The Sun.
London, England, 1841-03-11 00:00:00

THE COBBETT DINNER.

The anniversary dinner to commemorate the birth of
Mr. Wm. Cobbett, took place on Tuesday evening, at
the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand. At six
o'clock a numerous party of gentlemen sat down to
dinner ; and in the absence of Mr. Fielden, the Mem-
ber for Oldham, Mr. George Rogers took the chair,
and in the course of the evening read the following let-
ter of apology from Mr. Fielden :
" Todmorden, March 5, 1841.
" Dear Sir,—l left London for here on Wednesday
morning, and I now find that I cannot be back in town
to take the chair at the dinner to commemorate the
birth of Mr. Cobbett, and I write to request you to get
some other gentleman to take the chair on that occa
sion. It will be an important one, and time will show
whether his predictions are not on the eve of fulfilment
with regard to the downfall of " rag-money," and the
consequences that must follow its extinction. The ad-
vice he so feelingly and repeatedly gave to those in
power in his own country, to avoid being destroyed by
this monster, by crushing it, although disregarded here,
was followed by General Jackson, and his successor,
Van Buren, in America ; and it now appears they have,
at any rate, scotched the snake, if not killed it, and
have thereby inflicted on it a mortal stab.
" On my arrival in Manchester on Wednesday night,
I heard that news had been received in Liverpool that
day of the smashing of the American Banks, and the
state of confusion the " rag-rooks" there were involved
in ; and I could not help thinking how Mr. Cobbett,
had he been alive, would have enjoyed the news, though
no one would have lamented more than himself the
sufferings of the innocent that would ensue. America
will right herself, and secure her independence ; but
how John Bull, with his debts, taxes, " coarser food,"
and coercion laws, will pass through the ordeal, no one
can tell—we shall sce. Events will break down the
system, if the people will be quiet.---I am, dear Sir,
" Your obedient servant,
" JOHN FIELDEN."
After the cloth had been removed,
The CHAIRMAN rose, and said—The followers of
Cobbett, although not so numerous as those who were
seeking place and power, and although not making so
much noise in the world as those whose business it was
to talk and not to think, whatever might be their un-
popularity, no one could deny that they were consistent
in opinion, and that the progress of events was rapidly
developing the soundness of the Cobbett principles.—
(Hear, hear.) Every year they met they had further
proof of the truth of his doctrines. They saw the public
writers of the day giving a different solution to various
events that arose. One party attributing them to the
mi,takes of Lord Palmerston—another to the impru-
dence of Thiers—a third to the timidity of Guizot—
and another to the ignorance of the Chinese—in fact,
they were attributed to every thing but the right one.
But the Cobbettite, who saw every thing clearly—
(Hear, hear)—he knew that all these things were pro-
duced by bygone causes, which Mr. Cobbett had la-
boured to prevent, and the consequences of which he
had foretold. The Cobbettite foresaw that the weak-
ness of the country was its debt—that the extravagance
of the Government was daily adding to its amount for
their own purposes, and not for the public good. What
had tempted Thiers and Guizot, and the Americans
and the Chinese, and the native Indian Princes,
to envy and attempt to overturn the apparent
prosperity of England, but that they foresaw that the
bubble was about to burst, and that the great truth
which had been propounded by Paine was about to be
proved, namely, that paper-money although strength
in the beginning, was weakness in the end 2—(Hear,
and cheers.) That period the Cobbetite was looking
for, and every moment told him that it was fast ap-
proaching. Another month, or another year more or
less, was as nothing in the history of nations, and the
only result of postponing the evil a little longer, would
be to render more potent the resistance that would
be brought against it. The Cobbetites saw clearly
that the French people were burning to revenge the
battle of Waterloo, and they saw that the time was fast
coming when the battle was to be refought. If it was
not to be done with the consent of Louis Philippe, it
would be dono without him. America had also got its
specific cause of quarrel, and felt the insults that had
been cast upon it by England in bye•gone times.
Russia was also ready to take up arms against England,
and then they would find, as their great apostle Cub-
bat bad said, " The ship going to pieces upon the
rocks." Mr. Fielden, in his excellent letter, had said
that events would break down the system, if the people
would but be quiet, but in the position in which
the people were placed, he doubted if they
could be kept quiet.—(Hear, hear.) Their public
plunderers had gone on robbing the people, until cir-
cumstances over which they had no control would bring
about an unqu!et revolution. It was melancholy to re-
flect that, in a country where so much intellect existed
among the common people—in a country which had
produced one of the most intellectual men that ever
lived, and who exhibited a distintcrestedness which one
rarely saw united with great talent—it was melancholy
to reflect that the warnings of that grbat man had been
neglected. The Cobbetites, at least, might say to them-
selves that they had taken no part in that state
of things—their consciences were clear, and they
were throughout anxious to effect such changes
as would render such a revolution unnecessary.
He believed a state of things was fast ap-
proaching when the people, who were now half-
st irved, would be without food. They bad a cur-
rency liable to be upset at any moment—they had an
increasing expenditure, with a decreasing means of
continuing that expenditure. Their whole fiscal state
was getting into confusion, and the question would
shortly arise what would such a state of things termi-
nate in ? How would it be when thousands were

reduced to starvation under their highly artificial sys-
tem ? Was it to be supposed that people, without
food, could be quiet ? Whatever their disposi-
tions might be, the raging lion olhunger would say,
go out and feed yourselve..—(Hear, hear.) These
were the real elements of society into which it would ul-
timately te resolved, and it was one which theitiLegis-

lators would do well to reflect upon. If they did no
they might depend upon it that it would ere long come
upon them like a thief in the night, and involve the
country in a state of ruin blacker and more terrible
than they had any conception of. The Chairman con-
cluded by proposing the memory of their excellent
friend William Cobbett.—Drank in solemn silence.
Mr. SUTCHENS had been entrusted with a toast
which he felt much pleasure in proposing " The
Jury whose upright performance of their constitutional
duty had preserved Mr. Cobbett from the doom which
the base and perfidious Whigs had designed for him."
—(Cheer.,.) That Jury had been chosen by the then
Attorney-General, who bad been since dignified with
the office of Lord Chief Justice of England, and he had
used his best exertions to have his unfortunate victim in-
carcerated in a prison from which he would never have
escaped alive. Thank God,diowever, some of these Jury-
men stood firm to their oaths, and they had now
among them the Foreman of that Jury.—( Loud
cheers.) He was well known to all of them, and they
could not too highly appreciate the noble determina-
tion evinced by him and five of his fellow Jurors to ad-
here to their oaths, which he felt was not the case with
the other six. He believed they went there determined
to convict Mr. Cobbett, but although they had brought
their great coats and night caps and provisions, after
fifteen hours' deliberation the excellent constitution of
his friend Mr. Wilkinson prevailed against them, and
Cheers.) When Mr. Cobbett was
th
triedey
gaveo thwaaty.—(
occasion they brought no evidence at all
against him,—( Hear, hear.) It must have been a gra
tifying reflection to these men that they had snatched
Mr. Cobbett from an untimely grave, and had enabled
him to confer so much benefit upon his countrymen.
While they had such honest and independent minded
men among them England had nothing to fear.
The toast was drank with great applause.
Mr. WILKINSON wished the other five Jurymen were
present,complim compliment that bad was sure they would appreciate the
bad been paid them. Trial by Jury
was one of the great benefits conferred by the great and
good King Alfred on the country, and it had not been
much altered since its establishment. To be sure they
did not go to,the nicety of being tried by their peers
in all cases, because if the poor were tried by their
peers, they would be as likely to come off without
punishment as my Lord Cardigan.---( Hear and cheers.)
They all knew the im-
portance did not blame the peers in that case, but what he
proveG ewer at,lh' se
nose
ean,t
;,,
complained of was, that the poor were not tried by
c
of trial by Jury, and knew the importance
the
of the functions of Jurymen who were to decide ac-
cording to the
evidence. Now he had been
simple
enough to suppose that people meant what they said,
tphoeritranpeeners like Lord Cardigan.
and he was resolved to observe the oath he bad taken,
Mr. Cobbett. There was no evidence
, and to decide according to the evidence. The indict-
ment against Mr. Cobbett charged him with having in-
cited the people to violence, and went through the
whole calendar of crimes, as having been stirred up by
twhheatweiviet ire gosf of Mr.
such intention on the part of Mr.
Cobbett. He admitted that he had written the pro-
ductions, but he denied the inference, and they could
produce no evidence whatever to substantiate the charge.
to the grindstone, and defied him to
--(Hear.) In fact, it would appear during the whole
case that it was the Attorney-General who was on his
be had made. Now, that reminded
trial and not Mr. Cobbett, for he kept the Attorney-
and he put down half-a-
him of the text of Rowland Hill---" I can do all
things," saith St. Paul. " Can you ?—l'll bet you
but he went on, " through the
halfe
r o w an- e
oronwtnheyopuulpit ;
help of our Lord Jesus Christ
" Oh," said he,
" that's another matter—I won'." t
bet,"_( Hear, and
cheers.) NOW, that was Mr. Cobbett's case ;
he relied upon the context, and came off tri-
umphant. (Hear' and cheers.) He
had been,
from his early youth, an admirer of the writings of
Mr. Cobbett, and he was convinced that they
were calculated to make all classes of men wiser
and betor. Why his" Legacy to Labourers" and " Legacy
to Parsons" were enough to give a man all the information
he required to make him a virtuous and a useful mein-

ber of society. When he reflected on these things, he
must say be did feel not a little pride at having rescued

such a man from the fangs of the Whigs.--( Loud
cheers.) Let them look at the change that had tdien
place in the system of persecution adopted by the Whigs
towards those who were unfortunate enough to get into
their clutches. Formerly it was the law merely that a
man should be incarcerated, and there was an end
of it ; but now there was a treadmill and soli-
tary cot?finement, and when remonstrances were

made, it was denied by the v Whigs that they
had authorised it—it was the order of the Magistrates ;
and then the Magistrates referred you back to tl.e Se-
cretary of State from whom the orders had emanated
and thus in the most shameless manner they bandied
you about from one to the other, all endeavouring to
avoid the responsibil:ty. Why, he would a thousand
times rather have the Tories, with all their open pro-
fessions of enmity, than such men.—(Loud cheers.)
On behalf of himself and t►he five jurymen he begged to
return them his sincere thanks.

Dr. WADE proposed " The labouring people, and
may they speedily regain their franchise," However
humble that class might be they resembled the great
Creator, and were, next to him, most to be regarded, as
to that class they were indebted for all the bounties of
Providence which they enjoyed. That class was now
become an estate in the country, and they would prove
themselves deserving of it. How had they lost the
franchise ? Through the rascality of designing men—
because in the days of Alfred they had the franchise,
and it was only their cumbers that compelled them to
resort to the appointment of delegates. But
if the system of representation was freely and fully
carded out, every man would be fairly represented by
the delegate he selected. He had attended a vast
meeting of the Chartists the other day, anti be was
surprised to see so many of them tea-totallers. It
was a proof of the independence of that class, and it
was one of the first steps towards the regaining of their
franchise.—(Hear, hear,) As to the intelligence of
the working classes, he need only refer them to the
work that had been published by Lovett and Collins
while in prison—a work of which their great master,
Cobbett himself, would not have been ashamed.—
(Heir, hear.) They had their independence and
intelligence, and he would add to that their vast
numbers. What had population done in America?
Why, it the slaves went on increasing at their present
rate, they would shortly enforce their independence
and be slaves no longer. Such would be the case in
their own country if the people were but true to them-
selves. There were many things the people ought to
have which they had been deprived of. They had a
right to commonage lands and to Church lands, which

they no longer enjoyed.---(Hear, hear.) The Bishop
of London mistook his point when he looked after the

sewerage and the ventilatior, and the drainage of the poor
man's home, while he was excluded from his just
rights.—( Hear, hear.) It was all very well to look
after his health, but justice ought to be done in the
first instance. It appeared to him that the middle
classes were as much oppressed and persecuted as the
lower classes, and if they were but true to themselves,
and joined the Chartists, they would soon attain their
objects. He maintained that it was the duty and the
interest of the middle classes to join the Chartists.—
(Hear, bear.) If they did not, they might depend upon
it they would eventually be crushed by the oppressors.
His duty was to mediate and unite all parties rather
than create dissension and division, and for these reasons
he was anxious to avoid saying any thing offensive to any
party. Again, look at the manner in which the Poor-
law was now administered to the unfortunate paupers.
They separated these persons from their families during
their lifetime, :and then they were to be thrust into
holes, like dogs, at the backs of their prisons.—(Hear,
hear.) Talk of Sodom and Gomorrah !—why, he was
astonished that the vengeance of heaven had not fallen
upon that country for the manner in which the poor
were treated. Talk of wars, and rumours of wars,
with America and other places ! why, they had seen the
judgment of Heaven fall upon countries 'which had not
been guilty of half so much wickedness as their own.
--(Hear, hear.) Dr. Wade concluded by proposing
the toast, which was drunk with three times three.
Mr. BUTLER proposed, " Our faithful friend, the
Debt ; and may its weight, which is ever increasing,
soon put an end to the plunder and oppression of the
poor." He complained of the system pursued by the
aristocracy in promoting their own interests, and placing
the great bulk of the burdens of the country upon the
shoulders of the poor. Mr. Cobbett had pointed out
the infamy of the principle of the malt-tax, which, al-
though it contributed only four and a-half millions to
the Treasury, took at least thirteen millions out of the
pockets of the labouring classes. The same might be
said of the tax on tea and on sugar, on tobacco and
snuff, and all the other indirect taxes. In fact, it was
from the labouring classes that the whole bulk
of the revenue of the country was collected. He
recollected when the interest of the debt was
only 16 millions, and now it was not less than three
times that amount, while the condition of the
people was still worse. Mr. Butler then referred to
the opinions of Mr. Cobbett on the subject of emigra-
tion, and read several extracts from his works on that
point. After some further observations Mr. Butler
concluded by proposing the toast, which was drank with
due honour.

Mr. CLEAVE then gave—" Health and a speedy re-
turn to their wives and families to all those expatriated
or imprisoned, owing to their attempts to better the
concition of the working classes."—(Cheers.) He
was rejoiced to find that the Cobbettites had not for-
gotten such a toast on the present occasion.—( Hear,
hear.) He had lately seen the son of Williams,
who had made a journey from Wales to
London, merely to see the surgeon of the ship which had
taken out his father and his companions, that he might
gladden the hearts of their friends on his tour home-
wards, by repeating what he heard of their condition
from the lips of the surgeon.—(Hear, hear.) The last
speaker, Mr. Butler, had referred to a petition to the
House of Commons, but he believed they had little
hope of redress in that quarter.—that House was a re-
presentation of the feeling cf the middle classes towards
the Chartists, and lie was surprised to find so hostile a

feeling on the part of the middle classes towards their
industrious brethren. They had seen the operation
of that feeling in the discussions that had taken
place within the last few days on the subject
of the Poor-laws. why, even the man upon
whom Mr. Cobbctt had built most in the House
of Commons, Mr. Wakley, had expressed his satiable-

.ion that the Poor•law Commissioners were to be cou-

tinned for five years longer.—(Hear, hear.) Mr.
Cleave then referred to the dietary tables in the Poor-
law Unions, and denounced the system of half stlrva-
tion, which he contended was practised towards the un-
fortunate paupers. Mr. Cobbett was not mistaken
when he hoped that good would result from the Re-
form Bill. He believed the error, if any, was one which
would speedily be corrected, for the people's eyes were
beginning to be opened, and they would soon take
their affairs into their own hands, and when they did that
they must succeed. If they were to obtain their rights,
if they were to have Universal suffrage, unmitigated and
unrestricted, with the assistance of the middle classes,
weil, but if the middle classes did not join them, they
would obtain their rights without their assistance. The
people of that country might be taunted with their
want of union, or with their poverty, but he referred
them to the rise and progress of the labourer's son, who
had worked himself up from the plough to a seat in
the House of Commons, and had obtained an influence
which had made him the arbiter of many questions in
that House.—( Hear, heAr.) He regretted to see that
they were deserted by the sons and the colleagues of
Mr. Cobbett on the present occasion, but there were
in that room enough and to spare to carry out the
principles of that great man throughout the length and
breadth of the land.—(Hear, and cheers.)
Mr. NEESOM had come there to add his mood of
praise to one who was the dread of all tyrants and op-
pressors, and who had stood forward to defend the
rights of his countrymen. He (Mr. Neesom) had
been the victim of the base and perfidious Whigs for
merely attending a public meeting, and telling the
people that they must have their political rights, or
there would be no peace for England. Notwithstand-
ing gagging Bills and oppression, he would repeat that
assertion. Mr. Neesom then referred to the case of
Mr. Pcost, and complained of the cruelty with which he
had been treated by the Whigs.
Mr. CARPENTER, after a few appropriate introductory
observations, gave the toast of " The Press, and may it
speedily become honest."
The health of the Chairman was afterwards given.
Mr. Rogers briefly returned thanks, and the compzely
separated shortly afterwards.

FOLLY AND MADNESS OF WAR BETWEEN
ENGLAND AND TILE UNITED STATES.—We are not in a
position to fight for national character. We have as
much reputation in the field and in the cabinet as
belongs to any nation. No Power desires to injure or
insult us. It is only by cultivating peace that we can
be happy. A war between this country and England
would not be a war for territory or national azgran-
disement, but simply a war t) sea which can do the
other the most harm. Let us imagine it; let U 3 sup-
pose that England, by her improvement in the art of war
and by steam-ships, runs into our seaports, lays our cities
in ashes, or levys contributions. In order to save our
towns and their defenceless people, let us, in return, by
our private marine, sweep her commerce from the ocean,
and burn her mall towns. Let us thus go on, at im-
mense expense of blood and treasure, to injure each other
for twenty years ; and at the end of that period we shall
not have settled a single point of national honour; for the
simple reason, that there is none to settle in the present
dispute. It involves no principle or policy which cannot
be settled by men desirous of preserving the blessings of
peace, and promoting the happiness and prosperity of the
country. —New York Mirror, Feb. 6.
ASSESSMENT OF COTTAGE PROPERTY.
The Guardi,ins of the Bille icay Union, in Essex, have
adopted a petition, praying Parliament to rate the
land-
lords of cottages and small tenements instead of the eteneiarnfdtls.,
By the present mode of rating, the tenants are
discharged on account of their poverty,
landlord
obtains additional rent, owing to the presume lexemption
of the tenant from payment of parish rates, v_ bile the great
body of the parishioners are pro (onto defrauded.

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.

FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY

CHRONICLE.— The news brought by the overland express
from India of the state otnegotiat ions with the Chinese authorities
had scarcely any perceptible effect upon the funds. The feeling,
however, was rather heavy in consequence of the uncertain
position in which matters stood at the most recent date, and
had it not been that prices had been considerably depressed so
soon before by the intelligence from the United States, it is the
general opinion that the market would have given way.
Business, however, was extremely limited. There was, in fact,
nothing doing, the jobbers being kept. in a state of suspense
by an announcement of the arrival of the packet ship England
from the United States, three days later than the last advlces,
and that her despatches might be hourly expected.
POST.—The accounts from China produced no change
worth noticing in the value of the funds. Consols ranged dur-
ing the morning between 88A and 88g for money, but files of
American papers having reached the North and South Ameri-
can Coffee-house in the course of the afternoon, with intelli-
gence of three days' later date from New York, renewed ope-
rations were entered into. The news from this quarter is con-
sidered by our commercial men as by no means less pacific than
that obtained by the West Chester. The internal exchanges
had improved considerably, while the resignation by Mr. Web-
ster of his seat in the Senate of the Supreme Legislature,
preparatory to the assumption by him of the office of Mi-
nister for Foreign Affairs under the new Administration,
could not but be regarded as an auspicious circumstance. These
matters being, however, but imperfectly undet stood at the
Stock Exchange, some transactions hastily concluded in the
after part of the day presented a retrogradation in the money
value of stock of ir to g per cent. On a more dispassionate pe-
rusal being given to the advices brought by this opportunity
(the England arrived at Liverpool), which come down to the
20th ult., a re-action may be confidently looked for.
Great Western Railway Shares were 23 to 4 prem. ; Birm-
ingham, 76 to 7 prem. ; Brighton, 7* to 7. dis. ; and Black.
wall, 5.1-, to 5 dis. per share.
An address to the Shareholders of the British Iron Coral:tarty,
on the critical position of that unfortunate concern, has been
printed. It is rather an angry production, but at the same
time free from coarseness, and, as the hints thrown out by the
writer for the guidance of his co-proprietors and fellow-
sufferers touch their interests very closely, it is, never-
theless, entitled to an attentive perusal. If we un-
derstand its contents correctly, the Directors of the
company are making calls on the Shareholders with the view
of paying Mr. Attwood the large sum awarded him under
the late appeal (Small v. Attwood) to the House of Lords.
The Shareholders are urged to resist these calls, on the ground
that after the fullest, the most unqualified, assurances have
been given them by the Counsel employed that " there is no
liability" to Mr. Attwood for the payment of the money—as-
surances which have been repeated and persevered in for years
past—the point contended for is now all at once to be aban-
' doned. It seems still to be admitted that the Shareholders
have yet to obtain justice, but any further law is deprecated on
account of the ruinous expense ofit, and hence the determina-
tion of the Directors to comply with the decision of the Lords,
by paying over to Mr. Attwood 350,000/. as the value of an
estate " acknowledged to be worth only between 90,0001. and
100,0001.

TlMES—During the greater part of the afternoon much
uneasiness might be observed in the city. A vague report had
reached the coffee-houses and other places of City resort that
the news arrived at Liverpool was of an unfavourable descrip-
tion, although there seemed to be no notion what the intelli-
gence actually was. The arrival of our express was looked
forward to with anxiety, and when the papers were published,
they were sought for with avidity. Sir. Firemore s resolu-
tion on arming the country was not regarded generally in a
very retinue light, as the modifications which that resolution
underwent were considered to weaken its effect. Some
looked with greater apprehension to the threatened ex-
ecution of Mr. M'Leod, as an inevitable cause of
war, if such an act were to take place, though per-
haps what was considered the most alarming of all was the re •
solution referred to the Boundary Committee for removing the
British troops from the disputed territory. The intelligence
altogether has, doubtless, had its effect in strengthening an im-
pression that the disposition of the Americans is not so far from
hostile as has sometimes been supposel in the City, and that
the bad feeling of the people of the United States does not
merely belong to a small party, while anything like very serious
alarm is greatly checked by the belief that the Americans
would find it almost impossible to sustain a war. In the Consol
Mark: t the fall was near A per cent. immediately on the receipt
of the news, but this is attributed to the operations of a few
speculators for the full, who have taken advantage of the late
arrivals to depress the market, and the want of some leading
capitalist who might sustain prices.
SUN.—The advices by the Overlatid mail to-day led
to no depression in Stocks; but the intelligence pub-
lished in The Sun this afternoon, brought from New York
by the England packet-ship, caused a decline of per
cent., though the market closed rather better. The
lowest prices of Consols for Money was 874, and for the
Account 88; the latest were 81, and 88 to Exche-
quer Bills were 7s. to 93. prem. ; and the Now Three-
and-a- Half per Cents. 96:1 to
The Foreign Funds were in a heavy condition. Span-
ish Active Bonds were reduced to 23k and ; and Portu-
guese New Five per Cents. to 31i. Colombian Bonds
were marked 23, and Brazilian at 72, being without alte-
ration. French Three per Cents. were at 77 francs, and
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. at 50-1. to I.
There was a fair business doing in Railway shares, but
at lower prices. Great Western brought 23 to 22 ; the
New, 10 to Ili; the Fifths, 5. ; the Birmingham,
77k; and the South-Western, 17k premium. Brighton
were 7 to 74 ; Blackwell, 5 ; Hull and Selby, 7 ; Bristol
and Exeter, 27; Eastern Counties, ; Manchester and
Leeds, New, 1 ; Noah Midland, New, 5; and South-
Eastern and Dover, 164 discount. Briti,h North Ameri-
can Bank Shares were ss. discount, and National Provin-
cial of England, par.
The mercantile advices from America are scarcely more
satisfac•ory than those which relate to political matters.
United States Bank Shares had been down 2 per cent.,
or as low as 25, but the !west quotation was 25 to 26.
We perceive that a meeting of the Stockholders in this
institution had been held, at which it was resolved to pe-
ftion the Legislature for some Act in their favour, so as
to prevent further serious depreciation in their property.
The value of the shares held in New York alone is given
at seven millions cf dollars. Money had been execs-

sively tight, owing to the caution of the Banks, and from
11 to 2 per cent. per month was paid for discounts at
Philadelphia. Business was in a very depressed condi-
tion owin; to the war fever, and the d3rne3tic exchanges
were le.ssfavout able.

POLITICAL SUMMARY OF THE

MORNING JOURNALS.

The Morning Chronicle of this day contains a leading arts
cle on the subject of peace or war with America, the object os
which is to prove thirt, as yet, there is nothing to justify the
apprehensions which have been expressed, of hostilities be-
tween the two countries.—The Morning Post, in an article on
home and foreign trade, expresses an earnest desire that the
agriculture and home trade of Old England should be protected
from injurious foreign competition, adding, however, that souse
competition, or the continually-existing possibility of compe-
tition, is good as a spur to activity, and a shield against extor-
tion. —The Morning Advertiser observes, with reference to
the Chinese affair, that much time has been wasted in pre-
liminaries, and that the "course of action is so manifest, that
delay only argues incompetency or imbecility."—The Morn-
ing -Herald endeavours to show that there is still a chance left
of tour maintaining peace with the United States, notwithstand-
ing the bluster and menace of the Van I3uren faction.—The
following is from the Times:—" The Hatti Scheriff, which
professes to confer upon Mehemet Ali the hereditary Go-
vernment of Egypt, is a new and threatening element in
what is called the settlement of the Eastern 7questi,in.
By imposing a variety of conditions, not anticipated in
the recant conferences of London, it has undone the work of
the last few day', which already promised to place upon a stable
basis, and under the recognition of all the Powers, the great
general interests of the Ottoman Empire. The conditions nn-
posed upon the Paella are in themselves calculated to keep alive
constant jealousy and civil war. The selection of an heir from
the various branches of an Oriental family would be the infal-
lible prelude to those horrid scenes of fratricide and butchery
which have been but too frequent in Oriental history. The total
subjection of the Pasha's naval, military, and financial resources
to the Commissioners of the Porte is totally unprecedented
in the Ottoman Empire ; where, subject to the penalty of his
life, and the payment of tribute, a Paella has always been the
full and sole representative of the supreme power within the
limits of his province. But the question is not whether these
measures are intrinsically good or bad for the Turkish empire
or for Egypt. A larger interest is at stake—that of Europe
itself. flow are these conditions to be reconciled to the lan-
guage of our Government here and abroad? to the tenour of
Admiral Stopford's convention ?—to our subsequent com-
munications with the Pacha himself? They are calculated
to disappoint the hopes of every lover of peace and fair-
ness in Europe;_ they are no less calculated to expoA. the
advisers of the Sultan to the reproach of underhand deal-
ing and dishonest machinations, which has hitherto been
thrown upon his antagonists. In the face of Europe it has
been proclaimed that the fleet was to be surrendered to its
rightful master, Syria evacuated, and peace consolidated, upon
the restoration of Mehemet Ali and his race to the Pachalic
of Egypt. In the face of Europe the Sultan and his allies
evade their part of these stipulations, which were trusted in by
Mehemet Ali because they were made in the name of Eng-
land. There is but one man, we verily believe, in the public
service of an European Power capable of urging on a weak and
unwise Government like the Porte to measures so shamefully
devoid of justice, prudence, and honour. If Lord Ponsonby
was retained at Constantinople to foster the dark intrigues
of the Seraglio, or to take a part in the base vengeances of
Asiatic courtiers, the country might understand his conduct.
But he has failed—and insolently gloried in his failure—in the
great object of restoring the relations of the Sultan and the
Pacha to a firm and fair state of peace. He has exposed the
Government and the country which he represents to the im-
putation of extreme bad faith. He has done all that in bins
lay to defeat the efforts of the best and wisest statesmen in Eu-
rope for the maintenance of peace, by stimulating the brutal
passions of the semi-barbarous Divan, and by pledging the
policy of England to a course of action which had no source
but iii his own wilfulness, rancour, and audacity. Until
Lord Ponsonby be recalled, it is impossible that the
Cabinet Council of the Queen of England can have
their own instructions carried into execution ; it is hopelr
tlsiatet
anticipate an adjustment so promptly or equitably frametvi„
mheis: o
this Marplot will not upset it by some fresh exttravassobey
No ambassador, we repeat, ever before presu
Sovereign,
the orders alleged to have been given him by
is Parliament,
and avowed by the Ministers of the Crowz
with no better justification than his
committedp such
intem-
perance. Certainly no ambassador 1
t • to (lie Queen,
Wiens of his c u
desperate and dangerous vio
interests of Europe, was
_ioas,vinnge; caprice or
to the country, and to the commot
theuovernment of this country
ever before allowed to retain a p
and enormously abused.,:which Le has so frequently
onb '3 successor Would by this
credit of the nation, Lord ons
were in the hands of men wilfile,respect their own promises or the
time be on his way to Constantino') e.

THE LATE FATAL COLLISION.-Captain
Andrews, late Commander of the ill-fated emigrant ship
Governor Fenner, sailed from Liverpool for New York in
the American packet ship Stephen Whitney, on Monday
afternoon, and will be the first to convey the melancholy
intelligence to the owners and tmderwriters in America.
Captain Andrews, with a commendable desire to have the
whole affair fully and fairly discussed, and to accelerate by
every means in his power the progress of inquiry' applied
to the Mayor of Liverpool to institute an e investigation,
os rp r
inquirye s en t-
but his appication proved fruitless, Mr.
ing that he had "no more powleiro the institutebtoodie an
la3orGoofvLeronnodrorne.'n'ner
be brought to Liverpool
,
been found in the
rigging
e A
of.
theby Captain Church, of the Ilirm. mgharn steamer, an inves-
tigation would have taken place, and facts might have been
e:icited ; but, as i.. ii' there
cogi izancc of it but Courta ofi Ls no
other
tribunal to take
Law, and it must rest with
the owners of the vessels
t.) eubmit or not to invest:gation
by s Ash proms.

EVENING EDITION.

PARLIAMENTA.I3A BUSINESS.

NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL OFFICE.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10.
1. Metropolis linprovements,—Second Reading, March 15.
9. Wishaw aid Coltness Railway,—Committee on 13111, March 1

at one.
3. Chelsea Poor,—Committee on Bill, March 18, at one.
4. Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock Railway,—Committee on Bill,
March 18, at one.
5. Chri,tchurch and Lyndhurst Road,—Committee on Bill, Mareit
18, at one.
6. Dovenby and Papcastle Inclosure,—Sccond Reading, March U.
7. Bristol and Exeter Railway,—Second Reading, March 15.
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Brighton Gazette.)
PORTSMOUTH, March 10. _The new steamer Polypho.
mus has been commissioned. in the river by Lieut, John
Evans, reported fir serrice in the Nlediterranean.
The Lidu,--3, 84, Captain Sir James Stirling, and ell-.
vette Twccd, 20, Commander Douglas, went out of that
harbour to Spitbead on Saturday. The latter ship is
ready for sailing, except the payment of adyanee ; but
the Indus, being short of handy, will be necessarily de-
teined.

Three flee frigates ere is rapid progress here for corn-.
mission, namely, the Vindictive, 50, Warspite, bO, anti
Dublin, 50. Orders are also daily expected for the Ma-.
dagasca,, 4(. At present not a single ship is fitting out.
The brigantine Bonetta, destined for the coast of Africa.
is commissioned at Chet!ram by Lieut. Francis Austin.
The Monarch, 84, Captain Chambers, and Vernon, 50,
Captain Walpole, are at Sheerness, and under orders
t ) UEC (Nay expedition in rreeecding to Spithead. Them)
ships have been in commission upwards of four months,
but the severity of the weather has greatly retarded tbeir
equipment
The Wolverine, 16. Captain Tucker, may be expected
in England about July next, to be paid off. Private let..
tees report her at Cape Coast Castle on the 14th December.
The brigs Pelican, 18, Commander Napier, and Ninti-
lus, 10, Lieutenant 13eaufoy, are at Spitbead, ready to'bro
de:patched wherever it may be necessary.
The Prince Regent, 120, has been ordered to be in-
spreted and prepared for service, if necessary.
The Asia, 84, Captain Fisher, is daily expecCed hero
the Mediterranean, and will proceed to Sheerness to he
paid off. This ship has been in commission upwards of
five years.
The Fair Rosamond schooner, and new brlg, Bittern,
16, will shortly hoist the pendant at this port.
At Spitbead--Indus, 84; Tweed; 20; Nato, 10-,
and Nautilus, 10. _ _ _

In Harbour—Queen, Victory, Excellent, Royal {forge
yacht, Rapid, and steam,rs Echo and Alban.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

HOME CIR CUIT. CHEL MSPOBD, Milled 10.
(Before Lord DENMAN.)
William Franklin, aged 55, labourer, was indicted for
stealing a sheep, the property of William Fletcher, a far-
mer, at Southminster, in this county.
Mr. RYLAND conduced the prosecution.
The cote itself was of an ordinary nature, and possessed
hio feature of public interest, but the circumstances whisk
led to the detection, and the ultimate conviction of tin
prisorer, were of rather an extraordinary character. It
appeared from the e,i,lence that the prosecutor was a far-
mer, and on the night of the sth February, had a flock of
forty-five sheep safe in one of his meadows; and the neat
morning he discovered that one of them was missing.
Upon his examinirig the yard where the shcep hint bee:;,
he picked up a piece of rag, covered with a piece of
printed cotton, in a form as though it had been tied over
a cut or otherwise injured finger. The prosecutor took
possession of the rags, but for some time no irifor-
motion or clue whatever could be gained respecting tho
the guity party. At length, however, circumstances
came to light which led to the apprehension of the pri-
soner, and it was proved that a short time before the sheep
was stolen the prisoner had hurt one of his fingers, and a
fellow-labourer of his proved that the prisoner had asked
him to tie up the injured finger with some rags, and be
clearly identified the rags found on the prosecutor's premi-
ses as being the same he had so tied. It was also proaed
that on the day after the sheep was stolen, the prisoner was
seen in possessi m of a quantity of mutton, and thit bis
wife was also seen is the act of making a large
mutton pudding. In the course of the case the
pris • oner said to the witness who identified the rag,
Wby did not I have a white rag on my finger?"
The witness replied, " Yes, you had a white rag on yotli.
finger, but not till after the day the sheep was stolen.'
Other circumstances were adduced, which left slo doubt
of the prisoner's guilt.
The Jury returood a verdict of Guilty.
r Lord DENMAN addressed the prisoner, and said that be
had been convicted under evidence certainly of a minute
and ia,lier singular character, but still it was such as to
leave not the slightest doubt of his guile. He then or-
dered the prisoner to be transported for 15 years.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.—DoRcHEsrEn, M4RcJI 8.

The Commission for holding the assize.] for the county
of Dorset was opened here on Saturday last.
The calendar contained eighty prisoners, but, with a
few exceptions, the offences were of very trivial descrip-
tion, such as to induce one to regret that the county should
be put to an enormous expense in prosecuting. A person
charged with stealing an article the value of which would
not be ls., will cost the county 41 or 51 in giving lint
three months' imprisonment
Mr. Justice Wightman presided in the Crown Coup,
and Mr. Justice Erskine sat at Nisi Prius.
(Nisi Prius Court.)