The Sun. — London, England, 1846-03-04 00:00:00

O s o' JO ° ,00 L THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING. MARCH 4, 1846. "eh, the S be ru i i. P e ak" decided upon giving the preference to Mr. 1 ple was injurious to the franchise, or could in any degree bes 1 . 11 r. Dian , interfered with by the House. The Hon. Member for War- + eli te ,' i --AELI said, that his name had been intro- ' wickshire had deneunced this system of creating votes, and yet, erievanee;° the . discussion as an interested reviver of old at Old Bond-street or at Willis's Rooms, he had assisted in similar kind The allegations in the debate were of a ' passing a resolution by which the protectionists declared that hire by the ' T., to that which had been preferred against they would fight the Anti-Corn-law League with their own his (1/.. eenourable Member for Bath. In the course of weapons ; and this he did while making a speech for doing he i i ` . d ._ , Disraeli's) observations the other night, things which he was prepared to say the League had never leek for him some remarks which it was not worth done at all. The Hon. Member for Knaresboiough, with his usual indiscretion, had made an erroneous statement with re elueeg a now to refer to. These remarks had bri g h t , reply from the Hon. Member for Durham (M r , ference to the West Riding of Yorkshire ; and he could tell e iots whieh went to show that the difference which had the Hon. Member, if he would go to the proper officers who ese of 7,_ existed between the Right Hon. Gentleman at the looked after the registration in the West Riding for both (Al s , c o i;' : ; n en "overnment and the Hon. Member for Stockport parties, he would find that, in the very last year, the monopo- It eg to ) had been perfectly made up. But lie would lists made a larger number of objections to free traders than w Parliam remind the Howe, that immediately before the meeting the free traders did to the monopolists. That he stated as a in eatie _ eo ePtf that Hon. Member had stated that no commu- fact. Why, he had often been brought himself from Scot non.v6en eild possibly take place between him and the Right Land and Northumberland to maintain his vote, and s i ll t eman at the head of the Ministry. Now be must he was . confident a better vote could not be tie s , of furth erbeg to remind the House that when these allege- found in the borough of Rochdale. The Right tb at he _reviving old grievances had been alleged against him, Hon. Baronet some ten years ago, recommended the protec cmir_ of the used the terms applied to him in the legitimate tionists to fight the battle in the registration courts, and they r o j e Zm he debate, and he would beg to say that lie had re- knew from the exclamation of the Honourable Member fur lait7 es en e en e Right Hon. Gentleman in a very crowded House Shrewsbury, of " How we did register?" the manner in which log he ' e l n , i th at no explanation, at least sufficiently satisfactory, the protectionists did follow that advice. They knew how the s ir ,„ Given to the Hon. Member for Stockport. protectionists subscribed their money for the purpose, and he tg e, al t• t o read the words which he used three years toned thate was not ashamed to admit that they were subscribing money repeated, that if on that occasion any one had inti- for the same object. He had heard that as many as five votes t roui , , av the reparation he then made was not sufficient, he had been made out of one holding . Why, he knew a case ee i gZ a n ti _e at once taken the opportunity of making a fuller where, on the estate of a Noble Duke in Scotland, as many as 111 r, ti r• nineteen votes had been made for one place in that country. to ELLIS .. ELLIS hoped that a Committee would be app9inted Now, this was nothing, so long as Gentlemen on the oppisite Ili a ~ e into the existing system of objecting to voters. He had benches were prepared to act upon the principles of the Regis ieTist year been objected to, although he had enjoyed the tration Act. But now the tables were turned—their game e ord 7,the passing of the Reform Bill. was up—they were no I onger strong—they were now a broken e t' " r nPel ll l ND°N thought it was absurd that a man should party. The principle which they formerly advocated had now ,ret rethis el to be at his house at a certain time every year to turned against them, and now they were desirous of obtaining i ; ° 'esti eat i f ranchise. He had no doubt that the result of an another form. .He would tell them that they had simply adopted the same principle, and that they would make use of all the forms 411 th e i a ,,,un on the subject would lead to the greatest benefits which the House allowed them, with the view of carrying the Ai r. CAsregulating the registration of voters.—( Hear. ) abolition of the corn-laws. The Anti-Corn-law League had °I the WSON said he rose to congratulate the Frst Lord tee, Treasury for his maintainin the same o inion that ev- made up their minds—they had decided on this point, and they la ;,e. which be had maintained on the evenino P revioue. And were determined to carry the matter through the agency of , e( ir s ' e P L d , is t bat on other occasions he would pursue the - same honest elections. He thought that the system of votes, being ` ° hea r e r ies of " Question, question.") He was very glad objected to, was one as likely to answer the purpose one the Anti. the Right Hon . ' Baronet had no connexion with party as the ether. They had nothing to gain by untruth. ,tin g ii i '"rnelaw League. - But, from what they had seen, Public opinion was in their favour, and the question simply gee m en e course of the session it was quite excusable that the was, whether they should proceed in the course which they had S te eo iher for Warwick should have believed that lie had adopted, or whether they should forbear ? Hon. Gentlemen Zi r tigi e ,: ri f e ,ir lion with that body ; for, when they saw him would quite understand his views, but he might say this, that the law which Gentlemen on the opposite side of the House ad- T alitg ward measures proposed by the League. it was Q - cult t arrive vocated, was is good as buried.—(C . heers.) . 1, Q ue ll cult 0 at any other conclusion — of had n o 10n )- But when the Right Hon. Baronet stated that he Mr. S. O ' BRIEN was exceedingly grieved to see the Ne e bo,'oonexion whatsoever with the League, why, they heavenly serenity of the . Member for Durham disturbed. Now tt ir eu i ri u t nd to believe him. At the same time, he considered he must beg to remind the House that the point which that %fai n ""e been more satisfactory to the House that these Hon. Gentleman had mooted, although it was very forcible, 'Which i r , 's shoeld not have been served in the wholesale manner had no /elation to the matter in debate; the great question was h5.1i, 1t ..ed been detailed to the House. If the Government as to how far the 40s. freeholders had had riot been made use it awl 4 :7 .l uced se me measure for meting down the Anti-Corn- of as mere instruments. N . ow . he could . say that the allege tr'sfer 1 6— ( Hear hear)—and if they had not given way to tion had been that large associations, with large funds at their ea se :, e believed giving way was the only method to in- command, had Interfered greatly with the elections in several Rains its wou'd have been more likely to have parts of the country, and he begged to remind the Hon. Mem ;:hiel h,, lg sueport--(taughter)—and that of the body with ber for Liskeard (Mr. C. Buller) that the Hon. Member for Ha] fax had asserted that two parties had interfered in his dis- Y Ain, ".. a cted—( Hear, hear, and cheering)—than they were , k r . ling their present course trict with large sums of money, and had considerably affected l •eaß it , R OTHERTON thought that the Anti-Corn-law those elections. He ventured to assert that in no case had a single vote been objected to by the Conservative party, except Pilesit e n s u ght to be very much obliged to the Hon. Members by persons residing in the district in which the vote was ob 4Os I° ' the great notice they had taken of their exertions, ih et eere was . tai A nl 4 egentl a period when they were thought nothing of by r..E. ELLICE . , jun., said, that in the district which he D i e u at „, e melt —(Laughter.) In his own borough there had represented, an association of country ge n tl ern ex! had been formed, ' a t it sade time 700 votes oected to and he was of opinion which was called the Conservative Registration Association ; l aw Le been done in many other faces for the purpose of uts Q 2 ll ' the county members . He thought the Anti-Corn- and that association having failed in the county, they turned their energies arid their money towards the borough which he Pot d Rue had done much ood, and if that League was not 139h,°('hn„ibyt,apn immediate repeal of the corn-law;—:(cries of represented, in order to destroy the liberal party. If a vote were objected to in Scotland by a wealthy person, it would cost th 'e to the )t h ey would still go on and cause much more annoy him from 101. to 207. to keep that vote on the register.. Now, ~ ough t t ,_ o Hon. Gentlemen who now opposed them. He however, that they were all agreed, .t . he sooner . some measure, , i ght, r :at the Right Hon. Baronet had shown great fore calculated to restrain such illegalities was introduced, the ;al teZ he saw how it was that the Anti-Corn-law League "ee be down, and he adopted a liberal policy in accord- better it would be for the interests . of the country. Mr. BORTHWICK considered that this was a question ler s pith his views. He could assure the House that many which demanded investigation, and the question for the House ! i elt,, t s In the eountr • were purchasing houses to enable them"- 'tete.° vote for those candidates who would represent their to inquire into was , whether ;certain acts, so uncon stitutional as to be utterly subversive of all law, 't o te 3 - e ss- t It was quite a mistake of ehe Hon. Gentleman to had been perpetrated by a . body calling itself the Anti-Corn `errelarreat the quarter-of-a-million fund raised by the Anti law League . . He should like to know if the Hon,. Member ; 1 1 '4 pee , League was spent for the purpose of purchasing votes had ever assisted an honest elector in the purchase of his vote. the th plc thernselve- were fast qualifying . for . the elections , and If he were to leave the electoral body alone, without interfering , tri lle Z r i l ro t it unfair ' to ' think of interfering with those votes, for with his half million of money, he would do much better. But hone en who had a right to vote ought not to be oected IL Gentlemen on the other side of the House. —( Hear.) the Hon. Member said, " Oh, I shall assist them with my le r th l , ed the money if they are favourable to my views, and will go with me people would go on and strengthen themselves A., elections to forward them." He hoped the Noble Lord the Member for ri,_" p Erta • said it . London, who was so eminently known as the originator of the. f e. m e AND Reform Bill, would not be against putting a stop to such a ',' , ri ce Ther for Warwickshire was objecting to the inter system of , interference . with the franchise. F',insg with the bad votes. What his Hon. Friend com- Mr. 0 CONNELL—One word, Sir—one word for Ireland e ceile °` was the system of objecting to good votes. He —( Hear, hear.) I understand that the grievance complained C ' l, ,i4et e a d "re the House that his (Mr. Ferrand's) vote had been of is that notices are served upon voters, informing them that *Lieu, t 0 for four years successively . The only means by !ire ig e r e could put a stop to this system of annoyance was by they are to be objected to at the registration. Now, if this is `;air unties to the parties that he would bring an action a grievance . with you, I shall show how far greater is our cause of complaint in Ireland. In that country the elector .'ag lie "cm to recover the costs. He believed that if the ne ap _"„ere allowed to go on they would soon he able to had to travel . many miles . to have his name placed Ala yo „ e ;l1 the bond fi de voters of England, and thus return on the registry. In this country the complaint is Zeste u s Who would not duly represent the interests of their that notices are served on the electors, stating the nature of Y thi s , moles, for the majority of voters would be destroyed the objections to their claiming to be placed upon the registry. . m r. iv,nolesale system of forgery and perjury. Now, in Ireland no such notice is served at all, and in the kepi, '°X MAULS said that the question seemed to be a county which I represent—a county with a population of over to e estr cle—it was that of the endeavour of a powerful body seven hundred thousand—the electors are obliged to travel. the ° Ygood votes. It would be found that this had been fifty miles to have their names placed on the registry ; and till sir system,. of tactics pursued in the registration courts they got there they know not what objections they have to th e n umber of years. Honourable Members, however, on meet. Now, if the elector did not take that trouble, tie would trie°Pliosite side, had never supported an inuiry into this not be able to vote at all. I)iseh their hut so long as they found that the shoe did not An Hos. MEMBER (on'the protection side of the House) — h it() feet themade no efforts to support that inquiry Is that annually i r ,,,, the subject •; but now the e b vte r borne to their own doors League having brought the Mr. O'CONNELL—No, it is not annually ; and that is 1;4 rejoiced that the inquiry they complained very loudly. another grievance . with . us. I state these things to show that ° Ded that the L , inquiries was about to be established , and he if you think the objections stated . here this evening are to be gone into, we have the first claim upon you.—( Hear, hear. ) LLent brit also to Ireland and Scotland ; and that the Govern- But this is only one of the lighter grievances of Ireland, and I er i , t,woldd, in consequence of that inquiry, bring in a Bill to shall now, Sir, content myself with having stated that the • 't r ay this grievance. grievance on our part is far heavier. Mr. MONCKTON MILNES hoped that Ireland would 1 4 .; Y :: , PACKE stated, that in the count which he re larioted, there had been no less that I objectionssoomade, not be forgotten, and considered that it would be highly im• proper . , if . the Right Hon. Baronet permitted the evil to be %i,,,,,-,.lng himself, but in consequence of' the determined re- ' Itr,_'e of his constituents, no more than five names had been remedied in England and not in Ireland. He begged to pro m', off the list. test against the assumption of his Hon. Friend the Member It r, e• BULLER did not see the necessity of any inqUiry. for Liskeard (Mr. C. Buller), that there was a greater guilt Theyshc.._,lear that they had arrived at a stage beyond that of inquiry. upon that subject on that side of the House that upon his. .11,,, i ,..Q arrived at a state in which the evil was confessed, and If the landlords of England were to follow the example of the aea r , e e ex reseed to adopt any practicable remedy.—(Hear, League, and set themselves to partitioning out their estates an s v e n .,,. I de did not know whether it would be proper to move into small votes, they . would have beaten the League out of i 'r Vev a 4 9ment to the motion of the Right Hon. Member the field. He was rejoiced to see that they had not entered `o pr N iekshire ; but he confessed that he should be inclined 1 rite Ps° that leave be given to the Noble Member to bring in . 'e ills ` , n e ,which he stated he had in his pocket.—( Cheers.) "' nilr ,P.WDEGATE was understood to say that he had not tilt , t 1 his posses s ion . ith' 1* e. CU L LER instances . , ~,,• i LLER said there were no doubt in .irz,,k.sge 4pr.iries by Committees of that House were necessary iii reeees had occurred of Legislation, but it was equally true that into th.es s u u .m ch o a f n unworthy conflict.—( Hear, hear.) If the large sum obtained by the League was devoted to the purpose of giving to the farmers of England an opportunity of voting with the League, he considered; that it would be a great waste of money. It would be difficult to impress upon his mind that 25,0001. A MEMBER on the opposition side stated thatit wa5250,0001. Mr. M. MILNES proceeded to state lie meant half-a-mil „,_ ~, nad occurred of inquiries having been instituted for lion—or rather he should say a quarter of a million—that .. this Tea'ee,, l)°s e of preventing Legislation.—( Cheers .) On that sum should be spent, solely for the purpose of facilitating votes. He could not believe that the 2,000 voters lately added to the th e .',, however, the evil complained of was stated to exist by . 1 ` ° !) , f;,, h , e ! of the House.—(Cheers.) The extent to which West Riding of Yorkshire, had obtained their votes with their - I. , ,tii v - D " p een carried had often been referred to in that House own money ;it was a fact which he could not believe. He e l tali s ; ar to year , and Bills had been b roug ht i n by N o bl e trusted that they would proceed by Legislation upon this matter, 'it a , t '' on that ( the ' opposition) side of the House, in order to and he thought that the petition of the Hon. Member for t ,405eg 51) ,, to those practices, but they had been invariably Staffordshire would tend to delay the measure. i l 'ell q I n Y Hon. Members on'the other side of the House, as Lord JOHN . RUSSELL said that many years ago, he had at 1„ eve the gangway as below it.—( Hear and laughter.) introduced a Bill, in which he provided, what he thought !N e s- a w as now glad to find that those above and below the would be a remedy against this evil—whether that remedy `4 ,Y , as well as t h e G overnmen t, t o ok a different course, were proper or not , he would not at present disc uss. The , t h 5 the a rg uments which they had made use of.— measure which he proposed was, that the voter who had been 'e. • ) Now h e a d v i se d th em t o have no more recrimina - twice before the Court—his name' should be for the future r e Ch T he Practice had been much in vogue from the time of retained upon the list without any further trouble, except there 1-4)1.0.101es-street League down to the origin of the Anti - should be some circumstances tending to disqualify him as I tth,,, a " . League. Now as they were convinced of the ex- a voter. 'That was the remedy which he proposed. L'aell - , l , ° f the bad . practices referred to, let them emulate He confessed that it did seem to him to make no difference 'ca:;"er, and endeavour to put an end to them—(Cheers)-- whether votes were created at the augge.tion of the Anti-Corn : te,„ ' G t o h , ey w ere rep r ehensible to parties in that House and law League or by any other body, and when Hon. Gentlemen say, " W . e must inquire into the practice were carried on . by ?eld , 1 . ernment of the country. He believed that they the Anti-Corn-law League, but we will leave it to flourish if ;' , ll t l i," l 'd in a Bill, which had been introduced by the Noble adopted by parties who have other ends in view then the repeal eetif -- Alember for ' the City of London, various means for IDJ,„Y h t a rlg all • • - —..t with the of the.crn- . olaw."—(Cheers.) If an investigation m was ne. • • • - .. aa eatio . these evils, which however did not meet with ti . ja'°At te e 4 of the House; but as it was now the practice to sary it should not be made into the proceedings of one party a d, i , i se measures, he trusted the House would reconsider but into the proceedings of all—in short, it should be la i lard` Z i e s and pass it.—( Cheers. ) general as suggested, by the Hon. Member for Liskeard (Mr. . a a that the perfectly agreed with the Hon. Mem• C. Buller). The Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for era;; question before the House was above party coo- Bute had alluded to the creation of fictitious votes, but he (Lord ir r el aa , s it affected their honour as well as the interest, of John Russell) did not know when the practice was so much en s aatra at large. He agreed with the Noble Member for carried on as in Scotland, and he must have heard of instances itapes'aotaffordshire that the way in which the votes of quali- in which votes were created in that country in the way re s°tltita_nos wer e o bj ec t e d to was exceedingly reprehensible, ferred to. The Hon. Gentleman the Vice-President of the Boars' ;an of ~ a ted the parties to considerable awns\ epee. In that of Trade must be aware that many elections had been carried by A: t 4 cti te "° countr which he (Lord Ingestre 5, represented the such votes which were possessed by parties without property. a _ej aati ,as carried to a wholesale extent. They were there- He ( Lord John Russell) hoped, therefore, that when remedies ',Pt° used in calling the Government to take steps to put a were applied that they would be general, and not applied to kat the evil, l e Ilen e by introducing a measure to protect the con- the proceedings of any body of men, but'to the proceedings of ete regi Y, that those who had a right to have their names on all.--( Hear, hear.) Then, with regara to those voters who '^b,lit e , bit er might not be wantonly objected to. were encouraged by the Anti-Corn-law League to purchase ' t.. - 1t ;,:-•• Wool) and said he had but a few remarks to freeholds in order that they might possess votes. The Hon. i' de Tt. tl ' e subjec rose ltstruek him that he had a good deal Member for Bath stated that instances had occurred in York eet°44lte-na"the atr es t t. mei n g o f Yorkshire far many years, and shire of working men having votes without possessing any pro perty. If this were so he considered it a fraud; but, on the : At , tait n u uered perfectly well a notice being delivered to a gen ssetooe ° wit Member of that House , c that he would be other ham', whet e men . having saved 50/. or 60t , by their ..,e;t,ta, Protectionist vote for a certain can:lidate. An lion. Gentleman industry chose, at the instance of tke Anti-Corn-law League or anyhow.) , else, to lay it out in the purchase:of freehold land, and al 4 utectienist side of the House said, " wnen ?" He : l eas aw ry " when"—but he thought it did not signify when, to receive the rents .s w e l d ach it yielded, he said those votes were as k td to say so. All he could say was, that the gen- byother person. The Hon. Diem a" th e e s '. whom he alluded, who had received that notice was gboerodwaisiothhoasedpi?usssetssat down any (ltl W Milnes) said that the , r. W. . , ;il e e .ouse, and he thought the Hon. Gentlemen opposite right of voting on account of the possession of a freehold a Chetail r atter be a little cautious how they made statements. in the counties in England implied residence. i l e an lard to the West Riding of Yorkshire, it was not proved thought this was not necessary—( Hear) —and the Right I on. te Y improper s e e . sat e ofProper interference took place. but there were on Gentleman opposite would, no doubt, remember, that when , t tae ed the question Practices adopted which had better be the Reform Bill was under discussion, the question was fully vote, al , b yaelle ortra both parties. He thought it was a consideration discussed, and it was determined that a persons resided a e l'ostem"Y the consideration of the House, that it was perfectly hough non-resident, should be as good as those who on e e klei st , e for an elector to use the franchise in an rode- the spot for which they claimed a vote, and he could not con ' 'th . manner. A voter, unless he was connected sent to disfranchise persons on account of non-residence, sta te , elle of I ts . h eat the two parties, was utterly at a loss to —( Hear hear). eatea th he should proceed ; which was a practical grievance, Mr. MILNES explained that he merely said that in a eon -1 'ad "Id be as soon as possible, abolished, by securing stitutional sense, persons ought not to be eutitldd to vote, not Ite e Peod '• 4 14 e enee in voting. Unless that system were adopted, that the law prevented them from doing so. tr ee rear,lid say would be of no avail, and he was glad to find Mr. HUME said, during the last fe .v year 5,600 frivolous e e elon of ' of those who opposed an amendment in the regis- objections had been served in the county of Middlesex, but f t ,' lie b e voters, *ere now alive to the real state of the facts, particularly in the borough of Marylebone. Although he had a t tire b e l le d that what had happened at Warrington would in occupied a house in it for the last twenty-five years, , or a 144.eivented. he had been served with objections for the last three years, s) D II3 li e RAND said that he would claim the indulgence It was always his misfortune that the measures which he pro eayome _ lase for a short time. When that Hon. Member posed to the House were at the time rejected, but he was ait q a . a aea said he remembered many years ago that a notice happy to say to be afterward: adopted.—('fear and laughter.) tio{ l 'da.t e " t oe a gentleman, requesting him to vote for a certain It was no easy matter, however, to turn hies from his opinions, s et that' ," 0 ought to say that he was prompted to say so, and when he felt that they were correct, and that he was pursuing ea e ° That ` t e . had re mem b ere d it. He (Mr. Ferrand) was a constitutional course. Now he contended that no man who th: l3 ,llted ? " Hon. Gentleman would not say that he was not was not a resident for at least twelve months should be en e'r a ["Yes, Ido "said Mr. Wood who sat down amidst titled to have a vote. lie ventured to recommend a change on occasions in le a t e he ai ll ei d .laughter.l 'lt was true . that ' he (Mr. Ferrand) former . the . franchise, and suggested striking off • alsj; °I th e si°n in which he resided was called upon, as chair- thirty or forty different kinds of franchise. however, those ea ,, eti 00.... district committee to sign his name to papers of matters were not then attended to, but he hoped the time was e t arl epot - I ear, hear)—but he had even declared, when at length come when there was a dispositien felt on both sides treekaa to do so, that he would net offer obstruction to to make the necessary changes. He was as anxious to create t lt elath . Seeking the franchise unless on fair and legitimate free-trade voters as the protectionists were to make votes on ole tsb e lie did object to the vote of an Hon , Gentleman, their side. But he referred that they should be properly and leat ' slid ai ee ad te he do so? Because that same gentleman honestly entitlFd top he franchise, and . he hoped the Govern - h is ?,Non -( ti bial (Mr. Ferrand) for three years in ment would bring in a Bill, the necessity of which there was Ne i ai e rai . e " ---- ` "ear, and a laugh. —and received for ample evidence of from what they had that night heard. t . ,, 1 hi s ; a beautiful silver teapot—Great laughter)—for He (Mr. flume) begged to be understood correctly. A very tati sa l ' i on b e : ; tl r. Ferraua's) relative had subscribed. On that powerful body went through the country and caused the pro °is , 4 ,Rai t a Me. Ferranti) declared that if the Hen. Gentle- curing of votes to . a very large extent in various parts of the 4 4,1 Ntiv e 4u jected to his vote, he would object to the vote of kingdom, which might be justified on these grounds, that there Ala the '—' (Re ' , i foil se 051 . Renewed laughter. ) Now on these grounds, was a great object to be gained.—( Hear, hear.) They in . el s o h, a, did he object to the Hon. Gentleman ; and in fringed no law, but fairly and legitimately pursued the system of s r ; * STes . th e ° „ught he was perfectly justified.—( Laughter.) extending the franchise. Now that practise could be evened t r a L ele4lit 0 f ~ - . 4 - -j WOIIacLEY thought the House should not o . f fora good or a bad purpose; in the present case he believed eve s 2 of "er branch of the subject, namely, the manu. it was good, and he therefore thought the best thing to be done ti t what, voters.sea In Manchester (as we understood) no less would be to simplify and extend the franchise, and then there 1 ',,0 it y ? wore a de e d t o th e roll, the prevailing opinion would be no complaints that this man's vote was struck off 'hai r i . salliarshire was that they were ' fraudulent. ' the roll uotairly, and that many were placed on by similar "sht o a w ee e ' . could assure the Hon. and Learned Member means.—( Bear, hear. ) ° l' as n bee a entirely mistaken when he supposed that Mr. Mr. A G'LIONBY said that . there was much time spent and te ora eh . ny Part • als ir e . in signing objections in the West Riding many valuable hours wasted in recrimination on both sides, was equally as much to blame th e en . , azid,,atel with'reg;rd to freeholds, he could assure and he believed one party_. 7.1.. as tui-et 'menu , iste a „ Arial a Member with no less confidence, that as the other. He rose now for the purpose of saying that he "Ip R ,," of entas aw Lea gue did no t only not recommend the thought the only question for the House to consider was, .: 4 11 ,01 - 1 , -- n l. t l , th e - Le - s a b r y this means, but through its lecturers and whether there would be . an . inquiry, or whether they would leave Bill. He trusted thatevery e i :r lei ', VV ere _au? had constantly informed the public that the Government to bring in the . . t e in h 0 dea r ofnot just, and were really in defiance of every Member of the House was anxious to see such a measure ine aN re, ' degr„ re presentation. The Anti-Corn-law League mediately brought in • but he warned whoever should under weaelionsre!aectioned the erection of such votes, but they take that duty not to ' bo tampering with the suffrage. They lash ati for `ale:l the poor man to save his money and to qualify must do much more than attempt to amend it—they must M othb n g a "tar in a bona fide manner, namely, by extend it; and if they did not largely do so, they would do fiki .er of tUffi d i e gat 48 thea Houses dent mount of property, and he defied any little good, and give no satisfaction to the country. He made kilstitutio —even the warmest supporter of the those remarks now with the hope that at the proper time na of the country—to say that such a princi. they would be atte nded to, and he thought the observations of the Hon. Member for' Durhatd . (Er. Wight) ought at the same time to be remembered,tamely; vih'ether they ought not, by a legislative enactment, to extend the franchise, instead of giving to individuals grounds for adopting measures to do so. Mr. NEWDEGATE said he never contemplated by his motion, so extensive an inquiry as some Hon. Members thought it would ►eadss o. He (Mr. Newdegate) knew that a great number of electors had been dealt with, both in Warwick shire and Staffordshire, but under the circumstances he thought it would be useless to persevere in his motion. The motion was withdrawn accordingly. RAILWAYS. Mr. FORS TER moved for returns of all the railway schemes now before the House, together with returns of the lists of all those which had been constructed, and those in the course of construction. The motion was agreed to. GAME-LAWS. Mr. CRAVEN BERKELEY, in moving for a select Committee, which had been asked for in a petition from,Chel tenham ; begged to say that he had been accused by a Mem ber of the Anti Corn-law League, of making a diatribe against them with a view to carry his own motion for an alteration in the game-laws. Now, he must beg to assert that in moving for this Committee, he had not the slightest :hostile feel ing against the Anti-Corn-law League, or against any insti- .u'tion - in the country. A Coromlttee was then appointed, consisting of Mr. Craven Berkeley, Mr. Bright, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. T. Duncombe, Mr. Ferrand, Mr. Ridley Colburn, Sir R. El. Lei Mr. Red head Yorke, Mr. Repton, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Villiers, Lord Worsley, and Mr. G. Bankes. Mr. BROTH ERTON objected to the appointment of the Committee, on the grounds of the expense. The Committee was appointed._ GRAND JURIES. Sir J. GRAHAM, :in reply to an Honourable Member, stated that the information received by the Government of the proceedings of the grand juries, especially that of the county of Northumberland, was at present insufficient to base any legis- lative measures for their improvement. INDIAN ARMY. Lord C. FITZROY wished to know how the Ministry in tended to proceed with regard to giving medals to the several members of the Indian army who had been engaged in the late actions ? Sir R. PEEL could not say exactly what course would be pursued. He knew that medals were in preparation for the of ficers of the army, but did not know what the medals would consist of for the other mem of the service. ADJOURNED DEBATE. The order of the day having been read, Mr. G. BANKES said that he was anxious to make a state- ment to the effeet, that farmers wished that there should be an immediate repeal of the corn-laws. He could not understand —if any advantage would result to Ireland from opening the pots--why tha Government did not proceed to open them at once. If it would be for the great benefit of Ireland, why was not that course pursued. If the opening of the ports was for the relief of that country as was said, why was it not done, when it was well known that every gentleman in that lluusu was in ravour of such a measure. tie tnougnt tne measure ztioutu not be sanctioned by that Parliament if sanctioned at all, because it would be carried by a majority of 112, who had pledged themselves to vote a different way. If it passed that house in stead of a new one, the Noble Lord, the member for the city of London, considered that it stood more chance of passing the [-louse of Peers. He denied that this argument was tenable, because,_ when the Peers looked over the votes of that House, and found that those who for five years before had voted in an exactly opposite direction to the way they had latterly done, he wished to know what influence their opinion would have on the decision of the other House of Parliament? Surely a fresh Parliament was necessary, because the sentiments of the people might not be altered. Why was he afraid to appeal to the country? Because the decision would be en adverse one, for, in his erinion, the House of Peers would pay more respect to a new Parliament than to the present one. Suppose, if after they had confirmed the measure of the Right Honourable Baronet, the House of Lords were to throw it out, and that there was an appeal to the constituencies afterwards, and if they decided against the measure, what then would Honourable Gentlemen say who were now supporting the Ministry without consult ing the feelings of their constituents? He thought, however, that a preference ought be given to the measure propounded by the Government, which he was sure would never have been in troduced by them but for the unnatural coalition which had taken place —a coalition which he never recollected without regret. He, however, would be perfectly satisfied when the motion was carried ; but he denied that the Governmen t had any right to suppose that the feelings of the people were changed on that question, and if the elections which had taken place were referred to, it would appear that a contrary opinion was entertained. With respect to the details of the measure he e would have an opportunity of speaking hereafter, and he would not therefore make 'any further observations except as regards one part of the measure which was of a most important nature. He did hot think that he entirely under stood the provisions of that measure, because, at one time, he , had been told that it would not confer a right to settlement, and at another time he had been informed that it would provide only for a claim to relief. He trusted that the Government would lay on the table, in a few days, the proposed measure in its perfected form, He would not at present go further into the question of the general policies of the Government, being aware that at the second reading of the Bill he should have a more convenient opportunity. There were at the present moment two propositions before the House, viz., that which had emanated from the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton, for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws, and that of the Right lion. Baronet, which proposed their abrogation in three years time. His own opinion was, that before the question could be ultimately and properly adjusted, it would be necessary to appeal to the constituencies of the country. He had recently received two letters from his own constituents, in which they expressed their resolution to maintain protection as long as possible, and he should feel it his duty to support them in that resolve. Sir R. PEEL had understood from his Hon. Friend (Mr. 131niesi - thaitl; Hon. Member for Somersetshire had 'inti mated an opinion, that he considered the total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws would be preferable for the interests of those engaged in agriculture, than a protracted delay of three years. lie ( Sir R. Peel) had assumed that it was so, ©n the previous night, because he had heard the statement with his own ears, and he thought it had been assented to. That state ment was now contradicted. He had made the observation on the last night of the debate—he had repeated it two nights after wards in the presence of the Hon. Member for Somersetshire, who had allowed him to speak without any correction what ever, and new he beard from his Hon Friend (Mr. Bankes) that he made a complete mistake as to the Hon. Member for Somersetshire's real opinion. A short conversational explanation here ensued between Sir B. Peel and Mr. Bankes, but was carried on in so low a tone, that its purport was not audible in the gallery. Mr. 1411.1GHT intended to explain a misconception which the Hon. Member for Somersetshire had fallen into with respect to what he (Mr. Bright) had stated about the game damage on an estate near Bigswell. The estate con sisted of 3,000 acres, a great portion of which was not culti vated. The valuation was made, and had been made, for years past, only upon that portion which was under grain cultivation. He found that the sum of 9161. had been paid in the year 1841 by the Duke of Rutland for damage done by game, and the valuation was made on no other part of the estate but on that which was under grain cultivation, consisting of about 339 acres. He would show his Hon. Friend indisputable proof of the fact, out of doors, if he still felt inclined to doubt it. Mr. HOWARD was of opinion, that the proposed measure would cause more capital to be employed, and better wages given, in the cultivation of land. The farmer would find in the soil much better protection than any that the Legislature could give. He regretted that the Right Hon. Baronet had not listened to the advice of the Noble Lord the Member for the city of London. He (Mr. Howard ) thought that the present was a very good time for the immediate repeal of the corn-laws. The Noble Lord had told them last night, that there existed no very large stook of corn in foreign torts. Would it then be wise to wait three years to give foreigners an opportunity of increasing their stocks, so as to flood this country at the ex piration of the period, with their produce. It was not fair that the farmer should be suddenly called upon to com pete with a large influx of foreign corn. The Right Hon. Baronet had asked for the opinion of the country gentlemen on the subject, and he for one had given his advice. He should support the motion for the total and immediate repeal. Sir JOHN HAN MER would support the Government measure, which provided protection for three years, rather than the motion proposed by the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton. If he could look at the question merely as an abstraction, he should be inclined to recommend the entire repeal, but the Government had to consider the general effect of this measure in all its different bearings, and it was necessary to this end that they should provide against every contingency. The Noble Lord opposite had expressed a desire that the settlement of this question shoulel be definitely accomplished. He mild assure the Noble Lord, that were he in office, he (Sir John Hanmer) would have still retained the same opinions as be now held, and should have voted in the same way as he now in tended to vote. He would support the measure of Govern ment as far as his humble capacity would go, whether as a landed proprietor or as a Member of Parliament. Mr. MOFFATT thought that the debate had taken a most extraordinary turn. The heath of the three contending par. ties seemed to be agreed on the point, that after all immediate repeal would be for the best, but when his Hon. Friend had plainly put the question to them, all three seemed to shrink from it. The Right Hon. Baronet had set the example, and he must say, that the Noble Lord the Member for London, seemed very eager to follow in his steps. He (Mr. Moffatt) had no explanations to make. He had always supported the relaxation of duties, and the repeal of the corn-laws. He would advise those gentlemen opposite to consider how deeply they were endangering the whole property of the country by their factious opposition. Let them look at the different corn mar kets. Let them go down to Mark-lane, and see how the un certainty occasioned by the three weeks' debate, had paralysed the corn market there. The country markets were in a similarly paralysed condition. Did they consider their tenants interest they would endeavour at once to pet an end to the anxiety which agitated the agricultural districts of the country. The Honourable Gentleman concluded by urging on the protec tionist party the necessity of succumbing to superior numbers, both fur their own interests and for the good of the country. Mr. FINCH would prefer having protection for three years, or as long as the Right Hen. Baronet would allow them to enjoy it. In the event of the measure proving injurious, three years would allow time for the Government to retrace their steps, and guard against the evil. The country had, since the year I>il6, made great improvements in agriculture in souse places; indeed, it had almost arrived to a state of perfection. — (Hear, hear.) He considered it therefore very unjust in the face of this improvement for the Hon. Member of the League to describe the farmers as lazy drones, ignorant, bigoted, and indisposed to adopt any modern improvement. The Hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Bright) had stated that if her Majesty's Government would immediately repeal the corn laws the agitation of the Anti-Corn-law League should cease; and also that he would not inflict upon the House at a later period of the session another debate un the corn-laws. He (Mr. Finch) considered that the agitation of the League was perfectly harmless. It had net been attended by any tumult. At their one-sided discussions, to which the public were ad mitted by tickets only, even at Covent•garden Theatre, had been attended with no more disturbance than when upon alter nate nights at a neighbouring theatre the public attended to see Harlequin Gulliver or Don Quixote. He was sure that the agricultural interest had no objection to their agitation, and if they proposed to call a meeting of 5,000 for the purpose of agitation, he bad no doubt but that the same number might be found among the agriculturists, who would make equally as much noise and clamour as the partizans of the League.— ( Hear, hear.) As to his promise that he (Mr. Bright) would Lot inflict upon the House another debate on the corn-laws, he could teal the Hon. Member that there were at least fifty Mem bers on his side of the House who were suffering from all the agonies of suppressed speeches.—( Hear, hear, and laughter. ) It had been said in the course of this debate that the present was a landlord's question. He denied that it was so, but if it were so, lie maintained that they had an equal right with the merchant or the manufacturer to press his gr►evanees.—( Hear, hear.) He could but smile at the simplicity of the Right Hun. Baronet and the Noble Lord the Member for the City of London, who seemed to consider that the present would be a settlement of the question. fle could assure them that the question would be again opened at the general election. The present question was treated in an entirely erroneous manner. It was a petitio przncipia—it was assumed to be fugood ques tion. He believed, however, that it was not so ; he believed it to be injurious to the agricultural and manufactur ing interests of the country. He believed that it would be of no benefit to our commercial relations with America, and t hat it was an act of injustice towards Canada. That conterhad nor of 'the country, there could be little doubt as to the mode in had sdtficient time to express its opinion oh the neasure', net- which the present Measure would be dealt with.—( Hear, withstanding the very tedious debate, which sewed likely to hear.) He thought-that -the- landed interest had more than a effect a reduction in the price of opium. —(Lughter.) He fair share of the public burdens. But with respect to the thought that when the R.ght Hon. Baronet , nuld tell the motion now before the House, he begged to say he thought Prussian Minister that he intended to make a lrge reduction his Honourable Friend had misapprehended what had in the tariff of the country, he would receive i hearty shake ti been said upon it by the agricultural Members. He co u ld of the hand from him ; but he wou ld rece i ve a sh a k e of the 'assure the Hon. Member that there were many Members on head, when he asked about any reduction in the 'russian tariff. ;, this side the House who would prefer a total and immediate He did consider that the measure was hurriedon with sum- repeal of the corn-laws to having that measure hanging over cient grounds, and certainly it must be, he thoght, admitted them for three years.-- e (Hear, hear.) It was a saying of that they should first of all have a financial sttement. The Napoleon that the British troops knew not when they were malt-tax, it was hoped by the agricultural closes, would be beaten ; and he (Lord G. Bentinck) begged to tell the House tba being a t the thec conabolished, but there was, he f eare d, lit t l e cltnce of such that his party would now stand in the same position, and that se. li clusin of three pears, et o houghtit wouldyesb, that ax also h everylrroper to s ldosuay, ( if they were beaten they would retreat and rally their forces— Cheers)—and keep the question before the country, and show cease. There was a sum of 500,000/. rated owatels the ex- the people the manner in which some Hon. Members had kept penses of the navy, and he could not but beliire there would the pledges they had mnde at the hustin g s.—(Cheers.) They be also a large amount requi re d f or th e arm '. Th ere wa s would do this until they would at length compel her Majesty's 500,0007. voted for public works in Ireland, an a remission of Government to quit office, and go again before her taxation was proposed to the amount of calf a million Majesty's people—(Cheers),--and restore things once more more, so that, after all, he believe. they would to what they were before.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") be placed in the position of havng, notwith- The average price of corn at Dantzic was 255. 4d. per quarter. standing the income-tax, a deficient revenue, ttally inadequate lle would take all expenses of freight, &c., to the port of Lon tf having an in- price at which corn could be sold here. The price during the to meet the expenses of the country—(Hear,, h ear )— an d don to be about 63., and that would give a price of 31s. 4d., the that there was in conseq uence great c h ance fiveav d.o tb Other r e t a hy r e s er , a pr f so r ,r o t m fs r form l o e . 3 l 3 Bw23 t h o et l h0 83 1 7 e8 , t2u7;n e r st a b g he eaaddv2eb3r been ne ; t c t e ea at financial e n a t nif beforeeti a a l x s a t t ta i bt o ee n m . emn s t s i hu d o e rue r d t v ea o s s m e ca ad c re i rr eaied dt s b t h e r enc:tetsho saw we t n l f 000urug,shae_t, ai%:,-rhideoelteawpkaeisnrig2o7dsfio.vfei son why the acids of the Bill should not be neutralized by a given, via., Bradenburg and Pomerania, and at which the discussion of the sugar duties.—( Laughter) The Right frce was 6d. higher than at Dantzic, and yet the corn could be Hon. Baronet would give them much greater satisfaction if bought for a very low price in the port of London. He had he had introduced a discussion of the sugar dupes. There was other communications, one of which was from a constituent of another reason, too, for delaying the question , it was the pre- the Hon. Member for West Riding. The name of his corm- Why he thought that f r e e t ra d e un d er the present c i rcums t an ces Y carious state in which th ey were with !caret to merica. spondent was Mr. Taylor, a gentleman who had b een f or 40 A cars engaged in the corn trade. That gentl eman sa id hs k i nte n o knowledge, feared, positionrei en d ds g e eh , aad f ov o ofe r f hft i rao t eve d ri ne i d . g. tradee a sb p tra p oat e kwi s r anhr t to him to I Is. per quarter, and wheat from 18s. to 235. p er quar t er . would not be introduced by t h e h um bl est tyro i n legislative that he had bought beans in Hamburgh at from 10e The gentleman commenced his letter by stating th a t h e h a d seen whathe (Lord Bentinck) had s a id o n th e su bj ec t, an d i n ah h xe i aw m bgoeru t ee h l rad a ttb t ae a x i s a,mtt, o7noadsit in they the b a wet country, his opinion it was perfectly correct. The differe n c e o f th e d u ty and be obliged in the end to ret p race their steps. Under all now payable by law, and the duty proposed to be allowed those circumstances he thought it would be etpedient that some would be pocketed by the holder of corn and by the importers. of the business connected with the financial statement should He had another statement of prices from another gentleman be first introduced, but he m us t say, in conclusion, he pre - also forty years in the trade. Ho said that in 1826, he pur ferred the measure brought forward by tke Right Honourable chased large quantities of wheat—in fact to the amount of Baronet than the total and immediaterepea l .of the corn-laws. several thousand qusrters, and though the wheat was as fine as Mr. WARD rose and said, t h at t h e Hon. Gentleman who could be grown, the price varied from 16s. to 211. The had last spoken, accused them of hurrying on that question, frei g ht of that wheat to the p ort of London would be and that the landlords were i n titl e d t o be heard, twenty or 3 s. 6d. per quarter, making a cost of 245. 6d., thirty of whom had not yet spoken. Of the whole speech so that it would be clear to the farmers which he inflicted on the House, not one word but the last of England at what price foreign wheat could be brought into sentence bore on the questi on . I t seeme d that one half competition with their home produce. The last letter, to of the Honourable Gentleman's argument was corn- which he should call the attention of the Htause, was from a plaining of her Majesty's Ministers, and the other half was on the Norfolk farmer, and it related to the p rice of corn during the subject of protection. The Hon. Gentleman complains of very last year. He stated that he had put chased 807 qrs. taxes, and talks of the abolition of the malt-tax, as a boon to of wheat in June last at 265. 4d., and he had the offer of 3,000 the farmers. But he thought th a t every G en tleman in that q more at the same price. The expense of freight to the House would admit that ninety-nine parts out of every port of London, including lighterage, cartage, &c., was 6s. hundred was paid by the consume r . Th a t i s the boon which per qr. more ; 6s. and 265. 4d. made 325. 4d., and that was the farmer's Artemis propose, and in n un. sue, it the price at which, on the Ist of June last, wheat weighing tic had always heard of an old sayine l ewhich was "God pre- new— oindiel was imported turn London. It gentlemen serve me from my friends, for I shall preserve myself from my would take the trouble to add the present duty of 17s. tn enemies." Such he thought may now be the feelings of the cost of corn in Mark lane, they would find that the ins agriculturists.—( Hear hear.) It was said that the present porters could afford to pay 17s. per quarter duty, and Parliament was incompetent to decide the question, but he have clearly 14s. profit.—(" Oh, oh," from the Opposition. ) was of opinion that what the Reform Bill did for the rotten Was that not a strong proof that the measure going to be in boroughs, the present measure would do for the corn-laws. troduced by Ministers was injurious? He had promised not For six years that question had been forcing itself to detain the House, and he was not going to do so, but he on the common sense of the House, and it was would advert to the distinction drawn by a fellow-labourer of now to be considered what was to be done. For his own part, his who was engaged with him in a committee on the game he had never given a vote on any question in which he so en- laws. That Hon. Member thought fit to take a little diversion tirely concurred. His constituency were satisfied with the in game, and he had heard evidence given as to the extent of measure of the Government, and were most anxious to see it damage done to the Duke of Ru tland. One of the principal carried, and he had f o rmed his opinion from what he had heard witnesses on the question was a Quaker.—( Hear, hear, and in that House .and he should say at once that they should take laughter.) That witness carried his aversion to bloodshed the measure Of the Government, which was right pe r se. His further than the gentlemen of Reading, who would not give Noble Friend near him said he preferred the Government to the British army the thanks due to their service. measure to any other, a nd said that he would vote for it and for He had such an aversion of bloodshed, that he was astonished no other • but he did not see why his Noble F r i en d s hould not how the Duke of Rutland could take any delight in the killing vote for the immediate repeal. He (Mr. Ward) bad an ad- pheasants and partridges.--(Laughter.) He had such pre vantage which few in that House had. He did not judices on this question relating to the damage done by the pass the whole week there, for he mingled with game, that he went the length of stating that the damage in one men who had nothing to do with party feeling or instance on meadow land was at the rate of 30s. per acre. with party politics ; and who were net interested with regard Now he (Lord G. Bentinck) ascertained that the rent of to the measure, and who differed with him on the question of the land referred to was only 255. an acre. This argument protection. They wer e all rejoicing when they heard of the respecting the damage of game had been set forth as an argu large majority by w hich the question was decided, for they anent in favour of free trade, and it was stated that the considered it would have the effect of putting an end to the damage done to the farm in question was 954/. in 1833 ; and present u n certainty w hich was felt by the country—(Hear, 951/. in 1844 ; but on this subject he had the testimony of hear)—for they we re looking forward to the time when they his Noble Friends behind him, the sons of the Duke of Rut could enter into fresh a rrangements with their landlords. Now land, who stated that a new valuer had made an estimate he stated distinctly that that was the general feeling in the of the damage at between 200/. to 300/. He (Lord G. country amongst men who did not pass their Saturday's and Bentinck) trusted therefore he had answered the observationa Sunday's at clubs and other places of resort. There were many on this point made by the Hon. Member for Durham. Members of that House whose opinions had undergone a Mr. COBDEN rose and said, that the one part of the speech change within a very short time, for they said in resi s ting the of the Noble Lord who had just sat down related to how cheaply present motion, their reason for opposing it was for fear the corn could be imported into the country, and the other part had measure of the Government would be endangered. There reference to the opinions of the farmers in relation to immediate was a great change now come over them from that which they or delayed repeal. He should not refer to the first part of the felt when they said it was better to have at once the repeal of speech, further than to repeat what he had said before on this the corn-laws, than to have it hanging over them for three question, relating to the price of food, a matter of great import years, but they had such short memories that they did not re- eine to the people of this country. The 'Noble Lord has said collect the statements, which they expressed a few days ago. that grain could be supplied at 31s. 2d. per quarter; that is that Every man among them (the protectionists) then said, that if wheat of good quality could be had in large quantities at this the repeal was to take place, it would be better it should be urice.—( Hear, hear.)—lndeed, but that was nothing to what the immediate. If they could but consult their understanding— Hon. Member for Sunderland had stated, for he said that he if they could but get rid of those odious party feelings. and look could supply wheat from foreign countries at 2.55. per quarter. at the question in a plain nnbaissed point of view— --(Hear, hear.) If that were so, he (Mr. Cobden) was sure (Hear, bear)—there was doubt that such changes as he there was not a navigator in the country that would not buy had alluded to would not have so of ten t a k en pl ace . f rom th a t H on . Membr.— (Laughter and cheers.) Now, the If the result should prove that they were right, and that the question before the House was a very narrow one, protectionists were wrong, in all their future arrangements and he would not deviate from the strict line with their tenants their own speeches would be quoted against of the question —it was, trhether it was batter them. They would justly say, " You told us that we were all that the repeal of the corn-laws should be immediate, or be destroyed, and that we had not a chance of competing with abolished three years hence. This was the question to be con= the Pole or Russian, and that English capital and English ,idered. lie must say that the motion of the Hon. Member science would go for nothing in the race, how then can you for Wolverhampton (Mr. Villiers) was unfortunately brought expect us to enter into competition where the race is decided forward at the present moment, but that Hon. Gentleman had before it is run ?" This would be their language, and it would no other course left him. The forms of the House left him no be quite natural. For himself he believed that the tenant- other alternative, he must either bring forward his motion in farmers were rejoiced at the decision which had ben arrived that manner or not at all.—( Hear, hear.') But his Hon. at, and wished the question decided in order to Friend had not considered the temper of the House in bringing be able to meet them (the landlords) on fair and forward his motion, when he heard Hon. Members below the rational terms.—( Cries of " Hear, hear.") If be considered g angway slate that they would prefer an immediate settlement that by supporting the measure of his Honourable Friend he of the question to the proposition of the Right Hon. Baronet. would risk the measure of the Government, he would vote —( Hear, hear.) Nor had he (Mr. Cobden) heard any argu against it. —(Hear, hear from the protectionists.) Yes, he .nents advanced against the immediate repeal, either from states; considered the measure of the Government as a great boon men, politicians, or farmers' friends ; but on the contrary he conferred upon the country, but at the same time he thought heard the Hon. Member for Somersetshire, (Mr. Miles) it would further its own object better by being immediate than make the distinct assertion, in the 'name of the argricultural gradual. —( Hear, hear.) .party, in which he was cheered by the gentlemen behind him, Mr. LIDDELL could not possibly receive the opinions of that of the two propositions he would prefer the immediate re the Honourable Member who had just sat down without con- peal. He said, if the question of delayed repeal or immediate siderable hesitation, because they were preconceived opinions, repeal was proposed to the farmers, that they wonld declare for which the Honourable Member had ever held, and to which he the repeal being immediate—( Hear, hear.) The Duke of' was clearly prejudiced. The question for the House to consider Richmond said the same in another place Not one man said was, whether they were prepared to accept the modified corn- it would be better to delay the settlement of the question. And law, or whether they should consent to an immediate repeal. he (Mr. Cobden) defied any gentleman on the opposite side of The Hon. Gentleman had quoted from some papers which, he ,he house to say that the farmers would prefer the delay to an said, he had received from a most respectable firm of men- ,mmediate refusal.—(Hear, hear.) They, 3(the protec chants ; but were that Hon. Gentleman in the House a few tionists) at their meetings, had made a parade of hours earlier, he would have heard a question put by the Hon. land agents, representing them as farmers, and Member for Wolverhampton to the Vice-President of the getting them to make speeches on behalf of protection. Board of Trade, as to whether wheat had not been thrown (Cries of "No no") —he said yes, for he knew that at all into the Thames because of the high rate of duty it had those meetings land agents and auctioneers were brought fore placed on it.—( Hear, hear.) ward to speak on behalf of the farming interest. He admitted Mr. PETER BORTHWICK, having heard many corn- that they might be holders of land, but from their professions, plaints made as to the length to which the debate had run, they had an interest in the delay and uncertinty that arose from, rose to ask the House, as also . her Majesty's Ministers, to , he present system. He challenged any l ion. Gentleman t o whom the country was indebted for the present protracted say that the farmers preferre d a dela y of three years t o ' an discussion ?—( Hear, bear.) In the month of October, 1845 , immediate repeal. A reference had been suede to the decision they had been told that the country was quiet, the Exchequer that was likely to arise from a division in another place, con overflowing, trade prosperous, and labour employed ; in fact. trary to the conclusion at which that House was likely to ar in no respect in which th e country could be regarded did it rive. He sould say that in his opinion, a great difference had not present a most satisfactory appearance.—(Hear, hear.) been made and that a great mistake had occurred in the mak- But in that month a certain organ of public information ing of the motion. Had he been consulted upon the matter, communicated the startling intelligence that it was .he should have said the motion itself was unwise, the intention of her Majesty's Government in the and that it would have been better to have left second week in January of the present year to propose au im- the matter in the hands of the Government, for mediate and total repeal of the corn-laws. He beggen to ask he would not hesitate to say that the opinion which had every Gentleman acquainted with the commerce in the coon. been expressed respecting the 15th clause was altogether a try, whether, from that moment, the state of commerce in mistaken one, and that if the conclusion at re hieh the Hon. England had not been utterly paralyzed ?—kflear, hear, ene Member had arrived was correct, the public opinion was a a laugh.) He further asked, whether Hon. Gentleman did nullity, and that the exertions of Hoe. Members were altogether not believe that, if her M a j es ty' s Government, instead of set aside. He wished the minds of Hon. Members should be verifying, had falsified that statement, and come d 'wn to the disabused of the opinion that public feeling was justified on House with some practical measure to meet the famine pre- this point. The sympathy of the people was not destroyed, and valent in Ireland, whether the commercial condition of the he begged to give this warning to the Members of the Govern country would not be as prosperous in March, 1846, as it was went, in order to show, them that they had another difficulty to in October, 1845? H e pu t th e ques ti on , an d if it could not contend with which they had not possibly .contemplated.— be answered by lion. Gentlemen on the Treasury benches, ( Cheers.) He would take example by the Right Hon. Baronet, he would put it to the House, and ask, were they — who wen and assert that it would be necessary to evince their opinions engaged in resisting measures of innovation, of a revolutionate by their votes, and he would assure Hon. Gentlemen that the nature—were they to blame f o r protracting the discussion ? Anti-Corn-law League would not gainsay any one of their posi -( Loud cries of " Hea r , bear," from the protectionists.) tions. He would say there what he had often said elsewhere , They must show him that land in England was more light]) that the interest on this question was not in the slightest de burdened than land in any other country, before he could agree gree diminished. They were ready to take I7s. 6d., with the in the principles of free trade. It was said by the Right lion full expectation that they would obtain the other halt crown by Baronet, that if the ports were opened to relieve the distress of an appeal to the House. He would say this, that there had been the moment, who could again close them? He would rather be a grievous misrepresentation of the line of conduct which he convinced by the experience 'of the opening of the ports of had pursued, and he thought that a better course might have the necessity of free trade, than by the three year's experi been pursued before the House. The main principle appeared once of the Right Hon. Baronet, upon which he came to the to be, that in the question before the House, it was impossible resolution of making so great a change as he had done by the to ally the agitation that had been excited throughout the coun present measure. One other word upon the question, why some try. lie believed that the endeavour which had lately been made Hon. Members on that side of, the House cheered the idea of to support the corn-laws had been based upon the supposition immediate repeal ie preference to a repeal at the end of three that the corn-laws would cease in two-and-a-half to three years. If they had had no 'choice between the one and the years. But he thought they were mistaken on this point, and other, then he certainly would prefer immediate repeal, bu' h a d treated the Hon. Member for Durham (Mr Bright) with they had a choice. The Right Hon. Baronet himself gay, no little discourtesy, and had treated his suggestions with con them three years, and who could calculate the changes that tempt.—( Cheers.) An endeavour had been made to alter might arise before that period bad expired ?—( Cheers. ) the course which Lad been devised, but he thought the pro- Mr. HUME said he was very much surprised that any Hon. ceeding of his Hon. Friend highly injudicious, and he trusted Member in that House should have declared his intention of therefore the House would take into serious consideration the confining himself to the question before the House, when to eircutneances which he had laid before them, and that they the very last paragraph of his speech he had never once re- would adopt such measures as would be advantageous to them ferred to the matter before them. His Hon. Friend the Mem- =elves and to the country. If they were to appeal to the country, ber for Durham had congratulated the House that protection they would find that the people were eagerly anxious to pass was dead and buried, but he had not anticipated that protec- the measure, although they were quite ready to forego tion would have arisen in the person of the Hon. Member for any claims that might arise from the passing of it. Evesham, like a giant refreshed.—(Laughter.) The Hon. Well, now, he saw very great danger to the measure of the Member had produced strong allegations from the writings of Right Hon. Baronet in that step—(Hear, hear)—because the political economists, but he said not one of them had referred to Right Hon. Baronet had very properly stated, that we should the policy of the Right lion. Baronet. How the deuce could they ? go on from day to day with the question until it was disposed The Right Hon. Baronet had come forward in these latter (if.—(Hear, hear.) But he conld apprehend the chance of days, very much to his own honour, and very much to his some little delay in another place. He could foresee the (Mr. Hume's) satisfaction—(Laughter)—with measures hay- chance of the Government being out of office before this ing a teedency towards free trade. Protection, which was at measure passed through the other House.—(Protectionist best a system of robbery, would never have been passed but for cheers.) He did not know whether the tenure of office of this reason. The House of Commons had been altogether the present Ministers was worth six weeks or two months' cempesed of landed proprietors, and until a year ago no in- purchase.—( Loud laughter and cheers from the protectionists.) diviaual would sit in the House who had not a qualification in But he did not see very great wisdom- (Opposition cheers) — land, and therefore it was they passed a measure which en- or any great policy in the course by which they proposed to shied them to take out of the pockets of others for the purpose turn out the Government of the Right Honourable Gen of putting into their own. The question now was, whether it tlema.n.—(Continued cheering.) But that was their was just to allow one class to levy a tax for their own exclusive (the protectionists') business.—(Cheers.) His business there p ques ion comp e benefit upon all others? Ile (Mr. Hume) denied that justice; was to kee e" 1 tely out of their power, and he contended that the landed interest had plundered the completely out of the reach of their touch.—(Hear, hear.) rest of the community, and the w h o l e o bj ect of the Ri g h t N ow h e wou ld say that this question with the country was Hon. Baronet's measu re was to remove thi s injustice, anti safe.—( Cheers.) Why, they were united on the principle of to give to all classes an equal degree of justice. If that mea- tctal and immediate repeal of the corn-laws, and the e was no sure were passed , the artisans of England, of France, of B e l- power on earth that could prevent the carrying out of the g ium, and of Hollan d, would b epi aced on the same footing with a b o liti o n of the corn-lawn.—(Cheers.) And it was, therefore, regard to food, and therefore the English manufactuaer would not because he foresaw dangers—because he foresaw the course of suffer as heretofore from the Ine q ualit y of competition. They vexatious policy towards the present Ministers—a potiey which had heard in that House of nothing bat the landed interests, lie would not bind himself to follow --(l,heers) because he as if they alone combined every interest in the country. lion, saw in those insidious amendments and proposals, as well as the Members ve:y well k new that the y w ere only a fractional part — amen dments that were spoken of in another place, dangers owe-fifth or one-sixth of the whole community. Let them and pit-falle to this measure. It was therefore, and take the Parliamentary return to which an Honourable Mem- therefore alone, that he was anxious that they should bor referred lest inght. That Honourable Member stated this preserve themselves intact with the country—( Hear, hear ) I important fact, that the whole population employed in agricul- and Hon. Members on his side of the House would not oppose tare were only some eight per cent. But they were told this the measures of the Right Hon. Baronet if they were even ten was an unfair s tatement. Let them look at the income-tax. times stronger than they were.—(Cheers.) Now, after the It appeared that the whole income- tax of 5,000,000/. had been division on this question, I will give as cordial a support to the levied upon 200,000,0000'. of property, but only 32.000,000!. out measure of the Government as any gentleman in this House. of this sum was returned for the whole property of England.— ( Ilear, hear.) And now I ask Hon. Gentlemen opposite— ( Hear.) And yet it was asked thatevery other class in the coon- those wlto have taken an enlightened view of the necessities of try should contribute to this monstrous system of protection. the country, and have agreed—seine, I have no doubt, in op Ile had been led away from the question before this House by position to their own feelings—( Hear, hear)—to give their this incident, but he would now apply himself to it, and that support to the measure of the Government, when they see that question was, how he should vote upon the present occasion. in the free trade party there is no disposition to oppose, but every He looked upon the measure of the Right Hon. Barcnet as disposition to aid them. I hope that we shall unite here cordially a very important and comprehensive one, and much more to and if there is a dissolution,' I hOpe that when we go to the the purpose than lie could have expected or anticipated, and cauntry, if there must be a dissolution, that we shall go united therefore he wo uld not run the risk of losing it by adopting any --(Hear, hear)—and that they would see that their motion for other course, and therefore he would vote for it now, and then immediate repeal, instead of having at all tended to diminish see bow much more could be got afterwards.—( Cheers.) the acrimony and the intensity of Hon. Gentlemen opposite, it Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said that the Honourable would be rather increased. He hoped that if a dissolution Member had called the agricultural Members a selfish Must come, Hon. Gentlemen who had come forwards in sup party, and that they were not content with a fair share of the port of the measure of the Government, would then go to y ; but he begged to tell the Hoe. 1 g e ther as a united body.---( Cheers. ) And he sincerely hoped e p o tt u rt n yhad a fair share of the Government ' and touted that everyveataile of the late Tot/ and Whiii i‘Gioevmebrnerm that en a t t o if that lie country parties would be thrown aside until this question was fairly disposed in the country. Now, he did not intend to _go _nto_ati argument, and show why the farmers would be benefited by having an immediate repeal. His opinions were before the country. He thought that those opinions had been pretty well read and canvassed, and he did - not intend to repeat what he had already said to them. He sincerely hoped, after this question had been merely divided on, that they would see that this measure was inevitable. He also hoped that in _ . another place they would see that this measure was inevitable. He did not despair, notwithstanding all this irritation and excitement, when they found that the farmers would prefer immediate and total repeal— (Hear, hear)—,and that this measure was disposed of by that House. He did not despair that hefore the end cf this session the principle of an immediate repeal of The corn-laws would be4stablished by Act of Parliament.—(Cheers.) And he did A:rink if lion. Gen tlemen would for a moment reflect upon that they were going to ene3unter in the promoting, .anditOmpelling, and coun tenancing this agitation—if they would but candidly and cooly consider what their - position was ; in undertaking this conflict, why, he, as one of the members of. the League, shoald really be almost ashaMed to enter the field of battle under such lead ers.—( Cheers.) They were broken up, and dispersed, and without leaders—in fact, he realty believed that the ghost of the League would be more powerful than the flesh and blood of the members of that party. —( Loud laughter.) But he hoped that gentlemen would take a cooler view of the case ; and he did hope in another place, where there was s.) much hope that all the arguments that they had used, would be very well ap plied by Noble Lords who belonged to the agricultural interest. He hoped that the Lords would take his advice.—(Laughter from the protectionists.) Yes— (Opposition cheers)—he would undertake to say, if they would, in their place, instead of taking their (the protectionists') advice, which, if it were Parliamentary, he should almost say was insane—(Laughter) —they would take his, and, instead of throwing out the measure if they would graciously say, " the country seems to prefer repeal, and the farmers seem to prefer immediate repeal.— ( Hear, hear.) And we will not only pass this measure, but we will make the measure our own."—(Cheers.) Then would the House of Lords be restored to its pristine respect and authority—(Laughter from the protectionists )—and, as an in dividual, he at once said, we might thank Heaven that there was still a House of Lords.—(Loud cheers.) Lord, MARCH, Sir THOMAS ACLAND, and several other Members, rose together, at the conclusion of the Hon. Mem ber's speech, to address the House, but there being loud cries for Sir Thomas Acland, Sir THOMAS DYKE ACLAND accordingly pro. ceeded to address the House, in opposition to the amendment, and in favour of the. Ministerial measure. He thought that the Anti-Corn-law League h aving s o n e ar l y attained the object for which they had been striving should not now endanger the safety of the present measure in order to satisfy their consciences, or because they might appear consis tent, having always agitated for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. He preferred the proposal of her Majesty's Government to an imdiediate repeal, because he thought that the immediate abolition of those laws would be like going down a steep incline instead of a moderate descent. He considered that when sna l ,.... r oaed measure Wes ranee passed It would be as difficult to repeal it again as it would be-to turn the course of a mighty stream back to its fountain.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) It might be true that the Right Hon. Baronet was conferring a great advantage sai the country, and they could not say that his measures would be attended with very great success; and if so, he for one thought that the Right Hon. Baronet would have the benefit of such success, but if it should turn out otherwise, as he very much feared it would, why, then the re sponsibility should rest with him, and, for his part, he would not be answerab!e for any portion of it.--( Cheers. ) Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE rose and said that he would give an unqualified and consistent support to the measure proposed by her Majesty's Ministers, and his vote should be a practical, and not a popular one ; and in op posing his Hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, it was more his duty than his pleasure to do so. Wishing to see the corn-laws repealed, be felt called on to give his vote in favour of the Government measure ; for they bad required of the Government to stand by ther plans; and if he now de serted them they would have a right to say that you left us on the three years' question for that of an i mmediate and total repeal of the corn-laws, and wenow in return will not stand by you with regard to the settlement you propose, respecting the manufac ing districts. Under those circumstances, he said, he felt it his duty to vote with the Right Hon. Baronet, and in doing so he begged to state that long before the Anti-Corn-law League was in existence he voted far a repeal of those laws. He looked on his vete as a practical one, and did not give it with a party view. Many of the Members who had expressed a wish for an immediate repeal, had now changed their minds and said they were not prepared for an instant alteration of the kind; for now, when they were put to the test, they would go out into the lobby with the Right Hon. Baronet, and he very much questioned whether the Right Hon. Gentleman was perfectly safe in such company.—( Cheers and laughter). He considered that the motion of the Hon. Member for 'Wol verhampton was brought forward from a conscientious mo tive, as he had pledged himself to the Anti-Corn-law League to bring forward the question for a total repeal ; and although his vote may be considered by the League as unpopular, yet he should give it in favour of the Government measure. The Earl of MARCH then rose and said that it had been remarked by the Hon. Gentleman opposite that the Govern ment were not safe in going into the lobby with his (the Earl. March's) friends, but he confessed he was at a loss to know where they would be perfectly safe.—(Cheers and laughter.) The Hon. Gentleman tells them that the Right Hon. Baronet was not safe at his side of the House, and he thought a circum stance had taken place which would make the Right Hon. Baronet the S,-eretary for the Home Department not par ticularly safe on that question.—(Great cheers and laughter.) But he (the Earl of March) thought that the Governmi nt might go out into the lobby of the House without meeting with any particular inconvenience. —( Laughter.) He would not trouble the House wifh any further observations, but for a remark which had fallen from the Hon. Member for Stockport. He states that a noble relative of his had expressed a wish to vo'e for an Immediate repeal of the corn-laws, which state ment he begged leave distinctly to contradict. His noble rela tive stared, that supposing it was inevitable that the measure of her Majesty's Government were to be carried, and perma nently adopted, his Noble Friend said that he would prefer the total and immediate repeal to the repeal in three years time.— (Loud cheers from the free-traders.) That was what his noble relative stated, that the total and immediate repeal would be better than the repeal in three years, supposing the measure were to pass permanently into a law—(Cheers. ) He should maintain that it was incumbent or, the Government of the country, and the ministry, brought forward as they were by a majority of 91 in favour of protection of industry ; that before they brought forward such a measure as the present, they should in common justice and honesty appeal to the people of the country—( Hear, hear. ) Mr. HUDSON said that reference having been made to him, he would trouble the House for only a very few moments. The Hon. Member for Stockport had strangely misrepresented what had fallen from him (Mr. Hudson) on a former ovening. On that occasion he stated most distinctly that in his belief the probable average of the price of wheat would be from 355. to 40s. per quarter. The Hon. Member had threatened them with the ghost of the Anti-Corn-law League. Now he had the honour of meeting the Anti-Corn-law League in Sunder land, and he believed he had routed them there.—(Protectionist cheers.) He then wished to warn that body that there was nothing which the people felt more jealous of than the pro ceedings of that body, acting as it was in the endeavour to manufacture voters, and practising intimidation and deception. lie felt it his duty to state that when the question came to the vote, he would be with the Right Hon. Baronet. He did not know where the lion. Member for Stockport spent his Snn days, whether with' market gardeners or others, gleaning his information, but he (Mr. Hudson) had, formed his views from the experience of men well acquainted with the subject. Now he thought the three years would give the farmers time to sew their land, and make such improvements as would enable them to meet the competition of the continental produce. Indeed hehoped the Right Hon. Baronet's measure would be successful. He also hoped that if carried, the farmers, who were proved to be injured by the change, will have some compensation. For this reason he would give his support to the measure for the three years. Lord WORSLEY rose, but from the noise which prevailed in the House he was !imperfectly heard ; he was understood to say that the farmers were most anxious that a settlement should take place upon the question, and that an immediate repeal should take place. Colonel SIIITHORP and Mr. VILLIERS rose together, but the latter gave way at the call of the House. The Hon. Gentleman said that he would not presume to trespass on the time of the Howe, having occupied so large a portion of it on a previous evening, were it not that he had one or two obser vations to offer, and he thought that the Hon. Member opposite was about replying, previous to a division.—( Hear, hear.) He wished to take this opportunity to deny emphatically that the tenant-farmers were in favour of immediate repeal. He con sidered that they ought to restore the franchise to Sudbury, in order that the two rejected Members of the Government might have seats in that House—( Roars of laughter) —or, in the event of their rejecting his proposition, they might adopt the practice which_ existed in France, of electing certain Members of the Government without any appeal to the constituent body.—(Hear, hear.) At any rate he could only say thatSud bury or the French system seemed to t of bee considered i o ci n e7c d trefugeha t for the destitute.—( Laughter.) However,. them, their constituents had acted properly in n d rejecting ttudulntl to their be cause, like the Ministers, they had acted • y constituents. Mr. WAKLEY and Mr. NEWDEGATE rose together amidst Loud cries of " Withdraw," and "Divide ," but the latter gave way to the Hon. Member for Finsbury, who pro ceeded to say that, he regretted exceedingly to find that the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton, intended to persist in dividing the House on his motion.—( Hear, hear.) However, much he might approve of his intention, and however lightly he might commend his motives, he could not conceive that a more inexpedient course than this could be pursued by any Member who was friendly to the prepositions of the Honourable Gentleman. He believed, however, that the Hon. Member persisted in his intentions in conformity with a pledge which he had given elsewhere, and consequently that he did not feel at liberty to abandon the course which he had hitherto pursued. He deemed this, however, most inexpedient, because out of doors it must cause an impression that those who were favourable to the measure of the Government, had a divided opinion on this great question, but in reality there was no division, and he knew, that after a short deliberation those who would now vote with the Hon. Member would be, if they were not now, determined advocates of the measure proposed by her Majesty's Government.—(Hear.) Hon. Gentlemen might consider that a contrary opinion was entertained, but he knew from the attention which he had given to the subject that they were wrong, and that the people were dissatisfied with them. The Noble Lord had claimed the election of Westminster as a proof of public opinion on this subject. Why there were two candidates for Westminster, one of them had been long in favour of the repeal of the corn-laws, the other had but lately ' got some new light on the question.—(Laughter.) Did they choose the one who had adopted what might be deemed a transitory opinion? or did they elect the one who had for years advocated the principle of a total abolition of the corn-laws ? They elected the latter—why then claim this election. The Whigs had no right to claim it as decisive in favour of their views, for only two years since Westminster had three candidates. The Hon. and Gallant Member who had been lately chosen, was one of the three, and the Whig, Tory, or Radical might be said to be represented in one or other of the candidates. The electors chose the Radical then, and Hon. Gentlemen might te very sure that Radicalism was in the ascendant since. He re gretted that this motion had been brought forward chiefly because it might lead those out of doors to suppose that there was a division on the subject of this great measure. He could sate from his intercourse with the middle and the working classes that the impression was almost universally abroad that the Right lion. Baronet had done all he could do on this sub ject. Everybody was full of this exclamation, and they added that when they reflected on the position in which the Right Ron. Baronet was placed, they were of opinion that he could not do more than he had already done, and that they owed him a debt of gratitude for it. An Hon. Gentleman opposite said they must go to the country. Another Hon. Gentleman said they must go to the people. But they know very well that know what would not go to the people. If they really wisiedto t! the what was the opinion of the people, let them look from the them look to the show of hantls. — ( Laughter from the protectionist party.) They spoke of going to the people, why, the people had hands as well as they. Instead of going to the people, they went to those_ who had the selling of the food at their command , but they would not appeal to the poor ignirant classes, h w ho were obliged to create that food. What could 3 more unjust than this ? jf the House Wal dePir . Q . U.3 of deferring this discussion to another night he would have no objection, though he was most unwilling that it should be put forward any longer, because up to this time all th e arguments at t h e et h er aide ad substan tially proved the case of those at this side.—( Hear, hear.) Mr. NEWDEGATE said that the Hon. Member for Lin coln had given his opinion that the tenant-farmers of this coun try were In favour o f t ota l repea l . H e b a d h a d t h e pleasure -of meeting many intelligent farmers m ithin an hour before he entered that House. He admitted that many of them felt bitter disappointment at the sudden and unaccountable change which they witnessed in the feeling of those whom they trusted, and that under the influence of such feelings, such an expression might have escaped them ; but he denied that the opinions of the tenant-farmers in this country were in favour of total and immediate repeal, as more beneficial to their interests. With reference to what had been said by the Hon. Member for Finsbury, he would confirm what that Ilon. Member had said, that there was a democratic and radical feeling arising in this country.—( Hear, bear. ) Mr. VILLIERS said that the Hon. Member for Warwick- - shire had denied what had been positively assorted en that side of the House, and told them what had passed between himself and his tenants.:—(Mr. Nesedegate, 6' Oh, no.") He would ',love that the principle of protection had nothing to do with the interests of the tenant farmer, and they did not at all trouble themselves about it. The lion. Member for Finsbury could certainly not teach hint what protection _wars for he had advised the House to take the sense of the country by a show of hands, as did also the Hon. Member for Aberdeen. On the policy of bringing forward this motion at the present time he must exercise his own judgment. Ever since he had been in the practice of submitting this proposition to Parlia ment, he had been told he was in the wrong in the course he took, but judging of the eventh of the present session, it would seem as if he had taken the right course. He would say nothing against Honourable Members on this side of the Howe supporting the measure of the Govern ment in preference to the amendment, and he did not think that the Hon. Member for Finsbury would loose any popu larity by the course he intimated he should take. There was no popularity to be gained whichever side he might vote on, as far as the two propositions before the House was concerned. He was astonished' at the Hon. Member for Lynn saying he would not support the amendment, as he had told them (the free traders), they dare not bring it forward against the Government measure, lest they (the protectionists) should support it. Now, it seemed the delay was considered valuable, as it would enable them to have an election before free trade could come into operatien, and that they might succeed in defeating it. They need not calculate on that, as it was in vain for them to expect the restoration of the - present system of protection if once the Government measure was carried The farmers were indifferent to it, as a proof of which, he would refer to the fact, that on Saturday last, when the account of the division was sent to the country, the farmers in various places where the news was carried did not seem to care a straw about it. The Hon. Member, having referred to some 'other points, referred to by previous speakers, coecluded by pressing his amendment on the House. The gallery was then cleared for a division. On cur re-admission into the gallery there appeared— For the Amendment 7B Against it 065 Majority ........... ......... —lB7 THE COAL-WHIPPERS:' ACT. On the motion of Sir GEORGE CLERK, leave was ob tained to introduce the Bill to continue and amend the Coal whippers' Act. Captain LAYARD asked if the Government was prepared to lay urn the table of the House any returns of the number of suicides committed to the end of the, year 1845? Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said that as there was no dis tinct register of them there would be some difficulty in obtain ing the returns alluded to. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at half-past One o'clock. PARLIAMEN TAR Y DIVISIONS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) TUESDAY, MARCH 3. CUSTOMS AND CORN IMPORTATION. (IN THE COMMITTEE.) Motion made, and Question proposed, " That, in Sea of the Duties now payable on the importation of Cons, Grain, Meal, or Flour, there shall be paid, until the Ist day of February, 1549, the following Duties :"—Amendment proposed, to leave out the words " in lieu of," in order to insert the words " all Duties on imported Corn do now cease and determine," instead thereon—Question put " That the words proposed to be lett out stand part of the Question:' The Committee divided : MAJORITY—AYES, 265. Drummond, H. Lygon, Gen. Duckworth, Sir J. Macaulay, T. B. Duke, Sir J. Mackenzie, T. Duncombe, T. Mackenzie, W. F, Duncombe, A. IWGeachy, F. A. Du Pre, C G. Mahon, Viscount Egerton, Sir P. Mangles, It. D. Egerton, Lord F. Manners, Lord C. Ellice, Edward Manners, ;Lord J. Emlyn, Viscount • March, Earl of. Entwisle, W. Martin, C. W. Feilden, William Martin, T. B. Ferguson, Sir It. Masterman, John Ferrand, W. B. Maule, Fox Filmer, Sir E. Mildmay, 11. St. John Finch, G Mines, it. M. Fitzmaurice, C. Morgan, 0. Fitzroy, Henry Napier, Sir Charles -- Fleetwood, Sir P. Neville, Ralph Flower, Sir J. Newdegate, N. Forster, Matthew Norreys, Sir D. Fox, S. L. 0 'l3rien, A. S. Fuller, A. E. Packe, C. W. Gardner, J. D. Palmer, R. Gaskell, J. M. Palmer, G. Gladstone, J. N. Palmerston, Via. Glynuc, Sir S. Patten, J. W. Gordon, Hon. Capt. Peel, Sir Robert Gore, Montague Peel, Jonathan Gore, Robert, Pennant, Colonel Goring, C. Philips, G. It, • Goulburn, Henry Polhill, Frederick Graham, Sir J. Pusey, P. Granby, Marquis of Rashlei,gh, W. Grey, Sir G. Reid, Sir John Grogan, E. Reid, Colonel Hale, It. B. Repton, G. W. Halford, Sir H. Bart. RollestonZColonel Hall, Col. Round, John Hamilton, W. J. Itumbold, CL B. Hamilton, Lord C. Russell, Lord John lianmer, Sir John Ryder, Q. D. Harcourt, G. G. Sandon, Viscount Hatton, Captain Scott, F. Hawes, Benjamin Seymour, Lord. Henley, J. W. Sheridan, R. B. Herbert, Sidney Shirley, E. J. Hervey, Lord A. Sibthorp, Colonel lllldyard, T. B. Smith, Abel Hinde, J. 11. Smith, J. A. Hobhouse, Sir J. mnythe, George Hodgson, R. &stollen, A. liope, Sir J. Somerton, Viscount Hope, Alexander Spooner, IL) Hope, G. W. Spry, Sir. Ilernby, John Stanley, E. liorsman, Edward Stanley, W. 0. Hotham, Lord Stanton, W. IL Howard, C. W. Stewart, John Howard, E. G. Stuart, Henry Howard, P. 11. Stuart, J. Hudson, George Sutton, Henry Hughes, W. B. Thesiger, Sir F. Hume, Joseph Thompson, Ald. Hurst, R.H. Towline, George Hussey, T. Trench, Sir F. Irton, S. Tufnell, Henry James, William Vernon, 0. H. Jennyn, Earl Vivian, J. IL Jocelyn, Viscount Vivian, J. li. , Johnstone, Sir J. Vivian, Captain Johnstone, Hope Vyse, It. Jolla° ' Sir W. H. Waddington, 11. S. Jones, Captain Wakley, Thomas Kelly, Sir Fitzroy Walpole, S. 11. Kimble, H. Walsh, Sir J. 11. Kirk, Peter Wellesley, Lord C. Knight, P. W. Wilshere, W. Labouchere, Henry Wodehouse, E. Lambton, 11. Wood, Colonel T. Law, lion. C. E. Wersley, Lord Lawson, A. Wortley, J. S. Legh, G. C. Wrightson, W. B. Lemon, Sir C. Wyndham, Colonel Lennox, Lord 11. Yorke, E. T. Liddell, 11. T. Loch, J ames Lockhart, A. E Lockhart, W. Lye% George Aclaud, Sir T. Acland, T. D. A'Court, Captain Acton, Colonel Adderley, C. B. Aglionby, H. A. Aitord, Viscount Allix, J. P. Autrobus, Edmund Arbuthnott, Hugh Archbold, Robert Astell, ,William Austen, Colonel Bagge, William Bagot, William Bailey, Joseph, jun. Baillie, Colonel Willie, H. J. Baukcs,lGeorge Barkly, Henry Baring, F. T. Baring, Thomas Baring, W. E. Barnard, E. G. Barrington, Viscount Bateson, Thomas Beckett, William Bell, Matthew Bentiow, John Benett, John, Benet, Philip, Bentinek, Lord G. Berestord. Major Bernal, Ralph Bodkin, W. 11. Bolder°, H. G. Borthwick, Peter Bottleld, Beriah Bowes, John: Bowles, Admiral Boyd, John Bramston, T. W. Brisco, M. Broadley, H. Broad Wood, .11. Brooke, Sir A. B. Browne, W. Bruce, Lord E. Bruce, C. L. C. Buck, Lewis W. Buller, Charles Buller, Sir J. Y. Butter, P. S. Sir 11. Cardwell, Edward Carnegie, - Captain Cavendish, G. H. Caylcy, Edward S. Chandos, Marg. of Chelsea, Vise. Chichester, Lord J. Childers, J.:W. Churchill, Lord A. S. Clerk, Sir G. Clifton, J. T. Clive, Viscount Cockburn, Sir G. Cole, H. A. Colebrooke, Sir T. Collett, W. R. Colquhoun, John Compton, H. C.- Connolly, Col. Corry, Henry Courtenay, Lord Cowper, W. P. Craig, W. G. Cripps, Williani Davies, D. A. S. Deedes, W. Denison, E. B. D'Eyncourt, C. T. Dickinson, F. IL Disraeli, B: Dodd, G. Douglas, Sir H. Douglas, Sir C. Douglas, J. D. S. Douro, Marquis of TELLERS. Young, John Baring, Llenry Bannerman, A, Berkeley, Craven Berkeley, Captain Berkeley, H. P. Blewitt,:Reginald Bouverie, E. P. Bowring, Dr. Brotherton, J. Busfeild, William Chapman, B. MINORITY—NOES, 78. Evans,7Sir De Lacy Parker, John Ewalt, William Pattison, James Ficlden, John Pechell, Captain Ferguson, Colonel Philips, Mark Fitzroy, Lord C. Plumridge, Captain Fox, C. It. Protheroe, EdWard Gibson, T. M. Ross, D. R. Hall, Sir Benjamin Russell, Lord E. Ilastie, Archibald Stanslield, W. R. Hindley, Charles Staunton, Sir G. Holland, Robert Stuart, Lord J. Langston, J. H. Strutt, Edward Layard, Captain Tancred, H. W. 3t'Carthy, Alex. Thornely, Thomu lif`Taggart, Sir J. Trelawny, J. S. Marjoribauks, S. Troubritige, Sir E. Marshall, William Walker, Richard Martin, John Warburton, Henry Mitcalfe, Henry Ward, H. G. Mitchell, T. A. Wawn, J. T. Moffatt, George White, Samuel Morpeth, Viscount 'Williams, W. Morris, David Wood, Charles O'Connell, Daniel Yorke, IT. It. O'Connell, M. J. TELLERS. O'Connell, John Villiers, Charles Oswald, James Bright, John Christie, W. D. Cobden, Richard Colborne, W. R. Collett, John Critwford, W. S. Currie, Itaikes Dannelly, Lord Dauyin plc, Captain Dennistoun, John Duncan, Viscount Duncan, George Duudas, Admiral Ebrington, Viscount Ellice, E., jun. Elphinstone,ll Escott, Rickham Etwall, Ralph PARLIAMENTARY • BUSINESS. (From the Voles and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) TUESDAY, ILARCIL 3. The following Petitions for Railways were reported, and the Bilrs ordered to be brought in ay the undernamed Hon. Members : North Staffordshire (Pottery Line)—Mr. Add‘rley, Mr. Ricardo, and Mr. Alderman Copeland. Grind Trunk, or Stafford and Peterborough Ihtion Rallway--Captala Carnegie and Sir Robert heron. Dundee and Arbroath (Extension)—Lord Rallyburton & Mr. Duncat. Leicester and Bedford—Mr. Ellis, Mr. 11. Stuart, and Mr. Matinsell. Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leicester—Sir 11. Raiford, Mr. Pack. and Mr. Villiers. Lancashire and North Yorkshire—Mr. 0. Duncombe, Lord E. Bruco, and Mr. Entwisle. Liverpool and Preston anti Manchester and Southport—Mr. Patten, Mr. Clifton, and Viscount Sandon. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEE. The following resolutions were reported from this Committee :- 1. That, in the case of the Dundee and Arbroath Railway Exten sion petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 2. That, in the case of the Leicester and Bedford Railway petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 3. That, in the case of the Norfolk Railway Extension (Stow market, Wymondham, and Attlehorough Branch) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the par ties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 4. That, hi the case of the North Staffordshire Railway (rotteries line) petition, the standing erdem ought to be dispensed with: — the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 5. That, in the case of the Liverpool and Preston and Manchester and Southport Railway petition, the standing orders oughtthslrto be die - pcmsel with:—That the parties be permitted to proceed with Bill. 6. That, in the case of the Lancashire and ›Torth Yorkshire Rail way Petit!ol, the standing orders ought to he dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 7. That, in the case of the Wear Dock Bailway Petition, the stand ing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be per mitted to proceed with their Bill. . That, in the case of the Lynn and Ely, and Ely and Hunting don, awl Lynn and Dereham Railway Companies Amalgamation petition, the star dog order ought not to be dispensed with. W. That, in the case of the Berks anJ Hants Railway (llungerford the standing orders ought not to be dispen se d Eatonsion) witij petition , 10. That, in the caso of the Coventry, Nuneaton, Birnainglunn, and Leicester Railway petition, the standing trders ought to he dis pensed with :—That' the parties to permitted to proceed with their Bill. 11. That, in the case of the Manchester and Leeds Railway Ex rloviiitkh. their or s dispensed with : tensions petition, the standing orders ought to be L i a l ' i l l o l. rd and Th i tt . t r h i c t; f t i , tr i i t , i parties the b e ca p s e e ri permitted tot t e h d: o p r r a o n c a m T i Peter borough Railway' petition, the standing orders ' ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to • 13. That, in the casts of the Exeter, Y Rail way 'retition, the Standing nkr Yeovil, and Dorchester Rail s ought to , That the parties be permitted 'be dispensed with : to Preece idw th their Bill, on inserting a clause, restraining them from Compulsorily respect of which the names of taking the lands in John Chard, an t i William II William ' Thkery, Richard Granger, lists of assents t o the Illll.ayman, were incorrectly inserted in the 14. That, in the case of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne petition, the standir. lsnprovement g orders ought to bo dispensed with :-.77juit tin*