The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDA'i , FEBRUARY 25,

PATTERN POST REGULATIONS.

On Friday afternoon a large and influential deputation
emanating from the Manchester Home Trade Association
had an interview with the Postmaster-General (Mr.
Mousell),, for the purpose of pressing upon him the ne-
cessity for rescinding the new pattern-post regulations,
introduced on December Ist, and the advisability of es-
tablishing a parcel post similar to the book post. The
Deputation comprised Sir Thomas Bazley, M. P., and
others. The Deputation was introduced by Sir Thomas
Bazley, and supported by Mr. Taylor, Mr. Plimsoll, Mr.
_Graves, Lord Sandon, Mr. E. Bowring, M.P., and several
others, who, besides urging the objects men-
tioned above, suggested that the fees for
the registration of letters and the charge for money orders
should be lowered ; and that the committee of inquiry
moved for by Mr. Graves should be at once appointed.
Mr. Monsell, in reply, thanked the deputation for the
information they had given him, but said he could not be
expected to give any definite answer upon the several
points mentioned. He reminded them, however, that
the pattern post was from the first intended to be
simply for patterns, although it had been used for
other purposes, which was an evasion of the rules of the
Pest-Office ; and that therefore in making these new re-
gulationS the Post-office were not taking away any privi-
lege previously possessed. It was very difficult to pre-
serve the distinction between the various articles
transmitted through the post; but he hoped to be able
shortly to devise a plan for meeting the question which
might be satisfactory to the country generally. He
could not go with the deputation, however, as to the
parcel post; and as to the money orders he had
been making every inquiry upon the subject and would
carefully consider the matter. He did not think their
case was so strong as to the registration of letters, for he
thought by loWering the fee the the number of registra-
tions would be increased, and the security of the operation
would be diminished. The deputation thanked Mr.
Monsen for his, courtesy and withdrew.

THE GOVERNMENT LICENSING BILL.

On Friday afternoon a deputation waited upon the
Right Hon.. H. A. Bruce, Home Secretary, to urge upon
the Government the immediate introduction of the
Licensing Bill. There were present representatives from
various associations, including the United Kingdom
Alliance,,the National Temperance League, the Church
of England Temperance Reform Society, &c.
Sir R. Anstruther, M.P., introduced the deputation, and
read the following resolution, which had been passed at a
meeting held at the instance of the National Association for
promoting the amendment of the liquor traffic, "that it is
the decided opinion of the meeting that the Government
measure on the licensing laws ought to be forthwith intro-
duced into the House of Commons, in order that time

n.ay be afforded to the consideration and discussion so
necessary to so important a measure in Parliament." Ihe
Archbishop of York and Archbishop Manning, the right
hon. gentleman
,paid, fully sympathised. with the
objects of the deputation, and would have been present
that day if it had been possible for them to attend.
He need not take up the time of the Home Secretary by
discussing general principles, but they were unanimous in
this, that the measure was much desired, both in England
and Scotland; and they were anxious to have the proposals
of the Government in their hands. As to the United
Kingdom Alliance, he might say that two months ago,
when he, with the Rev. Mr. Ellison waited upon
the right hon. gentleman, they came in order
if possible, to ascertain when the. bill would
be laid upon the table of the House and
to know if it was desirable for them to intro-
duce a measure which the association had had in draft for
two years. He (Mr. Bruce) gave them a positive assu-
rance that the bill would be laid on the table very early`
and he believed the Home Secretary committed himself
to saying it would be produced within a week.
_ .

Ni;. Bruce said he expressed a hope to be able to do so,
but no Minister was master of his own movements.

Sir R. Anstruther contended that on that assurance
which was given in good faith, they did not want to place
any obstacle in the way of the Government measure by
introducing one of their own ; and he thought, under these
circumstances, there wias some excuse for his association
coming to urge upon the Government that they should
bring forwaid their bill with . the least possible delay. The
deputation did not come to ventilate their own special
views. They had particular views of their own, but
they would not bring them into conflict there ; but
their united object was ,a simple one, namely, to

press on the Government the earnest desire of the country
that the Government scheme should at once be introduced.
It would be a great satisfaction ifMr. Bruce could give the
assurance that the state of public business would enable
the Government to do as suggested.
Mr. Bruce said this wad a question chiefly of strategy.

The Government were earnestly desirous of passing the
measure, and they had considered the whole question as
to when that measure should be introduced. They
had decided that it would not be an ad-
vantage, but on the contrary a great disad-
vantage to bring it in at a period when its subse-
quent stages could not be pressed forward. Combinations
were being made of all sorts to protect the different inte-
rests, and the launching of the bill would be the signal
for the services of all kinds of associations to be brought to

bear upon it, whether to impede its progress or to effect
alterations in certain parts of the measure. He was anxious
to carry the measure through, and although the Govern-

ment did not intend to di; so without giving sufficient
notice they did not wish to give more notice than was
sufficient. A great mischief would result to the bill if it
was hanging long before the country before there was a
prospect of proceeding with it. He knew what intricacies
it would lead to and how full the lobby would be of per-
sons anxious to impede the measure. Therefore, notwith-
standing his extreme desire to fulfil the promise he made
as to introducing the bill on an early day, and with the
earnest hope that the opportunity would soon occur, he must
say he could not fix the exact time, he could not name a
day without consulting with his colleagues. Of course, it
must depend upon the progress of public business, Al-
ready several measures which were pressing, and
which related to social improvements, had been
put aside because the licensing question was thought
by the Government to be the most important, and Mr.
Gladstone had a strong feeling against encumbering their
list - with a lot of measures which wouid impede each
others progress. He must, therefore, ask them to have
confidence in the good faith of the Government, and also
to have confidence in their judgment in selecting the
proper moment for bringing in the bill.
Mr. E. Baines,' M.P. : We may say, I suppose, that
you have a confident expectation of bringing in a bill this

session ?
Mr. Bruce : I shall feel most mortified and disap-
pointed if I have not the opportunity of bringing it for-
ward at a time which will give ample opportunity for
discussion. •

Mr. Baines : I believe the country, will also be mortified
and disappointed, if not to a certain degree angered.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Bruce : I think the country would be entirely

angered.
Mr. Baines : You will give us your assurance that you
will introduce the bill as early as possible.
Mr. Bruce : I eannot give a stronger assurance on the
point than I have done already.
The Rey. H. 4. Ellisgn, vicar of Windsor, pointed out
the dangers whichiresulted from delay, and the great
misery which was daily occurring in consequence.
He wished to know whether, if they introduced their bill
and had a discussion upon it in the Hopse, it would
assist the government scheme or tend to impede it ?
Mr. Bruce said he had never said a word to discourage
its introduction, and he weghd net do so now. The whole
question depended on the earnest wish of parliament to
deal with the matter.
Mr. William Saunders said the deputation believed
that if plenty of time was given to discuss the subject
throughout the country a strong expression of opinion in
favour of restrictive measures would be, obtained, 'and that
this would largely contribute to the earnestness of Parlia-
ment in the matter.
Mr. Hilton pointed out that this would depend very
much on the character of the measure. If the bill was a
satisfactory one discussion was most desirable, but if it did
not meet public expectation, very little enthusiasm would
be raised in its favour.
Mr. Armistead hoped the Government would include
Scotland in the Act.
Mr. Bruce-pointed out the difficulty which would occur
if they attempted to pass through two bills together,
and the chance there would be of fa,iltire. He prefeTred
to' carry through a good meal ire for England which could
then easily be .extended to Scotland.
The deputation then thanked the right hon? gentleman
and withdrew.

The Laricgt, discussing the recent case of chloro-
forming a lady at Stamford-hill, reiterates the well-known
opinion of the doctors that the time required for the
administration of chloroform would usually prevent it
from being employed by thieves or for bad purposes,; and
says it is far more likely that the lady in the case referred
to had simply fainted from terror.

A FINANCIAL SPECULATION.
A correspondent offers the following facilities to enter.

prising emigrants and speculating companies :
Near San Antonio, Texas, January 16, 1871.
The undersigned having noticed an advertise-
ment of a " gentleman proposing to emigrate to the

United States, wishing to form a company to pur-

chase a tract of land, and to divide it into small farms,
for the purpose of selling or leasing them," has in posses-
sion several of the most desirable tracts of land, selected

many ye4rs ago, in the most desirable portion of this
State, viz., the South-Western, in the vicinity of San
Antonio, as also some nearer the Coast of the Gulf of
Mexico, a'region noted for its salubrity and healthfulness,
and the resort of invalids from every portion of the
United States fOr its almost certain curative Influences of

any affections of the lungs ; over which district a mild and,
constant sea breeze passes throughout the almost entire
year; where malignant fevers of every description are, it
may truly be said, almost unknown. The face of this
country is rolling and high land, in altitude 650 feet above
the level of the coast, and the lands are rich and fertile,

producing every known product of the South and North ;

but its great superiority consists in its lying and embracing
the great and extensive cattle range, and rich and per-
petual grasses throughout the entire year. It is more
valued than any other cattle, horse, and sheep range in

our large State, from its producing the celebrated musquit

grass, the beef from which.is believed to be fully equal to
and more sweet and juicy than that fed on grain, the
animals costing nothing for food throughout the year beyond
occasional attention to see that they do not wander from
their range, which they will not often do when the
greater portion of the herd have been raised on the same
district ; but if partial and cheap fencing is put around
large enclosures they will never leave.
For many years I have held those tracts of laud back
from market and settlement, being desirous of settling
them with the best class of colonists, and refusing to sell
to single and unknown applicants. They are in lots of
from 2,000 to 4,000 acres, having and combining all the
advantages of the best soil, grass, timber, and good water,
and lying in the best localities, through nearly all of
which approaching railroads are to pass, which will
treble the value at which I would now dispose of them

to a good company, provided I could retain a large or half
interest in all or a portion of them. lam disposed to take
about one-half of what they or similar land is now held
for, feeling, as I do, the certainty that a rise of 100 per cent.
would be the result of a goodly number of respectable

settlers, strong enough to furnish themselves with the
many conveniences of an old settlement, such as first-
class schools, church, &c., settling in a central point, if pre-
ferred, on the tract, where they would enjoy all the
social, educational, and religious privileges of an old com-
munity, having with them their mechanics, and trades
men, and village shops, furnishing all supplies—mills,
cotton gins, sugar mills, &c., if needed, and their own
teachers and physicians. Such a nucleus of settlement
would attract at once a settlement (if not permitted in the

871.

colony), of the territory all around, enhancing the value
of the adjoining territory from 100 to 300 per cent., and
still more if permission was given •to settle within the
boundaries of the colony, as those emigrants who make
separate and haphazard settlements often pass through a
dozen or more years before they can be in possession of all
the advantages they could enjoy in a settlement or near
it, where they could avail themselves of such importans
advantages.
I am the owner of one large tract most admirably
situated, and equal in every other respect to the smaller
ones, and superior in its proximity to the coast, distant
only from one of the best shipping points on the Gulf Bays
about 45 miles. This tract is in length ten miles, and
breadth eight miles, containing upwards of 50,000 acres.
It isiwatered by several small rivers of clear and good
water, and the laud, timber, and grass are of the best
quality. The intermediate country to the shipping point,
Copano, on Aransas Bay, is high and dry, interspersed
with motts, or groves of timber, through which run many
rivulets of good water, and only a day's drive in a light
vehicle. The bay furnishes the best of fish, oysters, and
in their season, wild geese, and canvas back, and other
ducks in the greatest profusion. The steamers run to and
fro thrice and sometimes oftener from this bay to New
Orleans, from which it is two days' run, to which every
product, including cattle, mules, horses, and sheep can be
shipped, and all supplies needed brought thence. Either
through, or a little above, this tract, will be the route of
the Great Trunk Railroad from New York, and through
all the Southern States, passing to the Rio Grande,
and through Mexico to the port of Mazatlan on the
Pacific (Western Coast of Mexico), which road is now
nearly completed to the Texas boundary. This great road
will, as per present programme, be tapped by a branch
road from Aransas Bay, with the view of passing into the
road from this bay all heavy steam engines and other
Mexican and California mining machinery, to save rail-
road freight from the East over the several thousands of
miles, and to ship from the said bay to New York by this
branch road all metals from Western and New Mexico,
which are now sent by waggons to the coast.
It is, I believe, universally admitted by all who have
visited this State that it presents greater advantages to
the labouring classes for easy settlement than any other of
the ,States, NOrth or South, and especially in the West
and South-West, as being more healthful, and suitable;
especially for the settlement of a European people, as here
ao acclimatisation is needed, our summers being uniformly
warm, without experiencing the excessive heats .of the
Northern summers, as our climate is constantly modified
by gentle and refreshing breezes from the Gulf, and our
winters are short, only about six or at most eight weeks in
duration, and in that time rarely too cold to work, in the
field with the coat off. Our laws are mild, and favourable
to encourage emigration ; no necessity of becoming citizens
to hold valid titles to land or other property, with full
protection of law as citizens. Taxes almost nothing ;
only about 30 cents on every $lOO worth per annum,
taken at the owner's estimate of property. Lands are
lower now in our district than they ever will be hereafter,
and may continue so for six or twelve months, as the
great emigration:now pouring into the northern and eastern
portions of our State have had the advantage of being
brought there by rail ; but so soon as the first line reaches
us—now only 100 miles distant—they will generally
come here, as we have as good or better country, and in-
comparably more healthful and superior grasses. The south-
western people of our State find it their interest to raise
grain crops, horses and mules, hogs, sheep, &c., rather to
the neglect of cotton, which promises to be grown to such
excess that the selling price will not justify the cost of its
production, while the horse, mule, and cattle trade cannot
be overdone ; and although prices of cattle are yet low,
when they can be taken rapidly off to the North and West
by rail, it is believed they will advance 100 per cent. At
present fine fat beeves, weighing 6001bs. and 8001bs. nett,
can be purchased for from $l2 to $l5 ; hide and tallow
will nett to the Purchaser $8 or $9 ; leaving the beef only
costing $1 per 1001bs. But another year will bring about
a great improvement in price, as will . also be the case in
the value of land ; and as I am unfortunately in debt, I
cannot, nor do not wish, to wait, another year, and would
*dispose of any of my tracts, or portions of them, to the
amount of my indebtedness at the rates of much inferior
land adjoining.
If the advertiser from my statement believed that such
land would suit his purposes, I could furnish satisfactory
evidence of the reliability of my statements; but it would
be still more satisfactory at the outset of an important
enterprise to make aliasty visit to, any point he might
think would best suit him, and to me it would be, much
more acceptable, should he judge my lands suitable.
There is a gentleman now in our vicinity, Mr. F. G—,
who has brought out to our shores a small number of
families, emigrants from England, principally from the
vicinity of London. Mr. G----7 is a gentleman well,
known in London, and has been a most active member of
benevolent societies in that city, in aiding and atneliorat,
ing the condition of the worthy labouring classes, Re
has also been a conductor of part of the religious press (.4
that city, especially that portion having an extensive cir-
culation among the worthy labouring classes as above.
He has succeeded very satisfactorily in placing his
emigrants in good families at very liberal wages—the
males to labour on the farms, the females doing service in
families, such as cooking and washing, &c. Mr. G— has
been editor of the religious paper known as The Christian.
He settled his people in the East on account of the less
expense of travel ; but a very inferior country in many
respects to this. He will soon return to London, and pro•
bably forward more emigrants. He has some knowledge
of my standing. I have a brother long a resident of
London, John W—, D.D. His ministry was oondueted
for many years in River-terrace Church, Islington. His
residence is in the Chippenham-road, Westbourne-parkt
London, W: I would sell, from 2,000 t 0,4,000 acres of any
of the above land at $3 per acre (title perfect), or a half
interest in a larger tract on easier terms. Could send
maps and sketches from Government offices.
4AMES W-.
also refer to George M--, oil manu-
facturer, in Limehouse-road.

The .parliamentary papers last issued consist of an
index to the report from the Select Committee on Diplo-
matic and Consular Services ; a minute of the Ccwavaittee
of Council on Education approving of thrffie tables ; and a
syllabus of subjects in which male and female students in
training schools will be OWOined in December, 1871.