The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-02 00:00:00

EXPLOSIONS IN COLLIERIES.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said, he had another question to
ask. It was in relation to the collieries of Durham, Northum-
berland, and South Lancashire. It would be recollected, that
some time ago several lives were lost in the north of Eng-
land, in consequence of an explosion, and a commission was
appointed, composed of Mr. Lyell and Prof. ssiir Faraday.
They had made their inquiry into the Haswell explosion, and
furnished their report, yet no steps had been taken to afford
additional security. He wished, therefore, some explanation on
this head. He desired also to call the attention of the Right
Hon. Baronet, to another subject. In the neighbourhood of
Wigan, the law was constantly violated in the employment of
females. It was also the practice in many places to pay wages
in truck. He considered these matters ought to be in-
quired into.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM said with regard to the two last
practices—paying in truck and employing females in mines—
they were directly contrary to law. Inspectors had been ap-
pointed to see that the law was duly executed, and he was
happy to see, by the report which had been placed on the
table, it was generally carried into effect. He would, however,
call their attention to the cases the Hon. Member had pointed
out; and if there was any infraction of the law the offending
parties would be proceeded against. With regard to the other
allegations, he had instructed the Commission which had been
appointed to inquire into the smoke nuisance, to direct their
attention to this question, and to report specially upon it.
Mr. WAKLEY called the attention of the Right Hon. Ba-
ronet at the head of the Home Department to certain mal-
practices that prevailed in a union workhouse, the name of
which, from the noise that prevailed in the House, we could
not catch. . . . . .

Sir JAMES GRAHAM said he never heard of the circum-
stances alluded to; if he had, a searching investigation should
have been made into it.
Mr. WAKLEY inquired whether the Right Hon. Baronet
would now, in consequence of his (Mr. Waklcy's) statement,
institute an inquiry into the matter?
Sir JAMES GRAHAM signified assent.
AFFAIRS OF GREECE.

On the question that the House go into a Committee of
Supply,
Lord PALMERSTON rose to bring forward the question
of which he had given notice relative to the affairs of Greece.
Ile said that in snaking his observations upon this subject, he
could not fail to command the attention of the House, although
it concerned neither the military, commercial, or even the
pecuniary interests of the Members. As to military interests
Greece was not of sufficient importance to form an essential
element in the balance of European power; in her commerce
she was not extensive enough to affect that of any other country,
and in a pecuniary point of view very little interest could be
felt ; although by reason of a small interest payable on a loan
effected with that country, any measure which was calculated to
decrease her debt must be of comparative importance to those
who had assisted her. But the subject had a higher claim to
the consideration of the House and the country inasmuch as
it concerned the honour arid good faith of the kingdom.
The honour of the British Crown greatly depended on the pros-
perity of Greece. In that treaty, which constituted the king-
dom of Greece, of course a King was appointed, and that King
being under age, a regency was appointed. That regency had
been much calumniated. They committed great acts of cruelty
among them, but, be their faults what they may, they
conferred great permanent benefits on Ithe Greeks. They es-
tablished municipal corporations, the freedom of the press,
trial by jury, patrician assemblies, and a general representa-
tion. The Constitution which the allied Powers had
promised to the Greeks, and which the King of Russia had also
promised during his minority, had long been delayed. Great
tyranny was practised, a lavish expenditure, and a squandering
of the resources of the State took place, and an unnatural
spirit of government was established. The finances of Greece
were unable to cover the current expenditure, and the interest
was thrown upon the three countries who were the guarantees.
In September, 1843, by almost an unanimous act, a revo-
lution was brought about in the course of a few days, when
a general assembly was made. Everybody who was disposed
to look at the surface of things, and could not look at the
springs of action in Greece, might have expected that when
that Constitution was established things would have gone on
in a different way. He was sorry to say that the Constitution
had not turned out satisfactorily. The Minister that was first
called upon to act in this constitutional system (Mavrocorda[o
an enlightened man, was soon removed from office. and his
place was taken by a Minister of a different description. The
present Minister (Colletti), who, educated in the school
of Ali Pacha, imbibed in his earlier years prin-
ciples far different from those which were suited
to his position as Minister, was then appointed.
The Constitution was then set aside, and arbitrary acts of power
were practised by every party. Judges had been removed who
had been thought likely to administer the law with justice, the
liberty of the press had been shattered, tyranny had been exer-
cised, and instead of an army, the (ternary had been filled with
rubbers and plunderers, who committed the must dreadful ex-
cesses on the unfortunate population. Cruelty had been prac-
tised on the people, and persons would hardly believe Ihat in
any Christian country in these days, professing to be a el.
nation, such abominations could taae place as were pract 'set! in
ave s ung
Greece. A number of individuals were said h been
tot
seaten,__ae
iw n
wild
by the feet, and when so swinging,
cats were put. into the o loose dresses f the women.handed
in a petition from a'eertain number of persons in H
Syria, saying
that they themselves were victims to this, kind of treatment, and
that they had been the greatest sufferers. Of course the reve-
nues of the country were squandered by those bands, and the
State was :eft actually in arrears, and the interest was thrown
upon the three guaranteed 'sowers. With regard to that point,
he would take leave to ask the Government why they did not at
length insist upon the execution of that treatied stipulation, by
[ which the Government of Greece was bound to apply to the
payment of the interest of the debt the first produce of the
public revenue. He was sure that if that were done it would
, go some way to alleviate those debts. The Government of
[ Greece would be compelled to have recourse to some method
of economy, and as they were in the capacity of creditors
[ of Greece, and guarantees of the independence and integrity
of Greece, they ought to give strong admonitions and urgent
[ representations to the Government of Greece on these matters.
He bad stated that there was no security for life or property
in any at of the kingdom, but thendepredations had not been

confined to Greece and Greek subjects, but the same system of
rapine had been pursued on the frontiers, of which the in-
habitants of Turkey were the sufferers. Those who were the
defendants of Greece had a right to say that the Greek Go-
vernment should abstain from these proceedings. He might
be told that these depredations arose from conflicts in Greece
between the Russian, French, and English parties in that coun-
try. lie took this for certain, that as for an English party
there never had been, there never could be, and there never
would be in Greece, any more than in any other country in
the world, an English party. They wanted no party in any
country, arid the English party in Greece—that which was
called an English party in Greece—was that which was an
English party.in Spain, and in every other country with which
they had any rela,ion. It was a national party—it was a party
that looked alone to the interest of Greece, and it was only for
the interest of foreign countries that they could have any
motive for supporting or assisting in their relations
with them. What earthly advantage could they ex-
pect or hope to obtain from Greece? The only
interest England could have was, to give such support and
confideoce as they could afford to parties in foreign countries
who were best calculated and most disposed to promote the wel-
fare, prosperity, and political independence of Greece. It was
said that there was some struggle between the parties he had
alluded to. Illavrocordato was supposed to be the represen-
tative of the English party. But he was sere that he would re-
pel with disdain any imputation of that kind. Colletti may also
think that he is promoting the interest of Greece in driving
the Greeks to despair by creating discontent and dissatisfaction.
This state of things would make a man believe that Greece was
unfit fur a constitutional Government, and one might be in
duced to think that an arbitrary power was the only go-
vernment applicable to the state of Greece. Such an opi-
nion was totally unfounded. He could not believe that
the Government of France could rely perfectly on the
views which alone appeared to him an explanation of the
conduct of Colletti. What benefit could France derive in
crushing the interests of Greece, when its position enabled it
to support that country? Greece could never become formid-
able among the powers of Europe : her size, her population,
and her position, prevented her. She never could be any•
thing but a small, a prosperous, and a commercial country,
which she yet would be. The French, who attached such •
. .

strong feeling to constitutional liberty, must feel a sympathy
with the people of Greece. He would urge her Majesty's Go-
vernment, therefore, to appeal to the French Government on
this question. It appeared that horrible cruelties were now
going on in Greele, and he would remind them of the obliga-
tions which France, as well as England, contracted with re-
gard to that country. If they could:onlAset aside those little
petty jealousies, and these local vanities, as to whom may be
the Minister in that country, and if they would but unite in a
fixed determination that order should be established in Greece,

and that the Constitution which had been granted by:the three
Powers should be firmly supported, he (Lord Palmerston)
could not persuade himself that Prussia would
not also concur with them, and he could not
believe that their joint efforts would be made in
vain. England had a right, nevertheless, to enjoin a strict
adherence to the treaty, and any display of energy on the part
of England could not fail to have a good effect in Greece. In
times of peace England should exercise no political influence,
except that which was used for the benefit of those over whom
it was exercised, He looked on feelings of conquest as ene of
those distinguished relics of bygone days. Instead of looking
for the glory of military conquest, they should look to those
greater glories which consisted in the cultivation of the arts of
peace. It was in the spirit of the people of this country, and
must always be in the spirit of the Government of this country,
be the Government what it may be, to endeavour, as far as its
political influence may extend, that so far it should be exercised
to protect the weak, to rescue the oppressed, to extend civili-
sation, and to confer, as far as they were able to do, the bless-
ings of peace and independence on all nations over whom
they may have any power. There ought to be no
jealousy with regard to England, either in the mind
of the French or Russian power in Greece. They were
bound in duty to'exert all the influence towhich their treaties or
their political position entitled them, to secure to Greece that
happiness which was the object of the treaty of 1827 and 1830.
He had no motion to make on the subject ; but be could not
read the statements in the public papers, and permit the ses-
sion to pass over withcut some remarks upon them. He was
sure that the Government felt the same sympathy for Greece,
and he trusted they would do that which would prove success-
ful, through the assistance of the Greek nation, who owed to
this country the establishment of a free' Constitution, and owed
also to this country the further obligation of being secured in
the enjoyment of tho e constitutional privileges whieh, with the
concurrence of their own Sovereign, had been conferred upon

them.
Mr. B. COCHRANE wished to remind the House that
King Otho accepted the throne of Greece on condition that
the stipulations respecting the existence of the new-formed
Constitution should be fully carried out. In 1843, that Sovereign
wielded the sceptre under very different circumstances from
those now existing in his realm. At present the intrigues of
an unprincipled and incompetent Minister harassed and dis-
graced him ; for though the maxim, " that the King can do no
wrong," applied to the sovereign power of Greece, yet the
misconduct of a Minister brought. odium alike on the Govern-
ment and the Monarch. M. Colletti's conduct was such as to
entail ruin on the State, and stagnation to the commerce of the
country with which he was associated. He not only actively
sowed the seeds of anarchy among the subject., but sedulously
went about to the Foreign Ministers complaining severely of
the others' conduct. But when Mavrocordato could not make
up a Government collectively of all whom he desired, rather
than injure his country by indecision, or the adoption of a
Ministry solely composed of members opposed to him, he com-
promised successfully, and formed a Government comprehend-
ing the united elements of both parties. What was the feelirg
which M. Piscatori entertained of the character of M.
Colletti? Why, he publicly declared at Athens that that Mt-
nister's interference had brought about all the calamities which
now threatened the country ; for this reason, he could not re-
gret that the subject had been started, as it gave the British
Government an opportunity of expressing its opinion of the
conduct of Ministers abroad. He paid a willing tribute to the
admirable course pursued by General Church, but that officer
had himself complained of the vacillation mid negligence of the
Government at home.
Sir R. PEEL said he readily admitted that this country
had a special interest in the prosperity of Greece. They stood
in the character of public creditors, and the debt incurred by
Greece bad net yet been paid, although she had contracted
obligations which she was unable and unwilling to discharge.
England. therefore, had a special right to interfere and see that
the conditions were fulfilled, at the same time that it guarded
the maintenance of self-government—the safeguard of the inte-
grity and independence of the country. No one was happier
than himself and her Majesty's Government, when despotic
rule was terminated, and a popular Constitution was established
in Greece. England had insisted on the satisfactory fulfilment
of engagements, and complained of the delay; while Greece was
told she could remain passive no longer. At the same time the
Government was unwilling to press too eagerly on Greece for
the fulfilment of these claim.. He fully agreed with the Noble
Lord that they had the power to enforce the payment of the
debt ; that Greece ought to bear that in mind, and moreover
that they had the right even to take a portion of the revenue
to repay themselves. But they could not resort to this extre-
mity at present, without endangering the peace of that coun-
try, and changing the popular form of government which
now so happily existed there. He felt he had not the same
opportunity as the Noble Lord opposite (Palmerston), nor
the Hon. Member near him (Mr. B. Cochrane), of discussing
the conduct of certain Ministers, although he was free to en-
tertain his own private opinion on the subject. As a Al:luster
of this country, it would ill suit him to criticise publicly the
character of AL Colletti, or the Foreign Ministers with whom
he aeteil. Such a discussion once commenced would reach to
limits it were difficult either to anticipate or prevent, and he
therefore thought it would he very unadvisable to enter at all
on so delicate a question. He abstained from expressing any
opinion on these transactions. It had been the subject of represen-
tation from t is Government- Hut he would decline;under pre-
sent circumstances, the expression of any opinion on them.
He concurred in the encomium which had been passed on that
distinguished man, General Church. His character stood too
high to be affected in the slightest degree by any statements
of a derogatory character that had been made respecting him.
As he stated before, those were subjects which he would not
now enter upon. They were matters of representation and
remonstrance from this Government, and of course it could not
be expected that he would follow the Noble Lord into these de-
tails. The Noble Lord had explained very fairly what should
be the conduct of Eugland towares other nations—that it
should do justice to all, and be above those petty interferences
which marked the conduct of other countries. He fully
concurred wish him, that we should not dictate to
them how they should manage their internal affairs —( Hear,
hear.) Let this country continue to exhibit that character
and he would never despair of England acquiring that influence
in other nations to which she was justly entitled, and which she
had a great right to claim. Other countries might pursue a
different course, and if any former Government had by its in-
termeddling interference departed from that dignified position,
their course was very clear, and he had no hesitation in saying
that it would conduce far more than any other to the per-
manent benefit of the country. Those countries who bad in-
terfered had alleged, as their reason for doing so, their desire
that the best and most patriotic wan should be selected as Minis-
ter. But if that principle were to be admitted, where was the
proceeding to er.d? Evi ry country, no matter how opposed
in interest, might claim the same privilege. He was, there-
fore, afraid that the principles contended- for by the Noble
Lord were not exactly such as became the dignity of this
country. He did not wish for any English party.
He only wished for such influence as this
country hail a legitimate right to acquire. The
Noble Lord said that there never was a period when England
possessed le=s influence abroad. If the Noble Lord meant an
influence based on an intermeddling and active interferenee—
if he meant an influence acquired by an officious intrusion into
the internal management of the affairs of other nations, he
admitted at once that England had not that influence. But it
he meant that influence which England had a just right to ex-
pect, and which her exalted position among the nations of the
earth legitimately entitled her to have, he offered to the Noble
Lord a denial as distinct as his asseveration; and he would fol-
low the Noble Lord's example, and would allege no reasons
for that opinion.—.( Laughter.) He would hold himself relieved,
therefore, from going into the subject further, and he would
now conclude by placing his asseveration against that of the
Noble Lord—( Loud laughter)—as he had produced no facts in
support of his statements.
The subject then dropped.
The House then went into Committee, and a vote of
20,000/. was agreed to for the sufferers by the late tire
at Quebec.
On the motion that the order of the day be read for bring..
ing up the report on the Joint-Stock Bank (Ireland and Scot..
land) Bill,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained
that it was not his intention to proceed with the Bill, but he
between the to any
oi(f)inthte
was anxious to give this public not:ce,etpattiiilifilsivlolutlil 11.11 him-
selfsto ekatblainbkesrttyb
that
to
of next session. He
resent session and the beginning
gave
P • to prevent any injury that might be sus-
tained by the ignorance of parties with regard to his intention.
He wi,lied it, therefore, to be understood, that he reserved to
the Government the right to apply to any banks that might be
estahli-hed any regulations that the Government might, in the
interim, consider necessar y.
The further coneidei ation of the report was then aejourned
till that (lay three months.
The report on the Fees (Criminal Proceedings) Bill was then
brought up and t eceived.
The Real P. eperty (No. 1) Bill was read a third time and
passed, and also the Assignment of Terms Bill.
The Silk Weavers Bill was read a second time.
The Naval Medical Supplemental Futid Society Bill was
read a third time and passed.
The House then adjeurned, at Eight o'clock.

ADELAIDE GALLERY.—Yesterday the Indian
Prince I)siaganauth Tagore, attended by Sir Robert and Lady
Ilurt on, paid a visit to this establishment to witness in operation.
the model of l'ilbrow's Atmo,pheric Railway. His Highness
in.pected the model with the utmost minuteness, and expressed
himself highly gratified with the ingenious invention of Mr.
Pilbrow, who was himself present, and explained to the illus.
trious visitor the nature of the mechanical constructio❑ of the
model. The Prince visited also the other parts of the eats,-
bEshnient, witnessing the various exhibitions going forward
at the time.
WESTERN CIRCUIT.—BCD3IIIIiII Ellison wns con-
victed at Bodmin of the wilful murder of Ruth Seaman, Ills house-
keeper, at Penzance, and sentenced to death on Wednesday evening.
The circumstances o the case mutt be frv,.h in the recollection of
our Leaden,

RAILWAY COMMITTEE.

(YESTERDAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE.
The Eastern Counties (Cambridge and Huntingdon) Railway
Bill passed through Committee.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
GROUP X.

SHEFFIELD AND LINCOLNSHIRE LINE•

The Committee on this project, comprising Viscount Courtenay,
Mr. Wall, Mr. Scrope, and Mr. Darby, commenced business
this morning by the resumpton of Mr. Fowler's evidence re.pect-
log the engineering character of the line.
Mr. Gouch, C.E., under examination by Mr. Webster, corro-
borated the accuracy of Mr. Fowler's estimates, and attested the
superiority of this line ever that of the London and York by Bawtry.
Mr. Bendel, C.E., examined by Mr. HOPE—Has, in company
with Mr. Fowler, gone over the country between the termini of
this line, and considers It the best that could have been selected.
The junction with the Grimsby line is most favourably effected, and
forms a most important ingredient in the accommodation afforded
the districts, more especially to Gainsborough, and collaterally to
Hull, by forming an indirect communication with, Sunderland,
and thus enabling the coal to be brought down speedily and econo-
mically to the districts intersected by this line, while it offers
lateral accommodation wholly excluded by the Bawtry branch of
the London and York.
Mr. Fowler, a land valuer of thirty years' experience in Shef-
geld, deposed to having surveyed the line of this railway, for the
purpose of computing the cost of the land, &C., on all the line ex-
cept between Lincoln and Gainsborough, and gave in the following
estimate :

Purchase of land
Damage to property .
Land scheduled not required 563 5 0
Buildings not required
Contingencies ... 2,000 0 0
Besides other items.

Mr. Jeffcock, a land valuer, who had been engaged to make an
estimate of the cost as between Lincoln and Gainsborough, stated
that the sum he named for that construction was 82,2881. 7s. 2d.,
making, in all, a gross cost of 100,7781. 9s. Id.
This having closed the case of the promoters of the line,
Mr. TALBOT, Q.C., then addressed the Committee on behalf of
certain parties who considered themselves aggrieved by the course
of the projected Sheffield and Lincolnshire line. As representative
of Mr. Hutchinson, in the first place, he complained of the rail-
way passing within 240 yards of that gentleman's house, and so
encircling it, that from whatever window the family looked out, the
embankment, and nothing but the embankment, of the line is
visible. Some witnesses had insinuated that Mr. Hutchinson's posi-
tion was analogous to that of a retired tradesman, inasmuch as he
chose to domicile in a cottage. From the poets, and other equally
infallible evidence, it was known that in cottages was substan.
tial happiness to be found." Whether Mr. Hutchinson had been
fortunate enough to find that substantial happiness, he did not
know ; but sure he was he enjoyed both comfort and luxury there.
And it was generally believed that the principles of the British Con-
stitution, so much vaunted for their indiscriminating justice, were
essentially those of equal protection to the man whosebirth was cha-
racterised by the discovery of a silver spoon within his month, 4nd
the less fortunate, though not less honoured man, who had earned
equal wealth by greater toil Such protection was now sought at the
hands of the Committee, and he felt assured that the suppliants
would not appeal in vain. With respect to Mr. Foljambe, even a
greater grievance was incurred. The line would intersect his pro.
perty for a distance of no less than four miles, and de-
stroy portions of different estates, whose beauty and value
could not be exaggerated. But, forsooth, it was said that
Mr. Foljambe's opposition was cn account of his pursuit as a fox.
bunter being threatened with diminution by the construction of this
line; and Mr. Vernon and Lord Lincoln had not thought it unbe-
coming their high position to impute such interested motives to
their neighbour. Were it not for the respect he felt for the pri-
vileges of those gentleman he should, and with much more justice,
suggest that Mr. Vernon's consideration for the shares he held in the
Sheffield line, and Lord Lincoln's interest in having his father's tim-
ber conveyed to market upon the rail, induced them to give the evi-
dence they did. But the fact was that physical infirmity had long
since prevented Mr. Foljambe from enjoying his favourite sport,
and it was purely from the' dread of residential injury that he peti-
tioned against the line And as to the necessity for thus encroach-
ing on the rights of property, what were the districts the
promoters wished to accommodate ? The town of Work.
sap was the only one to be touched in intersection, a
town comprising but 6,000 inhabitants, and without traffic enough
or through communication to support its publicans. Such being
the unimportance and even inutility of the line, he called upon
the Committee to regard the just complaints of parties who felt
themselves aggrieved, and reject a scheme unprofitable alike to the
country and the promoters.
The Co itmittee then, at half-past three, adjourned till twelve
to-morrow.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
THURSDAY, JULY 31.
The Lords' amendments to the following Billa were
ag •4(•d to :
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway.
Oxthat aryl Rugby Railway.
Glas ;ow Junction Railway.
Erewatkh Valley Railway (No. 2).