The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-08 00:00:00

only admitted duty free by an order from the Treasury. public road. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary
It would greatly increase the confidence of those per- they declared the standing orders not complied with.
sons who were introducing or speculating in that article Mr. J. PARKE, on the part of the promoters of the Bill,
in the United States, if they found that there was an Act of said it was very hard upon them to be called on to give evi-
Parliament authorising its admission free of duty. In the deuce of its being a private road when it was' the practice of
present state there is still considerable uncertainty hanging all Committees to lay the onus of proof upon the petitioners.
over the subject in the minds of those who could import large The CHAIRMAN said he could not help it. The Committee
quantities into that icountry. If this uncertainty were re • were resolved.
moved, there woqld, no doubt, be a considerable increase in The remaining allegations of the petition were then pro-
the importation of that article. Foreign wheat was also ceeded with, some being admitted by the promoters, and
very much required in Eagland for the purpose of others not being proved, and at about a quarter past one
mixing with some of our inferior wheat. That ar- o'clock the Committee adjourned till the 21st of April.
tide was, however, now subject to the high duty The Cnantsrast, before leaving the room, gave notice to
of 18s. per quarter, whereas if the proposed corn-law were the promoters of Bills, that the motion of Lord Dalhousie, in
in operation that duty would now be but ls. A large quan- the House of Lords last night, had no reference to Select
tity of oatmeal could also be imported into this country at Committees.
the nominal duty of ls., if these measures were passed into a
law. Oatmeal was an article of great consumption in many
parts of Ireland. There was no Treasury order to admit
that article duty free, and he hoped, therefore, that Hon.
Members connected with Ireland would read carefully those
returns which had been just laid upon the table of the House
by his Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State.
They must, he was sure, know the extent of the distress in
that country. They must also know that the measure now
before the Parliament, if passed into law, would greatly in-
crease the importation of valuable and nutritious food into
that country. He hoped, therefore, that if they could re-
concile it with their sense of public duty, that they would
allow the first reading of the Protection of Life and Property
in Ireland Bill to be taken at the earliest possible period,
and with as little delay as possible; by so doing they will
enable the House to give a speedy effect to the measures pro-
posed by her Majesty's Government for the introduction of
foreign corn.
Mr. HAWES 'stated that great anxiety pervaded all
classes of the people with reference to a speedy settlement of
the Government measures. In many cases excessive rail-
way speculations had produced a fearful reaction upon the
people ; they had been compelled to curtail their expenditure,
and a large amount of surplus labour was thereby thrown
upon the market, producing, in some districts, an almost
complete stagnation of trade and commerce.— (Hear.)
He was opposed to all coercive measures. He thought they
had always proved failures. But he really hoped that Hon.
Gentlemen would look to the present commercial state of the
country, the great stagnation which existed, and the public
anxiety, and that they would, if they could do so consistently
with their sense of public duty, allow the first reading of the
Coercion Bill to be got over, which would be conferring a great
benefit on the country. He really hoped that they would,
as much as possible, curtail the debates upon the question.
Mr. P. BORTHWICK thought it was a politic and just
measure to introduce Indian corn into Ireland in order to re-
move the present exigencies of that country. He was sorry
however to see the present question mixed up with the
great question of the removal of protection to agriculture.
Sir R. PEEL said, he did not deny one single word upon
the general merits of the Corn Bill, he only wished to call
the attention of the House to the documents which had been
laid upon the table, in order to show that the impression
with respect to the decline in Irish distress had been ex-
tremely false—and he only expressed a hope that those who
were opposed to the first reading of the Irish Coercion Bill
would, in permitting the first reading to take place, facilitate
the progress of the Corn Bill, but he had not said one word
as to the general principle of the measure, or attached the
slightest blame to, these from whom it had received oppo-
sition.
M:. S. O'BRIEN said that it was in the power of the
Government to facilitate the reading of the Corn Bill, by
postponing the Coercion Bill, and he considered that the
Irish Members would not be disposed to waive their
privilege of discussing most minutely the principles and
provisions of that Bill. In the meantime he felt
himself bound to state that Indian meal had
been found most valuable in alleviating the existing dis-
tresses. He would take that opportunity of asking the Hon.
Baronet whether he would be disposed to lay on the table of
the House a return, showing the extent of aid sought for
under the Public Works and Companies Works Presentments
Bill. He understood that there was an indisposition to avail
themselves of the benefits which those Bills were supposed to
convey.
Sir 'JAMES GRAHAM was glad to say that applications
to the Board of Works were very numirous—glad, because
the relief offered was the most legitimate, and was not a graJ
tuity from Parliament. With regard to the county works
—he was sorry to say there was an indisposition on the part
of some of the grand juries to carry out the provisions of
the Bill.
Mr. FINCH wished to observe, that lie did not under-
stand the Hon. Baronet, the First Lord of the Treasury, as
casting any imputation or reflection upon those who had op-
posed the Corn Bill,
Mr. T. S. DUNCOMBE said that he did not consider
the Irish Members had been fairly treated by having these
appeals made to them, it was like an attempt on the part of
the Government to throw the onus of the delay of the Corn
Bill on the Irish Members, whereas it lay at their own doors.
But the public would attach the fault to the right quarter.
He was not aware that this House was indebted to the Lords
for any great courtesy in matters of the same nature, and
therefore he could not conceive why public business should
be embarrassed in order to do an act of courtesy to the House
of Lords.— ( Hear, hear.) Here was the House of
Commons called upon, on the one hand, to take up this
Irish Coercion Bill to please the House of Lords,
while upon the other hand this House was told that the
passing of the measure was to produce a great moral
ffect. Now, he should say that so far as the moral eflect
was concerned, there could scarcely be any hope of that, for the
great majority of the Irish people now saw that those Irish
Members in whom they had confidence were opposing this Bill,
and giving it every opposition in their power, and even the
first reading, which plainly proved that it was an opposition
to the principle of the Bill. Therefore, the fault lay entirely
with the Government that the passing of the Corn Bill
should be delayed and he would ask them, was it worth
their while to continue to press this Coercion Bill on, while
here was not the least chance of its passing this session, and
hus delay the Corn Bill ?
(urr tornica.)

Sub-Committee No. 6.
This Committee assembled to-day at half-past one o'clock.
Captain Jones in the chair.
The Committee resumed the consideration of the petition
against the

vrawarscnsrunE AND LONDON (RAMP"
TON AND 72ANIIIIRY LINE).
The CHAIRMAN said that it was the determination of the
Committee to report that the standing orders had not been
complied with, with respect to the property marked 31 in
the parish of Chesterton. The report would run thus :
That the standing orders had not been complied with,
inasmuch as the property, which consisted of a
stable, &c., in question was omitted, although such existed;
and also that on the books of reference the said property was
described as a private carriage-road, which in addition con-
tained a cowshed, stack-yard, &c.

The next allegation was that a free board in the parishes of
Bishopton and Chesterton, the.property of Lord Willoughby,
was omitted.

Evidence was adduced to support this allegation, which,
however, was not sustained.

SECONDARIES-(THIS DAY.) '
(Before Mr. Secondary Porrun.)
EVE O. HAWKINS.
AN AWKWARD MISTAKE IN A BANKEK'S ACCOUNT.
The plaintiffs in this action are cattle salesmen in Smithfield-
market. The defendant is a butcher in a large way of
business. The claim was for 41. 101. for some lambs sold ,to
the defendant.
Mr. Thomas appeared for the defendant, who pleaded pay-
ment. It was admitted by him that the lambs had beensolcl,
and to prove the payment he called
Hawkins, the defendant's son, who gave evidence that
on the 11th of August, 1843, he was with his father in Smith-
field-market when he bought five lambs, at 18s each, of the
plaintiff, and went to the bank of Jones and Co., in Smith-
field and paid 4/. 10s. In the after part of the day he bought
four more lambs at 235.0 f another party, and also paid 41. 12s.
into the came bank. It was the custom of the market
to pay into the bankers, and for the "penman" of the
salesman to ascertain that the money was paid
before he allowed the sheep to be delivered. The
lambs were taken by the drover; but a week afterwards
a demand was made of the money for them, on the ground
that it had not been paid; the dispute led to defendant leav-
ing off dealing. After that Mr. Eve one day called to de-
fendant, and asked how it was they did not deal ; and de-
fendant asked him how it was possible they could after suds
a mistake about the lambs ? Mr. Eve replied, " Oh, I hive
nothing to do with that, I have had my money from Jones.
Cross-examined—Could not be at all mistaken as to
the payment of the two sums, and could point out
the clerk to whom he paid it. The person present was the
one. He could not so distinctly remember the second party,
as there was no dispute, and he did net call it to his memory.
Every salesman had a book at the bank, and the entry of
payment ought to be made at the time.
Mr. THOMAS said he could call many witnesses to show the
custom of the market, and that many similar mistakes had
occurred.
The SECONDARY said he could not take evidence on the
last point.
Mr. Smrrn, the plaintiff's attorney, said he would admit
the general custom. He would then call witnesses to prove
that occasionally credit was given, and also the clerk to
whom the money was alleged to be paid, who would swear
he did not receive it.
William S. Stride was then called—Was clerk to Messrs-
Jones and Co. Did not think Le saw defendant on the 11th
of August, 1843, but was certain he did not receive any
money.
Mr. THOMAS said he should not ask the witness a question
after he said he could not remember whether he saw the de-
fendant or not.
Walker, "penman", to the plaintiff, proved the de-
livery of the lambs. He did net inquire whether the money
was paid or not.
Stride (brother of the first witness), proved the entry
of 41. 125., received from defendant by him, but knew nothing
of the 41. les.
Cross-examined—There were six clerks. He did not
know, and would not swear, whether -receipts had been re'
fused to defendant and others, but receipts never were given.
The entry was made to the credit of the party paying. 41
10s. stood on the book to the debit of defendant. The debitg
were taken from the salesmen's account at night. Could nOl
say whether Jones had paid plaintiff's.
Another clerk was called—He did not remember about thi
transaction ; he believed, however, the money was not paid
Defendant was a ready money customer, except when bg
was short of the amount, and then the difference stood over.-
This closed the plaintiff's case.
Mr. THOMAS—Gentlemen of the jury, is it necessary fog
me to address you ?
Several of the jury—No, no !
The SEcortnAny—Gentlemen of the jury, it is a questior
entirely for you. The defendant's witness swears positively
as to a perfect recollection, and that the plaintiff, Eve, salt
he had the money.
The jury immediately gave a verdict for the defendant.
The Court then adjourned till to-morrow morning, to tri
a case specially appointed.

BANKRUPTCY.-(THIS DAY)
Only two- of the Commissioners were sitting, and th'
business was not of the slightest interest.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES
(THIS DAY.)

IVIARLBRO-STREET.-(THIS DAY)
James Readiman, a person of very shabby appearance, vit
charged with uttering a banker's cheque for the sum 0f.2.1
35., supposed to have been stolen from the person of al!
Clay, of Basingstoke, Devon, or accidentally dropped b.
him in the street, in the neighbourhood of Covent-garden
The following are briefly the facts of the case :
On the 2d of February last Mr. Clay received a cher!'"
for the above amount, on Messrs. Twining and Co., Strap'
bankers, drawn by Mr. Moseley, of Bedford-street, Covliat
garden. Shortly afterwards Mr. Clay discovered that b
had lost his pocket-book, in which the cheque was placed
Information of its loss was immediately given at t"'
bankers, and on the following day the prisoner presented tb
cheque to Mr. Louis Exerton, baker, of No. 5, Earl-stree!
Seven-dials, stating that he had received it from 11j
employer, and requesting cash for it. Mr. Exerton, knowlfl
him as a customer, gave him the amount, and in the course 6
business paid it away to his miller, and in seven days after
he received notice of payment being refused. Search
.11,11
then made for the prisoner, but he absconded from the neigh
bourhood. Information was given to the police, and Sergi
John Wells, No. 1, of the G division, succeeded in tracing ev
and apprehending the prisoner at a lodging he had taken,
No. 28, King-street, St. Giles's. On being at first chore,
with being the party who had uttered the cheque to lit
Exerton, he flatly denied it, but afterwards admitted tf.
fact, and said his 'wife had picked it up in the street in to
neighbourhood of Covent-garden. The prisoner is a Gera
tailor.

GROUP XIV.
SOUTH-MAST ERN.

The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock; present Mr.
Protheroe (Chairman), Lord Emlyn, General Lygon, Mr. J.
O'Connell, and Mr. Grogan.
The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee were so strongly
of opinion that the business should be proceeded with at as
early a period as possible, that he would go into the House
to give notice that on Friday week, when the House of
Commons re-assembled, he should move for leave for the
Committee to sit on the Tuesday following, instead of ad-
journing to the 27th, as was originally intended. On his re-
turn the Chairman said that he had given notice of his in-
tention, but he had received an intimation from Sir George
Clerk that it would not be in his power to do so, unless the
shareholders gave a written notice that they were desirous
of proceeding at that time, and did not wish to wind up the
affairs of the Company by a mutual arrangement.

Mr. MALTBY asked the prisoner what statement he wig'.
to make now on the subject ?—The prisoner said it was trie
his wife picked up the cheque in the street.
Sergeant Wells said that there had not been time to cell'
municate with Mr. Clay, who is at present at Basingstoke. ,
Mr. MALTBY (ordered the prisoner to be remanded lln
Tuesday next.

Lady Peel and family have gone to Drayton-mtl
and to-morrow Sir Robert Peel also leaves for his seat, where
select party is to assemble for the brief recess.
JUDGES CHAMBERS.—The chambers of Mr. Justi,„4
re ,
eswJudges
selini,
stehregevaanctast, vacation Judge,
bees
closedalso those
for
r of
the
ehotlhide seaysvoenranil Otis'
Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday next.
ST. CLEMENT DANES.—In this parish 500 wart
for distress, to recover poor-rates, have been issued.
MIDDLE TEMPLE.—The Middle Temple Churchll
been hung in mourning since the death of Mr. Sheperd, who w•-
•r
Bencher of the Temple.
EFFECTS OF SIR R. PEEL'S TARIFF.—The fears
the graziers as to the effects of the free admission of live stock gO
the recent Customs' regulations, operated but faintly at the 01_4,,
auction, a few days since. of the stock of Mr. Holland, of CaTo
ton-house, Boston. The average price of hoggets of ordinary gum,
being 495. ; ewes and lambs (pairs) fetched as high as 31. 17s.
yearling beasts, 81. ; and other articles in proportion.--IPP".
Express.
WALTHAM ABBEY, APRIL 6.—Last night, about 13,1
past eleven o'clock, a powder-mill, situated in Town Mead, bloc'
fortunately no person was there, it being Sunday night, and the f,
turday night's charge of powder taken off. The cause appsars to
the following :—There having been much rain fallen on the Satt
and Sunday, occasioning a push or swell of water, the tumbling ve
gates not being drawn up, the mill was set in motion by the
ied
ginundating
t themthe were propelled
ppraorptelio.fdthroeumndill,
withl
velocity as to cause ignition of what powder was under them, blow lot,
roof away and causing other damage. The spot where this oce7:l
stonestiown goft
havinghe water,nothin
and i
fired no one can tell what would have been the co
other null had
nuence.
(")/
is about 606 or 700 yards from the back part of the town,
THE MAILS.--SOUTHAMPTON, APRIL 7.-- The
.0
ental Company's steam-ship the Duke of Cornwall, Captain 3'9,1
arrived this morning at the Motherbank, with the East India ,
China mails from Alexandria, which were landed here in a ,Tc,"
steamer, and will be forwarded to London by the mail-train to,"i)
row morning. Her dates are—Alexandria, March 21; ,
rg
ariandd
uGiebrtballltaowr,inAgprpia.lsls.engTehrseC.oprnrwßaalikehras,
Bishop Whelan, Mr. Woolaston, Mr. Lowry, Mr. Warden, a? 7VI
Mar. very valuable
e:3:11
and servants ; Captain Tohnin, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Heckle ; the 31/
of Longford and servant ; Mrs. Leckie, children, and servants ;10e
Brown, child, and servants; M. Templer, Mrs. Roberts,
„ehl 131
and servants; Mrs. Stewart and servant, Mrs. Markham, liot
son, Messrs. Henlip and Mitchell, engineers ; Miss Spooner,
rll
Saunders, Master Wellesley, and Mr. Boswell. The Corn'o
expected to be released from quarantine to-morrow or Til"1;10.
morning. The same conipauy's steam-ship Madrid, C/O:11,1011
ham, left the docks at three PAL this day, for Gibraltar, Ito/
usual mails, a full cargo, and twenty-five passengers. The CU
West India homebound snail-packet the Avon is hourly e"'
with the West India mail. She is due this da3 .
Att

From Paris, we hear of an artistic mission 11011,;es'
be undertaken by M. Papety in Greece ; and a commission g`ijr,
M. Simart, to execute the model of a full-length statue of the S!v
iscey
Napoleon, for a shrine, making part of the tomb which M•
is erecting in the Church of the Invalides. On one hand it le "ol>"
that the statue is to be of marble; on another we find bronze's
of, with incrustrations of ivory and precious stones.—Athenalavi- are
REPRESENTATION OF SOUTH LANCASHIRE.-1-/P,dreiel
of 7,000 of the electors of this division of the county have si'
affixed their signatures to the requisition to Messrs. Yin f
Brown.—Liverpool Times.
c 0
SUSPECTED INCENDIARISM IN LAMBETH.---L''„
quence of three fires, all attended with considerable damageisaSrfc;
taken place in Stamford-street, Lambeth; the coroner for 0.,,:
William Carter, Esq., has deemed it prudent to have a jurY
for a thorough investigation into the circtunstances this
fires alluded to occurred within ten days, and in all
threatened not only the loss of property but of life.