The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-10 00:00:00

t trIT ISbitton SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock, RAILWAY COMMITTEES (THIS DAY.) Sub-Committee, No. 1. TWO DIIII3ICT LONDON AND PORTSMOUTH RAILWAY. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) _ _ ._ Mr. BURKE said the contract deed before the Committee was not the contract deed brought before the House last year, notwithstanding that the Bill had been part-heard last session of Parliament. The standing order was imperative for the same deed being brought forward again where a Bill was brought in as a Bill part-heard. Mr. Burke having been sent for by the Chairman of another Committee, ir. COLES supported the objection. The contract of this year had the same names as that of last year, but the sum set down to the names of parties who were only bound for about 2,0001. in the first deed amounted in the present deed to 5-30,0001. Now those parties had never subscribed that sum, so that it must have been paid in their names by other persons. The CHAIRMAN said it mattered not who bad paid the money, the persons complained of were bound ; the money AM paid, perhaps, by some of their friends, but that was not for the Committee to inquire into. It was therefore the opinion of the Committee that the standing orders had been complied with. VHS MOLD JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. Eli-woman appeared for the promoters. The witnesses in support of the formal points having been called, The Committee decided that the standing orders had been complied with. TEM LONDON AND YONIC. ZAXLWAY BILL —COMMENCEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN—THE FIRST OUTPOST! Mr. A'BEcicErr, during the temporary absence of Mr. Strutt, was appointed to take the chair. The Hon. Member said that he thought it but right to state to the parties pre sent that he was himself a promoter of the London and York Railway, and as he happened to be in the chair during Mr. Strutt'a absence, it was more than probable that many re marks would be made. Mr. J. PARKES, who appeared for the opposition, said he would be perfectly satisfied with the Hon. Member's decision on any point, however vital to his (Mr. Parkes's) interest. Mr. BURKE said that he appeared on a petition against the contract deed, but, in consequence of the decision of the Com mittee a few minutes ago in the Direct London and Ports mouth Railway, he would not press his petition. Mr. Coates, assisted by Mr. Baxter, appeared for the pro moters. The witnesses in support of the depositing of plans and sec tions, and books of reference, were then called, and gave their . proofs without opposition. Mr. Baxter, examined by Mr. COATIS —This Bill fbr a line of railway from London to York was brought into the House of Commons last year, by which House it was sanc tioned. It was then taken into the House of Lords, where it was read a first time, and the further consideration post poned till this session, Mr. Jordan, examined by Mr. COATES—He witnessed the signatures to the contract deed. They were all genuine save one name, which was signed Joseph Nash. That person came to the company's offices, and produced a certificate authorising him to sign the deed. He executed the contract, but witness suspecting from his manner that there was something wrong, his suspicions were excited, and he asked Nash if he was the holder of the shares for which he had signed. Ile answered that he held some, and had parted with a good many. Wit ness was then instructed to make inquiries about the matter, and he subsequently found that Nash had no interest what ever. but was sent by a stockbroker in the City to impose on the Company for the very purpose of invalidating the deed. Upon this information the Company refused to re cognise the signature. The shares to that amount were still u n represented. Mr. John Langdon—Was present when Nash presented himself, and upon a suspicion having been created, Mr. Jor dan was anthorised to make inquiries. Mr. COATES—I am prepared to state the name of the firm whick employed Nash to impose on the promoters of this Bill. (Here the name was given, but, as it might possibly amount to an action for libel, it is omitted.) The Company, however (said Mr. Coates), I am prepared to prove, have sufficient capital with out the sum of 12,1501., for which Nash bound himself. Mr. PARKES—I should like to ask the last two witnesses what care was taken to insure the correctness of the other names to the deed. The Cuanaux—l think such a question is out of order. All we, as a Standing Order Committee have to do is to see that the standing orders have been complied with. Now in this instance we are of opinion that they have not been complied with; but we shall report that the case was ex plained to us hew the Company were imposed on, and their subsequent steps in trying to set it right. We shall also state that the Company have sufficient capital without the amount of Nash. It was not for the Committee to go into the exact circunastanees of the case not bearing upon the standing orders—it was sufficient for them to be of opinion that the standing orders in this instance were not complied with. Mr. PAkicss—l beg to submit to the Committe that any allegations go against the contract deed. After the decision just given, he could not go into that question, but he would, by permission of the Committee, state the position in which the London and York Railway stood. The Bill was, last session of Parliament, after being read a first time in the House of Lords, referred to a Committee on a petition against the validity of the contract deed. The Committee, after having sat some time, reported to the House that the Bill should not be pro ceeded with till the inquiry should conclude. Now, that Committee will sit again, and, of course, they will sit upon the same contract deed, whereas the contract deed now sub mitted to this Committee is quite a new deed. The CHAIRMAN.—Your case is one which can, no doubt, be entertained in the House of Lords, but here we have nothing to do with anything but that which relates to the standing orders of this House. The standing orders were then declared to have been com plied with. The great battle has yet, however, to be fought. The proceedings of this day were merely of a formal character, for the purpose of obtaining a new contract deed, and in this the promoters have been signally successful. As a proof that the most interesting period to all parties has not arrived, we may point to the absence of the agents for the competing lines, though we may as well state that one of the agents for the Direct Northern Railway was present in cog. We may date the commence ment of the campaign from this day—the field has been taken, and the first outpost established. wozvERSTON, lIVANDSS, AND CARL'S I. Z R. ATZAVAY. Mr. Burke appeared for the promoters. The Bill was unopposed, and the standing orders were de clared to have been complied with. TEE SEEDS, DEWSDURY, AND BIA.NCEMS TEA RATZWAY (WILICEPUILD EXTEN SION), Mr. Burke appeared for this Company. The Committee declared that the standing orders had been complied with, saving is a few instances. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock till twelve o'clock to-morrow. Sub-Committee, No. 2. MEWLS AND EANTS (arneazarozn EX TENSION) RAILWAY. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) The next allegation was, that there had been a deposit of the plans in the parish of Erlstoke. Mr. Pam called for proof that Erlstoke was a parish, as stated in the petition. Evidence being given pro and con, The Committee were of opinion that Erlstoke was not of itself a parish. There was a similar allegation respecting the parish of Edrington, which was not sustained, competent evidence not being adduced. The next allegation was, that the notice in the newspapers was insufficient, and calculated to mislead, inasmuch as it comprised two different schemes, the one the Berks and Hants, with the extension from Ilungerford to the terminus at Green-bridge, the other diverging from the Great Western at Tiverton, near Bath, to Radstock. Mr. COATES contended that this was clearly of a nature to mislead, and if carried would be of incalculable mischief to the parties through whose property lines might pass. Mr. Pro=s contended, that witnesses should have been pro duced to sustain his allegation. By an Act of last session, a power was given to the Berks and Hants Railway to incor porate with the Great Western, of which line it was a part and parcel. With reference to the line being brought out under its former name, it was nothing more than what was done by the London and Birmingham Company with refer • ence to the Northampton and Peterborough Railway. The Citarnmax said the Committee were of opinion that the standing orders had been complied with in the present case, as there was no positive contravention of any stand ing order, and the su b ject adverted to would become matter for the consideration of the Committee on the Bill. The next allegation was, that the notice was also insuffi cient, inasmuch as it stated that the Company intended to construct branches with ou t d e fi n i ng them, instead of giving full information to the owners of the property to enable them to ascertain how they would be affected by the railway, and to adopt the necessary steps to protect their interests. The Committee decided o ( r lr e gin_nents being heard for and against) that th e standing rs had been complied with. the notice containing all t h at was required by the Act of Par liament. air. COATES said the next allegation was, was insufficient, because, it that the notice ono raise that it (the Great Western Company) intended stating that they would make any application to Parliament 850 ,0001., without to amend the Great Western Act. Mr. Pittrr said that notices had been given in every parish through which the line would Pau th at the objection was untenable. The room was cleared, and in about half an hour we we re admitted. The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee were of that in this case the standing orders had not been opinion and directed the short-hand writer to read the c resolu orn Lion to which the Company had arrived, which was as fol lows Inasmuch as the notice of application to Parliament to make a railway commencing from the line of the Berks and H an ts Railway to or near the town of Hungerford and county of Berks, terminating by a junction with th e W ilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway, does not state the inten tion of the Great IVestern Railway Company, though sub sequently stated to the owners of the said Berks and Ilants Railway, to amend their acts by raising a ., further sune of money, but a separate notice of the Sallie dates respectively was given by ,the Great Western . Railway tootoi n c amend ltai ie their Act, but vet such last-mentioned notice do es n names of the places through which the works are intended to be made." Mr. CoaTes said, he appeared on the part of other peti tioners, owners of the property through. which the line would pass; but he would not press a great portion of the allegations. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock, till twelve o'clock to-morrow. Sub-Committee No. 3. BRIGHTON AND CHICHESTER RAILWAY. (Centinued from our Afternoon Edition.) The customary formal proofs having been put in, proving the usual deposit of plans, and that the estimated cost of the works was 45,0001., the committee decided that the standing orders had been complied with. STSTNING BRANCH. This was another petition of the London and Brighton Company, for leave to bring in a Bill t o aut h orise the con struction of a branch from a point on th e B r i ghton and Chi chester line to Steyning, in the county of Sussex. The cus tomary forms cess yin been gone through, the Committee decided that the standing orders had been com plied with. The estimated cost of the branch is 44,0001., and the aggregate estimated cost of all the works comprised in these Lonion and Brighton Bills is 271,0001. nos WIC if AND DUEY ST. EDMUND'S NAM- WAY EXTENSION. This was the petition of the Ipswieh and Bury St. Ed mund's Railway Company, for leave to bring in a Bill to ex tend their line to Norwich, and thus complete an entire chain of uninterrupted railway communication between the metro polis and the city of Norwich by means of the Eastern Counties line to Colchester, the Eastern Union Extension to Ipswich, the Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's to Bury St. Edmund's, and the present extension of the latter line. The three last lines were laid out by Mr. Locke. The estimated cost of the extension was 550,000/., and the length of the line was 31 miles. The Committee decided that the standing orders had been complied with. WAVENEY VALLEY AND GREAT YAR- MOUTH EA.ILWAY. This was the petition of the Waveney Valley Railway Company, for leave to bring in a Bill to authorise the con struction of a railway, of thirty-four miles in length, from Diss to Southdown, West Town, and Little Yarmouth. The line was laid out by Captain Moersom, who estimated its cost at 419,500/. The Committee took the usual formal proofs, and after wards declared that the standing orders had been complied with.—The Committee then adjourned. (Sub-Committee No. 4.) (Continued from our Afternoon Edition, NVISBEACH, ST. IVES, AND CANERIDGE .11.11.11.1.117AY BILL. In respect to this Bill the standing orders were complied with. The length of the line is 27i miles; estimated cost, 260,000/. ; the engineers, Messrs. Stephenson and Borth wick ; agents, Dorrington, Hayward, and Ellicombe. BRISTOL AND SOUTH WALES RAILWAY BILL. The standing orders were complied with in respect to this Bill, the object of which is to form a connexion between the South Hales Railway and Bristol. Tie length of the line is twelve miles—estimated cost 300,000/. ; the engineer, J. Brunel, Esq.; Parliamentary agents, Dyson and Co. There was no opposition. LANCASTER AND CARLISLE (EXTENSION TO CALEDONIAN RAILWAY, AND LAN CASTER AND PRESTON JUNCTION RAIL- WAYS AMALGAMATION) iiATLwAYBIIL In the matter of this Bill there was no opposition, and the standing orders were complied with. The estimated cost of the extension is 80,0001. Mr. Evrington is the engineer, and Messrs. Burke and Co., the Parliamentary agents. LEEDS, DEWSBURY, AND MANCHESTER (DEVIATION AND BRANCHES) RAILWAY SILL. Theobject of this Bill is to make certain deviations from the original line which has already received the sanction of Parlia ment, for the purpose of effecting a junction with the Manchester and Leeds line in the neighbourhood of Dewsbury, and also to fort* branch to Holdenclough with other branches. The cost is estimated at about 100,000/. The engineer is Mr. Thomas Grainger, of Endinburgh. The Parliamentary agents are Messrs. Burke, Pritt, and Co. There was no op position, and the standing orders were complied with. YORK AND NORTH MIDLAND (WIDCN ING AND ENLARGEMENT) RAILWAY BILL. There was no opposition to this Bill, in respect to which the standing orders were pronounced to have been complied with. The extent of new railway proposed to be formed is about fifteen miles ; engineer, Mr. Birkenshaw ; agents, Messrs. Burke, Pritt, and Venables. NORTEE UNXON RAILWAY. The object of this Bill was to effect the amalgamation of the North Union, Grand Junction, and Manchester and Leeds Railway Companies, or rather to authorise the sale of the North Union Line to the other two Companies as amal gamated. The standing orders were complied with. The Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow. COURSE OF EXCIL Amsterdam C.F. 12 93 Ditto, at sight • • .... 12 5;4 Rotterdam 2U. 12 10 Antwerp • • .......... 26 15 Hambnrgb • .M.B. 13 14% A1t0na..... . Paris, 3 days' sight .. • • 25 76 Ditto, 3 moiths...... 26 Marseilles • 26 10 Bonrdeaax .......... • • 26 10 Frankfort on Maine.... 122% Petersburgh, 3 U 5......— Berlin • • • . • ....... • • • • Vienna, effee.flo.. • • II 10 Trieste, ditto •• .... 10 10 Madrid • • .• • ••• • • • 36 Cadiz • • : •• • • 36 Bilbao.. • ..... • • • • • • • • Barcelona • • .. LNGE.-- (THIS DAY Gibraltar Leghorn Genes... • •• 30 75 • ... 26 10 Milan .. Venice Naples Palermo, per oz.. 1191 Lisbon.... • . 0p0rt0.... .. Rio Janeiro ........ • • 24% Bahia .. . ..... Buenos iyras •• • New York, 21 days' sight Philadelphia .. .. • . PAICTS or BULLION, ?YR OZ. Foreign Gold in bars.. £3 17 9 Portugal Gold Coin • • 3 17 5 'New Doubloons ... • . 0 0 0 New Dollars ....... • 0 4 9% Silver in bars .... •• • • 0 '4 11 1,4 M PERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool sack at the usual hour. ASSASSINATIONS IN IRELAND. Lord DUNCANNON gave notice, that on Thursday, he should move for a return of all the murders or at tempts to murder, in Ireland, since the year 1842, as also the amount of the rewards offered for the disco very of these offences since January 1842 ; the nature of each offence ; the number of rewards claimed, and the number of convictions which followed. CORN LAWS. A NOBLE LORD presented a petition from Wigton preying for the repeal of the corn-laws. The Duke of BUCKINGHAM presented petitions from the counties of Buckingham, York, Monmouth and Ilreeen, against any change in the present system of prot-ction. Lord CA MPBELL presented a petition very nume rously and respectably signed at Birmingham, praying for a reduction of all duty on the importation into this country of copper ore. The petition stated that an im mense quantity of copper ore was imported into this country and was still subject to a large duty, though the duty had been reduced. It also stated that during last year the price of copper had risen 12 per cent, which impeded the work of the manufacturers considerably. Lord KINNAIRD presented a petition from Altos, for the abolition of all protective duties on agriculture, and also one to the same effect from the county of Forfar. NUNS OF MINSK. The NOBLE EARL proceeded to say, that on a pre vious evening he had given notice to the Noble Lord the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of his intention to ask him a question on a subject which had excited a great sensation throughout all civilised countries. It had been stated that in a state in Europe the most barbarous and savage acts which it was possible to conceive had been committed ; and though it might be questionable how far they were entitled to interfere in the internal relations of other countries, he still thought that an in terference by peaceable means, and peaceable remon strances, with regard to such acts as be was about to call the attention of their Lordships, so far from being at variance with national proprieties,was perfectly justifiable. He alluded to what had especially been brought under their attention lately, and of which they had read and heard much. He referred to Lithuania, where scenes had taken place so incredible, that it was with the greatest difficulty they could be led to believe them. He had taken great pains to arrive at the truth of the facts alleged, and the result was that they were too true. He had learned from the most undoubted au thority that that country had witnessed barbarities of a most atrocious character. He would not harrow up their feelings with a description of the horrors and cruelties which had been committed in Lithuania on un protected nuns, and persons holding the Roman Catholic Faith. He would be content with stating shortly the leading facts of the case. In 1837 it appeared that the principal of the Roman Ca tholic Church in that 'district became converted from the Roman Catholic to the Russian or Greek faith, and in consequence he obtained an unlimited power from the Emperor of Russia to use every means for the conversion of the Roman Catholics hitherto under his direction. He made his first attempt at conversion upon the sisterhood of Minsk, and, after obtaining the conversion of the prin cipal or head to his views, proceeded to use his influ ence with the nuns to change their religion. Having failed in his attempt he gave them three months to consider his proposition, at the end of which time he expected them to give an answ,r. Fail ing to obey this injunction the principal, at the head of a body of soldiers, seized upon the sisterhood and took them into custody. They were then put to every kind of servile and menial employ ment, and obliged to associate with the lowest dregs of society. After two years' servitude of this kind, from fear that the bishop of their church would influence the people of the town to rise in their favour, they were removed to a neighbouring town, where they were put to labour which no female ought to or could endure. They were obliged to serve the masons engaged in building the palace, and so hard was the labour that eight of them died at the work, and three others immediately after. The cruelties inflicted on them were such as to make their Lordships' blood shud der. They were given salted herrings with the object of increasing their thirst, and denied a cup of water to quench it, while they fed on alternate days upon bread and water. They were brought to the lowest possible state, and then when they would not abandon their religion, they were made to receive fifty lashes twice a week. Under this treatment several of them died. Not only were they made to suffer this treatment, but were sub jected to other treatment which he could not name. lie did think that a worse spirit was never evinced by the most ruthless of the Roman emperors, or that acts m we o r r e e horrible were ever committed by them. There flow four brought forth and placed under a and koefpt water e u u n n t t d il th th y e w N e v r a e ter fro w s ßs en t c e ong d ea ea le th d . , I T ) a l r uz i.i f t :, i c e t s s c a o p u p ld e a n r osto bera a c r o v m e e l m l b i u t t s e d th b a y t a some l s t e h d i u p k e o s p u ? e h . he Such (Laud elties d o ind d eedwaas much ppemarailmost incredible, but statements which he was afraid w a t t o h ro a t t r t u h e e . rKennair makin They were forced to drink gsalt te out of eighteen eleven only su rv i ved this trea'ca t !l and . lie did feel very anxious on this subj ec t, as there had been assertions made against the Emperor of Russia, and as this Government were on amicable terms with that sovereign, he hoped an inquiry would be instituted into the affair. He was sure it would not be considered that this Government were improperly, matrt hu tor that for it w a hosti a le s re ason, interfering in this matter, charityinterfering ug h fo t rt o a ied h u tt e m e a t h n e e purpose. i r Lordships toT h c m e a ke a cause of ee en deavournuns.Tthoemqiutiegsatiteen t h he e w su e ff u e ld rin a g s s k o o f f t t h h e e se N n o n h fo le rtu L n u a rd te r t e h e e ei S ve e d er a e e t ay y i e f f o o r r eia t Foreign ien en the sAffairsh subject, , or wwheotuhledrhheehhavade _ be any objection that some information sho be eeuldpnrsiocd on the subject. He was sure it couldconsidered not TILE SUN, LONDON, TUES DAY EVENING, FEBRUARI 10. 1846. a hostile inquiry by the Emperor of Russia, or that it was created by any hostile feeling. Lord ABERDEEN said that he had read, in common with others the reports in question, and he could not say whether they were correct or not, as he had not received any information from her Majesty's Envoy about the transaction. He had no further knowledge of this subject than what he now stated ; but he could not believe that the ac counts that had been received of this transaction could in any degree be relied on. No doubt reli gious persecution of any sort was greatly to be deplored ; but the barbarites enumerated by the Noble Lord, he (Lord Aberdeen) really did not think could have been perpetrated. The difference between the Greek form of worship and the Roman Catholic was, that one acknowledged the supremacy of the Pope, and the other did not, but there was no difference in doctrinal points. When the Emperor of Russia was in Rome recently, the Pope asked him if those statements were correct, and the Emperor assured him that he had no knowledge of them whatever, but they should be rigidly inquired into immediately, and if found to be correct, the perpetrators should be visited with the severest punishment. And this course he (Lord A.) thought would be better then any attempt of this Go vernment to interfere in the matter.—(Hear, hear.) RAILWAY INVESTMENTS. Lord BROUGHAM gave notice that he would move for a return of all the moneys that had been paid into , the acco un t o f t h e A ccountant -G enera l on account o f railway property to be brought before Parilament this session. lected. Government had not turned sufficient attention to their commercial interest, and that was the reason why they had always been a burthen to the mother country.---(Hear.) lie was convinced that if a proper course were adopted with regard to our colonies, they would become an assistance instead of a burden. Sir G. GREY said that if these documents contained valuable information, he thought that the members had not sufficient access to them; and he would, therefore, propose that they should be referred to the consideration of the Printing Committee, with a view to their greater dissemination. After a few remarks from Sir R. H. INGLIS, COURT OF APPEAL IN CRIMINAL CASES. Mr. EWART wished to put a question to theSolici tor-General or the Secretary for the Home Department. On a former occasionn the lion. and Learned Solicitor • General had brought in a Bill to give a court of appeal in criminal cases in this country. He begged to ask whether it was the intention of the Government to remedy the defect at present existing with respect to the want of a Court of Appeal in criminal cases. Sir JAMES GRAHAM was understood to say that it was the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to give a power of appeal in certain criminal cases. INDIA. Mr. HUME rose to move for certain returns con nected with the affairs of India. He thought that the : ecessity for giving that information was sufficiently ap parent, and he would therefore throw out the suggestion that those reports ought to be printed. During the last ten years he had always entertained that opinion, and he trusted that the Government would adopt that sug gestion, as it was likely to conduce to the general benefi He would therefore suggest the propriety of printing those reports which had any concern with Indian affairs. THE CORN-LAWS. Lord EBRINGTON and Mr. HINDLEY presented petitions against the repeal of the corn-laws.. On the montion being pot for the resumption of the adjourned debate, Mr. S. O'BRIEN said, that in resuming this debate, he could not help feeling that, in the consideration of this subject there had been a great disregard of the interests of the commonalty, and that before the repeal of the corn-laws, the Ministei s ought to have consulted the farmers respecting the mannner in which that repeal was likely to affect them. general opinion h e did not say, neither wo u ld h e express any tWake on opinionhethe ofhimself hissuch m t ay own on the subject. However, in refe rence to the question he should say that, whatever might he urged against the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government, he (Mr. O'Brien) had nothing to retract or explain.—(Hear.) He had not changed his opinion and what he stated before he was then prepared to state again.—(" Hear, hear," from the Ministerial benches.) A Noble Lord who spoke last night had not only felt it his duty to announce an alteration in his opinions, in reference to the present great ques tion, but also to deliver himself of a sentence, upon which, as it is formed the salient point of the Noble Lord's speech, he hoped to be permitted to comment. 'the purport of the sentence was, that the law of 1815 was the greatest error ever committed.—(Hear, hear.) That might be the case ; but he turned to that side of the House, and begged to ask who the parties were that urged the landed interest of the country not to explain or retract, but to persevere in and maintain an oppo sition to that law ?—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") The Right lion. Baronet at the head of the Government says he has given an opportunity to Ron. Members to retract their opinions as regarded that measure. He felt much obliged to the Right Hon. Gentleman ; but he should say that opportunities were not wanted, as the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton had given ample opportunity year after year.—(Hear, and a laugh.) That brought him to another part of the question. His Right Hon, Friend (the Premier) had said, that "if he had changed his opinions and not declared such, he should be ashamed of himself." Now he (Mr. O'Brien) should be ashamed of him also. But he wished to know on what principle parties in this country country could in future be kept together ? It might be said that that was an old story, and that they were attacking the Pre mier and making speeches in a bad cause. He found that this country had hitherto been governed party; and it might be considered to be absolute preju dice, but he was not ashamed to own himself a party man.—(llear, hear.) It had hitherto been the custom of this country to believe that a discussion of ques tions upon party principles was advisable. That a rigid adherence to those principles was on the whole, with all its imperfections and all its anomalies, the better way of eliciting the truth, and conduced to a sound legislation.—(Hear, hear.) But he might observe that not only had this Government changed its princi. pies sinoe it came into office—(hear, hear), but it had practically declared that it would be bound by no strict principles whatever.—(Hear, hear.) He (Mr. S. O'Brien) was not in the House before the present Government came into office ; the first vote which he ever gave was to place them in their present position. Bnt he could only say say, that having laboured in behalf of his country, he could undertake to say, that if ever an op position was conducted upon party principles, that oppo sition was that which was marshalled, headed, and led by the Right Lion. Baronet at the head of the Govern ment.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) The disappoint meut was too bitter.—(Hear. hear.) The subject of his conduct was one which was far too annoying, or else he would enter into it willingness. But he did not wish to glee personal offence to his friends the officers of the Government, otherwise he would subject the occu pants of the cabinet to the reprobation of the House.— (Rear, hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman had said— and that he thought was the sum and substance of his speech—that inasmuch as the law had failed in the year 1842, he should, therefore, entirely aban don those principles on which he had come tato office. The Right Honourable Gentleman said that the law had failed in 1842, and the word " failure" might be under stood in two ways. He would wish to call to the recol lection of his Right Hon. Friend what lie said to the farmers of Wiltshire, in February, 1845 , —(Hear, hear,) —when he made the announcement that he had become a convert of free trade. lie would wish to ask whether, if the law failed in 1842, the Sidney Herbert of that year would have corresponded with the Sidney Herbert of this ?—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) He would also wish to ask him, if it was possible for any ingenuity in human nature to concoct a law which would answer both those gentlemen ?—(Great laughter.) His Right Hon. Friend in 1845 would find that law failed for the letting in of corn freely—his Right lion. Friend in 1846 would find that the corn law failed in the re striction of the free a importation he po r (m t a a til t gd i ohnt certainly believe evet ht corn—therefore heaitiohuseehW::si highly as he thought of the legislative p owers of his capablechief, aonfd effecting sincerely anything seen that he was capable of effecting great things.) Still that Right Hon. Gentleman asked of him too much, if he expected that the law of 1842 could succeed in pleasing gentlemen of both sides of the House. But the question of averages was all that disappointed the ex pectations of his Right Hon. Friend, He could not see the cause of that. His Right Hon. Friend might re member, that even if he were obliged by this failure to give up the question of the slidin..- scale, there was a fi xe d duty for hi m to fall bael upon.—(Laughter.) He conceived that the aelairhgiusmlief:s favourite t. of the Right H onoura ble Baronet, viz., that be cause the sliding scale had failed in one Act of three years, was not a good one; it was not i n hi s opinion asufficient measure, reason to induce even hthime principlestogie-eupo, not only h His Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Sidney Herbert) had said that this was not a question of delegation. He (Mr. S. O'Brien) should say it was not a question of delegation, but the Members of that House were the representatives of the people, and when they voted against the interests constituents, then they beteayed those interests, and were unfit either to be delegates or representatives. It was not merely a question of impost which seut this Ilouse•before tee country, and it was not merely a ques tion of impost which placed the Right Hon. Gentleman on the Treasury benches. He would not attempt to treat this question as a trifling one. He would not Itreat this questi on i n t h at l i ght manner that the Right lion. Gentl eman w h o h a d spoken last had attempted to treat it. It was a quest i on of the greatest importance to the agricultural interests of this country. The Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government had said said that the great potato fairure in Ireland had almost led him to throw open the ports. He (Mr. Stafford O'Brien) did not underrate those evils, he knew they did exist, and he was glad to find that the lion. and Learned Member for Cork, intended to bring forward the evils pending that failure in Ireland the following day. But he thought her Majesty's Ministers would have done better by throwing open the ports temporarily for a temporary relief, than to adopt the present measure. How had the free trade question been received in Ireland. The gentleman who stood next to Mr. O'Connell in that country had re probated the measure; he said plainly that a re peal of the corn-laws would work great evil to the farmers of that country, and would but add to the distress which now threatened her. lie was in England when be was called back again by the dreadful accounts which he received of the progress of the potatoe disease, and he would tell the House that those accounts were so far correct, that if the disease had progressed as it had commenced, there would not have been a single vegetable in Ireland at the present moment. On my return, I found the dis ease rather mending, but it has again commenced, either from the late wet weather or some other mysterious arrangement of Providence. He assured them that there never was a country which called for more urgent measures than Ireland, and he firmly believed, there never was a Government more anxious than the present for the welfare of that country. But he should tell the Right Honourable Member for Oxford, that the famine in Ireland re• quired more more immediate for its alleviation, and he did not see how, if he would pass his Bill, Ireland would be benefited by it one single quarter of wheat.— (Cheers.) My Hon. Friend observed that when he looked round Wiltshire, he was surprised how the poor people could exist there. All he could say was, the he generally found that the poverty of the agricultu re( districts was greatly to b.l attributed to the landlords. When they found wretched cottages, and women and children half-clothed, they were naturally led to inquire the name of the owner of the soil.—(Hear, hear.) He had conversed with some Wiltshire farmers that morn ing, who bore him out in the statements he had made, and he would do him the justice to say they believed him to be conscientious inhis opinions. But he (Mr. S. Herbert) had totally failed is the case which he had brought fro ward to show the necessity of a repeal of the corn-laws in order to remedy the evils under which the country was labouring, which was simply only saying that em ployment and the wages of employment tended to the happiness of the labourer, but if he had followed up his argument, and really show that a repeal of the corn laws, and an extensive cultivation of poor soil would effect all this, he would have made his arguments com plete. He would have given an argument in favor of the repeal of the corn-laws, which had never yet been argued. COMMONS SUMMARY. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. Mr. JAMES STUART WORTLEY took the oaths, and his seat for Bute. Leave was given to bring in several railway Bills, among which was the Windsor, Slough, and Staines Atmospheric. Mr. HUDSON brought in the York and North Midland (Whitby Extension) Railway Bill, which was read a first, and ordered to be read a second time. Sir JOHN EASTHOPE presented several petitions from Leicester in favour of the Government measure for the abolition of duties on food. A vast number of petitions were also presented for and against the measure. Mr. HensoN presented a petition. from Sunderland, for the immediate repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. BYNG presented a petition from Kensington, in favour of the Ministerial plan for the reduction of the duties on food. The petitioners, however, stated that they would have preferred the total repeal of the corn laws to the delay of three years. Lord JoHN RUSSELL presented a petition from London, signed by 64,000 persons, in favour of free trade. Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice of his intention to move for returns of the salaries of all persons receiving 5001. a-year under the Government since 1795. On the motion of Mr. YOUNG, a new writ was moved for Westminster, in the room of Captain Ilous, who had accepted the office of one of the Lords of the Admiralty. In answer to the following question from Sir 11. WIN STON BARRON, what amount of funds there are now available for the purpose of lending, with interest, to wards carrying on public works in Ireland :—Also, if it is intended to propose or sanction any measure by which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in Ireland would be empowered to sell any portion of their estates, and thereby pay off the 60,000/. they borrowed from the Government, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there was a sum of 300,000/. placed at the disposal of the Board of Works for Great Britain, upon which demands might be made from Ireland ; and there was a further sum of 60,000/. annually voted for Ireland. There was now unapplied a sum of 52,0001. As to the question with respect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, there was a sum of 100,000/, lent to them, which had been paid. Mr. HumE moved that a humble address be presented to her MAJESTY, that she will be pleased to direct co pies of the existing tariffs and commercial regulations of each of the British colonies and possessions be laid before this House, in the same manner as the tariffs and commercial regulations of Europe and America have been laid before the House. And also to move that there be laid before this Holm, copies of the existing tariffs and commercial regulations of British India and the dependencies thereof, on exports and imports, in the same manlier as those laid before the House of the European and American States. After a few words from Mr. AGLIONBY, Mr. F. BARING recommended that the subject should be referred to the Printing Committee. Sir R. liticras said that this particular report did not come under the cognizance of the Printing Committee. But when an Hon. Member stated in his place that such a report was full of errors, he thought that some oppor tunity ought to be afforded him of substantiating his statement. In reply to Mr. EWART, Sir JAKES..GRAHAM said it was not the intention of the Government to introduce a measure for giving to parties aggrieved a right of ap peal in criminal cases. Certain unopposed returns having been moved for and agreed to, The order of the day for resuming the adjourned de bate was read, and STAAIFORD O'BRIEN complained that the Govern ment had not yet thought fit to consult the agriculturists at all on this measure. He had little hope of attracting the attention of the House ; he had not changed, and therefore he had nothing to explain, but remained in the same state of bigotry in which he had ever been. The law of 1815 might have been the greatest error that the landed interest had ever committed, but he would ask who had encouraged them to persevere in that error. Year after year the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton had given them an opportunity of re trieving that error, and year after year the Right Hon. Gentleman had urged them to persevere in it. He would not impute to the occupants of the Treasury bench disbeonesty, but this country had hitherto been governed by party ; and if parties were to be broken up in this way, he would ask how the Government of the country vev.s to be conducted. He had no hesitation in avowing that he was a party man ; and if ever there was an opposition conducted by party tactics for party ends, it was the opposition of the Right Hon. Gentleman to the late Government. It was a bitter disappointment to find him now eschewing all party. The Right Hon. Gentlemstaa who spoke last night said that the law of 1842 had failed. Had it failed to the SIDNEY HERBERT of last year, or to the SIDNEY HERBERT of this year ? If the hew had failed in regard to the question of ave rages, it must be a reason for readjusting those ave rages ; rind if he found the sliding -scale fail, that was no reason, for giving up protection—they had still the sliding -scale to fall back upon. If it had been merely a question of duty, why had they raised such an agitation on the snibject? It was not on a mere question of im port duty that the present Government had dis placed the last. If the present Government had changed their opinions, let them avow the change, and give due credit to those who had always upheld those principles; but let them not deprive them of the credit due to them by saying that this was a mere question of import duties. He was not careless of the evils impending over Ireland; but a particular evil re quired 'only a particular remedy, and although the ports might be opened to prevent a famine, Ireland yet There Ives no necessity for repealing the corn-laws. All the authorities in Ireland agreed that the destruction of agricu3ture in that country would be its ruin. He ad mitted: the existence of the potato disease, and if it had progressed, he was convinced there would not have been _ _ - - - --- a potato left in Ireland. The rot had been stayed, but had now recommenced, and he believed that the Governwen was privared to meet the emergency; but he denied that the case of famine in Ireland would be met by the pro posed alteration in the :corn-law. He believed that the landowners in Ireland were greatly responsible for the distress existing in the country, but he denied that a re peal of the corn-laws would provide a remedy for the distreis. (LEFT SPEAKING.) fIIIE LONDON GAZETTE (THIS EVENING.) BUCKINGHAM PALACE, FEB. 8, 1846. Hie. Royal Highness Prince Albert has been pleased to ap point the Marquis of Abercorn, K.G , to be Groom of the Stole., in the room of the Marquis of Exeter, resigned. FOREIGN OFFICE, FDB. 2. Tb e Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Edward Wafter I3onham, Esq., to be her Majesty's Consul at Calais. Time Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Norman Prir gle, Esq., to be her Majesty's Consnl at Stockholm. ADMIRALTY, FED. 4. Corps of Royal Marines—Second Lieut. R. F. Tucker to be First Lieutenant, vice Arnold who retires on half-pay. Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire. C. G. Fairfax, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant ; D. Cayley, Esq.., to be Deputy Lieutenant, Jan. 31. 3 4 e )o re n f l o n r l d is s s he iioirnbtegtihmeeLnot of Aa— rdLileitliitteinau j t .ol ‘ra l-llorelfsohradmsl: Bart.,ire to be Major, vice Barnaby, M.P., resigned, Feb. 4. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorsetshire. Dorsetshire Regiment of Militia—G. T. Jacob, Esq., to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice J. J. Smith, Esq., promoted, Feb. 6. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk. West Suffolk Militia-IV. H. Earl of Euston to be Colonel, vice Duke of Grafton, resigned, Dec. 24, 1845. Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. East Kent Regiment of Militia--J. T. H. Dunn, Gent ~to be Ensign, vice P. J. Darell, resigned, Feb. 5. West Kent Regiment of Militia—J. M'Gregor, Gent. to be Ensign, vice B u t c h er, resigned, Feb. 5 ; C. A. Abb'ott, Gent., to be Ensign, v i ce C. M•Gregor, deceased, Feb. 6; F. Thennpson, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Monypenny, appointed to the Line, Feb. 7. rw CROWN-OFFICE, FEB. 10. MEMBERS RETURNED TO BER7E IN THIS PRESENT PARLIA• MENT. County of Bute --The Honourable James Archibald Stuart Wortley, her Majesty's Judge Advocate General. Jlorough of Cashel—Timothy O'Brien, of Merrion-square, ih the city of Dublin, Esq., in the room of Joseph Stock,Esq., wlao has accepted the office of Steward of her Majesty's Chit ten I Hundreds. CRO WN-OFFICE, FEB. 6. :Days and places for holding the Lent Circuits, 1846, viz. WHITEHALL, DEC. 19, 1845. The Lord Chancellor has appointed Thomas Nicks, of the borough of Warwick, Gent., to be a Master .Extraordinary in - the High Court of Chancery. WHITEHALL, FEB. 3, 1846. The Lord Chancellor has appointed William Knight, of Tarnworth, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. BANKRUPTS. Richard Ensoll, draper, Broad-street, Bloomsbury, to sur render, Feb. 20. at half-past eleven, and March 27, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Alsager, official assignee, Bir chin-lane ; Mardon and Prichard, Christchurch-chambers, New gate-street. Je hn Thomas Pascoe, metal-refiner, High-street, Spital fields Feb. 27, at h a lf- past one, and March 27, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Alsager, official assignee, Birchin lanes; Smith, Finsbury -terrace. Thomas Francis Saunders, brewer, Burton-upon-Trent, Feb. 17, at eleven, and March 20, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee ; Seaman, Pancras lane, Cheapside. William Burrows, Grove-street, Hampstead-road, Feb. 17, and March 18, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman -street-building, ; Roberts, Bride court,' Fleet-street. Joseph Johns, confectioner, Grosvenor -street, Pimlico, Feb. 17, and M arc h 18, at half-past twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnston, official assignee, Basinghall street, London.. James Blyth, grocer, Chelmsford, Feb. 16, at half-past eleven, and March 21, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sambrook-oourt, Basinghall-street ; Heath, Nag's Head-court, Gracechurch-street. Walter Spiers, printer, North Audley-street, Oxford -street, Feb. 19, at one, and March 24, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee, Old Jewry-cham bers; Hepburn, Copthall-court. George Goddard, tea-dealer, Leicester, Feb. 19, at twelve, and March 24, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street, London; Hill and Matthews, St. Mary Axe, Loudon. Samuel Pursell, ironmonger, Strand, Feb. 20, at two, and March 20, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's •place, Old Jewry ; Hugh es , Bedford-street, vent-garden. Stephen Brett and Thomas Tunwell, upholsterers, Char lotte street, Fitzroy-square, Feb. 17, at half-past one, and March 20, at half-past twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane, Lombard-street; Reed and Landford, Friday-street, Cheapside. Cooper Ewbank, share-broker, Manchester, Feb. 21, and March 19, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Hob son, official assignee, Manchester; Capes and Co., Gray's Inn, London ; Binney, Manchester. _ William James Dunsfo r d, surgeon, B ristol, Feb. 24, and March 24, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Acraman, official assignee, Bristol; Smith, Bristol. Richard Allerton, wheelwright, Bettle-cum-Linacre, Lan caster, Feb. 27, and March 24, at twelve, at the Liverpocl District Court. Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool ; Walker, Furnival's-Inn ; Bradley, Liverpool. 'George Codrington Nicholls, commission merchant, Upton, Chester, Feb. 20, and March 13, at half-past eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Bird, official assignee, Liverpool; Wilkinson, Furnival's-Inn ; Brown, Liverpool. Joseph Mellanby, broker, Hartlepool, Durham, Feb. 20, at twelve, and March 24, at two, at the Newcastle-upon- Tyne District Court. Baker, official assignee, Newcastle upon-Tyne ; Wawn, Stockton-on-Tees ; Wright, New Inn, Stranc ; Hark, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. William Benyon, button manufacturer, Feb. 24, at twelve, and March 24, at haif-past eleven, at the Birmingham District Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham ; James, Birmingham. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current llof Feb. 10.) SUGAR. —To-day there was little desire manifested by grocers and refiners to purchase) West Indianl Sugar,' but the quantity on show being scanty merchants were euabled to obtain former rates. REFINED.—To-day Refined goods were purchased with caution by the home trade, 63s 6d to 64s were the rates taker! for Standard Lumps, and 62s to 63s per cwt far Brown Lumps. Bonded crushed Sugar is wanted, and it is difficult to purchase first quality under 348 per cwt. 111Aunmus.—This afternoon ISlnuritius Sugar met wito attention, and 7,347 bags 313 caskes at auction were all sold; the sorts under 50s per cwt brought full rates, but those above that price went a little cheaper. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon Bengal was in good demand, and three parcels offered at public sale amounting to 2,889 bags, were sold at full rates. Fonnnax.—Holders of yellow and brown Havannah Sugar are not inclined to further reduce their price, but the business transacted by private treaty has been extremely limited, and at auction 1,509 boxes were taken in rather above the value. MOLASSES.—Prices are firm for all descriptions of West India. and a fair business has been transacted. COFFEE.—This afternoon 413 bags of Bahia Coffee at pub lic sale were offered, the sound was nearly all taken in rather above the value. For good ordinary native Ceyloe 48s to 49s per cwt are the rates asked, but little business has been transacted. The.—To-day a fair business was transacted privately in Tea, but not at better prices. SPICES.—This afternoon Nutmegs were in better request, and at public sale 7 cases were sold on an advance on former rates of 2d to 3d per lb. SPIRITS.—To-day a brisk demand sprung up for Brandy, principally for arrival. Cognac best brands of the vintage of 1842 brought ss. 10d to 6s, an d 1844 , 4s 4d to 4s 7d per gal lon. In East and West India Rum, only a limited business was transacted, but holders would not take lower rates. Mex.—The demand has been good for cleaned Rice, but no advance in the value has taken place. Madras is wanted. The value of Java is 15s to 17s 6d, but the market is scan tily supplied. Bengal has been in good request, and the parcels sold privately were upon former terms. Ons.—There has been a limited business transacted in Olive Gil, although the rates taken have been rather under those previously quoted. Prices rule firm for Palm, and a good demand has been experienced. Cocoa Nut is little wanted, and is offered upon lower terms. Linseed Oil has been in extensive request on the spot, and prices are still on the advance. For forward delivery :many contracts have been entered into. Rape Seed Oil - is little' wanted, and the stock is still accumu lating. in Cod a good business has been transacted, but at low rates. For Seal the demand has been only for small parcels, and the :prices are rather lower. In the value of Southern little variation has occurred. Sperm is little wanted. and 761 to 781 is the value of good and fine British. Lard Oil is heavy of disposal at 391 to 4 01 per tun. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Monday, Feb. 9. PUBLIC WORKS IN IRELAND. Lord MONTEAGLE said that at the present moment it not only behoved Noble Lords to pass the Bill, but, further, that they should pass a series of measures, of which the present was but a component, for the improvement of the condition of the people of Ireland. He had heard it stated that the pressure on the people of Ireland was but slight, and not entitled to serious consideration. A greater or more grievous mistake could not be entertained, and could only have pro ceeded from a misapprehension of the real facts. It was by no means a trivial matter in the present posi tion of political affairs between the two countries, that no individual Member of that House should be repre sented to the people of Ireland as indifferent to their in terest, particularly when the deficiency of food in that country at present was considered. It would be of great importance that it should not appear that that House was indifferent to this state of things. He should say, that the magnitude of the evil in. respect to food in Ireland had by no means been exaggerated. The Noble Lord then read extracts from the reports made by Mr. Lindley and Mr. Playfair upon the state of the potato crop, by which it appeared that the crop was de ficient by one-half, and that there would also be a defici ency of seed ; and that the result would be that the distress to be apprehended in Ireland from a scarcity of food would be most awful and appalling. The Commissioners stated that it appeared from un doubted authority that out of 32 counties not one had escaped the failure of the potato crop, and that out of the districts around 130 poor-law unions, not one was exempt from the failure. To those who were co , - nected with Ireland this presented a very sad aspect. He remembered, in 1822, being commissioned with some of the most useful men (amongst whom the late Mr. John Smith was conspicuous) to inquire into the cause of distress in Ireland. At that time, when they had at their disposal 300,0001. subscribed by the English na tion, and which sum was afterwards doubled by Parlia ment, they had only to cope with the partial distress of ten counties, and that distress did not begin until the spring, They had now to deal with the dis tress of thirty-two counties, and the distress had begun before the month of February. They knew by sad experience that not only the want of food in the country would be felt, but they also knew that other calamities would follow. The benefits which had been done to that country had, however, been stated by others, and he would not, therefore, refer to them particularly. But he could not help saying that the treetinent which Ireland ought to receive ought to be the treatment due to a young country. Now the public works had a tendency to a public benefit. What had been the results of public works in Ireland ? But it had been suggested to her Majesty's Government that consideiable good might be done by Government if they made a better appropria tion of the constabulary and police rates in the several counties. This was a subject that called for the peculiar attention of . the Ministry. Whatever difference was made in the appropriation of public burdens, or whatever pressure was removed, the relief should be granted in agreement with justice. In the present instance the measures by the Government on the constabulary rate acted in an inverse ratio to this principle. Take the counties of Down and Tipperary. In the county of Down, which had been tranquil and prosperous, and where the constabulary rates had been light, the relief would be much less in proportion to that of Tipperary, in which for a long time the rates had been very high, arising from the in security of life and property. If a remission of the constabulary rate was to be made, the alteration should be such as to appropriate the benefits in the same ratio as the rates bad been imposed—apportioning relief in proportion to the tranquillity or disturbance that might respectively prevail. He doubted much whether the proposed re mission would be an improvement, especially the taking away the constabulary force from under the local magistracy. Great advantages had resulted from this connexion both in the discipline of the force and the benefits resulting from this employment ; and if they , took away this corps from under the control of the magistrates, it would make tho constabulary force as sume the character of a foreign Bens d'armerie force. He begged of the Government not to dissasociate the force from the local protection under which it had hitherto been placed. In proposing measures for the relief of the people in Ireland, it was his opinion more would be done for the tranquillity of that country by the employment of engineers, the construction of public works, draining and such like measures for giving the population em plop:went, than by any other course that could be devised. If they did an act of justice or generosity, let it be directed by wisdom, as that course alone would be at tended with success. With respect to the repeal of taxation, though it might be very popular at the time it was proposed, it was soon forgotten —it would not survive the session' in which it was agreed to. He trusted that if those measures should be adopted, they would exercise a beneficial and useful in fluence upon the people of Ireland. He had spoken upon this subject at greater length than he had intended, but it was one in which he felt a great interest, for he had the welfare of his country sincerely at heart. and was most anxious to see her condition ameliorated. He had had communication with several Members of that House as well as with some of those of the other. House of Parliament, and he had not met with one who had any interest in land in that country who did not appear to agree with him in opinion upon this subject. The Duke of WELLINGTON said he bad no doubt the Noble Lord was right in taking this opportunity of speaking upon this subject. But it should be remembered that this was a Bill not yet before that House. It was a Bill which had received all the attention from many Noble Lords which it was possible to give it in the short space of time allowed, but he could not say that they had agreed to adopt the proposition it contained. It was well known that the police tax had always been a tax upon the land, and it should be admitted that it ought not to be allowed to continueso. There was at present a Bill•in the hands of Govern M . " hivh would relieve counties from the police-tax. r rbeY had received a strong recommendation from the Co' missioner on the subject, and before they came to any determination, on the subject they would take into con sideration that recommendation. No person was.more de sirous than he was of making such improvements as would draw forth the resources of that country. There were. other measures in contemplation, which would co me on in the co urse o f the session, and which would have the effect of giving relief to Ireland ; and. therefore, he wished that his Noble Friend would postpone the dis ens,,ion until the matter came before the Rouse in e more regular manner. Lord STOURTON sa id t h at h e s h ou ld feel WO; self wanting in his duty both to England tr . Ireland if he did not express his entire and full con e c r_ rence with the measure proposed by Government for edit about of Ireland. The labour of Ireland was ! I d i t about to be absorbed in resources which—and he said to the disgrace of this country—had been kept for.,, years in darkness. He would refer to the year when it appeared that no less than 65,00 0 sons passed through the fever hospitals of Dc w ee , He libped also to be allowed to express his concurr,, e in the perfect truth of the report which emanated frtu; the House of Commons in the last session, in Whicolandi absolute necessity was declared of bettering the con tion of the Irish people. That statement was 513° -- fi er ten years ago; and now that they had it in their po w to cement an union between the people of England repea l Ireland— cement i ng t h em i n a manner that n o could break—(Hear)—he called on them to act wisely an d boldly. He w ou ld w i s h to see t h e peasantr y of I r, d be raised to a pr o p er l eve l ; an d h e shoul d say it woui were a much mor e gra tif y i ng c i rcumstance i f the people w , e d less dep en d ent upon l an d . M r. Forster, in 18 25, stai o n that " the Irish must have hied, as they depended ce• it." Now that was a most grievous circtunst en resh Therefore he should sa y th a t th e i r po li cy , their itt te d be called on them to support the present measure ; of should shrink from his responsibility as a Me m Th i ad that House, if he did no t a d v i se t h em to combine an endeavour to advance su c h a policy.—(Hea r ' 1 4 1 1 If they placed a p o li ce f orce i n t h e stea d o f t he fne' t te in force which it would b e o th erw i se necessary to wain ht in the counties of Ireland, Government Igo to recommend that the quota of the eNP e b ia d should be borne by each county, or by each tu",' °- in . which the police force might be require lh • n i o n, thought, and the Commissioners were of oP i l l ee d that this course might remedy the evil cotalt e ld or. But he thought it not only necessary that they i 7 ii t c l patronise public works, b u t t h at they s'°eet, also give every assistance to agriculturalimproven? the for this was not on ly requ i re d f or t h e happiness °lsis°, people at present, b u t f or t h e i r f uture prosper ity es , He felt, as a resident landlord in Ireland, that this 133 r e. sure would be of gr ea t b ene fi t t o t h at country , and ther e , fore he had no h es it a ti on in saying it should have h is C oe currence. There wer e some clauses in it he could not a g to—he meant the comp u l sor y an d man d atory c lauses, , f ' e J lie trusted they w ou ld b e mo difi e d . H e h a d list e : t b to the speech of hi s N o bl e F r i en d op p o site ! bet great attenti on; b ut h e cou ld not b e li e ve '" se the distress anticipated by the Noble Lord in , a ke short a ti me as h e h a d stated wou ld n or t h place, at least in th a t p ar t o f t h e country , the n°,,re of Ireland, wh ere h e res id e d ; an d if great distress w ere apprehend e d i n ot h er parts o f that country he tresres that the Government would adopt such n 3e lith as would tend t o avert t h at calamity. ' to regard to what had been said in re ferenee tot the police force, h e was rea d y to a d m i t that,. bet was a most useful body ; but he c ould not to fuel that the m ag i s t racy o f t h e country had ofte t °, m et put aside by the p ower w hi c h t h e Government he"' " t i e a them ; and he als o th oug h t th at some communiech,,i§ ought to have been held with the magistracy before step had been taken to make that force a species of d armerie. The landed gentry of Ireland felt this negleet7efr much. They were anxious, as magistrates, to do They duty, as they had hitherto, he believed, done; but thought they ought to have been consulted. lie as far as the present Bill was concerned, give it his s ti i c l port, and when it was in Committee he v" d, all their Lordship s ' a tt ent i on to certain 5113,eeretl ments to several of the c l auses , w hi c h b e con'T,. tee very objecti ona bl e , espec i a ll y t h ose proposing to tai",,ere powers out of th e h an d s o f t h e gran d j ur i es, who "hest made up of th e resi d ent gentry , an d therefore t h o se " calculated to know what ought to be done. re • The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said there wi e n ia, difference of opinion as to the principle of the 'l, - 4 which had his entire concurrence.—(Hear.) He - ,be no desire to prolong the discussion raised by " ot , suggestion of the Noble Lard (Monteagle) re'P e ce ing the remission of the county rates for the maintenatle, of the constabulary force. He (the Marquis of La p he downe) believed that suggestion first came from t oe members of the Irish Landlord and Tenant Conunis sl be as a most desirable arrangement, and that it s hould done upon the principle of equality. It was then rec°,` : " e f mended irrespective of other considerations but the 0 1 ; 4 of Ireland, but now it was brought up as part of a gen e : s measure of justice to th e occu pi ers o f l an d, , in coni quence of the great and important scheme of improvelueu submitted to Parliament for the relief of the coun i. tr i e .. He held, as a g enera l p r i nc i p l e, t h at grants f o r works would be more beneficial than any other In that could be devised, as it would be always reminding them of the services rendered by Parliament to tu t , country. He believed that the relief from the coos': bulary tax would be greatly beneficial, and was a t e .. 61-. sure of great importance, but it was not the m easur e that her Majesty's Government should adopt for th e relief of a distressed country. After a few words from Lord COTTENHAM, Earl DEVON fully concurred in the course of policy suggested by the N o bl e L or d who preceded him,hee it would have th e e ff ec t o f i m p rov i ng both t" f moral and physi ca l con di t i on o f the peo ple ° Ireland. There could be no second opinion to the necessity of the Bill before the House, Lord MOUN.TCASHEL said that the present e i ir cumstances of Ireland de serve d every cons id erat i o n. ": had only arri ve d f rom t h at country within the last ie;'„ days, and he could assure t h e i r L or d sh i ps that the 115,°::: of the peas an t r y were not i n any degree exaggerate° I.‘", the south of I re l an d. W ant and famine were staring them in the face. In a short time the poor-houses would be r t filled that there would be no room for applicants. W 1 37 was then to be d one ? H e h a d b een glad to see that e ver y endeavour had been made by Parliament to meet the wants of the people, but he was informed that the railway Bills would not be forward enough to give enr ployment to the people. In his own neighbourhood P °, tatoes were selling at the prices usually received i n the months of June and July, and there was every appearance, of their reaching a higher price. He happened to live a very peaceful neighbourhood, but within the last ;fort night there h a d b een very unpleasant symptoms ex"'' bited. Large bodies of men were going about arrned, and several murders had been committed. It vittg i l common declaratio n th a t i n two mont h s they *vow have civil w a r. li e m i g h t b e allowed t° state one word with regard to a matter which had, perhaps, no connex i on w i th the present Bill , but which • had been moved by the Noble Lord Wh o brought it before th em . I t was the intention of t' '„ Government to b r i ng f orward another Drainage That Bill was viewed with a. great deal of apprehensio n ' The Noble Lord then proceeded to read extracts froT a letter h e h a d rece i ved from some millers in the no rth of Ireland, w h o expressed a hope that no measures wow' be suffered to become law which would have an injurious effect upon their property; they alluded particularly to the Drainage Act. The Earl of ST. GERMANS expressed a hope th 4t no alteration would be made in the Bill now before the House which would affect injuriously the present bur dens upon land. Lord COTTEN FIAM said a few words in reply, which were inaudible in the gallery. Earl ST. GERMANS said that it was his intentio n to move the committal of the Bill on Friday next. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Monday, Feb. J. CORN-LAWS. Mr. WAKLEY presented a petition from the borough of Finsbury signed by 53,700 persons, and expressing ° strong approval of the measure proposed by the Gover n : went, but prayi ng t h at the abolition of the corn-law " should take place immediately. Also a petition to h e same effect from a town in Montgomeryshire. Alb" petition signed by fourteen agricultural labourers in Pusey, Wiltshire, in which they state that the systl of prot ect i on h ad reduced them to the lowest state 0 degradation and misery. The petition states, that not withstanding the system of protection, they have been obliged to submit t o l a b our only suited to beasts , of burden. Th e y h ave b een harnessed to carts. The aggregate number of their families, some o f which comprised eight individuals, amounted to eighty- s 'X' 0 0 the aggregate amou n t o f t h e i r wages Was only 82s. (Mr. Wakley) had reason to believe that the statemen ts were correct. An Hon . . MEMBER presented a petition from Stern ford, Crowland, and twenty-seven other parishes in Lin coln, against any alteration in the laws relating to the protection of agriculture. Mr. ELLIS presented a petition from the city Of C o ventry in favour of the abolition of the corn-laws. Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from the city n e Glasgow, very numer ous ly s i gne d , approv i ng o f the proposed poli c y o f t h e G overnment with res p ec t to in corn-laws and th e s y s t em o f protection ; also a petition ' to the same eff ec t from Ilawick and the burgh of Fe lockshaw. Mr. MILNER GIBSON presented a petition from Huddersfield, sign e d b y 3,000 h and-loom weaver s, In favour of a total and an i mme di ate repeal of t h e cora , laws. Mr. F. T. BARING presented a petition from Deptford in f avour o f t h e measure proposed by /2 'r Ma jesty's Ministers for a change in the corn-laws. Adam Mr. ESCOTT p resente d a pet i t i on from James the Gordon, Esq., o f F rome, near Bristol, praying_ House to pass th e measure o f her Majesty's Govern' ment for a repeal of the corn-laws into a law. THE COMMERCIAL POLICY OF THE COUNTRY. The SPEAKE R having left the Chair, a o six months. P. MILES said, he rose to move that the 5.. should resolve itself into Committee thatnight months. He trusted that he should approach the cl s n ti e on tion in a mild and dispassionate manner. The cl ue sib was one of the most important that had ever been eat witted to that House.—(Hear hear.) He would rep, .. t that it was a question so important to the country in,a r. nition'i he trusted it would not be treated in a lig ht no,ila It was a question of the greatest vitalitv. The P r l s of change in the commercial policy of the country created Pr e h ° i P s I e g tr'e : -at i far greater interest than the Ref)rm Bill, and ha far more dismay amongst all classes of the did that great measure.—(Hear, bear.) m ercia country had gained for itself a character for Tn l-1 in a ll policy, and he hoped she would uphold majesty's its glory. The measure proposed by he CORN-LAWS. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from a place in the county of Southampton, praying that no alteration would be made in the existing corn-laws. The petitioners stated that it was the confidence they had in the protection afforded to the agricultural produce of this country that had induced them to invest their capital in extensive improvements, the loss of which they appre hended in the event of the removal of that protection. LOCAL TAXATION. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at a few minutes before Four o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Mr. JAMES STUART WORTLEY, who has recently been appointed Judge Advocate-General, took the oaths and his seat :for the county of Bute, for which place he has been re-elected. - YORK AND NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY. Mr. HUDSON brought in the York and North Mid land (with extensions) Railway Bill, which was read a first time. Mr. W. PATTEN brought in the Preston and Black burn Railway Bill, which was also read a first time. CORN-LAWS. Mr. DAWSON presented a petition from the in habitants of Knaresborough, expressing their disappro bation of the free trade measures of the Government. The Hon. Member also presented a petition from the inhabitants of the North Riding of Yorkshire against any alteration in the existing corn-laws. Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET presented peti tions from sixteen parishes in the county of Kent against any alterations in the corn-laws. Sir JOHN EASTHOPE presented a petition, signed by 50,000 of the inhabitants of Leicester, in favour of the repeal of the corn-laws ; and also petitions from several parishes in the neighbourhood of Leicester to the same effect. Mr. BERKELEY presented a petition from the city of Bristol, signed by 17,981 persons of all ranks, in which they express their satisfaction at the free-trade measures proposed by her Majesty's Government, but wishing for a total and immediate repeal of the corn laws. Mr. PLUMPTRE presented a petition from the West Riding of Yorkshire, praying that the Ten Hours' Bill might pass into law. Mr. HUDSON presented a petition from the county of Sunderland, praying for a total and immediate repeal of the corn• laws. Mr. BANKES presented a petition from the county of Dorset, in favour of the Ten Hours' Factory Bill. An Hox. MEMBER presented twenty-nine petitions from parishes in Berkshire, praying that no abolition of protectien to agriculture should take place. Another Hox. MEMBER presented a petition from Manchester, in favour of the Ten Hours' Labour Bill. And also petitions of a similar nature, from factory dis tricts in Lancashire. Lord RENDLESHAM presented 124 petitions in fa vour of agricultural protection from districts in Suffolk. Mr. HUME presented seven petitions in favour of the present measure of her Majesty's Government ; one being from Montrose, and signed by the bankers, mer chants, and other inhabitants ; another from Arbroath ; another from Kerriemuir, signed by 1,160 of the inha bitants ; another from the linen manufacturers of Kerriemuir, who stated that they desired no protection themselves, and, therefore, protested against any pro tection being extended to other interests ; another was from the farmers of Kerriemuir, praying the House to abolish the corn-laws, for they wanted no paotection to agriculture. — Mr. MITCHELL presented a petition, numerously signed, praying for a total repeal of the corn-laws. Colonel RICHARDSON presented two petitions from South Cheshire, deprecating the present measure of the Government. - THE MILITIA. Sir J. Y. BULLER presented a petition from the inhabitants of Stale b ridge praying the House to t a ke no steps for the enrolment of the militia. CORN-LAWS. Mr. FOX MAULE presented a petition from the in habitants of Aberdeen approving of the present measures of her Majesty's Government, and praying for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. FERRAND presented petitions from Bradford and several other places in Yorkshire praying for pro tection to labour by passing the ten hours' factory Bill. Mr. ESCOTT presented a petition from Broadway, Somersetsbire, approving of the measures of her Ma jesty's Government respecting corn. Lord J. RUSSELL presented a petition from the in habitants of London, signed - by 64,000 persons, praying for a:total and immediater epeal of the corn laws, and in favour of free-trade generally. NEW WRIT. Mr. YOUNG moved for a writ for the city o f Westminster, in the room of Captain Rous—(Hear)— who had accepted the office of a Lord of the Ad miralty.—(Great Laughter.) Colonel SIBTHORP moved j for a return of all per sons who held Government situations of over 5001. a year, since the year ninety-five.---(Much laughter.) CORN LAWS. Mr. BRIGHT presented petitions from Gainsborough, from several parishes in Yorkshire, from Hawick, in Scotland, from Nutsford, Darlington, and a number of other places, praying for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. INDIAN CORN. Mr. F. FRENCH asked the Chancellor of the Ex chequer at what port in Ireland it was intended to dis embark the Indian corn, which he understood the Go vernment had in their possession? He would also ask the Secretary of State whether there was any truth in the reports which had been circulated in some of the Irish newspapers, to the effect that the Poor-law Commissioners had take n upon themselves to exercise a power vested in them, and had dismissed the guardians of two poor-law unions in Ireland. Sir J. GRAHAM had not had an opportunity o; making the proper inquiry upon the subject. PUBLIC WORKS. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in answer to a question put to him by an Hon. Member, stated that the amount applicable to the purposes of public works was 300,0001. for Great Britain. Upon this sum a demand might be made in aid of the public works in Ireland. But, independent of that sum, there was placed undtr the management of the Board of Works (Ireland) a fur- ther sum of 60,0001. There was also the sum of 57,0001 remaining in hand, applicable to public works in Ireland. THE TAIIIFFS OF THE BRITISH COLONIES Mr. HUME moved that an humble address be pre. seated to her Majesty, that she will be pleased to direct copics of the existing tariffs and commercial regulations of each of the British colonies and possessions to be laid before this House, in the same manner as the tariffs and commercial regulations of Europe - and America have been laid before the House. That there be laid before this House copies of the existing tariffs and coin mercial regulations of British India and the depen dencies thereof, on exports and imports, in the same manner as those laid qefore the House of the European and American States. It was highly important that the House should be in possession of this information in order that they might perceive how great a burden the colonies were to this country, and that they might take measures to relieve themselves of much of the expense. Dr. BOWRING seconded the motion, but he could not do so without bearing his testimony to the great talent which these returns evinced in their compiler, who he believed was Mr. M'Greggor, of the Board of Trade. Lord SEYMOUR was understood to differ from the Hon. Member for Bolton. The returns in his opinicn were dull romances, and full of inaccuracies. Sir G. CLERIC could only say that if the Noble Lord would point out the inaccuracies, he would take care to have them corrected. Mr. HUME denied that the returns were dull ro mances, and declared that they were of great service to the country. Lord SEMOUR as we understood) expressed his dis sent from the Hon. Member for Montrose. Mr. HUME rose to explain. He said that it would be very unfair to reject ten or twelve documents because there might be an error in one of them. Mr. &GLIONBY concurred with this remark. He thought it was hard to attack the documents in that man ner. If there were any serious doubts as to their correctness they ought to be referred to a Select Committee. He felt great pleasure in finding this motion before the Houso, and in Anding that it had been seconded. He was glad to see Hon. Me m b ers turning their attention to the affairs of our colonies, which had beon too long neg. Lord BEAUMONT said that there was a notice standing in his name on the paper relative to the pecu liar burdens on land. He begged to state that he would, on Monday next, move that the House resolve itself into Committee on the subject. THE HIGH CONSTABLE (SCOTLAND), AND TURNPIKE (SCOTLAND) BILL.) The House then resolved itself into Committee on those Bills, when the several clauses were read and passed without discussion. The LORD CHANCELLOR moved that Tuesday. April 21, should be the last day for receiving petitions on private Bills, and that Tuesday, June 18, should be the last day for receiving the reports of the judges.— Agreed to. Their Lordships then adjourned. ____--------. / f.