The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-08-03 00:00:00

Entp trial Vartiamcnt.

HOUSE OF LORDS—MONDAY.
Lord BROUGHAM said, it was stated in the American
papers, that Lord Durham had appointed a special council,
consisting of five persons, three of whom were of his own
household, and not one a Canadian; and also that he had
issued an ordinance, declaring that three persons had come
in, and confessed they were guilty of rebellion; and without
bringing them to trial, he had sentenced them himself, and
sent them to Bermuda, with the condition that they should
be put to death if they left the place. Now, this would be
neither more or less than murder; if carried into effect. In
another declaration he had stated. that if Papineau entered
the territories of Canada, he also should be put to death.
This was equally monstrous, for it was contrary to every
principle of justice to hang a man without trying him.
(Hear, hear.)
Lord ELLENBOROUGH wished to call the attention of the
house to the creating of a sham council, which was no re-
striction whatever on the governor, for they coincided in
every thing which he might do ; and he was convinced, that
if this had been known, the bill never would have been
passed. He moved for papers relating to the proceedings
which had taken place under the appointment of Lord
Durham.
Lord GLENELG said, as far as he could produce the docu-
ments, he would do so. It was rather premature to censure
the conduct of the noble earl in this manner, for he had
gained the confidence of both parties.
Lord MELBOURNE had no objection to the production of
these papers; buthe must say, that it was in the highest de-
gree imprudent and unjustifiable to sacrifice the interests of
the country to the interests of party—to sacrifice the highest
objects to the desire of attacking individuals, in order to
pronounce such a determined condemnation upon those acts
which had been deemed necessary by the noble lord, who
was on the spot, and who was therefore the best qualified to
judge of what was necessary.
Lord BROUGHAM absolutely and peremptorily dissented
from the doctrine of the noble lord. (Hear, bear.) It was
not only nol unpatriotic, premature, and unjustifiable, but it
was absolutely necessary and the duty of the house to keep a
watchful superintendence over the exercise of such dictatorial
powers as were entrusted to the governor of Canada.
(Hear, hear.) With regard to factious views, he regarded
them as little as the noble viscount did when he brought for-
ward charges against the then government, and when that
government accused him of being influenced by factious mo-
tives. (" Hear," and laughter.)
After a few remarks from Lord ELLENBOROUGH and Lord
WYNFORD, pressing for a more full explanation,
Lord GLENELG said, he should defer any remarks of his
own until the papers were on their lordships table.
The juvenile offenders' bill was read a third time.
Lord LYNDHURST complained that, contrary to what was
the case with all other prisons, magistrates were not to be al-
lowed to visit the prisons to be established under this bill ;
and that if the "separate system" were to be adopted, as it
only tended, as practised at the Penitentary, Milbank, to
stupefy and barbarise the minds of children, by shutting
them up for 21 out of 24 hours, he should have a still stronger
objection to the bill. His lordship then moved amendments,
the consideration of which was deferred till Thursday.
The custody of infants' bill was moved by Lord LYND-
HURST ; but the motion was negatived by 11 to 9. This bill
is consequently lost.
The remaining orders being disposed of, their lordships
adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY.
CANADA COUNCIL.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, in answer to a question of Sir James
Graham, said it was quite true, as had been reported, that
Sir Charles Paget was one of the special council appointed
by Lord Durham. There was no doubt that it was necessary
five should be present, if any deliberation was required; but
if Sir Charles Paget could not attend, another council could
be easily summoned. (Hear.)
The Postoffice. Bill was read a third time and passed.

PENSION LIST.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole house
on the Civil List Act; Mr. Bernal in the chair.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated, that he now
rose to bring under the consideration of the house what he
hoped would turn out to be a final settlement of a long-dis-
puted question; and he must confess, that he approached the
question with feelings of deep anxiety. It would be in re-
collection of the house, that, in the month of December last,
a committee was appointed on the subject of the civil list
pensions. That committee sat for thirty-five days : it was
attended by the great bulk of the members ; and he rejoiced
that, by the regulation that had been adopted, not only a
full attendance of members was insured, but the votes they
had given were placed before the public. He was fully jus-
tified in stating, that the report had been unanimously agreed
to ; and when gentlemen read the names of those who served
upon the committee, they would see the public was fairly re-
presented in it. There were two foreign ladies of distinction
on the pension list. They were the daughters of the late
Mareschal Duc de Biron, and the story of their pension was
as follows :—Shortly before the late Admiral Rodney sailed
to the West Indies in command, he was at Paris; and, fall-
ing into embarrassments, he was arrested for debt. The
Mareschal heard of the circumstance, and immediately paid
the debt; in consequence of which, the admiral assumed the
command of the fleet, which sailed to the West Indies, and
achieved so splendid a victory. Many years after, when the
vicissitudes of the revolution had overturned France, the
daughters of the Mareschal were in this country in poverty.
His late majesty, bearing the story, sent for them, and
granted the pensions; and a more honourable instance of a
monarch's gratitude for a benefit conferred on his country
was never known. (Hear, hear.) Every page of the report
was worthy the attention of the house and the public; for a
perusal of it would tend to dispel the vast prejudice which
existed upon such a subject. It was nut in the naval and
military services alone that devotion had been shown. In
the civil service there had been much devotion shown: He
would now advert to the results of this inquiry. There were
certain pensions which had been resigned—some, such as
Lord Aucklauds, Mr. Drummond's, and Lord Elphinstone's,
who had given up pensions on their receiving official appoint-
ments. Now it had been said, that there was something
disengenuous in the mode of stating this in the report, and
that the pensions had been surrendered under the pressure of
the inquiry: Nothing could be more mistaken. All these
pensions had been given up at the times which were stated
in the report, i.e at the times when the official appointments
were granted. Some pensions certainly had been given up
at later periods. But it was not fair to represent them as
having been surrendered under the apprehension of in-
jury. Many persons bad been reluctant to give up their
pensions because they did not wish to cast an implied re-
proach on those who retained them. This reluctance
the appointment of the committee removed. This was
the principle upon which persons of the highest eminence
acted; that was the principle adopted by Lord Sidmouth,
Lord Farnborough, Mr. Moore, and the Duchess of New-
castle. Although the committee saw that the circumstances
of the party were such as to enable them to dispense with the
pension, yet they thought that its reversion ought to be pre-
served. He now caine to the last class, to the consideration
of which the committee approached with very great reluctance;
that class was those parties where the pension should alto-
gether cease. Now he could have wished that the result of
the examination had been not to limit that class; but finding
it necessary to come to a decision upon those pensions which
could not be defended, the committee had no other course to
pursue. The committee had discovered with great surprise
the state of the law relative to pensions, by which the crown
was deprived of the power of making charges upon the re-
venue for pensions. The moment they discovered that, the
opinion of the law officers of the crown was taken, which was
conclusive upon the committee. The total amount of the
savings in twenty years would be as follows:—The maximum
would be in 1839, £4,900; in 1844, £34,000; in 1849, £67,000;
in 1854, £90,000; and in 1858 the total maximum of the
saving would amount to no less than £104,000. The recom-
mendations in the report were of some importance, were
unanimously agreed to by the committee, and were frankly
and unreservedly adopted by the government as being ad-
ditional safeguards against the possibility of fraud or deception.
In adverting to the resolution of the committee recommending
that circumstances of poverty in the peerage should not be
considered as justifying a pension, the right hon. gentleman
said he thought such a provision necessary for preserving the
honour and dignity of the peerage. (Hear, hear.) The com-
mittee further advised that pensions should he held liable to
be withdrawn on appointments to public offices. The con-
cluding recommendation of the committee was, that the pen-
sions should now be placed upon the consolidated fund. And
after congratulating the house on the favourable issue of the
inquiry, the right hon. gentleman moved, "That provision
be made enabling her Majesty,to provide out of the consoli-
dated fund for pensions granted previous to her Majesty's
accession."
Sir CHARLES LEMON said, that the pensions charged on
the Duchy of Cornwall always formed part of the civil list.
Mr. WARBURTON should move that the further considera-
tion of the question should be adjourned till some future day
that might be agreed upon. If by agreeing to the resolution
they were only performing a formal act, and if by so doing
they were not confirming a line, a word, or a letter of the
report, then he had no wish to throw any impediment in the
way of the government.
Sia R. PEEL, notwithstanding what had fallen from the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, still retained all his former
opinions upon this subject.—(llear.) He thought that all
pensions granted by a former sovereign ought to have been
retained, and the new system acted upon. He was of opi-
nion that the inquiry, if had at all, ought to have been taken
by the crown. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had said
the grant of the pension was still to be considered to be in
the crown. He (Sir R. Peel) was afraid, if the recommen-
dations of the committee were adopted, it would only be no-
minally so.
Mr. SANDFORD thought the investigation that had taken
place was not correct and proper, not only as regarded the
public, but as regarded the pensioners themselves.—(Hear.)
As far as possible, the committee did attempt to mete out to
every party the same measure of justice; and many cases
were actually re-heard, when the decisions had not given sa-
tisfaction. It was a very delicate investigation ; and it was
to be regretted, that of any pension its withdrawal had been
found necessary to be recommended.
The resolution was then agreed to, and the house resumed.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUEP. then moved, that
the house should resolve itself into a Committee of Supply.

COMMISSIONS.

Colonel SIBTHORP rose to move for a Select Committee to
inquire into the various commissions that have been issued
since 1830 to the present time or period at which the return
may be dated. The whole expense of the commissions issued
under the whig government—that is, excluding the record
commission, the poor-law commission, and one or two others
—was no less a sum than £300,000; and this, too, by a go.
vernment proposing economy and retrenchment. The bon.
member concluded by moving for the committee, at the same
time stating, that be would not press his motion this session,
if the right hon. gentleman would pledge himself to concede
the inquiry next session.
On the motion having been put from the chair, the CHAN-
CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, the house ought not to as-
sent to the appointment of a committee. Not a sigle item of
expense was incurred by these commissions which was not
properly brought under the consideration of parliament. No
mn eoy. could. be spent by the commissioners without the sanc-
tion
.E.l,ar_hament, which must be given either by a special
yacetaorr. thHeeLehgisopleatur, or voted in the ordinary estimates of the
the house would not give the slightest en-
couragement to td he member of an intention to acquiesce
in this motion, either now or on any future occasion.
The motion was then put from the chair, and negatived
without a division.

Col. SIBTHORP give notice of his intention to renew the mo-
tion in the ensuing session of
taomaent.
The house then resolved itself into Committee of Supply.
Several votes were agreed to discussion.without
On the motion being put for granting the ri of £8,928
for defraying the expense of the Roman Catholic College of
Maynootb, Colonel Summar said, ne feit it his duty tu
pose it, on the ground that he did not think it consistent with
the interests of the Protestant establishment to support an
adverse religion.
Colonel PERCEVA I. and Colonel VERNER also deprecated
the vote.
Colonel VERNER alluded to a speech made by the Rev.
Mark Doyle, a Catholic priest, at a public dinner held at Kil-
kenny, on a 'Sunday, in which he called for a continuance of
agitation against tithes, and told the people to be satisfied
with nothing less than total abolition of that impost. A gen-
tleman named Hawkshaw, a magistrate, was present at the
dinner, and he wished to know if the government had called
him to account for such conduct.
Mr. O'CONNELL asked if Mr. Hawks haw had given the
toast of " The Battle of the Diamond."—( Hear, hear.) He
was sorry that the three gallant Colonels opposite, the church
militant he supposed of that house, bad not the courage to
divide against this grant; for if they had had such courage
he should certainly have divided with them, for this grant was

most decidedly against the voluntary principle which, in mat-
ters of religion, be should always uphold.
After some further conversation, the grant was agreed to.
Upon the question that £22,332 be granted to defray the
salaries and expenses of the office of chief secretary in Ire-
land, Colonel Sibthorp objected to the amount of salary
(£5,500) given to the noble lord the chief secretary of Ireland,
and gave notice that in the next session he should move to re-
duce it to £4,000.

Lord Motown' expressed his gratitude to the honourable
and gallant member for giving him a year's warning.
The vote was then agreed, as were various other votes.
The house then resumed; the chairman reported the reso-
lutions to the house, and obtained leave to sit again (as we
understood) on Friday next.
The customs bill was read a third time and passed.
JOINT-STOCK BANKS BILL. _ _ -

The CHANCEIIO2:OfIite-hiciiEQuEßMoved the second
reading of this bill.
SIR EDWARD SUGDEN said, that although he would not
divide the house against the bill in this stage, yethe had con-
siderable doubts as to the propriety of such an alteration of
the law without proper checks. He knew that there was a
a want of some provision to amend the law, but he feared that
the present proposal was opening the door to many difficulties.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that it was ne-
cessary to apply some remedy at once, without which he
thought that the joint-stock banks could not go on. They
were only by this bill asking the house to confirm the origi-
nal intention of the law. The bill was only of a temporary
nature, and there would be time to introduce any checks when
the whole subject of joint-stock banks should be under the
consideration of the house.

The bill was then read a second time.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
house adjourned at half-past one o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY.
ROYAL ASSENT.

The royal assent, by commission, was given to-day with the
accustomed formalities, the lords commissioners being the
LORD CHANCELLOR, the Marquis of LANSDOWE, and the Earl
of S n AFTESBURY, to the Poor Relief (Ireland) Bill, the Old-
ham Gas and Water-works Bill, the Steam-ships Companies
Bill, and six other hills.
The St. Saviour's Grammar School Bill was read a third
time and passed.
Mr. BERNAL and other members of the commons brought
up the Liverpool Clergy Endowment Bill, which was read a
first time.
The turnpike Acts Continuance Bill, the Turnpike Acts
Continuance (Ireland) Bill and the Schools (Scotland) Bill,
severally passed through committees.
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY inquired when the corres-
pondence regarding Spain would be ready, and whether any
progress were making respecting the claims of the Spanish
legion.
Lord MELBOURNE said that the papers were voluminous,
but they were preparing, Secondly, the -commissioners had
arrived.
Lord GLENELG, in answer to Lords Ellenborough and
Brougham, said that an order had been sent to India, to pre-
vent the emigration of the hill coolies; and, with respect to
Oude, he was prepared to produce the papers on the subject.
The Royal Exchange rebuilding bill was read the third
time and passed.
The Tithes (Ireland) Bill was read the second time, sub
silentio, on the understanding that the debate is to be taken
on going into committee on Friday.
The Earl of HADDINGTON afterwards preferred a com-
plaint of the appointment of two persons as magistrates who
had previously been engaged in the "abduction" of voters
at the election for Ross and Cromarty.—Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TutsoAv.
In the Commons several bills were forwarded a stage. The
Slave Treaties (Sicily and Tuscany) Bills were read a second
time, the Transfer of Funds (War-office) Bill went through
committee, the Report of the Prisons (West Indies) Bill
was received, the Post-office Bill was read a third time and

passed.
The consideration of the lords' amendments to the Benefices
Pluralities Bill was deferred till Monday.
The Joint-Stock Banks Bill went through committee.
Lord PALMERSTON, in answer to inquiry from Captain
Boldero, stated the difficulties that had arisen regarding the
North American boundary question, and that there were re-
newed negotiations proceeding between this country and the
United States on the subject.
ClAfter some discussion on the Shannon navigation, &c., the
house adjourned.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE AND

MONEY MARKET.

WEDNESDAY, TWELVE O'CLOCK

Sydney papers of the 11th of April, received this morning,
complain of the great inconvenience and losses sustained
from the insubordination of their convict servants.
A letter from Marulan, dated April 3, gives a dreadful
description of the state of that district; cattle and sheep are
declared to be dying in large numbers for want of pasture
and water.
Since yesterday morning the British funds bad a down-
ward appearance, and Consols receded to 93k; but in the
course of the afternoon, accounts having been received from
various districts of the favourable appearance of the crops,
a reaction took place in the price of Consols, and they im-
proved, leaving off at 93i buyers for the Account. They
opened this morning at 9311 94; Money, 934 IF. Exchequer
Bills, 72 74; India Bonds, 73 75; Bank Stock, 2061 2072;
India Stock, 2641 265. In the Foreign Market most of the
prices are nominal, as there is no business doing as yet.
HALF-PAST ONE.

Consols, which were in the early part of the morning rather
buoyant at 93% 94 for the Account, are not quite so good at
present, may be quoted 93,3 ; Money, 934 ; Exchequer
Bills; 72 74 premium; India Bonds, 75; Bank Stock, 207 ;
India Stock, 26438. In the Foreign Market scarcely any
business doing. Spanish Active steady at 21i with cou-
pons; Portuguese maintains the price of 341, 5 ; Three per
Cents., 221 31; Brazilian, 80: 147 Mexican, 24 25; Colom-
bian, 261 7; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents., 54i si;
Five per Cents., lO2i ; Belgian, 102:1 1.
In the Share Market very little doing. Great Western,
14M pm.; .North Midland, 3 pm.; National Loan Fund
have risen to a pm.; Bahia Steam Navigation, a pm. ,
QUARTER BEFORE THREE.
Consols for the Account, 93% 4.

(From the official list, coat;

transa
BRITISH FUNDS THIS I
Bank Stock, 20634, 7:1- 7

Lining the business actually
cted.)
DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
India Stock, 2641
India Bonds, 75
South Sea Stock, 105 k
Bank Stock for Acct.,
Consols for Acct., 94 n
£lOOO Ex. Bills, 72 74
£5OO do. 72 74
Small do. 72 74
Ditto Commercial,
RES.
al price, without reference to
• discount.)
'Asphaltef United States,
Asphalte, Netherlands,
Asphalte, Swiss,
Asphalte (Claridge's Patent,)

3 per Ct. Red., 941, I
3 per Ct. Con., 9:31i
32 per Ct. Anns. 1818, 1011
3 per Cent. Anus. 1726, 911 -
3% per Ct. Red., 1011 2 11
New 3Y, per Cents., 100% 1
Long Ans. 1860, 15 7-16 I
Ditto, 30 yrs. 1860, 15 1-16

SHA:
The quotations give the actu;

premium or
Real.del Monte Unregistered,;

lli
Great Western, 7936

London & Greenwich, 16i
Northern and Eastern, 1
North Midland, 48
Asphalte, Scotch,
Asphalte, Liverpool,
Asphalte, Polonceau,
Asphalte, British, 2

London Joint Stock Company
I2i
National Loan Fund, 2i
Provincial Bank of Ireland,
421

SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM
RAILROAD.—On Thursday afternoon, between three and four
o'clock, the following accident occurred near Harrow, on the
London and' Birmingham railroad :—lt appears that the train
was proceeding from Denbigh Hall to London at its usual
rapid pace, having affixed to the carriage train a number of
cattle waggons, containing 2000 sheep and lambs for Smith-
field market, besides a nobleman's horse, worth 130 guineas,
on the way to London. Soon after the trains had left Har-
row, the tender ran from off its proper course of the road,
caused by the gross neglect of the point-shifter not placing
the shifting train irons properly, and acquired such a rapidity
that the engineer was unable to stop the tender before the
parts of the whole train came in violent collision with each
other. Fortunately, no person received any injury. The
cattle conveyance was overturned, and a number of the poor
animals frightfully mutilated. After a considerable delay,
the train was placed on the proper tramroad, and proceeded
to Euston-grove, where, on its arrival, it was discovered that
38 sheep and lambs bad been killed by the accident, besides
the horse; and a number of sheep and lambs besides were
severely injured. It was a fortunate circumstance that no
other trains came in the way, or the loss of human life might
have been very great.—Morning Herald.

EFFECTS OF PRUSSIC ACM COUNTERACTED.—A numer-
ous body of gentlemen of this town, consisting of members
of the medical and legal professions, were last week invited
to attend a series of experiments of a physiological and chy-
mical nature, illustrative of the important subject of forensic
medicine, by John Robinson, M.D., which afforded much in-
struction arid the greatest satisfaction to the audience. The
most important featuie of these demonstrations was the doc-
tor's method of resuscitation from the effects of hydrocyanic
acid, of which we will give a brief outline. Two strong rab-
bits being selected for experiment, four drops of powerful
hydrocyanic acid were applied to the tongue of each. The
effects were instantly apparent—the animals were for some
minutes motionless, and apparently dead, when Dr. Robin-
son administered his restorative—viz., cold water poured
from an eminence over the occiput and spine, (the tempera-
ture of the water being previously lowered by nitrate of potass
and common salt.) The effect was magical; for by this re-
suscitative process it was remarked that each animal in turn
skipped about the floor, as if in the enjoyment of good health
and spirits. We need scarcely remark, that such facts as
we now record cannot be too prominently placed before the
public.—Sunderland Paper.
Lusus NATURE.—There is now growing, in the church-
yard of the Leck, on the banks of the Boyne, in the parish
of Rosnaree, County Meath, a thistle of a most unusual
appearance. It grows from the head of a grave, in which a
person named Christopher Moran, who had been drowned in
the river Boyne, near that place, on the 31st July, 1835, was
interred. It was discovered, for the first time, about five
weeks since, and was then about twelve inches high, and
about three inches broad in the stem, which, contrary to the
course of nature in that species, was quite flat, thin, and
ribbed. It now measures four feet nine inches in height,
and the stem has assumed the appearance of a deal board,—
being nine inches broad, in the centre. Froin this part it
divides itself into three flat branches, the main one of which
is a continuation of the principal stem, and measures five
inches in breadth, while the others are only one and a half
t tfupi
frntecsahepenpstei
aubroadrgs
appears,
sf
nrmg respectively.ueldarb appearance,
ti onion
oAnt the
of
o
not
tvooepnr
only
andtohfet hwet 'fi:do Yawnepdrasr and a,
itnh
ecol o u
wholer,
,wwhei c iscons
deer
ri eigtaat
se dt
hwei
mostthp i nekxat
rnad.
brown, &c.
,B„bco.t alsoon
ordinary lusus naturie which has appeased in the vegetable
kingdom for many years, and well worthy the inspection of
those skilled in the science of botany.—grogheda Argus.
SINGULAR DISCOVERY AT LINCOLN.—On Saturday se'en-
night, Mr. Gresham, opposite the White Hart, Lincoln,
commenced enlarging his cellar, as he supposed, by pene-
trating the stone work which closed up an old arch that form-
ed one side of the place. The cellar itself is a great curio-
sity, being about twenty feet depin thehaeahrltyh,foarha part
ncliinhaving
many groinings and pointed arches; pro
of some ecclesiastical edifice. The old arch, above 'alluded
to, was partly buried in the floor of this cellar; and Mr. G.
supposed that, by breaking down the stonework which closed
it up, he should open some collateral archway. When a few
stones were taken down, a very different thing to that which
had been expected was discovered; a subterraneons passage
was disclosed, of extraordinary extent and careful workman-
( ship. it-iriesaee Creel the arched cellar of Mr Gresharcrritr-a
direction towards the ancient Roman Southport. It is five
feet high, four feet in width, formed of excellent masonry,
with dressed stones carefully worked. It is covered in flat,
with huge slabs of stone, and seems far too well executed to
be a sewer. There are apertures only fourteen inches square,
going off at right angles, horizontal from the main passage;
and these lateral shafts appear to extend a considerable dis-
tance under the streets and houses. The main passage is
now cleared to the extent of fifty feet; and Mr. Gresham, in
the titre spirit of research, is determined to go as far as it
continues, which, to all appearance, may be a quarter of a
mile or more. Conjecture is at work to explain what might
have been the purpose of this driftway; some suppose it to
be a Roman secret passage, whereby to get beyond the walls.
o!hers think it to be a subterraneous communication between

adjacent religious establishments. A fragment of an earthen
vessel was found amongst the rubbish, and some bones and
teeth,but not in sufficient amount to lead to the idea that these
were vaults for the deposit of the dead.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The Town Council held their usual monthly meeting at the
Town-hall on Wednesday, at eleven o'clock.
The DEPUTY TowN-CLERK read the minutes of the last

meeting.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.
In the report of the Finance Committee it was stated that
the expenses of the deputation to London with the address to
her Majesty were £276 15s. 2d.
The proceedings of the Finance, Paving, Improvement,
Watch and Market Committees having been read, were seve-

rally confirmed.
Plans for the enlargement of St. James's Market were sub-
mitted to the Council, and the :iterations ordered. It was
stated by Messrs. Currie and H. Holmes that the enlarge-
ment would increase the revenue of the market 16 per cent.
DOCK COMMITTEE-GATES OF THE QUEEN'S DOCK BASIN.
In the report of the Dock Committee, it was set forth that
the committee had resumed the consideration of the plan of
placing gates 70 feet wide at the entrance of the outer basin
near the south end of the Queen's Dock, for the convenience
of large steam-vessels. The estimated cost was about
£35,000, and the further probable cost of excavating the bot-
tom of the basin would be about £1915 The opinions of the
harbour-master and some other officers bad been taken, and

were in favour of the undertaking. A resolution was passed
approving of the undertaking, which was ordered to be car-
ried into effect.

In the proceedings, it was further stated, that the marine
surveyor had submitted a report of the comparative merits of
the liquid gas manufactured by Mr. Seward, of this town,
and of oil for the production of light. The statement was
from the result of experiments made by Mr. Seward on board
the north-west light-ship. It was reported that the light was
much superior to that from oil lamps hitherto used, and that
other advantages would arise from its substitution for oil.
The annual expense would be diminished one-third; and the
cost of fitting up the Formby light-vessel with metal lamps
for the purpose of using it would not exceed twelve guineas.
It was resolved•that the marine surveyor be directed to or-
der the lamps for the Formby light, and for one of the reflec-
tors of the Rock light, in order that it may have a trial.
The proceedings of the Committee and of the Town-hall
Committee were then confirmed.

FEES ON THE ADMISSION OF FREEMEN.

The MAYOR said be had to submit to the Council a petition
rom the freemen who had not been admitted.
The following petition was read by the Mayor :
To the Worshipful the Mayor, Alderman, and Common Goan-
.

cilmen of the Borough of Liverpool.
GENTLEMEN,—We, the undersigned burgesses, and sons
and apprentices of burgesses interested in the freedom of this
borough, beg respectfully to submit the following statements
to your consideration. °The reasonableness of our petition
will, we feel disposed to hope, ensure its favourable reception,
and procure your ready complianee with its prayer.
" Prior to the passing of the reform act, the parliamentary
franchise was exclusively vested in your petitioners—in some
by actual possession, in others by inchoate right—and until
the municipal reform bill came into operation, they also pos-
sessed the power of electing the chief magistrate, &c.
" Whenever a freeman had established his claim for ad-
mission, the sum of two pounds was demanded for expenses
and fees before he was allowed to exercise his vote. Of this
'sum one pound was paid for the required government stamp,
two shillings were given as a fee to the sergeant-at-mace,
one shilling to the water-bailiff, and seventeen shillings to the
town-clerk.

" Upon the passing of the reform bill, the right of voting
was extended to all the inhabitants paying taxes upon a house
rated at ten pounds per annum, whilst upon the municipal
reform bill becoming a law, your petitioners bad their local
right of voting entirely taken from them, and transferred to
the rate-payers. The registration fee paid by a householder
is only one shilling per annum.
" Your memorialists therefore pray, that as the legislature
of the country has now considerately taken off the stamp
duty, in consequence of the altered circumstances in which
the freemen are placed, you will also be pleased to direct the
repeal of those fees which were formerly applied to remune-
rate officers now paid out of the funds belonging to the cor-
porate estate.
" In thus seconding the kind intentions of the houses of
parliament towards your petititioners, you will exercise to-
wards the freemen an act of justice, for which, as in duty
bound, your petititioners will ever pray, &c*"
The MAYOR said he had not counted the signatures, but so

far as he could judge, the petition was signed' by about seven
hundred persons. He had told the parties that he should
certainly lay the arguments which they suggested before
the council, but he could not vote in favour of what they re-
quired. The first argument which they had urged was, thatas
the legislature had shown what their wishes were on the sub-
ject, it would be becoming in the council to do as they had done.
The next was, that as the fees were now held by different
parties, and did not go to pay the officers for whom they were
instituted, it should be a point of conscience with the coun-
cil to abolish them. The fees of freemen had sometimes

when they could not afford it, been paid for them by differ-
ent parties to whom they were bound for the obligation; and
it was a sort of bribery. which went against their consciences,
from which it was their duty to relieve them. The standing
orders of the council did not allow them to enter at that time
upon the discussion of the question, and he thought they had
better adjourn the consideration of the subject to the next
quarterly council, which would be that day fortnight. This
course would be of no disadvantage to the freemen, as the
day for registration was past.
Mr. Councillor BOLTON suggested that, as this was a
question of finance, it should be referred to the finance com-
mittee, who would have the advantage of regulating their
proceedings by the advice of the town-clerk. Such a mode
would be most. convenient, as they could report to the coun-
cil the result of their deliberations, and on them the council
could debate.
The M A Yon said there were difficulties attending t he ques-
tion, as they were, no doubt, aware. He thought, therefore,
it would be better not to refer it to the finance committee,
but to have it for discussion in council.
Mr. Councillor SMITH said he thought that was a question
which ought to be debated generally, and he would take that
opportunity of giving notice of a motion, which he should
bring forward at the next quarterly council, " That in future
the fees chargeable on the admission and enrolment of per-
sons entitled to the freedom of the borough be 2s. 6d., in
lieu of El, as heretofore."
Mr. COOPER.—" I beg leave to second it."
Mr. Councillor EARLE.--' Better take the fee off en
tirely."
Mr. Councillor SMITH thought the freemen ought to pay
something on their admission, as there was a good deal of
eXpense.
It was agreed that the consideration of the subject should
be deferred till the next quarterly council.
THE DEPUTATION TO LONDON WITH THE ADDRESS
To HER MAJESTY.

The MAYOR said, in compliance with their instructions,
the deputation had proceeded to London with the address of
the council to her Majesty the Queen. He was sorry that
they had been much delayed before they could present the
address. They had written from Liverpool to know when
a levee would he held, and they were told that there would
,be one in a week after the coronation. When they arrived
in London they found that it was uncertain when a levee
would be held, or if there would be one at all; and they were
delayed some time. He was auite aware that this had
caused considerable expense, and they much regretted that it
had; it had also caused some personal inconvenience to the
individuals composing the deputation, which they also re-
gretted. On behalf of the pilotage bill deputation, he had to
inform them that the bill had been withdrawn for the present
session. The petition which they had sent up was, of course,
reserved till the question came before parliament. With
regard to the prisons' bill, the several clauses which had
been suggested were all admitted, and he might congratulate
them that the efforts of that deputation had been exceedingly
successful. It was due to their representatives to say that
they had received every assistance from them. From Mr.
Cresswell the deputation received great services up to the
period of his leaving town for the York assizes. From Lord
Sandon also they had received every assistance.
Mr. PLATT asked if the deputation had, during their stay
in London, paid any attention to the suggestion of Mr. Al-
derman Brown, respecting the board of customs and the ex-
cise, who he was very sorry was not there to ask the question
himself.
Mr. HOUGHTON said the mayor would remember they had
received the suggestion too late.
NEW BOROUGH PRISON.

Mr. COOPER wished to ask one question. It appeared
that certain powers were assumed by the secretary of state
which might involve the inhabitants of this town in the ex-
pense of building a new prison. It appeared by the report of
Captain Jebbs that this must be done. He was of opinion
that the corporation possessed plenty of land in the vicinity
of the present borough prison to make it sufficient for all
purposes by building additions. He was sort yto see in the
bill now passing through the house, a clause enabling the
council to lay a gaol rate, or to demand from the church-
wardens and overseers an unlimited amount; and further the
council had power to borrow money for the.same purpse.
It seemed that the sum required would not be less than
£200,000, which the inhabitants of Liverpool would be called
upon to pay back with interest. He was certain if a proper
remonstrance were made from the council to parliament, no
such thing would be required from them.
The MAYOR.—The question was not one as to whether a
prison should be built or not. The bill to which Mr. Cooper
had alluded, only gave power to raise money, so that if it
were determined that they must build a prison, the expense
should fall upon the inhabitants as lightly as possible. Whe-
ther a prison should be built or not was not for them to deter-
mine.