The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-01 00:00:00

SUN,

JULY 1, 1847.

CLOSING OF THE BIRKENHEAD

DOCKS.

An adjourned monthly meeting of the Dock Commis-
sioners of Birkenhead was held at their rooms, HaMilton-
square,: on Monday, morning. There was a- full
attendance of Commissioners.

The CHAIRMAN (Joseph Mallaby, E 59) said, that at
the 'last meeting he took occasion to remark; from the '
information which he then had, that they were, as a
body of commissioners, in this deplorable condition—
that they had no funds whatever in hand to conduct
the works or to pay even the current wages, or to answer
the obligations of several contracts which were partly
agreed to, but which were not yet begun. You are
aware of the position in which we were. You are
aware that it was intended, if possible, to accomplish
something which might have. the :effect. of placing
funds in our hands until we could compel the payment
of -moneys that -were due to us, so as to enable us to
go on with 'our works. You came to a resolution which
directed a certain application, to be Made, to one large
debtor of. the 'tryst, in the hope that a compliance with
it would have enabled you to have carried on the works
—probably oh a more moderate scale—until a more
comprehensive relief could be obtained. I, dare. say
you: are: ow e '.1114t that application totally failed,
and that the , large debtor to . the trust to
whom. I haVe . adverted 'did not respond to the call
which was madd; from what motives; under what in-
dUcements,. I do :mit Oretend to say i but the :effect of
. was to place you in a position of-serions ember-
nt. I viva_ to. London with Mr. Potter. We
• ,I am gad to- say, met shortly atter, our arrival
t .by Mt. Brownrigg. We concurn*in mging a
w
cer in application, in the hope.that,•for t '-roton or
the redemption of their interest, they would have made
istill further 'advances, and have enabled ustto have made
,still figeber progress with tie works. Thoie two gen-
tienattilave resisted that appliCation, altheijgh it was
xlisder3n all _frankness, sadwith a full ..and explicit
statement of our position, and of what must be the
result of our position, when our bills fall due on the 30th.
of this month. You all know, from that position alone,
what must be the consequence of our not being enabled to
comply with the necessity of the 30th of June. How- •
ever, the application failed. I saw, afterwards, one of the
Crown officers, and after that I had a very long discus-
sion with Mr. Potter and Mr. Brownrigg, and the Com-
missioners of Woods and Forests, and explained
our affairs and the advantages which I considered
would result from a determination on the part
of the Crown, not merely to assist us in a
pecuniary way, but to help and inspirit ua with
their countenance. Having done that, lam glad to
say that we should have had their countenance, and we
should have received the sum of 50,000/. Upon that pro-
mise I made a communication to the committee here to
enable them to obtain that which was necessary for the
purpose of going on with the works, and protect you from
the evil consequences of stopping them. In a couple of
days, unfortunately, it turned out, notwithstanding the
anticipations of the Crown officers, that the main source
from which that fund was expected promptly to be paid,
the Exchequer Loan Commissioners, had not the means
for supplying it, and therefore the Crown were in this
position, that, being willing. to do all they could for us,
they could only do it by raising upon their property in
connexion with the trust, and that they were prepared
to do, by going into the market, and obtaining it upon
such arrangements as I submitted to them. You are
aware that the first Bill, that which relates to the new
dock, had a clause in it, which came through the Com-
mons, confirming the title of the Crown and the Commis.
sioners, not merely to the property that was granted to
you, but to the property which it was necessary to have
granted to you, in order to release the works which had
been made, and which are described under the second
act under the Bill. For you will see that, without
the Crown's title, the works might have been made
without the authority of the first Act of Parliament.
This Bill for the new dock would then be utterly use-
less, because it would give you a right to nothing. Not-
withstanding that, we were met in the House of Lords
by petitions from various parties for the purpose of
denying the right of either the Commissioners or the
Crown to the land, and of thus placing in
jeopardy the whole of what we had dose, and
the whole of what we proposed to do. The
petitioners were the dock company, the Corpo-
ration of Liverpool, Mr. Price, and others ;
but those were all who finally appeared. Now,
it is clear, that the Commissioners can expend do
more money until these questions are decided, and all
I want you to deliberate upon is, what, under the
circumstances, is the best course to pursue. The Crown
Solicitor told Mr. Potter and myself, that the proper
course was at once to withdraw both the Bills, as they
'could be of no practical advantage to:the Commissioners,
and only •prevent such arrangements' being finally
made as %redid be entered' into if thosoiAlls were not
passle. The second-Bill I,plage nolies;"upon, because I
donVbelieve any one thinksakorffill would be of an
value. We will pledge ourselves not to do more wish th
docks until our title to the site of' the whole can be con-
firmed. My reason for putting it in that way is this—and
I am obliged to state it publicly, in order to show the
nature of the advantage that will accrue from it—that
suppose somebody elee than the Crown should be en-
titled to the land, we might induce them to confirm our
title to what the Crown had proposed, if we propose to
go on with the works; so that in the end, if we can
only get these things 50 settled, we may, whether
the Crown have the title or not, get our rights con-
firmed. If we have to pay for the sight of the works,
for the site of the area of these docks, I need not say
to you that it would be one of the most insane acts
that any of us could think of committing, to go on
with works that must necessarily resolve themselves
into not merely a profitless speculation, but a great
loss to the bondholders; for we never could receive one

fraction if we had to pay for the area of the docks as
well as the solid structure and masonry, as they have
to do in Liverpool. If anything like a rate is to be
paid by us, such as is paid by the corporation on the
other side, you can hardly measure the amount that you
will finally have to pay. The proposal, therefore, I
would submit is, that we enter into a resolution authoris•
ing a proposal to be made to the Crown, that if they
will allow the new dock Bill to pass, that you will not
expend further sums upon the works, or use the existing
docks until your title be confirmed ; and if you enter
into a resolution to that effect, I will do all in my
power to get an assent
. to the Bill in the propetplace ;
and I think if we can accomplish that wie shall have the
means in our Inn& -of inducing other parties, besides
the Crown, to join in procuring us-the title for our works.
The chairman concluded by proposing a resolution to the
above effect.
Mr. War. LAIRD then entered into a statement to show

that there was no necessity for pledging themselves not
to use the present docks, and proposed an amendment to
the effect that that portion of the resolution be with-
drawn. The Liverpool Corporation could have littlo to
do with any of the works there, and he thought they
would be safe in proceeding with the works on the
security which they had at present.
Mr. BRYAN objected to any motion which would close
the docks for a considerable period.
The CHAIRMAN having entered into some explana-
tions in reply, and some further discussion having taken
place, the amendment was seconded by Mr. Pritchard,
and put to the meeting. It was lost by a large majority.
Mr. WILLIAM LAIRD then proposed, as an amend-
ment, that Baron Goldsmid, Mr. Bailey, and Mr. Upton,
three of the largest bondholders, should be consulted
before such a resolution as that proposed by the chair-
man were passed, and requested application be made to
Lord Morpeth, to see if he would not pass the Bill with-
out any such pledge. There were only four hands held
up for the amendment.
The original motion of the chairman was then put
and carried by a majority of eight to three, and the pro-
ceedings terminated, with an assurance from Mr.
Mallaby that he would do all in his power to forward
the passing of the Bill.—Liverpool Times.

COMMITTEE ON THE NAVIGA

TION-L AWS.

The Select Committee appointed by the House of Corn-
mons to inquire into the operation of the navigation-laws
met on Tuesday. The following members wero pre-
sent :—Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Liddell, Sir George Clerk, Sir
H. Douglas, Mr. Villiers, and Mr. Lyall. Mr. Milner
Gibsoa was in the chair.
Mr. Lockett was examined

By Sir H. Douglas—l am a shipowner, a merchant,
and an underwriter at the port of Liverpool, and I
am chairman of the Shipowners' Association at that
port. lam in the habit of supplying wines, spirits,
and provisions for ships' stores. lam generally ac-
quainted with the provisions of the navigation-laws,
and have never experienced any practical incon-
venience in my trade from their operation. I have read
the evidence of the witnesses before this Committee in
reference to the importation of copper . and guano
from Chili and Peru; but I do not cop•,:;/ . their opi-
nions as to the inconvenience which the 'on laws
are said to cause to those trades. I do,' ink that
the quantity of B is at all d by
the operation of t f+.2e.t, t: ws. I cowl, er that
~rlthe injury said to , ' ",,,the East India trade
by the non-admiss . British seamen
is caused by a pant u and not by the
navigation laws. I think ll's': be shipowners gene-
rally would not object to the repeal of that particular
Act. The price of Peruvian guano varies at present
from SE. 15s. to 91. per ton, and the price of Chilian
guano varies between 51. and 51. 10s. per ton. I have
for many years been in the habit of coming in contact
with the masters and mates of the ships of almost every
country in the world, and I consider that those who are
engaged in the British mercantile marine are equal, in
point of honesty, intelligence, integrity, and temperance,
to the masters and mates in any other service; and that
they are as good navigators. If the navigation-laws were
repealed I would not, as a British shipowner, increase
the amount of my tonnage. I believe that if those laws
were abolished the shipwrights and other artisans en-
gaged in the trades connected with British shipping
would be completely ruined, because ship- building in
Great Britain must, in such an event, inevitably fall off.
I am acquainted with the United States trade, and I
know that the British ships engaged in that trade have
not for some years past afforded the owners a fair remu-
nerating profit. The Americans have an advantage over
• British ships in the carrying trade. At preeeatvikeY

PRICE SD.

have the great bulk of the trade to the northern ports in
their hands.

By Sir G. Clerk—The reason of that is, that the
goods are generally insured in America, and the terms
of the insurance are that they shall be shipped by the
American packets; and those ships have likewise the
advantage of filling up with goods of every description.
I admit that the removal of some of the restrictions im-
posed by the navigation-laws might prove beneficial;
but I should always be afraid of infringing upon the prin-
ciple of those laws—of opening the market at all, lest
the alteration should be carried to an extent which
would injure British shipping.
By Mr. Ricardo—l do not think that the navigation-
laws have raised the rates of freights; if they had it was
to a very trifling extent. If the navigation laws were
repealed foreign ships might carry cheaper for a time,
but I believe that when they had driven the English
ships out of the market they would raise their rates
again. The British shipowners have had little or no
profit for the last 20 years, and that is a proof that the
navigation•laws had not raised the rates of freight.
Mr. Ricardo—Then the navigation-laws have not
answered your views.
Mr. Lockett—lt has answered them to the extent that
they gave confidence to the shipowners.
By Mr. Villiers—Freights have been higher since
December last, although the navigation-laws have been
suspended, but that was caused by an increased demand
for shipping to bring breadstuffs to this country. An
increase in the trade of this country must necessarily
create an increased demand for shipping. I have no'
doubt that the withdrawal of protection from the West
India colonies caused a greater amount of sugar to be
imported into this country, and, consequently, a greater
demand for shipping. The more cargoes a ship brings
of course the better for the owner.

By Mr. Ricardo—The freight for sugar at present
from the West Indies varies from 4s. to ss. per cwt. ; at
this time last year the rates varied between 3s. 6d. and
3s. 9d. per cwt. If the navigation-laws were repealed
we could not compete with Amttican ships ; they would
have a great advantage over trA in being allowed the
carrying trade to our West India colonies. But the
principal competition I apprehend would be with the
Baltic ships. In fact I believe that if the market was
thrown open British ships would be driven out of the
trade. English shipping had already suffered much in
consequence of our entering into treaties of reciprocity
with foreign ship-building nations.
By Mr. Liddell—The shipping of those countries with
which we have entered into treaties of reciprocity has
invariably increased, while our shipping has diminished.
This is a proof that throwing open the trade cannot fail
to annihilate British shipping, for it is impossible for us
to compete with the foreign cheap ship-building nations.
Mr. William Imrie was the next witness examined.

By Sir 11. Douglas—He was a shipowner and ship-
broker at Liverpool, and was acquainted with the
principle and the operation of the navigation-laws. If
the navigation-laws were repealed he believed that
freights would be lowered for a short time. But when
British ships were displaced, which must inevitably
be the case if those laws were abolished, he thought
that the foreigners would return to their old rates.
He had no doubt whatever that the shipping of
this country would fall off, and that the trade which our
shipowners at present possessed would emerge into the
hands of foreigners. lie saw by the accounts brought
by the Halifax steamer, which arrived at Liverpool yes-
terday morning, that the Americans had, during the
last ten months, exported twenty-eight millions sterling
of bread-stuffs to England, including freights, and they
had chiefly been sent in American ships. The West
India trade, he thought, would suffer very much, for the
Americans would bring to this country the sugar of the
West Indies, which was the only advantages the ship-
ping interest derived at present from the West India
trade. He did not consider that cheap ships produced
cheap freights. He thought that the admission of slave-
, grown sugar into this market was the greatest boon that
was ever conferred on British shipping.
Mr. Ricardo—Cannot the Brazilian ships bring Brazi-
lian sugar, and Spanish ships bring Cuban sugar?
Mr. Imrie—Yes; but they have no ships to bring it.
The Americans have ships that could bring it if they
were allowed to do so. He thought that there would be
more fluctuations in freights under a free trade in
shipping than under the present system, because the
foreign tonnage would be very much increased, and the
greater the amount of tonnage the greater would be
the fluctuations in the rates of freight.
The Committee adjourned till Thursigy.
RUSSIAN MINISTERIAL COR-
RUPTION. _ _ .

We find the following in the Union Monvchique :
" A letter from Warsaw, of the €th, informs us that the
Emperor Nicholas was expected in that city, but the
precise date of his arrival could not be fixed, both on
acco 'of the slate of. his,health, and on account of-
• „tiforpseeni alFai s, tbe.,‘ solution of, which will
,„ aps dettlniiitn for some /Imo longer at St. Peters.%
rgh. It appears that by circumstances, owirntirely
$ chance, the Emperor has discovered the trace of a
host of mal-practices committed by several high func-
tionaries, who enjoyed, till now, all the confidence of his
Imperial Majesty. The indignation caused to the
Etoreror by this discovery exercised the most 3ericus
influence on his health, which seemed almost entirely
r,•estah,ishcii. Among the persons said to be corn-
promised in this affair is cited General Levacheff, one of
the principal judges of the conspiracy of 1825, and the
Minister of War, Prince Tchernicheff, the same who in
181 1 was sent to Paris by the Emperor Alexander with
the secret mission to gain over some employes of the
Ministry of War, to obtain possession of documents re-
lative to the state of the French army. Already a most
severe investigation has been ordered by the Emperor,
who, without regarding for a moment the elevated rank
of the guilty parties, has energetically declared his firm
intention of exposing all the truth, whatever it may
be, to the face of day. Unfortunately it is to be feared
that the Emperor will not be seconded as he could
desire to be in the interest of the country, in the
rude task of justice that he has imposed on himself.
The new penal code which is to come into operation on
the Ist of January next, has been received at Warsaw.
The general principles on which the code is based
arc, it is known, entirely opposed to those of the French
legislation, which at present is in operation in Poland.
This event, however, has produced very little sensation,
and for the moment nothing seems to menace the per-
fect tranquillity which reigns in Poland, all the inha-
bitants of which, without exceptions of classes, ap-
pear profoundly discouraged from the recollection
of the political convulsions of the last year. There
reigns at present a little disquietude among the
people of Little Russia, in consequence of the sudden
arrest, at Cracow, of four professors and some students of
the University. The motives of this proceeding were
kept a secret, but it was generally attributed to the
clandestine publication of some works in which the Rus-
sian Government was severely attacked with reference to
the question of Polish nationality. At the commence-
ment of the month a writer, M. Kulesza, who passed for
one of the authors of this work, has also been arrested
at the moment at which he passed through Warsaw on
his way to a foreign country, and he was immediately
sent to St. Petersburgh.