The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-22 00:00:00

No. 16,929. LON DON, T UESDA Y MORNING SUN, DECEMBER 22, 1846. PRICE SD.

STOCK of GENUINE WINES, directed to b• SOLD in consequence
•f a Dissolution of Partnership, and to be delivered from the Cel-
lars. in the Adolphi.

31R.• EDMUND ROBINS is instructed to
SELL by AUCTION, at his Rooms, in Covent-garden,
TO-MORROW, at Twelve,
A CELLAR OF REMARKABLY CHOICE AND GENUINE
WINES,

presenting to ti• 3 connoisseur a rare oppertunity to possess wines of
the finest quality, the sale taking place under a dissolution of part-
nership of an old established concern in the Adelphl, proverbial for
the excellence of their stock. Tho wines comprise 11 bins, or 262
clowns of brown, golden colour, and pale Sherries, of pure and dry
qualities, sod of AI artinez, D twson Campbell's, and Sebastian Smith's
shipping ; .90 dozen, in three bins, of old crusted Port, of Sandeman's
and Thompson and Croft's shipping ; also, N dozen of choice full
flavoured Ilurgundy Port. These wines being old in bottle, of first-
rate quality, well-matured, and In the finest condition, a most tempt-
ing—opportunity is prese-nted to private buyers to replenish their
cellars for•the approaching season.
Samples may be had, with catalogues, at the Offices in Covent-
garden.

PUBLICATIONS.

OTTO SPECKTER'S .CIIRISTMAS STORY.

Now Ready, with Twelve Illustrations, square 16m0., ss.
THE. CHAKMED ROE; or, the LITTLE
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Also by the same, a New Edition, square 16m0., ss.
PUSS IS 'BOOTS ; suited to the tastes of LITTLE and GROWN
• CHILDREN. -With Twelve Iliustrations.
John Murray, Albemarle-street.

' THE TEA PRODUCTION OF CHINA.
Just Ready, with Plates and Woodcuts, Bvo.
'/THREE YEARS' WANDERINGS in the
■ ITORTHERN PROVINCES of CHINA, including a Visit to
the -TEA COUNTRY. By ROBERT FORTUNE, Botanical Collec—
tor to the horticultural Society of London.

John Murray, Albentarle•street.

Now Reahy, Second Edition, Revised to the Present Time, Bro., 245.
THE PROGRESS of the NATION, in its
various Social and Economical Relations.

By G. R. PORTER. F.R.S.
, • • ' John Murray,-Albemarle-itreet.
. .
pUNCH'S ALMANACK will be published on
Wednesday, the 23d Inst. ; price 3d., or 4d. stamped.
London: Office, 85, Fleet-street, and sold by all Booksellers and
Newsmen.

THE MOSQUITIAN KINGDOM.
Just published, price 4s. 6d. cloth.
NARRATIVE of a RESIDENCE on the
MOSQUITO SHORE ; with an account of Truxillo, and the
adjacent Isl ands of Bonacco and Roatan ; and a Vocabulary of the
Mosquitian Language.
Second Edition. Ry THOMAS YOUNG.

" A sprightly entertaining little volume. Mr. Young appears to
have described the characteristics of the country with fairness and
impartiality. He gives every information relative to climate and
the manners and customs of the nativeg."—Morning Chronicle.

London : Smith, Elder, and Co., 65, Coinhill.

MR. ANGAS'S ACCOUNT OF THE ANTIPODES.

Just published, in two vols. post Bvo., with Twelve Plates from the
Author's Drawings, price 245. handsomely bound In cloth.
AVAGE LIFE AND SCENES IN AUS
1.7 TR ILIA AND NEW ZEALAND: being an Artist's Im-
pressions of Countries and People at the Antipodes.
By GE ,RGE FRENCH ANGAS, Esq.
" Here are two volumes of good artistical descriptions, with much
of liner st%p]e than the title-page promises. Mr. Aneas observed nature
in the southern hemisphere with a painter's eye, and has thrown
much poetical feeling into his impressions of it."—Morning Chronicle.
" Mr, Angas has produced a very interesting work, containing full
and graphic narratives and descriptions, and illustrated with sketches
which do much credit to his ability."— Britannia.
" After a caretul reading of these two volumes, we pronounce
them, without any hesitation, to afford, on the whole, the most
faithful pictures of ' Savage Life in Australia and New Zealand' yet
published."—Weekly Chronicle.
London : Smith, Elder, and Co., 65, Cernhill.

NEW POETICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT.

Just Published, In a handsome 'volume of 2:50 pages, at only Half-a.

crown,

POEMS FOR THE PEOPLE.
By J. TRENHOILE, an Attorney's Clerk.

"These poems contain pieces of considerable merit, exhibiting
many poetic beauties, and sparkling with delightful animation."—
Plymouth Herald.
London : Marshall, and Co.

IRELAND.

DREADFUL CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.
DUBLIN, DEC. 19.—As the winter advances the state
of the country and our prospects for the future become
still more appalling. In many districts numbers of the
people are actually famishing. Popular outbreaks and
plunder of provisions are becoming more frequent, and
even in the northern provinces those evidences of social
disorganisation are now apparent. Altogether the con•
dition of this country cannot be contemplated without
the most serious apprehension; and north, south, east,
and west, you behold the spread of destitution, with
scarce a ray of hope fer present amelioration.
In the Cork Examiner, received this afternoon, there
is another very long letter frbm the reporter of that
journal at Skibbereen, repeating details of hopeless
misery and death similar to those in a previous commu-
nication from that town.
Even in Belfast, where there have been provision riots,
the state of things is little better.
Respecting another northern town the Tyrone Consti-
tution says—
" We are sorry to learn that some evil disposed per-
sons in the neighbourhood of Dungannon have attacked
the dwellings of two gentlemen residing in that vicinity
during the last week, and we are still more sorry to find
that they succeeded in levying a contribution of. six
shillings from one, and a pound from another, of those
gentlemen. We have repeatedly stated our belief that
the commission of crimes of this nature should not be
placed to the charge of the unfortunate poor who are
really in distress."
The Kerry Examiner thus reports from that distant
district:—
" DINGLE, DEC. 18.—DEATH FROM STARVATION.—

An inquest was held here yesterday on the body of
Daniel Lvne, of Miltown. This poor man being sent to
the Fever Hospital at Dingle, on Saturday last, from the
weak state in which he appeared to some charitable
neighbours, thinking it might be fever, was examined
immediately after getting into the hospital by the doctor,
and died in a few hours after."
From other districts the accounts are equally gloomy.
FOOD RIOTS.

The Belfast News Letter gives the following in a
second edition:—
"FRIDAY, Two o'cLocs„ r.m.—At nine o'clock this
morning, a mob, consisting of about 200 persons, sur-
rounded Mr. Bernard Hughes's bakery, Donegal-street,
uttering the most violent language. A number of the
ringleaders entered the shop, and said, Give us bread,
or we shall take it by force.' Mr. Hughes refused.
Upon this, the men became very violent in their de-
mands, and doubtless would have fulfilled their threat,
had not Mr. James Standfield contributed five shillings
for the purchase of bread to quiet their violence.
Another gentleman gave two shillings. The amount
contributed was expended in the purchase of bread,
which was afterwards distributed among the mob. This
repressed their violence in Donegal-street; but, instead
of separating, they proceeded in a body to the Church-
street public bakery. The ringleaders, with their furious
partisans, crowded the shop, and demanded bread, other-
wise they would take it by violence from the shelves. It
was ultimptely determined that bread to the amount of
20s. should be distributed among the mob, to quiet them.
The county police arrived, and took the leaders into
custody, and lodged them in the cells of the police-
court. They had previously destroyed a bread cart at
Pinkerton's-row, and after clearing it of bread, not only
smashed the cart, but beat the driver. The ringleaders
were tried this morning at the police-court, when James
M'Cullough and James Mason were each fined twenty
shillings and costs, or to be imprisoned one fortnight.
Henry Mason, the leader, was fined forty shillings and
costs, or to be imprisoned one month. The prisoners at
the police-court, and the mob who created those riots,
Were not natives of Belfast, but persons brought here to
labour on the public works. One of the persons most
clamorous for food during the several assaults on the
bakeries, when fined in twenty shillings and costs, paid
1/. 2s. Bd. for his liberation in half an hour afterwards."
KILKENNY, DEC. 19.—FOOD RlOT.—Just before going
to press we have heard that some serious disturbances
took place among the recipients of out-door relief at the
Poor-house this day (Friday), and that a cart loaded
with one hundred and twenty loaves of bread for the hos-
pital was broken and the bread carried off by the mob.
FOOD RIOT IN CLONMEL.
The Cork Examiner contains the following :
" CLONMEL, DEC. 17.—Referring to my communica-
tion of the 15th, in which I stated that there was an
expectation of an outbreak taking place, I regret to
observe that my information was correct. No violence
took place in the town until three o'clock in the after
noon, when several carts laden with flour were attacked
in Irishtown by an immense concourse of women and
children—the men taking no part in the affair. They
succeeded in wresting three sacks off the cars, but, in
their hurry, excitement, and confusion, they cut and
injured a great number of bags, the contents of which
were strewed over the road and along the street, several
inches deep.
" The police were immediately at the scene of out
rage, and succeeded in capturing several famishing
women, whom they lodged in gaol. The outskirts and
environs of the town presented a more alarming and de-
termined appearance ; large masses of men and women
perambulated the different roads leading from it inevery
direction, and levying contributions on every carrier of
provisions. They commenced by attacking and ab-
stracting 17 sacks of flour from some cars on the Cahir
road, two of which, by the activity of the police, were
subsequently recovered ; but there was no account ob-
tained of the other 15.
" From the determined and systematic manner in
which the depredations were conducted, it became ne-
cessary to send parties of military and police in charge
of everything in the way of provisions coming to or
going from Clonmel. Day and night patrols are conti-
nually coming in and going out. Magistrates galloping
one way, and mounted orderlies another—all in confu-
sion, excitement, and dismay."
IMPORTANT TREASURY MINUTE—DRAIN-
AGE WORKS—ENTAILED ESTATES.
The Dublin Evening Post of this afternoon contains
the following very important document, addressefl by
the Treasury to the Boord of Works. The immediate
object is to increase, to the fullest possible extent that
the existing law will permit, the facilities for extending
drainage and productive works. A supplemental minute,
dated the 15th instant, refers to contemplated changes
in the law, with a view of removing the impediments to
improvements on entailed estate,, which, for instance,
operate so prejudicially in the case of the Marquis of
Conyngham.
We refer to Mr. Trevelyan's letter for an explana-
tion of the contemplated measure of the Government,
which is to empower landed proprietors to sell portions
of entailed estates, or enable the Government to do so
in case arrears accumulate, for advances made from the
Treasury for improvements. This is one of the most
important measures ever proposed, in regard to settled
estates, in this country :

"Treasury Minute, Dec. 1, 1846.
"My Lords have before them Mr. Rdingt.ton's letter,
interest,
teteehrdte
es
ntl7lntathn,
dt ultimo, l
ttii me whato
period,
neicenxe nqstuchitotrtmioi inquiring,
:pas bauyypmodehenswti
repayment, their
what
to
I.
ties
authorising wh omhs
termsiLioy as to
C . Lordships
will
forilyl
uwnildler sanctionthe
e severaladva
ihmtprthoeveAmcetnt9
aoifidetsotates Vie.,
wthiethdtrha
eimlegxeceapntidon
containing
giving effect to which difficulties had been experienced.
n
" Their Lordships also have before them a letter from
the Board of Works, dated the 14th instant, transmitting
a copy of a letter which had been addressed to theirg
chairman, by Mr. More O'Ferrall, M.P.,
sugg.stions as to the operation of the Drainage Act
and inquiring whether advances will be made from
' the million voted for drainage in Ireland on the terms
specified in the 9th and 10th Vic., c. 101, although the
application for it be made under the provisions of the
9th Vict., c. 4?
6, My Lords proceed to consider the enactments re-
ferred to ii the above-mentioned letters ; first, the Acts
and 9 Vic., c. 4; and, secondly, the
for drainage in Ireland, 5 and 6 Vic., c. 89, amended by
general improvement of estates in Ire-
the 22d section. of the Act 1 and 2
by 9 Vie., c. 1, S. 6.
Blpvirarnaomdnv
,di. acli9oovnnV.ts,
ai forecin e3Cdt3ll6,
in
amended
" My Lords are of opinion that the most advantageous
mode of applying the provisions. of the fiist series of
is that the Board of
Acts, viz., the Drainage Acts,
Works should undertake the execution of such works as
are necessary for deepening, or removing obstructions
in rivers, their tributary streams, or larger watercourses
of the country, by means of which great improvement
may be effected in the main outfalls for the drainage of
considerable tracts of land. Such works can seldom be
accompliseed by any single proprietor, as these streams
and watercourses, forming the main drains, generally
pass through the estates of many different proprietors.
The difficulty which arises from this cause is obviated
drainedp r ie tors ,
eve and w o
off . charging
dissenting
proprietors,
by the power which the Board of Works possesses of
proceeding with the consent of a certain number of pro-
prietors,
" My Lords do not think hat repaymentthei uponna
ge agency
proportionc the
of
he lands
to
Board of Works can, as a general rule, be advan-
tageously applied to draining •
draining tiles, or pipes, or in detail—to laying down
the benefit conferred upon them.
the
This description of work, , stone-draining, in each field.
k they are of opinion, can,
unless when particular circumstances call for special
exception, be far more advantageously
proprietor for himself, on his own done by each
estate, the improved
outfall for his drainage having been afforded, if neces-
sary, by the more general operation of the Board of
Works above stated.

" Mr. More O'Ferrall, expressing the opinion of the
magistrates, ratepayers, and principal inhabitants of the
barony of Carbury, county Kildare, states in his letter,
a copy of which has been communicated to the Board of
Works, that the barony is bounded by two rivers, one of
which has already been opened, and works on the other
are in progress fbr the same purpose, under the existing
Drainage Act ; and then proceeds to suggest that the
most advantageous mode of employing labour at present
in the barony would be for the Commissioners of Public
Works to open the smaller tributary streams running
into these two rivers, and thus to improve the outfall for
drainage throughout the barony—by this means afford-
ing to each proprietor the opportunity of more effectually
draining his own fields for himself.
" This view of the magistrates, ratepayers, &c., of the
barony of Carbury, is in perfect accordance with the

measures contemplated by this board, as above stated.
"My Lords are- prepared, therefore to sanction ad-
vances for such purposes, and will consider applications,
each to be dealt with on its own merits, for works of
drainage under this series of Acts, the last of which
conferring more summary power of 'proceedings, is more
particularly applicable to the present state of things in
Ireland.
"Proceeding to the consideration of the second class
Of enactments—i.e., 1 and 2 Wm., c. 33, 5. 32, and 9
Vic., c. 1, S. 6—under which loans may be made to in-
dividuals, to enable them to effect the improvement of
their estates for themselves, by drainage, reclaiming
waste lands, or other works of substantial improvement,
my Lords are prepared to make advances to proprietors
who comply with the conditions of the 1 and 2 Wm.
IV., cap. 33, amended by 9 Vic., cap. 1,
sec. 6, as to
the nature of the works, and who can obtain from a com-
petem person, approved by the Board of Works, the
certificate of increased value to be given to the land
improved, as prescribed by that Act. This lAtter con-
dition is necessary in order to protect the interests of
those who are to succeed the person in actual possession,
from having their future property subjected to a charge
for unsubstantial and improvident improvements.
" Their Lordships, however, desire that it may be
understood, that parties applying for loans under any of
the enactments above adverted to, must undertake to
submit to such terms. in respect to the period of repay-
ment, and such other provisions, as Parliament may
hereafter enact.
!` Transmit a copy of this minute to Mr. Redington,
for the information of the Lord Lieutenant and the Board
of Works."

MR. TREVELYAN TO THE COMMISSIONERS
OF PUBLIC WORKS.
December 15, 1846.
-I am commaadetib4 e Lords Commissioners of her
Majesty's Treasuiy to in
-with reference tirtho
minute of this Board dated the Ist instant, that their
o
Lordships think it advisable to furnish the following ad-
'
ditional explanations on the subject of the arrangements
contemplated by the above-mentioned minute for making
advances both to individual proprietors of estates, and
also to the Board of Works, from national funds, for the
drainage and general improvement of private estates in
Ireland.
My Lords are aware that difficulties have been expe-
rienced in giving practical effect to the Act 9 and 10
Vic., cap. 101, and that in some parts of the country
works of improvement other than drainage may be more
beneficially undertaken.
Their Lordships are, however, of opinion that the ge-
neral course of proceeding prescribed by that Act (ac••
cording to which the improvements on each private
estate are to be executed by the proprietor, and the in-
terference of the officers of the Government is confined
to ascertaining, in the first instance, that the proposed
improvements are likely to be of such a permanent
and productive character as would justify the cost
of them being made a charge upon the estate with
priority over other encumbrances, and 'afterwards to in-
specting the works from time to time so as to secure the
proper application of the sums advanced to the purposes
for which they were intended) is the mode in which the
intervention of the State can be most extensively and
effectually directed to the improvement of the land of the
country : and her Majesty's Government propose to
submit a Bill to Parliament founded on these principles,
embracing and extending the objects of the 32d section
cap. 33,-amended by
tohfet9heth Aveiettelraian,dea2pl.Vli,llsiaelnetiolnV.,
6, and of the 9th and
10th Victoria, cap. 101.
It is proposed by her Majesty's Government that the
million sterling appropriated by the Act 9 and 10 Vic.,
cap. 101, to be issued in loans for drainage in Ireland,
should be rendered available for the purposes of general
improvement of lands, including drainage, under the
provisions of the Act proposed to be passed in the next
session of Parliament, as above explained ; and their
Lordships are prepared to adopt the principle of the 9th
and 10th Victoria, cap. 101, as to the re-payment, and
to authorise its being made by equal half-yearly instal-
ments of 3/. ss. each, distributed over a period of twenty-
two years, with a power of redemption as provided in the
Act, unless the borrowers should themselves desire that
a shorter period should be fixed, in which case the
number and amount of instalments will be determined in
each particular case as shall be desired by the proprie-
tors, and sanctioned by the Treasury, the rate of interest
being calculated, in all cases, at 3i per cent.
There being reason to believe that considerable diffi-
culty is sometimes experienced by Irish proprietors in
effecting desirable improvements on their estates, owing
to the peculiarities of the tenure of land in Ireland, and
the rights of persons having different interests in it, their
Lordships are of opinion that it may be desirable to
sin-
sert in the Bill to be submitted to Parliament on this
subject provisions somewhat similar to those contained
in the existing Irish Drainage Acts, for the purpose of
removing this obstacle, and apportioning on the various
parties who will derive benefit from the improvements
a proportionate contribution towards the repayment of
the loan, the whole principal and interest being payable
to the Government by the person who shall be deemed
proprietor of the land drained or improved, and the con-
tribution on the part of the occupier being in the shape
of increased rent to the proprietor.
Her Majesty's Government also propose to submit a
separate Bill to Parliament, in which the provisions of
the sth and 6th Vic., cap. 89, Bth and 9th Vic., cap. 69,
and the 9th Vic., cap. 4, which have for their-object the
execution by the Board of Works of drainage works of
a more extended description, in most cases involving the
interest of several proprietors, will be consolidated and
simplified, and such amendments will be made in them
as the occasion may appear to require.
The loans which have hitherto been made from the
Public Works Loan Fund for this object have been made
at the usual rate of interest of fire per cent., but advert-
ing to the great public importance at the present period
of encouraging every description of agricultural im-
provement in Ireland, their Lordships are prepared to
reduce the interest on future loans to four per cent.
In order that efforts now being made for the drainage
e from the Ist
and improvement of land may not experience any dis
couragement, their Lordships will authorise the terms
of repayment above described to take
effect
instant ; that is to say, loans for the drainage, or gene-
ral improvement of estates, to be executed by the pro-
prietors under the inspection of the Board of Works, ac-
cording to the provisions of the 32d section of the Act
1 and 2 Will. IV , cap. 33, the 9th Vic., cap. 1, sec. 6,
and the 9 and 10 Vie. cap. 101, will ba rephyable ac-
cording to the terms above stated in respect of advances
to individuals, with interest at 3A- per cent., while loans
made to the Board of Works for drainage to be executed
by them under the provisions of the 5 and 6 Vic., cap.
89, 8 and 9 Vic., cap. 69, and the 9 Vic., c. 4, will be
repayable by half-yearly instalments, according to an
award of the Commissioners, with interest at the rate of
4 per cent.
My Lords are further of opinion, that with the view
both of providing security for the repayment of the ad-
vances from the public purse and of relieving entailed es-
tates from the evil of accumulated charges, two powers
should be conferred by the measures which it is proposed
to submit to Parliament.
First, a power to the proprietors of an entailed estate
to sell for the purpose of repaying the advances for im-
provements made by the Board of Works, or if made by
himself, with the aid of Government money, under the
inspection of the Board of Work, any part of the estate
so improved, or of ether estates settled to the same uses,
defaultselling
Secondly, for
o ft
phaaeyprmeo
edon
wh
eoo f
Gct hoeencelerachnumdt
evt
eaetx
in the same manner as a power exists in this country, of
nosftalsemlleinngts,, soin
much of the land improved or of other estates settled
to the same uses, which the proprietor might prefer, as
would repay capital, interest, and expenses of sale.
My Lords desire it to be clearly understood that in
thus laying down the conditions on which they are pre-
pared to make edvanees on any applications made subse-
quently to the Ist instant, they have no intention of in-
terfering with any works or arrangement for works now
in progress under any existing Act, or with such as have
been nudertaken, or as may be undertaken, until Par-
lirtnent shall otherwise provide, under the Poor Employ-
ment Act as extended by Mr. Labouchere's letter of
October 5.
MEETING OF LANDED PROPRIETORS.
The committee has adjourned its meetings until after
Christmas. There has been a considerable accession of
new members, including the Earl of Arran, Sir Thomas
Staples, Messrs. Cooper (of Muckree Castle), Totten •
ham, Pierse Mahoney, kc.
STOPPAGE OF PUBLIC WORKS IN CLARE.
Esime, DEC. 17.—We regret to have to state that
the officers of the Board of Works have found it neses•
sary to suspend some of the works at present going for-
ward in the parish of Kilmaley, in consequence of the
labourem using violence towards the stewards, and
driving them away. from the works, because they were
strangers iu the neighbourhood. The works about to be
stopped in consequence of this are—the new road from
and the li
Leughburkw roade to Kiat Aughalana.lrush mail road; also Gurtiganiv hills,
MEMORIAL TO THE LORD-LIEUTENANT.
The following notification has been issued in Kil-
kenny:memorial to the Lord-Lieutenant, relating to the
present crisis, lies for signature at Mr. Walsh's Hotel,
Kilkenny. We, the undersigned, request any gentle-
man willing to affix.his name to do so before the 25th
Clayton Savage, Robert
~
December.
Desart, Duncannon, W. P. Tighe, Sir John
Power, Sir Richard Langrishe, John Power, Win.
usamrei,thlBt
REPEAL SECESSION—THE CONFERENCE.
O'Brien having pub-
The following letter from Mr. O'Connell appeared in
the Pilot of last night:—
Decrnber, 1846.
LBaaynglyr,isPheer Connellan,
lished his letter to me, as he had a full right to do, I beg
you to publish my reply.
"Is it not the most strange of all imaginable strange
things that the seceders should refuse to allow the legal
basis of the Association to be ascertained and settled?—
even" My dear B‘ a‘ rMreetrtr,—i°n3l-s:!
in the most amicable way.
" Is it their intention, seriously, to leave that question
to be settled, at the peril of our liberty and lives, by a
one sided judge, and a shameless jury?--or any judge,
or any jury?
" It was rather' scant of courtesy' for Mr. Duffy and
his party to have published, without my permission, or
without giving me any intimation of their intention, a

conversation that took place in my house, at their re-
quest. _

" I, however, scorn to complain; but of error, not to
say evil, some good frequently comes— as in this in-
stance their publication has, fortunately, displayed the
cloven hoof, by their crafty, but incautious, manifesta-
tions of their anti-religious principle, by which they
would feign take from the Catholic people of Ireland the
protection of the Repeal Association.
" Their fourth instruction on that subject is, according
to the just remark of your contemporary, the Freeman,
meaningless, or most mischievous.' But what else could
be expected from men who could listen to, and'applaud,
an attack upon the character of one of the nio,t esti-
mable, as well as the most amiable, of human beings—
the Lord Bishop of Elphin—so long cherished as • the
dove of Galway?' Ever faithfully yours,
"Richard Barrett, Esq."

"DANIEL O'CONNELL.

(Copy.)
" Mertion-square, Dublin, Dec. 17, 1846.
"My dear Sir,—lf I made any allusion to you in the
letter to Mr. Reilly which was not warranted by the
communication I had from the Rev. Dr. Miley, I am
ready to offer you any apology in my power for the mis-
take. But that reverend gentleman's letter is now before
you, having been read at the last meeting of the Asso-
ciation, and if you can point out any matter in which I
have exceeded, I am ready to retract it in the most dis-
tinct manner you please.
"I am most heartily sorry that you think it right to
decline all discussions on the physical force question, as
it is, in fact, the only vital point upon which the secession
commenced, and is now so likely to continue.
" Pardon me when I say, that I deem it a sacred duty
solemnly to warn you against making light of the phy-
sical force question. It involves your personal safety,
which, I am free to admit, is not a paramount consider-
atiim in your mind. 4 but it also involves the safety of
others engaged in the same object which you have in
view. I should vote for the re-admission into the Asso-
ciation, of very many of the seceders, if they would dis-
avow the physical force principle ; or if, without that
disavowal, the Association would still be a legal assem-
bly. I say emphatically, it would not ; and it was to as-
certain this point, and this alone, that I proposed the
legal conference, as a preliminary step to a complete
conciliation.
" Forgive me for pressing this topic upon your mind
—I do it in the spirit of respect and courtesy ; whilst I
bitterly deplore that you should not consent to be a
party to an amicable ascertainment of the effects, in
point of law, of any admixture of the physical force
principle with the principles and proceedings of the
Association.
" I do not presume to expect to make any impression
on your mind by these declarations of mine ; but you
will excuse them I trust, when you recollect that the
protection of the members of the Association from any
well-founded prosecution is the first, and most sacred, of
my public duties. I can never be a party to any species
of arrangement which does not, in the first instance,
provide for the due obedience to the law, and for the en-
tire and perfectprotection of the members of the Associa-
tion from any well-founded legal prosecution.
" You will, of course, perceive that your refusal to
hold the conference on the legal question, in the first
instance, precludes me from the possibility of carrying
out any amicable adjustment. Till the point of legality
be decided, no further arrangement is possible. I have
the honour to be yours, very faithfully,
" DANIEL O'CONNELL.

"William Smith O'Brien, M.P." - ---
THE REV. DR. MILEY—MR. S. O'BRIEN.

The following letter from Mr. O'Brien has been ad
dressed to the Rev. Dr. Miley:—
" Cahirmoyle, December 16, 1846.

"My dear Sir,—Having raid your published account
of our interview at Cahirmoyle, I cannot refrain from
expressing my regret that you did not inform me that it
was your intention to take a note of our conversation,
with a view to its publication. I should, in such case,
have taken care to avoid the possibility of miscon-
struction.

" I am not conscious of having said to you that the
staff of Conciliation Hall could be, in no instance,
reduced.' I stated, with reference to the funds, that
although upon some occasions I had witnessed an ex-
penditure which seemed to me unnecessary, yet I
had fully satisfied myself that the charge of
peculation could not be justly brought against those
intrusted with the management of the finances
of the Repeal Association. With reference to the
Staff, I remarked that it was exceedingly difficult to ac-
commodate it to the various exigencies of the Associa-
tion ; that a staff which would be inadequate, whilst the
Associatio❑ was receiving 3,0001. per week, would be
excessive whilst it was in receipt of not more than 100/
per week ; but I have no recollection of having ad-
mitted that this staff could be in no instance reduced, but
was, as constituted at present, indispensable to the effi-
cient working of the repeal machinery.'
" I regret that you have omitted to state, that one of
the reasons which I assigned for not entering into dis-
cussion upon the question of ' the forces' was, that I
considered that this controversy is nothing but a pretext,
raised merely for the purpose of excluding from the
Association some men who were disposed to thwart the
policy of Mr. O'Connell with regard to a political con-
nexion with the Whigs.
Permit me to add, that I have read your letter with
the more surprise because your observations had raised
an impression in my mind that you thought that the
terms proposed by me are reasonable, and that they
would not present any insuperable impediment to our
return to Conciliation Hall, under circumstances calcu-
lated to give increased strength to the repeal movement.
" Whilst, however, I regret that your letter to Mr.
O'Connell has peen so framed as to raise impressions
upon the public mind unfavourable to me, I gladly avail
myself of this opportunity of acknowledging that you
have done more than justice to our dispositions to offer
you such hospitality as our humble home affords.
" In receiving under my roof the distinguished author
of a very beautiful work on Roman history, I expe7
rienced no little disappointment upon finding that unto-.
ward circumstances had deprived me of the satisfaction
of spending an evening or two in evoking his recollections
of The Eternal City.'—l have the honour to be, yours
very faithfully,

" WILLIAM S. O'BRIEN."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE " FREEMAN."
Dec. 18, 1846.
Sir,—A letter from Mr. O'Connell in the Freeman of
this day, relative to our interview with him, demands a
few observations explanatory of the nature and object of
that interview.

Mr. O'Connell seems to have supposed that our con-
versation with him was of a private nature, and declares
that in its being " made the subject of a newspaper pro-
tocol" he was "taken by surprise." While we unaffectedly
regret that he should have so widely mistaken the cha-
racter of our interview, we cannot help expressing our
surprise that he should have fallen into an error, which
appears to us altogether unaccountable.
On the morning of the day on which the interview took
place, a written communication was addressed to Mr.
O'Connell, by the chairman of a public meeting, ap-
prising him that the four gentlemen whose names are
subscribed had been appointed by the meeting to wait
upon him. Before entering upon the subject of our
mission we distinctly informed him that we had come
to him as a deputation, and throughout the interview we
spoke as representing the sentiments of the seceders,
and as seeking information for them, not for ourselves.
How such a conversation came to he considered by
Mr. O'Connell as one not to be made public, we are at a
loss to conjecture. More especially as the deputation
was sent solely in consequence of the publication by him
of a conversation between Mr. O'Brien and Dr. Miley on
the same subject.
We came to Mr. O'Connell as a deputation from a
public meeting. It is obviously the duty of such a de-
putation to report the result of its mission. Its duty
ends there. It is the duty of the meeting to which the
report is made to decide whether it shall be made public
or not. We had neither the right nor the power to con-
trol the meeting in this particular.
Mr. O'Connell charges the report with inaccuracies,
and instances •' the powerful illustration he gave of the
imminent peril of a prosecution for high treason which
the members of the association would incur if they were
at all to admit the physical-force principle." And he
asks, " Why was that suppressed ?"
We answer—simply because it had no relation to the
object of our mission. We were deputed, not to con-
verse about the state trials, nor to argue upon the pro-
priety of admitting " the physical-force principle," but
to obtain an answer to the following question:—Whether,
supposing the point of law to be settled at the conference
to the satisfaction; of both parties, the remaining pro-
position contained in our written instructions would then
be considered ? Our report states that Mr. O'Connell's
reply was a decided negative. It represents him to
have said repeatedly, that in any case he would confine
the conference to the legal question alone. In this (and
it is the only material) particular the accuracy of the
report is not likely to be impeached.
So much in justification of ourselves and our report.
Mr. O'Connell asks, " Why do the seceders object to
ascertain the law upon so vitally important a point ?"
And again, addressing the seceders, he says—" Settle
this point first, and I will settle all reasonable matters
with you afterwards."
Now, we waited on Mr. O'Connell for the express
purpose of inviting him to settle that point first, and then
to permit the other matters to be settled by the con-
ference ; and amongst the written propositions which
we were instructed to submit to him, that relating to the
legal point was the first in order.
iVe wish to be distinctly understood that the object of
our mission to Mr. O'Connell was not to decline a con-
ference upon the " physical-force principle," but to ask
that this and the other questions should be submitted
to the conference, with a view to their final arrange-
ment.

As to the fourth proposition in the instructions, Mr.
O'Connell entirely misapprehends the spirit in which it
was framed. The caution with which it is worded did
not emanate from a full perception of the difficulty of
framing any precise rule upon the subject to which it
relates.

_
The seceders are so fully impressed with this diffi-
culty, that we believe they would be satisfied with a
general recommendation from the conference on that
point, leaving the rest to the sense and good taste of in-
dividual members, and to the influence of public opinion.
Any plan which, without compromising the rights of

any class of repealers, will facilitate a cordial co-opera-
tion between all, will exactly meet the view with which
that proposition was framed.
The proposition will best explain the object for which
it was framed. It is as follows:
"4th. That inasmuch as the Repeal Association is a
confederacy to which persons belonging to every reli-
gious persuasion are invited, for the purpose of working
out the legislative emancipation of their commo❑
country, it is desirable to avoid as much as possible the
discussion of topics calculated to excite religious dissen-
sions ; but that such understanding is not intended to
prevent remonstrance against substantial grievances
which may affect the religious interests of any class of
Irishmen."

It is further to be observed with regard to these and
the other written instructions, that they were not put
forward as future rules of the Association : they were
simply what our report describes them, " propcsitions
which the scceders n't,uld expect to have Uscussed at the
conference."

In conclusion, we have to state that each of us care-
fully examined our report previous to its publication ;
that we suppressed nothing which we thought material,
and inserted nothing which was not strctly true. IC
Mr. O'Connell will specify any inaccuracy, however
trifling, we shall be happy to correct it.

JAMES HAUGHTON.
.1. B. I)ILLON.
CHARLES G. DUFFY.
RICH. O'GORMAN, Jun.
We subjoin the note tent by Mr. Naughton to Mr,
O'Connell :

" Committee-room, Nation office, Dec. 15.
"My dear Mr. O'Connell,—l am requested to inform
you that, at a meeting of the seceders held this day, as
above, the following gentlemen—Mr. Duffy, Mr. Dillon,
Mr. O'Gorman, and myself—were appointed as a depu-
tation to wait upon yon, and represent the feelings of
the meeting; we shall be happy if you can appoint any
hour this day to meet us.
Yours faithfully, "JAMES HAUGHTON.
" Daniel O'Connell, Esq., M.P."

SHIP ON FIRE AT CovE.—A most alarming fire
broke out on board the ship Empress, of Halifax, Nova
Scotia, which was under repairs and at anchor in the
river, about three o'clock on Wednesday morning. The
fire was kept down until six o'clock, when the cables
were slipped, and she was put on the bank at the lower
end of the Harbour, and scuttled, and the ship and cargo
thereby saved from total destruction. The vessel will
be again floated this day, and will be immediately dis-
charged. The cargo was very valuable, and consisted
of magnesia, indigo, emery, gum, amaricas, soda ash,
cement, carpets, cotton goods, and iron.—Cork Reporter.
THE WEATHER.—From the severity of the frost since
Thursday last, the navigation of the canal has been
closed, to the great inconvenience of many of the traders
here, whose goods are on board the boats. A fine thaw
set in yesterday morning, but it is again turned to freeze.
and is likely to continue for some time longer.— West-
math Guardian.

FATAL STEAIII-BUTLER
EXPLOSION.
BRISTOL, DEC. 19.—This morning, shortly before nine
o'clock, the utmost consternation prevailed in the neigh.
bourhood of the works of Messrs. Stothert, Slaughter,
and Co. ironfouneers and locomotive engine maker-,
Cheese-lane, St. Philip's, in consequence of the sudden
explosion of the steam-boiler of ole of their stationary
engines, by which it was said that several men were
killed and severely injured. Upon inquiry as to the
facts, it was found, notwithstanding there is a printed
rule in the works to the contrary, that the men, in con-
sequence of the severe weather, have been in the habit
of going into the different engine-houses, and sitting
upon and by the boilers of the steam-engines for the
purpose of the heat while taking their breakfast. This
morning a bos, about sixteen years of age, named
Thomas Thatcher, and four men, went into the engine
house, and were taking their breakfast, when suddenly
an explosion of the boiler took place, and the steam and
boiling water rushing out, they were all most severely
scalded. As soon as the place became clear of stt aw
assistance was given, and the five sufferers, all of whom
were scalded in a dreadful manner, were removed to the
Bristol Infirmary, where the survivors now lie in an
almost hopeless state, the poor boy Thatcher having
died from the extent of his injuries before reaching the
infirmary. _ _

At two o'clock this afternoon an inquest was held upon
the body, before Mr. J. B. Grindon, the city coroner,
and a highly respectable jury, who having viewed the
body, the whole surface of which, from the head to the
feet, was covered with most extensive burns, returned to
the inquest room, and were addressed by the coroner,
who, after having explained the nature of the accident,
stated that as the law empowering them to give deolands
had recently been repealed, they could no longer do so,
should the evidence be such as should induce them to
wish to levy one. Their duty, therefore, would be to in-
quire whether the deceased bad come by his death sole!)
by the result of the accident, or whether the engine-
boiler had been allowed to get into a bad state, and the
lad's death had been so caused by the negligence of any
one, in which case they would give their verdict ac-
cordingly.
Evidence was then adduced as to 'the nature
lof the accident, and as to the positive rule
that the men should none of them, except the
engine-drivers, go into the engine-house. The engine-
driver deposed to his having been in Messrs. Stothert's
employ for about ten months, and to his making,
with the foreman of the works, a regular examination
of the boiler every four weeks, the last time he had exa-
mined the boiler which caused the accident having been
on Sunday week, when he went into it with a lighted
candle and a hammer, and thoroughly examined the
joints and sounded the plates of the boiler with the ham-
mer, when he found it to be in a good state. At the
time of the accident the engine was not at work, but he
had been working it until half-past eight that morning,
when everything was correct, and both the safety-valves
worked freely. The explosion had blown out the brick-
work, and it was found by examination since that one of
the plates in the boiler had given way. Mr. Greig, the
house surgeon, having deposed to the lad's death having
been caused by the agony arising from the extensive
burns and from his having inhaled some of the steam,
which, scalding the air vessels, had produced acute in-
flammation tending to suffocation, the jury returned a
verdict of "Accidental death."

Another of the unfortunate sufferers, named Joseph
Walker, who was 24 years of age, and who had only been
in the employment of the Messrs. Stothert three weeks,
died late this evening.

ALIW AL.
SIR H. SMITH AND THE 52D REGIMENT.
The accompanying letter has recently been received by
the 52d Light Infantry from the distinguished hero of
" Aliwal," whose signature it bears.

Cawnpore, India, July 29, 1846.
" Sir,—The honorary distinctions recently conferred
upon me by our Gracious Queen enable me to take sup-
porters to my family arms. I have, therefore, the ho-
nour to acquaint and to request you would make it
known to my gallant comrades, the 52d Light Infantry,
in full remembrance of the period I was Major of Bri-
gade to the 2d Brigade of the immortal Light Division,
of which the 52d formed so prominent and distinguised
a part, involving the glorious contests of the Peninsular
war, I have adopted a soldier of the 52d Light Infantry
and a Rifleman, my own regiment. The many affairs
and battles this brigade so nobly fought in (no man
better knows than yourself) include the Coa, Pambal,
Foy d'Anez, Sabugal, Fuentes d'Onori, siege, storm,
and capture of Ciudad Rodrigo, siege, storm, and cap-
ture of Badajoz (where you lost an eye as my brigadier),
Salamanca, San Munoz, San Millen, Vittoria, the
he
ights of i
fiedVera h
mountain,
, t a
Iron,
ntcrossingirresistible
thaet attack, al i
da, s
so at ho ,
Ni-
velle, Nive, the many affairs near Bayonne, TarbiN
Orthes, and Toulouse, with the numerous skirmishes
each of these actions entail upon light troops. To this
brigade, and to the great school of the illustrious Duke
of Wellington, am I indebted for that knowledge of my
profession which has led to my present aggrandisement,
and which has so lately acquired me the approbation of
the Queen, the Duke of Wellington, and an expression
of thanks from my grateful country. I pray you, there-
fore, Sir Edward Gibbs, and the 524 Light Infantry, to
give me that credit for the feeling of a grateful comrade
I desire to demonstrate, and that you, and the renowned
corps may regard me as not unworthy to take a soldier
out of your ranks to support me, in conjunction with
their brothers in arms, a Rifleman,' and as the means,
in declining life, of remembering the gallant regiments
who taught me to fight for my country.—l have, &e.
"H. G. SMITH, Major General.
" To Major-General Sir E. Gibbs, K.C.8.,
" Colonel, 52d Light Infantry."

MPOSITION.—On Thursday week, a person calling
himself Dr. Joseph Wolff; was committed for trial, at
Southwould, for having defrauded Dr. Wake, of that
town, of 11., under the pretence of extracting his corns.
The prisoner is one of a class calling themselves "chiro-
podists." He professed to extract corns without pain;
and his practice was, to conceal some substance in his
hand, which, on manipulating the foot afflicted with the
corns, he pretended to extract. He charged ss. for each
corn extracted.—This chiropodist was apprehended at
Norwich.-IVorfolk Chronicle.

THE CONDE DE MONTEMOLIN•—The Conde de
Montemolin on Saturday received and returned several
visits. On Sunday, after attending divine service, the
Conde took an airing and made calls upon several of the
nobility and gentry. Amongst the late visitors to the
Conde de Montemolin were the following :—the Lord
Mayor, Sir G. Carroll, Captain Duffill, R.N.; Mr. H. F.
Hope, Mr. Langdale, Major O'Doherty, Viscount Pol-
lington, M.P., the Earl of Charleville, Lieutenant-Colonel
H. Dundas Campbell, Sir Augustus Foster, &c.
WINDSOR, SUNDAY EVENING.—The Prince of
Wales and Prince Alfred, with the infant Princesses,
have to-day taken exercise in the Home Park; and this
afternoon the Queen and Prince Consort walked across
the Home Park, as far as Frogmore, and through the
Queen's Aviary, to the Lodge, to visit the Duchess of
Kent. The royal dinner party at the Castle this even-
ing is expected to be the same as on Saturday, including
the Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de Speth, Lai),
Fanny Howard, and Lord Palmerston. His Majesty
the King of the Belgians is announced as an expected
visitant at the Castle before the close of the present
month,