The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-22 00:00:00

TIE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 1845.

with Bengal Sugar; the quantity offered at public sale
amounted to 4,874 bags, the principal part was t:ken in at
high prices, and the remainder sold at an advance of 6d per
cwt; fine white fetched 68s, good 66s 6d, middling 64s to 643
6d, low 62s 6d to 635, damp brown 45 to 495, middling sound
yellow 57s to 58s 6d, low 568 to 56s 6d. Of Madras, 4,150

William Behnes, stone merchant, Osnaburgh-street, New-
road, Feb. 28, at twelve, and April 4, at half-past eleven, at
the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee, Old
Jewry-chambers ; Lawrence and Flews, Bucklersburv.
Francis Cranswick, innkeeper, Bridlington, March 4, and
April 8, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Young, offi-
cial assignee, Leeds ; Taylor, Bridlington ; Blackburn, Leeds.
Gerard Samson, corn dealer, Weymouth and Melcombe
Regis, March 4, and April 1, at one, at the Exeter District
Court. Hernaman, official assignee, Exeter; Phillips, Wey-
mouth ; Combe, Staple Inn, London ; Terrell, Exeter.
Thomas Ferris, grocer, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, March
7, and April 4, at twelve, at the Bristol District Court. Ky-
naston, official assignee, Bristol.
James 'Wells, carrier, Winchcomb, Gloucestershire, March
5, at twelve, and April 15, at eleven, at the Bristol Dis-
trict- Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol ; Trenfield,
Winchcomb.
Charles Thornton, stationer, Huddersfield, March 3 and 24,
at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Fearne, official as-
signee, teeds ; Clark and Cooper, Sessions-house, Old Bailey,
London ; Floyd and Booth, Huddersfield.
William Reeves, coach builder, Walcot, Somersetsbire,
March 7, and April 4, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court.
Hutton,- offiCial assignee, Bristol ; Gray, Bristol.
Thomas Langston, share broker, Manchester, March 4 and
24, at one, at the Manchester District Court. Fraser, official
assignee, Manchester; Hitchcock, Buckley, and Tidswell,
Manchester ; Johnson, Son, and Weatherall, Temple, London.
Thomas Taylor, farmer, Higher Walton, Cheshire, March
6 and 27, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court.
Hobson, official assignee, Manchester; Johnson, Son, and
Weatherall, Temple, London ; Needham, Manchester.
John Danks, wharfinger, Birmingham, March 3, and April
12, at the Birmingham District Court. Bittleston, official
assignee; Birmingham ; Whateleys, Birmingham.
PRICE OF SUGAR. _ _ _

tags in bond were sold at is per cwt advance; good damp
brown fetched 28s, middling 25s to 26s 6d, low 22s to 245,
very low 17s to 21s, common sound date 22s 6d to 24sper cwt.
MOLASSES.—A brisk demand for West India, and an ad-
vance of is per cwt has taken place. Demerara of middling
quality fetched 22s Cd to 28s. At auction, 95 casks of Bengal

'treacle were taken in at 21s, buyers at 20s per cwt.
COCOA.-The market has still a dull appearance for British
Plantation, and prices going down. Of 253 bags of Grenada
at public sale, a part only found buyers ; good ordinary dull
red at 41s to 425, and very low 35s per cwt. Trinidad 40s to
48s, but very little business transacted privately. Foreign
met increased attention, and an advance has taken place;
155 bags Bahia at auction were all sold at 37s 6d to 38s 6d
per cwt for fine bright red.
FOREIGN.-This afternoon at public sale, 48 pkgs of sea-
dam Bahia were only partly sold, white at 21s, yellow
18s 6d to 20s, brown 14s to 18s. Privately 200 hests of
old white Bahia, and 100 chests of ditto brown have been
sold on the spot for refining in bond at 22s and 18s per cwt.
COFFEE.-This afternoon holders of Berbice were more in-
clined to sell, but 99 casks 62 barrels at public sale were only
partly sold at a decline of 4s to 5s per cwt, low middling went
at 60s to 635, fine fine ordinary very unclean 458,
and ordinary 38s ; 120 bags Plantation Ceylon were
taken in, fine fine ordinary colory 655, and fine ordi-
nary 60s; 148 barrels Rio were only partly sold, middling
colory at 50s fine fine ordinary grey 455, being cheaper;
27 bags of Mysore fetched 39s for good ordinary; 138 bags
Bahia were all taken in, fine ordinary at 30s 6d to 335, and
good ordinary 2886 d per cwt. In go&I ordinary pale Ceylon
sales were made privately at 47s to 48s per cwt.
TEA.-Since it has become known that no alteration is to
be made in the duty on Tea, there has been a falling off in
the demand for black, and more desire has been manifested
on the part of holders to realise. Although a decline on
late rates of id to Id per lb has been submitted to for Con-
gnu, buyers have been cautious in their proceedings, and a
small amount of business has been transacted by private treaty.
common at 10d to 100, good common 100 to 11d, but mid
coarse Hid to ls, mid and good blackish leaf is lid to
is 6d, fine is 7d to is 9d, Pekoe flavour is 10d to 2s 4d,
choice and rich 2s 5d to 2s 7d per lb. A reduction of Id per
lb having been submitted to for Pouchong, occasioned the de-
mand to be excellent, and large parcels have been disposed of
at 5d to 8d per lb for low to good ord. Twankav was pur-
chased with caution, yellow leat at 18214 d to is 3d, brightish
leaf is 31,4 d to is 7d; superior and Hyson kind, is 8d;
to 2s 4d per lb. An increased demand for Hyson, an and
advance of Id to 2d has taken place. Young Dyson wanted,
and is fetching full rates. Hyson Skin sold at former cur-
rency. The demand is good for Gunpowder and -Imperial,
and prices continue high. The value of fine Scented Orange
Pekoe is 3s 4d to 3s 6d per lb, and little to be had. At public
sale 6,775 pkgs have been offered, and 1,900 sold.
Rum, BRANDY, AND HOLLANDS.--PriCes have further
declined for Calcutta Rum, and a limited businesstransacted ;
the private operations are 160 hhds at is 10d proof strength.
Buyers of Demerara have operated more freely, a further,
decline in prices being taken : the sales are 150
puncheons 30 hogsheads, 33 to 41 per cent 0 P.
at 3s, and hogsheads at 3s Id per gallon. In Leewarda
scarcely any business done, to 2s to 2s id fir proof strength.
Fine and very fine Jamaica wanted, and are fetchinr, stiff
rates, but the market is in a very dull state for low and mid
kinds ; 21 to 26 0 P 3s 3d to 3s sd, 26 to 29 0 P3B 5d to 3s
3d, 30 to 36 0 P 3s 7d to 45, fine 31 to 36 0 P4s 6d to
ss, and superior and high flavoured 5s 4d to 78 per gallon.
The business done in Brandy has been extremely limited,
and a further decline has taken place • Cog anc, best brands
of the vintage of 1838, hhds ss, puns 4s 10d ; 1839, hhds 4s
9d, puns 4s 7d; 1840, hhds 4s 9d, puns 4s 7d ; 1841, hhds
4s Bd, puns 4s 61 ; 1842, hhds 4s sd, puns 4s 3d ; 1843, hhds
4s 3d, puns 4s Id, common 2s 7d to 2s 10d, mid to good mid
2s lld to 3s 10d, and Bordeaux 2s 64.1 to 2s 9d per gallon.
Geneva sparingly at is 9d, home consumption sort at 2s 4d to
3s. The market is still firm for British Corn Spirits at 108 2d
per gallon, cash.
RICE.-For Bengal previous rates are sustained, some
parcels of mid and good mid white sold privately at 11s to
lls 6d, but at auction 820 bags were taken in at I Is 6d to Its
for good mid. Madras wanted, and prices are advancing.
Java sought after, and stiffer rates paid, privately. 600 Mats
of good mid white were sold at Ils, and 300 bags at 9s Gd per
cwt. Cleaned Rice a good sale, and prices are firm at 13s 6d to
17s for Patna, and 23s to 28s per cwt for Carolina.
SPICES.-This afternoon at public sale 10 cases Singapore
Mace sold at 2s 8d to 3s Id for good, and 2s 3d to 2s 6d for
middling ; 3 cks 6 cs Nutmegs fetched full value-good
brown 3s 10d to 4s, good mid 3s 5d to 3s Bd, mid 3s 2d to
3s 4d, and rather small 3s Id. Pepper met little attention,
409 bags of Malabar, and 635 bags Sumatra were offered at
public sale-the former all withdrawn, and the latter taken
in at 2%,(1 for light stalky ; 5 casks Amboyna Cloves taken
in at is 2id to is 3d for fair, 48 bags of Bourbon at 10d per lb,
and 936 bags of East India Ginger at 18s per cwt for Bengal
and Malabar. Pimento wanted, and 400 bags at auction
fetched stiffer rates-mid 3d to 314 d, and low mid 2%d to 20.
TALLOW.-Prices have a downward tendency for Russian
Tallow, and on the spot 39s 3d to 39s 6d having been cc-
cep!ed for P Y Candle of first quality, and 37s to 39s per cwt
for inferior kinds. The best quality for the last three months
of the year at 39s 3d to 39s 6d per cwt, but buyers operate
with reluctance. Town Tallow 39s 6d to 40s nett cash, but
buyers operate largely, and the market is nearly cleared.
American and New South Wales holders are compelled to
reduce their prices.
01m-this afternoon at public sale 426 pkgs of South
American Tallow were only a part sold at 36s 3d to 38s, low
32s 6d to 36s ; 108 casks of North American 35s 9d to 3953 d,
and 44 casks of New South Wales at 38s to 40s per cwt.
Ismuso.-For Madras a further advance on the rates of the
last quarterly sales of 2d to 3d per lb-the sorts most in re-
quest are those at and under 2s 10d per lb. Bengal pur-
chases to a fair extent have been made at 2d per lb advance.
The market has a very firm appearance for every kind of
East India. Spanish in fair request upon former terms.
Cocurrem.-This afternoon at public sale 100 cs of Cam -
phor went at 61 5s ; 185 chests of Shellac taken in, thick
blood 40s, block 335; 1,357 packets of Bengal Turmeric
were sold at 133 for good; 58 tons of Sapan Wood 15/ to
151 I7s 6d ; 15 tons of Red Sanders Wood 51 128 6d to 5115 s ;
215 bags Pegue Cutch taken in at 22s per cwt.

The Average Price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, for the
week ending Feb. 18, 1845, is 30s. 2 id .per cwt., exclusive
of the Duties of Customs paid or payable thereon on the im-
portation thereof into Great Britain.
[Dividends, &c., in our next.]

NEW PROJECTED RAILWAYS.
(From the Gazette of last Evening.)
RAILWAY. DEPARTMENT, BOARD OF TRADE,
WHITEHALL, FEB. 21,1845.
Notice is hereby given, that the Board constituted by the
Minute of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for
Trade, for the transaction of railway business, having had
under consideration the following schemes, for extending rail-
way communication to the west of Ireland, viz. :
The Great Western (Ireland) Railway—Dublin to Mullin-
gar, &c.
The Great Western (Ireland) Railway—Alternative Line
The Great Western (Ireland) Railway—Extension Line
The Irish Great Western—Dublin to Galway,
have determined on reporting to Parliament in favour of the
Irish Great Western—Dublin to Galway;
and against the
Great Western (Ireland) Railway—Dublin to Mullin-

gar, &c.
Great Western (Ireland) Railway—Alternative Line,
Great Western (Ireland) Railway—Extension Line:
and the Board having further had under consideration the
following schemes, for extending railway communication in
the north and north-west of Ireland, viz.
The Londonderry and Enniskillen.
The Londonderry and Coleraine,
have determined on reporting to Parliament in favour of the
London and Enniskillen ;
and against the
Londonderry and Coleraine;
and the Board having farther had under consideration the
following schemes, viz , the
Blackburn, Burnley, and Accrington Extension,
Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton,
determined on reporting to Parliament in favour of the
schemes.

DALHOUSIE.
C. W. PASLEY. G. R. PORTER.
D. O'BRIEN. S. LAING.

FLAN DE RS MAIL.

BRUSSELS, FEB. 17.—The Rhine k frozen at several places ;
among others, below Worms, at St. Goar. The Maine is also
frozen over near Offenbach.

The Chamber of Representatives resumed to-day the dis-
dussion of the budget of, the Minister of the Interior, and
adopted the three articles composing the 18th chapter—ma-
nufaetures. At the opening of the sitting tomorrow M.
Eloy de Burdine will bring forward his motion relative to
modifications to be made in the corn-laws.

'IIIE,HAGUE, FEB. 14.—The sections of the Second Cham-
ber of the States General have been engaged to-day in exa-
mining the projects of law ou the elective franchise, and that
on the practice of medicine and surgery. The central section
has met to discuss the project of law relative to the comple-
ment of the budget of 1844 and 1845. The French mail of_
the day before yesterday has not arrived to-day. Several
addresses have been sent to the Second Chamber in favour
of the proposal of M. Thorbecks and others for revising the
fundamental law.
The Minister of Finance has given notice, that the total
amount of Treasury bonds issued by virtue of the law of 27th
December, 1840, and 19th June, 1843, which were in circu-
lation on the' Ist of this month, was 2,535,300 florins.
THE MOUE, FEB. 17.—A1l the sections of the Second
Chamber began to-day the examination of the proposal for a
revision of the fundamental law.
The Staats Courant publishes a royal resolution respect--
ing the 41 per cent. bonds of the late Syndicate, which are
to be pain off in series, to the amount of 200,000 florins each,
to be determined by drawing lots.
The frost having again beau rather severe, our rivers and
canals are full of floating ice, in many places quite frozen over.
• HAIIBURGII BORSENBALLE, FEB. 15,
Bills

Money.
113

Austrian 5 per Cents ••••• • • • .• • •
Bank Shares
Anglo-Russian Loan ••••••••• . • • .. .• —114 U
Russian 5 per Cent., Hamb. Certificate. 10514 1054
Ditto Ist series Inscription .. ••••• • • • • • • 105 IA
Ditto, Mpg and Co., 3d and 4th series • • 99
Ditto, In Certificate.. . • • • • • • • 99%
New 4 per Cent., Hope and Co. •• ••
9i
.4 90%
Ditto Stieglitz •• ••• • •
Spanish New 5 per Cent . .
Ditto 3 per Cent ..
Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 214 per Cent • • 58
Dutch Actual Debt, 214 per t ent .. •• .• 6314
Polish New 4 per Cent. 1 oan, 1844.• • . 87 4
Angio-Danish Loan, 3 r.,:x Cent . . 87% 67%
National Bank Shares •••••••• .• • • • • • •
Exchange on London.
Petersburgh, Three months ••• • • •
Bremen, Two months
—llamburgh Borsenhalle, Feb. 15.
AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNI, FEB. 11.
5 per Cent. Metalliques . • •••••••... 1111
4 per Cent. ditto •• • •
3 per Cent. ditto. .........
Loan, 1834
Ditto, 1839 • • • • • • • • .• .• • • • • .•
• Batik Shares •. •• •
Esterhazy's Loan ........ •• • .•

.. 1655

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
ON RAILWAYS.
The Committee, after hearing formal evidence, decided that
the Standing Orders had been complied with in the following
Bills:
The Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway.
Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway.
Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal.
Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway.
In the case of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway,
opposition was offered, on the part of the Duke of Montrose,
by Mr. Deans, on the ground that the description of the line
was not accurate. No witnesses, however, were forthcoming
in support of this allegation, and it, consequently, fell to the
ground.
Mr. DEANS then took an objection to the petition, ir. con-
sequence of an omission in the plan of a description of the
radius of a curve. The Committee referred to the plan in
question, and the omission appearing, the question was
referred to the Select Committee on Standing Orders. -
SHREWSBURY AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.-
As it was stated that there would be great opposition to
this petition, the Committee postponed it till Monday.
The Committee then adjourned.

.. .. .. .. 1623

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 21.
The Loan Cuasteennoa took his seat on the Woolsack
shortly after Five o'clock.
MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from a medical
gentleman named Burn, living at St. George's-in-the-East,
praying an amendment in the laws regarding coroners. The
petitioner stated that many inquisitions had been taken in
eases where parties had been dying for 13 or 14 days. Now
this surely was unnecessary, and he wished to call the attention
of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to it.
Lord CAMPBELL would give notice of his intention on
Monday to lay on the table of the House a Bill for abolishing
deodands.
Lord STANLEY presented a petition from Ulverstone
praying that the Apothecaries' Act be repealed.
SUGAR DUTIES,
Lord ItIONTEAGLE moved for an account of the equali-
sation of the duties on sugars its 1536, the produce of the East
Indies. He thought the objects that had been produoed by the equa-
lisation of the duties on sugar would be productive of little good
if an alteration was to be made in the sugar duties with respect
to the nature of the quality of sugar produced. The subject did
not rest on any opinion► of his, because it had been referred to
a Committee of the whole House, of which his Noble Friend
opposite was the Chairman. The equalisation of the duty had pro-
duced an alteration of from twenty-one to twenty-four shillings.
Since that alteration the increase in consumption had more
than repaid the reduction of duties. The consumption had in-
creased tenfold, and when he referred to the evidence given be.
lore that Committee by a gentleman intimate with the subject,
and of the highest respectability, and to whose opinion the
House might attach the utmost importance, he found that he
had laid down the principle that an equalisation of the duties
from our colonial possessions was of paramount import-
ance to the best interests of the country, and in
the report proposed by - the Chairman of that Com-
mittee an equalisation of the duties on sugar was laid down as
a part of the commercial policy of the country. After this de-
claration he was of opinion that any attempt to introduce a
discriminating duty between sugars from our different colonies
would be an unwise policy on the part of Government, and
prove most injurious to our foreign possessions. He would,
therefore, move for a return of the amount of sugar im-
ported from the East and West Indies within the last three
years, as also for the duties paid on them within the same
period.
Lord STANLEY said that, so far as the mere papers
called for by the Noble Lord were concerned, he had no hesi-
tation in promising that the fullest information would be
given by her Majesty's Government. The Noble Lord
seemest to him (Lord Stanley) to infer that her Majesty's
Government intended to recede from the principle of perfect
equality which had hitherto guided them. Now, he could
assure the Noble Lord that her Majesty's Government would
adhere to the principle that there should be an entire equality
between the productions of all parts of their foreign possessions.
The Government in their scale of duties had endeavoured to
encourage the sugar interest of the British possessions in con-
tradistinction to the produce of the slave-grown sugar countries.
Her Majesty's Government did propose to make a large reduction
in the duties of sugar from the East and West Indies. The higher
duties would be charged on the finer kinds of sugar, and the
greater reduction would be made in the coarser kinds, thus
giving the lower class of consumers the benefit of the reduc-
tion. There was no intention of imposing any additional duty
on sugar imported from the East Indies, but if the Noble
Lord would postpone his inquiry until after the measures
of her Majesty's Government were brought before the
other House, all the information sought for would
be fully given. He apologised for having troubled their Lord-
ship on this subject.
Lord NION'IEAGLE was obliged to the Noble Lord for
the trouble he had taken, and as far as the information of
the principle on which her Majesty's Government intended to
proceed—the equalization, he meant, of the sugar duties—it
was quite satisfactory.
ROMAN CATHOLIC_ STUDENTS IN TRINITY

BANK OF ENGLAND.
(From Friday Night's Gazette.)
An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria,
cap. 32, for the eek ending on Saturday, the 15th day o'
February, 1845.

ISSUE DEPARTMENT.
X. X.
Notes issued
Other ecurit i es... 2,984,900
Gold coin and bul-
-12,638,987
Silver bullion 1,898,268

£25,537,255

£28,537,255

ARSIIALL, Chief Cashier,
iry, 1845.

Dated the 20th day of Febi

BANKING DI
A:.
Proprietors' capital 14,553,000
Rest
Public deposits (in-
cluding Exche.
quer, Savings-
banks, Commis-
sioners of National

:PARTMENT.

Government secu-
rities (including
Dead Weight
Annuity)
Other securities 10,821,457
Notes 8,395,065
Gold and silver
coin 770,812

Debt, and divi-
dend accounts) 4,63C,247
Other deposits 9,944,408
Seven day andother
bills

£33,461,713

£33,461,713
.11SHALL, Chief Cashier.
uary, 1845.

M. MA:
Dated the 20th day of Febru

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE.
FOREIGN-OFFICE, FEB. 18, 1845.
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Samson
Cahlmann as Consul in London for his Royal Highness the
Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.
Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.
Royal North Regiment of Lincolnshire Militia—J. Tom-
line, Esq., to be Captain, Feb. 15.
Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Denbighshire.
Denbighshire Yeomanry Cavalry—Cornet T. Edgeworth
to be Lieutenant ; T. Humphreys, Gent., to be Cornet, vice
Edgeworth, promoted.
COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
Bth Victoria-20th February, 1845.
This Court will, on Saturday, the Ist day of March next,
at ten o'clock, A.m., hold a sitting, and will deliver judgment
in cases that have been argued. BY THE COURT.
WHITEHALL, FEB. 12.
The Right Hon. Sir Nicolas Conyngham Tindal, Knt.,
Lord Chief Justice of her Majesty's Court of Common Pleas,
has appointed Francis Soames, of Workingham, in the county
of Berks, Gent., to be one of the Perpetual Commissioners
for taking the acknowledgments of deeds to be executed by
married women, under the Act passed for the abolition of
fines and recoveries, and for the substitution of more simple
modes of assurance, in and for the county of Berks, and
also in and for the counties of Wilts, Surrey, Hants, and
Oxford.

WHITEHALL, FEB. 17.
The Lord Chancellor has appointed James Blake, of Croy-
don, in the county of Surrey, Gent., to be a Master Extraor-
dinary in the high Court of Chancery.
WHITEHALL, FEB. 18.
The Lord Chancellor has appointed Henry Yorke, of
Oundle, in the county of Northampton, Gent., to be a Master
Extraordinary iu the High Court of Chancery.

BANKRUPTS.
William Dale, shoemaker, London-wall, to surrender Feb.
28, at eleven, and April 4, at twelve, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Belcher, official assignee; Prior, Pavement, Fills-
bury-square.
Lawrence Daniel Dolbell, dyer, Lower Mitcham, March 5,
at eleven, and April 4, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy
Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry ;
Beart, Bonverie-street, Fleet-street.
James Crabb, bricklayer, Great Tey, Essex, March 4, at
half-past twelve, and April 4, at twelve, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basingliall- street ;
Bell, Bedford. row, London.
_ ven,
ffi Charles Ranstord, grocer, South Tottenham, Feb. 28, at
e official assignee, Coleman-street-buildings; Kempster,
Bell,le and April 2, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Kennington-lane.

Wyatt, licensed victualler,
at one, *and April 9
latasileNn-en, at the Court of
Highworth, Wiltshire,
Feb. Alfred2s:
plje,elsintimbrook -court,
Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee,
Basingball-street ; Taylor, Sou
Lewis George, shawl warehouseman, . Reg' ent7s-tsrcrerei, .
28, at half-past eleven, and April 4, at eleven, at the Can' r:bot•
Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street;
Young and Co., St. Nildred's-court, London.

derived from it.—(Hear, hear.) He believed that his
Noble Friend at the head of the Post-office was
willing to afford every information in his power, and he should
therefore move for a return of the number of complaints which
had hem made at the Post-office of the non-transmission of
newspapers, within the last twelvemonths.
The Earl of LONSDALE had no objection to make to the
motion of his Noble and Learned Friend; but he thought
it right to state that the Post-office authorities
aught not to bear the blame of the whole of the complaints
which bad been made of the loss of newspapers at the Post-
office. He believed that there were no set of official men who
exercised more vigilance, or endeavoured to do their duty
more completely, than the authorities of the Post-office.
And in justice to them he should wish to move an addition
to the motion of his Noble and Learned Friend, for the purpose
of bringing the whole subject clearly before the House. Very
many of these newspapers came folded in envelopes in the most
careless and slovenly manner. Several hundred bags of news-
papers were brought to the Post-office every evening, and al-
though each of these newspapers were inclosed in envelopes,
yet when they were turned out of the bags many of them were
separated from their envelopes. Of course, these envelopes
could not be transmitted, and the Post-office bore the blame of
the loss. Heshould therefore move, as an addition, for a re-
turn of the newspapers which had been returned to
the dead letter office as having been found without
directions. Their number would be found to be not much.
less than 3,000 a-week. He should be most happy to see the
Noble and Learned Lord any evening at the Pest-office, at the
time of the arrival of newspapers, and to afford him an oppor-
tunity of seeing the ivanner in which that branch of the Post-
office was conducted. The Noble Earl concluded by moving his
amendment.
Lord CAMPBELL was glad the explanation was given, and
so satisfactory was it to him that he would at once agree to
the amendment.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH wished parties would
put themselves in possession of proof that these newspapers
were posted before they complained against the authorities.
He was sure many who made these complaints bad no evidence
to show that those newspapers were put into the post-office at
the time they alleged they were.
The Earl of LONSDALE concurred in what had fallen
from the Noble Lord who had just resumed his seat. He was
aware of an instance where a complaint had been made of the
non-delivery of a newspaper, and it was afterwards discovered
that the paper was not posted till the day following the com-
plaint.—( Hear. hear.)
Lord CAMPBELL was of opinion that a prima facie case
had been made out of the detention, if not of the non-delivery,
of newspapers.
The Earl of ELLEN BOROUGH said parties were in the
habit of writing to newspaper agents directing newspapers to
be sent to them, and these sgents were in many instances the
parties who ought really to be blamed, far they never troubled
themselves to see that the papers were properly directed.
The amendment was then agreed to.
NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
Lord WH A FINCLIFFE, in leply to a question which had
been put to him yesterday evening, sa.d there was every reason
for believing that their Lordships would be able to get into
be new Houses of Parliament next session.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Feb. 21.
THE RAILWAY CLAUSES CONSOLIDATION BILL.
(Continued from our Afternoon. Edition of yesterday.)
Sir GEORGE CLERK said the object of the clause was
to prevent companies dividing large dividends out of the
capital. The Committee was aware that there, were bubble
companies, who had paid dividends at the time when they
were makinr, no profit, and the consequence had been that the
public was led to place confidence in the undertaking at a time
when it was really in a state of insolvency.
Mr. HAWES admitted the force of the Right Hon. Ba-
ronet's remark, but cautioned him against condemning a bona
fide company for the acts of a bubble speculation. What
was capital stock could not by any possibility be defined.
Did they mean the paid-up capital, or the nominal capital, of
a company? Now if they meant the first, he would remind
the Cominittee that the paid-up capital often included profits
as well as the reserved funds of a company. Then again
they gave some companies power to convert surplus shares
into capital stock, now bow were they to divide one
from the other? The fact was, the capital stock of a com-
pany was always fluctuating, and it would be highly inju-
dicious to disturb the present custom.
Mr. HAYTER admitted that interest and dividends were
often paid out of the capital stock of a company, but it was a
custom which had long exited, and the question to be con-
sidered was, whether the practice was an evil or not ? Cer-
tainly a similar clause had been introduced into some of the
early railway. Bills but had the companies acted up to it?
If they had, he could only say it must have been a great in-
convenience. The construction of a railway .occupied a
very considerable time, and towards the end of this period
the shareholders naturally became anxious to see a dividend.
In instances like this, portions of the surplus capital had been
applied to a dividend, and, as this course was generally
adopted, he hoped some modification would be introduced
into the clause, so as to meet the case of a bubble company.
Mr. GRAIN,GER said it would be extremely hard, if, after
portions of the profits of one year had been added to the ca-
pital stock, the company were to be precluded from applying
it to a dividend at some subsequent period.
Mr. AGLION BY would suppose a Company with a capital
stock of 100,0001. to have purchased 100,000 acres of laud at
IL each, and afterwards to have disposed of a portion of it at
a large premium. Now he wanted to know, why the company
should be precluded from dividing the profit amongst the
shareholders, and carrying the balance to the capital stock
account.' Wherever the capital stock would in any degree be
reduced that would be precluded. He entirely agreed with
the Noble Lord as to the object of the clause, and he only
wished to caution the Committee against giving greater power
than they intended.—(Hear.)
Mr. GLADSTONE did not see any difficulty in the case.
He apprehended that if the Company possessed a quan-
tity of land of the value of 5,0001, and that the Direc-
tors had an opportunity of selling it for 10,0001.,
there was nothing to preclude them from doing so,
and (as we understood) a portion of the sum realised might
be applicable to the payment of dividends upon calls, and so
of other profits. The accounts of all railway companies were
so arranged as to distinguish between the capital stock, re-
served fund, and profits, and no inconvenience had hitherto
arisen from the practice sanctioned by the clause. Although
there were prima facie objections to the practice, yet he did
not think it was in itself illegitimate, and, instead of being
inconvenient, it had been found very convenient to the
Shareholders, so that it had been universal.--(Hear. )
. . •

Mr. HATTER suggested that there should be a proviso

to the effect that dividends should be made out of calls ex-
cept under certain circumstances.
Lord G. SOMERSET said that between this time and the
bringing up of the: report he would look more accurately
into the subject ofthe clause, and would consider attentively
the various suggestions which had been made in the course of
the conversation.

was
with agreed
After a few words from Mr. Godson, Mr. Granger, and Mr.
Hawes, in which the last gentleman said that he did not see
why a modification might not be applied to this Act as was
usual with any private Act, so as to measure the restriction
it
Cpriamu-sidesedl,2t4hettc)lEll94ose :
numerous unimportant verbal
amendments, were then severally passed.
The 141st clause having been read,
Mr. HAWES said that, by this clause, it was left to two
justices to ascertain the amount to be assessed in case of
wilful damage, and he conceived that some difficulty would
arise from the decisions of such a jurisdiction.
Mr. GODSON said that, from experience in such matters,
he did not think that any unusual difficulty would ensue.
The clause was then agreed to, as well as the 142 d, 143 d,
and 144th clauses.
On the 145th clause being read,
Mr. HENLEY said that the inconsistency which he had
previously pointed out was here evident. The interpretation
of the clause was rendered obscure by the introduction of
the word " any " before two justices. Some question must
naturally arise as to how many or what parties this jurisdic-
tion should be given to. If the word " any" were struck out,
and the clause left with the words " two justices," it would be
definite and clear, and the difficulty, he apprehended, would
be obviated
Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET said that it certainly
might tend to render all these Acts conformable with each
other if the word " any were struck out, and would save the
difficulty which the lion. Gentleman had pointed out.
On the question being put by the Chairman, the word
" any " was struck out without a division.
After a few words from Mr. GRANGER. suggesting that
all informations for offences against the Act should be in
writing, clauses 145 to 155 were agreed to.
The remaining clauses of the Bill were then agreed to.
Lord G. SOMERSET moved an additional clause for
enabling companies more easil, to recover calls from share-
holders residing in Scotland.—fhe clause was agreed to.
The House resumed, and the Chairman reported progress.
The report of the Bill, as amended, was received, and the Bill
itself ordered to be printed.
Lord G. SOMERSET would move the Orders of the Day
for going into Committee on the other Bills of a similar na-
ture, for the purpose of postponing them till Tuesday next,
when he proposed the House should again sit at twelve
o'clock.
After a short conversation as to the order in which those
Bille should be taken, to suit the convenience of several lion.
Members, Tuesday next was appointed for the day sitting.
The House then adjourned till Five o'clock.

LAW OF SETTLEMENT.

In answer to aquestionby Mr. V. SMITH,
Mr. M. SUTTON stated that, on Monday last, the Right
Hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment had stated what the views of the Government were with
respect to the law of 'settlement, so that the time at which it
was to be decided was now in the hands of the House.
Mr. V. SMITH said it was in the hands of the Home-office
whether it would expedite the question or not.—(Hear.)
POST-OFFICE ESPIONAGE.
On the motion of the order of the day fur renewing the ad-
, ourned debate on the opening of letters iu the Post-office
being read,
Mr. J. COLLETT said that, before entering on the general
question, he wished to say a few words with respect to the
adjournment last night. No person could regret snore than
he did the irconveniences to which the Right Hon. Baronet
had been put; but in the first place, considering the impor-
tance of the subject, and that it involved considerations with
respect to the liberty of the subject and the rights of Mem-
bers of Parliament, he considered he was justified in demanding
an adjournment. In the second place, he thought that the
state of public feeling required it ; and in the next place, he
thought it was due to the Speaker, who h d sat for nine hours
together, and who was to take the Chair again at twelve next (lay.
In the fifth place—( Laughter)—in the fifth place—(Continued
laughter)—he considered that this was due to the Members on
his side of the House, and to Members on the other side,
who were desirous of addressing the House on this
subject, and for whom it was well known it was
impossible to obtain a hearing at a late hour of the
night. _(Laughter.) The Right Hon. Baronet and the
Noble Lord the Member for the City of London could always
secure a hearing, but the little men were always put down.—
(Laughter.) if they wished a debate to be closed at a rea-
sonable time, the speeches of Members must be limited.—
(Laughter.) The proposer of a motion ought to be
allowed half an hour, and the speakers following him
only a quarter of an hour each ( Great laughter)
for when speeches extended to two hours, and two hours and a
half, the little men had no chance.--(Continued laughter.)
With respect to the question before the House, he would say
that the report of the Post-office Committee was to him most
unsatisfactory. Previous to the appointment of this Commit-
tee, the lion. Baronet at the head g.f her Majes'y's Govern-
ment said he was anxious for the fullest and most complete in-
vestigation, with a view to elicit the truth—the whole truth—
and nothing but the truth. The Hon. Member for Finsbury
bad brought very grave and serious charges against this prac-
tice of the Post-office ; but the Committee, being a Secret
Committee, the evidence most necessary could not be heard.
The Hon. Member for Finsbury had not been made a member
of this Committee, and therefore he was right in not giving a
list of his witnesses when the Committee sent for them. On
the whole, he should say, that not only the entire proceedings
of the Committee, but their report was, ab initio, most unsa-
tisfactory. However, he was not disappointed in it, for he
knew that people could not gather grapes from thistles,
or figs from thorns.—(Laughter.) It was not by
looking over a parcel of musty warrants of former
days that this Committee should seek to make out a re-
port ; but by a bona fide honest inquiry, and by a recommen-
datirn to this House to get rid of this degrading, this tko-En,g-
lish custom of breaking open people's letters—( Hear, hear).—
and that without referring to what warrants had been issued
by this Minister or that as a justification for this abominable
practice.—( Hear, hear.) He had recently read of a trial that
was heard in one of their courts of law upon the identity of a
horse—(Laughter)—large sums of money depended on the
issue ; and the counsel Ix the defence said in his speech—" if
you want to convince the public, if you want to convince the
judge, if you want to convince the jury, produce your horse."
—( Loud laughter.) Show his age I—(Great laughter.) 'fhe
whole question at issue rested upon that, and if the Right
Hon. Baronet wished to secure a majority of that House—
though he supposed he was pretty well sati,fied about that—if
be wished to Influence the public opinion, he would give his
Hon. Friend the Member for Finsbury the opportunity of
having his charges investigated. About the charges the Hon.
Member has made, there could be no mistake. He was
ready to have his mouth looked into--( Great laughter)—as
well as his face.—( Laughter.) The lion. Member was not
one of those who one year race under the name of Maccabeus
and the next under that of Running Rein 1—( Great laughter
6 Justum et tenacem, propositi virum,"

• .
D
—he was always '6 honest Torn uncombe!"—(lmmense
laughter.) With regard to the proposition of the Noble Lord
the Member for Sunderland, he had no objection to it, except
that it did not go far enough. It did not touch the question
whether it was expedient or not that this practice should be
continued. The Right Hon. Baronet had last year an oppor-
tun ty of doing justice to his Lion, Friend; he had now an-
other ; and he would say, " better late than never." He
would therefore conclude by repeating that he hoped, for the
sake of his Hon. Friend, and the sake of the country, he would
agree to some examination into this matter.
Sir R. COLBORNE said, as a Noble relative of his had
taken considerable interest and a leading fart in the Cona•
mittee of the other House, it was but natural that he should
look with more than usual interest on the fate of this motion.
The House of Lords thought fit to appoint his relative as chair-
man of the Committee, and he undertook the task with the
greatest reluctance ; and he found that the task would be a most
difficult one, and that the report, from the secret nature of the
Committee, must needs be unsatisfactory. At all events it
would have been impossible to have pleased all parties, espe-
cially those who sought for a vote of censure on the Govern-
ment.—( Hear, hear, from the Ministerial benches.) He
could not vote for the motion of his Hon. Friend, because, in-
independent of its merits in other respects, it conveyed a vote
of censure on the Comn.ittee, and consequently on his Noble
relative, which he thought wholly undeserved. But it was
not upon this consideration alone that he opposed it. The
Committee was formed of a body of men chosen for their high
honour, and who, there was every reason to believe, would
act independently. There was a strong party bias on this
question—if there were not, he could hardly think
that Honourable Members would inflict so cruel and unjust
an insult as to cast aside the decision of the Ceminittee with-
, out hearing any of the evidence which induced them to arrive
at it. These reasons satisfied him, though he felt convinced
they would not satisfy the people of England. 'The Right
Hon. Baronet chew to wake it a Secret Committee—he meant
to say it was the Howe that made it so ; but they all knew
well that a suggestion of the Right H.m. Baronet was almost
certain of being carried into effect.—( Hear, hear.) He was
one of those who voted against the appointment of Mr. Dun-
, collato as a member of that Committee. He must say. that he
now thought that he acted entirely wrong in so doing ; for he
believed that had the Hon. Member of Finsbury been a mem-
ber of that Committee it would have saved them the time con-
sumed in three nights of debate, and the consequent post-
ponement of public business. Great excitement had been
caused to the public mind by these proceedings; and that ex-
citement had been increased by the contemptuous manner in
which the Right Hon. Baronet treated the subject when first
it was brought under the notice of the (louse; but since then
he had given the fullest explanation which it was possible for
him to give ; and he certainly would not be a party to running
down any Minister.—( Hear, from the Ministerial benches. )
With regard to the power, he differed from the Hon. Member
fer Cork in having it done away with, a. he could imagine
many c sea in which it would not he only u-eful but necessary.
The only question was, the amount of confidence they would
put in the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for
the Home Department. For his own part, he was of opinion
that, let what party would be in power, they would find such
men to fill the office that their conduct would place them above
suspicion. He utterly denied the statements of the Right Hon.
Baronet that it would be a triumph of party if the amendment
were carried. The only triumph would be the triumph of jus-
tice —( Hear, hear )
Mr. FERR AND said that when this question was brought
before the House, daring the last session, he had studiously

The House resumed at Five o'clock.
Messengers from the Bank of England brought up certain
accounts.
LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY.
Mr. B. DENISON brought in the London and York
Railway Bill, which was read a first time.
NORWICH AND BRANDON RAILWAY BILL.
The Norwich and Brandon Railway Bill was brought in and
read a first time.
Mr. THORNELY presented a petition against the Nor-
Mr.
and Brandon Railway Bill, from the Mayor and Corpora-
tion of Norwich.
GLASGOW JUNCTION RAILWAY BILL.
Mr. DUNCAN presented a petition against the Glasgow
Junction Railway Bill.
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY BILL.
Lord ASHLEY brought in the Great Northern Railway
Bill.
BIRMINGHAM AND SHEFFIELD RAILWAY BILL.
Mr. SPOONER presented a petition against the Birming-
ham and Sheffield Rail ray Bill.
OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH.
Mr. LIDDELL presented a petition from Chester-le-street,
praying the House would pass a law enacting that public-
houses should be closed on the Sabbath.
MEDICAL REFORM.
Several petitions against the proposed plan of medical rtform
were presented, and ordered to lie on the table.
INCOME-TAX.
Sir J. EASTHOPE presented a petition from the inha-
bitants of Leicester, against the income-tax.
LOCAL COURTS BILL.
A petition was presented in favour of this measure.
SUGAR DUTIES.
Mr. LABOUCHERE presented a petition from the grocers
of Taunton, praying for a
postponement of the modification of
the sugar duties.
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
Mr. HUTT presented a petition from 400 or 500 agricul-
turists in Van Diemen's Land, praying that the agricultural
produce of that country might be put upon the same 'footing as
that of Canada. The Hon. Alember gave notice that ho
would, on a future occasion, introduce a Bill upon the subject.
bitants of Devonport, praying that Sir Robert Peel would
SUGAR DUTIES.
Sir GEORGE GREY presented a petition from the inha-
a petition from a place n
delay his proposed measure affecting the duty on sugar until
thelyirs.hohuhntihGavtergotprriedsoetatehde stock they hail now on hand.
OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH.
Glouceste,shire, against permitting public-houses to be opened
on the Sabbath.

o f
r%I Mr.Perthr
sP
STAFFORD
EtaaNicrtition from the inhabitants
INCOME-T.A.X.
FilkniFsEtoßtßhDep rienosce,oßnintßeed;
gave notice that, immediately
CORN LAWS. .
after Easter, he would move for leave to bring in a Bill,
authorizing a drawback on that portion of foreign corn that had
been used for feeding cattle.
111 r. BANKES gave notice that, when the subject if the

reduction of the auctigh duty was before the- House, it was his avoided taking any part in it, because it was breoght
into ration to take the sense of the House on that question. before the House so s ton after he bad had a contest
Mr. s'sGLlt iN BY gave notice, on behalf of the Noble Lord, with the secretary of `itate for the Home Deeartment, but he
the Member for Lincolnshire, that. on the 6,h of March, he doubted whether he could eive a proper ante with respect iG
would move for leave to bring in a Bill to facilitate the em- ; He had heard the statements of the Hon. Member for Finsbury
ployrnent and improvement of common lands. I last year, when he distinctly stated that justice should be done
Mr. MILES gave notice that in Committee on the Bill for to ail parties. The lion. Member had now come forward and
the renewal of the property and income-tax, he would move ' asserted that justice had not been done to him. The Right
a clause giving to eersons ass, ssed under schedule B, when their lion. Baronet also at the head of the Home Department had
I property was within the prescribed amount, a right of appeal, I stated, last session, that if he had not justice done to him he
subject to the rules ar .d conditions under schedule D. I would bring the subject forward before the Home. Now he
Dr. BOWRING gave notice, that on Monday he would ' (Mr. Ferrand) would like to know if he was to have justice
ask the Secretary of State whether he was prepared to lay on why the lion. Member for Finsbury should not ?—( Hear. )
the table of the house the correspondence of the Poor-law If the Right Hon. Baronet was satisfied with the report of that
Commissoners on the subject of the sales of medical offices in Committee, the lion. Member for Firabury was not, and there-
the Dublin Union. fore he came to the House to ask for justice. lie had last
Mr. MILES gave notice, that on the motion that the night heard a Noble Member of the Treasury bench taunt the
Speaker do leave the chair on the Customs' Act, he would Hon. Member fur Finsbury with striking at the Right
more, " That ia the opinion of this House that in any appli. Honourable Baronet whilst his hand; were tied behind
cation of surplus revenue towards the mitigation of taxation, his back. The Honourable Member for Finsbury said that
due regard should be had to the necessity of affording relief to he had received a personal injury, and by refusing him redress
the agricultural interest." the Right Hon. Baronet tied his own bands, and committed
SHERIFFS' COURTS (SCOTLAND). suicide on his own political character. If the Right Hon.
Mr. WALLACE moved for a return to show the number of Baronet had acted impartially as Secretary of State in issuing
appeals from the decisions of the Sheriff.' Courts of Scotland to the warrants, the Committee which was appointed to inquire
the Circuit Court of Justiciary, and there reheard, during each into the circumstances was partially constructed. The Right
of the last five years, ending' with October, 1844, as follows : Hon. Baronet must recollect that, during 1842, according to
Ist. The name of the parties in each cause. 2d. The sum in the inference to be drawn from the First Lord of the Trea-
dispute. 341. The names of the Judges en Circuit, with the sury, the Hon. Member for Finsbury was engaged in private
mine or names of the Judge or Judges who decided each correspondence with persons who were supposed to be plotting
came. 4th. The name of the town, the date of the trial, and against the safety of the State. '1 he Right lion. Baronet
whether tried in the Court-house, or in an apartment of an inn quoted an extract from a speech of the Hon. Member for
or hotel. sth. The result of the trial, with the amount of the Wolverhampton upon which he grounded this inference. In
costs in each crse respectively. 6th. The amount paid as fees January, 1842. an article appeared in the Qu .rterly Review
of Court in each case, and to whom paid, and the authority for charging Members of that Home with having instigated per-
levying the same ; the return to furnish the above particulars sons in the manufacturing districts to break the peace. The
in so far as the means exist.—Ordered. House would recollect how excited was the public mind
NEW ZEALAND.—EAST INDIES. during the autumn of that year. They had not forgotten the
Mr. HUTT gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would, trials of large numbers of the working classes of Lancashire,
on the part of another Hon. Member,move for returns relating when one of the parties tried defended himself by quoting
to New Zealand. He gave notice also, that, en the same largely from speeches made by Members of that House.
day, hie would move for copies of the correspondence which When the judge heard that. question, he said that although
had taken place between the Government and the Directors of that had nothing to do with the proceedings before the Court,
the East India Company respecting the repeal or the reduc- yet; if the parties who had made use of that language had
Lion of the duties upon British Wheat and Flour imported been indicted, they would be punished for it. On the 2d of
into British India. December, 1842, a meetint was held in London, which it was
AUCTION DUTIES—AGRICULTURAL RELIEF. stated was held for the purpose of following up the tactics of
Mr. STANLEY begged to ask the Hon. Gentleman the the Anti-Corn-law League in dividing the metropolis into sec-
Member for Dorsetshire, whether in the event of his (Mr. tions and districts for the purpose of carrying on their agitation.
lianks's) motion for continuing the auction duties being car- This was reported in the newspapers of the next day, as the
ried. it was his intention to propose any reduction of other first great district meeting of section number one, held at the
taxes to the same amount, and if so, what they would be? Mechanics' Institution, Southampton-buildings. Eight hun-
whether of those affecting agriculture or other interests ? dred persons were present, including one hundred females.
Mr. BAN KES said that if lie should succeed in retaining the Who did the House suppose presided over that meeting ? Why
auction duties—(Laughter)—he should certainly wish to effect Mr. Warburton, ex-111.P. for Bridport. At that meeting
a commensurate reduction of the general taxation of the strong and violent language was used within a short distance
country.—(Hear, and a laugh.) of the Home-office. The Chairman made a speech. and culled
SUGAR DUTIES. upon Mr. Villiers to propose a resolution, which was seconded
Sir WILLIAM CLAY begged leave to put a question to the by Mr. Ricardo. Mr. Ewart next addressed the meeting, and
Right lion. the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of said that when things had came to that pass, it would he better
the sugar duties. He wished to know what was the intention that every Englishman should lease his country or sacrifice his
of tier Majesty's Gevernrnent as to the time when the proposed life in maintaining his liberty. On this declaration being
alteration in the sugar duties should be carried into effect after made, a Mr. Blackbure said that that was out of order, and was
the passing of the Bill ? an appeal to physical force. That. was a specimen of
'I he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that it the language used at the meeting. Now, he would ask the
was intended the reduction should take place immediately after Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in his opinion,
the day on which th t resolutions should have been agreed to in the letters of the members of the Anti •Corn-law League, who
the Committee, without waiting far the passing of the Bill. had divided London into sections and distrcts, after the fashion
EXPORT DUTIES ON COAL. of the revolutionists of Paris, ought not to have been opened?
Mr. HODSON HINLE wished to put a question to the It those letters were not opened, then he told the Right Hon.
Right lion. Gentleman (the Chancellor of the Exchequer), Gentleman that he had acted partially in the ca-c of the Hon.
on the subject of the export duty on coals, very similar to that Member for Finsbury, and had not done justice to the office he
just put by the Hon. Member Por Gateshead. Whilst it was held. The Hon. Member for Finsbury had made his charge in
probable that the duty would be taken off, persons who had a bold and open manner, but the Secretary of State had not
coal to ship for abroad were unwilling to pay the duty. He replied like a man who felt that he had conscientiously dis-
wished to ask when it was intended the duty should be taken charged his duty. He had spoken with " bated breath," and
off, in the event of Parliament agreeing with the repeal? in a faltering voice—(lronical cheers)—and if he had not ans-
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could only wered boldly, how much more had the Hen. Member for Ken-
give the same answer as to the former question, that the duty dal laboured in defending the Committee. If the Hon. Mem-
would cease from the day when the resolution should have been berfor:Kendal had not had nis letters opened by the Right Hon.
agreed to in Committee.—( Hear, hear.) Baronet, then was the Hon. Member for Finsbury justified in
CUSTOMS' DUTIES. saying that the Right Hon. Baronet had acted from personal
M. M. MILNES wished also to put a question to his Right feelings towards himself—that the Right Honourable Baronet
Hon. Friend the Chance llor of the Exchequer. He was aware had made an improper use of the office he held for the purpose
of the wish of his Right Hon• Friend to act with every consi. of satisfying a e prurient curiosity" by peeping into his letters.
deration towards vested capital ; and as there were several ar- But there was another question of more vital importance
tides included in the proposed Customs' reductions, which than the question between the Right Hon. Baronet and the
would seriously affect vested capital, he ( Mr. Mimes) wished lion. Member for Finsbury. He believed those two gentlemen
to ask whether Members would be at liberty to discuss the pro- had been fi iends in their youth—( A laugh)—they had both
priety of the reduction in the case of c ach article by itself ? served in the same gallant wars, and he was sorry to hear ex-
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the Igessions used by them, which on cool reflection he was sure
question put by the Hon. Member could he as well answered they would both be sorry for.—( Hear, hear ) But that was
by any other lion. Gentleman as by himself. Each item not to divert the House from the consideration of this impor•
would be put by the Chairman, • and any lion. Member who
taut question.--( Heat, hear.) He wished attention to be di-
thought proper to object to any one in particular might do so. rested to the right which the Right Hon. Baronet claimed to
In answer to a question from Mr. HAW ES, issue warrants. The Right Hon. Baronet was a great friend
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that to centralisation, and was now attempting to introduce the
the remission of duty would take place from the date of the new poor-law into Rochdale and the surrounding districts.
passing of the resolution except where a particular date was By his authority and under his sanction the Commissioners
specified. sent down an Assistant-Commissioner to form a union in
Rochdale. The ratepayers elected a board of guardians, who
refused to enforce the law.--(Cries of " Question.") They
might cry question, but be was speaking on the question of
opening letters in the Post-office. The Commissioners ob-
tained a mandamus in the Queen's Bench to compel the guar-
dians to enforce the law. Now the instruction of the guar-
dians to their solicitor for the defence passed through the Post-
office.—( Hear, hear.) He did not for a moment insinuate
that the Right lion. Baronet would open their letters, but he
bad the power to do so, and if he could do so in the case of
the Honourable Member fur Finsbury he could do so in
others. The Right Hon. Baronet had issued 18 warrants in 1841.
He believed that the letters of more Members of Parliament
had been opened than those of the Hon. Member for Finsbury.
—(Hear, hear.) If the Right Hon. Baronet was an unscru-
pulous Minister, he might have stopped the letters of those
agents who were conducting the opposition to the proceedings
of the Poor law Conemi-sioners, and thus become acquainted
with their defence. Ile did not know whether that was the
case, but this he knew, that the Poor-law Commissioners
shrunk from meeting the Board of Guardians is the Court of
Queen's Bench. He believed they did so because if the merits
of the case were heard, they knew that the mandamus would
be quashed, and that evidence would be brought forward which
would go far to annihilate the Commissioners. It was upon
that ground more than any other, he was desirous of taking
away, not only from the hands of the present Home Secretary,
but from every other Minister of the Crown, the opportunity of
using such power at his discretion.
Mr. STRUTT said that, as a member of the Committee, he
felt called upon to make a few observations on the present dis-
cussion, and he agreed with the Noble Lord the Chairman of
the Committee, that the most ample statements had been volun-
tarily made by the Right lion. Gentleman the Secretary of
State for the,Home Department and other members both of
the present and of the late Government. and that if there was
any want or fault in the report of the Committee, it was not
in consequence of any lack of evidence on the part of the wit-
nesses who were examined. The House should recollect the
circumstances under which the Committee WV appointed, when
it was said that the report was defective, and that they had not
communicated enough to the House. The House had appointed a
Secret Committee, and it was understood that the statements
made by the witnesses were confided to the honour of the
Members composing that Committee. If that were not so,
perhaps the evidence would not have been given.—( Hear. )
Now if any Member of the House repented of the decision to
which the Committee had come, he war to blame himself for
consenting that the Committee should be a secret one. If the
House wished for a different decision ; if they wished to call for
the evidence that had been taken before that Committee, it
was in their discretion to act as they thought proper. But
after the decision they had come to, he did not think it was
reasonable to complain of the Committee for having adhered to
the rule which the Hone itself had laid down ; and because it
had refused to commit that which would have been a violation
of all honour and confidence.—( Hear, hear.) The other
charge was that of having opened the letters of the Hon. Mem•
ber for Finsbury. The Hon. and Learned Member for Lis-
heard had asserted that there were three distinct charges ; one
of opening the letters of M. Mazzini ; a second, of opening the
letters of two Polish gentlemen ' and the third, of opening the
letters of the Hon. Member for Finsbury himself. The Hon.
and Learned Member said, the Committee had reported on two
of these questions, but had declined making any report at all
on the third. Now he 'gas nit going into any sta.ement of the
reasons which influenced the decision of the Committee; but
there was a great difference between these cases. The first mention
of the subject in Parliament was the presentation of the petition
which M. Mazzini addressed to the House, complaining of his
letters having been opened. This was followed by the petitions
of the two Polish gentlemen he had already alluded to. These
petitions, and the allegations they contained, produced a great
impression, The general feeling was that these foreigners had
been inhospitably, harshly, and ungenerously treated. He be-
lieved that was the general feeling which prevailed in the
House and in the country, and he confessed that he himself at
first participated in it. The impression produced was so strong,
that the Right lion. Baronet the Home Secretary came clown
to the House and made a statement that he bad issued a war-
rant for the opening of these letters, and consented to the ap-
pointment of a Committee of Inquiry. To that Committee
were referred the petitions of these foreigners on this subject.
Ihe remaining allegation was a very different one. In that ease
no admission was made by the Secretary of State that he had
opened any letters whatever, and he declined to answer the
question. Neither was it alleged last session by the Honour-
able Member fur Finsbury that his letters had been opened, as
at that time he probably did not know it as a fact.
, Now he did not wish it to he understood that he was giving the
reasons which might have influenced the Committee in their
' decision in not reporting upon this allegation. He thought he
had said enough to show the disconnection between the three
cases, and the necessity of reporting upon one question, and
the abstaining from the reporting on another. But then it had
been said, that even supposing the Committee were net able
to give a decided opinion upon all these particular questions of
fact, the substance of the evidence might have been given in a
summary. It was said also, that the Committee might have
reported more satisfactorily as to the degree of discretion undsr
which this power had been used by the Right Hon. Baronet.
Now he would only appeal to the House to consider
what the constitution of that Committee was —it con-
sisted of nine gentlemen holding very different political
opinions, and when they recollected the difficult matters with
,which they had to deal, lie did not think that it was at all
surprising that they should come to different conclusions as to
the particular discretion which might have been exercised in
any particular case. They were, however, all agreed as to
the general views and motives which had influenced the Execu-
tive in the exercise of this power. He had no intention of
eulogising the Government, nor did he wish it to be under-
stood that he was whitewashing the Right Hon. Baronet,
when he declared his opinion that he had been most harshly
and unfairly treated on this subject. However odious some
Gentlemen might consider this power, and however disagree-
Able its exercise might be, he did not believe the Right Hon.
Baronet had dune more than those elle preceded him in office.
In another particular, the report was said to be unsatisfactory.
Some Hon. Members said they ought to have made
a clear and satisfactory recommendation to Parliament
as to the course which ought to be pursued for the future. He
thought if anybody who had attended much to the general
business of Committees—no matter whether of special or or-
dinary purposes—must have been struck by the different
opinions entertained by the different Members of that Com-
mittee. It was scarcely possible for them to come to any
clear decision, but in ordinagy cases nothing was more com-
mon than for the Committee to simply report the evidence
Which had come before them, and leave it to the House to
draw what conclusions it might think proper; in their case,
however, the Committee was secret, and of course they were
precluded from reporting the evidence to the House. The
Committee took the only course it was competent for them
to take, and instead of pointing out the course which should
be taken for the future, endeavoured to show the different
lights in which the evidence might be viewed. If he were
asked whether he had formed any opinion on the subject, he
would say that, looking to the amount of advantage which was
obtained from the exercise of this power, and
at the same time look ng at the effect which that
exercise hat on the public mind, he felt bound
to give his opinion against that power remaining, in its
present state. The Right Hen. Baronet at the head of the
Government had pointed nut in very forcible terms the position
in which the Government was placed in 1842. Terror per-
vaded the manufacturing districts, and a serious responsibility
was thrown upon the Government, and the Right Hon. Hero-
net truly observed that the Government would have left there-
selves open to great blame if, under such circumstances, the
Government had not exercised the power which the Legisla-
ture had placed in their hand.—( Hear.) He was unwiliirg to
attribute blame where it was not justly attributable, but he
must say that a Minister might in such times, and under such

apprehension, exert.;ise the power which in cooler moments h
might. consider ac indefL,c3lble. The view which t c vas.
in-
clined to take of the subject was this : —he would aztsimda e
the proceedings under warrants of this nature to such w•nraitt!'
He would ',Ave then: grantcd only upon a preliminary preeee.d'
ing, such as a written information upon path, and the P.m; l-
ei
against whim the warrants were issued sitould have the mot
'nation confided to them, and in case of any illegality or imPo:
priety, should have redress in the same manner as in the c. 631
of search warrants. He th,tught the observations of the Right
Hon. Gentleman the Meml.er for Edinburgh (Mr. MacallaYl
were well entitled to attention, and he hoped the GovernnlP.o
aid the House would consider the subject with a view to legit'

Wien.
Mr. COLQUIIOUN complimented the Hon. Gentlest!n
who hartjust sat down on the speech which he had made. 1,7
condemned the terms of the amendment of the Noble Lord Me,
Member for Sunderland, and vastly preferred the origUnt
motion of the lion. Member for Finsbury. He looked with
anxiety for the opinion of the Noble Lord the 111em1'er I°l
London, for he said last session that if the Right Hon. Berouet
had exercised this power in a legitimate manner, he should nee
vote for this Cemmittee at all. lie must confess that lookll
to the constitution of those Committees—seeing that they I:aatf
been composed of men of different political persuasions, ans,,
great weight and respectability—he thought that as they had etbe
p. eased no opinion as to the prudence of withdrawing fro„in_us,
Government the powers at present possessed by them, the•
should pay the gr eve st deference to that opinion. Tt.e CfC;."",„
mittees had entirely exculpated the Right Hon. Baronet
any charge of impropriety, and the guest ion was no.v narroo t. cute
to the complaint of the lion. Member fur Finsbury 0,,e
whether his letters had been opened. Ile thought that
lion. Member should have brought forward his comelalna,
immediately upon supposing that his letters had been oP":re
But with respect to the poser itself, it was stated in the reP, r
that it had been exercised by several Secretaries of State
the last twenty-two years in the same manner as hie Right
g tt
Hon. Friend had exercised it. If blame should fall on se,,'
should fall un the Legislature, or as long as the law eal'd
they should support the Minister while he exercised that If;
wisely and sparingly, as the utttee reported he had (Orr
He would take no part in this ungenerous and unjtlet,Pd be
needing, and he thought the Members of that House rhoin.4o,
the first to protect a public officer from unjust censureereree
in the discharge of a painful office, did what he enrol°. the
would be most conducive to the public welfare. It became 0,
House of Commons to shelter a Minister from such attacks- the
could have no hesitation in giving a decided negative t°
motion before the House. t eat
Mr. WILLIAMS said the Hon. Member who had jolt bei
down would have held very different language if his letteftieue
been treated in the same manner as those of his Hon. rlortt
the Member for Finsbury, 'f he Government had, from_ use
to last, taken a very wrong course. When the questi°,:reis•
first introduced the Government refused to give any un,
tion at all ; but when the people's minds became greatleo,
cited, they agreed to a Committee of Inquiry. ob, to
mittee, it should be recollected, had been appointed 'oese
Right Hen. Baronet, but it was very far from giving 'tee be
time When the Committee was about to be appoin' eir•
(Mr. Williams) divided the House upon the motion that bet
Duneombe should be a Member of that Committerios,
he was excluded, contrary to the practice of the Wee'
The Hon Member for Finsbury went before the Conn oat
and they had shown no sympathy with him. Why did theist,
report on his case as on the case of foreigners? Had the„Y
`roost,
that a warrant had been granted by the Right Hon. Riser
and stated the reasons for so doing, then voted the Ilene ~,,s0
ber for Finsbury have been satisfied. The stigma which "e es'
tempted to be cast upon his fair name would have beer''ooo4
planed and removed. That such stigma had been attet_tirthe
to be cast on his character was clear from the fact, t"-eith
Right Hon. Member for Biro had connected his Pantegeetel
the riots which were attempted in the north in 1842 51)00
that Right lion. Gentleman had afterwards tried to e.,ked,
away this insinuation ; but where. he (Mr. WilliaMe) 7,111
was the necessity fur mentioning these circumstance/ 8;0e
Notwithstanding the system of espionage in Francet,nebeerd
tended that there was Enure real liberty here—(lronical_ id 01
for where would they find a minister—of police, he Wua,e, tb:
—who would be base enough to open, without just can e
letters of a Member of Parliament? It was high 01out
e"
this power should be put an end to, or that such r
should be placed on it, as would destroy the danger old lead'
quences to which a wanton use of that power
They were aware that in the late disturbances in Woes
tit,
caries were sent into that country with warrants from bt fet
cretary of State in their pockets, and yet the Big goal!
Baronet was well aware that these disturbances eter!ette'
local, and created by the injurious conduct of the uteett- pie
appointed by himself. He should support, with esoeitt
sure, the original motion of the Hon. Member for rin f
Mr. B. COCHRANE did net think the opening :4
letters of the Honourable Member cast anlor
upon his character, as he could not be "peel
to be aware of their contents, even if written by ell
discontented with the Government. He could per ;start;
derstand why the Right Hon. Baronet refused to a,ntbet.a
Hon. Member's question. One Hon Member said ,10;11
question, as respected the Hon. Member for Finsbilbtoth
alone. He (Mr. B. Cochrane) did not think soen•eet
whose letters had been opened might call on the Peter:ooe%
Baronet in the same manner, to explain hie reasons nt
ercise of that power. The Right Hon. Baronet, he betto7ls
would find it very inconvenient to do so. But how bold
ask, did the Hon. Member for Finsbury know that
had been opened at all ?—( Cheers and laughter.)
" He that is robbed, not wanting what is stelemo,"ht
Let him not know it, he is not robbed
,„at 06
(Laughter.) And, therefore, he thought the tano„ t,
,egor
to know on what proof the Hon. Member 11000
his charge against the Right Honourable
~e 4 toot
The Hon. Member who had jut sat down, had allu"to
French post-office. Why, it was a general practice
country to open letters.
An LION. MEMBER—IIow do you know? ,
Mr. B. COCHRANE—Why, he had been e°,in" ee
the Continent, and he was aware that such was "Ifoelntes
practice. There was a great objection to the tone!'totiegeter
the original motion, because it would be colon,/ eleek
House of Commons a house of appeal for every triO.df" inot
in which Hon. Alembers would think themselves 7,0,t
The House was certainly a legal body to correct eveoelesel
still it was absolutely necessary that some trust ilffeie
placed irs the Executive, or the House would find tba;ll', Poe.
not get through the business of the country at all. lc, 000
Member could say, and say it sincerely, that P :4700
ter was injured, then indeed he would have ,int..er 'OO
for demanding this Committee, but the Hon. ke.",:eetatei?
as well as he (Mr. B. Cochrane) did, that his e.""L sawn
not affected in any degree b) this proceeding. l"„-oteet't be
in the case, he thought, 'pressed upon the Golet't DO,
cause the accusation against the Right Hon. Baroueed s
exceedingly painful to that Minlater, as it encouragrot do
picion in the minds of those who were not onregeisr t
this power, or the necessity there was for its exiter.,,se
could not support the lion. Member in this nap`te ell le
Mr. BLEWITT said, that while admiring a it',llo
speech of the Hight Hon. Member the Secreteleel, feS'
could not agree with him in every part of that ePe floe Ii
id
letters had been opened, as had ben those of the
ye se,oie
ber for Finsbury, certain it was that he should intee, iovr
preeisely the same manner. He thought it ato of ber
proceeding on the part of the Right Hon. Barone 'bee
tart' . of State, and the Right Hon. Baronet at the gittbtob
Majesty's Government. He was sorry that tb,e_iitt)
f
Baronet was not in his place, because he (11r. 13'`paroo,
to refer to ,everal cases in which the Right 141.,,ieetelb
sheltered himself behind the authority of her ta:ic
With regard to the Post-office, he did not thin rsy eSreteSis
post•s and institution of that office had been proPeet of lee of
The Post-office .vas never meant to be an 0h.1e,,,t, Pies
He would ask a question of the Solicitor-GeneWtbesierei
saw in his place, and he would wish to knew 'tterstOi
Anne did give any responsibility to open letters :tad %Verbs
rant having been previously granted by the ties House bet,
He felt he had trespassed too long upon the übtectle
though he c. uld say much mere upon the erm'uf te
would now conclude by saying that the 003,41 sulleol;',
Member for Finsbury should have his most coNettotie
Lord C. HAMILTON had but a few obser" Mouralbeept
in consequence of what had fallen from the "Telt ber
.a.
had just sat down. He should c infess he tho Metot eets
singular ground of complaint that the Ilunoticesr
Knaresborough had made out, namely, that 101 more"
510
Mt
done the Hon. Member for Finsbury, bee
eer
had not been issued.—(Laughter. ) a Were or
Mr. FERR AND said the words he had naleeted vi
Ri is
ght Hon. Baronet, the Home Secretary, h ,s 9,
tiality. hoe° Ateet
be 9 Ole er
Lord C. HAMILTON—WeII, however' he
elast
had heard with great regret this rather we': of I:4e,
raise a cry against the present Government. h_ wee_ floeme
that the practice was open to objection ; hut he e°9
the manner in which it had been broughat lioecl &peke
afforded him just cause of complaint. 11° sthe out', serisogi
that some Hon. Members, in speaking un., ptillouseteser
used language that would not be tolerated,,' that able sof Os
which ought not to have been listened to t• e enderteot
language similar to which had never yet ornas the e%000.1);:bot_
vation. But, now, let him ask, what `vas r tet'dt
mischief that had been done the Hon. Merneteatthtebe et•o: r
—lt appeared to him—(Lord C. Hamilton Gone, a!ve 0050
consisted not so much in what had been can to P. oeentest
which it had been represented. He did not In_tio, WOOO4
sad
,011
t ice his unqualified approbation, but he did .!'eeestarY,_ be"
been iesorted to, to surround it with too! ,el/10°;:etblete,
Hear, hear. ) There was another point
swrota. !_nittt!at
wish to call attention. It did strike
„a hjo P
it was a source of pain to him, to havielimohteserite3ee thYri7:eeillorlt,slr
silence with which this subject had been end Who 000 thet_
Lord, opposite, who recently held offices
_et..
orot .10.!
period had exercised the very. same l'resploble
rti_l to blot
that, considering the high position of tb s.
.si reg:_,oo,o, the,
talents, and their character, it was subjeall"is oee
have bserved them remain silent ell se;
the discussion was carried on with s
fried °u` 4itli°lnst
61a:fe
whole current of public odium was po
sent Government. Put it was now too 1:000,1--1,...eueeelotel
gone forth, and the public mind was P member 'ea lobe bib
not be remedied. Much as the II". .1r0n) beggar "
C. Hann o'Coun '')
had to complain of, he (Lord
tshaffeerfleoduases oaf the case ofefiolllL(Fceraireg,,n_surcsoc
IPe;0_111-efettarsitietr_.
at least, he had been detected_ 1", seeitioPtim
those who had been convicted 01.
but for, Ile dot illtre
never could have been knownad
cheeres"; exetnPooelleet
of this power.—(lleac,
he a
01" W " t that eltde.eP
wish that Members of Parliament be though to be 001 e
or
wer was iof F'
odious and invidious; but e et ,ceher
_eel! _
done away with, how would th IVll,d"epotioatelfer.
this power of the State, be.cfatuhiee
t,.
for
he
bthaeryy,reitquhiardedb?e—ea(
that hi' ccfetculens'eirhel/
the opening of his letters, and
but that ertei "ebbe ? hinOP-/
)uffeired insult agitueuts..,(o,lel
felt it as an insult to them;
the Hon. it to ib'sie
the affair Vienther 0110
Why' he to hays; wee t° hies
)_and too Member put of b 1 cry"
ihtetaor.h)is
aWoahtotitwaaesatiat?that made
' (Laughter required?—(Hear,
hheaadr's
aughtert )victim n.
(mLaadueghatepr;
had been the vu'ut of fuyeeetlty ea'r
said that the Hon. Member
f libel, the arnit abeen go/
insult. Now, in cases 0
fore a. jury nsto
aryhavitig fern
pained should be proved be
far • from 0.1.11.( 001
charges' eve nrdferobreo'
)epuredsollenrirtYlacgratis;edr,
tototl.iitoene-)
oghter.,oooi;oo
but in the
tained, he (Lord C. "8" • life.--(1'15 but he ho dor
manna, he '` 1.1, the to
heard re' • the
mention this•—He bads by %Ole e those ot ;icor
to the effect that the r
mi
-rinformation end
they ,e tbe ote
IC)a.dlinaemvneiri
tomna)d,tividsuneoht awhi ttoo
Finsbury lead obtained to enables, bs' die
committed a breach of cootie dance
Vabt Ma'- Hon. oitb 0111
Member to put together for tne
ho
_se
,fi
mieht acco
ployment of the P.:stinilanst_erGnienrsol'rdf:revideneieroberio;
se wiew „mt
clining to bring forwarde O. The re"o",ed theia torte;
lose their situations if
who e°rable't raYed bes, therto
tained ; and that e
not say that the nine gentlemen
his witnesses,i_e, e C 0,00,.
dto protest ,e eof bl°
woos.
The anxiety which he 9h House -
hoped the f sherd ti
le 0 ee. tit
very suspicious. He
exam ble 11, oo ete
and were sworn to secrecy,oseweo4.ld have t then' weeds
motion or the amendment.
not follow the
the n
personalities. for he . and tha eeessar' 01070011%
shownLor d
inmPoerrrzeal than discrettutele, only y ove theY
Mr. WATSON would
roust Bay t the- att,,a,'bupt
Hon. Member for Finsbury was. not ,oetea party for
fer
t the heads - ber Is'
ward to make charges against
defence- party, mete
ee,
recruits to rush forward to
I belong to ninte llon• soy resinOOP
Lord C. HAllit'"N` ...e of t y joined
justifiable. But it was always nu, f V
SON— A• to the ca- efactor ,
ee AT
Whets it was appointed, am'
Finsbury, he thought the rep.o.rtottlignbsatil; wee eonare

'