The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-05-21 00:00:00

EAST INDIA COMPANY.

A brief sketch of the ori_in and constitution of the
East India Company will not be an uninteresting subject
to our readers at the present moment. The first adven-
ture from England to the East Indies took place in the
year 1591, and the first charter was granted in 1600: a
second charter was granted in 1609. An English fac-
tory was established at Calcutta 1690, a new company
was established in 1698, and a union of the companies
took place in 1702; which was confirmed in 1708
by act of parliament, 6th Anne, cap. 17, and the
differences between the companies were referred to
the arbitration of Lord Godolphin. Their trading ca-
pital at that time was £3,200,000. In the year 1730
the company surrendered their claims, to be a body poli-
tic and corporate, to have perpetual succession, and the
exclusive trade to the East Indies, and subjected their
claim to be redeemable or determinable by parliament.
This was effected by 3d George 11., c. 14. The first ter-
ritorial acquisition made by the company was the town of
Calcutta, which they purchased in 1698, where their factory
was first established. In 1756 Calcutta was captured by
Serajah Dowla, and 146 British subjects were imprisoned
in the Black Hole, of whom 123 perished in one night.
In 1757, Calcutta was re-taken by Colonel, afterwards
Lord Clive, who with 3,000 defeated the Souhah with
50,000 at Plassey. By this victory he acquired the terri-
tory of Bengal, and in 1765 he obtained the Dewanny by
an imperial grant, which constitutes the company receivers
of the revenue of Bengal, Bahia, and Orissa.
In 1773 the celebrated India Bill passed (13 George
111., c. 63) which recites "that whereas the several pow-
ers and authorities granted by charters to the united com-
pany of merchants of England, trading to the East Indies,
have been found, by experience, not to have sufficient
force to prevent various abuses which have prevailed in
the government and administration of the affairs of the
said united company ;" and enacts, " that there shall be
a Governor General and four councillors for the Govern-
ment of the presidency of Fort William, in Bengal, and
gives them the power of superintending, and controlling
the other presidencies; and appoints Warren Hastings to
be the first Governor General, to continue in the office
five years, unless recalled by His Majesty, upon re-
presentation made by the Court of Directors, and by this
act a supreme court of judicature was established at Cal-
cutta.

In 1783 the Board of Control was established by 24
Geo. 111., sec. 2, c. 25, which was authorised and em-
powered, from time to time, to superintend, direct, and
control, all acts, operations, and concerns, which in any
wise relate to the civil or military government, or reven-
ues of the British territorial possessions in the East
Indies. _ .

The territorial possessions in India, with the exclusive
trade, was continued from time to time by acts of parlia-
ment until the year 1813, when, by 53d Geo. 111., c. 155,
the trade of India was opened to all British subjects, with
the exception of the trade to China, which was reserved
to the Company, and possession and government of the
British territories in India were continued in the com-
pany for a further term. In 1833, the act under which
the company is now constituted was passed (3 and 4 Wm.
IV., c. 85.) This act recites that the company have con-
sented that all their territorial and commercial, real and
personal assets and property whatsoever should, subject to
the debts and liabilities then affecting the same, be placed
at the disposal of parliament ; and that the company had
also consented that their right to trade for their own
profit in common with other British subjects be sus-
pended during such time as the government of the said
territories shall be confided to them. By this act, passed
ten years ago, the government of the territories is con-
tinued to the company till April 30, 1854, but in trust for
the crown of the United Kingdom, and discharged from
all claims of the company to any profit therefrom to their
own use, except the dividend of £lO 10s. per cent. on the
amount, at that time, of their capital stock, By this act
it is also enacted, that all vacancies happening in the
office of Governor General of India, shall from time to
time be filled up by the Court of Directors, subject to
the approbation of Her Majesty. Her Majesty is also
empowered to dismiss or remove any person holding any
office or employment, or commission, civil or mintay,
under the said company in India.
The. Court of Directors of the company are also em-
powered to remove or dismiss any of the officers or ser-
vants
of the said company at their will and pleasure.

THIRD EDITION.

Standard-rffice, Three o'clock

LIVERPOOL DOCKS.

At the close of the proceedings upon this bill on Friday,
the Speaker having been announced at prayers,
Mr. HILL, addressing the Chairman, said he hoped the
committee would conclude the investigatian that night, in
order to enable them to report at once to the house, as
that being the last day, the bill would otherwise be
lost. In reply to this, Lord Granville Somerset
promised his influence to get the promoters over their
difficulty; and by the printed orders of the house we find
that leave was subsequently given to report on Monday
instead of Friday. By private advices we learn that the
question, as to the disposal of the land from the docks,
has since been satisfactorily settled, the views of the dock
surveyor, Mr. Hartley, having been fully recognised as
correct ; and it may now almost be depended upon as
certain, that, the clauses having been all agreed to, the
bill would be reported last night, and its success in all its
stages thus secured.

LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET.—Tms DAY.
Very little doing in Cotton to-day : the sales do not
exceed 1,500 to 2,000 bales, at still receding prices, with
a gloomy, dull feeling pervading the market.

LIVERPOOL CORN EXCHANGE, Tins DAY.

(From Messrs. R. Makin & Sons' Circular.)

The arrivals of Grain and Oatmeal into this port,
Coastwise and from Ireland, continuing to fall off weekly,
are extremely light, and those of Flour thence, prove but
moderate for to-day ; of Foreign Wheats, however,
chiefly from the Baltic, the large importations up to Fri-
day's market have been abundantly increased, amounting
since the 14th instant to nearly 32,000 qrs., with 4400
qrs. of Barley, and from the United States 2000 barrels of
Flour.

The long protracted drought, and cold north-east winds
of late, began in bleak situations around us, to produce
an unfavourable effect upon the appearance of the crops
of spring Corn and Grass, whilst of the growing Wheats,
we hear no serious complaints ; such portion of the early
planted Potatoes, however, as are already visible above
ground, were in partial instances, from the severe frost
during Friday night, considerably injured. Our advices
also from many parts of this country and Ireland concur
pretty accurately with these remarks; but having had
some rain here last night and this morning, with a milder
atmosphere, our market to-day was by no means lively
for any article of the trade.
®Several buyers attending from distant parts of the coun-
try, purchased good English and Foreign Wheat upon a
moderate scale, at a decline of ld. per 701bs. ; but Irish,
being scarce, was held on the terms of this day week ;
our local millers, at the same time, remaining extremely
inactive. Flour, continuing to move off sparingly, hardly
maintained former prices.

Barley, Malt, Beans, and Pease, ruled in all respects
nearly the same as stated in the foregoing report.

Oats, still commanding little attention, receded ld. per
451 b. from the rates of this day se'nnight ; Oatmeal, not-
withstanding, fully supported our last quotations, the best
marks of Irish realizing in some instances 225. per 2401 b

ARRIVALS OF CORN,
From the 14th to the 20th May, 1844, inclusive,

IRE- COAST- i
CANADA PO-
TOTAL.
LAND. WISE. I REIGN.
Wheat .. Ors. 169 I 31987 32156
Barley Qrs. 6 4400 4406
Malt Qrs. 22 770 791
Oats Qrs. 1839 606 800 3245
Rye Qrs.
Beans Qrs.
Pease Qrs. i 273 273
Shelled BarleyQrs.
Indian Corn. Qrs.
Rapeseed Qrs.
Oatmeal .. Loads 1 10 12 22
Flour. ...; Sacks 2356 70 2426
Ditto Brls.l 2000 2000

Into Runcorn,
qrs.; Oatmeal,

Ireland al
608 loads

ncl Coasts
; Flour, I

1 I 2000
wise,—Malt, 12 qr;
[2O sacks.

2426
2000
; Oats,

EXPORTS.—Foreign. Wheat, qrs.; Malt, 5 qrs.; Oats,
25 qrs. ; Pease, qrs.; Indian Corn:— qrs.; Oatmeal,
loads; Flour, 357 brls.--Ireland. Wheat, 909 qrs. ; Bar-
ley, qrs.; Oats, qrs ; Rye, qrs ; Indian Corn,
qrs. ; Oatmeal, 673 Ids ; Flour, sks, 20
Wheat, 225 qrs. ; Barley, 35 qrs. ; Malt, qrs.; Oats, 37
qrs. ; Beans, 5 qrs. ; Pease, 20 qrs.; Oatmeal, 406 loads ;
Flour, 199 sacks 283 brls.

Average prices of Grain, for the week ending May 11, 1844.
Wheat 555. ld. I Barley 31s. sd. I Oats ..205. sd. Rye 31s. 4d
Beans.. 325. sd. 1 Pease.. 323. 3d.
Aggregate average of the six Weeks.

Wheat 55s 3d f Barley 32s 5d f Oats 20s 2d. 1, Rye 32s Od.
Beans.. 31s. 6d. I Pease.. 315.7 d.
Duty on Foreign Grain, &c. this week.
- - • - - •

Wheatl7s Od I
Barley 6s Od Oats .. . 6s Od I Rye.. IPs 6d
Beans iOs 6d I Pease.. 10s 6d Ind. Corn Os Od Flour los lid
Ditto from British Colonies out of Europe.
Wheat.. Is. Od. I Barley.. Os. 6d. I Oats ..2s. Od. I Rye.. is 6d
Beans 2s. ‘d I Pease 2s. Od. I Ind. Corn Os. Od. I Flour.. Os 74d

Liverpool Averages, week ending 14th May, 1844.
Wheat, 872 qrs., price, ass. Od. ; Barley, qrs., price —s. —d.
Oats, 1451 qrs., price Igs. gd. ; Beans, 35 qrs., price 335. Bd.

GENERAL MISCELLANY.

All the London police in South Wales were last week
ordered home.

The Gazette, of Friday last, announces the appoint-
ment of Sit Thomas Freemantle to the office of Secretary
at War.

The prisoner Dalmas, charged with the murder at Bat-
tersea, underwent a final examination on Tuesday last,
and was committed for trial.

An old beggar, of Yorkshire, has just succeeded to a
fortune of £95,000 by the death of a nephew, who went
out, some years since, to India, and recently died intes-
tate.

The Lord Mayor of London, on Wednesday last, gave
a grand banquet to her Majesty's Ministers at the
Mansion House. The company amounted to nearly 110
persons.

LAUNCESTON ELECTION.—Sir Henry Hardinge, the
Governor-General of India, has issued his address to the
electors of Launceston, announcing his retirement from
the representation of that borough. Admiral Bowles has
personally addressed the electors.
The Morning Herald states that it is confidently ru-
moured in the legal profession that the venerable Chief
Justice of the Common Pleas, Sir Nicholas C. Tindal,
has expressed his resolution to retire from the bench on
the termination of Michaelmas Term next.

THE WEATHER.—There was rather a heavy fall of snow
in the neighbourhood of Sheffield on Friday morning.
There was also hail in Manchester. In the neighbourhood
of Birmingham there was heavy and continued rain for
several hours.

A novel wager between two Canterbury gentlemen was
made a few days ago—the one betting the other £lO he
would produce a workman which should sharpen 1980
hop-poles in ten hours. A large concourse of persons
assembled. No less than 2041 poles were sharpened in
7 h. 40 m.

A deputation of West India proprietors and others,
consisting of Lord Sandon, Sir John Rae Reid, the Agent
for Jamaica, Mr. John Gladstone, Mr. Marryat, Mr. Neil
Malcolm, Mr. Chlery, Mr. M`Gregor, Mr. Miles, M.P.,
and Mr. Davidson, had an interview with Lord Stanley at
the Colonial-office on Wednesday.
The Marchioness of Blandford, eldest daughter of the
Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry, was brought
to bed of a son and heir, at the Marquis's house, Wilton-
crescent, London, yesterday morning week. The Mar-
chioness and the young Earl of Sunderland are doing as
well as possible.
SHIPWRECKS.—The Spanish brig Campechano, from
Liverpool to Manilla, with a cargo of piece goods, valued
at from £30,000 to £40,000, was totally lost on the sth of
December, on the Mon.lufar shoal, in the Straits of San
Dernardino. Four of the crew were drowned. The Eliza
Stewart, laden with teas and piece goods, has been lost
near Amoy, but no particulars have been received.
NATIONAL EDI/ CATION.—The contributions received
for the establishment of schools for the manufacturing and
mining districts, amounted at the close of last year to the
sum of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds. In the
twenty-three published lists of contributors there are 896
subscribers of £5O and upwards, and 8,879 of sums under
£5O, thus showing the total number of contributors up to
the present time to be 10,000.
REPRESENTATION OF KILMARNOCK.—By the death
of
Thursday, the 9th instant, atof Shield Hall, Roth-
say,
Mr. ex
whillhtaonodkerptiocbon,
urensotnT
Rothsay, a vacancy occurs in the representation of the
Kilmarnock District of Burghs. Mr. Johnstone, a Whig,
was returned for the District in 1841, by a majority of
only eleven votes over Mr. Colquhoun, the previous con.
servative member.
The glovers of Leicester recently " struck" for an ad-
vance of wages, asking for an addition of 2d. per pound
upon 40-cotton Berlins and shades ; 2d. per pound upon
30-cotton Berlins and shades ; and ld. per pound upon
20-cotton Berlins. The masters met this demand half-
way, and the increased price commenced on Saturday
week. Some of the hands have acceded to the price, and
others have left the town for Nottingham.
STEAM-BOILER EXPLOSION.—On Sunday week the
boiler at Sharp's Mill, at Bradford, suddenly burst, scald-
ing six msn, three of them so severely that two died shortly
afterwards, and one lies without hope of recovery. An
inquest was held OR Tuesday last, on the two;deceasect,
when, it appearing that the owners bad put more power
on the boiler than it could safely carry, they were severely
censured, and the jury laid a deodand of £lOO. on the
engine.

May 21, 1844

SECOND EDITION•

Standard-dfice, Ten o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-MONDAY.

BIRKENHEAD DOCK BILL.

The Parliamentary Committee on the Birkenhead D$
Bill resumed its sittings yesterday (Monday).
Mr. Walker was examined on behalf of the Tovita Conn'
cil of Liverpool by Mr. Hill. He was well acquainted
with the navigation of the river Mersey, and had been 5°
for several years ; had often seen vessels laying on the
space now proposed iv be occupied by the Birkenbeed,
docks and wharfs. It would be injurious to these vessel;
to have this space taken from their use, and the propose"
plan would therefore be prejudicial. He suggested a re,
medy which does not appear to have occurred to anY r
the engineers who crowded the room to hear his evidence'
It was the construction of a sort of pier, that, by bag
built very wide, and at some distance from the north side

of the shore of the pool, would leave a vacant space W
coasters to resort to. As a general principle the abstrac'
tion of any back water would be injurious to any river, bet
in Liverpool it would be practically found to be but slight'
Beyond this he was not asked any questions as to the darl:
ger to the navigation. Had doubts whether Mr. Render'
plans would sluice the docks, but if not they might be
dredged, as most harbours were.

Mr. Hill addressed thecommittee on the evidence against
the bill, of which he spoke in most unmeasured terrol'
He considered it merely a land speculation, in which the
parties looked to no interest but their own—their plans to
advance which were crude and undigested in themselves►
incapable of being carried into effect, though they at•
tempting to do so, would injure, perhaps ruin, the port of
Liverpool. Upon these grounds he was instructed by all
the authorities of Liverpool to offer their most unqualified
opposition to the bill, which he entreated the committee

to reject. Mr. Cockburn, for the bill, fclic;;Zw
stoutly maintained the converse of all for which Mr. Hill
had contended. The scheme had been formed on the-sur•
veys and plans of the most eminent engineers, who were
responsible for the work, and whose capability to form a
proper judgment could not be doubted. The bill was re-
commended by the government, whose officers, through the
Lords of the Admiralty, as well as the conservatorsof the
River Mersey, approved of the plans, which had been by
them most minutely examined, and were considered
by them the most eligible to supply the universally
admitted want of dock accommodation at Liverpool,
He complained of the counsel and agents of the
bill not bringing forward Mr. Hartley, Lieut. Lord,
and others of their engineering department who could tell
much better the effect which the proposed plans would have
an the river than any who were comparatively strangers
as nearly all those called were. Denying every point 00
which Mr. Hill bad insisted, he declared that he fully er
pected the decision of the Committee would be unanimotai
in favour of the bill.

The result will not, however, be known until to-morrof,
as it was past four o'clock before the counsel had finished
speaking, and Committees do not vote after four o'clock•

STATE PROSECUTIONS.
From last night's Dublin Evening Mail.
It is understood—we ourselves entertain no doubt of
the fact—that the Judges of the Queen's Bench are 130/
unanimous in refusing the motion for a new trial; ett°
that whatever doubts existed in Mr. Justice Ca.tairroN's
mind with respect to including the Reverend Mr. TIES,
NEY in that decision, have been removed. The judge'
we believe, will deliver their judgments seriatim, and it
said that each member of the Bench, to avoid the system
of misrepresentation which has hitherto been resorted to
with such effect, has reduced to writing the legal reasons
and arguments upon which he has formed his conclusions*
A whole term has in fact been consumed in debating $
question which-now appears was never arguable.

AN UNcoNscions HIT.—At the uproarious Anti-
Slavery meeting, on Friday, at Exeter Hall, a pause fol-
lowed the speech of Mr, F. Buxton, when the audience
becoming somewhat impatient, the chairman arose, and,
with a gravity that must acquit him of anticipating the
inference that would be drawn, craved patience, observ-
ing that Mr. O'Connell was about to address the assemr,
bly—but the collection of money Villa be first made.
The proper application was instantly made, and a roar of
laughter followed. A second burst was excited by an
explanation (not, however, from the chair,) that as Mr.
Bright was to follow Mr. O'Connell, it was necessary to
make the collection before the member for Durham should
clear the room.

larsu SOCIETY.—The supporters of the above associa-
tion, established for promoting the education of the Irish
peasantry through the med;um of th 3 vernacular 'super-
of the country, held their twenty-second annual meeting
on Tuesday afternoon, at Hanover-square. George Finch,
Esq., presided. The report stated that in the King s
County district, notwithstanding the hostility of the priests!,
the progress of the society, and consequently of scriptural
instruction, had much advanced during the past year. In
hat district alone were no fewer than 8,000 scholars, lot
one of whom had been found in possession of a repeal card,
to attend a repeal meeting, or to be in any way favourable
to the movement: A favourable report was also made o(
the state of affairs in Donegal, where against threats of
violence and punishment the teachers were resolved to
proceed. The Society's Schools in Drumclair, Cork,
Kerry, and other parts of the country, were also in ape
satisfactory condition. The schools in Ireland numbere.,
altogether 797, containing 17,301 scholars, of whom 1,2 P
were adults. The total income of the society during 916
past year amounted to £4,107 13s. 6d., a sum exceeding
the expenditure by .£l2l 6s. Ild.

TERRIBLE CONFLAGRATION.—OR Saturday week, 8„
fire broke out at a baker's shop in George's-court, LYO'
Regis, and by means of a furze stack quickly caught the
George Inn, which, with several adjoining houses, were
soon burnt to the ground, the inmates having barely time
to escape with their lives. Everything being exceedingly
dry in consequence of the long drought, and a fresh breeze
springing up at north-east, the flames spread with tr,
greatest rapidity, and quickly crossed the streets to te"
opposite premises, when the Victoria Inn and the adjoin;
ing premises fell a prey to the devouring element, ti'
whole of the furniture and stock being entirely consumed.
Nothing could now arrest the progress of the flarnegi
Both sides of Coombe-street being on fire, the greatese
consternation and alarm prevailed. The scene became
a
truly awful, as several houses caught fire at once,
',ens
women and children were seen running about the streets
a state of distraction, endeavouring to save some pons
tion of their goods. The wind had now carried the flames
,
to the stables of the Cups Hotel,which,being all tbatcbed o
burned with the greatest fury, and soon communicated t
the dwelling-house, and the whole of the extensive _pre-
mises of the head inn in the town were soon reduced to !
heap of ruins, with barely sufficient time to save the
horses and different vehicles in the yard. Meanwhile the
fire continued to proceed through Coombe-street. the
houses on each side being entirely destroyed, as far 05
Mr. Munden's on one side, and the Crown Inn on the
other—both being preserved by pulling down a bons',
between each and the fire. The custom-house and seve^
ral other buildings were afterwards destroyed. In the
afternoon the wind gradually subsided, and the progresg,
of the flames was fortunately arrested. The amount 01-
damage done is immense. The lower part of the to` °
presents a scene of destruction and desolation never
nessed here since the memorable fire of Nov. 5, 18'
when the whole of Millgreen was destroyed. About fel
houses have now been burnt down, amongst which is ti!„,
head inn, and five other public-houses. The greater Par,j,
we believe, are insured; but many have lost their 11Pa
whilst vast numbers had their goods torn to pieces 'en
lost by removing to a place of safety.
THE FACTORIES BILL.—On Friday the Factories
amended by the Committee, and on the report t`e,
printed. It contains seventy-four clauses with four seteof
dules. The act is to come into operation on the firs
October next, except any provision which is otber',:.9,
especially mentioned. No Inspector to act as a IVIBO4
trate. Inspectors to enter factories and schools at aQp
torsot i
rm me
artenosdtemxf
oai
nrmstithne
eer
japsnr.
to
os re erbg iveaspt
rrioo nevsi ,od
fe&dcf
a.
for
roAr ntyh oerffieuccsoeer
di nos
f; Li
floc
sinepuhre::
0:
and servants to be appointed for the office. Persons e
ginning to occupy a factory to send notice thereof to 'tea
office of inspectors ; Certifying surgeons to be apPoqpe
by the inspectors ; fees to be fixed by inspectors- and
certificates of age, &c. to apply to only one factotY,,,:be
may be annulled by the inspectors. Machinerli.:; of
guarded, and factories kept clear. Notice to be F.„'" the
any accident. - Certifying surgeons to examine inwAbt
cause and extent of accidents. Actions may be bri"ile•
on the report of an inspector, for bodily injuries froolook
chinery. Clocks to be provided for regularity in vrol
and registers to be kept in every factory. An abstrea,c,
the act, and notices to be hung up in every fa,
Children at eight years old may be employed in fatal. 0
but not to work more than seven hours a day ; tn'tro
school. Young persons to be restricted to ten -10 e 00
day. Lost time may be recovered. Work to ceBsst to
Saturday at half-past four o'clock. One hour at leattew
be given as meal time, half holidays allowed, and nee of
dance of children at school. Inspectors to give 00`..`„t to
dangerous machinery. All complaints under this '7140
be preterred within two months. Proceedings to he,toto-
before justices. Power given to distrain goods in
ties belonging to persons convicted. Inspectors,.
°urge.
tent witnesses. Surgical certificates to be Poo! g CO'
Penalties for infringing the act—on parents allow'', penal-
ncertainofeachseilsd.renAevmePrlynifoLL
esied,
dren to be employed contrary to the provisionsit of dal
ties to be applied for the establishment or suffili cadmic°
intetPlei
sn
'fieates rum 0,..er
amended. In the schedules the various certi
are set forth, and directions given to carry tae
went measure into operation.
Set forth. Act may be apP
schools
Appeals
cfloaru allowedt hee ieducation i

M

110 140
•• at
ft Off
ht (jn.
Oft I Oft ti
soh

Qiieb

D '''
t(). P
i,i
°aHki'!
'ille,

Manzi

1844.

lON

'en o'clock.

NDAY.

ILL.

tenhead D°

,Town Cow'
~11 acquainted
d had been s 0

aying on the
Birkenhead
these ceasels
the proposed
tggested a re;
red to anY (/'
his evidence,
Lat, by being
he north side

ant space for
: the abstrac'

t
any river, b 0
be but slight'
is to the dap-
4r. Rendelr6
iey might be

fence against
cured terra.
in which the
heir plans to
themselveet
igh they at•
1, the port 0'
ructed by all
t unqualified
e committee
Rowed, who
ich Mr.
I on th-e-set•
3, who Were
ty to form e
bill was re-
, through the
mtors of the
lad been bl

considered

universalll
Liverpool,
nts of the
eut. Lord,
Lo could tell
would We
y strangers
•y point 0
he fully es'
unanimous

to-inorros'b
ad finished

ur o'clock.

) doubt of

h are nod
trial; Oa
AmpTos's

Jr. TIER'
e Judges/
im, and it
he system
csorted to

;al reasons

nclusions•

debating $

"...............
as Anti-
pause fol-
audience
rose, and,
,ating the

, observ-
e asseni,
made. "
a roar of
ad by an
t as Mr.
essary to
,m should

associa-
the Irish
language
meeting
ge Finch,
e King's
Le priests,
,criptural
rear. In
Mars, not
)eal card,
ivourable
made of
hreats of
olved to
r, Conk,
in a very
timbered
(-)m 1,235
mina the
xceediog