The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-06 00:00:00

T E SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 6 1845.

0 aiding and assisting the judgment of the House.
There was an order of the House, that if any report
from the Board of Trade relating to a Railway Bill be
lto aid before the House, such report should be referred
tle Committee on the Bill. It was perfectly clear
What ',1%1S the View of P'l7liarnrmt in nrreemtr to the
Uri„},, ar.-.4l,re-
.lent wouid ;
WaN
going on out of doors, that an authority was
bribedto these reports of the Board of Trade,
Which would be attended with great inconvenience,
an to which he desired to call the attention of the
'reuse. No one was more anxious than he to im-
trove the system of private legislation, in which he
~new great abuses had grown up. He approved
°I the recommendation of last year, but he thought
that the Board of Trade should be confined
to the preliminary investigation of railwa prects,
'
in which they might obtain valuable infory matioojn for
,erethe
s Ouse, upon measures in which large in-
were concerned. But if, instead of being
trier* advisers to Parliament, this Board
Was to have an authority in determining
L'Peo Railway Bills—if the it reports were to
7eouclusive as to what Bills should be adopted, and
whit rejected, that would he the creation of a new
lathority which Parliament never contemplated.
Vas the Hou..e aware what was the amount of the
Interest involved in these questions between competing
P 8 ? He would give the House one instance, that of
TeLenclon and York Railway. In that company the
l'ares were 60,000, and these shares had been the
subject of dealing on the Stock Exchange. Bargains
were
Made in them at the rate of 201.
ieeßnurfl on each share, conditioned on the
• tPort of the Board of Trade—that was to
1113', that if this report, which was regarded as con-
-4 should prove favourable to the plan, it would
0 20/, to the value of each of these 60,000
itj'ales• Thus the detemination arrived at
in „Eta internal department of the Government
Loci absence of all the parties concerned, would
freet the transfer of no les3a sum than 1,200,00 V.
fro
wn' the Dock ets ofone set of persons to those of another.
1i,4 a judgment involving such sums to be pro-
treed by such a tribunal as the Board of Trade ?
zitivrt:raierbllihneaair.) He found no fault with the Board of
aver,
a Possessing certain functions ; but such
was utterly urfitted for pronouncing
opinion on subjects involving such enor-
-14
i4Lis sums. He could show them a particular
th 'nee in which the sum staked was not less
ell •
1,200,000/ , and that was only one out of a mu
Pore of cases ;
and would it be said that those re.
C.' Were to be conclusive on subjects involving the
disPoon of millions ? They (the Board of Trade)
juaed of sums compared with which the sums ad-
3ndeated upon by the Lord Chancellor and all the
iltitges of Westminster Hall sunk into insignificance.
thattwt as that department constituted in a manner so
et)o, neY could say it ought to be intrusted with such
1110;nleus responsibility? What did it consist of.
We ,' was at its head a nobleman of high character and
tp,,,11, but who possessed little experience, and there
41 assisting him four gentlemen scarcely of higher
ke'lal rank than chief clerks in the Public depart-
Plaell„tB' One of these gentlemen was, he believed,
NC' in that department from being private se-
aa
Nif„.4 to the Right Honourable Gentleman op-
etep: Was a Board, having to dispose of such
111.01
-"us interests, and thus constituted, the
And r tribunal for the purpsoe ?—(Hear, hear).
114,4 was not merely that the tribunal was
Pc2e,riy coustituted. He said that none of their
the!,--gs were such as to make their decisions, if
stiN),,Were to be taken as decisions, in matters of this
r
et satisfactory. Hear, hear.) Ile happened to
Nivilawillingly force—(d
into connexion with a
kottna7 project, and being concerned in the pro-
tton,"ll of that railway project, he could speak
,e,xPerience as to the course adopted. It was
!tilf,'°e promoters of Bills sent hi a short statement
satraund on which they proposed their measure ;
Ne"as followed by depositing with the Board
_of
IlttirePlans and sections giving full details of the
n; Of the scheme. Before any decision
Ilest,r,,,eoounced on their case, the case of the oppo-
Ntk_the Bill was made known. And after they
maktrltat case, the promoters of the measure put
tlit3 a rebutting case. The case of their oppo-
-4 Was to be put in before the 30th of
Zatelier) and the favourers. .of the Bill
I,44edi that before any decision was pro-
LtAtl4,,bY the department of the Board of
~,`"eY would be informed of what the
atlas Which had been sent in by the other side,
1,4 %rations of which they would then be prepared
114410 :wet'. The session of Parliament was coming
:a4sever2.l decisions had been pronounced, and
TiOrtitran to think they would be pronounced upon,
iklytja ease of their opponents was known. Accord-
e,
, lapplied for an interview with the Board of
It, :-Le had to acknowledge the extieme courtesy
tati,„"'eh he and the other Members of the de-
-" were, short notice, received
the 13 d' on
Theyveryof the
t oar_ knew nothing
letibi of .
tic,ie their opponents, except from the
?7tlerknew.spapers and the plans deposited with
r the peace. They stated very shortly the
Ist, as' vo,
rkrteltitle-',T, in their judgment, their own schehme
to preference and having done so t eiy
4,44tle...ciefore they did so, however, one of t
Vedill`n who composed the deputation ob-
,Lt° the President of the Board of
4t14 4,2 iroat he expected that they would have
Ns-14. A upon tanswer the case of their oppo-
kiatit of'ee reply° oaf the Presiden! of the Board
great importance. He said, " That is not
to,7411(17: There being such
.a multitude of projects,
Irrasio7 Physically impossible for us to hear the,
4104111°414 n's the parties upon the opposing_ plans.
Iheay lin 'eat Was perfectly true. It would be phy..
SitiP'sible for the Board of Trade to hearh all
Zet:lts in favour of the conflictingG Gentlemen to
impoissiblrevefosr
ere. to the lilaiodu.before them, to
estimn:tesano(fesxupensye, and see whether they
laktt:l4lkta°onded or not, and to ascertain the. compara-
Ns„,!of ti.ge in point of economy, and other 7-
%40,1% toel Projects submitted to them. Still he had,no
-Zelsed the report of the Board of Trade being
.11441,:trttt,e a' something to be taken into account by the
of 1.,* aud, no doubt, if the reasons alleged by the
Ihtiothen4a-e tale in favour of or against a particular
L'olluje strong
141,,e ,011 they would weigh powerfully with
But if the decisions of that body were
kete.,l4B4lftered as conclusive and final, the case would
laid altered. If thew decisions were to be
°achth,
,arliatnent, in common fairness and in common
at oliv4rties should be brought together, and heard
%:as kees Presence. If they thought that Nadia
trib 0 ea g
eaPa'ble f d lin with such matters, let
tic!' as t 'mat be constituted. He pronounced no
Sillthey'ea,whether that course was desirable or not.
Constitute such a tribunal, it should be
0.5°,11-ed to trheersons of rank and station, somewhat pro-
Vids, called
_immense responsibility imposed upon
1/41.a
jath,t
oi?On t.o dispose off pr, rty exceed:rig
all court of law.
itlll4,4nrlg
the
nasainearitly
would"'ne bfeololorwe that they would
h.t!le 414 14, questions of perty equal in value to that
otip:iltsffrrie;leihe courts ()flaw. It was a question of
tht:th:ellleofPruperty, and he thought that the par-
decisions were to be held final), have
t:„" 414 veas,-7, heard before that tribunal. He thought
holle"ght on all the principles of justice and
6-"4 D-3t to au such decisions, he contended,
L‘tt theiv e considered binding, if come to in the ab-
la,i",opper"t
n 1) ties who had promoted them, and who
4 ttiltilThi t'rbtY of laying their statements before the
kk at 1, eh was
Y this to adjudge upon their merits. He
1,,-etcr to ab_tilode of procedure they would be open-
he
4tlik,ent of uae, corruption and weakness, such as the
tir,B4 "" it, great country should not be supposed
•111 prepttpw
These were great objections, but
tOrlitlied to go further, and say that his objeo-
ti There forcibly if those decisions were
ird tittrla, but in point of fact conclusive. If
42411444 oo te, oard of Trade has decided the ques-
-104 elided 'ten. report, her Majesty's Government,
,Is.ht,,tittiolvnti.tic :,13)lely
readin the House to reject the Bill on the
._all knew how incompetent. that
Me 40 If tl►e !Ftive body, to deal
.with. railway
th4e, disposed of these questions by a votef
litip4,l4;e 4,ooollded on the report of the Board o
‘ll,l!ts Would be that the decision of that
set woad
to be conclusive by law and practice,
q "Ls would be allowed to interfere,
114 /1411.4884 had said, be opening a door to every
.1/4411ttkvillrgthP:11,e37esttelynlirrdee,cisions would be in the bands
ponsibl it would be a fur-
itil,6-dicize„cutreGovernme.ent appeared in these
ets,qt, ;eon siiii°ltiold giniopute underhand motives to the
11 the opposite benches, mored
t, lilt liit, arv, to the Ministry who had precede
otf.4l,lvz°,lnnf.no,tos were directed against the system.
1:11t, pegs,f suspicion, and capable of every
Astlar4te:thrto been would be breaking in upon
,Jas, title
_a considered a most wholesome
charac`,_" -England had hitherto borne very
°llho 'ers, and solely because they acted
bo'cra_e rule of never interfering in any
the
,s"._ upon private speculation. Acting
tghtolle,'4 tk_v,,Telusion he had come to was, that
Board of Trade ought not to have
tithe 1)44
r_ilnd therefore he hoped the Bills
ortep?rted against would not be rejected
ti,'ll,llithe':,iitendedthre second reading in that House.
N►establi_°r was, that until her Majesty s
kri.!"tely "ed some tribunal, if such were
411 t "eeessar
eYett
forth
of . dealing with
, on, the reort of the Board of tgtilllttr.,rt,4th'lllctihr7tllll4elsrtisubi
Ya 4 th Hous . • e scrutiny of a Cora-
It it •• andresolution(Hear.) It was perfectly
sere ait at which they had come to
th thine andin
ctif e ‘4 Wag th .g "der gubsequently framed
aor,oard ~n_e intention the ITaase had, when
slittkiN ? Thkorade its present posvess, What
were these : " that in cases of
Por,l 'traCt% z'ePort
she aid e,. tip, these
under the authority of the
Pas( lt:(1 1): re the ail? Bill, on the obj, cts thereof,
~rt„„ kfterwas:, "Ilse, and, if neaEsimey, the re-
lititale;as /01 elea..tats sent to a Committee' Now
Lc; a e
n'tt that when that resolution was
tC
IZtarai'ltt„en3wpiated that these Bills should
Olt_ heater the report was favour-
tt.t,hat I:4;_kittte..l/4 that the report itself should go
0,75.2tt nge4,4ft be scrutinised and considered.
p~ißjaanetio Nv4iFh her Majesty's Govern-
tika tled w
e,r tsc, •
teyer e earned out, he
to ruake to t,he tk°

Board of Trade had pursued. It' that were done, those
who were interested in railways disapproved of hi the
Board of Trade, would have ample opportunity for con-
sidering the arguments and reasons of the Board of
Trade, and afterwards having them fairly discussed in a
Committee. He thought it would be a very great object
d:,l hope this was ;ine inn nded lo be ad
,er could not tleh feel-
ing.gccat an:;i,ty upon tie: subject, b,causo no un-lri could
have watched the railway proceedings of the day with-
out being aware that a notion, whether ill-founded or not,
had very extensively gone abroad that these reports of
the Board of Trade were to be looked upon in the light
of conclusive decisions. That notion had certainly gone
abroad, and already some of those inconveniences to
which he had alluded were likely to arise from the Exe •
cutive Government taking too much part in these mat-
ters of private interest. Indeed he might say they had
already began to be felt. Whispers were beginning to
be circulated of a very injurious nature. No one in that
House could doubt that they were perfectly unfounded,
but these whispers were nevertheless in extensive ci rcu
and he was c nvinced that they would hear too
much of it, if such a system were permitted to obtain
credence in thiS country ; he, therefore, did hope that
they would hear Clew reports were not to be regarded
in the light of conclusive decisions. He did hope that
the wish of the Government was, that the decision of
the Beard of Trade should merely be taken by Parlia-
ment. as the expression of an opinion made by an un-
prejudiced party. He said if that were the case all par-
ties would be satisfied, but not otherwise ; and this
brought. him to the proposition he wished to make to her
Majesty's Government. If they agreed with him in the
view he had taken, he thought that a further interval of
time ought to be given in order to enable the promoters
of railway projects, which had been reported
against, to consider whether they should psr-
severe in their measures or submit at once
to the unfavourable report of the Board of Trade.
Until, then, he knew the grounds on which the Board
' of Trade were prepared to defend the course he had
been describing (if they still intended to follow it up),
he would not be satisfied. If the Beard of Trade re-
ported on two conflicting lives, and that that report ap-
proved of one line in preference to another, without re-
ferring that report to a Committee of that House, he
would not be satisfied wan such a course of proceeding.
It was his impression, and the impression of those with
:vhorn he was eegaged in this undertaking, that their line
was the best, and that which would be most calculated
to promote the public convenience and public geod; but,
of course, no Committee were to be guided 5y that
opinion, as it was but natural that they should f. el
favourably towards their own project. But what they
did wish for was this, that they should not be expected
either to proceed with or abandon their preject, until
they knew the decision of the iloard of Trade. He was
of opinion that the Board of Trade should aff ird oppor-
tunity to present petitions, in case the project should be
disapproved of ; and then, if a Committee should not ap-
prove of the project, the Company would let it fall to
the ground. But if, on the contrary, the Company should
see no reason for altering their opinion, they would act
upon their own views, and persevere. Though the ex-
penses incurred by these proceedings were considerable,
they were of minor and very trifling importance. COED
pared to the importance attached to the line that is
likely to be approved of'. Then, again, another question
would arise, in the event of the report of the Board of
Trade being continued to be held conclusive, and that
was—were the Company to submit to such decision and
all the expenses attending it, or were they to appeal
from the decision of that Board to another t! ibunal? For
these reasons, he would say he was entitled to know
the grounds on which the Government were about to
proceed on this important subject. These were the
grounds on which lie recommended to the House to ex
tend the time for the presentation of petitions on rail-
way subjects to Parliament. If the House concurred
with him, there would be little difficulty in altering the
sessional order they were now discussing, by introducing
into it the words '° with the exception of railway Bills."
Thus the time for the presentation of petitions would be
extended. The Noble Lord concluded by moving the
insertion of the words, " with the exception of railway
Bills."
tair R. PEEL thought there was much force and jus-
tice in the observations of the Noble Lord, and at the
same tirre he thought they should not proceed to deter-
mine upon the sessional order that all railway Bills
might be presented. The sessional order was introduced
in conformation with the standing order of the House.
He had no objection whatever that time should be
afforded for the consideration of this important question.
The subject was, in every respect, entitled to the full
consideration of the House. He concurred with the
Noble Lord that it would be right that some delay should
take place in coming to a determination with regard to
fixing the time for railway Bills.
Mr F. BARING hoped the Right Hon. Baronet would
state to the House when the reports of the Board of
Trade would be presented.
Sir R. PEEL must postpone giving his answer to
another day.
Mr. HUME thought it perfectly right that the post-
ponement should t tke place, more especially after they
had been told that whispers were abroad that secrets had
not been kept.
Sir R. PEEL did not understand the meaning that
whispers were abroad, that secrets had not been kept by
the Board of Trade. It would be much better that an
explicit statement should be made on the subject
rather than that these insinuations should be
indulged in. What really were the allega-
tions that were intended to be made ? It would
be much fairer to the Board to make some intel-
ligible allegation than to indulge in these insinuations.
Lord HOWICK was anxious not to be misunderstood.
What the reports which he alluded to were, was known
to every person who read the newspapers. In the City
article of the Times it had been distinctly alleged that
large purchases had been made in the shares of the
favoured companies previous to the reports being made.
He had stated that he believed those reports to be
groundless, but he objected to the system which, whether
well or ill founded, gave occasionto the circulation of suet
rumours.

Mr. BUCK thought that Hon. Members had better
delay their observations until the Board of Trade should
have published the reasons for their decisions.
Mr. VERNON SMITH thought that it was most
important, in considering these reports of the Board of
Trade, to knew whether the Government was prepared
to stand by them as official reports, and whether the
House was to receive them as having the weight and
authority of Government advice, thrown in upon one
side or the other? He thought his Noble Friend had
taken a very proper course in bringing the attention of
the House to this subject.—(Hear.)
Sir R. PEEL said the House would no doubt remem-
ber tint in this matter it had acted upon the recom-
mendation of a Select Committee. That Committee had
recommended that there should be some intervention to
enable the House and the Committees to judge of the
comparative merits of competing railway plans. It was
in consequence of the report of that Select Committee
his Right Hon. Friend the late President of the Board of
'Trade, much to his credit, devoted considerable time
and attention to inquire into the subject, and proposed a
plan, which the House approved of, and the Govern-
ment had consequently carried into effect. But it never
was the intention of the Government—it certainly never
was his (Sir R. Peel's) intention—to devolve upon the
Board of Trade the power of determining which railway
plans should be adopted and which should be rejected.
The resolution of the Select Committee said that it was
not theirintention that the reportshould be final, but that
the Board should apply its inquiry only to the elucidation
of facts to assist the Committee of the House in the for-
mation of their opinions. It ells his opinion teat the
influence of the reports of the Board of Trade upon the
decision of the Committees would depend Lpou the
weight of the facts and the value of the information pro-
duced on the inquiry. It was never his intention—nor
would he ever consent to any course, which would in-
volve the Gov nvment in the determination of these
questions betwee't competing speculations. He thought
it was, becoming the character of the Government and
the House that public men should mix themselves as
little as possible with private Billy before Parliament.—
(Hear, hear.) He could not lay down any definite rule
upon the subject, but he would say this much, that in
all such questions the Government would act with
strict neutrality.
After a few words from Mr. FRENCH,
Sir R PEEL said it would be better to teiourn the
discussion.—(Hear, hear.) Had his Noble Friend, the
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, been present, he
would have given some information on the subject. Pro-
bably when the question was again brought forward, his
Noble Friend would orobably be present, but, if he
should not be, some other Member of the Government
would take up the subject.
Lord HOWICK quite concurred in the propriety of
adjourning the discussion, but he thought the Right
Hon. Gentleman had said that substantially he agreed
with him (Lord Howick) in the justice of giving more
tune to railwaycompaniee.
Sir R. PEEL—Yes.
Mr. GREENE recommended the Noble Lord to with-
draw the motion, and he (Mr. Greene) would postpone
all those sessional orders which related to time.—(Hear.)
The motion was then withdrawn, and the remaining
orders were then agreed to.
Mr. EWABT postponed the following notice of mo-
tion :—.‘ To submit to the consideration of the House,
the expediency of meeting by day instead of by night ;
commencing its sittings at the hour of one in the after-
noon, and adjourning at six (except on especial occa•
sions, when it shall seem expedient to the House to pro-
long the debate beyond that hour); and that all commit-
tees and public business be held or transacted at propor-
tionately earlier hours in the morning."
LIBRARY OF THE HOUSE.
Sir R. INGLIS moved the appointment of the follow-
ing gentlemen as the standing Committee to assist the
Speaker in the direction of the library .—Sir Robert
Harry Inglis, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord
John Russell, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Baring, Mr. Wil-
liams Wynn, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Shaw, Viscount Pal-
merston, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Sergeant Stock, Viscount
Mahon, Colonel Fox, Mr. Gaily Knight, Mr. Pendarves,
and Mr. Acland : five to be the quorum.—Agreed to.
COUNTY COURTS.

Mr. HUME said there was no notice in the royal
speech of the intention of the Government with respect
to the County Courts Bill. He wished to ask whether
the Govern vent meant to proceed with that measure.
Sir J. GRAHAM said, that in consequence of the ex-
tempi:we glia,nges which took place last session in the law
of debtor and ewc4j.tor, he could not undertake to pro-
ceed this session with the ivasure respecting County
Courts. He thought it expedient to giye more time to
4/Low that great change to be tested by experience.
LAW Of' SETTLEMENT,
Sir G. GREY asked whether it was the intention of
the Government to re introduce the measure of last ses-
sion, and whether it would be substantially the same
Bill.

Sir J. GRAHAM said he bad received many impor-
tant suggestions on this Dill, and he should feel it his

duty to introduce the measure, including amendments
founded on those suggestions. At an early period he
should re-introduce the Bill, and state the alterations
which he intended to make. Between the introduction
of the Bill and the further progress with it, he should
allow some time to intervene, that the House and the
country might become acquainted with its provisions.
to 1-itroduce the measure to-morrow
st'nnigh

HARBOURS OF REFUGE.
Mr. RICE asked if the Government intended to adopt
' any of the recommendations contained in the report on
the harbours of refuge.
Sir R. PEEL said he deeply regretted that reports
which were prepared for the confidential information of
the Government sometimes were inserted in the public
papers, though how they reached the journals he had
not the slightest notion. The report in question had
occupied the serious attention of the Government, but
the expenditure required to carry it out would be enor-
mous. For instance, the cost for the harbour of Dover
alone was estimated at 2,500,000/. With respect to
the improvement of one harbour, that of Holyhead, in
order to facilitate the great intercourse between two parts
of the United Kingdom, the Government bad not yet
come to a decision on the recommendations contained in
the report; and before such an enormous expenniture
should be incurred, it would be necessary that the whole
subject should be well considered. He thought the Com-
missioners classed the harbours in the following manner:
—First, and first in importance, Dover; next, Portland;
and next, Seaford. The estimate for Dover could not be
relied upon, but the expense would be not less than
2,500,000/. And at the same time, before such a gigantic
work could be undertaken, it must be recollected that a
variety of experiments must be made in reference to the
quantities of matter which collected in the harbour, and
preventing the deposit of this matter. He should bo
sorry, before 2,500,0004 were expended, to see these re•
commendations carried into effect lightly. This report
had been referred to the Lords of the Admiralty, and
the subject had undergone that examination which the
high character of the Commissioners sn fully entitled it to
JUDGES OF ASSIZE (IRELAND).
Lord CLEMENTS asked if any large increase had
lately been made in the salaries of the judges of assize
in Ireland ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said the Noble Lord should have
given him notice of his intention to ask the question.
THE ADIM.ESS.

Sir R. PEEL took the opportunity of notifying to the
House that her Maj sty would receive the address of the
House in answer to her gracious speech, at half-past two
o'clock to-morrow (this day.)
CHARITIES IN ENGLAND.
Mr. HUME asked whether it was the intention of the
Government to bring in any measure respecting the cha-
rities in England.
Sir J. GRAHAM said that a measure would be in-
troduced on the subject, in the course of this session.
THE BUDGET.
Lord J. RUSSELL asked when the Right Hon. Ba-
ronet would apprise the House of the general nature of
his financial statement ?
Sir R. PEEL said that he had already given notice
that he would bring forward his financial statement on
Friday se'nnight, and on Friday next he would state ex•
actly what its purport would be.
CLERKS OF THE CROWN.
Mr. ESCOTT wished to ask whether a Bill to secure
the payment of Clerks of the Crown by salary instead of
fees, would be proceeded with on an early day.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that a Bill on that sub-
ject would be introduced to-morrow se'nnight.
THE ADDRESS.

On the motion of' the order of the day for the second
reading of the Report of the Committee appointed to
draw up the address,
Mr. HUME said, though he had no objection to the ad-
dress in general, still there were some points on which
he wished to make a few observations. They congratu-
lated her Majesty on the state of the public finances, but
he regretted there was no prospect of relief for the
people. There was to be no relief of taxation, while there
was to be a great increase in the naval estimates. He
had hoped that they should have received some intima-
tion of some relief to be granted to commerce by the
removal of troublesome and oppressive duties to which
it was now subjected. But not one word was stated of
any such intention ; he therefore wished, before he gave
his sanction to the continuance of the income-tax, which
this address implied, to press on the Government the
necessity of affording some compensation for it by a re-
duction of duties on articles of consumption. The
Right lion. Baronet had complained last night of a fac-
tious attack being made upon him by the Noble Lord
(Russell) on the question of Otaheite. But if that ques-
tion was made the ground of any factious opposition, he
(Mr. Hume) did not belong to that party, for he thought
that the manner in which that question had been settled
was highly creditable to the moderation of the Govern-
ment, and had been the means of preserving perm be-
tween this country and France.
Mr.:WILLIAMS complained that the speech made
no allusion whatever to the destitution of many classes
of the people, especially in the manufacturing districts,
where great distress and privation were still experienced.
This was a state of things this country should not en-
dure. It had been boasted that England was at pence
with the world—he was happy to hear it ; but it availed
little to the people of England if the expenditure was
not reduced.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted that some
Member of the Government would give an explanation
which would satisfy the people of England that this vast
expenditure was necessary ; nothing but dissatisfaction
prevailed on the subject.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD called the attention of the
House to the paragraph in her Majesty's speech relative
to the Landlord and Tenant Commission in Ireland,
and expressed a sincere and earnest wish that the Govern
ment would introduce some measure founded upon it,
which would allay the discontent which, he regretted to
say, was so deep and so universally prevalent in Ireland.
In fact, he never knew the state of unfortunate Ireland
to be so dreadful or alarming as at the present moment.
Murders and assassinations were going on, in particular
districts, to an imm, nse extent, and it would be found
impossible to prevent the continuance of this lawless vio-
lence unless some such regulations were established be-
tween land.ord and tenant. On a former occasion he had
introduced a measure on this subject, but, at the request
of the Right Hon. Baronet, withdrew it, and he regretted
that Right Hon. Gentleman had not himself propounded
some measure on the subject. He hoped the Right Hon.
Baronet would not allow the session to pass over with-
out introducing some measure in reference to this
matter. Some lien must be given to the tenant in the
land on which it was expected he would spend his
labour and his capital. The new poor-law must
be modified and reformed in many important particulars.
Great, and he must say just, discontent prevailed
throughout England from the injustice and oppression
of many of its provisions. The present system of poor-
laws took away the right which the labourer had to
demand subsistence or employment, and gave him but a
very inadequate and harsh remedy against actual desti-
tution. The loyalty of the people of England had been
lauded. He thought there was more justice in the
encomium than there ever had been, but if' the Govern-
ment wished to keep them so, they must remodel and
mollify the present poor-law.
Mr. WALLACE was understood to say that by
agreeing to the address he did not pledge himself to
vote for the navy estimates.
Sir R. PEEL said, though the Hon. Gentleman had
voted for the address, he would be at perfect liberty to
take what course he thOught proper on the estimates.
Mr. WAKLEY said he did not think a more popular
tax than the income-tax could be devised, but he
thought that if even the principle of the sliding
scale was sanctioned, it should be in this instance.
The principle of a sliding scale, if it could be at all con-
sidered applicable or equitable, should surely be allowed
between real property and that precarious description of
income derivable from professions and trades.—(Hear.)
The Right Hon. Baronet must know that the income-
tax in this respect was most unpopular. But the circum-
stance which would most operate on the public mind in
favour of this tax, and which could alone render it tole-
rable, was a reduction in the revenue. If that species
of taxation which interfered with trade and commerce
were removed—that taxation which was so injurious to
the labourer, by interfering with supply—the income-tax
would be borne without murmur or discontent. The
speech from the throne seemed to infer that no distress
prevailed among the people of this country; but he (Mr.
Wakley) entirely agreed with the Hon. Member for Co-
ventry, that among the unskilled labourers great distress
prevailed. It was, in fact, impossible to present an ade-
quate picture of the sufferings of this class. He hoped,
when the Right Hon. Baronet opposite (Sir J. Graham)
brought in a Bill with reference to the law of settlement,
a Committee would be appointed to inquire into the con-
dition of these people. The circumstances under which
they were living ought to be made manifest to the
House, for the majority of the House knew nothing of
the privations to which this mass ss ere exposed. The
sufferings of the people under the present law of settle-
ment were indescribable. A labourer, for instance,
goes to a distance from his native place, marries,
rears a family and dies ; his wife makes application for
relief ; what is the answer to her application ? "We
will give you a loaf or two of bread, or a shilling or two,
but if you come again, we must give you an order for
reception into the house ; and when the time prescribed
by law elapses, we will pass you home." Where ? To
her husband's settlement—a hundred miles distant, and
which he left twenty years ago.—(Hear, hear.) She
knew nobody residing there—had no friend—no rela-
tive—had never seen one of her husband's relatives.
But the overseer replies " All that may be, but I can't
heft) the state of the law."—(Hear, hear.) Sooner than
endure all this she suffers all the misery of prolonged
starvation. It was impossible that the present poor-
law could much longer exist.—(Hear.) He would state
what came under his own immediate notice on Saturday
last. A poor man, a labourer, of good character, 26
years of age, died in the parish of (as we caught it)
Royston, in this county. Six months previously him-
self and his wife lived in Iver, in Buckinghamshire.
One or both became ill, and chargeable to that parish.
2/ ss. had been incurred for their maintenance during
three weeks, but just before the time expired, fearing
they would be passed home to their native place,
in the degraded condition of paupers, they tra-
velled to Royston themselves, and took an apartment
furnished, if furnished a room could be called, the whole
contents of which were not worth 2s. 64. They were
carted to the overseers at Royston, and immediately
after that conveyed back to their lodging. The poor
man was out of work, his wife ill, and they were in a
state of the most miserable destitution. This man said,
,‘ We must go to the relieving officer, we must have
relief, or we shall die." See what occurred in conse-
quence of the sire of the union.—(Hear, hear.) The
woman, in extreme suffering, loft home without money
or food, to go to the re'ieving officer at Hillingdon, five
miles distant, in the depth of winter.—(Hear, hear.)
She described to the relieving officer the state of' desti-
tution to which the family was reduced. What was
his answer?—and the man acted in conformity with

the law—" Go to the doctor, and if he gives you an
order for relief you shall have it." She went to Dr.
Rayner, at Uxbridge, saw him, and returned home to
her husband between twelve and one o'clock in the
morning, without a single thing to afford relief or even
hope.—(llear, hear.) Neither money nor food, after
walking eleven miles. And in a few minutes after, in
came the medical gentleman, who, he believed, said the
family were in want of food. What was she to do? She
had already walked eleven miles. She had t. go five
miles further to the relieving officer, and then what did
she receive? Neither money nor goods, but an order
on a grocer in Royston for three shillings' worth of
goods. Thus this poor woman, worn down by sickness
and trouble, had to travel twenty-one miles for three
shillings' worth of food.--(Hear, hear.) Was such a
state of things to continue ? Could they wonder at
outrage and discontent whilst such a state of things
lasted? Could the nobility and gentry think their lives
and property secure whilst so grievous a law remained
on the statute-book—whilst such appalling deititution
pervaded the country? The Hon. Member then alluded
to the Otaheitan affair, which he thought had been
arranged in a manner honourable to the Governments
of France and England ; also to the question of slavery,
and highly approving of the appointment of Dr. Lush-
ington on behalf of England, to arrange with France
upon this most delicate question. De. Lushington had,
as the Hon. Member observed, been all his life the con-
sistent, firm, and able opponent of slavery in all its forms.
Ifelt the right of search to be a ques-
tion well to avoid, and he would
He kneww hi thata would many
be
as w
therefore do so in a great degree. But it must be con-
ceded that there could be nothing more annoying or ex-
citing than for a boat to come alongside of a foreign
vessel, and to overhaul what might be going on on
board. He was astonished considering how much that
right was persisted in, that it had not led to hostilities
between themselves and foreign countries. He did sin-
cerely hope that some means would be adopted to get
rid of such an exciting, annoying, and apparently dan-
gerous practice,. The remarks just made by his Hon.
Friend the Member for Rochdale, had called to his mind
what was going on in Ireland. It had been stated in
her Majesty's address that all classes of her Majesty's
subjects yielded a cheerful obedience to the law. With
regard to the grievances of Ireland, he has: no wish to
rake up old grievances, for he sincerely believed that the
Right Hon. Baronet himself was disposed to give justice
to that country, and he hoped his friends would let him.
—(Laughter.) Yes, he hoped that the beneficial inten-
tions of the Right lion. Baronet would not be thwarted
by his supporters.—(Bear, hear.) It did seem some-
what strange to him that it should be stated in the ad-
dress, that things were going on in a satisfactory
way in Ireland. Why, he found that on a
very late day, a resolution was adopted at a
repeal meeting, expressing a total want of
confidence in that House, and their utter hopelessness of
any alleviation of their wrongs from it. The wording
of the resolution was this,—That, however desirable it
might be that a discussion should take place in the
House of Commons on the state of Ireland, that Associa-
tion, though fully aware of the wrongs under which
their country was suffering, would yet not recommend
that Irish Members should attend that House. He (Mr.
Wakley) agreed with those who passed that resolution,
that Ireland was most shamefully used, and he need
only refer to the trial which led to the imprisonment
of Mr. O'Connell. Why, the impression produced on
the minds of the people of England, by the circumstances
attending that trial was, that it was most unjustifiable,
and yet, before that time, Mr. O'Connell had created in
this country a feeling prejudicial to himself, engendered
and fostered by the coarse attacks upon the Government,
and his language, when speaking of the people of Eng-
land.—(Hear, hear.) But after the trial and before the
decision on the House of Lords, the universal impression
—and that had been confirmed by the decision of the
House of Lords—had been in that House, that the whole
was an unlawful procedure, and that with such an in-
dictment so framed, so drawn up, it was next to impos-
sible that the accused party could extract the knowledge
of what was charged against him. What was
the impression now ?—(Hear.) He could assure
the Right Honourable Baronet, from conversations
which he had held with many of the most respectable of
the middle classes, that the public mind of England was
in a feverish state with regard to their relative position
with Ireland, they looking on it rather as a source of
weakness than as a source of strength. The impression
prevailed that Ireland was a persecuted country, and
that it did not receive its due share of justice from the
English law. There were Irish Members there, and he
at the same time had no hesitation in saying that the
House had never seen any series of measures for the re-
lief of their country, which could be placed on the table
of their own Parliament, if they had one to-morrow on

College-green.—(Hear, hear.) He said, therefore, that
Irish Members had not been acting justly by that House,
and not wisely by themselves.—(Hear, hear.) If they
would frame such measures as were demanded for the

welfare of Ireland, and submit them to the Imperial
Parliament, then, if that Parliament were to reject
them, he conscientiously believed that even the people of
England would demand repeal, because the love of jus-
tice was strong in the English mind. They desired to
see no portion of the empire in a state of
prosecution, and they regarded Irishmen as pro-
secuted persons, because their country was nut
placed on an equal line, and because the measures of
justice were not meted out to them as to the people of
England. To relieve the lious2 and himself from their

difficulties as regards Ireland, he (Mr. Wakley) would
conclude by expressing an earnest hope, that some one
of the Irish Members would frame such a measure as
he might deem best calculated to give relief to that
country; and then, indeed, if that Parliament rejected
it, the responsibility would rest upon their heads.
The report on the address was then brought up and
agreed to.

THE BOROUGH OF DARTMOUTH.
A petition was presented from George Moffat against
the return of Mr. Somes for the borough of Dartmouth.
RICHMOND RAILWAY.
Mr. HAWES presented a petition in favour of the
Richmond Railway.

WEST YORK RAILWAY.
A petition was also presented by some Hon. Member.
whose name we did not get, in favour of the West York

_ , _
ailway.
The House then adjourned at Eight o'clock.

TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE
At the Court of Buckingham Palace, the 3d day of
February, 1845, present the Queen's Most Excellent
Majesty in Council
SHERIFFS APPOINTED BY HER MAJESTY IN
COUNCIL. FOR THE YEAR 1845.
Bedfordshire—William Bartholomew Higgins, of Tur-
vey, Esq.
Berkshire—John Bligh Monck, of Coley Park, Esq.
Buckinghamshire—Edmund Francis Dayrell, of Lilling-
stone Dayrell, Esq.
Camb. and Hunt.—John Bonfoy Rooper, of Abbotts
Ripton, Esq.
Cumberland—Timothy Featherstonhaugh, of the Col-
lege, Kirkoswold, Esq.
Cheshire—Sir William Thomas Stanley Massey Stanley,
of Hooton, Bart.
Derbyshire—Thomas Pares, of Hopwell, Esq.
Devonshire—Edw. Sinacoe Drewe, of the Grange, Esq.
Dorsetshire—Edward Balston, of Corfe Hili, Esq.
Durham—John Wm. Williamson, of Whickham, Esq.
Essex—George Round, of Colchester, Esq.
Gloucestershire—Edmund Hopkinson, of Edgworth
House, Esq.
Herefordshire —James King King. of Staunton Park, Esq.
Hertfordshire—Sir Henry Meux, of Theobald's Park, Esq.
Kent—Sir Moses Montefiore, of East Cliff, St. Lawrence,
Thanet, Knight.
Leicestershire—Wm. Corbet Smith, of Bitterswell, Esq.
Lincolnshire—Thos. Coltman, of Hagnaby Priory, Esq.
Monmouthshire--Wm. Phillips, of Whitson House, Esq.
Norfolk—Theophilus Russell Duckworth, of Cochley
Cley, Esq.
Northamptonshire—The Hon. Richard Watson, of Rock-
ingham Castle.
Northumberland—Ralph Carr, of Hedgley, Esq.
Nottinghamshire—William Hodgson Barrow, of South-
well, Esq.
Oxfordshire—John Sidney North, of Wroxton Abbey,
Esq.
Ratlandshire—Henry Bennet Pierrepont, of Ryhall, Esq.
Shropshire—St. John Chiverton Charlton, of Apley
Castle, Esq.
Somersetshire—John Lee Lee, of Dillington House, Esq.
Staffordshire—Charles Smith Forster, of Hamstead
Hall, Esq.
County of Southampton—Sir Richard Goden Simeon, of
Swainstone, Isle of Wight. Bart,

Suff,lk—lienry Wilson, of Stowlangtoft, Esq.
Surrey—Richard Fuller, of the Rookery, Dorking, Esq.
Sussex—James Baril Daubuz, of Offington, Esq.
Warwickshire—James Roberts West, of Alscote, Eeq.
Wiltshire—Wade Browne, of Monkton Farleigh, Esq.
Worcestershire—Thos. Simcox Lea, of Astley Hall, Esq.
Yorkshire—Sir William Bryan Cooke, of Wheatley,
Bart. WALES.

Anglesey—Robert Jones Hughes, of Plas Llangoed, Esq.
Brecknockshire—Win. Williams, of Aberpergwm, Esq.
Carnarvonshire—Postponed.
Carmarthenshire—David Jones, of Glanbrane Park,
Llandovery, Esq.
Cardiganshire—John Lloyd Davies, of Alltyrodyn, Esq.
Denbighshire—Charles Wynn, of Garthmeile, near
Cerrig-y-drindion, Esq.
Flintshire—Ralph Richardson, of Greenfield Hall, Esq.
Glamorganshire—Robert Savours. of Trecastle, Esq.
Merionethshire—Richd. Watkin Price, of Rhiwlas, Esq.
Montgomeryshire—John Winder Lyon Winder, of
Vaynor I'ark, Evq.
Pembrokeshire —Abel Lewis Gower, of Castlemal-
gwynne, Esq.
Radnorshire—James Davies, of Colva, Esq.
DIVIDENDS DECLARED.

D. Pope—first div. of 2s. in the pound, on Saturday,
Feb. 8, and any subsequent Saturday, at the office of Mr.
Edwards, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry.
T. Brand—first div. of 3d. in the pound, on Satur-
day, Feb. 8, and any subsequent Saturday, at the office
of Mr. Edwards, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry.
J. Crambrook—first div. of 43. 4d. in the pound, on
Saturday, Feb. 8, and auy subsequent Saturday, at the
office of Mr. Edwards, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry.
DIVIDENDS.

At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall-street.
J. Bull, W. Banks, and G. Bryson, wholesale linen
drapers, King-street, Cheapside, Feb. 25, at eleven—J.
Bail, cabinet maker, Salisbury, Feb. 27, at twelve—Js.
Simmons, Jn. Simmons, and J. Pine, manufacturers of
prussiate of potash, Battersea, Feb. 27, at eleven—W.
Pearson, draper, Chelmsford, Feb. 27, at eleven—
R. H. C. Hunt and E. 0. Smith, merchants, Old Broad-
street, Feb. 27, at one—S. Jones, jeweller, Cheapside,
Feb. 25, at half-past one—G. Ridley, wine merchant,
Gould square, Feb. 25, at half-past eleven—P. Williams
and C. Mottram, Manchester warehousemen, Wood-
street, Feb. 5, at two—D. Roderick, victualler, St. Mar-
tin's-court, Feb. 25, at two—T. Pearson, wine merchant,
Mitre-court, Fenchurch-street, Feb. 25, at half-past one
—T. Ginger, innkeeper, Leighton Buzzard ,Bedfordthire,

Feb. 25, at half-past twelve—T. Reynolds, jun., mer-
chant, Great St. Helen's, Bishopsgate-street, Feb. 26, at
eleven. In the Country.
T. Mease, flax spinner, Stokesley, Yorkshire, Feb. 28,
at eleven, at the Leeds District Court—T. Lakin,
builder, Nottingham, Feb. 27, at twelve, at the Birming-
ham District Court—T. Walker, brewer, Leeds, March
6, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court—R. Alsop,
grocer, Manchester, Feb. 26, at twelve, at the Man-
chester District Court—J. and D. Arthur, iron masters,
Neath, Glamorganshire, Feb. 26, at half-past eleven, at
the Bristol District Court—W. Oliver, printer, Darling-
ton, Durham, Feb. 27, at half-past twelve, at the New-
castle-upon-Tyne District Court—R. Currie, bookseller,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Feb. 27, at eleven, at the New-
castle-upon-Tyne District Court—J. Pym, jun., cabinet
maker, Belper, Derbyshire, Feb. 25, at half-past eleven,
at the Birmingham District Court—W. Fletcher, oilman,
Birmingham, Feb. 25, at half past one, at the Birming-
ham District Court.
CERTIFICATES to be granted, unless cause be shown
to the contrary, on the day herein-mentioned.
L. Watson, smith, Rickmansworth, Herefordshire,
Feb. 25—J. Hook, contractor, Nine-elms, Feb. 27—T.
Boulter, innkeeper, Cromer, Norfolk, Feb. 28—E. Ash-
well, butcher, North Wa'sham, Norfolk, Feb. 25—A.
Noggins, merchant, Apollo-buildings, Walworth, Feb.
28—J. Vaile, wine merchant, Cheltenham, Feb. 25—C.
Bones, shoemaker, Bath, Fob. 28—W. Oliver, printer,
Darlington, Durham, Feb. 27—T. Hodgson, calico
printer, Manchester, Feb. 27—T. W. Butterworth, draper,
Hulme, Lancashire, Feb. 25—J. G. West, grocer, Wands-
worth, Feb. 25—W. Smith, builder, Glowester-street,
Hoxton, Feb. 25—R. Parkinson, cloth manufacturer,
Calverley, Yorkshire, Feb. 25-11. Walker, cordwainer,
Luton, Bedfordshire, Feb. 25—G. F. Davidson, mer-
chant, John-street, Adelphi. Feb. 25.

PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
J. Lowry and J. Willson, coal merchants, Hull--W.
Hannen and J. Rutter, attorneys-at-law, Shaftesbury,
Dorsetshire—W. Westbury and G. Simmons, litho-
graphic printers. Walbrook—J. Reid and J. Glazier,
undertakers, Goodge-street, Tottenham-court-road—11.
Stuart and T. Russell, watch manufacturers, Liverpool--
R. and W. Wilding, cotton manufacturers, Padiham,
Lancashire—M. Blyth and S. 31ilbourn, paper makers,
Taverhatn-mills, Norfolk—W. Holt and G. Ingram,
drapers, Hull—H. R. Morley and H. Hall, merchants,
Hull—C. Law and J. M. Cobb, wine merchants, Margate
—J. and W. Hind, farmers, Erith, Kent—S. and M.
ilinde, plumbers, Bedford—J. Southan, C. Timms, and
W. Davis, drapers, Worcester—T. O'Rorke and W.
Birks, commission agents, Manchester—G. Brown and I.
Best, common carriers, Pickering—J. Robin, sen ,C.
Robin, and J. Robin, jun., merchants, Liverpool (so far
as regards C. Robin)—R. and J. Burt, linen drapers,
Kingsbridge, Devonshire—G. Kelk and J. Brookes,
furnishing ironmongers, Old Compton-street, Soho—W.
' Newman and S. Loft, flour dealers, Louth, Lincolnshire
—W. and J. Barr, builders, Nassau-street, Marylebone
—T. Peace and A. Webster, coal merchants, Penistone,
Yorkshire—J. L. Findley, jun., and H. M. Naylor,
general dealers, Birmingham—T. Price, T. Backhouse,
J. Meek, and J. Spence, glass manufacturers, York—L.
Redhead and F. T. B. A. Spiers, ship brokers, Mark-
lane—J. Belliss and T. Giles, linen drapers, Birmingham
—J. Barugh, M. Wingrave, and W. B. Sunley, store
shippers, Ratcliffe-highway—G. Townson, T. Robinson,
and J. Haworth, drysalters, Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire—.
Scott and Co., beer brewers, Plymouth.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
Charles Durie, merchant, Arbroath,Feb.ll and March
3, at twelve, at Bruce's Hotel, Arbroath.
Allan M‘Naughton, ship broker, Leith, Feb. 11 and
March 4, at two, at the New Ship Hotel, Leith.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.
PIRATES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
Advices were received at Lloyd's, yesterday, from
their agents at Gibraltar and Patras, reporting the pre-
sence of pirates in the above sea.
The agent at the former port states that the Spanish
brig Sopresa, bound from Cadiz to La Guayra, had re-
turned to Cadiz, the captain reporting that when he had
proceeded as far as Cape St. Vincent, three piratical
vessels, a barque, brig, and schooner, hove in sight, and
the brig gave chase to him, but he managed, after being
chased for some days, to re anchor in Cadiz bay. The
agent at Patras reports that an lonian vessel, with 2,000
dollars on board, on her way to the Gulf of Corinth, t 3
load currants for a British merchant, anchored in a creek
through stress of weather, where she was waylaid by a
pirate and attacked, but the crew repulsed them, the
clerk in charge of the money was, however, seriously
wounded. On the above news reaching Gibraltar, her
Majesty's ship Scout, the Swedish corvette Carlskrona,
and the Danish brig of war Mercurius, all proceeded to
sea to cruise in the above neighbourhood. In the mean-
time it will be well if all merchant vessels bound up the
Mediterranean be provided with arms and ammunition
in case they should fall in with them.

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY,

The seventeenth half-yearly meeting of this Company
was held yesterday at the London Tavern. Mr. Boum-
quet, Chairman of the Directors, in the Chair.
The common, seal of the Company having been at-
tached to the register by the Proprietors,
The CHAIRMAN briefly opened the business of the day
by observing that there was every prospect of success at-
tending the proposed extension of this Company before
the Board of Trade, inasmuch as the principle upon
which that Board had acted was conservative of existing
interests.

Mr. DUNCAN, the law clerk of the Company, then read
lie following Report of the Directors.

" The Directors have co recently met the Proprietors at a
Special General ➢leeting to report to them the various mea-
sures proposed for the branch and extension lines of the
Company, that they deem it unnecessary again to enterupon
the subject until the decision of the Board of Trade upon the
whole of the schemes connected with this railway shall have
been announced.

" The accounts of the expenditure on capital account are
appended to this report. The accounts for the past half year,
connected with the traffic, are also annexed, and they show a
net profit of 15,495/. The Directors have, therefore, declared
a dividend for the quarter, after the rate of 21. 14s. per cent.
per annum upon the consolidated stock of the Company.
" The intended opening of the fifty additional miles of rail-
way between Newport, Cambridge, Ely, and Brandon, on the
Ist July next, has rendered an immediate and considerable
increase necessary to the engines, carriages, and other carry-
ing stock of the Company, in order to meet the additional
traffic upon this important extension of the line. The orders
for that Stock have been given.
" The declaration of forfeiture by the Directors of several
of the original shares of the Company has to be confirmed by
the present meeting.
" Since the last special general meeting, the resignation of
Theodore W. Rathbone, Esq., the Deputy Chairman of the
Company, from the Direction, been received. The great
experience of Mr. Rathbone in all matters connected with
railways has caused his long connexion with this railway to
be essentially serviceable to the interests of the undertaking;
and he retires, accompanied by the sincere esteem and regret
whomothe
vhaeeelin7ysoinlotnhge
election of Francis Valen-
one
tine Lee, Esq.
t Theeo
cf De his
ei
iseecnt oe dr colleagues
ayth sewn pi tphl i ed
hus
" At the present meeting four Directors retire by rotation,
laboured.
e directionler every
viz. :—Henry Bosanquet, Cornelius Butler, Joseph Chris-
topher Ewart, and William Collings Wells, Esqrs.,—all of
whom are eligible for re-election, in terms of the Company's
Act of Parliament."

A statement of the accounts was then read, from
which it appeared that the capital account amounted to
2,906,7801. 2s. 10d. On the extension lines the amount
expended to the 4th of January, 1845, was 11,4541. 6s. 3d.
The interest on loans account amounted to 79,4181.

14s. 10d. The traffic account on the Colchester line
showed a balance in favour of the Company of 22,8171.
2s. sd. The traffic account of the Cambridge line ex-
hibited a balance of 6,357/. Is. 6d. The gross amount
on each side of the traffic account of the Colchester line
was 68,6681.75. 3d., and of the traffic account of the
Cambridge line 47,161/. 15s. 7d. The depreciation fund
to the 4th January. 1845, was 6,3451. Is. 5d., leaving a
devisable fund of 15,495/. 2s. 6d. for one quarter's divi-
dend to the 4th January, 1845, equal to 2s. per share
on the capital stock, at the average value of 141. 16s.
per share.

- Mr. DUNCAN then read a report from Mr. Robert
Stephenson, the engineer, from which it appeared that
the works on the extension lines were proceeding in a
most satisfactory manner, and it concluded by stating
that the whole of these lines would be open by the end
of the next July. This announcement was received
with much applause.
The CHAIRMAN then moved that the report be received
and adopted, and circulated amongst the Proprietors.
Mr. KETTERING seconded the motion.
Mr. SCOTT then at some length complained of the
great increase in the capital account. That account had
originally been little more than 2,000,0001., and it was
now nearly 3,000,000/. He thought there must be some
mismanagement somewhere. He complained, too, of
the number of Liverpool gentlemen who were in the
direction.

The CHAIRMAN replied that the most efficient aid had
been received from those gentlemen. With respect to
the capital account, he could only say that if the Hon.
Gentleman had been present at the last nine or ten
meetings, he would then have heard how it was that the
capital account had lately been so much increased.
The motion for the adoption of the report was then
put, and carried unanimously.
Mr. TITE said, that as the directors had as yet re-
ceived no remuneration for their valuable services, he
would move that a sum of 4,0002 be given to them for
their past services, and that a sum of I,BOOL be granted
to them annually.
Mr. BURT seconded the motion.

Mr. LA MERT thought it would be better to defer this
motion to the next meeting, and moved an amendment
to that effect.

Some discussion then took place, but the amendment
was ultimately withdrawn, and the original motion was
then carried amidst great applause.
Thanks to the Chairman were then voted, and the
meeting separated.

THE UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE FOR FEBRUARY.
_ _ _

—Marshal Marmont, Duke of Ragusa, one Oitie-inost
distinguished of Napoleon's celebrated commanders, has
written an essay on " The Spirit of Military Institu-
tions," which has attracted great attention on the Con-
tinent, and can scarcely fail of being regarded_ liai
nth
mu"
least equal interest in this country—it being the result,
as the author declares, of the recollection of twenty
campaigns, and more than half a century of experience.
well-executed
Every officer in the British army should aaatnmodnocne_g amongst
t Mainte-
nance wwhihrlilesehenlfi
atb ilse impossibleacquaintedh i m tow gi with
ent
could
ai
oe
uki
idndeo ideas
acquire
nud::_trheeo,trisonnafe veteran,atchnciayss .oaptlrhroyeaf
rse
.swtshaiaoelylynd
The Marshal has written different chapters, on Defini-
found in The
greatest
translationi
rr o
ee
as i s
t_ e—
writes
soo
tG f
in
nr eeAanctoreohmrfn
recommendations
spiritehPo Armies—On
_rsnr
oi
gdnvfoaacanitnli piutmosllaeanpnbstsaf-11
Infantry—and
Sri
t,:hrt
,lryiaFst—rytkoe
essay.
which
hi l i l
c h
bAei s
United Service Magazine for obruary.

IRELAND.
DUBLIN, FEB. 4.—The following pastoral letter of
the Catholic Archbishop of Cashel relates to the present
crisis in the affairs of the Irish Catholic Church. It is
conceived in a mild and Christian spirit, and maintains,
with rather strong party feeling, that the hierarchy shall
be independent and tho priesthood free:—
" TO THE CATHOLIC CLERGY OF CASHEL

AND EMLY.

" Dearly beloved Brethren,—ln times like the presem
when every eye is fixed upon us, and when every word
and action of ours is rigidly and jealously scrutinized,
the advice of St. Paul to the Christians of Ephesus ap-
pears to be peculiarly applicable in our regard ; adopt-
ing, then, the sentiments of that great apostle, I may
say to you with him, see, brethren, that you walk with
circumspection, not as unwise, for the days are evil, but
as wise, understanding the will of God.
" You, my dear brethren, are the coadjutors and co-
operators of our ministry, with whom we have shared the
duty of feeding the flock which the Holy Ghost has com-
mitted to our care. We exhort you, then, that in all
things you show yeurselves to be faithful ministers of
the Lord, and that, guided by the paternal counsel
which, in the name of the common father of the faithful,
has been lately addressed to us all, you exhibit on
your parts a signal prudence and moderation of spirit,
and most cautiously avoid everything that could exas-
perate or inflame—that you carefully cherish amongst
the people quiet, tranquillity, and peace, which is the
bond of Christianity, and constantly teach them by
example and precept a due submission to the temporal
power in those matters which appertain to civil affairs.'
" In compliance, my dear brethren, with the spirit of
this wise admonition, endeavour to promote a love of
peace and social order amongst the flocks committed to
your care ; exhort them, as you have always done, to
be peaceable and well conducted, and not to be tempted
to violate the kw or to commit any crime, for the person
who commits a crime strengthens the hands of his
enemies, and is an enemy to himself, au enemy to his
country and to his God. In a word, teach him to fear
God, to honour the Queen who reigns over us, and to be
obedient to her laws.
" God, who created man, is the author of society, and
of that obedience which is its fundamental law. Those
who occupy his place in the State, from whatever source
their authority is immediately derived, hold it at least
remotely from him, according to the clear doctrine of St.
Paul, who expressly teaches in his epistle to the Romans,
that there is no power but from God.'*
" The same apostle also teaches that we are to give
tribute to whom tribute, honour as well as obedience to
whom honour is due ; this obligation thus unfolded by
the apostle has been comprised in a single sentence by
our blessed Lord, saying, render therefore to Caesar
the things that are Caosar's, and to God the things that
are God's.'t
" You will, therefore, earnestly exhort your people to
show a faithful and ready obedience to the law, and you
will more esp3cially recommend to them a cordial attach-
ment to the person of our gracious Sovereign who occu-
pies at present the throne of these realms. Fidelity to
their kings has always been the characteristic of Irish-
men, and has descended to them as a sacred inheritance
from their fathers. Cultivate and cherish, then, amongst
your flocks those sentiments of loyalty which their re-
ligion, their interests, and their inclination enjoin.
"But on this subject, my dear brethren, we have also
another duty to discharge, for, in virtue of our ministry,
we are di btors to all—to the great as well as to the
humble, and to the governors as well as to the governed.
If, on the one hand, we are bound to tell the people, in
the words of St. Paul, that every soul be subject to the
higher powers,4 sad that they should obey, ' for con-
science sake,' the rulers whom Providence has placed
over them; on the other hand, we should tell those rulers
themselves, that they, too, have duties to fulfil as well
as rights to maintain ; that allegiance and protection
are correlative obligations, and that if their subjects
are bound to yield obedience unto them, they are
also bound to secure to their subjects the free and legiti-
mate exercise of their constitutional rights, and to govern
them by just and equal laws. The principles of civil
government here laid down are clear and undeniable, for
they are the principles of the free constitution under
which we live, as well as of the great social compact by
which both princes and people are equally bound.
" You are well aware, my dear brethren, from sad
experience, that the social cond►tion of these countries is
grievously deranged, whence the great body of our people
have many grievances to complain of, and many priva-
tions to endure. To you they will naturally utter their
complaints, and from you they will expect consolation
and advice ; for in you they repose an unlimited confi-
dence, and you are, therefore, the depositaries of all their
sufferings, their wants, and their woes. They richly
merit your tenderest sympathy, and if vou refused it
to them you should cease to be men. Like true pastors,
therefore, you will sympathise with your flocks in the
various trials and afflictions they have to undergo ; but
at the same time you will exhort them to submit with
Christian patience and resignation to those temporal
evils which an all-wise Providence oftentimes permits to
befal them.
" And this, my dear brethren, is peculiarly incumber.t
on you at present, for designing persons have insidiously
endeavoured to excite suspicions and jealousies in the
minds of our people, by representing the authorities of
our Church as opposed even to a calm and temperate ex-
pression of opinion upon the grievances under which
they labour, and as hostile to the extension of their civil
rights. It is our duty to refute this calumny, and thus
to quiet the fears and relieve the anxiety of the public
mind.

" What ! the Catholic Church an enemy to the wel-
fare and to the liberties of her children ? Unjust and
unfounded imputation !
" Let us look back for a moment at the history of the
middle ages, those ages of faith, when the influence and
power of the Church were greatest, and let us inquire how
was its influence used, and how was its power exercised ?
Was it not in the protection of the oppress•?d against
their oppressors, and was not the Church in those days
the strongest, nay the only remaining bulwark of the
few and inconsiderable privileges which, under the feudal
system, the people were permitted to enjoy ?
" Yes, and so strongly was this conviction impressed
upon the minds of the people themselves, that in all their
struggles for freedom, they contended as strenuously for
the immunities of the Church as they did for their civil
rights, because they knew from experience that in pro-
portion as their rulers were successful in encroaching on
the freedom of the Church, the salutary ir.fluences of
religion were weakened, and the liberties of the people
were stricken down.
" The history of these countries furnishes a memo-
rable instance in point, for when the Catholic Barons of
England, with Archbishop Langton at their head, ex-
torted from John the great charter of British freedom,
they took special care, in the very first article of Magna
Charta, to secure the liberties of the Church, and to pro-
vide that the election of bishops should be free.
" Such, my dear brethren, has invariably been the
character of the relations subsisting between the Catholic
Church and the people ; but in Ireland these relations
are of a still more peculiar and interesting kind. For the
Catholic clergy and people of Ireland have always been
remarkable for their cordial and devoted attachment to
one another—an attachment founded on the purest feel-
ings of religious affection, and strengthened by a com-
munity of suffering during centuries of woe. In the
very worst of times, and amidst all the vicissitudes of
civil and religious persecution, they adhered to each
other with unexampled fidelity ; and though they lost
their liberties, they preserved their religion inviolate,
and their hierarchy still subsists unbroken► and inde-
pendent, the only remaining monument of their national
grandeur.

" It is true, my dear brethren, that we have lived to
see ;better times ; the sword of persecution has been
sheathed, and the Penal Code has been repealed—
thanks unto Providence, and thanks also to him whom
Providence has raised up to loosen our chains and
liberate us from bondage !
" But although brighter days have arisen upon us, we
have a duty, an important duty, to discharge. We are
bound to guard with a watchful eye and a jealous care
the freedom of our Church as well as the purity of our
faith. This, I repeat it, is the duty, the bounden duty
of all, the duty of every Catholic who loves his religion
and his native land ; and it may not be amiss to add,
that this is the determined and unanimous feeling of that
venerable body to which we have the honour to belong.
" Our enemies may accuse us, if they please, with
seeking to establish the ascendancy of our Church ; but
to their groundless calumny the only reply we conde-
scend to offer is that the accusation is untrue. we seek
not for the ascendancy of our Church, but we seek to
preserve its independence, and, with the Divine assist-
ance, that independence we will inviolably maintain.
Yet, as far, at all events, as we are concerned, our
hierarchy shall be independent, and our priesthood shall
be free. The strong hand of power might fetter us with
chains of iron, but by golden manacles we never shall be
bound ; and no gift that royal or ministerial bounty can
bestow shall ever purchase that independence which nei-
ther proscription, nor exile, nor death itself, could de-
stroy. In weal or in woe, to our people we will cling ;
on their generous feelings we will throw ourselves for '
support, and will that people cast us away ? Oh forbid
it heaven that an event so disastrous should occur ! May
the bonds of affection which unite the Catholic people of
Ireland to their elergy never be broken ; and may the
sacred union that exists between them never be dissolved.

" There is one subject more—namely, the Catholic
Bequests Bill, to which, on an occasion like the present,
we think ourselves called to allude. In our joint peti-
tion to Parliament, my dear brethren, we have already
recorded our opinions in opposition to that measure, and
to these opinions we unalterably adhere. But in the
discussions regarding it that may and that will arise,
let your influence be used to moderate the violent, and
to deprecate anything like disrespect towards those of
our brethren in the iniaistry whose opinions on that
question may differ from ours. Let it be remembered
that they are the anointed of the Lord, that they are
the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mys..
Levies of God. Let, therefore, all unseemly language 'to.
wards them be avoided, for this could only tend to wound
charity, to injure religion, and to gratify
dearratify brethren,theenemies
willof
our holy faith. You yourselves, my
give to your respective flocks an example of moderation
in this respect ; and we will not do them the injustice
to suppose that they would be wanting in that respect
priesthood
for the character and the persons of their
which has always Pre-eminently distinguished the Ca: tholic people of this land.
"In conclusion, dearly belovedl brethren, may our
blessing and the blessing of I
eaven be upon you and
upon the flocks that are
committed to your care, and may
the peace of God, which
surpasseth all understanding,
keep your heartsa
lippians, iv. ch., v. 7.lad minds in Christ Jesus.'—Phi.

" k M. SLATERY, A
" Thurles, Feast of St. Frances of Sales."rchbishop.
The Catholic Bishop of aisory has also published a
pastoral address or great length, in which he objects
strongly to any connexion between Church and State.
At a meeting' of the Repeal Association on the .9,d, she
following resolutions were put and adopted=--
a That however desirable it maY be that a discussion