The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-16 00:00:00

---
The Earl of ESSEX expressed his intuition of voting
for the Ministerial measure.
Lord STANLEY rose to protest against the doctrine,
that tithes and land tax were not burdens on the
land. The claim of the tithe owner was as
sacred as that of the landlord and the
landowner had no right to complain of the tithe, pro-
vided he had purchased his land subject to tithe; but he
denied that rent and tithe stood on the same
footing. Rent was the surplus of profit. Tithe was
to be paid undiminished, whether there was profit or not.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

°tight to pay no attention, but to taxes for general pur-
i)eees, sash as rates for the pour, the preservation of the
Entry, and the administration of justice, which were
itePosed txclusiyelv on land, he thought the attention of
the Committee ought to be directed. The maintenance
011ie Poor was a general and national object, and the
te
Pease should be defrayed out of the national funds,
he
same argument applied to the militia rate and to
tue eaPenses of the administration of justice. By the
anginal Poor-law Act of Elie ibeth, it Ives eneeted that
that
man hould be rated according to his ability, so
`ast it was not intended that it should be exelu-
lire! .
3 a tax upon real property. Eventually, how-
Zer' fr°,ll the difficulty of making the assess-
eat, it had become exclusively a tax on real
I)Zert- 3., and such it was at present, and now the
il:let or of a mill only laid up the rental of his mill,
he might Stacy time shut up and thus escape from
Pa}ing the rates, while the farmer had r.o choice
he must either employ men or increase the
,orratt;eosr.,
.‘",,aaain, houses did not pay in the same prtroure
th`" - poor-rate that the land raid. It wasthat
hae,Proportion of payment on the part of house property.
" (I late. increased, but that was owing to the in-
tree,
45i the number of houses, and the come-
641Tietin,to decrease the quantity of cultivable
s
bele.
14 'tog to the increase of houses and of a
rateditiviadsmasitted
lilltt ahathd, t
houses were perishable property, a
o ,
therefore, they ought not to e
ProteeslehighlY : but if perishable property ought to be
the what was more perable than the crops of
taferi and whatewas more (entitled to protectiot .o
to 'a* of settlement, too, was injurious to the agrichii_
rerl4ll,oady, and was of 1 good to the manufacturer, and
prig alteration. If they established free trade
43 Pies In the corn market, they must do so in the
tit market, and destroy the law of settlement.
ex:tried that an alteretion in law of settlement, to the
hart ProPosid last year by Sir J. GRAHAM, would
give
t"e effect of relieving the agricultural interest, and
Rive Itthern making residence for a certain time in towns
tied settlement, he thought it was impracticable,
The, iF. Practicable would he no compensation
Intl& regard to the highway-rate—the highways
t,,tin',l"re for the benefit of the towns than of the
The farmer derived little benefit from the
gaZa3's• lle would allude for a moment to tithes alto-
ei" he did not consider them a burden on land.
it:lay-fils to the commutation of tithes, they seriously
tett:" with cultivation, but from the moment of the
POrt,-4tati(-11 they became mealy a debt on the pro-
Tii 3% lie looked on the land-tax in a similar light.
its % "ere charges on the property merely like
liker",ll:', and not peculiar burdens. They were
Rhie direct taxation on hind in France,
the n e considered not to be any burden whatever in
the I'l'tivation of the soil. It diminished the value of
eoettlinif(ii' but did not interfere with the cultivation. He
had, -eti that the malt duty was a peculiar burden on
it • 411 who drank beer paid a portion of it, but inasmuch
tleilltieefsred to prevent the production of barley, in
Thee 't
was a peculiar burden upon. 'agriculture
regard to other duties, the agriculturists
rAheto Customs and Post-office as much as any
titor„P"rtiori of the community ; they paid to the
tl/Iti„-"Vaore, 'and in all the law reforms
,the Stamp
14,111:P:4i the transfer of landed property was kept up.
tiaot 0 '“1 that the measures proposed by the Govern-
arta r;fr'sr'd any compensation. With regard to the
the fart of protection, it was the difference between what
woulder obtain for his corn under the present
itope.,ltt'r the system of free trade, which it would be
te,l,:lwle to caleulate. With regard to the comparative
n the producing agriculturists of England and
tenst;fl'nent, he contended that the producing agricul-
"f England were much higher taxed.
A_ at -au
declare waYs.advocated protection, but if public opinion
litido,tl it Was to be done away with he would submit,
Ices his best endeavours to palliate the evils and the
tragas :angry contention between class and class. He
that those who acted with him would, if beaten,
the itnit' ar.ter a fair fight, and do their best to promote
Itae7,:Perity of the country. If, however, the measure
ttierZied.„ in this Parliament it would not be the
Are of puLlic opinion, but of party tactics—a mea-
-4tlti:rried in:opposition to the opinions of the Lords
"'pert; majority of the Cabinet, by an able manoeuvre
Lorapoitnes.
Ilactunnam said that he retained the opinion
dens time had expressed in 1820, that there werebur-
than rrtithPi j,ssing
peculiarly on land; and he went further
vets Noble Friend, for he considered both
Let at 'Ir"I land- tax •as peculiar burdens upon land.
eta the same time he denied that the proper way to
the r.qlsste the landowners was to impose a duty on
uuttitePortation of foreign corn. He feared, however,
tei,st ithil erlinry would not take within its scope the
ineeilitt4t-Ttant burdens upon the landowner, in his
labourY to go into the labour market to purchase his
,
at the ehi apt st rate, in consequence of what
egri gilt call the patriarchal state of the
(Al4(n,lZ;tural districts. The farmers and land-
°tnni Paid probate and legacy duty on their per-
tain o' r"Perty in common with the rest of the cote-
by
en 111, but there were many burdens borne exclusively
'11(1' The recent law changes had saved immense
had 6 the ngricultural interests,' and the stamp duties
the le tlen thereby diminished. Yet he admitted that
datne tutted iuterest had cause to complain of the stamp
a tax—, and he should wish to see the tax changed from
toren alienation into a tax on succession.
Would DAcan considered that any protection which
the encourage an unnatural application of capital to
cultivationene_ of the soil, ought to be removed, but the
aaJuat
multurist required some protection, as a set-off to the
improper protection which had been
tries . ton personal property in this country. The
poorlirig property-tax levied on agriculture under the
%toe
sort required that the agriculturist should have
„ of protective compensatiou. It amounted to
14,0 er°Perty• tax of twelve per cent. on real
Pert
If 37, for all personal property was exempt.
ptrProteetion were withdrawn there ought to be some
teal remission of special taxation, so as to restore an
orlitY of burdens. The Noble Lord then alluded to
ete°l the speeches. made at one of the League meetings
"Dtent Garden, in which one of the speakers, alluding
the forty
shilling-freenohl movement, called it
tteapon which would lay the hereditary aristocacy n
dust, and called upon the Government to adopt
measures to put down the League.
Lord MONTEAGLE then rose to move the addition
t" the motion of which he had given notice, via,, that the
inquiry should extend to the peculiar exemptions en-
J°Yed by the agricultural interest. It was necessary that
thi
addition should be made, in order to secure an im-
Partial inquiry, and therefore he did not antici-
!te any opposition to his proposition. He
tie 'lPlitaae his Noble Friend on the frank
tr,4. °V his speech, and was glad to find that he did
eoneider tithe as a peculiar burden upon land and
if 1
1.11,1" t, it could constitute no ground for protection unless
ttation were intended as a protection for rent only
itot fur the general interests of the community .
111,14 r rent nor tithe was the cause of price—they
Of the consequences of price, and not the cause
1
tbee and they both stood on' the same grOund
the Ivaa no difference between the rent paid to
o'leidlord ard that paid to the clergyman.
tarei:asklered that the dangers connected with trans-
its tog the charge of the poor to the State were se great
liiielretatler the adoption of the plan impossible, and be-
last r ere had been a great alteration during the
hrioeht- Years in proportion of the ratability of
date greatly Properties in favour of landed property,
to wingmeans and substances it was so difficult
the-e Practically impossible. Then, with regard to
hoti;Tinistration of justice, one-half was already
the 1,1- hur the State,- and if the State were to bier
re °le burden. the State must have the manage-
. eat
Atk „,e
"` Prosecuting, and they must have a
',Num Prosecution, an alternative which he consider( d
taa' be a wise one. Then with regard to the malt-
e
tedu • salt had participated more largely in the
or tbtl° 1O
of taxation than any other article. Two-thirds
doubted duly had
been remitted since 1815, and he
a • whether any further reduction would benefit the
tticulteeht
Whieh 4, a, inasmuch as .at present the manner io
tee; le duty
give was levied enabled the maltster to
oth . higherprice fur barley than they would
"wise•
d d the
allthe p., • give ; and it also area .
Fn„
bushbrew • harley-grower, a. close monopoly. of
Produce "les and distilleries, as against the
be „ of Sugar and other articles that might
tegard uied in those establishments. Then with
kost to ;
using malt by feeling cattle, the
, scientific chemists declared it was not so lieu-
''s lam:kited barley. As to the probate and
inte‘)l.li(tl;tiP''h:eonsidered that they impsed
an
interest of taxation favourable to the landed
gtirle:ts,
laiosu although that inequality was. not so
also aciv4ad
,been imagined. The agriculturists
exemptions in regard to draining
the axe m House, and various other articles, and all
aptic,tst`'ris in the auction Bill of last year were ex
Berry h, favour of the agricultural interest. He was
lie • is Noble Friend had alluded to- • the League.
lilt. d
aek wha, not their organisations, but he would
Con. had the League to do with this ques-
hoievetirle. wished to see the League cease, and he
cease th promoters of it were anxious it should
k• and the wa
Inistry to Y to destroy the League was for the
eatcreacontinue in the course which they had new
inidinee ette Noble, Lord concluded by moving the
".44 WiliC4 114dgiveli.noticet

Lord MARCH. said he could assure the House that
it was not his intention to enter at any great length
into the consideration of the question then before
it, or to trouble them with any statistical de-
tails, as Honourable Members to ho peeceded him
on Friday night had gone , so fay into the
matters that he would consider it presumptuous in him-
self to follow in that course. At the close of the de•
bate on Friday night a Noble .Lord, the Member for
Dungannon, astonished him (Lord March) not a
little indeed.—(Hear and a laugh.) Although
from the recent conversions that ha had noticed
he oaght not to feel surprised.—(Hear, hear.)
That Noble Lard, in the short period of one month, had
made two speeches in that Hmse, one on either side of
the question.—(" Hear," and a laugh.) However, it
was -not for him (Lord March) to say to what that
change in his ideas was owing ; but he should
say that he did not seem to have attended to
the debate, for his speech had been 1-
most, one-sided. The Hon. Member fir Bridport had
Wade a statement, and he (the Noble Lord) wished to
urge on him the necessity which every man of honour
in that House would admit to be correct, that no roan
should make a statement in that House withoutbeing fully
convinced of its truth and accurrcy. He stated that a
Noble Duke, who was a Member of the Administration,
that passed the Reform Act, threatened to swamp the
house of Lords.
He must appeal to the Honourable Member whether the
Noble Duke did not resign his seat in the Cabinet when
such principles were broached, and he was sure that if
the lion. Member was present, he would bear him out
in that - statement.— (Hear, hear.) He belieVed the
Noble Lord, the Member for the city of London, would
bear him out in that statement. Now, With regard to the
immediate question before the House, he believed that it
14 be the ruin of the agricultural classes of this
It was sail that free-trade would be
ofim-
mense advantage to Ireland: This he could not believe,
for he had not; of the Hon. and Learned. Member
for Cork taking part in the debate. During the live
nights the question had engross d the attention of that
House, the lion. and Learned Member had
not risen in his - place to state that her Ma-
jesty's Ministers were about" to confer a great advantage
on Ireland.—(l-fear, hear.) The Hon. and Learned
Member had done no such thing. The Right Hon:
Baronet at the head of her Mak sty's Ministers had said
that the agriculturists should lay cut mote capital on
their land in order to Make it more profitable. Ile had
said that the agriculturists did not yet know what great
benefits were to be derived by the improvements in
chemistry, as applied to land—that they were yet
in their infancy. He (the lion. Member) maintained
that if they were in their infancy, they required protection
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the
speech which he made the other night, stated that the
feelings of the whole bulk of the community were in fa-
vour of a repeal of the corn-law. Now he would main-
tain that the contrary was the case, and that the great
feeling of the country was in favour of protection.—
(Hear, hear.) It was his opinion that the measure of
the Government was opposed to the wishes of the peo-
ple ; and if the Right lion. Baronet wanted a proof of
his statement, he would only refer him to the elec-
tions about taking place for Gloucester, Sussex,
and Dorsetshire. An lion. Gentleman opposite men-
tioned the city of Chichester ; but he would tell him
that in a canvas made by his brother for five days in
that town there were not over twenty gentlemen in
favour of free trade. There was a show of hands cer-
tainly in favour of the measure.—(Hear, and cheers.)
His brother offered to go to the poll, but the free traders
refused, from the best of all possible reasons, because
they were certain of being beaten.—(Loud laughter.)
Neither the Chancellor of the .Exchequer nor the
Chancellor el the Deehy of Lancaster had as yet de-
livered their opinions on this subject. He would wish to
know if they had changed, and what motives induced
them to support the Government ? The Noble Lord
did not say that in the year 1841. He was then an advocate
of protection to agriculture. It was no concern to him (the
Earl of March) how the Noble Lord at that time chose to
pledge himself to his constituents. But he (Lord Lincoln)
was sent to Parliamfrit for the pureose of following and sup-
porting a party in favour of agricultural protection—( Hear)—
of which the Right Honourab'e Baronet at the head of the
Government was supposed to be the head.—(Cheers and
laughter from the Protectionists.) That party was cer-
tainly opposed to the proposal of the Noble. Lord the
Member for the City of London; that party advocated
protection to agriculture in the strongest manner. He did
not impute to the Noble Lord (Lori Lincoln) any impure
motives in changing his opinions; but if he and the other Noble
Lord (Lord John Russell) had altered their opinions on this
question he conceived that they were bound to consult their
constituents, and see whether they approved of the change.—
(protectionists' cheers.) Their constituents sent them to Par-
liament to protect agriculture,—( Hear, hear)—and they
were therefore in honour bound to support that in-
terest.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Honourable Baronet
at the head of the Government, it hen he was member for
University of Oxford, and chose to alter his opinions, at once
resigned his post. The Noble Lord (Lord Lincoln) in the
year 1841 had addressed his constituents in different language
to that which he now held. He then said that free-trade was
all humbug—(Laughter)—and that if protection were to be
taken off agriculture, it should also be taken off every article
of manufactures, to every one of which a large protection
was at present given by the Government.—( Hear, hear.)
Now, he opposed the measure of the Bight Hon. Baronet,
because he (the Earl of March) considered the principles of
free trade which were advocated for corn were equally favour-
able and good with respect to every other article.—( Hear.)
He opposed the speech of the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir R.
Peel), because it put forward no new arguments on the sub-
ject. It was not his wish to sacrifice one class of her Majesty's
subjects in the country for any other, because he thought the
interests of the agriculturists with those of the manufacturers
were closely and intimately united. He thought what was in-
jurious to one class, was equally so to the other. He found
it impossible to advocate the measure before the House, from
the speech made by the Right. Hon. Baronet himself, if there
were uo other reason ; but when he (the Earl of March) felt
that it was wrong on principle and in justice, and detrimental
to all classes of her Majesty's subjects—Cries of " Oh, oh ')—
he could not sanction such a measure.—( Cheers. )
Mr. BAILEY COCHRAN said he di I net wish
to misrepresent the conduct of the Noble Lord,
and that be was sure the Noble Lord would do
him the justice of thinking so. It was stated by the Noble Lord
that a certain Noble Duke stated that he would not oppose the
creation of Peers should such be necessary, and it appears that
such was proposed to be done.
Mr. GIBSON said it would be unnecessary for him to detain
the House at any great length on the-subject of the corn-laws.
The main object which the party with which he was connected
bad in view, was the abolition of all protection, and in that re-
spect he should be always happy to go with the Noble Lord
with his friends around him. But the question before them
was not protection to the manufacturers, but whether
they shold resolve themselves into a Committee of the whole
House to take into consideration the duty which regulated
the imports with a view to a repeal of these duties.—(Cries of
" No, no.") He imagined that each part of the Right Hon.
Baronet's plan would be discussed separately, and be imagined
that the question before them was the question of the corn-
laws.—( Hrar, hear.) He thought the question of what
Ministers had said at former times, or the relations in which
they stood to Hansard, was really of small moment •to the
more important question of whether it was right or prudent to
repeal the corn-laws —(Heaf. ) They told him that the present
Parliament was elected to maintain protection, and therefore
this Parliament could not deal with protection, because that
question was settled at the general election of 1841. Now it
was because the 'question was settled at that election, that he
thought the present Parliament was the best fitted to decide
upon the proposition before them. If the question
of the abolition of the corn-laws had not been
mentioned in 1841, when it might have been urged that the
question could not be entertained by the present Parliament,
but the question of the repeal of the corn-laws was entertained
by the electors of 1841, and no Parliament could better decide
upon it than the present, for if they went to the electors again,
Ile was sure a more respectable class of men could nut bereturned,
nor a class in whom the electors would have more confidence.
A great many Honourable Gentlemen, opposite were in a po-
sition to entertain that question. Even at the present moment
a gentleman, a candidate for Suffolk, declared to his consti-
tuents that he would leave himself open to whatever he should
consider best for the interests of his country.—( Hear, hear.)
Now that gentleman, though a Protectionist at present, might,
on hearing the question discussed, be induced to give a vote
for the abolition of all protection. It happened to him (Mr.
M. Gibson) to know that appeals were made on behalf of the
friends of the Right Honourable Baronet at the head of
her Majesty's Government on these grounds as well
as on the grounds of protection. It had been urged
in the manufacturing districts that the Right Honourable
thanßaronetw o
reproachedal
dn and
hihot
with
swhpoe partcouldy
party, were they in office ; arid he (the Hon. Member) was
Lowne:eduoldtfildeaopAamiretomyrebtehfroaree-tra
tfofrrde principles
o
much as the Administration of the present Premier. The
supporters of Sir George Murray took that ground ; though
every man of common sense knew that the Right Hon. Baronet
at the head of her Majesty's Ministry professed free-trade prin-
ciples, and that lie could do more for their advancement than
could Lord John Russell if in power. If there existed a charge
of deception or misleading of persons outside that House, that
charge should rest against the representatives of the agricultural
interest. They made the the tenant farmers believe that Parlia-
ment would maintain those protective laws. He could only say,
that, for himself, he bad advised-Hon. Members not to pursue
that' course. lie had advised them not to keep telling the
tenant farmers that the Right Hon. Baronet would support
those laws. They did, however. pursue their own cour e; they
persevered in telling the tenant farmers that those laws would
be supported, and they were now reaping the benefit of that
perseverance after. The Right lion. Baronet had taken his
place in the Ministry on peculiar grounds. When called upon
to propose law in respect to the law effecting the agriculturist,
he was asked to state his vies ; and his reply was," call me in,
and then I shall prescribe for you." They had called him
in, and he had prescribed for them a draught more
bitter than they seemed inclired to swallow.—( Laughter. )
They were told that the British farmer was unable to compete
with the Polish, because he had 'certain expenses in
the cultivation of the soil which were not borne by
the foreign farmer—(Hear)—and that in a farm of
three parts arable land and one of pasture, labour rated
at 355. an acre, and local taxes at 25., making altogether a
tax of 37e. an acre. They were also told that the average
quantity of wheat was- four quarters to the acre,; now by
a common process of calculation they would find that
nine shillings a quarter on wheat was the item complained
of as constituting the debility.—(Cries of " No, no," from the
Ministerial side.) Yes'' the other items were borne by the
foreign farmers as well as by them, and they had re-
uudiated with indignation any intention of preserv-
ing high rents by naaintaing protection. Could it
be denied that this was a fair statement ? Agricul-
tural labour in America was much more expensive than
it was in England.—(Hear, hear.) It was very well known
that the wages of agricultural labourers were at lesst double
in America as compared with agricultural wages in
England.— )Hear, hear.) It was urged by the protectionists
that they lay under peculiar burdens, but the only local taxa-
tion which he knew of was Is. per quarter on corn, and
surely that could not disable English agriculturists from com-
peting with those in foreign countries.—(Hear.) It appeared
to him a perfect mystery how they were disabled from
entering into such a corn petition. Why, the very fact of
the freight of ds. or 103. per quarter on wheat coming
from the United States, together with all other ex-
pense!, more than covered the amount paid by
English agriculturists in local taxation. The English
agriculturists were protected by the natural corce of things,
and they could not rightfully complain of any injustice being
done to them by the present ministerial mea-
sure. He contended, that even if they could show that
they lay under any disabilities with regard to the price of
labour, they did not pay near as much as was paid by the foreign
agriculturist in importing his grain into this country,
gud they were, therefore, entitled to no protection.

- HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the chair at five minutei_Lefore
Four o'clock.

_ _
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. FINCH took the oaths and his seat for the county
of Rutland, in the room of Mr. Dawnay, who has ac-
cepted the Chiltern Hundreds.

THE GOVERNMEN- 2. POLICY.
Sir JOHN IIANMER presented four petitions from
the inhabitants of Hull, in favour of the financial and
commercial policy of the Government. The Ilon.Mem-
ber also presented a fifth petition, praying the Govern-
ment to take into consideration the duties on tea.
RAILWAY BUSINESS..
The following reiln ay Bills were read a second time,
and ordered to be committed, viz.:—
York and North' Midland Railway (Whitby and Pick-

eriog Extension).
Blackburn, Chorley, and Liverpool Railway.
Liverpool, Orinskirk, and Preston Railway.
Blackburn and Preston Railway.
Ashburton, Newton, and South Devon Railway.
North Statiordshire (I-larecastle and Saudbaeh

countr

line).
North Staffordshire Railway (Churnet Valley line).
East Lincolnshire Railti3 ay.
Epsom and Dorking Railway.
Forth Kent Railway.
North Kent Railway (City Extension).
London and South Westt.r❑ Railway (Hampton Court
Branch).
London and South Western Railway (London Bridge

Extension).
London and South WeLtern Railway (Chertsey and
Egli:. in Blanch.) -
London and South Western Railway (Epsom Branch).
Staines and ,ichmond Junction Railway.
Grand Junction Railway (11u) ton and Warrington

Branch).
Manchester and Birmingham Railway.
Mr. W. PATTEN wished to bring under the attention
of the House the proceedings of Parliamentary agents
with respect to the introduction of their Bills
into the House. It appeared that those gentlemen were
in the habit of giving the Bills one name before the
Board of Trade, a second name when brought into the
Private Bill Office, and a third title when introduced
into the House. Tnis practice was attended with great
inconvenience, and rendered it almost impossible for the
Classification Committtee properly to classify the Bills
referred to them. lie trusted that the house would
take some steps to remedy their practice.
Mr. GREENE moved—" That it be an instruction to
the Comtnittce or, Petitions for Private Bills, and to all
Committees upon Private Bills, not to bear parties on
any petition hereafter referred to them, which shall not
be prepared and signed in strict conformity with the
rules and orders of this House."
Mr. ENTWISLE thought that people ought to comply
with the standing orders themselves before making any
complaints.
The House then divided, when there appeared--.
For the original motion
Against it - 63
Majoriry for the original motion —42
CORN-LAWS.
Mr. T. M. GIBSON presented a petition from Man-
chester, in favour of the Government measure on the
corn-laws.
THE CONVICTS FROST, WILLIAMS, AND
JONES.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented petitions pray-
ing the House to consider the condition of the convicts
Frost, Williams, and Jones, with a view to entreat her
Most Gracious Majesty to mitigate their sentence.
BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.
Air. COLLET' gave notice that it was' his intention,
instead of moving for a Select Committee, to move for
a Committee of Privilege, in reference to breaches of
some privilege committed by Noble Lords, Members of
that House, the names of four of whom he could then
mention.—(A laugh.)
Lord DUNCAN gave notice of his intention to post-
pone his motion from the 19th to the 26th of February,
in reference to the window duties.
THE WAR IN INDIA.
Sir R. INGLIS wished to put a question in reference
to the recent outbreak in India. He wished to know if
the Government had received any positive intelligence
as connected with that outbreak ; and if they had, that
it might be communicated to the House.
Lord JOCELYN, in reply, stated that no official in-
formation had been received by Government in reference
to that transaction. No official despatch had been re-
ceived; but a private letter had been received from the
Governor of Bombay, dated December 23, enclosing a
private communication from the Government of India,
which informed them that large bodies of the Sikh
troops crossed the Sutlej, against whom the British
troops advanced on the 18th of that month; but after
a march of three hours they had to give up, in con-
sequence of the extreme darkness of the night
The first entrenchment was taken on the 21st. Since
this private letter no communication had been received
by her Majesty's Government ; but when the dispatches
of Sir Henry Hardinge were received, they would no
doubt be highly satisfactory.
• Mr. F. FRENCH wished to put a question to the
Right lion. the Home Secretary, as to the removal of
the board of guardians at Tuatn, near Castlereagh,
Ireland. He wished' o know why ilia), were removed.
Sir J. GRAHAM, in reply to the Hon. Member,
had to say that the board of guardians had
positively refused to open the workhouse or even to
administer the poor laws, and the consequence was, that
the poor law commissioners were forced to remove them.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORI) had to request from
Sir Robert Peel an answer to the following question:7—
whether it is the intention of her Majesty's Government
to propose to Parliament any measure on the subject of
the law of landlord and tenant in Ireland.
Sir R PEEL said that he certainly did hope that her
Majesty's Government would be enabled to introduce a
measure on the subject referred to by the Hon. Member.
Mr. COLQUdOUN begged leave to ask a question
of the Hon. Member for Cork. He wished to know
whether it was his intention to press the motion of
which he had given notice, on to-morrow (Tuesday)
evening ?
Mr. O'CONNELL said he certainly would if the
House would permit him.
ADJOURNED DEB ATE.—CORN-LAW S.
On the order of the day fur resuming the adjourned
debate being read,
Mr. ASTELL presented a petition from the parish
of St. Albans, praying the House not to pass the meas-
ure proposed by Government with reference to free

trade.
Mr. 0. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from the
county of Cork approving of the pre .ent measures of
her Majesty's Government. The petitioners stated that
they were engaged in manufactures, and that as they
neither had, nor desired to have, any protection on their
trade, they prayed the House to abolish all protection to
agriculture.
Mr. W. MILES presented several petitions from
Sornersetshire against the present Government scheme.
He also presented a petition from distillers in
the southern parts of Scotland, in which the petitioners
stated that they had embarked all their capital,
in their present trade, and that if the present measure
but
they all itnbev theiret oreemppvlale7l,ou theld
of her Majesty's Government were carried into effect,
ine-
vitablyd
not o nl y
ruined, themselves,
an
Rouse
not to persist in their present measure.
Lord WORSLEY presented a petition from Notting-
ham against the proposal of the Government, and in
favour of protection to native industry. The measure
of the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Go-
vernment was in direct contradiction to those
principles which bad brought him into office, and the
petitioners prayed that before the measure was passed
into law the country might be appealed to through the
medium of • a general election; they felt confident that
a minority would then be found which would continue
protection to agriculture.
Mr. THCRNELEY presented a petition from Finston,
in Staffordshire, in favour of free trade -generally; and
the petitioners prayed that the repeal of the corn-laws
might be immediate.
An HON. MEMBER presented petitions from sixty-
three parishes in Herefordihire, against the measures of
her Mejesty's Government, and in favour of native
industry.
An HON. MEMBER presented a petition, signed by 920
inhabitants of the town of Wellington, praying for the
removal of all restrictions on food.—(Hear.)
Mr. ORD preented a petition from the shipowners of
Newcastle, in favour of the Government measure.
Mr. FERGUSSON presented a petition from Mon-
mouthshire and other places, praying that the measure
of her Majesty's Government respecting a repeal of the
corn-laws may not pass into a law.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from several places
in Scorland in favour of the measure now proposed by
her Majesty's Government.
TIMBER DUTIES.
Mr. HUTT presented a petition from one of the
largest ship owners in Hull, praying that the measures
of her Majesty's Government may pass into a law, as it
woul: have a salutary effect on the ship building of this
country, which was in a very depressed state at present,
,n consequence of the duty on timber.
Lord J. RUSSELL presented several petitions in
favour of a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws.
Mr. CURTEIS presented a petition from Eastbourne,
to the same effect.
Mr. BRIGHT presented petitions from places in
Northumberland, Cheshire, Worcestershire, Kent, Dor-
setshire' and Staffordshire, to the same effect.
Lord PALMERSTON presented two petitions from
Scotland to the same effect.
GISBORNE presented a petition from New-
castle-on-Tyne to the same effect.
Rir R. PEEL had a petition to a similar effect
from Tamworth.—(lleac, hear.) The petitioners con-
sidered that the measures proposed by her Majesty's Go-
vernment would give an impetus to agriculture
land tend to define plenty throughout the land, and there-
fore they desired to see it passed. This petition was
signed by the Mayor and several of the Town Council.
The Right Hon. Baronet presented petitions from Dun-
fermlin, the Corporation of Glasgow, Renfrewshire,
Pollock, and Boston, in Lincolnshire to the same effect.
~THE ADJOURNED DEBATE.
On the 'order of the day for resuming the adjourned
debt boiPg read;

THE SUN, L D N, MONDAY RVE G, FEBR U A It. V' 16, 18.1.

Sir IV. CLAY supported the motion. The Hon.
Member opposite put him in mind of the attorney
who indorsed his brief for his council
with "no merit ;" abuse the plaintiff's attorney"
They had dealt in every sort of abuse of the Right lion.
Baron. t, but had not stated one fact in support of the
retention of the corn- laws. They had overstated their case
and dealt in abuse, and thereby damaged their own case.
(LEFT SPEARING.)

from the Legislature.—( Hear, hear.) He contended that the
foreign coin trade was as good a branch of industry as the
trade in agriculture which was carried on in this country,
and that they were entitled to carry on their trade
free and unnaolested.—(Loud cries of " Hear, hear•.")
The Hon Member for Hun' ingdon talked of an an arbiter com-
ing amongst us to settle thi; question by some compromise.—
(Hear, hear, from the protec ionists.) If such an arbiter did
come amongst them, he maintained that bisdecision would be un-
doubtedly in favour of the manufacturers.—( Opposition cheer.)
It was said that the repeal of the corn-laws would reduce the
value of land, but he confessed he could not see how this could
be, for ever since the corn-law question had been agitated land
had fetched as good a price as it did before.—( Hear hear. )
Land had been taken at the same rent also as bofore, and in
some cases at increased rentals, and if they had a
better test of the value of any given produce, or another
that was likely to be effected by a Legislative measure, it was
in the willingness or unwillingness which capitalists evinced to
invest their money in that commodity. Well, then, land
fetched as good a price now, and tenants were equally as ready
to give good rents as they were years ago. Now this could
not be, because they had confidence in the protection party
maintaining the corn laws, fur if they did they would be convinced
of the mistake they were falling into, when they remembered
that the most eminent statesmen, the Right Hod. Baronet on
one hand, and the Noble Lord on the other, were arrayed
against them.--( Hear, hear.) Al! par ties were just as ready
as ever to invest capital in land, and he could mention an
instance which had occurred in-the county of Suffolk within
a recent period, and which had been cornmuni•
cated to him by a friend of his, where sixty-
three land tenants who were paying exceedingly
high rents, notwithstanding the rumours about the repeal of
the corn-laws, had made agreements for renewing their leases
for very long periods, and not one of these 63 tenants had
.asked for a reduction of rent.--(Hear, hear.) Twenty of
them stated that the farmers had discussed the question
amongst themselves, and they had decided that they
were not justified in calling for a reduction of rent.—
(Loud cheers.) He was not prepared to mention the name
of his friend, but if ary Honourable Member required
it, he would be ready to communicate it privately to him.
Let him ask what was the meaning of all those alarms about
the repeal of the corn-laws ; were they (the protectionists) not
jealous of the advance of trade, and was not that the cau.e of
their resistance to the measure?--(Cheers, and cries of " No.")
He should be sorry to see among the ancient aristocracy
of England—the high families of this country—guilty of
such unworthy feelings as to be jealous of manufacturing
prosperity. But such, be feared, was not the cse.—
(No, no, from the protectionists. Was it not a fact
a fact that it was a test of the fitness of a
manufacturer to a seat ir. the Upper House, that he should be
the purchaser of an estate.—( Hear, hear.) The Right Hon.
Gontleman at the head of her Majesty's Government,
on a former occasion, said that he was sure the
repeal of the corn laws would not be, in any measure
to the landed interest, and would not in the slightest degree
tend to alter the value of land.—( Cheers.) That was his (Mr.
Gibson's) opinion, and he did not see any reason why the aris-
tocracy of England should be jealouse as they were
(No, no) —of the advance of free-trade principles
Ile did not see any reason why they should entertain such
feeling; for, after all, be very much questioned,
whether many of them were not descended from
the manufacturing chest.. of this ccuntry.—(Cheers.)
Ile contended that it had been the sy.tern of the country and
could be proved, that possession of land had led to the highest
offices in the State. He contended that the landed gentry
monopolised to a great extent the principal offices
and emoluments in society.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) For
it was a boast that they make Ministries and unmake them at
their pleasure.—( Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member for Shrews-
bury had said truly, that " the aristocracy of the country was
a territorial aristocracy." All this he brought forward to show
the great advantages enjoyed by the landed proprietary of the
country. He believed that competition from so many causes
being unlimited, that they need fear nothing from the aboli-
tion of the corn•laws. He did not bring these matters for-
ward as charges aguinst the aristocracy ; but as far as his read •
ing and experience went, be was led to the conclusion that they
had used their functions for their private and pecuniary interests,
and for• the advancement of their own political power.—
(Hear, hear.) There was one portion of the present question
to which he wished to allude, namely, that, if the corn laws
were to be totrlly abolished, .why that abolition should
not take place at once ?—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
Why should they defer to another day what
justice was said to require, and what the necessities of the
country peremptorily called for ?—Cries of " Hear, hear.")

Lord -ALFRED CHUCHILL opposed the measure.

• IRELAND.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
Fan. 14.—The Cork Reporter continues to take a
gloomy view of the prospects of the poor according as the
season advances :
" We adverted in our last (says that journal) to the alarm-
ing prospects of scarcity. in the .iminediate neighbourhood of
this city, then brought under our notice. Subsequent ac-
counts that have reached us tend to confirm our apprehen-
sions as to the immediate approach of a general scarcity of
sound patotocs through' the country. We may, however,
state on what we deem competent authority, that the pre-..
cautionary measures of the Governrnent are on such a scale
as to afford an ample supply of food when the exigency may
arise to require it. The quantity of Indian corn and corn-
meal at present 'to be delivered at the ordnance stores is
300,000 bushels; 'but, should a much greater supply be re-
quired, arrangements have been made by which it can be
readily obtained: This will be at once manufactured at the
Lee Mills and stored, and will be sent from this port in Go-
vernment steamers to where- it may be wanted. The terms
upon which it will be disposed of we have not been able to
ascertain, and our irapreston is that they have not yet been
determined upon." •
The miners of the Citar-of Cork and its surrounding vici-
nity. have issued a public 'announcement, stating that, in
rof b
eti
nh
ge
scommon
dn exe,
eers;
dear iu summer, they Therefore will not work for less than
scaotniseesqeufenlicree,
aofndtht
the
the advancedprl3spect of their
2s. 6d. per day, or ids. per week, after the 12th day of April
next ensuiug..
A very influential meeting was held at Youghal on Wed-
nesday last, for the purpose of devising measures to meet and
remedy a state of affairs such as is described in the following
resolution
" That from minute and accurate returns lately taken in
this town and in the country parts of this parish, by direc-
tions of the Poor. law Commissioners, the following appear
to be the deplorable condition and prospects of the people,
namely :—That in the country parts the farmers have no
more than a sufficient supply. of potatoes for themselves, that
some of the labourers have almost totally lost their potatoes,
and that most of them have a- supply only for the consump-
tion of two months; and that in the town the state of affairs
is still worse, there being an awful amount of destitution,
much sickness, and no adequate employment for either la-
bourers or tradespeople, at a time when it is apprehended
that potatoes will soon run up to startation prices."
The Duke of Devonshire has sent a subscription of 1001. to
the fund for the relief of distress in Dungarvon.
MURDER IN THE COUNTY OF WATERFORD.
"Great sensation," says the Cork Examiner, " has been
created in the neighbourhood of Clashmore, in consequence
of the disco\ -..ry of a murder, committed on a poor woman
living within a short distance of this place. The body was
found on Monday
.last in a drain, having the breast bone
broken, and showing other serious, contusions in various
places. It is understood that she has been separated from
her husband for some time, who has been, in consequence of
certain suspicious circumstances, committed to gaol, waiting
the result of the coroner's inquest." •
EXECUTION OF BRYAN SEERY.

The following account of the execution of this wretched
man is furnished by the reporter of the Freeman's Journal.
Seery, it will be seen, persisted, when on the verge of eter-
nity, in the most solemn terms, to assert his total innocence
of the crime for which he was about to pay the forfeit of

his life
MumsGAR, FRIDAY EVENING.—The die is cast—' the
law has taken its course' and Bryan Seery— the ill-fated,
self-declared, and universally believed innocent Bryan Seery
—is now no more. The following declaration was made, vo
luntarily made, by the unhappy man on Thursday evening,
in the presence of the Rev. Mr. Savage, the deputy-go-
vernor of the gaol, Mr. Gunning (the prisoner's agent), and
two magistrates of the county, who signed the document :
" County of Westmeath to wit—l, Bryan Seery, now a
primer in the gaol of Mullingar, and to be on this day exe-
cuted, do most solemnly and sincerely declare, in the pre-
sence of that God before whom I must shortly appear for
judgment, that I never fired at Sir Francis Hopkins—that I
never committed any act tending to injure him in person or
property—and that I never was cognisant of, or a party to,
any conspiracy to plot or shoot, or injure the said Sir Francis
Hopkins ; and that I am not guilty, directly or indirectly,
of the crime for which I am to be hanged.
" BRYAN SEERY.'

" This was the declaration presented by the Rev. Mr. Sa-
vage to the Sheriff to witness ; and I presume it is the same
document signed, in the presence of the parties alluded to

aboVe, on the previous evening.
" The prisoner, after having spent the whole of Thursda:,
evening with the Rev. Mr. Savage in religious devotions, re
tired to bed about eleven o'clock, and slept soundly until six
in the morning, when he arose, and after attending mass in
the chapel be received the holy communion from the hands
of the Rev. Mr. Savage, whose attention to the poor convict
was unceasing. At six o'clock in the morning the trumpets
of the military were heard all over the town, the men being
under orders for duty at eleven o'clock. The military present
consisted of the following:—Two troops of the 11th Light
Dragoons, 30 rank and file eaele, commanded by Major
Jones; two troops of the Bth hussars, of 40 rank and tile
each, commanded by Colonel M'Caul and Lord Killeen; the
6th Regiment of Foot (stationed in the town), two corn-
panics of, the 32d, under the command of Captain Lowe;
one company of the 75th, commanded by Captain Bathurst;
and 75 constabulary, .under the command of Messrs.
Brooky and Shiels. I have never beheld a more awfully
solemn scene. Almost every shop in the town was closed,
yet hardly a soul except the soldiery attended at the execu-
tion! It was afine unclouded morning; as the day advanced
the clear bright sky proclaimed the return of spring.
The streets, as I have already said, were quite deserted, and
the people testified, by their refraining from either coming
into town, or collecting in crowds in its suburbs, their abhor-
rence- of the tragedy.. One fact illustrative of this I shall
relate :—A mercantile gentleman, who came from Dublin to
purchase butter, could not get any person to do business with
him, and although the day was that on which the butter
market is held, according to the patent, the market being the
largest in Leinster, there was not a single firkin brought
into town.
"At eleven o'clock the infantry and police were placed in
order in front of the gaol. The unfortunate convict was ac-
companied in his devotions throughout the morning by the
Rev. Mr. Savage, who, since his sentence, has hem most
assiduous and unceasing in his attendance. When the hour
of twelve o'clock had arrived, the Rev. Mr. Savage requested
the sheriff to witness the declaration, of which I have given a
copy above ; but that functionary refused. The Rev. Gentle-
man then informed the prisoner that the hour was come for
him ; and the prisoner, taking a crucifix in his hand, said,
I follow Christ, and declare lam an innocent man. "The
Rev. Mr. Masterman, wearing his surplice, then walked with
the prisoner to the scaffold, repeating the Litany of Jesus
aloud. When the prisoner appeared on the drop he said,
' raising the crucifix, and in a calm, loud, and steady tone, and
with an emphasis of awful and terrible solemnity—' I declare
before my Gad that I had neither act, hand, part, or know-
ledge in the crime for which I am going to die here 1'
" This declaration, so pronounced, caused a shudder
amongst the soldiery, and the prayer, The Lord have
mercy on him,' burst from every lip. A few moments more
and the unhappy man was launched into eternity.
" The body, after the usual time of suspension, was cut
down and placed in the coffin, and then his friends conveyed
it to the late residence of the deceased, in the town of Mullin-
gar, amid the sobbing and burning tears of the townspeople.
Thus ended the fearful tragedy.
" The body will be interred on Sunday in Castletown, and
although not a soul was present at the execution, some hun-
dreds of thousands will, I am assured, accompany poor
Seery's remains to the grave. There was only one magis-
trate of the county (Mr. Uniacke) present. I cannot write
more, for, in common with the whole inhabitants of the
town, I am so shocked at what I have witnessed, that I am
quite nerveless. God grant that I may never again have to
describe such a scene. Gloomy silence now reigns, and all
s tranquil.
" The military will not, I understand, leave town for a day

or two.
" Seery was kept for an hour after the time appointed for
his execution. Sir Guy Campbell was understood to have
said that the delay arose from the expectation of a re-
prieve by the ten o'clock coach."

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER
NEAR ANDOVER.
ANDOVER, Fins. 14.—Since our last report of Wednesday's
date, Brealey, the man shot this day week by Shurmur, has
been rather better, and it is hoped now he will eventually
recover. On Thursday last he was ordered by the doctors 50
drops of laudanum at three different periods during the
night, each time he awoke. On Friday he was at times
sensible and rational.
This day (Saturday) Shurmur was brought from Win-
chester Gaol, arriving at the Andover station by 10 o'clock.
At 12 o'clock precisely Mr. Van Santen, the superintendent
of the Andover district, and Mr. J. Blair, of the Winchester
district, brought him before the bench of magistrates—Col.
Ironmonger, the Rev. C. Randolph, and the Rev. C. Dodson.
The witnesses were in attendance.
Mr. W. Smith, surgeon, was the first witness examined.
After being sworn, he deposed that he had seen Brealey that
morning. He was still at the cottage, Redrise ; and at pre-
sent he believed he was progressing favourably, but as yet
could not pronounce him out of danger. Probably, by next
Saturday, he might be enabled to do so, if he continued to
improve as be had done the last two days ; yet even then he
would not be sufficiently recovered to be brought up to give
evidence.
By Colonel Ironmonger—Do you think he may be well
enough to be examined here by next Wednesday week ?
Mr. Smith—Perhaps he may, if he goes on as well as he has
done for the last three days, but I should not like to say
positively he would.
After some further consultation, Friday, the 27th February,
was fixed for Shurmur's further and final examination, till
which day he is remanded to Winchester Gaol, on that day
to be again brought up to Andover, the examination to com-
mence at 10 o'clock in the morning, by which hour all wit-
, nesses are summoned, to attend.
Shurmur is much altered in his appearance since Monday
last, and expresses great contrit ion, persisting he did not mean
1 to shoot Brealey. • •
.lIM

LATEST FROM AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE HIBERNIA.
The royal'mail steamship Hibernia, arrived at Liver-
pool at 4 P.N. on Saturday. She left Boston on the Ist
inst., and Halifax on the 3d. By this packet we have
received New York papers to the 31st ult. The war
fever, we are happy to stiy, appears to be subsiding.

--
OREGON.
The New York Herald gives the following account of
the state of parties in Congress :
We have received from our special correspondent, whom
we sent to Washington for the purpose, and also through
several other private sources, and letters from persons well
acquainted with the state of }yolks in Congress, the pro-
bable result of the present condition of things in the capitol,
as regards the foreign policy of this country, and also the
prospect relative to the succession to the presidency in 1848.
During the present session, both Humes of Congress
have been prineipally occupied in skirmishing or pre-
liminary debates on our foreign policy, on the Oregon con-
troversy, or on the affairs of Mexico. These debates have
terminated in no distinct vote, but merely in approaching
what may be the probable sentiments of Congress on the
issues involved, particularly in respect to the Oregon ques-
tion. Several preliminary votes have been taken, expressive
of these sentiments, such as that on General Cass's 'notion,
on the subject of inquiring into the military and naval re-
sources of the country, which seemed to be rather warlike
in the result, until that was effaced by the votes on the
motions of Senator Allen, which assumed a different com-
plexion. The debates on these motions were very warm, and
very warlike, and very curious ; but the speeches were princi-
pally addressed to what we call " Buncombe,'' or in other
words, were merely intended to operate on the floating portion
of the population, and to make capital for the elections. Yet
beneath this turbulent ocean of words there has been a great
deal of distinct and positive arrangements made among the
parties at Washington, which will have a most important
hearing on our foreign and domestic policy, as well as other
measures, auit which are all mixed up with the succession to
the Presidency. _ .

ing, which may serve as an exp'anation of he views o. the
Spanish ships:—
" There has arrived at St. Domingo a Spanish fleet, destined
to take under its protection the Dominican Republic. A letter
from St. Domingo, published in the Manifeste, says that the
Spanish Protectorate has been desired by the President
,oi nf i otnh,e that
simple S p in
rightwill
onfo t
Santana, and the Bishop Portes ; and the same paper ex-
ptlrieesseexeeracniseolronshetor
sluimzeirtaiintseteexeorvtei
ancient colony, to which is reserved all the rights of proprietor-
ship, by the treaty of 1815. This will explain the motive of
the extraordinary congregation of Spanish ships, of which in-
formation has recently been had, in the harbour of Havannah."
The other papers state, that it was expected a conflict would
take place between the Spanish and the Haytian parties during
the month of February, and that there. was every expectation
that the Dominicians, who were commanded by Spanish offi-
cers, would prove victor ious.
CANADA.
•The Montreal papers are to the 27th of January. Intelli-
gence had been received in Canada of the appointment of Earl
Cathcart as Governor-General. There was a rumour that the
militia was to be immediately embodied.
MEXICO.
The latest intelligence received at New York was, front
Vera Cruz to the 3d, of Tampico to the sth January. Paredes
had completely succeeded in his revolution, had entered Mexico,
and was forming his Ministry. The following account of the
revolution from the pen of an (neer in the United States Navy,
who was an eyewitness of what he describes, appears in the
Pensacola Gazette:—
As several very important changes have recently taken
place in Mexico, having more or less bearing upon our rela-
tions with that country, I propose to give you a brief account
of them, which cannot fag to interest your readers, as well as
the public generally. We took down to Vera Cruz, Mr.
William S. Parrot, our Mexican Secretary of Legation, who
bore dispatches for the Minister. Upon oar arrival at Sacri-
ficios, we found that Mr. Slidell (our Minister) had preceded
us some ten days. lie had been received with every demon-
stration of respect by the authorities at Vera Cruz, and
lied proceeded on his way to the capital. Lieut. Kenneday, of
the St. Mary's, accompanied him with a view of bringing
back his dispatches for the Government. After Mr.
Slidell had been some days in the capital, he , was
formally notified by the Mexican Government, that
it could not receive him in the capacity in which he eaten,
which was that of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary—the Government not considering itself bound by
the promise it had made us of receiving a special Minister,
charged with the negotiation of the Texian difficulty, to receive
the usual Minister resident sent from one friendly power to an-
other, as the reception of the latter would imply a state of
friendly and pacific intercourse which does not exist. The Go-
vernment, however, did not require that Mr. Slidell should
withdraw from the country—on the contrary, it gave him per-
mission to retire to Jalapa, a pleasant little town some sixty
miles from Vera Cruz—there to await the further instructions
of his Government. Such was the state of things when
the St. Mary's sailed, and the above was, no doubt,
the substance of Mr. Slidell's dispatch to the Govern-
ment by that vessel. In the mean time the country was on
the eve of a revolution, which broke out the next day after
the St. Mary's left. It will be recollected, that General
Paredes commanded a division of the army, called the " Army
of reserve," and stationed in the Department of San Luis Po-
tosi—the Department adj doing Tamaulipas, in which latter
Department Tampico is situated ; which army was destined
to second any movement that might be made by Gen. Arista,
who commanded the Northern trsntier. If we may judge by
the tone of the correspondence which had passed between
Gen. Paredes and the Minister of War, and which has been
published in all the Vera Cruz papers, his troops as
well as those of Arista were exceedingly anxious to com-
mence the war upon Texas ; to enable him to do
which, he importuned the Government for the necessary sup-
plies, which it denied him, under one pretext or other, although
it had, as Paredes alleges, ample funds for the purpose in the five
million loan authorised by Congress. The army, grown tired
of the state of inactivity to which the Government had reduced
it, naturally became disaffected. The opposition press fanned
the mark of disaffection into a flame. The most vehement and
bitter denunciations were every day launched against the Ad-
ministration, charging it with every species of corruption—
fraud, peculation, and even treason—in entertaining the design
of re-opening negotiations with the United States for the sale
of Texas, New Mexico, and California ; and after the arrival
of Mr. Slidell, it alleged that this gentleman came among them
empowered to offer a corrupt bribe of five millious of dollars, the
price of their dishonour and treason. These attacks followed
each other in quick succession; and were written with warmth
and ability. The following extracts from the Veraciruzano
Libre will give yen a just idea of the tone of the opposition
press, generally, which, as they say, is the tone of the whole
Mexican people :
"No The sale of Texas shall not be consummated, neither
under the pretext of settling boundaries shall the perfidious
Yankees extend their rapacity to other departments, not less
rich and precious. Let them keep their infamous bribe of five
or six millions of dollars, as the valiant Mexican army does not
deal in such opprobrious transactions with the enemies of its
country, and is resolved to defend to the life of the last veteran
the integrity of the territory and the national honour."
The disaffection which bad been thus gathering head, broke
out into open rebellion and revolution as soon as the arrival of
Mr. Slidell was made known at the head quarters of General
Paredes, who forthwith issued hispronuneramento, or manifesto
against the Government. The pronunciamento was re-echoed
by the fortifications and garrisoned towns as soon as received—
the train having been well laid, and the match no sooner ap-
plied than the explosion took place almost simultaneously all
over the country. The city of Mexico, even the very seat of the
Government, throwing. wide its gates as soon as Paredes
sounded his first bugle in its spacious valley—notwithstanding
Herrera had taken all the precautions in his power for the de-
, fence of this last stronghold of his party. Indeed, he used his
authority so arbitrarily as to give just cause of offence to the
citizens, seizing upon the public money without warrant of law,
suspending the liberty of the press, levying forced contribu-
tions, and maltreating and arresting many of the principal in-
dividuals. Among others, the Archbishop was forced to take
refuge in Tacubaya, and Almonte secreted himself in the city.
The news of the revolution reached Vera Cruz on the morn-
ing of the 23d of December, and in a few hours thereafter we
were astounded by the reports of the heavy guns of the Castle,
as they gave a hearty response to the grito of their companions
of Potosi. The fleets followed the example of the Castle ; and
a salute from the steamer Montezuma, with the English flag at
her fore, and the Spanish at her mizen, announced its determi-
nation also to adhere to the pronunciamento. In the city of
Vera Cruz occurred the only resistance we have heard
of This city is garrisoned by two thousand troops. One
hundred of this number,
,with a colonel at their head,
stood fast by the government, took up their arms and
marched out of their barracks, firing a volley as they passed
upon those who remained, and killing a captain and two zoldiers,
They then formed in a public square to consider what course
they should pursue • but finding themselves alone in their strug-
gle against the popular current, thet continued their march, and
strange to say, were permitted to do so, unmolested, into the
open ceuntry.
Paredes is now master of the capital and of the country. The
administrationot' Gen. Herrera, who succeeded Santa Anna,
having continued just one year. To show you how much the
arrival of Mr. Slidell had to do with bringing things to a crisis,
I extract the following paragraph from the manifest of the gar-
rison at Tampico, announcing their adhesion to the movement
of Paredes :
The officers here assembled are convinced that *e adminis-
tration does not intend to prosecute the war at • 2s, t Texas,
thus setting at defiance the will of the nation, an. -'at, with
the greatest assurance in the face of the whole periisle, it is
actually treating with the Government of the United States for
the sale of Texas, and for aught we know the Californias also,
and that therefore it behoves the army and the people to dise
pose an administration which has so little regard for the national
honour, &c.
A rumour was current in our streets to day that Mr. Slidell
had been murdered in Mexico by the troops of General Pa-
redes. It was said at first to have been transmitted by the
telegraph from Baltimore. We can find no foundation for
the rumour. In fact, it was stated three days ago, but not
thrown into general circulation till• this morning.—Washing-
ton Union, Thursday.
The American naval forces in the Gulf had been increased
by the junction of the frigates Cumberland and Potemac ;
and the army on the Rio Grande was kept in good fighting
condition. It was considered probably that the President would
recommend decisive measuresTEXAS to be adopted towards Mexico.
(From the New Orleans Picayune,'Jan. 18. )
LATEST FROM TEXAS.—By the arrival since our last of the
steamship New York, Captain Phillips, we have Galveston
dates to the 11th, and Corpus Christi to the 7th.
It would appear that General Darnell has been elected Lieu-
tenant-Governor of the new state by a small majority. The
majority of General Henderson for Governor is very heavy.
The rews from the frontiers is of little interest. Emigration
continued, the roads being filled with waggons,
fl ashington Union, Thursday.
An extensive fire had occurred at Philadelphia Jan. Ir,
which
which bad destroyed several stores, and propertyto t ttle
workamount of
of 125,000 dollars. It was supposed to have been
an incendiary.
M ONE, -Y MARKET, Jerein stocks to-day.. 31, 1 P.M.
The sales
There was very little doing
h and at an advance on yesterday's prices of
rincipally for cas
oneP and two per cent. Long Island went up 2 per cent. ;
Canton, 1 ; Norwich and Worcester, 2 ; Harlem, li; Morris
Canol, ; Reading Railroad, 11:4; Farmers Loan) *-4- •
The Closing quotations for sterling exchange were 8 to q per
cent. premium. The demand for bills this morning was more
[railed than anticipated.
COMMERCIAL.

We mean now to give a programme of the state of things, as
indicated by facts that have come to the knowledge of our cor-
respondents; and communicated to us.
The parties in Congress may be divided into three sections,
the Whigs forming a very important body ; the Democrats the
other most important body of men, having also the reins of
government in their hands; and, in addition to these two par-
ties, there is a distinct party, which may be called the

" Independents," being those -members who are principally
attached to the fortunes of John C. Calhoun. During
the last two months, the Whigs, after a great many
consultations, have very generally agreed among their
leaders t 3 bring foward for the next Presidency
Winfield Scott, Major-General of the United States Army.
There has been an effort made among them, to make Judge
M•Lean the candidate of that party ; but the effort died, and
was annulled by the supposed greater popularity and avatlabi-
lity of General Scott. On the other hand, the democrats, or
those attached to the fortunes of the Administration, are divided
into a number of separate 'Presidential cliques, comprehended
under the names of Wright, Denton, Cass, Walker, Buchanan,
Dallas, and some others. Mr. Polk, the present chief magis-
trate, from his official position, if necessity should require it,
will be the candidate of his party, although he must of coarse
deny at present that lie has any wish for the office again. Lastly,
the independents, who may be called the "free trade" party,
the Girondists of the present day, the juste milieu, look on
John C. Calhoun as their leader, and mean to support him for
the next Presidency at all hazards, without respect to conven-
tions or nominations from any quarter. The determination of
the Independents over the country is a great and important fact,
possessing a great control on the next Presidency, and perhaps
decisive of the particular result.
The strength of these three parties in Ccngress varies very
much. In the Senate, the Independents, or friends of Mr
Calhoun, can give a majority to either the Democrats or
Whigs as they list. They number some six or eight votes.
In the House these balance-of.power men have not yet suffi-
ciently revealed their strength to enable any one to determine
what influence they possess. It is probable, however, that the
Democrats, or exclusive supporters of the Administration,
have a small majority in the House.
The influence of these private and secret arrangements
among the leading politicians at Washington will be very great
on the issues of our foreign and domestic policy, com-
prehending the Oregon controversy, the Sub-Treasury, the
Tariff, and perhaps other measures. We are perfectly sa-
tisfied, from what we have seen, and what we know, first, that
no absolute " notice" relative to the Oregon question
will pass the Senate, and therefore it cannot get the sanc-
tion of both houses. The passing of such a notice
cannot be accomplished at the present session, because
the Independents, or friends of Mr. Calhoun—being friendly
to negociation—will be a sufficient check to the war party
in the Senate, even if the war party in the House have a
large majority. Again, it is highly probable, judging from
the same data, that—Secondly, a modification of the tariff of
1842 will take place by a union of the Democrats and Inde-
pendents in the two houses; and also —Thirdly and lastly,
that the same majority will be able to pass the Sub-
Treasury Bill proposed by the Presidtnt in his late message.
These are the most accurate conjectures that we can now
form of the present state of parties and their results in
Congress. The most recent intelligence of the probable
return of Mr. Calhoun to the State Department will not
vary much these results, but rather give strength to the
presumption that the Oregon question will be settled by
negotiation, and the Tariff modified, and the Sub-Treasury
Bill passed the results; thus far so unexpected at the be-
ginning of the session of Congress, have, in a measure, been
brought about by the independent position and moral power ex-
hibited by Mr. Calhoun and his friends, in resisting and op-
posing all those who supported ultra measures relative to our
relations with Great Britain.
The probable prospect, therefore, of the present state of
things in Washington is highly favourable to a peaceable ter-
mination of our difficulties with England—of the success of
liberal principles in commerce and currency, and the probable
triumph of the measures brought forward by Mr. Polk. How
the question of the next Presidency may be, will be a matter of
speculation hereafter.
The New York Journal of Commerce, in commenting on the
probability of England renewing the offer made to her for the
settlement of the Oregon question by Mr. Gallattin, under the
Presidency of Mr. Adams, observes, that, " it breathes peace,
conciliation, concession, in every line. Let but the same spirit
prevail in our own councils, and all will be well. It is easy to
meet when the approach is mutual. We do not ourselves per-
ceive any great objection to the, free navigation of the Colum-
bia, in time of peace. In some respects it would be an ad-
vantage to our people. Wherever an Englishman goes, he
carries money ; and wherever he carries money, he leaves
a portion of it. As both shores of the river up to lat.
49 would he ours, and inhabited by our own people, the pre-
sence of British vessels and merchants would be a constant
source of profit. Mr. Gallatin's proposition, as presented in
his recent numbers, is very similar to the above—only he thinks
we must have the free navigation of the St. Lawrence by way
of offset. This, we presume, is out of the question ; but it is
plain, from the near approximation of the two propositions, and
from other indications which meet us daily, that the current
is gradually working clear, and that the prospect of a peaceful
and satisfactory adjustment of the dispute as becoming brighter.
The people will ratify any concessions which the Government
may deem it proper to make."
The following is the latest from Washington :
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
WASHINGTON, JAN. 29.—The city is rife with rumours of
Cabinet changes; but I do not, as yet, see any ground for
them. There are also rumours of intelligence from Mexico, of
a kostile kind, said to have been received from the South, by
the Government, last night. There was no mail to-day from
beyond Richmond, but news is anxiously expected from that
quarter.
Mr. Webster's resolution calling for the correspondence
which may have taken place between the Government of Great.
Britain and that of the United States, on the subject of
Oregon, since the date of the President's late message, was
adopted.
The Navy Bill was taken up, and Mr. Speight of Missis-
sippi spoke agaist it, and, in course of his remarks, declared his
opposition to the notice, and his opinion that our title to Ore-
gon was neither clear nor unquestionable.
The Senate adjourned over to Monday.
The House was engaged to-day upon the Oregon debate as
usual • but, as a proof that it will not be Tong continued, it
may be remarked that the interest in it has entirely subsided,
and that the hall has been thinly attended during this week,
and is less orderly than heretofore.
But the House is unprepared to tako the question ; perhaps
because the members have not made up their mind which way
to vote. They must take the question before the 10th Fe-
bruary, for that is the day assigned for taking up the subject
in the Senate.
The House, however, refused, to-day, to adopt a resolution
for terminating the debate on the 7th February, by a vote of
85 to 53.
Mr. Holmes, of S. C., made a speech of one hour against
the notice, and presented the subject in a vivid and original
light.
He denied the allegation that our title to Oregon was clear
and unquestionable ; or that the United States had any title
to Oregon from discovery, exploration, or contiguity, that
Great Britain did not also possess, to an equal extent. Our
claim under the treaty with Spain, of 1819, did not confer upon
us the exclusive titles to the soil of Oregon, becaduse
always
not possessed' by pain. Great
.Britaoifn h
Oregaon for t
claimed a right to the unsettled portion:
brought nearly to. a war, it was settled by the treaty of Nootka
to purposesthe e fishing,
ealfusive h
pretensionsantiag, oafamSmp commerce,
When eanntdh never
s t ion assentedw as
Sound, which acknowledged the rights of England in the ter-
ritory. The Secretary of State had endeavoured to get over
this by an assumption that was wholly untrue., viz. that the treaty
of 1790 was abrogated by the subsequent war between Great
Britain and Spain. It was one of those treaties that conld never
be annulled by war, because it conceded mutual rights, instead
of merely conferring a privilege. He illustrated the difference
by reference to the treaty by which we purchased Louisiana. A
war with France would not annul it., for the treaty conferred on
us a right.
But, in regard to the treaty with Great Britain, by which
we were allowed to fish on the banks of Newfoundland, war
would annul it, because it was a privilege.
Mr. 11. dwelt with great force on the destructive conse-
quences of a war, especially in our present unprepared state.
Even supposing that England would wait for the expiration of
the year's notice, he did not believe we would be able to send
a vessel out of our ports, either on the Atlantic or the lakes,
for they would be immediately taken; and he asserted that no
military man in the country would hazard his reputation by
saying that we could take Oregon; and he denied also that we
could take Canada.
The debate was continued by Mr. Ewing of Indiana and
Mr. Baker of Illinois, in favour of the notice.
The Washington Union, the organ of the Government, in
speaking of the report that an offer was likely to be made by
Great Britain to settle the Oregon question, on the basis pro-
posed during the Presidency of Mr. Adams, says, That such
a proposal as that on the part of the Briti li Government, made
in the manner, and carried out in the spirit which we have in-
dicated, would make every friend of just and honourable peace,
both in this country and in England, and throughout the
world, breathe freer and deeper,' with a good hope for civili-
sation, for free iustitutioes, and for niaokind. It would not
then be unreasonable to hope that on such a proposal, so made
and so carried out to the more ample recognition of our just
claims, further negotiation might yet build a peaceful monu•
ment to the enlightened moderation and justice of two great
nations. We say this, of course, in view of the fact that the
navigation of the Columbia, by Great Britain, through five
hundred miles of American territory, could, in the present state
of the question, be hardly urged with seriousness by the Britieh
Government."
Mr. Ilannegan, however, in a debate_ in the Senate on the
28th January, said that. he knew the article had not been sub-
mitted to the President prior to insertion, and that it did not
meet his views, and the Union, in an article on the Caine sub-
ject, on the following day, says, in regard to the free navigation
of the Columbia :—" We spoke of the navigation of the Co-
lumbia as a proposition which c mid not be seriously urged in
the present state of this question, by the British Gevernmept.
Whether urged or not, such a proposition we deem whool!y.T
admissable by our Government, as in fact it is declared t
be by
the President, in his messy ee,"
'HAYTI.
Latest information from Cuba men (From the New York Journal of
hships of
of Sparas war.
Havannah of an unusual numberua C"tionniers cetheFearb.r3iv.a)l at
a Prince We translate the follow-
Yr cont the Journal of Fort

New yoRK, JAN. 31.—FaalouTs.—To Liverpool, are
rather quicker, though the packets recently have filled up with
much difficulty. To London, they are 4not active, and we
slightly reduce our quotations. To Havre, there continues to
be a very small amount offering. To Antwerp, 15,000 bushels
of corn have been engaged, at 20 cents per bushel.
EXCHANCE.—There has not, as yet, been much done in
foreign, for transmission by the Boston steamer to-morrow.
We quote bills on London 81/t to OA per cent. premium--
though sales have in some instances been made below the
lowest, and above the highest of these rates; Paris, sf. 283/4c. to
sf. 27%c. ; Amsterdam, 391/8 to 3104 ; Antwerp, 3214 to 39%
nominal, there having been nothing done ; llamburgh, 354;
and Bremen, 78t, tont% cents.
OCEAN STEAM NAVIGATION.—We seem suddenly to have
waked up to the importance of increasing our steam marine.
In a day or two, the Postmaster-Genet:al will conclude one or
more contracts, for carrying the mails to Europe in steam..
vessels ; on the 27th instant a Bill for the incorporation of
Company, to be called the Ocean Steam Navigation Company
was introduced into the House of Assembly of this State. It
was stated that as soon as the Company could procure an Act
of Incorporation, they would proceed immediately to build four
steamers of the largest class, capable of making the passage
between New York and Havre in nine or ten days.
It thus appears evident that we are likely soon to have two or
three lines of ocean steamers for the merchant marine, exclu-
sive of those that Congress may have built. It is right and
proper that all this should be done.
There will probably be ten or a dozen steam-ships in the
Atlantic trade before this year runs its course. Four, and
perhaps five, will run to Boston, and four or five to New York.
In ten seals there will be as many ocean steamers as packet
ships; and it is not unlikely that our packets will, in that time,
turned into propellers.

..-----=---_
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.—A return, procured by Mr.
Hume, was issued on Saturday, showing the number of Acts
of Parliament supplied to the public under the promulgation
order, and to public departments in Great Britain, in each
year from 1835 to 1844, both' inclusive. The Acts supplied
in 1844,_ under the proinulgation order, numbered 505,849,
and to public dcipartmerits. 45.313.
THE M AILS.-- SOUTHAMPTON, FEB. 15.—The Gib-
ratter steam-packet Royal Tar, Captain Evans, arrived in
the docks at twelve o'clock this day and landed the mails of
the following dates :—Gibraltar, the 6th inst. ; Cadiz, 7th ;
Lisbon, 9th ; Operto, 10th ; Yip, 11th ; and Corunna, 12th ;
which were forwarded to Landon by the five o'clock train.
The Tar experienced very bad weather upon her outward
voyage, which has been the cause of her not leaving Gib-
raltar at an earlier date ; she has thirty-nine passengers, a
cargo of fruit,-some specie, four oxen, and two cases of
leeches. The Queen steamer, with the next Peninsular mails,
is expected on Wednesday. The next outward Gibraltar
packet will leave here on Tuesday, on which day the Tagus,
with the East Indian mails, may be.expected.
• LElss.—There has been rather more business done at the
Cloth-halls this week in cloths of low qualities, and low-
priced summer Tweeds for the 'German market, but in fine
and middle qualities there has been very little business
done. Prices are exceedingly steady, and the stocks in the
manufacturers' hands are below the average at this sensor_
There has also been more doing in the warehouses this week
than for some time; many of the buyers are making their
appearance in the market, and are purchasing cautiously for
.the spring default.

BARTIADuEB RAILWAY.—The Harbadocs papers, re-
ceived by the packet, are full of the railway. A
pr public
meeting, which was most numerously attended, and
over by the Honourable the Attorney-General, had been
held; a previsional committee, consisting of eighty-four
Although no allotment .
iasnladnad
mpraonia.rgieilt,ogrsceiargilitltepaeti,inligeti,idie.rcliants, had been formed.
a dgNoa arrivedlda
bri repair the
haiArdi
subscribed for, and the GSVeffilliE.nt. were expected to take
had yet been made, .1,61 it .1,000 fli a rea h
up 1,0001. to aid the project, ss they had a surplus revenue,
and the introduction of a railway would save mueli of the
.11
we
s s e
publiciidriot
forthwitha id:e,. n tiitvi,oic
ecrocemqoitninilrpeenaden
commence
fioBpieiri
aa
operation engineer
niotial,in.
very of coal had been made in the hilly districts of -c
-
which bad been favourably reiforted on by si the island,
Robert Sthom-
burgk, and analyzed by Mr. Here path, of r
Bristol.
SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETYP H
be repeated on Friday next. • andel's Samson is to
Birch, and Miss Hawes Braham, Phillips, Leer, Miss
are the principal vocal performers.
Lord John Russell
received Viscount
Melbourne Via-
count Morpeth, Mr. R t berfurd, and a select circle to dipper
1 on Saturday, at his
residence in Chotapi-place,