The Sun. — London, England, 1848-02-09 00:00:00

r i Z:btrb 11.bition SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. IMPERI A. L PA RLIAM ENT. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair to-day at Twelve o'clock. Mr. BARCLAY took the oaths and his seat. NEW WILIT FOB DUBLIN. On the motion of Mr. HAMILTON, a new writ was ordered to issue for the University of Dublin, in the room of the Right lion. Frederick Shaw, who since his election had accepted the office of steward of her Majesty's Chiltern Hundreds. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Mt. MUNTZ presentedtwop - etition; from Bir mingham in favour of the Bill for the removal of the Ja'.vish disabilities. Mr. Sheriff CUBITT presented similar petitions from Andover. ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL. Mr. C. ANSTEY presented petitions from the Roman Catholics of Leicester, Cowes, Penzance, Ox ford, and Bury, in favour of the above Bill. MR. ANSTEY'S MOTION. Mr. C. ANSTEY gave notice of his intention, in consequence of the counting out of the House last night, to renew his motion as an amendment upon the motion for going into Committee of Supply. THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD. Mr. URQUHART having, a few days since, pre seated a petition from Stafford, praying the House to adopt some measure by which the dignity of Spiritual Peers would not be impaired, wished to know from the Right Hon. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to advise her Majesty to call the Bishop of Hereford to the House of Peers ? Sir GEORGE GREY said that by the provisions of the Bill creating the bishopric of Manchester the time had not yet arrived when the Bishop of Here ford would be called up to the House of Lords, that statute providing that the last consecrated bishop, with the exception of the Bishops of London, Win • cheater, and Durham, should net have a seat in the House of Lords. DROPPED NOTICES. The following notices were re-appointed for to morrow :—Select Committee, to consider of the best mode of providing additional room for works of art given to the public or purchased by means of Parlia mentary grants :—Lord John Russell, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Hume, Viscount Morpeth, Mr. Goulburn, Mr. Baring Wall, Mr. Charteris, Earl of Lincoln, Sir Benjamin Hall, Viscount Granby, Mr. Parker, Mr. Wakley, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Vernon Smith, and Mr. Bankes ; and the Jewish Disabilities Bill: Adjourned debate on the second reading. DESTITUTE POOR (IRELAND). On the order of the day being read, Mr. P. SCROPE rose for the purpose of asking the Secretary for Ireland whether any and what legal proceedings had been taken against such boards 'of guardians or relieving officers as had neglected the duties imposed upon them by the Act 10 and 11 Vic., c. 31, of affording due relief to the destitute poor. The Hon. Member considered the subject was one of very great importance, as in consequence of the great distress in Roscommon and the western parts of Ireland, it was absolutely necessary that the measures provided by the Government should be carried out without distinction. It appeared from several accounts that the utmost distress prevailed, the workhouses were crowded to repletion, the fever hospitals could not accommodate the whole of the patients, and the ganla were almost all of them un able to contain the numbers sent to them. In one of the gaols in Galway, which was built to accommodate 150 persons, there were actually upwards of 900 persons contained within its walls. He did not ask the Government to relieve by any fresh measure this fearful state of things ; all that he required was that the Government should see the measures which they had aiready provided effectually carried out. The people of Ireland were in most cases ignorant of the provisions of the law, and of the duties of the relieving officers under the Poor law Act passed in the last session. It wits the intention of the Legislature that the measure pa• sed last year should be a compulsory one, and that the property of Ireland should be compelled to support the poverty of the country. If it was not intended to be compulsory, what justification could there be for the Government discontinuing the system of relief which they had carried on for some time, by which 3,000,000 of persons, or about one-third of the whole population of the country were reEeved? The circular of the Poor-law Commissi' ners informed the boards of guardians that they were compelled to relieve the starving poor. The Lord-Lieutenant had himself stated that the poor had now a right not to starve. The Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, in opening the Limerick Special Commission, also took occasion to say that the measure passed last session took away all apology for crime, as the poor were nuw entitled to be relieved. What was the mode in which that law had been carried out ? For the union of Ballinagh, in the county of Mayo, it appeared that in September last 65,000 rations were daily distributed. What must have been the condition of the poor people of that union when those rations entirely ceased ? A rate of 13,8681. was declared necessary for the support of the poor, but only 868/. had been collected, and during four months among the defaulters was in cluded the names of some of the highest rank of the county of Mayo. The defaulters had been written to by the Commissioners, telling them that the rates must be paid. The system of eviction and clearance was in the mean time being care ied on to a most alarming extent. According to the evidence of Mr. Tuite, one of the Society of Friends, it appeared that upon every land might be seen the agents driving the poor people from their miserable dwellings, pulling down the houses as soon as they left, and then refusing the wretched people admittance into the workhouse, a right which was given them by the Act of last year. In one gentleman's estate, upwards of 1,000 persons had been evicted, and this gentleman was at that time a defaulter in his poor-rates to the ameunt of 481. Another portion of the barony of Ennis belonged to a gentleman named Bingham, who was down in the list as a defaulter for 1191. 3i. Bd. Now what was the condition of Mr. Binghsm's tenants at the time ? Why it appeared from the " Blue Book" that man v of them were in a state of aleolute starvation, IN bile others had died on their way to Ballinagh, where they were goirg to seek for relief or work. In this district the re had been no such a thing as an outrage committed, an d it was di•gracJul to find such a state in of things es tles existing it. Mr. HUM E rose to order. The Hon. Gentleman, if he was nut mistaken, had given notice simply of a question, and he put it to the good sense of the Hon. Gentleman, whether it was fair to go into such a statement as this in the absence of any previous notice. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN said the matters which the lion. Gentleman was bringing under the jr conside ration were of an urgent nature, and he hoped the Hon. Gentleman would not allow himself to be persuaded to delay his statement till a future day. Sir GEORGE GREY did not wish the House to imagine that Government were not prepared to answer the statements of the lion. Gentleman, but he put it to the Hon. Gentleman wheel; r, considering that several lion. Gentlemen ha ; given notice of substaative motions up on this subj-ci it would not be better t o postpone his sta!eMen ' t till one of those motions came before the House. Besides , an im portant question hail been fixed f or di scuss i on to• day, and it would be inconvenient to many Hon. Members if it were not gone into at once. Mr. AGLIONBY must a lso jo in his entreaties to those of the Right Hon. the e.ary of State to the e llon. Member, not to allow hie statementgland di to delay .110Zwnalto the - the discussion on the Ne as many Hon. Members had come d House fully prepared to go into that question. Mr. P. SCROPE said, having gone so far into his statement, which was one of great importance to the country, he hoped the House would allow him shortly detain the few minutes lon ger, to complete it, and he would promise to d • - House but for a very didduring not ' thel'g amount lastich B i!i tai : i hear.) There was one l owthaesrtuhneiocnavtaonwEeriejin h( be allowed to refer. had a valuation of 150,000/. few trying months the rate The distress in the , c oalrliedc y te e d t, to more than 11d. in the pound. and many deaths district was most appa ll i ng, from starvation had occurre d, and yet many of the landed proprietors. had made default in paying the rates. But he had to complain m ore of the con duct of the board of guardians than of the rate - payers , for they h a d allowed many poor creatures to die of starvation by their neglect of duty. In one case the child of a poor woman died of stiirvation, and upon a coroner's jury returning a verdict to that effect, the Poor-law Commissioners commanded the board of guardians to inquire into the case. The board, how• ever, neglected to do so, and in less than a month afterwards the woman herself died of starvation, and what he wanted to know was, vi hether the law they bad recently passed was to be carried out in this negligent manner ? Had such cases as these oc curred in this country, the overseer . would have been 'Able to severepunishment asa cri minal offender, and . - the Government whether the ime E -__. _. n Ireland or not ? el b11V141114 (Hear, hear.) .--- ;1 7 / 1 r., &VI. .ssl !flake allowances for the poor,. with Aet i ,: ,,, , , _ , h,--- m ,' ',f1i . e,. , -Orsti , of Ireland were r 4, . ;lilies vi .ineynv .. i ty and distress had urged filleadnd fori now '-1 .theriv-o n to coterni 2 And he would ask why m: en taken against the - bo ard sures, had nnt:`" 'c of-----41,40ianis nd relieving officers for the sitglecti ordie duties imposed upon them by the - Act a riciliapent for the relief of the poor, THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 9, 1848. ! the want of which relief, he had proved, so many had died within the last few months, and were now I dying? Sir W. SOMERVILLE, in reply to the Hon. Member, said the Government were resolved to leave nothing undone Iro enforce the payment of the poor-rates, and that they had already taken effective measures for that purpose. They had divided the unions which were too large,. and ap pointed separate inspectors for each division, and separate workhouses, and they had no doubt that those proceedings upon the part of the Government would tend to a better state of things in Ireland ; and most likely the reports which he should next lay on the table would show that the poor-law system worked more satisfactorily. Mr. FEARGUS O'CONNOR expressed his satis faction at the conduct of the Hon. Member for Stroud for bringing forward a question of so much importance to Ireland, and also for the calm, able, and dispassionate manner in which he had discussed the subject. He was happy to find that English landlords were now beginning to entertain an intense feeling in all matters connected with Irish distress. He was thankful for every measure which was proposed by her Majesty's Government for the relief of the Irish poor, and he agreed with the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland, that the complicated machinery of the poor-law was repulsive to the Irish character, and difficult to bring into operation. From his experience of the country he was of opinion that the Govern ment had done wisely in taking away a great portion of the patronage of the landlords, many of whom were now, in fact, paupers themselves, a n d w h o h a d t u r ne d out the tenants upon their estates. He was much gratified to see, by a publication in the newspapers, that Earl Clarendon was in favour of the small farm system, and if the Government would assist him in carrying out such a project, they would have few complaints of distress in Ireland. On Tuesday next the whole question of tenant right would come before the House, and he would reserve such suggestions as his experience justified him in making on the subject until that evening. In conclusion, he had to tender his thanks to the Hon. Member for Stroud for the able manner in which he had at all times advocated the interests of Ireland, and begged to assure him that his conduct was most gratifying to the Irish people. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN rose for the purpose of again, if possible, making an appeal to the Govern ment not to let an inquiry so important to the inter ests of Ireland drop until some good resulted from it. He lamented that nothing had yet been done with respect to waste lands in Ireland, and he trusted that the Goverment would do something upon the subject. He thought the present machinery of the poor-law in Ireland was greatly defective, and required revision and great consideration at the hands of the Government. The suggestion he had made in the course of the last session had not been attended to, and he considered it the duty of the Government to bring forward some measure on the subject. The people of Ireland ought not to be allowed to perish for want of food, as they had done. Nr. H. DRUM NIOND protested against questions of this sort being brought forward without any notice ; and in doing so he begged it to be under stood that he was as anxious as any man to attend to the complaints of Ireland. Sir B. HALL thought that bringing forward subjects like the one now under discussion at the present moment was ill-timed.l Mr. REYNOLDS said that the present subject was far more important than any discussion on the New Zealand Bill could be. The people were dying by thousands in Ireland, and it was necessary that something should be done for their relief. After sine observations from Air. S. CRAWFORD the subject dropped. EPIPHANY QUARTER SESSIONS BILL. Mr. PACKE moved the second reading of the Epiphany Quarter Sessions Bill. The object of the Bill was to postpone the holding of the Epiphany Sessions for three days, which he believed would be productive or great convenience to all parties, especially to the witnesses and magistracy. Sir G. GREY opposed the second read;ng of the Bill, believing that the inconvenience that it sought to remedy would be more than counterbalanced by the inconvenience which would be occasioned by the provisions of the Bill if it was allowed to become law. Sir J. PAKIN G TON trusted that the Bill would be withdrawn, believing with the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Home Department that inconvenience would be increased, and not diminished, by the Bill. Mr. BANKES supported the second reading of the Bill, considering that its provisions, if carried into effect, would be productive of good, and would incon• venience no one. Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD opposed the second reading of the Bill, because it sought to alter a measure that had heen brought forward and became law with the sanction of some of the first legal autho rities in the realm. He thought the House should pause before they sanctioned a measure which was likely, in his opinion, to lead to very serious conse quences, to say nothing of the extra time which the prisoners would have to be confined, merely for the sake of affording a little extra convenience to the magistrates. Mr. SPOONER thought that if the Bill were sanctioned it would give the magistrates, in the dis charge of their duty, the advantage which the best talent of the bar could afford it. The Bill was not introduced with a view to afford any convenience to the magistrates. Sir J. DUCKWORTH was of opinion that the better course would be to withdraw the Bill, and not make any alteration in the existing arrangements with respect to the holding of the sessions. Mr. PACKE said that, considering the feeling of the House on the subject, he thought it would be only right for him to withdraw the Bill. The Bill was accordingly withdrawn. NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT BILL. On the order of the day for going into Committee on this Bill being read, The Earl of LINCOLN appealed to the Presi. dent of the Board of Trade, and trusted that he would not insist upon pressing the question of going into Committee on so important a measure as the present. He thought that the discussion ought not to be taken upon a sitting on Wednesday, and espe cially in the absence of the First Lord of the Trea ,ury and the Under-Secretary of the Colonies. It was most important that the business of the color) , of New Zealand ought not to be allowed to be 44 slurred" over in a hurried or imperfect manner. Mr. L :.I.I3OUCHERE said that the Government had great difficulty in bringing before the House the consideration of those measures which it was neces sary for them to do. They had but two nit;lits in the week, and even they were generally- broken in upon by other business. Under these circumstances he hoped the Noble Lord would excuse him if he expressed a hope that the House would allow him to go into Committee on the Bill at once. Mr. GLADSTONE said that he would allude to one or two important points in the provisions cf the Bill. Upon the best examination he could make of the enacting portions of the Bill he thought that they were of a very unusual nature, but such as, upon the whole, he thought the circumstances of the case required. With respect to the suspending por tion of the Bill, he could not see why the constitution of 1846 should be sus pended for a period of five years, instead of being at once repealed. The constitution of 1846 was a mere paper one, it had never found its way among the inhabitants, it had only existed as a speculative and theoretical question. He did not know that they were possessed of any affirmative evidence that this constitution would be a proper one to form in New Zealand five years hence,—(Cheers.) Ile thought that such a provision would tend only to fetter the opinion of the House upon a future occa sion. He thought the more honest course would be to say that as the Governor had acted upon a mis taken policy in exacting that constitution, they would take the opportunity of considering with a matured judgment the nature of any proceedings that might be hereafter adopted on the subject of a constitution. In the meantime they could recom mend the repeal of the existing constitution. These were not matters of party opinion; it would be a sin against the first principles of humanity if it were so.—(Hear, hear.) He did not wish to commit himself finally to any course of conduct which he might pursue. When the treaty of Waitangi was concluded, it was li.nricirstocd that the rights and property of the natives assur e d th the land would he recognised, and he wished to be 1 that the di s p a t c h o f Lord Grey in reference to thedispos a l of public lands respected to the full that interpretation of the treaty. The peace, if not the posses s i on , of the island was involved in this part of the question, and h cautious that n o breaceh hoped Government would be of good faith in respect of this treaty was committed of Lord the natives.— (H e ar.) The instructions ordGrey appeared to him to confine the right of the natives to property could in the land to cases where theyrove that they had occupied it for the purposes oflabour, i and upon these instructions re st e d his doubts and apprehen sions for the pr os p erit y of the c olony. 'These i in structions were opp osed to the co rrect and liberal interpretations interpretations of the treaty he had just alluded to, and if in future the natives were only to be entitled to such lands as they had improved by their labour, he very much feared the peace of the colony would he seriously endangered. T he Bishop of New Zealand had been censured by the Colonial Secretary for protesting against any infringe ment of the _treaty of Waitangi, and upon looking over the dispatch containing th e c ensure, it appeared to him th at the censure was founded upon the suppo sition that the protest was addressed to the natives as well as to the Governor of the colon Now, he wished Governm en t t o expla i n, i n justice y to . the Hight Bev. Prelate, whether the protest was made public or not. He admitted that to make such a protest known to the natives was highly censurable, but he doubted much whether the Right Rev. Prelate made his views upon the treaty of Waitangi known to any other party than the Governor. He had already put the House in possession of the fact that he agreed with the construction placed upon the treaty by the Right Rev. Prelate, and it now remained for him to assure Government that adopting a liberal and generous in terpretation of that treaty would do far more to pre serve the colony to this country than the operation of a force, howsoever great its numbers might be. The papers that had just been received from the colony bore him out in the opinion, for it appeared from these papers that the in structions of Lord Grey to the Governor had caused great excitement amongst the loyal por; ion of the in habitants of the island, and he hoped, without further detaining the House, he had said enough to induce Government to give him an assurance that in future their acts should not be calculated to disturb the peace of the colony, but should be regulated by the principle which secured a fair and liberal interpretation of the treaty of Waitangi. He trusted, in conclusion, that theßight Hon. Gentle man (Mr. Labouchere) would give a satisfactory and explicit statement with regard to the observations he had made upon the subject of the dispatch. Mr. GLADSTONE in answer to a question from Mr. Miles said that the whole gist of his observations referred to the northern part of the island, excluding the southern slice which was separated from it. Mr. LABOUCHERE said he could assure the Right Hon. Gentleman that it was the intention of the Government to carry out faithfully every treaty and engagement which they had made with respect to the colony of New Zealand. He alluded with great pleasure to the very favourable accounts which had been last received from the colony, and which showed that the natives were not untract able and unruly, but readily submitted to the habits and customs which had been introduced, and ably filled all occupations in which they had been em ployed. He was glad to find that the Right Honourable Gentleman did not object to the ab stract doctrine of Earl Grey with regard to the occupation of land by the aborigines. The Honourable Gentleman, however, seemed to think that it was the intention of the Noble Lord in his dispatch to limit strictly the right of holding pro perty of the natives only to such lands as they had improved by their labour. On the contrary, he (Mr. Labouchere) believed that it was intended that the natives should have land granted to them, whenever they could show a bona fide right, without limiting that right to land improved by them. The Governor would have an opportunity of using his discretion in introducing the new institutions into the colony during the next five years, and at the lapse of that time they would have sufficient experience as to their efficacy, and doubtless the subject would then again be brought before the House. With refer ence to the observations relative to the Bishop of New Zealand, he believed it true that the Bishop considered that the measures proposed by the Go vernment were unjust to the natives, and in sending his protest to the Government he distinctly stated that it was his intention to excite the dissatisfaction of the natives to the course the Government was dis posed to take. He considered that under such cir cumstances the most prudent course for the Secretary of the Colonies to take, was to take steps to preserve peace in the colony. Mr. GLADSTONE believed that the Bishop of New Zealand had not adopted such a course, although he had threatened to do so. Mr. LABOUCHERE was happy to hear that he had exercised so sound a discretion; but he thought, after what had been been stated by the Bishop, his Noble Friend Earl Grey was fully justified in the course he had adopted.—(hear, hear.) He trusted that the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite was satis fied, after the statements he had made, that it was the intention of the Colonial-office not to take any step with regard to the question of waste lands inconsistent with the rights of the natives of New Zealand, granted under the treaty of 'Waitangi.—(Hear, hear.) The principle of the Bill now before the House was to suspend the constitution of New Zealand, but at the same time to enable the Governor of the island, when he thought fit, to introduce the constitution, either wholly or in part, as he thought best. Such was the principle of the Bill; its great object was to give to the colony the blessings of free institutions, and he believed if the principles of Governor Grey were allowed to be carried out such great benefits would be obtained, and that that dis tant colony of the Crown would ere long fleurish as a free and intelligent community. Sir E. BUXTON felt much gratified at the state ment of the Right Hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade, that the treaty of Waitangi was to be upheld to the full extent, that was, in the light in which the natives of New Zealand understood it. He trusted that the Government would act upon the principles enunciated by the Right lion. Gentleman, notwithstanding any interference which he was fearful might be attempted by the New Zealand Company. If the Government adhered to those principles he felt con vinced they would ensure the peace and happiness of New Zealand. Mr. AGLIONBY, as one of the members of the New Zealand Company, felt bound to make a few observations. On the behalf of-that company he begged for investigation into all they did; and he could assure the lion. Baronet, if he was desirous of obtaining information with respect to that company, if he would apply to him or any other member of the company, he would have it. The company wished for nothing but publicity to all they did. Governor Grey in his report, which was the founda tion of the Bill, said he was not aware of any circum stance which should prevent the introduction of the proposed institutions into New Zealand; and he also stated the settlers on the Cooke's Straits district had settled their differences with the Government, and that a better and more tractable body of settlers could not be found. Mr. CARDWELL said the question of peace or war depended upon the spirit cf the instructions given by the Government to Governor Grey. Ho con tended with reference to the discussion abou: the Bishop of New Zea'and that no proof had been given that he had been guilty of inciting the dissatisfation of the natives of the colony. The explanation of the president of the Board of Trade on the subject was far froni satisfactory. If the Government intended to act in a proper an I laudable spirit they might look forward to thlt improvement in the colony which ha.l been anticipated by them ; but if they neglected to do so, another state of things would be the consequence. With regard to the Bill before the House, he said he considered that something ought to be done in the mat ter, and having denied the imputations cast upon the Bishop, which he said were not warranted by the evidence submitted, he should not offer any opposition to the House going into Committee on the Bill. The Earl of LINCOLN said the whole discussion which had taken place had reference only to two points—waste lands and other lands in the colony— but with regard to the propriety of the Bill—the operations of which mere to extend over five years no discussion had taken place at all, and he had to offer a suggestion that the Chairman should merely take the chair pro f)rmd, and that the discussion be taken on the Bill on some future occasion. Mr. LABOUCHERE said he was sorry to meet the Noble Lord's suggestion with a refusal, but he could not kelp hoping that the House would g-.; into Committee on the Bill at once. Earl LINCOLN said, in that case he should raise a discussion on the bringing up of the report, and reserve his right to move an amendment to it. Mr. SCOT I' expressed a hope that the Government would postpone going into Committee on the Bill. By the treaty of Waitangi the shadow of the land only was transferred to the Queen of England, but the substance remained with the natives. If, there fore, Government adopted steps that were opposed to that principle they would commit a breach of good faith and endanger the safety of the colony. If the spirit of that treaty were permanently departed from the natives would inevitably raise a warfare against the British settlers, and it must be manifest to Govern ment, from the disparity in the numbers of the British forces, that the result of such a contest would be most disastrous to the lives and interests of those of her Majesty's subjects who had settled in the colony.--(Hear, hear.) He, there fore, hoped the Colonial Department would pause before thoy called upon Captain Gray to carry out to the letter the instructions contained in Lord Grey's dispatches, and try the experiment of treating the claims and demands of the natives in a liberal con scientious spirit.—(Hear.) Mr. ADDERLEY said the question which had been raised by this incidental debate was one of great importance not only to the colony of New Zealand but to the mother country, and he hoped on another stage of this Bill Government would afford the House an opportunity of going fully into the provisions of the treaty of Waitangi and the expediency of inter preting it in candid and generous spirit.— (Hear.) Mr. C. ANSTY contended that the rights c l aimed by the natives under the treaty of Waitangi were not only fonnded in reason and justice, but strictly in accordance with the laws recognised by this country. It was therefore not only morally unjust, but unquestionably illegal, to depart from the condition of the treaty. Much had been said about casual and permanent occupancy of the land by the natives ; but was it right, or in accordance with the laws of the country, that one of th e contracting part i es shou ld h ave t h e power of deciding whether the occupancy had been casual or permanent ? Certainly not ; and unless he had an assurance from Government that the terms of the treaty would be construed in a liberal sense, he should oppose the enactment of this Bill. To give time to Government to consider the expe diency of their making such a pledge, he would move as an amendment that the Bill be committed this day week. No lion. Member, however, seconded the amend ment, and it fell to the ground. The House then went into Committee on the Bill. On the first clause, suspending the constitution of New Zealand for five years, being propesed, Mr. HUME moved that the tet rn of suspension be only three years. Mr. LABOUCIIERE said it might give rise to difficulty and inconvenience if the amendment were adopted, and he therefore trusted that it would not be persevered in. Mr. AGLIONBY said that he did not think that the dispatch of Governor Grey warranted the sus pension of the constitution in the southern parts of the colony. Mr. LABOITCHERE said that the 4th clause of the Bill gave power to the Governor to grant con stitutions in the Southern part of the Colony if he thought proper, and he thought that the matter had better be left to the discretion of the Governor. The Earl of LINCOLN apprehended that no power was given in the 4th clause to Governor Grey to grant the constitution which was suspended by the Ist clause. He had power to grant a provin cial legislative council, but that was a very different thing from the constitution which was suspended by the previous clause. Mr. C. BULLER apprehended that the Legisla tive Council would be in all respects similar to the Constitution. The Earl of LINCOLN denied that such would be the operation of the clause. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL contended that the clause would bear the construction put upon it by the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Trade. Mr. LABOUCHERE moved that the Chairman do report progress. The Chairman reported progress, and the House adjourned at ten minutes to Six o'clock. ELECTION COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) YARMOUTH. The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the truth of the allegations contained in the petition complaining of the return of Lord Arthur Lennox and Octavius E. Coope, Esq., for the borough of Great Yarmouth, met, for the first time, this morn ing, in the Committee-room, No. 22 ; Mr. Seymer in the chair. The Committee having passed the usual resolutions, Mr. Sergeant WRANUHAM opened the case of the petitioners, who sought to unseat the Members re turned, on the grounds that either they or their agents had been guilty of corrupt practices in bribery or treating. Now, upon the register of the borough of Great Yarmouth there appeared the names of 1,800 voters, 1,000 of whom were freemen. It was discovered that two days previouly to the no mination, Lord Arthur Lennox received, through the Post-office, a bulky registered letter, which it was conjectured contained a number of bank-notes, and the suspicion was strengthened by the fact, that upon the same day his Lordship transacted business at a well known "Red" banking•house at Yarmouth. There were other suspicious circumstances connected with the election, which placed boyond all doubt that bribery and corruption were freely resorted to by the " Reds," Lord Lennox's party. For instance, 155 freemen who voted for the Blues in 1841, at the recent election, voted for the Reds while the general results proved that 513 freemen voted for the Reds as against 370 for the Blues. One batch of voters offered to sell their votes to the Blues at a certain price, but the offer was refused, and they immediately went over to the Reds, and the proofs which the petitioners were prepared to put in would fully sub stantiate that it was by bribery alone that the sitting Members for Yarmouth had obtained their return. Mr. Thomas Clarke, a notary public at Yarmouth, stated that he took part in the proceedings of tke election on behalf of his friend, Mr. Goldsmid. He understood that the canvassers of the Reds were Mr. Ferrier (a brewer), Mr. L. Preston (a timber merchant), Mr. William Greene (a rope maker), Mr. Stagg, Mr. John Latham (a banker), Mr. Cob!e, and Mr. Sergeant Goring, who acted as the com mittee of the Reds, and held their meetings at the Angel, in the market-place of Yarmouth. On the morning of the election he went to the Angel, when he saw a man named Solbey, who had promised to vote for Mr. Goldsmid. Solbey was in the bar quite drunk. Mr. Preston, a barrister, and Mr. John Latham, the banker of the Reds, were in the bar at the time with him. Solbey was a freeman, and while he was in the house he ob served a uumber of persons who appeared to be freemen waiting for their turns to be admitted into a room, the door of which was guarded, and subse quently he saw Lord Arthur Lennox go to and fro from the Angel to the polling booths with batches of these persons. Mr. Samuel Salter, a traveller in the drapery line, and another witness gave similar testimony, and the Committee afterwards adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow morning. NAVIGATION LAWS.-PROCES SION OF SEAMEN.-(THIS DAY.) . . _ _ The deputation from the different ports -of the United Kingdom, to place in the hands of Sir George Grey the seamen's memorial, praying her Majesty to refuse her assent to the repeal of the navigation laws, proceeded this morning from Shadwell, accompanied up the river by a very large body of seamen in a " boat procession," the imposing effect of which was marred by the stormy wind, which blew ahead the whole of the way, and rendered it impossible to preserve the order and compactness necessary for the grandeur of which the display might have been capable, and which it was intended to produce. The boats were divided into three squadrons arranged in single file, and each division towed by a steamer. But the unfavourable wind and tide obliged a number of boats to separate, and stay behind. However, two or three thousand seamen were landed at Westminster-bridge, and proceeded in tolerable order with a band, and numerous flags, to Trafalgar-square, where, after a short rest, they were again marshalled, and attended the deputati , to the Home-office. In passing the Admiralty and the Horse Guards the procession halted, while their band played at each place " Rule Britannia," after which three times three cheers were given by the crowd of sailors and spectators, for the army at one place and for the navy at the other. We have seen many crowded processions through the metropolis conducted in more military style and order, we have never seen one of such numbers less attended by any considerable inconvenience or blameable disorder. The police exerted themselves with much good humour to prevent contusion, by the pressure of the crowding spectators upon the members of the procession. The deputation, consisting of Captain Mathews, of South Shields, Captain Dunn, of Sun derland, Captain White, of Belfast, and several gentlemen from other ports, was received by Sir George Grey at half-past four, when he undertook to present their memorial to the Queen. VALE OF NEATH RAILWAY. (THIS DAY.) The fourth ordinary general meeting of the share holders in this company was held this morning, at the offices of the company, 449, West Strand ; Lord Villiers in the chair. The SECRETARY read the report, which stated that at the general meeting held on the 25th of February last, that the South Wales Railway Company had consented to subscribe for 6,389 shares in the Vale of Neath Railway Company, but in consequence of some ambiguity in the wording of the Act of 1846, which rendered it doubtful whether this arrangement could be legally carried out, the directors had, at the request of the South Wales Railway Company, applied to Parliament for a confirmation of this subscription, and a Bill had been introduced for that purpose. The directors intended to apply for the full extension of time allowed for the completion of the works by the new General Railway Act. In consequence of the continued depressed state of the money market, the directors had not thought it right to press on the works on the line with that rapidity which they could otherwise have wished. The report stated that Mr. R. F. Gower had re tired from the board. The engineer's report did not give a very satis factory statement with regard to the progress of the works, delay having been occasioned in obtaining the land ; but all obstacles, he stated, were in a fair way of being removed, so that they might proceed with the letting of the contracts for the completion of the main line. The total amount of receipts up to 31st December, 1847, was 104,9701.; the total amount of pay ments, 30,081/. ls. ld., leaving a balance of 74,8841. 18s. 1 ld. the CHAIRMAN stated that the great object of the directors had been to husband the resources of the company as much as possible until a more favourable state of things should arise. They had entered into two contracts for the construction of about eight or nine miles of the railway, which they expected would be open for traffic by the beginning of next year, and these contracts were of a most satisfactory description. They intended to apply for an extension of the time allowed by the Act tor the purchase of land, and the completion of the works, but that would'have no injurious effect upon the prosperity of the company, as a great por tion of the traffic on the line would depend upon its communieation with others which had applied for similar powers. A SHAREHOLDER asked when the directors intended to make another call ?. The CHAIRMAN said that, in all probability, the directors would have to make a call before the month of June. He could not state whether it would be necessary to make two calls this year. The report was then received and adopted. The directors who retired by rotation were re elected. Mr. T. Wayne was re-elected auditor of the company's accounts. A. vote of thanks having been passed to the chair, the meeting separated. COMMON PLEAS.—(THIS DAY ) (Sittings at Nisi Prins, before Chief Justice WILDE and a Special Jury.) DUKE OF BRUNSWICK V. SLOMAN AND OTHERS. In this action which was brought to recover da mages for a trespass committed by the defendants, it, breaking open the door of the Duke of Brunswick's residence, and obtaining a forcible entrance into it fur the purpose of serving a writ of fi. fa., and the trial of which occupied the ijourt nearly the whole of yes terday and to-day. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff for 7201. MARLBRO'-STREET—(THIS DAY) Elisha Royal was placed before Mr. Hardwick, charged with creating a disturbance at the house of Mr. Edward Cavendish, No. 2, Great Pulteney street, Golden4quare. Complainant said, about eleven o'clock last night, the defendant and another man came to his house, and asked to see a lady by the name of Simons. Complainant said there was no such person residing there, but that a lady by that name sometimes came there for letters. The defendant replied that was all humbug, he knew she was there, and he would see her. Complainant assured him he was mistaken and requested him to leave the house ; he refused to do so and made use of such horrible and abominable language that he was obliged to send for a constable and give him in charge. The defendant, who made a very rambling defence, was ordered to find two sureties in 201. each, and enter into his own recognizances in 401. to keep the peace towards complainant for the next two months. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 8. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT Lord J. RUSSEL fixed Friday week (the 18th) for the financial statement. REGISTRATION FOR IRELAND. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN, seeing the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary for Ireland in his place, wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government to bring forward at an early period of the session a Registration Bill for Ireland ? Sir WM. SOMERVILLE said that it was the intention of the Government to bring forward such a measure as early as possible. CAPT. DENMAN'S CASE. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in answer to a question from Mr. Urquhart, stated, after reading a long correspondence between Sir Fitzroy Kelly and himself, that it was not the intention of the law officers of the Crown to require the assistance of Sir Fitzroy Kelly in the case of Captain Denman. CONDUCT' OF THE LORD-LIEUTENANT OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Mr. G. BERKELEY wished to know from the Right lion. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether two petitions addressed to her Alajesty by the electors of the western division of Gloucestershire, and also another similarly addressed by the mothers and daughters of the same division, had been received at the office of the Right Hon. Baronet ; whether it had been presented to her Majesty, and if so, whether copies of the pe titions had been sent to the Lord Lieutenant, and an explanation demanded from him ? The Honourable Member read some correspondence which showed that the receipt of one of the petitions had not been acknowledged. Sir GEORGE GREY said he was not en abled to add anything to what he stated yester day. It appeared that one of the petitions had not been acknowledged, but on inquiry he found that the reason of this was, that Mr.Woitehall, from whom the petition had been received, had called at the Home-office, and its receipt was there acknowledged to him. He (Sir G. Grey), however, directed a letter to be sent. He had no doubt the petitions were duly laid before her Majesty like all petitions entrusted to him for presentation. Copies of the petitions had not been sent to the Lord Lieutenant, neither had any explanation been demanded of him respecting his conduct. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Thomas Duncombe for two months, and Mr. Ludlow Bruges, on account of ill-health. NAVAL AND MILITARY ESTABLISH MENTS. Mr. HUME moved for a return of the number of seamen, distinguishing the number of marines and boys, voted in each year since 1829 to 1847, in clu sive, stating the total number of each class, and the number of each actually employed in each year (in continuation of account in the appendix to the Finance Committee of 1828.) Also an account co tripari son of the supply for army, ordnance, navy, and miscel • laneous service fur each of the years 1828 to 1847 ; and of the number of men, distinguishing the charge fur the effective establishment, and for half-pay and pensions of the army, ordnance, and navy, in each of those years (in continuation) ; and also a return of the number of commissioned officers in the royal navy, on the Ist day of January, 1828, in each class, from lieutenant to admiral ; also, the number of each class struck off the list by death, or by any other causes, in each year from 1828 up to the Ist day of January, 1848, both inclusive; the numbers of each class that have been promoted in each year during the same time, to show tho increase and decrease of numbers of each class in each year. Agreed to. NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. Mr. HUME called the attention of the House to the state of the returns made to a motion which he made some time since for an account of the sums of money laid out up to the present time on the con struction of the new Houses of Parliament. The return in question was only calculated to mislead Hon. Members as to the real expenditure which had been made.—(Hear, hear.) He wished to know from the Hon. Member for the University ufOxford (Sir R Inglis) when it was his intention to move the ap pointment of the committee on the subject of the new Houses of Parliament, of which he had given notice previously. Sir R. INGLIS said that if it were the pleas ure of the House to support him in the appointment of a Committee, he would bring forward the measure—he could not say exactly upon what day—it certainly would not b e an y d a y in the present week. SALARIES AND FEES OF THE COURTS was anxious to proceed with the adjourned debate, he hoped the lion. Gentleman would not persevere in his motion to-night. Mr. STAFFORD as the mover of the amend ment under discussion last night, begged to state that from the communications he had had with Honourable Members on his side of the House, he could assure the Hon. Member for Youghal that it was the wish of that si of the House that the adjourned debate should close this evening. He therefore most strongly appealed to the Hon. and Learned Member for Youghal to postpone his motion. Mr. C. ANSTEY said, before he proceeded to answer the appeal of the Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down, he thought it right to state that he had not been fairly dealt with by the lion. Member for Montrose, because the Hon. Member had made a similar rt quest to him in private, when he gave him a satisfactcry answer, and now the Hon. Member had repeated the question, with the assistance and support of a number of impatient Members, who were anxious to proceed with another subject. He told the lion Gentleman in private, and he now told the House that he could not consent to postpone his motion. He had assured :those Hon. Members that, let the consequences he what they might, he would perse vere in his motion, and on the faith of that statement several lion. Members who intended to be present du ring the discussion on the Jews Bill had left the House ; he therefore must say, most respectfully, to the Honourable Member for Montrose that it was impossible for him to accede to his application. Lori J. RUSSELL fully admitted that it was perfectly competent for the Honourable Member to proceed with his motion if he pleased, but if he did so he must understand that he pursued such a course against the wishes of the House.—(Hear, hear.) It was for the public convenience alone that he had asked the Hon. Member to postpone his motion. Mr. C. ANSTEY was perfectly aware of the responsibility he incurred in persevering in his mo tion. He was sure, when he informed the Noble Lord that his motion was likely to affect not only his colleagues but himself, that the Noble Lord would at once admit the importance of the subject, and would be the last man to attempt to prevent his bring ing it forward. He did not undervalue the impor tance of the Bill under discussion before the House, he would not deny that it was a national measure, but before he sat down he would undertake to satisfy the House that the motion he was about to bring forward was far more important and of greater consequence than the Jewish Bill. The subject he had to bring under the notice of the House was foreign aggression abroad and treason at home. He could not have conceived until this day that any servant of the Crown could wish to postpone till a future period the decision of so important a question as that which he now brought forward. As far as he was concerned the question of personality between hint and the Noble Lord was quite put out of the way. It was a very painful duty which he had to dis charge; he had to present to the House the condition of a country ruined, her treasures lavished, her blood spilled like water, her policy made the scorn and laughing-stock of other countries, and all this brought about by one person who acted in defiance of all laws, and that person whose conduct; he was about to bring before the House was the Hon. Member for Tiverton (Lord Palmerston). The preservation of their Indian possessions and their colonies from the ambition of Russia depended upon the decision which the House should come to upon the questions contained in his motion. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman then proceeded to call the atten tion of the House to the course of policy which had been pursued by Russia, and the immense strides which that ambitious power had made during the period that had elapsed since 1772 ; and pointed out the gigantic territories which she had acquired in Europe and Asia in that interval. The other powers of Europe had each their principles to maintain, but Russia had no principles to maintain—she only had ends to realise. At one and the same time she was represented by agents at the Tuileries and at the Court of St. James's. He would trace the course of the Noble Lord step by step, which was at first cau tious and concealed, but latterly, when his name became known to Europe, and his power established, was clear and open. He should enumerate the mate rial points of his policy, and should establish in every case a violation of the laws of this country, of the law of nations, and of the laws of nature and of God. Having established, on satisfactory evidence, the guilt of the Noble Lord in the variety of in stances he should enumerate, he would then show that such had been the consistent tenor in all this cri minal conduct, that it was impossible for the mind to arrive at any other conviction than that the whole was proof of concert and design—concert with the enemy, and design upon the part of the Noble Lord, so that the opinion must be irresistible that the Noble Lord had added to all the other crimes which, in the exercise of his functions, he had committed, that of high treason ; not constructive treason, not such treason as was charged against Mr. Fox, but wilful and delib rate treason. At this moment the Noble Lord to whose hatels the interests of this country were confided was under the necessity of going on in the even path of consistency ; because the Noble Lord well knew that the moment when he paused would be the moment of his discovery and downfal. The Noble Lord's policy from an early period, nearly, in deed, coeval with his own accession to office, was such as to draw ,upon him the approbation—the secret, end therefore, it might be suppssed, sincere approba tion, of the Russian Minister. It would b e in th e rec Alection of the House that in the year 1829 the Government of this country, then conducted by the Duke of Wellington, was sedulously, and on the whole successfully, engaged in vindicating the rights and ho nour of England against the aggression and usurpations of Russia in the East. The Secretary of State for Fo reign Affairs, who at that period was Lord Aberdeen, finding that, contrary to the obligations of foreign treaties, Russia was using the treaty of London of 1825 or 1826 for the purpose of her own territorial aggrandizement, intimated to that power, through her ambassador in this country, that the British Go vernment not only would not sanction such aggran dizement, but would, if necessary, resort to its right of enforcing against Russia the stipulations of the treaty of London. The hopes and fears of the Rus sian Cabinet were at that time represented by Prince Lieven. The Noble Lord the Member for Tiverton, on that occasion, took upon himself to vindicate the proceedings of Russia, and reproached the English Government of that day for interfering with the policy of the Court of St. retersburgh. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman then referred to a private letter written by Prince Lieven, at that time the Russian Ambassador here, to his own Government, complaining of the policy pursued by Lord Aberdeen, and referring with satisfaction to the sentiments re cently expressed by Lord Palmerston, in a speech delivered in the House of Commons. In the course of that speech the Noble Lord objected to the in tegrity of the Turkish empire being considered an essential part of European policy, and he declared that by timely concessions on the part of Turkey, to the just demands of Russia, the occurrence of war might have been prevented. Well, in 1830, the Noli'e Lord came into office, but in the meanwhile the French revolution had broken out, and had in spired the people of this country with a strong desire for Parliaieentary reform, and for a close and intimate alliance with France against all other Christian powers, and especially against Russia. Accordingly, from November, 1830, no more speeches were heard from the Noble Lord in defence or vindication of the just demands of Russia upon Turkey. The Noble Lord, though his connexion with the Whigs was but recent, came in for a share of their popularity, and the people believed that he would not sacri fice the interests of England to Russia, and that he would concert with France, now become our natural ally, the measures necessary to effect their common object. But the policy which the Noble Lord had defended out of office was nevertheless silently pursued in every part of the world where there were Russian interests to be promoted and English interests to be sacrificed. Before going out of office the Duke of Wellington had protested against the treaty of Adrianople, and Lord Aberdeen had ob tained a pledge from Prince Polignac that the expe dition of the French to Algiers should not lead to any territorial aggrandizement on the part of France. The Hon and Learned Gentleman then proceeded to say that if it was wished to prevent our East Indian possessions from passing out of our hands, they must do so by the adoption of another line of policy than had hitherto been pursued. At that moment Russia dared not make war upon them, or refuse any demand they might please to make upon her. All her efforts, however, were directed towards the quiet extension of her jower. In 1833 Turkey found herself engaged in a war with her vassal, the Pacha of Egypt. He would not stop to inquire how the Pacha was pushed on by Russia in this matter, but he might say no doubt was en tertained of the fact in the Foreign-office among those then charged with the conduct of foreign affairs. The I'orte, unable at that time to resist the aggres sions of Mehemet Ali, found it necessary to call in assistance, and accordingly, on the faith of treaties, application was made to the Noble Lord to give the protection which was required. The Noble Lord refused this protection. Russia then offered her assistance, but her offer was declined by the Porte. Another application was made to the Noble Lord, and again was it refused. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman was proceeding to point out the conse quences which afterwards followed the insurrection of the Pacha, the movements of the British force in the Mediterranean, and the manner in which the question was settled, when An HOji. MEMBER moved that the House be counted. The gallery was accordingly cleared, and there being only thirty• nine Members present, the House stood adjourned at a quarter past Seven o'clock. TIIE COMMERCIAL BANK OF LONDON. A special meeting of the proprietori was held yester day, et one o'clock, at the offices of the bank, Loth bury—John Taylor, the Deputy-Governor, in the chair—for the purpose of electing three directors in the room of those who had resigned. A dividend at tip rate of 6 per cent. per annum for the half-year having been declared, • Mr. BARNWELL proposed and Mr. OXENFORD seconded the election of Mr. Charles Dickson Archibald in the room of Mr. John Shewell. Air. HoextrisoN proposed Mr. Henry Cooper in the room of Mr. Henry Cornfort. 111 r. REN NIE, jun., proposed, and Mr. CLAY, M.P., seconded, the election of John Alfred Chowne in the room of the former. The gentlemen proposed having been elected, and having severally returned thanks for the honour con• ferred upon them, The CHAIRMAN briefly addressed the proprietors. He sail he had great pleasure in stating that the progress of the bank bad been very 'satis factory since the directors had the pleasure of meeting the proprietors at the last annual meeting in July. The times they had passed through since then had been very difficult to encounter, and most portentous in their character. He supposed that at no period within their recollection had such remark able changes taken place in the value of securities, and, in fact, of every kind of property, as during the last four or five months of the past year. During that year they had Consols at 94, and also at 79 ; they had also Exchequer-bills at 152 premium and 37 discount. All the great articles of general use and consumption, such as sugar, cotton, and indigo, had, he believed, declined in value 25, arid some as much as 40 per cent. Under these cir cumstances, of course, the directors were obliged to exercise peculiar caution in their transactions, and be was happy to say that at no period—not even during October or November—did the balances diminish to a greater extent than about ten per cent. from the highest amount at which they were during any period of the last year.—(Cheers.) He had, therefore, unfeigned pleasure in stating that during the last half-year the gross profits of the bank were as large as they had been in the same period in 1846, for although their balances were somewhat less, yet the higher rate of interest which they had found it necessary to charge had made up the difference.—(Cheers.) He could not but expect that they had had some losses during such a period as the one they had passed through ; but he was happy to inform them that these losses were of no importance, considering the amount of business now transacted by the bank. The bad debts had been mu-th less than might have been expected, considering the commercial embarrassment that had prevailed. In one respect they had been peculiarly fortu nate ; as, seeing in some measure, the coming pressure, though he did not pretend to say that they foresaw its extreme intensity, they, in September, soli a considerable portion of their Exchequer-bills and other stock in order that they might be prepared to meet any demand that might be made upon them, for the directors were most desirous to give all the accommodation and assistance to their friends which they were en titled to receive at their hands. They had since re bought a large number at a price considerably below that at which they had sold them, so that instead of sustaining a loss, they had been enabled by the transaction to add something to the profit and loss account. Since the beginning of the year the progress of the bank had continued equally satisfactory, for, during the month of January they had opened 50 new accounts.—(Cheers.) He trusted that these short statements would prove satis factory to the proprietors, and that they would not consider that his recital of them had unnecessarily occupied their time.—(Cheers.) A vote of thanks having been awarded to the Chair man and directors, and suitably acknowledged, the meeting separated. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, FED. 8. STOCK EXCHANGL—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lanca shire, and Cheshire, 5% dis.—Ditto, 311. Shares, 5% c. die. —Ditto (late C. and B.) 17%—Eastern Counties, 15% Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock, Halves, B%—Great Northern, 6 dis.— Great Western, 171. Shares, I % p.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, 201. Shares, 6% dis.—Lancashire and Yorkshire (late M. B. and IL ), Fifths, % p.—Ditto, Halves (late L. and B ), 8 dis.—Leeds and Dewsbury, Halves, 2 1 ,. t dis.— Leeds and Thirsk, 15 dis.—Londoa and North-Western, 148 —Ditto, New Quarters, 6% p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolns Quarters, No. 1, 1 ,4 p.—Ditto, Preference, par —Midland, 40/. Shares, 45%—Ditto, Halves, 1 dis.—North StaiYualshire, % p.—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4,1% dis.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N.E. Purchase), 2 p. OF LAW. Mr. AGLIONBY moved that all petitions which had been presented to the House, praying for inquiry into the fees imposed upon the suitors of the High Court of Chancery in England, in pursuance of the powers contained in the Act 5 and 6 Vic., c. 103, be referred to the Committee on Fees and Salaries in Courts of Law and Equity.—Motion agreed to. MASTERS IN CHANCERY. Mr. AGLIONBY moved for a return, showing the date of the appointment of each of the present Masters in Ordinary in Chancery, with the ann ua l amount of each of their respective salaries, and when paid ; also stating whether any and which of such present Masters were under any and what Act or Acts of Parliament entitled, upon retirement, to any and what retiring pension ; and also stating whether any and what masters in ordi nary have, since the year 1880, retired upon any and what retiring pension, and for what periods the same were respectively paid and received. Motion agreed to. NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. Mr. OSBORNE said he understood the estimate for the new Houses of Parliament was 1,400,0001., and he wished to ask the Noble Lord the First Com missioner of Woods and Forests, whether he had any objection to lay upon the table of the House a detailed account of the estimate; and also whether the Woods and Forests were responsible for the amount? Lord MORPETH replied that the Hon. Gentle man had correctly stated the amount of the estimate, and he trusted the architect would be able to carry it out.—(Hear, and laughter.) Mr. OSBORNE said, after the answer just given by the Noble Lord, and considering that they had a deficient and sinking revenue, he was entitled to put a question to the First Lord of the Treasury, and he begged to ask if the Noble Lord waa prepared to check this enormous t e h a a p r H d o i t u n s r e e n t n h a a s t s n w r a a s n oe going tha t o n n o , m a o nd re i t f h h an e 1 7 4 7 ( 1 d ,ooo gi ve as specified in the estimate, should be spent upon the building. Lord J. RUSSELL could say no more than what had already been stated by his Noble Friend, of course he could mt undertake to be responsible for the estimate of an architect. Mr. OSBORNE said, then he would give notice that on the earliest opp or t un it y h e cou ld ca ll t h e at tention of the House to the subject. MR. C. ANSTEY'S MOTION. Mr. HUME submitted to the Hon. Member for Youghal whetter, considering that an important debate on a national question had been adjourned to that night, it was prudent in him to bring forward a motion, containing forty articles, every one of which would give rise to an ordinary day's debate, to the interruption of the adjourned debate. He did not shirkingmake this request with the view of th e questions likely to be raised by the Hon. Gentle man 's motion, because he was most anxious that they should be debated, but he could not promise him a patient hearing on that occasion, and seeing that the House MANCHESTER, Pam 8. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lanca shire, and Cheshire Junction, 5 7-16 dis.—East Anglian, New Pref . , rence, c.—Eastern Counties, 15%—Great Northern, G dis.—Lancashire and Yorkshire, Fifths, 7-16 p. —Ditto, Sixteenths, Oh— itto, 321. S ha res, 4% dia.— Ditto (WeA Biding Union), c. dis.—Manchester, Shef field, and Lincolnshire, Preference,.l-16 p.—North Stafford shire, 9.16 p.— Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, 14% is.— Scottish Central, 30—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A ), 3 dis.— South- Eastern and Dover, 31'4—Ditto, No. 4, dis. _ _ LEEDS, FEB. 7. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—There has been a moderate ainouat of sales to-day at the annexe prices :—Ambergate, Notting• ham, and Boston, 4bs. dis.—East Lancashire, 21 1 ,4—Ditto, New, 3% dis.—Ditte, Quarters, 17s. 6d. a dis.—Great Northern, 5 7 / A dis —Lancashire and Yorkshire ( West Riding Union), 2 1 ,4 dis —Leeds and Dewsbury, 4% n. dis.—Leeds and Thirsk, 13/. Bs. 9d. dis.—Ditto, Preference (new scrip), 1% dis.—London, Brighton, and South Coast, 39r.—Malton and Driffield Junction, 4 3 / 4 dis.—North British, Thirds, Is. p.—Ditto, Quarters, .ss. dis.—Ditto, Extension, Is. dis.— Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 3 3 / 4 dis.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick, Ne. 2 (New Berwicks), 3 1 4 p. BIRMINGHAM, FEB. 8. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties, 16 York, Newcastle, and Berwick, Extension, No. 1,4% p.— Ditto, No. 2, 31. 3s. 9d.—Ambergate, Nottingham, and Bos- ton, 2 1 4 dis.—North Staffordshire, 13s. 93. it. —Shropshire Union ,2y dis. ex int. HULL, Fan. 8. STOCK EXCHANGE —The sales are—Ambergate, Notting• ham, and Boston, %—East Anglian, Preference, 8d die.— North British, Quarters, IA dis.—Ditto, Extension (scrip), 1.. dis—North Staffordshire, 12s. 6d. p.—York, Newcastle,. and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 21A P. YORK, FEB. 7. STOCK EXCHANGH.—The sales are— Great Northern, 41. 14:‘. &I.—lpswich and Bury St. Edmunds, 9—Ditto (Nor wich ), 6i,: 2 —North British, Halves, 12!4—Ditto, Quarters, 51. 6s. c.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick, Extensions, No. 1, 19 3 / 4 -I)itto, No. 2 (late New Berwieks), 131. 6s. 3d.— Ditto (G. N. E. Purchase), 10/. Bs. 9d. MEETING OF THE UNION BANK or LIVERPOOL. —Yesterday. (Monday) the thirteenth general annual meeting of the shareholders of the Union Bank was held at tho Clarendon-rooms, for the purpose of receiving the directors' report. There was a very numerous attend ance of proprietors. Edgar Garston, Esq., occupied the chair. Mr. Lister, the manager, read the report, which stated that the directors, at their last meeting, had ex. pressed a hope to have an increase in the surplus fund from y ear to year, hut the calamities in which the,com mercial world had been involved had caused them, in -lead of adding to the surplus fund, to take from it that year 20,0001. The paid-up capital was 300,0001, the number of shareholders, 269. On the 31st December, 1846, the reerved surplus was 50,000/. to which add the oft profit fir the year 1847, 42,2771. 13s. 2d.; total, 92,2771. I3s. 2d.; from which deduct two half-yearly dividends of four per cent. each, 22,3761„ and income tax. pail by bank, 833/. 45., Id.; total, 23,2091. 4s. Id., which deducted, left 69,068/. 9s. Id. Carried to the contingent fund, as a provision for bad and doubtful debts, 19,0681. 9s. Id , and for the present reserved sur plus fund, 20,0001.; total, 39,0681 9s. Id., which de ducted, leaves the present reserved surplus fund 30.000 L The directors recommend that the rate of interest in future be reduced from 8 to 6 per cent. per annum till the surplus fund should amount to 60,0001. The report was adopted, and resolutions in accordance with the suggestions of the board unanimously agreed to. — Liverpool Mercury. [ADVERTlSBMENT.] — Extraordinary Cure of a Disordered Liver and Stomach, by Holloway's Pills.— "To Professor Holloway. Sir,—Seeing that the Earl of Aldborough was cured of a liver and stomach complaint by means of your Pills, I was induced to try them ; and I have the satisfaction to inform you that your Pills have certainly in a very short time done wonders for me in a similar complaint, when calomel and other medicines at last failed to give me any relief. I send you my name and address, but would rather you would not make them public." N.B. This communication is from a counsellor or barrister of great eminence of the Inner Temple, whose letter would be shown to any respectable person.— Sold by all druggists, and at Professor Holloway's esta blishment, 244, Strand, London. BIRTHS. On the 8d inst., at erove;nmoni House, Isle of Man, the Lady Isabella Hope, of a son. On the 4th inst., at Saltford, near Bath, Mrs. J. A. Holmes, of a daughter. On the sth inst., at Bayswater, the wife of the Rev. C. Smalley, jun., of a son. On the sth inst., at Upper Eccleston -place, the lady of Warner Charles Higgins, Esq., of a son. On the bth inst., at Aldermanbury, Landon, M rs . Willi am Watson, of a daughter. onthe6th inii., at Kingston-upon-Thames, Mrs. Jem [nett, of a son. . On the 6th inst., in York-place, City-road, Mr& John Bishop, of a son. t.M . the 4th inst., at Devonshire-road, Wandsworth-road, Mrs. Stephen eourne, of a daughter. On the sth inst., at Acton House, Acton, Middlesex, Mrs. John Weld, of twins, daughters. Ox the sth fast.. at Upper Southwick-street, Hyde-park, Mrs. Jeffery Ludlam, of a daughter. MARRIED. On the th inst., at Whippingham Church, Isle of Wight Fetherston Stonestreet, Esq., LLD., to the Baroness Marie Von Hammerstein only daughter of the late Baron George Von Hammerstein, of Hanover. DIED. On the 2d inst., at Stanmore, Middlesex, Joseph Soames, Esq., aged 42. On the 3d inst., Mr. Edward Wentowrth, of Whitechapel road. On the 4th inst., at Euston-square, Miss Martha Sykes. London : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, at No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112 Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the cou n ty cf Middlesex, Wednesday, Febrnaly 9, 1848.