The Sun.
London, England, 1845-04-03 00:00:00

SHRE WSBUR OLVEI HAm
TON, AND BIC.:'INGIIAM
A meeting of tee r.shareheLie rs et* this Cempse) e
ns
held ye4torday in the London Coffee-house, Led, ute
hill, fur the pill pst! of tatting into consideration the re-
port i,f 't the e:,,noniti. e ,:t I..qee;ry," aii,i
,o) cow:, to
a deci-ion therain. Toe Foceedi, es e-er: tixe,; to take
place at eleven Ali, but tor s.iine time boort: :list
hour a considerable number of p, aeons had assemb., e•e; in!
the room. For a shorttileebefore the chair was taken,.. and
for a long time afterwards, a gr, at de at of c, pi-
vailed at the eat ranee-dour of the room, owing. to i.elr
fact of the party eettuste,t with the power of tea ite;
eligibility of -rho-.e who pre-ented tteenite s tor
adinissii,n as Sharetiold, re having been do d
not upon any pr. lA-bet. .hatever, to acmit
any one (reporters exc pad), who had nut asoup
about him and produc• d it. '1 he consequ, ace was that
several individuals applied for adinissien who had no
anch document to produce, not having been aware that
such would be necessary. and were te,uaed admission,
and retired at once—others, apprehending some
mistake, remonstrated ; but on, er two more
in
resolute than the rest, resolved that they
would go, and thence followed a trial of
physical strength between the applicant and the. door
keeper, the one pushing, pummelling, awl vociferating,
the other holding in his iron grasp, round the waist, the
what he conceived to b • the would-be intruder. Amid
the din and confusion that such a scene creased,Mr. Atspitews was yelled to the chair, upon taking
which he said—Gentlemen, this tweeting of the scrip-
holders of the • Shrewsbury and Na olv! alia,9ten—
(Laughter, and cri, aof Scrip-holders, inched, and
great confusion.) I pretaicne that the gentlemen who
have called it are here, and will say why it has been
called ; but I cannot be exp,cted to go into the---(Con-
fusion at the door.)
A GENTLEMAN here stated that he should have been
refused admittance if he had nut happened by mere
chance to have had a scrip about i,im ; but his brother-
in-law, who was also a large shareholder, was now at the
door, but could not be admitted without the scrip, not
having brought it ; if he had had any intimition that
such was necessary, he iveuld have done so, but he had
not.
Here the confusion became worse confounded. Several
persons, taking advantage of the manner in which the
door-keeper was engaged with one or two in a trial of
personal strength, slipped in very quietly; and no sooner
had they done so than they broadly stated that such
was the means by which they had gained admittance,
declaring at the same time that they were large
shareholders, but had not brought a scrip. This
was followed by loud appeals to the chair
for order, silence, and business, which, of course,
had only the effect of producing anything rather than
either order or silence. One individual cried out that
an attempt was being made to swamp the meet-
ing by trying to enforce the admittance of those
who could not show their right to be present, while
others called " the whole thing a mere farce." After the
lapse of nearly an hour, which was consumed in this ir-
regular and noisy procedure,
The CHAIRMAN read the report, which was of
considerable length, and which slated, amongst many
other change s, that 67, out of the 91 members who
composed the board of management, held no shares
whatever in the Company.
Having concluded reading the repert, an indi-
vidual, who said his name was ENGLAND, and thst
he was a large shareholder, after denouncing the
practice of excluding others because they had not
their scrip about them, said he had attended here
as an utter stranger, who looked not to the right
or left, and had no concern whatever in steck -jobbing,
but had come here for the purpose of ascertaining the
actual position of the affairs of the Company. He
would call upon the meeting to pause and consode r well
before they adopted such a report as that ju-t read by
the chairman. lie had heard of names having been
forged to certain documents ; and if such were the tact,
he would tell the meeting they should not throw stones
from a house of glass.—(Cries of " Hear," and " No,
no."). He had heard something said about the Grand
Junction line ; but he would ask, was this Cempany
to succumb to the wishes of that ?—(Cries of " Hear,
hear.") He could pledge his honour that he never
had had any communication with the Committee upon
this subject; but he would now put a question to the
chairman, and upon the answer he should receive would
depend the manner in which he should vote. Ile would
wish to know from the chairman whether he, or any of
the other four whose names he had seen appended to
certain resolutions, were shareholders in the Grand
Junction Railway ?
The CHAIRMAN said he could, without hesitation, de-
clare that he was not, either directly or indirectly, con
nected with the Company.
Several other persons made the same declaration on
behalf of the other parties.
Mr. MILLER. conceived that Mr. England was not
speaking to the question.—(Clamour.)
The CHAIRMAN said his opinion was that this was a
bond fide meeting.—(llear, hear, and confusion.)
Mr. ENGLAND, amid great confusion, said—Well, I'll
bring the matter to a conclusion at once ; I propose
that this meeting do adjourn till this day six months.—
(Loud shouts of " Hear, hear," " No, no," and clamour.)
Mr. CHADWICR said he would speak to the resolution.
He was a practical man, and knew all the particulars
Connected with this transaction. He felt satisfied that
if there was &feeling in a certain quarter in favour of
the Shrewsbury line, the Shropshire men would be in
favour of it also. However, be was perfectly prepared
to say that it was impossible that the Bill for this line
could be passed this session, for the standing
orders had not been complied with, and there-
fore it would be a complete delusion to bring the Bill
now before the House. In fact, it appeared to him that
the intention of the Committee of Management was to
have the line re-surveyed.
Mr. W. B. Coeeerr, M.P., said he had not attended
there as the deputy either of the Committee or Direc-
tors, or at the suggestion of any personwhatever ; he
merely attended of his own accord, in order to hear
what was to be said, and to explain any circumstance
that might require explanation, if in his power to do so,
in connexion with the Committee. He knew the sin-
cerity of his own views and objeets, and therefore had
no reason to fear the fullest discussion. He had
been a very active member of the Committee, and had
been, until a very late period, under the impression that
this Company were to have been joined by the Grand
Junction Company, and it was much to his astonish-
ment he had heard that that Company had withdrawn
from this.—(Cries of " Shame, shame.") He had
heard that complaints were made by parties
calling at the Secretary's office, and not being
able to get satisfactory answers to certain questions
touching the state of the affairs of the Company ; but
he could say that while he felt assured that there was no
disposition to withhold any such information, yet ho.v
was the Secretary to give answers without knowing the
applicants ? With respect to the Committee not,
being shareholders,
he begged to say he conceived that
to be a recommendation in their favour, because then it
could riot be said that they, some of them being ::,eem-
bers of Parliament, had hail an) interest in the line which
they should recommend for adoption or reusal.--
(Hear, hear.) With regard to the affairs of the
Company having been mismanaged, tie, had been
said, all he could say was that he hew held 300 :hares ;
and surely, if the Secretary said that a large per
tentage could now be had upon those shares, it would
hardly admit that it was a fact that the affairs 0; the Com-
pany had been mismanaged. With respect to the alleg,tion
that the funds had been squandered, in reply to tout he
begged to say it was welt known that Leo-thirds of the
money had been paid into the Exchequer, which had
not since been touched, and only about one-seventh of
the remainder. had been expended in the necessary out-
lay. The Billitself was net more detective than
the generality of such Bills, for it was im-
possible to have the standing orders complied
with ; but if errors had been committed, it was
owing to the hurried manner iu which the Bill had been
got up ; but it was thought better to take chance with
It; and he would therefore suggest that the meet-
ing should await the result of Mr. Gore's motion.
Ile also begged to assure the meeting that he
had nut the least doubt but that every la,ndo weer
along the line wonld assent to its being made.—(hear.
hear.) The Hon. Gentleman having spike at considerable
length, and denied that it was the intention to have
the line " re-surveyed," as had been stated, con
eluded ; and then ensued a scene of clamour
and confusion still greater than that which preceded
his speech. Seven or eight persons essayed to speak at
the. same moment, some asking questions of those eppo
site, others calling out " Mr. Chairman," who appeared
to be most heartily regretting that he had given him-
self.. a, claim to that title, while shouts of " chair,
" order, order," and " hear, hear," arose in
deafening rapidity from all parts of the room. Amid
the din,

STRANGE STORY.
We find in the :few Bedford litereuru (American
paper) a long and minuv account of a mutiny which oc-
curred on board the whaling ship Sharon, in Nov., 1842,
and of the manner in which the ship was retaken from
the mutineer!, by a single ly,rson, Mr. Clough, the third
mate. Tin, Sharon, after a cruise new the C,roline ishinbc,
pri,ur.ll supplies at Ascension, and was preparing
for the voyage, when eleven of her crew deserted, and
were eot reoa'ken. Sl;e shipped a new crew of 17, in-
cluding six natives of the is:ands, On Sunday, Novem-
-19.-T 6. in latitude 2 degrees 20 seconds north, longitude
162 d,grees east, both heats were lowered in cha-e of
v‘hales ; Captain Norris, a Portuguese boy who acted as
stew aid, and three of the natives being left on board.
'l he • boats soon captured a whale, which the
ship took alongside, and the boats went in pur-
suit of another. At 3 o'clock p.m. the boat
of Mr. Smith, the mate, being about a mile
and a half from the ship perceived a signal fly-
hg, and pulled ton arch her. On coming within hailing
distance, they were told by the boy, who was aloft, that
the natives had killed Captain Norris, and were in posses-
sion of the ship. Just then, one of the natives, entirely
naked, leaped upon the taffrail, and, brandishing a s;,ear,
dared the ci ew to come on board. An armed native stood
guard at, each side, and hammers, belaying pins, and other
missiles had been collected for th-ir use, and were burled
furiously at the boat, though without much injury.
The mate then waive" for the other boat, and con-
sulted as to the best n.ethod of retaking the ship.
It was proposed that the boats shouk advance and
board her, one upon each side, at the same time ;
but Mr. Smith, the mate, who had become master
by the captain's death, proposed that both crews
should make the attack with one boat, and leave him

iu the other. This proposal was received with no
favour, the men declaring they would sooner start for
the nearest lard and risk the chance of escape. Mr.
Clough, who acted as Mr. Smith's steersman, had
several times darted his lance at the savage on the

tuffrail ; but the distance was too great and he re-
quested to be rowed nearer ; but Mr. Smith thought
the danger too great and refused to approach the
ship. Mr. Clough proposed several other devices,
but, in default of aid fr.m other,, resolved to re-

take the ship himself. He accordingly, after dark,
was taken by the boat ahead of the ship at some distance
to avoid exciting suspicion, and taking a knife in his
teeth to defend himself from sharks, which had been
attracts d by the whale, swam to the ship, after a hard
struggle of an hour and a half, during which two
sharks kept him company, but did not offer to molest
him. Having reached the ship he dived under, seized
the rudder at the heel, and climbed to the star-
board cabin-window, through which he made his
entry. Laying aside his clothes, and ascertaining that
no suspicion existed of his being on board, he groped
ab. ut for arms, and found two cutlasses and two
muskets, which he loaded. While loading on*
he heard some one descending the stairs. Running
thither he grasped a cutlass, and a struggle en-
sued. Mr. Clough succeeded in throwing his an-
tagonist, thrust out one of his eyes, and left
him for- dead, having been severely wounded himself
iu the contest. No sooner had he left his supposed
victim, than he got up and firrioush renewed the at-
tack, but finally fell d, .wn from 1, ss of blood. Mr. Clough,
going again to the gangway, saw another person with a
cutting spade : he shot him from below, through she heart,
but just as he fired the spade was thrown at him, and dis-
abltd his left arra. A third person camp to the ganrway,
with another spade, but soon went forward. Mr. Clough
then hailed the boat,, which were very near, told them
he had killed two of the mutineers, and was himself
dangerously wounded, and urged them to come at once
on hoard. They refused, as they had heard but one dis-
charge, fearing only one had been killed, and they did
not think it sate. After about bali. an hour, hearing no
noise, they carne aboard, struck a light, and went into
the cabin. The man with whom Mr. Clough had first con-
tended was found on the transom, his eye hanging on his
check, and his body covered with gore. He did not move,
but merely groaned, whereupon Mr. Smith the mate, fired
a musket at him, and one of his men thrust him through with
a nutting spade; he was thrown into the sea. The deck was
track. d with clotted blood ; the headless body of Captain
Norris was found, with that of one of his murderers.
The other mutineer jumped overboard, but returned, sur-
rendered, and was taken to Sydney. The Sharon com-
pleted her voyage under Mr. Smith, Mr. Clough act-
ing as second mate. This is an extraordinary nar-
' rative, and in some of its details almost in-
credible. If it be entirely true it is difficult to tell
whether most to admire the heroism and daring of Mr.
Clough, or to despise the cowardice of Mr. Smith and the
crew. The Mercury says that the owners of the Sharon
have given Mr. Clough the command of a fine ship,
which, if the narrative be true, he has well deserved. We
believe the fact of this mutiny was reported some months
ago, though its details have never before been so fully
stated.

Mr. aHADWICK was heard loudly contending that the
Bill could never pass in its present state, owing to the
number of blunders it contained.
Mr. ABRAHAM made a long statenunt in proposing
the first resolution, but it was of a nature so personal to
the parties he had named that we must decline publish-
ing it.

Mr. COLLETT followed in the same strain, making
some assertions, in reference to an individual present, of
a very serious nature, but as they also were personal
and not relevant to the question at issue, it is unneces-
sary to publish them. He concluded, by sugiresting
that he would recommend the Committee of Manage-
ment to call a full and general meeting of the share-
holders after the House of Commons had decided upon
Mr. Gore's motion.
Mr. CHADWICK contended that such a course would
be uiterly useless, fur the Bill contained so many blun-
ders that it could not, by any possibility, be passed.
Then followed another scene of clamour and confusion,
which was raised to a most vociferous pitch, when
The CHAIRMAN called upon the meeting to decide for
or against the adoption (A the report. Those for and those
against it went to either side of the table, and the
Chairman, amidst shouts and cheers, decided thr mlo-
lity in favour of the adoption of the report, which was
followed by renewed cheering.
Mr. ABRAHAM then moved a resolution, which was
seconded by Mr. CHADwlcic, and carried its the
affirmative. It was to the effect, that " from the facts
contained in the report of the Committee oi 100 airy.
the Committee of Management had forfeited the con-
Adence of the shareholders."
Several other resolutions were proposed, and each
ereted a renewed burst of angry and warm discussion,
whicli ended in the adoption of them ; and a vote of
thanks having been passed to the Chairman, the meet-
ing broke up shortly after three o'clock.

50a., and it was this which obliged the overwork of • had had some previous information, which would enab
which they complained. The parents of these children him to answer the questions put by the Hon. Baronet.
were driven by distress to the manufacturing districts, He was also prepared to allow that great excitement did
and their parents thought that it was better to send the prevail in Leicester on this subject. He had had copies
children to work, in order to obtain a subsistence, rather of the petitions sent to him at the Home-office, and on
than suffer them to starve. He (Mr. Hume) thought, as receipt of these, he had thought it his duty to make in-
he had previously said, that it was better not to interfere quirt' into the circumstances of the case. He bad re-
with commerce at all. The Right Hon. Baronet at the ceived a return on the day before yesterday in eaplana-
head of the Home-office had referred to the several ob. Lion, and he (Sir J. Graham) was bound to say that
jections taken to the system upon the continuity of the that explanation was not satisfaetory.—(llear, hear.)
days or the term of day-work which the children were He thought the cominilting magistrates acre wrong in
required to perform. Now, it was well known that the not ?Mowing the parties to appear at the sessions. They
manufacturing industry of the country was supplied by had been summoned to appear betore the judges but they
children from the agricultural class, and he thought that were not allowed to enter the room. They were asked
the protection of these children might well be left to if they brought the money and alien they answered in
the natural affection of the parents, and to the common the negative they were sent to prison. Ile conceived this
feelings of the community ; and he thought if any mea- a gross violation of the liberty of the subject. On the
sure at all were passed, it should be introduced by the non-payment of the rate it was competent to issue a
Government, and be a comprehensive measure, affecting warrant, for not only the amount of the poor-rate but
every portion of the industrial classes—the farming the amount of costs also. In this case a warrant had
children as well as the children in the manufacturing been issued and a return made of nulls bona. It was
districts—and not be of that character of partial legisla- then competent to issue a warrant to attach the person,
den exhibited by the Bill before the House, but the parties ouelit to have been admitted into the
Mr. I'. BORTHWICK said that he rose to eongratie presence of the magistrates befere they were committed
late the Noble Lord on the extent of success that he lied to prison. lle had tilt it his duty in this ease to : dvise
achieved, and the position which he had attainel by his her Majesty to order the immediate liberation of these
laudable efforts. The Hon. Members for Manchester persons from prison, and he only regretted that he had
and Montrose had stated their belief that the protection not been enabled to recommend this course at an earlier
of the children might well be left to the natural affection period.—(llear, hear.)
of the parents, when, by their own showing, the children Mr. T. DI"NCONIBE thanked the Right Hon. Baronet
were already grievously neglected. Ile thought, under in the names of those persons. The parties who repre-
all the circumstances, the Noble Lord had done a isely sented the petitioners had called upon him last week,
in acceding to the proffers of the Right Hon. Baronet and he had recommended them to adopt the course of
the Secretary for the Home Department. bringing the subject before the house. The Right iron.
Mr. T. DUNCOM BE said that, in the present state Baronet (Sir J. Easthope) was out of town, but he (Mr.
of the debate, he might be permitted to allude to a 'eel- Duneombe) assured those persons dint the lion. Baronet
Lion which lie had presented the other night from a very would be very happy to present the petiti, n. He (Mr.
large body of operatives in Lancashire, who complained Duneombe) believed that every circumstance stated in
that they were frequently compelled to work fifteen, that petition was perfectly true. The parties were now
twenty, thirty, and even sometimes forty hours at a time, suffering imprisonment with hard labour, and that. too,
in these print-works. This, of course, included night- after they had been liberated on payment of the original
work. It was right to observe that they did not assent di ht. They were not allowed by the police to enter the
to the principle of the Noble Lord. Their position went magistrates court ; and their committal, under these
farther than the Bill before the house ; for they desired circumstances, he contended was a gross act of illegality
to impose a restriction on machinery, and they thought and oppression. Unfortunately for those parties, the
that if there were an imposition on machinery, there remission promised by the Right Hon. Baronet had
would be no interference with their labour. Ile had come too late, for the terms of their sentences
thought it right to caution them from expecting any expired the day after to- morrow.—(Leughter.)
encouragement, and he was glad to find, from the repre- Were these persons then to have no redress ? \Vas this
sentations of the Noble Lord, that some of the masters unfortunate widow, fifty-eight years of age, who had
had also petitioned for the restriction of the hours of lost her husband by an accident in a coal-mine, who was
labour, and, above all, for the abolition of night-work. only a lodger with her daughter, and who hail been sen.
He had intended to oppose the second reading of the tenced to imprisenment with hard labour—was she, he
Bill, but he must say that the concessions of the Go- asked, to have no redress? He trusted that the Right
vernment, as expressed in the declarations of the Right Hon. Baronet would go further, and advise her Majesty
Hon. Baronet at the head of the Home-office, had placed to strike these magistrates off the commission of the
the matter in a very different position, and he thought peace, thus preventing in future their power to commit
the Noble Lord had exercised a very wise discretion in those gross acts of tyranny and injustice.—(Cheers.)
acceding to the proffers of the Government. Mr. BUCK, as chairman of the Leicester court of
Mr. ESCOTT said that he was entirely opposed to quarter sessions, could not anew the remarks whit h had
the whole principle of this Bill, and he was astonished, just been made upon the conduct of two of his col-
lifter all the previous declarations of the Right Hon. leagues to-Pti-S.S unnoticed. They had, to his own know-
Baroret at the head of the Home-office, to hear him ledge, been in the commission of the peace for a con-
accede to the second reeling of this Bill, until he found siderable time, and it would he extremely harsh to dis-
that the Right Hon. Baronet had accompanied his ac- miss them for this single act of indiscretion. They were
cession with the reservation of striking out, in the Corn- highly respected in Leicester, and he was sure their die-
mittee, all those clauses which might be obnoxious to missal would result in serious inconvenience to that town.
him ; and he (Mr. Escott) felt convinced that the Right He could assure the House that it was quite impossible
Hon. Baronet would take care to make such alterations, those Gentlemen could have been actuated by any cor-
es would make this Bill a very different Bill when it rupt or unworthy motives in dealing with the case then
came out of the House, to what it was when it went under discussion.
into it. The Hon. Members for Manchester and Mon- Mr. HUME was sorry to say anything agairet the
trose had made speeches against the Bill, and yet would character of two individuals of whom he knee, nothing,
not give any decided opposition to it, although they re- excepting. of course this single act ; but he should be ex-
presented large manufacturing districts. He believed ceedingly glad to know if the Right Hon. Baronet agreed
that great mischief had been wrought, within the last with the recommendation of his Hon. Friend the Mem-
few years, by this sort of piecemeal legislation. Many ber for Finsbury. Was there no means by which these
attempts had been made, during thelasttwenty-five years, poor persons could obtain redress ? If there was not, he
to direct the use of labour ; but it was a well-known hoped the Right Hon. Baronet would mark his sense of
circumstance, that not a single Act had passed through this Act, by making an example of the magistrates.
Parliament, which had not proved a grievous wrong, Sir J. Gil AIIAISI said it would be unbecoming in a
. and which did not require another to remedy the evils Minister of the Crown to make any declaration upon
it produced. If they looked only to the measure which the conduct of these magistrates, until they had had
had been passed for the regulation of apprentices, what some opportunity of vindicating their character, or
was the effect of that ? Why, that another Act was making some recompence to the aggrieved parties. He
immediately required to interfere with those who were should take the earliest opportunity of releasing those
not apprentices. And what was the consequence of parties, and for the present it would be most unwise for
that ? Why, that an immense number of women were him to do more.
brought from different parts of the country into the Mr. HUME remarked, that under those circumstances
manufacturing districts. And last year they were the Right Hon. Baronet had done everything he could,
obliged to interfere with the labour of these women. with an alacrity that did him credit.—(Hear.)
The Hon. Member for Montrose had said that they After a few words from Mr. F. FRENCH, which were
should introduce some measure of this character into the not audible in the gallery,
agricultural districts. He would tell the Noble Lord Sir JOHN EASTHOPE rose simply to express his
that he dared not introduce such a measure into the acknowledgments to his Right Hon. Friend for the hand-
agricultural districts.—(" Hear, hear," and a laugh, some manner in which he had met the case, and to iw- -
from Lord Ashley.) Well, then, what be meant to say plore him not to allow even the first post to-morrow to
was, that they could not carry such a measure into effect pass without giving an order for the release of these
in the agricultural districts. It was, in his opinion, poor persons.
unwise and inexpedient to attempt to legislate on these Sir J. GRAHAM had not power to accede to the
evils. The law of England was sufficient for the pur . request. ~
pose already, and the evils would remedy themselves, Mr. ESCOTT wished, if any further investigation
and he thought, therefore, that the Bill was unnecessary took place, the Government would ascertain whether,
and might be mischievous. under the existing law, these magistrates had the power
Mr. BROTHERTON said that he totally disagreed in of mulcting these poor defendants to the amount in
what had fallen from the Hen. Member for Winchester. which they had fined them. The Act of Parliament
He had had large experience during the last thirty years certainly gave them costs, but it did not specify the
in the manunicturing districts ; and lie well remembered amount, and he very much doubted whether the
law
what was the case thirty years ago. He had at that time sanctioned so heavy a fine as 11.
stood almost alone in the attempt to obtain legislative Mr. GISBORNE wished to know if he rightly lin.
interference for protecting the children in those districts. derstood the Right Hon. Baronet to say that he had
The late Sir Robert Peel was the first individual to in- made a personal application to these magistrates to know
troduce a Bill for the restriction of the labour of children the grounds upon which they acted ?
in manufactures, his object being to reduce the labour to Sir JAMES GRAHAM replied, that he had made
\
ten hours and a half each day. At that time it was nut an application to the Clerk of the Peace, who had for-
at all an uncommon thing for children of six and seven welded a very full explanation.
years of age to be kept at work for sixteen, seventeen, The matter then dropped,
and often eighteen hours in a day ; and he (Mr. Bro- Mr. lIUME had come down to the House that even-
therton) thought that the restriction to twelve hours was ing, fully expecting that the lion. Gentleman the Se-
a great boon. He therefore rejoiced in the concessions of cretary-at-War intended to make some statement
the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Home De- on the subject of the Army estimates. lle understood
partment, and he thought that the Noble Lord had used now, however, that it would be more convenient to
a very wise discretion in consenting to agree to the Eight Hoe. Gentleman to take the vote for the pre-
them. It would not only be well for the sent, without discussion, but if he consented to this
children, but also for the masters themselves. lie course ke hoped the house would consider thou as not
thought that the legislation advocated by the Noble being prejudged —(llear, hear.)
Lord had been most advantageous to the working classes, Mr. B WILLIAMS reminded the House that, pre-
and he begged to congratulate the Nobles. Lord on the viously to the Easter recess, they quietly voted up-
wisdom exhibited in acceding to the wishes of the Right wards of 2,800,000/., without any account being given of
lion. Baronet. He trusted that all his measures would its intended disposal. True, they were then told that tits
be equally beneficial to the manufacturing population. opportunity would be afforded them for entering 'at
Loud F. EGERTON said, as far as his experience length into the question, but no discussion afterwards '
went, he believed that on the whole a great and sub- took place. lie remembered, too, that about three years
stantial benefit had accrued from legislation upon this ago, his Hon. Friend the Member for Montrose assented
subject. It required, no doubt, great watchfulness in to a similar course to the one which had been proposed
the framing of such measures, and he therefore con- that night, but when, on a subsequent occasion, his -Hon.
gratulated the Noble Lord on the wisdom of the mete. Friend proposed to reduce the army by 20,000 men, he
sure which he had brought forward that evening. It did was met by roars oafela,ouignfhottroe,fr a.
fftaec, voted
Now, it'
voting
tghaetwhaa-ey thevnoumr
tedbihheosolfee
himself great credit, and would be of permanent utility
o7f9,tohoeoamrmenyun
they,est in
t point
to those that were to be benefited by it.
Mr. P. AINSWORTH thanked the Noble Lord, in men, they could hardly refuse the money to pay for
the name of the constituency which he represented, for them. But a vote of this nature had never, to his know.
his exertions in their behalf. He thought that the ledge, been taken on a Wednesday, and he could see no
measure before the House that evening would be of the reason why they should, on the present occasion, depart
greatest service to those engaged in print-works, from their former custom. If, therefore, the
Lord ASHLEY trusted the House would allow him Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary-at-War was de-
to refer to a letter which he had that morning received termined to proceed at once with the vote, he should feel
from an operative in Lancashire. The writer stated, it to be his duty to propose a reduction ; but before pro•
that in the very mill in which he had worked since ceeding to state the nature of it, he should be glad to
1826, the improvement in consequence of the Factories' know if the Right Hon. Gentleman bad any objection
Act was so marked in the morals and manners of the to postpone the vote till another time.
children, that they did not appear to be the same per- The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER in-
sons. formed the Honourable Member that the precise number
The Bill was then read a second time, and this day of men required for her Majesty's service could seldom
week was appointed for the third reading. or never be ascertained, and therefore it was that a larger
On the motion of Mr. EWART, the Museums. of number was always specified in the vote. But it did not
Arts' Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be follow from this that the whole of them would be re-
read a third time on Wednesday next. quired, indeed it was quite evident they would not, and then
SUPPLY.—ARMY ESTIMATES. the Hon. Member had an ample check on the number to
On the order of the day being read for the Com- be implied in voting the money to pay them ; for upon
mittee of Supply, the amount voted of course depended the number to be
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said, that if the House raised for the service. The Hon. Gentleman, however.
would not object, he should propose to take the vote did not appear to be aware of the inconvenience be
upon the third estimate, relating to time increase of the would cause by throwing obstacles in the way of
number of men, as the assent of the House was ne- taking the votes that night.) The Hon. Member perhaps
cessary to that vote before introducing the Mutiny Act. was not aware that it was absolutely necessary that the
The House might take the discussion on the vote for Mutiny Act should be read a first time and printed be-
the amount of money required. He trusted there would fore tke 25th instant, but this could not be done until the
be no objection to this proceeding. rate of men had been agreed to.
PROSECUTIONS FOR POOR-RATES. Mr. WILLIAMS said it was impossible for any ace
Sir JOHN EASTHOPE hoped that, before going countant in England to calculate the expense precisely
into a Committee of Supply, he might be allowed to of 10,000 or 20,000 men, and he therefore bad no means
call the attention of the House to the two petitions of ascertaining how much a vote ought to be reduced to
which he had presented at an early period effect a saving of so many men to the country. In fact,
of that evening. He would take up the the whole question rested with the number of men, and
time of the House as shortly as possible, in- not the money.
explanation of the circumstances to which these petitions The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would,
referred. The petitioner complained that he had been for the Hon. Member's satisfaction, undertake to furnish
imprisoned in consequence of the non-payment of a poor- him with the exact cost of any given number of men.
rate. That rate had been paid by persons in Leicester Mr. WILLIAMS would state then the number of men
ra show
by
them thate
u ,0 om
who, hearing of his poverty, felt it an act of charity to he wished to reduce from the army. Ever since he had
do so. He was then liberated, but afterwards, a warrant heard any arguments in favour of the vast extent of our
was taken out against him for the amount of 20s. costs. standing army, he had always understood that it was
on.
He was ordered to appear before the: county magistrate, kept up for the purpose of relieving the regiments sta-
but when he attended, was not permitted to go before tioned in the colonies. Nporwhnet
couldarmy
him, and it was stated that if he had brought no money they could just as well accomplish that object if they
to pay the costs he must go to gaol. He did go to the consented to reduce the
present
gaol of Leicester, and he now lay there. lie (Sir J. There were for instance three regiments of Life Guards
Easthope) had written to the committing magistrate, which performed no duty in the colonies, and there were
stating his intention of bringing the subject before the also three regiments of Foot Guards which never per-
House that evening, and requesting him to communicate formed any duty whatever in the colonies. None of the
the facts of the case to some Hon. Member, but he (Sir Horse Guards had performed any duty whatsoever in the
J. Easthope) in endeavouring to procure redress to the colonies since the termination of the war, with the ex-
one party, should unintentionally injure the other. lie ception of one battalion in Canada. These six regi-
had received an answer from -Leicester that morning, meats consisted of 6,561 men, and cost the country up•
and he was exceedingly grieved to say that that wards of 110,0001. per m
letter admitted, in substance, the facts as to deprive her Majesty aonfn uan;
dilstplwayaswhnioet leis desire
letter
_nigdheta
he had stated them. There was no denial that those pleasing to her. But he was convinced that all the pure
parties had been committed, on the second warrant, fur poses of royal display could be answered, and a reduc-
the longest period it was posible for a magistrate to corn- tion effected equal to the cost of 10,000 men.
mit them. There was no denial that the parties were Dlr. S. HERBERT understood the Hon. Member for
not heard in the second instance. It was said, indeed, Coventry to suggest only a reduction of cost, and not a
that the parties had been summoned, but had not at- reduction of men.
tended. The petition affirmed, however, that the poor Mr. WlLLlAMS—Precisely so.
man and woman did appear, but were prevented from The House then went into Committee, and a vote for
going ',into the magistrate's room, because they had 1,111 men, exclusive of those employed in her Majesty's
brought no money. They were prevented by the very territorial possessions abroad, was agreed to.
parties take
whose duty it was to them before the ma- The House resumed, the CHAIRMAN reported pro-
gistrates, and, without the opportunity of a hearing, they gress, and obtained leave to sit again.
were sent to gaol. It was a most painful case ; and he
could assure the House that it was with the utmost pain
that he came there to represent the circumstances PUBLIC MUSEUMS—DESTRUCTION OF
TREASURES OF ART.
of it. On the reading of the order of the day for the Cora-
The case had produced the greatest excitement, not only mittee of the whole House upon this Bill,
in the town he represented, but throughout the Sir J. GRAHAM moved that it be an instruction to
county also, and every person there was watching the Committee to introduce a clause extending its previe
with the most earnest attention the determination sions to the protection of works of art in the possession
to which the blouse might come upon this subject. of private individuals.
Ile would beg leave to ask the Right Hon. Baronet, e he. Mr. BOUVERIE thought that the provisions of the
ther the facts of the case had come to his knowledge, Bill ought to be extended to the protection of private
and if so, whether he had made it the subject of a ape- property of every kind.
cial inquiry? He begged also to ask whether any return The Bill then passed through Committee pro form 4.
had been received from the committing magistrates? and POOR LAWS (SCOTLAND).
whether it was the intention of the Right Hon. Baronet The LORD ADVOCATE moved for leave to bangles
to take the proper steps se as to prevent the necessity of a Bill for the amendment and better administration
his (Sir John Easthope's) again troubling the House of the laws relating to the relief of the poor in Scot-
upon the subject ? land. It had often and long been complained of that
Sir J. GRAHAM said that the Hon. Baronet had there was no adequate provision for the relief of the
been so obliging as to notify to him that morning his poor in Scotland. He did not speak of the poor incases
intention of bringing the subject under the considera- of occasional distress, which must be met by extraor-
tion of the House. He had, in addition, at an early dinary efforts—but of the poor in their permanent CCU*.
period of the evening, presented two petitions having re- dition. In 1838, the General Assembly of the Church
Terence to the same circumstance. He (Sir J. Graham) of Scotland appointed a Committee to inquire into tbt'