The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-27 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday a court, which was numerously attended,
was held for the despatch of public business.
THE PATRIOTIC FUND—VOTE OF MONEY.
Mr. J. WOOD movs..(l the resolution "That this court
contribute the sum of two thousand pounds to the Pa-
triotic Fund, for the relief of the widows and orphans
of the soldiers, sailors, and marines engaged in the
present war." Mr. Wood said that when the time ar-
rived for considering the vote he was about to propose,
he was quite sure that members of the court, if they
eb-
jected to anything, could only cavil as to the amount,
and certainly not to the principle of the motion. In
1798 the corporation subscribed in aid of the voluntary
contributions at the Bank of England, 10,0001. In the
same year, far the relief of the widows and children of
the men who had been killed aid wounded at Lord Nel-
son's victory of the let of August, 5001. In 1800 for the
widows, wives, and children of the killed and wounded
in the expedition to Holland, 2001. In 1801 for the re-
lief of the wounded and the widows and orphans of those
who were killed in the battle of Copenhagen, 5001. In
the same year for the relief of the widows, wives, and
children of the killed or disabled in the battles fought
in Egypt, 500/. In 1805, tolthe Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's,
25,0001. In 1811, fcsr the relief of the British prisoners
in France, 5251., and for the sufferers in Portugal,
1,0001. In 1812, in aid of the suffering Russi
2,0001. (Hear.) In 1814, towards relieving the di:-
tresses in Germany, 5251. In 1815, in aid of the funds
for the relief and benefit of the families of the men killed,
and of the wounded sufferers of the British army in the
victory of Waterloo, 2,0001, In 1823, in aid of the
Greeks, 1,0001.; and in the same year, in aid of the
Spaniards, 1,0001. (Cheer -.) These were some of the
instances, he (Mr. Wood) would not say of the libera-
lity of the corporation of London, but of the duty which
they owed not only to their own suffering countrymen,
but also to the discomfited of other nations. In conclu-
sion, he was satisfied that his motion would not only be
seconded, but carried by the unanimous voice of the
Court. (Cheers.)
Deputy STEVENS seconded the motion.
Mr. ANDERTON, while declaring his sympathy with
the objects of the Patriotic Fund, and his intention to
sub:Tribe to it, objected to the proposed mode of its-ad-
ministration. He thought Government ought to make
sach provision for the widows and orphans of soldiers as
would make it unpocessary for them to rely on charitable
contributions.

Mr. BELL said that the Patriotic Fund of 1803, from
which the title of the new body had been taken, was
still in existence, with a good staff, and he believed
76,0001. in hand. Under these circumstances, he moved
as an amendment—" That the further consideration of
this question be adjourned until the next court, for the
purpose of considering the best plan to be adopted."
Mr. J. DAVIES seconded the motion, being decidedly
of opinion that the subscription was undertaken upon an
entirely mistaken principle, and conceiving that the re-
lief of the unfortunate sufferers was a national affair to
be originated with the Government, and not left to pri-
vate charity.
Mr. DARIN supported the original motion.
The LORD MAYOR put the amendment, and declared
it to be lost.

On the original motion being put,
Mr. H. T. TAYLOR moved that 1,0001. be inserted in
the resolution, instead of 2,0001.
Mr. Cox seconded the amendment.
The amendment was then put, and lost by a great
majority, and the original motion was carried amidst
general cheering.
BALL IN AID OP THE PATRIOTIC POND,
On the motion of Sir J. DUKE, seconded by Mr.
CARR, it was resolved that the use of the Guildhall, after
the Lord Mayor's Day, be granted for a ball for the be-
nefit of the Patriotic Fund.
NEW METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.
The report of the Markets Improvement Committee
(of which Mr. H. L. Taylor is chairman) wax brought
up and ordered to be printed. It recommended that no
alteration should be made in the day for holding the
market.
The Court then adjourned.

THE P.A.TRIOTIO FUND.

MEETING AT THE MANSION-HOUSE.—A preliminary
meeting was held yesterday, attended by the Governor
of the Bank of England, T. Smith, Esq., M.P., T.
Baring, Esq., M.P., and several other gentlemen, at
which a resolution was come to, calling upon the Lord
Mayor to convene a public meeting in favour of the
object contemplated by the Patriotic Fund. His lord-
ship has accordingly convened a meeting, to be holden
in the Egyptian Hall, Mansion-house, on Thursday
next, at one for two o'clock.
THE WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS of THE CITT.—
On Thursday evening a well-attended preliminary meet-
ing of gentlemen, engaged as clerks and assistants in
connection with several wholesole houses, was held at
the offices of the Early-Closing 'Association, the object
being the organising a plan for raising subscriptions to
the Patriotic Fund. It was decided that a public
meeting upon the subject should forthwith be held in
Lhe large room at the London Tavern.

POPLAR.—Yesterday evening a public meeting was
held at the Town-ball, Poplar, Edward Coleman, Esq„
one of the churchwardens in the chair, for the purpose
of appointing a local committee in aid of the Patriotic
Fnnd authorised to be collected under the Royal corn-
mission. The following resolution was agreed to :-
1 " That a local committee for this parish be now formed
in aid of the Patriotic Fund, authorised to be collected
under the Royal commission, for the widows and orphans
of soldiers, Fallon', and marines who have been killed,
or who may hereafter die amidst the ravages and casual-
ties of the present war." The usual votes of thanks
having been accorded to the chairman, the proceedings
terminated.

Noßwics.—A meeting was held here on Wednesday
for the purpose of forming a local association in aid of
the Patriotic Fund ; the mayor (Sir S. Bignold) in the
chair. The meeting procAsied•to the actual business of
the day—the signing the subscription list. The mayor
headed the paper with a donation of 251., the sheriff
subscribed his name for 50/., and that of Mr. Gurney,
M.P., 1001., and several other gentlemen promised
equally liberal sums.

HASTINGS.— A public meeting was convened by Mr.
C. Cleft, the mayor •f this borough, in the market-room,
on Wednesday evening, at eight o'clock, in pursuance of
the commission of her Majesty appointing commissioners
in aid of the Patriotic Fund—to select from the trades-
men and working classes, as agreed at the preliminary
meeting held on Monday last at the Town-hall, those
who amongst that body wished to become members of
the local sub-committees appointed to raise subscriptions
in aid of the fund, and to give them an opportunity of
manifesting their interest for the fund. The Mayor
presided, and the necessary appointments were made,
and a considerable sum was subscribed.

At Manchester, yesterday, a preliminary meeting was
held, the Mayor in the chair, and arrangements made
fora public meeting in support of the fund.

. •
WINDSOR.— Yesterday (Thursday) a meeting of the
committee appointed last week was held at the Town-

hall, Winds Cir; the Mayor (Mr. J. T. Bedborough) pre-
siding. The general meeting was called for the purpose
of promoting a subscription in aid of the sick and
wounded soldiers in the East, but much difference of
opinion prevailed. The Provost of Eton (the Rev. Dr.
Hamtrey) earnestly and eloquently advocated a sub-
scription for sending out experienced surgeons to assist
in ministering to the wants of the wounded soldiers.
Under these circumstances a committee was formed to
decide how the subscriptions already received should
be applied. The Mayor now reported that 2341. had
been received towards the Royal Patriotic Fund, and
671. had been subscribed for the special purpose of aiding
the sick and wounded. He recommended that the
whole amount be paid over to the treasurers of the
Patriotic Fund. Agreed to.
BIRMINGHAM.—A public meeting of the clergy, bankers,
merchants, and other inhabitants of Birmingham, con-
vened by the Mayor, by the authority of the Royal Com-
missioners, was held in the large committee-room of the
Town-hall yesterday, to promote the establishment of a
local committee in aid of the Patriotic Fund. Lord
Calthorpe said that the resolution he was about to pro-
pose did not require any advocate, or he should deeply
regret being called upon to move it. It was as follows :
" That this meeting cordially approves of the proposals
which have been made for extending, by means of a
patriotic fund, under the management of the Royal Com-
missioners, succour and relief to the widows and orphans
of soldiers, sailors and marines engaged in the war."—
The Rev. J. C. Miller seconded the resolution. The re-
solution was passed unanimously. Thanks being voted
to the Mayor, the meeting separated.
POOLE.—The inhabitants of this borough met on Tues-
day, under the presidency of the mayor, and passed a
series of resolutions in aid of the Patriotic Fund.
Liberal subscriptions were made.
GLASGOW.--We understand that the Lord Provost
has received a cheque for 501. from Mr. Boyd Alexander,
of Southbar, for the Patriotic Fund for the benefit of
the widows and families of our soldiers and sailors. The
Lord Provost has not yet had a public meeting regard-
ing this object, but we believe that his lordship intends
calling one on an early day to appoint committees to
obtain subscriptions for the fund.—Olasgoto Mail.
Du ILIN.—We understand the Lord Mayor is actively
engaged, in concert with some of our principal
_felld to
o vr.
Ire
citizens, in organising measures for enabling I
co-operate fully and generously in forming
patrioticsoldiers
fund for the relief of the widows and children of a
Ireland
and sailors who may fall in the course of the
gallant
struggle for the liberties of the world in which our coun-
', try is now involved.

SOUTHWARK LITERARY ...TNSTITUTION.—On Wedneadsy
evening Professor Allen (an American citizen) delivered
a thrilling lecture at the above
Institution ; the subject
of which was, "Great men a nation's vitality." Pro-
fessor Allen—to the shame of ourTratnozafitleaenthicisberoeuthnrtery,
account brethren,
be it spoken !—has been compelled
on
of the colour of his il
skin.
A contract has been granted to M9ssrs. James Baines
and Co., of Liverpool, for the conveyance of the entire
Government emigration from England to Van Diemen's
Land. At Liverpool there are now loading 35 ships, of
31,667 tons, for .Australia, and of these 19,000 tons are
for Victoria alone. Only two vessels have sailed for
Australia, and both for Sydney, since the 19th inst.
SILK SALES.—The public sales are concluded—the
quantity printed was about 6,000 bales China and 1,000
bales Bengal. As usual, there were no biddings as the
sales progressed ; but ti good business has resulted during
the week ; probably 2,500 bales China have been sold
at prices fully confirming previous doings. Messrs.
Durant and Co. state that a large portion of the Chinas
were old silk that had been bought twelve or eighteen
months since, at rates very different even from those
now current. Of Bengal silk, about 200 bales were
taken at previous prices ; this silk has, at present, re-
ceived no impetus from themovement in China silks.