The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-08 00:00:00

_ .
~ - •
_.,,,-,....-; ' ,
~ .._..........
...
, _i_____, :..t
~.:
~,..,. ...
~.:
~....., .....t..., ~,, 4.4 x.
i,
..,,, -,, 1-.
, ,
(-4 '
14 4..' g ~, .. ...,
r,,,, ~,,,
,
\ -,..r.,,,, . , , (,-„, -...4,
,-
....,...:,,..... '-'7

No. 16,917.

No, 9, Denmark-street, Soho-square, Dec. 3, 1846.
MENZIES'S ANNUAL CALEDONIAN
COSTUME and FANCY DRESS BALL will take place on
HURSDAY, the 21st of January, at the QUEEN'S CONCERT ROOMS,
Hanover-square.

STATE OF TRADE.
LEEDS.—Dulness and depression are the characteristic
features of the woollen trade of this neighbourhood, and
but few goods are changing hands. Less business, in-
deed, has been done this week than was done last, and
there appears to be no good ground that there will be
much improvement in the trade before the ensuing year
has set in. ,
BRADFORD.—WooI—The business doing in combing
wools during the past week has been more extensive, and
an increased degree of firmness manifested by the sta-
plers, owing to the reduced supply in the market, and
the growers and country dealers seeking prices which
cannot be realised here. Short wool and noels are some-
what better to sell, the sales of colonial wools now pro-
gressing in London having commanded higher prices
than was anticipated. Yarn—Although the demand for
yarn is chiefly confined to the borne consumers, still there
is no increase in stocks. The price it continues to com-
mand being so ruinously low, without any hope of alle-
viation from wool at a reduced price, compels the spinner
to abridge the production, which is now done to a con-
siderable extent, and the only means by which any im-
provement in prices can be effected.. Pieces—The busi-
ness doing in dress goods has been limited. The mer-
chants are all on the inquiry for new styles for the ap-
proaching season, and the mixture of silk and Alpaca is
favourably looked upon, from the elegance the combi-
nation affords. Heavy goods, such as moreens, are
eagerly sought up, and no stocks in the market.
HUDDERSFIELD. Rather more sales have been
effected this week, and the manufacturers are well em-
ployed. Prices both of manufactured goods and wool
keep up.
HALT AX.—Our staple trade is but slack, but prices
remain unaltered. The yarn market continues very flat,
with curtailed production; but there is no alteration in
priees. A little more long wool has changed hands,
which has given more firmness to sellers. There has
been rather more inquiry for short wools, and prices
are somewhat firmer; but not much business has been
done.
ROCHDALE.—The flannel market remains in its former
depressed state, and the severe frost that has set in has
not yet had any effect upon the demand for goods. The
wool market is still languid, but prices are firm.
MANCHESTER. —The market remains nearly in the
same state as during the last four or five weeks. There
is, however, a somewhat better demand for good 40-
inch shirtings, suitable for the Chinese markets; from
whence it is understood more favourable accounts have
been received by the last mail. It is understood that
all the spinners of Bacup and the neighbourhood are
about to commence working short time. Report says
that the Oldham spinner,. are iihoui t, resume full time.

DEPUTATIONS to GOVERNMENT

TEA DUTIES.

A deputation on the subject of the tea duties waited
on Lord John Russell and Mr. Charles Wood, on Satur-
day, having been introduced by William Entwisle, Esq.,
Member for South Lancashire.
Mr. William Earle, in presenting the memorial from
the town of Liverpool, agreed to at the late public meet-
ing, and signed by the Mayor, praying for a material
reduction of the duty on tea, assured his Lordship that
he had never witnessed amore influential or unanimous
meeting in Liverpool than the one at which that memo-
rial had been adopted, and he believed it expressed the
feeling of nearly every inhabitant of that town.
Mr. Halliday presented a similar memorial from the
Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Feilden presented a memorial from all the in-
fluential inhabitants of Blackburn, and another, signed
by upwards of 2,000 of the working classes, in favour of
a great reduction in the duty on tea.
Mr. Law presented a memorial from the city of Edin-
burgh, signed by the Lord Provost, and another from
the Chamber, of Commerce there, to a similar effect.
Mr. Scarlett presented a memorial from the town of
Leeds, and stated how seriously the trade of that town
was affected by the injurious tendency of the present high
duty on tea.
Mr. John Scott supported the prayer of the memorials
which had been sent direct to the Government from- the
city of Glasgow, the Merchants' House, the East India'
and China Association, and the Chamber of Commerce
of Glasgow.
Mr. William Potter, of Liverpool, then addressed his
Lordship on the benefits which would accrue to the mer-
cantile and shipping interests by a material reduction of
the present high duty on tea. He showed, in a very
forcible manner,, the inablensp increase of manufactures
which ho stated would be consumed in China, and that
the increased consumption of tea, and consequently of
sugar, would give employment to at least 40,000 tons of
additional shipping.
Mr. Wench, of Liverpool, argued, from statistics
which he brought forward, that by reducing the duty to
Is. per lb. the public would be enabled to consume
twenty-seven millions of pounds more of tea, and 27,650
tons more sugar, without any additional outlay; that
tea which is now retailed at 4s. per lb. might then be
sold at 2s. 6d., and that the loss to the revenue would
only be 101,5731., even if the rate of consumption were
no greater than in the Isle of Man, where the duty is
Is. per lb.
Mr. Robert Gardner, of Manchester, stated the im-
mense decline in the shipment of cotton manufactures
from Manchester, in corisequenc., of the serious lossc-

CORNWALL RAILWAY.
Notice is hereby given, that in pursuance of the provisions of
the Act of Incorporation, the FIRST GENERAL MEETING of
PROPRIETORS in this undertaking, will be held in the Assembly
Roams at Truro, on WEDNESDAY, the 16th December next, at noon.
Those Proprietors only who have been previously registered can
attend, and vote at the meeting.
JOSEPH THOMAS TRBTFRY, Chairman.
WILLIAM H. BOND, Secretary.
Cornwall Railway Office, 80, Lemou-street, Truro,
21st November, 1846.
The Scaled Certificates will be issued immediately after the above-
mentioned meeting has been held.

R N WALL RAILWAY
N__J Notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL GENERAL MEET-
ING of the Proprietors in this undertaking will be held, in the
Assembly Rooms, at Truro, on WEDNESDAY, the 16th day of Decem-
ber next, at One o'clock in the Afternoon, to consider the propriety o.
an application to Parliament for an Act for the alteration of the
Line of the Cornwall Railway between Plymouth and a point near
Saltash, and for powers to purchase, lease, or jointly construct and
use portions of the South Devon Railway and works, and to pur-
chase the Saltash Ferry, and to sell or lease the New Works to the
Great Western Railway Company, or to the Bristol and Exeter
Railway Company, or to the South Devon Railway Company.
JOS. THO. TREFFRY, Chairman.
W. H. BOND, Secretary.
Cornwall Railway Office, 80, Lemon-street, Truro,
21st November, 1846.

incurred in the China trade by the restrictions caused by
the high duty on tea. Many of the mills had already
commenced working short time, and others must follow,
unless an impetus were given by such a reduction of the
duty as would enable shipments to be made to China
with better prospects than were now offered.
Mr. Scarlett, of Leeds, called the attention of the Go-
vernment to the depressed state of the woollen manufac-
turers in the West Riding of Yorkshire, greater than
had been felt for several years. The trade with China
had been so ruinous that shipments had greatly fallen
off. He felt assured that an early intimation of the Go-
vernment's decision in favour of a reduction of the tea
duties would at once cause renewed activity in the de-
mand for woollens. He was desired to mention, on the
part of the deputation from Norwich, how fully they
concurred in the statement he had just made.
Mr. John Scott stated how much Glasgow was inte-
rested in the subject, and hoped the Government would
take the tea duties into their serious consideration.
Mr. Horsfall, of Liverpool, assured h:s Lordship that
it was the general opinion that a small reduction would
be certain to disappoint both the Government and the
consumer ; to be of service, it must be reduced to a rate
equivalent to Is. per lb. We had secured for other
nations the same advantages in China that we ourselves
possessed, but whilst in no other country was tea
charged a higher duty than 6d. per lb., and in some it
was entirely tree, our consumers had to pay 2s. 21d. per
lb. It was, he argued, most unjust to force upon the
Chinese a tariff the lowest of any nation with whom we
r•-traded; whilst we imposed on the principal article of
Their manufacture so exorbitant a duty. It was con-
trary to the feelings of Englishmen to oppress the weak
and the powerless, and he hoped that so great a blot on
the national character would soon be wiped away.
Lord John Russell assured the deputation that Go-
vernment were fully impressed with the importance of
the subject. He had listened with great attention to all
that had been urged by the several speakers as affecting
the commercial, manufacturing, and shipping interests,
and also as regarded the claims of China to a more
liberal treatment. It was, as all knew, a revenue ques-
tion, and an important one ; but he would promise the
early consideration of the Government to the arguments
that had been advanced upon this point. More he could
not say, nor could it beexpected of him.
Mr. Entwisle then thanked his Lordship for the
patient hearing be had given to the subject, and the
deputation withdrew, highly pleased with the courteous
reception they had met with.

DEATH FitoM INIPRISONMENT.
On Thursday and Friday an inquest was holden at
Catnhridge before. Mr. C. li. Cooper, on the body of
Elizabeth Howe, an unfortunate girl, who had been
living in Barnwell. A good deal of interest was excited,
in consequence of it being understood that death resulted
from the deceased having caught a violent cold at the
Spinning house, by being put into a damp bed. The
Rev. Mr. Kingsley, of Sidney College, the junior proctor,
was present during the examination.
Mr. Newby, surgeon, stated that he was called in to
attend the deceased. Her complaint was rheumatic
fever, and she was unable to move. Her pulse was boat •
ing 120 a minute. She told him that she had been put
in the Spinning-house, where she had slept in a damp
bed. She stopped there, however, only one night, and
was liberated in the morning. He considered the cause
of her death to be rheumatic fever.

Edward Wilson, keeper of the Spinning-house, said
that Elizabeth Howe was committed on the evening of
the 6th of November by the Rev. Mr. Kingsleyone of
the proctors. Another girl named King was:kought
with her. They were put in the same ward. The win-
dows of the room are cased with iron. One of the iron
casements has a l ie2e of glass to admit light. The
whole used to be Okds , hut the girls break them, and
now the window is s et iron except a square. This
square was not broken i6e night deceased came in. The
room is•wellproteeted fr 4 an the weather. If N itis a et,
night there' . generally afire. I believOlterer- was n 6,
fire on the night of the 6th of November.
By a juror—l am acting both for Mr. Wright and the
University.
The Rev., Mr. Kingsley examined—l am one of the
proctors. :I recollect apprehending • Elizabeth Howe.
She was not behaving disorderly or indecently.- I • ap-
prehended her because the constables, who were with
me,' knew her to be a prostitute. It was between eight
and nine o'clock. I did not know she was,a prostitute
of my own knowledge. She went quietly.. I am but
partially acquainted with the internal arrangements of
the Spinning-hou.e. It appears to me to be a proper
place to confine females. I don't know how' females
are accommodated in gaols.
CORONER—Have you instructions as to your duties,
otherwise than the statutes of the University? Wit-
ness—l refuse to answer. _ _

--
CORONER—You must, sir. I have a duty to perforn.
which, as judge of this court, I will perform.
Witness.—l have no other instructions. I have never
read the charter of Queen Elizabeth, giving the university
power to apprehend disorderly persons. Deceased was
reprimanded the next morning and discharged. The
deceased came so quietly that I recommended her dis-
charge to the Vice-Chancellor. One other girl was with
her, who did not go orderly. There were no members
of the University in their company when we apprehended
them.

By a juror—l am not certain that I have seen the in-
terior of the cell. I believe I was in it a few days ago.
I merely delivered her to the keeper. The glass was
broken the last time I saw the cell. I believe the Uni-
versity have power to eluse the apprehension of prosti-
tutes in the streets, although they may not be miscon-
ducting themselves.

Eliza Wright said—l was in the Spinning-house on the
sth of November. I was taken on the 4th. I was locked
up in a small cell. I was by myself. The bed was not
made. I sould not see to make it, so I lay down with
mv clothes on. The bed clothes were very damp; they
consisted of three blankets and a quilt. I was not ill
when I was taken to the Spinning house; but when I
was there I was taken ill with a bad cold and pains in
my bones. Eliza Green was brought into the Spinning-
house when I was there. We both asked Wilson for a
fire. He said he would not have a fire for two girls. I
knew Elizabeth Howe. I saw her the morning she came
to the Spinning-house. She looked cold, and put her
hands to her chest as if she were ill. Saw her afterwards
at the house were she was lodging, but she was not sen-
sible then.

Some other witnesses who had been confined at the
same time spoke to th-, cold and damp condition-of -the
cells, and that the d- ceased appeared very ill on -leaving
the place in the mori:ing.
..
The evidence beiei: 7,0 W closed, the Coroner proceeded
to sum up. In the ii-s, place they would cunsider whe-
ther death had re,,uked from exposure to the weather
in the Spinnine; ' o zse ; and if they were satisfied
on this point, 1 ~.. would ascertain whether any party
was criminally :n pa!llp. The circumstances under
which the deceased was apprehended appeared to be
these. She was beyond doubt a person coming within
the description of a common prostitute, but it was
proved that at the tune she was taken into custody she
was not conducting herself disorderly or indecently.
With respect to prostitutes so misconducting themselves
the Ifgislature had providedathat they should be deemed
idle and disorderly persons, and punishable as such
under the Vagrant Act. but the University officers
any prostitute whatever.
found within the
extraorcliwiry power of apprehending with-
unlaridge. The Rev. Mr.
the University
claimedo
town ut
andtb e
power to do so, but referred to no audio-
officer had the d
it only as a matter of opinion. This
Kingsley had stated that he believed
precincts of C
autho-
rity, and mentioned
Elizabeth, granted
y claimed under
the
Ilan i
ver
scharterUniversity
in
nf Qluse6eln,
red the masters, &c., to search
all common women, vagabonds, and
and Slurbridge, for
and should they be found guilty,
others suspected of evil,
as the chancel-
lorand scrutinise in the town and suburbs, and in Barnwell
banished, or otherwise,
Pbc:hriwchasshereeamp
to be imprisoned,This
afterwardsgra nt
wasth the
clearly bad of common law,
Parliament, by which it
University obtained an Act of
manner, and in effect the
yfiet'ars
was confirmed in a more ample
or his vice-regentsbouldbudteetemn
charter became an Act of Parliament. Large as the
aoubts
power granted was, he (the Coroner) .
hu d..
stigreat d
fy an arrest
if its powers were ample enough to
Ito the practice
without warrant ; but still, looking
he was not
which had prevailed for so many years,
would
prepared to say that in point of law the arrest of the
deceased had been illegal. If it were, it w
in-
volve Mr. Kingsley in a charge of manslaughter,
inas-
much as it would be a violation of the liberty of the
subject, and the law was, that if death resulted, though
unavoidably, from a trespass, the trespasser was guilty of
manslaughter. The Learned Gentleman then adverted
to the place in which the deceased was confined, and ob-
served that the evidence fully showed the miseries to
which the poor creatures who were committed there were
subjected. He hardly thought they would be justified
in returning a verdict which would affect Wilson, the
keeper. The fault appeared to him to be rather in the
system than in the individu.7.l.
The jury after a lengthened consultation returned the
following verdict:—" We find that Elizabeth Howe died
of rheumatic fever, caus, d by a violent cold caught at
the Spinning-house, on the night of the 6th of November,
she having been convey.-, thither in the custody of
William Townley Kiligskiy, proctor of the University,
and confined for that night in a cold and damp cell,
from the effects of which she died. The jury cannot
separate without expressing their abhorrence at a system
which sanctions the apprehension of females when not
offending against the general law of the land,' and con-
fining them in a gaol unfit for the worst of felons. The
jury also request the Coroner to forward a report of the
1 whole of the proceedings to the Secretary of State for
the Home Department."

REPRESENTATION OF EAST WORCESTERSHIRE.--
DROITWICH, SATURDAY NIGIIT.—The Liberal electors
of the county are taking active measures with the view
of nominating Mr. Hodgeits Foley, of Prestwood, as
Mr. Barneby's successor, and a requisition to Mr. Foley
is now in course of signature, and has already received
the names of many of the most influential gentlemen of
the county. Mr. Foley i a moderate Whig in politics.
He is a supporter of the Established Church; and is
understood to object to vote by ballot.

1141)41111111.%"`----:,
4
Fru
'
~,. )74114, N'S.
AP
I,^
.1. A
t\f,. e!,
Ile'
11A
~.
A. NE. • . t'o , 4., •
, °Ai I. -1 •
<, , .0,1. 4 T
DIE *,l '7l o,i,

LON DON, T UESDA Y
'DENNING SUN DECEMBER 8, 1846.

the smuggling, and that the enterprise of the contraband
trader had been transferred to tobacco. The effect of
the reduction of the duty on spirits had been a positive
increase of revenue. This would certainly occur in the
case of tobacco.
The deputation then retired, no intimation, so far as
we have understood, having been given of the intentions
of Government in reference to the tobacco duties.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
LIVERPOOL, DECEMBER 5.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Ambergate and
Eastern Junction, 14 p.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire Junction, 1% p.—Birmingham and Dudley, 6 p.—
Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 7% p.—East Lanca-
shire, New (No. 1 and 2), 33/4 p.—East Lincolnshire, 114
p.—Edinburgh and Northern, 31/s p.—Glasgow and Dum •
fries, Is. 3d. dis.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, 314 dis.—
Ditto, Quarters, % dis.—Great Northern (late Direct
Northern), % dis. cum int.—Huddersfield Canal and Rail-
way, 4s p.—Ditto, Extension, p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 11/2
dis.—Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction, par—
London and North-Western, 194—Ditto, New, 131% p.—
London and South-Western, 631/, ex. n.—Manchester and
Leeds Fifths, 6 p.—Ditto, Extension, 1% p.—Ditto, Six-
teenths, 81/4—Ditto (late Manchester, Bolton, and Bury),
Fifths, s%p.—Midland, 127—Ditto, New, p.—North
Staffordshire, 33/4 p.—North Union (A), 223—Ditto (B),
154—North-Western, lls. 3d. p.—Sheffield, Rotherham, and
Goole, 21s. 3d. p.—Shrewsbury and Hertford, dis.--
Shrewsbury and Chester, New, 3s. 9d. dis.—Shrewsbury and
Birmingham (A), 214 p.—Ditto, 91. 12s. 3d. Shares (II),
3s. 9d. p.—South-Eastern and Dover, 381/—Wharfdale
(late North-Eastern), 11s. 3d. dis.—West Riding Union, 178
p.—York and Newcastle, Preference, 5% p.—York and
North Midland, Preference, 91 p.—Newry and Warrenpoint,
3 p.—Dutch Rhenish, Ts dis.
MANCHESTER, DEcninEr.-5.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Arnbergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, % p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junc-
tion, 7 p.—Blackburn, Clitheroe, &c., 11/y dis.—East Lincoln-
shire, 1 p.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction, 31/2 dis.—
Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal, 4% p.—
Ditto, Thirds, 1% p.—Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester,
111 A p. c. n.—Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junc-
tion, lA dis.—London, Manchester, and Birmingham (B),
7% p.—Manchester and Leeds Extension, 14 p.—North
Staffordshire, 3jp p.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A)„
2% p.—West Riding Union, lp.
LEEDS, DECEMBER 5.

STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The improved appearances noted in
my last week's circular continued to be well supported until
yesterday, when a little slackness was observable, and the
market is again not quite so firm this morning. Manchester
and Leeds Stock and Midlands are both considerably higher
than at the corresponding period of last week. North-
Westerns, Great Westerns, and South-Westerns, are also
better. Among local stocks, Leeds, Wakefield, and Mid-
lands, and Mahon and Driffie ds, are higher and in demand.
Dewsburvs are firm, but Huddersfield and Manchesters are
not so good, as the terms of the agreement between that
company and the London and North-Western are not consi-
dered proportionately equal to those obtained by the Dews-
burys. The difference in the bargain is chiefly relative to
the proposed branches which have to be given up to the
North-Western Company by the Huddersfield and Man-
chester, while the Dewsbury proprietors retain theirs. The
sales are—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 71, p.—East
Lancashire, 47t1; p.—Ditto, New Shares, 43/1 p.—Ditto, New
Scrip, 134 p.—East Lincolnshire, 1% p.—Leeds and Dews-
bury, 111/4 n. p.—Ditto, Branches (blue), 7 p.—Ditto, Ex-
tensions (green), 28s. 6d. p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 1% dis.—
Ditto, New, ss. p.—Ditto, Preference, 245. p.—North British,
Thirds, 21/2 p.—Ditto, Quarter Shares (late Carlisle Branch),
435. p.—North Staffordshire, 33/4 p.—North-Western, 108. n.
p.—Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 19s. p.—Shrewsbury
and Birmingham, 2% p.—Ambergate, Nottingham, and
Boston, ss. p.—Leeds Wakefield, and Midland, Bs. 6d. dis.
new scrip—West Riding Union, 4/.
HULL, DECEMBER 5. . .

STOCK EXCHANGE.—But a limited amount of business
has been transacted to-day, and North Staffords and York
and North Midland Preference shares have declined slightly.
Our other quotations remain unaltered. The sales are—North
British, New Quarters, scrip, 19s. 9d. p.—York and North
Midland, Preference, 9% p.—East Lincolnshire, 19s. p.—
North -Western, I Os. 6d. p.— Shropshire Union, is. dis.
Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 17s. p.

SHEFFIELD, DECEIViBER 5.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Ambergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, 4s. p.—Birmingham and Oxford, 71% p.—•
East Lincolnshire, 1 p.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, 33%
dis.—Ditto, Extension, 275. 6d. dis.—Leeds and Dewsbury,
11 i 4 p.—North-Western, 10s. c. p.—Sheffield, Rotherham
and Goole, 10s. 6d. p.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, DECEMBER 5.

•
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Leeds and Thirsk,
New 1/8 p.—Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction,
14:dis.—London and Blackwell, s. 6d. p —Newcastle and
Berwicle(North Shields), 12% p.—North British, 111% p.—
Ditto, Thirds, 51s. 6d. p.—Ditto, Quarters, 465. 6d. p.—York
and North Midland, Preference, 10 p.
YORK, DECEMBER 5.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—East Lincolnshire,
21,—Leicester and Bedford, 16s.—London and York, 21i—
Mahon and Driffield Junction, 31. 4s. 6d.—North British,
Thirds, 3/. lls.—North-Western, 31. Os. 6d.—She'ffieltikßo-
therham, &c., 31. 1 ls. —West Riding Union, 4/. 2s.—York
and Newcastle,Preference, 7—York and North Midland, Pre-
ference, 11%.

PRICE SD.

IRELAND.

REPLY OF THE LORD-LIEUTENANT TO THE
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
DUBLIN, ►SATURDAY EVENING, ►SIX O'CLOCK.—The
Dublin Evening Post has just issued a second edition,
with the tGllowing very important intelligence:—
" The following most important letter has been ad-
dressed by Mr, Labouchere to Mr. Edward Millen, the
secretary to the Royaly Agricultural Improvement So
ciety, in reply to the memorial which was lately pre-
sented by the council of that body to his Excellency,
praying that townlands might be substituted for
electoral divisions, in promoting thorough draining and
other reproductive works under the Labour-rate Act:—
" Dublin Castle, 4th December.

" Sir,—l am directed by his Excellency to acknow-
ledge the receipt of the memorial of the Royal Agri-
cultural Society of Ireland, in favour of the substitution
of the townland for the electoral division, as the basis of
taxation for reproductive works under the Poor Employ-
ment Act.
.. .

" ' The Lord-Lieutenant has given to it that consider-
ation which was alike due to the memorialists and
to the great importance of the subject to which it
relates; but he is of opinion that he cannot, consistently
with his duty, adopt the course which is proposed.
" ' He has come to tbid conclusion, not merely from an
apprehension of the serious practical difficulties which
would be produced by an attempt to carry it into execu-
tion, but also from a belief that it would be inconsistent
with the primary object of the Poor Employment Act,
which was to meet, as far as possible, the pressing exi-
gency of the season, by providing sustenance for the
destitute, through the means of labour, in the most avail-
able manner of which the circumstances of the 'case
would admit.

" It is true that his Excellency has been desirous of
.feconciling, as far as he could, with this essential
principle the encouragement of the improved culture ( f
the soil, and has taken upon himself the responsibility
of affording the option of agricultural employment on
certain conditions. But this option was conceded with
as little departure as possible from the spirit of the
measures sanctioned by Parliament : whereas the
adoption of the townland instead of the electoral division
would, in many cases, lead to the greatest expenditure
taking place where the amount of destitution to be re-
lieved was least.

" The Lord-Lieutenant is not insensible to the espe-
cial importance of encouraging, at this period, by all
just and practicable means, the cultivation of the soil of
Ireland ; and his most anxious attention is directed, in
conjunction with her Majesty's Ministers, to this import.
•

ant" subject. Nor can he, "when addressing a society
which comprises so many-of the leading gentry of this
country, forego the opportunity of expressing an earnest
hope that they will in their various relief committees,
lend their aid to the Government in resisting a practice
which he has reason to fear has very extensively pre-
vailed, of allowing persons who are by no means in a
destitute condition to be employed on the public works,
thus depriving the really distressed of the benefit which
was intended for them, as well as withdrawing from the
ordinary cultivation of the soil the labour which is essen
tial to the future subsistence of the people.—l have the
honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
" H. LABOUCHERE.
" ' Edward Sullen, Esq., Secretary to the Royal Agri-
cultural Society, Upper Sackville•street.
ARMING OF THE PEASANTRY—LETTER OF
THE LORD-LIEUTENANT. _ _

The statements recontly forwarded from the provincial
journals, of the extensive and open sale of fire-arms in
several counties, have caused considerable alarm, and it
has become necessary that the utmost power of the law
should be enforced to put down so dangerous a system.
The local journals in Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, and
other counties almost daily contain accounts of attacks
upon the houses of the gentry and farmers, with the
object of obtaining fire-arms. The Government, in order
to grapple effectually against this wicked system, have
issued the following important circular to the magis-
trates at the various petty session courts throughout the
country :

" Dublin Castle, Dec. 3, 1846.

" Gentlemen,—His Excellency's attention having been
directed to the frequent outrages committed by armed
parties in various parts of the country, and to the ap-
pearance of persons armed, as well by day as by night,
to the terror and alarm of her Majesty's subjects, and
who, there is good reason to believe, do not bear arms
for any legitimate purpose—l am directed by the Lord-
Lieutenant to state, for your information and guidance, that
" Under 15th and 16th Geo. 111., c. 21, s. 2 (the
Whiteboy Act), any person or persons being armed with
fire-arms, firelock, pistol, or any offensive weapon, who
shall rise, assemble, or appear by day or by night to
the terror of her Majesty's subjects, is guilty of a high
misdemeanor, and punishable by fine and imprisonment.

" This section Is still in force, and there can be no
doubt thatthact3 in a district where outrages hai,e been com.'
milted of a Whiteboy character, any person-so appear-
ing may be committed under this section, unless it ba
shown that he was out on a lawful occasion.

" By the stb section, every magistrate or other peace
officer, within the limits of his jurisdiction, is authorised
to apprehend, disperse, or oppose any person or persons
so appearing armed.
" This section should be acted upon if there is reason
to think that the parties are not in arms on some lawful
occasion, and more especially at night when there is less
reason to suppose that such is the fact ; but whenever
the parties are distinctly known to the police, informa-
tion should be sworn against them, upon which they
should be arrested, and, if the case require it, be com-
mitted for trial. If the person or persons so appearing
armed are not known, or if, being known, there be an
apprehension that he or they are engaged in the prose-
cution of some illegal act, the constables would be
authorised to arrest them, and bring them before a ma-
gistrate.
" His Excellency is desirous of calling tbe attention
of the magistrates and peace-officers to the provisions of
the law with respect to persons appearing armed, and
the power which it gives of punishing those who by such
conduct create terror and alarm in the minds of the
well-disposed ; and he trusts that, by a vigilant and
prudent application of these enactments, the proceedings
to which he has referred may be effectually checked.
" You may rely upon the cordial support of his Ex-
cellency in your efforts to prevent the right of carrying
arms for lawful objects, which every Irishman now pos
senses, from being perverted to purposes which are con
trary to law and dangerous to the peace of the country
" I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obedicn
servant,