The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-12 00:00:00

'DINNER TO SIR H. POTTINGER.
Yesterday a public entertainment was given at Mer-
chant Tailors'-hall to Major-General Sir Iftnry Pot-
Unger, Bart., by the merchants of the City of London
trading to China and the East Indies, t, testify their
high approval of the distinguished ability and zeal dis-
played by that gallant officer as British Plenipotentiary,
in negotiating so successfully the recent commercial
treaty with China.
The dinner was provided by Messrs Bathe and Breach,
of the London Tavern, and was altogether of the most
sumptuous character. The display of gold and silver
plate oa the sideboards at the upper and lower end of
the hall, the golden plateau service on the cross-table,
the gigantic gilt candelabra, formerly belonging to Prince
Polignac, the Marquis of Hertford, and Messrs. Hundel
and Bridge, arranged on the other tables, gave an aspect
of the most costly magnificence to the spectacle, while
the feast itself presented a profusion of the greatest deli-
cacies which the most luxurious appetite could desiderate
or enjoy. Corers were laid for 330.
Mr. John A. Smith, M.P., officiated as chairman. Im-
mediately on his right sat Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart.,
the Marquis of Normanby, and' Lord Palmerston, and
on the left Lord Aberdeen and Sir James Graham.

Among the other distinguished gentlemen present we
observed the Earl of Arundel, the Earl of Clare, the
Earl of Lonadale, Lord C. Fitzroy, Lora Dudley Stuart,
the Hon. G. Scott, General Farquharson, General Sand-
with, Sir W. Baynes, Bart., Sir T. Bouchier, Sir J.
Campbell, Sir John Hall, Sir J. C. Hobhouse, Bart., Sir
George Larpent, Sir D. Le Merchant, Sir William
Magnay, Sir W. Parker, Sir J. H. Pelley, Sir John
Pirie, Sir J. Schoedde, Baron L. de Rothschild, Baron
A. de Moths. hild, Count Strelezki, Chairman and De-
puty-Chairman of the Bank of England, Chairman and
Deputy-Chairman of the Hon. East India Company,
Colonel Malcolm, Colonel Sykes, Captain Hall, R.N.,
Dr. Bowring, Rev. J. M. Bellamy, Mr. Sheriff Sidney,
Captain Enatwick, Mr. J. A. Arbuthnot, Mr. D. 13ar-
clay, Mr. F. Baring, Mr. Joshua Bates, Mr. J. G.
Frith, Mr. J. H. Gledstanes, Mr. G. C. Glyn, Mr. Goul-
burn, Mr. Samuel Gregson, Mr. A. Hastie, M.P., Mr. F.
Huth, Mr. A. Jardine, Mr. C. Kerr, Mr. W. Lyall, M.P.,
Mr..). M'Gregor, Mr. J. Mackillop, Mr. J. Masterman,
M.P., Mr. R. D. Mangles, M.P., Mr. J. Alattheson, M.P.
Mr. J. St. John Mildmay, ALP.. Mr. J. Horsley Palmer,
Mr. J. Pattison, M.P., Mr. D. Salomons, Mr. M. Tucker
Smith, Mr. Emerson Tennent, M.P., Mr. T. Tooke, Mr.
Trevelyan, Mr. Money Wigram, Mr. Baring Young.
After grace, and the cloth having been removed, •
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the first toast, " The
health of her Majesty the Queen---the model of constitu-
tional sovereigns—the pattern of all domestic virtues—
the admiration of all other countries—the pride and
glory of our own."—(Three times three.)
The next toast was " The health of the Queen Dowa-
ger, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, Albert Prince
of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family."—(Three
times three, followed by. Prince Albert's March.)
" The Army and the Navy" were next toasted with all
the honours.

Colonel liaLcont acknowledged the toast in the name
of the army.
Admiral Sir T.Borcnuait returned thanks on the part
of the navy.
The Crestaatare then rose and said, the toast I have
now to give you is the great duty and business of the
evening—" The health of our distinguished guest, Sir
Henry Pottinger."—(Cheers.) I will not detain you
long in proposing it, and I promise you that I shall not
trifle with your feeling of anxiety to do honour to that
distinguished name. Still custom compels me to say a
few words in explanation of the causes which have
brought us together this day. lam proud of the privi-
lege of mingling my congratulations with your re-
joicings in the events which we this day celebrate.
The events we have met to record will hereafter
forma an era in the history of the nation, and equal
in its consequences the passage of the Cape and
the discovery of America ; and our descendants
will proudly boast that the advantages thus opened
to the world have been the result of British enterprise,
and been secured by British power. We are met to ac-
knowledge how deep a debt of gratitude we owe to that
distinguished man by whom those benefits have been
conferred. If it be true that the main springs of British
energy and power are commercial enterprise and ac-
tivity—if it be true that our population is increasing
with marvellous and unprecedented rapidity, and that
the power of our manufacturing production is increasing
faster still—if it be true that is the solution of that diffi-
cult problem to which these facts refer is involved the
future destiny of England, what do we not owe to him
who has opened up commercial intercourse with the
most populous and nationally commercial empire in the
world ? What do we not owe to him who has opened
a market for the skill, enterprise, and activity of our
manufacturing population, and given us a command in
that market which it may not be an exaggeration here-
after to describe as being boundless as our powers of
production theruselves ? Who shall pretend to fore-
tell what effect this new outlet for the various and
ever varying productions of England will have on the
future greatness and power of this mighty empire ?
We were once described as " tote orbe divisoa Bri-
tansies." That is a description familiar to us as house-
hold words. We were separated, at least in the ima-
gination of the Roman poet, from the rest of the world
by tempest, by storms, and what then was considered
an impassable barrier. But we all know how those dif-
ficulties and obstacles have yielded to the energy, the
gallantry, and the enterprise of that people to whom it
has been granted by Providence to be the means not
only of carrying civilization through the old world, but
we may now hope will be tke means of introducing
knowledge and improvement to the teeming myriads of
China. The prophecy of the English poet is now be-
coming emphatic and exact, when the progeny which
springs from the forests of our land—
" Armed with thunder clad with wings,
" Shall a wider world command,
" Regions Caesar never knew
" Our posterity shall sway ;
" Where his eagles never flew,
" None victorious as they."
—(Cheers.) We have asserted the dominion of England
in regions unknown, even to the fable and romance of
ancient story—we may now, I trust, hope that the day
has arrived when there is not a corner of the habitable
world which shall not feel English enterprise, and shall
not acknowledge English power.—(Cheers.) We have
known so little hitherto of that remarkable people
to which the events of this day peculiarly refer, that
I believe we are as yet unable to acknowledge
as we ought, all that we owe to the firmness, the patience,
the temper, and the forbearance of our distinguished
guest.—(Cheers.) We do not know all the difficulties
which beset his path ; but we can understand and ap-
preciate the condnct of him who, himself a soldier, knew
that the only just end of war was honourable peace,
and who, in the consciousness of irresistible power,
found, in the weakness and terror of his opponents, the
most irresistible arguments for mercy, moderation, and
forbearance.—(Cheers.) There is one other circum-
stance to which I wish to call your attention, and to
which I allude with peculiar pleasure. I believe that
the interests of England forbid all exclusive selfishness.
Her interests do not stand isolated and alone. I re-
joice, therefore, that Sir Henry Pottiager, following the
dictates of his own vigorous understanding and his own
generous nature, extended to all ether nations of the
world whatever advantages the Chinese treaty con-
ferred upon his own country.—(Cheers.) I rejoice
that if it Vvise ever thought that England fought Chins
for selfish and exclusive advantages, our illustrious
guest dispelled that illusion and vindicated the motives
of England to the world. —(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen,
I now give you as a toast—" The health of Sir
Henry Pottinger,"—of him who has opened the widest
field to English commerce which has been given to us
since the 'mileage of the Cape— of him who has conferred
on his country an inestimable boon, and raised her still
higher in character and fame—of him whose name shall
hereafter not only be associated with the increased
power and prosperity of England, but to whom the still
higher glory shall be conceded of having introduced
knowledge, civilisation, and religion to so large a por-
tion of the whole human kind. In the name of those
who have placed me here I thank him for the services
he has rendered not only to the people of this country,
but to the cause of progress and improvement through-
out the world. Long may he live to enjoy what I be-
lieve will be his richest reward—the grateful approba-
tion of his countrymen.
The toast was drunk witk three times three and one
cheer more.

The CiLkinx.s.N—The Noble Earl who has just sat
down has in some degree forestalled me. The next toast
in rank as in justice is the health of the Noble Viscount
with whom the expedition to China originated—(Loud
cheers)—who drew the first instructions, and who, I am
sure, whether in office or ouf of office, watched with
equal interest the progress that was made, and felt equal
pleasure in the successful results which attended the
policy he had begun.—(Cheers.) If I may be permitted
so to do, I am proud to bear my personal testimony to
the unwearied pains which the Noble Lord took in the
midst of the labours of a session of Parliament, distracted
with ten thousand other demands on his time, to make
himself master even of the minutest details upon that then
new and complicated subject. I can myself recollect the
deliberation and the caution which he showed before his
opinion was formed. I can well recollect the fortitude of
his decision, and the promptitude of action when that de-
cision was taken.—(Cheers.) I am sure you will all agree
with me, that it would not be right to let such an occa-
sion as the present pass without acknowledging the obli-
gations we owe to him with whom the whole originated.
I know you will agree with me that we must drink, with
the honours he deserves, " The health of Viscount Pal-
merston."—(Three times three cheers.)
Lord PALMERSTON—I beg yon to accept my most
cordial thanks—first, for the very kind and flattering
manner in which you have been pleased to receive the
toast which has jest been proposed to you ; and still
more do I thank you for having permitted me to be
present upon this most interesting occasion. Nothing
can be more interesting than such a meeting of the chief
men of a great metropolis like this, the greatest metro-
polis in the world, assembled to render just homage to
the merits of a distinguished fellow-citizen, who abroad,
in the performance of his duty, has conferred essential
benefits upon his country, and upon every branch con-
nected with its interests. Such is the occasion on
which we are assembled, and you may be sure that ex-
pressions of public gratitude of this kind aro not only
amongst the best rewards which distinguished men can
receive when they return home from their duties, but are
amongst the most powerful incentives to the perform-
ance of those duties in the hour of difficulty —(Cheers.)
It is also a source of gratification to feel the truth of
that which has been stated by my Noble Friend the Earl
of Aberdeen, that there is nothing of a political character
in the occasion of this meeting. We are here assembled,
men of all shades of politics—members of that Cabinet
which began the expedition, and members of the suc-
ceeding Cabinet, who, differing from us upon many most
essential points, yet, as has been stated, felt it their duty
when clothed with the responsibility of office to continue
a service which was then in progress,—we are met here,
not only men belonging to all parties, but the active
members of opposite parties, holding on other subjects
conflicting opinions, but assembled now with one com-
mon feeling of gratitude to a distinguished man, to ex-
press to him our warm acknowledgment for the great
and important services he has performed for his country.
—(Cheers.) My Noble Friend has congratulated me

Sir H. PorriNcua, Bart., on rising was received with
renewed cheering, and spoke as follows :—After the
eloquent and feeling manner in which my kind friend,
the Chairman, has spoken of roe, I am quite at a loss
to tell you how deeply I feel the compliment you
have just paid me in drinking your health. Having
been tong in the East I may perhaps make use of an
Oriental expression, " There never was a rose without a
thorn ;" the rose I allude to is your kindness—your
approbation—the honour you have done ne ; the thorn,
which pricks not my side but my heart, is that I cannot
express adequately the feelings of gratitude I entertain.
I must ask you, therefore, to remember how and where
ray life has been passed. I have been about 40 years
absent frora my native country. I hope I have always
taken part in the social meetings and national celebra-
tions that have taken place wherever I have been : but
still those have been so different from all I see here, that
I may say lan almost bewildered by this display of
your kindness. If therefore I fail in giving due expres-
sioa to my sentiments, I hope you will make every allow-
alien for me while I refer to one or two points. Anil
first, I must refer to the extraordinary combination of
good qualities for which the expedition to China, both
in the naval and military departments, was distinguished.
It is not for me, after the thanks of both Houses of
Parliament have been awarded to the commanders of
the navy and army, to express any opinion on their
merits ; but I may say, that in every respect that ex-
pedition far exceeded my most sanguine expectations,
even with the full belief I had that all that was possible
would be done. I say, that the expedition up to
Nankin was the most extraordinary event in the history
I of any country in the world.--(Cheers.) It surmounted
physical difficulties which the Chinese themselves be-
lieved utterly impossible. 'When the Bogue forts had
been silenced at the mouth of the river, by the gallaatry
of our troops, the Governor of Nankin, I know for a fact,
wrote to the Emperor, saying he might feel quite easy,
for the expedition could never reach him.--(Loud cheers.)
Having paid my humble dutyt to the service with which
I was associated in China, wish merely to say that,
with respect to matters of trade, I believe the treaty
includes every thing desirable for England and for China.
—(Cheers.) lam now speaking impartially.— (Cheers.)
Having reflected seriously on it since I returned to Eng-
land I really see no point in which any amendment of
importance can be made. There are some points no
doubt susceptible of amendment, but on all the leading
important paints it requires no alteration. It is one
i
great advantage, that it s likely to benefit England
and China in the same degree.---(Cheers.) The interests
of both countries are, in fact, similarly affected.—
(Cheers.) A very erroneous impression went abroad,

, through,j believe, some papers on the Continent, that and my late colleagues upon having been so fortunate as
, I there heel been some mistake committed in the treaty. Ito choose so able a public servarv. It was, indeed, a
. That is quite incorrect. It arose from the necessity piece of good fortune for us as w ell as for the country.--
of my making public an abstract of the treaty, while (Cheers.) But lam bound to say, that that choice arose
. the Chinese published the whole, and a translation from no private partialities. Sir Henry Pottinger was
was made with many important omissions. Having pointed out to ur solely and alone by the distinguished
been asked seriously whether there was any ground services which in a former part of his career he had
for the allegation that mistakes had been committed, rendered to his country.—(Cheers.) Though it was my
I am happy to say that there was no cause what- duty, from the office I held, to propose the individual
ever fur the alarm. The establishment at Hong- who was to go out as plenipotentiary, I had not at that
Kong having been alluded to, I feel it right, on this time the pleasure and advantage even ofpersonal ac-
most public occasion, to say that I look upon Hong-Kong I quaiutance with. Sir Henry Pottinger.—((heers.) He
• still as the best position for British enterprise. Unfor- was selected solely from the high character which he
tunately it has been unhealthy ; but there is nothing in then bore, and which subsequent events have not only
its appearance or situation tbat should reader it so, and amply sustained, but raised still higher, in the estitna-
those who would substitute Chusan for it are, ill my tion of his Sovereign and the country at large. It is
humble opinion, in error. Chusan is an island contein- also a source of satisfaction that we have among us
ing 60,000 inhabitants, and is situated in the midst of an the leaders of the navy and of the army employed upon
archipelago, containing at least 1,000,000 inhabitants, that expedition. You have already had your attention
which it would at all times be difficult to prevent coming I turned to the great ability displayed both by my friend
into jealous and angry discussions with th:s country, Sir William Parker, and the military commanders, andl
whilst our own colony is sufficient for all commercial I think we may say that there never was an important ex-
purposes.—(Cheers.) Before sitting down, I will once pedition the success of which was more brought about by
more repeat my grateful thanks for the honour you have the enterprise, the skill, the resources, the perseverance
done me, and trust you will make every allowance fur of the navy, by the gallantry of the army, and by die
the imperfect manlier in which I have spoken. I have ability, penetration, firmness, and forbearance of the
a greet dislike to anything that is egetistical, but on plenipotentiary, than upon the present occasion.—
this occasion I was obliged to speak of myself more then (Cheers.) The great success which was accomplished
I wished to have •don..—(Cheers.) Once more, from could not have been attained if all these three depart- i
the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your kindness. mints of the public service had not displayed the greatest
When in this great assembly I think it has met here to energy and ability, and co-operated most cordially to-
do honour to me, an humble individual—when I think gether. After complimenting the Sepoys in the Indian
that lam the observed of al observers, I can only ap- army for the shere they took in the expedition, the Noble
peal to your own hearts, and trust you will believe how Lord continued—We have been congratulated on the
warmly I thank you.—(Cheers.) advantages which will accrue from the conditions of the
The CHAIRMAN next called upon the company to ac- , treaty, and I must say that it is honourable to England
knowledge the services and the merits of the naval and that we showed as much moderation after victory as
military forces, which were the means, the instruments we did ability and gallantry during the contest ; and
of the great results produced in China. It was not now that wo did not impose heavier terms on the con-
for the first time that we had to commend the navy for quered enemy than:we had proposed to that Power
skill, bravery, and devotion to the interests of the coun- before the contest commenced. When, after a suc-
try. It was their proud boast that those qualities were cessful war, hard terms are imposed on a vanquished
inseparably connected with the name of an English sailor. enemy, terms inconsistent with the interests and
Sir Henry Pottinger had alluded to one of the most me independence of the country with whom we have
morable instances in which all those great qualities had been contending—l maintain that; those terms, how-
been remarkably displayed. It was a brave heart and ever they may flatter the vanity and pride of the con-
a clear head that imagined even the possibility of taking quering nation, cannot, in the long run, be advantageous
a whole English fleet 250 miles up a river unsurveyed even to the party proposing them.—(Cheers.) But here
and previonsl7 unknown. He could imagine the swell we have the satisfaction of knowing that while we have
of triumph with which Sir William Parker, after all the secured to ourselves advantages of commerce, the extent
difficulties of that passage, saw the fleet safely anchored of which it is difficult for any man to suffer himself to
ander the walls of Nankin.—(Cheers.) Great as was anticipate, we cannot derive those advantages from the
the responsibility incurred—great as were the effects of treaty without conferring equal benefits on the Chinese
success, such should be his glory, such should be their themselves. We are, therefore, not only benefiting our-
gratitude. He gars " The health of Sir William Parker selves, but the means of introducing civilization and
and the Naval Service in China."--(Three times three.) commerce to the multitudes who inhabit those vast and
Admiral Sir W. PARKER. begged to return his most distant regions.—(Cheers.) I shall only again express
sincere thanks for the honour which had been done to the satisfaction which I derive from being allowed to be
him and the profession to which he had the honour to present on an occasion like this, and how proud I feel
belong. He should never forget the flattering manner in in being one of this great assembly met here to acknow-
which that great company had noticed their services in ledge the distinguished services of Sir Henry Pottinger.
China. It was his good fortune to be associated with The CHAIRMAN next gave " The health of the Chair-
distinguished colleagues, with a firm and able pleni- man and Deputy-Chairman of the Hon. East India
potentiary, with an active and enterprising generaL— Company," which
(Cheers.) Their instructions were clear and explicit, Mr. SHEPPARD briefly responded to.
and they were supported by the most gallant combined The Marquis of NORMANDY proposed " The health of
forces. The officers and men of all ranks, and in every the Chairman," which was most loudly cheered, and ac-
branch of the expedition, whether civil, military, or knowleelged in an appropriate speech by the Chairman.
naval, exerted themselves with a spirit of emulation that Sir 11. PorrINGER proposed, in a single sentence, the
did them the highest honour. If merit therefore was next toast—" Prosperity to the City of London and the
due, it was to be shared alike by all, for all did their Trade thereof," which was loudly cheered.
best.—(Cheers.) Happily, the utmost cordiality sub- " The East India and China Association, and success
slated between the sister services, and he could confi- to Trade with the East," " The Liverpool and Glasgow
dently say, that with unity of hearts and hands British East India and China Association," " The health of the
troops and British semen would never disappoint the Masters of the Merchant Tailors' Company," and several
expectations of their Sovereign and fellow-citizens. other toasts, were given.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The health of Major- Mr. Toole officiated as toast-master, and performed
General Shad and the military engaged in the opera- his duties, as he always does, in the most efficient
tions in Chins," and paid a high compliment to the manner.
gallantry and discipline by which less than 9,000 men of The meeting did not break up till after midnight.
all arms received the terrified and unconditional submis-
sion of a fortified city containing more than a million of
inhabitants.—(Threw times three.)
Major-General SHAD briefly returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN the rose arid said—l have now to
propose to you the health of those without whose active,
cordial, and constant support the efforts of those whose
merits we have applauded would have been all in vain—
" The health of the Earl of Aberdeen and the rest of her
Majesty's Ministers."—(Loud and protracted cheers.)
The reception which you have given to those words
prove that you acknowledge with me how much we owe
to him, who, finding the Chinese expedition begun by
one who was his opponent in politics, still because he
thought it right, because he thought it conducive to the
interests of England, gave that policy his constant and
his effective support.—(Cheers.) Let his reward be,
that the Administration of which he forms so valuable a
part, shall share in the glory which the Chinese ex-
pedition has conferred, not only upon us, but upon those
who are to come after us.—(Cheer;.) I give you
" The health of the Earl of Aberdeen and her Majesty's
Ministers."—(Three times three.)
The Earl of ABERDEEN, in rising to respond to the
toast, was loudly cheered, and spoke as follows :
Gentlemen, I beg to offer you the thanks of my col-
leagues and rived!' for the honour you have been pleased
to confer on us—an honour, gentlemen, coming as it
does from such an assembly as this, I request you will
believe is duly appreciated by us. But in making these
acknowledgments, I hope that I may be permitted to ex-
press the high satisfaction I feel in the privilege of being
present at this most remarkable meeting.—(Cheers.) It
would be strange indeed if I did not avail myself with
alacrity of any opportunity publicly to declare the
opinions I entertain of the abilities, the character, and
the conduct of the distinguished person whom you have
this day met to honour.—(Cheers.) For, gentle men, it
has been my duty frequently to express those sentiments
to himself, as it has also been nay more pleasing and more
important duty repeatedly to convey to him the gracious
approbatioa of his Sovereign.—(Loud cheers) Permit
me to congratulate you that this great meeting pos-
sesses nothing about it of a political nature.—(Cheers.)
Men of all parties and opinions unite to do honour to
one who has deserved well of our common country.—
(Cheers.) But, gentlemen, I may venture on this
occasion—for I rejoice to meet here those with whom,
although differing on many points, I most cordially and
entirely concur in this—l may venture on this occasion
to congratulate a Noble Friend of mine, who pre-
ceded me in the office which I now have the honour
to hold, as being the means of' obtaining for this country
the eminent services of Sir Henry Pottinger as Plenipo-
tentiary in China.—(Cheers.) Although my Noble
Friend was not so fortunate as to receive those commu-
nications from Sir Henry Pottinger after his departure
from England which came into my hands, still he must
have watched the whole course of his public conduct with
the most lively interest.—(Cheers.) I have for three
Pears been in constant correspondence with Sir Henry
ottinger, and it is no more than truth to declare that
I think no mail ever arrived from China without bring-
ing to me fresh reasons to be deeply sensible of his
merits and his just claims to the gratitude of his country.
--(Loud cheers.) You may readily imagine that in a
country like China, so distant, so different in almost
every respect from those of which we have any know-
ledge, with every desire on the part of the Government
at home to assume responsibility, to give every kind of
assistance, to provide by instructions for all contingen-
cies, yet very much, under these circumstances, must
always depend upon the judgment and discretion of the
person who, on the spot, is to administer the instruc-
tions ho may receive.—(Loud cheers.) I believe that
there never was a man in whom a Government and the
country might more safely repose confidence in such a
situation than Sir Henry Pottinger.---(Great cheering.)
And permit me to say that when difficulties
arose, as difficulties numerous and weighty did
arise, unforeseen and unexpected, by his ability, by his
firmness, his perseverance, and energy, he was enabled
to meet and overcome them alL—(Cheers.) Gentlemen,
it would ill become me to expatiate on the various ad-
vantages which may be expected to arise from the suc-
cessful labours of Sir Heery Pottinger. They are here
fully comprehended and justly appreciated. I will only
repeat the great gratification I feel in the opportunity
of paying my humble tribute to his transcendent abili-
ties.—(Loud cheers.)

On Sir H. Potttinger entering the reception-room, and
before the dinner took place,
Sir G. LARPENT, advancing towards the Gallant
Officer, said,—Sir, on behalf of the merchants of London

trading to the East Indies and China, I have the honour
to present you with an address signed by seventy-three
firms of this city, comprising pretty nearly the whole of
the commercial houses of any eminence in town. lam
desired to present this to you as a testimony of the dis-
tinguished sense they entertain of the ability and zeal
which you have shown during the negotiations in China,
during the time you represented there the British Go-
vernment. The gt ntlemen who have intrusted it to me
feel sure that this tribute is, in every respect, deserved
by you, from the admirable manner in which you dis-
charged the important functions entrusted to yon on that
occasion. 'We feel, that to you, Sir Henry, we are in-
debted for being placed in the favourable position we oc-
cupy in the empire of China, almost unexpected and be-
yond anything we could have expected. While we gladly
recognise the prowess of British arms, as displayed in
the contest with the Chinese, and the wisdom of the
council that directed your negotiations, we feel that it
is to you individually that a very large portion of the
benefit we have derived is to be attributed. We feel
that, by your conduct, by your activity, by the promp-
titude and energy you displayed, you obtained the confi-
dence of the whole of the European residents in China,
and while you were thus enabled to bring, as it were,
the whole weight of the English character to bear on
your negotiations with tie Chinese, you entitled your-
self at once to the admiration of your fellow-citizens,
and had the respect paid to you of the Chinese Govern-
ment. Under these circumstances, it is our pleasing
duty to congratulate you on your return to your native
country, and to assure you that the merchants of Lon-
don duly appreciate the benefits you ha►e been the
means of conferring upon them by the result of your
commercial negotiations. There is another point alluded
to in the address—the liberality of the tariff, and the
wise and manly resolution
.)ou formed not to confine
your negotiations merely to the British empire, but to
extend their benefits to all foreign nations. The libera-
lity that has marked the whole tariff bespeaks in an
eminent degree the ability to appreciate those first prin-
ciples on which such a tariff should be framed, and fully
realises the highest expectations that could be formed of
well-directed zealous public exertions. The Hon. Ba-
ronet then read the following address :
" TO MAJOR-GENERAL SIR HENRY BOTTINGER, BART.,
KNIGHT, GRAND CROSS OF THE MOST HON. MILITARY
ORDER OF THE BATH, LATE HER MAJESTY'S ENVOY
EXTRAORDINARY IN CHINA.

" Sir—We, the undersigned, merchants of the City of
London trading to China and the East Indies, take this
opportunity on your return to your native country to
present to you our sincere and hearty congratulations
upon the happy and successful termination of the
arduous negotiations intrusted to your charge by her
Majesty's Government. The skill and ability with
which those have been conducted have been so generally
acknowledged that any comment upon them on our part
would seem to be superfluous ; but the mercantile cern-
niunity cannot see a termination put to the vexatious
annoyances and imposts which formerly impeded the
free course of British trade to China without feeling
deeply indebted to you, Sir Henry, for the great ex-
ertions and care bestowed by you in bringing about so
happy a result.
" A treaty has been signed and duly ratified, which,
while claiming no exclusive privileges for the advantages
gained by British valour, nor taking any unfair advan-
tage of the Chinese people, has opened to th. enterprise
of this and other countries the immense resources of the
Chinese empire.
" A British colony has been founded amongst a people,
though essentially commercial, yet, until now, remark-
ably jealous of the admission of strangers into their
country ; and four additional ports have been opened
as new marts for the British manufacturer.

" Without alluding further to the facilities obtained
for the shipowners and trade in general, we have only
to express our gratitude and thanks to you for such an
able settlement of our difficulties in China, and our
hope that you may long enjoy the honours you so justly
merit."

In conclusion, allow me to say that it is our hope, deco-
rated as you are with the honours justly deserved of
your Sovereign, you will still think this public recogni-
tion of your services by the merchants of the City of
London personally gratifying. We hope that the same
liberality which has been displayed by the Chinese on
one side in the arrangements of the tariff, from which
we anticipate great advantages to our trade, will, as far
as :practicable, be imitated in this country with re-
ference to that great staple article of the Chinese market,
tea.—(Cheers.)

Sir 11. PO7rINOBA spoke as follows :—My Lords and
Gentlemen, it is quite impossible for me to express in
adequate terms how much I appreciate the very kind and
flattering notice you have been pleased to take of me
and my public services. Believe rae, I most sincerely
and deeply thank you, and am proud indeed to think
that anything I have done entitles me to receive your
approbation. It is needless for me to say, after the man-
ner in which I have acted in China, that I most entirely
concur in the views expressed in the address as to the re-
ciprocity of the trade with China. I look upon it that
everything that is beneficial for China must be equally
beneficial for England, and vice versa. There can be no
difference. I received a copy of the address a few days
ago from my friend Mr. John Abel Smith, and I have
drawn up an answer, which, if you will allow me, I wil!
read:—

" TO THE MERCHANTS OP THE CITY or LCNDON
TRADING TO CHINA, &o.
" Gentlemen,—l beg you will receive my very heart-
felt thanks for the address which you have been so good
u to present to me, expressive of your valued and flat.
tering opinions of the general result of my late mission
to China.

" To hare deserved in your estimation, Gentlemen,
those opinions, is to my feelings one of the most grateful
and pleasing events that could possibly have occurred,
and I am well aware that there can be no fitter or more
able judges of my measures whilst in China than your-
selves ;, and I am fully sensible that your approbation is
spontaneous and impartial, and would not have been
offered to me had you not considered that I merited it.
" I rejoice that it has been my good fortune to be the
humble, though zealous, instrument of removing to a
certain extent the barrier which has hitherto excluded
China from social and cordial intercourse with the rest
of the world ; and I will only add, that I see no reason
to doubt but that, the first step having been made, it
will depend on ourselves and the other nations who may
henceforward join in that intercourse, to perfect it in
duo time.
" With the repetition of my sincere acknowledgments
for your kind wishes, I remain, Gentlemen, your very
faithful and obliged humble servant,
" HENRY POTTINGER.
" SO, Eaton-place, Dec. 11."

The Customs revenue of Liverpool for the past year
is likely to yield upwards of 4,500,0001. sterling, a stun
greater by very nearly half a million than the amount
contributed last year.—Liverpool Courier.
The Marquis of Salisbury had an interview with
the Earl of Dalhousie yesterday, at the Board of
Trade.

► WI :4 TER ASSIZES.
MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—Derby, Dec. 11.
(Before Mr. Jnstice Parrs:sox.)
Sarah Reeks stood indicted for hating, at Whitwell, in
this county, on the. 23d of July last, unlawfullr and mali-
'ciousl'y cut and wounded John halt, with the iaistit to mur-
der, to-do grievous bodily harm, Sce. The prism-14er, *4 usual
in such -cases, was variously indicted ; but the Lepried
Judge remarked, in his charge to the grand jury at, on open-
ing of the assizes, if in the present case death had ensued
the offence would have amounted to nmr:ler.
Mr: Wildman conducted the pro§cem.ion ; the; prisoner was
undefended.

The case was similar in some respects to many which have
occurred during the present circuit. Wakes constitute an
annual joyous day or festival in the rural districts of this
part of the country, and it unfortunately happens that the
recurrence of these festivities is usually accompanied with
some brutal atrocity. On the 23d of duly last, Whitwell
Wake took place, and amongst other persons who were
guests at a public-house kept by a person named Green,
were Hall, the prosecutor, a man named Ellis, another narnea
Sparrow, the woman Reeves (the prisoner), and various
other parties. According to custom drinking and dancing
was the order of the day and the night, and the prisoner was
among the party so early as three in the afternoon. At nine„
according to the evidence of the police, the prisoner, a mar-
ried woman, whose huslrand resided in the neighbourhood,
was quite drunk. About two o'clock in the morning, the
party having then left the house, wrestling and larking
commenced in the road opposite. Ellis and Sparrow were
wrestling together, when Hall, apparently for the purpose of
parting them, in a friendly spirit laid hold of Ellia's arm.
From what motive did not appear, but during this appa-
rently very amicable encounter, the prisoner plunged a
knife into the side of the prosecutor, Hall ; but, most for-
tunately, the intestines were not penetrated, or death must
have ensued. He was the principal witness fur the prose.
cation to-day.
It turther appeared that during the same morning and
within a few moments of the time the prisoner committed
this murderous assault upon Hall, she also stabbed Sparrow
and others enjoying the festivities of the wake. The pri-
soner was afterwards apprehended at another public-house
by Holden, the constable of the district, and when taken
said (producing a clasp knife), "This is what I did it with."
The facts of the case were undenied, the prisoner's defence
being that she was so drunk she did not know what she was
about.

The jury returned a verdict of Guilty with intent to inflict
grievous bodily harm (not finding with the intent to
murder), and
The Learned JUDGE deferred the sentence.
David Gosling and Georre Hall were indicted for burglar'.
ously breaking into the house of Samuel Cooke, at Ludworth,
on the 7th of August last, and stealing various articles of
wearing apparel. The two prisoners were old offenders.
The jury found them Guilty, azd
The Learned JUPGH sentenced them to 15 years' trans-
portation.—Hall immediately threw his hat into the body of
the Court.

IVORTIIERN CIRCUIT.—York, Dec. 10.
(Before Mr. Justice COLERIDGE.)
Munann.— Kendrew, aged 22, farm labourer, and
John Kendrew, 24, shoemaker, brothers, were placed at the
bar, charged, the former by the coroner's inquisition with the
wilful murder of Mr. William Inchbald, at Dunsforth, in the
parish of Aldborough, in the West Riding, and the latter
with feloniously harbouring and maintaining William Ken-
drew, well knowing him to have committed a felony in
shooting William Inchbald.
Mr. Wfuirxs stated the case to the jury, and then called
upwards of thirty witnesses, who clearly proved, by a chain
of circumstantial evidence, the case, the Aletuils of which, have
been recently before the public.
The following additional evidence was given by the father
of the prisoners :—William Kendrew remember
the Wednesday night before Mr. Inchbald was shot. I went
to bed at nine o'clock that night. No one lives with me..
My son William came to me about twelve o'clock that night.
lie came to the door and he would come in, but I did'nt want
to take him in at that time of night. lie said, "If I did'nt
open the door he'd got a double-barrelled gun, and he'd blow
any brains out." I let him in, and he slept at my house on
that night, and on Friday night next, September the 27th ;
I went to work in the morning, and at night when I returned
William had gone, and I never saw him again until now.
found that a new fustian coat of mine was gone then, and in,
its place was an old jean coat of William's. My son John,
the other prisoner, brought back my coat to me. I was
pre_ent when the police-officer searched, my premises. The
gun was found in a pig-sty. I had never wen that glut
before.

Evidence was adduced in support of the charge against
John ,but it did not appear to be conclusive.
Mr. Justice OLERIDGE Rimmed up at considerable length,
going over the whole of the evidence, and commenting on
every fact as it was deposed to. His Lordship told the jury
that this was a case of circumstantial evidence, but it was
quite possible that a charge might be well proved by such
evidence. If they found facts and circumstances all tending
one way, and fitted together so closely that not a single link
of the chain was wanting or broken, there could be little
doubt that such a chain of evidence would be satisfactory.
It was for the jury to determine whether this was such a case.
The jury retired, and, after an absence of ten minutes, re-
turned with a verdict of Guilty against William Kendrew,
and of Acquittal as regarded John Kendrew.
His LORDSHIP, in a most impressive and affecting manner,
pronounced upon him the sentence of death, and told him to
give up all hope of earthly mercy.
The wretched man appeared wholly unmoved, and left the
bar in the most careless manner, exclaiming, as he 'went.
"Thank ye, if that be all."

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB.
CHRISTMAS CATTLE SHOW.
The exhibition was yesterday, for the fifth year, opened
to the public at the horse Bazaar, King-street, Portman-
square ; and from an early hour in the morning up to a late
hour last evening the entire vicinity of Baker-street and the
surrounding locality was one continued scene of bustle and
excitement. Carriages, cabs, carts, omnibuses, and other
vehicles, conveying visitors from the more distant parts of
the metropolis, were constantly arriving, and the entire
neighbourhood presented the appearance of a fair. Up to
seven o'clock last evening it was computed' that between
eight and nine thousand persons passed through the show,
and that the number prior to its closing for the day would
exceed ten thousand.
At eleven o'clock in the forenoon the annual meeting of
the Smithfield Cattle Club took place in one of the rooms of
the Bazaar; Earl Spencer, the president, in the chair. The
meeting was very fully attended by the members, and
amongst a large number of distinguished agriculturists pre-
sent were his Grace the Duke of Richmond, his Grace the
Duke of Bedford, the Hon. Captain Spencer, Mr.
Pusey, M.P., Earl Radnor, Mr. E. G. Barnard, M.P., &c.
The report as to the state of the affairs of the Club was read
by the Secretary, Mr. B. T. Brandreth Gibbs, and was nna-
nimously approved of and adopted. The award of the judges
with respect to the cattle, stock, &c., exhibited this year was
then read and confirmed, and several gentlemen congratu-
lated the Club on the general excellence of the animals pro-
duced for competition, as compared with those of former
years. An intimation was given by the Noble Chairman
that it Has the intention of his Royal highness Prince Al-
bert to honour the Club with a visit, but that the day had
not yet been fixed. It was, however, generally supposed
that Saturday morning would be the most likely time.
Earl Spencer having been unanimously re-elected President
of the Club for the ensuing year, and the Dukes of Rich-
mond and Bedford, and several other noblemen and gentle-
men Vice-presidents, Mr. B. T. Brandreth Gibbs was unani-
mously re-elected to the office of Secretary. After a vote
of thanks to the Noble Chairman, the meeting broke up, and
the members of the Club proceeded to view the various spe-
cimens of cattle, at which they expressed themselves much
gratified.

LLOYD'S.
At a general meeting of the members of Lloyd's,
held at the South Sea• house yesterday, G. R.
Robinson, Esq., the chairman, it was proposed, and
carried unanimously, " That a special vote of thanks
be presented to his Majesty the King of the French,
for the valuable set of charts presented to Lloyd's by
order of his Majesty; likewise to the President of
the United States for a similar presentation."
It was also proposed and carried unanimously,
" That a vote of 51. be given to three men for their
meritorious exertions in saving the crew of the Two
Brothers, Tomkins, of Lowestoff, wrecked on th©
Whitby Rock, 11th ult,''
After the special Committee for the permanent
establishment of Lloyd's had presented their fifth
report, the meeting separated.

Dispatches from the Governors of Van Diemen's
Land, Ceylon, and Malta, were received on Tuesday
at the Colonial-office.
FRENCII EGas.—The egg merchants of Cherbourg
are about to avail themselves of the facilities for a quick
and cheap transit offered by the railway to London,
to import their eggs into Southampton instead of going
to London. A small French sloop, the Napoleon, ar-
rived in the dock about two o'clock on Thursday after-
noon, with a cargo of about 400,000 eggs in cases, some
of which were landed and forwarded to London that
evening; the remainder were landed and forwarded yes-
terday.—llampahire Independent.
We are: requested to state that the concluding
volumes of "Lord Malmesbury's Diaries and Corre-
spondence," edited by his Grandson, the third Earl, will
be published by Mr. Bentley, of New Burlington-street
(publisher in ordinary to her Majesty), on Saturday
next, the 14th inst., 2 vols. Bvo., with Portraits. Orders
received by all booksellers. Also, now ready, and to be
had of all booksellers, "Memoirs of the reign of George
IIL," by Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford ; edited, with
notes, by Sir Denis Le Marchant, Bart., 2 vols. 8v0...
with Portraits.

THE "ADVENTURES" OF CoL. MAXWELL (BROTHER
Op SIR MURRAY MAXWELL).—The publication of a,
work from the pen of CoL Montgomery Maxwell, en-
titled " My Adventures," will excite no less interest and
curiosity in the reading public than it will among the
numerous friends, family connexions, and companions of
that popular officer. The " Adventures " relate to the
most remarkable and stirring period of modern history
—namely, the last few years if the Continental war
and they include innumerable facts, anecdotes, and per.
sonal traits of nearly all the leading individuals who took
part in that wonderful contest. Among the personages
who are brought before the reader, not merely " in their
habit as they lived," but speaking the very words they
uttered during the author's personal intercourse with
them, are the Emperor Napoleon, the Empress Marie
Louise, the Pope, Queen Caroline of England, the Em-
press of Austria, the Archduke Charles, the King of
Prussia, the Kings and Queens of Naples, Sardinia,
Etruria, &c., the whole of the "Adventures" being tran-
scribed from a diary kept by the author at the periods
resctively referred to.
ECLESIASTICAL NOTICE.—The Bishops of London,
Durham, LinColn, and Ely, have given notice, that after
the present year, they will require from all oandidates of
the 'University of Cambridge applying to them for holy
orders, a certificate of their having passed the voluntary
theological examination. The Bishop of Norwich has
given a similar notice, but his Lordship intends that it
shall apply only to gentlemen seeking admission to the
priesthood, and that it shall come into operation after
August, 1545.

FOOT RACE FOR 101.—Yesterday a foot race of
160 yards came off near the Cock Inn at Clapham, between
Cheeny and Beard. Beard received two yards' advantage at
the start, and the preliminaries being completed, they en-
tered into the contest. Beard retained the lead for 100
yards, when his opponent succeeded in overtaking him, and
a spirited race ensued. Ultimatety Cheeny came off We
winner: beating Ma opponent by four yards.