The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-24 00:00:00

mom
No. 16,671. LONDON TUESDAY La
VEN.-
0.3 As 4
S y FEBRUARY 24 1846.

EXCHEQUER BILL OFFICE, 2, WHITEHALL-YARD,
FEB. 17, 1846.
rr HE EXCHEQUER BILLS dated in the
month of MARCH, 1845, viz., per 7 Viet., cap 14, 18,407,3001.,
anno 1844 ; Also,
The EXCIIEQUER BILLS dated in JULY and NOVEMBER,
1844, and MARCH, 1845, per 2 and 3 William IV., cap. 125, for
Relief of West India Islands ; 3 Viet., cap. 10, for Carrying on Pub-
lie Works,. with the Interest clue thereon, will be paid off on the 17th
'day of March, 1846, when the Interest will cease. Such Bills will
be received daily from Half-past Ten o'clock till Two, until and in-
eluding the 6th day of March, at this office, where Lists Are to be
obtained, containing instructions - for arranging the Bills. The
bearers must endorse each Bill with their usual signatures, and write
their names and residences at the bottom of each list ; and where the
names of holders are inserted in Bills, the bearers, not being such
holders, must previously obtain their endorsements. The bearers
must attend to give receipts for the payment.
Payment may be obtained, if required, previous to the said 17th
day of March, upon leaving the Bills (or examination one day prior
to that on which such payment is desired.

New Bills, bearing an Interest of One Penny Halfpenny by the
day Upon every One Hundred Pounds, and dated the said 17th day of
March, may be obtained in whole or in part payment of principal of
the Exchequer Bills issued under the above-mentioned Act of 7 Vic.,
cap. 14, upon stating the required amount on the lists, delivered on
-r before the said Gth day of March, which new Bills, with the In-
terest on the Bills exchanged, will be issued on the 18th day of
March.

The Bills to be classed in separate lists, according to the Acts under
which they have been issued.

The Bills issued for carrying on Public Works and Fisheries, and
for Relief of Wcst.lndia Islands, will be paid off in money.
N.B. All Exchequer Bills harged on supplies dated prior to
March, 1845, have been advertised to he paid off.

r IIE WEEKLY CHRONICLE of Saturday,
the 28th February, and Sunday, the Ist of March, will con-
tain the Fullest Particulars of the

BRITISH VICTORIES IN INDIA,
from the Official Dispatches and other Sources, the Lists of Billed
and Wounded, Trophies Seized, &c., &c. With the

MONSTER DEBATE AND DIVISION,
the,Eleetion for S uth Notts, Editorial Comments on the State of the
FREE -TRADE QUESTION, and a LETTER FROM COTTON
r !—Office, 337, Strand ; and all Newsmen. Price 6d.

THE NEW NOVEL,
BY THE AUTHOR OF "MAIDS OF HONOUR."
Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
SIR ROGER DE COVERLET.
A TALE

' OF THE COURT OF CEL-11LES 11.
the Author of " Maids of Honour.'
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

Now ready, in 2 vols. small Swo., 21s. bound,
S IR RICHARD lIENEGAN'S SEVEN
YEARS' CAMPAIGNING,
IN TIIE PENINSULA AND THE NETHERLANDS.
henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE,
THIS EVENING

Will be performed an original Opera, entitled DON QUIXOTE.
Don Quixote, Mr. Weiss ; Sancho Panza, Mr. Stretton ; Camacho,
Mr. Ring; Rovedos, Mr. norneastle ; Basillus, Mr. Allen; QUiteria,
Miss Ra n forth.

After which, for the Sixth Time, a new Fairy Ballet, called THE
ISLAND NYMPH. In which Mons. Desplaces, Mdlles. Marin,
Neodot, Louise, Adele, Mdme. Glubilei, &c., will appear.
To conclude with a new grand Christmas comic Pantomine, called
HARLEQUIN GULLIVER ; or, Giants and Dwarfs. Harlequin,
Mr. Wieland ; Clown, Mr. T. Matthews ; Pantaloon, Mr. Howell ;
Columbines, Miss Hicks and Miss Lousdale.

To-morrow, being Ash Wednesday, there will be no performance.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed Mr. Sergeant Talfourd's Tragedy of lON.
Ton, Mss Cushman;, Clemanthe, Miss Susan Cushmian ; and sup-
ported by Messrs. Stuart, Hudson, Braids], 11. 8011, Miss Telbin,
The Band will pertbrm the Overture, " La Garea Ladra," and
the Wal,z, "Love's Serenade."

After which, the Comedy of TILE OLD SCHOOL. Principal
haracters by :Messrs. Farren, 8011, Brindal, Mrs. Clifford, and Mrs.
Yarnoid.

To coneltule with a New Farce, called LEND ME FIVE SHIL-
LINGS. Principal characters by Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Tilbury, Mr.
Helldal, and Miss P. Horton.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed the Drama of LEOLINE : or, Life's Trials
Principal characters by Messrs. 0. Smith and Wright, Mrs. Yates,
and Miss Woolgar. .

To be follow-ed by TAMING A TARTAR ; or, Magic and Ma-
zourkaphobia. In which Messrs. Paul Bedford and Wright, Miss
Woolgar, Madame Celeste, &c. will perform.
To conclude with a New Farce, entitled THE PHANTOM
BREAKFAST. Supported,by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. Wright, Miss
Woolgar, &c.

TO7n-io-I-v, being Ash Wednesday, there will be no performance.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MRS. KEELEY.

The Cricket on the !learnt," and " The Enchanted Horse" every
Evening until further notice!
THIS EVENING WILL BE PERFORMED
THE CRICKET ON THE IIENKTII: A FAIRY TALE
OF HOME.

The Principal Characters by Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Mr.Emery,Mr.
F. Yining•, Mr. Meadows, and Miss Grove.

- ,
To he followed by the original REDOWA WALTZ, music tal-
posed by M. Jullieu, by Miss Frampton and Master Forrest.
After which will be repeated a New Grand Romantic extravag anz 1,
entitled TIIE ENCHANTED HORSE; or, Prince Fireuz Schuh of
Persia and the Princess of Bengal. Principal Characters by ➢iessrs.
Keeley, Wigan, F. Matthews, Collier, Turner, Kinloch, &c.; Mts.
lames Keeley, Villars, Hodson, Dawson, Howard, Arden, &c.

Stalls, ss. ; Boxes, 4s. ; Plt,-25.; Gallery, 6d.

FRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed the Comedy of WILD OATS. Rover, Mr.
Wallack ; Ilarry Thunder, Mr. J. Vining ; Sim, Mr. Oxberry;
Ephraim Small, Mr. Compton; Lady Amaranth, Mrs. Stirling.
To be followed by a DIVERTISSEMENT, in which Mr. Gilbert,
Mr. Marshall, M. Adrien, Miss Bailin, Miss Marshall, and Mdile.
Duval will appear.
To conclude with a New Drama, entitled THE VIOLET. Andre,
Mr. Wallack ; Tr;nquet, Mr. Granby ; Armand, Mr. Murray ; Mar-
chioness D'Orville, Mrs. Tosbroke ; Blanche, Miss Stanley ; Blan-
chette, Mrs. Stirling.
To-morrow, being Ash Wednesday, there will be no performance.

BIGH WATER AT LONDON-BRUME THIS DAY.
Morning •• 15 minutes after 12. I Evening .. 46 minutes after 12.

A.
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farm servants in the employment of gentlemen. These un-
fortunate men were dragged out in the middle of the night,
and either maimed or murdered in the presence of their fariailiesi
and such was the system of terror established, that the family
dared not give evidence against the perpetrators of the out-
rage. The Government had adopted every method in their
power to suppress the outrages. They had increased the po-
lice force, but in vain; and they were now compelled to
apply to Parliament for further power. If it was intended by
Parliament to grapple with this evil, they could not adopt a
less unconstitutional measure than the one proposed. The
first cladse gave the Lord Lieutenant power
to proclaim any district. The second clause was
important. These crimes were planned and committed
generally during the night, and therefore the second clause
was most important. He also considered it important that
the Lord Lieutenant should have the power of awarding
compensation to the family of the murdered man,
to be levied on the barony in which the murder had been
committed, by way of fine levied by rate, from which no indi-
vidual should be exempt. It was also important that the police
should have the power of entering and searching public-houses.
This Act violated no constitutional form in the trial of
offenders; they were to be tried by jury at quarter-sessions
or assizes. He would not enter at length into the
details of the measure, as they must be better discussed
in Committee. He knew that some persons attributed these
outrages to political feeling, but he considered the future, inas-
much-as crime had diminished in certain counties of Ireland.
These outrages were not of an insurrectionary character, and
he thought they were quite unconnected with politics. The
Government had shown itself not insensible to the improve-
ment of the condition of the Irish people, but all such mea-

sures would be useless until these outrages were put
down. There could be no doubt that the minute
subdivision of land had led to some of those
outrages, but the great cause was the existence of secret
associations. It was necessary to meet the evil, and there-
fore ho mired upon their Lordships to sanction this mea-
sure, and to give to the Irish peasant that feel-
ing ,Of security which the English peasant enjoyed,
Arid -*filch would enable the measures of the Government
for improving the social condition of Ireland to bear the
fruit which they hoped they would produce, but which they
could not produce until the feeling of security for life and
property was restored. He, therefore, moved that the Bill
be read a second time.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE could not offer the slightest
opposition to the progress of a_ Bill intended for the
_

ireserration of the live's of her Majesty's Irish sUbjects;
and, far from complaining of the early time at which the Bill
was brought forward, he thought that every day since the
beginning of the session was a day lost, in not making some
attempt to put an end to such a lamentable state of things.
He trusted that their Lordships would lose no time in consi-
dering measures for improving the condition of the Irish
.people, but he admitted that the measure which had been
proposed was an indispensable precursor to them. He
felt justified in admitting and stating that this was a Bill
for the protection of the poor against a lawless system of in-
timidation, which was aimed against their only property,
their labour, and which, if not put down would extend to

the whole country, and end in the extermination
of the great mass of the population, and the destruction of
law, order, and security. At the same time he would im-
press upon the Government the necessity of introducing as
speedily as possible measures to ameliorate the condition of
the people of Ireland.
Lord BROUGHAM agreed that this Bill ought net to be
delayed. He deplored that there should exist in any
part of the British dominions a state of society which, if
not instantly put down, would render all attempts
at improvement the wildest fancy. that it ever
entered into the mind of man to imagine. There
first duty towards Ireland was to render it an inhabitable
country by putting a s'op to the progress of crime,
which rendered it an uninhabitable country. He regretted that

this Bill did not contain provisions for trying accusations in
a part of the country where juries were not subject to the
assassin. He should like to have this provision not confined
to Ireland, but extended to the whole kingdom. In
Scotland all offences might be tried either locally, or
in Edinburgh, at the option of the prosecutor.
It was better, both for the prisoner and for justice, that be
should be tried where be was not known. He trusted the
Government would, before many days were passed, make
this addition to this most necessary measure.
Lord FARNHAM said that Cavan, twelve months since, was
one of the quietest counties in Ireland and now it was the
most disturbed. The disturbances began with threatening
notices and the perambulation of the county by armed men,
and in the spring murder was committed in the open day
without any attempt being made to arrest the murderer.
He agreed that this Bill was for the protection of the poor,
for the rich man might provide for his safety by quitting
the country, which the poor man could not. If the farmer
were to wish to leave the country he could not sell his pro
perty, for the purchaser would not be safe. The cause
of all these evils was the existence of ribbon societies, so-
cieties composed exclusively of men of the humblest classes
of life, ignorant, uneducated, but most mischievous, and
capable of perpetrating any crime, however atrocious.
The present measure was one necessary for the security of
life and property, and he hoped its progress would not be de-
layed.
The Marquis of CLASRICARDE complained that himself and
those with whom he acted had been grossly assailed, because
he had called on the Government to adopt measures for the
security of life and property in Ireland. He was extremely
sorry that his expression of his conscientious opinion had
offended any portion of his countrymen. He must entertain
the opinion that the Irish should enjoy equal rights and pri-
vileges, but that had nothing to do with the present measure,
which simply was for the protection of life and property.
To the complaint of the Irish farmer, that
lie was deprived of the franchise, it would not
be any answer to say, therefore you shall not be defended in
the enjoyment of your life and your property. He objected
to this being a permanent measure. Arbitrary power would
be necessary for a time, but the period of its exercise should
be limited. It was, perhaps, right that the inhabitants of
the district should be fined in-which a murder was committed,
but he thought that where a conviction followed,
the district ought not to be subjected to the fine,
Ile also objected to inflicting the punishment of transporta-
tion without a previous reference to the Lord Lieutenant.
These, however, were matters of detail, and so necessary
did he conceive some such measure, that he would not op-
pose it in its present stage.
The Earl of WrocLow thought this a most useful Bill,
and did not see the force of the objections of the Noble
Marquis. He thought, however, that some additions might
be made to it to secure the conviction and punishment of
the perpetrators of crime. It was impossible in local dis-
tricts to select jurors who would convict even on the clearest
evidence, and some provision to remedy this evil was
wanting.
The Earl of CLANCABTY thought the Bill would be more
perfect if it gave greater powers to unpaid magistrates and
local authorities, who had greater local knowledge and
more interest in the district than stipendiary magistrates.
He objected to the plan of, assessment for compensation, as
calculated to increase the unpopularity of the poor-rate.
Lord CAMPBELL would not oppose the measure, but
he must protest against the doctrine laid down by his
Noble and Learned Friend, that it would be ad-
visable in every case to give the prosecution a power
of bringing a criminal to trial at a distance from his
home—a power which was an encroachment on the
just rights of a British subject, and contrary to the
'maxims of the common law. For the sake of the
prisoner and of the public, it was better that
the trial should take place, and the sentence be pronounced,
near to the spot where the crime was com-
mitted. This proposal would in political trials
confer upon the Government almost arbitrary power.
He did not believe the present Government would
abusesuch a power, but it ought not to be entrusted to any
Government. He denied that it was the law of England in
cases of murder. The Court of Queen's Bench in England
might change the venue in such cases in England, but
so could the Court of Queen's Bench in Ireland now.
It was the law of Scotland, but the criminal law of Scot-
land was of a very arbitrary nature, and not near
so favourable to the liberty of the subject as the
criminal law of England. Would his Noble Friend
hold up the conviction of Muir and . Palmer
imitated;justieiary
haadnddeterwmiitnheidn
theas lastan eixexma
omnpthles the° Conbret of
that it bad the power to create any new offence,
and to affix to it any punishment they • might think
tit, but he trusted that would not be held up as
a model of imitation for England and Ireland. Al-
though he would not oppose the Bill, he considered that
it ought to be a temporary measure as it was an encroach-
ment on the constitution.

Lord BGrtßoEui
rot it
anlAtihaoiui dg
hL oar do
1191
emuorf Bat
he mutuallys e xppr
01 d apionseed
were repugnant to his feelings, was bound to confess that he
thought the Noble Earl, who had introduced it had made
out a sufficient case to authorise their Lordships in
arming the Government with additional powers. But
measures for repressing acts of outrage, while the spirit of
insubordination remained, were insufficient to meet the wants
of the case. Eleemosynary relief, too, had frequently been
granted to Ireland, without producing permanent bene-
tit. It was their duty to go to the root of the evil
and to take away the source of the spirit of insubordination.
This was not the time to discuss what these measures
ought to be; but if, before the third reading of the
Bill, they had no general outline given to them
of a comprehensive measure of general policy,
it would be the duty of the House to record its opinion of
the necessity of coupling with this measure some other
measures of the nature of those to which he had
alluded; and if no other Noble Lord undertook the task,
Le should on the third reading bring forward a resolution
pledging the House to inquire into the cause
of the evils of the present state of Ireland, and to provide
a remedy for those evils. He thought the provision for levy-
ing a line on that district in which crime was corn
mitted a proper provision, but he trusted their Lord-
ships would not consent to this law without
the addition of a clause limiting the time of its operation,
and he thought that the clauses relating to persons out
between sunset, and sunrise required some modification.
The Marquis of WESTMEATH supported the Bill, which was
read a second time, after which their Lordships adjourned.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
Several railway Bil!s were read a second time and ordered
be committed.

On the motion for the second reading, of the Bilston Gas
Bill, Mr. R. SPOONER moved that it be read a second time
that day six months. After a short discussion the amend-
ment was withdrawn, the Bill read a second time, and
ordered to be committed.

Petitions were presented against the enrolment of the
militia; and also against the free-trade measure of the Go-
vernment.

Mr. ESTCOUF.T gave notice of his intention, to-morrow, to
bring under the consideration of the House an error in the
report of the Sub-Committee wills respect to the West
Rid'ng Union Railway. Bill, and to move that the Bill
brought in founded on that report be annulled.
Lord SANDON gave notice of his intention, after Easter, to
bring in a Bill relativo to the prisons in, and the jurisdiction
of, the city of London.

Sir R. PEEL, in answer to a question from Sir R. INGus,
said that dispatches had been received by the Government
relative to the war in India; that these dispatches bore
out generally the statements of the morning papers of this
day, that a great victory had been gained by the valour of
the British troops, but, he was sorry to say, with
considerable loss. The particulars of these dispatches would
be published in an extraordin?ry Gazette probably this evening.
The Right Hon. Baronet, in answer to a question from Mr.
O'CoiligELL, said that the Government proposed bringing in,
several Bills with respect to Ireland during ths present session,

but it was not proposed to give those measures precedence of
the measures now under the consideration of the House. The
Government proposed to bring in a Bill to encourage the im-
provent of land in Ireland. They also proposed to introduce
other Bills to amend the law respecting the registration of
county vottrs in Ireland, and the mode of holding elections
in that country; an alteration was intended to be proposed
with respect to the franchise. With respect to the Municipal
Corporation Bill that would be introduced by the Govern-
ment, the effect of it would be to assimilate the municipal
franchise of Ireland as much as possible to that of England.
Sir J. GRAHAM, in answer to a question from Mr. O'CoN-
NELL, said there would be no objection to lay before the
House the papers asked for by the Hon. and Learned Mem-
ber relative to the execution of Bryan Seery.
Mr. E. BULLER then resumed the adjourned debate
on the Customs' and Corn Importation measure.
He advocated the measure of the Government, believing that
protection meant nothing more nor less than this—benefit
to one class of society at the expense of the rest. Although
he had five points to cavil at in the Government measure,
he felt that the carrying of it was of such importance that
he should give it his hearty support..
Captain BATESON would give the measure his most deter-
tofailure
sttepdp
000
frp
ttphao
es
measure min.
trieooatnsaut
or
eN
thatroo r man
in a
would
n 0I
url ael
dra
Ireland
at,
ve
orde
the mw
oo
effectur me
dt l
bi than nofh
more e
relieving
didre at
dh
ye
the misery of that country, but it was a mockery to
say that a measure like the present, which would
have the effect of depreciating the price of the agricultural
produce of that country, would have that effect. In twelve
months' time, if the proposed measure passed, the whole pro-
duce of Ireland would be driven out of the English market
by foreign competition. He still retained the motto of his
county, " No surrender."
Mr. MONTAGUE GORE would ye, the measure of the
Government his decided and mos trenuous support. He
e
had no fear for agriculture from t e competition of other
f
countries. He would not support the measure if he thought
it was conceded to agitation or fear; he believed that it was
conceded from no such cause, but from a just conviction of its
necessity.
Mr. R. A. FITZGERAbD heard with great pleasure the
speech of the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Govern-
' ment the other night ; he concurred with every part of it,
and would give tbe_measare.-kis decided support. He was
glad to see that the Government intended lo_introdace Rte-1.-
sures to improve the condition of Ireland.. He believed if the
Noble Lord the Member for London and his party were in
power they would be enabled to do great good for Ireland.
Captain LocKtre Ea opposed the proposition. They were not
called upon to pass a sweeping measure of the kind to avert a
casual calamity.
Sir G. CLERK advocated the measure. He thought if
Hon. Members looked to what had been passing in the
country for the last twenty years, they would come to the 1
conviction that the Government were not purstiing a new or
overstrained policy in proposing the adoption of those mea-
sures. He felt convinced, if the measure passed, not a single
acre of land in the country would be thrown out of cultiva-
tion by the importation of corn from Russia, or any other
part of the world; but that the agricultural part of the com-
munity, as well as the commercial, would be benefited by it.
Mr. LIDDEIS wanted to know if there had been no change
in the policy of the Government in bringing forward this
measure; why the Nobl4l Lord, the Member for the City of
London, sat on the other side of the House, and why the
Noble Lord, the Sec: etary for Ireland, had gone back to his
constituents at Nottingham, mid was likely to lose his seat.
He considered the assertion of the Right Hon. Baronet who
had just addressed the House most startling, and not founded
on fact. A great change bad taken place in the policy of the
Government, the introduction of the present measure was a
revolution on their former policy, one, as lie believed, calcu-
lated to do immense injury to the country, and he should,
therefore, give it his. determined opposition. lie did not
pretend to say that the corn-laws as they at present existed
should be maintained, but as long as he was a Member of
that House he should contend that they ought to exist in a
modified form.
Mr. Hula. supported the Government proposition, be-
lieving that the only measure that could relieve the dis-
tresses of the country was a repeal of the corn-laws.
Captain HARRIS opposed the Government measure.
Mr. MONCKTON .MILNES had never refused to do justice to
the Hon. Gentlemen opposite whenever they had brought
forward measures which he conceived to be for the benefit
of the country, neither was he inclined to judge the present
Ministers so harshly as some of his Hon. Friends seemed
inclined to judge them, and seeing the great alterations
which had taken place in the opinions of all those connected
with political life, on the subject of the corn-laws, he
thought that great allowances ought to be made for the Minis-
ter. It was for the House to decide whether a statesman should
be permitted to modify his opinion, or whether the country
should be exposed to the danger of perpetual changes. But
he considered there were two questions—the one the secular
rejection of the revenues of the Irish Church, and the other
the repeal of the corn-laws, whichthe present Gevernment,was
precluded upon principle from considering. Under
existing circumstances he could only look upon the Govern-
ment of the Right Hon. Baronet as a Government ad interim to
carry this measure, existing by the permission of its oppo-
nents. He gave his support to this measure, net because be
had any confidence in the Government of the Right Hon.
Baronet, but because he felt conscientiously bound, in accord-
ance with his principles, to repudiate the doctrine of protec-
tion as laid down by the agricultural interest. He had
always considered the corn-law as a temporary measure, and
he felt that the time was now come for its removal.
He did not believe that the great relief would be afforded by
the repeal of these laws which lion. Gentlemen expected,
neither did lie think that the fears of those opposed to the
measure would be realised. Comparing the habits of life and
the physical powers of the English labourer with those of the
foreign labourer, he was not of opinion that the English labourer
would suffer from the change ; indeed, he could not suffer,
for his wages were already reduced in agricultural districts
to the lowest possible point, and if the wages of the agricul-
tural labourer in Yorkshire were higher than those of the
same labourer in Northamptonshire, it was because of the
contiguity of Yorkshire to the manufacturing districts. He
believed the tenant-farmers would suffer by the change more
than any other class. The Hon. Gentleman then complained
of the attacks which had been made on the landlords by the
League, and contended that the land was let much below its
real value, and that by these changes the landlords might be
tempted to become mere manufacturers of corn. He
trusted, however, that they would not give way to the temp-
tation, and although they might suffer temporary pecuniary
loss, yet they would maintain their position as the great
supporters of the safety and permanency of this mighty em-
pire.
On the motion of Lord INGESTEE the debate was then ad-
journed until to-morrow.

4- The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at Half-past Twelve o'clock.

The official dispatches describing the late battles on the
Sutlej, published this morning in the London Gazette Extra-
ordinary, and given at length in The Sun, will be read with
melancholy interest. They confirm all the previous state-
ments respecting the great bravery displayed by the officers
and troops under their command, the vast difficulties they
had to contend with, and the superiority of numbers on the
part of the enemy, the proportion being four to one, view-
ing the two forces in general position, but in some instances,
fully ten to one against the British. When it is remembered
that the Seikh troops are considered the most brave and
daring in India, that they had been well trained by Euro-
pean officers skilled in all the tactics of the French revolu.
tion, that their guns were numerous and of a very large size
—from nine to twenty-four pounders, and that they were
admirably salved, the decisive victory becomes the more
wonderful, and the gallantry both of the native and Euro-
pean troops appears unequalled in any former engagements
in India. There was, however, one exception, and that is
candidly admitted by Sir JOAN armEn ; but great allow-
ances must be made when the small army of that gallant
officer had such fearful odds against them. It was stated in
private letters that the division under larrLER had been re-
pulsed, and it appears from the official dispatches that a part
of this report was true, but the check was speedily remedied,
and that, too, by only one European regiment, the 9th Foot,
with the 20th Regiment of Native Infantry, and a part of the
I4th Native Infantry. "The first advance in line," says the
General, " was steady, and the approach to the enemy's works
made under a most galling fire. The casualties in the ranks were
awful. The troops, however, moved on with great firmness
and resolution, and approached the enemy's battery to
within about 150 yards, when I considered the prize to be
within their grasp. The enemy, however, having great
confidence in their guns, continued to serve them with ex-
traordinary activity, and to make such havoc in eur ranks,
as to cause an immediate panic and hesitation in her Ma-
JESYT'S 62d Foot, which of course had a similar effect on the
native regiments on the flanks, notwithstanding all our
exertions to induce them to advance by cheering and
encouraging them, pointing at the same time to the shoit
distance which they had to proceed when the day would be
their own. It was all in vain, and they retired out of gun-
shot, to where her Maairsrv's 9th Foot and 26th Regiment
Native Infantry were drawn up in reserve. A part of the
14th Regiment Native Infantry, with their colours, accom-
panied these two regiments, and entered the enemy'sbatteries."
Nothing can furnish a stronger proof of the bravery of the
native troops than the glorious result mentioned in the last
part of the paragraph, and the dreadful havoc among the
officers of the 62d shows that it was no fault of theis that
such an unfortunate repulse took place. Of the officers com-
manding that regiment we find that not fewer than eight
were killed and nine wounded—several of them severely. in
every other quarter the utmost steadiness and bravery were
displayed by both officers and men ; and, considering the
number of native officers appointed to each regiment, their
courage appears to have been fully equal to that of the
Europeans, the proportion, for instance, of those killed on the
21st and 22d being thirty-seven European officers, and seven-
teen native officers. The Governor. General in adverting to
the conduct of this part of the army pays them the highest
compliment. "Thanks," says he in the general orders pub-
lished on the 30th December, "are justly due to the brave
infantry of the native army, whose valour so mainly contri-
buted to these victories, and he cannot withhold his admira-
tion for the patience and perseverance with which they en-
dured privations inseperable from furced marches." General
LITTLER also bears full testimony to their fidelity. " The
native troops," he adds, " under the numerous temptations to
which they have been exposed for several months past by
Seikh emissaries, have evinced their loyalty to the British
Government in a most remarkable manner, not a single de-
sertion having taken place, since the enemy crossed the
Sutlej, that has come to my knowledge. er
They have main-
tained the character of the Bengal army in displaying cou-
rage and bravery under a heavy fire." This is satisfactory
in another point of view, because it is well known that our
Indian empire must be maintained chiefly by the aid and
concurrence of the natives. The British forces in that
vast extent of territory are a mere handful of men,
compared with the population; and this attachment
to British rule, therefertr may be regarded
Aa the Cu.:494.1)04 of 9u: #tailitY 41 the But, 'his ught to

teach the Directors of the India Board, as well as the Go-
vernor-General and home Government, to act with the utmost
liberality, fairness, and generosity towards the native troops,
increase rather than diminish their pay, encourage promo-
tion, and place them as far as circumstances will admit on a
footing with their more civilised and powerful rulers. The
dispatch of Sir H. HARDINQE to the Secret Committee of the
East India Company, describing the important results of
this wanton attack upon the British territory, is brief and
satisfactory. It appears that so early as the Bth of December,
ten days before the first attack, and thirteen before the
battle commenced on the 21st, he had pd a
portion of the army in motion to repel the
invaders, and though considerably outnumbered, the
forces he concentrated around Ferozepore were equal to
beat the enemy, on every point, capture nearly the whole o
their artillery, tents, baggage, with large quantities of ammu-
nition and warlike stores: In that dispatch we learn for the
first time that no new entrenchments had been made by the
Seikhs on the left bank, for these successful operations had
been followed by the " retreat of the Seikh army
to the other side of the Sutlej, the British army
being now (December 31) encamped between Ferozepore
and the fords of the Sutlej." This will remove much anxiety ;
for from the imperfect accounts hitherto received of the posi-
tion of the defeated army, fears were entertained that they
were preparing for further resistance. The Governor-
General thus sums up his remarks :—" No accident or failure
has occurred during the complicated operations of a 4
com-
bined movement; and our army, whether for defe

attack, has shown, as heretofore, that its pow

sistible."

It is quite illusory to regard the succession of speeches
now uttered night after night in the House of Commons as
likely in the slightest degree to modify the commercial policy
advanced by Sir ROBERT. The discussion altogether resembles
one of those pleasant tragi-comedies which upon the stage
—that.is to say, both upon the theatrical and Parliamentary
stage—is formed' entirely of conventionallttcs. sThoeembles,
we repeat, one of those facetious performances, through the
woof of whose lamentations, and dilemmas, and misfortunes
peeps out—the great, jovial, and CERTAIN clenouemwit. There
are the mournful " walking-gentlemen" no doubt (such as
Sir R. Ixous), whose office it is to produce white pocket-
handkerchiefs and words of bitter wailing ; there are choleric
guard'ans" (such as Mr. Scow); who are incessantly trying
to embroil somebody ; there are satirical "lookers-on" (such as
Mr. DISRAELI), who discharge the duties originally imposed
upon the Greek choruses, of commenting upon passing occur-
rences with smart sallies of wit and sarcasm of much sparkle
and brilliancy. Nevertheless, throughout the alternations of
passion and sentiment which are thus represented on the
floor of the LowerHouse,in spite of the lugubrious countenances
of many of the principal performers of the important political
drama now in course of representation, we have ever before
us in perspective the final tableau with which the piece will
terminate; we perceive the inevitable consummation
of happiness with which the final scene will conclude;
we already, in the prescience of fancy, see the curtain of
the i.resent session descending amidst the general and
enthusiastic approbation of the spectators (the public) with
the orderly appearance and contented looks of the stage
heroes—the representatives (whether present or future) of
the Lower House. This we most conscientiously maintain
will prove no idle talking, but the true harbinger of what is
now upon its indomitable approach—free importation, free
exportation, plenty and prosperity. Let not any rash an-
tagonist suppose for one instant that the acceptance of free
trade as a relative portion of the British Constitution can be
retarded by any puny obstacles of their interposition; let
them remember that public opinion is impelling this great
measure forward with a resistless force, that public opinion
infuses, by its accordance, a vast energy and power
into the voice of the Premier and his adherents—
a power which no opposition of theirs, how-
ever spasmodic and infuriated, can overthrow ; let
them remember that the proposed abolition is urged onwards
by no party and no individual class, but by a remarkable
combination of all divisions of political doctrine, by the em-
bodiment of the national will in one hundred and sixty-
eight thousand pounds, by the expressed approbation of re-
presentatives and constituencies almost without number : but
above all, let them follow the bold and glorious example oi
many of our most illustrious statesmen, by bowing down
before the majesty of experience and conviction, by sacri-
ficing (if need be) self to society, by acknowledging with
real greatness of spirit the fallacy of their former
opinions, and by diffusing happiness among their coun-
trymen by the performance of an act of justice and reparation.
Another of these instances of self-forgetfulness—of genuine
Parliamentary magnaminity, wap witnessed last night in
the person of Sir GEORGE CLERK. There is something
worthy of sincere esteem in the candour and the readiness
with which the President of the Board of Trade confesses the
necessity of some permanent alteration in our commercial
laws. Himself a large landed proprietor—totally sustained,
we may say, by his territorial possessions in the neighbour-
hood of Edinburgh, Sir GEORGE CLERK is prepared to en-
counter any deterioration in his fortunes (if such can possibly
follow the Abolition Act), he is willing to risk any amount
in his personal revenues, because he believes that
such a proceeding is requisite for the general welfare
of Great Britain. His survey is not restricted to this pre-
sent hour or this present crop—he sees beyond the horizon
of this year and this harvest—he calculates the contingencies
of vegetation, increased population, and diffused knowledge
—he beholds the inadequacy of any sliding-scale to prevent
a deficiency of food, or to diminish its price sufficiently for
the means of the more indigent classes; and seeing all this,
feeling all this, knowing all this, comes forward manfully to
sustain by his co-operation the earnest and laudable efforts
of the Prime Minister. His elaborate and detailed analysis
of the arguments advanced by Messrs. DISRAELI and Hun-
sox, were most straightforward and conclusive. He scarcely
so much reposed the nerve of his logic on metaphysical dis-
tinctions as upon manifest and naked facts ; he controverted
their sophistry by statistics ; he scourged them with the
satire of common sense. He pronounced a decided appro-
bation of the scheme propounded by Government
as admirable, because it would equalise prices : how?
"Not," said the Right Hon. Member, "by bringing
English prices down to the continental level, but by raising
continental prices to the English level." And this asser-
tion he proved to be correct by the clearest and least cbntro;
vertible chain of reasoning. It was not a mere declaration ;
it was a deduction. It was not a mere vagary of the ima •
gination ; it was a bodily and demonstrable truth.
For this staunch and disinterested behaviour of Sir
GEORGE CLERK, he is worthy of our utmost con-
mendation, and we hereby utter that commendation in
simple language. While, however, we would applaud an
individual Member of the House of Commons for conduct
truly praiseworthy, we must utter our most comprehensive
protest against that august House, as a body,
for the inexcusable manner in which they are
now frittering away time most precious to the
community at large. Their most useless and unen-
durable delay over the settlement of a measure of such immi-
nent anti vital importance to the inhabitants of these
islands—more especially to Ireland, where famine is
already beginning to decimate the populace—is icei-
cusable and injurious to a degree. Surely enough
has been said both in favour of protection, and
in favour of free trade; surely the question at issue has
been sufficiently conned and dissected : the kings of_ the
forest have spoken—we don't want to hear the voice of
every weazel and every field-mouse. Other Bills are wait-
ing ; labourers without employment are waiting ; an im-
patient and hungry multitude are waiting: let the matter,
then, be forthwith concluded : let the maize and the colonial
grain enter the ports : let Government tarry no longer in
some' practical signs of its wisdom and its beneficence.

The' Madrid papers of the 16th contain explanations
made by the new Ministers in both Chambers relative to tl:e
late change of Administration, in the course of which General
NARVAEZ made a very submissive and constitutional
speech. In the Chamber of Peers, the Marquis Ds MIRA-
FLORES said he should not enter into the causes which led
to the dissolution of the Ministry, but confine himself
chiefly to what related to himself and friends :—On being
sent for by the QUEEN, he thought it his duty to state to
her MAJESTY, that it would not be desirable that NARVAEZ
should form part of the new Cabinet. NARVAEZ readily
agreed to this; and offered his services in any way they
could be useful to the country. The Chief Minister further
stated, that the dignity of Commander-in Chief was merely
honorary, and as regarded the policy of the present
Government, he asserted that he and his colleagues
had adopted the financial policy of Senor MoN, and
that one of their principal objects in assuming the important
task was to maintain public order and respect for the Con-
stitution. The speech gave satisfaction to all parties. Ge-
neral NARVAEZ gave a brief history of the Ministerial crisis,
said his conduct had been regulated by the purest love of
country, and added that he had offered to the new Cabinet
his support, wl4ether as Captain-General of a province, or in
a more inferior situation. Ministers then proceeded to the
Chamber of Deputies, and similar statements having been
mace, the Chamber adjourned. The Gazette contains a
royal decree appointing PENA AGUAYO Minister of Finance.
This appointment and the explanations in the Chambers had
a favourable effect on the Funds.
The Three per Cents. closed at 32% at 60 days; the Five
per Cents. at 22% for cash, and 23 at 60 days; and the Ma-
drid and Aranjuez Railroad shares 2,100 at 60 days.

In the French Chamber of Deputies, on the 21st, a long
debate took place on:the motion of M. ODILON BARROT, to re •
place the Bill on secondary instruction among the orders of the
day. The object appeared to be to embarrass the Ministry,
by keeping alive the disputes between the University and
the Church. M. TRIERS took an active part in the debate,
and defended the proposition of M. BARROT, but all in vain.
M. Guizor resisted the Motion, and on a division it was
negatived by a majority of 211 to 144—majority in favour
of Ministers, 67. The papers contain further details from
and also a dispatch taxa Ilarshal JUrczazw, of the

PRICE 51).

11th inst., in which that General fully confirms the report,
almost officially contradicted, that ABD-EL-FADER
was in the very centre of the colony, and apprehended
his obstinate continuance in that position, from which it
would be difficult to drive him away, unless the Kabyles
should undertake the task. This is not very likely, and the
Marshal must, therefore, rely on his own resources. The
following is a copy of the dispatch :