The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

THE ROMAN CONSTITUTION.
We have received an extraordinary supplement, or
" flying-sheet," of La Lega Daiana of Saturday last
(the 18th inst.), which contains a formal proclama-
tion of the new Roman Fundamental Constitution by
his Holiness Pope Pius IX.
As the mere summary of the general arrange-
ments of the new constitution occupies a space of
three or four closely printed columns, exclusive of the
introductory address to the people, we can only state
the substance of the same in a few brief sentences :
The College of Cardinals (chosen by the Pope) is
to be constituted a Senate, inseparable from the
same, and two Deliberative Councils for the forma-
tion of the laws are to be established, consisting of
the " High Council " and the " Council of Deputies."
The judicial tribunals are to be independent of the
Government, and no extraordinary commission courts
are to be in future established. The National Guard
is to be considered an institution of the State.
The Pope convokes and prorogues the Legislative
Chambers, and dissolves the Council of Deputies,
being required to convoke a new Chamber within
three months, which will be the ordinary duration
of the annual session. The sessions are to be public.
The members of the Senate are to be appointed by
the Pope for life, and their number is not unlimited.
The qualification of a Senator is the age of 30 years,
and the plenary exercise of civil and political rights.
The Senate will be chosen par preference from the
prelates, ecclesiastics, ministers, judges, councillors
of state, consistorial lawyers, and the possessors of
an income of 4,000 scudi per annum.
The Pope will appoint the President and Vice-
Presidents.
The second council will be elective, on the
numerical basis of one deputy to every 30,000 souls.
The electors are to consist of the gonfalonieri,
(mayors), priors, and elders of the cities and
communes ; the possessors of a capital of
300 scudi ; the payers of direct taxes to the amount
of 12 scudi per annum ; the members of the col-
leges, of their faculties, and the titular professors of
the universities ; the members of the councils of dis-
cipline, the advocates and attorneys practising in the
collegiate triburals, the laureates ad honorem in the
state universities, the members of the chambers
of commerce, the heads of factories and industrial
establishments, and the heads of scientific societies
and public institutions assessed for certain amounts.
The qualification of a deputy is the possession of a
capital of 3,000 scudi, or the payment of taxes to
the amount of 100 scudi per annum, and the
members of colleges and professors of universities,
&a., will be eligible ex officio. The profession of
the Popish religion is indispensable as a qualifica-
tion for the exercise of civil and political rights.
A distinct electoral law will regulate the elections of
the deputies. The persons of the members of both
councils are sacred, as far as their votes and
speeches are concerned, but it appears that the pri-
vileges of freedom from arrest on civil and criminal
process are limited to the actual session and a month
before and after. All laws and new taxes must be
sanctioned by these two councils and assented to by
the Pope; but the councils are not to be allowed to
propose laws which may affect ecclesiastical or
mixed affairs which may be opposed to the canons
and disciplines of the Church, or which may tend to
vary or modify the present statute. They are also
forbidden to discuss the " religious diplomatic rela-
tions" of the Holy See to foreign countries.
The discussion of financial matters exclusively
appertains to the Council of Deputies. The sum or
civil list appropriated to the endowment of the Pope
and the College of Cardinals, and to ecclesiastical
purposes generally, as well as to the expenses of
the corps diplomatique, the Pontifical Guards, the
maintenance of the Apostolical palaces and
museums, and various other purposes, is fixed at
600,000 scudi per annum, including a reserve fund
for contingencies. The canons, tributes, and dues,
amounting to the annual sum of 13,000 scudi, are
to remain at the entire disposal of the Pope. The
Ministers are responsible for their actions, and have
a right to speak in both Councils, whether members
or not. The session of the Chambers will be sus-
pended by the death of the reigning Pontiff, but the
new Pope must convene them a month after his
election. The Ministers are to be confirmed and
replaced by the Sacred College.
The rights of temporal sovereignty exercised by a
defunct Pontiff are vested in the Sacred College,
during the interregnum.
There will also be a Council of State, composed of
ten councillors, and a body of auditors not exceeding
twenty-four. This Council will be required to draw
up projects of laws, and to give its advice on admi-
nistrative affairs in cases of emergency. Ministe-
rial functions may also be conferred upon it by a
special law.
The present statute will be enforced on the opening
of the new Councils, Nhich will take place abaut the
first Monday in June. The functions of the present
Council of State will cease 20 days previous to the
opening of the Councils; but it will, nevertheless,
continue to examine such administrative measures
as :nay be presented to it for consideration. All the
legislative enactments not contrary to the decress of
the present statute remain in force.
The proclamation is dated the 14th of March, and
is authenticated by the sign-manual of his Holiness.
The fundamental Constitution is preceded by the
following proclamation :
" PROCLAMATION.
" Pius P.P. IX. TO lIIS SUBJECTS GREETING.
" In the institutions which we have hitherto conferred
upon our subjects it was our intention to revive certain
ancient establishments which were long contemplated by
the wisdom of our august predecessors, and which, atter
the lapse of ages, were still capable of adaptation to the
altered circumstances of the times, in order to represent
that majestic edifice of which they had framed the basis.
" Proceeding in this course, we had arrived at the
establishment of a consultive representation of all the
provinces, which was entrusted with the office of assisting
our Government in the legislative and administrative
labours of the state, and we were waiting until the
experiment, which wo were the first to make in
Italy, had been justified by its successful results. As,
however, our neighbours have decided that the people
are already ripe for the benefits of a representative
system of government, not merely consultive, but delibe•
rative, we are unwilling :to think less worthily of our
own subjects, or to repose less faith in their gratitude,
not only towards our own humble person, for which we
desire none, but towards the Church and this Apostolic
Seo, the inviolable and supreme rights of which have
been committed to our custody by Almighty God, and
whose presence It as and always will be to them a source
of such benefit.
"In ancient times eur communes possessed the privi-
lege of governing themselves by laws selected by them-
selves, and subject to the sanction of the Sovereign.
" At present it is true that the conditions of modern
civilisation will not allow the renewal, under the same
forms, of a system of government under which the dif-
ference of laws and customs often separated one dis•
trict from another. We, however, exclusively entrust
this prerogative to twe councils of honest and prudent
citizens, the one composed of individuals nominated
by us, and the other of deputies from all parts of the
state, elected by the people according to forms which
will be laid down in due course, who may represent the
peculiar interests of every locality in our dominions,
and wisely combine them with that other and greatest
interest of every district and every province which is
the general ono of the state.
" As, therefore, in this our sacred principality it is
impossible to separate the temporal interests of our in-
ternal prosperity from the other and graver intcrest of
the political independence of the llaad of the Church (of
ItTne), by which, in like manner, the independence of
this part of Italy has always been maintained; so we not
only reserve to ourselves and to our successors the
supreme sanction and promulgation of all the laws which
may be enacted by the "fon:said councils, and the plenary
exercise of the sovereign authority in matters undeter-
mined by the present decree, but, in like manner, we in-
tend to maintain our authority in matters which are
naturally connected with religion and (Roman) Catholic
morality entire and intact. And we are bound to
take this measure as a means of security to the whole of
Christendom, in order that, in the State of the Church,
constituted on the basis of this new form, neither the
liberty nor the rights of the Church itself—of the Holy
See—may suffer any diminution, and that there may
never be any reecedent for violating the sanctity of this
religion, wilich it is our mission and our bounden duty
to preach to the whole universe, as the only symbol of
the alliance of God and man, and the only pledge of
that celestial benediction to which nations and states
owe their existence.
" Having implored the Divine assistance, and heard
the unanimous advice of our venerable brothers the
Cardinals of the sacred Roman College, in consistory
assembled for the express purpose, we have decreed,
&c., &c. (Here follows the constitution, en abstract of
which will be found in another column.)
" Datum Rornm, apud Sanctam Mariam Majorem
die XIV. Martii, MDCCCXLVIII. Pontificatits nostri
anno 11.

" PIUS IX., Papa."

Last night the City of London Amicable Assembly
terminated their grand series of ten balls. It was at-
tended by nearly four hundred persons. Adams's ex-
cellent band highly delighted the company with admi-
rable music.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUARTER TO THREE.
The Cotton Market at Liverpool yesterday was a
shade better, the sales being 24,780 bales for the week.
The decline for the week is about -id. per lb.
Railway Shares were a shade better, but business was
not active.
The Bank of England has, during the week to the
Isth instant, had a material increase in its assets, without
much demand upon them, accompanied, indeed, with a
positive decrease in the amount of securities under dis-
count. The deposits of private merchants and others
are accumulating, and doubtless the receipt of money
from abroad will tend further to swell this item. The
reserve of unemployed notes is the largest ever held by
the Bank, and, with the precious metals, amount to
26,090,4111. The following are the items upon a com-
parison with the previous week's return:—
Notes issued 28,414,360
Increase
Rest
Increase 6,679
Public Deposits 6,957,392
Increase 74,329
Other Deposits 9,773,110
Increase 247,899
Seven Day and other Bills
Increase 30,120
Government Securities
Decrease
Other Securities

Decrease
Notes 10,967,270
Increase
Bullion
Increase 175,977
Active circulation
Decrease 243,930
There is a report current that a Republic has been
declared in Berlin. It is not believed on the Stock
Exchange, as there arc later direct accounts from the
capital than those now bringing the alleged informa-
tion. The report comes from Paris.
At present there have not been any tidings received
of the arrival of the West India Mail. It is fully due.i,
It would appear that the demand for the
precious metals for shipment this week has
been rather considerable. To Rotterdam, Belgium,
and Harlingen about 16,000 ounces of gold coin
have been remitted. To Belgium, bullion bars and
coin in silver, 107,000 ounces, have been sent off.l
The statement made public this morning of the affairs
of the Bank of France is considered here as most un-
satisfactory.
A sudden reaction took place in the Consol Market
this morning, from 831 to 83, but since a alight rally to
884 has taken place. The reported formation of a
Republic in Berlin did not help the market, but quite
the contrary. Consols for money receded from
831,- to 83k. Exchequer-bills have been at 31s.
to 325. premium. India Bonds are 17s. to 13s. premium.
There was a full average amount of business trans-
acted in the Foreign Funds to-day. The Brazilian Five
per Cent. Bonds have been at 70i, the Small at 72 ;
the Mexican at 14k I; the Portuguese Four per Cents. at
151} ; the Spanish Five per Cents., at 124; the Three
per Cents. at 224 ; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents.
at 41k, while the Four per Cent. Certificates have fallen
from 62 to 614.
The London and North-Western Railway Shares have
advanced about 3/. each. Nearly all the other shares
are steady, and held firmer, though with but a small
amount of business doing.
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONIC O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
3 per Cent. Consols Anna.... WhYi%
Long Annuities, Exp. Jan. sth, 1860...
Do. 30 Years, Expire Jan. 4, 1860 8 9-16 7-16
India Bonds under 1,000/
South Sea Stock B9N
Consols for Account
Exchequer Bina. 3d.
1 31 32 p
,000/.
5001 33 p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent
Ditto Small
Grenada, 1 per Cent. . . 13%
Ditto Deferred
Mexican Bongs, 1646, 5 per Cent 14% %
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent —
Ditto 4 per Cent.
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent, 1840
Ditto Passive Bonds ...
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 22%
Ditto for the Account .
Dividends on the above payable ix London.
Dutch 2% per Cent.,l2 Guild III,E
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
TtITSINESS DONE IN RAILWAY SIIAREg AT ONS O'CLOCK
RAILWAYS. PAID. Pis MEALS.
Aberdeen
Amber., Notting., Boston, &c. 314 — ...... to --
Ayrshire and Galloway
Belfast and County Down .. 11% .. ..
Birmingham & Oxford June... 20
Birmingham, Wol., & Dudley 10 ... .
Birraing., Vol., & Stour Val. 10/.145 to
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire Junction..
Boston, Stamf., & Birming... 5 ..... to
Bristol and Exeter
Do., Thirds • 20
Buckinghamshire...
Caledonian
Ditto, Half Shares
Ditto, Clydesdale Junction 50
Chester and Holyhead... 37% — to
Ditto, Preference
Clarence. . .. 781.i .....
Do., ISt Class, i per Cont... 10
Do., 2d Class, 5 per Cent... 10
Dr Gov. Loan, 4 per Cent. 10
.., —

JO., . ~... ,
Direct London & 'Portsmoulk 3% — to
Dublin and Belfast Junction.. 25
Dundalk and Enniskillen ... 17%
East Anglia, 251. L. & E.,
and L. & 1).
Ditto, 181., E. &11 lB ....
Ditto, 31. 10s., E. & H... 31,y —
Eastern Counties
Do. Perpet., b per ct. No. 1,6/. 13s. 4d
Do., d 0...—. ......... N 0.2,6/. 13s. 4d... % dis to
Do., Northern & Eastern... 50
Do., Quarter .... ....... ...... 12 % —
Do., New
Eastern Union ... ... .. 50
Ditto, Quarter Shares ...... 121 -
Ditto., Thirds l3s. 4d — to -
Ditto (guar. 6 per cent.) ... 10 -
Ditto, ditto -
East Lancashire
Ditto, New -
Do., New Quarters -
East Lincolnshire ... 16% 15% to -
Edinburgh and Glasgow -
Ditto, Half Shares -
Ditto, Quarter Shares l2l -
Edinburgh and Northern ... 25 -
Ditto, New 33/4 — ...... to -
Ditto, New port l2
Ditto, ditto, New -. 2141 — .:.... to -
Exeter, Yeovil, & Dorchester 2% — ...... to -
Ditto, New .. ..... 2% — -
Glasg., Dumfries, & Carlisle..B/. 65.8 d... -
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, & Ayr 50 -
Ditto, New i ...... 40 -
Do. Preference Consolidated 15 ..... - ... te -
Great Northern l3 -
Do. London & York Eaten. 21,E
Gt. South. & West. (Ireland) 37% — ...... to -
Great North of England 100 -
Ditto, New 401.
Ditto, New 301 -
Ditto, New 151. 61‘...... .
Great Western
Ditto, Half Shares ...... 50
Ditto, Quarter Shares
Ditto, Fifths
Do. New 171 9l/4•• ... N...... to
_

Huddersfield and Manchester 24 .. ... - -
Dittc, Thirds 8 - to -
Hull and Selby 39 -
Ditto, Half Shares -
Ditto, Quarter Shares 12% - to -
Ipswich& Bury St. Edmunds 17% - to -
Do. do. and Norwich - to -
Do., do., Extension Scrip
(late (Carob. and Ely) 21,E - -
Lancaster and Carlisle.... ... 50 - -
Do.,Thirds. - to -
Lancashire and Yorkshire ... 98 ..... - to -
Ditto, ditto - ...... to 70
Ditto Half Shares - ...... to -
Ditto Quarters 141%..... - ... .• to -
Ditto Fifths
Ditto Sixteenths ... ..... ... 614-- - ..... to -
Ditto Thirds (Reg.) ... 10/. 4s
Do. Liverpool and Bury... 38 - . ... to -
Do. (Hudders. and Shoff.) 33
Do., Wakefield, Pontefract.
and Goole 5O - -
Do., West Riding Union ...41. So-- . 3 dis to -
Do., Preston and Wyre - 25 ...... - -
Do., do., Half Shares (A) 9 - to -
Leeds and Bradford ..,... ...... 50 ..... -- -
Leeds, Dewsbury, & blanches. 42% - to -
Do., Half Shares - -
Ditto, Blue (scrip) .. 2% - ...... to -
Leeds and Thirsk ........ ...... 40
Ditt.o, New - -
Do., do.,Prefer., 6 per Cent. 3%..... - -
Liverpool, Crosby, and South-
port. - to -
Liverpool, Manchester, and
Newcastle Junction 2l,h - -
London 8c Blackwall ...13/. 6s. 8d 4,i..... to -
Ditto New, No. 2 Bl. 13s. 4d.... - ... .. to -
Do. Extension -
Lond., Bright., & South Coast 50
Do. Consolidated Eighths... 40 - -
Do. Guaranteed 5 per Cent. 9 ...... - -
De. Pref. Cony. 5 per Cent. 50 ...... - ..
Ditto, ditto 1852 50 .....
I.ondon and Greenwich... 12/.155. 4d... -
Ditto Preference lB/ 17s 2d... - ...... to .
London at North Western.....loo 127% 127 to
Do. Quarters (L. and B.) 22 -
Do. New
Do. Fifths
Do. 40/. Shares.....L. &M. 20 ...... -
Do. 10/.... M. and B. (A.) 71/2. .... 914 to
Do. 10/. .. M. and B. (B.) 71/2 B3/4 to
Do. 10/. ... 51. and B. (C.) 1
London and S. Western....... 50
Ditto, Now 501......., _ ..... 37%...., to
Ditto, New 404- ..... .. - 30 -
Do. Tenths ( Consolidated) 50 ...... -
Do. Tenths (Consolidated) 40 -
Ditto, Thirds ... . 81. 68. 8d ... -
London, Salisbury, & Yeovil 11,4 -
Londonderry and Coleraine... 271/2 _ :
Londonderry and Enniskillen 25
Lowestoft (guar. 4 per cent.) 20

Ditto (guar. 6 per cent. ... 3 ..,...
Manch. Buxton, SE, Matlock 3
Manchr, Sheffield, and Linc.100
Ditto 1/ Shares (No. 1) ... 18
Ditto, ditto (No. 2)
Ditto, % Shares (No. 3)... 71,x. .....
Do., New 101. Preferenee... 71,x......
Ditto Grimsby 25 —
Ditto, ditto. ....... ........... 7
Ditto, ditto ... 4% — to
Ditto, Sheffield, and ',inc. 7%......
Ditto, Grimsby Dock ...... 12% — is
Ditto, NAIL & Lin. Union 44 21. ~. —.