The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

even of the proposed scheme; but as it is proposed to
change the mode in which the sum so voted will be ap-
propriated, their Lordships consider it will be proper to
obtain the sanction of Parhameut to the arrangements
suggested.

The Lords of th© Admiralty therefore request the
sanction of the Treasury to the following estimate, in
order that they may submit it to the House of Com-
mons:—

Ten retired service pensions for admirals £1,500
Keeping open the retired list of captains ... 2,000
Retirement of commanders and lieutenants 3,000
Their Lordships would repeat that they believe this
addition will not swell the expenditure beyond the sum
taken for half-pay in the estimates now before Parlia-
ment; but if it were otherwise, their Lordships would
still trust that the Treasury would not withhold their
assent to a small charge which will enable this board to
effect a beneficial alteration, with due consideration of
the claims of old officers. They confidently believe that
before long the reduction in the half-pay will amply
compensate for any temporary expense. On the other
hand, they have proposed to the Treasury an arrange-
ment which, while it deprives no officer cf his fair claims,
will secure to the public a real separation of the active
and retired lists, which will reduce the active list to a
number more commensurate with the requirements of
the service, which will give to old officers an honourable
retirement in rank and pay, will secure to the young
and efficient a better chance of continuous employment,
and open to them a project of rising to the higher ranks
of the profession, while their energies and efficiency re
main unimpaired, and which will gradually but materi•
ally diminish the heavy charge of half-pay.
I am, &c,,
(Signed)

J. PARSER

ROYAL MARINES.
ROYAL MARINE-OFFICE, APRIL 30.—With reference
to the order in Council, dated February 5, 1851, and
addressed to the several commandants of the Royal
Marines, directing that the 40 subalterns of the Artillery
companies of the Royal Marines should consist of two-
thirds first and one-third second lieutenants, an order
in Council, dated the 14th April, provides that those 10
companies are in future to bear 40 subalterns, irrespec-
tive of their rank of first lieutenants or second, it being
understood, however, that the proportion of the first
and second lieutenants in the whole corps shall remain
as at present—viz,, two-thirds first and one-third second.
To give effect to this arrangement the following
named officers are to be forthwith transferred from the
Divisional to the Artillery companies :—First Lieute-
nants Edmund H. Cox, Nugent Macnamara, and Archi-
bald Alexander Douglas.
First Lieutenants W. P. Burton, G. 0. Pearse, and E.
D. Shelwall are to continue to serve as supernumeraries
with the Artillery companies until opportunity occurs
for their appointment, but hereafter officers in those
companies are, on being promoted, to join the head-
quarters of the division to which they shall be ap-
pointed, and have their names recorded for returning to
the Artillery branch of the corps according to seniority
as vacancies arise, should they wish to be so transferred.
(By command),
JOHN OWEN, Deputy Adjutant-General.
The following gentlemen cadets have been appointed
second lieutenants of Royal Marines; commissions dated
April 29, 1851:

Thomas John William Henry Rawlings to the Ports.
mouth, and Henry Swale to the Plymouth divisions.

SEABORNE MAILS.
[N signifies that the mails are sent fYons the General Post-o Mat
by the night—and M by the morning--dispatch.]

I When made up in , From what when
PLACES. General Post-office port dis-
due.
London. patched.
America (by (by Brit. pkt.)N May 9 .. .. Liverpool ..
America (by U.S. pkt.) N May 13 .. .. Liverpool .. May 13
America (by U.S. pkt.) M May 7 .. ,Southampt.
Africa (West coast) .. N 14th of the month:Plymouth May 3
Alexandria* ........ N 19th & 30th of mo.lDover .. May le
Belgium .. .. •. N Daily .......Dover .. Daily
Brazil .. , • .. M 9th of the month Southampt. May 12
Buenos Ayres • • .. M 9th of the month Soathampt. May 12
California(viaChagres)M 17th of month ,Southampt. May 5
Cape of Good Hope N 14th of month ,Plymouth.. May 3
Constantinople* .. •• IN 7th 17th 27th of mo• Dover .. May 10
Central America .. M2d & 17th of mon. iSouthampt. May 5
Channel Isles • • .. N Mon., Wed., & Fri. Southampt. Ta. Th. S a
Chili .. .. .. .AI 17th of the month Southampt. May 20
France .. .. M&N Twice daily .. .. Dover • • Twicedaily
Greece* .. N 7th 17th 27th of mo Dover .. May 10
Hamburgh .. .. N Tuesday & Friday (London .. Tues. Sat.
',Tolland .. • • .. M Wednes. & Satur. London .. Mon.Tlacr
Honduras .. .. . N 17th of the meathlSouthampt. May 20
Ireland .. ••M & N Twice daily .. .. IHolyhead 1 wicedaily
India (via Southamp.) M 20th of the monthlSouthampt. May 28
India (viaMa.rseilles) N 7th& 24th ofmonth Dover .. May 17
Mediterranean (via
Southampton) M 20th of the month
ISonthampt. May 28
Mediterranean (via
Marseilles) .. .. N 7th& 24th ofmonth Dover • • May 17
Mexico .. .. .. 31,2 d of the month.. 'Southampt. May 5
Madeira . • • • .. M 9th of the month ISouthampt. May 12
Malta.
..
.. N r ,7th ,17 t h,19 th,2 7th } Dover May
N 510
& 30th of month
Naples* •.. • • • . th 15th 25th of mo I Dover .. May 12
1
Papal states* .. .. N sth 15th 25th ofmo!Dover .. May 12
Peninsular .. • . M 7th 17th 27th of mo Southampt. May 10
Peru .. .. • • ..M 17th of the month Southampt. May 20
Tuscany* .. .. • . Nlsth 15th 25th of mo Dover • . ,May 12
West Indies .. .. 3{ 17 th of the month Southampt. May 20
West Indies (except
Havanna & Nassau) 3112 d of the month .. Southampt. May 5

2d of the month ..
ountries thus marl

The mails to those c
French packet via Marsei
CALIFORNIA.—MaiIs to
are now despatched and c

I Southanapt. IMay 5
Led (.) are conveyed by

and from Califorr
lue by every Amei

la, via the United States
Lean packet.

PETERBORO UGH.
This usually quiet town was on Saturday last greatly
disturbed by an attempt to give it more of a Protectionist
character than it deserves. Mr. Taylor, solicitor, of Crow-
land, was the hero selected to confer the honour, and
large handbills circulated in the neighbouring towns and
villages made their appearance in the streets an hour bee
fore the address they announced was appointed to be deli-
vered. Not succeeding, in securing the Corn Exchange,
he spoke from the window of a house nigh at hand, and
strongly recommended persons to attend the grand de-
monstration at Drury-lane. So far all was well ; the
people heard him patiently. Mr. Whitwell (who is a
farmer), thinking probably that some of Mr. Taylor's
statements required confirmation, ascended a cart with a
view of making some remarks ; his appearance
was greeted with cheers by one party ; but the
farmers, who had 3 assembled by hundreds, greeted him
with such a storm of disapprobation as to cause an
immense uproar, and for some time he could not gain a
hearing. Great efforts were made to upset the cart; but
the townspeople rushed among the farmers, and kept
them at such a distance that, notwithstanding they per-
sisted in shouting at the top of their voice, Mr. Whitwell
succeeded in communicating his sorrow at witnessing such
outrageous behaviour by those who ought to know better,
as contrasted with the previously orderly demeanour of
the working men; he also commiserated the condition of
the farmers, but protested against any presumption of
theirs as to an alteration in the opinions of the inhabi-
tants of Peterborough. After a few more observations he
withdrew, for the row became general; eggs were freely
thrown about, and the farmers, who had occasioned all
the disturbance, retreated into the Corn Exchange, whi-
ther Mr. Whitwell also tried to go, but was rudely re-
pulsed. After a short time, however, he made good his
entrance, and was again savagely assailed by a party who
seemed to have lost their reason altogether. There were,
however, a sufficient number of respectable men to rally
round and defend Mr. Whitwell from these unprovoked
attacks; and the ultra-Proteetionsits, finding themselves
baffled at all points, at last submitted to allow business
to resume its ordinary character. Out of door-e, we
regret to say, Mr. Compton was much hurt while en-
deavouring to defend ono of the young Chowlers. There
certainly was no evidence aff)rded of the vaunted sym-
pathy in favour of Protection said to exist among the
working classes, who on this occasion treated the farmers
with so little ceremony that it is probable there will be
no repetition of a surprise. As to their fate at any
public demonstration on behalf of Protection, it is easy
to guess that, if they do not improve their manners,
it will be more difficult to ensure them a fair hearing
than if they had acted with less acrimony and with a
bettor temper.—Stamford Mercury.

ELECTION COMMITTEE.
HARWICH.

The Committee resumed their sittings yesterday,
and proceeded with a scrutiny of the votes.
The result of the day's proceedings was, that one ob-
jection was sustained and another not sustained. A.
third objection was under the consideration of the Com-
mittee when they adjourned. As the majority of Mr.
Princep over Mr. Crawford was only five, the number of
bad votes remaining to be proved is consequently only
four. It is said, however, that the other side are pre-
pared to strike off a number of the votes which wore
polled by Mr. Crawford.

PERIAL PARLIAMENT.

ROUSE OF LORDS, May 5.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon the Woo]
sack at Five o'clock.

PETITIONS.
Lord CAMPBELL presented several petitions from
places in Scotland against Papal aggression.
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented several
petitions from various congregations of Wesleyan
Methodists to the same effect; also petitions from various
places in Ireland against the abolition of the Lord-Lieu-
tenancy of Ireland.
The Earl of ENNISKILLEN presented a petition
from the members of the Royal Colleges of Physicians
and Surgeons in Dublin against the abolition of the
Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland.
Lord REDESDALE presented several petitions from
Perth and other places in Scotland against Papal
aggression.
Lord STANLEY presented several petitions against
Papal aggression.
MERCANTILE MARINE BILL.

Lord STANLEY presented petitions from the town
of Sheffield, ho had erroneously in his motion said
from the town of Shields, praying for th© repeal of the
Mercantile Marine Bill; but the other petition he
had to present on this subject was most important. It
was signed by 6,000 owners, masters, and mates, and
seamen, of the port of Liverpool, praying for the exten-
sive modification, or total repeal of the Mercantile
Marine Act. The petitioners admitted that the
Act was intended for their benefit, but they com-
plained that it had been drawn up on the suggestions
of naval officers, and that the mercantile marine had
not been consulted. They admitted the benefit to be
derived from an examination, but they complained that
it had been brought too suddenly into operation, and
that men who had been masters and mates when the
examiners were mere boys, were called upon to submit
to examination by their juniors. He thought that some
modification might be made in this respect. They also
objected to the operation of the ticket system, to the
amount of fees charged, to the application of those
fees, and to the unnecessary and minute regulations and
restrictions which had been imposed by the Board of
Trade. He knew that the registration had been insti-
tuted, not for mercantile but for military purposes, but
he doubted whether it produced the effect intended, and
he also thought it had failed in preventing desertion in
foreign ports, inasmuch as since the passing of that Act
desertion had increased, and the fact of these tickets
being held over the heads of the seamen in terrorem
rather put them upon their mettle, and induced
them to desert. If they were entitled to
their discharge at the port to which they were
bound, it would tend to prevent desertion, and to make
a fairer arrangement between owner and seamen. They
also complained of the fees charged, but those complaints
alluded rather to the manner in which the Act was
worked out than to the Act itself. The manner in which
this portion of the Act was worked out made the business
of a shipping master practically a monopoly—(Hear,
hear)---giving a preference for employment to those
seamen who took lodgings at the Seamen's Home,
with which the Examining Committee of Liver-
pool was connected. The people who paid the
fees had a right to know how those fees were expended.
They also complained of the number of petty fines le-
vied, and he could not but think that the Board of Trade
stepped out of their province when they entered into
these petty details. They ought to leave the
maintenance of discipline to the master of the ship.
It was important that the seamen should know
how these fees and these fines were applied.
He understood that these fines and fees were to be
applied to the maintenance of the Seamen's Home. These
homes were valuable institutions so long as they were
self-supperting; but if they were to be maintained partly
by contributions from the seamen, they ought to see
what benefit the seamen at large were likely to derive
from them. They were after all but a su-
perior sort of boarding-house entering into
competition with other boarding-houses. Every
seaman who entered them paid for what he had.
The seamen of Liverpool were 7,000; the Seamen's
Home could accommodate 300; and thus the benefit of
these homes was derived solely by 300 men who could
afford to pay so large a sum as 14s. a week. The ma-
Wers of the Seamen's Home were also the local
ine board of the port, and the natural feeling on the
part of the seamen was that there was a tendency to fa-.
your the persons who boarded at the Seamen's Home.
The petitioners found no fault with the Seamen's
Home, but they thought there ought to be more
shipping officers, who should not be connected with the
Seamen's Home. The petitioners suggested that the
surplus fee fund should be applied not to the Seamen's
Home, but to a school for the instruction of boys in
seamanship. He thought that the requests were not
unreasonable, and that the suggestions were deserving the
consideration of the Government, and he would suggest the
appointment of a Select Committee to consider the sub-
ject. He would not make any motion on the subject,
but he threw out these suggestions for the consideration
of the Government.
Earl GRANVILLE agreed that the representations
were well worthy of consideration; but he thought that
in many cases the petitioners were labouring under mis-
apprehension. It was true the masters and mates who
had not passed examination could not take the command
of transport or of emigrant ships, but a certificate
of service would enable them to take the command of
all other ships without submitting to examination. The
institution of registration and shipping offices contributed
to secure a preference to good seamen, and to facilitate
the identification of seamen. It was true there was but
one shipping-officer at Liverpool, bat he had several
deputies, and the shipping-office was situated in the
most central and convenient part of Liverpool.
There had hitherio been no surplus of fees as
far as regarded the port of Liverpool. Only
a small portion of the Marine Board of Liver-
pool was connected with the Seaman's Home.
With regard to the regulations which had been pub-
lished by the Board of Trade there was no compulsion
whatever as to their adoption by master or crew. Great
objections were made to them, and an offer had been
made to withdraw them, but that had been objected
to by a large proportion of the persons concerned.
The seamen had been labouring under great mis-
apprehension, the excitement which had existed
among them was dying away, and ho thought the ap-
pointment of a Committee might revive it. It had been
decided to bring in a Bill in the other House to modify
the Act.
Lord STANLEY—Why not bring the Bill into this
House?

Earl GRANVILLE saw no objection. The Bill
would modify the Act in some minor particulars, but
would not alter its general principles.
The Earl of HARD W ICKE thought that if this
Act had been introduced previous to the repeal of the
navigation laws it would have been effective. He was
not at all surprised at the objection taken by old masters
and mates to subject themselves to au examination before
their juniors. It was painful to a man who had con-
ducted ships on long voyages, with success for twenty
years, to be compelled to come before men younger
than himself to ask them for a certificate of competency,
although he might not be compelled to undergo an ex-
amination. The system of registering tickets was more for
enabling the Government to have some knowledge, and it
might be control of the seamen than for providing them with
badges of good service. Those tickets were, in fact, like a
cabman's badge, and enabled one to find out any man that
might be wanted. There was no reason, in his opinion,
why these registry tickets should not be made more accept-
able to the men by being made to testify to the good charac-
ter of the possessor. He thought it unwise to interfere by
provisions in an Act of Parliament with the minor discipline
on board of merchant vessels. Educated and experienced
masters might well be entrusted with such matters. With
regard to the desertion of seamen at Quebec and elsewhere,
he thought registrars would find some difficulty in deciding
as to the character of the applicant, because they had no
other evidence to guide them but that of the man himself;
and in all probability the sharp fellow who could trump up a
plausible story would have the advantage. The Noble Earl
opposite seemed to doubt whether the fees amounted to
so large a sum as that stated by his Noble Friend near
him—viz.,; 130,0001. a year. In the port of Liverpool
alone the fees amounted for 1850 to not less than
13,2001., and it did seem absurd that that money
should all be spent in keeping up a large boarding-
house. He quite agreed with the petitioners that it
would be better to appropriate it to the erection and
endowment of schools for the children of sailors. He
thought the complaints of some of the seamen as to the
way in which the consuls at different ports were paid
entitled to consideration; and he was also of opinion that
some of the fees collected at the port of London might ad-
vantageously be applied for the purposes of the Dread-
nought Hospital.
Earl WALDEGRAVE said a few words in praise of
sailors' homes, which he regarded as institutions well
calculated to promote the comfort and improve the morals
of sailors.
The
ee
EpeatriltiootnßwAass then ordered
presentedto lsieevoernaltheagainst
table.
petitions
Papal aggression, from Cork and other places in Ireland ;
also petitions for a grant for Church education.
The Earl of ZETLAND also presented several petitions
against Papal aggression.
Lord LYTTELTON postponed his motion on the subject
of transportation to Friday next; and presented petitions
from Stourhridge, praying for an alteration in local rates;
catch.an
and other petitions, the purport of which we coud not

The Earl of CARLISLE presented a petition from Bury,
for a general system of seoelar education, and from a place
in Cumberland, against Papgl aggression.
The Earl of HARROWBY presented a petition from
Maplestead, against Papal aggression, and from other places
to the same effect ; also a petition from Scotland, against the
Beer Bill.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, May s.Four.
nhbou froglhl
.1.119 SPEAKER took the Chair a few minutes to
T
vPi rgt hB,
THIRD READINGS.
South Devon Railway.
andTuendreeaedßaatihlwirady.
Manchester and Ashton-under-Lyne New Road.
tim© and passed:
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway (Abandonment
of Part of Bishop Auckland Branch, &c,)
WATERFORD, WEXFORD, &c., RAILWAY.
Sir WILLIAM VERNER moved that it be an in-
struction to the Committee (Group 13) on the Water-
ford, Wexford, Wicklow, and Dublin Railway Bill, to
consider and report to the lime as to the propriety of