The Express. — London, England, 1853-03-19 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS.—FaiDAT, MARCu 18. ROYAL ASSENT. The Royal Assent was givcn by corunvivsion to the follow ing bills:—The Mutiny, Marine Mutiny, Consolidated Fond, County Election l'oß, Grand Jury Coo, Indcuittity and Commons Inclosure, and Inland Revenue Bills. . . The Cummiariaa.•rs were the Lord Chaneellor, the Duke of Argyll, and the Marquis of Bredalbane. PETITIONS PRESENTED. Oatinanea Sonvitt.—By the Earl of EGLINTON from Montrose, complaining of the goer progress of the Ord- WACO survey. Tmoto..—By Lord CAMPBELL, from a place in Scotland— Ol n gainet. PARLI AAA A Pormos.—By the RIO of CARLISLE, from Colchester, praying fur the free distribution of parlia mentary Anuteetole or laws 'V) r•RLI .—By the Bishop of EXLTER, from Buckland Monathoram—Agaiust. NOTICE OF MOTION. Lord CAMPBELL gave notice, that on the first day after the Easter recess, he should pre.ent a petition from the ' Armenian pdpulation of Cot utta and Bengal, and take 1 that opportunity of explaining the grievances of which they complained. TILE SIXMILERIUDGE AFFRAY. The Earl of DERBY wished to ask the noble earl at the head of the government whether he had any objection to produce certain p...pers relative to the affray at Sixmile• bridge, is Ireland, which the government had consented last night, in the other house, to produce. Ile wished the papers to be in tie hands of their lordships, in order that they might be able to form an opinion on the subject, before any disc melon took place upon it alter the recess. The Earl of ABERDEEN could have no possible objece ties to the production of the papers. 'fhe Earl of CARDIGAN did not know whether he should he out of order in saying a few words on the subject; Roo, he would conclude by moving for some papers. Re bad taken the liberty of introthaeimr this subject to their lordships on • turuier occasion, and it was one on which he confessed he felt great anxiety. Notwithstanding the re proof he had received on • former occasion, he did not repent of having brought the matter before their lordships ; and when the pipers were produced he could not but think that the it lordships would be of opinion that from the begianing to the end it was • most extraurdinsry case. On a former occasion the noble earl at the head of the govern ment dwelt on mime expressions which he had made use of with regard to the army of this country being hated by the people. That might have been • strong expression, but he bad 113 doubt on his mind of the unpopularity of the army ha this country. (loud cries of ° No, mt.") The army had performed great services to the country on all oeca• Mons; and if Is wanted any proof of the truth of the maser . ties be had made that other night, it had received confirma tion in the other house, where more then one member had applied expr , ssions to the conduct of the army in Ireland which would more than justify what he had said. The noble earl, alluilin; to the question which he had put to him as to prosecuting the priests, made • fine flourish on that occasion by saying that whether it was peer or peasant, priest or soldier, even-handed Police would be dealt out. New whet had been the cave ? The soldiers had been doubly prosecuted. The bills against them had been ignored ; but the private soldiers were put into the dock sad tried afterwards in a most unnecessary way ; cad as to the priests, they bad pot off perfectly free, no notice having been taken of their conduct. The whole of the sub ject would come under their lordships' consideration; but he must take that opportunity of saying that they bad heard doctrines broached of • most extraordinary nature. They had been told that unless the candidate for • county or borough bad some good hope of success, all the disturbances that might take place would be attributed he him fur his rashness in standing • contest. And this MS compared to the case of • man engaged in • rebellion against tyranny when there wag no hope of his being sue stessfal. Their lordships would be surprised at such a dec laims in this land of liberty of speech and action. And then, again, they were told that nothing was so unfair as to attack me. in their absence—this was antallasion to the extraor dinary doctrines held by the Attorney-General for Ireland and • talented judge. The Irish officers of the government who had no seat in that bowie or the other, seemed to think that no maa dare to say a word about them because they were not present. Ile supposed he should be accused of attacking a member of the government unfairly who was net preseat to defend himself—the Secretary fur Ireland. There was no way of his being present, unless for the opinions he bad expressed last night it might be thought desirable to call hint up to that house. (A laugh.) fie re joiced that he had brought this subject before their lord ships on a former occasion, and he felt sure that the more it was sifted, the mote they would see that it had been a most unjust and cruel case towards the soldiers and the army at large. It had been most unfair in every other respect, because the priests, who led the people on to the disorderly sets, had been allowed to escape. The Earl of ABERDEEN really would submit to the noble earl and the house, the great inconvenience of his referring to • speech of which he could have no perfect knowledge. _ _ The Earl of CARDIGAN—But I have. (Cries of " Order.") The Earl of ABERDEEN said the noble earl was en• tirely irregular in the conduct he was pursuing, and in the speech which he had mode. The noble earl opposite had moved for all the papers on the subject, apparently fur the (purpose of calling attention to it ; and if so, the noble earl Cardigan) would hale a convenient and proper oppor tunity et making any observations be might wish to make en the subject. At present he could only repeat what he lad said on a former occasion, that the principle of equal justice to all ranks and classes of people in Ireland was, that upon which her Majesty's government was conducted —(hear, hear) ;—and in the ease to which the noble earl referred, it would be sufficient to explain its circumstance, mhos it cams before the house. (Hear, hear ) The Bishop of EXETER was gratified at the expression of the noble earl at the head of the government, that it was a most irregular thing to notice speeches made elsewhere. He rejoiced to think that the noble earl had declared such au opinion, because lie felt sure that he had made a similar declaration la the presence of a tight hon. colleague who did him (the Bishop of Exeter) the honour of expressing some sentiments very unfavourable to him in another place. (" Hear," and a laugh.) He had no doubt that the noble earl had taken care to tell the right hon. baronet how ex tremely improper it was for him to have done so. ('. Hear, bear." and laughter.) DWELLINGS OF THE LABOURING CLASSES. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY moved for a bill to restrain eunpanie-, commissioners, ie., from occasioning any pecuniary loss to the working classes, or overcrowding of other dwellings, by the removal of houses under the pre text of alteration or improvement. His lordship supported his motion by adducing instances in which, although a par• heeler locality had been to all appearances improved, phy sical suffering and moral evil had accrued from the change, sad instanced among other eases that of the opening of New °treed-street, to which neighbourhood it had been proved by the Statistical Society in ISIS that the average number of residents in each house had increased from 27 to 40. He besought their loedships, for the benefit of the whole eseamasity, as well as the labouring classes them *slue, to remove an evil which had become iatolerable. The Bishop of LONDON expressed his cordial concurrence is the modes, and stated that it was impossible to over rate the evil which the noble lord sought to relieve. Lord HEDESDALB suggested various practical dieted hee is the way of carrying out the resolution, and pointed out that, es it gave three years to each company to fulfil its provides', all the mischief would not only have beta effected, bet also obliterated in the meantime. Besides them win provisieas la the New Lodging-hones Act which would remedy met of the evils complained of. The Earl of DERBY thanked hie noble friend for laving brought so important a subject before the home, sad gaits unmarred with his in thinking that, while effecting improvements and granting railway bills, the bows lied too much overlooked the rights and claims of those of our fellow-subjects who were too poor to make themselves heard at their lordships' bar. The Earl of ABERDEEN said it was unnecessary for kiwi to attempt to do justice to the beaevolenee of the object which the noble earl had in view in embodying this motion, but he quite agreed with the noble lord the chairman of ummittess, in thinking that in endeavouring to obtain a peat good the noble earl had not proposed the best mode 1 fee putting his design in execution ; and are mast be takes that in accomplishing that object their lordships did not add pnivically to the grievaacos which it was their wish to remove. He woad net repeat the observa tions that bad bees made, sad which to hits seemed coulesive. Every bill ella kind indicated lied its ilea diameter, and required modifications which might be found inapplicable under the standing order now proposed. Admitting, as he did fully, that the object in view was wor thy the consideration of the hawse, if the noble earl thought it to *quire by memo of a committee into the question, he (Lord Aberdeen) weed agree to the appointment of such a estomittew. Bat their loedalsips were clearly not in a condi tion to peas so comprehensive a standing order as that pro. peed. E. would suggest to the noble earl the withdrawal wilds resoLuties, awl, on further consideration, perhaps be would be able to frame some more practical measure, which be would Imes a better chance of carrying. Tba Karl of HARROWBY suggested and read a verbal fansfrodamat, which he thought would modify the standing seder as proposed ; but he thought it better to refer the question to a committee. He believe d that the•ditficulty of lading accommodation for the population which is dis placed by improvements, would be met, to a considerable extent, by the erection of structures on the plan of the model lodging-houses, which within a small space of ground afforded besommodatioo to a great number of persons. The Earl of CARLISLE concurred most cordially with his noble friend, and the right rev. prelate, with regard to the 'magnitude of the evil in nontion, and the desirableness of a remedy. Ile had himself felt this so strongly that within a fortnight after he wu appointed to the Chief Commissionership of Works he brought in a bill for metro politan improvement, which ambled the crows to grant sites (or buildings for the poor, but he found that it was anst all precedent and the rights lathe crown and ha wse Obliged very promptly t o w ithd raw it. Il e sl:riuld, how ever, be glad to Ike the trown and companies have power to comply with some such order as his noble friend led proposed. Ile, however, agreed that the standing older as proposed sr.t. ton stringent and went too much into de tail, and it would be as well for hi noble friend to consider. whether he would send the matter before a committee up stairs :sr consult with those who were experienced in parlia mentary proceedings, so as, it possible, to frame such standing order as would meet the case. The Earl of WICKLOW, though he did not doubt the ! THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 19, 1853 revision made (or the Protestant clergy of Canada. These two measures be believed formed the whole stock of leg ielaVain at present before parliament. The noble lord the leader of the House of Commons informed the country of eh intention, not to brill(' in a IMPIORIO, butte to the tonne be meant to pursue with respect to the great subject of The reform bill, of which suck great expec tations had toes formed by a certain portion of the com munity, was not to be brought forward in the present see goo. The government also announced their intention of legislating permanently on the (subject of India. Thee* were the only measures announced, as far as he knew, as likely to occupy the 'Mention of par• 'lament in the present session. If any other measures were intended to be introduced, he thought the govern ment ought to announce what they were beton the adjournment toot place. He was anxious that the same result should not take place in the present 'anion which took place last session, namely, to have bills introduced and huddled up at the close of a session, without giving time for discussing or considering them, whilst for four months their lordships were doing nothing. (Hear, hear.) The subject of India was a most important one, and the people of this country were beginning to take a greater interest in India than they had hitherto done. As the government had determined to legislate on this subject without waiting for the results of the inquiry which was now taking place, there was no reason why the government should not bring their measure with the least possible delay. More than all other subject., it was important that the question of India should not be postponed to the end of a Reston. He was anxious, therefore, to receive an assurance that whatever measures were to be introduced, would be submitted to Parliament and to that house in duo time. (Hear, hear.) The Earl of ABERDEEN said that although the ques tion of the noble earl was one of a very unusual character, he could assure him that he need not be apprehensive that this house would not have its full share of the business which was likely to occupy the attention of parliament. The measures of the government would be submitted to parliament with a view of receiving full consideration, and due notice would be given of those measures. Having given that promise, he cadd say no more on the subject at present. With regard to the large question of education , he could inform the noble earl that on the first day of the re-assembling of parliament notice would be given of the , day when that subject would be brought forward. Whether the measures were introduced in that or the other house of parliament, full and ample time would be given for the die , cusaion of them. , The motion was then agreed to, and the house adjourned s at 8 o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FRIDAY, MAzen 18. The house met at the usual hour. _ PRIVATE BUSINESS. THIIO READlNO.—Redrath and Chasewater Rail way Bill. The report of the eommittee on the Salford Extension sad Improvement Bill was brought up and agreed to. SECOND READlNoB.—Bayswater, Paddington. and Hol born-bridge Railway Bill; Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Bill. Bright had just before interrupted the noble lord, complain. ing that he could net bear what he was saying)—he wished to express a hopi that in feture, the opportunity would not be taken by km ffienthen on Fridaye, when the ordinary mottos Ass sajourning over to the Monday was made, to interpose- (mations and originate discussions, which, on some moutons, had occupied the time of the house for several hours ; and the practical effect of which was to con vert Friday into a motion day and deprive the government of one of the days set apart by the house for government measures. (Hear.) He would now move that the house at its rising, doajourn to Monday 4th of April. (Hear.) Viscount JOCELYN rose to put the question which be bad given notice he should ask, when the motion for the adjournment of the house was made, whether any and what measures have been taken according to the recom mendation of the Governor-General of India, in his lord ship's minute dated the 27th day of Febritarj, 1851, to ap propriate a portion of the revenues of the territory with drawn from Ali Moored, Ameer of Upper Scinde, as a pe nalty for forgery, to the relief of the Ameers of Scindc and their families, who were dispossessed of their terri tories in 1843 by the orders of the British government. He would refrain from entering into the general question of our policy in connexion with the province of Scinde, but would confine himself to stating one or two facts, with the view of explaining the object he had view. lie was the more induced to take this course inasmuch as he had last year called the attention of the house to our policy in reference to that province and the condi tion of its unfortunate rulers. The house would bo aware that in 1843, after a series of brilliant exploits performed by our army in Scinde, the Indian government annexed a large portion of that territory to British India, and that that portion which was not annexed was made over to Ali Moored. Shortly afterwards a rumour became rife that Ali Moored had obtained the territory by fraud. A commission was appointed, he was deprived of the ter ritory, and it appeared only becoming that this country should use it to afford relict to the Annus of.Scinde. The noble lord then quoted iu support of his views extracts from opinions expressed by the resident at Scinde, and by the Governor General of India, and reminded hon. gentle men on the treasury bench that last year they concurred in his feelings on the subject when they sat with hint on that (the opposition) side of the house. Sir C. WOOD hoped the noble lord would not consider it disrespectful if he declined to interrupt the business of the evening by entering into a general discussion. With re gard to the question, it appeared that the commis sioner of Scinde bad been directed to inquire into the circumstance affecting the whose of the persons concerned; and that in the mean time an allowance had been made for their subsistence. The report which the commissioner made to the Governor of Bombay, in the first instance, embraced only the case of a portion of the Ameers, and he had been directed to make an inquiry with regard to the remainder. Mr. DISRAELI said he should postpone his motion with regard to the establishing gold as a legal tender in our Indian territories, until after the holidays. Mr. HUME doubted whether the noble lord would save time by the course which he now proposed and thought the house should not be asked to give up Thursday, before there was a pressure. The motion was then agreed to. Lord J. RUSSELL then moved, "That after Easter orders of the day have precedence of notices of motions on Thursdays." Mr. DISRAELI said it was always his inclination to faci litate as much as possible the conduct of public business, knowing how much a minister depended upon the cordial indulgence of independent members. But while he was un willing to oppose any proposition for placing more time at the disposal of the government, he felt that there must be a limit to such indulgence. They must remember that in dealing with a proposition like that before the house, they were dealing not with a mere question of personal con venience, but with one which involved the privileges of their oonrituents. (Hear, hear.) Those gentlemeu who were not in office, constituting, of course, the vast majority of that house, had a certain period allotted to them for bringing forw ard subjects in which the public and their immediate constituents were interested; and it be came them to pause before assenting to a proposition which trenched so much on their privilege. He would recall to the house the circumstances under which this nro ! position was made. The holidays took place this year at an unusually early period, and the government were so little oppressed with the weight of business, that they had indul- I gently proposed an extraordinary period of relaxation. Under these circumstances the house was called upon early in the month of April, to relinquish • moiety of the time, during which alone they had opportunities of asserting those ! principles, of vindicating those rights, end of guarding those interests which had been entrusted to them by their constituents. What was the ~arse which had been panned within a recent period ? On the 2nd of April, 1849, the noble lord, then also the leader of the house, proposed that on Thursday, the 19th of April, and on every alter nate Thursday, orders should have precedence of motions. The hon. member for Montrose objected even to that limited indulgence, and proposed that the arrangement should not commence till the 31st of May. A distinguished member of that house, a bold vindicator of the rights and privileges of the people, now Secretary to the Admiralty, said he re garded the motion as an assault on independent members. (Laughter.) On that occasion he (Mr. Disraeli) supported the noble lord. On the 13th of June, 1851, the last year of his government, the noble lord prop osed that after the let of July orders should have precedence of motions, and the arrangement was objected to by Lim, though he did not divide, on the ground that the precedent was dangerous. His admonition was now justified, for they were now, on the 4th of April, asked to relinquish half the time which they could command as independent members. (Hear.) Let the house consider how great was the difference between the state of business in 1851, and its state at present. In 1851 there were 54 bills, which were orders of the day, in pro gress on the Ist of July ; at the present time there were only 25, and many of them were bills of private members. (Hear, hear.) On that occasion, one of the most ardent supporters of the present government, the hon. member for Lambeth (Mr. W. Williams). objected to the proposition, on the ground that the house was asked to surrender its business into the hands of the government; he hoped that hon. member would consider well before he gave his vete that evening. For kis own part, feeling that he was in some measure a trustee for independent members, if the noble lord persisted in his motion he must give it an un qualified opposition. Mr. W. WILLIAMS said his opinion with regard to this motion was precisely the same as that which he expressed on the occasion just referred to, and he believed that the government, instead of gaining, would lose time by its adop tion. There were at that time 17 names down to ballot for notices of motion. He had himself a notice of the greatest importance respecting the economical management of the revenues of the country, and if the noble lord should take the second day allotted to members so early in the session, he knew not what chance he would have when competing with 17 members. (Hear, hear.) Lord J. RUSSELL said, he thought it his duty to lay before the house what he conceived must be their position if they did not accede to the motion. The right hon. gentle. man (Mr. Disraeli) had referred to the practice of the house, as if that practice had been entirely satisfactory, and ought be be maintained. Now, the practice had been that three days had been given to independent members, and two to the government. It had become more and more common for private members to call upon the government to under take to introduce questions of great public importance ; and if that request was to be seceded to, sufficient time must be allowed. Had the conduct of affairs under different governments been so satisfactory, that the house thought no change should take place? He must remind the house of what had happened ever since the time of the Reform Bill. Lord Althorp, Bir Robert Peel, and himself, had all been obliged to say in July or August, when it was quite evident that the attention of the house was wearied, and that the House of Lords was not prepared to enter into the consideration of new subjects of vast importance and difficulty, they had all been obliged to say, "Here are bills. Nos. 1,2, 3, down to 9, 10, and 12, which we are obliged to relinquish till another session." Was that convenient or satisfactory (Hear, hear.) Very often they were bills of which everybody acknowledged the importance, in the principle of which everybody concurred, and upon which a great deal of time had been spent; but as it was impossible that the details could be sufficiently considered, they were aban doned. Well, he now asked the house to improve the pre tics ; and, if the house should refuse to do so, let them not be surprised if, when the government were asked to under. take to deai with various subjects, they said it was impossi ble for them to do so for want of time. He was convinced that governments had hitherto erred in their expectation of the number of measures which they would be able to carry, and he should endeavour more strictly in the present session than it had been done hitherto to suit the number of mea sates to the time in which they could he carried. If the time were longer, of course there would be a greater num ber of measures; if it were shorter, of course there would be many subjects which the government would be compelled to renounce. He must observe that various subjects would be brought forward after Easter, which would occupy a con. siderable time. The fi nancial measures to be introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the principle of the income tax, would occasion considerable debate; while another important subject, which would lead to discussion, sod which he should introduce on the first opportunity after Easter, was the subject of education. The measure ( relating to the registration of land introduced in the House of Lords might also he expected to occupy a considerable time. Although, therefore, he should not complain if the( house refused its assent to the motion, be must say that in that case the government must postpone many important measures till another session. Mr. T. DUN 3OMBE said there was great plausibility in the argument of the right hon. gentleman opposite, but practically he did not think the system had hitherto worked so well as he supposed. hon. members referred to the records of 1851 they would find that on Tuesdays and Thursdays there was frequently no house, .„'n consequence of those nights beicg left to independent members; and as to th.! morning meetings towards the close of the session, the result was, that when the hon. member for Lambeth came down in the evening to set the revenue right, he was counted out at 5 o'clock. Lord R. LIROSVENOR agreed with the bon. member f or Fi r m 'IT, but w,,uld suggest to the noble lord a mo.iffi "tin!, o f his propositio it : it was, that as there were too Tuesdays and two Thursdays then open, hon. members who had got their names down should be allowed to ballot for those days, and !bat the government should thus far post ' pone their claim to exclipive possession. (Hear, hear.) Mr. WALI'OLE said he could not help thinking that many hon. nt, tubers who now supported the noble lord would have token a different elerse had they been sitting on that (the Opposition) side of the house. (Opposition cheers.) It we. the di.euotion of questions introduced by independent members which led the government to take them up, and if this proposition was carried that advantage woutil be lat e • He wild mot help remarking that in addi tion to the measures roentiosed by the noble lord, there was the whole Indies question and the question of the alteration of the transportation system, and of secondary 'punishments. He thought the government should be con. tented with the alternate Thursdays in the first instance, and see how that worked until May. That was as much as ought to be conceded at that moment. It would, in his °pima, facilitate the progress of business, if the govern merit would, in the first instance, press forward measures which did not create public excitement, and send them as early as Feesible to the Lads. Viscount PALMERSTON thought the remarks of the right hon. gentleman rather confirmed the propriety of the motion of his noble friend, because he had mentioned addi tional subjects of importance which without its adoption could not be disposed of within the period to which the session ought to be limited. Ilia noble friend would per haps agree to ;the postponement of the arrangement until the 18th of April, in order to afford a chance for the names which were down for the ballot ; but he really thought that with a view to the business of the country, and to the enabling the government to carry through measures in both houses, • xperience showed the neceasit) of Fleeing at the command of the government a greater amount of time than they possessed under existing arrangements. Sir J. PAK INGTON could not but regard the motion of the noble lord as premature. It was entirely opposed to the rights of private members, and to precedent. He thought it very desirable, however, to put an end to the practice which had obtained of late years of raising debates on the question of the adjournment of the house from Friday to Monday. (Hear, hear.) Mr. FLUME said the right hon. gentleman opposite had made a proposition more favourable than that to which they ought to agree. He thought the government ought to bring forward their measures, and then submit to the pleasure of the house. They were giving up to the govern meut, by degrees, all the opportunities which independent members had of brining forward their measures. Lard J. RUSSELL said he would alter his motion so that it should take elfeet from the 18th of April, instead of the 4th. Mr. DEEDES said he understood the course proposed by his right bun. friend (SirJ.Pukington) had nut been acceded to by the noble lord. fie thought sufficient grounds had nit been shows for basing recourse to this measure so early ; and he would therefore move, as ■n amendment, that orders of the day have precedeace front and after the 2nd of May. Mr. F. FRENCH said it was not worth while to make a question of ten days. He would rather support the motion of the noble lord than the amendment of the hon. gentle man. Mr. DEEDES then withdrew hi amendment. The home then divided : Fur the motion Against it 139-32 NOTICES OF MOTIONS. BOROUGH OF HULL. An HON. MEMBER wire notice t►at on Tuesday, the 6th of April, he should wort) an address for a cominisaion to inquire into alleged corrupt practices in the borough of Hull. NORWICH ELECTION PETITIO24. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that on the sth of April he should call the attention of the house to the report of the select committee on the withdrawal of the Norwich election committee, and should move that the resolution of the house discharging the order for referring the said petition to the committee of selection be discharged. philanthropy of the noble earl, did sot think that he had given the question as mash sensideration as was desirable. The plan proposed was ousting a new kind of property. By compelling proprietors of bourns to provide iecconimedation for those whom they displaced by improve ments, would the same tenan's Fee put into the new houses u those who were turned Gut ? Suppose this standing order had existed before the building of New Oxford-Areet, which was, before the improvements, a • Are crowded locality, if it was necessary to find for the- A p er . sue who were displaced, not an equal quantity of seem _ nonlation to that which they hat before, but foe., t i mes as much—for no ono would propose to place them In th e same situation as they were before—to find that etuantity of ac commodation would be impossible. If therefore that standing order hail existed a few years age, thou) improve ments would not have taken place. He did not think that even a reference of the question to a comm i t t ee would pro duce any means of getting ri a of the evil which existed. The Earl of SHAFTES'AURY consented to withdraw his motion, and exprererst his gratification at having ob tained their lordships advice on the subject, end he had gained something by bringing it before the public, and eli citing an expression of approval from their lordships. He would accept the offer of the noble earl at the head of the government, and would move for a committee. THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA. Lard MONTEAGLE rose to present a petition from the diocese of Sydney, en the affairs of the church in that colony. The object of the petition was to state that the condition of the church in the Australian colonies had for some time past been painful and un satisfactory ; that doubts bad been expressed re specting the supremacy of the Queen, and that the pe titioners had observed with dismay • proposition for con stituting a form of church government in Australasia as contained in a minute drawn up at a conference held between the Bishop of Sydney and the Australasian clergy ; that that plan was not in accordance with the opinions of the lay members of the church is the diocese of Sydney generally, and the petitioners protested against any system of church government in which the bishops, clergy, and laity were not to meet in one council, acknowledging her Majesty as the head of the church, and the prayer of the petition was, that the house would withhold its assent to' any law which was at variance with the sentiments of the petitioners. He (Lord Monteagle) could not present this petition without expressing his desire that the church of England and Ireland should increase in our Australian colonies. The progress it had already made was ono of toe most encouraging prospects with regard to those °Monies ; but be thought there ought to be no idea of the establiehment of a dominant and exclusively privileged ali g i Archbishop of CANTERBURY said, although tbsess was • necessity for some legislation for the better ad ministration of the church in the colonies, it was a matter both of difficulty and delicacy. It was considered to be a matter of so much necessity by the late Bishop of Sydney, whose loss he much deplored, that he had left the colony lead come to England, for the sole pupase of stating his opinions en the question. He (the Archbishop of Canter bury) proposed shortly to submit a measure to their lord ships on the subject. The Duke of NEWCASTLE was anxious to set at rest same alarms which had bees created by some circum stances which occurred m Australia last year He observed that the strongest apprehension was expressed in the peti tion with regard to a supposed proposal fur the abolition of the supremacy of the crown by some of the Australian bishops. That was an erroneous impression, and arose from the minute passed at • conference of the Australian bishops some time ego. As he desired that impression to be cor rected, he would read a few lines from • letter which he received from three colonial bishops who happened to be in Itlngland, the Bishops of Quebec, Tasmania, and Caps Town, who, in calling his attention to the necessity of legis lation fee the colonial church, stated in effect " that they emphatically affirmed their attachment to the supremacy of the sovereign in the church ; their desire to remain united with the Church of England and Ireland, and expressed their hope that in any measure on the subject parliament would make provision for the maintenance of the supre macy of the crown and the preservation of their connexion with the church of the mother country;" and they added " that they send this in their own names and also on be half of the church in our distant colonies." He would not now enter on what must be a premature discussion, espe cially after the statement of his intention to bring in a mea sure on the subject by the most rev. prelate, but he was anxious to take the opportunity of setting right before the public the views of the colonial bishops. The Bishop of EXETER said that tha.terms of the mi nute of the bishops of Australia were far from indicating • desire to interfere with the supremacy of the mown. The ob ject of the conference in question was stated is ap aper,he had in his hand. It stated " th at in consequence of doubts having arisen as to whether they were prevented by the supremacy of her Majesty; from txercisiog a power of forming them selves into an ecclesiastical synod ; they were resolved not to exercise the power." The LORD CHANCELLOR said he did not rise for the purpose of entering into the disculaion, but he could not allow the statemeat of the right rev. prelate, that the su premacy of the crown did not rest upon act of parliament, to go abroad uncontradieted. (Hear, hear.) It did rest upon the law of the land. What the incidents of that supremacy were in matters of ecclesiastical, was a matter into the discussiou of which he would not then enter, but he thought it ought not to go forth uneontradicted that the royal supremacy rested upon any canons or articles of the church. (Hear, hear.) The Bishop of EXETER said that what he stated was, that the only authority which declared the supremacy of the crown were the articles and canons. He was glad to bur it nnw affirmed that the supremacy of the crown was • part of the common law of the land. Lord MON'l'Lli said he heard with some surprise the doubt—now for the first time, he believed, expressed within that house, and expressed not with any hesitation, but with something like positive confidence, which bed been cast by the right reverend prelate ea the supre macy of the Queen of England. (" No, no," from the Bishop of Exeter.) What then did the right rev. mists mean, by saying that the supremacy of the crows mad not upon the law but the canons and articles of the shoroh. Why, the canons themselves had no authority except when confirmed by the law of the laud. The right rem• rend prelate read a document to show that there was no disposition amongst the bishops of Sidney to internist with the supremacy of the crown. But then one resolution only declared, that whereas doubts existed as to the extent of that supremacy, in reference to synodical action, 14 would not, " 011 the present occasion," exercise thataetioa ; thereby plainly implying that they would do so on a future occasion. He also recommended that instructions should be sent from the clergy to the home government, which they hoped would be attended to. This was something la lb. nature of • magi d'elire, directing the queen in the sago Asia of the _persons to be appointed to the Alen d bishop, and was an invasion of the prangs*" Off the crown. The proceedings of the six bishops were sub to justify the alarm and amassment of the colonists. Ho propornd for the future ecclesiastical governmentelf Austra lia that there should be • provincial synod, and six diocesan synods, and that there should be also seven conventions of laymen for the purpose of discussing the temporal affairs of the church. Next to faith and Christian instruction, it was essential that a church should possess peace, and anything better calculated to create disunion and discord than the proceedings of these 14 different assemblies could not be imagined. (Hear, hear.) SLAVE TRADE (SOHAR, IN ARABIA) BILL. The bill was read &third time sad passed. GOVERNMENT MEASURES. On the motion fur the adjournment of the house till the ' 4th of April, The Earl of DERBY said that although the noble earl I ' moved the edjourument for a longer period than usual, more especially considering that:Easter was much earlier than ' ordinary, be was not going to oppose that adjournment, nor had the noble earl proposed the adjournment three or four days later than the House of Commons, would he have I opposed the motion, seeing that it was not likely any great amount of business would be brought before them. He , supposed, therefore, it was not the intention of the govern ment to bring forward any business of importance for the ant three or four drys after the house re-assembled, but that they were to meet for the of carrying on the legal business of the boom. • now rose for the purpose of repeating the question which he had put to the noble earl at an earlier period of the session, respecting the mea sures which it was the intimation of the government to submit to that home. The noble sari cm that occasion declined to eV* any my distinct answer, but he said that hie noble and leaned friend on the woolsack would in a few days state the measures of legal reform which the government intended to introduce. A tew days alter the noble and learned lord did enter at large into the consideration of legal reform, and he began by saying that upon one part of that subject his noble and 1 d friend who had preceded him (Lord St. Leonard's) had done so much that nothing was left for him to do. With respect to another part of the subject, the noble and learned lord said there was a com mission for the purpose of inquiry, and it would be Ma ' pedient to legislate till they had reported. With respect' ' to a third portion he said:it was important to obtain further information. And upon the whole he came to the conclu sion that the amountof progress in legislative reform would be of the very slenderest proportion,. More recently the noble and 4earned lord, in what he himself called the profusion of a romantic enthusiasm, took upon himself a task of the greatest magiitude and importance. ' He thought that the noble and learned lord would be blessed with a length of years beyond the ordinary lot of , mankind, if he lived to see that vast undertaking brought to a conclusion. (Laughter.) But in the course of the present session a measure was re-introduced which had ' been before parliament for the last 20 years—a measure for the registration of deeds. That measure was rejected by the House of Commons last year, and in the present session it was introduced with an important provision or modifica tion, which contradicted the principle of the bill—the prin. leiple of the bill beh,g to provide for tiv registration and pub licity of all documents, whilst the object of the new provision was to defeat that object by enabling parties to keep them secret, lie confessed that the speech of his noble and learned friend (Lord St. Leonard's) checked his confidence in the practicability though not in the desirability of the measure, and be thought that it was not undeserving of the same fate it met with last year. Ile concluded therefore that the amount of legal reform in the present session would be absolutely nit. The other house of parliament had passed the nee il and military estimates prepared by the late go verement. A hill was introduced into the other house for the purpose of enabling persons of the Jewish persuasion t s sit in parliament. That measure had been twice rejected by , heir lordship's house, and he trusted that when it came befor e 'hero again they would again reject it. (Heat, hear.) Another measure was introduced to which he bad the strongest objection, because it in terfered unjustly Mid unconititUtionally with the PUBLIC BUSINESS. PETITIONS PRESENTED. - - ADMISSION OF JEWS TO PAELIAMINT. —By Mr. PACKE, from Bitleewell, Leicestershire ; Sir J. Y. BUL LER, from the archdeacon and clergy of the Archdeaconry of Exeter, also from the inhabitants of Teigumouth, Devon, sad Ippleton ; Col. DUNCOMBE, from Yorkshire; Mr. S. WADDINGTON, from Bilstone, Suffolk; Mr. DEEDES, from Chard Magna, Kent Col. PENNANT, from the parish of Bodvean, North Wales; Mr. HAMIL TON, from the parish of North Heppe, Norfolk; Lord LEWISHAM, from the vicar, clergy, and churchwardens of the parish of Wednesbury; Sir H. HALFORD, from Skeffington, Leicestershire ; Sir E. DERING, from Kent ; Mr. SPOONER, from an individual; Mr. WADDING TON, from a place not heard ; Sir G. TYLER, from Gla marganshire ; Sir 111. INOLIS, from Essex and Lanca shire ; Mr. PACKE, from Cheater ; Mr. R. MOORE, frrm the inhabitants of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, and the neighbourhood ; from householders of the parish of Caistor, St. Edmunds, Norfolk; and from the inhabitants of the parish of Drutnsaatt, Monaghan, Ireland, numerously signed; against.—Mr. SCHOLEFIELD, from protestant dissenting ministers of Birmingham, and Birmingham New Hebrew congregation, in favour of. • OPSNINo OP Till CRYSTAL PALACE ON SUNDAYS.— By the LORI) MAYOR, from places in the metropolis; Mr. PIGOT, from Reading; Mr. G. BANKES, from places in Dorsetehire and Gloucestershire; Sir W. CLAY, from Whiteehapel ; Sir B. HALL, from Marylehon. ; Mr. J. M'GREGOR, from Kent; Mr. MILES, from Somerset ; Lord BURGHLEY, from the parishes of Sutterton, Quad ring, Wigtoft, Donineton, and Gosberton, in the county of Lincoln; Mr. BAINES, from 8,013 working men of Leeds ; Colonel DUNCOMBE, from Ayton ; Mr. KINNAIRD, from the ministers aad congregation of the Look chapel, Westhonsegreen ; Sir W. CLAY, from the inhabitants and working men of Whitechapel ; Mr. ADDERLEY, from Wesleyan school teachers, Uttozeter ; Mr. CHEET HAM, from members of the independent congregation, Tintiois, Cheshire ; Sir B. HALL, from 133 persons of the congregation of Trinity church, St. Marylebone, principally of the working class, against. DUTY ON 80AP.—Mr. COBDEN (2), from Keighley, Yorkshire; by Mr. H. G. LANOTON, from the merchants and traders of the city of Bristol ; for the repeal of. CANADA CLERGY RESERVES BILL.—By Sir R. INOLIS, from a number of Ministers and others of the established church and others; Col. DUNCOMBE, from Weeterdals ; against. PARLI AAA NAA ET PAPEES.—By Lord J. RUSSELL, from the Russell Institution ; Mr. FORTESCUE, from the Dublin HeAC•tirAl Hoeurty,•nti rho Dundalk Meet - links' In stitute ; for supply of. MILITIA Acv.—By Mr. LOWE, from Kidderminster, for repeal of. SHERIFFS' COURTS, SCOTLAND.—By Mr. HUME, from a number of places in Scotland ; Mr. G. DUNCAN, from the provost, magistrates, and town council of Dundee ; for reform of. ..... Context RATIII.—By Mr. LOWE, from Kidderminster. praying that this charge be thrown upon the Consolidated Fund. Taine ow RNOWLEDOI.—B7 Mr. SCHOLEFIELD, from Birmingham; Mr. J. M'GREGOU, from Glasgow; fur repeal of. COUNTY Cooars.—By Col. PENNANT, from inhabit ants of the district of Lleyn, North Wales ; for further ex tension of. MALT TAIL—By Mr. BANKES, from a farmers' club in Donsetabire, for repeal of. PUBLIC-uoVen (SCOTLAND) BILL.—By Mr. COWAN, from 30 spirit dealers in Glasgow ; Mr. J. M'GREGOR, from Glasgow; against. DUTY on Canauona.—By Mr. H. VIVIAN, from the owners of carriages and coachmakers in the borough of Truro, praying fora reduction of. Tien IN Scomsu UNITIWITIBS.—By Sir N. F. DAVIE, from Jedburgh, for repeal of. STOPPAOIB or WAOIII DILL.—By Mr. CHEETHAM, from the cotton manufacturers of Ashton-under-Lyne, against. MAYNOOTH OBANT.—By Mr. ELIOT, from Roxburgh shin; Mr. F. DUNDAS, from the members of the Ire. church of Scotland and other. at Strome's**, Orkney; Mr. J. DUFF, from the tree church of Scotland at Portasy ; Winn- Law ox SnrrLittntvr.—By Sir H. HALFORD, from the board of guardians of Wincklay, and from But Norton, Allertors, Loddington, and Tayley, in Led:sate:shire, for alte ration of. Blame, DIATIIIe, AND MAKIDAONS IN laaLAND.—By Mr. FORTESCUE, from the grand jury of the County of Louth, and the Ardeo board of guardians, for a general registration of. ORDNANCI SURTITe.—By Col. BLAIR, from the ma gistrates of the Burgh of Maybole Ayrshire, praying that the ordnance survey on a large s cale may be reserved in the County of Ayr. MILITARY OCCUPATION or ROMN.—By Mr. PIGOT, from the mayor and inhabitants of Reading, against the occupation of the Roman States by Frazee and Austria. ELECTION PETITION WITHDRAWN. The SPEAKER intimated that he had received a letter from the agent of the petitioner against the return of Mr. F. Scully for Tipperary announcing that it was not intended to proceed with the petition. A similar intimation was given with regard to the Waterford petition. RAILWAY kIANAGIEMENT. Mr. CARDWELL brought up the report of the select committee on this subject. ROYAL ASSENT. Sir A. CiarvoatiTiliireientliesaa --- Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at the table and summoned the house to attend in the HOMO of Peers to witness the giving of the royal assent to several bills, for the titles of which see the Lords report. itALDO:I ELECTION COMMITTEE. Lord IL GROSVENOR appeared at the bar and in formed the house that the committee appointed to deter mine the petition complaining of an undue return for the borough of Maldon had agreed to a report, of which the following is the substance :—that Charles Du Cane, Esq. and T. J. Miller, Esq. were not duly elected at the last elec tion as burgesses to serve in parliament for the borough in question, and that the last election for Maldon was a void election; that both Messrs. Du Cane and Miller had been guilty of bribery and treating by their agents; but it was not proved, to the satisfaction of the committee, that such I bribery and treating took place with the knowledge and consent of the candidates. That it was proved that one v titer was bribed by a payment of 51., another by a pay ment of 21, and two others by payments of It. each, and that there was reason to believe that corrupt practices had prevailed extensively at elections for the said borough. The rep,irt having been brought up, and the minutes of evid ence t liken by the committee ordered to be printed, the noble lord a renounced that it was his intention to move as ear ly ea possible after the recess, that no new writ do jostle for the borough of Maldon, before the Ist of May—and also to move an a ddress to the Crown to issue a Commission of Inquiry as to the' existence of corrupt practices at elections for the borough of _Malden. (Cheers.) ADJOURNMENT—AF FAIRS OF SCINDE—BUSI NESS THE HOUSE. Lord J. RUSSELL in rising to move that the adjourn ment of the house fur the Outer recess, stated that he in• tended, when that motion w,, , a carried, to move that after Easter, onlers of the day has'e precedence of notices of motions on Thursdays—seeing ti;at it appeared to be gene rally expected that all measures ot . Importance in reference to every subject of general public interest -honk, be I brought forward by the government, it was absolutely or that more than two days is the week shout "be allowed for the transaeti 'ln of govern ' meat business. (Hear, hear.) He w ' Ater' further Ito express a hope, and he might be allowed to address this observation to the hon. member for Manchester—(Mr. BOROUGH OF CLITHEROE, Mr. GASKELL gave notice that on the 6th of April he should move an address for a commission to inquire into alleged corrupt practices at elections for Clitheroe. CHURCH RATES. Sir W. CLAY gave notice that on an early day after Easter he should move for leave to bring in a bill for the entire abolition of church rates. TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE. Mr. T. M. GIBSON gave notice of a motion for the 14th of April, for the repeal of the taxes on knowledge. BOROUGH OF CAMBRIDGE. Mr. V. SMITH gave notice that en Thursday, the 7th April, he would move an address: tag u commission to in quire into alleged corrupt practices at elections for the bo rough of Cambridge. TUE DUTY ON CARRIAGES. Sir DE L. EVANS gave notice of a motion fur the 12th April on the subject of the duty on carriages. BOROUGH OF MALDON. Lord R. GRogiibiagiiVe ;;;tici7thaton the 7th April he would move an address ter a commission to inquire into alleged corrupt practices at elections fur idaldon. COLLECTION OF THE UEVENUE. Mr. W. WILLIAMS gave notice that on the second Tuesday in April he should renew the motion which stood in his name yesterday on the subj.let of the collection of the revenue. CHURCH RATES. Mr. R. PHILLIMORE gave notice that, on an early day after Easter, he should move fur leave to bring in • bill to amend the law relating to church rates. EDUCATION. Lord J. RUSSELL gave notice that on Monday, the 4th of April, he should stato the intentions of government with regard to the subject of education in England and Wales. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Lord J. RUSSELL gave notice that on Monday, the 4th of April, the Chancellor of the Exchequer would state on what day he intended to make his financial statement. OATHS OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. Mr. J. BALL gave notice that, on an early day after Easter, he should MOT] for a committee of the whole house to consider the oaths taken by members of both houses of parliament, with a view to substitute an uniform deck ration. !EXAMINATION FOR DIPLOMATIC SERVICES. Mr. EWART gave notice that, when the civil estimates came on, ha should bring forward a motion respecting the desirability of examinations of ctuidniatts for diplomatic service. NATIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. Mr. HAMILTON fixed his motion for a select committee to inquire into the national system of education (Ireland) for Thursday, 14th April. JUDICIAL PUNISHMENTS. Sir DE LACY EVANS—On civil service estim►tes to draw attention to the practice of palling more than one sentence in one judicial proceeding, and of subsequently annulling a second sentence by the authority which pro nounced it ; also to the expediency of endeavouring to effect • more equitable apportionment of penalties, or punishment, u compared with the offences committed than appears to take place in some of the metropolitan sessions of magiste rial courts. WINE DUTIES. Mr. OLIVEIRA gave notice that he would on Tuesday, the bth of April, move that the house do resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, to consider the duties on foreign and colonial wines, with a view to their reduction to one uniform rate of Is. per imperial gallon. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Mr. DEEDES gave notice that, shortly atter Eastrr, he should move for leave to bring in a bill to amend the exist ing law to prevent cruelty to animals. RETURNS ORDERED.-MADE WINES. On the motion of Mr. klannuican, returns were or dered of all sweets or made wines imported from Scotland ' and Ireland into England, under the provisions of the Act 6 and 7 Will. IV., c. 72, stating the port or Ow imported from, and the port or ptace imported into, from the 6th day of January, 1852, to the sth day of January, 1853, both dates inclusive; stating the denomination, sort, or kind of all such sweets or made wines, or sweetened compound spirits so imported, and the amount per gallon of duty charged and paid upon all the above-mentioned articles so imported. Of all seizures that have been made by the Excise and Customs of any such sweets or made wines, and sweetened compounded spirits so imported, and the reason of such seizures. Of all sweets or made wines and sweet ened compounded spirits seined inland, being brought from Scotland into England contrary to the provisions of the said act, from the 6th day of January, 1852, to the sth day of January, 1853, both dates inclusive ; stating how all such sei of the above-mentioned sweets or made wines and sweetened compounded spirits within the periods of the dates specified have been dealt with, if any, and what amount of penalty has bean enforced against the parties from, whom any such seizures have been made ; and, of the quantity, stating the denomination, sett, or kind of all such sweets or made wines and sweetened compounded spirits remaining in bond on the sth day of January, 1853, and where bonded. RAMSOATE HARBOUR. On the motion of Mr. DEEDES, it wu ordered that par liamentary paper, No 678, of session 1851, betas a copy of Mr. J. Walker's report to the Lords' Commisaioners of thc Admiralty, in reference to the state of Itamegate Har bour during the years 1850.1851, be reprinted. PAROCHIAL ASSESSMENTS. Sir R. INGLIS asked what is the intention of govern ment with respect to parochial assessments, bills for sus ' pending the law to a-se.a stick in trade, having been annu _ally introduced the last 10 or 20 years. Did government intend to grapple with this question and settle it, or to introduce another suspending act? Lord J. RUSSELL was understood to reply that it was the intention of government to bring in a suspending bill, as before. THE INCOME TAX. Sir R. INGLIS asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in reviewing the income tax he would take into consideration the expediency, not of exempting a certain class of incomes, but exempting a certain amotust of income, so that if a person bad an income, say of 1551. a year, he would be taxed on the M. above the 1501., and not on the aggregate sum. He asked the question rather with the hope that it would be taken into consideration than with the expectation of receiving a specific answer noir. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER s said upon the occasion when the income tax was about to dru,so it was the duty of the government to take into their fullalt con. aideration every particular which would make the opet ution of the tax more or less burdensome to the community. Ile therefore had not the slightest hesitation in giving t be pledge which the hon. gentleman wished hint to give, that the matter should be carefully considered. At the same time he did not give any pledge with regard to the decision t o which the government would arrive. SELF-ACTING BRAKES ON RAILWAYS. Mr, W. MILES asked tke President of the Board of Trade ,rhether the inspector of railways appointed by go. remittent bad made any report of a mode of preventing accidents by means of self-acting brakes. These self-ad justing brakes had been invented and patented by Capuin Roberts. They had been tried on the Brighton Railway, and tho engineer bad reported in their favour. They were now in use on the Soul& Wc.teru Railway, and he under stood that the chairman of the locomotive department in tended to recommend that they be applied to all the car riages on that line. Mr. CARDWELL replied that there had been no refe rence to the inspector of railway! an this par:iculas subject, and consequently no report by him. CONDUCT OF THE AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT IN LOMBARDY.—RELEASE OF THE MADIAI. , ci nini b elieved a ut s teo o any intended to Mr. BLACKE•L asked Lord J. Russell whether het Majesty's government would have any objection, in the interest of the government and house of Austria, and that of the general peace of Europe, to use their friendly of fi ce, with the court of Vienna, in the hope of procuring some against Austrian subjects in Lombardy. mitigation of the severe penal measures now Lord J. RUSSELL said there were three subjects to which the hon. gentleman hail called his attention. The fiat was the capital punishments resorted to in Lombardy eerned in the conspiracy and insurrection of that country. in the case of persons who were b ree n uedn o: had With anyr e regard representationt o that e b e e hadbeen n n l, , o d t e h be made, by her Majesty's government. NI ith regard to the second question, the expulsion of a great number of persons belonging to one of the cantons of Switzerland from Lombardy, that certainly secured a harsh measure, one which was likely to cause considerable em. barrassment in Switzerland, and very great die. trees to the poor persons who were dri• en out, but he knew not that that was a subject on which our go- vernment could interfere. But with regard to the third subject it was one iu which the Sardinian government had communicated with her Maj,ty's government, and upon which he ti us•ed there would be some measure talon by the Austrian government, which would make the measure It had taken more consistent with general law and justiJe. The facts, as far as he knew them and which had been stated by the Sardinian government, acre these: After the insurrection in Lombardy, which took place in the year 1848, there were a number of persons belonging to Lom bardy whet were permitted by the Austrian government to have letters which freed them from their subjection to Aus tria and de-naturalised them, and they were allowed to settle in Piedmont, where they were naturalised, and they became Piedniontese suNrcts. There was a decree in 1851 with regard to another class of fictions who were stated to have left Lombardy, and whose property might have been lawfully confiscated ; but the Austrian govern. ment. by that decree, declared that their property should not be confiscated, and that they should be put in as fa vourable a position as other persons, who had been allowed to leave Lombardy, and who had been naturalised in Pied• resent. When the attempt was made at Milan to overthrow the Austrian garrison by means which excited general ab horrence—to kill the soldiers unawares who were in posses sion of fortified pests—it appeared that the persons to whom lie alluded, who were settled in Piednion•, expressed general indignation at the attempt thus made. The Au.. trian governor at Milan made a report, in which it was stated that this was the act of a few individuals, but SUM vibe; etgoblaneyfno; afterwards there appeared a decree, signed by Marshal Radetzky which placed under sequestration the property, not merely of those who left Lombardy with the consent of the Austrian gn•ernment but also those who left in 1851. The Sardinian government n aurally, he thought, looked on that decree as unjust. They said that to sequestrate the property of those who were Sardinian subjects was contrary to the treaty of peace with Sardinia They made strong representations at Vienna on the subject, and asked her Majesty's government to support those representations. Her Majesty's government had acceded to that request. (Cheers.) The Earl of Clarendon had written to the Au - trian minister and to her Majesty's Minister at Vienna to express the sense which her Majesty's government could not but entertain with regard to conduct for which het , did not know that there was any precedent. lie must say, however, that they had heard very lately that the intention of the Austrian government was not to continuo the seqtiestration, as it appeared at first, of the property of all these persons without slay inquiry whether they had any part in the insurrection at Milan or not, and that it was their intention to take off that sequestration, tempter& the property of those who might be believed to have acted in some way to assist and support that insurrection. Of • course, if th•: measure were thus modified, it would bear a • totally different character ; and of course the Austrian government would then proceed by process of law. Them fore he trusted that this, which appeared to be an act to Sardinia of an unfriendly nature, and towards individuals of an opprtssive character, would not be perse vered in, at least in the form in which it first I appeared. While he was speaking he might allude to a subject which had excited great interest in that house and the country. The government had received information thakehe Grand Duke of Tuscany had liberated the Medial (loud cheers), and that they hail embarked at Leghorn and left Tuscany. ACCELERATION OF THE NORTHERN MAILS. Mr. HEADLAhI asked whether it was the intention of government to accelerate the delivery of letters in the north of England by sransmitting the mails on the line of the Great Northern Relieve) , Mr. WILSON was understood to reply that it was the intention to accelerate the mails, but that what he stated the other night had reference to the mails which went by Newcastle to Edinburgh. BURIAL GROUNDS. Mr. WHALLEY "skeet whether any, and what, steps have been taken on the part of the government to put in operation the act of last session for closing burial grounds in the metropolis ; and whether any measure) is in contem plation for correcting the evils of intramural interment throughout the country. In the report of the Board of Health it was stated that the cholera might be expected again to become prevalent in the ensuing summer ; and that these graveyards would in all probability be the principal seats of the t.estilence. Viscount I'ALMERSTON had to state that feeling deeply impressed with the importance of carrying into effect the previsions of the set passed last year, he had given in• structions by which a member of the board of Health was inspecting all tlw graveyards in the metropolis ; and as fait as his reports were received he (the noble lord) had token the steps necessary under the act fur obtaining orders is council for abutting all such as were reported unfit for use. (Hear, hear.) Judging from what had already taken plats he should expect that within a short period all the grave yards in the metropolis would be found improper for the purposes of interment. (Cheers.) At present there were no powers in the hands of the government relating to the country ; and it would be subject for consideration whether in the course of the present session it would not be expe dient to ask the house to give them powers with respect to the provinces, similar to those which they already possessed in the metropolis. (Hear, hear.) THE CAPE OF GOOD lIOPE. Mr. ADDERLEY asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, what news of the Kaffir War had bean received by the Sydney packet; and whether orders in council, completing the Cape Constitution, and settling the limits and defences of the colony, were sent out by the mail lately despatched ; and if so, how soon copies dual orders would be laid before the home. Mr. PEEL said that the Sydney packet had touched at Cape Town, but had, of course, brought no despatches from General Cathcart, who was at the other extremity of the colony. As to the hon. gentleman's second question, he had to remind the house that at an early part of last month he stated that he bad reason to believe the ordinances which had passed the legislative council, the act for the purpose of constituting the parliament, and of voting the civil list s might be revised, corrected, and submitted for confirmation to the Queen iu time to be transmitted to the colony at an early part of the present month. He was happy to say that her Majesty's government had been able to send out the documents on the 4th instant. No order bed been issued with re g ard to the limits of the colons ; nor could he say when the two orders in council would be laid upon the table of the house ; but they would be included in the papers which Me intended to produce in continuation of the last, on the subject of the Cape consti tution. (Hear, bear.) THE AUSTRALIAN PACKET SERVICE. Mr. DUNDAS asked her Majesty's government if it wee not proposed to take any steps to arrange a monthly mail to Australia,—one that might be depended on, regular, expe ditious, and certain, such as that conveyed hence by the vessels of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, who carry the Australian mails on alternate mouths, in lieu of per mitting other parties, who have proved their utter incapa city to perform the contract they have undertaken, conti nuing to attempt to carry mails, the delivery of which they are instrumental only in delaying. Sir J. GRAHAM was afraid that he should be very rash if he were to undertake to devise any mean, of making the Australian packet service regular, expeditious, and certain. (A laugh.) His experience, since he had been connected with the Admiralty, was that the communications with Australia were irregular, tardy, and uncertain. (Hear.) 'the whole question of the packet service by contract wee under consideration. Those contracts which could be main tained would be enforced to the letter ; those which could not would be abrogated with the least possible delay, and some other means would be taken. (Hear, hear.) THE RAJAH OF SARAWAK. Mr. DRUMMOND said that as an infamous slander had been circulated amongst hon. members, entitled " Spec memo of Sir James Brooke's Veracity," he begged to move that copies of the last despatch of the Colonial Secretary to Sir James, and his reply thereto, be laid upen the table of the house. Lord J. RUSSELL said he would state at a later period of the evening whether the government were prepared to produce the papers in question. ANNEXATION OF KEROWLEE. Is reply to Mr. OTWAY, Sir C. WOOD stated that his answer to the hon. 'gentle man on the previous evening had been misrepresented in some of the public journals. What he had really said wee that the question had been rf'erred h me by the India government for the decision of the home government, and that the latter had decided to sanction the succession to the Kerowlee government of the young man who had been adopted by the late It ijah. (Hear, hear.) ENGLISH FLEET IN THE ARCHIPELAGO Lord STANLEY wished to put a question to the noble lord with respect to a very important statement which hd appeared in one of the newspapers of that day. That state ment was to the effect that the Charge , d'Affaires at Co*- 1 stantinoplo had at the requisition of the Turkish extern ment forwarded despatches to the admiral of the fleet at Naha requesting him to send the British fleet in the Medi tv 'Taiwan to anchor in the Archipelago. L vrel J. RUSSELL could only say tint information had reined the Foreign-office by t e l egra ph th a t s u ch a request ,d he en made to the admiral ; but that no despatch from the Cha.•e d'Affaires to Admiral Donde., or to the Ad miralty, had been received confirming the report. st TILE PATENT LAWS. Mr. COWAX dose to pnt to the government a que momiIMINMANI Th rive the • gurd ])ubl t It. can,. Mr whiel faller mot had c noun Ltd (Lau