The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-12-24 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGEACE.

The Taff Vale Railway shareholders have resolved to
enter into a contract for working the line for a period of
seven years upon the principle of a per centage on the
weekly receipts.
CHESTER AND'BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY.—The traffic
of this railway has increased £lOO per week during the
last six months, and at the approaching meeting the line
will be in a position to pay a dividend at the rate of four
per cent. on the present market value of the shares. The
tunnel recently formed to the river Mersey hes only re-
cently been completed, and yet the goods traffic has in-
creased fully one-third over the same period of last year.
JUNCTION OF THE MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM
AND THE MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL RAILWAYS.—
The intended route will branch off from the present Man-
chester and Birmingham Railway, near the iron skew
bridge in Fairfield-street; then to pass between Granby
Row (London Road) and the river Medlock, crossing
lower down over Oxford Road, near Oxford Road Bridge,
continuing by the end of Messrs. Birley's water-proofing
cloth mill, by Gaythorn, through Hewitt-street, to Knott
Mill, &c.
The North British Railway Company have been autho-
rised by the shareholders to make an application in the
ensuing session of parliament for powers to form a line
from the southern terminus of the Edinburgh and Dal-
keith Railway to the town of Harwich, and to raise an
additional capital of £400,000. by the creation of 32,000
shares of £l2. 10s. each. The shareholders have also
permitted the subscription of £25,000. for part of the
stock of the projected Edinburgh and Dundee Railway.
Although the meeting was not quite unanimous, the ma-
jority was sufficiently large to carry with strong feeling
the resolutions proposed on these subjects.

RAILWAY BUSINESS FOR N'ERT SEssiorr.—The new
railways (or extensions, deviations, &c., of existing ones)
for England alone amount to no fewer than 195; those
for Scotland to 7 ; and those for Ireland 23—making a
total of 235 bills. The capital proposed to be raised for
these railways is enormous. Two of the Oxford lines
alone would cost, according even to present calculation,
4,000,000. The North Kent would cost £2,200,000; the
London and York £5,000.000; the London and Chat-
ham, and North Kent, 1,500,000; the Leeds and West
Riding Junction, £1,200,000; the direct Northern to
York, £4,000,000; the Central Kentish, £1,250,000.
LEEDS AND THIRSR RAILWAY.—At a meeting in
Knaresborough on Thursday, Lord Harewood in the
chair, it was resolved that this line of railway would be
much more beneficial to the inhabitants of that town,
than the Harrogate and Ripon junction.—Lord Harewood
said that he never had the honour of being in the chair at
so large a meeting where there was more unanimity than
had been shown in the passing of the resolution. He had
opposed a former scheme for bringing a railway to Knares-
borough, because he thought it would not be of advantage
to that town; but when he heard of the Leeds and Thirsk
Railway, although, it passed through seven miles of his
property, he did not oppose it, because he thought it
would promote the good of the districts through which it
passed. He was not a shareholder in the undertaking,
nd he would not have given it any support had he not
thought it would benefit the town of Knaresbro'.
NORTH UNION RAILWAY..—A special general meeting
of this company was held yesterday, at the Clarendon-
rooms : Theodore Rathbone, Esq., presided. It was re-
solved—That the conditional agreement of the directors
to take a perretual lease of the Southport and Euxton
Railway, upon a guarantee to the shareholders in that
company of 4 per cent. on a limited outlay and one-half
of the surplus profits, be adopted :—that the conditional
agreement of the directors with the Bibble Navigation
Company for making a branch to the River Ribble from
the North Union line at Preston, at the joint expense of,
the two companies, be approved :—that the conditional
arrangement made between the directors and the Liver-
pool and Manchester Railway Company for the amalga-
mation of the two undertakings, on the basis of each
£lOO Consolidated Stock of the North Union Company
being considered equivalent to £64 7s. 6d. of the Liver-
pool and Manchester or amalgamated Stock, be appro-
ved.

EDUCATION IN TIPPERARY.—Has the spread of the
current knowledge tended much to improve the moral
condition and the happiness of our people, regarded as
members of private families, not of the great public family?
We are not afraid to give our answer—that we are con-
vinced it has not. In England, we suppose no one will
question that the troubles of the peace, the unhappy, dis-
contented, uneasy spirits, those who find home vapid and
fiat, compared with the excitement of the Socialist lecture,
or the Chartist club, are just the class who have read and
and learned a good deal mure than the ordinary run of
persons in their rank. And in Ireland, we speak without
fear of contradiction from our own knowledge—that vast
Aceldama, the county of Tipperary, is not inferior in the
education of its inhabitants to any part of the United
Kingdom, or of Scotland. Not merely are the acquisi-
tions of reading, writing, and arithmetic, po-sessed by a
far greater proportion of the population than could be
found in any dbdrict of England, but besides, a very con-
siderable number of the sons of the humblest farmers are
both expert mathematicians, and well-grounded Greek,
Latin, and sometimes even Hebrew scholars. The coun-
try abounds with pedagogues, of the very lowest class,
and in the direst penury, but often admirable scholars,
and enthusiasts in the pursuit and lose both of scientific
and literary pursuits. And yet, the moral sate of that
district remains, alas! but too fearfully the—same. The
Calculus arid Use Digamma have no tendency to prevent
assassination. The schoolmasters are not only the centres
of knowledge, but often the nucleus around which gather
the demons of incendiarism, burglary, and murder !-
-Dublin Unirereily Magazine.

SIR HENRY POTTINGER IN LIVERPOOL.

In our last we announced the arrival in this town of Sir

Henry Pottinger and suite on the previous (Monday)
evening. At two o'clock, on Tuesday, Sir Henry left the
Adelphi, and proceeded to the Town-hall, for the purpose
of receiving addresses.
Prior to his arrival at the Town-hall, the members of
the several associations, to the number of about one hun-
dred and fifty, walked two and two, and arm in arm, from
the East India and China Association Office, Exchange.
buildings, through the front entrance of the Town-hall,
and to the Council Chamber, where they awaited the en-
trance of the distinguished stranger. About ten minutes
after two Sir Henry entered the chamber, accompanied
by his friends from London, and was introduced to the
associated bodies by the Mayor, amid loud and enthusi-
astic cheers. Sir Henry stood at the head of the council
table ; and when silence had been restored, Chas. Turner,
Esq., the Chairman of the East India and China Associa-
tion, addressed him on presenting an address from that
body expressive of " the sense felt by them of the import-
ant benefits which the judicious and favourable commer-
cial arrangements with the Chinese government Lave con-
ferred not only upon those immediately interested in the
trade with that country, but upon the nation at large."
To this Sir Henry replied in suitable terms.
John Crosthwaite, Esq., Chairman of the West India
Association, then presented an address to a similar pur-
port from the various commercial associations of Liver-
pool. To this Sir Henry made a suitable acknowledg-
ment. Mr. Turner again addressed Sir Henry, announc-
ing that the merchants of Liverpool had determined to
request his acceptance of a tebtimonial of their grateful
sense of his invaluable services, and that he (Mr. T.)
would consult Sir Henry's wishes in reference to the pre-
paration of such testimonial.

It having been arranged that Sir Henry should make
his appearance on 'Change at a quarter to three o'clock,
the rooms and area were at that time rather densely
crowded with merchants and other gentlemen. Sir Henry
was accompanied from the Council Chamber to the Ex-
change-rooms by the members of his party, Charles Tur-
ner, Esq., John Crosthwaite, Esq., Thomas Sands, Esq.,
and several others. His reception was very enthusiastic.
He was hailed with loud cheers as he passed from bar'to
bar of the rooms, and repeatedly bowed his acknowledg-
ments. From the Exchange-rooms he proceeded to the
Underwriters' Rooms, and there his reception was enthu-
siastic, though the numbers present were not quite so nu-
merous as in the lower room. He then crossed the Ex-
change area, viewing Ne!son's Monument as he passed,
and entered the western door of the Town-hall amid the
acclamations 9f the populace. After visiting the large
ball-room, in which the grand banquet was being laid at
the time, and inspecting the beautiful suite of rooms, he
took a bird's eye view of the town from the dome. The
haziness of the weather, however, was unpropitious for an
extended view ; and after a brief stay at the top of the
building, Sir Henry rejoined his family at the Adelphi
Hotel.

The grand banquet took place in the evening, in the
large ball-room of the Town-hall.
The Chair was occupied by the Worshipful the Mayor
of Liverpool, James Lawrence, Esq. On his right we
noticed the distinguished guest of the evening, Sir Henry
Pottinger, G.C. 8., Lord Viscount Sandon, M.P., Wilson
Patten, Esq., M.P., Sir George Larpent, Lieutenant Col.
Malcolm, Major Pottinger, Major Alford, Captain Orms-
by, Gilbert Henderson, Esq., Recorder, Edwd. Rushton,
Esq., Dr. Whittaker, Mohun Lal, an Indian Chief, E.
Arnaud. Esq., the Collector, John Wright, Esq., Thomas
Sands, Esq., J. S. Leigh, Esq., the Mayor of Wigan,
Samuel Horrocks, Esq., Joseph Hornby, Esq., William,
Nicol, Esq. On his lft we noticed Lord Stanley, the
High Sheriff, 'William Entwistle, Esq., M.P., the Rev.
Rector Brooks, Colonel Falconer, Sir George Monro,
George Grant, Esq., Captain Bevis, R.N., Toos. Bazley,
Archibald Hunter, Esq., J. S. Heywood, Esq., Dr.
Brandreth, Samuel Thompson, Esq., George Hall Law-
rence. Erq., Samuel Staniforth, Esq., Scott, Esq.,
London, Alderman Hodgson, R. Zwilchenbart, Esq., G.
E. Arbuthnot, Esq., Rev. Wm. Clemison.
The number of the company present was about 400, in-
cluding nearly all the leading merchants, brokers, and
gentlemen connected with the trade of Liverpool.
After the usual loyal toasts had been drunk,

The MAYOR proposed "The health of the Right Ho-
nourable Sir Henry Pottinger,"—(cheers)---whose saga-
cicue, enlightened, and :successful policy, has opened a
new world to British enterprise and capital. (Three times
three.)
Sir Henry Pottinger, in rising, was greeted with renewed
applause. When silence had been obtained, he said,—Mr.
Mayor, my lords, and gentlemen, in rising to offer my
most sincere thanks for the manner in which you have
been pleased to drink my health, it is with no affected
d,ffidence that I tell you that I am incapable of explain-
ing how truly I appreciate your kindness. When I was
graciously selected by her Majesty to fulfil the duties of
envoy to China, I went out with a full determinetion, not
of forcing an unpleasant treaty on ti.e Chinese after the
great objects of war were accomplished by the force of her
Majesty's arms, but rather to act as an umpire between
the two nations. (Hear and cheers.) I had found those
attached to the mission who had cordially entered into
my views, and I had a great happiness to meet with a cor-
responding feeling in the high commissioner Ke-ying,
than whom a more enlightened statesman I du not be-
lieve there is in any country in the world—a man fee;ingly
alive to all the amenities of life. and more particularly so
to that high feeling which dictated his conduct through-
out this negotiation. I could, were it admissible in such
a society, tell you of such instances of Ke-ying's high
feeling and noble conduct, which would, I dare say, as-
tonish you. I trust, at some future period, it will please
her Majesty's government to do him and the Chinese
character generally justice, by making his despatches and
letters public. It would not astonish you only, but all
the world, to find such sentiments existing in what we
have been in the habit of thinking a self-secluded Chinese
mandarin. One great point in the treaty I had- the ho-
nour of concluding, was, that the trade with China should be
thrown open to all other nations. This, !on must be
aware, I could not have succeeded in bringing about with-
out the cordial sanction and co-operation of the Chinese
authorities. But the moment 1 explained to the high
commissioner the object I had in view, and pointed out
the advantages it offered, not only to China but to all
other nations, he most cordially acceded to it ; and before
I left he entreated, as the representative of England, in
case of any unforseen difficulty arising, to act as a media-
tor between China and any other European nation. This
is a strong proof of the confidence I have won, and I
trust I have won it not by the succumbing in any way to
any unjust demands (if such were made) of the Chinese,
but by letting the Chinese see that there was only one
rule for my conduct as an Englishman,—that was true
faith and good honour. I believe the treaty so concluded,
to insure, as I had The pleasure of stating to-day at the
meeting in the Town-hall, all the advantages that a treaty
can possibly combine. It has this peculiarity, that any-
thing that benefits one nation with regard to it must be-
nefit the other. Such is my interpretation of the Chinese
treaty. There are some trifling points, such, for instance,
as what I believe is called, in mercantile phraseology, the
bonding system, for which, I confess, I was afraid to sti-
pulate, because I did not like to'propose anything the
Chinese would object to. I am happy to say, how-
ever, that after I left they net only cordially acceded to
but proposed it. And I have since learned that it is in-
cluded in an article inserted in the treaty which I am also
delighted to mention hi.s been concluded between
the United States and China. Our treaty provides
for every advantage that may be given to any other nation
being enjoyed by England. At the same time the Chi-
nese made no objection to the proposal, and were quite
ready to allow it tacitly to be in full force. There is one
other point to which 1 may be permitted to allude before
sitting down. It is the treatment we are to show towards
the Chinese. We must remember that they have been
three or four thousand years, as we are led to understand,
totally secluded within themselves ; that they do riot un-
derstand us ; that a mere treaty is not a sufficient eround
for their at once changing their usages. But I am quite
satisfied, from what I saw during my residence among
them, that, if treated kindly by England and all other
nations that may resort there, in due time, with God's
blessing, they will enter as widely as any other nation
into all our social feelings, and into that intercourse
white is so desirable between wan and man. When I
come to address this large body of merchants, in one of
the greatest ports of the world—for such is Liverpool—l
need not ask you to impress on those who repair to that
distant land in charge of your ships and merchandise, to
study kindness and forbearance towards the people. It
is the great, the first object we ought to have in view,
that of conciliating the lower classes of the Chinese. To
revert once more to my friend, Ke-ying, in one of his
beautiful letters, he says, " Our people are prone to ill-
treat those who are dissolute and inclined to excess.
Your sailors, and particularly the black sailors, (alluding
to our Indian vessels,) are apt to get drunk. Pray have
this put a stop to, lest they go ashore and he ill treated,
and we thereby acquire a bad name.'" Wben I tell you
such is the feeling of one of the highest men in the empire
—a blood relation to the emperor and a first-class manda-
rin—you will not think I am travelling out of my way to
beg that, when your ships leave the shores of England,
you will impress on those on board how necessary it is to
be kind and conciliatory to those whom we want, by de-
grees, to introduce into our social system. I believe the
prejudice which the Chinese entertain towards our inter-
course, such as we look to between ourselves and all
other nations, proceeds riot from any religious feeling.
On the contrary, it proceeds from an apprehension that
we will use that intercourse for political purposes. When
that feeling is once got over, which will be in a few years,
I trust, I have no doubt China will come forward, as she
ought, as one of the first nations of the earth. The ex-
tent of trade in China is something that most persons, if
it was stated to them, would deem incredible. Especi-
ally in cotton and the manufactures of cotton. the de-
mand will be unlimited. The only question is, how China
is to pay ? This is a matter which, in so large an empire,
must rest on time. But, in the meanwhile, new resour-
ces will spring up, and the people will learn from our kind
treatment and intercourse to have new demands. That
such will be the result of our treaty I have not the least
doubt (Cheers.) Sir Henry proposed the health of the
Mayor and Corporation of Liverpool. (Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks for the compliment.
The MAYOR then gave " Her Majesty's Ministers,"
which was received with protracted cheering.
Lord STANLEY rose to return thanks, and, after ex-
pressing in feeling terms his gratitude to the company,
said—ln my capacity as the war minister of this country,
it was my duty to superintend, as well as to provide for,
the preparation of those great military and naval rein-
forcements, which, largely sent at the close of the year
1841, contributed some cogent and rather pointed argu-
ments in support of the negotiations of our friend. It
was consequently my lot to watch with deep interest, un-
checked, however, by a single disappointment or a single
failure, the progress of that expedition in which British
and Indian troops; naval and military, vied with each
other in a rivalry honourable alike to both, surmounting
obstacles which required not military skill, nor valour,

nor science alone, but determination, but perseverance to
encounter ; and it was my lot also to know, and to watch
the discretion with which the right honourable gentleman
near me exercised the high functions with which, even at
that period, he was entrusted. I know not, gentlemen,
how far it is generally known, that though undoubtedly
at that time to the right honourable gentleman was not
entrusted the superintendence of any military and naval
movements, yet to him a large discretion was given by the
government, which fully confided in his talent and ability,
of saying at what periods those naval and military argu-
ments had attained to such a height as to lead to the in-
troduction of more polished diplomatic intercourse, to say
at what time the arms of Britain should be stayed, and
how soon the process of negociation might commence.
And when hat period arrived, honourable alike to the
arms of Entain and to the humanity and forbearance
with which they were wielded, her Majesty's government
had but the gratifying task, step by step, of applauding
and approving the discretion, the temper, the judgment,
and the forbearance with which those delicate negocia-
lions were subsequently conducted by the right honoura-
ble gentleman. In that department the right honourable
gentleman was more peculiarly responsible to another
member of her Majesty's government; but I had the sa-
tisfaction, in another point of view, of being brought uni-
versally into connection with the right honourable gentle-
man. I saw his untiring labours, and his zealous assiduity
in forming or founding a new colonial society—in super-
vising the foundation of a colony where all was new and
strange—where obstacles were to be encountered from
mutual prejudices, from ignorance of each other's habits,
from omissions upon the one side, and upon the other
from unreasonable demands and exorbitant expectations;
and I saw the right honourable gentleman with satisfac-
tion, in his civil as well as in his diplomatic correspon-
dence, carry on " the even tenor of his way" with the
one fixed intention, and that boldly conceived and boldly
executed, of obtaining the greatest advantages consistently
with the honour and the good faith of this country. Gen-
tlemen, there is one point to which the right honourable
gentleman, in his address to you to-night, has peculiarly
adverted, although he has modestly abstained from stating
the full shire which he had in it. I allude to that deci-
sion to which he came—and it is due to him I should say
he came to it and acted upon it upon his own responsibi-
lity and without instructions—not only not to demand
exclusive privileges, (for that he was prohibited from
doing,) but for inserting as a stipulation in the treaty that
all other nations should alike partake of the commercial
advantages which had been gained by this country by the
power of British arms, and by the prudence of British
negociation. Gentlemen, I say it for myself, and I know
I may sav it also for my right honourable friend the Earl
of Aberdeen, that it was to him and to me, in our several
departments, a subject of the deepest regret when Sir
Henry Pottinger's earnest entreaties induced us—or ra-
ther, I should say, compellzd us—to accede to a very
strongly expressed desire of his, after so many years' ser-
vice in distant countries, to return to his native land,
there to enjoy, in the midst of his countrymen, the well-
earned honours which, I am proud to see, have been be-
stowed upon him; and, I can use no more emphatic lan-
guage— _ _ _

" To read his history in a nation's eyes."
Gentlemen, if I might be forgiven for trespassing upon
you for one moment longer, it would be to express my
great satisfaction at the allusion which bas been made by
the right honourable gentleman to-night, however little it
may be needed in a society like that which I have the
honour of addressing—the necessity of great caution and
great prudence in our dealings with our new allies, those
who are lately brought within the pale of civilisation in
the vast Chinese empire. When I speak of the pale of
civilisation, I should rather say in the pale of European
commerce and of intercourse ; because I believe there is
no nation in the world to which, as far as civilisation goes,
greater injustice has been done in the public estimation
than to the great empire of China. But among those
subjects which particularly struck the Chinese during the
course of our warlike operation, against them, and since
in our diplomatic intercourse with them, has been the
strict, accurate, literal fulfilment, in the spirit as well as
the letter, of every engagement which we entered into
with them. We have heard the Chinese spoken of os a
tricky, over-reaching people. That there are such among
them—among the infetior dealers—l do not for a moment
doubt ; but I do disbelieve that that is the general cha-
racter of the nation. I believe, so far es our later expe-
rience has gone, that there is no nation which more highly
values public faith in others; and, up to the present mo-
ment, I am bound to say that there never was a govern-
ment or a nation which more strictly and ccnscientiously
adhered to the li'erai fulfilment of the engagements into
which it has enter: d. Now, gentlemen, it is not for the
government, it is for you—it is for the merchants of
England—it is for the great commercial body whose
principal seat is in this 'own—to confirm, to maintain,
and to strengthen that feeling of respect for British faith.
The government have done their part. The ports of
China are open to you to an extent passing the most san-
guine calculations; but there are still national prejudices,
there are still national jealousies, to be overcome; and it
behoves those who are more immediately concerned in
dealing with that great empire, not only in their dealings
(for that I doubt not) to maintain that character for
scrupulous honour and integrity which has ever been the
distinguishing mark of the British merchant, but not, in
the eagerness for the profit of those commercial advan-
tages which are offered, to push beyond the limits which
Chinese prejudice—if you say it is so—will yet permit.
those advantages which are now open to our commerce.
The door is thrown open to you ; rely upon it, it will be
opened wider still; but it must be opened by voluntary
concessions from within, and not by what will be felt to
be compulsory encroachments from without. I believe
it is easy, in the present state of public feeling, to raise
jealousies, and to foster anew animosities which are be-
ginning to subside—that an over-anxiousness for success,
and an improvident pressing for advantages, may lead to
such a conclusion ; but I believe, also, gentlemen, and I
entertain a confident expectation of it, and I pray that
such may be the result, whether under this or succeeding
administrations for many a long )ear. that the trade
China which is now commencing, and in its vigorous in-
fancy, may. if prudently conducted, be made the founda-
tion, not of inordinate speculation and immense gains,
followed by corresponding and ruinous losses, but be
made the means of extending the blessings of civilisation,
of science, of knowledge, of religion,—and along with
them all, but only by a prudent course of not shock inK
the prejudices of those with whom we are brought into
contact, it may lay the foundations of a great, a perma
nent, and a rapid augmentation of British commerce.
The health of " the members for the county" was re-
sponded
Ne r s
saidfo r ththat
tb borough"
hadug h 'f'ahavingit ioobaeme tbi
egoi
tv eunp,o
sponded to by Mr. Wilson Patten and Mr. Entwisle.
lt
n
LThored"Smastenni
him to attend on the present occasion, and testify, in the
name of his constituents, to the gratitude and respect
which they felt for their distinguished guest, who had
first brought the great empire of China within the vast
circle of European civilisation and industry., and had thus
proved himself to be, not merely the ambassador of this
country, but of the whole world. He (Lord Sandon)
could hardly limit in anticipation the great advantages
hereafter to accrue to the commerce of this country from
this result of Sir Henry Pottinger's labours. It was fre-
quently a subject of congratulation if we, by a treaty,
opened up a commercial intercourse with a country hav-
ing three or four millions of people ; but what was such
a triumph in comparison with the opening of a country
containing a population of three hundred millions ! We
might for a time be hampered for the want of adequate
returns for the manufactures sent out by us ; but now we
had only to look at the simple tact that a maritet of three
hundred millions of people had been opened to us. And
who could doubt that adequate returns would be found ?
On the opening of the East India trade, it was prophesied
that our merchants would experience difficulty in finding
adequate means for the extension of British commerce;
but had we really experienced any difficulty in finding
returns ? He would appeal to the honourable baronet on
his right-hand side, who presided over the East India
trade at London. At present we knew little more of
China than the outline of its coasts on the map; but
when we knew the interior, and feelings of mutual con-
fidencc and respect had been established, it was impossi-
ble to conceive that so industrious a people as the Chi-
nese would not be able to discover something to supply
our wants, or to enable us to gratify the wants of others.
Let us not, then, doubt that China could find the means
of enabling us to extend our commerce. It had been
said that this could only be done through a reduction of
the duty on tea ; and for his own part, if it should be
consistent with the general benefit of the empire—a ques-
tion he should leave to other parties to discuss—Re should
not be sorry to see such a reduction take place. If this
step should not be consistent with the financial interests
of the country, he could not doubt that China would be
able to find exchangeable products for our goods. Hav-
ing alluded to the character of the treaty which had been
formed by Sir H. Pottinger—a treaty characterised by
wisdom, and taking that only which the Chinese should
willingly have granted of their own accord—his lordship
said that the intercourse which had been established by
the right honourable gentleman was, like mercy, twice
blessed—blessing him that gave and bins that took. He
then referred to the gratitude due to Sir Henry by the
British people, and by mercantile communities in parti-
cular, and concluded by speaking of the pleasure that he
felt in again meeting with his constituents, after au ab-
sence of some length of time. His Lordship resumed
his seat amidst applause.
After one or two other toasts,
Mr. SAMUEL HOLM', on being called upon to respond
to the " Tradesmen of Liverpool," said, in the name of
my fallow tradesmen I thank you for it, and I attribute
the selection of my name to respond to the toast to the
circumstance of my being irrevocably connected with that
large and influential class which exists by trade—which
has exercised, and will, I doubt not, continue to exercise,
such a paramount influence upon the affairs of this coun-
ftghreatificat whole civilised
when civilised
coun-
try and through her commercial enterprise, and manu-
wfaoctruldr.ingltsmkiolls,t
aulpwoays ntbhee
aasifoaoirrsceoof
an occasion presents itself, in which men of all ranks, and
of every shade of opinion, can meet in perfect amity, yet
without the sacrifice of a single principle. It softens the
magistrate,
or, asperities which sometimes unfortunately arise, and by
placing the tradesman in juxtaposition with the merchant,
and the merchant with the peer, it strengthens our bonds
meet for the amelioration of human suffering—for the
purpose of raising a hospital for our seamen. We can
representing and makes us better acquainted with each ot:tf:rmo.ne
whose
achievements have
distinguishedassociateo r.
as
o o taroundhe presentse
rt hv e
services
ehospitablesa
n d occasion,
splendid bt
oo a
dr
od o f
aac
honourhci he v
shed a lustre around his name, and whose sagacity as a
plenipotentiary has only been excelled by his high and
the inter-
British crown. It ought to. be the toast of every Briton,
that with our alntopt unlimited freedom, no act will ever
elosftdocfhahriascstoesrearseiagno.Eancgidlislatatn:ifevery
sub
ject
of
the
be countenanced by the people in this country, that may
in the slightest degree compromise our national character.
The word of England, given by her authorised ambassa-
dors, must be the bond of England, whether we negociate

Dec. 21, 18-14.

a treaty with the simple Islanders of the Pacific—the as:
tine and dexterous court of Russia—with our republics?
brethren of the western hemisphere, or with the interest'
ing hut mysterious millions of the Chinese Empire. %r
be it from me to undervalue the noble services of the
army army and navy—of those gallant spirits who brave e
tempests of the ocean—the dangers and diseases of trop'
cal climes, and who march undaunted to the mussing e
hostile cannon, that they may assert the supreensel: ,f
England—may give protection and extension to our cs"`e
coerce and make the flag of England respected fromahnrA
to shore. But. still, we• must look to British faith a!):
British mercantile integrity to maintain our nationalrteif
putetion, and to preserve what the sword bas so
won ; and I trust that the treaty which has been Sa
negotiated by our gallant guest, will be honoursbiy.,o
religiously observed, so that the Chinese may know we
it will be to their interest to cultivate the friendsbiL7
they have been made to feel the power of England. DI
I should not do justice to my own feelings if I did I!°_,
add, that wherever our flag waves, we have other de;
which arise out of our commercial treaties. We ninsetilse
only conquer that we may trade, but that we may n" die
and bless; that we may carry with our merchandise ,
glories of our national institutions, and the fruits of 0;
national religion. It was said by Lord Bacon, that
the youth of a state, arms do flourish ; .in its middle age,
learning ; and in its decline, mechanical arts and
chandise. But this is only true where nations have en
t iiie
•
quered to subjugate and oppress ; and profound as is ,b
remark, it will not be true of England, if she unite 01:
thagallantryofherWellingtons,her Pottingers, and berrs',
kers, the learning of her Bacons, her Newtons, andeber
t.
Lockes ; and all be blended with' that commercial elliw
prise and manufacturing skill,—that independence's%
yet benevolence, which conquers only to benefit, I
trades that it may civilise, protect and bless. Conner:
as I am with the trading community, I see in such an
semblage as this a symbol of our national strength.
can define, in the crucible of our national fusion,
separation of any one class ? Who can point out a sin d
4
link that is wanting to complete the chain between
Queen and the poorest peasant amongst her subjects:
The pyramid of society in this country stands upon:,
broad and a secure foundation, and there is that groan;
ascent, and that substantial blending of all classes, fr°
the base to the apex, which gives to it at once its solidity'
its just proportion, and its grandeur. It has suffice°
unscathed the storms of centuries ; and if the only ecnlni
amongst us is, who shall the most benefit his cons'
try, it will rear its majestic head for ages yet to enn'eci
We see at this moment a tradesman filling—aye, 111'4
with credit too,—the high office of chief magistrate, ".
this great community. And he will corroborate me wine"
I say that it shall be our duty to inculcate subordinatioar
and to promote happiness at home—to spread civilization
and benevolence abroad ; ' and if it ever unfortunatm
happens that England unvisited with intestine commotion,:which,
which, may God in his mercy avert, the trading portion
of the community, constituting as they do the tuuscleS
and sinews of society, and, let me add, no inconsiderable
portion of its wealth and its mind, will be fund as resell
to check any oppression from the upper classes, as an/
unbridled licentiousness in the lower : and while, int
unsbaken firmness, they will hold aloft the censor of
royalty, they will stand between contending classes, that
the plague of national confusion may be stayed. It /'
my desire to see my fellow-tradesmen advancing in the
march of cultivation, urging onwards those who areaboce
them, and helping forwards those who are below tbelll
and when we recollect the origin of a Watt and a lel:
ford, it ought to be an encouragement to our working
classes to know that the most brilliant names in theci
record of fame, are those of men who have been cradle
in difficulties. and who have had to struggle with obs.ett
ties which nothing but invincible courage and inflexible
perseverance could lave ever overcome. It is, then, '
your trading classes that you must in no small degreed
look, to enable our country to maintain her lofty 8°
commanding position ; they have to build the 'ies:
sels, and forge the machinery, which is to carry or'
tieh merchandise, as well as British thunder, to el
clime; they are to span our vallies with bridges, ainee
to pierce our mountains with tunnels ; ttey are to gi, e 1"
and motion to your myriads of looms and shuttles; the'
are to give bone and muscle to the vivid creations of the
architect and the engineer; it is they who must clothe
imagination with reality, and convert intelligence int°
tangibility. Should they not, then, pursue intelligencsd
as a necessary adjunct of success? Undoubtedly. An,
being jealous for the honour of my order, I trust that
shall advance in all those mechanical arts which are as
necessary for the continued welfare of our country; oar
being the link which binds society together, we may ns"
with discretion the great power, both political and marli
which is placed in our hands ; and while I rejoice that 8
classes unite in an expression of gratitude to our distil!'
guished guest, because all classes have benefitted by 11Js
able negotiation, you will not deem it inappropriate, 1"
reference to our beloved country and her magnificent env
pire, if I ask you to join me in the fervent aspiratil
that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion an"
piety, may be established amongst us for all generations'
(Loud cheers.)
The Vice-presidents and others followed ; after Which
the company separated at a late hour.

On Wednesday morning, accompanied by Mr. Alder'
man Moore, (chairman of the Dock Committee,)
Ladd, &c.. Sir Henry inspected the docks, and sai'ef.,
along the. Mersey in one of her Majesty's steamers. I"
the afternoon he entertained a select party of gentle
at dinner, principally friends he had known abroad. in'
the evening, Sir Henry, his lady, family, and fri,ods
Pa-
tronised the performance at the Amphitheatre, attracting
large numbers of our townspeople anxious to see the sub"
jest of so much deserved honour. Sir Henry and bl°
party'entered the theatre shortly before the curtain roe
for the Chinese War, and was received with heart.
cheering from the auditory, the hand playing " Mark
'tis the Indian drum," " See the conquering Hero,
•
He appeared to be ~very much anm,ed. and we have ,n;,"
doubt was greatly astonished at the representation of la;
scenes in which he has lately acted so distinguished a par'',
Thursday was d voted to the visits and reception of
private friends, and in the evening Sir Henry and his lady
attended the ball at the Wellingtpn-rooms. On Friday
morning he proceeded to Manchester, and was enter-
tained in the evening at a public dinner. Another grati-
lying reception is preparing for him at Belfest (his native'
place), and elsewhere testimonials are being got up for
him.
Sir Henry is a fine, portly, noble-looking man, and
stands about 5 feet 9 inches. He was born in the vicinitY
of Belfast, in the year 1780 ; consequently he is now i„l3‘
his 64th year; he does not, however, look older than sv•
He entered the army as a subaltern. and has served fort).
years in India and China. When he had attained the
rank of lieutenant, he undertook a journey of observati°ll
throughout the vast kingdoms of India, and in varion!
disguises, and, after encountering unheard-of perils, li_d°
succeeded in traversing those immense tracts of count"
till then untrodden by any European foot. Honour.,
bravery, and prudence are the distinguished characteriP
tics of his mind. Sir Henry's lady is a remarkably flea.
looking woman.