The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-09 00:00:00

GREAT NORTH AND SOUTH
WALES AND WORCESTER RAILWAY.
The adjourned general meeting of this Company was held
on Saturday at the London Tavern, at one o'clock ; John
Francis Bacon, Esq., in the chair.
The SECRETARY having read the advertisement convening
the meeting,
The CHAIRMAN stated that they had made the necessary
lodgement with the Accountant-General, and further stated
that the opinion of counsel with reference to their proceed-
in s. would be read, if the meeting thought necessary.
Mr. LAURANCE (Chairman of the Committe of inquiry)
stated that in the short period of one week for a committee
to go through the whole particulars of proceedings spread
over the space of seven months was no small proceeding.
They had however endeavoured to act in the most unbiassed
and disinterested manner—(Hear)—and hoped that the
report which they had prepared, and which he should niw
read to the meeting would meet their unqualified support.—
(Hear.) He (Mr. Laurance) then proceeded to read the
repo: t as follows :
The report set out with stating that after a careful investi-
gation into the affairs of the Company, they had come to
the conclusion that the deposits ought not to be placed in the
hands of the Accountant-General, nor any further progress
made in the affairs of the Company. The reasons for recom-
mending this course were elaborately set forth. It was stated
that the original project was 112 miles long, requiringa capital
of 2,057,0101., being an excess over the whole subscribed
capital of 2C/. a share of 57,010/. In this project there are
24,701 yards of tunnelling, which at 35/. a yard would cost
the enormous suns of 864,5351., The'committee found that
the whole capital on 64,141 shares at 201. each, fully paid up,
woald only amount to 1,282,8201 ; white the estimate for a
single line would be 2,057,0101, leaving an excess over the
whole subscribed capital of 774.1901., without allowing a
shilling for interest to shareholders. building carriage',
wear and tear, plant, locomotives, 8:c. What, however,
the shareholders had immediately to consider was
the modified scheme between Carmarthen and Aberystwith
50 miles long. The estimated cost of this part of the project
was 1,084,355/., being at the rate of 21,5001. a mile. In thin
distance there was 14,481 yards, which, at 351. per yard,
would cost 506,833/. Taking, therefore, the full amount of
the subscribed capital at 1,282,820/., there was an excess over
capital of 198,455/., without any funds remaining for
45,6881. Ids. 10d. already incurred, or for further Parliamen-
tary expenses, locomotive carriages, wear and tear, plant, or
one farthing by way of interest to shareholders. With this
ettele line only it was obvious to the; Committee' that the
Company must begin without allowing for any defaulters in
payments, with a debt upon the shoulders of the proprietors
amounting to 230,0001. The estimate of the traffic the Com-
mittee made 146,448/.03. Bd., from which, deducting for work-
ing expenses 48,8161. Os. 20., there remained 97,632/. Os. 6(1.,
or 41. 17s. 70. per cent. on an outlay of two millions of money.
Taking, however, the estimated traffic as correct at
97,632/. Os. 6d., and deducting interest at 3 per cent.
on a deficiency of capital of 178,4551, there would
remain 91,7531. 135., leaving only 46 per cent., with-
out any resource to look to fur paying off the debt
incurred in establishing the Company. The report then
went on to notice at some length the proceedings of the
managing committee, which it characterised as a continued
system of irregularitiee and inconsistencies. It also gave a
list of the provisional committee who had failed to pay up on
the number of shares reserved to them. There had been
9,000 shares reserved for the directors, and cut of these only
451 had been t tken up, thus leaving a drag of 8,594 shares
on the Company, without calculating the shares reserved for
the promoters and others which had not been taken up. The
report next commented on the directors' report, presented
last Saturday, in which it was stated, that in consequence
of relinquishing the portion of the line between Ceer-
narvoa and Machyniletb, the directors had determined to
reduce the number of shares frees 100,000 to 75,000 ;
and of the latter number to reserve 6,000 to the land-
owners; and that they accordingly allotted 68,911 shares
to the public, the deposit on which, at 1/. per share, had
been paid to the extent of 64,141/. The minutes, however,
showed that on September 30th, 1815, the directors resolved
to issue 15,000 more shares; and further, on the 13th of
Oetober, they instructed the Secretary to deliver scrip to
applicants to the extent of the whole allotments, amounting
to 90,000/. This was no satisfactory explanation eh-en o:
this discrepancy. After detailing other irregularities of the
Managing Committee, the report further stated, that in de-
fiance of the protest furnished to the directors in the name
of the shareholders by Mr. Lawrence, the former had paid
into the hands of the Accountant-General the sum of
42,915/. The report concluded by stating that the accounts
presented every evidence of gross overcharge, (specially the
solicitor's, evieich was 7,6-10/. 17s. 110., and recommended,
from all the circumstances narrated, that this Company
should go no further with the project, but immediately wind
up, and that the Secretary, who had afforded the committee
every facility iu their inquiries, be retained till all the affairs
were settled.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the traffic extended over 131
miles instead of 50, as stated in the report.
Mr. Buser stated that the report seas wholly untrue. 1,
Mr. Couterexav stated that anything Mr. Bushes had to
say upon the subject they would b..: glad to hear. The state-
ment was taken from their own minutes.
Mr. LAURANCE seated that he hoped the parties present
would stay and hear both sides of the question, so as to be
able to come to a proper conclusion.
Mr. COUItTENAY wished to set himself right with reference
to a report which had been largely circulated, to the effect
that he dealt to a large amount in the shares of
this Company. He begged to state that he never
directly or indirectly purchased a single share in the
concern since Septemb(r last, when he bought 100
shares at a premium of ten shillings per share; those shares
lie still held, and he held them upon principle. Were it not
for that, be would, in order to have avoided great anxiety and
trouble, disposed of them for 10s., and would have been glad
to have got rid of them. When he last addressed thorn in
that room he stated that he was not prepared to break
up the Company till the affairs had been investi-
gated. That investigation bad been made, and he
attended there to give expression to his feelings
of indignation against the directors and solicitors. One of
the solicitors stated that he was a respectable man, hut he
trusted that upon that statement alone they would rot pay
7,000/. The question was the conduct of the directors in
managing the affairs, and he stated that as a body they were
net deserving of further trust.—(Hear, hear.) With respect
to the limitation in the allotment of the shares, as was proved
by their own minute-book, it appeared that they had given
tEnir agent power to issue shares to the extent of 90,000. This
statement was made from their own minute-book. The conce3-
glen made at the eleventh hoar with respect to the payment of
deposits, did not, he was happy to say, deceive them. Look
ing at their minute-book, he could see nothing but blind di-
rection to some master mind, but on the 19th of December
they plucked up something like a spirit, and they determined
to Call a meeting, but the same controlling power
prevented their holding that meeting. They ought
to make it into Bushe's Direct Railway, from St.
Mildred's•court, through the principality of Wales,
into the temple of fortane.—(A laugh.) He would eon-
*hide by proposing the following resolution :—"That in
accordance with the recommendation contained in the re-
port, the Company. should be immediately dissolved, and
a Committee appointed to carry out that object, and to
procure for the Shareholders the return of their money with
all, possible dispatch."
A desultory conversation ensued as to whether the report
should not be first received.
Mr. BATES said lie would not recommend the dissolution
of the Company if he considered the scheme practicable; he
would, therefore, second the resolution for the dissolution of
the Company.
Mr. Devte said, as one of the committe of inquiry, that
they would like to hear gentlemen on both sides.
'the CHAIRMAN rose to make explanations on several parts
of the report as to the deposits. He said they were usually
paid into the Bank of England. On drawing money, Mr.
Hanbury was in the habit of countersigning the
orders, but at the time mentioned in the re-
port he was absent in the country, therefore it was
that the chief secretary was called on to countersign
the cheque. Again, the directors actually paid their money
one month betore the rest.—(Hear.) The engineer had
deceived them ; he had gone off to Belgium, and left the
directors to defend him as they could.—(Laughter.) Mr.
Wright had positively said he could construct one of the
prettiest of railway lines, and at an expense of 12,0001.
a mile. The surveyors' report was incorrect; the
length of tunnelling it was found would be much greater
than reported ; and instead of a gradient (- f 1 in 103,
there was often lin 50 and lin 75. He would not defend
the engineer's, nor would he the solicitor's account.—(llear,
hear.) He believed that when they heard a case, which
would be read in the course of the meeting, they would ap-
prove f the directors paying in the deposit to the Ac-
countant-General. The Company had not lest anything by
so acting; for, last week, their Exchequer bills would have
been sold at 205., this week they would bring 40s.—(Hear,
hear.) He sat down with thanking the meeting for their
attention.
Mr. COURTENAY then moved that the report of the com-
mittee should be received, which was seconded by Mr.
SAMU at, and carried unanimously.
Tne resolution moved by Mr. Courtenay at a previous
stage of the proceedings was then read, which was that
the Company should be di solved and the money
returned to the shareholders with all expedition.
Mr. BATes considered that the undertaking would not re •
turn them 21.; per cent. during the present generation. He
referred to the fact that Mr. Wright, who bad surveyed the
line, sad the solicitor, who was resident in the district,
had neither of them taken the shares reserved for them,
which be (Mr. Bates) considered a fact demonstrative
against the project. The tunnelling and the gradients on
the line were extravagant.
ravagant. Mr. Wright's estimate of the
tunnelling had been 35/. a yard, but was not certain that,
front the absence of materials and masonry for the con-
struction ofisitru.nraltse,in that district, it would cost less
than 50'.
traffic to be expeetwer proceeding to speak of the
b several calling out' when he was interrupted
certain they would break, down be short !'' lle was
c before Parliament, on
the traffic returns —(Cries of Oh, oh! we don't intend to
go there.") Parliament had re(exid the rate of toll, and
by
could
e seconding
ebgy luggage
des, he was certain that n
gettffic. The gentleman sat downtneb
the re-
Mr.ution.
HordooD said, as one of the committee, he wished
to impress on the minds of the meeting howe Inucehpptehretecloirnit;
stattee wished the directors should hays
el reply. lie had adopted the report as trnse-,eliut though he
'had done so lie was very anxious to hear any defence or
'explanation the directors had to make.
Mr. J. RussEer, one of the directors, stated that a
inconvenience to himself he had attended this meeting, great
be challenged any person present to impute to him anythingani
but what was perfectly honest and straightforward in his
conduct wills reference to this Company. He said that his
avocations in life led him to acquire as great a knowledge of
aseilway making as any member of the direction, and he con-
sidered that the scheme would be of a profitable nature. He
bad pressed upon the engineer to send in his plans and sec-
tions. When he saw them, lie was astonished at the
amount of earthwork which was necessary to be removed.
He then told the directors his fears, and proposed to call the
shareholders together.—(Hear.) For some reasons which
be did not know, his Suggestion was not carried out. Sub-
eequently, at a meeting of the committee held in London, a
paper was put in concerning the neces.sily of._ every member
present qualifying himself as a director. lie then stated
that, whether the scheme proved profitable or nor, he knew
the worst of 100 shares. He said he had promised to take
shares to that amount; he would do so, and those shares be
would keep. He was willing to do everything that was re-
eluired of him as an honest and honourable man.
Mr. Bustle proceeded to re :d the str,tement of the facts of
the ease laid before counsel for advice, as to whether the
directors should ehoovuelrdroceed under the deeds to pay the deposits
should proceed
cute that applicatio
.:ititihe Accountant-General, whether the
a petition to Parliament, and prose-
%'whether if the directors did not pro-
ceed and prosecute upplication they would incur under
tese deeds arty anadttwrlettuliarbilities, adnid..,,ll‘a_estlti"),e‘
Company.Vh
te he era
opinion that majority of the
Sir John. Bayley gavee-toi. sascouhli(!the
aPndarliatoi
rectors were bound
preceed with and
.prosecutrir.h
aPstoicaultP \lotto
to all
_merit, and that in case theey
they would incur great liabilities, and be responsibledo ee
the shareholders for all the expenses ineurred. i
A majority of the shareholders at the present sta'asgtl7,e tbit
feedings could not dissolve the Company.—(Cries ( tOf tits

approbation.) Mr. Bushe proceeded to remark on the report
of the committee. He did not think the expenses incurred
by the Company were extravagant—not even equal to those
of other lines, and he desired that his own account; might be
taxed to the last shilling.
The CHAIRMAN of the Committee said the question before
the meeting was, that under the state of things mentioned in
the report, the Company should be dissolved. The committee
had not complied with the request of the directors that
morning to meet them to hear Sir John Bayley's opinion,
because they wished to come with clean hands and render
his account to the meeting.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) He
would put it to the chairman and to Mr. Busbe, whether, in
all the instances of railway meetings, the directors had not
bowed to the majority. A legal opinion had been read to
them that the directors ought not to give up the affairs of
the Company. Ought the meeting to submit to that?—
(No, no.) Ile begged to ask the directors whether they
would abide by the legal opinion, or proceed to dissolve the
Company ?—(Cheers.)
The question was then put to Mr. BusnE, who rose and
said that, with the opinion of such an authority in
.his hand,
he could not, and would not, contradict his professional su-
perior.—(Cries of " Oh!" and disapprobation.)
Mr. Cour:Tr:NAY then put the question to the. directors in-
dividually, whether they would abide by their legal adviser,
or go with the majority?—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN of the Directors said he would not answer
the question individually.—(Cries of disapprobation.)
Mr. CotTrair.xAv was sure Mr. Russell would give an
answer.
Mr. RUSSELL said he would.—(Hear, bear.) He as a di-
rector would gs with the majority; but he begged they
would consider the position in which they were. If it was
possible to suggest any mode of extricating, themselves he
to an
l shareholders, a r o cni ed sv, andlindividual
suggested
onegges l‘tedtyild leset(iadepti
sending
g of.t.cirAcufri Rarstioisst e
reqAufetsetrinsgointheeminttoerratszniotnt,oi‘aftrl.i s
Dsoulisitriooi.
ciK
suggested
that
the se who wished to retire should have'their money, and
those who were for going on should have the power., He
Legged Mr. Courtenay would add that alteratio to his re-
solution.

Mr. COT RTENAT thought that such a negotiation would
be perfectly impracticable in such a meeting as that. He
would rather press his resolution as it was.
Mr. COCIITENAY sat down, but immediately after rose, and
said a most important communication had been made to him,
which showed him the evil of not having the deeds sub-
mitted to them. Mr. Pritchard was in the room, and had
made a pencil extract from the deeds.—(Read, read.)
Mr. PRITCHARD said that the deed, in defining the powers
of the directors, maintained that they should have a power to
determine how and to what extent the project should be car-
ried, or deferred, or abandoned.—(Cheers.)
Mr. COVllTENAY—Wherefores the opinion they had had
read to them ?—(Cheers and confusion.)
Mr. BusitE rose and said, the expressions alluded to had
teen submitted to Sir John Bayley's attention, specially under-
scored.
The CHAIRMAN said he and the directors had no wish to
go against the shareholders, but they naturally wished to
cover their own responsibility. What kind of a position
would they be in if the resolution were carried? He said he
could not put such a resolution, and left the chair, and
Mr. Laurance was called on to preside. He then read the
resdution, which rAn as follows:
That, in accordance with the recommendation contained
in the report, the Company be immediately dissolved, and a.
committee appointed for the purpose of carrying out this im-
portant object, and to procure a return of the money to the
shareholders with all possible dispatch."
The resolution was put and carried unanimously.
Other resolutions reflecting on the conduct of the directors of
the Company, and to give effect to the one fir dissolving the
Company, were agreed to, when the meeting, which was a
very stormy and excited one throughout, broke up.

NEW METROPOLITAN PARK

AND BRIDGE.

The following is an abstract of the fifth report of the
Metropolitan Improvement Commissioners:—
In the year 1843, in connexion with the inquiries in-
stituted by this Commission into the praeticabdity of an
embankment of the north side of the Thames, between
Battersea and Vauxhall.bridges, the attention of your
Majesty's Commissioners was very earnestly directed to
the expediency of purchasing and appropriating to the
purposes of a public park a portion of the large and yet
unoccupied space known as Battersea-fields, on the south
Surrey side of the river.
The principle of securing open spaces for the public
is indeed so sound in itself, and so important in its
bearings, that your Majesty's ComThissioners could not
fail to acknowledge it; but, with the :mass of evidence
before them showing the defective condition in other
most essential particulars of many portions cf the town,
your Majesty's Commissioners would have felt great
difficulty in giving practical encouragement to the
eui)ject of this report, except under tie peculiar cir-
cumstances which now appear to them to render the
project deserving of the early consideration of your
Majesty's Government and of Parliament.
The appropriation of Battersea-fields, originally urged
upon this commission by Mr. Thomas Cubitt (in his
evidence delivered before the Commissioners in 1843),
was subsequently pressed upon its attention by the lion.
and Rev. Robert Eden, as vicar of Battersea.

Your Majesty's Commissioners, however, found enough
in the evidence of these gentlemen to justify them in
making the project of a park at Battersea the subject of
further investigation ; and they accordingly instructed
their prof~ ssional officer, Mr. Pennethorne, in communi-
cation with the gentlemen already named, to examine
carefully the locality, to inform himself of the greatest
extent of ground advantageously available for the pur-
pose, the various tenures to which it was held subject,
and the prices at which any portions of it had been re-
cently sold ; and to lay before them a plan and estimate,
showing the result of these inquiries and the mode in
which the site proposed might be most profitably and be-
neficially appropriated.
The result of these proceedings war; to bring under
the consideration of your Majesty's Commissioners, in
the first instance, three plans—viz., that of Mr. Eden,
embracing a site of 313 acres ; a plan of Mr. Penne-
thorne, comprising 179 acres ; and a plan designed to
represent the principle of a terrace only, by the river
side, comprising en area of not more than 96 acres.
Each of these plans occupied an equal, or very nearly
equal frontage, to the river.
Upon a careful examination of these, with reference
to the mode of appropriation which each would best ad-
mit of, Mr. Pennethurne was of opinion that the ulti-
mate cost to the public would be about 52,0001. ; and of
the third, 26,0001. ; the saving in the last two of these
cases being, in fact, effected by a corresponding sacrifice
of those advantages which, in the opinion of this com-
mission, would give to the project its chief recommenda-
tion as a public measure. _

Your Majesty's Commissioners have adverted in the
second of their reports to a project (promoted by a pub-
lic company) connected with the proposed embankment
between Battersea and Vauxhall, for constructing a
bridge across the Thames, in continuation of the exten-
sion of Sloane-street to the river-side. They requested
the attendance of Mr. Bird, the engineer to the Com-
pany, and they examined him to an extent sufficient for
all the psrposes of this inquiry. From the evidence of
Mr. Bird, it appears that the promoters of this measure
have no Bill before Parliament ; that the estimates are
based upon the assumption that the embankment will be
first completed ; and that the proceedings of the Com-
pany are, in fact, dependent very much upon the pro-
gress of that improvemt nt.
In pursuance of instructions, Mr. Pennethorne pre-
pared and laid before this Commission a plan, com-
prising in the whole an area of 320 acres; and the
result of a revision of his estimates upon the basis of
the erection of a bridge (but exclusively of the cost of
embanking the river) exhibited a probable outlay, in
purchasing and laying out the ground fur the park, of
154,2501., and a probable return for this expenditure of
179,250/., making a balance in favour of the undertaking
of about 25,0001. We think it right to state, however,
that an embankment of the frontage to the river would
appear to be an essential feature of this plan, and that
the cost of such embankment would absorb the larger
portion of that balance.
In pursuance, also, of instructions received from this
Commission, Mr. Page, who, as civil engineer, is em-
ployed on the embankment recommended on the Chelsea
side of the river, laid before your Majesty's Commis-
sioners designs and estimates of three descriptions of
bridge, to form the communication between the Mid-
dlesex and the Surrey shores, at the point already re-
ferred to—one of bri ck, having seven arches, and being
42 feet in width, the cost of which he estimated at
50,000/. ; one of timber, on piers of brick, having five
arches, and being of similar width, estimated to cost
35,000/. ; and a suspension-bridge of iron, not exceeding
33 feet in width (being that of the bridge at Hammer-
smith), the execution of which he considered to be prac-
ticable at from 45,000/. to 50,000/, contingencies in each
case included .

Your Majesty's Commissioners were of opinion that
in principle, a suspension-bridge presented the most
eligible mode of crossing the river, as admitting, from
the thinness of its floor, of a better headway to the
traffic on. the river, in conjunction with an easier incli-
nation of the roadway above ; and as involving the
smallest practicable diminution of the navigable channel.
It appear., that, allowing 24 feet 9 inches for the head-
way above high water, and 40 feet for the width of the
road and footways between the respcctive shores, such
a bridge may be constructed at an expense not exceed-
ing in the whole the sum of 60,0001.
From the report of Mr. Clark (the civil engineer) it
appears that he is not aware of any modification of the
principle of suspension, as et present applied in this
kingdom, the adoption of which he would deem advis-
able in the present instance ; and that he estimates the
probable cost of a bridge upon the ordinary principle,
over a water-way of 750 feet, at Battersea, in width not
less than :35 feet, and in the centre 23 feet above high
water (Trinity datum), at about 45,0001. Looking to
this testimony, therefore, in conjunction with that of Mr.
Bird (already referred to), which probably includes a
sum for expences beyond the outlay upon the structure
only, the sehn of 60,0001., the amount of Mr. Page's
estimate, may be taken as the probable outside cost of a
communication across the river amply sufficient for all
the possible requirements of this locality.
Any estimate of the probable return for this expendi-
ture your Majesty's Commissioners are aware must at
the present moment be conjectural ; but, looking to the
populous districts to be found on either side of the river
between Battersea and Vauxhall bridges, &c., your Ma-
jesty's Commissioners are disposed to rely upon the cal-
culations A hi ,h exhibit a probable receipt from tolls of
6,000/. a-year, and a consequent return of not less than
10 per cent. upon the whole expenditure.
It appears,
ore that assuming a bridge to be
t
constructed over the river at Chelsea, in immediate con-
nexion with the
proposed embankment of the river on its
northern shore, a
inllvith the site referred to in the evi-
dence laid before this commission by Mr. Pennethorne,
:
Itterse is one, in a financial
tpoinphe
of rojview al one, ect of a par,
t well deservinga the attention of your
Majesty's Government.
Th.) whole, or at least the west(•rneopnasritderofeSdotanshlwi-kaerllyc.,
and the whole of Lambeth, may be
Battersea-fields, r,
to benefit by the formation of a p. arl on ther o
t
right bank of the river in the position of B
a t t
se
u bile the erection of a bridge on the site
proposed o
n wouldth the
population
extend the advantage to a large
northern or Middlesex shore of the river. The comforts
thus oplalled to the vast and crowded roams of the lue•

tropolis would by the great highway of the river, be
made available to them in the cheapest, easiest, and
quickest mode, by steam navigation, or very con-
veniently by land conveyance along the terraces.
It is no little recommendation of this sch3me in
the eyes of your Majesty's Commissioners, that
the realisation of this project would put an
end to the scenes of demoralisation which the existing
almost lawless st,te of the locality presents daily, and
chiefly on Sundays. On various grounds, therefore, the
Commissioners are disposed to recommend to the early
and favourable consideration of your Majesty, sul-ject to
the conditions herein detailed, the plan for a park on the
present site of Battersea-fields, in connexion with a
bridge over the Thames in the same locality, and with
the embankment of the northern shore of the river,
which forms the subject of their second report.
The following signatures are appended to the report:
LINCOLN.
LYTTELTON.
COLPORNE.
JOHN CHARLES HERMES.
JOHN lIUMPHERY.
ROBERT HARRY INGLIS,
CHARLES LEMON.
lIENRY THOMAS UOPE.
HENRY GALLY KNIGHT.
A. MILNE.
CHARLES GORE.
RORER SMIR KE.
CHARLES' BARRY.
Wh: tchall- place, July 23, 1845.

IHE AMERICAN NAVY MANNED
BY BRITISH SAILORS.
(From the _Nautical Standard.)
The American papers have entered into a somewhat
lengthened controversy on the condition of the navy of
the United States, and the nationality of the
railors by which it is manned. It is pretty well under-
stood all over the world that in the American naval ser-
vice, a vast majority of the crews of their verse's are
British subjects. Contemptible as the number of ships
of that Government is, and so limited as are its resources
a her, compared with Great Britain, the condition of the
Americans in the event of a rupture with this cenntry
must he the melt abject ; when, as Hill assuredly be
the case, the gallant fellows who now serve the Ameri-
cans for mere money, will return to their own flag both
fur good pay and loyalty's sake.
The New York Express, in answer to the New York
Globe, says:—
" The point is this, can 76 sail of the United States
navy whip 376 sail of the British navy. The Globe says
ay.' We don't doubt our gallant jack tars would fight
hard in single ships. We'don't doubt that our privateers
would make a great havoc with British commerce, when
they could catch it without convoy. But, we are quite
sure our coast vitiultl be so blockaded, that half of our
small navy would be kept in port, and what got out
oulti, two-thirds of the time, be in the presence of a
superior numerical force. Now the British East India
navy is larger than the whole navy of the United States.
The Globe fancies our captains and sailors could whip
both, with only 76 sail !
" In the war of 1812, our gallant glorious little navy
did wonders, but the whole world was down upon Great
Britain during the greater part of that war. Still our
navy could not defend our own coast. Our towns were
burnt, our cities were pillaged, our creAis and rivers
were entered with impunity ; our navy itself was con-
stantly driven into port by superior numerical force.
Since that war a new and powerful element of naval
action has come into existence—steam, in which we are
nearly defenceless, while England is as yet irresistible
in that great arm of attack and defence. Now, a jack
tar, no matter if he is an American, cannot ' lick' a
steam-engine, nor trip up a locomotive, nor with his fist
knock over a Pixhan. Steam has overturned the order
of warfare. Man is not vt hat he was—unless what may
be called the steam devil is in him."
The Express then proceeds to argue the question of
the personnel of the United States navy, showing that it
is with British, or Swedish and Danish personnel they
have to fight Great Britain :
" Our navy, if we are informed aright, is composed
of foreigners to a very large extent, say two-thirds,
while our merchant service, takirg New York as the
standard, shows the proportion of foreigners to be seven-
tenths of the whole. Six shipmasters, of the highest
reputation, when asked their opinion, stated that the
number of American-born seamen was from one-fourth
to one-fifth of the whole number, leaving New York,
while the balance is made up of all the nations of
Europe. What the officers of the mercantile marine say of
that service is more than confirmed by the officers of
the navy of all ranks. It is notorious (we quote from a
pamphlet published in this city) that the ratio of Ame-
rican-born seamen on board the United States vessels is
even less than in the merchant service; whilst many of
the petty officers en board of our men of-war are also
foreigners. Reports have been made to Congress, ses-
sion after session, by the Naval Committees of the Senate
and House, complaining of the enormous disproportion
of foreign sailors to American- born or naturalised
sailors, both in the navy and in the merchant service.
Mr. Reade (at the time Chairman of the Naval Committee)
made a report to Congress, stating that after having
taken great pains to get at the fact, he found that out of
109,000 seamen sailing out of the Un tel States at that
time, 9,000 were Americans, or a proportion of one in
twelve. And out of 38,564 seamen shipped out of the
port of New York, in 1840, not over 5,000 were Ameri-
cans. The Ohio, ship of the line, the last time she went
out on a three years' cruisq had but 182 American seamen
out of a crew of I,ooom, n; and the Delawarr went to sea
with a less number in proportion. The Constitu
tion was detained a long time at this port for
the want of fifty able seamen ; and so have other
men-of-war frequently been; and we know that the
Fairfield, Vincennes, and Constitution went to sea from

here with less than one•third American seamen in them."
A more recent instance, is the case of the Columbus, that
went to sea with only 200 American- born officers and all.
One crack sloop of-war has been found with only 42
Americans out of her whole company."
" These are facts," says the Express ; and the reliance
which the Globe puts in the patriotism of suAl crews is
misplaced.
The Express recommends t`le American Government
to change the crews from foreign to American, by
the establishment of :naval schools, instead of flattering
themselves with the idea that they are able to beat an
enemy of five times their strength.
To show the utter hopelessness of success, even
in the buccaneering attempt at picking up our mer-
chant men without convoy, is which a section of the
people of the United States may indulge, we have only
to show the immense amcunt of steam power at present
belonging to our royal navy only, a powerful squadron
of which could be on the cost of America in a fort-
night. We have actually afloat about 26,000 horse-
power in 121 steam-vessels, of which these are in com-
mission nine frigates of 4,770 horse power, and 21 sloops
of 5,620 horse power. In addition to which, we have in
commission 17 smaller armed vessels of above 1,800
horse power, besides transports, mail packets, tenders,
&c., the collective horse power of which is about 3,500.
But our most splendid and most powerful force is in re-
serve on the stocks, or in course of conversion, to the
amount of between 13,000 and 14,000 horse power, in
33 steamers. Sush a power, acting with our sailing
navy, must keep the peace, or, if broken, will visit heavy
retribution on the offenders.

CHARITABLE BEQUESTS.
The late Mr. Isaac Cohen has bequeathed to the
Great Synagogue, Duke's-place (the dividends or interest
to be paid during the months of Nirsan and Ellul) March
and September, to 30 poor men and women o! the Jewish
persuasion, 2,0001. ; for genoral purposes, 1,0001. ; to be
distributed immediately among the needy members,
100/. ; to the institution for the relief of indigent and
decayed members, 2001. ; to the Jews' Free School, Bell-
lane, Spitaltields, 3,000/. ; to the New Synagogue, St.
Helen's-place, 2001. ; to the Portuguese Synagogue, Bevis
Marks, 200/ ; to the Portuguese Jews' Hospital, 2001. ;to
the German Jews' Institution, 200/. ; to the Society for
the Relief of Foreigners in Distress, 1001. ; to the society
called "Meshevas Nefish," 3001; to the Jews' Hospital,
Mile-end, 3001.; to the Jews' Orphan Asylum, 200/.; to
the Jews' Blind Institution, 200/.; to the Jewish Needy
Society, 2001; to the Ladies' Benevolent Institution, of
which his sister, Mrs. Do Rothschild, was the founder,
2001.; to the Five Shilling per Week Charity, 2004; to
the Fund for tho Decayed Members of the Stock
Exchange, 200/ ; to the London Hospital, Mile-
end, 2501; to the London University Hospital, 1001.;
to the London Truss Society, 1001.; to the School far
Indigent Blind, 1501.; to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum,
Kent-road, ILO/.; to the Children's Friend Society,
1001 ; to the Royal Union Pension Fund, at
Lancaster-place, Strand, 100/. ; :to th© Orphan Asy-
lum, at Clapton, 150/. ; ditto at Dalston, 1001. He
directs all legacies to be paid to the respective trea-
surers, free of legacy duty, within three months.
Also he bequeaths a legacy of 30/. to each of the five fol-
lowing persons, viz., the secretary of the Great Synagogue,
the reader there, the master and mistress of the Jews'
Free-school, and the Hebrew master of the Talmud
Torah School. The legacies to his family and friends
are also very numerous, to most of whom he has left a
distinct additional sum to purchase a ring or other suit-
able memento He leaves to his wife 50,0001. funded pro-
perty, and all the furniture and plate, carriages, horses,
&c., absolutely, and 5001. for immediate use, and 3001.
a year for the maintenance and education of each child
under age, and appointed her guardian to the minors. In
addition to any sums which he has invested for his chil-
dren, he leaves the residue of his personal estate in trust
equally amongst them; to his brother, Solomon Cohen,
1,0001.; to his brother, Benjamin Cohen, his freehold on
the Marine-parade, Brighton, and all his gold, silver,
and other snuff-boxes; and to his nieces, his brother's
daughters, Justina and Hannah, 1,000/ ; and 1,0001.
between the children of his late sister, Mrs. Frances
Cohen; to each of his sisters and sisters-in-law, to
purchase bracelets, 1001 ; to each of his brothers-
, sis
05001./
nephews f
each;o r
to
d ring,
nieces;Aarona
datecio
Symons, h is
sister,
tl
hea
similar
wife's remembrances
to C. Stokes and S. 11. Pulley, Esqs., 1001. each; and
many other bequests, all free of legacy duty. Mr. Cohen
particularly directs all his accounts, cash matters, and
bargains, whether in the British or foreif-n funds, or
whether. for money or for time, to be immediately settled
by his executorr,. and that his investments in foreign funds
may remain. The executoro are—Mrs Cohen his relict; Benjamin Cohen, his brother; Lionel.Natha
De Rothschild, his nephew; David Salumons and Louisn
Cohen, Esqs. The personal estate in England, as va-
lued for probate duty, was sworn under 300,0001. The
will was executed in November, 1839, and in the month
of May, 1843, the testator having perused his will,
added a few words at the foot thereof, and concluded
thus:—" Thank God that I have lived long enough (as
I sincerely believe) to offer a small remembrance to ail
my friends."

A deputation of British brandy distillers had an in-
terview on Saturday, with Sir Robert reel,