The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-26 00:00:00

S Ny MARCH 26, 1847.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.
Yesterday a Court was held• for the dispatch of
business.

CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION REFORM.
Deputy PEACOCK brought up the report of the Ccm-
mittee of Privileges of the whole Court " for power to
prepare a Bill for effecting certain reforms in the Corpo-
ration of the City of London."
The report stated as follows:—" We again proceeded
in the further consideration of the matter referred to us,
and this Court having on the 16th of March been
pleased to agree with our report then presented. in
which we stated we were of opinion the Corporation
required some reform, which could only be effected by
the aid of Parliament ; and being now of opinion that a
Bill should be forthwith prepared for effecting certain
reforms ; accordingly we recommend that we may be
empowered to prepare the same Bill."
Upon the motion that the Court agree with the report
and that it be referred back to the committee to prepare
the Bill

Sir PETER LAURIE said he considered the proposition
to prepare a Bill for Parliament most extraordinary
and injudicious in the present position of the Court.—
(Hear, hear, and No, no.) They had submitted a
series of propositions to the law officers, with a view of
ascertaining the rights and powers of the Court, and the
opinion of those officers as to the course best calculated
to promote the welfare of the corporation, and without
waiting for the advice considered so necessary they were
for starting at once into Parliament. He called that a
periodical fit.—(Loud cries of " It is no fit," and " hear,
bear.") There were three parties in this Court ; one a
very small one, which supported the hazardous course
which the Lord Mayor bad been advised to adopt ; an-
other, also, he thought a small section, which desired,
under any circumstances, to go to Parliament ; and a
third, to whicn he belonged, aad which considered that
the corporation possessed powers by which all reform
that was necessary could be easily accomplished.—
(Cries of " Hear," and " No, no.") At the same time
he would say, that if the motion, unreasonable as it was,
were passed, he should not think it worth while to oppose
it, but reserve his opposition, when the advocates
of an application to Parliament should agree upon the
form of a Bill. Many were anxious to go to Parliament,
but very few of that number knew what they were
to ask Parliament to give them and he believed that in
the attempt to frame their Bill, the Committee would
fall to pieces from internal disagreement. In 1835, came
on the first attack of that fit, when the Court tried to
render the Aldermen subject to periodical election, but
was defeated by a majority of 63 to 3S. In 1838, upon a
similar experiment, the application to Parliament was
negatived by 59 to 45; and in 1843, the orators who
looked upon the victory as secure, found they were again
mistaken, although they wished to go to Parliament for
exactly the same thing which they at the present mo-
ment seemed disposed to apply for. Indeed, all the
Committee would have to do in applying to Parliament
was to get up an old report and alter its date, and the
result would be just what it was in 1843, when the pro-
posed bill was negatived by a majority of 185 to 54. He
snould strenuously oppose the proposition to submit
their privileges to Parliament, and ho knew he
could reckon on the support of a very large majority of
the Court of Common Council, who agreed with him
that it would be madness to ask Parliament to interfere
with them, especially when by the charter of Edward
the Third they had the power of ordaining new laws
and customs to meet the wants and exigencies of the
times.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. ASIWRST—AII was smothered by the Aldermen
upon the occasions to which you refer, Sir Peter.
Sir PETER LAURIE said there was no doubt as to in-
herent power in these charters, if these charters were
understood.—(Cries of " Oh, oh," and " Hear, hear.")
If he was not mistaken, the Court would understand
them in loss than one month, and it would be seen that
the opinion ho had given so frequently was based upon
the most substantial grounds.
Mr. KING said the state of the Corporation at the
period quoted by Sir Peter Laurie was very different
from its present condition. At the several periods
alluded to, there was a rabid faction in the Court, dis-
posed to destroy the Corporation, root and branch.
The present movement was an effusion, not of a party,
but of the whole of the representatives of the Wards.—
(Hear, hear, and applause.) They either were, or
they were not, a deliberative body, and if they claimed
to be such, were they to submit to the dictation of one
man, and to be told by him that they should not discuss
any subject which he did not think meet for their con-
sideration ?—(Hear, hear.) Was it to be said that the
time was never to come at which some change should
be made in the constituency ? that the great majority
of the respectable men in the wards should be excluded
from the power of voting ? He did not think the Court
would any longer endure the exercise of such authority
as the present Lord Mayor had shown so great an in-
clination to wield, and for the purpose of checking the
continuance* of such evils as they had all lately wit-
nessed, he should adopt Parliament as the only medium
through which their constituency could obtain that to
which they were entitled.
Doctor LYNCri said they had affirmed the principle
that Parliament must be applied to in order that some
reform might be effected from a source hostile to the
corrupt rho Corporation
hear, and expressions of disapprobation.) it was agi
blunder, and it was excessive fully to believe that the
Court of Aldermen would for a moment consent to re-
form itself, or that any improvetnent could be accom-
plished in such a body without application to Parlia-
ment. Whatever powers were inherent in the Corpora-
tion as to the accomplishment of changes for the benefi-
of the citizens of London, it would be absurd to expect
any advantage from the co operation of the Court of
Aldermen, that monster evil to which it was most
necessary to apply an immediate remedy. There were
other evils for which the application of the Parliamen-
tary medicine would be necessary, but the Court of
Aldermen stood at the head cf all that was bad in
the Corporation of London. (No, no, and Yes,
yes.) It was said that a reconciliation was
about to take place between the two Courts. That was
exactly what the constituency apprehended most.—(A
laugh.) He feared that event himself, for he knew that
such a reform as would spring:from such a reconciliation
would be delusive and ridiculous. _ _

Mr. LAURENCE said that Mr. King, in denying the
sincerity cf those who formed the committee for the
consideration of former measures of reform, exhibited
his own insincerity on the present occasion, for as to the
past, that gentleman had proved himself to be the
decided enemy to any proposition calculated to benefit
his fellow citizens.—(Hear. hear, and laughter.) What-
ever the feelings of the majority had been as to the pro-
priety of applying to Parliament, from the apprehension
of an interference injurious to the cornoration, they
were now determined to peril all rather than submit to
endure, what they had in the present Mayorality been
subjected to, any longer.—(Loud cheers.) It was said
the Corporation had the power to reform itself. Why,
then, had they not made the effort ? In fact, it would
be absurd to hope for the co-operation of the Court of
Aldermen when they had a Lord Mayor acting in such
a rnanner.—(Hear, hear.) The Lord Mayor was car-
rying out the wishes of the Court of Aldermen in riding
rough-shod over the Court of Common Council.—
(Hear, hear, and No, no.) Was there any man of spirit
among the Court of Common Council who would bear
such degradation ?—(Cbeers, and loud cries of " No.")
It was said—" But look at what you will lose if you go
to Parliament ? "—(Hear, hear.). But he would ask—
Will the Aldermen lose nothing ? Will they not be
clipped ?—(Cheers.) They knew it. Did they
really object to the Qualification Bill? They cared
nothing about, it until they learned that it would be
followed by the more important measure of checking
their own expenditure of the City cash. Without ap-
plication to Parliament, the Court had nothing to ex-
pect but a repetition of what had already occurred ; but
if an application to Parliament would cause the screw
to be put upon the Court of Common Council, Parlia-
ment would see the necessity of screwing up the Court
of Aldermen proportionately.—(Cheers.)
Mr. it. TAYLOR advocated the report vigorously. He
objected to the argument of Sir P. Laurie that because
they had failed before, they were always to be frustrated,
and he reminded them of the alderman of the days of
George 1., when fifteen members of the Court of Alder-
men had gone to Parliament, and succeeded in obtain-
ing an Act which comprehended the most flagrant
violation of the rights and privileges of the Court of
Common Council.—(Hear, hear.) Why should not the
Court of Common Council apply to the present Parlia-
ment for the repeal of that obvious measure ? Would
any one say that the evils which had been forced upon
them by Parliament, could be removed without the aid
of Parliament.—(Hear, hear.) The difficulties in which
they were placed, had been aggravated by the decision
against them in the court of law, with respect to the
wholesale dealers, and an appeal to Parliament was the
only means which appeared to him to be likely to render
any service.
Sir C. MARSUALL had thought that all angry feeling
between the Courts was dying away.—(Loud cries of
"No, no.") He was confident that this Court would be
laughed at if they determined upon going to Parliament
before they received the report of the seven gentlemen
they had deputed to confer with the Court of Aldermen.
Deputy STEVENS said the object was to propose a bill
for Parliament, but not to go to Parliament without the
consent of the Court.
Mr. ASHURST said the Court of Aldermen showed the
greatest promptitude in forming the Common Council,
when it proposed to diminish the number of the repre-
sentatives there, or to cause any other essential altera•
tion in that body; but the moment a word was uttered
about making any changes in their own powers, nothing
could be more inconsistent. Mr. Ashurst then proceeded
to argue with much force upon the necessity of going to
Parliament.
Alderman CoPELAND said he should support the
motion, having always been of opinion that the differ-
ences between the two Courts could not be settled with-
out the aid of the Legislature.
Several other members spoke in favour of the report,
amongst whom were Mr. Anderton, Mr. T. 11. Hall,
Mr. Cash, and Deputy Peacock. It was opposed by
Mr. Godson. To the arguments used the public have
been for some time accustomed.
Ultimately the report was agreed to by a very great
majority. The proceedings of the day certainly gave
very little hope of the reconciliation spoken of at the
commencement of the discussion; of the determination of
the Court of Common Council to go to Parliament,

PRICE SD.

there cannot, however, be the slightest question. After
the transaction of some business of minor importance,
the Court adjourned.

THE PROVISION SQUADRON.
The Government, it would appaar from the following
list, have not decreased the number of vessels of her
Majesty's navy engaged in conveying provisions to the
destitute parts of Ireland, and the west coast of Scot-
land, but we believe that the steam-frigates will now be
principally employed in conveying seed to the distressed
population of the above districts.
The officers and crews of our navy have performed
this service in a manner which reflects the greatest
'credit on them as sailors—and the highest honour
on them as men. By day and by night—in smooth
weather and rough gales, they have carried out the
judicious and well-timed orders of the Admiralty and
the intentions of the Government, with as much
interest as celerity in their humane task. Their
praiseworthy conduct deserves especial notice ; for
they have made great sacrifices in this service, which we
are sure requires only to be known to the public to be
duly appreciated. Vessels of very large tonnage have
been worked by one•half their usual complements, and
with double the work they have been receiving only the
same pay. The royal naval officers antk seamen have
been doing the drudgery of merchant colliers without
the advantages of merchant seamen's wages, and without
complaint or murmur ; but o❑ the contrary, with cheer-
fulness and alacrity they have submitted to hard toil, and
in many cases severe privations, in the good service on
which they have been employed. We should not omit to
notice another gratifying circumstance in connexion with
this service. Although the crews have suffered so much
inconvenience by being drafted from the particular ves-
sels for which they entered, the number of desertions has
been very few, and those which have taken place has
been of worthless wretches, whose continuance in the
service was an annoyance to the officers and only an ex-
pense to the Crown.
Again, in speaking of those actually engaged in the
ships conveying provisons, we are led to notice the assis-
tance of the officers and crews of the guardships at the
,oatsilorts. Large numbers of the provision squadron
have been officered and manned from the Poictiers and
Ocean, ordinary guardships at Chatham and Sheerness;
from the St. Vincent 120, and Victory, 104, port and
ordinary guardships at Portsmouth; and from the Queen.
110, and Caledonia, 120, port and ordinary guardships
at Devonport; and from other ships in commission at the
above ports. Thus we have Captain Williams and a
portion of the officers and crew of the Atnphion, at
Woolwich, away in the Odin; Captain Ramsay, Lieut.
Need, and a portion of the officers and crew of the Ter-
rible, during her repair at Woolwich, in the Dragon;
Lieut. Coles, with a party from the St. Vincent, is away
in the Tartarus; Mr. Macdonald, master of the Royal
Yacht, with another party. is in the Dauntless; Com-
mander Schomberg, and a party from the Queen,
is in the Portland; Mr. Davey, supernumerary assis-
tant master attendant, and party from the Caledonia, are
in the Centaur; and Mr. Brown, Master of the Cale •
donia, and party from the Queen, are in the Tyne.
Whilst these officers and men are absent from their re-
spective ships, of course, the duty falls heavier on those
remaining ; but Captain Milne, of the St. Vincent, and
Captain Sir Henry Leeke, of the Queen, with other gal-
lant officers, not only carry on their duties efficiently
with the diminished crews, but on every occasion where
help is required in fitting or navigating they are always
ready to afford it, proofs of which have been given in
getting ready in a very short space of time several ves-
sels whose services have been most urgently required.
Nor should the services of the officers and men of the
dockyard and victualling be forgotten. With respect
to the former, at Portsmouth and Woolwich, they have
exerted themselves in a manner not rivalled even by
the extraordinary efforts made during the war. At
Devonport, too, in the store department, they seconded
the exertions of the men of the flagship with the
best possible effect ; but little could be expected from
the shipwrights when the building of the SO-gun ships
absorbed so much the strength of that department.
The exertions made at Woolwich Dockyard we are
bound especially to commend ; for, in. fitting the Odin
steam frigate from a mere shell to a sea-going ship in
comparatively a few hours, they earned the highest praise
from the Admiralty, and the warmest thanks of the
Government. The officers and men of the victualling
department have richly merited the great credit which
has been given to them. Day and night they have
kept the machinery going, baking biscuit and grinding
wheat, barley, and meal ; and while they have been fil-
ling the provision-ship in the most expeditious manner,
the quality of the biscuit made at the Clarence and the
Royal William establishments is of the first description.
Upon carefully reviewing, then, the whole service in
connexion with the succours provided for and conveyed
to the destitute population of Ireland end Scotland,
'whether we regard the chief dirsktion of that service by
the AdmiNy, or the appropriation of the vessels and
the arrangement of their stations—the commanding and
navigating the various vessels engaged—the repairing,
fitting, and storing them, or the preparation of the pro-
visions for their shipment—to the Admiralty first, and
secondly to their efficient departments, a deep debt of
gratitude from the public is owing

STEAM-VESSELS.
The Terrible, steam frigate, w. zr—ff :
charge, is at \Voolwieh preparing to rocas e sted fur
conveyance and distribution to Ireland.
The Dragon, steam-frigate, Captain liamsay, an-
chored in Plymouth Sound, on Monday, from Ireland,
for seven hours, and left at five p in. for 'Portsmouth, end
arrived at that port the following morning to ship seed
for Ireland.

The Odin, steam-frigate, Captain Williams, left
Devonport on Tuesday evening for Portsmouth, to ship
seed for Ireland. _ _ _

The Avenger, steam-frigate, Commander Potbury,
arrived at Portsmouth on Tuesday morning from Devon-
port and Ireland to load with seed.
The Dauntless, screw steam-frigate, Master-Com-
mander M'Donald, is at Tobermory discharging her

cargo.
The Centaur, steam frigate, Master Commander
Davey, put into Cork at eight a.m. on Saturday, from
Portsmouth, from stress of weather: She is on her
way to Kenmare with 50 tons of seed, for distribution
by Dr. Sullivan. From Kenmare she proceeds to
Galway.
The Geyser, steam' sloop, Commander Brown, was at
Cork on Saturday, and was to proceed to the west coast
and the river Shannon, with a cargo of provision, and
100 boilers, for distribution ; she is then to be detached
to Portsmouth.

The Bulldog, steam sloop, Commander Davis, was at
Cork on the 20th instant, and was to proceed to Dingle
with 820 sacks of meal for the relief committee, and with
150 packages of clothes, on account of the British
Relief Association.
The Scourge, steam sloop, Commander Coffin, was
detained at Torbert for a short time by the violent wea-
ther. She is now on her way to the Clyde, her previous
orders to proceed to Liverpool having been counter-
manded.
The Stromboli, steam sloop, Commander Fisher, was
at ()ban last week, and was to receive meal from the
Dauntless, and to proceed with it to Long Island and
Boisdale.
The Avon, steam vessel, Commander Otter (Com-
mander Smith in charge) has returned to Oban from
Holyhead, and is ready at the requisition of the Com-
missary-General, Sir E. Coffin.
The Blazer, steam vessel, Commander Wingrove, is
on her way to Cork from Dingle, having assisted the
Cockatrice thither to land her cargo.
The Zephyr, steam vessel, Lieut. Commander Ladd,
has landed supplies on account of the British Relief As-
sociation at Glengariff, and is on her return to Cork.
The Pluto, Lieut. Commander Lowe, has coaled and
completed provisions at Tarbert, and has returned to
Kildysart, near Fergus, to afford protection to the meal
vessels passing between Limerick and the river Fergus.
She is ready to attend to the requisition of the Commis-
sary General.
The Comet, Lieut. Commander Johnstone, is carrying
provisions in the neighbourhood of Limerick. She ar-
rived at Tralee, on the ith, with 20 tons of meal.
The Myrmidon, Lieut. Commander Roberts, is at
Waterford, to afford protection to the meal boats from
being plundered between Carrick, Clonmel, and Ross.
The Urgent, Liverpool mail steam packet, Lieut.
Commander Symes, when the Tyne has discharged her
cargo, is to tow her to the southward of Cape Clear.
The Lucifer, Lieut. Commander Smith, is attached to
the depot at Sligo.
The Porcupine, Lieut. Commander Tumour, has pro-
ceeded to KintaiC(Scotland), with Commander Maclean
and meal for distribution.
The Shearwater, Lieutenant Commander Sir Godfrey
Webster, Bart., is at Oban, at the disposition of the
Commissary General, Sir E. Coffin, and to convey
Colonel Hope to any place.
The Firefly, Lieutenant Commander Buchan, is at
Tobermory, waiting orders.
The Torch, Lieutenant Commander Morris, is also at
the requisition of the Commissary General, at Oban.
The Dasher, Lieutenant Commander French, received
the supplies from the Scourge, and proceeded with them
for distribution.
The Acheron, Lieutenant Commander Dunlap, has
proceeded to Black Sod Bay, for the protection of meal
vessels passing that way from plunder.
The Tartarus, Lieutenant Commander S. Coles, is at
Galway, conveying provisions.
The Cuckoo, Lieutenant Commander Parks, is also at
the requisition of the Commissary General, at Oban.
The Fcailess has left Cork with 130 sacks of seed,
oats and barley, to Skull.
The Dee, transport, Master Commander Driver, is at
Cork =king good defects in her machinery, and will
then be ready for further service.
The Rhadamanthus, transport, Master Commander
Aylen, was at Oban last week, from Liverpool, with
supplies.
The Alban, steam-vessel, Master Commander Brad-
shaw, was on her way to Skibbereen with supplies.,eeral
The Swallow, Second Master Commander Bryant, is
at Limerick, under the orders of Commissary General
lie‘Nitson.