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

TRE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING-, FEBRUARY 6 1845.

)f

-.Cl•imomMunftell.-..w
or I' • :
Tal' leg and rieststing the in figment of the House.
nere ads air order of the Hou.e, tint if any report
frurn the Board of Trade relating to a Railway Bill be
I,aid before the House, such report should be referred
`_°,o-e Committee on the Bill. It was perfectly clear
what was the view of Parliament in agreeing to the
arrangement made last year. He hoped the arrange-
!tent would continue ; 'out he saw s enptoms in what
Was
going on out of doors, that all authority was
ascribed to these reports of the Board of Trade,
711 ell would be attended with great inconvenience,
1112
" to which he desired to call the attention of the
t„ use. No one was more anxious than he to im-
ove the system of private legislation, in which he
of ew great abuses had grown up. He approved
the reconitnendation of last year, but he thought
tcat the Board of Trade should be confined
in the preliminary investigation of railway projects,
thewhic they might obtain valuable information for
, r House, upon measure; in which large in-
titeeests were concerned. But if, instead of being
relY advisers to Parliament, this Board
n
to . have an authority in determining
„poi,
le Railway Bills—if their reports were to
l t
thorny i e c t d
" eouclusive as to what BUN should be adopted, and
ilthat would be the creation of a new
which Parliament never contemplated.
;
in',as the House aware what was the amount of the
linterest involved in these questions between competing
t 114? Re would give the ileuse one instance, that of
tee 6ndon and York Railway. In that company the
Shares Were 60,000, and these shares had been the
were
of dealing on the Stock Exchange. Bargains
maderret
in them at the rate of 201.
•
em
m
%ors on each share, conditioned en the
of tl B • el f Trade—that was to
itty, „, oai o
this;
,Lnat if this report, which was regarded as con-
sa,j'`,°,l,sbould prove favourable to the plan, it would
hare",• to the value of each of these 60,000
S' Thus the detenekation arrived at
14 tan internal department of the Government
a° absence of all the parties concerned, would
freeet,t_be transfer of no less a sum than 1,200,00 W.
rn
tae Pockets of one set of persons to those of another.
ese; %judgment involving such sums to be proe
fliee° bY such a tribunal as the Board of Trade?—
rade
"r) bear ) He found no fault with the Board of
•
t,,a. possessing certain functions ; but such
alt 'Atrial was utterly urfitted for pronouncing
re,°Pinion on subjects involving such enor-
he? baits. He could show them a particular
th,:nee in which the sum staked was not less
C 1,200,000/., and that was only one out of a mut-
letell"° of cases ; and would it be said that those re-
dis-' Were to be conclusive on subjects involving the
dilkeition of millions ? They (the Board of Trade)
Itell).°esed of sums compared with which the sums ad-
;cc ated upon by the Lord Chancellor and all the
tutees of Westminster Hall sunk into insignificance.
lltt,4l!as that department constituted in a manner so
140;eY could say it ought to be intrusted with such
11)-("°11% responsibility? What did it consist of?
ahiliere
hut who possessed little experience, and there
retn! assisting him four gentlemen scarcely of higher
rseetial rank than chief clerks in the Public depart-
placed One of these gentlemen was, he believed,
Near in that department from being private se-
nmrt to the Right Honourable Gentleman op-
tsee,l. Was a Board, having to dispose of such
le,l4ous interests, and thus constituted, the
Aid tribunal for the purpsoe ?—(Hear, hear).
its „it was not merely that the tribunal was
Ntlerly coustituted. He said that none of their
theyenlgs were such as to make their decisions, if
Coat ere to be taken as decisions, in matters of this
1) -4e) satisfactory.—(Hear, hear.) He happened to
all Willingly forced into connexion with a
%lot!: ItY Project, and being concerned in the pro-
fte:a of that railway pr+ct, he could speak
thisePerience as to the course adopted. It was
the promoters of Bills sent in a short statement
tlstt e ground un which they proposed their measure;
Tad.was followed by depositing with the Board of
tate; Plans and sections giving full details of the
ae1,.6 of the scheme. Before any decision
istruounced on their case, the case of the oppo-
Pee; °,l: the Bill was made known. And after they
NI 'fat case, the promoters of the measure put
bvsSt;r`i a rebutting case. The case of their oppo-
mete,Pta to be put in before the 30th of
kaele-auer and the favourers of the Bill
b"ed,' that before any decision was pro-
ratltleed by the department of the Board of
,the they would be informed of what the
:et ills which had been sent in by the other side,
'ete°gations of which they would then be prepared
!'hey'
:wet% The session of Parliament was coming
`'ley i) several decisions had been pronounced, and
Fteresegan to think they would be pronounced upon,
eNtly`,": ease of their opponents was known.. Accord-
,,944"3' applied for an interview with the Board of
ntli;kile had to acknowledge the exti eine courtesy,
tqati""ieb he and the other Members of the. dei
pl d°,ll were, on very short notice, received
aua a • Board They knew nothing of the
etk4blie of their opponents, except from the.
),'sele.ene'wsPapers and the plans deposited with
,Itiort' of the peace. They stated very shortly the
"4 0-* why, in their judgment, their own scheme
ht 0-*
to preference, and having done so they
tsStif: Before they did so, however, one of the
'54 -"len who composed the deputation ob-
1, ea
Ltele.
4,,,t0 the President of the Board of
"'et) ' 'oat he expected that they would have
teht,sealled
Upon to answer the case of their oppo-
So, The reply of the President of the Board
°fgreat importance. He said, " That is not
-"10t 08. There being such a multitude of projects,
conned be Physically impossible for us to hear th,e,
qsdalts of the parties upon the opposing plans
tliks,lll,4;ut that was perfectly true. It would be phy-
ti'"?3lll3o ,sible for tine Beard of Trade to hear all
Vlltnents in favour of the conflicting schemes.
ratkilphYsically impossible for Hon. Gentlemen to
:ttiinci:e plans and surveys laid beeforbeettbheermtihto
titre founded estimates of expense, and w
or not, and to ascertain the comparl•
vain • •
te he age in point of economy, and in other !e-
-tittn
.40-4 ttl e projects submitted to them. Still he had,no
,141tlere,;'° thn report of the Board of Trade being
krattlittL, something to be taken into account
byby the
kkttrd and, no doubt, it the reasons alleged the
Tr and,
in favour of or against a particular
t,''',!erte• strog, they would righ pewerfully wit
tis;nt • tee• But if the decisions of that bedy were_ .
Li Nate .'ldered as conclusive and Real, the seise would
tdin Y altered. It these decision* were to be
qtie4.llParliarnent in common fairness and in common
%ell Parties should be brought together, and heard
110',4t o? Parties
presence. If they thought that Parlia
o',4l4„.:ucapable of dealing with such matters, let
W tribunal be constituted. He pronounced no
~it 4 to whether that course was desirable or not.
0711),Zie! did constitute such a tribunal, it should be
pttlltti,d to persons of rank and station, somewhat pro-
' atlas ;), eimns responsibility imposed upon
lsale, 21,_"ed upon to dispose of prep, rty exceeding
qat boiwaat ordinarily catne before a court of law.
hr deekling the case, it would follow that they would
th4llßllt irl questions of property equal in value to that
ti4rights fore the courts °flaw. It was a question of
sbeted" property, and he thought that the par-
e 4,0 ,(if such decisions were to b-' held final), have
t ChiaLairiy heard before that tribunal. He thought
stiktl:3oo whoans right on all the principles of justice and
*et? t t estY, and such decisions, he contended,
hie of 0 be considered binding, if come to in the ab-
no sport° parties who had promoted them, and who
4ki
vvv.aity
of laying their statements before the
ti that b -e" was to adjudge upon their merits. He
floor 3: this mode of procedure they would be open-
to itltriateent° abuse, corruption and weakness, such as the
he 4e to d a great country should not be supposed
tioNs er_ ° with. These were great objections, but
tit,i,t:pared to go further, and say that his objec-
til:reet:ll'ci still more forcibly if those decisions were
nominal, but in point of fact conclusive. If
• rt,Q and the Board of Trade has decided the ques-
, :otttiend"ell their report, her Maj-sty's Government,
11%411 read; the House to reject the Bill on the
we, '°g, they all knew how incompetent that
stion. , as a collective body, to deal with railway
the If they disposed of these questions by a vote
Qcle, t.,),,113e, grounded on the report of the Board of
14,7,11, Cie 1:•ault would be that the decision of that
te i,dg known to be conclusive by law and practice,
eatlt wo-uelte'raents would be allowed to interfere,
oft $Y ja„rirlisits he had said, be opening a door to every
system decisions would be in the hands
utters irre.ponsible. It would be a fur-
kirra R:,l%xecutive Government appeared in these
te4stry aid not impute underhand motives to the
h,
wuen sitting on the opposite benches, more
.„41. to the Ministry who had preceded
tiv4ll3llt,Tri arguments were directed against the system.
full of suspicion, arid capable of every
tale hall he of
it guess. It would be breaking in upon\
kati, stattelitherto been considered a most wholesome
ap,,,°araele States
in England had hitherto borne very
the % jnoaraeters, and solely because they acted
ehn4tion !Oscine rule of never interfering in any
41. Ihi "lett bore upon private speculation. Acting
~a s rule th
e•siorin e conclusien he had come to was, that
ah• cot, 01 the Board of Trade ought not to have
elusive ttive and therefore he hoped the Bills
Wheie been re against would not be rejected
• 444 he eule, 011 the second reading in that House.
'.:.rotre:lwas, that until
.her Majesty's
ent)riteesntadebdiP.
Tit
• ftbloi nailed some tribunal, if such were
unttelpine:t.essary, capable
off dealing with
Zramaler°4liort_
fair subject
the report the Board of
?..1441,1.,)0Fulathabte subject for the scrutiny of a Com-
. Ct )•,,; ern th, r Tse•—(Hear.) It was perfectly
it,rt'e"d the e,st°lution which they had come to
ending order subsequently framed
St?, ,was the intention the House had, when
,i‘kte,liw`ne words nf' Trade its present powers. What
ne,,mly till. 3 ? They were these • " that in cases of
shall h5l Trade rueppoonr t made
.under the authority of the
peper ue afterward blouse,
It )tahetr7,ll4 b° re the aInI3 Bill, on the ottp cts thereof,
and, if necessary, the_re-
"tlY clear, sentt_ to a Committee." Now
4110 for, House ,ha when that resolution
hi+ °r C"rernittee
d that these Bills should
t., whether the report was favour-
lie"N 4'
141.,*if
t, hat the report itself should go
h4lat arran'.'"_ to be scrutinised and considered.
Nap, fiNt taf'.4t. whieh her Majesty's Govern-
tevaitr_
,anctioned, were to be carried out, he
bwrutteYer to roaketo the course whiob the

Board of Trade had pursued. If that were done,'those
sehe were interested in rei;ways disapproved of h.. 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
and he did hope this was the line intended to be ad ipted
by her Majesty's Government. He could not help feel-
ing great anxiety upon the subject, because uo man 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 circu-
lation, and he was c ,evinced 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 these 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 Board of Trade should merely be taken by Parlia-
menL as the expression of an opinion made by an un-
prejudiced party. He said if that were the case al par-
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 lie 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 per-
severe in their measures or submit at once
to the uafevonrable report of the Board of Trade.
Until, thee, 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 Board of Trade re-
ported on two conflicting Hoes, 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
whom he was engaged in this undertaking,that their line
was the best, and that which would be most calculated
to promote the public convenience and public good; but,
of course, no Committee were to be guided by that
opinion, as it was but natural that they should feel
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 project, until
they knew the decision of the Board of Trade. He was
of opinion that the Board of Trade should afford 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, com-
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 tribunal? For
these reasons, ha 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 he 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."

sir R. PEEL thought there was much force and jus-
tice in the observations of the Noble Lord, and at the
same titre 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 ike plane, 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 ar.
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 allezation 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 such
rumours.

Mr. BUCK thought that Hon. Members had better
day 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 kn,w 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 wry proper course in bringing the attention of
the House to this subject.—(Hear.)
Sir R. PEEL said the House would no doubt remem-
ber th it in this matter it had acted up in 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
['rude, 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 rected.
The resolution of the Select Committee said tha9it was
not their intention that the report should 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 anis his opinion that the
influence of the reports of the Board of Trade upon the
decision of the Committees would depend upon 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;rement in the determination of these
questions between 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 Bills 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 sail it would be better to adjourn 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 probably 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
time to railway companies.
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. EW ART 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 whiled to ask whether
the Govern nent meant to proceed with that measure.
Sir J. GRAHAM said, that in consequence of the ex-
tensive changes which took place last session in the law
of debtor and creditor, he could not undertake to pro-
ceed this session with the measure respecting County
Courts. He thought it expedient to give more time to
allow 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 had received many impor-
tant suggestions on this Bill, and he should feel it his

duty 'to introduce the measure, including amendments
founded on thtse sugvestioils. 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.
He should ask leave to introduce the measure to-morrow
se'nnight

the law—" Go to the doctor, an (I if he gives you an
order for relief you shall have 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.—(Hear, hear.) Neither money nor food, after
walking eleven miles. And in a few nrinutes 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 destitution
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. Dr. Lushington had,
as the Hon. Member observed, been all his life the con-
sistent, firm, and able opponent of slavery in all its forms.
He knew that many felt the right of search to be a ques-
tion which it would be as well to avoid, and he would
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 lion. 11
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 hen' 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 lef him.
—(Laughter.) Yes, he hoped that the beneficial inten-
tions of the Right Hon. Baronet would not be thwarted
by his supporters.—(Hear, 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, hawever 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 not
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 House 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
Railway.
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 Tar-
vey, Esq.
Berkshire—John Bligh Monck, of Coley Park, Esq.
Buckinghamshire—Edmund Francis Dayrell, of Lulling-
stone Dayrell, Esq.
Carob. 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. Simcoe Drewe, of the Grange, Esq.
I)orsetshire—Edward Balston, of Corfe Hill, Esq.
Durham—John Win. 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.
Leicostershirs—Wm. Corbet Smith, of Bitterswell, Esq.
Lincolnshire—Thos. Coltman, of Hagnaby Priory, Esq.
Monmouthshire—Wm. Phillips, of Whitson House, Esq.
Norfolk—Theophilus Russell Buckworth, 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 Wrox ton Abbey,
Esq.
Rstlandshire—Henry Bennet Pierrepont, of Ryhall, Esq.
Shropshire—St. John Chiverton Charlton, of Apley

Castle, Esq.
Somersetslure—John Lee Lee, of Dillington House, Esq.
Staffordshire—Charles Smith Forster, of Ilamstead
Hall, Esq.
County of Southampton—Sir Richard God en Simeon, of
Swainstone, Isle of Wight. Bart.
Suff)lk—Henry 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, Esq.
Wiltshire—Wads Browne, of Monkton Farleigh, Esq.
Worcestershire—Thos. Simcox Len, of Astley Hall, Esq.
Yorkshire—Sir William Bryan Cooke, of Wheatley,

Bart. WALES.
AngleseyLitobert Jones lli!ghes, of Plas Llangoed, Esq.
Brecknockshire—Wm. Williams, of Aberpergwm, Esq.
Carnarvonshire—Postponed.
Carmarthenshire—David Jones, of Glanbrane Park,
Llandovery, Esq.
Cardiganshire—John Lloyd Davies, of Alltyrodyn, Esq.
Garthmeile, sear
Decnebrirgiligs-hyi.rde—rinCharles
sq. Wynn, of
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 Park, Esq.
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 aid. in the pound, on Satur-
day, Feb. 8, and any subsequent Saturday, at the office
of Mr. Edwards, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry.
J. Cratnbrook—first div. of 4s. 4d. in the pound, on
Saturday, Feb. 8, and any 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 ,Bedfordshire,

Feb. 25, at half-past tirelve—T. Reynolds, jun., mer-
chant, Great St. Helen's, Bishopsgate-street, Feb. 26, at
eleven. In the Country.
T. Mease, 11-ix 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—AV. 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, Rlckmansworth, Herefordshire,
Feb. 25—J. Hook, contractor, Nine-elms, Feb. 27—T.
Boulter, innkeeper, Cromer, Norfolk, Feb. 28—E. Ash-
well, butcher, North Walsham, Norfolk, Feb. 25—.1.
Hoggins, merchant, Apollo-buildings, Walworth, Feb.
28—J. Vaile, wine merchant, Cheltenham, Feb. 23—C.
Bones, shoemaker, Bath, Feb. 28—W. Oliver, printer,
Darlington, Durham, Feb. 27—T. Hodgson, calico
printer, Manchester, Feb. 27—T. W. Butterworth, draper,
Mame, Lancashire, Feb. 25—J. G. West, grocer, Wand;-
worth, Feb. 25—W. Smith, builder, Glotrester-street,
Hoxton, Feb. 25—R. Parkinson, cloth manufacturer,
Calverley, Yorkshire, Feb. 25—H. 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—H.
Stuart and T. Russell, watch manufacturers, Liverpool—
R. and W. Wilding, cotton manufacturers, Padiham,
Lancashire—M. Blyth and S. Milbourn, paper makers,
Taverham-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.
Hinde, 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, Penistono,
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 .T. Haworth, drysalters, Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire—
Scott and Co., Boer brewers, Plymouth.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.

Charles Durie, merchant, Arbroath,Feb. I I 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 Spsnish
brig Sopress, 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, to
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 yekerday at the London Tavern. Mr. Bosan-.
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
the following Report of the Directors.
" The Directors have co recently met the Proprietors at a
Special General Meeting 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 15,4951. 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, has 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
of every one of his colleagues with whom he has so long
laboured. The Directors have supplied the vacancy in the
direction thus occasioned, by the election of Francis Valen-
tine Lee, Esq.
" At the present meeting four Directors retire by rotation,
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
2,906,780/. 2s. 10d. On the extension lines the amount
,4ed t5041.796:4.135di
14s. 10d. The traffic account on the Colchester line
elxipeenidnetderteosttheon4thlooafnJsanauccaoryu,al64asm,
wasll nt
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 6,3571. ls. 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. ls. 5d., leaving a
devisable fund of 15,4951. 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 2,000,000/., 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 bad as
.yet re-
ceived no remuneration for their valuable services, he
would move that a sum of 4,000 Z be given to them for
their past services, and that a sum of 1,8001. 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 of the most
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 with at
least equal interest in this country—it being the result-,
as the author dec!ares, of the recollection of twenty
campaigns, and more than half a century of experience.
Every officer in the British army should at once make
himself acquainted with the ideas of this veteran, as they
will enable him to gain a knowledge of his profession
which
Marshal it iis impossible
has
writtenhe
differentcould acquire
c hvin t
earnsy,
oont other
emu-eDrewa.
The
tviroens sG--One ntehrea Principles—Organisation,
'—atiTna,ctaiensd— Mainte-
nance of Armies—On Infantry—and On Cavalry : and
writes in a spirit of impartiality which is amongst the
greatest recommendations of his essay. A well-executed
translation of this valuable work will be found in The
United Service Magazine for February.