The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-02 00:00:00

listened to on such a question as that under considera-
tion? He entreated the Government to pause before
the final step was taken. In the words of the preamble
of the Act of Charles 11. he entreated Ministers not to
repeal an
Act, the object of which was to increase the
ahliPPing and science of navigation of the country, on
svnichl, under the protection of God, the wealth, the
strength, and the safety of the empire were so much de-
pendent. —(Cheers-)
Justus
a
f • 11. GIBSON said that the Noble Marquis who had
t don't' had uttered loud lamentations at what he
seemed to think was the reckless course which the House
was Pursuing. He had referred to the successive steps
Which had been adopted—first,the blow given to the agri-
cultural interests; next, that inflicted on the colonies;
red novv he deprecated the ruinous policy by which, as
had observed, "perhaps the mercantile marine
of Great Britain would be swept from the seas." He
Would venture to tell the Noble Marquis that if it had
been unwise to embark in the policy
of free-trade mea-
sures, it 'would be still more unwise to stand still, and
after b •
aving exposed the agricultural and colonial in-
ducers
terest to the unrestricted competition of foreign pro-
to, to
the refuse to adopt the same course with respect
to
of " Oh.") It was ne-
cessary to call upon Parliament to go forward, and not
to allow itself to be stopped by the importunities urged
heard
behalf of a
mistaken self-interest. He had often
Bard it asserted, when free-trade principles were first
discussed, that if the Legislature carried those principles
04!i.t nothing mare than equal justice ought to be done to
interests; and it was argued that the agricultural
4iterest, ought not to be subjected alone to the competi-
tion of foreign producers. He recollected a phrase used
st the tirne b h H M b for Essex, who said,
y t e um er
Ze non t object to free trade, only hold the dish
en'"
ThatTh was what the Government was now
doing,
on the Noble Marquis had dwelt very urgently
he dangers resulting from competition; but if
iti ( Tr. M. Gibson) talked to the House about the
r 3,1 shipowners being able to compete with foreigners,
more with a view to calm the fears of that
Ze.151 than to vindicate the principles of free trade, for if
e to be proved beyond possibility of doubt that
fotlr British shipowner could not compete with the
signer that fact wouldrender him the more
only .
Urgent in his desire to use the foreigner's ships if it
suited his convenience and his pocket.—(" Oh," and
t:ast%) bid the opponents of the proposed change mean
hatthat the weaker the British ships were the stronger
the necessity for driving the foreign ships away ; or
ot. if
the ritish ship was no better calculated for navi-
eralt,lg seas than the Chinese junk she ought to be
11,115ii°Yed in preference to the finest vessels in the world?
14 ,at Was it that the Hon. Member for Poole had urged
theu;inafence.of the navigation-laws ? Nothing else than
its th Possibility of building ships in England as cheaply
sY would be constructed in other parts of the
NA "A And what was the answer which he found re-
gentle in the blue-book on the navigation laws by a
iMr.
tn,sn who was Lloyd's surveyor at Sunderland?
t ROBIN surveyor of registers.
Ffea:'at. GIBSON—The surveyor of registers, as the
dee, Member had stated. That gentleman, in his eri-
be b before the Committee, asserted that a ship might
elletitlilt at Sunderland of oak imported from Dantzic
ass than than she could be built at Dantzic. And the
othe`loll Was reasonable and well founded, for all the
a sh; materials which entered into the construction of
race Were far cheaper in England than in any other
in the World. The iron knees, the copper sheath-
pro cables cables, the rigging, and all the accessories were
the rued , from England even by Americans, who sent
to h :Mips to this country when half finished, in order
(laesati e them completed. He could not dwell on the
e
el na °n of competition, which was no more an essential
the cieri,_t of the discussion than the price of corn was to
on, seeste on the repeal of the corn-laws. There was
question sfaction which he had in considering the present
Lot ~, and that was, that the Navigation Act could
as it was. But then he might be told that
laws-41,"ing the necessary changes in the navigation-
great ty Ought to be careful not to surrender those
Peri,,-,,;Principles by which were guaranteed the Su-
l:m-17 for which the mercantile navy of England
Rog Itiways been renowned. Now, what was the
124vratitee for the superiority of England's commercial
*hi/0t?l It was based on the Act of 8 and 9 Victoria,
Pst, _°,IIIY aplies to the imports into the kingdo4iini. x-f
- 'light be sent in ships of any nation, and s psE o
nationsmight provided those
also
geed.
goods,
tec ° were not consumed in Engaz
d but merel re-
lied
h • • If gods so imported in foreign
bottorn. ere in transult. g
.

any man to conceive one plan which is more tyrannical
than any other in reference to British sailors, or an at -
rangement more destructive to British shipping, it is that
plan, which, without benefiting the shipowner or the men
he employs, exposes him at some uncertain moment to all
these inflictions.—(Hear.) I have referred to the opinion
of Sir J. Stirling :—another authority whom we often
hear quoted in this House, Mr. M'Uulloch, says that he
believes it would cost less if the navy were made altoge-
ther independent of the merchant service, and he adds
he believes there are many naval men who consider
that the time is coming when you must, for your own
safety, free the navy from the obligation to press men
out of the merchant service; and that, under proper ar-
rangements, this might be done with economy to the
State. I believe there 'are many unnecessary expenses
attached to the naval department which ought to be put
down. It is also my opinion that the worst-treated and
worst dealt with class of the Queen's subjects are the
seamen.—Hoar, hear.) What do you really do for
them ? You profess to protect them: but you have not
prevented the prevalence of great distress from time to
time among both sailors and shipowners. Though
the country professes to have at heart the interest of
the sailor, and claims the right to take him from the
service in which he obtains the highest amount of wages
at any moment, what have you ever done for his advan-
tage? Should the sailor fall into poverty and want in
consequence of the uncertain state of employment, what
have you done for him more than for other paupers ?
If you take the practical operations of the statutes you
have passed—as the Merchant Seamen's Fund—are they
worth a fig to him? If employment fail, and he fall
into distress, perhaps, if he is lucky, he may get a
pauper allowance.—(Hear, hear.) This is all you have
done for him, and yet you claim the right to call your-
selves the sailors' friends and the shipowners' friends,
while you expose them to the evils I have alluded to. I
will not say a word in disparagement of the shipowners,
or of the masters or mates, in the course they have taken
on this question—l can forgive men for being uneasy
when they think it possible that their pecuniary inte-
rests may bo affected—(Hear)—but I will not consent to
allow in Parliament the voice of justice, reason, and good
policy, to be drowned by the clamour of any class what-
ever.— (Cheers, and " Oh, oh.") We must discuss this
question with a view to the general interests of the
British empire, and must not be deterred from doing
what is right by the fears and apprehensions of any
party.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord asked where
was the clamour and where the petition in favour of the
proposed change. I should much regret if it was to be
understood that Parliament was never to carry any
measure except forced to it by clamour.—(Opposition
cheers, and Ministerial counter cheers.) It must be a
subject of great regret to every friend of his country to
think that we have a Parliament—if it be as the Noble
Lord says—which it is i❑ vain to appeal to unless the
appeal be backed by clamour and threats.—(Hear, hear.)
But this at least is a subject in which we are not backed
by clamour. Here we want reason and dispassionate
consideration, not clamour.—(Hear, hear.) And when
gentlemen lay such stress on power, glory, and such
things, I must tell them that they are not acting in ac-
cordance with the spirit of the times.—(Hear and laugh-
ter.) The spirit of the times is commerce—the spirit of
the times is industry—(Hear, hear)—it is internal im-
provement—(Hear, hear)—it is mechanical invention—
(Hear, hear)—it is, if you will, political economy.--
(Opposition cheers, met by counter cheers from the Mi-
nisterial benches.) It is not war—(Hear, hear)—it is
not clamour—(Hear, hear)—it is peaceful relations,
peaceful progress, and amicable feeling among all the
nations of the earth.—(Cheering.) If you wish to act
in conformity with the spirit of the times, you must abo-
lish those antiquated notions by which you have been so
long influenced. Let the ships of all the nations of the
world bring the produce of the world from every place
—(Hear, hear)—exclude none.—(Hear, hear.) Do this,
and you will carry out a policy beneficial to your in-
dustry, beneficial to your manufactures, beneficial to
your shipping interest, and to all classes of your fellow-
countrymen; do this, and you will add strength to your
peaceful relations with foreign powers, and, by setting
the example of a vast, generous, and enlightened corn-
! mercial policy, you will be raising the character of
England amongst the nations of the world.—(Cheers.)
Mr. HENLEY said that if he could gather anything
from the speech of the Right Hon. Gentleman who spoke
last, it was that the general interests of the country
ought to be made subservient to a sordid spirit of gain
—(Hear, hear)—that, in fact, for the gain of half a
farthing additional every relation of honour, of inde-
pendence, and of national security, should give way.—
(Hear, hear.) It was easy to clothe a bad sentiment in
good language, and to talk of general advantage, when
the advantage of a particular class only was intended.—
(Hear, hear.) The lion. Gentleman spoke of the ener-
vating influence of the navigation-laws depressing the
raw material ; by which he (Mr. Henley) supposed the
Right Hon. Gentleman meant lowering the price.—
(Ilear, hear.) If the Right Hon. Gentleman had not
withdrawn from the Government, he would not have
attempted what no Minister ever yet attempted to do
—to separate the commercial marine from the naval
force of the country. Our mercantile marine had
advanced almost progressively in an extraordinary
degree, and had supplied us with seamen when-
ever they were wanted. He could not understand,
therefore, why the Right Hon. Gentleman looked upon
them as injurious in their effect upon our navy. He
complained, too, of their being a groat clamour raised in
favour of seamen. Now, of all the interests in the
country, he believed there was none, considering its ex-
tent and consequences, that was now, or had at any time
been so weakly represented as the shipping interest,
which, in some sense, was part of the commercial inte-
rest. lie was not disposed to rest this question upon
the ground of competition ; for, after all, it was a matter
of opinion. We had vast possessions in every part of
the world, and he considered it necessary not only that
we should be on an equal footing with the rest of the
world, but that we should have a naval supremacy.—
(Hear, hear.) Once lose that supremacy, and the
strength of the British empire was gone. The great
mass of our empire was composed of scattered parts ;
and if we were to have them knit together by the ocean,
we must maintain the supremacy of the ocean. Com-
petition would not do all that was required. The Right
Mon. Gentleman said we must become one nation by
means of free trade. If so, why did he not begin with his
own constituents and remove protection from Manchester,
cottons? And here he must take leave to defend a most
deserving class of men, the merchant seamen, from the
groundless attacks that had been got up against them in
true Chadwick style by various officials, and made be-
hind their backs. A paid servant of the Brish crown,
holding a high position in the Foreign-office, writes to
70, out of 215 British consuls, saying he "is particu-
larly desirous of gaining information of the incompe-
tency of British shipmasters." That was certainly a
very fishing question, to say the least of it. He also
demanded to be informed " of their want of sobriety."
It was very easy to see what influence a letter, such as
that coming from the Foreign•office, would have upon a
consul. But the evidence as reported by the Committee
on the navigation-laws was so full of contradictions, even
by the same men, that he would not hang a dog on it.
The first witness was the consul of St. Petersburgh, and
he epoke favourably of those men. But Mr. Crow, another
consul, said that they were the most ignorant, illiterate,
and brutal set he had ever seen in a civilised nation. That

was close at hand, and there purchasing British manu-
factures, with the design of sending them to Jamaica. If
there happened to be no British ship at New York at the
time, our navigation-laws would prevent his employing
any other ship which might be in port at the time.—
(Hear.) Was there justice or expediency in such an enact-
ment? He called upon them in justice to these colo-
nies to free them from such odious restrictions, and to
give them liberty to ship their goods in any bottoms
they might think fit—in fact, a share in the privileges
which had been accorded to the parent country. With
regard to the manufacturing interest with which the
town he had the honour to represent was intimately con-
nected, he should best explain their feelings by calling
attention to a petition which he had on that evening
presented from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
(The Right Hon. Gentleman read an extract from the
petition in question, from which it appeared that the
petitioners, having themselves received the benefits of
commercial freedom, were anxious to have them ex-
tended to our colonists by the abolition of the naviga-
tion-laws.) It was conceded on all hands that the navi-
gation-laws were not to remain in their present state.
The worthy Alderman opposite (Mr. Alderman Thomp-
son) was prepared to concede an important change, and
thus to infringe on those fundamental principles
which the Right Hon. Member for Stamford was so
unwilling to surrender. He (Mr. Gibson) very much
doubted whether any of the changes offered could be
eff eted without touching a fundamental principle. One
great fundamental principle of the navigation-laws was
that the produce of Asia, Africa, and America should be
altogether inadmissible from the continent of Europe.
The worthy Alderman was willing to relax on that point,
while the Right Hon. Member for Stamford refused to
touch a fundamental principle. If there were such dif-
ferences amongst the supporters of the navigation-laws,
how could they reconcile it to themselves to oppose even
the going into Committee? Why, the changes which
they themselves advocated could not be effected without
first going into Committee.—(Hear, hear.) There was
one point to which he must make some allusion. lie
had been charged by the Noble Lord the Member for
King's Lynn with having assisted in framing returns
which were calculated to mislead the public on the sub-
ject of the navigation-laws. He must say that a more
unfounded charge, or unfounded insinuation, had never
been made against any man. He was prepared to assert,
and to prove, that the returns in question were strictly
correct.
Lord G. BENTINCK—I have not made such a
charge yet.
Mr. M. GIBSON had read the charge in the
Noble Lord's speech. The charge was that returns had
been got up for the purpose of deceiving the Committee,
and inducing them to draw erroneous inferences. He
repeated that a more unfounded statement had never
been made; the figures in those returns were correct in
all their parts. The only object for which those returns
had been compiled was that of comparing the increase
in those trades which were exposed to aompetition with
the increase in those which were protected. That was
the object, and the returns distinctly showed that in
those trades which were protected the increase was not
so great as in those trades which were exposed to com-
petition. The heading of the returns had also been obs
jected to, but that had been adopted from Mr. Young,
who stated that shipping had declined in consequence of
protection being withdrawn by reciprocity treaties, and
that the repeal of the navigation-laws would com-
plete their ruin. The tables proved that instead
of the reciprocity treaties having produced any
such evil effects, the very trades on which
they operated had increased in a much greater
ratio than the trades which remained a close monopoly.
—(Hear, hear.) The returns, therefore, which had been
complained of were perfectly to the point, and gave a
complete answer to the statement of the witnesses. He
could not conceive the possibility of any human being
being misled by them who had any knowledge of the
subject, or who was not entirely ignorant of the whole
bearing of the navigation-laws question. He wanted to
ask another question of the House. Were they pre-
pared to assert, if they rejected the proposal of the Go-
vernment, our existing relations with foreign countries
would allow us to return to the navigation-laws P—
(Hear, hear.) He spoke of the indirect foreign trade.
How could they hope, with the concessions they had
already made, the departures that had already taken
place from the principle of the Navigation Act, and with
the existing treaties of reciprocity which contained
the favoured-nation clause, to maintain the navigation-
laws, or any great portion of them ? You have (said
the Honourable Gentleman) already permitted fo-
reign countries to use ports for shipping goods to this
country, which ports are not in those countries—you
have permitted Austria to use the port of Galatz ; you
have permitted Hanover to use Memel, and the ports at
the mouth of the Meuse; you have permitted the duchies
of Oldenburgh and Mecklenburgh, and the states of the '
Zullverein, to depart from the principle you have laid
down in your navigation-laws, of making every country
confineitself to carrying its own produce from its own
ports. Then what will those countries which have in
the treaties by which we are bound to them the most
favoured-nation-clause say ? What does Holland say
now ? Holland says you allow Hanover to carry her
produce to England from Memel. Is Memel in Hanover?
we always supposed it to be in Prussia. If you allow
Hanover to come to the Meuse, and carry her produce
from Holland to England, you must allow Holland to
carry from Memel to England, and give to Holland, as
you are bound to do by the favoured-nation clause, the
same advantages you give to other nations.—(Hear,
hear.) What then becomes of your principle
that you will not allow one country to carry for
another to this ? If you allow Holland to become
the carriers from the countries of the north of
Europe, you break down the very ground on which your
navigation-laws were established—viz., fear of the Dutch.
—(llean.) And if you concede the privilege to Holland
how can you refuse it to Sweden, Denmark, and Nor-
way? Then what will Prussia say when she sees that
you allow those countries to go to Memel and carry
Prussian produce to England? Will not she demand
that her ships shall go to those countries and carry her
produce to England? With this difficulty staring us in
the face I do not wonder at the shrewdness of the Hon.
Member for Westmoreland, for he knows well that the
consequence of the concessions already made to foreign
powers is that that part of the Navigation Act which
relates to the admissibility of African, Asiatic, and
American produce is gone—the foundations of it aro
sapped, and do what you will, with your existing rela-
tions and your treaties with foreign countries, you are
not in a condition to maintain it. I doubt, whether, if
the United States were to call upon you to carry out
your treaty with them, whether you could prevent
American produce being brought through Europe to this
country—(Hear, hear)—ior what says your American
treaty? It says that you shall not impose any prohibi-
tion on American produce which you do not impose on
the produce of other countries; and if you allow Euro-
pean produce, the produce of one country to be brought
through the ports of another European country to Eng-
land, by what right can you deny the claim of America
to admit ter produce in the same way? In fact, I be-
lieve it is only the idea that you arc about immediately
to deal with the Navigation Act yourselves that has pre-
vented foreign countries pressing on you for the per-
formance of the stipulations of the treaties into which
you have entered with them. With regard to the Dutch
treaty, I believe I am right in saying that the Dutch
have already—some years ago—made their claim to this
carrying trade which your Navigation Act was framed
specially to take from them, and that the justice of
that claim was not denied, and whether you repeal the
navigation-laws or not, you must shortly make conces-
sions to that and other continental countries to which
you are bound by the most favoured-nation clause.
—(Hear, hear.) I have stated these arguments in
the hope that they may induce the House not to take
the course of saying that they will not stir a step in
the consideration of this navigation-law. It would bo
monstrous, when we consider how Parliament has sane

DUKES.
Richmond
Cleveland

MARQUISES.
Sligo
Drogheda

EARLS.
St. Germans
Fitzwilliam
Lucan
Glengall
Stradbroko
Stanhope

DUKI.

Leinstcr

MARQUISES.
Clanricarde
Lansdowne
Northampton

EARLS.

Auckland
Besborough
Devon
Fingall

tivi • Were to be exported, then they wero outside the
tion,gttiorklavvs. But if they were for home consump-
Etz, itt:eri those goods must be imported in the way which
aky Li" down by the prohibition-laws. Now, he would
age „,"5.1d1Y, that let a ship come from whatsoever place
tillin-'lot, laden with produce, he would not :drive that
Ao away. Was England to be afraid of receiving ini-
rtg il)ere from foreign countries? Were they to fear an
duce a" in her revenue? If not, why exclude thi.3 pro-

--•-
of foreign countries? Was not that exclusion

the manufacturing intoefrepsotlsie—y
jr,Ab, g a serious injury
to
od could such a course
‘ieersand " ph,")—an •
b .
°JUstified ? It could not Suppose,
food was
dfor
herselfinstance,
a tt that
ship laden ER • with foodfused entry because
presen t e
helish port. She was refused et raised in the country to which theship
bOt the • e
Legislatur pretty plainly showed,vt.heo belonged.it
suspended the navigation-laws in favour orf_..—th(isisicol,asnsoo.)f
,ert , that those laws were a great e il
Okionthen why did every one of them clamoooudrifoorptrhineesiuplse-
of those laws? Was a law g
of the future
t.eich was to be suspended by force or clamour? At the
~.``ekent moment how could the House judge
Those o the
'kilt° fmanufacturing or the labouringof
ffree
trade, population? and wants must be left to the coursehat
ofaffording
tor to. pursue any other policy than t
would gross injustice
I,2lblnnited means of supply
bea
had been
-4attls the people. The navigation-lawsnri
ss.
Could those whoo
tiotebiled during the famine
give the country a guadread?
6 t,tt
,;)Pposed their abolition
navigatio❑-laws were confinede.o..
l• Ito tbat they would not again. require to be sus to thbEttl stated that the.. navig
not exhil .
Pen
o►ef
Policy of prohibition; but. they were 0,, Y calculated for the protectiondo. of the British
ship-
ebserved There was another and a
The Nobled
be
arquis in the operations of
doing sdoehha
feature sto bpe
Anpaii; had quoted Mr. 11. u
kisyss'°hich had been made
thoosealsnldawi'os.
th, eKogan important omission
on
a former
.el
was,
*l4l;Member for Stamford. The omission
kr It tlb(!ting the same authority. 1
whilst foreign countriese
taihtbkkissons declaration that,
hot, in, be permitted to carry forthemselves,
top
o,i that statesnasn's opinion,
permitted to say, that
014ners,
soli Now, he must be
never• yet was cited
to be permitted to carrya•
in ,4---"quated or obsolete maxim
the
only meaning
that o-',.,",ee of a bad cause. For
country was. to
eari blen-lavvs were concerned,. ono
and
411/irwa-tlici be attached to it was, that in in so far as the
the ouestion
il'as 49bktis for all other countric.s,
iag CI, .?" eoUntry ? Was America tlot
wbeoutlhdeseceamrr3a's-
,t tti:-.Lt•Y for the rest of the world? 1,411. ver,vt of the British Parliament was to
innutrtsoe navieswhfeh
-.,°l:ishd" eeketry in the world. But the,
Po
was the real
015teticar„„t° nail the attention of the
English and
duiJeet. was"taracter of the Government proposals. The
b,.-erleah 0 repeal at the same time tt
Hine. down
`;°P0801-• ttt.4:igation-laws. Would the Uoleusereject that
14'311111ens' '4., tfihation•laws. did, what would they be ea ~_
The fulfilment
of all -.selves it, another direction? . .
from
other the threats which they had been receiving
ns—
ill fact°tri
the Manse Tow .
, fp
,„... ea, from Prussia, from
43tliclk"3'm 6very town in the German Confederation.
44te be:"eY, even-considering the British shipi, ht.eosiy-
tOuld ti"wen these alternatives? Oa the one handeyhery
rterate free access to the United States frlo.mae n
ci ire I
toed°l the globe d • addition they wou.o "The
1104 e 1-(,0e1.4f15„1! P9rtie'nanof the trade of the Baltic.
United States was
1100,000
~.11,e,, imports into t
from all other parts
tithe'34 defu"ionliiars, of which 36,000,000 came from the
4 vropm.
.(,?1„..15, and 39,000,00.
t,..4ttj,they
el. 1-J rider the operationheofAtmheerine aa voi
, but iiU°,3ed but one-half of t
laws there would. be
40„? Pros beY repealed thesegimatploonrt-
-441 froittelti of their enjoying the
liljogyZatekt wouldshearClPPusiti°°.)Theywhile they now only
ti, d on., eof the whole, w h
whole.—(lronical
---
certainly iro
havenll
41;1,011 bad nalf.—(llear, hear.) The Hon. Member o
lit'hlhr,o,
~, called the attention of the HouhseetoEuthge_
01'44 A!geeta of the combined influence
oft
and had
Oh th_Merican laws on English shipping,
thq,be toli_t blunder those laws English shippinghcollector of
taitPort 'iworst of. The evidence ofhtse
point. That
Pqt• saif4 that was strong on must MI-
-01. trlikq of AEt the effect of confining tt
thoel
British ships,
NI l't'B,l4'l,ma, Africa, and America
b
from w h
th hca e,' oelonging to te countries iPmport of
.the
tia.tstrvi,tne, had been the onfine wholealmostdtEheland to
tvki"fietilf
Bu,g trade between America
American,
eliC,ertiliojllPs• All the liners were
one of those
e4,li,'ls tttif Y a remarkable fact that hardly
however,
14w1Y ►ao," from an English port. It was,navigation-
and it
vpot: of th wiles for by the operation of the
liner
this 1),,
,(11„11.'70 countries, because the
English
roduce of
pt,:_,eoootr,`.l_ 'Red to confine himself to
till:Feet:lo
tosi:,,awilbeErueraospteh.e4merican couldthteakPe back the
ehh.sitifiitti: Project of the Government they
__
our
Hear, hear.) If then they
th,t'Ditit i'l one of the greatest blows on
depriving
NZ! of
~,,at Could be inflicted and
likt,t, 40.0)7" advantage which was
°el, itk, IN.C—Oiekr.) With regard to the.
pressed
45411 by the leh had been alluded to as being
almost
thit:d, 0, Principles of free trade, he certailnPelsry° felt
colonialw iwithin
and
Of I)C1)08„ who had advocated those princip
ef .°,1v0,.,'_,b t colonies to the unrestricted competition.
Itit'i'ikelt Prio"), thev them that freedom of transmission
ihotithe foirctiee to this country which was con
that rllttl wogtloPMent the hose principles. How could
eliZtoi„,hieh site resist justice of such an appeal. as
tigt be ~ made on behalf of the colonists, that the.,
titlit p_iest ,frtertnitted to transmit their produce at the
i. I cif ,), e to the home market ? Hon. Gentlemen
4 i•,
„,,, ~!
ittoth9kely flsk of losing our colonies. Were the colo-
'iksl'tietis ° become discontented if we removed the
.443' t 0 offtZeder which they laboured? Were they
:titte4o.sthit their ° it a grievance that we permitted them to
i-.,4l4),:t.ol:_oha.ritiibrilroduce to the home market at the
krai Imp° . a rate?—.(llear ) Why not put the
140
~..Rh rotinttt,g merchant on as' good a footing as the
g reerehlnt? Under the present law,
tql;:t°ll"be--d".'to"Perting *from Canada to this country
`1.14z aka a,cl his elif,; onesllP, while the United States m _
44)40‘" tnat 'II "'" °f two, English and American. He
t/toitteXhibiter.P. Gentlemen opposite, who on all oFetas
eok the them "
_so much sympathy for our coslonis.v.,
.
t,l,lait f. :k the
4(11,,b _a_ foeting with the foreigniT,hygflor,
ti;k,inirti,t,{4hts. ,ii;:t.,,,: arising from a, competitionllectthat the na-
tieNtrikt
tw.ra, in,
fheirrifirussteisrohoul.dt.zohore
something of
4,y, ter the ;,,,:l Penal enuctrecPn°tsi being
coun-
Doi;:'s t 0 ~„. enefit of the Coloniesor the parent .
4'titol irribilsh certainimposed not so
Portionsoiour colonies for their
Psrtin uhols• That beinthe case, the inivpend-
1° Pr' sheY the-i'ed states whigh'h d been brought about
WPress 14„0 'e very laws' , e ~., ,a
'1 te V n our
col
~ suouiu De a warningato, ueosonsoi.t
set /..
~e a, ~r.._, °nista that which they 11
4514 Plio;l3lag grievance. Suppose the case of a.
`cr going to the 'United States, which

was pretty well for a man speaking of his own countrymen.
Then Mr. Consul Baker, at Riga, in answer to the same
circular letter of Mr. Murray of the Foreign-office, had
written very much in the same strain; but he had taken
a most extraordinary course. The House would observe
that in this debate almost every lion. Member who had
taken part in it had spoken in the highest possible terms
of the captains employed in what is called the long trade.
Now Mr. Baker, being consul at Riga, spoke most dis-
paragingly of the merchant captains, but relied not on
his own observations, and therefore enclosed in his reply
that which he called a most interesting document, refer-
ring to the character and conduct of the British ship-
masters. And what was that interesting document so
enclosed? Why, it was a paper emanating from the
Bombay Chamber of Commerce. Now, that body had
only to do with shipmasters engaged in the long trade,
whereas Mr. Baker had only to deal with the east coast
traders, and yet he sends a document which ap-
plied to a totally different class. There was an-
other remarkable piece of evidence in the letters of
Mr. Cumberbatch, the consul at Constantinople, for
that gentleman had written two letters. In his first,
dated the 30th November, 1843, ho declared that the
masters and men of the ships coming there from London
and Liverpool were of a superior class, and that acts of
misconduct were less frequent among them than they
were on board other vessels. But, in a subsequent let-
ter, dated 3d November, 1847, Mr. Cumberbatch states,
that " he finds the vessels from the outports better com-
manded and manned than those from the larger ports."
Thus he directly contradicted himself in a matter of fact,
and, therefore, he (Mr. Henley) asked what confidence
could be placed in such evidence, from men who thus
took away the character of others behind their backs ?
But it was stated that the ships insured in clubs were
north country ships, and were commanded by illiterate,
ignorant, and brutal men. Now the fact was, that the
ships insured in clubs were commanded by men of supe-
rior character and respectability, because the clubs, be-
ing constituted of mutual assurers, every member was
careful of the sort of men he employed. Again, all that
had been stated in the correspondence from Rio Janeiro
about the want of skill and activity alleged on
anonymous authority against the English captains fell
to the ground, because that duty was regulated not by
the captains, but by the brokers and agents there. Mr.
Goodwin, the consul at Palermo, and the gentleman
who was consul at St. Michael's, had made similar
statements, wholly at variance with each other. And it
was on such evidence that the House was asked to revise
the navigation-laws. In short, all these gentlemen, in-
cluding Mr. Liddel, the consul at Norway, and others
had furnished evidence of so contradictory a character,
that, he repeated, it was not fit to hang a dog upon. If
the protection to the commercial marine was withdrawn
he maintained that the nation would suffer an irrepa-
rable injury. He reminded the House, that if they re-
pealed the navigation-laws they would not be able to re-
trace their steps, and he conceived that not merely the
interests, but the honour, the greatness, and the inde-
pendence of this country could only bo secured by the
maintenance of her naval supremacy.—(Hear, hear.)
On the motion of Lord INGESTRE, the debate was
then adjourned until to-morrow (this day).
PUBLIC HEALTH BILL.
Lord MORPETH proposed to proceed with the
further consideration of the report on the Public Health
Bill, but
The Earl of LINCOLN objected not only on account
of the lateness of the hour (half-past twelve o'clock),
but also on the ground that the amended Bill had only
reached the hands of Members that day; so that it was
impossible to enter upon the discussion of the amend-
ments.
Lord MORPETII consented to postpone the further
proceeding with the Bill untiPOLICEI Monday next.
METROPOLIS BILL.
Sir C. LEWIS moved the second reading of this Bill,

tinned the principle of free trade, that we should now
be deterred from taking this initiatory step on the
ground that it invades the principle of protection, while
there are many who oppose the present motion who are
prepared to suggest alterations in the law. I may be
accused of omitting the general argument as to the
bearing of this question on our national defences—(Hear
hear)—and I will therefore say a word or two on that
point. The Hon. Gentleman opposite talks as if every
man in the British navy was a sailor, whereas, after all,
it is only a small part of the British navy that are sea-
teen. Sir J. Sterling, in his evidence before the Com-
mittee of the House of Commons, tells us that not more

than one-fourth of the navy on the average are seamen,
and the proportion of the mercantile marine is so small
that it would be possible, Sir J. Sterling thinks, so to
constitute the navy as to render it entirely.independent
of the merchant service. If you reduce the officers
to the lowest possible limit, and put down all
useless offices, it might I think be possible
to increase the number of seamen in the
navy without adding to the expense. And
this evidently is what Sir J. Sterling (who is
a man of experience in the profession, and whose opinion
is entitled to be taken as an authority)—this is evidently
what he means, though he does not assert it in words.
He says, " You have no mode of procuring men from
the mercantile marine except by impressment ; they
will not volunteer." Honourable Gentlemen opposite
say the mercantile marine must be protected as a means
of support to our naval power, and, at the same time,
they object to the system of impressment ; but not one
of them has told us how the transfer of the men from
one service to the other, when wanted, is to be effected.
—(llear, hear.) I believe the only mode by which you
can effect it is by force.—(Hear, hear.) They do net
volunteer now freely in time of peace, and I doubt
whether they would do so at all were war ap-
prehended. Sir J. Stirling told the Committee
before which he was examined that Parliament
was trusting to a broken reed in the mercantile marine
as a means of supplying the navy, except by impress-
ment, and he pressed on them the importance
of making the naval power independent altogether
of the merchant service ; and he added that he
believed it might be so made even in the event of a war.
His opinion was that the best means of promoting the
interests of both services, and of the country, was to
let each stand upon its own resources.—(Hear, hear.)
Gentlemen opposite plume themselves upon being the
shipowners' and the sailors' friends. Can anything be
more unjust or tyrannical to the shipowner than to invite
him to incur heavy expenses in ships and in procuring
able seamen at high wages on the faith of maintaining
protection, while you do nothinc, to guarantee him a
larger amount of profit than can be obtained in any other
trade;
for the profits in all trades will be the same, pro-
tect them as you may ?—(lfear hear.) On the one
hand you take credit for proteCting the shipowners,
while on the other you claim credit for having invented
a plan for manning the navyilr
iecntirely at the expense of
this unfortunate interest. ( And without giving
them greater profits than other iradetshm a can obtain, you
claim the right to pounce down upon
mo-
ment, to take away their men, knock up their trade, anytrad e, and
perhaps bring them to ruin.—(llear.) If it be possible for

THE S N, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 2, 1848.

which provides for a re-assessment of the paris hes in
London for the purposes of the police-rate.
After a few words from Mr. Hudson, Sir G. Grey,
Mr. Henley, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir
W. Jolliffe (who objected to the constitution of the Me-
tropolitan Police Force),
Mr. HUDSON moved that the debate should h 43 ad_
journed ; but on an appeal from Sir G. GREY withdrew
his motion, and the Bill was read a second time.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
DEATH OF ADMIRAL SIR W. HOTHAM, G.C.B.
We regret to state that Admiral of the Red Sir Wil-
liam Hotham, G.C.8., died yesterday. This gallant
officer was the second son of General Hotham, and
grandson of the first Sir Beaumont Hotham. He WAS
the nephew of the celebrated Admiral of the Blue Lord
Hotham, was cousin to the late Vice-Admiral Henry
Hotham, G.C.13., who died in 1533 in com-
mand of the Mediterranean fleet, and was also cousin to
the present Baron Hotham. Sir William Hotham en-
tered the navy in 1779, became a lieutenant in 1790,
October,
Commander, August, 1794; Captain, October, 1794;
Rear-Admiral, 1819; Vico-Admiral, 1821; and Ad-
miral, 1837. In the New Navy List he is stated to have
been Lieutenant of the Victory, and served on shore
under Nelson, at the siege of Bastia, in 1795; was Cap-
tain
family, one son,
of the Adamant, in Duncan's action of the 11th of
French frigate Prenieuse, off the Isle of France, in
1799. The Gallant Admiral married, firstly, Anne,
daughter of Sir Edward Jenes. Knt., and secondly, in
1797; and assisted at the destruction of the
c .l3iatn.,:cdle;boJAl his
nidranni
rdc:elcr
1835, the widow of Roger Pettiward, Esq. Of his sur-
vivinglongs to the navy. The deceased, we believe, was about
76 years of age. Lieutenant John William, be-
longs
Sir William Hothain was fifth in seniority on the flag-
list,
following promotions take
theplace:—
Admiral
hi thee
Commander-in-Chief
ot hSeirWEe
s.
Indies,} Otwowebni will
Admiral of the ViThito John Giffard, to be Admiral of
the
t
c.
G.C.8., G.C.H., to he Admiral of the White.
__ Vice-Admiral of the Red Sir Francis William Austen,
Admiral of the Blue, leaving Vice-Admiral M
a ing
senior of that grade ; Vice-Admiral of the White Sir
John
Wentworth
Loring, Bart., K.C.B , K.
of
to be
Vice-Admiral of the Red ; Vico-Ad 1
f
ihra o the Blue
Robert Jackson to be Vice-Admiral
ofm
Rear-Admiral of the Red John
S 3 tk
ees White.
Admiral of the Blue, leaving Re A
to be Vice-
ar- dmiral Impey senior
of that grade ; Rear-Admiral of the White the
L. Proby to be Rear-Admiral *of the Redz.lion. G.
; ear-Ad-
miral of the Blue John B. Purvis to be Re
the White. Rear-Admiral of
Captain Alexander Renton Sharpe, C.B. (1813
b
comes Rear-Admiral of the Blue, leaving C
ie-
p n
Gordon Falcon (1813),
Superintendent of Pembrokeata
Dockyard, senior captain on the list ; Captain the Earl
of Hardwicke (1825) succeeds to the 14s. 6d., and Capta
in
Samuel price (1831) succeeds to the 12s. .
6d
, half-pay
lists.
Sir William Ilotham was the possessor of an honorary
y gold medal for the Camperdown action ; was created
G.C.B. in 1840, and was in the receipt of an Admiral's
good service pension, which now reverts to the Ad-
miralty, as also a captain's good service pension, from
the promotion of Commodore Sharpe.
Two other naval officers have died during the past
week, viz., Captain Charles Conrad Grey, aged 31, pro-
moted from the command of the Columbine, 16, and
recently returned from the East Indies, son of the late
Colonel Grey; and Commander Edward Potts (1830),
the fifth out of six sons of the late John Potts, Esq.,
who have died either in the naval or military service.
Commander Henry D. Chads, it is said, will receive
his promotion on paying off the Styx steam-sloop, at
Woolwich, for his services in capturing so many slavers
on the coast of Africa.
The Howe, 120, Captain Sir James Stirling, Knight,
bent sails yesterday morning, and shortly afterwards
crossed topgallant and royal yards. At la. 40m. A.M.,
she got under canvass and sailed majestically out of the
harbour under her double-reefed topsails, foresail, and
jib. The tido of flood being rather strong, she set top-
gallant sails soon after passing the Platform, but took
them in again after rounding the Spit buoy, the wind
freshening she made one tack under the island
shore, which brought her, there being a strong
weather tide, to the westernmost part of Spithead,
when she bore up, and having run along the line, dropped
her anchor as the easternmost ship. She was attended,
as a measure of precaution only, by the Echo steam-tug.
She is going to the Mediterranean, and has taken in a
large quantity of stores for the use of the squadron and
the supply of Malta Dockyard. Among other items she
has five tons of paint and 400 gallons of linseed oil. She
is to be paid wages up to six months prior to sailing,
having been more than thirteen months in commission.
Five minutes after the Howe started from her moorings,
the Bellerophon, 78, Captain Richard L. Baynes, C. 8.,
which had been held in like a greyhound in the slips for
some time to give the Howe the start, loosed sails and
followed her example, so that the good people of Ports-
mouth beheld a spectacle not often seen, of two ships of
the lino sailing out of the harbour at the same time.
She worked farther to the westward than the Howe, and
ultimately anchored as the westernmost ship. The Light-
ning steam-vessel attended her out.
The Rolla, exercise brig, went to Spithead also to-day,
where she remains at anchor.
Wind N.N.W., fresh breezes and hazy, with rain.
MALTA, MAY 26.—The India mails, per Ariel, ar-
rived this morning.
Last night her Majesty's steamer Flamer left port, for
England, touching at Algiers.
Yesterday her Majesty's criminal judges and a jury
condeinned Michael Malony, the private of her Majes-
ty% 69th Foot who shot at and wounded a Maltese
calash driver on the 24th of April last, to ten years' im-
prisonment, with a chain. The second count (charging
him with committing the act maliciously) not being
proved unanimously, saved the man from imprisonment
for life, if not from the gallows.
To-day, in honour of the birthday of our most Gra-
cious Sovereign, the customary honours were paid, and
salutes fired at noon from the forts and ships. The sol-
diers fired a feu de joie. The General and Vice-Admiral
gave large dinners, and the Governor a ball in the even-
ing. There was no levee, as is customary.
A slight disturbance occurred on Monday night be-
tween some soldiers of the 44th and the people. ltended
in a few broken heads, and is not worth mentioning but
for the purpose of preventing garbled reports gaining
credit in part of the London press; there are men hero
who at all risks will make a serious matter of nothing—a
mountain of a molehill.

RIG II WAYS--BILL.
Sir G. GREY moved for leave to bring in a Bill to
amend the laws relating to highways in England and
Wales. He described it as supplementary to an Act
passed in the last session.
In answer to a question from Sir W. JOLLIFFE,
Sir G. GREY said the provisions of the Bill did not
extend to turnpike trusts, but might be made applicable
to thorn by a subsequent Act. It was not the intention
of the Government to bring in any general measure this
session relating to turnpike trusts.
Colonel SIBTHORI) complained of the hardship
which railways had inflicted on those interested in turn-
pike trusts, whose capital, to the extent of thirteen mil-
lions, had been destroyed.
Mr. FRE WEN recommended Government to take
the management of highways in Ireland as the basis of
their legislation.
Leave was then given to brine in the Bill.
The House adjourned at a Qaarter past One.
IRISH POOR-LAW ACTS.

DIVISION ON LORD LUCAN'S MOTION FOR
A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.
ROUSE OF LORDS.-MAT 30.
CONTENT.
Lonsclale
Charlevillo
Powys
Cathcart
Enniskillen
Eglinton
Egmont
VISCOUNT.
Hawarden
BARONS.
Wharncliffe
Montcagle
Elayney

NON-CONTENT.

BARONS,
Colchester
/3olton
Churchill
Stanley
Farnham'
Heytesbury
Sondes
Castlemaine
Forester
Crofton
De Hos
Abinger

Fortescue
Gray
Granville

Huntingdon
3tinto

B!SUOP.
Peterborough
BARONS.

Arundell
Camoys

His Highness, the Pope's Nuncio to the Sublime
Porte, the Archbishop Ferrier', has arrived in Malta by
the French steam-packet Rhamses, and will go to Rome
by the first opportunity, after finishing his quarantine.
General Tombs is here, suffering severely from
bronchitis. Although he has purged his quarantine his
medical man will not allow him to leave the Lazaretto till
his condition better enables him to bear the change.
A French frigate a vapeur, the Pluton, arrived here
the Governor and Admiral. Martial law has been pro-
cyesterday,
at Naples.
ao
pm l e
s.
T Naples,he with important dispatches for
Lazzaroni have insulted several
of the English, and gone so far, it is reported here, as to
attack the British Embassy.
It is reported here that the Republican Neapolitans
have demanded the aid of England against the King. This
cannot be granted without orders from home. The Ad-
miral will not sanction the meeting of the English and
French fleets if he can avoid it. Four Deputies of the
Chamber and four officers of the Civic Guard arrived
here by the steamer.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON.
MALTA, MAY 24.—1 n Malta Harbour—The Hibernia,
120, Captain P. Richards, C. 8., bearing the flag of
Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, G.C.8., the Commander-
in.Chief; the Ceylon, receiving-ship, bearing the flag of
Rear-Admiral Edward Harvey; the Queen, 120, Captain
H. W. Bruce; the Superb, 80, Captain Corry; the
Vengeance, 84, Captain S. Lushington; the Rodney, 90,
Captain E. Collier; the Vanguard, 80, Captain G. F.
Rich; the Bulldog, Commander A. C. Key; the Odin,
Captain the Hon. F. F. Pelham; the Triton, Lieutenant
C. J. P. Gliun; the Porcupine, Lieutenant E. F. Roberts;
the Wee Pot, steam-tug.
On a Cruise—The Thetis, 36, Captain H. Codring-
ton; the Harlequin, Commander Moore; the Gladiator,
Captain Robb; the Hecate, Commander R. Moorman;
the Terrible, Captain W. Ramsay; the Sidon, Captain
W. 11. Henderson; and the Spitfire, Lieutenant J. A.
Macdonald.
On Surveying Duty—The Volage, 22, Captain T.
Graves; the Research, Lieut. Lord J. Browne.
At Gibraltar—The Polyphemus.
At the Piraeus of Athens—The Meteor, Commander
Butler, and the Spartan, Captain Symonds.
At Beyrout—The Mutine, 12, Commander Palmer.
At Constantinople—The Antelopo, Lieut. F. Smyth;
the Tartarus, Commander Sir G. Webster.
MAIL STEAM PACKETS.
At Malta—The Ardent, Lieut.-Commander W. Nowel;
the Flamer, Commander Lavie.
carpotuatien fromuope
; Maltaand the to
Resistance
En route to Marseilles from Malta—The Oberon,
Lieut. Gardner.
En route from the lonian Islands and Greece to Malta
—The Volcano, Lieut. J. 11. Crang.
120
owe. En
,
LE ng la ntroop-ship d l
ohpe-
sThirpa,faclgapart:
G .
En route from Malta to Messina—The Locust, Lieut.
E. R. Power.

THE ARMY.
THE 9TH REGIMENT.—RESTORATION OF THE BAND.
—About a month back, in consequence of some alleged
misconduct of two or three individuals composing a part
of the band of this regiment, while at Cowes, and in at-
tendance on the Court, by an order from the Horse
Guards the band was reduced, and the men turned to the
ranks. We are most happy to state that an order arrived
from head-quarters yesterday that the band should be
restored, and the pleasing intelligence was conveyed by
Major-General Lord Frederick Fitzclarence to Major
Thomas, the officer in command, this morning, when the
band again appeared at the head of the regiment, on the
allyfienald near the
in heavy march-
ing Grand occasionorder,
by Lord F. Fitzclarence. The restoration of the band
thebe ing
governors officially
to this remarkably fine and loyal regiment is no more
than an act of justice; but it has afforded much satisfac-
tion to the officers and men, who could in no manner or
way be implicated in the misconduct of two or three
drunken and excited men.
The Blenheim, transport, with the 82d Regiment, is
ordered to Plymouth, where it will be landed.

Miss Burdett Coutts entertained his Serene High-
ness Prince Frederick William of Hesse, the Duke of
Devonshire, the Duchess of Norfolk, his Excellency the
Prussian Minister and Madame Bunsen, the Earl and
Countess Howe, the Earl of Falmouth, Viscount Mor-
peth, Viscount and Viscountess Neville, Viscount and
Viscountess Combermere and the Hon. Miss Cotton,
Lord De Lisle and Hon. Miss Sidney, Lady Ashley,
Lady Peel, Lady Davy, Sir Loftus and Lady Otway, the
Rev. Dr. Jelf, Mr. Samuel Rogers, Mr. and Miss Stanley,
Mr. Babbage, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, and Mrs. C. Mal-
colm, at dinner last evening, in Stratton-street.
WEST INDIA PINE APPLES.—Yesterday the first
consignment of West India pine apples this season, ex
Royal Mail Steam-packet Avon, from Nassau, New Pro-
vidence, were sold by Keeling and Hunt, Monument-
yard ; they were of the description termed Bird's Eye I
Pule, arid very inferior, none selling for more than 2s. 3d.
each.

clear it, and keep the thoroughfare open for carriages
and horses. This was effected, but not without
some difficulty, and there was a good deal of yelling
and shouting on the part of the mob, which at half-past
eight o'clock consisted of about eight hundred persons,
principally youths, thieves, and disorderly persons,
from the neighbourhood of Rosemary-lane, Whitechapol,
and Ratcliffe-highway, with a sprinkling of Chartista
from Bethnal-green and the vicinity. No speakers pre-
sented themselves, although the Chartist leaders pro-
mised to be there. After the superintendent had
repeatedly remonstrated with the people, who appeared
bent on mischief, and commenced groaning and hissing,
the whole of the K division advanced from five different
points, under the direction of Inspectors Horne, Fraser,
_Holmes, Waller, and Smith, the horse police charging
in front. The green was soon cleared, but the mob
rallied again in the side streets, which Mr. Marquard
gave orders to clear. The police, who acted with exem-
plary forbearance, soon effected a clearance; but up-
wards of two hundred traversed a very circuitous route,
and made their appearance on the Green, near the
Royal Oak, once more. The mounted police wore drawn
across the road, and intercepted them. A few stones
were thrown at the police, and the rabble groaned. Mr.
Marquard then gave orders for the ground to be again
cleared, and the police charged the mob, and inflicted
some hard knocks with their truncheons on the most re-
fractory, and in less than two minutes the Green and
surrounding thoroughfares were free. The mob did not
re-assemble. When the last charge was made, Mr.
Marquard was in a narrow street within a few yards of
the Green, driving the people before him, and calling out
to them to get out of harm's way, but not using his
truncheon, when he received what he supposed was a
kick on the left leg, and of which he took no notice; but
a few minutes afterwards, feeling the limb very stiff and
painful, he was induced to examine it, and found his
stocking and boot covered with blood, which was flowing
copiously from a deep wound in the top of the leg. Mr.
Marquard was carried to his home in a state of great
suffering, and was immediately attended by Mr. Falconer,
a surgeon, who, on examining the wound, stated that ho
received a stab from some double-edged and very sharp
instrument.

THE CHARTIST DISTURBAICES.
CLERKENWELL-GREEN.
Last night another disgraceful exhibition was at-
tempted upon Clerkenwell-green. The police, haying
received information that several meetings wer a to take
place in various parts of the metropolis to sy mpathise
with Mr. Mitchel, and to demand of the Govern anent his
immediate liberty, and that at the termination of these
meetings the parties intended to march off to Clerken-
well-green, induced the Commissioners to make such ar-
rangarnents as would effectually have broken up, such a
procession if attempted. At an early part of the opening
a number of mounted police were sent off, not merely to
Clerk enwell, but to Arbour-square, Stepney,Kielg-street,
Westeninster, and Lambeth. The soldiery were also
under arms, and were quartered iu different; parts of
London. The Honourable Artillery Company received
notice yesterday morning to assemble in the evening,
and hold themselves in readiness in case their service;
should be required. Accordingly, the whole of that
force mot last night at the Armoury, in the Ar:illery-
ground, and were immediately placed under arms.
At six:o'clock the people began to assemble at Clerken-
well-gal en, in the expectation that some: of their
" brave patriots" would have been present to address
them vaecording to promise. In that they were disap-
pointed, and the only party who attempted to make a
speech was a man nobody appeared to know, who was
dressed, in a brown holland blouse. Having taken his
stand tin the kerb opposite the churchyard, he began his
harangue by upbraiding the people for their cowardice
in not resisting the police the previous night.—(Cries of
"We Odd.") Yes, but how did you do it? continued the
orator; you suffered them to knock down your friends
in the same manner the horses are slaughtered in
Sharp's-alley. You are not fit to be called Chartists or
Repeal:en. He was absolutely ashamed of them.—
(Cries of "Gh dearl") Yes, he would not own one of
them any longer.—(Cries of " What do you want us to
do?") Why, go to work at once, and pull up the
pavement; they could do that before the police
got there, if they liked. They had done no-
thing yet. Where were their broken bottles
and their old mantel-pieces that Mitchel recom-
mended2—(Cries of " You are a pretty leader. Where
'would you go?") He would go by the side of the man
who hied just interrupted him, if he would take the front
rank.—{Cries of " Walker!") This remark seemed to
provoke the speaker to such an extent, that he was de-
' termitesd at once to resort to physical force, and with-
out further ceremony he left off his discourse and gave
his opponent a violent blow in the face. Being imme-
diately surrounded by some of his partisans, the fellow
succeeded in getting off; but the man having found out
his residence, he intends to take out an assault warrant
this morning (Friday).
Lett_a, quarter past eight o'clock Mr. Superintendent
Lewis, "an about 100 men, marched on to the green, at
which t=ine the mob was creating a most hideous noise,
throwing stones about, and rushing to and fro with sticks
in their hands, so that the inhabitants were compelled
again to, close their s
police came up from A shops, Aril additional number of
instructions from the superintendent, they
body amongst the crowud and in the course of half an
marched in a
hour they succeeded in driv back the rabble, and by
placing a reserve at the endneogf !he courts and streets
leading on to the green, the
ble back from the
again onsgregating. To drive °,1," Were prevented from
bye -streets was a work of considerableerrs difficulty, but it
ury to any
was accomplished without much
that
tnala thousandi.nj per-
one, and by ten o'clock there wAerte
Period the place
sons to be seen near the green.
ov
ei st
ei or ns
muster of
was well guarded by a strong
of police, under Superintendent Erans and Inspectors
Penny and Julian.
At half-past ten o'clock the meetings in the Far • rin-g
don Hall, John-street, Tottenham-court-road, and Oh-
places, broke up, but owing to the admirable
arrange_ meats of the police, no processions were allowed to take
place.

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen held a Court yesterday afternoon at
Buckingham Palace, for the reception of an address
from the Corporation of the City of Dublin.
At three o'clock the deputation arrived at the
Palace. It was composed of the Lord Mayor of
Dublin, Alderman Keshan, Alderman O'Brien, M.P.,
Alderman M'Kenna, Alderman C. P. Gawen, Mr.
Maurice O'Connell, M.P., D.L., Town Councillor;
Mr. Richard Keating, Town Councillor; Mr. Fer-
guson, Town Councillor ; Mr. Thomas Reynolds,
Marshal of Dublin ; Mr. Thomas L. Lynnott, High
Constable of the City of Dublin ; and Mr. James
Curran, mace-bearer.
The deputation were conducted from the library,
where they had assembled, by Sir Wm. Martins and
Mr. Heneage, the Gentlemen Ushers in Waiting to
the door of the Throne-room. The Lord Chamber-
lain here received the deputation, and conducted them
to the presence of the Queen.
Her Majesty was seated on the Throne, Prince
Albert being by her side. In attendance on the
Queen was Sir George Grey, her Majesty's principal
Secretary of State for the Home Department.
The Mistress of the Robes and Lady Portman,
Lady in Waiting, were behind the Throne, and the
Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain, and the Mas-
ter of the Horse, stood in their usual stations near her
Majesty. The room was lined by her Majesty's
Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, commanded
by their Captain, Lord Foley.
deputation having approached the royal pre-
sence, the Lord Mayor read the address from the
Corporation, and kneeling, presented it to his Sove-
reign. The Queen received the address, and returned
a most gracious answer.
and Ferguson,
had the honour of being introduced to the Queen to
kiss hands. The senior Alderman, eshan
had also the honour of being presented a Mrri K d
kissing
hands.
The deputation then retired.
The Queen gave audience to Sir George Grey.
The Court was attended by the Captain of the
Yeomen Guard, Viscount Combermere, Gold Stick
in Waiting ; the Treasurer of the Household ; the
Vice-Chamberlain, the Comptroller of the Household;
Lord George Lennox, Lord in Waiting to Prince
Albert; Sir Matthew Wyatt, Lieutenant of her Ma-
jesty ; Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms ;
Col. Wylde, Groom in Waiting to Prince Albert ;
Mr. D. J. Harmer, Standard-bearer of the Honour-
able Corps of Gentlemen at Arms ; Colonel Buckley,
Equerry in Waiting; Colonel Parker, Ist Life
Guards, Silver Stick in Waiting ; Mr. James Bunco
Curling, Adjutant of the Hon. Corps of Gentlemen
at Arms ; Messrs. Crofton and Forbes, Pages of
Honour in Waiting; Sir Benjamin Smith, C. S., and
the Field Officer in Waiting.
The Yeomen Guard lined the Grand Hall, com-
manded by the Egon in Waiting, Captain Sailer.
Some handsome papier macho articles and speci-
mens of patent pearl glass, from Birmingham, were
submitted to his Royal Highness Prince Albert yes-
terday, by Mr. T. Lane, at Buckingham Palace.
The Duchess Bernhard, and the Princesses Anne
and Amelia of Saxe Weimar, visited her Royal High-
ness the Duchess of Kent yesterday, at her residence,
Clarence House, St. James's.
A deputation from the Shipowners and Ship.
builders of Sunderland, consisting of Mr. George
Hudson, M.P., Sir Hedworth Williamson g
, Bart.
M.P., Messrs. William Ord, Robert Brown,
C.,
Richardson, L. Gales, G. W. Hall, and R. Hutchin.
son, had an interview with the Right Hon. H.
Labouchere yesterday, at the office of the Board of
Trade.

FARRINGDON HALL, SNOW-HILL.
Frustrated in their attempts to create a sensation out
of doors, the Confederates and Chartists assembled at
their various clubs yesterday morning, and resolved
that meetings should be held in the several districts of
the metropolis last evening, in order that they might
have an opportunity of expressing their unfettered opi-
nions with respect to Mr. Mitchel and his recent convic-
tion.
At the meeting held at the Farringdon Hall, Snow-
hill, Mr. James White presided, and, in opening the
proceedings, remarked that the meeting was held for the
purpose of expressing their disgust at the way in which
Mr. Mitchel had been tried and convicted. The large
meeting which ho beheld at once intimated that a strong
feeling prevailed in this country iu favour of Mr. John
Mitchel. They felt, ho had no doubt, as he (the chair-
man) did, that John Mitchel had only endeavoured to
free his country from that oppression under which it
had for so many years laboured.—(Hear, hear, and
cheers.) At, some meetings which had been recently
held, recommendations of a very grave nature had been
made—he did not expect that such recommendations
would be made there, not that they were too timid—
(Cries of "No, no")—but he was quite certain that
whatever recommendations were proposed would be car-
ried out, for the people were quite ready to act, and were
not afraid of losing their own lives. If they were
driven to acts of violence they must not be blamed, for it
would be the fault of Government who had driven them
to it.—(Cheers.)
Mr. W. COOPER moved the following resolution:—
" That this meeting views it as the inalienable right of
man to think, that it would look upon that man as less
than a man, who would be induced to hold back in
speaking what he thinks; that therefore John Mitchel
has only filled the purpose which his Maker had in view
in furnishing him with mind and tongue, that therefore
any physical demonstration of power made for the pur-
pose of gagging human beings is a violation of God's
law and man's rights, and is viewed by this meeting with
the execration it deserves, but the meeting would also
express itheir utter disgust at the means by which a
verdict of guilty' had been secured to a Whiggish Go-
vernment against John Mitchel, by poisoning the foun-
tain of justice—'trial b,7 jury,' and by making the
profession of particular forms of religion the means
by which a gag-loving Government is to be strength.
ened in its purposes, and a tellow-creature convicted
and doomed for thinking and speaking, to fourteen
years' transportation in a penal settlement." The
question for their consideration was, not what doe.
trines Mr. Mitchel had taught. The question was not
whether Roman Catholics would or would not have con-
victed John Mitchel. The question was, whether any
Government were justified in packing the jury with men
who were known to be opposed to John Mitchel in
every sentiment he expressed? If such a right wore to
be conceded to the Crown, what became of Magna Charts
—where was your Reform Bill—where your boasted
liberty? Why it was all miserable cant and humbug, and
there was no truth in any of them, and trial by jury
became a mockery, a delusion, and a snare. Ile felt it
his duty to come to that meeting for the purpose of
washing his hands from the damnable stain which had
been put upon every man, and which would remain
until they raised their voice against such a bloody pro-
ceeding. The Government knew that if John Mitchel
went on a little longer they would not be able to main-
tain their position; but he thanked God that be had
gone on long enough to do sufficient damage, as they
would very soon perceive. British power, he considered
was maintained in Ireland at the present time by the
point of the bayonet.—(Groans.) Much had been said
on the subject of the apprehended rise in Ireland, that
there was no fear of any disturbance on account
of Mitchel's transportation. All he should say on
that point was, that they were waiting their opportunity.
—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) They were preserving
their strength until the proper period arrived.—(Loud
cheers.) The terrible cloud had not yet burst. After
lavishing a profusion of abuse upon the press, the
speaker continued to say—All Ireland's miseries have
been brought on by English misrule—the Government
had forced upon that country a distasteful Church, had
compelled them to support it, they had refused to Ire-
land a measure of tenant right; in fact, every injustice
which could be thrust upon the country. It had been
said that if Mr. Mitchel had wished a repeal of the
union. that he should have petitioned Parliament.—
(Cries of " We have done with petitions; pikes are the
things for us now.") But he might have petitioned long
enough before any notice would have been taken of him.
When Mr. Mitchell saw during the last winter that
hundreds of thousands were dying of starvation, he
swore by God that he would never rest night
nor day until he obtained redress for his country,
for doing which the Government had now trans-
ported him.--(A Voice--" Yes, the b—y villians are
murdering the people.") He warned the Government not
to suppose that they had put down agitation by trans-
porting Mitchel. The only way to do that, was to give
the country a right to self-government. All legitimate
power was derived from the people, and therefore the
people had a right to select what government they would
have. If he considered republicanism better than royalty
jhe had a right to say so. A republican was the only
ust government, and the country would never prosper
under any other.—(Cheers.) He could assure the Go-
vernment that it was the determination of the people to
break the chains which John Mitchel had shaken.
Mr. E. YOUEL seconded the resolution. He said there
were men ready to join in any movement which might
take place for the release of Mitchel.—(Cheers.) They
had only one common object in view, that was to hurl
the Government of this country from its resting place.
The resolution was then put, and carried by accla-
mation.
Several other persons addressed the meeting, and an
address to Mrs. Mitchel was agreed to.

The Chief Justice of Jamaica had an interview
with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial-office.
Mr. P. Mowatt had an interview with Sir George
Grey yesterday at the Home-office.
A deputation on the subject of the Health of Towns
Bill, consisting of Sir W. Clay, M.P., Mr. Richard
Spooner, M.P., Mr. W. Jackson, M.P., Mr. J. Pil-
kington, M.P., Mr. J. Duncan, M.P., Messrs. W.
Roberts, J. F. Bateman, C. Cowley, and G. Emmett,
and representing the following Waterworks Com-
panies—Birmingham, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Bury,
Heywood, Kendal, Rochdale, and Warrington—had
an interview with Viscount Morpeth yesterday, at
the office of her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods
and Forests, in Whitehall-place.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office, from the Governors of New South Wales,
South Australia, Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand,
and the Mauritius.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening, at the
Colonial-office, for the Governors of the West India
Colonies.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
The notion of an inherent sanctity in the person
of royalty, which was illustrated by Ne touchez pas
a le Reine—played at this house as Dying for a Kiss
—has served for the foundation of another drama,
entitled in English Spanish Marriages. A young
gentleman, who is in love with a great heiress, has
saved the life of the Queen of Spain, and thus has
earned the Royal favour, while he has put his neck
in jeopardy. The deed of heroism was performed in
the dark, and a foppish personage, hoping to obtain
the hand of the heiress, who has resolved to marry
the Queen's preserver, takes advantage of this cir-
cumstance, and pretends to be the real hero. A con-
demnation to the scaffold of the man who has
dared to touch the Royal person, even for the
purpose of preservation, induces the impostor to
abandon the dangerous honour, while the
genuine man of valour glady accepts the peril.
The Queen has merely devised the condemnation to
discover the truth, and bestows the hand of the
heiress on her preserver. The fopperies of the im-
postor (played by Vining) cause some amusement,
but, altogether, the piece is a weak one, with little to
distinguish it from other ephemeral productions of the
kind,. The principal female characters are made as
effective as they can be made by Mrs. Stirling, Miss
Cooper, end Miss Emma Stanley. A ballet divertisse-
ment called Menorella is without novelty of idea, but
is rendering pleasing by the talents of Mademoiselle
Aurioli and Mr. Flexmore. The lady displays great
vigour and power of execution in her dancing, and
Flexmore, who is one of the best clowns of the day,
shows much fantastic invention as a comic mime.
The Crown Diamonds is played at the Princess's OR
alternate nights, and Madame Thillon is supported
by Mr. Allen. The re-engagement of this gentleman
is highly advantageous to the company.

MEETINC IN JOHN-STREET, TOTTENHAM-COURT-
ROAD.—A meeting of persons professing sympathy with
Mr. Mitchel was held last night at the Literary Institu-
tion, John-street, Tottenham-court-road, which was
densely crowded long before the hour appointed for the
commencement of the proceedings. After several in-
flammatory speeches, resolutions denunciatory of the
Government, and expressive of sympathy with Mr.
Mitchel, were agreed to.

THE JEWISU DIsABILITIES BILL.—A special
meeting of the Ancient and Honourable Lumber Troop
was held on Wednesday night, at the Troop Hall, Fetter-
lane, to take into consideration the rejection of the above
bbryieflt Lords.hy
Bußpii
11011
nubtnya
tkitilhniegt
thesH r oe rejection
iioorfn,e
explained
HTo
ues eof coloneltLh Lords
r pdrsoofg;
rtaehnsesd tosrfoo
tmohpee,
excellent speeches were delivered on the subject by Mr.
Marsh and Mr. Fit lte
zwa r. The latter gentleman ob.
served that the constituency of the city of London was
not likely to submit tamely to the implied dietation of
the House of Peers. Baron Rothschild should present
himself at the table of the House, and as he of course
would not take the oath "on the true faith of a Chris-
tian," a new writ would issue, and then it would be seen
whether lordly bigotry was to bear down public opinion.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY.--MR. VERNONS PlC-
TllRES.—Yesterday the trustees of the National Gallery
issued the following regulations to the public for view-
ing the pictures recently given by Mr. Vernon to the
nation, at that gentleman's mansion in Pall.mall:—
" Regulations for viewing Mr. Vernon's pictures.—The
public to be admitted by tickets on the Tuesday and
Thursday of each week from the Ist of May to the 9th
of September, 1848, between the hours of ten and three
o'clock. Tickets to bo obtained on application at the
National Gallery on the first four days of each weel
Not more than three hundered tickets to be issue
each day."
-+ Lord John Russell will fintlAs ;most r
antagonists in that overwhelming 564
and working classes, who aro equally de'
the peace and to have extensive refr

.ormidable
of the middle
eermined to keep
...rah— 0-- •