The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-15 00:00:00

THE ENTERTAINMENT ON BOARD
THE PACIFIC.

A telegraphic report has been forwarded of the
entertainment given at Galway on board the Paci-
fic, on Monday. Some further particulars may not
be without public interest.
Mr. J. 0. LEVER, in returning thanks for his
health, proposed by Viscount Bury, said—Maps of
the globe were being continually produced, but he
believed it was quite unknown to the Government
that this was the shortest route to the Indian ter-
ritory and to China. As soon as the railway
.run-
ning across North America to the Pacific was finished
it would bring Galway into connection with such a
population as seemed fabulous, name over six
hundred millions of human beings. (Hear.) In
consequence of the recent opening in China it was
of the utmost importance to the men of Manchester
to foster their line. They were about to export large
quantities of cotton fabrics to that part of the world,
and they would see at once that it was for their in-
terest to adopt the shortest and most economical
line. It was an.undoubted fact that a saving in
time was also a- saving in money, and the time oc-
cupied in passing from Liverpool to New York and
Halifax had already been reduced by their steamers
from twelve days to six. (Applause.) As had been
stated, their line was the next best thing to the
Atlantic telegraph ; and although when the latter
was completed information would be sent by its
agency in six minutes, which it now took six days
to accomplish, there was no question that passen-
gers could not be sent by electric telegraph. (A
laugh.). The effect of the electric telegraph when
perfected would be to increase postal communication
sixfold, and where telegraphs already existed a new
and better class of steamers had always to be pro-
vided. (Hear.) There was one.little statement which
had been pat into the papers which showed a desire
on the part of others to misrepresent, and to make it
appear as if the selection of the port of Galway was
a doubtful matter—it was to the effect that in con-
sequence of the westerly winds they feared they
would not be able to continue running from Galway
during: the winter months. Whoever had originated
this insinuation ought to be called to account (hear,
bear), for with the knowledge of the winds in the
port which he possessed he had purchased the James
Baines to act as a breakwater. They would remem-
ber that that vessel had been selected for her Ma-
jesty to visit, as the representative of the mercan-
tile fleet of Great Britain, and that she had unfor-
tunately had her deck burnt off since. This ship
would be anchored in the,harbour as a depot, and
would contain over 2000 tons of coal. One of the
steamers belonging to that company had now gone
. over to Liverpool to bring her to Galway. (Hear.)
Be might say that Government, aware of the supe-
rior nature of that port, was affording them all the
assistance they legitimately could, and they for their,
part would ask them to do nothing that was con-
trary to, the, interests of the nation. He would now
propose "The Diffusion of Commerce in our North
American Colonies—may it increase and prosper
through the means of the short route by Galway."
In connection with this toast he would propose the
"Health of Mr. Roebuck, M,P.". -(Loud applause.)
Mr. Roebuck, M.P., in responding, said, we have
America—we have Australasia—we have Africa—
we havelndia. That is the English empire. Through-
out the world we stretch our dominion, and spread
our language, we give to mankind our institutions
and our literature.. Through all these we influence
the happiness of mankind ; and one great step that
we have to accomplish is to unite in, a federal combi-
nation with our great North American colony. It
stretches now" from Halifax to Vancouver's Island.
Up the St. Lawrence—along allthe Lakes—through
the Saskatchewan—across the Rook Mountains,
and down to Vancouver's Island, the flag of Eng-
land is predominant. The language of England
goes from Halifax to Vancouver's Island ; the in-
otitutions of England will reach from thence so far
~e% habitable land goes—even, to the poles •, and we
siiall have a dominion such as the world has not
yet .seen, And to return again to the point from
which I started, I look upon this as the first great,
step which unites England with our North Ameri-
can colonies. And now, sir, I come nearer home.
I am addressing Irishmen—l am addressing Eng-
lishmen—l am addressing Scotchmen. The very
heart and lifeblood of this great Eriipire is in these
;islands, and the dominion of this great country is
.net to be confined to any one part thereof, but Ire-
-lam-I is the real sister of England, and as the one
nr,;ShOS so will the other be prosperous (Cheers.)
tiT Abject has been through life to maintain justice
(Hear.) I must acknowledge—and I
vith a contrite heart—that England has been I
un
do so (Hear.) When I say England,
' I Ao not . wean the
just t Ire_ land.
b People of England, but the Go-
vernment of England. The Government of Eno-
land was ti unsferred to the people of that country
by the Rem orrn Bill. Old habits predominated
_:for some that ; and I recollect fighting the .good
fight for Irelatid by the side of that great man, with
all his fa,alts--I mean Mr. O'Connell. . (Hear.)
within the . last ten years a great change has come
0% 'er the fet dings of the people of England with re-
gar '1 to Ire land ; and anybody who attempts to
keep Alive oh 1 feelings of discontent and hate be-
tween Ihe two , countries is an enemy to both. (Hear.)

Depend upon it that the wisest policy is to let by-
gones be bygones. (Applause.) We have but two
countries to unite. How can they best be united ?
Why, by that golden link of commerce which
unites men together of different feeliEgs in regard
to politics and religion. We, each and all, wish
well to our country, and we worship God according
to our intelligence. (Hear, hear.) Well, then, sir,
if we would adopt that wise principle—let every
adopt that wise principle—if we would we would
maa judge for himself in those particulars, and if
we should unite Englandwith Ireland—" the Percy
and the Douglas both united are confid.ent against
the world in arms." (Applause.) Well, sir, Eng-
land. and Ireland united, what may we not expect ?
Greatness to all, happiness to all ; and we shall make
England and Ireland's name the admiration and
the veneration of the world. (Hear.) Depend upon
it that he who attempts to sow dissensions between
the two countries is a poor-hearted creature—he is
not a great-hearted man; he knows not what belongs
to mankind's happiness ; he is a despicable creature
and deserves our contempt and hate. There are such
men—l won't name them. Wherever they come,
depend upon it the brand of our indignation will
be put upon them, and they will feel themselves
disgraced by their own conduct, by which alone a
man can be disgraced. (Hear.) Well, then, sir, I
drink,and I return you thanks for the great sentiment
that you have proposed—" Benefit to commerce, and
happiness both to England and to Ireland,and to our
colonies." Ido not look upon Ireland as a colony. I
look upon her as a part of the empire. • But I know
—and I am an old politician—the misery and mis-
chief that has been created by attempting to sow
dissensions between the two: My object through
life has been to make England just to Ireland—to
bind Ireland to. England through the thorough-
going honest conddct of the English people; and
if you will trust to the English people we shall be
one with Ireland. (Applause.) Sir, I thank you.
(The hon. gentleman resumed his seat amid warm
applause.)

WESTERN . BANK OF SCOTLAND.

A statutory meeting of the shareholders in the
Western Bank of Scotland was held on Wednesday,
in the Merchants' Hall, Glasgow.

Baillie BLACKADDER took the chair. He said
the meeting had been called for the purpose of
confirming the resolution passed at the general
meeting held on the 24th of August last, which had
for its object the empowering the liquidators to
make compromises with those creditors who could
not pay the full sums due on the calls made on
them. No doubt many individuals would be glad
to pay their calls, but they might not be able to do
so ; and unless the liquidators had power to effect
such compromises a great deal would be lost to
the company. By giving the liquidators power to
Make compromises and give discharges in a quiet
way, without coming before a public meeting many
persons not able to pay up in full would, either of
themselves, or with the assistance of friends, come
forward and pay up as much as they could. The
shareholders would easily see how important it
was, therefore, to the interests of the concern that
the resolution of the 24th of August should be NM-
firmed. He concluded by moving that the meeting
confirm the resolution referred to.
Mr. ADAM seconded the motion ; which was
opposed by -
Captain MACONOCHIE, who protested against
being held responsible as a partner in the Western
Bank. That resolution was passed at a season
when most of those were out of town who would
have opposed it. The meeting alluded to was
called in Glasgow at the instance of the friends of
the directors, in order to work upon the national
feeling. They were told that they should uphold
Glasgow trade and the Scotch banking system,
and men of integrity and influence were induced to
attend the meeting and delude the shareholders of
the Western Bank. There was one party, how-
ever, who stood in a different position, Mr.
Buchanan. He then proceeded to call attention to
the act of Parliament by which the liquidators are
entitled to act, and also to the amended act under
which they wished to be empowered. He was at a loss
to see how the public prosecutor had abstained from
investigating the general management of the bank.
The public prosecutor, with the fact before him of the
Edinburgh banks refusing their support, and the
evidence before the Sheriff Courts, showing that
the directors had a knowledge of the bank's affairs,
and also with the evidence of Mr. Fleming before
him, was bound to look to the matter. They were
told of the advantages to be derived from those
four gentlemen being enabled to make compro-
mises with closed doors, but he feared it was not
the small shareholders that would be benefited by
that arrangement, but the large shareholders. It
was not great shareholders that he was represent-
ing, but the mass present.
After some discussion,
Captain WELLWOOD moved an amendment to
the effect that the liquidation should go on as per-
mitted by the old act; that, in fact, they should de-
cline to confirm the resolution adopted at the last
meeting.
After a few words from a member of the Edin-
burgh Committee, relative to Captain Wellwood's
having quoted the opinion of counsel as to the re-
sponsibility of the liquidators, about ten or a dozen
hands were held up for the amendment, and the
motion was carried.

Mr. BANNATYNE, law agent; said that it was not
competent for them at this meeting to make any
alteration upon the resolution.
In answer to a question from another shareholder
it was explained that the committee held powers to
consult and act with the liquidators, and that there
was no necessity for giving them further powers,
as every document in the possession of the liqui-
dators was open for the inspection of any share-
holder who applied to see it.
The Rev. Mr. NEILSON, of Rothesay, alluded to
the extensive power which this vote gave to the
liquidators. The call now made, if paid up fully,
would amount to more than £3,000,000 of money.

•
The shareholders then resolved themselves info a
special meeting, Mr. Blackadder retaining the
chair, at the request of the meeting.
_ _ _ _ _

Mr. SANDFORD, of Edinburgh; said that they
would proceed to take up the following resolution
which had been come to, and copies of which had
been circulated among the shareholders :
" Having heard read the following resolution,
unanimously passed by the general committee of
shareholders at a meeting held at Glasgow on the
4th October current, viz. That, taking into con-
sideration the lamentable condition of the affairs of
the Western Bank now disclosed, the committee of
shareholders are of opinion that the united share-
holders have a just claim upon the deputy-governor
and directors for reimbursement of the calls made,
and to be made, as well as for the loss of the shares ;
and that this resolution shall be forthwith com-
municated by the secretary _of the bank to the
directors in the management at the period when
they declared a dividend of nine per cent. on the
stock in the month of June, 1857,'—this meeting
unanimously approves of the said resolution, and
authorises and empowers the said committee to take
such measures as to them shall seem fit for investi-
gating the claim for repetition of calls and loss of
capital, either independently or along with the
liquidators of the bank ; and for this purpose to
employ agents and counsel to advise with the com-
mittee, and to report to a future meeting the pro-
ceedings which may be necessary to enforce said
claim." He proposed to follow up this resolution
by movinc, that the meeting now unanimously
approve of' the same, and at the same time that in-
structions be given that it be communicated to the
liciuidators, accompanied by a request to proceed
with all despatch in obtaining an opinion of coun-
sel on behalf of the whole body of the shareholders
as to taking steps against the directors, and there-
after to take measures to render the claims of the
shareholders sufficient. (Applause.) It was necessary
for them to set the machinery in motion by which they
hoped to be relieved eventually in some part of their
distress. (Hear.) He happened to be one of an asso-
ciation which had been formed in Edinburgh, for the
purpose of investigating into the affairs of the bank,
and for some months they had been engaged in
making inquiries. The investigatiort disclosed a
system of gigantic falsehood he believed unparalleled
in the history of banking, or indeed of any com-
mercial business whatever. From the year 1853 it
had now been proved that the bank had lost more
than a fourth of its whole capital, besides its whole
rest and reserve fund. From 1853 downwards the
event had been going on increasing, till, as they
knew, the year 18567 and especially 1857, when
not only had the whole capital been lost, but it was
involved in debt amounting to a million and: a half
Of money... He mentioned these 'things • without
any vindictive feeling, for he had no desire to see
the directors brought before the bar of a criminal
court. • Neither would he press hardly against
them for civil liability, if he thought their errors
had simply been errors of judgment. At the same
time, when he thought of the many parties who by
this unfortunate concern had been brought to the
brink of ruin ; how desolation had been carried
into many happy homes ; of the extreme poverty
of those who had previously been able to afford
every comfort, and how that many a grey hair
would be brought in sorrow to the grave—(cheers)
—he could not doubt but that the law and justice
of this land would afford a remedy. (Cheers.) From
1853 downwards he found from the published
balance-sheets that bad debts, and debts due by
discharged bankrupts on which composition has
been paid, were set down as assets, to ether
with interest said to be due on the same. He bad

found dividends paid out of capital for the last six
years.
' Mr. BLACKBURN seconded Mr. Sandford's motion,
which was carried unanimously.

Captain W. WELLwooD then moved, " That
this meeting sanction the appointment of a law
committee in Edinburgh to assist the liquidators."
The motion was agreed to ; and after some fur-
ther discussion, in which Mr. Fleming and others
took part, the meeting broke up.