The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-16 00:00:00

EXCLUSION OF STRANGERS.

The Select Committee appointed (by the House of
Commons) to consider the present practice of this House
in respect of the exclusion of strangers, have considered
the matter to them referred, and agreed to the following
report:—
"That the existing usage of excluding strangers
during a division, and upon the notice by an individual
Member that strangers are present, has prevailed from a
very early period of Parliamentary history; that the in-
stances in which the power of an individual Member to
exclude has been exercised have been very rare; and
that it is the unanimous opinion of your Committee that
there is no sufficient ground for making any alteration
in the existing practice with regard to the admisssion or
exclusion of strangers.
'•July 12, 1849:

Mr. Sergeant Dowling supplies the place of the
late Mr. Justice Coltman on the Norfolk Circuit, and
took his seat on the bench at Aylesbury, on Saturday.
The successerof the late judgehas notyst been appointed.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
METROPOLITAN REFORNI ASSOCIATION.
Sir,—On Wednesday the 11th, the House was
occupied, and with no very decisive result, in endea-
vouring to ascertain the meaning of " Opaque Smoke."
A Bill is introduced which is to place the owners of
tall chimneys at the mercy of an informer who shall
undertake to swear that he has witnessed the issue of
any " opaque smoke." Notwithstanding the sug-
gested difficulties, I would submit that " opaque
smoke" means smoke that can be seen. Whether
there is any such thing as smoke that cannot be seen,
or smoke that is not opaque, is what the authors of
the phrase are alone responsible for. It shall be ad-
mitted, and in all probability is the simple truth, that
" opaque smoke" means any smoke at all, its exist-
once being determinable by the only sense by which
anybody ever proceeded to discover smoke, the sight.
The case therefore is to stand thus. A manufacturer
is to be fined five pounds every time any interested
witness chooses to declare he saw smoke. It is
not to be much smoke, or annoying smoke, or smoke
amounting to what anybody will declare a
nuisance; but if the smoke of the stoker's tobacco-
, pipe should make itself risible to the naked eye of the
curious bystander, it is a smoke under the Bill. Things
of this kind are the after-blows which are brought
against the manufacturing interest since their suc-
cess upon the Corn Laws; and if the manufacturing
interest does not know bow to defend itself against
them, the time will come when it will have to defend
itself against something else.
On Thursday it was determined in Committee to
move for leave to bring in a Bill for altering the laws
relating to Pilotage ; and another for " improving
the condition of" Masters, Mates, and Seamen in
the Merchant Service.
From old connexions with the interests concerned,
I feel desirous of intimating that in these proposed
Bills there is both good and evil, and that they
should be well sifted and looked after, in order to
secure the good and escape the evil.
The object of the Pilotage Bill, so far as seen,
appears to be, to free the merchants from unnecessary
charges for pilotage ;—that is to say, from being
obliged to pay for pilots where pilots are not wanted
and could be done without. On which the remark is
obvious, that it would be well to diminish the charge
for pilots, to the extent that will not equally raise the
charge for underwriters. It is better a ship should
have too much piloting than too little ; as there can
be no doubt the underwriters will perfectly
understand.
In the other Bill, for improving the condition of
Masters, &c. I cannot help suspecting that the
words " condition of" are to some extent superfluous,
and that the Bill is directed to improving the indi-
viduals themselves ; on its effectiveness for which
end, there may allowably be some doubt. With more
acquaintance with the merchant service than pro-
bably the majority of the House of Commons, I can-
not undertake to say I ever saw either master or mate
who was palpably unfit for his situation. Such things
have been heard of, as an owner's son going in com-
mand of a ship, with an old mate to take care of him,
as what the sailors unceremoniously call a " nurse ;"
and the same thing, with the same term attached to
it, has been heard of in the navy in the case of a
young captain of high family with an old first lieu-
tenant of undoubted nautical experience. But the
facts hardly make out a necessity for novel legislation.
On one point the seafaring part of the community
ought to rally about the Government. It was inti-
mated that the intention of the Government was to
abandon the Registration of Seamen, which means that
it gives up the intention of resorting to impressment
on the occurrence of a war. As the Government was
not unnecessarily distinct, the secret might have been
kept, but for the zeal of a Conservative man-of-war's-
man in the House, who stood up and protested against
the intention of the Government. The seafaring part
of the community, therefore, are fore-armed.
In connexion with the Bill for legalising marriage
with a deceased wife's sister, an unusual circumstance
has taken place. The proposal to subject the par-
liamentary legislation to the dogmas of churches by
excepting Scotland and Ireland from the operation of
the Bill, was on the 4th of July rejected by a ma-
jority of 119 against 66. Yet after this clear decla-
ration on the subject, on the 9:h appears a notice by
the mover of the Bill, that ou the consideration of
the Report be will move a proviso that nothing in
the Bill shall extend to affect the powers of the
Church Courts in Scotland ; thereby leaving those
it was intended to relieve, exposed to all that can be
inflicted on them by the perpetuation of the
ecclesiastical stigma. Of course a parallel amend-
ment appears on the same page, for extending the like
provision to the Church of England ; and it is im-
possible to suppose, that if one is conceded, the other
must not. On the whole it is as if Mr. Wilberforce
after carrying his Bill against the Slave Trade through
the previous stages, had been found moving
a proviso in the latest, " that Liverpool
be a free port." Everybody knows, that the
substantial object of the Bill was to gain a step in
repressing the hostile operation of Established
Churches upon the civil welfare of the community ;
and to let the public down on this point, is the same
kind of move as supposed in the case suggested.
There is probably not a single Member who voted for
the Bill, who has not done it at the expense of in-
curring the displeasure of some portion of his con-
stituents who do not share in his opinions on the
subject. And why this sacrifice should be incurred
fur the sake of a slave-trade abolition with Liverpool
a free port, it is not easy to descry.
It may, therefore, be a matter of serious considera-
tion, whether the best thing both for Members and
for the sufft rers whom they wish to serve, would
not be to vote against the emasculated Bill on the
Third Reading, and let somebody try again with
better chances.
On the same evening, eighteen Members went
through the process of "dying on the floor of the
House," to oppose a motion for voting a sum of
361,8001. without waiting for the rsport of a Committee
which had been sitting on the subject. And they
were not martyrs for nothing ; for they carried their
point for delay. The absolute value of the delay
may be of comparatively small moment ; but the im-
portant thing was, that a warning was given of the
unadvisableness of breaking the apostolic precept,
that " all things be done decently and in order."
The business on Friday consisted in Committee on
Supply, varied with debates on questions connected
with Ireland, of which it was not easy to define the
beginning or the end.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
AN OLD REFORMER.
London, July 16, 1849.

DEPARTURE OF THE EGYPTIAN

SCREW FRIGATE SHARKIE.

PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY. Tho Shackle, Egyptiane
steam-frigate, left Spithead on Saturday evening,
onting, at
o'clock, under steam for Gibraltar, en route
fi
Alexan-
dria.
Her fine old commander, or admiral, as he is
called on board, and all the officers, more particularly the
first lieutenant, Seliam Nesseem Bey, have gained gol-
den opinions at Portsmouth, as they did in the Thames,
for the courteous civility and hospitality they exhibited
to the various parties of ladies and gentlemen who visited
their splendid vessel for curiosity and information. We
speak from experience, and can safely assert that for
interior order and cleanliness the Sharkie is nothing in-
ferior to our own war-steamers. The crew are also well
clad, but are (with the exception of Haft Bey himself,
and some of the officers, who are fine-looking men)
emaciated and diminutive in their appearance, though
active and intelligent. Captain Purcell, of the Superb,
visited the Sharkie on Friday ; and on Saturday
Hafiz Bey and a number of hr officers visited the
Superb. After going round the ship they lunched on
on board her with Captain Purcell. On Friday
the Sharkio took on board the state barge that has
been built for the Pacha of Egypt by Mr. Camper,
the yacht builder of Gosport. This boat is r nilar
in sine, in model, and in her paint work and gilding to
her Majesty's state barge. The Sharkie also takes out
for the use of the Pacha and his son several English-
built carriages with eight horses, four being of the Eng-
lish breed, and four French, with an English coachman
and groom to look after them. A few days ago one of
the French horses kicked the horse-box to pieces, got
adrift, and galloped round the deck, putting all the
Egyptian crew to the rout, and it was not before the
horse had done some serious injury to himself and to
several of the crew, that he could be secured.
Hafiz Bey is a strict disciplinarian, and awards
summary
occurs. A few
punishment when a breach of disciplines
days ago one of the crew strucklas a subordinate officer,
The man arms
wasand
and the Bey ordered himdeicoko
on
his e
seized, and thrown on the
legs extended, and on each side sat an Egyptian ; two
others, with a rope gasket, proceeded to inflict the pu.
nish rue- ut over the breech without the removal of the
lo
The culprit cried out piteously, while receiving
cthothfierss.t
forty strokes, after which he lay quiet; after
receiving the 100 stripes he was lifted up, and when
being conveyed away made some obnoxious remark, for
which he was again laid prostrate, and received on
additional twenty stripes with the gaskets. Notwith-
standing this rigorous punishment, the Egyptian crew
are said to be happy and comfortable, and that punish.
ment of this sort is only awarded in aggravated cases.
ST. IVES,
I'`I9HERT. T— he few boats em-
ptoyed on the mackerel fishery have been taking as
many as 300 fish, which have bees sold at 10s. and 15s.
per hundred of six score. The report given by those on
this employ is that there is a great quantity of pil-
charda eight and ten leagues from the land, but none
have as yet been descried from the bills on the coast.—
Cornwall Gaga..

ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICA.
LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY EVENING.
The America steam-ship, belonging to the British
and North American Royal Mail Company, after
another of her speedy and successful trips across the
Ocean, reached our port this afternoon about four
o'clock.
She brings a fair complement of passengers, and
her Majesty's Mails from Canada, New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia, the United States, &c.
The America left Boston on the 4th instant, and
Halifax, where she had put in to receive the mails
and passengers from British America on the 7th ; her
advices, therefore, extend as follows :—ln addition to
the dates given from Boston and Halifax, she brings
accounts from New York to the 4th, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, and Charleston to the 3d, Mobile and
Montreal to the 2d, and New Orleans to the Ist.
The intelligence, though not more than ordinarily
important, is somewhat more interesting than usual.
The West India mail steam-ship Clyde had arrived
at Mobile.
The British and North American mail steam-ship
Hibernia, which we learn by last arrival had put into
Halifax, subsequently arrived at New York; and the
Canada, which sailed hence on the 23d ult., had
reached Halifax, and proceeded onwards to Boston.
The most important, as it is the most alarming, fea-
ture of intelligence brought by the America is the
rapid spread of cholera, which is now raging with
extreme malignity in many parts of the Union.
Notwithstanding all the sanitary efforts of the au-
thoriti,?s in New York (and these in some instances
enforced with violence, such as pulling down or
clearing filthy houses against the will of the in-
habitants), the disease was spreading in the city.
Not only were the cases more numerous, but the
proportion of deaths was greater and the con-
tagion was more equally divided amongst the several
classes of society. Among the other cities and towns
more severely visited are St. Louis and Cincinnati,
whilst in Texas, Tennessee, and in some of the
boats on the larger rivers many fatal cases are re-
ported. It is not so alarming at New Orleans,
Mobile, &c., as might have been expected. Several
deaths are also reported from extreme heat and sun
strokes, the latter of which seem to be very common
throughout the southern portion of the Union. The
spread of cholera had cast a gloom over society at A
period generally joyous ; and if in the beginning of
July the health of the country is so affected, what
will it be until September, as that portion of the
year from July onwards is generally the most un-
healthy.
The arrival of Father Mathew, an event so long
anticipated in the States, is announced in our present
advices. The celebrated apostle of temperance met
a most enthusiastic reception, all classes joining
in testifying their admiration of the man and of the
cause of which he has been so successful an
advocate. The authorities of New York have pro-
vided proper accommodation for him at the expense
of the city, and invitations were pouring in upon him
from all parts of America. It is not improbable that
his successes in America may equal, if not exceed,
those he has already experienced, there being a vast
Irish population in the leading cities and towns of the
Union similar in disposition and practice to those be
experimented upon in the sister kingdom.
The 4th of July was expected to be celebrated with
the usual eclat, notwithstanding the cautions and
advice which were put forth by the New York press
to avoid, in the present condition of affairs, any
unnecessary excitement.
The Mayor of New York was strictly enforcing
the closing of all taverns and public places of resort
on the Sabbath, and it .was hoped by this means to
aid in the suppression of disease.
A contribution for the Pope, proposed by that
prelatical meddler Bishop Hughes of New York, had
given rise to much acrimony and " bad blood." The
accounts from Rome had created much feverish feeling
amongst the mixed population of the city, and the
brand thrown in at such a juncture was most inap-
propriate. The collection was taken up in a few
churches in New York with even less success than
had been anticipated.
By way of counterpoise, it was proposed on the
celebration of the anniversary of Independence to
send forth expressions of sympathy for all nations
in Europe evidencing republican feeling (Italy in-
cluded).
The anticipations formed as to disturbances in
California are being verified. We have reports of
serious rioting having already taken place, the
particulars of which are not fully detailed. The
growing population were becoming discontented. The
waters were so high as to make the " placings " less
profitable than heretofore. Still new discoveries
were being made, as each exploring party moved to a
fresh district. Amongst the late arrivals are some
Mexicans, and a large influx from Oregon was ex-
pected. Bilious fever, ague, and diseases incidental
to the occupation of the people were prevalent. some
of these are very fatal in their character, and speedy
in their work of death. It was supposed that they
would continue more or less for two or three months
from the last advices. The months of September,
October, and November were looked forward to with
much interest, as they were reckoned the best for
mining purposes. The want of ships crews was
being very much felt, a large number of vessels lying
idle at San Francisco. Slivery had been introduced
by one or two parties ; but it is said that, if per-
severed in, those who practice it will experience the
vengeance of the " diggers," and as every man gees
armed with a pistol and a dagger, it is not difficult
to conjecture in what form that vengeance will
manifest_ itself. Gambling is very prevalent in the
colony.
Canada is, if anything more agitated than when
the Cambria advices left. Although quietness pre-
vailed, the agitation was kept up and had a bad effect
upon trade, which was in a dull state. The cholera
is alluded to but slightly in our present reports. The
League carried on its proceedings, and continued to
enrol a good number of partisans.
Our accounts from Mexico are rather more
alarming than they have been for some time past.
The guerilla attacks have sunk into insignificance
in presence of a spirit of insurrection which had
manifested itself in the Republic, and which had
caused much terror amongst the peaceably disposed.
The interference of the United States in the California
territory was causing much jealousy in Mexico,
which might lead to unpleasant results.
The experiments in wheat growing at Texas have
been most successful, and have given satisfaction
to those interested in them.
The cotton corps in Georgia, Alabama, &c., are not
satisfactory spoken of.
We subjoin the commerial advices received by this
arrival.
Although money is reported to be tolerably plen-
tiful, no scarcity being felt, the tone of our advices
in regard thereto is evidently not so satisfactory as
that received by the last few arrivals, and this view
would seem to be corroborated by our advices
shiwnghichis
mentioned regarding
as th
be e state
o g i n of trade
a generally,daliandlaagui
con-
dition throughout the Union, aggravated no doubt by
the extreme heat and the accounts of the progress
of disease.
The New York market for breadstuffs is reported
quiet, without any material changes in quotations,
which are given to us as follows :—Western Canal
flour, 5 dolls. 50c. to 5 dolls. 62ic. ; Genesse prime
wheat, 98c. to 1 doll. per 601b5.; southern wheat,
1 doll. 04c. ditto; Indian corn, round yellow, steady
at 58c. to 60c. ; ditto southern white, 54c. to 56c.;
Indian meal, 2 dolls. 87ic. to 3 dolls.
Cotton at New York was reported to be most
active. The demand was very good, more than an
average business being transacted at advanced prices.
New Orleans and Mobile middling fair to fair is
quoted at Bi-c. to 9c., whilst Uplands and Florida
middling fair to fair is quoted at sic. to 81c., an in-
crease on the whole of per cent.
Exchange on London rules from 109 to 1091, the
demand being good; Paris 5 25, with a fair buiress
doing ; Hamburgh, 35 to 35i; Bremen, 78 to _ 781.t0
6ir
Freight of grain to Liverpool is quoted at 6
per bushel; cotton j to 3.16 per lb.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, JULY 15.
PROMOTIONS.

G. W. E. Lloyd, ditto; and
the rank of lieutenant.
F. IL Sall f
1.1 ato Sharkie, Commodore Hafuz
More sunset for the East.
.rho Egyptian /IEI-l8);
ller Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, at-
tended by Lady Georgiana Bathurst, the Hon. Colonel
Bey, Tsawi:edr.°thlr:ls'dt ntrtisogt?hito(
Augustus Liddell, &c., passed through this port from
town en route to Osborne yesterday.
Mr. H. J. Cballii, late of the Queen, has been ap-
pointed to the Growl-r, naval cadet.
WooLwrctr, JULY 15.—The Vivid, Dover mail steam-
packet, Captain Srnithett, arrived at Woolwich on
Friday afternoon to have some slight defects made good,
having been placed under orders of readiness by the Ist
of August, to form one of the royal squadron which will
accompany her Majesty to Ireland iu the early part of
that mouth.

The Banshee, Fol}head mail steam-packet, Captain
W. Smithett, is at present refitting, being under orders
to serve as one of the royal squadron in August next.
The Vesuvius ateam•vessrl is now in an advanced
state, and will leave Woolwich on Friday next for
Portsmouth.
The Dreadnought, Seamen's Hospital ship, is to be
taken down the river to Woolwich on Friday next, to be
docked for the purpose of being repaired.
The Firebrand steam•vessel had her steam up yester-
day, and will soon be ready as an advanced war-
steamer. She is at present under charge of Mr. M.
Johnson, engineer.
The Vulcan, steam troop-ship, has had her steam up
in the basin, and will be ready for an experimental trial
down the ricer in the mine of the present wwk.