The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-04 00:00:00

DIRECTORS' It hrORT.

Your directors submit to the shareholders the usual state-
ments of account for the half-) ear, ending 3ist December
last, which show that the receipts and disbursements to the
31st June, amounted to—

Receipts,£32l,o66 19 0
And for the half-year ending 31st December, 237,432 0 0

£558,498 19 0

Payments, £272,127 8 3
And for the half-year ending 31st December, 248,814 13 7
Leaving a balance of

£558,493 19 0

" Of the above balance 23,8251. were in deposit with the
Accountant-General, and 13,731/. 17s. 2d either in bankers'
hands, or invested in securities, at the date to which the ac-
counts are made up.
"In considering the financial position of the Company to
the close of the year, it is necessary to observe that the in
creasing progress of the works within the last six months
has called for an enlarged scale of exy enditure. and rendered
it imperative upon your directors not only to make calls upon
the shareholders as rapidly as the provisions of the Act of
Incorporation would admit of, but also to make the amount
of their last call greater than any which had preceded it.
"From a desire to avoid as far as possible any pressure
upon the proprietary, your directors advertised in Novem-
ber last, for loans on debenture, at 4 per cent., but which
however, owing to the mania for railway speculation, the
evil of which was then beginning to be felt, they regret to
state they were not successful in obtaining to an amount at
all commensurate with their wants, and no alternative was
then left but to follow the course which they reluctantly
adopted. It is gratifying to state that this call was in ge-
neral responded to by the shareholders with the greatest
punctuality.
"In regard to the several projects for lines in which the
CoinpatiLis interested, and for which Bills are now before
Parliament, your directors have no further information to
convey than that which was communicated in their report of
the 30th August, and in the proceedings of the special meet-
ing of the 11th November. With the exception of the Ash-
burton and South Devon Junction, and the Exeter, Topsham,
and Exmouth Railways, all of them are still before the
Committee of Standing Orders.
" It would now be the duty of your directors to allude to
the state and progress of the works upon the line, but as a
detailed.report has been prepared by your engineer, they be-
lieve that they will best consult your wishas by referring you
to that document for the desired information.

" Whilst they cannot but Partake of the general feeling Of
disappointment which they regret to find is so prevalent at
the delay which has occurred in opening the line between
Exeter and Newton, that feeling would have been greatly
increased did they not feel conscious that no want of atten-
tion or of exertion on their part has been instrumental in
causing that delay, and that it is to be attributed to circum-
stances which they could neither have contemplated nor pre-
vented. They have the satisfaction of believing also, that
how ever disappointing the delay may have been, it will yet,
in the greater perfection and security of the works, ulti-
mately prove advantageous to the interests of the Company.
" Your directors cannot be surprised that the attacks with
which both the South Devon Railway and the atmospheric
system of traction have been so perseveringly assailed, should
have induced many persons to suppose the one to be very
defective and insecure, and the other te have proved a total
failure. But they believe that it would not be difficult
to trace the exaggerated statements and perversions
of fact which have constantly appeared in certain
publications, to insidious attempts of parties inte-
rested in decrying the one and suppressing the other.
Your directors would not however have deemed it necessary
to bestow any notice on such mis-statements, but for the op-
portunity which it affords them of expressing to the share-
holders their undiminished confidence in the atmospheric
system of traction, and of assuring them that the prejudice
which has been raised against that part of the line which
passes over the sea beach, is entirely destitute of truth: of
this the public will themselves shortly be enabled to judge.
" Confident as your Directors continue to be of the succes-
ful working of the atmospheric system, the unforseen delays
which may occur, where many of the minor but necessary de-
tail: are still experimental, have suggested the expediency of
taking the advantage of the Emily summer traffic by running
passenger trains with a locomotive engine on the line as far
as Teignmouth.
Your directors consider that this may be done, not only in.
expensively and with little or no interruption to the pro-
gress of the atmospheric arrangements, but with considerable
advantage to the Company.
" In conclusion your directors have to report that the Great
Western Railway Company have appointed Mr. George
Jones to be a director in the place of Mr. W. S. Jacques,
deceased.

" I« conformity with the 88th clause of the Act of Incor-
poation, the following directors retire by rotation, but are
duly qualified for re-election :—Mr. Gill, Mr. Cole, Lord
Connelly, and Mr. Fox. And it will be the duty of this
meeting, under the 108th clause of the Act of Incorporation,
to proceed to the election of two auditors for the ensuing year.
" THOMAS GILL, Chairman.

LONDON AND WESTMINSTER
claim to greater importance and
BANKING COMPANY.—(THIS DAY.)
higheray
w e were m,at present
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
Mr
. TITE proposed the Adoption of the report. He felt that there
ges
thanent
himself;
who ou 1 d
,1
to ashen' he ought, perhaps
give way ; but as he had ventured at their last meeting to su4; to
est
that the directors should alter the form in which the accounts
d
usually app ared, and to give such a statement in the one they had
published, he telt that he might be permitted to propose the adoption
of the report and accounts which had been submitted to them. Ile
begged to thank the directors, on behalf of the proprietors, for having
adopted that suggestion, because ke thought that a favourable result
could not tail to ensue front the publication of a
clear and simple statement of their affairs, and that
such an " exposure "—if he might use the term—would do
more than anything to destroy any unfavourable impres-
sioa which might exist in any quarter, with respect to their esta-
blishment. If such impression did exist, he n• as convinced that the
statement which the directors had put forward would destroy it,
because it showed how large a sum had been invested to meet un-
expected contingencies, and how large a sum they had in hand.—
( Hear, hear.) In fact, the perspicuity of their financial statement
was much to their credit. The usual dividend of 61. per cent, was
exceedingly satisfactory, and they might congratulate the directors
and themselves on there being no probable chance of its diminution.
No doubt the directors had exercised a wise discretion in proposing
the payment of the usual amount, instead of devoting a portiou of the
proceeds to the payment of a higher diva rend, but if they had proposed
71. per cent. instead of 61, csrrying 6,0001. instead of the sum pro-
proposed to the reserved accou it, he should have felt more fatisfled
—(Hear) —but as he had said, he had no doubt the directors had
excellent reasons for not proposing such an alteration.
The motion having been seconded,
Mr. JosiivA Waracea wished to make a few observations before
the chairman put the motion to the meeting* In the first place, he
wished to congratulate the proprietors on the splendid statement
which had been submitted to them by tile directors, and which re-
flected great credit not only on them, but on the mat avrs and others.
—(Bear, hear.) lie had no idea of the wealth and power of the hank
until he entered into all the particulars connected with it. Ile happened
to possess one of the first reports, and as he hail taken some trouble
to compare its statements with those in that now submitted to them,
and as he thought it could not but be interesting to the meeting, in
order that they might perceive the great progress which had marked
their establishment from its commencemeut, he would state the re-
sults of his investigation. The capital in 1834, which was the find
year in which any statement was published, was 182,000/., when to
1846 it had increased to 80...,000/. The deposits in 1834 were
180,0001. ; in 1846 they were 3,590,0001. That was a very large sum
to have reached in that short time. The profits in 1834 did riot ex-
ceed 3,5401. ; in 1t46 they amounted to 66,344/. They had no re-
served fund in 1834, but in 1846 they had a reserved fend of 88,300/.
—(Cheers.) He observed also that the gross or net profits made by
tile bank during the 12 years it had been established amounted
to 496,1751., out of which the proprietors had received 407,9361. In
the shape of divelends.—(Hear.) Thai was a startling result in so
short a period, and showed the great degree of public confidence be-
stowed on the bank, and the unremitting attention of the directors
and other oflicers to their atrairs.—((;keers.) Ile also observed that
in 1845 they had splay one branch, which was in Westminster ; they
had now five, and he found by the Natikeiv' :Almanac that in 1835 the
bank had no country agents, whereas at the present moment not
less than 150 local banks and branches were connected with them.—
(Cheers ) tie found also on inquiry that whilst 111 1835 only 20
clerks were required, the services of 117 were required in 1846.
(Hear, hear.) lie did think that as these things showed such rapid
and extraordinary progress in their undertaking that they could
not fail to be interesting, and that they would not objet to hear them.
But there was one thing which struck hint very forcibly, whether
during this rapid increase of prosperity and business, and c mse-
querely increased labour to the directors any additioaal remuneration
to that originally agreed had been voted to them.—(hear.) It did
seem to him that they ought to give their attention to the subject, as
that increased labour required additional remuneration.—(Hear.)
In 1831 tile directors declined to receive any remuneration whatever,
and in 1835 a sum of money was voted to them in consideration of
their services. Ile would make no farther comment on the subject;
but he could not help anxiously inquiring whether any addition had
been made to that sum commensurate with the addhional
labour which the rapid increase of the business of the
bank had imposed upon them ? The Chairman had stated
that an increase of directors was contemplated. He was glad
to see Mr. Chapman one of that body, because he had known him
and his wealthy connexions for several years, and he did not think a
better selection could have bcon ma le.—(Heer, hear.) Me hoped
th it the dlrectere-in making any additions to their body, would sleet
gentlemen from that body of merchants of which Mr. Chapman was
a member, because he believed, that by doing so, they would add to
the influence of the bank, and consequently promote its prosperity

Mr. LEVY would have no objection to receive 71. per cent., al re-
commended by Mr. Tite ; but, as the directors were of opinion that
they ought not to pay more than 6 per cent., he should support
their determination, because he had the greatest faith in their
discretion. If they had a sufficiently reserved fund let them have
the additional sum which they proposed to add to it, but the di-
rectors were the best judges, and they were in favour of paying no
more than the usual per tentage. The subject of increasing the
remuneration of the clerks in the bank ought to be left in
the hands of the directors, as he • .considered that the
proprietors had not the opportunities of testing their respective merits
as the directors. However, he could state that the ttepartment of the
bank 'in which he principally transacted business was as well, and
perhaps better, conducted, than any other bank hi the kingdom.—
(Hear, hear.) The directors must excuse him if he referred •
what was, in his estimation, a " sore place."—(Laughte7.)
Now .he did not like the election of Mr. Chapman to t
office of director. Ile was, no doubt, a very respectable man, t red
if he had been canvassed, he, perhaps, should have voted for hit. ;
but he regretted (and the more so because the Chairman wa ao
Liberal to the backbone)—(Laughter)—that the proprietors
had not been consulted in the election of Mr. Chapman, sr
of any other director—(Hear, hear)—and he hoped wi en
a vacancy again occurred in the direction that they would be p-
pealed to. He did however not mean by this to detract from I 0
merits of their directors, for lie believed that a more competent
body, than the one which presided over their affairs, could not be
found—(Hear, hear)—but he wished the power to be vested in the
proprietors, as he disliked a " home list," and as they had elected Mr.
Chapman, they might elect anyone else they pleased.
A PROPRIETOR. expressed his willingness to second any motion
which might be submitted to the meeting embodying the sentiments
enunciated by Mr. Levy.

Mr. fun rose to order. The only motion before the meeting was
for the adoption of the report.
Mr. LEVY declines to put his sentiments iu the shape of a motion.
as he considered that thy suggestion he had offered would have the
desired effect.

The CHAIRMAN explained that the right of electing directors was
vested in themselves by the Act of Incorporation ; and that the prac-
tice of tilling up vacancies, which occurred between the annual meet-
ings, had been continued since the establishment of the Bank.
However, they were at liberty not to confirm the report.
A rotatory principle was adopted by which three of the directors went
annua ly out of office, and the proprietors might propose directors
during the six weeks before the lstof March. There was no " house
list," but they acted on a home'principle for the benefit of the under-
taking.

MIT. DONALDSON expressed his satisfaction at the way in which
the accounts were made out, and congratulated himself on having
been the dist to recommend the adoption of the improved plan. The
right of electing directors should be vested in that body, and while
they had confidence in the directors there was no necessity for the
proprietors to meet to fill up any vacancies which might occur. When
the principle was abased, they might take steps to effect a change.
A PROPRIETOR considered that they ought to meet twice instead of
once a year, in order that they might have the pleasure of hearing
such satisfactory information as that afforded by the directors to-day
oftener. The number of directors originally intended was 24, but
they never had a greater number thon 16 or 18. The present
number was 13. Now as the busines of the bank ha 1
increased they ought to have an an additional number, Last year
the profits amounted to 51,0001., this year to 66,3441. ; showing an
increase of 15,343/. 19s.—(Hear) :h was highly satisfactory, and
showed that the directors had performed their duties in an efficient
manner. He considered that as they had in a measure superseded
irivate banks, they ought to devote a -portiox of their pr .fits to
charitable purposes. By the visitation of Providence many disasters
had occurred, such as the late fire at Quebec, the famine in Ireland,
&c., the effect of which would be materially reduced by their contri-
buting a small sum out of their large profits to the sufferers.
Mr. LEVY—That would take away our V. per cent. with a ven-
geance.

Mr. BROWN said, witk regard to the suggestions which had just
been made, he thought that the proprietors had better follow the
usual course of private bankers, which was to give money iu their
individual capacity. He did not find that the Union Bank or any
other joint-stock bank had made any grant from their corporate
funds. Then, with respect to the matter of the directory,
he thought any increase in the number of directors,
the usual meetings were quite sufficient for making any alteration.
He would suggest that some attempt should be made to get into
the clearing-house. If there was plenty within and peace without
with the Bank of England, he thought it would be better to extend
those peaceful relations with other banks, and he would suggest that
some attempt should be ma :e to accomplish that otij. ct.
The CHAIRMAN said that persevering attempts had been made to
become members of the clearing-house, but all they could at present
do was to knock patiently, at the door until they did, as he was sure they.
ultimately would, obtain admission. Then with regard to the suggestion
respecting charities, he did not wish it to go forth to the shareholders
that their money was appropriated without their consent to purposes
to which they were not strictly applicable. He did not, however.
wish it to go forth to the christian public that the directors did not
sometimes smuggle a portion of their cash for the relief of misfortune
and unexpected calamity.—(Laughter and cheers.)
Mr. KEMPSTEAD begged to express his thanks for the manner in
which the business of the bank had been conducted, and to move a
vote of thanks to the directors for their conduct, and to include in that
vote the name of Mr. Chapman, who, although young in the manage-
ment, was eminently entitled to the respect and good-will of tile
shareholders. He mute coincided in the opinion that the directory-
ought to he increased. He found that there were now thirteen direc-
tors, among whom the sum of 2,5001. were divided.
The motion having been seconded.
Mr. LEVY said, that he thought it would be better that any pro-
posal for enlarging the directory, and for increasing the compensa-
tion for the services of the gentlemen now constituting the board,
should come from the board itself. He thought that
they were gentlemen of too high character to be liable
to any false supposition respecting their motives. He
was sure they would not be mealy-mouthed.—(Loud
(Laughter.) When they wanted money they had not hesitated to
ask for it.—(No, no; nothing has ever emanated from the board.)—
All there was a whisper—( Laughter) and there were always fr ends
ready to put a whisper into circulation and give it effect.—(Cries of
"No, no.")
Air. WARREN objected that there were insufficient statements of the
expenses of the branch banks, and proceeded' during the expression of
much disapprobation, to stat e that he had understood that an advance
of from 1,0001. to 2,0001. had been made to the managers of the
different banks, and he was not surprbed at it when he saw the
elegant mansions which were engaged for those branch t=anks; but
he thought this altogether unnecessary when he observed the little
business that was dome at those lor anch banks. He thought that
whenever a vacancy in the direction occurr«l, a special meeting
ought to be convened, so that it might be filled tip by the votes of the
shareholders.

Mr. 'PITH had read of a man of one idea, and there was an illus-
tration of the tact in the present instance. He had heard the gen-
tleman who had just sat down make the same speech three times
over within the last fortnight, and always with the same result, and
that was, that he concluded without a seconder. And with regard to
the suggestion of an alteration in the direction, so that each and all
should be subjected. to exclusion from office for a twelvemonth,
it was both inconvenient, inexpedient, and illegal. Front the nag
of the solicitor he was convinced that such was the case.
He thought that the nomination of new directors was most p-operly
left in the hands of the directors themselves, and if the increase of
the number of directors was necessary, he beloved that they were the
best judges of the matter. If there was to be any increase in the
compensation given to them, he for one was quite ready to give
his cordial assent and support to any motion which had that ob-
ject.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN had done his best to cleanse other bodies from the
evil of self-election; and no one had a greater objection to such a
plan ; but the deed of settlement bound the directors to the system,
and by that means they retained-the services of the most efficient
men. The gentleman who had just sat down had displayed a total
ignorance of tke whole business of the bank. With respect to the
exclusion of gentlemen from office, he could assert that
there was only one bank in England which folhiwed that plan
—he meant that of Preston—and he believed that a
worse clause had never been inserted in any deed
than that which compelled that batik to pursue such a course. As
to what had fallen from Mr. Warren concerning the indolence of the
directors, he thought a sufficient reply had been given by the terms
of the report, but he might further state that the directors were
responsible for the conduct of the branch banks as well as
for that of the principal establishment. Three directors sat
every day during worldly.; hours as a sommittec, and once every
week the whole board met to revise their proceedings,
and he could assure the proprietor that if he inquired more closely
be.would find that, instead of the directors being a set of drones, who
consumed the honey of the bees, they were very industrious people.
The motion for the thanks of the sh•lreholders to the Chairman and
directors was then passed unanimously.

John Esdaile, Esq., Sir John Kirkland, and John Stewart, Esq.,
who went out of the direction by rotation were then re-elected.
kr. WARREN then proposed that the 48th clause of the deed of set-
tlement, which allowed the directors the right of electing members
of their board in the case of a temporary vacancy, should be expunged,
The CHAIRMAN said that the motion wo,ld, if carried, alter the
constitution of the Company, and that notice ought to have been
given beforehand.

- Mr. WARREN said he had inquired of the Secretary whether such
notice was necessary or n it, and had been informed that it was not.
After some conversation and afLer great opposition, at the request
of the board of directors the motion was put, and kith the exception
of the mover and seconder, ft was unanimously negatived.
Thanks were then moved to Mr. Gilbert, the general manager,
and to the several gentlemen who were managers of the different
establishments.

In seconding this proposition, a SHAREHOLDER said that as this
was a day for complaints he should complain also, not of the
directors or the chairman, but of the proprietary ; for If the
shareholders exhibited as much zeal and energy in bringing accounts
to the bank, as the directors had shown, the affairs of the Company,
prosperous as they were, would be more prosperous still.
The motion was passed unanimously and with much applause.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman with acclamation.
Mr. P. M. STEWART begged to thank them for the very handsome
compliment which they had just paid him. So long as he held a seat
at that board he should always be happy to give his best services to-
wards the interest of the sharehold. rs.

The lien. Gehticman concluded amidst great applause and the
meeting seperated.

IMPERIAL PA RLIAIIENT.
11017 SE OF _LORDS. March 3.
VAN DIENIEN'S' LAND.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE again rose and said, that in
pursuance of a notice which he had given, he begged to
call their Lordship's attention to a petition which was of con-
siderable importance, both on account of the goat-ter in which
it originated, and from the quarter with which the subject was
immediately c innected. It was a petition numerously signed
by the inhabitants of a colony, well known by its reputation,
to himself and to their Lordship, and which was as much en-
titled as any one of cur colonies to a re.pectful, a kind,
end patient consideration of their grievances. It was in fact
a petition front the inhabitants of Van Diemen's Land, and he
need not inform their Lordships that that colony in its locality
was one of the most pretty and interesting colonies in her
Majesty's dominions ; in its extent equal to Ireland, and con-
tained a va'.t mass of population. Instead of reading the pe-
titior, he would pi e'er stating the substance of it, as it was of
considerable length. The petitioners stated, that having
been at different titnes induced and encouraged to emigrate
to that country in the hope and expectation that as no greater
number of convicts would be sent to that part of her Ma-
jesty's dominion, the people of that country would Aeon be-
come a free and a virtuous people. They had latterly, how-
ever found, that there was no hope cf their expectations
being realised, and that the immense importation of convicts
had chpiged the entire face of the country. They stated that
when they emigrated they were required to embark consider-
able capital in the land which they occupied, and that nothing
could be more prosperous than their exertions in the cultiva-
tion of their land. They also stated, that from the year
1834 to the ye.a. 1840, the population had in-
creased from 12,700 to upwards of 40,01:0, arid the
number of acres cultivated from 25,000 to 124,000.
The truth of those statements were trite apparent. In this
small, narrow, and confined society there were no fewer than
16,000 convicts imported within three years, 13.000 males and
6,4;00 females. The consequence was, that instead of any
classification of divisions being made of these convicts, they
were sbliged to be worked in gangs of twoand three hundred,
to the great terror of the peaceable inhabitants of the place.
This had also been the means of increasing crime, and ren-
dering a large police force necessary. lie did think
that on these grounds the petition brought forward by
the most respectable persons—the Bishop of the colony
—a large number of the landed proprietors, and six
out of the eight memhers of the Legislative Council,
making in all 1,300 or 1,400 persons, had some claim on the
attention of her .Majesty's Government. He begged to be
understood that in what lie had said, with respect to the im-
provement of convict labour, he did not adopt the opinion—
however much he might respect them—of those persons, who
thought that transportation was a punishment unfit for this
country, for he was one of those who, in the past
and present state of the criminal law, and the
present state of crime, thought that transportation was an in-
dispen.able punishment. There might be a good principle
adopted by-the Government. They should either send out so
many convicts to one island as would make it a place ex-
clu3ively for the purposes of the punishment, or they should
send out such a limited nuraber as was consistent with the well-
being of the place, and he would permit the convicts to be
received and amalgamated with the virtuous and industrious
portion of the community. Now, having stated this, he was
bound also to admit the difficulties which surrounded the sub-
ject. He knew that tl Noble Lord, the late Secretary for
the Colonies, had directed his attention to the evil, with the
view of fir.ding a remedy for it. He (Lord Lansdowne) was
confident that no measure but one would, to a con-
siderable extent, relieve the colony from the amount of crimi-
nality which was }early poured into it, and be attended with
any measure of
.success. Under the present system it was
quite impossible tor the police to control or the Government to
overawe there, and unless, as he had stated, they were prepared to
retain the colony in the manner he had sug,ges: ed, they would not
be doing justice to theinterests of the colonists. The petition
prayed that ne convicts should be after that period sent to the
colony, but they admitted that others of the inhabitants of Van
Diemen's Land thought that a smaller number than were at
present introduced would do no injury. They all agreed,
however, that the present system, unless discontinued, would
result in the ruin of the colony. lie had received a letter
which stated that at the present time there were 2,000 persons
who had tickets of leave, going about seeking employment,

hut were unable to obtain it through the employment of con-
vict laboer. The Government were bound to attend to this
state of things, so as to see that those reformed convicts should
not be deprived of the means of earning a subsistence.—( Hear,
hear.) Whatever diffieulties might surround the question,
they ought to be grappled with, so that a final aed satisfactory
settlement of the effeh-s of the colony might be made.
Lord STANLEY said that as the Noble Lord (the
Earl of Ripon) had but recently undertaken the
duties of the Colonial-office, and as the petition mainly referred
to a period when he (Lord Stanley) had the direc ion of the
affairs of the colonies, their Lordships would forgive him inter-
fering to give an explanation. He would beg leave to say that
the petition involved questions infinitely more important than
the welfare of a single colony, for it involved no other than the
vital question of the whole system of seconeary punishments.—
( hear. hear. ) Although certain of the allegations of the peti-
tion were exaggerated, he could not deny that for the last four
or five years, much social and pecuniary evil had been inflicted on
Van Diemen's Land, from making it exclusively a convict colony.
There was one point of considerable weight which the peti-
tioners had omitted to state, and that was when land was as-
, aligned to a free settler that free settler was bound to main-
tain a certain number of convicts. The convicts were Lot
sent to the free settler, but the free settlers came to the con-
viets. In point of fact, that which was imposed as obligation
was felt to be a boon, and it was mainly, though not exclu-
sively, to that system 'hat we owed the rapid advance of the
population of that colony. He was far from denying that the
number of convicts sent to that colony should be materially
lessened.--( Hear, hear.) He would beg of their Lordships to
consider the condition in which the Government was placed.
lie spoke from a document which was published in
feel. He found that in the year 1340, by the system
of transportation, every person who received a convict
into his service was bound to maintain him. The
consequence was that the character of the convicts
was much improved. They were admitted into the families
of virtuous people, and they were under a aort of parental
care. He believed that the system of assignment (although
abjectionablo in some respects) was too hastily abandoned.
There were many cases in which parties who went over to
that colony had parties a-signed to them as servants, who
were convic's, bat who also actually stood towards theta in the
relation of husbands, brothers and sons. All this was put
an end to in 1840, up to which time convicts were sent to Van
Diemen's Land and New South Wales from this colony. But
in the year 1840 his (Lord Stanley's) successor in office not
only put a stop to the system of assignment, but a strong re-
solution of the House of Commons was passed, to the effect
that no more convicts should be sent to New South Wales, aud
ever since then Vale Diemen': Land had been the only place
where convicts were sent to, and assignment was put an end
to. Was this all? It was not ; for in 1841 the House of
Commons passed another resolution, to the effect that every
facility should be given for the speedy transition of convicts
confined in the hulks under sentence of transportation.
it was not very easy to establish a system of convict discip-
line between two parties who were at such a distance from each
other that it took twelve months to receive an answer to a
letter. It occurred, however, towards the close of the year
Isas42., that Mr. .I',onnigue, one of the ablest and most efficient
servants that any colony had, was in this country, and a -torn.
awn:cation was immediately made to him by her Majesty's Go-
vernment. The result of their labours was the foundation of
a system of convict regulation. It was decided that the con-
vic:s should be put in gang: to work in various parts of the
colony, and that after a tinse they sh.suld be promoted accord-
ing to their conduct to various stages less and less severe, until
they ended in obtaining a " ticket of leave," or a free pardon.
lie knew, ;mil it was a fact very disc editable to so great a
country as this, that it was not until the last four or five years
that we hail been sending out from 3,000 to 4,000 convicts an-
rurally, while no provision was made fur their religious improve-
ment. The first step was taken four or five years ago, when
an arrangement was made by which each two gene's, containing
from '250 to 300. a gang, had the services of a chaplain ; and
in order that no difficulty might arise, the governor was directed
to place the Protestants aid Catholics in different gangs, so
that each might have the benefit of a chaplain of their own per-
suasion. The Protestant and Roman Catholic Bishops
of the place, both gave their approval. As far as
they could judge by the reports received during the last
four years, the measure now in progress answered admirably.
The one great difficulty they laboured under was that at that
time the number of tramp .rts increased considerably while
there was less opportunity of employment for them. He ad-
mitted that many financial burdens were thrown on the colony;
the secial burdens were also greatly increased in consequence
of the large introduction of eo-n--(Cheers)—ameng the free
population. But her Majesty's Ministers had taken steps for
the purpose of remedying its inconvenience. They hail
taken on themselves a larger amount than they had pre-
viously done of the gaols and police superinten-
dence, and they had taken another step the
bearing of which would require some little explanation.
their Lordships were no doubt aware that under the present
sys,ein, in Australia, a minimum price was fixed on land, for
the purpose of preventing the accumulation of land in the
hands of certain capitalists, and for the purpose of increasing
labourers in the colony. That system had been found appli-
cable to the colony of New South Wales, but when they found
the amouut of labour to exceed the demand, they were obliged
to adopt other means, with a view to meet the diffiehlty. Iu
the course of the last session, the- e!ore, they repealed the pro-
visions of the Laud Sales' Act as far as regarded Van Diemen's
Land. The Government found subsequently that the sales of
land had fallen to that degree that no revenue was
erovided at all, while the police and gaol rates had
greatly increased. When their Lordships recollected that
from 300,000/. to 400,0001. was paid by the country for the
maintenance of transported convicts, it was not unreasonable
that. Government should give directions that those convicts
should be employed in a great measure in raising the food
necessary for their own subsistence. They were for the most
part employed in improving the land which had been par-
tially reclaimed in the colony. By the former law the pro-
ceeds of land thus improved, ashen sold, were absorbed by the
colonial treaeury, arid the Government at home derived no ad-
vantage, although such improvements had been effected by
their paid convicts. They therefore determined that to con-
victs who could not find employment in private service, and
whose characters were such that they ought to be en-
couraged, a premium should be given in the shape
of land, to be cultivated on their own account.
But in reference to the social evils that were complained ot,
as affecting such a remote and insignificant colony, he would
beg leave to inform their Lordships that this ins,g(,ficant
colony was in extent not less than Ireland, yet it sv,s occupied
by only about 40,a0J free settlers. So talking of swamping
the colony as large as Ireland, with the introduction of 4,000
convicts every year, providieg there was a sufficient superin-
tendence, was out of the euestion. But if they did not send
their convicts to Van Diemen's Land, what were they to do
with the sweepings of their gaols, which sent forth on an
average every year from four to five thousand male convicts?
At the presenr time there were in Vats Diemen's Laud, and
New Sough Walese.about 50,000 convicts, of which this coun-
try had been permanently relieved. —( Hear, hear.) And put-
ting the question, not in a pecuniary but in a moral light, did
they believe it would be possible, unless there were penal set-
tlements, for felons who had suffered impriconment or punish-
ment for the violation of the laws, when relieved,
to be able to find employment. In this over-
peopled country it would he impossible for them to
get employment, and the consequence would be, they would be
driven from sheer necessity to adopt their former vicious courses,
and to mix with their former companions, so that the recurrence
of criminal practices would be tenfold greater than before. He
believed that a penal colony was first calculated to offer a field
of employment for such convicts; and he believed in many
respects, so far from the well conducted settlers bethig injured in
a moral point of view, the contrast between the two classes
had a most salutary influence on the character of the free popu-
lation. The possession of )anti in Van Diemen's Land was
easily obtained, and the present system worked exceedingly
well. lie apprehended that none of their Lordships would
stand up and say that the number of convicts should be mate-
rially diminished. If they determined on founding a new penal
colony, he would ask them how they intended to do so? It teas
mucheasier to speak of forming a colony than the actual forma-
tion of it. They required security, and that the new penal
colony should not be in a troeical climate--that it should be
destitute of inhabitants—that its toil should be fertile, and
that it should be of considerable extent. In kis humble judg-
ment the motion of transferring our convicts to purely pewit
Litanies, would act most fatally to the system of transportation.
—( Hear, hear.) They had only this alternative—would they,
if they could find a colony, establish a new penal colony, and in-
vite free settlers thither ? or, would they establish &colony which
from its commencement to its close should never be refreshed by
the presence of an unconvicted man, but should be a den of
pollution and condemnation ?—(Cheers.)_ They could de
H
nothing so fatal as that to the convicts. e would ask, what
was the convict to do after the termination of his sentence ?
They would be deprived during the existence of their sentence
of the society of all virtuous men, and when they were set tree
they would be unable to leave the colony. Would their Lord-
ships form such a colony as that ? Let them take Norfolk
Island, for instance, as a colony, into which Lone should be
admitted but convicts, it must in a few years become one
of the most awful places on the face of the empire.
The greatest possible advantages had been conferred upon the
colonists, and, in order to enable them to derive benefit from
the convicts, those convicts were comp. lied to go through all
the gradations of punishmeet under the surveillance of the po-
lice and magistrates. Under those circumstances he would
say that he conceived it would be most inexpedient in their
Lordships to comply with the prayer of this petition. Their
Lordships would find it rather a curious fact that this country
bore no comparison to the state of France in reference to con-
victs. In France only 8,000 convicts were thrown back upon
them, arid yet they complained of it as an intolerable hardship.
What then would be thought of it in this country if they had
50,000 convicts thrown back upon them? The Government
of which he lately hail the honour of being a member had
added a new colony to New South Wales, sufficiently far re-
moved from the tropics to be healthy, and to this colony
a considerable number of convicts were being removed.
It was provided that these persona should be removed to an-
other colony, and provided with food for a limited period with
a small portion of land, which they hail the option of culti-
vating for themselves ; and from the proximity of New South
Wales, they could, when their term was expired, go to that
settlement and engage themselves in service. Those persons, from
the time of their arrival in that place, might be looked on
as having obtained a conditional pardon, and when any de-
mand for labour arose in the neighbouring settlement, they
could go to service. These were the objects which the Go.
vernment had in view for the amendment of the state of the
convicts. There was no subject which had been more
anxiously considered by himself and the Right Hon. Baronet
for the Heme Department than the present question. They
had taken every step that was possible for the purpose of re-
lieving the moral and financial aystenr. He believed that the
moral system depended on the admixture of the convicts with
the free populatiee, and also the proximity of some
large and important country to which their labour
might be transferred. He regretted to say that
Van Diemen's Land had not been free from the late mania for
speculation ; undertakings had been commenced on burrowed
capital, bearing most usurious interes's. When these specu-
lations failed, property was sold all over the island, and it was
to that fact, and not to the presence or absence of convicts that
he attributed the distress and depression that hail taken place.
He did not deny that the presence of a considerable number of
convicts would have the effect of lowering the rate of wages,
and that consequently numbers of free labourers had emigrated
from Van Diemen's Land. But there were other causes at
work also, for it might be recollected that within the last six or
twelve months, a rapid improvement had taken place
in the districts of Port Philip and South Australia.
In the latter district more particularly, minerals had
been opened up to a great extent and there-
fore, there had been an increased demand for labour ;
and the colony was so near Van Dieman's Land that labourers
could always have the opportunity of removing there, and,
therefore they were not to attribute the emigration altogether
to the introduction of convicts, but to the fact that a more re-

munerative field was formed for them. Ile— entreated their
Lordships would consider before they Trade any serious change
in the law of transportation—before they altered or condemned
the existing system, and consider what other system they could
substitute for it. Let them not condemn ; let them be satisfied
to amend whet was defective, but let them not
destroy until they had found another that wan more
advantageous to the colony of Van Diemen's Land,
which had been a petal settlement from the commencement.
Let them consider what it was to relieve this country from
the immense mass of corruption which would be ever present
if a large number of convicts were permitted to remain in it.
Let them consider what the chances were which were given
those convicts after the termination of their sentence in a
country so peculiarly fitted for them. He thanked their Lord-

hips for the attention they had paid to him,_ and he sat
again requesting them not to effect any changes without ea'
con•ideration.
The Duke of RICHMOND said, that having been a dirers
tor in the Pentoneille Prison, he was enabled to state that te,
convicts sent from that prison were received in the colony
aa,l;
the utmost distrust ; and, in fact, it was a drfficult rn
for them to obtain employment. Many of them, howea.,.
earned for themseives a name as the must industrious inh
ants of the colony. said it
Lord LYTTELTON, in laying papers on the table, to
might be expected from him that he would state "I the
House on the present occasion what were the
intentions of the Government with respect t, itself
col ny of Van Diemen's Land. This subject dividea
into two parts—that which referred to the morral and.iu_l;
state of the convicts, and that which referred to the p
venient and financial grievances of Van Diemen's LrEL7res
compared with other colonies. The Noble Lord bad et_'_kiej
to the probationary convict gangs, and adduced several their
which had been forwarded to this country illustrative 01100
beneficial working. That many allegations in
were correct, could not be denied, and he hoped thit,;;ese
ships would give these their most careful consideration• ii,„t
was another material point to which he would alludesiiii;t4
year a dispatch had been received from Sir • s feta
the flat!,
urging on the Government the importance of allowing
tttni,
importation of corn from that colon into this Tattlei
Perhaps he was not exactly in orders n alluding to 1_
present time, still he thought it right to m
measure that was likely, along with others lost'
might be devised, to 'rove beneficial to the
_d rat
He was prepared to admit that the petitioners ha.,..victi
grounds of complaint in reference to the Dumber ofiredhe
which were sent to their colony.—( Hear, hear.) feedP
jesty's Government were most anxious to apply some %owl
ention riit
—( Hear, hear.) He was enabled to state that the Pe the
might entertain some slight hope that, at no distants wool
present system would be greatly relaxed. 'there had
..t tbe
application from the inhabitants of Pert Philip t• Perw,, ore
admission of convicts into their colony. Her Majaatif 008
vernment had the strongest feeling of the necessity to
change. A considerable number of convicts bad late,/ goal
transported to Gibraltar, and the system had werke•osioes
satisfactorily. Her- Majesty's Government were tumt, telid
to extend that system as far as possible.—( Hear, hear')
god
be
felt that the subject was one of the greatest moment' .bove
could only my, on the part of the Government, that it,-
receive their most serious consideration.—( Hear, bearti,,sen
Noble Lord, who was imperfectly heard in the teTdie./
gallery, concluded by stating that the Government wau osed/
gladly adopt any measure which might be calculated to ts,the
the grievances mentioned in the petition presented Pi
Noble Marquis. oftbi
Lord GREY said he looked upon this as a suhrjea- .000
greatest importance , but he did not think that the atattfbsdo
made by the petitioners had been satisfactorily anscrereei
Noble Lord opposite. The N.,ble Lord had not den' forl
the charges made by the petitioners, and therefore We'd ts
deserving of the highest and most serious consideratioa, ere
House, and the convicts should have immediate relit"t, sal
doubt the difficulties in the way of doing this were gilt; ell°r
required much time to deliberate upon. He had long beto
posed to this system of transportation, and he fully 4'4 the
the sentiments expressed upon it in a pamphlet writtet!,,nthel
Archbishop of Dublin. In the principle of transporia!ltieref
looked for two objects—the first was the
vict sent out, and the other was, to relieve this cfa. ;Op,
his presence; but the great mistake was in not seearatl:risbo!
objects completely. He believed that the system of Palcellr
puuishment °to Oa
should be carried on in this country. The great dii" toultur
carrying on the present system was that in case of aal„o°old.L
tion arising, it was 10 or 12 months before an answer —110:s
received from home to remedy that obstructioat ore'
was no reason why the penal labour should not hallshelitl
here, and the convict afterwards sent into the cololl'
He knew that the colonies did not like receiving s,st m
when their sentences had ended, but that objection
.Arto'ol
overcome. He was aware that this was not an °Psseib.
to discuss so important a subject, but he could 104 food:
conversation to e,ose without expressing his dissent gbt el•
opinions prevalent that the system of transportation oeti
be continued. If the system could be continued /8004
faults it would be a desirable one ; but as it had heeitoir?Ar
attempted, it had failed to answer all the purposes °ld ilitV;o
it had been applied. And if it could not be continneweb•
its faults, they had the alternative that ought to
adopted long ago—via., of discontinuing it altogetbef,r•ity,
After some observations from the Bishop of 030',.hi.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE rose to exP''''.-stito7.l
would be very glad to learn that it would be found Pt-lettie"
to dispense with transportation altogether ; and he alt,srst s;
with great pleasure to the admirable address of the ~,^'tae4fP
Ptelate in reference to the experiment of the re.dtar,
Prison, and he did hope that the amount of crime eausisser'
things might decrease, so as to bring it in greater Pt
with the population.
.1 014
After a few words from Lord LYTTreetost an' Mt
of OXFORD, the petition was ordered to lie on the to ttir.
The Public Works (Ireland) Bill was then road
time and passed.
The• Game Bill was then read a second time.we/O°S
WEXFORD, CARLOW, AND DUBLIN ,
RAILW Y. too e ate
Lord MONTEAGLE said that the other day "6 gilt
notice of a moven with respect to an Irish Railvssio:ell
Wexford, Carlow, and Dublin Junction ; and be It At"
explain himself to their Lordships in a -fi tIPS
et se
His motion was for the purpose of facilitate oef.
passing of a Bill through the Standing Orders C' lies iro
The motion was that the standing orders in this catesa svasssfr
pensed with. The error which had been commut`oese'lle
serving of some notices en a Sunday and a Or,'" geetor
though it was proved that no hardship was in cons;:i O
Meted on any one. By allowing the Bill to pro
merit would be given to 6,000 persons. 00110
Lord REDESDALE regretted he could not cote'
the views of the Noble Baron oppos te, because if th site
orders were to be of any value at all, they should!).
to in this respect. The standing order which in Moo, ,
case had not been observed was improper service of asolit,
that notices had been served on Christmas-day ateeata,
and surely if the parties serving them were not lei' oper
gent they should know that they were doing an iraP,r„ too tl
di
He thought the Committee had come to a just cenc''',olo
ths.re was no case for recommending the parties to the
the House for non-attendance to the standing orderas;oft
After a few words from the Earl of SHAF TESI3'
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that the uotiess7j
etf
course, illegal, if served on Sunday, and that, in fateer
serious punishment was a'tached to any party
to serve such a notice en a Sunday.—( Hear, hear.) bi
The motion was then put and agreed to. not gid
Their Lordships then adjourned at a Qaarter'r
o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS', March 5' „.1
PETITIONING THE HOLL';E. btfori,!,o'
Mr. ADDELEY thought that the subject brag do ' rti
by the Honourable Member should bereferrt'd
pientel'r•;fo:l
mittee on the Cheltenham petition, °because thereth teoirs
analogy between them. It was right that me
mittee appointed to inquire into the :re iiit'ilot
in .11anchrister et' Cheltenham petitions should inqnt reet,n,,l
subject also.—(Hear, hear.) He was prepared
the priviieges of electors had been
13rcaniooeeffel
with in North Staffordshire, and that .1
it' A
the subj ec,. was gerrean to the matter ,0 ii)irrtt
to the Committee, and that they ought to in'estifse °jot.'
Bill had been drawn up by an Hon. Friend °° tot ti, IV
w hich he believed would shortly be introduced int° niicia ' list
The Hon. Member then read extracts from a Pe etl'ert'ort'
House from North Staffordshire, which were to the oral la IV
although the petitioners had been registered for tenoi, via
and although their qualification to vote was well tip, lie ir
locality, that 20,000 frivolous objections to their o_A bf ',or
sea el' i
served upon them and others ; that they were sesu,tejs 'psi
i
habitant of the county, but that they had been Of' „Set e sPr
chester—(Loud protectionist cheers.) They 11;00' yes
that they were thus subjected to considerable d free:ll3e
annoyance on account of being compelled to attene tOrtt;
to year at the Registration Courts, in order to prove,th efts
id 001
were entitled to be on the register. Having realie obosoisr
the Hon. Gentleman concluded by saying that one
then present the petition, but that he should do'" lit °r
occasion, when he had a better opportunity. it riolii'4;
Air. WAKL EY said that he did not consider 00,1,
just that the petition should be referred to a Coec•tu.„' (there cs6_
was appointed for entirely a different purpose, '",--ssl'itt, 0'
that the Hon. Gentleman would not press it, as eit, sid, fed,
Government would feel the propriety of lending by tit ,bs'
correction of the system, which could not be clorteegethr,r fie
clumsy way which was then proposed. It was a ioeshte'P
way of proceeding, and nothing could be more object in„ Morn'
Hon. Gentleman made a motion, and in doq mil", beeis
Wakley) felt that he had dealt very hardly with the
3, bad d°'
law League. He stated that a man in their
obeforej
proved to be a forger and a perjurer, and yet th his este, 0011,
man adopted the statements of that man in IsYhtiitleii gat
the House.—(Cries of " No, no !") He (Air' that tnaliol,i;
observe that if what was stated of ' the t bee,r
correct, instead of bringing the case before 1,0 Oniobe;
he ought to have been prosecuted; but he
~.,,a P° ert to
punished at all. It was their duty to iiloo,:elanch 0_;
him, but in,tead of doing so, they hold out enetion of e filla;
men of a similar description to commit a rerti'ered thblii't Po
f,nces.—(Cries of " No, Do.") lie coosioi.atej; ,no t
man's evidence altogether ought to be reP"` desert`
the subject ought to be investigated, all,' 01
as really
yea f
*
attention of the Government. 0 esl''" pt °e
Sir ROBERT PEEL—Sir, I have befor
°io° ald i
opinion on this subjeet, in reference to the aqttee 1:il 1110
committee. I stated, yesterday, that a cororetltner itsolelyb,
appointed on the point of privilege ; and I fn rrention sir, t
I thought it would be better if it directed its 16600,
....‘ !leaf,
that point, as regarded the Cheltenham Fe , to. risirot
~,, adlie ke . cors
opinion I yesterday pronounced Ino to rn AO .
hear.) It is very easy for Hon. Gentleman , the A (party..
pita fofivy
ations about the connexi,n of Ministers dation be gi 0
Laas.league, without having the slightest f(tutin answer injurled,
such—( Hear, he ar)—and, perhaps, unless a, 0 jrso „I iir,
there may be many who would feel incline,:!.ber
_ntlealc,t
inferences from our silence. Therefore,.);l`inn, li:biect 01
inferences should be drawn, I beg to tell U
_n the l'i, I ha.%
that I cannot recall to my recollection that'•vatue matters
itj's*l
the corn-laws, or any other public or pr,ted viol tr
Qua a:
ever, directly or indirectly, communicat,
_,,,...--(1•_,, oral.A
Corn-law League or any member of that
_D..170.' Learbjectiavi
of "Hear.'') With regard to the Anti-C°7_utions,.:„chistr,
other society employing persons to get tlooln'y i
.e the Linirer,
to the right of certain individuals to. ,.. highly_ _ toise..,
can only say if that be so, as it is stated,
eg3trontier f°rpetiti°o3
I understand my Honourable Friend,
iith
atien nrurnae s C° it
setshire, to say that he formed his aeg moves
nif gife
and certainly, if the Honourable Gentleman
mittee to inquire into these allegations,l $l4ll cep
be
my support. Honourable BI •
Friend, AFinsburyir
ihi:
the
)d°NmNi made an b
eatrrhi o urnognrhn te
Nc
ytehas esrawr unnecessary
k?';
hi attack
Euf Poe r°rirt' i
otbnh'
ee'l
ij ; ostt
the
whose name his Honourable Frien
a.
nmphle...or, 0
Antu isich oowsreans.
lea.ownn
edLu
eoc
aft g
cuohe
Le., i i
dcHeorrean
bpt
ihleauiugn.
nia,
s__,,ence wae to° re
';:testitnony of its delivery, and the co ee , tin.' If,
parties if.-- :wee' ait
the fact of posting a notice of abject'
'were posted too late to reach the
i 13e: toe, afj it
them to meet the threatened oppos
per te- ~,rreat
accident that it reached hi In
Ought bad
loll.) tw'rt hot aean c:uo. et
:rt TI :hat:I:lilt: ivitlocti!iebier:
~ce.aisvc,,,dniaynbeybjection to his vote two day's( after rin.isatttoer to-ur 0
bs,
to his solicitor. that the in ,
to SbeirrGedEucOedilGtoE thGeßfEacYts tthoosucghhitl tthnethilraj.leLgtaet nhtt::-Ine.e_l:3t°ifitetti:
referred. It must not be confined
„i• in n Act b/
thteheilßuegtetratltibeen failto
Iplaertsi-eeryv'w.heoll braedmecrnombeerebdefowrheen
diffico 0
under discussion, that considerable difficulty.ting the 'th wb%
wthieii,pharmiieigshotnahriissesoidneaoffuttuhree
pileroiti?7resipeleci
1,33.60p:1001:tee.
711°4 itr'ccll! n't et°t tb:
ITJehaatetep(eltwitei:enathatldiatextipmereieinneead
presented a petition with a view to establishtning
minority had been desirous of obviating
~
__rin, i adoirolo_
thug
ht"lrYd he /:0!
likely to arise from the mooting ofthe,,lceedinglY ,ad ar
__,T
The
iosite, becau:eto the 1 rar
settlingt hen ,as t
ha
eme
wholemb e r 1 ofri thatr., e
ip 1
e.
now, but the lion. Gentlemen. ON inquir, . _ tbs S ,„,
could not aa • n on°
:rig! nori
now before the House. But he legislatio
on"
still conceived that
risition, because he . sante - Jot'
themselves, were desirous of limiting the
sent to , ni v.
extended to the whole subject. rose
of • 1100
ment, and after calls from several P
Lord SA N DON and Mr. Disrti.t_art,
of tat-ithe

.........'""''
fat do ti,
Itbout due

n a dire
to that the
._
olony
alt math
however,
is inhabit'

fr shfil
'oh 'poi'
stle°

Foto'