The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-08-11 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-SATURDAY

The coal duties (London) bill, after some ineffectual oppo-
sition, was read the third time, passed, and forwarded to
the Lords.

On the motion of Lord J. Russell, the lords' amendments
to the ecclesiastical duties and revenues bill were generally

agreed to

On motion of Lord SEYMOUR, the lords' amendments to
the railways bill were adopted.
On motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, the lords amend-
ments to the court of chancery bill were agreed to.
The Lords' amendments to the ecclesiastical courts (Tho-
rogood's release) bill, were agreed to, L6rd J. RUSSELL
having stated that he should not object to their adoption,
Mr. HUME brought forward the affair of lighting the house,
but after some conversation, and on the understanding that
it should be left in the hands of the Speaker, he withdrew his
motion on the subject.—The house then adjourned.

GREAT EXPLOSION AT SPITHEAD AGAINST THE
WRECK OF THE ROYAL GEORGE.

(From a Correspondent of the Times.)
By far the most magnificent exhibition which has yet been
witnessed of the enormous force of gunpowder when ex-
ploded under water, took place on Wednesday last at Spit-
head. It is obvious that no extent of description could con-
vey a just conception of so vast and novel an operation, but
it may interest your readers to know, that under circum-
stances apparently similar such very different effects should
be produced. On the former occasions, when Col. Pasley
exploded his huge cylinders at the bottom of the sea, the
water rose to the height of 30 or 40 feet, and generally in a
solid mass, in form like that of a haycock. But on Wednes-
day it was forced to the amazing height of at least 80 feet, in
a sort of pyramid, or set of pyramids and jets, which not
only dispersed the water far in the air above, but carried it to
the distance of more than 100 yards on every side.
The charge, which consisted of 25 barrels, or 2,2501 b., was
placed at the depth of 11 fathoms and a half, or about 70 feet
under the surface, nearly over the original position of the
fore-hatchway of the old ship. That expert diver Mr. John
Fullager, of Chatham, having first carefully examined the
spot and made his report, redescended in company with the
monstrous cylinder, which he placed in such a way that
when the powder should be ignited the mass of mud which
obstructed the workmen might be driven away, or so loosened
as to allow the tide to carry it off.
I should mention that Colonel Pasley's operations have
been carried on of late with so much activity by Lieutenant
Symonds and his party at Spithead, that almost all the wreck
not ouite buried, has been dislocated by small charges of
powder, and drawn up to the surface. One day last week a
huge mass of the kelson, which lies just above the keel, was
recovered. This evidence of the operations having reached
very nearly to the lowest part of the wreck gave great spirits
to all concerned. But such were the quantity and the tena-
city of the mud, that the labour of extracting the fragments
became excessive, and this prodigious explosion was resolved
upon, less with a view of tearing asunder the remaining
beams, timbers, and planking, than of sweeping out the mud
in which they lay imbedded. It may be further remarked,
that, while as a mere engineering operation, it would be very
. disgraceful not to remove every particle of! the wreck, that
part of the anchorage would be now almost as inconvenient
or useless as it formerly was if the dislocated and dispersed
fragments were allowed to lie in the way of ships' anchors.
All this expense and trouble, therefore, have become abso-
lutely necessary, if we wish to have the finest anchorage in
the Kingdom, we had almost said in the world, rendered in
all its parts fit for her Majesty's ships to ride in in all
weathers.

The day was fine, and the collection of yachts and pleasure
vessels of every size and rig exceeded all that had been drawn
together before, so that Spithead, for a circuit of half a mile
round the Royal George, was one dense mass of shipping,
row-boats, cutters, yawls, schooners—and last, not least,
immense steamboats, crowded half way up their funnels with
strangers from a distance.
When Colonel Pasley's preparative trumpet sounded, the
hubbub was instantaneously stilled, and all eyes were turned
to the launch in which Lieutenant Symonds stood with the
ends of the connecting wires of the voltaic battery in his
hands. Scarcely had the word been given to " Fire !" and
the trumpet sounded, when the whole area was shaken as if
by an earthquake, the surface became ruffled like the top of
a glacier, and in the next instant, literally in less than two
seconds, the water bulged up and rose to the height of about
20 feet, after which a sort of second burst or bulge occurred,
which projected the sea in huge masses, as I have said, high
into the air.
Such was the violence of this effort, that the spray was
thrown completely over all the adjacent vessels in a drench-
ing shower, accompanied by a violent gast of wind radiating
from the centre. Immediately such a shout was raised as I
never heard before ; and when this first involuntary expres-
sion of satisfaction was over, three deliberate jolly cheers
from the vast crowd saluted the gallant officer whose suc-
cessful perseverance has afforded them so extraordinary a
treat. _ _ _ _

Various estimates were formed as to the height of the
column or columns of water. Some went as far as 100 feet,
and some as low as 50, but I feel sure that the mass of water
could not have been projected less than 80 feet into the air.
The commotion in the water, and the ocean of mud, dead
fish, and other symptoms of violence which spread far and
near,-gave every promise that the operation will answer the
purpose which Colonel Pasley has in view, but as yet I have
not learned what the report of the divers is.

WRECK OF THE LORD CASTLEREAGH

(FURTHER PARTICULARS.)

The following details of this lamentable catastrophe are
contained in a letter from P. Jenks, one of the survivors, to
his employers Messrs. Hormusjee, Dorabjee, and Co., of
Bombay, published in the Bombay Gazette of June 22 :
" We left Karrack on the 28th ult., with the following
passengers :—Captain Earle, Dr. Davis ; Lieutenants Grant
and Walker; about 180 Sepoys 24th Regiment Native In-
fantry, and 150 Marine Battalion and followers, in all about
340 souls, besides 95 of our own crew. Our passage was
tedious out of the Gulf, and after getting to S.E. of Rasel
Had about 250 miles, we had variable winds mostly from
E.N.E., with a long heavy swell from the southward causing
the ship to labour much, and the sails, though a new suit, to
he quite worm out in the three days that this lasted. On the
15th inst., the weather become cloudy with rain, and the
wind veered round to the south-westward, with a heavy sea.
At noon on the 17th we were in lat. 18 53 N, long. 71 38 E,
the ship going about 10 knots an hour; got the fore and
wizen top-gallant-mast on deck, and all the rigging, and
made the ship as snug as possible. From noon steered
E.S.E., to allow for a heavy sea bearing us to the northward.
Ship going 91- and 10 miles per hour until eight o'clock
p.m., then in 16 fathoms, stood on until half-past eight, then

, . ... .
1 11 fathoms, and nothing in sight, hauled to the wind on
he starboard tuck, and at half-past nine saw Kenery Island
earing E.S.E. in 14 fathoms, found the ship drifting fast
[wards the island ; wore round and hauled close to the wind
,n the larboard tack ; immediately the shid was round and
he sails trimmed, saw Bombay light bearing N.N. E., at half-
_ _

-
past ten or nearly so, found by the island we were drifting to
the E. fast, thought it better to bear up for the harbour at
once; steered from N.N.W. to N.E. altering the course
gradually, for I was afraid of Tull Reef, the sea being so high,
that I thought we must be nearer to it than the light from
the short time we had left Kenery. At 11, in ten fathoms
mud. I now thought we should haul up E., and just as I
mentioned this to my first officer, the people forward re-
ported a ship a-head ; waited a little to see what this was,
when a light was shown ; got a light up to answer, and by
this time found it was a vessel on shore ; hauled up immedi-
ately to the E., but not being able to trim our sails quickly

,
from the heavy lurching of the ship, she very soon struck
very hard about the rudder, paid off before the wind, and g

hale past 11 was close to the other unfortunate vessel; but
such was the noise of the sea that we could not tell what she
was until she went to pieces about 12 o'clock when we hauled
two poor fellows on board.
" We now commenced to get the boats clear, got the long
boat over the side and kept her in the tackles until daylight ;
then being low water and the sea much less, lowered all the
boats, and as they could not lay alongside the ship got them
to the bows ; sent the people down into them as fast as they
could, and when full, attempted to veer them on shore ; but
one of the ropes parted, and the other was cut ; , after that
sent as many as we could on rafts made from the spars, &c,

until the tide rising, the sea became so high, that we thought
it better to wait, trusting that the ship would hold together
till the next low water ; cut away the masts and continued
making rafts. Unfortunately the ship commenced breaking
up about three p.m., and so quickly was it, that the rafts were
in the water in the mass of the wreck in a very few minutes ;
it is impossible to describe the coolness with which the poor
Sepoys worked all day, and their apparent cheerfulness under
our dreadful calamity. Poor Captain Earle was the whole of
the time hard at work in assisting, and after we had finished
sending in the morning all we could, he mustered the Sepoys
and found 130 had been landed ; several of the crew having
also left without leave. Poor Dr. Davis and Lieut. Walker
were both very unwell, but always at hand with suggestions
for the benefit of the whole. It was at Grant's suggestion
that we commenced making rafts, who worked himself hard
during the day.

" IV-Iy officers, gunner, carpenter, and a sailor of the name
of Blake, I cannot say too much in their praise ; no men
could have behaved better, and the Syrang and a few of the
crew also behaved well.

My most grateful thanks are also due to all those who so
gallantly endeavoured to assist us; and while I deeply regret
the loss of life that has taken place, I feel truly thankful to
that good Providence through whose mercy so many were
saved.
" The devotion which the captain and officers (both those
belonging to the detachment and the ship Castlereagh) evin-
ced (says the Bombay Gazette) cannot be too highly esti-
mated : they stuck to their vessel while a plank remained ;
and the heroism, courage, and cheerfulness under danger
and privation which distinguished the Sepoys, adds another
leaf to the crown of laurel which will associate their name
with the proudest and most boasted achievements of the Bri-
tish soldier. But what can we say to those who directed
and conducted the efforts which were made to save the suf-
ferers? If we bad a branch of the London Humane Society
here, their medals would honourably decorate each manly
breast. A richer reward awaits 'them—the respect and at-
tachment of their fellow-citizens, and, better far than all,
the satisfying whispers of an approving conscience.
" Among those who particularly distinguished themselves
on these days of misery in saving the sufferers at the peril of
their own lives, we noticed the following gentlemen. If we
have left any names out it is inadvertently. We then say,
that,
under Providence, the saving of so many_ lives was due
to Captains Saunderson, Montriou, and Webb, of the 1.N.;
to Captains M'Gregor, Hogg Baxter, Ayres, Willis, Boul-
ton, Knox, and Jones, of the Country Service ; Mr. Midship-
man Sandiman, Mr. Rooper, (Bombay Castle,) Mr. Middle-
ton, (Lady Grant,) and Mr. Brooke, (of the Scaleby Castle.)"

A case occurred at the petty
sessions on Friday, the
we
wish
of humanity and the 19th of June, which, for the
cha-
racter of British seamen,
the
eneivier had occurred. Capt.
Morescy, 14%1., commandin-
ship Sesostris, appeared befobre the 817. Company's steam-
magistrate, E. F.
?sr, Alex. Roberts,
livin sitting
Sayer, and Thos.
Danvers, Esq., and brought up
Robt. Simpson, Richard Goodman, .Al
`refusing
Leets, of the crew of that vessel, ol therech
to obey orders when desired to get the vesaosr/lezonfde.r weigh,
foundander
with a view to save people from the wrecks the ships Lord
William Russell and Lord Castlereagh.' The
guilty of the above charge, and William JacksLZeex
Roberts, R. Goodman, and Thomas Leets, were sentenced
to be imprisoned for 21 days, and Alfred Sayer andN Robert
Simpson for 14 days, in the common gaol in Bombay.
this is almost the first instance in our recollection when aTc,
refused to hold out a hand to a sinking brother." ar

IN • - %\lik
ZEALAND

Papers have been printed, by order of the House of Com-
mons, containing the reports of Captain Hobson, R.N., of
his proceedings on arriving at New Zealand. The first of
these is an address of congratulation on arrival, presented to
his excellency by the (45) inhabitants of the township of
Kororarika, expressing their gratification at his safe arrival,
and declaring that the establishment of British laws and Bri-
tish authorities had long been the desire nearest to their hearts.
There is also a letter, by Capt. Hobson to Sir George Gipps,
stating that, immediately on arriving, he had issued an invi-
tation to all British subjects to meet him at the church at
Kororarika, to hear read her Majesty's commission, extend-
ing the limits of the colony of New South Wales, and his
own appointment as governor of such part of the colony as ,
may be acquired in sovereignty in New Zealand. The most
interesting portion of these papers, however, is a letter ad-
dressed by the Lieut.-Governor to Sir George Gipps, from
the Bay of Islands, describing the proceedings at a meeting
which he had called of the native chiefs of the confedeia-
tion, and of the high chiefs who bad not signed the declara-
tion of independence, for the purpose of explaining to them
the command which he had received from her Majesty,
and of laying before them the copy of a treaty which he
had to propose for their consideration. A vast number of
chiefs, with a multitude of followers crowded in from
every quarter, and assembled under spacious tents, decorated
with flags. His excellency proceeded to the tent, supported
by his officers, Mr. Busby, the late resident, the members of
the Church Missionary Society, the French bishop, the offi-
cers of the government, and all the principal European in-
habitants in procession, and took his seat on a raised plat-
form. In the centre of the area, within the tents, the chiefs
seated themselves upon the ground, leaving a space around
them for the Europeans. His Excellency opened the meet-
ing by explaining, in the fullest manner the object of his
mission, and the reasons that had induced Her Majesty to
appoint him. He then read the treaty, and dwelt on each
article, offering a few remarks explanatory of such passages
as they might be supposed not to understand. Mr, H. Wil-
liams, of the Church Missionary Society, interpreted and re-
peated in the native tongue, sentence by sentence, all that
his Excellency addressed to them. When his Excellency
had finished, he invited the chiefs to ask explanations on any
point they did not comprehend ; 20 or 30 chiefs in conse-
quence addressed the meeting, five or six of whom spoke with
so much violence and effect that his Excellency was appre-
hensive that they had fairly turned the tables on him, but at
this crisis the Hokianga chiefs, " under Neni and Patawoni,
made their appearance," and nothing, says Captain Hobson,
" could have been more seasonable." His Excellency insi-
nuates that underhand influence had been at work, and two
chiefs whom he names as being followers of the Catholic
bishop, were the principal opposers. One of these orators,
" Revewah," said, " Send the men away : do not sign the
paper : if you do, you will be reduced to the condition of
slaves, and be obliged to break stones for the roads. Your
lands will be taken from you, and your dignity as chiefs
destroyed." In this dilemma, and when things appeared
to he looking very black for his Excellency, at the first pause
" Neni" came forwrd and eclipsed all rivals. He spoke
with so much " ndrural eloquence" as surprised all the Eu-
ropeans, and turned aside the temporary feeling that had
been created by the arguments of the other orators. No
wonder, then, that Captain Hobson should speak favourably
of his talents. He was to him a friend in need, and
seems ta have done his part of the business effectually.
He pointed out to the New Zealanders how impossible
it was to govern themselves, and concluded his harangue
by strenuously advising the chiefs to place confidence
in the promises of the British. He was followed by
two other favourable chiefs, and after an adjournment of one

day, it having been announced that the chiefs had become
impatient to sign the treaty that they might return to their
homes, his Excellency gratified their wishes ; and having
accordingly proceeded to the tents, the treaty was signed in
due form by 46 head chiefs, in presence of at least 500 of
inferior degree ; which, being held to be a full and clear re-
cognition of the sovereign rights of Her Majesty over the
northern parts of the island, was announced on the 7th of
February last by a salute of 21 gnus from Her Majesty's ship
Herald. By the first article of the treaty, the chiefs of the
confederation of the united tribes of New Zealand, and the
separate and independent chiefs expressly cede the powers
and rights of sovereignty to Her Majesty over their respective
territories ; and by the second, Her Majesty confirms and
guarantees them in the possession of their lands and estates,
forests, fisheries, and other properties, so long as they wish
to retain them ; but they yield at the same time to her Majesty
the exclusive right of pre-emption over such lands as they
may be disposed to alienate ; and the third grants to the na-
tives of New Zealand all the rights and privileges of British
subjects. The acceptance by the chiefs is as follows :—" We,
the chiefs of the confederation of the united tribes of New
Zealand, being assembled in congress at Waitangi, and we,
the separate and independent chiefs of New Zealand, claiming
authority over the tribes and territories which are specified
after our respective names, having been made fully to under-
stand the provisions of the foregoing treaty, accept and enter
into the same in the full spirit and meaning thereof. In
witness whereof we have attached our signatures or marks at
the plates and dates respectively specified. Done at Waitangi
this 6th day of February, in the year of our Lord, 1840."

FRENCH BLOCKADE OF BUENOS AYRES

The following is an extract of a letter from an English
merchant resident at Buenos Ayres. He depicts, in strong
colours, the injury inflicted by the unprincipled ockade in-
stituted by France. Our Ministers have neither eyes nor
ears for that which does not concern their Parliamentary ma-
jorities or minorities. It is time, however, that something,
as the saying is, were done :
" This blockade is enough to make one fret away existence.
The rascally Whig Government ought to be kicked out if for
nothing else than the indifference they have manifested to-
wards British interests abroad, in fact, all over the world.
The French are playing with you, and helping themselves at
your expense in every quarter. Lord Aberdeen, and he is a
very high authority, said so recently in Parliament as the 2nd
March, that the blockade was unjust and untenable. Then
why not insist, if France has grievances with Buenes Ayres,
that they should take elective steps to adjust them. The

English'Minister, Mandeville, has been ail along advising
Governor Rosas to hold out, and the latter has done so, and
can still do so, till the French send forces sufficient to take
Buenos Ayres and expel the present government. If the
matter is to be settled here it must be at the mouth of the
cannon. All treaty and negotiation is not worth a farthing.
Intrigue, threats, treaties, have all been tried and failed,
and it only now remains (and which ought to have been
used long ago) to use voncz. I see a change of
Ministry has taken place in France ; will that do any
good ? I fear not. Admiral Dupotel is lying here with
ten ships of war, very comfortably enjoying themselves.
Rosas is laughing at them, and we poor inoffensive traders
are looking on, suffering and being ruined and in despair. I
see the Leeds Mercury sometimes, but in vain look for any
remonstrance with Government against this blockade. There

is plenty of squabbling about Church-rates, and tithes, and
dissenters, and other rubbish of a like nature, but the inte-
rests of your oppressed merchants in and connected with the
river Plate are no where noticed; and, indeed, so it is gene-
rally with the English press. Ours is no question of Whig
or Tory, but one of justice, commanding alike the support

and protection of all parties who wish for commercial pros-
perity ; but we are neglected because people either will not

Ake th, trouble to lisien to or understand us, or are so
Minded by party feeling as to shut their ears to our corn-
jlaints. If England were to blockade Oporto, do you sup-
3ose France and Russia would allow of its continuance for

two years and a half—a quiescent blockade ? Would they
not rather take part with such power to bring it to an end
either by force or negociation ? Yet England, which is almost
the only sufferer, here looks quietly on and takes no steps to
induce France to do anything really efficient. It is said, and
I believe it, that the Camille, which sailed from here on the
15th March, for Brest, took certain proposals from Roses to

the French Government, which the latter cannot refuse to
accept of. I trust it may so prove. Rosas has offered to put
Frenchmen on the same footing in Buenos Ayres as Buenos
Ayreans are put on in Paris, but the unreasonable agents of
France here demand more. They insist that Frenchmen
shall enjoy- exclusive privileges above all other foreigners—
which is monstrous ; and what is more so, they are attempt-
ing to obtain that by force; to the shame of England be it if
she does not, upon ascertaining this, send a fleet and drive
every French ship out of the river. If you had better
men in power it would be done, but, if not, why the game
may go on for years."

WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE

(From the Newcastle Journal.)

The proceedings of this exemplary body of men continue
to excite very great interest in Newcastle and the neighbour-
ing towns. We understand the business of the conference
has been conducted in great unity of spirit, and a very
hallowing influence has pervaded the whole of the public
religions services. From the returns laid before conference
it appears that twenty-nine preachers have died during the
last year, viz., nineteen in England, five in Ireland, and five
in the missionary field. Fifty-four young preachers, having
passed their four years of probation, have been admitted into
full connection, after examinations in private as to their
characters and qualifications for the work of the ministry,
and in public as to their conversion to God and call to the
sacred office. On Wednesday evening they were solemnly
devoted to the work by the laying on of the hands of the
Presbytery. This was done by the president, assisted by Dr.
Hannah, and twelve of the senior ministers. On Thursday
evening an impressive charge was delivered to them by Dr.
Hannah, as Christians, students, preachers, and pastors. The
whole of these public services were deeply interesting to over-
flowing congregations, composed of Christians of every section
of the evangelical church. 114 others have been recommended
to the conference as candidates. Several new circuits have been
formed ; one of them at Shotley Bridge, in this district.
From the returns it appears that the centenary year of the
body has been most signally owned of God in the success of
the Wesleyan ministry, there beirg an increase of 16,110
members in Great Britain, 665 in Ireland (notwithstanding
a loss of 600 by emigration), and 5777 in the foreign stations,
besides 19,603 on trial for admission into the societies. Ad-
dressesof congratulation to the Queen and her Royal Con-
sort, on her Majesty's marriage, and providential preserva-
tion from the hands of the lunatic assassin, have been deter-
mined on. The two Ashantee princes who are at present in
this country, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Pyne, have been
introduced to the Conference. The Rev. .1. B. Freeman,
one of the Conference missionaries at Cape Coast Castle, a
man of colour, gave a deeply affecting account of his late
visit to Coomassie, the capital of Ashantee, in which country
a mission is determined on, and a mission in Hudson's Bay
has already been commenced, the expenses of which will be
chiefly defrayed by the company. In consequence of a letter
from the Anti-Slavery Society, the question was freely gone
into, and an answer returned, expressive of the abhorrence
which the Conference have always, and do still entertain, of
that dreadful evil. The business of the assembly, it is sup-
posed, will not be brought to a final close until about the
middle of next week, when we hope, to be able to present our
readers with some additional information relative to the de-
liberations of this body, whose loyalty has always been sound,
whose veneration for the establishment has ever been unva-
irc yoa i
conducted
neg
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rc)a.e nebddy
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ohn atmohl ett
ohzfee
of ate lhhmeai
anpmne
yitoshsoote
others.
disseminationpreachers de
hwtoehrof
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cont oui
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nection, next Lord's day.

THE WIGAN SPINNERS. —The dispute amongst this class
of artizans still remain unsettled, and the distress in conse-
quence is very great.—Wigan Gazette.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.-Mr. J. Wimbridge, of Pres-
teign, has discovered a chemical process, by means of which
steel may be so hardened as to cut glass more easily than the
diamond.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE HULL AND SELBY
I LINE.
traina which
Fridayne in vnol
lovri nn g
ag
sae
rfrightfuls aecfc ildi
feen. t t oTohkge ace on the
leaves Leeds at seven o'clock in the morning above—n
within a mile of the Howden station, when six of therier last
carriages, consisting of the York train, were upset, dragged
on the ground, and beaten to pieces ; and we are sorry toadd
that six of the passengers lost their lives, namely, Mr. Stead,
of York, Mr. Veltman, of Hull, Mr. Craggs, of South Dalton,
and two gentlemen and a lady unknown ; the latter had with
her a pocket-handkerchief marked "A. S. About eight
persons were more or less injured, some of them severely.
The cause of the accident was this :—There was part of a
weighing machine on one of the Leeds luggage carriages ;
this got out of balance and fell off upon the rails, and thus
overturned the carriages spoken off. An inquest will be held
on the bodies this morning, at nine o'clock, at Howden ; and
for the present we abstain from all comment.—Leeds Intel&
geneer, Saturday.

'lt 1

EXTIMID MEET-I
N AT 110
I In it 1)1

On Wednesday evening last, a meetingof rather an extra-
ordinary character was held at Birmingham, convened by a
large placard, of which the following is a copy :
" Now or never ! Men of Birmingham, your duty to your-
selves, your children, and, above all, to your injured and in-
sulted country, at this important time of its need, call upon
you to attend a meeting this evening, at seven o'clock, on the
ground of the People's Hall of Science, when some most im-
portant business will be brought before you, coneerning
deeply the welfare of yourselves and your country. Fellow-
townsmen attend ; be calm, and think seriously after what
will be laid before you." -

At the hour appointed a considerable number of persons
assembled, when Charles Attwood, Esq., brother to the late
Member for Birmingham, made his appearance, accompanied
by several other gentlemen. Mr. Attwood then proceeded
to address the meeting atilidst cheering. He said they had
been called together upon a subject of more importance than
any which had been broached since the days of Oliver Crom-
well. It was no less than to charge a Minister of the Crown
with high treason, and with having intentionally and know-
ingly attempted to sell that country to a foreign power. He
made this charge, and was prepared with proof, when the
proper time arrived, in the full knowledge that he was incur-
ring a deep and a heavy responsibility. He had already de-
clared that the charge he was about to make was without a
precedent since the days of Oliver Cromwell, and he would
add that, to the honour of mankind, it was a crime rarely even
seen in historical records. The charge, then, was against the
Foreign Minister of Great Britain and Ireland, and he (Mr.
Attwood) most solemnly declared that he made the charge
not on his own authority alone, but on the authority also of
some of the most distinguished men of this country. In
form the accusation was this, that a treasonable collusion has
existed between the Foreign Minister of the Crown in this
country and Russia, during the whole time Lord Palmerston
has been in office—and that is no short space of time—with
a view to render this and other European powers subservi-
ent to the aggressions of the northern autocrat. (Hear,
hear.) Indeed, this country was being betrayed and sold ;
and he was prepared with proof to that effect. He had docu-
ments which, in the present state of the inquiry, it would not
be safe to produce ; but he called upon the people to demand
inquiry, and to demand, if guilty, the public execution of
Lord Palmerston. That minister of the crown had long
secretly fostered between England and France, and, indeed,
every other state but Russia, the germs of war, till at length
their country had been insulted and injured by every power
in Europe—till at length it was known by many distinguished
individuals in this country that Lord Palmerston was the
mere paid agent of the Russian Government.—(Sensation.)
Mr. A. concluded a long speech by moving the following re-
solution :—" That this country is in danger and intention-
ally betrayed to a foreign .country ; and that the people of
Birmingham do, in public meeting assembled, on Monday
next, assert the danger and d9ounce the criminal."—(Loud
cheers.)
After several other parties had addressed the meeting, the
assemblage separated.
BIRMINGHAM, SUNDAY AFTERNOON.—The elements of
disorder are again rife in Birmingham, and active prepara-
tions are making by the more violent section of the chartists
to commence a new movement here and in other parts of the
country, which is likely to become more important or mis-
chievous in its consequences than their last abortive attempt,
inasmuch as men of property and station in society have en-
listed themselves in the scheme: The avowed object of the
present project, as stated in my last, is no less a matter than
the impeachment of a minister of the Crown, Lord Viscount
Palmerston; and his chief accusers are Mr. Charles Attwood,
of Newcastle, Mr. Urquhart, Mr. Monteith, Mr. Sheppard,
and a number of other gentlemen belonging to the ultra-tory
party, who have combined with the more violent of the char-
tist leaders in Birmingham, in their efforts to attain this ob-
ject. The more moderate of the chartist body, headed by
Mr. Collins, who has just obtained his liberation from War-
wick gaol, are opposed to the present movement, and are
taking active measures to counteract it, with what success it
is not easy to determine, as the party is pretty equally divided
upon the question.
To-morrow, a public meeting, called by Mr. Charles Att-
wood, is to take place at Holloway Head, " to consider cer-
tain allegations to be brought forward, that a minister of this
country labours to bring about its downfall, and that a rup-
ture with France and simultaneous embarrassments with
other powers, are parts of a systematic scheme for that ef-
fect." This is the gist of the placard, which ends by calling
upon the people to observe order and decorum that the mea-
sures to be adopted for " averting the ruin of the country,
by a timely investigation, according to the legal and consti-
tutional usage of the country," may not be thwarted. The
placard has produced much excitement, and many rumours
are afloat as to the probable result of the day's proceedings.
The chartists say that the articles of impeachment were placed
in the bands of Lord Melbourne on Friday night, and that
the government are determined to arrest Mr. Attwood on
Monday, and prevent the meeting from being held.
In consequence of this statement, the following placard

was this morning issued. It is a curiosity in its way, and I
therefore give it verbatim, &c.:—
" Men of Birmingham,—There being reason to believe
that persons are intended to be present (from London) at
the meeting at Holloway Head on Monday next for the pur-
pose, not of promoting, but of hindering discussion, by
interruptions,—your sense of justice and of your own re-
spectability is concerned to prevent any attempt of such a
nature, if it should be made, from succeeding •in its unfair,
and to the character of your town, injurious design. Patience
in hearing, and in abstaining from such interruptions, will
always be the interest, and therefore the practice of the party
that can best depend upon the soundness of their arguments,
and those who deviate from such practice ought to recollect
that thereby in effect acknowledge that their cause is inde-
fensible. (Signed)
..

EDWIN THOMPSON."
A meeting was held last evening, by adjournment, from
Dee's Royal Hotel, at the Assembly Rooms, in the Old
Square, at which the resolutions to be submitted at the
meeting to-morrow were agreed upon ; and it was also de-
termined, in order to give additional weight to the important
subject of the proceedings, to present a requisition to the
mayor, P. H. Muutz, Esq., to issue his mandate for holding
it. A deputation, consisting of the requisitionists, are with
the mayor while I write, but there is little probability—
much reason as he has to feel indignant at the pitiful conduct
of the present government in reference to the charter of
incorporation—that Mr. Muntz will lend even the sanction
of his name to a meeting which it is more than probable will
end in tumult and disorder.
Mr, Burgess, the active commissioner of police, and his
superintendents, are fully, acquainted with all that is passing
and in contemplation, and, with the assistance of the Scot's
Greys stationed at our barracks; wiil be more than equal to
meet any possible emergency that may arise.—Morning
Herald of Yesterday.