The Sun.
London, England, 1837-01-13 00:00:00

WE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 13. -637.

upon this subject, that he saw no reason to alter the opi-
nion ha expressed to them a year ago upon this question.
No man could deplore more than he did the head-
long course which the House of Lords had taken—
(Cheers)—but, at the same time. before he discussed
the question as to any organic change, he must see a
little more of the current of public events and public feel-
ings. But where, it was asked, is the remedy for this evil
Why, as he told them last year, it was in the constituency
of that country. Let them do their duty when an election
took place, and let them show the House of Lords that
the people did possess Liberal feelings, and that the House
of Commons did represent the people of that country.
There was one question which he was not anxious to agitate
upon that occasion, but as it had been freely discussed out
of doors, he felt called upon to say a few words upon the
subject—it was the question of the New Poor Law. Great
excitement had prevailed upon this subject, and he re-
gretted to say it had been turned to party and political ob-
jects. He must, however, say, that all parties in Parlia-
ment, Whigs, Tories, and Radicals, had agreed as to the
necessity of the New Poor Law Bill. It was a great legis-
lative attempt to do away with the vileness of a most vi-
cious system—a system that had baffled the attempts of the
Government, until with a political courage and a political
honesty that could not be too highly commended, his Ma-
jesty's Ministers determined to grapple with the question,
and find a remedy for the evil. This remedy, however, had
found favour, and was complained of by many.—(Hear.)
He more than doubted the propriety of bringing forward
this question as an exciting topic before great public as-
semblies. He did not mean to argue it there, but he must
say, be the New Poor Law Act good or bad, let it have a
fair trial.—( Hear, hear.) All he (Mr. Philips) would then
say was, that he believed that Bill was honestly intended to
be an act of benevolence and kindness to the really old
and infirm, and destitute poor.—( Hear, hear.) He be-
lieved, too, at the same time, that it was intended to be an
act of coercion and severity to the idle and the dissolute.
—(Hear, hear.) If it was oppressive, let it be mitigated ;
if it had errors, let them be expunged ; but let them not
argue the question in assemblies where it was introduced
for political purposes, but let it be settled by the arguments
and reason of statesmen and philosophers.—(Loud cheer-
ing.) He would not trespass any longe r upon their time.—
(Go on, go on.) They were threatened with a dissolution
of Parliament.—(Hear, hear.) When that day arrived
(he would not call it an evil day)—when the enemy were in
the field, it was right that every one should be prepared.—
(Cheers.) The Tories were active, and the Reformers
ought also to be found at their posts. (Hear, hear,
hear.) As for himself, he would freely tell them, after a full
and clear examination of the matter with some of his friends
in Kidderminster, who were competent to judge upon the
subject, that he did believe they had a moral certainty of
success.—(lmmense cheering.) He did not wish to indulge
in any braggadoci language, or speak in other than rational
terms as to his future success. With their assistance every
thing was possible, without it he could do nothing—(Hear)
—and he would say, whether in or out of Parliament, the
course he would pursue would be that of a sound, safe, and
constitutional, but at the same time a progressive, search-
ing, and an efficient Reform. The Hon. Gentleman sat
down amidst great cheering and cries of " One cheer more."
After some few more toasts,

CHARLES TALBOT, Esq., proposed the health of a Noble-
man whose name he was sure would be received with plea-
sure by that assembly. He referred to the High Steward
of the borough, Lord Foley.—(The toast was received with
loud cheers.)
" Ministers of Religion of all denominations" having
been drunk,
The Rev. P. HOLLAND returned thanks.
The Rev. JOHN TAYLOR said, they had but a few
minutes before drank with enthusiasm " Civil and Reli-
gious Liberty," and in proposing the Dissenting Ministers
of that town, they but embodied in another form the prin-
ciple of that sentiment. What class of men, he asked,
exhibited a more steady, consistent, and conscientious re- •
gard for civil and religious liberty than the Dissenting Mi-
nisters generally ? Who were the men to whom they were
principally indebted for that great measure of liberty
which they now enjoyed ? The Dissenters of former ages.
They did not want any of the tit-bits—they did not wish to
pull down the Churches—(No, no)—but they would be rid
of the odious system of church-rates—(Laughter)—and if
the Government would not assist them, they would take the
liberty of assisting themselves ; and if they did not give us
a satisfactory remedy, we would wish them to let the ques-
tion alone. We will manage church-rates as the Irish ma-
naged tithes, but without bloodshed.—(Cheers.) The
Rev. Gentleman concluded by thanking the meeting for
drinking the healths of the Dissenting Ministers.

Some other toasts followed.
The Chairman, with Mr. Philips and several other gen-
tlemen, left the room about ten, and the company sepa-
ated immediately after.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FI?A N CE.

TOULON, JAN. I.—Marshal ClauSc.,l was to have left
Algiers last Saturday (yesterday), on board the packet that
brings the mails ; he will land in our port.
Preparations for a new expedition to Constantine, are
still going on here. It is said that the military authority
has received orders to pack up camp equipages for 16,1)00
men.—La Paix, Jan. 11.

FRENCH I. UNDS.—PARI9, JAN. 11.
Five per (cuts.. 109 f. 9;;.e. 891. Me..
Four and a 1-lalf nor Cents. lthlf. 23c.
Four per Cents., 100 E lec.
'Three per Cents., 79f. 75e. 70c.
Bank Actions, 2,330 f.
ftente oe Naples, hST. 60c. 90c. Sc. 7
Roman Five per Cents., 1011.
Spanish Actives, t.,57: •2614% IA If,
Spanish Differes,
Spanish Passives. 711,45„%.
Belgian Loan, Five per Cents, 1021/2.
Portuguese Loan, Three per Cents. 1078
Dutch Two and a half per,Cents., 55.
ExcliANot; oN LONDON.
One mouth, paper, 25c. 35c. ; money, 25f. 32,V, c
Three months, paper, 231. ; money, `.151. 121,4 c.
—('ours Authenticare.

BOURSE, HALF-PAST FOUR.—A good deal of business was
done to-day in all the securities, which improved more or less.
The Spanish Active, however, was in most demand, and had
risen at one time to 26:1,. There were no reports in circula-
tion, and the rise was occasioned principally by the improve•
merit in the prices of the London market of Monday.
LAST PRICES.

Five per Cents., 109 f. 15c.
Three per Cents. 79f. 90c.
Bank Actions, 2,359 f.
Rente de Naples, 99f. 10c.
Roman }lye per Cents., 1015(.
Belgian Loan, 102%.
Brussels 8ank,31%.
Portuguese Three per Cents., 30N.
Spanish Actives, 26q.
Spanish Passives, 7%.1
Spanish Differes, 9%.
New Differes, 11%.
Dutch Two and a Half per Cents., 55.

SPAIN.
BAYONNE, JAN. s.—At present the Carlist position is
at Galdacano, about twenty-seven leagues behind Bilboa,
but I am credibly informed that there are not more than
2,500 men. The rest, suffering from cold and hunger,
have retired to their homes, to brood, until the snow melts,

over their misfortunes. Villareal has been deprived of his
command by his General-in-Chief, the Virgin Mary, who
has been pleased to confer the charge of the Pretender's
forces on the Infant Don Sebastian. This appears in
" holy" orders, dated the 25th instant. Moreno, however,
is to be the acting man, Eguia and Gomez both being
passed over. This is likely to give great discontent—so
much the better. " When rogues fall out," &c. &c. As
far as the army is concerned, Eguia (or, as they call
him, El Manco, from his maimed arm) is popular, but
he is not sufficiently bigotted to please the Pretender's
priests. Gomez, on the contrary, is very much liked
by Don Carlos, but, as he does not speak the Basque
language, If 6 is not able to make himself known to the
men, who are principally of the provinces. The Car-
lists say here that they have blockaded Espartero in the
town, and that they will never let him come out of it alive,
&c., &c., &c. This fact, however, is inconsistent with ano-
ther, for which I can vouch, having seen the official account

of it. On the 28th, about 1,500 Carlists came round from

their position at Galdacano to raise a few guns they had
buried in the snow. This was seen from the St. Augustin

fort by Colonel Huagon, who was in command of it ; and,
although he had but 500 men in his garrison, he sallied out
as soon as the Carlists began digging for the guns, drove
them off, and took possession of two eight-inch howitzers
and a piece of 18. The English marine likewise keeps
the river quite free, and boats are hourly passing into the
town with provisions. The fact, however, is, that nothing
but the grossezt mendacity on the part of their writers
and agents has hitherto enabled the Carlist cause to raise
its head.

The following particulars have been communicated to
me by a well-informed correspondent :—He says, " Disor-
der and demoralization are in the Curlist camp. Entire bat-
talions refuse to obey their chiefs, representing to them as
their excuse the state of complete misery they have been

in for many months past, and their disappointment in
regard to Bilboa. In a letter dated from llernani on the
Ist of January, I am informed that a battalion of Chapel-
churis, being in this dreadful weather without shoes or
great-coats, and having several months' pay due to them,

threatened to revolt. Cries of "We ha-ve neither shoes,

great-coats, nor money ; long live the Queen !" were seve-
ral times repeated. The Commandant felt it his duty to
assemble the battalion, with a view of punishing the prin-
cipal promoters of the disturbance ; but the moment he
desired the mutineers to leave their ranks, intimating that
he intended to shoot one in fire of them, a general cry was
raised against him throughout the line, and the shouts of
" Viva le Reyna" were renewed. Upon this General Gui-
beralde was sent for. He addressed the Chapelehuris,
asking them, " What's the matter, my children ?" They
replied, 44 General, we are in the greatest misery, and we
are determined no longer to serve in this state." Guibe-
ralde, upon this, promised that their demands would be
complied with ; and upon this promise, for the moment
the men were satisfied. Along the entire line, from
Irun to Durango, military supplies and men are want-
ing. A council of the principal Carlist Generals was
ordered to assemble at Durango on the 29th, doubtless

:o concert a new plan of operation, and repair the injury
;he cause in which they are engaged has just sustained.

The pillagers, who were assembled in great numbers
at Durango and the other villages near Bilboa, and who
expected to enter the town on the 25th or 2.6 th, have been
cruelly disappointed—without lodgings, they were rapidly
dying of cold and hunger. Don Carlos, you are aware,
promised them two days' pillage if his arms succeeded.
The Carlists retired from before Bilboa but with two pieces
of heavy artillery, and these in bad condition. At Tolosa
they are expecting, with great anxiety, a supply of great-
coats, which a Bayonne house had engagad to supply for
the Pretender's army. Their non-arriaal has given rise to
the fear that the French contractor has repented his bar-
gain, and will be off it.
To all this interesting and important information I have
but. one more circumstance to add—it is not, however, alto-
gether destitute of interest. It is a homely saying, that
" rats always desert a falling house." Lord Ranelagh has
resigned his command in the Pretender's service, and may
be hourly expected here.
At St. Sebastian all continues quiet ; but both men and
officers are looking forward with anxiety to a return of line
weather, and the then promised operations. General Sars-
field's first move will, I have reason to believe, be in this
direction, and, joining the-Legion to his force of 9,000 men,
he proposes to operate in conjunction with Espartero around
Bilboa. General Sarsfield's appointment appears to have
given much satisfaction. He is considered the best general
Spain possesses, and is most ardent in the cause of liberty.
With•tt good commander much may now be done. Heaven
send one, for indeed it is time. Narvaez (whose manly im-
peachment of Alaix for treason direct to the Queen has
much added to his reputation) has taken the command of
both Alaix's and Ribero's divisions. I trust Espartero will
be added. For personal bravery I believe the superior of
this latter General does not exist, but in his present posi-
tion he is worse than nothing. It was well remarked of

him, when. his appointment es General of the Army was
first announced, " that a bad General would be made of the
best Captain of Lancers Spain ever possessed." General
Quiroga, who has been recently named Captain-General of
Aragon, arrived on the 29th of December at Saragossa.
Tie Board for the consolidation and reduction of the
British-Legion may "'pow, Generals Chichester, Godfrey,
and La Merchant having arrived, be expected to tiit im-
mediately. The principal proposition will embrace the
consolidation of the existing nine regiments of infantry into
six, the Ist, 3d, and 4th being saved, and then divided into
two, and a company of the rifles (the regiment to be broken
up) being attached to each of the then six regiments. The
next proposition in importance will be the giving to all staff
and.field officers but the pay of the rank
,next in inferiority
to those they hold, and taking from the staff officers all
their staff allowances. This will be of a very important
• alteration, and, considering the great abuse of the system
of promotion since the Legion went out, ►nay well be borne
by the officers. To the credit of the Lieutenant-General
I must say he has set a good example to his officers, by
giving up half of -his staff allowances and all his regimental
pay as Colonel of. the 10th. The field allowances of the
medical and commissariat departments are also to be consi-
derably reduced. This may without injustice be done.
Only think of.the principal officer of the medical depart-
ment drawing for field allowance alone 325. 6d. a day.
You must draw your own inference from the following
little curious fact :—lt is unnecessary fhr me again to re-
peat to you that during the last four months the autho-
rities of this place have been in every possible way assisting
the Carlists, and that, so far from the smallest interrup-
tion being offered- to the passing of communications be-
tween the agents of the Pretender stationed here and their
colleagues on the other side of the frontier, they were nil
but placed under post-office regulations ; and in almost
every instance the 'telegraph was furnished with ma-
terials from these same letters. Day after day—week
after week—month after month this openly took place,
and the utmost harmony seemed to prevail between the
sub-prefect and M. Henaut on the one side, and the
Marquis of Leland° and his subordinates on the other.
Well, on the 29th .of December the news of the siege of
Bilboa and the route of the Carlists is announced. On
the 30th a Cellist courier was due ; but the tide was
turned ; the Christinos were in the ascendency, and accord-
ingly those dignitaries of the Executive, who, while the
Carlist cause prospered, saw no harm in. allowing the cor-
respondence of that party's agents to pass unmolested, sud-
denly have their eyes open to all the enormity of the of-
fence, and accordingly the bag is seized and burned !. This,
depend upon it, is but a type of the policy laid down by
the French Government.
A mail from J3ilbott has this moment arrived. Owing