The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-03 00:00:00

THE SU N, 1., ON D ON, TUESDAY EVE IN I N er-, :: F:E B 11, If A. Et Y 3, 1616

HOME CIRCUIT.
As the days for holding this Circuit, lave been
wrongly stat‘d, and this may, if not corrected, cause
considerable inconvenience, the following list of the da s
for holding the assizes in the different counties is given,
and as it is obtained from an official source, it ha ay lie
relied on:—
For the county of Herts, at Hertford, on Friday,
Feb. 27. Mr. Baron Alderson will open the Commis-
mission, and proceed to dispose of the criminal business
at two o'clock, and the civil business will not commence
until the following Monday, March 2. The Commission
fur Essex will be opened at Chelmsford on Tue.day,
March 3; fur Kent, at Maiestone, Monday, March 9;
for Sussex, at Lewes, Monday, March 16; and for
Surrey, at Kingston, Monday, March 23.

-
claims ? There was a misunderstanding on his part, and
some finesse on the part of the 60) to tape advantage. The
non- clearing of the books should be wilful, or with the know-
ledge of the member, to warrant exclusion. Suppose his
DIC'ZSCIIf4O.7S bad been run over on the way to the club-house,
shout!, the member be excluded ? The magistrates had some
latitude in considering the case.
The Secretary insisted on the necessity of the most rigid
adherence to the letter of the articles. The articles declared
for what a member should be excluded, and it was needless
to warn members of their defaults.
Mr. Alderman Hut-rims HUGHES said the motto to their
articles was very good. It set forth that if one member of
a society sufferp, the whole body suffers with it, and the
design of the society was, that they should assist each other
to the utmost when in affliction. It was true that their ill-
treatment of an old member would damage the character of
the whole body. Pearson had not made default knowingly,
and ought to be restored.
Mr. Alderman HUNTER took the same view of the case,
and it was ordered that Pearson should be reinstated on pay-.
ing up all arrears.
...._

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.
James Churchill, the elder, James Churchill, the
younger, Susannah Churchill, the wife of the first de d
-
fendant, and Eleanor, his daughter, John Stewart, an
William King, surrendered to answer an indictment fur
misdemeanour.
Mr. Doane, in the absence of Mr. Sergeant Allen,
who had been specially retained to prosecute, conducted
the prosecution. Mr. Clarkson appeared for the de-
fondant Stewart, and the other defendants were repre-
sented by Mr. Chernock and Mr. Parry. •
This case occupied the Court for a considerable
period, but the facts under which the charge was made
lay in a small compass. The prosecutor was a woman
named Rebecca Rawlings, who, with her husband,
James Rawlings, carried on the business of a laundress,
at Barnes, in Surrey. The defendant, Susannah
Churchill, was the sister of her husband, and it would
seem that in November last, he being at that time in a
very bad state of health, in fact, almost m a dying con-
dition, she went to his house, and at her solicitation he
went with her in the cart used in their business, and
was taken to the house occupied by the Churchill's,
where he remained until his death, which took place
shortly afterwards, It seemed that very shortly after
he had been so removed, the horse and cart were ob.
tamed by means of a written order, signed by the hus-
band of the prosecutrix, and they were subsequently
sold, and the defendant Stewart, who is a broker, at
Putney, was shortly afterwards put in possession of the
premises, under a written authority from her husband,
and the whole of the property was sold. The precise
nature of the conspiracy alleged against the defendants
was, that while the husband was in a dying and imbe-
cile state they had contrived together to induce him to
give the document referred to, with a view to deprive
his widow of the little property in her possession, and
this formed the ground of the present indictment.
The RECORDER, after a portion of the evidence had
been gone into, expressed an opinion that the only point
in the case was, whether the husband was really imbecile,
and was induced by any cot rcion of the defendants to
execute the documents that had been alluded to, or whe-
ther they were bona fide instruments. If the latter, no
offence had been committed.
The prosecutor, in answer to questions put by Mr.
Clarkson, admitted that the defendant Stewart had paid
over to her the whole of the proceeds of the sale of the
effects after she had taken out letters of administration,
and it appeared that the Nnly part he took in the trans-
action was acting as broker, under the authority of the
husband, which was now alleged to have been illegally
obtained.
After some fuither discussion, a medical gentleman,
named Wilson, was examined, and he deposed that he had
attended upon the deceased a few days before his death,
and, in his opinion, he was quite competent to have
executed the instruments that had been produced.
The RECORDER said that, in his opinion, this evidence
put an end to the charge against the defendants.
Mr. DOANE i-'timated that he could not carry the case
any further, and a verdict of Not Guilty was accordingly
returned.
The Learned Counsel for the prosecution then applied
for the expenses.
The RECORDER said he thought they ought to be
allowed, as the circumstances under which the property
had been taken from a poor woman rendered it a very
proper case fur inquiry.

WESTMINSTER.
Aka Jackson, a cabman, was finally examined, charged
with stabbing Thomas Carter, a labourer.
The facts of the case were briefly theee :—The prosecutor
and prisoner were together during the greater part of Tues-
day, and wrangled, and went into the Horseferry-road to
tight. After two or three rounds prisoner was observed
by the 1,3 standers with a clasp knife in his right hand, and
it was immediately discovered that the prosecutor was
wounded in the upper part of the abdomen. Prisoner was
secured and given into the custody of a constable, and pro-
secutor conveyed to the hospital, from which he absented
himself on the following morning, contrary to the entreaty
of the medical gentleman who dressed his wound.
Prosecutor appeared before the magistrates to-day and
gave his evidence, but with an obvious desire to screen the
prisoner.
The policeman who apprehended the accused produced a
clasp knife, covered with blood, which he had found clenched
in his right band.
Mr. BOND observed that this was a very grave
offence, and he regretted to say much upon the increase.
Although the prosecutor might feel kindly disposed towards
the accused, he (the Magistrate) should, in justice to the
community, commit him for trial.—Committed accordingly.
The several witnesses Lad no sooner been bound over to prose-
cute, than
Tne prisoner's wife complained that the prosecutor had
robbed her of 10s. by having undertaken to abandon tLe
prolecution, which sum she had given him.
Mr. Boars observed that she should not bare been so fool-
ish as to part with her money.
John Russell, Anne Russell, and James Scott, were finally
examined, charged with coining.
The particulars of this case have already appeared. In-
spector Kenny, of the G division, having broken into a room
in Johnson's-buildings, St. Anne • street, Westminster, found
the prisoners engaged in manufacturing spurious coin, the
whole of the implements necessary for which, with a gal-
vanic battery, were found in the room.
The prisoners were fully committed for trial.
MABLBOBOUGII-STREET.
Thomas Phillips, described as an accountant on the po-
lice-sheet, was charged with having knocked down a poor
man, named Edwards, by a blow on the head with a heavy
bludgeon.
The complainant said, on Saturday night last he went into
the Duke of Newcastle, Earl-street, Seven-dials, to get a
light for his pipe, and while reaching up to the gas-lamp for
that purpose, he happened to sneeze, and accidentally to
touch the defendant, who was drinking at the bar, on the
shoulder. The defendant, without saying a word, gave him
a violeut pail, and then, lifting a heavy stick, which he
curie 1, struck him a tremendous blow on the head, which
stretched him senseless for a minute on the floor.
The stick was here exhibited; it was as thick as an ordi-
nary man's wrist, and sufficiently heavy to kill a man, if used
with angry violence.
A witness named Watson said he saw the defendant knock
down the complainant like a bullock with his stick. The
defendant ran out of the house immediately, but witness pur-
sued and collared him, and took the stick from him.
The defendant, who, on the plea of extreme lameness, was
accommodated with a seat, cross-examined the witness.
Defendant—You pulled my stick from my wrist to which
it was fastened ? Witness—Yes.
Defendant—lf you hadn't I should certainly have hit you
with it ; but never mind that. what did I do when you
stopped me ? Witness— You sung out " Murder!"
Defendant—Yes; that's because I know what you are, and
what you meant to do.
Mr. "MALTBY asked this witness if he saw any provocation
given to the defendant by the complainant?
The witness said he saw no provocation whatever given.
Police-constable C 27, said, on hearing the cry of "Police"
he went to the spot, and.there he was told of the assault.
The defendant, however, wanted to charge the complainant
and the witness with having made au attempt to rob him.
Witness told the defendant he must go to the station-house,
and he could there tell the inspector anything he had to say.
Mr. Robinson, who appeared for the defendant, said it was
inconceivable that a gentleman of his respectable position in
society would knock down a man in the complainant's in-
ferior station for nothing at all. The fair inference was that
the defendant had received some insult, which, if it did not
justify, at least accounted for the assault.
Mr. Maarny fined the defendant in the full penalty the
law allowed, namely 51., or two months' imprisonment.
BENEVOLENCE.-51. has been received from P. U. for the
uoor-box.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
Yesterday. John Thomas, a ghastly object in tatters,
and Mary Thomas, who said she was his wife, were
brought before the Lord Mayor, at the instance of the
paymaster of Greenwich Hospital, charged with having
p rsonated a deceased pensioner and his wife.
Alexander Pettigrew, a poor man, who looked as if
he had escaped from a union workhouse, said he re-
sided in Blue Anchor-yard, Rosemary-lane, and that
the female prisoner was known to be in the habit of
drawing money from Greenwich Hospital as the wife of
one John Thomas, who when alive was entitled to a
pension.
The LORD MAYOR—How do you know that John
Thomas is dead ? Witness—From her own words.
She said so herself; and she offered the man that stands
beside a sovereign to stand and answer for her husband
until she should get the money at the hospital. She has
been a long time at the work, and this man whose
name is James Dyer is no more her husband than I
am. He has been in the same house with me these
two years and she knows nothing about him.
The paymaster of Greenwich Hospital stated that he
was given to understand that the female prisoner em-
ployed a new man to personate John Thomas upon
every occasion on which she had drawn money.
The witness said he believed such to be the case and
that the male prisoner had been never employed by her
before, and would, he was sure, have resisted the temp-
tation she offered if it had not been for actual starvation.
Every one who turned his eyes towards the miserable
half-naked creature at the bar saw that the evidence was
not out of the scope of credibility.
The female prisoner—My Lord, he is my husband.
The LORD MAYOR—Who is ? The female prisoner—
Why, John Thomas, this man here next to me. He
knows he is.
The male prisoner said not a word, but looked still
more hungry and desolate.
The female prisoner said he goes away from her for
twelvemonths together, and I don't know where he is all
the time.
The LORD MAYOR—Why his name is not John
Thomas at all. His name is James Dyer.
The female prisoner—He goes by ever so many differ-
ent names. I assure you, my Lerd, he is John Thomas,
my husband.
The LORD MAYOR then remanded the prisoners.
GUILDHALL.
James Solway, a man about 55 years of age, was brought
before Mr. Alderman Hughes Hughes, charged with obtain-
ing upwards of 500/. by false pretences from Ann Leo Leo, a
widow.
Mrs. Leo, who appeared to be about ten years younger
than the prisoner, stated that she charged him with having
broken open her boxes, about two years ago, in Whitechapel,
and carried off many articles of wearing apparel, and also
obtaining from her all her money, by pretending he would
marry her. At that time she lived in Kennet-wharf, Thames-
street. He told her that her relations would seize all her
money, and put her in the madhouse. One day, when she
was out, two men called and made inquiry, as she was in-
formed, for the purpose of taking her off to a madhouse.
This was all a hoax. Her relations had no idea of the kind,
but the prisoner so worked on her fears, that she went to
the Bank with him, and sold out all her money. Ile took it
up, except the odd gold. lie carried her over to France, but
did not keep his word by marrying her there, and after a
short residence he came back to England. He got rid of all
her money.
Mrs. Leo's niece said the prisoner laid a regular plot to
bamboozle her aunt. He asked her if her aunt had any
money. She told him she had ; and ha observed he would
have it in a month. She laughed at bins, but by his lying
he got it in three weeks. And now her aunt was in the
workhouse, and lie was after another woman with money.
The prisoner said Mrs. Leo knew he was a married man,
and could not marry her. As to the money, she placed it
in his hands most kindly, as her niece could testify. They
went to France, where he bought a horse of Lord Cowley,
and they enjoyed themselves for a time. Then he took a
house at Brighton. He could explain how he lost the
money.
Mr. Alderman HUGHES litrcalus stopped him to inquire of
the complainant if she knew from the beginning that he
was a married man P—She admitted she did; and that was
the reason they were to go to France.
The ALDEuMAN asked if it were true that she lived with
him as his wife for months after he broke open her boxes.—
She admitted that it was so.
Mr. Alderman H. H MIMS said, then as she had forgiven
him, he must forgive him also, and dismissed the charge.
George Cree, a lad, was charged with assaulting Kirk-
patrick, City policeman 150.
The officer said lie was on duty in West-street on Satur-
day evening. Five or six parsons were making an obstruc-
tion. He ordered them on, and the prisoner struck him on
the eye.
Mr. Alderman Huonss asked him what he was doing to
let such a boy reach his eye?
The policeman replied he did reach it.
The prisoner said his mother and sister were waiting to
make a purchase at a shop. They were stopping to repeat
an offer. The policeman came up, pushed them on, and
threatened to take them into custody.
The mother said her son did not strike the officer at all ; he
only remonstrated.
The ALDERMAN asked the officer if his eye was blackened
by the blow.
The officer said it was not. The party was causing an ob-
struction, and the poliee could not do their duty if magistrates
would not protect them.
Mr. Alderman Wiesos observed that the police woeld
always be protected by the tragistrates in the faithful dis-
charge of their duties; but they should be careful not to use
unnecessary violence, and pay attention to the instructions
issued by the Commissioner. Having become acquainted
with their duties, they should take care net to go beyond
them.
Mr. Alderman HaGues HUGHES. said the boy was only
endeavouringThep
rion
prisoner
ro
wparso tdeicstchhai his
edmother and sister. He had been
sufficiently punished.
The stewards of the United
discharged.
*Loyal Britons Benefit Society,
held at the Mail-coach,and in Noble-street, appeared before
pAI Alder
ne rtnoi ef n\NI,
igat si
lelaur gson, for uul auili'-ftueril,yteoxactilusawieurgthhiemcforonms-
tilesoe ciety.
Th ground of the exclusion was explained to be, the omit-
ting to pay the fine due on the quarterly night on the next
monthly meeting night thereafter.
Mr. Lewis, for the complainant, said ho had been a mem-
ber for 32 years, and had paid in about 21. a year on an
average, and now he was likely soon to require the benefits
for which he had been struggling to provide so many years,
every chance was snapped at to get rid of him. In March
he received a notice of the quarterly contribution, ss. 4d.,
and the fines inad,c,lietironh,eanexcictlheadtedh.e mHuest a
cpcaey;
dtegmiyuppeoind
the 0 grace right,
wosusid4dbe
Ntvilietrficiosl.ll6Jd.lllfilenbe
se, received another
ea. nvioet
Pearsoner letter
at requiringhe
Nil, and had the receipt. In
leixechlauddepdard
othfreyth. weseerefinneost
ipnalAd. wrote in reply that
had beheen
was
posed, but no answer was given. o
fact, however, new fines for.notpstervhinieg
grace -night came, when his ss. 4d. w
allowed to suppose his explanation wasassa
letter c
retiscfeaitdrYfrteimil theth e
Chelsea carrier, and he was declared excluded for non-pay-
ment of the fines. After paying his contributions for thirty-
two years could he be supposed to intend to forfeit all his

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT t Petitions were presented in favour of Lord Ashley's
HOUSE ("F LORDS, Monday, Feb. 2. 1 Ten Hours' Bill.
The Earl of SHAFT ,SBURY, in the absence of the Mr BARB r BALDWIN presented a petition, corn-
RAILWAYS.
Lord Chancellor, took his seat on the Woolsack, at Five. !
Lord CA MOYS presented a petition from tic a:se of plaieing that the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway pro-
Oxord, praying for the total and immediate le-keal of the meters had not complied with the standing orders.
corn and provision laws. NOTICES OF MOTION. •
PROTECTION. Mr. WODEIIOUSE withdrew the motion which
Lord BEAUMONT presented several petitions from stood in his name on the paper, and begged to substitute
the West Riding of Yorkshire, in favour of protection, instead, a return of local taxation, namely, poor-rates,
and expressing great alarm at the measure propounded county-rates, highway-rates, and church-rates, from the
by the Government for the relaxation of the duties on years 1762 to 1839.
various articles, but more particularly on corn Mr. HAWES moved for certain returns connected
IMPRISONING A BRITISH. SUBJECT IN , with the Post-efface and with timber. What the par-
SARDINIA. titulars of the returns were we could not hear, in come-
The NOBLE LORD also presented a petition from an quence of the noise in the House and the very low tone
individual named Henry Graham, stating that he had of the speaker.
been imprisoned by the Sardinian Government for no TILE AYR AND GALLOWAY RAILWAY.
other reason than that that Government detested the Mr. CRAIG presented a petition against the Ayr and
name of Graham.—(Laughter.) After ten days he was Galloway Riaitway on the ground of non-compliance
released. Ile prayed their Lordships to adopt mea- with the stauding orders.
sures to prevent a recurrence of such conduct, in order Sir C. NAPIER whaled to ask the Right lion. Ba-
that a person, whose name, and nothing else, might give ronet at the head of the Government if any compensa-
offence to the Government, should not suffer incercera- den had yet been awarded to Mr. Pritchard, the late
tion for anything so trivial.—(Renewed laughter.) Consul at Otaheite?
PROTECTION. Sir ROBERT PEEL said that the Gallant Officer
The Duke of BUCCLEUCII presented petitions was after° that the question of compensation
from several Protection Societies, praying their Lord- was to have been determined by two officers, one
ships not to adopt free-trade measures. from the English, and one from the French navy.
RAILWAY COMMISSION. Sir George Seymour was appointed on the part
Lord KINN AIRD said he had moved for a return of of the English, and the French Government bad also
the amount of fees which had been paid by the promoters appointed an officer of high rank. The compensation
of a railway Bill in its progress through their Lordships' that they awarded was not thought sufficient, and Mr.
House, in order that they might be made acquainted Pritchard was accordingly requested to furnish some
with the hardships which were inflicted, both ea those additional information.. He had not as
yet given that
who promoted a Bill and on those who ought to defend information, but when he had done so he (Sir R. Peel)
themselves from the injury which it was likely to do to hoped that the question would be satisfactorily arranged.
their property. lie wished to say, however, that he had Mr. B. COCIiitANE begged to ask the Right Hon.
no desire to detract from the advantages of railways to Gentleman at the head of the Government whether he
all parties; indeed no one was more anxious to extend intended to introduce any alteration of the law of
them, and more convinced of their great importance, entail as it existed in Scotland? That law compelled
and no one would rejoice more than himself to find a those landed proprietors whose lands had received any
change in the opinions of the country with respect to damage from railways, or otherwise, to deposit the
them; and he was, th. refore, anxious that every facility money they received as compensation in the Bank of
should be given to the parties either promotine or opposing Scotland. He (Mr. Cochrane) would take the liberty
them, and that they ought not to be deterred from doing of suggesting that the landed proprietors should be
so by the expense, which was frequently the case under allowed to draw that money from the bank in order to
the present system, as ho found that one-third of the lay it out in fencing, draining, and other improvements,
expense of carrying a line through their Lordships' which would be of great advantage to the next heir.
House was swallowed up by the fees of the House. S R. PEEL said that the Government was desirous
He would mentioo one case of particular interest: —One of giving to the landed proprietors of Scotland the same ad-
company was formed with the supposition that the whole vantages that the landed proprietors of England possessed.
expenses of constructing their line would be under Did the Hon. Member propose that it should be oblige-
-200,0001. ; all the proprietors of land on the line were tory upon proprietors possessing entailed estates to de-
favourable to the project, and yet, because another com • posit such money as they might receive from railway
pany conceived that this line would interfere with theirs, companies in the improvement in land. The entailed
they get up an opposition to it in Parliament, which estates of Scotland are subject to a variety of
occasioned an additional expenditure of 15,0001. Thus charges. By an Act called Montgomery's, and also
for no reason in the world was there an increased cost by an Act passed last session, called Aber-
occasioned to these parties of no less a sum than 15,0001. deen's Act, the possessors of entailed estates
He thought, therefore, it was well worehy the considera- are enabled to charge the reversionary interest,
tion of their Lordships at this early stage of the session,with a sum not exceeding two-thirds of the sum ex-
when they w. re not oppressed by public business, pended, in the improvement of the estate; they are also
whether the House should appoint a Committee, which enabled to charge upon the heirs of entailed estates a
should have all! the information submitted to it certain sum as a provision for their widows and chil-
that could be obtained, with a view to ascertaining dren. In an Act, passed last year, called the "Lands
whether it might not be advisable to appoint a Board Consolidation Act," the Lord-Advocate introduced a
or a Commission for the purpose of deciding upon all clause similar in eflbct to the motion which he understood
the preliminary points in private railway Bills. This his Hon. Friend to have made. That clause gave power
might be done without taking away the usual to the possessor of entailed estates, receiving money
power of Parliament.! Ile knew that the Board of from railway and other companies, to apply that sum to
Trade Commission of last year was not thought the discharge of those burdens which may press upon
to have worked satisfactorily ; but he thought that that the heirs of entailed estates. He considered that the
circumstance was in no respect owing to the constitution object of his Hon. Friend would be fully answered by
of the Board itself. He was well aware with what the Acts to which lie had referred.
assiduity a Noble Lord at the head of that Beard had Mr. B. COCHRANE was not aware that these laws
performed the duties of his office. But he was convinced were generally understood.
that no one could have worked satisfactorily under the Sir R. PEEL was not aware of any obligation to
difficulties with which he had had to contend. The deposit the money with Scotch banks. He considered
Board was never put in possession of the information they might invest it Ira Government securities.
- of the merits of the case; THE MILITIA.

requisite to judge rightly of the merits
yet it would not follow that by a better arrange•
ment the faults of that Board might be atnendsd,
and all the lesetetits which had been hoped
from it obtained. At the most, that Board had only
a month or six weeks for taking the whole of
the railway cases which had been submitted to them
into consideration. By the institution of such a board
as that which he wished to suggest to their Lordships,
and by avoiding the fault he had just pointed out, and
giving to the membsrs of it a right to require an earlier
depo,it of the plans and sections, he believed that there
would be no great impediment to the appointment
of such a Commission for the formation of
a board ; and that the parties thus appointed
would be able to decide upon all the proposed rail-
ways with a great convenience to the public
and immense improvement on the present system.
There was such a board for the direction of hackney
coaches and other vehicles, and he was impressed
with the belief that an approach to that system of ar-
rangement would be of great common advantage. That
board might not onlyi consider the merits of the new
lines, but take the general management of the old ones.
He merely suggested this to Government, and looked for
their decision upon it at a future period. One of his
reasons for making the proposition, was the fact that
during the last session of Parliament, several companies
had been put to great -expense by the opposition
of three or four individuals interested in the land,
on the lines. Now, if such a board as that which he
suggested were to send down two or throe persons to the
landowners in the country, they would be ena-
bled to obtain larch a report as would neu-
tralise much of the expense. This would in
no way interfere with the general powers of
Parliament, and he believed it would give general satis-
faction. The other House of Parliament might join in
the powers given to these parties, and by these means
the Legislature would come at the real facts of the
case. There may be combined great advantages
to the railway companies, and more advantage to the
public, especially it, as he had proposed, plans end
sections were deposited a month or two sooner
than was now required by the standing orders.
Thera was also another great evil which had arisen from
the present standing orders, the desecration of the Sab-
bath. Ile was not one that would advise the House to
interfere with Sunday travelling, as that was a matter to
be left to the good feeling of the shareholders and the
public. Neither did he allude to the 30th of November,
as the proceedings of that day, he believed, proceeded
from an oversight of Parliament, and the officers of the
Board of Trade, according to competent legal advice,
had net the power of closing the office; but what he al-
luded to was the practice in Scotland. In that country
it was imperative, on the part of railway companies, to
place their notices for three successive Sundays on the
church doors, and persons were required to be in at-
tendance each day, to swear that the notices were
properly affixed. The consequence of this was,
that during the recent period of giving notices,
the who!e conveyances of the country were in
requisition, and the feelings of the people were much
shocked by the desecration which took place. This
could be avoided in future, and the expenses of serving
notices very much reduced, if the notice required to be
given was advertised in a newspaper, add placed once on
the church door. The present delivery of notices caused
great expenses, by its being required to swear to its ser-
vice, whereas a registered letter might be made to
do all that was required. There was one other subject
for which he blamed her Majesty's Government— it was
in reference to the railway deposits. Whatever feeling
there might exist against giving increased facilities to
railway sp.culation they shonld recollect the present
mode of paying the deposits into the hands, or to the
order of the Accountant-General, was a serious injury to
many resp cable parties in business, who never had been
connected with any railway schemes whatever. He knew
one mos., respectable gentleman, who had been often
in the practice in getting accommodation from
a banking house the City, yet lately had
been refused. after repeated applications, on the
ground that al the floating capital had been
absorbed in paying railway deposits into the Bank of
England to the credit of the Accountant-General.
Exchequer-bills or Government securities ought to be
allowed, and, in his opinion, they wt re as good as bank
notes ; but unless these were taken, great inconve-
nience and derangement would take place. The
banks held large amounts of these securities ; and
in order to liberate their floating capital, they ought
to be allowed to transfer them to the Accountant-
General on the part of the railway companies.
The motion he had to make was for a return of the
amount of fees incurred by the introduction of railway
Bills during the last session of Parliament, upon peti-
tions against such Bills, and how such fees were ap-
plied, distinguishing those paid upon each Bill.
The motion aas agreed to.
THE UNITED STATES.
Lord MONTEAGLE rose to inquire if there was any
objection to produce an important document relative to
the affairs of the United States of America. He wished
to know whether there was any objection to the produc-
tion of papers connected with the American tariff ?
The Earl of ABERDEEN rose and said, there was
something very unusual in the request of the Noble
Lord, but he bad no objection, notwithstanding, to
give the desired information. Ile had received a copy
of the document, which was well worthy of the attention
of her Majesty's Government.
The House then adjourned.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said, that as some m isappre
hension appeared to exist in the public mind with regard
to the mode and time of calling out the militia, he would
beg leave to a'k the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, the
Secretary-at-War (Mr. Sidney Herbert), whether it was
the intention of her Majesty's Government to call out
that body under the existing law, or to introduce a new
measure for that purpose?
Mr. S. HERBERT said the Mal. Member was quite
correct in supposing that considerable misapprehension
did prevail in the public mind on the subject, which arose
from the circumstance of not observing the distinction
between " embodying" and " training." The Govern-
ment had no power to embody the militia, but it had a
po ter to call them out for training, and beyond that
it was not intended to go. It was, however, the inten-
tion of Government to bring in a measure fur the pur-
pose of consolidating and amending the various Militia
Acts, with the view to greater facilities of calling out
for training the militia force; and on this part of the
subject he was anxious to say a word with respect to
the formation of militia clubs, which he understood was
being carried on in many parts of the country, and
ter,
balflu,
vsoudeba:tst
smolhhrheeoolei
on
eeceff--
which offered on certain pecuniary considerations to
guarantee to persons drawn by the ballot to provide
them substitutes. lie would recommend to persons en-
gaged in or joining such clubs to suspend their pro-
ceedings until they were aware of the measures which
would be introduced by the Government, which, as re-
lated to the mode of raising the militia force, would be
found much less onerous than the present system of the
ballot, which the new Act would put an end to.—(Hear,
hear.) Under these cireumstan..es, he did hope that all
parties interested in this subject would suspend their
proceedings until they saw what the Government in-
tended to do.
Mr. MITCHELL wished• to know when returns as to
certain details connected with the timber duties would
be ready? The whole of the timber trade, he observed,
was in a state of stagnation, from want of knowing what
was intended by the Government.
Sir R. PEEL said that the returns would be laid on
the table to-morrow (this day).
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in
answer to a question by Mr. O'Connell, which was un-
derstood to relate to the duties on distilled spirts in Ire-
land, said he had 110 present information on the subject,
but would inquire.
IRISH SPIRIT DUTY.
Mr. O'CONNELL had seen by the statement of the
Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (the Chancellor of the
Exchequer) that a very considerable reduction was to
be made in the duties upon all foreign spirits imported
into this country. lie would wish to know whether it
was proposed that any similar measure would
be introduced in reference to sprits distilled in Ireland ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
was not prepared to answer the question at pre-
sent, as he had received no information on
the subject, but he would make inquiry.
RAILWAYS.
Mr. HODGSON presented petitions complaining that
the promoters of the Wandsworth branch of the London
and Brighton Railway, and of the Guildford, Chichester,
and Portsmouth Railway had not complied with the
standing orders, which were referred to the Select Com-
mittee on Public Petitions.
ELECTION COMMITTEES.
The Clerk of the House then read over the list of
Honourable Members who were exempted from serving
on Election Committees.
Sir ROBERT PEEL begged leave to claim exemp-
tion from serving on Committees, he being a Mein
of the Government.—Leave granted.
The C EIANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER claimed
a similar right, which was also granted. -
COLONIAL SPIRITS.
Mr. P. STEWART wished to know what were the
intentions of her Majesty's Government respecting the
duties now charging upon colonial spirits, and also the
restrictions in force against the use of spirits and mo-
lasses. He would not ask the question if he thought it
would interfere with the arrangementsof the Government.
The duty on native spirits was 7s. 10d., while
that on colonial was 9s. 4d., making a differen-
tial duty of ls. 6d., or one hundred per cent.
He rose for the purpose of calling the attention of
the Right Hon. Baronet to these prohibitions, which he
found were untouched by the Right Hon. Baronet in his
new scheme.of import duties.
Sir ROBERT PEEL rose, and said that her Majesty's
Government did not propose to make any alterations in the
duty on rum and molasses. The rates of duty in England,
Ireland, and Scotland he was sure the Honourable Gen-
tleman would not wish to see altered, as there was no
legal prohibition to the use of Sucharticles as those alluded
to. There was no legal prohibition to the use of sugar and
molasses in distilleries, under certain regulations, which
it was necessary to carry into effect for the protec-
tion of the revenue.—(llear, hear.)
DRAINAGE BILL (IRELAND).
On the motion of Sir THOMAS FIIEMANTLE, that
this bill be read a second time,
Mr. FITZSTEPHEN FRENCH said that he felt it
his duty to oppose the Bill. He had not had time to read
much of it, because it had only been printed that morn-
ing ; he had, however, read enough of it to see that it
was one which the House should not sanction in its pre-
sent state. There had been an attempt on the part of the
Commissioners, that had been appointed some years ago
for the improvement of Ireland, to introduce a clause into
a Bill for the drainage of that country similar to those in-
serted in the present Bill. Those Commissioners under-
tookom n
it oi t deal eeabl
ebeingfullyinformedoftheintentionsoftheCom-
missioners, withing iu
imiyai
nte
feorrs
Enewhichd o f
th theyeint e
nh
tai
od n
sn
oeectfhisinleitteLldleolhiirthhitarpleeropie:i r the
ability nor the knowledge to interfere with, and this fact
it was that created the great complaints that were at
that time expressed by the landowners of Ireland ; and
the Earl of St. Germans, who was the head of the Select
missioners, protested againt the introduction of the clatve
proposed to be introduced by them, for he saw that the
powers sought by the Bill would be most extraordinary
and also injurious to the landowners of Ireland. The
IdCpbTopiat
enDencrerosi
toproi
smeihetpprs;
nthsiaomohvdßebd,s
eeioeui Commissioners
tsftdl
al, i sthlhi
eoleimtoep:spiftnieenpretdert oodeirrpNe
n,
isatesosarioatesonkcetlbeul
lahe(
highestlasi
gneewuuiedrot
snLpoherfseeuoioohensptorfwhiphdbos
itselfejahn,
appointt ocetihtetpewhe hdtphiiehersoaedctosnthloiahtedtses‘o(iveratobm, ednweonwdopi
of whose
thatoeorhowrcuad‘Feovtrlh:idpordhooi
ecualenslbrijt
the Bill was ultimately abandoned.
the Bill now under the consideration of the House.
which was to be Colonel Jones, a gentleman for whom
(Mr F. French) had the highest opinion. This board it is
works of Ireland. Now, he was of opinion that the
people of that country were perfectly adequate to super-
House take a case where the owner of a thousand
opinion required draining, but the proprietor objects
him. He complains to the board, but he is then in-
ormed that he musfbe at the expense. This was indeed
what he objected to; it gave the board a most absolute
power to order the carrying out of any project
which they thought. proper, regardless of what
cost they put the - owner of the land to. They
had power by this Bill not only_ of putting a dis-
ltelsedthmohlyehtsfuaoe.
it
):
abilities
Now i t
was

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Monday. Feb. 2.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock precisely.
Mr. HODGSON said he had several petitions which
ought to have been presented to the House on Friday
last. He wished to know whether any Member present-
ing a petition was bound to state that he received it on
the Friday, in order to present it? Could the petitions
be properly presented on the follovving Friday?
The SPEAKER
v said that any Member could present
a petition on the Friday following the previous Friday.
Mr. H. BERKELEY presented petitions against the
Glasgow, Paisley. and Ayr Railway, and the Glasgow,
Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway, with branchei.
The Hon. Member also presented petitions against the
Cambridge, Staines, Henley, and another railway.
Mr. DUNDAS presented a petition against the Edin-
burgh and Northern Railway, complaining of non-
compliance with the standing orders.
Petitions were pri4tented against the London and
York Railway, the York and North Midland Rail-
way, and the Manchester and Southampton Railway.
A petition was presented against the North Stafford-
shire Railway, complaining of non-compliance with the
standing orders.
Mr. REDHEAD YORKE presented a petition,
,signed
by 3,000 of the inhabitants and burgesses of York,
praying that the sentence of transportation passed on
Frost, Williams, and Jones be remitted.
NEW WRIT.
Mr. NEWDEGATE moved for the issue of a new
writ fo: the return of a member for the county of Rut-
land, in the room of the Hon. William Henry Dawnay,
who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
Mr. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from the in.
habitants of Hammersmith and Fulham against the en.
rolmeat of the militia.

tress on his land—not only of charging 5 per cent. ad
ditional on any arrears which might remain over unpaid,
but they had also the power of leasing for ever, or of
selling off, every acre of his land. (Hear, hear.)
Now, he would ask the "'miss if this was a power
that ought to be given over any man's estate? -They (the
land-orls of Ireland) wanted not the assistance of
50,000/., and for that reason he had opposed it the other
night. A 1,000,000/. had teen (theater repaid to the
United Kingdom, with an additional 150,0001. interest ;
the interest beta een three and five per cent. on the last
three years. All the Irish landlords wanted was that
some facility should be given for borrowing money. If
the Bill were considerably amended in some of its
particulars, and power, as he said, given to the landlords
to borrow money for the improvement of their estates,
then they would take care that such improvements were
made, and that the labeurers would be sufficiently paid
by those who employed them. They might depend on
it thst in this way landlords would be able to do more
good than if still under the guiding strings of the Com-
missioners. It had been s lid that consider
able difficulty had been experienced in work-
ing out this Act, because two-thirds of the
landlords would net assent to its provisions.
Perhaps they had sufficient reasons for the adoption of
this course. They might not have that faith in the
decisions of the Commissieners which others bad. He
lad some experience in Irish matters, and he could
assure the Right Hon. Baronet opposite that without
considerable modifications the Act would be received
with dissatisfaction by ad elesses in Ireland.
Sir 'l'. FREMANTLE said that it there was any man
in the House who would take such a view of the case,
as had just been taken, it was his lion. Friend opposite.
The Expense might be greater than if it were performed
by private parties, if the Board of Works super-
intended it; but it was necessary to have some authority
to reconcile the coeflicting interests of different parties.
The general impression was, that the Board of Works
had performed their duties well and impartially, and
they certainly deserved that great confidence should be
reposed in them, and additional power was necessary, in
order to enable them to carry out the duties imposed
on them. He did not think this question was altogether
one affecting private property. The Board of Works
required the power to drain the land immediately ad-
joining the rivers ; the landed proprietors who lived
at a greater distancefrom the river would then be induced
to drain the rest of the land at their.own private expense.
When they find, however, the water dammed back by
the proprietor of the thousand acres to whom the Hon.
Member had referred as an illustration, it was not to be
considered probable that they would go to the expense
of draining their property.
Sir It FERGUSON considered that the alarming
preliminary expenses and the great power given
to this Board under the Act was a very serious detri-
ment to the successful operation of phis Act. There had
been but two or three cases of drainage under the Act
on account of these great expenses. These Drainage
Commissioners, when they had prepared a schedule
of what they considered necessary to be done, were not
then bound by plans, schedules, or anything else.
He thought that no landed proprietor in England would
consent to this meddling with their property. This
Bill, without any exception, was the most objection-
able that had ever been introduced into the House, with
respect to Ireland, and he hoped the Government would
give it some further consideration before they proceeded
with it. The Board of Works, instead of doing the work
themselves, ought to compound witleprivate individuals
for its execution, and then they would prove themselves of
service to Ireland. Under the present system, however,
their interference was seldom or never sought for, ex-
cept in the case of some old mill, which could not be got
rid of without their interference.
Mr. O'CONNELL trusted that the second read-
ing of the Bill would be persisted in. He had
no complaint to make of the Board of Works. They
were ready enough to complain of things in
Ireland, but he knew of no reason to com-
plain of the Board of Works, except it was
the exorbitance of their prelimary expenses. But per-
haps this was more the fault of the Legislature than of
the Commissioners.—(Hear, hear.) At no time was
drainage more wanted in Ireland than at the present
moment, for the-waters were to be seen overflowing in
all pa to of the country. He therefore rose to express
his hearty concurrence in the Bill being read a second
time.
The Bill was then read a second time, and the Com-
mittee fixed for to-morrow.
PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND) BILL.
Sir T. FREMANTLE moved the order of the day fer
the further consideration of the report of the Public
Works (Ireland) Bill.
Mr. F. FRENCH rose to object to the Gth and 7th
clauses of the Bill, as those clauses would take all power
and control out of the hands of the landed proprietors,
and place it in the hands of the Commissioners.
Sir THOMAS FRE NIANTLE said he intended to
withdraw the clauses, and being up another on the re-
ception of the report.
Sir R. FERG USON objected to the sth clause alto-
gether. It was quite unnecessaty, and though the object
might have been to give more employment, it would fail
to have that effect. With respect to the compulsory
powers which were conferred, he was of opinion that they
should be restrained. -Ile would again impress upon
the Right Honourable Gentleman the propriety of
omitting the 3d clause, as it would be perfectly unnecssary.
Colonel CONNOLLY said he believed that the pre-
sent Bill would have the tendency of increasing the
burdens of the people of Ireland. Under this measure
landowners would have no volition or choice or power
whatever. Ho skald be sorry to retard in the slightest
degree the progress of the measures contemplated by the
Right Hun. Beronet the Secretary for Ireland, and
which had been brought before the House with such
evident anxiety to ameliorate the condition .of the
people of Ireland. If the measures were good, he
should at once ask the House to pass the
Bill into a law as soon as possible ; but
he perfectly agreed with his two Hon. Friends on the
opposite side of the House that the powers sought for by
the Bill wee e far too compulsory. The Bill would, if passed
in its present shape, tend to increase the odium which
already attached to the presentments of the grand juries
of Ireland ; the course proposed to be pursued by them,
under the direction of the Bill, would be a very injudicious
course. In general terms, he begged leave to state his
strong objections to the powers proposed tobe given to the
Irish grand juries, and he should therefore be obliged
to oppose the Bill as it at present stood.
Mr. O'CONNELL said he agreed with his Hon.
Friend Sir Robert Ferguson that the compulsory powers
proposed to be given by the Bill were highly objection-
able, but on the whole he was of opinion that the Bill
would tend to benefit the people of Ireland, and it should
therefore have his support ; and he was of opinion that
the sooner it passed the better.
Sir ROBERT FERGUSON said be felt it his duty
to take the sense of the House on the fifth clause of the
Bill. The Government, by the third clause, would have
sufficient power with respect to the drainage of land;
and he was therefore of opinion, that it would be inju-
dicious to add thereto the powers contemplated by the
fifth clause.
Sir THOMAS FREMANTLE explained.
Mr. F. FRENCH said the Act gave an increased
power in reference to the mode of constituting new
roads ; and it was also desirous that that power should
be extended ; but that was scarcely necessary, because
even now the filling up of ruts in a road was an im-
provement of it. The sum to be thus expended
certainly very small, but the principle it involved was
one of great importance to the country. He would sup-
port the motion of his Hon. Friend.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it
was well, known that the operation of the grand jury
Act as it at present existed was this, that in all cases of
new projects, or the improvement of existing
public works, the Government paid one-half and
the grand jury levied the other. It was also in
the power of the magistrates and cess payers to call a
meeting and consider the necessity of any proposed
public work, or the improvement of an existing work
before it could be carried into effect.
Mr. FRENCH—Those subjects did not go before the
grand juries at all.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
was aware they did not: the facts were as he had stated.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD considered that the
Right Hon. Gentleman was under a mistake. As he
understood the Act, this meeting of magistrates and
special rate-payers was entirely uncontrolled by the
grand jury. Altogether he disapproved of this system
of compulsory assessments.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. A. HAMILTON thought that the Hon. Gentle-
man ought not to persevere in his opposition.
Sir ROBERT FERGUSON expressed his determi-
nation to proceed, and to take the sense of the House
upon the clause.
The House the divided—
For the clause 97
Against
Majority
The remaining clauses were then passed, and the
report was agreed to; and the Bill, with the amend-
ments, ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time
to-morrow.
HARBOURS AND PIERS FOR THE FISHERIES
OF IRELAND.

Sir T. FREMANTLE rose to move for leave to
bring in a Bill for the grant of the sum of 50,000/. for
the construction of piers, and the improvement of
harbours, with a view to encourage the fisheries of Ire-
land. In doing this he felt it necessary to observe that
off the extensive coast which surrounded that island, it
was well known that there was an abundant supply of
excellent fish. Several attempts had been made to in-
duce the peasantry to avail themselves of these means of
subsistence, but he 'regreted to say, that in several in-
stances those attemps had not lieen so successful as
might have been desired, and he believed that it was
chiefly owing to the want of the necessary means to
render those exertions profitable. There was, it was
true, a considerable want of enterprise, but it was hardly
to be expected, that withont the possession of the
necessary boats that active spirit of industry could
be induced. The boats which they used were only
such as were fit to be launched from the beach, and if
they had possessed any others larger there was neither
quay nor pier from which to use them. In order to
render such an attempt successful they must rovide the
means for landing from such boats as were fit to go out
into deep sea, were the greatest number of the best fish
were always to be found. Such fishing grounds were
known to exist off all parts of the coast of Ireland, and
he believed, that if in addition to the construction of
piers and harbours the inhabitants in the neighbour-
hood of such localities were to be provided with the ne-
cessary craft, tackle, and gear, they would be prompted
to secure the benefit of the great advantages which lay
within their reach. lle proposed, therefore, that the
necessary quays and piers should be constructed under
the superintendence of the Board of Works, for he had
learned that in consequence of the want of some such
provision, piers had in some instances been constructed
in very ill-advised positions, and in a very defective
manner. With the consent, then, of his Bight