The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-05 00:00:00

Mr. C• Buxton, M.P,, on Public Affairs.

A public meeting of the electors and non-electors of the
borough of Maidstone was held on Tuesday night in the
Corn Exchange to hear addresses from their two Liberal
Parliamentary representatives—Mr. William Lee and Mr.
Charles Buxton.

After a few introductory remarks from the CHAIRMAN
(Mr. C. Dilis, ex-Mayor), Mr. LEE gave.a brief resume of
the past proceedings in Parliament and their prospects in
future.

Mr. BUXTON then rose to address the meeting, and was
enthusiastically applauded. After entering at some length
into the distressing condition of the paper trade he pro-
ceeded to refer to his letter in the newspapers on the sub-
ject of Reform, and said—l fully own that the expression of
opinion which has been elicited from the Liberal press has
shown that there is scarcely a shadow of hope of any com-
promise being agreed to, at any rate, for a long while to
come, upon this question. Many seem to think that any
extension of the suffrage is so unlikely that it is idle to
discuss the best modes of effecting it. (" No, no.") The
genuine Liberals, on the other hand, the men who are
heartily bent on raising the working class to citizenship,
seem resolved to shut their eyes and ears to any conside-
ration beyond the one simple truth that tile working classes
have a right to political power. I frankly say, therefore, that
I gave up my scheme as hopeless ; I do not give it up be-
cause I think it unreasonable or unfair. (Hear, hear.)
According to my proposal, almost every occupier in this
country would have been at once put in possession of the
suffrage. He would have been raised to citizenship. He
would no longer have had to feel, what every working man
may justly now feel, that he is a kind of pariah, excluded
from any share whatever in choosing the lawgivers or in-
fluencing the policy of the land in which he lives. Now, I
conceive that the first thing at which the Liberal party
ought to aim should be to gain for the working classes
that to which they are justly entitled, viz., a fair share in
determining the policy of the country—(hear, ;hear)—and
in the choice by those to whom it is to be governed. We are
false to our first principles if we do not set ourselves to ob-
tain the enfranchisement of those vast masses of intelli-
gent and indstrious men who are at present as much shut
out from 11,n y share whatever of political power as if, in-
stead of being Englishmen, living in the freest and most
self-governed country in the world, they were serfs in Russia
or negroes in Carolina. (Cheers.) But in seeking to get
this justice done them it surely is the duty of public men
not to blind themselves wilfully to these two questions ;
Ist, whether some concession on our part is not essential to
success in our main object; 2dly, whether that main object
cannot be attained without sacrificing the just claims of
those who already possess the suffrage. As regards the first
question, the plain fact is that while the feeling in favour
of reform among those at present debarred from the suffrage
is growing in strength, on the other hand, the existing
electors in many boroughs have become alarmed by the
prospect of being swamped and lost in the list of new
voters. Nay, those who do not take a selfish view of the
matter, but look solely to the interest of the country, have,
I think, become more and more struck with the truth that
since the working classes in towns are to all other classes
as four to one, if they were simply admitted to the suffrage
they would overwhelm all others and become virtually the
sole depositories of political power. That is the plain bare
fact to which we can offer no denial ; and I, for one, do not
affect to conceal that I feel the force of that fact. Deter-
Mined as I am to do my utmost for the enfranchisement of
the working classes, I cannot but wish that this should be
done, if that be possible, without at the same time ousting
the present electors from the power which they have used
upon the whole so wisely and so well. Judging by the re-
sult we must give them credit for having stamped the policy
of this country witha high and noble character. We could
not justify ourselves in throwing them completely into
the background and stripping them of all political power,
by alleging that they had shown themselves unworthy of
the trust committed to them. It seems to me, therefore,
that both for the sake of turning the flank of an otherwise
almost irresistible opposition, and again for the sake of
maintaining a fair balance of power among the different
classes, we ought to be willing candidly to examine the
various proposals that have been made with the view of ex-
tending the suffrage to the working classes, but with due
precautions against letting the middle classes be virtually
disfranchised through the mere paucity of their numbers.
These, I frankly tell you, are my views, and which I ex-
pressed in my letter to the Times. Turning to the notable
incidents of next sessicn, Mr. Buxton noticed the promised
Tory attempt to change the character of the Court of Final
Appeal in cases of heresy which he hoped, the Liberal party,
true to its principles of religious liberty, would resist. It is
rather strange, he said, that the Tories should be engaged
in such an enterprise as this at the present time, when
bigotry and intolerance seem to be happily dying away,
and men are learning to pay due reverence to the inde-
feasible right of man to think for himself in matters of re-
ligion. (Cheers.) I am the more struck with this because I
have this year been in attendance on a commission ap-
pointed by the Government to inquire into the subject of
the subscriptions and declarations required from the clergy.
This commission was appointed in consequence of the re-
markable display of feeling in both Houses of Parliament,
last year, when attention was drawn to the extravagant
stringency and complexity of the declarations exacted from
the ministers of the Established Church. It would not be fit-
ting for me to mention the conclusions at which that commis-
sion has arrived, but as some account of our proceedings has
appeared in the newspapers, I may, without indiscretion,
observe that I was surprised and delighted by the anxiety
evinced by all my colleagues on that commission to treat
scrupulous consciences with the utmost regard, and to give
the amplest scope to thinking minds that would be com-
patible with their fidelity to the doctrines expressly
affirmed by the Established Church ; and I think that the
recommendation of the Commission, carrying with them
the authority of four archbishops, four bishops, and
several other dignitaries of the Church, as well as several
judges, peers, and statesmen, will be hailed on all sides
with lively satisfaction ; and, if adopted by Parliament,
will do much towards preserving the intellectual vigour of
the Established Church. (Hear, hear.) The hon.member
then alluded to the next Budget. The next tax to be taken
off, he supposed, would be the fire-insurance duty, but that
would not exhaust the surplus. As to the malt-tax, there
was no likelihood that they would be able to take it off
wholly—and he thought the collection of a tax at half the
present rate would be too costly a machinery compared
with the result. He suggested the total abolition of postage
on newspapers, thinking the loss to the country would be
recouped a thousandfold by the gains to the people in
knowledge and instruction. The hon. member then alluded
to our national prosperity. Adverting to the Protectionist
policy to which our colonies appeared to have a tendency,
he thought that the Imperial Legislature should give them
the option of imposing no higher duties on products than a
5 per cent. ad valorem one, or of withdrawing themselves
from our protection. Such a separation in the case of
Canada, for instance, which offered so tempting a bait to
the cupidity and vanity of the North, would be an immense
relief to this country. He then spoke of New Zealand
affairs, expressing the opinion that the war ought to be pro-
secuted with vigour, and that while our right to confiscate
was used in order to abolish tribal rights, we should take care
to give no countenance to the attempt of some of the colo-
nists to take advantage of the war to oust the natives alto-
gether from the northern island. Mr. Buxton concluded by
a remark with reference to American affairs, that apparently
little attention had been paid to a passage in President Lin-
coln's Message to Congress, proposing to declare slave-
holders enemies to the human race. If the Federal States
were to do this the crime of slave trading would vanish.
A vote of confidence in both members was then passed.

Mr, Sumner on the Relations between
land and America.

In the course of a debate in the Senate at Washington,
on the 19th ult. Senator Sumner, referring to the St.
Alban's raid, said—Now Mr. President, does anyone sup-
pose that those agents of the rebel Government were moved
to their enterprise merely by considerations of plunder—
that they merely risked everything to rob a bank or to
steal a horse ? No such thing. Their object was much
higher and more far-reaching. In one word, it was to em-
broil the Government of the United States with the Go-
vernment of Great Britain. I cannot doubt that this was
their object, to my mind as plain as day. These agents, or
rather the men behind them who set them on, knew the
sensitiveness of our people, and how naturally they would
be aroused against the foreign country in which the enter-
prise had its origin. They saw excitement, anger, and pas-
sion on our part were inevitable ; that out of these some
complication or collision might ensue ; that any such com-
plication or collision must necessarily help the rebellion
more than a victory on the field of battle. All this they
saw, and acted accordingly. The whole proceeding was a
trap in which to catch the Government of this country. It
was hoped that in this way the rebellion would gain that
powerful British intervention which would help to re-
store its fallen fortunes. For myself, sir, I am deter-
mined not to be caught in any such trap. There are
many things which Great Britain has done since the out-
break of our rebellion, which to my mind, are most un-
friendly ; but I am unwilling that anything should be done
on our side to furnish any seeming apology for that foreign
intervention which has been so constantly menaced, and
which was foreshadowed in the most hasty and unjusti-
fiable cession of ocean belligerency to rebel slavemongers
who had not a single port or prize court. Nobody sees the
wrong we have suffered more clearly than I do; but I see
other things also. While never ceasing to claim our just
rights, and reminding this Power always of duties which
it has plainly neglected, I cannot forget that we are engaged
at this moment in a war for the suppression of a long con-
tinued and most virulent rebellion, which has thus tasked
our best energies. To this work let us now dedicate our-
selves without arosing another, through whose affiance the
rebellion may be encouraged and strengthened. Let us put
down the rebellion. Do this, and we shall do everything.
Meanwhile I trust the Senate will not be moved by passion
into any hasty action on any of the measures now before
it ; but that each will be considered carefully and calmly
on its merits according to the custom of this body. This
surely is the dictate of prudence, and I cannot doubt that
it is the dictate of patriotism also. Washington, in his
farewell address, solemnly warns us against the insidious
evils of foreign influence. But the insidious evils
are
deadly as any influence now brought against us. Fore-
armed let us be steadfast whist them.

Charge of Infringing the Foreign Enlistment
Act.

BOW-STREET—THIS DAY.
This morning Captain P. S. Corbett, commander of the
Confederate cruiser Shenandoah, was placed at the bar,
charged on a warrant, issued, upon the application of the
Government, by Sir Thomas Henry, the chief magistrate
with infringing the Foreign Enlistment Act, by enlisting a
British subject for service in the Confederate States of
South America. The police have been for some time on
the look-out for Captain Corbett, Sergeant Clark, of the
metropolitan detective force having arrived in Liverpool
several days ago with that object. The circumstance which
led to the capture of the captain was the recognition of
Mrs. Corbett, who ventured one day from the house where
she and her husband were secluded into the street. Capt
Corbett was conveyed to the detective office, and Sergeant
Clark telegraphed to London to the effect that he would
bring up his prisoner for examination at Bow-street.
Mr Giffard appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Sleigh
defended Captain Corbett. _ _ .

The defendant, on being placed at the bar, gave his nam
Peter Sutor Corbett, and by profession a master mariner. •
Mr. Sleigh said on the; part of defendant he had to ask
that the case might b e remanded without at all being gone
into that day, as his client had but arrived in London that
morning, and he (Mr. Sleigh) had scarcely received his
instructions to defend him an hour ago.
Sir Thomas Henry said it was impossible to do that, as
it was necessary for him to hear some portion of the case
to justify him in remanding the prisoner.
Mr. Sleigh said he anticipated that would be the result
of the application. He bad been instructed to ask for the
postponent of the case, and it was in compliance with those
instructions that he had acted.
Mr. Giffard said that he appeared there to conduct
the prosecution against the gentleman at the bar, which was
one of no ordinary importance. The defendant in September
and October last was the commander of a ship called the
Sea King, and in the latter part of September he stated
that his ship was going on a voyage to Bombay, the China
Seas, Australia, and other places, but that she was not to
be absent longer than two years. A crew was got together
upon this representation, but immediately the vessel
got out to sea she ran to Maderia, and then
without going into port she signalled another steamer
which was awaiting her there, and both ships then pro-
ceeded to the Deserter's Island, when the defendant in-
formed the crew he had sold the ship, and that those
who remained in her would have a fine opportunity
of earning a large sum of money. The ensign of the Con-
federate States was then run up, and a quantity of heavy
boxes, which contained guns, shot, and shell, and other arti-
cles of war were then transferred from the Laurelto the Sea
King, which was named the Shenandoah. The most of
the men refused to join, although a bucket of sovereigns
was shown to them as an inducement. Four however,
he believed, remained in the Sea King, but the
rest were taken in the Laurel to Teneriffe, where one of
the men communicated with the British Consul, and he
communicated with the Government, and the law officers of
the Crown had been directed to institute the present inquiry.
The evidence of John Purchase, which was given before
Sir T. Henry when the warrant was issued, and which was
precisely similar to that of the following witnesses, having
been read,
Edward Amos said—l am a mariner, of Herne Bay, in
the county of Kent. In October last I went down to a
vessel named the Sea King, lying in the East India Docks.
It was on Oct. 5, 1864. I went aboard the Sea King and
asked if he wanted any hands. I saw the chief mate. I
showed him my discharge, which he retained. I then went
to Green's Sailors' Home, and I there saw the defendant
(Captain Corbett). I did•not make any observation with
regard to a voyage to Bombay. I knew Capt. Corbett, be-
cause he had been pointed out to me. After I signed arti-
cles the boatswain returned me my discharge, but I after-
wards gave it to a lad, who took it to the defendant. The
articles I signed were for a voyage to Bombay, at £2 10s. a
month. I don't know what became of the articles I signed.
The shipping master, I believe, had them, but I don't know
his name.
Mr. Sleigh said he must object to any further inquiry on
that point until the articles were produced.
Sir T. Henry—Quite so. The articles must be produced
for examination.
Examination continued—The vessel sailed on the Bth
down Channel. We put on canvas, and went straight off
to Madeira. We did not put into the harbour. When we
were off the port the steamier I was on board run up a flag,
one of the English code of signals. It was answered by
another steamer, which then came out. This vessel
was the steamer Laurel. She came out towards
us, answered the signal, and we both set out to sea. We
went back to Desertas Island. When we got there the
Laurel let go her anchor and we let go ours. We had over
17 fathoms water at our anchorage, which was close to the
island.
Sir T. Henry—How far from Madeira ?
Witness—Can't say, your worship.
Mr. Giffard—lts about 50 miles. It can be just seen on
a clear day.
Examination continued—When we got all right we
rigged up tackle and hove in a lot of cases. I know they
were heavy. One of them broke. I saw that it contained
a gun. There were siix heavy cases and a number of others
of a smaller description. Two of these broke, and shot and
shell rolled out of them about the deck. We were from
four o'clock in the afternoon until two or three o'clock the
next morning getting in the boxes. We worked all night.
The next day Capt. Corbett called the men together, and
said, "I've sold the ship ; follow me." I said I should join
the ship, but that I should go on board the Laurel. Capt.
Corbett never asked me to join, but the officers aboard the
Laurel did. I did not hear him say anything to the other
men.
Sir T. Henry—Did he not say when he had sold the
ship ?

Witness—No.
Sir T. Henry—Nor to whom ?
Witness—No. All he said was, " I've sold the ship
follow me."
Sir T. Henry—What did you understand by that ?
Witness—Why, that we were to go aboard the Laurel.

Examination continued—When we got aboard the
Laurel I saw a Federal flag run up to the mast-head of
the Sea King.
Mr. Giffard—No, no, not the Federal flag. Just tell us
what the flag was like.
Witness—lt was a white flag with stars, with some red
in the corner.
Michael Early—l shipped on board the Sea King as a
coal trimmer and ordinary seaman about a week before the
vessel sailed. She was then lying in the East India Docks.
I saw Captain Corbett about a day before I signed.
I asked him if he wanted any coal trimmers,
and he replied he wanted a few ordinary seamen
and coal trimmers. I did not know the .destination of the
vessel, but I know it was to be a very long voyage. I
signed for two years. I signed articles at Green's
Sailors' Home. The vessel went down channel under
steam. We went to Madeira. I then saw an English
flag run up, and the Laurel then came out, and we went
in company to the Desertas Island. The Laurel then
came alongside the Sea King. The crew took in a heavy
cargo. I and the others were mustered round the capstan
by Capt. Corbett. He said men, " I've sold the ship, and
if any of you wish to go it will be a good opportunity for
single men."
Sir T. Henry—Did he say to whom he had sold the ship ?
Witness—No. He said there would be good pay for all
that remained. I was offered 51. 10s. a month to remain.
Sir T. Henry—Who said that ?
Witness—l don't know. I think it was the other gentle-
man who stood near him. I don't know whether it was a
uniform the gentleman wore. It was a plain drab dress.]
Sir T. Henry—Did he wear a sword ?
Witness—l didn't see.
Mr. Giffard—What was said to you at that time ?
Witness—l was offered 51. 10s. a month and a good
bounty.
Mr. Giffard—What was the 5/. 10s. a month for ?
Wtiness—To enter the Confederate navy.
Mr Giffard—Was the Alabama mentioned ?
Witness—Yew Captain Corbett said the Sea King was
going on the sane way as the Alabama.
Peter Tow, sailmaker, said on the 7th of October I
joined a vessel called the. Sea King. I received a letter
from a friend at the Home telling me there was a sailmaker
wanted, and I went to the East India Export
Dock, and there I saw the Sea King and Captain
Corbett. I afterwards was engaged at kl a
month for a voyage to Bombay and other places, but not to
be absent longer than two years. When the Sea King
sailed we went to Madeira. On arriving there, we went
in company with the Laurel to Desertas Island. The
Laurel was a screw. The master of the Sea King ordered
the main-yard to be secured, in order to take in packages
about three tons weight from the Laurel. This was done,
and the men commenced passing over the cases. I don't
know what the cases contained. I saw some gun carriages
on board the Sea King, but no guns. I did not see one of
the large cases "break open. I did the smaller one.
They contained shot and shell. When the people came on
board the Sea King from the Laurel the chaps aboard the
Sea King said they were the crew of the Alabama.
person in light clothes came on board, and Captain.or-
bett said he was the captain of the ship. recollect c
being
mustered off by Captain Corbett. He said eweas_ going
a long voyage, but that if he could sell h
the ship he
should, as an intimation to that effect was stated in the
articles. I said it was not in those I signed. He
said
these who did not go with the ship in the event of her
being sold would receive two months' pay and a voyage
home. I Was told the ship had been sold, and the
gentleman who had been pointed out to me as the new
captain asked me to join the ship. That he would give me
71. 10s. a month, and 151. down. He said there was to be
no fighting unless we met a man-of-war. We were only
to sink vessels, and go privateering. Captain Corbett
heard all that was spoken by the new commander.
Captain Corbett said he had sold the ship, and those
who did not like to remain could go on board the Laurel
for passage home. I wear aboard the Laurel and went to
Teneriffe.
Sir T. Henry—How many joined the Sea King ?
Witness—Four.
Sir T. Henry—How many ret rued in the Laurel ?

Witness—Forty-two or forty-three.
Mr. Giffard said that was all the evidence he proposed to
offer that day.

Mr. Sleigh said he supposed there would be no objection
to admit the defendant to bail.

Sir T. Henry said the offence was a bailable one, but he
should require the defendant to crater into his own recog-
nizances for 5001., and to find two sureties of 2501. each.
Mr. Sleigh said he had gentlemen in attendance who
were willing to become bail for the prisoner to any
amount.

Mr Foster Mortimer and Mr.
_James limning, both sub-
tantial merchants in the City, were accepted as the pri-
soner's bail. _ _

Mr. Burnaby asked the defendant where he resided in
London.

Captain Corbett—The only residence I've had in London
has been the police-station. My residence is at 68, Egertan-
street, Liverpool.
After a consultation between all parties; the further
hearing of the case was adjourned until Thursday, the
19th inst.

MARKETS—This Day.

MARK LANE.

IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES.—Wheat, 37s 10d :barley
27s lld ; oats, 18s 10d ; rye, —s to —s ; beans, 36s 8d ;
peas, 34s 7d.
THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES.—Wheat, 38s 2d; barley,
28s 7d ; oats, 19s 7d ; rye, 30s Gd ; beans, 37s 2d ; peas,
35s 2d.

ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEER.--Wheat, 89,02'2 ;
barley, 93,345 ; oats, 9,849 ; rye, —s to —s.; , beans, 3,525;
peas; 1,729 quarters.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE.

Our market to-day was but moderately supplied with
beasts, but their general quality was good. Prime Scots,
&c., moved off steadily at full prices, the top figure being
5s 6d per 81bs ; otherwise the beef trade was in a sluggish
state on former terms. The show of sheep was rather
limited, and all breeds were in request at fully previous
rates. The best Downs and half-breds realised 6s per 81bs.
The few calves on offer were readily disposed of at quite
Monday's currency. Prime small pigs moved off freely Li
late quotations ; but large hogs were very dull. In milcia
cows next to nothing was doing.

Per 81h to sink the offal.

s d s d e ds d
Crse. & inf. heasts...3 R 4 4 Pme crs-wool sheep 5 4 5 8
,econd quality do ..4 6 4 10 Prime b'thdown d 0.5 10 6 0
Prime large oxen ..5 0 5 2 La-ge coarse calves. 4 6 5 2
Prime Scots. &c.... 5 4 5 6 Prime small do 4 5 10
Crse. and inf. sheep. 4 2 4 8 Large hogs ....3 8 4 0
econd quality do ..4 10 5 2
0s as t Small porkers . 42 4
Lambs....o oa od.

Suckling caav es,:too to zzs ; atm quarter-old store pigs, 206
26e each. . _

Head ofstoleßkeaosnts;:tign
supply.
Total supply.
Cows
Sheep
Ca ves 97
Pigs
NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.

Beasts
Cc ws .. 1 6
2
Sheep ,914
Calves l2O
330
Pigs

200

- -
Prime meat is in fair request, at full prices ; but inferibr
kinds are a slow sale. Beef, from 2s 10d to 4s 6d ; mutton,
3s 8d to 4s 10d ; veal, 4s to 4s 8d ; pork, 3s 4d to 4s Bd,
per 81bs. by the carcase.

MEAT MARKETS.

SOUTHALL, Jan. 4.—The supply of fat stock here to-day
was moderate, and sales progressed steadily, as follows :
Beef, from 3s 6d to 5s 4d; mutton, 4a to 68; veal, 4s 4d to
5s 4d; pork, 3s 6d to 4s 8d per 81bs., to sink the offal.
ROMFORD, Jan. 4.—Prime stock sold freely, at full quo-
tations ; otherwise, the trade was inactive. Beef, from 3s
8d to 5s 6d ; mutton, 4s 2d to 68 ; veal, 4s 6d to ss; pork,
3s 8d to 4s 8d per 81bs. Suckling calves, 16s to 20s quar-
ter; old store pigs, 20s to 265; and milch cows, 151. to
181. each.