The Sun. — London, England, 1865-05-31 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVEXING. The Leap CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. UNION CHARGEAELLITY BILL. Lord RAVENSWORTH presented petitions from diffe rent parts of the country in favour of and against this bill, and praying for some modification of its provisions. Lord PORTMAN presented a petition against the bill. THE ABYSSINIAN PRISONERS. In reply to. Lord CHELMSFORD, Earl RUSSELL, who was very indistinctly heard in the gallery, was understood to say that he had received a com munication from Mr. Rassam, bearing date the 28th April, 71 which he stated that he had been in communication with the King of Abyssinia. Rumours had been afloat that the prisoners had been released, but on inquiry it was discovered that they were unfounded. There had been no additional charges brought against the prisoners. Mr. Rassam had also stated that he had sent messengers to inquire into the matter, but only one had returned. Lord CHELMSFORD inquired if any additional de mands had been made on the King, and, if so, whether they had been accompanied by presents ? Earl RUSSELL said that he had no more definite infor mation to lay on the table in addition to what had already been produced. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a third time :—Edwards Disabilities Removal, West Bromwich Improvements, Port Talbot Company, Southampton Gas, Crofthead and Kil marnock Extension Railway, North London, Highgate, and Alexandra-park Railway, Regent's Canal (Limehouse Basin), Bishop's Castle Railway, Northampton and Ban bury Junction, and South Essex Railway. The following bills were read a third time and passed : —Dublin, Clontarf, and Dollymount Tramway ; Belfast Central Railway ; Limerick and North Kenny Junction ; Whitehaven Junction Railway ; Glasgow Corporation Water; Sunderland Corporation ; Ilfracombe Rail way; London and South-Western Railway (Kensing ton, &c.) ; London, Blackwall, and Millwall Extension Railway; King's Lynn and Dock Railway ; and London and South-Western Railway (Perbright, Aldershot, and Farnham Junction). COMMISSIONERS OF SUPPLY MEETINGS (SCOTLAND) BILL. This bill was read a second tine. LOCOMOTIVES ON ROADS BILL. The following noblemen were then appointed tho select committee on this bill:—Lord Privy Seal, Duke of Richmond, Duke of Sutherland, Marquis of Salisbury, Earl of Caithness, Earl of Hard wicke, Earl of Carnarvon, Earl Powis, Viscount Melville, Viscount Eversley, Lord Berners, Lord Sondes, Lord Walsingham, Lord Harris, Lord Silchester, Lord Kin naird, Lord Stanley• of Alderley, Lord Leigh, Lord Tredegar, Lord Lyveden. DOGS REGULATION (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a second time. COMPANIES' WORKMEN'S EDUCATION BILL. The Archbishop of YORK moved the third reading of this bill. After a few words from Earl GRAIIVILLE, the bill, with some amendments, was read a third time and passed. WAR DEPARTMENT TRAMWAY RAILWAY BILL. The report of the amendments on this bill was agreed to. PARSONAGES BILL. This bill passed through committee. The report of amendments on the Clerical Subscription Bill was brought up and agreed to, and their lordships ad journed at twenty minutes past seven o'clock. ROUSE OF COMMONS—LAsT EVENING. The SPEAKER, took the chair at twelve o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a third time and passed : Cheshire Lines Transfer, Chesterfield, Newbold, and Dunstone Road ; and Saint Philip and Jacob's Parish (Bristol). REFEREES ON PRIVATE BILLS. Colonel WILSON PATTEN moved that the following committee be appointed to inquire into the operation of the Court of Referees on private bills :—Col. Wilson Patten, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Edward Pleydell Bouverie, Lord Robert Cecil, Lord Stanley, Mr. Ingham, Mr. Scholeflold, Mr. Woodd, Mr. Bonham Carter, Mr. Ennis, Mr. Thompson, Mr. G. Hardy, and Sir John Shelley.—Fivo to be the quorum. The motion was agreed to. GLASGOW AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY BILL. Sir C. FERGUSON moved that the filled-up bill de posited in the Private Bill-office, as proposed to be amended, and submitted to the committee on group 22 of railway bills, be referred to the examiners of petitions for private bills, with instruction to examine and report whether the standing orders of the house have been complied with in relation to the bill so amended and proposed to be sub mitted to the committee ; and that all petitions complain ing of non-compliance with the standing orders, iu rela tion to the said amended bill, be referred to the examiners, with instructions to hear parties and their agents and wit nesses thereupon. Mr. DODSON opposed the motion, which, after a short discussion, was withdrawn. ROMAN CATHOLIC OATHS BILL.—(THE ADJOURNED DEBATE.) On the motion for the house going into committee on this bill, Mr. NEWDEGATE moved, as an amendment, that the house go into committee that day six months. He was of opinion that the bill now under discussion was the first attempt that had been made to disturb the compact entered into in the year 1829. There had been two committees, it was true, to consider the oaths taken by the members of the house, yet, although all the other oaths had been con sidered, the Roman Catholic oath had never been touched. (Hear, hear.) There had been, therefore, no inquiry into the substance of the oath, or the manner in which it was now proposed to alter it. The Government had asked the house to go into committee on this bill, and yet there was not on the notice paper one single word to lead the house to imagine the alterations proposed. Tho Home Secretary had stated that he was not prepared to go the whole length proposed by the bill, and that being the case, he thought he might have had the grace and favour to announce the exact distance he was prepared to go. As that course had not been adopted, he felt it his duty to do all he possibly could to prevent the bill becoming the law of the land. He was a staunch Protestant by conviction, and as such he - wished to resist that which he considered schismatic, heretical, and corrupt, and he took the course he did because there was a feeling and an earnest desire on the part of Roman Catholics in that country to "subdue an Imperial people," as was said by Dr. Manning, the successor of Cardinal Wiseman, to the domination of the Church of Rome. The house had removed nearly every obstacle in the way of religious freedom, but he thought it too much to ask the house to set aside one which only went the length of making it compulsory that the consti tution of the country should be respected. (Hear, hear.) Mr. TREHEARN E seconded the motion. Mr. GREGORY said he could not understand the de termined opposition which was given to the present bill, which, he contended, was one merely of common decency to the Roman Catholics. He could not believe that it was thought that there was any fear of her most gracious Ma jesty being deposed and substituted by tho Pope. The Roman Catholics were not the groat and terrible destroyers they had been represented. Who, he would ask, brought the head of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the block? The Protestants. Who did as much for Charles L ? The Puri tans of England? Who deposed James I.? The Protestants. He altogether denied that the Roman Catholics were so completely under the foot of the Vatican as had been repre sented, because some of the most important services ever rendered to the Sovereign of this country had been per formed by persons holding that belief. When the great Spanish Armada set sail it carried aloft, and in their midst, a banner blest by the Pope. Now, he would ask, who was the person conspicuous in the defeat of that great fleet? Why, Lord Howard of Effingham, a Roman Catholic ; and, again, who at that particular time afforded the most important assistance a subject could give a sovereign ? Why, Lord Montagne, a Roman Catholic. (Hear, hear.) A tissue of obstacles had been related to the house with a view of impeding the mea sure, but he believed the result would be that that which was j but an act of justice would receive the sanction and sup- Port of the majority of that house. Sir J. PAKINGTON said the object of the bill was vir tually to repeal one of the arrangements entered into with the Roman Catholics in 1829, and the bringing it forward at that particular time he r egar d e d w ith imminent danger, because it might tend to revive that angry feeling between Roman Catholics an d P ro t es t an t s w hi c h h e so gre atly de precated, If the bill was really required than it ought to have been introduced by the Government of the country, and not by a private member of the house. (Hear, hear.) the measure was right or wrong, of ono thing there was no doubt, viz , that it sought to effect a very important Ch ang© in the constitution of the country— (hear, hear)—and measuredoing that, in his opinion, ought to have been brought forward by the Executive Government, and that Government a mentought not to be satisfied with merely , giving their s istance to aprivate regarded member. The late Sir Robert Peeld rded the Roman Catholic oath as part of the settlement entered into in 1829, and to the latest hour of his life he regarded it final compact anti arrangement that ought n o t to b as e legally altered. The present was not the moment to adopt in all its entirety the motion of his hon. friend. He would, how ever, divide the oath into four parts, and he would briefly tell the hon. gentleman how far he would go with him. In the first place, ho had no objection to expunge the part of the oath which stated that excommunicated sovereign s might bo deposed or murdered by their subjects. It was an affront and offence to common sense, and therefore he for one could not defend it. With respect to the jurisdiction of the Pope, or other potentate in that country, he had no wish that that should be re tained. The following portion which set forth that the person taking the oath did so without evasion, equivoca tion, or mental reservation. He also would gladly see it abolished, because it was an insult to every man of honour, and a man without honour no oath could bind. (Hear, hear.) But the last portion of the oath, that which referred to the preservation of the settlement of property, as by law established, the preservation of the Church, as by law established, and the Protestant religion, that he felt was desirable and important to retain. He would give his assent, thus far, to the honourable gentleman, and it would be for him to say whether he would accept the alteration he proposed or not. Mr. HORSMAN said ho could only regard the Roman Catholic oath as a mark of distinction between two mem bers of that house, and such a distinction, he contended, ought not to exist. Why such a distinction should be made he could not understand, because if the Roman Catholics were regarded as enemies of the Established Church, were not the English Dissenters in the same position ? (Hear, hear.) He looked upon the oath as a rem nant of a dark age, and the sooner it was got rid of the better, and if he went into committee on this bill he should do so with the earnest intention of getting a re vision of all the oaths now in use. (Hear, hear.) He thought it was time when one oath as brief and simple as possible should be taken by all members in common, and as far as he was concerned, he would like to see the oath of allegiance the only one taken at the table. He thought with the hon. baronet the member for Droitwich that the matter ought to have been brought forward by the Govern ment, and he hoped that when the bill came from commit tee it would pass through its other stages under the au spices of her Majesty's Government. Sir H. CAIRNS was of opinion that the present was not the proper time to discuss the terms of the Roman Catholic oath, although he was free to confess that the earlier terms of the oath with respect to excommunicated sovereigns and the jurisdiction of the Pope were useless. With respect to that portion of the oath relating to the disturbing or weak ening the Protestant religion or Protestant Government of England, no one had yet ventured to say that the words were oppressive in form. He believed that it was the wish of members of the Roman Catholic faith to be free, in order that they might subvert the Church of England, as by law established, if they could ; and, if for no other Purpose, he considered it wise and prudent to retain the latter portion of the oath as a safeguard against any future attacks that might be made on the Church of England. Without the hon. member for Limerick gave an answer that he would accept the proposition of the right hon. member for Droitwich, he should cheerfully support the motion of the hon. member for North Warwickshire. Lord E. HOWARD thought the oath but a snare to con science, and that the house would do well to remove it from their books, especially as it was repugnant to the feel ings of nearly all of the British gentlemen called upon to take it. Mr. MONSELL said he could not accept the pro posal of the hon. member for Droitwich (Sir J. Pak ington). Sir P. BI7RBELL attempted for some time to address the house, but owing to the loud calls for a division, he resumed his seat. The house then divided, when there appeared— For going into committee 193 Against it Majority —67 The house then went committee, pro forma, and the chairman immediately reported progress. Mr. WHITESIDE asked the right hon. baronet the Home Secretary whether he would adopt the suggestion of the hon. member for Cockermouth (Mr. Horsman), and take charge of the bill. Mr. HORSMAN paid the right hon. gentleman could not be expected to answer the question off hand. Sir G. GREY said he was not going to give an answer at that moment. The debate was then adjourned, Mr. MoNSELL intimat ing that he would inform the house in the evening when he proposed to proceed with the committal of the bill. The sitting of the house was then suspended. The house resumed at six o'clock. THE MAIL SERVICE BETWEEN DUBLIN AND LONDONDERRY. In reply to Mr. DAWSON, Mr. F. PEEL said that the alteration which had boon suggested in this service would come into operation on the Ist July. THE SEE OF RUPERT'S LAND. In reply to Mr. G. DUFF, Mr. CARDWELL said it was within the knowledge of the house that the Privy Council had decided against the validity of letters patent to bishops in colonies having in dependent legislatures. It was the opinion of her Majesty's Government that after that decision the whole subject of letters patent should bo carefully considered, and that no letters patent should be issued to any colonies until the question had been considered by the law officers of the Crown. It was important that no delay should take place in appointing a successor to the bishopric of Rupert's Land, so that, under the advice of the law officers, the archbishop had a letter addressed to him, and her Majesty had been pleased to sanction the issue of a mandate empowering the archbishop to consecrate a bishop; but no letters patent would be issued, or any document conveying the jurisdic tion conferred by the Crown. THE ACCOUNTS OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE. In reply to Mr. W. EWART, Mr. LAYARD said there was no general custom of audit of the Foreign Office accounts, because they were very com plicated, and because only a small amount of money, about X 35,000, was actually expended by the Foreign Office on special missions, telegrams, &c. These accounts ought to be audited every year, but they were not generally so, because they were always in :wear. The Foreign Office accounts were last audited in March, 1864. The auditor for the Fo reign Office accounts was the permanent Under Secretary of State, the accounts .being made up by the chief clerk, audited, and then presented to a baron of the Exchequer, and certified by the chief clerk to be correct. That system had long been in force in the Foreign Office, but they were desirous of having them audited by the Audit Office, if any satisfactory plan could be devised for the purpose. THE POLLUTION OF RIVERS BY MINES AND FACTORIES. • In reply to Lord R. MoNTAGtr, Sir G. GREY said that a commission possessing engi neering and chemical knowledge had been appointed to inquire into certain river basins in the district in which the principal mining and manufacturing operations were carried on, with a view to inquire into the best means of remedying the pollution of such rivers. There was no objection to lay on the table the names of the commission, and a copy of their letter of instructions ; but it was im possible to say when their report would be made. PAYMENT OF POLICE DOING DUTY IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Lord R. MONTAGU asked the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police constables on duty in the Houses of Parliament, palaces, and public buildings, have been removed from the first to the third class, and, if so, for what reason ; whether constables who have been in the force for as long as 20 or 30 years are similarly treated; whether they are prevented from con tributing to the extra pension fund ; whether their reduc tion from the first to the third class will affect the amount of the pension which they will receive; and what class of certificate those who have been reduced from the first to the third class will receive for many years' service in the Government offices and other public buildings. Mr. G. BARING said that recently there had been an increase of pay in the police. The constables employed in the Houses of Parliament, palaces, and other public build ings had not had their pay increased, because they received an allowance of 7s. a week in addition to their pay of one guinea, so that they wore really better paid than any other constables, except those engaged in special service. Those at present employed would be allowed to continue to sub scribe to the extra pension fund according to their pay and allowance, but those appointed after a certain date would only contribute according to their scale of pay. Certificates were granted according to the conduct of the constables, and not according to the rate of pay, and therefore the certificates would not be affected by the rate of pay. MORTALITY ON BOARD COOLIE TRANSPORTS. Mr. KINNAIRD asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been drawn to the great mortality that had recently occurred among the coolies, in their transport to Demerara, and especially on board the ships Clarence and Earl Russell ; and whether anything could be done to render the passage less destruc tive to life, or so , to regulate the emigration as to hinder persons being embarked who are not in sound health. Mr. CARDWELL said that his attention had been drawn to the case of three ships, the Althea, the Clarence, and the Earl Russell, which sailed from Calcutta to British Guiana between November and January, on board of which consi derable and unusual mortality occurred. There was an examination by the colonial authorities at British Guiana in the case of each of these ships, and they reported that there was nothing to find fault with in the ships' Droyi sions, or in the conduct of the masters and surgeons. The Government attributed all the mortality to the deposit of matter left by the inundation caused by the cyclone at Cal cutta, which did such serious injury to the emigrants to British Guiana. Ho believed an inquiry was going on into that subject at Calcutta. With regard to the general mor tality, he was glad to say that it had been of late years constantly declining, and was now not large. POOR LAW BOARD CONTINUANCE BILL. In reply to Mr. HIBBERT, Mr. VILLIERS said ho hoped to bring in the above bill on Thursday. SEPARATION OF THE PROVINCES OF NEW ZEALAND. In reply to Lord R. CEerry Mr. CARDWELL said he had not the promised . report of the Governor of New Zealand on the subject of a petition from Auckland, praying for the separation of the Northern Province from the other provinces of New Zealand. The final decision of her Majesty's Government on the subject would not bo given until that report was received; but, as at present advised, they saw no reason to give any en couragement to such a proposal. ROMAN CATHOLIC LOTTERIES. Mr. NEWDEGATE asked whether the attention of the Attorney-General had been called to the large circulation of lottery tickets for the disposal of various articles. Ho had received them for the disposal of horses, carriages, and other things, in aid of Roman Catholic objects. (Laughter.) They had been circulated through the rail way companies, until they refused to allow their servants to be so engaged, so now they were sent through the post. He wished to know whether the circulation of these lot tery tickets was legal ? The ATTORNEY-GENERAL asked the hon. member to put his question on the paper for Thursday next. COLONIAL ,DEFENCE. On the motion for the adjournment of the house to Thursday nest, Mr. WARNER rose to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the understanding between the home Government and colonies possessing representative institu tions as to the defence of those colonies in any future war. Referring to a question put on the previous evening, to which he said he had received a very unsatisfactory an swer, the hon. member remarked that he had heard lately that the Governor of Cape Colony had negotiated with the Kaffirs to:endeavour to induce them to persuade or to com pel them to occupy and colonise some territory on the other side of the River Kei. It appeared from the report that this policy of the Governor with regard to the Kaffirs was totally unconnected with the Colonial Legislature. The right hon. gentleman (Mr. Cardwell) said that the Go vernor was acting under instructions from home, and that there was no probability of any complication arising from this policy, as it was not likely to lead to war. He (Mr. Warner) was glad to hear that, but that was not the whole of the question, for the colonists were of a different opinion. They thought it would lead to war, and some of them no doubt wore anxious that it should. The policy of this country ought to be such as to throw the whole responsi bility of any complications on the Colonial Legislature. Mr. CARD WELL was sorry that his hon. friend was not satisfied with the explanation given last night, and the more so as he seemed to have entirely misunderstood one of the two statements that were made. His honour able friend evidently understood that the expenses of maintaining the Kaffir war should be defrayed by the mother country, with a small contribution from the colonies. What he really said was, that the normal state was that the colony should pay the principal part of the expenditure. His hon. friend had also said that this house had, in the course of the present session, passed an Act of Parliament for the purpose ofincluding the territory of British K.affraria within the territory of Cape Colony. Now, he (Mr. Cardwell) was of opinion that placing colo nies under the sway of representatiye governments in which they had no share was undesirable ; and if his hon. friend would refer to the papers laid on the table during the pre sent session, ho would see it had been the desire of the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope to avoid all extension of territory. THE CASE OF THE ALABAMA. Mr. S. LEFEVRE said that, as some misapprehension had arisen with respect to the reply of the noble lord at the head of the Government in the case of the Alabama, he wished to know whether the communications received from the United States Government regarding the Alabama, and vessels of the same character, were contrary to the spirit of the despatch of Mr. Adams:to our Government in Octo ber, 1863, in which it was stated that, in order to preserve amity as well as friendship between the two Governments, it was desirable to postpone the question to a future time. He also wished to ask the noble lord whether the commu nications that had been referred to were received before or since the commencement of the presidency of President Johnson. Lord PALMERSTON—I can only state that communi cations have been going on between the two Governments for some time past with regard to captures by the Alabama and vessels of the same kind. The hon. gentleman wishes to know whether in a recent depatch the terms that wore made in a former one were repeated. The tenor of the com munication is of the same kind, and relates to the same matters as those before, and of which a certain portion has been laid before Parliament on the table of this house. The hon. gentleman wants to know whether the communication was made since the accession of President Johnson. It was made here since that time ; but whether the instructions on which it was made wore given by President Lincoln or President Johnson I cannot say. Lord R. CECIL asked what period the portion of the cor respondence that had not been laid before Parliament re ferred to. Lord PALMERSTON—I am not able off-hand to answer the question of the noble lord. Mr. FORSTER wished the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, or some other members of the Government, to give a more explicit answer to this question. An impression had arisen, he knew not on what foundation, that since the accession of President Johnson claims had been made with regard to the Alabama which had not been made before. He believed there was no foundation for that impression, and if that were so, he hoped his hon. friend would state that distinctly. Mr. LAYARD—The case is very simple. The general demand was that made last or the previous session. Other cases have arisen of vessels captured by the Alabama, or ships of that kind ; and Mr. Adams in putting those cases before us has done so in almost the same terms, and cer tainly in the same meaning, as those that related to the Alabama. The demands made before the death of Presi dent Lincoln have been renewed sines, of the same tenor and nearly in the same terms. Of course wo cannot say there has been a fresh demand, nor can wo say there has not been any demand. The motion for the adjournment was then agreed to. THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS. Mr. MOFFATT rose to call attention to the report of the select committee on the Bankruptcy Act of 1861, and the existing state of the laws with regard to debtor and creditor, and to move that in the opinion of this houso the report of the select committee on the Bankruptcy Act of 1861 deserves the prompt and serious consideration of her Majesty's Government. He complained of the unsatisfac tory condition of the present working of the laws affect ing debtor and creditor, and pointed out that the conse quence of the prevailing system was that the court was avoided, and that, while creditors would not act as a body, each made th© best terms he could for himself. The bank ruptcies, which a few yea ago were £5,000,000 yearly, now reached that amount occasionally in one week. He trusted, therefore, that the Government would give early and earnest attention to the subject. Mr. AYRTON seconded the motion. It was impossible to do justice to the subject at that time, but ho felt sure the Government would take it into consideration with a view to future legislation, in the direction, he trusted, of consolidation of the law. He should conclude by second ing the motion of his hon. friend, and he hoped the At torney-General would give them some distinct assurance on the subject. Mr. BASS said he believed it would be perfectly easy for the Attorney-General to prepare a bill for amending the law of bankruptcy in the present session, not with the view to passing it this session, but in order that the country might have an opportunity of considering its provisions during the recess. Mr. BEECROFT said it was generally admitted that the bankruptcy law was in an unsatisfactory state. They had all been disappointed when the Consolidated Bill had been abandoned, and they had no choice then but to take the patchwork bill which was substituted for it. That measure was necessarily so complicated that he learned from those who were engaged in administering it that some parts were difficult of interpretation, and the result was great dissatis faction. The Leeds Chamber of Commerce were against any change in the law which would allow the winding-up of insolvents' estates to be in the hands of any court or official body whatever ; and they were in favour of leaving such winding-up to the creditors, as was the case in Scot land. The ATTORNEY -GENERAL said he had no difficulty in saying, what ho had sa4 before in that house, that her Majesty's Government recognised the duty of taking into their serious consideration the report lately made by the committee appointed to inquire into the Bankruptcy Act of 1861. He was glad to hear so many members of the house express their concurrence in a great portion of the recom mendations of the committee ; and that it was no longer desirable to patch up the system which would not answer, but that they must attempt to revise the entire law in its principles and details, and place it on a well-considered footing, so as to lead to a reasonable hope that they un derstood what they were going upon. The committee recommended substantially what the hon. member for Leeds (Mr. Beecroft) contended for, that the action of the court should be removed from the mere business of the administration of the estate ; and they recommended that imprisonment for debt should be entirely abolished, and, as a necessary sequel to it, that no discharge to an insolvent debtor should operate at once, except upon pay ment of a dividend of a certain amount. These were important alterations ; and he mentioned the recommen dations not for the purpose of discussion now, but in order that public attention should be directed to them. They must proceed upon these two main grounds—first, they must endeavour to consolidate the whole law ; and secondly, they must have the support of the public and the mercantile classes as to the important principles which they proposed to introduce for the first time into the sys tem of bankruptcy. It was essential that they should be in possession of the views of the mercantile community with regard to those principal points, for without the ap proval of the mercantile public it would be vain to attempt to carry a bankruptcy bill through that house. He trusted that before the house met again in another Parliament the attention of the public would be directed to those matters. (Hear, hear.) Mr. GOSCHEN said he was sure the public would re ceive with great satisfaction the statement of the Attorney- General ; and that tho subject introduced by his hon. friend the member for Honiton had been transferred to her Majesty's Government. He had no doubt the challenge of the Attorney-General would be responded to by the mer cantile community. There was no dissentient voice, so far as he knew, that the present system should be entirely recast ; and he was sure the trading community would be glad to look for a measure which would introduce the sweeping changes recommended, and put an end to the present system, which was a disgrace to the country. Ho trusted it would be a measure that would do credit to the reputation of the Attorney-General. (Hear, hear.) The motion was agreed to. LAW OF LUNACY. Mr. NEATE rose to call attention to some defects in the law relating to lunatics, and to move for copies of any re turns in possession of the Government as to English sub jects now in confinement in lunatic asylums abroad. The hon. member proceeded to explain the defects of the system, when the Speaker's attention was directed to the fact that there were not 40 members present, and the house was accordingly counted at 20 minutes past 7 o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. HOUSE OF COMMONS-MAY 30. ROMAN CATHOLIC OATH BILL. Order read for resuming adjourned debate on question, " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the chair." Question again proposed, " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the chair." Debate resumed. Amendment proposed, to leave out from the wed " That "to the end of the question, in order to add the words " this house will, upon this day six months, resolve itself into the said committee," in stead thereof. Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question." The house divided—Ayes, 193 ; Noes, 126. - - AYES —193. Acton, Sir J. Foljambe, F. J. S. Moncreir, J. Adair, H. E. Forster, C. Moor, H. Adam, W. P. Forster, W. E. Moore, C. Agar-Ellis, L. G. Fortescue F. D. Morrison, W. Bagwell, J. Fortescue, C. S. Murphy, N. D. Baines, E. French, Col. Neate, C. Baring, A. H. Gavin, Major O'Brien, Sir P. Baring, Sir F. Gibson, T. M. O'Conor Don, The Baring, T. G. Gilpin, C. O'Donoghue, The Bass, M. T. Gladstone, W. E. O'Ferrall, M. Baz ley, T. Goldsmid, Sir F. O'Loghlen, Sir C. Beale, S. Goschen, O. J. O'Reilly, at. W. Beaumont, W. B. Gower, F, L. Packe, Col. Blake, J. Greene, J. Paget, Lord C. Blencowe, J. G. Gregory, W. H. Palmer, R. W. Bouverie, E. P. Greville, Col. F. Pease, H. Bouverie, P. P. Grey, Sir G. Peel, Sir R. Bowyer, Sir G. Gr,,svenor,Lordßd. Peel, F. Brady, Dr Gurdon, B. Peel, J. Bramston, T. W. Gurney, S. Pilkington, J. Brand, H. Hadfield, G. Pollard Urquhart W Bright, J. Hanbury, R. Portman, W. H. B. Browne, Lord J. T. Hankey, T. Potter, E. Bruce, Lord C. Hanmer, Sir J. Potter, T. B. Bruce, H. A. Hartington,Marqula Powell, J. J. Buckley, Gen. Hervey, Lord A. Pritchard, J. Burke, Sir T. J. Hervey, Lord A H. Ramsden, Sir J. W Butt, I. Hassard, M. Redmond, J. E. Buxton, C. Headlam , T. E. Robartes, T. J. A. Cardwell, E. Henderson, J. Robertson, H. Cheetham, J. Henley, Lord Roebuck, J. A. Cholmeley, Sir M. Hennessy,J. P. Russell, A. Churchill, Lord A. Hesketh, Si,S T. St. Aubyn, J. Clay, J. Hibbert, J. T. Salomona,Aiderman Clifford, C. C. lliorsmun. E. Schneider, 11. W. Clive, G. Howard, Lord E. G. Scully, V. Cogan, W. H. Hunt, G. W. Seely, C. Colebrooke, Sir T.E. Jackson, W. Seymour, Danby Collins, T. Jervoise, Sir J. Seymour, Ingby Corbally, M. E. Johnstone, Sir J. Shelley, Sir J. V. Cowper, W. F. Kekewich, S. T. Sheridan, 11. B. Cox, W. Kennedy, r. Smith, J. B. Crawford, R. W. King, P. J. L. Stacpoole, W. Dalglish, R. Kinglake, A. W. Stansfeld, J. Davey, It. Laird, J. " Steel, J. Davie, Col. F. Layard, A. H. Stirling, W. Denman, G. Lanigan, J. Thompson, H. S. Dent, J. D. Lawson, W. Tollemache, F. J. Dickson, Col. Leader, N. P. Tottenham, Lt.-Col. Diliwyn, L. L. Lefevre, G. J. S. Trelawny, Sir J. S. Dodson, J. G. Lever, J. 0. Vandeleur, CA. Douglas, Sir C. Lewis, H. Villiers, C. P. Doulton, F. Liddell, IL G. Walter, J. Duff, M. E. Locke. J. Western, S. Dundas. Sir D. Longlield, R. Westhead, J.y. B. Dunne, M. Lowe, IL White, J. Egerton, E. C. 11PCann, J. White, L. Enfield, Viscount MacEvoy, E. Wickham, H. W. Ennis, J. Mackinnon, W.(LY.) Winnington, Sir T. Esmonde. J. M'Mahon, P. Woods, IL Evans, Sir Do L. Maguire, J. F. Wyvill, M. Evans, T. W. Marjoribanks, D. C. Ewart, J. C. Marsh, M. IL TELLERS. Fenwick, E. M. Martin,J. Fenwick, 11. Mills, J. It. Monsell, W. Foley, H. W. Mitchell, T. A. Castlerosae, Vist. NOES-126. Adderley, C. B. Floyer J. North, Col. Arbuthnott, Gen. Fraser, Sir W. A. O'Neill, E. Archdall,Capt.ALE. Gallwey, Sir W. P. Pakington, Sir J. Astell, J. H. Galway, Viscount Palk, Sir L. Ayrton, A. S. Gard, It. S. Parker, Major W. Aytoun, it. S. Getty, S. G. Patten, Col. W. Bailey, C. Goddard, A. L. Paull, li. Bateson, Sir T. Gore, J. It. 0. Pevensey, Viscount Beach, Sir M. Gore, W. It. 0. Powell, P. S. Beach, W. W. Grogan, Sir E. Pryse, E. L. Bentinck, G. W. P. Hamilton, Lord C Reptou, G. W. J. Bentinck, G. C. Hamilton, 1. T. Ridley, Sir M. W. Benyon, IL Hardy, G. Rogers, J. J. Beresford, W. Hardy, J. Rose, W. A. Berestord, 1). Hartopp, E. B. Selater-Booth, G, Blackburn, P Harvey, K. B. Smith, Abel Booth, Sir R. G. Heygate, Sir F. Smith, S. G. Bremridge, R. Hollord, It. S. Smollett, P. B. Bridges, Sir B. W. Ilood, sir A, Somerset, Col. E. Bruce, Sir H. Hopwood, J. T. Somes, J. Burrell, Sir P. Ingestre, Viscount Strouge, Sir J. M. Butler, C. S. Jervis, Captain Stewart, Sir M. It. Cairns, Sir H. Jolliffe, H. Surtees, H. E. Cargill, W. W. Jones, 1). Sykes, Col. W. 11. Cartwright, Col. Ker, D. S. Taylor, CoL Cave, S. King, J. K. The, W. Cobbold, J. C. Kinnaird, A. F. Tollemache, J. Cole, H. Knox, Major W S. Torrens, It. Cole, J. L. Langton, IV. G. Tretusis, C. H. R. Corry, H. L. Langton, W. H. G. Treherne, H. Craufurd, E. H. J. Lee, W. Trevor, Lord A. Curzon, Viscount 3lacaulay, K. TroHope, Sir J. Davie, Sir 11. R. P. Mackie, J. Vance, J. Du Cane, C. Mainwaring, T. Verner, Sir W. Duncombe, A. Maicolin, J. W. Verner, B. W. li l k d e e r g , r J. e i - i Lesile R. Dundas, P. Manners, Lord J. Walcott, Admiral Du Pre, C. G. Mills, A. NVa Dutton, R.ll. Montgomery. Sir G. yit Egerton, A. P. Mordaunt, Sir C. Whiteside, J. Pane, Col. Mowbray, J. K. Whitmore, H. Farquhar, Sir M. Mundy, W. TELLERS. Fellowes, E. Nicol, W. Newdegate, C. Fergusson, Sir J. Noel, G. J. Leroy, A. The Bel jan Contingent in Mexico. BRUSSELS, May 28. The Minister of War has issued the following order of the day - in consequence of the official de spatches received from Mexico describing the en gagements in which the Belgiant Contingent have recently taken part : " The country and the army will learn with grief and pride the immense and glorious loss which they have just sustained. " The subjoined report, received by the Government from the Cabinet of the Emperor of Mexico, needs no com ment. It will be entered in the orderly-books of the diffe rent regiments, and read to the assembled companies. " It would givo me much pleasure if the almoners of the garrison would hold a funeral service for the repose of the souls of our comrades who fell heroically upon the field of battle. " On the day of this ceremony all duty will bo sus pended to enable all to bo present. " Baron CRAzAL, Minister of War. " Brussels, May 28" Here follows the official report from Mexico alluded to above, headed " Reports upon the events which led to the engagements at Tacamburo," and dated April 11, 1865. It states that the remnants of the old Republican army of the centre, which were driven from Jalisco last year, took refuge in the State of Michoacan. These remnants still mus ter from 3,000 to 3,500 men, commanded by Ar teaga, Regules, Pueblita, &c. At the approach of the rainseason it was necessary for them to leave the Tierra Caliente, where the climate rendered it impossible to follow them, and go up to the tempe rate regions of the north, in which the populous towns are situated and maize is cultivated, in order to levy money and provisions. With this object Re gules having concentrated his forces, marched upon Zamora and La Piedad. Not being able to enter those places he took an easterly course between the Lakes of Patzcuaro and Cuitzo at the beginning of April. The pacification of Michoacan was intrusted to the French Colonel Potier, a very active and energetic officer, who was the captor of the notorious guerilla Romero. He had under his orders a battalion of the French 81st Line Regiment, two battalions of Belgian Volunteers—one com manded by Lieut.-Col. Vandersmissen, the other by Major Tydgadt, and the Mexican brigade of Gen. Tapia, 1,500 to 1,600 strong. The cavalry consisted of a squadron of the Imperatrice Regiment and two auxiliary squadrons under Col. Lamadrid. The plan formed by Col. Potier was to confine the Juarists to the.unhealthiest and most depopulated district of the Tierra Caliente, between the Rio de las Balsas on the south and the two rivers descending, one from Urupuan on the west, the other from Tacamburo on the east. Col. Potier would subsequently enter the rectangle with five flying columns—two coming from the banks of the Rio de Urupuan, two others from the Rio de Tacamburo, and the fifth from Taretan. Urupuan and Ario were already occupied by two Imperial garrisons, each of 150 men, with two mor tars. The enemy having unmasked his movement, by marching from Zamora under Zacapu, Col. Po tier left Morelia on April 3d with three columns, the Ist, under his orders, comprisihg the battalion of the 81st French Regiment and a part of Tapia's brigade the 21, under Lieut.-Col. Vandersmissen, consisting of the battalion of Belgian Grenadiers, half a squad ron of the Imperatrice Regiment, and one mortar ; and the 3d, under Major Tydgadt, of 25 Belgian Volunteers, half a squadron of the Empress Regi ment, and a mountain mortar. The two first co lumns met at Patzcuaxa ; the third xeceived orders to descend to Cuitzco and afterwards to Tacamburo to take up their position. Regules deceived the anti cipations of Col. Potier by marching from Zacapu to Cuitzco.. Lieut.-Col. Vandersmissen was sent to Chucandiro with general directions to always inter pose his force between the enemy and Morelia, but could not march quick enough to intercept the Jua rists, who each day made from 15 to 18 leagues. Regules, after entering Cuitzco, marched upon Ta camburo, closely pursued by the Imperialists. Not being embarrassed by any baggage, and command ing Indians indefatigable in marching, he succeeded in putting a distance of 20 leagues between himself and the enemy. Tacamburo, situated at the entrance to the Tierra Caliente of Michoacan, is surrounded on all sides by thick vegetation, little hills and ravines, so disposed that it is very easy to approach the place unseen. The church stands in the centre of the town, having a large open space in front. Major Tydgadt partered his troops in a co event near the church, and constructed a strong breast work before it, with an embrasure for a mortar. On April 11, about 5 a.m., Regules, well acquainted with the position by some of his partisans, entered all the avenues of Tacamburo at quick step, and his troops, numbering about 3,000, inundated all the streets like a torrent. Although surprised, Major Tydgadt preserved complete self-possession, con centrated his troops in the church, and disposed himself to resist an enemy more than ten times superior in number. The Juarists seized all the houses and posted two pieces of artillery in the great square, and a third upon an elevation com manding the town at a certain distance. From all the terraces they kept up a heavy fire, supported by ball and shells. Several sorties were made by the besieged Imperialists. Capt. Eugene de Lannoy, Lieut. Palmaert, and Sub-Lieuts. Petit and Van denbosch were thus killed at the head of their com panies. These sorties, however, only had the effect of momentarily repulsing the enemy without break ing his ranks, since the mass of men filling the square and the adjacent streets was so compact that the first ranks charged by the Belgians could not fly on account of the crowd pressing from behind. Tydgadt, although wounded in the shoulder, did not quit his post, and continued to give his orders. The Juarists, unable to overcome this obstinate resist ance, set fire to the church, the roof of which, being constructed of pine planks, was soon in flames, and fell in. Major Tydgadt, however, still refused to surrender, and took refuge in a sort of redoubt on the left of the church. The report says in conclu sion : " His small troop was weakened, and its ranks diminished every moment ; nevertheless, he ordered a fresh charge with the bayonet and received a second bullet, which pierced his arm. Captain-Adjutant Chazel heroically defended the entrance to the redoubt with a handful of men, until he fell mortally wounded, pierced by three bullets and a bayonet stab. The redoubt was set on fire. The mortar had exhausted its ammunition, and the enemy made head on all sides. Major Tydgadt had the greater part of his officers killed or wounded at his side. He was still eager to defend himself, but the combat had already lasted four hours, his men had no more cartridges, and he was forced to surrender. The losses were great. Captains Chazal and Delannoy, Lieut. Palntaert, Sub-Lieuts. Petit and Vandenbosch, Surgeon Lejeune, and Lieut. Nava, of the Imperatrice Regiment, were killed ; Major Tydgadt, Capt. De Schrymackers, Lieut. Carlot, and Capt. Gauchin were wounded. From 29 to 30 men of the troop were killed, but it is not yet possible exactly to state the number of wounded, as the enemy carried away with him all capable of being transported. " Colonel de Potier, pursuing his plan of campaign with out intermission, reached Tacamburo on the 16th, where he recovered Major Tydgadt, who died the same day, Capt. De Schrymackers, Lieut. Carlot, and 12 men wounded. The enemy had buried in the cemetery more than 100 of his dead, and abandoned 42 of his own wounded, among them two officers. At 1 p.m. on the 24th Colonel de Potier came up with Regules at Tanijuco. He skirmished with his cavalry to give the infantry time to arrive, then launched his columns at the centre of the Juarist line. After a desperate struggle he succeeded in forcing the line, in placing 500 of the enemy hors de combat, and in throwing the remainder into total rout. For five hours he pursued the fugitive bands, forcing them to leave behind over 700 stragglers or deserters, and to retreat to the most unhealthy portion of the Tierra Caliente, where it was his plan to shut them up. In this magnificent com bat of April 24 the squadron of French Hussars covered itself with glory in the arduous period preceding the arrival of the infantry. Tho Belgian Company, then under fire for the first time vied in dash and daring with the battalion of the 81st, and the artillery, directing its fire with re markable precision, constantly prevented the hostile lines from being re-formed." The report is dated Mexico, April 29, 1865, and signed by Ed. Pierron, Sub-Chief of the Military Cabinet of the Emperor Maximilian. " San Pedro, April 24, 1865 "Monsieur le Marechal,—l have the honour to acquaint your Excellency that at 1 p.m. I encountered the army of Regules, 3,500 strong, at Tanyuco, and that after a very brilliant and spirited engagement it was routed. I pursued this army from 2 p.m. to 7 30 p.m. with a continual fire of artillery and musketry, without leaving them an instant's respite, notwithstanding the heavy rain which set in at 3 o'clock. Nightfall alone saved the army of Rogules from complete destruction. The lossesin killed and wounded are 500 mon, and at least 700 deserters. We have to regret the death of 15 men, and have about 20 wounded, among whom is Captain Weber, of the Hussar squadron. "The Hussars behaved heroically, under the skilful orders of Captain Foussat, at the difficult movement which preceded the arrival of the infantry. " The Belgian company, which was under fire for the first time on this occasion, showed great xalour. "The 81st maintained as usual their brilliant reputation; the artillery displayed their wonted zeal; and were very successful in their fire. "To-morrow I shall continue the pursuit of Regules, in order to force him to return to the south. " Accept, Monsieur to MarCehal, " P. POTIER, the Colonel Commanding." CHY SEWERS COMMISSION. Yesterday, at 12 o'clock, the Commissioners of Sewers met at the Guildhall, under the presidency of Mr. Deputy and Under-Sheriff De Jersey. The court was occupied for some time in discuss ing a motion of which Mr. Cox had given notice in reference to the purchase of the houses Nos. 83 and 84, Newgate-street, for the purpose of widening that thoroughfare. The question has been under conside ration at previous meetings of the commission, and at the court held on the 17th of April last a resolu tion was come to " that no further proceedings should be taken in the matter." Mr. Cox yesterday moved that that resolution should be rescinded, and that " this court doth order that notices be served upon all parties interested in the said premises, to purchase and obtain possession of the same for the widening and improving New gate-street, in continuation of the line already begun therein." Upon a show of hands the motion was negatived. A division was taken, and 15 members voted for the motion and 15 against it. The chairman gave the casting vote against the motion, which was consequently lost. SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CITY'. Dr. LETHEBY, medical officer of health, reported that 241 houses had been inspected during the past week, and he submitted a list of 472 places for sani tary improvement in various particulars. He also submitted a list of places requiring further proceed ings, on account of orders already issued but not yet complied with. The markets and slaughter-houses had been duly inspected, and the officers had condemned 4,4811b5. .of meat as unfit for human food. It consisted of 9 sheep, 1 calf, 12 pigs, 12 quarters of beef, and 205 joints of meat. Most of it was tainted, but 774 lbs. were diseased, and the rest was from animals that had died from disease. Last week there were 52 births and 40 deaths registered in the City. The mortality returns were below the average for the corresponding week of the last nine years. Fourteen of the deaths were among children of less than five years of age, and nine among persons of 60 and upwards. The chief causes of death were as follows : —Phthisis 8, mesen teric disease 3, hydrocephalus 2, bronchitis 5, con tinued fever 2, scarlet fever 1, whooping cough 2, and infantile diarrhoea 1, making together 13 deaths from tubercular disease, 5 from inflammatory affec ticnis of the lungs, and 6 from diseases of a zymotic character. These returns indicate a satisfactory condition of the public health. THE GAS SUPPLY. Dr. LETIJEBY reported that the illuminating power of the gas supplied to the City during the past week had been above the requirements of the act, the power having been about 14 candles ; and, as re gards the chemical quality, the average amount of the sulphur in the City and Great Central gas had been above the quantity sanctioned by Parliament, and the amount of ammonia in the Chartered Gas had been excessive. Some other business was transacted, and the Court adjourned. TIIE PRITCHARD CASE.—We have it from good authority that Dr. Pritchard's trial will take place on the 3d July.—North British Mail. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—IIoIIoway's dPills and Ointment.— The Wanderer.—For all complaints ordinarily affecting mankind, whether internal or external, nothing can com pare with these peerless remedies. Young and old of both sexes may use them with certain success and perfect safety —they are equally efficacious in hot and cold climates ; no change of temperature or long keeping impair their curative properties, which never deteriorate, and are therefore especially adapted for emigrants and officers, or gentlemen whose pleasures or duties lead them to foreign countries and various climates. These remedies any man can safely prescribe, with the absolute certainty that he cannot do wrong. They purify, and purifying must be beneficial, not only for the cure of the present ailment, but for security against future disease. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS TIMES.-If a keen competition for parliamentary honours be any proof of vitality in a representative system, we may well place confidence in the stability of our own. Not many years ago, during the admi nistrative crisis of the Crimean war, there were some who lost faith, or affected to lose faith, in constitu tional government. An unfortunate expression let fall by the late Prince Consort was caught up by admirers of French Imperialism, and echoed by those who should have known better. Representa tive institutions were " on their trial," so the phrase ran, and the probability of their breaking down under the ordeal of a war was discussed, as though the history of centuries were unworthy of a mo ment's consideration. How these fainthearted pro phecies have since been falsified—how the Emperor Napoleon, wiser than his flatterers, has borrowed leaf after leaf from the constitution of this country —how Italy has been regenerated and Spain re stored to prosperity, if not to solvency, by imita tions of the same model—how representation has sprung into existence in Austria, has acquired new life inPrussia, and is no longer a forbidden mystery in the Russian empire, will hereafter be recorded among the political marvels of our age. Equally re markable, and still more contrary to expectation, is the fact that the House of Commons—that imprac ticable assembly, which Mr. Carlyle and his disciples were so fond of ridiculing—exercise at this moment a greater influence than ever upon the destinies of England and the world. More than two centuries have elapsed since Cromwell, ordering his soldiers to " take away that bauble," anticipated the views and realised the highest ideal of this modern school. Yet the English Parliament is still the heart of the body politic, and a seat within its walls is coveted with an ambition which, but for the progress of political vir tue, would produce enormous and universal corrup tion. If the house does not contain the very elite of the nation, the soundest thinkers and the ablest men of business to be found in the three kingdoms, it is exclusively the fault of the electoral body. Our columns are daily crowded with the names of hopeful aspirants ; but if we could publish those of disappointed suitors and of would-be suitors, who only abstain from making advances in sheer despair of success, the list would, indeed, astonish our readers. There are, probably, few Englishmen in the prime of life, - kith sufficient leisure, and duly qualified by fortune and education, who would not be proud to become members of Parliament, if they could but win the favour of a county or borough constituency. It is to the new candidates, whose theories have not yet lost their edge by Parliamen tary collision and legislative friction, that we natu rally look for advanced and suggestive ideas of Re form. Among these novi homines we observe the name of Sir Charles Locock, whose voluminous ad dress to the electors of the Isle of Wight appeared in our impression of yesterday. Sir Charles, how ever, though a young politician, is a veteran in his own profession, and comes forward as a good Con servative on an invitation from " the large land owners of the island." Mr. Thomas Hughes, who solicits the suffrages of Lambeth, is a candidate of a very different type. As a successful author and a professed friend of the working classes, he has earned a right to be heard on questions which affect their interests, but which demand. for their solution a disciplined and cultivated mind. We regret to say that we cannot accept the scheme proposed by Mr. Hughes, which seems to be neither more nor less than a resort to the Ballot and Universal Suffrage. As to the former, Mr. Hughes explained to his audience that he was " no great admirer of it," but was prepared to sup port it as a necessary adjunct to a large extension of the suffrage. This reason strikes us as singularly illogical. The grand objection to the Ballot is that, while it purports to secure the elector against being made responsible for his vote to an in dividual, it equally prevents his being made responsible to the public. Whether the former or the latter consideration should be paramount is a point which admits of dispute. There are those who regard bribery and coercion in their various forms as evils so transcendent and so in veterate, and have such confidence in the efficacy of the Ballot as a specific, that its tendency to weaken political courage and to deprive society of a safeguard against a large class of base motives count for nothing in their estimation. There are others, on the contrary, who, with Mr. Mill, re gard the illicit influences which the Ballot might help to check as constantly diminishing, and the mean self-seeking which it would certainly encour age as constantly increasing, and who, therefore, dread the remedy more than the diseaSe. Mr. Hughes's position is equally untenable on either side. He does not like the Ballot, probably appre ciating its effect in substituting covert suspicion for open scrutiny, and removing from the franchise the bracing restraint of public opinion. But, though he does not like it on a small scale, he would tolerate it on a large scale, combining it with a sweeping extension of the suffrage. Now, we freely grant that one popular argument for voting in public, viz., that electors are trustees for non-electors, would cease to be relevant if there were no non electors at all. Only it must be remembered that in such a state of things it could hardly be needed as a protection, while the sinister motives and in terests fostered by secrecy might be even more rampant than ever. How it " would insure the good working of an extended suffrage," though not desirable at present, we are at a loss to understand, unless Mr. Hughes suspects that the pressure likely to be applied by trades' unions and felow-workmen would be more unscrupulous. than the intimidation of landlords and customers. A graver exception must be taken to that part of Mr. Hughes's speech where he claims Mr. Glad stone's authority for a Reform Bill enfranchising " the largest possible number of the working classes." Assuming the proposition to have been unqualified, it is unfair to quote Mr. Gladstone as having declared that "every man not mentally' or morally incapacitated was entitled to the franchise." We have never concealed our dis sent from the doctrine involved in Mr. Glad stone's statement, but the statement itself fell altogether short of Mr. Hughes's principle. Mr. Gladstone's words were these :—" I say that every man who is not presumably incapacitated by some consideration of personal unfitness or political danger is morally entitled to come within the pale of the Constitution." Ilis mistake was that he ex pressed a presumption of which few would adopt the converse in terms capable, to say the least, of being confounded with the watchword of uncom promising Democrats, and that he left out of sight a counter presumption, in favour of the status quo, which no statesman would venture to repudiate. Still, he explicitly allowed considerations of political danger to be valid reasons for limiting the suffrage, and went out of his way to explain that he would be satisfied with such an extension as was contem plated in the bill of 1860. Mr. Hughes here deserts his leader, and dashes forward on his own responsi bility. " Oh !' but say some, this is manhood suffrage.' Possibly so ; but he was not to be scared by a mere word. He thought a manhood suffrage was far preferable to a brick-and-mortar suffrage." Without pretending to possess Mr. Hughes's intre pidity, we, too, are unmoved by mere words, and venture to challenge the meaning of this last anti thesis, formidable as it sounds. If its sense is that personal property as well as house property should be recognised as a qualification, or even that intel ligence and moral character are as good a title to the suffrage as either, we forbear to criticise it strictly. If it implies that a £lO rental is no better security for the honest exercise of a political privi lege than the circumstance of being a full-grown man, then we recommend Mr. Hughes to read the evidence given before a Select Committee of the House of Lords in 1859 on the operation of the municipal franchise. " Manhood Suffrage," more over, is something like an imposture if persons convicted of crime, and paupers, and those who pay no taxes, and those who cannot read or write, are to be excluded from the rights of humanity. These conditions are obviously so many qualifica tions, and the simple mention of them proves that we are still far from that social perfection which extreme Reformers presuppose as their starting point. PosT.—Throughout the civil war in America it was exceedingly difficult to reconcile the sympathies of the people of this country to the neutrality which the Government scrupulously observed ; and now that the reaction caused by a foul crime has subsided, and the assassination of Mr. Lincoln is almost forgotten in the measure of vengeance it has served to motive, the strain upon the public conscience is still more acutely experienced. We must not, how ever, deceive ourselves. No interference on the part of any foreign Power would be admitted in re ference to a matter on which it is competent for the Government of the United States to accept the entire responsibility of its action. Nor could the interven tion that might have sustained a nation avail to save the life of its Chief Magistrate. It only remains for us to hope that, seriously considering the issue and all it involves, the Americans will themselves perceive what is owing to justice and humanity, and to the civilisation of the epoch. It is utterly im possible to believe that Mr. Jefferson Davis was in any way implicated in the atrocious conspiracy which actually inflicted a heavier blow on the South than on the North ; and the elected President of sovereign States recognised as belligerent, and negotiated with in that character by the Govern ment of the United States, cannot he adjudged guilty of treason, or " constructive treason," what ever that may mean. Jurists and historians agree that civil war is not to be confounded with ordinary treason, and that the vanquished ought to be treated according to the rules, not of municipal, but of in ternational law. Hallam and Macaulay have both emphatically laid down this principle in refer ence to our own civil war, and, at least during the last fifty years, it has been acted upon by almost every European Power. When Venice capitulated the Austrians allowed Manin to depart in a French steamer • and although the movemen t which was repressed at Aspromonte clearly came within the scope of the municipal law, Garibaldi is residing in security and honour under the dominion of the Sovereign whose authority he indiscreetly dis puted. Mr. Lincoln's theory, that all communities, as such, possessed the inalienable right of determin ing their own form of government, need not be dis cussed. It is more than doubtful if, according, to the strict letter of the law, whether municipal or in ternational, Mr. Davis has violated the Constitution of the United States. However, for the argument, it may be conceded that the secession of the Southern States was, up to a certain point, techni cally an act of insurrection—that is to say, that until the Confederates in the field were recognised as the army of a belligerent Power by the exchange of prisoners and the like they might be regarded as rebels ; and on this head, as also with respect to the claims made in England for the losses sustained by the Alabama, it is important that Captain Semmes has been paroled. Indeed, the proclamations issued by the Northern Generals in the South, since the surrender of Lee and Johnston, sufficiently admit the position Mr. Davis's Government held in stating that persons now taken prisoners in arms will no longer be dealt with as belligerents ; and it must be remembered, too, that Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward personally entered into negotiations with accredited representatives of the Southern President. There can, therefore, be very little, if any, question about the law of the case, and none whatever as to the obvious requirements of policy. It is, no doubt, true in the main, as Burke said, that Governments will be tyrannical from policy when their subjects are rebels on principle. That is the situation in Poland and in Venetia, and the Washington Go vernment may attempt to impose it upon the sub jugated States of the Republic. It is a costly system even to Russia, and to Austria a source of weakness and exhaustion ; but that which is just possible to those Powers would be found to be wholly impracticable in America. Coercion and confiscation might answer their purpose for a time ; but it is preposterous to suppose that six millions of people can be permanently governed by brute force. The Northern fanatics who despise what they igne" rantly describe as the ", humbug chivalry of the South" are, of course, incapable of exercising all, political judgment. But there are others who shoul d know that the Ex-President would be powerless in exile. In France or England he could scarcely be to his own State what Kossuth was to HungarY• Lee is unquestionably the Garibaldi of the South, but on the scaffold Jefferson Davis would become its martyr. The heroic women of Virginia wouldteaeh her children to hold his name in reverence, and on thousands of desolate Southern hearths, and in thousands of bereaved hearts, vows would be maa,?, for another generation to observe and fulfil. It most idle to ignore the fact that all through the South the extreme penalty of the law on Mr. Dam would be considered as a judi c i a l mur der. sentence passed upon him would include a nation , and in dying he would breath new life into the cause it fell to his lot to support and suffer fer• Scorn and loathing and bitter hatred might be een: trolled for a while, and, at the same tune strengthened by subjection to circumstances. n ut " the reconstruction of the Union under the shade , the gallows is a wild and ghastly illusion. On ground of humanity there is nothing to be said. If justice and expediency are are not considered, mereY certainly will not be entertained. We confess we d° not like to look at the indicated action of ale': a country as the United States in this light ; b l the language held by the President leaves us I l° alternative. Mr. Johnson has, unfortunate- 1 3 7. / 1 to justify before the world an accusation which ;, c , is incredible, and the inference is disagree evident. He also, doubtless, seeks, to imPr e ", upon foreign powers his own ideas of the fo ra and firmness of the Government he is adminl; tering. The execution of the leader of a pee,P o whose gallantry commanded universal admirati c 4 would be a defiance of public opinion which migh t be acceptable to extreme Republicans. Eur°ri would have to go back to the latter years of the la! ! century to find a parallel deed, and the histori c „7 o incidents of that remote period could move her 1., appreciate the requisitions of a great military an u f naval Power. We are afraid that some feeling. ° ; this kind prevails on the other side of the Atlantle but if the Americans will allow themselves time I° ', reflection, they will, we are sure, apprehend th.w the conditions of empire have been considerablY a modified. There is nothing which the Unite d States may legitimately desire that England a n France would not wish to see her obtain—recon struction on an equitable basis, and the reconciliv tion of the divided sections of the community un der the revised constitution. But if the American public is about to enter again into the family of na tions in its entirety, with all the sovereign States in its hands, we may be permitted to hope that those hands will not be stained with the blood of a fallen and captive adversary. Magnanimity is the be% evidence of strength, and it also serves to insPi r confidence in its exercise. COUNTRY MARKETS -- -~f._._~~~, BRISTOL—TUESDAY. Under the influence of yesterday's market in 14fark-lane and the continued fine weather there is still a great dui ness in our markets. Wheat is offered at is reduction, f 4ll barley at 6d—and little doing at that. LIVERPOOL—T UESDAY. o f At this day's market there was a small a ttendanc e tho town and country trade, and little disposition to l t was evinced. Wheat and flour, with a slow retail sal, may be quoted ld to '2d por 100 lb and 6d per barrel lovie` on the week. Oats and oatmeal were difficult to ral although offered at a decline of pto 1d per bushel " ftt per load. Barley, beans, and peas sold slowly in re rather lower pricos. Indian corn, with few orders to 1 15' ; was neglected, although best Danube was obtainable at to 29s 3d per 4801 b. SIIEFFIELD—T VESDAY. f, tile There was a good show of wheat by sample, but supply in bulk was small. Trade was flat, and a de c ',;, - ,,, of about is per qr. took place. The business in 1)31. `,;:a, oats, and other grain was small, but late prices were 13—. 3 Red wheat, per load of 3 imp. bushels....lss Od to . 6 2 pd White do do ....16s Od . I ,': ot New red do do '6s 6d 3 ,‘: a 6d New white do do ....17s Od 1 ..`,'„" 6a Beans do do ....15s 6d " od Peas, per qr. . . Grinding ba ley, per qr. 30s Od 320 od Maltinebarley, ( o 32s Od 35$ ° a Oats, do 23s Od 273 F10ur....1s 6d to is 9d per 141 b. LEEDS—TUESDAY. OS 4 We have moderate arrivals this week. The lin s " ' passing in wheat to-day is exceedingly small ;in filo to , sales effected a decline of is per qr. had to be sumitted Oats rather lower. Other articles without change- The average , prices for the week ending May 2 9 1 1 0 '; ‘ , 1 . 01 Wheat, 43s id per qr. ; barley, 30 9id I • end 24s Od. MELTON MOWBRAY.—TuEsDAY. 1 0 , White wheat, 40s to 44s ; red, 37s to 40s per ou„ f , s , Barley for malting, 32s to —8 per qr ; feed, 25s to °u o irl 30 stone. Oats, 18s to 255. Beans, old, 41s to 4 10 ; 36s to 43s per qr. MONMOUTHSHIRE—MONDAY. '. ; it o t For the last six or seven days there has been a bat tendance of both buyers and sellers at the marketsto, to transactions have beon on rather a limited scale, ()w ill° the indisposition of buyers to give the prices asked . t 7.45 The following are the average quotations :—W 1 1,5, 10d to 5s 5d per bushel; barley, 2s lid to 3s 6d; °" 10d to 2s 6d. Births. 0 1 BECUER.—On the 28th inst., at Cpagh, Skibbereeel Emily Becher, of a daughter. ife 0 f BURNETT.—On the 28th inst., at Hampstead, theli G. H. Burnett, Esq., of a daughter. ~.,. th e FRANKS.—On the 29th inst., at Streatham-comel°— wife of Joseph F. Franks, of a son. w oo °f RENDALL.—On the 80th inst., at Notting-hill, th° M r4 t - 1 John Bendall, Esq., of the Inner Temple, barisl law, of a daughter. Marriage& Obi' ' Bitows—HAßmsoN.—On the 29th inst , at Eccleston - i.,i pet,Emily, u Ee t e e l r e lsyat:o und-n-psgqieauscate:ed,PaPiiinginihliilteieocro. of, Henry ly . Bot:ouivanrri, Ea 11 1;1 niO ,5Y, BAILNARD—PLAYER.—On the 29th inst., at St• 13 -v1 . 45e: ( . 1 Gravesend, William Barnard, Esq., of Mucking, -";00(1. to Mary Anne Player, of Hutchinson-place, Ciln've s Deaths. „of l' ALLAN.—On the 29th inst., at Po tford, John A- ,l° ',,Vh•tbi , Leadenhall-street, Lonon, and of Hernpsyko, "" 1 Yorkshire, aged 75. rclen - BARBER.—On the 29th inst., at 86 , Kensington -5°- tot , square, Richard MEsq., o• .a. JP Myer Barber, o f linion-c° Holborn-hill, aged 40. BAREELL.—On the 26th inst., at Turnham-groonl r. Barrell, aged 69. - r , e eso l ' LEESON.—On the 27th inst., at Kensington , John - Esq., aged 61. So d LAWRENCE.—On the 28th inst., at Dublin, Williara Lawrence, Lieut. 9th Lancers, aged 29. rcih d. PAINE.- -On the 29th inst., at Dye House, ThursleY, Paine, Esq., aged 60. Ole Wimmorr.—On the N inst., inst , at Thornton don, Miss Mary Willimott, aged 93. ----- __----- 4 _______— _,.,.,-4,01 ( '' London : Printed and Published by WIL LIAM ALI v 0 1. 2 1 of No. 112, Strand, riinter, at THE SUN Offic, iftity of Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the o" Middlesex.—Wejnesday, May 31, 1865. I i 1 ,