The Sun.
London, England, 1848-02-26 00:00:00

Vfttrb 92bition

SUDDEN DEPARTURE
OF

PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON
BUONAPARTE TO FRANCE.

We stop the press to announce the following im-
portant particulars :
Prince Louis Napoleon Buonaparte, whose escape
from the fortress of Ham so recently agitated the
public mind, has again, it would appear, determined
to try his fortune in the land which was the scene of
the most remarkable events in the history of
his uncle. From sources on which we have
the utmost reliance, we have ascertained that
this distinguished member of the late Imperial
family of France left his hotel in the West-end of
London this forenoon, at half-past ten o'clock, for the
London-bridge station of the South Eastern Railway
Company. At half-past eleven he departed in the
mail train for France via Folkestone, where he would
arrive early in the afternoon.
We may draw our own conclusions from the fact,
that on the preceding evening the same noble per-
sonage went down the same line to the coast by
the half-past eight o'clock evening mail train. He
travelled all night, having been evidently too late for
the midnight mail steamer for Boulogne, and returned
this morning by the first train, arriving in London
at half-past five o'clock. He then proceeded in a cab
to his residence, in the neighbourhood of St. James's.
square. On leaving to-day it was remarked that he
was only attended by his valet, and a porter who
carried two heavy carpet bags to the station. It is
presumed he will cross by the ten o'clock Boulogne
steamer to-night, or hire a special steamer as on the
occasion of his last eventful but unfortunate enter-
prise.

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.

(THIS DAY.)
The twenty-third half-yearly general meeting of
the shareholders of this company was this day held
at the London Tavern, for the purpose of receiving a
report from the directors of the progress of the
undertaking, and for the transaction of the other
business of the company.
'The chair was taken at twelve o'clock by G.
Hudson, Esq., M.P.
The SECRETARY having read the notice convening
the meeting, proceeded to read the report, from which
it appeared that " The directors had to announce a
dividend of eight shillings per share of 201. each, of
the consolidated stock of the company, for the half-
year ending the 4th of January last. This diminu-
tion of dividend was stated to be owing to the
amount of consolidated stock upon which it was now
payable, exceeding by a large sum that of the pre-
vious half-year, and also in consequence of the inte-
rest upon Extension Stock, No. 2, hitherto charged
to capital in accordance with the resolutions under
which it was created, being now altogether charged
to revenue. The increase on the gross receipts from
traffic over the six months ending the 4th of January,
1847, had been—
From Passengers
Horses, carriages, and dogs 371 19 5
Goods, cattle, and coals

£69,566 15 10
The report went on to state that the directors had
since the last meeting of the shareholders of the com-
pany, anxiously directed their attention to the sub-
ject of the working expenses, and they had now the
satisfaction to state that a very considerable reduction
had been effeoted upon the mileage run during the
past half-year. This reduction had not been effected
at the expense or efficiency in working, or of the
security of the public ; as a proof of which it might
be stated that 2,471,381 passengers had been safely
and punctually conveyed along the lines of the com-
pany during the year 1847. The usual half-yearly
reports of the resident engineer and of the locomotive
superintendent were of a highly satisfactory cha-
racter, both in reference to the state of the permanent
way, and of the engines and plant of the company.
The directors regretted that circumstances had oc-
curred to delay the opening of the March and St.
Ives, and the Maldon, Witham, and Braintree lines
at the periods mentioned in the last half-yearly re-
port, but the former had been used for goods traffic
since the first of the present month, and would be
ready for the reception of passengers on the Ist of
March ; the latter would be completed for both goods
and passenger traffic in the early part of May next.
The directors had received intimation from the di-
rectors of the Newmarket Railway, that that line
would be opened in March, and they beg to announce
that a satisfactory arrangement had been entered into
between the two companies for working the traffic.
The portion of the Syston and Peterborough line,
between Stamford and Melton, would be finished
next month; thus completing the link between the
Midlands and Eastern Counties Railway. In con-
sequence of the recent commercial pressure, the
directors had not taken any steps for the construction
of the Cambridge and Bideford and the Wisbech and
Spalding lines, for which Acts were obtained last
session ; and, in accordance with the provisions
of the recent Act of Parliament, the con-
tracts for those lines would not be let with-
out the previous sanction of the shareholders.
It became, in the opinion of the directors, necessary,
during the money pressure in November last, either to
forfeit absolutely the York Extension shares, which
were in default for not paying calls beyond 10s. and 2/.
per share, or to give the holders one further chance
of saving the investments they had made, while they
contributed additional monies to the funds of the
company. Accordingly an advertisement was issued
on the sth November last allowing those holders,
who had paid 10s. per share, to pay 2/. per share
more, on or before the 10th December, and those who
had paid 21. per share to pay 31. per share more on or
before the same date, when their existing certificates
woald be cancelled, and scrip certificates for Eastern

Counties Guaranteed Stock, carrying 5 per cent.
interest in perpetuity, would be issued for th-
and for the Si. respectively paid. The total amount
received under this measure from defaulters did not
exceed 31,0481., and in respect of that sum anti fcrmer
payments, scrip had been issued in accordance with
the advertisement. The result of the measure, rode
pendently of the above receipts, had been to place in
the company's hands the power of issuing, or selling
with the sanction of the proprietors, a stock of about
400,0001. in amount, either as York Extension Shares,
or as a perpetual Five-per-Cent. Stock. The
directors who retired were—Mr. Waddington, Mr.
Butler, and Mr. Wells, all of whom were eligible for
re-election."

From the financial statement of the company it ap-
peared that the capital stock of the company amounted
to a gross sum of 7,320,3201. Is. 6d., the disburse-
ments to the sum of 780,7241. Bs. 3d., leaving a
balance in hand of 23,0781. 13s. 3d. The revenue
account of the half-year ending 4th of January, 1848,
showed receipts amounting to 323,8561. Is. 4d., the
expenses to 179,380/. 14s. 5d., leaving a surplus
available for the payment of dividends of a sum of
1144,475/. 6s. 10d.
Mr. HUDSON, M.P., said that he had now to move
the adoption of the report. He regretted as much as
any one present to meet them with a diminished di-
vidend. The meeting would find, however, that a
sum of upwards of 12,0001. was still left, after the
payment of the dividend, and had the directors distri-
buted the whole amount of the profits, they would
have been able to pay Is. per share more than they
now recommended. The traffic, he thought, was
most satisfactory. They had obtained during the
last half-year a sum of 12,0001. per week, which he
thought was as much as the most sanguine expecta-
tions could lead them to expect. With regard to the
working expenses of the line, he admitted that they
were very large. The company had to pay 26s per
ton for coke, whereas ins the north of England they
obtained the same article for 13s. per ton.
Coke formed a very serious item in the
expenses. That charge would be reduced
when the Syston and Peterborough line should be
opened. He had always held a strong opinion on the
beneficial results of that line when opened, connecting
as it would Norwich and all the western districts of
Yorkshire, bringing the coals of that district on to
the line traversed by the Eastern Counties; he anti-
cipated a large increased revenue from this source.—
(Hear, hear.) He had expected that that line would
have been opened before this, but difficulties had in-
tervened to prevent the opening of the line :
already an engine had gone over the line without
stoppages, and he hoped that about the middle of
March that line would be opened for the traffic of the
Eastern Counties.—(Hear, hear.) The other lines
referred to in the report would when opened also tend
to improve the revenue of the company. The Greet
Northern Railway proposed also that one of their
lines should come into the station of this company at
Peterborough, and the directors were quite ready to
give them the best facilities in their power.—(llear.)
He hoped that all these lines being in action, the ex
penses of working them would not increase propor-
tionately with the revenue, but that the expenses would
decrease materially while the revenue also increased
considerably.—(Hear, hear.) He found that in the
year 1846 the receipts upon the line averaged 1,3001.
per mile, whereas last year the average returns per
mile had been 1,764/., being an increase of about SOO/.
per mile.—(llear, hear.) The directors had done
their best for the company, and they appealed to the
meeting with confidence for their approbation, and if
they were of opinion that any body of men could
manage better than them, he for one was perfectly
ready to resign the management into their hands.—
(Cries of " No, no.") With respect to the view which
the directors took with respect to their proceedings
upon the shares, they had acted upon the best reflec-
tion. It was quite true that the company had not
realised a very large sum by the transaction, but they
had been enabled to meet all the liabilities of the
company by their so doing, and had been placed in a
position of dealing with a large number of shares in
any manner they might think fit when the occasion
required.—(Hear, hear.)
A SHAREHOLDER wisked to know why they were
not called together to have been consulted on the
subject.
The CHAIRMAN said that he did not think it wise
at that time to agitate the public mind on the subject,
nor to expose the condition of the company.—(llear,
hear.) By the course they had adopted the company
had been placed in a creditable position • they were
perfectly ready to pay their dividends.—(;Hear, hear.)
This company was not like some of its neighbours,
with a borrowed capital of seven or eight millions ;
the whole amount of their loans was not more than
700,000/. or 800,0001., and if the whole of the calls
were to be paid up they would be enabled to pay off
the whole of their borrowed money.—(Hear, hear.)
Dr. RYLAND said that he was not at all surprised
that the dividend had been reduced, when he consi-
dered the depressed state of the country.—(Hear,
hear.) He pressed upon the directors the necessity
of adopting economy in their management, and
avoiding as much as possible litigious proceedings.
Mr. PHELPS commented at some length upon the
proceedings connected with the forfeiture of the
shares referred to in the report, and contended that
the directors had no right to charge the funds of the
company with 5 per cent. in perpetuity, and trusted
that such a course would not be adopted again with-
out calling the meeting together.—(Hear, hear.)
A SHAREHOLDER called attention to the enormous
charges under the head of law and Parliamentary
charges, amounting in the present report to about
35,0001., and requested the directors to adopt mea-
sures to liquidate the enormous charges.
Mr. WADDINGTON replied to the charges brought
against the directors for encouraging the heavy law
expenses, and contended that their exertions morning,
noon, and night, had been mainly instrumental in
placing the company in its present position, and
second to no line in the kingdom —(Hear, hear.)
Theyibad advanced considerable sums of money out of
their own pockets when they had no account at their
bankers, for the purpose of preventing the disgrace
of the company.—(Cheers.) With respect to Perlis-
tiarnentary expenses, he could say that every Bill
which had been brought before the Committee had
been examined and reduced by the Hon. Chairman
himself—(Hear, hear) the directors pledging
themselves to reduce their expenditure as much as
was consistent with the best interests of the com-
pany.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE, in a speech of some length,
and in his usual style, commented somewhat severely
upon the failure of the promises made by the Hon.
Chairman with respect to a considerable increase in
the dividends of this year.
The Hon. CHAIRMAN defended himself from the
charges of the Learned Sergeant, and untended that
his failure in the result of his calculations had arisen
from the unforeseen difficulties of the month of Octo-
ber.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to the conduct of
the directors in regard to the shares, he thonght that
the meeting ought at least to have a feeling of con-
sideration for the directors, who were then driven up
in a corner, their cheques having been refused pay-
ment at their bankers for a miserable sum of 2,000/.
—(Cheers.) There was a feeling of mutual consi-
deration in the agreement, and the directors were
anxious to do as much as posssble for those holders of
shares who were unable to pay up the required
amount.
A SHAREHOLDER wished to know whether the
amount of the dividend was all payable out of the
revenue ?
The CHAIRMAN said that most decidedly it was.
The report was then unanimously agreed to.
A resolution authorising the directors te dispose of
the forfeited shares referred to in the report was also
agreed to.
Mr. Waddington, Mr. Wells, and Mr. Butler were
re-elected directors.
The thanks of the meeting were voted to the chair,
and the meeting then broke up.

NORFOLK ESTUARY.-THIS DAY.
The third half yearly meeting of this company, the
object of which is to reclaim a vast tract of land from the
sea at Lynn, was held this day, at one o'clock, at the
British Coffee House, Charing-cross.
Mr. Stewart was called to the chair in the absence of
Lord George Bentinck, on account of having to preside
as the Chairman of the Committee recently appointed
to inquire into the condition of the East
and West India interests. The report simply stated
that the directors did not recommend any call at pro-
sent ; they bad received 5601. from Mr. Bentinch, for
the inain.cnance of his banks, out of which they had
expended 4741. Ils. £d., which had cleared all expenses
on that head, and they should receive 200/. from him in
September next. They further recommended that no
steps should be taken for the purchase of the land
or the working of the cut before the next half-yearly
meeting in August, unless any proceedings in the mean
time were sanctioned by the Commissioners at an ex-
traordinary meeting.
The receipts for the halt year had been 4,929/. Os. 6d.,
the expenditure 4,836/. I Is. 10d., and the balance 921.
Bs. 10.

The report was received, and Sir W. Folkes, and
Messrs. West, Bagge, Townley, and Pryme, wore re
elected directors, and Mr. Oastler auditor.
Considerable discussion ensued pith respect to the
prospects of the company, in the course of which it was
elicited that committees on the part of the Eaubrink Com-
missioners and the town of Lynn had been appointed to
enter into a consideration of the matter. It was stated
by Sir W. Folkes that the town was now favourable to
that undertaking, and were, he thought, disposed to raise
money to assist in caarying it out. A letter directs Ito
m
the corporation of the town by Lord G. Bent
ck, in
which he proposed that they should seek powers to raise
upwards of 250,0001., gave much dissatisfaction, as the
proposition had been mado without the cognizance of
the directors.
The meeting then separated.

Died, Feb. 23, in Eaton square, Augusta, the be-
loved wife of Sir John Pakington, Bart., M.P.

QUEEN'S BENCH.7I(TIIIS DAY.)
(Sittings iu Banco, be:ore MrPustice COLEpapcE and)
Mr. Justice tALE.) -
The Court sat to-day to givadslueut in tho.follow.•=
ing eases:—
EARL OF EGREMONT.
Rule for a new trial disehare, s.A
SAME V. COUNTNEY. 11"!
Rule to enter a nonsuit made absolute.
BIDDULPH V. POOL.
In this ease the Court gave judgment for the de.
fondant.

-

EARL OF ECREMONT V. LANGTON.
Mr. Justice Wightinan was to have given judgment in
this case, but he was prevented by illness from attend-
ing to do so.

LOCKWOOD V. WOOD.
A rule for a new trial was granted in this case.

EYE v. NOiNTFORD.
Rule absolute to enter a nonsuit for the defendant,
with liberty for the plaintiff to amend his pleadings, and
hare a new trial.

HORHOUSE V. JAMES.
Rule absolute to enter a nonsuit.

LEWIS 'V. XARRIS.
In this case the Court gave judgment for the defen•
dant.

LEVY V. ELDON.

Rule absolute to enter a verdict for the defendant 1113
all his pleas but one.

lEACOCK V. STEVENS.

In this case the COURT gave judgment for the defend-,
ant, on the ground that the declaration did not disclose
a sufficient cause of action.

QUEEN V. RYILLIS.

In this case the COURT gave judgment for the Crown I
(Sittings at Guildhall before Lord DENMAN and i
special jury.)

THE QUEEN V. G00C46
This case, which was before the Ccargyesterday, was
resumed this morning.
On the part of the Crown several witnesses were
called yesterday, whose evidento went to show that they
had, under the direction of the defendants, caused the
marks from a number of bales of wool to be
taken out, and other marks inserted, for the purpose of
allowing the goods to be cleered at a lower rate of duty
than was properly chargeable upon them.
Mr. Sergeant SHEE to-day addressed the jury for the
defendants, and proceeded to call several witnesses, with
a view of rebutting the evidence offered on the part
of the Crown.

Mr. WATsoN the replied on the part of the Crown.
His LORDSHIP having summed up, the jury retired to
consider their verdict.
The jury retired, and after an absence of upwards of
an hour, returned a verdict of Guilty against both
the defendants for conspiring together to defraud the
revenue, and Not Guilty of conspiring together to de-
fraud the consignee of the goods
The sentence upon the defendants was deferred.

WORSHIP-STREET.—(THIS DAY.)
Richard Welsh and Edward Davis, of the respective
ages of twelve and thirteen, were charged with having
broken into the warehouse of Mr. Thomas Wagstafl,
wholesale coffee dealer, Great Paul-street, Christ
Church, Whitechapel.
Police-constable 84 II stated that he was on duty last
evening, at about a quarter past ten o'clock, in th•
above street, and on trying the door of Mr. Wagstaff 's
premises, he found it give way to his pressure. Witness
proceeded cautiously along the passage and presently
he heard the trampling of footsteps overhead. Witness
now sent a young man in search of a police-constable,
and on the arrival of the latter they proceeded together
up stairs, and on searching a room on the second floor
the prisoners were found concealed in the oven used fur
roasting coffee. The prisoners said they did not know
what they were doing there. On the floor was found a
dark lantern, a crowbar, a box of lucifers, and other
housebreaking implements.
Mr. Iliadairm. said it was quite clear that the pri-
soners had broken into the premises for an unlawful
purpose ; he should therefore commit them to the House
of Correction for three calendar months.

ELECTION COMMITTEES.
(THIS DAY.)
LYME REGIS.

The Lyme Regis Election Committee re-assembled at
the usual hour this morning; Lord Ashley in the chair.
Giles Purchase proved that Mr. Templer, Sir Fitzroy
Kelly's agent, sent for him at the last election, and told
him that if he would vote for Sir Fitzroy Kelly Ise should
have a situation procured for him, and that until the
situation was found he should receive his wages every
Saturday night.
The wife of the last witness confirmed his testimony.
The Committee were occupied the whole of the day
in receiving similar evidence to that given by the pre-
ceding witnesses.

The Committee adjourned at its rising till Monday.

BOLTON.
The Select Committee appointed to investigate the
the truth of the allegations contained in the petition
presented against the return of Mr. Bolling, for the
borough of Bolton, met this morning; Mr. Hamilton in
the chair.

Mr. Sergeant Wrangham and Mr. Wheeler appeared
for the petitioner, and Mr. Sergeant Kinglake for the
sitting Member.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM opened the case for the
petitioner, as one disclosing a novel system of bribery,.
for the Committee would find by the evidence that the
publicans were supplied with " shots," as a consideration
to vote for the sitting Member. In ordinary phraseology,.
a " shot" meant the furnishing of money to a publican.
to be spent in drink, and it would be seen that the new-
system had the double advantage of bribing mine host.
with the profit derivable from the sale of the drink, and.
at the same time of bribing the voter to whom the
drink was presented. Besides 'the description of cases,
which were pretty numerous, it would be shown that
many of the voters; were induced to support the sit-
ting Member by receiving promises in some instances.
that themselves, and in others that their friends and re-
lations, should have situations procured for them.
James Green, a rate-payer, of Bolton, proved that:
he plumpt for Mr. Bolling, and that he received two.
sovereigns for doing so; one from Chantler, and the
other from a person named Shelling, both of whom
were actively engaged in conducting the election for the
sitting Member.
Thomas Craxton, another voter, proved that he re-
ceived 21. in the same way, for voting for Bolling and.
Brooks.

The Committee then adjourned till Monday.

LANCASTER.

The Committee re-assembled at the usual hour this;
morning ; Mr. Deedes in the chair.
Mr. WORDSWORTH summed up the case for the peti-
tioner, after which,
The Committee adjourned till Monday.