The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-04 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 4, 1853.

EASTERN AFFAIRS-CONFERENCE
OF JEER MAJESTY'S MINISTERS.

( From the Times.)

The Ministers now in town, constituting a ma-
jority of the Cabinet, met yesterday at the Foreign-
office, and held a long conference on the present
anxious position of Eastern affairs. As the intelli-
gence which had called them together was not in
itself of a perfectly distinct and decisive character,
and as in a matter of such moment it will be ne-
cessary to await the arrival of the other Ministers,
all of whom are hastening to the metropolis, some
days will probably elapse before anything in the
nature of a fresh decision can be expected. The
intelligence which was the immediate occasion of
the meeting was, that on the 26th ult.—a week
later than the last reported dates—the Grand
Council, a body consisting of about 140 mag-
nates of the Turkish empire, had recommended
the Sultan to make a declaration of war. The
force of that recommendation, and the probability
of the Sultan's acting upon it, as well as all the
particulars of the proceeding ascribed to the Grand
Council, must remain matters of conjecture till the
arrival of more exact information, which, according
to the same telegraphic dispatch to which we are
indebted for all that is known on the subject, may
soon be expected by a courier via Marseilles. The
news, as far as it goes, must be considered very un-
favourable to the hopes of those who have laboured
for peace, but, at the worst, it must still be some
time before those hopes can be given up, or any
change of policy demanded on the part of our Go-
vernment. It does not act at all without France
in the matter, and no communication has yet been
received from Paris. The declaration of war by
the Porte was a contingency contemplated in the
instructions given to . Lord Stratford, who 'has
thereby the power, even if subsequent instruc-
tions did not give it, to send for the fleet.
He will, doubtless, do whatever he thinks
best for the defence of the Sultan, and he will
be fully supported in that policy by the Go-
vernment at home ; though, even in the event of
an actual declaration of war, it may still be in our
power to save the Porte from the consequences of
that act without offensive operations. Lord Strat-
ford is understood, or rather supposed, to have dis-
approved the step taken by the Grand Council, and
would probably do his best to delay further pro-
ceedings.
The intelligence from Olmiitz is in all respects of
less importance. Concessions and assurances have
been ostensibly made by the Emperor at a time
and in a form when they could be worth very little,
in the face of the violently aggressive policy too
clearly betrayed in Count Nesselrode's despatches.
In these it has been scarcely disguised that Russia
seeks to establish fresh rights in Turkey, and an
influence never before possessed, so as to reduce
the negotiation on the Vienna Note to a hollow
pretence utterly unworthy of the great Powers and
great interests concerned in it. It is true that
Russia still pretends to demand what nobody has
ever wished to deny her—viz., the maintenance of
treaties, and of the status quo in religious matters.
That she can have whenever she chooses to be
content with it, but nothing more. In the interest
of peace every effort has been made to keep Russia
to her word, and to secure her all that she is
entitled to, but all attempts at further encroach-
ment will be resisted, as they have been from the
commencement of her present aggressions. In deal-
ing, however, with a Power that evidently seeks to
gain time, and that is avowedly availing itself of
a protracted negotiation to secure a position in
which negotiation may be dispensed with altoge-
ther, it is obvious that, while many reasons might
exist for friendly remonstrance at the first appear-
ance or suspicion of such conduct, a time must
come when the mask will bo thrown off on one side
and forbearance cease on the other. The full dis-
closure of the Russian policy cannot but give a new
character to the resistance of the chief independent
Powers of Europe. Such a pass must have been
foreseen by the Emperor of Russia, who could
hardly have supposed either that Europe would
look on quietly at the sudden and unprovoked ir-
ruption of his hordes into the dominions of a peace-
ful and friendly neighbour, or that it would con-
tent itself with a barren protest and. a fruitless
negotiation. But now that the Emperor stands
arraigned at the court of common order, civilisa-
tion, and honour, as a causeless disturber of the
public pease, the discrepancy between his fair
words and his violent acts cannot but infuse some
misgivings into a conscience not wholly deadened
by power and ambition. The Emperor risks the
peace of Europe, and does his best to light a flame
which neither ho nor his sons may live to see ex-
tinguished—for what ? Either to obtain what he
has not even a colour of right to, or, if we are to
allow him a certain sort of honesty, to gratify his
pride by rejecting some harmless modifications, ne-
cessary to allay the alarm of the Porte, and thereby
to secure the Emperor's own professed intentions.
This he does on the petty plea that they are pro-
posed by the Turkish Government, and that there-
fore his honour is concerned not to accept them,
though ever so insignificant. For this the peace of
Europe is to be jeopardised, and a struggle com-
menced which must indeed be ruinous to Turkey,
but which will be so assuredly to other powers also,
and not the least to that vast but poor and unman-
ageable dominion which threw down the gauntlet
and defied the indignation of the civilised world.

slopes attracted general admiration. Then the masses
of infantry were suddenly moved to the right, and
the cavalry to the left, to menace the flank of the
supposed enemy, while the rockets flashed in
golden curves over the heads of the eclaireurs upon
the imaginary foe. In a moment the infantry
came to a full stand, to meet a supposed cavalry
attack, and a line of squares bristled with serried
bayonets, and discharged a simultaneous volley.
The infantry then advanced again, and, in conclu-
sion, the reserve intersected the interstices of the
first line, and with shouts stormed the heights.
There is a theatre in Olmutz, but the confe-
rences last usually to past midnight, and the dip-
lomatic personages (i. e., the Emperors, Count
Buol, Count Nesselrode, Lord Westmoreland, and
Prince Paskiewitsch, who attends all the con-
ferences) do not appear.
The Cesarewitch, the Crown Prince of Russia,
left last night, and the Emperor Nicholas leaves
to-night or to-morrow.
P.S.—The operations have closed with a splen-
did cavalry manoeuvre of the 11 regiments, alto-
gether 12,000 horsemen, under the command of
Prince Francis Lichtenstein. The Emperor of
Russia goes positively to-night, the train having
been ordered for 10 o'clock.

SUBSTANCE OF THE ACT TO REPEAL CERTAIN
STAMP DUTIES, AND TO GRANT OTHERS IN
LIEU THEREOF.

From and after the 10th of October, 1853, the seve-
ral stamp duties now payable in Great Britain and Ire-
land respectively, for or in respect of the sevesal instru-
ments, matters, and things, described in the schedule to
this act annexed, shall respectively cease and determine,
and shall be and the same are hereby repealed ; and. in
lieu and instead thereof there shall be paid in and
throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland the several duties or sums of money set down in
figures against the same respectively in the schedule.
The duties of one penny by this act granted on re-
ceipts and on drafts or orders for the payment of
money respectively may be denoted either by a stamp
impressed upon the paper whereon any such instrument
is written or by an adhesive stamp affixed thereto, and
the Commissioners of Inland Revenue shall provide
stamps of both descriptions for the purpose of denoting
the said duties.

Where an adhesive stamp shall be used, the person
by whom such receipt shall be given shall, before the
instrument shall be delivered out of his power, cancel or
obliterate the stamp so used, by writing thereon his name
or the initial letters of his name, so and in such a man-
ner as to show clearly and distinctly that such stamp
has been made use of ; any person who shall give any
discharge with any adhesive stamp, and shall not bona
fide in manner aforesaid effectively cancel or obliterate
such stamp, shall forfeit the sum of 101.
Fraudulently removing from any paper whereon any
receipt or any draft or order shall be written any adhe-
sive stamp, or any fraudulent act, contrivance, device
whatever, not specially provided for by this or some
other act of Parliament, with intent or design to defraud
her Majesty, her heirs, or successors, of any duty by
this act, incur a penalty of 201.
Every person who shall agree to make, or shall re-
ceive any premium or valuable consideration for making,
any assurance upon lives, or upon any event or contin-
gency relating to or depending upon lives, shall within
cafe calendar month after the payment or giving of any
such premium or consideration, make out or sign upon
paper, duly stamped, a policy f such assurance or insu-
rance, and have the same ready to be delivered to
the party entitled thereto, and shall upon demand de-
liver the same to him, or in default in any of the cases
aforesaid shall forfeit the sum of 501.

Every person who at the time of the payment or giv-
ing of any such premium or consideration shall be a
managing director of or secretary to or other principal
officer of any society or company receiving any such
premium or consideration, shall be deemed to be a
person making or agreeing to make such assurance or
Insurance, and shall be subject and liable to this penalty.
Articles of clerkship to attorneys of the County Pala-
tine Courts may be stamped for admission of the clerk
into superior courts on payment of the additional duty
only.

Additional inventories in Scotland to be chargeable
with additional duty only.
No license granted to any spiritual person to perform
divine service in any building approved by the bishop in
lieu of any church or chapel whilst the same is under
repair or is rebuilding, or in any building so approved
for the convenience of the inhabitants of a parish resi-
dent at a distance from the church or consecrated chapel,
shall be chargeable with any stamp duty.
Where property is sold subject to any mortgage, the
mortgage money to be deemed part of the purchase
money, whether agreed to be paid by the purchaser or
not.

Where property is sold in consideration of a redeem-
able annuity, the redemption money to be deemed pur-
chase money.
_ _

Counterparts of leases not required to be impressed
with a particular stamp for denoting or testifying the
payment of the stamp duty chargeable on the original
lease.

When any deed or instrument shall be presented to
the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and the fee of 10s.
shall be paid to them for their opinion as to the stamp
duty with which such deedwr instrument in their judg-
ment is chargeable, the said commissioners are now re-
quired to assess and charge the stamp duty on such deed or
instrument, and, on the same being duly stamped, to im-
press thereon a particular stamp to signify and denote
that the full amount of stamp duty with which such deed
or instrument is by law chargeable has been paid. And
whereas the said commissioners are not authorised to
impress a particular stamp upon any deed or instrument
not chargeable with any stamp duty in order to de-
note that the same is not so chargeable ; the commis-
sioners
may now adjudge deeds not liable to stamp duty,
and impress thereon a particular stamp, which shall sig-
nify and denote that such deed is not chargeable with
any stamp duty : and every such deed or instrument
upon which the said stamp shall be impressed shall be
deemed to be not so chargeable, and shall be receivable
in evidence in all courts of law and equity. An appeal
from the determination of the commissioners may be
had.

Transfers of bonds and mortgages of public companies
are exempted from stamp duty on payment of a compo-
sition.

Persons authorised by Postmaster-General may sell
postage stamps, or carry about same for sale, without
being subject to penalty.
No playing cards, except such as shall be bona fide
spoiled and rendered unfit for use as playing cards in the
process of manufacture, and which shall have a corner
cut off, nor any cards commonly called or known as
picture cards, shall be deemed to be waste cards ; and
no playing cards, except waste cards, shall be sold
otherwise than in packs, each pack containing fifty-two
cards of the four usual suits of thirteen cards each, in-
cluding an ace of spades duly stamped for denoting the
duty by the said act granted on a pack of cards, and
tied up together ; and any person selling or keeping for
sale any playing cards, not being a pack of cards as
aforesaid, and the same not being bona fide waste cards
within the meaning of this act, shall, for every pack,
parcel, or separate quantity of cards so sold or kept for
sale, forfeit, if he be not a licensed maker, the sum of
101., and if he shall be a licensed maker the sum of 201.

Officers of Inland Revenue exempted from serving
public offices.
Stamps rendered useless by this act at any time within
six calendar months after the commencement of this act
may be cancelled, and allowance made for the same, as
in the case of spoiled stamps.
Provided always that any draft order drawn upon a
banker for a sum of money payable to order on demand
which shall, when presented for payment, purport to be
endorsed by the person to whom the same shall be drawn
payable, shall be a sufficient authority to such banker to
pay the amount of such draft or order to the bearer
thereof; and it shall not be incumbent on such banker
to prove that such endorsement, or any subsequent en-
dorsement, was made by or under the direction or au-
thority of the person to whom the said draft or order
was or is made payable either by the drawer or any en-
dorser thereof. _ _ . _

All the several sums of money and duties and compo-
sition for duties granted and made payable in Ireland
by fifth and sixth years of her Majesty, chapter eighty-
two, and not repealed by any subsequent act, and also
all duties now payable in lieu or instead of any of the
said duties which may have been so repealed, shall be
and the same are hereby continued and made perpetual.
Duty.
s. d.

SCHEDULE REFERRED TO IN THIS ACT.
Apprenticeship and clerkship. —lndenture, or
other instrument or writing, containing the
covenants, articles, or agreements for or relat-
ing to the service of any apprentice, clerk, or
servant, who shall be put or placed to or with
any master or mistress, or to or with any new
master or mistress, either by assignment, trans-
fer, or turn-over or upon the death, absence,
or incapacity of the former master or mistress,
or otherwise, to learn any profession, trade, or
employment whatsoever (except articles of clerk-
ship or apprenticeship to any attorney, solici-
tor, or other person in order to admission in
any court, or in any office in any court), or any
writing whatever (except as aforesaid), whereby
any such assignment, transfer, or turn-over may
be effectuated or ascertained :—Where no sum
of money or other matter or thing shall be paid,
given, assigned, or conveyed, or be secured to
be paid, given, assigned, or conveyed to or for
the use or benefit of the master or mistress,
with or in respect of any apprentice, clerk, or
servant. 2 6
Debenture or certificate for entitling any person
to receive any drawback of any duty or duties,
or part of any duty or duties of customs or ex-
cise, or any bounty payable out of the revenue
of customs or excise, for or in respect of any
goods, wares, or merchandise, exported or
shipped to be exported from any part of the
United Kingdom to any part beyond the sea :
Where the drawback or bounty to be received
shall not exceed 10/ 1 0
Where the same shall exceed 101. and not ex-
ceed 501...., 2 6
And where the same shall exceed 501 5 0
Draft or order for the payment of any sum of
money to the bearer or to order, on demand 0 1
And the following instruments shall be deemed and
taken to be drafts or orders for the payment of
money within the intent and meaning of this
act, and of any act or acts relating to the
stamp duties on bills of exchange, drafts, or
orders, and shall be chargeable accordingly
with the stamp duties imposed by this act or
any such act or acts, viz. :—All documents or
writings usually termed letters of credit, or
whereby any person to whom any such docu-
ment or writing is or is intended to be delivered
or sent shall be entitled, or be intended to he
entitled to have credit with, or in account with, t
or to draw upon any other person for, or 00,
receive from such other person any sum
money therein mentioned.
All drafts or orders for the payments 0
or bankers,
any banker
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE DUTIES ON DRAFTfSmOolinoeyßDtEoßtsh.e
bearer on demand, drawn upon
duty.
now by law exempt from
to persons abroad
persons in the United All letters of credit,
United Kingdom.
authorising drafts on wdhitatliinmegrpdionms.ets or not, sent by
rolicy of athauranceor insurance, or other instrument,

r PRICE SD.

by whatever name the same shall be called, whereby
any insurance shall be made upon any life or lives, or
upon any event or contingency relating to or depend-
ing upon any life or lives : Where the sum insured
shall not exceed 5001., then for every 501., and any frac-
tional part of 501., 6d.

And- where it shall exceed 5001., and shall not exceed
1,000/. ; then for every 1001., and any fractional part
of 1001., ls.

And where it shall exceed 1,0001. ; then for every
1.0001. and any fractional part of 1,0001., 10s.
Receipt or discharge given for or upon the payment of
money amounting to 21. or upwards, ld.