The Press. — London, England, 1858-06-26 00:00:00

Lord LOVAIME suggested that it would be better, considering that the bill would require an additional staff in the Board of Almirally, upon which it would confer large powers, to carry it into effect, that it should stand over until next session. Mr. PAULL consented to withdraw the bill, but some members not assenting, a division took place, when the second reading was carried by 136 to 33. On the motion of Mr. PAULL, the bill was ordered to be committed that day three months. On the order for resuming the debate upon the motion for an address for a royal commission to inquire into the system of business of the establish ment at Weerion, Colonel BOLDER() moved that it be discharged, intending to bring the subject forward on the next night of supply. Dissatisfaction was expressed by Mr. Nicott. and Mr. CONINGIIAN, but ultimately the order was dis charged. Mr. lionsrALL obtained leave to bring in a bill to make letters of credit transferable. The remaining business having been disposed of, the house adjourned at twenty minutes past five o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS—THURSDAY. "REGINA ecru." The Earl of MAI.MESUURY, alluding to the former discussion on the seizure of the " Regina Cceli " and massacre of the crew by the negro emigrants on board, read a French official report of the transac tion, and a 'Etter from Captain Croft, of the "Ethiope" steamer, to Mr. Newnliam, the English Consul at Monrovia, describing the circumstances under which the "Ethiope " took possession of the "Regina Cu3li " when in the possession of the negroes. It appeared from Captain Croft's state ment that be considered the negroes as pirates, and that he claimed the vessel he rescued from them as a prize to the " Ethiope." The French commander of the " Regina Ccoli " (Simon), who escaped the massacre by being on shore at the time of the out break, had never lost sight of his vessel, had made attempts to retake her, with the assistance of the local militia and some forty Americans whom he hired for the purpose, and had finally established a kind of blockade of the vessel by means of row boats. It was in this state of things that the "Ethiope," which had been sent for by Mr. Newn ham, the Consul, arrived and seized the " Regina Cali" as a prize, against the protest of Captain Simon, claiming salvage for so doing. The insur gent Africans subsequently plundered the cargo of the ship, and dispersed on shore. The " Regina Cceli" was taken from the " Etbiope" ey two French ships of war. Lord Malmesbury added that Captain Simon " protested against being saved," or being zalled on to pay salvage, as he had never lost sight of his ship ; and, under the circumstances, it was doubtful if aoy one had a right to take possession of her. Lord BROUGHAM conceded that, in the presence of Captain Simon, no one had any legal right to take possession of the " Regina Creli;" but he bad re ceived proof that the negroes on beard were not free emigrants, but slaves kidnapped on the coast and sold by the native slave dealers and native princes. He was confirmed in that belief by the facts that the negroes were manacled, and that they rose against their captors on the first opportunity. Eari GREY was not prepared to admit that the facts of the case, as at first stated, were set aside by the explanation they had heard. The circumstances were still suspicious, and should it be proved that the negroes were really bought as slaves, he adhered to the opinion he had expressed, that they were justified in using force to obtain their liberty. ,They were in lawful possession of the vessel, she was no longer a French ship, and the English captain was entitled to render them any assistance they might require. The order of the I lay for considering the report of the reasons to be offered to the House of Commons for insisting on the amendments to the Oaths Bill, was postponed till Thursday week. Lord BROUGHAM withdrew his Transfer of Real Estate Bill, hoping some legislation on the subject would be possible next session. Their lordships then adjourned. THE PRESS, JUNE 26, 1858. strictest definition of " property," granted at a remote period, and the title to which had been legalized by charters, decrees of courts of law, and enjoyment for six centuries. He maintained that an interference with the rights of property in cor porations was no more justifiable than with those of individuals ; that, whatever differences might exist between their legal incidents, there was no distinc tion whatever in respect to the beneficial enjoyment of the property ; that the rights of property in the hands of a corporation and of an individual were equally sacred. He contended that the bill introduced a new and dangerous principle of legislation, opposed to reason, law, and precedent. "his amendment was seconded by Mr. CRAWFORD. Sir G. GREY observed that the arguments em• ployed by Mr. Roit were the very same which bad been directed against the Municipal Corporations Act, and no one would now deny that that was a most important measure, or would desire to see it repealed. The adoption of Mr. Roles prop , sition would be a mere waste of time. The question raised by him could not be decided by a select com mittee. There were two courses open to him— either simply to move that the bill lie committed that day three months, or, in committee upon the bill, to argue against the 58th clause. If the bill was intended to pass this session, a false issue should not be raised. Important concessions had been made, and if the bill were deferred until next session he should hold himself absolved from his coesent to them. Mr. Rolt had alleged that the corporation had not been heard, whereas there had been a full bearing of all matters before the com mission. Mr. W. WILLIAMS opposed the amendment, the sole object of which, he said, was delay. Mr. S. WORTLEY admitted that there was a dis tinction between corporate and other property, and that Parliament had the power of dealing with the rights of corporations ter the public good ; but that power should be exercised in this case leniently, and he suegested that this discussion might stand over, the Government holding out a hope that some arrangements might be made with reference to the clauses affecting the property rights of the corpora tion consistent with the interests of the public. Mr. C. W. MARTIN made a few observations re specting an amendment of which be had given notice. Mr. WALPOLE said he had no power to accede to the suggestion of Mr. Wortley. He agreed with Sir G. Grey that the issue raised by Mr. Rolt was not one which a select committee could try. If, so, they were losing time in this discussion. At the same time, he agreed with Mr. Wortley that this was a matter in which Parliament should deal leniently and liberally with the corporation. Sir B. HALL made a vain attempt to induce Mr. Rolt to withdraw his amendment. Mr. WARREN supported the amendment, contend ing that the matter was not yet ripe for the decision oOthe house. He denounced the measure as one of spoliation and confiscation. Lord J. RUSSELL observed that no sufficient answer had been given to Sir G. Grey's objection, that the question raised by Mr. Rolt could not be tried by a select committee. Mr. LABOUCHERE hinted that it was for the interest of the corporation not to quarrel with the present bill. After some remarks from Mr. NORRIS the debate was adjourned. In the evening, on the order for considering the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851 Bill, as amended, a discussion arose upon an amendment moved by Mr. WILSON with reference to a plot of land of twelve acres, over which, he thought, the Government should retain a control for its appro. p►•iation to public: purposes not connected with science and art. The amendment was negatived upon a division, and the bill was ordered to be read a third time on Friday. ----•- HOUSE OF COMMONS-THURSDAY. LONDON CORPORATION REGULATION BILL. At the morning sitting, on the order fur going into committee on this bill, Mr. Ror.r moved, as an amendment, that the bill be recommitted to the same select committee ; that the petition of the corporation against the bill be referred to the committee ; and that the corporation be heard by counsel and witnesses before the com mittee on the allegations of their petition. In an elaborate and a very forcible speech, he founded his objections to the bill upon the proposition that it interfered with the rights of property by taking away from the corporation, without compensation and witbont a hearing, dues which came within the INDIA BILL. On the order for the second reading of the Govern ment of India (No 3) Bill, Lord STANLEY Said that, considering the discus sion which this subject had already undergone, he thought it unnecessary to offer any protracted corn ments on the bill. The principles of the measure— that the government of India should be transferred to the Crown, that the administration of Indian affairs should be by a responsible Minister, and that this Minister should be assisted by a Council—had been already sanctioned by the house. He then proceeded to justify the proposed constitution of the Council, the number of fifteen, the members to hold &lice for life, the mode of their appointment, seven to be elected by the Court of Directors of the East India Company from among persons who were or had been of their own body, the other eight to be nominated by her Majesty, and the manner in which vacancies were to be filled up. The salaries of the members of Council it was proposed to tis at 1,2001, a year, with retiring pensions, upon 617 a large and liberal scale, of 5001. after ten years' service, and 8001. after a service of fifteen years. As to the finances, it appeared tr. the Government that the machinery contained in Lord Palmerston's bill was totally inadequate and illusory, and that the object would be better attained by regular and periodical Indian accounts being laid before the house. With regard to the army, it was proposed that the scientific departments should be open to competition ; that one-tenth of the other cadetships should be given to the sons of Indian civil or mili tary servants, and the remainder disposed of accord ing to the existing system, it being the object of the Government to disturb as little as possible the present state of things. The 29th clause in the bill, empowering the Governor General to appoint Bente nant•governort, the Government proposed to submit to full and free discussion in the committee, holding themselves at liberty to abandon it. Mr. ALIGHT thought we should have presidencies in India, and not an empire. If he were Minister, and could get the house to agree with him, he would have five presidencies in India, perfectly equal, ad ministered from Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Agra, and Lahore. Among these governments there would he a generous rivalry for good instead of utter stag nation : evil ambition would he checked ; there would be no Governor so great that he could not be con trolled, and if we were at last driven from India, we should leave it in the form of so many compact States, able to support their own governments, and not a prey to anarchy and discord. In conclusion, he said he would, when this bill passed, proclaim a general amnesty, put an end to all mischievous in quiries into titles to landed estates, and bold sacred the right of adoption, telling the people of India that the Christian religion was true and the best for mankind, but that that religion taught us to respect the rights of conscience, and that the Parliament and the Queen of England had resolved that no wrong should be done to the millions that professed creeds that they believed to be true ; and he would establish a court of appeal in India, composed of judges of high character, for the settlement of dis putes between the Government and its subjects. Mr. WHITESIDE ridiculed Mr. Bright's scheme of government for an Eastern dependency, and thought his reflections upon the past government of India did not prove much, though he admitted that in many of the instances of annexation of territory there was wanting the principle of legality. At the same time he condemned all general sweeping cen sures of the East India Company. The task which the present Government had in hand was one of the most formidable ever undertaken by any Go vernment, demanding the utmost care to insure its performance wisely and well; but he augured good results from the scheme submitted to the house. After come remarks by Mr. P. O'BRIEN, Mr. V. SMITH observed that the speech of Mr. Bright had suggested subjects worthy of grave con sideration, especially whether India might not be advantageously divided into presidencies. He (Mr. Smith) still thought that some central authority would be required. Referring to the bill, he dwelt upon the importance of the question as to the con stitut;on of the Council. He objected to the number fifteen as cumbrous and inconvenient, and thought the bill orovided a sort of sham responsi bility. He strongly urged the adoption of the prin ciple of nomination, self-election being, in his opinion, only a bad fcrm of nomination. He reviewed some of the other details of the bill, the second reading of which he supported. The bill having undergone certain criticisms by Colonel SYKES, Mr. ROEBUCK said lie believed the bill was not destined to a very long existence ; that it was brought forward under pressure by persons unwil ling to do what they were forced to do. He now regarded Lord Palmerston's bill as better than this, which was a thing of shreds and patches. Ha condemned the scheme for constituting the Council, which would be a body for the government of India that would be responsible to nobody. Upon this rock the bill would be eventually wrecked. The Council would be the real governors of India; the Government of India would give offence to that house, and would be put down.. Mr. T. BARING protested against the adoption of Mr. Roebuck's theory, that the whole power should be intrusted to a single 3linister, unless India was to be left, like the colonies, to govern itself. As the house had determined to legislate for India this session, it was its duty to take care that there should be an independent council to assist the Minister. The bill was then read a second time. Several bills passed through committee, or were forwarded their respective stages. The house then resumed the consideration in committee of the remaining clauses of the Sale and Transfer of Land (Ireland) Bill, and afterwards went through the other orders of the day and mo tions, adjourning at one o'olock. OP