The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-31 00:00:00

FOUR PRIZES of Xio,ooo !

With Thirty other Capitals, &c. Stc. amounting- to £100,000!
All Sterling Money.—No Blanks ! •
ALL IN ONE DAY, 12th of APRIL.

'rickets and Shares for the alinceX3oo,ooo are now on Sale
at the Contractor's Others, 37, Cornhill ; 11, Holborn; and
33, Haymarket,
Gfr J. and J& SIVEWRIGHT Sold in Shares in the very
Last Lottery. 12,478, a Prize of £30,000 !

BRITISH FIRE OFFICF., STRAND and..CORNHILL.
DIRECTORS,SW:
SIR .JOHN COX HIPOISLEY. !tit r. chairman.

GEORGE HOLM E SUMNER ESQ. M.P. Deputy Chairman.'
Hon. D. Kinnaird Thomas Maude, Esq.
Sir Robert,Wigram, Bart. George G. Mills, Esq.
William grew, Esq. Neill Malcolm. Esq.
Jiihn Bebb, Esq. Richard C. Plowden, Esq.
James Co!gallon!), Esq. John Soane, Esq.
James Henry Deacon, Esq. Joseph Warner, Esq.
William Fitzhugh., Esq. James West, Esq:
Francis 'Freeling, Esq. Richard Williams, Esq.
STA.BLISHED in 1799 for Insurance of
.0111 Houses, Buildings, Manufactories, Goods, and Mer-
ehandize, Ships, Ve3sels, and other Property, on the most
equitable terms, and on a principle which conveys perfect
svcririty,without any responsibility whatever to those insured.
Insurances may be made for a shorter period than a Year,
•and persons insuring for more Years than one, are allowed a
liberal Discount, which for seven Years amounts to 15. per
'cent. on the Prem►um and Duty.
Policies will not be charged for sums of £3OO, or upwards.
This Office has always paid for damage by Fire from Light-
ning.
Receipts for the renewal of Policies expiring at L•uly Day
may he had at the principal Offices in the Strand and Caen-
. hill, London, and of their Agents in the Country, who will
receive' Proposals for. new insurances. . -•
JOHN HELPS, Secretary.

SPITALFIELDS HOUSE, 234, REGENT-STREET,
Opposite Hanover-street.
_ _ _ _

BRowN acid HUBBARD, Silk Mercers
and Manufacturers, respectfully inform the Nobility
and Public that they have removed from Henrietta-street, and
have this day opened the above large Establishment, On the
ready money system, with a splendid and fashionable STOCK
of SILKhz, of every description, and the various new product
tions for the Spring.—Silk Cloaks, Muslins, Lace, Silk, and
Cotton Stockings, Printed Muslings for. Morning Dresses,
Shawls in every new manufacture, Muslin Robes, (;loves,
Fanciful Handkerchiefs, and many Novelties in Dress, at such
prices that they do not fear competition.—One of the Looms,
in full work, will be daily exhibited, by which. Ladies will
have an opportunity of seeing the- very curious and beautiful
art of Silk Weaving.

PARLIAMENT,

HOUSE OF LORDS, MARCH 30.

Mr. FULLARTON and Mr. HuicrEit. were heard in part, in
the Appeal " Cunninghame v. Cunninghenie." Adjourned
until after the Recess.
Mr. Jomrsox, from the Office of Chief Secretary of State
for Ireland, presented the Annual Reports of the Commissioners
for auditing Public Accounts inthat country, and other Papers,
pursuant to Order of Parliament.—lJaid oi: the table.
Earl GROSVENOR presented petitions from St. Mary's,
Lanibeth, Richmond, and Twickenham, in Surrey, and several
other places, against cruelty to animals. One from the butchers,
licensed drovers, and bullock-drivers of Smithfield-market,
prayed that the Act for protecting cattle might be extended to
other animals. One from Tynemouth and Dulwich was with-
drawn on account of some irregularity pointed out by the LORD
CHAN CELLOR Among other irregularities, it was printed.
The Marquis of LANSDOWN, finding that the whole of
the evidence on .the state of Ireland was not yet before their.
LOrdships, and being desirous that they should be in posses-
sion of as much as possible during the recess, moved that a
Message be sent to the Comm Ons, requesting a copy of such
4i
part of the evidence as had been taken beforedie Committee of
that House on the state of Ireland.—Ordered.—Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE COIIIPANY.
The Cape of Good HOpe Banking Company Bill was read a
first 'time, ahtl ordered to be read a second
TROPICAL FREE LABOUR COMPANY.
Mr. W. SMITH brought up the Report of the CoMmittee
on the Petition for the establiihment of the Tropical Free La-
bour Company, and obtained leave to bring in the Bill.
-"" •

DUTY ON GLASS.
Sir M. W. RIDLEY moved for a Return of the amount
of Duty received, and drawback paid on the duty on glass,
from the sth of January, 1824, to the sth of January, 1825.
Ordered.

MR. GOURLAY.
Mr. BENETT presented a Petition from Mr. R. Gourlay;
complaining of delays in the Court of Chancery, and praying
the House to present an Address to his Majesty for the re-
moval of the' Lord Chancellor from his high office.—Ordered
to lie on the table.
MR. BUXTON AND MR. ROBERTSON.
Mr. BUXTON, adverting to some observation which had
been made last night by an HOnourable. Member Opposite (Mr.
Robertson), in the course of which he characterised- him (Mr.
Bitxton) as the chief companion of Joint Stock Campanies,
begged that Hon. Member either to'retract the expression, or
to state his reasons for having used it. He (Mr. B.) entirely
• disclaimed the accusation.

Mr. ROBERTSON was proceeding to make some obser-
vation in reply, when_L.
The SPLAKER interposed, and put it to the House, whe-
ther the question which had been asked by the Hon. Member.
fbr Weymouth (Mr. Buxton) was consistent with the.forms
and orders of the House? If it were not, he apprehended this
conversation conld #oceed no further.
Mr. BUXTON bowed to the decision of the Chair. He
-to state, however, that he had previously made a ccm.
munication on the subject to the Hon.- Member opposite, in
which he had explained to him the groundlessness of the
charge.
Mr. HOBHOUSE presented a petition from the Inhabitant
Householders of Chelsea, against the New Church Bill:—Or-
derme.dr.toc lAielojcn IRISH.
al
b FREEHOLDERS.
seeing
the Hon. Member for Stafford--

Mr. C. GRANT moved the orderoi'ibeday for the second
reading of the Quarantine Laws-Bia..4agluaßight• Hon. Gen-
tleman made a statenient to House, tint inso low a tone of
voice that not-a single observation reached the gallery.
Mr. .JOHN SMITH said, he hoped the House would lend
their attention for a little to this very important subject. The
proposed measure had his most cordial approbation, for he was
satisfied that considerable delusion respecting thie measure ex-
isted in the country. His only objection to the measure was,
that it did not go far enough, for it would not be unsafe to
carry the alteration much farther than was proposed. = In sup-
port of his view of the' matter, he had the high authority of Dr.
Maclean, a gentleman well known to the House, who had pro-
bably Mad more opportunity of studying the nature of the
plague than any man now living. .In fact, this. was a question
of evidence alone, and any man accustomed to weigh testimony
was competent to decide. The opinion which has long pre-
vailed in Europe and in other parts of the world was, that the
contagion of the plague was conveyed in clothing and goods in
some way or another, and that cotton, in the raw of late, was
the common medium by which the plague was conveyed to dif-
ferent parts of the world. Now; although he might not be quali-
fied to decide a point of such importance, yet .he was bold
enough to say, that no man could produce a single instance to
prove that the contagion had been conveyed by cotton
goods of any kind whatever.—(Hear, hear!)—The danger,
therefore, in his opinion, of the contagion being transported by
cotton goods was utterly groundless. It was a remarkable
fact that in a neighbouring country, Holland, at one time the
most extensive commercial country, and still carrying on con-
siderable trade, they have no quarantine laws at sill. The
quarantine in Holland was confined to three or four days alone.
In a very recent case, a vessel, arriving at Amsterdam, was
barely detained three days, examined indeed by some persons,
and then the cargo was discharged. This has been the custom
of Holland for many years ; and, as far as the experiment of
that country went, it dearly proved that no danger arose from
the conveyance oegoods. Versailles was a port more subject
to contagion than any other, because it carried on a trade with
the Levant peculiarly, and yet, there, in a recent inquiry, it
appeared that no single expurgator had caught the plague since
1729. Indeed, a story was told of a Lazaretto at Versailles,
who, on examining some cotton goods, instantly fell down
dead, but that story explained itself; the man must have died
of apoplexy, or some such fit, for it was impossible the plague
could produce such an immediate effect. But to spew how
little foundation for apprehension arising from clothes, there
existed in countries when the plague prevailed, it was the cus-
tom at Constantinople for the Cagi of Basha to receive the
clothes of the sick as a perquisite to sell them. In fact, as had
been most properly stated, if. the plague were infectious, man-
kind must have been long since destroyed. Gentlemen who were ,
acquainted with the East must know, that although great quan-
tities of goods are extended over a great part of Asia, yet in no
instance has the plague been conveyed, and at a time when alepe
'po was in the must miserable conuition.and thou Sands perished,
still the caravans carried off quantities of contagious goods, if
they had been contagious all over the country, and yet there was
no instance of the contagion having been communicated. But
were!, there no other causes to which this visitation could be
traced ? It was now the general and well-established opinion
of medical men, that the plague of 1665 had been produced
by the mode of fiving.—[The Honourable Member then went
into some details respecting the Court of Queen Elizabeth, and
the habits of living at that period, but the noise in the House
prevented us catching the observations.]—Let the same cir-
cumstances be applied to Smyrna and Aleppo, let the sisme
mode of living be adopted, the same habits pursued, the same,
disregard to wholesome and salutary habits, and it was the ge-
neral opinion of medical men that the same results would fol-
low. The Honourable Member next adverted to the proceed-
ings of Parliament relative to this question. In 1811, a motion
wt‘ta made by an lion. Baronet, now no more, the then ;Wern-
her for Dover, in coniiequence of which a Committee was ap-
pointed ; they examined the question, and the result was, an
unanimous opinion that the plague was contagious. :another
inquiry took place, and a report was drawn up, in which he
could not fully concur, for in that report there was no allusion
to the evidence of two most eminent physicians, and a person
of great distinction, who had long resided in India. However,
a subsequent inquiry was set on foot by the Board of Trade,
which differed in this respect from the others, that none
*ere examined lint contagionists; lie meant those persons
who were friendly to the doctrine of contagion. The inference
he drew from all these circumstances was, that the question
had not been yet fully investigated, and he looked forward
with the utmost hope to the period when the inquiry would
be renewed, and renewed too under such auspices, and in such
a manner, as to lead to a satisfactory conclusion._-(ilear,
hear !)—For the Quaratine Laws, unless they were highly
necessary, were most injurious to the best interests of the
'country. They obstructed commerce,_ navigation, and manu-
factures—they impeded the progress of science, and were most
inconvenient to all those persons who, either, for pleasure or
curiosity, or other motives, visited foreign countries.--t Hear !)
Besides thii, they were associated with a superstitious feeling,
and it would be quite impossible to carry on the growing trade
with Egypt, unless those laws should be altered. He approved
of the alterations propcieed by the Board of Trade, who in this,
as well .as in all other instances, had evinced the strongest
disposition to promote the true interests of the country, and
he should be the last man to withhold praise where he thought
it was due. However, there existed a variety of opinions on
the subject, and he could inform the House, that since 1819,
the opinions of medical men had undergone a considerable
change on the subject. This was not the time. for -him to
refer to the authority of Dr. Maclean ; that Gentleman, whom
he was proud to call his friend, possessed more knowledge on
the subject than any other man, and notwithstanding the pre-
judices and professional jealousies he had to encounter, he had
made many converts to his opinions. It occurred to him (Mr.
Smith) in the course of his inquiries on this subject, to have
met a Gentleman well known to that llouse, Dr. Armstrong,
of Russell-square, who had obtained so much just celebrity, in
fever cases; to show, the extraordinary opiaions that prevailed
• on that subject, that distinguished individual had assured him,
that there was not a year in which he did not find cases of
typhus fever, accompanied by all those symptoms which are
observed to attend. the plague ; yet no contagion follows, and
the patients recover; but in some very bad cases of typhus
fever all the symptoms are observable 'winch had been described
by Dr. Asaritta, an eminent French physician, who had resided
so long in Egypt. He alluded to the testimony of,Dr. Arm-
strong, because, in feVer cases, he had more experience than
any man in the metropolis. The Honourable, Member con-
cluded by stating than he should give his warmest support to
the measure..
Mr.. WALLACE admitted that those individuals who were
fornierly most convinced of the existence of contagion, were
now much inclined to doubt the correctness of their opinions.__
Still there were considerable difficulties to be overcome before a
conclusion could be arrived at, like that at which the lion.
Member for Midhurst wished to arrive. it was evident, that
no Committee, whilst medical men stated that contagion was
,•eapeciallY as a false step
not only.. possible but :probable, could bring theinselves to re-
cornmend to the I louse eci remove every safeguard which ea_
isted against it. It was incumbent upon thellouse, when the
weight of such authority was against the removal of the Quaran-
injury. For his
own part, he must say, that without' further inquiry, he should
eet might safely, b left to the diecreti
to
not feel satisfied in,removinga.,ny more of,the,Q,uarantine Laws.
tinihtelilisi Cwass'ea mightct-ib et hpeculiar
attendedr aC•aitulittnreparable
on of the
.111.1. HUDSON GURNEY_ veseofopinion.that the regulae
Board of Trade. Contagion was, often capricious and unsettled
in its operation, but ,theye was no._ climate under.lieayen which
It was in
was not susceptible of its ravages. tions'ori thiasubj
conceivable to him

how any persons could be riled enough to wish tointroduce the
plague into England for. the sake of the cottons. of. Egypt.
Surely the health and welfare of the .people of England, were
more dear to the House than the paltry lucre of a few mere
chants.at Liverpool. , -Insanity was, under .any. circumstances,
pregnant with noischief; bust the worst and .most mischievous
insanity could not produce, a greater danger than would. arise
from the unqualified repeal of the quarantine laws, ..
Mr. HOI3IIOUSE had no doubt but the; the Ildusi would
come to an exactly oppositeeconclusion uponthet subject- from
that of his Hon. Friend who spoke Jest. The-eke:lm=
stances connected with the plague of London flatly contradicted
him. All the phenomena agreed with the cliarenter.ofepie
demic, and not contagioue disease. Different parts of the town
were infected with it, while others were entirely. exempt.,, It
was generally fatal tee new corners. These. were precisely the
phenomena which accompanied the plague in Egypt: the in-
crease of the plague was generally in proportion to the decrease
of the Nile. A. celebrated physician, Dr. Rush, had retained
his belief• in. the theory, of contagion,. which experience; with
stricter observation .had afterwards influenced hint to recant,
and. he. then said that he, was afraid of having done much
mischief by his former opinions. The great plague at Malta
in 1813, was marked by the , same circumstances. In some
parts the whole population 'was swept off--fn others no one was
infected... Dr. Mac Lean had: entered the leceertal at Conetatiti-
nople, :With nineteen other; persons, to prove that the plague
was not contagious. It was very true, that being more strange
to the Atmosphere,. he took the infection—but the other 19
persons went away unhurt. Upon the plague of Egypt, he
believed that the Nouse would have the testimony of his Gal-
land Friend near him, that the phenomena corresponded with
all the other diseases of this nature. It was well known that
there was a line of demarkation which cutoff Upper Egypt, be-
yond which the plague never passed. The story about the
Theseus, - which . took in five .persons at. sea infected with the
'plague, and by that means infected the crew, was wholly untrue.
The fact was, that five persons had the plague, but not a man of-
the crew became infected. The time would shortly arrive
when his Hon. Friend near 'him, and all the old ladies in. Eng-
land, would go to bed and sleep without the least fear of hav-
ing the plague introduced into the, city by unpacking a bundle
of. rags or a bale of cotton from the Levant.. He took this op-
portunity of eulogizing Dr. Maclean as a man who had made
very great and-salutary improvements in science, and to whom
future ages would point the finger as one of the chief lights and
ornaments of hie own profession.
Mr. TRANT believed that a full consideration of circum-
stances would chew that there existed very just grounds for be-
lieving that the plague was contagious. On his return from
India, overland, the plague broke out in Alexandria, in the
quarter principally inhabited, by the Jews, who were there, as
they were here, considered dealers in old clothe~.e-(A laugh.)
The general impression was, that the disease having spread so
generally amongst them was occasioned by their having bought
the clothes of individuals who had died of the malady. It was
within his knowledge also that a surgeon, at Alexandria, who
doubted that the plague was infectious, ed gone into the bed
of a person affected, but he died in consequence of the
experiment. •
Sir R. WILSON said that he went to Egypt with the im-
pression that the plague was contagious by contact. That ap-
prehension was very speedily removed. After the battle of
Alexandria, the British army was divided into two corps, the
one stationary at Alexandria—tile other moveable. Every pre-
caution was adopted with .the stationary corps to prevent the
spread of infection. Yet that portion of the troops generally
were diseased with the plague, while .the moveable corps, who
marched through villages almost depopulated with the plague,
had not a single case of plague. He could not sit down without
recommending that there should be some regulation preventing
any officer in the Ports from deriving any benefit from enforcing
the quarantine laws.
Mr. Secretary PEEL observed, that the subject was • one in-
volved in great doubts. • He-did-not distinctly understand what
was the theory which the Gallant General drew from the facts
-he had stated. Of the two divisions of the Army, of.which. the
Gallant General had spoken, one was stationary and ,affected by
the plague ; the other in motion and not .so. • liut,.a4 the latter.
passed through villages infected with the plague, how was it if,
as the Gallant General said, that the state of . the atmosphere_
Caused theplagne, that the soldiers escaped ?
Sir It. WI I.SON replied, that it appeared to be one of the
extraordinary phenomena of this disease that persons who re-
mained stationary were liable to it, and that those
.who passed
rapidly throusel various currents of air.escaped it.
Mr. HUME oheervcd, that the principles of the Quarantine
Laws appeared to be very incorrect. Further inquiry, seemed
indispensable. The opinions of medical men difrered exceed-
ingly on the subject ; but he would certainly prefer the opinions
of those who had visited the countries in which the plague occa-
sionally showed itself.
The gill was then read a second time, and ordered to be com-
mitted to-morrow..

HUSH FREEHOLDERS.
'Sir R. WILSON moved for returns of the Freeholders in the
different Counties of Ireland, distinguishing those of 405.. 201.,
and and also leases-for life, and other leases from.eststes
in-fee simple, and other, tenures in possession, so far forth as the
same could be made out.—Ordered.
POLICE MAGISTRATES' BILL.

The House resolved itself into a Committee upon the Bill.
Mr. PEE I said, that the owners of places of public amuse-
ment had occasion frequently to require the attendance of an
additional number of police-officers to preserve order. It was
but fair that those who took the profits should bear this expence.
II? intended, to provide, that, the Magistrates, should be em-
powered to swear-in such persons as the owners of these places
might choose to present to him for services of that nature. in
reference to an observation which had been made upon the qua,,,
lifications of .Magistrates, he begged leave to inform the Com-
mittee, that there was no limitation in the Police Act. Lord
Sidmouth and himself had made it a rule to admit barristers
who wer. of three years standing, and not less.
The House resumed: report to be received to-morrow.
FELONIES PARDON BILL.

This Bill was committed.
Mr. PEEL moved a clause to prevent persons who bad re-
ceived benefit of clergy on one offence, from being dispunish-
able for other clergyahle offences, any law, statute, or precedent
to the contrary notwithstanding.
The clause was added accordingly; the:House resumed; the
Bill to be read a third time to-morrow.
The 'Threatening Letters' Punishment Bill was read the third
time, and passed.
The East, India Judges's Bill was read a second time, and
ordered to be printed. •
The Report of the Committee on the Fisheries' Bounties
Act was brought up and agreed to, and a Bill ordered to be in-
troduced in conformity with the iesolutions.
On the motion of Mr. HEnntys, the House went into a
Committee on the Cocoa Duties Act. In the Committee.certain
regulations were moved and adopted with respect to the Duty
on Cordage.—Report to-morrow.

Mr. HUME gave notice, that he would on the 14th:of April
move for a return of all sums of money paid ms-account of the
recapture of slaves ; and also for an account of the expence in-
curred by the colony of Sierra Leone. - •
Mr. HUME moved for a return of the number of, persons
convicted under the sth of Geo. IV. cap. 25, distinguishing the
number convicted by summary process before magistrates, and
those convicted at the sessions, pointing out the place where the
conviction occurred.—Ordered.
a (a)nir postponed his motion for leave to bring in
amend the Act of 6 Geo. I. cap. 18. (the
Bubble Act), to Monday. the 18th of April.
Mr. BERRIES obtained leave to bring in a Bill for alter-
ing and amending the Acts relative to the formation of a har-
bour to the eastward of Dunleary, now called the royal har-
bour of King's Town. •
Lord PALMERSTON obtained leave to bring in a Bill to
apportion the rates to . be paid to innkeepers and others, on
whom soldiers were billetted.— The Bill was immediately after
and vessels on the East
h-i!thileliarjensutym'sbsehriop; guns and men, and the
introduced,,and read the first time.
Sir -C.:FORBES postponed, till the 18th of April, his mo-
• •
the officers. commanding, the same.
brought in a Bill'to amend the Act of the
.
tnl i
India
.sdnin
aexf
so. risaitna:lr
to:4n:
tr,r2in,cl frt*
sth of. Geo. IV. cap. 100, relative to the keeping of the Re,
gent's•park, and also for the better paving and cleansing, .of
the new streets.—Read a first tirrie,to be read a second pine
to-morrow.
Mr. HERRIES brought in a Bat° extend the provision's of
the Act of 59. Geo-111.. cap. 94, relative, to the . diSposition of
.liollsirne,i a
Majesty'sl all
'-past
property.—Read a ant
i

REPORT' alhe COMMITTEE of MANAGEMENT to
tbOetittIASCRUCKRS, at a General; Meeting. ort the. *leaf
March, 11315.
The Qomturile.el.6'f. Sill/Scribers; to tVliolri the
manageMent of-the proceedings necessary to establish this gre!tt
undertaking have been entrusted, having 'advanced to a ceitaut
extent,in the meecietieri of their duties, have considered iaprplocr
to convene 'this ffeeting of the Aubscribers, in oider to make
them acquaiated With the. Measures which have been itlopi;sl,
and, the progress, which hee been niaeleoteetieell as to take, their
opinion with regard to certain aerangements which the Cem-
mittee have, on this.occasiOn, to recommend for adoption:*
'Tim _Committee haze to; congratulate the Subscribers on the
feeling, with whicla, This measure bee been tamest universally
received in the country throUgh Which it isdesigra.4 that' the
Canal shall pass. It has been publicly stated in the frottee'of
Commons, that out of upwards of 900 owners occupiers-of
land on the line, fheie are not more than 50 disieritients. 'Phis
-feet appeais upon the documents filed in the Hotis'of
mons upon presenting the petition for the Bill. No. stronger
.rxiument can be brought forward to prove, that the most fa-
vohritbie opinion exists as to the benefits to be derived from the
the execution of this important scheme,-and which eepinion has
been still stronger manifested by the, proceedings of several
public Meetings recently held at Colyton, 'Chard, and Tian-
ton. It was not, how Ever, to be expected, thitt•an undertaking;-
of such, magnitude should have gone forward without any, on-
position, but, in this instance, the opposition is less in. amount
than could have been anticipated by the most sanguine advocate
for the measure. ,
The:Committee believe it to be undeniable, that in almost
all the instances of existing Canals, the majority of the land-
owners bare been adverse to their establishment, and yet their
wishes and interests have been made to yield to the public be-
nefit. In this undertaking there is presented the solitary in-
stance, not only of a majority of land-owners in its favour, but
aniajority for surpassing what. is usually found in support of
the most favourite schemes. While on this point, the Com-
mittee may notice in passing, the statement made by Some of
the opponents, that,• very little of the subscription has been en-
tered into by the inhabitants and proprietors in the neighbour-
hood Of the Canal. 'This objection might have some weight if
the country were hostile to the measure, bunwhere it is found
that so great a proportion of the persons whose lands will be re-
quired are willing that the Canal should be formed, the 'ob.*.
tion becomes a strong argument in its favour t, because it proves,
that though the country through which it will pass has other
occasions for its capital, yet that the Canal is deemed to be
a measure of such public importance that the land-owners
are desirous of having the work executed, let the capital
ahem from what quarter it may.
The Committee have to report, that the Bill has been read a
second time, without*opposition, in the House of Commons,
and that they are taking the necessary steps to proceed with -it
in the Committee after the Easter Holidays. ' •
In forwarding this measure, two parties have occupied much
of the time of the Committee--the town of Bridgewater and
the Bridgewater. and Taunton Canal Company. With regard
to the former, the object appears to be to obtain a.deviation, to
a certain extent, from the present proposed line of cana/, at
that part:which is near the town, and a Committee of the town
has been appointed to correspond with your Committee hi order,
if possible, to secure such deviation.
The feelings of the inhabitants of Bridgewater, as far as
the Committee can collect them, are decidedly favourable to
the Canal generally, and though a deviation may be wished,
no argument of a hostile nature can be drawn therefrom. The
correspondence between the Committee of the Town of Bridge-
water and your- Committee has hitherto been of a friendly cha-
racter, and your Committee have given the necessary directions
to their engineers •to consider the subject, and to afford them
the information upon which your Committee may be enabled
to form a .correct -judgment, in respect to the proposed deviation.
This matter, however, has not yet been brought to a conclusion,
and therOhre your Committee cannot report upon it, hut they
do not anticipate that any obstacle will be presented by it to
the success of the Ship Canal.
The Bridgewater and Taunton Canal Company was incor-
porated in 1810, for making a Barge Canal from Bridgewater
to Taunton, and its length is about twelve miles. It is exe-
cuted from Taunton to the extent of five or sia.miles, and the
remainder is now in progress. This Canal, for" the, seven
miles next to Bridgewater, would occupy the seme line of
country as the Ship Canal, and the range comprelfentled in the
plan of the Ship Canal would enable that Company, when e'ta.
blished, to occupy.these seven miles of the Bridgewater and
Taunton Canal ; but if both these Canals had been I executed.
they might have run parallel to that extent. , The Bridgewater
and Taunton Canal Co:up.ao were,of opinion, that their inte-
rests would be affected ;'anti although; in case of ineetizx with
no accommodation on-the part-of. your.Cornmittee, they would
have -felt it their duty, to oppose the measure, yet', convinced
tl“ the Ship Canal would be of great public atitt national. im;
portance, they appointed a deputation_ from their Committee to
confer with your Committee, in order that such otrogeaken'ts
might. be. entered, into as would, whilst they protected,, that
Company on the one hand, encourage and promote the Ship
Canal on the other. Such 'arrangements have been made, -and
your. Committee will have to lay the details before. you this
day, earnestly recommending that • they may. be adopted, and
that your Committee may be authorized to carry the same into
effect. .
The only parties who have manifested any direetintention
-to oppose the Bill-now in progress through Parliament, are a
few of the landed proprietors on the line, who dissent from the
measure.
It is probable that slight deviations, which will not preju-
dice the scheme, may conciliate some of these objections, and
your Committee will feel gratified in yielding.. in .these matters
upon every occasion in which it may be practicable. There is.
however, one gentleman, who stands in a different situation
from all the rest. The Canal will run very near his residence.
and your Committee fear that any deviation, which-would ren-
der the measure unobjectionable to him, even if -practicable,
would be attended with much inconvenience in the execution,
and with a very. considerable additional ,expenee. Your Coin,
mittee, however anxious in a case of this description, which
is an execption from all other instances, that the utmost pos-
sible care should be taken to prevent private injury; morn:
mend that you should authorize them to make a special
relativepro-
,same, so as
vision in the to thisptao removerticular
theprop presenterty,,if Pdairs..
liament will it the .
inclination of itieproprietor to the execution of the Ship Canal.
It is to tie recollected that such a proceeding will not .form a
precedent for other demands of a similar nature,:: as this is ,t
solitary case, and the only one in which special interference
would appear to be proper.
With regard to any mercantile interests which may be op-
posed to the undertaking, it is sufficient to say, that it would be
too.much.to %expect that so great a public measure should. he
relinquished for the .sake of preserving the interests of any par-
ticular. individual or Own, and, that the Ship Canal will open' a
wide channel-in which capital and industry to.a very great ex-
tent may be employed, and to which it may be advantageously
transferred. Your Committee arc also happy to have it eneheir
power-to state, that amongst numerous petitions to Porliament,
two have been forwarded from the merchants of Cork and the
Grand Jury of Waterford, to the lion. C. W. .Hutchinson and
Sir J.• Newport, Bart. for presentation, thus proving that the
leading people of those parts of .Ireland are fully alive to, the
measure. •
Your Committee, in conduCting a work of • such magnitude
and importance, have deemedit right to Lay the Reports and
details before-his Majesty's Ministers, in order that the greateit
publicity might be given to their operations, andthat those who
are most interested in the management of public affairs; might
have the fullest information upon the subject, Your-Commit-
tee have had interviews, in consequence, with the First Lord of
the Treasury, the. First Lord of the Admiralty, the Chancellor
of •the Exchequer,.and the,President of the Board &Trade, all
of whom expressed themselves satisfied: that this undertaking
was obviously one.of very great public importance, and was
pregnant with great cornniereial advantages.

•
REPORT of CAPT. NICHOLLS to the COMMITTEE
of MANAGEMENT, dated 23d March, 1825.
Publidzed by Orzierl at a General Meeting of Subscribers.
..TO TPIE COMMITTEE OF SUBSCRIV:ItSi
In ohedie,nce to the Resolution passed ',at' ycur meeting on
the.l9th,inst. I now beg leave to offer -such- observations as
haye occurred 'to me, after a careful e•karnination of the state-
ments pl\blisheti by Mr. Broadmead, ttiftlOthe direction of ate
Gentlethen opposed to the Canal who assembled at Chard on
the Bth inst..
,These adverse statements are detailed at length
in a pamPhlet, and also zixbibited in form of 'ail •abstract on a

*lngle sheet, for more ready distribution, but both of these
publications agree in their results, anti are put forth under the
same authority. Both of them have, moreover, I find, been
circulated, or rather distributed, very extensively, with a
view of discouraging the Subscribers to, and the promoters of
the undertaking. I propose to confine my observations to the
Pamphlet, as the objections to the Ship Canal are therein the
more distinctly stated.

The statements and reasonings contained in this pamphlet,
are drawn up with ingenuity, and are calculated to produce
considerable effect; but I apprehend there will be no great dif-
ficulty in furnishing'satisfactory answers—in attempting to af-_
ford which, I must premise, that it will be less my ohicct to
rebut the assertions, and to controvert the deductions made in
Mr. Broadmead's Pamphlet, than it will be to elicit the truth,
as it regards the proposed Canal ; for I am sure that the Com-
mittee do. not wish, nor could I consent to-.make any 'tate-
-meat as affecting this great national undertaking, Of the entire
a:curacy of which I was not most fully assured.
in my. Report, pages 32, 33, and 34, I have, under seven dis-
tinct heads, estimated the amount of tonnage that will pass
through, the Cinal annually, at 1,095,527 tons; which, at *the
average rate of one penny per ton per mile, together with the
proceeds of a rate to be levied on vessels thing the harbours of
Stolford and Beer, will yield a clear annual income to proprie-
tnrs of 210,8461. 12s. 4d. Mr. Broadmead, on thecontrary, as-
serts, that not more than 91,666 tons of goods will pass through
the Canal annually, and that the revenue derivable from it, and
the two harbours, will not exceed 26,926/. Bs. ld. ; nay
more, he says that this last sum, small as it is, will, in reality,
be reduced to 9,9961.8 e. Id. ; and it is even intimated that this
trifling surplus will probably not be available to the proprie-
tors, as, after all, the expences of maintaining and managing
the Canal may, perhaps, exceed the income to be derived from
it, by 32,0031. 11s. 11d. (vide Pamphlet, pp. 10 and 11.)—
Here then we are fairly at issue, for no explanation can possibly
reconcile such contradictory results ; and the truth must be
sought for by a minute examination of all the various details.

The differences between the several estimates stated in Mr.
Breaensead's P phlet, and in ray Report, appear to be coin-
prised under the following heads:-
Ist. Mr. Broadmead objects to my estimate of the probable
saving► of time and expence, as founded on average returns.—
(See Pamphlet, pp. 9 and 11.)
2d. He assumes, that vessels passing between the Irish and
the English Channels, will not go through the Canal.—(See
Pamphlet, p. 4.)
2d. He assumes, that vessels sailing to and from ports so far
westward as Neatly in the Bristol, and Dartmouth in the Eng-
lish Channels, will not use the Canal.—(See Pamphlet, p. 5.)
4:h. He asserts, that no Aberthaw or Lias limestone will be
carried-to the south coast of England through the Canal.—(See
Pamphlet, p. 5.)
Coth. He asserts, that the country which will eventually be
supplied from the Canal, contains a population of 35,000 per-
sons.—(See Pamphlet, p. 6.)
6th. lie assumes, that vessels navigating to and from ports
in the Bristol Channel, generally, will but very rarely go
through the Canal in their passage to London, or to the English
,Channel.—(See Pamphlet, pp. 6.7, 8, and 9:)
7th. He assumes, that coals will not be carried through the
Canal from Wales for supplying the south coast of England.—
(See Pamphlet, pp. 6,7, 8, and 9.)
There are other points of difference to which I may find occa-
sion to allude incidentally as I proceed, but the above are the
principal, and to these I will address myself, taking them suc-
cessively in their numerical order :
Ist.—As to my forming an estimate of the probable saving
of expence, on the average amount of time that will be saved
in the several passages,—l apprehend that there was no other
way of arriving at accurate or useful conclusions, but by tak-
ing such an average. Nothing can be more fallacious than to
reason generally, from a particular instance ; whereas, by tak-
ing an average of cases, the result will be practically correct,
although possibly no individual case may exactly accord with
it. It was with a view of obtaining such general results as
correctly, and as a whole, the uses of
a Canal for commercial purposes, that I formed the average
estimates on which the calculations in my Report are founded;
• aad as Mr. Broaslm:.,atl does not seem to impeach the data on
which I rest these averages, although he contends, that " the
" average length of a voyage, has, in truth, nothing to do
" with the question, practically speaking, (for vessels might
" use-the Canal. in winter, although not profitable to do so in
summer,")" I must still presume that he has found the data
bercorrect. • _

2d.-111r.-Broadmead assumes, .that vessels passing between
the English Channel and the ports bordering on the Irish
Channel, will not go through the Canal ; avid he spews a state-
ment (see Pamphlet, p. 4.), by which lie makes it appear that a
vessetof 100 tons would sustain a loss, or rather that she would
incur an expence of 131. 25.--10 d. by doing so.
Now, if this statement is correct, the projected undertakin'
must c- abandoned ; for I will admit, with Mr. Broadmead,
that he has only " to shew that the use of the Canal will be
" very limited, in order to prove that a loss of capital and other
" mischievous consequences will result from the measure."
This statement, however, is not correct, as will be seen by a re-
• ference to my Second Report, p. 27, 28, and 29 ; for as Mr.
Baoadmead professes to take the data which I have therein col-
lected, without adducing any fresh matter as the product of
hi: own inquiries, I have no option but to endeavour to confute
bins out of my own report.
A t p. 29 I state, as the result of my investigations as to the
saving of time," that on an average of circumstances and rea-
sans, a fortnight will be saved by all vessels which shall regu-
larly use the Canal in each of their outward and homeward
~neatagcs, instead of going round the Land's End ; or, in
other words, that where six entire voyages are now performed
in the year, vessels from the Welsh ports will then always, and
other vessels will generally, be enabled to make twelve." In
this estimate I may, and in fact I have under-rated the saving
to the Welsh trade,-but I have not over-rated the saving of
tiat., to the other vessels therein referred to, as the detention of
these at Milford is et present very frequent-and very great; for
when they have, from the ports on either shore, proceeded down
tie Irish Channel so far as St. Inn's Head, they have there,
fur a great part of the year, to encounter south-westerly winds,
aaainst which they must either contend at considerable hazard
eed expence in wear and tear, or else take shelter in Milford,
0-ether, in fact, they do now generally resort under such
4:!Nal mstances.
Whenever the Ship Canal shall be completed, these vessels
NY:ii no longer be compelled to contend against the south-
westerly winds, nor to seek for shelter in port; but they will
.rather hear up for the harbour at Stolford, to which a few hours
sail will bring them, and thence pass through the Canal into
the English Channel at Beer.
. _

With regard to vessels passing down the English Channel
to the westward, they would very generally enter the Canal at
Bee:, instead of buffeting against the prevalent west and south-
westerly winds ; as, by so using the Canal, they will get readi-
ly across to the Bristol Channel, where the great rapidity of the
tides will enable them foralie most part to sail out clear of St.
Ann's Head into the fair way of the Irish Channel in one tide ;
although, vessels from the Bristol Channel, hound to the south-
ward along the coasts cf Devon and Cornwall, would not in all
probability, have ventured to leave their anchorage. The rea-
son of this difference of proceeding with regard to vessels seve-
rally bound to the northward and to the southward, from the
Bristol Channel, will be sufficiently obvious on an inspection of
the nap.
It was for these reasons, that I threw the several vessels navi-
gating round the Land's End, to and from the Irish and Bris-
tol Channels, into one general average, and, to avoid unneces-
sary distinctions, I estimated the saving of a fortnight on
each voyage for the whole, although I might have been
jastifiedin taking a longer period for the Welsh Trade singly.
Instead, therefore, of a loss on the passage of 13/. 2s. 10d. as
is stated by Mr. Broadmead, I confidently assert, that vessels
which shall regularly use the Canal, will, by so doing, save
tit 17s. 2d. even allowing the charge as stated by him of 3/. for
towing vessels through the Canal ; but I do not allow this
charge, as I have shewa, at page 28 of my Report, that such an
expence will not be incurred.
might here leave this point, especially as I have estimated
that only one-third of Abe vessels wiLl use the Canal in passing
to and from Irela: d, (see Report, p. 33, head 7); and as, more-
over, the petitions in favour of the Canal, which have recently
been presented to the Legislature from Cork and Waterford,
may be taken as sufficient proofs of the opinion which is enter-
tained in Ireland, of the beneficial effects which the completion
of this great work win have on their commerce ; but as it may
afirigd some useful Information, and perhaps serve to confirm
tt.e favourable opinion,of the undertaking which is now preva- I
at, I will subj o In the followitg comparative statement of the

earnings of a vessel of 100 tons register, carrying 120 tons of
cargo, and regularly using the Canal, assuming that she will,
by so doing, be able to perform (I will not say twelve, but) nine
voyages, where she now makes six.

lst. . 2d.
Annual earnings of a Vessel Annual earnings of a Vessel
navigating round the Land's regularly using the Canal
End, between London and in navigating between the
the Ports opening on to the Ports opening on to the Irish
Irish Channel, carrying 120 Channel and London, car-
tons of assorted cargo each rying 120 tons of assorted
way, at a freight of 20s. per cargo, at a freight of 20s. per.
ton, and making six voyages ton, and making 9 voyages
in the year. in the year.
£ X
Freight of 20s. per Freight of 20s. per ton
ton, on 120 tons on 120 tons of car-
of. cargo, is 120 go, is
120
Six voyages per ' 'Nine voyages per an-
ann. is equal to 12 num is equal to 111
passages out and passages out and
home - 12 home - - TB
- -
Ann. amount of freight 1,440 Ann. amount of freight, 2,160
Each voyage occu- Each voyage occupies

pies on average, on an average about
2 months, or 60 six weeks, or, say
days. The ex- 40 days. The ex- •
pence of wages, • pence of wages,
maintenance,and maintenance, and
wear and ,tear, wear and tear,
amounts to 21. amounts to 2/. per
per diem, or 120/. diem, or for the
for the voyage; voyage - -80
and for 12 voy- The Vessel will be
ages,or the whole liable to a charge
year, is - - 720 on passing through
-- the Canal, of, say
Estimated ann. profit £720 ld. per ton, or 3s.
' -------, 8.,
.Id. er mile, for
•
the whole distance 22 5
4•
A similar charge on
the return passage 22 5

Total expenee per
- 10
voyage -

For nine voyages, or
the whole year, the
expence will be 1,120 10

Estimated annual
profit, - £1,039 10

3d.—What is above stated under the 11 head, wilt, in a great
measure apply to this part of Mr. Broadmead's objections, to
meet which, therefore, I need not recapitulate the arguments
there used ; as Mr. Ereadmead, however, repeatedly notices
the dangers of the Great Bay between Portland and the Start,
it may be right to remind him that this Bay, which is at pre-
sent so fearful and so fatal to our coasting vessels, will, in a
very great degree be stript of its dangerous character, so soon
as the harbour at Beer shall be formed, into which vessels may
run for shelter at any period of the tide, and where they will
find refuge in all states of the weather.

4th.—As to the lime-stone, for which, under the third head
of Revenue, at page 33 of my Report, I ventured to estimate
30,000 tons, and to which estimate Mr. Broadmead objects. I
can only say, that my subsequent inquiries have convinced me,
that a much larger quantity than what I have reckoned on,
will actually be exported from the canal. The Lias limestone
will be raised in great quantities during the progrem of• the
work, and deposited on the banks of the canal, conveniently
for shipping. It is much stronger, and consequently superior
for building and agricultural purposes to that at Lyme, which
moreover is, I am told, only accessible at low water, and at a
considerable expence. The danger and difficulty.attendant on
vessels going thither for "it, also, is not a trifling consideration,
whereas at Beer, they will find a commodious harbour at all
times accessible.

sth.—Mr. Broadmead asserts, that the population bordering
in the Canal, and to be supplied from it, is less than 35,000
persons; but he has not stated the distance from it, to which
he extends his estimate. In my Report, p. 32, under the
first head of Revenue, I have stated my belief, that 90,000
persons " will eventually, if not immediately, derive their
supplies of coals, timber, groceries, dry goods, and all other
articles of import," from the Canal. Now, in making this
statement, I certainly did not mean *to confine myself to the
amount of population now actually existing, nor to the state of
the country and means of communication at present in being;
but I did contemplate that the formation of this great Canal
would cause an increase in the population, and the wealth of
the country through which it passed—that new and extensive
inland communications, by means of collateral branches and
rail-roads, would be speedily formed—that where only silence
and poverty are at present found, enterprize would establish
itself, industry would spring up, and comfort and opulence
diffuse themselves over the face of the country. It was ou these
results, which I considered then, and which I stilt consider, as
certain, although not immediate consequences of the measure,
that I founded my estimate of a population 90,000 ; but let it
be remarked, nevertheless, that I took credit for only one-half
that number (or 45,000), for the uses of the Canal.'

I will not encumber my paper with extracts from population
returns, and I might here close my observations:on ibis heed,
was it not that Mr. Broadmead's objection affords me an
opportunity of congratulating your Committee, on the conclu-
sion of your arrangements with the Taunton and Bridgewater
Canal Company, for the purchase of their Canal, which will
-now happily he merged in your greater work. This is a mea-
sure fraught with much benefit, giving you the populous and
wealthy town of Taunton for the pivot of your interior opera-
tions; and, considering the increased powers which the Ship
Canal Company will possess, to render it available for ulterior
purposes, there can be no doubt but that will be productive of
most important advantages to all that part of the country, and
to the whole concern.

fish.—Mr. Broadmead assumes, generally, that vessels
bound to and from ports in the Bristol Channel will but very
seldom go through the canal in their passages between those
ports and London, or places in the English Channel ; and this
assumption he labours very strenuously to support, in pp. 6,7,
8, and 9, of his pamphlet.
With this object in view, he passes over the fact, which is so
well-known among nautical men, I may say among cornmer..
cial men, as to have rendered it unnecessary for me to advert
particularly to tt in my Report; I mean, the great delay which
vessels now do constantly encounter, in getting down the Eng-
lish Channel to the westward, owing to the prevalence of the
wind in that quarter. How frequently are all the ports on the
south coast literally filled with vessels waiting for a change of
wind ?. Instances have occurred, within my own knowledge,
of vessels having been four months, after their departure from
London, before they could get to the westward of the Start
Point; can it be doubted, therefore, that vessels, when bound
round the Land's End from the Eastward, even independently
of other inducements, will go through the canal! Surely not.
Broadmead attempts likewise to shew, that the 36 hours
which I have allowed for vessels to pass through the canal, are
insufficient for that purpose; and he instances the Caledonian
Canal, which, he says, is 22 miles in length, and requires
three or four days to get through it; and he therefore considers
that the proposed Ship Canal will require at least three days
for a vessel to pass from one end of it to the other. Now the
Caledonian Canal is, in reality, GO miles in length from sea to
sea, of which, it is true, 22 miles only is actually an artificial
navigation, the rest being through narrow lakes, not so conve-
nient, perhaps, for the past; ;e of vessels as the proposed Ship
Canal will be ; but a vessel has, in fact, passed through the
Caledonian Canal in- one clay, a steam-boat has done so in 13.
hours, and we may therefore fairly estimate the passage of a
vessel through it at two days. In the proposed Ship Canal there
will be 60 locks, which, allowing ten minutes for the passing
of each lock, will require ten hours ;_ and supposing the vessel
to move along the canal at the rate of only two miles per hour,
for the 4,4 miles, it will require 22 hours more, making, in all,
32 hours, or, as I have estimated, 36 hours on the average.
Mr. Broadmead also alludes, at page 14 of his pamphlet, to
the probable delay from frost, in passing the canal during die
winter season. This objection, as applying to canals generally,
is of slight weight; for, even in the Ellesmere Canal, which
has a summit level of 300 feet elevation, and which is two de-
grees north of the proposed ship canal, the average number of
days per annum, in which its traffic has been interrupted by
frost for the last ten years, does not exceed seven days in each
year. I merely state these facts to :thew how unimportant are
such objections, for I might have left the average time for pass-
ing through the canal at three days, as assumed by Mr. Broad-
mead, without occasioning any material difference in the result
as it affects the generall question.

For the purpose of exhibiting this subject in a clearer view
as applicable to vessels proceeding to and from the Bristol Chan-
nel, I will here insert a comparatise statement of the annual
earnings of a vessel of 100 tons, carrying 120 tons of cargo, be-

* Does any one doubt the probability of the results here an-
ticipated ? Let him look to Liverpool, which, only a century
ago, was not more populous than Taunton or Bridgewater now
is ; but which, owing to its commercial enterprize, and the im-
mense establishments of its docks and canals, which have grown
out of, and promoted this enterprize and prosperity, had, in
1801, a population of 77,703 persons, and at the conclusion of
the last year, not less than 13.5,000.

tween South Wales and London; assuming, that she will here-
after perform twelve voyages; where she now makes six :

Ist. 2d.
Annual earnings of a Vessel Annutal earnings of a vessscl
navigating round the Land's regularly using the Canal,
End, between the Ports of in. navigating between the
South \Vales and London, Ports of South Wales and
carrying 120 tons of as- London, carrying 120 tons
sorted cargo each way, at of assorted cargo, at a
a freight of His. per ton, freight of 16s. par ton, anti
and making six voyoges in making twelve voyages in
, . the year. . the year.

Freight of 16s. per ton Freight ofl6s, per ton
on 120 tons of cargo, on 120 tons of cargo
is - - - 96 is - - - 96
Six voyages per ann. Twelve voyages per
is equal to twelve ann. is equal to
Passages out and 24 passages out and
home - - - 12 home - - - 24

Annual amount of Annual amount of
freight . - - 1,152 freight - 2,304
Each voyage occupies Each voyage occupies
on an average, two on an average one
months, or sixty month, or thirty
days. The expence. days. The expence
of wages, mainten of wages, mainte-
ance, and wear and nance, and wearand
tear, amounts to 21. tear, amounts to 21.
per diem, or 120/. per diem, or, for the
per voyage; and for voyage, to - -60
six voyages, or the The vessel will belie.
whole year, is - 720 ble to a charge oil
passing through the
Estimatedannual profit, £432 Canal, of, say, Id.
. -. per ton per mile,
or at. Bid. per mile
for the whole dis-
tance - • - -22 5
A similar charge for
the return passage 22 5

Total expence per
voyage . 104 10

For twelve voyages,
or the whole year,
the expence will be 1,25-1

Estimated annualprofit,Xl,oso

Neither in this, nor in the preceding comparative statement
under the second head of these observations, have I taken
credit for the saving of risk on the. vessel or cargo, by using
the Canal. I have also disregarded the amount of interest
saved on the capital embarked, by a more regular and expedi.
tious transit of goods. I. have likewise abstained from noticing.
the injury which is now so frequently occasioned to the cargoes
of vessels, from Ireland and the west coast of England, by de-
lays in their passages to and from London, as well as the se-
rious losses which are often occasioned to the exporter, by fluc-
tuations in the price of- commodities. And as, moreover, I
have not, in the whole of the seven sources of revenue recapi-
tulated by me at pages 32 and 33 of my second Report, rec-
koned on more than one half the estimated amount of tonnage
being taken through the Canal, which now actually passes
round the Land's End, I may, I think, venture to consider this
part of the subject as placed beyond the possibility 'of cavil.—
The most important part of Mr. Broadmead's objections, how-
ever, remains to be disposed of; for-
7thly. He assumes that coals will not be carried through the
Canal from Wales, for supplying the south coast of England
(see Pamphlet, pp. 6,7, 8, and 9.) The reasons on which he
founds this assumption, seem to be of two kinds ; let, That
the expence of vessels passing though the Canal will he so great,
as to prevent colliers from using it; and,.2dly, That the Sun-
derland and Newcastle coals are so much better, and can be
delivered so much cheaper than those from South Wales, that
the latter cannot compete with them in the market.—l propose
to examine both these points in detail.
First,—As to the expence of transit through the Canal to
Beer, to which place Mr. Broadmead has adapted his
calculations. •

Although, in the 29th page of ray Second Report, I distinctly
stated, as the resultof my inquiries, that 1 considered a fortnight
would on an average be saved " by all Vessels regularly using
" the Canal, both in their outward and their homeward pas-
" sages," Mr. Broadmead nevertheless assumes, in all his
figures and risasonings, that a saving of only one week is ap-
plicable to Vessels from the Welsh Ports,' on account of their
detention in Pennarth Roads (see Pamphlet, pp. 8, 7,'8, and
9) ; and thence he goes on to infer, that a Vessel carrying 100
tons orcoals from Swansea, Cardiff, or Newport, to Beer, would
require for the entire voyage only 18 days, at an expence.of
301. Bs. He then detailS a number of items, to prove that the
expence of such Vessel passing through the proposed Canal
would amount to 361. 10s. 10;1.
Now, even if this statement was correct, I am still persuaded
that such Vessels would pay - the extra 2s. 6d. for the conve-
nience, safety, and certainty of the Cinal; but these statements
are altogether incorrect, and 1 will here chew how the estimate
ought to have been made
• Ist. Round the Land's End.
Days.
Reckoning twenty-six dayS for each pas-
sage from Swansea, Cardiff, or New-
port, to London ( which includes a fort-
night's probable detention, as before
estimated); and then deducting six
days, as what would probably be the
average length of passage each way
between Beer and London, leaves 20
Allow for discharging the cargo at Beer,
say - 2

Allow for the passage hack from Beer to
South, Wale; which may here be taken
at not less on an average than

Days 28

Which, at 2/. per diem, is equal to £56 0 0
Being the charges on a voyage from New-
port, &c. to Beer and back.
2dly. By the Canal.
I will allow 2. days for passing front
Newport, Cardiff; or Swansea, across
the Bristol Channel and along. the
Canal to Beer, and the same time for
the return passage; and also two days
for the discharge of the cargo at Beer,
in all seven days, at 1:2 per diem, is 14 0 0
A Vessel of 100 tons:register, will carry
120 tons of cargo, which, at Id. per
ton per mile for 44 miles,. is - 22 5 0
The Vessel returns in ballast, and will
probably be subjected to a charge of,
say, half the above rate on her re-
gistered tonnage - - 9 5 5

Saving on each voyage, by usin,, the
Canal, instead of going round the
Land's End

45 10- 5

£lO 9 7

In the above statement, for the convenience of meeting Mr.
Broadmead's calculation, I have taken the Canal rate at Id. per
ton ; but as I. ficetoripir mile on Coals, is the maximum
charge which your Committee proposes to insert in your Canal
Act, I do not suppose that so high a rate as ld. per ton per mile
will be levied.-..posaibly about one-half may be charged at first;
and by so much, will the above result in favour of the Canal
be increased.

It must be noted, too, that at present but comparatively few
cargoes of coals can be carried round the Land's End and up
the English Channel, owing to the want of a return cargo for
the vessels ; for without such back cargo, or the expensive pro-
cess of nearly loading a vessel with ballast, she cannot work. her
way back to the Westward, and round the Land's End :
whereas, by returning through the Canal, a comparatively small
quantity of ballast will be required, and a comparatively small
expence be incurred—in fact, nearly ,all the coals which arc
now sent round the Land's End from South Wales (as is stated
by Mr. B. at page 9 of his pamphlet) are shipped in the sum-
mer months, when the consumption is the smallest, and the
demand for them the least active. Perhaps, however, your Com-
mittee will not be disposed to concur in Mr. Broadmead's con-
clusion, that because they are necessarily so sent at present, they
will continue to be sent in the same manner hereafter, when the
Canal shall be completed, and a safer, cheaper, and more expe-
ditious Channel opened for their transit.
In short, at present coals from South Wales cannot be con-
veyed round the Land's End and up the English Channel in
any considerable quantities; but was the proposed Canal
effected, they might, as is above shewn, be brought to the South
Coasts of the Kingdom, and eventually, .perhaps, to London,
if their price and quality would procure them a market. I now
propose to shew that they will so be brought; notwithstanding
Mr. Broadmead's repeated .assertions that the Welsh cannot
compete with the Sunderland and Newcastle coals, even on the
Coast of the English Channel.
The price of the best coals at Sunderland is at present 345.
per chaidron of 53 cwt. and the freight to London is about 14s.
per London chaldron of D 3 cwt. or 10s. per ton. Their cost to
the importer in the pool is therefore about
235. pr
the best Newport and Cardiff coals arm yery similareto.
in
nnquNaloitwy

to the Sunderland coals. Their price at Newport is now about
ifs. per ton, and the freight to London may be reckoned at 18s.
the chaldron, or about 13s. per ton, making the cost of these
coals in the pool to the importer amount to 225. per ton. It
seems probable, therefore, that when the freight shall be lessen-
ed (as it assuredly will be lessened by means of the Canal),
these coals will supply the south coast of England. as far up,
pzrliaps, as Dover.

At Swansea and Llannelly, the coals are put on board for
about Os. per ton. These are not considered so good for house
use as the Newport coals, but I understand they are better than
any other for all the varieties of smelting, glass-houses, and
manufactories generally ; and their cheapness would, I ap-
prehend, insure a large consumption.
The Stone Coal, which abounds in such profusion in Pem-
broke, Caermarthen, and Glamorganshire, where it is found
in beds of 23 feet in thickness, and within a yard of the surface
in some places, and which is only to be found in South Wales,
is already brought to London in considerable quantities, though
to what extent I have not the means of precisely ascertaining,
as it is merged in the general Coal Returns: But, •was
the supply of this article more regular, and more ample,
it would no doubt be more extensively used. It is now sold
to. the London consumer at a high price ; yet, notwithstand-
ing this circumstance, the peculiar qualities of the stone-
coal, (that of emitting a great heat with very little
smoke) cause it to be used in conjunction with other coals in
many of the great breweries and manufactories in London. At
111eux's brewery in Liquorpond-street it has long been used
with great advantage, in the proportion of three parts of stone
coal with two parts of Newcastle coal.
Culm is the stone coal broken into small parts, and it is
every where held in the highest estimation for the burning
of lime, and for brick-making. During the last year 18,022
chaldrons of culm were imported into London, and if it and
the stone coal could be brought more regularly to market,
and at a lower price, the consumption of both these articles
would be immensely increased. It is here worthy of remark,
that stone coal is now carried so far to the eastward as Lynn,
in Norfolk, if not farther, • where it is used in their malt-
kilns, as it very generally is in other places for malting, hop
drying, Fee. whenever it can be procured ; there can be no
doubt, therefore, I presume, of its consumption increasing, so
soon as it shall be rendered cheaper and more accessible.
On the whole, then, 1 think I may venture to assume, that
the 500,000 tons of coals which I have taken 'credit for under
the second heed of ltevenue, at page 32 of my Report, .will
certainly pass through the Canal, notwithstanding Mr. Broad-
mead's assertion to the contrary. In forming this estimate
of 500,000 tons, I have confined my views to the south
coast of England only, without including the east coast, or
London, or the ports of France, or the Islands of Guern-
sey and Jersey. It has however been shown, that the stone
coal already finds its way to London, and even so far round
the. land as Lynn, in Norfolk. That the Welsh coals will•
hereafter be conveyed to London in considerable quantities,
may, I think, be inferred from other circumstances, indepen-
dent of the facility of transit which the Canal, when complet-
ed, will afford ; the chief of which is, the immensely increased,
and the . still increasing, consumption in the Metropolis, and
which, I think, need only to be stated, to shew that the time
is near at hand when the public will see the policy of looking
to more than one source of supply.
I haVe now before me a return of the quantity of Coals im-
ported into London annually, from the year 1714, from which
I abstract the following statement :
Year. Chaltiror.7.
1714 • - - 413,723
1724 - .478,106
1744 - 467,625;
. 1764 - 597,1551
1784 . - 724,638
1894 - -978,656 f
1824 - - 1,554,428, equal to 2,176,199 tons.
That such a consumption as is here stated, will in time ne-
cessarily affect the supply from the Northern Colleries, cannot
be doubted. The cheapest and most convenient coal-beds will
first be worked ; and as these become exhausted, those of in-
ferior quality, er less convenient and consequently less cheap,
will be had recourse to-; so that as the consumption continues
to increase, unless some other source of supply is brought into
timely operation, the public will lose the benefit of competition,
and perhaps have to pay a higher price for an inferior article.

The foregoing arc the principal heads of objection to the
Canal, as they are advanced in Mr. Broadmead's Pamphlet,
under the sanction of the Gentlemen who attended the Chard
Meeting; and I might here close my observations thereon,
had it not been stated also, that the internal traffic will be to-
tally inadequate to defray the expence of managing and main-
taining the Canal. This, as I have said in page 31 of my
second Report, " must, of course, be in some measure suppo-
sitions ;" and I am not surprised that Mr. Broadmead and his
supporters have come to a different conclusion from that which
is entertained by your Committee. Whatever may have been
their opinions hitherto, however, I believe that these Gentle-
men will no longer object to this part of my estimate, now that
Taunton, and the country connected with it, are comprised
within your line of operations.
Mr. Broadtnead repeats the oft refuted assertion, that the
proposed Ship Canal will injure the character of our sailors, by
converting them into mere bargemen ; but he forgets, that if
the Canal shell prove so totally useless, as he asserts that it
will, the hardihood and 'skill of our sailors will be then in no
ways affected thereby; although their lives will continue to be
sacrificed, and property will be destroyed, as at present, in
passing round the Land's End.

With regard to the calculations at pages 13 and 14 of the
Pamphlet, in which it is endeavoured to shew that the estimat-
ed cost of land required for formation of the Canal, is too little
by 146,380/. I have Mr. Telford's authority to say, that Mr.
Broadmead is altogether incorrect in his statements ; and that
the sum assigned for this purpose in the estimates, viz_
110,6001., is abundantly sufficient to cover the probable expen-
diture under this head.

1 presume to hope that the preceding statements will be con-
sidered by your Committee, and by the great body of Sub-
scribers, as affording sufficient answers to the objections against
the Ship Canal generally, as they are exhibited in the Pamph-
lit referred to ; and that the particular calculations therein ad-
vanced, impugning the accuracy of the estimates made in my
Report, of the quantities of tonnage that will probably pass
through the Canal, and the amount of revenue that may rea-
sonably be expected to accrue froM it to the Proprietors, have
been fairly met, and fully rebutted.
I have the honour to, very respectfully,
Your Committee's obedient and faithful Servant,
GEO. NICHOLLS.

Gloucester, March 23, 1825.

BERKSHIRE ELECTION.

Yesterday the Election of a Member to serve
in Parliament for the county of Berks, in the room of Lord
BRA YBROOKE, took place at the Shire-hall, Abingdon, when
ROBE RT PALMER, Esq. of Bolme Park, was declared duly
elected. The Honourable Gentleman had been previously put
in nomination at Reading on Thursday last.
At eleven o'clock the High bheriff arrived at the Shire-hall,
and was soon after followed by Mr. Palmer, who was escorted
into town by a numerous cavalcade, composed of his friends
and supporters.
The business of the election was opened by the usual procla-
mation against bribery, and the reading of the writ from the
Crown-office. _ _

The HIGH SHERIFF then called upon the freeholders to no-
minate a representative in the room of Lord Braybrooke.
Mr. BARTHOLOMEW WROUGHTON ably supported the
pretensions of Mr. Palmer, on the ground of private integrity,
and the soundness of his political principles, and came forward
to propose that Gentleman.
Mr. THomas DUFFIELD seconded the nomination, and
paid a similar tribute to the merit of the candidate.
The HIGH SHERIFF said, that if any other freeholder had
anything tG offer to the meeting he was.ready to hear him.
Mr. WILLIAM CROWDY then came forward and proposed
Mr. William Hallett, who from ill health was unable to attend.
A slim of hands took place, which the Sheriff declared was
in favour of Mr. Palmer. Mr. Crowdy, however, demanded
a poll, and after some conversation as to the qualifications
of Mr. Hallett, Mr. Palmer and Mr. Crowdy, upon this
manifestation of a contest, mutually disclaimed, both for them-
selves and Mr. Hallett, any feelin!, of personal hostility. Mr.
Palmer delivered an appropriate 'Address, which was highly
applauded. After which Mr. Crowdy again came forward and
revoked his demand for a poll, and was cheered on the pro-
priety of his conduct. The High Sheriff then declared that Mr.
Palmer was duly elected to represent the county, in the room
of Lord Braybrooke.—(Cheers !)—Mr. Palmer again addresSed
the Meeting.

MOUNT then proposed, and was seconded by Mr. EL-
LIOTT, a vote of thanks to the High Sheriff for his upright
conduct in the chair, which was carried by acclamation, and
acknowledged in appropriate terms by the High Sheriff; who
afterwards performed the ceremony of investing Mr. Palmer
with the sword as Knight of the Shire. The representative
thus elected was subsequently chaired through the town, with
the customary popular compliments, accompanied with the
usual scrambling for shillings thrown from the chair, which
forms a necessary, however objectionable, pact of such election
proceedings.
There was in the town throughout the day very little appear-
ance of bustle, or of unusual popular excitement. The business
seemed almost to pass off as a matter of course.

1:-.'• iti \ ,
) . try
~;i c 0
2.* `v's
''\,'.•
V ‘it W"*. ,_