The Sun.
London, England, 1841-11-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY, NOVENBER 29, 1841.

tempt of the sort had been made within the city of Lon-
don. There were three charges of manslaughter—one
against the driver of an omnibus, in which much con-
flicting evidence would be laid before them. If in that
case they were of opinion that the loss of life resulted from
any carelessness on the part of the prisoner, it would be
their duty to put the matter in the course of further inves-
tigation. Another charge of manslaughterwas against a
man for occasioning the death of a woman with whom he
cohabited through ill-usage, and there was a third case
of manslaughter, of a very peculiar character. Two
persons, one of whom was a surgeon, were charged with
having occasioned the death of a Sheriff's officer who
was in possession of the house of one of the defendants,
by inducing him to drink immense quantities of spiritous
liquors, and when he was intoxicated to an extent bor-
dering on apoplexy, sending him out in a cab, and
driving him about the town. The man was subsequently
found dead in the bottom of the cab. If they should
be of opinion that this was merely an attempt
to make a man drunk for the purpose of,
getting; out of possession, then di:, case would assume •
a different character; but if they were of opinion that
the prisoners, one of whom, it was to be recollected, was
a medical man, were aware that the immense quantities
of liquor they were administering must necessarily en-
danger the man's health, then it would be their duty to
send the case before a Petty Jury. There was one
person charged with the atrocious crime of murder,
alleged to have been committed by the prisoner
on the child of a woman with whom ho

cohabited. The child bad been found with its features
crushed, the accused stated that it was the result of ac-
cident—on the other side there was evidence that the
party in question had used violence towards the child,
and the instrument supposed to have been employed was
stated to have been a hammer. If they had reason to
suppose that any such instrument had been used, it
would be their duty to put the case in the course of
further inquiry. There were three cases of forgery,
one of them, an ordinary case, of the forgery of a bill of
exchange. The other two cases were those of persons
charged with forging and uttering Exchequer bills. The
Act of Parliament under which Exchequer bills were is-
sued was the 4th and sth, William IV., cap. 15. By the
26th section of that Act it was enacted that all Exche-
quer bills should be made, prepared, and issued, by the
Comptroller-General of the Exchequer acting under the
direction of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and that
such bills should be made out and prepared in the office
of the said Comptroller, in such manner as the Com-
missioners of the Treasury may from time to time di-
rect. The Act then went to confirm the regulations
relating to the issue of Exchequer bills, enacted by
the 48th of George the Third, cap. 1, except so
far as the same should be altered by that Act. It was
enacted that all such bills should be signed by the
Comptroller-General, or by his assistant in his name.
The 28th section provided for the punishment of per-
sons convicted of perjury, or uttering any warrant or
document for the payment of money on any Exchequer
bills. It would be necessary to go at some length into
the provisions of the 48th George 111. By the 2d section
the bills were directed to be made out and signed by the
auditor. The 3d section directed that they should be
numbered arithmetically : the 4th section directed the
course to be pursued in the payment of the bills, and
that the party paying them in should write his name
on the back of them. By the 7th section the bills
were to be prepared with checks, indents, and coun-
terfoils, under the direction of the Commissioners
of the Treasury. Such books of checks, indents, and
counterfoils to be in the custody of the auditor for the
convenience of reference, and for the purpose of check-
ing such bills when they should be presented for pay-
ment. By the 9th section the forgery of Exchequer bills
was declared to be felony without benefit of clergy. The
capital punishment had, by a subsequent statute, been
removed, and that of transportation for life, or for a
shorter period of imprisonment for a term not exceed-
ing a time specified in the Act, substituted in its
place. So that the forging Exchequer bills, or uttering
them knowing them to be forged, was now a felony
punishable with transportation. The Act had provided
certain checks to prevent an improper issue of Exchequer
bills. In the present instance, one of the parties charged
was represented as being a clerk actually employed in
part of the process of making Exchequer bills previous
to their issue, and the other party was represented
cognisant of the character filled by him, and yet
receiving the bills from his hand, so that the alleged
forgeries were represented as
inpassing directly
from the hands of a person employed the Exchequer-
office into the hands of the other party, who, it appeared
was made out as admitting that he had received these
Exchequer bills from an officer of the Exchequer, with-
out any consideration. That the one had issued them
was not denied, and with regard to the other party, they
would have to consider what were the circumstances
which could induce a stranger, without the pay-
ment of any consideration, to receive from a clerk
in the Exchequer Bill-office a large amount of Ex-
chequer bills ; whether it was possible he could
consider such bills had been issued in due course,
when he found himself receiving from a clerk in
the Exchequer, of limited salary, Exchequer bills
amounting to several thousand pounds. He perhaps had
entered too fully into the circumstances of the case, but
he had done so because the case was altogether one of
an extraordinary character, and the fact of being
found in possession of the forged instruments, which,
under ordinary circumstances would not, perhaps, be of
much weight, might, when it was known that these bills
had been issued by a clerk in the Exchequer Bill-office,
had been received from him without the payment of any
consideration by the person in whose possession they
were found, lead to a strong inference that such person
must, when uttering them, have been aware that such
bills could not have been fairly come by. If such should
be their opinion, it would be:their duty to send the case
before the Petty. Jury,- in order that it might have the
fullest investigation.
The Learned RECORDER having finished his charge,
the Grand Jury retired to their room.
(Before the RECORDER.)
Ann Parsley was indicted for stealing twelve yards of
mouseline de laine, and a quantity of lace, amounting
in value to 4/. 3s. 2d., the property of John Redburn,
under false pretences.
The prisoner went into the shop of the prosecutor and
represented herself as the servant of one of his customers,
and obtained the articles named in the indictment. It
appeared that the prisoner had formerly been in the
service of the person she represented, but had left that
service some time ago.

The prisoner, wlio was a good-looking young woman,
apparently about twenty-two years of age, and who held
an infant in her arms, said in her defence that she was
driven to the commission of the offence by distress.
The Jury at once found the prisoner Guilty, and she
was sentenced to one month's imprisonment and hard
labour.

The prisoner had been indicted and found guilty for
a similar offence at the last Session, but owing to the
circumstance of her being at that time near her confine-
ment the judgment of the Court was respited. The
Learned Recorder then sentenced her upon the former
indictment, and said that taking into consideration the
fact of the prisoner having been confined only a fortnight,
and the further circumstance of her already having been
in prison for three months, that sentence would be a
light one. The sentence of the COurt was that for that
offence she be further imprisoned for the term of fourteen
days, to commence at the expiration of the former sentence.
The Learned RECORDER then gave directions that the
surgeon's report should be made to the Court, in order to
ascertain if the prisoner was in a fit state for the addition
to the sentence of hard labour.

THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.)
CORN EXCHANGE.
The arrivals last week were good of Irish Oats, and
small of English grain. The fresh supply was again
moderate. Wheat came mostly tender ; fine parcels
maintained their value, other surts were rather lower.
Barley also came coarse, and was ls. per quarter cheaper.
Beans and Peas unvaried. Oats met a slack demand, at
former prices. The Flour trade remained very heavy.
4.ItRIVALS OF GRAIN IN LONDON DURING LAST WEEK
Wheat. Barley. Oats. 1 Flour
English 2,990 qrs. 3,593 qrs. I ~2•27 qrs. 7,0;9 saw
Irish - - 17,9.'7 ---
Foreign 10,654 380 590 59 brls
PRICES Oit BOARD OF SVIP,
Wheat' Red (old) - s -s. Beans, Small (new) 38s. 40s.
.....-..... White (01d).,...,-.I. -8. ----..- (old)
----.-.• Red(1841) s2s. 55s -- Tick (new) 3l. 325.
Fine 565. 635.
Superfine 665. 67e. - Harrow (new) 34%.355,
.---- White (1841) ....Ms. 58s.
-.-.-- Fine 60s. 62s Brank s. /1.
--- Superfine......:... 725. Oats, Feed a s
----Foreign free 561 76s --....-- New 188.245.
Rye 38s 40s. --Poland -s s.
Barley 265. 325 ----New 22s 26a
--- Grinding 98s. 325. -- Potatoe -e. -s.
••••••••• Malting ...... .......335. 365. ----- *Jew 26s 295.
Malt Ms. 60s. - Scotch 26s 30s.
Fine New... 645. 665. - Irish 168. ... 195.235.
Pease, Grey, New ..... ....358. 375. Flour Town (per sack).... Ms. 625.
----- Maple New .......365. 40s. ---- Seconds 325. 545.
.---- White 345. 365. --.- Ninth C0untry...508.54i.
---. Rollers 375. 42a. Bran 7s. Ss.
SMITHFIELD.
The supply of cattle was good. Trade not very brisk,
but last Monday's prices fully maintained. Of Sheep
the supply middling, the demand good. Of Calves the
supply was short. Of Pigs the supply was a fair one
and the trade brisk. Beasts, 3,417 ; Sheep, 22,280 ;
Pigs, 670 ; Calves, 84. Beef, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 6d. ; Mutton,
4s. to ss. ; Veal, 4s. to ss. 4d. ; Pork, 4s. Bd. to ss. 6d.
' COLONIAL MARKET.
There was not much life in the market but holders
were firm, and refrained from pressing sales. Raw
Sugar was wanted, and stiffer rates paid. Refined
goods in request, standard lumps, 81s. per cwt.
PROVISION MARKET.
Butter in fair request at full rates, 1063. paid for the
best Dutch ; Bacon difficult of sale, and 60s. the price
for the best meat. Prime bladdered Lard 755. to 795.
per cwt.

TEA MARKET,
Some large parcels of Tea being declared for public
sale, caused the trade to operate with caution, but
holders would not sell Company's Congou under Is 9id
cash. The deliveries keep large. The lowest price of
common Congou, cash, was Is. 9d. per lb.
FRUIT MARKET.
There was a brisk demand for all sorts of new Fruit.
Valentia Raisins, 365., and Currants, 575. to 635. per
cwt. New Fine Elene Figs, 70s. to 755. per cwt.
TALLOW MARKET.
There was a fair demand for P. Y. Candle, and prices
were firm, at 465. 6d. to 465. 9d. for parcels on the spot
and for delivery up to the end of the year ; 48s. 6d.
asked for spring months.

HOP MARKET.
The Market was in a dull state, and rather lower rates
were taken, excepting for fine, which was held firmly.
The duty was declared at 146,0001.

BRUSSELS, Nov. 24.—0 n Sunday the police
made another search in the 4th section, when they seized
four barrels of gunpowder.

—the Lord Chamberlain has granted an extension
of license for two months to the Haymarket Theatre.

THE LATE FIRE IN THE TOWER

The Committee of Inquiry, appointed by the Master-
General of the Ordnance, have made the following Re-
port. The fire broke out in the Bowyer Tower, but it
is impossible to say whether it originated in the Round
Table-room, the View-room, or the staircase leading
from the View-room to the back stair.
The Ccmmittee are also of opinion that the system of
watching is very defective, and that the workshops
ought not to have been connected with the armoury.
The next paragraphs confirm all that has been published
respecting the gross negligence of the guardians of this
venerable citadel.
The Committee having concluded their evidence, pro-
ceeded on the 12th inst. to draw up their Report for pre-
sentation to the Master-General and the Board of
Ordnance, which was presented by Colonel Peel, .the
Chairman, as under :
" Board-room, Tower, Nov. 12, 1841.
" The Committee having examined many witnesses,
the evidence of 44 of whom, with reference to the First

Head of Inquiry, is herewith transmitted, together with
explanatory plans and sections of the places referred to
by them : it appears to the Committee, that the fire broke
out in the Bowyer Tower, and that it was first confined
,to it, as its communication from that tower to the other
buildings consumed has been most clearly traced in
the evidence. It is, therefore, necessary to describe
very minutely this tower, which is built against the wall
of the great staircase of the Grand Storehouse or arm-
oury ; the basement of which is called the Clarence-
vault, over which are two rooms used as workshops—the
View-room and the Round Table or upper room, which
had a double floor, with an interval of about 18 inches.
Each had an outer door opening into the line wall marked
E on plan, and an inner door communicating with the
back staircase which leads to the three several floors of
the Grand Storehouse—namely, the train of artillery,
the small arms armoury, and the tent-room, which latter
is in the roof.

" The Round Table-room and the View-room were
provided with stoves on Arnott's principle ; the pipe of
that in the Round Tablb room went into the flue of a
chimney on the east side of the Tower ; the pipe of that
in the View room went directly through on the west side;
and there is no reason to believe that these stoves were
improperly placed, unless it be considered that they
should have been placed upon a plate of metal, which
was not the case.

The entrance from the back staircase into the View-
room was by a flight of about a dozen steps partitioned
off, on the left of which was a wood-cellar running un-
der the floor of the View-room, and on the right of the
steps a window looking upon the roof of the Survey-
room adjoining the Bowyer Tower. The V4ew-room
was divided by a wooden partition.
" The Round Table-room extended over the passage
leading from the back staircase into the View-room, and
had no partition in it. The stove stood nearly in
the centre.

" The fire was lighted in the stove in the View-room
on Saturday morning, the 30th of October, which
went out early in the day. The fire in the Round
Table-room was also lighted in the morning, and
went out in the afternoon. The stoves and pipes were
thoroughly cleansed, to prevent smoking, and after-
wards some wood and chips were lighted in the stove
to see how it would draw ; these chips were allowed to
burn out, and when the men left the room there was no
appearance of fire. The doors were locked, as usual, at
four o'clock, and the keys delivered to Bell, the foreman.
With regard to the exact spot in the Bowyer Tower
where the fire broke out, the evidence is so various that
it is impossible to say whether it originated in the Round
Table-room, the View-room, or the staircase leading
from the View-room to the back staircase.

" Some witnesses describe the fire as haying broken
out before any light was perceptible either in the Round
Table or the View-room. Mr. and Mrs. Gollings de-
scribe the smoke as first proceeding from the upper or
Round Table-room, while Morris and Sergeants Ed-
wards, Knott, and Nash state that although the upper
room was full of smoke, there was no fire there when
the lower or View•room was in flames.

"The only way of reconciling these various state-
ments, and to account for the fire having occurred acci-
dentally, is to suppose that some ignited substance had
fallen from the stove in the Round Table or upper room
between the double floor, there producing a smouldering
fire, which broke out very partially at nine o'clock, oc-
casioning the light described by the witnesses, Lock and
his wife, and afterwards the smoke seen in the upper room
by Gollings and his wife at a quarter before ten o'clock;
that it continued to burn gradually till it arrived over
the staircase leading from the View-room to the back
staircase, where it burst into flames, and from the Bow-
yer Tower it was distinctly seen to communicate with
the roof of the Armoury, extending east and west, and
gaining ground so rapidly as to account for the impres-
sion on the minds of some that the buildings were on
fire at distant parts at the same moment.
" Various reports have reached the Committee, which,
if true, would prove that it was the act of an incendiary ;
but upon the most diligent inquiry, and strictest exami-
nation of the persons giving information, it has been
impossible to trace the slightest foundation for them. It
is clear, however, from the situations of the workshops,
and the easy access to them from the line wall, such an
act might have been easily accomplished.
"From the evidence of the witnesses examined with
regard to the sdcond head, of inquiry, it appears that the
foremen of the several store-rooms and workshops are
considered responsible for their fires being extinguished
before they leave off work, and that the rooms are safe
previous to being locked up.
"There are four night watchmen, two of whom are
stationed on the wharf, and their duties confined to it ;
one at the gate until closed, and the fourth at the north-
east angle of the White Tower, whose orders are to exa-
mine all the doors and windows of the several buildings
to which he has access.

" The sentries have orders to give the alarm in case
of fire, but it does not appear that the buildings imme-
diately in rear of the Grand Armoury are in view of their
posts, nor are they visited by the watchmen.
" t further appears to the Committee, from the evi-
dence now transmitted, 65 well as from the evidence
under the first head of inciffry, that all these precautions
were taken, and that no blame attaches to the persons
whose duty it was to carry them into effect ; but it is the
opinion of the Committee that it would have been far
better if some one responsible person had been appointed
to visit the several storehouses and workshops, after the
workmen had quitted them, reporting to the proper au-
thority that all was safe and secure.
" It also appears that the system of watch-
ing is very deficient, the watchmen being few
in number, and previously exhausted by daily la-
bour. Had the buildings in rear of the Grand
Armoury beers watched and guarded, which was the
more necessary from the circumstance of their being very
easy of access from the roofs of the adjoining buildings,
the late fire must have been early discovered and easily
extinguished ; this would also have been the case had
John Lock, the first witness examined, given the alarm
when he first saw the light in the Bower Tower, which
he undoubtedly ought to have done.

"As relate; to-the fifth head of inquiry—namely,
Whether there appears to have been any want of
due consideration with regard to the position of the
workshops in the vicinity of the building containing the
small arms, or the position of the fire-places or the
flues put up for warming those shops.
" The Committee are of opinion that the workshops
(which have been used as such from a very remote
period) ought not to have been connected with the
Grand Armoury, more particularly as the use of stoves
cannot but be attended with some degree of danger. In
the present instance attention appears to have been paid
to the position of the stoves, with the exception of their
not having been placed on a sheet of metal.

" As relates to the sixth head of inquiry—namely,
To ascertain to what extent the want of water, which is
said to have existed, is attributable to any imperfection
in the arrangement for furnishing a supply, or to any
negligence of those under whose superintendence those
arrangement are.'
" It appears that the charge of the waterworks, tanks,
mains, stop-cocks, &c., for the supply of water to the
Tower, are under the superintendence of the engine-
keeper, Mr. Smart, who has also the care of the fire-en-
gines and all appertaining thereto.
" There are five underground tanks capable of con-
taining 36,662 gallons. These tanks ought to be kept
constantly full, for when circumstances occur to prevent
the working of the steam-engine or the water-wheel
(which is the case at low water, or when undergoing
repair), they are the only means of supply to the garri-
son, and although ample for ordinary purposes, are in-
sufficient in case of fire, as their contents may be pumped
out by one fire-engine throwing off 80 gallons per minute
in eight hours, or by eight engines in one hour (as stated
in evidence).

" On the night of the fire there were eighteen engines
in operation, and if these had been dependent on the
tanks alone for water, supposing they had been full (of
which there is no evidence to the contrary) every build-
ing within the Tower defences would in all probability
have been destroyed.
" The main pipes which supply the barracks and
houses are of lead, only three inches in diameter, having
at intervals of about forty yards stop-cocks and delivery
pipes, to which the fire engine hose may be attached ;
but before any water can be thrown into these mains,
the steam engine at the water-works, or the water-tank,
must be put in motion ; this would occasion considerable
delay, and if the tide should be out, and the moat dry
from having the water let off to cleanse it, there could be
no supply of water.
The Committee are therefore of opinion that the ar-
rangements in case of fire are imperfect, and that the
practice hitherto adopted of only inspecting the tanks
once in three months is not sufficient, and accounts for
their not having been full stated in evidence) (46 the
-night of the fire.
" The erroneous impression, however, in the minds of
some of the witnesses that there was no water in the
tanks, arose from ignorance of their construction, and
depth to the surface of the water in the eastern one
(which is upon a higher level than the others) to be
much less, as shown in the accompanying section of the
tanks.

" Mr. Smart being the only person responsible for the
supply of water, it was impossible for him to be at the
waterworks, at the tanks, and at the main pipes, at one
and the same time ; fortunately the foreman of the works
and one of the labourers in the engineer department,
who have a knowledge of the waterworks and pipe; were
on the spot to render assistance, but even this was very
far from sufficient for the emergency ; the Committee
therefore respectfully suggest, that the Ordnance fire-
engines be placed under the control of the officer com-
manding the detachment of Royal Artillery stationed in
the Tower, whose duty it should be to instruct his men
as to the means of obtaining a supply of water, and see
the engines practised at least once a month.
" The Committee are also of opinion that iron main-
pipes of six or eight inches in diameter should be laid
down in place of the present three-inch leaden ones, and
that water should be laid on when required, in case of
fire, by one of the London Waterworks Companies.

" For ordinary purposes, and for the sake of economy,
these iron pipes might be supplied with water by the
means now in use.
" J. PEEL, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Surveyor-
General of the Ordnance.
" L. A. HALL, Major Royal Engineers.
" A. MACBEAN, Captain Royal Artillery.
" A. PORRETT, Chief Clerk to the Principal
Storekeeper."

RAILWAYS.
(From the Railway Magazine.)
SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY.
We understand Sir F. Smith left town yesterday (Fri-
day), to re-inspect the Gosport branch for the second
time prior to its opening. To-day the Directors go down
the line to attend a public dinner in honour of the event.
MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.
This line will open to Crewe, that is the remaining
distance throughout, in March next.
SECOND SLIP ON THE CROYDON.
The first slip, which occurred about a fortnight since,
was completely cleared away by Saturday last, so that the
trains traversed the line on the following Sunday and
Monday ; but on Tuesday morning a mass of earth fell
down on the floor of the slip, covering the rail to the
extent of several feet. The passage of the trains thus
being impeded, the Brighton passengers were conveyed
by omnibuses to the Dartmouth station, and on Wed-
nesday afternoon a way was made for the waggons to
pass through, and the men have been employed in clear-
ing away the rubbish both by night and by day. The
road is expected to be made passable in a day or
two, when the trains will resume their running. Mean-
while passengers are passed over the slip, by means
of a raised platform on one side the cutting, sheltered
by an awning, which causes about a ten minutes' deten-
tion of the train. The passengers thus meet with no
inconvenience, and we understand that many of them
have personally expressed their thanks to Charles Hut-
ton Gregory, Esq., the Company's engineer, for the kind
precautions which he has taken to ensure their comfort.
HAMBURGH AND BERLIN RAILWAY.
The several Governments interested have, says the
Journal of Commerce, agreed to the construction of this
line, which is to join on to the Hamburgh and Bergedorf
Railway, already completed.

LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.
On Monday evening a stoppage of one of the trains
for a short time took place by the breaking of an axle,
near Harrow, but no other inconvenience than the delay
ensued.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
The whole of the locomotive department of the G rea
Western Railway has been removed from Wootton Basse
to Swindon, so as to be more central.

SWINDLING BY WHOLESALE.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES,.Nov. 27.-A gentleman, calling himself John
Adams, Esq., has been levying heavy contributions on
numerous tradesmen in London, and other parts ; he
addressed his letters from Oak Cottage, Cowes (where
he was not known), and stated that he was recommended
by members of the Royal Yacht Squadron to London
merchants for wine, but as the parties he applied to were
not in the habit of supplying the Royal Yacht Squadron,
they came to Cowes, and inquired for Mr. A., who not
being known at Oak Cottage or the Squadron-house,
decided the party on declining the intended honor.
Another gentlemen sent down his assistant with a valu-
able chronometer, but obtaining the same information,
and being also cautioned, he took the article back to
town. It was understood that Mr. A. had taken up his
abode at Southampton. The suspicion created at
Cowes having reached the former place the gentleman
was taken before the Magistrates, and by them remanded
till Monday. Several invoices were produced, by which
it appears he had gone by the name of Colonel Hill,
but he said his real name was Joseph Adams, and he
described himself as a London merchant, and it appeared
lie was desirous of doing a large business. On search-
ing him upwards of forty duplicates were found on him
for valuable articles he had pledged ; he had a small
bag, curiously concealed near his neck with seven so-
vereigns in it. Two splendid silk dresses were taken
from the coach-office by the prisoner, the boxes addressed
to Colonel Hill ; he had a gold watch by Webster, a
valuable mourning-ring and a diamond-ring, inclosed in
a casket ; he, of course, wore spectacles, and had a lady
with him, whom he called his wife. Great praise is due
to the Secretary of the Royal Yacht Squadron for his
exertions to detect and expose this gentleman's proceed-
ings. Independent of the number of articles arriving at
Southampton for Col. Hill, cases of wine, &c., have
been shipped in the Isle of Wight traders from Cotton.
Wharf, and have arrived at Cowes for the same gentle-
man, under another name (Mr. J. Adanis), which the
shippers should lose no time in claiming.

SPAIN.

Nov. 20.—The Stock Market has been remarkably
active this day. The Three per Cents. have been done
as high as 24, and the Fives, with all the overdue dividend
warrants attached to them, close at 331 at sixty days,
and 321 for cash, and the total amount of business done
is about 390,0001. sterling. The rate of continuation is,
as you willnbserve, 18 per cent. It is said that the Com-
pany of the Cinco Gremios, now winding :up its affairs,
has this day availed itself of the favourable opportunity,
and sold about 2,900,000 dollars of said stock which it
held, to be paid for this next week. It now remains to
be seen who will gain the day whether the supporters
of the market or those acting for the fall, the struggle
among whom is very great, and many failures must be the
inevitable consequence.
Such of your readers as are holders of Treasury bonds
will be glad to hear that M. Cantero, the Director of the
Sinking Fund, has sent in his report on Mr. Talker's
petition, which is favourable to the interests of the parties
concerned. It could hardly well be otherwise.
Orders have been issued to all Generals and other mili-
tary men absent from Spain, whether on leaving or other-
wise, to return hither forthwith—such as do, if not guilty,
will continue to receive their half-pay, but such as do not
within the given short time will be cashiered.
The Cortes are to meet on the 26th of December, and
most factious ones will they prove to the present Minis-
ters, who will be compelled to dissolve them if they
mean to do any good for the country. If they wish to
carry out their measures of wholesome reform and ame-
lioration in every branch, the present Ministers, with all
' their faults, should be supported, because they form the
best Cabinet that has ruled the country during the last
eight years—we might well say many more—an if they
have not all the
.power, we cannot but give them credit
for an honest intention of contributing with all their
might to the happiness and prosperity of the country.
The Regent is expected on the 23d. He cannot come
before, because he waits for the final construction of 'the
triumphal arch. Pity that those about him do not re-
mind him that the very same arch, erected on the very
same spot, has served for the reception of former tyrants
and absolute Sovereigns ! Pity that he cannot feel that
these things, instead of enhancing, only lower him in
public estimation !
The finding of the Court-martial held this day on
twelve officers of the Royal Guard is not known, but
there is good reason for hoping, although the Fiscal de-
mands the last penalty of the law for most of them, that
none of the five in custody will be doomed to it, but that
their lives will be spared. How could it well be other-
wise, in the face of the culpable leniency with which the
Barcelona and Valencia ruffians have been dealt with, by
being suffered to escape ?
M. Garcia Hidalgo, whose arrest I mentioned the
other day, has been allowed to
_go at large on parole ;
and M. Durana, a most respectable, wealthy gentleman,
who had been kept "ausecret," is now allowed to see his
friends—thanks to a declaration in his favour given by M.
Isturiz, with great personal danger, being himself con-
cealed beyond the reach of the authorities.
Such is the system of regularity that begins to be ob-
servable in the finance departments, that remittances, in
money or bills, are every now and then received from the
provinces, as surplus of the monthly revenues over the
amount of drafts drawn by the Minister ; thirty-six cart
loads of silver and copper coin arrived from Toledo yes-
terday at the public Treasury.
The navy of Spain will be composed of one seventy-four,
five frigates, five brigs, three schooners, and as many
steamers by the Ist of March, besides those on the Cuba
station, and they are all to be at sea, and upon the war
establishment, it being further intended to build another
line of battle ship, two frigates, and two corvettes against
December, 1842.
CONVOCATION OF THE CORTES.
(From the Madrid Gazette of November 3.)

EXPOSE OF MOTIVES OF THE MINISTER OF THE INTE-

RIOR TO THE REGENT.

Your Excellency—The laws decreed last Session by
the Cortes with so much zeal and wisdom are of the
highest importance and have had immense results. It
would have been desirable that they could have continued
their duties until they had satisfied the wants of the peo-
ple and consolidated the principles of the Constitution ;
but the Legislature had prolonged its sittings consider-
ably beyond the period convenient to the private affairs
and to the situation of the Senators and the Deputies,
and which could no longer be neglected. For this rea-
son your Highness deigned to grant them a short re-
spite, and to defer the completion of your vast desires for
the welfare of the magnanimous nation which has con-
fided to your Highness the direction of its affairs during
the minority of her Majesty Isabella 11.
•The revolt of October having been crushed in the bud
the country having re-assumed its normal state, the re-
presentatives of the nations have taken the repose ne-
cessary, and regulated their private affairs ; the time is
come for them again to take charge of the public inte-
rest, in order to realise the Constitution and open to the
nation the high road to grandeur and prosperity. Up to
this moment the budget has not been discussed, or so
tardily that it can suffice only for a short period. The
Government has promised to present this year the bud-
get of the next, and would have done so before, but for
the late events, and for the exclusive measure resulting
therefrom. The organical laws, with others of which
the Government will perceive the importance, necessi-
tate the co-operation of the Cortes and their speedy con-
vocation. For this reason the undersigned, convinced of
the importance of the said debates, has the honour of re-
questing your Highness's approval of the decree for the
convocation of the Cortes in ordinary.
Saragossa, Nov. 16, 1841. FACUNDO INFANTE.
DECREE.

" Isabella 11., by the grace of God, &c. Ardently de-
siring the consolidation of the liberal institutions which
the nation has given to itself, by means of wise and op-
portune laws, and the proposal, discussion, and approba-
tion of all other laws tending to the prosperity of the
country, and to surround the country with the splendour
and grandeur of which it is so worthy ; in virtue of the
power given to us by the Constitution promulgated on
the 18th June, 1839, and after having heard the Council
of Ministers, we have resolved to convoke, and do, by
the present, convoke, the Extraordinary Cortes, con-
formably to the said Constitution, for the 26th December
next. We desire and ordain that, on the said 26th De-
cember, the Senators and Deputies shall meet in the
capital of Spain, to hold their usual Session.
" Duca de la VITORIA."

The following is the decree of the Regent, dated, Sa-
ragossa, the 10th, relieving from blockade the coast of
Cantabria
" The total extinction of the rebellion having taken
place, which, amongst other measures, rendered neces-
sary the blockade of the coast of Cantabria, from Castro
Urdiales to Fuentarabia, with the exception of those two
ports, and those of Guetaria, San Sebastian, and Pas-
sages, as has been stated in the decree dated the 17th of
October last, desirous that the interests of commerce
may be no further injured, and by the advice of the Mi-
nisters with whose consent I act, I, as Regent of the
Kingdom, in the name, and during the minority of her
Majesty the Queen Donna Isabella, decree as follows :
" The blockade of the coast of Cantabria, established
by the aforementioned decree of, the 17th of October,
is removed ; consequently all the ports of the _said coast
will be open to the vessels frequenting them, and in
conformity with the laws.'
" Saragossa, Nov. 10.

" The Duke of VICTORY."

PORTUGAL.

The Braganza steamer, Captain Lewis, arrived on Sa-
turday at Falmouth, furnishing our usual continental
files of papers and correspondence. She left Gibraltar
on the 18th, Cadiz 19th, Lisbon 22d, could not commu-
nicate with Oporto, and from Vigo 24th. Passengers—
Capt. Bagot and servant, Capt. Wharton, 46th Regiment;
Lieut. Wombwell, Mr. Samuda, and Mr. G. P. Rickards.
The principal matters of interest by this arrival are the
prorogation of the Legislative Chambers by Queen Donna
Maria, the disturbed state of the y.olitical relations be-
tween Portugal and Spain, and the method proposed by
the Government to meet the demands of the next di-
vidends.

LISBON, Nov. 22.—The Queen, in person, closed the
Cortes on the 18th inst., on which occasion her Majesty
pronounced a speech, of which the following is a trans-
lation:—

" Gentlemen—After the constant and assiduous atten-
tion you have bestowed upon the varied business of the
present session, your minds require to recruit their
strength by the enjoyment of some period of repose be-
fore resuming their important labours.
"I congratulate myself with the members of the legis-
lative body on the zeal and diligence which they have
shown for the public service during this prolonged ses-
sion, and the particular care with which they have
attended to the subjects recommended by me on opening
the Chambers.

" The most important and urgent of those subjects was
doubtless the attention claimed by the finances, and
without which it would be impossible to meet the nu-
merous and long-standing engagements of the country, or
to set in due order the other branches of the Adminis-
tration.

" I cannot but lament that the public exigencies and
the sacred obligations incumbent upon the nation should
have rendered necessary the imposition of some new
taxes. I am, however, convinced that my subjects will
readily make any sacrifice required for the support of the
national honour and credit.
" You have seen that public security has increased in
the interior of the kingdom. The banditti who infested
Algarve and part of Alemtejo have diminished conside-
rably in number, owing to the effectual measures adopted
against them, to the zeal of the authorities, and to the
efficacious co-operation of the military force. This sub-
ject continuesite employ the attention of my Government.
" I thank the Chambers for the supplies they have
voted, as well to defray the charges of the public eervice
as to meet those engagements to which the national cre-
dit stands pledged.
" Sirs—The confidence I have in your enlightened
patriotism makes me feel assured that after retiring to
your respective provinces, and there collecting from per-
sonal observation further stores of knowledge as to the
wants and resources of the people, and meditating at
leasure upon the means of promoting the public welfare,
you will retura to your Parliamentary duties animated
by the same noble sentiments which have hitherto di-
rected your conduct, and with the same attention to the
great end of consolidating the political institutes of the
prosperity of
monarchy, and concurring towards the the
nation.
" The session is closed."
The encomium upon the constant and assiduous atten•
tion of the Chambers to their duties, sounded much like
a joke, considering that the senators seldom met in suf.
ficient number for the transaction of business, and that
the closing of the session was actually put off from day
to day for more than a week owing to the same cause,
and to the consequent impossibility of concluding
bseofomree
matters which had necessarily to
the legislative bodies could be dismissed.
Two or three hundred Christino soldiers and officers
implicated in the late attempted insurrection, having re-
cently taken refuge in the Portuguese province of Tras

•"s `Montes, the Spanish Regent demanded that t.ne
' should be delivered over to him, grounding his demand
upon a Convention entered into by the two countries in
the year 1823, whereby it was stipulated that military
deserters should be mutually given up in all cases. The
Portuguese Government, fully aware that if the unfor-
tunate officers fell into the hands of their enemies, some
of them at, least would share the fate of Leon and Qui-
raga, have, without positively denying the obligation
imposed upon them by that Convention, been endeavour-
ing to evade it by delay, so as to give time for Espar-
tero's wrath to subside. I learn that this mameuvrehas
been so far effectual that he has reduced his demand to
the delivery of the two principal officers—namely, Briga-
dier Ruy and 'Colonel Pezuelo ; but upon this he posi-
tively insists. The two individuals in question are, how-
ever, said to be at present in concealment in this city,
and to be about to embark for England.
" Among the items of the Budget of the general in-
come of 10,332,626,618 reis (2,367,893/. 12s. sterling),
are set apart 1,074,755,090 reis (246,300/. sterling) for
the payment of the dividends of the foreign loan ; to
insure which the Lisbon Bank will co-operate with the
Board of Public Credit agreeably to a portaria from the
Minister of Finance, published in the Diario do Governo
this day; and under the head of ExtraordinaryExpenses,'
100,000,000 reis (22,920/. sterling) for the amount of the
claims of the officers who served in the liberating army,
which may be liquidated by the mixed commission in
London during the economic year ending the 30th of
June, 1842 ; 48,000,000 reis (11,000/. sterling) for the
four instalments so long due to the British Peninsular
war officers of the Portuguese army who have been many
years pensioned from that service ; and 402,370,293
reis (91,371/. I Is. 9d. sterling) for part payment of the
British Commissariat in 1827, and civil claims.

" The Opposition press, having commented upon the
speech from the throne in rather strong language, more
particularly in alluding to no mention having been made
to the existing constitution, or to the foreign policy of
the country, has fallen under the displeasure of the Go-
vernment, and several indictments for an abuse of the
liberty of the press have been issued. The accusations
now against the Nacional are 14 ; Revolucao de Se-
tembro, 10; Constitutional (a Chartist Opposition paper),
; and Portugal Velho (a Royalist paper), 4.
" The loan for 500 contos de reis (115,0001. sterling),
which, as mentioned in my last communication, Ministers
were authorised to effect by mixed operations to make
up the deficit of 650,375,923 reis (149,000/. sterling)
only if the Treasury statement can be relied upon, has
this day been advertised for tenders, which are to be
opened in the Minister's bureau fifteen days from the
20th instant.

" The capitalization of the active and inactive classes,
widows', and orphans' allowances, &c., is looked upon
generally as a coup de banque, it more or less being imly
available to certain individuals within the walls of the
Treasury, who are, lamentable to observe, said to be on
a perfectly good understanding with the agiotas, or usu-
rers, out of doors, to the prejudice of the numerous pen-
sioners whose miserable pittances, even if paid in full,
would scarcely amount to a cammon maintenance.
" The revenue of the Lisbon Custom-house and Ex-
cise-office, and the Custom-house of Oporto, for the
month of October last, paid in debentures, ex-paper
money, and coin, amounts conjointly to 425,965,639 reis,
equal to 97,6171 2s. 6d. sterling, showing an increase on
the preceding month of September of 27,9461. 2s. 2d.
sterling.
"As regards the guerillas in the southern provinces
little or nothing has transpired of late, which may in a
measure be accounted for by the heavy rains which have
in a degree rendered the roads impervious.
" Yesterday (Sunday) being so boisterous and rainy,
the Portuguese ships of war, French corvette, British
brig Espoir, and Braganza steam-packet, although in
the morning dressed in their variegated flags for the
express purpose of celebrating the birth of the Prince
Royal of Great Britain, did not salute, which demons-
tration was deferred until to-day. Her Britannic Ma-
jesty's Envoy at this Court, Lord Howard de Walden,
in honour of the gratifying occasion, will give, this
evening, a splendid dinner to all the Ministers of State,
corps diplomatique, &c.
" Exchange upon London at 30 days' sight 5314. per
milrei.