The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-03-29 00:00:00

I i ~1 ;I PARLIAMENTARY !NTELLIGENCE. DOUSE OF LORDS, MONDAY, 11Aaca to. Xml GREY prevented a petition from certain corn-dealer, fu lness, :it i mhera, in the counties of Norfolk sod Suffolk. preying for r lof the assessed tasea—lssid on the table. Mr.,' rogden and several Members of the House of Commons brougHt up the Surplus Revenue Consolidated Fund Ail, the Caledonian. Canal Bill, and other private Bills, which were read a first time. Mr. Scott, from the Chember of London, presented the Receipts of the Orphan Fund, and other Accounts, pursuant to Act of Par liament. CATHOLIC CLArus. The Bishop of Olouceeter presented a petition from the Clergy of Gloucester, praying that the HOLM would not grant any further concessions to the Roman Catholics. Lord KING said that the House had heard the other day many , oSservations on the irregularity and ir.convenience of discussing inch petitions as the petition now presented. It had been even as serted that such discussions were disorderly. But, to :Am, there did not appear any thing disorderly in the proceeding. In an country, where the clergy were listened to, they did not tend much to the welfare of that country. An Ambassador of his Mont Dotelic 1114 city once said to theAtnbassador of his Most Christ an Majesty, " Why does your Master pay no much attention to his Confer or 1 1 " The Amburador of his Most Christian Majesty replied, " Why, yovr ltlrster does the same."—" 'Tis true, answered the forme:. " and that is the reason why our affairs are in such a bad state." This wit in his (Lord King'::) opinion true, not only of the Catholic, but of every otber Clerfy. The Bishop of GLOUCESTER said, that he thoug,st the Clergy were justified in coming before the House with their pill. tons, and, In his opinion, the Noble Lord was irregular in acting as he had done. Ile did not wish, Juswever, to say any thing that might Irritate. Adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, MOMDAT, Mancm 28. • BERMONDSEY COLLIER DOCKS. The 1te.e...5, Collier Docks Dill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Mr. LINDSAY moved for a new writ for the B3rough of Wigan, in the room of Lord Lindsay, who has emoted the Chil tern Hundreds. AMERICAN COLONIAL STEAM NAVIGATION. Mr. S. RICE brought up the American Colonial Steam Navi gation Bill, which WILR mad a Bret time. SEVERN RAILWAY. Mr. LOCKHART presented a petition from the rroprietors of j the Stroud aster Canal against the Severn Railway B:11.--Ordered to Le on the table. METROPOLITAN FISH COMPANY. Allertrao THOM NON presented a petition from the Thames Fishermen swainst the Metropolitan Fish Company. Me. ouRTFAs Tormented two petitions from Inc Fishermen of Leighton and Worthing in favour of the Metropolitac Fish Com pany.--Ordercd to lie en.vbe table. Ale. H. DAVIS presented a petition ;from the Fishermen of Dover in favour of the Metropolitan FistiCompany.—Ordered to lie on the table. LONDON BRICK COMPANY. Upon the motion that the London Brick Company Bill should be rout a .<crind time, Mr. CALCRAFT opposed it, on the ground that the public could be abundantly supplied with bricks without the aid of an Act of Parliamer.t. Fur his part, he should rake the sense of the House on the Bill. Mr. CURTEIS said he did not know much or the circumstances of the Bill : it was by a mere accident it was placed in Ills hand, but be could not sec any objection to it, and wot.ld s.tpport it on ute raneral principle of competition. Strangers were here ordered to withdraw ; but upon our readmis sion Into the gallery we understood that the House stA not divide, but that the Bill was lost. He always eonsidered himself bound in courtesy to give every in_ formation in his power to Hon. Members. In the present case he had no hesitation in saying that the Hon. Member (31r. Whitmore) had given the notice alluded to merely in the exercise of his own discretion, and without any communication with his Majesty's Government. He for his own part felt the propriety of deterring the discussion for the present, and taking uo the subject upon mo tion rather than on the present petition. W ben the motion did come on, be (Mr. fluskisson) should feel his duty to attend in his place and give his sentiments upon the subject according to his opinion of its merits. Mr. CURTF.IS made a remark which was inaudible amid cries of " Question I" The petit po was then reed ant: ordered to be printed. CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION. Mr. SPRING RICE hest to present a petition most respectably signed by a number of Protestant Noblemen and Gentlemen in be hill of Catholic Emancipation. The petitioners were individuals pponsasessed of annual property to a large amount, not less than 200,0(101. Many of them had hitherto, from the influence of family connection and other motives, been opposed to further concessions to the Roman Catholics, but now saw reason to alter their opinion upon the expedieley of those measures. This petition wreathe re sent of the alteration which had taken place in their sentiments. The petitioners stated their conviction that the disqualifying laws which operated against the Roman Catholics were injurious to the pence and concord of the realm, calculated to retard the prosperity of Ireland, and threaten the security of the connection that existed between the two countries. They further went on to state their opi nion that these restrictions could never be removed with more ad vantage than at the present moment. And they trusted the House would not neglect the happy opportunity of placing all the people of Ireland upon that footing of equality which the enlightened spirit of the age and the charitable dictates of the Chnsuan religion re quired. The Hon. Member proceeded to say, he entirely concurred to the sentiments of the peti iuners on this subject. He would also recommend the Bill for Cathclic relict to be accompanied with two other measures—one for the disfranchisement of the ferny shilling freeholders, and the other for the purpose of providing an adequate provision for the Catholic Clergy. Such measures, if introduced IMO the House, should receive all the support he could give them. There could be no time more opportune for the concession of Ca. tholic claims than the present, when Parliament had just put down the elohalic Association. The late presence of many of the lead- 1 ing members of the Catholic body, and their examination before the Committee of that Home, could not have failed to remove some of the prejudices of Gentlemen opposed to the concession of Ca tholic claims. He did not think the alteration in the qualification of freeholders in Ireland would st all trench on the popular rights; on the contrary, he looked on the adoption of that measure as likely to effect a wise, just, rational. and salutary reform in the cqnstituent and repreeentatlve-bodies in Ireland. 'Mr. LITTLETON said he would take that opportualty of de claring his intention to submit a measure to the House connected with the question then before it—he alluded to a measure that was to regulate the elective franchise in Ireland. (Hear, her.) But whether it was to be in the shape of a separate Bill, or a clause to be introduced in the General Emancipation Bill, he was not then prepared to state ; but this hewould declare, that it was to have no reference to England ; it was not in the remotest degree to touch the right of voting, as it practically existed in this country. (Hear.) At present, he had not come to a determination what the amount was to which the qualification was to be raised ; at all events, he thought it would not exceed ten pounds. It may be said that this meanies was not necessary, that Emancipation carried in itself its own supeort- (Hear, hear.) He thought so; but it was to be considered that prejudices were to be conciliated; that alarms, groundless perhaps, still conscientious, were to be quieted ; it was not to be kit sight of that there existed, as to Catholic Emancipa tion, much difference of opinion, and that securities were wished for. He would add, too, that the proposed measure was satisfactory to a large proportion of the English people. They looked i on a modification of the elective franchise to Ireland as a sufficient security. For his part, he thought it ought to satisfy all persons, and believed no measure more conducive to the general welfare. He agreed, too, most fully with the Honourable Member for Limerick (Mr. S. Rice), that no measure could tend more to the purity of the t presentation in Ireland, or more to the real inde pendence of the representative body, in following up the resolution he had come to on the present question. He begged to state that he bad no communication whatever with his friends on th it side of the House, with whom he was in the habit of voting on moot occasions, or with those on the other. The Hon. Gentleman went on to say that perhaps he ought to apologise to the Hon. Bart. opposite (Sir F. Burdett) for interfering at all in the matter. It was necessary to make some apology for what may be locked on as an absence of or dinary courtesy. His chief motive for not consulting the Hon. Bart. was, that he was totally ignorant of the Hon. Baronet's feelings as to the question. The Hon. Gentleman concluded with repeating that the measure originated with himself, and that he had no communication with any other Member on the subject. (Hear.) Ale M. A. TAYLOR begged to enter his most decided protest against the proposed me sure. He was anxious that no person should fix a charge of inconsistency on him. He begged pardon for troubling the House with so very insignificant au individual as he was; he had, however, • seat in that House for forty years. (Hear.) He had pledged himself to a particular line of conduct; to that would he adhere. At different times he advocated the cause of Emancipation ; if Mr. Grattan lived he could bear witness that in many private conversations with him, he (Mr. M. A. Taylor) expres , ed his desire for Emancipation. ; at the MUM time lie would not pledge him elf to support any measure brought forward year after year; he always reserved to himself the discretion of deciding on its merits when brought before the House. To Catholic Eman cipation he was still friendly ; he was the advocate of it as origin ally proposed, conceiving it necessary to the peace and tranquillity of Ireland ; but never until then was be told that • reform in the representation was a necessary security, and that also it was indis pensable that the Catholic priests be paid by the Government, be. fore Emancipation could with safety be granted. Wes it for him, who had been endeavouring day after day to lessen the burdens of the people, to advocate such a measure ? Was he to be told that as a boon forty-two or forty-three thousand pounds should be granted to carry that question, which he had always heard was able to carry itself? (Hear, hear.) With what face could he go before his constituents if he agreed to such a thing ; if he had to say to them, ' the Catholic clergy are now to be paid by you ; they are to be supported by the people of England, whe ther they like 'the Catholic religion or not ? lie was himself a Church of England man ; tie was what was called " of the Church of England strict ;" yet he refused to vote money for the building of churches in England ; he appealed to tha Chancellor of the Ex chequer, if he did not tell him, when the House was in Committee on the question, that if the congregations were permitted to nomi nate their own clergy, they (the people) would willingly raise churches enough. t Hear.) With what face then could he tell his constituents that they were to support the Catholic clergy ? with what face, too, could he consent to contracting the right of voting ; he, who had always voted for its extension ? There may be octa stone when particular voters should be disqualified ; but he could listen to no measure declaring, that because the freehold was low, the elector was not entitled to as good a vote as if it were a freehold of large value. For his own part, the only freehold he possessed in the county of Durham, was not of more value than three pounds, yet he felt himself as competent to vote as any individual, however large his property might be. (A laugh.) It was idle to suppose, that because the quahhcation was heightened, all was at once to become pure. At Knaresborough, nothing was more common than to have electors come to vote without seals to their deeds ; true, they had • freehold lease, but then the fee was reserved, and clauses introduced, to destroy the freetiold tenure. The sante prac tacts were carried on in other places. The Hon. Gentleman, after some further remark said he was satisfied, that if the original course were pursued by the friend. of emancipation ; if they relied on the triumphant majority in that house, there was no apprehension but that the House of Lords would hesitate in granting Emancipation. tilled for, as it would be, by the House of Commons, and answered as would that all be by the voice of their constituents. (Hear.) Sir R. SHAW declared he did not know a measure more cal culated to conciliate the mirds of the Protestants as the proposed reform in the elective franchise. He had received several letters f.-om Protestants in Irehod.stating that if the elective franchises were modified, and a provision made for the Clergy, all opposition to emancipation would be done away with. (Hear.) He was sure that nothing could prove more satisfactory to all parties. Sir J. NEW PORT was anxious candidly and openly to state that the measure proposed by the Hon. Gentleman opposite was of tha most vital and pressing importance. He had it in contempls- ' that at one tune to submit a similar measure to the consideration I of the House , in his great anxiety to smooth the way towards car rying the Emancipation Bill ; of that Bill he had always been tne advocate ; he had supported it for three ar.d twenty years in that Henze, previous ei that he had advocated it, for forty years been its conscientious sincere supporter. (Loud cheers.) Whatever armadas:lon he may have derived from his experience, and from the attention he always paid to subjects connected with Ireland., and particularly the right of franchise, he was ready to forfeit if be faded to convince the House that the exercise of the elective fninchise,as far as regarded forty shilling freeholders, was pregnant ' with abuse; and he declared his derided conviction that its modi. fication was a vital question of importance: this he felt himself called on to say in reply to the Don. Member for Durham (Mr. Taylor). He believed himself more competent to 'peak on the subject than that Hon. Member; he believed he might boast of knowing more of Ireland than him ((fries of " Hear, hear"); and be had no hesitation in declaring that ao one measure was more fatal to Ireland than granting the right of voting to 40s. free holders. No measure produced MOM hurtful results ;no circum stance was more calculated to do harm than its continuance under the present ayttem of abuse and corniptioo. The Honourable Member to whom he had just alluded deprecated granting '230.00W. to pay Catholic Priests. De begged to sok that Oentleman whether i: was better to pay that sum to the Catholic Priests, or be corn. pelled to pay 3 millions for soldiers ? (Cheers.) It was impossi. bleit 2otald be otherwise, while .o large a portion of dineontent was cremed by a continuance in the present system. The result of that diaconteut was a paralisation of the energies of the country, and an increase of expense to England. Ireland became impatient of her wrongs., and famished every day a proof how impolitic was perseverance in the present course Now was the time for interfering—it won the most fortunate moment that could ern offer itself. Now, when we see such an immense press of evidence was laid before the public mind, and Catholic and Protestant were &preaching to conciliation—now was the golden opponuaity—lie implored me House not tole , . it par. tCries of " heat.") Many opretunities had formerly meter ted themselves of carrying it, more svoarable than were ever expected to occur again. Those were let clip—hue trusted they would not let slip the present. (Hear, btu ta ) A conerreree of they events now afforded an emir miry of resturmg to Ireland that quit and tulquillit:, the ab sence of which made her not productive in the ..cane proportion :bat nature hut been bountiful to her. (Item., hear.) With re. • N 7'HE BRITISH PRESS spect to the Elscti re Franchise, he undertook to prove to the satis faction of the House, that its abase was moat flagrant; that the exercise of it was bottomed on corruption. He undertook to show, in contradiction to those who asserted it, that the right of voting to 46r. freeholders was no boon; they were not pure, not inde pendent, not kee agents. No terms could be more grossly mis ' applied. They are tied down to the commands of their landlords— they dare not vote as they.wish, but are cctrpelied to gine their cor rupt votes as they arc desired. The Right Hon. Baronet concluded with saying, that he was not desirous at present I 5 anticipate the discussion that must subsequently corre on. However, hr could not but come forward to make the fen observations he Nal thrown out. (Hear, hear.) Mr. STUART WORTLEY said !maim:Ad be sorry that any measure should create a loss rather than a support to the Catholic Question. The Hon. Gentleman made a few other observations. Sir R. WILSON said, that those electors should not be allowed to vote who bad abused their privilege, and if any abuses existed he was sure a service would be rendered by bringing them before the House. The question 'ought he brought regularly before a Committee; evidence may be offered, and facts shown, if they existed. For his part he would readily go into a Committee and remove those not substantially free agents, and punish them if tangible evidence were offered. After some further remarks, the Hon. Ban. said he was moat anxious to see the provisions of 33 George Ili. carried into effect: that Statute provided, that a Catholic, after certain oaths, be permitted to vote. Ile wished to see that applied to every one as fully as to a Protestant. He was unwilling to per. any new Act that made the franchises in Ire land distinct from what it was in England, if indeed the vote were • bona fide one. Lord J. RUSSELL said, that if the question were, whether the votes were fraudulent or real bona fide, he thought other questions would perhaps follow from it : inquiry would perhaps follow as to the state of representation in cities and boroughs (hear, hear); but when he was told that the modification of the Elective Franchise was essential to the carrying the Catholic question, his mouth was at once stopped (hear, hear); he was ready to sink all considera tions in his anxiety to achieve that desirable object. His wishes for the Catholics, his desire to restore that peace and tranquillity that were so long withheld from Ireland, amide him wish to carry the question with all possible speed. (Hear, hear.) When it was pro posed to pay 230,0001. to the Irish Citheiic Priests, it was not more than was done in Catholic France for the Protestant clergy men. For his part he was anxious to leave the question en tirely to those better acquainted with tile state of Ireland than he was. He considered the two measures, the price of emancipation, so inconsiderable, that he looked on the construction of that man's mind strange indeed who could object to them, and cause a dangerous delay (hear, hear). He begged, however, to remark, that the proposed measures were totally distinct from the Bill of the Hon. Ban. Alt parties were agreed as to that question, though some might say the proposed prim was too large, others too little. Air. TRANT made an observation, the import of which we were unable to collect. Sir F. BURDETT most certainly concurred with the Noble Lord who had just sat down, that if it could be shewn to bin, that there existed • necessity for agreeing to the proposed 'measures for the purpose of carrying emancipation, he would most decidedly vote for them : if even they were more objectionable. he would rest. dily vote for them ; for he considered Catholic emancipation para mount to all other things. When be heard the stipends to the clergy objected to on the ground of econamy—when he heard the notion of money introduced to mar the arrangement. he owned he felt a little astonishment. As far as he was concerned, he has no connection with either one or the other of the new measures. He did not wish to implicate himself with them or to mix up the Catholic Question with other measurer. unless he knew the price to be gained by such a proceeding. For, perhaps, he might lose as much on the one hand as he gained on the other. He was of opinion, that some thing must 1.-, conceded in a case like the present. It was more rational so to do, than stand on abstract principle—abstract prin ciple was out of the question. (Hear, hear.) If the proposed measure was insufficient, he was prepared to make almost any sa:rifice. The Honourable Baronet went on to say, that lie would proceed to notice a circumstance which indeed was the principal cause of his rising ; be alluded to the circumstance con nected with Mr. O'Connell, whose name had frequently been mentioned in the debates in that House. Ile was anxious to explain a great misconception that had gone abroad with re spect to that gentleman. A Right Honourable Friend of his (Mr. Tierney) stated a few nights back, in allusion to a letter written by Mr. O'Connell to.the Catholic Association, that Mr. O'Connell wm not delegated by the Committee to draw up the Emancipation Bill, although Mr. O'Connell stated the contrary in his letter. It was but fair to explain, to show host far that gentle man's statement was true as to his being desired todraw a rough draft of the Bill the fact was this, that . ftom time to time he (Sick. Bur dett) as well as many other friends to the Catholic Claims, though not on the Committee, had communication with Lord Killeen and the other Catholic Gentlemen, t i know from them what the state of public feeling in Ireland was, and also to consider the best means of carrying into effect that much desired object. Such a proceeding he looked on as most rational, fair, and well advised. Mr. O'Connell, too, was desired (not by this Com mittee) to draw up a Bill that was likely to satisfy ail parties. No person surely was better qualified for the task from his intimate knowledge as a lawyer with Acts of Parliament. At that time it never occurred to him (Sir Francis Burdett) that any objection would be raised because Mr. O'Connell was an interested party ; indeed so far from it, that If that Gentleman drew up a Bill that s>a satisfactory—if he could frame a Bill which he could conscientiously support, he should have no hesitation in bringing it before the House. He had no idea of being taunted with having the Bill drawn up by an interested party, who was, of course, best able to give information on the subject. Mr. O'Con nell, acting under the intimation given, had actually prepared a Bill, and went away, leaving a draft of it behind him. (Hear, hear.) It however occurred to some of his Honourable Friends, that the Bill was objectionable, because drawn up by an interested party ; it was laid aside, and a new one more like the former Bill sub stituted. This explanation it was but just and fitting he should make (Hear, hear,) that Mr. O'Connell may not suffer from a misconception. The Honourable Baronet went on to say, he was glad to see such petitions as that presented to night. It was a good omen to see such He coming from the Protestants of Ireland. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that the friends of the measure in that House would not differ on trifling grounds. lie hoped no friend of it would withhold his support front an alarm of ulterior measures that may be proposed ; above all things, he wished the Honourable Gentleman to keep his measures separated from the Emancipation Bill. He deprecated having them mixed together, that every one may see their respective merits. (Hear, hear.) Mr. PEEL did not wish to anticipate the discussion that would take plate on the second reading of the Catholic Bill ; it would be unfair to agitate the question then, he begged however to state, that he would not accept the proposed measures on the ground of compromise. (Hear. hear.) If there were introduced into the Catholic Bill a modification of the Elective Franchise, and a State provision for the Clergy, still it would not change his opposition to the measure. (Hear, hear.) He opposed it on principle. It was possible his principles may change; then he would consider how far the two measures were calculated to diminish the danger. If his principle were over-ruled by the sense of the House. then an opportunity would offer of weighing the matter. At present his mind was not made up on the question. He was not prepared to say now whether Of not be would propose any alterations. He would reserve any further observations until the House was in possession of the details of the measure which the Honourable 1 Member for Staffordshire meant to propose, and to these details he pledged himself to bring his mind free and unbiassed, so that he might be enabled to form a fair and liberal judgment. - • Mr TIERNEY, acknowledging the great importance of the subject, felt most anxious to know in what way it was likely to be received by those for whose benefit It was intended, or whether it was considered a means of conciliation. Ile had a strong bias in his mind upon the subject ; but he would not commit himself by any party declaration, preferring to reserve his opinions until he had given the subject that attentive consideration which it re quired. He would not detain the H. use at present, but he begged to ;ay one word upon the subject of what had fallen from his Honourable Friend the Member for Westminster with respect to the Catholic Bill. It had been said on a former evening that a distinguished Member of the Catholic Association had been con. suited as to the Bill now before the House, and that it had even been drawn out by that individual. He (Mr. Tierney) had then stated, that if it was so he was Oct !Mare of it, and that he had followed the impulse of his own judgment upon the Catholic Question, without reference to the opinions of any individual what soever. From the information of the Honourable Member for Westminster it appeared, however, that although he (Mr. Tier. ney) had not had any conversation with O'Connell, other Members of the Committee did hold communication with hint, but that he had not, as was asserted. been the framer of the Bill now before the House. lie was happy that an opportunity bid been afforded of giving this explanation, because every one who knew the Honourable Baronet must feel that the Bill was formed in the manner he had represented. Mr. BROM'NLOW said, that with regard to the conduct he in tended to pursue upon this question. he slid not wish to state that he should be opposed to it, nor would he pledge hiMself to support it ; but he would say, that lie had lately had considerable carres. pondence with some of the most respectable Protestant Uentlemen of Ireland—men whose opinions were of great weight—oleo who had been habitually opposed to the concession of the Roman Ca. tholic claims—and he had received from all the assutance that emancipation, if attended with a provision for the Roman Catholic priesthood, and a moditication of the elective franchise, would be disarmed of much of those dangerotts powers which bad hitherto ex cited their terror. (Hear, hear, hear.) lie thought., whether Ca tholic emancipation was carried or negatived in that House, that it would be a most becoming measure to provide some certain means of subsistence for the Catholic clergy, who, while they rigidly per formed their ditties to the people, were—he did not mean to use !In. guage stronger than the occasion demanded—literally obliged to beg their broad. (Hear, hear.) With regard to what had been said of the forty shilling freeholds being a mark of slavery, he most fully concurred. The freeholder of that kind had no free choice— no freedom of election—no will of his own. He (Mr. Brownlow) had been told by a Roman Catholic Bishop, that he had met large hordes of human beings on the road to an election, going, as they expressed it, to perjure themselves, and unable to offer any resist. ante to the will of their landlord, lest they should suffer the penal ties which would certainly be inflicted. (lieu, bear.) It was also on the evidence of a sr-ohne to whom he referred, and with pleasure—he meant Mr. Blake—that it mattered little whether Ca. tholic emancipation was granted or not, unless some provision was made for the priesthood. and the elective franchise restrained so as to temper the power of the landlord over the peasant. The Hon. tlember concluded by saying, that when these lIICILIUM came be fore the House, he was prepared to give them his most cordial support. (llear.) Mr. GRANT said, that amongst the numerous evils attaohed to the condition of Ireland, he had always considered the state of the priesthood and the freeholders as the most prominent and import ant. He had alluded before to the state of the 40s. freeholders, and explained to the House, that the law of 1793. which professed to give new influence to the peasantry, had, in fact, proved de ' structive to the great proportion of the freeholders. The provision to the priesthood was not only a desirable measure, which would insure the tranquillity of Ireland, but a measure which would form a bond of lotion to the empire at large. Mr. DAWSON said, that opinions and circumstances might be misrepresented. He thought it necessary to state, that although the evidence of the Catholic hithops had given Min some new ideas upon the state of Ireland. nothing had transpired to reduce his feelings of hostility to Catholic emancipation. He was anxious, therefore t. to separate what hood been said upon this subject from that question ; for although he would not by any means coosider it • compensation for the granting of the Catholic claims, he was not prepared to say that it would not in some degree do away with their effects. It would be found. however, that a considerable difficulty would arise from this alteration in the state of the free holds. The Bill proposed to oleo- the state of the elective fran chise with both Catholic and Protestant, and by ibis memos the Catholic obtained a great boon ; but what did the Protestant get ? —nothing. Ile would ask Gentlemen who were carried away by the feeling of trarquilliaing Ireland, whether ft was possible for the Protestant to be satisfied with a measure which took away from him his right without gisino him anything in return? Many of the Protestant freeholders in tie north of Ireland were in precisely the same state as those in England of tl • s one condition possessing small tracts of ground, and they ough. to guard against commit ting an act of injustice by depriving that class of their privileges. He would not at present offer any opinion upon the measure, but was content in saying that he trusted he would not be supposed to have altered his opinion upon the subject of Catholic Emancipation. Mr. COURTENAY, looking at the petition which had beer. pre. sewed, could not but congratulate the friends of the Catholic rpm' the growing attachment and support of their Protestant brethren. When ha considered the number of signatures to that petition—the high respectability of the parties, and the zealots sincerity of their' language, he could not fail to regard its presentation as the he. binger of abetter day to Ireland. With respect to the two measures which it was intended to introduce, he agreed with his Right Hon.., Friend, that whether Catholic Emanc:pation was granted or nor. they would tend to produce tranquillity and content in Ireland, rod if the details, which he was anxious to ace, answered his expeeta-; dons, he certainly should reel himself bound to support bath. It was his misfortune to differ from many of those he had the bottomq to represent in that House upon the subject of the Catholic Claims but he felt bound to say, that though they sow great danger t England in its present state—though they felt there would be gri m danger in granting what was required by the Roman Cuthultes.-. yet they thought the introluction of these measures would have considerable weight in obviating the evil, the ir apprehended. He believed that the Honourable Member for Serf nrdshire had no in. tension of meddling with the Protestant free iolders of the Nord of Inland, who held their estates in fee, and between whom and the same class in England there was not the slightest inference He thought it unnecessary to add his testimony to that of tire Hon. Member for Armagh, upon the subject of the freeholders being ordered up to vote. He had hoed for some time in Ireland—he had seen the condition to which the peasantry were reduced—he. knew the way they were treated—and he had been disgured by the power the landlord was enabled to wield for their opptesaion. He would gladly therefore concur in any measure which would have the effect of controlling the excessive power of the Irish landlord, and give his support to the Bill when bought before the House. Mr: LYTTLETON, in explanation, begged to say, that he had not the slightest intention of meddling with the bona fide for, shilling freeholders of Ireland. The Bill was in:endeti to apply oniT to the fictitious freeholders erected for mere political purposes. lhe petition was then brotight up ar.4l laid upon the table. HOUSE AND WINDOW TAX. Mr. STUART WORTLEY presented a petition front some inhabitants of Yorkshire, praying for a rem! of the Howe and Window Tax. wor k wa g exposed to public view in tlie whole of its progress and before hit general plats could be at all developed, No that parts, which ins enished state would form an harmonious whole, might, when sten in • detached manner, appear altogether incongruous, and thus was the architect exposed to a species of criticism not applicable to other branches or the arts. Since that bu l ld og had been commenced, an idea had occurred in the o6ice of the Secre tary of State for the Home Department, that in eor.scquence of several nuisances, and other inconveniences, to make some antra: dons in that old and uncouth brick building now forming the Treasury Chambers. It had therefore hem considered, how far it would be practicable to continue one single faqade with the present newly-erected building. That plan had certainly not been defini tively decided upon, and therefore he was net prepared to state the precise mode in which the alterations should be executed ; but he was dreideely of opinion tt.at acm:e such plan ought to be adopted. ‘With respect to the vacancy which Ltd been made by the pulling down the right Hank of DowMng-wrest, the Horse was aware that many of the apartments of the Treasury looked towards that way, sod therefore it was obvious that that part should not be too much crowded. But he thought it would be very practicable to obtain a part of the neighbourhood for the public convenience; and it had occurred is him, that the Exchequer Offices might be brought to that quarter, instead of being at so inconvenient a distance as they Dow were. Hut that consideration brought him to that part of the observations of his Honourable Friend with regard to the building of houses for the higher officers of the State on the vacant ground. He considered that part too confined for the accommodation of do mestic purposes. With regard to the principle of providing build. logs for the higher officers of the Stale at the public expense, he crtaiuly thought that, with some qualification, the suggestion of his Honourable Friend was well worthy consideration. It might happen, that many who were called upon to fill high public situations, were either not provided with or otherwise unable to procure houses of their own, suitable to that rank and dig nity which the nature of their situation required them to sustain. It never had been usual for the public to provide such accommoda. don but for three of the principal Officers—the First Lord of the Treasury. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the First Lord of the Admiralty. The house which he at present occupied belonged in fact to the First Lord of the Treasury. His Noble Friend hav ing a very good house of his own, and Do particular reason for occu pying the one appointed him by the State, had permitted hint (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) to use it. The house at presentoecu pied by that Noble Lord's Secretary was the one destined for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The First Lord of the Admiralty re sided in the house appointed for him,as the duties of that Noble Lord made it absolutely necessary he should reside on the spot. He was quite rcad7 to admit that there were other officers for whonf sonic se eumm,dation should be provided by the public, and he should name for one particularly the Secretary of State kir Foreign Affairs. The nature of that Right Hon. Gentleman's public situation made it necessary far him to receive many public characters whom it was proper for him to entertain in a manner suitable to the dignity of his important station. We had never yet pro posed suds a kind of expense on the public, but that was no reason why such • thing should not be done. He would not pledge himself to any specific atrangemerA on the subject, but he could only say that what had been thrown out by the Hon. Bamnet was worthy of consideration. But in assigning a residence suitable to the situation of the public Officers, he thought it in muntent on us to take care not to push the principle too far. He, however, did believe that such a measure would meet with the ap probation of this House ; foe the reason, generosity, and good feeling on the part of the British Parliament would ever support what was requisite to the true dignity and splendour of the State. Mr. LOCKHARYsaid, be should be in a cotsiderable degree at the increase of the dignity of any of the O ffi cers of the State, because he considerdl it would add only to tne difficulty of access to those persons. He was also alarmed on this account that it would entail considerable additional expense on the gentlemen who should fill those situations We were going on very well as we were ; but was it because the country was now in a somewhat prosperous condition that Hon. Gentlemen should rise up. and in a atom at of liberality propose a 1 kinds of expense in order to in crease the dignity and splet.nour of the Officers of State ? Let us /lad first of all whether our prosperity was so permanent as to enable us to alleviate the public of their i•urthens, and after such a course had been acted upon to the fullest extent, then was the time to bring forward a question of public splendour and of public dignity, and not before. The . . LITTLETON thought there were certain inilividuals, en pupae as well as private grounds, should be provided with public buildings, and he would name the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in particular. Ile was of opinion that many of the Ministers wens very inadequately paid for the arduous duties they performed. Mr. W. :Cliff II reprobated the i•ystem of hastily condemning the public works of architects, and of complaining against the public buildings. This system bud prevailed too much of late yeas. and he hoped it would be checked. It was very easy for any Gentletr.ln to say, " I do rot like this plan, and that performance was unnecessary." But was nothing to be allowed for the educa tion and experience which those gentlemen who were selected by Government to execute their works had received ? Mr. MARTIN asked the Hight Hon. the Chancellor of the Ex chequer whether anything had been done with regard to the Cus tom-house, and what would be the probable expense of putting that building into a state of safe repair ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that it was Impossible to say what the expense of repairing the building might be. That building was erected by the ordinary surveying architect of the Customs (a most improper course to be adopted, and one which he hoped would never be followed again), who made a contract with the builder. The architect reported that the builder had completed his contract. But it having been ascertained that the Long-room had considerably given way, an inspection took place, and it was found that the building was upon arches. By the contract there were to be nine pits under each arch ; but instead of which there were only four piles and a half. This wail clearly contrary to the terms of the c tract. These pile*, too. pieces of her, like the masts were to have been large stout pie of ti t a ship; but instead of such bei•ig the - , they were laCettail'llki to be merely trees with their branches cut of. This conduct we* certainly a fraud on the pan of the person contracting to build the Custom House, and every means had been taken to secure that part of the expense to which the Government would be put by this act, and as the {.any was opulent, he had oo doubt a great portion of •he money would be :ared. Whether, however, there was any law which could be applied against the architect himself he was rot competent to say ; the question was under the consideration at the proper officers, and if any proof' of conspiracy between the architect and ihe builder should be cliche?. the Government would proc e ed Ili - a unt them criminally. In the norm time an attachment would be issued against their effects, so as to insure whatever ex pense might be incurred by their gross misconduct. Ali. Alderman WOOD said, that the conduct of both posies ought to be put into a questionable shape. The tint question was, whether Mr. Laing, the architect, had not in the first place formed a plan that was imperfect; ard then the next inquiry would be, whether Mr. Peto, the builder, had performed his contract in such a manner as he ought. If it should appear that he had been guilty of a traud, then no punishment could be too great for hint. He knew that gentleman, but he did not appear in this House to vindicate his character. He however thought, that before any judgment a as come to by the House, the party ought to hate a fair trial. He had heard that Mr. Peto would be able to vindicate him. self, and was able to meet any *barges that might be brought against him; it was therefore but just that a fair opportunity should be given him to do so, if possible. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that what he meant by speaking of collusion was not with a view of imputing blame prematurely ; but if it appeared that the building had net been made according to the specification, and yet that it had been certified that it was cce formable to the specification, then the course of the prnceedirg to which he had adverted would be, he cot. sidered, eh. proper one to adopt. He said this without prejudice to the conduct of any person. Alderman WOOD thought that an opportunity ought to be af forded for an Investigation into this subject. The individual whose conduct had been alluded to, bed made* tender for buildings t a very large amount; and he (Mr. Alderman Wood) could rot con scientiously vote for him, unless the prejudice that was at present raised against him was removed. Mr. MABEIILY, with respect to the proposal of affording places of residence to the leading officers of the Crown, was desirous of seeing them paid and provided for handsomely and liberally. proportionate to their services and the duties they were called upon to discharge. He thought the number of officers more than was necessary. He was anxious to see them few and efficient, and that few suitably maintained. Mr. BeRNA L said that Mr. Peto, whose conduct bad been animadverted upon, bore a highly respectable character; he uo. derstood that there was an action pending between him and the Treasury for a litigated claim which he ha! upon it tor a sum ex ceeding nO,OOOl. As to the building not beirg strictly conformable to the specification, he was informed that the specification was in many instances departed from. Mr. Psto was very generally em ployed in the erection of large buildiega; he was at present en. gaged in the large panoramic building which was being erected in the Regent's Park, and in other equally lower:sot architectural undertakings. 'l'he cause of the Lore-room of the Custom-house falling in was owing to defective piles. Besides, the foundation was originally bad. It should be also borne in mind that the arshi teet was not responsible for any failure that might occur. There were persons whose duty it was to watch and superintend the build ing in every stage of its progress. At ell rents, the judgment of the House should be suspended until a proper investigation had taken place. Mr. A. BARING, with respect to the proposal residence for public offices, thought it a proposition that deserved to be entertained and supported by the House. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits at an earlier period of his life, morn attentively than now, and he found that his business could not be duly attend. ed to it he were at one end of the town whilst his business was car rying on in die other. In the same way, therefore, he thought it alt extreme inconvenience to the public for the first Lord of the Admiralty to have his office at Whitehall, whilst his residence might be at Portman-square,or at some other remote pert of the town.. He did not say this with a view either et' preparing any extravagant buildings for these high officers, or an increase to their salaries, though he by no means thought them overpaid, but on the ground of the public conrciience that would arise Loin their having re wieners adjoining respective offices. Sir M. W. RI DLLY suggested the propriety of providing resi. deuces for certain high officen in the new buildings about to be erected in Downing-street, with a view to the despatch of public business. He did not mean to recommend extravagant buildings. lie did net wish to speak with harshness of anything that had bete done, but he certainly did not ree the advantage of the double. roofed style of architecture, such as they saw every day on these way to that House. This second tcof could be of no use that he Irl .. , y 1 4 : - i . .. T. e I i 1 , , , . r i 1 i , • SEVERN RAILWAY. Lord FOLKESTONE presented two petitions :tom Gloucester against the Severn Railway. After a few words from Mr. H. Davis and Mr. LYTTLITOX, the petitions ware ordered to lie on the table. A Message from the herds was received, requesting a copy of the Report of the Select Committee of last Session to inquire into the disturbances of Ireland.—Ordered. The Spring Oun Bill, Garden Protection Bill, and several pri vate Bills, were brought op from the Lords.—Read a first time. I'IiITROPOLITAN WATER-WORKS COMPANY. Alderman THOMPSON presented a petition from the Gover nors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital against the Metropolitan Water-Works Company Bill. Zit 7.. LET H B RIDGE presented a petition from the proprie tors of the Bridgewater Canal against the Bristol Ship Car.al. ()veered to lie on the table. _ . . presentedsir J . NEWPORT a petition from the Chamber of Corn7nerte of Waterford, praying that they be per:ni.ted to form tte:nselses into a Joint-Stock Company, for the purpose of 'stab- Tuailwitys in different partlof Irelmnd. VISH BANKING COMPANIES. ....-.. ........ Sir G. HILL brought in a Bill for the better regulation of Bank ing Companies in Ireland. Sir R. SHAW briefly addressed the House, and in the course of his observations said, that time ought to be given to the bankers of Ireland to make themselves acquainted with the provisions of toe Bill. After a few wordy from Sir G. Hut, the Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow, with the understanding, however, that it should then stand over until after see Holidays. Mr. TREATAYNE presented a petition from certain Clergy of Ott county of Cornwall against further concessions to the Roman Catholics. Colonel TIAGTiVELL presented a petition from the Grand Jury of the county of Tipperary respecting the Laws which regulate the )gutter Trodc. After • few words from Mr. V. FITZGERALD, Sir .1. NEW PORT, and Sir H. PAR to Lt., the petition was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. WALL presented a petition from Guildford against the Norse and Window Tax.—Ordered to lie on the table. Meseengers from the Lords communicated their Lordships' Assort to several private Bills. Mr. CURTEIS complained of considerable inaccuracy respect. ing corn in the town of Ipswich. and moved for Returns of the Corn-dealers at that place far the last two years.—Ordered. Lord BERNARD presented a petition front the town of Ban. don, In Ireland, against further concessions to the Roman Ca tholics. Sir A. CAMPBELL presented a petition to the same effect from the Corporation of Hammer) at Glasgow. CORN LAWS. Ma CURWEN had to call the attention of the House to the prayer of a petition which he held in hi. hand, from the merchants, wanehoneetren, and dealers in corn in the city of London. The prayer of petitioners was, that the House would take into consider atan the propriety of perrniting the importation of foreign corn into ttai country at • duty of 20s. per quarter, barley at a like duty of lota, and cats at a duty of 6s. He (Mr. Curren) might be told he Yea ebroged his opinion on the subject, but he certainly did think it necessary to permit the importation of foreign grain at such a duty as might be considered sufficient to protect the interests of the corn growers and secure them a fair and adequate remuneration fur their lab our and the capital invested. The petition further prayed that the warehoused corn now in the country might be per. minted to be sold without being subject to any . further duty. Mr. E. ELLICE raid. this was a petition not front the corn growers in favour of the agricultural interest, of the country, but froin the corn-dealers, praying to be allowed to impurt fOfftgc grain at a certain duty, and further to be enabltd to dispose of their stock on hand free of duty. Mr. CURWEN disclaimed any knowledge of the petitioners being directly interested in that part of the petition. Mr. E. ELLICE had examined the signature*, and was ca. lintel of the correctness of his opinion. Mr. HUSKISSON said, the subject of the Corn Laws was a most important one, and intimately connected with the best interests of the country. The Hon. Member for Cumberland (Mr. Cur wen), who had been most assiduous in his attendance upon the Committees On the subject of the Cern Laws, and had made that branch or our policy his peculiar study, appeared to have adopted some opinions and eonclostons contrary to Obese he had formerly avowed and acted on. He trusted the lion. Member would snake use of the Recess ' which was to intervene before the discussion of the general question of those laws, in impressing his opir.ions upon those persons who were under his influence, and naturally looked to him for =sloe on the subject. and alto that the time would be employed hi collecting the general sentiments of theagri cultural classes. He trusted his ad. vice would be taken, as he thought it important that when the reggae discussion of the measures to be adopted upon this weighty and vital question came on, the House might be in possession of all the information attainable, and Hon. 31embets be in a situation to form an opinion of the general wishes of the community. He repeated, the subject was one of deep and vital imrrtence. and he trusted, its the s pare that would elapse between this and the period a ppointed for its dfscussion, that it would receive the deep eon. eitlenation ti deserved. Mr. CURTEIS though: the welfare of the agricultural interests should he consulted in any measures to be adopted. Mr. T. WILSON vial, it became the House and his Majesty's ))insisters to look well to tha state of the Corn haws. If ONO WWI to be imported from Canada free of duty, he did not see why the grain now in granaries should not be allowed to go into the market on the sane tame. A. BARING thought there was no question that more re quired to be set at rest than that of the Corn Lawr. Any system would be better, if permanently adopted. than the present fluctua tion which was permitted to exist in those mattern. As the conga. &qui= of the rem= must be now deferred till after theholitlays. be hoped the House would be then p repared to put the Coro Laws upon Inane stable and permanent Now,. Sit T. LETHBRIDGE aished the Right Hon. President of the Boma of Trade would inform the House of the 'ices of his Ma. jetty's Ministers on the subject of the Corn Laws. He was ante there waisted a great anxiety in the country to learn the statute of their sentiments. He wished particularly to learn whether the Member fox Itridgeriorth (Mr. Whitmcre) brought forward his meaner antler the *unction of Government. lie called spun the Hight Bon. tient:man for an answer to this questioa. Ale. lIITSKIPSON read. be had been called upon by the lion. Gentleman hie T. 1 athinulee) for an answer as to how fur his RlPitatja Minis e rr werec t ,preeted with the notice of a motion by the Non. 'dgsrerth On the sukeet of the Corn Lawr. CORN LAWS. t Mr. S. WORTLEY presented a petition from the same persons praying for a revision of the Corn Laws. The Hon. Gentleman observed that the petitioners had his most cordial support upon the views they took of that question. It was his fixed opinion that corn should be aPowed to be imported at a fixed price, and he thought the reasons for adopting that course had bemme ten owes stronger since the Right Honourable the President of the Board of Trade had admitted such a liberal policy upon all questions of commerce. Indeed he thought the first step after removing the prohibitory duties should have been a regulation of the kind he proposed.—The petition was laid on the tattle. STANDING ORDERS. Mr. Secretary PEEL postponed the eonsideratioo of the Report of the Committee on Standing Orders until tomorrow. PI RATES. _ _ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the Committee of Supply on Miscellaneous Estimates be instructed to provide head-money for the mulls engaged in the carnet and destruction of pirates.—Ordered. COM BINA LION LA WS. Mr. HUSKlSS6SinTrenotiee of his intention lo move to-mor row for the eppoinlment of a Select Committee to inquire into the Won of the rerecl of the Combination Lows. _ _ APOTHECARIES' BILL. Sir J. NEWPORT moved that the House du form itself into a Committee upon the Apothecaries Bill. The Speaker having leg the Chair, Mr. CROKER said, that though he was not prepared to say that this measure ehculd be extended to Ireland in all its particu lars, yet he regretted that all regulations should nut be framed for the benefit of the community at large. The Honourable Member made some other observations, but the noise at the Her wholly drowned his voice. We thought that he finally intimated his in tention of opposing the third reading. The SPEAKER assured the Committee that the Bill, except in one particular. contained nothing new, but was only an extension of the existing law. The only novelty was, that it exclud d those who had served his Majesty at sea from the necessity of being ex amined a second time, and that it allowed those who had been re jected to apply again, which by the existing law, they were unable to do. The Bill also proposed to give the power of taking a cor porate seal which would obviate the expense of being obliged to send for witnesses, as at present, to prove identity. These, and a few other trifling regulations, were all that the Hill contained in addition to the law at present existing for the regulation of Apo. thecaries. _ After a few words from Mr. HUME, The CHAIRMAN reported progress. The House then resumed, and the Report was brought up. read. and ordered to be taken into further , consideration no Friday, the rid ApriL ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. _ _ Mr. IlLiklS.itsl4 . iiVei;o7ice,thialWalitilicinTova on Wed nesday next, that on the rising of the House that day it should be adjourned to Thursday, the 14th of April next. JURIES BILL - Mr. PEEL postponetitleiiittherc;nsiderstion of the Report as this Bill to the 18th of April. FELA)NIES' pARDON BILL. . . On motion, this Bill vas read a second time. COMMITTEE OF SUPP.I.Y:3IISCELLANEOCS MATES. -..- Oa the motion of Mr. HERRIES, the House resolved itself into a Committee of Supply. On the Resolution that 40,0001. be granted to defray the expenses for repairs of public buildings, Me. HUME said, that lie begged to ask a question respect ing the expenses charged for the repairs of the lilarshalsesi and Fleet prisons. There was an Act of Parliament lie believed which required that these expenses should be paid by the Marshal, out of certain fees received by him; what he (Mr. Hume) therefore , wished to know was, why the charge, thus specifically provided for, should be sustained by the public? Mr. HERRIES observed that the Act to which the Honourable Gentleman had alluded was one of Geo. 11. pasted so long since ea 1734. It was by that Statute provided, that the Marshal (whose office had then just reverted to the Crown, it having some orate be. fore been granted by the Crown for a term) should, out of the fees as then appointed, provide for the repairs of the Ring's Bench prison, to be built by virtue of that Act. It was known that the prison so built was destroyed in 1780, end a new one erected. The question then was, whether the Act was to be construed to apply only to the former !prism, or to extend to all other prisons that might thereafter be built on its site! It certainly had been con. 'Mitred es applying only to the prison contemplated by the Act, and he thought that the Act would bear such a construction. At all events such had been the construction of it, and it had been s• acted upon for the last five and forty yeses, during wit' eh time the expense of the repairs had been borne by the public. He, how. ever, was quite of opinion that the subject was a very fit one for consideration ; but he thought, after so long a course bad been fol. lowed as the present, it was not proper to be deviated from without some previous measure being taken by the Clouse. Mr. HUME replied, that all he wished was, that in the event of a vacancy in the office of Marshal some step would be taken .upon the subject. Sir,. W. RIDLEY made some observations respecting the buildings which were about to be erected on the vacant ground in Downing -street, but in a tone so inaudible that we could with difficulty catch the import of any of them. We, however, under stood him to inquire of the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Ex. l chequer, what was the nature of the buildings intended to be erected ; and to express his opinion that there ought to be more places of residence provided by the public for the principal officers of State than there at present were; and lie thought the site now famished by the removal of the houses in Howning.street was as eligible as any that could be chosen. The Hon. Baronet expressed his disapproval of the architectural taste of the new building on the site of the late offices of the Hoard of Trade. He could not conceive of what possible use the upper pert of it was; he knew not what to call it; it appeared to him like the betting-stand on Doncaster Raee-course more than any thing else. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he should be very happy to give the lion. Baronet all the information in his power upon the subjects to which he had adverted. Although he could not state what was to be the final plan adopted, yet no doubt it was intended to build on the spot mentioned by the Honourable Baronet some uniform and well-considered structure. Ile was well atrare of all the prejudice that was excited towards any public building while in progress, sod the Hon. Baronet very naturally telt a portion of that prejudice; but the Hon. 11-ronet rhottld ro. member, that an ',whitest lab , ti:t.l under peculiar difficulties; his i era 4.4•1. 1.1. I. • . 7T :.f I 111719 911 C't vi 113.. • .---. - sVAlla m e ,A, 8e ../eSSlVXo 4l lo. o"..lt natiSlia .......01111111111e11111111Mit 0.11.