The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-10 00:00:00

relations, which fearfully enhance that importance.
The enormous multiplication of machinery power has
at least an immediate tendency to diminish
the demand for human labour; whilst the excess of
manufacturing production (unrelieved by any active
principle of distribution to the masses) has the double
effect of glutting the market, and thereby reducing
prices to an unnatural extent, and of depreciating
wages in proportion to the competition for employ-
ment occasioned by such diminished demand for
labour. The continual recurrence of these causes, in
this order, has at length, a sort of cumulative opera-
tion, which the occasional impetus given to labour
and production can neither overtake nor sensibly
countervail. The seasons of depreciation and depres-
sion which our industrial community have had, of
late years, to encounter, are, out of all proportion,
either more numerous or more permanent than those
of revival and energetic action. These last represent
a power say of one, and increasing only by units,
which has to compete with a power of five, or seven
or ten, even, increasing from time to time by quanti•
ties equally large. For, besides the general elements
of depreciation and depression just noticed, we must
allow for the coincident increase of our population,
and the growth of competing foreign machinery and
manufactures ; the one reacting on the already over-
crowded supply of labour, the other on the already
diminished demand for it. Nor is this all ; we have
yet to take into the account the consequences of
those fatal errors of our legislation which virtually
overwhelm with taxation the poor, and lightly visit
the rich, by the customs, the imposts, or the
monopoly supply of articles and commodities the
most indispensable to human subsistence. Had Great
Britain possessed no colonies, or had she longer
withheld even that cold encouragement and those in-
adequate facilities which she now extends to free
emigrants, a crisis must have arrived, ere now, in
which we should have had the misery of subsiding
into the social condition of some among the more
Southern States of Europe. We should have had a
fourth power in the State ;—a lazzaroni population,
too fiercely excited by distress to respect the rights of
property, whilst they were unable to satisfy the
cravings of nature; too abjectly poor, in the wealthiest
country of the world, not to levy a war of brigandage
and spoliation upon the capital so largely possessed by
others. But, instead of these incalculable horrors, the
tide of emigration has annually removed from our
shores and landed on those of Africa or Asia, of
America or New Holland, many. thousands of our
surplus agricultural hands, farmers, and labourers;
and a number, little inferior, of our unemployed me-
chanics, masters and operatives ; also, of able-bodied
paupers and servants. But emigration of a new
character and on a larger scale—emigrants not from
England, nor from any part of Continental Europe—
not destined for Africa, nor for Asia, nor for New
Holland ;—emigrant labour of a totally novel descrip-
tion from any to which it had been applied under the
auspices of former Governments of this country ;
these have become among the most vital necessities of
the empire, in relation to the integrity of its colonial
dominions.
Owing to the magnificent generosity with which
we have extinguished the condition of Negro Slavery
throughout the whole of our possessions in the West
Indies,' and on the American Main, the emancipated
black races have long manifested so engrossing a
preference for the unrestricted enjoyment of their
new condition of social existence, over any amount of
regular wages for field labour, as to occasion the most
serious apprehensions for the future productiveness
of those fertile regions of which this compulsory
tillage had heretofore developed all the prodigious
fertility. Free labour was becoming, as to the eman-
cipated slave, a mere speculative theory. In practice
it was so uncertain, so partial, so interrupted, and so
expensive, that the planters and owners (whose in-
vestments of capital in the land, in works, machinery,
&c., &c., and in the shipping customarily engagedin
the West India trade, are enormous) are compelled
to turn their views to other quarters, from whence
they might hope to draw the necessary supplies of
human labour, to keep their estates in proper
cultivation, and to raise such crops as might
adequately compensate them for the risk of
their capital, and the annual amount of their
outlay. Free labour exclusively (Heaven be
thanked 1) it was, and is still, necessary that they
should employ. But the burning climate of those
tropical regions has ever interposed an insuperable,
because a physical, obstacle to the efforts of European
agricultural industry within them. The intensity of the
heat, the exhausting nature of avocations in parts neces-
sarily pursued beneath its fiercest action, the hostility
of the rainy season to European health, and the dele-
terious influences of vegetable decomposition, are pa-
ralysing to the mental powers even, but fatal, in a
greater or less degree, according to the modification
of external circumstances, and of the physiology of
individual constitutions, to the bodily health of natives
of our temperate countries. Only people of the copper
coloured, or the yellow races, can replace, or labour
with, the negroes in the out-door occupations
of West Indian husbandry ; as it was once imagined
that only the negroes could be Substituted for the
red Caribs, or indigenous population of the Carrib-
bean Archipelago, whom the brutal avarice and
cruelty of their white invaders and masters have
long since utterly extirpated. Meanwhile, soil ex-
hausted or not, our West Indian position is one which
political exigencies would compel us to retain even if
commercial discretion should prompt us to abandon it.
These islands, by their geographical position, supply
a chain of posts of observation ranging along a vast,
extent of the eastern coasts of the two Americas.
They are advanced works " from whence the Old
World regards the New." It is now, at length, per-
mitted to us to arrive at the second bright page in
the death and blood-stained annals of our settlements
in the West Indies. We have given freedom to
900,000 blacks, who were, some years pre-
viously, of no higher legal or political importance
than the lowest serfs, the meanest adscripti glebce ;
namely, human chattels—whose lives were measured
as they were consumed, by the amount of physical
labour performed. They were machines animated—
but still brute, and fed and sustained only because exist-
ence was the indispensable ingredient of their value,
and because that value was proportionately enhanced
with the vigour and healthfulness of that existence.
Those who are now to replace them are-1. Volun-
tary labourers. 2. Well paid, protected, and enter-
tained. 3. Term servants only, capable not merely
of leaving their employment at a given period, pre-
viously specified and agreed upon with the employer,
and guaranteed by the local Government; but even,
on reasonable cause shown, before the expiration of
their contract. 4. They are in all respects, both as
to their private positions and comforts, and as to their
social • condition, not. degraded below, but elevated
above those which they occupied in their far distant
homes, from which they have. been, on their own ap-
plication, or with their own free consent and desire,
imported into these British islands and possessions.
it is long since we have perused any of the Parlia-
mentary Papers with more pleasu►e than we have de-
rived from an examination of the " Blue Book,"
entitled " Correspondence relative to Emigration of
Labourers to the West Indies and the Mauritius,
from the west coast of Africa, the East Indies, and
China, presented to both Houses by command of her
MAJESTY in the course of the present session." The
first class of correspondence, documents, returns, &c.,
relates to the emigration of labourers to Jamaica,
British Guiana, and Trinidad. The second—to that
of (East) Indian labourers to the Mauritius. The
third—to that of Chinese labourers to the West In-
dies. The fourth—that of (East) Indian labourers
to the West Indies. We hope shortly to find room
fur some detailed abstract of their contents.

struction of the new prison of La Force, and declared
that the cells were insufferably small, ill-ventilated,
and in fact unfit for human beings. This gave
offence to the scientific skill and pride of M. ARAGO
and Co., and on the adjournment of the Chamber, it
would appear, they hurried to the prison to make ex-
periments ; and the next day M. ARAGO reported the
result to the Chamber, amidst loud laughter. " I
can take on myself to declare," said he, " that the
Hon. Deputy was completely mistaken. It was not
alone the size of a cell that was to be considered, but
its facilities for ventilation and heating. In the con-
struction of those cells, all the improvements which
modern science—represented by such men as M.
GAY-LUSSAC, PECLET, POUII.LET, and DUMAS—
could suggest, had been adopted. Experiments had
been tried as to the exact quantity of air which was
necessary for each cell—the Committee had shut up
one of their members in the cell—(Laughter)—and had
endeavoured to ascertain, by the most delicate pro-
ceedings of chemical analysis, to whAt degree of ven-
tilation it was necessary to arrive in order b obtain a
perfectly pure:air. It was found that their object was
more than attained by giving to each prisoner a cell
of 10 cubic metres (about 123- English feet). M. DE
LA ROCUEJAQUELIN may be certain,' said the Hon.
Member, that the ventilation of those cells, which
he had so loudly exclaimed against, is far superior to
his own bed-room—(Laughter)--is certainly better
than that of mine—(Laughter)—and in comparison
superior to that of this Chamber.'—(Loud and con-
tinued laughter.) Not only, continued the -Hon.
Member, had excellent means of ventilation been em-
ployed, but an apparatus had been invented to verify
the state of the air at any period. In fact, every pos-
sible precaution had been taken to render the pri-
soners' cells perfectly well aired." This statement
seemed to convince all but M. DE LA ROCISEJAQUELIN,
and the discussion on the clauses continued. Indeed from
all accounts, the reforms to be ijitroduced by the Bill
will be of great benefit. The chief prison in Paris,
called La Force, will cost 3,000,000 f. (200,0001.),
and each cell is to be more than 12 feet square, and
of the same height. The domosticiintelligence is des-
titute of interest.

The Phare of Bayonne states, from Madrid, that
one of the measures on which the late Ministry was
deliberating, and which ►ill probably be adopted by
the new Cabinet, is the restoration t 3 the clergy of a
portion of the Church property remaining unsold—
the pensions which were allotted to them when the
Church property was taken by the State, being very
irregularly paid—and the re-establishment of the
Four per Cent. tax, voted by the Cortes in 1839 in
substitution of tithes. This measure is said to be in-
sisted upon by the PorE, as the preliminary condi-
tion of a renewal of the relations of the Court of
Rome with the Spanish Government.
The Journal des Debals gives the following biogra-
plical sketch of the members composing the new
Cabinet :

" All the Ministers have professed under the Regency of
Maria Christina, as well as under that of Espartero, constitu-
tional moderado principles, and were at the head of the par-
liamentary party which was formed after the fall of the Duke
de la Victoria. All have already filled high functions in the
State, and three amongst them have been Ministers at various
periods, under the constitutional regime. General Narvaez,
President of the Council and Minister of War, acquired a
great reputation during the civil war, in fighting against
Don Carlos. It was he who succeeded in reaching and beat-
ing General Gomez in Andalusia. He also pacified the pro-
vince of La Mancha, by creating, in a short space of time, a
fine army of reserve. General Narvaez has sat several times
in the Cortes as a Deputy and a Senator. Without being a
brilliant orator, he has great facility in speaking, and at the
time of the discussions on the Queen's majority and the accu-
sation against M. Olozaga, he often spoke in the Senate,
where he was always listened to with favour. The Marquis
de Vilma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was brought up at the
Royal School of Artillery, and followed in his youth his mili-
tary career in that body, which in the midst of civil wars and
popular risings has always preserved its old reputation for ca-
pacity, and attachment to order and the monarchy. Under
the absolute Government M. de Viluma was persecuted for
his liberal opinions, and resided at Florence for many years
as an emigrant. His firm character, and the uprightness of
his intentions, caused him to be , named Political Chief of
Madrid during the Ministry of Martinez de la Rosa. After
that period he was made a senator, and always showed an
elevation of views, and.a strictness of political principles, which
gained for him general esteem. Notwithstanding his repug-
nance, the orders of the Queen and the solicitations of his
friends, had induced him to accept the post of Minister Pleni-
potentiary of Spain at London, where he has scarcely arrived.
M. Mon, 111inister of Finance, was the colleague of M. Torreno,
as Deputy for the province of Asturias, and a strict friendship
has always united him to that statesman. M. Mon had
already succeeded as Finance Minister to M. de Torreno in
the Cabinet of Count d'Ofalia, and there gave proofs of talent.
His probity is acknowledged even by his bitterest enemies.
M. Mon is one of the cleverest speakers in the Cortes. He is
known for the energy and vivacity of his character, and for
an eminently practical knowledge of business. M. Pidal,
Minister of the Interior, is M. Mon's intimate friend and
brother- in-law. He professes the same political prir.ciples, and
they have always fought under the same colours. M. Pidal,
a magistrate of integrity and information, was the last Pre •
sident of the Cortes. It was he whom the Queen called to
the Palace on Olozaga's affair, and he showed in that de-
plorable crisis a great impartiality as well as an extreme re- I
serve. M. Mayans, an esteemed magistrate, was Minister of
Justice under the Ministry of Gonzalez Bravo, and he made
great efforts to re-establish order in the law courts, and to
ameliorate the condition of the clergy. He got several
Bishops recalled from exile, and sought with zeal to bring
about a reconciliation with the Court of Rome. He preserves
in the new Ministry the place which he had in the Cabinet
of Golizalez Bravo. General Armero, Minister of the Marine
and the Colonies, rendered an important service to the cause
of the Queen, by disembarking on the coast, and fighting
with success in the memorable night which decided the
deliverance of Bilboa in 1837. Espartero, witness of his
bravery and intelligent activity, recompensed him after the
triumph, and made a friend of him. When the struggle
against
,Espartero was declared, General Armero was at
Seville, and he was one of the first who placed himself at the
head of the insurrection in favour of the Queen. Appointed
Governor of that city, he was of great assistance to General
Figueras, who had the chief command, and he exhibited,
during this crisis, the same firmness that he had before given
so many proofs of. He was, under the last Cabinet, Captain-
General of Seville."

THE BOURSE-WEDNESDAY, MAY 8.
: 3112002 35,••••3112002 30 ..•
3110202 30
.•..3110202 30
First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Trice.
84 70 .. 84 60 .. 84 60
French
TFlffiyeeap
1841-- 1110 ••1110 ..1110 ..1110
Belgian Fives, 1831.• •••• • • • 103 •. ma .. 103: .. 103:
cprcre eCn.et5n.t..5..........: . 84 65 ..
1840 ...... lO5l •• 106 .. 10.'4 .. 1031
BBealugikaioifßlalrt.c..e: 690 .. 690
.. 690
.. 690
1842 •••• •• 1081 •• 1081 .. 1081 .. 108-.}
Spanish Active ..... ••••• • • 32 •• 321 .. 32 .. 321
Threes •.•• •• ..
Passive. 6 •• 6 .. 6 . • 6
Portuguese Five per Cents• • 464 •• 46: .. 461 • • 461
Neap01itan.............
Roman, ex div. 1041 .. 1641 .. 104 t . .. 1041

_
RAILWAY SHARES.
Versailles, •••• •• •• •• 3•N 75 •• 378 75 378 75 378 75
2•i7 50 .. 257 60 .. 257 50 .. 257 50
Rouen to Havre. •••••• • • • • • 737 50 • • 737 50 .. 735 .. 73.5
Orleans.• ..... ............ 977 50 .• 977 50 .. 977 50 .• 977 50
Strasburg to Bale 277 50 .. 278 75 .• 275 .. 275
RAILWAY SHARES, FOR TAR ACCOUNT.

Verallles, IL 8... • .. ••• • MO • • 380 .. 380 380
L. 8.•• ••••• • • • • • 260 •• 260 .• 2b7 50 .. 258 75
Rouen 970 •• 972 50 .. 970 . 972 50
Rouen to llavre 740 • • 740 .. 735 •• 735'
Orleans • . ••• • • • ••• •• .• •• .• 978 75 .. 978 75 •• 976 25 .. 976 25
Strasburg to Bale.• •• ...... 278 75 •• 278 75 .. 275 .. 275
Mignon to Marseilles— .• •• 769 75 .. 768 75 768 75 7" 75

COMMISSIONS or SEWERS.—The Lord Chancellor,
deeming it very desirable to improve and reform the
present Commissions of Sewers for Westminster and
part of the county of Middlesex, has added the follow-
ing Gentlemen to the list :—Sir John Hall, Colonel
John Castle Gant, Captain Robert J. Hansler, W.
Leverton Donaldson, Esq., George Dodd, Esq., C.
Barry Baldwin, Esq., Thomas' W. Marriott, Esq.,
Philip Hemery Le Breton, Esq., John Frederic
France, Esq., George Drew, Esq , Henry Arthur
Hunt, Esq., William Crake, Esq., James Harvey,
Esq., George Spencer Smith, Esq., John Hardwick,
Esq., Edward Baylis, Esq., Edward Page Clowser,
Esq., Thomas Moss, Esq., George Wigg, Esq., George
Pownall, Esq., Jacob Birt, Esq., John Boodle, Jun.,
Esq., Lancelot Bathurst, Esq., John Wheelton, Esq.

COWES ISLE 'OF WIGHT.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESFONDENT.)
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE.
The annual general meeting of the members of the Royal
Yacht Squadron takes place at the Thatched House Tavern
to-morrow (Saturday), when there are nearly twenty candi-
dates to be balloted for, for members and honorary members,
and the whole business of the season to be arranged, the num-
ber of cups to be sailed for, &c. We have no doubt that the
manner in which her Majesty's visit to Cowes is to be noticed
by the Royal Yacht Squadron will be discussed.
NonmsCASTLE.—So many stories are told that there is no
knowing what to believe, but We think we are correct in
stating that Norris Castle was yesterday sold to her Majesty
for 60,000/.
The inquiries about houses at Cowes are out of number; the
number of houses really taken very few.

THE DECORATIVE WORKS FOR THE NEW PALACE
AT WESTMINSTER.—During the week the public have been
admitted gratuitously to the exhibition of the decorative
designs and compositions at King-street, St. James's, which
have been sent in pursuant to the notices issued by her Ma-
jeety's Commissioners on the Fine Artsinfurtherance of their
object for ornamenting the new palace at Westminster. In
the course of the previous fortnight admission could be ob-
tained only by payment of a shilling each person. It has not
been generally known that the doors are now open free to the.
public; and in consequence there have been but few visitors.
It has been arranged by her Majesty's Commissioners, that
except on Saturdays and levee days, all classes may view the
exhibition, the hours being from nine o'clock in the morning
till seven at night.
HIJNGERFORD SUSPENSION-BRIDGE. yesterday
morning the workmen commenced placing the tackling by
which the chains are to be carried over the piers, and before
two o'clock, had succeeded in carrying a length of Smith's
patent wire rope from the platform on the Surrey side, over
The discussion in the French Chamber of Deputies
the first pier to the Dolphin, in the centre of the river. At
was a little enlivened on Tuesday by a speech of M. an early hour this morning the line was carried over to
the pier on the Ilungerford side, and continued to the shore.
ARAGO. The Marquis DE LA ROCREJAQUELIN on . When eight lengths of this rope shall have been carried
the previous day. had made an attack on the m bem ers across the river, arrangements will be made to convey over
- • , the massive and elegant iron chains, and the whole is ex-
of the Committee oppoulted to superintend the con- ' petted to be completed in about two months.

Madrid papers of the 2d instant have been re-
cgived. In some of them it is stated that the fall of
thQ Ministry was brought about in consequence of
their demanding the suspension of the sale of the pro-
perty of the secular clergy, which had not already
been disposed of. Two Ministerial journals declare,
from authority, that there is no truth in the state-
ment ; but they do not condescend to add more. The
anniversary of the rising at Madrid against the
French, in 1808, was celebrated on the 2d by solemn
services in most of the churches, and the Bourse
remained closed.