The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-15 00:00:00

member

short staternent of the facts was "that a

of the legal profession, at home, in the middle of the clay,
had his house entered by two policemen and an
excise officer, ander the pretence of searching for an il-
licit still. The only ground upon which the warrant to search
the house was granted, was an assertion contained in an ano-
nymous letter, that a Mr. Smith, of a certain place, was keep-
ing an illicit still. The Hon. Gentleman then read some ex-
tracts of a statement made by the servants of the family, to
prove the alarm that was occasioned among them by the en.
trance of the police with the exciseman, who searched ev ry
room in the house. It was conduct which ought not to be to-
lerated. There was another question which ought to be con-
sidered, and that was the power of the Principal Secretrary of
State.—(Order, order_) He would not impute that the ma

gistrate was in fault. On a full investigation.of this inquiry. he
ttbmihei
oeel isyyet v e
leavedswe toabu, that td
nh thisge
aqGnu
iodenvs
get r
oini
rnnmy et
on
ought
urt wgdh
heoa
rtut I di
ttn
ogoq rua nrbpyt
ert?eh
vamet inquiry. Would
Henatd
eh e.
fraud, l ievled
that
tihihaaett
inquiry were to be made, he felt assured that it
would be granted. He asked for inquiry, and he there-
fore requested the inquiry, because if they brought in the Bill
there would be cause of such an outcry that would altogether
preclude the opportunity of an inquiry. On these grounds he
should move for a Select Committee for inquiry.
Mr. NEWDEGATE seconded the motion.
Mr. CARDWELL felt that on the only ground on which the
petition rested there was no discussion, but that which had
reference to the inquiry into the character of Mr. Toulmin
Smith. What actually took place was this. The Commissioner
on tho 15th of March had made a report on which the report
was founded. Now it happened that the Commissioner had
been absent from his place of business on other business con-
nected with the office, and the officer acting at the time had
sought he necessary warrant, and did obtain that warrant
although its grounds were perfectly unjtrtifiable. That
officer did obtain the warrant. He would not deny that this
was unjustifiable, because he believed that it Wa, not required
by the Act. The supervisor had proceeded on the authority
which he derived from the magistrate, and with
a policeman had proceeded to the premises, and had
gone over them. In the course of this inquire the parties had
found that there was a summer house in which there was a
tacecleki
in-
tention chimney,
acknowledgment
retiring i rt thehi negi
rfr
partpoma
rotft ht,le,epreeemmi 3mosinthioenreer
card
r.baoterheenr:Lon:
recent
elac e
n. officer :emr
m engagedunica t
communication
ny
had
hde
shown,Commissionerboth
o th fro that, al
et ,t
letters
er
ohfimmsaellifeaeslywheallteaysefrroim,adtheaex
proceedings
bring this accusation.
to the rof wasthe no
ffio
breach of these regulaticrus
iersof Excise. They
tvras the rule of the office of
Excise that on the Thursday every
should be reported
Thursday,
Fiore.anrd they only
did not receive that report until the
then received it from the letters which his
read. Mr. Card Nell then read letters to show the fa4C:itesndhihThd
he had stated, that the petitioner (Mr. Smith) w had'
felt the proceeding to be a grievance. The answer of the
Commissioners of Excise was that in answer to the letter of Mr.
Smith they felt it necessary to inquire of the officer, but that they
-Comnds of
the office, that no spi it
would decide after they had get that information. The
tor of Excise, as the Commissioners supposed, had lard infor-
mation before a magistrate, and if there was anything unjust
or tyrannical they would revise the magistrate's decision.
Mr. °Smith by improper means got possessed of a written apo-
logy from Mr. Mann, and made use of it afterwards in pub-
lic, and refused to forego his action. The apology which he
had now in his posses ion was given without prejudice. Mr.
Mann had been " reprimanded" by the Commissioners of
Excise for what he had done in this mat' er ; and he (Mr.

Cardwell) begged to explain to the Houk the meaning of that
word aMOIV'EL the officers of Excise. To" reprimand" a man
in the employ of the Excise Commissioners was to deprive him

of the posit;ility of promotion for three yeam. As to the
question of damages, that was a case which the laws of Eng-
land left in the hands of the jury ; and they would decide--
not upon the mere amount of damages as claimed—but the
real injury which would be sustained. The Excise had unOer

it six thousand persons, and was presided. over with great
ability by a Noble Lord, who was a Member of that House.
The present case was one of the abuse of law ' • the person
committing that abuse bad been punished. So far as these
things were concerned there was no need whatever for Parlia-

mentary interference, and so far as he waConce;etediii; 11;2.
Friend had stated that for sixty years the public had felt no in-
convenience whatever. There was, therefore, no need for
further inquiry.
Mr. IttUNTZ considered that an opinion which fell from
the Hon. Member who had just sat down, at the commencement
of his speech, was a very strange one. If a person were to enter
his house without a warrant he would break his head. That
would be the most speedy and summary way of doing justice.
Sir T. WILDE said the motion of his Hon. Friend Ras
founded on an act of public aggression. Mr. Smith, he te-
lieved, was a special pleader of considerable talent, and who
bore a high character. There had been nothirv, in the nature
of the visit of Mr. Mann at all exceeding what would be
necessary for an officer in the discharge of his duty ; there was
a great difference between a visit of that kind and a men ly
complimentat y visit.—( Hear, hear.) The excuse for entering
the House was certainly a very strange one. It was this,
that in some houses not worse than his own he had found an
.„.

illicit still, therefore he searched Tisht.:e.---i'Vel:.;
required consideration by the House' and he thought
the Committee should be appointed. He did not think, with
a view to Mr. T. Smith's case, there was any necessity for a
Committee ; but the public really ought to hive some protec •
lion against these unwarrantable attacks by public officers on
their property. He considered that the magistrate, in issuing
'his warrant upon the application of an individual whose only
ground of suspicion was an anonymous letter, had rendered
himself urfit for his situation as a public magistrate. There
was gross misconduct on the part of the officc,r for swearing to
a cinums!arce which he did riot know to be a fact.
But there was greater misconduct in the magistrate
who granted the warrant upon insufficient grourds. What was
the safc.ty of the public it such conduct is tolerated? Did it
not deserve some severer punisl,ment than a loss of a chance of
preferment? If a gentleman's house is to be searched on the
authority of an anonymous letter, so much the worse for the
public.—(Bear, hear.) It was at present uncertain whether
the officer deceived the magistrate as to the facts of the case.
But if he did not deceive the magistrate, his conduct was most
reprehensible, and the public had a right to be made aware of
the circumstances, and an inquiry ought to be ,oTanted.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL said, that he was at a Mao

to know what was the real object of the Hon. Gentleman's
motion for an inquiry. No person had defended the conduct
of the officer. The Government did not defend it ? What
then was the object of the inquiry ? Not into the facts—they
had been already admitted—but for the purpose of decid'ng
whether the Commissioners had done enough for the punish-
matt of the officer. But the House should recollect that

illicit stills had been discovered in the very same neighbors.-
hood, in houses far superior in appearance to that of Mr.
Smith. And his Hon. Friend should remember, that at times
the only method of reaching frauds committed upon the rever ue
was through the means of anonymous information. The col-
lector put the case into the hands of an experienced officer, one
who had been employed for more than two-and-thirty years by
the revenue, and had always conducted himself well. lie
considered, however, that the officer had not acted cautiously
in the matter, nor should the House deem that he was defend-
ing his conduct on that occasion, for he did not consider that
persons should come before a magistrate and make or ths upon
loose information ; and if the magistrate did not see that such
was done, he admitted he was hardly justified in granting a war-
rens. However, Mr. Smith had his remedy against the officer,
for he had an action against him, and could recover damages..
It was asserted that great violence had been done in the execu-
tion of the warrant ; but let the House remember that Mr. Smith
had in his letter to the Commmissioners laid them at 101., and
now he came before the House and told them that it was not a
personal, but a public question. This was the way. Mr.
Smith, disappointed in his personal views, made it a public
question. Mr. Smith was not an illiterate man, and his con-
duct upon that occasion ought to be narrowly looked to. He
took advice of eminent counsel, and was advised that he
could maintain an action, and obtain damages for 5001.
taef.de,tobud
Mr. Toulmin
He sought an interview with the officer, and endeavoured to
obtain a written apology from him, which would implicate the
magistrate, so that he might be afterwards able to put him, as
a witness, into the bex, and obtain a mass of evidence. The
officer offered every apology which a man could offer, but be
refused to implicate the magistrate. He would ask, what was
meant by asking for this Committee ? if it was called for upon
public grounds, he would maintain that it was necessary for
the Excise to have the extended powers which they possessed
for the detention of subtle evasions of the excise-laws. f The
law law was perfectly well known, and had been in opeLartim o
number of years, and he considered it necessary
ro-
tection of the revenue.
con-
duct of the excise-officer in the present case, tefeandwathseacaseSmith brought his action .in a court justice, and this was
the House to interfere under such circumstances. No public
pending.,wtiiitihwhichthe House ought' one
not a tot t Iran:
It would be worse than useless, therefore, for
grounds whatever
said,ha thatdbeen evsthaotewdwehr imprudentyth
they should do so.
Mr.
might be the
conduct of Mr. Toulmin Smith with regard to the pecuniary
claim made on him by the Board of Excise, he considered that
he was a respectable man. He would not, how-
ever, go into the question on account of his case
alone ; at any rate, the documents were not fully before th‘m,
and until they were he was not able to form an accurate ju: g-
merit of the circumstances. He admitted that it was
necessary for the Excise to have large powers, but thise
powers ought to be under due control, and such cases as the
present showed that there was not that responsibility which
ought to exist. No grounds whatever had been shown for
the course pursued upon this occasion. There was no outrage
he admitted, but the officer had evinced such zeal as to go up
stairs into the bed-rooms, and he actually searched the maid-
servants' boxes.-- (Laughter. ) He knew of several cases of
very great oppression—particularly in reference to seizures of
tobacco—which worked the greatest injustice. This ought
not to be permitted. Ile thought that sufficient inquiry I ad
not been made before procce, jogs were taken in the present
case, and under all the circumstances he was of opinion that
the Committee should be appointed.
eonn.emoermti:,TeOr
malNtlter.nßinßrleGfeHreTneethtoouwghhtatiwt
adsessitraatbelde
for Clitheroe. The charge of extortion made against .I%ir.
bfyo thsteatHe
Smith, for his claim for compensation on the Excise, was p 'na
fectiv absurd, and would be scouted by all who knew him.
(Hear, hear.) With regard to the apology referred to, as
agi eed to be taken by Mr. Smith, from the officer, it was tat: en
away by the officer, and afterwards brought back so altered
that Mr. Smith could not accept it. From private let-
ters which he (Mr. Bright) had seen regarding Mr. Smith's
character, he was perfectly convinced that all he had in view
was to expose a gross pet version of the law with a view to its
remedy, and he bad no sifish object to serve in making his
claim on the Excise for compensation, as it was well-
known that he intended to hand over the amount he
received to a charitable institution.—(Hear, hear.)
He believed that Gentleman was incapable of anything d s-
honourable, and he hoped this inquiry would, in justice to lis
divide.")
NEWDEG A TE said that the thanks of the House were
character be graeted.—( Hear, hear, and cries of " Divi .e,
Mr.
due to the lion. M(mber for Birmingham, for having brought
this question on by a:motion, and the thanks of the House we re
also due to the Hon Baronet the Member for Worcester for
supporting so very groper a motion. A cliarge had been made
against a gentleman, and he now wished to Lave it prope, ly
inquired into. Ile considered this a case for a Committee of
.ikir. WAKLE.Y should be sorry
Inquiry, and he could net tee the justice of refusing it.
for the House to divide
without the result being for granting an inquiry into this nr st
singular case. The Learned Gentleman the Attorney-General
had adverted to the character of Mr. Smith. When parties
came before this House, to seek redress for injury, at the hands
of pine functionaries, charges the most despicable were
brought against the complainants. Who before this case Lad
dared to say a word against the character of that gentleman ?
It was said that Mr. Smith had entrapped the officer into a
fault. If that was the case, why dread an ir.quiry ? why refuse
it? It had been complained of that Mr. smith did not conduct
horser c
his case in a judicious manner.
petted that he should ? Mor. Smith,%%all3a,vey had' himself stel'f ef';
a client, and he
his Hon. and Learned Frier d
put
ift
lawyer.
thepos-
sibly conduct a case without the pleasurable excitement of the
Attorney-General, a without the fse could
professional usual.—(Laughter.) He was surprised at the

For the motion ........... ...... 125
Against it
...
•
Majority
9
THE CANADAS.
Lord G. BENTINCK. in rising to move that an humble
address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she may be
pleased to direct that copies be laid before this House-1. Of
the Governor-General Earl Cathcart's speech to the Legisla-
tive Assembly of the Canadas. 2. Of the dispatch, or dis-
patches, referred to in the Governor-General's speech as having
been addressed to her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Co-
lonies, remonstrating against certain presumed changes in the
Imperial Commercialt Policy. 3. Of any petition from the
Quebec Beard of Trade, addressed to her Majesty's Principal
Secretary of State for the Colonies in the course of the present
year, on the subject of apprehended changes in the Impe-
rial Tariff affecting the produce of the Canadas.
The Noble Lord said that he had given notice that it was his
intention to propose a discussion on the question of the dangers
to their colonies in the present alarming state of their relation
with Canada ; and, under any circumstances, more particularly
considering that the trade of the country with Canada compre-
hended three-eighths of the entire trade with America ; con-
sidering that the shipping interest engaged in North America
comprehended one-sixth of the foreign trade ; considering all
this, he thought that any question which concerned the pros-
perity of Canada was well deserving the attention of the House.
But, under the present cirumstances, seeing that news had
arrived only yesterday of the rejection by the Legislative
Assembly of Canada of the Commercial policy of her Ma-
jesty's Government—(Great cheering) —considering that
the rejection of that policy and the defeat of her Majesty's
Ministers converted a majority of sixteen, which the Govern-
ment of Canada in that assembly held at the meeting of the
assembly, into a minority of seven on that question, which was
immediately connected with that before this country—he meant
the Corn Importation and Tariff Bill—he thought it would
be most desirable that the attention of the House and
of the country should now be directed to the
situation of their Canadian colonies, before they proceeded to a
final decision on these measures.---(Cheers.) And although
he felt that at this hour of the night there would be at any rate
no question of their proceeding with the Corn Importation Bill,
he thought that no apology would be due either to the House or
to the country in thus at the earliest hour interposing this dis-
cussion, before they took any further step in that Bill. He felt
that the position of the Canadas was a matter of vital import •
ante to this country, and therefore it was, he thought,
that this House should consider the subject before
they proceeded with the other Bill. It was generally known
to the Members of that House, that a dispatch had been ad-
dressed by Mr. Gladstone to the Governor-General of Canada
in the early part of March, in which he notified to Lord.Cath-
cart the nature of the measures which were to be introduced by
her Majesty's Ministers. It appeared, by the speech which
Lord Cathcart. addressed to The Legislative Assembly, that he
had written a remons.rance to Mr. Gladstone against these
measures, and Lord Cathcart, in the conclusion of
his speech to the Assembly, thus addressed them.
(The Noble Lord then read an extract from the Governor-
General's speech, to the effect that the changes about to be
effected in the commercial policy of the country were viewed
with great jealousy by the Canadians, but it would be inadvi-
sable to express a decided opinion on these measures until they
had a full exposition of the schemes which would so materially
affect those provinces.) Then it was evident from the speech of
the Governor-General that he had addressed a strong remon-
strance against the commercial policy which was now about to
be proposed by her Majesty's Ministers. This appeared to him
(Lord George • Bentinck) a matter of grave consideration, but,
coupled with the speech of Lord Cathcart, there were other
indications of great dissatisfaction on the part of the consti-
tuted authorities. A meeting of the Board of Trade, in which
the mercantile and agricultural interests of the country were
represented, took place at Toronto a few days previous to the
meeting of the Legislative Assembly, with regard to the
measure about to b> proposed by her Majesty's Ministers,
the Vice President of the Board, Mr. Workman, stated that
the mercantile classes of Canada were in a
most undecided state of mind at that moment
in consequence of these measures—that they were, in fact, in
tha situation of men precipitated from an eminence, and
labouring under concussion of the brain. These sentiments
were responded to by the other speakers. It was only in the
year 1843 that the Canada Corn Bill was pa Eed. That measure
was held to be a sort of compromise with this Government.
The Noble Lord then referred to the opinion entertained in
the United States with respect to this subject, and quoted from
the New York TVe•?hlyll-raid, which stated that the advan-
tages which the British Colonial Secretary had pointed out as
likely to arise to the Canadas were looked upon by those en-
gaged in the trade wish the mother country as of little
worth. They believed that the advantages only existed
in the mind of the Colonial Secretary. The same news-
paper stated, that notwithstanding the differential duty,
Canadian flour could be carried through New York, and
landed at Liverpool mush cheaper than if sent direct from
Quebec or Montreal. Now there was 36,000 British seamen
engaged in the Canadian trade, while only 9,000 were engaged
in the trade to the United States. The policy of the Govern-
ment was calculated to destroy this great trade, and to render
the Canadian colonies utterly useless to this country. There
was little to render this debate interesting to the House.
111 much he would say, that there was a strong
feeling in the Un'ted States on this subject. He
trusted that the ROat Ron Baronet the head
Government would not express. at
any indifferenceof the
to the prepossessions which had been manifested on
d is sub-
as
ject. He was anxious that there should be no misuneursltiand-
ing on the point, because ht.
e believed ,at there would
measures introduced which would render the Governmebnet
proposition inoperative. He was more anxious upon this
point, as he believed in the present experiment there was
nothing to jus;ify its adoption. It would appear, from com-
munications which he had receivA, that there had been one
hundred thousand pounds received on the duties upon timber,
and he was not disinclined to believe that such was the fact.
He held in his hand a letter from a Liverpool merchant, who
stated that Canada required a protection, as compared with
New York, of not Jess than 4s. or ss. per quarter upon wheat.
Anybody who knew anything of commercial interest—any-
body who knew anythine of shipping interest, must be well
aware ti at those ships that were to be laid up daring the
whole course 01 the winter, must trade at a great disadvantage,
as compared with those that traded during the whole of the
Year. Her Majesty's Ministers, when they introduced this
measure, held out to the Parliament and to the country, that the
friends of free trade in the United States would be encouraged
by the removal of the restrictions on the importation of co n.
Dear as would be the purchase of an um evricted trade between
this country and the United State!. of America, at the cost of
the loss of our Canadian colonies, it might be a matter of grave
e msideration, whether it would. be to the advantage of this country
to adopt the scheme p oposed by her Majesty's Government.
He found in the T inns n nespaper, in a leading article, opi-
nions expressed to the same effect. There was, therefore, no
hope of a reduction of the tariff in that. country on the import--
atiou of Britis'n goods. It appeared from the returns of the
exports of printed goods and calicoes to our Canadian colonies,
that a considerable increase had taken place during the two
last yesrs. The value of the raw cotton, and other goods im-
ported into this conntt v, exceeded by three millions the value
of the goods exported irrn this country to that. This circum-
stance arose from the general feeling that existed in the United
States to preserve the in lependence of their home manufactures.
The exhort of cotters nom exceeded that of former years. That
of 1827 was 273,030 tons, while in 1840 it amounted to
1,241,900 tons ; and in 1845 to 1,409,600 tons. They bad
the opinion also of all the leading men of America in favour of
protection to industry. Washington maintained aintained that position.
him.
Jefferson also coincided with
otulrlir ,notnsaudirely bel a
wise measure to risk their connexion with
he
nies. Their export trade with the United States had,anw?toh?in-
the last few years, been almost doubled, while that with their
coloeies had gradually dimished. Feeling strongly
atffhaLtt. the
measures now before Parliament would alienate
of their colonial brethren, he thought it right to bring mtlrales
question before Parliament. He would, therefore, move that
an bumble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that
she may be pleased to direct that copies be laid before the
House of the Governor-General Cathcart's speech to the Legis-
lative •Astembly of the Canadas—of the dispatches referred
to in.the Governor-General's speech, as having been addressed to
her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, remonstrating

BRIDPORT ELECTION.
Mr. G. BANKES postponed his motion that Win. Rockett
be heard at the bar of the House till Tuesday next. lie also
on the part of Mr. Christie postponed his amendment till the
same day.

COUNTY RATES IN ENGLAND AND WALES.
Mr. PRAED gave notice that he should move for leave to
bring in a Bill for the more effectual making of County Rates
in England and Wales.
RAILWAY COMPANYS BILL.
_ _

On the motion of Mr. HUDSON this Bill was read a second
time, and was ordered to be read on Thursday next.
FACTORY BILL.
Mr. BANKES moved that the debate on this Bill be post-
poned to Friday next.
Sir R. PEEL consented to take the debate on Friday, pro-
vided the Corn Bill and the tariff were disposed of by
that day.
After a few words from

Mr. HINDLEY, who stated that Mr. Greg, who had
written a pamphlet in favour of the Ten Hours Bill, had
changed his opinions on the subject, and was now opposed to
it, the debate was adjourned till Friday next.
The House adjourned at Half-past One o'clock.

NORTH GRAVESEND RAILWAY.
SPECIAL MEETING.
A spacial meeting of the proprietors of the North Graves •
end Railway was held yesterday, at the station of the Eastern
Counties Railway, in pursuance of the sessional orders of
the Houses of Parliament, at half-past eleven o'clock. The
chair was taken by Mr. Routh.
The CHAIRMAN, having shortly explained the objects of
the meeting, and having stated that scrip, representing 7,520
shares, had been entrusted to him, which was three-fourths
of the capital, observed that the meeting was legally c9nsti •
tilted. Gentlemen had, therefore, to consider whether it was
expedient to proceed with the line. He would therefore move
that the scripholders considered the Bill should be proceeded
with.

Mr. RICHARD HARRISON, of Liverpool, seconded the
res Aution, which was carried unanimously.
The meeting then broke up.

ILFORD AND EPPING RAILWAY.
A special meeting of the proprietors, shareholders, and
seripholders took place, yesterday, at the station of the Eastern
Railway Counties Company, at twelve o'clock. The chair
was taken by Mr. Routh.
The CHAIRMAN having explained the object of the Bill,
stated that 8,250 scrip had been intrusted to the Board of
Directors, for the purpose of voting in favour of the Bill.
The SECRETARY then read the advertisement calling the
mee' ing.

The CHAIRMAN observed, that now the meeting was le-
gally cons ituted he would move that the directors be em-
powered to proceed with the Bill.
Mr. HARMSON, of Liverpool, seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.
The meeting then separated.

EASTERN COUNTIES and THAMES

JUNCTION BRANCH RAILWAY.

A special meeting of the above Company, in pursuance of
the sessional orders of both Houses of Parliament, was also
held at the Eastern Counties Railway Station yesterday, at
one o'clock. The chair was taken by Mr. Routh.

The SECRETARY having read the advertisement calling
the meeting, and having stated that one thousand five hun-
dred shares were represented at the meeting, in favour of
the continuance of the scheme in Parliament,
The CEIAIRMAN put the question to the meeting, whether
it was their opinion that the Bill should be proceeded with ?
Mr. 1-Ltitrusox seconded the motion, which was carried
‘,.;aanimonsly, and a vote of thanks having been given to the
irman, the meeting separated.
EA-

_STERN
COUNTIES RAILWAY
(YORK EXTENSION). SPECIAL MEETIN
G
A special meeting of the proprietors, sharehold4_s G.
and
scripholders of this Company, in compliance with the ses-
sional orders of the Houses of Parliament, took place, at half-
part one o'clock yesterday, in the London Tavern, Bishops-
ga,e-street ; George Hudson, Esq., in the chair.
The SECRETARY having read the advertisement convening
the meeting, •
The Cnamms.N, briefly stated the objects of the meeting,
and proposed that the several extensions should be adopted.
Ha dilated upon the favourable prospects of the line, and
said that the traffic of the line was increasing so
fast, that the directors found it necessary to in-
crease their staff of locomotive engines. Their present want
caused some few irregularities, but he pledged himself that
after a few months the Eas rn Counties Railway would not
only be one of the best managed, but the most paying line in
the country. Many of the statements respecting mismanage-
ment which appeared in the newspapers were perfectly un-
true, but the directors were much better employed thin in
cansweringthem.
with i
the
Bill,
which Resolutions
were
r- were ec
at
rhrei
end put i favour
n unanimously.
Mr. Drsox then proposed a vote of thanks to the chair-
man, which was passed by acclamation.
The CHAIRMAN briefly thanked the meeting, which then
broke up.

The FrarceAca Catharina, which left Seriei on the
Bth of January, with a cargo of marble for the tomb of the Emperqr
Napoleon, arrived on Sunday at Havre, en its way to Rouen. This
vessel, after having been obliged to put into Gibraltar and Lisbon,
was can;ht in the Bay-of Biscay in a violent gale of wind, which
placed it in great danger, and forced It to throw overboard ten tons
of its cargo.

FOREIGN BOOTS, SHOES, STOCKINGS, AND THROWN
SILK.—The number of pairs sf men's boots imported into this coun-
try in 1841, was 4,821; in 1842, 8.353 ; in 1843, 12,220 ; in 1844.
13,2(11 ; In 184.5, 14,387. Nine•tenths of these come, of course, from
France. The number of pairs of men's shoes imported in the same
five years was 14,454 ; women's boots, ditto, 20,843. The numb=
of pairs of boots and shoes of all sorts collectively imported was—ln
1841, 39,867; in 1842, 55,360; in 1843, 74,773; in 1844, 85,059; in
1845, 82,302. The following is the import of foreign cotton stock-
ings and socks :—ln 1841, 7,413 pairs ; in 1842, 9,250 ; in 1843, 7,761 ;
in 1844, 14,331; in 1845, 8,055. Quantity of thrown silk imported in
1841, 266,851 lbs. ; in 1842, 363,524 lbs.; in 1843, 333,60'2 lbs. ; in
1844, 405,927 lbs. ; in 1845, 541,787 'bp. The quantities of foreign
silk hose and gloves, and cotton gloves, were also moved for, bat
these are included in " silk manufactures not particularly enume-
rated," and " cotton manufactures whol)y or in part made up, not
otherwise charged with duty."

want of feeling displayed by the Learned Gentleman towards a, against certain presumed changes in the imperial commercial
professional brother.—Charges had been made against this : policy, cf any petition from the Quebec Board of Trade, ad-
gentleman, and it was but fair to give him an opportunity of ' dressed to her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the
refuting them. He hoped the Government would not refuse Colonies, in the course of the present year, on the subject of
the inquiry, for if they troubled the Foese with a division he apprehended changes in the imperial tariff affecting the
thought he might safely say they would be left in a minority. Canadas.
By the debate of that evening the character of Mr. Smith Mr. ROEBUCK seconded the motion ; but he recollected
was brought into question, and it would be not only ungene- a time when the wishes of the Canadian people were not treated
rous, but unjust, to refuse him an opportunity of clearing with the same respect by the Noble Lord or by his party. Nor
himself. did he think that the vote of the Canadian Parliament was con-
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it elusive; it was carried by a small majority, and he could con-
appeared to him that no case bad been shown which warranted ceive a Ministry placed in such a position as to be in favour
the inquiry asked for by the Hon. Member who proposed this with no party.—( Cries of " Hear, hear.") Instances weredaily
motion. He was sure that there were many Members present occurring of such a state of things, and he could suppose that
who had not heard the whole case, so as to judge of the ques- an adverse party influenced by personal feeling might conduce
tion in all its bearings. It was said by one Hon. Member that to the vote of the Canadian Parliament. The party in power
they should make this inquiry in fairness and justice to the was not the popular party of the Canadian people. That
character of Mr. Smith. Another Hon. Gentleman said, that party knew that loyalty meant profit, and that was the party
in fairness to that gentleman, he should have an opportunity of
which had loyalty on their lips, and now they were to be found
disproving charges brought against him. There had been
ready to turn round and threaten them with an annexation
nothing brought against his character. Certain statementshad with the United States of America. Those loyal persons,
been made, which were necessary to the explanation of the those loyal Irish Orangemen, talk of an annexation with a
ease, and surely this conld not be called a charge against foreign
power. What was their loyalty? Nothing but pro-
character. Nothing had been stated but what was correct. t ction He would now suggest to the Noble Lord, and to
The character of Mr. Smith had been alluded to only by those
Hon.' Members who had taken up his site of the question. materially benefit them. He would ask the
tiocseanva;lidoa,acwteoduldwithhim, that which, if applied to the people
As far, therefore, as ingoiry was concerned, in Mr. Smith's Noble Lord if he was prepared to a form of free-trade with all
case, it was perfectly unnecessary. The Hon. Member then the shipping of our colonies.—(Cries of " No, no," from
entered, at considerable length, into the details of the transac- Lord G. Bentinck) Well, then, what was the meaning of
tion, as stated to the House by the Right Hon. the Secretary their sympathy with the Canadas ? 'I heir sympathy was
to the Treasury. The Hon. Member for Lambeth had stated protection, and nothing else. (Hear, hear.) The
that, of all parties concerted with the transaction, Mr. Mann, Canada Corn Bill was introduced at a time when the Noble
the officer, was the least to blame. He fairly confessed, there- Lord and his party opposed it, and they went on the hustings
fore, that if the House should go into Committee, he, for one, and cried out against the Right Hon. Baronet for having
would not have the slightest knowledge of what would be gassed it. Well, what followed? They now, in their places
the course pursued by the Committee in their inquiry- in that House, complained that Canada was greatly benefited
He should therefore oppose the appointment of this Committee. by the measure. He denied that so much benefit had
Mr. ESCOTT ( who rose amidst loud cries of .. Divide, resulted to the people of Canada by this measure.
divide," and " Oh, oh,") said—The Right Hon. Baronet had The Noble Lord says the exportation to Canada amounted to
alluded to the conduct of the persons who set these proceed- three-fourths of the value of our exports to the United States.
ing; in motion. In his opinion, the magistrate who granted Why, we need not shut our eyes to the fact that those exports
are not to Canada, but through Canada to the United States.—
this warrant had acted unjustly and illegally. He had granted
a warrant to search a house on no information, except an ano- (Hear, hear.) The danger which the Noble Lord feared from
nymons letter. He would not discuss the question as t) whe- those measures was a mere chimera. The three great articles
ther the letter was sufficient for the Board of Excise to act of export from the Canadas were timber, cotton, and corn.
upon, but there was certainly no ground for the interference of The Noble Lord might be sure that no Legislative measures of
a magistrate. The proceedings were not consistent with the a round-about trade would ever produce that beneficial effect
just and proper operation of the laws, and he should vote for which would arise from a direct course. It had been said that
an inquiry into the conduct of the magistrate.
adversity brings us in company with strange bedfellows,
Mr. MILES (who rose amidst a great uproar) said that a and he certainly thought that the straits to
most unjust assertion had been thrown upon the conduct of the which that great party opposite were now reduced
magistrate. Proper reasons had been adduced for the grant- had brought them to the humiliating position which
ing of the warrant ; for on the face of the document it uas he did not expect to see. He did not expect to have seen the
shown that the proceedings were by no means anonymous, and great leader of the aristocratic party quoting the democratic
that the magistrate was perfectly justified in his conduct. The Jefferson and Washington, and making their statements his
excise officer swore that he had reasons for suspecting, and own. He was obliged to the House for the kindness with
that he did, suspect that a private distillery was concealed on which it had listened to the arguments which he had already
the premises of Mr. Smith, and applied for the law to be put adduced, for he should, were it not for the late hour, have
in force in the case. He (Mr. Miles) did not attempt to de- wished to avail himself of its indulgence to make a few more
fend the night search. The police force frequently acted on observations.—( Hear, hear.)
suepicion, and in this case he thought the information was The motion having been put,
quite sufficient to justify the conduct of the magistrate. Sir G. CLERK said that he did not rise for the purpose of
Mr. SPOONER said, that a statement made by his offering any observations on the motion made by his Hon.
Learned Friend, the Attorney-Genera), showed that he was Friend. His object in rising was to notify his intention to add
not correctly informed on the sukeet he had stated, that se- to the list of papers the dispatches of the Secretary of State for
veral actions had been brought. the Colonies in this country in reply to those papers for
Tice ATTORNEY-GENERAL—No, that notice of action which the Noble Lord had moved. Amongst them was
had been given. a letter to the Secretary for the Colonies on the duty of 3s. per
A.r. SPOONER—The service of a notice, and the bringing quarter' charged on wheat imported into Canada from the
cf an action, were very different things. Even if the actions United States. As the Hon. Member for Bath observed, it
were pending now, the proper time had elapsed for bringing was now several
weeks
since
any
information had been received
them. It had been stated that his Hon. Friend the Member from Canada. Although no official information had arrived,
for Worcester bad said that no warrant ought to have been there could be no doubt they would have that information in
granted against a man of the rank and character of Mr. Toul- the course of a few hours. The Noble Lord commenced his
min Smith. He did not understand his Hon. Friend to say speech by stating that the question now assumed a great de-
so ; he understood him to say that the station and character of
gree of importance on account of the news published this
Mr. Smith required that the warrant should be executed with morning with reference to the rejection of Sir Robert
great care, and that there should be a lull and complete inquiry peel's policy in Canada. They would find that
into the circumstances. Another assertion had been made that she question under consideration was not con-
his Hon. Friend said that this was not a poor man's case, and fleeted with the legislative policy of Canada. If they looked
that there ought not to be any inquiry into it. His Hon. Friend at the evening papers of a few hours since, they would find that
had stated that this was not a poor man's case, and that a man in the Bill was carried by a majority of 7. The news was dated
Mr. Smith's station could have inquiry into it, which a poor the 24th of April, and it was stated that they had passed the
man could not. There had been no acting on anonymous pro- Bill repealing the duty of 3s. on wheat imported into Canada.
ceedings, for the officer swore that he had reason to believe No official information had been received be, Government, and
that a distillery was in the house, and an inquiry was therefore no certain information as to the minority. He would have en-
necessary. tered into an examination of the statement of the Noble Lord,
The gallery was then cleared fir a division,
but as no opposition was intended to be offered to the produc-
pOneered= the re-admission of strangers to the gallery there all"' tion of the papers, he would not venture to enter on the
subject any farther.
Mr. HODSON HINDE said that there was some misap-
prehension in the mind of the Hon. Member with regard to
the conduct, past and present, of the Hon. Gentlemen sitting
near him, and it was necessary that the minds of the Hon.
Members on that side of the House should be disabused on this
point. The Hon. and Learned Member said that his (Mr. H.
Hinde's) friends sitting near him had stated that in the im-
portation of wheat Canada never had any advantage. Canada
had had a very material advantage in the im-
portation of corn under the old system, in which
corn was admitted at a duty of ss. per quarter.
He said they had a right to ascertain the sentiments of her
Majesty's Ministers with regard to the measures they intended
to adopt with respect to the colonies. He did not say this in
any disrespectful manner, but he thought the House had a right
to know how they intended to act with regard to Canada.—
( Loud cries of " Question.") The Noble and Learned
Member for Bath said that it was true the exports to Canada
were large, but he said also that Canada was only a means for
introducing exports into the United States. But he would
ask, what would become of this country if the measures
now in progress were to deprive them of Canada,
even as a means of introducing their exports into the United
States ? He was much mistaken if the accounts to which
the Vice-President of the Board of Trade attached so little
importance would not strike dismay into the shipping inte-
rests of Great Britain.
SERVICE OF HEIRS.
The LORD ADVOCATE gave notice of his intention to
introduce a Bill for the purpose of simplifying and economising
the law which related to the service of heirs ; and he purposed
also to introduce a clause into the Bill which had received the
sanction of the Legislature in the last session relative to Crown
charters.