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

MR. COBDEN ON MARITIME LAW.

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

" Glyn Garth, near Baigor, Dec. 8.
"Sir,—The whole of the argumett in your let-
ter
is founded upon the assumptio, 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 vho were in a
position to observe the manifestatons of public
opinion in the press of that countr3, and through
the speeches at Washington, on tie eve of the
Russian war ; and, still more, they vho knew what
was passing between the United States' Minister
in London and our Foreign-office, flied 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 ancirnt belligerent
rights would not have been tolerate by that coun-
try. It may be all very true tha; our common
law was opposed to the pretensions if the Ameri-
cans, and even that, as you state, their own most
eminent judges had confirmed the dicisions of our
Admiralty courts. But this did rot 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 ie visited and
searched by our cruisers ; and that aky attempt to
revive the proceedings which led to the rupture of
1812 would be resisted, would lead
and would, in all probability, endtc bloodshed,
fore, very wisely yielded the in a war be-
tween the two countries. Our Governuent, there-
point, and, in doing
every nation of Europe.
so, met the wishes, not merely of America, but of
"You seem to attach some importance to the
mode of effecting this change in our policy, and to
h
be of opinion that, before any alteration can be
made in thellaw of nations, a corresponding change
must ..be effected in our municipal law. I am
afraidmore than the lawthe
willo f nations
o fhe strongest,
a3d and
slightly controlled by the progress of civilisation.
I can see no objection, however, to an act ix par-
liament being passed confirming the decision if the
congress of Paris. But, after this explanatbn of
the meaning of my words, ' imperious necessity,' I
need not add that I should look upon such af act
as a mere matter of form. _ _ _

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, hkv.
ing of necessity gone so far, it is not for our 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. I have
not the least doubt, when this proposal is discussej
in the House of Commons—taking for the starting
point of the argument the status quo as settled it
the Congress at Paris, which no sane man will
dream of disturbing—that there will be all but an
unanimous decision in its favour.
,4 I think I can foresee great benefits to the cause
of peace and humanity, in a variety of ways, from
this change ; but, as it seems to be offensive in
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 will
forbear saying more upon the subject.
c. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
"RICHARD COBDEN.
J. E. jenkinson, Esq., secretary, &c."

MEETING FOR THE REPEAL OF THE INCOXIE 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 condemn stony of the tax were
adapted by the meeting.
INCOME-TA A public meet ng, numersusly 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 ls. 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 cow•
missioners, spoke of the hard and severe nature of their
duties when their neighbours were surcharged fur 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
• ~ud throu,,h, public companies, the dwelling-houses of
Plymouth and the tradesmen and others paid upwards
t,f 21,0001. 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., 1856.
SIB,—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;Sickville 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 in 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 .xecution 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 the subject, and requesting the favour of a reply.
I have, &e.,
(Signed.) EDW. B. STEPHENS, Hon. Sec.
The Right Hon. the Chief Commissioner of Her
Majesty's Works and Public Buildings, 12,
Whitehall Place.

No. 2.
Office of Works, dtc., 29th Oct., 1856.

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 hi 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.—l
am, &c.,

(Signed)
E. B. Stephens, Esq.

G. RUSSELL, Assistant -Secy.

No. 3.

32, Sackville-street, Piccadilly,
December 4th, 1856.

Sir,—ln 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
cleans 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.,
(gigned) EDW. B. STEPUENS, Hon. Secy.
To Sir B. Hall, Bart., M.P.,
First Commissioner of her Majesty's Works,

Whitehall.

No. 4.

32, Sackville-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 the 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
be 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 were to undertake
the office, would then scrupulously refrain from visitiog 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 desin would be
commissioned to execute the monument.
Foreigners as well as British sculptors will certainly be dis-
couraged by the anticipation that he who succeed. 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., 1856

Sir,—l am directed by the First Commissioner of her
Majesty's Works, &e., 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 First Commissioner
desires me to say that he does not consider he has riven any
ground for your statement, that the artist who succeeds in
producing the best model will probably not be employed to
carry out the work.
He desires further to remark that he considers it would be
most inconvenient to nominate the judges until such time as
the models shall have been sent in for exhibition. Tho 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 lust. you speak of models and
sketches, and of the relative merits of sketches. In order
that sculptors may not be misled by the publication of that
letter, I am directed to state that no sketches will be received.
The specification sent out is clear upon this point, andindi-
catesmustdistinctlybe theaxtactmly gedeulsaratleornesizaoreoftot
hbee
ms eonntu imn
e,
modelsthick
tended to be erected.
cloArteesrp o
jun d:yn c
fe,r c,tmh e
arttefommil
t
sinnerShoultdleysioresputbblaisth this
am, &c.,

ALFRED AUSTIN, Secretary,

(Signed)
E. B. Stephens, Esq.

PREVALENCE OF _ROBBERY, WITH rja
LENCE TO THE PEtiSON.

TO TILE EDITOR OF THE StiN.
SIR,--Permit me to solicit the publication of the
accompanying correspondence between the Home
Department and myself on the prevalence of rob-
bery, with violence to the person.--4 am, sir,
yours, &c., THOS. S. STUART.

TO SIR GEORGE GREY, DART, 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 Government.
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 rat payers 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
one 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,
Tilos. S. STUART.