The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-13 00:00:00

FOREIGN MAILS.

A numerous and highly respectable meeting took place
yesterday at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, pur-
suant to advertisement, for the purpose of considering
the best measures to be adopted for effecting the more
speedy delivery of the mails from the East and the West
Indies, the Mediterranean, the Levant, and the Peninsula.
Several Members of Parliament were present, and some
of the most influential gentlemen of the City.
W. CRAWFORD, Esq., the late Member for the City,
on taking the chair, observed that before they pro-
ceeded to the business upon which they had met, he had
to express his deep regret that the Chair was not filled
by a gentleman who had given his pointed attention to
the subject of their proceedings that day—he alluded to
Sir G. Larpent, whom he was sorry to say was confined
to his house by indisposition. He (Mr. Crawford) had,
in that gentleman's absence consented to take the Chair,
in the hope that the proceedings of the present meeting
would, at an early day, be productive of much good. It
was the wish of those through whose instrumentality the
present meeting had been convened, to impress upon her
Majesty's Government, by the weight of such an as-
semblage as the present, the necessity of their interfer-
ence in the topics for which the meeting was called. The
course that was proposed to be taken to-day was, merely
to confine themselves to the fact, that for the purpose of
communication with the Peninsula, the Mediterranean,
the East and West Indies, and the Levant, the port of
Southampton was by far more convenient for
the arrival and departure of the mails than
the port of Falmouth. It was not proposed to enter into
any discussion with respect to the question that had
been brought forward elsewhere, with respect to the port
of Dartmouth, because he felt convinced, that if it could
be shown that that port was preferable to Southampton,
there was no gentlemen present who would not gladly
accede to that. That was a matter in embryo, but this
he might say, that his own opinion was, that the expec-
tations in that respect would never be realised. The
object of the meeting that day was clearly set out in the
circular which had been issued, showing the advantages
that would be obtained on the receipt of letters brought di-
rect from Malta to Southampton. It was not disputed
that with respect to the Peninsular mails, great advantage
had been derived, particularly in the change of the day.
Under the present system, persons engaged in commerce
with the Peninsula, if they chose to evade the Post-
office regulations, could carry on their correspondence
with greater facility than those who obeyed the law.—
(Hear, hear.) With these observations he would call
upon the gentlemen entrusted to move the resolutions
that had been prepared for the adoption of the meeting
to do so.
Mr. BAGSHAWE then rose to propose the first resolu-
tion. It was so comprehensive that he need not apolo-
gise to the meeting for any inability on his part
to do it justice. He thought he could not do
better, therefore, than read it to the meeting.
The numbers and respectability of which the present
meeting was composed, and the fact of the requisition
being signed by the members of every house connected
with the Mediterranean and Pen insular and Eastern
trade, gave hope that what would emanate from that
meeting would have the desired effect. A memorial had
been drawn up to the Lords of the Treasury, pointing
out the advantages derivable from the removal of the
Packet-station from Falmouth to Southampton, and re-
questing that object might be carried into effect. The
resolution, which he should have the honour to propose
for the adoption of the meeting, was as follows :
" That it appears to the meeting that the existing
arrangements, by which the contract steam-vessels em-
ployed in the transmission of the East and West
Indian, Mediterranean, Levant, and Peninsular mails
are compelled to take on board and deliver their
mails at the port of Falmouth, is productive of very
serious detriment to the public interests, inasmuch as nu-
merous instances have been and continue to be furnished
by the arrival of the Vessels, to prove beyond contro-
versy, that were they permitted to proceed direct from

and to Southampton, and there receive and deliver the
Mails, the letters would, under ordinary circumstances
be delivered in London considerably earlier than they
now are, in consequence of being landed at Falmouth.
That the alteration is the more important, from the fact
that whereas the Mails are now necessarily dispatched
from London on the last day of each month, another
day would, by the contemplated change, be gained, inas-
much as they would then be forwarded on the evening
of the first of the ensuing month, as shown by the state-
ment before the meeting."
DALLAS, Esq., seconded the resolution, which he
observed was so full in details, that little was required of
him to say on the subject. Previously to the formation
of the Government contract with the Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company, great delay oc-
curred in the dispatch of the Mediterranean and Eastern
Mails, one day was lost at Falmouth, four at Gibraltar,

and three at Malta. All this was now done away with.
But still a delay which might be guarded against
occurred even now at Falmouth, where the
letters for the East which were transmitted in
bulk from London, were assorted for Alexan-
dria, Bombay, Calcutta, and other parts of the
East. The delay thus occasioned could be remedied by
having the letters assorted in London, and transmitted
at once to Southampton.
E. Div Err, Esq., M.P., would trouble the meeting
with a few observations, and at the same time suggest an
amendment to the resolution now proposed. The point
on which he was at issue with the gentleman who had
just preceded him, was the indication of any particular
port. llc thOught that their object ought to be to con-
sider the best means of ascertaining by an impartial exa-
mination what might be the most eligible port at which
to establish the mail station. His opinion was that it
would turn out on examination that some port consider-
ably to the west of Southampton, would be found the
most eligible. It was of the utmost importance to have
the letters carried as far as possible by land, and
if they could have a port at Land's-end it would
be the best place. The Honourable Gentleman
concluded by moving an amendment to the effect :
"That the thiportance of the rapid and early trans-
mission. of the mails to and from this country, the East
and West Indies, the Mediterranean ports, &c., be made
the subject of earnest representation to and from the •
merchants of London to her Majesty's Government, in
order to the selection of a port which should best secure
that object at all seasons of the year ; and that letters,
which should arrive after the departure of the ordinary
mails, should be forwarded by mails established espe-
cially for that purpose."
Mr. HUNT, in seconding the amendment, observed,
that if they persisted in pointing out Southampton as the
best station, they would not have the whole country
unanimously with them. It would be otherwise if they
left the selection to the Government.

Captain THORNTON, R.N., trusted that as Director
of the Universal Life Insurance Company, and also
of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Com-
pany, he might be permitted to make a few observations
on the present subject. Those Companies considered a
rapid communication with India as of paramount im-
portance to them. At present they obtained their let-
ters via ➢iarseilles, but as they expected their commu-
cations with the East would greatly increase, they were
anxious to promote the facility and rapidity of the trans-
mission of letters to and from that quarter and this coun-
try. He said it as a seaman, that it was of the utmost
importance that there should be one point only selected
from which letters should be transmitted, to and •at
which they should be received from both the East
and the. West Indies. To have two ports fur
that purpose was not only unnecessary, but was
attended with great danger to, and frequently great
loss of, life. Freedom from great danger and much in-
convenience would result to the Company of which he
was the director, if their vessels had not to call at Fal-
mouth, after having left Southampton. lie trusted that
such a representation of the matter would be laid before
Government as to render nugatory the influence of any
local interest in the matter.

After a few words from Mr. BAGSHAIVE, to the effect
of his being convinced that Mr. Divett was incapable of
being influenced by any private or interested views in the
course which that Hon. Gentleman had adopted on the
present occasion, the amendment was put from the
Chair and negatived.

The original resolution was then put and carried with
bat one or two dissentients.

The next resolution, proposed by Mr. Foster and se-
conded by Mr. Scholetield, was as follows :
" That with regard to the Peninsular mails besides
this disadvantage in retarding their delivery, the addi-
tional and very serious evil of a week's delay in the
course of post is incurred, as there would be ample
time, were the letters delivered at Southampton, to re-
ply to them by the outgoing mail of the same week,
whereas, by the existing arrangement, the letters are de-
livered never less than two days after the departure of
the outward mails ; and that an alteration in the day and
hour of departure of these vessels is required to be made
simultaneously with the change in the port of arrival
and departure."
Mr. DIA-Err, M.P., said, that as he must now leave
the meeting, he would take the liberty of departing from
the usual course, and now move the thanks of the meet-
ing to the Chairman.
Mr. BACSUAWE seconded the motion.

The CHAIRMAN observed that he should acknowledge
the compliment at the proper time, namely, the close of
the proceeding-4.
On the motion of Captain MANGLES, the memorial re-
ferred to was then read by the Secretary, and adopted by
the meeting.
S. Ernes, Esq., seconded by HUNTER, Esq., moved
a resolution, thanking the Pacha of Egypt for the facili-
ties which his Highness afforded for the transmission of
English letters through his dominions.—Carried.
After the dispatch of some routine business, the Chair-
man returned thanks, and the meeting separated.

COWES, MAY .11.—An accident of a most serious
nature occurred near the Needles last evening. Mr. %Vm.
Ffarrington, son of Captain Ffarringtou, of Woodvale, near
Cowes, had been there shooting with Mr. Estwick, son of the
Comptroller of the Port of Cowes. The young gentlemen had
been on shore, and were getting into the boat, when Mr.
Ffarrington's gun, which was lying in the boat, cocked by
some accident, and went off, lodging the contents in his left
arm. It was three hours before he reached Yarmouth to ob-
tain medical assistance, after which he was removed in a very
dangerous state to Woodvale, when this morning his arm was
amputated above the elbow. He is now going on favourably.
Drs. Hoffmeister, Cass, and Martell are in attendance.

ST. GEORGE'S HOTEL, ALEEMARLE-STREET.----This
large establishment, which was lately destroyed by fire, has
been re-built in excellent style, and for internal elegance, con-
venience, and comfort, is not surpassed by any in the metro-
polis. In one of the drawing-rooms is a beaut►ful fresco, by
M. Song, of Munich , and a medallion of St. George and the
Dragon, which does great credit to the artist. In another
is Allen's picture of the landing of Mary Queen of Scots, on her
arrival from France. Both these rooms exhibit the finest speci-
mens of Scotch velvet cai pets, which produce a fine effect from
the richness of the colouring and beauty of the design. There
is also a fire-proof room for the plate, with births and cellars of
a novel description, and the whole establishment is get up in a
way highly creditable to Mr. Stewart, the spirited proprietor.

lIVIPEitIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, May 12.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat .on. the
Woolsack at Five o'Clock.
THE ADJOURNMENT.

The Duke of WELLINGTON'said, he should
to-morrow move the adjournment of the House to
that day week, the 20th May.
Messengers from the Commons, brought up several
private Bills.
The Earl of ORFORD who was introduced by the
Earl of Rosebery and fiord Stopford, took the oaths
and his seat.
The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL moved for a re-
turn of all resolutions passed by the Boards of
Guardians, under the Poof-law Commission, in Ire-
land, since sth May, 1841.—Ordered.
Earl FITZWILLIAM presented a petition from
Halifax against the Corn and Provision-laws.

POOR-LAWS.
Lord WIIARNCLIFFE laid on the table the
Eighth annual Report of the Poor-law Commission.

DUBLIN POLICE BILL.

On the motion of Lord WITARNCLIFFE, the
Dublin Police Bill was read .a second time. The
Noble Lord said, the object of the Bill was to place
the Dublin police force on precisely the same footing
as the London police.