The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-25 00:00:00

SICILY.

Letters from Messina, of the 12th, state that since
the 9th there have been upwards of 40 shocks of
earthquakes, in consequence of which the greatest
alarm was prevalent, and business was at a complete
stand.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Their Lordships met at Five o'Clock.
PETITIONS.

Lord MONTEAGLE presented a petition from
ColoLel Biddulpb, tl e Lord-Lieutenant of the county of
Denbigh, and three ether gentlemen, complaining that a
certain railway which ran through that county had got
into the hands of certain proprietors of collieries, who had
abused the powers conferred on them by Parliament, by
carrying their own coals at a less rase than they carried
the coals of other proprietors. He believed that this was
not a singular instance in which colliery proprietors,
who were also railway directors, Lad, in a similar man-
ner, abuse d their trust.

Earl NELSON presented a petition from the parish
of Ply mpton, against an increase in the number of beer
shops.

Ths Earl of CARLISLE presented two petitions
agairlst Post-office labour on Sunday also petitions
from Leeds and Cork against the punishment of death;
and a petition praying for a removal of the taxes on
knowledge.

The Earl of HARROWBY present•-d several peti-
tions praying for a repeal of the Sale of Beer Act.
TITLES OF RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS
(SCOTLAND) BILL.
On the motion of the Marquis of BREADALBANE-
this Bill was passed through Committee, and some ver-
bal amendments were introduced.
ALTERATIONS IN PLEADINGS BILL.
This Bill r assed through Committee.
PIRATES HEAD MONEY REPEAL BILL.
On the motion of the Marquis of LANSDOWNE the
House resolved itself into Committee on this Bill.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH obje.:ted to the
stigmatizing persons as pirates until they should have
been convicted of piracy. The words of the Bill should
have been "alleged pirates." The Noble Lord con-
cluded by proposing a verbal amendment calculated to
meet this objection.

The Earl of MINTO defended the wording of the
clause.
After a few observations from the Earl of MINTO and
Lord COLCHESTER,
Earl GREY said ho had no objection to adopt so
much of the amendment of the Noble Earl (Elleuba-
rough) as would make the Bill applicable to the capture
of pirates on shore as well as at sea.
(LEFT SITTING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
PRIVATE BILLS.

The fallowing Bills were read a third time and
passed:—
Glasgow and Shotts Turnpike-reals Improvement;
Guardian Fire and Life Assurance Company.
LONDON (WATFORD) SPRING WATER COM-
PANY BILL.

Sir DE LACY EVANS moved the second reading
of this Bill.
Mr. HALSEY suggested that the second reading of
this Bill b.; postponed for a fortnight, is order that time
be allowed for the report cf the San'tary Commission
being laid on the table of thelleuse.
Sir G. GREY expressed hiachelf favourable to the
postpoi ement of the second reading until the report of
the Board of Health was on the table.
After an animated conversation, in which Sir B. Hall,
Lord Ashley, Mr. B. Denison, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Brown-
low Knox, Mr. W. Patten, and Sir De Lacy Eiuns took
part,
Sir DE LACY EVANS agreed to withdraw his mo-
tion, and—
The second reading of the Bill was eventually post-
poned until Monday fortnight.
METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS (HENLEY-
ON•THAMES AND LONDON AQUEDUCT)
BILL.

The second reading of this Bill, for the same reason,
was postponed until Monday fortnight.
KIDDERMINSTER ELECTION.

Mr. BOUVERIE, the Chairman of the Kiddermin •
ster Election Committee, appeared at the bar, with the
report of the Committee appointed to try the petition
presented against th'e return of the sitting Member. The
Committee zeported that Mr. John Best was duly elected
a burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the
borough of Kidderminster.
PETITIONS.
Mr. G. DUNCAN presented a petition from the phy-
sicians of Dundee, praying that the assistant-surgeons
in the navy might be placed on the same footing as sur-
geons in the army with respect to accommodation.
Petitions were presented by Sir R. H. Inglis from
places in Dorset and Wilts; by Sir W. Verner from
Armagh; by Mr. Lockhart, Lord Barrington, Mr. Law,
Lord Charles Manners, and Sir Charles Lemon, praying
the House to pass such measures as would prevent the
transmission of mails on the Sabbath.
Mr. COWAN presented a petition from the governors
of lied6t's Hospital, Edinburgh, against the Public
Health Bill for Scotland, and also against the Police Bill
for Scotland. The lion. Member presented several pe-
titions to the same eff et from Edinburgh.
Mr. C. LEWIS presented several petitions against
Sunday labour in the Post office, and a petition in favour
of the extension of county coutt4.
Mr. WYLD presented several ret;tions praying fir
a better supply of water to the metropolis ; also some
petitions from places in Lancashire in favour of the Ten
Hr urs Bill.
Mr. FARRAR presented a petition from the county
of Durham complaining of agricultural distress, and
praying for relief.
Mr. STAFFORD presented a petition against Sunday
labour in the Post-filice.
Mr. B. DENISON presented several petitions from
places in Yorkshire to the same effect.
Mr. SA NDARS presented a petition from a place in
the West Riding of Yorkshire in favour of a ten hours'
factory Bill.

Mr:CARDWELL presented a petition from Liter-
pool praying, as we understood, fur ccrta:n alterations
in the St..ncip Duties Bill.
Mr. LASCELLES presented a petition from Ripon
in favour of the Marriage Bill.

Sir GEORGE CLERK presented a petition from
Mid Lothian against the Educational Bill for Scot!and.
Colonel THOMPSON presented a petition praying
for a better supply of water to the metropolis.
Mr. CHRISTOPHER presented several petitions
against Sunday labour in the Post•office.
Mr. ItEYVV OOD presented a petition from a place
in Lancashire in favour of international at titration.
Lord GEORGE MANNERS presented a letition
from Essex complaining of agricultural distress.
Mr. GEORGE THOMPSON presented a petition
from the Tower Hamlets in favour of financial reform,
and praying for the repeal of the window duties; also,
petitions from Bromley and Shoreditch praying for the
abolition of church-rate?, and a petition from Belfast
praying the House to take more effective steps fur the
suppression of the slave-trade.

Mr. PAGE WOOD presented a petition from the
Corporation of Oxford praying for a reform of the Court
of Chancery.
Mr. CLAY presented a petition from the Corporation
of Hull praying the House to extend the jurisdiction cf
county courts.
Lord DUDLEY STUART presented a petition from
Marylebone praying the House to adopt measures for
bet er supplying the metropolis with water.
Sir 13. BALL presented a similar petition from St.
Pancras.

Lord 11. VANE presented a petition from the Stock-
ton and Darlington Railway Company against any
alteration in the stamp duties.
Mr. ROEBUCK presented a petition from Sheffield
against church-rates.
Mr. MANGLES presented a Petition from Guildford
in favour of secular education.
Sir W. CLAY presented a petition praying for a
hotter supply of water in the metropolis.
NOTICE OF MOTION.
Mr. STUART gave notice that on the adjourned de-
bate on the motion of the Member for North Lanca-
shire, respecting the Universities, he should move an
amendment that any advice given to her Majesty to
issue a Ro3al C mmission for inquiring into the state cf
the revenue cf any of the colleges or halls of the Uni-
versities of Oxford and Cambridge would tend to a vio-
lation cf the laws and institutions of the kingdom, and
tie rights and liberties of her Majesty's subjects.
RAILWAY COMPANIES.
Mr. BASS asked the President of the Board of Trade
eaxhteenthsieornhoefhtaimd
ecsconusgidhetrefodr theby various
subject of the
eßills for
compa-
nies; and if so, whether he deems it expedient that this
House should instruct its Committees to inquire and re

port to the House, whether the companies seeking exten-
sion Bills have sufficient means to carry out the under-

takings for which such (a tensions of time are required ?
Mr. LABOUCIIERE did not see any necessity for
pulsing my such resolutions.

_
LIGHTHOUSES.
Mr. lIUME asked Sir Francis Baring what steps had
bet n Mem in respect to lighthous n 3 on the Basses Rocks
on the south-east coast of Ceylon; also, in respect to the
lighthouse on the south-west point of the Lie of
Guernsey at Pleinmont Point; also, in respect to the
lighthouse on Europa Point in the island of Barbadoes,
for many years recommended.
Sir F. BARING said, with regard to the first ques-
tion that had been put to him, a communication had
been made to the Admiral, who had expressed a strong
opinion of the advantage of having a lighthouse on the
Basses Rock, on the south-east coact of Ceylon. With
regard to the 5( coed gtestion, a lighthouse would be very
desirable at that point, but the money was the
great obstacle, and at present the East India
Company were not prepared to share in the expense.
As regarded the third question, ho hoped that a light-
house on Europa Point would be in a very short time
constructed.

INCUMBERED ESTATES IN IRELAND.
Colonel DUNNE asked the Solicitor-General fur

England whether he wai aware that the, Commissioners.
of Ineumbeted Estates in Ireland had now relived to
delay salts of property on the ground of inadequacy cf
value?

The SOLICITOR GENERAL had no infmnation
on the subject.

IRISH ASSISTANT GUARDIANS.
Colonel DUNNE asked the &cretary for the Home
Department whethe: it was the intention (lithe Govern.
ment to pay the assistant guardians in Ireland in the
manner in which the Right Hon. Baronet stat©d in the
last iessirui f Parliament?

Sir GEORGE GREY was understood to say t'iat
several sisistant-guardians had Leen appointed, but he
did not know anything regarding their payment.
NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
Lord HARRY VANE asked the Meml or for Lan-
caster (Mr. Greene) whether he was aware that
extensive alterations were proceeding in the New House
of Commons. It appeatei to be now discovered that
there was not sufficient accommodation in the
House for the Members,—(A laagh)—and he under-
stood there war to be a galleryiwhich would greatly take
away from the symmetry of the House. He
would ask the Honourable Member whether those
alterations w ere to be of a perm snout character ?
Mr. GREENE said that the arrangement of the scats
on each side of the House had been found so defective
that it would very much diminish the number of M,
hers who could sit in the House.— (Izarghter.) It La
been determined, therefore, that t'-.e lower gallery at the
end of the House should be appropriated to the use of
Members, so that the House would accommodate a much
larger number of Members than it ever had done. An
order had been issued, therefore, to get up the House in
a temporary manner, so that Members might occupy it
for a few days this session, and judge of its accommoda-
tions, and if the arrangetnent were found suitable, then
the arrangements would be carried out with more
facility, but if not, the alterations could be made with
less expense. The present arrangement was; therefore,
quite temporary.
Lord HARRY VANE wished to know if any estimate
had been made of the expense ?
Mr. GREENE said there had, and it amounted t) 5001.
Mr. HUME wished to ask whether the architect was
to continue to hare a per tentage on all the blunders he
committed ?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied
that he had ever received a per tentage.
Mr. GOULBURN ht,pcd that Hon. Members in
asking questions on the s.ubject in future would not make
use cf such terms.

Sir J. PAKINGTON gave notice that, on the next
occaiiou of going into Committee of Supply, he should
ask a cpcstiun of which he had given notice with regard
to the King's-road, Pimlico.

THE STA AP DUTIES.
The CHANCELLOR cf the EXCHEQUER said he
regretted to find that the alterations which he sugge,t:d
in the Stamp Duties Bill h,d not reconciled the diffet-
ences cf opinion which existed on the subject, end, with
the view of reconciling those differences with the line
of policy which he thought it desirable to pursue, he
would postpone the Bill tor a week.
AUSTRALIAN COLONIES GOVERNMENT BILL.

The House resolved itelf into Committee on this Big.
On the motion hat clause 17 he agreed to as Amended,
Mr. ROEBUCK ruggcsted that the saving which it
was proposed to effect in the salaries of certain 6flicers
should be left at the disposal of the Colonial Legislature.
The amendment was oppsed by Lord J. RUSSELL and
Mr. llawEs.
ROEBUCK complained' or the extravagant suns
which the clause proposed to give to the Governor of
Van Diemen's Land. It was 5,0001. a 301 r—evidently
too much, and he would theref ,re suggest that the fix-
ing of all salaries should be left to the colonies them-
selves.

Lord J. RUSSELL did not think that course would
be prudent, and he must consequently oppose it.
Mr. ROEBUCK suggeitcd that power should be
given to the Governor to make a civil list fur a certain
specified time.
Sir W. MOLESWORTH said if we wished to have
proper oliiiers in the colonies they should be paid with
some degi cc of liberality.
'1 he gal!cry was then cleat e 3 for a division, but none
took place, the clause having been agreed to.
Clauses fr,,m 18 to 28 inclusive were agreed to without
any dicusi,ion.
On clause 29 be'ng proposed,

Mr. E. I)ENISON suggested that the boundaries of
the colony of New South Wales should be more dis-
tinctly defined than they were at present.
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Crown had power to add
new settlements and to form new boundaries where

necessary.
Colonel ESTCOURT thought it would be impracti.
cable to lay down arty distinct lino of boundary.
After a few words from Mr. ROEBUCK and Lord J
RUSSELL, the clause was agreed to.
(LEFT SITTING.)

FIRST ARRIVAL OF DAHOMEY
COTTON IN MANCHEST.k.R.
We have more than once called attention to two
exceedingly interesting and important communica-
tions from the late lamented Mr. Duncan, the African
traveller, who penetrated from Whydah, the port of
the kingdom of Dahomey, to its capital, and was him-
self astonished at the obvious capabilities af large
tracts of country.for growing cotton of an exceed-
ingly good colour and very useful quality. He seems
to have found favour with the sable Monarch of
Dahomey, and having one evening expressed a wish
to have a little of the native indigenous cotton, which
he had seen growing in the neighbourhood, he was
almost "smothered" by the immense quantities $N bleb
were brought to him the following morning. His
letters, which were speedily followed, alas, by his
sudden and untimely death, intimated that he was
sending samples of this native cotton to Eugland,
consigned, we believe, to the Manchester Chamber
of Commerce ; but, months after the time
at which it should have come to hand
having elapsed without tidings of it, all expecta-
tion of receiving it was abandoned, when a com-
munication was unexpectedly received from Brest, in
France, announcing its arrival there; and it reached
Manchester only on Thursday last. Its aiventures
are not a little remarkable. Mr. Duncan had put
about 101bs. of the cotton, just in the state in which
the natives had gathered it in from the pods, without
attempting to remove the seed, into a small keg, such
as is used to smuggle tobacco, and as at that tune
there was no British vessel at the port of Whydah,
he shipped it on board a French vessel called the
Aristide, bound for St. Malo. In the homeward trip
this vessel lost her captain by death, and was af.er-
wards overtaken by a storm, and was ultimately
driven by stress of weather into Brest. Here the
keg was landed ; but, as there was no British vessel
there at that time, it was dispatched to the British Vice-
Consul at St. Malo, that he might take means to for-
ward it to its destination. Ile kept it some thee by
him, waiting fir an opportunity of sending it either
to London or Liverpool ; but, none such offering, he
at length determined to send it to a stage nearer
home, and accordingly it was put on board a small
vessel bound fur Guernsey or Jersey; and,
once there, it was not difficult to find a
conveyance to London, and thence to Man-
chester. So far as can be judged from this sample, the
cotton, without any of the advantages of regular and
systematic culture, exhibits two excellent qualities.
It is of a clear, good colour, and its staple is fine.
It is intended to have some of it ginned, by different
machines, and then to exhibit it to the trade, and
especially to those skilled in the discrimination of
the various shades of quality and value; but already,
we believe, there is little doubt that, if a few gins
and a packing-press or two were sent out to Whydah
as a present to the King of Dahomey, on condition
that he should have all the cotton ginned, cleaned,
and packed in bales, ready for exportation, there
would at once be a very considerable supply of this
valuable product coming hither from that part of the
world. We are assured that the King of Dahomey,
who, like more civilized Sovereigns, is extremely de-
sirous of increasing his revenues, would give every
encouragement to the cultivation and export of cotton,
if a remunerative price could be secured. This would
not be difficult, for labour there is probably as cheap
as in any part of the world. It is said, too, that the
King would even gladly give up his slave hunts, if
the cotton and palin-oiltrade could be made a certain
source of income. Already the latter article. has
become so much sought after that the supply is
scarcely equal to the demand, and vessels are kept
waiting at Whydah for some time before they can fill
up
added theira cargoesnabu
abundant
a ntsu exclusivelyp
supply
(f wciot ho t t
oni
the
vessels
set s e
will
load more rapidly, filling up with either articles as it
can be obtained, and the trade w ill consequently
become more remunerative. Should the supply of
cotton eventually prove as large as the accounts
would fairly warrant us to expect, we may, ere many
years have elapsed, find the west coast of Africa com-
peting to a very considerable extent with the United
States in the supply of this important raw material of
our great staple manufacture.—Manchester Guardian.

THE COLLIERS' STRIKE AT ST. lIELEN'S.—The
great body of workmen are still remaining out on strike, to
the disadvantage of themselves and families. A number ni
miners from the north arrivA on Friday last. This caused
another disturbance, and all sorts of threats were resorted to,
to deter the new corners from working. Four additional police
have been sent to protect the property of the inhabitants and
to prevent any breach of the peace.—Liverpool Nercuv.
TILE INSURRECTION IN CEPIIALONIA.—The total
number of persons trie by courts-martial during the exist-
ence of military law in Cephalonia was 65. Of these, 44
were sentenced to death, 2 to transportation, 7 to imprison-
ment, 11 to corpori.l punishment, 2 were acquitted, and 1
discharged by reason of a void trial. Of the number of
persons sentenced to death, 21 were executed, and 16 had
their sentence commuted. The total number of persons
flegged in Cephalonia in the year 1849 was 80, and tie total
number of lashes inflicted 2,587. During the same period
one newspaper editor and two contributors were expelled from
the island.

BELFAST, APRIL 23.—Wind E.— Arrd. Hannah
Thornton, Ilovey, Philadelphia, with loss of part of
bulwarks, boats stove, 8c0.; Aspatria, Trinidad.
LERWICK, APRIL 23.—.Arrd. Thomas Grasv-m,
Petri, Ice:and, with 43,000 cod fish.
ST,RNAWA Y.—Arrd. Ophelia and Anne, Sunderland,
fir Quelec, leaky.
SUNDERLAND, Arran 24.—Wind N.N.E.—SId. Rat-
cliffe, Quebec.

FiLIkIOUTIF, APRIL 24. - Wind variable. —And.
Mina, Alexander, Rio Grande; Arbace, Porto Plata.