The Welshman

HOUSE OF COM MP \TS-WEDNESDAY. MARCH 3. ■ L'A. summary "of the debate supplied by our own reporter given in a second 'Edition of the W"!SL"[¡1 last week, Ave now furnish a more lengthened report.] Co;tN IMPORTATION IIILL.-Sir R. FEEL moved the second reading of this bill. Viscount EURINGTON moved, as an amendment, tlat it be read a second time that day six months. Captain VIVIAN A^d Mr. HI.ACKSTO.VE would, for opposite reasons, support the amendment. Mr. BUCK and Colonel T. WO:>D opposed it. The latter regarded this, the first measure of the right hon. I'aronet, and the m:ljr-liti,i b, which it hadbsen supported, RS a good omen of the success that must attend his ad- ministration. He trusted the other measures that were to f(-Ilo v would partake of the same character, and prove practical remedies for existing Liievances. Lord Ho WICK sai 1 tliat. although the principle of the measure of the late government nut with his i!p¡.robation, 'yt that approbation did not extend to the time aud manner in which their proposal wa- made. On the other hand, if the present government were irustaken upon this ¡Ihjed, as he thought tlt-y were, yet he srave them credit for having brought it forward in the manuer which its importance required, and with the full prospect of carrying the measure which they had submitted to that House. (Hear.) It was the begin«ri: g Of that which nothing in this country could aver;.—» reform of the Corn-laws, founded on much clearer and more intelligent principles. (Hear, he«c.) The noble lord spoke at great lentrth on '('I-thc'topic>! of the previous debates and on the subject of the new colonies and their still increasing demands for labour, and Itsked But did it not deserve a careful con- sideration whether such a COli rse would not equally well answer at home? (Hear.) Whether, instrad IIf forcing "nur labourers and manufacturers to 'distant settlements, '• e might not allow them to stay at home, exercising their respective trades, and exchanging the produce of their labour for other commodities wherever they could find i)i,arkets ? (Hear, hear.) Thpre were numerous other countries where ready markets could, not immediately, perhaps,hut speedily be found, if the regularity of ex- change were established; and without at all interfering i.vith existing trade, without displacing one pound of capital, or throwing out of employ oue pair of kirn Is, a new ofeinand would thus be created for the products of manu- facturing industry, were the manufacturers allowed to exchange the results of their labour and skill for the corn "f other countries. (Cheers.) However cheered in that House, and however supported by certain classes out ol doors, her Majesty's government might rest assured that nothine would sat.sfy the public at Unre except that which vwrs it, its owu nature enduring. While the fear of further change continued to hang over the heads ot the farmers thev could never be induced to evert themselves or to invest their cagkitHi in the improvement of laud. Placed, then. as he was, ht had tit) choice but to vote for the nmendinent but. those who were iikeiy to follow the hon. member for Wai;ii,uf ,rd were so few, that there could be no danger to the government measure from any opposition ill that quarter. It ,oulJ be put to no hazard on account -tif dilfeTeirces-ir conflicts amim^st gentlemen on the other -side. It any such danger ready existed, he should not be found in the minority. Mr. PAKINGTON thanked her Majesty's government for having brought in a measure to meet the difficulties of the case in the best way, anti he congratulated them on their success. Mr. C. BULLER said it had been argued, and with much force, that prohibitory duties Oil foreign corn prevented this country from finding foreign markets for its manufac- tures. He did not see how this bill wo- Id remeily the evil or answer this objection. It had been stated that liiuety-one miils ha,1 been erected, hut was it stated at the same time how many hands were mieuiployed ? The ninety-one mills together were equnl -in power to 3,353 horses, and it was proper to mention that, at the present moment, the unemployed power was equal tof;,7S.S, horses. rr. Horiwr, he -said, had shown that the manufactures, ng substituted machinery for human labour, were sun unanie to compete with rnrelnerg. wnne nc popula- tion became more and more disUessed. The more inge- nuity was racked, the more terrible would be the conse- qocnces. The distress hidl resulted fwm the introduc- tion of machinery was not of a temporary character. These evils were, to a srreat extent, aggravated by the corn laws. Under tfce present system the employment of capital was prentlv retarded. The capitalist could not obtain that remuneration which he had a right to expect. lie did not think that the great and manifest evils of the present law would be ollviat.1 hy the measure of her Majesty's govern- ment. (Cheers.) Before he sat down, he would say the hill had one rltrit-nay, he would say be -a" two merits- in it—^cheers) — first, it would bring a little more revenue --(hear, bear)-n,-d. secondlv, and that was its greatest merit, it ptille(I the first brick out of the fabric of the old system. (Loud cheers.) Sir E. KNATCHBULL said the hill was generally sup- ported hy all but the anti-corn law league, who got up the 1.500,000 signatures to petitions on the table. lie denied that the mea-ure was either a surrender—that the agricultural interest had struck their flag —or that it was the first hrick pulled out of the system. Mr. SHEIL said that if something effectual were not donstin a Parliament, to reme(ly distress, the people would tl-re with R resentful incredulity from mere expressions of hnrren syinpntfcy, and as they had been led to thiak that •our poor laws were not dictated by any profound solici- tude. for the interests of the p(ior, they would be led to think that the Corn-law was dictated with an exclusive vegard for the interest of the rich. Mr. Gi. ADSTONE said, granting that a fixed trade in corn was established, the extent of that trade must be limited by our average demand. Suppose that, in common years, we wanted a supply of 2,000,000 of quarters, and that we may expect a demand to that extent in manufac- tured goods; well, -if, as at present, there should he four had consecutive harvests, 10,000,000 quarters of corn would be required. How was that drmand to be suddenly supplied by a fixed trade ? The fixed trade would bring the quantity usually required, and would enable them to pay for it in British manufactures, but with a sudden demand of 10,000,000 of quarters they must offer high prices and pay in bullion. l..ord J. RUSSELL said the late government brought forward a proposition for a change in the Corn laws, thinking that the circumstances of the country required it. Lord Melbourne had always declared that the question of the Cora-laws wai a question of circumstances, and stated •that-when the circumstances of the country required it he +• houlii be ready to enter upon the question, and most ttssuredly-the late government did think that last year the circumstances of the country 'Were such as to require a change. An this while thtse who were opposed to the late government, not only carefully concealed their inten- tion of altering the Corn laws, but stood forward as defenders of those laws, and subsequently obtained an advantage under this pretence, which ;¡(h;lutag-e thh\ IIIg %eon thus obtained, they now turned round, anJ came forward themselves as the proposers of a change tI-. :e laws. 'It appeared to him that the diminution of the nce of corn, and the admission of what corn was sufficient at a low price, would be an advantage to the agricultural labourer as well as to others and that, therefore, it was desirable to chtmge the Corn-laws, iu the way he had proposed, for the benefit of the labourer. The agricultural labonrer, in reference to food. was in the same condition with the town artizan. (Hear.) It was unhappily but too well known that in many districts of the country, thousands, in consequence of insufficient wages and want of employment, were driven to consume only as msch food as would barely keep them alive. (Hear, hear.) In smch R state of affairs, it appeared to him the remedy would be to make an immediate and thorough change in the import duties of all kinds, more especially in the import duties of corn. (Hear.) Why, had men thought any protective measures necessary ? Why, in those days the principle of eaaKRemnal protection and prohibition was the doctrine of all statesmen and all men who investigated the political economy -if nations. The sr.me principle was applied to cotton, to wool, and to silks. Mr. Huskison and Lord Kipon, when president of the Board of Trade, in 1825, and other years, showed clearly, with respect to silk, cotton, and wool, that all those principles were erroneous and i»»defe«sible. With respfct to all those articles, they changed the law to a low moderate protection, and those trades which most 4eried out against their alterations have derived bentlit and advantage from them, for the silk trade and glove trade have increased by what it was said would he tbrir ruin. (Cheers.) Let them apjdy the same principles to trade in human food, and as they had not allowed themselves to be deterred by the alarm of the sillt or woollen manufacturers, so let them not suffer them- selves to be prevented by the strength or the apprehension of the landed interest, from the adoption of the principles which would ultimately beuefit that interest, as surely as they had proved of advantage to others w ho had previously dreaded them. (Hear, hear.) On what grouiid 's had the right hon. baronet persuaded the agriculturists to support his measure? They were told that they must fullow the JftOteru of the right hon. gentleman, or if they dared to walk throtMrh Palacp ynrd alone in the dark they would I be sure to meet with the ghost of the Ute ministry. (Cheers and laughter.) It was by such arguments as this, and not upon the merits of an alteration of the Corn-law, that hon gentlemen opposite were persuaded. Had this argument been used against to;.al ubolition, and in favour of a fixed duty at 8s., it would have been equally effectual. The usual course of legislation was to find an efficient remedy for some known and admitted evil. But what dil country gentlemen here? With them the evil to be guarded against was the low price of corn. (Cheers and laughter.) Parliament must act oil other principles. It was not what was the price of corn, whether iHs. or 565., or whatever price they wiheJ, but how they could have it -it the cheapest price that could co-exist with justice to the agriculturists. (Cheers from members on the ministerial benches.) Sir ROBERT PEEL must, he said. in the first place, offer his acknowledgments to the nobie tnrd for the liberal nifer that he had beeu good enough to make to him of the Si. duty. (Cheers.) Now, he did not mean to adopt the measure of the noble lord, because Ire totally disapproved of it. (Loud cheers.) He had been excessively blamed for expressing the opinion that, under his bill, corn might vary at a price between 51s. and &8s., and the noble lord distinctly told them that he coeld not console the manu- facturers with the hope, if they adopted the 8s. duty, that there would be anv matfriai difference between that aud the price he himself had stated. His (Sir R. Peel's) speech on introducing this measure had been misrepre- sented. He found that, at a time when persons were suffering very great distress, there was a studious and a combined eff-rt making to iuftamc their passions—(cheers) —against the Corn-laws, as alone the cause of the manu- facturing distress, and that the great agricultural interest was influenced in maintaining the Corn-laws solely by pecuniary and corrupt motives. It was in reference to such declarations that the held this kind of language "I feel it my duty not to recommend this proposal by exciting hopes that it wi!l materially and immediately mitigate the commercial distress." He considered that the causes that operated to produce the distress were not few. and that to them, and not to one only, must they attribute the present crisis. He had been accused of excluding American corn and flour. Now in 1841, thirty ships loaded with these commodities had left New York, and reached Liverpool, in an average vovnr>e of twenty-three ■lavs. He did not wi-h to bring forward a measure involving general priilciples. 1\nrl. after passing half the session in debiting upon it, to find himself placed much in the same position as that from which he had started. He wished to propose a measure with some prospect of passing it into a I;t,.v-nf-,t, Livinz ttt)ive,sal satisfaction, for that tre despaired fJf, but having as much of the confidence and the concurrence of the thinking, the rational, and the intelligent portion of the community as would enable him confidently to rely upon their stiliport-(cheers) -and he had it. (Tremendous cheering.) Ay, and the causa which had made the debates in that House so tedious and dull was, fhnt the countrv had decided in favour of his proposition. He would ask the noble lord, as he had been making offers to him of those measures which a dying administration had left as a legacy to an admiring public- (laughter)—he would ask whether that of-ter-that proposition—was a fixed duty never to be reduced, or one which was to give way occasionally at the discretion of the ministry then in office ? He earnestly asked what would be the con- scqncnce? If his (Sir Robert Peel's) protection was so inadequate, so dangerous, would the 3s. 4d. duty of the noble lord (Lord Howick) he preferable in the eyes of the ngriculturist ? Lord J. Russell might, at his pleasure, change his opinions, bnt lie should have some inercy on the unenlightened farmer who entertained apprehension fur any change in the Corn-law, because, if ever there was a man whose writings were more calculated than those of aoy other to excite and foster agricultural piejudice, that man was the noble lord. Loud cheers.) The lIoblc lord and the \ice-President of the Hoard of Trade, the member for Tipperary —(s-une member here cried out, No, the meither for I)uoLarvon")-ay, thpt was the whole ques- tion, for it was onlv when the noble lord changed Hunting- donshire for the city of London, and the right honourable gt ntieir.au Tippt-rarv for the borough of Dungarvon, that their agricultural partialities became in a strong manner anated. (Loud cheers and laughter.-} "Reject his plan, and w(.?.t arrangement must follow ? Was the Do:"le lord strong enough to cairy his 8s. duty? Was any other merriber r-f that House strong enough to maintain the existing Corn-la vs, or to give a Corn-law" more favourable to agriculture ? That being the case. though he could not expect the support of those who were in favour of a repeal or a fixed duty, he did earnestly hope that the great body of his supporters, who had placed confidence in him for so many Yeai-s, and who had this session given him such decided proofs of their political support, would recognise it as a sense of duty on the present and on future occasions to support the corn bill which he brought in. (Loud cheers. ) Lord WOUSI.F.Y moved an adjournment, which was negatived, and after a few words from Sir C. Napier and Villiers, the House divided: — For the ,econd reailing 234 For the amendment 176 I Majority. -108 -I The hill was then reid a second time, and orliered to be II committed on Friday next.—Adjourned. ) There was no House nn Thursday. I FRIDAY, MARCH 11. CABOOL.—Sir ROBERT PEEl., in reply to A question, said, that the latest accounts which had been received from the Governor-General of India was dated Calcutta. Jan. L-ii,ir, only an account of the scandalous and perfidious act by which Sir Wm. M'Nagbten had lost his life. No account, subsequent to the dispatch of Fell. 1, from Bom- bay, had been received. Another account, not of an official nature, but of the correctness of which there could he little doubt, had been reccived in a letter from Dr. Reid, dated Peshawar, lfnh of January, aud addressed to Capt. Macgregor, hy which it appeared that little doubt could be entertained that her Majesty's troops had suffered several reverses. A capitulation, &s far as it couLl be judged ftom the accounts, appeared to he signed with the AiTghan forces. And by 0:0 act" as it wouid appear, spepkifig, as he .said before, from information not strictly official, but from accounts of which the credibility could hardly be questioned, by an act marked with a perifdy and treachery almost as gross as that by which Sir W. M'Naghten lost his life, the English troops were attacked three days after- wards, and had certainly sustained great loss. Iler Majesty's government will take every measure that may be advisable to repair this partial disaster. (Hear.) Under the circumstances, I have no doubt the Parliament will give her Majesty's government its confidence and support (hear, hear.)—whatever may by the demand which we S'iiall feelit ourittity to make-(hear, hear.)—in order to repair the disaster that hus occurred. and to satisfy the public in this country,inlodia, and throughout the world. that we are determined to spare no sacrifice iu order to maiutaia our Indian empire. THE BUDGET. I The order of the day for the House resolving itself into II Committee of Ways and Means having been read, and the Speaker having left the chair, Sir ROBERT Pur.L rose, and addressed the House to the following effect:—"Sir, as the House has consented to vote those estimates which her Majesty's government have considered it their duty to propose for the chief mili- taryestahlishments of the country. I rise for the purpose of redeeming the pledge which I gave, that I would avail myself of the earliest possible opportunity, consistently with narliaineiitarv usage and public interest, to develope the views of her Majesty's government in reference to the financial and comcatrcial policy of the country. I am going to lay before you the truth, the unexaggerated truth and I do this because I thi-ik that, in great financial diffi- culties, the first step towards improvement is to look them boldly in the face. (Hear.) What is true of individuals, is true of nations. (Hear.) There is no hope of improve- ment or recovery if once you consent to conceal from your- self the rtal difficulties with which you have to contend. It is my intention, on the part c)f her majesty's govern- ment to undertake the responsibility of proposing that I which we think essential to the country. With you will rest the responsibility of adopting or rejecting the measures- which we propose; and I venture to make two requests to the House firstly, to remember that I make mv estimates earlier than usual, and consequently under disadvantages which have not been felt by others and secondly, that you would have the goodness to postpone your judgment until I have laid before you my whole plan, and that you will not judge hastily, by a partial development of my views, nor denounce me as proposing so mething unreasonable and insulting to the people. Referring to the estimates of last year, events have proved that the estImate of the right. hon. gentleman opposite ",as as nearly correct as it is possible for an estimate to be. (Hear, bear.) I think the right hon. gentleman calculated that the income of the country might be expected to realise the sum of -IS,310,000/. He calculatt d the expenditure for the same period that is for the year ending the 5th ofapril, 1843, at 50.731,0001. I shall then take the Customs for the year, ending the 5th of April, 1843, at 22,500.ooul. Excise, 13,450,000/ Stamps..9,100,000/. Post Office, 500,0001. crown lands, 150,0001.; miscellaneous items of revenue, 250,0001.; making a total estimated revenue for the year ending the oth April. 1S43. of 48,350,000/. (Hear, Lear.) The ex- i penditllrp, 50,H12,oool., the probable deficiency 2,5f>9,000Z. To meet this permanent deficit he would not attempt to in- crease existing taxes, nor restore those which pressed on articles of consumption, such as the salt, the leather, and similar taxes. He would not lav a tax on railroads, nor on gas, nor on any article of necessity, or even luxury, for in the former case it would he oppressive, and in the latter futile. He would propose, for a period to he limited, an income tax of not more than 7d. in the pound, or about three per cent., from which he would exempt all incomes under 1501., and in which he would include not only landed but funded property, whether in the hands of British subjects or of foreigners. He estimated the assessable yearly value of the land at 3!1,-100,00J/ of houses at 25,000.000/ of tithes, shires in railways and mines, and other similar property, at tH'jtf.O'JO/. total—72,8 -0,000/. From thi; he would deduct J fot the exemption which he proposed to give to all incomes under I- and then the tax thus far would give him 1,600,000/. The ocupiers of land would yield a further sum of I -?o.ooo I. ,N,!Xi Cil-e the income cf funded property. The dividend paiJ in 1841 was 29,-lOO,oool., from which he would deduct 1,00i.O/. in respect of the saving-banks but he must add, upon bill. foreign, and other stocks, but lie must add, upon l i ai,. 1,500,000/ mftking a total of tlmost 30,000,0001., from which he would deduct one-fourth for the incomes under 150/. a vear and then the proceeds l'f this tax would be 646,00(, He now arrived at the incoures of trades and professions, a part of the subject uttered with great l difficulty. The produce he expected from this source was 1,250,000/. From the income of public offices he calcu- lateet npon 155,0001., and the total woiild be 3,771 0001. With respect to the duration of this impost the view of government was, that it might probably require to be continued for five years unless in case of such a revival ot commercial prosperity, from the other measures which he was about to propose, as might induce Pat i>auitnt to take the opportunity of revising the s-lbject bL,t he would, in the first instance, propose a continuance f three years onty. In case of war, he should deem it reasonable that Ireland should bt-plr her proportion of this tax but during peace, and for a limited period, and in the absence of all machinery in Ireland for collection, he should prefer to raise the quota of that country by other means. He thought he could do so, consistently with the Act of Union by two modes, the first of which would be a duly of Is. per gallon upon spirits. He calculated, from this source, to receive 250,0001. The other source to Yo hich he looked in Ireland was the stamp duty, from which he expected to In Great Britain, as well as in Ireland, he proposed to reduce the stamps upon chartcr parties and bJ!" of lading; and it was his wbh, inúnù, to effect I the general equalisation of stamps throughnut these kingdoms. Willi respect to regular absentees from Ire- laui, having no call of public duty to fix them iu England, he proposed to require from them the payment of the same property tax which would he required from other residents in this island. Another resource would be a tax upon coal exported from this country-a fair impost, when it was considered, that the article thus carried abroad was a most important material of our own industry, aud a grrat assistance to that of rival nations. Such a tax ■vi'ihl p. oj.ably yield an income of 200,000 and would operate, unlike most other taxes, as an encouragement to native industry. The aggregate revenue, then, from all ,ate revenue, then, from all these sources would be 4,380,0001., constituting a consi- derable surplus, after covering the deficiency on the votes of annual expenditure. This surplus he proposed to apply in relaxing the commercial tariff. He had considered, on each of the numerous articles included, the proportion between the price and the duty. His main principles had been removal of prohibition and reduction in the duties upon raw materials. He would also considerably diminish the duties upon articles partially manufactured and even upon complete manufactures he contemplated that the maximum should not in general exceed 20 per cent. He would forthwith lay upDn the table this amended scale of duties, which had been distributed into twenty different heads, and on Monday the paper would be ready for distri- bution. It would be found that, in about 750 articles, there had been an abatement of duty recommended, and that on about 450 the duty had been left untouched. Treaties were f now pending with various nations in which several of these articles were the subjects of dis- cussion and such articles, of course, could not be includ- ed in the present reductions. The total diminution of revenue occasioned by all the reductions would pro- bably not be more than about £ 270,000. Oa sugar he regretted to say that the present ministers could not offer any reduction they could not consent to let in the sugars of Brazil and Cuba without some securities upon the subject of slavery in those plantations aud they thought that to reduce the duty on British sugar without a corresponding reduction upon foreign sugars would be merely to give to the British planters a monopoly price, without advantage to the British consumers. The present prospects as to the supply of British sugar were, however, of a highly satisfactory character. With respect to coffee, of which the consumption had latterly decreased, he would recommend a great reduction of duty, bringing down the rate per pound to 4 J. upon British, & 8d. upon foreign coffee. The loss of revenue, after some allowance for increase of consumption, would probably be 171,0001. On the subject of timber, bis measure would be the reverse of that which was brought forward by the late ministry. He would advise a great reduction of duty, which would benefit all classes, from the agriculturist to the shipbuilder but he would interpose protection to the interests of the Canadas, which he would treat as an integral part of this island, by admitting their timber at a duty little more than nominal. Accordingly, while he would lower the duty on foreign timber to 25s. a load, he would let in the timber of Canada at a duty of Is. The loss on these reductions in the timber duty he estimated at 600,0001. There were yet two other reductions which he had to propose; one upon the export of certain British manufactures, on which he proposed altogether to remit the duty the other upon stage coaches, the duty upon which, in point of justice as between them and rail way carriages, be proposed considerably to diminish. These two heads cf reduction would produce a loss of 700,0001. On the whole these reductions, in addition to the excess of expenditure, would increase the deficit to somewhat more than 3,700,000' but the estimate produce of the newly proposed sources of income would not only cover this, but leave more than half a million sterling ap. plicable to the contingencies of our distant wars. (Hear, hear.) He had now concluded a long, and, he feared, a wearisome statement. He had ma ie his proposals broadly, and without compromise. He had endeavoured to do his part of the duty, and he now called upon the House to discharge theirs. The last half-century had comprised two great periods-tweuty-e years of war and twenty- five of peace. Countless millions, who would spring from our loins and spread our language over half the world, would ever view with admiration this conduct of England throughout that portion of our history. He trusted that this British Parliament would follow the noble example which, during all those times, had been furnished by their predecessors that they would not now sit with folded arms and hope increased revenue from diminished taxation, nor adopt the miserable expedient of annual loans to meet annually growing deficiencies. The mutiny at the Nore, the Irish rebellion, the disasters of our European war, had not cowed the spirit of their fathers, nor deterred them from submitting to a property tax even of-10 per cent., and he confidently hoped and believed that the present Parlia- ment would not tarnish that name which was the proudest inheritance of the nation, her mainstay against hostile aggression, and the main support of her extended empire. He concluded by moving his first resolution, which went to grant a duty upon Irish spirits. Lord J. RCSSKI.L admitted that the aspect which the circumstances of the present year had assumed, might justify Sir R. Peel in a measure of finance which the late government was not called on to pursue. He hailed the adoption of the liberal principles of commerce developed in the statement of that night; but he lamented that the ministry had not chosen to taake some sacrifice upon the important article of sugar, instead of affording so large a relaxation in the timber duty. The measure now proposed was certainly a great one, aud, as a great one, it must be accepted or rejected. Mr. O'CONNELI. objected to the increase of the duty on stamps and spirits in Ireland. Some conversation took place between Sir R. Peel, Lord J. Russell, Lord Howick, and others, respecting the days for which the discussions on finance, commerce, Exchequer Bills, and com should be respectively fixed. Several points in the plan were opposed by honourable mem-jsrs. The !!DU5C then went into committee or. the West India Clergy Hill, and Sir C. NAPIER moved that two instead of three bishops should be appointed, but his motion was negatived by 126 votes to 17. The hill went through committee, the House resumed, and the report was brought up. Ou the subject of the advMce of Exchequer Bills as, loans towards pubHc works, the CHANCELLOR of the EYCHEUCJER proposed that the money paid in on account of the repayment of the loans alrendy advanced upon the proper securities should be lent out again to the parties applying. By this means a constant circulating fund would be provided, which would enable them to provide for the wants of the country with regard to the prosecution of public works, which would not increase our unfunded debt, and which Parliament might put an end to, if it were discovered that the system did not work well. He pro- posed a resolution to the committee embodying his proposition, which would form the foundation of a bill to be hereafter introduced. The resolution having been read, Mr. F. T. BARING expressed his entire concurrence in the views of the right hon. gentleman, and full approval of his propositions. The House resumed, and the report was ordered to Ice received. The Queen's Prisons Bill passed through committee, and was ordered to be reported on Monday. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned. MONBAY, MARCH 14. On the motion of Mr. MACKINNON, a select committee was appointed to improve the health of towns, by prevent- ing interments within their precincts. Mr. GKO. PALMER gave notice that whenever the ques- tion relative to the duty on coals came before the house, he should take its sense on the whole subject. Sir R. PEFX,, in answer to Sir R. INGLIS, said he pro- posed to adjourn for the Easter recess on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, and to fix the adjournment to the Monday week following. Sir J. GRAHAM, in answer to Mr. PAKINGTOX, said it was not the intention of government to introduce any mea- sure during the session to vary, alter, or amend the Local Police Act but it was his intention to bring in an act for the better regulation of parish constables, with a view to giving the magistrates in sessions a general superintend- ence over those officers. Mr. C. BULLER asked whether it was the intention of the right hon. baronet to take the opinion of the house on tiie principle of an income tax on Friday next, or to give time first for the public voice to be heard on the matter. Sir R. PEEl, said it was his intention to take the sense of the house on the vote on Friday next. (A vehement short cheer from the Toriea, followed by cries of hear, hear, from the ( pposition.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he intended to proceed with the Exchequer-bills' bill to-morrow the commissioners he intended to appoint were Lord Devon, Mr. Sergeant Stephens, and Mr. Robert Mitford. In answer to Mr. SHEIL as to the sanction given by Lord Aberdeen to the proceedings taken by M. Salvandy at Madrid as to the detaining of that gentleman's creden- tials, Sir R. PF.EL entered at some length into an explana- tion of the circumstances of the case. The house resolved itself into committee on the Corn Importation bill. On the question that the Speaker leave the chair. Mr. WARD moved for a coromittee to inquire into the amount of burthens peculiar to land pleaded on the ground for special protection to agriculture. Col WOOD, the member for Biecon, defended the right of the landed interests to be compensated for their bur- thens. Mr. MILNER GIBSON maintained the right of the manufacturer to exchange his goods for foreign corn. Mr. DARBY regarded the object of the protection to be rather a security against dangerous fluctuation and a discontinuance of corn growing, than as a compensation for burthens. Dr. BOWRISG supported the motion for a committee of inquiry. Mr. SCARLETT cited Dr. Adam Smith to show how large a proportion of the taxation of the country was borne by the landowners; and Mr. Childers contended that land in England paid less than in any other country, the only serious burthen on agriculture, as he conceived, being the Corn-law itself. Mr. G. PALMER compared the advantages resulting from manufacturing and agricul- tural investment, wh:ch he argued were in favour of the former. Sir ROBERT PEEL put it to the house whether it was wise longer to protract the delayed legislation on the sub- ject, after 13 nights' discussion upon the question. He protested against the tactics of Mr. Ward, and opposed his mtti-m. Mr. Strutt, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. Villiers sup- ported the motion. Lord WORSLEY and Lord HOWICK opposed it; the latter noble lord felt the force of Sir R. Peel's argument against further delay. Mr. WAKLEY did not approve the form of the motion, although he thought it right to check the progress of mi nisters. After a few remarks from Mr. T. DUUCOMBE, tht; motion was negatived, and the house went into committee and proceeded with the clauses of the bill until a quarter before one, nhen the chaircian reported progress, and the hwUie aiijourned. TUESDAY, MARCH 15. j S'everr-.i bills were read. The house was afterwards occupied in the appointment of members to try election petitions. Ou the order of the day being read for the second read- ing of the National Floating Breakwater Company bill, Captain FITZROY begged to call the attention of the house to the fact, that breakwaters made of wood would not last more than two or three years in the sea unless protected by some metallic substance for they would bc- come perforated by worms and lose their buoyancy. As it had been found that wooden breakwaters, under the most favourable circumstances, would not last more than four or five years in a floating and serviceable state, he had thought it right to call the attention of the house to the subject. (Hear.) The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed, «

I LAW COURTS AND POLICE OFFICES. A III'ROIXE.—At the Salisbury (Western Circuit) Spring Assizes, on Tuesday week, the Wraxhall burglary case was brought on in the Crown Court, where Mr. JLlstice Coleri(I ge presided. It is impossible to describe the sensation produced by this case. Several of the leading families of the county came into the town at a very early hour, in order to be present. The under- sheriff issued tickets to a very large number of appli- cants, and the gallery in which the common people usually sit was on this occasion occupied by some of the most respectable residents in Wilts and Somerset. The admirable spirit with which the heroine of the story sup- porieu its reality, was wen reflected in the truly modest but unflinching manner in which she narrated the inci- dents as they were drawn out by the interrogatories of counsel. Jolm and Gevrge Slohs, N. Burge, J. illilsoia, J. Gouyh, and IV. Allen, were charged with the robbery. It will be remembered that some months ago the house of W raxhall was visited by a gang of robbers after mid- night, on a night of December, and that while the owner, Mr. Audrey, old and deaf, lay in one be. Mrs. Audrey, aged and invalid, in another, the female servants were sitting up ironing after the young ladies had retired to their apartments. The landing-place commanded all the bed-room doors the youngest Miss Audrey slept on the second floor, the maids on the ground floor, the parents and Sophia Audrey (the heroine) 011 the first floor. It was two o'clock in the morning when Sophia, who had been asleep, heard some one at her door. She thought one of the maids might still be up, and asking Who's there ?" she added, without waiting for an answer, Come in —when several villains entered the room, with large sticks in their right and candles in their hands. They all came round my bed," she said, but, full of tears for her parents/she made no alarm. One held a stick over my head, and said, If you will lie still, we will not hurt you; but otherwise, we will dash your brains out." I answered, I shall be quite quiet: what do you want ?" One (ftid they were starving, and must have money—" We hjtve not been used to such ways, but it is no use resistintr-we are ten." I told him the money ( £ 13) was in a basket, ou my table. Two or three of the men went to the"basket. An eye-glass, gold- chain, brooch, and other things, were taken from the table. The leader asked me if I had a watch. I took it from the pillow and gave it him, and said there is a locket I much value. One of them said Let her have it," and gave me the chain to take it off. They made many inquiries as to the people in the house, and as to the men servants, and where they slept. I answered those inquiries, but I saW they were meant only as a blind, from their contradicting each other. They then said they knew there was more money, and they would have ir, or kill all the people in the house. I said, if they would let me, I would get up, as there was more money in my mother's room, but I must be allowed to go first, as I feared alarming her. They consented to this, and one was particularly civil, checking the violent expressions of the others. I put on my dressing-gown, and went to my mother's room. Three men followed me, and kept watch. I think they took the keys, and either one of them or myself opened a cedar case in the room, out of which were taken two £5 notes, and many articles of jewellery and miniature paintings and rings. The leader took the notes, crunching them violently, and said, This will never do we must have oeld-atid we will have it." I recognise the leader in Nathaniel Burge George Stokes was the civil man. They demanded plate, and I offered to get the keys from the servants' room, still provided that I might enter first. She did so, gently awaKened the servants, imposed silence, took the keys, and led the way to the plate closet. She told the robbers what was silver and what was not, and remem- bered every article so well that, within an hour afier the robbery, she dictated to her sister a list of every missing piece. She noticed one man's voice, contemplated the face of another for five minutes while guarde d by him, and remarked false whiskers, and his every feature-it was Milsom. Gough insisted on visiting Mr. Audrey's room and as before, on condition that she might lead the way, she went and gently awakened her father, preventing the villains, who loudly threatened murder, from committing the slightest personal injury towards her parents. The threats of murder awakened the younger sister, and she called out that she had money, which the thieves went up and took from her, with her gold watch and trinkets, Sophia still making some excuse for being present in her sister's room, quieting the brutal rage of the robbers, commanding respect even from them, and carrying on her calm system of observation—"thanking God that if convicted upon her evidence they would not, under the ameliorated law, be condemned to die." This thought passed through the courageous maiden's mind more than once, and seemed to stimulate her resolution. In order to regain her keys she offered them wine—a dangerous experiment, but which, with her presence of mind, succeeded. She thus continued till the villains had all escaped, and then, blessed God that no blood was shed, which, but for her, would certainly have been. On cross-examination, she said the first noise did not alarm her. I was aware there was danger when they entered, but that feeling made me quite calm, as I was considering what was best to do. Burge was the first man who entered. He was the man who threatened and spoke most, and was the quickest in moving. I had not time to think whether I was afraid or not. The men-servants slept about half a quarter of R -mile off. The manner of my sister was entirely fearless. When they entered mv room they had their hats on, and they were not taken off, except to put n:y mother's pocket in the hat of the leader." She did not recognise John Stokes (and it appeared that he had not been in the house) nor Allen. The jury found all the prisoners guilty, except Nlilsom, iiiid they were sentenced to be transported for life. The trial lasted from nine in the morning till nearly the same hour in the evening. AN ELECTIOA'EERIVG AGENT.—At the Insolvent Debtors' Court, ou»-Tbijry^,ay, James Jardine was opposed by Air. Cooke for Mr. Russell Ellice, M.P., as chairman »f the Conservative Biection Association of the City ot London. The insolvent, who was by trade a printer, was described as an-election agent and canvasser, engaged by the Citv of London Conservative Association at the election ot Mr. Horsley Palmer in 1837. The committee sat at the City of London Tavern, and after the election of Mr. Peacock, sent in his account for the occupation of his premises, and other incidental expences connected with the election, amounting to X262. The bill was disputed, and, after some negotiation between the com- mittee and Mr. Peacock, the insolvent was entrusted with a check upon Masterman and Company (since lost), signed by three gentlemen, for EISO, to offer to Mr. Peacock, in satisfaction of his whole demand. It was, however, refused, and the check, consequently, remained in the insolvent's hands, who, being in want of money to pay a stock-broker for a loss in a stock-jobbing specu- lation, got the check cashed, and applied it to his own purposes. On the discovery of the mal-appropriation of the money, the insolvent admitted that he had acted improperly, and gave Mr. Powles, who was one of the committee, several promissory notes to the amount of £ 133, and was allowed the remainder for his services. Mr. Cooke said that the insolvent had been once a bank- rupt, and twice taken the benefit of the act of Parliament. Since the discovery of the above transaction he had been dismissed from his situation as clerk to the Conservative Association. He came ostensibly into that Court on the ground of inability to pay. a small tailor's bill of £5 4s., but his real object in cennng there evidently was to get rid of the large debt which he had incurred by reason of his breach of trust. The Court said the case was quite a novelty, and nothing like. it had ever occurred. The insolvent did not deny the misappropriation of the money, and admitted his full criminality, which was certainly a ground of extenuation. But whether the transaction would come within th? meaning of the act of Parliament, as a debt fraudulently contracted, or if it were so, whether he was opposed by the proper party, and other nice legal points collaterally involved, would require time for mature consideration. It would, therefore, be submitted to the full Court, and s.and adjourned sine die. A NUN OUT OF COURT.—^J the Prerogative Court, on Thursday, a petition was presented to permit the examination of a witness, now in a convent at Hammer- smith, in order to elucidate the case of Dawe v. Feuchares. Dr. Addams said the witness vouched was an official in the convent alluded to, and she had bound herself by a vow not to leave the convent. Under these circumstances, the Court would, as the registrar had made no objection to such examination in the convent unless with its sanc- tion, grant the application. Sir II. Jenner Fust did not think that this was a case in which the lady ought to be called upon to break her vow. If an affidavit was given in, stating the facts, the examination of the witness might be taken in the convent TIIE FASTING MAN.—- Bernard. Ca't'all{(glt, the man who has obtained such notoriety from his pretended power of abstinence, and who has recently been released from Heading jail, was committed to the House of Correction for begging. THE QUEEN r. JAMES MUXTZ.—This was an indict- .?CTz.-Tliis was an iiidiet- ment at Lincoln, charging the defendant with having committed wilful and corrupt perjury. Mr. Wildman stated the case. The present prosecution was undertaken not from any vindictive feeling, but to put an end to a most ingenious system of bribery on a small scale, and which he wished was the only one carried on in Lincoln. The system was as follows:—There are several lists of voters made out, and the cadidates' committee allow of being placed on each list what is termed a placeman," who receives from the committee a sum of ]Os. per day for eight days, that is, six days' canvassing and two days, one being the nomination, and the other the poll. If the voter polls for the placeman's candidate the money is divided between the voter and the placeman, but if he does not the placeman is paid nothing. The defendant, he would prove, was canvassed on behalf of a certain candidate, but declined saying he had two placemen on the opposite side, and it he voted contrary he should not get his money. After the election he had been heard to say that he had voted right, and he supposed he should be paid. Colonel Sibthorp, Sir E. Bulwer, Mr. Collett, and Mr. Seeley were the candidates, the first and third being the Conservatives, and the two others the Whigs.— Mr. Whitehurst objected. Before they talked of an election the precept should be ro uced.Nlr. Wildman contended that was not necessary. If it was, he had it not, neither had he a copy.—Lord Abinger: Supposing it turned out this was an election not held under any writ of the crown, then it would not be an offence within the act of parliament. You must have the writ:"11 ( rder I to sustain this indictment.—Mr. Wil,inian: Then case cannot go on,—Ilis Lordship then Caressed the jury oentiemen, I am „wrry to say the defendant must ne acquitted on account of a defect in the evidence, there being no production of the writ under which the election to(ik pl,tee. I should like to see those persons who give and take bribes punished, but I am sorry to say these practices are so carefully wrapped up in dexterity z; lia dec it, they are seldom iMpabJe of being detected. A GOOD COO^Last Friday a cookrinaid in the ser, vice of Miss W isbev Vt as brought up to Guildhall, before the Lord Mayor, charged with having stolen her mistress's purse, containing a banker's cheque tor « £$2, a C5 note, and other monies. A NOVEL PLEDGE.—On Monday evening Mr. Black born, pawnbroker, of Skinner-street, Somers-town, whilst serving his customers, fancied he heard the cry of a child in the shop, and in a corner of one of the boxes he discovered a fine male child, supposed to be about three days old, wrapped up in a white cloth. On its breast was pinned a piece of paper, having written on it, Please convey this pledge to Mr. Lee, the master cf St. Patients workhouse, and tell him to take care of it." Mr. Blackborn remembered two women coming into the diop about a quarter of an hour before the discovery, but he did not take sutjiejent notice to enable him to identify them, MARRYING A FORTUNF.!—A lady of the name of Allen, who was possessed of considerable propertv, and Willi of weak intellect, was induced to marry the plaintiff, Ford. A license was obtained on an affidavit, in which Ford stated that he was twenty-one years of tge; and though by this proceeding he had rendered himself liable to a criminal prosecution, the Court had declared the marriage valid. The question now before the Court was, as to the settlement of the wife's property. The Vice Chancellor last Monday directed the property to be settled on the wife for life, with remainder to her issue, and in default, to her next of kin, thus excluding the husband from all participation and power whatever.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE ASSIZES. I On Tuesday last the North Wales Circuit commenced at AlrelshRool, before Mr. Justice COLTMAN, who opened the commission that evening. CHARGE OF FORGERY AGAINST A BANKER. This case which had excited the most extraordinary interest was the first which came before the Court, which was densely crowded. This was an indictment against Mr. B. Jones, a well- known and very respectable banker at Llanidloes, charg- ing him with torgmg a promissory note for £ 100, with in- tent to defraud Thomas Evans and David Bevan. There were other counts charging an uttering of the same note well knowing it to be forged. It appeared that the brother of the prosecutor, Thomas Evans, havmg got into difficulties was taken in execution and lodged in Brecon gaol, and that when there Mr. Jones, as manager of the Branch of the Manchester Bank at Llanidloes, lodged a detainer against him for jC60 due from him to the said Bank, and that on the application of Thomas Evans, the brother of David Evans, Mr. Jones consented to his discharge on Thomas Evans giving a promissory note for £60, and the brother David giving his note for 4M1, being the amount of the debt and costs. This took place in July, 1838, and in February, 1839, the notes being several months overdue, Mr. Jones commenced proceedings against Thomas Evans, to recover the sum for which his note had been given. At the earnest solici- tation of the same Thomas Evans, these proceedings were stayed on his undertaking to give security for the money. Accordingly, on the 2nd of March, 1839, he procured the signature of David Bevan, to a blank note 3s. (id. stamp, and sent it, after adding his own sign iture, to the said Mr. Jones, to be filled up, as was alleged by the witnesses for the prosecution, with a note for £ (>0, and such further sum not exceeding £5 as had been in- curred for costs and expenses. The note was however eventually filled up for JCIOO, for which sum it was duly stamped, being drawn at two months after date, upon a 3s. 6d. stamp, and in this alteration, unauthorised as they said by Bevan and Thomas Evans, consisted the alleged forgery. It was sought to establish these facts by several wit- nesses, and amongst them, by Thomas Evans, who was the party principally concerned in the negotiations with the bank. He swore, in answer to several questions put to him on behalf of the prosecution, that he never autho- rised Mr. Jones to fill up the note for a greater sum than tt;5. On his cross-examination, however, he admitted that on the 9th of March, 1839, he went to Llanidloes, and saw Mr. Haywar.i, who was then attorney for the bank, and Mr. Jones, and for some time adhered to the tale he had told on his principal examination. In being pressed however, after considerable prevarication, he did not deny, but would not admit, that he had offered Mr. Jones or Mr. Hayward to allow them to fill up the stamped paper for £85, the sum demanded being, as was wrung from him, £ 114 10s. It also appeared that some time ago, he went to London, and obtained a situation in the police, from which he was discharged in a month, because as he said two young men who had stolen some boots, passed him on his beat; that since that time lie had worked at several places, but never more than a morith, in one place, and that a fortnight ago he set up a small huckster's shop in Long- Alley, Finsbury. It appeared to be a great object on the part of the pro- secutors to give secondary evidence of the note in ques- tion, without calling Mr. Hayward in whose possession the note was proved to have been seen. This was suc- cessfully resisted by the counsel for Mr. Jones, and the learned Judge repeatedly asked why Mr. Hayward was not called and sworn? At length Mr. Hayward was placed in the box, and it appeared that though he had produced the note before the Grand Jury on a former occasion when a bill precisely similar to the present had j been ignored, yet he had not been served with a subpoena duces tecum. in the present case until the morning of the trial, and that at a distance of 27 miles from his home, where the note was. His Lordship then declared the case at an end, for, said Ile, the document which this gentleman is charged with forging, is proved to be in existence and not in his possession, and those concerned for the prosecution have not taken the proper means of having it produced and given in evidence. Mr. J ervis said that he felt it his duty to his client to state that if the case for the prosecution had not broken down, he should have been prepared to adduce such evi- dence on behalf of Mr. Jones as would most triumphantly have established his innocence. The court was much crowded, and the spectators evinced a strong inclination to cheer Mr. Jones on the verdict of acquittal being pronounced, which disposition Was, however, immediately checked. The next case of importance tried was that of MANSLAUGHTER AT LLANFAIR. I Evan Davies, shoe maker, Llanfair, was indicted for the manslaughter of his own brother. Susannah Davies, sister to the prisoner, lives with her mother at Llanfair. On Sunday night was with her mother at the Wesleyan chapel, and returned home. The prisoner came in in a state of intoxication, and taking up a knife commenced cutting bread and butter. My bro- ther Robert came in, and took hold ot the prisoner's collar. The prisoner rose off the stool with the knife in his Imnd my mother called out Evan throw the knife away," which he did, and the candle went out. in conse- quence of the table being thrown over. Another candle was brought in, and then I saw that Evan was rising up, and the two were down; I tried, to rise Robert's head, for J thought him in a fit, but could not; I called for water, and saw blood flowing from him my sister-in-law had .pushed Evan out of doors, before that; there was no scii ge after the light was brougbt in the second time; the knife was afterwards found by the policeman under the dresser, near where my brother fell; we sent for a surgeon, but Robert was dead. The floor was an old flagged one, and would have resisted the knife haditbeenthurst along it. Owen Davies, another brother, lives near his mother's house I was sent for into the house on the night in ques- tion, and saw Robert take hold of Evan's collar; my mother called out "throw down the knife, Evan," and he did so; there had been no blow previous to that; Evan attempted to rise, and they both fell, and the light went out; I stood by till another light was brought, and then saw Evan rising, and Robert lying upon the floor I lifted Robert up, and then saw blood how from him; I ran for a surgeon. Mr. Richard Lloyd, surgeon, was sent for, and found Robert Davies lying upon the floor with a wound in his groin, two or three inches deep, and half an inch wide I am of opinion that he came to his death by that wound; a post mortem examination was held on the body. Mr. JEHVIS, tor the defence, contended that the unfor- tunate deceased had come to his untimely end by accident, and that no one felt more keenly the result than the un- happy prisoner. The Learned JUDGE summed up, and the Jury acquit- ted the prisoner. HIGHWAY ROBBERY NEAR NEWTOWN. I Richard Owen,"aged 21, a native of Newtown, weaver, was charged with having feloniously stolen one purse of the value of sixpence, and four pounds, and three shil- lings of the current coin of the realm, the property of Edward Withers. Edvard Withers, native of Kerry, was at Newtown market day, on the 15th of February, and left the Blue Bell public house about half-past nine o'clock. I was met by the prisoner, who asked me where was I going, to which I said to the Queen's Head. He said he was going that way, and we walked together. We had some ale together. The prisoner then went out, and I went within two or three minutes afterward. I was fresh, but sufficient to go anywhere. When I got 2 or 300 yards to a gate leading into a fit> on the Pool road, two men came to me opposite the gate. They thurst me into the field through the gate. I struggled to get haá. and one of them struck me on the forehead, and back of the head. I am certain the prisoner was one of the two men who abused me, and I think he struck me first, hut both of them struck me. They punned me many blows before I fell. I made all the resistance I could, but after the first blow I was stunned, and do not recollect much after. I have a recollection, however, that I was struck several times. When I left home I had 3 sovs. I half sov. and 13s. in silver. I spent from Is. to Is. 3d. in Newtown. My money was in a green bag purse, and in my left hand breeches pocket. I took out my purse at the Queen's Head, and am certain I had it when I left there. It was upwards of an hour and a quarter before I came to myself, [ when I found myself lying without my hat. I crawled on mv knees into the road. and went to the rate house, and called up the keeper, and remained there all night. I examined my pocket when I first got up, but the purse was gone, and my pocket unbuttoned. 1 had buttoned my pocket when I put the purse in at the Queen's Head. In going from the Biue Bell to the Queen's Head, we went by the Back Lane. The prisoner had on a drab open smock frock when he met me, and one of the men in the field had a frock on. Corroborative evidence having heen adduced, and the prisoner's counsel having in vain sought to establish the complete innocence of Owen, the Jury found him Guilty, but strongly recommended the prisoner to mercy. The learned Judge considered the verdict a just one, and had it not been for the recommendation of the jury would certainly have transported the prisoner. As it was, how- ever, he should sentence him to be imprisoned two years and kept to lurd labour. There was a bill against Evans, charging h:'? with I being an accomplice, 'wliiell wa* Vic Grap' Jury. » I- "ELECTION RIOT AT NEWTOWN. I John Smith, John Evans, John Brick, Francis Jones, and (jeorge Williams, five respectable-lookingyoung men, were indicted for riotously and tumultuously assembling on the 30th of June last, at Newtown, with other evil dis- posed persons, and during such riots a consta le named Thomas Richards met with his death. The grand jury had thrown out n bill charging Thomas Brick with the wilful murdev of the said constable. There were several counts in the indictment against the prisoners, to all of which they pleaded not guilty. We must postpone for the present the conclusion of this case as well as notice of the atliers-p-obably till our next.

ANALYSTS OF THE DIVISION ON THE SE- COND HEADING OF THE CORN IM PORTA- 1 ION lULL. Majonty for the bill (tellers included) 286 MUlOflty agaInst the bIll (ditto). 178 Minority against the bill (ditto) 178 Pairs5?. Absent Tories, [] f. 31 Absent Libera! .0. ?3 Speaker. J Vacant Seats and double returns—Cardigan, Thet- forct, Nleatli, Soiitlitml)ton <1 Not taken his seat (Lord Newport) 1 0'5S

DREADFUL HURRICANE AT SO ITH END. ,LOS3 OF THIRTEEN LIVES EY SHIPWItECK. I On Wednesday night, between eight and nine o'clock, Southend was visited by a most tremendous storm of wind and rain, the severity of which has not been equalled ior many years, and its effects have been most melancholy and disastrous. The wind blew a perfect hurricane fro.m the south-east, and the rain fell in tor- rents. Window"* were blown in, and slates, tiles, &c., were hurled ill all directions. Many persons were afraid to retire to rt and others who had done so were greatly alarmed, as th" houses literally shook (such was the force of the wind), -n(i they were perceptibly rocked in their beds. About ha^f-past twelve o'clock the tem- pest began to subside, ana' day- break presented to the view the wreck of no fewer thai.1 six boats which had been driven from their anchors, all of 'vhich had sustained serious damage, and many were .ml)]eteJy destroyed, being by the violence of the wind driven against the wharfs and piles of the pier, until th.:v were not only complete wrecks, but had theappearance 01 bdJJgchopped up for fire-wood; such destruction among th. L'mts here was never before witnessed, and the most a.'stiV;ss'I1S circumstance is, they were mostly the property ^f'p°or hard-working men, who have 110 other means otsub- sistence. I The Rlwda, of Newcastle, was driven from her anchors on Shoebury beach, but got off without much damage. The Ocean Child and Wave, from. hence, being on the look out on-Thursday morning, perceived a large ship on shore on the Maplin Sands; they went to her assistance, when she proved to be the lAucrewe, bound to Malta, with government stores. She had lost all her anchors, and sprung a leak, having then two feet of water in her hold, which afterwards considerably increased. She was taken into Whits table, and being partially repaired, the next day proceeded to London, with the crews of the boats who were compelled incessantly to work at the pumps. We believe she arrived in safety. We now come to a more melancholy detail of ship- wreck, and deplorable loss of life. A schooner was perceived early on the same morning, with signals of distress, just below the light-house. A Leigh boat went to her assistance, and put four ofher hands on board her; they weighed anchor, and were running for the north shore, the wind blowing strong at the time. A few minutes would have brought her on the sand, but beino- water-logged, she tinforttiiiatey sunk, and every soul on board perished, together with the four men who were in a boat at the stern of the schooner, and it is supposed, from the sudden occurrence, had not time to detach her from the ship. This unfortunate catastrophe happened about half-past nine o'clock in the morning, a short distance from shore, in the presence of hundreds,of their fellow creatures, who could- not render them any assistance; and after withstanding the fury of the gale during the whole of the previous night, "n 'fiUmjjl iw boats from Leigh were in snatch -Q^- the bodies, andlcceeded in picking up one of their odhrmen, and one of the crew of the schooner. Divers, also, descended to the wreck, and brought up the ship's boat, by which it was ascertained that the ill-fated vessel was the Brisk, of London, Capt. Fossarn, laden with coals. It is stated by one ot the crew of the Leigh boat, that the crew consisted of seven persons, and that a woman and child were on board, making in the whole 1.3 souls, all hurried into eternity by this melancholy event.

lOSBOS GAZETTE. I Friday, March 11. DECLARATIONS OF INSOLVENCY.—John Seabrook, Stanmore, Middlesex, licensed victualler. William Dar- lington, Liverpool, wine merchant. BANKRUPTS. Frtderlck Pratt, Stoke-upon- Trent miller. Edward Shirley Webster, Bull-street, Bir- mingham, draper-William Bury, Blackburn, corn dealer. —Joseph Horncastle, Glamford Briggs, Lincolnshire, seed merchant.—Joseph Einery, Wells, Somersetshire, surgeon. -Samuel Jackson & Thomas Frederick Jackson, Bermon- sey-street, Snrrey, woolstaplers.—James County, Winch- comb-street, Cheltenham, oil &colourman.-Isaae Newton Wigney and Clement Wigney, Brighton, bankers.- PtLili p Woodrow Hart, Norwieh, coach manufacturer.-George Staolway, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, grocer.-John Perry Clarke and Osmund Lewis, Crown-court, Thread. needle street, newspaper agents. William Robinson Hulrae, Lancashire, glass man ufacturer'Enily Ann Birch, JBedford-place, Russell-square, lodging house keeper. Tuesday, March 15. BANKRUPTCY SUPLRSFDED. John Hetherington, King's Arms-yard, City, wholesale tea dealer. BANKRUPTS.—Charles Page, High-street, and Not- tingham-mews, Maryltbone, coach tyre smith and wheel- wright.-Stel)hen I'eake, Ramsgate, builder.—John Jones, Liverpool, cord wai ner.-Joli n Parbery, Northampton, sad- dler, and harness maker.—John Davinson Bedford, Burton- upon-Trent, common brewer. John Frankland and Thomas Frankland, Liverpool, merchants.—Peter Bould, Ovenden, Yorkshire, cotton spinner.—Thomas Finch Cozens, City of Canterbury, builder.-Joseph Page the younger, Gloucester, carrier and porter merchant.—Thomas Morris, Newbridge, Glamorgan, grocer and draper.—John Alexander, Pendleton, Lancaster, common brewer. — William Lloyd, Liverpool, wine and spirit merchant.

APRIL WHEAT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS. I SIR,-We are enabled this week to give you the re- sults of the thrashing of the "April Wheat," having received from our country correspondents the details those of the experiment more particularly referred to by us, being confirmed by the affidavit of the bailiff who had the management of the crop. It appears from the said affidavi4 that the exact measurement of the land sown on the 23d and 21th April, with the April Wheat at the rate of two bushels the acre, with two acres all but five lays, and that the rick having been just taken in, and the thrashing com- pleted, the crop amounts to seventy-six and a-half bushels, which is very little short of ten sacks to the acre. Indeed, we understand that mice had committed some considerable depredations in the rick, otherwise our correspondent believes that the produce would have exceeded ten sacks per acre. On the whole, the reports and certificates we have had since our last communication, tend strongly to confirm the opinion we then expressed, that the "April Wheat" will prove one of the greatest acquisitions to modern agri- culture. We are, Sir, your obedient servants. 103, Cornhill. SMYTH AND EVANS. I

THE CROPS. I We have had very little continued severe frost during the winter, so that the navigation on the canals has not been impeded a single day; but there have been frequent and sudden changes in the weather, which were considered injurious to the growing wheat; they are now, however, reported to be improved in ap- pearance, and last month was so fine, that a great deal of the wheat that could not be sown in the autumn, has been planted under favourable circumstances. A great breadth of land is appropriated to this grain, probably the more from the very low prices at which barley has been selling. I remain, very respectfully, I r' Ben-dley, 3d Month, 4th. HENRY STURGE. I

WTIE Ili IL-Y CALEXDA It. I THE Mood's CHANGES.—Full Moon on the 26tli, at 1 h. 57m. after. The Moon rises: Mar. 19.— 9h. 5,n. P. M. Mar. 23. 2h. 27m. A.M. 20.-1Oh. 12m. 2t. 3h. 56m. ——' 21.-Illi. 321n. I 2251. 351h1. 56m. 21.-11 h. 32m. 25. 5h. 24m. 22.— 0 a 57m. A.M. The SUN rises. I Clock before Sun. The SUN sets. Mar. 19. 6h. 8m. 8m. !sec. 1rile Strv sets. Mar.25.51i.5irn. 61n. 6h. 19m. March 20. Palm Sunday. Proper lrssoni, morning, Exod. 9, Matt. 26; evening, Exod. 10; Heb. 5 to v. 11. March 21. Length of day, I2h. 9m. Day's increase from the shortest day, 4b. 24ip. day breaks, 4h. 8m.; twilight ends, 8h. Sm. March 21. Spring quarter begins. March 25. Good Friday.

FAIRS In the Counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, Cardigan, Glamorgan, Radnor, Monmouth, Anglesea, Carnar- von, Denbigh, Flint, Merioneth, Montgomery, and Brecknock, during the week :—Kilvrough, Keeston, 20; Llanridian, Llandilofawr, Narberth, Aberyst- with, Mold, 21; Cowbridge, Llansaintffraed, Dol- gelley, Aberfraw, 22 Cross Inn, Newcastle-in- Emlyn, Llarifyllin, Wrexham, 23 Rutland, 25 Conway, 26; Newtown, 26, 27.

TIDE TABLE. HIGH WATER at BRISTOL, during the week. '1  I'&g-1 Gates. «• H. M. FT. INC.' FT. INC. Mar.]9 10 55 11 3 I. 24 0 12 9 20 11 44 21 7 10 4 21 I 0 26 1 25 I: 20 4 o Ö 22 2 21 3 M' 11 0I 5 3  4 I, ? 2 1 10 U,? 0'. 3 ? i 41 !33 3 14 0 o??   F 41 I: 28 10 17 7 2å I 6 2! 6 31 !'31 1 o 4 EQUATION or TIIB FIDES.—Theseequations, applied to the above table, will give the approximate times of HIGH WATER AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES S— H. M.! B. M. Aberystwitli add 0 15 Holyhead ndd i 45 Carmarthen-bay sub. I 5 Liverpool add 4 6 Cardigan-bar •• sub. 0 15 Lundy Isle sub. 1 45 j Cardiff-road sub. 0 55 .Vlilford Haven, .sub. 1 30 Carnarvon add I 45jNewport, Mon.. sub. 0 31 Chepstow sub. 0 13Swansea-bar ..sub. 1 45 Fishguard-bay sub. 0 30Thames' mouth. sub. 5 50

GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. When a few tine days occur in this month, they often lead the young gardener into error, by persuading him that summer is come, and thereby inducing him to lay open protected plants, such as Fig-tree* and tender shrubs and young trees, too hastily to the weather. As the shelter afforded by a warm covering is likely to have set the sap in motion, or at any rate to have made such plants more susceptible of cold, great caution ought to be exercised in this matter and the coverings should be removed by degrees. in- stead of exposing the plants at once to our proverbially uncertain climate. So also of the borders of forcing- houses, which by prpmature uncovering are frequently made liable to danger from late spring frosts. Deeply, covered borders may have part of the litter taken off, but enough should be left, especially round the stem of the trees, to defend them effectually from injury by cold. In ordlr to dry the surface of tlw borders, the remaining litter could be thrown into ridges on some fine drying day, to be again levellod down upon the first indication of frost. i

i- 4. SHEETS. WEEKLY REVIEW OF THE BRITISH eORN MARKET. (From the .Mivk Lane Express. 1 The weather has been changeable since our last, field work has nevertheless made considerable progress, as the rain which has fallen at different times has been partial, and having been succeeded by drying winds, the moisture has been speedily absorbed. Wheat sowing is now drawing to a close, though on heavy clay lands there is still a portion to get in. Owing to the very unfavourable nature of the weather during last Autumn, an unusually large breadth of land remained unseeded till the winter had been past, and though (as we observed last week) the total quantity sown is perhaps quite as great as in ordinary years, it must be borne in mind that that which has lately been committed to the soil cannot, under ordinary circum- stances, be expected to arrive at maturity so early as if it had gone in at the proper season. This may render the prospect for the next crop somewhat precarious, but in other respects appearances up to the present period are by no means unfavourable. Most of the farmers seem very anxious to reduce their stocks of grain, and notwithstand- ing the numerous out- door pursuits which at this season require their immediate attention, increased supplies have een brought forward—a pretty evident siga that they do not place much confidence in prices being maintained. TI:'e quality of last year's wheat continues to be much comi.,laia'<i of, and the improvement which was by many expected' l DOt yet apparent; indeed the contrary has proved th," cae, as regards a large proportion of the sam- ples exhibit* this, together with the probability-or we may say certil;nty-of the new Corn Law coming into operation at an caily period, has kept the trade in grain in an excessively Iull state, and prices have undergone a further reduction a, most of the principal provincial markets. At Liverpool on Tuesday, there was a very thin attendance of buyers, ana the quantity of wheat on sa!c attendance of buyers, ana ? demand, an abatement of proving more than equal to needed to. Oats were atso 2d. per 70lbs. was very generally P er' "ceded \s' dull of sale, and Id. per 45)bs chb. ''P?- ?°" needed !s. per barrel, and oatmeal ls? per /?"' ?" ?'?y ?c transactions were even more restrieteq ?? 1? 0 the begin- ning of the week so unimportant indeed  the business done as to render quotations little better ?'?° ?0?1i.Da,* Wheat under lock met with bo enquiry, and IK™ was obtainable at 25s. 6<L to 268. per barrel. Tbt.' leadng towns in Yorkshire continue to be well supplied ?'? wheat. MARK-&A.NE MONDAY, March 14. •• s Wheat, Engl., red52 to 601 Rye, Foreign 31 33 White 56-(44 0att, Engl.Poland 22 — 24 Fine red 54-66 Potiatoe 22 — 24 Do. white. 68 — 72 Feed 18 — 21 Scotch Scotch, Potato 2A — 26. 1)0. Fine. 25 Foreign, red..58 — Irish, P(,t?to 14 — ? Do. w liite. -i feed 13 — IS Russian, red..52—57 Tare? per quarter 3G — 4? Barley, Malting.. 30 — 32 Rapeseed 3?/.to40? Distilling 26 — 28 per last of 1O.s. Grinding 22 — 24 Cl(>v(rseed,redfor. Beans, Tick 21 — 27 White, d?. ——— {,arro«r 528 35 English  30 31 Linseed, Baltic and Peas, Boilin-, 36 Russia 44-50 il°°. 21 27 Flour, Town-made Ma?te .28— 31 and best country Mr alt, Bo* rown .50 — 53 marks  52 60 » H'e *• 5(5 — 601 Yorkshire. Rye, English 32 361 Norf.&Suffolk 48 — 5? Wheat I Barley I Oats I R}e-. Beans I Pea» Average of the I (! weeks which regulates the duty. 60 .1, 1 23 4119 10 35 5. 32 7 33 i Dnties payable 26 8 19 10 j 18 3 1# a 21 3 ( 19 9 Ditto on grain I fromBritishpos- | I j sessions out of I Europe.01 2 61 2 ol (Y 1 3. 01 PRICE OF BREAD. The prices of Wheaten Bre-td in the Metropolis are from 8Jd. to gid. of Household ditto, lld. to S& pei 4lbs. loaf. BUTTER, BACON, CHEESE, and HAMS, per Cwt EW(RlsuBuTTER.. S.I CHEESE. S. S. Sligo 65 — DonbMttoucester 58 ? Carlow. 90 — Single ditto 50 58 ENGLisnBuxTER,per firk. Cheshire 56 80 Dorset. — 60 BACON, New. 50 54 FOREIGN Middle. 52 &1 PrimeFries)and,ct.I20 HAMS, York 80 Do. Kiel 108 110 Westmoreland 70 16 SMiTHFIELD CATTLE MARKET, lviarch 14. (Per 8 It.to sink the offal.) 4* d. s. d. s d s .1 Inferior Beasts 3 2 3 4 Southdown Sheep4 8 4^ 10 Second quality.. 3 63 81LargecoarseCalves4 8 5 2 Prime large oxen3 10 4 01 Primt small do. 5 4 5 8 Prime Scots, &c.4 24 4,; Large Hogs 4 6 410 Inferior Sheep.. 3 43 8,Small Porkers..5 0 5 2 Second quality..3 10 4 0,SucklingCalves&4 0 42 6 PRICES OF SOAP. YellowSoap lGsOd to 50s Od 1;\1 eltingStnff3-!s 0(1 to-s Od Mottled do. 52s Od 54s Odl Rough ditto.2ls Od —sOd Curd do ..62s0d Os Od Graves, 16s.; and good dregs, 5s. per cwt.; Rough Fat average2s. 9^d. per 81bs. PRICES OF TALLOW, &c. Prices this dav 49s 3d to 49s 6d. 52s Od to 56s Od Town Tallow last Friday 51s Od.. 53s Od. CURRENT PRICE OF HOPS, March 14. 1840. per cwt. I 18-11- per cwt. 1840. ( 1841. Kent Pockets. 9is 106s I Kent Pockets. 120s 13;s Choice 115s 140s Choice Pockets. 140s 172s Sussex Pockets. 90s 98s Sussex Pockets. 108s 110s Choice 102s 108s I Choice Pockets. 122s 126s East Kent 110s 116s EastKentpockets 130s 140s Choice 124s 145s Choice 180s 210s RAW HIDES, I SHEEP, CALF SKINS, at per stone of 14lbs. per skin. s, d. s. d. s. d. s d. Rest steers&lleif. 5 10 6 2 Market Calf. 6 0 9 0 Middling hides.. 5 4 5 8 Long woolled sh. 4 6 5 9 Inferior ditto. 4 8 5 0 Short ditto 3 6 4 9 LONDON HAY MARKETS-SATCHDAY. Smithfield. Whitechapel. Coarse Meadow Hay 70s to 75s 65s to 75s Fine Upland and Rye Grass 85s 90s 86s 90s Clover Hay 90s 110s 85s :i.5s Wheat Straiv 40s 42s 40s 42? METALS. iC. s. d. IRo,Eng.-nar.ton 615 0 Do. Carg. in Wales ton a 15 0 Hoops ton 9 0 0 Sheets .ton 10 0 0 Pig, No. I. ton 500 Do. in Wales ton 4 5 0 STEIFL, Ung.-Blistered 25 0 0 to 45 0 0 Shear, do. do. 45 0 0 to 84 0 0 Cast, do. do. 45 0 0 to St 00 COPPE.TI, Brit.-Cake. ton 96 0 0 Tile .ton 94 0 0 Sheets lb. 00111 TIN, Brit.-Blocks .cwt. 315 0 Bars cwt. 3 12 0 Banca 0 0 0 to 3 12 0 Straits. 0 0 Oto3 6 0 Tin Plates—i.e. (box) 1 10 0 to 1 12 0 „. i.x. do. 1 16 0 to 1 18 0 LEAD, Brit. IS 150 Sheet ton 19 10 0 1J(\t ton 21 0 0 „ White (dry) ton 24 00 SPELTER 0 0 Oto37 10 0 For delivery .0 0 Oto36 10 6 TEA, COFFEE, COCOA, SUGAR, AND SPICE MARKET. SATURDA Y, March 12. TEAS.—The advanced prices noticed in our last have not been maintained, as it is ascertained from the letters received by the Overland Mail, that the shipments of Tea are still progressing, and, in consequence of this, and the large sales advertised for sale next week, the market has become rather flat. Prices now may be considered the same as previously. Company's Congous Is. lid. to Is. i lfd. per lb. cash. COFFE.-Durin,- the week, there has been a good business done privately for all kinds of Coffee suited for home consumption, at rather higher rates. The alteration in duties on Coffee, as proposed by Sir R. Peel last night, has caused much excitement in the market to-day, and prices of B. P. have advanced 5s. to 6s. per cwt. SUGARS.—There continues to be very little business doing in B. P., and only about 500 hhds. have been dis- posed of this week, at about former rates. t?"? Mauritius were offered yesterdav » •  11-?'i bags auu went off with spirit at an .dv? ,f M. to is. per cwt "? ? ,? ? ? I SPICES.-358 bn Pimento, and 400 cheats Cassia. have been ?n-red at pubUo sale, which sold readily at I rather stiffer rates. In other descriptions, there is no alteration to notice.

I BRISTOL LEATHER MARKET. r lb. lb, d. d. nuf VI08 30 to 33 m to li Ditto ditto 50 60 14 16 ?7V?M "?? 25-30 111 — 12 iM»tiddl,ings 1*4 13 Bntts, Eng. 16 20 '? 14 16 Ditto ditto 3244 -— 32?6 \l -16? Ditto Iitto 34-36 16 18 I)itto F4)reitti.. 16-20 14 v¡ Ditto ditto (ex) 34 — 36 16 18 L. Saddlers' H 34 -38 13 14? Common ditto 35 — 40 .12}—13? Shaved Hides. 16-20.15 —17 Shoe ditto 22-21 14 16 Common ditto. 27 — 34 I It — 13 Welsh Hides. 11 I Bull ditto .11 — 13 English Horse flides I 1 13 Welsh ditto 11 Spanish ditto. 13 16 German Horse Hides ——— 12 — 15 Horse Butts 14 — 11 Calf Skin (Best P.) 30 — 36 24 26 Ditto (common) 65-1U .2-1 26 Welsh Skins 24- 36. 13 — 16 Ditto ditto 50 56 20 2.1 Printed and published for the Proprietors, by JOHN LEWIS BRIGHTOCKE, at the Welshman Office, 'situate and being in Lammas-Street, in the Parish of Saint Peter, In the county of the Borough of Carmarthea.- Friday, March IS, 1842,