The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-28 00:00:00

EDUCATION.

Mr. W. MILES presented a petition from Somerset
against the Government plan of education.
Lord R. GROSVENOR presented similar petitions.
DIRECT TAXATION.
given
EWART postponed the motion of which he had
given not- • this day nonce until this day fortnight respecting a system
of direct taxation.

SCOTCH JUDGES.
WA.TSON. wished to ask the Lord-Advocate
whether he was aware that the Scotch Judges were in
the habit of undertaking the arbitration of private suits,
approved of
and receivingsuch feesa
coursehe 'sax" for
; and if so, whether he
The LORD-ADVOCATE said that ho was not aware
of anything of the kind having taken
Place ; and if such
a course had been adopted he need
his opinion that such a course was, ton()satysatt that it was
e least of it,
very indiscreet. .
LORD DALHOUSIE'S RAILWAYS DISSOLU—
TION ACT.
Mr. NEWDEGATE wished to ask the Right Lion
Gentleman at the head of the railway department, wil.
tier it was the intention of the Government to bring' in
any measure this session to amend Lord Dalhousie's
Act with reference to joint-stock companies?
Mr. STRUTT said that he could not answer the
question, but as far as his department was concerned
there was no such intention.

AUTHORITY OF THE COAST-GUARD TO
STOP PASSENGERS.

Mr. HUDSON wished to put a question to the Go-
vernment, with regard to the authority of the coast-
guard to stop passengers and prevent them from landing.
'Tbe Hon. Secretary to the Admiralty had answered his
question privately, but he.Ahought that it would be
better to have the answer iiretiin public. The question
be wished to put was, whether the coast-guard had any
such authority as he had mentioned to prevent passen-
gers from landing; and if iuch a power did nig, whether
"7; i •

/~I

the Government would have any objection to furnish
the particular minute under which that regulation
.was
made ?
Mr. WARD said, that the Treasury had the regula-
tion of the coast guard ; and asked if the Hon. Member
had any complaint to make with regard to the conduct
of the authorities. Such a regulation did exist where
passengers wished to land with their luggage, before a
proper examination had been made.
Mr. HUDSON did not complain of any particular
incivility ; he only wished to know whether such an
authority existed ?
Mr. WARD said that such a regulation, under the
circumstances he bad mentiened, did exist, and the
coast guard were only in the performance of an order
which was enforced all round the coast.
ROYAL COMMISSION.
Sir Augustus Clifford, the usher of the black rod,
here appeared at the table, and summoned the House to
the bar of the House of Peers, to hear the royal assent
given by commission to several Bills (for which see
Lords' report.)
PUBLIC WORKS, IRELAND.
Mr. CORNELIUS O'BRIEN moved that the returns
relating to the Extraordinary Sessions held in and for
the several baronies of the county of Clare, and works
consequent thereon [ordered 9th March] ; and the re-
turn relating to Public Works (Ireland), and proceed-
ings of Liscannon Committee [ordered 20th April] ;
and that relating to presentment passed at Corofin, in
the county of Clare [ordered same day], be made forth-
ith.—Agreed to.
CASE OF CAPTAIN WYNNE.
Major MACNAMARA moved that the petition from
Kilmurry, for inquiry into the conduct of Capt. Wynne,
be printed with the votes, and referred to the Select
Committee on Capt. Wynne's Letters.—Agreed to.
HONORARY MEDALS FOR THE TWEED.

Sir W. JAMES said that he had presented a petition
some days ago for leave to compete for the honorary
medals to be given for the relief of the Tweed.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that a communication had
been made to the Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty, and that the matter was in the hands of Mr.
Wyon, who was usually considered a competent and
satisfactory authority.
NAVY ENLISTMENT BILL.
Sir C. NAPIER said that regulations had been made
for the manning of our mercantile marine, which is now
by far the most extensive in the world, but no provision
whatever had been made for the enlistment for the navy.
We had now 6,379 ships above a hundred tons, com-
prising 189,569 tons ; 11,017 vessels under that rate,
comprising 1,355,000 tons, besides 367 registered steam-
vessels, comprising 8,838 tons ; for while there were
some vague provisions—while in the navy we have 100
sail of the line, beside a proportionate number of frigates
and other smaller vessels, not including more than 150
steam vessels of war, in France there was the system
of conscription and inscription, by the latter of
which every person competent to serve was known,
and by the former it was arranged that every
man in the province was obliged to serve for five
years in the army. There was some similar
provision in Sweden, Russia, and every other country in
Europe except Denmark. But in this country, the
greatest mercantile country in the world, there was
no provision 'whatever till the Bills were introduced
by the Ho❑. Baronet the Member for Dorchester.
The Right Hon. Gentleman at the head of the Admi-
ralty did not pass the Bill without considerable difficulty.
There was a great opposition to the Bill at the time, but
still in the end it was passed. He remembered that a
short time before the Right Hon. Baronet brought his Bill
forward he addressed a letter to Lord Althorp, request-
ing him to introduce some measure into Parliament upon
this subject, but the only answer he received was, that his
Lordship was extremely anxious that the system of im-
pressment should be made fixed; but it was impossble
to bring the subject forward in the House of Commons,
as but few Members took any interest in it. Yet, not-
withstanding that declaration, the Right Hon. the Mem-
ber for Dorchester brought in his Bill and succeeded in
carrying it. In the session before last the Right Hon.
Gentleman the Member for Wiltshire brought forward his
Bill for improving the Registration Bill, and that was also
carried through the House, but not without considerable
difficulty. Now, if people would only have patience
until the registration of seamen was complete, he had
not the slightest doubt that they would find the Bill
turn out to be of great importance.` Ile would now
take a glance at the provisions of the Bill. It would
appear that it gave Government authority to issue a
proclamation calling upon all seamen in Great Britain
and Ireland to come forward within five days from the
date of the proclamation to enter the navy. That was,
they were to be allowed five days to volunteer, but if
they did not volunteer within that period, they would be
liable to be impressed. At sea the man was only allowed
half-an-hour to make up his mind—rather sharp practice.
The power the Queen possessed at the present moment
he did not think was too much or too little ; for in-
stance, suppose that they wished to increase their navy
by four or five sail of the line, it bad been very clearly
proved in 1840 and 1841, when they were desirous of
increasing their navy in the Mediterranean, and bring-
ing it to a force of seventeen or eighteen sail of the line,
voluntary enlistment was then out of the question. None
of the ships in the Mediterranean could receive men from
England, because they were not to be had under any
circumstances. Three or four sail of the line, which
were in commission, were obliged to remain at Benin
for several months without their complement.
Even the guard-ships were inefficiently manned,
and a Gallant Admiral was called home to ar-
range some plan for obtaining the full complement
of men for the ships. Now the Bill of Sir James
Graham provided that the seamen were to be
called out by proclamation from the Queen, and that
they were to receive a double rating, and that all the
seamen actually in port, at the moment when the
proclamation was issued, were also to receive a double
bounty. In the event of the Government requiring
an addition to their force of 2,007 or 3,000 men, they
had no other means of obtaining them, or of manning
two or three ships, but by calling out all the seamen
employed in the merchant service, and paying them the
sum of 300,000/. or 400,0004 Any gentleman who chow to
take that matter into consideration would find it very in-
convenient for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to be
obliged, before he could raise even a single man, to ad.
vance pretty nearly half a million of money. It must also
be inconvenient, when only two or three thousand
men were required, that they had to issue a pro-
clamation ; and in case it should be a popular war
and should the men feel a great disposition to come for-
ward themselves, as each man knew very well that upon
the expiration of five days if he did not come forward
he was subject to arrest, it was natural to suppose that
all these men had come forward in order to receive the
high bounty which would be given to them. In such a
case twenty or thirty thousand men might come
forward, and not only derange themselves but dis-
organize the whole mercantile marine of the country.
The Bill to which he called the attention of the House
would not he any such expense, it would rather be a
saving. The amendment which he had to propose was
one which, in his opinion, the Government ought to
agree with, and one which thE y ought to have intro-
duced themselves. It would have given him great satis-
faction if the Government had brought forward
the m.asure—(llesr, hear)—but as the Admiralty
had not done so, he felt it to be his dut)
to introduce the measure himself. His proposition was,
that her Majesty should call out at any time, in peace or
war, by proclamation, whatever seamen might at any
time be required. They would have to be called on in
rotation, as they had been out of their apprenticeship, for
one, two, three, or four years. They should first try to gain
the number by voluntary means, but, when that failed,
then they should issue a proclamation, calling on those
who had been ono year released from their apprentice-
ship to come forward; then, if these were not sufficient,
call on those two years out, and so on. He
would not have any impressment, but he would
have it so ordered that no merchant ships should be
allowed to take any seamen who were thus called out
into their service. This might be called oppression,
and he admitted that it was, but it was
better oppression than the old system of oppression.
His object was to get a number of men as they might
be required for the services of the country, to be called
out by the Queen's proclamation, and thus pre-
vent the necessity of the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer from parting with a considerable sum of money.
In one of the ships in which he was engaged there was
employed to obtain men an officer who had named a ship
before he was born. He had succeeded admirably in re-
placing the men who were about to be discharged. He suc-
ceeddin his object, and when the new men came alongside
those who were to be discharged, he thought that there
were fourteen men. They went below to get their
traps, and their messmates went down to take leave of
them. Of course this was a long business. There
was a regular jollification, and when they came
up he believed that there were not more than six
men in the snip, besides the officers, who were not
more or less intoxicated. And as these, for some cause
or other, were engaged when it was necessary to bring
the ship to, the captain himself was obliged to go forward
to let go the anchor. Such was the case with every other
ship in the Downs, and he believed that, in the case of
another war,such a state of things would never be allowed.
He was quite c.2rtain this country would never tolerate
the system of impressment again. At all events, he
was certain the seamen would not stand it ; if they did,
all he could say of them was, that they would be great
fools. Then, with regard to pressing men on shore. In the

An Account of the Balances of the Public Money remaining in the Excl
ended the sth day of April, 1847 ; the Money applied towards the
Works, &c., with the Difference accruing thereon ; and the Balances i

Whitehall Treasury Chambers, April 22, 1847.

troduction of the Bill ; he could not take upon himself
the responsibility of such a measure. It was a large
and a difficult subject, and the course proposed would
interfere with large private interests and commercial
enterprise. He wished as much as any one to see
some measure better calculated for the service than the
present law, still they ought not to do anything without
the fullest consideration. At the present stage of the
Bill he would not say further.
Leave was then given to introduce the Bill.
DECIMAL CURRENCY.
Dr. BOIVRING then rose to move, that the adoption
of a decimal system of coinage currency and account
would be a great public convenience. That, in order to
give effect to this object, an humble address be presented
to her Majesty, requesting that she will be graciously
pleased to authorise the issue of coins representing the
value of two shillings, being the tenth of a pound ster-
ling, and twopence and two-fifths, being the hun-
dredth part of a pound sterling, such coins
to be called Queens and Victorias, or any
other names which to her Majesty may seem best.
The lion. Member said that this country was almost the
only one which had not introduced the decimal system
into practice. It existed largely over Europe, and pre-
vailed over the whole continent of America. In his opi-
nion it was advisable that the pound sterling should be
divided into 1,000 parts, and with the assistance of two
new coins, he would be able to make the change without
at all interfering with the other pieces at present in use.
He proposed, therefore, in the gold coins, to retain the
sovereign and the half-sovereign ; in silver, he would
retain the crown, the half-crown, the shilling, and the
sixpence. Ho would then make the farthing to repre-
sent the thousandth part, the halfpenny to represent the
five-hundredth part, amd the penny the 250th part. As
the system now held, the sixpence represents the fortieth
part, the shilling the twentieth part, and he would,
therefore, require the assistance of a coin
that would represent the tenth part, and this he
would make of the value of two shillings, and
call it after the name of the Queen, in order
to distinguish it and note the time when the change
was made. This would be approaching to the system
of decimes, and he accordingly required pieces to
represent the tenth and the hundredth part of a pound.
Some doubt had been expressed respecting the inconve-
nience for using so small a silver coin as that which was
required for the• latter purpose; but it should he recol-
lected that it was only about equal to the Spanish rial,
and would pass like the Austrian florin—indeed, be no
more than the Saxon penny, which was in use till the
time of Edward HI. That coin was of the
weight of twenty grains during the time of
the Saxons, during the time of Edward the Con-
fessor, and up to the Conquest, its weight
was 224 grains. In the time of Edward I. it was 22
grains, and so remained until it fell in the time of
Edward 111. to 20 grains. The new coin which he
proposed would weigh 18 grains, so that no inconve-
nience would be felt for its size, and he believed that,
both the coins, especially the Victoria, would be
very useful in the exchange frith the continent.
In most of the continental countries—in France, in
Lombardy, in Austria and Germany, Tuscany and the
Roman States, the decimal system had been adopted ;
and it had not only been adopted with the greatest suc-
cess, but it had drawn the strongest possible feeling in
its favour. This plan of decimals was in operation in
Switzerland, throughout the Zollverein, from the Baltic
to Kamskateka, and from the Caspian and the Euxine to
the White Sea. It was the system adopted in the great
Chinese Empire. The Greeks, the Danes, the Portu-
:mese, the United States of America, and the nations of
Central America, all had embraced it. Nay, the Turks
and Persians had seen its utility, and incorporated it in
their currency. Such was the extent of the system
which he wished to see introduced here, and he would
now sit down by moving the resolutions which he had
just read.

Mr. HUME supported the motion. For the last 22
years the subject had been before the country, and it
was now high time that this decimal system should be
adopted. It would be the means of greatly facilitating
business, and if it were adopted, those who now kept
five clerks, would be saved the labour of one. No great
time could elapse till this change was made. He hoped
the Government, instead of throwing difficulties in the
way of the proposition, would give it every facility in
their power. In conclusion, he had great pleasure in
seconding the motion of his Hon. Friend.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
there was no doubt that a decimal system of currency
had a great many recommendations in its favour, at the
same time there was hardly anything in the world on
which the passions of the people were more interested,
or more prejudiced, than on the subject of the old coins
and old constitutions of the country ; and it was
therefore necessary that whatever was done, should be
done gradually.—(Hear, hear.) He was not prepared
to go the whole length of the Hon. Member for Mon-
trose. The first step was very easy, namely, to strike
two shilling pieces, but the difficulty would be expe-
rienced when they came to the penny pieces. It might
be advisable that two shilling pieces should be struck,
and he was prepared to agree that they should, and if
the people did not agree to take them up, why, then,
there was no great harm done. But, considering the
confusion which would follow an immediate change, he
would feel it his duty to move the previous question.'
Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN congratulated his Hon.
Friend the Member for Bolton on his partial success.
Ile rose because his friend the Hon. Member for Mon-
trose said that there was an objection among the protec-
tionists to a decimal system of currency. Such was not
the fact. lie was glad to hear the Hon. Gentleman
express his sympathy with the feelings of the people,
and his prejudices in favour of immemorial usage. Now
he would be glad to have the corn-laws restored, for the
feelings of the people were in their favour, as was also
the argument of immemorial usage.—(Hear, hear.) He
would be glad to hear the Master of the Mint (R. S.
Simi!) say something upon this subject, as that country,
of which he was a grace and ornament, bad long since
banished the decimal system from their commerce.
Mr. SHEIL said that when he was in Ireland, he
happened to direct his attention to the subject, and he
expressed a wish that the Chancellor of the Exchequer
would consider how far it was possible to intro-
duce the principle of simple arithmetic in the case of copper,
and he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) wrote him an
answer which contained the very same views which ho
had just then expressed. He then communicated with
Mr. Trevyllan and Mr. Pennington, who stated several
reasons why a decimal system could not satisfactorily be
carried out. The great difficulty arose when they came
to copper ; as far as silver was concerned the case was
easy enough. He had no objection that a two-shilling
piece should be struck called a Royal.

Lion of the Right Hon. Gentleman. He had a com-
munication from Lord Ashburton, who expressed him-
self very much in favour of a decimal system. He would
withdraw his motion.—(Hear, hear.)
RAILWAY PIERS AND_ HARBOURS (IRELAND)

BILL.
This Bill was postponed till Friday next.
GREECE.
Lord J. MANNERS, in rising to call the attention of
the House to the present condition of Greece, said that
he was aware that the question was rather alien to the
tastes of the House. The greatest hopes were enter-
tained that Greece would, at no distant day, assume a
high place among the nations of the earth. Tier long
and arduous struggles to throw off her yoke, the hero-
ism of her sons, the fertility of the soil, all were preg•
nant with promise that these hopes would be realised.
In 1832, when the King of Bavaria accepted the throne
of Greece for his younger son, he entered into a stipu-
lation with France, England, and Russia that Greece
should receive a free constitution, and those guaranteed
a loan of 800,0001., the interest of which was to be re-
paid by quarterly instalments ; but eleven years had
passed, and ho grieved to say that neither of these stipu-
lations were fulfilled. The constituted authorities joined
with others in committing the most wanton outrages
in fact he hoped to make such a case as would justify an
English House of Commons to pass a vote expressing a
strong opinion on the conduct which had been pursued
towards that romantic and classical land. The Hon.
Gentleman read a number of extracts to show the cruel-
ties practised by the constituted authorities. One of the
petitions presented to the king was from Messaline;
which stated that fifty inhabitants of that district were
dragged from their homes without any excuse, and put
to the most fearful tortures; some suspended by their
teeth, others burned, and others whipped; another peti-
tion stated that brigandism wus fostered by the employ&
of the Government, to serve their own private purposes,
and that even the necessary troops for the protection of
the people were removed. Praetorian bands, for he could
call them nothing else, were kept up, contrary
to the spirit and even the letter of the constitution. The
financial part of the arrangement was not carried out,
and they had therefore a clear right to raise their voices.
The Minister of Finance in the year 1846 admitted that
through the dishonesty of the public servants he was
unable to obtain any knowledge whatsoever of the finan-
cial state of the country. In the budget presented to the
Chamber the debt to England was not even put forward,
as much so as to call fur a strong remonstrance from
Lord Aberdeen. Recently a commission had been
appointed in Greece to investigate six charges
which had been made against the Minister
of Finance for falsification of the accounts
and the averages which regulated the import duties on
corn. On the 10th of March that Committee presented
a long and elaborate report to the Chamber, in which
they found the Minister guilty of the charges imputed
to him, and a majority of the Chamber had since re-
fused to agree to the report of the Committee Unless
such a state of things were corroborated by the testi
mory of persons of the highest authority it was
almost impossible to believe that Greece could
be in such a miserable and disastrous condition. He
did not wish to allude at any length to the course of
policy pursued by the French Government in the affairs
of Greece—he did not consider that the influence
exercised by that Government was either so
great or so injurious as had beenvery generally re-
ported. That some influence was exercised by France
over that country was evident from the statements of M.
Colletti himself.

An HON. MEMBER moved that the House be counted,
when there not being 40 Members present, the House
adjourned till to-morrow (this day), Twelve o'clock.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY).

GROUP I.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yexterday.)
BERNE EAT AND CANTERBURY JUNC-
TION.

The Committee then went into this case. The length of
the line was only three miles. The estimated cost was
25,0001.
The preamble to the Bill was proved.
The Committee then adjourned.

GROUP V.
The Committee met at twelve ; Lord 11. Vane in the chair.
WINDSOR, STAINES, AND SOUTH-WES-
TERN (STAINES TO ASCOT, okc.)

The promoters of the Bill produced clauses this morning
restricting them from making their railway, unless they ob-
tain the consent of the Ordnance to pass the drilling ground
at Hounslow.
Mr. Brunel could not be found.
The Committee soon after adjourned till twelve to-morrow
(this day).

. .
time of war a man could not walk about the streets of
London without being picked up. No man was safe, no-
body was respected, anti had the Speaker himself hap-
pened to be walking near the docks, he would certainly
hare been picked up. The House might have been
waiting for their Speaker while the Speaker himself
might have been caged up in the press-room of the
guard-ship anchored off the Tower. The men who
were pressed were denied the use of ink or paper, and
before he could find out where he had got
to, he was shipped off to the Yore.—(Hear.)
these There was often what they called a hot press,
when the house of any man was entered by
press-gangs, and men taken away from their
wives
as it now exist d
and families to foreign countries, when it might
would open thei
be years before their friends heard of them. He bad
endeavoured to show them the system of impressment
duce the menctoouerlali:
neey.e s
to Hea
d'
otrusted e that the h
ieh Governmentwou ld i n -
north country sailor, they
themselves. Even with all the induce-
north
regarded the service ments they
could not wholly succeed. A
who traded to Hull or to Newcas
horror, and would nut' °n on
ought to
thing board a man-of-war with
persuasion, enter the navy.
were
of things. lie he-
ti
hieintghotougahl
alter
e trh
tehye
agirteed to the seaman
lieved that if this amendment wett
would soon get accustomed teo
not be considered a hardship. It it, it would
country in a position to meet any great er`aAerPleace this
might arise. He thanked the House for the attention
that
given to him, and he would now sit dOwn by askingt i
leave to introduce the Bill.
Air. yirARD said that he would not Mon the in.

After a few words from Mr. BIiOWNE,
Sir G. CLERK said that the Government ought
to take care that they did nut create great con-
fusion. The two•shilling piece would be like the half-
Crown, and ignorant people might be misled. Consider-
ablo confusion was created by the introduction of three-
Pen n
ys pieces, by reason of their similarity to fourpenny
piece

Dr. BOA-RING said that he accepted the proposi-

PUBLIC INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.-- BALANCE-SHEET.

An Account of the Net Public Income of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the year ended the sth day of April, 1847 (after abating the Expenditure thereout defrayed by the several
Revenue Departments), and of the actual Issuesor Payments within the same Period, exclusive of the Sums applied to the Redemption of Funded or paying off Unfunded Debt, and of the Advances and
Repayments for Local Works, &c.

INCOME OR REVENUE. Total. I EXPENDITURE.
.0
ORDINARY REVENUE AND RF.CEIPTS. s. d. Funded Debt.—lnterest and Management of the Permanent Debt
............... 23,7304,544 3.8
dO.
X S. d,Customs i21,086,264 15 10 Terminable Annuities
Excise 13,958,390 12 9
3,905,649 17 0
Stamps 7,638,765 8 8 Total Charge of the Funded Debt, exclusive of 9,7001. 7s. ld., the Interest
Taxes (Land and Assessed).... 4,257,159 7 5 on Donations and Bequests.
27,636,194 5 0
Property -tax 5,464,580 12 4
Post Office 856,000 0 0 Unfunded Debt. Interest on Exchequer-bills
Crown Lands 112,000 0 0
----------- ls. and 6d. and 4s. in the Xon Pensions and Salaries 4,437 11 3 Civil List 28,055,202 3 6
393,221 4 8
Small Branches of the Hereditary Revenues of the Crown . • ••• .... 27,325 2 5 Annuities and Pensions for Civil, Naval, Military, and Judicial Services,
Surplus Fees of Regulated Public Offices 221,254 2 7 &c., charged by various Acts of Parliament on the Consolidated Fund.... 531,818 8 5
------ Salaries and 'lllowances
265,273 19 3
153,626,177 13 3 Diplomatic Salaries and Pensions
175,142 12 7
Courts of Justice
942,753 17 10
OTHER RECEIPTS. Miscellaneous Charges on the Consolidated Fund 498,832 14 10
2,807,042 17 7
667,644 9 7 Army
6,534,699 0 0
102,833 6 10 Navy
i3lnfopnreeystfraonmd Cothhienrai‘uinodneiersthe Treaty of August, 1842
7,708,293 8 4
Money received from the East India Company 60,000 0 0 Ordnance
Unclaimed Dividends (more than paid)- . 17,106 10 2 Miscellaneous, chargeable on the Annual Grants of Parliament (including 2,645,646 0 0
550,0001. on Account of Distress in Ireland) 3,957,687 6 9
54,473,761 19 10
20,846,325 15 1
Excess of Income over Expenditure 51,708,570 16 2
••• ••• 2,765,191 3 8
54,473,761 19 10
54,473,761 19 10

hequer on the sth day of April, 1846; the Amount of Money raised by the Additions to the Funded or Unfunded Debt in the Year
Redemption of the Funded or paying off Unfunded Debt; the Total Amount of Advances and Repayments on Account of Local
n the Exchequer, on the sth day of April, 1847.

---
X s. d. £ s. d. ISSUED.
£ g. d. .£ s. d.
BALANCES in the EXCHEQUER on the sth day of April, 1846
••• ~. 6,507,463 49i To the Commissioners for the reduction of the National Debt, to be
applied to the redemption of the Public Debt :
By issues, per Act 10 George IV., c. 27
By interests on donations and beq ,
uests 9,700 7 1
MONEY RAISED is TUE YEAR ENDING TEE STII DAY OF APRIL, 1847, By
THE CREATION OF FUNDED OR UNFUNDED DEBT
Deduct sum applied not in redemption of Funded Debt, but of Con-
2,709,793 8 0
solidated Fund Deficiency Bills
FUNDED DEBT.
To the Paymasters of Exchequer-bills for payment of U
nfunded Debt :
Contribution to the Loan of 8,000,0001., per Act. 10 Vict., c. 9 1 960,000 0 0 Money out of Consolidated Fund in payment of Public Works Bills 6,700 0
Money out of Ways and Means, Grants applied to payment of Sup-
ply Exchequer Bills 208,000 0 0
UNFUNDED DEBT.
Exchequer-bills for payment of Supply Bills
Exchequer-bills, 18,380,2001., per Act 9 Victoria, c. 15, charged on
--- Supplies
15,099,500 0 0 Acts of Parliament (including 4,000;0001. to Ireland, by Act
9 and 10 Vict., c. 107) 5,086,421 16 9
Total amount of Repayments of Advances for Local Works, &c.,
Excess of Income over Expenditure
under various Acts of Parliament 1,118,095 18 8
••• ..• 2,765,191 3 8
3,968,325 18 1
Balances in the Exchequer on the sth day of April, 1847
28,372,154 8 54
28,372,154 8 5
wmt..1,,,11 Treasury Chambers. April 22. 1847.

The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day)
at twelve o'clock.

GROUP XXXII'.
The Committee appointed to consider the merits of the
Bills comprised in this group assembled for the first time in
Room 31 ; the Ri Olt Hon. F. Baring in the chair. The Com-
mittee consisted of Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Stanton, Mr. Comp-
ton, and Mr. W. Martin.

8,372,154 8
PARKER.

stone. lie approved of the making of these two small
( branches, and also of the extension of the Dairy station.
Mr. Knight, traffic manager on the company's line, after
stating their present rates to be 14d. a ton per mile for the
first 16 miles, Id. for 23, and for 40 miles, gave the fol
lowing comparative statement of export of coals for the four
ports on the neighbouring coast, viz.:-
1846 Ayr .... 72,460 tons.
1845 Troon 129,283
Irvine 47,703
Ardrossan
The Troon exports were much greater in 1846 than the
year before.
Mr. Miller, the engineer of the line, stated that his prin-
cipal object in laying out the proposed branches, was to ac-
commodate the minerals of the neighbourhood, in order that
that traffic might be fully developed. Such were the Fen-
wick, London, and Colliery branches, which were constructed
with a descending gradient towards the ports. The coals,
thus brought down came upon the main line, and had ready
access to the north, south, and west, and the towns or ports
situated in any of these directions. The length of the whole
projected branches was 26 miles, and the total estimate for
works, lands, kc., 415,0001. There were no engineering
difficulties.
This closed the case for the promoters.
GLASGOW, IC.ILMARNOOZ, am) ARDILOS-
SAN (DEVIATIONS AND AMENDMENTS).
Mr. Sergeant Munrity, without opening on the merits of
the line, proceeded to call the evidence.
Lord Eglinton stated that, in consequence of possessing
property in the neighbourhood, he felt great interest in the
lines. He had supported the opposing Ayr line at one time,
but, because their rates were too high, he chose to support
the other.
Several witnesses were called, who deposed to general
traffic and advantages.
The Committee adjourned till twelve on Thursday.

In this room there was no accommodation whatever pro-
vided for the press, and the reporters had therefore to con-
tent themselves with taking up a position amongst the crowd
of spectators who were present.
MANCHESTER AND LET DS (ROCHDALE

CANAL PURCHASE).
Mr. TALBOT opened the case for the promoters of this Bill.
The company proposed to purchase the canal upon a
guarantee of 4 per cent. upon the paid-up capital.
A number of witnesses were called, to prove that it would
be a great public convenience for the railway company to
work the canal, and the Committee adjourned.

GROUP XLVIII.

This Committee met to-day for the first time, in Room C of
the House of Lords, apportioned on this occasion for the use
of the Commons. The following are the names of the Mem-
bers :—Lord Courtenay (chairman), Mr. Townley, Mr. Sey-
mer, Mr. Chute, and Mr. B. B. Cabbell.
The following is the list of Bills referred for the considera-
tion of the Committee :
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Branches (No. 4).
General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour Branches.
Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monklands (Cowlairs, Carmyle, Cen-
tral Junction, and Coplaw Hill Branches, &c.)
Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monklands (Cowlairs Branch).
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Branches (No. 5).
Caledonian, Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coatbridge Railway
(Branch to Glasgow Station).
Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock (Branch to Caledonian Rail-
way and Diversion of Canal).
Caledonian (Branch across Clyde and Glasgow Station).
Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction (Deviations be-
tween Duntocher Lime Works and Bowling, &c.)
The usual preliminaries were then gone through, such as
reading the list of petitions, and the petitions with the ap-
pearances.
TEE GLASGOW, PAISLEY, Z.ILDIARNOCZ,
AND AYR (No. IV.)
was the first Bill taken.
Mr. ANDREWS opened the case on behalf of this Bill, which
he said was a project for crossing the Clyde at Glasgow, in
order to reach a station on the north side of the river. There
was also an alternative line (No. 5) in the same Committee,
and he would consider them both together. The promoters
of the Bill were the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr
Railway Company, which had been made for several years,
and was constructed to connect Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmar-
nock, and Ayr together. The union line passed through
Paisley, Johnstone, on Port Beith, Irvine, to Ayr, with
branches to Ardrossan and Kilmarnock. It passed through
a rich mineral and agricultural district, and many important
towns were stationed on it. They had obtained powers to
make a branch to the Bridge of Weir, and also an extension
to Girvan, from Ayr, called the Belfast Union Railway,
it being the intention to form a connexion between
Belfast and Glasgow. They had also obtained a larger
extensioa through the Valley of the Nith, to join the
Caledonian Railway at Springfield. They were also:applying,
this session, to extend the bridge, or weir branch, to Port
Glasgow and Largs ; and also branches in the neighbour-
hood of Kilmarnock, one to Muirkirk, and one to Dalmelling-
ton. In addition they were promoting one from Dumfries to
the neighbourhood of Kirkcudbright, and branches
in the neighbourhood of Canobie. The whole
scheme would, therefore, when completed, be very
extensive. They were, in consequence of the large
traffic of the company, very deficient in station ac-
commodation, especially at Glasgow, Their present station
was on the south side of the Clyde, in Bridge. street, and
that was a small one, though it was not even theirs exclu-
sively—part of it belonging to the Greenock Railway Com-
pany. The average passenger trains that daily arrived and
departed from this station, was 43, and 16 goods' trains.
The annual number of passengers carried was 1,314,694, or
an average daily of 4,000. The whole extent of the station
Was three-fourths of an acre. Not only was the size
inconvenient, but also the site, being placed in Gorbals,
a suburb of Glasgow. It was, therefore, very objec-
tionable to parties coming to Glasgow, on account
of its distance from the centre of the city, and they
had to cross the new Glasgow bridge, and pay
a pontags for every wheeled carriage, in the lowest case two-
pence each vehicle. In the progress of the passengers to and
from the next railway station two of the busy thoroughfares
had to be crossed at great inconvenience. This being so, they
had looked out for another station, and had on more than
one occasion been defeated in seeking to cross the Clyde ex-
actly opposite their present station, making a direct connec-
tion with the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. Having
been defeated in that scheme, they had chosen
what they thought the next best scheme, and now
proposed to make their station in Dunlop-street, near
to the busiest thoroughfare in the city, and contiguous
to the principal offices. In the site chosen there was room
for two companies, if it were required, and he stated so, as
the Caledonian had also a scheme before the Committee for
that object. That company last year obtained the sanction
of a Committee for crossing the Clyde to Dunlop-street, but
it was vetoed by the Admiralty. The Ayrshire Company
assumed, after this defeat, that the Caledonian would again
come to Parliament for a Bill, and therefore, to be prepared,
they had this year prepared two schemes—one to the east of
Dunlop-street, and another to the west of the same street.
Either one or other of the Bills could be taken, and the
ground was so scheduled, and the scheme was so prepared,
that both the companies might be able to cross the Clyde on a
viaduct. It could be arranged also that the Ayrshire Com-
pany's station could be either situated on the west or the
east, but the west would be preferable. At the desire of the
inhabitants of Glasgow, who wished to have this question,
which had been the cause of so much litigation, settled, re-
quested Royal Commissioners to be sent down to Glasgow to
investigate into the whole affair. (The Learned Gentleman
here read an extract from the report of the commissioners,
in favour of a general plan of crossing the river for all the
lines, similar to the Caledonian scheme of last year.) This
decision having been given, the Ayrshire Company bad so
arranged their plans that they could cross in the same way
as the Caledonian ; in doing which both companies could be
accommodated, without any inconvenience to each other.
(The Learned Gentleman then explained through the map
before the Committee the details of the plans which he sub-
mitted; having done which, he proceeded to call his
witnesses).
Sir James Campbell, merchant, of Glasgow, and late Lord
Provost of Glasgow, was examined as to the merits of the
present scheme. e thought it highly desirable that the
company should be allowed the crossing of the Clyde, in or-
der to obtain access to the city, which now contained
340,000 inhabitants. Both schemes, that of the Caledonian
and that of the Ayrshire, might be accommodated at the
same crossing.
Cross-examined by Mr. Com:wax—He was a director of
the Dumfries line, which was in eppositiontothe had, he Caledo-
nian Company last year. The Ayrshire Company
believed, scheduled the same land as that which the Caledo-
nian had done last year. The leading authorities of last year
we
re in favour of the Caledonian scheme.
The Committee then adjourned.

G 1:011P LI.
GLASGOW, DuntruxEs, AND CARLISLE,
AND GLASGOW, PAISLEY, lEncaisan-
NOCE, AND AYR. RAILWAYS (NO. II.)
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of veiterday.)

Mr. Threshie gave evidence on the cattle trade and manu-
factures of Dumfries, and he thought that the line advo-
cated by the promoters would be a great public benefit.
Mr. John Sawyers and Mr. Levy, Provost of Annan and
Convenor of tke County of Dumfries, spoke to the feeling
throughout the district in favour of the Dumfries line.
Captain Robinson, R.N., commanded a surveying steamer
in her Majesty's serviee, and had prepared a chart of the
Solway. Kirkcudbright was the safest port on that coast,
there being good anchorage-ground, and the harbour being
accessible at all tides. The harbour was protected in westerly
and south-westerly gales. A little expanse would make it
a good harbour of refuge.
Mr. Martin, shipowner, Glencupble bay, gave similar
evidence.

The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day

COMMITTEES ON PRIVATE BILLS

(YESTERDAY).
LIVERPOOL WATERWORKS.
A very numerous Committee assembled this morning on
the Bill of the Corporation of Liverpool, for a better supply
of water to that town. The Bill is opposed by the Har-
rington Waterworks Company, the Boodle Company, and a
formidable array of proprietors. There was a large array
also of the bar, and after the examination of a few witnesses
on the facts of the case, and a long argument between the
counsel engaged for the several parties, at the suggestion of
the Committee, an adjournment took place, to enable the two
existing Waterworks Companies to come to an arrangement
on the provisions of an agreement for the sale of their pro•
perty to the Corporation. After this is settled, it is agreed
that the Committee shall proceed with the merits of the Bill.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.
(From the London New Price Current of April 27.)
SUGAR.—To-day, although further reduced rates ►ere
submitted to for raw Sugar, still it occasioned no increase
in the home or export demand, and the quantity brought
forward proved more than sufficient for the wants of
buyers. Merchants, for the most part, were anxious to
realise, as a large number :of vessels laden with Sugar are
near at hand. In West India Muscovado the business trans-

acted was to a very small extent only; and the private sales
did not exceed 100 hhds and tierces, although importers
accepted prices 6d to is under those of Friday. A public
sale of 178 hhds and 23 tierces of IJarbadoes went off with
heaviness at a fall on the rates of the last auction of Is.
REFINED.—To-day the market for Refined Sugar was in a
very dull state; the nearest rates are 63s to 63s Gd for
standard, and 62s to 62s 6d for brown lumps. For bonded
Crushed Sugar there are very few buyers, and 33s to 34s are
the nearest quotations.
MAtTurrius.—This afternoon there was only a limited
demand for Mauritius Sugar, and 3,890 bags 19 casks and
64 tierces at public sale went at a decline on the rates of
Friday of Is per cwt, but the whole sold.
EAST Imna.—This afternoon Bengal Sugar met with little
attention, and 2,678 bags at auction went at a further de-
cline in prices of is. per cwt, but nearly the whole sold.
FOICEIGN.—This afternoon the purchases made in Foreign
Sugar by private treaty were unimportant. At public sale
324 hhds 463 boxes of Cuba, duty paid, were offered, and
nearly all taken in. Privately 150 !Ads St. Croix sold, but
the prices have not transpired and supposed to be upon low
terms.

MotatssEs.—The purchases made in all sorts of West.ln-
dia have been to a small extent only, anti there is a desire
to sell at 20s to 235, and fine quality at 24s to 255. At auc-
tion 330 casks of Porto Rico were taken in at 26s for good
new quality, but a part has since been sold at that rate. For
Bengal Treacle the demand has been limited. For Honey
prices are moving downwards.
COFFEE.—This afternoon there was very little desire
evinced to operate in Native Ceylon, and 1,128 bags at auc-
tion were all taken in at previous reduced rates. For Plan..
tation Ceylon the market is quiet, and 628 bags at public
sale were nearly all taken in and withdrawn.
TEA.—Holders of black are not inclined to submit to any
further reduction in prices, and offer a less quantity for sal;.
The trade have been induced to take large quantities of
the inferior and medium kinds of green, owing to the low
rates that are accepted. In the value of good and fine there
is no variation to notice, but only a small amount of busi-
ness has been concluded.

ClNNAMON.znorfeousipidiritbuthyaenrshaadt
been anticipated,
h e
above sales
one-half went
ff with
having
fully last sale's prices for 2d and 3d sorts, and in some in-
stances with ;
. with a trifling advance, wll'l
broken likewise sold at a rather higher rate.st first sort sold at a re-
ductionof 3d to 4d per lb, the proportion being larger than
Rim—To-day the market was plentifully supplied with
Bengal Rice, and the demand was less active : at public sale
7,632 bags white were offered, and nearly all taken in at the
former value.
SrusiTs.—To-day only a small amount of business was
transacted in Ruin, although Jamaica of fair to middling
clean quality could be obtained at 4s 5d to 4s 7d, good to fine
4s 8d to 5s 2d. Leeward Island proof at 3s, and East India
at 2s 9d per gallon.
Opts.—There has been little desire manifested to operate
in southern Oil, and the limited business transacted pri-
vately has been at rather lower rates. The demand for Cod
is good. Of Seal Oil, the stock being usually small, prices
range high. Sperm met with less attention, and can be
obtained upon rather lower terms. There: are ready sellers
of Rapeseed Oil at 358 6d to 36s for pale, and at 35s per cwt
for brown. Linseed Oil met with little attention, and prices
are on the decline. For forward delivery few contracts have
been entered into. The purchases made in Oiive Oil have
been upon a small scale only; prices are on the decline.
Palm is less wanted, and the purchases made have been to a
small extent only, although there are sellers upon rather
lower terms. The supply is scanty of Cocoa Nut Oil, and
buyers are compelled to pay high rates. Lard Oil sells
alowly, but 453 to 49s are the rates insisted upon.