The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-11 00:00:00

BM COB DEN ON MARITIAIT TAW.

The following letter, in answer to one addressed
to Mr. Cobden, M.P., by Mr. J. E. Jenkinson,
one of the members of " the Bradford Committee
for Investigating State Affairs," has just been pub-
lished :

" Glyn Garth, near Bangor, Dec. 8.
"Sir,—The whole of the argument in your let-
ter
is founded upon tee assumption that we sur-
rendered our belligerent rights in the late war
from feelings of forbearance to Russia. I should
have thought our maritime operations in the Sea
of Azoff and the Gulf of Bothnia would have pre-
vented any one from falling into such an error. It
was the attitude assumed by the United States
which led to the change. Those who were in a
position to observe the manifestations of public
opinion in the press of that country, and through
the speeches at Washington, on the eve of the
Russian war ; and, still more, they who knew what
was passing between the United States' Minister
in London and our Foreign-office, need not be told
that any serious attempt on our part to uphold the
right of search, which, as you truly say, is essen-
tial to the maintenance of our ancient belligerent
rights, would not have been tolerated by that coun-
try. It may be all very true that our common
law was opposed to the pretensions of the Ameri-
cans, and even that, as you state, their own most
eminent judges had confirmed the decisions of our
Admiralty courts. But this did not touch the
facts of the case as they were presented to our Go-
vernment in 1854, when it was unmistakeably.evi-
dent that the American people were determined
that their merchant ships should not be visited and
searched by our cruisers ; and that any attempt to
revive the proceedings which led to the rupture of
1812 would be resisted, would lead
.to bloodshed,
in a war be-
and would, in all probability, end
tween the two countries. Our Government, there-
fore, very wisely yielded the point, and, in doing
so, met the wishes, not merely of America, but of
every nation of Europe.
"You seem to attach some importance to the
mode of effecting this change in our policy, and to
be of opinion that, before any alteration can be
made in thellaw of nations, a corresponding change
must be effected in our municipal 19. v. lam
afraid the law of nations has been hitherto little
more than the will of the strongest, modified and
slightly controlled by the progress of civilisation.
I can see no objection, however, to an act of Par-
liament being passed confirming the decision of the
Congress of Paris. But, after this explanlaion of
the meaning of my words, imperious necetsity' ' I
need not add that I should look upon such an act
as a mere matter of form.
gg But the question which Parliament will still
have to decide, judging from the sentiments put for-
ward by those organs of the press supposed to be
connected with the Government, is, whether, hav-
ing of necessity gone so far, it is not for out inte-
rest, beyond that of any other nation, to embrace
the offer made to us by Marcy, to exempt private
property afloat from capture during war. 'have
not the least doubt, when this proposal is discussedig
in the House of Commons—taking for the starting
point of the argument the status quo as sett Ed in
the Congress at Paris, which no sane man will
draam of disturbing—that there will be all but an
unanimous decision in its favour.
" I think I can foresee great benefits to the caise
of peace and humanity, in a variety of
ways
this change ; but, as it seems to be_ offensivein
some quarters to give utterance to the aspiration
that the intercourse of nations, as well as indivi.
duals, may some day be brought into harmony
with the precepts of the New Testament, I wil,
forbear saying more upon the subject
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" RICHARD COBDEN.
" J. E. Jenkinson, Esq., Secretary, &c."

MEETING. FOE THE REPEAL OF THE INCOME TAX.—
READING, Tuesday afternoon.—This day a most impor-
tant, influential, and enthusiastic meeting took place in
the Town-hall, for the purpose of passing resolutions
condemnatory of the present Mode of levying the income
tax,, and demanding its speedy abolition. The Mayor
presided, and resolutions condemnatory of the tax were
adapted by the meeting.
INCOME•TAx.—A public meeting, numerously attended,
was held in the Guildhall, Plymouth, on Tuesday, Mr.
F. F. Bulteel, the Mayor, in the chair, when resolu-
tions praying the Government, from and after April
next, to reduce the present enormous charge of is. 4d.
in the pound, and complaining of the unfairness of
assessing industrial incomes by the same scale as incomes
derived from realised property, were carried unanimously.
During the discussion Mr. Fox, one of the local com-
missioners, spoke of the hard and severe nature of their
duties when their neighbours were surcharged for income
tax. He stated that, irrespective of the returns made
by individuals to the commissioners in London, and of
duties subtracted from dividends at the Bank of England
and through public companies, the dwelling-houses of
Plymouth and the tradesmen and others paid upwards
of 21,000/. annually to the Government for income and
property tax.

THE GOVERNMENT WELLINGTON MEMORIAL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Office of Works, &c., 10th Dec., 1356.
Sitt,—Mr. Stephens, the Secretary to the Sculptors'
Institute, having thought proper to publish a part only
of the correspondence which has taken place with this
department, notwithstanding the desire expressed that
if the correspondence was published the letter No. 5
might form part of it, the First Commissioner hopes that
you will be so good as to give insertion to the accom•
panying letters.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,
ALFRED AUSTIN, Secretary.

No. 1.
32, Sackville Street, Piccadilly,
October 25, 1856.

Sir,—l am requested by the members of .the Sculptors'
Institute to address you on the subject of the monument
which her Majesty's Government intend to erect, in St.
Paul's Cathedral, to the memory of the late Duke of Wel-
lington.

In considering the published terms relating to the compe-

tition, the following questions arose, on which they would be
most thankful to receive information from you at your
earliest convenience.

Ist, Will designs which deviate from the stated dimensions
be accepted iu competition ?
2d, Are the designs to be publicly exhibited prior to the
decision of the judges ?
3d, The names of the judges ?
4th, Is the execution of the monument to be entrusted to
the author of the best design submitted in competition ?
The members of the Institute have reason to believe that
the confidence arising from a mutual understanding on the
above points would materially add to the success of the com-
petition, and they trust that the importance to be attached
to them will plead a sufficient apology for calling your atten-
tion to tho subject, and requesting the favour of a reply.
I have, &c.,
(Signed.) Bow. B. STEPHENS, Hon. Soc.
The Right Hon. the Chief Commissioner of Her
Majesty's Wor-Ls and Public Buildings, 1,2,
Whitehall Place.

No. 2.
Office of Works, &c., 29th 0ct,„1859..

Sir,—l am directed by the First Commissioner of her Ma-
jesty's Works, &c., to acknowledge the receipt, on the 27th,
of your letter dated the 25th inst., requesting, on behalf of
the members of the Sculptor Institute, to be informed on
certain points in regard to the monument which it is proposed
to erect in St. Paul's Cathedral to the , memory of the late
Duke of Wellington.
With regard to your first query, I am to inform you that
the directions as to size that the model shall bear in propor-
tion to the monument are set forth most clearly in the spe-
cifications, and competitors must not depart from them.
2. No further information can be given on the subject of
your second inquiry than that afforded by the specification.
3. The names of the judges cannot be given, as the selec-
tion has not yet been made, and will not be made for some
time.

4. There is nothing in the specifications to bind the Go-
vernment to employ the author of the best design to execute
the work, and no positive obligations can be incurred.— -
am, &C.,

(Signed)
E. B. Stephens, Esq.

G. RUSSELL, Assistant -Secy.

No. 3.
32, Sackville-street,
December 4th, 18t G.

Sir,—In consequence of many inquiries from sculptors, both
at home and abroad, upon the points which I had the honour
to address you on the 24th of October, relative to the Govern-
ment Wellington Memorial for St. Paul's, and as the best
means of answering all inquiries, I have been directed by the
members of the Sculptors' Institute, at a general meeting, to
forward for publication (to which it is presumed you will see
no objection) the correspondence with the accompanying
letter.—l have, &c.,

7 '7
(Signed) EDW. B. STEPTIE.NS, Hon. Secy.
To Sir B. Hall, Bart., MY.,
First Commissioner of her Maj esty's Works,

Whitehall.

No. 4.

32, Saekville-street, Piccadilly, Dec. 6, 1856.
Sir,—As the most effectual method of informing the sculp•
tors of the world, on matters which are known to be viewed
by some of them with anxiety, I am directed by the members
of the Sculptors' Institute to ask the favour of an early inser-
tion in your journal of the enclosed correspondence.
The reasons for seeking official information by the four
questions submitted to the First Commissioner of her Ma-
jesty's Works, 'were—
lstly. The well-known fact that artists, for the sake of
effect, increase the difficulties of selection, by neglecting the
instructions as to the size of tho model of sketch.

It will be seen the reply now states definitely that all
models, not strictly in accordance with the specified scale,
will be excluded from the competition.
2dly. It was thought that by an anterior exhibition public
feeling and opinion might be ascertained, the operation of
which would possibly be valuable in contributing towards an
impartial selection.
3dly. It appeared also of great importance that the judges
should be at once publicly known, in order especially that
foreign artists might be fully assured that the tribunal would
bo of the highest character and position, and consist of those
most competent to decide on the relative merits of sketches ;
and further, that the judges knowing they wero to undertake
the office, would then scrupulously refrain from visiting the
studios of competitors, or from allowing themselves to be in
any way influenced by artists and their friends.
4thly. This question appeared necessary to set at rest a
doubt as to whether the author of the best design would be
commissiouea to execute the mouutneut.

Foreigners as well as British sculptors will certainly be dis-
couraged by the anticipation that he who' succeeds in pro-
ducing the best model probably would not be employed to
carry out the work. —I have, &c.,
(Signed) EDw. B. STEPHENS, Hon. Sec.

No. 5.

Office of Works, &c., 6th Dec., 1656,

Sir,—l am directed by the First Commissioner of her
Majesty's Works &c., to state that you are at perfect liberty
to publish your letter, dated Oct. 25, and the answer to that
letter, dated Oct 29, and that you will take the same course
with regard to your last letter, dated Dec. 6, if you think
proper to do so; but in that event the Fifst Commissioner
desires me to say that he does not consider he has dven any
ground for your statement, that the artist who succeeds in
producing the bent model will probably not be employed to
carry out the work.
He desires further to remark that be considers it would be
most inconvenient to nominate the judges until such time as
the models shall have been sent in for exhibition. The First
Commissioner hopes that when the judges shall have been
appointed, the selection will be such as to secure the appro-
bation of your profession and the public at large.
In your letter of the 6th iust. you speak of models aernd
sketches, and of the relative merits of sketches In ord
that sculptors may not be misled by the publication of that
letter, I am directed to state that no sketches will beain•edeelvnedi.
The specification sent out is clear upon this p
caotdeseldsismtiunsettlybe theaxtactmlyodgeulsaratleornesizaareoftothbee mio
tended to be erected.
Should you publish this correspondesn'
eot
ill nutuimn h h-
mil
sioner desires that this letter m, y
nce,
f the
pFai toCf o
imt
am, &c.,

ALFRED AUSTIN, Secreta Ty,

(Signed)
E. E. Stephens, Esq.

PREVALENCE OF _RTHE PERSON.OBBERY, WITli VIO
LENGE TO

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,--permit me to solicit the publication of the
d myself on the prevalence of rob-
accompanying correspondence between the Home
an
olence to the person.-4 am, sir,
Department
rtwmitehnt
violence
yours, &c., THOS. S. STUART.

TO SIR GEORGE GREY, BART., M.P., SECRETARY OF STATE
FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT.
Sir,—The terrible repetition of robbery with violence to
the person requires the instant attention of Govercwent.
There is evidently no neglect of duty to be charged upon
the police whose absence is waited for by the offenders.
But taking into consideration the inadequate amount of
the force to meet the exigency of the case in this vast me-
tropolis, would it not be advisable, for the winter months,
to permit an enrolment of the ratepayers as special con-
stables, in aid of the police, and for mutual protection ?
Many of my neighbours, as well as myself, would be
happy to become members of -such a force in aid ; and,
being compelled frequently to return from my duties at
ono o'clock in the morning, and past that time, through
St. James's Park and Eaton-square, to my own residence,
I have repeated proofs of the necessity of some such orga-
nisation.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,

THOS. S. STUART.

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