The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-20 00:00:00

MURDER IN SHOREDITCH.

At Worship-street Police-court, on Thursday, Thomas
Brookes, a young man of very miserable and emaciated ap-
pearance, was placed at the bar before Mr. Arnold, charged
with the wilful murder of William Gobart, an umbrella-
maker, living in Hare-alley, Shoreditch.
Mr. Vann, the solicitor, attended for the prisoner.
The first witness called was a young man named Richard
Eaton, who stated that at ten o'clock on the preceding
night he was requested by the deceased to accompany him
and two other young men to the lodgings of the prisoner at
No. 3, Hare-alley, to demand the restoration of some articles
belonging to him, and in the prisoner's possession. The
deceased remained at the end of the court while witness
went to the house to call the prisoner, who accompanied him
back, and on deceased demanding his property, the prisoner
told him diet he should net have it until he paid him what
he owed him, and perhaps not even then. Without any
further observation on either side, the prisoner told the de-
ceased, "If you wait here a minute I will put a bullet
through your head," and so saying he instantly hastened
back arid entered his own house. Witness advised the de-
ceased not to stay any longer, but the latter answered that
he had nothing to fear, and persisted in doing so, upon
which witness left him and proceeded to his own home about
twenty yards off, but had only been there a few minutes,
when he heard the loud report of a gun, and directly after-
wards a lad whom he had just left with the deceased,
called out, " Dick, Dick, come down, he has shot him."
Witness thereupon ran down the court, and upon entering
the passage of the prisoner's house, found the deceased lying
in a pool of blood, and apparently lifeless.
Charles Eaton, brother of the last witness, and cousin to
the deceased, confirmed the preceding testimony, and added
that a few minutes after the prisoner had uttered the above
threat witness accompanied the deceased to the door of the
house, which the latter was about to enter, but had only got
his foot upon the threshold when the prisoner, who had been
secreted behind the dour, suddenly presented himself and
discharged some firearm into the deceased's face. The act
was so instantaneous that witness could not see the piece. but
the flash was immediately followed by a stunning report, and
the deceased fell forward upon his lace in the passage. Wit-
ness took him Isy the arena and endeaveured to raise him,
but was unable to Co so, and hurried off for the assistance of
the police.
James Badkins, who was also present at the occurrence,
confirmed the evidence of the other witnesses, and added
that he heard no other ground of provocation than a threat
on the part of the deceased to strike the prisoner, when the
latter refused to restore the property demanded of him.
Police-constable Lock, H 201, deposed that he heard the
report of the gun while on duty in Shoreditch, and on enter-
big the passage of the house found the body of the deceased
lying at the foot of the stairs, and the ramrod of a gun close
by it. On proceeding to a room on the second floor, he
found the prisoner with a gun in his hand, which he imme-
diately secured, and took him into custody. The prisoner's
father, who was also present, made some observation upon
the dreadful consequences of his son's violence, in answer to
which tire prisoner replied, " I have had my revenge, and
it' I bad not taken his life he would have had mine." The
prisoner was then convey ed down stairs, where a surgeon,
who was examining the body, inquired of a bystander if the
gun had been loaded with ball, to which the prisoner spon-
taneously answered "No, it was small shot;" and, on being
searched, a quantity of loose shot of that description. was
found in his waistcoat pocket. The witness produced the
gun, an old-fashioned piece, resembling a carbine, but wider
at the bore, and scarcely two feet in length.
Mr. James Hancorn, a surgeon,
in High street, Shore-
ditch, deposed that, on examining the body of the deceased,
he found a circular orifice in the left side of the neck, nearly
an inch in diameter, and sufficiently large to enable him to
probe it with his finger, and to trace the injury as far back
as the spine, where the shot appeared to have lodged. Such
a wound might have been caused either by a bullet, or con-
centrated small shot, which, upon striking the spine, must
have produced instantaneous death.
Inspector Harris proved that, on hearing the charge read
over at the station house, the prisoner said that if he had not
done it he should perhaps have lost his own life, as the de-
ceased and four others had come to his house and threatened
to drag him out a few minutes previous to the fatal
occurrence.
Mr. Vann having expressed his intention to reserve the
defence at that stage of the proceeding, the magistrate
ordered the prisoner to be remanded until Tuesday next.

THR MURDER IN SHOREDITCH—SHANIEFUL LT-
OF TILE BODY.—Up to a late hour on Thursday, and
early yesterday morning crowds of persons assembled round the
ato Hare-court, Shoreditcb, in which the tragic scene
entrance
r‘rVen dene esday night took place, and, what can scarcely be
credited, the people of the house in which the body la,
were
actually engaged in exhibiting the corpse of the murdered
man at a penny a head, for the purpoke, as it was alleged, of
defraying the expenses of the funeral and interment of the
body; and it would seem that a somewhat plentiful harvest
was reaped, as numbers whose curiosity had led them to the
locality for the purpose of viewing the corpse, re obliged,
last evening, to depart without having
,their desires gratitied.
PRIVATE TRIAL kg' MR. GYPSoN S NEW BALLOON.
NAnnow ESCAPE oF THE -t-ERoriAuTs.--A party of gentle-
men interested in the science of zrostation assembled on
Thursday at the Gas-works, Haggerstone, for the purpose of
witnessing an experimental ascent of a new balloon con-
structed from the design of Mr (iypson. The balloon was
considered a beautiful model, being manufactured of crimson
and yellow silk of a superior fabric, around which was an
elegant blue zone, but the netting was considered by compe-
tent judges to be of an inferior description, and not
09-
whensufficient power to resist the pressure of the balloon
when inflated. Among other gentlemen present were Mr.
Nicholson, Mr. Van Buren, and Mr. Ellis, lessee of ere-
morne-gardens. Mr. Van Buren (who has inane a number
of ascents in that monstre balloon, the great Nassau. from
Cremorne-gardens), discovered some defects in the meshes
of the netting, and with other gentlemen earnestly implored
Mr. Gypson and Mr. H. Coxwell, who was to have been his
compagnos die voyage, not to ascend, Particularly as the
breeze was pretty fresh. Mr. Gypson would have overruled
their objections, but suddenly a gust of wind took the bal-
loon and it dashed through the netting, leaving the mronatits
and some of their admiring friends and spectators lost in
wonderment, and one or two entangled, ti hi the lion and the
mouse, in the meshes of the netting. A rent in the balloon
fortunately allowed the gas to escape, and it descended in
Haggerstone fields, and was subsequently restored to the
proprietor.
Fitt E ON PLUMSTEAD-COMMON.—On Wednesday
afternoon a large heath on Shooter's-hill, adjoining Shrews-
bury 1-16113«, th:s residence of Admiral V.
f+OftluV, Was dig
covered to be in flames. The heath was covered with furze
nine 8r ten feet in height, and when assistance arrived the
tire had covered an extent of three or four acres. A number
of men set to work to beat down the flames, but it was not
until nearly seven o'clock that they succeeded in stopping
the flames, the fire having spread over seven or eight acres
The furze is suppopd to hay, been Set Ike to by some
Kiwi:Ahoy&

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE,

PonTsmotrrit, Matto.' 18.—The Sidon steam-frigate came
into harbour this morning. A rumour has got afloat that
Lord Howden ha 3 taken so strong a fancy to the warlike ap-
pearance of this vessel as to prefer going in her to the Rat-
tler. We cannot, however, trace the rumour to any substan-
tial foundation, and as the Rattler has shipped all the bag-
gage and equipages of the new Minister, we doubt not that
she will take him also. The Sidon is very much admired
both internally and externally by every naval man who has
inspected her. Much has been said about the vast expense
this vessel's machinery has already been to the Government,
bat it has not been stated that such expenses are out of the
pockets of the contractors.
The Centaur steam-frigate, under jury masts, and com-
manded by M. Davy, master of the Caledonia, lett this morn-
ing fur Kenmare, Geland, with 800 sacks of barley and oats.
for seed only, which was of a most splendid quality ; about
1,000 bags of b,ea I, and the same quantity of meal for the
relief service; vlso s!x sacks of prime turnip seed.
The Portland, 50, is being loaded, but if laden according
to her capabilities she will occupy the Clarence-yard officers
about two months; as, being drve,ted of ornament, ammu-
nition, stores, and such like, she could stow 10,000 sacks of
food.

The Fairy royal yacht was docked this morning, not to
remedy any alleged vibration in the vessel caused by the
screw, as has been stated for a very apparent purpose, but
to have her bottom coated with a composition suggested by
the chymical officer (Mr. gay) of this dockyard, at the re-
commendation of a committee, of which Captain Crispin,
of the Royal Yacht, Mr„Fincham, master shipwright, and
other officers of this establishment, are member& This com-
position has Already been tried, end found to answer well on
iron vessels ; its effect is that of keeping the vessel clean by
a cliyinical action, dependent on the decomposition of a
sob-oxide of copper, which forms one of the materials
of the application. The Fairy is to be employed during
the time her services will not be required by her Majesty
in testing the comparative powers of different screws, in the
Thames.
A reprimand awaits the lieutenants of the Vestal, for de-
ficiency of knowledge in gunner} __not the lieutenant, as
er-
roneously stated yesterday. This is consequent, we believe,
upon an official report made to the Lords of the Admiralty
by Rear Admiral Sir Thos. Cochrane, Commander-in. Chiet
on the East India and China station.
A private letter from the Cape squadron says the IC,fir
war is nearly at an end. The Eurydice, 26, Captain Tala-
vera Anson, hid not arrived at the Cape on the 10th of Ja-
nuary. Tue Nimrod, 20, Commander Dacres (son of the Ad-
mina!), sailed on the Ist for Algoa Bay, with dispatches for
Sir Peregrine Maitland, informing him of the appointment
of Sir H. Pottinger to the Governorship, at which the Cape
people express much satisfaction.

AMINTMENTS.
Captains Charles J. Bosanquet, late commander of the
Alert, promoted in November last, and Arthur Lowe (1845),
promoted from the Excellent, have been appointed to study
steam at Woolwich factory.
Commander Frederick W. Pleydell Bouverie (1842),
nephew of Lord Radnor, has been appointed to succeed Com-
mender Maitland in the command of the Electra, 14, sloop,
in the West Indies.
Commander Charles Barker (1845), to study at the steam
factory at Woolwich.
Lieutenant Lardner Denny% (1812), to the Semaphore at
Putney.
Second Master G. F. Macdougall to the Jackal steam-
vessel at Lisbon.
Clerks—Charles Richards to the President, 50, flag-ship, at
the Cape ;W. W. Jackson to the Queen, 110, flag-ship, at
11.vonport.
Mates—F. APlCenzie and J. P. Miller, to the Excellent.
Midshipmen—R. V. Hamilton, to the Spartan, 26; and
Thomas Green, to the Ocean.

THE AVENGER, STEAM-YRIGATR, AGAIN.—The Avenger,
steam-frigate, Commander Potbury, on her passage to Killy-
begs, from Devonport, only broke down once more. When
within thirty miles of her destination the feed valves gave
way, which accident detained her twenty-four hours.

---
LAUNCHES AT BLACKWALL.
The vicinity of Blackwell yesterday afternoon, preserted a
lively appearance by the floating or launching of two of her
Majesty's ships, the Blenheim and Terpsichore, from the
yard of the Messrs. Wigram, and a steamboat for the Star
Gravesend Steam Company, from that of Miller and Raven-
hills. The Blenheim was one of the old seventy-six line-of-
battle ships, and was last engaged in the China war. She
has undergone considerable alteration, and is intended to be
one of the block-guard-ships in the Channel. In some por-
tions she has been reduced, but her length has been extended
eight feet abaft. She will carry fifty guns of large calibre.
She will be worked by a screw propeller, her engines, by Sea-
ward, being nearly fitted. On being floated out of the dry-
dock into the river, her appearance created considerable at-
tention. The Terpsichore, launched from the same yard, is
a corvette, and is pierced for eighteen guns. Her length
between perpendiculars is 115 feet, and her style of build is
said to possess all the important improvements in marine
architecture. No particular ceremony was observed on her
being liberated from the slip on which she was formed, be-
yond the cheering of the workpeople, and the waving of
the national flags. She was taken in tow by a steam-tug,
proceeded on to Chatham, where she will be masted and got
ready fir commission with all dispatch.
The third vessel, an iron steamer, we had an oppor-
tunity of inspecting, and full particulars of her were
obligingly furnished. She Was launched from the building
yard of Messrs. Miller, Atavenhill, and Co., at Black-
wall, ye % afternoon, in the presence of a large;
number
A*
ons interested in the vessel and others,
who we racted by her handsome appearance.
Miss Sophia Cruden, the daughter of the chairman
of the Star Packet Company, named her "The New Star"
as she went off the stocks. She was designed by Mr.
Pasco, of the above-mentioned firm, and is to have oscil-
lating engines of 68-horse power, constructed by them.
She is of extraordinary length over all-190 feet; between
the perpendiculars 175 feet, breadth between the paddle-
boxes 17 feet 6 inches, depth of hold 9 feet 6 inches, bur-
den in tons 268 old measurement. As she was taken
into the East India Docks to be fitted for service by the
month of May, she was very generally and justly admired.
With the clean smooth appearance which the iron always
presents, her beautiful form was shown off most advan-
tageously, and every one who saw her at once attributed
great praise to her skilful architect, and predicted fur her a
successful and splendid career. The star Company may,
with much gratification and pride, congratulate themselves
on po-tsessing the finest, handsomest, and swiftest boat on the
Thames.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.
LONDON, MARCH 19.—Wind, at noon, S.E. by S., light
breeze, and fine clear weather.
Dc.it., Mauer' 18.—Wind S.E.—Arrd. Java, Frik, New
York for Amsterdam ; Amalie, Vesser, Pernambuco ; Stud
Antwvrper, Gevarts, New York from Antwerp. Sld. Protec-
tor, New Zealand; Lady Clark, Calcutta; Lady Bute, Cal-
cutta; Coromandel, Gray, Bombay; Acasta, Algoa Bay;
Providence, Cape of Good Hope; Essex, Cape of Good Hope;
Clarence, Baltimore; Pioneer, Philadelphia; Catherine Bo-
land, Bermuda; Pearl and John Bull, Montreal.
PORTSMOUTH, MARC;II 18.—Wind S.S.E.— Sld. Toronto,
New York.

Poorx, Matson IS.—Sld. Emma, Newfoundland.
LIVERPOOL, Mancit 17.—Wind S. to S.E., moderate.—
Sid. Promise, Sydney, New South Wales; Isabella, Harriet,
Calcutta ; Berliampore, ditto; Elizabeth Archer, Bombay;
Tenzer, Para ; Potentate, Havannali ; Sarah and Louisa,
New Orleans ; Ashland, Nev York ; Oxford, ditto ; Peter
Ilatterick, ditto ; Triumph, ditto ; Albatross, Pauline,
Boston ; Chester, St. John's, New Brunswick. The Adelaide,
Grant, for Halifax, has put back, leaky, and with damage,
having been in contact 16th inst., off Holyhead, with the
Seaman, hence to Baltimore, which is supposed to have re-
ceived damage. The Minerva, of Dublin, hence to Galatz,
was seen yesterday off Holyhead, with loss of topmasts and
foreyards. Off port, Queen Mab, supposed to be putting back;
Crescent, Ann, Dingwall, Aqua Marine, and Berwick Castle.
PLYMOUTH, MARCH 18.—Wind E.S.S.—Arrd. Toronto,
Simpson, Moulmein. Sailed Sovereign, St. John's, New
Brunswick ; Trafalgar, Adelaide.
JERSEW, MARCH 17.—S1d. Iris, Newfoundland.
Htna,, Matson IB.—Wind E.S. E.—Sld. George, St. John's.
ST. IVES, Matson 17.—The Affiance, of Goole, from Lon-
don to Galway, struck on Rinmel Stone and sank near the
Land's End; crew saved and landed here.
CLYDE, MASCH 13.—S1d. Leven Lass, New York; 16th,
Eclipse, Windsor, Nova Scotia; Southampton, Boston.
Como, Matto' 16.—The Active, Prealle, from Santos to
Hamburgh, arrived here to-day, with loss of two men, fore-
topmast, head of mainmast, decks swept, and part of cargo
thrown overboard, and remainder damaged, in a heavy gale
on 25th to 27th ult., in lon. 10.; must discharge.
SWANSEA, MAUCH 18.— Wind S.E.—Sld. Mary, Aden.
Mancii 16.—Young Queen, Ilavannah.
SniasisEss, Matson 17.—The Two Brothers was brought
in to-day a derelict.

BLOCKADE OF OPORTO.
Portuguese Consulate, London, 18th March, 1847.*
Sir,—l beg to inform you, that in consequence of the port
of Oporto being in a state of blockade, I have received orders
from the Portuguese Government not to grant bills of health
or clearances for that port. I communicate this for your
Government, in case you may think it necessary to make it
public.—l remain, Sirs, your obedient servant,
(Signed) F. J. VAN ZELLER.
To W. Dobson, Esq., Secretary, Lloyd's.
The following copy of a letter from her Majesty's Govern-
ment, relative to the recent :seizure of the Lusitania by the
Portuguese squadron blockading Oporto, has been forwarded
to Lloyd's:—

Foreign-office, March 18, 1847.
Sir,-1 am directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, respecting
the capture of your vessel, the Lusitania with her cargo,
which had cleared out of Oporto before the 20th of February,
but which had been unable to put to sea until after that date
in consequence of the slate of the weather and the high sea
on the liar; and I am to state to you in reply, that her
Majesty's Minister at Lisbon, has been instructed to demand
from the Portuguese Government, that all vessels captured
under such circumstances shall be forthwith liberated, toge-
ther with their cargoes.-1 am, Sir, your most obedient hum-
ble servant.

(Signed)
To W. Gibbors, Eq.

E. J. STANLEY.

BANK OF ENGLAND.
(From last night's Gazette.)
.1n Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and tith of Victoria, cap. 32, fu
the Week ending on Saturday, the 13th day of March, 1847.
Isms DICPARTMENT.

Sotes i55ued........ 24-,i86,340

Government debt 11,015,100
Other securities .. • • 2,984,900
Gold coin and bullion 9,237,948
Silver bullion .. •• .. 1,548,392

£24,786,340

I £ 24,786,340
M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier.
[847.

Dated the Ugh day of March, 1

Government securi-
ties (including Dead
Weight Annuity)• • 11,990,079
Other securities •• • • 17,358,712
Notes • • • • • • • • ...... 5,554,140
Gold and silver coin . • G 63,121

Z 35,566,02
M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier.
147.

THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

The Select Committee on the subject of the navigation-laws
met on Thursdky in Committee-room No. 2. There were pre-
sent Mr. Milner Gibson (chairman), Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Mit-
chell, Admiral Dundas, r. Ruins, Mr. T. Baring, Sir it
Peel. Hon. M. Villiers, Mr. Lyall, Sir George Clerk, Alder-
man Thompson, Hon. Mr. Liddell, and Sir :Howard Douglas.
The examination of Mr. Browning was resumed.
By Mr. Hume—He thought the repeal of the navigation.
laws would tend to increase the number of ships built in
Great Britain. He grounded this opinion up,in the fact
that the materials for ship-building would bee:elle cheaper
by the lowering 'of the freights for their importation. It
would not tend to lessen the number of suips built in the
North American Colonies, but in every other country lie
thought it would. That amount of British capital which
was now employed is building foreign ships would then be
employed in building British ships. He knew one English
house, the firm of Peter Dixon and Co., of Gottingen, who
built Swedish ships; but those ships were not able to com
pete with our North American colonies. He believed the
effect of the repeal of the navigation- laws would be to raise
the rate of wages on the Continent to a level with those here.
lle knew the effect of the late reduction in the import duties
on cattle had been to raise the price of meat in Holland
from 2d. to 3d. per lb. He thought a great advantage w,,uld
arise to this country. particu.arly witti regard to the South
Sea whale fishing, it British shipowners were allowed to buy'
ships in Holland and elsewhere, wherever they could pick up
a bargain. He thought this permission would not injure our
own shipwrights, because they would be repaired in this
country, in order to insure their being admitted into Lloyd's
books. The navigatiomlaws caused a great disadvantage to
the Australian colonies, as they prevented the colonists pur-
chasing vessels str.nded on their coasts, which frequently
happened. The consequence was, that the vessels, when re-
paired, were sent to the Persian Gulf or to Cochin China for
sale; but there was risk in both cases, as the vessels must
proceed on these voyages without a register, aid they were
liable to be seized by British or foreign cruisers and treated
as pirates.
Admiral Dundas—Did you ever know an instance of a
vessel being seized under such circumstances? Mr. Browning
admitted that he did not.
By Mr. Baring—Though the price of meat had not been
raised in Holland, he did not know that the rate of wages
had risen; for when he was there there was a grvat scarcity
of employment. When he mentioned last day that the
Dutch East India ships refused to go to America for cargoes
of corn, he supposed that it was necause they could not com-
pete with English ships; at all events. the fact was, they did
not go ; but he could not, of his own knowledge, speak to the
reason.

Mr. Baring—You told us also that in the Chine, Singapore,
and Manilla trade, B. itish ships were preferred to American ;
will you tell the Committee in what particular trade the pre-
ference was shown, seeing that a British vessel is not ali,,wed
to take foreign produce to America any more than an
American vessel is allowed to bring foreign goods to England?
Mr. Brm%ning had heard several merchants say that they
would give the preference to English ships.
Examination by Mr. Baring continued—The average
freight of wool from Sydney to this country he believed
might be quoted at lid. The expense of pressing and stow-
ing amounted, he believed, to 11. per ton, and that expense
fell upon the shipowner. The duration of the voyage
averaged four months. The average duration of the voyage
from Mobile or New Orleans to Liverpool was thirty da>s,
and the average rates of freight for cotton from these ports
was about V. per lb. That the freight from Australia was
not much higher in proportion than the freight from New
Orleans, arose from the fact that ships went to New Orleans
in ballast, while ships going to Australia carried freights
both ways. fie did not think that the colonists of Australia
had any great reason to complain of the present state of
things.
Mr. Baring—Would you advise a repeal of the navigation-
laws, distinct from what might be done by other countries?
Mr. Browning—Oh yes; my opinion is, that if we repeal our
navigation-laws, foreigners could no longer justify their re.
strictions by our example.
Mr. Baring—But suppose they do not become such easy
converts? Mr. Browning—Oh, they would find themselves so
crippled that they would be obliged to give them up•
Mr. Baring—But suppose they did not, would it not he a
disadvantage to our trade that our coasting, our colonial,
and our foreign trade should be open to every flag, while at
the same time eaeh country would keep to its own ships
exclusive advantages in coasting and colonial trade? Mr.
Browning—Yes, it would be a disadvantage at first, just as a
bridge interferes with ferrymen.
Mr. Baring—At first; but not afterwards ? Mr. Brown-
ing—We would build cheaper.
Mr. Baring—But in the meantime would it not be an ad- 1
vantage to foreign merchants ? Mr. Browning--Oh. cer-
tainly; but we cannot alter the policy of foreign nations.
Mr. Baring—Would not it induce parties to purclia,e
American and other foreign ships in preference to British ?
Mr. Browning—lt might.
Sir Robert Peel What advantages have the North
American ports over British ports for shipbuilding, except
in the article of timber ! Mr. Browning—That is the only
difference.
Sir Robert Peel—What is the difference in the price ,of
copper sheating ? • Mr.derowninc—There is a differeno of
about id. per lb. in our favour. •...
Sir Robert Peel=-Whit is the rate of wages. there ?
Mr. Browning—Quite as much, perhaps higher, ailian in
England.

Sir Robert Peel—Then we have every advantage in ship-
building that is possessed by the North American States, ex-
cept in the article of timber ? Mr. Browning—We have.
y. Sir Robert Peel—What alteration could we make io the
law which would give the British ship-builder similar advan-
tages to the North American ship-builder, and which he does
not at present possess? Mr. Browning—There is no alteta-
tion required so far as regards the colonies.
Sir Robert Peel—Do the same observations apply to the
United States? Mr. Browning—No.
Sir Robert Peel—What advantages do the ship-builders in
the United States ports possess either in the shape of low
duties or of raw materials? Mr. Browning—The raw ma-
terial, except in the State of Maine, is dearer in the
United States than in this country, and they labour under
a disadvantage in regard to the price of metal, chain cables,
anchors, &c.

Sir Robert Peel—Do you consider that the rates of intu-
ranc ,e apart from the stamp duty on the poli-y, are the same
in both countries? Mr. Browning—l think they may be
effected here at a cheaper rate.
Sir Robert Peel—Then, with regard to Holland. are you
of opinion that a ship of a given quality may be built here
cheaper than in Holland? Mr. Browning—The present
rate of wages tells much against the ship-builder.
Sir Robert Peel—But is nit the trade between this country
and Holland entirely in our hands? Air. Browning—Yes, it. is.
Sir Robert Peel—And that is the best test of the state of
the trade? Mr. Browning—To be sure.
Sir Robert Peel—On a former day you gave an opinion
that if the navigation-laws were repealed, the timber, the in-
surance, the copper, and the light dues, ought all to be abo-
lished, in order to give them fair play ; do you mean that
there cannot even be a partial alteration in the navigation-
laws, whether as respects our colonial or our foregn inter-
course, unless there be a previous reduction in the duties you
mention? Mr. Browning thought that foreigiie. s had an
advantage over British ships in relation to light dues, which
the latter were not called on to pay.
Mr. Villiers called attention to the fact that the question
was not answered.

Sir R. Peel—ls net the British shipowner interested in
having his ships built cheaply. Mr. Browning—Decidedly.
Sir. R. Peel—Suppose the navigation-laws cause a heavy
freight on timber, would that be any advantage to the ship-
owner whose ships were not employed in carrying timber?
Mr. Browning—Of course not.
Sir R. Peel—And so with copper ore? Mr. Browning—
To be sure.

Sir R. Peel—ls it not the interest of the shipowners gene-
rally that there should be low freights tor the bringing of
those articles that are used in the building of ships? Mr.
Browning—Decidedly.
Sir R. Peel—Then it is not correct to assume that it is for

the interest of the shipowners generally Co hare high freights
on these materials for ship-building? Mr. Browning—De-
cidedly.

Mr.-Liddell—Would not the repeal of the navigation-laws,
by bringing the whole commercial navies of the world to

ciunpete—wrth us, lower freights? Mr. Browning—ltialnlc
we would then obtain a monopoly by our industry.—
( Laughter.)
Mr. Liddell—What I A monopoly on ships? Mr. Brown.
ing—No doubt of it.
_ . _

Admiral Dundas—Do you think there are fewer or more
foreign naval powers to contend with us now in peace or war
than when the navigation-laws were first passed? .ar
Browning —Our advantages are greater now than they were
then.

Admiral Dundas—Ave, but are they more or less? Mr.
Browning—l think they are fewer.
Admiral Dundaa---1i ould the repeal of the navigation-laws
add to the protection of this country in its supply of seamen?
Mr. Browning—lt would very materially add to its strength.
Admiral Dundas—ln what way ? Mr. Browning—Be.cause, if the navigation-laws were repealed, and facilities
were afforded fur naturalisation, we should have a supply of
Swedish and Norwegian sailors.
Sir It. Feel—But if a war were to break out between this
country and these Northern Powers, should you have the
same confidence in them as in British seamen ? Mr. Brown-
ng—l think that the pressing o !seamen must be given up
and that this country ought to give the seamen the market
value for their service% and then there could be no doubt we
might man our navy to any extent.
Admiral Dundas—Suppose we had a war with America,
would the men now in the American service come to us? Mr.
Browning—Yes, they would. The American navy is getting
extremely unpopular with our seamen.
Admiral Dundas—Unpopular in peace, but very popular in
time of war. Mr. Browning—l question that.
Admiral Dundas—But suppose these men were captured
in war, what would become of them? Mr. Browning—Well,
I don't know what the Americans might do...:(Laughter.)
Admiral Dundas—Suppose half our navy were manned
with American seamen, when an American war broke out
where would our convoys be if these men refused to fight?
Mr. Browning—Oh, I don't think the Americans would come
into our navy at all.
Sir R. Peel—You say that the wages of seamen ought to
be raised from 21. ss. per month to the Americanlevel of
3s. ss. per month? Mr. Browning—Yes, and with small

,tores, -such as sugar.
Sir R. Peel—Has your house tried the experiment of such
an increase?—(Laughter.) Mr. Browning—l bave occa-
sionally paid as high as 31. per month.
Sir R. Peel—But if you were sending out a ship from a,
British port would you give more than the current rate of
wages? Mr. Browning—Of course not.
Sir R. Peel—Then how do you suppose it possible to raise
the rate of wages? Mr. Browning—My
.remarks applied
only to a time of war. To man the navy in an emergency,
you must give the market value of seamen.
Sir H. Douglas—By the repeal of the navigation-laws, and
affording facilities forj naturalisation, would not the safety
of the State be endangered, ,by being so much entrusted
to these foreign seamen? Mr. Browning—l think it would
to a small extent ; but except in the case of a war with
their own country, when they might be free from service,
the Scandinavian race generally shows an attachment to our
service.

Sir H. Douglas—ls it not a fundamental rule of national
law that no subject can divest himself of his allegiance? Mr.
Browning—Yes.

Sir H. Douglas—Then would it not be a dangerous expe-
riment to leave the satety ot the State to theta? Mr. Brown-
ing—l think they would not come.
Sir G. Clerk—You stated before that great inconve-
nience was experienced in the Australian colonies from their
not being_ allowed to purchase Dutch ships for the whale
Wing. D 9 your OWN that aro engaged Nis fishing also

brinr hmrto 0$? p.so. 3irnitc— 0; it is sett heir.° o*
freight.
•-- • -
Sir G. Clerk—Then whit is there in fife, navigation-laws
which prevents you from purchasing hutch ships to be
employed in the whale fisheries ? Mr. Browningßos
cause there is a differential duty of 15/. per ton on sperm
oil caught in foreign ships, which, however, expires in
1849 ; with regard to block duty, the duty practically does
not apply.
By Mr. Hume—The French ships th,t brought sugar
from Bourbori to Australia were not allowed to carry
produce of the colony to another British colony; the con-
•
seitience was they were paid for their cargoes in gold, and
this in the yesis 1841 and 1842 had led to serious inconve-
niences in the country, by deranging the currency. -
By Sir G. Clerk—The chief supply of sugar brought to
Australia came from Manilla and Java, which were brought
in British ships, and be could rot say that he had ever known
more than four or five French ships arrive in the colony in
the course of one year.
By Mr. Baring—lf there bad been no navigation-laws
these vessels would have taken the produce nt the colony to
Ceylon or other British colonies. At the same time he did
not think there was gnythinir, evea in the present state of
the law, to prevent these ships taking the colonial produce to
BY Mr. Htime—He saw do reason why the Australian co-
banes should not flourish to as great an extent as Singapore,
if the nayigation-law‘ were repealed.
By Sir G. Clerk —lie did not think that a French ship
could go to Singapore and bring back produce to the United
Kingdom any more than she could go to Australia and bring
back produce to the 'United Kingdom.
Sir G. Clerk—Then what restrictions do the navigation-
laws impose on Australia that they do not impose on Singa-
pore? Mr. Browning did not know it' it was not that Sin-
gapore was a free p,,rt.
fhe Committee adjournerl till one "clock on Tuesday.

I ELAND
ST. PATRICK'S DAY.—DUBLIN, MARCH 17.—Thie being
the festival day of the patron saint of Ireland, the merriment
annually indulged in by the people on the occasion of the
military relieving guard at the Castle was remarkable for the
order and good-humoured festivity which characterised the
demeanour of the immense assemblage who thronged the
square at the castle. Shortly after el yen o'clock the cheer-
ing, which could be heard at a great distance, announced
the approach of Lieutenant General Sir Edward Btakeney,
who, attended by his staff, rode at the head of the guard,
and from the royal barrecke to the Castle the gallant veteran
was greeted, (Is well froth the windows as from the pavement,
with every demonstration of popular affection and reseect.
On reaching the Castle, Sir Edward dismounted, and joined
the Lord Lieutenant ;led a numerous party of his Excel-
lency's private friends and officers of the household.
Soon after the arrival of Sir Edward Blakeney, his Excel-
lency, uncovered, appeared on the balcony over the state
entrance, attended by Me. Corry Carnelian, and followed
by the Ladies Ponsoribv attired in Iri-h poplin of national
green. His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge
stood beside his Excellency, and on being recognised, was
loudbecheered. The instant the balcony window was thrown
open, the approach of his Excellency was anticipated by the
dense crowd which filed the square, and as he advanced to
the ballustrade, the acclamations which rent the air, in token
of the popular admimion which hls Excellency enjoys,
were never equalled on any similar occasion except during
the riceroya:ty of Lord Normanby. The Ladies Ponsonby
were the next objects of popular tarour, and the familiarity
with which their names were enunciated by the crow&
excited their Ladyships' merriment ; and, Li silently ex-
pressing the sentiments by which they were moved, there
was no stiff timidity nor affectation in their fine open-
ness of countenance. " Gra machree, Kathleen you are the
jiat of Irish 1 idles, in your purty green coat, a cushla," said
a Boeotian giant from the county of Meath, as he snapped
his fingers and kicked up his left heel, in genuine Irish style..
His Excellency and the viceregal party remained on the
balcony until the military wet e marched off to their bar.
racks, shortly after which the 'row(' dispersed in the most
perfect good humour and decorum.
RELIEF Commirremt —His Excellency the Lord-Lieu.
tenant has directed that relief committees shall be con.Stituted
according to the general order of the 4th of March instant,
in each of the electoral divisions of the following unions re.
spectively:—Drogheda, Dumtanagby, D'.lnmanny, Ennis-
killen. Innishowen, Kiln. ll ek, Mar.or-Hsmilton.
A PEER OF THE bum Pa:;‘irse—The Northern Whig eon-
tain‘ the following;" Lord Meuntcashel's Munificence.-.-
A correspondel:t Writes us as follows, under date of the 11th
inst. :—‘ Lord Mountcashel's munificent subscription of 101.
(don't mistake this for 1001) arrived to the Kells Relief Alta
last week. His estate of Kells comprises eight townlande,
yielding .:bout 2,000/. a year of the best paid rents in the
north of Ireland.' His L'ordship is a strenuous defender of
the Irish landlords; and we saw that, a few days ago, he
lamented the smallness of certain landlord subscriptions in.
Cork, though he still stood up for his order. What a splendid
offering he presents—ten poll. als for eight townlands!"
TILE LATH MURDERS IN KILKENNY.—In addition to the
particulars which we gave in our last of the atrocious mur-
ders of -ir. Prim and the police-constable, the Ki/kenny
Journal says:- "Four of the men were seen running towards
the Grove of Carrickshock, carrying five guns and a bag of
money. The ,suer, no (twin, contaked the money Mr. Prim
had with him, about 300/. in silver and copper. The fellow
who had been &het, crawled to a house, where he asked some
children to allow hint to ie down; and where he was subse-
quently taken by the police. He is from Carrick, in the
county Tipperary, the place where, it is conjectured, all the
assassins came from. There is one thing certain, that they
were strangers, for Mr. Prim was universally and deservedly
beloved by the people of the barony (Kells), and indeed by
every one who knew him."
ATHLONE, Metiers 15.—Another fire broke out this day
about half-past one o'clock, when unfortunately five houses
were burned down, and had it not been for the exertions of
the military, and the convenient supply of water, there is
little doubt but that the greater Portion of the Connaught
side of the town would have been now in smouldering ruins.
The devastation yesterday was not so great as in the confu- -
sion I was led to believe. The number of houses destroyed
amounted to eighteen.
EmiGit.vrios. —A great many persons, farmers, and
others, who applied on ruesday to the grand jury for pre-
seat rne!tt. for damages. &.., stated that they were preparing
to go to Am .rice. —Tipperary Vindicator.
ULSTER RAILWAY.—The indiic on this railway (twenty-
five miles opened) was, for the week ending 14th March,
1847 :—Passengers, 12,501 ; amount, 430/. 19s. 9d.; goods,
2801. 19s. ad.—Total, 721/. 19s. 2sl. Corresponding week of
last ye.r: -Passengers. 12,193; amount, 4151. 159. 4d.;
goods, 2421. Is. 3d.—Total, 657/. 16s. 7d.

ASSIZE I TENLLIGENCF..
KILKENNY, MARCH 15. PLUNDER, OF A PAY CLERK
Thomas Mackey and William Mackey were indicted for that
they. on the 16th of December last, at Rocheatewn, being
armed did assault Frederick Burrowea, a pay clerk of the
Board of Works, and rob him of 400 half-crowns, 1,000
shillings, 100 sixpences, and other moneys.
A witness, named James Wallace, was produced to prove
an alibi for one of the prisoners, and, in answer to the first
question, said, ‘• I cannot speak a word of English."--
(Loud laughter.) However, he was compelled to give his
evidence in that language.
Tho jury found a verdict of Guilty, and the prisoners were
sentenced to transportation for life.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
(From the Votes ,our Proceeding,. of die House of Commons.)
THURSDAY, MARCH 18.
The following Railway Bills were read a second time, corn-
mittel, and referred to the Committee of Selection:—
Eastern Counties (Enlargement of London and Stratford
Stations, and Amendment of Acts).
Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway Act Amendment
and Branches.
South Devon Extension and Amendment).

NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL-OFFICE.
The following Railway Bill is appointed to be read a
second time on Thursiay, March 25:
Chester and Holyhead (Extensions at Chester and Holy.
hew", &c.—No. 2).