The Sun. — London, England, 1848-02-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, _UONDON, TUESDAY expected, There should be a fair and open discussion on 04.1tevstimates; and, for his part, he took upon him self triveir responsibility, declaring that they were not -star testirnafes. nor had been framed with any view to a ravrare with foreign countries, with whom our relations 4•407-., at present of the most amicable nature.—(Hear.) Mr. lIERRIES said that they were discussing the :-,merits of a Committee which had not as yet been ap pointed. A something was proposed to be done, and that sofuethinz had not been explained.—(Hear.) As to the former Committees which had been cited by the Noble Lord, they were appointed in time of war, when great 'caution was necessary.—(Hear.) He objected to • 411 . Y rote of money until the Committee had been aVoointed. 'Mr. HENLEY complained that since 1830 the esti senates had been annually increasing. This year there VSys an increase, and Government, instead of having Chem properly and publicly vindicated, proposed to have :them referred to a Secret Committee.—(Hear.) He must say that to throw this responsibility on a Commit tee was, in his opinion, to abdicate the functions of a Government. —(Hear.) Ile could not see the use of a Government, if its members were not competent to mature estimates themselves, and to justify them before the House and the country.—(Hear.) It was a mere delusion to leave the matter to fifteen men, who would be, of course, pie'eed by the Government. Certain names would be We - educed to give the Committee a colour; but tie a wbeee it would net be one jot more worthy the people's t onfidence than the Government themselves.— ( near , bear.) He thought that the causes of these increasing estimates ought at once to be inquired into. Sir R. PEEL said that it had been his duty, as repre sentative of the Government in that House, to move the last Committee in 1828. Shortly after the appointment of the Duke of Wellington, and iu fulfilment of a promise made by Mr. Canning, he (Sir R. Peel) proposed a Committee to consider the military expenditure of the country. As the question of secresy had been raised, tie apprehended that if precedents were to be followed, the present would be a Select Committee—(Hear, hear) --but would have full power of withholding any inform ation, the promulgation of which might be prejudicial to the public interests. Sir H. Ilardinge, was examined by the Committee of 1828, and his examination was pub lished at length, as was everything that could be pub lished without injury to the public interests. In this sense he hoped no Committee, would be secret.—(Hear, hear.) Sir H. Hardinge in the evidence to which he had alluded, proved himself to be actuated by the same spirit which had distinguished his career in India, and which had resulted in a saving of one million per annum. `—(Hear, hear.) Important evidence had been given before that Committee. which would have never been elicited in a general discussion in that House. Some parts relative to the defences of Canada were with held, and the Committee in their appendix apologised for, and justified, the omission. He did hope that ato Committee would be appointed, which would not follow the course of the former one, that was to Bay, give the public as much of the evidence as pos- ' Bible.—(gear.) Sir F. LEWIS would consent to a Select Committee, but riot to a secret one. The Committees which had been quoted were all Select Committees. Mr. NEWDEGATE looked upon the appointment of et Select Committee as a transfer of the powers of the Government to a commission. The suddenness of this resolve to propose a Committee appeared to him somewhat remarkable, and though precedents had been Tned, he did not think that in any former case had equal precipitation been shown, unless, perhaps, in that of 1797, when Government proposed the Com mittee with the intention of suspending cash pay ments. He was not aware whether the Chancellor of the Exch• trier nad it in contemplation to resort Qt, that course in the present difficulty. Ile believed there would be no objection to vote a round sum for cur rent expenses; but he, for one, could not consent to a speoific vote. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would adopt the suggestion which had been offered, and with 'draw tae vote which had been proposed (which was a whole vote), taking a vote on account instead.—(Hear.) Mr. ROBINSON thought, before the House was called upon to vote any money, its opinion should be taken as to the whole of the budget.—(Hear, hear.) Ills constituents would not be satisfied to vote the money f irst and then refer the estimates. He had no desire to offer any factious opposition, nor to withhold the neces *ftr7 funds for carrying on the public service, but, look tag at the present circumstances of the country, before have could consent to vote away a single shilling, he must '°ave an opportunity afforded him of ascertaining what Was the opinion of his constituents as to the imposition Of a permanent and increased income or property-tax.— (Rear, hear.) He must ask the Noble Lord whether a ny injury to the public service would result from the postponement of the navy estimates to a future day, as no understood the only ground on which they were now called on to agree to this vote, while the estimates generally were to be referred to a Committee, was to 'Bitable Government to get over some temporary d culty. , Lord J. RUSSELL—The House may depend that we ! n oald not ask for money on account of these estimates d „the public service would not stiffer were it not granted. „ lIILDYARD understood that, on Monday next, the Rouse was to be called upon to decide upon the per reneoce of the income-tax—which tax the Government 4 ' l announced would be for two years at least increased .111 amount. Now was this Committee to be appointed to take from Ministers the responsibility of the estimates which they had made the ground of that announcement? --(Hear, hear.) Was the Committee to be at liberty to 'reduce the estimates? If so it might turn out that after the increased property-tax had been voted the addition a light not be necessary. This would be to trifle with the country.—(Hear, hear.) Was it the intention of the Noble rd, supposing this Committee were appointed, to ask fis 'a ""a R4use previous to their reporting to agree to the re aolution for increasing the income-tax? Lord J. RUSSELL answered that it was his intention to ask the assent of the House, on Monday next, to the resolutions he had introduced on Friday last. His statement, however, did not appear to have been under stood. He had said that if we paid the expenses of the Kafir war, which could not well be avoided, seeing that these expenses had been already incurred, and made no other increase in the estimates, there would be a defi ciency of between two and three millions—to meet which it would be necessary to resort to increased taxation. If it were possible that the proposed Com mittee could diminish the estimates by that amount, they 'sight, no doubt, go on without voting any increase of the property-tax; but as he could not suppose any such ? eduction could be made, he should feel it to be his duty 1 3 ° ask the assent of the House to that preposition. He , ail no wish on the part of the Government, in appoint ing the Committee, to get rid of the responsibility which a ttached to th em . Hi s object was rather to show that „ I4"e rnMent were anxious, in respect to the estimates, to undergo any inquiry Hon. Members might desire to in etitUte by a Select Committee, over and above such in iiniries as might be made in the Committee of the whole Ouse, Mr. DISRAELI remarked upon the silence of Hon. Gentlemen who sat below the gangway on the Ministe rial side of the House—a silence which he conceived must be peculiarly gratifying to them. He rose, how :ter, to request the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in F t r t ?,Posing the appointment of a Committee to-morrow s e,‘""2 B day), to be prepared with some precedent for 0_ Step he recommeuded. The precedent which had 77n referred to by the Right Honourable Gentleman ,„`" 1 E , Peel) the Committee of 1828, did not ap• e lle That was a strictly economical appointment, the -u gl e et being to ascertain w hether the expenditure of the eo untry might not be safely diminished. But the mili tary estimates of the current year were not referred to fee Committee. And the various other cases which had tes % quoted were as little germane to the present. — ( Rear, hear.) When the House was called upon to _fifer the m ili tar y es ti ma t es to a Secret Committee, no %Ile could su p pose t h a t it was on the ground of economy. ' i la general feeling would be, that the object was of a zmuch graver character—(Hear, hear)—that it was to Inquire into the eflciency of our defences, and the X tent of milit ar y f o r ce which might be made available 4 4) any case of e mergency.—(Hear, hear.) He gave nod, foe Excheq uer on the g e neral question. The Chancellor of l ee Exch equer m i g ht b e a bl e t o a dd uce su fficient reasons r the course he proposed, but hes , doubted whether he justify it by precedent. He hoped, also, the Right °, ll . Gentleman would state to-morrow for what special „ M , "eet the inquiry was to be instituted—for no one co uld s u ppose it was for economical purposes, or with e view of diminishing the amount of the current esti rilat".---(Hear, hear.) he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could, Without any trouble, refer to precedents, but preferred Wotai.ting till to-morrow, when he would state the grounds e nts motion, and adduce precedents in support of it. ord D. STUART observed that Government could ta u tt 6 _,but be aware that the statement the Noble Lord had un ` L e on Friday last with regard to the income-tax was sidlieceptable. It had been met with reprobation on all e il i ee ,_e and therefore they thought it necessary to cons of t i t e and remove opposition. But did the Chancellor b ", e ,Exchequer suppose ho would disarm opposition he a r 4 ' s Preposition of a Select Committee ?—(Hear, 11 1 he supposed that he could in this way recon cile th rho e Country to the permanent imposition of this Ila ta x he was greatly mistaken.—(Hear, hear.) " es ° who ne e me. were prepared for the continuance of the obi tax, or even an increase, expected that its most weetionable features would be removed, and that it hear) be Hear made to bear equally on all classes.—(Hear, Peed. If the window-tax were removed—if the b• - had cheap teas or tobacco—or if some other boon were • or 4 , given to the working-classes the removal lore of those taxes which more especially pressed lor e "!'eln, the property-tax might have been borne for ° est' ° l onger. He was glad to find that the present tie e h "es were not brought forward as war estimates, (1 4 t e e e re joiced to hear what fell from the Noble Lord -.ern e i lettie tai . the other night, as to the importance of e info peaceful relations with France. He was, "'eye t enntr , r . not ono o f t h ose w h o would wish to see this tie % t in such a d e f ence less state as to offer a temptae ei l i a neighbouring or warlike people to attack us. aid e , et aware that among the educated classes on both Peace °f Channel there was a universal desire for Aae gA, lt ' th e same time, when a neighbouring country ter, It w er ned by an ambitious and unscrupulous Minis out ; it at not impossible that war might suddenly break gethee w ould, therefore , be a false economy to be alto -- d eorse th an unprepared . He trusted that the Nue ron now slav e t uselesdy employed in the suppression of the that 0, 1 : 4 " on the coast of Africa would be recalled, and eoat 11 1 1 ° 110 3 7 which the maintenance of that squadron Wish n d be employed in some more useful way. obj e e gard to the vote before the House, he had no but i e le l ° B , ll to a round sum being taken on account, ,tt.euld oppose the vote for the whole excess. dints WAICLEY remarked' that the gratification of e ssay ( " I, ; , a n at , t , h le. seer ce of the Members below the gang 813ire had ob "h the non, Member for Bechinghem of S h o .. 0 sei veu) would, he was sorry to say, be but " conti nuance.—(ilear, hear.) The Hon. Mem- ~-+r-~--~...~ her, however, ought not to feel surprised that those Members abstained from speaking on a very painful subject. It was his duty to inform the Noble Lord (J. Rusiell) that his proposition had been received by his (Mr. Wakley's) constituents with astonishment, indigna tion, and disgust.—(Hear, hoar.) The public were not particularly pleased with the Right Hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir R. Peel), when he first proposed his three per cent. tax on property and income for three years; but there was to much blandness, such a fascina tion in his manner of proposing it, and he paved the way to it so smoothly, that it was impossible to be angry with him.—(Hear, hear, and a laugh.) But the Noble Lord had resorted to no such expedient. Ho came out in a broad honest way with his proposal, and it was quite evident that ho thought it would not be unacceptable to the public. It was his conviction that, though perhaps Ministers might have succeeded in passing a renewal of the tax for three years more, it would be wholly out of their power to increase it to 5 per cent.—(Loud cheers.) He might be wrong ; but, from what he saw and heard, he believed the people would make such representations to their representa tives, that they would not dare to support the Govern ment in that proposition.—(Hear, hear.) Should this increase be submitted to for two years, what man in his senses could suppose that it would be afterwards aban doned—(Hear, hear)—especially after the experience they had bad of the present income-tax? The public were right, therefore, in resisting at once a proposal that involved one of the most dishonest and disgraceful modes of taxation that had ever been tolerated.— (Hear, hear.) If John Bull was content to bear this burden, then let Government give hi m more o f it— punish him for his stupidity—(Hear, hear, and a laugh) and before the end of the session, make it 71 or even 10 per cent.—(Hear, hear.) It would serve him right. (User, hear.) It would appear that when Ministers found the country in a difficulty, they asked what was done on the last occasion of difficulty. The answer was, of course, " Oh, a dose of the income tax."—(Hear, hear, and a laugh.) " Then double the dose this time" was the remedy proposed. But were the doctors certain that their patient's strength would endure these constant drastic purges—was it not pos sible that he had been already reduced too much? He regretted that the Hon. Member for Montrose had not persisted in his amendment, which he should certainly have supported. Just before Christmas the House was called upon to consider the distress with which all classes were afflicted and the great loss which had been entailed upon our commerce and manufactures, and now, in a few short weeks after—without any attempt being made to reduce the burdens which were already weigh ing down the public—a new proposition was brought forward to increase the pressure upon them. He be lieved there would be no difficulty whatever if Ministers would reduce our establishments to what was really necessary in bringing the expenditure of the country within the income. —(Hear, hear.) What a fudge it was to talk about war with France or any other country.—(Cheers.) Suppose a war did come, how long would it take to prepare it ? But there was no danger of anything of the kind. The people of foreign coun tries were now too busily occupied in improving their own domestic institutions to think of interfering with others.—(Hear, hear.) If subjects were wise, war was a game which Governments would not dare to play.— (Hear.) There was not the remotest chance or pros pect of a foreign invasion. We were at peace with all the world, and yet our expenditure for the naval and military establishments of the country was to be in creased—(Hear, hear)—and that, too, by means of a tax which, as regarded a large class of the people, was no better than a robbery.—(Hear.) All taxes to be just must be equal ; but the income-tax pressed heavily and unjustly on the poor man—the man who came just within its grip—while the property tax scarcely touched the rich man. He held that the income tax was au um politic and an iniquitous tax upon the industry of the country. He had received a letter from ono of his constituents, in which the oppressive operation of the income-tax was described.—[The Hon. Member read the letter, which stated that the writer had an income just over the 1501. a year; that he had a wife and large family to support; that he was compelled to maintain a respectable appearance or he could not hold his situa tion, and to educate his children; that his income would cease altogether in the event of illness, and complained that, besides being called upon to pay assessed taxes, he had to pay as much for income- tax as a person who had 5,0001. in the funds, of which no contingency could deprive him, and which would be available in case of death for the support of his wife and family—whereas, if tho writer died, his family must be left destitute, the pressure of taxation upon him being so heavy that, to make provision for them or for sickness, by saving, was impossible.] This person called upon him to oppose the proposed increase. Another correspon dent had suggested that the tax should be charged on all beyond 150/. a year.—(Hear.) The Noble Lord opposed the tax when it was first proposed by the Right Hon. Baronet, and ho had net adduced a single argu ment for changing his opinior..—(Hear.) Why was not the sliding-seals—which some Hon. Gentlemen were so partial to—adopted in the case of this tax ?—(Hear, hear.) He hoped between this and Monday the Noble Lord—who had given way on one point—would recon sider the question and propose a renewal of the tux of 3 per cent. only ; and, as he valued the public peace, withdraw the odious 5 per cent. on the profits of indus try.—(Hear.) After a few words from Mr. EWART, the vote was withdrawn. Mr. WARD then proposed a grant of 1,400,0001. in part of the navy estimates. This included no whole vote, but was 800,0001. on account of the first vote for wages, 400,0001. on the second (victuals), and 200,0001. military pensions and allowances. He said the Admiralty were must anxious to carry out the principle of economy in their department, and should be happy to receive any suggestion for that purpose. Mr. B. OSBORNE said he did not assent to these estimates. He was not certainly eery conversant with the navy estimates, but he was prepared to prove that the army estimates might be reduced by 500,000/. with• out taking a single man from the service. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said (in reply to questions) that on the Ist of January, 1848, there was a balance of 8,000,0001. raised last year in the Exchequer, but, without notice, he could not state the precise amount; that credit would be given for the 450,0001. China money in this year; and that 19,750,000/. would be the probable amount of customs for the year ending sth of April, 1849. The vote being put from the Chair, Mr. ROBINSON said he felt it incumbent on him, as a public duty, to move that the chairman report progress, and ask leave to sit again; but the motion, not receiving any favour in the House, was not pressed; and on the question being again put, Captain PECHELL said he would not delay the public service by interposing his motion now, but on the fitting occasion he certainly would call attention to the claims of the paymasters and pursers of the royal navy for a retirement, and to those of the commanders, lieu tenants, and masters, for promotion. The resolutions, after a protest from Col. SIBTHORP against them, inasmuch as they were voting money without knowing from what source they were to obtoin it, were severally agreed to. Mr. F. MAULE rose to ask a vote of :1,800,0001. on account of the charges for land forces, the whole sum re quired for which was 3,800,0001. Mr. B. OSBORNE considered the amount too much to ask for under existing circumstances, and moved a vote of 500,000/. instead. Col. SIBTHORP was of opinion that they ought not to vote a shilling until they knew where it was to come from. Mr. R. YORKE moved that the chairman report progress. Mr. F. MAULE assured the House that the sum he asked, which was not a moiety of the whole, was abso lutely necessary for carrying on the public service. Mr. HERRIES would second every effort to effect whatever reduction could be made in the estimates, but would be no party to the amendments now pro posed. Mr. B. OSBORNE (after an appeal from Mr. Hors man) consented to withdraw his amendment, but stated it to be his intention of going into the minutest details of the army estimates. The resolution was then agreed to, as was also one granting a vote of 500,0001. out of 1,200,0001., on ac count of the out-pensioners. The Chairman reported progress, and asked leave to sit again. The House resumed, and the report was ordered to be brought up to-morrow (this day). PUBLIC HEALTH BILL. Lord MORPETH, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said that a fair interval should be allowed be fore he called upon the House to discuss its details. Ho observed (in reply to bir B. Hall), respecting a Bill for the metropolis, that the question was one of so compre hensive a nature as to require not one, but a series of Bills, the first of which he hoped to present in a very short time. The present Bill (the Noble Lord said, in reply to Mr. H. Berkeley), would interfere largely with the local boards, but would not interfere with the func tions of the poor-law guardians. Mr. MACKINNON observed, that great praise was due to the Noble Lord for his exertions on this subject; and (in reply to an objection from Mr. Urquhart) said that so far from this Bill being framed on the principle of centralization, its machinery would be entirely in the hands of the local boards. Mr. WAKLEY regretted to find that, while the Government were continually patronising the legal pro fession, there was not a single provision in this Bill for the introduection of a medical officer. He 'perceived that the general board was to consist of the chief com missioner and four persons appointed by the Crown, of whom two were to be paid, Would the Noble Lord consent that these two, who would have to do all the work and must be men of ability, should be legally qua lified members of the medical profession? Lord MORPETH said that the Bill gave the Trea sury the power of appointing a number of superintending inspectors, who, he thought, ought to be medical men or engineers, according to the peculiar exigencies of the case. Again, the Bill gave the local boards the power of appointing officers to carry out its provisions, and amongst those officers he had no doubt that medical men would hold a prominent place. Respecting the two paid members of the general bolrd he could give no more stringent promise than that the Government would select the best and most efficient men they could. Lord D. STUART hoped that llon. Gentlemen would not discuss the details of the Bill in so thin a House. He thought if it was intended to carry the operation of the Bill into the metropolis it ought to be declared; if it was not, then a clause ought to be introduced to exempt the metropolis. Mr. HENLEY said, while he admitted the measure had been much improved since last year, vet he thought sufficient care had not been taken to guard against the construction of too extensive districts by the inspectors to 1)2 q:': !;irit. , (l in 6- ci;ff-rNit I , sonlltiPc.. Ho 9.lSr , yap!. of opinion that another difficulty would arise from the mode proposed of transferring - all the burdens and debts of the existing local commissioners to the new districts, who would not have the power to resist them. Some amendment he also thought would be required in the clauses which had reference to existing waterworks, which involved great complication. Lord MORPETH said the suggestions which had been thrown out would receive every consideration on the part of her Majesty's Government. Mr. SE, ANEY expressed his thanks to the Noble Lord fur having had the courage to persevere with the measure, which, while it benefited the working classes, would, he believed, prove one of true economy. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed. ANDOVER ELECTION. The SPEAKER acquainted the House that he had received a letter from the petitioners, complaining of an undue election and return for the borough of An dover, stating it was not their intention to proceed with the same. The order for taking the petition into consideration was accordingly read and discharged. WAYS AND MEANS. Mr. BERNAL brought up the report or the resolu tions adopted in Committee of Ways and Means, which were agreed to, and leave given to bring in a Bill f oundt d thereon. JEWISH DISABILITIES BILL On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX CHEQUER the Committee on the Jewish Disabilities Bill was postponed to Friday next. PASSENGERS BILL. Mr. LABOUCHERE moved the second reading of the Passengers Bill. Mr. lIUME wished to know what course the Govern ment intended to take with respect to this Bill? He regretted to find that his predictions on a former occa sion of ;the failure of the ?enactments then made had proved correct—that failure had really been proved, and it had been shown that all the legislation which had yet taken place had not prevented the abuses which exist. The reports which came from Canada were, he admitted, of such a nature, and exhibiting such a state of suffering on the part of the emigrants, and also of the residents, as to call for the adoption of some means to prevent not only the great mortality which had prevailed, but also the spread of disease throughout the whole c nintry. Ho was anxious for a simplification of the existing law, so that every man, whether in the command of, or in any way connected with, an emigrant ship, or who went out as passenger, should ;know whet really were the rules and regulations by which he was to be bound, and, there fore, he would suggest that the two Acts now in force should be consolidated, and that all their enactments, with those now proposed, should form one single Bill. One point to which his attention had been called by a letter he had that day received from Now York was well worthy consideration. He alluded to an improve ment in the ventilation of the emigrant ships, and the fixing the cook-house or caboose below, instead of on deck, to which, when the hatches were battened down in stormy weather, the poor emigrants could not have access in cases of severe illness and absolute need of the comforts which even a supply of hot water would afford. He had no wish to stop the progress of the present Bill, but to throw out those points as necessary to be kept in view, in order, for the sake of humanity, to prevent the evils which at present had been shown to exist on board emigrant ships. Mr. LABOUCHERE concurred with the Hon. Member for Montrose (Mr. Hume) in the opinion he had expressed, that something must be done by the Govern ment and the Legislature to prevent a recurrence of tho evils to which Canada had been exposed by the emi grants who bad arrived in that country during the last year. He held in his hand a dispatch from Lord Elgin, the Governor-General of Canada, in which he depicted the distress and suffering which had extended to the re mote hamlets and villages of the provincs, from the state in which the emigrants had arrived, and who carried for ward with them pauperism and disease. Tho mortality on board emigrant ships did not formerly exceed one-half per cent., hut the returns of last year showed that it had reached 17 per cent. This was a state of things which demanded the serious consideration of Parliament, and he should deeply regret if the emigration of the next season was allowed to be carried on without the means of preventing the recurrence of evils so shocking to hu munity. The evils had arisen not merely from the state of fever with which emigrants from Ireland had embarked and which they had carried with them into Canada, but from the gross mismanagement on board ship, and the absence of proper regulations and control on board the vessels in which the unfortunate creatures were crowded. In this state of things, the Colonial-office and the Com missioners of Emigration had applied themselves to the consideration of what alterations of the law they would recommend, and the result of their recommendation was the Bill now before the House. The main alterations which were proposed were as follows—ln the first place, the Bill increased the space allotted to each passenger on board the emigrant ships, and the space was increased from ten feet to twelve feet for each passenger. An other alteration proposed was with reference to the quantity of provisions carried out. At present the owners undertook to provide a certain quantity of food for each emigrant during the voyage; and it was expected that every emigrant would bring on board sonie provisions of his own. Now last year, from Ireland, the emigrants crowded on board without food of their own, relying on the provision made for them in their passage; but that provision only amounted to a wretched pittance per day, and was wholly insufficient. It was therefore proposed by this Bill to provide that every emigrant ship going to North America should be obliged, like the ships to Australia and elsewhere, to take out pro visions sufficient to sustain the lives of the passengers during the whole voyage. The next alteration pro posed in the law was one which had excited the greatest opposition on the part of the opponents of the measure, but to which he (Mr. Labouchere) attached the highest importance. It was a proviso that in every emigrant ship there should be appointed a responsible Govern ment officer to protect the emigrants, to see that the rules and regulations were strictly obeyed and complied with, and, if necessary, to exhibit complaints to the proper authorities on the arrival of the ship at its desti nation.—(Hear, hear.) At present the evidence before the House showed that, make what laws the Legislature pleased they would be set at nought and derided, unless some such superintendence was provided. These super intendents would be selected from warrant officers in the navy : It had been urged that a surgeon ought to be provided on board every emigrant ship, and he wished he was in a condition to recommend the House to pass a provision to secure that object. His Noble Friend at the head of the Colonial Department (Earl Grey) had been anxious to make such a proposal, but, after the fullest inquiry, it had been found to be impossible to venture to make it, inasmuch as a sufficient supplylof medical men could not be found to undertake the duty. His Noble Friend and the Emightion Com missioners had reluctantly abstained from proposing re gulations to that effect, but they were not without hopes that if the House sanctioned the regulation, requiring a superintendent to be tal.en out on board each emigrant ship, it would be the indirect means of inducing captans and owners to take outla surgeon in moreinstances than at present they did. If, for instance, they appointed a sur geon who was a well-qualified and experienced man, the Colonial-office would appoint him also to the office of superintendent, and thus the ship would carry a surgeon at half the expense that was now entailed npon the owners. The estimated expense of each superintendent was for the voyage 201., and Is. per head upon the passengers taken out, and 101. for his return passage home. Such were the general features orthe Bill, which it was of consequence should be passed before the emigration season com menced. With that view he should propose to refer the Bill to a Select Committee to examine its details, by which ho trusted any lengthened discussion upon it would be saved. Before he sat down he must state that he had received an account of the state of an emigrant ship given by Mr. Stephen De Vere, a brother of Sir Aubrey De Vere, who last year had gone out as a steerage passenger, with a view to ascertain the real l i condition in which that class were placed. His account showed fully the necessity of this or a similar measure. Under such circumstances he (Mr. Labouchere) trusted the House would accede to its second reading, and also to his proposition that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee. As to the consolidation of the existing law, it would require a Bill of at least 70 clauses, which he could not hope to pass in time for the coming season of emigration. He was, however, willing, after the Bill had been read a third time, not to move that it should pass, but to withdraw it, and embody its provisions in a Bill of Consolidation, provided the House would enter into a compact with him not to re-open the discussion of the details, but to deal with tbe measure as merely a Consolidation Bill. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL could not understand why this Bill was to be hung up in a Select Committee. Above all measures, it ought to be passed through the House quickly ; emigration had already commenced ; 4,000 persons had sailed for Canada since December ; and he believed that emigration from Ireland, instead of being checked by late events, would be increased. No one 'out the owners of emigrant ships could disapprove of this measure ' • and, therefore, un l ess th e G overnmen t were dissatisfied with their own Bill, why should they send it up-stairs for at least a fortnight ? The cases qaoted proved the necessity of some strong regulations being applied to this trade ; hitherto the emigrant ships had been nothing but magazines of pestilence ; and pro bably the deaths occasioned by this vicious system, in cluding those who had died in the colonies, instead of being estimated at seventeen per cent. of the emigrants, had been four or five times as many. The provisions as to sufficient food were of great importance. Inspection also was necessary, otherwise the Act would be set at nought ; and it was most desirable that the sea-worthi ness of the vessels should be looked to. He sincerely hoped that no unnecessary delay would be interposed to the passing of this Bill. As to the consolidation pro posed, he trusted it would not be tried without Ministers were quite cArtain of success. Sir G. GREY thought the Hon. Member had not heard the reasons assigned by his Right Hon. Friend for sending this Bill to a Select Committee. The object of this was not to take evidence, and it would probably not delay the Bill more than two days. He thought it would be better to pass the Bill through all its stages at present, and defer the proposed consolidation till a later period of the session. —(Hear.) Mr. V. SMITH considered the consolidation of the Passengers' Act a very important object, in order that parties concerned might not be embarrassed by referring to three or four Acts. If the Legislature now passed the proposed Bill, it was not probable that another would be got through this session. This Bill was n.it at all likely to check emigration ; that effect was much more likely to be produced by the disastrous occurrences which had been detailed.—(ilear, hear.) lie deemed it most desirable that the superintendent of emigrants should be a surgeon, and should have sufficient autho rity, independent of the captain, otherwise he would be come a subordinate of that officer, and would be no check on his conduct. .It the superintendent were not resppe table, both by his salary and position, the captain would bribe hint with a large allowance of grog.—(Laughter.) EVEN I N G, The resident superintendents ii the colonies were also important officer.; ; and it was most, desirable that their authority should be strtmgtheitd. The a disptrslng superintendents," as they were callod iu Australia:bad been found very useful, and might be extended to all the colonies. Ccl. CONOLLY was in fawn' of giviurr the superin tendent a power independent of ;hat of the captain. He sincerely hoped that the measure would be successfully carried out. Mr. WAKLEY thought the curse hitherto adopted had been most disgraceful to the Government and the country. It was now admitted tint 17 per cent. of the emigrants had died—a most eta7tling result.—(Hear.) The Emigration Commissioners, deriving their informa tion from those at the bead of the medical pro fession, imagined that a sufficient number of surgeons could not be obtained, to send ore in each of the emi grant ships; but this was a mistake. A more efficient superintendent than a medical man could not be had, but was it to be supposed that a man who had gone through an expensive curriculum of education would engage in such an office for the paltry sum of 201. the voyage, which might occupy three months? It was most essential that a sufficitet authority should be exer cised over the captains and owners of the ships, whose sole object was to get ev er ythi ng d one as c h ea ply as possible. Let it be remembered that the poor wretches who emigrated from Ireland were driven out by mis government in this country, and the manner in a hich they had been sent out was most disgraceful.—(hear.) An attempt ought to be made to procure an adequate number of medical practitioners, to be placed as super intendents in the emigrant ships; and he had no doubt it might be done if an adequate remuneration were offered. He hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman would review the question, and endeavour to find competent medical practitioners. He believed that there would be no difficulty in finding them. Mr. BROWN was only afraid that the provisions of the Bill were not stringent enough to prevent the evils which occurred on board of emigre t ships. The ships which went to Quebec were notori , usly bad, and it was well known that they would not i ring back such large cargoes, if in fact it was not the cargo that carried the ship and not the ship the cargo.—(Hear, hear.) He thought there should be inspection before the vesil left the port. Mr. BROTIXERTON thought it important that mea sures should be taken to secure the health of emigrants, and he thought that the best mode of effecting that object would be to prevent vessels from carrying out spirits.— (Hear, hear.) He thought that Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merriment would be found better phyoieianS than those whom the Hon. Member for Fins bury recommended at large salaries. Mr. ANSTEY thought that much fraud might be in troduced under cover of the clause relating to cabin passengers, and suggested that it should be omitted altogether. He was of opinion that a superintendent should be appointed over the whole ship, and believed that naval surgeons on half-pay would be the best per sons to select for this purpose. They ought to make the same provision for the poor emigrants which they made for their criminals. The Bill was then read a second time. SHIPWRECKS ON THE SHETLAND ISLANDS. Mr. ANDERSON, in moving for an abstract of the amount of money levied by the Trinity House for the supply of the northern coast lights from the lit of January, 1847, to the 31st of December, called the attention of the House to the great loss of life and pro perty which occurred from shipwrecks in the Shetland Isles, owing, he believed, in some cases to the great defi ciency of coast lights. Within the last few months no less than fourteen shipwrecks had occurred on these islands, aad in some cases the lives on board had perished. According to the last report there was a balance of 39,0001. in the hands of the Commissioners, which could not be more usefully appropriated than in providing lights whore these . melancholy disasters so frequently occurred. Mr. HUME was not surprised that the Hon. Gentle• man should bring this subject under the consideration of the House. It was melancholy to contemplate the loss of life which occurred from want of sufficient coast lights. He thought that the taxes which were levied for this purpose should be placed in the hands of persons who would be on the look out for those parts of the coast where they should be placed. He was glad that her Majesty's Government intended to do something to remedy the evil. The entire system of coast lights should be made a national affair, and maintained at the national expense. It was a disgrace to England, the first maritime power in the world, to make foreign vessels as well as her own contribute to the expenses of the coast lights, whilst in the United States and in Franco not a single farthing was levied for that purpose. It was their duty to set a more liberal example to others. The LORD ADVOCATE eulogised the commis sioners of northern lights, and said their conduct would bear the strictest investigation. They had constructed as many lighthouses as the funds at their disposal per mitted. It was their earnest desire to raise lighthouses in Orkney at the earliest possible moment. The funds at the present moment were diminished by the reduction which they had made to the extont of 14,0001. per annum in the dues payable within their jurisdiction. The motion was then withdrawn. JOINT-STOCK CO NIPANIES' BILL. Mr. M. GIBSON moved that tho House do go into a Committee of the whole House on the Acts 7 and 8 Viet., c. 111, and 8 and 9 Viet., c. 98, for the pur pose of agreeing to a resolution on which to found a Bill enabling joint-stock companies to wind up their affair;, Masters in Chancery being empowered to act as commissioners in bankruptcy fur such a purpoLe. The proposed Bill did not interfere with any right on the part of creditor-shareholders, as against the partners in any company. The House then went into Committee. Mr. P. WOOD urged the necessity of the proposed measure as a means of enabling the partners in bank rupt joint-stock companies to arrange their affairs, inter se, sothat all should contribute alike their fair proportion of the losses. Mr. TURNER also supported the measure. The resolution was agreed to, the House resumed, and the resolution was reported to the House. CIVIL ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARMY. Mr. HUME called for a statement how far the fol lowing recommendations made in the report of the Royal Commissioners " for inquiring into the practicability and expediency of consolidatin g the different departments connected with the civil administration of the army," and dated February 21, 1837, signed by Lord How ick, Viscount Palmerston, Lord John Russell, Sir J. Hob house, and other Commissioners, as contained in the re port presented to both Houses of Parliament in 1837, have been carried out, or what measures have been adopted relating thereto. He denounced the present arrangements as cumbrous and most imperfect. Mr. F. MAULE admitted that the recommendations contained in the report referred to were most valuable; but at the same time stated that the difficulties which attended their being carried out had prevented their being hitherto acted upon. He must oppose the return moved for. The motion was negatived. The House then adjourned at a quarter to Twelve. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (F rom the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) MONDAY, FEB. 21. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The following Resolutions were reported from the above Committee : 1. That in the case of the Great Western Railway (Extension of the Berke and Hants Railway from Hun gerford to Westbury, with a Branch to Devizes) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to p roceed w i th their Bill. 2. That in the case of the Dunfermline and Queens ferry Railway (from Dunfermline to North Queensferry with a Branch to Inverkeithing Harbour) petition, the standing orders ouelit to b e dispensed with:—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 3. That in the case of the . Sh rops hi re U n i on R a il ways petition, the standing ( e x t t o o e b s e w d o is o p f t en i s in e &e) with :—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. o an rd d e e rs dn ought ui 4. That in the case of the North Staffordshire Railway (Ashbourne Branch and Approach to Congleton Station) petition, the standing orders ought to b e di s p ense d w ith : —That the perms be permitted to proceed with their Bill, on the insertion of a clause resireining the parties from taking the land belonging to George Wigley, No. 29, in the parish of Ashbourne, with out the consent, in writing, of the said George Wigley. 5. That in the case of the Newport a n d P on typ oo l Railway Act Amendment petition, th e stand i ng orders ought to be dispensed with:—That the p ar ti es b e per mitted to proceed with their Bill, on inserting in the county newspaper, for three successive weeks, amended notices, specifying all the Acts affected by the Bill, and that the advertisement of such notice s be b ea d e d by a short title descriptive of the under taking or Bill. That the Committees en this and the preceding Bill do examine, in the first place, how far such orders have been complied with, and do report the seine to the House on the report of the Bill. 6. That in the case of the Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monklands Junction Railway (Central Junction Branch) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with: —That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 7. That in the case of the Chester Cemet ery pet i t i on, the standing orders ought to be dispe nsed with : --That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill, pro vided that the same be presented h:ot later than three clear days after the presentation of this report. 8. That in the case of the .Northern Counties Union Railway Amendment and Deviation petition, the stand ing orders ought to be dispensed with:—That th e p ar ti es be permitted to proceed with their▪ Bi I. 9. That in the case of the Edinburf,h and Perth Rail way (from North Queensferry, S;ce) petition, the stand ing orders ought to be dispensed with:--That the parties be permitted to proceed with their ▪ Bill. 10. That in the case of the Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock Railway (Amendment and Branches, &c.) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispens e d with: —That the parties be permitted to proceed ;with their Bill, on depositing in the Private Bill-office an estimate of the expense of the undertaking under the Bill as last amended in the session of 1847; and that the C omm i ttee on the Bill do examine, in the first place, how far such order has been complied with, and du report the same to the House on the report of the 11. That in the case of the Eget Anglian Railways (Ely and Huntingdon Railway extension of tim e ) peti tion, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with : — That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 12. That in the case of the Great Western Railway (to confer additional powers on the company with reFer once to the Purchase of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction, &e., Railway) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with:—That the parties be per mitted to proceed with their Bill. Is. That in the cue of the Great Western Railway FEBRUARY 22, 1846. (Loop Line from the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway through Leamington) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties he permitted to proceed with their Bill. 14. That in the case of the Leeds and Thirsk Railway (Alteration of Levels of Leeds and Hartlepool Railway in Eaglescliffe, Preston, and Stockton, &c) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with:—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 15. That in the case of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway (Deviation from Leamington to War wick, and Purchase of Stratford-upon-Avon Canal Na vigation) petition, the standing orders ought to be dis pensed with :—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 16. That in the case of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway (Deviation from Leamington to War wick) petition, the standing orders ought to be dis pensed with :—That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill. 17. That in the case of the Eastern Counties Railway (Cambridge, Royston, and Ware Line, and Branch to the Royston and Ilitchen Railway) petition, the stand ing orders ought not to be dispensed with. 18. That in the case of the Eastern Counties Railway (Ilford to Tilbury Fort and Southend, with a Branch from Vange to Battle Bridge) petition, the standing orders ought net to be dispensed with. First sixteen Resolutions agreed to.—Report to lie on the table. The following Railway Bills were ordered to be brought in:— Newport and Pontypool Act Amendment. Northern Counties Union Amendment and Deviation. Scottish Midland Junction (Amendment and Branch to Laurencekirk). Scottish Midland Junction (Amendment and Branches to Birnan, &c.) Laurien—Yes. The President then read the sentence of the Court, ordering Laurien to be taken into custody on a charge of perjury, but declaring, nevertheless, that he should be present every day during the trial, under the sur veillance of the police agents, in order that he might re tract if he should think proper to do so. Two gendarmes stepped forward to lay hold of Laurien, but, with a calm and moderate bearing, he advanced towards them, and gave himself up. He was then ordered to take a seat between the two gen darmes. He did so, his countenance still retaining the tranquillity which it had manifested during the whole of this trying scene. As to the prisoner Leotade, he did not appear to be moved by what had passed in any way. His features did not change their expression, or rather their want of expression, once. The proceedings were then adjourned. THE MURDER BY A PRIEST IN FRANCE. ASSIZES OF THE HAUTE GARONNE. SITTINGS OF FED. 10 AND 11. Dr. Ressaire deposed to the finding of a small piece of hay or straw adhering to the mud on the shoe of Cecile Combettes. The object of the prosecution was to show that this bit of hay or straw was of the same kind as that in the loft of the establishment of the Freres, and thus prove that she had been in that place. The witness was also examined as to the position of the body of Cecile Combettes when it was discovered, in order to establish more clearly the presumption that it had been thrown over the wall from the establishment. M. Cornbes, a professor of the School of Medicine at Toulouse, was examined at great length as to the state of the body of the victim._ M. Filh;l, a professor of chemistry, gave a long ac count of the analysis of the food in the stomach of the deceased, and of the experiments made with the por tion of a geranium, the bits of hay, &c., found on her person, in order to identify them with the ob jects of the same kind existing on the establishment. The evidence of this witness showed the minute pains which had been taken to establish these results. He declared in the most positive way that the identity was perfect. He also deposed to the remarkable fact mentioned in the act of accusation. It will be remem bered that there were found on the body and clothes of the deceased traces of a fcecal evacuation, and that in them were discovered the seeds of figs, of which it was known that she had eaten at her supper on the night preceding the murder, and probably again at breakfast on the following day, as it was known that she had taken some figs with her when she left home to go to her woik. A shirt, which it was presumed had been worn by the murderer, was found among the foal linen of the establishment, and on this shirt were traces of the evacuation, in which also the seeds of figs were discovered. The seeds collected from the body of Cecile Combettes, and those found on the shirt, were most minutely examined in every possible way, and they were found to be identical. M. Filhel was also examined as to some stains on the breeches worn by the prisoner, but his evidence did not support the presumption that they arose from any causes connected with the violation or murder. Mr. liernardet, a chemist, confirmed the greater part co!' the evidence of M. Filhol. Coumes, a corporal of gendarmes, gave the following evidence:—Almost immediately after the discovery of the body of Cecile Combettes, he visited the establish ment of the Frees. In the garden, near the wall, he found marks of footsteps and- a small piece of cord. One of the frares who accompanied him stated that the foot-marks had been caused by the frares. Laurien, one of the frarps, a man betw een 50 an d 60 years of age, who acted as gardener, said he had made some of the marks whilst laying a trap for a mole, but the corporal was convinced from the position in which Laurien placed himself to show that ho bad made the marks that he did not speak the truth. On the 19th the witness Coumes again went to the garden. Laurien then said to him that, on the occasion of his first visit, there were marks of footsteps which he (Laurien) could not then account for, but he bad since recollected that they were made by him self. The corporal remarked that it was strange he should not have recollected this only an hour or so after the marks had been made, and that he should re collect it three days afterwards. It appeared that, before the examining magistrate, Laurien had said that, on the morning of the 16th, he stated to Coumes that the marks had been made by him. On the 19th, the corporal asked him how he could have made the marks, which were those of shoes, whereas on the 16th he wore sabots; to which Laurien replied—" If I had known that 1 was to be asked so many things, I should have reflected before I answered." The witness was asked if he considered the marks of the feet of a ladder, which had evidently been placed against the wall on the inner side, were as deep as they might be supposed to have been if a person bearing a corpse, and thus causing a double weight, had gone up the ladder. He replied that they were not so deep. Laurien was then called. The witness Coumes had stated that when be was in the garden on the 16th there were several of the ft eres. Laurien, at first, stated that none were there when the corporal first came, hut afterwards admitted that there were. He asserted that he had, on the 16th, declared to Coumes that all the marks of footsteps were made by himself, and accounted for their existence in certain parts by stating that he had gone there for a necessity. When called upon to explain how he could have made the marks, which were those of shoes, whereas it was known that, on the morning of the 16th, he wore sabots, he said that he pulled off his sabots, and put on shoes to attend the prayers of the frres in the chapel. He admitted, however, that he was not in the habit of pulling off his sabots, except upon particular occasions, and that, when he went to mass he kept them on, although he was as likely to disturb the mass by wearing them, as he was to die. turh the community when at prayers. M. Noulet was then called to giro evidence as to the experiments made with the various articles found upon the body of Cecile Combettes. A curious incident now occurred. The objects were inclosed in packets, bearing their names, and sealed up. The witness stated that on °peeing the packet marked Fragment de pail& &bane adherant tun des souSers, he found it empty, although it ought to have been there, for the packet was signed by the examining magistrate. M. Filhol was called upon to explain this circumstance. He said he could not ac count for it. He had sealed the parcel himself •, but i was probable that being so small the fragment had go into one of the other parcels. They were opened, how ever, and it could not be found. Laurien was again called. Ha was asked as to his age, and said he was 51. (Ho appears several years older.) In answer to different questions, ho stated that he first received information of finding the body of Cecile Combettes on the 16th of April, at a little before eight in the morning. The information was given to him by the director of the novices on the establishment, as he, Laurien, was coming from the orangery, where he had been to fetch his sabots. He had made the foot marks spoken of whilst wearing his shoes. Dr. E s stevenet was here called upon to repeat his evi dence as to what occurred when he visited the garden, on the IGth, viz., that Lectada had said that he or some of the flares had caused the marks. The President, addressing Laurien, said—" If you had said to the corporal, in presence of four friTes, who it is known were there, that you had caused the footmarks, Leotade could not have made the remark which he made to 1)r. Estevenet some hours afterwards, for the four Beres would have made known what you had said, and all the community would have been apprised of it. Laurien declared that he had stated it in the presence of the four hares. The witness Coumes was recalled. He declared posi tively that Laurien had not made to him any observa tion of the kind on the morning of the 16th. Laurien was asked if he had, on the 19th, said to Coumes that ho had forgotten on the 16th that the marks had been made by him, and then when Coumes had ex pressed his astonishment at the circumstance, added that if he had been aware that he was to be questioned so closely he would have reflected as to his answers. Laurien denied positively, although frequently reminded by the President that he was on his oath, that ho had said anything of the kind. Couples repeated his testimony which contradicts that of Laurien on the above, and also on some minor points. Laurien still persisted in his assertions and denials, and requested that the President would call as witnesses the four freres in whose presence he had said, on the 16th, that the foot•marks were his. On being pressed ho equivocated considerably, but would not retract what he had sworn. At this part of the proceedings the Court retired to deliberate on the course to be pursued with reference to this conflicting evidence. On the return of the Judges, the minutes of the depositions of the two witnesses were read over, and signed by them respectively. The Procureur-General then applied to the Court to order Laurien to be taken into custody for giving false evidence. M. Gase and M. St. Gresse, the Counsel for Leotade, protested against such precipitation. The Procureur•General repeated his demand. The President now addressed Laurien in a solemn manner, informing him that he had yet time to retract. He urged him to weigh well the consequences of his conduct. " Answer me once more (added the President), do you persist in what you have stated?" Laurien replied—Yes. The President—ls there iyour obstinacy more igno rancen and want of prudence than bad intention ? At one time I thought that you were unable t o a pp rec i ate your own conduct, but you have just given me a proof of your intelligence. Reflect. See whether the declaration which you have signed is true. Lan ion—l swear it in the presence of God. The President—The God before hon - I — Y;U have just sworn is the s3rne before whom you kneel in your prayers. Do you respect him? Lauren (with a firm voice)—Yes, I do. The President—And you swear kit fore him that you have spoken the truth? IRELAND. DUBLIN, FEB. 20.—The suggestion of Chief Jus• tice Blackburn has been adopted in another and re markable instance in the county of Tipperary. On Friday, a meeting of the gentry, clergy, and farmers of Ardfinan, Ballybacon ; and other parishes, was held in the Sessions-house of Ardfinan ; S. W. Bar ton, Esq., in the chair; when, on the motion of the Rev. 13. Prithe Perry, seconded by Mr. Patrick Walsh, a " society for the improvement of agricul tural interests, and for the preservation of the peace and prosperity of the district," was established, under the designation of the " Ardfinan and Newcastle Agricultural Society." Lord Suirdale has been ap pointed chairman. The landholders and farmers have opened a subscription list, to promote the objects of the society. REPRESSION OP CRIMB.—THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CLERGY.—Some weeks since the Rev. Peter Clarke, parish priest of Belturbet, county of Cavan, signalized himself by saving the life of a Mr. Winslow, who had been employed in the enforcement of rents, when he was attacked by a furious mob. It appears that Mr. Winslow is a Protestant, and that the priest vainly endeavoured to induce some persons of his own creed, farmers in the neighbourhood, to arm them selves for his protection. The Rev. Mr. Clarke, however, by the exercise of great presence of mind and courage, succeeded in saving his life. The Lord- Lieutenant on receiving an account of the affair, caused the following letter to be forwarded to the reverend gentleman, whose reply is also subjoined " Dublin Castle, Jan. 18, 1848. " Sir,—l have to inform you that your humane con duct in protecting Mr. Winslow, when attacked upon a recent occasion, has been brought under the Lord- Lieutenant'b notice ; and his Excellency desires me to convey to you his thanks for your active exertions for the preservation of the life of that individual.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, " T. N. REDINGTON. "Rev. Mr. Clarke, P.P., Belturbet." " Ballihair, January 31, 1848. "Sir—l have not until this day been honoured with your letter of the 18th instant, conveying to me the thanks of his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant for the services rendered in protecting the life of Mr. Winslow, attacked on a late occasion. " In that case I conceive I have only done my duty, and I most humbly beg to assure his Excellency that, deeply impressed with a due sense of the high favour now conferred on me in this valuable testimony to his Excellency's approbation, I shall always feel it my duty to pursue the same course, and by using every means in my power, to co-operate with the Government in re pressing crime and preserving the peace of the country. " This outrage, like many others in Ireland, has arisen out of the tenure of land and the unhappy relations new existing between landlord and tenant. A ,just and equitable settlement of that question would render easy the management of the people. " I have the honour of being " Your obedient servant, " T. N. Redington, Esq." " P. CLARKE. RESPITE OF A CONVICT.—STRANGE DISCLOSURES. The Limerick Examiner of Saturday contains the following This ;day the governor of the county gaol received a respiteifor a week from his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant, in favour of Michael Howard, convicted of the murder of Johanna and Cornelius Hourigan, at Ballycoleen, and sentenced to die on Tuesday next, the 22d instant. On the preceding day a deputation, consisting of R. Maxwell, Esq., E.L. ; Rev. R. Enright, C.C., Croom; Rev. Mr. Burke, chaplain to the gaol, and Sir David Roche, Bart., had an interview with his Excellency, as also with the Right Hon. Chief Justice Blackburn, on the subject. Most of our readers are aware that a memorial, most numerously and respectably signed, had been got up for the deputation in this city previous to their leaving for Dublin. Some startling details, however, transpired . a few days previous, with which it is neces sary our readers should be acquainted. The day on on which Renehan was executed, the Rev. Mr. Enright, believing in the innocence of 'Toward, re solved to have an interview with Tlourigan, the prin cipal prosecutor against him, and happened to meet him in his house, a few minutes before the time fixed upon for the execution. After speaking to him for a short time, he took out his watch, looked at it, and said that the executioner was at that moment pinioning the arms of the man that was to die. Again in a few minutes after, he looked at his watch a se cond time, turning to Hourigan, and said, The prisoner is now standing on the verge of eternity,' and dwelt on the solemnity of the scene. In a few seconds after, he again said, ' Phil, he is now before the tribunal of God, and though he has sinned, he has paid the penalty. Let us pray for the repose of his soul.' " Hourigan was moved by the touching appeal of the pious, zealous, and persevering pastor—lie did prey, as directed, and.; the Reverend G.-ntleman, seiz ing the favourable moment, asked him why he had sworn away the lives of innocent men ? 'Because,' said he, '1 wanted revenge. A girl came to me from Ballinvasradeen, and told me that Howard came to her brother and asked him to go with him to murder the Hourigans, and I thought it too bad not to have satisfaction." Then,' said Mr. Enright, you were not in the hoggard.' No sir." You swore falsely.' Yes sir.' YouTwere at your brother's house ?" I was, sir.' Then, turning to the little girl. 'And, my little child, why did you swear against innocent men to take away their lives ?"lhe little girl cried, and replied, was put up to it, sir.' The Reverend Mr. Enright next waited on Mr. Maxwell, and both had an interview with Hourigan, but the latter altered his tone; however, though denying his former statement to the Reverend Gentleman, he left by his shuffling and stammering such an impression on the mind of Mr. Maxwell, that that worthy and excel lent magistrate resolved to take up the question seriatim, and so, accompanied by the Reverend Mr. Enright, went to the scene of the murder and saw with his own eyes, and noted down on paper, the position in which Hourigan had sworn on the trial of Howard that he himself was placed on the day of the murder. He had sworn he could not be seen, and both gentlemen plainly perceived on resting near the haggard ditch that he could not possibly avoid being seen in such a place, for it was quite exposed. All this was carefully noted down, and detailed to his Excellency. Again, the . affidavit of Hourigan's brother was produoed, that at the very time of the murder the prosecutor was at his house. Next came Mr. Sheehy's letter, the purport of which was, that soon after the murder Phil. Hourigan had expressed his gladness to him ' that he was not at home when the murder occurred,' and that it was he whom they wanted. _ _ _ " During the interview his Excellency asked what was the day fixed for the execution, and being told the 22d inst., said there was no time to be lost, and at once wrote to the Queen and to the Chief Justice, who, on receiving the letter, at once adjourned the Court, and had a long interview with Mr. Maxwell, who brought back the Chief Justice's reply. Mr. Maxwell, during the interview, stated to his Excel lency he had no more doubt on his mind of Howard's innocence than of his own existence, and that he was impressed with that conviction from Hourigan'sman ner, and the impossibility of reconciling Hourigan swearing with the situation of the place where the murder occurred, besides the affidavit of his brother. The Rev. Mr. Enright next detailed his interview with Hourigan, and produced a sketch of the locality ; and the Rev. .Mr. Burke dwelt on. Ranehan's declara tion to him and to A nother previous to his executi on , which fully exculpated the prisoner." ExrcuTios AT EN . NIS.—On Sat ur d a y J o h n C rowe, convicted at the special commission of the conspiracy t o murder James Watson, Esq., of B a lly corne y, underwent the extreme penalty of the law on the drop in front of Ennis ga o l. Th e memor i a l o f t h e cu lprit to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant was acknowledged on Friday by an answer that the law must be enforced. LlMERlCK,n3n.l9.—Tuesday next, at two o'clock, James Sheahan an d James Quane are to be executed at the drop of the county gaol, pursuant to sentence passed at the late special commission, for the murder of Mr. Ralph Hill, at Itathurd, near this city. THE JEWS AND THE BELFAST ROMAN CATHOLICS. —The Northern Whig says :—lt having been inti mated to the Baron Rothschild that a petition, in favour of this Bill, from the Roman Catholics of Belfast, was signed by 2,390 of that body in one day, and that, if sufficient time had been allowed, 10,000 signatures could have been readily obtained ; a letter, of which the following is a copy, has been received from the Baron :—" London, Feb. 14, 1843. Sir — I beg your acceptance of my thanks for the interest manifested, and the informaticn conveyed, in your letter of the Sth instant, which would have had earlier acknowledgment but for the extreme occupation of last week ; and I have pleasure in expressing my sense of the kind exertions of nay Roman Catholic fellow citizens.--I have the honour Jo be, Sir, your most obedient servant, " L. N. DE ROTHSCHILD. " B. Lennon, Esq., 7, High-street, Belfast." MERTIITR. — The average quantity of coal used at the Dowlsis iron-works is estimated at 1,500 tons per day.—Hereford 'flutes, COURT CIRCULAR. - The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, left Claremont at ten minutes past three yesterday afternoon, in a carriage and four, escorted by a party of the 12th Lancers, for town. Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, the Princes% Alice, and Count Arthur Mensdorff, and the royal suites, consisting of the Marchioness of Douro, Madame la Baronne de Wangenheim, Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, Colonel Buckley, Captain the Hon. A. Gordon, and Baron Fritsch, followed in. three carriages and four. The august party arrived at Buckingham Palace Be twenty-five minutes before five o'clock, escorted by party of the 12th Lancers. Her Majesty and ber Royal Consort were received at the Palace by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, Hon. Miss Macdonald, the Master of the Horse, the Earl of Morley, Lord. George Lennox, the Master of the Household, Colonel Berkeley Drummond, and Colonel Wylde. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by his Royal highness the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Count Arthur Mensdorff, visited her Royal High ness the Duchess of Kent yesterday afternoon, at her residence, Clarence House, St. James's. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess or Cambridge, and the Princess Mary, and his Serene Highness Prince Frederick of Hesse, visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, on Satur• day evening, at Gloucester House. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the Princess Mary, honoured Messrs. Hunt and Roskell, with a visit yesterday, to inspect the service of plate presented to the Earl of Ellen. borough. A Cabinet Council was held sterday a ft er.; noon, at the Foreign-office. The Ministers present were—Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Lord Campbell, the Marquis of Clanricarde, Viscount Morpeth, the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, and the Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay. The Council sat one hour. Mr. Vernon Smith had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday, at the Home-office. A deputation from the South Wales Railway had an interview with the Rigbt Hon. Edward Strutt yesterday, at.the office of the Commissioners of Rail.. ways in the Board of Trade. The deputation con. sisted of Mr. Charles Russell (chairman), Sir Josiah J. Guest, M.P. (director), Mr. D. A. S. Davies, M.P. (director), Mr. 1). Morris, M.P. (director), Mr. Hunt (solicitor), and Mr. Armstrong (secretary). Sir Charles and Lady Mary Wood had a dinner party on Saturday, at their residence in Downing. street. Dispatches were received yesterday, at the Colo. , nial-office, from the Governor of Hong-Kong. Mr. E. Ellice, jun., M.P., had an interview yester• day, with the Right Hon. E. Strutt. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yesterday, and heard an appeal from Ceylon, " And struther v. Arabin." SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.--YESTERDAY. Very little was done on the Chester Cup, but the " offering " was sufficiently clear to place Cracow and War Eagle in advance of Blaze and Jonathan Wild. Swallow also obtained a lift, and beyond this very select few the betting was entirely destitute of interest. The first favourite for the Derby, Surplice, rallied this afternoon to 9 to 1, but not until 4001. or 5001. had been. invested at 10 to 1. Loadstone was also in force at 28 to 1, which was not obtainable at the close. Swiss Boy again improved; and Fern was in frequent demand at 50. to 1. The other quotations tally pretty close with those returned last week. LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE. 10 to 1 agst Mr. Barry's Sir Arthur—tkn and offered 15 to 1 agst Mr. Moseley's Jerry—taken 15 to 1 agst Mr. Brettel's The Curate 14 to 1 agst Capt. Little's The Chandler 15 to 1 apt Lord Strathmore's St. Leger 20 to 1 agst Mr. R. H. Jones's Wolverhampton 30 to 1 agst Lord Strathmore's Naworth—taken 30 to 1 agst Mr. Storey na Standard Guard 30 to 1 agst Mr. Mason's The Sailor 50 to 1 agst Mr. Everard na The Shaver TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STARES. 4 to 1 agat Col. Anson's Blaze—take 5 to 1 10 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's Flatcatcher—taken METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. 8 to 1 agat Lord Lonsdale's Jericho, 6 yrs, 9st—t 15 to 1 agst Lord Howth's Rattrap, 5 yrs, Bst 21b—t 15 to 1 agst Captain Barnes's Tufthunter, 4 yrs, 7at 61b—taken 15 to 1 agst Mr. Payne's Marquis of Conyughato, 4 yrs, Est 121 b CHESTER CUP. 22 to 1 agst Mr. F. Clarke's Cracow, 3 yrs, 4st 71b —taken 22 to 1 agst Mr. Bouverie's War Eagle, 4 yrs, Sat 61b—take 25 to 1 25 to 1 agst Colonel Anson's Blaze, 3 yrs, 6st—tka 25 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Jonathan Wild, 5 yrs, 6st 121 b—taken 33 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Swallow, 4 yrs, 7st—tka 1,000 to 20 agst Mr. Meiklam's Lightning, aged, Bst 21b—taken 1,000 to 20 agst Mr. Watts's Chat, 4 yrs, 7st 71b—taken 50 to 1 agat Mr. Courtenay's Bantam, kyrs, 7st 31b 50 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Mrs. Taft, 3 yrs, sst 41b DERRY. 6to 1 agst John Day's lot—taken to 1001. 6to 1 agst John Scott's lot—taken to 1001. 7to I agst Dilly's lot 9to I agst Air. Mostyn's Surplice-10 to 1 t freely 13 to 1 agst Mr. I'ayne's Glendower—take 14 to 1 17 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Springy Jack—take 18 to I 25 to I agst Mr. Afostyn's Loadstone-28 to 1 taken freely 30 to 1 agst Mr. J. B. Day's Nil Desperandnm—tk 30 to I agst Mr. Payne's Cervus 30 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's Swiss Boy—taken 33 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's Assault 33 to 1 aget Mr. J. Scott's The Stinger—take 40 to 85 to 1 agst Mr. Pedley's Besborough—taken 40 to 1 aget Mr. B. Green's Beverlac 1,000 to 25 agtt Mr. Greville's Rossiya taken, and afterwards offered 45 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's Flatcatcher—taken 1,000 to 20 agst Mr. Wreford's Whitstone—taken .. 1,000 to 20 agst Major Pitt's Fern—taken 2,000 to 35 agat Mr. Wigram's Keraun—taken INTELLIGENCE EXTRA. CHESTER, 1848. Acceptances for the Free Handicap. Prior of St. Margaret's, 5 yrs, 7st I llb—The Widow, aged, 7st 81b—Antler, aged, Est 131b—Christopher, 4 yrs, 6st 13Ib—Rufus, 5 yrs, Est 121b—Sutlej, 6 yrs, Est 111b—Erin-go-brash, 5 yrs, Est 101b--Nerissa, 4 yrs, fist 101b—Cirorge Hudson, 4 yrs, 6st 101b—Brown Bess, 4 yrs, 6st 91b—Philosopher, 4 yrs, 6st Slb—Ballinsfad, 4 yrs, Est 61b—Luminous, 4 yrs, 6st 616—Vice-Consul, 4 yrs, Est 61b—Lady Hylda, 4 yrs, Est 61b— lonia, 4 yra, Est 21b—Cheapside, 4 yrs, Est 21b—Gaffer Green, aged, sst 121b—Brown Fly, 5 yrs, sst 121b—Jenny Lind, 4 yrs, sst 1 Ilb—Good Boy, 3 yrs, sst 31b—Lady Mary, 3 yrs, sst 31b—Lucy Ashton, 3 yrs, sst—Swiss Boy, 3 yrs, sst—Cast-off, 3 yrs, sst—Maid of my Soul, 3 yrs, 4st 121b—Spaniard, 3 yrs, 4st 121b—Jest, by Jerry, a yrs, 4st 101 b. Nominations for the Corinthian Stakes. Valiant, 6 yrs (h b)—Shipmate, aged (h b)—Edward the First, 6 yrs (h b)—lnglewood, 5 yrs—Pilot, 6 yrs— Grimston, 5 yrs—Blaekie, 4 yrs—Pantasa, 5 yrs- Spectator, aged (h.b) JENNY LlND.—Extract of a letter from Stock holm, Feb. 23 :—" We have the charming Jenny Lind still amongst us ; she has passed the winter here with her friends, and in the quiet enjoyment of private life, varied only by a representation once a week for the poor—a graceful act of charity t owar d s h er native city, where she is idolized by all ranks, and justly ; for brilliant as are her talents in public, her gentle, modest, unaffected character in private is, if possible, still more winning. You will regret to hear th a t s h e firmly rejects all offers to visit you in Paris, though M. Vete!, director of the Italian Opera, offered her no less than 2,500 francs a night. Our syren refused this magnificent offer, not, as some of the French papers, with their usual self-satisfied vanity, are pleased to say, that she fears the critical ear of a Paris audience, though it is quite probable she may not choose to encounter the impertinence of a part of the Paris press, whose good opinion is to be paid for, and which Madlle. Jenny Lind would never condescend to purchase. Our Swedish syren is perfectly content without Paris—quite satisfied with the brilliant fame and fortune which she has acquired in England, Germany, and more particularly in the metropolis of modern Europe—London. She leaves us early in llfarch, to join her Majesty's Theatre." THE DUNDEE MUEDER.—SRIUEJIIy the final exa mination and committal of Benjamin and James Hazel!, the two persons charged with th e murder of their uncle, agis t r t a h t e e i sr. evidenceT hre o a t d h d r i e t w i. o n n a o l iltoiotknespslcascewebreefoprreodtuhce med, but fresh interest into the case. The prisoners, who said nothing in answer to the charge, were fully committed for trial at the next assizes. PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTAIENTS.—Major-General Sir Dudley hill, C. 8., and Major. General Bolt, C. 8., are appointed by the Queen Knights Commanders of the Bath. The Hon. Thomas Price Lloyd, son of Lord Alostyn, is appointed Constable of the Castles of Con way, in Carnarvonshire, and of Harlech, in Merioneth shire. Andrew Doyle, E• q., of the Middl e T emp l e , barrister -at law, is appointed an Insp ec t or un d er t h e provisions of the Act for the Relief of the Poor in England and Wales.—Obscrt.er. MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLNSHIRE RAILWAY.— The following is a summary of the traffic for the week ending February 12, 1848:—Amount received fur passengers, parcels, and goods, 2,0611. 1:1s. 7d.; corre sponding week in 1847, 1,6591. 2s. 9d.—increase, 402/. 95. 10d. - - FATAL . COAL AcclDENT.—About four o'clock yesterday morning, as James Cowie, labourer, Mill-hill, Musselburgh, was preparing to enter the cage at the bottom of one of the pits at Craighall, belonging to Sir John Hope, M.P., in order to make his ascent, he missed his footing, when he was driven against the wall with great force by the cage, and killed on the spot—Scots man, 1