The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-01 00:00:00

to the proprietors. The Government had charged the
company with the construction of the railway, promising
them possession of it for 99 years, and then by main
force take back possession of it before the company
could derive any advantage from its outlay —only reim-
bursing the company four-tenths of its capital; and it
was asked whether that could be called a fair indemnity.
The bill could not be applied to the Amiens and Bou-
logne Company without a manifest violation of the con-
tract between the State and the company.
The Cflaistatalf said that this report had been read to
the recent meeting of the French shareholders, and had
been intended to be read also to the English proprietors
before the directors were called upon to appear before
the Committee of the National Assembly, but on the very
day of the meeting they were required to appear before
the committee at nine o'clock at night. At their inter-
view with the committee he, on the part of the directors,
protested most solemnly against the right of the Assem-
bly to take their property; he showed the committee
that the price offered to the company ought not to be
accepted. If they received rentes at the price of the
22d of February, they would be reimbursed only 81. is.
for a 20/. share paid up. They could show that their
line, which was opened throughout only on the 16th of
April, was worth more than was offered for it. Their line
was the only one in France completed without the assist-
ance of Government in any shape. The directors had
represented to the committee of the Assembly that
the company had raised and expended their capital,
that they were working with regularity, and that they
were not in the position of nine-tenths of the French
railways in regard to discipline, which they had pre-
served throughout. He had reason to believe that these
considerations were favourably received by the com-
mittee. The general opinion in France was in confor-
mity with his opinion. In France there was but one
feeling on the subject—that of regret that the intended
Bill should have been brought forward against pro-
perty ; that it was the interest of all to protect pro-
perty, and to make it as safe as possible. The French
shareholders had passed a resolution in which they first
of all protested against the proposed measure, aryl,
secondly, if the Government proceeded with it, they
direct endeavours to be made to get the best possible
terms. He would merely move—" That the directors be
authorised to protest against the proposed absorption of
the railways by the French Government," leaving it to
the meeting to add any further resolution they may thiak
proper.
Captain TYNDALL seconded the motion.
The meeting was then addressed by Mr. Rogers, Mr.
Serjeant Byles, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Royle, and other
gentlemen, who unanimously protested against the Go-
vernment proposition; several speakers holding that if
it were carried into execution, it would be a case for
strong representation from the English Government, for
the protection of those who had invested their money,
relying on the good faith of the French nation.
The resolution was unanimously passed, as was also
another, directing a copy of the protest of the directors
to the Committee (which was substantially the same
with the above document), together with the resolutions
of this meeting, to be sent to each member of the Na-
tional Assembly.
A PROPRIETOR proposed the nomination of a com-
mittee of English shareholders to assist tho directors in
this matter, but the measure was considered invidious,
and likely to be misconstrued by the French pro-
prietors ; and after a brief conversation the motion was
lest, there being only four hands held up for it in a
full room.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman was then passed by
acclamation, and the meeting separated.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF CHANCERY, May 31.
The Lord Chancellor heard lunatic petitions and
cause petitions to-day, none of which possessed any
point of interest except to the parties concerned. His
Lordship rose at an early hour to attend a Cabinet
Council.

ROLLS' COURI, May 31.
The further arguments in the part-heard case of the
Attorney-General v. Ward occupied his Lordship the
Master of the Rolls the whole day.

VICE CHAACERY, May 31.
(Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR Of ENGLAND.)
ATTORNEY- GENERAL v. WILSON.
The further arguments in this part-heard information
were resumed this morning, and occupied his Honour
the whole day.
(Before the Vice-Chancellor KNIGHT BRUCE.)
His lioNoun was occupied the whole morning with
the hearing of bankrupt petitions of no interest.
(Before the Vice-Chancellor WIGRAM.)
Nothing calling for a special report came before his
Honour the Vice-Chancellor Wigram to-day.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, May 31.
(Before Mr. Commissioner FONBLANQUE.)
IN THE BANKRUPTCY OF CHARLES ROWCROFT.
The bankrupt, who was an author, came up on the
question of passing his last examination. He was thus
described upon the fiat, which was issued upon the 19th
of April last, upon his own petition—" Charles Row-
croft, formerly of 76, Upper Stamford-street, also of
Adelaide-road, Haverstock-hill, and of 17, Poulton-
square, Chelsea, bookseller." He was made a bankrupt
by virtue of his having " exercised the trade and busi-
ness of a printer by purchasing paper and paying for the
printing thereon certain periodical publications, and
selling or causing to be sold the same when made up into
books;" also by purchasing paper and causing to be
printed thereon flood's Magazine, and afterwards selling
the same.

Amongst the list of secured creditors are Smith, Elder,
and Co., who hold 490 copies of " Tales of the Colonies."
It is also stated that Messrs. Spottiswoode hold securi-
ties in the copyright of the same publication. Another
creditor named Warton holds securities in the copyright
of the " Bush Ranger." Messrs. Saunders and Otley, of
Conduit-street, are set down as debtors for 1501., under
their agreement for publishing " The Man without a
Profession;" but it is added that they dispute this debt.
Under the head of " property " is set down copyright of
" Fanny, the Little Milliner;" copyright of the " Chroni-
cles of Fleet Prison," 1501. ; and 2,500 numbers of
Hood's Magazine, valued at 1501.
The accounts not being in readiness, the meeting was
adjourned.