The Sun. — London, England, 1842-02-24 00:00:00

The O.UItE; ; SADVOCATE and Dr. /TAGGART), who appeared for the churchwardens contended in reply that this case was totally distinct from the former Braintree case. The rate was not then made in a vestry meeting, or on a day when a vestry meeting was convened ; it was made by the Churchwardens alone. But none of these things could be said of the rate now in dis puce ; and above all, this rate had been made in pursuance of a decree of this Court, and a monition i , sued by the Court, direct ing the Churchwardens to call a Vestry Meeting, and to take the necessary steps to raise a sum for the repair of the church, as they were bound to do. But if a majority of the parishioners could still legally refuse the rate, there was no means of com pelling them to discharge the obligation imposed on them, and there was no means of obtaining the execution of the order of that Court. The ecclesiastical authorities could not enforce their claim by having recourse to an interdict, which was a proceeding, as stated by the Chief Justice in his decision in the former case, now obsolete, and abandoned by general consent. The Judges of the Exchequer held that in the former case the churchwardens had not, legally proceeded, and that they were not therefore entitled to the support of the Court. But in that very judgment the legal character of church rates was admitted ; and it was manifest beyond all (melon that in the opinion of the Judges a resistance on the part of the inhabitants of a parish to make the necessary church-rate was a resistance to the law. The only possi ble means of en!'oreing the law had been taken ; and, therefore, the proceeding of the refractory parishioners could not be maintained. The majority who refused to make a rate, which they were hound to make, threw away their votes, and the minority on that occasion legally represented the parish. Dr. ADDAMS having replied, Sir S. LUSHINGTON said that the question was one in volved in great difficulty; and it had assumed a new aspect in consequence of the decisions of the Court of Queen's Bench, and of the. Exchequer. He would inded be a bold man who under these circumstances would of his own accord undertake to adjudicate upon the question. It was, however, his duty to pronounce a decision; but he would not do so until he bad taken further time to consider the whole matter. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION HOUSE. John Bagnell Stockley, the Brussels banker, agent and broker, who was charged on Saturday week, with having unlawfully converted to his own use, certain French Dutch bonds, left in his custody by a lady of the name of Molo►►y, was brought up for re-examination. The case attracted a great number of auditors. Mr. Chad wick Jones appeared fur the complainant, and Mr. Bodkin for the pris,.ner. Mr. CHADWICK JONES stated, that he had got over evidence from France. to prove the identity of the French Dutch bonds, which Mrs. Molony's husband had purchased of a broker at Bou logne. and deposited in the hands of the prisoner. He also had the necessary evidence to prove that the prisoner had misappropriated the bonds, which he brought to this country (being seven of the complainant's bonds), by causing them to be sold, and the pro ceeds to be placed to his account. Mr. Ilyppolite Sire, banker, at Boulogne, stated that he knew Mr. Lambert Molony, the husband of the prosecutrix there. In the year 1835, witness sold to Mr. Molony fourteen French Dutch .. bonds, the numbers of which corresponded with the numbers of those respecting which evidence was given on the first examina tion of the prisoner. The value of the whole was above 1,200/. They had been purchased by witness's house, together with a few others similar, and subsequently sold to Mr. slolony, as appeared by an extract taken from the books by one of witness's clerks. Mr. William Wilson Scrimgeour, Manager of the Union Bank of London, stated that the prisoner had been introduced to him upon respectable references, and had opened an account with the batik. Witness thought that the time of the introduction was about January, 1841. Subsequently the prisoner brought some French Dutch Bonds to witness, who took them, but who refused to take other securities of a comparatively questionable character. (Here witness stated that the bonds placed in his hands were num bered 2171, 2172, '2176, 553, 557, 558, and 2274; styes] of the numbers purchased by Mr. Molony of Mr, Sire, at Boulogne.) The prisoaer afterwards directed that the bonds should be sold, and the Bank accordingly sent them to Messrs. Boyd and Co., the stock brokers, who sold them, and placed the proceeds to the pri. soner's account. There was a balance of 41. remaining of the account. Jr. Chadwick Jones said there was another witness whom he did not think it would be necessary to call, as the transaction was confined to Brussels. That witness was a banker, to whom the prisoner went, upon receiving the bonds from the prosecutrix, and sold them, thus supplying the prosecutrix with the temporary ac commodation she required from the money derived from her own property. The Loan Marcia—There is no occasion whatever for hearing that gentleman. Mr. Bodkin said he had expressed a wish upon the first examina tion that his Lordship would consult his legal adviser as to hit Lord_ ship's jurisdiction in the case, and he was anxious to know whether that had beets done ? The Lotto MAvoa said be hart taken the advice of the City Solicitor on the subject. and determined, after having heard the ' opinion of Mr. Pearson to send the case for trial. He enter , tamed not the slighte , t doubt upon the matter himself. Theoflinice with which the prisoner was charged, was a bailable one, but if any bail were offered, nose, would be accepted but good securities, to the full amount of the proAcptrix's claim. )3y, consent of the cctitltiel„.on both sides, it was agreed that the prlioter should be brought up on Saturday, to be committed for trial, anti the depositions .e the witnesses were severally taken dowi and signed.' BOW-STR EET. James IVelsh,a strange-looking man, was charged with begging. An officer of the Menoicity Society said that he found the prisoner begging, on Tuesday night, about six o'clock, in New-street, Covent. garden. On searching him *ls. lid. in money was found upon his person, and a book, such as is given to depositors of money in Savings' Banks, showing that the prisoner had a deposit of 41. in some bank. He was an old offender. The prisoner, in explanation, said that he had found the book, but as this statement did not meet with the credence which was, perhaps, anticipated, he next endeavoured to excite the sympathy of the worthy Magistrate, by recounting tales of suffering, the effect of paralysis. This scheme, however, also failed. The prisoner then gave up all further endeavours to convince the Magistrate of' his native simplicity, and with calm resignation received from the Magistrate the sentence for his delinquencies, of one month's im. prisonment. A garrulous little Jewess, who appeared to be in that state which ladies like to be who love their lords, applied for three summonses against Sarah Levy, Esther Levy, and Joseph Josephs, for assault. The lady stated that on Tuesday night, about eleven, she was proceeding home to her domicile, 34, Castle-street, Long-acre, but feeling rather thirsty, she stepped into Mr. Lacy's, at the Garrick's Head, in Bow-street, to get a glass of porter, whilst there Mrs. Levy deliberately came up, and spat in her face tw.ce. She also threatened to do for her, and to kick the child out of her. Mr. Josephs then pinned her against the wall, whilst the gentle Mrs. Levy, and her fair sister, punched her and beat her most de. liberately, and literally tore the clothes from off her back. The little woman then unfolded a bundle of rags, which was erat a gown. The summonses were granted. 31A RLBO no UGH-STREET. Arramerao Suictue.—Eliza Loder, a fine grown handsome young woman, but very meanly clad, and who appeared suffering from illness and exhaustion, was placed at the bar, having been taken into. custody under thy following circumstances. About seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, she was observed walking al ,- ,ng the north bank of the Serpentine river crying bitterly. She was watched by James'Knight, one of the men belonging to the Royal Jiumane Society, who approached her unawares and caught her in his arms as she was about to throw herself into the water, she having taken off her bonnet and laid at her feet. She was then given into the charge of the police and taken to the station-house. Mr. MALTBY put several questions to the young woman, but at first she seemed much averse to give any information respecting herself, but eventually the worthy Magistrate elicited from her that she belonged to the parish of St. Mary, Lambeth; her father having carried on business there for many years, as a plumber and glazier. She had been in service with Mr. Thompson, of Kenning. ton Oval, nurseryman, but was obliged to leave in consequence of illness, through which she had been in Guy's Hospital for eight months. She was discharged from there about four months ago, her father having died a few days previously. Mr. MALTBY—Did you intend to destroy 'yourself ? , Young Woman-1 did; 'he miserable state I was in induced me to take that desperate resolve. Mr. MALTBY—fIow have you supported yourself during the four months; have you been on the streets? Young Woman (with mush emotion)—No, Sir, I have not. I have lived by selling my clothes, a thing at a tiine and some few articles my father left me. Within the last few slays I had not ii the means of procuring either food or shelter, but have wandered the streets day and night. Mr. MALTBY—If T discharge you now, have you any place to go to, or_ relation which would assist you ? Young Woman—None whatever, my mother died many years before my father. Mr. Matirev ordered half a crown to be given out of the poor box, and directed that the young woman should be taken to St. George's Workhouse, and that she should be taken in there until her ease can be investigated. • UNION-HALL. John Connor, a notorious young thief, was placed at the bar before Mr. Cottingham, charged with stealing a quantity of lead, the property of the Brighton Railway Company. Policeman 164 M, stated that he was on duty in Bermondsey. street on Tuesday night at eleven, and from information he re. eelved he repaired to the back part of the premises occupied by Mr. Newman, Surveyor of Pavements to the parish, and found the prisoner concealed in the passage leading to the back kitchen, with a quantity of lead, weighing about a himdred and half, Packed up ready for carrying away. On further examinaton of t he premises, he discovered that the copper in the back kitchen :Inch n partly wrenched out, and a small crow-bar lying near it, perfectly corresponded with the marks on the copper. On examining the lead, he ascertained that it had been torn from the gutter at the b ac k o f the house, and no doubt had been done with the same instrument. The prisoner was observed to drop from the top of the back kitcOen by two females who were passing at the time, and gave the alarm. Mr. Corristaissi remanded the prisoner until Friday next. The prisoner, Win is an adept at this business, was charged at this Court for a simil ar ce only ten days ago, but was dis 'charged for want of evidence. . • MEETING AT WEST BROMWICH. WEST ItiOMWICIIi, Tu .s MoItNING.—A most nume- rou s meetihg was held herela r : A t nigh t in the Methodist Chapel, Hill-top, for the purpose of ta it i , : ea reasures tn secure the re veal of the Corn - laws and the was "al Of Peel and his col ileagues. James Bottley, E N' ' g di v ailed to the c hai r . It is le impossible to de scribe the ek.) a state of mind a m n port ant changes. suffice it to say it was such as clearly indicated at the meeting; which must very soon lead to the n i o t a : r i asserted d teniion of the • Every one of the speakers called aloudplainly W ltnisters, an suffrage, and it was clearly and ensue. anent the Queen refused to dismiss her present i t ‘ hat the nm cdhe;red, immediate and general cessation from tax-paying The conduct of the ladies of Manchester was loudr l arid a determination expressed to follow their advl y ce. solemn promises were never made by men than were entered into last night by the speakers, to continue agitation until r th d e objee t was carried. T w o days ago, a young man named Genouville, on .144 .1‘ itrre,ted in the apartment of his mistress on a charge of til'ina been An ac,:omplice in an act of swindling, was so overcome Y The 011 .. tc,t,tat , he immediately dropped down and expired. the Court would not sanction the rate, which would in Popish countries be considered almost miraculous, and which he supposed the Puseyites would also consider somewhat of a marvel now that they were approaching to Popery. That reason was, that in 1837 a rate of 3s. in the pound was deemed necessary for the repair of the church, whereas, in 1842, though the church must have gone more into decay, a rate of 2s. in the pound, was thought to be enough. He also contended that the churchwardens ought not be satisfied with a show of hands at the meeting, in proof of which he quoted a case from Rogers, p. 789. The parish were only bound to repair the nav e o f th e c h urc h , an d not the whole church. And it was evident from Ist Mordaunt, p. 237, that though a tat were imposed de reparatione eeclesice, and applied to the repair of the chancel, the Court could not interfere at Common Law, and the expenses need not be allowed in the churchwardens' accounts ; and, therefore, the rate was bad. The nextobjection he had to urge was against the rate itself and its excessive amount, on which ground he contended also that the allegation must be rejected. The churchwardens and the mino rity in vestry assembled took it upon themselves to omit 1,0004 worth of rateable property ; and though, from the au thority of "Thompson and Sandford v. Cooper," in 3d Philli more, 640, tire property of poor parishioners may not be in cluded in the rate, yet that authority could not apply to a ease like the prrsent. Upon the whole, therefore, he hoped the Court would agree that a rate .levied in the manner in which that had been would be set aside. __ PEEL'S EFFIGY AGAIN. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) BEVERLEY, FEB. 22.—Last Bight the inhabitants of the usually quiet town of Beverley were aroused by a band of music playing the Rogue's March through the town, accompanied by an immense number of the people, some of whom carried, sus pended upon a gallows, an effigy of Sir Robert Peel, with a rope attached, to draw him from one skie of the gallows to the other, in imitation of his sliding scale. He was preceded by a num ber of people carrying various placards. The motto of some were as follows :—" Peel, the Rat-catcher," " Peel, the Star vation Minister," in a large ra t-t rap, two li ve rats, with the following underneath : "Graham and Stanley, the Peel rats." Another, with the names of the recently-appointed Magistrates as " Graham Rats," as all the newly-appointed Magistrates are renegades to their former principles, like Sir J. Graham. We suppose that was their recommendation, as we know of no other. When they arrived at our spacious market-place, and paraded round the market-cross, a judge and jury were ap pointed to try the Joseph Surface, when he was shot and burnt by the unanimous voice of the jury and people. There were several thousands of people assembled, who behaved in a most orderly manner; and after giving three cheers for the total repeal of the provision -laws, three cheers for the Liberals, and three groans for Peel and the Monopolists, and three groans for the Tories, the people quietly separated. One of the newly -appointed Magistrates sent a message to a widow lady, who keeps an inn, to say that i f any thing came from her house that night, he should remember her on the licensing day. CHARTISM.-FALSE REPORTS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—In the Carmarthen Journal and other Welsh papers, paragraphs are repeatedly appearing, stating that the Chartists of various parts of Wales are arming themselves for a physical movement.• As a member of the Chartist Executive Council, having a most perfect knowledge of all that transpires in the Chartist body, I beg, through the medium of your paper, most positively to contradict these false statements. I believe the parties originating them are interested in terrifying the minds of the public. Most likely they are the tools of the Govern ment in that quarter, who feel anxious to prolong their servile occupation, and for this purpose resort to the most vile misrepre sentations. The Chartists are extensively organised to pro mote the spread of political knowledge, and by legal means to contend for the overthrow of unjust institutions. Happily they are too likely to succeed peacefully, to be compelled to resort to acts of forcible resistance to corrupt Government.—Yours, &c., R. K. PHILP. THE ROYAL NAVY. PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—The Winchester, 52, Captain Thomas W. Carter, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning, from the West Indies and North American station ; she left Bermuda last, and has made a very quick passage of only six teen days. She will come into harbour in the course of the day, and will either be paid up, or paid off, all standing. In the event of her being paid off, she will be recommissioned forth with, as she is under orders to proceed, as soon as possible, to the Cape, with the flag of Rear-Admiral Hon. Josceline Percy. Previous to her being recommissioned, she will be taken into dock and overhauled. At the time the Winchester left Ber muda, the following ships were lying there :—lllustrious, 72, with the flag of Sir Charles Adam ; Pique, 36 ' - Spartan, 26 ; Volage, 26 ; and Spitfi r e s t eam - vesse l. Th e Racehorse, 18, had sailed a day or two previous for Barbadoes, and the Illus trious was on the eve of leaving Bermuda for the same place. Commanders Ogilvy, Murray, and Fisher, who have been re cently promoted in the late brevet, c a m e home passengers; as in the Winchester. Rear-Admiral Hon. Joceline Percy is expected down to day or to-morrow, to hoist his flag on board the Winchester, in which he will proceed to the Cape, to take the command at that station. There will then be five Admirals' flags flying at this port—those of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, on board the St. Vincent (white at the main), he being the Com mander. in-Chief of the port—of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Owen, on board the Queen (red at the fore), who is about to assume the command of the fleet in the Mediterranean—of Rear-Admiral Hon. D. P. Bouverie, on board the Victory (red at the mizen), the Admiral-Superintendent of the Dock yard here—of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, en board the Excellent (blue at the mizen), who is going out to China as second in command—and of Rear-Admiral Hon. Josceline Percy, on board the Winchester (blue at the mizen), about to proceed to the Cape. The Formidable, 84, Captain Sir Charles Sullivan, has proved herself, in her voyage from the Downs to this port, to be an excellent sailer. She left the ➢owns four hours after the Alfred. and arrived here half an hour before her, though on a previous oWsion, when the two ships left Sheerness to gether, and anchored at the Sunk, the Alfred had a slight advantage of her. She has again sprung her capstan, which will in all probability be replaced by a new one. It is not expected that she will leave Spithead within a fortnight or three weeks, as she is nearly a hundred hands short of her complement. The aarysfort, 26, Captain Lord George Paulett, has got nearly ready for sea in a very short space of time. She has been commissioned but a ♦ery few weeks, and although she only came out of the basin a day or two ago, she has her top-gallant masts up and all her running gear rove. In all pro bability, she will leave the harbour the latter end of next week. The Alfred, 50, Commodore Purvis, has some defect in her rudder. which it is thought, will render it necossary for her to come into harbour to have repaired. This, however, will not detain her beyond the time she would otherwise remain to complete her stores and men. She is about fifty hands short of her complement. The Queen, 110, Capt, Rich, with the flag of Sir Edward Owen, has now got nearly the whole of her hands, and will leave in about a week, for the Meditterranean. Ships at Spithead.—Queen, 110; Formidable, 84; Win chester, 52 ; Alfred, 50 ; and Wolverine, 16. Ships in Harbour.—St. Vincent, Victor', Excellent, Royal George yacht, Vindictive, Carysfort, Ringdove, and Nautilus. WESTMINSTER REFORM SOCIETY. On Monday night. a meeting of this Society was convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the course that should be pursued by the Society, in the present crisis of public affairs. Strong resolutions were passed, c.mdemnatory of Sir Robert Peel's mea s u re , an d express i ng t h e Society's determination to abstain from petitioning the Houe of Com mons, constituted of a faction o f landowners ; and stating that the distresses pervading the community at large arose from a defective state of the represeastation, which it was necessary radically to reform, and confidently hoped in a firm union of the people against the taxation of food. The necessity of a public meeting of. the ,electors of Westminster was also strongly insisted on fur .a future day, for which purpose a new Chairman was then appointed by those present, not as members of the society, but as electors of Westminster, and a resolution was proposed and agreed to, that. a requisition should forth with be presented to the High Bailiff of Westminster, re questing. him to convene a public meeting of the inhabitants, to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning for a total repeal of the Corn-laws, and also for an Extension of the Suffrage. A requisition was then drawn up in conformity with the resolution, and a Committee appointed to make the neces sary arrangements. LOSS OF THE KENT STEAMER.—Monday morning intelligence was received in the city, by the underwriters at Lloyd's, of the loss of the Commercial Steam Navigation Company's steamer the Kent, Captain Lakeman, which happened on the morning of Saturday last, during the heavy fog, on the coast, off the village of Barton, in Hampshire, but was happily unattended with loss of human life. It appears that the Kent, which was a fine two. masted vessel, upwards of 120 feet in length, and of about 200 tons burden, has lately been running with another steamer between Tor quay, in Devonshire, and Southampton. She left Torquay on Fri day evening at the usual time, with about 50 passengers, and all went on smoothly till about four o'clock on Saturday morning, when a heavy fog came on, The weather not being boisterous, though extremely cold, the master, Captain Lakeman, considered it prudent to proceed on the voyage, but, at the same time, the speed was greatly slackened, and extra" look-outs"were ordered forward. On arriving off' Poole, the vessel was kept well out from the land, and was supposed to be continuing in that track, when suddenly, to the amazement and consternation of all on board, she went ashore between Hurst Castle and Christchurch Point. She struck with immense violence ; in fact so great was the shock that all those on deck were knocked down, and two of the seamen thrown overboard, but fortunately they regained the deck. The ' scene that ensued amongst the passengers, amongst whom were several females, was of a most distressing character, for it was fully anticipated that the vessel would momentarily go to pieces. Capt. Lakeman avted with the greatest fortitude. and to that alone is at tributable the preservation of all on board the itl.fated vessel. After a sh set delay the boats were lowered, and in the course of an hour the whole of the passengers were safely placed on shore. In the meantime assistance came up, and also a body of the Coast Guard service, when the most strenuous exertions were made to get the vessel off, but it was found utterly impracticable, and, ac cording to the accounts received, it is feared that she will become a total wreck. It is understood that she was insured for 2,0001. The Kent was launched at Gravesend about 16 yeamago, and till purchased, five years since, by the Commercial Steam Navigation Company, was employed running between London and Gravesend. This is our Paisley Candlemas fair week, but a more dispirited and unbusiness fair never passed over in town. On Thursday there were scarcely any cattle in the market, and, with the exception of a slight addition to the number of country visitors, nothing was observable beyond an ordinary market-day to the town's-people, who have, in general, no other thing to think of, but in bitter despair to reflect over their losses, or to ,contrive where the next meal may come from, fair days and ordinary days come now all alike. The voice of mirth, and the half.day's enjoy ment, dressed out in their best attire, are alike completely gone. The farmers in general in this quarter are becoming, from dear bought experience, ardent converts for the repeal of the Corn.laws. Low prices for their produce, a difficulty to find purchasers, and a still greater difficulty.to obtain payment s is leaving them with doubtful prospects as to their ability to provide for the rent day, and with no hope whatever of being able to fulfil their engagements, if a speedy change do not soon take place in the Condition of the manufacturing population.—Glasgow Evening Post. WIEL A N TIL E: POET.—The night that followed the battle of Jena was a terrible one to the inhabitants of Weimar. The contest raged in its streets and walks ; showers of balls fell into the town ; all around houses were seen in flames; plunder and devastation were at their height. But amidst this general con. fusion, Wieland, the poet, received a proof of the high estimation in which his talents were held by him who had thus directed the storm of war ; for, by Buonaparte's orders, a guard was placed be fore his house for its protection. Next morning Marshal Ney waited upon him in person. He found him in his room, which had been stripped of its furniture before the guard had been placed. Wieland had only his own chair remaining, which he offered to the Marshal ; but Iley, with politeness and kindness, gently re-seated theold man in his chair, and observed that he knew better whose duty it was to stand in the presence of Wieland. WILSON'S LECTURES ON SCOTCH MUSIC.—This po pular vocalist gave a lecture on Monday at the Music.hall, Store street, on the music and song of his native land. He chose for the immediate subjeet connected with his series of lectures the adven tures of Prince Charles in his attempt in the year 1745.6 ; and illustrated his narrative with the songs of the times, and the airs which were played during tht events of that stirring period. Amongst the songs were—" Welcome, Royal Charlie," " WWII be King but Charlie ?" " Wha wadna fight for Chat lie ?" "0, this is no my ain Lassie;" the well.known song Johnnie Cope;" " Allister M'Allister." All these songs were sung by Mr. Wilson with exquisite taste, and roust, to lovers of Scotch melody, be a perfect treat. The part that was purely a lecture was well delivered, and was made very entertaining by the great variety of anecdote and the aptness of many pootical quotations. The room was crowded with company. SUDDEN DEATH IN COVENT-GARDEN MARKET. On Monday night an inquest was held at the Unicorn, Henrietta. street, Covent-garden, before Mr. Higgs, o•i the body of Michael Hare, aged 52, a porter, in Covent.garden Market. On Saturday morning last he was employed to carry a load of vegetables to Chancery.lane, and on returning with the empty basket on his head, he suddenly fell on the ground, and he never moved after wards. Verdict — " Died by the Visitation of God." A FOUNDRY ON FlRE.—About eight o'clock on Wednesday evening last, Messrs. Sanders and Williams, of this town, were alarmed by the upper part of the foundry taking fire. The fire was extinguished before it had effected any material damage, and was caused by the overheating of the furnace.— Bedford Mercury. ItApir, RECOVERY.—Henry McVay had his leg amputated above the knee in the Westminster Hospital, by Mr. Lynn, on Saturday, the sth inst. On the Thursday week following it was perfectfy healed, and he was walking about his ward. He is now takin g his walk daily in the Park. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, FEB. 23. The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four o'Clock. General MomsoN was introduced by Mr. Macaulay and Mr.. Fox Maule, and took the oaths and and his seat for Clackmannan and Kinross. On the motion of Mr. BARNARD, the London and Greenwich Improvement Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The South Eastern Railway Company's Bill was read a second time. Mr. THORNELY presented a petition from Wol verhampton in favour of the Severn Navigation Bill. The Birkenhead Improvement Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Sir J. Y. BULLER brought up the Report of the Committee on the Southwark Improvements Bill. Mr. -GODSON presented a petition from Stour port and Kidderminster, in favour of the Severn Na vigation - AIARYLE . BONE VESTRY BILL. Colonel T. WOOD brought in the Marylebone Vestry Bill. Sir B. HALL wished to know when it was the in tention of the Hon. and Gallant Member to move the second reading of the Bill. Colonel T. WOOD said he should move the second reading in 10 days or a fortnight, as he thought in that time the inhabitants of Marylebone would be enabled to become acquainted with the nature of the Bill. Mr. R. CLIVE brought in the Grantham Pier Bill, which was read a first time. CORN-LAWS. Captain BERKELEY presented a petition from a place near Bristol praying for the abolition of the Bread and Provision tax. Mr. BROTHERTON presented thirty petitions from different parts of Manchester, praying for the total abolition of the Corn-laws. Mr. MARSLAND presented a petition from Stockport, signed by a magistrate, a minister of the Established Church, and many others, who are la bouring under great poverty and depression, which they, ascribe to the fatal effect of the Corn-laws, pray ing the House to pass a law for the repeal o f th e Corn and Provision-laws ' • also, another petition from the inhabitants of Stockport, agreed to at a public meet ing, expressing surprise and indignation at Sir R. Peel's proposed plan for the alteration of the Corn laws, respectfully demanding that the franchise be extended to every man of twenty-one years of age, and that the Corn-laws. be totally and immediately repealed. Alderman WOOD presented a petition from South wark, praying that the toll be removed from South wark and Waterloo Bridges. Mr. H. BERKELEY presented a petition from Marylebone to the same effect. Mr. FOX MAULE presented a petition, praying for a repeal of the Corn-laws, and an extension of the Suffrage ; a petition from Berkshire for the re peal of the Corn-laws, and a petition from the Mayor and Aldermen of Birmingham, praying that certain clauses in a Bill before the House, investing the Com missioners of Improvement for that borough with ir responsible powers, be expunged from that Bill. The Hon. Member cordially agreed with the prayer of the petition. Dr. BOWRING presented twelve petitions from various places, praying for a total and immediate re peal of the Corn-laws. One of the petitions came from a body of persons who had hitherto suffered but little distress, men engaged in the manufacture of chains and anchors. They stated that they were not now able to supply themselves with a sufficiency of nutritious food ; they, therefore, pray for a repeal of the laws that tend to produce such distress. Mr. JONES presented a petition from Ayr, against the Corn and Provision-laws. Lord DUNCAN presented two petitions from Bath, against the Corn and Provision-laws. Mr. GIBSON presented several petitions having the same prayer. Mr. T. DUNCODIBE presented a petition from inhabitant rate-payers of Brighton, stating that under the local Act, the overseer of the poor had the power of compounding with landlords of houses for the poor rate, under the sum of 20/. ; that much inconvenience arose from this power ; they, therefore, prayed the House to repeal the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Bill, and as the best and shortest way of doing so, also pray the House to pass the people's Charter. Sir J. EASTHOPE presented petitions from Loughborough, in Leicestershire, from a parish in Leicestershire, and other places, f or a total and imme diate repeal of the Corn-laws. Mr. O'CONNELL presented four petitions from Scotland, and three petitions from Ireland, praying for a total and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws ; one of these was signed by several hundred persons ; another was from the City of Cork, signed by more than 5,000 persons and the other from the city of - Dublin, with more than 66,000 signatures. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY MORNING, Ii'IIiRETARY 24, 1842. referred, although they thought the petition ought to ' be printed, were of opinion that it ought not to be sold. He thought the House had better follow the suggestion of the Committee This arrangement was agreed to, and the petition was ordered to be printed forthe use of Members only. BUILDINGS REGULATION BILL. Mr. M. PHILIPS presented a petition from. George Thomas Ward against the Bhildings Regulation' Bill, and praying to be heard by Counsel against it. THE CORN-LA WS. Colonel FOX presented a petition, praying for a total and immediate rep ea l o f th e Corn-laws. Sir G. STRICKLAND presented a petition from 2,600 persons in the West Riding of Yorkshire, stating that they regarded the Ministerial plan for the alteration of the Corn-laws asan insult to the starving people, inasmuch as it held out no prospect of pre sent or future relief; therefore for an immediate re peal of the Corn-laws ; also a petition from a congre gation of Primitive Methodists at Hepworth, York shire, to the same effect. Mr. MARK PHILIPS presented 30 petitions frOm mechanics at Manchester to the same effect; also several petitions from Dissenting congregations in Lancashire, stating that they were unable in a great degree to go to church on Sundays, or to send their children to Sunday-schools, from the want of clothes, through the di s tr ess brought on by the Corn-laws.---(Hear.) The petitioners, therefore requested a repeal of those laws. Also, a petition from a body of men engaged in iron works in Gla morganshire to the same effect, more on account of others than themselves. METROPOLITAN BRIDGES. Sir CHARLES NAPIER presented petitions from inhabitants of Blackfriars-road, and other places in the metropolis, prayin g th a t W a t er l oo an d ot h er bridges should be made toll-free. SEVERN NAVIGATION. Mr. E. BULLER presented a petition from a place in the county of Stafford in favour of the Severn Navigation Bill. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. DUNCO.MBE gave notice that on Tuesday, the Bth of March, he should move for a Committee to inquire into the expediency of repealing the Act. Mr. WODEHOUSE 'gave notice that to-morrow he should move for a return of the burdens upon landed property. Mr. MACKINNON moved that the petition which he presented yesterday on the subject of the interment of the dead in towns, be printed together with the Votes. EXCHEQUER BILLS. Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice that to-morrow he should move for a return of the number of days which Lord Monteagle had been present at his office as Comptroller of the Exchequer, from the sth of January, 1839, to the sth of January, l 842 ; also for a return of the number and amount of Ex chequer bills signed by Lord Monteagle, together with the dates and the places where signed.—(Hear.) LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO MEMBERS. Leave of absence was granted to the following Members—Mr. Holland, Lord Hotham, Sir Ralph Lopez, and Mr. Forman. COLONIAL D UTIE S.—VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. Mr. G. HOPE brought up the Bill to confirm an Act of the Legislature of Van Diemen's Land, autho rising the levy of certain duties ofcustoms and on spirits. TURNPIKE TRUSTS. Mr. FOX MAULE asked the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir J. Graham) whether he had turned his attention to the Act 3d and 4th of Wm. IV., regulating the Turnpike Trusts for England and Wales? He could not but be aware that great injury had arisen both to public bodies and individuals from their having invested money in these trusts, which had afterwards turned out deceptive. He asked the Right Honourable Baronet whether he had taken the matter into his consideration, as it would be necessary to fake some steps to arrest the evils which had arisen. Sir_ JAMES GRAHAM said he was obliged to the Hon. Gentleman for calling his attention to the subject ; he could assure him that the points to which he had referred had not escaped the notice of the Government, and it was the intention of his Hon. Friend, the Member for Cambridge, to introduce a ge neral Turnpike Bill; by that Bill it was intended to pro long the duration of such Acts as would expire in three or four years ; and it would also include several re gulations bearing directly on the points alluded to by the Hon; Gentleman. POOR-LAWS, Capt. PECHELL rose to put a question to the Right Hon. Baronet respecting his Poor-law Bill.— (Order, order.) If he was out of order he would wait till the Orders of the Day were disposed of. He wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman whether, in his proposed measure, which was to repeal a great number of Acts of Parliament, it was his intention to include the parishes which were incorporated under the Gilbert Act ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that no subsequent information which he had received had induced him to'depart from his announcei intention, or could make him consider it inconsistent with his duty to introduce the measure alluded to. • MASSACRE IN JAMAICA. Mr. O'CONNELL begged to ask the Noble Lord the Secretary for the Colonies, whether he had re ceived any information respecting a melancholy— indeed, a sanguinary -- occurrence, which was said to have taken place at Kingston in Jamaica, on Christ mas-day last? Lord STANLEY said, that information had been received by the Government, but he should prefer, if the Right Honourable Gentleman would have the goodness to postporie his question, to lay the in formation before the House to-morrow. Mr. O'CONNELL acquiesed. CORN AND COTTON. Mr. T. M. GIBSON begged leave to explain a misapprehension which Hon. Members had fallen into respecting a statement of his in his speech last night. It was supposed he had stated that the quantity of cotton worked up in 1841 and the three years pre ceding was greater than th e quan tity wor k e d u p i n the- previous four years, ending with 1837. In the newspaper reports he was represented to have said the very reverse, which in fact, would be the correct statement, and what he intended to say, RETIRING ALLOWANCES (INDIA). In answer to a question from Mr. E. BULLER, Sir It. PEEL said he believed that the salaries of the Governor-General and other officers under the East India Company were subject to deductions, to provide for their retiring allowances. He was not quite eertain what was the exact state of the.law on the subject, and he regretted that the Hon. Gentle man had not given him notice, in order that he might be able to give a more satisfactory reply. IPSWICH ELECTION. Mr. R. WASON rose, according to notice, to bring under the consideration of the House, the peti tion of W. 11. Ashurst, relative to the Ipswich election. Parliament had passed a law to enable the Judges to en force the attendance and examination of witnesses in pending suits. If such apower were necessary inCourts of Law he apprehended that it was equally necessary in that House. The Courts of Law had always had the power to postpone a cause where the absence of a witness, whether wilful or accidental, would be subversive of the due administration of justice. No such power was possessed by that House. Their powers with regard to election petitions) were defined by statute; they could not postpone the trial, nor could they give, either to the petitioner or to the Member petitioned against, that privilege which he would have in a Court of Law, when, through the absence of an important and material witness, the due adminis tration of justice was in danger of being injured. If it were necessary to pass an Act, giving this power to the Courts of Law, it was essentially neces sary for the due administration of justice that the House should have this power also. He contended that this House inherently possessed every power and privilege which was necessary for the due per formance of its duties, either in the House or in Com mittees. It was only necessary to act upon that power. He was sure it would be seen that the utmost possible courtesy had been used towards the Gallant Admiral by the petitioner, who wished to prevent the case from coming before this House, and was willing to make an y arrange ment the Gallant Admiral would suggest, to have the evidence brought before the Election Committee. But this he (Sir Thomas Cochrane) declined. Now, it became the duty of the petitioner to submit his case to the House ; and it was to be hoped that th e House would adopt the most convenient course to the Gallant Admiral which h e would propose. One way y was to require the attendance of the Gallant Officer at the Ho use t o - morrow ; he might then be examined res pecting those papers, and might p roduce, them and those, with his examination taken b a short-hand writ er , but he trusted the House might be brought before the Election Committee on boae:tiirlinglsieofditdhilswltuwesistlilotno, enter into the constitutional the appointment through would see, that unless this case was looked into, the e n eltelcandidates, and the most enormous power might be vested in the hands of a if another gen tleman Minister. He did not mean to insinuate that the Gallant Officer had obtained an d pay the money, this pro any of his public merits, but if a Minister could whats e' l down money a s h n o u u n l i d b number spent e officersniftni)oyt eh checked, e places d undoubtedly ted settle ly (I n i b n e g r uw o , e f or voters oltdtoe comers evidently, obdeobribed,wn become a dangerous precedent in the hands of any Minis ter. The warrant served upon a Sir T. C oc h rane, o f which h e h e ld a co py in his nd, required him to pro duce certain evidence. It w as not necessary to read that warrant, which was purposely not inserted in the petition, because there was no design the of on part the petitioner to do any thing more than si • mply to raise the question before the House, whether they could, or could not, c ompel the attendance of a witness who declared it was his intention, after he had been served with the Speaker's warrant, BOROUGH OF LIViiRPOOL. Lord SANDON presented petitions signed by the Mayor of Liverpool on behalf of the inhabitants of that town in favour of certain local improvements there, and also from the millers of Liverpool, who stated that they had 20,000,0001. of capital embarked in their trade, and praying for a protective duty upon the importation of foreign wheat._ CORN-LAWS. Mr. BLEWETT presented a petition from New port Pagnell, against the Corn-laws. .QUEENBOROUGH PETITION. Mr. G. W. WOOD moved, in pursuance of his motion of last evening, that the petition of the free burgesses of the borough of Queensborough be printed with the votes for the use of Members only. Sir E. KNATCHBULL opposed' the printing of the petition, as the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell), when presenting the petition, had not given notice of his intention to follow it. up. The practice of the House was, that when Ilon. Members presented peti tions, they should give notice of their intention to move that they be printed ; and also of the day upon which they intended to bring them under the consi deration of the House. In this instance the practice of the House should be particularly enforced, as the petition seemed to involve charges against individuals who could have no notice whatever of them. Lord J. RUSSELL (who spoke in a low tone, and amidst much noise), was understood to say that when the Municipal Reform Bill was passed in 1835, it was his intention to bring in a Bill to regulate those smaller Corporations which were left untouched by that Bill ; and it was still his intention to ask for leave to bring in a Bill for that purpose. After a few words from Sir E. Knatchbull, Mr. G. W. Wood, and Mr. Estcourt, Mr. WALLACE begged to say that this was an exemplification of what he had stated to the House the other night, viz. that the petitions of the people were not paid any attention to, or comprehended in that House. To-morrow, when the newspapers would appear, it would be found that but a little conversation across the table on the subject would be printed. That state of things would continue, and the petition of th e people would be disregarded, as they had hitherto been. Mr. WYNN held it to be of great importance that they should not leave it in the power of any individual to give currency to any slander. He, in no degree, alluded to the present petition, for he had no idea of what the petition was about, whom it was from, or to what circumstances it referred. But speaking generally, it was a melancholy thing that a per son should have the power of giving currency through out the kingdom .to a slander, when no opportunity was afforded to individuals of repelling that slander. The Hon. Member then alluded to the case of a peti tion presented to that House some twelve months ago, complaining of the conduct of a Judge who, though possessed of a character the most un impeachable was charged in that petition with misdirecting the jury, which it was said, .gave a verdict, in consequence, against the evidence. That petition was printed and pub lished ; and how, he asked, could they go and examine the Judge's charge, and see whether the statement in the petition was true or not ? When such was the case, that House ought not to afford facilities for circulating what might be a slander, and which the parties slandered could have no opportunity of re pelling. Mr. O'CONNELL said that he would be the keeper of no man's libel. Tnconfine the papers to Members only would not prevent them from obtain ing publicity ; and if they allowed them to escape from their own hands, they might be subject to an action for libel. Mr. DUNCOMBE, after a few observations, the purport of which we could not collect, proposed the omission of the words " for the use of Members only." Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that he had not been present in the early part of the discussion ; but as far as he could learn this was a petition incul pating certain parties who held official situations in the corporation of Queensborough. Every one who was a Member of the Committee upon Printed Papers, and most of the Members of that House, would recollect it was very strongly urged against th e sa l e of papers, that although it might be proper to sell such as contained harmless general in formation, yet it was a great abuse of their power to print charges against particular individuals, and by circulating them throughout the country at a small price, to injure the character of those indivi duals.— (IIeal;, hear, hear.) Although the matter might be one for legislation and inquiry by that House ' yet it was thought ' that there could 'be no use in such publication. Ile thought that aIL Members concurred in that view, and it was urged, specially by Lord Howick, that there ought to be considerable caution used by the House as regarded certain papers which, although they ought t o be printed, they should be re : - strained from ordering their publication and sale. The Committee to whom this petition had been to go abroad. There were three points necessary to be established before the petition could be consi dered valid. First, there should be a case pend ing ; secondly, the witness must have declared his intention of going abroad ; and, thirdly, the ques tion upon which he was to have been examined, must be material to the point at issue. He believed that each of those points was established in the Ipswich petition ; first; there could be no doubt but that a case was pending ; secondly, it was certain that Sir Thomas Cochrane had declared his intention of going abroad ; and, lastly, it was stated by the petitioner that he had been informed that Sir Thomas Cochrane was in possession of certain documents which it was material should be produced. The Hon. and Learned Member then quoted Ar chibald's Practice, page 243, to show that such evidence would be sufficient in a• Court of Law to make a Judge grant a rule nisi under the .circumstances. And if a Court of Law deemed it unnecessary to show the materiality of the evidence, surely it could not be necessary in that place, which was :the grand inquest of the nation, that they should re sort to any quibbling to prevent the petitioner having the relief he applied for. He would therefore move that Sir T. Cochrane be called to the bar of the House, to answer the allegations in the petition. But if any other Hon. Member would suggest any other proposition, which would be less inconvenient to Sir Thomas Cochrane, all the correspondence at the same time being produced, and no injury resulting to any party, he (Mr. Wason) would agree to it. But if the Attorney-General should consider it neces sary to show that the correspondence was abso lutely material and essential, he was ready to prove that it was so at that very moment. He would therefore conclude by moving that Sir J. Cochranca be called to the barjof the House, to answer the elle _ gations contained in the petition. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL assured the House, that neither the Honourable Gentleman .opposite, nor any other Gentleman, could feel more deeply than he did, the necessity of paying the utmost respect to any mandate, warrant, or authority which issued from the Speaker in virtue of the high office which• he held, directing the attendance of witnesses, and that the House should have the privi lege of commanding the same species of evidence as any other power ; but having made the concession he was at a loss to know what was the object of the Honourable Gentleman opposite in calling Sir Thomas Cochrane to the bar of the House. The Courts in Westminster-hall had no doubt the power under particular Acts to obtain evidence which might be afterwards used for the purposes of trial, and it might be extremely desirable that the House should possess the power now ; but beyond all doubt, the House did not possess that power. If the Ho nourable Gentleman's object was, that Sir Thomas Cochrane should appear at the bar of the House to be examined, and that the answers he gave were not! be an oath, but that they were to be laid hefore the Committee, substantiated by the oaths of other persons, it was clear that the Hon. Gentleman could hardly be acquainted with any of the rules of evidence or the use of an oath.—(Hear, hear.) If a person swearing that he heard Sir Thomas Cochrane make certain statements were sufficient, it was contrary to all rule that the evidence of such a person should be sufficient to substantiate the statements that should be made. on oath by Sir Thomas Coch rane himself. It might be quite right that some means should be hereafter adopted to enable the House to obtain the testimony of persons who are about leaving the country, and he (the Attorney-General) agreed with the Honourable Gentleman opposite, that undoubtedly the power of compelling such evi dence might be exercised with advantage by that House. In point of fact, he had inquired and ascertained that Sir Thomas Cochrane had been ap pointed to the office which he was about to fill, and the duties of which he was about to discharge before he received the Speaker's subpoena ; about that fact there was no doubt whatever ; and he would call the attention of the Hon. Gentlemen opposite to the counter-disadvantage under which a party was placed in consequence of his being appointed to an office to which rank and gallantry had entitled him. That might have been the reason why he was called upon to appear at the bar of the House ; but he (the Attorney-General) did not mean to say • that it was the case in the present instance. It should be observed that Sir T. Cochrane was not a candidate at, and had nothing whatever to do with the last election ; therefore it could not be supposed that he could give any material evidence in relation to it. He certainly had been a candidate before, and a successful one, but he (the Attorney-general) was not aware that there had been any reflection cast upon him whilst he sat in that House. The present motion •was made upon some grounds which were not disclosed in the petition, jealousy. He which were kept back from a groundless He thought it would have been much better to state those grounds, that every Hon. Member might know for what reason it was that Sir Thomas Cochrane was to be called to the bar. What was the real position in which the House was placed with respect to this petition ? Sir Thomas Cochrane was a candidate at a former election ; the petition did not state that lie interfered in any way whatever with the last election. Now, lie would suppose for a moment that he had written sonic letter in a news paper, intimating that application had been made to him to become a candidate, and that he had declined to comply. He was utterly at a loss to conceive how that could be a legitimate ground for calling Sir Thomas Cochrane to the bar of that House, or for making any inquiry as to what passed when the proposal was made to him. If it was Aleant as recrimination upon those who made that proposal, he could say, without fear of contradiction, that it would not be evidence with respect to the pending inquiry. But the House was not so en tirely without a remedy as the Hon, Member seemed to suppose. That House had the means of doing justice, if any justice were required to be done, They must, n that occasion, take it for granted that Sir Thomas Cochrane was fully impressed with what he owed to that House, and the necessity of obeying any warrant which might issue against him. If from an erroneous judg ment as to the value of his testimony, or as to the obe dience which he owed to the House, he should go abroad, not having given that information which was deemed material to the matter in issue, application could be made to the Special Commission, who might postpone for 24 hours their further meeting, and might then come to that House to apply for a further postponement, in order that justice might be administered. If it should be ima gined that Sir Thomas Cochrane had gone abroad to avoid giving evidence which might be favourable to the petitioners, still it was perfectly competent to that House to postpone the proceedings until he had returned to this country.—(A laugh from the Opposition.) What could the House do ? Could they issue a writ of ne exeat regno, and prevent Sir Thomas Cochrane from going abroad in the service of his country ? If Sir Thomas Cochrane were at the bar of the House, what use could they. make of his answers ? After giving the subject full consideration, and attending to it with that gravity and attention which he deemed be longed to the question, it appeared to him (the Attorney- General) that it was impossible for the House to take any step to restrain Sir T. Cochrane from going abroad. He (the Attorney-General) would undertake to say that every Court of Westminster-hall would reply to such an application, Ist., that the Court could never assume that a witness was wantonly called on to absent himself from his duty, and 2d., that they could not assume that any subject of the realm would deal contemptuously with the powers of the Court, or would fail in that respect to the law which every one owed. The answer would be that the Court could take no notice on one side or the other, but would leave the case to go on till they saw whether the witness had forgotten his duty or not, and if he should forget his duty he would be open to judgment. The House could do no more than Westminster Hall, and all Westminster Hall could do was to leave the matter where it was. If the law were defective let it be amended, but at present the House could not interfere ; and by calling Sir T. Coch rane to the bar adopt a course new and unprecedented, and certainly not very respectful to the very gallant person concerned, and not very respectful to the framers Of the law. If the Honourable Gentlemen opposite per sisted in pressing his motion to a division, he (the At torney-General) should meet it with a direct negative. Mr. O'CONNELL hoped not.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) The Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman who had just sat down, had exhibited that consummate skill in his profession for which he (Mr. (:Connell) so much respected him. But he thought that the Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman had relied upon merely technical difficulties. There were facts which it was alleged Sir T. Cochrane had in his possession. The evidence was not of a personal nature, but consisted of documents and letters. It had been alleged that those documents and letters were of very material consequence to the proper hearing of the case. It had been also alleged that Sir T. Cochrane had been served with the Speller's order, as he was about to leave the country before the case could be heard. Now was it fitting that that House should allow of that state of things, and agree, upon the mere prospect of the present Members being permitted to retain their seats, that the Committee should be adjourned until the Gallant Officer returned from the service upon which he was about to go? and as he (Sir T. Cochrance) would, no doubt, act with the same gallantry as he had displayed upon former occasions, it was not quite so certain that he would come back.—(Laughter.) That being the state of the case, that part of the Attorney-General's argument, in which he ridiculed the idea of taking down the evidence of Sir Thomas Cochrane, and offering it as evidence to the Committee, was perfectly right. It would b• taken in evidence; but if Sir T Cochrane stated at the bar that he had in his possession the documents, and that he was about to go out of the country before the Committee sat, should not the House have the power to prevent the Gallant Admiral ? He (Mr. O.'C.) by no means meant to impugn the conduct of Sir Thos. Cochrane. The Attorney-General did not tell them that the Gallant Officer had not those documents in his possession ; but it was not denied that the Gallant Officer did possess them. It was not to be supposed that the Government sent him out of the way in the present instance, but they ought to see that they did not now lay down a principle which some other Government might use for purposes which perhaps could not be justified. All they wanted the Gallant Admiral to tell them was, whether or not he had those documents in his possession. If he had, let him produce them ; if not, there would be no inconvenience to him from the matter, but much loss might arise to the petitioners by the non-production , of the Papers. He (Mr. O'Connell) admitted that the Gallant Admiral was bound to appear before that House but let them recollect that the present Parliament might, be at an end before he came back, and the next Parlia ment could not, in that case, punish him. But let them suppose a man served with a subpoena by the Court of Queen's Bench, and he declared that he would not obey, an attachment would be issued against him for that de claration, and he (Mr. O'Connell) had no hesitation in saying the Court would consider his conduct in the light of contempt? and would put him into custody where he would be sure to be kept to be forthcoming on the day of trial. He (Mr. O'Connell) thought' then that all the justice of the case consisted in complying with the pre sent motion. No inconvenience could, as he said, arise to the Gallant Officer from the course pointed out, but great inconvenience might arise from the absence of the documents. They could not possibly refuse the motion without probably doing great injury to the cause of the petitioners. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL was not prepared to accede to the motion of the lion. Member opposite, or to the proposition of the Right lion. a nd L earne d Gentle man the Member for Cork. What were the facts of the case ? Why that the solicitor to the sitting Member had asserted that Sir Thomas Cochrane had written cer tain letters in the newspapers, and those letters he be lieved were important. That Sir Thomas Cochrane was going abroad ; and, therefore, it was asked that he should be ordered to attend at the bar, in order to state what those letters were. Now, as far as he could under stand the subjeet, such a proceeding was contrary to every principle of Parliament. Election petitions were tried by an Act of the Legislature, and not by the House. Before that Committee witnesses were bound to attend they were there examined upon oath, and were bound to produce every paper or dopment they had. But the proposition of the Hon. Member was that, because the sitting Member was afraid he should not be able to have the witness before the Committee, he was anxious that the House should interfere. The Hon. Member for Cork had asked whether the House had not the power to prevent a witness from leaving this country ; all he could say was, that if it had, it had a power which no Court of Justice in the country had hitherto exercised. He entirely disagreed with the Right Hon. Member for Cork, that if a person stated that he believed a witness would not attend at the trial, that he might be placed in custody, in order that his attendance might be ensured at the trial. Such a course would be against all law, because a witness when served with a subpoena was bound to obey it, and he was liable to be attached and punished if he did not ; but he denied that the Court of Queen's Bench, or any other Court, had the power to imprison any individual, in order to ensure his appearance at a trial. The Hon. Gentleman proposed that Sir Thomas Cochrane should be brought to the bar and asked if he had the papers referred to. Why could not that same question be asked him in the Committee ? He denied that the House had the power to place him in the cus tody of the Sergeant-at-Arms till the petition came on. Such a proceeding was against all authority. He must be summoned as a witness, and if he did not attend he made himself liable for the consequences. Upon what grounds was this application made ? He did not want to enter into the merits of this case ; but here the sitting Member was petitioned against for matters connected with the last election for. Ipswich, and the Hon. Gentle man himself had admitted that Sir Thomas Coch rane knew nothing of The last election, had nothing to do with it.—(No, no.) He had certainly understood that the documents stated to be in his possession were only correspondence relating to a former election. It did not appear in the statement of the Hon. Gentleman that Sir Thomas Cochrane knew anything whatever of the pre sent election. If it was necessary that the House should possess an additional power of summoning witnesses to be examined before it—if this House, and the other House of Parliament, should give them the same power that had recently been given to the Court of Queen's Bench, it must be only by an Act of the Legislature that it could be given. Nor was that power compulsory, as the Hon. Gentleman supposed; but only went to this, that where a witness would not be able to attend a trial, either from ill health, or from being about to leave the country, the Court was empowered to direet him to be examined and cross-examined on oath before a Master, and to produce any documents he might possess, that they might afterwards be produced upon the trial. If the Hon. Member thought that the machinery of the House was not sufficient, the proper course was not for the House to interfere, but f3r him to propose an improvement of the Grenville Act, so as to give the House, or its Committee, the same'power as that given to the Court of Queen's Bench, of examining br cross-examining witnesses upon oath. If Sir Thomas, Cochrane were sub pmnaed as a witness by the Court of Queen's Bench, that Court had the power by the recent Act to examine him before a Master, and to order him to pro. duce any papers he might have; but the House had no such ma chinery to carry this into effect. If it was adefect, it was a defect in the law itself; and he thought the Hon. Gentleman would on reflection hardly wish to see this power exercised in this ease as it would be required in every other. Supposing there was a witness who was keeping out of the way, what would be the consequence? Why, that this House would be made the arena for the trial, and the party would have to be brought here instead of before the Committee. He would put it to the Hon. Gentleman whether this House,sias the place where the question could be entertained. If there was a difficulty in the existing law, and it was necessary to give the House the same power as the Court of Queen's Bench, it must be by an Act of Legislature, by an act for the improvement of the trial of election petitions, and not by the interference of the House itself. Mr. O'CONNELL rose to explain. He was really surprised to find that the Solicitor-General should have so entirely mis— , taken, him as to attribute to him a statement that a subpoena would:be issued against &witness, and that. having been served -with it, on an allegation, being made in the Court that he was about to withdraw, then that the Court would attach him. This was only a part of what he said. What he said was, that if a person were served with a subpoena, and he declared that he would not obey, then a writ in that case would issue from the Queen's Bench to attach him for contempt of Court. The Solicitor-General also said that he (Mr. O'Connell) had said that they could examine Sir Thomas Cochrane at the bar ; what he said was that they could !:now whether Sir Thomas Cochrane had those documents, and was about to go away without producing them ; and he (Mr. O'Connell) said that his examination could not be given in evideace before the Committee, but that his papers could, and that so far the House might go. Mr. AGLIONBY said the question before the House was, whether a witness being within the jurisdiction of the House, and being about to go out of it, was by an analogy to the Courts of Law amenable to the jurisdiction of the House, and whether they had power to get the papers they wanted. He apprehended the analogy was completely similar to those cases in which the Courts of "Law examined the ' witness upon interrogatory points ; and it would be mon strous if the House had not, by analogy, power to bring the Gallant Officer to the___bar, where especially the evidence he could give was admitted on the other side to be of the most material importance.' They ought, therefore, to send for the witnesses. What would be the effect of refusing the present motion ? Why the Gallant Officer could go abroad, and the purposes of justice would be defeated. Any party possessing documents in cases of the same kind need only place them in the possession of an officer leaving the country, and they might thus be removed beyond the jurisdiction of the House. It was, in his opinion, essen tial to the purposes of justice and the dignity of the House, that they should examine into cases of this kind, and not allow justice CO be defeated by contrivances of such a nature. Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE said that though he had seconded the motion of his Hon. Friend, he thought it right to state, after what he had heard from such high legal authority as the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General, that he could not say a sufficient case had been made out to call Sir Thomas Cochrane to the bar of the House. But lie thought it equally clear that the House ought to have the power of compelling parties to give evidence in cases to be tried before them. He , thought they had a right to require the Ministers of the Crown to give an assurance that Sir Thomas Cochrane would not be sent out of the country in the service of the Crown until he had produced the documents in question in obedience to the warrant of the Speaker. The Learned Attorney-Geoeral and the Learned Solicitor- General had both stated that the evi dence of Sir Thomas Cochrane was not material to the case. Now, he hardly thought it was fair in his Hon. Friend to turn round upon him with that assertion, after having inter fered to prevent him from explaining to the House his views as to the materiality of Sir Thomas Cochrane's evi dence. But when he looked at the Speaker's warrant, what did he find there stated?--" You, Sir 'Thomas Cochrane, are to bring with you all papers and letters, And all copies of let ters or correspondence, between yourself and other parsons on the subject of a sum of money required to be paid by you previous to receiving the support of the Tory party in Ips- , wich as a candidate at the late election ; and you are to bring with you all letters, or copies of letters, in your possession on the same subject." Now, that did relate to the recent , election, and not to .the election at which Sir Thomas COch: rune had been a candidate ; and he (Mr. T. Duncombe) would say, that if Sir Thomas Cochrane had been engaged in any manner in a negotiation for the payment of a sum of money to the Tory party at Ipswich to secure their support to him as a candidate at the last election, it would be disgraceful to the Tory party—it would be dis graceful to the servants of the Crown—it would be disgraceful to her Majesty's Government, if he were allowed to go to China before he had satisfied the requirements of the Ilotue.— (Cheers.) He did not think a case had been made out for calling Sir Thomas Cochrane to the bar of, the House, but he thought• the House had a right to expect that the Right Hon.. "Baronet at the head of the Government should give an assur ance that Sir Thomas Cochrane should not leave this country on the „service of the Crown until he had obeyed the Speaker's warrant. Sir ROBERT PEEL said that the Hon. Gentleman who had given notice of the motion, had, in bringing it forward, felt so doubtful as to its success, that he had said if any person could suggest any other course he would be ready to adopt it. And after a debate of half an hour, the Honourable Gentleman who had seconded it, had admitted that in his opinion, this motion could not be sustained. It was agreed on all hands that it would be establishing a most dangerous precedent to call this Gentleman to the bar, and one from which he believed every Member would shrink. In the first place, it was doubtful if evidence so taken could be rendered available. He apprehended it could not. The power of Courts of Justice in such case; was derived from Sta tute, and the House could have no such power except it were given it by Statute. The House could not examine any in dividual on oath at the bar, and it could net exercise the power sought to be exercised from any analogy between its functions and those of Courts of Justice. The Hon. Gentleman asked the Government to give an assurance that this officer should be detained until he had appeared before the Election Com mittee. That was quite a new proposal, and one requiring great deliberation before an answer could be given.— ( Hear, hear.) It would require the most serious con sideration before such an assurance could be given. He would admit the object to be bona fide, and that the party believed the evidence of Sir T. Cochrane was material, and that there was nothing in the case but what appeared ; but observe, other parties may make use of it as a precedent, and allege what they did not feel to be the case.—( Hear.) He conceived the issuing of the Speaker's warrant was a matter of course, and that any person going to him and stating that a cer tain person's evidence was necessary, would obtain a warrant from the Speaker, and he would not make any inquiry as to the mr.teriality of such evidence. The immediate departure of an officer might be essential to the public service of the country, and if he might be retained not by the House of Commons, but by an individual alleging that his evidence was necessary for certain election purposes, the services of such an officer might be lost to the country, or at least suspended till the election peti tion was tried, which might not be till June. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE—It will come on in May. Sir R. PEEL —But that was not material. He thought he bad said enough to convince the Hon. and Learned Gentle- man —since it was e;icienifiis mind was open to conviction, because he had already abandoned his motion—( Laughtt l ) that he should b e very cautious how he kept back an officer from the service of the country, not because the House of Com. mons interfered, but because a private individual stated that wished su ehan t o effi p r c o e n r o h u a n d c e i n n o his po s possessionposse i certainon, 'bat d ire w m ou e l n ct2 s i it le i g r i o y m ing th a e n p y u a bli7s a e n r e v e ice t d to th e Mr. WASON begged to say one word with ragas w.ll . hat Sir T. Cochrane would be detain statements of the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, and in_ n,..„ the Right Hon. Baronet had partly concurred, that if in_r e :, were to act in that case it might be hereafter used as a pre' , dent by the House ; but it should be recollected that the vidual in this case admitted himself to have been a party t' the transaction.—( Hear, hear.) The motion was then withdrawn. P l U n ß an L a l w C er ß t U o SaIgNuEesStiSon.—frTomHENfrEXCHEQUER BILL, Sir ROBERT PEEL said, it was his intention not to teed with any public business until the resolutions in the fr po, mittee on Corn-laws should have been decided.--(B hear.) Th e s t rongest representa ti ons had been to him of the inconvenience already occasioned to ' flot corn trade by the uncertainty.—( near, hear.) !le 'T o t responsible for the delay.—( Hear, hear.) He coul to answer for the Course which Hon. Members might shpts take. But he though it of so mach importance, that he be enabled to bring in the Bill, that he would not interr i on his own part an y i mpe di ment i n t h e wa y of Preeee with the resolutions, by wagbrinin forward any pubic totem 1 , Mr. F. BARING asked he then to understand that he subject of the Exchequer Bills was not to be brought for " according to the announcement of the Right man the Chancellor of the Exchequer? r esolw Mr. GOULBURN—Not until after the Corn-law tions have been disposed of.--( Hear, hear.) t Mr. HAWES wished to know if it was intended to g o o f the question of the Exchequer bills, which the Chance t 0• tis the Exchequer announced it as his intention to bring . t , the morrow ( Thursday), until all the questions involved .ed proposed Corn-law of the Right Hon. Baronet were d i ne of ? It certainly was quite impossible in any case throu ;h all the resolutions in one night.—(Hear.) dir Sir ROBER PEEL trusted that he had not shown 2 11 , 0 d i d po.ition to prevent the discussion of the resolutianis 2 0 the not mean in what he had said, that he would postpon e k ; s re other public business of the House, as far as it lay with, ° sliest' , til the whole matter in all its details was disposedlus' — ' s , the hear.) He spoke only of the preliminary resolutil i i: Committee, and not of the subsequent stages of•the,'''' opt Mr. C. WOOD said that no one complained of i sles' Honourable Gentleman as having impeded the diS s se; Gewritle• All that had been asked was whether the question of th e w et. quer bills would be brought on according to the a n/win - 1 00 0 He was under the impression:that the mod m, with re Tori i : the Exchequer bills, would have been brought on ' Ja de d wit' day, and that the Corn.law debate was to be pro ce , e v - sl, tha t , on Rriday. The Right Honourable Baronet no g "e all the ether business of the House should be s us2,_c e s e li o use , from any pressure from his (Mr. Wood's) side of t ll , e u , 1130 18 but in order to give precedence to the Corn-laws. '''', l " es that of the business of the House was to be postponed, in cr-- ,i l yes' the Corn-law debate should go on from day t° sf that, ( Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Wood), did not complain Lb e the but he w i s h e d t o as k t h e Ri g h t H onourable Baronets-1s Beni it was his int en ti on th a t th e C orn- l aw d ebate s h ou ld ta'" iis a; eedence of all notices upon the days for which they wer e o f the and that it should be p rocee d e d w i t h b e f ore t h e o rders" Nouse were disposed of ? of Sir R. PEEL stated that that was quite in the discreticikll the Members of Parliament who had given those notic es , va t he could do on the pa r t o f h er Majesty's Government s vi : t to interpose any o th er b us i ness unt il t h e H ouse had a t. ' 100 posed of the r eso l u ti ons w ith respect to t h e Ccr°ol He could only trust that other branches of the would entertain a similar opinion : but of course he, e° ,et tht attempt to control them; th e y h a d now b een occup ied motion of the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton sin ce day last. Several HON. AlEmazas—Friday, Friday. tl' the, Sir R. PEEL—At all event s , th e H on . G en tl em an's the, must be disposed of befo re an y p rogress cou ld b e ma de wl Corn-law question, and he was anxious it should be dete r s re' as soon as possible ; because, from all the information 11 0 , ":",,ii!! ceived upon the subject, h e was qu it e sure b e was a ma in accordance with the inte r e s t s o f th e pu bli c i n d o i n g a . power to take the sense of the House as early as possit le i I ISO Mr. HAWES thought the statements of the WO do' Baronet were somewhat at variance with the statemen t o f set other Right Hon. Gentlem an w h o was a l so a kf e mbee,, ° o fr Majesty's Government; h e a ll u d e d t o th e Ch ance ll o r of t' chequer, " Sir R. PEEL said he was quite aware what was thel sition of Members of Parliament with respect• to leg"' f ar s! He thought it very desirable that they should adhere , 0 ,1 1 0 1 possible, to the general regu l a ti on o f the House ; andi e ese!" / Hon. Member claimed hi s r i g ht t o p ress a mot i on on else" day, he was not disposed to interfere with such an exec his discretion.—( Hear hear) Colonel RAWDON' rose . to ask the Noble Lord the Se r ; tary for Ireland if he intended to bring forward tose t "eitb (this day) the measure of which he had given notic e o icl respect to Presbyterian mixed marriages. He though t le Di persons in Ireland would be filed with considerable ida r e tlie the announceme n t o f th e Ri g ht H on . B aronet , that nor e tie° business would be proceed e d w ith un til the C orn -law cla had ben settled.—(AL made so laugh.) od i Mr e . O'CONNEL me observation on the e a. " ject which was inaudible. Sir R. PEEL was understood to say, that in matter 't serious a nature, every facility would be given to hick, House to adopt measures for remedying the evil %chi" arisen from the decision of the Judges. BUILDINGS REGULATION BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this Bill , , ode° Mr. F. MAULE moved that the Bill should be routs int er' time that day six months. The Bill was so worded as ° t i e s t° , fere with the privileges of that House. It was his intei4rej move, some future day, that the subject should be i• tr , o P ot the Committee up stairs. It was extremely desirable an end to the practice which so universally existed t ", rev towns of running up houses of the worst description_tt hist; deuces for the poor. For the present, he would' eor;etii ° self with moving that the Bill should be read a seconu ti se a day six months. bsol ute 1 t g Lord ASHLEY said he could speak to the a e gg s, speedy necessity for some measure being adopted t „ s ° ton l : /e the manlier in which buildings were erected in larts", o No one could have &wide& of the evils which arose firer t of a mattt,bie th masses et the people in populous cities from the Wan regulations on this subject. s me Lord SANDON said it was v er desirable that in ie sure of this sort they should p t r h o e c y ee .ah l o v n e id ry on c l a y u .a t a io d us i t a, be le eat st ' their endeavours to prevent, so u t h , Loe b:: ing evils. He thought the Committeelip s tairs r o a t he n:a n them to produce such a Bill as would be adapte d Noble of the different localities. ,ith t he ' e arly b J e . h G in li d A b H itn AM ( said he perfectly agreed il s s t w e Lerd Ashley) that this '" °' h a d Lord behind affected the health of the country and large' fi Bille fie population of large towns. It appeared that l' s - le asan.'' o f been brought forward by the Right Hon. Ge_ lf i k Jo ser is (Sir J. Graham) did not pretend to pledge bin ia 7splti the provisions of these Bills. There was one . intoo s. ,' " s ees` "f the Borough Improvement Bill, which enable - '` h.rat ss t Councils to mortgage, witho u t li m it a ti on , the borot i t ope d the o r i the purpose of effecting th es e i m p rovemen t s ., Of s would be no delay in coming fo r w ar d w ith these two vied' helhad no doubt that a fair a n d i m p ar ti a l measu re ‘ t , effected. ' • • f K r ' t Mr. FOX MAULE had now to r ep ea t his moll t:nas ing his other Bill. H e h a d grea t sa ti s f ac tion in' ' the • 5 0.1 ° ,1 the Right Hon. Baronet was u n d er t a ki ng a Bin ° n ht , thst:a of drainage, and he (Mr. F ox M au l e ) h a d no dou trot of the three Bills, some good measures would be ° fl a s h' to t He should be happy to afford all the assistance he e° eo ! Right Hon. Baronet. esin s a Mr. MARK PHILIPS was glad to see this arr a o; s t made between the Right Hon. Gentlemen. This su i' o hA i ile of most pressing importance, as hitherto speculations . ing3 in tow ns h a d no ot h er c h ec k than t h e i r own ° ste 0 0 I e t would ask, ho wever , w h e th er t h e Right Hon. Ba ronet ier to refer all the Bill s t o th e Committee up stairs? Sir JAMES GRAHAM sa id th e G ove rnment wouldfero take the Drainage Bill on th e i r own res ponsibility , r` the other two Bills to the Committee up stairs. ' 1 The Order of A the Day for DJOURNED resuming DEßATE. de 0 the adjourned for having been read, e pee. s o Mr. EWART said that he would have preserved .b,.ve the present, but that it appeared to him he would guilty of suppression of opinion, amounting alnir' s , t ch lie_ , I cerity, if he did not express the disappointment w"' e ror r e he believed his constituents also, felt at the measure, s ` re ss ° ,;e by the Right Hon. Baronet the First Lord of the ,:issr° o o On the 18th of September last, the Right Honourable i s Do o f said that it was not likely he would go through t p h sel t it daily imposed on him, if he should not possess the lo g I( proposing to Pnrlianient those measures which lle v ; et t; o ie his duty to the public welfare to bring tbr ife - o es'; is ts there was an assurance from the Right delet a i -D'' , Baronet that he had acted up to that t ' t et he (Mr. Ewart) could not for a monil he r 3r o jer lieve him ; but he must state that there was, on • g the country, a strong feeling that he had been aclere bie et other influences than those of his own mind ; tha s c ee ib ° been influences behind the Cabinet, greater than liee t 0 the itself. He (Mr. E.) believed if it h a d been left go visli eo e' Right Hon. Baronet himself, he would have, in A" 00 0 o pt , dictates of his own opinions, given them a me asure s sib' ducive to the interests of the c ount r y than the P s o ,t 0 ' He (Mr. Ewart) believed he would have don e j . W o e out adopting the system of the sliding scale , : a rse see ° a fixed duty.—_( Hear. ) There was another c bas e c iple to the Right Hon. Baronet, which it would, sr', es, well if he had adopted. He might have adopted t" i ' t of a duty declining from year to year, until at last bee n ; li g. tirely extinguished. , Such a course would have, the ,00; policy. Until some such principle was adopte d oor, ,its policy. Hon. Baronet would neither see the country re, s e of "„, the tion tire. When the Right Hon. Baronet at the 0-1 : 0 0°,1, It" Session requested time to consider this importan t "I oh', b e country had a right to expect that the proP, ° ' 3 13 '; would introduce might be mature and s era' - deela r i r final. But they had heard the Right 11°"„, e et , tenet the Secretary for the Home Depar t o dd 0.. that so far from anticipating that the measure, go tort t" he expected that it would continue to noi r aria""e' e te s , changes. Instead of adopting the doctrine ° o f P e ss rj ene l , Right Hon. Baronet had adopted the doctrin e e d t° mutability ; and they would seem to be destil a r Pr' . AT, a succession of changes until the people saw o nly carried into effect which they had so long fuortgese,:at the Legislature. It would appear, there was the scale of the Government a sliding h hi ,,,, : s t s bn th u o le f t th the Cabinet itself was a sliding Cabinet. S u ec i a rati° 11 0 , 0 inference which he could draw from the tt for the d iore e *, Right Honourable Baronet the Secretary es es , `that th e eit'' Department. All parties agreed d , as ta ef , ' , d. prevailed in the country, and they only differe . .. w ar to 0 e , of that distress, and the nature of the e r d ioress Aos eg et The Right Hon. Baronet had attributed t h one teeY 500° 0 circulation, to over-production, and to th. i. e. m bt fion• or cre' r o ments in the United States. But the al e r i d a tions t osis° took the worst means to reduce that over-p,lljea on o a market for over-production ; and, in at .. . 0 Arne; Jo c oo , : o was the least adapted to place our trade • w m i o th re fe o g l a id rd b t a o si the e incumbent on this country to extend its ifa ineo t. t . co. At t Unitedn •ha tsttiamt States were o f Ara t e h r e ra l c a_ t r k e Ts i t r e eg Y % e l at i t t tb with America, it was at the present Arne o ' ol d ce e ' r te time the new tariff was operatinhg question t he to old duties were to be lowered by it, and t there fore hish Thee on in Congress in July next. This was ee „ ilia , :try. " offer to that country those commercial " ith this _ t betl o V o , extend and not limit their intereoursew; ind c r e eo° , rtr giving every facility to the trade in e l :ir on _ the pr i v et were other inducements, t which ouef L A " t the 1 1 .0 0 °f l a g meet the,Northern States weremaintthi e g Souther!) _Sr to e otbe tention to their own manufactures ; i n troduc tl°ll . wha e fo re , the other hand, were in favour of the_on, of therf se o f factures hem other countries, and freedplow ° , t Middle States were in a state of s_u_s i Pen e se States twasteeolootri was the time to bring over those 1 !l e e that t s itift this country; and yet this was . a im me asurs o she ' ,n oes; for the purpose of introducing e t ,ii pp i. ! ° l, present, which prevented this country Would _ l , ers of t States of America the trade in con/ the conn eta ry ; ‘ ,„l When they talked of the distracted , tho t sa t hi! cial to the growers of that oountry s 3 t n a u t r o f ought to consider me eri the t tn e ; ha d e ct au th s tem of America, they rn f r om s end t . ° t ioo s o t o he It was 'r ° "" e ieder a "soe' in other ways• that the we re n o r country payments . t es ; u t i t h e w y a h s a t a h a r t e f t a h se e d •0 this country laws lan° that had been established l scantly unsettling the co nimeilci told n prosee between this andsother countries, turbances had arisen in America. an l ti h e tq l s . c r t i e ty rigid e last f°l. to intearki:atnnse w c ° e re obliged...