The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-25 00:00:00

TilE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER, 25. 1845.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—The Queen, attended by
the Countess of Desart, walked in the private grounds
within the Castle precincts for some time this morning.
Prince Albert went out to hunt with his harriers this
morning. The meet was at Cannon's Farm, near Bray.
Mtjor-General Sir Edward Bowater, Major-General
Wemyss, and Mr. R. Ormsby Gore, were in attendance
on his Royal Highness.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince
Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice,
were taken their early morning airing and exercise.
The Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel left the Castle this
morning.
Sir Henry Wheatley was prevented leaving the Castle
yesterday afternoon, and took his departure this
morning.
In the afternoon her Majesty rode out in a pony
phaeton, Prince Albert driving. In another carriage
followed the Countess of Desart and the Hon. Misses
Devereux and Napier; and Major-General Wemyss and
Major- General Sir Edward Bowater attended on horse-
back.
The royal dinner party included her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Kent, Lady Fanny Howard, the Baroness
de Speth, Mr. George Edward and the Hon. Mrs. Anson,
the Rev. Frederic and the Hon. Mrs. Anson, Col. Sir
George Cuuper, and the Hon. and Rev. Charles Leslie
Courtenay.
Her Majesty's private band, with some additional per-
formers from London, attended at the Castle after
dinner this evening, and, under the direction of Mr. An-
derson, performed the following pieces :
Historical Symphony (MS.)—Spohr.
First Movement (Bach and Handel)—Period 1720.
Larghetto (Haydn and Mozart)—Period 1780.
Scherzo (Beethoven)—Period 1810.
_ _

Finale—Period 1840.
Military Movement (Sinfonia, No. 12)—Haydn.
Hochzeit's Marsch—Mendelssohn.
Overture, " Euryanthe"—C. M. Von Weber.

Her Majesty's royal charities to upwards o' one thou-
sand poor and aged people were distributed in White-
hall on Monday and Tuesday last, by Joseph Hanby,
Esq., Secretary and Yeoman, under the immediate orders
of his Grace the Venerable Lord Archbishop of York,
Lord High Almoner. The royal charities consisted of
small donations of five shillings and of thirteen shillings
to each person, who had been previously selected from
recommendations of the clergy, nobility, and gentry.
The number of applications from blind and disabled per-
sons exceeded all former precedent.
Sir Robert Peel returned to his residence in White-
hall-gardens yesterday morning, from a visit to the
Queen at Windsor Castle.
The Earl of Ellenborough arrived in town yesterday
afternoon from Gloucestershire, and immediately on his
arrival proceeded from the terminus of the Great Wes-
tern Railway, at Paddington, to the residence of Sir
Robert Peel. >The Noble Earl remained upwards of
an hour with the Right Hon. Baronet.
The Earl of St. Germans has arrived in town from
his seat, Port Eliot, Cornwall.
The Earl of Dalhousie visited Sir Robert Peel
yesterday.
Sir Robert Peel left his residence in Whitehall-gar-
dens yesterday afternoon, for his seat, Drayton Manor,
Staffordshire. Before his departure, the Earl of Aber-
deen had an interview with the Right Hon. Baronet.
Mr. Thornton, Deputy-Chairman of the Stamps and
Taxes, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing•
street.
Lord Stanley left town yesterday for Knowsley Hall,
Lincolnshire.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer left town yesterday
for Cambridge.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone left town yesterday
for Hawarden Castle, Flintshire, the seat of Sir St' phen
Gl) nue.

THE SLAVE TRADE
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 20.—The following protest of the
Brazilian Government against an Act of the British Par-
liament, which passed into law on the Bth of August,
1845, whereby Brazilian vessels engaged in the slave
trade become amenable to the high Court of Admiralty
of Great Britain, and to any and every Court of Vice-
Admiralty within the British dominions, has been re-
ceived by a late arrival at this port:—
" Foreign-office, Rio de Janeiro, Oct. 22, 1845.
"His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, my august
Sovereign, heard with the most profound regret that her
Majesty the Queen of Great Britain had, on the Bth day
of August last, approved and sanctioned an Act of Par-
liament which conferred upon the High Court of Admi-
ralty, and upon any and every Court of Vice-Admiralty
within the dominions of her Britannic Majesty, the right
to take cognisance of and adjudicate any vessel under
the Brazilian flag, which, in violation of the convention
of the 23d of November, 1826, may be engaged in the
slave trade and be detained and captured by any person
in the service of her said Majesty.
" As soon as the Act was presented to Parliament by
the British Government, the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty the Emperor of
Brazil at the Court of St. James, protested against it,
conformably to his duty, by a note, of which the en-
closed is a copy, and which, under date of the 25th day.
of July last, he addressed to Lord Aberdeen, her Bri-
tannic Majesty's principal Secretary of State for Fo-
reign Affairs.
" His Majesty the Emperor, to whom the protest
made by his Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary at the Court of St. James was submitted, has
commanded the undersigned, Minister and Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, to approve and confirm the
said protest, and to enter into a detailed exposition of
the facts, and of the right of the Imperial Government
to declare itself with all the energy arising from a con-
sciousness of justice against an Act which so directly in-
vades the sovereign rights and independence of Brazil,
as well as those o every nation. Such is the command
with which the undersigned immediately proceeds to
comply.
"By the treaty of the 22d of January, 1815, the
Government of the united kingdom of Portugal, Bra-
zil, and Algarve became engaged to abolish the slave
trade to the northward of the Equator, and to adopt,
in concert with Great Britain, such measures as might
effectually tend to the due performance of the preced-
ing engagement, reserving, to be determined by a se-
parate treaty, the period when the slave trade should
wholly cease and be prohibited throughout the Portu-
guese dominions.
" In the faithful and effectual fulfilment of the obli-
gations contracted by the treaty of the 22d of Jannary,
1815, the additional convention of the 28th of July,
1817, was concluded.
" By this convention, amongst other stipulations, the
right of visit, and the establishment of mixed commis-
sions to adjudicate the prizes made by the cruisers of the
high contracting Powers, were mutually agreed to, and
on the same day the Plenipotentiaries of the two Go-
vernments signed the instructions for the vessels of
war destined to prevent the slave trade, and the regula-
tions for the mixed commissions.
" On the 11th of September of the same year of 1817,
a separate article was signed in London, and afterwards
duly ratified by the Portuguese Government, by which it
was mutually agreed, that, as soon as the total abolition
of the slave trade should take place, the two high con-
tracting Powers would adapt to the new state of things
the stipulations of the additional convention of the 28th
of July of the said year ; and it was further mutually
agreed, that, in default of such alterations, the aforesaid
additional convention should be in force for and until the
expiration of fifteen years from the date at which the
total abolition of the slave trade should take place on the
part of Portugal.
"By art. 1 of the convention concluded between Bra-
zil and Great Britain on the 23d of November, 1826,
and ratified on the 13th of March, 1827, it was agreed,
that, from and after the expiration of three years from
the date of the exchange of the ratifications, it should be
no longer lawful, under any pretext or in any manner
whatsoever, for Brazilian subjects to be concerned in the
carrying on of the slave trade, and that the carrying on of
such trade after that period by any subject of his Impe-
rial Majesty should be considered as piracy.
" By art. 2 of said convention the high contracting
Powers agreed to adopt and renew, as effectually as if
the same were inserted word for word in the con-
vention, the several articles and provisions of the trea-
ties concluded between his Britannic Majesty and the
King of Portugal on this subject on the 22d of January,
1815, and on the 28th of July, 1817, and the several
explanatory articles which had been added thereunto.
" One of the conventions thus adopted and renewed
by art. 2 of the convention of 1826 having been that of
the 28th of July, 1817, which established the right of
visit and the mixed commissions, and one of the explana-
tory articles likewise adopted and renewed by the afore-
said convention of 1826 having been the separate article
of the 11th of September, 1817, by which the right of
search and the mixed commissions were to cease after
the expiration of 15 years from the date of the abolition
of the slave trade, it is evident that the right of visit
and search exercised in time of peace by the British
cruisers against Brazilian vessels, and the mixed com-
missions established for the adjudication of prizes made
by British cruizers or by Brazilian cruizers, expired on
the 13th of March, 1845, the period at which were com-
pleted the 15 years subsequent to the total abolition of
the slave trade, conformably to art. 1 of the convention
of the 23d of November, 1826, which was ratified on the
13th of March, 1827.
"The expiration of this period and of the measures
stipulated in the additional convention of the 28th of
July, 1817, were what the Government of his Majesty
the Emperor of Brazil notified to her Britannic Ma-
jesty's Government, through the mediem of the British
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at
this Court, in a note under date of the 12th of March
last ; in which note was further signified, that, inasmuch
as six months had been agreed to be given to such Bra-
zilian vessels as had left the coast of Africa before the
13th of March to return to the ports of the empire, the
Imperial Government would consent that the mixed com-
missions should continue in force six months longer for
the especial purpose of adjudicating such cases as were
pending, and such other seizures or detentions as may
have occurred prior to the 13th of March.
" The Imperial Government was not to blame if, prior
to the expiration of the fifteen years before-named, it
was not possible for the Imperial Government and the
Government of Great Britain to come to a just and rea-
sonable agreement with the view to adapt to the new
state of circumstances arising from the total abolition of
the slave trade the measures contained in the additional
convention of the 28th of July, 1817.
" It is an incontrovertible truth, that in the year 1835,
and from 1840 to 1842, the Imperial Government invari-
ably evinced the most ardent desire to give every due at-
tention to the various negotiations proposed by the Go-
vernment of Great Britain. If none of these negotiations
could be effectually concluded or ratified, the reason was,
that the Imperial Government had only the alternative
of rejecting the propositions made, or of subscribing to
the complete ruin of the legal trade, of the subjects of
Brazil, which, on the contrary, it was the express duty
of the Imperial Government to foster and protect. The
choice could not be doubtful to a Government conscious
of its duties.
" In fact, all the proposals made within the period re-
ferred to by the British Government contained, inde-
pendently of other glaring defects, that of establishing
various cases, each of which would of itself be deemed
prima facie evidence to condemn any vessel suspected of
being engaged in the slave trade.
" Some of these cases—for instance, the fact of two
boilers, though of the usual size, being on board any
vessel—could not without violating the most ordinary
rules of right be tortured into the remotest evidence that
the vessel was intended for the slave trade ; still, accord-
ing to the terms of these proposals, each of these cases
would be sufficient to authorise the condemnation of such
vessel and her cargo to the prejudice and total destruc-
tion of the legal trade of Brazilian subjects.
" This was declared and made evident to the Govern-
ment of her Britannic Majesty in the notes of the Im-
perial Government of the Bth of February and 20th of
August, 1841, and 7th of October, 1842.
Amidst these exaggerated pretensions the Imperial
Government did not omit to propose to that of Great
Britain such measures as, in its judgment, were deemed
likely to conciliate the suppression of the slave trade
with the interests of the lawful commerce of Brazilian
subjects, having, in the year 1841, offered a counter pro-
ject which contained all the clauses adequate to the two-
fold purpose which the Imperial Government anxiously
and sincerely sought to obtain.
" Unfortunately, the discussion of this counter pro-
ject could not proceed, because her Britannic Majesty's
Minister was not furnished with full powers, as was
stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the notes
of the 26th of August, 1841, and 17th of October, 1842.
" Notwithstanding, however, that the Imperial Go-
vernment could not, from the motives of justice already
assigned, acquiesce in the proposals of her Britannic
Majesty's Government, several Brazilian vessels were
captured by British cruizers, and judged and condemned
by British Commissioners, as suspected of being engaged
in the slave trade in violation of the instructions and
regulations annexed to the convention of the 28th of
July, 1817, though in accordance with the basis of the
rejected proposals ; and notwithstanding the repeated
remonstrances made by the Imperial Government
against these violations of the existent treaties and con-
ventions by means of these proceedings, to none of
these remonstrances has full and complete justice yet
been done.
" It is thus quite evident that the Act notified to her
Britannic Majesty's Government under date of the' 12th of
March last was, without diminishing the earnest desire
of the Imperial Government for the suppression of the
slave-trade, nothing more than a faithful compliance with
the treaties and conventions existent between the Im-
perial Government and that of her Britannic Majesty.
" The especial stipulations between the Imperial Go-
vernment and that of Great Britain which authorised in
time of peace the right of visit, and the mixed commis-
sions having ceased, the re-establishment of these mea-
sures, or the substitution of others, could only be effected
by a new agreement and understanding between the two
Governments.
" It is a principle of the law of nations that the Go-
vernment of one country cannot exercise any act of
jurisdiction over the property and individuals in the ter-
ritory of another.
" The visit and search on the high seas in times of
peace, as well as the adjudications, are more or less acts
of a jurisdiction. That right is, moreover, belligerent.
" Notwithstanding the evidence of these principles,
the Government of her Britannic Majesty, by virtue of
an Act sanctioned by her Majesty on the Bth of August
last, did not hesitate to put into execution the threat
previously made through the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of her Britannic Majesty at
this Court in a note dated the 23d of July last, by which
Act Brazilian vessels engaged in the slave trade are ren-
dered amenable to the British Courts of Admiralty ari
Vice-Admiralty.

" In this Act, it is impossible not to recognise that
unjustifiable abuse of force which threatens the rights of
all free and independent nations. It is similar to that
of which Portugal became the victim in 1839, and which
likewise passed into law, despite the opposition of the
Duke of Wellington, one of the most eminent statesmen
in England, who, in the House of Lords, on the 11th of
August, 1839, strenuously remonstrated against the right
of visit and search in time of peace.
" If this violence is now sought to be palliated by the
great interest which exists for the suppression of the
slave trade, it is unquestionable that the end sought to
be obtained cannot justify the iniquity of the means em-
ployed ; and no surprise ought to be created, if, under
the pretext of protecting other interests, the counsels of
reason and universal public rights, upon which the secu-
rity and peace of nations depend, be substituted in
the tribunals of the most powerful nations by force and
violence.
"To justify the legislative enactment by which the
English Courts are empowered to take cognizance of
Brazilian vessels engaged in the slave trade and captured,
the British Government cites art. 1 of the convention
which was concluded on the 23d of November, 1826,
between Brazil and Great Britain, by which convention
the slave-trade on the coast of Africa was abolished.
"But this article is very far from authorising the right
which the British Government claims and usurps.
" By this article the Imperial Government is bound-
-Ist, to forbid Brazilian subjects to be engaged in, and
entirely to abolish, the slave-trade within three years of
the exchange of the ratifications—that is, from and after
the 13th of• March, 1830; 2dly, to consider and treat the
trade on the part of Brazilian subjects as piracy.
" With respect to the first obligation, there neither is
nor can be any doubt : and as regards the second, it is
clear that the intervention of the British Government
with reference to the trade carried on by Brazilian sub-
jects is limited to the right of demanding from the Im-
perial Government an exact and punctual observance of
the treaty and nothing more.
" The letter of art. 1 of the convention comprehends
only Brazilian subjects, and the illicit trade which may
be carried on by them.
"It will not be denied that the crimes committed
within the territories of any nation can only be punished
by the authorities of that nation ; nor will it be con-
tested that the vessels of every nation form part of her
territory, for this reason, amongst others, that the
crimes committed on board of them are only punishable
by the laws of the country to which the vessel may
belong.
" It would be absurd to recognise the right of the
British Government to punish Brazilian subjects, either
in person or in property, for crimes committed within
the territory of the empire, without very express, clear,
and positive delegation of the power from the Sovereign
of Brazil to the Sovereign of Great Britain; and where,
in the treaty, is this clear and positive delegation to be
found ?
" To assume, under the pretence of interpretation,
the delegation of a sovereign power which is not ex-
pressly granted would be an infringement of the first
principle of the art of interpretation, which is, that it is
not allowable to interpret that which needs no interpre-
tation.
" When an Act is worded in clear and precise terms,
when its meaning is manifest and does not lead to an
absurdity, there can be no reason for objecting to that
meaning which the Act naturally presents. To have
recourse to conjecture for the purpose of extending or
contracting the meaning of an Act is tantamount to an
evasion of it. _ _ .

" And, moreover, to assume in this case the delegation
of sovereign power on the part of the Imperial Govern-
ment to that of Great Britain without a like delegation
from the latter to Brazil, would, if indeed any obscurity
existed in the article, be opposed to another rule of in-
terpretation, which is, that everything which tends to
destroy the equality of a contract is odious; and in such
case it would be necessary to interpret the words in their
most restrictive sense, in order to avert the onerous con-
sequences which might arise from the strict and literal
meaning, or the odium which might be contained in the
contract.
" The spirit of the second part of the convention of the
23d of November, 1826, is not more favourable to the
pretensions of the British Government to adjudicate in
the Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty Courts of Great
Britain Brazilian vessels suspected of being engaged in
the slave trade.
" The traffic is, by the said article, considered as
piracy only by a fiction of law, and it is well known,
and universally admitted, that fictions of law are only
effectual for the purposes for which they are created.
" In truth, the traffic is more hazardous than is rob-
bery on the high seas, less difficulty exists in discovering
and convicting those who are engaged in it than in cases
of piracy, and, moreover, the traffic does not threaten
the maritime trade of the world as piracy does ; hence
the penalty of being engaged in it cannot be as severe as
that which all nations award to piracy without being
deemed tyrannical.
" This truth even England has herself acknowledged
in the various treaties which she has been enabled to
conclude with other nations for the suppression of the
traffic ; for in almost all of these it has been stipulated
that the penalty of detection should not be the same as
in cases of piracy, according to the law of nations.
" So certain is it that the piracy mentioned in art. 1 of
the convention of 1826 is not the piracy acknowledged
by the law of nations, that the two high contracting
Powers judged the stipulations contained in art. 2,3,
and 4, indispensable.
" If England had considered herself authorised by
art. 1 to capture and adjudicate in her Courts Brazilian
subjects and vessels engaged in the traffic, she would
not have sought to obtain by art. 2,3, and 4, special
authority to visit, search, and capture the said vessels, to
hare them adjudicated upon by mixed commissions, and
various other measures in the like sense.
" How the traffic can now be deemed piracy according
to the law of nations cannot be conceived, when so late
as the year 1807 Lord Eldon, one of the first judicial
authorities of England, in opposing in Parliament the
abolition of slavery, contended, that the slave trade had
been sanctioned by Parliaments in which sat the wisest
lawyers, the most learned divines, and the most excel-
lent statesmen ;' when Lord Hawkesbury, afterwards
Earl of Liverpool, moved that the words inconsistent
with the principles of justice and humanity' should be
struck out of the preamble of the Bill (Slave-trade Aboli-
tion Bill) ; when the Earl of Westmoreland declared,
that though he should ' see the Presbyterian and the
prelate, the Methodist and the field preacher, the Jacobin
and the murderer, write in favour of the measure of
abolition, he would raise his voice against it in Parlia-
ment.'
" Nor can it be conceived how the traffic can now be
considered piracy according to the law of nations, when,
not many years since, even England did not consider
herself degraded by trading in Africun slaves,
and when a short time only has elapsed since other
civilized nations proscribed the trade.
" A t this very period Indian slaves are possessed by
Great Britain. •
"Russia, France, Spain, Portugal, the United States,
Brazil, and oth, r Powers, have not yet abolished
slavery.
" It is thus obvious that acts which are still practised
by so many nations, and which some few yeas since
were practised by all the world, cannot with justice, be
deemed piracy, except with nations who have expressly
agreed so to consider them in their treaties.
"If the African slave-trade is not piracy according to
the law of nations—if by the convention of 1826 Brazil
did not arm England with the right to adjudicate as
piracy, and punish the persons, and confiscate the pro-
perty of Brazilian subjects suspected of being engaged
in the slave-trade, it is evident that England cannot
exercise that right by means of her tribunals without
offending the sovereignty and independence of Brazil.
" Nor has Great Britain hitherto considered herself
armed with this right against the subjects of Brazil,
who may have been engaged in the slave-trade ; but, on,
the contrary, she has expressly acknowledged the in-
competency of her courts to try such cases.
" In the correspondence which took place between the
Imperial Government and the British Legation on the
31st of October, 1843, and other dates, in consequence
of Marmot Jos.& Madena, a Brazilian subject, who having
been taken on board the schooner Tartaruga, said to
have been engaged in illicit trade, was detained on board
the said schooner and sent to the Cape of Good Hope,
the Minister of her Britannic Majesty at this court de-
clared, in a note dated the 12th of November of the same
year, that this individual, as well as others found on
board the Tartaruga, had been sent to the Cape of Good
Hope, because their evidence might be necessary upon
the trial of the vessel in the Vice-Admiralty Court, to
prove acts of piracy ; and, in fact, as soon as the vessel
was adjudicated Madena and the. other prisoners re-
turned to this country, asis proved by the official cor-
respondence above-named.
" That this is the only interpretation which can be
given to the treaty of the 23d of November, 1826, is fur-
ther proved by comparing the aforesaid art. 4 with the
treaties which England has concluded with other na-

Lions.
" It is easy to consult the treaties concluded with the
Argentine Republic on the 24th of May, 1839, with Bo-
livia
under
ont
hteh the
a2sth
dateofSeptember,ofl instruments 84i
n annexed ;0, additional articles
with Chili on the 19th January, 1839, additional articles
under the same date and acts of instruments annexed ;
with Hayti on the 23d of December, 1839 ; with Mexico
on the 24th of February, 1841, additional articles under
the same date ; with Texas on the 16th of November,
1841, acts of instruments and declaration, signed at
Washington on the 16th of February, 1844 ; with Uru-
guay on the 13th of June, 1839, additional articles under
the same date and acts of instruments annexed ; and
with Venezuela on the 15th of March, 1839.
" It is manifestly evident in every one of these treaties
that both the high contracting Powers engage to con-
cert and establish, by means of conventions, the details
of the measures necessary for enforcing immediately
and reciprocally, in accordance with the legislative enact-
ments of the respective contracting Powers, the law of
piracy, which will then be made applicable to the traffic,
in as far as regards the vessels and subjects of each
country.
" If the fact of the traffic being considered piracy
were sufficient to enable the nations by whose vessels
the captures were made, to try the vessels and persons
by their own tribunals, it would be needless either that
the traffic should be declared piracy in the afore named
treaties, or that the two contracting Powers be bound to
enact special laws for the punishment of such of their
subjects or citizens as may be engaged in the traffic.
" If the mere declaration that the slave trade is
ppeirratcyyof the
did not deprive Brazilian subjects and their pro-
right of being tried by the authorities of
their own country, so likewise their vessels were not
liable to be visited, searched, and captured by British
cruisers.
" It has already been shown that the law of nations
hpeaeßerei the right of visit
British tribunals have
principle, as occurred in
case of the French vessel Louis, captured in the year
Africa for being engaged in the
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aooruteshrt
times
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recognised
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1820, on the coast of

slaveltrade. Upon this occasion the capture was declared
null and void, because the right of visit and search on
the high seas does not exist in time of peace.
" Lord Stowell alleged, that, even admitting that
the trade had been actually prohibited by the municipal
laws of France (which was doubtful), the right of visi-
tation and search (being an exclusively belligerent
right) could :not, consistently with the law of nations,
be exercised in time of peace to enforce the prohibition
by the British courts upon the property of French
subjects.
" In pronouncing the judgment of the High Court of
Admiralty, in the same case, his Lordship held, more-
over, ' the slave trade, though unjust and condemned by
the statute law of England, was not piracy, nor was it
a crime by the universal law of nations.'
" In fact, if such a right be vested in any one nation,
it ought equally to belong to every nation, and would
lead to incalculable evil, perhaps to universal war.
" That this right over the vessels of other nations does
not belong to England is not only recognised, but is ad-
mitted in the treaties concluded by that country ; for in
all these such is expressly stipulated, as it likewise wa
in the treaties concluded between Portugal and Great
Britain in 1815 and 1817, which treaties having been
continued by the convention of the 23d of November,
1826, between England and Brazil, expired on the 13th
of March of the present year.
"From what has been stated and demonstrated, it is
evident that the Act which passed- the British Parlia-
ment, and was sanctioned by her Majesty the Queen of
Great Britain, on the Bth of August last, under the pre
text of carrying,into effect the dispositions of art. 1 of
the convention concluded between the Crowns of Brazil
and Great Britain on the 23d of November, 1826, cannot
be based either upon the letter or the spirit of the said
article, is opposed to the most clear and positive prin-
ciples of the law of nations, and, finally, is an infringe-
ment of the sovereignty and independence of Brazil, as
well as those of other nations.

" Therefore, the undersigned, Minister and Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs, in the name and by the com-
mand of his Majesty the Emperor, his august Sovereign,
protests, against the afore-recited Act as offensive and
unjust, and as infringing upon the sovereign rights and
independence of the Brazilian nation ; not recognising
any of its consequences, except as the result of force and
violence ; claiming at once for all and every detriment,
loss, and damage, which may result therefrom to the
legal trade of the subjects of Brazil, to whom the laws
promise, and his Majesty the Emperor owes, constant
and efficient protection.
" Nevertheless,,the Imperial Government, preferring
to all other considerations the noble sentiments of jus-
tice and philanthropy, by which in all its acts it is
animated and guided, will continue to employ all its
efforts, in accordance with the laws of the country, for
the suppression of the slave-trade ; and the Imperial
Government earnestly desires that the Government of
her Britannic Majesty may accede to an agreement
which, whilst it respects the interest of the legal trade
of Brazilian subjects, may obtain the desired end of
causing that commerce to cease, the existence of which is
deplored and condemned by all enlightened and Chris-
tian Governments.

" The undersigned, by the command of his Majesty
the Emperor, his. august Sovereign, transmits this pro-
test to Hamilton Hamilton, Esq., Her Britannic Ma-
jesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten•
tiars•, that the same, may be submitted to the Govern-
ment of her Britannic Majesty ; and he avails himself
himself of this opportunity to reiterate to Mr. Hamil-
ton the expression of his perfect esteem and high con-
sideration.
" ANTONIO PAULINO LIMPO DE A BREN."

MYSTERIOUS DEATH of an AGED

FEMALE in WESTMINSTER.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Bedford, the coroner for
Westminster, held an inquest, of several hours' duration,
at the Crown and Sceptre Tavern, Chapter-street, Vin-
cent-square, WeAminster, on ♦iew of the body of Sarah
Dozell, aged 63 years, wife of an accountant, living at
31, Douglas-street, is the above neighbourhood, who
met her death, as it was rumoured, by the ill-treatment
of her husband. The body exhibited two wounds in the
left arm, evidently inflicted by a sharp instrument, but
not of recent date, besides which, there were several
bruises in various parts of the body. The first witness
called was .

Mary Spivey, who deposed that she was a lodger in
the same house as deceased, who lived with her husband,
and occupied the first floor back. Witness saw her daily,
and she always seemed to enjoy good health. Her hus-
band was a very drunken character, and would often
come home late at night and then quarrel with her. De-
ceased was certainly violent in her temper. About
two o'clock on Tuesday morning last, Dozell
came home to his wife and began quarrelling
with her, but witness did not think he was tipsy
on that occasion. Between seven and eight the same
morning witness again heard a row between them, and
a noise, as if the table had fallen over, which was accom-
panied by the smashing of a quantity of crockery ware.
Shortly after the man went out, and deceased came
down stairs, partially dressed, after him. Deceased was
then so exhausted that she was obliged to be carried up
by one of thelodgers. At ten o'clock witness was called
by a person on the first floor, and went into the de-
ceased's room and found her in a fit. All the breakfast
things were lyiiig about the floor broken, and the table
turned upside down. Witness washed her face with
some vinegar.
By the CORM,lER—Deceased was not long in a fit,
and upon coming to, requested that a doctor should be
sent for, which was accordingly done, and witness admi-
nistered some brandy and water, as had been ordered
by the medical gentleman. Her son was also called in.
In answer, to questions, deceased replied that she had
not been struck, but complained of her neck, saying that
she had injured it by turning her head suddenly on one
side. She also 'frequently ejaculated, " Oh, lam very
bad, I shall die. 7 Soon after she had taken the brandy
and water she expired.
Mr. George Pierce, surgeon, of 5, Regent street,
Westminster, stated that he was called to deceased by
her landlord shoTtly before eleven on the morning in
question. Witn'ess found deceased in a very exhausted
state, lying upon the ground on a sort of bed covered
with rags. She did not complain of pain anywhere, but
merely said she.had injured her neck a little. Witness
examined the part, and found she had the perfect use of
it ; the extremities were cold, and she appeared to be
suffering chiefly from exhaustion, evidently the result of
great excitement. There were not the slightest symp-
toms of paralysis,or apoplexy of any kind. Witness then
left her, having: ordered some weak brandy and water.
In a few minutes after he was recalled by the son, say-
ing that deceased was dead. On going to the room, he
saw deceased stretched out upon the floor, and made an
external examination of the body. There were direct
marks of violence about the arms, which he (witness)
thought must have been inflicted some days ago. There
were also several bruises and discolorations in: variou.,
parts of the body. There were no appearances of de-
ceased having taken anything of a deleterious character.
Other corroborative evidence of the above was adduced,
showing that deceased's death had been accelerated by
violence.
After a short consultation, the jury confessing their
doubts and ignorance of the cause of deceased's death,
returned the singular and extraordinary verdict of
" Death from natural causes.

WEST YORKSHIRE ELECTION.
LEEDS, TUESDAY EVENING.—The free-traders are
setting to work in good earnest to bring Lord Mor-
peth forward as a candidate for the representation of
this riding. The Conservates are not known to be at
all stirring. The following is a copy of a large placard
that has just been posted in this town, and I believe
similar ones have been, or will be to morrow, distri-
buted through the various polling districts into which
the riding is divided :

" WEST RIDING ELECTION.
"A vacancy having occurred in the representation of
the riding, owing to the elevation of the Hon. John
Stuart Wortley to the peerage, a requisition is in course
of signature to the Right Hon. Lord Morpeth, inviting
that nobleman to offer himself as a candidate, for the
riding. Requisition-sheets will lie for the signature of
West Riding electors at the Leeds Mercury office, Leeds
Times office, and at the Reform Registration-office, 187,
Wellington-street, till Friday noon, 26th inst., at twelve.
o'clock. " HAMER STANSFIELD.
Chairman of the Leeds Polling District.
" Leeds, Dec. 23, 1845."

CHRISTMAS-DAY IN THE WORK-

HOUSES.
The following report will be found to detail succinctly
the treatment of the poor, both old and young, in these
establishments on this anniversary. The entire number
of poor in each workhouse is specified and compared
with the corresponding period last year, and a careful
summary of decrease and increase will be found at the
end of the report.
It is a gratifying fact, that there is a very great de-
crease of pauperism in the metropolis and its suburbs, as
compared with the corresponding period last year.
Sr. MARYLEBONE WORKHOUSE.—Number in the
workhouse this day, 1,950 (last Christmas-day 2,158),
viz., adult males, 487; adult females, 930; boys, 220;
girls, 148; infants, 165. Christmas-day fare to adults,
6oz. of roast beef free from bone, 11b. of potatoes, llb.
of plum pudding, one pint of strong porter, loz. f tea,
a quarter of a pound of sugar, with tobacco, snuff, &c.,
in the evening. The children to be fed in a similar man-
ner, but without limitation as to quantity, and in the
evening to be regaled with oranges, apples, sweetmeats,
&c. The inmates of the Marylebone almshouses, pre-
sented by the board of directors under the will of the
late Count Woronzow, will receive similar fare. De-
crease of in door poor, as compared with last year, 208;
number of out-door poor, 4,286 (last year 5,205); de-
crease of out-door poor, 919; total decrease as compared
with last year, 1,127; total number receiving weekly
relief, 6,236.
ST. MAR rIN'S-IN-THE-FIELDS.—IBMateS, 711(lastyear
706), viz., adult males, 173 ; adult females, 357 ; boys,
89 ; girls, 92. Christmay-day fare-12 ounces of roast
beef, lb. potatoes, a lb. plum-pudding, and a pint of
porter to adults ; half a pint to the children. A similar
allowance on New Year's-day. Out-door poor, 733,
viz., 100 males, 270 females, 363 children ; increase on
in-door poor, as compared with last year, 5.
ST. JAMES'S, WESTMINSTER.—Inmates, 560 (last
year, 578), viz., men, 184 ; women, 341 ; boys, 9 ;
girls, 20 ; infants, 6 ; boys at Mr. Aubin's establish-
ment, Norwood, 40. Out-door permanent poor, 250.
This parish has also a juvenile establishment at Brent
ford, in which there are 101 children. Diet for Christ-
mas-day, 8 ounces of roast beef, 13 ounces of bread, 12
ounces of plum-pudding, 16 ounces of potatoes, a pint
of porter, and a pint of table ale, for adults ; hildren
fed in proportion. Decrease of in door poor this year,
as compared with last, 18.
ST. MARY, ISLINGTON.—Average number of inmates,
320 (last year the same number), viz., 100 men, 215
women, and 5 children. The infant establishment at
Edmonton receives children from two to seven years of
age, averaging in number 60. Children from the age of
seven to sixteen, 55 in number, farmed at Mr. Drouet's,
Grove-house, Brixton. There are but few able-bodied
in-door poor, whilst the number of permanent out-door
poor is 420, of which number half are females. Christ-
mas fare, 6 ounces roast ribs of beef, cooked and free
from bone ; lib. of baked potatoes, llb. of plum-pudding,
1 pint of London porter, and bread as required.
ST. PANCRAS WORKHOUSE.—Inmates, 1,352 (last year
1,397). Men, 362 ; women, 652 ; boys, 167 ; girls, 171.
The board of guardians have prohibited those denomi-
nated " refractory," from having any extra allowance.
To the other inmates the fare is 6 ounces of roast beef
without bone, 11b. of plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter,
with 1 ounce of tobacco each to the men, and 1 ounce of
tea and 4 ounces of loaf sugar to the females ; children,
4 ounces roast beef, Vb. plum-pudding, and 2d. to each
child. Out-door poor, 2,738 (last year, 3,000), De-
crease of in-door poor, 45 ; of out-door poor, 262. Total
decrease, 307.
ST. MATTHEW, BETHNAL GREEN.—lnmates 604 (cor-
responding week last year, 630), men, 183; women, 259;
boys, 91; girls, 71. Christmas Day fare. Every in-
mate supplied with bread and butter and tea morning
and evening; and roast beef, plum-pudding, and porter
for dinner. Decrease, as compared with the correspond-
ing period last year, 26.
ST. LUKE, CHELSEA.—(RepIy to Application for In-
formation.) On a former occasion, those thankless
" saveall," the bone-grubbing gentlemen of Somerset
House, thought proper to disallow the item for the little
annual festivity of the poor, not one farthing of which,
however, have they yet even attempted to enforce the
repayment of. Notwithstanding the disallowance, the
guardians have again provided the same extra fare as
last year to the inmates of the workhouse, who number
366, viz., adult males, 129; adult females, 207; children,
33. To the two former classes, each person half a pound
of roast beef of superior quality, half a pound of potatoes,
three-quarters of a pound of plum-pudding, and one pint
of beer. The children, at the master's discretion,
farmed out at Drouet's infant establishment at Tooting,

127 children for whom sixpence per head is allowed for
extra fare, which is served out ad libitum. Total num-
ber of in-door poor 495. Last year 518, decrease 23.
Number of out-door poor 1,304. Last year 1,359, de-
crease 55. Total decrease 78. Out of the 368 in the
workhouse, 24 are under seven years of age, 25 from
seven to twenty years, 50 from twenty to forty years,
47 from forty -to sixty years, 160 from sixty to eighty
years, 25 from eighty to ninety years, 1 ninety-two
years, 1 one hundred years, 16 imbecile, 16 paralytic,
and 3 dumb. _ _

ST. LUKE, MIDDLESEX.—Inmates of workhouse 580
(last Christmas 610) viz.—adults 480, children 100, be-
sides which there are 140 young children farmed out at
establishments at Winchmore-hill and Southgate. Christ-
mas day fare—Substantial Filmier of roast beef ilb., pota-
tos, Vb., plum pudding lib., and one pint of strong ale each
person, after which, oranges, apples, and other extras will
be distributed, the authorities (so says the master of the
workhouse) being desirous that the poor shall have a
merry old English Christmas day. Decrease, as com-
pared with last year, 30.
ST. JAMES'S, CLERKENWELL.—Inmates of workhouse
452 (last year no return). Men 147, women 255, boys
24, girls 26. Farmed out at Mr. Aubin's, Norwood,
87 children, 43 boys and 44 girls. Fare Boz. of roast
beef without bone, and baked potatoes ad libitum, 4oz. of
bread, 16oz. of plum pudding, one pint of porter, with
pipes, tobacco, and snuff. To children 6oz. of roast beef,
with baked potatoes, 4oz. of bread, Boz. of pudding, and
half a pint of porter, with apples, oranges, nuts, &c. In
the evening all have tea and sugar, and four days holi-
day allowed.
CITY OF LONDON UNlON.—Workhorse for males at
Peckham, females at Stepney, and children farmed out
at Aubin's Asylum, Norwood; inmates, 1,070 (last year
1,177), viz : Men, 348; females, 450; children, 282.
Ceristmas fare, roast beet, plum pudding, and one pint
of beer each.. Decrease of in-door poor as compared
with last year, 107; out-door, 2,425, last year, 2,472;
total decrease, 84.
EAST LONDON UNION (Aldersgate Workhouse, for
males only).—lnmates, 200; adult male children, under
16, at Mr. Aubin's establishment, Norwood. Fare
ordered by guardians, 7 oz. roast beef, llb. baked pota-
toes, 11b. of plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter; holi-
days are allowed once a fortnight, or in any other emer-
gency; decrease, 9. Bishopsgate Workhouse (for females
only),—lnmates, 345, (last year, 370). Christmas fare,
roast beef 6 oz., with vegetables, 11b. plum pudding, and
1 pint of porter each. Inmates above 60 years of age are
allowed a liberty-day once a fortnight; below 60 years
once in three months, dependent on good behaviour;
total decrease, 34.
WEST LONDON UNlON.—lnmates, 460 (last year
480); about 130 children at the establishment at Ed-
monton. Christmas fare, 7 oz. roast beef, 12 oz. of plum
pudding, 12 oz. of potatoes, and 1 pint of porter each ;
decrease, 20.
STRAND UNION, comprising the parishes of St.
Clement Danes, St. Mary-le-btrand, St. Paul, Covent-
garden, St. Ann's, Soho, liberty of the Rolls and pre-
cincts of the Savoy—lnmates of workhouses, 484 (last
year, 582); viz., males, 162; females, 322; children
farmed out at Tooting. Christmas fare, 6 oz. boiled leg
of pork, peas pudding, potatoes, 1 pint of porter, 14 oz.
of plum-pudding, men, and 12 oz. women. Decrease, 98.
BRENTFORD UNlON—lnmates, 383 (last year, 428) ;
viz., 145 men; 123 women; and 115 children. Christ-
mas-day fare, 8 oz. roast beef, Ilb of potatoes, lib. of
plum-pudding, 1 pint of ale, and tea to each. Leave of
absence on Boxing day allowed. Number of out-door
poor, 1,434. Decrease of in-door poor, 45.
KENSINGTON WORKHOUSE (LATE UNION). Gross
number (including peor belonging to the parish of Pad-
dington, 76 remaining since the dissolution of the union
until their workhouse is built), 258 ; viz., males, 92 ;
females, 124; boys, 13 ;' girls, 29. Christmas-day fare
not specified, but consists of roast beef, plum pudding,
and porter. The girls and boys in the workhouse,
under 4 years of age ; the remainder of children at Mr.
Drouet's, Grove-house, Brixton.
POPLAR UNlON.—lnmates, 437 (last year 492), viz.,
men, 129; women, 162; children, 136. Fare, roast beef,
potatoes. plum pudding, and porter; amount not speci-
fied. Number of out-door poor 600 (last year 690),
showing a decrease of 55 with respect to in-door poor,
and 90 as regards out-door poor. Total decrease 145:
HACKNEY UNlON.—lnmates 401 (last year 424), viz ,
men, 105; women, 187; children, 109. Christmas-day
fare, }lb. of roast beef, with mustard and horse-radish,
potatoes, 1 pint of ale, 11b. of plum pudding, with bread
and butter at breakfast and tea. Decrease 23.
GREENWICH UNlON.—lnmates 949 (last year no re-
turf) ; men, 297 ; women, 406 ; boys, 143 ; girls, 123.
Fare to each person above twelve years of age-Boz.
roast ribs of beef, 1 i b. of plum-padding, 1 pint of Bar-
clay's London porter ; children fed yroportionattly.
Any of the inmates who express a desire to leave the
house for a few days,
are permitted to do so without re-
striction. Nearly 100 have availed themselves of the
privilege, most of whom spend their Christmas with
their friends.
WANDsWORTH AND CLAPHAM UNlON.—lnmates 304
(last year 322) ; men, 135 ; women, 122 ; children, 47 ;
children at Mr. Aubin's establishment, Norwood, 68.
Christmas fare to adults, lb. of roast beef, 11b. of po-
tatoes, 11b. of plum-pudding, 1 pint of Barclay's porter,
with snuff and tobacco for the aged. Out-door poor
1,770, of all ages. Decrease df in-door poor, 18.
ST. OLANE'b 15kIJK.—Inmates, 309 (last year 376)

o baked
viz., men, 86; women, 144; boys, 45; girls, 3- t- Christ-
mas day fare, 7 ounces of baked beef, 12 ounce. 3f
potatoes, plum-pudding unlimited, and 1 pint c.f porter
each. Decrease, 68.
WHITECHAPEL UNlON.—lnmates, 867 (last Chvis.4nlas
877); fare, baked beef and potatoes, boiled plum puddix:e
and porter; liberty to go out is granted to those
who have applied for it. Out-door poor, 1,734 (last
year, 2,085); decrease of in-door poor, 10; of out-door
poor, 351. Total decrease, as compared with last
Christmas, 361.
EDMONTON UNlON.—lnmates, 396 (last year, 410),
men, 220; women, 170. Christmas-day fare by order
of the guardians, 5 ounces of cooked beef, 1 pound of
potatoes, 1 pound of plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter
each. There are also about 200 children at Enfield.
Decrease, 14.
STEPNEY UNION (Mile-end Workhouse.)—lnmates,
209; adult males, most infirm (last year, 216). Christ-
mas-day fare, pound of roast beef, 1 pound of baked
potatoes, 14 ounces of plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter
each. Inmates allowed out on the Christmas morning.
Decrease, as compared with last year, 13.
ST. GILES'S, CAMBERWELL.--Inmates, 244 (last year,
259), viz.:—Men above 60 years of age, 52; under 60,
32; total men, 84. Females above 60, 73; under 60,
69; total females, 132. Children under 15 years, 28.
The remainder of the children, 70, farmed at Mr.
Aubin's Asylum, Norwood. The fare is roast beef,
plum pudding, and one pint of porter each. The out-
door poor 6d. additional. Increase, as compared with
last year, 15.
ST. MARY, LAMBETH.—lnmates, 918 (last year 839).
Adult males, '364; females, 554. There are also 374
children (not farmed) in the Lambeth House of Indus-
try at Norwood. Fare to adults, 6 ounces of baked beef,
free from bone, 11b. baked potatoes, 11b. boiled plum-
pudding, and 1 pint of porter each. Children in pro-
portion. Present number of out-door poor, 3,250; last
Christmas, 3,776. Increase of in-door poor, 79; de-
crease of out-door poor, 526. Total decrease, as com-
pared with last year, 446.
ST. GEORGE, MIDDLESEX.—In the workhouse, 658
_ _

(last year, 666); viz., men, 212; women, 390; boys, 35;
girls, 21. Besides these, there are 237 at Tooting.
Christmas-day fare, roast beef, plum-pudding, potatoes,
porter, tea, sugar, &c., ad libitum. Decrease of in-door
poor, 8. Out-door poor, 1,126; last year, 1,166; de-
crease, 43 in out-door poor. Total decrease, 51.
ST. GILES'S-IN-THE-FIELDS, AND ST. GEORGE'S,
BLOOMSBURY.—Inmates of workhouses, 636 (last year,
650); adult males, 225; females, 360; children, 41. Old
English fare of roast beef, plum-pudding, and porter,
quantity not specified. Decrease, 24.
ST. GEORGE'S, HANOVBR•SQUARE.—ADSWer to ap-
plication—" Have the goodness to refer to my report of
last ear, no alteration whatever will be made." Re-
port of last year states—inmates, 826. Fare, roast beef
and plum pudding ad libitum, with vegetables and one
pint of porter each ; children at parochial establish-
ment, Chelsea. In addition to Christmas fare, each
adult 2d., and each child ld. ; permission to take three
days' holiday—same treatment on New Year's Day.
ST. MARI MAGI)ALEN, BERMOND3EY.—Inmates, 598
(last year, 537) ; men, 187 ; women, 226 ; boys, 113 ;
girls, 72. Christmas fare, six ounces of goo pork, cne
pound of plum pudding, one pound of potatoes, and one
pint of porter each adult. Children in proportion.
Number of out-door poor receiving relief (including
children) 1,100. Increase of in-door poor, as compared
with last year, 61.
HENDON UNION.—No return of numbers made. In-
mates of the Union to be regaled with roast beef, plum
pudding, vegetables, and ale.
ST. GEORGE THE MARTYR, SOUTHWARK.—Inmates of
workhouse, 426 (last year, 419), 141 men, 214 women,
33 boys, and 28 girls. At the Lewisham establishment,
91 boys, 46 girls, and 10 women; total, 147. Fare,
roast beef, plum pudding, and porter. Increase, as com-
pared with last year, 7.
ST. SAVIOUR'S UNION. Inmates, 530 (last year,
394); 120 men, 268 women, and 32 children under six-
teen years; about 170 children farmed out at Norwood.
Fare, 6:oz. roast beef, 8 oz. potatoes, 12 oz. plum pudding,
and one pint of porter each person. Increase, 56.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS, NORWOOD (Aubin's). In-
mates, about 1,100 children belonging to various metro-
politan parishes and unions, of both sexes. Christmas-
day fare, roast beef, plum pudding, and vegetables,
quantity not limited. In the evening, coffee, bread-and-
butter, &c. The children attend divine service in
the morning and afternoon, performed by the Rev. T.
Boodle, chaplain to the establishment. The numbers are
the same as last year.
ENFIELD CHILDREN'S ESTATE (belonging to the Ed-
monton Union).—lnmates 213 (last year 200)019 boys,
77 girls, 4 men, 13 women, children. Fare—breakfast,
50z., bread and butter, and milk and water ; dinner, six
ounces of baked beef, 11b., plum pudding and vege •
tables ; supper same as breakfast. The male children
instructed in useful trades, such as shoemaking, tailor-
ing, gardening, &c. ; and the girls fitted for domestic
service. Thirty children have been appointed, or left
for service since last Christmas.—lncrease, 13.
GROVE HOUSE ESTABLISHMENT, BRIXTON (Drones).
—lnmates, 400 children (last year 300), belonging to the
parishes of St. Mary, Islington, St Luke, Middlesex,
Kensington, Paddington, Fulham, Hammersmith, and
St. Olave's. Fare, by direction of the various boards of
guardians, half a pound of roast beef, half a pound of
plum pudding, half a pint of porter, with vegetables,
&c In the evening, at Mr. Drouet's expense, regaled
with oranges, other fruit and sweetmeats. Two days'
holiday allowed. Increase this year over last, 100.
INFANT POOR ESTABLISHMENT, TOOTING (Drouet's).

—Number of children, 720 (last year about the same),
belonging to the parishes of St. George's-in-the-East; the
Strand Union, St. Luke, Chelsea ' • St. Mary, Newing-
ton ; and the Richmond Union. Fare, a substantial
dinner of roast beef, potatoes, plum pudding and porter.
In the evening tea and cakes, &c.
ST. MARGARET AND ST. JOHN, WESTMINSTER, AND
ST. MARY, NEWINGTON.—The masters of the work-
houses of these parishes have thought proper to withhold
information.
By the foregoing statement, it will be perceived that
nearly 40,000 of our poorer fellow-creatures will not be
wanting that which is denominated their Christmas
dinner. Another important fact is the decrease of
pauperism in the metropolis as compared with the cor-
responding period last year. Whilst on the one hind
there will be found twenty parishes and unions exhi-
biting a decrease, amounting in the gross to 3,016 per-
sons, as compared with last Christmas, there are but
seven parishes showing any increase, and which in the
gross amounts to but 237 persons, leaving a total de-
crease of pauperism in twenty-seven parishes and
unions, as compared with last year of 2,779 persons.

By the Calcutta papers it appears that the London
mail of September Bth reached that city in forty days, though
conveyed from Bombay by the usual slow conveyance. It is
confidently anticipated there that when the new arrange-
ments take effect the transit of the mail will never occupy
more than thirty-five days, and often much less. In rail-
road matters no great progress has been made since the date
of the regular mail. Surveys were going on in the different
presidencies with activity, and an impression had get abroad
that the engineering difficulties were too great to afford much
likelihood that the speculations would answer in a pecuniary
point of view. This was mere surmise, however, as no re-
ports had been made. A newspaper in the Armenian
language, the first of the kind, is said to have been com-
menced in Calcutta. The reply of the Bombay Govern-
ment to the native shopkeepers who petitioned against
the new municipal taxes have been published. The
secretary denies that it is any new impost, or that it was ever
the intention of the Government to include it in the abolition
of other taxes on trades in the interior of the country, and
that no hope can be held out of relinquishing an assessment
which is little burdensome to the payers, and applied in a
manner greatly beneficial to the community. One of the
last acts of Sir 11. Ilardinge, in conjunction with the Supreme
Council, previously to his departure for the north-west pro-
vinces, was the establishment of a central college at Kish-
nagur, and four English schools at other places. Besides
this, it is stated in addition that no fewer than 59 scholar-
ships were at the same time given to the schools and col-
leges already in existence. The expenses thus caused would
exceed, it is said, 40,000r5. (4,0001.) annually ; and it is re-
marked upon as a source of no small gratification to the
friends of educationgenerally in India, that as Sir H. Hardinge's
arrival in Calcutta was rendered memorable by a revival of
the encouragement of education in the highest quarter, so
the last day of his residence in the capital was distin-
guished by a measure which provides this large extension of
its benefits. _

• VO7
L E OMINST ER POLICE • COU RT, DEC. 23.—Before
the Mayor I'. Brayen, Esq., and a full bench of Magistrates.
The Rev. Josiah Bartlett, a clergyman of the Church of
England, was charged by his wife, Louisa Bartlett, with
striking her in the face on the morning of Saturday last, and
in consequence of which, and other unkind treatment, she
declared herself in fear of bodily injury. The reverend gen-
tleman was bound over to keep the peace in his own surety
of 100/., and to pay the expenses. Immediately on the pay-
ment of the costs, the Rev. J. Bartlett preferred a charge
against Mr. Pozer (brother-in-law of Mrs. Bartlett) and
Messrs. Boult (brothers of Mrs. Bartlett), and declared him-
self in fear of bodily injury. There weresome extraordinary
letters produced, written by Mr. Bartlett to Mrs. Pozer,
sister of Mrs. Bartlett, too revolting and indelicate to be
published. The magistrates dismissed the case, and ordered
the reverend gentleman to pay costs. The greatest excite-
ment prevailed outside the court, and the Rev. Mr. Bartlett
remained in court until nearly eleven at night, fearing to
leave, and ultimately was escorted to his cab amidst the
shouts and yells of the multitude.
TUNNEL THROUGH THE CALTON-HILL, &C.—The
last brick in the arching of this iigantic tunnel on the North
British Railway was laid on krtday. This completes the
most serious part in Messrs. Lorimer and Somervaile's con-
tract, winch extends, we believe, to Musselburgh ; and, as
preparations are now making for laying the permanent rails,
we may expect that the tunnel will be ready for use in a very
short time. The tunnel is 400 yards long, 26 feet high, and
26 feet in width. With the exception of about 40 yards at
the east end, the tunnel is entirely through rock. Several
miles of the North British Railway are now entirely finished.
and, where matters are not exactly in that forward state, we
understand all the heavy cuttings have been overcome; so
that there is no doubt of this section of the line being com-
pleted at the specified time, May, 1846. The paint at which
the work is furthest behind is in the neighbourhood of Piers-
hill Barraeks, where, in consequence of the encroachments
of the line on the riding-school and hospital, the Government
have made it imperative on the railway company to erect
new buildings for these purposes, together with a separation
wall about 700 feet long and 35 feet high. From the extent
of these sections, some time must elapse before their com-
pletion; and until this is accomplished, the railway com-
pany are obliged to suspend all operations connected with the
removal of the old buildings, through the centre of which
the line k to pass. The stmt already expended in the construc-
tion of this section of the railway, will not, it is said, amount to
leas than 50,000/. The operations at the other points along
the line from this to Berwick are in an equally advanced
state. For several months back a great number of miles
have been finished especially towards the Berwick terminus,
where the buildings connected with the station are in course
of erection.—Caledonian Mercury.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN THE REGENT'S PARK.—
Yesterday afternoon, between two and three o'clock, a serious
accident occurred in the Regent's Park, to Captain Greenlaw,
of Gloucester-place, Portman-square, who was thrown with
great violence from his horse as be was riding into the Re-
gent's Park, followed by his groom. The captain fellheavily
on his head, by which he sustained severe injuries that ren-
dered him for some minutes insensible.
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