The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-13 00:00:00

CHURCH-RATES.

Mr. HUBBARD, in moving for leave to bring in a bill
to amend the law of church-rates, said it was, in fact, a
counterpart of the bill of last session, though it was calcu-
lated to carry out more entirely the purpose which ho had
in view. He should best explain it by passing in review the
provisions of the measure. It would remove the difficulties
which were found to exist with regard to permissible ob-
jects by defining the purposes for which church-rates might
be lawfully lavied. It would remove the objections which
churchmen had to church-rates when, being attendants in
district churches, they had also to pay church-rates for
parish churches, by giving district churches power to rate
themselves. Another clause would be directed to the assimi-
lation of the law of church-rate to the law of poor-rate, which
would remove the extreme difficulty in the collection of very
small sums divisible on very small tenements. Another clause
would have the effect of removing jurisdiction in all dis-
puted cases of church-rate from the Ecclesiastical Courts,
but would accomplish it without removing the proper juris-
diction of the ordinary and his officers, for inspecting and
superintending the repairs of the church. The next subject
was very important, and was perhaps, the only part of the
bill which would provoke discussion. It was the mode in
which he proposed to deal with the scruples of those who
had an objection to church rates, and he approached that
part of the subject with two distinct provisions in his mind
—that the national church should bo maintained in all its
prerogatives, but that, as the general principles of religious
liberty were the accepted ruleof government in this country
those who objected to church rates should be viewed in an
indulgent and liberal spirit. He proposed that persons
should be exempted from the payment of rates on the simple
• declaration that they were Dissenters. Ho then moved for
leave to bring in the bill.
Mr. HADFIELD pronounced the measure of the hon.
member no concession at all ; and asserted that the Dissen-
ters would never submit to the proposed declaration.
Mr. D. GRIFFITH supported the motion for the intro-
duction of the bill.

Leave was given and the bill was afterwards brought in
and read a first time.
PUBLIC OFFICES.

Mr. W. COWPEltobtained leave to introduce a bill to
enable the Commissioners of her Majesty's Works to ac-
quire additional land for the purposes of the Public Offices
Extension Act of 1859.

The bill was brought in and read a first time.
The house adjourned shortly before 7 o'clock.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—FEB. 12.
OFFICES HELD BY MEMBERS.
Motion made, and question put, " That there be laid before
this house, a return of every member of this house hold-
ing any civil, military, naval, diplomatic, or other place,
office, or pension to which he has been nominated or ap-
pointed by the Crown, Government, Ministers, or chiefs
of departments; stating the date of his nomination or
appointment, and the emoluments he receives, and
whether the same be temporary, permanent, or progres-
sive.

AYES-53.
Ayr+on, A. S. Hubbard, J. G. Smith, J. B.
Basley, Thomas James, Edwin Stacpoole, W.
Bouverie, P. P. Langton, H. G. Stansfeld, J.
Briscoe, J. I. Lawson, W. Stirling, Wm.
Bruce, H. A. Lennox, Lord G. G. Sykes, Col. W. H.
Butler, C. S. Liddell, Hon. H. G .Tite, Wm.
Carnegie, Hon. C. Locke, John Tomline, G.
Cayley, E. S. McMahon, F. Trelawny, Sir J. S.
Clay, James Morris, D. Vandeleur, Col.
Collier, R..P. Norris, J.T. Vyner, Reginald
Coningham, Wm. Padmore, R. Warner, Edward
Dalglish, Robert Peacocke, G. M. Westhead, B.
Davey, R. Pilkington, James Whalley, G. H.
Dodson, John G. Scholefie,d, W. Williams, W.
Douglas, Sir C. Selater-Booth, G. Willoughby, Sir H.
_
Freeland, H. W. Scully, V. __.
Griffith, C D. Seymour, Digby TELLERS.
Hadfield, Geo. Shelley, Sir J. V. White, Jas.
Henley, Lord Sidney, Thomas Bass, M. T.

NOES-112.
Acton, Sir J. Fortescue, Hon. D. Mills, A.
Anson, Capt. Gard, R. S. Noel, G. J.
Atherton, W. Garnett, W. J. Northcote, Sir S.
Bagwell, J. Gavin, Major Packe, G. H.
Ball, E. George, John Paget, Lord C. E.
Baring, Thomas Gilpin, Colonel Pakington, Sir J. S.
Barttelot, Major Gladstone, W. E. Palmerston, Visct.
Beaumont, W. B. Gordon, C. W. Pigott, Francis
Beecroft, G. S. Graham, Sir J. R. G. Powys, L. P.
Bentinck, G. W. P. Gray, William Puller, C. W.
Bentinck, G.C. Grey, Rt. lin. Sir G. Raynham, Viscount
Biddulph,;Col. R.M. Gurney, John H. Repton, G. W. J.
Blencowe, J. G. Hankey, Thomson Rothschild,BaronL.
Bonham-Carter, J• Hardcastle, Jos. A. Russell, Lord J.
Botfield, Beriah Hassard, M. D. Russell, Hastings
Bridges, Sir 8., Bt. Hayter, Sir Wm. Selwyn, C. J.
Bunbury, Capt. W. Headlam, Thos. B Seymour, Sir M.
Burghley, Lord Heathcote, G. 11. Sibtliorp, Major
Bury, Viscount Horsfall, T. B. Smith, M.
Cardwell, Rt. Hn. E. Horsman, E. Smith, S. G.
Cavendish, Hon. W . Hotham, G en. Lord Smollett, P.
Cooil, I-ova 12 .Truhrisa4,-...., lion 11. Somerville, Sir W.
Cholmeley, Sir M. Jones, D. Spooner, R.
Clive, George Kennard, R. Steuart, A.
Close, M. C. Knatchbull, W Sturt, Capt. C. N.
Cowper, Hon. W.F. Knox, Lt.-C01.8.W. Tollemache, Hon.F.
Corry, H. L. Lacon, Sir E. Turner, J. A.
Cubitt, George Leeke, Sir H. Upton, General
Denman, G. Lewis, Sir G.C., 13t. Valetort, Lord
Disraeli, Benjamin Lovaine, Lord Verner, Sir:Wm.
Drax, J. E. Lyall, G. Whitbread, S.
Du Cane, Chas. M'Cormick, W. Whitmore, H.
Duff; Major. Mackinnon,W.(Rye) Winnington, Sir T.
Egerton, A. F. Malins, It., Woodd, B. T.
Egerton, W. Marjoribanks, D. C.
Farquhar, Sir M. Marsh, M. 11. TELLERS.
Fergusson, Sir J. Martin, P. W. Brand, 11. B.
Forester, Col. G. C. Martin, J. Dunbar, Sir Wm.

THE OUTBREAK AMONG THE CONVICTS AT
CHATHAM.

CHATHAM, FEB. 12.

For several weeks past the most mutinous spirit
has prevailed among several hundreds of the in-
mates of the prison, and although very severe mea-
sures have been resorted to by the authorities
removing a number of the worst characters to Mill-
bank and Pentonville, yet all attempts have proved
comparatively ineffectual to restore order. On
Friday afternoon an alarming outbreak of the
convicts employed on St. Mary's Island occurred,
and the insubordination which then prevailed con-
tinued until yesterday, when the culminating point
in :these disturbances appeared to be attained a
scene of riot occurring within the prison which is
described by the prison officials as being of the
most appalling character.
Immediately aftea the outbreak on Friday, about
20 of the principal actors in that mutiny were
chained together and placed in one cell, to await an
order from Captain Gambier as to the punishment
to be inflicted on them. Throughout the whole
of Saturday and following days these men kept up
a continal disturbance in the prison, which was
taken up by the other convicts in the cells, and at
times the noises made by their hootings and yells
were completely overpowering. Captain Gambier,
the Inspector-General of Convict Prisons, arrived at
the establishment yesterday for the purpose of in-
quiring into the recent mutinous outbreak, and his
presence at the prison soon became known among
the inmates. During the morning the men were
marched to their labour as usual in the dockyard,
on St. Mary's Island, and at the other public
works, although from the manner of most of them
it was apparent to the officials that there was an
under-eurrent of mischief at work. The convicts
returned to the prison at the customary hour for
their dinner, which was served to them as usual,
when several again complained of the badness of
the food, although it should be remarked that the
prison diet is greatly superior to that given in any
union workhouse. The convicts, however, finished
their dinner without mfiking any disturbance, but
on being ordered to resume their work numbers of
them declared that they would not, and dared the
keepers to interfere to make them. At this time it
became known that several of the convicts con-
cerned in the recent outrage had been ordered by
Captein Gambier to be flogged, and afterwards
sent back to Millbank and Pentonville, and this cir-
cumstance is believed to have greatly exasperated
the convicts. On the usual gangs being formed
in the prison yard, several of the convicts again
refused to go to their work, and some of them com-
menced assaulting the keepers and warders who
had them in charge. At a preconcerted signal
about 50 convicts made a sudden rush on the
keepers whom they quickly succeeded in overpower-
ing, and almost at the same instant the other con-
victs, who were out of their cells waiting to com-
mence works, turned upon their keepers, assailing
them with fearful oaths, and threatening to mas-
sacre the whole of them. At this time several hun-
dred convicts were free from all control, and the
keys of the cells having been forced from the
warders, those who were in the cells were quickly
released.

The wildest uproar now ensued, the whole of the
prisoners being loose within the prison, and ready
for any excesses. Capt. Gambier, who happened
to be within the building, together with Captain
Powell, the governor, Mr. Measor, deputy governor,
and the other principal officers of the establishment,
were soon among the convict, whom they endea-
voured to induce to proceed to their cells. Having,
however, to contend with epwards of 1,000 of the
most depraved ruffians, and the guard only num-
bering 150 men, their efforts were entirely useless,
and from the fierce threats used!towards the officers
there is little doubt that murder would have
been committed had any attempt to interfere
with the convicts been resorted to. After
overpowering the keepers a large body of con-
victs rushed to the office of Captain Powell, where
they commenced destroying all the books, papers,
accounts, and other official documents connected
with the prison, smashing the whole of the win-
dows, and dsstroying every article of furniture on
which they could wreak their vengeance. An
attempt was then made to set fire to the prison,
and the building was actually fired in several places.
The wardero, however, at great risk to tkonisolToth

got out the hose and also the fire engine, which is '
always kept ready at the prison, and succeeded in
extinguishing the flames. Numerous bands of
convicts then proceeded to destroy every article
within the prison on which they could lay their
hands, valuable clocks being smashed, and several
costly " noctaries," which are used at night to
register the visits of the warders, being smashed
to atoms. Searceiy a pane of glass was left whole
in the prison, the most terrible havoc being com•
mitted on everything which came in the way of
the infuriated ruffians. The large stove placed in
the centre of the building for the purpose of
warming the prison was turned bodily over, and
much injured. The amount of damage done is
estimated at £lOOO.

As soon as it was ascertained that all hope of
restoring order, without the assistance of the mili-
tary was at an end, messengers were dispatched to
the garrison for a strong body of troops, and also
to the dockyard for the Metropolitan police and the
guard always on duty at that establishment. Im-
mediately on receiving the order, a strong body of
police, under the direction of Inspector Pethers,
quickly proceeded to the prison. A party of the
Royal Marines who happened to be engaged in
rifle firing near the prison, also proceeded to the
convict establishment, under the command of Major
Rodney. On receipt of the order for the military
at the garrison, a body of 400 of the Royal Marines
the 4th and 35th Companies of the Royal
Engineers, together with upwards of 500 troops of
the Line, were quickly despacthed to the prison ;
Colonel Jervis, Colonel Harness, C. 8., and the
other priucipal officers of the garrison, also pro-
ceeding there to direct the operations of the soldiers.
Each of the troops had with him 10 rounds of ball
cartridges. On the arrival of the military at the
prison a considerable time was permitted to elapse
before they were allowed to enter, the reason for
which could not be understood, especially as it was
evident from the noise and uproar, which could be
distinctly heard outside, that the mutineers were in
full possession of the prison. After some time the
military were allowed to enter, when several hun
dred men were ordered to charge the rioters within
the prison, about 300 of the troops being judiciously
posted outside to prevent any of the convicts escap-
ing. The moment the convicts caught sight of the
soldiery they set up the most fearful yells, and chal-
lenged them with oaths to " Come on," The order
was then given to charge the con vic.s, the keepers
driving the prisoners before them with their trun-
cheons, which they used with great effect. The
troops continued to drive the prisoners before them,
but no attempt was made to fire on them, although
the soldiers repeatedly requested their officers to be
allowed to do so. In a very short time after the
arrival of the military the whole of the convicts had
been driven into their cells, where they were securely
fastened. A portion of the troops were then sent
back to their barracks, but several hundred men of
the Royal Marines, the Engineers, and the Line
remained on duty at the prison all last night, and
also to-day, in case there should bel any attempt at
another outbreak.

About forty of the ringleaders in the revolt
were seized yesterday afternoon, and, each having
been heavily ironed, the whole were chained
together and placed in one cell, with a strong
guard over them. This morning Captain Gambier,
having ascertained the names of the principal par-
ties concerned in the outrage and mutiny, directed
that 40 of them should each receive three dozen
lashes. An order was at once despatched to the
Marine barracks for the halberds and cats, which
were immediately sent to the prison, eight of the
strongest drummers being at the same time
despatched to administer the punishment, which
was inflicted in the presence of a strong body of
troops. The whole of the convicts have been kept
confined in their cells to-day, and no repetition of
the disturbances has been attempted, a strong body
of troops being still at the prison, where they are
expected to remain to-night.