendors of medicine, and at PrO'Ciagt
Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London.
NORTHAMPTON.—On Monday, the Right Hon,
Robert Vernon Smith, the newly-appointed Secretary at
War, was re-elected for the borough of Northampton.