The Sun.
London, England, 1835-03-19 00:00:00

. - -
Dittn New Scrip..
Canad i C,mpany
London and Westminster Bank-

5
20
I 5

PRICES OF IRISH STOC
per Cent. Conqol3
Ditto Reduced
3', per Cent. Stock co
Ditto New, In,
3,5; per Cent. Debentures
...

KS, DUBLIN, MARCH 14
Grand Canal Deb, 6 per cent 92
Ditto, 4 per rent 62
Hibernian Bank ..

City of Dublin Steam Co. lOl
National Insurance Company
City Debentures, 4 per cent... R.. 1!;,
Ballast (Mice Debentures, 4
31:N pe cent. 9.2%

. .
Bank Stock
Royal Canal Stock
Grand Canal Stock

.. . ?2 4

MAILS.
Arrived. Due. Arrived. Due. Arrived. Due.
0 America ii I France 0 0 Lisbon 0
0 Brazil
0 BUCIIOA Ayres... I) (1 I lunburg 0 (1 Mexico 0
0 Carthagena 0 ii Holland
1 :tublin 0 i 0 Jamaica
1 Flanders

‘l, ATEq A'!' LONDON BRIDGE
'Morning 3 minutes iifter 6. Evening 33 minutes after 6

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
THIS EVENING, will be performed the Comedy of

THE KING'S SEAL.
After which, BLACK EI"D SUSAN.

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN.
THIS EVENING will be performed Auber's Opera of
LESTOCQ ; OR, THE FETE OF THE HERMITAGE.
To conclude with—THE MILLER AND HIS MEN.

To.morrow there will be no performance.

TO CORRESPONDENTS

The occasional omission referred to by a " Constant Reader" at
Huddersfield was unavoidable from the pressure of Parliamentary
matter, but will very seldom, if ever, occur again

The publication of THE SUN NEWSPAPER commenced this day
at 15 minutes past 3 o'clock.

;7,34

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LONDON,
THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 19, 1835.

It will be seen, by referring to the debate in the
House of Commons last night, that Mr. O'CoNNELL
obtained leave to bring in a Bill for the Amendment
of the Law of Libel. This, to the public press, is
one of the most important subjects that has yet been
submitted to the consideration of the Legislature ; and
great praise is due to the Hon. and Learned Gentle-
man for the early opportunity which he has taken
to bring it forward. Of y the details of the
proposed Bill we know nothing ; but presuming
that it will be based on the same principles
which distinguished the Learned Gentleman's Bill of
last year, we 'are prepared to support it to the best of
our ability. The conciseness, perspicuity, and utter
absence of legal verbiage and equivocation, which
marked, in a singularly praiseworthy manner, Mr.
O'CONNELL'S Bill of last Session, cannot have
escaped the recollection of the House. No man un-
derstands the subject better than the Learned Member
for Dublin ; and, indeed it may be said, of all Bills
prepared and brought in by him, that they are more
intelligible—more directly to the purpose—and
more suited to the comprehension of those liable
to be affected by them, than those of almost any other
Member of the British Legislature. This, at the
present period, when men desire to know the laws
without the assistance of legal advisers, is a very great
advantage to the country, and holds out an example
to the other Representatives of the British and Irish
people which we would be happy to find generally
followed.

We are persuaded that this measure would be
greatly facilitated by the revival of the Com-
mittee of last year ; and we are rather surprised
to find that Mr. O'CoNNELL did not introduce
the subject of his intended Bill, by a motion to that
efrect. The evidence taken before that Committee
was most important, particularly the evidence of the
late Lord Chancellor BROUGHAM, which was sub-
sequently- published in most of the daily journals. The
report of the Committee is before the House, and we
earnestly recommend it to the perusal of those Mem-
bers who were not then among the representatives of

the people.
In common with all our contemporaries, we feel very
strongly on the subject of Mr. O'CONNELL'S proposed
Bill for the amendment of the Law of Libel. With
us it is a vital question,; and we trust will be treated
as such by the Legislature. By the existing law we
are placed at the mercy of every person who can con
trive to make himself the subject of a newspaper para-
graph. If we escape unscathed, we owe our safety to
public opinion, and not to any protection awarded to us
by law. In his speech last night Mr. O'CONNELL
said that there had been instances where only 6d.
damages had been given by the jury, and in which the
costs had, notwithstanding, been as much as 1001.,
2001., 3001., 400/., and, in one instance, 5001.

Now in order to put a stop to vexatious pro-
secutions he would recommend that in all actions
for libel, where only sixpence or one farthing da-
mages are given by the Jury, the whole of the costs
shoUld be borne by the plaintiffs. This would put it
out of the power of unprincipled attorneys to persuade
evil-minded parsons to bring actions for libel on no
rational grounds, with the villainous design of living
by costs. Common justice to the defendant demands
this ; for the porson whose character only sustains the
value of one farthing's damages, has clearly no right
to revenge the wrong done him by ruining others. In
fact such a verdict is tantamount to a declaration that

the defendants are virtually innocent, and that th 4
plaintiffs go out of Court precisely in the same co Li_
dition in which they entered it. We are further 72er-
suaded that in all prosecutions for libel, in whi, ch it

can be proved that the plaintiffs were voluntary par-
ties to any part of the transactions reprobated by the
defendants, the truth ought to be admitted in evi-
dence in justification of the matter charged as
libellous. The distinction here made will appear
important, if it be considered how much dif-
ference there is between charging a person
with fraud committed by himself, and the same crime
committed by his father before he was born. The
publication of the crime of the parent may reflect as
much disgrace on the son, as if he himself were the
perpetrator ; and the injury he sustains by it is greater,
inasmuch as it must be individually unmerited.
Above all, we trust that the Legislature will, once
for all, clearly define what is a libel. The
worst feature in the infamy of the existing system
is its vagueness and uncertainty. Let the proper
boundaries of prosecution be fixed, that the press may
know the limits prescribing its jurisdiction, and so be
enabled to protect itself from the ruinous attacks of
quacks, swindlers, and pettifogging attorneys. We
shall return to this subject as soon as Mr. O'CoN-
NEL L'S Bill is before Parliament.

Sir J. CAMPBELL'S Bill for the abolition of im-
prisonment for debt, and for facilitating the recovery
of debts, of which we gave an abstract on Monday,
was read a second time last night, and referred to a
Select Committee. It will be seen that it gave rise to
considerable discussion, but that, with the exception
of Messrs. RICHARDS, BARING, and CARRUTHERS,
the speakers all warmly approved of the measure ;
and even the former gentlemen objected rather to par-
ticular provisions in the Bill, than to the principle it-
self of the measure. We are glad to perceive that,
in consequence of the wish expressed by Mr. O'CON-
NELL and other Members, that the Bill should be
extended to Ireland, it is the intention of Sir J.
CAMPBELL to propose that the Committee should
extend its provisions to that country, which it seems
a Committee has power to do, on receiving an in-
struction to that effect from the House.

'We have in several recent numbers commented
so fully on the principle of this Bill, that we need
not now enter at length into the subject. Like
every other measure which can, be proposed, some of
its details may no doubt be improved, and will proba-
bly undergo some alteration in the Committee ; but we
repeat that its principle is founded upon a sound,
practical basis, as well as upon a humane and mer-
ciful feeling. While it will release the honest but
unfortunate debtor from the unmerited punishment of
imprisonment, it will fall with increased severity upon
the fraudulent contractor of debts. Imprisonment
for debt, as remarked by Sir J. CAMPBELL, was
never intended as a punishment, but as a means
of getting at a debtor's property ; and this the
Bill will greatly facilitate. This measure will transfer
to the pockets of creditors the immense sums which
now go into those of lawyers, sheriffs' officers, and
others, by means of the Insolvent and other Courts.
It will also put an end to the infamous practice of un-
principled men living in luxury within the Rules of
the London prisons and setting their creditors at deft.
ante, while they are spending the money which should
be applied to nay their debts ; and it will also bring
within the power of creditors, copyhold- property,
money in the funds, and other descriptions of property,
which are excluded under the present law.

A Bill to abolish imprisonment for small debts in
Scotland, of which an abstract w ill be found in another
column, was read last night, and referred to a Com-
mittee. The principle of the Bill is similar to that of
Sir J. CAMPBELL, but we regret that it only extends
to debts of 8/. 6s. Bd. A Bill to diminish the cost
of proceedings in the Court of Session, in Scotland,
was also read a second time, and referred to a Com-
mittee. We are happy to find a beginning at length
made in reforming the Scottish law. There is plenty
of room for improvement, and we trust that the
Government will not refuse to co-operate with Mr.
WALLACE in his zealous endeavours to attain that
desirable object.

`We are glad to perceive that Mr. PouLTER brought
in a Bill yesterday to prevent intimidation, and bribery
and corruption in elections. Our own opinion is, that
nothing short of the ballot will prevent those prac-
tices ; but as that mode of voting has many opponents
in Parliament, we would not, in the meantime, dis-
courage the trial of other preventives. Something
ought certainly to be done ; for, under the present sys-
tem, elections, especially for counties and small
boroughs, are but too often a mere farce. As well
might the right of voting be at once transferred from
the tenants to their landlords.

The Conservatives of Lambeth gave a public din-
ner yesterday at the Horns Tavern, Kennington, at
which the defeated candidate, Alderman FAREBRO-
TILER, and a few small Conservative M.P.s, were pre-
sent. Much nonsense was talked on this occasion,
and among the speakers who figured conspicuously in
this line was a gentleman named QUIN, who seemed
to be of opinion that the quintessence of all patriotism
and sagacity was comprised in Sir ROBERT PEEL.
His speech accordingly was one long, prolix eulogium
on the superhuman virtues and abilities of the Right
Hon. Baronet ; but as it was received, considering its
subject, with remarkable stillness, we conclude that
the majority of the company were asleep during
its delivery. In the course of his oration, Mr.
QUIN informed such of his hearers as were
able to resist the narcotic properties of his eloquence,
that he should " lay aside all feelings of diffidence ;"
and, to do him justice, he kept his word, especially in
his remarks on Lord Jo trN RUSSELL, which developed
a more than ordinary Milesian effrontery. Captain
ALSAGER'S speech was, in its way, quite as remark-
able as Mr. Clung's, shattering tropes and metaphors
and similes just as if they were so many panes of
glass. The Gallant Captain compared the House of
Commons to a first-class vessel with a jolly ship's com-
pany of 658 men, among whom were some " logger-
head lubbers" and " wishy-washy long 'shore swabs ;"
and wound up his parallel by a solemn promise
that he would stick to the planks of the State vessel
to the last. Let what would happen, he would never
desert " Old England ! Generous man ! A pledge
like this will make Britannia's heart leap with joy.
She need fear nothing now. ALSAGER is her de-
fender. ALSAGER will protect her from the assaults
of those fiendish Radicals who are bent on the ruin' of
her maiden purity. We know of nothing so calcu-
lated to ensure lasting tranquillity as this Alsager
Manifesto. It is the one thing wanting to complete
our national prosperity. The Funds will, of course,
get up in consequence.

The Paris papers of Tuesday have all been received,
but their contents are of no importance. The Duke De
BROGLIE has declared his determination to resist the

amnesty, and so eager is the Cabinet to make a dis-
play of firmness, that orders have already been trans-
mitted to Lyons for removing the prisoners of April
to Paris, preparatory to their being brought to trial.

FRENCH FUN 08.—Paats, MARCH 17.
Five per Cents., ME 30c. 50c.
Four per Cents., 96f. EOc.
Three per Cents., 80E 241 e. 40c.
Bank Actions, 1,850 f.
Rente de Naples, 97f. 50c. 45c.
Roman Five per Cents., 99!-.;
Rente d'Espagne. Five per Cents., 49i,(.
Rente d'Espagne, Three per Cents., 31 307 31.
Roya• tinanisti Loan, 49i.
RentePerpet. d'Espagne, Five per Cent., 49%.
Belgian Lnan, Five per Cents., 10334.
Portuguese Loan, Five per Cents., 93.
Portuguese Loan, Six• per Cents. ICO4.
Haytian Loan, 385 f 3:10f.
EXCHANGE ON LONDON.
One month, paper, 2511 37%%e.; money, 25f. 35c.
Three months, paper, 25f. 2734 c. ; money, 251.25 c.
,rs Authcistivse.

BOURSE, QUARTER TO FOUR.—Five per Cents., 107 f. 60. ;
3 per Cents., 80f. 60c. ; 5 per Cent. Spanish, .19i ; 3 per Cent.
ditto, 31 ; Cortes, 48i ; Coupons, 27 ; Guebhard. 49i ; ;Dif.
fcres, :201 ; New Loan, 69A ; Ducats, 97 60 ; Rom:ins, 994
Belgians, 103 A ; Pedros, 93 ; Ilaytians, 390 f. —c.

BELGIAN FUNDS.—BRussEts, Mmteu 17.
Actual Debt, 2y¢ per Cent,
Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent. lOl
Loan of City, 1832, Four per Cent 99
Bank of Belgium, Five per Cent ... 11334
Society of Commerce

Lord CANTERBURY, we perceive, has been ap-
pointed by Government to go out to the Canadas to
investigate and report upon the causes of the dissatis-
faction now unfortunately so prevalent in those co-
lonies. The task is a delicate one, and will require the
exercise of all his Lordship's experience and sagacity.

Accounts from Bayonne to the 12th inst. bare been
received. The Carlists have renewed the siege of
Elisondo, with seven battalions. The town is well
defended, and as MINA is preparing to march to the
assistance of the garrison, we presume the Carlists will
raise the siege with more than their wonted expedition.
The Spanish Government continues to make prepara-
tions for the Spring campaign, by increasing the army
and providing military stores.