The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-19 00:00:00

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
BRADFORD REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Sir,—On Thursday, 15th June, the House resumed
its sittings after what is called the Whitsuntide re •
cess. Among the curiosities of the evening were pe-
titions from actors that people will not go to hear,
praying the Government to restrict the performances
of the actors the public will pay, the professed reason
being that those actors are foreign. You see the
pitch of audacity to which monopoly is coming. You
and I are not to spend our half-crown to see somebody
that entertains us, because there is a dunce we had
rather give half-a-crown not to hear, to whom the
half-crown would be acceptable. This is part and
parcel of the Drury-lane disorderlies, and the re-
apparition of a race of Englishmen who had been sup-
posed wrought out. A remarkable circumstance last
night, was the way in which the tenants of the mono-
polist benches abstained from the smallest recognition
of their petitioning brethren. They saw the snare ;
and not the slightest tokens of truly British feeling
would they give.
On the same evening a motion for issuing a new
writ for Leicester was rejected by 129 to 5. It is
ptbaoaysrtrobanlidliesdlheting under existing circumstances, with what
openness 'and pertinacity the Conservatives defend
everything connected with the carrying of elections
money.
by
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da,ny butpr a c treatingt thata l bribery i
s not; i
theologiansas
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among the Turks, who observe that wine is forbidden
sbeeioulosnokesesdofttohebaybsuthrdeitPyeoopfl another woaoontrd. d
up aAb ol
preservingtluott
htiahs cquar-
dente. As if treating was not bribery, with the sins
on-
pretending to t;o and
devtehnet
e all
the circumstances by which the misuse is favoured.must
It
is like pretending to put down foxes, and preserving
covers.

Another point to which I desire to invite the at-
tention of the People's Leagues now I am before
them, is the following. In my ignorance, I had always
supposed that with a view to the prevention of un-
necessary irritation, it was a rule and etiquette of the
House of Commons not to permit allusions to the
other House of Parliament. Where there are two
Houses, there must of necessity be the possibility of
coming into collision; but it was understood this pos-
sibility was not to be talked about, or at all
events not without reason equivalent to the in-
surmountable. But such an ignoramus was I
and perhaps are you, that instead of any etiquette
or decency of the kind described being pre-
served, no opportunity is lost on the Conservative
benches, of throwing in the teeth of their opponents
in the most wounding manner, every probable mode
in which the acts of the other House are to control
the proceedings of the Commons. This is pouring
sand into the machinery instead of oil. But as it is not
we that pour the sand, there is nothing left but to
act upon the cards the opponent plays, and point out
to any assemblages of the citizens which may be
formed for considering the prospects of Reform, the
necessity there is for extending their cares to that
other House, which is thus made a constant ingre-
dient in our debates. The Lords not only send men
to our benches, but they sit there and threaten
through their mouths. Therefore on the next op-
portunity, vouchsafe a look towards the House of
Lords. Consider first, the ways the Lords have of
influencing elections, and how these may be cut off;
and next, look into the steps by which a liberal Go-
vernment has the means of bringing the Lords into
harmony with popular institutions, and so freeing us
from the scandal of having them perpetually thrown
in our faces as the bulwark against all Reform. If we
had been let alone, there would have been no occa-
sion for this ; but since we cannot be let alone, we
must only move.
In the proceedings on Report of Public Health
Bill, my proposal for substituting the provisions of
the Property-tax Act (5 and 6 Victoria,c. 32, sec. 73),
for dividing the expense between landlord and tenant
in a prescribed proportion notwithstanding the ex •
istence of contracts entered into without knowledge of
the coming circumstances, met with no support. 1 had
hoped that by its long and repeated appearance upon
the Parliamentary sheets, some assistance might
have gathered round it. If the tenants grumble at
having to pay for the landlords' gain, I did what I
could to hinder it.
On the proposal of a clause on burial-grounds by
Mr. G. J. Turner, Mr. Fox (Oldham) objected to
the apparent intention of making Dissenters pay to-
wards new burial- grounds, of which they were to
have no use. If I did not make some mistake, an
unexpected display of just and liberal feeling touk
place in consequence. The Member for Sunderland
(Mr. Hudson) in particular, was strong in declaring
that in his immediate residence (the archiepiscopal city
of York) there was every desire to have the assistance
of the Dissenters in bringing the question to a termi-
nation satisfactory to all. The mode in which he
proposed to effect it, seemed to be by giving the Dis•
senters a part of the ground for themselves. Ido not
know how far this may be considered satisfactory by
Dissenters, but the proposal on the whole struck me
as an instance of the difficulty there is in. making a
man's political bias overcome his feelings as a good
and amiable citizen. The Member for Salford (Mr.
Brotherton) objected that the Dissenters would be
put off with a corner, and there would be perpetual
quarrelling; on which I am tempted to observe, that
the recognition of the equal rights of Dissenters in an
Act of Parliament is so great a good, that the Dissen-
ters would be to blame if they did not put up with
the risk of some crowding for their dead, for the sake
of the benefit to arise to the living.
On Friday was a debate on the Sugar Duties, pre-
paratory to Monday. The whole subject and its
connexions are in the strangest imbroglio imaginable.
Never was there seen running such a cross sea of
conflicting interests,, and such an exemplification
of the " strange bedfellows" with which necessity,
like misfortune, may make men of hostile opinions
acquainted. An energetic Government might push
its way through all, and carry along with it the pre-
ponderant adherence which energy generally obtains.
But there is no particular appearance at this moment
of the Government's being thus energetic. The
neglected elements in the case are—First, that the
principles of free trade have got such hold on the
universal sense of the community, that it is matter of
ridicule to attempt to represent a monopoly
as anything but the sacrifice of a definable
amount by the nation,—this amount being measurable
by the totality of the difference of price paid, minus
what may be received by the Government in duty.
Secondly, that the West Indians are not a popular
but an unpopular body ; that they are odious as
having long existed upon duties, which is in other
words being supported out of the pockets of the
community ; as the recipients also of an enormous
sum, twenty millions, when the opinion, right or
wrong, of great masses of the people was, that they
ought rather to have paid for being assisted out of
the dangers arising from the volcano of their own
making on which they stood. Thirdly, because
it is plain at the present moment, that their practical
object and living hope is to effect something
equivalent to a restoration of the slave trade from
the coast of Africa ; the evidence of which is not in
surmise or suspicion, but in their own substantial
efforts and speeches in Parliament against the main-
tenance of the African squadron, which on any other
hypothesis, would be a squadron acting in support of
their interests, as checking the production of sugar
by their rivals in Cuba and Brazil. Conceal it as they
like, " Fear ye the constable" is written on their
acts, and he that runs does not omit to read it. Lastly,
the most weighty point of all, so chivalrously insisted
on by Sir Robert Inglis in Friday's debate,—that the
people of England are, heart and soul, opposed to
slavery in all its forms ; that they view this oppo-
sition as the legacy of the fathers they remember,
and the test of manhood they are to turn over
to their posterity; that they will do anything,
pay anything, if they only see it is going towards
their mark. Talk to them of a penny a pound on
sugar; they would not stop if it was three-halfpence !
There is not one of these points that has not been
overlooked by some party to their detriment. The
Government has overlooked the truth, so manfully
stated by Sir Robert, that the hatred of the British
people to slavery is the element which will heave up
all before it, and the light which statesmen ought to
take for the direction of their views. The free-
traders have overlooked the fact, that without shrink-
ing an inch from the avowal that an artificial price
of sugar or anything else is so much taken
out of the pockets of the nation, and to be
written down in pounds shillings and pence ac-
cordingly, there is a mightier power engaged,
a power which would induce the man at Brad ford
who cannot afford sugar in his tea, to toss
cap and beg to throw his treacle after it, aup
powheies
which does not reckon by arithmetic but by success,
or only values one as it leads down upon the other.
The West Indians have missed their way by not-
entering into a hearty alliance with the anti-slavery
spirit of the country, and looking
fortunes by the suppression of their piratical rivals
instead of a junction in the spoil. And the guides
y
and leaders of the anti-slaver
apnowexerp, nenadineglost ground
er-
by repudiating human means,
d
gies in pursuance ofopinions which are not the opinions
of the great majority, arid have never received the
stamp of practical sufficiency in any integral political
society. The olden peace-man settled his hat upon
his head and refused to hold Navy Three per Cents ;
but he let the navy take their way in the suppression
of piracy and slave-trading, as he consented to
live under the protection of the police on shore,
though holding opinions of his own as to the autho-
rity for not holding the sword in vain.
What the country will demand is, a strong and
statesmanlike course of action directed to the great
points in view. If asked if I believe in statesman-
ship, I reply, Yes, as I believe in seamanship.
Neither the one nor the other is certain of success;

and cases occur where it might seem to have
been the purpose of the mysterious power which
directs the universe, to throw scorn on the efforts of
human skill. But both one and the other succeed
when anything is done. No man ever fell into tha
sea, and, by catching at what he found there, was
conveyed to the antipodes; and equally unreasonable
is it to expect to see slavery put down, without using
the best human means to effect the purpose. -What
would conciliate the maximum of adherence from
thoughtful men, would be a moderate differential duty
to the West Indians for a term of years, with notice
that after that period, foreign sugars not slave-grown
would be admitted to equality. And during that
period, all hands should be called on the coast of Africa
to destroy the slave trade under the powers of existing
treaties, joined to diplomatic exertions to procure the
execution of the laws of nations against piracy, and
to promote the movements of foreign countries to-
wards bring their sugars into the desired state of ad-
missibility. If the Americans talk of equality with
the most favoured nation, they must be told that if
they will give up slave cultivation when others do,
they will have a claim to equal admission. But it
they mean to deny the right of England to concede
commercial advantages for British objects in return,
and force their slave-grown sugar on British mouths,
the question had better be settled now, than when
they have got the fifty thousand men behind the
Horse Guards which they promise.
While on this subject, it is impossible to avoid ob-
serving that the aspect of things is very encouraging
for the enemies of slavery. The evidence before the
Slave Trade Committee shows an advance in commerce
and security on the coast of Africa, strikingly con-
trasted with what I used to witness there forty years
ago. A letter has just been published by the Go-
vernment from the Naval Commander-in-Chief on
the coast of Africa, Sir Charles Hotham, urging the
recognition of the Black Republic of Liberia, in
terms demonstrating that statesmanship is not con-
fined to land. Of course the publication of such a
letter is tantamount to agreement with its recom-
mendation. The stupid transatlantic theory of the
inferiority of the black races, is scouted in every
quarter connected with British policy ; and a man
will soon be accounted as great a blockhead who asks
whether a thing shall be done by black citizens or
white, as the commander of a cavalry regiment who
should ask whether his black or his white horses were
intended in an order to charge. Lord John Russell
stops the mouths► of the West Indian owners with
the declaration, that come what will of them, who
community, there are
are only the ninety-ninth part of the West Indian
English who have eightbeened
greater than is enjoyed ase
raised
hundredto ast
a thousandte o of
comfortdark
population in the world. 3
must have had that introduction man whose circulation is by the mass of any other
These be tokens ; and the
quickened by the view,
h of stock-fishes into
his genealogy which comedy
byasthdelig
are
evidence published
by the Slave Trade Committee,
Africar
e
the
to suggest.
expense
by the
might either
of the squadron on the coast o
be halved or its efficacy doubled,
size needed ;
the most
cess,of not employing vessels of twice thee simple pro •
that of
and that the outlay for men and vessels
romantic scale would be somewhere about
three sail of the line, from which you landsmen
form your own judgment as to its bearinnigevonensinsetalje
naval resources of our boasted empire. Steam-
which are the cavalry of the sea, are almost the onlys'
vessels applicable to the service ; which the last letter
from the Naval Commander-in-Chief confirms. We
have the evidence of naval officers, that a steam-vessel
of one gun and fifty men, being something like the
smallest of the vessels in which you go from
London to Margate, is competent to the object; and
consequently vessels of ten guns and a hundred men
are waste. The Brazilians are employing steam-vessels
in the slave-trade ; and if as the last accounts bear
out, they are entirely beating even the steamers of
the British navy, the British naval departments
must find the way to get the upperhand, though they
should send midshipmen and shipwrights into the
Brazilian service to learn their business.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
T. PERRONET THOMPSON.
Blackheath, London, June 19, 1848.

SPORTING.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—The racing at Ascot did not lead to the unra-
velling of any future event; but, on the contrary, in-
creased the mystery hanging over the Derby and leading
stakes in the womb of time, to such an extent, that the
strongest mental lorgnette will, I am afraid, be unable
to pierce the veil of fate. Springy Jack's double per-
formance in the Welcome and Windsor Stakes has ad-

vanced him in the Leger odds to 3 to 1 takers, while it
has improved Surplice's position, which may now be
quoted as 6 to 4, and that the outside price.
I am of opinion that Springy Jack, in losing the
Derby, lost his only chance this year with Surplice, the
latter being much better able to stay the Leger course
than Elastic John, who will probably find his way home
second in the great northern trial.
Flatcatcher's race with The Hero proves that he can
get a distance, but I cannot think he stands a chance of
beating the Mahon and Goodwood cracks.
Justice to Ireland, by Birdcatcher, out of Shepherdess,
the property of the Duke of Bedford, as a three 3 rs old,
is completely dark, and st two yrs he only ran once, for
the Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh, when he beat the
Perdita filly, King of Kildare, and nine others, in a can-
ter. This performance, added to his present condition,
shape, and size must make him a dangerous rival for
the Goodwood pet.
Garrick's running for the New Stakes does not justify
his present position in the Derby betting, for which race
he stands but little chance. Mr. Green has one who is
at least 71bs. better than the crack, and another which
will not appear in public this year, but when fully pre-
pared wilt be a dangerous customer for the Epsom
event. _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Glauca must be regarded favourably for the Oaks of
next year, being a rapidly improving mare.
The tryst at Newcastle begins with the Produce
Stakes, for which Lovelock or Susan Lovell ought to be
thereabout.

The Hotspur Stakes a walk over for Mr. Green.
Tho Tyro Stakes on paper seem destined for Mr.
Green with Cigarette or Weston; but I am inclined to
place my faith in Lords Eglinton and Zetland, the filly
by 1)on John, belonging to the latter, will be sure to be
near the mark.

On Wednesday the betting race of the week, the
Northumberland Plate, will be decided, and for which a
small field only will be brought to the post, probably
about fourteen, to be selected from the following:—
st lbs at lbs
Inheritress, aged 8 12,Administrator, 4 yrs ...6 0
Chanticleer, 5 yrs 8 &All's Well, aged 6 0
Giselle, 5 yrs 7 7 Sally Maggs, 4 yrs ...6 0
Vanish, 5 yrs 7 6 Deloraine, 4 yrs 5 12
The Widow, aged 7 6 Swiss Boy, 3 yrs 5ll
Ulysses, 4 yrs 6 12iTom Jolly, 4 yrs 5 9
Executor, 4 yrs, 6 B'Glen Saddel, 3 yrs 5 8
Vesta, 4 yrs 6 BBirdlime filly, 3 yrs ...5 2
Colt by Theon, 4 yrs 6 71Sylvan, 3 yrs 4 10
Enchanter, 4 yrs 6 3 Reality, 3 yrs 4 4
Sir Martin, 4 yrs 6 1
Of the above, The Widow, Ulysses, Swiss Boy, Tom
Jolly, Birdlime filly, and Reality are on the doubtful
list.

Should Swiss Boy be sent instead of Sylvan, or both
start, in that case to Swiss Boy or Glen Saddel the
stakes will go; but in the absence of the Swiss Boy I
think the race will come off thus:—
Glen Saddel ..................... (Cree) 1
Deloraine ........................ (Ryder) 2
Sylvan ............... .........(Barham) 3
Inheritress ............. (Templeman) 4
The Produce Stakes to Eagle's Plume or the Stinger.
The Gateshead or Lottery Stakes to Springy
Jack or
the Stinger.
The Tyne Stakes to Lucullus or Lugar.
The Gold Cup to Inheritress or Chanticleer.
lam Sir,
yours, &c.,
THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.

"r,
BOILER P. —Nrost ort AT PRESTON: X 'YE LIVES
LOST.--, On Saturday morning, a few minutes before
nine o clock, as the workpeople were about to recurs.-
raenee work after breakfast, at the Sovereign-mill, in
London-road, in this town, the property. of Mr. Hollins,
the boiler burst, and overthrowing the brick wall on one
side of it, scattered the materials, as well as steam and
hot water, for a considerable distance, severely injuring
several parties who had breakfasted in the engine-house.
Five died the same day from their injuries. The plates
in the flue that gave way from the undue pressure of
steam were at the further end of the boiler, and the im-
mense volume of steam set at liberty burst through the
ceiling, and scattered bricks in the room above. The
steam was also forced through the windows of the ware-
house, at a distance of twenty yards, and the windows
of each story were completely shattered. Immediately
on the disaster occurring, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Hidden,
and Mr. Spencer, surgeons, were on the spot, and ren-
dered prompt assistance to the sufferers, several of
whoa were removed to the House of Recovery
as 80011
as their bruises had been dressed. The parties were
in the first instance taken to the Rose-bud, and Cheet-
ham's Arms inns, and to the other houses in the neigh-
bourhood. The engine, which was a high-pressure one,
is of twenty-six horse-power. The cause of
the accident
is not known, but an investigation is being made into
the circumstances. The inquest will take place on
Monday.
ATROCIOUS OUTRAGE.—On Saturday last the en-
;jne-house of the Waterford and Limerick Railway, at
Tipperary, was maliciously burned, and the rails of the
small bridges broken, the handles of the switches
broken, and the policeman's box upset and laid across
thel rail. Three men lately at work on the line have
been fully committed for this outrage.—Waterford Mai(.
LARGE BEQUESTS TO LORD BROUGUAM.—A
Sunday paper, from the best authority, states" that Mr.
Watt, jun., of Birmingham, recently deceased, has be-
queathed. to Lord Brougham 50,0001. The 25,0001.
left to his Lordship by Mrs. Flaherty, of Hammersmith,:
he generously gave to his brother, Mr. W. Brougham.
It is stated by a New York paper that Sir
.John
Richardson and his party arrived at Lake Superior on
the 29th April, and left a few days after, on their jour-
ney overland to the Arctic regions in search of the lost
expedition of Sir John Franklin.
„U.
HOLIDAY AT Ting LAW OFEICES.-011 Saturday
notice was issued at the law-offices that to-morrow,
Tuesday, the 20th instant, being the anniversary of her
Majesty's accession, would be kept as a strick holiday;
no business whatever will be transacted.