The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-18 00:00:00

Vitt% VibittolL

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

SOUTH AMERICA.

MONTE VIDEO, DEC. 28.—We are very quiet
here, but affairs on the other side of the river are
in a most troubled state, owing to the investment
of the City of Buenos Ayres by Colonel Lagos.
Almost the entire foreign population had taken up
arms with the object of preventing his entry at the
head of an armed force—a measure of precaution
fully justified, looking not only at the character of
the man, but also at the little control he would
possess over his troops, in the event of such a
temptation being offered them as the sacking of a
town like Buenos Ayres. The Governor pro tem
has issued a proclamation calling upon all and every
to his assistance, and it is likely an effusion of
blood may take place.
BUENOS AYRES, JAN. 1.-Our expectations with
regard to a more favourable rate of exchange have
been disappointed, owing to the city being now in
a state of siege, and all transactions in produce
suspended, as well as business generally—Colonel
Lagos, at the head of a body of troops, havingin-
vested the city since the 6th instant ; the latter
resists, and it is impossible to predict the issue.
Exchange, 645. Doubloons, 24 dols.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS-(THIS EVENING.)

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from a
place in Oxfordshire, praying for a distribution of par-
liamentary papers.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH gave notice that on
Friday next he would present a petition from Madras,
praying for redress of grievances in connection with the
renewal of the East India Company's charter ; and also,
to ask whether it was the intention of the Government
to introduce any measure this session with regard to the
Government of India.
The Earl of CARDIGAN gave notice that on Mon-
day he would put questions to the Government relative
to the prosecutions pending with reference to the
Six-mile Bridge affray.
Lord BROUGHAM rose to correct a misapprehen-
sion which had gone abroad, that the bill which he bad
introduced last night had been for the purpose of extend-
ing Lord Denman's act of 3851 to Scotland. It was his
own act of 185 i that he wished to extend to that country.
Lord CAMPBELL had great pleasure in bearing
testimony to the excellent manner in which that law
had worked in this country. He believed the Scotch
judges were very anxious to have it extended to that
country.

Lord- BROUGHAM presented several petitions from
commercial bodies in Scotland, praying for an assimila-
tion of the mercantile law of the two countries. The
noble and learned lord urged upon the Government the
expediency of preparing some measure on the subject.
The Earl of ABERDEEN said that the subject had
not been brought under his attention, but he would take
it into his consideration.

Lord BROUGHAM also presented a number of peti-
tions from different parts of Scotland, praying for the
extension of the English County Courts to that country.

TitANSFER OF

AIDS BILL,

On the motion of Lord STANLEY, of Alderley, this
bill was read a second time, and the standing orders
having been suspended, went through the other stages,
and was passed.
GRAND JURY CESS (IRELAND) AMENDMENT

century and a half ago since the censorship was abolished.
There could be no doubt that a free press was the most
valuable of the public privileges, but in properly estimat-
ing what had taken place in France with respect to it,
it had to be considered whether the circumstances of
the countries were identical or dissimilar. If instead of
the quiet and order which reigned here, we had a dis-
puted succession to the throne, secret societies, and
military rule, did they think that gentlemen would have
a newspaper regularly at their breakfast table. (Hear.)
These were circumstances which should guide them in
deliberating on the conduct of the ruler of a neighbour-
ing country. (Hear, hear.) He deplored much what
had occurred there, and he sympathised with the fallen.
A great responsibility attached to the writers for the
public press. No foreign potentate could call them to
account for what they said, and it was right that it
should be so, and it was of the utmost importance that
they should be cautious what they committed to print.
But what was the opinion of the noble lord opposite
upon this branch of the subject? The noble lord at
the head of the Foreign Department so late
ago as February last, confessed that he had seen with
regret what had appeared in the newspapers upon the
' affairs of France and the conduct of the then President.
The noble lord added, that he remembered well the
peace of Amiens, and had no doubt that had it not
been firm, the ill-tempered language which was held
by public writers and public men at that period
much of the hostilities which followed the peace might
have been avoided. (Hear.) The noble lord in the
same speech gave it as his opinion that it was for the
intersst of these two nations that they should remain at
peace with each other, and as that opinion was
pronounced when the noble lord was at the
head of a Government—(hear, hear)—he was anx-
ious to ascertain whether the noble lord held
the same opinion now that he filled a subordinate office.
About the same period Lord Grey, in the other branch
of the Legislature, pronounced a similar opinion to the
noble lord upon the affairs of France. The noble
earl repudiated all idea of any interference
with the internal affairs of that country, and took
the opportunity of communicating to France,
and the world, that the opinion expressed
at the time in the newspapers, only conveyed the views
of the writers in these papers, and did not breath in the
remotest degree the opinion of any great party in either
house of Parliament or the country. Well that was the
opinion of the noble lord opposite and his col-
leagues, this time last year nothing took plaec
while the late Government was in office to disturb that
good understanding between the two countries. which
the noble lord and his colleagues seemed to desire. In-
deed, the late Government found that the maintenance
of good understanding tended vastly to the advantage
of this country, and on many occasions France cor-
dially co-operated with the late Government to
obtain just concessions from other foreign powers.
The noble lord had referred to the fact thatthe present
Emperor of the French, from his residence here, was
acquainted with our laws, our habits, and customs. No
doubt the Emperor, from these advantages, would be
able to judge how far the nation was answerable for the
attacks which were made upon him by the press; but
though he might feel no personal alarm and irritation
himself, he would know that his subjects had not the
same opportunity of forming a sound judgment on the
subject. (Hear, hear, hear.) He now came to con-
sider what were the views and sentiments of the
Government of the Earl of Aberdeen towards the
French Government. Shortly after the accession of the
Government to office, the First Lord of the Admiralty
when upon the hustings in one of those pithy sentences
which no one prepared with more due elaboration than
the right hon. gentleman—(laughter)—contrived to give
the character both of the_ Emperor and of the French
people. He spoke of the Emperor as a despot who had
trampled upon the rights and liberties of 40 millions of
men, and therefore the French nation according to thr
right hon. gentleman were a nation of slaves. (A laugh.)
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

LONDON AND NORT.H-WESTERN BA IL WAY.

(THIS DAT.)

The half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders of
this company was held this day, at 12 o'clock, in the
large room at the station—Major-General Anson, M.P.,
was in the chair.
After the usual preliminaries,
The CHAIRMAN said, before proceeding to read the re-
port, it had been usual for the chairman to address some

the many inventions which were brought under their no-
tice for obtaining some communication between the
guard and engineer ; but though many were very pretty
ingenious toys and contrivances, none were found to be
of any practical use. He could not himself see why di-
rectors of railways should be held more responsible for
accidents than the managers of coal mines, in which a
much greater loss of life took place, though they admit-
ted of more certain remedies against accidents than rail-
ways. An express train travelled with such velocity, that it
was almost impossible not to fear that something would
happen before it got to the end of its journey. The
legitimate law expenses only amounted to 4,842/., but
there was a formidable charge of 24,3621. for the ex-
penses of proceedings in Parliament. He thought the
shareholders would agree that the course of policy which
had led to this outlay was justifiable, and could not be
avoided. (Hear.) When competition threatened them
on every side, and wished to make use of their lines and
stations, with the avowed object of abstracting their
traffic, it was surely not a time to remain inactive.
(Hear.) They were not the aggressors, but merely
acted on the defensive, in order to protect their own pro-
perty. (Hear, hear.) Though the directors were not
dble to give the same amount of dividend as on the
last occasion, he confidently trusted that increased receipts
would put them in a position to do so at the ensuing
meeting in July. That the dividend was not more satis-
factory this half-year might be attributed to the want of
proper legislation with respect to railways, rather
than to any mismanagement on the part of the directors.
(Hear.) He thought the best system the Legislature
could adopt was to allot a certain district to a railway
company, and not to allow any other company to inter-
fere
with it. (Hear, hear.) Some might think
this would be monopoly, but if parliament would
pass some measure of that kind, railway com-
panies would be willing to be placed under a larger
and more efficient control than was now exercised by the
Government. In allusion to the committee of the House
of Commons upon railway legislation, he said the Presi-
dent of the Board of Trade had asked those members
who were directors of railways if they desired to be
upon it ; but he believed they had all declined to sit in
that committee, though they expressed their readiness to
give every information in their power. He had himself
the fullest confidence in the gentlemen who composed
it, and he had no doubt they would suggest the passing
of some wise and beneficial measure, both as regarded
the shareholders of railways and the public. (Hear.)
The chairman concluded by calling on the secretary to
read the report.
Mr. BOOTII then read the report, which was as
follows :
" The half-yearly statements of account, which have
been made up in the usual form, and placed'in the hands
of the proprietors, exhibit the following results as com-
pared with the corresponding period of last year :-
1851. 1852. In. Dec.

Passengers, parcels,
and mails £941,548 £766,560 ... £174,988
Merchandise, &c. ... 478,995 543,239 £64,244 ...

£1,420,543 £1,309,799 £64,244 £174,988

Working expenses £450,003 £454,292 £4,296
" The per tentage of disbursements to receipts is, exclu-
sive of rates and taxes, 34.68, against 31.67 in 1851.
"The receipts from passengers show a decrease of 174,9881.,
but this is accounted for by the exceptional circumstances
of 1851, the year of the Great Exhibition, which render
inapplicable any comparison of the receipts from this
branch of traffic. It is satisfactory, however, to find in
the merchandise department the same steady increase ob-
servable for some years past; and considering the character
of the new traffic, and the increase of mileage run by loco-
motives, the working expenses are as low as is consistent
with an efficient performance of the business, and with the
perfect maintenance of the stock and works.
" During the months of November and December, this
company, in common with others, had to conduct its traffic
ender circumstances of great difficulty, arising from the
extraordinary and long-continued floods, which, for a time,
threatened the most serious consequences. Owing, how-
ever, to unremitting exertion on the part of the engineer-
ing staff the works were sustained, and the main lines
kept open almost uninterruptedly, while by the exercise of
great care on the part of the engine drivers and guards, the
trains were conducted throughout the trying period with
greater regularity than could have been expected ; and
your directors feel that the servants of the company gene-
rally deserva the highest commendation. In furtherance
of the policy indicated in their last reports, and approved
by the proprietors, the directors have concurred in the re-
introduction, under the auspices of this company and the
Midland, of a bill for a line from Worcester to Hereford;
the measure having the almost unanimous support of the
landowners, and parties locally interested. The directors
have concurred in a bill, promoted by parties locally inte-
rested, for a line from Leamington and Warwick to
Stratford-upon-Avon ; also in a bill introduced by inde-
pendent parties for a line in continuation of the
North and South Western Junction, at Wilhseden,
through Hampstead, to the line of the East and West
India Dock Company, at Camden, length 3:1 miles; esti-
mated cost 250,0001. This company to subscribe to nn ex-
tent not exceeding 150,090/.
" The directors have to submit the following list of bills
for which application is made in the present session of Par-
liament :—A bill to authorise the transfer from the . Black-
wall to this company of the short branch connecting the
Haydon-square warehouses with the Blackwall Railway,
and for other purposes. A line from near the Olitbury
Station, on the Stour Valley Railway, to Stourbrid,le' 8?;
miles; estimated cost 300,0001. A line from Northam ipton
to Market Harboro', 18 miles; estimated cost, 250,000 1. A.
short branch, forming a junction, between the Buc king-
hamshire line and the line of the Oxford, Worceste3-, and
WolverhamptonCompa.ny, near Oxford, 2 miles; estir aated
cost 37,0001. A line from the Oxford, Worcester, and
Wolverhampton Railway, at Oxford, through That le to
Tring, 31 miles; estimated cost, 400,0001. A line con-
necting St. Alban's and the district round Amorsham
and Chesham, with the main line at Watford, 18 :miles;
estimated cost, 152,0001. A line from Crew to Shrews-
bury, 33 miles; estimated cost, 350,0001. Also for power
to widen the line from Primrose Hill to Willesden, and to
take land for additions to station at Warrington, Staf-
ford, and Bushbury, and to divert road at Weaste lane.
A line from Shrewsbury to Newtown, with branch to
Oswestry, 44 miles; estimated cost, 500,0001. IL line
from near Wellington, to Coalbrookdale, with bra aches,
10 miles; estimated cost, 160,0031. A bill to make a de-
viation of the Oldham branch (for which powers were
granted to the late Huddersfield and Manchester Company)
by which the expense will be materially lessened. Such
bills as it may be necessary to recommend to the proprie-
tors for final sanction and adoption, will be submitted at
a future stage to a general meeting, specially convened for
that purpose. For the present, the directors confine them-
selves to stating that, as regards some of these measures,
the expediency of prosecuting them, must depend in a
great degree on the report of the Select Committee of the
House of Commons appointed to inquire into the ques-
tion of legislation in regard to railways. The directors
believe that inquiry must lead to the conclusion that the
attempt to supply the requirements of the country, and to
maintain competition by granting rival lines, is an error ;
and, if on the recommendation of the Select Committee,
the. Legislature lays down a wise and just course of policy
in !regard to the future, it will be alike the duty
and the interest of the existing companies to furnish
all needful accommodation, by the formation of lines,
which, though not profitable in themselves, would certainly
throw upon the main line a large amount of traffic, which
could not otherwise be developed. The steps which your
directors have ',thought it expedient to adopt, will
enable them to act upon such a decision of Parliament.
Bills have been introduced into Parliament for giving
aenffdectiliornathiengahgramee,msenhrtsewensthenryred
ainntdo
Cwihetshtetrh,e
tSnhreeßwisrbkaeri_
head, Lancashire, and Cheshire Jun9tion, and
Newport,
head, havee
Abergavenny, and Hereford Companies.
Midland and North Staffordshire
Companies with this
These measures will be submitted a
also
t a future
been introduced to authorise the amalgamation of the
company.
steady
traffic on the Stour
would refer to their previous re-
increase. Your directors
meeting, to be speciriaailllyeycolnin. veencendntfin.ornetshteo pshuavosae..s y
u d by the Shrewsbury and
ports as to the course
same regret
that their relations with that board
ast. In conformity
unsatisfactory
state sassed some ime ph
lf
at the last a -yearly meeting,
with the resolution p
Birmingham directors topwuarsrdhse
this
coconmtinPauneylnanthde
question of he important
salt of their inquiry
intoadditional stock and works pro-
vidingre-
for the necessary as an apps
to this report, the re,
the directors submit,
quired from time to time,
document establish, beyond ques-
The facts stated in thatan immediate i▪
ncrease of
trots, the,necessity for b continued increase of traffic.
expenditure upon works which it
meeting, prior to any
expence during the present half-
may be requisite to comm
and are now sub-
year,ve been prepared,
accommo-
dation, and in order to obtain the authority of a general
estimates have
mitted, as follows :
▪ ............... £164,300
...............
ment, at foot ..............
t of which payments
Estimate of works on account
to revenue
Estimated cost of works, as per detailed state-
have been made and debited deferred
...........
279,323
account, viz
112,073
—l3Taoidco.;;Pleie ...................

Aditional expenditure incurred in he
t conversion
15,822
of the Haydon-square warehouses ..................
Additional lands and buildings in the immediate
17,500
ofditto ..........................................
Estimate for additional warehouses at Hayden-
square, on which a return on. the cost, at 6 per
Hayden-
cent. per annum, wilt-be seared for a term of
21 years ..................................................... 30,000
" The directors have had under their consideration, for
some time, a Mutual Assurance and Superannustion Fund
for the salaried servants of the corapany, and they are
happy to say, that, with the conctuTence of,
the company's
officers, they have adopted a scheme which promises to
carry out the desired object. The directors have consideren
d
it right to . aid, by a liberal contribution,
the fund i
question.
e, with great regret, the death
" The directors announc
one of their colleagues, Mr. John Lewis Prevost, and
of
to report that they have elected Mr. John Lewis
have
Ricardo, M.P., to fill the vacancy so occasioned.
" Mr. George Loch has been succeeded as the representa-
tive of the Duke of Sutherland by Mr. Joseph Langton.
From the statement of the half-year's accounts, it will be
seen that the net proceeds are • •.... ...... £596,754 7 6
To which add the balance carried from
last account ............ - ................... 68,303 210

Less—Further allowance for
renewal of rails (Ab-
stract H.) .................... £27,415 0 0
For addition to works and
stock (Abstract J.)... ..... 11,700 10 0
__.---- 39,