The Sun. — London, England, 1842-06-30 00:00:00

rbitLY Xbition SUN- OFFICE, Seven o'C,floch. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. PROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF THIS DAY• GLOBE.—The inconvenience and injustice thitt must arise from the operation of the Income-tax will soon begin to be felt, and there can be little doubt that, experience will bring to light a host of unforeseen grievances that will be inflicted by the measure al luded to. Besides the palpable evils that obviously flow 'from the very principles of the obnoxious im post, there will be found an immense number of oppressive cases springing from the practical appli cation of the new Act, which it has been impossible to anticipate. Though the coming event had cast its gloomy shadow before, it is only when the Income-tax begins to be applied, that the substance of those -dikagreeable visions which have presented themselves to the public mind will be brought sensibly home to the feelings of the commu nity. As long as the meastr;t was still under discus sion, the Government, who had staked their official existence on its success, used every means in their powers to persuade thr, people that the scourge—for such it is on all hand; considered—should be adminis tered as tenderly as possible, and that there should be no greater inconvenience inflicted on the public., than might be actually neces sary for the due collection of the Income-tax. But now that the Premier has obtained his object, the official tone is greatly altered, and the impost will evi dently be collected with a high hand, so as to give as little trouble as possible to the Government, without regard to the amount of inconvenience that the public will.be made to suffer. Among the numerous an noyances, the prospect of which is already dawning upon the nation from the quarter in question, we have to notice that which will be suffered by the holders of shares in public companies, who stand a very good chance of having to pay an In come-tax twice over for the same property, and in some cases being made subject to the impost when the amount of their income is below the sum upon which any tax is payable. It has been announced that the directors of public companies will be held ac countable fbr the tax on the dividends paid to share holders; and as it very possible that a party may hold a share in a profitable concern, though his entire in come may be less than 1501. a-year, he will have to pay a tax upon it in the first instance, which he can only get returned to him by a very tedious and troublesome process. It may very rttasonably be pre sumed that persons of limited means will, in many cases, not have the time at their command to obtain the restoration of the money that will be wrongly withheld from them ; and even if they do take the required steps—as it is an admitted axiom that " time is money"—they will be robbed of as much at least as they could earn in the time devoted to re covering what will have been unjustly withheld from them. " A bird in the hand" is said to be worth " two in the bush;'" and this saying will apply with peculiar force when the bush, into which the bird has got, happens to be a thorny and inaccessible hedge planted by Government. What we mean by odr illustration is this—that where two sovereigns may be wrongly deducted from a person's income, it would in most cases be better worth his while to put up with the loss of ore, rather than be put to the trouble of obtaining the two from official clutches. We feel to lerably sure that scarcely a week will now pass with out adding some 'fresh reasons for discontent to the amount of public odium already manifested towards they Income-tax. STANDARD.—Last night's proceedings seems to us fully to justify the appointment of the Committee of Inquiry, because they show—first, that such a Committee is not necessarily repugnant to the princi ples of justice; secondly, that it is fully competent to elicit the truth, if with the truth its members will content themselves. That the Committee has abused its opportunities is not to be denied ; but that it has been able to do so is the consequence of the ignorance or timidity of those, who have submitted to it. If wit nesses and parties had in the first instance declared that they would not enter a secret inquisition, the Com mittee, it is now plain, must have thrown open its doors. Mr. Roebuck's plea of delicacy is conclusive of the fact, that secresy is not necessary to the suc cessful prosecution of the inquiry confided to him and his brothers of the Committee. The Commit tee, then, as first appointed, was a proper step, and the tyrannical usurpations of that body, whether perfected or attempted, cannot 'make that now wrong which was originally right. Now, first, as to the secret tribunal—Mr. Roebuck says that he solicits secresy merely for the sake of the wit nesses. Do the principles" of British law—do the principles of eternal justice, warrant this extreme tenderness to witnesses ? We see nothing of it in our Courts. We see witnesses there not only com pelled to give their evidence in the face of the accused, but subject to a severe cross-examination by him, or by his counsel. And we know that no man's life, or property, or honour, can be safe, if he is to be tried upon the evidence of witnesses veiled and guarded. Even in the reign of Nero, while yet any vestige of the forms of old Roman liberty remained, we find that the accuser must confront the accused. "It is not," said Festus, ". the man ner of the Romans to condemn any man before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself con cerning the crime laid against him." This mark was the Roman manner, even in Nero's time ; but it is too liberal for Mr. Roebuc'k's Committee "of Public Safety," we had almost called it. Passing from the Roman law, let us come to the law of our own country. " This open examination of wit nesses," says Blackstone, " viva voce, in the presence of all mankind, is much more conducive to the clear ing up of truth than private and secret examination before an officer or his clerk, where a witness may frequently depose that in private which he will be ashamed to testify in a public and solemn tri bunal. There an artful or careless scribe may make a witness speak what he never meant,' &e.; and again, ' However convenient these (other tribunals) mmy appear, as, doubtless, all ar bitrary powers, well executed, are the most conve nient-yet, let it again be remembered that delays and little inconveniences in the forms of justice is the price that all free nations must pay for their liberties in more substantial matters." It -would be, however, burning daylight to multiply proofs "that the law of England abhors secresy in the administration of justice. There is but one precedent for it; and that, is the object of two centuries' detesta tion—the Star Chamber. Mr. O'Connell himself must be contented with this, for the Star Chamber, and all such unusual tribunals, are condemned both by the " Bill of Rights " and the "Petition of Right." But we are to console ourselves for the erection of this monstrous tyranny by the assurance that Mr. Roebuck is very courteous, and that the Committee are unanimous. ELECTION COMMITTEES. BELFAST COMMITTEE. The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, from the adjournment on Tuesday. A document was read by the Clerk, containing a de scription of a meeting of Conservatives, which was stated to have been held at Belfast on the 18th of June last, at which resolutions were passed to the effect that the Conservative party had heard with satisfaction of the arrangements which had been made by Mr. M‘Neile and Mr. Campbell, for the purpose of having the late election declared null and void, and that no contest should take place at the next election in consequence of those arrang,ements, but that one gentleman of each party should be returned without opposition. They also undertook to repay Mr. M'Neile the sum of money which he had undertaken to pay the Liberal agent to cover the expense of the witnesses who had been brought to London. Lastly, as the late Members were entirely igtoralt of thz.se arrangements, they should be held irre sPolAible for the payment of this or any other sums. Mr. Emerson Tennent, who was present throughout the proceedings, as on the first day, applied on behalf of Mr. M'Neil, who was obliged to leave town, for permis sion to make some verbal amendments in the evidence he had given on Tuesday. The Committee, after a good deal of discussion, in formed Mx. Tennent that Mr. M'Neil might attend per sonally and give any explanation he might deem requisite. Mr. JOHN BATES, an attorney of Belfast, who has been appointed agent for conducting the defence, was then called in., and immediately applied to the Com mittee for a list of the charges, a statement of the per eons against whom those charges are to be brought, and a list of the witnesses by whom those charges were to be su2pnrted. r. Corrocx, the agent for the prosecution, objected to furnishing the names of the witnesses. He did not object to the other: parts of the application. The room was cleared, and, on being re-opened, the Committee decided that Mr. Bates should be furnished with alist of the charges, and of the persons charged, but that they could not grant the names of the witnesses by whom the charges were to be supported. Mr. BATES then stated a difficulty he felt about giving in the nam s of his own witnesses, us he could not be sure but a communication might be made of them to parties in Belfast. The CuataMAN offered to sign bl.;nlc summonses, under the sanction of the Committee, the names to be put in afterwards by thZ3 agent ; or, if stated to him, he under t that they should not be communicated to any human being. After some conversation, the consideration of the point was deferred till a subsequent part of the proceedings. fir. J. Campbell was then called, •and stated that he was a flax-spinner and elector for Belfast. He had assisted in getting up evidence in support of the petition against the return at the last election. He acted for that purpose as one of a C omm i ttee. The evidence was in support of ail the allegations of th e p et i t i on —persona tion, ittimidation, and bribery. He came to London on the Wednesday the t onanlittee met. A proposal was Kt ,to him for an arrangement by Mr. I‘l 4 Neil. He exp i. es a his anxiety to put an end to the attending cuntes ted elections disoider - arid incoaveaian. • for 'Belfast. - It was proposed if the election was declared void, that at the next one there should' be no contest. The only thing said about money at that inter view, was a remark from witn esses , th a t 2,000/ , would hardly place them (the Liberals) in the position they would have stood in had they been dealt fairly with at the last election. At an interview the next day, Mr. M'Neil asked him to state what was the sum he was out of pocket by the petition, as far as it had gone. He replied 600/. ; and Mr. M'Neil said he should have that sum, on condition that the election should be made void. As the whole expense would be nearly 600/. more, it was afterwards agreed that a further sum of 4001. should be paid on the opinion and award of Mr. Grimshaw. That money was to be paid by Mr. M'Neil, on behalf of the Conservatives, and re ceived by him on account of the Liberals. He did not communicate the particulars of the agreement to any one ; he told Mr. M‘Briar that an agreement had been made, and told him to take steps in accordance with it. Mr. BATES having applied for leave to summon a number of witnesses, for the purpose of enabling him to go into a case of recrimination, the room was cleared, and upon our re-admission, The CHAIRMAN declared the Committee had unani monsly come to the opinion that the application of Mr. Bates was premature, but that he might renew it at a future period. That it be understood, in case the Com mittee should accede to such application, Mr. Bates should be required to furnish to the agent of the oppo site party a copy of the charges, which he intended to bring forward, and the names of the parties implicated. The Committee then adjourned till eleven to-morrow. THE PENNY POSTAGE.—It is a fact appearing from returns to Parliament lately printed, that the postage revenue for January, 1842 (100,3831.), under the penny rate, equalled within 3 per cent., that for January, 1840 (103,623), under the fourpenny rate. TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING. Six O'CLOCK. GOODWOOD CUP. 6 to 1 agst Squire—taken 10 to 1 agst Beeswing 12 to 1 agst Soult. GOODWOOD STAKES. 9 to 1 agst Knight of the Whistle 9 to 1 agst Welfare 10 to 1 agst Una 10 to 1 agst Armagill 12 to 1 agst Tupsley 15 to 1 agst any other. ST. LEGER. 22 to 1 agst Artful Dodger—taken IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. ROYAL ASSENT. The Royal Assent was given to-day by Commission to the Assessed Taxes Composition Bill, the Abolition of the Slave Trade (Argentine Confederation) Bill, the Slave Trade (Hayti) Suppression Bill, the Slave Trade Suppression (Foreign States) Bill, the Jurisdiction of Justices Bill, the Agents Bill, the Stockton and Hartle pool Railway Bill, the Thames Haven Dock and Rail way Bill, the Sudbury Improvement Bill, the Liverpool Poor Bill, the Burntisland Pier Bill the Achill and Castle Colmore Road Bill, the Duke of Argyll's Estate Bill, Ashton's Divorce Bill, and several Private Bills. The Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Earl of Shaftesbury. After the Commission their Lordships adjourned dur ing pleasure. Their Lordships re-assemb'ed, and the Earl of SHAFTESBURY, in the absence of the Lord Chancellor, took his seat upon the Woolsack shortly before Five o'Clock. THE TARIFF. Messengers from the Commons brought up certain Bills, which were respectively read a first time. Among these was the Customs Duties (Tariff) Bill, which was ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. CANADA. The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL wished to ask the . Noble Duke a question relating to a subject of the greatest importance to Canada. It appeared that up • wards of 6,000 emigrants, principally paupers, had:ar rived in Canada from the United States, principally from Ohio and Michigan, in addition to immigration from the United States upwards of 17,000 persons had arrived from Great Britain. If these persons could not find employment the greatest distress would be the conse quence, and they could only find employment at the public works. In 1841 the House of Assembly of Canada had passed an Act authorising the raising of a loan for the purpose of carrying on public works. Lord Syden ham had at that period informed the Assembly Ghat the Government would assist them. Of course the present Government was not bound by that pledge. He did not ask for an advance of money, but he asked if the Government were prepared to assist the local Go vernment at Canada by guaranteeing the loan, for which ample security was given in Canada, so as to enable the Canadian Assembly to give employment to their people. The Duke of WELLINGTON said he was not un prepared to answer the question of the Noble Lord ; but the Noble Lord had thought proper to make a speech without making a motion, and he did not purpose to answer that speech. In answer to the question of the Noble Lord, he would say that there was no intention on the part of the present Government of not performing the promises made by the late Governor-General of Canada. Her Majesty's Government was now in com munication with the Governor-General in Canada, with a view to ascertain which would be the best mode of carrying the engagements into execution for the benefit of the province of Canada._ _ IRISH CORPORATIONS BILL. The Duke of WELLINGTON moved the second reading of this Bill. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE did not mean to oppose the second reading of this Bill; on the contrary, he thought it desirable that it should pass as soon as possible. He understood, however, that the Bill was only a retrospective one, and he did think that it ought to be so modelled as that it should be a prospective as well as a retrospective measure. The Bill was then read a second time, and on the motion that the Standing Orders be supended, in order that the Bill might be committed,. Lord CAMPBELL said he did' not object to the sus.. pension of the Standing Orders in this case, but he did object to it as a principle. In proof of the evils which arose from the rapid passing of Bills through the House, he might refer to the Justices Jurisdiction Bill, which had passed in the course of one day, and had this day received the Royal assent. That Bill took away the jurisdiction of Quarter Sessions, which were now sit ting all over the kingdom, in a variety of cases. It abolished their jurisdiction in cases of blasphemy, perjury, incendiarism, bigamy,' abduction, endeavouring to conceal the birth of children, bribery, nnlawful combination, conspiracy, &c. &c. The power of the Justices expired in these cases at five o'clock to-day ; and Justice seri teneinn, a prisoner to transportation, or other punish. ment for any of those crimes would be liable to an action from the prisoner. It would be a pioceeding coram non judice. Messenters from the Commons brought up:the Public houses Bill and the Copy Right Bill. DEBATE ON THE JURISDICTION BILL RESUMED. The LORD CHANCELLOR said the proceeding was perfectly regular. Their Lordships,must recollect that when a Commission was formed, it was the C.J.stom that all Bills which had been passed should be introduced by the Commission, and this Bill was introduced, and was then passed._ . These were the simple facts of the case. Lord CAMPBELL said, the Noble and Learned Lord bad resumed his seat without making the slightest allusion to the irregularity which he (Lord Campbell) had pointed out. The LORD CHANCELLOR said be was in the Court of Chancery at the time, therefore he was inca pable of doing so. The Duke of WELLINGTON said be was in the House on Tuesday when the Noble and Learned Lord gave this notice. This was not the first time that the mistake had happened. He (the Duke of Wellington) had attended in the House regularly during the present Session up , to the present time.— (Hear.) He hardly missed a single day when public business was to be transacted, and they had regularly commenced business before five o'clock. _ _ • _ _ The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said, he had only received two summonses during the present Session. He thought their Lordships were not summoned suffi ciently often. The Duke of WELLINGTON said that any Noble Lord could move their Lordships being summoned at any time. The Earl of RADNOR said it was always understood that public business would not come on before five o'clock, although the House always adjourned to an earlier hour in order to enable any Lords to take the oath before five o'clock. It was extremely desirable that some understanding should be come to as to the time when public business was to commence. A friend of his had been much dis appointed by the Noble Lord opposite adjourning the House before the hour for public business bad arrived He (the Earl of Radnor) had met his Noble Friend coming down to the House, to bring forward a motion of some importance, and he had found that the House was adjourned. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY said that the Noble Earl opposite was the last person who ought to complain of the House having been adjourned on the occasion referred to, beoause he (the Earl of Radnor) had thereby had another day for his friends to sign his protest. Lor REDESDALE said that their Lordships could meet at whatever hour they thought propor, and could transact any public business, or adjourn thet House, if they saw fit. Lord CAMPBELL thought, that after what had fallen from the Noble Lord who had just sat down, it was ne cessary that their Lordships should come to some under stancling on the subject of the hour at which . public business was to commence. It appeared from what the Noble had said, that anything their Lordships might meet at ten o'clock in the morning, and vote that the House had no confidence in her Majesty's Government. The LORD CHANCELLOR —You may do it if you like.—(A laugh.) Lord CAMPRELL said that while the House met of a morning. he (Lord Campbell) and his friends gene -rally outvoted the N oble and Lear ned Lord on the Woolsack and his friends. — (A laugh.) His N o bl e and Learned Friend on the Woolsack had com mitted two gross blunders as regarded the Bill and he (Lord Campbell) protested against the manner in which the Bill had been passed, and hoped such a course of proceoding would not again be adopted. Lord KENYON considered that the proceedings with regard to the Bill hail been perfectly - regular. The. Marquis of LANSDOWNE thought that in ail cases in which the Standing Orders were suspended, the THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 30, 1842. Bill with regard to which they were so suspended, ought not to be proceeded with except at the time of public business. _ . . After a short conversation the Bill went throligh Com mittee, was read a time and passed. (LEFT SITTING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair 4t Ten minutes before Four o'Clock. Mr. Lumley from the Poor-law Commissioners, pre sented papers. Mr. Crafer presented papers from the Tresury. LONDON-BRIDGE APPROACHES. _ _ On the motion of Sir M. WOOD, the London•bridge Approaches Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr. Sergeant JACKSON presented petitions from different parts of Ireland against the national system of Education in that country. whom, by the Mutual House Insurance, the loss would fall, and the necessity of alleviating it by a general in demnity—to be accomplished. I. By raising a state loan to the amount, pro maxinto, of thirty-two millions of marks banco, on the easiest possible terms, without any limitation on either side as to the time of its repayment. However, to accomplish this end, a sinking fund to be established, but limited to one per cent. yearly. The loan to be raised on the credit and security of the State. The deputation authorised to make arrangements to contract this. But before its final adoption, it must have the sanction of the Senate and Burghershaft. 11. How to raise the funds for the interest of the loan and for the sinking funds. 1. By a yearly additional fire insurance-tax of one per cent. of the sum insured. 2. The ground-tax (which is levied in proportion to rent) to be abolished in the town while the above extraordinary tax exists. 3 The ground-tax for all remaining houses in the suburbs and territory to be one-halrmore. 4. The proprietors of houses burnt down are allowed to deduct the amount per cent. of their former ground-tax from the amount they would have to pay, according to subdivision, as above, be cause these people do not take any rent. 5. Whether a commutation of this one per cent. may take place, the deputation has to decide, agree ing with the Senate. 111. In consequence of the abolition of the ground tax, there arises a deficiency in the ordinary State in come, to be covered. 1. By a tax to be entitled a general conflagration tax of 1842, which is an assessed tax to be raised on property and income. Such a tax its raised in f 836 for some extraordinary expenses. It is now to be doubled. It was in the last-named period 2 per 1,000 mks ; it is now to be 4 per 1,000. 2. The import and export duties, at present one half and one-eighth per cent. respectively cur rency, to be now paid in the same figure banco— (4 mks. banco are 5 mks. ct.) 3. Increase in the excise duty on butter, fat, and Dutch cheese, at one-half-schilling per lb.— (a Hamburgh schilling is nearly a penny English). 4. The funds hitherto apportioned for the con struction and repair of roads to be given to the State Treasury, with the exception of 40,000 mks. IV. The deputation, the Senate, and financial depart ment, to regulate conjointly in the first year how much of and at what time the extraordinary fire insurance-tax of 1 per cent. is to be raised. V. Is to avoid a contraction of the circulating medium, so that until the loan raised is re-paid, in order to secure the utmost economy, the original Hamburgh State paper-money to be received at its value, without the power of its holder to demand specie for it. Such paper is in issue but to a limited extent ; there is none under 400 marks. KEIGHTLEY UNION. On the motion of Sir C. NAPIER the following Mem bers were appointed as the Select Committee on the Keighley Union :—Sir Charles Napier, Mr. Ferrand, Mr. Nichol!, Mr. Childers, Mr. Pakington, Sir John Trollope, Cologe Wood (Brecon), Mr. Manners Sulton, Mr. William Williams, Mr. Aldam, Mr. Grimsditch, Captain Pechell, Mr. Bolton Clive, Mr. Colville, and Mr. Thomas Duncombe. PRUSSIAN DUTES. Mr. M. MILNES seeing the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government in his place, wished to put a question to him with respect to a subject that had excited great interest among his constituents. It was with regard to the report which had been circulated by the German Commercial League that the Prussian Government intended to propose an increased duty on the cotton and worsted manufacturesof England. He wished to know whether the Right Hon. Baronet ,had re ceived any information from the Prussian Government on the subject. Sir R. PEEL said that he had received an intima tion of the report to which the Honourable Gentleman had alluded ; it had come froth Frankfort, but not iu an official form, considering the subject of great im portance, he had that day had an interview with the Prussian Minister, who had stated to him that he had received no intimation whatever from his Government on the subject of cotton or woollen goods. He had, however, received an intimation with respect to the article of iron. He could give no assurance with respect to the future ; but the Prussian Minister had told him a few hours ago, that he had received no information from his Govern ment on the subject, while he expressed his concurrence with him (Sir R. Peel), that he hoped there was no foun dation whatever for the rumour. He repeated, that he would give no assurance with respect to the future, but he should say that it would be deeply to be lamented if, after the great favour shown to Prussia and the other States on the borders of the Baltic, we were not met by a corresponding spirit with that which had dictated the alterations in our tariff. JUSTICES JURISDICTION BILL. On the motion of Mr. MANNERS SUTTON this Bill went through Committee, was read a third time, and passed. THI DRAMA. Lord MAHON rose to call the attention of the House to the petition relating to the drama, which he had pre sented in the course of last month, and which had since been printed with the Votes. That petition was signed by all, or nearly all the dramatic authors of this country. The petitioners stated that many of them were emulous of pursuing the higher branches of their art, but were deterred by the condition in which it was placed. They had heard with regret, uni versal complaints of the decay_ of, the drama and they despaired of its regeneration until the laws which affected it had been taken into the consideration of the House, and adapted to the intelligence of the age. He should say that he thought the complaints of the petitioners were well founded ; although he did not then wish to pledge the House to any special remedy for the existing evil. The origin of the evil was, he believed, to be traced to the patents which had been granted by Charles 11. to his favoured courtiers for their emolument, and without any reference to the public advantage The Crown lawyers were consulted on the subject of patents in the reign of William and Mary, and they held that patents were not in the nature of charters. But those patents served as the foundation for the statute-law which at present regulated the drama, the first statute on the subject was that of Geo. IL, commonly called the Licensing Act, which was just in principle and objection able only in details. This Act provided that every actor who performed without a certain place of residence, should be treated as a rogue and a vagabond. The uext Act was the 25th of Geo. 11., Chap. 26, and this was the Act by which the drama was at present regulated. It was called an Act for regulating disorderly houses. ' Such was the law under which the countrymen of Shakspeare and Milton were willing that their drama should be governed. The enactments of this law were every was worthy of its title ; it inflicted a penalty of 50/. on actors not complying with` its conditions, a penalty which the proverbial poverty of actors rendered a dead litter, and only allowed two theatres, Drury lane and Covent-garden, but allowed houses for music and dancing. It was a law no longer effectual for performing its intentions, but which might be called into operation, in order to sanction acts of injustice. The Noble Lord then referred to the Report of the in spectors of prisons, to show that the amount of crime, particularly in Lancashire, was augmented by the public entertainments exhibited in the country, and said that it was most essential that some enactment should take place for the better regulation of the drama. It would be most desirable that no fer mentod liquors should be allowed to be drank in places devoted to dramatic entertainments. The state of morals in their theatres could not be attributed to the morals of the country, for the drama was better regu lated in other countries, where morals were more loose. He did not say that the two great theatres were not en titled to some privilege, but that was a matter for full deliberation and inquiry, but of this he was certain, that the mode in which the monopoly existed, at present was against the public interest. A better state of things was necessary. By the present arrange ment the small theatres were debarred from receiv ing certain plays because they could not perform them. Sir Walter Scott was opposed to the monopoly of the patent theatres. That monopoly was inju rious to all parties—to the proprietors, the ma nagers, and the public. It was well known that Mr. Charles Matthews had lost considerably during his management at Covent-garden, and Mr. Macready, it ap peared, was a loser during the last season at Drury-Line. He therefore put it to the House whether this was a state of things that ought to be suffered to continue. He did entertain a hope that at a moment of more leisure the subject would recieve the conside ration of the Government. But no measure would prove satisfactory, in which the licensing depart ment was not also a matter of consideration ; he thought the power of the licenser ought to be more limited, and if maintained, it should at least be differently exercised. lie also thought that the appointment ought not to be in the gift of the Lord Chamberlain, but of the Government. The manner in which he was remunerated was also objectionable.—(Hear.) He was desirous that the country should be great in arts as well as in arms, and he hoped that her Majesty's Government would do everything they could to rescue the stage from its present state of degradation and decline, and that that justice would be done to the dramatic authors of the country which they enjoyed themselves. The Noble Lord concluded by moving for copies of any communications which have been ad dressed upon this subject to the Secretary of State for the Home Departmen, in the course of the present year. Mr. G. KNIGHT seconded the molion. The conclu sion to which the Noble Lord had arrived was nearly the same at that to which a Committee, of which h e was a member, and which sat about ten years ago on the subject, had arrived. With respect to the law of Copyright relative to dramatic authors, lie believed it subjected them to greater hard ships than any other class- of authors, because they were obliged repeatedly to drive hard bargains, and then they had great difficulty to get their money ; besides this, they were subject to piracy from the provincial theatres. The law in France was different from the law in this country. In France no party was allowed to have a piece acted at a theatre wtihout having pre viously had•the consent of the author. The Committee which had sat upon the subject, had conic to the decision that it would be advisable to pass a similar enactment in this country. But whatever might be the remedy for the existing evils which the House might adopt, there could be no doubt that dramatic literature was entitled to their countenance and protection. Sir JAMES GRAHAM confessed that he had not paid the same attention to the subject then before the House as tha Noble Lord and the Hon. Gentleman who had preceded him. The question appeared to be one of some difficulty, as neither the Noble Lord nor the Hon. Gentleman had been able to form any decided opinion as to the course it would be desirable to adopt. [LEFT SPEAKING.] HAMBURGH. PROPOSITION OF THE. SENATE OF HAM. BURGH, FOR SUBMISSION TO THE BUR. G HERSHAFT. The meeting of the Burghershaft is at length decidedly appointed for Thursday, the 16th. Of the propositions that will be then submitted to them by the Senate there are some which are of immediate, and others which must prove of ultimate interest to the English mercantile world. The following summary, drawn up from the notes I have made from these documents, will be found to contain every point of any consequence. The propositions of the Senate are contained in five several printed parts, and these are supported by detailed explanations, and a statement of the grounds upon which their adoption is recommended. PART I. _ By the constitution of this free city, the Senate and burghers may conjointly appoint a deputation to sit for any given purpose, or any given time, to adjust any de bateable question on which they cannot come to an agreement, or which it may be conceive d desirable by each of them should be constit uted for any special pur pose beneficial to the State. The Senate propose. under this head (I.), that this de putation should consist of five of, their own body, and fourteen of the Burghershaft. It specifies the functions and extent of the competency of the deputation. I. To prepare reports to be presented by them to the Senate as propositions for the Burghershaft, then to be submitted to them, if approved of by the Senate. A. On a plan for the reconstruction of the town, the raising money, and the simplifying the expro priation law for that purpose. B. For a general police law for architectural, fire and sanatory regulations, respecting buildings, ware , houses, and magazines of combustible articles. C. For the revision and improvement of the laws and regulations for the extinction of fires. .4. Definitive resolutions on the following affairs :- 1 A. The raising money for the payment of the damage by the fire, by means of one or snore loans. How to relieve the Mutual House Insurance against fire associations. B. Authorisation to the deputation to allow im mediately th e reconstruction of certain streets, without prejudice to the proj ected p lan. C. To make further dispos itions, and urgent ad- Iditional m o difications, as may have been omitt ed in respect to th e b u ilding and fire r e g ulations. D. Deliberation with the Senate in reference to some principl e s to be followed b y the relief corn ! committee. 3. They (the Senate) will, as soon as possible, bring the propositions of the deputation, if approved of by them, to 'the College of the One Handre.l and Eighty, and the Bqrghershaft. 1i r, PART li. Sets Off with a reference to . the position of thOEO IXI GENERAL DISTRESS. Mr. R. YORKE presented a petition from a Rational Society, stating that they have found out the causes and remedy for the distress of the country, and praying for inquiry, LEEDS BURIAL GROUND BILL. On the motion of Mr. ALDAM, this Bill was read a third time and passed. TOXTETH PARK PAVING AND SEWERAGE BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr. DARBY presented a petition from a Poor-law Union in Sussex, praying that the rates of small tene ments may be paid by the owners instead of the occupiers. MECHANICS INSTITUTIONS. _ _ Mr. C. BULLER presented a petition praying that Mechanics Institutions may be relieved from the payment of rates and taxes. ROYAL COMMISSION. The Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the table and summoned the Speaker and the House to the bar of the House of Peers, to hear the Royal Assent given, by Commission, to several Bills (for which, see Lords' Report.) ROYAL COMMISSION. The SPEAKER, on his return, announced that the Royal Assent had been given to various Bills (for which tee Lord's Report). TEXAS. Sir R. PEEL brought up c ertain papers by command of her Majesty. He said they were breviates cf the ratified treaties between the agents of the British Government and Texas, with regard to which a question had been put to him on a previous evening ; the Government acting on almost uniform usage, had thought it its duty to allow them. Mr. O'CONNELL wished to know whether the Go vernment had received any information, with respect to the blockade of the west coast of America by the Texian Government. The smallest extent of that coast was 700 or 800 miles, and the question he wanted to ask was, whether the Right Hon. Baronet was prepared to lay before the House any information as to the probabi lity of the Texian Government making that blockade effectual, it being generally understood that their fleet only consisted of two or three vessels ? Sir R. PEEL said, that the last accounts received from Mexico stated that no efficient blockade had been formed on the part of the Texians. He earnestly hoped that such would be proved to be the case, and that no such blockade would be found to be exercised. He could, however, give no assurance on the subject other than that, up to the date of the last accounts, no effec tual blockade had been instituted. STADE DUTIES. Mr. HUTT gave notice that on the 21st of July, he should move for the production of all correspondence between the British and Hanoverian Government on the subject of the Stade Duties. !BRIBERY BILL. Mr. REDDINGTON asked the Right lion. Baronet, as the Bribery Elections Bill had almost arrived at its last stage whether he would allow him to take the two last motions on it to-morrow evening at an early hour. Sir ROBERT PEEL said he had given the Noble Lord, the Member for London, precedence to-morrow evening, but it was absolutely necessary that the Government should take a vote of supply either to-morrow evening or on Monday at farthest. It was probable that they would not get into the Com mittee of Supply at a very early hour to-morrow even ing, on account of the motion of the Hon. Member for Greenock ; he could net, therefore, concede precedence to the Hon. Member to-morrow. _ _ _ Mr. REDINGTON then moved the Order of the Day for proceeding with the Bill on Wednesday next. Mr. SHIEL said he also had given notice of a motion in Committee of Supply, to-morrow evening, but in consequence of the inconvenience it would be to public business he would postpone it to some other day. Sir R. PEEL said he was much obliged to the Right Hon. Gentleman. He was sure the House would not blame him for the delay in going into the Committee of Supply, as it was in consequence of the discussions on the tariff. CEMENT STONE. Mr. HAWES drew the attention of the Vice-Pre sident of the Board of Trade to the great increase of the duty on English cement stone under the new tariff, amounting to 200 per cent. ad valorem. This had caused great apprehension in the trade at the port of Harwich, and he wished to know if the Government had received any representations on the subject from the vicinity. Mr. GLADSTONE said that the petition to which the Right Hon. Gentleman had referred had been printed three months ago ; but no observation respect ing it had reached the Government until that day. It appeared that there was some reason to question the ac curacy of the information supplied to the Government on the matter by certain parties ; and the subject would now receive their further attention. GRANT TO THE COLLEGE OF MAYNOOTH. Colonel VERNER wished to ask the Noble Lord, the Secretary for Ireland, whether it had been intimated to the Roman Catholic Bishops in Ireland, as had been stated in their organ, the Dublin Evening Post, that it was the intention of the Government to have granted an increased allowance to the Roman Catholic College of ➢iaynaoth this year, had it not been for the financial embarassments of the country." Lord ELIOT said that he bad no objection to re peat that evening, the answer be had given to a similar question, in the early part of the session. If the Honourable Member had referred to the Irish Estimates, then on the table of the House he would have seen that it was the intention of the Go vernment to propose the same grant which had been made in former years ; and, consequently, no alteration such as that to which the Hon. Gentleman had referred, had been made by the Government. Sir R. PEEL said that as a great number of statements appeared in the Irish newspapers of dissensions amongst the Irish Government, he would take that opportunity of begging Hon. Members not to draw conclusions too hastily from them.—(Hear, hear.) SILVER STANDARD OF VALUE. Mr. WALLACE said that perhaps it would not be inconvenient if he now put the question which stood No. 17 on the motion list. The question he wished to ask was whether the great inconvenience and commercial distress which has been attributed more or less to the drain of gold out of this country of late years, and the consequent restriction in the issue of paper-money by the Bank of England, and by other banking establishments, coupled With the general stagnation of trade and want of employment among the working classes, to gether with the great trouble and positive loss recently inflicted on all ranks, by crying down the gold coin, which may have become light from the in evitable wear and tear to which a metaltic currency is ever liable, will induce her Majesty's advisers, with a view to mitigate these evils and to stimulate trade by a prevention of their recurrence to recommend to her Ma jesty and toParliament the substitutionof a silver standard of value in aid of or in lieu of the present golden standard. Sir R. PEEL said that he could not help noticing that a practice was of late growing up of printing a summary of a speech, when notices of questions were given.— (Laughter.) The question of the Hon. Member con tained the summary of the argument in favour of the silver standard of value. He would not answer the argument then, but he would state it was not his inten tion to propose any alteration in the standard of value in this country. Mr. WALLACE approved of the observation of the Right Hon. Baronet with regard to notices of motions. COLONIAL E-MIGRATION. In answer to a question of Mr. ALDAM, Lord STANLEY said that emigration to New South Wales was carried on by means of bounty orders which were made out to persons in the Colonies. The classes sent out were principally confined to agricultural labour ers, and some for trades, but he did not think that hand loom weavers were included. LAW COURTS (DUBLIN). Sir H. W. BARRON moved for a return of the num ber of judgments entered in the three Law Courts, Dub lin, from the Ist day of June, 1841 to the Ist day of June, 1842, for recovery of debts under 201., and the debt and costs in each case respectively ; also, a return of the sums paid as salary to the Judges' Registrars in Ire land, from the Ist day of June, 1841. to the Ist d‘y of June,":lB42 ; also, the number of re records issued during the said period, and the amount of stamp or low fixed dutv received thereon ; also the ex pense of engrossing each of the said records ; also a re turn of the sums paid by each Sub-sheriff in Ireland from the Ist day of June, 1841 to the Ist of June, 1842, to the Judges' criers on circuit ; and under what Act of Parliament were the same received and paid.--Ordered. THE GRAND JURY PRESENTMENT (IRE- LAND) BILL. This Bill was read a second time. PUBLIC HOUSES BILL. Captain ROUS moved that the Lords' amendments to the -Public-houses Bill be agreed to. Mr. HUME wished to know what the amendments were, as they had not been printed. Captain ROUS said the only amendment was that the operation of the Act should not extend to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.—(Laughter.) MINES AND COLLIERIES BILL. On the motion for the re-appointment of the dropped Order for the third reading of this Bill, Lord ASHLEY trusted that the House would allow the Bill to be read a third time that day. There was a strong and very deep feeling in the country on the sub ject, and it was desirable that the question should be disposed off a 3 soon as possible. Mr. SCHOLEFIELD said he should oppose the third reading of the Bill. The SPEAKER intimated that if there was to be any opposition to the third reading, it must.he postponed. After a few observations from Mr. HUME,. Lord ASHLEY postponed the third reading till to morrow. COPYRIGHT BILL. On the motion of Lord MAHON the Lords' Amend ments to the Copyright Bill were agreed to. • The, Stock-in-Trade Bill was reported, and ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.: ....., THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIONS. The details and representations accompanying Part IL, are of greater consequence than any other, so that I have thought it advisable to give their substance as far as possible. The first paragraph of this document justly alludes to the great importance of this part of the propositions , after which it proceeds to the financial details. An exact extract from the books give as a result the value of the houses burnt down at 42,000,000 marks currency ; towards which loss it is expected that for property not quite destroyed, the remains of houses, and ruins generally, a sum of 2,000,000 may be obtained. Thus they bring the amount for cover ing the damage to 32,000,000 marks banco, that is 40,000,000 currency. This destruction, although so great in amount, the Senate does not hesitate to de clare must be met in full and in ready money. This it is scarcely necessary (the document says) to prove, the general credit of the State calls for the obligation to be fulfilled ; but it will be impossible for the majority of the insurers, on whom the loss comes, to raise their quota of this sum ; so it is advisable the State should undertake this matter, whence arise several points fur consideration. I. To procure the loan of 32,000,000 of marks banco a foreign market must be sought. On account of mercantile transactions it is not advisable to fe- move large sums from the money market, which could be done by raising it within the State. On the contrary, by the partial draining of the amount from abroad, the capital which is here in circulation, is increased. As to the terms on which a loan can be contracted and the interest, nothing can be said, as this must be the result of negotiations. — The new houses built with the amount of the loan will give an additional gua rantee for it. The loan will be raised on the credit of the State ; but the particular way in which a guarantee is to be made cannot be decided now. The State must await the propositions of the foreign money holders be fore they can determine anything. No reference, there fore, at present to their own views or intentions can avail anything. 11. As to the interest and sinking fund. Stating it at 4 per cent., which is scarce to be hoped, and 1 per cent. the sinking fund, would require a yearly contribution of 1 per cent. of the insured value of all the houses in the town. This amounts to 180,000,000 marks, such a tax on which would be too heavy to be borne by the house holders as things are now; so it will be necessary that the ground-tax be abolished. By the deduction of the ordinary tax, the permanent impost would be from five and a half to six per thousand. The ground-tax is four per thousand, thus by its abolition, and the substitution of the other, there is only about a half more proposed to be levied. 111. By the abolition of the ground•tax, a portion of the ordinary State income is lost. The deficit will amount to 750,000 mks., which must be supplied.-, The income and property-tax of 1836 must now be raised at a double rate. In that year it was by way of 2 mks. for each 1,000 mks., income under 1,000 mks. re maining untaxed. Now only income which is under 400 mks. to remain untaxed, and from 400 to 1,000 mks. to pay 3 mks., and above 1,000 to pay 4 mks., by which it is cal culated will be produced 400,000 mks. While Licreasing the direct taxes, attention, is also given to the indirect, and it is reckoned that by the changing the one•half per cent. import duty, and the one eighth per cent. export, from mks. cy. to mks. bco., 130,000 mks. mere than formerly will be obtained. (The farmer amount was about 520,000 mks.) Butter, fat, and cheese formerly paid a duty of half a sch. per lb ; last year it was reduced to a quarter of a sch. It is to be again raised to the former sum, which will bring 65,000 mks. The amount now devoted to road-making and repairs is 100,000 mks., out of which 60,000 mks. is to flow into a new ehannel for the purposes of the State. The above will cover of the deficit 750,000 mks., which it is proposed should be voted for five years. IV. The one per cent. insurance tax is not to commence before the end of the year, and is to be raised in several yearly rates. No time can at present be named for its commencement. The levying of the two indirect duties to commence with the first of July next. V. As long as these present extraordinary duties remain, the State must be secured by a law that the pos sessors of former loans (all levied in the State itself) should not have the right to enforce the repayment of the principal. The Senate concludes this document by demanding *the sanction of the Burghershaft to the whole of these propositions. PART 111. The Senate proposes that the great deputation be authorised to settle a plan, already laid down, and to ascertain what its execution would cost, as well as to warrant the State in proceeding to a partial or entire ex propriation. That the re-construction of the parts of the town burnt down be not allowed before a previous authorisa don of the deputation. That the deputation may allow the restoration of such streets where they find it will not be inconsistent with the general plan, but even this per mission to be accompanied by the requiring the widen lug and straightening the streets. That those proprietors who are allowed to rebuild their houses, must undergo the obligation to subject themselves to the expropriation law, in case they should be required, on account of the modification or alteration of the plan, to cede their property. PART IV. The Senate here inform the Burghershaft that by the late conflagration they have acquired some experience of many things, many defects and abuses which spread the fire. For instance, wooden pipes and gutters, &c. For correction of these evils, and the regulation of the con struction of the new buildings, no less than 12 different propositions are submitted for adoption, and as a lath the deputation are invited to further particulars. PART V. The Senate proposes that, conjointly with the burgher deputation, they should be authorised to name two of the members of the latter to the "relief committee," and that if circumstances and wants should render it necessary, they should settle with the Senate about some principles according to which the money is to be distributed. THE NIGER EXPEDITION. Captain Walters, of the ship William Canynges, arrived at Bristol on Monday last, the 27th instant, from ' Cape Coast Castle (west coast of Africa), which place he left on the 22d of March, brings some interesting information respecting the Niger expedition. The following is an extract from Captain :Walters's Report:— " The William Canynges sailed from Cape Coast Castle on the 22d of March. At Cape Coast Castle were her Majesty's ship Madagascar and the steampacket Wilberforce attached to the Niger expedition. This vessel (Wilberforce) arrived on the 20th of March from the island of Ascension, on her way to Fernando Po, whence she was to proceed, in company with the Soudan steamer, on a second attempt to ascend the Niger. With the exception of one case of dysentery, all on board the Wilberforce w ere in tolerable health. " The Wilberforce brought accounts from the island of As cension es late as March 10. At that time the island was healthy, and most of the invalids from the Niger expedition had sufficiently recovered from fever to allow of their being in valided to return to England. One death had occurred among them while in hospital at Ascension. " The Albert remained at Ascension, undergoing a refit. " The Gold Coast had been visited lately by a swarm of l oc usts, which had done much damage among the corn, &c. " The Ashantee mission had been established under favour able circumstances, and the two princes, Quantamissah and Ausah, were residing with the Rev. Mr. Brooking, at Coo massie. 4 , Captain Stanley, late 2d West India Regiment, and Lieut. Fairholme, invalided from the Soudan, passengers (per the William Canynges), from Cape Coast." Captain Walters deserves the thanks of the public for the above valuable extract from his report. An instance of spontaneous combustion occurred a few days ago at Lille. Some coarse cloths, which had been used in cleaning the iron work of some machinery in a factory, anti had thereby become saturated with oil, were thrown into a wooden box on the floor of one of the workshops, and hap pened to stand in the sun. Between nine and ten in the even ing a faint smell of burning was perceived in this part of the building, and, search being made, it was found that these cloths had ignited and were smouldering. Fortunately the dis covery was made in time to prevent any disastrous consequences. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. Yesterday Caroline Guest, a perfect virago, who passed at least eleven months out of the twelve in prison, was charged with breaking . two large panes of plate glass, at the Army and Navy Club-house, St James's. square. George Williams, one of the night porters, stated that about twenty minutes to two o'clock yesterday morning the prisoner deliberately walked up the steps of the hall entrance, and, with her fist, broke, one after the other, the large panes of glass in the swing folding doors, and in doing so cut her arm in a most dreadful manner. She was directly given in charge to the police, but behaved with such violence, that she was obliged to be conveyed to the station-house on the police stretcher. The damage done amounts to upwards of six guineas. Mr. MALTBY asked if the prisoner was known at the Club-house ?—Witness—Yes, Sir. She broke the same windows there two years ago, and was on that occasion committed to prison for a montli. Inspector Plumey, of the C division, stated that the prisoner's clothes were completely saturated through with blood, and so severely had she Wounded hersel that there was no doubt but that she would have bled to death had not the assistance of a surgeon been procured. MU. MALTBY (to the prisoner)—What have you to say in answer to this charge ? Prisoner—Well, to be candid with you, fis I know I shall go to prison for what I have done, I'll tell you all about it. Two years ago, a noble man fell down on his face on the pavement, as he was coming from the club ; I picked him up, and also his hat and silk pocket-handkerchief; which I gave him, although I might have run away with both of them ; and I also, with my apron, wiped the mud from his waistcoat, and for this kindness I says to him, " You may give us such a thing as half-a-crown," upon which ho took and kicked me, and urged on one of the waiters to ill-use me, and I therefore, as any woman of spirit would have done, broke the windows as a matter of course. From that time I have entertained a spite against the Club-house; and, as I was passing there only this morn ing, it occurred to me all at once that, in the ordinary course of events, I should not be out of prison above a day or two at furthest, and so I thought I might as well go at once, and for something worth while. Mr. MALTBY said she was really incorrigible, and committed her to Westminster Bridewell for two months, with hard labour. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 29. ELECTION PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE. (Continued from our Third Edition of last night.) Mr. F. SHAW considered that they were in substance discussing whether the House would sanction the Com mittee in keeping their proceedings secret. So long as the Committee had chosen to exercise their own discre tion on the subject, he (Mr. F. Shaw) did not feel himself called upon to interfere ; but if he were called upon to give the sanction of the House to their proceedings, and if silence were supposed to give consent, he must say that he for one protested against anything like secret in quiries. —(Cheers.) It was contrary to all our notions of English jurisprudence. Every British subject, who was accused of any crime, had a right to be confronted with his accuser—to be brought face to face with him—to know who brought the accusation, how he brought it, and to subject his accuser to cross- examination. —(Loud cheers.) Publicity was the best guardian of justice ; publicity might sometimes be attended with inconveni ence, but it was necessary for the efficient administra tion of justice that it should be open and public. Mr. S. CRAWFORD rose, amidSt loud cries of "Divide." He was understood to say that he should not sanction the proposition of the Hon. Member for Bath. The gallery was then ordered to be cleared, but Mr. M. MILNES rose, amidst much confusion and cries of " Divide " He explained his reasons for voting against the amendment of the Gallant Colonel. lie had opposed the appointment of the Committe at first, as injurious', but nevertheless he should now vote for the motion. Strangers were again ordered to withdraw, but no division took place, and on our return we found Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN trusting that the Hon. Gentleman would demand admittance to the Committee as a Member, and thus, according to the pledge he had given, bring the question fairly •before the House.- Mr. ROEBUCK said, after the opinion given by the Noble Lord, and the expressed opinion of the Right Hon. Baronet, and after the general feeling of the House, expressed as it was, he was perfectly willing not to press the question.—(Cheers.) The good taste and feeling of Members would teach Ahem that they would best dis charge their duty to the House in the present state of the question.—(The latter part of the sentence was lost in the cheering which followed.) • Mr. ESTCOURT rose amidst loud • cries of " Di vide, divide." • He wished to know if the Hon. and Learned Member could point out to him any tribunal in which English justice was administered, where the party accused was refused admission when the witnesses were being examined against him. Was he to be told that the Hon. Gentleman, the late Member for Nottingham, Sir G. De Larpent, who was a candi date for Nottingham, the Hon. Member for Bridport, and the late Hon. Member for Bridport, and many others whom he would not run through—(Roars of laughter)— he would ask if the Hon. Member considered it justice to them? It was stated that this Committee would prove to the House that there had been something wrong —something corrupt. Was not that an accusa tion ? He would not refer to the debate in which the Honourable and Learned Member had spoken on this subject. He would refer to the Order of the House appointing that Committee. On that occasion it was stated that corrupt compromises had been entered into. Was not that an accusation? And how could the inquiry be conducted, unless the party accused were allowed to hear the charge ? As the Hon. and Learned Gentleman knew, at the beginning of the proceedings he (Mr. Estcourt) was ready to vote for the Committee. His objection was not to the Com mittee, but to the manner in which the proceedings were commenced when the Committee began to sit, contrary to the principle of law and justice. For these reasons he should vote against further inquiry. After a few words from Mr. O'BRIEN the House divided, when there appeared— For the original motion.... For the amendment Majority - for the motion 45 -132 On our admission into the gallery we found Mr. ROEBUCK moving that Mr. Cochrane should attend the Committee and give evidence on Monday next. Mr. COCHRANE was sorry to be again called upon to address the House, and when he begged to apologise for trespassing on its time, he must be permitted to say ant the fault did not rest with him, because, had not the House and the Right Hon. Baronet acceeded to the mo tion of the Hon. Member for Bath, the Committee would never have been appointed. Charges had been made against him (Mr. C.), and those charges had been rebut ted by him by a full and fair statement in a public news paper, and those statements he would now again repeat. He had requested that the Committee should be ap pointed, and at the time he did so, he did not expect that he should be called before it—( a laugh)—his reason for requesting that the Committee might be appointed was, that Mr. Warburrton might have a full opportunity of making clear any charge that might be thought to have been brought against him. He had no wish to be examined before the Committee, or turn informer against the borough of Bridport. The particular reason why he did not accede to the request to attend the Commit tee was one which he was certain the House would pay attention to, and think reasonable, as it was one personal to himself. There had been indictments pend ing against him in the county of Dorset ever since he had been returned for the borough, and those indictments had not yet been disposed of. Now, he would ask any Honourable Member, whether it would be fair to compel him to appear before the Committee, and to make statements which might inculpate himself under the circumstances in which he was placed ? Any Member of the Committee would have it in his power to prove, in Dorsetshire, the statements which he (Mr. B. Cochrane) might make, and they would would thus mili tate against himself. He did not wish to cast any re flection on the Committee generally, but he should say that the Hon. and Learned Member for Bath had not, as he thought, acted impartially towards him. What was the object of the Committee ? It was, as far as regarded him, that certain statements of Mr. Warbuton's should be inquired into ; but the Ho nourable and Learned Member for Bath seemed determined on keeping Mr. Warburton's examination to the last, so that he (Mr. B. Cochrane) would have no opportunity of refuting charges which Mr. Warburton might bring against him.—(Hear. hear.) He and his Hon. Colleague (Mr. Mitchell) had been ordered to at tend that day, while Mr. Warburton would not be called upon to give his evidence till some future period. He would ask the Hon. and Learned Member for Bath if that were not the case ?—[Mr. Roebuck was under stood to say that it was.] Now he (Mr. B. Coch rane) did not think that that was a fair mode of proceeding.—(Hear.) But the parti cular ground upon which he objected to appear before fhe Committee was, that there were indictments against him, and under those circumstances he did not wish to give any evidence which might convict himself. There were also certain public grounds, although he should not have thought them sufficient in themselves, which induced him not to attend. The proceedings of the Committee were unparalleled in history. They were secret proceedings ; parties had no opportunity of confronting their accusers, and the judges were not res ponsible. He was certainly surprised to find that the Noble Lord, the Member for London, should be a party to such proceedings. He had lately been reading a work of the Noble Lord's, relating to civil liberty. He believed it was written many years ago--(A laugh)— in which the Noble Lord, when enumerating the advan tages of the British Constitution concluded as follows : " We must never forget, however, that there is yet an other security which is, perhaps, more valuable than any other, that the trials are public, that th 3 accused is brought face to face with his accuser before the coun try."—(Hear, hear.) How was he to know what Mr. Warburton stated when he went before the Committee ? or that lie would not be convicting himself in every word he stated ? Having said this, he would leave it to the House to decide whether he should attend the Committee, and he should bow to that decision, because, though he was perfectly aware that in doing so he was sacrificing a great principle, he was conscious that he would be sacrificing a still greater one in not performing what he considered his duty to the House.—(Hear.) But he would say this openly, and in the face of the House — and in spite of any consequences that might result—he would adhere firmly to it, - that he would produce no do cuments and would not answer a single question that might in the very shadow of a degree compromise, or even cast a slur on the character of any one person in the borough he hall the honour to represent.—(Conservative cheer's.) Though he might bow to the authoritrofthe House in attending before the Committee, be considered there was no command superior to a point of honour in a man's own breast.—(Cheers.) And no human- autho rity whatever which could sanction the violation of the confidence reposed in hlin.—(Cheers.) Mr. ROEBUCK was understood to say that the Corn inittee made it a rule that the Members of that House should be examined first ; but if the Hon. Menthes ob jected to that, Mr. Warburton might be examined, siot before the lion. Gentleman in point of time; but berme his face. Mr. MITCHELL said that he had just now given his vote for the continuance of the Committee' b u t in doing so he wished to be understood that he by no means considered that vote would bar him in any shape from attending as a Member of the House front being' present when the evidence with regard to Bridport came before the Committee. At the same time it was his intention to go before the Committee and state every thing which he knew, except that which might ativet criminally or morally any other person. Mr. LIDDELL said that it was possible the Hon Member for Bridport would be called on to give evidence which would damage his own character, and that he (Mr. Liddell) did not consider just. He thought that the Hon. Gentleman ought to be called on to give 04 ' deuce before the Committee as long as the indictments were pending. He (Mr. Liddell) could not consent to any Hon. Member in the position in which the 110- Member for Bridport, was to be called on to give el' dente which might criminate himself, and might pre judice the settlement of the indictments. Sir R. PEEL said he must have misunderstood. the speech of the Hon. Member for Bridport on a fomer occasion, because he understood him to be exceedinOY anxious to have an opportunity for fully investiga ting the matter. When the Hon. Member had expressed s hope that the Bridport case should be referre d to tbe Committee, he (Sir B. Peel) had certainly thought tat he had done so with a view of having the investigati° in this case on the same principle as that of the others. He (Sir Robert Peel) could not hel thinking that, considering the very . natural "'Pa which gentlemen, conscious of their innocence, bA to have the Committee appointed, if he (Sir R. Per" . had thrown any obstacles in the way of it, he should b° justly blamed. He had not understood the Hon. Me nr ber to say that Mr. Warburton alone should be eltl y mined. He understood the object of the Hon. GeDur man was merely to ask for an inquiry. He (Sir i" Peel) thought that the objection to the examinationf i. account of the suits pending, should be stated before the Committee, as in the case of Mr. Fleming. Thel was another point to which he wished to A the attention of the House, because of the in. convenience of establishing any new precedent (/* this subject, without mature deliberation. On * question so important, and in which a 'constitu tional right was involved, he thought they ( night look at the instances in which the House had comp' le the attendance of Members at Committees. Ile sv c e i s not sure that there was any precedent of that kir' d He believed there were cases in which- application I , " been made from Committees far the attenda nce of Dtelv hers, but then it was doubtful whether, in those casP3, the consent . of the Members themselves was not poi cured. In the first instance, he should wish to aPP e3 to the high authority of the Speaker, to state what ar peered to be the usage of the House with respect to or dering Members of the House to attend before C°ll3. mittees. The SPEAKER said he had examined the Journs le of the House, and he found no case upon th em "° ,nd order made by the House upon any Member to a ttars a Committee. He found cases in which Membe r had refused to attend Committees and be examine r and the House resolved that when this occurred, tne Committee shol-ld report the name of that Member to the House. On an inquiry relating t o t he abolition ,°,` the Slave Trade, the Committee supposed that Sir ui ° Brooke, a Member of the House , could give im p orts information, and the House then resolved that it be 11 . 1 instruction to the Committee, that he be called before ‘,l and examined, if he should think fit to do so. In 178 1 Mr. Barlow, a Member, was called before a Committee, a n he refused to answer certain questions, and the CO: mittee reported the fact to the House, and Mr. 130 1° being in his place consented to go before the Committee„; but he had been able to find no case in which the 110°5 ; had made an order on a Member to attend before any Committee. Sir ROBERT PEEL said, that this authority must , b e thought, be decisive ; but it appeared to him that s 0 e . such proceeding as a Committee to sea r ch for pr her dents would be desirable before t he y ado p ted any ntb,„o course, particularly after the manifest ation of o p l"" made by the Hon. Member. Mr. COCHRANE explained. Mr. ROEBUCK thought that after all that had pa,es,e9 it would be extremely desirable that the Comantfr,,,, should be relieved from the further ;prosecution of inquiry, as far as it related to the borough of Bridper m , That inquiry had been forced upon the Committee Life' the House, and if it was desired that the inquiry sb °ll o be pursued by the Committee , the House ou g ht to nn° them the means of doing so. Lord JOHN MANNERS thought it would be eacee t , ingly advisable that all further proceedings relating „, the Bridport Election should be dropped. Th e p rec Aii dent in the case of Sr George Brooke, was decide“,,'r against the granting the motion of the Hon. Meow' for Bath. Mr. O'CONNELL said that ther e was no p recede° iler appeared, for compelling the attendance of a Meal the, ' before a Committee, but on t he other hand there iv o ,. , precedent such as that they wo uld be makin g , if Oct?, were to negative the present motion. They ough t adopt some middle course, so as to avoid establishing precedent either way. After a few words from Mr. SMYTHE, Lord JOIIN RUSSELL said it wou l d be a matter de serious consequence to have it supposed that the 1-10°5 0 had not the power to order the attendanc e of Membe. ; before the Committee. He was inclined to propose rt the debate should be adjourned until to -morrow or f" fof hlr. ATTWOOD said there was no preceden t ~e r adopting the motion of the Hon. and Learned Won" for Bath. Lord POLLINGTON said he did not think a ger ° t o of that House should be placed in a different situation t a Member of the other House of Parliament, with reee c to his examination before a Committee. but he did Mr, DARBY did not object to the inquiry , its to the mode which had been adopted for co nducting' Mr. E. YORKE was ready to identify himself I"be every proceeding of the Hon. Member for Bath—f°r„,,,a was bound to say that he had never seen any gent act a more honourable or delicate part to every I" vidual tan the Hon. Member. The debate was then adjourned to Monday. of Sir R. PEEL would now move , w i t h t h e perraiss „,' n " - eO O the House, for a Committee to search for prece"... as to the usage of the Hcuse to order the attend Members un Committees. The Right Ho n. Bt"-, then proceeded to name the Committee as follo° s Sir Lord J. Russell, Mr. Goulburn, Sir George G re) ,;' e' George Clerk. Sir Robert Inglis, Mr. Charles ." Sir Thomas Acland, Mr. Bernal and Mr. G reen Agreed to. SOUTHAMPTON ELECTION. Mr. MACKINNON gave notice that he s hould, r, t ir pone his motion for a new writ for the town of °`-,,'a' ampton, as he was aware that the understandi n g t hat when the question had been last before the House, u ntil no further proceeding should be taken in the case 000 0 the Report of the Committee was made public. Me the as the Report was laid on the table, he should 10e issuin gESCOTT of the writ. e Y, Mr. wished to say a few words befor- ti; motion was withdrawn. The writ - for the electiode, Members for the borough of Southampton was 11°"rtioTe, tamed for six weeks, and during the whole o f that oto those persons who were not guilty of bribery at t,b ° oo e , election, had a right to be represented in that 0 o cl The parties who were guilty of bribery were kaown' might be prosecuted. Mr. HUME rose to order. He believed the , v ot• Member was speaking after the motion had been r poned. The SPEAKER said the question was not put. (ye Mr. ESCOTT was not surprised at the interrtiP the of the Hon. Gentleman. He always saw a desire °nob, other side of the House to suppress the rights of tbtie, ject.—(lronical cheers from the Opposition.) I`, pot not see why those who were innocent, and ri!,oise guilty of corrupt practices should be punished, Peveoulci there were some electors who received bribes. Il e ,ded , not understandon what principle the writ was Ol e and he protested against it. O n ' Mr. HUME was sorry the Hon. Member shou ld su b. up and accuse them of infringing the liberty of the, ere ject. He did not consider that either himself or onloch else on that side of the House had been guilty o' conduct. die Mr. ESCOTT explained. m e After a few words from Colonel SlBTl iv " - matter dropped. 0 1 " 13 SUDBURY DISFRANCHISEMENT h ,g of On the Order of the Day for the third ;Ism— the Sudbury Disfranchisement Bill being read, patnell" Mr. BLACKSTONE moved the follow ins anle of and clause :—" In litre 14, after the words `l:4sso.littin this Act,' be held and considered as comprising oaf. its limits the hundred of Babergh, in the count,' °in the folk, and the hamlet of Ballingdon cum Brun a nbr snY county of Essex, and that the right of v oting be s aid burgess or burgesses to serve in Parliamen t for te borough of Sudbury be hereafter vested in tO s h old sons residing within the said hundred of Babe, t he the said hamlet of Ballingdon cum Brundon• habcaogils qualification required as electors for cities anrcli her en under the Act 2 Will. 4, c. 45." And be it rt c t, tb ° acted, that from and:after the passing .of tb""inserted,, following persons whose names are hereinafter .of r th e be disqualified from voting at all future elections oordeP borough of Sudbury, viz.: John Francis Syb e , s To besom William Warner, Thomas Goody, Janes uciorles Francis Making, James Bro.vn, Thomas Brow°' King, Richard Steed, William Joiladay , S enlu nt ley, and Joseph Wheeler, junior." °gt The HON. MEMBER was proceeding with his I , r or , - t e be when he was interrupted by an Hos. 31E1'1° not Pei Ministerial benches observing that ther e Were I Members present. &cit. The House therefore adjourned at Eight 0 t Native Irtfirnanirtrlas "CI!: of 3/r. p ELABORATE ASTRONOMICAL CLOCICS.--- r of e' " , of 82, Strand, having had the distinguished bo ne stron°o strutting, by command of the Emperor of Russa, tw r ;,,jouf mical clocks , invites a public inspection of the° P their departure. iC• DIED. Iste nan O t n of th t e he 2 3 B 3d th Re tCOI-iaßrleensgVatToulmis, On the 25th of June, at yv d, London Printed and Published by MV21.1-7,.. WO • tin No. 112, Strand, at The Sun Office ! Pa. :1;42. the County of Middlem, Thursdays Jolt' a I T 1 v )3 M I I