The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-24 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1846.

The detailed accounts of the action which took place on
the 29th of January, between the forces under Sir Timmy
SMITH and the Seikhs, given in another part of The Sun
agree in every important point with the telegraphic dispatch
from Marseilles, published yesterday. The Seikhs mnstered
in great force, to the number of at least 24,000 men,
all regular well-disciplined troops, with a powerful battery
of sixty-eight guns. The force under Sir HENRY SMITH
did not exceed 12,000, with only 32 guns, but with this
vast disproportion they did not hesitate to attack the enemy
though entrenched in a strong position ( about five miles below
Loodianah) with their rear resting on the river, and their
flanks strongly protected. The Seikhs, too, showed no lack
of courage, for when they saw the British force
advancing to the contest, they marched out of their
entrenchments and commenced a heavy cannonade upon
our troops. The village of Aleewal (not Alivert as given in
the telegraphic dispatch) was their main point of defence, and
that her Majesty's 50th Regiment, and the 47th and 48th
Native Regiments, gallantly stormed, killing or
driving every Seikh before them, at the point of
the bayonet. The British and Native Cavalry also behaved
with great gallantry, broke and cut up the enemy as they
endeavoured to rally, and by twelve o'clock, the attack

commencing at ten, the Seikhs were completely dispersed

11 with the loss of all their artillery. They have now lost
Altogether, since they passed the Sutlej, more than 150 guns,
butt many yet remain to be captured, for it appears that at
llCrretZkee, some twelve miles higher up the river than
Fero.".epore, they have a strong battery on the left bank,
which protect.' the pontoon bridge in that quarter formed
for the pas age ohthe army, and now used to keep up com-
munication with tin Punjaub. Sir HENRY HARDINGE at
present leaves this pos.;tion undisturbed, and is evidently
waiting for the tit opportunity to make his attack. Ac-
cording to these accounts, the invasion of the Punjaub
will not take place till' towards the month of
October, when the hot weather' is over and Sir CHARLES
NAPIER'S army is fully ready for Oise affray. The intelli-
gence brought by the present conveystOce, for the regular
mail has not arrived, accounts for the rum Ors prevalent at
one time of the defeat of SH:HENRY SMITH; and froni this,
it appears, that while forming a junction wi'th
Colonel GODBY near Loodianab, a small number
of our troops had been attacked by a large body of
the Seikhs, who took advantage of the movement, and cap-
tured a part of the baggage. This was the only ground for
the exaggerated account, of which one of the Paris papers
made so much. That paper was the Journal des Debats,
which, both as regards its intelligence from China and India,
is not entitled to the slightest credit ; and it is only sur-
prising that the editor of a journal, in other respects so well
conducted, should allow such absurd statements to appear
in its columns.

The promised motion of Earl GREY for an address to her
MAJESTY on the state of Ireland was discussed last night in
the House of Lords, and, as might have been expected, was
negatived by a large majority. Their Lordships are always
willing enough to hear any details respecting the acts of vio-
lence and bloodshed, unfortunately of too frequent occurrence in
that country, and lend a ready sanction to any measure of coer-
cion founded t hereon, but when the real source and origin of these
melancholy transactions, the weightygrievanees under which

the people have so long been suffering, are brought under
their notice, and any measures of a remedial character are
even spoken of—ancient prejudices, the now nearly aban-
doned policy of governing wholly by severity, and the strong
hand, is suffered to come into full operation, and a ques-
tion involving the destinies of a kingdom is got rid
of with a celerity and dispatch that would hardly be
exhibited in a matter of the most trivial interest affecting
one of their Lordships. We deeply regret that such should
be the case; we should wish to see their Lordships pressing
forward in a generous rivalry with the other House of Par-
liament, for the promotion of measures of great and na-
tional utility; but, on the contrary, we have too often
found that branch of the Legislature opposing itself to
and delaying (for fortunately they have not hitherto
been able to do more than delay) the passing of Acts loudly
and imperatively demanded by the growing enlightenment
of the age. We cannot, however, regret the discussion which
took place. Lord GREY brought forward his motion with
great ability and moderation, and although we do not think
that he went sufficiently far into the grievances, or that what
he stated was all that would be required to render
Ireland a happy and a prosperous country, we have no doubt
it would willingly be accepted as a large instalment, and
that it would be hailed with gratitude by the people, as evi-
dencing the desire of the Legislature at length to do them
justice. He stated with much force and fidelity the wretched
condition of the country, which, as ne truly said, was one
"of lawlessness and wretchedness ; that it was the
one weak place in the solid fabric of British power,
the deep and irreparable blot in the shield of British
homer." He asks, have the measures adopted been such as to
meet the exigencies of this fearful state ? The Government
have not departed from the old beaten track, but money and
coercion seemed to be their policy, as it had been that of
former Governments, and of course no other results could
be expected. Can such a state of things continue ?—is im-
provement indeed impracticable? The character of the
country and of the people, to which his Lordship pays a high
and well-deserved compliment, forbid it. We cannot refrain
from quoting his own words :

" Is there anything in the nature of the country, or of the
people, to account for it? Surely there is nothing in the
country—for it -is endowed with a soil of great fertility—
with a genial climate, with great mineral wealth, with
commodious harbours on its coasts, with great means of in-
ternal navigation and extensive water power, and contains
every advantage which is necessary for commercial great-
ness, and for the people 1 Will any one say that it is their
fault? When they are taken away from the pernicious influ-
ences which surround them in their own country, they are
found to be capable of everything that is good.—(Near,
hear.) See them in the colonies, in America, and in other
countries of Europe, and they are distinguished for industry
and usefulness, and in our own country, the severest labour is
performed by Irish workmen. In the county with which I am
connected, you see them coming over yearly to the harvest,
the largest number of them being natives of the wretchedest
counties in Ireland, as Donegal and others, and what is the
character they bear ? Why, that they are most grateful for
good treatment—(Hear, hear)—tractable, industrious, cheer-
ful, even gay, sometimes thoughtless, and easily excited;
but on the other hand often showing a providence and care-
fulness not common to the general character of persons in
their rank of life and living frugally in order to save their
earnings to take home with them to pay their rent and assist
their families.—(Hear' hear.) This is the character the
Irish labourer bears in England."
The two principal points by which his Lordship hoped this
state of things could be remedied are certainly of vital im
portance—first, that the state of the law between landlord
and tenant should be improved, that the poor man
should no longer be subject to a law by which
injustice could be done to him ; the law should
be amended, but it would not be sufficient merely to
amend the law—they should also look to the spirit of its
administration. The hearts of the people should be won by
kiLdness ; they could not be gained by force. The other great
grievance of Ireland, the existence of a church, largely
endowed, possessed of no less than 600,0001. per annum, which
was devoted exclusively to the religious wants and educa-
tion of 700,000 people, while the great majority, the poorer
class, the most destitute, received no assistance ; this ig in-
deed, a fertile source of discontent in Ireland. His Lord-
ship said well, that the welfare of the people of Ireland
was sacrificed to the pecuniary interests of the Church.
IVe cannot agree with the Duke of WELLINGTON, who main-
tained that we were prevented by the Act of Union from
dealing with the Irish Church. Surely, no reasonable mind
could for a moment suppose that the exigencies of future times
might not require some change in the disposition and re-
gulation of its revenues, and that any legislation,
however perfect at the time of its enactment, could be final.
If so, the measures of Church reform (scanty as they have
been), which have already taken place, have violated the
Union, and yet we have never heard them urged as an argu-
ment for its abolition by those who would gladly
adopt anything likely to effect its repeal.
He also urged that concession has hitherto ever proved the
forerunner of new demands. The answer is simple and easy,
because the measures to which he alluded were not given
with a good grace' and because of their justice, but because
they could no longer be refused. Give kindly from your
own free and the boon will be received with joy
and gratitude ; but let the same amount be wrung
from your fisars, let the recipients know that you would re-
fuse if you dared, and the success attendant on suc-
cessful agitation will encourage to- renewed exertion
in the hope of a similar result. " Bis dat quo cito
dat," is true in the case of nations as well as individuals.
Let us hope that our future boons to Ireland, being given in
a different spirit, from what has hitherto been evinced, may
be productive of happier results.

Our commercial men are at length evincing their impa-
tience under the intolerable procrastination by which the
Parliamentary discussion upon a revolution in our mercantile
system is characterised, and by which the whole machinery
of trade is involved in a state of ruinous indecision. The
malcontents in the Lower House have assumed to them-
selves the office of protecting commerce; the real re-
presentatives of industry, however, merchants and ope-
ratives, are now heard to repudiate that protection,
and in addition to this to express their most earnest satis-
faction at the policy at present advocated by our most illus-
trious and experienced statesmen. Yesterday a deputation
from Manchester, of a very influential character, comprising
the President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the
President of the Commercial Association, and four eminent
merchants from the most important manufacturing city in
this great manufacturing country, waited upon Sir R. PEEL
with a petition, expressive of these very sentiments, the
various paragraphs of which petition we subjoin. Another
scarcely less important, from Liverpool, was like-
wise entrusted to the Right Honourable Baronet,
who took occasion, during the debate of last night,
to lay both those petitions before Parliament.
That too much stress could scarcely be laid upon these appli-
cations, no rational man will undertake to assert, when it is
remembered that the one proceeding from Liverpool had re-
ceived the signatures of 214 merchants and shipowners, 190
shipbrokers, all the local bankers saving two, and that
within an hour or two no less than four hundred and four-
teen names were appended. Of the Manchester petition the
attendant circumstances are yet more remarkable and signi-
ficant. "In twenty-four hours," said the Prime Minister,
that petition received 1,022 signatures, comprising the
heads of houses engaged in trade with every part of the
world, representing a capital of at least thirty millions, and
employing not less than one hundred and twenty thousand per-
sons." Such an exponent of the wishes entertained by the parties
whose fortunes are most implicated in the remission of importa-
tion and exportation duties is surely more deserving ofattent ion
than the petty and squabbling remonstrances of a few disaf-
fected classmenl To oppose the Customs' Act, as the dele-
gates of the industrial population, after such indications of
public opinion, would indeed be the climax of the most con-
summate assurance. Let the protectionists, however, meditate

seriously upon every sentiment contained in that Manchester

petition: let them con, for once, with candourand right-mind-
edness, the plain-spoken and emphatic expressions of the po-
pular will ! If they retain one single iota of common sense
or discretion—which, however, we very much question I—they
will allow their most pernicious opposition to become extin-
guished by the subjoined sentences :
" That your petitioners are largely interested in the trade
and commerce of Manchester; that your petitioners, in
common with the entire manufacturing and commercial in-
terests of the country, have observed with the liveliest satis-
faction the wise and comprehensive measures introduced by
her Majesty's Government—measures which will tend greatly
to benefit this densely-populated district; that your peti-
tioners have observed, with deep concern, that obstructions
(which have already caused considerable embarrassment in
all commercial operations) have been thrown in the way of
the immediate passing of these measures through your
Honourable House :"

And then for my Lord GEORCMBENTINCK, or the redoubtable
Mr. MILEs, to arrogate to themselves the office of interpreting
the detestation of the people for those very measures! A
most paltry juggle, forsooth, on the part of the monopolists !
"That should further delay in the progress of these mea-
sures unfortunately take place, your petitioners fear that
difficulties and embarrassments of the most alarming charac-
ter will ensue, and that the immediate prosperity of the
country will be jeopardised."
Can these agricultural Members, after an announcement
so emphatic, and from a source so competent, persist with
clear consciences in their present mischievous conduct ? If
their consciences be not entirely " case-hardened" already,
they decidedly cannot!

" Your petitioners, therefore, earnestly pray Y'Jur Ho-
nourable House to put an end to the doubt and uncer.
tainty now existing, and to prevent the occurrence of com-
mercial disasters which may seriously crinie the industry
and resources of the country, by immedi'..aely passing into a
law the Customs and Corn Importation. Act."'
Ilkis is a plain, blunt demonstration against monopoly.
There i 8 gainsaying it Much as the sticklers for pro-
tectionh. ace carped at previous petitions, and garbled the
opinion of the mass, this outcry from Manchester—that
great nucleus ef manufacturing industry, which CARLYLE
has aptly likened to one vast steam-engine—will defy all
their ingenuity. Everything, in short, proves that the death
of the old and villanous system of commerce, however
lingering it may have b een, is inevitable; that, in the words
used by Earl GREY, we are actnally in sight of the goal ;
and that the wishes of of ar merchants will be realised.

Accounts from Madrid -state that a stormy discussion took
place in the Chamber of Deputies on the lath. The House
was crowded to excess. It was known that the PRESIDENT
was to be questioned lot • having summoned the Chamber,
and also that an explanat ion would be given by MIRAFLORES
respecting the Ministerii d crisis. Senor EGANA, who has
been appointed Minister t ,f Grace and Justice, first rose, and
declared that the conduci; pf the PRESIDENT in convening

IChamber was unconstitutional. General PENEZUELA, the
new Minister of Marine, after vainly attempting to speak
during the confusion, was about to leave the Chamber, when
he was ordered by the PRESIDENT to be stopped. It was
then moved that the Chamber should approve of the
conduct of its PRESIDENT, and the motion was
adopted by a majority of 111 to 41. Senor
ROMERO then questioned the ex-Ministers respecting the
rumours of a Ministerial crisis, when the Marquis DE
MIRAFLORES replied that there was no crisis for three
reasons :—First, that the Ministry had the confidence of the
QUEEN; secondly, that the Cabinet was united; thirdly, it
had the support of the Chambers. "And with a representa-
tive Government so situated there cannot be a crisis," said
the Marquis. After some propositions, which had no results,
the sitting was adjourned until the next day.
It would thus appear that MIRAFLOEES and his colleagues
were not aware that they had been supplanted, and that
NARITA= had a list of their successors duly prepared.
The Funds had improved. On the 16th the Three per
Cents. closed at 291,E for cash, and 29 3-16 for the 30th of
April ; and the Five per Cents. at 211,4 for the same date.

The Paris papers of Sunday contain no news in addition to
those published in The Sun yesterday. The attack made
by M. OnthoN BARROT on the Government' for dissolving
the National Guards of certain large towns, such as
Lyons and Metz, bad excited a warm discussion in
the Chamber, but it led to no immediate result.
The Opposition, however, were resolved not to let the
matter rest thus, and M. LACROSSE moved " that the
Ministry should be compelled to render, in the beginning of
the next session, an account of the execution of the law of
March, 1831." The Ministry accepted the challenge, and
the debate on the motion was fixed for Monday. There is
no fresh intelligence in these papers from Poland.
On Sunday the French Three per Cents. were done in the
passages of the Opera at 84f. 371/ c.

BUSINESS DONE IN FORKIG IT RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Mitten 23.
Boulogne and Amiens, 1214—Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Cette
(Espeleta), Vii—Dutch Rhenish, 6—East Indian, 14—Great North-
ern of France Constituted, MA —Louvain and Jemappe, 114
Luxembourg, 2—Madrid and Valentia, A —Namur and Liege, 3
—Orleans and Bordeaux, 13—Sambre and Meuse, 31/4 —Tours and
Nantes Constituted, 714.

THE INDIA.N MAILS.—The French mail packet Egyptus,
from Alexandria, arrived at Alalta on the 17th instant, re-
ports having seen several rockets fired last night, at seventy
miles distance from this island. She rendered no assistance !
The Admiral, supposing this may have been the Virago,
with the Indian mails on board, has sent out the Volcano
steamer to look for her and give assistance. So that the
mails may not be expected for a day or two.

RA TLW AY COM M MITES.

(THIS DAY.)

GROUP IX.
This Committee met to-dny at twelve o'clock, Lord Horsley in the
chair.

The CEIAIRMAN said lie had made the motion last night for the
Grand Junction Terminus to proceed In Committee, but it had been
objected by several members of the Committee of Selection that
the course was irregular, and might interfere with the presentation of
petitions against the Bill. On that ground he suggested that the pro-
moters should proceed and give evidence, the Committee reserving
their decision till the proper time had expired.
All the counsel on the other side assenting to this course, the
consideration of the Bill was proceeded with.

GRAND JUNCTION HARBOUR. TERMINUS.
Mr. Hill and Mr. Sergeant Bellasis appeared for the promoters ;
Mr. Hope for the Clyde River Trust; awl Mr. Sergeant Murphy for
Mr. John Maxwell, who petitioned against the Bill.
Mr. Him. opened the case on behalf of the Bid. He started with a
review of the evidence adduced on behalf of the two other schemes,
as compared with the merits of the Grand Junction scheme. A
great deal had been said on behalf of the Harbour Mineral scheme,
and that it was necessary for the vast mineral traffic that was
springing up. Now he had doubts of the great traffic expected,
and especially he did not think there would be in Glasgow any exten-
sive exclusive mineral traffic. A great number of the ships that
came to Glasgow shipped coal as ballast, and also mixed it with
general cargo ; and hence there was a necessity for a terminus that
would accommodate those two traffics at once. The Harbour Mineral
would be of no use for such an object, while the Grand Junction
was in the best situation for that purpose. He believed the
mere colier trade of the west of Scotland would hereafter
be mainly confined to other ports —to Greenock, Ardrossan,
and Troon, while in Glasgow coal would be generally mixed
up as part of general cargoes. If a great mineral traffic
sprung up in Glasgow, then both the Mineral Harbour and
the Grand Junction would he required; but if it was as he repre-
sented, then the Grand Junction alone would be quite sufficient for
all purposes. As for the general terminus, it was neither one thing
nor the other. It professed to separate the mineral from the general
traffic, yet it interfered in that respect quite its much as the Grand
Junction, while it did not accommodate the shipping in the harbour
near so well. Then let them compare the estimate of the Grand
Junction with the other two. The Grand Junction was to cost but
60,0001., while the others were to be do: ble the st,a, and to be twice
as long. The Learned Gentleman having dilated on these points,
and dwelt on the advanta.res, engineering and otherwise, of the line
for which he appeared, concluded by calling his witnesses.

GROUP XII.
GLASGOW AND WEST OP SCOTLAND

DISTRICT.

Bombers present, Mr. V. smith (chairman), Mr. T. D'Eyncourt,
Mr. Langston, Mr. W. Hamilton, and tho Hon. W. Fitzmaurice.

THE GLASGO W', PAISLEY, KILMARNOCK,

AYrz x,xTiNsiora.

Mr. 'WHEATLEY, Q.O , called John Hamilton, the tenant on a farm
belonging to Mr. Guthrie. the opponent to the scheme, to show the
injury which would be done to the farm of Capering Stone. The line
laid down was the v,ry worst that could be adopted for the purpose
of ruining the farm. He had formerly paid 3001. per annum, but by
his late lease be agreed to pay 3701. He had lately expended a con-
siderable sum upon the f,rm-house, which would be so much lost, as
the proposd line would come so close as to destroy, In a great mea-
sure, the house itself

Mr. Moffat, engineer and manager of the Ardrossan Railway, was
acquainted with the line proposed to be carried to Mr. Macready's
collieries. He did not see that there existed any difficulty in carry-
ing out the lines of deviation, which would certainly be much less
injurious to Mr. Guthrie's_property. Mr. Macready had entered into
an agreement to send two-thirds of his produce by the Ardrossan
Railway ; the remaining third was reserved for home consumption.
His output was from 16,000 to 20,000 tons. When the amount
reached 20,000 he could send the surplus where he chose. This
agreemoit was to last during the period of his lease, which he be-
lieved was twenty-live years.

Mr. WHEATLEY contended, that the contract referred to rendered
the construction of this branch unnecessary, because, even though
made, Mr. Macready could not send coals otherwise than by the
Ardrossan Company.

!Jr. Christie, mineral surveyor, was examined by Sir THOMAS
Puttaips, to show that with increased facilities to the market of
Irvine, the "output" instead of being as at present 36,000 tons,
would be at least 72,000 from Mr. Macready's pits.
The Cite IRMAN would wish to hear another witness as to the pro-
duce of the collieries, as such a discrepancy existed between those
already examined.

William Anderson was called. The quantities of coals that had
passed in the month of October, between Preston collieries and the
port of Irvine, was above 2,000 tons, or above :36,000 tons per
annum.,

Cross-examined by Mr. WHEATLEY—Ire had given the usual
directions to the person he had stationed there.
Mr. WHEATLEY then addressed the Committee against the branch.
He contended that there was not a tittle of evidence to show that any
public advantage could be derived from the construction of this branch.

GROUP XIV.
NORTH !LENT.
The Committee to which this line is referred met to-day at twelve
o'clock, Mr. Protheroe in the chair.
Mr. TALBOT proceeded to re-examine
Mr. Tite, who stet; d that he had been in the habit of examining
all kinds of property for railway companies. Has examined the pro-
perty of Mr. Stevens. It is at Peckham, and consists of several
small pieces of land and some small houses. The land is very badly
drained. Has offered Mr. Stephens to take the valuation of any
respectable person, and double it on the part of the Company. The
laud altogether is about 10 acres, and the demand made for it was so
preposterous that witness could not for a moment comply with it.
The case for Mr. Stevens is only a case for compensation. With re-
gard to property of Sir T. Wilson, near Woolwich, it is not materially
injured by the line. The property of Sir Wm. Gossett is more injured
by the line than that of Sir T. Wilson, and he has at once accepted
the compensation offered by the Company. Mr. Itoupell has also
accepted the sum offered.
_ _

Ml'. AUSTIN, on the part of the promoters, said that he saw by the
minutes that his friend Mr. Sergeant Wraugham had asked yester-
day afternoon for leave to re-examine Mr. Vignoles. He was sorry
to say that the request had been made in the absence of all the
leading counsel. He conceived that the Committee would not de-
cide on se material a point without allowing it to be discussed. The
usual course in these Committees was that where there were two
competing lines evidence should be at first taken in favour of the
first line and against the second line, and when that case was con-
cluded the second line should bring forward evidence in their own
reel detltioWnYti',nesaYs
favour and against the first line. When their evidence had con•
eluded they were not to be allowed to recal the witness and go
through their own case again.
Mr. TALBOT, on the part of the South-Eastern line, said that
1)13
hhaopdegdivthenatt.thhee CproevinimotiitstedeaywouTldhneopterdmepisasrtionfrtoo ca
m th
had been already given.
After some further discussion,
The Committee retired to consider the point. After all 'absence of
twenty-five minutes, the Committee returned,

GROUP XV.
The Committee met at twelve o'clock., in the Bail Court. Present,
Mr.
ley, and Mr. O'ConnelMackinnon.l (chairman), Sir R. PrlCe, Captain Hatton, M Hin r. d-
BRIGHTON AND CHICHESTER (BOGNOR
AND LITTLEHILIVIPTON nizarecuus).
BOGNOR AND cslcznosTEß.
Mr. J. J. JOHNSON, counsel (with Mr. Clerk) for the Bognor and
Chichester ,ine, Intimated that engineora had gone down to Chiches-
ter last night to test the surveys. Ile Said his Learned Friend on
the other side ought not to proceed With the cross-exam nation of
Mr. Rastrick, attempting thereby establish a negative against the
line, which he opposed before the merits of that line had been proved.
He thought the Committee ought to take up each line on its own
merits, and on its own merits alone.
The CLIAIRKAN intimated that the Committee, in a great measure,
agreed with him,
Mr. MstiEWETRER said. that he submitted to the will of the Com-
mittee, and that his case was closed, except as to the cross-exami-
nation of Mr. Rastrick, which he would feel himself at liberty to
proceed with at another time.

The Committee a GROUP XXV':
Bill appointed to considcer the merits of the several
s comprised in this group assembled for the first time this morn-
ing, in the Westminster Sessioas-house, The Committee consisted
of the Hen. Mr. Laments% chairman, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Monckton
Miles, Mr. 14Iaolean, and Sir John Walsh.
The Bale comprised in the group were as folleves :
Eastern Union (.4.rdleigh to Colchester).
Emile-en Union and Harwich.
Harwich and Eastern Countleas Junction.
Eastern Union and Hadleigh junction.
Malden, Witham, and Braintree Railvee‘y,
Oelehester, Stour Valley, Sudbury, and, Halstead Railway.
THE inazuoN, WITIT.AMT, AND itictinv"
TREE na.:zrivirair.
MIS was the first line gone into.
Mr, Jams appeared for the promoters, and stated that the line
cOlnmenced at Malden, a port of considerable importance in Essex,
and ran on in a direct line to Witham, where it joined the Eastern
Counties Railway, It then passed on to Braintree, the central agri-
cultural town of the county. The length of the line from Maldon to
Witham was 8 miles, while the extent of the whole line was 12
miles and some few chains. There was an extensive trade between
Malden and Braintree in agricultural produce and materials. For
instance, the corn produced in the neighbourhood of Braintree
was exported from Malden, and, in reheat, chalk, slates, lime, and
coal were imported to a large degree. Tnere were 50,000 tons of coal
imported annually into Malden, 25,000 tone of which were carried up
to the Malden quays, and the other 25,e0i) tons were conveyed into
the interior of the country by the Chelro.er navigation. New, there
was no competing line, but the Billwas opposed by the Chelmer navi-
gation, who contended that the Liver Blackwater was so
shallow that no more than 25,000 tons of coal could be
carried up to Malden, and this, it is evident, would not
suffice to support a railway, but they proposed to get rid of the ob-
jection by taking powers to deepen the river if it should be found
necessary. The Chelmer navigation charged 4s. 4d. per ton
for the carriage, of coal, but they proposed to carry coal at 2s. 4d.
per ton. At the same time it must be remembered that the naviga-
tion was often obstructed by frosts and floods, which rendered a line
of railway indispensably necessary ; and as it was a line promoted
and got up by local traders and merchants, tit e Committee could hardly
throw it out upon the opposition of a canal oempany or a landholder.
The first witness called was Mr. Ranseeme, an extensive iron-
monger of Ipswich, who stated that he was•well acquainted with the
county of Essex, and particularly with the route of the proposed
railway. It would be of great advantage 'to Malden in so far as it
would give an immediate communication with Colchester, Braintree,
and the metropolis. The present cost of conveying agricultural
produce was from Bd. to 9d. per mile, but he estimated that the rail-
way would have the effect of reducing it to three-halfpence per mile.
There was a s.llr manufactory, and all along the line there were large
flour-mills.
Mr. FOESETII was about:to cross-examine the witness en behalf of
the Chelmer 1181VigEttiOrl, but he was interrupted PY

Mr. jAMES who objected to his appearing against the preamble of the
Bill, on the ground that the line did not directly compete with the
navigation. The line would pass the river Chelmer by means of a
bridge, and his Learned Friend only had the right of appearing
against the clauses.

Mr. FOESETH contended that he had a right to appear against the
preamble, because the line would prove injurious to tl'e navigation,
while the public wants did not require the railway at all.
The Committee decided that, as there was no specific Injury al-
leged in the petition, Mr. Forseth could not be heard at all.
Mr. John Pain, of Malden, spoke to the importance of the imports
of that town in an agricultural view. The exports consisted chiefly
of grain and corn, which were sent to Wakefield and other parts of
Yorkshire. The line was unanimously supported by the inhabitants
of the district.

Sub-Committee No. 2.

This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock; present, Sir J. Y.
Buller (chairman), Mr. Bell, Mr. Kemble, and Mr. Eliot Yorke.