The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-22 00:00:00

NAVIGATION-LAWS.

the concessions they now proposed to make, and
to except fr.,ni the Bill the whole of the coast-
ing trade ; if, after all that, the Government found
that it was a question in detail, it could hardly be
charged against him that, taking certain amendments
in detail, he had occupied a space of eight days in dis-
cussing the question with practical men, as to what these
amendments should be. Their Lordships were aware that
the navigation-laws of this country made a distinction
between articles the produce of Europe and those which
were the produce of the other three quarters of the world.
He proposed still to adhere to that distinction, but to
make such modification in the existing law as should be
beneficial to the country in cases where it did not admit
of a useful operation. The reason of the distinction was
plain, it having been the object of legislation to secure,
not only the communication from British port to British
port, but also to obtain for this country the great ad-
vantage of bringing in British vessels those bulky
articles which employed a large quantity of shipping.
The law relating to the importation of goods from
European ports was less stringent than that applying
to the other three quarters of the globe, but as
he proposed to relax the one, so also he proposed
to relax the other. No goods the produce of Eu-
rope could be imported into this country from a European
port, except either in British ships, or the ships of the
country from which they were directly imported. The
amendment he proposed to introduce with regard to
goods the produce of Europe was one of considerable
importance, as its effect would be to open largely the
trade with European countries. He thought it wiser, as
well as more statesmanlike, to allow the Government to
enter into reciprocal treaties, provided it first obtained
from those countries with which it had such relations, a
sufficient provision for the interests of the shipping ot
this country, and by an order in council to grant to such
countries as might be disposed to concede equivalents,
the right of carrying on that indirect trade from which
they had been debarred. In proposing that system,
be laid stress upon the fact that the order in council
was to be irrevocable. Then, with regard to the
trade with Asia, Africa, and America, he thought it
necessary, as he had already stated, that the
laws should not be repealed which secured to
them the most valuable advantage they possessed,
the conveyance of the bulky articles of commerce in the
long voyage. By the law, as it stood, no goods could
be imported from Asia, Africa, and America, except in
British ships, or the ships of the country in which they
were produced, or from whence they were imported.
Therefore, as the great bulk of the countries in Asia,
Africa, and America had no shipping of their own, the
practical effect of that navigation law was to vest in their
hands the trade of those countries, almost as exclusively
as that of their colonies. Her Majesty's Government
were about to surrender the whole of it, and to leave the
English shipowner to the competition of foreign rivals.
Was he in a condition,to contend with them ? Let them
take the United States, and consider how matters would
stand when the Government proposition was adopted, of
inviting those countries to free competition with them
in Asia, Africa, and America, and their colonies, form-
ing three quarters of the globe, in which their shipping
had a practical monopoly. It was also, he should state,
a portion of the present law, that no ship, not even
a British ship, could import the produce ot Asia,
Africa, or America, from any port in Europe. The effect
of this was to maintain a direct trade from the places of
production to the places of consumption, and to obtain
the establishment of the great warehousing system. But
he freely admitted that that principle, sound as it was,
might be pushed too tat. What he suggested was, to
maintain the principle ,of the law, and yet to admit of
exceptions applying to Asia, Africa, and America, as to
Europe, to be included in an enumeration of articles.
Those modifications were founded on principles of main-
taining that which was important to navigation, and of
doing away with what might sometimes prove an incon-
venience to trade. As they were about to surrender this
indirect trade, he would call their attention to an im
portant paper, presented that morning to Parliament,
which showed that in the year 1848 the tonnage
which entered the port of Liverpool amounted
to 1,320,000 tons, of which 800,000 alone were English
vessels. If, therefore, protection were withdrawn, what
return from foreign countries could they expect, when
it appeared from the return and from others, that those
countries had nothing whatever to give?—(Hear.) The
United States, it also appeared from the returns, were
rivals whom, if they entered into direct competition on
equal terms, they might expect to see acquire a large
portion of the trade of the kingdom. To those formid-
able rivals it was that they were about to throw open
the trade of the world, mad that at a time when no de-
mand was made upon them, when no reason was given
to them, nor any necessity shewn.—(Hear, hear.) At
all events they ought to proceed with caution, and to
proceed, at first at least, on principles of reciprocity. As
America had been permitted to get the better of them in
the direct trade, so also she would obtain a decided supe-
riority in the indirect, were this measure enacted. He
would not now enter more extensively into the discussion
of those resolutions which, in a later stage of the Bill, Is
should feel it his duty to propose, but he thought it right to
say, in summing up the views which he entertained upon
this question, he proposed to maintain the great prin-
ciples of the navigation-laws—the exclusive maintenance
of their colonial trade—to maintain, as far as possible,
the advantages of the long-voyage trade and the com-
munication with those countries possessing no shipping
of their own.—(Hear, hear.) He proposed to maintain
the fundamental principle or the navigation laws, but he
also proposed in some cases absolutely, and in others
permissively, her Majesty, in Council, should permit re-
laxations to be made in favour of countries willing to
enter into reciprocal engagements with themselves for
the sake of their mutual advantage. He protested
against their enforcing principles of retaliation against
countries which were not disposed to make conces•
aims, which they would, moreover, find difficult
in practise. Surely the better practice would be to
say that the navigation-laws had laid down certain re-
strictions but that Parliament had enabled them to relax.
He need hardly argue that they were discussing the
policy and the justice of securing advantages to their
own shipping interests in the results of the change
which they were contemplating. Some, as he had
heard, contended that his course of proceeding was riot
magnanimous; but nations had no business to be mag-
nanimous. They were to be prudent, and to decide a
commercial question on commercial principles. They
were to decide whether they would repeal first and re-
enact afterwards, or whether they would maintain the
general principle of the navigation-laws, and authorise
tier Majesty to dispense with them in certain cases in
favour of those countries which might be willing to enter
into engagements of reciprocal advantages. That was
the question which was now before them, and which
would fully arise upon the amendment he proposed.
Earl GREY was at a loss to say whether it was from
stupidity or otherwise, but he was unable to understand
the amendment of the Noble Lord. He supposed that

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented several
Ttitions in favour of a repeal of the navigation-laws.
he Noble Marquis, in moving the order of the day for
the House going into Committee on the Bill for the re-
Peal of the navigation-laws, said that he had received a
communication from the Noble Earl who usually
took the chair of their Committees, stating
that he should, through illness, be unable to
attend their Lordships' House. He should therefore
Move that Lord Beaumont take the chair.—Agreed to.
Their Lordships then resolved themselves into Com-
mittee on the Bill for the repeal of the Navigation-laws,
Lord Beaumont in the chair.
Lord STANLEY then rose to move the amendments
of which he had given notice, viz.,—To move, after
the word " that" in page 1, lice 6, to insert " in
case it shall be made to appear to her
Majesty that any foreign country is willing to con-
cede the ships of this country the like privileges and
advantages as are enjoyed by or intended to
be conferred on the ships of such foreign country, or
advantages equivalent thereto, then and in such case it
shall be lawful for her Majesty, from time to time, by
any order or orders in Council, to be published and re-
vocable as hereinafter mentioned, to authorise and declare
as follows, that is to say, it shall be lawful for her Majesty
to authorise and declare that the several sorts of goods,
being the produce of Europe, and enumerated in an Act
made and passed in the session of Parliament holden in the
eighth and ninth years of the reign of her Majesty,
intituled An Act for the Encouragement of British
Shipping and Navigation,' or any of them, may, from
and after a day to be named in such order as afore-
said, be imported from any port or place into the
United Kingdom, to be used therein, in the ships of such
foreign country, anything in the said Act to the contrary
notwithstanding; provided always, that before such order
or orders 'shall be issued, such foreign country shall
have either conceded or agreed to concede to the ships
of this country the like privileges and advantages as
are enjoyed by, or intended to be conferred upon, the
ships of such foreign country, with reference to the
"s'Portation of such goods as aforesaid, into any
Parts of its own dominion, in such manner as
that no British ship shall be either directly or
indirectly subject, in such foreign country, to any
duties or charges of any sort or kind whatsoever, with
reference to the importation of such goods as aforesaid,
from which the ships of such foreign country are or
Snail be exempt, or shall have conceded or agreed to
concede to the ships of this country other privileges and
advantages equivalent thereto. Section 2. And be it en-
acted, that it shall be lawful for her Majesty from time to
time, by any order or orders in Council to be published
and revocable as hereinafter mentioned, to authorise and
declare that goods being the produce of Asia, Africa,
and America, other than the several goods hereinafter
enumerated, may be imported from any port or place
in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, into the United
Kingdom, to be used therein, in British ships, or
in ships of the countries of which the goods are
the produce, or in ships of the countries for
which the goods are imported. anything in the said Act
for the encouragement of British shipping and naviga-
gation to the contrary notwithstanding : provided al-
ways, that before any such order or orders shall be issued,
having reference to any foreign country, it shall be made
to appear to her Majesty that such country bath eithercon-
ceded or agreed to concede to the ships of this country the
like privileges and advantages as are enjoyed by or intended
to be conferred on the ships of such country with reference
to the importation of such goods as aforesaid into an v part
of its own dominions, so and in such manner as that no
British ships shall be either directly or indirectly subject
in such country to any duties or charges of any sort or
kind whatsoever with reference to the importation of such
goods as aforesaid for which the ships of such country are
or shall be exempt; provided also that nothing herien
contained shall authorise her Majesty to permit by such
order or orders the importation or admission into the
United Kingdom, to be used therein, of any of the goods
hereinafter mentioned, being the produce of Asia, Africa,
and America; that is to say. except so far as any of
such goods may now be legally imported under the pro-
visions of the said Act, intituled An Act for the
Encouragement of British Shippleg and Naviga-
tati°lle" To omit the repealing provisiefas of Section
To insert after clause 6—" And where-
at is expedient that her Majesty should
e:MPowered to make regulations for the trade and
„„a,, Nation of Canada, such as the geographical position
_1 Peculiar exigencies of that colony may require ;
he it enacted, that it shall be lawful for her Ma-
3g..ts to enter into engagements with the United
States of America, whereby the ships of the said
Produce
States may be enabled to import goods, the
of the said United States or of Canada
onnte)he United Kingdom from any port or place
~,i„;14: river St. Lawrence, notwithstanding any pro-
ps to the contrary contained in the Act of Bth
9th
Rae, Victoria, cap. 88, intituled Au Act for the
Proeiudra.,gement o9f British Shipping and Navigation ;'
nevi `3„`" always, that the privileges and facilities of
her §t"ola and of trade, whether by sea or land, which
cessionaiesty may deem to be equivalent to such con-
111aie2,'
the
be secured to the subjects of her
Y In their trade with the United States of Ame-
b_ Ica, and it shall be lawful for her Majesty to declare,
inY order in Council, that such engagements, on the foot-
the g of reciprocal advantage, have been entered into with
said United States, and thereupon to make regula-
tionsee for the trade between Canada and tne United
Zientlore accordingly, for such time and subject to
therein conditions for the termination thereof as shall be
specified." His amendments were consonant with
the principle of the Government measure, and only dif-
fered from that measure in some degree. He was willing
Le agree in the removal of the restrictions on our com-
merce imposed by the navigation-laws, but he thought
the Government were going too far consistently with
safety
to the British shipowner, in removing all the re-
strictions at present imposed on the foreigner, especially
with regard to our home and colonial trade. Mr. Hus-
kistion, in his proposed regulation of those laws, had ab-
stained from throwing open those branches of our trade
to those who from superior cheapness of building and
sailing would thus be enabled to meet us in every port
and monopolise the whole commerce of the world, and
build on our ruin a great preponderating naval power.
He warned them that by assenting to the measure as it
now stood they were running a great hazard. In that
opinion he was supported by all the leading naval and
commercial men—all the shipowners and others con-
nected with' shipping throughout the country, who all
agreed in condemning the dangerous measure they were
introducing, and entreating them not to incur that great
hazard. Her Majesty's Government were acting against
the sense of the country, and they knew it.—(Loud
cheers.) At all events, if they despised that warning
and those opinions—if they were strongly convinced that
the measure was a necessary one—then, as a prudent
Government, they ought not to proceed with undue
rashness, giving no opportunity for repentance until too
late, but ;ought to prepare the country, step by step, for
such a hazardous experiment. He would beseech of them,
as they valued the possession of the carrying trade to the
colonies, and to those countries where their supremacy
was undoubted, not to be acting against the feeling of
the country. For, though he did not deny the respecta-
bility of the names attached to the petition presented by
the Noble Marquis from Liverpool, he must take the
liberty of informing him, that this petition lay for
Seine time in the Exchange of Liverpool, where it
squired the signatures of only 143 members. Now,
the petition which he (Lord Stanley) had had the honour
Present, was signed by as many as 47,000 persons,
txewbile°lll 1,470 were members of the Liverpool Stock
The 112,11ge, which contained 2,000 members in all.
shouidJect of the motion which, on this occasion, he
ciple ,venture to submit, was not to dispute the prin.
(Rear,Trnied Therefore, Lordships the other night.
should ear,) the first question to which he
vezture to draw their Lordships' attention would
I Whether they would proceed in the first instance ac-
cordin
g to the mode he was about to suggest, or accord-
iug to that .
proposed to them by the Noble Marquis—
!le:ther they would at once repeal those laws, and take
the chance of what they might afterwards re-enact, or
whether adopting the principles he had to lay before
them,
vueges they would empower the Crown to grant to
foreign
,on
powers disposed to make concessions, such pri-
a footing of reciprocity, as it would now
be
,inconsistent with the state of the law to provide.
It was true that her Majesty's Government calif d this a.
Bill to improve the navigation and shipping of the coun-
try, and lat the first step for that purpose
etoria would be to
repeal the Act of the Bth and eth
witl:in c.tBhBe; true
he proposed to confine himself strictly
limits of the title of the Bill. lie proposed to amend the
law, and to impose restrictions ; but he did not propose
!o. repeal it altogether. The Noble Marquis had charged
himhimwith withholding too long a notice of the nature
ge
his amendments. He did not think that that charge was
of
a just one ; for if her Majesty's Government bad taken
two whole years to consider what should be the specific
Acts they ought to propose ; if', after conference with
many foreign Powers, they at length
Parliament
came down to
with a measure much altered from that of
"Cy year,
and if at the last moment, without 'notice,'
found
it necessary 40 withdraw Jraill) PQrg9tl of

the words to be inserted were intended as a sub-
stitute for the repealing provisions of the preceding
clause. The Noble Lord had said that his object was
net to repeal, but to make certain modifications in the
navigation-laws. But the words introduced by the
Noble Lord would not make sense, unless they omitted
the words by which the existing law was repealed. He
was desirous to know from the Noble Lord whether he
meant, in the event of his amendment being adopted, to
allow the remainder of the clause to continue in the Bill,
and the existing amendments to be repealed, and how
he would fill no the blank that would result

Lord STANLEY explained that it was his intention
to omit the repealing clauses in the second section.
Earl GREY—But the Noble Lord would see that
there were none in the second section.
Lord STANLEY—It was in the first, then. The
House would then c insider those clauses which he had

laid upon the table, and when they came to the repealing
clauses he would object, upon principle, to the repeal of
those Acts; and he would, in the first instance, take the
sense of their Lordships' House upon the question of
amendment in so wide a shape that it would nut bind any
person to a particular mode; but when they came to
those clauses ho would fairly lay upon the table a list of
the enumerated articles, and each one of them might, if
their Lordships thought fit, be made the subject of dis-
cussion.—( Hear, hear, from Earl Grey.) But he did
not intend that those clauses should be laid upon the
table before their Lordships came to a decision on the
principle.
Earl GREY v. ished distinctly to know from the Noble
Lord whether, in that list of enumerated articles, tea,
coffee, sugar, tobacco, and cotton, would bo included?
Lord STANLEY—Every one of them.
Earl GREY—That is most satisfactory.—(Hear,
hear.) The Noble Lord had told them on Friday even-
ing last, that it was his ilitention en going into Com-
mittee on this Bill, to propose such an alteration in it as
would go to its root.—(Heaa, hear.) The Noble Lord
now told them that the question was not one of prin-
ciple, but of degree; but he (Earl Grey) would say that
the question was one of principle, and of principle only.
The introduction of the words of the Noble Lord would
not make sense. According to all Parliamentary usage,
when words were to be introduced, it was customary to
move the omission of certain words for the purpose of
inserting those words. The Noble Lord had alluded to
their carrying trade in corn, but the Noble Lord would
be called upon to explain why corn could only be im-
ported in a British ship, and why, when ground into
flour, it might be imported in any ship. The Noble
Lord should explain those anomalies. The Noble Lord
would dispense with the principle of the Bill in certain
enumerated articles. He (Lord Grey) did not think
that the present was quite the time for discussing the
whole of this great question, or of entering very mi-
nutely into a consideration of the question of " recipro-
city." With regard to British ships, the fact was that
they did not possess any monopoly whatever, and if they
wanted to bring corn from Danzic, it was a Prussian ship
they had most to fear from. Either it was desirable to
open that trade or not; and if it was desirable, then they
ought at once to remove all restrictions in the way of it
—they should remove those restrictions which fettered
the trade of their merchants. The Noble Lord had al-
luded to their indirect trade and warehousing system,
but the Noble Lord should take care that by main-
taining our restrictions be did not jeopardy our
interests in those branches of . oar trade. He g
should take care that by mainuttisinain our re-
strictions we should not provoke
Ruesia, the. Ilanse.
Towns, and other countries, to retaliate aga inst us,
for should they, then would our great carrying trade be
endangered, and this great country and the whole civi-
world would be the 'seers.
The Nob!e Lord
should not forget the fable of " The Dog and the Sha-
dow ;" and he should recollect that the dog, in trying to
grasp at an imaginary substance, lost the actual sub-
stance he was in possession of. The Noble Lord should
take care that the course which he would impel this
country upon would not lead to a similar result. The
Noble Lord had also alluded to the trade of the British
merchants with America, but be (Earl Grey) would
show by a return which he held in his hand that the ad-
vantages were all against us in our trade with the
United States, by the maintenance of our restrictions.
Looking at these fact, he would say that if the English
were plGoed 911 the owe Antin V. She Atlarigggie, We

should be able to compete with them successfully. He now
came to the question of the colonies, and, first, with re-
spect to Canada. There was no doubt Canada had strong
claims upon our sympathy, but what would be the effect
of the Noble Lord's amendment ? Why, to give pro-
tection to America, to the prejudice of European coun-
tries with whom we were on friendly terms, and all thi's
was done to favour the trade of the River St. Lawrence.
But the only way to do this truly was by throwing open
the trade of the River St. Lawrence, and getting rid of
all the restrictions which existed on the trade of that
part of the world. They ought to do all in their power
to assist the colonies, the produce of which had now to
compete with the productions of other countries antler
great disadvantages. The only way to do this effec-
tively was by getting rid of the navigation laws. The
Noble Earl then proceeded to contend that the Reci-
procity Act did not produce any good to this country,
while it tended materially to injure our colonies, as was
proved by the benefit which Martinique obtained by
French and Spanish ships being obliged, under existing
circumstances, to trade there instead of going in
the first instance direct to Trinidad. No one knew the
injury of restriction until it had been removed.—(Hear.)
This was proved by the article of Indian rubber. Mae),
years ago this substance was only used by artists, and
for very ordinary purposes by the public. Now, since
the duty on the article has been withdrawn, it was
adapted to a hundred uses with great advantage to the
public.— (Hear.) He dissented from the statement of
the Noble Lord, that the feeling of the public was against
the measure. He, on the contrary, believed that the
feeling of the country was in its favour, notwithstanding
the efforts made to get up an artificial excitement against
the measure. He trusted their Lordships would not re-
scind the vote they had given in favour of the Bill on its
second reading.—(Hear.)
Lord WHARNCLIFFE said that he felt it to be his
duty to oppose the amendment proposed by his Noble
Friend. The Bill proposed to throw open the trade of the
colonies, but the amendments of his Noble Friend
would close up the trade of all the colonies, with the
exception of one. The perplexity of' the existing navi-
gation laws would be increased by the amendments.
The Earl of HARROWBY said he thought the true
question was, whether they should not first secure reci-
procity, before they admitted foreign countries to privi-
leges from which they were now debarred. And as,
there was nothing of value which they could expect in
return for their generous relaxation, he thought their'
Lordships would have no difficulty in affirming the
propositions submitted by his Noble Friend near him
(Lord Stanley).
Earl GRANVILLE said he believed, that though the
amendment which the Noble Lord on the cross-benches
(Lard Wharncliffe) had placed upon the paper was in-
terior to the proposition of the Government, still he be-
lieved it to be superior to that of the Noble Lord oppo-
site. In his own opinion, it was exceedingly unwise
to act upon reciprocity treaties; and with regard to those
countries with which they were not on terms of reci-
procity, he would ask whether it was wise to throw the
whole weight of their navigation law restrictions into
the scale against them, notwithstanding the power
they at present possessed of exercising a re-
taliatory line of policy. After illustrating his
arguments by referring briefly to the trading
clauses with respect to Belgium, France, and Spain, the
Noble Earl said he was of opinion, upon consideration
of these retaliation principles, that it was impolitic to
enter into the interminable special pleading which the
proposition of the Noble Lord opposite would neces-
sarily involve them in. That, at least, was one reason
why such a proposition should be rejected. With regard
to the 200,000 seamen who constituted the marine of
Great Britain, from what source, he would ask, were
they to be supplied, should this Bill be carried into a law?
Was it from Norway or Denmark ? Surely not ; nor
could it be from the United States, who were obliged to
compose their own crews of three-fourths Englishmen.—
(Hear, hear.) It had been asserted that the statistics
by which it was sought to support this question had
been blown out of the waters by the speech of
the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Stanley), and that
the speech of the Noble Lord had produced a
very powerful impression on their Lordships'
minds. This last assertion was not all disposed
to question ; but he could not admit that the Noble
Lord bad blown out of the waters the case of the
dvocates of this measure, or that he had uttered one
word which weakened its statistical position.—(Hear,
hear.) He (Earl Granville) was prepared to show that
the more the figures were knocked about the more in-
contestibly did they prove the strength and value of the
arguments relied upon by the advocates of this Bill.
With respect to Mr. Porter, to whom frequent allusion had
been made in the course of this debate, he (Earl Gran-
ville) felt he would not be justified were he not to make
,ome brief allusion. Tne Noble Earl opposite (Earl
Harrowby) had accused that gentleman of fencing with
the question of foreign tonnage, when he was under
examination of the Committee. Now he (Earl Gran •
%elle) had had occasion to look into the evidence of Mr.
against
oen
Porter as given before the Committee, and he must in
candour say that he did not think there was the least
ground for suchrt ar
a g:icharge.nst t h The 'h
a chargesNobleul
a
broughtn Esarih
de-
tendedhimin
Mr.
connexion Poe withtonnage
relating to
this subject.

Lord COLCHESTER, who was almost inaudible in
the gallery, was understood to say, that at the present
moment we were not able to enter into Competition with
.he United States, because the vessels of those States in
(heir voyages carried twice the quantity of hands that
British ships did.

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that if, accord-
ing to the Noble Lord, the present law operated so in-
juriously, and if the system was so bad, why should they
be so clamorous for the continuance of it? The amend-
ments of the Noble Lord (Stanley), involved an infrac-
tion of treaties which t hey had made with other coun-
tries. It was absurd to say that the present system
might be relaxed in the case of one or two colonies that
might require it ; but if it was just to grant concessions
to one colony, why not grant them to all? The fact
was, that a general and comprehensive measure was re-
quired to deal with the whole subject, and this was that
measure.

our naval power at the time of the Spanish armada?
Was the defeat of that armada owing to the navigation
laws? There were many other facts in our history which
went to prove that these laws had not had so much to
do with our naval power as was generally assumed on
the opposite side. Looking at the position of our two
islands as compared with the Continent, he might ask, if
that power was not more owing to their physical confor-
mation and position than to any legislation. Believing,
as he did, that the naval power of England was not
ascribable to the Navigation Act, to the extent assumed
by its supporters, he had no hesitation in cordially
giving his support to the measure of her Majesty's Go-
vernment. He looked to the time when by its means we
should not only get rid of the restrictions on our com-
merce, but also provide more efficiently for our national
defence.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said that the ques-
tion before the Committee was, whether it should adopt
the very liberal proposals of her Majesty's Government,
or the more enlightened and equitable amendment pro-
posed by his Noble Friend. The Government proposed
to repeal certain Acts and parts of Acts, but they were
by no means to be confined within the four corners of
these Acts; they might at their own caprice—nay, to
carry out their p Airy they would be obliged to import
and incorporate the laws of foreign countries with refe-
rence to shipping, so that with reference to that subject
the law would not be found in a distinct Act of Parlia-
ment, but in a series of orders in Council. This would
cause great confusion, and there would be no end of the
variety which would be introduced into our legislation as
respects foreign states. He thought there were very se-
sious objections to doing that by orders in Council which
might as well be done by Act of Parliament. It was an
innovation of modern times which they ought to be
very careful of sanctioning, except in extreme cases.
His Noble Friend was very car,ful in that respect. The
only discretion he left to her Majesty in Council was to
decide upon granting relaxations when the nations to
whom they were granted were prepared to concede
equivalent advantages, and thus to establish a perfect
should
owhether,uld
be
altered,
Laving
reciprocity in each case.. It was quite incorrect to ssy
that their Lordships were called upon to decide against
askedtion.i a tow ss a
the measure of her Majesty's Government, but they were
made in a way which would secure to this country
equivalent advantages in our future relations with
foreign states. According to the plan"of his Noble
Friend, there would be only two codes of laws—the ex-
thdaectid aedterthataitonith should naviga-
tion-laws igbe
ex-
isting code, applicable to all nations which refused to
deal with us on equal and reciprocal terms, and the new
code which would arise from our new relations with the
states which agree to such relations,—(Hear.) On that
ground he gave it his support, and hoped that it would
receive that of their Lordships.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said the Noble Earl
had stated that there was no difference between them
except as to the best mode of adjusting differences of
reciprocity. He utterly denied that it was so.—(Hear.)
By the plan of the Government they endeavoured to re-
move all the restrictions they possibly could, and they
kept none but what they were absolutely compelled to
keep; while by the plan of the Noble Lord he kept all
the restrictions he could, and gave no relaxations which
he could possibly avoid.—(Cheers.) That was the dif-
ference between the two plans. The Noble Earl who
spokeilast seemed to apprehend that after this Bill was
passed it would be in the power of foreign nations to
hamper and destroy our trade by imposing new restric-
tions upon shipping when in their ports. Whatever might
be the imperfections of the Bill, it was certainly not lia-
ble to the charge of having overlooked that contingency,
and he could scarcely suppose that the Noble Earl
had read the Bill itself, or he would have found such a
state of things distinctly and specifically provided for.
(The Noble Marquis read the clause.) It would be teen,
therefore, that there was an effectual safeguard in that
clause against the danger apprehended by the Noble
Earl. There was a great difference between the Bill
brought forward by her Majesty's Government and that
suggested by the Noble Lord. The Government Bill
laid down the broad priuciple of freedom, which they
believed was the best foundation upon which our com-
mercial system could be built, and which they also be-
lieved would be most effectual in promoting the pros-
perity and strength of our own navy. On the other band,
after having listened with great attention to the plans
of the Noble Lord, and the arguments by which he
supported these plans, he must say that he could not
help feeling surprised that the Noble Lord, after laying
down, as it were, certain polar stars to guide him in
making the changes he proposed, and after even sacri-
ficing his own principles, should have ended by propos-
ing arrangements which would be utterly inconsistent
with the objects be bad in view. Take Canada, for in-
stance.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord proposed to
make a concession to Canada, but did any one who had
paid attention to our past legislation, and the growing
demands of the Canadian people, imagine they would
rest satisfied with that concession?—(Hear, hear.) By
the recent alterations in our laws we had given the
Canadians a taste of the benefits to be derived from the
free navigation of the St. Lawrence, and they would not
now rest satisfied till they bad achieved complete free-
dom for ships of all nations
on that river.—(Hear, hear.)
Noble Lord said
How was that to be done? Why the
they ought not to favour the United . States, but his own
plan was all in favour of the Uuited States. Every
Noble Lord must see that it was the country of all
others which would most immediately benefit by the
adoption of the plan of the Noble Lord.—(Hear, hear.)
While the Noble Lord's amendment invites vessels of
Canada and the United States it repels vessels of other
colonies, equally attached to the mother.country, which
ought not to be debarred from the advantages and privi
leges intended to be conferred by the Bill. The Noble
Lord said that Canada was dissatisfied, but his amend-
ment left Canada dissatisfied, and rendered it impossible
that the treaties with the countries which he excluded
could be renovated. Ho thought the system recom-
mended by the Bill much better than that proposed bit
the Noble Lord opposite. But any system would fall
short of the object in view if it were not calculated to
increase the warehousing system of the country,
which ought to be one of the great desires of a legis-
lature. It was said that the Bill had not the general
assent of the masses of the people of the country.
No measure that had been adopted by Parliament could
be said to have the assent of the masses of the people
if it were to he gathered from public demonstration and
public petitions. The Noble Marquis referred to the
petitions presented from Liverpool, and quoted a para-
graph from a newspaper in the Protectionist interest, to
show that great indifference was manifested in Glasgow,
where a public meeting was convened to consider the
propriety of petitioning in favour of reciprocity, and not
more than 100 persons attended, including twelve re-
porters,
and many of those on the platform were uncon-
nected with the shipping or mercantile interests. He
adjured their Lordships, in conclusion, to preserve
the spirit and principle laid down in the Bill. Re-
laxation was the rule, and restriction the exception, of
the Government measure, while the amendments of the
Noble Lord directly attacked that principle. It was the
object of the Bill to increase the commerce of the
country, which, when promoted, could not fail to main-
tain the general prosperity of the country. He hoped
that whatever other amendments their Lordships
adopted, they would reject the amendment of
the Noble Lord now submitted for consideration, which
in conjunction with his other proposition, narrowed, in-
stead of extended, the advantages of trade, while it as-
sailed the principle sought to be established. The mea-
sure was necessary for the welfare of the country and
the colonies, and to prevent a recurrence from year to
year of new demands.

Lord BROUGHAM would make a short statement to
justify the vote which he intended to give in favour of
the amendment. The Noble Earl (Granville) depre-
cated making speeches en this stage of the Bill, and 3 et
the Noble Lord himself made a long speech, not upon
the amendment, but upon the whole question involved in
the measure before the House. He contended that the
use made of Mr. Porter's figures by the Noble Earl
(Granville) was not a correct one—for instance, the
Noble Earl arrived at the conclusion that a particular
vessel had carried a larger tonnage by multiplying the
number of voyages which she had taken. The Noble
Lord then referred to a meeting held at Liverpool to
support this Bill, and read a resolution which declared
that this Bill was only the precursor of other measures
which were to sweep away all restrictions. Here was an
avowal of the character of this measure, which war-
ranted him in opposing it. Lord Melbourne on one occa-
sion said that the man who thought there ought to be
no restrictions, was fitter for a place in Bedlam than for
a seat in that House. Hull did not sympathise with
Liverpool, as was shown by the fact, that the Member
for Hull himself, an officer of the Crown, voted against
the Bill now before their Lordships' House. There was
not a commercial man of consideration in the City of
London with whom he was acquainted, that was in
favour of the measure ; and the Lord Mayor of London
—as good a Whig as the Noble-Marquis opposite—had
not supported the Bill in its stages in the House of
Com-
mons. He denied also that the majority in the House of
Commons respecting this measure, was of such a cha-
racter as. to warrant their Lordships in supporting it.
The proposition of the Government being to throw open
the whole trade of the country, except the coasting
trade, but to give the power of exercising retaliation
towards any country which might be found unfairly
transferring the trade, and that of the Noble Lord on
the cross-benches being to maintain the system under
which their mercantile marine had flourished, and
their navy having been created, and afterwards to apply
a particular system of reciprocity, it became necessary to
see whether they were sure of obtaining a return of their
concessions after they were made. [The Noble Lord
was here much interrupted by the somewhat loud talk-
ing which proceeded from a group of Members of the
other House standing around the throne, and addressed
them thus :—" If those Gentlemen who were talking so
loud only knew the inconvenience of having to speak
above them, they would at once remove to a place more
convenient for themselves, and infinitely more convenient
tor me."J On that point they had sufficient proof that
whilst, on the one hand, they would be allowing the
Americans to enjoy as much of the trade with the colo-
nies and the other countries of the world as they could
acquire, there was no adequate return to which they
could look forward with any prospect of success.—
(Cries of "Hear, hear.") He had no question of the
superiority of the plan proposed by his Noble. Friend
near him (Lord Stanley), and although it was said that
the only difference between that plan and the one pro-
posed by the Noble Lord on the cross benches was a
difference as to the modus operandi, still, he apprehended
the House would be of opinion that that difference in the
modus operandi would lead to an immense difference in
the general result. to the consumers and the community
at large. He was prepared, therefore to support the
amendment of the Noble Lord near him, and to vote
against the proposition of the Government- Many
Noble Lords had been summoned from tar and near to
assist at the approaching division on this question; but
he hoped it would be seen that though absentees could
decide the House, they could not decide the Corn-
mittee.—(Hear, hear.) There did not appear to be any
pressing necessity for the measure which was thus pre-
cipitately urged upon the House, but yet the Government
were obviously determined on pushing it, although the
advantages, its success on the navigation system, its
utility, and above all, its claim to general admiration as
having given birth to their navy, had been acknowledged
by some of the most distinguished men which the country
had produced. He would ask the House, therefore, de-
liberately, what great cause it was that should impel
them to destroy this system, of which so many had been
justly proud? If they persisted in a resolution to adopt
this ill-omened Bill, his firm conviction was that they
would do irreparable injury to the shipping interest of
the country, and cut at the roots the only available means
by which their navy could be recruited. For those
reasons he should give his vote against the measure
submitted by her Majesty's Government.
Earl FITZ WILLIAM complained that the Noble and
Learned Lord who had just spoken had not sufficiently
confined himself to the question before the House, which
was tar more restricted in its limits than the Noble and
Learned Lord appeared to suppose. A large part of his
Noble and Learned Friend's speech had not been ad-
dressed to the subject immediately before their Lord-
ships. As to the wisdom of our ancestors shown in
thew he thought that the argument drawn from
their existence fur two centuries was no proof of
their adaptation to our present circumstances. We
.had outgrown the age at. which such laws could be use-
ful. But even taking, his Noble and Learned,Friend's
owu argameat to dame, ho would ask, where WO

Their Lordships then divided, when there appeared—
Contents—For the amendment ... 103
Non-Contents—Against it .. ... 116
Majority against the amendment, and for the
Government ... ... —l3
Lord STANLEY said that the principle on which he
had based his amendment was to amend the navigation-
laws; the principle of the Government Bill was to repeal
the latter. So far, therefore, as he Was concerned,
the law. Their Lordships, by a majority, had affirmed
r he
po
eual di e nd ()Btt
ho ffaenrdf u9rtthh eorf objection, tcoa
pt h. he
s es2p.rovisions which

The House then resumed.
The CHAIRMAN reported progress and obtained
leave to sit again this day.
Their Lordships adjourned at a Quarter to One.

OPERA COMIQUB, ST. JAMES'S THEATE.E.—iIer
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent honoured the
performance at this theatre last evening with her
ord
pre-
sence. Her Royal Highness was attended by Lady
Augusta Bruce, Lady Maria Dawson'
and Marchioness
Hon. Miss Daw-
son, Baroness do Speth
, and jainesar Murray.ioness
Douglas, There were
ithe
also pres
Marquise n t —0
f Douro, t h
the Marchioness ofe MarquisL
Downshire, the Earl and Countess of Chesterfield, Hon.
Mr. Anston, the Marquis Dazilio, Count de la Feldt,
Lady Cecilia de la Feldt, Lord Cranborne, Lady Quin-
tin, Sir George and Miss Talbot, Sir Henry Webb, Sir
John Lyster Kaye, Lady and Miss Macdonald, Baron
Eugene de Gerlache, lion. G. Barrington, Lord Man-
deville, &c.
--

THE " GYMNETEVS NORTHUMBRICUS."—•-•A very
curious specimen of a genus of fish, little known, and of
which few specimens have been exhibited, was yesterday
submitted to the inspection of a number of gentlemen
connected with the science of natural history, and to
those who feel interested in the more abstruse wonders
of nature, at the Cosmorama, Regent-street. The spe-
, and is, indeed,
it is preserved,
from
them t
hfien
mannerest ever ei
nx hwi bhii toehd
unique,cim en s o
bothne
and from the fact of its recent capture. It is about ten
feet in length and measures nearly three feet in the
widest part of the girth. It has a sort of crest upon the
head resembling feathers, and two long narrow fins, or
rather antenna, beneath the lower jaw. To describe this
rare fish technically would be rather a difficult task, and
such a description would hardly be understood by any
but professed naturalists. It will therefore be sufficient
to direct the public attention to it, and to let persons
judge for themselves of its nature.
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—A Bruised Foot Cured, and
Amputation of the Noes Prevented, by Holloway's Ointment
and Pills.—Mr. Oliver Smith Jenkins, Falkirk, when super-
intending the erection of a railway bridge, had his foot severely
bruised by the falling of a heavy stone. Apprehending that
serious consequences would result from it, he consulted some
of the most eminent surgeons in Edinburgh, who informed him
that to effect a cure two of his toes must be amputated; re-
fusing to submit to this he returned to Falkirk, and commenced
using Holloway's Ointment and Pills, and, miraculous as is
may appear, these invaluable medicines healed his foot, and in
three weeks he was enabled to resume his employment. Sold
by all Druggists; and at Professor Holloway's Establishment,
244, Strand, London.
MURDER OF A POLICEMAN AT BRISTOL.-011
making inquiries at the central station yesterday (Mon-
day) afternoon, we were informed that Inspector Bosworth
had not yet returned from London, but that the two sol-
diers, Andrew Daly and John M'Farlane, who stand
charged on the coroner's inquisition with the wilful
murder of. John Pyrn, a police-constable, sailed with
, their regiment for India on the 9th inst.

INTERNATIONAL

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING-, MAY 22, 1849.

VISITS BE-

TWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

Much has been lately said respecting the excursion
parties advertised for the ensuing summer between the
two countries, owing to the pleasing and unexpected
turn given to the late party, whose reception in Boulogne,
Paris, and Amiens was so cordial. Agreeing, as we
heartily do with the Boulogne Gazette, which devoted
eight entire columns to an historical recital of the visit,
we say with it—" Honour to Mr. Lloyd for this adroit
and seasonable conversion of an excursion party into an
impromptu embassy of international friendship ; and
success attend Mr. Crisp, the originator and contractor
for their expedition in those he may hereafter plan for
the amusement of his countrymen."
anawme
tetei
arAdt thenhtohlsubeseuhe ssaeiein
Commercial
anniversary
was Scientific
rslemnr
syat
iddteui
ott
inooenrt haoeffewt visith
e days
Westay ands
since,its
on cd oontohs eeLqi ut
gentleeern
ec reys.
Frenchg
mpp
amr
te
ehsrei
cene
ota s
olt
htwhose
ns
eipgi
King's-road,
henv lbegi
ournresoa.
air
myd
,p
oc commTheunicatnobleion
s.
handsomely decorated for the occasion, and the gallery
was filled with elegantly dressed ladies.
G. TuoursoN, Esq., M.P., ably filled the chair. This
gentleman is one of the earliest and most zealous sup-
porters of the institution, both by liberal donations and
by delivering lectures which have always filled the hall
to overflowing. He stated how much ho owed to the
opportunities for instruction and acquisition of useful and
valuable information afforded by similar institutions, and
spoke for nearly an hour most eloquently amid the re•
peated cheers of the company. In proposing the health
of their vice. president, Mr. Lloyd, of Beaufort Lodge,
Chelsea, he called attention to the important results
from that gentleman's management of the late Paris
excursion party, by making it the means of eliciting a
demonstration of feeling in France towards this country,
the value of which it was impossible to overrate. He
highly complimented Mr. Lloyd on the tact and judg-
ment with which he was allowed by all to have conducted
the embassy of friendship. It was a delicate and difficult
office that be took upon himself, but his good sense and
activity in seizing every means of putting the English
character in an advantageous light before Frenchmen had I
been crowned with entire success. They were fortunate
in a gentleman of his position as a magistrate, and ac-
quaintance with the language of France. But one
opinion had been expressed on his proceedings, during
the week when he was thus in a proud position, at the
head of five hundred of his countrymen in the French
capital. In the House of Lords the previous night was
mentioned by Lord Stanley the extraordinary and un-
precedented incident of French goodwill being warmed
even to playing " Rule Britannia," at a grand entertain-
ment given to Mr. Lloyd and his party. He hoped the
good feeling now evoked in France would encourage
other excursions, for nothing would promote more the
objects of institutions like these—the universal cultiva-
tion of science and literature apart from all national pre-
judices. He coupled with Mr. Lloyd's health, " a
continuance of the good feeling now existing between
England and France."
This toast having been drank with all honours,
Mr. LLOYD replied that what the Chairman had said
about the important results likely to arise from the late
visit to Paris was perfectly true. They cannot
invaluable, and
u it
beo
shouldht
transient. We must reciprocate good offices, and show
behel our being
care madetha t
Frenchmen that we fully appreciate the value of their
results
alliance. The late excursion party to France, which had
excited so much attention, had, as the Chairman ob-
served, been made use of by him for eliciting and test-
ing the sincerity of the professions made lately by
Frenchmen towards England. It was perfectly true ho
had done so, and the results were beyond his expecta-
tion. He had, from being in Paris in January and Fe-
bruary, a good opportunity of remarking the present
state of men's minds on the late disastrous political
changes on the Continent, and the felicitous immunity
our beloved country enjoyed from the miseries they en-
tailed. He could perceive that there was conviction in
the minds of all—even the Red Republicans, as they were
called—that there must be something infinitely superior
in the British Constitution to what continental Govern-
ments possessed. No man now attempted to disguise
his real opinions that this was so. He never felt so
proud of being an Englishman as since the 24th Fe-
bruary, 1848. The British constitutional monarchy had
been borne unscathed through the wild tempest that
swept away many a strong political edifice, hither-
to considered impregnable. The present univer-
sal feeling of respectful admiration towards Eng-
land was a glorious homage to our institu-
tions. His object in taking the part he did on the late
occasion was also to show Frenchmen how little sym-
pathy our country had with their republican anarchists,
who had been the objects of adulation, by restless dema-
gogues in England and Ireland, and that his party were
very different sort of persons to that body who went over
to Paris a year ago to compliment the visionary de-
structives on the mischief and ruin with which they were
overwhelming society. When he (Mr. Lloyd) found that
France had returned to her senses, and that she had, by
a vigorous effort, got rid of those desperate men who
had usurped all power, law, and order, and that
she had now every prospect of ,a firm Government,
he determined to show his approbation, at least
for one of her wise resolutions. As to the present
form of the French Government, he, as a lover of
monarchical institutions, might, it must be supposed,
have objections; that, however, was no business of any
one's but Frenchmen. But, as to the spirit of the pre-
sent Government, he knew it was as excellent as it was
popular amungst all respectable classes. Trade was
reviving, prices were going up of all manufactured arti-
cles, the funds were firm and daily rising. This was
the time for Englishmen who enjoyed the advantages of
being unssduced from a right track, to some forward and
offer the right hand of congratulation to France at her
progress in retracing her stops. France appreciated the
value of the moral support of the thinking, substantial,
middle classes of Britain. It was, therefore, right that
Englishmen ahoald show their approval of the spirit that
now animates Frenchmen. He wished to see many more
such excursion parties; for, depend upon it, lasting
tranquillity (to secure which is the professed object of
war) was inure likely to be preserved by a little band,
accoutred with carpet-bags and umbrellas, than by
one a thousand times as numerous glittering in cuirass
and armed to the teeth with sword, musket, bayonet,
and lance. Mr. Lloyd gave a description of' their un-
precendented reception at Boulogne, where he and his
party landed, under a triumphal arch erected for the oc-
casion, and a royal salute of twenty-one guns—an honour
never paid to any before in France but the Sovereign.
He described the fête and ball at Boulogne, and ad-
dresses from the prefects and mayors of Paris, Boulogne,
and Amiens, and other places—a grand entertainment
given them by the Prefect (the Lord Mayor) of Paris,
where the Prime Minister, the Commander-in-.thief,
great officers of state, judges, magistrates of the corpora-
tion, generals and colonels of the army and National
Guard, and more than a hundred members of the Na-
tional Assembly—in all two thousand guests—attended,
on purpose, as they personally assured him, to show the
value they set upon maintaining a good feeling with
England. He (Mr. Lloyd), as the organ of his
countrymen, had, in addresses to constituted bodies,
and in conversation with the many distinguished
personages to whom he had the honour of being intro-
duced every day of their visit, endeavoured to show
how greatly England desired the well- being and tran-
quillity of France. He was very careful and anxious to
explain that his party laid no claim to be considered an
organized body, like the National Guards who came over
to England last year; his party had no prestige whatever,
no official station or specific character, they were simply
what in France would be called Association de bons En-
fans. This he on all occasions did, as he was fearful,
from seeing himself styled every day in the French
papers " President de Comitie des Anglais," " President
de la Deputation Anglais," that an erroneous impression
had been made. He had made a point in undeceiving
the mayor and authorities at Boulogne in his reply to
their noble address, and to all the authorities, civil and
military, he had said the same. The good feeling towards
England at this moment is altogether wonderful. If he
had only the satisfaction of having carried up that ad-
dress to the Prefect of the Seine, which resulted in the
splendid entertainment given them at the Hotel de
Ville, when eleven grand apartments, lighted and
furnished in brilliancy and richness not to
be surpassed at Buckingham Palace, were thrown
open for their reception and that of the dis-
tinguished personages he:had alluded to, invited to meet
his party, and where their English ears were delighted
and surprised by hearing "Rule Britannia" and "God
save the Queen,' played by Republicans, and listened to
graciously by Republicane, he should feel amply re-
warded for all the anxiety and labour of the week. Lord
Normanby, our Ambassador at Paris, had signified his
approbation of what he had done to Lord Palmerston,
who had also very handsomely expressed to him his en-
tire satisfaction at the issue of his undertaking. M.
Guizot had expressed to him the pleasure he felt at read-
ing the accounts of the interchange of kind feelings on
the occasion. He (Mr. Lloyd) had invited M. Guizot,
as a Brompton resident, to give them the pleasure of his
countenance and presence this day; but M. Guizot was
obliged to decline from a pressure of occupation, owing,
as he told him, to his intention of being in France again
in ten days, which every one must be delighted to hear.
Mr. Lloyd's account appeared much to please the com-
pany, who repeatedly cheered him. He finished in re-
commending all who would avail themselves of the present
favourable inclinations of Frenchmen towards English-
men, to join Mr. Crisp's excursion at Whitsuntide, which
he saw advertised, for a better caterer and manager of
an excursion party he never met with; besides which,
Mr. Crisp enjoyed privileges others did not.

The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev.
Dr. Wilson, Rev. J. Jorns, Rev. Edward Budge, and other
gentlemen, and separated at a late hour.

oSpiteunEinwgsonfuu;thesAeNDimpßorltßa3inltN GlitinAes3l,
wIihAiLL WAi
willS
OPENING 05' THE SIIROP2IIIRE UNION AND
—beThewith
the metropolis and the north to a large portion of the
population and mineral produce of Skropshire, hitherto
without thest facilities, is fixed for the Ist of June. The
Shropshire Union runs from Stafford to Shrewsbury,
thirty miles in length, through a rich agricultural dis-
trict, at a cost of 500,0001. the opening of then, Shrews-
bury and Birmingham line, being its frst sectio is from
Shi ew.tbury to Okengate.
CIIAILEY MuitnEE.—Our readers will re-
ZIIC
member that at the last Sussex Assizes Hannah Sandles
was convicted of the murder of her infant child by throw-
ing it into a well at Chailey, near Lewes, the jury ac-
companying their verdict of guilty by a recommendation
to mercy on the ground of the destitution of the prisoner
at the time she committed the act. Shortly aftervvards
she was respired during her Majesty's pleasure; and the
governor, of Lewes Gaol has just received from the
Home-office-officean official notification that the sentence had
beencouirntited to two years' imprisonment with bird
labour, follOvred by transportation for life.

DOVER-BAY AND BREAKWATER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SU.N.
Srn,—A sense of public duty impels me to reply to a
! notice of my remarks on the above subject by Colonel
Williams, of Ramsgate, in The Sun of Monday last.
I regret that he should give himself the slightest trou-
ble es to individuality in a subject where principles are
involved of such vital importance. He asserts that he
is "at no loss to discover the author," and having duly
chronicled this important result of his imaginings, pro-
ceeds forthwith to make a personal attack on mistaken
identity.
The Colonel gives in a very general adherence to the
principles and causes adduced by me as being in conti-
nual
operation on the south coast of England ; he does
not even dispute that it may be a hundred years before
the shingle rounds a pier extending 800 feet from the
shore—his words are that it will and must " ultimately"
reach the end of the pier. Agreeing with one another so
. . nearly, I am rather surprised that he should be so
wroth with me. it must be that he takes me for the
gentleman at the Admiralty, who lately gave him such
a rap over the knuckles for his meddling interference
with works against which he was raising a factious op-
position. He also feels very ill at ease because I wrote
anonymously. Now, Sir, as I have no personal vanity
Ito gratify—no petty pamphlets to puff—nor no desire
1 fur undue notoriety, I have therefore adopted the more
1 customary course of modestly retiireing my real name;
but as my pen is and has always been employed pro bona
publico. If 1 thought that the public would be bone-
Cited by removing the veil of incognito, I should at once
'do so. The Colonel further makes sundry insinuations
as to my being a hired scribbler, which, although ex-
tremely lame and impotent, must still be repelled.
i I beg him and your numerous readers to understand,
1
1 that I am entirely unconnected with any Government
1 establishment, have no interest whatever in the port of
! Dover, or the works at present going on there ; have
! never solicited, never obtained Court patronage or Go-
vernment place or pay; I have no affix to append to my
name at my country's expense. My bureau is not
adorned with an official inkstand, from which to " spirtle
ink ex cathedra." Being thus free from party bias, local
jealousy, disappointed hopes, or that prejudice which is
blind to truth, I humbly conceive myself in a favourable
position for making your readers acquainted how matters
stand, and that with strict impartiality.
It is sad to see Colonel Williams evidently suppress-
ing or perverting the knowledge he possesses on this
subject, and whether be does so to daniage‘Ziker or re-
store Ramsgate, I am quite at a loss to discover; certain
it is that he conceals the truth, so that he may have a
kick at a body of men of whom I know but little, viz.,
the Commissioners of Dover Harbour; but were he in
possession of one tithe of the knowledge to which he so
unblushingly lays claim, had he taken the trouble to
compare the present operations with his own ideas of
protection of shipping from the north-west gales, he
would have been prepared for the " startling announce-
ment" contained in my last letter, :aslto the separate,
distinct usefulness and independence of the present works.
The great national object of the Refuge Harbour at
Dover is in plan exceedingly simple. A strong sea-wall
running out at right angles from the mainland, close to
the entrance of the harbour forms the west side; above a
mile to the eastward of Dover a similar wall is to be
erected. Jutting out from the south foreland near to the
Coruhill Coast Guard Station, at the outer extremities of
these walls, wide navigable entrances will be made for
the free ingress and egress of shipping of every tonnage;
whilst beyond these openings, much further to sea, runs
a third massive stone wall in deep water, running nearly
parallel to the shore, and extending from pier to pier,
thereby covering in the whole of Dover Harbour and
Bay, some knowledge of the extent of which may be
formed when it is known that these walls will enclose an
area of upwards of 600 acres; and the outer wall or
breakwater is to be upon the upright wall principle, and
not at all like the negligent, haphazard plan adopted in
Plymouth Sound, where a most irregular mass of stone
was allowed to find its own bed, and yet so much ad-
mired by the Colonel. The western wall or angle of
this great work is that which now so excites the ire and
calls forth the letters of Colonel Williams, and this por-
tion though most assuredly forming a prominent part of
the gigantic undertaking, is at present known as the
" New Dover Landing-pier;" and certainly the country
is indebted to the genius of their engineers (not royal)
when the several parts of a great work are brought to
bear upon public comfort and convenience, just the same
as we find directors opening the portions of their rail-
ways as they become ready for traffic, without waiting
for the completion of the whole.
Most nobly do the works proceed on this western
angle. Standing within a window niche of the Folke-
stone Hotel lately, my attention was arrested to observe
the robust head of this massive piece of masonry pres-
sing sternly out to sea beyond the lofty face of Shaks-
pere's Cliff; standing forth in bold relief from the line of
coast, it seemed to bid defiance to the angry lashing of
the winter's storm, a grand monument of the triumph of
engineering skill, guided by that Almighty power which
wieldeth all the destinies and deliberattons of men.
The Engineer-Colonel thinks that " a harbour of re-
fuge in Dover Bay is imperatively called for;" then why
dues he rail out against the first step to his thoughts and
wishes? If the aspirations of his soul and his pamphlet
aro about to be realised, then why does ho turn round
and denounce a very successful commencement of what
he deems imperative, spitefully malingning it as for a
mere " temporary purpose"—a clutch fur a deserted
seaport?
With Plymouth Sound, Spithead, Beachy Head, Dun-
geness, the :South Foreland, the Downs, and the Nore,
all protectors, within a few hours' sail of each other, and
being an ardent financial reformer, I have some doubts
whether it is so very loudly called for to have a refuge
harbour at Dover; but it I did consider it necessary, I
certainly would bail with delight the successful coin-
mencernent of such a work. I have stood upon the
works several times, with gentlemen great by birth and
great by talent; I have conversed amid the diving-bells
and machinery employed with the most scientific men of
the present day, including engineers, civil, military, end
practical, and have Sc en and heard unmingled satisfac-
tion as to the works and their ultimate benefit; and yet
we find an obscure individual calling it a " job," which
he believes " will be dearly purchased at twopence-
halfpenny." Sic transit gloria mundi. It is,
however, one consolation to know from the
Gallant Colonel that, although it is a ",job,"
it will, nevertheless, be an important " local benefit—a
great pr;za" fur the port of Dover. How is it that
Colonel Williams has " applied to every Membcr of the
House of Commons who takes an interest is questions
of finance, and received no encouragement for inquiry
into that grave ' job?' " He tells the public that he has
appealed to the press, and then he appeals to the public
themselves; yet no one lends an ear. He then tries
threats—he "demands to be beard," and repeats " that
nothing will or shall put this matter to rest but inquiry."
The House of Commons ha implores to take a fine sieve,
and "Shave the matter sifted." Hear you this further—
ye Gentlemen Commoners and ye Noble Lords—Colonel
Williams has discovered "strong ground" for your in-
tervention. The restoration of the prize is a secondary
consideration—only remettre the Gallant Colonel.
1 In my last letter, which you did me the honour to in-
i sert, I endeavoured to show your readers that so great
was the magnitude of the scheme which the Refuge Har-
bour Commission decidtd upon, that to future genera-
tions would be left the honour of completing the task;
whereat the Colonel jumps to the conclusion that all is
abandoned but the pier, and that the country is doing
what private or corporate funds should have accom-
plished long ago. Now, I certainly know that the cor-
porate funds of Dover, whilst they have been
applied with care, have been expended with liberality to
improve the harbour; within the last few years they have
constructed additional harbour accommodation. The
deepening of the harbour has been decided upon, and
been commenced; and not only these, but whilst on a
visit of health a few weeks back, the obliging master of
the works there kindly pointed out to me the centre line
for a splendid double ship slip, which is to be commenced
forthwith, in plan and principles superior to that at
Ramsgate, and which must prove a vast acquisition to
the port, for not only is the situation for the slip conve-
nient, but it actually touches upon the only two ship-
builders' yards of this port. Considering the extent of
these works, and taking these three undertakings toge-
there, we should find but small reason to stigmatise
" those in charge of.:Dover Harbour."
I trust you will, Sir, accept an earnest apology
for the unexpected length to which these remarks have
run, and an assurance that I have no other interest or
motive to serve in this matter than solely and entirely
the information of your readers, and to put the
public in possession of the true merits of the case.
I am, Sir, &c.,
ALPHA.
London, May 19, 1549.

THE UNITED STATES
AND CANADA.

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY', MIDNIGHT.
We have received our dispatches from the United
States by the royal mail steam-ship Cambria, Captain
Shannon.

The Hibernia reached Halifax on the 10th, in 111
days.
Affairs in Canada were comparatively quiet. The
following are the latest telegraphic accounts :
" MONTREAL, MAY 1, 6 P.M.
" The Parliament was not in session to-day; it will
convene on Monday next, and hold its sessions in the
new building owned by Mr. Hayes, called the Freema-
son's-hall, but it is said that the soot of Government is to
alternate tour years at Quebec and Toronto.
"A young man engaged in the Custom-house has
been arrested, and is in custody, for disturbing the peace,
or, it is probable, to be detained for a witness.
" The agitation still continues in the eastern townships.
All is quiet in Montreal."

MAY 8, 7 P.M.

" The Government has taken possession of the new
building belonging to Mr. Uayes, and both Houses of
Parliament will meet there on Monday.

" A person named Stone was arrested to-day, but the
charge against him is not known.
" Some of the lato prisoners are about to start on a
tour of agitation to the eastern townships."

" MAY 7, P.M.
" There was nothing of importance done in Parliament
to-day. The beads assembled in Bonsecours•market,
and to-morrow will assemble in the Freemasons'-ball.
Both Houses adjourned to remove their furniture to their
new place of meeting.
" Everything remains quiet.
" Quebec partook of the general excitement incidental
upon the Rebellion Losses Bill having been sanctioned.
The Governor-General was burnt in effigy on Friday
evening last. Resistance was made by a section
of the Irish party who professed ultra Repeal
doctrines, and a Aght ensued, which was finally
quelled by the police. The military were in
attendance, but were not required. One man was
wounded, but not seriously. On Saturday an attempt
was made to burn Sir AA. M‘Nab in effigy, but the mode-
rate of the Irish party prevented it. On Sunday a mass
meeting of the French Canadians was held, aided by the
same Repeal followers, and a deputation sanctioned to
proceed to the seat of Government to present an address
to the Governor-General, offering defence and condo-
lence.

" On Monday large parties again assembled, but all
passed off quietly.
" There is a talk of arming on both sides, snd the
papers in the Canadian interest talk most loudly."
"MAT 4.

" News from all over the country stills continues to
pour in, both by telegraph and mail, of the monster
meeting got up to protest against the Indemnity Bill,
and to get up petitions to the Queen to recal the Go-
vernor.

" We have just received words from Toronto of an
immense meeting held there for the above named object,
and the appointment of Sir Alan iii`Nab as a delegate
to England.

" There was a fierce debate in the Assembly yester-
day evening upon a motion of adjournment—bitter
eriminations and recriminations passed between both
parties.
" Mr. Papineau, the old leader of the rebellion made a
furious attack on the Ministry, charging them with in-
capacity, and being the cause of all the disturbances.
" Mr. Solicitor-General Drummond replied by charg-
ing him with the desire of annexation to the United
States, and of being the first Governor of the new State.
" Sir Alan AiPliab raked up recollections of murder
and outrage committed during the rebellions of 1837 and
1838. The Ministry deprecated the cause of the argu-
ment as being got up for mere party purposes, and said
that at a proper time they were prepared to justify the
whole of that proceeding. The President of the Council
likewise said that one of the causes of the excitement was
the desire of annexation, which be deprecated.
" There were no new disturbances in the city yester-
day, but there doubtless would have been if the House
had not adjourned at an early hour. Large placards
were posted all ove.r the city, unanimously signed ay the
influential inhabitants, urging the necessity of maintain-
ing peace and order. The excitement is great, and there
are rumours that Upper Canada will rise. A few days
will show if it be true."

" THURSDAY NOON', MAY 3.
" The most trifling circumstances show the state of
bad feeling which exists among parties in the provinces
at present.
" The fact of the Governor-General returning an
answer of half a dozen lines in length to a couple of ad-
dresses from French Canadians was yesterday made the
subject of bitter animadversion and invidious compari-
sons both in and out of the Parliament, which is this
morning re-echoed in most of the city journals.
"There has been no fault found with the addresses or
answers, it was only that his Excellency replied to them
at length, and that length was only half-a-down lines ;
while to the more numerous petitions that were poured
upon him against the Indemnity Bill, he only replied
that he would give the allegations they contained his
full consideration. There has been no more disturb-
ances in the city, nor has the news of any arrived from
other parts of the country. It seems improbable that
there should be any more for the present, as the people
seemed disposed to wait for an intimation of the course
the English Government will pursue. The appointment
of Sir Alan M'Nab by the city of Toron' o is being a
good deal canvassed, and is causing some excitement.
On the decision of the English Ministry rests the ques-
tion if this colony is to be plunged in a civil war.
" The Governor replied to an address as follows;
"' Gentlemen,—l received with gratitude your loyal
and dutiful Odress. I lament the outrages of which
this city has been the theatre, and more especially the
destruction of the building occupied by the Houses of
Parliament, with the valuable library of which the pro-
vinces had good reason to be proud. My confidence in
the good sense, moderation, and loyalty of the body of
the people is, however, in no degree shaken by what has
occurred. It is satisfactory to me to receive the assur-
ances that the course of justice and impartiality which
I have followed in the discharge of the functions of my
high office meets your approval. That course is pre-
scribed to me by my duty to my Sovereign, and to the
inhabitants of the provinces.

" ' A free people can hardly MI to discover in the
faithful observance of all constitutional guarantees the
best security for the preservation of their rights and
liberties.

" No efforts will be wanting on my part to secure
the preservation of the peace of the city, and I sin-
cerely trust that by the exertions of the Legislature
and the Executive authorities and the co-operation of
all friends of order this object may be accomplished.' "
"MAY 7.

" Perfect tranquillity continues here.
"Loyal addresses from all parts of Upper Canada are
pouring in to the Governor-General. Both Houses of
Parliament are quietly proceedinr2 with business.
" Domestic affairs in the United States present no
features of note. Politics were tranquil. Government
had determined to send two ships in search of Sir James
Franklin's expedition, one to go round east by Labra-
dor and Davis's Straits ; the other round west by Beh-
ring's Straits, in search of the lost navigators."
The money•market was easier. Discount for fa-
vourite signatures were quoted 7 to 9 per cent., on
call 5 to 6 per cent.

The banks here were well supplied, and a still further
improvement was expected. United States Sixes of
1h56 were 1061 to 7. Sterling exchange was again
higher—namely, 107 to 107 f, and 108 f. The latter
being the quotation of the great drawers bills. The
amount of business transacted for this steamer was
limited. sf. 26k, sf. 26.
A good deal of shipping to Havre. The cotton
accounts state that the reports from the north evinced
some previous exaggeration of dansages.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL
IN FOREIGN PARTS.—Yesterday the 148th anniversary
meeting of the members of this society took place, with
the usual solemnities, in St. Paul's Cathedral. The
clergy and other friends of the society were requested,
by public announcement, to meet in the nave of the
Cathedral, at three o'clock, to receive his Grace the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the president, and the civic
authorities. Shortly after that hour a large number of
arrivals took place, and a procession having been form-
ed, it moved into the choir, where service was, performed.
There were present his Grace the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Llandaff,
Worcester, Oxford. Bangor, Peterborough, Ripon, Man-
chester, and Lichfield; Archdeacons Hale and Robinson;
the Hon. and Rev. H. Montague Villiers, M.A .; the
Rev. Ernest Hawkins, 8.D., Prebendary of St. Paul's;
' the Rev. Charles B. Dalton, M.A., Prebendary of St.
Georgeof and hi
cPhaaupl sa
i an
n (and ere vr. R. Lambe
C a tt the y; )t;h eL°
Aldermenr d M a
3Slirr
Carroll, Farncombe, Moon, and Hunter; Sheriffs
Finnis and Goodhart; Mr. Chamberlain Brown, and
upwards of one hundred other clergymen in full canoni-
cals. Full choral service was performed, tlie gen-
tlementhe of her Majesty's Chapel Royal,under
direction of the Rev. Thomas Helmore, being engaged to
assist the choristers of St. Paul's. The sermon was
preached by the Bishop of Lichfield, who remarked that
during the last twenty years the Society had doubled
the number of its missionaries, and with doubly in-
creasing success. Upwards of 100 additional missiona-
ries were required tar Canada, New Brunswick, and
Nova Scotia. There were only two missionaries on the
western coast of Newfoundland, and not one on the coast
of Labrador. Ai any additional missionaries were re-
quired in Australia, whither the tide of emigration was
rapidly setting in. The Right Reverend Prelate referred
with much satisfaction to the fact that, during the last
eight years eleven colonial bishoprics had been founded,
and that two other colonial bishops (Victoria and
Rupert's Land) would be consecrated in the course of
the present month. His Lordship concluded with an
eloquent appeal on behalf of the society. The mission-
ariedwaintained, in whole or in part, by the society, are
350, in addition to whom upwards of 300 divinity stu-
dents, catechists, and schoolmasters are also supported
by this venerable incorporation; but the required expen-
diture of the society cannot be kept up unless a perma-
nent addition be made to the annual income.
DURHAM CATEEDRAL.—We have beard that it is
intended speedily to appoint a new minor canon in this
cathedral ; and it will gratify every lover of our cathe-
dral services to learn, that no candidate who does not
possess considerable power of voice, and a thorough
knowledge of music, is likely to be a successful appli-
cant.—Durhani Chronicle.
The Marquis, of Normanby left Paris yesterday
morning, and arrived in town by the South Eastern Rail-
• way iu time fyr the debate last evening.

A LOYAL SCENE.—The tide of loyalty never,
perhaps, flowed higher than it did on Saturday evening,
when the whole population of the metropolis were in the
streets viewing the illuminations in honour of the birth-
day of our beloved Sovereigu. It seemed as if the
people had by electric agency received the intelligence
of the diabolical attempt upon the Queen's life, and, at
the same time, the cheering news that she bad provi-
dentially escaped unscathed. So profound was the
emotion excited in the minds of the populace, and so
so
strong was the affection elicited from all classes, that
it
every opportunity was seized that would serveii to give
expression. This was particularly exen
large assemblage collected during the w hoi
fied in the
lPeof the even-
ing opposite the I'aletot Warerooms belonging
' Messrs. Nicoll, whose several
tasteful
a
sea in Regent-tsotrtehee
h t
presented perhaps the most taste nt
ido b r
oi
fl i
tahn i
dl
euvmi
ci
°-
nation ever seen in London: one porn
consisted of the words " God save the Queen" in gi•
gamic letters of gas; this, it would seem suggested to
the Natio' nal Anthem,
the spectators the idea of singing
and though it may not
be considered as having been
accomplished in a very artistic manner, yet was it most
pleasing to hear front the heartiness with which it was
I few that witnessed the scene will forget the
given; an
n
expressiona' displayed upon so many loyal and en-
thusiastic faces during that evening. The effect was
mucassisted by the blaze of light which almost seemed
to turn the night into day.—Morning Post.
DANISH BLOCKADE OF THE GERMAN PORTS.
—We understand that her Majesty's steam-sloop
Sphynx, Commander Hewlett, has been sent to the Elbe
with dispatches from the Foreign-office, in consequence
of some representations from some merchants that two
British ships were not allowed to come out. These vessels
—viz., a st( amer with a very valuable cargo, and the
other a brig, in consequence of the inefficiency of the
blockade by the Danes, had made the port for which they
were destined without being warned off, and the owners
now contend that they have a right to return, unmo-
lested, to this country; for the blockade, to be duly re-
spected, must not be a mere paper blockade, bat must
be effectively kept up by the actual presence of a equa-
-1 dron of cruisers, to prevent neutrals from breaking
through. The Sphynx was at Cuxhaven on the 18th
instant.