The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-05-15 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY.

The tithe compositions (Ireland) bill went through com-
mittee.

Lord SEAGRAVa presented petitions from places in Glou-
cestershire, in favour of the corn laws, which, he said, had
his decided approbation • and one from a place in the same
county against those laws, -which, although respectably
signed, he considered to proceed on a delusion.
Earl STANHOPE, after the presentation of various petitions
on the subject, brought forward the motion of which he had
given notice respecting the opium trade with China. His
lordship stated that, as far as the Chinese governMent was
concerned, its policy had been invariably directed towards
the suppression of the trade, and had not been, as was alleged,
prohibitory in theory, yet permissive in fact. His lordship
concluded with moving " that an humble address be pre-
sented to her Majesty, to express to her Majesty the deep
concern Of this house in learning that an interruption has
occurred in the friendly relations and commercial intercourse
which had so long subsisted with the Chinese Empire ; and
to represent to her Majesty that these calamities have, in the
opinion of this house, been occasioned by British subjects
having persevered in bringing ()pinta to China, in direct and
known violation of the laws of that empire ; and to request
that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to take immediate
measures for the prevention of such proceedings, which are
so dishonourable to the character and so detrimental to the
interests of her subjects ; and to assure her Majesty that if
any additional powers should be found requisite for the pur-
pose this house will readily
sconcur in granting them to her
Majesty."
Lord MELBOURNE and the Duke of WELLINGTON opposed
the motion, and after extended discussion; in which Lord
Ellenborough, Lord Ashburton, &c., took part, the motion
was negatived without a division.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-TURSDAY.

The third reading of the. Portsmouth floating bridge bill,
moved by the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, was after
much discussion, deferred till Tuesday, to afford time to con-
sider new clauses, which

, .
Mr. ESTCOURT condemned as proceeding on a very bad
principle—that of introducing fresh clauses after the bill had
gone through committee ; all such bills, he said—and the
sentiment was loudly cheered—ought to be recommitted, in
justice to all parties concerned.
On the motion of Mr. STANLEY, a new writ was issued for
the borough of Armagh, in the room of Mr. Sergeant Currie,
who lad accepted the office of Master in Chancery in Ireland.
Mr. G. PALMER postponed till the 28th instant, his mo-
tion respecting China.
Lord SANDON, for Mr. J. E. Tennant, gave notice that
on the 26th inst. the latter member would move for papers
relative to the claims of British subjects for losses sustained
in Brazil.

Mr. SHAW gave notice that he should, on Friday, put a
question to Lord Morpeth, as to the claim of the clergy in
Ireland to payment of the instaltnent&of the loan.

•
NEW WRIT FOR LUDLOW.

The Earl of DARLINGTON then renewed his motion of
Monday night, for the issuing of a writ for Ludlow, stating
that if he could findthree members to support him, he should
persevere, and stop all other business till that motion was
decided.

Mr. STANLEY again said that he wished the subject to be
deferred until Lord J. Russell was present. He thought
that this was an instance in which the issuing of the writ
might fairly be postponed, bribery and treating having been
proved to have taken place to an alarming extent at the last
election for Ludlow.

Mr. HoRsmAN having moved that a select committee be
appointed to inquire into the extent of bribery and corruption
that prevailed at the late and previous elections for the bo-
rough, and that pending the inquiry the writ be not issued ;
The house divided, when the motion was lost, the numbers
being—for it, 180 ; against it, 216. Majority, 36 against the
amendment.

Mr. WA u.su RTON then moved that the further consideration
of the subject he deferred until Thursday next, to give time
for, the presence of Lord J. Russell in the house.

---
After. further struggles, the subject was again postponed,
the understanding being that no public business should be
proposed before Thursday. The house accordingly adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY.
The House of Lords did not meet this day.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY.
Many petitions were presented, one of which called forth
conversation as to the printing petitions containing objec-
tionable matter, attention being directed to the subject by
Lord Stanley. He made no motion on it, in consequence of
the understanding that no public business should be brought
forward till. Thursday.
Mr. HAMILTON stated, that, in committee on the sale of
beer bill, he would move the insertion of a clause to reduce
the amount of duty from five guineas to two guineas.
Mr. FRESHFIELD gave notice that he would move for the
return of the copy of the warrant appointing Mr. Serjeant
Curry a Master in Chancery.
Mr. ESTCOURT stated that on Monday next he would
move for leave to bring in a bill to amend certain parts of
the enclosure act.

Mr. BAINES moved that the house do adjourn.
Lord STANLEY said he wished it to be understood that the
Ludlow writ would come on the first thing on Thursday,
taking precedence of the Cambridge.
The SPEAKER observed that it was a matter of privilege,
and therefore would, of course.
The house then adjourned.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.-MONDAY.

THE QUEEN V. FE AIIG US O'CONNOR.

This morning having,; been specially appointed to pro-
nounce judgment on Mr. Feargus O'Connor, for publishing
a seditious libel, the Court of Queen's Bench, and all the
avenues leading to it, were crowded at an early hour. The
back seats of _the court were in a moment filled by the lead-
ing radicals of the metropolis, who appeared to take a deep
interest in the proceeclings. The gallery was also crowded.
Mr. O'Connor arrived some time before the learned judges
entered the court ; he looked very unwell, and seemed con-
siderably agitated.
On their lordships taking their seats, the case of the Queen
v. O'Connor was called on. _

Mr. O'Connor said, before he addressed the court in miti-
gation of punishment he wished a number of additional affi-
davits to be read. _

The Attorney-General did not wish to take any step which
would operate injuriously to the defendant, but he thought
it was not regular to read additional affidavits.
Lord Denman.—Such a practice in some cases might lead
to inconvenience, but perhaps it would not in the present
case.

The Attorney-General was in the hands of the court.
The affidavits, amounting to upwards of 70, were then put
in, but only about 20 were read, the remainder being to the
same intent 'and purport. They in effect stated that the
speeches of the defendant were not calculated to promote
sedition or breaches of the peace; but on the contrary, to
promote good order amongst the people. Some of the affida-
vits also stated.that the defendant was most particular as to
what articles were inserted in his newspaper, the Northern
Star, and he gave the most positive orders, and showed the
greatest anxiety that no libels or seditious speeches should
appear. The reading of the affidavits occupied nearly an
hour. At the conclusion,
Mr. O'Connor said, having placed these numerous affida-
vits before the Court, he wished previously to speaking in
mitigation of punishment to thank their lordships for the
courteous indulgence they had shown in postponing his
case on two occasions. In now addressing the Court
he was aware of the difficulty he had to contend with in
confining himself to the subject matter under the considera-
tion of the Court. It was quite true he had been found
guilty at York on an indictment tried before Mr. Justice
Coleridge, and be was convicted of what was called a libel.
The learned Judge on that occasion most impartially
summed up the evidence, and impartially commented on
the speech which he (Mr. O'Connor) made. His lordship
told the jury that they might find the defendant guilty
on some of the counts in the indictment, and if they thought
proper and right acquit him on others ; but notwithstand-
ing this, the jury without scarcely any deliberation—
in fact, in the most indecent haste—the Foreman said,
"We find the defendant guilty on all the counts
in the indictment." Under such circumstances, he had
an undoubted right to call upon their lordships to arrest
judgment, and grant a new trial. If only one count in the
indictment had been found in his favour, it would be suffici-
ent for him to hang a peg upon in moving for a new trial •,
but, in the present case, their lordships would bear in mind
that his (Mr. O'Connor's) liberty was at stake. He stood
before the Court that day to defend his honour and his cha-
racter, and fearlessly contended that the speech for which he
had been convicted was not libellous, but, on the contrary,
calculated to promote peace and order, and worthy of appro-
bation rather than censure and punishment. Mr. O'C. then
remarked on the facts stated in the affidavits, and on observ-
ing on the speech for which he was indicted said, it had
been erroneously reported. He denied recommending phy-
sical force, and advising that those who opposed the people
should meet with a warm reception. Mr. O'Connor, after
proceeding at great length in his observations on the circum-
stances attending the events which gave rise to the prosecu-
tion, indulged in a most bitter invective against the present
whig government, who, he declared, had instituted proceed-
ings against him solely because Daniel O'Connell who it was
well known was their master (and whom they dare not offend)
had commanded them to do so. O'Connell had denounced
him (Mr. O'Connor), and that was sufficient motive for his
being prosecuted. The defendant addressed the court for
upwards of two hours, but we are unable, from want of
space, to give more than the above outline.
The Attorney-General addressed the court on aggravation
of punishment, at the conclusion of which
Their lordships consulted for a short time, after which
Mr. Justice Littledale pronounced the judgment of the
court. His lordship remarked on the dangerous and inju-
rious tendency of the publication of which the defendant had
been convicted, and concluded by saying that the sentence of
the court is, that you, Feargus O'Connor, be imprisoned in
the custody of the gaoler of York Castle for the space of 18
months, and at the expiration of that time you find security
for your good behaviour for two years, yourself in the sum of
£3OO, and two sureties in the sums of £l5O each, and you
be further imprisoned until such sureties are entered into.
Mr. O'Connor said, he understood York Castle at the pre-
sent time was very full of prisoners, and as he was in a bad
state of health, he trusted their lordships would not send
him to York, but order him into the custody of the marshal
of the Queen's Bench prison.
Lord Denman said inquiries should be made as to the al-
leged crowded state of York Castle, and in the mean time the
defendant would be kept in the custody of the marshal of the
Queen's Bench.
Mr. O'Connor was then taken from the court in custody
of the tipstaffs, and removed in a hackney coach to the
Queen's Bench prison ; he was followed by the crowd, who
had congregated in the court and neighbourhood, and when
the coach drove off, loudly cheered, but no attempt was
made to rescue him from the officers.

FRESH ROLLS.—A passenger, in rather a long voyage,
who could never keep his feet, but was perpetually rolling
about the deck, complained to the captain of the hard bis-
cuit, and the absence of " soft tommy" (bread). Why,p,
replied the captain, " you ought to be satisfied, for you have
fresh rolls every minute."
When Sir Thomas More was at Bruges, some bold doctor
offered a challenge to the world, to dispute on any given sub-
ject. More readily accepted the challenge, and proposed the
following question :—Whether beasts taken in whithernam
can be replevied ?'" This question, touching a point of our
municipal law, abashed the sophist who pretended to univer-
sal knowledge, and who at once withdrew from the field.

VESSELS ENTERED FOR LOADING.

(SINCE OUR LAST PUBLICATION.)

EAST INDIES, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, Bcc.
Horatio, W Howland, 470 Sincapore and China,

" ' ^ Baring Brothers &Co
Superior, J A Taylor, 748 Bombay, Boid tic Starkey
WEST INDIES AND MADEIRA.

633sypium, J Brown, 626 Demerara, Bold & Starkey
It val, F Sutherland, 144 Nassau, J M Wood
M try, J Nelson, 306 Demerara, P Girvin
SOUTH AMERICA.
Richard, J N Simpson, 296 Valparaiso, J Poole & Co
Cheshire, W Hallin, 376 Rio Janeiro, • W& J Pyrer
Sir John Franklin, Borthwick, 244 Rio Janeiro, Imrie & Co
Bengal, P Hicks, 390 Maranham, Moon Brothers
UNITED STATES.

Alliance, J Haley, 570 Mobile, T & J Sands & Co
Orpheus, G A Cole, 543 New York, Baring Brs & Co
Riga, 0 Smith, 382 Boston, Roskell, Ogden &Co
Condor, E F Churchill, 372 Baltimore, J Holford & Co
Frances de Pau, C Forbes, 605 New York. Hughes, Cowie &Co
Auguste, J Jaegher, 150 New York, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Leonidas, G G Gardner, Bristol, Isaac, Low & Co
North America, A B Lowber, 578 New York, Baring Bra & Co
Colossus, J Wyle, 399 Philadelphia, H Cram
BRITISH AMERICA.
Actress, 469 Quebec, J 0 Johnson & Co
Unicorn. W Douglas, 389 Halifax, N.S. D & C M•lver
Magdalen, G Bowen, 102 Newfoundland, W Tarbet
EUROPE.

Allegro. J A Regeser, 160 Stettin, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Charlotte, G Abbinett, 70 Terceira, W Farrar
Lady Harvey, J Leader, 106 Rotterdam, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Regalia, D Cobb, 186 St. Petersburg, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Emilie, J P Bradhering, Riga, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Idea, R Cooper, 190 Hammegest, A F Moore
Royal William, J Miller, 111 Leghorn, Bahr, Behrend &Co
Julerne, P Jenson, 140 Collunborg, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Ainalia, J 1' Albrecht, 200 Danzic, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Auguste, P Vander Kirkhoven, 212 Ostend, Bahr, Behrend &Co
Adolphine, G D Roggensack, 194 Revel, C G Weber & Co
Helen, J Kinnear, 117 Riga, Campbell & Rudd
Harmouie, F Habeck, St. Petersburg, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Wismar, H J Krohn, 240 St. Petersburg, C G Weber & Co
Argo, A M Vianello, 162 Trieste, .0 G Weber& Co
Factor, G Hart, 149 Tromsoe, A F Moore
Martha, P Martin, 99 Alexandretta and Beirut,

II Smith or J Moss & Co
Galway Lass, J Stevens, 224 Hamerfest, A F Moore
Providence, L T Maas, 352 Danzic, C G Weber & Co
Anna Dorothea Othilia, J H Jessen, 71 Fannoe, C G Weber &Co
Sancho Palma, A Smith, 144 Gibraltar, A F Moore
Speculation, E A Schmidt, 80 Antwerp, Bahr, Behrend &Co
Pet, E Bulkeley, . 117 Beirout and Alexandretta, M& A Wilkin
Dorothea, B J de Boer, 108 Amsterdam, Bahr, Behrend & Co
Charlotte Frederica, C D Schibc, 140 Christiana, Bahr & Co
Die Krone, J J Burghardt, 140 Hambro', Bahr, Behrend &Co