The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-10 00:00:00

eit,Tuttia gittre,

LONDON, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1851

The Commons met yesterday at Twelve.
On the order for going into Committee on the Colo.
nial Property Qualification Bill,

Mr. TUFicELL moved that it be an instruction to the
Committee to provide for the abolition of any property
qualification for the election of Members to serve in Par-
liament.
Mr. EWART seconded the motion.

LDrd Jourr RUSSELL thought the present an inconve-
nient time for raising the question, but if the whole
question of the abolition of qualification were raised on
a motion for a Bill for that purpose, he should be pre-
pared to give such a motion his assent.
After a few words from Mr. NEwnnGATE, Mr. HEN-
LEY, and Mr. V. SMITH, Mr. TUFNELL withdrew his
amendment, and Mr. HUTT withdrew the Bill, both Hon.
Gentlemen being contented to leave the matter in the
hands of Lord JOHN RUSSELL.
Lord NAAS moved the second reading of the Home-
made Spirits in Bond Bill.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUEit thought there
were insurmountable objections to this measure.
Lord NAAS advocated the Bill as a measure called
for by justice.
Mr. BRAXISTON moved, as an amendment, that the
Bill be read a second time that day six months.
After a short discussion the House divided, when
there appeared—
For the second reading 166
Against it
Majority against the second reading —2B
The remaining bthiness was then disposed of.

Charges, as everybody knows, of a most serious
character have been made from time to time against
Sir JAMES BROOKE, the Raja, of Sarawak. His
Excellency has been accused, among other things, of
oaving caused certain individuals to be executed with-
out any trial whatsoever, and at his own petulant in-
stigation. Among those reported unfortunates
were the two Dyak Chiefs, PA-Roma:a and
PA-Tuatato, with personage rejoicing in the
name of PA:suzaast BUDRUDEEN. Happily,
within the last few hours a document has
been issued from the press giving these calumnies a
clear and triumphant refutation. Those who cannot
but have regarded the career of Sir JAMES BROOKE
with the interest due to so much personal enterprise,
and with the admiration deserved by such a remark
able and almost unprecedented combination of ener-
gies, will rejoice with ourselves at the circumstance
which at length exonerates the Raja from all blame
in reference to occurrences which are here shown to
have either been grossly misunderstood, or shame-
fully and %Hilly misrepresented.
Premising that Sir JAMES BROOKE was declared
Raja of Sarawak as early as the 24th of September,
1841, that is to say very nearly ten years ago, the
document already referred to remarks that his Ex-
cellency wrote on the 3d of the November following
thus emphatically :—" I have a country, but oh!
how beset with difficulties, how ravaged by war,
how torn by dissensions, and ruined by dupli-
city, weakness, and intrigue." Against the
continuance of these lamentable evils it was
manifest that some measures of a very stringent and
resolute description were absolutely required as
correctives. The native authorities perceived them-
selves the imperative reasons demanding some
stern and immediate interposition of the local Go-
vernment, so as to dissipate the calamities of the
island, and restore affairs to something like a rea-
sonable state of subordination. To this end there-
fore it was that on the sth of November in
the same year a court of justice was
opened, a court conducted upon a very
simple plan, with a view to the sub-
stantial redress of wrongs which had long been re-
cognised as intolerable. Subsequently, on the 10th
of January, 1842, a succinct code of laws was pub-
lished, enforcing the native regulations, known as
the Ondong Oudong. According to these laws per-
sons convicted of murder, robbery, or other heinous
crimes, were subjected to certain well known
punishments by way of expiation. Remember,
these things were found to be essential, because
it was seen that firmness alone would prove suffi-
cient to restore any thing like order to
the community, or to infuse any thing like its
former vigour into a lately effete and impracticable
Government. "The country," said Sir JAMES
&WOKE, " may have had bad laws, but such laws as it
has must be enforced gently ead mildly as may be
towards the superiors, but strictly towards the
guilty, and all crimes coming under my cognizance
must meet with their punishment." For the correct
ueas of these words reference is only necessary to
Vol. I. p. 277 of "KEPPEL," from which it
will be seen that there has been no
garbling in the quotation ; and fur the
wisdom of the policy implied by the declaration of the
RAJA thus clearly expressed, it is only needful to re-
gard the disordered condition of the land prior
to those rigorous but really humane proceed-
ings. Hitherto the community had been lament-
ably distracted and d isorganized ; whereas very speedily,
by a firm and impartial administration of the laws,
the whole aspect of the country was changed
to an appearance of actual improvement. Among
other causes 'which may be mentioned, this
fortunate alteration of the state of things
was most unquestionably attributable to the enforce.
went of the ancient native laws relating to murder,
robbery, and other heinous offences. Those, be

not forgotten, were carried into operation in a court
of justice then recently opened, a court in which
witnesses were duly heard in evidence, and where
Sir JAMES BROOKE was formally assisted by the na-
tire Rajas in the duties of the judicial administration.
Now, as to the cases already specified, those of the
Dyak chiefs and of PANGERAN I3UDRUDEEN, a very
simple statement of facts will be enough to demon-
strate the entire guiltlessness of the Raja of SARAWAK.
It has been presumed that, although the establish-
ment of the local court of justice above mentioned was
recorded in the published " journal" of Sir
JAMES BROOKE, that the death of these men was
caused without any reference whatever to the authority
of the laws, or to the common principles of justice.
flow grossly erroneous these conjectures are may be
peiceived by a glance at the evidence afforded upon
the matter by the work of Captain KLPPEL. In
Vol. 1., p. 293, of that very trustworthy compilation,
it is recorded that on the 28th April, 1842, Sir JAMES
BROOKE wrote in allusion to the chase, capture, and
execution of the criminals headed by PANGERAN
BUDRUDEEN—" The other cause of uneasiness is
the attack of a Chinese boat at the mouth
of the river. The boat that attacked her
is a small one, with eight or ten men, which
came out of Sadong, and had been lying here
(Sarawak) for a week or more. She is commanded
by a Pangeran named BUDREDEEN, has some Illanuns
on board, and is bound on a piratical cruise. As she
descended the river, she met with the small China
boat, likewise from Sambas, with eight men, which
she treacherously assailed, desperately wounding
one man and severely another—but the China boat's
consort heaving in sight, the pirate pulled away. 1
must redress this if in my power." Those were the
remarks written at the time by the hand of Sir
JAMES BROOKE himself, the RAJA adding that he
thought one of these Chinese "must die" (a con-
jecture soon after verified), and that the f
other was wounded rather seriously. Such
was the atrocity which the PANGERAN
BUDRUDEEN was subsequently called upon to expiate,
further particulars relating to it having been embo-
died in the work (Vol. 1., p. 309) of Captain MtneDy.
()Jae of these pirates, murderers remember as well as
robbers, the MAGINDANO ILLA.Nurr, was shot at Siru
at a time wh,,,,a
he had lashed himself into a state of
absolute desperation. At the same time his leader
and a comrade no less closely allied to him than his
brother-in-law, were
B Thitheru
D R uDEEN accordinglyasn
gua-
rantee that they should be brought to Sarawak.
3
ed. 1 ANGERAN
and " to execute such
a criminal," says the document' and
for
and afore us, " being
guilty of ordinary murder
as
waninauthority
unprecedented."
worthy of being relied upon, and you
muNilZacy, was almost
TobutlhreentaybkytweobneirrePthrciosnovneeyrs under a
were the feelings with which Sir see what
JAMES Bac,oxii

' himself at the time regarded the transaction ; you
will there see (Vol. 1., p. 311) that he wrote thus—
" To a people who, if they know what justice is, have
never obeyed its dictates, its impartial administration,
in the mildest manner, is a high , offence : and
amongst the Pangerans each desires to claim an exemp-
tion for himself and his followers, and takes little
concern about the rest. At all hazards, however, I
am resolved to enforce justice, and to protect pro-
perty, and whatever the results may be to leave them
in GOD'S hands." The criminals were tried conse-
quently, on the 9th of May, before no less a judge
than the Raja Mona Hassim, a native prince, and
the blood connexion of one of the prisoners. Before
that tribunal they were found guilty, and in accord-
ance with the sentence pronounced upon them were
afterwards executed. Vide " MuNDT," vol. 1., pp.
311 and 312. And this is among the crimes charged
against Sir JAMES BROOKE, to the effect that he had
destroyed " without trial, and on his own mere
motion,", the PANGERAN BUDRUDEEN and his fol-
lowers !! ! The second accusation, namely, the one
relating to the Dyak chiefs, PA-RistnAN and PA-
TUMMO, has equally proved, on inquiry, to be a
tissue of shameless and detestable misrepresentations.
The printed document already referred to as just
published may be scrutinized in testimony. Suffi-
cient, however,' we conceive has already here been
remarked by ourselves to demonstrate the injustice as
well as the coolness and audacity with which his Ex-
cellency the Raja of SARawax has been maligned by
his antagonists. Fortunately for him, the very
slanders of his assailants have tended, perhaps, more
tha❑ anything else of late, to enhance in lustre and
elevation his already brilliant and enviable repu-
tation.

Many complaints have been justly preferred
Against the continuance of the passport system on
the continent. Englishmen speak with justifiable
pride of the perfect freedom allowed to all travellers
in this happy land, and their exemption from any of
the vexatious formalities and restrictions imposed on
passengers through other European nations. It is
true that, despite the Alien Act and other statutory

provisions which, happily for British reputa-
tions, are seldom enforced, after visitors
have landed upon our shores they are not
often annoyed by any impertinent inquiries.
So long as persons behave themselves properly in
Great Britain, we desire to know nothing of their
political opinions or of their antecedents. The de-
throned prince and the exiled patriot are equally en-
titled to our hospitality, and we are anxious, by
every means in our power, to deserve their gratitude,
and not to detract from the value of the boon we
have conferred.

Unfortunately, however, there are some drawbacks
that must considerably diminish the grateful feelings

that would otherwise be felt by our visitors. li

is true that we open wide our hospitable por-
tals to all comers, but there is a grim
Janitor at the gate, whose sole object appears to be
to insult and annoy our visitors before they are ad-
mitted into a participation in the benefits above re-
ferred to.: No matter where the party may land, or
under what circumstances be may visit our shores,
the Custom-house officials contrive to delay and Lil-
-1 pede his progress. His luggage must be fully
examined before he can proceed, and he will be de-
tained for many tedious hours, the victim of ennui,
while the most important engagements are forfeited,
awaiting the convenience of the examiners. There
are few tempers that can bear an ordeal so trying,
and we contrive to render every stranger irritated
and annoyed at his advent to our shores.
But it may be said that such an examination is in-
dispensable, that so long as a large portion of the na-
tional revenue is levied by indirect taxation, we must
adopt the most stringent measures to prevent the ad-
mission of articles subject to duty without the neces-
sary payment. Without entering into the question of
how far the honour of a stranger or of a British sub-
ject might be trusted—and we believe that if it were
announced that we confided in the word of the party
arriving--it would seldom if ever be violated, and
never to an extent that could seriously injure the
revenue. We believe that there are few, if any, that
would introduce tea, tobacco, spirits, or any other
articles affected by fiscal regulations, if the breach of
the revenue laws involved also a breach of honour.

It is unnecessary, however, to proceed to such an
extent. The most stringent examination may still take
place if insisted on by the Government. But why not
render that examination as easy and convenient
to the party concerned as practicable? The
great annoyance is the stoppage in transitu, the de-
lay on the road before arrival at the destination. If
it could be postponed until the arrival at the metro-
polis it would lose half, aye, more than half its
sting. Why, then, we ask, might not the luggage of
parties desirous of at once proceeding to London, be
transmitted in bond from any of the outports having
railway communication with the metropolis ? We
have no doubt that the different companies would
readily undertake the charge, and provide well-secured
waggons in which such luggage might be transmitted.
The South-Eastern Railway Company have set an
excellent example. They have not only succeeded in
inducing the French authorities to concede the
valuable privilege of having the goods of parties pro-
ceeding to Paris examined on their arrival there, but
they have made the most liberal offers to persuade
the English Government to act with similar libera-

lity. Not only will they be willing to give locked-
up vehicles, in which the goods for examination may
be stored, but they have offered to appropriate a room
at the London-bridge Station, to the use of the Cus-
tom-house, where the examinations may take place.
We cannot see how the Government can refuse to
avail itself of this liberal proposition, which takes
away every shadow of an excuse for the continuance
of the vexatious system, at least so far as Folkestone
and Dover are concerned. The experiment might
easily be tried, and we are sure it would prove so sa-
tisfactory that the principle would speedily be car-
ried into execution throughout the entire country.
The directors of the South-Eastern Company are
entitled to the utmost credit for the praiseworthy
effort to remove this great reproach from the British
name, and for the laudable example they have set
to other boards on this important and interesting
subject.

JENNY LIND'S INTENDED MARRIAGE,

The cordial reception afforded to the Swedish Night-
ingale by our transatlantic brethren has so greatly de-
lighted that amiable cantatrice, that she has, it is said,
made arrangements for a permanent continuance in "an
united state." Many vague reports have been circu-
lated as to the fortunate individual who is to become
her partner for life. The name of Mr. Wood has been
mentioned, but erroneously. We can state on un-
questionable authority that Signor Bellqti will be the
happy man. Every arrangement has, we believe, been
concluded for the nuptials of the loving couple on their
return from Canada, previous to the voyage from
Now York for England. It is also said that the gifted
!ady, with that peculiar sensibility and kindliness of dis-
poaitio❑ for which she has been so preeminently distin-
guished daring her entire career, has expressed the
strongest anxiety to witness the successful debut of her
fair rival, Miss Catherine Hayes, of whose unequivocal
triumph the lady, who has had such decisive proofs of
the good taste and enthusiasm of American audiences
can entertain no doubt whatsoever.

MISS CATHERINE HAYES —lmmediately after tile
Concert at Exeter-hall on Friday evening this gifted
vocalist will start for Paris, where she will remain
during the interval preceding her departure for the
United Sta.es. She has, we are inform d, refused many
tempting offers, reserving her entire powers until she
makPs hr appearance at New York. A rich treat, in-
de; d, will be afforded to our American brethren, who
will hear one who, as a scientific musician, is surpassed
by none, and as a singer of the exquisite melodies of her
native land, of the ballads of England, of Scotland, and
of Ireland, has never been equalled.

EAST INDIA HOUSE.—Yesterday a ballot was taken
at the East India House for the election of a director in the
room of Mr. Henry St. George Tucker, deceased. At six
o'clock the glasses were closed and delivered to the scruti-
neers, who reported that the election had fallen on Mr. John
Harvey Astell.

- - -
WESTMINSTER FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY.—Tbe
second annual meeting of this society was held last evening,
at the Parthenium Rooms, St. Martin's-lane; P. E. Barnes,
Esq., in the chair. The following gentlemen were unani-
mously ru-elected officers for the ensuing year :—President,
C. Lushington, Esq., M.P.;
Vice-Presidents
Esq., P"' EF q., M.P. ; Trustees, 'C. Hindley,
G. Thompson,
.1%8(1, M.P., W. Line, Esq.,
and G. Wilson, Esq.; Trea-
surer, J. Wills, Esq. • Solicitor, Mr. G. Edgar Dennes, and.
Secretary, Mr. G. Haggett. The committee and auditor
were nominated; after which a proposed alteration in the
rules, whereby the society would be enabled to make pur-
chases more rapidly, was submitted to the meeting to be dis-
cussed at the adjourned meeting, on the 20th August. A
vote of thanks to the chairman cloud the Froceedirtga.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
Tile greater number publish in extenso the report
of M. DE TOCQUEVILLE, which extends over several
columns. The following is a summary of its con-
tents:—

" Ho begins by stating that 233 members of the As-
sembly call for the revision of the Constitution; and then
examines whether the Constitution bo essentially de-
fective. He selects as the main vices of this charter the
system of electing representatives by the scrutin de fiste,
or ballotting according to a prepared list of candidates.
Ho then dwells upon the incessant provocation to con-
flict between the two powers. The reporter next ex-
amines the opportuneness of revision, and states that the
objections of Milt. Bar 9 and Cavaignac on this point had
been set aside by the Committee, which did not deny the
danger, but insisted on the necessity of amending the
Constitution. The fatality of the simultaneous
extinction of powers is pointed out. This de •
plorable coincidence might have been averted,
had the presidential election taken place, as was first
intended, in May, 1849. The crisis is pointed out
as more perilous in a country where the
authority is so centralised. He arrives at the conclusion
that the only regular way of preventing an unconsti-
tutional dictatorship is to delegate all the powers to a
Constituent Assembly. The reporter then adverts to
the surprise of February, and the deep alarm that per-
vades society lest a change should lead to socialism. He
dwells on the increased hazards to which the country is
exposed from the divided state of the party of order,
and from the direct election of the chief of the executive
power by universal suffrage. Even in America, where
the office of President is so much less important, the
election is less indirect. The ignorant people will vote
naturally for the only name they know. M. de Tocque-
villa then enters upon the most important part of his
report, and, after having pointed out the probability of
an unconstitutional re-election, proceeds to lay
down rules for the guidance of the sovereign Assem-
bly under such an eventuality. The Constitution
once infringed every guarantee is lost. Who would
dare to say that the Assembly ought to suffer the
country to be dragged aeresh in the career of revolution
and adventure ? Could it not tolerate the abuse of
power to prepare an unconstitutional candidature ?
Would not this lead to open and violent conflict be-
tween the two great powers ? In this struggle, of
course, the Assembly would triumph, but perhaps at
the price of giving the supremacy to the Socialists. It
was difficult to set any issue to the states quo but
usurpation, anarchy, rui❑ of the Republic, or destruc-
tion of liberty. The Committee bad pronounced for
total revision. The question of whether the form of
the Government should be open to change is adroitly
evaded. The Committee neither imposed the Repub-
lic nor recommended monarchy. But it thought the
Assembly might, without exceeding its limits, recom-
mend, as the safest course, adherence to present insti-
tutions. On one point all were agreed—namely, that
it the constitutional majority could not be obtained,
the Constitution should be invariably and universally
beyed."
During the reading of M. DE TOCQUEVILLE's re-
port there was not a single cheer, nor a murmur. It
was listened to in dead silence. _ _

MM. de Montalembert, Berryer, Odilon Barrot,
and De Broglie have inscribed themselves to speak in
favour of revision, and MM. Victor Hugo, Charras,
Leo de la Borde, P. Davrat, Julea Favre, Creton,
and General Cavaignac against it.
The debate commences on Monday; a large portion
of the Legitimatists have separated on this question
from MM. BERRYER aIId,MONTALEMBERT, whom:they
accuse of having betrayed the cause of Legitimacy to
the Elysee, and will vote with the Republicans
aginst the revision.
By the last West India packet, accounts have been
received of the arrival at Guadeloupe of Rear-Admiral
VAILLANT, in the steam•frigate Asmodee, to replace
Rear-Admiral BRUAT as Governor-General of the
Antilles, and Commandant of the station. Admiral
BRUAT, who had long since solicited to return to
France, received his successor at the Government
House. On the following day the principal inhabi-
tants of the colony were presented to the new Go-
vernor. Admiral BRUAT, on resigning his functions,
addressed a proclamation to the people.
The Bourse was feeble, and the price of public secu-
rities declined. The Five per Cents. opened at 94f.
10c., and closed at 93f. 85c. for the end of the month;
the Three per Cents. closed at 56f. Sc.; Orleans Rail.
road Shares, 845 F.; Rouen, 650 f. ; Havre,2sof.; Great
Northern, 468 f. 75c.; Vierzon, 440 f.; Basle, 151 f. 25c.;
Bordeaux, 396 f. 25c.; Paris and Strasbarg, 372 f. 50c.;
Tours and NanteF, 275 f.; Amiens and Boulogne, 265 f.

3USINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAIL WAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, JULY 9.

Boulogne and Amiens, IN—Central of France (Orleans
and Vierzon), 18—EastIndian, 18% —Great Indian Peninsula,
4—Luxembourg, I—Orleans and Bordeaux, s—Sambre and
Meuse, 3%—Tours and Nantes, 7 et d.