The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-23 00:00:00

THE SUN,

7UNDhIENTAL RULER,

" I. The means of the Irish Alliance shall be the union
of all Irishmen, the concentration of public opinion, and
the exercise of all the moral, :mid, and political influ-
onces within their reach.

"IL The anirs of the alliance shall be managed by
a council, who shall have power to appoint officers, sub-
committees for special purposes, to call g -,neral meetings
yf the body, and make bye•laws for the government of
the alliance not inconsistent with the fundamental rules.
That half of the council of the Irish Alliance do go out at
the end of each half-year, but that they be competent to
be re-elected.

"111. The funds of the alliance shall ba audited, and
the accounts published once a quarter; and all accounts,
before payment, shall be submitted to and approved of
by the committee of finance.
" IV. No resolution or other business shall be brought
before the alliance of which a week's notice in writing,
posted in the council-room, shall not hare been previously
given; and no resolution for altering any fundamental
rule shall be brought forward without having received
the sanction of the council.

" V. Neither the alliance, nor any member of it, shall
be considered to be bound by any opinion expressed by
any individual, at any meeting thereof.
" VI. Each member of the council shall subnribc a
pledge, binding him to refrain from accepting or solicit-
ing place, pi nsion, or patronage from any English
Groternment who will not make the object of the alliance
4. Cabinet question; and binding him nut to vote for or
support any candidat:, for Parliamentary representation
' who will not take a similar pledge against the solicitation
of Government patronage; and that any member of the
council who shall bo known to have violated this
engagement shall be removed therefrom, and from the
all:ance.

" VII. All offensive allusions to any other political
association shall be strictly prohibited.
" VIII. Sectarian or religious subjects shall not be
introduced into the proceedings of the alliance, except
when it may be required for the defence of religious
liberty, or for protecting and vindicating the inalienable
rights and immunities of conscience.
" IX. That any Irishman agreeing to the principles
dnd fundamental rules t,f the Irish Alliance, may be
admitted a member on being proposed and second, d at
a public meeting, and on the payment of a subscription
of not less than one shilling.

" That a committee of twenty-one be appointed to
manage the affairs of the Irish Alliance for one month,
from November 20th, 1849, and to nominate the nucleus
of a council :—Arthur Barlow, T.C. ; Henry Gore
Clrolan, M.D., T.C. ; James Plunkett, T.C. ; John
O'Neill, T.C. ; John Martin, T.C.; Ralph Walsh, P.
Johnston, Patrick Murphy, Charles Gavan Duffy, Rev.
Mr. Fay, George Washington Vance, John Magrath,
liolicitor; Charlton Stuart Ralph, W. J. Battersby, Dr.
West, Edward Trenton, John Williams, Dr. White, 1)r.
Grattan, J.P. Edward Murphy, Kingstown. Treasurer,
Martin Burke. Secretaries, John Lloyd Fitzgerald,
Andrew Russell Stritch, Maurice R. Leyue."

We should feel at some loss with regard to the
working of this new association, if Mr. DUFFY, the
able, and we believe honest proprietor of the Nation
newspaper, did not supply us with a sort of com-
mentary as to its objects and operations. Ile says,
" the first object of the Irish Alliance is the land,"
and we fully concur in the importance of this subject
and the propriety, nay, necessity, of bringing the
serious attention of every honest ma❑ in Ireland to its
immediate consideration with a view to the se,tlement
of a question so vitally affecting the peace and happi-
ness of the country. On this subject he proposes
to form tenant•right associations through the
country.
The next object of the Alliance is " the abolition
of Church temporalities," no doubt another crying
grievance, and is but a question of time ; for the
anomaly of the richest Church and the poorest
people cannot long resist the growing enlightenment
of the age. It must be cut down and shaped
to the religious requirements of the people. The
third object is the " franchise," the extension of
which Ireland has a right to expect, and we trust w e
shall see an honest and liberal measure with this
view introduced by some member of the Government
in the next session of Parliament. The Irish fran-
chise, before too narrow and limited, has been fear-
, fully reduced by famine and the infamous clearance
sy stem.

A few statistical facts will demonstrate the
grievous injustice under which Ireland labours in
the present system of representation. Taking the
population of the United Kingdom at twenty-seven
millions, the 6iB Members constituting the House of
Commons would give one Member for about every
41,000 persons, but, instead of the representation
being fairly apportioned amongst the whole con-

stituent body, we see a most unfair and
unjust distribution ; for, while England and Wales
with a population of 16,000,000 has 500 Members,
or one to every 32,000 persons ; and Scotland, with
a population of 2,500,000, has 53 Members, or one
to every 48,000 persons, Ireland, with a population
of 8,500,000, has but 105 Members, or one to every
81,000 persons. Thus, if Ireland were represented
equally with England, according to the census of
1841, she would have 265 Members, or about 150
per cent. more than her present number ; if Eng-
land were represented equally with Ireland, she
would have but about 200 Members, or about 60 per
cent. less,. than she now has ; if Ireland were re-
presented equally with Scotland, she would have 177
Members, or about 70 per cent. more than her pre-
sent number. It appears, then, clear to demonstra-
tion that if population is to be taken as the
standard of representation, that Ireland suffers
under a grievous injustice with regard to an
unfair representation as compared with England
and Scotland, and that she has a perfect right,
as an integral portion of the British empire, to be
placed on an equal footing as regards representation
with the more favoured portions of the empire.
Another object of the new association will be the
" resources and manufactures of the country." These
are, according to Mr. Durrr, the chief objects sought
to be attained by the Irish Alliance, and certainly ques-
tions of greater importance or deeper interest could not
engage the attention and anxiety of Irishmen, and
we have little doubt, if the attainment of these objects
be sought by legal and constitutional means, they
will command the co-operation of the great majority
of the people of the British empire.

We have repeatedly directed the public attention
to the unjust, unequal, and oppressive assessment of
the unredeemed land-tax throughout the entire king-
dom. No fiscal impost could be of a fairer or more
equitable description than the land-tax if levied ac-
cording to the original intention of its framers. As
we have already shown, it was a direct tax upon
every description of accumulated and realised pro-
perty ; for, although termed a " land-tax," personal
estate was by no means exempted from its operation.
Indeed, it was expressly subjected to a
charge of four shillings in the pound upon
the amount, or twenty shillings for eycry
one hundred pounds of the capitalized value of
such property, but by subsequent statute, it was pro-
vided that the entire amount should be raised from
real estate at a rate not exceeding four shillings in the
pound on the annual value. The 38th George 111.,
c. 5, under which the tax bas ever since been col-
lected, expressly declares that the sum to be collected
shall be charged with as much equality and indif-
ference as ,possible by an equal pound rate, and
indeed the tenor of the Act shows that a perfect
equality of assessment was contemplated by the
Legislature. It is, however, but too no-
torious how completely that equitable inten-
tion has been subverted ; the extraordinary
changes that have taken place within the last century
and a half are altogether lost sight of. We find that
the town and port of Rye, in Sussex, is required to
contribute more than double the amount levied upon
the town and port of Liverpool, the former paying
473/ 18s., while the latter, which may now be re-
garded as the commercial metropolis of England, only
pays 188/.135. 10d. In fact, the amount of contribu-
tion was calculated according to the valuation of the
several districts at the time when the 4th William
and Mary, c. I (the first statute containing explicit
directions on the subject), was enacted, and it has
never since been varied or altered in any manner. It
is true that Commissioners have been appointed who
are empowered to hear appeals from any person who
may consider himself aggrieved by the assessment
made upon him individually, but these Commissioners
are bound by the assessment made by the 4th 'William
and Mary, as to the proportions to be levied upon
the several divisions, and recent cases have shown us
that they will not entertain any of the great
grievances that are so loudly complained of, they
will only make some trifling alteration in the assess-
ment on particular premises wherever they have been
overvalued with respect to other holdings in the im-
mediate vicinity, and their decisions will be simply
announced without the reasons on which they are
founded being in any degree explained.
For any other purpose it is utterly useless
to appeal to their " High Mightinesses," who
regard any application for such reasons with a similar
degree of indignation to that with which the
poor-law functionaries received OLIVER TWIST'S
humble request for " more." It is manifest that any
real relief can only be obtained from Parliament.
The injured parties must go to the fountain head, and
they will have an able and accomplished advocate to
support their claims. For, as we have recently
shown, Earl STANHOPE and the Protectionists are
determined that Mr. DISRAELI shall not back out of
his speech at Aylesbury, in which he so fully ex-
plained the impropriety and unfairness of the present
system.

An important case has recently been brought before
the Commissioners for St. Andrew's, Holborn, which
was argued by Mr. MILLER, the eminent Chancery
barrister, whose admirable pamphlet, containing the
fullest information on the subject, we had some time
since the pleasure of noticing. Mr. MATES, the ap-
pellant, had been assessed to pay 31. per annum
for land-tax in respect of a house beleng-
ing to him in Kingsgate-street, Holborn,
in the parish of St. George, the annual value of
which was only .551, being something more than ls.
in the pound on the valuation. The premises formed
part of what had originally been " the Holborn
Division," which was charged under the statute with
the sum of 13,6291, which, if assessed, equally on the
present value, would only require a payment of about
one penny in the pound. The Commissioners,however,
for their own purposes, subdivided the district, and
as if anxious to follow the precedent afforded
by the Act, they charged the poor localities at a
much higher rate than the more wealthy districts,
Marylebone and St. Pancras being charged at less
than half a farthing in the pound, while St. Andrew
and St. George the-Martyr were assessed at
one shilling, and the Liberty cf the Rolls at
about two shillings in the pound. Against this
partial and arbitrary distribution Mr. MATES very
properly protested. The able and convincing argu-
ments of his talented Counsel were indeed listened to,
but nothing more, for several of the Commissioners, who
bad not heard a single word of his eloquent address,
voted with the majority for the rejection of the ap-
peal, and absolutely and contumaciously refused the
respectful application of the Learned Gentleman to
explain the grounds upon which their judgment was
given. That decision is unhappily conclusive
under the present law ; but the gross and
palpable injustice has excited a feeling among
the injured parties that will not easily be
appeased. The case has been published for gratuitous
distribution, and we earnestly commend it to the
particular and attentive consideration of all who are
anxious that justice should be done. The subject is
one of no ordinary importance. It cannot, and it must
not be " blinked," or placed upon the shelf, by any
manoeuvres of interested parties. The whole question
in all its bearings must be brought before Parlia-
ment, and if there is a sufficient "pressure from
without," we cannot doubt but that the result will
be satisfactory to the public, and according to equity
and good conscience.

ASTLEY' S AMPHITHEATI?E.
MN. BATTY'S BENEFIT.

This popular place of amusement continues its
career of triumphant success ; it gives us much plea-
sure to announce that Mr. Batty, the spirited pro-
prietor, has fixed the 3d of December for his benefit
to take place, on which occasion we anticipate a
regular bumper. Ile intends giving his friends and
patrons an entertainment of the most attractive nature.
All the resources of his splendid establishment will be
called into requisition.

Mr. Pine, who has been for nearly two years
Acting• Governor of Sierra Leone, during the absence
of Mr. Macdonald, the Governor, is appointed Lieu-
tenant-Governor of Natal. He was Queen's-Advo-
cate in August, 1841. In April, 1848 he assumed
the government, and his conduct in promoting emi-
gration, and the ability he has shown in the suppres•
sion of hostilities with the Sherbre chiefs, have alone
led to his promotion.
ALMEIRA GRAPES.—Very large importations of
grapes are taking place from the Southern States, as
well as other portions of Europe, at the present time.
A vessel just arrived from Almeira, has brought the
large quantity of 1,171 barrels and 200 half-barrels, the
produce of that place. Some very largo importations
have taken pleiVe froiai plalaga and Ober places.

TUE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
M. PIERRE BONAPARTE has written a long letter
to the journals, justifying his conduct in returning
from Algeria without orders, on the ground, that as a
representative of the people he had a perfect right to
do so, that his duty as representative was paramount
to all others; and that if he considered that his duty
as representative required his presence in Paris, he
would have been extremely culpable had he delayed
his return one moment to ask for leave of his superior
officer. He likewise, contends that the decrees of
the PRESIDENT of the Republic have no force in law,
and that consequently the decree dismissing him from
the service is null and void. He has also sent
challenges to M. Dannxxx, the editor of the Temps,
and to the editors of several other journals who have
commented on his conduct.

Duels, or rather invitations to duels, seem to be
quite the order of the day in Paris just at the present
moment. The ..venement says—
" It is stated that after the incident which took place
at the commencement of the sitting of this day, chal-
lenges were exchanged between M. Segur d'Agnesseau
and M. Bertholon on the one side, and M. Brim and M.
Berard on the other."

A letter from Toulon of the 18th instant, states
that the captain of the steam-packet Luxor, which
had arrived there, announces that he left the French
fleet, under the command of Admiral DUCLIESNE, at
the islands of Olmac on the 7th inst.
The duels mentioned by the Evenement came off
yesterday morning. MM. BERARD and BRIVES
fought with pistols, and after an exchange of shots
without injury, left the ground. It appeared that
during the " row" in the Assembly on the preceding
day, M. Buns had reproved M. BERARD for having
pointed out to M. DUPIN the persons he looked on
as causing the disorder. M. BERARD replied that
he only did his duty as secretary of the Chamber,
on which M. BRIYES retorted that, secretary or no
secretary, he should not act as a spy or informer
(motrehard).
M. SEGUR D'AGUESSEAU, who commenced the
"row " by his eulogy on the municipal guards of
the monarchy, and who was characterised in conse-
quence as a Ride of Louts PHILIPPE, fought with
M. BERTHOLAN, whose bullet passed through his
coat, when he declared himself satisfied.

At the sitting of the Assembly yesterday, M.
PURLS BONAPARTI addressed some interpellations
to the Minister of War relative to his dismissal. He
maintained that be had fulfilled the mission which he
had undertaken to Africa, and that his mandate as
representative freed min rrom any control. The
Minister of Niter replied that M. PIERRE BONAPARTE
filled the post of Chef de Bataillon, for which he had
himself applied. With regard to his leaving, he had
solicited and obtained authorisation, but for which he
(the Minister of War) would have had M. PIERRE
BONAPARTE arrested on arriving in France, and
conducted from brigade to brigade before a court-
martial.

The Or**, which is now the organ of M. Tunas,
has the following :
" There is talk of a sudden change in the policy of
our Go►ernment on the subject of the affairs of Con-
stantinople. The Minister of Action having recalled our
fleet without any previous intimation to England, the
English Ambassador has strongly testified his astonish-
ment at such a proceeding. The accord which prevailed
between the embassy and the ElystSe has been singularly
shaken. This news, which we so long hesitated to be-
here, has now taken such consistency that we can no
longer omit alluding to it."
PARIS BOURSE, THURSDAY, Nov. 22.

The market opened rather below the closing quota-
tions of yesterday, but as the day wore on it became
firmer, and prices kept gradually creeping up to the
close, when Threes for the account left off at 57f., and
Fives at 89f. 95c. The market closed as follows:
Threes, for cash, 571.; for account, 57f.; Fives, for
cash, 891. 850.; for account, 89f. 95c.; Bank of France
Shares, 2,3951.; Spanish Threes, 35ff.; Ditto Fives and
Neapolitan not quoted.
RAlLWAYS.—ltailway Shares have been rather offered
to-day, but prices have not very materially varied.
Orleans closed at 737 f. 50:•.; Havre, 233 f. 75c.; Avignon,
216 f. 25c.; Pierson, 3001.; Strasburg and Bale, 1021.
50c.; Bordeaux, 3981. 75c.; Northern, 443 f. 75c.;
Paris and Strasburgh, 307 f. 50c.; Nantes, 2801.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE, Nov. 22.

Boulogne and Amiens, 5%—/corthern of France, 2%
dis.—Sambre and Meuse, 14.

SPAIN.

Madrid journals of the 17th have arrived.
They announce that the Spanish Government ha;
recognised the validity of the promotions granted by
&TARTER°, towards the conclusion of the regency,
to 134 officers. It is supposed that NARVAEZ has at
length taken this step because he finds it absolutely
necessary to strengthen himself with the army.
The Herald. publishes the following, under date
Algesiras, 10th inst.:—
"I can assure you that the difference between the
French Government and Morocco has been satisfactorily
terminated. The Emperor has acceded to all the de-
mands of France, and the French steam-frigate Pomone
has left Gibraltar, having on board the consuls of Tan-
gier, Casa Blanes, &c., who return to their posts. The
Jews and other persons who had sought refuge at Gib•
raker have likewise embarked for Morocco."

The Herald() contradicts the report of the reentry
of the Carlist chief BORGES, at the head of a band;
and states that Catalonia continued to enjoy the most
perfect tranquillity.
Letters from Algesiras announce the arrival of
GuantALDl at Gibraltar on the 9th, on board a Sar-
dinian ship-of war, placed at his dispo4al by the Sar-
dinian Government, with an order to deliver to him
10,000 francs on his landing; but this sum GARIUALDI
has refused to accept.
MADRID BOLSA, Nov. 17 —The Three per Cents.
were done at 28-4 for cash ; the Four per Cents. at 11; ;
the Five per Cents. at 11-a fur paper; the Debt without
Interest at 31; and the Coupons at 6 for cash.

GERMANY

AND

THE NORTHERN STATES.

PRUSSIA.

The 19th, being the Queen of PRUSSIA'S name-day,
was observed with great solemnity by the Royal
family. There was a grand concert at the palace, in
which Jenny Lind took part, having been expressly
invited by the KING from Hatnburgh for that purpose.
The trial of IVALnscxc continues, and every wit-
ness who is examined more and more confirms the
general opinion, that he has been the ♦ictim of a
shameful conspiracy, concocted by the agents of the
Government, who hare managed matters so clumsily
that it is probable the Government will be obliged
to throw them overboard, and permit them to be pro-
secuted, should WALDECK be acquitted, of which
there is every probability.