The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-01 00:00:00

THE SUN

nor the Solicitor-General were present to-night, becausethey
had both formerly voted in favour of the motion, so that he
had the authority of the law officers of the Crown in favour
of these claims, and in answer to Sir T. WILDE, Mr. CRESS-
WELL had quoted VATTEL and GROTIUS, who both expressly
declare that a nation is bound to make compensation for re-
prisals, made before a declaration of war. The Hon. and
Learned Gentleman then quoted voluminously from writers
on international law, for the purpose of showing
that sovereigns were bound to cempensate those of their
subjects upon whom reprisals fell. On the grt,ui,ds of public
justice, of public policy, and of international law, these claim-
ants were entitled to compensation.
1 Mr. CARDWELL would endeavour to deal with the
i legal argument which had now fpr the first time
1 been brought forward in the course of these dis-
cussions. The ground upon which Sir JAMES MACEILN-
Tosrt rested his advocacy of the first two classes
Threadryfrotmo
hthaeviloagwa
of,
sf.
tnbai
otiir
tso;
daondw
itthhey thecautiouslyc
laat
of Danish claimants was, that those seizures had been made
contrary
were
of claims. Now, the 'Hon. and Learned Gentleman had
stated that if this were a reprisal before the declaration
i of
fwar,
a r'
t hei:er the entitleddeclaration
to
ofa compensationwar,theywere;
w; iit
not so entitled ; but the real distinction was if re-
prisals were made and there was no declaration of war
a seizure ,
the Government was bound to compensate its subjects, but it
there was a declaration of war then it had a retro-active
effect, and they were not reprisals but prizes. The declara-
tion of the 16th of August was clearly a declaration of war,
for it expressly said the war had broken out, so that there
was an express declaration of war before these captures
were made. As between England and Denmark there was a
state of hostility before the 4th November, so between
England and the captures of prizes, the declaration of
the 4th of November was the first declaration of war.
He contended that the distinction sought to be drawn by
his Hon. and Learned Friend was erroneous, and he sub-
mitted what he had stated as a complete answer to the
novel argument of his Hon. and Learned Friend. Then with
regard to the grounds of policy and justice. This was not a
party question. It had been submitted to Lord ALTHORYE,
who, while granting other claims, repudiated the grounds
upon which it was sought to establish their claims. They
were first made in 1838, and bad been rejected by every-
Government since, because it would be contrary to public
policy to grant them. These claims were more than
thirty years old before they had been submitted to Parliament.
They might have claims made from losses accruing from any
war in which the country might at any time have been en-
gaged.
Mr. HUME thought there was no fear of any such claims
occurring again, because he did not think that England
would again act in such a disgraceful way as she had done
towards Denmark. The three classes of claims were origin.

ally in the same boat, and had all been equally rejected— by
successive Governments, as equally unjust ; and it. was only
of late years that this division into classes had been made.
It was one of the most important duties of the House ofCommons
to see that justice was done to the subject, and in this case
they were only asked for a small portion of that which was
justly due. The Government ought not to suffer losses ac-
cruing from the commencement of hostilities to fall upon
individuals; those losses should fall equally upon all alike.
The merchants were deceived by answers given by the Ad-
miralty, the authorities at the time knowing those answers
to be erroneous. Nut one of the arguments by the Hon.
Gentleman, who had just sat down, had invalidated the
position of the Hon. and Learned Member far Kinsale, and
( n groun.'s of justice and of good policy, these claims ought
to be liquidated. He only wished that he could add to the
principal claimed the interest due from the day the claim
accrued.
Mr. F. DARING admitted that if the claim was a just
one it ought to be granted independently of financial con-
siderations_ He denied that there had ever been any division
on the other two classes of claims. The Government gave
way upon those two classes, but resisted these claims. On
the advice of Lord DENMAN and Lord CorrENHA3f, then the
law officers of the Crown, in this opinion, Lord CAMPBELL,
and Sir T. WILDE, and Sir H. JENNER concurred; and Sir
W. FOLLETT, who had given formerly an opi:don in favour
of the claims, declared that on a re-consideration of the case

he felt they were unfounded. He thought the Honour-
ble Gentleman would agree that a declaration of
war was not wanting to constitute war— a state of
war was sufficient without any declaration whatever.
But the Danish decimation of August was most
assuredly a declaration a war, and if that were proved
the whole of the Hon Gentleman's case tell to the ground.
The declaration of the two Bridal commanders issued in

August, also expressly declared that the island of Zetland
was about to become the theatre of war; and the English
declaration, in allusion to the Danish declaration, of the 16th
of August, rays, " Whereas his Majesty the King of Den-
mark has declared war against England," and therefore he
thought it clear that the declaration of August was a declara-
tion of war.

Mr. MILNER Ginsort said he had, after some considera-
tion given to the subject, come to the determi-
nation of supporting those claims. With regard
to the question of the declaration of war, he believed that it
had been admitted, that by granting the other claims that
question had been given up. He would rather take the opi-
nion of a legal gentleman out of office than cf one in office;
and as he found that out of office these legal gentlemen de-
cided in favour of the claims, and that in this case the law
officers of the Crown shrunk from appearing in the House
on the present occasion, be telt the case was so strong that
be was bound to support the motion.
Mr. WARLEY asked if the Chancellor of the Exchequer
would pay the money if the motion were agreed to? It was
a contempt of the House, on the part of the successive
I,7overnments, to refuse to carry into effect the decision of the
House, and the Hon. Gentlemen below ought not to be left
in solitary confinement. It was absurd to discuss these puts
of international law—the question was, whether the claim was
just or not; if just, it ought to be liquidated.
Colonel SIIITIIORP always had, and always would, vote in
favour of these claims.

Mr. HAWES, in reply, repeated the history of the negotia-
tions which had taken place at Copenhagen, and reminded
the House that, in September, a convention had been signed
between Great Britain and Denmark, which put an eud to
the declaration of war of the 16th of August. The mer-
chants, in consequence of the policy of the Government, had
lost their property. The Government had money to pay
these claimants, and in justice they ought to pay. Sir W.
FoLLarr had given it as his opinion, that these claims had
quite as good a foundation as those which bad been already
admitted. Lord ALTHORP'S Treasury minute left the de-
cision of all these classes of claimants to the decision of Par-
liament. Time af er time these claimants had made their
claims. Mr. WILBERFORCE had taken up the cause of the
claimants, and these very claims bad ken investigated by
the Government and cut down, and now they were re-
fused. Why, this investigation wa% a mockery of justice it
the payment of these claims was now to be refused.
Strangers were then ordered to wii.hdraw, and the House
divided, when there appeared—
For the motion
Against it
Majority in favour of the claims... ......... —lB
On our return to the gallery, we found Mr. HAWES on his
legs, expressing a hope that the Government would give way,
to the repeatedly expressed declaration of opinion on the
part of the House, and take measures to liquidate their
claims.

Mr. O'CONNELL gave notice that he should to-morrow
more that Mr. Smith O'Brien be dischared from custody.
Mr. BOUVERIE then moved for a Select Committee to inquire
into the condition of the labourers employed on railways.
Sir J. GRAHAM was much obliged to the lion Gentleman
for bringing the subject before the Howie, and would not
oppose the application of the Committee.
The House was then addressed by
Mr. HUME and Mr. IlunsoN who said there existed no
indisposition on the part of railway companies to provide
for the religious and moral instruction of those employ ed
in their works, but denied that there was any necessity for
:Equiry.
TUC motion was agreed to.
Sir H. PEEL stated that circumstances had come to his
knowledge which rendered it desirable that the House
Ahould come to a decision on a motion which he begged to
pro;,ose ; and he therefore moved, that that House dot give
leave to Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN to attend and give evidence in
he Lords' Committee, now inquiring into the operation of
the poor•law in Ireland, as he himself was desirous of doing.
—Agreed to.
The House rose at Ten o'clock.

The House of Commons has, for the fifth time, re.
..orded its opinion in favour of the justice of the Danish
claims. The guardians of the public purse have, for a
rilth time, admitted that the debt which these claimants
letnand as due to them from the State is a just debt,
end one which ought to be liquidated. Will the
Ciovernment, under these circumstances, continue
co refuse to take the necessary steps to carry ink+ effect
he repeatedly expressed wishes of the House of Com-
nons ? Sir Romear PEEL has always expressed himself
is entertaining the greatest respect for the well-asccr.
.ained opinion of the House of Commons—as willing,
nay anxious, as far as possible, to defer to the
'pinion of that House. In this case the opinion of
the Ilouse of Commons has been well ascertaint
In 1841, the last Louse of Commons, in spite of the
opposition of the Whig Chancellor of the Exchequer of
that day, decided in favour of these claimants. Last
night another House of Commons, in spite of the oppo-
sition of the Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer
of the present day, also decided in favour of these
claimants. How is it possible to ascertain the opinion
f the Hi use of Commons if it has not been effectually
ascertained in the present instance ? And, we trust,
therefore, that Sir ROBERT PEEL, the Minister who
possesses the confidence of the 11.01.11iP of Commons, and
who declared over and over again that he would not
the
rsee etain offircoeprainetyhoouiratalotnecreheearlro)sitngthinattoceoffneefidtetnhcee,will
ttwell-
ascertainedto
amt
hr e.enjoyAw Eps
si nn
Thefi
r o
claimantst of teh o
masterly
h
aws teaorrsl eye undereoninafinanegenrrec aeitintoibswlhihi:iaebhtiooahisi
he
brought the subject before the House. His speech was
replied to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
commenced his speech by assuring the House " that
it was very painful to him to have again to repeat those
opinions and those sentiments which he had
particular
ahf
ratdri
ce
ug
lroaeertc a
soS
uinCbnj
ch
tte.o”
part adldvre(oTb
eAlitiroe:
eGt hoet Hsß.vi:inxsse. so
orr s oftensthioi
ns
to have been sincere. It must be painful to a man of
Mr. GOBLBERN'S high and honourable feelings
forward
find
jhuisnitisceel f; comapnedlle di
tby offitoeial
tdhuistiesfteoelcinoine of
the.on
as the opponent of claims which are foundedwar
unsoundness of the cause he was feeling
that we attribute his ill-judged, and ill-timed, and unjust
attack upon Mr. Justice CRESWELE—an attack, mnjourst over, infinitely more damaging to the speaker himself
than to the object of it ; for if Mr. Gotazu'art
believed what he insinuated as to the motives
of Mr. Justice CRESWELL in advocating the
cause of the Danish claimants, most assuredly Mr.
GOT:EDI:RN himself was very culpable for advising,
as a Minister of the Crown, the elevation of that
learned person to the bench. The legal question was
argued on behalf of the claimants with great learning
by Mr. WATSON. As laymen, it is nut for us
to sit in judgment on the legal arguments
of men learned in the law, bnt, judging from
l right t
first of
tahpepsce-arcainaciziesan, ;sae
15 ocpleiarne
aitldhatundttlieabilee.galiu

place, neither the Attorney nor the Solicitor-General
were present either during the debate or the division.
They had characters as lawyers to lose, and they
did not like to risk those characters by arguing against
the legality of these claims ; although the Judge-Advo-
cate, Mr. STUART WORTLEY, was present and voted in
he minority, he, too, felt that it would not be quite
safe to argue against Mr. WATsoN's view of inter-
national law, and therefore it was left to the Secretary of
the Treasury, Mr. CARDWELL, to reply to Mr. WATSoN•
Mr. CARDWkLL made the best fight he could, but in
order to support anything like a show of argument, he
'vas obliged to assume many thitgs contrary to fact
(such, for instance, as that the claimants had suffered
;heir claims to remain dormant for thirty
years, when a reference to the records of his
own office would have shown him that, year
After year, these unfortunate persons had urged tilts
claim at the Treasury fr( m the time when it first ac •
crued up to the present moment) to leave out of view
oath ely many known and public transactions (such, for
instance, as the convention with Denmark of September
over riding, as it does, the previous declaration of Den-
mark in Augu=t), and after all it was evident
he argued the question solely as a point of
official duty, and that he would have been glad to have
neon spared the task imposed upon him. Not so, how
ever, Mr. F. BARING, the only Member not connected
with office, who, in the course of the debate, spoke
against the claims. It was evident from the eager manner
of the Right Honourable Gentleman, that he had not
forgotten that the prelude to the doknfal of his Ad-
,ninistration was the majority against him on this very
question in 1841, and it appeared alm'st as if he had
never forgiven the claimants for having beaten him
on that occasion. Mr. F. BARING came for-
ward as a volunteer to the assistance of Mr. CARD-
WELL, and officiating as a sort of amateur and very un-
learned Solicitor-General, by his argument—

" Made that darker
Which was dark enough without."

When it is recollected that both the ATTORNEY and.
SOLICITOR-GENERAL had, on former occasions, given
pinions favourable to the claimants, and tit.
hey were both absent on the present occa
,ion, we think it must be admitted that the silenct
of the law officers of the Crown is much more etfectiv.
than the eloquence of Mr. F. BARING, and that there
-an be no doubt that there claims are as welt
founded in law as they are in equity and it,
justice The • last Ministry refused to carry into
••ffect the clearly expressed opinions of the
last House of Commons in favour of these claimants.
[n three months that Ministry was out of office. Wk
hope the present Ministry ill rot follow their example.

This is indeed a remarkable session of Parliament,
distinguished for the sound principles of commercial
policy, which, brought forward by the Government, have
been received with the greatest delight by the large
majority of our legislators, and of the country at brae
distinguished too for the enlightened spirit of liberality
and tolerance which has directed the attention of Mem-
hers of our Senate to the removal of the last remnants of
intolerance, the abominable and vexatious penal
laws by which our statute-bode has so loin;
been deraced, and the existence of which
has even been the great blot on the British
escutcheon, and also for the impious spirit manifesteo
by the general body in the reception of, and the tone in
a Inch, the several measures have been discussed on their
introduction. The LORD CHANCELLOR last night moved
the second reading of the Religious Opinions Relief Bill,
a measure which may be termed an Act of universe]
tolt ration, sweeping away no less than thirty different
statutes, by which persons of every shade.
variety, and sect were oppressed, by 'which
the member of the Established Church, the
Dissenter, the Roman Catholic, and the Jew, is.
afficted, and it is impossible to say which is deserving of
the highest praise—the intrinsic excellence of the mea
sure itself, or the tone of high-minded liberality which
ran through the entire speech in which it was intro-
duced to the notice of the House. The existence of aucl
atrocious and pernicious enactments in the nineteenth
century is scarcely credible ; true it is, that they had
been suffered to slumber for many years, and might
he considered as almost obsolete. Yet, as Lord
BROUGHAM well remarked, " they were not with
out a pernicious vit silty, and might be put
into activity at any moment."; A remarkable in-
stance of this was mentioned as having occurred se
late as the year 1841, and in which we are at a lo,s to
express our wonder at the audacity of the magistrale.-
by whom such a law was attempted to be enforced, and
how they contrived to escape the consequences of tin
overwhelming flood of popular indignation to which the
outrage on every principle of justice, of which they had
been guilty, mu't have given rise. According to the
statement of the Noble and Learned Lord (Baottorram),
in that year, certain persons were taken up and
brought before those most excellent justices on a charge
of poaching, which could not ho substantiated; the inert
were therefore acquitted, and about to be discharged,
when a brilliant thought flashed on the mind of one o*
their judges. He asks, Were you at church last Sunday?
No, answered the defendants, or the Sunday before the'
either, and forthwith they are convicted on their own
admission, and punished, not for the crime for which
they had been apprehended, smd with which they were
charged, not as poachers, but as recusants. Th.-
case is scarcely conceivable, and yet, were it
not the fact, it would hardly be mentioned
gravely in the House of Lards as one which hao
actually occurred. Most assuredly truth is stronger
than fiction ; the only parallel we have heard is a story,
some time since facetiously told by Mr. O'CostreEnr„ of
la7n9Bl,riasnhd
wjury,hen after the insurrection of
lush:Er:lt); had been proclaimed In
who, shortly
every offence, save that of murder, were trying
a prisoner charged with that offence ; a strong
case had been made out, and all were look-
ing for a conviction, when the prisoner pro-
duced, as his witness, the man alleged to have been)
murdered, and for whose assassination he was the-n
actually on trial. The proceeding was, of course, in-
stantly stopped. The judge said it is unnecessary to
say one word ; the prisoner has rebutted the charge in
the most satisfactory manner; the issue paper was handed
up, and, to the astonishment of all, a verdict of guilty

was returned. The judge was astounded, asked %as it
possible they could understan I the decision they had
come to—was it not a mistake ? No, my Lord,
said the foreman, with a self-sAtistied smile, it is Tate
correct ; he might not have murdered that part;eular
man, but I can assure your Lordship that he stole a
very handsome bay mare from my self, urd we all knew
that he most richly deserved to be hanged, and we,
therefore, find him guilty. And this good story, at
which many a hearty laugh was provoked at the ex-
pense of the blundering of our Irish brt three,
actually equalled, if not surpas,ed, by tducated gentle-
men magistrates in England, who more than forty
years at erwards adopted a similar course, and with this
in addition, that they were filling the situa'ion both of
judge and jury, and that there ,4 as no presiding officer to
corrcct their error.

The earliest of these statutes now proposed to be re-
peal.- d was passed so far back as the reign of HENRY 111..
and, as well as other of the earlier enactments, was
levied exclusively against the Jews. By it no mem-
ber of the Jewish persuasion was permitted to
hold lands within the realm. It is true that
doubts existed, that many eminent lawyers con•
ceived that there was nothing in the law which in•
capacitated Jews from holding land ; but why should
any obscurity exist on such a subject ? The law should
ever be clear and explicit, to be understood by the
meanest capacity, that "be who runs may read ;" and
no question should be permitted for the refinement of
legal subtleties,a here the samecould so easily be amended;
above all, no remnant of bigotry and intolerance should
be permitted to remain a part of our law. Another sta •
tute requires the wearing of a badge denoting Judaism,
and prescribes the form of that badge for males as well
as females. Such an Act might suit the times when a
Jew could not appear in public without being subjecte,l
to the grossest indignities—being spat upon, and buf-
feted, and his beard plucked—but is not suited to the
present era. By some statutes any person attending
any place of worship different from the Established
Church was subjected, for the first offence, to six months'
imprisonment, and for the second to twelve months',
and for the third, to imprisonment for life. Any mem-
ber even of the Eastablished Church, who attended any
other form of religious worship. was subjected to severe
pecuniary penalties and to ecclesiastical censure; nay,
though his parish clergyman was a man of a character
so depraved that he could not conscientiously sit under
his ministry although he attended religious worship
according to the forms of the Established religion
twice, nay thrice, on every Sunday, if he did not
attend his own parish church, he was liable to the
penalty. Again, see the penalties to which our Roman
Catholic brethren are subjected. Whoever maintains
the spiritual authority of the see of Rome, forfeits for
the first offence his entire personal property ; for the
second, incurs the penalties of peseminure, shall be
placed out of the
protection of the law ; and for
the third, is guilty of high treason !!! They most
oonscientiouly hold this opinion. A declaration,
or rather an oath, against it, has been lingabdished, in order to permit them to sit in Parloanent,
and yet the
P4llRities e,re still permitted to remain to '

encumber our statute-book. Well might the LORD
CHANCELLOR term it " the abominable statute of recu-
saucy." Any person importing a bull or document in
writing, or any instrument from the PorE, is guilty of
high treason, and subject to be executed as a traitor, and
to all the fearful consequences fohowing such a convic-
tion, and yet we tolerate the religi.n. The bishops
and priests are recogni-ed, who cannot curry on the
duties of their offices, the details of their Church esta-
blishment, without communication with the POPE, who
cannot be consecrated or appointed save by the same
authority. Various other similar statutes still exist, but
we are now happy to say they have been grappled with
in a spirit of true liberality and enlightenment, and we
shall shortly be enabled to utter the proud boast, that
no vestige remains of biotry, intolerance, and super-
otition, and that our statute-book will be as free from
the reproach, will evidence as universal tileration, as
that of any nation in the universe.

The accounts from Madrid arc of the 2&l ult.
In the Gazeite of that tay we fin I a dispatch from Gene-
ral CONCHA, dated Orense, April 19th, in which he states that
he had, while marching to the relief of that town, heard that
the insurgents had retired from before. it; that he should
await there the reinforcements and artillery which he ex-
pected would arrive from Monforte on the 20th ; and that on
t heir arrival he should commence offensive operations against
the insurgents.

The political chief of the province of Orense, ILDEFONSO
FLOREZ DE PARANO, write:: to the Minister of the Interior,
on the 19th iust., in these terms:—" From a confidential
communication I have received, the column of insurgents
left, on returning to Vigo, a troop in Ridavaria, for the pur-
pose of selling the stock of salt, and levying a money-tax.
The rest of the province is tranquil."
A column of infantry, under the command of Brigadier
SoLA, and 150 carbineers, commanded by Colonel Mtroixs,
had arrived at Orense, to reinforce CONCHA. Brigadier
MAntos has replaced General PUIG SA3II.ER in the corn
mand of the Corunna expedition. PUIG SAMPER, who has
resigned, has retired to Betanzos. A captain and a drum-
fnajor have been arrested at Logrono, for conspiring to at-
tempt an insurrection. The authorities, wl.o were .apprised
in time of the plan, preserved 'tranquillity undisturbed. In
consequence of this attempt the Captain •General has de-
clared the whole province in a state of siege, and has issued
a proclamation, decreeing "that all persons, having reached
their eighteenth year, no matter what rank, class, condition,
,r sex they belonged to, who by word or deed should con-
spire, or cause to couspire, against the Government of her
Majesty the Qu FEN, :11UUld be put to death without any pre-
vious trial or inquiry."

BANDERTO, an officer of carbineers who had joined
[RIARTE, has been taken prisoner. While such is the state
~f things iu the north of Spain, the southern provinces are far
:mill tranquil, and it was confidently anticipated in Madrid
that ere long the Sierra licrida, in southern Andalusia, would
become the theatre of an insurrectionary movement. The
Government have suspended the publication of El Clamor
Publico and of the Eco del Commercio. According to the
Espanol several arrests of Progres,iStas have taken place at
Saragossa.

MADRID BOISA, APRIL 23.—Three per Cents., 31%. Ex
change on London, 37%.

We have received the Paris papers of Wednesday-.
The Bordeaux and Cette Railway Bill, without any clause
,:ompelling the company to form a branch line to Castres,
passed the Chamber of Deputies by a majority of 219 to 45.
The general discus-ion on the Western Railroad Bill
closed on Wednesday. The debate on the budget
OUld, it was expected, come on about the 20. h of May.
A Bill for the extension of the fortifications of Toulon had
;;een presented to the Chamber by, the Ministcr of War.
LECOMTE I as refused to engage counsel, and the Court
nas consequently directed M. DUVERGIER, the bato►u►ier of
the order of Advocates, to conduct his defence.
There was a grand review on Tuesday morning at St.
Maur, in the Bois de Vincennes. At twelve, the Duke DR
,iEMOURS and the Prince DE JOINVILLE arrived with a
' numerous staff. Very shortly afterwards appeared IBRAHIM
l'AcnA and his suite, in the Court carriages. In 1841,
PAcer t sent over to the KING of the FitEscir, as a
resent, eight or ten remarkably fine Arab horses, and among
them the one the Paella rode at the battle of Nezib. On
Tuesday, on the field at St. Maur, the Prince found his old
war-horse ready caparisoned for him. He mounted his steed
µ•ith evident gratification, expressing, in animated terms,
his gratitude for this mark of attention to him. T,:e Duke
DE MoNTPENSIEE was at the head of• the sth Regiment of
Artillery, to which he has lately been appointed colonel. Al
five o'clock a grand dinner was given to the Egyptian Prince
in the apartments of the Duke DE MoisTrx.Nstrat in the
fortress of Vincennes.
The Courtier des Etals Uhis states that the French Minis-
try has revoked its determination not to allow American
vessels to bring tobacco to France for the supply of the
Government. The Courier says that Mr. KING, the Ame-
rican Minister in Paris, had protested against the first deci-
sion, and convinced the Ministry that, however natural it
was to desire to give exclusive favour to French vessels, the
doing so in the present ease would be a violation of existing
treaties between France and the United States.
The Presse comments upon this statement in the following
terms :

" We are still willing to believe that there is no truth in
this news. If it be, however, proved to the contrary we
shall not know how to condemn sufficiently the weakness. and
we might add, the ignorance displayed by the French Go-
vernment in the affair. What is the position of the Go-
vernment when it purchases tobacco in America to work
it up in its own manufactories and afterwards svlls it? It
acts in the quality of a merchant; it manufactures as any pri-
vate individual might do. If it suits a private trader better
to import his merchandise in French vessels, at a great ex-
pense, no one has a right to complain. It may be said that he
makes a bad bargain, but he cannot be reproached with a vi-
olation of engagement, for there has been no contract on his
part that the cheapness of freight by American vessels shall
be a decisive reason why they shall have the preference.
Every one acts in this respect as he thinks fit, and if he
thinks proper to make a pecuniary sacrifice by employing
French vessels in preference to those of any other nation, no
one has any right to interfere. So much the worse fur him
if he makes a bad speculation. There are no treaties in ex-
istence which can deprive him of the right of so doing. Let
the treaty of 1822 be reperused, and it will be seen how ex-
orbitant are the pretensions put forward by the American
Government. For our parts we cannot believe that our Go-
vernment can have allowed itself to be so easily persuaded
that it has been to blame in acting as it has done. This
question will doubtless be cleared up, as it requires to
be, for if the concession has been really made what will
be the consequence? 'the same right has been enforced
with regard to England as concerns the transport of coal
for our steam-packets and the use of the arsenals.
Although England was certainly injured by this measure,
she made no remonstrance, Judging with reason that
there was nothing in it contrary to either the letter or the
spirit of the treaty of January 26th, 1826, which was founded
on the treaty concluded June 4, 1822, aith the United
States. The moment, however, that it shall become known
that the claim of the United States has been admitted, i',111;-
land will in her turn remonstrate, and what reason can he
given fcr refusing to the fatter what has been granted to the
limner ? None whatever. The French Government will,
therefore, deprive our flag of the transport of coals as well as
of that of tobacco. It will aggravate the consequences of
the treaties of 1822 and 1826, which were previously so
disastrous to our maritime interest. It will consent to destroy
with its own hands, on an ill-founded claite, the only repa-
ratory act of which the national flag has been the object
since 1830. Such cannot be the fact. We, however, re-
member that the news given by the Courr;er des Etats'Unis
was mentioned by IV. Leravasseur in a recent discussion on
the credits for the eavy, and yet neither of the Ministers
present contradicted it. It cannot, therefore, be denied,
that ag, eat degree of probability is attached to it. It is
very desirable that a candid explanation should be given, in order to remove all uncertainty and inform our
maritime
commerce what it really has to dread or to hope for on the
subject."

The Albatross, which arrived on Sunday at Toulon from
Algiers, brought MOHAMED-BEN-ABDALLAH, brother of the
famous Bou-MAzA, who is sentenced to perpetual imprison-
ment in France, to which the KING has commuted his
punishment from the capital sentence passed upon him by
the council of war of the Algiers division.
His Royal Highness the Prince of SAXE Contma left
Algiers on the 23d instant, on board the Labrador, and
reached Toulon on the 25th instant.

The Grand Duke CONSTANTINE left Algiers on the morning
of the 23d. Nothing authentic was known as to the where-
abouts of ABD-EL-KADER.

The French Funds were a abade better on Wednesday.
The Three per Cents. closed at 831. 70c. ; the Five per Cents.,
119 f. 95c. ; the Orleans Railr•md shares, 1,2371. 50c. ; Rouen, 1,0371.
50e.; Havre, 7601. ; Great Northern, 765 f. ; Avignon, 920 f. ; Vier-
' zon, 6721. 50c. ; Bordeaux, 625 f.; Boulogne, 4971. 50c. ; Troyes and
Montereau, 415 f. ; Basle, 227 f. ; Dieppe, 4651. ; Paris and Strasburg,
518 f. 75c. ; Tours and Nantes, 542 f. 50c.; Paris and Lyons, 572 f. 50c.;
Spanish Actives, 32% ; Spanish Domestic Debt, 30 74
The following are the quotations in the new lines :-
Lyons and Avignon Defluitives, 5371. 50c.; Bordeaux and Cette
(Mackenzie), 5021. 50c.; Ditto (Espeleta), 509 f. ; Charleroi, 4901.
LYONS, APRIL 27.-Marseilles and Avignon, 927 f. 50c. ; Paris and
Orleans, 1,243 f. 75e. ; Rouen, 1,040 f. ; Lyons, 576 f. 2sc.
;BUSINESS PONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYs AT Tut;
LONDON STOCK E CHANGE, APRIL 30.
Boulogne :and Amiens, 12%-Central of Spain, %_patch
Rhenish, 6% -East Indian, %-Great Northern of France
..
Con-
stituted, 15% -Louvain and Jemappe, I % -Luxembourg, _ 2,St
Namur and Liege, 2-Orleans and Vierson, 17-Orleans and_
Bor-
deaux, 1114-Over Yssel, 3 die.-Paris and Lyons Co
Barre,
308;1
-Paris and Strasbourg Constituted, 53%-Rouenand
-Sambre and Meuse, 5% -West Flanders, 27 • _

NE WMARKET RACES
(THIS DAY-BY EXPRESS.)

BY THE EASTERN COUNTIES
ELECTRIC '1 ELEGRAPH.

Handicap ; A.F.
Duke of Richmond's Peasant
Mr. Paynv's Ccdhngwood - 2
Mr. W. S. Stanley's Leaconfield 3

Match.—Alamoje beat Sorella.
Match.—The Cob beat Corranna.

The Newmarket Stakes of 50 Sovs. each, &c.
Mr. Gully y's Pyrrhus the First
Col. Anscn's Ingo 2
Lord Exeter's Galata colt

STATUE OF THE LATE KING CHARLES JOHN OF
SWEDEN—A letter from Munich states that the bronze statue of the
late King Charles John of Sweden was cast in the mor►►ing of the
23d inst., with every appearance of complete success. It is believed
to be destined for the city of Norrkoping, and that it will be erected
In the course of the su►nn er.

Lord and Lady Paii.nPrston left Park nn Twsday
morning for England. IldiUlhitl Svult oiled Upon U1%13 NOnday
to pay a farilYfVU

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUAR7'ER TO THREE.
The sale of Railway Shares yesterday, by Messrs. Wick-
ham and Co., was exceedingly well attended, and the prices
realised showed the improvement that has taken place in this
description of security; almost all the lots in their ample
catalogue found ready purchasers, and above 3,000 shar€s
were disposed of. We select a few quotations. London and
Manchester, Rastrick, 71s.—Manchester, Buxton, and Mat-
lock, 60s,—Goole and Doncaster,sos.—Manchester, Midland,
and Great Grimsby, 12s. 6d.—East Lincolnshire, 355. 6d.—
Welsh Midlands, 28s.—Goole and Doncaster, 50s.—North
Stafforchhire, 109 s. 6d —Dutch Rhenish, 1325. 6d.—Man-
chester, Buxton, and Matlock, 635. 6d.—South Midland, 745.
—London and York, 50s.— Northumberland and Lancaghire,
265. 6d.—Northampten, Bedford, and Cambridge, 255. 6d.—
London and Manchester, Remington's, 20s.—Newry, Armagh,
and Londonderry, 15s. 6.1.

There was a considerable busiress done in Cotton, at Liver-
pool, yesterday. S.lcs 6,000 to 7,000 bales. Shan s were firm.
The following remarks on the dried fruit market, by Mr.
R. Witherby, are interesting :—The arrivals i f currants since
the 28th ult., have been by three vessels 164 butts. 97 carro..
teels, 164 barrels, and 156 boxes, making the total quantity
imported this season into Loudon about 5,700 tons, against
6,050 tons to 30th April, 1845, and 5,500 tons and 6,200 tons
to the same period of 1844 and 1843. There have not been
any arrivals at Liverpool.
The clearances at London from the 23d ult. to the 23d
instant, amounting to 590 tons, against 730 tons in the same
period of 1845, and 450 tons and 550 tons in 1844 and 1843.
At Liverpool they have reached regularly 110 tons per week,
against 75 tons per week in April 1845, and 60 tons in 1844
and 1843 respectively.
The stock in bond 23d of February last was esti-
mated at
Since which (late we have received here 717
butts, 600 carroteels, and 428 barrels, or

2,700 Tons.

The deliveries in tl'e same period having been
1,020 tons for home consumption, and 80 tons
for shipment, together l,lOO Tons

The Stock in bond 23d inst. may be estimated at 1,600 Tons
against 2,800 tuns on 30th April, 1845, an 2,400 tons on 30th
April, 1844.

This article is one of the very few, indeed almost the orly
one with the exception of raw sugar, which has maintained
its ground, and for which there has been a fair demand
amidst the general stagnation and depression of trade. Zante
and Gulph fruit have been selling at 465. to 475., and fine
Patras slowly at 48s. ' • but the operations of the month have
not been extensive. The wholesale houses, notwithstanding
the reduced stock, do not seem to have confidence in the
article, and buy only for their immediate wants.
The Stock Exchange is closed to-day, as are also the trans-
fer and dividend offices at the Bank of England.

LLOYD'S iiIIIPPING-(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, MAY I.—Wind this day at noon S.W., light breeze.
DEAL, APRIL 30.—Wind N. to S.S.W., light.—Arrd. Ocean, China,
and sailed for Antwerp ; Enterprise, Leutstaehius, Bahia, and sailed
tor Hamburgh; Commodore, Wright, Jamaica. Std. Pieter Floritz,
Lietzes, Batavia; Carl and Therese, Schutt, St. Domingo; Norma
Vallesen, Port Elizabeth ; Juno, Bendixen, New York. Arrd. front
the River and sailed, Dryope, Moffatt, Quebec. Ski. Her Majesty's
ship Raleigh, westward.
OFF SEAFORD, APRIL 29. Ocean, Canton, for Hamburgh.
PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 30.—Wind W.N.W.—SId. Anne Armstrong,
Bradley, Bombay ; her Majesty's ship Apollo, Monte Video.
POOLE, APRIL 30.—Wind W.—Sld.Nym ph, Thinner, Newfoundland.
Orr PLystou'rn, APRIL 28. - Mary, T. Rundlett, Boston, for Ant-
werp ; 29, !mite of Bronte, Bradley, China ; Euphrates, Madras.
FALMOUTH, APRIL 30.—Wind variable and light.
OFF i ALMOCTII, APRIL 29.—Galatea, Hucktield, Bahia, for Stet-
tin ; Vistula, Havannah George, New York, for Stettin.
OFF PENZANCE, APRIL 29.—Nordpolen, Soderberg, Bahia.
JERSEY, APRIL 29.—Arrd. Rollo, Detityc, Labrador.
LIVERPOOL, APRIL 30.—Wind S.W. to N .W.—Arrd. 29th, Wm.
Sorhc, Primrose, Cuba, and not from the Spanish Main as reported ;
30th, Speed, Laguna ; Leander, Phelan, New Orleans.
YARMOUTH, ISLE OF WIGIIT, APRIL 29.—'i he Nancy packet from
Southampton to Weymouth got on shore on the ,hingles to-day, but
is expected off after throwing ballast overboard.
SUNEERLAND, APRIL 22.- The brig Sleepless, hence to St. Peters-
burgh, has returned leaky, having struck the ground in proceeding.
ItRIDLINGTON, APRIL 30 —The Helen, Leighton, Irons Sunderland
to Stettin, which sunk in the Bay 27th instant, has bean towed on to
the beach, the cargo having washed out.