The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-11 00:00:00

0_ L 4 tithlS, :7•.,Atit'

LONDON, TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1844.

In the House of Lords, !ast night, some routine
business was advanced a stage or two.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, in consequence of the
Report of the Select Committee on the Holyhead
Harbour Bill not being yet before their Lordships,
postponed till the end of the week his motion re-
specting the Chester and Holyhead Railway Bill.
Lord MONTEAGLE and the Earl of WICKLOW
thought these repeated postponements very hard upon
-the promoters of the Bill, which ought to be allowed
to pass.
The Earl of DALHOUSIE announced it to he the in-
tention of Government, in the event of a direct line of
communication being established between London and
:Holyhead, to make a grant fur the improvement of
Holyhead Harbour.
• The lilarquis of CLANRICARDE thought the whole
:subject ought to be referred to a Select Committee,
:before this Bill should be adopted, in order that its
.details :might be thoroughly investigated. It was
essential that immediate and
efficient provision should
be made fir the formation of a proper harbour at
Holyhead, and the Company should be bound to con-
etruct a good bridge across the i‘inai.
Lord ....RAILELGEt said the Company intended to

apply to Parliament for leave to build such a bridge.
Lord BROUGHAM was averse to any departure from
their Lordships' standing orders, in the case of a
private Bill ; and thought it would be highly credit-
able to the House of Commons if that House of the
Legislature would adopt those orders.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE was also averse
(though friendly to the progress of the Bill) to any
such infraction of the orders of the House.
The Duke of WELLINGTON, after briefly repeating
the stages through which the Bill had passed, said
that the Committee of the Bill, having reported that the
line must be carried over the Menai, which could not
be done by the present bridge, no special instruction
to that Committee was requisite in respect of the
new bridge which must be built.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE denied that there
was any obligation on the Company, as the Bill now
stood, to build a new bridge at all.
The Bill, ultimately, was read a second time and
ordered to be committed.
The " Law of Libel Amendment " Bill was passed
through a Committee and reported, and their Lord-
ships adjourned.
In the House of Commons a variety of petitions
were presented for and against the Dissenters' Chapels
Bill—against the monopoly at present enjoyed by the
Bank of Ireland, and praying for the adoption in Ire-
land of the Scotch system of banking, &c., &c.
Lord JOHN MANNERS presented a petition, signed
by several Members of the Established Church, for
the convening of the convocation of the clergy.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE-
QUER, the second reading of the Bank of England
Charter (Renewal) Bill was postponed till Thursday
next.

Sir J. GRAHAM, in answer to a question from Sir
GEORGE GREY, said it was the intention of Ministers
to proceed with the Committee on the Ecclesiastical
Courts Bill to-morrow.
Mr. PETER BORTHWICK gave notice of a motion,
to be brought forward at the earliest open day, for the
production of any correspondence between Don
CARLOS and her MAJESTY'S Government in this
country, and Don CARLOS and the Government of
France, having for its object the pacification of Spain.
Mr. VERNON SMITH, Sir J. GRAHAM, Mr. T.
DUNCOMBE, and Sir R. PEEL, offered several re-
marks on the Irish Registration Bill. Sir ROBERT
declared that her Majesty's Government were very
anxious to take the sense of the House upon it; and
he would to-morrow fix a day for that purpose. He
could not, at present, resolve the question of another
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. M. J. O'Cornsnnn), as to
when the remaining Irish Estimates (two only in
number) could be brought on for discussion.
Mr. M. GIBSON gave notice of an amendment he
meant to bring forward on the reading of the pre-
amble to the Sugar Duties Bill, for abolishing all
destinctive and differential duties imposed on sugars
of various growths.
Sir R. PEEL, in answer to a question from Mr.
BORIHWICK, stated that propositions, but of an in-
direct and informal character certainly, had reached
the British Government, with respect to certain pro-
posals of Don CARLOS, touching the Queen of SPAIN.
Their substance was, that the latter should marry the
son of the former. Although these propositions
had been but indistinctly put, Don CARLOS
in making them had not abandoned for
himself and his son a claim to the throne of Spain.
Our Government had immediately communicated his
propositions to the Government of Spain.
At the close of a conversation of some interest, in
which Sir R. PEEL, Lord PALMERSTON, and Lord J.
MANNERS took part, Mr. Bowritivlcx. said that, after
all which had passed, he should continue on the book
the terms of his motion on the subject.
On the motion for the House resolving itself into a
Committee on the Sugar Duties Bill,
Mr. JAMES contended that the Bill had not been
sufficiently discussed on the second reading, for the
due information of the House upon its effects and
tendencies. As one of " those unfortunate beings
called West India planters," the Hon. Gentleman en-
tered upon a history of the hardships to which that body
had been subjected, and the inequitable manner in
which their property had been treated by successive
Governments, in their desire to give effect to the rash
projects of free traders and upstart abolitionists. He
feared the case of the West India owners was all but
hopeless.
Mr. EWART vindicated the policy which had been
pursued in respect to what his lion. Friend called the
"rash projects" which he (Mr. EWART) had advo-
cated. The Honourable Gentleman concluded by
moving, as an amendment, the abolition of the diffe-
rential duties, or the equalising all duties on imported
sugars, without reference to the country where they
have been produced.
Mr. M. GIBSON supported the amendment.
Mr. HUME and Mr. LABOUCHERE, though friendly
to its principle, entreated the Hon. and Learned
Gentleman not to press his amendment at present.
Mr. VILLIERS and Mr. BRIGHT supported the
amendment, and insisted that Government ought
boldly to assign the reasons upon which they pro-
posed to confer this invidious favour on the West
India interest—for such it was meant to be—of pro-
tecting their sugars by such a scheme of duties ?
Mr. P. M. STEWART and Mr. GLADSTONE vindi-
cated the claims of the West India interest and the
policy of the Government in regard to them.
Mr. COBDEN, in an able and argumentative speech,
supported the amendment.
Mr. BERNAL, Lord Viscount SANDON, Mr. WAR-
BURTON, and Mr. MACLEAN, having severally ad-
dressed the House, the Committee divided, and the
amendment was lost. Ayes, 56 ; noes, 259. Ma-
jority, 203.
The Bill then went into Committee, pro forma.
After which, a great amount of other business on the
paper for the night was proceeded with, and at One
o'clock, there not being forty Members present, the
House adjourned.

It ought to surprise no one if the infection of
slavery—so long as that degraded condition of exist-
ence is permitted among any civilised and Christian
nations—should be found still to pollute their most
friendly intercourse with doubts and jealousies, fears,
and suspicions. Perplexity and misgiving are the
symptoms which bespeak the presence of this infection ;
and the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER'S new
scheme of sugar duties is the test which has detected
them. This scheme, our readers are aware, comprises
two resolutions; whereof, the first provides that
from and after the 10th November next there
shall be charged on brown, Muscovado, or
clayed sugar, " certified to be " the growth of China,
Java, or Manilla, or of any other foreign country,
the sugar of which her MAJESTY in Council shall
have declared to be admissible, "as not being the pro-
duce of slave labour, per the hundred-weight, 1/. 145.,
together with an additional duty of 51. per centum on
that rate." The second authorises her MAJESTY, from
and after same date, to give effect, by Order in
Council, to the provisions of any treaty now in force
which binds her MAJESTY to admit sugars the pro.
duce of a foreign country "at the same duties
as are imposed on sugar the produce of
the most favoured countries." As to foreign-
grown sugars, this altered and much dimi-
nished duty is assuredly equivalent to a large re-
duction of price ; and everybody must concede to the
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER the truth of his
statement—" that sugar has almost become a neces-
sary of life in this country ; that at all events it is
essential to the health and comfort of a large portion
of the people—and that it is, therefore, expedient
that an ample supply of this commodity should be
kept up." It must also be allowed, that whereas the
maintenance of this ample supply was formerly se-
cured by legislative measures, from time to time
passed for that purpose, previously to the emanci-
pation of the negroes in 1834—that emancipation
has since so crippled it that the supply
has become altogether inadequate, even in those very
West Indian islands and colonies of ours, which used
to produce so much more sugar than was equal to the
consumption of these kingdoms, that we had annually
a surplus of about one-third of the year's growth for
exportation to foreign States, after fully providing
for our home market. Thus, we had the further
benefit of keeping the prices of sugar here on a level
with those it commanded in the foreign markets, into
which our surplus importation had been annually
poured. But, with the consequences of emancipation,
this productiveness declined, and prices advanced
here ; notwithstanding that, in the interval, an-
ticipating the diminished crops which, in the
beginning of such an experiment, free labour

was likely to raise, Parliament had largely
approximated, by an extensive reduction of the
duty on sugar the growth of the East Indies, the
price of that sugar to the price of sugar imported
from our West Indian possessions. Still, the whole
supply of sugar received into this country has
proved insufficient, and the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER therefore is no doubt justified in his
anxiety to supply the vacuum (we should have called it
deficit"), by admitting sugar the growth of foreion
colonies, on such terms as may enable the English
consumer to obtain an adequate supply (at prices not
so much dearer than those paid in all other European
markets, as he is at present subjected to) of this im-
portant article. The great qualification which it has
been the Right Hon. Gentleman's endeavour to secure,
is—that such sugar shall be the produce of free labour.
Believing ourselves, with Lord J. RUSSELL and Mr.
EWART, that it is not possible to exclude altogether
slave-grown sugar from a market once opened to the
produce of foreign colonies—(on the principle, that,
were the United States, for example, to supply us with
50,000 cwt. of " certified free-labour grown" sugars,
they would replace that amount by importing, or by
raising, for their own consumption, so much of slave-
grown sugar) ;—still we do think that the CHANCEL-
LOR of the EXCHEQUER'S proposition is an advance in
the right course. We shall not be accused (we trust)
of estimating lightly the crime, the suicidal impolicy
of slavery. It is an outrage on human nature, and its
first and most sacred rights, against which we shall
ever solemnly and indignantly protest, wherever and
under whatever circumstances we may encounter it.
But the application of slave labour to the cultivation of
sugar is an usage so long established, so widely
diffused, so unremittingly persisted in by various
nations that it were romantic to hope, by any mere
fiscal devices—any mere tariff of discriminating or
differential duties—to put it down. We fear that
that happy and most desirable consummation must be
left to the influences of civilisation and the operation
of time. We fear that our satisfaction at the results
of our own efforts at its extinction—noble and mu-
nificent as they have been—must now be limited to
the proud consciousness of having discharged our own
duty, at sacrifices costly enough to attest the national
sincerity.
Since the commodity, then, will continue to be
raised, in defiance of our own legal restrictions, in
other countries whose practices we cannot control—
since the quantity raised in our own colonies, under
the restrictions against all slave labour imposed by
our own Legislature, is obviously inadequate to the
supply of these kingdoms—and since the article itself
is either a necessary of life, or a luxury almost indis-
pensable to the comforts of all classes—surely the
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER is justified in a pro-
position for reducing the duties on its foreign pro-
duce, where grown by free labour, and in thus pro-
viding for the adequate supply of our own markets.
It is curious, however, and instructive moreover,
to observe at how serious a sacrifice of principle this
apparently simple operation must be performed. Mr.
EWART'S proposition amounted, as the CHANCELLOR
of the EXCHEQUER stated, to the discontinuance of
any distinction of duty whatever, between English
colonial and foreign sugars, imported for the supply
of the British consumers. But this would be too ex-
tensive a jump for free trade, it seems, to be permitted
to take at once ! And yet, if the CHANCELLOR'S
modified application of Mr. EWART'S principle be
good, the principle itself, unmodified, must be better ?
But Mr. MILES is prepared to show, not only that such
principle could not be adopted coincidently
with the longer existence of our West Indian inte-
rest and its relations, but that the protecting duty of
10s. per cwt., still retained by the CHANCELLOR in
their favour, is altogether insufficient; and that, if
the foreign sugars are to be admitted at 345., our
Own sugars should come in at a reduced duty of 205.,
to insure them a more equitable preference or priority
of the home market. Mr. Gouesußai and Sir Ro-
BERT PEEL, intimating their decided opposition
to any such reduction, yet broadly admit that
the resolutions of the former, in favour of foreign
sugars, are calculated to work a great, but
an unavoidable hardship, on the British West
Indian interest. Finally, Lord J. RUSSELL happily
enforces the folly of persevering in any such futile
attempts to discriminate between foreign slave-
grown sugar, and foreign sugar the produce of
free labour. He is sarcastically sceptical about the
genuineness of American "certVcates." lie appre
bends that the Right Hon. Gentleman's scheme could
only be carried into practical execution by converting
Custom-house officers into office-bearers of Dissenting
congregations, or tide-waiters into waiters on PRO-
VIDENCE. And the House concurs, apparently, in
the justice of his Lordship's reasoning, though it re-
jects his amendment. We ourselves may think that
the Noble Lord was tempted to handle his subject with
somewhat too much of levity ; but he did his bidding
very ably; and we can make large allowances for his
vigorous perception of the absurdities into which the
trammels of our colonial policy are continually
plunging us. But the resulting truth is, we must be
content to take, thankfully, the portion of good which
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER can spare us in
this matter ; and we honestly believe that he would
have given more, but for the disabilities under which
any statesman labours who has to deal with interests
—however important to the empire, as one of its in-
tegral bodies—that have once been tainted in their
elements and relations with the guilt of slavery.

We quote the following paragraph from a Morning
Contemporary :—" As the Emperor of Russia was
passing through Trafalgar-square the other day on a
visit to Sir ROBERT PEEL, he observed the unfinished
and dreary appearance which the tardily erected me-
morial to the immortal NELSON still presents to the
eye. Inquiring the cause, his Imperial MAJESTY was
informed that a want of the necessary funds was the
only obstacle to its completion. The Emperor imme-
diately directed Chevalier BENRHAUSEN to put down
his name for a considerable sum, the amount of
which, however, has not yet transpired. This is a
species of liberality which none can fail
to admire, and must have the effect of ren-
dering the EMPEROR extremely popular with all
those persons desirous to see the national testimonial
to our greatest naval hero promptly and satisfactorily
completed." His Imperial MAJESTY cectainly deserves
the public thanks for the liberality which prompted
his subscription to the NELSON column, nor are the
tact and sagacity of his munificence less to be ad-
mired; but how discreditable is it to our upper and
middle classes, who monopolise among them almost the
entire wealth of the country, that they should not
long before this have advanced, of their own accord,
without solicitation, the sums necessary for the com-
pletion of the memorial in question ? To our think-
ing, it reflects infinite disgrace on them as English
citizens—who, one would have naturally supposed,
would be sensitively alive to the honour of their
country—that they should permit a Russian Em-
peror, the representative of the despotic principle in
Europe, to furnish that subscription which it
should have been their pride to have furnished
themselves unhesitatingly months since ! Hence-
forth no Englishman will ever be able to look
on the NELSON column without reflecting
with a blush of shame and indignation, that it most
probably would never have been completed, had it
not been for the sagacious and spontaneous liberality-
of a Russian Czar. Were the truth to be spoken, it
should be recorded on the monument of the greatest
naval hero that this or any other country ever pro-
duced, that its completion was solely owing to the
lucky visit of the Emperor NICHOLAS to London, who,
seeing that the work was unfinished, and shrewdly
anticipating that it was likely to remain so—bearing
in mind the extreme poverty of the aristocratic and
commercial community, which he must daily have
witnessed during his brief stay in the metropolis—
gave orders that the column should be
finished, nearly if not quite, at his own expense.
We are always boasting of our naval supremacy, yet
to the memory of the man who ensured us that su-
premacy—who preserved our laws, our liberties, our
wealth, our lives, everything, in short, which we hold
most dear, when they were placed in imminent peril
by the Emperor NAPOLEON, at that time the'Dictator
of Europe,—to the man who conferred on us, these
inestimable benefits, and to whose indomitable courage
and disinterested patriotism we have such lasting cause
to be grateful, we cannot find it in our hearts to sub-
scribe a few paltry Hundred pounds, by way of mark-
ing our due appreciation of his services ! Yet though
our "respectable" classes—as they are so fond of
callingthemselves—are too poor to subscribe the neces-
sary sums for the completion of a NELSON testimonial,

they are not too poor to squander, many of them,
their ten or twenty pounds, on an Opera box, in
order to get a peep at a real Russian Autocrat, as was
the case the other night when the Emperor NICHOLAS
visited the Italian theatre. But then, to be sure, it is
genteel—it is fashionable for a " respectable" man and
his family to be able to say that they have seen the
great Despot of the North ; wherea3 it adds nothing at
all to their sense of self-importance to subscribe a
pittance in honour of the memory of the Hero of Tra-
falgar ; such an act is merely one of public respect and
gratitude—an old-fashioned feeling, which, in these
days of purely conventional refinement, spirit, and
gentility, is beneath a wise man's consideration. How
true is SHAKSPEARE'S remark—who well knew and
thoroughly appreciated the world, if ever man did—
" The present eye praises the present object,
And things in motion sooner catch the eye
Than what not stirs.":
NELSON is no longer the " present object" to at-
tract the " present eye ;" he is dead, and with him
has died the public sense of the services he conferred
on his couutry—at least if we may judge from the
unfinished state of his monument; and we really be-
lieve that the aristocratic classes would sooner sub-
scribe for a statue in commemoration of the Emperor
NICHOLAS'S visit to London, than they would
subscribe to complete the column in Trafalgar-
square. Of a verity, great statesmen and warriors,
and authors, and artists have no great encou-
ragement to task their faculties, and wear away their
lives in the public service !

The intelligence from Madrid is to the 3d instant.
It appears that on the previous day a meeting of capi-
talists, holders of Government securities, was sum-
moned to consult respecting the means to be adopted
in the present crisis. The meeting took place at the
Bank of San Fernando, about three P.M., Senor
BOQUERO, one of the directors, in the chair. There
were not more than forty persons present, probably
owing to the short notice given. The feeling ex-
pressed was one of alarm and distrust, not with Senor
Mom individually, but in consequence of the system
which he was supposed to be pursuing, and the want
of all communication on his part respecting measures
in which all their interests were involved. A com-
mittee, consisting of Senors CAMPANA, CARRIQUIRI,
Mr. O'SsiEA, and two other Members, was appointed
by the meeting to hold a conference with the Finance
Minister, and report the result.

The state of the country in general is very unpro-
mising at present, owing to the long-continued rains
that have prevailed in many provinces, and the unsea-
sonably cold weather. There are fears that the har-
vest will be lost in Catalonia and some other parts.
It would seem as if the weather sympathised with
the political state of the country, and the elements
were out of order as well as everything else.

The most remarkable portion of the contents of the
Paris journals of Monday is to be found in their
speculations on the visit of the Emperor 'CHOLAS.
With respect to the political objects which they sup-
pose the Autocrat to have had in view, they assume,
with the most perfect absence of doubt in the matter,
that he came to the Court of St. James's to conclude
the negotiations that will give over to his power the
whole of those Christian States and provinces which
are yet subject to, or under the protection of Turkey.
The purpose of his visit being thus settled, they turn
to the manner in which he has been received, and on

this point they arrive at a pretty just conclusion. The
National says the language of the London journals
since the arrival of the EMPEROR, has completely
confirmed the accounts of its Correspondent, that the
visit of NICHOLAS did not produce any real sensation

among the people. It says, " Even curiosity was
scarcely excited for more than a moment by his un-
expected arrival. In general the English do not like
these surprises; regular and methodical even to

monotony, they have but little taste for the eccentri-
cities that disturb the things they cherish the most,
habits and settled modes of thought. In this respect then,
this courier Monarch and handsome man has com-
pletely failed in producing the effect he anticipated. He
thought, no doubt, to see a free country agitated, and
rendered anxious by his presence, like the barbarous
nations that are subjected to his power. He has
learned that liberty is still more proud than des-
potism ; but it is only the pride of despotism that is
ever offensive. Liberty, stronger than it, and also
calmer in its strength, looks with the utmost indif-
ference on the six feet figure of the Imperial tourist,

who thinks he can chain the attention of the world to
his movements." The same journal says, truly
enough, that the only indications of his presence
have been seen in the fEtes at the Palace, and
at Chiswick ; the people have been but very
little interested. It also alludes to the exertions
made by the London press to prevent any outbreak
of popular dislike against the Government of the
QUEEN, as a proof that such advice must have been
needed, or it would not have been given ; and it does
not let the occasion pass without pointing out the
insult given to France in the banquet to the EMPEROR
in the Waterloo Gallery ! Lo,„ puiLirrE may
avenge it in kind, by receiving his next Royal guest
in the " Hall of Battles," and thus at once insult all

the nations of Europe, whose defeats are there re-
corded; or if the King of PuussiA should visit Paris,
he may be shown the Pont de Jena, or the Pont
d'Austerlitz. But for this pettishness the article of
the National is a sensible one.

There is no news of any positive kind from Algiers;
but, in consequence of what has been before received,
the preparations for sending reinforcements to that
country are proceeding with every activity.
The railroad question occupies considerable space
in the columns of the Paris journals. The great prin-
ciple contended for seems to be, that it would be in-
expedient to shackle too heavily the companies who
may present themselves as bidders or contractors for
the various contemplated lines, and particularly in
respect of the length of lease desired by them ; but
that, if respectable companies do not offer for the
lines on fair terms, then the Government itself should
enter at once upon the execution of the projected

railways.
Louis PHILIPPE'S fete at Versailles to 1,500 of the
expositors of national industry, which took place on
Saturday, went off satisfactorily. The guests as-
sembled at half-past five in the, picture gallery of the
Museum, and were allowed an hour and a half to
view its treasures. At seven o'clock the doors of the
the theatre were thrown open, and all were admitted,
without distinction of places, the simple mechanic in
many places occupying the boxes, while the peer
of France was glad to take refuge in the pit. The
KING, QUEEN, the Royal Family, all the Ministers,
with the exception of Marshal SOULT, a great num-
ber of the members of both Chambers, with other
functionaries, were present. Immediately after the
entrance of the Royal Family the performance, which
consisted of UJdipe d Colonne, the Favourite, and a
part of the Muet de Portici, commenced. Between
the acts refreshments were handed round to the
guests, and at the termination of the spectacle, after
loud cries of "Vive le Roi,"
"Vive Reine," the
party broke up, and so the fete ended.

DEATH OF LADY CATIIERINE BROWN.—We have
to announce the demise of the above lady, who expired on
; Friday evening shortly after eight o'clock, to the• infinite
. grief of her family. Her Ladyship was second daughter of
' the Marquis and Marchioness of Sligo, and born May 2, 1822.
It is supposed that the death of her Ladyship resulted from a
cold, terminating in inflammation. It seems that the de-
ceased was able to dine with the members of her family on
Wednesday, and on the following morning was seized with
severe illness, from which she never recovered.
DOVER, JUNE 10.—(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
—The General Steam Navigation Company's steamer, the
Magician, (which is now on the passage between here and
Boulogne) brought over yesterday six carriages and about
fifty passengers. Among the passengers were the Duke and
Duchess of Argyle and suite, and other persons of distinction.
This vessel is carrying all before her, and such is the
rapidity with which she perforins the passage, that she crosses
from Boulogne to Dover and back in one tide. The following
are among the more recent arrivals at Dover :—Countess
Cadogan and family, Colonel and Lady Laura Meyrick and
family, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Baring and family, Count Walsh
and family, Earl and Countess of Gainsborough and family,
Sir John and Lady Hall and family, Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot
and family, Lord George Quin and Son, Lady Jackson, Mrs.
Waddell and family Colonel and Mrs. Disborough and family,
,
Lady Williams, Captain Armstrong, the Princess Badzivill,
Captain and Mrs. Alexander, and Prince of Leiningen.
LoNDozir UNIVERSITY.—The address of the students
to the professors of University College on the occasion of the
Queen's birth-day, has just been published in an elegant
form, in conjunction with the poem written by Dr. Blarney,
and recited by him on the same auspicious day. Both are
ushered before the world by a dedication to Lord Brougham.
We take this opportunity of contradicting the statement that
appeared in the report of the proceedings. given by a Morn-
ing Contemporary, that there was a manifestation of ill•feel-
ing on the occasion. We are assured that no such impro-
priety occurred.
The venerable Lord Western has nearly recovered
from his long illness, and is now able to take carriage ainligs
in the parks.