The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-13 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1 1851.

THE CORPORATION OF LONDON.

( From the Times.)

The corporation of London appear to be aware of the
value of the last word. It is generally known that the
course proposed by the Commissioners Was, that the evi-
dence should be taken against the corporation in the first
instance. Then there was to be a pause in the inquiry,
that the members of the corporation might prepare their
minds for business with a little Christmas festivity, and,
when this day of grace had elapsed, they were to be heard
in turn. There was never any kind of idea that the hands
of the Commissioners were to be tied up u hen they had
heard the evidence of the corporation and the cor-
poration witnesses. They were to be free to
reconcile discrepancies and to extract the truth
from counter-statements in any way they might please.
There is no reason why the Commissioners should bind
themselves down by the strictest forms of a court of
law. They sit to hear evidence in any shape in which
it may present itself—nor is there any reason why they
should close the door against any witness until they
have satisfied themselves that they know all that can
be known on each successive point that may arise. It ,

was natural enough to take the charge before the defence,
but there is something more in the present inquiry than a
mere proceeding between accuser and accused., Had not
any man in the first instance raised his hand against
the Corporation, they would equally have been bound
to lay a full account of their constitution, revenues, ex-
penditure, abuses, &c., before the Commissioners, who
would no doubt have examined witnesses upon the
points disclosed in the case made out by the Corpora-
tion. The members of this body, in a word, desire to
confine their numerous opponents to the evidence de-
livered before a particular day, and then to take their

own time for an answer, without having to dread any
further contradiction. It would seem a much more ra-
tional course to give the Corporation an opportunity for
replying to any charge which may be urged against them,
but not to shut the doors, on the other hand, against
• any accuser who may have a rational charge to prefer
at any stage of the inquiry. This is, in point of fact,
the course which will be adopted by the commissioners,
who—we will borrow the words used by Mr. Labou-
chere yesterday—" although desirous of pursuing the
course which had been pointed out, must yet reserve in
their hands the most unfettered discretion of calling
evidence afterwards upon any points which either might
appear not to be sufficiently cleared up or to require
explanation." With this decisive blow this little pro-
ject of the corporation was knocked to pieces, and their
zealous advocate was compelled to leave them to their
impending fate.
There was a great gathering of the city magnates on
Wednesday in Downing-street. The Lord Mayor was
there, and the Recorder, and the Town-Clerk, and the
Remembrancer, and the late Clerk to the Remem-
brancer, and the Chamberlain, and the Controller of
Bridge-house Estates—all the city notabilities, in short,
except Gog and Magog. A statement of the city case
had been drawn up, and was read by the Recorder to
the Commissioners. The document will be found

in another portion of our columns this day in the
report of the proceedings in Downing-street. For
the present we will only direct the attention of our
readers to the examination of Mr. B. Scott, the
late Clerk to the Retnembrancer. This gentleman
is not only unable to disprove any of the statements
which have been made, but absolutely discloses matter
as damaging to the interests of his employers as any
which had been pronou ced by the adverse witnesses. We
find again the little story of the newspaper, the Citizen.
Mr. B. Scott advanced 2501. out of his own pocket in
the course of this transaction, which was afterwards re-
paid to him under the head of "Miscellaneous Expendi-
ture." The transaction was, of course, a "confidential
matter." Again, Mr. B. Scott was asked if there had
been any expenditure in Parliamentary matters of a ,
"confidential nature ?" The question and answer, or
answers, stand as follows in the report :
" Has there been any expenditure in Parliamentary
matters or in any other things by the city, except the
transaction to which you have referred, which may be
called of a confidential nature, and of which a full ac-
count has not been given ?—I am not aware of any sums
of money respecting which a perfect knowledge has not
existed in the minds of those who administered the funds,
although the matter may have been sufficiently confi-
dential to be referred to a sub-committee of a few per-
sons, instead of to a large number.
"Is there any system of expending money for what
you call private and confidential' purposes of which no
detailed account is rendered ?—There are very many
entries in the accounts of which the totals are given ;
but the details are not rendered. The details of Par-
liamentary expenditure could not be given.
"Is that because there is anything in that expenditure
which requires to be kept secret ?—lt is not desirable
in matters of that kind tolpublish to the world the precise
nature of the expenditure.
"Why not?—lt has been so considered.
" Why has it been so considered I—Because it is
thought, probably, that the opposition would be more
effectual by not publishing to the world the precise
means by which the bill is opposed or public opinion
elicited."

Really, the most determined opponent of the Corpora-
tion could scarcely render them such disservice as their
own late servant. When we come to-morrow to consider
their written statement we must beg our readers to re-
member that we are dealing with a document issued by
gentlemen who are in the habit of getting over awk•
ward points by
dealing with them in a " confidential
manner."

THE SHIPPING TRADE.

The following review of the shipping trade of the
past year is from a circular issued yesterday by
Messrs. W. S. Lindsay and Co. It describes the
extraordinary advance that has taken place of
nearly 50 per cent. in the price of ships, and of 100
per cent. in rates of freight, and the prospects of a
continuance of these prices for some time, and of
a partial reaction ultimately from the increased
rapidity of construction. It also refers to the pro-
gress and results of the competition between this
country and the United States with the advanta-
ges afforded us by our supply of iron ; to the
effects during the year of the favourable accounts
of the goldfields, and of the demand for breadstuffs,
and finally, to the contingencies to be kept in view
in connexion with the coming hostilities with Rus-
sia, both as regards liability to seizure and rates of
insurance :
"In 1852 we commenced to feel the benefits arising
from open competition and the tree exchange of commo-
dities with other nations, increased to a surprising degree
by rapid intercourse through the aid of steam, and the
enormous trade which steam itself created in the convey-
ance of coals. Freights rose, and all descriptions of
vessels were materially enhanced in value. A still more
rapid increase, however, took place after the discovery of
the goldfields in California and Australia. The price of
our highest class British ships rose from 151. to 21/. and
221. per ton, and colonial froi 64. 10s. ,to 11/, per ton.
Freights, in many instances, advanced-more than 160 per
cent., -.IC. i; was soon discovered that, though we had
opened our carrying trade to the vessels of all other na-
tions, our merchants could not find sufficient tonnage to
execute legitimate orders ; for, unlike many branches of
commerce, the demand was to supply actual wants.
Throughout 1853 freights from Odessa have risen from
655. to 1205., and at that port as high as 170 s. and
180 s. per ton has been paid. Freights from America,
both in timber and grain, have advanced fully 100 s. per
cent. above former rates ; from the Baltic in like propor-
tion ; and even in the coal trade between Newcastle and
this port the usual standard rate (certainly a very unre-
munerative one) of 6s. per ton has been more than
doubled. From India and China there has been, how-
ever, very little advance on the average of former years.
By all appearance, the present rates in every branch of
trade are likely to be maintained throughout the whole
of this year at least. But, though labour and materials
are pretty certain to maintain their present prices, and
though our carrying trade continues to increase, the
power of producing ships, not merely in our own country
and in our colonies, but also in America and in the nor-
thern parts of Europe, is so very great that tonnage
may even before the close of the present year be in-
creased to a greater extent than the requirements of our
trade—one extreme too often begetting another—so that
for a time we may experience a reaction in our rates of
freight and in the price of ships.
"In the models and in the mode of constructing our
vessels there has been a marked improvement since 1850
when we were thrown into open competition with those
of other nations. The result is, that our ships have
fully maintained the superiority, and though the ' clip-
per' ships of America bade fair (and many of them are,
indeed, magnificent specimens of naval architecture) to
monopolize our carrying trade from China, we have pro-
duced ships fully equa to theirs in speed, of greater
capacity in proportion to the register tonnage, and supe-
rior in strength, as the clipper ships of this country have
certainly delivered their cargoes from China this season
in much better condition than their American competi-
tors. American builders appear to have in the constuc-
tion of their clippers overlooked an important fact—that
the strength of fastening should be increased quite as
much, if not more, in proportion to the speed than to
the size

"In iron we have a material which will enable us to
build vessels of still finer mould and greater strength ;
and in ships of that construction, which are very much
on the increase, we have little reason to dread compe-
tition even with the shipowners of America, who are,
in a manner creditable to themselves, straining every
nerve to attain a maritime supremacy. That they will
do so in amount of tonnage is unquestionable, for the
tonnage owned in the United States is now nearly as
great as the whole of the tonnage owned in Great
Britain, her possessions, and her colonies ; and New
York alone now owns about as great an amount of ton-
nage as London and Liverpool combined. On the 31st
of December, 1852, London owned 681,713 tons ;
Liverpool, 633,485 tons ; while so far back as the Roth
of June, 1852, New York owned 1,016,599 tons of

‘‘-The season for chartering from the West Indies and
Brazils being now at hand, the merchants show con-
siderable anxiety for tonnage to and from Havannah,
Porto Rico, Rio de Janeiro, and Bahia, so that from all
these ports rates much higher than were paid last season
can now be realised.

" In timber charters an immense business was done
in the autumn, so that we have now in port an exces-
sive supply of wood, which it may take long to dispose
of, but still many are of opinion that our Canadian and
Baltic timber freights will open at higher rates than
even those paid in autumn. Our general spring Baltic
rates depend entirely on the question of peace or war,
and we have no transactions in anticipation of either.
" The Australian trade has fluctuated less than might
have been anticipated, for, although the quantity of
goods sent out has been immense, and the Emigration
Commission have been chartering regularly throughout
the year, the number of private emigrants has been very
small as compared with the numbers whose exodus to-
wards the close of 1852 gave rise to much speculation in
freights. The increasingly favourable accounts which
we receive from time to time from the gold fields may be
expected to attraot many this year who have been in-
duced to remain at home hitherto by the high rates of
wages which they have been able to command in this
country.

"The large exports to India and China caused the
outward freights to those places to advance steadily till
the autumn, since which they have remained about sta-
tionary. Seeing the demand which still continues in
other trades, which can give employment for ships of
larger size, the freights of these cannot fall materially at
present, even though nixny of our merchants may delay
their shipments.
"The grain trade, above all others, has been charac-
terised by extraordinary activity, the result of a combi-
nation of events which it was impossible to foresee. The
shortness of our supplies of grain, added to the practical
closing of our most important granaries by the war be-
tween Russia and Turkey, has
given rise to very large
importations from the United States and other parts.
et should this country be unhappily plunged into war
with Russia, then neutral flags will have a preference in
our carrying
trade, as these ships are not liable to con-
demnation as prizes ; but it must be borne in mind that
all cargoes, even in them, if the property of the people
e
of either of the countries engaged in hostilites, are
equally liable to confiscation.
"The extension of foreign trade, both export and
import, and the consequent additional employment of
shipping, have caused a corresponding increase in the
business of insurance, both on ships and produce.
The general character of the weather since the autumn
of 1852 has, on the average, been unfavourable,
and most premiums are rather higher than they
had been previously to 1853, and the tendency is still
upward. The unsettled state of Eastern politics has led
the underwriters to require either a warranty from cap
ture, seizure, and detention, or an additional premium.
The risk of capture, however, being trifling, except on
vessels in the Baltic and Black Seas, the additional rate
demanded on all other risks has been small ; and, as it
has been uncertain whether we should be involved in
war, few merchants or shipowners have been willing to
give a high extra premium on the Baltic and Black Sea
risks to cover a casualty which may never occur, but
have preferred to wait, and pay even a higher rate,
should the danger actually arise. '

ALARMING FIRE IN THE BLACRPRIARS-ROAD. Last
night, shortly after nine o'clock, afire, attended with
the destruction of at least some hundred pounds' worth
of property, broke out in the premises belonging to Mr.
D. Davis, china and glass merchant, Carrying on busi-
ness at 45, Blackfriars-road. The building was of con-
siderable extent, and stretched backwards from 80 to
100 feet down Cross-street. The premises were closed
at a few minutes past nine o'clock by the foreman of the
warehouse, at which time the place seemed perfectly
safe. In about five minutes afterwards police-constable
No. 449, of the A division, was Passing along his beat
when he perceived smoke pouring forth from the area
gratings. He at once came to the conclusion that the
basement warehouse was on fire. He, therefore, sprang
his rattle for assistance, and then sent off for the engines.
In a very brief period the engines of the parish, London
Brigade, and West of England offices attended. By
that period the flames had extended from the base-
ment, through the flooring, and had seized upon
the valuable stock on the ground floor warehouse.
An abundant supply of warer was obtained from
the Lambeth Company's mains the instant the plugs
were drawn, and the firemen, taking advantage of the
the same, set their engines to work, the men being
directed by Messrs. Henderson, Connorton, and Ham.
bleton. Having got the hose of the engines well charged
with water, the front shutters were removed, when the
flames rushed out half way across the foot-pavement,
threatening the most disastrous results to the entire
building. The firemen, however, followed the fire with
their branches in hand, and as they beat down the flames
in front they were enabled to reach them at the back,
and finally they succeeded in entirely extinguishing what
at one time threatened to be a terrible conflagration.
The damage done, however, will reach to several hun-
dreds, if not 1,0001. Fortunately the sufferer was in-
sured in the Alliance Fire-office. A crowd numbering
some thousands congregated on the spot, but owing to
the admirable arrangements of the police, under Mr.
Inspector Cowlen and Serjeant Harris, a road was kept
clear for.tha firemen.
The general report in military circles is that twelve
regiments of English militia are to be sent to Ireland,
and that two troops are to be added to each cavalry re-
giment,--Limerick Chronicle.

IRONMASTERS' QUARTERLY MEETINGS.

BIRMINGHAM, THURSDAY'.
The most important of the South Staffordshire iron-
masters' meetings of the quarter was held in this town
to-day, and the hall at one time was crowded.
At the meeting held at Wolverhampton yesterday
prices were described as being extremely firm, and that
if there was any inclination for a movement it was up-
wards, rather than downwards ; but the great firms, by
whose decisions in prosperous times the smaller ones aro
generally regulated, have determined to abide by the
advance of 11. which took place in the middle of last
quarter, so that prices of manufactured iron may be
considered as at present fixed 11. higher than in October
last.

There is no alteration in the rate of wages given to
the ironmen, which were raised twelve months ago.
One of the chief iron-masters, and the maker of the
best descriptions, stated to-day that he could not recol-
lect the period when the demand was so great. The
orders for North America are immense ; whilst the
building of iron ships in almost all the principal ports of
Great Britain, is unquestionably one of the chief causes
of the present great increase in the manufacture of iron;
but, according to the authority of the gentleman to
whom we have referred, iron has snore than ever become
a necessity in the manufacture of articles of home and
domestic use. The home consumption was scarcely ever
greater ; and the demand not for purposes of specula-
tion, but required, as stated, for immediate use. The
rage which there has been for the last few years for
building—as a matter of course iron being required in
every branch of the workmanship as a principal commo-
dity—is one principal reason of the present overflow .of
work in the iron works. The demand is equally exces-
sive for bars, hoops, sheets, rods, &c. ; but if any differ-
ence is to be observed as greater than the rest, sheets
are most in request.
Iron stone is very scarce and dear, but it is hoped that
the great discoveries and yield in Yorkshire, recently
brought to public knowledge, will have, by means of
railways, the effect of bringing additional surplies, and
reducing the high prices of ore.
The coal market to-day in the Town-hall was described
as being extremely stringent, and prices, owing to wea-
ther and the state of the pits, rather more than main-
tained.

The general accounts payable at quarterly meetings
by the manufacturers of Birmingham, were said to-day
to have been punctually and satisfactorily met. Not-
withstanding the impediments thrown in the way of
trade during the last quarter by high prices and the
weather, we heard of no defalcations ; but, so far as we
could understand, all arrangements and past bargains
were faithfully and honourably fulfilled.

THE FATAL OOLLISIOY ON THE EASTERN

COUNTIES RAILWAY.