The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-20 00:00:00

GREAT SOUTHERN WHALE

FISHERIES.
A public testimonial, in the shape of a grand enter-
Ainnaent, was given on Wednesday, at the London Tavern,
to Mr. Charles Enderby, by the merchants and citizens of

London, the occasion being the departure of this enter-
prising and ingenious gentleman to his newly-founded
colony at the Auckland Islands. In order to render the
position of Mr. Enderby before the public perfectly
clear, the fol!owing sketch of his enterprise may be very
aptly cited:—
Mr. Enderby has secured a grant of the Auckland
Islands—a position in the South Pacific preferable to
all others for the prosecution of the object in question—
in which he and his two brothers alone were inte-

rested. This grant they have ceded to the
Southern Whale Fishery Company, allowing the com-
pany a site for the business of the fishery free of charge,
and making no other reservation regarding the re-
mainder of the land, than they shall share, in equal pro-
portions with the company, any net profits which may be
derived from the sale or lease of the land, after a suitable
and sufficient site for the whaling station shall be selected.
The company is established with a capital of
100,000/., the shareholders having power to increase
the same from time to time, to the extent of half a
million ; and with power, should the consent of the
President of the Board of Trade be given, to increase
the capital to any larger amount, in case the require-
ments and success of the undertaking shall warrant
further increase of the capital at a future period. It is
Mr. Enderby's intention, we understand, shortly to pro-
ceed in person to the Auckland Islands, situate in 51
deg. south latitude, and 166 deg. east longitude, for the
purpose or organizing the business of the fishery, and
to remain there a sufficient time to place it on a saris.
factory foundation.
The chair was taken by Admiral Deans Dundas. The
gallant officer was supported by Mr. Labouchere, M.P.,
President of the Board of Trade, Lord Colchester, Mr.
Thomas Baring, M.P., Mr. F. Scott, M.P., Sir W. Clay
M.P., Mr. Bagshaw, M.P., and a most numerous and
respectable body of the principal shipowners, dock
officers, and merchants generally of this metropolis. The
company consisted of nearly 300 of the Mite amongst the
mercantile and commercial classes, and if the names
were enumerated; the most distinguished firms of the
city.of London would each be found to have a represen-
tative or a proxy present.
After the cloth was removed, the customary loyal
toasts were given from the chair, and most cordially
responded to. Admiral Dundas made an allasion to the
absence of Prince Albert from London, for the purpose
of laying the first stone of the Grimsby Docks, a com-
mercial and maritime enterprise in which the present
company could not but take a deep interest.—(Cheers.)
Admiral DIINDAS then proposed " The Army and
Navy," a toast which had seldom been neglected on oc-
casions like the present.
General THOMAS and Admiral Sir C. MALCOLM re-
turned thanks. The latter officer remarked that, although
the two services were out of fashion for the moment, it
was to be hoped that the merchants of the city of Lon-
don would not forget the protection which their commerce
had received at the hands of the British navy.—(Cheers.)
Admiral DUNDAS then gave the toast of the evening—
" The Health of Charles Enderby, and success to his un-
dertaking." The greatest honour an Englishman could
receive was obtaining the approbation of his fellow-citi-
zens. Such an honour had been most amply conferred on
Mr. Enderby, for never yet was beheld such a meeting as
was now assembled. Local objects,cbarities, politics, would
often call greater numbers together, but here was an
object in which men of all political creeds joined, in
the determination to meet together to bid farewell to a
man who was about to proceed on a voyage which
had for its accomplishment the revival of the great
fisheries in which England formerly took so large
and so prominent a share. (Hear, hear.)
Thank God, the mere difference of political opinions
did not prevent men from meeting together on occasions
like the present; it reminded him of the " Happy
Family," from the dissimilarity of sentiment which was
to be seen amongst the various guests.—(Hear, hear,
and a laugh.) He begged to propose the " Health of
Mr. Charles Enderby, with success to his undertaking
and reward fur his labours."—Three times three.
Mr. C. ENDERBY rose and said that he stood in need
of all the kindness of his auditors, for he was utterly
unable competently to express his acknowledgments for
the honour that had been done him. When he saw
the Queen's Ministers taking an active part with the
merchants of London towards the promotion of his
designs, he could not but feel that this was a circum-
stance of which any man must feel justly proud. There
was no instance on record, that he recollected, of a man
having been so highly honoured by his fellow-citizens as
he had been.—(Cheers.) He could only give a promis•
sort' note. But- he was certain he should be able to
redeem his word.—(Cheers.) Every facility had been
given to him by the Government—(Cheers)—for the
accomplishment of his objects. He feared, however,
that it his enterprise should not succeed he should not be
able to face his fellow-citizens again. He should be
ashamed to do so.—(No, no.) Yes, he should be ashamed
to show himself among his fellow •citizens if he did not
succeed in carrying out his views.—(" No," and cheers.)
Nevertheless, let him assure his good friends that he felt
quite confident in the success of the enterprise in which he
was embarked. According to a paper which he held
in his hand (the Whaling Shipping List), there were
596 American whalers in the Southern Pacific Ocean,
to fourteen British ships.—(Hear, hear.) His instruc-
tion was to restore the halance.—(hear, hear.) He
had no j'.alousy or enmity towards the Americans, but
he did wish to see British skill and British enterprise
assert their own position. As for the Auckland Islands,
he must say he should welcome the American whalers,
and he wished them success, whilst he should make
every endeavour to compete with them.
Mr. ENDERBY then proposed the health of Mr. lA-
bouchere and of her Majesty's Ministers.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said it was matter of great gratifi-
cstion to him to be present on an occasion like the pre-
sent, when all the principal merchants of the city of
London were at the table .—(Hear, hear.) But more es-
pecially did he feel pleasure in the circumstance that he
had a warm sympathy with the objects of the en-
terprise conducted by their worthy guest, Mr. Enderby.
The presence of so many of the greatest merchants of
London proved the value of the enterprise. It was deeply
to be regretted that the fisheries of the deep seas had been
resigned by English seamen to the United States. lie
trusted, however, that it would be found possible to restore
the influence which England once possessed in the whale
fisheries. He hailed, therefore, with satisfaction the pre-
sent beginning, and as to the thanks which Mr. Enderby
had offered to the Government for their promotion of his
views, he could only say
.the Government had done their
duty in so acting. He hoped most earnestly that
Mr. Enderby would return iu safety from his enterprise
—(Hear, hear)—in which he believed he was as much
actuated by patriotic sentiments as by hope of gain.
(Hear, hear.) He did not agree with Mr. Enderby in
chinking that failure in that enterprise would entail any
shame upon him. On the contrary, he would do his
best, and the generosity of his fellow-countrymen
would always amply redeem his efforts from all chance
of censure. He begged most sincerely to thank the
company for the honour they had done him.
The health of the Chairman having been proposed
by Mr. Puwles, the clerk of the London Dock Com-
pany, and responded to, the company separated.

AUSTRIA AND ITALY.
It was vain to hope that Austria would not take full
advantage of the victory gained over the only indepen-
dent Italian power on the field of Novara.. Towards
Piedmont itself the conquerors, indeed, have shown for-
bearance. But at the same timo the Austrian Cabinet
and generals have practised some dissimulation with re-
gard to central Italy. It was understood in Paris, we
believe, that Austria would not precipitate the march of
her legions at least towards Rome; that time would be
given to the Republic, and the population, to make their
submission and obtain some terms from the Pope. Aus-
tria has, however, not waited. The warlike attitude
assumed by the Tuscans in support of the Genoese, and
the alliance between Rome and Florence, no doubt
give colour to Austrian intervention ; and whilst we
write the rumour is that the forces of Radetzky
have entered Florence and must be approaching Rome.
This German intervention has naturally called for a
French expedition of a similar kind; and much as one
may regret any such interference, it is better that
it should be undertaken by two powers than by one.
The original aim of Austria could be no other than to
restore the absolutist regime of the Pope. France in-
terferes to modify this purpose, and to secure for the
Romans the guarantee of a constitutional, and, conse-
quently, to a certain degree, of a lay government. In
this aim the democratic portion of the National Assem-
bly has singularly thwarted the French Ministers. M.
Barrot brought forward the vote of funds for the inter-
vention. It was referred to a Committee, which decided
in its favour. But the withdrawal of the Members of the
Left, leaving the Chamber a less number than 500, ren-
dered the vote null, and has thus retarded the expedi-
tion at least by four-and-twenty hours. We confess
that the speech of M. Barrot was neither very liberal
nor very satisfactory. But M. Barrot is Prime Minis-
ter, and it is his policy and duty so to conduct his in-
terference, for Roman freedom, that this may be at-
tained in accordance with Austria rather than in opposi-
tion to it. General Lamoriciere, President of the Com-
mittee, was more frank. He declared that the
object was to laud troops, and to occupy Rome, if pos-
sible, before the Austriane. It is s serious event the
mutual presence of the French tri-colour and the Aus-
trian double eagle in the streets of Rome. Not that we
foresee any collision; it is too much the interest of both
parties to avoid war. Nor is there any specious ground
for quarrel. France calls itself Catholic as well as
Austria. And Stadion as well as Odilon Barrot has
presided over the framing of a Constitution. Why should
the Romans bo denied what France and Austria enjoy ?
We are sorry to see the Constituttonnel, a journal in the
interest of the French Government, join in the wholesale
and calumnious attacks upon the Roman Republic. We
are no admirers of Mazzini or of the extreme party. But
we do not see what the Romans could do when the Pope
fled from them, but proclaim a Republic in imitation of
France, making it as feasible and pacific as might be.
There are very many members of the Roman Government
and Assembly without whose concurrence and aid the
French can never hope to found anything like a constitu-
tional government in the Roman states. We believe, how-
ever, that the aims of the French Government are liberal
and wise. Those aims are to recommence the essay so
unfortunately made by Count Rossi—the essay to sepa-
rate the temporal and ecclesiastical power and functions
of the Pope, and to establish a lay government with
constitutional guarantees. It is very well known that
the great impediments in Count Rossi's way were
the
not
raised by the democratic or revolutionary party in
first instance. It was the priests and the retrogrades
who most fiercely attacked his career and exulted in his
fall. With Austrian and French troops on the
hills of Rome, this party may indeed in-
trigue, but can no longer employ either in-
ourreeciwitt or aaspasiu, Auci the great 114TOItAlte