The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-03-19 00:00:00

Tr a LIVERPOOL gIikOARD.

bering among my sup . ...A.....
Anti-Corn Law I
' . porters even some members of the
connected with
abroga, vague. Many honourable gentlemen
supporters. '- ..hat League are among my most efficient
pect they
..•lo one could hesitate to say, in whatever as-
viewed the subject, that the system must be
ord'
.ed. (Cheers.) The present system destroys the
e.
-c of nature and the rights of the labouring man. By
,jecting males from the workshop, and introducing females
as their substitutes, they exposed these poor women to
an almost distressing amount of suftering and toil. It had
the effect, among other evils, of annihilating all the re-
quirements of domestic life, and rendered prudence and
economy utterly impossible. If these poor creatures had
twice the amount of --- -, -

- taey at present received it
would not improve their situation ; they would not be
better off. It was impossible for them to take charge of
their infant children—they had to be entrusted to other
hands. All the woman's domestic duties must be paid
for out of her scanty earnings, and, as a necessary result,
everything was imperfectly performed. In fact, the poor
woman had no time for acquiring a knowledge of her so-
cial and domestic duties in early youth, and everything
went to ruin because of her utter incapacity to perform
those duties which Providence has assigned to her. I
wish hon. members to direct special attention to the de-
tails contained in the second repcht of the Children's
Employment Committee. In that report the subject of
physical deterioration of the human race is considered
in connection with this subject. I ask the house
will it turn a deaf ear to these appeals? Will You
permit, without making an effort to remedy the great
evil, this physical deterioration of the rising generation to
go en ? Dr. B. Hawkins, an intelligent gentleman-, well
known for his statistical inquiries, has pointed out the
highly injurious consequences which result from the
system of factory labour upon the physical growth of the
working people of Manchester. It was the opinion of
competent persons that unless some alteration took place,
those employed in the factories in Lancashire would soon
become a v-ace of pigmies. In those parts of the country
where this system was exhibited in its worst forms, they
imposed upon women burdens during the period of
pregnancy which they would not be obliged to stiffer in
in the slaveholding states or among the wild Indians of
America. We are, by persevering in this system, viola-
ting the order of nature and providence; we are cutting
up the root and branch of domestic life; we are snapping
asunder the mainstay of social existence. (Cheers.)
There is a time to live, and a time to die ; but is there
not a time to live in the discharge of every conjugal and
parental duty ? (Cheers.) But it is all in vain. There
is no influence which can supersede that of parental ex-
ample. (Great cheering.) Who could doubt the benefi-
cial effect of maternal influence.? Who could refrain
from seeing the evils which followed when that influence
was annihilated? (Cheers.) It mattered not whether
the party was a prince or a peasant. (Cheers.) It
operated alike in the cottage and in the palace. Every
one must agree in the opinion that all that is best—all
that is lasting in the character of man—is acquired at his
mother's knee. (Loud cheers.) If not at his mother's
knee, it will be found to be under the instructions of
some pious woman, who has thrown around the child all
those tender sympathies and influences which so peculi-
arly distinguish and adorn the sex. If you examine the
records of all who have been distinguished for ability and
virtue, you will find, with very few exceptions, that the
early culture of the mind, but above all the first discipline
of the heart was to be traced by the endearing affection of
the mother. (Cheers.) It is your duty to strive your
utmost to obviate this mischief to which I have referred
—to promote the health of those employed—to establish
congugal relations—the decency of families—the rights
of the husband—the peace of society—and to maintain
the laws of God. (Loud cheers.) I cannot believe,
unless I hear it this night, which God forbid, that there
can be found in this house any man who will openly ad-
vocate the impositiat of such a burden upon the daugh-
ters of England. The course which I have taken on this
question has been much misrepresented. I have been
charged with a fixed desire to ex-dt the landed aristocracy
by humiliating and depressing the manufacturing body.
I know that my personal character can be of no impor-
tance whatever ; but it may be of consequence to those
whose cause I am advocating that my motives should not
be impugned, otherwise distrust and suspicion will be ex-
cited—

For zeal grows cold when judgment is severe."
Such unworthy motives have been attributed to me,—l
utterly deny the imputation. (Cheers.) They who bring
such a charge must either be wicked men or fools tor pur-
suing such a course. (Cheers.) Every man in his senses
must admit, that the permanent prosperity of the manu-
facturing body is essential to the commercial greatness of
the British empire. (Cheers.) I will say to the mem-
bers of that body, " Peace be within your walls, and
plenteousness within your palaces." I only ask for a
relaxation of toil—l ask for time to live, and time to die,
and a time for the enjoyment of those comforts which
sweeten life, and for the exercise of those virtues which
adorn it. (Cheers.) And with the fervent prayer to
Almighty God, that it will please him to turn the hearts
of those who heap me to justice and mercy, I fully com-
mit the issue of this question to the justice and humanity
of Parliament. (The noble lord sat down amidst great
cheering from all sides of the house.)

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.

ARRIVAL O THE HIBERNIA.

The North American Royal Mail Steamer Iliberrt.,
Captain Judkins, arri.vtd at Liverpool,, with her 'usual re-
gularity, on Wednesday evenmq, bringing intelligence
fourteen days later from New York than the last packet-
shin.

These advices announce the death of Mr. Biddle, of
Pennsylvania, on the 27th ult., in his 58th year, He co
late president of the United States.

oienuoneu Last week wax first mate of the
packet-ship Oxford, Mr. Gates,
a charge of smuggling vvoolle,-
cloths. The advices by the
114 d been apprehended on
Hibernia mention that M
Gates had confessed that the
smuggled cloths seized, frown on board that ship, were con-
cealed and attenarAed to he smuggled with his consent ;
that he had rez:eived 300 dollars at Liverpool from a per-
son, whose name he has communicated to the owners, for
doing so ; and that he was to deliver the goods to the
party who should apply in New York. Gates was com-
mitted to prison, in default of obtaining the required bail
of 10,000 dollars.
A like occurrence lass taken place with the Montezuma,
of which also the mate was bribed in Liverpool. It is
hardly necessary to add that the owners and commanders
of both ships are 'above the slightest suspicion of conni-
ving at such transactions. Harris, the boatman, has been
admitted State's evidence.
The cotton trade remained much in the same state as at
the last departure, and there had been no material change
in other branches of commerce. We give particulars on
this subject in another column.
Congress is still engaged in discussing resolutions, bills,
and motions respecting the tariff and the Oregon territory,
without apparently making much progress one way or the
other. 'On the subject of slavery there has been sundry
debates in the House of Representatives ;—after a great
number of divisions, the disgraceful rule prohibiting the
presentation or reception of petitions on slavery has been
abolished, by a majority of 106 to 86. The speeches on
the Oregon question, both in the Senate and in the House
of Reprentatives, were exceedingly warlike, and seemed
likely, or, at least, intended to throw obstacles in the way
of Mr. Packenham tnd his mission. As to the tariff, a
bill, imposing duties of 30 per cent., and making discri-
minations for revenue, would, it was said, be recommend-
ed to the committee of ways and means.
The Whigs of Connecticut held their convention at
Hartford on the 22nd ult. It is said to have been attend-
ed by ten thousands of the friends of Mr. Clay.
The Hibernia brings the details of a most frightful ca-
lamity that occurred on board the new steam frigate
Princeton, on Wednesday, the 28th of February. The
following particulars are from a New York Paper :—Cap-
tain Stockton, of the steamer Princeton, invited some
three or four hundred ladies and gentlemen, including the
president and his family, the members of his cabinet, and
foreign ministers, some senators and members of the
house, and a large circle of his especial friends. to take an
excursion with him down the Potomac this day, and wit-
ness the beauty and movement of his noble vessel, and the
discharge of his immense gun. All the invitations were
most eagerly accepted, and at about one o'clock the com-
pany were put on board the Princeton from a small
steamer, which took them from the wharf.
The day was clear and pleasant, and there were as many
ladies on board as gentlemen, and everything promised a
delightful excursion. After a salute of 21 guns from the
small pieces, the big gun was put in readiness for the firing
of a ball, weighing 2301b5. The ladies were all " piped on
deck," and obtained prominent places to see the discharge.
The word " fire" was given, and all eyes immediately be-
held the motion of the ball upon the water, giving some
half-dozen bounds, and going a distance of about two
miles before it finally sank. The experiment was in every
respect successful, and all were delighted.
The party then adjourned to the cabin, and after the
ladies had feasted fully from the abundance so liberally
provided for them by the noble captain, the gentlemen
took possession of the table, Captain Stockton being at
the head—the President upon his right, the members of
the cabinet with the single exception of Mr. Spencer, who
was not (n board, arranged according to their official sta-
tion on the left. Senators Benton and Woodbury, Mr.
Catlin, and other members of Congress, following on the
right of the President. Toasts and Champagne spangled
together, and all were as happy and merry as could be.
In the midst of this, and as the vessel was nearing home,
the captain concluded to have another fire with his big
gun, and it was then that occurred the fatal event which I
will now detail.

The gun was ranged—and the gentlemen whom the
captain most desired should see the operation were speedily
invited up to witness it. The gun was fired—the breach
exploded ! killing with it instantly Mr. Upsher, Secretary
of State ; Mr. Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy ; Virgil
Maxey, Esq., of New York City ; Coro. Kennon, Chief
of the Bureau of Construction ; and Mr. Gordiner, of
New York—seriously injuring Captain Stockton, also one
of the midshipmen, and three or four of the hands of the
ship, and more or less injuring some half a dozen others
of the ship's crew. Senator Benton was standing on the
right of Captain Stockton, as were also Mr. Tyson, of
Philadelphia, Colonel Strickland, of the same city, and
others. •

Mr.Tvson had one of the pieces of the gun pass directly
through his hat. The gentlemen killed were all standing
upon the leeward side of the gun, nearly in a row, and
when the gun burst the pieces went in their direction and
killed them instantly—not a groan was heard to escape
their lips. The President, but a moment previous to the
discharge, fortunately left its vicinity. As the smoke
cleared away, Captain Stockton was discovered with his
hair and face scorched, and his dress covered with pow-
der; he jumped with one spring to the top of his gun,
and exclaimed, " My God ! would that I were dead too."
He was immediately handed down and conveyed to the
cabin, and a more heart-broken man I never saw. He is
to be pitied for the calamity, though he is in no wise to
blame, for it has resulted as I will now state, from causes
over which he could have had no control.

The public should bear in mind that the gun has been
discharged several times, and especially three times dur-
ing the day. When the accident happened she was only
charged as usual, but on examining the break and the
pieces, the only fresh break that could be discovered was
on one part, a place as big as two hands, and another
part as big as one hand.
The Secretary of \\Tar, Mr. Wilkins, had a narrow
escape ; he was standing near to Judge Upsher just
before the discharge, and remarked that " if he was sec-
retary of war, he did not like the noise, and would there-
fore move a little out of the way ; and just as he moved
the gun exploded.
One of Senator Woodney's daughters (the eldest I
think), was standing so near to the persons, that her dress
was completely spattered over with blood. Her escape
was truly miraculous, as was also that of others in the
immediate vicinity of the gun.

[The gun which has caused this dre-rdful calamity was
one of two of the same description invented by Captain
Stockton, the commander of the Princeton, and of which
a good deal was said in the American newspapers a few
weeks ago. So far as we can understand the description
of them, they were composed of wrought iron staves
hooped together—a construction by no means new, but
which never has answered, and probably never will an-
swer, on account of the difficulty of securely fastening the
breach (which of course must be a separate piece) to the
rest of the gun. Captain Stockton's guns were one 16
and the other 13 feet long, each having a 12-inch bore,
and carrying a ball of about 2501 b. weight. They were
the subject of much idle boasting in some of the Ameri-
can newspapers, and it was predicted that they would
astonish the British. The astonishment, however, seems
to have lighted a little nearer home.]

MELANCHOLY DISASTER IN NEW ZEALAND.

(From the Doncaster Gazette.)

In our paper of the 22d December, 1343, we had the
melancholy duty of recording an account of a sanguinary
conflict having taken place between a number of the na-
tives of that island and a company of English surveyors
employed by the New Zealand Colonisation Society, in
which the latter were sufferers to a somewhat serious ex-
tent. Amongst the killed and wounded were two brothers
of the name of Bamforth, who, about a couple of years
ago, emigrated from East Retford, and whose friends have
been much distressed at the dreadful occurrence, not be-
ing altogether aware of the extent of the calamity which
had befallen their unfortunate relatives. Within the last
few days, however, a letter has been received by them
from thence, from John Bamforth, the survivor, and from
which we make the subjoined extract; premising that the
writer is a mechanic, and that, consequently, his state-
ment is in plain language, but not the less true on that
account. He says :—" My brother had sent home two
letters since we have been at Port Nelson, in both of
which he stated every particular relating to our circum-
stances and situation ; but, my dear brother, since then
what wonderful changes have taken place amongst us!
My very heart bleeds when I think of the painful and fatal
occurrence which took place at Wairoo, which happened
in consequence of the interference of the Moories with
the surveyors, when engaged in surveying .the district
called the Wairoo. The natives thought that the white
men had no right to take possession of the district; and
the Moories, under the direction of two chiefs named
Ranparaka and Radghiata, determined to prevent the
completion of the survey, and began to burn several of
the surveyors' houses, which compelled them to leave the
district. Having done so, the surveyors at once proceeded
take legal steps against the two chiefs •, and to enforce
these proceedings a party of our men, under the command
of Captain Wakefield, Air. Thompson (chief magistrate,)
and several other gentlemen, proceeded to the Wairoo to
apprehend the said two chiefs. This was on the 17th of
June. On arriving there the chiefs refused to surrender,
• or submit to our laws, and the natives plainly told us
they would rather fight than that their chiefs should be
taken prisoners. Our authorities being determined upon
the enforcement and execution of the warrant against
Ranparaha and Ranghiatia, a most sanguinary battle took
place. There were about forty men on our side, and as
near as we can estimate, there were from 100 to 150 of
the Moories ; owing, however, to the unskilfulness and
inexperience of our men in bush fighting (which the Moo-
ries practise from their childhood,) they soon succeeded
in obtaining a victory. They fired upon our men and we
upon theirs. Our fire, however, had but little effect upon
them, and some of our men took to their heels. This be-
ing observed by the Moories, gave them great encourage-
ment, and they soon succeeded in taking several of our
men prisoners, and afterwards put them to death in a
most cruel manner ; so that ultimately the number shot
and killed amounted to 22. About 10 of the natives were
killed in the affray. In the midst of the conflict my dear
brother Henry was killed dead upon the spot, and I got a
shot in my left arm, and was obliged shortly afterwards to
have it taken off at the shoulder joint. I am, however,
vs well es can be expected. My poor brother Henry s
wife is near her confinement, and God only knows how
we shall get on here, for we are still, in a great measure,

unprovided for, having got no land, and there is but little
probability that I shall get any not-, TWA Is a fair Mu-
try, and Port Nelson is a 11ea114,7 an
u a pretty place. Ve-
getaWes 2):17,7v ;lit the year round."

to reach Albs::ei SPAIN.
Christina has entered Spain; she rearl,- '
Ist, and left the. npvf ,1.,, for Al- '
eOh the 1%41. The government is likel-
-u Liirona on the
.. „,„_. ___, —.taro. She was expected
to 1--
.nat
...ve a serious affair on hand, and it is reported '.'
Spanish
war will be declared against the Emperor of Moro-
whose territory very lately theco, on
consul
was mur-
dered. There were some trifling aisturbaneT
..:s at Cadiz on
the 22d. Some soldiers having been ins-
dlted by the in-
habitants, the garrison was called co
t, and three of the
pertubators slightly wounded. AlP:.drid journals and cor-
respondence of the 10th instant state that the marriage of
r.. Count Trapani is considered
lydpatches
thates from Honcali are
morning, the insurgents
13.4 e a vigorous sortie, to destroy the bat-
teries nearlya (queente dthe Isabella
certain.29tl t
no
Ti
th.he
er
1....
4c
ao:ru, iconstruction, but had been repulsed
an n tp br
na
gd r
,r,ns as
of
with some toss. The siege artillery had not been landed.
otefrAielsici

'The general diet of Hungary had adopted, without any
discussion, by a majority of 41 against 8, a motion for
the emancipation of the Jews.
Letters from Berne state that the Queen of Spain has
remitted £l,OOO towards the establishment of a catholic
school at that place.
ALGIERS.—A camel-mounted regiment has just been
formed by the French Governor of Algiers. The animals
seem as capable of being taught military exercises as
horses are.

ISTHMUS OF PANAMA.—The American journals are
full of their president's invitine a congress of commercial
nations at Paris or London to form a national (not private)
association for making a canal between the Atlantic and
the Pacific.

The Viscount de Contades died a few days ago at
Paris, from the following comparatively slight cause :
Walking along the street only a few days before, he fell
and broke his thumb. The pain brought on a fever which
terminated his life.

A letter in the Rhine Gazette says—" The divorce of
Prince Wasa from the princess of Baden is definitely
determined on. It is stated that the Princess will repair
to Manheim to her mother, and her daughter will follow
her.

The olive crop in the north of Portugal has been ruined
by the late frosts; unhappily, too, it has been materially
injured for years to come. The bulk of the branches have
been broken off by the congealed weight upon them, and
the fruit cannot be replaced for ages—torde crescentis
°lime. It is calculated that two thirds of this great source
of the farmer's wealth is entirely destroyed. As the oil
crop will thus be insufficient, it is proposed immediately
to light the streets of Lisbon with gas.
AN AMERICAN DUEL.—A cold-blooded murder, under
the name of a duel, has lately been committed at Wash-
ington, which caused the death of a young man 18 years
old, respectably connected, named Cochran. The duel
was fought with rifles—the distance 50 paces. Young
Cochran received his opponent's ball in the forehead, and
of course survived but a short time. The affair has
created a great sensation, and it it is to be hoped some
measures will be taken to put an effectual stop to this in-
famous and cowardly practice.
Hobart-town papers of the 18th of October have come
to hand, which notice the arrival of a vessel, called the
Sisters, from New Zealand, having on board several fa-
milies who had left Nelson in consequence of the alarm
created by the late massacre of the natives. The same
ship brought a request from the local Government to Sir
Eardley Wilmot for the assistance of troops, and the
promptitude with which that request was met is alluded
to by the papers in the highest terms of praise, the Sis-
ters having arrived on the Friday, and 100 soldiers being
on their way to New Zealand the following Sunday.
There is nothing else worth notice. Wheat was 3s. 6d.
to 3s. 9d. per bushel, flour of first quality £lO per ton,
and potatoes £5 to £6 per ton.