The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-10 00:00:00

THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

BILL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sts,—The Indian Bill of the present government is
a very clever production, and very greatly superior to
the arbitrary one of Lord Palmerston,—the only utility
of which, and perhaps the chief object, was to get into
his own hands the whole patronage of India. There
seems to be a popular fallacy relative to the Government
of India. India is essentially governed in India by the
Governor-General, the Governors of the different Pre-
sidencies, the Members of Council, the Staff and Estab-
lishment of Government officials ;—the chief duty of
the Home Government consists in the proper distribu-
tion of patronage, and the appointment of the best and
most competent officers for Indian service.
It would be much better to appoint Governor-Gene-
rals and Governors to India who could be trusted to
govern the country than men who require to be cor-
rected, dictated to, and interfered with at every move-
ment by the Home Government. The Bill of Lord
Palmerston only provided a multiplicity of governing
powers for India, who, under different names, would
have all been doing the same thing—governing India
and performing the duty of the Governor. General for
him. The chief of these Governors-General would have
been, no dobbt, Lord Palmerston himself ; but he would
fulfil those attributes much more to the advantage of
the country by going out to Calcutta and acting the
part of Governor-General there instead of in London,
and quelling the Indian mutiny. There is another po-
pular fallacy relative to the constitution of the Indian
Council, viz., that none but Old Indians should be ad-
mitted : there are plenty of Old Indians in India, and
holding the highest appointments of Government Mem-
bers of Council. High Civilians, Generals, C rlonels,
&c., why should they be able to do so much more in
England than in India, where they did not prevent the
Sepoy mutiny breaking out ? What is required to be
introduced into the Administration of India is a popular
element. Men independent of Government who wi,l op-
pose it when necessary, and keep Old Indians and Go-
vernment officials to their duty; it may be unpleasant to a
Government to be found fault with, or to be opposed,
but it is better than losing India, or having such occur-
rences as the sepoy mutiny breaking out. The Govern.
merit of India should be assimilated to that of Englan 1 ;
there should be a popular element, hi tni lar to the elec-
tors and voters for the House of Commons ; but these
should have a stake in India, and an object different
from that of obtaining cadetships or appointments for their
relatives, as this will render them dependent upon the
Indian nabob class ; and, being connect, d by relationship
with the official class in India, they will not be disposed
to exercise the same check as if they were not so con-
nected. At present there is only one element in the Ad-
ministration of India—all having precisely the same bias
—viz., nabobs and great men of high official rank, and
the electors are persons dependent upon them for cadet-
ships and appointments for their relations ; and those
connected with the official class are not the men who
will keep them to their duty. What is required is a class
of men who, having au important stake in India, wiSl
linve a powerful interest in seeing that that stake is not
injured by disturbances or the loss of the country, and
will hence keep a watchful eye upon transactions and
persons in India, and keep officials to their duty. This
will be best attained by a general assembly for India,
composed of suitable persons. Lord Derby's bill pro-
duces a popular element in the Government of India,
but it is difficult to see what stake in the country, or
knowledge of it, is possessed by many of his voters. His
giving votes to persons having a stake in India, holding
commissions in the service, or being possessed of
property in India as holders of East India
shares, is an excellent idea ; but only distributing
four votes among so large a number as 5.000
voters, gives no ore any power or interest in the
matter. The Government seems also to have appropri-
ated too large a share of nominations—nine members
forming one-half the Council. Tne Government has ob-
tained a large increase of patronage at the Horne Guards,
and has the nonoination of all the chief appointments in
India, and might leave the Council to be elecnni by the
popular element. VERITAS.
London, April 8, 1853.

IBONMASTERS' QUARTE reLY MEETING.

BIRMINGHAM, APRIL 8.
The principal quarterly meeting of the ironnaa.s-
ters of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Shrop-
shire, was held in the Town Hall of this town this
afternoon. There was an average attendance, but
the amount of business transacted, although larger
than by some had been anticipated, was, as com-
pered with the corresponding period of last year,
extremely limited. The recent shock given to the
credit of the district is still seriously felt, while the
American trade has not revived to the extent
which was expected. There were present several
well known ageets for Liverpool and London
houses, chiefly engaged in the foreign trade, and
some few orders were given out at the rates fixed
in January, and confirmed at the prelitnivary meet-
ing at Wolverhamptou in the course of list week.
From these there was no disposition to recede, and
the general impression was th,A, although trade was
undeniaVy dull, the pr.babdity was that the known
nen3ssities of the foreign and home markets for ma-
nufactured iron would in the course of thespring lead
to an advance rather than to a reduction of prices,
which now stand as fellows :—Bars, 81. per ton ;
hoops, 9/. ; sheets and plates, 9/. 10s, There is ne
doubt that in some instances contracts may Lie
entered iWo for deliveries at lower rates ; but it
that there is less undersell-
daaty,the present time by solvent
was stated at Wolverhampton yesterday, as well as
ingßgi romi
going
gfhoarmw a trod-
or existing firms than has been known fur some
years past. The forced sales now in course of pro-
gress under bankruptcy arrangements are chiefly of
pigs and inferior qualities of manufactured iron,
and will, it is thought, have little effect upon the
rfuemtuarrekpabriltele,
s
ofbest brands." It is somewhat
however, that, notwithstanding the
numerous failuri-s which have recently occurred in
South Staffordshire, pig iron keeps up its price, and
that best hot blast pigs were to-day, as they have
been for the last few weeks, quoted at 3/. 10s.
per ton. Pig iron seems to have found its level,
anil cenuot, it is said, be made lower, to a profit,
with ores at their present prices. ailcieed stone
is quotel at 17s. per tan: the price varying with
the price of delivery. Stone of the district, of good
quality, at 16s. Gd. to 17s. per ton.
The demand ter coal, as might be expected in the
present circumstances of the it on districts, still cen-
tinues only moderate, but prices notwithstanding
' are well maintained. The colliers have generally re-
turned to work at the reduced scale of wages, but
s ill many are out of employ in consequence of the
comparatively small demand fix fuel rt quired at
the works. Tile ag;tetion for a strike appears to
have subsided, and Vie colliers seem inclined to
whit for better times before they insist upon a re-
turn to their old rates of remuneration.

made to-day it was gratifying to
From inquiries m
be informed that, although the iron and mining
districts are still suffering from the late commer-
cial disasters, confidence is gradually return-
ing, no further failure 4 of any importanc3 are anti-
cipated, and that trade is apparently assuming a
healthier condition. The quarterly meetings do
not, however, terminate until Saturday, and until
the concluding assemblage at Dudley on that day
it is- impossible to speak with certainty with re-
spect to the general result of the customary guar •
terly settlements.
The attendance of Birmingham merchants and
factors in the Town-hall to-day was 'numerous.
Complaints were made of the general slackness of
business, but engagements upon the whole were
understood to be satisfactorily met.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the official
residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in Down-
ing-street. The Ministers present were the Earl of
Derby, the Lord Ceanceder, the Marquis of Salisbury,
the Earl of Ilardwicke, the Right Hen. B. Disraeli,
Mr, Secretary Walpole, the Earl ef Malmesbury, Lard
Stanley, Gen. Peel, the Earl of Ellenborough, the Right
Hon. J. W. Henley, and Lord John Manners.
DEPARTURE op THE COURT FROII Weenseu.—ller
Majesty the Queen and his Rtyal Highness ths Prince
Consort, with the junior members of the Royal family
and suite, will take their departure from the Cacti for
Buckingham Palace, on Monday next. Her Majesty
and the Prince Consort will return to the Castle at the
latter end of May
or the beginning of June, to dispense
their hospitality to the numerous illustrious visitors who
are expected to arrive at the Castle on the Ist, 23, 3d,
and 4th days of June—the days of the A.met races.
Hi' Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, attended by
Mr, Gibbs and other gentlemen of the Court, will leave
Windsor Castle t,-.-day, on a tour through Ireland.
DEPARTURE OF THE PRINCE OF SAXONY.—Southawp-
ton, April 2,—prince George cf Saxony arrived here by
the 10 o'clock train this morning, in the Royal mail
steamship Tyne, Captain Sawyer, which sailed in the
afternoon for Lisbon, Madeira, and the Brazils. The
Prince was attended, by Count Vitzthnm, the Saxon
l‘linie;er ; Lieut.-Gen Capt Von Thie!au,
Dr. Cairns, and Lieut.-Col. Ponsonby (equerry to the
Prince). H. M. steam tender Sprightly, Master Com-
mander, Allen, which had come round from Portsmouth
for the purpose, convey
ed the Prince from the dock
wharf to the Tyne, which was lying in the river. The
Saxon Minister and Cil. Ponsonby returned to London
after the Prince's departure. Tee Tyne takes out the
usual mails, 127 pa,;sengers (includiug, besides the
lllne-
trious personages name]above, the Lon. Wm, Stuart),
11,17C1. in spacie, jewel!ery value 17,000/., and a fel
cargo of tneretinedise. Teis is the last ef the Prizilian
mail stearrnre that will touch at Madeira and Tener;ffe
on the outivriril and 11:ion-sward routis, the call rf the
ivet.sels ttt thee() islands being discontinued for the pur•
peso of accelerating the triemit of the mails betwean
E gland and the Brazie
The Countess de Muntijo, mother of the Empress,
arrived in Paris yteterdey, and alighted at the note I
'i'Albe, in the Champs Elysees.
Madrid letter sr,y4
thee she left very suddenly, and countermanded a bell
at her heute, fer which cards were out.
The Coo tiLeas de Pertsii;ny, who has been indisposed
for some days past, is much better. Tee countee, we
believe, intends v siting one of the watering pieces on
the south coast le.-f.re relurnieg to France.
The Lord Chancelfor will receive the Judges, Queen's I
,
C ;novel, &c., at his lordship's residence, in Eaton-square,
en 'nun day
next, the first day of Easter Term, at twelve !
o'clock.

LAW INTELLIGENGE.—(his Day.)

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY,

Mr. Commissioner Goulburn was the commissioner of
the day, but the 'cases were only for the choice of
assignees.

THE GROCERY TRADE.-EXTENSIVE FAILURE OF GROCERS.

Two of the cases were, one in re Hunt, a wholesale
grocer, in Whitechapel, whose debts and liabilities
are stated at about 10,0001. ; ast,ets4, 4 000/. The losses
are stated to have arisen chiefly from bai debts. The
second case was that of Lewis and Lewis, of Maryle-
bone, grocers, the amount of whose debts have not yet
been ascertained. Messrs. Hill and Matthews are
the solicitors in re Hunt, and Messrs. Mason and
Stuart in re Lewis. Messrs. Hart Brothers were ap-
pointed the accountants in each case.

THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION
OF THE FRENCH EMPEROR.

The approaching trial of Simon Bernard for his com-
plicity in the late horrible attempt to assassinate the
Emperor of the French is looked forward to with in-
tense interest, and arrangements are being made by the
London sheriffs (Messrs. Millard and Parker) to give
every accommodation in the Old Court to those who will
have occasion to a' tend the trial professionally, and
suggestions of many great improvements for the accom-
modation of the public on the ExcelleLt arrange-
ments made on the trial of Palmer have been
readily adopted by them. The interest evinced
in the case of Palmer appears to be exceeded in
this instance, probably from an erroneous impresf ion
that ha 3 been generally prevalent, that Midi() will be
called as a witness. Indeed, it has been stated that
Rudie is at present in Newgate, for the purpose of
being called on the trial. From information we have
received, we can state with confidence that he is not in
this country—that he will not be called on the trial,
and, what is more, that it was never in contemplation
to bring him here for that purpose.

CRIMINAL COURT.—(This Day.)

OLD COURT.
(Bsfore Mr. Justice Crompton.)

The case of Mr. Glover, ex-M.P. for Beverley, was
resumed this morning.
The case excited no interest whatever. The proof of
the facts were of the driest and most tedious descrip-
tion ; and, except the parties actually interested in the
case, and those connected with the Court, there were
not 20 persons persent.
Mr. Hussey, of Cork, land agent, deposed that he
collected, &c., the rents of the Irish estate. The income
averaged about 1811. per annum. After deducting cer-
tain charge., such as rent tithe, head rent, poor rates,
receivers' fee', law charges, &c., he paid the balance
into the Court of Chancery by order of the Master of
the Irish Court of Chancery. The amounts so paid are
varied. For March, 1854, the balance amounted to
161. 2s. 01; for a year and a half, up to September,
1855, it was 1381. 15e. 3d.; and for September, 1856, to
941. 4s. Od. He had heard the estate was to be sold.
He had never received instructions to pay Mr. Glover
any of the proceeds of the estate.
Mr. Turner, solicitor, Gray's-inn, deposed that on
Sept. 14, 1854, he was consulted by the defendant rela-
tive to a marriage settlement between Captain Toker
and Miss De Burgh, defendant's aunt. The properties
included landed estates in Kent and the whole of the
properties in Cork belonginz to Miss De Burgh. Wit•
ness was to act as solicitor for all parties. On the 14th
or 15.11 defendant said a part of the Kent property was
mortgaged to the extent of 10,0001. He only
then referred to the estate as a co-trustee. He
said it was impossible to obtain the title-deeds, and
witness most be satisfied with the instructions he
had received without requiring an inspection of the
title. He gave witness no information of other inutile
brances on the Kent property, or to whom the 10,000/.
was owing. Ile said nothing about a rent-charge to
himself.

Croas-Ixamined—The instructions for the marriage
F,ettlernent were in writing—part in Mies De Burgh's
handwriting, and part in the defendant's. Sha gave
them to witness. No part of the written instructions
from the defendant related to the Irish or Kent proper-
ties.

Re-examined—Mr. Toker was about 65 years ef age
when witness was introduced to him.

Mr. Justice Crornpt,m—l thought this gentleman
was a. very oil man, from your opening.

sir. Jrttnes—This was in 1854.
Mr. Ja,tice Crompton—l don't think you wiil call it
very (.11 when you arrive at that age.
Mr. James—Not if I'm a Judge, my lord, (Laughter.)

Witnes3—The defendant representiri the Kent pro•
pertieg a 3 Mr. Toker's. He [net Mr. Toker and Miss De
Bargh at the defendant's residence, Stafford House,
Maida-hill.

[Tue deeds and documents relative to the properties
and the marriage settlement were put in and read.]
Mr. Henry Bathurst, solicitor, Feversham, Kent,
produced a deed of settlement, dated 16th Nov., 1853,
between Miss Margaret Grace Toker and Philip Cham-
pion Toker. It was a voluntary conveyance of the
Oakes estate for herself for life, with remainder to Philip
Champion Toker; reserving the power during her life
to lease for any term not exceeding 21 years.
Croz3-axamined—He held the deed for both parties,
who were now Lying. He could not say if the parties
were not friends o wing to family disputes.
Re-examined—He considered the outside value of the
hou.,e and ground was 801. a-year, the cottage and
garden
let for 251., the orchard land fir 601., the wood-
lands were in hand about 30 or 40 acres, and were worth
about 20/. a-year—together, 1851. a-year.

By Mr. Chambers—The Fevorsham Railway was now
open. There was a difference of opinion whether rail-
ways improved the property, through which they passed.
The property was about a mile and a hall from the rail-
way station.
Mr. Francis Ommaney produced a mortgage deed of
13,1 July, 1849, on Vie Oakes property, between Mr.
Metcalfe and Mr. P. C. Toker and his first wife, Mr.
Hasler Honig, and others. It was a conveyance by
Metcalfe a prior mortgageenf 2,0001., and T..ker and his
wife by way of mortgage of the property t 3 Hollis and
others as security for the repayment of 1,600/. and in-
terest at 5 per cane., borrowed by Toker of Hollis. Wit-
ness produced other deeds connected with the property
recited in the last mortgage.

The Court was occupied a considerable period in
proving by documentary evidence the ownership and
dealing with the Oake's property, including mortgagee,
ejeotments, &o.
The witness said the annual interest on the two wort•
gages on this property was 1251. It was mortgaged
altogether for 2,5001.
Cross-csamined—The estate was sold in 1852 for
7,5001. to Messrs. Toker by Mr. P. C. Toker, in whose
favour she afterwards made the voluntary deed. The
interest was in arrear in 1856. In September of that
year he believed he first received rent under the mort-
gage.

Mr. Roberts was called, and said that he had never
been called upon to pay rent to Mr. Toker or his trus-
tees.

Mr. J. Payne, former occupier of a portion of the
Oakes property, deposed that in October and November,
1855, Mr. Glover claimed to be paid the rent of the land
he occupied under Miss Toker, and he paid 251, The
witness Wa 3 cross-examined as to the value of the land
in his occupation. 4
After some further evidence was taken relative to the
real value of the property, the case for the prosecution
closed. The defence will likely occupy the remainder
of the day.

PIIOTOGRAPRY.—The last of the series of private pho-
tographic portraits for her Majesty in connection with
the late royal marriage were taken yesterday morning,
at Windsor Castle, by the same eminent photographer,
Mr. Williams. On this occasion the portrait: of the three
Princesses, Alice, Helena, and L .uiss, were taken in the
beautiful dresses worn by their Royal Highnesses in the
Chapel Royal.
ROYAL CREMORNE-G ARDENS. —THE GUN TRIAL.—
The gun trial, which has been announced for some time
back, commenced yesterday morning, at eleven o'clock
in the Ashburnham pavilion adjoining the gardens ; the
otljects of the trial are to record the come arative shoot-
ing if the newly-introduced breech-loader and the old
muzzle-loader, in the three following points, viz :-Ist,
The driving power of each. at 40, 50, and 60 yards, as
'tested by the number of sheets of brown paper pierced
by them at the sib ire distances respectively. 2d. The
regularity of delivery of the shot at eecO of these dis-
tances, within a c:rcle 30 inches in diameter. -3rd. The
amount of recoil, both when clean, and after thirty die-
chargee, as measured by a recording spring attached to
the fixed rest, from which all the target shots; are to be
filed. Twenty-eight guns, the work of different makers
in London, Birminehain, Gloucester, and other tow
were entered ; of these 11 were breech-loading. Tee
entire arrangements were under the control of Mr.
Walsh, editor of the Field, aesisted by six inspectors,
chosen by the exhibitors. Toere were a large number cf
gentlemen on the ground during the day; amongst others,
the Hon. Capt. Talbot, Cot. Astley, Mr. Reilly, Mr.
Ortin, and Mr. 011ard. From the number of guns
entered it was impossible to conclude the trial iu oue
day, and the firing was resumed at 10 o'clock this morn-
ing. Active preparations are now b irg ceale in the
gardens fer the ensuing season : ail the arrangements
are much more forward than at the same ps.riod in
former years, and it is hoped that the opening will take
place much earlier than usual.