The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-04 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNIIZSDAY EVENING-, DECEMBER 4, 1850.

Mr. FEw- :Very well, your Honour.
The anion at of dividend cannot as yet be stated with
accuracy, hut: iw will be about 2d. in the pound on the
joint estate. No dividend was declar,Al under the joint
estate.

POI ,10E INTELLIGENCE.
~IIANSIOiV-HOUSE.
The LORD MAYOR said he had the gratification to
state that he had received a letter from Mr. Balfour, of
the firm of B alfour, Laming, and Co., the ship-brokers,
containing it 'formation relative to the 65 French emi-
grants to Ca lifornia, who had some days ago complained
against Mr. 1 Urbain, with whom they had entered into
engagements for their voyage to California, for not having
performed hi:; contract for conveying them to that des-
tination.
The followi eg is a copy of the communication, which
his Lordship o (moldered highly honourable to the firm :
" My Lord,- —I feel certain that you will be pleased to
learn that the patter of the Abyssinia' is arranged; but
I conceive it to be due to your Lordship, who has only
heard one side of the question, to my firm, as one of
some standing itt the City, and to the public at large, to
explain the whole circumstances of the case, thereby en-
abling you to arrive at a fair conclusion on its merits.
" On the 25th of September last Mr. Urbain brought
a letter of introduction to our house from our corre-
spondent at Paris, and requested us to load for California
the ship Abyssinia, which he had then purchased from
Mr. Alexander, the agent of the owners, for a sum of
3,1001., stating at the same time that he had engaged his
passengers at Paris, and that he only required our as-
sistance in loading the ship.
" Being tno.it respectably introduced, we at once ac-
ceded to the request, and Mr. Alexander confirmed to us
the next clay the arrangement that had been made.
" A deposit having been duly paid, the ship was laid
in the berth for goods, and au amount of freight between
8001. and 9001. engaged by us.
" During the loading Mr. Urbain paid over to us vari-
ous sums, amounting in all to upwards of 1,0001., which
we paid over, as requested by him, to the late owners of
the ship.
" About the 20th of October, Mr. Urbain, finding that
it would cost a large sum of money to procure French
papers, made overtures to us to a►low the register to be
put in our name, an idea which we at once repudiated,
as we could not lend our names to such a transaction.
At the same time, feeling for the position of the man,
we made a liberal offer for the purchase of the vessel
outright. This he rejected; informing us the day after
that he had found a party who had acceded to his terms,
and that the balance of the purchase-money would
at ouoe be paid. This was never done, and the pas-
sengers becoming impatient, the man was thrown into
prison. •
" Since that time proceedings have been taken against
my firm, and although we derived no benefit from the
transaction, nor are we in any way legally responsible
for the acts of Captain Urbain, yet deeply commise-
rating the condition of the poor euaigrantF., we have
purchased the ship, and she will proceed to sea on Sa-
turday.
" A number of these unfortunate emigrants being
entirely without means, and, almost without necessary
clothing, notwithstanding the heavy sacrifices we have
already made—and those only who know what it is to
fit out an emigrant ship for a six months' voyage can
appreciate the sacrifice—we have offered to contribute a
further sum of fifty guineas, and we venture to appeal
on their behalf to an English public—an appeal which is
never made in vain.
"I can only add, that with ono or two exceptions,
the conduct of these men reflects upon them the greatest
credit.

" I have the honour to be, my Lord,
" Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
" BUCHANAN BALFOUR, of the firm of
Balfour, Laming, and Co.
" 157, Fenchurch•street.
"To the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London."
Lieutenant Lean, R.N., Government agent for the
port of London, said he had see❑ the vessel since Messrs.
Balfour and Co. had fitted her out, and the provisions
laid in and the accommodation: made by the firm for
the passage were most unexceptionable. The poor fo-
reigners had expresead in the most grateful manner their
feelings towards the chief magistrate of London, for
having so promptly and strenuously undertaken their
cause, and hoped that his Lordship would, in the emit).
ing year, when so many people from all nations would
be assembled in the metropolis, be hailed by the appro-
bation of all who formed a just estimate of the value of
charitable national intercourse.

The LORD Mason said he was sincerely gratified at
the liberal course pursued by Messrs. Balfour, who had
thus stood as it were between the poor foreigners and
their ruin; but he could not at the same time conclude
his expressions of satisfaction without returning thanks
to Lieutenant Lean, for the benevolent pains that gentle-
man had taken iu the business.

His LORDSHIP then, at the request of the emigrants,
issued an order for the discharge of Captain Urhain
from prison, to which that unfortunate person had been
consigned upon their representations. •
The Lord Mayor requested that the press would
acknowledge the receipt of 51. for the poor box, from
E. P.. for Call, Martin, and Co.