The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-18 00:00:00

SHAREHOLDERS' PROXY STAMPS.

Mr. GRIFFITH asked whether proxy stamps for voting
in public companies required a 6d stamp; whether commit-
tees of shareholders seeking reforms in their companies
were not placed at a great disadvantage in having to pay for
proxy stamps, while the directors could charge that expense
to the company ; and whether the principle of a penny
stamp, as now applied to cheques and other instruments,
might not be sufficient.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said proxies
did require a 6d stamp, but no representation of the spe-
cial inconvenience mentioned had been made to him; and
he thought the remedy was in the hands of the shareholders
themselves. The proxy stamp had already been reduced
from 30s to 2s 6d, and lastly to 6d.
THE BLOCKADE OF CHARLESTON.

Mr. BENTINCK—I wish to ask the First Lord of the
Treasury whether the Government are in possession of any
official information on the subject of the reported defeat by
the Confederates of the blockading squadron at the mouth
of the Charleston river; and if so, whether that information
is of a character to raise the question of the legality of the
future blockade of that port ?
Lord PALMERSTON—Sir, her Majesty's Government
have no information with regard to that transaction more
than has been conveyed by the telegrams which have been
received, and which are known to everybody. Those tele-
grams simply state that the blockade was raised in the
morning of one day, and re-imposed the succeeding day.
(" The same day.") The same information states the rais-
ing of the blockade and its renewal. With regard to the
applicationof the general law of nations to a transaction of
the kind, I would abstain from giving any opinion, because
the application of the law depends so much upon the cir-
untilbethimatprwophei
cumstances of the case that,
happened is well known, it would crhferhasherremalely.
t 's Government to Ma-
jesty's y commit themselves to any binding
opinion upon the transaction.
FINSBURY CIRCUS.
Capt. JERVIS asked the First Commissioner of Works
whether he had received a deputation of the inhabitants of
Finsbury-circus, to solicit his support against the proposed
extension of the Great Eastern Railway; if so, whether he
had promised that support ; and, in such a case, if he will
state what supervision his department possesses over pro-
jecti of a similar nature within the metropolis ?
Mr. COWPER said a number of gentlemen who walked
in Finsbury-circus, and appeared to attach much import-
ance to it as a rural spot, did him the honour to call upon
him, and ask for his sympathy upon the proposed innova-
tion. That sympathy he gave them. (A laugh.) He
thought that persons who came forward to represent the
public mischief which might be caused should be heard
before a committee upstairs. This matter had now assumed
a very grave character, seeing there were no fewer than 21
bills affecting the metropolis before the house during the
present session. In answer to the deputation, he had stated
they should present a petition setting forth their grievances,
and that probably it would be referred to the committee,
who would make inquiry into the allegations.

DANISH AFFAIRS.
Mr. S. FITZGERALD wished to ask the Under-Secre-
tary for Foreign Affairs why the Danish papers presented to
the house had not been delivered to hon. members ?
Mr. LAYARD said he would make inquiry, but he knew
the papers had been printed, and, so tar as he was aware,
had been sent from the Foreign Office.

Mr. ROEBUCK I°wllsiheNd toiatA•thNeDnoBb.le lord at the haed
of the Government the question which he put to him on
Friday, but which the noble lord had said he could not then
answer off-hand—a rather remarkable answer for the noble
lord. (A laugh.) He wished to know wily no despatch
received from foreign Governments respecting the affairs of
Greece had been put into the papers laid on the table of the
house.
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