The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-05 00:00:00

AMERICAN NEWS.

PuILADELPHIa, AUG. 20 —Political matters at the
present moment are dull and uninteresting, if I ex-
cept
.-Mr. Hunter's motion in the Senate, that the
protest of ten southlrn senators against the passage
of the California Bill be received anti recorded on the
minutes. After three days' discussion, the protest
was hid on the table; and thus ends one branch at
least of southern and disunion agitation f.r the nonce.
Tne Bill to establish a territorial Government in
New Mexico has passed through all its stages, and
the next struggle between the North and South will
probably occur upon aßill now before Congress to
amend and strengthen the laws for the recovery of
fugitive slaves. The appropriations are passing gra-
dually, although some of the Hotspurs of the South
had declared that they would oppose the civil and
military appropriations to the last.
Important intelligence reached us on Sunday from
Brazil, to the effect that four Brazilian vessels had
been burnt by a BritiA steamer. According to our
evidently imperfect accounts, her Britannic Ma-
jesty's steamer Cormorant was going into the port of
Paranagua, taking with her several Breadian vessels,
which she had captured as slavers, when the come
wander of the fort opened a fire upon the steamer,
and killed one of the British sailors. The fire was
instantly returned, and with spirit ; after which the
Brazilian barques, four in number, were burnt.
The fashionable and theatre-going circles of the
large cities here have had something in the way of
alleged aim. con. to talk about, in consequence of
Forrest, the actor, having made his " declaration" or
"complaint" against his wife, as the beginning of a
suit for divorce. This document reads as follows :
" TO THE HON. THE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON

PLEAS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OP PHILADELPHIA.

" The libel and petition of Edwin Forrest respectiudy
represents: That on the -- day of --, A.D., 1837,
he was lawfully joined in marriage with Catharine Sin-
clair his present wife, and from that time bath lived and
In all respects demeaned himself as a kind and affec-
tionate husband, and although by the laws of God, as
well as by their mutual vows, they were bound to that
chastity which should be inseparable from the marriage
state, yet the said Catharine Forrest, in violation of her
marriage vow, bath far a considerable time past given
herselt to adulterous practices, aad has been guilty of
adultery with a certain George Jamison, at Cincinnatti,
in the state of Ohio, to wit, in the county of Philadel-
phia aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction of your ho-
nours; and also with one N. P.W ails, at the city of New
York aforesaid; and al., with one Samuel Marsden Ray-
mond, at the city of New York aforesaid; and alto with
one Richard Willis, at the city of New York aforesaid;
and also with one Calcraft, at the city of New York
aforesaid; and also with one John B. Ricb, at the city
of New York aforesaid; and also with one Henry
Wykoff, at the city of New York aforesaid; and also
with one W. H, Howard, at the city of New York afire-
said; and with divers other persons whose names are at
present to this libellant unknown. Wherefore your
libellant, further showing that he is a citizma of the com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania, and has resided therein for
more than one whole year previous to the tiling of this
his libel, prays your Ilonours that a subpoena may issue
to summon the said Catharine Forrest to appear in this
honourable court at September term next, to answer this
complaint; and that a decree may be made divorcing
this libellant from the marriage bond aforesaid, as if he
had never been married, ur as if the said Catharine
Forrest were naturally dead.
" And this your libellant will always pray, ite.
" EDWIN FORREST.
" Edwin Forrest, being sworn, says that the tarts set
forth in the foregoing libel are true to the best of his
knowledge and belief, and that the said complaint is not
made ou; of levity and by any collusion bttween him
and her, the said Catharine, and fir the mere purpose of
being freed and separated from each other; but in sin-
cerity and truth fur the cause mentioned in the said
libel. " EDWIN FORREST.
" Sworn and subscribed before me, an alderman of the
city of Philadelphia, this 7th day o!' August, 1850.
" JOEL COOE, Alderman."
The subpoena issued to Mr. Forrest is male returnable
ou the 3d of next month.
It will be seen that several literary gentlemen are
named in this "declaration"—more than one of whom
is knpwn in Ragland ; one, especially, by his agree-
able volumes. Still it is only justice to say that the
public here, or at least a majority, believe that Mr.
Forrest is mistaken in this matter—that his ear has
been abused with inuendos and gossiping reports
against Mrs. Forrest, until he has convinced himself
that she mu3t have dishonoured him. There can be
no doubt that he believes so ; but people have great
faith. in the innocence of Mrs. Forrest, and hope that
on trial it will appear.
The latest arrival from Cuba states that there has
been an emeute at Puerto Principe, but gives no
further particulars, except that the troops fired
upon the insurrectionis?s, and killed or wounded
about thirty. Perhaps the whole affair is doubtful
—a rumour got up to stimulate a new invasion. It
is singular that in connexion with this matter
several Washington correspondents state that the
United Stites Government has po.4itive intelligence
of the formation of a new expedition against Cuba.
One would have thought that the warm reception
given to Lopez and his band would have cooled
the adventurous ardour of men who desire to rush
into piracy, under the pretext of interfering with the
affairs of foreign nations, which latter they have not

the shadow of a right to do. But I hardly think that
the United States and international laws, and the faith
of treaties, will again b. br..ken in that way, at least
so far as may relate to Cuba.
The Indians appear to be committing terrible de-
vastations on the Texan frontier, many houses having
been burnt and planters murdered. The savages are
said to muster 6,000 strong, but this is probably an
exaggeration. We hive an account from the south
to the effect that the Texans have raised 8,000 men
for the purpose of taking possession of New Mexico,
and in defiance of the laws and Government of the
United States. If this be really so, the men had
much better be sent against the Indians who are vio-
lating Texan homes and firesides. But then people
here are apt to believe that these 8,000 men are all
moonshine.

3,203 immigrants have arrived at New York in one
day, on Tnursday last.
I am sorry to recor I that, on Wednesday last,
fourteen women and children belonging to a pie-nrc
party were drowned by the upsetting of a boat at
Lynnfield, near Boston.
Mr. George Nicholls, of England, destroyed him-
self at Albany, a few days since.
Mr. Barnum now offers a premium of 200 dollars
fur the best national song, to be sung by Jenny Lind
as an introduction on her arrival in America.
A letter informs me that there are 508 ves4els now
lying in the harbour of San Francisco, California,
and 100 at Benicia and Sacramento.

The mortality is still great from the cholera in the
western cities ; yet there is reason to hope, from the
latest accounts, that the pestilence is subsiding. The
sunstroke has been very fatal—thirteen deaths from
this cause in a single week at new Orleans, and as
many perhaps in New York and Philadelphia. Eu
ropeans are very liable to this affection in July and
August, before they become acclimated. It is, there-
fore, unwise to leave their native shores at such times
as must ensure their arrival here in the hot season.—
Chronicle.

CANALS.
d'
Names of ' Diviend " Dividend Price. Names of 1
Companies. per , Companies. An!l ; Price.
• tue4.l
v: Annum.' te;
.kshtn& 01(111 971 71. 113 Macclesfieli • 100' 21. 10s. 50
.larnsley.• • • 1160 121, 180 Neath ...• • • 100 161. 340
Zrknk&Abrg 150 Si. 85 ,Gafcrd.. •• • • we' 20/. 185
Cirmingham ,40 4/. 804 !Peak Forest. 7g 31. 18s. 70
,:loventry.... 100 25/. 2(8 Regent's.. •• 33 11. Os. 18%
Derby. • •• 100 67. 63 Rochdale..•• gs' 41. , 5u%
,Ills,nre&Chs 133 355. j 41 Somrset Coal 150 71.105. 130
,Irand.functn 100 4/. 73 Do.Lk FdSt 12 61. p. c. -
Grand Surrey,loo 21. Os. i 32 Stffrd&Worc 140 281. 410
.rani Union ICO 1/. 10s. 24 Shrewsbury.. 1251 ISI• -
lrantham - - - Stourbridge.. 145' 201. 290
Kennt & Avn 39 7s. 6d. 414 Severn andl
Lancaster . 100 41. I 32% Wye Rail. 26 21. Os. 24
,:ee•ls&Livrp 100 241. 315 Warwick&
Leicester... 100 51. i 66 Llirming. 3 10C 41. 64%
etcetr&Nth' 83 41. 4854 Warwick&l ioo • az. 42
Loughboregh' 142 701. 510 Napton. •
Aonmouthsh 100 81. - Worcstr &I 78 31. 43
,inteintrysti 100 - - Birming.
Ife!tnMwbry 100 - - Wilts & Brks -14 s. 7%
3i/ST or SCOTTISE COMPANIES' PILICES
Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of I Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
£ a. d. s. d
Bank of Scotland
qritish Linen Company 81. per cent. 100 0 0 1100 0 0 193%
;aledonian Bank •• • • 8 per rent. 10 0 0 I 210 0 31.4
:7,'lty of Glasgow Bank. 61. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 1114
lydesdale Bank •• •• 6% per cent. 20 0 01 10 0 0 13%
Commercial Bank •• •• 71. per cent. 500 0 0 100 0 0 169
:astern Bank .• •• •• 61. per cent. 25 0 0 10 0
Edinb.PcGlasgow Bank 6/. per cent. 50 0 50 0 4X
Exehangeßnk of Scot.. 41. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 10%
rile of Man. Company 71. per cent. 10 0 0 7 0 0 -
National Bank 654 per cent. 50 0 0 10 C. 144 k
Northof Scotland Bank 41. percent. 20 0 0 5 0 2X
North British Bank :•• - •
loyal Bank of Scotland 51. per cent. 100 0 0 100 C 0 132
Union Bank of Scotland 81. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 8i
Western Bank.. ••• • • • 71. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 72
Alliance Firs and Life 041. pr cent. 10 0 0 10 ') 0 20,1
B. Accord. Life and Fire 20 0 0 ; 0 0 -
dritish Guarantee Ins. 4/. per tent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 114 i 3d
Caledonian Firs Insur. 101. per cent. 100 0 0 G 0 0 23
colonial Life ... 50 0 0 1 0 0 1/. 3s.
City of Glasgow Life 6l. per cent. 25 0 0 2 0 0 21. 121
Edinburgh Life Insur. 61. per cent. 100 0 0 15 0 0 20
East of Scotland Life lO 0 0 0 15 0 1 -
Eng.& Scot. Law Life 51. per cent. 50 0 0 217 6 2%
rlerculas Insurance Cs. 71. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 -
Insur. Co. of Scetlnd•• 51. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 1 -
Life Assoc. of Scetland 61. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 1/. 188
Mercantile Life
National Fire and Life 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 223.6 d
North British Insur. •• 6pr cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 25%
North & West of Scot. 61. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 -
Scottish Life and Guar. 20 0 0 0 11 0 -
Scot. Dias. and Gen. Life 0 0 0 15 0 , -
Scottish Union Insrnect. 6541. pr cent. 20 0 0 1 0 0 241.0 d
Stan lard Life •. • • •• I 51. per cent. 50 0 0 45 0 9%
United Dep. Assurance 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 16s 3d

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, Sept. 4.
(13t!fore the Chief Cornmhiaioner.)
THE " WEDNESDAY EVENING" CONCERTS. - IN THE

MATTER OF JOsEFII STAMMERS.

This was an application by Mr. Stammers, who
described himself as a" Musical Director of Concerts"
in his schedule, to be liberated, on sureties, from the
Queen's Prison until his hearing.
The schedule filed:showed debts for which considera-
tion had been received from July last, to 3,4721.,
with no credits on the other side. There were vari-
ous losses set forth, including a capital of more than
6001., with which the Wednesday Evening Concerts
were commenced. The result was the present ap-
plication, the insolvency being attributed to the re-
reipts of business being insufficient to meet his ex-
penditure. The creditors numbered 131, and there
were many " professionals" in the list for balances of
services rendered. Nearly 1,0001. had been paid as
rent for Exeter Hall. The receipt from the concerts,
from July to the end of 1849, were 1,4501., and in
the present year 2,2261. The expenses were consi-
derable. There was one item in the account of 3,153/.
as having been paid to "artistes."
In answer to the questions of the Learned Com-
missioner, the insolvent said he was2a musical director
of concerts, and also a musicseller in Duke-street,
Bloomsbury. He had petitioned last month, under
the Private Arrangement Act, the Court of B ink-
ruptcy, and as his debts were the present amount Mr.
CommiFsioner Fane had dismissed his petition.
The CHIEF COMMISSIONER remarked that the debts
for which consideration had been received were
3,4721, and there was not a single debt owing to him.
The insolvent said such was the case; his businesss
was a ready money one.
The CHIkF COMMISSIONRR, referring to the ba-
lance-sheet, remarked that in the present year 2,226/.
had been received from concerts. He inquired
whether the insolvent had any musical instruments.
The insolvent answered that he never bad any.
The CHIEF COMMISSIONER wished to know what
was meant by an item of losses sustained by concerts
which had not taken place.
The insolvent explained that he was to give a series
of concerts, four of which did not take place, hut as
there were expenses incurred on them, he had esti-
mated the loss sustained.

The Learned COMMISSIONER said he perceived that
he had borrowed a good deal of money.
The insolvent replied that he had done so.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER—Have you no property at
all ? Insolvent—None. I lost it all by the specu-
lation.

To further interrogatories he said he had 6601. in
money and property in October last, all of which had
gone. His furniture had be( n seized and sold by
Nathan, the Sheriff's officer, fur money advanced, and
his father-in-law had purchased the furniture and al-
lowed his family the use of the same. He had made
out his schedule from his cash-laJok, which was the
only book he kept, and about 200 receipts for money,
which receipts he had filed in the court. He was a
married man with five children. There were three
detainers against him at the prison.
His Hozioun said the Court would expect, on the
hearing, proof to be given of the sale and purchase of
the furniture by the father-in-law, as the same fur•
niture had belonged to the insolvent up to March or
April het.

The proposed bail were examined. Mr. Simmonds,
a silversmith, in Southampton-row, Bloomsbury, was
one, and Mr. Palmer, a hat manufacturer, the other.
They proposed to jiisify, hi the sum of 1,0001., for
the appearance of Mr. Stammers ou the day appointed
for his hearing.
In reply to the COURT, Mr. Simmonds said he was
a creditor to between 1001. and 2001.
Ihe CHIEF COMMISSIONER asked him whether he
held any property belonging to the insolvent ?
Mr. Sim:wilds said he h,d some fittings in his p,,s-
session. He had fitted up Exeter. hall fur the con-
certs, and was now a creditor. The value of the fit-
tings was 51. or 101., and he had a lien of 1601.
His HONOUR called the attention of the proposed
sureties to an omission in butb their affidavits as to
the period of their residence in the places of business.
There was a blank iu bath the affidavits.

Mr. Simmonds acknowledged that he had omitted
to fill it up. He had resided twenty-six years in his
present residence ; and
Mr. Palmer said he had looked more attentively to
the other part of the document.
The COURT said affidavits were serious matters,
and under the circumstances they might pass on being
re-sworn.

The proposed sureties amended their affidavits, and
signed the recognizance in the sum of 1.0001.
The discharge was ordered until the Ist of Novem-
ber, when the hearing will take place.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.

Howard Augustus Styles, of Camden-town, chemist,
was brought up in the custody of fiuggett, the officer,
for final examination, charged with. having forged
two bills of exchange, one for 200/., and the other for
3001., upon the London and County Bank, about four
months ago. The following is the addttional evidence :
Mr. Charles Bailey, of Swanscombe, in the county
of Kent, said I know the prisoner. He had not about
the month of May sold any land to me. I am sorry
to say I did not give my ace, ptances for the amount
of 700/. to him or to any other man. The accept-
ance to this bill for 3001. is not in my handwriting. I
did not authorise him or any other person to accept
it for me. I never heard that there was any other
gentleman of the name of Bailey in Swanscombe than
myself. I keep an account with the Graves-2nd branch
of the London and County Bank.
The prisoner said he wished for legal assistance, awl
hoped the Alderman would remand him. Ile had no
idea of shirking a ses.,ion, but he believed that a
solicitor would obviate the neces*ity of a committal.
Alderman GIBES—I cannot think of remanding
you, except you show me good reason for such a
course.
The Prisoner—I did not expect to be brought up
to-clay, and I require the pre=ence of an attorney.
Alderman Guans—The evidence is complete, and
whatever your attorney might say upon the subject
could not have the effect of inducing me to dispose of
the case otherwise than by sending it to the Old
Bailey.
The Prisoner—I consider it is within the range of
possibility that if my attorney were present I might
not be committed upon this charge.
Alderman Grinns—Do you wish to ask Mr. Bailey
any question? The Prisoner —No ; I cannot ask
oquuresrtehl)antsivwhich my
osi
tion
s.
Thatattorneywill nightdepaesak considering
d,
upon
what
my attorney might urge.
Alderman G113133—1n such a case what he might
urge would not influence me. You must go before
another tribunal ; I have no alternative.
The prisoner was then committed for trial.
Ann At Garay, Jane Hales, and Betsey Batsyan,
were brought before Alderman Gibbs, charged with
having robbed a gentleman of five sovereigns and
some silver. _ _ _

The case excited much interest, in consequence of
the belief that the complainant had been thrown into
a state of insensibility by the sudden applicAtion of
chloroform.

The complainant said—Yesterday fortnight I met
Ann M'Carthy in Whitechapel, and was induced by
her to hh
eo usseeo
second
nn
dStioomo
re saentd-
i nI uctheas r
gelapsed
atbefore foundlwit h
ha
vhienrg hraonbdb
ei
nd
hales.aclcvoomwpaennyt
intoher taoroaocmoffoene
n
street, kept, as I am given to understand, by Jane
mveyryp
ofecwkemt.
me, and opened the door and called for assistance. I
then heard footsteps on the stairs, and I saw M'Car-
thy swallow a sovereign. At that moment Jane
Hales, who is, I am given to understand, the landlady
of the coffee-house, came up to me, followed by the
third prisoner, and put her hand across my shoulder.
The effect of the movement was instantaneous. I be-
came at that moment insensible, and I continued in
that state until six or seven o'clock next evening. I
then found myself at home at Stepney in bed. I had
lost five sovereigns and 12s. in silver, and a white
pocket-handkerchief.
Alderman Glass—Had you been drinking? Com-
plainant—l had supped in Surrey, and had taken
but one glass of brandv-and-water with my supper.
Alderman GIBBS—You are sure that the prisoner
Hales is the person who put her hand across your
shoulder ? Complainant-1 have not the least doubt
of it. It came upon me like a clap of thunder.
Alderman Ginns—Who took you home ? Com-
plainant—I was found lying in a state of insensi-
bility, as I have been told, in a place called Lady
Lake's-grove, which is near my residence, by some
persons who had some knowledge of me, and con-
veyed me home. The spot where I lay is between
two very high walls, and extremely dark. I found
that my pocket-book had been examined, for all the
papers in it were turned topsy-turvy—none of them
were missing, for they were not convertible into
money.
Alderman Grass—How do you know that Ann
McCarthy is the fen-tale with whom you went to tha
house ? Complainant—l have been ever since en-
deavouring to find out the woman who induced me to
accompany her. At lust I met her last night. I was
in diqgniso at the time, and had communicated upon
the subject with a police serjeant, who advised me
how to proceed, and was at hand to assist me. When
I spoke to her she asked me to go to the very coffee-
house in Sonaerset•street wher ? she had robbed me,
and when we went into the room she appeared to be
very anxious to go for some tea, and no doubt she
meant to administer something calculated to make me
insensible. The sergeant and another policeman made
their appearance, and took the three women, who
were all in the house, into custody.
Alderman GinnsWbat did the woman of the
house do when she was informed that you were the
gentleman who had been robbed there ? Complain-
ant—She was so much agitated that she sunk down
on the bench, as the policeman can state.

Th 3 prisoner M4CArthy sail—Why, I never saw the
tr.P.n before list nif4ht in all my life, aril then he
came up to me and asked me to have something
to drink. I wanted him to go into a public house,
hut ha refused, and he then brought me to Somerset-
street to the coffee-house, wbeie I hid rn-vtr been
before, and we had not been there a tnioute when
the policeman came into the house And he gave me in
charge.

Jane Ilsles, the landlady, said solemnly that she
never bad seen the gentleman before he walked
in on the previous night, and then he spoke of
having been robbed of only one sovereign and
some shillings, but she knew nothing of him or any
robbery.

The' police-sergeant said the complainant had
pointed out the landlady as the person who hid put
her arm round his shoulder before Ann M Carthy was
found by him, but it was considered desirable to
wait till both could b secured together. The coffee-
house was No. 37, S tmerst-t•street, and w,,,,ess re-
collected that about two years ago a robi)ery wio
committed upon a gentleman there.
The prisoners were rerwinded
BOW-STREET.

Joseph Murphy, aged 15 years, and Jeremiah Hen-
71,ss?y, aged 14 year•, wore charged with stealing a
quantity of coals from the barges of Messrs. Smith
and Sharp. _ _

Falconer, one of the constables of the Thames po-
lice, said about seven o',-ileck on Tuesday evening he
saw the two prisoners lurking on the shore, near the
coal barges belonging to Ales,rs. Smith and Sharp.
He watched them, and saw them fill a basket with
coals, which they took- -out of one of the barges.
When they saw witness they threw the coals into the
mud, and ran away. Witness caught them, and
picked up the coals, which weighed 128!b..
The clerk said the barges were always swarmed
with boys, and they were robbed of coals to an
enormous extent.

Mr. lIALL said the coals were always exposed, and
it was a temptation for thieves and for poor people
generally. The barges ought to be constantly
watched ; and if he hal the power he would fine all
owners of property who did not have that property
secured to prevent robberies.

The clerk said it was impossible to prevent rob-
beries of these descriptions. If one barge was
watched the others would be robbed by boys who
conc?aled themselves under the barges, and were not
observed by the men.
Mr. HALL said he had power to have the pri-
soners whipped for this offence, besides imprisonment.
As they had not been in custody before, he should
only commit them for seven days ; but if they were
brought before him again he should certainly exe-
cute his full power.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
Mr. Abraham Simmons, landlord of the Surrey
Coal-hole, Blackfriars-road, was summoned before
Mr. Hardwick, to show cause against an order of
affiliation applied for against him by Alice Hughes,
who alleged that he was the father of her illegitimate
child.

Alice Hughes, who stated that she was a single
woman, but had passed at one time as a married
woman, swore that an intercourse had formerly sub-
sisted between the defendant and herself, the result
of which was the infant she then had in her arms.
Mr. Clarkson, who attended for the defendant,
cross-examined the complainant, and elicited several
discrepancies in her evidence.

The complainant called a woman named Reynolds
to prove that the defendant had admitted intercourse
on one occasi.w, but the witness denied that any
such admission had been made by the defendant
to her.
Mr. HARDWICK dismissed the case.

The complainant, who appeared half distracted at
this decision, swore that she would destroy herself
and the infant also. She had no mans of supporting
herself, and with the tie of the child it was impossible
she could get either work or a situation.

The complainant then suddenly precipitated herself
•m the defendant and seivfd him by the hair, struck
him violently several times about the head, declaring
she would do him some mischief, for he well knew
he was the father of her child, and if any further
proof were wanting it was only necessary to look
at the infant's features to see the Jew lineaments of
the father.

The complainant was put out of the court, and
Mr. Simmons waited a short time, and then left. He
came back almost instantly and complained that he
had again been assaulted, and now he asked for pro-
tection. He was the father of a family, and the
complainant threatened to come and annoy him in his
business.

Mr. Clarkson said his client must have protection
from the violence and threats of the woman. He must
observe he was prepared with evidence not only to
prove who was not the father of the child, but who
was the father.

Mr. llartuwicK would be ready to afford the de•
fendant any protection he might need, in case the
violence was repeated.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE.
Toe 28th half-yearly meeting of this company was
held at Manchester 'yesterday. There was a large
attendance of proprietors. Mr. Henry Houldsworth
presided.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business ( f the
meeting, said he felt that there could at the present
meeting be but one question upon which any con-
siderable difference of opinion could exist, and he hash
such a vivid recollection of the circumstances of the
last meeting, when considerable irregularity took
place, that he should, so far as he could as chairman,
insist upon a greater degree of order being kept.
Mr. DUNSTAN, the secretary, then read the report,
which stated that the amount received on calls to the
30th of June was 7,558,3621 ; 6 per cent. iireference
stock, 793,265/. ; loans covered by shares, 1,299,9451.;
loans not covered by shares, 1.575 6101. : total re-
ceived, 11,227,183/. ; calls in arrear, 293,6831. The
amount of capital expended and chargeable to re-
venue on the 30th of June was 9,700,0001., being an
increase of 1,000,690/. during the past six months.
The total receipts on revenue account during the
half-year amounted to 330,9171, and the disburse-
ments to 146,1921., including 10,9101. for rates and
taxes. The effect of the opening of new branches, in
increasing temporarily the proportion of working ex-
penses to receipts, adverted to in the last report, still
operates to some extent, but will diminish in the course
of next veer; and the advance in rates, authorised by the
Act of Parliament obtained in the last session, will all
tend to lessen the proportion of working expenses for
the future. The directors are glad to report that the
Bill which they introduced into Parliament for an in•
crease of rates has received the Royal assent. When
the company decided, in 1844, to promote and take
part in those extensions which occupied so much of
their time and attention in subsequent sessions of Par-
liament, they proceeded on the understanding derived
from the reports of Mr. Gladstone's Committee of
that year, that the Legislature would act on the prin-
ciple therein recommended, of discouraging the outlay
of double capital for one and the same object, by
which course the traffic would have been less subdi-
vided, and the then existing companies enabled,
through the concentration of the business on a smaller
number of lines, to work at lower rates. But since
the wise suggestions of the Committee, and the en-
larged views of the Board of Trade, under Lord Dal-
housie, were altogether disregarded by Parliament,
and the undue multiplication of parallel lines has not
only restricted, but in too many cases swept away
profit, the directors thought they could appeal
with justice to Parliament to rectify, to some ex-
tent at least, by a partial restoration of rates, the
error committed. In this hope, notwithstanding the
adverse report of the R alway Commissioners, they
have not been disappointed, and they feel satisfaction
at the result, not alone because of the benefit the pro-
prietors may derive from the measure, but also be
it may be taken as an evidence that Parliament
at all events is no longer of opinion that so great and
successful a ey stem of intercommunication, costing
hundred of millions of money, altogether the result
of private enterprise, and far surpassing the united
public works of all preceding times, should continue
unremunerative through restrictions imposed under
erroneous views of what the railway system could
afford. The great desideratum towards closing the
capital account—viz., the completion of the works
in progress—is nearly arrived at, the whole of the
works which the company had in hand, with the ex-
ception of about two and a half miles between Halifax
and Sowerby-bridge, being now open for traffic. The
portion of unfinished line alluded to, together with a
diversion of two and a half miles of the Preston and
Wyre line, now making by the London and North-
Western Company and this company at Fleetwood,
comprise all that now remains to he opened, and
will be completed within the present year. Under
these circumstances, it is proposed, that from the
present time the total capital shown to have been ex
periled at the commencement of each half-year shall
he taken as the capital chargeable against the revenue
of such half-year. Thus the amount of capital for
which the revenue of the current hill-year will have
to provide, will be 11,122,000/. The length of line,
constructed exclusively with funds now included in
the capital, will be 198 miles ; company's proportion
of guaranteed leased lines, 441 miles ; making to-
gether 242 k miles. Tile weekly published traffic for
the future will include the gross receipts of the above
2424 miles, and two-fifths of the receipts of the Bol-
ton, Blackburn, and Clithero line, 25/ miles in length,
on which the coml. any receives 40 per cent. of the
gross receipts for working the same, 104 ; nicking in
all 252.1 miles. The balance of revenue for the past
half-year applicable to dividend and interest, amounts
to 177,229/. The directors recommend that a divi-
dend at the rate of 2/. per cent. per annum, less
income-tax, to be . declared, which will leave a
balance of 18,8281. to be carried forward to the next

account. The legal decision affecting the fifth
shares has not yet been obtained. The direc,ors
are penuaded that the chief source of improve-
ment will be found in the progressive development
of the traffic. Reviewing the amalgamated or leaved
lines seriatim, it may be justly stated of the Barnsley
line that until the communications now making by
coal owners are complete, the full measure of traffic
cannot he known; that the thirty miles between
Manchester and Preston already yield a higher re-
turn than the parent line, including its brunches;
that the Liverpool and Bury line is rapidly improv-
ing in income, and after the Huddersfield line was
sanctioned by Parliament stood in so important a re-
lation t the Liverpool and Yorkshire traffic as fully
tojustify the arrangement. The Preston and Wyre
line was not expected at the time of the arrangement
to remunerate the company fur some years ; but the
loss, so far, exceeds the directors' anticipation,; but
in considering this loss credit should be g yr n for the
circumstance that an amount of traffic of from
15,0001. to 20,0001. per annum would have been di-
verted from the company's lines if the Preston and
Wyre line had formed part of a neighbouring system.
The engineer's report states that the only remaining
portion of the unfioished4works, viz., that part of
the West Riding Union Railway between Halifax
and Sowerby-bridge, will be completed within the
present 3ear.

The CHAIRMAN, after answering one or two trifling
objections to the statement of accounts, said the re-
duction of the dividend to two per cent. must be a
matter of regret to ell the shareholders, but he hoped
they might be able to look back upon it at a future
time as the turning point i❑ the history of this rail- '
way. They had approached that point in the history
of their riffairs when it would begin to wear a more
satisfactory aspect than it had hitherto done. It had
been said that the directors were chargeable with
the present condition of the line, and that to
causes under their control was attributable the present
depreciation of the company's property. But many
causes operated to reduce the dividend which were
entirely out of the control of the directors. He did
not make that assertion with the view to lessen in
any degree any amount of blame which might fairly
and justly be placed upon their shoulders, for the re-
sults of their management had not shown them to I.e
very successful hitherto. The chief causes which
had operated to produce a reduction of dividncl
-
were the abstraction of traffic by the multiplication
of competing lines, and the reduced tariff. At
an early petiod he (the chairman) saw the
injurious effect of the reduced tariff; and
called the attention of the shareholders to
the fact that unless they had higher rates of
remuneration for the work which they did it was in
vain to look for profit, and the directors, acting under
the some impression, applied to Parliatnent last ses-
sion, and succes•.fully carried a Bill by which the
rates were partially restored.—(Hear, hear.) Ano-
ther important consideration was this—while the ca•
pital chargeable to revenue had been increasing half-
yearly at the rate of 1,000,0001. to 1,500,0001., their
gross receipts had been almost statio❑arv.—(Hear.)
In four half-years their gross receipts had only ad-
vanced 15,600/. The accountant had made calcula-
tions which showed clearly the effect of reductions in
the rates, coupled with the abstraction of through
treffie, which had reduced their annual income
60000/.—(Hear, bear.) Another reason for the ree
duction of the dividend, arising from a very natural
cause, was that when this company paid an 8 Fer cent.
dividend the capital was 3,400,0001., 1,800,0001: of
which was borrowed at about 4 per cent. They had
not paid up one-half of their capital.—(Hear, hear.)
Now that they had paid up the whole amount,
that fact alone was sufficient to reduce the di-
vidend to one and a half per cent. He trusted
the shareholders would see that the causes
time operating were of a very temporary nature; and
that a little time—though not sa early as might orig►i-
n.ally have been supposed—would revive the value of
their property. At the last meeting a long discussion
took place upon the form of the constitution of the
board ; a committee bad been appointed to confer
with the directors upon the subject, and the matter
would be taken into consideration at a subsequent
period.. He would now move—
" That so much cf the, r..port of the directors as does
not relate to the question of the reconstruction of the
board be ra calved and adopted, and that the accounts up
to the 30'h of June be passed."
Mr. lIARPER seconded the motion.
Mr. I). PRICE objected to the enormous salary paid
the engineer, and charged him with having received
a sum of money for services reedered to the Liverpool,
Manchester, and Newcastle Company, which money,
he considered, ought to have gone to the credit of the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Company. He proposed
that, following the example of the Midland and Cale-
donian Companies, a list of all salaries paid by the
company over 1001. per annum should be printed.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. MOWATT,
M.P , and carried.

Mr. aonEltTs, of Chester, said that he thought that
SD long as the company found work for lawyers and
engineers, there would be no end to the exhausting of
their capital. He moved that the services of the en-
ginoer-in-chief should be dispensed with, and that a
re,ident engineer should ba appointed at a salary nct
exce,ding 500/. a }ear.

Mr. HAwxsnaw, the engineer, said many of the
gentlemen near him on the board knew that his opi-
nions were quite consonant with those of Mr. Roberts.
After the completion of the works at present on hand,
they would not requiere an engineer in chief.—
( Ipplaus9..) He would then, having a large interest
in the concern hitnself, be glad to wind up the con-
tractor's account, and get rid of the great responsibi-
lity which had laid upon him.—(bear.)
After a long discussion upon some minor matters
in the accounts, in which Mr. MOWATT, M.P., de-
preca•ed the system of share -purchases which the
company had pursued, that gentleman move-I for a
return of the shares so purchased and held by the
company.

The CHAIRMAN said no new purchases had been
made since November, 1848, at which time a list of
the shares held by the company was published.
Mr. Placa chlrged the board with having, at
various times, pocketed the dividends upon those shares,
and said it was only at the time when they depre-
ciated in value that they were thrown on the hands of
than company.
Tne CHAIRMAN, and other members of the board,
indignantly denied the assertion of Mr. Price.
Mr. MO WATT said there was only 52,0001. applica-
ble to revenue, and he thought, when that was
considered, the self-glorifying terms of the directors'
report were an insult to his understanding.—(Hear.)
The report was subsequently adopted.
The resolution declaring the dividend having been
proposed,

Mr. COATES (of London), on behalf of the Fifth
shareholders, entered into a lengthy statement of
their case. lie said he would not insist upon the
legal view of the case, though ha was well ac-
quinted with the strong foundation which they bad
in law ; and so soon as the question came before a
public legal tribunal, where no proxies could be used
—(flear, hear)—and it must do so unless justice
were previously done to the Fifth shareholders—their
right to a dividend would be affirmed, and the com-
pany during the progress of the case would be sub-
jected to great inconvenience, to say nothing of a
most expulsive litigation. The company had now
18,8001 of a balance, out of which they could pay
the Fifth shareholders a dividend at an equal rate
ith the general shareholders, which he proposed,
therefore, should be done.
Mr. SCOTT seconded the motion, but

The proceeding was condemned by Mr. LEEMAN
and other shareholder), on the ground that tie
matter had been referred to the Attorney-General for
his opinion, and it was suggested that, should it not
be decided by that high authority, it should be n-
ferred to a few commercirl men.

The CHAIRMAN declined to put the motion of Mr.
Coates, considering it would be necessary to convene
a special meeting for such a purpose.
Mr. Mow Arr joined in the opinion that the best
mode of settling the question would be to refer it to
the decision of some four or five business men.

Mr. LEEDIA.N sugg:•sted the reference of the case to
the chairman of the B;►nk or England and the chair-
men of the London and North-Western and Great
Northern Railway Companies.

MANCHESTER, BUXTON, MATLOCK, AND
MIDLAND JUNCTION.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
at Derby yesterday (Wednesday) ; the lion. G. H.
Cavendish, M.P., in the chair.
A long discussion arose at the onset on an objec-
tion being made by-Mr. Preston, of London, to the
affixing of the seal of the company to the registered
list of shareholders, until he was permitted to inspect
the list. The Chairman said that, in accordance with
the advice of their legal instructor, they must refuse
the application. Honourable proprietors might see
the list of shareholders' names, but not the number
of shares held by each. The directors themselves had
no objection to any shareholder seeing how many
shares were held by them. The discussion closed by
Mr. Preston stating that he wanted a decision " aye"
or " no," in order that he might try the question.
The report was then read by the Secretary. It
stated " That the gross receipts to the 30th of June
last had been 3,0351. 11s. , and the expenses, in-
cluding Government duty, 2,338/. 13s. 5d., leavinz a
balance in favour of the company of 6961. 18s. 2d.,
which, addei to the sum of 1,5351. 15s. 5.1., brought
forward from the former half-year, made 2,232/ 134.
7d. at the credit of the revenue account of the com-
pany. This sum would pay a dividend of 6.1. per
share (free of income-tax), and leave 1941. ls. Bd. to
he carried forward to the next account. The traffic
fa. the current half-year had been 1,9971. 18s. to the
25th of August, as compared with 1,6771. fur the
corresponding period of 1849."
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, who stated that
the traffic had increased 3201. during the last three