The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-07 00:00:00

LOMBARDY.

The Milan papers received this morning by ex
press publish the following :
" OFFICIAL BULLETIN.
" MILAN, Aun. I.—The Italian army has suspended
its movement of retreat. The enemy attacked it at Crott a
d'Adda, Corno Vecchio, and Mecca Storms, but was
repulsed.
" This morning Lord Abercrombie, the English Mi-
nister at the Court of Turin, arrived at the camp, and
after a conference with his Majesty the King of Sar-
dinia, set out immediately for the Austrian head-quar-
ters, charged with an important diplomatic mission.
Brescia. never for a moment dismayed, is preparing
a vigorous defence. The courage of the inhabitants has
been greatly animated by the announced reinforcements
of the National Guard of Milan, the gallant behaviour of
General Griffith, and especially the recent visit of Gene-
ral Zucchi.
" Our volunteers continue to keep a strict look out on
the Tyrolese frontiers. Surprised in small numbers near
Vermiglio on the 28th ult., and thrown into some dis-
order, in the first instance, by a corps of 2,000 Austrians,
they victoriously repulsed the enemy in the sequel.
Captain Stamps, who was severely wounded in the knee,
greatly distinguished himself on the occasion, as also
Lieutenant Rips. The enemy suffered serious loss.
"FANTI (General)
" RESTE L LI- MAESTRI."
The Giornale del Lloyd Austriaco, of the 28th of
July (received this morning with the Osservatore
Triestino), states that the Sardo-Venetian squadron
continues to maintain its position (at anchor) in the
waters of Umago. It consists of three frigates, four
corvettes, three brigs, and six steamers.
The Piedmontese Gazette of the 2d inst. announces
that the Sardinian army had retired behind the
Adda.
" Both officers and men," it says, " are returning in
all directions to their respective corps. The army,
dispirited by privations, which were the principal cause
of the disorders that occurred, is fast recovering its
ardour. Order is being re-established, and in a short
time it will be able to act more vigorously. It was
deemed prudent to evacuate Cremona, and take stronger
positions, which are better calculated to ensure and
cover important communications. The army effected
its movement without being harassed by the enemy."
The same journal contains a decree of Prince
EUGENE of Savoy Carignan, proroguing the session
of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies of Sardinia
until the 15th September.
Tranquillity was completely restored in Turin.
The Committee of Public Defence of Milan ad-
dressed, on the 30th ult., the following proclamation
to the inhabitants of that capital
" Citiezns! The Piedmontese army, concentrated
along the Oglio, will be shortly reorganized. Its artil-
lery is entire and promises to be of great assistance.
Brescia has been placed in a formidable state cf
defence. The enemy was repulsed with loss from
Tonale, and the defiles of Stelvia and Callan are well
defended. Our young militians are assembling, and
will shortly be able to protect the Lombard city. In a
council of war, held this morning, all the means of
defence possessed by the country were examined,
and it was unanimously decided that Milan should
be fortified, and oppose a desperate resistence to
the enemy. Remember, Citizens, the ardour
and impetuosity that animated you during our five
immortal days. Let us construct new barricades, destroy
the bridges, cut the roads and streets, and place a de•
solate wilderness between us and the enemy. Let us
prove that we can resist adversity, and that, if over-
powered by superior numbers, we are worthy of the
assistance and sympathy of Europe."
The Committee of Defence issued, at the same time,
the following decree :
" 1. A permanent council of war is instituted to try,
within the shortest possible delay, all those who, invested
with any public function or command, had designedly
neglected their duties, and became traitors to their

country.
" 2. The council of war is composed as follows :
• General Rangier, President ; Messrs. Dossi Antonio,
Arose Francesco, Lissoni Antonio Barrier, members ;
and M. Nessi Pietro, reporter.
"3. This council shall assemble the moment Milan is
declared in a state of siege, and be invested with the
right of life and death, in the vigorous application of the
military laws.
The Milan Gazette of the 31st ult. states—

"The defence of the city has been organised as fol-
lows by the Committee:—The defence of the space com-
prised between the gate Tenaglia and the gate Vercel
line was to be confided to General Antonini, who
was to have his head-quarters at Castello ; the
second section of defence was to be entrusted to
Lieutenant-Colonel Francecini, who was to establish
his head-quarters on the square of St. Alexander ;
and the third section to Lieutenant. Colonel Arduino,
whose head-quarter were to be at Simpliciano. A de-
tachment of the battalion of sappers, commanded by a
captain, and a temporary hospital, were to be attached
to each section of defence. The preparations making
by the Committee of Defence," says the Milan Gazette,
" are a certain guarantee of its energy. The National
Guard has mobilized a strong column ready to take the
field. Goribaldi, with his glorious legion, will set the ex-
ample of bravery. Zucchi left this morning to direct the
movements of the army of defence, which is to combine its
operations with those of the generous army of Charles
Albert. Courage, activity, serenity of heart and mind,
and the clouds that darken the destinies of the
Italian cause shall soon vani,h. Be firm and resolute,
and, after resisting a few days longer, Italy, clasping
France in her arms, will raise the cry of victory and
triumph !"
The Milan Gazette announces that the Piedmontese
:Ministry, as well as the Provisional Government of
Lombardy, had formerly demanded the intervention
of France.

ELECTION COMMITTEE.
(THIS DAY.)
DUBLIN.
The scrutiny into the validity of Mr. Reynolds' ma-
jority was resumed, and the whole day was occupied
with arguments as to the legality of the Dublin pipe-
rate. The point was not decided when the Committee
rose, and of course no votes were struck off.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, and SOUTH

COAST RAILWAY.—(THIS DAY.)
A meeting of the shareholders in the London, Brigh-
ton, and South Coast Railway Company friendly to a
reform in the management of the concern, was held this
day at the Ilall of Commerce; Mr. Josiah Wilson in the
chair.

Mr. 11. Davis, who had been instrumental in calling
the meeting together'
so ex plame, the reasons which had
induced him to prominenttake a part in the pro-
ceedings of the dissentient shareholders. He was
a
induced about nine monthsembark his ca-
pital in this railway, believingg tohg it was depre-
ciated below its value by the Pssuregrieovfoutshlye
times, but he had since discovered that bere was
enormouscoany for the
mistaken. The law expenses of
the mpkf sum of
last five years amounted to the
air 80/.
paid to
to the
213,0001. The shares had latterly shrur
down to almost nothing, while the interest' P
shareholders had dropped from eight to four
cent. They were told that the depression in their Per
property was in consequence of the severity of the
times, but he denied that. The times had done very
little indeed to depress their property, and ho attributed
the falling off in the value of their shares to a feeling
that prevailed amongst the public that the undertaking
bad hmen grossly mismanaged. The capital already
expended upon the line amounted to seven
millions ; the returns to about 450,0001., while
nearly half of that income was absorbed in its

gathering. This fact alone was enough to prove that
the concern had been mismanaged, but let him just bring
under the consideration of his hearers the result of the
last halt-yearly accounts. In the first place, he com-
plained that 31,0001. had been expended last year
in stations, and 10,5131. upon branches whose
works were still untouched. Last year no less
a sum than 40,0001. was expended in promoting
the defunct Mid Kent scheme, while, beside that
amount, 12.2001. was put down in the account for
law expenses; and he need not remind the shareholders
that this expenditure was of such a nature that must
ever be unproductive. The working expenses of the line
were heavy beyond measure, indeed they exceeded those
of any other line in the kingdom. They amounted to
to less than 481. per cent., but he was informed by parties
well qualified to form an opinion upon the matter that
they ought not to be more than 381. per cent.
He concluded by declaring that these facts proved
beyond all doubt that the management of the
railway was highly defective; and he therefore moved a
series of resolutions, to the effect that the large expen-
diture in law and expensive works appeared to be ill-
judged, and opposed to the interests of the concern—
that the advances of 20,0001. to promote the establish-
ment of a steam-packet company, and of 23,0001. to the
Direct Portsmouth Company, were made without the
assent of the ;shareholders, and a misappropriation of
the funds of the company—that the proprietors present
pledged themst Ives to use their influence to bring about a
change in the management of the company, and that a
subscription be formed for paying the expenses of pro-
secuting that object.
Mr. Alderman WILSON supported the resolutions,
and denounced the proceedings of the Brighton directors
in connexion with the advances to the Steam-boat and
Direct Portsmouth Companies as and unjust.
He, however, thanked God that they had a House of
Lords to prevent railway directors from committing
these robberies upon their shareholders.—(Hear.)
After some further discussion, the resolutions were put
from the chair, and carried unanimously, and a corn-
mitttee of management was appointed to organize the
course to be adopted at the next half-yearly meeting.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman and the par-
ies who had got up the meeting, and the proceedings
erminated.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN

RAILWAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF' THE SUN.
SlA,—The attention of the directors of this company
has been called to a report (copied from the Observer
into the Times of this date) of the proceedings of a meet-
ing attended by a number of engine drivers, servants of
this company. The statements said to have been made
at that meeting are either unfounded or grossly exag-
gerated, and prove that the men have allowed themselves
to be imposed upon by certain evil•disposed persons
connected with their clubs, whose interest it is, by mis-
representing the intentions of directors, to produce dis-
content amongst a class of men whose limited number
leads them to imagine that they can dictate the
conditions upon which they will continue in the
service of railway companies—a state of things incompa-
tible alike with the safety of the public and the well-
being of the men themselves. Now the regulations
which the directors of this company have thought it fit
to impose are not only just and reasonable in themselves,
but precisely those which are best adapted to promote
these very objects.
With reference to the statement put forth that it is
the object of the directors to use the classification of the
drivers ss a means by which to reduce their wages, I
am instructed to state that the directors never have had
any intention, either directly or indirectly, to reduce the
wages of their engine-drivers. The directors have adopted
the measures necessary for supplying the place of those
men who have combined to quit their employment.
They have already engaged a number of experienced en-
gine-drivers, and have every reason to believe that the
service will continue to be conducted with the same regu-
larity and safety to the public as heretofore.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
R. CREED, Secretary.
Office, Easton-station, Aug. 7, 1848.
The following has been posted on the premises of the
company:__

"Euston-station, August 7, 1848.

" A statement having appeared in the Observer news-
paper of Sunday, and been copied into the limes of
this day, to the effect; that ut a meeting on Friday many of
the engine, drivers and firemen employed on the London
and North-Western Railway, it had been alleged that it
was the intention of the directors to use the classification
as the means of ultimately reducing the wages of
the men, I am instructed to declare, that so far
from this being the case, it is their intention,
in every instance, strictly to carry out the regulation by
which engine-drivers and firemen are to bo successively
advanced as vacancies may occur in the classes above
them, and that it is not, and never has been, the intention
of the directors to reduce the number of the men em-
ployed in these classes, or their rate of wages.
"By order,
"R. CREED, Secretary."

ROYAL BA.NZ OF AUSTRALIA.— (Tnis DAY).--A
meeting of the shareholders of this concern was called '
for to-day, at the offices in Moorgate-street, but its ob-
ject was only to adjourn until news arrived from Sidney,
of which the directors are in daily anticipation.
ROYSTON ANI) HITCHIN RAILWAY.—(TIIIS DAY.)
—A meeting of the shareholders of this company was
held to-day at Radley's Hotel, at which it was resolved
that the ground between Sheltord and Shepreth, riot
having been taken up by the Eastern Counties Company,
should be occupied by the Royston Company, with a
view to making an approach to Cambridge through the
means of the Great Northern Company. So much of
the plan was sanctioned, and the Earl of ilardwicke, Mr.
J. Arbouin, Mr. W. Ekin, Mr. J. Masterman, M.P., and
Mr. J. Phillips having been re-elected directors, the
meeting broke up.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock.
SICILY. _ . .

Lord STANLEY gave notice that he should, to-
morrow, inquire whether any orders had been given
to the British fleet to interfere with any attempts of the
King of Naples to recover Sicily ; and whether any of
the British authorities had at all interfered with the
election of the King of Sicily?
REPRODUCTIVE LOAN FUND INSTITUTION
BILL (IRELAND).
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved the second
reading of this Bill.
Lord MONTEAGLE asked his Noble Friend to post-
pone certain clauses of the Bill, which, if enacted, would
impose an unfair responsibility on the trustees.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE had no objection
to postpone the Committee on the Bill until Monday,
in order to give time for the consideration of the
clauses. He thought the liability of trustees ought
not to be diminished, because nothing was more com-
mon in Ireland than for persons to lend their names to
schemes, and such persons ought to be rendered liable to
the expenses of those schemes.
The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to
be committed on Monday.
JUVENIL2, OFFENDERS (IRELAND) BILL.
Lord MONTEAGLE then rose to move the second
reading of the Juvenile Offenders (Ireland) Bill, which
had come up from the House of Commons. The present
state of juvenile offenders in the prisons was most de-
plorable.

(LEFT SPEAKIING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the Chair a few minutes after
Twelve o'clock. _ _ _

The Lords' amendments to the London and South
Western Railway Company's Acts Amendment (Exten-
sion, Deviation, and New Works) Bill were considered
and agreed to.
The Report on the London (City) Small Debts Bill
was brought up and agreed to, and the Bill ordered to
be read a third time.
Captain GORDON presented a petition from the
county of Aberdeen against the Registering Births, &c.
(Scotland) Bill.
Lord G. BENTINCK presented a petition from the
island of Tobago, signed by the Speaker of the House of
Assembly, but the Noble Lord did not state the prayer
of the petition.
Mr. LOCKHART presented a petition from Glasgow
against the Registering Births, &c. (Scotland) Bill, and
also against the Marriages (Scotland) Bill. The Hon.
Member also presented several petitions to the same
effect from other places in Scotland.
REGISTERING BIRTHS, &c., (SCOTLAND) BILL.
The LORD-ADVOCATE, in moving the second
reading of this Bill, stated that the imperfect nature of
the present system of registering births, marriages, &c ,
in Scotland, made it absolutely necessary that some
measure should be introduced for the purpose of giving
some further protection to the private rights of persons,
and of affording that correct statistical information oa
the subject which was so important and valuable to the
country. Under the law as it now existed neither of
those objects could be accomplished. He asked the
House not so much to consent to the measure upon the
ground of what had taken place in the House of Lords,
or in the House of Commons during the last session,
as upon what had been done under the Act of 1837, for
the more perfect registration of births, marriages, and
deaths in England, and by which the most authentic and
valuable sources of information had been furnished to
Parliament. He did not propose to interfere with the
principle of the law of Scotland 53 far as concerned the
ceremony of marriage, but he required that where the
parties did not choose to go before a clergyman that
they should go to the registrar, and have their marriage
properly entered. All doubt as to the legitimacy of their
issue would, therefore, be set at rest, and much litigation
prevented. If the House agreed to the measure no
marriage would be legal in Scotland unless it was duly
solemnised by an.authorised clergyman or by a licensed
registrar of marriages. The law of Scotland with re-
spect to the punishment of the seducer of women under
a promise of marriage was most defective, since the
man who had betrayed a woman into connexion
with him might deny it on oath, and in an un-
suspecting moment obtain from her all written
evidence of the promise ho had violated.
All who had paid attention to the subject must be per-
fectly satisfied that the law relating to marriage was
altogether defective, and required placing upon a defi-
nite footing. Banns might now be published in parishes
in which the parties did not reside; the parties who
heardt them read might know nothing about the parties,
an
ei,eltu the certificate
the publication.oftheclergyman
Awasdeemedgain, aas
t the
ul
stood,affivr-
ad
hdesod
remoment,s4 istthraitte,
lbelesffso a man declared in the streets, perhaps, in
s woman was his wife, or if he
that was his wife to all intents

and purposes. It was an irregular marriage, but yet
according to this monstrous law it was valid. As far as
possible, marriage should be sanctified by a religious
ceremony. He urged the House not to let the session
pass without passing measures so earnestly required as
those he had been dealing with.
The motion having been put,
Mr. DUNCAN said, as the measures had been fully
considered in Scoland, the reconsideration of them again
was utterly unnecessary, since every village and hamlet
in Scotland had had simple time to form their opinion.
The measures had been deferred from time to time.
(He read the date's of the different stages.)
The House had not ample time to consider the
Bills in consequence of the delay that had taken
place. They were most unpalatable to the people of Scot
land, as evidenced in the vast number of petitions pre-
sented against them, and the extremely small number in
their favour. The first Bill, which was virtually the
same as that of the last session, which was so generally
petitioned against, was only printed on the 28th of July,
and could not have reached some of the northern parts
of the country. He was not opposed to registration, but
he considered it could be accomplished with much less
cumbersome machinery. and less expense. The objec-
tions against the Bill were to be found in the
petitions against it, which he advised the Noble and
Learned Lord to read. Considering that the first Bill
required consideration by the people of Scotland, he
should move that it be read a second time this day six
months.

Mr. HUME was not opposed to the principle of the
Bill, but to the defective nature of this Bill. It was
remarkable that these Bills had been introduced with-
out any demand for them on the part of the people of
Scotland.—(Hear, hear.) If the Government thought
these Bills were so necessary, why did they leave
them until this late period of the session, when
the attendance of Scotch Members was extremely
meagre?—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord ought to
be satisfied to have the Bill read a second time, and
defer its further progress until the ensuing session. The
registration in England was merely an approximation
to a good system of registration, unlike the efficient plan
adopted on the continent, where no birth or death was
registered without sufficient evidence ; here a man could
register his own death or that of any of his children,
so defective was it—(Hear, and laughter)—yet the ex•
pease was enormous; it would be 9,5001. in Scotland, if
this Bill were passed, and if that large sum were to be
expended the measure should be an efficient one. The
Bill said that session clerks should be registrars. Now
they were the very worst parties. (Hear, hear.)
Medical men should be appointed, because they were
the best parties to judge. The measure was altogether
defective, and like the Prisons Bill, would not only work
inefficiently, but lead to the expenditure of more money
than that estimated. The Noble Lord had not met the ob-

jections of those who had waited upon him respecting the
Bill. He said the objections ought to be discussed in Com-
mittee, but he objected to doing so when the House was
really in articulo mortis. As the measure took the people
of Scotland by surprise, he pressed the Noble and
Learned Lord to obtain the affirmation of the Bill by
getting it read a second time, and to defer proceeding
further with it until the next session. If it was an ac-
ceptable measure, more petitions than five would have
been presented in favour of it.
The amendment having been put,
Mr. LOCKHART agreed with the Hon. Gentleman
(Mr. Hume) in considering that it was a matter of re-
gret that the Noble Lord bad thought proper at this
period of the session, and when so many Scotch Mem-
bers were absent, to press a Bill which would tax the
people of Scotland with the payment of a considerble
sum. The Hon. Member concluded by moving that the
house be counted.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, but there
being more than forty Members present, the discussion
proceeded on the Bill.
Mr. BAILLIE trusted the Learned Lord would post-
pone the further consideration of the Bill to another
session.
Colonel THOMPSON thought that something should
be done to put an end to the irregular marriages that
took place in Scotland.
Mr. F. SCOTT did not object to the principle of the
Bill, but thought its machinery unnecessary and expen-
sive. He trusted the Learned Lord would postpone both
the,Bills to another session.
Mr. MACGREGOR was in hopes the Learned Lord
would accede to the wishes expresssed by so many
Scotch Members, and merely read these Bills pro forma
a second time, and bring them in again in another

session.
Mr. H. DRUMMOND said that the only objection he
had heard to the measure was on the score of expense.
He thought that was a reason why the Bill should
be read a second time, in order that the House
might go into Committee on the Bill, and
in Committee remove the expensive machinery
of that measure. He thought they ought to remove all
the religious part of the ceremony out of the Bill alto-
gether, in order to make it work well, and make the
registration the evidence of the fact.
Mr. ELLIOT returned his thanks to the Lord Ad-
vocate for bringing forward this measure. Considering
that the present law of marriage in Scotland was a dis-
grace to that country, he thought the objections
urged to the measure were weak compared
with its importance. It had been made a com-
plaint that there was so thin a House. Considering
that this was a Scotch question, ho thought they had a
very full one.
Mr. S. WORTLEY felt no hesitation in admitting
that it was essentially necessary that some great change
should take place in the law of marriage in Scotland;
but, feeling that it was totally impossible to
discuss a measure of such importance at the
present period of the session, he trusted that the
Learned Lord-Advocate would be satisfied with the dis-
cussion that had taken place, and would withdraw both
measures for the present session.
Mr. EN ART thought that no grounds had been
shown why either of these measures should be hurried
through during the present session, and he hoped,
therefore, they would be withdrawn. Added to this,
the arguments were strong against proceeding with
either of the measures; and as to saying, no petitions
had been presented against them, the truth was that time
had not been given for doing so.
Admiral GORDON 'trusted the Lord-Advocate would
not persevere with either of the Bills during the present
session.
Mr. ANDERSON was also in favour of postponing
both measures.
Mr. URQUHART also expressed a hope that the
Bills would be postponed to another session.
The LORD-ADVOCATE would take the second
readings of both Bills unconditionally, and would after-
wards consider what had fallen from Hon. Members.

After some further discussion,
The Registering Births, &c. (Scotland) Bill was read
a second time, and ordered to be committed on Friday
MARRIAGE (SCOTLAND) BILL.

On the motion that this Bill be read -a
second time,

Mr. F. SCOTT moved, as an amendment to the mo-
tion for the second reading, that the Bill be read a
second time that day three months.
After a short discussion the amendment was with-
drawn, the Bill read a second time, and ordered to be
committed on Friday.
INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
TURNPIKE ACTS CONTINUANCE BILL.

This Bill was ordered to be committed on Wednesday,
at twelve o'cloek.

EXCHANGE OF ADVOWSONS IN THE COUN-
TIES OF WARWICK AND STAFFORD BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed.

DUBLIN POLICE.
The Dublin Police Bill was ordered to be committed
to morrow (Tuesday) at twelve o'clock.
The House then adjourned until Five o'clock.
The House resumed at Five o'clock.

Mr. LUSIIINGTON presented a petition from the
Baptists of the United Kingdom against the Regium Do-
num grant. . .

Mr. DUNCAN presented petitions from places in
Scotland against the Marriages (Scotland) Bill.
CRIMINAL LAW.

Mr. ANSTEY gave notice that to-morrow he should
put a question to the Noble Lord the Member for the
City of London, or any other Member of the Govern-
ment who might be in his place, with respect
to the report of the Criminal Law Commissioners.
The question he should put would be whether it was
the intention of Government to bring in a Bill to con-
solidate the criminal law as proposed by the Criminal
Law Commissioners, or to take any other measure to
carry into effect the suggestions contained in
the report of the Commissioners, more particularly
with reference to the enactment of the penalties of
transportation for life against Roman Catholic priests,
or against ministers of the Church of England who re-
fused to obey the Queen's cong d' elire fur the election
of a bishop.
COMMERCIAL DISTRESS.
In reply to a question from Mr. URQUHART,
Mr. HUME said he had given notice to call the atten-
tion of the House this day to the Report on Commercial
Distress, but in consequence of the Hon. Member for
Stafford having stated that he would endeavour to ar
range with the Government for a day to bring on the
discussion, he had consented to withdraw his notice.
MERCHANT SEAMEN'S FUND.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from Sir E. Cod-
ringtou and a Mr. Baker, respecting the administration
of the Merchant Seamen's Fund, and asked the President
of the Board of Trade whether any measures had been
taken, now that the Bill on this subject had been with-
drawn for the present session, for the purpose of better
securing that fund.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said the Honourable Member
was probably aware that the whole question respect-
ing the Merchant Seamen's Fund had been very fully
brought under the consideration of the Commissioners
appointed by the Crown, and they had reported that,
although the funds were not invested in Government
securities, yet the securities upon which they were
managementrconfsutnitdur a
invested were, no doubt, capable of realisation. It
was p oposed
of to
the
now
regretted
t t
efdo r
that the
but he
it would be impossible to give effect to the recommenda-
tion of the Commissioners this session. He was of opi-
nion that no advantage would be gained by taking any
intermediate proceedings in the matter.
DESERTION OF BRITISH SEAMEN.
Mr. MONSELL said he presented a petition the
other day from the Chamber of Commerce at Limerick,
with reference to certain difficulties which occurred to
the petitioners, in common with other shipowners of the
United Kingdom, in carrying on their trade, by reason
of the desertion of seamen. The time usually
chosen for desertion was when the ship was
on the point of sailing, and the shipowner
was obliged to give large sums of money to
the seamen, in order to get their vessel brought home.
He, therefore, wished to know, taking into account the
peculiar circumstanves which would arise by the passing