The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-19 00:00:00

RAILWAY BILLS.

Yesterday, in Earl Donoughtnore's Committee, the case
of the West Hartlepool Company underwent further scru-
tiny. Mi. Rowley and others were examined at considerable
length relative to the objects of the company's bill, which
seeks to extinguish existing powers of raising money, to
co, vert the sum of £2,669,162, being the aggregate amount
of their deb, nture stuck and debt not made primary charges
on their undertaking by the Act of 1852, into a like sum of
first preferential ck ; and the existing sums of X 143,600 (5i
per cent.), £34,662 (4 per cent ), and £36,485 (4i per cent.)
preference stocks in the company's capital into like sums of
second preferential stock having the like fixed dividends re-
spectively. The bill also seeks powers to burrow £726,000
on mon gage, to pay off urns amounting to £726,054,which
were by the Act of 1852 made primary charges on the un-
dertaking, and to borrow on mortgage the further sum of
£1,400,000, to pay off certain arrears of interest, and
£292,220 of debts and liabilities, to pay for uncompleted
works, and to create a debenture stock at 5 per cent., to be
substituted for mortgage debt. The total amount of com-
pany's debenture debt and stock and capital is declared to
be £4.252,967.

Mr. BURKE, Q C., addressed the committee on behalf of
the debenture and bondholders. The committee had all
the facts before them, disclosing considerable financial
delinquency. The company claimed condonation, on the
ground that these acts were committed by their predeces-
sors in office ; but the company, qua company, he contend-
ed, were liable The debenture holders relied upon their
1, gal rights, and he submitted that the Court of Chancery,
and not Parliament, was the proper tribunal, although the
bill had been passed in committee of the Commons, to ad-
judicate on questions of bankrupt corporations If the
ommittee were to pass the bill it would not only be an in-
justice to the debenture holders, but an assumption of judi-
cial functions no Parliament had ever undertaken, and it
would invalidate the security of the investments of railway
bondholders, who had invested their money on the security
of Acts of Parliament.

Tne room having been cleared, the committee, after a
brief deliberation, decided :

" That in the opinion of the committee the preamble of
the bill is not proved, that the committee think it their
duty to lay before the House a statement of the facts dis-
closed•in the evidence, and that they will further draw the
attention of the House to the necessity of providing some
sufficient safeguard for persona lending their money to rail-
way companies either on mortgage or bond."
In the Duke of Richmond's committee, on the proposed
extension of the Midland Railway into London, Messrs.
Cubitt and Brydone, engineers, and 'lr. Denison, chairman
of th.. Great Northern Railway, were examined in opposi-
tion to the undertaking.
In the Commons, the committee of which Mr. Adair is
chairman passed the Motley branch of the Gradford, Wake-
field, and Leeds Railway, but threw out the Low Moor
Extension. The case for the promoters of the proposed
.:ew Brighton true was closed, and Mr. Ateinson having
addres.ed the committee for landowners, Mr. Slight, the
secretary of the Brigh,ort Railway, was examined at length
br Mr. Merewether, Q C , with a view to show that the
proposed line was unnecessary.

The Moniteur de 1 Algerie of the 11th says :
" The steam-frigate Cacique has left Algiers with 947 native
riflemen, of whom 21 are officers ; the Mogador has taken
on board 996 soldiers of the same arm, forming the contin-
gent which is to keep garrison in Paris.,'
The illumination of coal mines surely might be accom-
plished by the magnet. The development of its power is
artily increasing, one instance is Herring's Magnetic
Brushes, &c. Dr. Hassell remarks, "I regard them as the
must perfect brushes hitherto made, as respects the tnecha
meal construction, and their man etical action." They are
the remedy for grey hair, neuralgia, rheumatism, &c.
N.B. Counterfeits are being nitide.-oWces, 32, gasinghall-
street, London.

MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LONDON,

AND CHINA.

The fifth annual meeting of the shareholders of
this bank rook place to-day—Mr. G. G. NICOL in
the chair. The report submitted stated that, after
providing for all bad and doubtful debts, and de-
fraying expense of mandgement at all points, the
net profit amounted to £94,228 143. ld., to which
had to be added a sum of £4O 15s. ld. undivided
profit brought forward from the preceding year,
making a total of £94,269 9s. 2d. Out of this total,
£50,000 had been paid in two half-yearly dividends,
making together 10 per cent. on the pc- id-upcapital
of the bank. A further sum of £40,000 had been
added to the reserve fund. The unappropriated
balance of £4,269 9s. 2d. was carried for Nerd to
the profit and loss account of the current year. The
reserve fund now amounted to £lOO,OOO, of which
£60,000 was invested in Indian Government Secu-
rities, as intimated in the last report, and it was the
intention of the court to invest the balance, £40,000,
in public securities as opportunities offer. Arrange-
ments have been made with Mr. Charles Pearson,
chartered accountant, Edinburgh, to act as agent for
the bank there, for the receipt of deposit money,
and the conduct of such other business as required.
The reserve fund being now completed to 20 per
cent. on the paid-up capital of the bank, as required
by the deed of settlement, and the business of the
bank being largely extended, the shareholders were
invited to revise clause 113, with a view to increase
the remuneration at present fixed for the directors.
The Chairman moved the adoption of the report,
and referred to the balance sheet, which, be said,
indicated that a considerable increase had been
made in the revenue of the past year. The deposits
had bee❑ augmented by £600,000, and all the
debts made during the past 12 months had
been written off, including the sum of £13,000
lost through the frauds at Hong Kong. The direc-
tors did not attribute any fault to their manager in
China respecting that loss; on the contrary, they
considered he had shown great promptitude and
discretion in the matter. The reserve fund novr
amounted to £lOO,OOO, the minimum required by
the Bank's Charter, but having regard to the im-
portance their establishment would derive from
possessing at its command a larger reserve fund,
the directors would still continue to augment the
amount year by year. An agency had been opened
in Japan, and the reports from the various branches
were highly encouraging. The report was then
carried nem. con., and the directors' remuneration
increased from £l,BOO to £3,000 per annum.

To the Editor of The Sun.

Sin,—l have been desired by my legal advisers to reserve
any public reply I might have to the calumnies in circula-
tion concerning me until Mr. Jordan's case reappeared be-
fore the tribunals ; but I cannot endure any further delay
in publishing the following statement. I have no wish to
conceal or disguise any imprudence I may have committed,
but I deny most indignantly the guilty imputations and
disgraceful acts laid to my charge. In July, 1861, Mr. and
Mrs. Jordan arrived in London from New Orleans, and from
that time until the summer of 1862 they were received on
tho most intimate footing in my family. It soon becinfe
apparent that they lived very unhappily, in consequence,
as Mrs. Jordan told my wife, of a connexion which her
husband had formed with another lady, a matter which
subsequently became notorious. In May, 1862, Mrs. Jor-
dan left her home, and sought refuge in the house of a
friend. I was the means of inducing her to return. and
of effecting a reconciliation. In June 1 opened Dear
lane Theatre, and by Mr. Jordan's desire I gave his wife
an engagement ; I did so at the suggestion also of Mrs.
Boucicault, who entertained sympathy for her position, and
r quested me to pay her every attention in my power.
This engagement, Mr. Jordan stated at the trial, vine
without his consent, and against his wish—that he was
opposed to it and to any intimacy with me at this
time. This is wholly untrue. During the season he
came almost nightly behind the scenes, and sat with ins
and my friends in my room, dined at my house, and e'
hibited every evidence of intimacy and confidence. After
the performances I usually gave them seats in my carriage,
and left them at their door in passing. When he did not
come I invariably escorted her in my carriage to her don
This continued until the end of July, when I heard that h
had expressed some suspicions respecting my relations will-
the lady. I immediately begged her to resign her engage-
ment, and sbe consented to do so. On the following day
she informed me that Mr. Jordan refused to allow her to
leave the theatre, alleging that he was at the time without
any permanent engagement, and she must stay where she
was. Subsequently to this Mr, Jardan continued to visit
the theatre as usual, sought my society, dined at my house.
I took them home in my carriage as before, Mr. Jordan
generally preferring to ride on the box; and in his absence
I escorted her, as it had been my custom to do. I regret to
say I did not tell Mrs. Boucicault of these suspicions re-
specting me, as I did not wish to give her anxiety or trouble
at the time, end I did not think them seriously entertained'
A few weeks after this I was informed by the lady that,
after a dispute, unhappily not unfrequent, her husband had,
ordered her to leave his lodgings, as he felt convinced of
her guilty relations with me. She begged him not to east
that opprobrium upon her, or to give her the means to go to
America, where her parents reside. He refused it, and told
her to seek what assistance she wanted from me. On learn"
ing this I wrote to Mr. Jordan, remonstrating with him on
his conduct. but assuring him that if he persisted in
it I neither could nor would allow his wife to be reduced to
want ; that he left me no alternative but to retain her in
the theatre, but if she preferred to return to her parents that
I would give her the means to do so. I added that I did
this afte consulting with my wife, and had written to in-
foe m him of my intentions lest my motives might be mis •
represented or misconstrued. To this letter I received no
an.twer. By thy advice Mrs. Jordan, on leaving her hus-
band, went to apartments in Pall-mall, where he and she
had previously lodged. She wrote to her husband toinforta
him where she was to be found. I continued, as before, to
escort her to her door nightly of er the performances. I
did so without secrecy, in my own carriage, and as publicly
as I could. This was my first imprudence. Mr. Jordan
had, it seems, been watching night after night in the WV
of seeing me enter the house, but had been disappointed'
On the night in question she had kegged me to lend her
some books, so after leaving her door, I drove round to 1331
chambers in King-street, St. James's, and returned hull;
diately with the works. I had scarcely entered the ha'""
when I heard a knock at the door. Presuming it was one
of the lodgers in the house, and fearing my presence Orel!
in the hall might cause some remark, I withdrew to le"
them pass. Mr. Jordan entered. He showed neither anger
nor excitement, and exhibited no violence whatever; hadge
done so I should have followed him into his wife's roe"'t
towards which he went. His remark was, "I only deeir:
to see Mr. Boucicault that he may be identified," or word,
to that effect. I was unaware of the circumstances that f 0
lowed, and that Colonel Gibbon or any one else had WI
mixed up in the affair until Mr. Jordan had been remove('
I am quite aware how injudicious and imprudent ml 6°5
duct was under the circumstances, and in my desire to shie4
the lady's reputation and avoid, if possible, a public soarlui,
on my own account I contrived to make matters 132,c
_A
worse than they need have appeared. Mrs. Boucicault 067
been ill for some weeks previously, but on her recoverY't
told her candidly what had occurred, and by her condole
towards Mrs. Jordan subsequently she desired to exhibl
her disbelief in the scandal which then became only too no,
torious. Shortly after this Mrs. Jordan returned to AO
rice, and I afforded her the means to do so. These are Ames
facts for which I have been so severely reprehended. iVir;
Jordan brought an action against Colonel Gibbon in ordeit
that a scandalous story might go forth to the public es,
has done, without investigation or defence. This trial is;
not, nor was it intended to be, against the nominal de 4{,
dant; it was against me, and so contrived that I might s•
ter all the odium without even the opportunity of rePo'e
It Mr. Jordan were injured at all it was by me, and
rael°ht
was the proper defendant against whom an action i.get
have been brought. I deny the charges brought agate
me, and I defy Mr. Jordan to prove them.

I am, Sir yours, &c.,
DION BOUCICATThir.

Westminster Theatre, May 18.

REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY.—The sudaeu
decease of kr. Western Wood, M.P., has crestelum
vacancy in the representation of the city of London. 00
late Lord Mayor, Mr. Cubitt, M.P. for Andover, is eP°o,,itt
of as a candidate, but it is not probable that he will ab-po
quit the substance for the shadow, although there /oft
public man of his principles so likely to be returned. 014
present Lord Mayor is also inntioned but he, it is theu°
will not willingly relinquish his newly-acquired 11011°.nrtile
the rei_re,ent,tic.n of Southampton. The candidaLes
,be
Liberal interest are Mr. Samuel Morley, Mr. Iludgson ('rraw_.
chairman of the Bank of England), and Mr. Ad
Pte„
years, -20
Ilumphery, who represented Southwark for a period F-
years, and was the first Liberal member returned to
liament after the passing of the Reform Bill.
Ni g"
A fatal collision occurrei two days sinc".a if sienet
Elegies between the steamers Alphee and
The first-
both belonging to Simian and Co., of that port. a
tiro to
named sunk almosl, immediately, but the crew ha
m eat Ay°
get on board the other, which, though much -a- erS•
towed into port by one of Fraissent and Co.'s steamers.
fresh
Tile Emperor of Austria has just g.ivens
couvuejriaist
in according
ordn
fihg a sum of 2,5 oi s sympathy
Huo,oo2gaorfiro
fd
for effect'
year's deficit of the national theatre at Pesth, 1,11sty as also
• lufwe
ing repairs required in the building.
grautcd aabveutioa of 60,000 itoriLl4 til"° Pgeglclit r°4ll

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK.

There is a steady demand for discount accommo-
dation, and the rates remain without alteration.
There appears, however, to be a tendency in the
direction of greater stringency, consequent upon the
uncertainty respecting the specie movement, and
bankers and brokers are, therefore, unwilling to
negotiate securities except at rates even higher than
the Bank minimum.

The Pera, which leaves to-morrow for India and
China, will convey £154,765.

During the last few days there has been very
little activity in the Foreign and Colonial Produce
Markets, Tea has been dull, while sugar, coffee,
and cocoa have barely sustained previous prices. In
rice operations have been suspended, consequent
upon the quantity to be offered at public sale this
day. Saltpetre has continued very dull, while a
downward movement has been apparent in prices
at the public sales of indigo. Tallow, however,
has been in better request for both present and
forward delivery.

The London General Depository Company, re-
quiring a capital of £20,000 in shares of £5, has
been formed for the purpose of purchasing the busi-
ness and plant of the North London Depository in
Gray's Inn-road, which for the laet quarter of a
century has carried on a large and, it would now
appear, a very successful business. The public are
therefore reminded by the directors that in project-
ing the company they do not seek to create a new
business, but merely to improve and extend one
already establ:shed, highly remunerative, and with
out risk, but lacking the necessary capital to deve-
lop it to its fullest extent. The arrangements for
the transfer of property seem to be of a favourable
character, and, as the premises are of great size, a
small outlay is said to be sufficient to place them
among the most complete and commodious of their
class in London.

Two O'CLOCK.
According to Reuter's telegram this day the
Paris Three per Cont. Rentes were 69f. 35c.

heavy.

The Englisk Stock Market opened this morning
with a buoyant appearance, and on the negociation
of a few purchases a rise of / per cent. took place.
Tnis movement, however, has not been fully
maintained. Console, which have been 931 for
money, and 92} /, less the dividend, for the
account, are now 931 1 and 921 respectively.
Tne New Threes and Reduced Annuities remain at
911 41 and Bank Stock at 234. A transaction has
taken place in the Thirty Years' Annuities at
14 1516. The 5 per Cent. Indian Loan is quoted
110 1 ; the 4 per Cent. Enfaced Paper, 107 ; the
Debentures, 1004; and the Bonds, 158. 18s. prem.
Exchequer Bills are at 45. dis. to par.
Several rather important alterations have taken
place in the Foreign Market; but the dealings are
rather limited. Turkish 6 per Cents., 1862, are
71/ 1; ditto Consolides have been 51152, but are
now 518 B ; Spanish Passive, are 3411; do., Certi-
ficates, 121 I ; Greek, 311 ; do., Coupons, 141 15 ;
the Confederate Loan, I I prem.; Portuguese, 491;
and Russian, 92Z I.

In the Railway Share Market the dealings have
been very limited ; in one or two instances, how-
ever, a firmer tone has prevailed. North Westerns
and North Eastern (Leeds) have improved 10s.;
Midland, £1 ; and Lancashire and Yorkshire, £1
to £1 ss. Great Northerns have declined about 15s.
The Foreign and Colonial undertakings continue
dull at about former quotations. Recife and San
Francisco realise 17 ; Bahia and San Francisco,
208 ; Great Western of Canada have improved to
8 4 ; • and East Indian are firm, at 1111.

Joint• Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares
show no material alteration in values.

BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Dank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities .. 93s I iii
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
annuities, 30 yrs, expire bth Jan., 1880 —
Ditto for 30 yrs, expire sth April, 1885 1415-16
India Stock
Ditto 5 per Cent llok 10 9k
Ditto Enfaced Paper, 4 per Cent ..
Ditto 5 per Cent .
Ditto 6} per Cent.
Ditto Debentures, 4 per Ct., Oct„ 1863 1001
Ditto ditto April, 1864 1001
Ditto ditto Aug. 1864 or 66 1001

Ditto Bonds 11,000 _ 1.5 pm
Ditto under .£1,000.....
Consols for Account, Juno 9 925
Exchequer Bills, £l,OOO 25 per Cent par 4 die
Ditto £500
FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Brazilian 5 per Cent
Ditto 1843
Ditto 41 per Cent., 1852.58-60
Equador New Consolidated, 1 per Cent —
Ditto, Vrovisonal Land Warrant R
Egyptian 7 pet Cent 10051005 992 100
Ditto, Second Issue
Greek 5 per Cent., 1824-5, ex-Coup.ms —
Ditto Account • • 314 I i -It
Ditto Coupons 145 1 4 5
Italian 5 per Cent. (Haremmana Railway) 79 4
Mexican 3 per Cent
Dittc Account. 36/ / 4
Moorish Imperial 5 per Cent
New Granada ll / i
Ditto Deferred
... IC4 10 5
Ditto Land Warrants (Hectares) B4 it i
Portuguese 3 per Cent., 1853
Ditto Account
Ditto 3 per Cent.,1856, '7, '9, and '6O 494
Ditto 1862 .. 495 5 1
Russian 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St 95 45
Ditto 41 per Cent, 1850
Ditto 5 per Cent., 1862 .. 92/ / 4
Sardinian 5 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Spanish 3 per Cent
Ditto Account 545
Ditto New Deferred
Ditto Account,.
Ditto Passive
Ditto Account 3ll 1 a
Spanish Cert. of Coup not funded .. l2i i
Turkish 6 per Cent. 1854 —
Ditto 6 per Cent. 1858
Ditto Account .......
Ditto, £lOO Bonds ..
Ditto 6 per Cent. 1862
Ditto Account ........ .
7-11 5
Ditto Guaranteed, 4 per Cent,
Venezuela, 3 per Cent ................
Ditto Account
Ditto 6 per Cent., 1862' 564 / 6 a 6
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch 21 per Cent., Ex. 12 Guil 655 -
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
Italian, 5 per Cent., 1861, Ex. 25 francs —
Ditto Account
THREE O'CLOCK.
Gionsols, Money
Ditto Account