The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-05 00:00:00

PRINCE ADAM. CZARTORYSKI.

The following is the translation from the Polish
of the speech of Prince Adam Czartoryski, deli-
vered at the meeting of the Polish Historical
Society, at Paris, on the 29th of November last,
being the 24th anniversary, of the Polish insurrec-
rection of 1830.

It would, indeed, be a source of great happiness
to me were I in a condition to utter to this nume-
rous assembly of my countrymen words corre-
sponding with their expectations, and with my own
wishes. You will easily conceive with what regret
I am compelled to deny you and myself the satis-
faction.

When, however, the anniversary of the heroic
efforts, commenced by the nation twenty-four years
ago, to regain its independence has arrived, I
thought it did not behove me to pass over iu silence
so solemn a day.
None of us could have dreamed, as it wore, of
the realisation of those fresh hopes which dawned
upon our beloved country, when this day twelve
months I spoke to you of them;
In all important and responsible undertakings
the nearer we approach the goal the greater gene-
rally are the difficulties, obstacles, and uncertainty,
and even despair, which require a steady and un-
flinching perseverance. Such is the case, and
such, alas ! it will be with our cause.
The course of events on which depends not only
the fate of Poland, but, perhaps, that of several
other countries, appeared during the past year
frequently very slow. At times it was stationary ;
but never has it taken a retrograde move. This
last, result must be ascribed to the incomparable
valour of the Allied armies, but also to the obsti-
nate resistance of their powerful adversary. Europe
has in vain offered him her advice, and proclaimed
her' wish. In vain has it, in support of her decla-
ration, displayed considerable forces. Nothing
has daunted his inflexibility ; and were Russia to
accede to-day to the terms of peace proposed to her
by Germany, she would come out of this war more
powerful and more terrible than ever.
It is, on both sides, a matter of glory, of honour,
of preponderance of security, of the most vital
exigencies for the present and the future.
But those exigencies and duties of the whole of
Europe are hot yet considered in Germany as mutual
and obligatory—and this fatal breach, this isolation
are, for Germany herself, a pernicious cause of dila-
toriness of injuries sustained—and for Europe the
chief obstacle to her general tendencies. None of
us can foretell, what will arise from the grappling
of all those gigantic forces, and the most momentu-
ous interests of the world.

Let us put on the armour of faith and hope !
Yes, let us hope that Providence, by giving an
all-wise turn and impulse to events, will unravel
the ominous complication of so many adverse ten-
dencies, and call forth results which may, perhaps,
be beyond the forecast or even reach of human
wisdom.

Poland, whose felonious murder is the chief
cause of the overthrow of the political equilibrium,
of the disregard of the law of nations, and of the
former, the present, and the endless succes-
sion of future woes and difficulties Poland
fettered, forsaken, powerless, is now everywhere
obtruding upon the minds of the people,
as indispensably necessary, for the success-
ful issue of the war, and for the security of a lasting
peace. Thus, periodicals which formerly were
either opposed to, or avoided mentioning, Poland,
cannot help doing so now ; pamphlets are written,
public opinion is, even in England, expressed in
our favour, and various places echo with flattering
words to Poland, which escape from various lips.
But, as yet, no Government has uttered Poland's
name frankly and openly, and there is, therefore,
no certainty, no reliable and positive promise made
in her behalf.

Were I even aware that our future, that onr
fate was on the point of being satisfactorily scoured,
it might perhaps be incumbent upon me to con-
ceal it ; whilst, were I to see, which God forbid, our
hope vanishing, it would be, on the contrary, my
sacred, though most painful, duty to warn of it
my fellow-countrymen. As matters stand, how-
ever, I can but repeat the advice which I have pre-
viously given to my country, namely, to avoid
carefully every rash proceeding, and patiently wait
until clear and positive proofs be given that her
existence and independence aro really and safely
secured. Let them beware of illusory promises,

and, above all, of discord, which would In-the deci-
sive moment prove their irretrievable ruin.
With regard to the refugees, as a body, their con-
dition is quite distinct. Hitherto it was not deemed
necessary to cool the ardour, to check the indomit-
able eagerness, to combat the oppressor of these
youthful Poles, who, far away from their homes,
linger here in inactivity and want, a prey to corrup-
tion, wretchedness, and death. These youths, as
well as the officers sent out with them, 'have dis-
played, as soon as they entered the ranks, most
gratifying examples of devotedness, order, and mi-
litary discipline ; and many more volunteers are
daily applying, anxious to join their more fortu-
nate cow pinions. But I consider it advisable to
suspend, for the present, their conveyance.
Diplomacy, always adverse to us, has hitherto
prevented the formation of separate legions,
with distinct Polish names and ensigns. I con-
tinue, nevertheless, my unremitting exertions
to remove these obstacles, and there is a hope that
I may ultimately succeed iu overcoming them. Iu
the meantime Poles are admitted like brethren into
the regiments of Cossacks of the Sultan, where the
Polish and Russian elements are successfully blended
together in a manner highly advantageous for the
future. Those regiments have already distinguished
themselves by their valour, and are in the very van-
guard of the army. Their valiant commander, much
as we regret his removal to another sphere of ac-
tivity, has preserved in his heart, and displayed
by his deeds, a noble and most fervent love of
our country, of which ho is giving us incessant and
most convincing proofs, fully aware as ho is
that the fate of Turkey is similar and closely
connected with the fate of Poland ever sines her
first partition and the Confederation of Bar.
The Allied Governments have not altered in the
least their good-will towards us ; the French Go-
vernment particularly bestows upon us proofs of
their confidence and favour, which impose upon us
the duty of a sincere attachment and gratitude ;
yet the development of their good wishes is sadly
impeded by the hitherto insuperable obstacles of
general policy, so that as regards exterior influences
our cause is still kept up in an irksome and painful
suspense.

bislv,artening as these outward circumstances
may be, our cause has, nevertheless, made an im-
mense progress within. Our country offers us, by
its attitude and disposition, a reliable security that,
though ever watchful it will never attempt any-
thing thoughtlessly, but act at the opportune mo-
ment with prudence, vigour, and unanimity, and
accomplish what circumstances may allow and bid
her to do ; for a unanimous conviction, influenced
with equal
rigour and power by a wary circum-
spection on the one part, and a readiness to un-
limited sacrifices on the other, has taken possession
of everybody's
of Poland. mind in all the three disrupted parts

The body of the refugees, though comparatively
not very numerous, but considered to be the most
turbulent part of the nation, evince not less
astonishing improvement and progress. The Poles,
scattered over so many places and countries, feel
deeply the want of union and authority; they
flock, therefore, eagerly wherever they seem to
perceive its appearance ; they court its manifesta-
tion, are desirous of supporting it by their contri-
butions, and submitting to its guidance if they
deem it conscientious and sincere. We receive
such declarations from all the departments of France,
from Italy, England, America, and Australia. Is
it possible not to be deeply affected, not to ap-
preciate and respect the motives of such a
salutary movement, which affords a satis-
factory refutation of the false and calumnious
accusation charging us of being turbulent, and
only fit to sow dissension, discord, and tumult ?
I, for my own part, perceive in this rapidly spread-
ing inclination an auspicious omen, that, having
undergone such severe trials and sufferings, God
hath, in His mercy, decreed the restoration of our
national existence, and preparoth us for its re-
covery. I cannot help making here, by the way,
an honourable mention of the officers of every rank,
who have undergone in Asia during whole twelve
months innumerable privations, vexations, and
dangers, for the sake of assisting the Turkish army,
and of stretching forth a helping hand to their fel•
low-countrymen desirious to free themselves from
the yoke and the ranks of the enemy. A whole
year of, alas ! unavailable toil and trouble did not
prevent them writing to me that they are again
ready for new sacrifices on their part.
The high principles of justice and truth, the de-
fence of the feeble from aggression, the recognition
of national rights, and renunciation of conquest—
principles which, at the outset of the present war,
were solemnly proclaimed by the two greatest
powers of Europe, have since been sanctioned by
torrents of most precious blood. Is it possible that
such high principles should be departed from,
either during the course of the war, or at the con-
clusion of peace, without being accompanied by cor-
responding results, which results, under whatever
circumstances, must eventually prove ad vantageous
to Poland the Polish nation being far from desiring
anything but truth and justice, cannot but profit by
respect shown tp both ? After so many efforts, reverses
and sufferings, the individual sufferings of the exiles
being, perhaps, the least—can it be for a moment
doubted that a due share of justice would not be
dealt out to the Poles ? Their patriotic and per-
, severing efforts, and =aeration in. their claims,

seem to have fully- entitled them to this, their
share in the exigencies both of peace ard war.
The station which I occupy, in which it has
pleased Providence to place me, requires that
Poland and her destiny should be the sole object
of my life, and the principal aim of my efforts ;
and, consequently, I am most anxious to scan
and become acquainted with all the sincere inten-
tions and wishes that are entertained by all
upright Poles, and I wish, as far it lies
in me, to meet their desires, and be directed
by them. I am fully conscious of the diffi-
culty of my situation, and the great respon-
sibility attached to it ; wherefore, I daily pray
God to enlighten me as to what may be most con-
ducive to the welfare of our beloved country, and
to support my humble efforts with His might ; nay,
I even implore that the remainder of my days be
shortened rather than that I should be allowed to
drag it on without fulfilling my sacred duty with
the efficacy which is expected of me, or with the
ardour that my heart desires.
But before we separate, gentlemen, I have yet
one painful subject to touch upon—a heart-
rending subject, which, I am sure, will not fail
to fill all present with general affliction. What
I am going to announce to you is a bereavement—
a bereavement so painful, and so irreparable that
I cannot call it otherwise but a national loss. One
of the firmest and strongest pillars of our national
cause is removed by the hand of death—one who
upwards of twenty years continued strenuously,
and with an unwearied zeal, to be its defender,
and to be so even when many in despair abandoned
it. Lord Dudley Stuart, I aan grieved to say, is
no more 1 Poland is henceforth bereft -of 'her
powerful champi an and supporter in England. Our
unfortunate brethren in exile will there often look
around for a protector in their difficulties, but will
look in vain for one who was so eager in anticipat-
ing their wishes, and indefatigable in alleviating
the burden of their misfortunes. I say this of one
of the most trusty and sincere friends I ever
had, the loss of whom I shall never cease to deplore,
and the memory of whom shall never be effaced
from my heart. Yet my praise of him is far from
being exaggerated or partial. The lamented de-
ceased was a man of noble heart, full of sympathy
heroic
sons
withberrig smnautlitihri
aenyrupege respect to for human sufferings, and for all noble thoughts
and aspirations. As regards his principles, they
were as unshaken as they were pure ; he swerved
not one hair's breadth from them, or from his con-
viction, and nothing could divert him from the
purpose which he had once recognised to be good.
He loved his country passionately ; but he loved
likewise Poland, because he could not patiently
bear the violation of her rights ; he therefore
sympathised with her misfortune, with the
r
tdat
hincewltteryho,
which
sufferingsrequire
ehtsecure
eohucnoiuhrsn re:oesuht
therho that
tolpdf
de
Eauirhenteayoed
d
tlat
ahonnedd
Poles interests, the efil• convinced
ocij
fnetmuodoes
happi-
ness and tranquillity of Europe.
It is grievous to think that the death of Lord
Dudley Stuart should have happened just at a
time when the high qualities of his mind had at-
tained their point of maturity by accurate observa-
tion and experience—when his influence among
the members of the house was daily increasing,
when the steadiness of his purpose was acquiring
more and more appreciation, and when his loss, the
less it was foreseen or expected, is the more de-
plored by his colleagues, his friends, and the pub-
lic at large.
In considering the importance of the cause of
our country, which the noble lord had so warmly
supported during his life, no less from the noble
impulse of keeping his memory alive, the Literary
Association of the Friends of Poland in England
has resolved to persevere in the generous career in
which the lamented lord has so ably maintained it,
as its president for so many years, by his strenuous
efforts.
I doubt not but that Poland will prove rich in
virtues, if the Poles will follow the bright example
he had set them, and be animated with similar
feelings, an untiring perseverance, self-abnegation,
and labour, which he had devoted to benefit
Poland.
Even at the last days of his life, shortly before
his demise, he has kindly informed me that his
efforts for the cause of Poland were not unsuccess-
ful at Stockholm. Unfortunately wo lost him
before her restoration, and before the great object
of his most ardent wishes could be attained, the
accomplishment of which would have given him
extreme joy, and at the same time afforded us the
long-cherished hope of showing him our sense of
gratitude ou our native soil.
And now, what remains for us but from the
depths of our sorrowing hearts to sigh to Heaven,
it being impossible to give any other expres-
sion to our inward grief, at least, at this moment
of the bereavement. I doubt not that to testify
it, gentlemen, you will put on a mourning for the
space of two months—a national mourning--for
our noble friend, which I am certain will b. shared
with you by the whole Polish nation, and will
lowg be preserved in the heart of every patriotic
Pole.

LITERATUBE.

The Laws of the Customs, consolidated by direction
of the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's
Treasury ; (16 and ]7 Vic. c. 106 and. 107).
• With a Commentary. By Felix John Hamel
Esq. London : Buttorworths, Fleet-street.
The Solicitor for her Majesty's Customs under-
took a very laborious and arduous task in pre-
paring an elaborate commentary on the important
statutes above referred to, and very ably and con-
scientiously has he discharged the duty. It could
not, indeed, have been confided to more competent
hands than to those of the person whose especial
duty it is to advise the Commissioners of Customs
on all doubtful points, and to conduct all prosecu-
tions or actions ordered against persons defrauding
or seeking to defraud the public revenue. To that
particular branch of the law Mr. Hamel has neces-
sarily devoted his chief attention for many years.
Wo should have said exclusive, but that the very
work now under notice shows him to be thoroughly
acquainted with the law in all its ramifications—
an important qualification for a gentleman in his
situation, who should not bo restricted by the mere
fiscal code, but should be enabled to take more
extended views, travelling over a broader surface,
so that the regulations essential for the prevention
of frauds against the revenue—which would not
only diminish the general funds for the liquidation
of the national liabilities and the maintenance of
the national establishments, but give great advan-
tages to the unfair trader over his more honest
competitors—might be carried out with adequate
stringency, but with the least possible invasion of
the liberty of the subject, or annoyance to those
who may chance to come within their operation.
Mr. Hamel, too, as one of the chief framers of the well-
considered stantes could best explain that which was
in a great degree created by himself, and for which
he eminently merited the unanimous vote of thanks
passed to him, in common with the Secretary of
the Treasury and the Chairman and Surveyor-
General of the Board of Customs. With such qua-
lifications, itis by no means surprising that Mr.
Hamel should have succeeded in investing a pe-
culia:ly dry subject with considerable interest, and
in producing a treatise which will prove a safe
guide to the officers of the Customs in all their
transactions—a Cord ample instruction to all leer-
charts and others in any degree concerned in the
importation of goods, both branches of the legal
pro:essiou, and to the general seeker after in-
forrnaon.
In the very clearly-written introduction Mr.
Hamel gives a graphic description of the gradual
progress of the customs in this country, which, al-
though generally supposed to have originated with
the "-English Justinian," Edward Ist, may really
bo traced to the exactions of our Roman masters,
to whom duties were paid on the exportation or
importation of British merchandise—a precedent
which the Anglo-Saxon kings were by no means
unwilling to follow after the liberation of England
from the foreign yoke. Amongst others, by a
statute passed at Wantage, in the reign of Ethelred
IL, it was enacted that certain duties should be
paid at Billingsgate, in the port of London, on ships
and merchandise arriving at that part of the river.
At first the charges, which were small in amount,
were paid for the use of the Royal warehouses,
weights, and. measures but Edward, wanting
money, imposed new duties on aliens and foreigners,
as an equivalent for which he granted many valu-
able privileges, comprised in the celebrated Charta
hfercatoria, one of the foundations on which rests
the commercial pre-eminence to which Great
Britain has subsequently risen.
The proceeds, however, remained comparatively
inconsiderable for a prolonged period, notwithstand-
ing, or possibly because of, the claims of successive
monarchs to increase the old or levy new import
duties at their mere will and pleasure—a supposed
prerogative which was not terminated until the
passing of the Bill of Rights, at the commence-
ment of the reign of King 'William the 3d. These
customs were generally let to farmers of the reve-
nue, who paid a certain stipulated sum to the
sovereign. In 1329 the whole of the old and new
customs of all England were farmed to a Florentine
firm (the Bardi) for 20/. a day, not including Sun-
days, thus producing 6,2607. ; but this was raised
the following year to 1,000 marks per month, or
8,0001, per annum, a handsome addition to the
,a 1 revenue. These duties used occasionally to
royal
for the liquidation of loans contracted
by the sovereign, and, persous advancing money
were frequently allowed to deduct the duties on

the imported merchandise—a system in which the
.
Exchequer-bills probably originated. Even the
reign of Elizabeth, Sir Thomas Smith paid but
14,0001. per annum for the Customs, but, the
shrewd Queen speedily increased the rent, first to
42,0001., and afterwards to 50,0001. per annum. A
Board of Commissioners was appointed in 1671,
and the system of "farming" for ever abandoned.
In 1709 the Customs produced 1,353,485/. ; in
1726, 1,600,000/. ; in 1760, 1,969,9331. ; in 1792, •
4,407,000/. ; in 1815, 11,360,000/. ; and in 1853,
more than 22,500,0001. ! ! !
Such is the progress achieved by this " little
island," that duties which once scarcely produced
sufficient to satisfy the salary now paid to a single
judicial officer—say the Chief Baron of the Eacho-
quer—now realise sufficient to defray in times of
peace all the expenditure incurred by the civil,
military, naval, and ordnance establishments of
the country ! !
The laws, however, got confused and compli-
cated. Many different statutes hal to be consulted,
and constant differences were arising between the
payers and receivers of duties. The vast advantage
that would arise from a consolidation of the existii7,
statutes, with the alteration and emendations ;which
experience proved to he desirable, was clearly per-
ceptible. The task was undertaken and admirably
performed ; the result was that the Customs' Con-
solidation Act of 1853 (16 and 17 Viet., cap. 107)
received the legislative sanction, forming a complete
Customs Code for the country ; and this code has
been most ably expounded in the work under no-
tice., in such a manner, indeed, as to leave little, if
anything, to be desired by the officer, the mer-
chant, the lawyer, or the general public. We
earnestly commend it to all (and their name is
" legion") who may require to become acquainted
with the commercial laws of the country..

The General Orders and Minutes of the Board of
Customs, consolidated by their directions, to the
30th June, 1854. By Thomas Coote Wildman.
This may be regarded as the companion-volume
to the foregoing commentary on the Customs' Con-
solidation Act ; indeed it will be found an indis-
pensable adjunct thereto. It is, as its title indi•
cates, a consolidation of all the general orders and
minutes of the Board of Customs that re-
main in operation, and which must be consulted
by the importer, or exporter, or agent. It has
manifestly been a task that required not only great
acuteness, but an extraordinary amount of patient
industry. Mr. Wildman has displayed these qua-
lifications in a very high degree, and has most cre-
ditably and efficiently performed the duty. He
has made a completely new arrangement of the
matter, which places it in a much clearer and more
intelligible form than it had previously been. In-
deed, with the works of Messrs. Hamel and Wild-
man, which no merchant can do without, there
will be no excuse for any person remaining igno-
rant of, or misconceiving, regulations rendered so
plain and simple that "he who runs may read."
We should owe a longer notice to Mr. Wildman,
but that almost all relating to Mr. Hamel's work
is applicable to this also, and may be taken in re-
ference to it.