The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-09 00:00:00

Cbtrb laittion SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) Sub-Committee No. 1. MORT* S7tArpORDSIIIICE (POTTZTLIES) LIN M. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) The CI7AIRMAZi said he remembered one case of last sec tion which was similar to the point now raised. In that ease one of the trustees was himself a shareholder, but there was this difference, that without the sum for which he was bound there was more than ample capital. He referred to the Eastern Counties:(Norwich Extension.) Mr. Burucis--In the present case he had to say that the con trast deed was perfectly valid. It had been held good, in many decisions in a court of law, that where a co-trusteeship existed, one trustee could recover from the others, under cer tain regulations of the deed. Now, in the case for the promoters of the present Bill, there was one person who had signed the covenant . who was not a subscriber to the undertaking , a nd that made it quite competent for him to sue the other trustee or the whole Com pany. This bad been decided over and over again in courts of law. Mr. COA.THS replied, after which the room was cleared, and having consulted the Speaker, The CHAIRMAN said that Committee bad considered the case which had been argued at such length, but understand ing that exceptions had been taken to the decision of last week by the agents who were interested for the cases which had been alluded to by Mr. Coates, they were anxious to take the opinion of the Chairman of the Sub-Committees who would meet on Thurs da7 and consider the question raised. The Committee were quite prepared to give their own opinion on the allegation, but it would be no doubt more prudent to wait a consultation of the Chairman, after which they would immediately decide the point at issue. IMPORTANT TO PARLIAMENTARY AGENTS. The C11•11111Aff said that he was instructed by the Speaker to inform the agents for Bills, that they had neglected to comply with the standing orders, which required Ole name of the Bill to be written on every petition for or against the same ; any petition being presented without this form being complied with, was contrary to the standing order which was as follows : " That on every petition presented to this House, relating to any private Bill before the House, the name, or short title, by which such Bill is entered in the votes, be written at the beginning thereof; and whether such petition be in favour or against the Bill relating to the non-compliance with the standing orders." LONDON, NNVIBITRY, AND BATE LINE. Mr. C,oarza appeared for the promoters, and called 'eye lid witnesses to prove the several deposits of the plans, sec tions, and books of reference. After which Mr. BURKPI said he appeared on the part of Colonel Wroughton, of the parish of Wilton, in the county of So merset, and other landowners. The petition alleged that the owners of property, though marked on the plans and potions, was not shown in the books of reference. The Clerk of the Peace for the county of Somerset was then galled. Mr. COATF.A objected to the petition being proceeded with on the ert of the owners in the petition, unless it could be shown p that they were parties actually to be affected by the proposed line. The 'room was then cleared, and upon the parties being 'filled in, The Citaxamax said that the Committee would not enter thin any petition against the omission of property in the books of reference, unless it could be shown that the petition was presented by the coasent of the parties to be affected by the non-compliance with the standing orders. Mr. BURKE would call Col. Wrougliton. The witness merely pointed cut his property on the plan. The Clerk of the Peace for the county of Somerset was then called to produce the book of reference which had been deposited with him. Upon referring to the book, it turned out that the property was fully described. Mr. Bunkis said that he would, of course, abandon that allegation, as well as several others which were disposed of by the decision of the Committee. Mrs. Susannah Shaw was then called to prove that she had not received notice for a piece of meadow ground which was to be taken. This allegation was sustained. The Committee adjourned, at four o'clock, till twelve o'clock to-morrow, when the remaining allegations in the petition will be taken. Sub-Committee No. 2. TIES CAMBRIDGE AND OXFORD RAILWAY (Continued from our Afternoon Edition). It wm also alleged that there were varioua other inaccura cies on th• line. The CXAIRMAX said, in the case of the Oxford and Cam bridge Railway, the Committee were of opinion that the standing orders had not been complied with. LONDON AND BRIGHTON (WANDSWORTH BRANCH) RAILWAY, The Bill stated that the proposed railway would be of great public benefit. There were two petitions alleging non compliance with the standing orders, but no one appeared in their support. Witnesses were then examined:to prove that the usual forms had been complied with. The line was to pass through Streatham, Mitcham, Tooting, and Wandsworth. Mr. Palm said that this Bill had been thrown out by the Committee on its merits last session. The present Bill, by c l ause 39a, would not require more than 5 per cent. The CHAIRMAN considered that it would be necessary to prove that the present was precisely similar to that intro duced into Parliacsont last year. Mr. PRITT stated that there was no material difference. The Committee ware of opinion that the deposit of 5 per sent. was sufficient in this case. The remaining evidence was of the usual character, and the Committee were of opinion that the Standing Orders had been complied with. OKAPI'VELD ii.t7D LINCOLN JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. Pairr said that the present was one of those that arose oat of the standing order to which he had already referred in the preceding case. Mr. Gainsford examined—Was solicitor to the Bill brought before Parliament last session, as well as the present Bill, which was substantially the same as the former Bill. The Bill of last year was for a main line and a branch. The House kad negatived the branch, and the Bill was ordered to be engrossed. The main line for which the present petition prayed was exactly the same es the main line of the former petition. Mr. LAIZtG, agent, presented a petition from Mr. W. Dun 'Wheeler, of Sheffield, solicitor, on the part of his client, Mr. Clarke Hutchinson, stating that the proposed line would pass through and injure his property, and that the petition was not presented by the same& parties who had brought it fer ward last year. Mr. Parrr said he objected in limini to the objection being heard, as the petition was presented by one party on behalf of another, whereas the party interested should apply himself. It appearing that the petitioner had been authorised to act for Mr. Hutchinson, the petition was received. Mr. LAINO said that his objection was, that the standing orders required parties to prove that the undertaking was car ried on by the same persons. Mr. Gain:ford was then examined, and stated that the par ties were the same, and there was the same body of directors with the exception of one individual, who had retired from old age. Mr. Limo said that out of 73 who had signed, only 23 had signed the present petition, while oat of 707 who had signed the former contract only 93 had attached their names to the present deed. The, CIIALRHAIC said the Committee were unanimously of opinion that the petition was from the same parties. The Committee decided that the standing orders had been complied with by the Company. NEWCASTLE AND DARLINGTON ZUNC- Tiair (DUREAIIII AND SUNDERLAND R.AILWAT AND WEARNIOUTH DOCK PURCHASES AND BRANCHES). The Committee found that the orders had been complied with. mums AND HUNTS (HUNGZRTORD lIXTEINSION) RAILWAY. There were petitions against this Bill from the owners of the land through which the line was to pass, stating that due notice had not been given in the London Gazette. The Committee resolved not to enter on the petitions to-day, and adjourned, at four o'clock, till twelve o'clock to-morrow. Sub-Committee, No. 3. (continued from our Afternoon Edition.) BANVICB. BRANCHES. ---- This was another petition of the North British Railway, foe leave to bring in • Bill to make a number of branches from their Hawick line, the estimated cost of which WSW 770,0001. The Committee took an objection to the plans, inasmuch as they did not correspond with the petition for the Bill. By the petition the Company sought for powers to make a branch from Torwood Lee to Selkirk, wane ttie plans deposited nett for a branch from a place called Rink to Selkirk. Mr. Miller, the engineer of the line, explained that so much of the branch as lay between Torwood Lee and Rink had already been sanctioned by the Legislature, and, there fore, it was abandoned in the present i nstance. The Committee complained that this discrepancy between the petition and the plans was calculated to mislead the public, and they trusted that in future the promoters of Bills would make the titles of their lines in their petitions and plAns correspond. The decision of the Committee in this ease Res the same as that in the last. GIARLISLZ EXTENSIONS. This was another petition of the North British Railway Company, for kave to bring in a Bill to const ruc t t h e i r Car lisle Extensions, the estimated cost of which was 660,000/. The customary formal proofs having been gone through, the Committee informed the parties that their decision in the former case would apply to this also. These were the three Bills included in the joint subscrip tion contract alluded to in the first case. The aggregate amount which the parties to this instrument bound them selves for was 1,274,687/., and the question whether this deed could apply to three Bills was left for decision of the Com mittee above, or the Committee on Public Petitions. GRETNA BRANCH. This was a foarth petition of the North British Railway Co mpan y, for leave bring in a Bill to construct a branch from a point on their main line to Gretna, the estimated co4st c ot which is 80,000/. The usual evidence of the deposit of plans. &c., having be en adduced, the Committee decided that the standing orders had been complied with. ZDINOURGII AND GLASGOW RAILWAY. This was the petition of the Edinburgh and Glasgow railway for leave to bring in a Bill to make a branch railway from a point on their mai n line to Queensferry, the estimated cost of which was 140,000/. The Committee decided that The fixed the standing o rders had not been obser ved in one respect. point where the branch commences on the main line was not suffi ciently specified on the plan of the branch by some distinc tive mark. It was stated in the section that the branch wouldwouldcommence at the point on the plan where the main line diverged, marked A. The plan showed the point where the main line diverged, but it was not marked A. The Committee adjourned shortly before five o'clock. Sub-Committee No. 4, ,Itooml l . An additional Sub- Committee was appointed for this day, eonsisting of the following Members:— Sir W. ileatheote, chairman ; Mr. Hope Johnstone, Mr. M .J. O'Connell, Mr. packs, Mr. Acland, Mr. Evart, Mr. Sh Rome Drummona, M r . Chi lders, Mr. Cornwall Leigh, Mr. E. P. Shirley. The business of this Committee commenced at twelve o'clock, when there were present Mr. Home Druniroond, Chairman, in the absence of Sir William Heatlicote ; Mr. Mope Johnstone, Mr. Shirley, Mr. Packe, and Mr. F.vans. uplivazz-ccrbuurizrzwiEnr 7iGIACTozry. This ?nil A Bill to empower certain persons therein named to divide the rectory, which is in the county of Norfolk, into three parts ; to build one or more churches in each district, and to add a burial-ground to each new church; to provide parsonages and glebe land, and to raise moneys. Adjourned, owing to the petition not being before the Committee. TEE SALFORD WATER-WORES HILL. was passed. WINDSOR, SLOUGH, AND STAINES ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY. This was a Bill to construct a railway from Windsor to i Staines, in length eight miles, and estimated to cost 150,0001. Mr. Walmesley, the agent of the Bill, appeared before the Committee, and the usual preliminaries having been gone through, the Committee declared the Bill to have passed it. SOUTH MIDLAND (HUNTINGDON BRANCH) AND (NORTHAMPTON AND BEDFORD BRANCH) RAILWAY. These were two Bills for the construction of the above two branch lines, which were together 91 miles in length, and estimated to cost 1,900,0001. The Committee declared that the standing orders had been complied with, except as to there being only one con tract deed for both lines, which was reserved for future con sideration. Messrs. Venables and Co. were the agents for these Bills, and Mr. Vignolles the engineer of the lines. LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN (FARE HAM AND ALTON BRANCH). Length 21 miles, estimated cost 300,0001. This petition was declared proved. The agent for this and other Bills of the Company is Mr. Eddiscombe. GRAND JUNCTION (1117YTON AND ASH TON, HUYTON, PRESTON, AND ST. HELEN'S, WARRINGTON AND KENYON, WARRINGTON AND PARKSIDE, LOWHILL AND PORTOBELLO, AND EDGEHILL AND HUYTON BRANCHES) RAILWAY AND GRAND JUNCTION (HUYTON AND WARRINGTON BRANCH) RAILWAY. Two Bills had been introduced for the construction of the above seven branch railways. The estimated cost for the whole is 1,480,000/., and the length 46 miles. The en. gineers are Mr. Locke and Mr. Woods ; the agents are Messrs. Burke, Pritt, Venables, and Co. Mr. VENABLES appeared to promote the Bill, and the two petitions were declared proved by the Committee. MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND MID LAND JUNCTION RAILWAY. This is a contemplsted railway from Sheffield to Chester field, with a branch to Bakewell, the estimated cost of which is 1,050,0001., and the length 23 miles. The engineer is Mr. Vignolles, who was this day examined as a matter of conve nience to himself, but the petition will be taken in its proper turn. NEWCASTLE AND ZERWICIC RAILWAY. The estimated cost of thiA line was 54,0001. Mr. Venables appeared to promote the Bill, and the Committee declared the petition proved. The Comitteee adjourned until twelve o'clock to-morrow. TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING Six O'CLOO K. CIIWITER CUP. 18:to 1 apt Best Bower 25 to 1 agat Sweetmeat 23 to 1 agst Whinatone 25 to 1 agst The Baron 30 to 1 agst Miss Burns 35 to 1 apt Intrepid 40 to 1 agst Fitzallau 40 to 1 agst Roderick 40 to 1 aget Mermaid 40 to 1 apt Hope 40 to 1 aget Cataract 40 to 1 apt Colleen Dhas. 40 to 1 *get Salopian DintllY. 5 to 1 agst Sting 18 to 1 agst Brocardo 20 to 1 agst lago 80 to 1 agst Malcolm 40 to 1 agst Fancy Boy 40 to 1 agst Tibthorpe ALARMING POTATO RIOTS AT INVERNESS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) INVERNESS, lan. 6, 1846.—As some excuse for not at tending to your letter, I enclose two proclamations and a note, from which you rill gather the alarming nature of the po sition of Inverness, and, indeed, as I am informed, of every shipping place in the northern counties, but our situation is much more critical than that of any other place from the large body of navigators at present employed in the neigh bourhood, and who are taking an important part in the fray ; and as some of them are captured, we may to-night expect an attempt at rescue. Unfortunately there is only a small number of military at Fort George at present, but as many have come into Inverness as could be spared 80 as to leave enough for the defence of that important position. There appears to be about 70 or 80 who occupy the castle, and under the prudent and spirited command of Captain Campbell, of the 87th Irish, they have been of important use in preserving order, and as yet nobody has been killed, but the number wounded must be ten or twelve, some pretty se verely, by the bayonets which the soldiers were obliged to use when retreating to the castle with about a score of pri soners ; and some of the gentlemen and constables were se verely cut by the stones. If in the course of the night the navigators, of whom there are upwards of a thousand, overwhelm the military, it is impossible to say where this unfortunate affair will end, the whole town and neighbourhood will be at the mercy of these blackguards for six days, being the shortest period within which we can obtain assistance. Oh for twelve hours of our Perth and Inverness railway 1 If anything will open the eyes of Government, it is the danger in which we are at present. The riots began on Wednesday, in the attempt to ship some potatoes at Thorn Bush pier. The low popula tion of the town opposed it successfally, in spite of the police magistrates, and the military were sent for, and placed in the castle, in case of need. The town was quiet all day on Thursday, being the Sacramental fast-day, but in the evening thenavvies marched in from the canal, and being joined by our own mob, pro ceeded to smash windows, threatened or attempted to set fire to the Provost's distillery, and it was considered proper to order out the military, who, after a brush, succeeded in capturing about twenty rioters, when the mob dispersed. To-day special constables were sworn in, and under cover of a strong body of constables, with the Provost and Sheriff at their head, an attempt was made to ship the rest of the cargo. About half-way to the pier the mob attacked us slightly, but surrounded us in thousands, and after the Sheriff read the Riot Act and a proclamation, we continued our march to the pier. The mob had taken up a very strong position here close to the place of shipment, and whenever the attempt was made to ship the potatoes we were attacked with the utmost fierce ness, and we were all after a very short combat obliged to fly. The soldiers were sent for, but before they arrived our cart and its potatoes were sent into the river. The military shipped another, and so the affair ended in the meantime. The soldiers have behaved very well, and Mr. Tytler and • Provost Sutherland are heroes. There was a riot in Nairn last night, and at Campbeltown, Invergordon, &c., the Same spirit prevails, and not a potato will be shipped without a military escort, though the authorities assured us to day there was an abundance in the country. The following proclamation has been issued by the Sheriff of the county : " Whereas, notwithstanding the proclamation issued by the Provost and magistrates of Inverness on the 4th inst., the authorities of the county and town were this day deforced and assaulted by a riotous mob, compelled to read the Riet Act, and call in the assistance of the military power. " The authorities, in addition to the prisoners already in custody, have marked several others, who were active in the riot and mobbing, and they have been informed that the public peace is still threatened ; they therefore prohibit all parties from appearing on the streets, lanes, and roads of the town of Inverness and its suburbs, after the hour of nine o'clock of this evening; and they hereby inti mate that any person or persons so appearing on the said streets, lanes, or roads, between the said hour and six o'clock, to-morrow, shall be deemed and held to be disturbers of the peace, and act and part in the said riot and mob, and shall be apprehended and prosecuted as felons—the Riot Act already read being still in force. "The authorities aforesaid, while they are determined to enforce the law, take this opportunity of informing the in habitants, that measures have been taken for supplying the market of Inverness with potatoes. " God save the Queen "By order of William Fraser Tytler, Esq., Sheriff of the County of Inverness, and James Sutherland, Esq., Provost, and the other Magistrates of Inverness. " PATK. GRANT, Sheriff-Clerk. "ILEX. MACTAVISH, Town-Clerk. "Inverness, 6th Feb., 1846." THEATRE ROYAL, EDINBURGH, (From the Edinburgh Wtehly Journal, Feb. has 4th.) The engagement of Celeste and Mr. Websterproved signally successful.derabie power, Mr. r ;an N\d"e h b e st h e a r a i s s m e n v c i i d i e w n i t d ly er a ra n og a e ct t o h r a o n f very cons! his first appearance in any character would cause us and h toanti e . cipate ; this, we think a great proof of excoicn throws himself so thoroughly into his part, and evinces so much taste and discretion, and in fact is so much at home that we do not know how he couid well go abroac into a different de partment, till we find hint eqnally- at home there also. Perhaps his ablest personation is in his own clever farce, called The Miseries of Human Life, where old Mr. Ally Croaker, fretting at every thing, finds, of course, every thing to fret him, even to the pulling on of his boots. He does, in deed, seem as if he had been scalded or skinned, and then clad in a shirt of nettles—while his droll agonies are well contrcsted with the coolness of his friend Mildmay (Murray, who was quite in his element), to whom nothing comes amiss, and who, equally of course, finds every card a trump. The Lioness 4 . the North is a clever comedy, founded on the mistake of Elizabeth of Russia (Celeste), who makes im perial and imperious love to a young lieutenant (Webster), thinking that he is the famous Biron Duke of Courland. Celeste acted the sovereign virago with her usual animation and dignity. Mr. Webster, in his character of Alexis, rose into graceful and genteel comedy, and fully sustained his re putation. Mr. Murray, as the intriguing, conceited ) and ever baffled Schuvoloff, or Sugar-loaf, or Shave-all-off, we forget which, the Russian chief spy, or minister of police, was very effective, as was Ray in the perplexed kind-hearted jailer of Shiusselbourg. Lloyd has a capital part—as capitally acted —an ambitious " full private," making love to an Empress, and rewarded with an i mme di a t e d uc ki ng in a horse-pond. ' Altogether, the piece was very snccessful. A new and better adaptation of the " Invincible.," called " The Pretty Girls of Stibery," was brought out on Monday, with very great succes, and, we may say, thunders of applause. Web ster—a pert page—undertook for Napoleon ; this was doubted by his comrades; he turned hid back for a few mo ments, unbuttoned his coat, turned his wig, and presto ! the very " little corporal " hi mse lf turned round and j ustified the apparently involuntary military salute of his merry comrades. He was ever afterwards in and out of Napoleon, in the drollest and most graphic way, particularly when he did— what Napoleon never did—got thoroughly drunk. Celeste, as a Prussian captain, thereafter took them all prisoners. She appeared at the head of a most efficient troop of heroines, ably assisted by Sergeant Majoress Tenet. (From the Edinburgh Weekly Express.) Tint THEATBIL—The attraction of the Theatre Royal du ringthwe e the a sbeenthebrilliant acting of Mr. Haymarket,Ben jamin and the elegant Madam e past t c w r o ee f kh cCeerlteasitnel.y lAelars:eeWneabsvrteirthisanohtelorfttyenwoianh o t u h r at bo h a e rds m , a b y Ut soo h n e or any y stic o t f return again. cast from Murray,acting a anything o t fh of . Mathews, a moreat h n e w entirely s, but it is certainly excellent in i o t t a h er kind.co that Hiso comic than his as Mildrnay. The scene had a acting wmitleiWdoiatenrc3awlneannloatagremer—as:eit h nne e ; l o l n y t e h a a s ege l c ig t of Croker,the m t o h s e t otherviv vivid contrast.w eema The performances. Madame i th lb ec e r ra l ie , p ' e ' ttl w el r a ofi s usg t o h ar e pe dp c h i ai a nl r i : oh oe o rf f the most graceful style, and drew down the audience. The Polka danced with Mr. Webster, will giTe an entirely fresh idea of it to our Assemblies. IMPORTANT NEWS from MEXICO. (From a Second Edition of the Times.) We have received the following important intelligence, brought by the West India Mail steamer Trent : The Royal Mail steamer, Trent, Captain Boxer, arrived at Southampton this morning, from the Gulf of Mexico, last from Bermuda. She brings 510,522 dollars, 1,256 ounces of silver, and a large quantity of platenum, cochineal and inigo, from Guatimala. The passengers by her are Lieut tenant Peel, son of Sir Robert Peel, from the Pacific, with dispatches, Gen. Mendoza. Captain Gracio and lady, Mr. and Mrs. Neilson and child, and Mrs. and Miss Trew, Captain Deering, lady, and two children, Messrs. Stanley, Michaud, Bonavero, Seruton, Silva, Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Valmyniple, Boshill, Dr. Vamu, Lieutenant M'Cleave, Dr. Findlay, and Mr. Wm. Neilson, of her Majesty's late ship Romney, Mr. and Mrs. Dalrymple. PRONUNCIAMENTO OF GENERAL PAREDES AND MARCH OF HIS DIVISION ON THE CITY OF MEXICO. We have received from our Correspondent in the city 01 Mexico letters of the 30th of December. General Paredes, with his division 7,000 strong, pro nounced on the 15th tilt. at San Luis Potosi, and marched against Mexico on the 21st for the avowed purpose of over turning the present Government, and calling a National Convention to establish whatever Government it might think fit. Parades and his division arrived on the 29th in the imme diate vicinity of the capital. The Government prepared to resist in an energetic manner. They appointed General Bustamente Commander-in-Chief, armed 3,000 Civicos or National Guard, barricaded the town, cut trenches in all the roads, declared the city in a state of siege, and called out the mals population between the ages of 16 and 60. The garrisons of the fort of San Juan de Ulloa, 'Vera Cruz, Jalapa, Guanxuato, Guadalaxara, Zacatecas, pronounced in favour of Paredes, but the civil authorities in all those places and in several other towns issued manifestoes in favour of the Government. Several arrests were made, and the Archbishop was con stituted a prisoner in his palace at Sacubaya. M. Slidell, the new Minister of the United States, has not bee■ received by the Government under the plea that Mexico agreed to accept a Minister ad hoe for the regulation of the affairs of Texas, and not an Envoy for general purposes. M. Slidell has written a very angry note, and retires to Jalapa, there to await instructions from his Government. Lieutenant W. Peel (son of Sir R. Peel), of her Majesty's ship America, now at San Blas, on the Pacific coast, passed through Mexico on the 27th for Vera Cruz, charged with dispatches for the Hon. Captain Gordon, of the America, sup posed to be relative to Upper California and the Oregon. Our correspondent at the moment of closing his dispatches says, that the whole of the garrison has pronounced in favour of Paredes, and that the Government of Herrera may be considered at an end. The city was perfectly quiet and not a shot fired. The Clyde brought to Bermuda the windward mails, they bring the dates since the last steamer left, to the 14th of January from St. Thomas, and Bth from Jamaica. There is nothing of any marked interest among the islands, the out ships have begun to congregate at the different ports, to receive the coming crop, which it is said will at least be an average one, or perhaps beyond it; as the cane, especially to windward, was much favoured by the rains at the end of last year. THE EXPRESS EDITION• SUN-OFFICE, Half-past Eight IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack at Five o'clock. Lord STANLEY presented a petition, signed by 12,3339 owners ar.d occupiers of land, and trapesmen, manufacturers, and labourers of the north division of the county of Lancaster. He had examined the signatures to this petition, and he had found them all to be genuine, and to belong to the dif ferent classes of trades and callings enumerated in the heads of the petition. The petitioners stated that their confidence in the continuation of the protection to agriculture was such that they had been induced to expend capital in extensive improvement in agriculture and manufactures. It fur ther stated that it was the opinion, not only of the owners and occupiers of land, but also of the working men and manufacturers, that it was of the greatest im portance to their different trades that the protection to agriculture should be continued. The petiticners also complained of the unconstitutional, they would not say illegal, interference of the Anti-Corn-law League. with the constituency of the country. He had also several similar petitions from different parts of the county of Kildare in Ireland. Lord REDDESDALE said he had a petition of a similar nature to present from the county of Oxford. Lord BEAUMONT presented several petitions frcm tenant farmers and others connected with agriculture in favour of protection to agriculture, and expressive of the great alarm those individuals felt at the proposed chonges ; and he also begged to give notice, on the part of his friend the Duke of Richmond, that, on Thursday next, the Noble Duke would move for certain returns regarding local taxation. Lord FARNHAM presented petitions against the repeal of the corn-laws. Lord GREY presented :several petitions from tenant farmers and others connected with agriculture, in favour of the propositions of her Majesty's Government. They had only two objections to those propositions ; namely, that the abolition in corn and sugar were not immediate. Almost all the tenant-farmers in this country con curred in the opinions expressed in the petition. He had great satisfaction in presenting that petition, and he hoped and believed that the opinions therein contained were entertained by the first farmers in this country, whether they were at once opposed to protection, or in favour of a delay of three years. Earl ST. GERMAIN said, that with regard to the motion he was about to submit to their Lordships, he anticipated their fullest consent. This was a Bill for the further amendment of the Act now in force for the ex tension and promotion of the public works in Ireland. The proposed measure divided itself into two questions; first, that of loans, and second that of grants. In regard to the first of these, the alteration upon the old law was very small. It was proposed to place at:the disposal of the Commissioners of Public Works for Ireland the sum of 50,0001.; the sum originally placed in their hands being :now reduced to 6;9001„- and the present grant a further suppty. The al teration in its administration was, :that whereas formerly the application had to be made through three magistrates, it was now proposed to be made through two magistrates, assisted by three rate or assessed. Respecting the second division, that of loans advanced for the improving and reclaiming of lands, the old law required that such advances should be paid back in three years after the improvements were effected. This was found be impracticable, and now it was proposed in the Bill to extend the period to twenty years. lie had no doubt this measure would work benefially in developing the recourses of Ireland, in connexion with three or four other measures which were submitted.—(Hear, hear). He believed that no measure could act more lbeneficially for the people of Ireland than the drainage measure. The Bill of which he then spoke was eminently calcu lated to extend and enlarge the power of the Bill intro duced by the Noble Lord who preceded him, as it ena bled the commissioner of public works to give employ ment to the people—(Hear),—which was essential in the existing emergency. The Harbour Bill would also be introduced, which would further enable the people to avail themselves of the kindness of Providence. An other Bill would also be introduced, which would enable grand juries to appoint presentment sessions for the carrying on of public works without requiring the sanction of an assize. A more profitable outlay of capi tal they could not have; and he called on the Noble Lords to entertain the measure kindly, particularly in the present moment when the people of Ireland were threatened with the disastrous consequences of a general failure in the crops and propably a grievous famine. Lord MONTEAGLE said that at the present moment it not only behoved Noble Lords to pass the Bill, but, further, that they should pass a series of measures, of which the present was but a component, for the improvement of the condition of the people of Ireland. He had heard it stated that the pressure on the people of Ireland was but slight, and not entitled to serious consideration. A greater or more grievous mistake could not be entertained, and could only hare pro ceeded from a misapprehension of the real facts. It was by no means a trivial matter in the present posi tion of political affairs between the two countries, that no individual Member of that House should be repre sented to the people of Ireland as indifferent to their in terest, particularly when the deficiency of food in that country at present was considered. It would be of great importance that it should not appear that that House was indifferent to this state of things. He should say, that the magnitude of the evil in respect to food in Ireland had by no means been exaggerated. The Noble Lord then read extracts from the reports made by Mr. Lindley and Mr. Playfair upon the state of the potato by one-half, e b . y ba which it tb ap at p t e b a e r r e e d w th e a ul t d th e e lso cr b o e p de ficientawdaesfiei- encyof seed ; beande t p h p a r t eb th ee e d r e e d sul i t e wo l u re ld lee b d e t f h r it o t re th e e scarcity of food would be most awful and appalling. distress to The Commissioners stated that it appeared from un doubted authority that out of 32 counties not one had escaped the failure of the potato crop, and that out of the districts aronnd 130 poor-law unions, not one was exempt from the failure. To those vi ho were con nected with Ireland this presented a very sad aspect. He remembered, in 1822, being commissioned with some of the most useful men (amongst whom the late Mr. John Smith was conspicuous) to inquire into the cause of distress in Ireland. At that time, when they had at their disposal 300,0001. subscribed by the English na tion, and which sum was afterwards doubled by Parlia ment, they had only to cope with the partial distress of ten caunties, and that distress did not begin until the spring, They had now to deal with the dis tress of thirty-two counties, and the distress had begun before the month of February. They knew by sad experience that not only the want of food in the country would be felt, but they also knew that other b t e o w t h o a n t i, d c o n u o n t ry th h e r a e d f , or e refer however, b t,o e e t n h s e t a m t e p d a r b t y i e o u t l h a r e l r y s calamities o w ou ld f o l low. The benefits which had been d an n d e N c e What v v w e h at o ht u e g hp loadtu public b o l c b e n worett h h ke e streatm ent resultsn d pd u u e bn e cl y o c But he could not h e lp say i ng that the treatment which ta o y ae Ireland peetgb l o ci uco benefit, g e h n t tr t y o . r e works in Ireland ? But it had been suggested to her Majesty's Government that considerable good might be done by Government if they made a better appropria tion of the constabulary and police rates in the several counties. This was a iobject that called r for the peculiar attention cf the Ministry. Whatever difference was made in he appropriation of public burdens, or whatever pressure was removed, the relief should be granted in agreement with justice. In the present instance the measures by the Government on the constabulary rate acted ii an inverse ratio to this principle. Take the counties of Down and Tipperary. In the county of Dovn, which had been tranquil and prosperous, and where the constabulary rates had been light, the relief muld be much less in proportion to that of Tipperary, in which for a long time the rates had been very high, arising from the in security of life and property. If a remission of the constabulary rate was b be made, the alteration should be such as to appropriate the benefits in the same ratio as the rates had been imposed—apportioning ITN' in proportion to the tranquillity or disturbance that might respectively prevail. lie doubted much whetter the proposed re mission would be an improvement, especially the taking away the constabulary force from under the local magistracy. Great advantages bad resulted from this connexion both in the discilline of the force and the benefits resulting from this ?mployment ; and if they took away this corps from unier the control of the magistrates, it would make the c•ostabulary force as sume the character of a foreign gels d'armerie force. lie I sgged of thefiGovernment not to lissasociate the force from the local protection under vhich it had hitherto been placed. In proposing measures fur the relief of the people in Ireland, it was his opinion more would be done for the tranquillity of that country by the employment of engineers, the construction of public works, draining and such like measures for giving the population em ployment, than by any other course that could be devised. If they did an act of justice or generosity, let it be directed by wisdom, as that course alone would be at tended with success. With respect to the repeal of taxation, though it might be very popular at the time it was proposed, it was soon forgotten—it would not survive the session in which it was agreed to. He trusted that if those measures should be adopted, they would exercise a beneficial and useful in fluence upon the people of Ireland. He had spoken upon this subject at greater length than he had intended, but it was one in which he felt a great interest, for he had the welfare of his country sincerely at heart, and was most flexions to see her condition ameliorated. He had had communication with several Members of that House as well as with some of those of the other House 01 l'arname,,,, situ ne lola not met with one who had any interest in land in that country who did not appear to agree with him in opinion upon this subject. The Deice of WELLINGTON said he had no doubt the Noble Lord was right in taking this opportunity of speaking upon this subject. But it should be remembered that this was a Bill not yet before that House. It was a Bill which had received all the attention from many Noble Lords which it was possible to give it in the short space of time allowed, but he could not say that they had agreed to adopt the proposition it contained. It was well known that the police tax had always been a tax upon the land, and it should be admitted that it ought not to be allowed to continue so. There was at present a Bill in the hands of Government which would relieve counties from the police-tax. They had received a strong recommendation from the Com missioner on the subject, and before they came to any determination on the subject they would take into con sideration that recommendation. No person was more de sirous than he was of making such improvements as would draw forth the resources of that country. There were other measures in contemplation, which would come on in the course of the session, and which would have the effect of giving relief to Ireland ; and, therefore, he wished that his Noble Friend would postpone the dis cussion util the matter came before the House in a more regular manner. Lord STOURTON said that he should feel him self wanting in his duty both to England and Ireland, if he did not express his entire and full concur rence with the measure proposed by Government for the benefit of Ireland. The labour of Ireland was now about to be absorbed in resources which—and he said it to the disgrace of this c)untry—had been kept for 600 years in darkness. He would refer to the year 1817, when it appeared that no less than 65,000 per sons passed through the fever hospitals of Dublin. He hoped also to be allowed to express his concurrence in the perfect truth of the report which emanated from the House of Commons in the last session, in which the absolute necessity was declared of bettering the condi tion of the Irish people. That statement was also made ten years ago; and now that they had it in their power to cement an union between the people of England and Ireland—cementing them in a manner that no repealer could break—(Hear)--he called on them to act wisely and boldly. He would wish to see the peasantry of Ireland raised to a proper level ; and he should say it would be a much more gratifying circumstance if the people were less dependent upon land. Mr. Forster, in 1825, stated that "the Irish must have laed, as they depended on it." Now that was a most grievous circumstance. Therefore he should say that their policy, their interest, called on them to support the present measure ; and he should shrink from his responsibility as a Member of that House, if he did riot advise them to combine and endeavour to advance such a policy.—(Hear, hear.) If they placed a police force in the stead of the military force which it would be otherwise necessary to maintain in the counties of Ireland, Government ought to recommend that the quota of the expenses should be borne by each county, or by each town-land in which the police force might be required. Ile thought, and the Commissioners were of opinion, that this course might remedy the evil complained of. But he thought it not only necessary that they should patronise public works, but that they should also give every assistance to agricultural improvement, for this was not only required for the happiness of the people at present, but for their future prosperity also. He felt, as a resident landlord in Ireland, that this mea sure would be of great benefit to that country, and there fore he had no hesitation in saying it should have his con currence There were some clauses in it he could not agree to—he meant the compulsory and mandatory clauses, and he trusted they would be modified. He had listened to the speech of his Noble Friend opposite with great attention; but he could not believe that the distress anticipated by the Noble Lord in so short a time as he had stated would take place, at least in that part of the country, the north of Ireland, where he resided; and if great distress were apprehended in other parts of that country be trusted that the Government would adopt such measures as would tend to avert that calamity. With regard to what had been said in reference to the police force, ho was ready to admit that that was a most useful body ; but he could not but feel that the magistracy of the country had often been put aside by the power which the Government held over them ; and he also thought that some communication ought to have been held with the magistracy before this step had been taken to make that force a species of yens d armerie. The landed gentry of Ireland felt this neglectvery much. They were anxious, as magistrates, to do their duty, as they had hitherto, he believed, done; but they thought they ought to have been consulted. He would, as far as the present Bill was concerned, give it his sup port, and when it was in Committee he would call their Lordships attention to certain amend ments to several of the clauses, which he considered very objectionable, especially those proposing to take the powers out of the hands of the grand juries, who were made up of the resident gentry, and therefore those best calculated to know what ought to be done. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said there was no difference of opinion as to the principle of the Bill, which had his entire concurrence. —(hear.) He had no desire to prolong the discussion raised by the suggestion of the Noble Lord :(Montettgle) respect ing the remission of the county rates for the maintenance of the constabulary force. He (the Marquis of Lans downe) believed that suggestion first came from the members of the Irish Landlord and Tenant Commission as a most desirable arrangement, and that it should be done upon the principle of equality. It was then recom mended irrespective of other considerations but the relief of Ireland, but now it was brought up as part of a general measure of justice to the occupiers of land, in conse quence of the great and important scheme of improvement submitted to Parliament for the relief of the country. He held, as a general principle, that grants for public works would be more beneficial than any other measure that could be devised, as it would be always reminding them of the services rendered by Parliament to that country. He believed that the relief from the consta bulary tax would be greatly beneficial, and was a mea sure of great importance, but it was not the measure that her Majesty's Government should adopt for the relief of a distressed country. After a few words from Lord COTTENHAM, Earl DEVON fully concurred in the course of policy i m r e e r ia a n l d. and Th p e h r ) e ' the i s t ugg w e o s u te ld d by buy th e e tNbeobleeffLeoertd owfhiompprroevciendgedbohtihm, e condition n o o second e o t n h de opinionpeop people a r) s f to the necessity of the Bill before the House. Lord MOUNTCASHEL said that the present cir • sic c a o l uldb cumstances of Ireland deserved every consideration. He had only arrived from that country within the last few days, and lie could assure their Lordships that the wants of the peasantry were not in any degree exaggerated in the south of Ireland. Want and famine were staring them in the face. In a short time the poor-houses would be so filled that there would be no room for applicants. What was then to be done ? He had been glad to see that every endeavour had been made by Parliament to meet fh wauti of the people, but he was informed that the railway bills would not be forward enough to give em ployment to the people. In his own neighbourhood po tatoes were selling at the prices usually received in the 'tenths of June and July, and there was every appearance of their reaching a higher price. He happened to live in a very peaceful neighbourhood, but within the last fort night there had been very unpleasant symptoms exhi bited. Large bodies of men were going about armed, and several murders had been committed. It was a common declaration that in two months they would have civil war. lie might be allowed to state one word with regard to a matter which had, perhaps, no connexion with the present Bill but which had been moved by the Noble Lord who brought it before them. It was the intention of the Government to bring forward another Drainage Bill. That Bill was viewed with a great deal of apprehension. The Noble Lord then proceeded to read extracts from a letter he had received from some millers in the north of Ireland, who expressed a hope that no measures would be suffered to become law which would have an injurious effect upon their property; they alluded particularly to the Drainage Act. The Earl of ST. GERMANS expressed a hope that no alteration would be made jn the Bill now before the House, which would affect injuriously the present bur dens upon land. Lord COTTENHAM said a few words in reply, which were inaudible in the gallery. Earl ST. GERMANS said that it was his intention to move the committal of the Bill on Friday next. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at a few minutes before Four o'clock. NEW ME MBERS. Lord MORPETH took the oaths and his seat for the West Riding of Yorkshire. On the entrance of the Noble Lord, who was introduced by Lord John Russell and Mr. Byng, he was greeted with loud cheers from all sides of the House. Mr. WCARTHY, who was introduced by Mr. O'Con nell avid another Hon. Member, took the oaths and his seat for the city of Cork. THE AYSHIRE AND GALLOWAY RAILWAY. Sir J. Y. BULLER brought up the Report of Sub- Committee No. 2, when Mr. HODGSON said that before the report was or dered to lie on the table, he wished to make a few ob servations. He wished to put a question to the Attor ney-General on a point of law, but at the same time he had no desire to impugn the judgment of the Committee. The objection which had been taken to the contract of the Ayrshire Railway was, that the contract deed was invalid, inasmuch as two of the trustvs who were bound to perform the covenants were also shareholders in the Company. The Committee, when this objection was urged, came to the resolution, that by standing order No. 40, the contract deed was invalid, and did not bind the trustees to the performance of its covenants. It was a Scottish Bill, and he thought that the objection which had been raised could not consistently be maintained. He wished now to appeal to the opinion of the highest constituted law officers in that House, whether or not the fact of a certain number of trustees holding shares in the Company would render its contract invalid. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that under the standing order which had been referred to by his Hon. Friend, all that was required was, that the parties sub scribing should bind themselves to the performance of the subscription deed. It appeared from the facts of the case that the trustees were also shareholders, and agreed to pay the amount of their subscriptions in common with the other subscribers, and as trustees they also covenantee to see the due performance of the contract, so that in point of fact the covenanters were also covenantees. He was of opinion that the whole deed was not invalid. The question was whether the sub scription deed was a compliance with the standing order. I 4 ,--ro,.tly true that in a court of law no action would hold, because no party could sue himself, but La a court of equity a party would be bound by the deed, and would be obliged to pay the amount of his subscription. Ms opinion undoubtedly was, that the standing order had been complied with, and if the case bad occurred with respect to an English railway, there would have been a compliance with the standing orders, because the parties would have been liable, if not in a court of law, at all events in a court of equity. Sir J. Y. BULLER said it would not become him after the opinion expressed by the Attorney-Ge neral to discuss a point of law. He could only say that the decisions to which the Committee had come were in accordance with the decisions of Sub-Commit tees of last year. He thought, after the opinions which had been expressed, that the better course to pursue would be to allow the Bill to ttake the usual course, and for it to be referred to the Standing Orders' Committee, as the:Standing Orders' Committee would, of course, act upon the opinion which had been expressed by the Attorney-General and sanctioned by the House, and such an opinion should be taken as a guide for the future. Mr. HODGSON had no objection that the Bill be referred back to the same committee. CORN-LAWS. Sir H. HALFORD presented a petition from the town and county of Leicester, signed by 2,000 persons, engaged both as manufacturers and agriculturists. The petitioners stated that they heard with alarm of the scheme proposed by Government for the purpose of re ducing those duties which protected native manufactures and agriculture, and they thought that the best means of security consisted in affording every facility for the de velopment of the produce of our own soil.—(Hear, hear.) That security would be amply afforded under the exist ing corn-laws. The manufacturers stated that there were documents before the House which would prove the extremely low rate of wages, at present existing in a district where there were more than 100,000 persons, both manufacturers and agriculturists, and the pro duce of which amounted to 2,500,000/. annually. Mr. BAMPTON presented a petition in favour of the measures of commercial reform proposed by her Ma jesty's Government. Mr. NORRIS presented a petition praying for a con tinuance of protection to agriculture. Mr. R. YORKE presented a petition praying for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. LIDDELL presented a petition, signed by up wards of ten thousand persons in the county of Durham, against the proposed alteration in the corn-laws. Mr. M. CLARKE presented a petition in favour of the repeal of the corn-laws. Lord DALMENY presented a petition of a similar nature. An Holz. MEMBER, whose name we could not learn, presented a petition, signed by nine thousand of the in habitants of Sussex, against any alteration of the corn laws. Sir J. C. HOBHOUSE presented a petition, very nu merously signed, in favour of the contemplated altera tion of the corn laws. Mr. MUNTZ (Birmingham) presented a petition from the merchants, traders, and other inhabitants of Bir mingham, complaining that none of the restrictions on copper ore were about being removed by the Go vernment. Mr. DUNCOMBE presented three petitions from Dundee, the seat of the linen manufacturers, in favour of free trade, which stated that they (the petitioners) were not afraid of competing with the whole world, al though every restriction should be removed. Lord MORPETH (who was very loudly and gene rally cheered on rising) presented a petition from Wake field and Halifax, very numerously signed by merchants, bankers, and others in Yorkshire, strongly expressing their approbation of the Government measure respecting the corn-laws. Mr. FERRAND said he should wish to ask the Noble Lord a question. He should wish to learn whether the signatures to these petitioners had been the free and unbiassed act:of the petitioners?—(Cries of " Order, order.") He was prepared to prove that the working men—(Order, order)—were obliged to turn into the counting-houses of the large manufactories and sign these petitions, before they received their weekly pay ments.—(Loud cries of " Order.") The SPEAKER observed that the Hon. Member might put put a question, but the rule of the House did not permit that he should make a speech. Mr. FERRAND—WeII, then, he would put the question—were these signatures of the kind that he described ? Lord MORPETH—He had only to say that, to the best of his belief and to the entirety of his convictions, the signatures to the documents which he had pre sented were the free and unbiassed acts of the peti tioners. Sir W. MOLES WORTH presented a petition from the borough of Southwark, in favour of a total and im mediate repeal of the corn•laws. The SPEAKER observed, that perhaps it might be better for the House to receive petitions on the corn laws after the order of the day had been gone into. Mr. OWEN STANLEY gave notice that in the Com mittee on the corn and provision laws, he would move as an amendment, a fixed duty of ss. on wheat, 2s. 6d. on barley, and 2s. on oats, and so on in proportion. Mr. M. MILNES gave notice that in committee on the resolution relating to the corn-laws he would move the omission of all words after 1849. Mr. S. CRAWFORD gave notice that he would call the attention of the House to the propriety of extending the power of poor-law guardians, so as to enable them to grant out-door relief to the people of Ireland. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE moved for a return of :the number of all persons who had removed from the agri cultural to the manufacturing districts, particularly in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire, in the years 1841, 1842, and 1843.—Agreed to. Lord Somerset, Lord Sandon, Sir George Grey, Mr. Wilson Patten, and the: O'Conor Don, who constitute the committee on parliamentary election petitions, were then sworn at the table. Captain POLHILL gave notice of a motion, to the effect that he would on a future day move that the duty to be paid on foreign corn for the next three years should be given to the tenant farmers, who would be injured by the measure of her Majesty's Ministers. Dr. BOWRIING would ask whether any and what measures had been taken by her Majesty's Government to inquire into the character of the disease said to have broken out at Roa Vista in consequence of communi cation with the Eclair. Sir G. CLERK said that such measures had been taken as would meet the case. NEW WRIT. On the motion of Mr. YOUNG, a new writ was ordered to be issued for the election of a knight of the shire for the southern division of the county of Notting ham, in the room of the Earl of Lincoln, who has ac cepted the office of Secretary for Ireland. FACTORY SCHOOLS. Mr. BRIGHT wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department re specting the proceedings.of the factory inspectors. He found from their report that Mr. Horner had given 1501. to schools connected with the Established Church, and 30/. to schools belonging to the British Society of Dis senters ; while another inspector had given 2701. to scbools connected with the Established Church, and to schools not so connected. Now, it was the intention of the Factories Act that the sums appropriated by the Governmet for this purpose, should be freely and equally divided amongst schools where factory children were being educated ; and he wished to know whether these grants were in future to be made in accordance with the spirit of the Act. Sir JAMES GRAHAM (who spoke in so low a tone of voice as to be scarcely audible in the gal lery) was understood to say that the funds appro priated by the Legislature for the benefit of fax. tory schools would be divided equally, and without favour to one sect or another. The inspectors had, he thought, made the distribution referred to by the Hon. Member in this spirit, for most of the Catholic schools refused to receive aid from those fund., while the:British schools had only taken the money at the request of the inspector himself. Sir R. H. INGLIS hoped he should not be deemed wanting in courtesy to the Right Hon. Baronet if he asked, without notice, whether the sum be apportioned to the several schools, was to depend upon the number of children educated in the schools, or whether a certain sum was to be appor tioned to each, whatever the condition of that school might be ; he thought this was important, and there :ore he wished to ask whether the same sum was to be apportioned if the children educated were 50 or 100 in the school—in fact, whether the sum given was to be in proportion to the number in the school. Sir JAMES GRAH A.M was under the necessity to give the same reply as he had just made to the previous question. They had first to ascertain the number of scholars, and the revenue of these schools, and the relief would depend on those circum• stances. JUVENILE OFFENDERS. Mr. LIDDELL had a question to ask, for which he hoped to be excused, but in the absence of the Noble Lord, the late Member for Dorsetshire, who it was known had taken a great interest in the condition of the juvenile population, but who, in consequence of his feel ing upon a point of honour, had resigned his seat, and was, therefore, unable to put the question himself, he hoped he should be excused for asking it without notice Vitt such an inquiry was required might be gathered. from the remarks lately made by a j udge in one of the criminal courts. No subject was more deservedly worthy of the attention of the house. As he had stated his views to the Right Hon. Baronet, he would not then detain the House by any observations, but simply ask the Right Hon. Boronet if the gentleman was prepared to take any steps towards the improvement and re formation of juvenile delinquents ? Sir J. GRAHAM said the subject had occupied the serious attention of the former, as well as of the pre sent Government. Up to 1838, there was no institution in this country devoted exclusively to the punishment and reformation of juvenile offenders. Shortly after an institution was formed in this metropolis in which 300 of these persons were confined. In that year, with the sanction of that Howe, Parkhurst prison was erected, which he thought had beeen conducive to the moral improvement of those who were consigned to it. In that institution there were now 660 confined. In addition 200 juvenile convicts were confined in the Pen tonville prison (as we understood). If it was the pleasure of • hat House to sanction what would be brought forward by the Government on the subject, and to give au annual grant for the mainte• nance of all those young prisoners after their conviction by a jury, he would endeavour to induce the magistrates of the various counties of England to set apart a portion of the prisons under their direction for the reception of juvenile offenders.—(Hear, hear.) If this plan were carried out in each county, he had no doubt that benevolent persons would aid the Government in putting these unfortunate persons, on leaving prison, in the way to earn an honest living, and to restore them to society.—(Hear.) DRAINA.or BILL (IRELAND). Sir WM. SOAERVILLE inquired if it was the intention of the Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir J. Graham) to move that the House should go into Committee on this Bill to-night. Sir J. GRAHAM was understood to say that he should make a motion to that effect to-night. REPEAL OF THE DUTIES ON CORN. Sir ROBERT PEEL then rose and said I am desires to make a statement with reference to the ques tion which the Noble Lord the Member for the City of London. put to me the other night, respecting the repeal of the"Auties on corn—foreign corn—immediately after the passing of a resolution to that effect by the House, The reply which I gave to that question has created an impression in the City that the Treasury intend to repeal these duties, as well as other duties, as soon. as the House shall have signified its consent. I answered that the Treasury would . remit the duties on foreign corn after the assent of the House had been given to the resolution. I find that my impression was a wrong one. In every case wherein the corn duty had been altered by Par liament the reduction of the duty had taken place from the passing of the Act, and the Treasury have never, in any case, undertaken to remit the duty. Now, Sir, I should be exceedingly unwilling to assume, on the part of the Treasury, any authority for which there was no precedent, and I should also be exceedingly sorry to assume it in this case, because I fear that an assumption of thai authority for the first time would have a tendency rather to prejndice than promote the final success of the measure. It is the intention of her Majesty's Government, therefore, to adhere to the course which has uniformly been pursued at all former periods of an alteration in the corn-laws, and to make the reduction of the duty—if the measure should be sanctioned,by Parliament—take effect from the passing of the Act. I believe in point of fact, that there will be delay in taking corn out of bond, for if there should be any chance of the measure not receiving the sanction of the Legislature, parties would take corn out of bond, when they were certain that, after a short interval, they would be compelled to pay a duty of 175. At the same time, it is of much importance that the decision of Parliament on the subject should be known, and that the trade should have an assurance as to the principles which are to operate in the corn trade; and her Majesty's Government propose to give &preference to the corn-bill before all other subject, and as far as the Government are concerned they will take no other Go vernment business until the decision of this branch of the Legislature with respect to the proposed new corn law shall have been taken. We shall, therefore, not go into any other amendment of the tariff until this house shall have given its assent to the new corn Bill. Mr. M. PIIILLIP wished to know whether, if the debate should be adjourned on Tuesday evening it would be continued on Wednesday, and ii so, whether the sit ting on that chty would be a morning one. Sir R. PEEL said that if on adjournment took place on Tuesday the House might proceed with the debate on Wednesday ; and in that case he apprehended that there would be no alternative but to commence at twelve o'clock and adjourn at six, because the House had already passed a standing order on the subject of Wed nesdays sittings. He thought, hawever, it would be more convenient to consider the subject to-morrow eTening. In answer to Sir G. PALMER., Sir R. PEEL said that he woull not exclude himself from any interval during the progress of the Bill which he was about to introduce on the corn-laws, but he might inform the House that it was his intention to proceed with that Bill without delay until its final stage. Sir G. PALMER was proceeding to make some fur ther remarks, but resumed his seat amidst cries of " Or der, order." CORN LAWS. Mr. CHRISTIE presented a petition in favour of a total and immediate repeal of the corn laws. Sir GEORGE STAN EON presented a petition iu favour of the existing corn-laws. Mr. RICHARD HODGSON presented a petition in favour of a total repeal repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. G. BANKES presented a petition from a borough in the county of Dorset. The petitioners, he said, prayed for a continuation of protection to agriculture until the sense of the nation shall have been taken.— (Cheers.) lie had also a petition to present from the same county, and also from different places in Hamp shire, and from Ferrybridge, signed by an immense number of individuals, all praying for protection to Bri tish industry. Mr. B. HAWES presented a petition from Lambeth, signed by 2,000 individuals, in favour of a total and im mediate repeal of the corn-laws, _ _ An HON. MEMBER presented a petitien from Newport, in favour of a total and immediate repeal of the corn laws. Mr. CLIFTON presented a petition, signed by 12,000 of the inhabitants of North Lancashire, praying the House to continue protection to agriculture. Mr. GISBOItNE presented a petition in favour of a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. MACAULAY presented a petition from Edin burgh in favour of a repeal of the corn-laws. PAPER HANGINGS. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from paper-hangers of Finsbury and its vicinity against that portion of the Government measure which had refer ence to a reduction in the duties on paper-hangings. CORN-LAWS. Mr. BRIGHT presented petitions from Exeter, signed by 1,864 persous ; from Stockport, signed by 9,000 persons ; and from 25 other parishes , praying for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. Dr. BOWRING presented petitions from operatives in Warwick, and also from a parish in Wales, of a similar nature. Sir B. HALL presented a petition from Marylebone and Paddington, signed by 27,000 persons, praying for a repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. STRUTT presented a number of petitions from the county of Lancashire, also praying for a repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. ROSS presented a similar petition from the opera. tives of Belfast. Lord JOHN RUSSELL rose to present petitions from several parts of Devonshire, in favour of a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. Mr. SCOTT presented a similar petition. A petition from an HON. MEMBER, signed by 600,600 inhabitants of a town, the name of which we did not catch, praying for a repeal of the cern laws. Mr. BENNETT presented a petition praying that nothing would be done respecting the corn laws until an appeal was made to the constituencies of the country. Mr. HAWES rose to present petitiohs from a great number of towns and villages, one of which petitions was signed by 26,000 inhabitants, praying for an imme diate settlement of the corn-laws by repealing the same. Mr. MARK PHILIPS presented a petition from South Lancashire, signed by 14,500 inhabitants, pray ing for the immediate repeal of the corn-laA a. Also an other petition from the Chamber of Commerce, Man chester, for a similar object. The petition generally approval of the commercial policy adopted by the Mi nistry with all becoming respect, they prayed that with the present session protective duties of every kind would terminate. He had also to present another petition from the Manchester Commercial Association; it coincided with the expressions of the other petitions, approved of the commercial policy of the Government, but prayed for an immediate repeal. The petitions were ordered to lie on the table. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL presented a petition from Abingdon, in favour of the propositions of the Government with respect to corn and other arti cles.—(Great laughther.) Mr. MILES presented several petitions in favour of the existing protractive duties imposed on corn, one was from Somerset, another from a parish in London, another from the county of Glamorgan, and another from a parish in the county of Gloucester. The petitions prayed, that if there should be a reduction made in the present duties, an appeal would be first made to the country. Sir W. CLAY presented a petition from tin Tower Hamlets, in favour of the Ministerial measures relating to corn ; it was signed by 80,000 individuals. Lord DUNCAN presented a petition from Bath, signed by the Mayor and 67,000 inhsbitants, praying for the immediate and total repeal of the corn-laws. Sir W. MOLESWORTH presented a petition to the same effect from the borough of Southwark, and another from St. Luke's, Chelsea. Mr. WAKLEY presented a petition from the borough of Finsbury signed by 53,700 persons, and expressing.; strong approval of the measure proposed by the Goverr• [Dent, but praying that the abolition of the corn-laws should take place immediately. Also a petit : * to the same effect from a town in Montgomeryshire. Also& ptitidon signed by fourteen agricultural labourers in Pusey, Wiltshire, in which they sti.t3 that the system of protection had reduced them to the lowest state of degradation and misery. The petition states, that not withstanding the system of protection they have been obliged to submit to labour only suited to beasts of burden. They have bean harnessed to carts. The e aggregate number of their families, some of whic comprised eight individuals, amounted to eighty-six the aggregate amount of their wages was only 82s. ne (Mr. Wakley) had reason to believe that the statements were correct. An HON. MEMBER presented a petition from Stam ford, Crowland, and twenty-seven other parishes in L tee coin, against any alteration in the laws relating to th protection of agriculture. Mr. ELLIS presented a petition from the cit y of Co ventry in favour of the abolition of the corn-laws. e Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from the city leit; Glasgow, very numerously signed, approvi n g of the proposed policy of the Government with respect to corn-laws and the system of protection ; also , a peti ti° - 11 . to the same effect from Ilawick and the burgh of Fel Lockshaw. Mr. MILNER GIBSON presented a petition fre t .: Huddersfield, signed by 3,000 hand-loom weavers , favour of a total and an immediate repeal of the oerrt° laws. Mr. F. T. BARING presented a petition NO Deptford in favour of the measure proposed by he r 111- jesty's Ministers for a change in the corn-laws. Mr. ESCOTT presented a petition from James .06.1 Gordon, Eq., of Frome, near Bristol , pray in g that to House to pass the measure of her Majesty's, GoOrr ment for a repeal of the corn-laws iuto a law. THE COMMERCIAL POLICY OF TO COUNTRY. The SPEAKER Ch hving le te Mr. P. MILES a said, he ft rose to move that the o°l should resolve itself into Committee that n ight s e ; Leona's. 111 ceaetad that be should approach the cludon tion in a mild and dispassionate manner. The eltiess-h. was one of the most important that had ever been 13-0 milted to that House.—(Hear, hear.) He would reP st that it was a question so important to the country "er. he trusted it would not be treated in a light ma wed It was a question of the greatest vitality. Th e profess of change in the commercial policy of the country we led far greater interest than the Reform Bill, and creak, far more dismay amongst all classes of the people tiH-00 did that great measure.—(Hear, hear.) This grill/ country had gained for itself a character for commerc ial policy, and he hoped she would uphold it i it te l its glory. The measure proposed by her Mai es im Government was one that affccted the merchant, er.) farm:_r, the mechanic, and the labourer.—(Hear , Nothwithstanding the explanation given session, the i nie bt Hon. Baronet at the commencement of the 4 could not but agree in the expression of the Noble the late Secretary for the Colonies, and li e f t he lieved the expression of a large majoritY ° no Right Hon. Baronet's colleagues, that there We s n o peculiar necessity for the measure. There wiesd, undoubted failure in thel potato crop in Ire'lltjteeri calamity which no one more sincerely deplored a himself, yet there was no real ground to apere, be t n the famine in that country, for every report stated tua ear s barley crop was a large one. Looking at the 70'001 which had lately been presented to that House, he l est, that between the sth July, 1.845, and the sth Jan' a 0 0 above a million quarters of grain, and more 11.` t his hundred weight of beans, had been imported int°,osi country. This did not look much like a famine. 0 lie there was so ground for an apprehension of A f t/ T in tbss, thought they had ample proof in the f 4° ".isle at the time when the Right lion. Baronet " t htf to open the ports, the price of wheat il i see country was 565. 2d., a price which the Righ t 1 .04 Baronet himself considered in 18 42 to be a fai r Pt Now, he trusted, the House would not consider tha fg undervalued the responsibility of a Prime Mi nister; lo from it, he was fully alive to the anxiety which 000; sister mutt feel at a time when a scarcity wasit sod pated, and he was fully aware that at such a Old r: under such circumstances, a Lord Lieutenant cr° e ntw more than usually anxious to supply the Minis te n att , information upon a subject of a deficient r crop as often and as frequently as possible.,seiell had no doubt that the alarming paragraPh s ,eoc ir the Right Hon. Baronet read to them on a for sion made a great impression on his mind ; ° t e sti°. the Right Hon. Baronet was considering the '4 ° sr, he ought to have taken into his consideration the e ier of the markets in this country. He believed there el l no parties .vho watched the progress of the nati°_„l/04, closely, and who knew as well the probable Ohn; s eer . , an abundance or scarcity in the country, as the 0,0,r.ert 1" chants. Had it been the unanimous opinion of ail r 1 4 on the subject that a famine might be anticipated, be o)tif, sure the tenant farmers and landlords of the °- s eto: would have joined with him in asking the GoYer n di poi to admit all the produte or grain which they c° l3 ,,'„soc el i sibly get to drive away the famine, be the consey", of the act what they might; but he thought W e n ' sir ample proof in the price of wheat that there was tt- ptil e ' famine to be anticipated, and without wishing to ie e i e ee', he could not help thinking, that the cause c h i t e tection had long been doomed in his mind. -- ( C e s, They haeen caled upon t look uon this tl e li p as a whole d , b and he l ves quite prepared to tak e . 00 of i matter, cot as a thing of detail but as a par t , fi e , compreh , nsive policy. He was quite prepare o . • doine the subject in this light, and in t- tio ' he would ask whether the gentlemen s' A O that side of the House were ready i ° don everything like protection, and look in g be the matter in the way in which it had been P ti oet7a them, he would ask the Members of that Hous e 00 00':, they were ready to assert that in operation this Con iel s would prove fair and just to every class in tl re i e f . r eac e , nity ? In putting this inquiry he had no 'O%OO any particular interest, for he was equallk' r gtl in all. Ile knew with what ability t",, e 0 .01 0 of Honourable Baronet at the head of the G°',0 0 , 4 1 had frequently urged the existence andoxppreerSieres; protective duties. lie knew what an iminen s , e, l a ) of information, after thirty years' Right lion. Gentleman must have attained. a ` o ess He knew at the same time with was reau'i Right Hon. Baronet could change his view s '. 01 1 ;0 11 jest, and with what talent he was ready in that House the opinions he now entertainelhee ,10 cheering.) He should wish to know Iwb e r ed) , Hon. Me) be of that House, who were hole sad of ( e) back the Right Hon. Baronet at the he„e 0009 Government is his present proceedings, had b e ; 0 0 1 e tti by their interest or th. it convictions to the 1% 04' 1 ;6 of conduct? He would wish to know how iona o o three minths ago were prept,nd to Oa° h fr i ice tective duties, and to voue4 with so in ue p i a: o ol ll n, ss to vote the doctrines and t er di of free trade. He really thought the ans „yard/ exhibit a curious contrast between professicn uof ere tice.—(Loud cheers.> He wished to knoar of them at that time were prepared to vote r , 0 0 Hon. Member for Wolverhampton—(Mr. - many of them had at that time opposed th e 1° r that Gentleman and of the Honourable ers,)l for Stockport (Mr. Cobden).—(Loud cl i c e th oy strange change had come over the views °L pti o t ag, tlemen within the last three years, for there are r r oo jee opponents of the views of these Hon. Gent' - f teroF p those who were now their most efficient supP ° it s cP;00 thought, for his own part, that if any such gre e nte u ell; had come over their minds, as they now rer t „ e 'slie ir pert it would have been their duty to appeal ' 7 4" ° W ai fs stituents, and imitate the example o f the the late Member for Dorsetshire. They s g lio o <oo ° J least have plsced themselves in a right P ° 03 i09,, - f would have given an opportunity for the ti e r sev" 0 0";/ their engagements, and in the succee ding, * e° Parliament they would have stood before tPripillist, as men of honour, principle, and truth. 1311 at? O P d he would ask, was the position of Parliaine-efeVoic confidence c o uld be plac e d in the proceeding! slo‘,,se a s assembly? For his own part he thougiahuere such tergiversation as this was practised, tß,„„ e ti. • 1j end of public confidence in publi c, Lee more he considered this question the ef t ") Fa r e convinced that the propositions which i l nfi eo of •) from the Government ought not to be iio". e ioe ‘e st+, through Parliament before the deliberate of . , ( cm i , el ) country was taken with respect to then'' be:fe, e d He could not agree in the opinion whic h P sobe r oa l pressed by the Right Hon. Baronet (S ir e nrif o ff',of that the prosperity they had recent l y ti ght o ttw d , mainly owing to the measures he had b r° „ th e t a 019 from time to time.—(Hear, hear.) 1.0 0 5.4 0 the affairs of this country when the ICe'",,od "ell site (Lord J. Russell) retired from 0 115 °, e ,'d t° . ,„ ea ee . ,"„ei Right Honourable Baronet was ca"e„„o6' erae office he held. At his accession great c 3 t alit A ov e # reposed in him ; he had a large majoritY orit/coe'he the trade of the country was in ti t he r e ,„ 0 , i ° o lo —in a state of the greatest depression, oiewse quence of which was, in his (Mr. Miless),o[o3en attribu ed to bad harvests, and to the ' it alis io rti o t which had taken place for years befort o yeste‘a p e , period that the large amount of capita l 1 0 0 st.'„a ieb ways was found to answer. They . heualoye ore'O period to what extent speculation in rae• je -- cr eits t - e I so No one could have foreseen the gree t Li la he jot' il had taken place in railways—no n ee c° have groaili:„ tb s eY s ' eas the Art the the great employment which the labouring classes.—(ilear.) So gre g reP o oa for labourers in connection with the none °- d oo it that in many counties in Englan o f aa e o C obtained for the ordinary purposesthe g re f) y e Then they must look to The !' ie at he r crease in the iron trade. itb i n th _ o , l3 i' h e iron had been more than doubled vir froui sho ot o f or three years, and if he might judg e the 1°5 % of railways which would receive lap se 1 lo st e a House during the present session, a h r e e ,aed ° A i / Are: s o:e pertinent of trade could not be aPP re o i at t be s oal d "roo ° some time to come. Let them I .° „ tr ade b i n t,, ie ,l oimuptehtues whole ahich tthriusdiencorefasteh i e .n c t o h u e n i ;t r i ,% lo l °, l :o os t r r_ o e sb u i j o c e o : the wages of those engaged in into CU ., r iCeS ' OO Nowwhen t when he). they t h took o p k e r these ndie a t fl h t s, e anon saw e ° tr e r e e , r e os , r a e ti i saU ite had always taken place—w he , t f re e° s l ' h l3 consumption which must resale s and l_e sso res, be se t et'a D ir e i hit.l o f independent of the Right 11 011 . __ t hat tr p i ne the this as well as in other trad ju e areo e op the war in India had terminated , 0 had htta augmented—that they •~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ J 1 k' .. • .. 1..:. .. THE SUN. LONDON, MONDAY