The Sun. — London, England, 1858-07-24 00:00:00

1.. c. God, so far from expressly forbidding these unions, went far to tsanction them, had been very severely dealt with ; but what would those who attacked say of the right reverend prelate now deceased, who it appeared was the author of the clause in the ex isting law which provided that these marriages should no longer be voidable ? He had had the honour to pre sent a number of petitions in favour of this bill, bearing the signatures, amongst others, of 500 clergymen, of a great number of municipal authorities, of men of the highest moral principle, who would never h ave supported the bill if it contained anything contrary to the law of God ; and it had been repeatedly sent up by large ma , jorities from the other house, which more immediately represented the feelings of the people. As to the social question, if he consulted his own heart he could not find any instinctive feeling against these unions, and he also felt bound to support the bill, as he believed the exist ing law was producing a large amount of moral evil, and inflicting the grossest injustice on a large class. He also felt bound to say that the language of some right rev. prelates that evening Lad been most injud cious and un - _ _ wise. The Bishop o f LINCOLN wished to correct an im , pression which seemed to prevail as to what took place w hen the present law passed. It was first proposed to enact that these marriages should be declared valid if not voided within two years. The right rev. prelate now deceased objected to give even such a legislative sanction to these unions ; but when a clause declaring them absolutely void for the future was introduced, he assented to the rest of the bill confirming all past marriages which had not been voided. He had heard the declaration of his right rev. friend in favour of these marriages with surprise and sorrow, although he could not but respect his boldness in expressing his oPi nione. From his experience he did not think there was much feeling in favour of this bill. It was easy to get up petitions, and even the constant agitation of the question bad a tendency to lower the standard of moral feeling. The opinion of the women of Eo gland was decidedly against it, and in their name he implored their lordships not to assent to the second reading. Their lordships then divided — Contents Non contents The bill was consequently lost. The Police (Scotland) Act Amendment Bill and the Lunatics (Seotland) Act Amendment Bill passed through committee. REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (IRELAND) BILL. Loid MONTEAGLE moved the second reading of this bill, the object of which was to extend to Ireland the provisions as to the establishment of reformatories now in force in this country, with some variation rendered necessary by difference of circumstances. The Earl of CLANCARTY opposed the bill. He ad mitted the importance of these institutions, but consi dered the subject was one which ought to be dealt with by the Government on their own responsibility, if at all. The Earl of DERBY said it was true that this bill bad not been introduced into the other house on the re• sponsibility of the Government, but by a private member. In adopting it, however, the Government had duly con sidered what was the effect and purport of the measure. His noble friend (the Earl of Clancarty) had admitted that this was a matter of great importance ; but for some special reason, which it was hard to understand, he seemed to think that what was useful for the reform of juvenile offenders in England would be quite the reverse in Ireland. It was said there were excellent schools in Ireland in the workhouses, and that now there would be excellent schools in the reformatories, and that there would be a tendency in the poor to instigate their chiliren to crime for the sake of an education which they could not otherwise obtain. But the fact was that Ireland was exceedingly well provided with schools. It had then been objected that these schools would be vir tually under the control cf the Roman Cathclic clergy ; but at the same time it was said that 9.10.hs of the juve nile offenders were Roman Catholics. The ollection, therefore, was that the clergy and the offenders whom they were to teach would be of the same religion. It had also been said that there was no provision for inspec tion, but the fact was that it was provided for by the very first clause. He agreed that there might be an ad vantageous alteration wade in the clause giving an ap• peal, but that was a matter of detail, whilst all they wcre now discussing was the propriety of introducing into Ireland a system which had been found to answer in England and Scotland. Without pledging himself to every detail of the bill he would support the second reading. The Etrl of C UILISLE trusted that their lordships would give a favourable reception to thin bill. He con sidered that Ireland in reformatory institutions for adult criminals bad much the start of England, but at present it was quite unfurnished with reformatory schools. He trusted that their lordships would remedy that evil. He had witnessed the happy results of reformatories in Eng land and Scotland, and ho trusted to see that system ex tended to Ireland. Lard DUNGANNON thought the want of juvenile reformatories was very severely felt in Ireland, but he re gretted that the matter was brought forward at so late a period of the session. He t. bjected to some matters of detail, but he should be exceedingly sorry to throw any impediment in the way of this measure. The bill was then read a second time. RAILWAY CREAP TRAINS BILL. The Earl of CLANCARTY objected to one clause in this bill. The Earl of HARDWICKE, however, explained that it was intended to meet an evil wl ich might arise from railway companies buying up canals, and so becoming masters of the whole water traffic in their district:. The bill was read a stc-...nd time. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA BILL. - - - The E:irl of DERBY proposed one or two verbal al terations in this bill, which were agreed to, and the bill was read a third time. Lord WROTTESLEY moved that the 10th clause should be restored to the form in which it stood previ ous to the amendment of the Earl of Shaftesbury, pro. Tiding that the 10 years' residence in India imposed as a qualification on nine members of the council should be recd After a short conversation, the amendment was nega tived. _ _ The Earl cf DERBY moved to insert after clause 62 a proviso enabling a newly-appointed Governor-General to exercise his powers immediately after reaching India and before taking his seat in the council at Calcutta. Agreed to. Some additional amendments, for the most part of a rou ti n e character, having been adopted, On the question that the bill do pass. Toe Archbishop of CANTERBURY said he hoped he might be allowed to say a few words on a subject which formed no part of the bill itself, and to which very little allusion had been made in the various discussions upon it. lie was aware that this was a bill, the object of which was to provide the requisite machinery for the go vernment of India, and he had no objection to offer to the principle - which bad been so often laid down that India must be governed in India, and not from England. At the same time the subject to which he had to allude w as one upon which strong conscientious convictions were entertained by a very large part of the community, relating as it did to the anomalous and responsible posi tion in which we were placed as a Christian nation ruling over a vast population of idolaters. It could not be sup posed that tbose to whom he referred wished for any ac tive interference on the part of the government with the religion of the Ilindoos ; that they had the least desite that the government should either overthrow that i which they knew to be false, or establish that which they Anew to be true. So far from that, they would think that nothing %vice gained even by the conversion of the whole peninsula if it were brought about by bribery or compulsion. There was, however, a strong opinion prevailing that the course which had hitherto been pur sued might safely and wisely be modified. He would mention two or three particulars in which an alteration was required. In the first place, he considered it most desirable that all distinctions of caste should cease to be recognised by the Government in the administration of the affairs of India. In the next place, he was of opinion that all the remaining connection betweec. the Goeernmect and the rites and cust nes of an idolatrous religion should be en tire ly abolished, even if the object of such connection were simply the preservation of order; that those lands which had hitherto been employed for idolatr U 3 purposes, and of which he believed the com pany had been trustees, should be made over entirely to the natives themselve', so that this nation might be altogether released from any participation in things which were detectable in themselves, and scandalous to the reputation of a Christian country. Agaie, he would express a hope that in all the schools which ..vere under the patronage of the Government the B.tle might be read. Lastly, be trusted that the natives would in future be 'Omitted to any employments for which they were fitted. If what be bad thus suggested were done, no one could fairly charge the Government with any active in terference for the propaga'ion of our religion in India. It was poa , ibla to observe the greatest toleration for the religion of the natives without either concealing or cora pram sing our own. In conclusion, be trusted that the blessing of Alinignty God would rest upon the efforts which were bring made far the benefit of India, and that that vast country would not long remain one in which falsehood prevailed over truth. The Eerl of DERBY said that whilst of course every thing that could be f a i r l y done for the promotion of Christianity ought to be done, he must on the other band say that it was essential to the interest-,sa p cedie i n a d the wellbeing of Indi a , it not to Government of India, last the Gevernment should abstain, most c are f u lly ab stain, from adopting any rule of conduct than that of an indiscriminate and impartial prote c ti on o f all sects, creeds, and religons , for nothing would b e more di. er ect and dangerous than by any open and ati syste m of fraud or violence to attempt to convert men from their re li g i o n. (Hear.) He hoped that he misunderstood th e most Jie, prelate v. heel he said the Government ought not to recognise the distinction of castes. Certainly, if tie D atives of India voluntarily entered the public ser vice, be did not thiek that the same punctilious defe r f caste should be given as had ranee to the prej uelXee been the case in late years ; but to say that they should not recognise eaete at all was to say i that they would not recognise that which was n ot only _nterwoven with the Piajudicee, but with the d ail y life of the people. ( ear.) There was another subject on which he was di'poeed to concur with the most rev. prelate. Wherever property or land was assigned for purposes of worship he thought that, however repugnant to their feelings those pur poses might be, the property should be maintained strictly applicable to those purposes; but he thought it desirable that, as far as possible, the Government offi cials should keep themselves separate from any active interference in the management and application of the property. (Hear, hear.) NV hen at the head of the Colo nial-office be acted on that principle in regard to Cey lon, and be hoped that, as had been the case in that island, so with regard to India, this abstinence from any interference in the management or control of the pro- THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY perty vested for these purposes would be advantageous. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said he entirely referred to the public servants. The Earl of SHAFTESBUItY said he was extremely gratified, and he believed the public would be gratified, with the sentiments which bad just been uttered by his noble friend. (Hear, hear.) They were much in accorl ance with a petition which he presented some time ago, and which was largely signed by the religious bodies of this country. What he wished was to see unbounded religions liberty, and that the professors of all religions should be on an equality. In the selections for the pub lic service a man should not be rejected or selected be cause he was a Hindoo, a Mahomedan, a Parsee, or a Christian ; he should be chosen for his fitness for the duties of the office. Nothing could be more prejudicial to the interests of Christianity than to promote it by active measures. He trusted, however, that they would not be ashamed to avow themselves a Christian Government, and that they re• garded Christianity as the best form of religion and the basis of civilisation. He hoped there was nothing fana tical in that. With regard to another subject he trusted now that they had broken the neck of.the rebellion that the time was come for proclaiming an amnesty. Nothing was more remarkable in the government of the noble earl opposite (E'lenborougb) than his unvarying respect for and protection to the natives. He regretted to say that a strong feeling of antipathy was growing up be tween the Europeans—especially the young officers—and the natives. In a letter from Benares which be held in his band, the young officers were said to describe the Datives as " vile and detestable imps." Nothing would be more likely to retard the civilisation of the gospel than a continuance of such a state of .things, as nothing would be more likely to promote it than by the higher officers of Government showing that their lives were in harmony with the principles of the Christian religion. Hear.) The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH agreed with the noble earl that in the present circumstances of India nothing was more to be deprecated than the constantly increasing animosity between natives and Europeans, and that animosity, he believed, originated in a great measure from the extreme severity of the punishments inflicted on the natives. He thought that no single man ought to have the power of ordering death as a punish. ment. (Hear.) And that the conduct of Sir J. Lawrence in Delhi ought to be everywhere followed, that was to say, a commission should be appointed, and that the con currence of three of them should be requisite for pu nishment by death. Restrictions had been imposed on the press of India for the purposes of the Government. He thought that as restrictions had been imposed on the press to prevent libels on the Government, restrictions should also be imposed on it for the purpose of preventing libels on the people of India. (Hear.) If those libels on the people were continued, the young officers arriving in India would have their minds poisoned by the stories they read every day. The practice of Govern ment officers attending the "religious" ceremonies of the natives had been discontinued fora long time. With regard to the principle of religious toleration, he would read an extract from the last letter on the subject issued by the Court of Directors ; they said, "The Govern ment will adhere to its ancient policy of perfect neutra lity in matters affecting religion. We most earnestly caution all those in authority in India not to afford, by their conduct, tne least colourable suspicion that the present policy has undergone, oriwill undergo, any change." In that view of the case he concurred. Lord MELVILLE thought that as long as they em ployed a native army it would not be easy to abstain from giving some countenance to the religious ceremo nies of the natives. The Bishop of LONDON said that the result of the Government taking the management of the lands ap propriated to the temples into their own hands was that they were in a better state than if they were in the hands of the natives, who would be likely to squander the pro perty. The feelings of the people of this country re quired some charge to be made in this matter, and he held the speech of the noble earl as showing that the Government were disposed to look this matter in the face. They should show Christian forbearance to the heathen, but they should show a disposition also to in. culcate Christian justice, and civilisation, and truth. The Bishop of OXFORD thought it was c'ear what the line of a Christian Government should bo in this matter. They should not exercise force, or fraud, or violence to inculcate Christian truth, but they should show that they were not indifferent to that truth. He heard with some misgiving the extract read by the noble earl, especially with the force and weight which he laid o n certain expressions. If by the " neutrality" men tioned in the despatch was meant that there should be no attempt directly or indirectly to interfere with the re ligiaus belief of their heathen subject?, he did not object to the word, but if it meant that there should be stamped on the whole English Government an aspect of entire indifference as to the value of religion and the superio rity of one over the other he must dissent from it. Earl GRANVILLE heard with the greatest pleasure the declaration of the noble earl, which, he hoped, would have considerable Effect in that country. Ha believed the view he pot forward was the most advantageous for the gradual progress of Christianity. (Hear.) With re gard to the policy of mercy he felt no distrust in her telsjesty'e Government or in the feelings of his noble friend the Governor-General. The bid then passed. The Herring Fishery (Scotland) Bill was read a second time. The Copyholi Acts Amendment Bill and the Joint stock Banking Companies' Bill were reported with amendments. The Titles to Land (Scotland) Bill was read a third time and passed. The Sale and Transfer of Land (Ireland) Bill was read a third time and passed, with some amendments introduced by Lord Caen worth. The reports of amendments on the Medical Practi tioners and the Public Health Bills were received. The house adjourned- at a quarter to 12 o'clock, HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Lords' amendments to the following bills were considered and agreed to :—Middlesborough Improve ment, Plymouth Great Western Docks, Tees Conser vancy, and Worcester and Hereford Railway. Toe folio sing bills were read a third time and passed : —Davidson's Estate, and Glasgow College Estate. CORRUPT PR N.CTICES PREVENTION ACT CONTINUANCE BILL. The adj )urned debate on the clause proposed by Mr. VANSITTART was renewed. Tiae clause was "That it shall ❑ot be lawful for the collector of rates and taxes of any borough, county, or city, or his partner, or agent, to act as agent, clerk, or canvasser for, or to be employed on behalf of, any candidate for such borough, county, or ci'y, and any such person who shall off-md shah for his said offence be liable to forfeit the suns of SO/. to any person who shall sue for the same, together with full costs of suit." Mr. BASS spoke in opposition, and to the bill generally. Mr. P. O'BRIEN thought that nothing coull be more objectionatle than the practice of a tax collector, wish his rate book in his band, walking into a voter's hou-e to solicit his vote in aid of any particular candi date. He hoped the hon. member for Windsor (Hr. Vansittao) would press his motion. . Mr. WALPOLE thought this clause would raise ques ticu upon question as to persons qualified to act as agents. lid should be happy to consider the question as applicable to general law, but he thought the principle ought not to be affirmed in the present bill. Sir F. SHITS thought the clause would be a trap for the honest man, and that it would serve no other pur pose. Mr. ROEBUCK said the Home Secretary seemed to think that this was not a proper time f ,r the revision of the electoral law. He (Mr. Roebuck) admitted that, and hoped the Home Secretary would apply that remark to lie own bill. Mr. WARREN opposed the clause. Mr. GREER said that collectors of rates zcd taxes had a great icfluence in reference to the registration of voters ; and in B:lfast that inflance..had been exercised in a most ex traordinar y degree. In any district the collectors of taxes might abstain from calling upon voters for their taxes until after the time when they should be paid to enable them to vote, and thus persons really solvent, and willing to pay their rates when asked for them, Lund themselves di.fianchised when the revising barrister came round. Mr. JOHN LOCKE said the clause singled out one particular class of persons, but tax collectors were not the only persons who had an undue kfluence over electors. Let them take, for example, the steward of a nobleman who had a large estate, and who could knock off 10 or 15 per cent. if it would in any way suit his employer's purpose. The tax collector was a public servant, and any candidate might avail himself of his services. The tax collector could not remit taxss, and it was not to his interest to remit them, but the steward of an estate could remit any amount his employer might choose to allow. Tne clause aimed at one partioular class of individuals, while they knew that there were hundreds of othEr3 who were equally open to objection. He objected to legislation of this piece meal kind being introduced into the bill, which he con- sidered should be merely a continuance bill. Mr. M'CANN objected to the tax gatherers being agen ts. They had great influence over the register of votes, and had not failed to exercise it very extensively in Ireland. He knew many persons who had been dis franchised by the tricks and chicaneries of these men. Mr. BAINES thought extraneous matter should not be introduced, although be admitted he was favourable t 3 the principle of the clause. This was a well-defined and understood species of influence upon which eventu ally they might legislate, but ho thought this should he a continuance bill. If the clause were passed at all, ho thought it should be amended, so as to include all electors " within" any borough, &e„, instead "of " any borough, &e. Mr. B. OA.RTER opposed t':e clause, on the ground that the bill should be a mere continuance bill. Mr. BYNG considered that the clause contained a very sound princlpl-, and he should vote for it, sutject to the amendment of the right hon, gentleman the mem her for Leeds (Mr. Baines). Mr. HUGGESSON did not like homolvathic doses of reform, and opposed the clause. Mr. CRA.UFURD thought it unreasonable that a bill of this kind should have been introduced at this late period of the session, and that they were wasting time in discussing it. He should vote against the clause, because he desired that the bill should be merely a continuance bill. He wished they would take an example from Soot lend, where there was no such absurd regulation that a man should pay-his taxes before he was qua ified to vote. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He objected to the clause f t s h o a e t i t e h t y e y m o o u r g e h t t h a n n o t a i n n o s t u h e c r h . a I c case s t e h e t y o pfoirck another out ou e r n o o n 0, excluded tax collectors, they should exclude solicitors and members of the legal profession from being agents, for he held that they were a much more dangerous class in this respect than tax collectors. He said that in his capacity of a member of the legal profession himself. Mr. VINSITTART said he should be happy to avail himself of the amendments which had been suggested. The house then divided on the amended clause, and the numbers were — For the clause Against it Majority The clause was negatived. Mr. D. NICOLL hoped that after the narrow escape of defeat which the Government had had they would de clare now that this was simply a continuance bill. He had stood three sharply contested elections, one of which he lost by only one vote, and ho knew therefore the temptations to which poor voters were exposed. He moved the following clause : " Every candidate at any election for any county, city, or borough, shall be required to make and sign the fol lowing statutory declaration, and present, or cause to be presented, a copy of such declaration to the Election Auditor on or before the day appointed for the audit of bills, charges, or claims. "I, (A. B.) a candidata at the election of ( ) to represent the ( ) in Parliament, do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare that I have not knowingly made, authorised, or sanc tioned, and that I will not knowingly make, authorise, or sanction any payment, or make any gift of money, or other valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, by way of private gratuity to any solicitor, agent, or canvasser acting for me on account of the said elec tion, otherwise than is described by the bills, charges, and claims rendered to the election auditor, save as excepted and allowed by the Corrupt Practices Preven tion Act, 1854." Mr. WALPOLE objected to the clause. It might be inserted in a permanent bill which could not be delayed beyond next session. The present was nothing more than a continuance bill. Mr. W. WILLIAMS did not think the clause would carry out the object it proposed to have in view. Mr. P. O'BRIEN thought that all legislation in re ference to corrupt practices at elections was a delusion. Mr. CRAUFURD opposed the clause Mr. T. DUNCOMBE asked the Government to with draw the bill. The majority of the House was against it. (Hear, hear, and no, no.) Mr. WALPOLE said if the majority of the House were against the bill he would withdraw it and intro duce a continuance bill to-morrow. (Hear, hear, and no, no.) After some remarks from Mr. ROElimcK, The House divided. The numbers wore— For the clause Against it B3 Majority The clause was therefore negatived. Mr. GREER moved the addition of a clause for in creasing the number of polling places, and for altering the polling districts in Ireland. Lord NAAS opposed the clause. In the first place it was out of place, it was out of order on the considera tion of this bill ; and, secondly, the law at present per mitted the extension of polling places in Ireland. Mr. WHI CE supported the clause to protract the debate, and with a desire to prevent the bill being carried. He informed her Majesty's Government there were a certain number of members who intended to oppose the bill on every point other than as a continuance bill. The bill was wrongly named. It should be called the Corrupt Practices Protection Bill. (Laughter.) Mr. P. O'BRIEN opposed the clause. Mr. BRADY supported the clause. Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD opposed the clause. Mr. COX opposed the bill. He looked upon it as a bill to legalise bribery, and increase the expenses of candidates at elections. He had no objection to the bill as a continuance bill, but he had groat objection to it as a permanent bill. After some further discussion, The house divided. The numbers were — For the clause Against it Majority The clause was therefore negatived. Mr. GRIFFITHS moved the following clause . "The admission and payment, on behalf of any candi date at an election, of any claim or demand in respect to such election, by the election auditor, in accordance with the provisions of the 17th and 18th Vict., chap. 102, shall be a sufficient protection to such candidate against any action or suit at law in respect to the legality of any such payment ; and it shad be the duty of the election auditor to refuse to pay any claim or demand on behalf of such candidate which is not in accordance with the pro visions of the above-mentioned act of the 17th and 18. h Vic., c. 102." Toe motion was negatived without a division. Mr. STAPLETON moved to insert in clause 1, line 17, after " voter," "within such voter's county or borough, and seven miles from the boundary thereof." The house divided. The numbers were— For the amendment 75 Against i ' Majority —3 The amendment was consequently lost. On the motion that the clause as amended stand part of the bill, Mr. ROEBUCK moved its omission from the bill. The moment they rendered the expenses of conveying voters to the poll legal, it became imperative, and aided the rich man against the poor man. Ile regretted the proposition for paying travelling expenses emanated from his side of the house, for it would be found to be productive of more bribery and corruption than ever before existed. Mr. BRADY supported the amendment. Mr. V. SMITH reminded the Home Secretary that ho some days since suggested the bill should be a con tinuance bill, and he thought if his suggestion had been adopted, much time would have been saved, for it must come to a continuance bill after all—(hear)—and that was to be done by cutting out this clause. If they were to legislate on this subject next year, ha believed it would be better to make this merely a continuance bill. (Hear, hear.) This bill involved two principles — one was that voters had no interest in going to the poll themselves ; and the other, that no man but a rich.man, who could squander 3,0001. or 4,0001. in an election, could stand for counties. Mr. WALPOLE contended he was justified in bring ing in t')is bill, and persevering with it, and referred to the majorities on divhdons iu support of that assertion. He intended to bring in a permanent bill next session to get rid of bribery and treating at elections. He should persiit with this bill. Theseexpenses had always been paid by ca n o i u l i t dt i a n ss, contested and h conveyances te were returns e r eelections provided for y ided showedco unties m i a t n was yavnod at boroughs.e c r od s nwsio would d itema n Wb o l t ieth take the trouble to go to the NI It was, there fore, better to legalise it than leave it in uncertainty as at present. General THOMPSON wished to know what security the candidate had under this bill if a voter went to the poll in hi; carriage, and voted for another candidate. He contended the payment of the expenses of convey ance of voters to the poll was as clear and simple bribery as any other that could ha invented. After some rent arks from Mr. S. WARREN, Mr. T. DUNCOMBE charaeterised this as a bill to serve the purposes of the Conservatives in the election to take place in the spring of next year. Candidates then would be able to bribe to any extent, and the man with the longest purse would be the successful candidate. The hon. member was In ccaedins,r to show the effect of the bill in connection with the Conservative or Freehold Land Society, when by the forms of the house the debate was adjourned to the evening sitting. The Deputy Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the bar cf the house, and summoned the members to the House of Peers, to hear the royal assent given to several bil's, (for which sea Lords' report). The other orders were then disposed of, and the house suspended its sittings. The House resumed at 0 o'clock. THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKRUPTCY, MANCHESTER. . 53 . 66 .. -13 .. 26 .. 112 ..-86 Mr. TURNER presented a petition from certain par ties in Manchester, containing allegations, charging Mr. Gannett, Commissioner of the Bankruptcy Court in that city, with irregularity in his proceedings 33 a judge, in borrowing money from the practitioners of the court, and praying that the charges might be investigated. Tho ATTORNEY-GENERAL complained that due notice bad not been given of the presentation of this pa. tition. He could not but think that the petition which the 12,11. gentleman presented ought to have been com municated to Mr. Gennet'. He would now merely say that he had received a communication from that gentle man, stating that ho was most anxious to come forward and meet the charges and imputations against him ; and if the hon. gentleman should have an opportunity of bringing the matter forward in the present session, Mr. Genr,att had authorised him to state, that he was pre pared and most anxious to come forward and meet the charges. CONTENIPLATED GREAT BLOW AGAINST THE REBELS IN INDIA. Mr. EWART was desirous to ask the President of the Board of Control what reinforcements had teen sent out to India. He had also a question on the paper relating to the government of India ; but he w ou ld confine him self on the present oczasion to the first question. Lord STANLEY, in reply , said that from the end of January up to the 17 th Ju l y , t he number of troops sent out to India amounte d to 17,000. He mi ght take that op p o rtucity of stating to the house that the Government w the aimportancegainsth t erebels of strikingin h t aeachi great, ap pr final, and d ec i• o ng cold s s i a ve b sea son. (Hear.) DEEP SEA OYSTER FISHERIES. Sir G. BROOK wished to ask the right hon. gentle man tho President of the Board of Trade what progress he had mode in the inquiry he had instituted respecting the complaints made by the parties interested in the deep sea oyster fisheries of the operation of the act 18 and 19 Vie., which imposed very injurious restrictions on their trade, and which they considered were not contemplated by the convention with the Government of France, of August, 18?9. Mr. HENLEY, in reply, said some progress bad been made in the inquiries respecting the deep sea oyster fisherie4, and tho inquiries were still going on. He was most anxious on the subject, which was beset with some difficulties, and ho would not fail to continue to give his attention to it. THE SLAVE TRADE. On the motion that the house, at its rising, do adjourn to Monday, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose, and having adverted to a question which Mr. C. For tescue had on the paper in reference to the slave trade, said he would venture before the hon. gentleman put his question to ask him whether he had realy considered that the question which he had given notice of bring ing forward could be fairly brought forward at that moment ; and seeing that the discussion of suoh a pies- tion, even under ordinary circumstances, would require a whole evening, and, irrespective of that consideration, looking at the language in which the hon. gentleman had given notice of his question, namely, " to call the atten tion of the house to the present position of the question of the right of searching ships suspected of being en gaged in slave trading, and to ask what course the Go earnmeat were prepared to take on the subject." NOW, he thought it advisable that the hon. gentleman should not at that moment persevere in pressing the subject upon the consideration of the house ; and the more par ticularly, as there were negotiations at that moment going on between her Majesty's Government and the Go vernment of the United States on the question. He would, therefore, really put it to the hon. gentleman if it did not appear to him that questiens of such magnitude and int rest could hardly be fairly discussed at the present momen t. (Rear, hear.) He also saw that there was another question to be introduced that evening by an hon. friend of his own, which would in like manner take up a whole evening in discussion, namely, the transport of treops to India. Now, those were questions of such importance and magnitude, that each of them would require the most deliberate consideration, and they were questions th st could not be expected to result satisfactorilf unless they were fairly discussed. He would put it, then, to the hon. gentleman whether he could at present fairly bring the question forward. Mr. C. FORTESCUE said, in putting the question on the paper, he thought he had acted fairly. He thought before the session broke up it was right to put such a q uestion to her Majesty's Government. The intentions of the Government seemed not to have been clearly indi cated to the house on the subject, and thinking it highly desirable that the country should be informed what their intentions were, he had put his question on the paper. He was prepared to make a very short statement to the house. A portion of the question seemed to him not to have received all . the attention from her Majesty's Government which it deserved ; and it appeared to him desirable that their policy should be clearly and distinctly explained on the subject. (Hear.) His intention was to state to the house the position in which the question was found by the Government, and to ask the Govern ment whether or no they intended to adhere to or depart from the policy of their predecessors in office on the slave trade. The state of the question was this :—lt had been stated by no les; an authority than that of the Am bassador of the United States—Mr. Dallas—that the policy respecting the right of search had been changed. Now, that was a policy that had been long established, and he therefore thought it fair to ask her Majesty's Government if the rumour was true. (Hear.) The right hon. gentleman had told teem ti at there were nego tiations and communications being carried on on the sub ject of the right of searching ships, between her Majesty's Government and that of the United States. What he wished now more particularly to ask the Government was, without his making any statement, whether, in de fault of any such convention with the United States, or any other power, they were prepared to adhere to, or depart from, the long-established policy, or whether they were prepared to adhere to the system of inspecting vessels hoisting foreign flags, or to depart from that system, and from the right of search altogether, and to lay down that all such ships should be held sacred I Now, if that be so, the next thing which the Govern. ment should do would be to withdraw the squadron from the waters of Cuba, and also from the waters of the coast of Africa. (Hear, bear.) Mr. S. FITZGERALD was sure that the house would not expect Lim to enter into any long reply to the observations of the hon. gentleman. (Hear, hear.) In reference to the question, he believed there was a general feeling in the house and throughout the country, that it aeis one to be approached with much caution, and ea!' aualy the occurrences which had taken place within a very short period on the other side of the Atlantic—he meant in the Cuban waters—were not Ruch as to render it desirable now to enter into any discussion. (Hear, hear.) He had stated on a former occasion that his noble friend had received the assurance of the United Sates Government that they would con sider any suggestions we might make to them not only with care, but with the desire to do them every justice. Tnese propositions had not yet been made. They were still under the consideration of her Majesty's Govern meet. It was imp oss ible, therefore, for him to give any rerther information, and he thought the hoc. gentleman could hardly be serious in asking the Government to state what their policy would be in the event of certain communications which had not yet been made being unfavourably received by the United S:ates Government. Tie entertained every hope that this matter would be brought to a satisfactory termination, and the language of the United States Government, as well as that of the minister, was such as was entirely to confirm the Govern ment in that impression. ASSAULTS UPON WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Mr. DI LLW YN called the attention of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the prevalence of aggravated assaults upon women and children, and urged up m his consideration the necessity of rnalsing sonic alteration in the law relating to such offences.. In many instances where the husband was heavily fined cr imprisoned, the penalty fell with more intense severity on +he victim of the crime which it was sought to punish, than on the perpretator. He was an advocate for cor poral punishment, but seeing that crime of this descrip tion was on the increase, he hoped that the right hon. gentleman would, during the recess, turn his attention to tl - _e subject, and see if the law could not be amended. Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD wished, before the right 11-,n. gentleman answered the question, to ask him whether he had any objection to lay upon the table of the house Dr. Corrigan's report, as a member of the Irish Lunacy Commission, who differed from the report adopted by his brother commissioners. Me. WALPOLE, in reply to the question of Mr. J. D. Fitzgerald, said he really wished that when corn enhorens were issue I the commissioners would agree upon their repeat. It was not fair to the majority, who concurred in a report that some individual commissioner should afterwards send in a separate report, which his colleaeuel perhaps had no opportunity of seeing. Hs had received the report of Dr. Corrigan, and the ques tion it involved was so important that he would ender take to lay it on the table of the house. The statement mode was quite correct. In answer to Mr. Dillwyn, the bon. gentleman said :—The aggravated assaults of which be had made mention were less numerous this year than they were in 1851-5, but somewhat more numerous than in 1856, but it was desirable to analyse these silences before drawing eat , general conclusion. A great many of them were assaults not upon women, but upon children ; and an immense number of them were assaults by women. (Laughter.) Aaother circumstance to be borne in mind was, that in many die - rids, even in the last year, for which he had returns, there was a great diminution of those offences in some districts, while in others there was an increase. So far as he had been able to form an opinion from the information with which be had been furnished, he had reason to think that the present act, which he believed was introduced by the noble viscount opposite, had worked well ; and if it required any addition, he would be prepared, after inquiry, to sta' e in what respect he thought it should be amended. In the meantime, however, his attention would be striet'y turned to the subject, but he should not like, unless constrained to do so by th e strongest reasons, to have recourse to corporal punishment. (Hear.) TRANSPORT OF TROOPS TO INDIA. Sir J. ELPHINSTONE said, after the appeal which had been made to him by the Chancellor of the Exche• quer, he would not now go into the large question with regard to the resolutions of the c )mwittee on the transport of troops to India, but he trusted ha would have an opportunity of discussing it next year. He wi hed to state, however, that he, and those who acted with him, were of opinion that it was the duty of the Government to avail themselves of every means in their power to perfect the overland route to India for the conveyance of our troops to that country. He was quite oertaM,l from the infor mation wLioh he had obtained, that their conveyance could be effected cheaper and with greater advantage to this csuntry by the overland route than by the Cape. Sir E. COLEBROOKE said he rejoiced that the bon, member intended to bring the subject before the house ou a future occasion. grA.TE OF INDIA. Mr. V. SMITH wished to ask a question of the noble lord the President of the India BJald with regard to the condit'on of our affairs in India. It had been the cus tom for three or four years for the Government to make a statement at the close of the stesion on the state of Indian affairs. He would net ask the noble lord to give the house what was called the "Indian Budget," because last year he (slr, Smith) off. red an excuse to the house for not presenting anything like a budget on the ground of the derangement of accuunte. But he hoped the noble lord would, before they separated, make a state ment of the exact position in which they stood with re gard to India. He also wished to know whether the 17,000 troops which had been sent to India were in ad dition to the establishment of the Queen's troops there, or whether they were merely to fi 1 up casualties. He further desired to know with what obje.ct the mili tary cemmission was to be sent to India. Perhaps the noble lord would say whether, when the bill for the Government of India was passed, the Government in tended to issue a proclamation, announcing that the Government of the country would be carried on in the Queen's name, and whether another would be issued to the effect that the religion of the natives would be re spected. Ho put these questions with no wish to em barrass the Government or the public service. As far as he was concerned, he had the greatest confidence in the noble lord, who had perhrps shown more judg ment and vigour than any person of his age at present in Parliament. (Hear.) Lord STANLEY thanked the right hon. gentleman for the courteous manner in which he had put his series of questions, but at the same time, in the absence of notice, he could not fuliy reply to any of them except that relating to the financial statement. Ia the present condition of affairs, any statement he could make before the close of the session would not represent the actual condition of the Indian finances, and therefore he did not see any advantage in submitting to the house a state ment on that subject. With regard to the military opera tions going on in India, the right ho n . g entleman, in common with every other member of the house, had ample opportu n ity o f obtaining all the information that could be desired on the subject. A , to t he qu e st i on of proclaiming the Queen's authority when the Govern ment of India was transferred from the E ist India Com pany to the Crown, that was a matter which required some time to consider ; but as the act would not come into operation for thirty days after it received the Royal assent there would be full time for considering it. Ho repeated that he did not intend, before the close cf the session, to make any general statement on the affairs of India, but if there were any special point on which any hon. member required information, he would, so far as was consistent with the requirements of the service, be happy to answer the questions put to him. Sir DE LACY EVANS thought they should have full information with regard to the 17,000 troops recently sent out to India, and a specific statement respecting 1 8 5 8. the objects of the military commission appointed to in- 1 METROPOLIS LOCAL MANAGEMENT BILL. quire into the organisation of our Indian army. The ' On the motion that this bitl, as amended, be considered, hon. and gallant member proceeded at some length to ex- : Lord J. MANNERS moved, that no works upon the plain his views on various points, but in so low a tone :. bed or shores of the said river Thames below high-water of voice as to render it utterly impossible to hear him. : mark shall at any time be commenced or executed, under We understood him to advocate th e sending out of large ; the provisions of this act, without the same having been reinforcements to India by the overland route, so as to I previously approved of by the Lord High Admiral, or insure their getting to India in the shortest possible the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High period, to replace the heavy losses we have endured dur- Admiral; such approval to be from time to time specified ing the hot season campaign. With respect to our position in writing, under the hand of the Secretary to the in Oude, we did not hold a foot of ground except that Admiralty. occupied by our troops, and the hon. and gallant mem- Mr. AYRTON suggested thet after the words ber read the following letter, to show that the rebellion "high-water mark" there should be inserted, " which was not merely a revolt of sepoys :—"You will under- , shell interfere with the navigation of the river." stand that, although the great events of the war are at Lord J. MANNERS said he had no objection, an end, the difficulties of it are by no means so. We are and the clause, as amended, was agreed to. committed to a very long contest, of which I suspect we Lord J. MANNERS then moved, that it may he have as yet only seen the beginning. I trust I may be : lawful for the Secretary of State for the Home De in error. The insurgents are very easily dispersed ; but : partment, at his discretion, on representation or corn then, on the other hand, they gather together as easily. 1 plaint made to him of any nuisance committed in the I am very desirous to see the Government step forward 1 execution of any works, or in deodorising any sewage, and lend a hand to us by judicious proclamations of am- 1 or in disposing of any sewage or refuse from sewers, nesty. There has been too much blood already, and by lor in any other manner under this act, to cause in denying mercy altogether, as we do now, to the vast 1 quiry to be made into the matter represented or mutinous masses, we perpetuate the civil war, and by ! complained of to him, and to direct such prosecution our own act retain a large army for the insurgent nobles I or prosecutions, or to take such other proceedings as of the various provinces. Until an effort is made to de- 'he may think fit, in order to ensure the prevention tech these two interestsfrom one another, the struggle,will ! or abatement of such nuisance as aforesaid. grow in intensity. As soon as we succeed in dissolving : Agreed to. the alliance it will die out, bat not till Shen. This might On clause 1, have been done some time ago ; now it would not be so 1 Mr. PULLER moved the insertion of the words, "or easy. At any rate, in considering the subject, we must from being brought within the boundaries of the metro always look at the Sepoy mutiny as a great national in- 1 polis by the action of the tide." surrection, and I think, for freedom." Lord J. MANNERS said that the Government had STAMPED LETTER PAPER. determined not to interfere with the points of outfall or Mr. MAGUIRE said it had been his intention to 1 the plans. The 26th clause would be sufficient to pre occupy the attention of the house for some time to a ' vent any nuisance such as that eontemplated by the question he had put on the paper, but looking at the I hon. gentleman. He therefore hoped the hon. member state of the public business he should confine himself would not press his amendment. to asking the Secretary of the Treasury how the matter The amendment was negatived without a divisior. now stood with respect to the issue of stamped letter The report was then received, and the bill was ordered paper, and the convenience that would arise from a large : to be read a third time to-morrow (this day). and speedy issue. It wen not his desire to see a compul -1 DRAFTS ON BANKERS LAW AMENDMENT sory use of such paper, but the inconvenience in legal BILL. and other proceedings from the separation of enclosures I and their envelopes, and the difficulty of proving that the 1 On the motion that the report on this bill be con envelopes themselves had ever conveyed the letters they i sidered, were supposed to do, rendered it a matter of public im- l Mr. HANKEY said he was absent when the measure portance that stamped letter paper should be freely passed through its previous stage, as he had no idea that i issued. If so, there was no doubt it would be freely used lit would be brought forward at a late hour. He al-o by the public. i said that he thought the bill might have been made mere Mr. G. A. HAMILTON said the Commissioners of simple than it was. Inland Revenue gave every facility for the issue of Mr. MALINS deprecated the custom of proceeding stamped letter paper. They were quite ready to stamp with important bills like that under consideration at a every sheet of paper sent in to them by any party for the late hour at night. (Hear, hear.) The question was one purpose. of the greatest importance, and it was of the utmost con- ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ARMY. sequeece to trading and mercantile interests that it Colonel KNOX inquired when the report of the Royal should be settled. He had been in communication with Commission to inquire into the state of the army would a gentleman who suggested a very simple plan for her be presented ? rectiog and putting a stop to the abuses and frauds which General PEEL replied that the report bad been sent were for some time back in operation in relation to to her Majesty for approval, and as soon as he received " crossed" cheques. His plan had been sub - nittell to her Majesty's orders it would be laid upon the table of 'numerous bankers, and was admitted by them to be an the house. effectual safeguard against fraud. It was to write the WELLINGTON MONUMENT. cheque, and on the counterfoil of the cheque, the words Mr. J. S. WORTLEY asked the Chancellor of the " crossed cheque," and no one was to be at liberty to banker upon whom it was Exchequer if he could give him a portion of Monday, pay the cheque either at the morning sitting or in the evening, to call at 'drawn. Tne foil but the upon which the words " cros se d tension to the subject of the Wellington monument? cheque" were written, was to be torn off, and held as a g PUBLIC AFFAIRS. che q ue a g ainst an y fraudulent negotiation of the imam- Lord PALMERSTON—Before the right hon. gentle- went.man answers the question which has been put to him, I The ATTORNEY-GENERAL greatly regretted that t should wish, in the first place, to say a few words as to there was much misapprehension aniout the character what fell from my hon. and gallant friend the member for ' and probable operation of the bill. It was well known Westminster, concerning the transport ef troops to India. to every London banker and drawer of cheques that cheques • t In my opinion, if you send anything more than a small ; " crossing" had been hitherto the best and most effectual protection against carelessness or disho seanumber of men, I think it is far better to send them by than by the overland route across Egypt. It is not a nesty, in the event of the cheque being stolen or lost. matter of sound policy that this country should make her That_ safeguard, however, became inoperative, and Mr. military communication with India through a territory Apsley Pellatt brought in a bill to remedy the defect. belonging to another. It is far better to keep such things ! It was, however, found that the bill thus brought in was in your own hands—(hear, bear) —and to send troops when entirely ineffectual; an_d he (the Attorney-Gencral) at you like and as you like. It has been stated by the noble ' the request of some of the most eminent mercantile men, lord that a commission has been appointed to consider amounting in number to 1,300, brought in the present the best means of reorganising the native army of India, i bill. The otject of the bill was to make it obligatory That course I do not presume to criticise. I do condemn • on parties to cross cheques, and that when crossed the the reasons which led the present Government to ap. . party attempting fraudulently to convert them would be point such a commission iu England, but the late Go- ' severely punishable by law. vernment were of opinion that such an inquiry could be Mr. ROEBUCK cad crossed cheques were certainly best conducted in India by military men who had recent 'of great importance as a protection against fraud. He, experience, and who coul lon the one hand value the however, much regretted that in the framing of cheques danger to be overcome, and on the other know the corn I a change had been made in the bill, doing away with the penent forces of which such an army should be Com• necessity of having them written upon ruled paper. posed. It may be that the disturbances in India may Mr. INGRAM was of opinion that writing the words have led to the dispersion of officers whose judgment i " crossed cheque" across the water mark, would be a would be of importance on such an inquiry, men whom great protection against fraud. it would be difficult to assemble at present, or even at an The report of the amendments was agreed to, and the early 1 viod ; but this, at all events, must be clear to the bill was ordered to be read a third time tomorrow. house, that if the commission consisted of men in this PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRA country, not even the new members of the Indian Conn- TION AMENDMENT ACT. cif could be equally competent to give sound opinions as , The ATTORNEY.GENER AL, in reeving the second to the best method of composing and re-organising the reading of this bill, said his object in introducing it was Indian local and native army, as those persons who had principally with a view of correcting some errors which been mixed up in recent transactions—(bear, hear)—who had crept into the former bill. The present bill would knew the tendencies of the army, the difference of races, enable the judge of one of the newly-appointed and the influence of caste, and in what manner with the . courts to sit occasionally in the Court of Probate, by way greatest safety to the public interest in future such an i of assisting and relieving the judge of the latter, who army could be composed. The noble lord has said that would also be empowered by the bill to sit in chambers. he did not intend to make any general statement this He should therefore propose that the bill be now read a session on Indian affairs, but that he was willing to an- second time, and that it be committed to-morrow (this ewer any question on particular points. The noble lord dwt.) forgot to notice two or three points to which my right Mr. MALINS hoped his hon. and learned friend hon, friend directed his attention. My right hon. friend would not persevere in his motion to commit the bill asked him, regarding the Indian loan, whether the I to-morrow, and that he would postpone the going into amount which bad been authorised by Parliament would committee until Monday. He assured his hon. and be sufficient for the services of the Indian Government learned friend that his object was not to gain time that until the beginning of next year. Without entering into I he might oppose the bill. any general statement of Indian affairs, perhaps the noble , Lord HOTHAM complained that the effect of the pro lord will answer that question on Monday next. I must i viso of the bill would be to interfere with and obstruct say that the statement made by the hon. gentleman, the country practitioners in the pursuit of their profession ; Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, with regard to the and he hoped his hon. and learned friend would not per question put to him by the hon. member for Loutb, severe in maintaining that proviso in the bill. was to me anything but satisfactory. I think my hon. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL begged to suggest to friend was perfectly justified, in the present state of i his noble friend that the consideration of the queetkm things, in not allowing the session to close without I would be more proper for the committee ; and if the bill asking for definite information on the point to which should, on passing through committee, appear defective, he had directed the attention of the house. I wish it could, in a future session, be amended, when they the house to remember the actual state of this would have more experience of its workitig. matter. Unfortunately there bave been differences Lord HOTHAM—It was all very well forlais hon. between this Government and the Government and learned friend to say, " wait until we go into corn of the United States, with regard to transactions i mittee." The question was important and ought not to in the waters of Cuba. The Under-Secretary for be thrown over. Foreign Affairs told us two months ago that cer- Mr. WARREN said he had given notion already of taro concessions had been made by the British Govern- ihis intention to move an amendment in committee, mann The public had since then been informed by the "That the Court of Probate be thrown open to the Minister for the United States, who stated with great members of the bar generally to practise in ;" and he pi ide, and in a manner which was received by his as- 1 should also take the opportunity of moving in committee serubled countrymen with ehou's of triumph, that this I that all members of the bar, and all attorneys, should be Government had made great concessions to the Govern- at liberty to practise in the Admiralty Court. He meta of the United States. That this Government bad I would now give notice to his hon. and learned friend abandoned some rights or pretended lights for which that it was his intention to persevere in those amend preceding Governments had always contended. Of course I ments. (Hear, bear.) lam ready to admit that it is inexpedient to make in- I Mr. HA.DFIELD begged to remind the house that quiries pending negotiations, and, therefore, my honour- last session, when the Probate Bill was before them, it able friend was right in saying that he did not ask what was agreed to give compensation to those who were to the convention was that was proposed by the United be deprivsd by the provisions of the bill of the advantages States. I think, from what fell from the Secretary of which they exclusively possessed in the exercise and prac- State on a former occasion, we might justly have in- tice of their profession under the old system, provided the (erred that some arrangement had been made, but now monopoly which those persons possessed were broken it appears that no arrangements have yet been made. down, and that the ceurt was to be thrown open to all But though he was quite right in abstaining from asking practitioners. (Hear) The bill passed that house, for information, the house had a right to be ieforreed as the clause being retained, and the measure was sent up to the facts ; for, from the statement of the Minister of in that state to the other house. There, the part cf the the United States, it would appear that there are some clause relating to compensation was retained ; but the incomplete transactions with regard to our maritime part giving power to all barristers and members of rights ; and it is desirable to know whether these trans- the profession to practise in ihe coact was struck out by a ctions have r ferenca to matters which former Go- some influence. He therefore proposed that the whole monopoly be thrown open to the profession in the Court vern ments have never assented. Now, what I wish the right hon. gentleman to state is, whether we have given of Probate, and also in the Court of Admiralty. (Hear.) up pretensions which we never made, and which former He wished to know whether his hon. and learned friend Governments in this country never had asserted ? Is the Attorney-General would introduce a clause in the that the nature of the transaction which has taken place ; : bill to that effict. (Hear.) or is it that we have abandoned a right which former . Mr. WARREN hoped such a clause would be intro- Governments have claimed and insisted upon T If so, I ' du din both bills, in teat of th e Court of Probate, and , ask him to state clearly what is the pretended right : ce also in that of the Court of Admiralty. (Hear) He given up which we have never insisted upon. On the other hand, if a right which we have claimed and in- ! hoped his hon. and learned friend would reprint the bill, which would them an opportunity of seeing what sisted upon, has been abandoned, I wish to know what ;were thprovons. i give that right is ? That question is a plain one. It has ' The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to no refererco to anything at present under negotia- be committed this day. tion, for the statement of the American Minister was, that the matter was complete. As nod oubt, accord- . ENCUMBERED ESTATES (WEST INDIES) ing to their system of government, the people of the ' ACT AMENDMENT BILL. lJnited States have by this time been made folly : S nne amendments proposed by the ATTORNEY GENE aware of what the transaction is, I think this house 1 NERAL having been considered, they were ordered to be and the people of this country—interested as they na- read a third time to-morrow. turally are in the question—have a right to be put upon DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ACT an equal footing as to informat.on upon the subject with AMENDMENT BILL. the people of the United States. I therefore hope that The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in moving the second we shall hear an expl, action what the pretended right, reading of this bill, briefly explained its provisions, and or right we had claimed and abandoned, is. stated that it was not his intention to retain clause 5, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it whicla.had reference to parties residing abroad. is not for me to inform the house what were the rights After a few words from Mr. HADFIELD and Mr. contended for by the late Government. (Laughter.) LIZGON, the bill was read a second time. All I can say is, that when the misunderstadding between V COPYRIGHT OF DESIGNS BILL. the two Governments occurred in consequence of the The Lords' amendments to this bill were considered disturbances in the Cuban waters, several controverted and agreed to. points arose, upon which we cen(ulted the law officers CORRUPT PRACTICES PREVENTION ACT of the Crown, and upon their opinion as to the legality CONTINUANCE BILL. or the illegality of our conduct we acted. Tne result On the order of the day being read for resuming the was that at present matters are in abeyance, and the adjourned debate in committee on the first clause of this claims are unsettled ; but during the interval that has bill, • taken place the Government of the United States have Mr. DUNCOMBE hoped the Home Secretary's made a friendly overture to us, requesting us to prepare proposition for passing this bill merely as a contheu or adopt a plan which we think will accomplish the ob- ance measure would be accepted by the house. Let a jects which both Governments have in view, namely, the good bill be prepared during the recess and referred next suppression or the discouregement of the slave trade, session, if ne cessary, to a select committee. He should without producing those misunderstandings which have s upport the motion of the hon. and learned gentleman previously occurred, and which it is so desirable to the member for Sheffield for omitting the first clause, avoid. Her Majesty's Government have that sugges- which would, in effect, make the bill a continuance bill tion under consideration, and hope to be able to propose ei ny, a plan which will be satisfactory to both countrie', and Lord PALMERSTON said he thought the law should at the same time obtain the object which the Gov ern- not be allowed to remain in its present unsettled state, meats of both countries so sincerely desire—the dis- and therefore he would vote for the clause. couragement of the slave ti ado, Teat plan will shortly M. B. OSBORNE differed from the noble lord. The be submitted to the Government of the United States. bill was an attempt to legalise bribery and corruption, With reference to the question of the right hon. member and as such he would decidedly oppose it. for Bute (Mr. J. S. Wortley), lam afraid that so much Mr. GREER said it was a Corrupt Practice Con tinuance Act, and therefore he would vote against it. business is set down LT Monday that i will be impos - { Bible to accede to his request, but probably on Tuesday, 1 (Divide.) or the fellowing d a y, a n opportunity will be given to in - Mr. BRADY opposed the clause. troduce tee question referred to. Mr. AYRTON said he had suggested the clause, and Oe the motion for adj iurnment being again put , , I a x e shoped do the house ts a s to wouldthe adopt bgaii t y i t, of as e a it n d would T a u t l e d s remove p )y ing Mr. G. A. HAMILTON said he bad discove red that 1e it would be n eces s a ry to sit to-morrow (Saturday) , at for conveyances. twelve o'clock, for the purpose of forwarding several 1 Mr. CRAWFORD objected to the o'ause, amidst con bills a stage. Untied cries of "On, oh," and "Divide." The motion was therefore witle'rewr. Mr. HOLLAND su p por t e d the clause: CIVIL BILLS ite. (IRELAND) ACT AMEND- The home then divided - MENT BILL. For the clause 94 On the order o the day for the third reading of this Agaitnt it 66 bill, —2B • Majority Mr. J. D. FITZrnERALD said the bill wee so obnox- sous in principl e that, without detaining the house by The ta clause was then agreed to. _ any observation ehe should simply meet the question On clause 3 having been proposed k e wordthe e'l suss ele r ti e o a n d , ' with a direct negative, and divide the house upon it. wake lair. HUG ESSEN moved an amendment to leave out The house divided 83the effect of which would be to For the third reading .. 54 Mr. WALPOLE said the amendment, if agreed to, Against it " and all persons nominated." Ma grit The bill was then read a third time, and passed. ' only amendment which he (Mr. Wapolt) introduced in EVENING, JULY 24, the bill was, that which would define who the canal. date; were. Mr. WARREN moved . as an amecdment, to add, lek tLe end of the clause, the words "provided that not withstanding anything contained herein, no candidate, who shall be put in nomination in his absence, and without his consent, shall be liable for a share of the expenses. The amendment was agreed to without a division, and the clause, as amended, was ordered to stand p ar t of the bi:l. On clause 4 being proposed, Mr. WALPOLE said it was his intention to make the bill a declaratory and continuance bill ; but as he in tended to introduce a mere comprehensive bill on the subject in the next session, he should now propose that the 4th clause be omitted. The clause was withdrawn. Mr. WALPOLE then moved that the bill be read third time on Monday. Mr. ROEBUCK moved as an amendment, that the bill be re-committed on Monday next. (Hear, hear.) The house divided, and the numbers were— For the amendment 46 Against Majority The amendment having been lost, the bill, after some discussion was ordered to be read , a third time on Mon day la , it, at twelve o'clock. The Ecclesiastical Commission Bill was postponed until Tuesday next, The Militia Pay Bill was real a third time and ran d• The Militia (Services Abroad) and Continuance Bin was read a third time and passed. The Militia Act Continuance (No. 2) Bill was read a third time and passed. The house adjourned at ten minutes to 12 o'clock. Country Markets. LIVERPOOL, JULY 23. The market to-day had a slender attendance. Wheat declined id to 2d per bushel, but flour was only nominally lower. All spring sown corn and pulse fully sustained late rates. WAKEFIELD-Jury 23. The approach of the harvest has had an influence on the market to-day, and the wheat trade was quiet at a decline of is per qr., but it was not very readily acquiesced in. Grinding barley firm, and in fair demand. Beans apes rather dearer. Oats and shelling about the same ac last week. AVERAGES FOR TEI WEBS ENDING JULY 19, 1858.. Wheat 3047 quarters, at 47s 314 Oats — ~ —s Od Barley 36 ~ 303 83d Peas — ~ —s Od Beans 53 SP 44s 7d EXETER—JULY 23. CORN.—Wheat, 5s 9d to 6s ; barley, 35 6d to 4s 6d,; grinding do., OOdto Os Od. Oats, 3s Od to 3s 6 4 ' Beans, Os Oto 0 Od. Peas, —s Od to s Od. FLotnt.—Fine, 43s Od to —s Od. ; seconds, 41s Od to — 4 Od per sack. CATTLE. —There was a fair supply of bullocks. Best beef, from 980 d to 108 Od per score ; inferior, Is to Se Po score ; fat calves, 5d to sid per lb ; barrenners, 6s Gd,to 6d. per score ; cows and calve., 111. to 161. Us ; butcher calves, Od to 7d per lb., rearing calves —s to s each; sheep, ewes and lambs, 2/. 5s to 2/. 15s per couple; ewes. 5 1 to 5.d; wethers, 51d 6d; lambs, 6 t id told per lb. large size, —s to —5; second size, —s to —s; slips, to —a ; suckers, — s t o — s . R oug h f a t, 4d per 1 "• Pork carcases from 9s Od to 9s 6d per score. BRISTOL SUGAR-JULY 23. Notwithstanding the improved tone in London 7this week, we are still unable to notice any corresponding, movement in this market, which continues extresnell dull, especially for landed parcels, and for which there V I scarcely any inquiry, so that prices are merely nouenal. Floating cargoes, however, continue to be saleable - 'to s" moderate extent, and two of yellow Havannahs, together 6,500 boxes, Nos. 11.1 and 12, have been disposed of at 2° . 9d to 275., floating terms, which are about previous ratet Refiners' produce is s a l ea bl e a t f ormer ra t es , and, the exception of the lower descriptions, such as treacle , the refiners are enabled to keep clear of stock. Rum very dull, and prices have further declined la Pe r gallon. I.— JULY 23. the close of the market %Bend, tio. ~ ' B e lmo n t 14 9 6 a e tt on l7 0 aradayll l6 3 Keiper Grains ...1b 0 itewart's. 17 6 Cassop 1 1 6 6 qeugh Hall 15 0 Whitworth ] 4 Brown's Moor High /4 0 Main Nixon's Duffryn. 1 1 . ° ;, 45—Sold, 42. COAL MAST Prices of Coals per ton al s. d. Bobsido W. Hartley l4 9 Howard's West Hartley.. Netherton 14 9 North Percy Hartley l4 OI ranfield Moor l4 9 Walker Primrose l2 Wallsend, &o. Gosforth l4 6 Benson West Ilartley 14 Hilda 14 Eden Main l5 € Ships at market. COURSE OF EXCHANGE.—YEsTERAY. Amsterdam ............ 11 15 %a Ditto, three months .. 11 17% &otterdam •• •• •• • • •• •• 11 18 Antwerp................ 40 Gibraltar •••• •• •• •• •• -4 „, i7 )4 Leghorn •• OO •• •.•• Genoa 00000 • •• •• •• . 1w `Milan •• •• •• •• •• BranelS •• •• •. •• ••• •• 0•25 49 Venice •• •• •••• ....... 1 5 i aamburgh •• •.- •• •• •••• 13 7 Naple!, - • •••• •• •••• •• •• 19" 4 st Altona •• •• •••• •• •••• •• •• Palermo •••• Do. three months .. •• 25 37% Lisbon ... •.• 59 Marseilles —..—.. .• ..' 25 37% Oporto ................• b 2 Bourdeaus •••• ...• ••••• .• Rio Janeiro ..... ..• .... '''. Frankfort-on-llalue •• .. 118% . Buenos Ayres.....• -*** Berlin •• •• .• •• •• •• • • New York,Go days' sight Vienna 10 30 Philadelphia •• ...... . 10 31 PRICES OF strutoN, PER, 4 0$ . Petersburg •• ••.••• •• •• 35% Forei g n Gold in Bars £3 0 0 Niadrid 494 Portugal Gold C • o' o 0 Cadiz ••••••• •• • • •• • 49% , Mexican Dollars .. •• 0 0 0 ils.r2eiona •• •• •• •• •• •. • • New DOIIATS •••• • • 0 0 BeAlle • • THE ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAM COW PAN Y.—The directors of this company, at the half-yes , rl meeting to be held on' Saturday , the 31st inst., into n e to recommend a dividend of 3/. 10a. per cent. for , Of half year, carrying to the reserve fund a ourfl ° 5,985/. 63. sd. ce [ADVERTISEMENT]. —Holloway's Ointment and Pills iis „f effected another cure of bad legs.—Mr. Mason, chemis t, - Hastings, states in a letter to Professor Holloway, that itc, lation of his residing in Goodwin-street; Bloomsbury, Pa, mingliam, was for several years afflicted with bad logs. the applied a variety of remedies, but to no purpose, as be wounds increased to an alarming extent ; however, at la s .! 0 tried Holloway's Ointment and Pills, awl by the use of t' l3 ,, d never failing medicines, the virulence of the disease :- quickly subdued, and by persevering with them for time, they effected a sound and permanent cure.—Sold by all / 4 dors of medicine, and at Professor Holloway's establis'4 lo " 244, Strand, London. 4 4- IievESTISSMEST...I SIGHT AND HEAPING SPEOTAt.Thri PowERPOI. TELESCOPES OPERA, RACE, AND PERSPO: w GLAssEs.—S. and B. Solomon, opticians, 39, Alb env, street, Piccadilly. Observe—opposite the York Hotel, . t By her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent for valuable arld,l - n i traordinary improvements in the most powerful and bribr iv " - a Telescopes, Camp, Race-course, Opera, and Perspee"4,4 Glasses, to know the distances. These Telescopes pet og such extraordinary power that some, three and a-half 10 07 „, with an extra eye-piece will show distinctly Jupiter's 01 0°.- „; Saturn's ring, and the double stars ; with the same teles!%o can be seen a person's countenance three-and-a-half 11 ;i, . distant and an object from 16 to 20 miles. For the Vlitiig coat-pocket, and are of larger, and all sizes, with increal e _,,, powers accordingly. The Royal Exhibition, 185 1. , --A 1,4 able, newly-invented, very small, powerful, Waistcoat - P oe 10 1 Gleba, the size of a walnut, by which a person can be seen tr• known one and a-half mile distant. They answer every P pose on the Race - course and at the Opera-houses. Co i n to sce nery and ships are clearly seen at 12 to 14 miles. I t o are invaluable for shooting, deer-stalking, yachting, sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. OPI. Camp, Perspective, and Race-course Glasses, with wolla e ' t te powers. - Invaluable preserving Spectacle Lenses of ea greatest transparent power. The great advantage dert:;. from this invention is, that vision impaired becomoo E L 4 served and strengthened and very aged persons are esiAlie to employ their sight at the most minute occupation—co„4 with those lenses of a much less magnifying powel, they do not require the frequent changes to the 7 0 gerous effects of further powerful assistance. P DI! 4a can be suited at the most remote part of the world by P7O big one of the glasses out ot their spectacles in a lettca's 40 $ stating the distince from the eye they can read small V N . with it, and those who have not made use of speetaclete stating their age. Deafness.—New Discpvery.—The 05a f e d Vibrator, as extraordinarily powerful, small, newly-if:Wel l s, instrument for deafness, entirely different from all cis, surpassing anything of the kind that has been, or pro b .` 10 can be produced. Being of the same colour as the sAl w i l ipt not perceptible. It enables deaf persons to hear distine" church and at public assemblies ; the unpleasant sensat!it4 singing noises in the ears is entirely removed, and it sul i v, all the assistance that possibly could be desired.-39, nurle-street, Piccadilly—Opposite the York Hotel. lATL:oe BIRTHS. CLOW— On the 20th inst., at 20, Russell-place, Fit.o°/ ' square, Mrs. Leonard Clow, of twin sons. DOULTON— On the 20th inst., at Manor-house, Dulwich' common, Mrs. Frederic Daulton, of a daughter. t . ROUND—On the 22d inst., at 19, Richmond-t errac e,Vr T i c. b our ne-grove, the wife of 0. S. Ro un d, E sq ., of P I coin's-inn. of a daughter. of LEE— On the 19th inst., at Hampton-court, the W ll° Captain Lee, 15th (King's) Hussars, of a son. MARRIAGES. 11 11 D' AREAS —LECTIMERE—On the 17th inst., at the Sol a r o Chapel, Warwick -street, Lambert Louis Count d'Ar „et of St. Valerie, Picar.ly, to Louisa Augusta, you t i l ry daughter of the late Sir E. H. Lechmere, Bart., o' Rhidd Court, Worcestershire. „. 0 % WALSH—SOMERSET—On the 20th inst., at St. Geo r e bp Hanover-square, Arthur Walsh , Esq. , eldest son of the John Walsh, Bart., M.P., and Lady Jane Walsh, to tot Lady Emily Somerset, daught e r of the late, and P.- of the present, Duke of Beaufort. DEATHS. ANDERSON On the 22d inst., at Folkestone, Lit:lnte l° Gmeral John Anderson, Madras Army. st CAIRNS —On the 22d inst., at 29, Eaton-place, the iT t il it o sou of the Solicitor-General and Lady Cairns, age' days. fler Monet'—On the 22(1 inst., at the Birches, Mitchanh„ t he hart William, elilest son of Mr. William Morris, Stock Exchange, aged 17. ett OVNNS —On the 19th inst., at his house, 30, Ol oce° Ar place, Major-Gene ra l Charles Ovans, Bombay .' --13; aged 65. Ea° RIVINGTON—On the 19th inst., Gcorge Rivington, late of St. Paul's-churchyard: - , o ath TOWNSEND -On the 6th ult., at Serampora, near CgO„ocir e of Bengal fever, Isabella, wife of Meredith Town s O Esq , and daughter of John Collingwood, 8 84 trightoo. GOIiDON Printed and Published by MURDO It ° No• of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sul Offid e ' po tf 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the- c° of 1E41(111)80x, Saturday, July 24, 1858, she CT] uni BP da..l Sui the - 2 prox and the 3 With dellv Fitt AI will t be n ( Ruth( Lv and t for C Dank Decors for ti ,M Nic e , oftn, Ici . r A sear being Win, divide All the p r future The 70 Per IN lisped has b e kolicie cumi n , 81 " In ua the de °r zrai T fIIPOI Wm Ra m Johz F. Pro : The tak e out it 44, 184 F Ihsl --___ -- - (!s4 L. of . I' hYSl ,"qq?kr, " H ats dise a : Bone " -- -171 1 1 all it Ti 4 eaitl (1/. tree Matt Me