The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-16 00:00:00

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY

COMPANY.

The following report of the Committee of the House
of Commons respecting this Company was issued yes-
terday ;
The select committee appointed to inquire into and re-
port) upon the expenditure of certain sums which ap-
pear as unaccounted for, under the head of Parliamen-
tary Expenses, in the report which was recently
published by a committee appointed to inquire into the
management of the affairs of the Eastern Courties
Railway Company, have agreed to the following

report:—
Your Committee report, that in accordance with their
instructions, they have inquired into the expenditure of
certain sums, amounting to about 7,6001., which appear
under the head of Parliamentary expenses in the printed
Report of the Committee of investigation to the
Shareholders of the Eastrrn Counties Railway Com-
pany." Your committee have likewise made inquiries
with regard to certain expressions in the appendix to
that report, which have given rise to rumours injuriously
affecting the character of Parliament. With regard to
these expressions, your committee are unable to state po-
sitively whether they were or were not used by the per-
son to whom they are imputed, the evidence upon this
point being conflicting and unsatisfactory; but they feel
satisfied that no portion of the money in question has
been expended, directly or indirectly, in corruptly in-
fluencing Members of Parliament
Indeed, from what has transpired in the course of
this investigation, it may be fairly questioned whether
this expenditure has been properly classed under the
head of " Parliamentary Ext eases, " as it appears
to have been incurred by a self-appointed body, called
the Sise-l..ne Committee, under the following circum-
stances :

In 1845 three competing lines were before Parlia-
ment, ♦iz., the London and York, the Direct Northern,
and a continuation of the Eastern Counties from Cam-
bridge to York. The Board of Trade reported in favour
of a lino compounded of a portion of the Eastern Coun-
ties scheme and a portion of the Direct Northern ; the
cost of which, as stated by Mr. Duncan, was estimated
at 4,000,0004, while that of the London and York was
calculated at 8,000,0001.

. .
This report was dated 20th March, 1845. The Com-
mittee of the House of Commons to whom these compet-
ing lines were submitted, after sitting eighty days, de-
cided in favour of the London and York, but as the Bill
could not go through the Lords, owing to the advanced
period of the session, resolutions were passed in Parlia-
ment, enabling the Bill to be proceeded with in the
Upper House in the ensuing session.
In the interval, Mr. Hudson joined the Eastern
Counties direction; and at a public meeting of the
Eastern Counties shareholders, held on the 30th or 31st
of October, after pointing out the evils attending this
contest between the two companies, and the savicg of
capital that might be effected by an amicable arrange-
ment between them, invited the London and York share-
holders, by a public announcement made at the meeting.
to come into the Eastern Counties line, and exchange
their London and York for Eastern Counties shares.
This invitation was not accepted, although Mr. Duncan,
solicitor to the Eastern Counties Railway, addressed,
through the press, to the London and York shareholders,
four letters, signed " One of yourselves," calling upon
them to accede to the Eastern Counties proposition.
These letters having failed to produce the effect desired,
in April, 1846, Mr. La'Mert, who describes himself as
" a speculator in shares, and a medical man," and who
was a considerable shareholder in both companies,
called upon Mr. Duncan, and expressed an opinion that
it would be highly desirable to form a committee of
London and York shareholders, and by advertisement to
invite shareholders to join in the movement for an
amalgamation of the two companies. Mr. Duncan ap-
proving of this scheme, a committee was formed of
which Mr. La'Mert became chairman. In that capa-
city he appointed Mr. Philipps, of Sise-lane, his private
solicitor, to be solicitor to the committee, and afterwards
induced Messrs. Cash, Shepperson, Huxley, Field, and
Jones, to join him. This was the origin of the Sise-lane
Committee.
Mr. Duncan had previously obtained Mr. Wadding-
ton's sanction for its formation, as well as his guarantee
that all the expenses attending it should be defrayed by
the Eastern Counties Railway Company. It was like-
wise agreed between Messrs. Duncan and La'Mert, with
Mr. Waddington's sanction, that it would be necessary
for the committee to be possessed of a certain number
of shares, to form a nucleus, round which other share-
, holders might gather; and Mr. La'Mert was authorised
to purchase a sufficient number of London and York
shares, with the understanding that he should be indem-
nified for any loss he might sustain thereby. The com-
mittee would thus appear to have been formed on the
responsibility of Mr. Waddington alone, without the
knowledge or authority of the other directors, or of the
proprietors of the Eastern Counties Railway. It was
subsequently joined by a considerable number of London
, and York shareholders, but the scheme entirely failed.
The total expenditure incurred by this committee,
under the different heads of advertisements, printing,
solicitor's bills, loss on shares, &c., including likewise a
sum of 1681. given to Mr. Davis, in addition to the pay-
ment of this bill, to purchase his silence with regard to
the proceedings of the Sise-lane Committee, to which he
had occasionally acted as secretary, appears to have
amounted to about 7,6001., the sum which is mentioned
under the head of Parliamentary expenses in the report
of the committee of investigation, and into the expen-
diture of which your committee were instructed to in-

quire.
It would thus appear, from the above summary of the
proceedings of the wise-lane Committee, as well as from
the general evidence, that although the objects which the
Sise-lane committee had in view may have been deemed
beneficial to the Eastern Counties Railway Company,
yet the means by which these objects were sought to he
attained were of a questionable character; and, indeed,
Mr. Waddington in his evidence stated to your committee

that it " was a transaction which had much bettrr be in
oblivion, inasmuch as no doubt it was an irregular pro-
ceeding." Your committee therefore feel sati.tied that
it wAs in consequence of the questionable character of
these transactions that an attempt was made to shroud

... _. ...
in mystery the., • xpenditure of 7,6001., lest further in-
quiry, and " the giving of particulars" should have
tended to " implicate other parties," those parties being
none other than the originators and members of the Sise-
lane Committee.

In eoncluion, your committee feel bound to express
their belief that if Mr. Cash. chairman of the Committee
of Investigation, and the only member of that commit-
tee who had also been a member of the Sise-lane Com-
mittee, had thought proper to state, as the time of the
shareholders' investigation, all he knew with regard to
the Sise lane Committee, and the expenses attending it,
this expenditure of 7,6001. would not have given rise to
rumours rendering an inquiry necessary for the vindica-
tion of the honour of the House of Commons.
11th June, 1849.

THE EASTERN UNION RAILWAY.
IPSWICH, FRIDAY NIGHT.—A special general meet-
ing of the shareholders in this company was held to-
day, at the office, Brook-street, Ipswich. J. C. Cob-
buld, Eq., M.P., Chairman of the board of directors,
presided.
Mr. J. F. SAUNDERS, the Secretary, read the notice
convening the meeting, which was called for the pur-
pose of considering " A Bill to amend the Acts relat-
ing to the Eastern Union Railway Company, with
powers of sale or lease to, or amalgamation with, the
Eastern Counties Railway," and at the conclusion of
the business above-mentioned the meeting was made
special and extraordinary, with reference to the general
aff.irs of the company, and giving such explanations
connected therewith as the proprietors might desire.
The Bill having been read.
Mr. LECHMEHE (London) expressed his disapproval
of the Bill. Nothing would induce him to agree to it.
They had been summoned there at a great loss of time
and expense when their property was at a heavy dis-
count, within a few days of their ordinary meeting, for
the purpose of considering the most absurd proposition.
He was determined not to sanction any further expen-
diture.
Mr. FIELD supported the Bill. He considered it
highly necessary that the Norwich line should be finished
at once, and of course the directors must have the money
necessary to do it.
The Bill was then, with a few alterations, agreed to.
On the motion of the Caen:NAN, it was agreed that
the number of directors be reduced to twelve.
After some further discussion the proceedings closed.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, Julia 15.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market was rather dull to-day in the
number of transactions. There was a slight improvement in Bristol
and Exeter Shares, which were done at 24 dis.—Great Western,
Quarters, were more depressed, only realising 6% dis.
LIVERPOOL, JUNE 15.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was a limited business doing to-day, at
rather higher prices. The sales are—Lancashire and Yorkshire,
Fifths, 4 dis.—Dltto, 321. Shares, 7% dis.—Ditto, Sixteenths, 4%
—London and North-Western, New Quarters, 2% p.—Midland,
Halves, 13 dis.—North Union (B), 149% —York, Newcastle, and
Berwick (G. N. B. Purchase), 6 per cent. till 1850, 765. 3d. die.
MANCHESTER, JUNE 15.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The transactions to-day were as follow:—
Leeds, Fifths, 4 % dis. Grimsby Docks, 9 113-16—Whitehaven and
Furness, 13% dis.—Manchester and Birmingham (C), Quarters, 2%
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, 20—North Staffordshire,
5% dis.—West Riding Union, 4 9-16 dis.
BIRMINGHAM, Jura 15.
SToCi EXCHANGE —The only transactions to-day Isere—Shrop-
shire Unions, 2k—South Staffordshire, 4% dis.
YORK, JUNE 14.
&rocs EXCHANGE.—The transactions to-day hare
QQuarters,law :—Great Northern, 91. 16s. 3d.—North British,
Sheffield, Rotherham, sad Goole,
base), 41. Is. au.
—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purc
N. Div., guaranteed 5 per cen...t., 10%
GLASGOW, JuNE 14.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The business done in the Stock. Exchange
s
to-day has been as follows:—Glasgow
(No. I), 61. lies.—North British. Prefe; v
ence,
Kilmarnock. and Ayr. Halves
41. Edinburgh and Bath-
-sW.—York, Newcastle,
andllerwick (G. N. E. Purchase),
gate, 7% •

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.--LaSt night her Majesty
and Prince Albert honoured the German Opera at this
theatre with their presence. The opera selected was
Flotow's Martha; or, the Market of Richmond, which
from the light and pleasing character of its music, has
become as great a favourite with the frequenters of the
London German Opera as it is generally throughout
Germany. Her Majesty and suite arrived at the com-
mencement of the opera, and stayed newly to its close.
The house was well attended by a fashionable audience,
and the opera went off with great éclat.

ROYAL ACADEMY BALL—The annual fancy dress
ball of the Royal Academy of Music, iu aid of the fund
for the relief of aged and destitute musicians, took place
last night, under distinguished patronage, at the
Hanover-square Rooms, which were well filled, but not
crowded on the occ.►sion. The Ambassadors of Russia
and Belgium, accompanied by their ladies, honoured the
ball with their presence. The number of fancy dresses
worn was not very great, nor were any of them striking
for their novelty, but the great purpose of the evening,
that of dancing, was well carried out notwithstanding.
The company had the satisfaction of enjoying this
amusement freed from the inconvenience of an over-
crowded ball-room.

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FROM THE LONDON GAZE-T,l;-2, 4-4.::::-=. ;-
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OF FRIDAY. / 4 VA.:::`:!,' :.-e-.. 1
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NOTIFICATION.
It is hereby notified, that Viscount Palmert.ot!,/,::Z' -
Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for )Forew,D. ....-
Affairs, has received a dispatch, dated the Bth of ' tlA3' I ''.81..i.;%1
month of June instant, including a communication from
the Austrian Goverumeat notifying the blockade of the -
Port of Ancona by the Naval Forces of the Emperor of
Austria.

The following is a translation of the notification re-
ceived from the Austrian Government:—
(TRANSLATION.)
Vienna, June 7, 1849.
The undersigned, President of the Council, &c., has
the honour to inform Mr. Magenis, &c., that the Port
of Ancona has been placed under effective blockade by
the vessels of war of his Imperial and Royal Apostolic
Majesty, and that, considering the hostile openitions
directed against that town from the land, this blockade
must be looked upon as a regular siege.
As this blockade has only for its object to contribute
toa ards the re•estsblishment of the legitimate authority
within the territories of the Church, it follows, that it
will he raised as soon as that object :hall have been
attained.

In requ, sting Mr. Magenis to have the goodness to
bring this measure to the knowledge of his Government,
the undersigned avails himself of the opportunity of
renewing to him the assurance of his distinguished
consideration. (Signed)

F. -SCHWARZENBERG.
FOREIGN. OFFICE, JUNE 11.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint
John Patrick Carruthers, Esq., now British Vice-Consul,
to be her Majesty's Consul at Taganrog.
The Queen has also been graciously pleased to ap-
point John Robert Curtis, Esq., to be her Majesty's
Consul at Cologne.
WAR OFFICE, JUNE 15.
6th Dragoon Guards—Lieutenant Bernard Brocas,
from the 71st Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Neville, who
exchanges, June 15.
11th Regiment of Foot—Lieutenant John Walpole
D'Oyly to be Captain, by purchase, vice Kenny, who
retires; Ensign Henry John Maclean to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice D'Oyly; John Finch, Gent., to be En-
sign, by purchase, vice Maclean, June 15.
50th Foot—Lieutenant William Percival Elgce to be
Adjutant, vice Lister, who resigns the Adjutantcy only,
June 15.
56th Foot—Ensign John Keys Humfrey to be Lieu-
tenant, by purchase, vice Fellows, appointed to the 96th
Foot; Ensign Hugh Eccles to be Lieutenant, by pur-
chase, vice Thorne, appointed to the 80th Foot; Wil-

Liam Charles Coglalan, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase,
vice Humfrey, June 15; Walter Bourke, Gent., to be
Ensign, by purcase, vice Eccles, June 16.
59th Foot—Lieutenant William Fetherstonhaugh,
from the 48th Foot, to be Paymaster, vice Anthony
Walshe, who retires upon half-pay; Assistant-Surgeon
to the Forces George William Powell, M.D., to be Sur-
geon, vice Williams, promoted on the Staff, June 15.
62d Foot—Ensign John O'Callaghan to be Lieu-
tenant, by purchase, vice Seale, who retires; Joseph
Smith, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice O'Calla-
ghan, June 15.
71st Foot—Lieutenant Brent Neville, from the 16th
Dragoon Guards, to be Lieutenant, vice Brocas, who
exchanges, June 15.
80th Foot—Lieutenant George Thorne, from the 56th
Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Hardinge, promoted in the
16th Foot, June 15.
96th Foot—Major Thomas Maitland Wilson to be
Lieutenant-Colonel, by purchase, vice Hulme, who re-
tires; Brevet-Major Robert Bush to be Major, by pur-
chase, vice Cheape, who retires; Captain John Snod-
grass to be Major, by purchase, vice Wilson;
Lieutenant Robert Mounsey Lambert to be
Captain, by purchase, vice Bush ; Lieutenant
John Vize O'Donnell to be Captain, by pur-
chase, vice Snodgrass ; Lieutenant Francis William
Fellows, from the 56th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice
Lambert; Ensign George Bentinck Cumberland to be
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice O'Donnell ; Patrick
Hunter, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Cumber-
land, June 15.
3d West India Regiment—Ensign William John
Russwurm to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Dud-
geon, deceased, April 28; H. J. Rainsford, Gent., to be
Ensign, vice Russwurm, June 15.
HOSPITAL STAFF.—Surgeon Thomas Williams, M.D.,
from the 59th Foot, to be Staff-Surgeon of the First
Class, vice Thomas Forrest Cotton, who retires upon
half-pay; Acting Assistant-Surgeon Edward Burrowes
Sinclair to be Assistant-Surgeon to the Forces, vice
Powell, promoted in the 59th Foot, June 15.
UNATTACHED.—Lieutenant Walter Brisbane Park,
from the 26th Foot, to be Captain, without purchase
June 15.

DECLARATION OF INSOLVENCY.
William Richards, butcher, Breeon.
BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED.
George Henry Lovegrove, auctioneer, West Ham
Churchyard, Essex.
BANKRUPTS.
Charles Lamdin, upholsterer, Newbury, Berkshire, to
surrender June 26, at one, and July 26, at twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee; Newbon
and Evans, Wardrobe-place, Doctors'-commons.
Charles Carter, ironmonger, Rochford, Essex, June 27,
and July 25, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stens-
feld, official assignee ; Digby, Circus-place, Finsbury-
Circus.

Mark Leppingwell Munson, victualler, liadleigh,
Suffolk, June 25, at two, and July 30, at half-past
eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official
assignee, C.,l2man-street; Bull, Ely-place.
Thomas Binning, victualler,itord-street, Pimlico.
victualler, June 25, at half-past one, and July 30, at
eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official
assignee, Guildhall-chambers; Melton. Bedford-row.
Tnomas Barrett, timber merchant, Oxford, June 26,
at half-past eleven, and July 30, at twelve, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee, Guildhall-
chambers; Me)mo:ts, Blackfriars road.

. .
Joseph Gadd, coal merchant, Harefield, Middlesex,
June 22, at half-past twelve, and July 28, at eleven, at
the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee,
Guildhall-chambers; Messrs. Abbott and Cu., New-inn;
Howell, Richmansworth.
William Watson, wine merchant, Craven-street, Strand,
June 23, at one, and July 6, at eleven, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee, Guildhall-
chambers; Bolden, Craven-street, Strand.
Charles Brocklesby, tailor, Charlotte-street, Fitzroy.
square, June 28, at half-past twelve, and July 26, at
eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson, official
assignee, Basinghall-street; Hopwood, Chancery -lase.
Edward Munn, farmer, Stone Farm, Beckenham, Kent ,
June 26, at three, and July 26, at twelve, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-
lane; Smith, Barnard's Inn, Holborn.
John Underwood, mealman, Bury St. Edmunds, Juno
26, at two, and July 26, at eleven, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane;
Wilde and Co., College-hill, Queen-street.
Anthony Knight,. miller, Westmeon, Southampton,
June 26, at halt-past two, and July 26, at eleven, at
the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee,
Frederick's-place, Old Jewry; Husey and Co., New Inn,
Strand; Dunn and Co., Alresford, Hampshire.

John Robert Wright, currier, Leeds (-and not carrier,
as before advertised), June 21 and July 12, at eleven, at
the Leeds District Court. Young, official assignee,
Leeds; Hartley, Southampton-street; Caries and Cud-
worth, Leeds.
Francis Halley, builder, Shiffnal, Shropshire, June 26
and July 31, at ten, at the Birmingham District Court.
Whitmore, official assignee, Birmingham; Glover, Shitr-
nal ; Motteram and Co., Birmingham.
John Harrison, clothier, Loughborough, Leicestershire,
June 29 and July 27, at ten, at the Nottingham District
Court. Bittleson, official assignee, Nottingham; Crow-
ley, Nottingham.
Peter Chaloner, innkeeper, Clirow, Radnorshire, June
28 and July 26, at twelve, at the Bristol District Court.
Miller, official assignee, Bristol ; Pugh, Hay, Brecon-
shire; Brittan and Sons, Bristol.
Thomas Bamford, woollen manufacturer, Little Town,
Lancashire, June 26 and July 17, at twelve, at the
Manchester District Court. Pott, official assignee, Man-
chester ; Norris and Co., Bedford-row ; Norris, Man-
chester; Heaton, Rochdale.
Joseph Nicholson, drover, Jenkin Cragg, Westmore-
land, June 21 and July 19, at one, at the Newcastle-
upon-Tyne District Court. Wakley, official assignee,
Newcastle- upon-Tyne ; Bleaymire, Penrith ; Preston and
Brown, Newcastle upon-Tyne ; Bell and Co., Bow
Church-3 ard.

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