The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-31 00:00:00

~ .i ~.. ~s

LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1844.

. --..-----
Both Houses met last night for the first time after
the recess. In the House of Lords the Marquis of
CLANRICARDE moved for a Select Committee to con-
sider the Bill for the_ construction of a railway from
Chester to Holyhead, and after some remarks from
the Duke of WELLINGTON, Lord KENYON, and Lord
MONTEAGLE, the motion was postponed till Tuesday.
Lord CAMPBELL postponed his Bill on the law of
libel till Friday. The Lord Chancellor said he
would, on that day, present a modified Bill on the
subject.
After some other business of little importance the
House adjourned.
In the ['once of Commons Lord ARTHUR LENNox
took his seat for Chichester, and Sir Tuoimns FEE-
MANTLE fur Buckingham.
After a great number of petitions had been pre-
sented, Mr. JERVIS moved that a Select Committee
be appointed to inquire into the claims of Mr. CHI-
CII'ESTER, as sole executor of ROBERT WILLIAM
POWELL, an uncompensated American Loyalist. Sir
GEORAE CLERK opposed the motion, which was ne-
(_ ,
,-) ; 'golo yithout a division.
_
j:::**::111ELLY obtained leave to bring in a Bill to
Ork __.-1?r appeal in criminal cases. lie made an 1144
;;;-'itre'- .11 on this important question, and showed
. .-17-aFt.4..iiitit:.___teli,e a.bsur.d. principle that, while appeals
u.f.in civil cases, no appeals in the
2,27/:,iv- tatew
the law were allowed in cases where
a. . ieofa human being was at stake. Sir Jams j

GRAHAM did not oppose the motion, though he could
not pledge the Government to support it.
On the motion for the House going into a Com-
mittee of Supply, Mr. ROEBUCK brought the state
of Canada under the consideration of the House, but
made no motion. _ _

Lord STANLEY replied at great length, and de-
fended the conduct of Sir C. AIETCALFE.

After speeches from Mr. HuME, Mr. C. BULLER,
Lord J. RUSSELL, and Sir R. PEEL, the subject
dropped.
The report of the Committee of Supply was brought
up and agreed to, the other business was disposed of,
and the House adjourned at a Quarter to One o'Clock.

So, Sir JAMES GRAHAM iS going to make another
inroad upon the liberty of the English people. The
gambling-booths at Epsom and Ascot, as they have
been called, are abolished. There is to be no more
roulette, no more pitch and toss, no more stick-
throwing, no more thimble-rigging. The Derby
Dilly is about to establish a new era, introduce a great
moral reform among the middle and lower classes,
and make this country a model for virtue, honesty,
and sobriety. For several years, in almost every
public-house throughout the empire, small sums have
been subscribed, solely, with perhaps a few excep-
tions, for amusement, and rational amusement too, in
order to raise a fund, which may be spent on the con-
clusion of the principal races, possibly not more than
four during the season. Nothing like gain,
or unfair play, or robbery was attempted.
These little " re-unions," to use a French

phrase, were attended by the most respectable
tradesmen of the neighbourhood, they were con-
ducted on fair and honourable principles, they were
looked forward to with as much interest as the Derby
or the St. Leger by Lord GEORGE BENTINCK, or any
other Lord, and we believe not one in ten thousand
ever suffered by them. It appears, however, that
these pastimes are too aristocratical; they follow
closely in the rear of CROCRIORD'S, and WHITE's, and
fifty other clubs, frequented by the virtuous upper
classes ; and the Derby Dilly, a section of the new
moral government, have resolved to put them down.
A feeler to this effect has been sent forth, we believe
at the instigation of the Home Secretary, in these
words :—" It is the intention of Government to adopt
measures fur the immediate suppression of racing
speculations. Arrangements are about being made
with the magistracy to carry this intention
of the Government into effect ; for which
purpose the police authorities will receive
instructions to give notice to publicans that if they,
for the future, permit lotteries' or ' sweepstakes'
to be held, they will not only subject themselves to
heavy penalties, but, by permitting them to take place
on their premises, such an illegal proceeding will en-
' danger the licenses of their respective houses."
The already oppressed publicans are thus to be
made the first victims. The new police is to be let
loose upon thousands of the most respectable
class of the community who frequent their
houses; they are to be prohibited from taking
any interest in the national sports of the
country, purely for the sake of preserving their
morality ; and a despotic law is to be carried into
effect by men who vote black white, who change
their political principles, and break the most solemn
pledges, to suit their own selfish interests. If the
people of England submit to this tyrannical inter-
ference, they deserve to be slaves. Is not the law
strong enough ? If any hotel keeper forms a scheme
for robbing his customers, cannot he be reached by
the ordinary course of legal procedure ? Why should
all the innocent, as well as the guilty, be subjected to
the same punishment? This is the law of the Emperor
NICHOLAS and MEHEMET Au, and if Englishmen
rem;in passive under this new moral system, they
will soon become as thorough slaves as the serfs of
Russia and the fellahs of Egypt. But the despotism
of the scheme is only equalled by its inefficiency.
Can this ordonnance of the Home Secretary put
down these sweepstakes ? The thousands that take
an interest in them will assemble in some other
manner, and they will take vengeance on this
meddling, hypocritical, and do-nothing Government,
by an increased interest in these harmless amuse-
ments. The Whigs, by their foolish Police Act,
alienated many of their best supporters, and paved
the way for their downfal. The moral Government is
imitating their example, and will meet with the same
fate. The men who have adopted and rejected
almost every political principle ; who have winked
at the Exchequer robberies; who have screened all
the great delinquents in the Custom-house thefts,
because they belong to their own class; the men who
make the most solemn pledges on the hustings, and
as solemnly break them in Parliament, are, forsooth,
to be the censors of the most honourable men of the
community—the middle classes. Their time, how-
ever, will come, and, if the system is continued, they
will find it at the next election. This cruel inter-
ference with every action of common life is exciting
dire hostility against the upper classes. They imagine
they are creating, like Mr. OWEN, a New Harmony,
while they are creating elements for their own de-
struction.

The high price of coals in the metropolis, the great
selling mart of this indispensable description of fuel,
has long been a signal but an unredressed grievance
upon the London consumer. Various plans have
been devised, from time to time, for facilitating the
moorings of the colliers within the port, and the deli-
very of their cargoes ; but, hitherto, with little or no
effect upon that system of combination which has
operated to keep cargoes out of the market when the
prices have been low, and to pour them in when
prices have been high, with a degree of surprising
consistency and constancy. The connexion between
cause and effect was never more palpable than in the
certainty with which the number of cargoes discharged
declined with the lower, and multiplied with the higher
quotations. In our paper of Wednesday we reported
the proceedings which had taken place at the Mansion-
house, on a complaint brought before the Lord Mayor,
by a seaman, against the captain of a Hartlepool col-
lier. It appeared that the man had signed an agree-
ment with the owners to work the vessel from Ilartle-
pool to London and back for 41., but that he had no
notion, in doing so, of being detained "over the three
market days allowed by Act of Parliament to each
collier for discharging and clearing out." The brig
had been already twenty market days in the river
and himself, and others in the same condition, who
had wives and children' in the port from whence they
had sailed, knew that these unfortunate connexions
must either he starving, or thrown on the union poor-
houses for relief, owing to the inadequacy of the
wages earned to so protracted and unlooked for a
term of detention in the Thames. The Lord Mayor
seems to have been quite alive to the cruelty of the
case as affecting the seamen engaged under this kind
of liability, and to the injustice which the practice of
colliers remaining " in sections," with cargoes unsold,
long after the expiration of the three market days al-
lowed by the A-et, entailed upon the public by enhanc-
ing the price. From subsequent communications be-
tween the Lord Mayor and Mr. ROWLAND, harbour-
master of the port of London, facts transpired that surely
lay a strong case for the interference of his Lordship,
as Conservator of the Thames Navigation, indepen-
dently of a case for his magisterial intervention, to
defeat the oppressive operation of a spirit of reckless
monopoly on the part of coal-owners and their agents.
From a return given in by the harbour-master, ex-
tending from the Ist to the 28th instant, "of the
number of coal-laden vessels arrived at Gravesend;
the number detained in sections ; the number of car-
goes sold in the market, and the prices at which they
were sold," we perceive that the total number of col-
liers arrived, in all that period, was 353 ; that, from
the Ist to the 7th inst., there arrived of this numher
116, and there were sold only 66 cargoes; the largest
number of colliers detained in sections being on the
Ist, when there were 280, and the smallest on the
4th, when there were 228. From the Bth to the 17th
inclusive there were 139 arrivals, and 156 cargoes
sold ; the smallest number in the sections being 219,
the largest 271. From the 18th to the 28th inclusive
there were 98 arrivals, 109 cargoes sold ; the smallest
number in sections 107, the largest 204. In the
twenty-eight days, therefore, 353 colliers had arrived I
whereof 331 had sold their cargoes in the market,,
leaving 22 which bad not sold to be added to the
number detained, on the same account, in the " sec-
tions." The number detained, on an average of the
whole twenty-eight days (280 having been the maxi-
mum return and 107 the minimum), was 198. The
prices at which the best coals were sold, varied, be-
tween the Ist And the 24th, only from 228. to 238. 6d. ;

but this note is added to the harbour-master's return,
viz.—

" 27th May, or the last market day, three colliers ar-
rived, 100 sail detained in sections, 32 ships' cargoes
sold, and the price of the best coals varying from 24 to
25 shillings, or about 345. per ton to the consumer."
Mr. Alderman HUMPHERY sensibly remarked that
it was astonishing how a systematic violation of an
Act of Parliament, which had the effect of running
up the price of coals Bs. or 10s. per ton to the consu-
mer, should have been endured so long by the public,
which raised such an outcry at a proposed additional
duty of 4d. per ton on this commodity. This duty,
be it observed, is, at any rate, for specified public pur-
poses. The enhanced price of Bs. or 10s. beyond the
natural price which coals, at their present supply,
would command, goes exclusively into the pockets of
the combining coal-owners and their agents, at the
expense of the London consumer; and to enable them
to accomplish this cheat, the navigation of the river
is rendered incommodious and dangerous, and the
general convenience of shipping trading with the port
of London materially encroached upon by those huge
sections of monopoly-price colliers. We are very glad
to observe the Lord Mayor holding this language on
the subject :
" He should meet them with a plan calculated to defeat
their exertions. There were three market days allowed,
and every ship which refused to sell within the specified
time, namely, the duration of the three market days,
should be compelled to move out of the sections, and
below Gravesend altogether, out of the mayoralty juris-
diction." _ _

"'The colliers shall not make a warehouse of the
Thames. It is quite absurd to suppose that they would
remain forty and fifty days in the river without meaning
to remunerate themselves for the delay by drawing upon
the public. It is my instruction to you, Captain Row-
land, to intimate to the captains of all colliers which come
into London, that if they refuse to sell within the three
market days they must remove out of the bounds of my
jurisdiction altogether." -
-

We verily believe that no city of Europe, in refer•
ence to the vast and various commerce of its port, and
especially its coasting trade, derives so little local or
immediate advantages
,from its position as London.
The same vigilance which we trust henceforth to see
directed to the supply of coal, might greatly multiply'
cheapen, and facilitate the comfort and enjoyment of
its two millions of inhabitants, in respect of other
articles of necessity, convenience, or luxury, from
which they are in like manner debarred, in a great
measure, by the same übiquitous spirit of monopoly.

Accounts froze Madrid of the 23d state, that the
two QUEENS, with the INFANTA, had arrived at
Amanas on the 22d, and were to set out next day for
Valencia. The Government were proceeding with
the organisation of the cavalry, which was to be com-
posed of 18 regiments. The total effective strength
will be 12,420 men and 10,584 horses.

The Three per Cents. were done at 29i for cash,
and 291 at 60 days; and the Five per Cents. at 201
at 60 days.

The discussion in the French Chamber of Deputies
on foreign affairs was continued on Wednesday. M.
'rumEs spoke on that day, and made only a few re-
marks on the affair of Otaheite, in which he blamed
the Ministry—first, for going there at all ; secondly,
for not foreseeing the difficulties Admiral DUPETIT
THOUARS would have to encounter ; and, thirdly, for
disavowing him. He then referred to the policy pur-
sued by the Cabinet with regard to the French at
Monte Video, where the forces of France were actu-
ally the auxiliaries of the ferocious ROSAS ; drew a
parallel between the two Governments of Monte
Video and Buenos Ayres ; and presented the most
frightful picture of the atrocities committed by
Roses. Most of the facts he mentioned had been
supplied to him by M. BASELLA, the Envoy of the
Montevideans to the English Government, and might
consequently be relied upon as true. Monte Video,
on the contrary, was governed by a regular and
humane Administration, which was favourably dis-
posed towards France. He blamed the French Consul
at Monte Video for not asserting the rights of his
countrymen, amounting to nearly eighteen thousand,
and paid a high compliment to the English Commo-
dore PuavEs, who had adopted a far different course.
" When ORIBR," continued M. TRIERS, "published
the barbarous proclamation in which he declared that
all strangers should be treated like the savage Uni-
tarians, the Commodore wrote to him that his pro-
clamation was worthy of a pirate of the coast of Bar-
bary, and summoned him to disavow it. ORIBE
replied that the English were to be excepted ; but
this declaration did not satisfy the English officer,
who insisted on the withdrawal of the proclamation,
to which ORIBE acceded." (Here M. TRIERS was in-
terrupted by the Minister of Marine, who stated that
it was Admiral MASSIEU DE CLERVAL who had taken
the initiative, and been the first to protest against
ORIBE'S proclamation.) "Yes," replied M. TRIERS,
" but he did not protest in the name'of his Govern-
ment, and he did not sign the protest." We find no-
thing else of the slightest interest in the discussion,
with the exception of the following remarks of M.
GUIZOT, on the state of the French navy:—

" lle observed that ever since 1840, the supplies of the
Marine had progressively increased; that in 1839 they were
under 60,000,000; that in 1840 they amounted to 72,000,000;
in 1842, to 125,000,000 ; in 1843, to 125,000,000 ; and in
1844, to 111,000,000. As respected the armaments, the
number of vessels in active service, in 1838, was 198; in
1839, 218 ; in 1840, 228 ; in 1841, 227 ; in 1842, 225 ; in
1843, 189 ; and 1844, 190. The sums expended in the mili-
tary and merchant harbours by the Ministry of Public
Works, from 1837 to 1843, exceeded 52,000,000 ; in 1842,
1843, and 1844, the credits appropriated to the same object
amounted to 22,000,000, besides 6,000,000 more expended in
Algiers. Those facts sufficiently cleared the Government, in
his opinion, of the charge of neglecting the navy, and proved
that the real interests of the navy and the naval forces of
France had never received a more rapid and important ex-
tension than under his administration."

The Journal des Debats, in a well written article,
pays a high compliment to the memory of the late M.
LAFTITTE.
"M. Laffitte (it says) had not wished for the Revolution
of July, but he had the merit of accepting and inaugurating
it at the moment it became necessary. It was to his pre-
ceding conduct—to his acknowledged and tried moderation,
that lie was indebted for the honour of being one of the first
summoned to restore order after the storm, to consolidate
the work of the Revolution, and to save it from its ex-
cesses."

On Wednesday the Three per Cents. again ad
vanced a little, and closed at 84f. 70c.
TILE BOURSE—WEDNESDAY, MAY 29.

- - -
First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents •• • • l2l 95 .. 122 • • 121 50 .. 121 90
Three per Cents.— • B4 70 • • 84 70 .. 84 65 .. 84 70
Bank of France.. 3065 • • 3067 50 • • 3065 .. 3067 50
Lafiltte Bank, I,ooof. Sharesll2s • • 1130 • • 1125 . • 1130
5,000 f. Sharesslos • . 5110 ..5105 ..MlO
Belgian Bank. 660 .. GGO .. 557 50 .. 558 75
Belgian Fives, 1840 .••• • • • • 106 • • 106 106 106
1842 •••• .. • • 109 .• 109 .• 109 109
gpanish Threes •
Passive • 51 51 5/ .. 51
Neapolitan ...•••.•••.•. .. 102 50 .. 102 45 .. 102 50 .. 102 45
Roman, ex dlv• 104/ •• 1041 .. 1041 .. 1041
RAILWAY SHARES.

St. Germain .. • • • • ....• 895 • • 910
Versailles, R. 8.• • ••• • . • •• .. 385 .. 385
L. 8.•• • • • • ...... 252 50 •. 255
Rouen

.. 895 .. 910
.• 385 .. 385
.. 252 50 .• 252 50
998 75 ..1000

Rouentollavre•••••••••• •• 772 50 .. 777 50 772 50 .. 777 50
Orleans _

Strasburg to Bale.. 257 50 .. 258 75 .. 255 • 258 75
Axignou to Marseilles— 7BB 75 788 75 . 788 75 .. 781 75
RAILWAY SHARES, FOR THE ACCOUNT. '
St. Germain •• ••• • • • •• •• •• 900 • • 915 .• 898 75 • • 915
Versailles,R.B 383 50 .. 385 .• 382 50 .. 385
L. 8:% 253 75 .. 255 .. 253 75 .. 255
Rouen

Rouen to Havre.. ..... ...•• 775 .• 777 50 • • 775 .. 777 50
Orleans • • • • ........ • •• .•1006 25 ..1012 50 ••1006 25 ..1012 50
Strasburg to 8a1e.......... 257 50 .• 260 •• 256 25 •• 260
Av4,mos to Marseilles.— 792 50 .. 792 50 .. 790 • • 790
Montpellier to Cette• . • •... 495 .. 497 507.. 495 .. 497 50

We have never in our experience of the exhibitions
of London seen anything equal, or even approaching
nearly, to the grandeur and beauty of the exhibition
of " London in the Olden Time," at the Royal Surrey
Zoological Gardens. As a picture of what London
was, it is perfect ; whilst the vastness of its propor-
tions strikes every person who sees it. The pro-
prietor of these gardens has done that which others
have attempted, but failed to achieve : and not a
stranger should visit London to see its present sights,
without also judging of the changes which time and
circumstances have produced, by contrasting it with
the past condition of the metropolis, as faithfully de-
picted at the Surrey Zoological Gardens. We de-
light to honour talent and to encourage public spirit;
the artists, and the proprietor who has employed
those artists, are deserving of all our praise, and all
the public encouragement which they must and will
receive.

ACCIDENT TO THE DUKE OF
BEAUFORT.
It gives us great pleasure to announce that the accident
which his Grace met with in Hyde Park on Wednesday
afternoon is not likely to be attended with such serious re-
sults as were at first apprehended. The following bulletin
was issued yesterday in Arlington-street :
" Arlington-street, May 30, 1844.
" His Grace the Duko of Beaufort has passed a tolerable
night, and is much better this morning; and although still
occasionally in great pain, no serious consequences are ap-
prehended from his Grace's accident.
(Signed) " FREDERICK QUIN, MD.
" ROBT. LISTON."
The inquiries ,yesterday at Beaufort House were exceed-
ingly numerous,,and during the whole of the afternoon the
court-yard of the ducal mansion was thronged by the car-
riages of the nobility and gentry.

Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial.
office, from the Governor of Gibraltar.