The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONOON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, 1847.

for offences connected with drunkenness. In those regi-
ments which came from India, where, and in the West
Indies, drunkenness was known to be more intense
and violent, it was a fact that corporal pinishments
were more numerous than in any other corps.
In the returns it appeared that from one regiment which
came from India the punishments were 17 in number, in
another they were 20, and in one which came from the
Westlndies there were 18 punishments during the year. So
inveterate was the habit of drunkenness in the Westlndies,
that. it was knOwn.that the men mixed Cayenne pepper
with aheir spirits, in order to give them additional pun-
gency for the stomach, and it was also well known that
the drunkenness which arose from "drinking spirits
in canteeens was always more violent than that which
arose from taking the spirits bought out of them, no
doubt, from the deleterious substances mixed with them.
Such a system as that, by which large profits were
raised from the moral turpitude of the people, was a
system which it was the duty of the Government
seriously to consider and endeavour to put a stop
to, even though they should be compelled to give
up thereby some small portion of the revenue
which they then derived from the canteens.
He did not expect that any iinmediate improvement
would take place, but still it was the duty of the Go-
vernment to adopt some general mode of Improvement,
some mode by which the facilities of the young
soldiers to obtain spirituous liquors would be
taken away, the old soldiers prevented from
seducing the young to spend their money
at such places, and the habits of both the
.young
and the old soldiers improved. And this, in his
opinion, could be only effected by prohibiting the
selling of spirits in any of the canteens.--(Hear, hear.)
Besides, all this drunkenness and debauchery lead to an
extensive invalid system, and hence the cost of that sys-
tem was more than would be saved by reforming these
abuses. The habitual drinker was also an
expense to the country. The habitual drinker
was the man, when drunk, who made a con-
stant practice of drinking his glass at the canteen,
and was always in a state of false excitement. He never
was reported as a drunkard, and yet this man was a
source of far more expense to the country than
'the habitual drunkard, because the constitution
of the one fell before that of the other.
All military officers agreed that, on the whole, the can-
teen system should be abolished, as the most effectual way
to put an end to crime was to undermine it. The first
authority he would mention was one which they would
consider of some weight. The present. Governor-
General of India, Lord Hardinge, in his evi-
dence before a Commission said, that before he
left the Ordnance, he had a minute under
his consideration, with a view to put an end to this
system, which he considered a species of tax
upon the soldier. The present Adjutant-General,
Sir John M'Donald, entertained the same opinion,
and commanding officers in general considered that
these canteens were a nuisance instead of a benefit
to the soldier. Sir Edward Blakeney was of opinion
that canteens should be better regulated, and let at a less
rate than they were. Colonel Smith said that if he had
his will he would not permit the sale of a single glass of
rum in any canteen ; and Sir John Campbell held the
same opinion. Bnt he would also refer to an authority
upon which the House would be inclined to place reli-
ance. He alluded to Sir George Arthur, who bad been
employed in every quarter of the globe, and that also
by the present and the late Government, he says, " We
encourage the soldier to drink a small quantity of
spirits, but we punish him for drinking a large—though
a small quantity disarms his power of resistance to the
large: The Gallant Officer then cited the testimony of Col.
Macdougal and Colonel Macgregor, to show that none
but a confirmed drunkard would take the trouble
to dress and go oat of barracks to get spirits in a morn-
ing, as also the testimony of Dr. Ferguson, who had served
both in regiments and on the staff to show how inveterate
the habit of drunkenness would become, and what hard
ships the men would undergo, and to what abomina-
tions they would descend to get spirits when it was once
formed. Dr. Ferguson, who is now high in office,
had further stated that beer would not intoxicate a man
without the admixture of spirits. Was it not then a
bounden duty, on the part of the Government, to remove
this temptation from the reach of the men.
He therefore thought himself justified in bringing this
motion before the House, especially as he thought that
of late a great portion of that power which formerly
belonged to commanding-by fear had been removed, and
that corporal punishment was also considerably reduced,
he felt justified in making an appeal to the Board ot
Ordnance, and through them to the Chanceller of the
Exchequer, to yield up some of their in
come e deri-
vable from these canteens, andthe
social and moral condition of the service, and conduce
materially to its efficiency.—(Cheers.) The Hon. and
Gallant Member concluded by moving the motion of
which he had given notive.
ianratho
the
canteense n t wish
to 11dIerf.e.FdOiXhefislyAstUemL
pEusrasuidedthtaot
ahgerdeaidt nexottefnotr
of the different barracks throughout the country, which had
been alluded to so forcibly by the Hon. and Gallant Officer who
had just sat down. But he must be allowed to say that the
remedy proposed by the Gallant Member, although founded
upon the best of principles, would not, he feared, be very easily
carried out. It would net, perhaps, be disagreeable to learn
that the minds of the authorities had been already turned to the
consideration of this question, and that they were at this mo-
ment considering in what way the canteens could be put upon
a better footing, so as to form a part of that system
of general amelioration of the whole condition of the
soldiers, which both the authorities at the Horse Guards
and her Majesty's Government have sincerely at heart. It
will be remembered that the canteens, although attended with
considerable inconvenience when allowed to be put to improper
uses, were a great anvantage to the soldier while in barracks.
There were many articles to be obtained in these canteens,
which it would be inconvenient, on many occasions' for the
soldier to have to seek without the walls of the barracks. And
even with reference to the sale of spirits, the canteen was so
I entirely under the control of the commanding officer, that, if
he chooses to exert his proper authority, and use a moderate
amount of common vigilance, many of those evils, to which
the Hon. and Gallant Officer had alluded, might in ordinary
cases, be prevented; but still he was free to admit
that it was not easy for an officer always to
exercise the authority vested in him. He would not detain
the House by going into any of the cases mentioned by the
Hon. and Gallant Officer ; but he felt bound to .admit, that
under many circumstances, the sale of spirits in the canteens
might be injurious, but the answer to that was, that total ab-
stinence from the sale of spirits might also reduce evils in
another direction. The Hon. and Gallant Officer did not
trace the canteen to its original establishment. Formerly
canteens were confined to the sale of spirits exclusively, but
they were afterwards extended to other articles. Their esta-
blishment for the sale of spirits exclusively arose from the re-
gulation of excluding spirits from barracks. That regulation
gave rise to the crime of smuggling spirits into the barracks,
and canteens were established with the view of doing away
with that offence. With these observations he hoped the Hon.
and Gallant officer would not press his motion to a division,
but leave the subject in the hands of the Government.
Sir H. DOUGLAS said that it afforded him much pleasure
to know that the Government was disposed to take the canteen
system up, with a view to inquire into its operation, and to
remedy the evils which might be found in it. Much of the
present system are se from abuses that had gradually crept into
the system. In a command which he himself had, and that not
lang ago, a sum was paid for wine for the officers' mess, derived
from the profits of the canteen system. He believed it would
never be placed on a proper footing until both Government
and the canteens ceased to derive profit from the quantity of
liquor consumed in those places. He would throw it out for
the consideration of theißight lion. Gentleman (Mr. F. Maule )
whether these canteens could not be made a desirable and
moral adjunct to the barrack-roam, so as to become a place of
resort for a very different purpose than intemperance. He
would not, however, permit the profits of such an institutien to
go either to the Government or to the canteen, but to be
spent in some wholesome and profitable manner to the advan-
tage of the soldier; and he thought if they were changed to
the fund system, and appoint a canteeneer to superintend the
institution in a moral and judicious manner, it would put an
end to those pernicious indulgences which he had long seen
and deeply regretted.
Mr. GOULBURN was exceedingly glad to hear the state-
ment made by the Hon. Gentleman opposite, but still he must
assert that the House were greatly indebted to the Gallant
Officer for having given to the House the results of his expe-
rience and inquiries. Yet, as the Right Hon. Secretary• at-
War had stated that the subject of canteens was at the present
moment under the consideration of the Government, he would
perhaps act wisely in the withdrawal of his motion on the pre-
sent occasion.
Colonel ANSON quite concurred with the Gallant General
opposite, that any plan which would be likely to promote the
improvement of the soldier it was the bounden duty of the
Government to entertain, and, if necessary, to pursue. But
he felt compelled to call the attention of the Gallant
Officer, by whom this question had been introduced
to the fact that so far back as 1838 the
Government of the day had expressly stated that they
were quite ready to adopt any suggestion which was likely to
prove of practical benefit. But it should likewise be remem-
bered, that by the regulations as they at present stood, the
commanding officer had full power to direct the canteens, as it
appeared by the regulations now in force. It should also be
recollected, that these canteens were taken by tenders, and
not only was security given for payment of the rent, but also
for the good conduct of the parties by whom they were taken ;
and in the event of the orders not being obeyed, the occupier
was subject to ejectment.
Sir DE LACY EVANS begged to tender his grateful
thanks to the Gallant Officer for the pains which he had
taken to bring this subject before the House, asubjectwhieh
might not be felt to be of interest to the House,but which
that
s
of great importance to the profession. lie was also ha glad at
it was, according to the statement of the Secretary-at-
War, to be taken In hand by the Government ; yet
he must observe that it was plainly evident from the extracts
which had been read by the Gallant Officer, that the com-
manding officers of regiments felt themselves in a difficulty as to
the direction of these establishments. He entirely concurred
in the proposition of establishing a canteeneer, and it would be
much better if no property was derived from the canteen. If
a non-commissioned officer was placed at the head of the de-
partment, and taught to expect promotion if he conducted it
well, there would be a great advantage conferred upon the
army if such a proposition was carried into effect.
Mr. STUART WORTLEY said he was anxious to give
his tribute of thanks to the Hon. and Gallant Officer for the
zeal which he had shown upon the subject. He believed that
nine-tenths of the offences which were committed in the army
arose from the crime of intoxication.
The Earl of ARUNDEL said that he also felt most grateful
to his Gallant Friend for the able exposition with which he had
favoured the House, of the ill effects of the distribution of
spirits in the canteen on the discipline of the army.
Colonel LINDSAY said that he felt most flattered by the
praises which had been been bestowed upon him. Having
called the attention of the House to the subject, he would beg
lease to withdraw his motion.
The motion was then withdrawn.
CULTIVATION OF T EIE LAND IN IRELAND.
On the order of the day being read for going into Com-
mittee of Supply,
Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL desired to draw the attention of
the House to the motion, of which he had already given
notice, namely, of his intention to bring under the con-
sideration of the House the advisability of employing
the labouring population, now engaged upon public
works in Ireland, in the cultivation of the soil. The
destitution which prevailed in that country was frightful ; by
the last accounts which they had received, ne fewer than
700,000 persons were weekly employed upon the public works
in Ireland. It was a notorious fact, that the arable land was
lying untilled from the want of means of its proprietors. He,
therefore, objected to this system of employment, as the works
would not be by any means produe tive of one half the benefit,
as the same amount of labour would produce were it directed to.

wards the cultivation of the soil. The question, then, was,
whether it would not be better to turn the people to its cultiva-
tion, as it was at the present moment so greatly neglected. In
France the amount of food destroyed was tar more that ever
anticipated, and the French press held out gloomy
eneral prospects for
the future. The prospects of France were the g pros-
pects of the continent. The grand jury of Longford had passed
a resolution calling upon the Government to employ the people
thus in preference to wasting their labour upon the public roads.
He understood that that resolution would be followed up by
others from the grand juries of the different counties if the
Government refused attention to the demand made upon them.
He desired to state that a Mr. Brennan, in the county of
Meath, seeing the deficiency of the cultivation of the land, has
offered, and given, premiums to such of his tenants as had cul-
tivated theirs. If the system which he proposed were carried
out, some assurance ought to be given the people that they
would be insured the fruits of their labour, as the crops would
be seized by the landlords. When the people were at present
spoken to for not having made some exertion, their excuse was,
that if they tilled they would derive no benefit from their. in-
dustry. If some Members considered that such a scheme was
too extensive, they should recollect that the same amount at ,
present expended would suffice ; they should also remember they
could not retrench their present expenditure—such was the
enormous extent of the calamity which had befallen the country.
He was very sorry to see that a Noble Lord in another place
had been reported to have said that Ireland should look to
herself, and that she should depend upon her own exertions.
Now he was sorry to say that she was incapable of doing more
than she had or was doing. He considered that the expression
would be injurious, as it would indispose those who might
otherwise be inclined, and prevent them from extending their
aid should the necessity of the Irish people outgrow its present
extent. There had been some observations about economy,
but the people had nothing to be economised about ; their
whole stock had been consumed, nay, even their seed for the
next year has been wanted to supply their present necessities.
Their heaps of manure had even been sold, by which
they had hoped to cultivate the soil. There has only
been ten millions proposed, to meet this fearful
necessity. He could assure the House that one-half rents
would not be paid this year. There bad also been a great deal
of talk of the amount of money at present lodged in the
savings' banks, and much clamour had been raised upon the
subject ; but what were the facts? Why, the money placed
there bad been placed by those about to emigrate, and ex-
actly that very class whose loss would at the present pressure
be severely felt. But even more than that, the excesses of
Great Britain of money lodged in savings' banks ten years ago
was fifteen millions ; at the present moment it was
twenty-five ; so they might see that the amount of
money loded there could not be 30 much. He
desired to express his heartfelt admiration at the charity
of England towards the people of Ireland, and in doing so he
would take occasion to observe that the House of Commons
ought to take some steps to enforce the expenditure of tke
absentee rents in Ireland. While the resident landlords in
certain districts had subscribed about 15s. in the pound to •
wards the relief of the destitute, the absentee landlords in
many instances bad not subscribed above a farthing in the
pound of their rental. What he submitted was wanted in'
Ireland was gradually to abstract the people from the public
works, anti without breaking up the machinery in operation at
present, place the persons so abstracted to the cultivation of
the soil. By so doing they would remove all danger in making
the transition. If this were done he hail no doubt but that
barony presentments would be as readily got for the cultivation
of the land as for the construction of public works. Another
thing which he would suggest to be done would be a measute to
produce peace between the landlords and the tenants, and
to secure to the latter the value of any improvements they
they might effect in their holdings. There ought, in addition
to arrangements of this kind, to, be a law to compel proprietors
of land to come and reside on their properties, so that the
rents which they receive instead of being spent out of the
country might be spent in it. By this step alone 5,000,000/.
would be saved to Ireland every year. He hoped that the Go
vernment would take these matters into its most serious con-
sideration as they were of the utmost importance to Ireland at
the present time.
Air. L A BOUC HERE said it must not be supposed that he
was:surprised at, or censured the motion of, the on. Member.
The condition of Ireland was so alarming that he was not at
all astonished that he should think it his duty to impress the
subject on the attention of the House. The Hon. Member
would do him (Mr. -Labouchere) and the Government the
justice of supposing that if anything more than another would
have stimulated them to greater exertion than they had made,
it would have been the patient endurance of the suffering
people of Ireland.—(Hear.) The Hon. Gentleman had laid
before the House certain proposals, and he (Mr. Laboachere)
felt it his duty on the part of the Government to state distinctly
his opinion on them, so as there may be no doubt and uncer-
tainty in the matter. He would, therefore, in answer, say it
was not merely the duty of the Government not to adopt the
course proposed, but that it was impracticable and unprin-
cipled. The Goiernment had already done that which no
Government had ever yet done before; it had attempted to
employ the great body of the people—a step which no
' executive could take without risking the greatest risks and
abuses. But the Government had not gone blindly into That ;
they were aware of the evils and abuses that might arise.
They proceeded to the employment of the people with their
eyes open, because they thought it was right that they should
do so, for had they acted otherwise in the circumstances of the
country, a cry of horror against them would have pervaded the
land from one end to the other.—( Hear, helr.) But there
were various reasons into which at present he would not go at
length. Why, they could not proceed with the employment of
the people in this way. They were now employing, according
to the latest accounts, an organised body of 700,000 on 1 üblic
works, a fact unexampled in history, and here he would re-
mark that justice had not as yet been done to those who had
had the direction and superintendence of these works. Those
who had had the superintendence, had throughout their ardu-
ous undertaking shown the greatest ability, zeal, and spirit in
carrying out the arrangements of the Board of Works. Had
they not done so the greatest evils and abuses would have arisen.
Another, and a serious evil, threatened them. The time had
arrived when the soil required to be cultivated for the coining
harvest, and had they decided to go on with the public works,
the consequence would have. been, there would have been no
one to cultivate it. But though the Government had deter-
mined to stop the public works, had they therefore abandoned
the people? No ; but they had introduced another system to
meet the state of the country. They had decided not to em-
ploy them, but to give them food. He would not say that this
would not be accompanied with great evil, and was a proceed-
ing also foreign to the functions of a Government ; but he said
of this, as he said of the system of the Board of Works, the Go-
vernment did not adopt it. They did not consider it freo'of evils,
but because they thought it freer of evils and abuses than any
other. At the same time, every exertion would be made by
the relief committees to check any evil that might be de-
veloped under the system now proposed to be adopted.
Yet, though the system of supplying food in
this way might be liable to abuse and evils, they
could not, as a Christian legislature, and as Christian men,
allow pestilence and famine to spread over Ireland without
doing every thing in their power to relieve them. But the Hon.
Member wanted the Government to go a step further, and to
directly interfere in the cultivation of the soil. He Mr. La-
bouchere) told him that it was impossible for the Government
to attempt such a thing ; or, if they did, it would be a deplor-
able failure.—(Hear, hear.) It would paralyze all individual
exertion, and would produce nothing in the country but evil.
For the Government, therefore to do so, would be to go en-
tirely beyond their functions. The same applied to the supply
of seed for grain. To supply such seed was a thing which no
Government would attempt to do, and it would lead to irrepar-
able mischief. With respect to the cultivation of the soil to
prepare for the coming harvest, that was a question of the
greatest importance. I•le rejoiced, however, to say, that he had
received intelligence from Ireland to the effect' thA the land
was in course of cultivation, though lie regretted to say all
districts did not exhibit the same satisfactory results. Still he
hoped there would be no difficulty on this head ; and he trusted
that the landed proprietors 4lreland—lbough he admitted in
many respects they had not the power to do a great deal in the
matter—would do every thing they could to assist their poor
countrymen. The income of the Government for the relief of
destitute persons, he had no doubt, would have
the effect of liberating the labour of Ireland, and that it would
be now employed in the propagation of the soil.—( The Right
Hon. Gentleman here read an extract from a report of Major
Fitzgerald, a Government inspector in the county of Clare, to
the effect that the people under him were gradually retuning
to the cultivation of the land, anti that in one week no less than
1.200 persons left. )—Such were the proceedings n w going
forward; and he begged to state that everything would be
done by the Irish Government to administer the new law in
the way best calculated to advance this desirable movement.
Now, a few words relating to absentees. While he knew that
seme_of those proprietors had done their duty in subscribing
liberally to meet the present crisis, others had shamefully
neglected their duty, and left the resident proprietors the task
of meeting the difficulties. He must say, that at the present
time Ireland was the proper place for Irish landed proprietors
to reside • but, at the same time, if public opinion would, not
induce them to live there. be did not think a resolution of that
House would have the effect. Respecting the law of landlord
and tenant which had been referred to, a Bill, as already inti-
mated, would be introduced into the House on an early day.
He would not longer trespass on the House, but conclude with
assuring the Hon. Member that the state f Ireland would re-
ceive the anxious attention of the Government, and if they did
not take his suggestions, it was because they did not think they
would tend to the improvement of that country.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. SHAW quite concurred in the opinion of the Right
Honourable Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland, that any in-
terference on the part of the Government would tend only to
paralyze the exertions of the people without producing any really
beneficial result. He feared, however, that some evils might
arise from suddenly throwing out of employment the great
number of labourers employed on public works, and upon
whose exertions were depending for their maintenance, on a
moderate calculation, 3,000,000 persons. He had received se-
veral letters from Ireland upon this subject, stating that greater
abuses would, no doubt, take place under the proposed mode
of relief than existed even under the Labour Rate Act, in
consequence of the greater temptations which would exist for
fraud upon the parts of the persons applying for re-
lief. He hoped that the Government would adopt
speedy means to render the transition from the one state to
the other as little injurious to the interests of the people
as possible. Difficulties must, no doubt, exist under all modes
of relief, but the only alteration the Government could adopt,
was either to submit to these difficulties, or to allow the people
to starve.
Mr. BELLEW thought that an efficient poor-law would be
the best possible remedy for the evil of absenteeism, justly
complained of by the Right Hon. the Secretary for Ireland.
With respect to the public works, he did not think that they
had been so entirely useless as they were supposed by some
persons to have been.
Mr. FITZGERALD thought, as the present was the
seeing season in Ireland, the Government should do
something, in the present state of the country, to
assist the people of Ireland to obtain the necessary
seed, and encourage the people in the cultivation of
the land. He most cordially tioneurred ifs the opinions ex-
pressed by the hots. Meniber for Kilkenny (Mr. O'Connell),
and he hoped that the Government would yet see the neces-
sity of adopting the suggestions of the Hon. Member. He
thought it a most unfortunate thing that the question of sup-
ply ing seed to' the people of Ireland, had been mentioned at all
by the Government. In his own experience, he had known
of many instances of persons having consumed their seed,
trusting to Government for a fresh supply. He thought that
sLoemgeillsattruovneg, raensdoluhteiadonedshboyultduebespuvaesseeedigbnyhbeovsethlfH,
iemuspelsuroifngthnev
acommanding
utnhtei l at reeasnnsteiesaett lnha na
raisingvdvl oe rs at
tathonedge oot
condition
live
o niebv
yo
of the
thn Ihecirrpe
peoples
aoendpniee.:
volence and example,
could say
opinions which had
and Lord
JOHNremoving the
RUSSELLebneoar mu o u enormous
expresswbue rs
ed
deqnebi ttehef
ore, owwtinh
anungpd otnloi thee l
wa t i ot.
hn
e.
Kil-
kenny ; but he must distinctly say that they
they were • quite
for
questionthe whieh Governmenthad
db
been
nat raisedth ey
byw ere of
wilelihn.gwAeit ore
were of
drtefionrbcyli
dined
he de
to undertake the tillage of the land; and
_._
0017. wDeerer
hreeaddygitvoehfoltloowthtehme
.strwronbgeewaleerntintyhgeet:cohthlucenhtsrutyli:
voted for the improvement of distinctly
bad hoped that sum,
it
asserted that it was of little use. • ---
Hswocso.
wthhaitchwhoeuldkneaviceraweas only applicable
would have at least sufficed for temporary
the benefit
but a Noble .. Lord bad told them. that all
would onlr sofifiee for was
the onlpyureahe to partieulabr,nceafisets:
farmers were
of oats. He deeply regretted to he ar that the
inquiries he
not prepared with seed; but he belie• red, from the
than
had made, that tillage would be more extensively resumed
Teonoeft,rls,orewlief,ofaorrterist

was generally supposed, and that tillage would go on as soon
as the proper season arrived. He .would ask it these changes
were to be adopted, what was to become of the army of 11,000
auditors now engaged on the supervision of the public works?
Not ten times that number would sutlice for the purpose. He
believed that the tillage would be extensively resumed; but he
founded his hope on the presumption that no false impressions
would be spread of the amount of assistance to be derived from
this country.
Mr. HAMILTON thought sufficient justice had not been
done to the officers of the Board of Work- in Ireland. When
they recollected the gigantic task which those gentlemen had
to perform, and that they had the management of 700,1,00 men,
and the order and regularity with which those works proceeded,
they would be satisfied that they had a most onerous duty to
perform, and would allow that it was well executed. It would,
therefore, be manifestly unjust to impose additional duty upon
them. With respect to the propositit n that the Government
should undertake the tillage of the laud, he quite agreed with
the Noble Lord who had just sat down, that it would be highly
injudicious on the part of the Government to undertake the
tillage of the lam% for he felt assured that it would have a very
paralysing effect. There would, in his oeinion, be no necessity
for any strong or imperative measures either upon the landlords
or the tenants in Ireland. He mentioned this because he thoughts t
but right that other Members should share the responsibility of
these statements.—(" hear," from the Minisiei ial benches.)
But there was one thing which he thought might be attended
to, and it was of great importance, because he believed that
many Hon. Members were not aware of the number of acres
that were out of cultivation in Ireland. This was very likely
owing to a certain extent to the practice that hail lately occur-
red, of the farmers leaving their farms. In the west of Ireland
this was particularly the case, and he thought that some tribu-
nal might be erected for arbitration betweek the landlord and
the tenant. Such a tribunal might give, say six months, for
the opportunity (to the tenants) of retrieving their property, or
at least give them compensation for the losses and expenses
which they had sustained.
Mr. B. ESCOTT was more and more of opinion the
longer he lived, that not only would the adoption of any ex-
traordinary measures for Ireland not be beneficial, but would
be absolutely injurious. The only two things that could, in
his opinion, be done, was, in the first place, to allow the
free importation of grain into Ireland, arid the second was,
the adoption of a system of strict economy. If these who
were in the possession of wealth would set the example of
that economy. It was a well known fact, that if the bran
were to be ground up with the grain, there would he an in-
crease of at least one-third to the farinaceous food of the
people, and would not only also increase it, but would
actually constitute a better and more wholesome food for
man. The consequence of this would be, that the dreadful
calamity with which the country was now oppressed, would be
to an immeasurable extent relieved. At the present time
there were large exports of wheat to Paris, and this very day
a large quantity had been sold for that purpose ati Mark-lane,
at 765. a quarter. The same was done last Monday, and by
a little management, all this out-going would be saved.
1 There then was sufficient reason for the adoption of the eco-
nomy which he recommended.
The subject then dropped.
DEFENCES OF THE SOUTH COAST.
On the motion of going into a Committee of Supply being
again read,
Colonel RICE begged most earnestly to call the attention
of the Government to the important works which were voted
for during the last session, and he trusted that in the estimates
for the present year that a sufficient:amount would be taken to
render the defences of our southern coast secure. It might be
alleged that the sum required was large, and that it could be
ill spared ; but it should be recollected that if large, it was
necessary, and great as it might be, was not larger in a whole
year than was now sent in one month to Ireland. The French
had, in this instance, set us a worthy example, for they had
been active for years past in protecting their coast. But
we seemed to have exchanged characters with them, for while
we were only talking, they had been earnestly at work. We
were proud of our naval superiority, and well had it been sup-
ported. Yet it should be recollected that even before the days
of steam navigation, that demonstrations had been made against
the southern coasts of England, and it attention to the state of
our defences was necessa, y then, it was doubly necessary now,
and he earnestly trusted that the matter would net be neglected
bv the Government.
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY-ORDNANCE ESTIMATES.
On the order of the de., being again read,
Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS,_ for himself and his Gallant
Friends who had given notices of motions, begged to postpone
them to some future day. , '4l
The House then went into Committee, and"
Colonel At SON said, that in rising to bring forward the
Ordnance Estimates for the year, he felt proud to notice the
observations which had been made by the Honourable Mem-
ber for Montrose, who, he was sorry to see, was not
then in his place. That Honourable Member had last
year stated, that h i was quite willing to suffer the naial and
military estamates for the year to be proposed without a word
of observation from him, although the several sums were 30
largely increased. He had this year thrown out a caution, in
which he (Col. Anson) entirely concurred anii fully assented
to the proposition, that it was the duty of evere
by functionary f
o
Government, however large the sums might at his com-
mand, to use them with the most sparing economy, and to
bring every charge within the smallest possible limit of practi-
cable economy. But economy consisted as much in the appli-
cation of the money used, as in the amount to be applied to the
purposes for which it was voted. And in considering the
great and extensive colonial:empire now under the charge
of the British authorities, he conceived that a greater wisdom
would be shown in the conservancy of the whole by a judicious
expenditure, than by risking a part through too thrifty an
outlay. He could assure the House that the utmost endea-
vours had been used to arrive at accuracy in the estimates, and
if they were larger than last year, it was net from any desire
to avoid economy, but partly from the circumstance that the
last was an irregular year, and so could not fairly be compared
with this. The whole amount which he proposed for the
ordnance estimates for the three services was, 2,679,1271. For
the year 1846-7, it was 2,543,5691., showing a total of increase
this year of 135,5581. But if Hen. Members would turn to
the first page of the abstract, they would find that there were
three different votes—vote 2, vote 4, and vote 9—in which
there was a deficiency amounting together to the sum of
67,2991. So that the actual increase was only 68,289/. upon
the last year. The sum which he proposed to take for the
military ordnance was 673,2391: the sum voted for 1846-7,
was 579,6701., making an increase of 41,691/. on the year,
These items were to be divided between the engineers, the
sappers and miners, and the artillery. On the estimates for
the corps of engineers there was an increase of 5,5781., but
this did not arise from any addition to the force, but from their
having been worn out, and from their more constant employ-
ment ; and all knew that from the eminent position which the
officers and men of that corps were held in by the scientific
world, that their services were eagerly sought for Teterwh
ver
their assistance could be obtained. He would pass
Sappers and Miners, and he must say that that body was com-
posed of the most efficient men. There was no increase in the
establishment. He now came to the Artillery. It was found
necessary to add 1,2.D0 men to that establishment. They
had found no difficulty in getting recruits, butossible th.
He
ey
thought no gentleman would say that the increase was too
great, for, when he considered the extent of the colonies, it
must appear a matter of surprise that they should perform
it
their duties as well as they had done. The next vote
was for the commissariat department. This year
was proposed to grant 370,4641. The excess over last
in the
year was in consequence of the increase
the price of fodder. The distress in Ireland in some degree
also contributed to the increase. The actual increase was
only 12,507, and it should be remembered that last year
endeavoured to manage as economically as p
the votes were only for three-fourths of the year, while at
The next
present, the estimate was for the whole year.
vote was for the salaries and contingencies of the ordnance
department at the Tower. He believed there was no bodyfo
men more efficient. There was a decrease in the number o the
men employed, which was owing to the substitution of policewians
the Tower. The next item to which he would allud
number of artifi‘osrs that it was found necessary same was
eniwpasoyre -
for the labourers employed. The increase was owing to thein
repairs at Woolwich and other places where the e.
quired. The 6th vote was for ordnance stores.
or
and was an
they asked 368,7121, while last year it was 396•184C' for shot,
actual increase that year of 21,0 xi . The estirnathee
T next vote
shells, &c., was 4,731/. more than that of last year.
sisd to grant
was for works at home and abroad, and it was; prone,
611.956. ,
for that purpose 632,7631. Last year the grant wa,/. A greet
and the actual increase for that year was 22,70 N
vessels for
change had taken place by the subs.itution of steam
take wee-
sailing vessels; but he thought they were bound to sFmethat year
mfg
had
involve
sures to secure their sea-ports, even though
an increased outlay. He thought that Government emnit
cised a wise discretion in the manner in which they had acted
before. ex.
in reference to this particular ; for, instead of,
" intended to
pending large sums of money on their colonies, they
out large
employ them at home. It was thought right to lay They had
sums on such places as Sheerness and Plymoutinh
there were
also to expend large sums on barracks, of wh.
was very volu-
-38 new ones established. From the list, whichn
Er, land, and
minous, it appeared there were 205 barracks
eioe lessg than in
had exer-
-167 in Ireland. The vote for surveys was 3,
Considerable
Ordnance survey would be shortly
the previous year. The Government eau Considerable
expended in Ireland
complaints had arisen as to the sum
reasons existed
as compared to Scotland, but very good
completed. The
for desiring that the Irish survey should be
wa_
,65,3301.,
vote for civil and military non-effective service 5 '
of last ear•
which was an excess of 46,000/. over the vote
in y
the
This vote would be accounted for, by the increase
had
military service, and by the fact, pec7ted that the Irish
that many departments
r,
• t this excess, the additonal
tns tages
service he would obtain in the artillery, and the advan
oceu He
had also a right to set off against i
fallen into this estimate which did not formerly _
he would gain in the obtaining additional forage. v
aw sm.
Mr. WILLIAMS said that they were called on to vote
,
House • and his best
there were only twenty-nine Members in the ,_
hisof Friend,
course, therefore, might be to folios,/ the example
h k
and remain t lie tan ed
Mr. Flume, upon a former occasion,
Friend for furnishing a comparative dent.stement, as the
millions of money, and during the statement of the Gallant Officer
his Hon.
tlie reason of the i
had been maintained. Ile could not sehe
was togo th I nreeari
pay no attention to the matterp.er-
lalnodu shee hea,,
e r ed uctio
courlodugbie tniead th;
mates, he would be able to shnower
d presentc circumstances it was e
every item; but he knew,
, AS' in answer to the Ilon. Member, ob-
served Sir HOWARD DOCTUL ,
Ordnance Department being toe
that, so far from the
as still tar too weak. Tile N. anous
increased, he he considered it w
country
and the colonies, were not half manned
dllet,illefroerbyana:ptltaetriamtieoa:.s of
ilidg
lig
of
the
economy
which
t the increase of 1,200 men. '
and he therefore rejoiced a
thought the estimate was not too much. Under
Mr. GOULBURS t
s of the country, it was necessary that this branch
the circumstance
should bchargecient as possible. He defned the late
of the service House wouldu
tl at while i
or improper experiments
d any expensive .
nance „ONT briefly explained. The new barracks at the
ftGeecortiNle-yesr uibloettlehensotsf. fromthTisi 1 ca°°nuy i noIII c e hey -
Colonel AN h ,
I tiled that the whole of
Dr. HOWRIG comp a the ordnance esti-
itly increased at a period when the
mates had been grai people of
led upon to make the
this country were cal greatest sacrifices, in
s ary ne countr
ir t 1 e •
order to afford relief tows 3 meri. He complained,
nts e made out in the way the
also, that the accou y were, and
last occasion i •
Tower would be completed as soon as possible.
would be the n which they would be
lan There were deducttcns for appropriations
made out on such a p •
the • were rendered
and other matters ; thus yunintelligible, and the
ith dM It
liture arrived at w . .cu y. The money Ought to go
exact eXpen,
• in the ordinary course.
through the Treasury
sera
the vote was agreed
After a short convern,
then agreed to • to.
hoped that that
370,4;;41. for the commissariat, including barrack supplies, cloth-
6Tiii7e,2fsoollio.
Mg, great coats, 8;c.
‘Toirngal'i-o°l‘t?asnCeso!' the ordnance 'military corps.
95.4441. to defray the salaries of persons employed In the Ordnance-

office.
employod ht the Or 1-
nance barracks in the
.coloni
228,1301., salaries and altihoce67settoof
lapersonsbour
The sum of 632,i • -651 was then granted for the expense of the Ord-
nance barrack works and repairs.
Captain PLC, 1.1 1, • , 'LL said that he observed a statement in the
" Times," that a high wall had been erected around the Woolwich
in connexion wills the
rdnanco
Military Academy, for the purpose of keeping the cadets from walk-
-0 r31d364:81715c12e211d.. department r cott the
stores. colonies.
ing about the streets of the town. Ile wished to know if there was
any truth in the report.
Colonel ANSON said that no report had yet been made to the
house with respect to the Woolwich Academy. He recommended
(ion. Members not to believe all they saw in the newspapers.
(Laughter.) The fact was, that a palisade had been erected for the
proposed of 168,5321., fur the
purpose of preventing improper persons getting in, but not to pre-
vent the Cadets getting out.
The vote was then agreed to.
purpose of defray-
ing, the expenses of the non-effective military and naval servi, for
On the vote being
next year,
The Howe then proceeded to consider the navy estimates.
Sir 11. DOUGLAS expressed his regret that the Government had
not taken measures to secure an efficient naval reserve force similar
to that which existed in France. The whole establishment of the
French fleet consisted of 29,000 men, and they had established fleets

at the five principal ports. The establishinents of the gun-
nery department at each of these five ports, beside the
gunnery frigates, were such that they could put 6 000 men on board
at any moment. Never had any country made such progress
as France had since the war. At the close of 1815 her commercial
as well as her royal marine was completely destroyed, and yet never
was she in such a position of power as at the present moment. At
Cherbourg, L'Orient, Toulon, Marseilles, and Bourdcaux, she had the
most complete establishments, and the officials could put a most com-
plete armament on hoard at any moment, and he trusted that no
false, no inferior notions of economy, would prevent the Government
from putting the navy into such-a state of preparation as—although
we never would commit any offensive and injurious acts that should
lead to a war—would enable us to inflict in the first instance such a
dreadful blow as would give a whole turn to the contest.
Dr. BO WRING said that the Gallant General had held strange
language, for while he had been extolling the increase of the
French navy, he had altogether overlooked the advance of our own,
with which the advance of the French navy was, indeed, tardy.
He did not hesitate to say, that as compared with the English navy,
it was totally in a state of weakness, and utterly unable to compete
with our own. He was glad to say that it was universally con-
fessed that the British navy was, beyond all comaarison, superior to
that of any other in the world. What was thecase? Why, while
the two successive Administrations had been gradually reducing
the burdens on the people of this country, the French Government,
on the contrary, were, year after year, getting deeper and deeper
into debt, until, after thirty years of peace, that country was so
deeply involved, that the Ministry were afraid to meet the
Chambers. Whether in political influence, commercial success,
warlike power, or finaneial position, there was no comparison
between the two countries.—(Hear.) He could not sit down
without adverting to a most admirable change in the dockyards
which had been made by the present Government, which was likely
to keep the navy in a still greater state of efficiency thin ever it had
been before.
Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS—Had the Hon. Gentleman read the
pamphlet of the Prince de Joinville ?
Dr. BOWRING—Yes, certainly; and it was a confession of their
Weakness.
Mr. WILLIAMS was not quite so satisfied with this increase of
the expense as some Hon. Gentlemen appeared to be. He found that
the estimate taken for the whole of the cost was 5,661,0001., and,
upon a comparison with late years, he found that there had been an
increase of not less than upwards of 3,000,0001., and that, too, in a
time of profound peace.
Sir CHARLES NAI'IER perfectly concurred in all that had fallen
from the Gallant General (Sir Howard Douglas). He did not, how-
ever, at all agree with the statement of the Hon. Gentleman
opposite (Mr. Williams)—(Hear and laughter)—because if they were
to take his advice, the defence of the country would be impaired,
and perhaps an opportunity thereby afforded to the French of
passing 50,000 or 60,000 men into this country should they feel
inclined to do so. He wished to bear his testimony to the way in
which the Hon. Gentleman the Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr.
Ward) had brought forward the questions so interesting to the navy.
It had been admitted by every Secretary to the Admiralty, and by
every Lord of the Admiralty, for some years, that jobbing to a
large extent had existed in our dockyards. Now he sincerely
wished that the Hon. Gentleman had been authorised to go a step
further than his predecessors had gone ; and, in addition to making
such an admission, had issued an order like the one recently issued
by the Custom-house, which he supposed was issued by the permis-
sion of the First Lord of the Treasury. It stated that the friends of
clerks, employes, and others, making use of private interest for the
purpose of raising them from their different stations, would find that
a very opposite result would take place. Now he confessed he should
like to have seen a paper issued by the First Lord of the Admiralty,
stating that those connected with the navy must only expect
to attain promotion by their own exertions, and that if they
applied to " Lord this " or " Lord that " for such a purpose,
that their progress would be effectually put a stop to.—(Hear.) The
workmen in the respective dockyards wanted better superintendence,
and this might be effected if the superintendents and ether officers
were strictly honest, which he regretted was unfrequently_• the case.
—(Hear and laughter). The mode in which persons were :appointed
was pregnant of evil. If the names of three persons were brought
to the Admiralty, two of whom were Witigs and the, other a Tory,
no doubt the Whigs would stand a far better chance of being ap-
pointed than the other.—(Laughter.) Why, it needed no ghost from
the grave to tell them that this was the invariable practice. ( Mr. Ward
dissented.) The lion. Gentleman shook his head, but the statement
was correct. The great fault of the management of the dockyards
was that a superintendent was not allowed to man his yard as a
captain manned his ship, and to discharge the men if they neglected
their duty. If this power were vestedin him he would " keep a good
look out," and prevent a continuation of this jobbing. He (Sir C.
Napier) had been endeavouring for five years to impress the neces-
sity of a thorough revision of the dockyard system upon tbe Govern-
ment; but he had never received any assistance in his labours until
the present session, as he found the Secretary to the Admiralty
stating that the " Government did not get a fair day's work
for a fair day's wages."—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) Then again,
the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Portsmouth (Mr. Baring)
admitted that many ships were not built in a proper manner, as mis-
takes had been made from time to time in their construction. We
had also the published statement of a gentleman who was connected
with the Admiralty during the late Administration (Mr. Corry),
that, " considering the large expense of br.ilding and preparing ships,
the most careful revision of the practice and proceedings
of the dockyards is urgently required, as much for the purpose
of saving expense, as for the purpose of promoting regularity."
He should like to know from the Secretary of the Admiralty whe-
ther those thirty-three iron vessels were in his opinion adapted for
war or not ? There was one other question also which he wished to
ask him. He was desirous to know it he lute nded to revise the
articles of war with a view to make them more humane ? In these
days of modifying and abolishing corporal pm aliment, he thought
the Admiralty should take this subject into their consideration.
Before he sat down he also wished to impress upou the Admiralty
the propriety of increasing the number of ship-carpe •ters in their
employment. The pay of this class of persons was so small that
they were obliged to employ joiners to carry on the works, and he
hoped that, aa soon as a vessel was out of commission,
they would lay on the table a statement of the expenses she
incurred while in commission, as he believet such an account would
be extremely satisfactory. If the Admiralty would follow these few
hints which he had thrown out, he had no doubt but they would be
attended with the best results. With regard to those iron vessels,
it
was proved, if they were struck with a shot, the effect was just the
same as if " you put your finger through a piece of brown paper."
Now, what would be the consequence, he would ask, if one of
these vessels was struck with a 32 or a 68-pounder? If the Ho-
nourable Gentleman did not know, he (Sir Charles Napier)
would tell him, she would go to the bottom like a stone.
Capt. BERKELEY thought that the Gallant Admiral (Napier)
should not have alluded to the iron vessels, as the Secretary for the
Admiralty had already stated that iron vessels were not fitted for
the purposes of war. He himself did not think they were adapted
for such a purpose.
Mr. CORRY would only make one or two remarks on the subject.
The Hon. Member for Wiltshire seemed to think that a good deal of
jobbing had.beea practised in the appointments in the dock yards,
but he could assure the Hon. Gentleman that while he (Mr. Corry)
was in office, no such jobbing was carried on. The appointments of
the late Government were founded upon the merits of the parties ap-
pointed, and not with the view, as the Honourable Member
would seem to insinuate, to secure sinister support. With regard to
the fitness of iron for steam vessels he would not contend that iron was
suited for the purposes of vessels of war, but with regard to vessels
to be employed in services of a general character, he entertained an
entirely different opinion, and in support of that opinion he need only
mention that he had received a letter from Captain Hosken, wherein
he stated, that had the Great Britain been made of wood instead of
iron she must have gone to pieces long ago. He maintained,
therefore, that iron was the best material for constructing vessels
to be used for general purposes. When they said so much of the de-
fects of iron vessels, they should recollect that wooden vessels were
not able to resist the effects of shot, but they bad otten been burnt
from the shots fired into them. That was an inconvenience to which
iron vessels were not subject. It was said that a shot fired into an iron
vessel passed through one side and entered the other, but this must
have arisen from the slight scantlings of the iron, and the same con-
sequences would result to wooden vessels, if made up proportionably
slight. It could not be denied, however, that if they were objection-
able as war vessels, they would make very good troop ships.
Captain HARRIS said that it would be most advisable that a sum
of money should be voted as a supplementary estimate for the pur-
pose of raising the pay of petty officers, and that suchl a measure
should go part passe with secondary punishments.
Captain PECHELL desired to know what votes the Government
were anxious to obtain, as he wished to hear the observation which
the Right lion. Baronet (Sir James Graham) intimated he would
make ?
Mr. WARD said that he could 'not expect the House to enter into
the whole question of the estimates, as Hon. Gentlemen would have
another opportunity of addressing the Rouse.
Sir J. GRAHAM said he was afraid that any observations which
he might make in reference to this vote, and the paper which had
been laid upon the table, would be of little value, because his expe-
rience at the Board of the Admiralty, was not of very late date.
But he must say that the idea of the patronage
of -the dockyards being monopolised by the Secretaries
of the Admiralty was altogether unknown in his time. In fact the
Secretaries exercised no patronage, except in the appointment of
chaplains. He said that he had held the office of Secretary to the
'Admiralty for two years, upon the general election after the Reform
Act, and before he left that board, he could perceive the operation
of the right to return Members to Parliament for Chatham, Ports-
mouth, and other places ; and he must say, that if these political
feelings prevailed further in the service of the Government, he feared
sere must resort to the old usage of the statute in reference to their
servants, which was, that all who were employed in
the collection of the revenue, should not possess the
qualification of voting. He instanced the coast-guard as
a case nearly analogous to the present. Still, he thought,
this plan brought forward by the Admiralty was such, that
it ought to have a fair trial, and therefore he would give it
his support most gladly, in order that the experiment might be made.
If the experiment of the Admiralty fail, then he would most certainly
recommend the extreme remedy of disqualification.
Mr. WARD was extremely gratified at the favourable opinion ex-
pressed by the Right Hon. Baronet, and he could assure him that
everything would be done to give effect to the plan which he had
spoken of so highly. He was also of opinion that the officers in the
dockyards would co-operate in giving the plan a fair trial. Should
it, however, fail, he had no objection to the extreme remedy of dis-
qualification recommended.
Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS expressed himself in favour of the plan.
Mr. T. BARING begged the Right Hen. Member to be watchful of
the proposed plan, else he would find that he had only removed the
evil from the inferior to the superior officers. The greatest care,
therefore, was necessary, in order to give the measure a fair chance.
If that were done, a benefit might be realised ; but whether or not, he
had grave objections to the extreme remedy of disqualification
which had been recommended by the Right Hon. Baronet the late
Rome Secretary.
The vote was then agreed to.
_ The following votes were then agreed to :-
25,5571. to defray some expense in connexion with naval establish-
ments abroad.
811,3041. to defray the wages of artificers and labourers in con-
nexion with naval establishments at home.
The House then resumed, and the report was brought np, and or-
dered to be received on Monday.
DRAINAGE OF LAND BILL.
On the motion that this Bill be read a second time,
Lord LINCOLN objected to some of the provisions of the Bill,
and complained that its object had been slightly altered by the
Government from the one introduced by their predecessors.
The 7reat advantage contemplated by the Bill of last year was to
convert the instalments into a loan. The large proprietors would
have no great difficulty in obtaining these loans trom insurance com-
panies. The small proprietors could not do so, for where the sums
amounted only to 4,000/. or 5,0001., there would be a difficulty ; but
when the sums amounted to 30,030/. there would, he conceived, be
no such difficulty. He would not be invidious and read the names
of the persons on the paper before him, but he observed that there
were applieitions for sums of 32,100/., of 47,0001., and, in one in-
stance, of 70,0001. ; and although the grant was 2,000.0001., there were
applications for 700,000/. beyond that sum ; so that it was evident
that the whole of the money, if this system were to be pursued ;would
be absorbed by the large landowners. Then, again, he objected to the
term which was adopted of three years, for in England; there were
seven-course systems, and in Scotland four-course systems, so that the
money never could be repaid within the threw years, and he would
therefore advise that they should at once be dropped, and take a
five year system, for that would be much better both for the drainage
and. for the cultivation of the soil. Again, if the money was thus to
be expended, he was afraid that it would never prove of any great
value in promoting the general improvement. He did hope therefore
that the Government would give this Bill a little more
attention before it was definitely passed through the House.
The Bill was then read:a second time, and ordered to be com-
mitted on Wednesday next.
CONSOLIDATED FUND BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
Mr. GODSON obtained leave to bring in a Bill to encourage per-
sons to effect insurance on lives. The Bill was subsequently brought
in and read a first time.
The LORD ADVOCATE obtained leave to introduce the following
Bills :—A Bill to amend the law and practice in Scotland as to the
Service of Heirs ; Bill to amend the law and practice in Scotland
with regard to Crown Charters and Precepts from Chancery; a Bill
to facilitate the Transference of Lan ande
Transfer-
tooth Heritages
er in Scot-
landin
facilitate th
not held BUTgAge Teneure ;
es in Scotland held in Burgage
ence of Lands and other
nse
Tenure ; a Bill to facilitate
the Constitution and Transmission of
Heritable Securities for Debt in Scotland, and to render the same
more effectual.
Captain PECHELL moved for a return of all veszlusditnhgatthhaovsee
been ti c to the Slave Trade, stating the
purchased, since 1830, in the Royal Navy,
condemned under the Acts re a v
price Tar id for each, distinguishing the amount
tonnage and the
thee the stores ; also tor a return of the
paid for the hull ofd
first and second class for general
number of boys
on beard the several flag-ships at Ports-
service received
during the several months of August, Sep-
boerre, 13.4u6,endelisftithngeuiosdhmingt.
Sep-
mouth and Devonnerl
tembcr, October, Novem beeLieraednd
those who have not been
25th day a May, 1841, with the number
uDndeceremth
rally memorandum of the slop clothing.—
of boys so entered, who have been supplied with
Agreed to. o rder sof the day were then disposed of, and the
The remaining t 0 o'clock.
House adjourned at One

. -___------,---_—_—__
SALE or LAND IN TEXAS.— Thursday, 16,273
acres of freehold located land, situate in Texas, under the
dominion, and in the southern part of the United States of
North America, were submitted to public competition, at
the Auction-mart, by Mr. Robins. The land comprised
nine estates in the counties of Harris, Liberty, Galveston,
and Bexar, the size being from 320 to 4,605 acres, all a
them surrounded with thriving farms, and from three to
eight miles from the capital city, Houston. The lands
, located in the vicinity of Houston, &c., produced ss. 6:Y4d.
the acre ; the unconditional certificates, entitling the
holder to select land in any part of Texas, from 320 to
1,280 acres each remaining unallotted, going at nominal
Prices.
An order bas been issued that an appt2al shall he
7 lodged in the House of Lords against the decision of the
Queen's Bench, in confirming. the senteace passed at Ennis,
of execution on P tarick O'Bri
cleen, for the murder of his wife
at Kilkee.—Lmeric Chroni.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. ••
HOME ClRCUlT.—Hertford, Mewl, 5.
The as-;zes for this county concluded to-day about one
o'clock. The following are the only cases that possessed any
feature of public interest that have been disposed of during
these assizes.

CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Lord DE NM ter and a Special Jury.)

MILES V. MUIt.B.AY.

This was an action to recover damages for an assault al-
leged to have been committed by Sir Robert Murray, a • ma-
gistrate for this county.
Mr. Montagu Chambers appeared for the plaintiff; and
Mr. Sergeant Shoe was for the defendant.
This case arose out. of an action that was tried at the last
assizes, and which has since been several times heti re the
public upon the application for a new trial. A man named
Beadel brought an action against Sir Robert Murray for
false imprisonment, on having given him into custody on sus-
picion of stealing some fowls; and the result of that action
was a verdict for the defendant. It appeared that, shortly
after the trial Beadel and some of his friends, among whom

vas the present plaintiff; had been regaling themselves at a
rublic• house in the village, near Sir Robert's residence, and
is they were passing by one of them blew a horn; and some
,they discordant noises were made, and it was alleged that Sir

Hobert had come out, accompanied by some ol- his servants,
Ind made an attack upon the party, and comm.itted the as-
sault complained of upon the plaintiff. .
Lord DENMAN, in summing up, said he lamented that a'
gentleman in the position of the defendant should have acted
in the manner alleged, even although he might have re-
ceived some provocation. That was no excuse for an act of
violence from a gentlemah who, by his position, ought to set
an example of forbearance.
The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict for
the plaintiff.—Damages, Is.
His LORDSHIP, subsequently, upon the application of Mr.
Chambers, certified that there was ground of action, so that
the plaintiff will receive his costs.