The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-08-06 00:00:00

PUBLIC DINNER AT BIRKENHEAD.

On Wednesday last, the great public dinner, which
several of the principal inhabitants of Birkenhead had for
some time contemplated, in honour of the gentlemen who
formed the deputation to London on tha Wallasey Dock
Bill, toak place in the large room of the Monks' Ferry
Hotel. The apartment will accjnmodate 130 persons,
but was found too small for the' occasion, so numerous
were the applications for tickets, and many, we learn,
were denied the gratification of attending. The company
sat down at six o'clock,—John Deane Case, Esq., taking
the chair amidst much applause. The members of the
deputation were John Laird, Esq., William Jackson,
Esq., William Potter, Esq., Marcus F. Brownrigg, Esq.,
and heir solicitor, Joseph Mallaby, Esq. [We regret to
say Mr. Brownrigg was absent, owing to sudden indispo-
sition.] At the principle table we noticed Colonel the
Hon. Sir Edward Cust, of Leasowe Castle; Colonel
Glegg, of Thurstaston Hall; the Rev. H. Mainwaring,
Rector of Brombro' ; J. W.Harden, Esq., J.P. ; Joshua
Pollard, Esq., J.P., of Bradford, Yorkshire ; and J.
Hustler, Esq., of Orrell. John S. Jackson, Esq.,
officiated as vice-chairman. The company was composed
of the elite of Birkenhead and its neighbourhood, inter-
spersed with many highly respectable gentlemen from
Liverpool. Songs and glees, under the direction of
Mr. Holden, contributed to the enjoyments of the even-

jug.
After the usual loyal toasts had been disposed of, the
chairman gave the health of the Lord Lieutenant of the
county—the venerable Earl of Stamford and Warrington
—to which Colonel Glegg replied, expressing his lord-
ship's great anxiety for the welfare of Birkenhead.
The Army and Navy, being toasted, Sir Edward Cost
replied, stating that though his own particular interests
had not been materially involved in the success of the bill,
he should, as a friend and neighbour, sincerely rejoice in
everything that might tend to the prosperity of the town.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then adverted to the success which
had attended the promoters of the dock bill. To achieve
a measure so stupendous for a community like that, he
was sure he need not tell them that great perseverance—
great skill—great assiduity—altogether invincible tact—
were necessary to encounter, with anything like success,
such a formidable opposition as had presented itself in.
Parliament (cheers); and great indeed were the obliga-
tions which the town owed to those individuals who, in
such a remarkable degree, displayed those qualities.
(Cheers.) They had had much to encounter—they had
left their homes for weeks aria months together, willingly
to expose themselves to much anxiety and much trouble ;
and gratifying, indeed, was it to think that their endea-
vours had been attended with the most signal success.

(Loud cheers.) In conclusion he would propose their
health, with the prayer that they might long live to en-
joy the fruits of their labours ; and that their fondest
hopes might be realised. (Great cheering.)
Mr. JOHN LAIRD said he felt highly gratified at the
manner in which his health had been proposed and re-
ceived as one of the deputation. Their task had been
comparatively easy, because they had a good cause in
hand, and were well backed by the commissioners and
inhabitants of Birkenhead. To that circumstance they

were mainly indebted for succeeding so well as they had
done, and he had no doubt in all their future proceedings,
if the same unity of purpose continued, they would be
able to compete successfully either with the parties over
the water, or any others, who might be disposed to oppose
them. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. WILLIAM JACKSON, in rising to respond, was re-
ceived with loud and continued cheers. In a long address
he recapitulated the objects of the promoters of bill,
the difficulties they had had to contend with, the advan-
tages that would accrue to the community at large on
both sides the river, &c. He stated that ample funds
were already at their disposal for the construction of the
works. Now that they had got their bill, he strongly
recommended that they should forget all the past, and
only look forward to the great good which they now had
it in their power to do. " Let us." said he, " pass over
the opposition to our bill, and let us, in so doing, give

credit to our opponents for good intentions—(hear, 'hear)
—for when we come to look at the measure we are about
to carry out, a work of the probable effect of which on
the river Mersey we are as yet uncertain, we may give
them credit for just fears, and for due precaution in going
to any expense in ascertaining whether their fears had
any foundation. (Cheers.) It is not a question whether
docks on this side of the water would benefit them ; but
the question arose, whether our works would not very
materially injure the navigation of the port of Liverpool.
(Hear, hear.) They contended, and they had no doubt
good reason for it, that the abstraction of so much water
from Wallasey Pool would injure the scouring power of
the back-water on the Victoria Bar—(hear)—and by so
doing, injure the property of Liverpool, amounting to
many millions in value. (Hear, hear.) It was a serious
question: the Dock Trustees had a vast care under their
charge • the Corporation of Liverpool had a still greater;
and if from the construction of these works of ours any
injury shall arise to the navigation of the river, it was
their duty to have had the question thoroughly sifted be-
fore a proper tribunal, to divest themselves of any respon-
sibility, if injury were done to the river by the construc-
tion of our new docks. (Loud cheers.) We had to call
from all parts of the kingdom the most efficient men to
prove our case ; and we state we have proved it too—
(hear, hear)—for the decision of the Houses of Commons
and Lords was in favour of our measure being passed ;
and they furthermore decided, that instead of its being
detrimental to the navigation of the river, it would, on
the contrary; be of most material benefit and service to
it. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) I would, therefore,
give them the credit for good intentions. (Hear, hear.)
They have done their duty ; let us now do ours. (Cheers.)
Let us carry nut this work in perfect good feeling, and
with one strong desire of showing, that while we can
benefit Birkenhead itself, we can at the same time confer
benefits on the great port of Liverpool—(cheers)—for I,
myself, would rather be considered as one of the Western
side, rather than that I should be thought to be in oppo-
sition to them. (Hear, bear.) Competition is the life
and soul of commerce, and the competition which we will
produce must be of good to Liverpool. (Hear.) All
monopolies fatten the few to the injury of the many—
(cheers)—and if we can do away with that monopoly, we
will benefit the port of Liverpool." (Cheers. He after-
wards said (the scheme of the docks at Birkenhead having
by some been attributed to him,) " the Birkenhead Dock
Bill was first mooted by Mr. Laird—he was the very first
who ever hinted at the matter—and it must be gratifying
to think that Mr. Rendell himself founded his magni-
ficent plan on Mr. Laird's own suggestion—(loud cheers) :
—and if it had not been for him, neither Mr. Potter, Mr.
Brownrigz, nor myself, would have ever thought of
moving in the matter." (Cheers.)
Mr. POTTER next returned thanks, and after alluding
to the want of dock room in Liverpool, said that now
that their bill had received the sanction of parliament,
the parties on both sides of the water should endeavour,
while they pursued separately their own individual in-
terests, to effect measures which might be more par-
ticularly beneficial to the community at large. (Loud
cheers.)
Mr. MALLAHY was then, as the solicitor of the pro-
moters, called upon to reply, which he did in suitable
terms.
The health of the Birkenhead Commissioners was ably
responded to by Mr. C. Bentham.
" The Town and Trade of Liverpool" was received and
drank with the greatest enthusiasm.
" The Magistrates of the County," was responded to
by Colonel Glegg, who expressed himself anxious for the
success of the new undertaking.
" The Press" was proposed by J. W. HARDEN, Esq.
Mr. JOHN SMITH responded, and exhibited very bad
taste in attacking the Corporation and Dock Trustees of
Liverpool for their opposition to the bill, to whom Mr.
W. Jackson himself had previously, in a spirit of con-
ciliation, awarded the meed due to good intentions in
their anxiety to avert, if it might be, any injury from the
proposed works to the river or outward navigation of the
port. _ _

Several other healths were drunk and ably responded to
and the company separated highly pleased with the pro.
ceedings of the evening.

THEATRE-ROYAL, WILLIAMSON-SQUARE.—The beau-
tiful opera of the " Bohemian Girl " has been repeated
throughout the week to audiences even increasing in
num-
bers and enthusiasm, and is to be performed for the last
time this evening, when those of our playgoers who have
not yet heard it should attend, as well as the admirers of
operatic singing who have only heard it on its first intro-
duction, so great is its improved effect, arising from the
increased perfection gained by the singers. It is to be
succeeded by " La Somnambula, " which will be got up
on Wednesday for the benefit of Mr. Stretton, and a fa-
vourite opera.on Friday, for the benefit of that charming
cantatrice, Miss Rainforth. The novelties in preparation
is the dramatised version of " Martin Chuzzlewit," after
which we are to be visited by, to use the Yankee phrase,
" the divine Fanny" Elisler.
A BEGGING LETTER AFFAIR.—On SatUrs:l93 , an el-
derly gray-headed man, dressed in
Kaanns
Cui
giahtt
tho)fo
lggi
caesvnpehtreiiheeeiilsmttb.hl
laaictacikihfn,..e
of clerical appearance, and who gave his name as Robert
Swayne, was brought up before Mr. Rushton on a charge
of having obtained money under false pretences. Sir
Arnold Knight, M.D., Mr. Richard Shiel, and Mr. Sharp-
pies, timber merchant, appeared against him.—Mr. Shar-
pies said the prisoner had, on the preceding day, left a
letter at his office, and having heard of his character pre-
viously, he gave him in charge. The letter, which was
handed to the court, was addressed to the Rev. Mr.
Phillips, of Woolton Priory.—Mr. Sharpies said the pri-
soner told him lie wanted to raise funds to enable him to
evidence could not be
go to Rome.—Sir Arnold Knight said the prisoner called
on him on the 4th July, and left a similar letter, saying
(in accordance with its contents) that he was going to
Rome to obtain permission of the head of the order to be
short time a female called, and said he
hai.reinstatedscrsoe tcvonn;d ibnu ht callingiisn paohseit i
(the prisoner) was her husband, and that he was a great
received. The prisoner had also written to Mr. Shiel,
saying his object was to go to Rome, and he gave him a
sovereign. Shortly. after his wife called, as in the other
case, though the prisoner had denied to Mr.
isAdarnithoeolrdm
rascal.—Mr. Rushton(°Snsiraa
had ever been married.—A police-officer said
certained that the prisoner lived in Park
Road, and had a
wife and daughter, with whom he lived on bad terms.—
Mr. Rushton said the only charge before the court was
for asking relief. The prisoner fluently
said, in reply, that he had used no false
was in reality a priest, but having been badly used he had
pretence ; that he
lost the powers of the priesthoo
proceed to the fountain head ; and his object was to
He might be thrown into prison, at Rome to be reinstated.
him life to get out, he but if the Almighty gave
severingly to the end. Hwould pursue his course per-
defray his expenses, e had obtained the money to
and still had it in his possession.
had used no misrepresentation.—Mr. Rushton said the
letter was artfully written to evade the act, and though
he had represented a particular object, it did not come
under the statute, and he must be acquitted. The pri-
soner was then cautioned and discharged.

STATE OF THE AMERICAN COTTON MARKET.

dated the 20th ult., and made up for the Great Western, will be
The following circular of Mr. W. P. Wright, of New York,
read with interest
" The accounts from England, per Hibernia steamer, to the
4th instant, sheaving an advance in Cotton in that market, were
welcome, though not unlooked for. Since the sailing
Britannia we have had a fair demand, and the sales have ave-
raged more than 1,000 bales per day. Holders have elides;
voured to obtain an advance in prices, and in many instance
have succeeded, though it cannot be considered established:
I have altered my quotations in conformity to sales made, ana,
must remark, that to purchase to any extent, these prices, alt
perhaps higher, must be paid. The sales making are Inns 9
for shipment. It is yet too early to enter into any estimate.:4_
the coming crop, or to heed the various reports of exceast a
that
rains. drought, worms, &c. ; though it may be well to sat,
the floods in some portions of our Western States have bee
most destructive and alarming, and a vast amount of proPerti
and production has been swept away. tO
" Exchange continues firm at quotations, which has led
vis
the belief that specie will shortly move towards England'
can, however, spare several millions of dollars without creawg
any alarm.
of the

PRICE OF COTTON.
LIVERPOOL CLASSIFICATION.
s Uplands.
a N. Orleans
Inferior
5 to & 5
to 1210 bile.

Ordinary - 61-
Middling
Good middling
Middling fair
Fair

Fully fair Bi 8i 9' 9i
Good fair 9 gi 10

-
Fine
Estimated sales this week 6,300 bales.
Total sales since Ist instant 14,000 „
Receipts since Ist instant