The Sun. — London, England, 1848-02-18 00:00:00

Vtirti 121*ton SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock . ELECTION COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) KINSALE. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) Bridget Heeley stated that she was a servant, in the service of Mr. Murphy, of Kinsale. She remembered that shortly after the last election Dr. Jago called upon her :master and paid him some money. She believed that it was for voting against Mr. Watson. The witness was proceeding to state in cross-examination that her master was greatly reduced in his circumstances, or he would not have voted against his own prin ciples. A question was was then put to the witness, as to whether she did not remember the priest saying something about the election shortly before it took place, but before she had time to answer she fainted away. Mr. A. B. COCHRANE interrupted the proceedin g s, remarking that the fainting of the witness was preceded by a severe glance that an individual standing in the crowd had cast towards her upon the question being put. It had already been intimated that the individul was the Roman Catholic priest stationed at Kinsale, and if ho did not immediately retire without further intimidating the witnesses by his looks and gestures, the Honourable Member hinted that he should feel it to be his duty to move that he be taken into custody. Mr. CRIPPS and Sir J. AI:TAGGART, two other Mem bers of the Committee, said they had remarked the con duct of the priest, and concurred in what had fallen from Mr. Cochrane. A stern-featured personage, who appeared to apply these observations to himself, slunk out of the room, and the proceedings were resume]. Several witnesses deposed to having bad money offered to them to refrain from voting. The Committee then adjourned. LYME REGIS. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) Several witnesses gave similar testimony, and the Committee adjourned. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of Feb. 18.) SUGAR.—To-day the home trade were more inclined to operate in Raw Sugar, merchants also manifested more firmness, and less freely supplied the market. OR the part of exporters, however, little disposition was shown to do business. Of West India Muscovado the private sales were 180 hhds and trcs, whilst the rates ob tained are equal to those that existed previously; re finers as well as grocers showing more desire to operate. The total sales for the week are 1,010 hhds and tree. The market for raw sugar closes with a firm aspect. REFINED.—To-day Refined goods were dealt in with more freedom by the home trade, Standard lumps at 545, and brown grocery 53s per cwt. Bonded Crushed Sugar is wanted at former rates. _ MAußlTlus.—This afternoon there was more inclina tion shown to make purchases in Mauritius Sugar. At public sile three parcels amounting to 5,788 bags, 353 casks, and 12 barrels were offered, consisting chiefly of good and fine yellow sorts. The whole sold, and at fully former rates. EMIT INDIA.—This afternoon two parcels Bengal Sugar, amounting to 2,931 bags, were offered at public sale, but a small part only found buyers at full rates;— Benares, very fine white at 47s 6d, fine 45s to 46a 6d, good 14s to 45s 6d, middling 41s 6d to 425, damped and washed 40s 6d to 47s ; 1,266 bags consisted of low brown, and were taken in at 29s per cwt for sound. FOREIGN.—To -day full rates are asked for all sorts of Foreign Sugar, and none was offered at public sale. The private operations for the week are 300 hhds Cuba Muscovado at 38s to 395, and 200 cases of brown add yellow Bahia 35s to 38s per cwt. COFFEE. —This afternoon holders of Native Ceylon were more inclined to realize, and 900 bags at auction sold is per cwt under former rates, really good ord bold went at 34s to 34s 6d, damaged 30s 6d to 33s 6d, triage 295. The market is quiet for Plantation, and prices are looking down. 200 bags at public sale were sold, low middling 48s 6d, fine fine 43s to 455, fine ordinary 395, good ordinary 35s 6d, pea berry 48s, and damaged 34s to 36s per cwt. The total sales of Padang by private treaty are 3,000 bags for the week at 27s 6d. TEA.—Today the public sales were brought to a conclusion; the trade again operated with reluctance in all sorts of Tea, and in some cases the rates taken were rather under those of yesterday. Of the total quantity offered, amounting to 16,300, only 6,900 pkgs were actually sold upon the following terms :—Congou, fair common at 8d to 81d, middling 9d to Sid, good lOid to ls, fine is 21d to is Souchong, good 1144 to Is lid, Caper, in boxes, scented is 0 4 -1 to is 1,1, Orange Pekoe, scented 11 ,1 d to llid, in catty boxes Is 6d to is 64d, Twankay, common Bd, fine 10d to 114 d, llyson ordinary is 4d to is 44d, fair is 6id to is 84 1 d, fine 3s 31d, Young llyson, ordinary Canton 8d to is Old, good and fine is 31d to 2s qd, Imperial Canton 10d to is Old, good and fine hyson sort is 41d to 2s 31d, ordinary is 2d, Gunpowder ordinary to fine Is 9d to 4s, and Canton is to is 6id per lb. - Sexes. —A favourable opinion is yet entertained to wards Pimento, supplies are modsrate, and the demand having been active this week, we have to announce a further rise in the value of id per lb. The parcels offered at public sale were all sold, and amounted to 463 bags, By private treaty several parcels have been taken, and the stock hero is nearly all in second hands. There is a falling off in the supply of Black Pepper at market this week, and having a good demand privately, prices tend upwards. White is wanted, but not much is to be obtained. In Nutmegs the sales made privately are upon a more extended scale, and holcrs display firm ness. None has been offered at auction. Mace sells more readily, and at stiffer rates. For Cloves the demand is getting brisker, but prices re main much the same as_ previously curreuL.g4t-la"Yea.k t e 7 n ?,7,r, rolikht alter, but as the supply at market is small, buyers are compelled to pay 62s to 725, according to quality. A large parcel will, however, be de clared for public sale shortly. Cassia Buds are scarce, and held for the high rates of 93s to 100 s, but there are few buyers. For Cinnamon better prices are not to be obtained, a !fair demand, however, has been experienced this week, but supplies are good. Ginger met with little attention this week from exporters or the home trade, and holders ex perience difficulty in getting former rates. SALTPETRE.—The market for rough has a dull ap pearance, and 2,455 bags of Calcutta at public sale to day were all taken in 6d per cwt. under former rates, good strog grey small crystal 5} to 41 per cent. refrac tion at 303, middling ditto 11 per cent. 295, 13i ditto 28s 6d, not refracted 28s, the damaged, however, sold at 24s to 27s 6d per cwt. SPIRITS. - Prices cannot be quoted higher for Jamaica Rum, but there has been a brisker demand, chiefly from the home trade. The sales for the week are 200 puns, fair quality 27 to 33 per cent overproof at 33 8d to 3s 10d, middling and good middling 34 to 36 over 3s lld to 4s, good and fine 30 to 33 over 4s 2d to 4s 4d. Leeward Island is in good demand at the former value, and the sales aro 250 puns at is 8d to Is 9d proof. In East India the sales are upon rather a more extended scale. On the part of holders of Demerara there is firmness, and buyers operate more freely, paying 2s 10d to 3s 4d for 28 to 36 per cent over proof. Brandy is in fair demand, and last week's rates are well sup ported. The deliveries are good, and arrivals keep small. Geneva sells slowly at 23 3d to 2s 4d for ordi nary, and at 33 to 3s 4d for fine. The value of British Corn Spirits is 103 per gallon net cash. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships InPt at Five o'cicck. The Bishop of SALISBURY presented several petitions against the admission of Jews into Parlia ment. Messengers from the Commons brought up several Bills. PAUPERS. Lord HATHERTON moved for a return of all paupers who shall be chargeable in any parish or union in England and Wales on the 25th of March, 184%; distinguishing adult males and females and children under 16 years of age ; distinguishing also those chargeable to parishes and those chargeable to unions ; and distinguishing further those who are relieved as vagrants, tramps, and wayfarers. The motion was agreed to after a sh)rt discussion. The Duke of RICIIMOND presented a petition from Glasgow against the Bill for establishing diplo matic relations with the Court of Rome. Lord HARDWICK said it was very desirable that the House should know whether it was the in tention of Government to, resist the motion of which be had given notice, and he begged to put that ques tion to the Noble Marquis the President of the Council. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE was not in a position to answer the Noble Lord's question. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TUE COURT OF ROME. On the question being put for going into Commit. tee on this Bill, Earl FITZWILLIAM said he highly approved of the principle of the measure. It was of the utmost importance that this country should have an accredited agent at the Court of Il thought no man could lookwhat t e' and was at he present going at going on in many parts of buropewitnhnoubtetbweehe)ng convinced of this. A struggle was g absolute Governments and free institutions, sad when he rem em b ere d th a t th e P ope wa s f av ourable to the party w h o su pp or t e d th e latter mode of Government, he could not help thinking that it was their bounden duty to give him the support of such a measure as this. But what could be more important to this country than being placed in a position to communicate officially with the Pope of Rome on the subject of his relations with her Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects, particularly with those who resided -in this country, and being, therefore, a supporter of the principle of this Bill, and ready to vote for going into Committee to consider its provisions, he was anxious to throw out a suggestio n that the objections of some of its opponents might be obviated by changing the phraseology in which it was worded. Lord .CA2APBELL, in answer to a call from the Noble Earl who had just sat down, could assure the House that there was nothing now on the statute• book, or in the common law of the land, to prevent her Majesty from establishing diplomatie relations with the Court of Rome, and he trusted, therefore, that there would be no objection to the form of this Bill. Their Lordships then went into Committee. Lord STANLEY suggested that the existing pre amble should be struck out, and the words following substituted :—" Whereas doubts having arisen as to the power of her Majesty to establish diplomatic rela tions with the Court of Rome, without the sanction of an Act of Parliament, be it therefore enacted," &c. This would probably remove the objection alluded to by the Noble Earl who had addressed their Lordships before going into Committee. (LEFT SPEAKING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the chair at Four o'clock. Two new Members took the oaths and their seats. GLASGOW WATERWORKS. Mr. M'GREGOR presented a petition against this Bill. HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL. Mr. THORNELY presented a petition in favour of this Bill ; as also did Mr. GRAINGER. JEWISH DISABILITIES BILL. Petitions in favour of this Bill were presented by Mr. Thorneley, Mr. G. Thompson, Sergeant Tal fourd, and Hon. Member from Essex, and Mr. Adair, from Ipswich. NAVIGATION LAWS. Sir T. BIRCH presented a petition, signed by 7,500 of the merchants of Liverpool, in favour of these laws. THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. Mr. GEORGE THOMPSON presented a petition from the Tower Hamlets in favour of the repeal of the punishment of death; as also from the Society of Friends in Reading. THE DEFENCES OF THE COUNTRY. Petitions against any addition to the defences of the country were presented by Mr. Cobden, Mr. G. Thompson, and Mr. Williams. REPEAL OF THE WINDOW-TAX. Mr. WILLIAMS and Mr. WAILLEY presented peti tions in favour of the repeal of this tax. THE CHARTER. Mr. ADAIR. presented a petition from the working classes of Ipswich in favour of the Charter. THE TEA. DUTIES. Mr. PILKINGTON presented si petition from the Chamber of Commerce cf Blackburn In favour of tho repeal of these duties. ETKICATION. Mr. HAMILTON presented a petition against the Government scheme of education. THE ODD FELLOWS. Mr. C, LUSHINGTON presented three petitions from three societies of Odd Fellows, one of which called themselves " Jclly Buffers," an announcement which excited much laughter, complaining that the 29th of George 111. prevented them from investing their funds, amounting to 600,0001. a year, which relieved upwards of 1,000,000 males :and females, under the Friendly Societies Act, and praying for a remedy. LONDON WORKHOUSES. Mr. %VAICLEY presented a petition, complaining of the way in which the casual poor were treated in the London workhouses. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Mr. S. BERKLEY presented a petition from West Gloucester in favour of the removal of the Jewish disabilities. POPISH BULLS. Mr. HEFLEY presented a petition from Oxford against the admission of Popish Bulls into the country. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Mr. PLUMPTRE presented against the admis sion of persons professing the Jewish religion into the Legislature. Mr. FRENCH presented a petition in favour of their admission. s rN, LONDON, DUTIES ON TEA. Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from the Presi dent of the Chamber of Commerce and 470 mercan tile firms in Manchester, praying for a large reduction of the duty on tea. NATIONAL DEFENCES. The HON. MEMBER also presented a petition against any increase in the naval and military establishments of the country. Mr. HUDSONpresented four petitions from Sun derland against any alteration in the navigation laws, and another petition in favour of the Jewish Dis abilities Bill. Mr. HUME presented a petition from New South Wales complaining of the operation of the navigation laws, and the sconstitution of the Admiralty Courts. On an early day he ehould move that the petition be printed with the view of founding a motion upon it. The Hon. Member also presented another petition from Glasgow praying for relief to the West India Colonies. Lord LINCOLN presented a petition in favour of the Health of Towns Bill. _ _ AbJotTiNi‘jENT OF THE HOUSE. On the motion of Mr. TUFNELL, it was ordered that the House at its rising should adjourn to Mon day next. WAYS AND MEANS. The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER then moved that the House should go into a Com mittee of way s pruposea and agreed to. RIVER STEAM BOATS. Mr. BRIGHT wished to know what powers her Majesty's Government had to controul the steam• boats of the river. Mr. LABOUCHERE thought that it would pro bably be necessary for him to apply to Parliament for some powers on the subject. SCOTCH ENTAILS. In answer to a question from an Hon. Member, the LORD ADVOCATE said that he hoped to be able to bring forward a Bill on the subject of Scotch entails in a few days. CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY. Mr. OSBORNE wished to know what steps had been taken by the Government with respect to a re cent accident on the Chester and Holyhead Railway, by the giving way of one of the bridges upon that line of railway ? Mr. LABOUCHERE said that inquiries had been instituted upon the subject, the result of which would be laid upon the table of the House in a few days. THE BUDGET. Lord JOIIN RUSSELL then ro3e for the pur pose of making the financial statement for the year. The Noble Lord said that he felt his strength so unequal to the task he had undertaken that he thought it best to content himself with lay ing before The House the statement of the financial state and policy of the country, leaving to a future occasion the supporting the policy by argument. During the last 18 months the vicissitudes of the country, except during the time of war, had been unparralleled. There had been a fluctuation in prices and a period of distress induced by famine unparalleled in the history of the country. The changes in the price of wheat, the rate of discount, and the price of bullion had been unparalleled. With regard to wheat, the price in September, 1846, had been 495. per quartern ; in January, 1847, it had been 70s. per guar tern ; in May, 1847, 102 s. per quarter, and in September, 1847, it had again fallen to 495. 6d. a quarter, being, within 6d., the same price as in September, 1846. Then with regard to the rate of discount :—ln November, 184 G, it had been 3 per cent.; in April, 1847, 5 per cent. ; in October, 8 per cent. ; and in January, 1848, it was 4 per cent. The amount of bullion on the 10th of October, 1846, was 15,780,5001. ; in September, 1847, 7,865,4151.; and in Feb., 1848, 13,821,7501 Then, again, in the manufacturing districts, the num ber of persons in full work in Feb. 1846 was 16,898 in July, 14,865; and in Feb. 1847, 32,142. Of persons working half time, the number had been, in February, 1847, 13,404 ; in November, 5,517 and in February, 1848, 4,901 ; while out of em ploy there had been, in February, 1846, 5,600 in November, 11,616/. ; and in February, 7,5141 These fluctuations must have necessarily greatly affected the public revenue. When the late Govern ment went out of office, they had in many instances only taken vutes for three quarters of a year instead of the whole year, thereby throwing or adding an additional quarter to the estimates. Last year there was an increase in the estimates of 522,700/., but the actual increase only amounted to 304,200/., which was the amount for which the pre sent Government was responsible. Then with regard to the increase, the present Government had aliered the sugar duties, and in consequenceofhthaadtaaraltoeruanttieodn the revenue for sugar, which in 1845 to 3,574,0001., amounted in 1847 to 4,414,0001. On the balance sheet for the year there was exhi bited a balance of revenue over expenditure of 2,956,7821., but deducting the advances made to Ire land on account of the famine, and the China money paid the year preceding, the actual deft ciency ;was 981,683/. He would state the amount at which thh revenue was estimated for the ensuing year. He estimated the total revenue for the ensuing year from existing sources of taxation at 51,362,0601. In the customs he expected 19,774,0601. excise, 13,050,3401; stumps, 7,150,0001.; tans, 4,440,000/. ; property-tax, 4,340,000/. ; post-office, 923,000/4 crown lands,6o,ooo/.; miscellaneous,32o,ooo/ There had been an increase in the revenue from sugar, rum, and molasses of 642,2541., butter of 16,921/. and cheese of 7,650/. There had been a defi ciency in the duties on malt spirits of 1,359,000/. The expenditure had amounted to 51,5674 He proposed to take the customs for the ensuing year at 19,750,0001,, excise at 13,000,000 1 ., stage coach 500,0001,, stamps 7,500,0001. taxes 4,340,000/., income-tax 5,200,0001., post-office at 900,000/., Crown lands 60,0001., miscellaneous at 300,0001. The whole amount of the revenue, ac cording to this estimate, would be 51,250,0001. Taking the expenditure voted at 52,315,7091., and the receipt at 51,250,000/., there would be a defi ciency of 1,065,709/. But there is a large sum to be voted for the excess of expenditure in April, 1847, and a sum of 10,0001. for the Kafir war, and taking these at 1,340,108/., there will be a deficiency of 2,411,000/. He laid this condition of the finances early before the House that the House might consider the state of the finances and the cir cumstances of the country, in order that they might determine upon what course was most befitting. All he should do would' be to st ate that course which the Government considered most advisable, leaving it to the House to determine whether the course the Government proposed was the best, or whether there was another that might seem most advisable. Either they must supply the deficiency by taxation, or make great reductions in their establishments.—(Hear, hear.) He thought it as well to state on this occasion the opinions of the Government on the subject of the national defenoes. Extreme opinions had been promulgated on both sides. On one side it had been said that we should find ourselves suddenly involved in war with coun tries who had made great military preparations, preparations which we could not meet. On the other it had been said that all foreign powers were inclined to peace, and that if we reduced our armaments they would reduce theirs. On the part of the Government he would guard him self against the supposition that there was anything in our foreign relations, more especially In our re lation. with Frauue, ao cause any apprehension of a rupture. for he was more impressed than ever with the necessity of maintaining peace between these two great representative Powers, France and England.— (Cheers,) And he trusted that henceforth these re lations 'would be of the most amicable nature. Yet he found it stated in a recent French publication that the Duke of Wellington had thought it neces sary to make a pamphleteering answer to the Prince de Joinville. Now, he knew that nothing had given the Duke of Wellington greater pain than the publicity which had been given to his letter. The Duke had from time to time, and did from time to time com municated to the Government his opinion on the national defences ; but nothing was further from his desire than to influence any animosities between this and other countries. With the patriotism of the Duke of Wellington there had always been formed an opinion that the power and independence of this country should be maintained as a guarantee of the independence of other States. No man could blame the Duke for having stated his sentiments in the manner in which he had done, and he should not have alluded to them had he not had the misfortune to differ from the Duke on some points, and to know that not only abroad, but in this couhtry, the Duke had been misunderstood. War was unhappily a contingency against which it was impposible to guard. If forbearance had not been shown on both sides we might have been in volved in war with the United States as well as with France, in spite of the efforts of Governments, in consequence of the susceptibility of the different nations. However tranquil, therefore, the atmos • phere might:be there might at any time arise a storm ; and when he recollected that Mr. Pitt, with all his sagacity, foretold a long continuance of peace, only a few months before the outbreak of the revo• lutionary war he could not venture to think that there was no possibility of war. Then, with regard to the probability of invasion. Within the last three hundred years there. had been instances in which the elements had stood our friends, and had dispersed armaments destined fc , r our destruction, Since 1815, steam had enabled seamen to set the elements at defiance, and this would lead hostile powers to consider this country more open to inva sion. It was also true that since 1830, under a King who was a sincere lover of peace, there had been large ,increase in the naval !MS colon. - r. C4O 11111r.,1- - 4sessions, and to protect a large foreign commerce. There had been a great increase both in the sailing vessels, the steamers, and the amount voted for seamen in France in 1847 as compared with 1837. For in stance, in 1837 there were 153 French ships afloat, and in 1847 there were 216, of which 66 were steamers. In 1837 2,000,0001. had been voted for the naval service of France, in 1847 it had been 3,582,5201. It had been reproached to the Govern ment that they had made no adequate preparatioLs against invasion. Since 1835 the whole force, army, navy and ordnance had been increased from 135,743 men to 196,063 men,land he would say that there had been no unwillingness in the House to vote the ne cessary increase. There was also another kind of force most efficient ; 15,000 old soldiers had been organised by the former government and the present government had bad organized 9,800 dock yard men with 1,080 guns and a greater part of this force could be moved at any time. There was also a plan for organising the coast guard, and adding to the men, who would serve for a small amount of pay, giving a force of 9,000 men. On this ground of the number of men there had been no unwillingness to make an adequate provision. The question was, then, whether they should make a very great reduction in their force, or make a large increase in it, or continue from time to time making an increase to such ports as require it. His view was, that it would not be wise to endeavour to make the expenditure equal to the revenue by large reduc tions. On the other he was of opinion that there was no reason for sudden alarm. With moderate additios to certain branches of the Army, Navy, and Ordnance he believed this country would be in a sufficient state of defence to obtain securities for peace, which was the object of all those preparations.—(Hear, hear.) If you expose yourself to having a decisive blow struck against you, you power to the war party in a foreign country, but if you are prepared you give power to the peace party. (LEFT SPEAKING.) [We shall give the remainder of Lord John Rus sell's Speech in a Fourth Edition.] THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, FEB. 18. Notice is hereby given, that his Royal Highness Prince Albert will, by the desire of her Majesty, hold Levees, at St. James's Palace, on behalf of her Majerty, on the following days, at two o'clock—Wednes day, Ist March next ; Wednesday, 22d March next. It is her Majesty's pleasure, that presentations to his Royal Highness at these levees shall be considered equivalent , to presentations to the Queen. Addresses to the Queen may either be forwarded to her Majesty, through the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment, or may be reserved until her Majesty shall hold a Levee. N.B. The Knights of the several Orders are to appear in their collars at the Levee on the Ist March, it being a Collar-day. REGULATIONS ITO BE OBSERVED AT TEE LEVEES AT ST. JAMES'S PALACE. The Noblemen and Gentlemen, who purpose to at tend the Levees, at St. James's Palace, at requested to Those Gentlemen who are to be presented are hereby informed, it is absolutely necessary that their names, with the name of the nobleman or gentleman who is to present them, should be sent to the Lord Chamberlain's office before 12 on the Monday previous to each Levee, in bring with them two large cards, with their names clearly written thereon, one to be left with the Queen's Page in Attendance in the Presence chamber, and the other to bo delivored to the Lord Chamberlain, who will announce the name. order that they may be submitted for approbation; in being her Majesty's command that no presentation shall be made at the Levees, but in conformity with the above regulations. It is particularly requested, that in every case the names be very distinctly written upon the cards to be delivered to the Lord Chamberlain, in order that there may be no difficulty in announcing them. The state apartments will not be open for the reception of company coming to Court, until half-one one o'clock. WHITEHALL, FEB. IG. The Queen has been pleased to constitute aud appoint theJlgbt Hou. 402'4741a sheil, gaiter of the Mint; William Cotton, Esq.; Commissary-General Sir Edward Piau Coffin; and Colonel William Nairne Forbes, H. E. I. C. Bengal Engineers, to be Commissioners to conduct an inquiry into the Royal Mint; and has empowered and commanded them to inquire into the report upon the constitution, management, and expense of the Royal Mint, and to such alterations as may apgear to them to be required to ensure the economical and ;satisfactory execution of the duties belonging to that establishment. WHITEHALL, FEB. 17, 1848. The Queen has been pleased to appoint General the Hon. Sir Alexander Duff, Knight, to be Lieutenant and Sheriff Principal of the shire of Elgin, in the room of Franc's Earl of Moray, deceased. DOWNING STREET, FEB. 18. The Queen has been pleased to appoint William Lang, Esq., to be Police Magistrate for the province of South Australia. CROWN-OFFICE, FEB. 18. MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PAR- LIAMENT. County of Shropshire—Northern Division—John Whitehall Dod, Eq., in the room of Edward James Herbert, commonly called Viscount Clive, now Earl of Powis, called up to the House of Peers. WAR OFFICE, FEB. 8. Ist Regiment of Foot—Lieut. Thomas Edward Bid good to be Adjutant, vice Parker, deceased ; Ensign William Fortescue Scott to be Lieutenant, vice Bidgood, Adjutant ; Alexander Draper, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Scott, Feb. 18. 17th Foot—Lieutenant Henry Thwaytes, from 2d West India Regiment, to be Lieutenant, vice Wedder burn, who exchanges, Feb. 18. _ . 19th Foot—George Lidwill, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Taylor, who retires, Feb. 18. 47th Foot—Lieutenant Robert William Lowry to be Captain, by purchase, vice Collins, who retires; Ensign Charles Elgee to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Lowry; Richard George Ellison, Gent., to be EUsign, by pur chase, vice Elgee, Feb. 18. 51st Foot—Thomas Crawford, M.D., to be Assistant Surgeon, vice Thomas Leopold Belcher, who retires on half-pay, Feb. 18. 52d Foot—Ensign the Honourable Ernest George Curzon to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Riley, who retires ; Carisbrooke James Lyon, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Curzon, Feb. 18. 61st Foot—Lieutenant Andrew David Alston Stewart, from 21st Foot, to be Captain, without purchase, vice Herbert, deceased, Feb. 18. Ist West India Regiment—Waring Alexander Biddle, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Fottrell, who retires, Feb. 18. _ _ 2d West India Regiment—Lieutenant Augustus Wed derburn, from 17th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Thwaytes, who exchanges; Assistant Surgeon William Henry Brownson, M.D., from the Staff, to be Surgeon, vice Collings ' appointed to th e St a ff, F e b. 18. HOSPITAL STAFF.—Sur g eon Adolphus Collings, M.D. from 2d West India Regiment, to be Staff Surgeon of Secod Class, vice Robinson, deceased, Feb. 18, 1848. UNATTACHED.—Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel Plower Young, from Major half-pay Unattached, to be Lieu tenant-Colonel without purchase, Feb. 18, 1848. BREVET.—Captain William C. E. Napier, of the 25th Foot, to be Major in the Army; Captain William M. G. M`Murdo, of the 78th Foot, to be Major in the Army, Feb. 18. MEXORANDLIM.—The Exchange between Paymaster Low, of 53rd Regiment, and Paymaster Erskine, of 21st Foot, as stated in the Gazette of Ist October, 1847, has been cancelled. The Christian names of Ensign Walsh, of 73rd Foot, are Thomas John. Erratum in the Gazette of Feb. 11, 1848. 73d Foot—For Lieutenant John R. S. Fitz Gerald, from half-pay 62d Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Murray, promoted; read vice Faunt, killed at the Cape of Good Hope. ADMIRALTY, FEB. 12. Corps of Royal Marines—Archibald Alexander Douglas, Gent, to be Second Lieutenant; Charles Loftus Tottenham Usher, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant ; George Lascelles Blake, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant. FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY lB , 1846. BANKRUPTS. John Saunders Rayment, builder, Thomas street, Mil!wall, Poplar. John Edward Smith, James Rait Beard, and Richard Tew Smith, warehousemen, Cheapside._ .. , . John Brocklehurst, gas-fitter, High Holborn. Stephen Stringer, coach plater, Northumberland street, New-road, Robert Martin, ale merchant, Plymouth. Charles Westbrook, shoe maker, Stafford. Jehu Townley, agent, Manchester. John Birch Gregory, straw plait dealer, Birmingham. Peter Cruikshank, coal-dealer, Ardwick, Manchester. James Birbeck, coach proprietor, Manchester. Richard Martin, tanner, Tavistock. Henry Gully, surgeon, Taunton. Thomas Payne, licensed victualler, Falkingham, Lin colnshire. Francis Blair Henderson, ironmonger, Liverpool. John Packer, quarryman, Cheltenham. George Garton, stock broker, Sheffield. John Binch, grocer, Nottingham. Charles James Challenger, dealer in salt, Quay, Bristol. Alexander M'lsTaughtane Paterson, John Walker, James Boydell, and Charles Blayney Trevor Roper, iron founders, Oak Farm Works, Kingswinforcl, Stafford James Scott, chemist, Strand. John Bentley, linen draper, St. John-street-road, Clerkenwell. Ralph Datling, miller, Darlington, Durham. William Pain Beecham, banker, Hawkhurst, Kent. James JacksoniFerens and Robinson Ferens, drapers ; Durham. PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed from the returns made in the week ending February 15, 1848, is 255. 5Y i d. per cwt. rt Aiv tc d r% v e 17 . iv- 4—, lr ....-51`7.7tr • (From this night's Gazette.) An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and sth of Victoria, cap. 32, for the Week ending on Saturday, the 12th day of February, 1848. ISSUE DEPARTMENT. Yot( s issued•• •• •• •• 27,82,895 Government debt • • 11,015,100 Other securities .... 2,984,900 Gold coin and bullion 12,139,880 Silver bulliom • • • 1,443,015 427,582,895 1 £ 27,582,895 M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. , 1848. Dated the 17th day of February, BANKING D : Proprietors' capital.. 14,553,000 Rest • .. ........ 3,805,025 Public deposits(in cluding Exchequer, Commissioners of National Debt, Sav ings-banks, and Di vidend accounts) .. 5,382,795 Other deposits ...... 9,5,61,845 Seven day and other bills • • • • • • • • •• • • • • 901,890 Or.PARTHEN T. Gevernment securi ties (including Dead Weight Annuity).. 11,574.921 Other securities ••.. 13,343,570 Notes .. Gold and silver coin.. 621,829 434,604,555 I £34,604,555 M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. , 1848. Dated the 17th day of February. COURSE OF EXCH. Amster ituu ...... •• • • 12 3 % DIV. at sight ...... 12 1 Rotterdam ........ • • 12 3 Antwerp ...... ........ 25 SO Ramburgh .... • • M.B. 14 13 Altona ..... ........... Paris, 3 days'sight 25 45 Ditto, .............. 25 70 Riarseilies • • ••.. • • 25 80 Rourdeaus 25 80 Frankfort on Maine.... 122 LNGE.-(THIS DAY.) libraltar— ........ • • .. Leghorn ........ 31 Genoa •••••••• .• .• • • .. 25 85 Milan ........ Venice • • • • .... -- Naples -- •• • .... • • 311 I'alermo, per 117 )% 1 Lisbon.....••• • • ...... 51 34 Oporto.. .. • • ............... 52 Rio Janeiro • • • • Bahia .... Buenos Ayres ...... • • New York, 21 days'sight Philadelphia • • .... Petersburgh, Sil. Itble .. Berlin •:• ..• ••••• • • •• —: Vienna, effec. 10 12 Trieste, ditto.... • • .... 10 13 Madrid •• .• •• .• •• •• •• 46N Cadiz • • • • ............ 48% Barcolona •• •• es •• •• •• •• •• ••• PUTOIS OF BULLION, FLZ oz. Foreign Gold ha bars.. £3 i 7 9 New Dollars ...... 0 4 9 3 4 Portugal Gold Coin .. 0 0 0 Spanish Doubloons .. 0 0 0 Shyer in bars ......•• 0 4 11% NEWRY, WARRENPOINT, AND ROSTREVOR RAILWAY.—(THIS DAY.) The fourth ordinary general meeting of the share holders of this company took place to-day at the com pany's offices, Moorgate- street. Lord Newry took the chair at half-past one o'clock. '1 he usual preliminary proceedings having taken place, the Secretary read the following report of the directors: " The balauct-sheet of this company to the Ist inst., exhibiting the state of accounts to that date duly audited, is now submitted to the proprietors. " The directors subjoin the report of the company's engineer, by which it will bo seen that the works have been progressing satisfactorily, and with as much expe dition as the means at the disposal of the directors would admit of. The circumstances of the times, however, have operated to delay in many cases the payment of the calls, which is to be regretted, as necessarily retarding the period of opening the line. " The directers have availed themselves of the recent important reduction in the price of iron, and have pur chased the rails necessary for a single line, which are now in course of delivery at the works. Thus, so far as it rests with the directors, every provision has been made for opening the line to Warrenpoint early in the ensuing summer; this object, if attained, would secure a prompt return to the shareholders upon their whole out lay. It will therefore be understood how materially their interests will be benefited by early payment of the calls in arrear. "The directors announce that half the capital having been paid up, the borrowing powers of the company come now into operation, and this meeting has been made special for obtaining the assent of the proprietors to the exercise of these powers. "In compliance with the Companies' Clauses Con solidation Act, two of the directors will retire from office at the ensuing general meeting, but are eligible for re-election. One of the auditors also retires, and is likewise eligible for re-election." The following is the engineer's report, which was also read:— " The embankments through the slob lands adjoining the Newry River are in a very forward state, and that portion between the Rampart and Green island, a distance of about one mile, I expect will be closed in the course of a month. I have much satisfaction in stating this fact, as I had been led to anticipate some difficulty in the construction of this portion of the line. " The retaining walls and excavations through the demesne of Narrow W ater are completed and the public road diverted at this point, as originally intended; the embankments, also, in this neighbourhood are progress ing rapidly, and present no difficulty in their construc tion. " From the arrangements which the contractor has made with the landholders in the neighbourhood of the line, for procuring the necessary material for the forma tion of the embankments, together with the very efficient working plant on the line, ho is in a condition to acce lerate the progress of the works, should the directors deem it expedient to do so." The reports of the directors aud also that of the en• Dividend ) Amount $ Name Of Company. per of Paid. t Price Annum. Share. ' s. d. s. d. Australasia 40 0 0 40 0 0 - 3ritshNorth American 51. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 - Ceylon ••• • .• 6/. par cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 - S.lonumercial of London 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 - . • 51. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 - Gloucestershire • • 151 per cent. - - lonian ........ •... 6/. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 - Londn and Westminstr 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 - Ditto - 13 0 0 - London Joint-Stock ... 61. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 - Provincialof Ireland.. 81. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 43 Ditto, New..... •• • • 8/. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 - National of Ireland .. 51. per cent. 50 0 0 22 10 0 - Nat. Provncial of Eng. 6/. per cent. 100 0 0 35 0 0 - Ditto, New... •• • • 5/. per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 - South Australia •. • ... - 22 10 0 - Union of Australia.... 61. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 23t 2 10 0 of L0nd0n..... 61. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 - Union of Madrid - E..IST OP SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PRICES Dividend Amount Name of Company, per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. £ s. d. s. d Bank of Scotland British Linen Company 81. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 198 Caledonian Bank City of Glasgow Bank . 61. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 113 i Clydesdale Bank •• 6/. per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 12 Commercial Bank •• •• 71. per cent. 500 0 0 100 0 0 154 Eastern Bank O/, per cent. 25 u 0 16 0 C 10' Edinbic Glasgow Bank 61. per cent. 5 0 0 5 0 0 6/ Os Exchange link of Scot 6l. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 47% Isle of Man. Company 71. per cent. 10 0 0 7 0 0 81 4 National Bank 6/. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 13% North of Scotland Bank 71. percent. 20 0 0 5 0 0 6 North British Bank • • 50 0 0 10 0 0 5% Royal Bank of Scotland 6/. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 143 Union Bank of Scotland 81. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 84 Western Bank Aberdeen Fi 'e and Life 121. per cent. 12 10 0 2 0 0 813.6 d. B. Accord. Life and Fire 20 0 0 0 11 0 9s. British Guar..ntee Ins. 10 0 0 1 0 0 10s. Caledonian Fire Insur. 10/. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 21 Church of England 50 0 I 2 0 0 2 City of Glasgow Life 5/. per cent. 25 0 0 2 0 0 2/. 9s Edinburgh Lite Insur Si. per cent. 100 0 0 12 10 0 17 4 East of Scotland Life lO 0 0 0 15 0 12s. Eng. & Scot, Law Life hl. per cent. 50 0 0 217 6 24 Hercules Insurance Co. 71. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 11% Insur. Co. of Scetind.• Si. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 7 Life Assoc. of Scotland Si. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 I/ 53 Mercantile Life National Fire and Life 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 243. North British Incur. 5,41. pr cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 23 North & West of Soot. 10 0 0 1 0 0 ' 1/. Is Scottish Life and utiar. 20 0 0 0 11 0 I A •C Scot. 31a4. and Gan. Life 5/. per cent. 8 0 u 0 0 11. Is Scottish Union Inzrilci. (. 51 per cent. 50 0 0 4 5 0 , 9% l a . T . l .. l ,:".lle.j).'assurance 151. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 ! 12s. nRIDGES Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. X. s. d. X. s. d. llungerford ••• • • . • 45 Southwrk, Nw Sub. Av. 632 12 8 2% Ditto Nw of 7,4 p. c. 3.55. per cent. 50 0 0 16 Waterloo . 100 0 0 5 Ditto Old Ann. of 8/. 1/. ss. 4d. CO 0 0 27 i)itto Nw ditto of 77. 1/. 2s. 2d. 40 0 0 25 Vauxhall .... ••• Av 1/. 10s. 70 10 0 26 MISCELLANEOUS. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of \ Paid. Price. Annum. Share. X. s. d. X. s. d. Australian Agriculturl 100 0 0 30 0 0 - Anglo-Mexican Mint., 11. 4s. 10 0 0 10 0 0 16 Ditto, Half Shares.. - I 210 0 Canada .......... 61. per cent. 100 0 0 32 10 0 31 Uppr Canada Bonds Si. per cent. 1 - City Donis - - 89 Comp. Cppr Mnrs Eng 5/. per cent. 100 0 0 70 0 0 - Gen. Revers. & Invest sp. c.& bs, 2/ 100 0 0 100 0 0 - Equitable Iteversionry 4,4 pr cent. 100 0 0 95 0 0 - Gem. Steam Navigation 11. Bs. 15 0 0 14 0 0 24% London Institution - - 11 Peninslr& Orient.Strn. 2/. per cent. 50 0 0, 50 0 0 59% Reversionary Int. Soc. 3%1. pr cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 95 Royal Mail Steam- 3%1. pr cent. 100 0 0 60 0 0 - South Australian - Van Dieman's Land lOO 0 0 23 0 0 - Universal Salvage.. • • 25 0 0 j 5 0 0 - IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 17. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE COURT OF ROME. The Duke of NEWCASTLE opposed the Bill, but spoke in so low a tone as to be inaudible in the gallery. He moved that the Bill be read that day six months. The Bishop of WINCHESTER admitted the great importance of the present measure. The principal ground on which the Noble Marquis rested his defenee of it was the inconvenience which arose from being obliged, in the uncertainty of the law as it stood at present, to have recourse to indirect communications with the Court of Rome. But whenever it was neces sary to hold communications with that Court on secular matters, some mode—although it mi g ht no t b e th e mos t desirable one—always presented itself of effecting that object.--(Hear, hear.) The Noble Marquis, however, forgot that there might be inconveniences the other way.—(Hear, hear.) These inconveniences might be conceived to be of such a character as would determine their Lordshipsnot to allow any direct communications with the Court of Rome. The language of the Bill showed how easy it was to slide into and familiarise one's self with the language of Popery; for the language of the Bill was, that a minister from this country was to be ac credited to the " Sovereign Pontiff." (Hear, hear.) This was the first time that the Bishop of Rome was so designated in an Act of Parliament. In other Acts he was called " the Bishop of Rome," or the " Pope of Rome." He was not making any captious objection to the words, but he begged to remind the House that in all other Acts there was a careful abstinente from any expressions that might appear to sanction, in any way, the sovereignty of the head of the Romish Church.— (Hear.) With respect to the letter of his late Majesty George IV., which had been read by the Noble Mar quis, he believed it had been sent in actual contradiction to the opinion of the then law officers of the Crown. The late Mr. Canning took the advice of the la,w officers of the Crown ; and the opinion given (which was signed J. S. Copley), was to the effect that a person using these words might be brought within the operation of the statute of prcemunire, and that the Legislature, by adopting the title of Bishop of Rome in all their Acts since the Reformation, seemed to have anxiously avoided any such words of recognition.—(Hear, hear.) IHe begged to disclaim any intention of appearing disre spectful to the Roman Catholic Members of their Lord ships' House. If they passed this measure he thought they must go a step further, and must repeal the lath Will. 111., c. 6. That Act referred to the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement, " on which," the words of the statute said, " the safety of your Majesty's royal person and government, the existence of the monarchy, the continuance of the Church of England, and the future peace and tranquility of the kingdom entirely depend." He begged of their Lordships to pause cefore they dis turbed an Act on which such important considerations depended. He begged leave to support the amendment. The Bishop of St. DAVID'S said it was evident, from the Noble Marquis's statement, that the law, as it stood at present, was by no means so clear that a violation of the Bill of Rights would be committed if her Majesty were advised to send an ambassador to Rome. With respect to the political necessity of the measure, he be lieved there could be no doubt. That necessity had existed in former times, and they were now only asked to legalise what had been the established practice of all Governments from the Revolution to the present time. It was doubtful whether the measure introduced any innovation in law; it was quite clear it introduced no :substantial innovation in practice, and Ike kind of inno. gineer were adopted unanimously, and ordered to be printed and circulated among the proprietors. From the balauce sheet it appeared that the amount of cash in the la aids of the hankers of the company was 1,2451. 3s. 10d., and that there was a great arrear in the pay ment of the calls. Several proprietors reccmmenJed the enforcement of the payment of the calls by legal means, which the Noble Chairman stated would be consi dered by the directors. The directors that retired by rotation were re-elected. The auditor was re-appointed. A resolution giving power to the company to borrow a sum of 33,000/. was unanimously agreed to; as was also a resolution giving 500/. to the directors for their services. A resolution was also put and carried, calling upon the directors to press the payment of the calls in arrear, and giving them power, in case of their non-payment, to institute legal proceedings to compel the payment. Thanks were then voted to the Noble Chairman, and the meeting separated. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. THE DIVIDEND.—(TIIIS DAY.) The polling, continued last evening until six o'clock, on the question of the dividend, was resumed this morning at ten o'clock, and concluded at two. At three o'clock the proprietors met by adjournment, when the Chairman announced the numbers to be— For the dividend of 3i per cent. on the half-year 3,340 For f f f 4 per cent 1,211 Majority for the directors' propositton 2,129 The reduced dividend was accordingly declared pay able on the Ist of March. The announcement was re ceived with applause. The directors 'retiring by rotation were re• elected, and auditors for the half-year were appointed. The usual routine business of the half-yearly meeting having been gone through with much cordiality, Lord ABINGER moved, and Mr. STAMFORD seconded, in highly complimentary speeches, a vote of thanks to •the Chairman, which was unanimously agreed to. In answer to questions relating to the excess of the expenditure over the original estimates, in the case of the Berks and Hants line (which led to prolonged con versations), the engineer, Mr. Brunel, gave explanations which were received with express satisfaction by the meeting. As tar as the original plan for that line was con cerned, there had been really no excess over the original estimates. The increased expenditure was owing to the necessary extension of this branch line beyond the ori ginal design, the Parliamentary opposition, and the unforseen rise in the value of land since the project was uncle' taken. Similar explanations took place respecting the South Wales Railway, the works of which were stated by Mr. Brunel, to extend pretty neurly over the whole length of the line, and to be about half completed. After much discursive conversation on various affairs of the company in detail, the meeting separated. LATEST PRICES OF SHARES, IN BANKS, ASSURANCE, AND OTHER COM PANIES' STOCK. From the Official List, PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING. LONDON. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18. TOINT-STOCX BANKS. vation which it introduced was that it made those com / munications plain, open, and honourable, which here tofore were neither plain, open, nor honourable. The Right Reverend Prelate, has ing paid a tribute of praise to the eminent qualities of the present Pope, went on to argue that there was nothing in the religious aspect of the Bill which should prevent their Lordships from passing it. He did not pay much regard to the argu ment derived from the mode of describing the Bishop of Rome in the Bill as the ":Sovereign Pontiff." That was a familiar and common mode of describing him, and even Protestant ecclesiastical writers constantly and re gularly styled him the " Pontiff," or, the " Sovereign Pontiff." However, he supposed the Government would alter those words without hesitation.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to that part of the measure which related to the accrediting of a minister from Rome here, it might be right to;introduce a modifying clause, requiring that the person accredited should not be an ecclesiastic, or:possessed of an ecclesiastical character. That was a concession which he thought fairly due to the feelings of the people of this country. As a whole, he looked on the measure as cne required by the circumstances of the times ; it was essential to the political interests of the country—it was one attended with no shadow of danger to the established religion, and therefore he hoped and trusted that no doubt as to the question of law wculd prevent their Lordships from assenting to it in substance.—(Hear.) The Bishop of EXETER emphatically denied that the words " Sovereign Pontiff" were habitually used by Protestant writers in reference to the Bishop of Rome. The summus pontifez was, according to the canon law, 1 the head of the Church; he was above all patriarchs, metropolitans, and bishops. But he denied that the Bishop of Rome was the Sovereign Pontiff. He re claimed against the principle laid down by the Right Reverend Prelate, and which he believed had for the first time been announced by a Protestant Prelate in a British Senate.—(Hear, hear.) There were so many blots in the present measure that he thought it should not be allowed to be sent before a Committee. The plain and safe course which might be adopted by the Government was, to call the Judges together and take their opinion on the state of the law. But, instead of that, they brought in a Bill, and asked for the decision of the Legislature, which he though an unwise course. He was strongly opposed to that part of the Bill which referred to the accrediting of an Ambassador from the Court of Rome. Other Protestant countries sent envoys to Rome, and they arranged their diplomatic business there. Prussia adopted that course, but Prus sia did not receive an envoy from Rome. Was London alone to have the high distinction of being blessed with a nuncio? Was Rome to raise her scarlet head again at St. James's? Was that the course of policy which the Noble Marquis advised the House to adopt? The time might come when the utmost danger would arise from having an accredited minister of Rome in Loudon. His person, by the law of nations, was sacred, and plots the most mischievous and dangerous to the peace and safety of the realm might be hatched under his auspices. They heard a great deal of additional national defences, and a very great addition to their national defences would be required if the policy now proposed were adopted. In Ireland the majority of the people were ready to join any foreign power who would oppose this country. He looked upon the present policy, therefore, as nothing short of treason against the Protestant crown and the Protestant Church, and would strenuously op pose it.—(Hear, hear.) The Duke of WELLINGTON said that her Majesty's Government desired, in the circumstances of Italy, to increase and facilitate the means of communication with the Roman states, and they called on that House to give a second reading to the Bill. He confessed, when he first heard of the measure, he considered of it with some degree of anxiety,,for he had upon all occasions in which he had to make propositions to their Lordships in relation to the Roman Catholics of this country con sidered it his duty to take the utmost care not to touch on any of the provisions of those laws upon which the Reformation in this country and the Established Church depended. It certainly was the intention of those laws that there should be no communication whatever, poli tical or otherwise, between this country and the Sove reign of the states of Rome, and these laws remained in operation at the present time.—(Hear, hear.) A 'great alteration was made, however, by the law in troduced by the Noble and Learned Lord (Lord Lyndhurst), , called the 9th and 10th Vie, c. 58, by which the penalties incurred for violating them were mitigated and sin some cases entirely repealed. All the Noble and Learned Lords who addressed the House on that occasion stated that the enactments of the law re mained the same, but that some of the Acts prohibited remained misdemeanours at common law. He was satis fied with those assurances; but he confessed he felt anxious about the effect of this measure on those parti cular laws. He therefore intended to give notice of a proviso ensuring the supremacy of the Crown in all matters spiritual and temporal, and that this should be always considered inviolable. He considered that such a proviso would be satisfactory to the country--(Hear, hear)—and extremely useful in any measures that might have been adopted under the law as it stood. It had been suggested to him that it would probably be more expe dient to move an additional clause to the Bill, stating that nothing therein contained should affect the law which ensured the supremacy of the Crown in all affairs ecclesiastical and civil. This he would move in the Committee on the Bill.—(Hear.) He conceived that the Government, being desirous to have clear and accurate information as to the events in Italy, and knowing the convenience and advantage to be derived from a regular diplomatic communication with the Roman States, had brought forward this measure with a view to remove the obstacles which the existing laws might present to such a regular diplomatic communication, it being desifable that that communication should be carried on in a re gular and official form.— (Hear, hear.) If no other ad vantage were derived from it, there would be that of being certain that true intellivpnro , •-as receive 9 11:002.a seepuusinie agent, and that alone was highly desirable in a country where her Majesty's subjects had not such pri vileges as they have in some others.—(Hear, hear.) Under those circumstances he recommended their _Lordships to gie e the Bill a second reading ; and in the Committee he would move a pro viso or an additional clause, providing for the con tinued existence of those laws which he thought it important to maintain inviolate.—(Hear.) That clause would be to the following effect: —" That whereas it had been enacted and declared, in the provisions of various ancient laws of this realm, that the Sovereign thereof had, by and with the advice and under the authority of both Houses of Parliament, the full and supreme autho rity and government in all matters ecclesiastical and civil within these realms; that whereas those Acts con tained provisions having reference to the relations of this realm with foreign powers; that whereas it was expe dient, for the welfare of this realm, that the said provi sions with reference to the Crown and government thereof should be inviolably maintained, and it was expedient, nevertheless, •to remove any doubts that might exist as to the competency of her Majesty to enter into diplomatic relations with the Sovereigns of the Roman States; that therefore it should be enacted ;"&c. — (Hear.) If their Lordships were of opinion that it would be more advisable to introduce an enacting clause pro viding the same, he should have no objection to move such a clause. Lord STANLEY said he had never entertained any doubt of the uniform sincerity and uprightness of pur pose of the Noble Duke who had last spoken.—(flear, hear.) But it he believed that the rights of the people of this country, or the rights and privileges of the mo narch, were afflicted by this Bill, or that the pretensions of the Pope to spiritual pre-eminence and temporary authority might be thereby strengthened, no considera tion could induce him to consent to the second reading. But he did not believe that it involved any violation of the principle on which the Bill of Rights was founded. —(Rear.) Still, it being well known that for the last two hundred - years intercourse with the Court of Rome had been prohibited by a strong moral feeling —or, it might be, by the prejudices of thi s P ro t es t ant nation— no measure, hastily introduced as this had been, ought to be hastily carried, or without due consideration by the country at large.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Marquis himself, on the part of the Government, had declared, by the introduction of this Bill, that grave doubts had existed as to the interpretation of the statutes alluded to ; and as the practice had, for the last 180 years, been contrary to what this Bill went to sanction, it was clear that the - measure was, to all intents, an enacting Bill, empowering her Majesty to do what she could not do as the law previously stood. The Noble Marquis had assumed that all the current of history and of opinion was in favour of intercourse with Rome, prior to the Acts in question ; but this was not so, as was evinced by the course taken by the Duke of Somer set in the case referred to by the Noble Marquis. Then, as to the policy of the measure, if it were deemed neces sary by Government that her Majesty should be freed from the existing restrictions, the proper and most dig nified course wonld have been to have introduced the sub ject in the speech from the throne; or, if the necessity was not then foreseen, at least to have made it the subject of a special formal message to the House. Instead of that, the Noble Marquis had risen, after a debate on the West India question, and had laid the Bill on the table Ewith the same nonchalance as if it had been nothing more than a turnpike trust Bill.—(Hear, hear.) Surely that was not the mode in which a great measure like this should be dealt with; and he hoped their Lord ships would not allow it to be hastily slurred over.— (Hear.) Even, in the interest of the Bill itself, the fullest opportunity ought to he given for its thorough con sideration. The Noble Marquis might at l eas t h ave I made some communication as to the late proceedings at the Court of Rome, and have informed their Lordships what was the result of the intercourse which had taken place between Lord Minto and th at C ourt. I t m i ght b e said that that intercourse was unofficial ; an d if th ere were really any impediment to this intercourse in existing Acts of Parliament, Earl Minto, and the Noble Lord at the head of foreign affairs had -tlaced themselves in a very difficult position. For in a dispatch dated in Octo ber last the Noble Earl was requested by Lord Palmer ston to press on the Co ur t o f R ome th e removal of the Jesuits from Switaerland, with the view of preventing war in that country. Earl Minto, in his reply, stated that he had had some conversation on the sub ject with the Cardinal Secretary of State, and said he should continue to press for the Pope's interposition in the matter. It might be said this was mere conversa tion; but, in the lace of a law which was presumed to prohibit diplomatic intercourse, here was an eflicial in struction from the Foreign Secretary to Lord Minto to undertake a certain negotiation, and a regular official report from that Noble Lord as to:the:result of his repre sentations. This correspondence had been . officially laid on the tables of both Houses; and if this intercourse were not penal under existing Acts, he was at a 1063 to know what kind of diplomatic intercourse could be so.— (dear, hear.) It could not be said that this intercourse was private and confidential; for the Government had themselves furnished official copies thereof. Bence, as it was not to be presumed that the Noble Marquis and his colleagues had knowingly incurred the penalties of 1 premunire, what became of the argument in favour of the necessity of this measure as a means of facilitating diplomatic intercourse with the Court of Rome?—(Hear , ,, hear.) The Noble M a r qu i s h a d c it e d an instance or direct intercourse with that Court; but this had taken place at a time when all Europe was involved in war, and under the pressure of the strongest necessity. —(Hear, hear.) He did not deny that there might be conveniences and advantages attending a diplo matic intercourse with the Court of Rome •, but it should be well considered whether there might not be connected therewith inconveniences and disadvantagl of a still stronger character.—(Hear.) As to the Pope! spiritual authority in this realm, no one supposed that the oath of abjuration meant to deny that a very large class of our fellow-subjects did consider themselves sub ject to the spiritual advice and authority of the Pontiff ; what was implied was this, that the authority in ques tion was not such as could be supported by the laws 01 this country, but merely one founded in opinion. No one disputed the authority which a rescript from Rome would possess over an Irish Roman Catholic bishop. It was, therefore, idle to allege that this Bill was neces sary for the purpose of diplomatic intercourse, in the light in which that necessity had been represented. The fact was, the Pope had authority over our Roman Catholic fellow• subjects, and the Government were now seeking to establish relations with the Pope, in order to secure his authority being exercised in the least offensive manner. The Government must admit that this was the real object of the Bill.—(Hear.) Then arose the question, did this measure sanction and strengthen the Papal authority ? If he believed it to have that effect, he should directly oppose it. He believed the present Pope to be a liberal and well-intentioned man; whether he was a far seeing and discreet man might be doubted, for he feared he had entered on a course, poli tically speaking, which was full of danger. However this might be, it was evident that no man who had recently occupied the Papal chair had exercised his spiritual authority with so high a hand.—(Hear, hear.) In the case of the Irish colleges the course pursued by Pius the Ninth was most ill-judged and reprehensible.- - (Hear, hear.) Had this country had diplomatic relations at that Court, remonstrances might have been offered; and if these remonstrances had been disregarded, which was probable, would not that have led to more serious misunderstrndings with the Court of Rome than if no such relations had existed ?—(Hear, hear.) Hence, be doubted whether the inconveniences that might result from this measure might not outweigh the probable advantages. Though he was far from thinking with the Noble Duke (Wellington) that be cause the Government had laid this Bill on the table the House ought to give it a second reading, he was yet willing to allow it to proceed, reserving his right to give it full consideration afterwards; and be hoped the Government would allow a sufficient interval for this purpose, before the Bill passed its remaining stages. The Noble Marquis had expressed his readiness to adopt any amendment which might be thought necessary for giving greater security to the Protestant Church; and he thanked the Noble Lord on the Woolsack for the important provisoes which he had suggested. He did not object to the Bill because it recognised the temporal sovereignty of the Pope in his own dominions; this had already been fully recognised by this country. But he much doubted whether the recognition- was reciprocal, as the Noble Marquis intimated; for it was undeniable that claims had been put forward at different times by the Papacy wholly inconsistent with the temporal autho rity of the Queen of England in her dominions.—(Hear, hear.) He doubted whether it was consistent with the dignity of a great country like this to enter into diplo matic relations with any power, without a clear and ex press declaration on the part of that power of the tem poral authority at least of our Sovereign.—(Hear, hear.) Unless such provisions were introduced he should feel obliged to oppose the Bill. In every other country, Catholic as well as Protestant, it had been found neces sary to place their diplomatic relations with Rome on a more limited footing than those with any other country, the reason being the extreme difficulty of drawing the boundary line between the temporal and spiritual au thority of the Pope. In the case of Prussia some spe cial provisions of the kind he now suggested were made before entering into diplomatic intercourse with Rome. With regard to our Ambassador at Rome, the advan tages and inconveniences might b e near l y balanced; but if a papal envoy were admitted here, especially if allowed to combine spiritual and temporal authority, the probable inconveniences would be very serious; and the people of this country would require very strong security against the abuse of such power. This power ought especially to be guarded with reference to the admission of bulls and rescripts. As they were about to introduce a Papal Envoy into this , country, precautions not necessary in Roman Catho lic countries ought to be taken to prevent bulls and rescripts being admitted or permitted to come in which had not obtained the previous sanction of the Govern ment. These were the points to which it was right the attention of their Lordships should be directed. Some , of these points were calculated to satisfy the apprehen sions of the public, and it was on these grounds that, though he was not prepared to join with the Noble Duke who had moved the amendment in negativing the second reading of this Bill, and which amendment he hoped would not be pressed to a division, still he wished to see how far the objection to the measure might be removed in Committee ; but he should reserve to him self the entire right to take any course which he might think expedient on the third reading of the Bill. He would not now pledge himself to the final adoption of the measure, but he hoped that, on a matter of so much importance, worthy, he would not say the prejudices, but the religious feeling of the people, ample time would be given for the consideration of the Bill, as it would stand after the introduction of those amendments which their Lordships in their wisdom might think fit to adopt.—(Hear, hear.) Earl GREY amprepacd tho s tem satisfaction he felt that the Noble Lord who had just sat down, and who had carefully scrutinised this measure to discover every possible defect, found no greater fault with it than the manner in which it had been introduced. The Noble Lord said that a measure of such vast importance, in volving considerations of serious political consequences, ought not to have been brought in without in the first instance having been announced to Parliament by her Majesty in the speech from the throne, or, at all events, by a formal message sent by the Crown to both branches of the Legislature. This objection was unworthy of the Noble Lord, for it was new to him (Earl Grey) that such a course was necessary; and if no more serious fault could be found, he was content to leave it without Bill, an any answer. nshwad bee er.l n V l ip id ruepnsopeete table t h tothe introduction of the the President of th e C ounc il i n a mabnynherissNtroicbtlley , cordance with th e pract i ce of the House, and his Noble Friend h a d, as usua l , reserved any explanation or discussion of th e measure until he moved the second reading, an d to - n i ght he bad not failed to lay the case fully an d f a i r l y b efore their Lordships. The case his Nobl e F r i en d h a d made out must have car ried conviction to the mind of almost every individual who had heard him. But•then the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Stanley) found fault with the short interval which had been allowed to elapse between the introduction of the Bill and i;s second reading. He (Earl Grey) owned that he was astonished that this objection should have been raised by the Noble Lord, because he himself had suggested that if a reasonable interval was given before the second reading, there would be no sort of objection to proceeding with the Bill in Committee on the fol lowing day. The Government had no wish to hurry the Bill to a discussion, and had allowed a fair interval to elapse, but not to fix so distant a day for the second reading that the country might be lashed into a sort of artificial agitation. After finding these petty faults, and dealing in this minute sort of criticism, the Noble Lord had proceeded to make some comments which, so far from being arguments against the Bill, were in fact strong arguments in its favour. He had quoted Lord Minto's dispatches, and argued from them that already there was clearly a diplomatic intercourse be tween Rome and this country, and that if the penalties of prcemunire had arisen, they had been incurred by her Majesty's Government. The Government had never pretended that Lord Minto had gone to or remained at Rome on his own pleasure. On the contrary, he was there for an avowed public object, but the existing state of affairs prevented him having formal letters to the Pope. He had no proper authority to act as the repre sentative of the British Crown at the Court of Rome, but at the same time it had never been concealed that he had taken an active part in the affairs of that country This was the very case the Government brought forward in favour of this Bill, as showing the necessity which had existed and still did exist, for intercourse of a diplomatic nature between the two countries. The manner in which that intercourse had hitherto been carried on, had been most unsatisfactory. It was of frequent occurrence that the Govern ment had to communicate with the Court of Romo in reference to the ecclesiastical affairs in many of the cue lonics where the Roman Catholic religion prevailed, and hence it was of importance this country should have a recognized representative at Rome. Undoubtedly it would not have been right to have sent Lord Minto if the Government had not contemplated the very step which it had now taked in asking Parliament to put the intercourse upon a proper footing. The Noble Lord opposite bad said that no Protestant state received as an envoy from Rome any ecclesiastic, and he had instanced the case of Prussia. This restriction, however, did not rest upon the law of Prussia, but simply on the pleasure of the King and his Government, and on that pleasure they had declined to receive an ecclesiastic as an ambas sador. In the same way, if this Bill passed, it would be open to the Government of this country, be that Govern ment whom it might, to decline to receive any ambassa dor if they thought any inconvenience or danger would arise from his presence here, and therefore it appeared 1 to him (Earl Grey) to bo unnecessary that the Bill should contain any such clause of restriction as that of which notice had been given. It would be difficult to frame a clause to define who would be a safe ambassador to be admitted from the Court of Rome, and therefore it was better that the responsibility should be left upon the Government for the time being. The clause of which the Noble Duke at the table (the Duke of Wellington) had given notice would be a decided improvement in the Bill; for though he (Earl Grey) thought the Bill was perfectly safe as it stood, this clause would make " assurance doubly sure," and tend to allay unnecessary fears which prevailed outside the walls of Parliament. Hence the Government gave their adhesion to that clause. There was no other point to which he (Earl Grey) felt it ne cessary at present to advert, except as to what had fallen from a Right Reverend Prelate early in the debate, who appeared to him to admit the policy, expe diency, and legality (under the existing laws) of diplo matic intercourse with the Court of Rome; for the ob jection of the Right Rev. Prelate simply was, that the Bill was unnecessary; and he desired that the opinion of the judges should be taken as to the law as it actually stood in this respect. Now, according to the forms of the House, if this Bill had not been before it, it was not competent to consult the judges on a question of the ~.. 1 ~~ 45 - I $;wA -?: • • ,1! " • -..-.: - 71 ..... .15..._ • • 1 I I nn 1