The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY MORNING, PEI3RUA Y 197 It-3--,6.

tho purpose. He hoped Alderman Wilson would not
proceed with his statement.
Alderman WILSON said he hoped the Court would
allow him to proceed. He had much more to state, and
he thought the best coarse that could be pursued was to
apply to Sir James Graham, or to get the matter referred
to a Committee of the House of Commons, for upon a
Committee of the Court of Aldermen he could place no
reliance.

there was a groat noise, and they hoisted. the foretops
mast staysails and thee the jib ; but by the time that the
jib was half-up, she was on shore.
Mr. Ripley—When she passed your bows, I suppose
that, if the helm had been put the right way, she would
have gone up the channel ?—Yes ; but I suppose she
got into shallow water, and then she would not answer
eo soon to the helm.
But when she was passing the floating-light, if the
helm had been put aport, she would have answered it ?
—Yes, she would.
Mr. Cook—How must her helm have been put ?—lt
must have been put to the starboard. I heard them say
on board, " Port the helm !" " Hard up with the helm 1"
That was after she passed the buoy ? —Yes.
Mr. Ripley.—She was in danger then?—l considered
she was. She was ashore when the jib was got up; but,
when the foretopmast staysail was loosed, she was not
ashore. lam perfectly satisfied (continued the witness)
that the helm must have been put to the starboard when
she crossed our bows, or she would not have gone to
the N.B.
Mr. Ripley.—When the order was given to port the
helm, where was she?—To the eastward of the light-
ship, nearly abreast of Taylor's buoy.
Do you think she had struck then?—No, not then. She
kept her course to the N.E. till they heisted the foretop-
mast staysail and shivered the maintopsail, when she
seemed to take off a little; but she did not go very
rapidly, and then I saw the jib go up, when she stuck
fast. After I perceived she was fast, in about ten
minutes she disappeared altogether. The surf was mak-
ing a fair breach right over her.
Mr. Ripley—Do you think the pilot was at any time in
fen- of the ship corning in contact with the light-ship',
and that the course was altered to avoid that?-1i don't
think there was any danger of that. He could have
gone on either side of the light-ship with a N.W. wind.
Mr. Cooke—How was her head when she stuck fast?
—S.W.; but she might have caught the ground before
that.

FEMALE SERVANTS' HOME
SOCIETY.—(MONDAY).
A public meeting of this Society was held at the Hanove:-
square Rooms this day,
Lord ASHLEY took the chair at two o'clock, and called on
the Rev. Mr. Keane to open the proceedings with prayer.
Lord ASHLEY said he thought it would be unnecessary for
him to trespass long on their time, as all of those present
must be aware of the importance of that Institution. From
the report he had read he was deeply impressed that it was of
the greatest importance to the peace, the welfare,
and the honour of every family in the kingdom. In
that he was borne out by a letter from Chel-
tenham, sent him by a gentleman connected with an
institution for the same object, which had existed seven
years in that place, with the very best results. He (Lord Ash-
ley) was aware that young women were exposed to great
dangers in coming up to the metropolis in search of situa-
tions, and were exposed to dangers and difficulties not only
when in that condition, but after they had actually obtained
places, since, from harsh treatment and extreme exactions,
they might in a moment of excitement throw up their situa-
tions and leave themselves friendless in the midst of
society. The police reports gave them too many instances
of the bad results which often issued out of these
casualties. Thei own comfort depended intimately
on the welfare of that class of society. After their wives
and children, their comfort depended on no class so much as
on their domestic servants. Great fraud was used in intro-
ducing bad characters into their families. An individual of
respectable appearance would take a lodging at some hotel,
and there would furnish characters suited to the highest
situations, or merely adapted to the humblest menial ser-
vice. It had been found out that so much as a guinea was
the charge for the most common character, but, for those
ascending to the higher flights, the amount exceeded any-
thing they could imagine, s) that vast sums of money were
amassed by these means. At a time when they were review-
ing their whole social system (and for which he thanked God)
he hoped that a larger share of consideration would be given
to that cl ire of society for whose interests the Society existed.
His Lordship, after some more remarks, called on
The Rev. JOHN BROWN, secretary, to read the report of the
Institution. It appears that 2,000 female servants had used
the advantage of the Society's homes, 4,714 had been regis-
tered free, and 1,550 applications had been made to the So-
ciety for servants.

Several Aldermen objected to the consideration of the
question at that moment.
Alderman WILSON persevered. If the Court refused
to discuss the subject on that day, he should soon bring
it on again. The immense importance of it made imme-
diate attention to it indispensable. He moved that the
committee to whom it was referred on the 21st October
last, to conf, r with the Secretary of State for the Home
Department on the subject of ‘Thitecross-street prison,
and Giltspur-street Compter, be requested to lay before
the next Court the result of their interview.

_ _ _
Sir Peter LAURIE-I shall certainly count the court
if Alderman Wilson persists. Such a subject as this re-
quires a special court. This is no court, my Lord
Mayor. There are but eleven members present.
Alderman FAREBROTIIER—I hope the Court will not
break up. It may go forth, bat the Court cannot pro-
pose an efficient remedy for any defects which may exist,
or that it is unable to repel the accusations so liberally
made.

Sir PETER LAIIRIE.—I submit, my Lord Mayor, that
there is no Court.
The LORD MAYOR —Then we are in committee.
Here several of the Aldffmen objected to going into
committee.

Alderman WILSON said he did not care whether they
constituted a court or a committee, provided they only
took into consideration the great subject which he, now
for the last time, brought forward.
The LORD MAYOR.—You can proceed in committee
with the question.
Sir William MAGNEY—The subject cannot then
drop from a court into committee. It must be discussed
in a court. I move that this committee—for we are no
longer a court—do now adjourn. A court can be ap-
pointed for th- discussion.
Alderman SIDNEY rose to second Alderman Wilson's
motion, and was proceeding when
Alderman FAREDROTHER rose to order. They were
not a court. He had, however, no objection to hear
Alderman Sidney speak. and could show that the view
taken by Aldermen Wilson and Sidney was grossly an
error.

Did you observe whether there was a sea on the Vic-
toria Bar when she came up?—There was a heavy sea
there at daylight. I cannot say what there was at dark.
You base been at sea a long time?—Yes.
Do you fancy that a man competent to bring a ship
over the Lai. could have made such a mistake as starboard
for porr, at such a critical period?
The Cor.ner—Oh, he heard the order given to port
the helm, and it was i'ot obeyed.
George Grey re-called—There was no order given to
hoist sail till the vessel struck. Then there was an
order to hoist the foretopmast staysail, and afterwards
the j•b. Georse Spencer was at the helm. He was lost.
The last witness says right about the orders given. They
were, " Hard up with the helrp!" and "Port the helm!"
but then the vessel had struck. After she struck I rushed
to the helm and put it hard up. When we were passing
the light-ship I was forward. The word " Put up the
helm!" might then have been given without my hearing
it. " Hard up!" said the captain and the pilot. It was
hard up when I received it.
Mr. Ripley—When was the course altered? It was
when she got close into the light-ship. She went on
considerably ahead, and disc there was a great deal of
noise abroad—cries of " Keep the helm bard up," &c.,
as if some mistake had been made. The ship went
slang some time after the hoisting of the sails, but she
was thumping all the time.
Mr. Ripley—lt is clear that the vessel had struck
when the order to port the helm was given.
Mr. Lloyd—Yes.
Mr. Ripley—Now, as a nautical man, Mr. Lloyd, what
is your opinion of the cause of the loss of that vessel ?
do you think it was the fault of the pilot I
could not say it would be the fault of the pilot ; but 1.,
think that the ship might have kept away sooner.
was she under proper sail ?—She was not under pro-
per sail at the time. She ought to have had her head-
sails or., the topmast staysail at the least.
And if she had had her head-sails on ?—The ship
would have been more liable to keep away more quickly.
She would have been more manageable ?—Yes, sir.
The sails are always set and taken in by order of the
pilot on board 7—Yes, as soon as a pilot goes on boarder •
ship it is under his command.
Your light-ship was in its proper position?—Yes,
quite correct.
Lieutenant Lord—And all the buoys were in their
right places? Was there not an American ship passed
at the same time? Witness—Yes, in. five minutes after-
wards.
Which way did she return?—Sbe gave the light-ship
plenty of sea room. She did not come on one side of it,
and then luff to the other. She came straight in, and
one course would have taken her the whole way.
George Lewis examined—l was on board the light-
ship at the time the Bencoolen came up. She bore to
the northward of us, with her two topsails set, and the
master said, "She will be sure to go on that way." We
heard showings out, and saw the foretopmast staysail
got up, and she shivered her mainsail, and presently she
loosed her jib, but before that was up she was aground.
Ten minutes after she was on her broadside. She passed
us, and came to en account of having no head.ail. In
coming through a narrow place like that, she should
have had her head sails set.
Mr. Wm. Lord examined—l am the marine surveyor
to the Dock Trustees, and produce a chart of the dif-
ferent channels to the port of Liverpool. I was down
there yesterday afternoon surveying the banks. There
has not been any alteration for the last seven years.
The buoys are in the same positions as they are laid
down in the chart. All the lights are in their proper
positions.
Mr. Ripley—l would ask you, Lieutenant Lord, as a
nautical man, whether the Bencoolen came in under
proper canvass?—l should have preferred more head
sail on the vessel.
If she had had head sail, would she have answered her
helm better ?—The probability is that she would.
What number of vessels enter the port of Liverpool
through the Victoria channel P—Last year, 28,861 ves-
sels entered. Since the channel was first opened in
1839, there have come in and gone out through that
channel, 141,680 vessels. That is pretty good evidence
that the buoys and lights are not bad.
Mr. Cooke.—You have heard the evidence given;
what is your opinion as Us the cause of the loss of that
vessel, going as she was six knots an hour, and altering
her position to the N.E. when she should have gone south
and east?—l thought at first that she might have
broached to; but I am now of opinion that the helm has
been put the wrong way.
Mr, Cooke.—Nothing could have -brought her into
that position without the helm having been put to star-
board7—l am inclined to think so.
Mr. D. Rowland.—Mr. Ripley, in opening the case,
intimated very distinctly that there was an ulterior object
is conducting the investigation in this way; and at the
same time he made a very broad and strong statement,
involving the general practice of the pilotage establish-
ment of the port. In reference to that statement, I wish
to propose one short question to Lieutenant Lord. Dur-
ing his connexion with the port of Liverpool, I should
like to ask him what is his opinion as to the general
efficiency of the establishment? •
.Lieutenant Lord—l think, taking the Liverpool pilots
collectively they must be a very skilful set of men ?—I
have no doubt about it ; for it is impossible that so many
vessels could enter and quit the port in safety unless
they were so.
Mr. Ripley—Of course there are exceptions ? Yes,
there are exceptions.
Mr. D. Rowland examined—l am the Secretary of the
Pilots' Committee. Before giving my, evidence, permit
me to make a preliminary remark. The Pilots' Com-
mittee, yesterday, on having an intimation from Mr.
Ripley of what would, in all probability, form the cha-
racter of this investigation, instructed me, their secre-
tary, to furnish on this occasion, the fullest and
most co:nplete information that could be given relative to
the pilot who had charge of the Bencoolen. I have accord-
ingly extracted from the books everything in reference to
him. His name was James Greenward Harding. He was
bound apprentice to No. 7 pilot-boat on the 19th of
February, 1827. On the 22d ef June, 1830, he obtained
his license. From that time up to the 16th of March,
1840, nearly ten years, no complaint against him appears
on the report of the proceedings of the Committee. He
was a particularly sober man. No charge to the con-
trary has on any occasion been brought against him.
On the 16th of March, 1840, he was few the first time
brought before the Pilots' Committee on a complaint of
Pile St. Croix, for getting the ship Ceres on Hoylake
bank, on the sth of February in that year. The judgment
of the committee on that case was—" James G. Harding
is found to have been wanting in judgment, aad is hereby
severely reprimanded, and admonished to be more care
emxaitinteienedshobuy
ful in future." On the 3d of Feb., 1842, he was again
Captainbreugili Jbacefcirekson. Jackson, for grounding
the barque
en a complaint of
ytheears.aidTvhens
jaeuldogeineßnutrnbo,ethoeu
canoememeitthteoefiJnatnhuaatrycaisne thatwas
ldthereepxoarmt,inainngd
that in the meanwhile he should leave his license with
committee,
mTihtatete,hethshatoultdhabt e
committee should
he was found fully
been re examined by
hoifm .HOOl
tine r
nt the 12thand ofc
the secretary." On the 19th ofx itela
qualified, and was recommended for a full license,
August,a
and Atkinson,
t khianvaionag,
two of the examining
Constable on shore
1845, on a c
Lady Chilton,
for
for getting the barque
the 6th of thit month, the
on Burbo Bank, on.
which was graonmtepdlaitnot
judgment of the committee was-_" That his license
should be withdrawn on the score of gross inattention
of his vessel,
to the critical position which ought to have
been brought immediately toh
I nv
che
hor On the 23d of
ut
b
June, 1845, he petitioned to license restored to
d • he was told that if he was
him. That was grante
again brought before the committee on a charge of inat-
tention,
be would be dismissed the service. Unfortu-
natelyhim,
for be would never again have the opportu-
nity of appearing
before them.
taken place,
A good deal of conversation having
arising out of the evidence of Mr. Rowland, George Grey
was re-called, and stated that the tiller ropes of the Ben-
coolen were in perfect order, and the
ship answered to
the helm very well.
The Coroner briefly summed up, and the jury re-
turned a verdict of accidental death.

J. PAYNE, Esq., moved that the report read sho►►ld be
adopted. He shortly remarked on the evil effects of the
hasty dismission of servants from situations coming within
his own sphere of observation in corroboration of what
had fallen from the Chairman.

The motion was seconded by the Rev. Mr. DIBDIN

It was moved by the Rev. Mr. KEANE, and seconded by
the Rev. Mr. PIZEY' that gratitude and praise to Got:
should be recorded by the meeting for his blessing on the
Society.
The thanks of the meeting were moved to Lord Ashley,
the chairman, by the Rev. S. JONES, which was seconded and
caried unanimously.
His LORDSHIP, in replying, referred the supporters of
the Society to the happy effect which had followed his
efforts. Twelve years ago, he said, out of the thousands
of childrenrrom six to eight years old, working from twelve
to fifteen hours a day, not one hundred had had one hour's in-
struction, but now thirty thousand of them wrought but six
hours a day, and bad three hours of good education.—(Hear,
hear.) He would give them his own rule—first, they ought
to consider whether the cause they took up was good,
and if so to stand by it, though alone, till they grew grey-
headed, and they would have the happiness to hear, if it
were on their death-bed, of the good resulting from their
labours.—The meeting then separated.

Alderman COPELAND.—It is quite impossible that the
subject can be now further entered into. Let us have a
court for this question alone.—(Hear, bear.)
Alderman WlLsom—After the counting out of a
court consisting of eleven members, I shall certainly not
bring on the question again.
Alderman SlDNEY.—Depend upon it we shall be pointed
at for this proceeding.
Sir William MAONEY.—I have taken as much pains
with the question as any man in the court, and I am
desirous to attend upon any day appointed for the dis-
cussion; but what can be done now? There is no longer
a court, and it is quite impossible to go into the matter.
Alderman SIDNEY said he was convinced the court
would suffer in the opinion of the public for that day's
extraordinary proceeding.

AldermanrAnEnaoTH-En said the public opinion was
that the Court of Aldermen performed their duty, and
that opinion was not likely to be affected by false repre-
sentations.

THE BANKRUPT and INSOLVENT
LAWS (MONDAY.)

A large public meeting of merchants, bankers, and traders
in the City of London, was held, at one o'clock this day, at
the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, to receive a report
of the proceedings of the Committee, appointed on the 27th
of May last, to consider the Small Debts Act and the Act
for the amendment of the Law of Bankruptcy and Insol-
vency, brought into the House of Commons at the close of
last session ; and to det, rmine on the measures to be adopted
with respect thereto.
On the motion of T. BARING, Esq., M.P., R. J. MASTER-
MAN, Esq., M.P., was called to the chair, who briefly stated
that he had been requested to preside, as he had the honour
to represent the City of London in Parliament.
The Secretary, Mr. TRAVERS, read letters from Lord Ash-
burton and Commissioners Goulbum and Fane, regretting
their inability to attend the meeting, and expressive of their
opinion that the present laws were defective, inasmuch as
they afforded the dishonest debtors the means of preventing
their property from being divided amongst their creditors,
and did not afford them sufficient protection, and suggesting
various remedies. Lord Ashburton stated that it had been
his fate to sit on many Committees respecting these laws
with several great lawyers, who appeared to him much more
occupied with views connected with their profession than
those which had reference to the great material and moral
interests of those over whom these laws were practically des-
tined to operate.
The report, after pointing out the hardships to which
creditors were exposed under existing Acts, proceeded to
point out the remedial measures contained in the
Act introduced into the House of Commons last
session under the auspices of Mr. Hawes and Mr. Masterman.
The object of this Bill is to perfect and extend the Bank-
ruptcy Amendment Act of 1842, the object being to afford
greater facility for bringing insolvent persons into the Court
of Bankruptcy; to obtain additional security against their
property being diphonestly, made away with; and to render
exposure and Just punishment more certain for those whose
improper conduct shall have deserved them. To accomplish
these objects, improvements are proposed in the first steps in
Bankruptcy, relative to the summons of the debtor, and for the
protection of his, or, rather, of, his creditor's property, during
the period which now properly elapses between the day of
appearance before the Court upon the summons and the
completion of the Act of Bankruptcy, and the taking
possession of the property by the messenger under the
fiat. The Committee, aware of the extreme im-
portance of providing against the possibility of abuse
of this poNver;s, *tad endeavoured so to frame the
provistou tu the part of
the honest debtor. The Bill would also empower the l,Otu, vs
Bankruptcy at any time in its discretion to withdraw or
suspend its protection from bankrupts and insolvents, and to
make the withdrawal of such protection compulsory, when-
ever the bankrupt or insolvent shall fail to satisfy
the Court that his bankruptcy or insolvency shall
have arisen otherwise than from fraud, wilful mis-
conduct, extravagance, or gambling, as well as in all those
cases now punishable as felonies or misdemeanours; thus put-
ting the proof of honesty upon the debtor, not throwing the
proof of fraud upon the creditor; the creditor being, by the
failure of his debtor, the injured party, and the impossibility,
of proving • fraud being to well known to require expla-
nation. It proposed to give to the assignees, as well as
to individual creditors upon the admission of their claims,
the rights of judgment creditors against the person of
the bankrupt or insolvent, which might be enforced
immediately upon the protection being withdrawn; thus
making the withdrawal of protection a previous step to
creditor, who
t h
oa ttthenhe
a discretion,nd th en notonl
only, may
tmhaeyC
seize his
but olif
debtor'ste
person. The Bills provided security also to creditors
against the wasthig and loss of the effects of
deceased traders, in default of the appointment of
executors or administrators, and for the distribution thereof
by means of the Court of Bankruptcy after the lapse of a
certain period. It rendered securities by bills of sale, and
mortgages of goods, and personal chattels and effects, in-
operative against creditors unless filed within 21 days after
execution. The Committee were strongly opposed to the
proposition for uniting the Bankruptcy and Insolvent Courts.
They consider that a very different course should be pursued
in the dealing with the insolvency of traders and non-traders,
under which latter description they include that numerous
class of persons who, whether traders whose debts are under
3001., or non-traders, avail themselves of the protection
granted them by the Court of Bankruptcy by the Acts of
1842 and 1844, as it must be borne in mind that the
object of the creditor in making his debtor bank-
rupt is the distribution of his estate among his
creditors ; that of the insolvent petitioner, his own relief and
protection. Previously to the passing of the former of these
Acts, the effects of traders only were administered by the
Court of Bankruptcy. The Insolvent Dobtors' Court dealt
chiefly with the other class. The effect of these two statutes
is to bring into the Bankruptcy Court a multitude of appli-
cations from persons whose debts are less than 3001. These
cases are nearly all of a petty and trivial nature, involving
ordinarily few or no questions of importance; the effects of
the debtors being nil, and their creditors being, individually,
for trifling amounts, and without the slightest hope of a divi-
dend. From their number alone they occupy a very
large portion of the time of the Commissioners, and
official assignees ; and, from there being no avail-
able assets, they of course contribute nothing to-
wards the expenses of the Court, which are, therefore,
wholly borne by the creditors of the bankrupt traders. The
petitions of these small debtors for protection might be dis-
posed of quite as efficiently for them in the Insolvent Court,
and the Court of Bankruptcy reserved for bankruptcy cases
alone. The accounts showed but a small balance in the
hands of the Treasurer.
Thomas BARING, Esq., in moving the first resolution,
stated that he could bring no arguments from practical ex-
perience to bear upon the question which they bad met to
discuss, for it was well known that bankers and general
merchants had not that every-day experience of the opera-
tion of the bankrupt and insolvent law which was obtained
by those moving in a different sphere of commerce. They
were not certainly free from the disagreeable misfortune of
bad debts, but the application of those bad debts did
not come so frequently before them as those
engaged in other branches of trade.—(Dear, hear.)
He had stated this because—althongh he agreed with the
sentiments contained in the report—he did not wish to pledge
himself as to the course he should pursue with respect to
hese laws until he had had a further elucidation of their
effect upon the public, and of the sentiments of the Legisla-
ture with respect to them. He was saved from entering at
length into the whole bearings of the question by the very
able and comprehensive letters which they had heard read
from those whose experience and official position entitled
their opinions to the greatest respect.—(Hear.) Although the
banker and merchant had not so many opportunities of ob-
serving the effect of those laws as the general trader, yet he
was, nevertheless, as deeply interested in the issue, for every-
thing which rendered one portion of the trade of the country
unsafe must endanger the other portion also.—(Cheers.) So
that that question affected the merchantile classes more than
they were inclined to believe. It was a mistaken notion to
believe that creditors had any wish to oppress their debtors,
as justice could he obtained without imposing unnecessary
hardships. He must say, however, that there was
a morbid sensibility created in the minds of
the public, for the hardship which occurred under
the old system of imprisonment for debt, and it was
alleviated
ted
; shouldbu
but that
at lgenerated,aiv
must
be
i no rbdaed, r thatnd
injuriously
operate
• upon the whole community, which gave
an undue advantage to the debtor, and did not protect the
rightdistrestsh amti
honest creditor from injury and fraud.—(Hear.) The Le-
gislature, in his opinion, had been rather precipitate with
respect to these laws, and the mercantile interests had not
been sufficiently consulted with respect to their operation. He
might
th befeelings
then instanced the case of New York, in which the law, which
was similar to our own, was abolished about 20 years ag %, but
three or four years after an attempt was made to renew it, as
it was found 'that the new enactments did not give the credi-
tor sufficient control over the property of the debtor; thus
showing, that in every commercial country it was highly in-
cumbent that the creditor as well as the debtor should be
protected. He had a perfect reliance in the opinions of those
by whom the report was prepared, and a knowledge
of his Honourable Friend the Chairman, and his
Honourable Friend the Member for Lambeth (Mr..
Hawes), who had taken charge of the Bill, and he was
perfectly convinced of the necesssity of commercial men tak-
ing the matter into their own hands, and with the aid of the
learned profession, devising remedies for the existing laws.
He, therefore, begged to move that this meeting approve of
the report, that it be printed and circulated, and that the com-
mittee be empowered to take such measures as may be ex-
pedient to give practical effect to its recommendation, and
also to raise subscriptions to defray the expenses incident
thereon?!
Sir GEORGE LARPENT seconded the motion. He
said there was a gourd ?pinion amongst tin mercantile

Alderman WnsoN submitted that there was a resem-
blance between the opinions formed by the Inspector of
prisons, and expressed by him on Saturday upon the
question of Mr. Pearson's plan, with respect to juvenile
offenders, and the opinions expressed on the present
occasion. He had drawn no exaggerated picture, and he
was convinced that his words would not be thrown away,
The Aldermen then left the Chamber.

It is expected that an early day will be appointed for
the consideration of " prison discipline," and that some
decisive measures mill be adopted.

LOSS OF THE BENCOOLEN.
INQUEST ON ONE OF THE SEAMEN.
An inquest was held on Tuesday, before Mr. Heyes,
county coroner of Lancashire, touching the death of
George Ellis, steward of the Bencoolen, which was lost
on Saturday week, on Taylor's Bank. The inquiry took
place at the house of Mr. Robert Itainford, of the Blun-
dell Arms, in Crosby, and, owing to the peculiar circum-
stances of the case, excited more than ordinary interest.
Previous to the commencement of the investigation, Mr.
Ripley stated that he was owner of the vessel, and he
wi:hed for a most searching investigation into the whole
circumstances, so as, if possible, to ascertain the cause
of the unfortunate disaster. It would, he believed, be
preyed in evidence that the loss of the vessel, the sacri-
fice of so many lives, and of so much property, had not
been occasioned by the usual course of events in such
cases. It would be proved that the weather was mode-
rate, that the atmosphere was clear, and that the ship
was in good condition ; and if these pleadings were
proved, it would, he believed, be incumbent that the
inquiry should go further, and that they should look
into the causes that had produced the disaster. It was
of no consequence to the poor fellows whose lives were
lost, or to him as the owner of the ship, what the result
might be ; but circumstances might arise in evidence to
show the necessity of adopting measures to prevent in
future such loss of life and of property.
The first witness called was George Grey, who de-
posed as follows:—I live at Stockton-on-Tees, in the
county of Durham. I was a seaman on ',curd the
barque Bencoolen,- which left Lima on the 13th of Oct.,
and made the west of Ireland on the 6th inst. We took
our pilot on board at eight o'clock on Saturday morning,
at Red wharf Bay, in Anglesea. The weather was at that
time bad; it was bloeing a gale of wind from the W. to
W.N.W. That was a favourable wind for us. We
passed the Bell Buoy at half past six o'clock at night.
The wind had then abated a little. It was a beautiful
moonlight night—quite clear. The pilot was walking
the deck; be was sober. perfectly sober, so far as
I know. We were right abreast of the Formby
light-ship when the vessel struck. The tide was
flowing ; it would then be about two hours before
high water. It was high water at twelve minutes past
nine that night. She struck several times upon the bank,
and never got off. The mizen-mast went over in ten
minutes after she struck. We lowered the quarter boat
in about ten minutes after striking, and five seamen and
three boys got into it. The steward was in, but he went
back for something, but before he could return, the boat
had broken from the vessel. She had been fastened
with a - three-and-a-half inch rope. We tried to get
back to save our fellow-creatures aboard of the barque,
but we could not—the sea and the wind drifting us away.
We got into Liverpool about half-past nine o'clock, and
gave every information of what had occurred. I believe
that in twenty minutes after the vessel struck she totally
disappeared. She had two boats aboard—the quarter
boat and the launch, beautiful boats. The name of the
pilot was James Greenwood Harding. He appeared to
be about forty years of age. I have not often sailed
out of Liverpool. The pilot seemed quite attentive, and
seemed to understand the management of a ship—
quite so. I have seen the deceased. His name
was George Ellis. I did not see the cook in the boat.
The boy said that the cook went back for his hat..
The rope broke. I expect that some one threw tie
end over. It was not the intention of the captain to go
Into the boat. The steward put the captain's writing-
desk on board. The captain ordered the boat to be
lowered. lie and the pilot at the same time gave orders
for the long boat to be launched. We had no head-sail
at all. The vessel steered well. The wind was aft. The
wind was on her larboard quarter coming up the Vic-
toria Channel. No orders were given for bracing the
yards till she struck. I heard no orders to alter our
course when we came to the Formby light-ship. I was
forward, and beard no such orders.
Mr. Rowland—May I ask you whether, from the time
the pilot came on board, you had an opportunity of seeing
and marking his conduct ?—Yes.
Did he give his orders well ?s—Yes, he seemed to give
them very well.
To Mr. Cooke, superintendent of pilots—l cannot say
how the wind was in crossing the bar. The ship's head
would be about S.S.E., as near as I could tell. We had
elose-reeled foretopsails and double-reefed main.
Mr.
r.youy Rowland—Youa—es.
fled state that the pilot came on board
at eight in the morning, and that he was then perfectly
sober ?—Yes.n
opportunity of observing him, say, an
hour before the disaster took place ?—Oh, yes.
yasthwereatthen any apparent change in his conduct ?
—Novo
h ever. Ile was just as perfect as when he
came on board.
Mr. Ripley—l suppose the captain was sober ?—Oh,
yes, perfectly sober. I never saw him drunk. Captain
Clarributt was as nice a man as I ever sailed with. In
cltyling tl- e pilot, there were twenty-cne persons on
board the ship, eight of whom were saved.
Mr. Ripley— I believe that in coming up the channel,
the course of the vessel wits nut altered, and that when
she was on shore her head was E.S.E. ?—When she
struck I ran to the wheel myself, and her head, by the
compass, was then E.S.E. I believe, from the position
of the red light, that her course had not been altered
at all. Benjamin Sparrow, an apprentice on board the Ben-
coolen. was next called. lie deposed that the cook and
.steward both got into the boat. The cook went back to
get his hit, and had not an opportunity of again getting
into the boat. The steward, after putting tee captain's
desk into the boat, went back for something else. The
boat filled almost immediately after being got out, and
the people on deck hove buckets to them, so that they
might bale her. When they got clear of the water, they
were a long way from the ship. The rope broke—it
was not cut by any one. He jumped into the boat
without any orders. Ile did not hear any orders given
by the captain or pilot that the boat should return to the
ship. All hands were on the poop, and the captain
called out, " Cut away the long boat." After that no
attempt was made by any one to get into the quarter
boat. _

--.
Thomas Brooks, a fisherman, stated—On Sunday
morning last, about scve 1 o'clock, I was looking at my
fishing-lines, on Little Crosby liberties, when I found
the body of the deceased. It was lying on Charles's
Bank. It was then low water. I hoisted a signal for
assistance, and three men came. We carried the body
about a mile to shore, and lodged it in the house of Mr.
Itainil)rd.
David Lloyd examined—l am the master of tha
Formby light-ship. I recollect the night of Saturdtiy
week, when the Bencoolen was lost. She came directly
up the Victoria Channel, on our larboard side. The
wind was then N.IV. I was at the time on the deck of
the light-ship, and expected that she would not get
clear of our buoys, anal I went forward, to be ready in
case we should want the helm shifted to one side or the
other. She passed so close to our buoys that we could
have thrown a stone aboard of her.
Mr. Cooke, superintendent of -pilots—Flow was she
steering when she crossed your bows ?—She hauled up
to the N.E., and steered to the N.E. for a considerable
time before I heard a word to ply keep her away. Then
- '

Loss OF THE TRIAL, OF GLASGOW.—A'letter has
been received at Lloyd's, from the Admiralty, enclosing a
copy of a letter received through the Foreign Office, from
the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs at Lisbon, re-
on the 3th
surgeon, presented all the ap-
pearances Crew
spuaolvtr.te,idnn.geartheviNlviraecukeaolf
dtletesTrAianl,toonfioTlaisgonotwe,
THE LATE TRAGEDY IN CAMBERWELL. The lad
V. Horean had a comfortable night's rest on Tuesday, and the wound,
up very speedby :
cation. During the last eight sanguine hopes are
entertained of the lad's recovery. Mrs. Ilore,u, as may be expected,
whichpearan hat(ees obrcbeeni
being
13
likely
yp
thoyhMeer. Pratt,
is in a very precarious state. She stated that her husband had frequently
told her that he was in expectation of receiving some money shortly,
but from whom be did not went
months the family had lived upon the little money obtained by
dellina• their furniture and pledging their wearing apparel. It was
or nine
on Friday or Saturday last that they parted With the only remaining
article of furniture that they possessed, n
a drugget, which brought
them in a few shillings, with which they Purellartd Dome articles of
food.

classes that these laws required alteration, and that they
were willing to lend all their aid to further that object.—
(Hear, hen.) It was very easy to be lAnevolent wish other
people's means, and to obtain a character for philantropby
for relieving the imprisoned debtor, whilst the unfortunate
creditor might be suffering in obscurity. He admitted that
a different mode of legislation was necessary before the pre-
' sent laws were passed, but the great and main object was not to
give an unfair advantage to either party,but to obtain en equal
distribution of the property of the debtor amongst his credit-
ors, and to compel them to give a guarantee for the payment
of a portion of their future proceeds to their creditors before
obtaining their final discharge. No little consideration was
given to creditors who might perhaps suffer from the altera-
tion of tariffs, which might reduce the value of articles in
which tl had wisely speculated. They ought to give every
party the facility of coming forward and to devote as much of his
assets as possible to the benefit of his creditors, and protect him
from the operation of vindictive or malicious feelings. These
laws should take especial care that the honest debtor was
dealt justly with, and that the dishonest debtor should bo
punished.—(Hear, hear.) The language of the Learned
Commissioners of Bankruptcy was even stronger than the
language they had used.
Mr. MITCHELL, M.P., expressed his entire concurrence in
the opinions which had just been expressed by the previous
speakers. He would state an instance within his own ex-
perience. He had in one case been offered a composition of
2s. in the pound, which he had refused, because he thought
no honest man ought to offer so small a composition. He had
caused the individual to be made a bankrupt, but the
result was, that instead of obtaining any assets, he had had
to pay 30/. towards the expenses. He thought the law of
debtor and creditor had not been sufficiently felt, and he
conceived that the measure of Lord Brougham had been
a crude, imperfect measure, worthy of its author. In his
opinion the commercial greatness of this country was owing to
the good faith which was observed in its trading transactions.
He had seen something of the trade of France, and the con-
sequence of the bad faith observed in that country led to a
great restriction of the dealing there. He thought that
every one who became insolvent was bound to show how he
bezaine so, and in all cases of fraud that a power of punish-
ment should be placed in the hands of an impartial tribunal,
and he should therefore with great pleasure propose the fol-
lowing resolution :—" That the laws affecting the relations of
debtor and creditor are of vital importance to the well• being
of the mercantile community, and deserve the serious atten-
tion of the Legislature. That the present laws relating to
bankruptcy and insolvency in this country are unsatisfactory
and injurious, neither protecting the estate of the really un-
fortunate debtor from wasteful costs and unnecessary delays
nor affording prompt and efficient means of coercing the
reckless or fraudulent trader, whereby a most mischievous
influence is exercised over the commercial character of this
country."
Mr. -B. HAwas, M.P., rose with great pleasure to second
the resolution as proposed by his Hon. Friend, the Member
for Bridport. When Lord Campbell, about ten years ago,
brought his Bill into Parliament to abolish arrest on mesne
process, he had done him the honour to consult him on its
details, and to place his name on the back of the Bill, and he
could assure the meeting that it was never intended to de.
prive the crediior of the power of punishing a fraudulent
debtor. Let it not be said that this was any attempt
to return to the old system of imprisonment for debt,
for it was nothing of the kind. But their object •
was to remedy a great and acknowledged evil,
and that was to render the confidence between
the several members of a trading community as certain as
possible, for on what, in fact, was that confidence based ?

W• •
hy on this fact—that wherever credit was given, it was
only, in truth, the transfer of capital from the hands of the
proprietor to the hands of another for the advantage of both
parties ; and were this confidence then broken down, there
would be a great impediment imposed upon that interchange
of commodities which was the very vitality of trade. At
the close of the last session, a Bill had been brought into
the House of Commons, with the consent of the Minister, not
with any view to carry it into a law, but with the intention
to circulate it through the country, and obtain the opinion of
mercantile men in different parts of the country, and lie
might say that in all the numerous communications which
they had received they had met with no objection from
practical men of any moment whatever. They had found
the most ready co-operation, and among other individuals
they had obtained the approbation of the Learned Solicitor-
General whose high legal authority was so well known, and
whose present high position gave additional weight to that
authority, and though he could not commit that high func-
tionary to any part of the Bill, but still he might say that
that gentleman had expressed his approval of the several
provisions of the Bill. Now the object was to obtain the
sanction of the Legislature and obtain a permanent Act, and
having these grounds to stand upon, he (Mr. Hawes) felt
assured that if the Hon. Chairman and himself were
empowered to carry the Bill into the House of Commons they
would experience little, if any, opposition in that assembly.
One of the chief objects of this Bill was to throw the onus
probandi upon the party who ought always to have borne it
—the debtor who failed to fulfil his engagements. It was
well known that, as at present constituted, there was the ut-
most difficulty of reaching a case of fraud. There might be
matter for suspicion—nay, almost a certainty—that the
deepest villany had been committed, and yet there was no
means whatever of arriving at the truth. For his own part,
he would be one of the last individuals in the world to visit 1
any man's misfortune with harshness, but he did feel that it
had become necessary to take some active steps for the
amendment of the bankruptcy and insolvency laws, and he
should, therefore, readily second the resolution which had
just been submitted to the meeting.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. Em.aorr, in proposing the third resolution, after some
observations respecting the necessity of supporting the good
faith of the trading community, asserted his opinion that,
without an efficient bankruptcy law, the middle classes of
the community must be destroyed. He had looked deeply
into the matter, and it was his decided opinion that the
injury imposed upon the solvent portion of the population by
those who failed in their engagements was equal to the
whole taxation of the country. Indeed, he was sure that
this loss was not less than 50,000/., and if they failed to carry
out this object, out,af,er carelessness or a false considera-
tion for the feelings 6f—tffe detain, they would only have to
carry their philanthrophy another step further, and legalise
the circulation of forgedbills of exchange. With these impres-
sions neWOnill giant vac tux,
" That this meetinept the provisions of the Bill intro-
duced into Parliament last session by Mr. Masterman, M.P.,
and Mr. Hawes, M.P., as an important amendment of the
present law, which it is desirable to obtain at once; but this
meeting is aware of the necessity of further legislative provi-
sions affecting credit and its protection ; and is of opinion
that a Government Commission, composed of practical and
experienced merchanti and traders, to inquire into their pre-
sent condition and efficts, would be attended with the most
beneficial results."
Mr. GnococK briefly seconded the resolution, which was
immediately carried without any dissent.
Mr. HAYWARD, in stating that the business of the meeting
was drawing to a close, expressed his complete concurrence
in the proceedings of the Committee. With great pleasure,
therefore, he wo p
uld ropose "the thanks of the meeting to the
gentleman who had so ably presided over them on the present
occasion, and that John Masterman, Esq., and B. llawes,
Esq,, M.P., be requested to introduce the Bill to the Legis-
lature, and take charge of it in the House of Commons."
Mr. NIcssoLSON seconded the resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted.
Mr. MASTERMAN returned thanks ; and, after several sub-
scriptions bad been handed in, towards defraying the necessary
expenses, the meeting separated.

CORN-LAWS.
(From the Stamford Mercury.)

TO THOMAS GEE, ESQ., CHAIRMAN OF THE AGRICULTURAL

SOCIETY, BOSTON.
Sir,—l am honoured with your letter requesting to be in-
formed what course I propose to pursue in reference to the
Ministerial measures brought forward by Sir Robert Peel.
I entertain feelings of great respect for you personally, and
for the gentlemen connected with the Agricultural Society
of which you are chainnan, but only a few of them are elec-
tors of Boston ; and recollecting the hostile conduct pursued
by them towards me and my supporters at the last election,
when I stated my desire to afford protection to the landed
interest by advocating a fixed duty, I scarcely expected that
they would have addressed the upon this question ; more
especially as I cannot be classed among those Members of
Parliament (of which the county of Lincoln presented such
early and striking examples) who, having obtained their
seats upon the strength of reiterated pledges to oppose all
change in the then existing corn-law, took the first oppor-
tunity of betraying their constituents, by supporting, if not
suggesting, the alterations which immediately afterwards
took place !
Circumstances have now, however, occurred to render
hopeless the chance of maintaining a fixed duty, which might
have been obtained had party feeling not blinded the agri-
cultural classes to the advantages of Lord John Russell's
proposition. The Government still repudiates the principle
of fixed duty; the Opposition generally have become the
advocates of unrestricted trade; and a number of the agri-
cultural party support the measures now before Parliament;
while a section of that party refuse to accede to any relaxa-
tion of the present law.
In this state of thingr, I venture to think it becomes the
duty of every independent Member, on both sides of the
House, to consider well the ascertained results of that course
of commercial policy for the proposal of which Lord John _
Russell and the Whigs were driven from office by the landed
interest, to make way for Sir Robert Peel and the Conserva-
tives,, who are now so successfully carrying out that policy ;
' and in conEexion with such results to weigh the conse-
quences likely to ensue from the adoption or rejection of the
present proposals of the Government.
It must bo evident to every unprejudiced mind that no-
thing but an overwhelming necessity could have inhmed the
present Cabinet so soon to propose an abolition of the corn-
law ;—and I confess that the facts stated and the arguments
used by the Prime Minister upon his introduction of the
measure, and his illustrations of the satisfactory results of the
previous commercial relaxations, have convinced me that the
intended changes will be productive of immense social and other
advantages to all classes of the community, without inflicting
any permanent injury upon the agricultural interests, which
1 desire to see prosperous and flourishing, and maintaining
the high position which they are justly entitled to hold in
this country.
I have therefore determined to support the Government in
the gradual abolition of the corn-laws, rather than hazard
by my vote the success of the present measure, and thereby
force an immediate repeal ; and I sincerely hope that, for
these reasons, the course I am about to pursue will be satis-
factory to your Society, as I trust it will be to ',the constitu-
ency of Boston, who have uniformly expressed their appro-
bation of my public conduct as their representative in Parlia-
ment--I have the honour to be, Sir, your faithful humble
servant, JAMES DUKE.
London, Feb. 11, 1846.

NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSES —On Saturday an abstract
of the receipts and payments on account of the duties levied
for the northern lighthouses for the year 1844, presented to
Parliament, was printed. The receipts for the year were
46,632/. 6s. 5d., to which was added a balance in hand of
32,9041. 6s. 4d., making 79,536/. 12s. 9d. The total pay-
ments were 40,0251. 16s. 3d., leaving a balance of 39,5101.
16s. 6d. - - - - -

MAIDSTONE Fetn.—This fair was held on Friday
last. The supply of cattle was limited, and the prices ob-
tained good. Well- fatted beasts sold quickly at 3s. 6d. per
stone; mulch cows, large-framed, with a small calf, made
from 12/. to 16/. ; and lean and stock beasts sold readily.
Good wethers realised 505., and stock lambs 245. a-head.
In the horse market (except among prime young cart horses
adapted for farming purposes) very little trade was trans-
acted, and the best quality made 28 guineas each. Pigs sold
at 3s. Bd., and small porkers averaged 4s. Bd. per stone.
There were several samples of hops offered, but there seemed
but few buyers ; some pockets sold as low as 61. per cwt., and
the choicest description reached 81. 10s. per cwt , and the hop
trade was considered very flat.
NEWCASTLE TENANTRY.—The tenantry of his Grace
of Newcastle are placed in a most unpleasant position. They will
be compelled to vote for the Duke, their present landlord, against the
Earl of Lincoln, their (with God's blessing) future landlord, though,
if unshackled now, there is no doubt a great majority of them 7%1
vote for Lord Lincoln. Here's a specimen of the boasted "11-0
of election !" The Duke of Newcastle is nearly the oldest peer of
the realm, and at an election opposes his own son 1 Is this seastpl9?
15 1144 Is Shit natarat ?-4'rent a