The Sun.
London, England, 1837-02-03 00:00:00

PORTUGUESE CORTES.

TIER MOST FAITHFUL MAJESTY'S SPEECH ON OPENING THE
SESSION OF TIIE CORTES, JANUARY 26, 1837.
Senhores,—ln satisfaction of the wish expressed by my
subjects, I have convoked the General, Extraordinary, and
Constituent Cortes of the Portuguese nation.

It is now 16 years since Portugal witnessed the meeting of
an assembly so distinguished as the present.

The Cotes of 182 i, keeping in view the ancient fundamen-
tal laws of the monarchy, and the new social necessities,
framed a Constitution which was spontaneously accepted and
sworn to by my august grandfather, of blessed memory.
After a few months of experience, a great part of the nation
called for some alterations and modifications in the new funda.
mental law, in order to bring it into harmony with the princi-
ples of the other constitutional monarchies of Europe.
The promise made by my august grandfather in his proclama-
tion of the 31st of May, 1823, could not be carried into effect
during the life of that venerable monarch.
For this reason the Constitution of 1822, though lost as a
fundamental law of these kingdoms, never ceased to live in the
memory and the hearts of good Portuguese.
On the accession of my august father to the throne there
existed almost no hopes of its speedy redemption. Neverthe-
less,
of thetgenerousa King, hisndexcellen father,Prince,tand to fulfil a promise
wishing to do honour
otleoftie memory
solemn a nature, published the constitutional charter of
the 29th of April, 1826, which the nation received, with tran-
sports of the most ardent enthusiasm.
But I must not re-open wounds not yet completely cica-
trised, by calling to your recollection the horrors of a period of
misfortunes and crimes.
His Imperial Majesty, at the head of a few loyal Portuguese,
achieved the most brilliant enterprise of modern times. He
struck down tyranny ; ho restored to me the usurped throne ;
he gave freedom to the nation delivered from oppression ; and
after having fulfilled his virtuous mission, he ascended to the
dwellings ofthe
know just.
You all
the causes which gave birth to the important
events of the 9th and 10th of September.
The worthy and excellent Portuguese people were of opi-
nion that it was necessary to revert to the origin of all legal
power; and for the remedy of their evils and the relief of
their sufferings they have looked only to the wisdom of the con-
stituent Congress.
It is with singular satisfaction I now see myself surrounded
by the representatives of the nation. I trust that you will
make those alterations and modifications in our constitutional 11
institutions which the new wants and lights of the present
epoch have rendered necessary. In this way you will consoli-
date public liberty and public happiness, to accomplish which
is the principal object of my thoughts and my cares.
During the inevitable recess of the legislative body, my
Government was bound to employ the most suitable means fcr
maintaining peace and harmony among my subjects, and the
liberty, the honour, and the independence of the nation.
From the reports which the Secretaries of State have pre-
pared to be submitted to your consideration, you will be able
to judge of the propriety of the measures which have been
adopted.
In spite of the difficulties with which the Government has
been surrounded, every precaution has been taken, with the
view that my subjects might enjoy perfect liberty and security,
and the complete protection of the laws.

Order, con tidence, and public credit have revived under a

refit ming Administration—an Administration sincerely pledged
to maintain the authority of the laws, and to diminish the
public expenditure and burdens, without thereby retarding
the benefits to be derived from a combined system of progress
and amelioration.

My Government has made some reforms in legislation which
appeared indispensable, and which the stile of the country
loudly demanded.

You will pronounze judgment on the utility of those reforms,
as well as of the alterations and, amendments which they may
require.
The state of the public finances merits assuredly your most
serious attention, and my Government will concur with you in
a system of rigorous economy.
But, the necessary reductions being made, I confide in your
patriotism, that you will vote and provide the necessary ways
and means for meeting the current expenditure, and the
charges and engagements for which the nation is bound at
home as well as abroad.

I continue to receive proofs of friendship from the nations
with which I am allied.

My Government has fulfilled the stipulations which bind us
to the cause of Spain, in virtue of existing treaties.
The auxiliary division has sustained the honour of the Portu-
guese arms, and has performed services valuable to the'Crown,
and to the freedom of the two Peninsular nations.
Senhores,—ln your prudence, patriotism, and wisdom, the
country entirely confides, and it is not necessary for me to as-
sure you of my sincere desire to see the liberty and independ-
ence of this gallant nation solidly guaranteed.

Brussels and German Papers have been received.
The former notice in terms of strong indignatien the
capture of the English brig Vixen by Russia, and ex-
press hopes that Great Britain will retaliate.: the
latter dwell upon the prevalence of influenza and small
pox throughout the lesser German States. Never was
the Continent of Europe more generally afflicted with
sickness.

LLOYD'S SIIIPPING.-(THIS DAY.)

DEAL, FEB. 2.—Arrived, the Herald, Robinson, from Bel.
fast. Sailed, the Henrietta, Herris, for St. Michael's; the
Ided, Cooper, for Limerick ; the George Canning, Gibb, for
Charleston; the Madras, Quinton, for Bombay ; the Prince
George, —, for the Mauritius ; the Sophia, Barclay, for
Jamaica.
MARGATE, FEB. 2.—Arrived off, the Enterprise, Gibbs,
from Belfast.
HASTINGS, FEB. 2.—Arrived off the Walcheren, Both, from
Batavia.

ISLE OF WIGHT, FEB. 2.--Arrived off, the Royal William,
Ireland, from Madras : sailed Oct. 16, Cape Dec. 8, St.
Helena, 20, and Ascension, 25.
.._

PORTSMOUTH, Fun. 2. —Wind S. E.—Arrived, the Dili-
gence transport, Wallis, from Passages, last from Plymouth.
Sailed, the Canning, Slater,. for Sunderland ; the Briton,
Kennard, for Guernsey.
FALMOUTH, FEB. 1.-- Arrived, the Opossum (packet), from
Halifax, sailed the 17th ult. ; the Hero, Wickham, from St.
Michael's. Offmort, the Tober, Chandler, from Odessa.
LIVERPOOL, FEB. I.—Arrived, the Francis Dessau, Forbes,
from New Orleans ; the Francona, Wood, from New Orleans ;
the Hector, Post, from New Orleans ; the Hull, Payne, from
Savannah; the Denia, —, from Copenhagen. Off port,
the Europe, —, from New Orleans.
CORK.—Arrived, the Mary Palmer, Cant, from Mauritius.
BELFAST.—Arrived the Triton, Connell, from London;
Hero, Gibson, from London.
HULL, FEB. I.—Arrived the Sarah, Botz, from Rostock.
YARMOUTH, FEB. 2.—The Equity, Davis, was got off the
beach yesterday, and brought into harbour.
AMSTERDAM, JAN. 31.—The frost has set in again, and the
ports are full of ice.
V

ESSELS SPOKEN WITH..The Zalieka, from Liverpool to
Leghorn, on the 20th ult., off Marpella ; Greyhound, of Yar-
mouth, on the 22d ult., off Cape St, Vincent's, by the Honour,
arrived off the Isle of Wight.
The Oresemho, from Liverpool to Baltimore, was on shore
near the latter port on the 7th ult.
The Monongahela, Brown, from Liverpool to Philadelphia,
was on shore in the Delaware on the Ist ult., and subsequently
blown to sea.
The Tamaric, Kane, from Liverpool to New York, was
driven on shore on Long Island on the 4th of Jan., and it is
feared would not be got off—crew and passengers saved, and
most of the cargo expected to be savod.
The following was yesterday received at Lloyd's :
" Admiral Fob. 1
" Sir,—.l am commanded by my Lords Commity, ssioners. of
the Admiralty, to transmit to you, for the information-of the
Committee for managing the affairs of Lloyd's an extract of a
despatch from the Government of Madras, dated the 3d Sept.
last, to Vice- Admiral the Hon. Sir T. B. Capel, Comman-
der-in-Chief of his Majesty's 'ships and vessels in the East
Indies, by which it appears that the crew of the British brig
Zoroaster, had mutinied and murdered the master and his wife,
a boy, and a lascar ; and further, that they had sunk the vessel,
and landed at Pedir, on the west coast of Sumatra.

(Signed)

" C. WOOD."

THE FUNDS.--(THIS DAY.

7' WEL VE O'CLOCK.
We copy the following from a New York paper of Jan. 9,
received this morning :
" COMMERCIAL RECORD. —lf the price of Stocks forms any
criterion to judge of the state of the Money Market, things
must be getting a little easier in Wall-street. Nearly every
thing went up, on Saturday, from to If per cent. Money
at 2 per cent. a month, and Stocks rising 2 per cent. A day,
is rather an unprecedented state of things in Wall-street
history."
We have received Montreal papers to Jan. 3, and Quebeo
to Dec. 28. We extract the following from the Upper Canada
papers :—" It was expected that the Assembly would adjourn
over this week, from the 22d inst. until Monday next.
" Last Tuesday night, and during the whole of Wednesday,
we had a tremendous gale of wind, which did considerable
damage."

The Montreal papers give a statement of merchandise en-
tered into the port of Montreal by sea during the year 1835,
1,086,531/. ss. Id. In 1836, 1,427,4571. 13s. 7d.
The Board of Trade of Torento has called a meeting to
consider the propriety of petitioning the Legislature on the
important subject of a Provincial currency.
We have received Cape of Good Hope Papers to the Bth
Dec. In a private letter fromithe frontier, dated Nov. 24,
we find some notice of the present appearance of the country
near Algoa Bay :—" I enjoyed," says the writer, "my visit
to the Bay. It was going into a new world. Abundance of
fine cattle, with flocks of woolled sheep, were a treat to the
eye ; but I saw very little cultivation. The appearance of
the country is grand beyond description, and the rains have
been copious."
We have Madras Papers to the 16th October. They an-
nounce the arrival on Tuesday morning of the ship Trueßriton,
having on board the new Ambassador-in-Chief, Sir Peregrine
Maitland, and his family. His Excellency left the True
Briton under a salute from that ship, and on landing was re-
ceived by the troops.
We have just received a New York Paper of the 10th Ja-
nuary. It does not contain any political news. Market Bills
in England were at 91- prem. The packet for Havre was
detained.

The New Brunswick papers- to the 11th Jan. state that, the
House of Assembly, in committee of the whole, on Friday,
went into consideration of the dispatches of his Excellency,
Sir Archibald Campbell to Lord Glenclg, on the subject of
the Crown Revenues and the Civil List. Mr. Partilon brought
forward several resolutions in reply to the objections made by
Sir Archibald, which were very favourably received by the
House, but the question for adopting them was not put, owing
to:the lateness of the Lour.

Consols opened this morning, as they closed yesterday, at
891 for the Account ; Money, 893-4. Late yesterday after-
noon a material improvement took place in Consols, owing to
a report that Ministers intended to fund five millions'of Ex-
chequer Bills ; as well as to the Bank Directors having broke
up without coming to any determination, respecting the rate
of interest from five to five and a half per cent. Exchequer
Bills have improved to 25 27 ; India Bonds, 19 21 ; Bank
Stock, 207 208; India Stock, 258 259.

In the Foreign Market, Spanish Active, 251 -; Passive,
7to 71; Deferred, I I 1,-; Portuguese, 481 49i; Three per
Cents., 311 32; Colombian, 254 Mexican, 241 25i ;
Dutch Two and a half, 541.
lIAL4F-PAST ONE 0' CL 0 CK.
The French papers received this morning state that the en-
trance of the Commandant Zurbano into Maestro is confirmed.
He has made 400 prisoners, with all the contents of the maga-
zines. Zurbano commanded 500 men and 20 cavalry. Gen.
Garcia quitted Estella on the 19th inst., with the battalion of
guides.
We do not hear anything further mentioned at present re-
sepecting the sale of the Dead Weight, or the funding of
Exchequer Bills. Not even a report is afloat, consequently
the Funds remain steady at the morning's prices.
Consols may be quoted at 894 R for the Account ; Money
894, with little doing in either of the markets. Exchequer
Bills 27 ; India Bonds 22 ; Bank Stock 2071.
In the Foreign Market Spanish Active not so good as. is
the morning, when they were 254 i—notv 25 ; Passive 7 to
; Portuguese, steady, 494 ; 3 per Cents., 31i I; Dutch
per Cents., 54.
2.
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols for the Account, 891
-(1 i Lad

Lord an W. Bentinck are on a visit to the
Countess of Go9ford, at Breed's Place, Hastings.
Lady De Clifford, on Wednesday evening entertained
a select party in Carlton-gardens.
The Dowager Countess of Chichester and the Ladies
Pelham have arrived in town from Worthing.
Baron Bulow, the Prussian Minister, will, (luring
the season, give dinners to the diplomatic corps at Mivart's
Hotel, where he has an elegant suite of apartments.
At Dowlais, on the 28th of December, Lady Char-
lotte Guest, gave birth to a daughter:
Baron Blome visited Count Pozzo di Borgo on
Wednesday afternoon at Ashburnham House,
Sir William Geary, M.P., arrived in town late on
Tuesday night, from his seat in Kent.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer on Wednesday
gave a notice, which was not beard in the gallery, that on
Monday next he would move the re-appointment of the Com-
mittee of last Session on the subject of " joint-stock hanks ;1
an inquiry that is looked forward to by the moneyed and mer-
cantile world with the greatest interest.

TOTAL ANT) IMMEDIATE AI3OLI-

`PION OF CHURCH-RATES.

, NOTTINGHAM, THURSDAY, FEB. 2.
A very numerous meeting, called together by a requisition
• Addressed to the Mayor of this town, and which was signed
by the majority of the wealth, influence, and respectability of
the inhabitants, was held !to-day at the Guildhall, for the
purpose of petitioning butte Houses of Parliament, with a
view to the total and immediate abolition of Church-rates.
The Hall was completely crowded long before the proceedings
fe- commenced.
Mr. MORELY (the Mayor) said, that in consequence of a
requisition numerously and respectably signed, addressed to
him a week ago, be bad consented to call the prevent meeting,
the object of which was to petition Parliament for the pur-
ee., pose of obtaining the total and immediate abolition of Church-
iseeates. Though he had consented to call the meeting, he felt
an objection to take the chair on the present occasion—he was
stteltenre that some other gentleman would he found better suited
for the situation than lie, and he therefore begged most re-
e,spectfully to decline the honour they had intended to confer
upon him.
Mr. Alderman HEARD was then unanimously voted into
0, the chair. He expressed his obligation to the meeting for the
honour done to him, and his regret that the Mayor refused
ash to preside. It was not fit that he should descant on the
subject before the meeting ; all that he had to do was to dis-
charge the duties of Chairman with perfect impartiality,
which lie promised to do.
Mr. Thos. WAKEFIELD (the late Mayor) said that he pre-
sented himself to the Meeting on this occasion in order to
move the first resolution. He believed that it was pretty ge-
nerally known that as far as his feelings, interests, and wishes,
az,ere concerned, he would be much gratified if the ques-
tion respecting Church-rates was settled according to the prin-
ciples propounded on a former occasion, Ile thought it of
great importance that the question should be speedily settled,
in order to prevent severe injury to the Church, and to put a
stop to increasing dissensions among the Christian community.
Hear.) Every one present knew that he entertained.no
:angry feelings towards the Established Church. On the
contrary, be felt an affection for it, as he was brought up ac-
carding to its doctrines, and if he wished for a satisfactory set-
tlemeeit of the question of Church-rates, it - was rather in or-
der that that Establishment might be strengthened than weak-
cried. He certainly was of opinion that no settlement could
be satisfactory except the immediate and total abolition of the
• impost alluded to.—(Cheers.) He begged to remind the
Meeting that he asked for the abolition of Church-ratee not
with any feeling indicative of hostility or injury towards the
Established Church—not with any view that those who dis-
sented from its doctrines would be relieved by the doing away
with those rates, but solely from the interest he took in the
welfare of the Church Establishment. If be saw that Church-
rates were cheerfully paid by the Dissenters, he would not ob-
ject tothem ; but when he saw that they were obnoxious and
objected to by a very large portion of the community,
he could not help thinking that they were most unjust. It
was unjust and unwise to compel any body of men to pay for a
religion whose doctrines they did not embrace, and from whose
service they received no benefit.—( Cheers.) If he thought
the non-payment of Church-rates would injure the Establish-
' extent, he would not now come forward as he had done. It
was his opinion that such would not be the case, for Ile be-
- •lieved that permanent good would be done to the Church, and
relief afforded to the Dissenters, by the abolition of Church-
• rates. He considered-that among the Protestant community
there was a sufficient number of persons to contribute to the
support of the Church, without having recourse to laws to
compel them to do so ; they would do it of their own accord ;
and it was far better to lbave the matter with themselves—to
their own option--than to force upon those Who•dissented from
the doctrines of the Church to aid in its support. The reso-
lution he had to propose was, that in the opinion of that
Meeting' it was manifestly most unjust eo compel DiSsenters to
pay rates for the support of a religious Establishment from
whose tencts they conscientiously dissented; and that it was
their duty to use all lawful efforts to obtain the immediate and
total abolitioet of all such rates. The worthy Gentleman
concluded' by stating that he knew from extensive observation
and .experienceseihat Church-rates created, mucliangry feeling
towards the Established Church itself, andahat the injury done
to the Protestant religion could not be in any way counterba-
lanced by the benefits—the pecuniary one's only—it obtained
by compelling conscientious Dissenters to pay a tax
which on principle they objected to. When such then
was the case, could there be any argument adduced to prove
• that a continuance of those rates would not be unjust, and,
II • consequently, if they were unjust—and he maintained that
they were—were they not all bound to use every legal means
to get rid of them ?—( Hear.) As he had shown that Church-
rates were an unjust tax laid upon all Dissenters, he was sure
• • that every one present would agree with him in the sentiment
. that they ought to be abolished.—(Cheers.)
The resolution having been seconded,
Mr. BRADSHAW rose to oppose it by proposing an amend-,
ment. He commenced by reading the oath or declaration
which the Mayor took on accepting office, and contended that
by giving sanction to the present meeting, he had committed a
most fearful breach of that declaration.—( Hisses and cheering. )
He ( the Mayor )ought rather to have imitated the conduct of the
Mayor of Cambridge when placed in a similar situation, who
declined giving his sanction to a like meeting, saying that he
had taken an oath to protect the Established Church, and
that he could not countenance proceedings which tended to
undermine it. The preceding speaker had stated the ques-
tion of Church-rates had caused considerable animosity be-
tween the different Christian classes of the community. Why

was this ? Simply, because men holding official situations—
men in his Majesty's Commission of the Peace, who were
bound to support and enforce the law of the land, lent them-
selves to agitation, instead of using their efforts to make the
King's subjects obey his laws.—( Laughter and hisses.) Af-
ter some other remarks on the new Poor Law Bill, and other
• matters irrelevant to the question before the meeting, he con-
cluded by moving an amendment to the following effect-
- " That it was a maxim of the constitution of the country that
all should obey and support the laws of England : that Church-
rates were sanctioned by those laws, and that they were levied
not to make tho Church political, but to render the State soli-
,gious ; that to present petitions to Parliament to abolish this
Lairs without suggesting any substitute, was trifling with the
time that ought to be devoted to the public good, and that re-
alm:mice to those rates was to be traced to factious motives, and
that it was to be considered more in the light of an attack
upon Christianity itself, than as a desire to promote true re-
ligion."
Mr. T. SMITH seconded the amendment, and insisted that
Church-rates were not an unjust tax. If they were he would
be among tise foremost to vote for their abolition. He consi-
dered every man interested in keeping in repair those edifices
in which Christianity was taught. The late Mayor seemed to
be of the same opinion since lie contemplated finding a sub-
stitute for Church-rates in the Consolidated Fund, or in some
other public property. He fully agreed with the last speaker,
that the present subject was agitated in order to make it a ye-
bide of attack upou the Established Church, and he emphati-
cally called on all rest Christians to come forward in the sup-
port of that sacred institution.
Mr. WAKEFIELD begged to say one word in reply to what
Mr. Bradshaw said about persons filling official situations
giving support to meetings like the present. The question of
Church-rates was one on which all persons, whether magis-
trates or not, should give their opinions. If a Church-rate
had been legally passed in vestry assembled, he would feel it
his duty, as a magistrate, to call on every individual to pay a
tax that had been levied according to law. That, however,
did not prevent him from wishing to-day to do away with a
contribution which he certainly thought was illegal.—( Hear.)
He believed sufficient funds might be found within the Church
itself to meet nearly all its exigencies, particularly if its rich
and ample sinecures were to be made use of, the existence of
which he considered an absolute injury to the best interests of
the Establishment. His chief reason for objecting to the
pro-sent amendment was, that he considered the carrying of it
• would be fatal to the welfare of the Established Church.
Mr. SHARPE, amid a great deal of confusion, supported the
amendment. He maintained that the question was one which
ought to be left to the decision of the different parishes. They
had the power of arguing the matter in vestry assembled, where
they could curtail or augment their expenses according as cir-
cumstances required, and to the best of their own judgment.
He was of opinion that if Church-rates were abolished, a host
of Commissioners would be appointed, who, conniving with
the architects of the different towns, would be continually or-
dering the repair of churches, so that instead of a lesser evil,
they would have to put up with a far greater.
JAMES \\remelts (a working man) that he had heard
a great deal said against Church-rates and something in favour
of them, and that they were good for the poor man. He de-
nied this, unless indeed it was a good thing for a poor man to
be locked up in dungeons, as a poor neighbour of his was on
account of the non-payment of a Church-rate of the amount
of 2s. Bd. (a stamp). When lie heard people say that Church-
rates were good for the poor man, it made him so mad that he
Was ready to pull the cars off his head.—(Cheers.) lie
could not forget how he was obliged to pay 7a. 6d.
before lie could get his poor child buried. Some
might say that 7s. 6d. was a small sum—perhaps so
it would be to them ; but it was as much as 2001.
to others, nay more, for it often happened that it would be
enough to keep him and his family from starving during se-
veral days._(
his family, Hear.) 7s. 6d. would buy a- week's bread for
and he liked better to spend it in that way than in
unjust burial fees.--( Cheers.) If he wanted the aid of a
parson he would send for him and pay him ; but until he did
want him, no one on earth should compel him to pay a single
farthing in the shape of Church-rates. When he saw the
Ministers of religion with the Bible in one hand and the dagger
or gun in the other, he thought it was enough almost to make
any man cease to be a Christian.
in reply to a question from Mr. Wieso a Roman Catholic
Clergyman, as to what was become. e
of the. 'great property and
extensives revenues of the Church,
Mr. Beaestraw stated that they were in great part in the
hands of the Duke of Bedford, and other Whig Noblemen
and Gentlemen. lie also stated that Church-rates were esta-
blished more than 1,000 years since, and he believed that
they were a Saxon institution.
The amendment was then put and negatived by a majority
- of 158 to 70. The original Resolution was then, of course,
adopted.
Here the Church party retired, giving three cheers for
Church and King, which were responded to by vociferous
groaning for the Bench of Bishops.
Mr. Iluesr rose to propose the first Resolution. He said
that, Church-rates seemed to him an exceedingly simple ques-
t„'on, and nothing could be more evident that that Dissenters
not to be compelled to pay taxes for the support of a
Chle-elt whose service they did not attend, The mode of ar-
gums', t of the venerable Arelide:sene Wilkins (resident in the
town) w,as easily confuted. That veners4-10
.Gentleman con-
tended ths't all classes were bound to pay Churchsrates. It
was equally ps obligatory on them to pay those rates as it was

to pay for the expenses for prosecuting those who had robbed
their neighbour's house. Ile contended that this illustration
was based on an erroneous assumption—there was no analogy
betwceu the two cases. In the case of the prosecution of a
felon, the public were not taxed solely for the benefit of the
person robbed, but for their own benefit and protection, since
putting the rigour of the law into execution would prevent
other felons, and, consequently, be beneficial to all Not so
in the ease of Church-rates. They were levied for the benefit
of one party, whilst the party paying reaped no profit. With
respect to another argument, that the Established Church
ought to be supported on account of the sound religious and
moral principles that were disseminated by its means throne'.
out the country, he wonld answer it by asking, were not
similar principles extensively circulated by Dissenting Minis-
ters ? Were not their conduct as religious and moral as that
of the ministers of the Established Church, and did they not
take every opportunity of impressing on the minds of the
population—particularly of the poorer portion—principles 'of
peace, virtue, and good order thronghout the land. The
Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons, and other Church dignitaries,
would still receive their accustomed emoluments, and when he
understood that three-fourths of the country were in Protest-
ant hands, surely he could not conceive how persons could be
frightened about the ruin and impoverishment of the Esta-
blished Church.—(Hear.) He concluded by moving the
adoption of a petition to both Houses of Parliament, em-
bodying the first Resolution, and which stated, moreover,
that the abolition of Church-rates would give satisfaction to
all denominations of Dissenters, and that it was the decided
opinion of the petitioners that all future attempts to collect
Church-rates would be attended with considerable popular
excitement.

Mr. Fox seconded the resolution, which was unanimously
agreed to.
A vote of thanks was then voted to the Chairman, and
the meeting quietly dispersed.
Before the lapse of many minutes numerous signatures
were attached to the petition, and it is conjectured that it
will, in the course of a few days, receive such an addition
of names as to prove to the Legislature the extreme unpo-
pularity of Church-rates among the inhabitants of Nottingham.

IMPORTANT MEETING of the LON
DON PARISHES upon the POOR LAWS AMEND
VENT ACT.

Yesterday afternoon a meeting of the official authorities of
the parishes of Laden was held at the Doctor Butler's Head,
White Rose Court, Coleman-street, in compliance with a cir-
cular, issued by Mr. Thomas Jones, the Vestry Clerk of St.
Stephen's, Coleman-street.
Mr. Sharp, Churchwarden of St. Clement, Eastcheap, was
unanimously voted to the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the day, said
that the meeting was aware that the city of London had, and
that very unexpectedly, been brought under the operation of
the Poor Law Amendment Act.—( Hear.) The «ay in which
the measure had been introduced could not, lie conceived, be
approved of by the generality of the parishes of London.—
( Hear.) It bad been introduced through the instigation of
the Common Council—(Cries of Hear, hear)—who had, in
his opinion, stepped out of their line of duty in interfering
with the affairs of the London parishes before consulting the
feelings of the rate-payers upon the subject.—( Hear.) It was
incumbent upon them to have consulted' those rate-payers as to
the advisability of such a measure, ere they presumed to re-
commend it to the Poor-law Commissioners. No persons, he
would say, were so able to distribute the funds for the relief
of the poor as those who raised them—no persons so compe-
tent to attend to the wants of the poor as those who were in-
timately connected with, and neighbours .among them.—
( Hear, hear.) The best steps they could take to defeat the
attempt about to be made to take the rate-payers' local affairs
out of their immediate control, would be, he thought, to 'adopt
a series of resolutions to mitigate such an evil. The Common
Council had evinced a most reprehensible absence of Christian
feeling in calling in the Poor Law Act.
Mr. JONES, the vestry clerk, then submitted a series of reso-
lutions to the consideration of the meeting, upon which
THONIAS SAUNDERS, Esq., suggested the propriety of the
authorities present stating, prior to the introduction of the re-
solutions, the state of feeling in the parishes to which they
belonged relative to the introduction of the Poor Law Act into
the City.—( Hear.) The suggestion being acquiesced in,
Mr. FINNIS, a Member of the Court of Common Council,
and senior churchwarden of St. Dunstan's in the East, said
that a requisition for a meeting upon the subject had been
presented by the rate-payers of that parish.
St. Albans, Wood-street.—Mr. JONES stated that a vestry
of this parish had been held, and that the feelings of the rate-
payers were against the introduction of the Act.—( Hear.)
Allhallows, Bread-street.—Mr. SAUNDERS informed the
meeting that a vestry was held last year respecting the Poor
Law Act, and the feeling on that occasion was, that the intro-
duction of the measure into the City was altogether uncalled
for.—( Hear. )
Mr. SOUTIIWOOD, churchwirden of St. Alphage, said that a
vestry of that parish had been held, and that the whole of the
rate-payers present, with two exceptions, were against the in-
troduction.—(Cheers.) . _

Mr. FAVOR, the upper overseer of St. Andrews by the
Wardrobe, stated that his parish bad not had a meeting, but
his opinion was, that it was decidedly opposed to the act.
Mr. Cox, the upper churchwarden of St. Anne, Blackfriars,
said their parish had not yet had a meeting on the subject. He
and his colleague attended merely to watch the proceedings.
Mr. CooKsoN, vestry clerk of St. Faith under St. Paul's.
The parish had not yet had a meeting, but he was perfectly
persuaded that the rate-payers were not friendly to the Act.
lie should advise that a petition against the introduction of the
Act into the city be sent to every inhabitant within it—(hear)
—that it might be ascertained who were and who were not in
favour of the measure. For himself he was point-blank against
the Poor Law Act.—(l-lear.)
Mr. SAUNDERS, on the part of St. Bennett's, said that
parish had a meeting last year, at which the introduction of
the Poor Law into the city of London was opposed, and be
had been instructed to watch the measure.

The CHAIRMAN, as representing St. Clement's, Eastcheap,
stated that the parish had held a vestry, at which several reso-
lutions in decided opposition to the introducing the Act into
the city had been passed; and they bad a petition against the
introduction, signed by every rate-payer of the parish except
one, who was a pilot, and at sea.—(Cheers and laughter.)
Mr. Piinu.s, one of the overseers of St. Martin Orgar, said
they had on a former occasion petitioned the Commissioners
not to unite them with any other parish without consulting
them (the parishioners)—( Hear, hear)—and this petition was
signed by all the inhabitants except three.-_( Cheers.) As to
the present opposition, they had unanimously carried resolu-
tions to the effect that they believed the proceedings of the
Common Council had induced an erroneous belief in the minds
of the Commissioners, by representing themselves to have the
voice of the various parishes of the city, and that that voice
was in favour of a union of such parishes.
Mr. CCLLISON, overseer (,f St. Edmund the King, Lom-
bard-street, begged to state to the meeting that the parish
which he represented had sent a petition to the Poor Law
Commissioners, and he thought they had 19 out of 20 of the
bankers of Lombard-street, and the great body of the rate.
payers against their interference with the city.—(Hear, and
cheers.) As to the parishes petitioning, or the wards peti.
tionino., that he thought would not answer their purpose; it
would be better to have one petition most numerously signed,
and that the petition should be respectful and temperate.
Mr. SAUNDERS, on the part of St. Leonard, Eastcheap, said
they had not held a meeting, but that last year the authorities
were instructed to oppose the measure.—( Hear.)
Mr. PARKE, Churchwarden of St. Magnus, London-bridge,
said that a meeting of the rate-payers was held last year, and
that a memorial against the Act passed on that occasion had
been signed by all the rate-payers but one.—( Hear, and
cheers.) A vestry will be held to-morrow (this day) on the
subject.—( Cheers.)
Mr. Him., a Common-councilman of the ward of Bridge,
said that the Common-council of his ward was decidedly
against the introduction of the Poor Law Act into the city.
Mr. SOUTHWOOD, Churchwarden of St. Alphage, knew the
feeling of the Common-council of the ward of Cripplegate
Within was decidedly against the introduction of the measure.
Mr. DAT, upper Churchwarden of St. Martin Outwich,
thought the feeling of the parish was against the introduction
of the Act.

Mr. SAUNDERS could, as a rate-payer of St. Martin Vintry,
assure the Meeting that there was a decided feeling of hostility
in the parish to the introduction of the Act.
Mr. IRELAND, senior churchwarden of St. Mary, Alderman.
bury, stated that the parish conceived that the Common-
council of the city of London had taken a most unwarrantable
step in having, without consulting the inhabitants, recom-
mended the introduction of the Act into the city.—(Hear.)
The CUURCIIWARDEN of St. Thomas the Apostle could say
that it was the universal opinion of the inhabitants that the
Poor Law Act should be opposed.—(Cheers. )
Mr. LUCAS, senior Churchwarden of St. Mary-le-Bow,
stated that they had a meeting a short time ago, and that
it was the decided opinion of those present that the intro-
duction of the Act would be very beneficial to the city. It
is, said Mr. Lucas, purely a financial measure.—(Vehement
cries of " No, no.")
Mr. CoLusos was of opinion, that the introduction of the
Act would materially increase the rates of the parish that he
represented.— (Hear.)
Mr. Rice, overseer of St. Mary Botham, and a common-
councilman, said that his parish was against the introduction.
Mr. GOYMER, churchwarden of St. Mary Magdalen, had
no doubt that nine out of ten of the inhabitants were also op-
posed to it.—( Hear.)
The Rev. Mr. Lusrallolv, rector of Allhallows the Great,
was entirely opposed to the introduction of the measure.
Mr. Rowsem., of St. Mathew, Friday-street, said that his
parish was divided on the subject, but he thought that a ma-
jority was in favour of the union.
Mr. DES%AR, upper churchwarden of St. Michael, Wood-
street, said they had had a meeting which was unanimous for
the introduction of the Act.

Mr. JONES, under churchwarden of St. Olave, Silver-
street. They had not had a meeting, but the feeling was
decidedly against the act. They would have a vestry next
week.---( Hear, )
Of St. Peter, Cheapside, Mr. ROWSELL said they were in
favour of Cis union.

Mr. LARBY, of st. Stephen, Coleman-street, said the
parishioners were very strongly opposed to the new law.
flt. Giles, Cripplegate.—Tho CHAIRMAN said that
.the
vestry of this parish had passed very strong resolutions
against the introduction of the net ; and that, notwithstand-
ing the strenous opposition of Mr. Richard Lambert Jones,
Common Councilman and Chairman of the London-bridge
Mr. FINNIS propowid tine 4rip recohltion. He was entirely
opposed to the Act, which he thought On. or tbe riot knfreiing
'censures over carried through the Legislature...-(Hear:T •

Mr. LENNARD (of St. Alphage) seconded the resolution.
Mr. DEWAR moved an amendment, which in substance im-
puted interested motives to those who opposed the introduc-
tion of the Act into the City, and that it would ill become the
citizens of London to support a factious opposition to a mea-
sure which had already done so much good. •
Mr. PATTISON seconded the amendment, which was sup-
ported by Mr. Jeffrey, the Vestry Clerk of St. Bartholomew
the Great.

After some more observations upon the uuron3titutional and
cruel enactments of the new law, in which Mr. Southwood,
Mr. Collison, and Mr. Saunders took a part, the resolution
was carried, with three dissentients only.
Mr. Mathews, Mr. Collison, Mr. Lennard, Mr. Butler,
Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Bartholomew, Mr. hall, and Mr. Saun-
ders, spoke at some length upon the other resolutions, which
were carried unanimously.

CAPTURE of the " VIXEN" by RUSSIA

IMPORTANT PARTICULARS.

CQNSTANTINOPLE, JAN. 4.—The pilot whom the Vixen
engaged at Samson for the coast of Circassia arrived here
a few days ago from that country, and has communicated
the following particulars relative to the interview its captain
and gentlemen on board had with the natives, and the cap-
ture of this vessel by the Russians. On the second day
after its departure from Samson, the Vixen was off the Cir-
cassian coast. In the afternoon it anchored at Djook. The
pilot having represented this port as very unsafe, in con-
sequence of the weather, the schooner sailed for Psad, and
subsequently for the port of Soudjak-Kale. The pilot
having on landing given notice to the natives of the ar-
rival of an English vessel, they collected in large numbers
on the beach, and sent a deputation on board to wel-
come their guests and invite them on shore. On being
informed by Mr. Bell of the object of his voyage being to
establish commercial -.relations between their country
and England, they invited him, the owner, and captain,
of the vessel, to wait on the Prince of that part of the
country, who lived at a few leagues distance in the interior.

On the proposal being assented to by these gentlemen, they
landed, and, escorted by a guard of honour, composed of
500 horsemen, proceeded to the chief's residence. Mehemet
Bey received them in the most cordial manner, and insisted
on their remaining till the next day under his roof. Towards
the evening chiefs from the neighbouring districts came in
to welcome their English friends and offer them their ser-
vices. The whole night was spent in revelry and merri-
ment. On the following clay Mr. Bell disposed of his
cargo of salt, at the conditions he himself thought proper
to fix. Wax and box-wood were the principal articles
offered him in exchange. The weather continuing very
boisterous, the landing of the whole cargo was found
impracticable. Several among the chiefs, however, went
on board the Vixen, and sat down to the entertain-

inent prepared for them. In ans►ver to the inquiries
made as to the political state of the country, the
chiefs unanimously declared their firm determination
of shedding, if necessary, the last drop of their blood
in defence of their independence. They represented the
attempts of Russia against them during the summer as
having proved abortive. General Willeminoff had, it was

true, succeeded in landing a body of troops at Soudjalc,
but had soon after been himself constrained to effect his
retreat. The only Russians at present to be seen in Cir-
cassia were their prisoners and deserters at the service of
the native chiefs.
Oo the following day a Russian brig. of war entered the

bay of SoUdjak, and anchored at a considerable distance
from the shore. A boat, having an officer on board,
shortly after came up to the Vixen, but on the refusal
on the part of its crew to allow him to walk on deck
previous to the captain's return from the shore, it went
back to the brig. An hour after, the captain having re-
'turned, the Russian boat was again sent to invite him on
board. He embarked in company with Mr. Bell and the
owner in the Vixen's boat. On reaching the Russian brig,
they Were met on deck by the first lieutenant, and asked how
they had dared, in defiance of the Emperor's intimation,
to carry on commercial relations with a country Russia was
at war kitl►? The observation having been made to him
that the British Government not having communicated this
intimation of the Emperor to the English merchants, they
had in coming to Circassia availed themselves of the indis-
putable right they possessed, the Russia❑ officer grew fu-
r►ous, and threatened to sink the vessel, unless it imme-
diately surrendered. On hearing the loud altercation on
deck, the captain left his cabin, and on presenting himself
before the disputants, observed in very moderate terms to
the Englishmen, that his orders being to seize every foreign
vessel found approaching the coast of Abasia, he could not
do otherwise than carry them into execution. The reasons
they brought forward might be excellent ones, but as it was
beyond his competency to decide on the case, he suggested
to them the propriety of referring it to the General's arbi-
tration at Ghelendjik. He intimated to Mr. Bell, and the
owner of the Vixen, that lie could not allow them to leave
his vessel till the question at issue had been settled, and re-
commended the captain to return on board to prepare him-
self to follow h►m. The Circassians had in the mean time
sent a deputation on board the Vixen to ask what were the
English captain's intentions. Should his determination be to
resist, they were ready to lend him every assistance. Hear-
ing that he intended leaving for Ghelendjik, the Circassians,
after expressing their disappointment, returned on shore,
taking with them the pilot. The chiefs, who are naturally.
deeply interested in becoming acquainted with the British
Government's decision on a question of such vital impor-
tance to the destinies of their country, have sent this man
to Constantinople, where he is to remain till intelligence is
received from London. I mentioned in my last, that on
the departure from Caffa of the Austrian vessel which
brought here the first intelligence of the capture of the
Vixen, this vessel had not arrived, and that much anxiety
was felt by the captain of the brig that had taken it. No
subsequent intelligence having been received, although seve-
ral sl►fps have since arrived here from the Crimea, it appears
highly probable that it is lost. If this report turns out to
be correct, what a fine case for Lloyd's 1