The Express. — London, England, 1848-03-25 00:00:00

1111.1 ) E1i,IAL HOUSE. OF LORDS.—FRIDAY, MARCH 21. The LORD CRANCSLLOR took his seat at 6 o'clock. PUBLIC BUSINE:qt. BECOND READlNG.—Criminal Law Administration Amendment bill. COMMITTEE..—Queen's Pri•011II. TIIIRD REAPING.—Audit of RAll4Bll3' Accounts Bill. CRIMINAL LAW ADMINISTRATION AMEND MENT BILL. Lord CAMPBELL, in moving the second reading of this bill, said its object was to estabash a court of appeal in criminal ea-es. In the present mode of the trial of erimings Boi was not aware that any improvement could he introduced, let after that process there won a great want of a court of appeal. A great part of the criminal law was administered at courts of quarter sessions, where very difficult questions often arose ; and is ease of any error the uniy remedy at 'present was an application to the Home Secretary, who c attest in the Attorney.Cicnersl , and d:spceed of the question in a manner not at all satisfactory. No doubt juatice was a d m i n i s tered generally with great can; but some times it had not bon so, and even before the judges of assize much inconvenience often arose from Caere being no tribunal of appeal. The learned judges often ✓. - smved coxes tor the opinion of their brethren in Westmin ster-hall, but in the meantime a verdict of " guilty" was ✓zeorded, and sentence pronounced. At the commencement of the ensuing term the learned judge stated the ease for the opinioa of the other judges. This used to be done at See jcsnts'-inn after dinner, at what was called the computation, but the learned judges were not bound to hear counsel. The case was not argued, neither was there any judgment given, no reasons whatever being assigned for the decision which sight be come to; and if such decision was in favour of tha .prisoner, a pardon was granted as if the person had been s.tally guilty. By the provisions ef the bill before their lordships the case would be reitularly heard and discussed publicly, and a judgment would be expressed. There would also be a power given to the judge to . take a verdict condi tiznally at the assizes, and if the dec ision, on an appeal, should be in favour of the prisoner, the verdict would be sol entered, and he would be free from all imputation. he thought would be a considerable improvement in administration of criminal law. (Hear, hear.) It might be sold that the bill did not go far enough, inasmuch as it did not establish the right to move for a new trial on t' . facts as well as on points of law; but each a mea sure appeared to him to be involved in some difficulty, and P. was not at present prep ued to propose it. He should now move that the bill lee read a second time, and then referred to a select committee, before whom might be heard tlt: advocates of an extension of the measure to appeals a:pon the facts, and if such a scheme was found tangible he should he most happy to give his assistance in carrying it out. (Hear, hear.) After a few observations from the Marquis of SAL' sBUIT, the Earl of DEVON, and Lord STANLEY, the bill was read a second time, and ordered to be referred to a select committee. Their lordship) then adjourned at ten minutes before silt o'clock. ROUSE OF COMMONS.--Fm DAY, NIARCH 24. The SFEAltill took the chair at 4 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. 1113:7•5Nr) READlNG.—Burntisland Harbour Improvement Bill tv:.y bills ,eoe Railway News in page 4). PUBLIC 111 1 6ISEKR. 'COND READINGS.—Property Tax; Stamp Duties' tile:lU,- tine; Game Ct rtiflcates for Killing Ilona (Scotland); NOTICES for sMOTION.—Gms IittIOHT, on an early day after the Easter recess, leave to bring in a bill for the repeal of Me game laws. htILWAY C OUN I.,IO?t.-11r. Has nisi, On early day, to more a re.- Itt:or that in the opinior of the house powers and authorities vested in the Ilsilway Board by the act 9 end 10 Vie. c. 105, may be .o revs bd. 3 ••• insure the ettleterd exit:talon ut the oommission and greatly to diminish the clingy to the country. RETURNS ORDERED.—Oa the motion of Sir R. Faactwon, in. ric r: tarts relative to the valuation of counties, counties addle. ace. ;ovaries of towasin Ireland uuder the Act 6 and 7 %PULP , . Os 06, oornoteacod or completed. SLIGO ELECTION COMMITTEE. The following gentlemen were swore to try the petition against the return for the borough of Sligo • Mr. Disraeli (nbcirman), Mr. J. Heywood, Sir J. Johnston, and Mr. P. Scrope. RYE ELECTION COMMITTEE. The following gentlemen were sworn to try the petition ma(tnst the return for Rye Mr. Divett (chairman), Sir H. Ifalford, Mr. J. H. Vivian, Hon. F. Cbarteris, and Mr. J. IS. Blake. CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY (POWER TO PURCHASE, &c.) BILL. Mr. FOSTER presented thirteen petitions against this and on the motion (by Mr. GLTN) that it be 'read a second time, opposed it, on the ground that it was promoted solely with the view of eonstituting the proprietors a steam boat se well as a railway company—thus throwing a mono poly of traffic, by sea as well as by laud, into their hands Me, therefore, moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. 1•; r. GLYN defended the bill. Mr. F. FRENCH thought they ought not to deviate from the derision of the Holybe.id committee, who were , f opinion that neither directly nor indirectly should such power§ be given to any railway company. After a few words from Mr. H. Berkeley, Sir W. Heath cote, and Sir W. Verner, Mr. GLADSTONE said that although th Mproposed to allow a company to trade for other purposes than those for whLh they were incorporated, yet he did not thiak the ought to reject it without special examination. For thnt e reni in he suggested that it ought to he postponed till Monday. Mr. GLYN acquiesced in this course, and the second r:a•ling of the bill was put off till Monday. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (BRANCH FROM WINDSOR TO SLOUGH) BILL. On the order of the day for reading this bill a second time, Mr. GLADSTONE expressed a hope that the n-ble lord at the head of the Woods and Forests would interfere to effect a satisfactory adjustment of the differences between the two companies on the subjt.ct of this line. 1.. d MORPETII would he most happy to endeavour to efi , 2ct an adjustment of the dispute between those companies, h.. 1. , psi red of succeeding in any such attempt . lilt. CRIPPS was prepared, on the part of the Groat \Postern, to leave the question to the decision of the noble lord Mr. CHAPLIN said that the South-Western was a.. ami. rab.y disposed as the Great Western. hut he still doubted the of an amicable arrangement being effected. Lord LINCOLN hop, since there was such readiness on the part of those two companies to effect an amicable ar fangement that the noble lord would not decline to act RA mediator. Lard MORPETH maid he would be most happy to In so, proeided the represents:lees of the land companies would consent to such an arrangement bill was then read a second time NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY (No. 2) (JUNCTION WITH LEITH BRANCH OF THE EDI NBURGH AND DALKEITH RAILWAY, &c.) BILL. ti.e order of the day for the seco nd reading of this bill, Fsn G. CLERK opposed it. It was precisely the same bill been rejected by the committee last year when op posed,at great exp.nse,by Mr.)liller, whose property it almost exelusively affected and would greatly cut up and damage. Itie. MACKENZIE supported the bill, which adopted a line considerably improving upon that proposed last year. Mr. COWAN supported the second reading of the bill, which, i! passed, would get rid of one of the most objection able localities in the neighbourhood of its Edinburgh ter minus. I.lr. SOTHERON said he had been a member of the com mittee of last session to which the bill had been referred, and tae committee had unanimously resolved that the line uld rot contribute to the public benefit. As his right hon. friend (Sir 0. Clerk i has examined the plans deposited this year, and had found them to correspond with those pre sented last session, he should join his righ hon. friend in voting against tbe second reading of the bill. t The house divided—For the second reading ao Against it ..... T? . .e bill is consequently lost. BOROUGH Oh GREAT YARMOUTH Ot the motion of Mr. SEYMEIt, a copy of the Great Vermouth Freemen Bill was ordered to be served on the re tuning officer of that borough. FRENCH SIiIPS OF WAR. Lars RENDLESHAM asked the hon. gcaUeman the Secretary at War whether it was true that two French steam ships of war had been brought into Sheerness harbour during the night b; their own masters without any . assistant.. ENDI a licensed pilot, and whether on the occasion of a French ship GI war coming into Harwich harbour the last autumn thew heal. not been some delay or difficulty in the garrison's re turning the accustomed salute fired by that stewed on en taing the tort ? 14r. H. G. WARD said, with respect to the second ques tion, there was no record at the Admiralty on the subject; and with reference to the tee, he could state that treo years sp., sir., in 181.5. two French steam-ships arrived from Trs , - port in the Margate-roads, where they took ea hoard Vugli ; Pots, and proceeded on their voyage. HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL. Lord MORPETH (in answer to a question put by Mr. CARDWELL) said he should not , in the present state of Itus:ness, think of proceeding with the Health of T. 8..1 next we - k, but should take it as soon alter as file. posd ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. Or. the motion of Mr. PARKER, it was ordered , hat the b.,use e: is rising adjourn to Monday neat. ELECTION RECOGNISANCES BILL. Ist-. WORTLEY gave notice that he should more the second reading of this bill on Monday next Mr. STAFFORD remarked that many hon. members who were pet:tioned against were placed in a position of great difficulty and injustice. This bill proposed to refer the re wauisaucia entered into in six different cases to the select easnmittce which would be nominated respectively to try the merits of those six petitions. He thought in common justice tte r - mination of those committees ought to he postponed untit t'..e Cote of that hill was decided. Mr. GARDNER (Leicester) was one of the members pe drioned a^ainst who was affected by this'bill, and he thought *et as Its second reading was appointed for Monday. the house could do no less, pending legislrion on the subject, , n to cs;re , s ume opiniou to the respective committees stilton weld be nominated on that day, in order to prevent the merits or these CAMS being entered into until sues relief as tite sitting members bad a right to expect was made avail able. Owe injustice wou l .l he done if sitting members were Maud to ga before those tribunals early next week with re oogniuriess which were wholly null and sold, and .I..crefore wlthon• 11.ot proteotion and security which the act o: parlia ment prverly and wh...ly give to persons tat that predica ment. Mr. F. MALILE 'aid he wished, as cman of the general committee of 'election, to state heatrctunstanoes L THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1848. under which that committee stood. With regard to the six several petitions which had been made t he sub j ect of discus sion in the house, and of reference to the Cheltenham special committee, the general committee had deemed themselves justified, as long as that inquiry was pending, and as Nng as the Election Rea:Visalia!! Bill was before the house, in delaying from time to time the striking of the several com mittees to try each of those six individunl cages. But that bill having come after a considerable discussion to a very abrut termination and the hon. and learned gentleman (Mr . Walpole ) who , had unde r taken the charge of it having, as the author of the measure, declared eight days ago that he would have nothing more to de with it, the general com mittee of 'election had deemed it their duty to appoint a day, and to give the usual notice" to the panels, for striking the election committees in thou six several cases. This declaration had been adopted on Thursday last, and Monday next and the Monday following hid been fixed as the two days on which the committees would be chosen. He did not well see how any other coure could he taken by the general committee. for they would not have been justified iu dep.irting from that course on the mere supposition that the hill being taken up by the right hon. and learned member for Bute (Mr. Worthy) would he likely to be more euccesaful than the measure which had been deserted by the hon. and learned member for Midhurst (Mr. Walpole). The general com mittee had been open to all parties concerned; they had heard principals and agents; they wool hear them again fully on Monday before striking the committee, and would be guided by a sense of what was due in justice both to the petitioners and to the sitting members. Mr. WORTLEY repeated that he should move the second reeding on Monday, when he should ask the house to take it first tie a measure affecting the privileges of the house. He had a conscientious conviction that unlees the house interfered by legislation in this matter it could in no other way avoid the probability of again being brought into collision with the courts of law. After a few words from Sir G. Once and Mr. Wuntteit in explaaation, the conversation dropped. CAPITAL CONVICTS AT DURHAM. Mr. BRIGHT wished to put a question to the right hon. baronet at the head of the home department on a subject which gave him extreme pain. It was known to the house that two men were now lying under sentence of death at Durham for a murder committed on a gamekeeper in the s service of the Duke of Cleveland lie oeved in thrapers that a respire had been sent down for o b ne r of these u nhappy individuals, and he (Mr. Bright) had been informed that the town council of Durham, as also the jury by whom the men had been tried, had forwarded memorials to the Home. office in favour of is commutation of the sentence of death to both criminals. The question he had to ask was, whether such a recommendation had been made at the Home-office, and, if so, whether the right hon. baronet would [have any objection to Otte on the table a copy of the memorial tor warded by the wry ? Sir O. GREY said that, while lie gave the hon. member for Manchester full credit for the motives by which he was actuated, he could not help expressing his deep regret that queetious of this kind were put. (Ileer, hear.) Because it was impossible for him to bring before the house the whole , 1 circumstances of each care, and thereby it impeded the die. charge of a most painful duty. The hon. member knew that this case, after a most serious, anxious, and painful investi gation, had been finally decided, and in coming to that de cision, painful as it wan, it would have been a dereliction of the duty imposed on him if he had shrunk from dischar t ting It. (Hear, bear.) In answer to the question, he had to state that the verdict of the jury had nut been accompanied by any recommendation to tie rey ; but he (Sir G. Grey) had subsequently received many applications for a remission of sentence from the neighbourhood where the transaction took place, and among others a memorial siened by the jury. He should not consider it consistent with his duty to lay the me morial on the tohle, because it would involve the necessity of his producing counterditatementr—a eour , e which would be wholly subversive of the proper administration of justice. (Hear, hear.) TA ON CANADIAN EMIGRANTS. Mr. REYNOLDS begged to ask the hon. gentleman, the Under -Secretary for the Colonies, whether any additional tax was imprised upon emigrants landing in Canada, or the North American provinces; and if so the amount of the tax? Mr. HAWES replied that the house had heard of the many distressing and appalling circumstances which had attended emigration last year to the North American pro vinces. Ile need only mention the one fact that out of 90,000 emigrants 15,000 had died either on board the na sals during the passage, or on their arrival in the colony. The consequence had been that many reprerentations had been made by the colonists to the Colonial-office, to protect them from a system of emigration as conducted ; and the re sult was that his noble friend at the head of colonial affairs hail sueeested certain remedies to the Canadian and other assemblies for their adoption. These suggestions were that under ordinary cireumstances the tax should re. main—that was to say, that every emigrant landed in perfect health should pay no tax, but that if the ship went into quarantine, thereby showing her passengers were sickly, the tax was to be doubled, atol it the detention was protracted, to be trebled, but in no Cale to exceed 'Ala per head. The tax was also doubled upnn helpless end aged emigrants. LEEWARD ISLANDS LOAN. Mr. MACKINNON inquired from the right hon. the Charcellor of the Exchequer whether it was the intention of the government to call in the loans, or any part of them, made after the earthquake in the Leeward Islands, to the proprietors of certain estates there, or whether the period of repayment was to be extended ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied that he had stated on the first day the house met after the Christmas recess, that the repayment of the balance remain ing unpaid of those loans would be postponed for a further period of five years, interest to be paid in the meantime. Mr. MACKINNON asked if that would be five years beyond the original period. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the exact arrangement was this. From this time, five years would intervene, during which interest would be charged; and, at the expiration of those five years, the loan would be put in precisely the same situation as it was at that moment, whatever might be the term that remained. GOVERNMENT MEASURES. Sir W. VERNER said there were three bills which bad been postponed from time to time; he wished to know whether it was the intention of the government to proceed with them, and when. They were the diplomatic relations with the court of Rome Bill, the Landlord and Tenant (Ire. land) bill, and the Health of Towns bill. (Hear ) Lord J. RUSSELL said he would snawer that question in moving the order ot the day ( generally oin into committee of supply, when he would etate the course that go vernment intended to pursue with regard to their meuures. NON-PAYMENT OF POOR-RATES IN IRELAND. Mr. P. SCROPE said it appeared from a recent return containing the names of lords, ladies, and other landed pro prietors, that there was an arrear of upwards of 8,0001. in the poor rates of the Castlebar union. He wished to ask whether that arrear still continued, or whether it bad been materially diminished ? also whether, during its continuance, any portion of the charitable funds remitted from London to Ireland, had been implied for the purpose to which those arrears of rates ought to have been devoted. Sir W. SOMERVILLE said that no efforts had been vend by the poor-law commissioners to enforce the culler lion of these rates ; every legal step had been taken, but these law prove-ses were not very speedy. Legal proceedings were now pending against the defaulters. In the mean time the destitution in the Castlebar union had been very great indeed. The number now receiving out-door relief was between 17,000 and 18,000, besides about 5,000 who were fed by the bounty of the British Association. To prevent more dread s fel calamities, the committee had been induced to use the I funds placed at their disposal by the British Association—a course which would not he disapproved by thou who knew' the intensity of the distress which prevailed. The lot report stated that the amount of arrears was now 7,9591.,' ' but a great portion of thi<, it was expected, 'would be ultimately got in, though the passive resistance of man rate-payers, and the inability of others, rendered it a work of time. He hoped his hn. friend and the house would have some consideration for the enormous difficulties in which the commissioners were placed. Sir W. H. BARRON said, the question which had been asked might create an impression that the landlords of the Castlettar onion were wilf ul defaulters. Common honesty ought to have prompted the hon. member to add, that in the ' county of Mayo it was notorious that there were noblemen possessing a yearly rental of 5,000/., 10,0001., or 1.5,0001.. who had not, either last year or the year before, received one-tenth of their income on an average. Many of the largest proprietors had been obliged to sell their carriages and dismiss their servant., and were themselves reduced to the greatest difficulties, owing to the destitution prevailing around them. lie begged to ask the hon. Secretary for In land whether it was intended. under the advice of Lord Devon's commission, to commute leases for lives in Ireland into holdings for perpetuity: . Sir W. SOME RV ILLE raid a bill had been prepared for that purpose, and he hoped it would be very speedily intro duced into the house. (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. B. ROCHE thought the attack uncalled-for which had been made on the combust and entraeter of the MM. member for Stroud. The character ot no oar steed higher for a disinterested advocacy or the cause of the poor in Ire land. (Hear.) Mr. P. SCROI'E was not aware that, on this or any for mer occasion, he had made say sweeping charge against the landlords of Ireland. lie had merely drawn attention to the vast amount of rates which remained uncollected in a certain union. Sir W. H. BARRON said it ought to have been stated that not only rates but rents were uncollectable in that district. SUGAR AND COFFEE PLANTING. Lord 0. BENTINCK requested Mr. Hume to postpone the tuition of which he had given notice toe Tuesday next, until a later period. He could assure the house that the committee on surer and coffee planting wld have termi nated its labours in about a week, and would ou then be able to report to the house. Mr. HUME said he should be reluetant to postpone the motion for any lengthen( d period, but on he did not wish to prejudge the question, and having the noble lord's 'issue ?Mee that the committee would very soon report to the house, be would consent to a short postponement of his notice. Thr motion for the adjournment of the house at its rising until Monday, was then screed te. PROPERTY TAX BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the second r. ading of this hill (which was 0,.e of the dropped orders of Thuredayl. Mr. HUME said he should not oppose the hill in its pre nt stage ; but on the rco•ion for going into committee he should certainly propose to it up stairs to a select committee. Mr. OSBORNE asked if the right 11-.. m. the Chancellor of the Exchequer had taken into consideration, as he had promised to do, the question of making a deduction from the assessment of how .c property, in respect of insurance trots Are ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had i done so • and, after the fullest consideration he scold give I the subject, he thought the best course would be to pursue the course adopted in 1845, and ask the house to continue the bill for three years at it stood, without attempting to in troduce matters that might be soppoeed by some hon. members to be improvements. Whatever he could do by any arrangement of the schedules he was perfectly rowly to undertake ; but not to introduce alterations in the bill The bill was then read a second time, and the committee fixed for Mondsv. COURSE OF PR MENT M OCEEDIN WITH THE GOVERN- LordE G ASU RES. J. RUSSELL.—Sir, in moving the order of the day for the house to go into committee of supply, I will take the upper :unity of stating the course which we propose to pur sue with respect to the business government has hrought before the house, and of submitting to the house some ge neral considerations on that subject. With regard to the business now before the home, I propose to take to night the mainlines and the vote of men for the army. There is likewise a vote of money on account in the navy and the ordnance, which it will be necessary to take in a very short time. My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes on Monday to proceed with the Income Tax Bill, aa he has already stated ; and we propose to go through with that bill on the days on which the government has precedence. Atter that bill I prom es to proceed with the committee on the bill for removing Jewish disabilities, and then to take the third reeding of that bill. Neat, my noble friend the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests will propose that the house should go into committee on the Health of Towns Bill. The hon. baronet opposite (Sir W. Verner) has asked me with regard to two other hills—the Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Bill, and the Diplomatic Relations with Rome Bill. Of these we propose to take first tee Leindlord and Tenant (Ireland) Bill. I have been in formed that a considerable wish has been expressed, if the house should consent to the second reading of that hill, to refer it toe select committee ; and, if that shall appear to be the general wish of the house one subject of such great intricacy and difficulty, on wltich the government themselves have had the greatest difficulty in deciding on the different provi sioneof the 1011, I can base no objection, if there appears a chance of improving the bill by an inquiry before a select committee, to take that course. (Beer, hear.) There will probably lie a good deal of discuesion on the second reading of that hill. fleeing stated so much with regard to the business of the house, and as the Easter recess , is approach ing, it is not necessary, perhaps, that I should fix any other time for the other government business. There is the Diplo matic Relations with Rome Bill; there is also a bill which has met the concurrence of the House of Lords, and has come to this house—the Encumbered Estates Bill—which we think a very important measure. (Hear, bear.) Nov, sir, I wish to make a statement with regard to the general business of the bowie, so far as legislation is con cerned ; and I do so at this time—first, because it is an early period of the session ; and, in the next place, because I have every reason to th ink the bonne for the attention it has given to the business which has been brought before it by the government for Ido not know of any lintance in which the government has wished to press belittles* forward in which the house has not imme diately fairly dealt with and disposed of it according to our wish. (Hear, hear.) Therefore what I am about to say will be without any sort of complaint either against the house or against any i n di v idual member. My noble friend the member for Bath (Lerd Duncan) has to-night given an instance of his wish to accommodate the tem rnment busi ness by not bringing forward a motion which he had placed on the paper (referring to a motion on the subject of the crown hunts, which Lord Duncan had with drawn at a previous period of the evening). And I should also be very glad if another hon. member (Mr. H. Bantle), who has given a notice with re spect to the subject of our squadron on the African coot, would folio • the course which has just now been taken by the hon. member for Montrose (Mr. Hume), OR a subject which is hearty akin to that. My noble friend the member for King's Lynn (Lord G. Dentinal him anted, that the committee over which he presides, on the production of sugar and coffee, is about to enter into deliberation, for the pue pme of making some report to the house; whereupon the hon. member for Montrone has very properly deferred his motion on that subject. (Hear, hear.) But I do think there are other reasons why the house, if it wishes that matters of legislation should lie deliberately considered, at a time when there is a full attendance of members, should not interpose other questions on those days which are devoted by the orders of the house to the business of government. ( Ili ac, hear.) I beg to submit to the house that there have been, in the course of the last 30 years, very great changes in the mode of conducting the business of the house, both by the g .vernment, and by individual members. I remember et that time, when I first entered the house, it was not usual for the government to undertake generally the subject of legislation ; the government gene rally confined itself to those measures which properly be longed to the business , of administration, and to any particu lar subjects which required their pressing attention. At the same time I think there were at that period two government days in the week; and though notices had precedence on other days, the orders of the day cnuld, come on on any slay of the week ; so that the business of the government pro ceeded at a more rapid pace than it does now. Two great changes have taken place—and they may be loth changes for the better—but they are certainly somewhat inconsistent and incompatible with each other. The one is, that for many years past—that is, since the passing of the Ite form Bill—it has been thought to be for the convenience of the public that upon every subject on which an alte ration of the law wag required, government should prepare ' a bill on that subject, and undertake the passing of it through parliament. The other great change is, that measures of all kinds are more discussed in parliament, a greater number of members take part in their discussion, and a tar greater num ber of motions are made by individual members than for merly was the case. The consequence is, that subjects of legislation of very great importance are brought into this house ; but it is found impossible by any government—it has ' been so found by preceding governments as well as the present—to bring them on at a time when they can receive a fair deliberation; and they are frequently put off till quite the cud of the session, when very few members remain. I know it is constantly said—and said, I think, without much reftection—that there are important measures which have not been pressed forward. But if the house willeonsider what is the nature of its own orders, they will see how impossible it is for government to press forward measures, and obtain the time necessary for their discussion. There are only two days in the week reserved for government business; considering holidays and adjourned debates, that gives about eight days in a month. Now, it seems a great while to up that four months of the session are gone, and that several bills have not yet been brought under discussion ; but when we come to the number of days, we find there have been about 30 days, and no more, on which the government bttsiners could come under discussion. lam not making any complaint of this, nor asking for an additional number of days; I only wish the matter to be before the house, in order that they may consider it. If they think it desirable that bills should be brought in and pressed forward more rapidly than they are now, probably sense mode may be bound of accomplish ing that object ; but if they arc satisfied with the present mode of conducting the business, it least they should reflect that it will be impressible to press forward hills for the general purposes of legislation at an early ' period of the sassiest. In the present year theta are important questions which must come under consideration. The Income Tax Bill will expire in April next. The Mutiny Bill must be renewed. The estimates in committees of supply and the question of the income tax will probahly Mkt up about ' two months of the days which government has to dispose of. I think that to-night it is desirable that the hon. member for Inverness shire (Mr. H. Batllie) should not press his motion, but should allow us to dispose of this night for the purposes of the government business. (Hear, heat.) With ' regard to any other alteration I do not ask any such at pro sent; I only hope that hon. gentlemen will turn the matter over in their minds, and perhaps some proposition may be made hereafter which will meet the wishes of the house. I will now move that the order of the day be read. (Hear.) SLAVE TRADE—COAST OF AFRICA. Mr. BAILLIE said he felt it his duly to proceed with his motion. This was nut a question to be refereed to a com mittee of inquiry, but one on which every hon. member was competent to decide. The qovernment sought to solve all their difficulties by the magic name of a committee ; but it was for the house VI dispel the &lesion which had so long prevailed in the country as to the slave-trade, and to let it be known that all the valuable lives which had been saarificed. and all the treasure that had been squandered, to far from attaining the object in view. had positively augmented the horrors of the slave trade. These facts pros ed that it would be highly criminal for any minister, he he who he might, to persist in such a course. The formation of an additional treaty with the republic of the Equa dor, announced in her Majesty's vetch, was hut a continuance of that system of deiusion which had been so Inn& practised on the country. Our squadron on the African coast had proved totally unavaiing ; and it was the opinion of eminent naval authocitice that the whole navy of England would not be sufficient to keep up an effective blockade on a coast of 6.000 miles in extent. The late go. mernment hod, in 1815, announced n great addition to the effi ciency of the blockade. This consisted in the mutual right of search, about which both France and the United States were peculiarly sensitive. Though the late government had settled that question most amicably, it was not fair that the people of this country should he saddled with the east of a squadron which wan nearly uselese. He should show that the slave trade, so far from being seppressed, had in creased, and that the supply of slaves to the markets of Cotta and Brazil had been quite equal to the demand, rotwithstanding all our attempts to prevent it. Sir F. Buxton, shortly before his death. had published all the evidence that could he obtained on the slave trade : he had been accused of exaggeratnn, but so far from that, he had understated the case. He had made the candid avowal that all his efforts to suppress the slave trade had only augmented it in a tee-fold degree. (Hear.) Ile (teetered that Great Britain had expend , d upwards of a million and a quarter, besides the annual cost of eepperting her squadron—in all, about fifteen millions sterling; numbers of valuable lives had been sacrificed ; and yet the traffic had not been diminished, but the numbers exported had increased, being as two to one compared with what they were in 1807, while the Lees of life had been twenty-five per cent. He would be prepared to show that Sir F. Buxton had understated both the amount of money which had been spent and the increase in the loss of human life. As far so he could ascertain from parliamentary returns the total amount of money spout by this country between 1808 and tele was 49,905,705/., including the 2i),000 000!. paid to the West loth t planters. If to this sum be aided the amount paid for the increased price of sugar, rum, and itiolessea, the total would amount to 82,387,1301. Now with regard to the less of life Sir F. ilexton had stated the increase at 25 per cent.. but he believed it was at least 33 per cent. Mr. Chit' hail estimated the loss of life on the p:sinee at one third. and that was also the rah titillation of the merchants at Havana. Papers which had been presented to the House of Lords in 1799 showed that the mortality in 1791, three years after the pass ing of the Slave Trade Carrying Regulation Act, was only 81 per cent. In 1803 he believed the loss was still less. Were they, therefore, to continue a system on an idea of mistaken philanthroPhy which had been attended with such disastrous results, both in loss of money and loss of life ? It was shown from official returns, which were quoted in Sir Fowell Buxton's work, that 49,643 slaves were imported an nually into Rio Janeiro between the years 1527 and 1830 and that there were annually landed on the entire coast of Brasil no leas than 78.331 slaves annually. 60 000 were landed is Havana alone, besides those which were landed in other places. If the trade hail remained per free he did not think that Cuba and the Breads cotld absorb greater numbers. (Hear, hear.) So much with re gard to the question up to 1840. From that time up to 1846 it would be shown that the number of slaves imported depended on the demand for their produce in the markets of k:urope. It bad been said by the noble lord the Secretary tar Foreign Affairs, that wily 3,000 sieves were imported in It td. That might be true, because at that time a great blow had been struck at the slave trade by the measure of the late government which admitted tree-labour sugat into the markets of this country. (Hear, hear.) The house of Drake and Co., of Havana, had petitioned the Spanish go vernment, in consequence of that measure, for a total ex tinction of the slave trade in Cuba. They said that the English market being thrown open to free-labour Roger would compensate them for any loss that might be incurred. It was in consequence of th is rocasure,and not from any increased acti vity oaths part of the British squadron, that the diminution in the number of slaves imported in 1846 was to be attributed. He could show that the profits realised from the trade were so large, that it would be impossible for any exertions on the part of this country to put • stop to it. He believed it was a maxim at the Custom-house that no smuggling on which a profit of 33 per cent. was realised could be put a stop ti. But the profits of the slave trade were vastly more than that. Ile would read to the house a statement of those profile. Merlee of a slave on the coast of Africa was 41. per head. If the number of slaves amounted to 556, that would give a sum of 2,2'241. The amount of freight was 4,0001., and the cost of water, rice, tic., 6371. The price of a slave in Brazil was 601. ; now supposing that only 371 of the 636 were landed alive, that would give 18,5501., or a net profit, alter deducting the expenses, of 11,6891., which was equal to 200 per cent. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman quoted several statements of a similar character. AU the accounts lately received bad shown that a great impulse had been given to the slave trade by the measure of the present government. (Hear, hear.) The lion. gentlemen read se veral extracts of letters which had been received by mer cantile houses in the City, which stated that the slave trade was annually increasiog. T hose state runts were fortified by the opinions of Mr. Oldtleld, who net that " it was a perfect farce to try and put down the slave trade by their present naval force." But the governor of Sierra Leone himself, in a letter dated October 1, 1847, stated that, notwithstanding the extreme vigilance of her Majesty's equadron, tho traffic in slaves was more vigorous than ever. (Hear, hear.) Sir Thomas Herbert gave similar testimony. Was it to be endured then that the government should keep up a Nucleon at a vast expense to the country for the suppres sion of the slave trade whilst they panted a measure which tended directly to encourage it ? (Hear, hear.) They must do one of two things—revoke their met eor or call hack their squadron. (Hear, hear.) The people of England were taxed to support a squadron which was not able to suppress the slave trade, but which rnhanc,d the price of slaves in Cubs and Brazil. The people of England were the great consumer; of their produce, and the consequence was, that they were obliged to buy it at a much higher price. How long would the people of Eng -1 mil endure this ? Ile knew that the government would answer him by asking if the people el* England were pre pared to depart from the course of policy which they had now followed for several years. Bat he had proved that it was desirable, on the ground of humanity, that the 40- , tenement should change their policy. The way the slave trade was carried on was this the slave trader con- I traded with the merchant to bring him 1,000 slaves, for instance, and he wrote to his agent on the man of Africa to send him, not 1.000 slaves, but 3,000, calculating that the difference would be lost on the passage. He did not believe that the people of this country were prepared any longer to pay for a state of things at tended with such inhumanity. If they were really anxious to put down the slave trade, they must withdraw their aqui dron from the coast of Africa, Mock up the ports of Cuba and Brazil, and refuse admittance for their produce into this country. It was the will, and nut the power, to suppress the slave trade that was wanted. if the government were not pre pared to take the responsibility of that course, let them at I least not put forward their desire to suppress the slave trade as an excuse for persevering in a ss stem which had utterly failed, and brought nothing but loss and ridicule upon the country. (Hear, hear.) With regard to their West Iniiia colonies, he believed they were well nigh ruined, with the exception, perhaps, of Antigua and Ilarbadoes. There were some in that house who desired such a consummation. Ile confessed he was unable to join in their views. The hon. member for the West Riding (Mr. Cobden) and the free traders thought that their principle would bind the whole world in the bonds of peace. They had visions of a coming golden age; hat for himsell, he preferred even the sad reali ties of the present administration to those flattering visions of the future. (Hear.) He supposed that assurances would be given of the adoption of vigorous measures, but he en treated the house to reflect on the dreadful sacrifice of human life by which these repeated experiments bad been attended. lie held in his hand a statement of the deaths of officers and seamen and of thole who had been invalided in the year 1843. It appeared from this statement that the entire charges for the squadron in that year amounted to 706,4541. —Omar. hear)-259 deaths of officers sad men had taken place, and 271 had been invalided, making a total of 530, which was a greater sacrifice of life than that which had gained them some of their most brilliant i naval Tick/fie!. (Hear, hear.) If this did not move the house, be called upon them as guardians of the public 1 purse to vote for his motion. To the sum of 706,4541. was to be added the expense of their establishments on the coast of Africa, at Sierra Leone, Fernando Po, and Cape Coast Castle, the courts, the commissions, and the expense of maintaining the negron who were taken, which would make a total of 1,200,0001. paid yearly by this country for a pu pate which had proved worse than useless. (hear, hear.) He called upon the hon. member for Finsbury and the other members who represented large constituencies to aid him in relieving the people of this country from the unjust burden of the window tax by supporting his motion—to aid him in dispelling that delusion which so long prevailed amongst the people by means of which they had been made to pay • heavy penalty for the weakness and folly of their governors. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman concluded by moving ' That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she will be graciously pleased to give directions that negotiations be entered into with foreign powers to relieve this country from the engagement under which it labours of maintaining a squadron upon the coast of Africa." Mr. HUME seconded the motion, and urged that nothing could stop the slave trade whilst profits remained es great as they were at present. Alter a ikon pause, Mr. O. ntomrsoN said that, abhorringthe slave trade, he could net hold it to be right to inflict so heavy a burden as that imposed on ;his country since 1808, in order to put down the African slave trade. In his judgment it was not right to seek the attainment of motives, in themselves holy, by such means as this country had adopted. But it was not necessary for him to press that argument, for the strong posi tion upon the present question was that our existing system was utterly abortive. We had found nothing but insincerity among other nations which had entered into treaty with us to put down the traffic. Scarcely any one of these nations ever had the stipulated number of cruisers or guns upon the coast of Africa, and the consequence was that the burden upon us had become utterly intolerable. He was pretty well acquainted with Sierra Leone and the syste m in operation I there, and he could eddy declare that that and like places had been the hot-beds of fraud and chicanery—places lull of men who profited by the humanity of this country to carry on covertly and by fraud the very system they were paid to suppress. Ile had every confidence that free labour was en tirely able to compete successfully with slave labour. If it were not, he should doubt whether or not free labour was the law of nature and of mankind. But all experience proved 1 the converse. The condition and circumstances of India' proved it, where free labour was quite able to cultivate the soil with success. He was therefore disposed to confine his efforts to the great object of suppressing the slave trade by the encouragement of free labour. Lord H. VANE thought it would be inopportune to de cide this question in any way whilst the subject was under the consideration of a committee. Mr. URQUHART thought every means ought to be taken to keep down the expenditure of the country. The philanthropic objects of the promoters of the present system had completely failed. Capt. PECHELL defended the squadron on the coast of Africa. Mr. HUTT, as chairman of the committee to which the horse had devolved the whole of this moat serious and im portant question, wished to remark rhea they would scarcely he acting a wise or a prudent part if they were to pan so opinion upon any one particular port ion of it, as proposed upon this occasion. Mr. MO WATT should support the motisn. Viscount PALMERSTON did not dispute that this was a subject deserving most attentive consideration at all times, and which might very properly be brought forward when a vote for supply was demanded. But, on the other hand, considering that the whole of the subject was re ferred, not long ago, to the examination of a se lect committee, he did not think the hon. member had exercised a sound discretion in now bringing the subject for ward. If the hon. member thought he had anything to prove, the select committee was open to him before which to prove it. (Hear, hear.) But let him not be understood on' this occasion as admitting the facts which the hon. member had affirmed. This was net the season to enter on their consideration. The house must remember that those means for the suppression of the slave trade were the result of no slight consideration They had been framed in consequence of anxious wishes expressed in petitions by the country, and of anxious consideration of those petitions on the part of former parliaments. It was said that they had tried the !Wein for 30 years, and that it was peered to have failed. But he denied that they had tried it for 30 years in any manner likely to be effective. Until the year 1839 the slave trade was to a great extent free from molestation; and therefore, up to that time at least, it was not right to say that the system, in any degree, bad had a fair teal. If it were said, however, that it failed since 1839, he begged leave to express double as to the accuracy of that conclusion. The hon. memo r argued that the system had failed because the priest , of slams were so considerable is America; but surely this circumstance of great price demonstrated that the supply was not equal to the demand. (Hear, hear.) They must also remember that successive guernmentabad, by their negotiations, persuaded many countries to abandon this trade. France and Holland no longer pursued it, Spain and Portugal :scarcely pursued it, and, as stated by the hon. member, the trade was almost confined to a colony of Spain and to the empire of Brazil. In that way they must base pi evented an immense deal of human suffering. (Hear, hear.) Now, people ran away with the idea, and the assertion passed from month to mouth, that the means taken to put down the traffic greatly aggra vated its horrors. Re (Lord Palmerston) denied this con clusion. Was there anything in the present day equal to the horrors of the middle passage in former times ? (Hear.) Aad upon either principle they might feel assured that these horrors were exaggerated. The shire trader's interest was diametrically opposed to any suck cruelties as those de scribed. The more slaves he landoe Way and in good health the greater his prelim; and therefore if env each cruelties existed as those described they might merely be attributed to the blindness of avarice, which would operate equally whether we pursued the existing system of preven tion or entirely abandoned it. However, this was not the proper time to go fully into this great question. His objec tion at this time was that the whole subject had been referred to a select committee that was now sitting, and that there fore this motion was premature. (Cheers.) Mr. DISRAELI objected to the proposal made by the noble lord to refer such questions as were before the house to any select committee. T hey were matters for the considera tion of the house, and not for a select committee. The cabinet ought to determine upon them. Two select committees had already been appointed on that same evening, and if that mode of dealing with public questions was persevered in, the whole force of parliament would presently be absorbed by select committees. He wished some hon. member would move for a return of the number of select committees that had been recently appointed. It would be one of the most singular documents ever publiseed by the house. The noble lord (Palmerston) had asserted that the system of preven tion had not yet received a fair trial. But he (Mr. Disraeli) differed with the noble lord, and was pre pared to argue the point on the broadest grounds. Even, however, admitting that the system had been successful in all respects, was it, he asked, one which it was expedient to persevere in ? Token in that light, he maintained it would not sustain examination, much less the positive declaration of the noble lord. (Hear.) What could be urged in de fence of the expenditure of 1,000,0001. a year in addition to the 80,000,0001. that had been wasted during the last thirty years ? The noble lord had s ad hothing whatever to shake his faith in the statements of his (Mr. Disraeli's) hon. friend. The noble lord had asserted that the traders to the coast of Africa were prohibited from carrying water casks lest they should be turned to the purposes of slavers. His (Mr. Disraeli's) hon. friend asserted that the consequence of that regulation was to prevent the slaves from having more than one drink of water in two days during their transit through the cruising grounds of the African coast. So that he was entitled to say the sufferings of the slaves were not de creased by the regulations now in force, and that, on the con trary, those sufferings had been very greatly increased by the course pursued inconsequence of the legislative interference. Under these circumstances, he thought it could hardly be contended that the system was one which should be upheld in a time of financial embarrassment like the present. Hun. members would incur a great responsibility if they did not atterd to the representations of the hoe. member for Inver ness, and support the motion whicli he had introduced to their notice. Lord PALMERSTON explained that the right of search given up in 1845 was not that which had been obtained in 1839. The latter referred to the Spanish flag, and was still retained by this country. Sir T. D. ACLAND objected to any change in so int- I portant a portion of our policy as our maritime police for the suppression of the slave trade without due and careful con slderation. Lord .1. RUSSELL wished to address a few observations to the house, net upon the gener;sl question as to the effaacy of our system for putting down slavery and the slave trade, hat upon the particular question as it stood at that moment. Ile would venture to submit to the house that, for more than 20 years, under different adminharations, they had carried on the present system; and, in carrying it on, had spent 80 millions for the suppression of slavery. Suppose, then, that a primi facie case could be made out against the system, could anything be more reasonable t, an that the house should wait for the rep ct of the committee of inquiry they had appointed, and not hastily decide the question on a night devoted to the army estimates, and when many members must have thought that no such question would come on ? (Hear, hear.) The house had appointed a select committee OR the motion of the hon. member for Gateshead ; that committee was at present sitting, and when its labours came to a con.lusion the house would base in the evidence full materials for a decision, and if such evidence went to confirm the statement of the hon. member for Inverness it would be competent for theta to accede to the course which he proposed. But it might be advisable to take other steps to modify the system, without abandoning it altogether. Part of r system might be founded on a mistaken policy, and yet to abandon at once our whole scheme of maritime police was a thing not to be done without full and search ing inquiry. (Hear, hear.) He thought there could be no doubt, even to the minds of those who contended for the non-success of our measures on the coast, that a large portion of Africa had been relicsc.i from 'he slave trade, and that legitimate commerce had been extensively established in its place. Surely then, even if the policy were objected to, it would not be humane at once to withdraw our squadron from those parts, and to expose them anew to all the horrors of the slave trade. (Hear, hear.) Therefore the question before the house was not simply a question of whether the present system of slave trade oreven• non should be kept up. There would be found mixed up with it various considerations, various questions of policy on which it would he necessary to deliberate, and many of which it might not be found convenient to aban don. The lion. member for Buckinghamshire, pre suming that the case had been made out, referred to the question as merely one of economy; but he (Lord John Russell) would ask the house whether a system which had been so long established, and for such a purpose, should be suddenly abandoned on mere grounds of economy. (Hear.) It was a question of humanity, and would not be hastily decided by the house, even to save a million a year. What he wished the house to consider was that the question should not be decided summarily on the statement of the hon. member, on a day devoted to other business. The hon. member fur Montrose had said that with fair play free labour could successfully compete with slave labour. He (Lord .1. Russell) inclined to that opinion, but from one cause or other free labour had not as yet had a fair trial, and that in his opinion formed another reason for careful deliberation. They might hod that a greet portion of the present system was wrong, and if in addition they foetid that free-labour produce could successfully compete with the pro duce of slave labour, they might proceed with confidence in their alterations without having at the same time to reproach themselves with abandoning ter the sake of economy the higher interests of humanity which they hid previously been successful in upholding. (Hear, hear.) Sir R. PEEL said that the present was not the occasion to enter into a discussion on the merits of the treaty of 184.1, or as to whether the arrangements then entered into with France were more efficacious than the previous right of search. His object in rising was merely to ex- I plain how far that treaty interfered with our previous right of search. We had then the right of search with re- I geed to Spain, Portugal, and Brazil ; we retained it still, and with every country except France, which country had no interest in the prosecution of the slave trade. He could only say,with respect to the policy of the treaty of 1845, that when the subject was discussed with a complete knowledge of all the facts, the volley of government received the uu:,nimous • approbation of the house. The noble lord opposite (Palmer sten) had questioned that policy ; but so couvinceel was he that the house did not concur in his views, that he contented I himself with a perfectly safe and harmless motion for papers, and even in that he found o 53 members to support him. (Hear, hear.) As to the right of search enjoyed by this country in 1845, we hail not the right reciprocally over the east coast of Africa, and only over certain portions of the west, together with Cuba, Brazil, and Madagascar. His belief was, that our right of search did not ex tend beyond the tenth degree of south latitude. and did not extend to several parts of the western coast of Africa, where the slave trade was carried on, and to no part of the eastern coast. Under the treaty of 1845, France and England were to grant warrants reciprocally, each to autho rise the right of starch to the cruizers of the other powers, but England was not permitted to ask for warrants fur more than double the number of ships employed by France in this service. So that it would be in the power of Frauce. if at any time she should entertain any jealousy as to the amount of our naval force engaged on the coast of Africa to decrease it by limiting the Dumber cf vessels employed by herself. But the right of visit existed as it did before. France did not carry on the slave trade—it had never been suspected that she did, but it was apprehended that ships of other nations engaged in that trade might assume the French flag, and the right of search was effectual as to these. But the right of visit was still possessed in all cases, and that right was fully admitted by France. (Hear.) It uecurred to the government in 1645 that if they could obtain the cordial concurrence of France in tire endeevour to put down the slave trade, the mural iulluenee of the two powers acting together would be iatare effectual in furthering that object than it we retained the right of search and insisted on the treaty of 1839. (Hear.) The house must not, however, suppose that the right of search had been in any way affected by the treaty of 1845, so far as it relatedto the vessels of those nations which carried on the slave trade. His impression We , now the same as'it bad been in 184.5, that the treaty then entered into with France WAS an advantage rather than in injury, so far as the suppres sion of the slave trade was concerned.( Hear.) He should vote against the motion of the hon. member for haulms. lie meant not by that to say that it might not be a proper one as an amendment under other circumstances. However inconvenient a course it might be in some cases to call in the aid of a select committee on matters which properly fell within the province of the government, he was not sure whether this was not a case in which the house was specially called on to undertake an inquiry, for he could not forget that the suppression of the slave trade was a policy imposed on the government by the public, of which the House of Commons was the representative. He could not forget that in 1839 the house unanimously ad dressed the crown to enter into fresh treaties, and to invoke the aid of other powers in concert with ourselves to put down the traffic in slaves—(hear) —and surely it would not be wise, without full inquiry as to the efficacy of the system which had been established under the treaties entered into in consequence of that address, now to oddness the crown to negotiate for the abrogation oithose treaties. (Hear, hoer.) Seeing that an inquiry was going on, in which the opinions of those engaged in the suppression of the slave trade wouA be elicited, and all the facts connected with the subject brought out, he should decline stating any opinion he might have formed, founded en the information which had reached hies, and would postpone his judgment until the report of the committee should be produced, and the whole evidence should be before the house. Setting slide, therefore, the im portant consideration, es to whether our policy in respect to the sugar duties had given an encouragement to tie Lion of slave-labour sugar, and without reference to the sire curnstances under which the etreaty with France was n. eluded, be thought that to fetter the hands of government by e. resolution adopted, not only without inquiry, but in the face of inquiry—( Hear, hear)—would be, not t• ingenue the influence of the executive government with France, nor add to the authority 01 the liuum of Commons. (Hear) Mr. BOC VERIE said the whole question was, whether the policy was right or wrong. The motion might have been inopportunely introduced, but being bei g e the nouse, he must vote for it. He could not cement to Toes the public money ;or purposes unconnected with the govern ment of the country. The house divided —for the original motion 216 For Mr. Baillie's amendment DESTRUCTION OF TENANTS' HOUSES BY IRISH LANDLORDS. The question for going into committee of supply having been again put, ' Mr I'. SCROPE rose to move an bumble address to her Majesty, that she will be grecionely pleased to direct an indictment to be preferred by her Majesty's law officer , against the parties concerned in the illegal destruction of several lenses, and the forcible ejectment of their inmates, which node place wi.hin t..e union of Galway, on or about New Year's-day last, end which appears to have occasioned the deaths of several of the unfortunate being* se ill-treated, by the evidence taken on oath before Major IlsKie, poor law inspector of that union, by order of the commissioners; which evidence is printed at length in p. 467 of the fifth series en papers relating to the relief of distress and state of the unions in Ireland; thereby to show, by a tracheal example to the people of Ireland, that the law affords its protection to the lives and property of the poor as well as of the rich, and that it car. and will be enforced by the govern ment when broken against the one no less then against the other. The hon. gentleman on rieltig was ere, m: Li gene ral cries of " Oh," but on producing the blue hook. and Essaying to quote evidence tin refrom, was met by such a storm of disapprobation that he declared his reluctance to proceed in the face of eo much impatience and diaconte rt, slid gave no•ice that he would reproduce his motion on ;he next supply night, which announcement gave rise to a general cheer. .Ir. E. B. ROCIIE e. pressed a hope that the hon. mem ber would not allow the impatience of the house to prevent bins from persisting in his motion, which was really a most important one. (Hear, Mar.) The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that there was no doubt as to the law upon the subject. The landlord, upon giving notice to quit,or upon the tenancy expiriug,ha 1 a right to enter peaceably ; but if he did so forcibly he was liable to be indicted for a forcible entry ; and if that force amounted to a riot, he might be indicted for a riot. If the entry was made before the notice to quit expired the tenant had a remedy at civil law ; but it was not at all usual to make what amounted to a private wrong the subject of a public indict ment by the goiernment. Mr. S. CRAWFORD said that this qitestion was really too important to allow it to be lurked, and he joined the hon. member for Cork in hoping the boo. member :or etroud would not wait for another committee of supply, but at oace proceed with Ids motion. The barbarity committed in the union of Galway, to which his motion referred, was worse than anything that had occurred in any civilised country. The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY had ascertained that the act was a most monstrous and cruel one; and the sooner the government made it their practice to institute proceeding+ in such cases the better. Mr. REYNOLDS asked whether Irish slavery and mur der of the Irish people were not more fitting for the eon , sideration of that house than the mitigation of African slavery, upon which subject they bad been engaged for the last nee hours ? (Hear, hear.) Mr. Blake, the landlord involved in these sjectmente, had admittel that he was guilty of an illegal act in taming these people out in the bleak month of Dtheniber, by which wine of their lives had been sacrificed; he therctore asked the peen:aunt whether that gentleman was to be permitted to remain in the conunireion of the peace for the county of tralway Sir It. PEEL said the declaration of the Attorney- General, that government had no power to interfere, rendered it the more incumbent on that house to exercise whatever moral power they possessed to put an end to such practices as were described in the motion of the bon. member for Stroud. The right hon. baronet then referred to the report of Major M'Kie, from which he add it ap peared that a more grievous injustice had been committed than they were likely to hod in any other country. I Hear, hear.) Major hlshie, in reply to the commission, stated that it appeared this forcible ejectment had been illegal; that notice had not been served ; that it had been perpetrated under circumstance! of great cruelty:; that the occupiers had been turned out of the Muses at nightfall ; that they end their helpless children had been Is ft exposed to a cold bleak shore on a stormy winter night; that some of the children were sick ; that their prayers for mercy were in vain, and that many of them had once died ; that he had visited the ruins of their huts, and found many of those unfortunate people still living amongst the ruins, but many of them so weak that they could scarcely stand. He was sure that the mere ri cital of these facts, accompanied with the expreeaion of a) mpathy and indignation on the part of that house, would not be without its indueuce— (loud cheers) ;—and he thought that the house owed an obliga tion to the hon. member for Stroud, in not basing per mitted this ponderous volume (alluding to the blue book) to rest in oblivion, and that he had done right in drawing the attention of the house to it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. IlUelE wished to ask whether or not there Ina IL government in Ireland; and, if to, why such a document as that just read by the right hon. baronet the member for Tamworth should have been allowed to have remained use less for so long a time? Where were the public officer of Ireland. If there were any it would be much better to remove them, and leave the Irish to govern themselves. (Hear, bear.) He was not surprised that repeal should be demanded, when such atrocious procee'iags as those disclosed in the blue book before the house were allowed to pass with impunity. Sir G. GREY said that if the honourable member would read the papers now before him, he would find that it was through the instrumentality of the government that these transactions had been disclosed and made known. He begged further to say that the question he had answered the other day had no relation to this case of Mr. Blake, but referred ge nerally to the parties who had illegally destroyed the houses of these poor people. The opinion he had then expressed had been confirmed by that of the hon. and learned mem ber for the University of Dublin (Mr. Napier), sir. that the papers contained no statement of facts upon which are cri minal prosecution could be instituted ; but at the same time he had stated his views as to the character of those facts, end had not attempted to conceal those opinions. (Hear, hear.) His right hen. friend near him (Sir Wm. Somerville) wee in communication with the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland upon the subject, and any measure which the government could take would be adopted by his noble friend. lie must re mark that there was a member of this house who was on nected with this case; he alluded to Mr. St. George, and ea this matter he (Sir G. Grey) had himself communietted with Mr. Hatchett, the Solicitor-General for Ireland, who held that though there wits an apparent illegality, still there had been no real illegality in die pro ceedings of that gentlemen, fee the middlemen having beet served with notice, the law did not require service of notice on the tenants in occupation. He stated this to show that the subject had not escaped the attention of the government, who had every desire to afford protection to parties who had been thug treated. Let it not therefore be supposed that there bad been a case for prosecution, and that the govern ment had shrunk from instituting it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. S I'AFFORD thought that the conduct of the govern ment in Ireland wee free from blame. It was monstrous, after all that bad been said about agrarian disturbances and incendiary feelings in Ireland, to find that the greatest oppressors of the poor were those who lived amongst them, and who ought to be their protectors. (Hear, hear.) Mr. F. O'CONNOR cane ived that the opposition to the motion of toe hon. member for Stroud (Mr. P. Swipe) arose from a general hostility to hear this question at all. (e No, no.") He told the noble lord at the head of the goverament,that looking at what was passing in other coun tries, this was not a time to trifle with the people of Ireland. Sir H. VERNEY denied the assertion that the house was indifferent to the condition of Ireland. Mr. B. OSBORNE remarked that, after the extract read by the riglht hon. baronet the member for Tamworth, he was not surpnsed at the warmth of indignation which the hen. member tor Nottingham had manifested, but at the same time he thought the hon. member had done a great injustice to the hon. and learned Attorney - General ; for nobody Iraq naluted with that honourable and learned gentleman could ever accuse him of being actuated by heartless or unkind motives. Unless the government took up this question with a screed hand and with a searching inquiry, it would be impe.sible to answer for the peruse of the country. " Colonel DUNNE thought it was essential not merely to inquire into the conduct of Mr. Blake, but into that of the ri !teeing officer of the district, for net having supplied these unfortunate people who had been turned out of their habi tations with food. Mr. MUNSELL renmrked that they hsd net perished fur want of food, but fro., exposure on a cold winter night, and he was of opinion that it the gosernment proceeded with vigour, they might establish against the perpetrators of this act the crime of manslaughter. He entreated the govern ment to proceed with energy, in order to show the people of Ireland that they were as mindful of the lives of the poor as they were careful of the lives of the rich. Sir W. SOMERVILLE said that as the question had again been raised as to whether it was possible for the go vernment to proceed criminally against these parties, he must state that therm papers had only reached him the day before the debate on the quarter-acre clause, and that their i co m n . te ed nta iw nr y k ce in m g m a . dee ic. p that the whole circumstances were at the present mome nt under his most serious and attentive consideration. (Bear I he had no doubt the Lord - Lieutenant had l oot no time, but tiemdpwnaitholnreluendnonhiithemisunbdiecjite, bad Mr. NAPIER said he had heard of this case with thorough indignation. If the stipeudiary magistrates of the district would take informations and proceed in the regular wan , to doubt a prosecution might be instituted for miumilsogister. It would be a disgrace to the British law if it did not reach a case of this description. Mr. SCROPE said his object bad been answered, since the house had given its uttention to the case. It had been declared on legal authority that the law did not rea ch out rages of this kind. Let them then lay aside the fein t ee.) of there being Equal laws for the rich and the poor. (H . It the law did apply, let it be euforeed by the government, if not, let the legislature immediately pass a law for the purpose. (Hear, heat.) ho L n ord me L m l he NC r O f t r N h aai av d ing the br h o Mr. lIUME asked whether the police hail repo t ted ,c Col. M'Grcgor , and ie so, why he had not reps 'o • elem to the government had been made by the police. The first information genre merit bad received was on the 29th January. Us u rt w th al is in m d at ( ter btei for , W wer m . ths Sir W. SOMERVILLE was not aware that any Wort imommENNIIMINia WED the will esti tot