The Sun. — London, England, 1849-05-22 00:00:00

• SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. CHBONICLE.—A majority of thirteen in Committee (where proxies do not count) against Lord Stanley's principal amendment has finally settled the question of the navigation-laws, and proved the utter hollowness of the boasts and threats with which the public has been so long teased and deafened by the Protectionists. By a kind of retributive justice, too, they have received their death-blow in an attempt at an imposition and a trick. A borough Member, who was expected to do something handsome for his constituents, promised to give five hundred pounds to be laid out for the good of their town so soon as they had agreed as to the best method of expending it. They never did agree, and he saved his money. Lord Stanley's offer, or promise, of reciprocity was a dodge of the same character. his sole object in making it was to gain time, create embarrassment, and eventually do nothing. If he has read the printed " Correspondence with Foreign States." on the subject of the navigation-laws, he must be perfectly aware that the principal maritime countries, with the United States at their head, are most desirous to deal with Great Britain on a perfect footing of reci procity; but a very general suspicion prevails that she is not in earnest. Several complain that they have taken the initiative in liberality as regards both commerce and navigation, and that their overtures have not been frankly and fairly met. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to inspire confidence, and to dissipate, by a generous and open mode of dealing, the growing jea lousies of rivals and competitors, who, by combining, might fatally check the progress of our manufactures or our marine. It is also obvious, that if the improved system of commercial policy is to be carried out, bit by bit, by treaties with each individual state, an infinity of difficulties would be started, and work would be cut out for the diplomats, enough to last them the next twenty years, if not enough to compel the institution of a new academy for their instruction. Many of our existing treaties contain a clause binding us to admit the con tracting party to any advantages to which we admit any other nation. This would le one source of complication. The impossibility of finding equivalents, or satisfactory subjects of interchange, would be another. How, for example, are we to deal with countries which have no colonies? or how can a country with only a single port compensate us: for admitting their vessels into the whole of our numerous ports? Or are we to confine Hamburgh and Bremen to Newcastle and Hull? If Lord Stanley was not aware of these obvious objections, he has profitted very little by his official experience; and it is most ex traordinary that he does not see (what, it is rumoured, some of his followers saw at a glance) that his scheme is a distinct admission of the principle of free trade. For these several reasons, we never for a moment looked on Lord Stanley's amendments as bond fide propositions ; and his speech, on bringing them forward, was not of a nature to dispel doubts as to his good faith. It was not only wavering and inconsistent in itself, but utterly at variance with what he said no longer since than Friday last. The unconstitutional character of the course he threatened had become apparent in the brief interval of two days; new lights had broken in; and the amendments which were to sweep away the principle of the Bill were described as not affecting that principle at all. But it is needless to turn back for the purpose of exposing Lord Stanley's inconsistencies. It is simply necessary to place his arguments in parallel columns, and the self refutation is complete. Eloquently and elaborately did he expatiate on the sagacious policy of Mr. Huskisson in proceeding by reciprocity treaties ; but it suddenly occurred to the Noble Lord, that, if this, the first serious encroachment on the Navigation-laws, had turned out well, the general conclusion might be against him, and he forthwith attempted to show that, by these: same treaties, Mr. Huskisson bad made a present of large slices of our trade to every nation which sent a ship to Liverpool. Then Mr. Huskisson had said, and he (Lord Stanley) agreed with him, that the time might come when some doughty rival might monopolise the carrier trade of the world, and that, in all human probability. this formidable maritime rival of Great Britain would be North America. Yet forthwith he proposes to give the United States the right of carrying Canadian produce to Great Britain, to the exclusion of every other fereign country; thereby protecting our most formidable rival against Holland, Prussia, Sweden. Den mark, Norway, and all the other states which are sup posed to run us close. Bit rdship admitted that the prohibition to bring the raw produce of Asia, Atrica, or Ameriea, in any ship whatever, British or toreign, from any European port to the British isles, was an absurdity. But when compelled to specify what modification he would allow, it was with pain and difficulty extracted from him that the utmost to Which he could consent' was, that the law should be relaxed as to a few slight articles, but that it must remain unaltered so far as tea, coffee, cotton, sugar, tobacco, and, in fact, every other weighty and important commodity was concerned. But the point on which he was most inconsistent, and con tradicted himself most frequently, was precisely that which constituted the leading feature of his plan. Everyone acquainted with commercial matters knows that there is nothing so ruinous as change. One of the greatest evils of the restrictive system consists in the fluctuations occasioned by it. If prohibitory duties are imposed one year, and repealed or modified the next, the most cautious calculations are confounded, and the steadiest trader finds himself in a dilemma. Lord Stanley saw and stated this, with his accustomed force and clear ness, when his object was to discredit the retaliation clauses in the Ministerial Bill. " Once open your ports to a foreign state (so runs his argument), and it is ab surd to suppose that you would ever again dream of closing them." But when it was necessary to recommend his own proposal, the argument was reversed. According to his amendments, her Majesty is merely to be authorised to act by " orders in council, revocable as hereinafter mentioned;" and let no one suppose that this re voking power is to be a dead letter. Most emphatically did he explain that it was to be regularly exercised on the first symptom of unfairness or inequality. If, for example, it should be found upon trial that Great Bri • Lain could not compete with any given country, the order in council was to be withdrawn or cancelled, and the pristine state of restriction was to be restored. Does Lord Stanley really believe that any country in the world would negotiate upon such a basis, or that mer chants would embark their capital subject to so facti tious and gratuitous a risk? Not contented with contra dicting himself five or six times over, he must needs con tradict one of his ablest supporters, Lord Ellenborough, who had dwelt very pointedly, and very superfluously, in the former debate, on the madness of sacrificing national honour or maritime supremacy to wealth. It served the purpose of the moment, and Lord Stanley covered with ridicule the notion that nations are to be guided by roman tic considerations of glory and generosity, instead of mak ing the best possible bargains on all occasions. He was fol lowed by Lord Grey, who hit him right and left without mercy. "It is all very well to keep to generalities, to talk about Nelson and the Nile, and the dependence of the entire empire on these miserable wrecks, relics, and fragments of navigation laws. But come to close quarters: take restriction by restriction, and let us see if you have a word to say for one of them." Lord Stanley is too wary to accept such a challenge; and it would have been well for him bad he been silent as to the returns relating to the Liverpool trade for 184$. Lord Grey proved from them incontestably, that, if the United States possessed an advantage in the direct trade under the reciprocity treaties, this was entirely owing to our own senseless and arbitrary law. The discussion which ensued reminds us of a debate described by Horace Walpole, in which • Murray (Lord Mansfield) suffered for an hour." Lord Stanley must have suffered for several hours, unless he has grown completely callous. It would be no easy matter to decide whether he was most damaged by neutrals, friends, or enemies; but he must have writhed under the unprincipled advocacy of his adherents, as much as under the good sense and information of Lord Granville, the statesmalike views of Lord Lansdowne, and the unsparing castigations of Lord Grey. As for Lord Colchester's knowledge and Lord Eilenborough's oratory, they were worse than wasted; whilst Lord, Wharnclitie and Lord Harrowby passed a strong censure on the Op position leader, in the very act of objecting to the measure of the Government. We shall take another opportunity of commenting on this debate. Our present impression is that Lord Stanley has received a severe lesson; and (better late than never) must have learnt that the cheers of an intemperate and broken party will ill compensate him for the discredit he has incurred by sacrificing prin ciple, consistency, and the confidence of all right-thinking men, to gratify them. DENMARK ANI) THE DUCHIES. SCHLESWIQ-HOLSTEIN, MAY 18.—Ftedericia has been bombarded since 3 o'clock yesterday morning, 30 bombs having been, in the first instance, thrown into the for tress. The day before yesterday, the Prussians occupied our Aarhims, and they did not encounter any of the men except a few cavalry patrols. Nor is it known where the northern division of the enemy is stationed. On the gradual approach of the Imperial troops, the inhabitants leaving their property at stake, take ships, and leave for Turin. The Danes at Fre dericia are indefatigable in daily saluting the German work of fortification with their bombs, without, however, causing much damage. Wnen too energe tic the Germans make the Jutland peasants, who are at work, upon them, immediately cease their fire. On the 15th they saluted the German entrenchments with nineteen bombs, but only one of them took effect, and killed a couple of men. Upon this, General Bonin placed the Jutland peasants in a mere exposed position than they generally occupied, and the Danes imme diately gave over firing. The fortress of Fredericia is now the stronghold, and although the Danes were victorious in the first sally, it is said that their loss was considerable, though the Minister of War at Copenhagen gives the list at one killed and sixteen wounded. The Danes assert that Fredericia will be able to sustain a bombardment for three weeks. The event will prove whether this is so or not. COPENHAGEN, MAY 17.—An English war-steamer arrived here to-day. It is conjectured that it is the Hecate, vrhicb, according to the English journals, has been sent hither with dispatches from Lord Palmerston. HANOVER, MAY 16.—The Hanover Gazette is indig nant at the report ci rcu l ate d i n t h e cap it a l, an d i nserte d also is the 111 . orning Pe s t, th a t t h e Ki ng o f H anover would arrive in England in the course of twenty-four hours. " lung Ernest Augustus," says this journal, "is made of rather tougher material thus to quit his post in tbeyrospect of possible contingencier." The prrlect of the German Constitution, as about to be adopted by the German G overnment now &libe ls said to be re a d y , an d w ill soon b e rating at Berlin, promulgated. It comprehends a German union, and differs only on some points to the administrative formerly propounded at Frankfort. This Con stitution, as accepted at Berlin, is to he sub mitted to the Diet to be uss , mbled this summer for deliberation and ace , prance. By this project the King of Prussia will be at the head of Germany as Regent of the Empire (Reichayerweser), and thereby obtain the supreme command of Germany on a more, sure THE gUN, LONDON.. TUES9AY EVENING, MAY it, MO and firmer foundation, than it he were now to accept the Imperial Crown on the ground of the German Constitution.—Hamburgh Correspondent, May IS. THE BRAZILS. The Sword Fish arrived at Liverpool on Saturday evening, bringing accounts from Rio Janeiro to the 10th; Bahia to the 17th; and Pernambuco to the 27th ult. There is no political news of interest. At Pernambuco cotton had advanced owing to the improved accounts from Liverpool and a decline in price was not looked for, whilst the rate of freight to Liver pool remains suluw. First quality was quoted at qd. to 48d. per lb. Sugars advanced 1 anna to 2 anna rein per arroba, with a limited business. The stock is small. • _ Dry salted sides scarce at anna and five reis per lb. Excharge had declined in consequence of the fall ing off in the supplies of sugar. the rate on England stood at 264, at which business to some extent was done. A steamer had just arrived from Rio Janeiro, having on board specie to be invested in bills. Freights continued dull to the Channel and the United Kingdom. The rates were 375. 6d., and 5 per cent. per ton for sugar in bags. Cotton to Liverpool 7-16ths of a penny and 5 per cent. per lb. At Bahia Sugar was firm at 1,800 to 2,300 reis. Exchange not so firm, at 26d. and 33. 4d. Freights 40s. to the Channel for orders, and 455. to the Mediterranean. At Rio Janeiro coffee was quoted at 3,000 to 3,200 for superiors; 2,750 to 2,900 good first; and 2,400 to 2,600; regular stock, 40,000 bags. Exchange, 26d. Freights 355. to 40s. per ton Channel. IRELAND. DUBLIN. SUNDAY EVENING.—The continual arrivals of bread stuffs into the port ot Cork have created quite a panic among the Irish Protectionists, and all sorts of gloomy prophecies are indulged in respecting the ruin of the agricultural interests. In two days 26 vessels laden with grain arrived in Cove. On Friday a fall tooth place in Indian corn of 7s. 6d. per ton. The petition praying for the commutation of the sen tence of transportation on the state prisoners to a short imprisonment is this day being signed at all the. Roman Catholic chapels in this city. A similar movement is getting up in the provinces. In consequence of an outrage on the household and person of Mr. Sharpe, a steward of Lord Monteagle, in the countylof Limerick, his Lordship has issued an addresss to his tenantry there, announciing that he has given orders to suspend all useful works upon his property and dismiss all the persons employed thereon. According to the Limerick Chronicle, the Ma:rquis of Sligo has been appointed to succeed Lord Earns as Governor of Trinidad; be will be accomptunied by Arthur White, Esq., as Colonial Secretary. Emigration is proceeding at a rapid pace from /he port of Belfast. Some ot the persons emigrating are of the most substantial class of farmers. One man bad 700 sovereigns in his trunk, and many more had sumo nearly as large. Mr. Butt left town for London, having been su cnnicnied to attend before the Parliamentary Committee on Irish Poor-laws on Monday (yesterday). THE IRISH STATE PRISONIERS. The following document has been forwarded to seve ral mercantile houses in the City of London:— "TO HIS EXCELLENCY TEE EARL OF CLARENDON, THE LORD-LIEUTENANT GENERAL AND GIiNERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND. "May it please your Excellency, " We, the undersigned inhabitants of desire most repectfully to represent to your Excelltnacy the general feeling with regard to William Smith O'Brien and the other State prisoners, at present cop:fined in Richmond Bridewell. " The high personal character which these gecntlercen bear, their long sufferings in prison, and their serious pecuniary losses, have excited a lively and universal in terest in their fate among a!I classes of society, and men who are unalterably opposed to all their political opi nions are most sincerely anxious that their lives should not be wasted in pain f ul exile or protracted imprison m en t. " The sincere humanity, and the respect for pr operty 'phial' they are known to have exhibited 4 under trying circumsttsnces, have deepened this sympathy is. their favour. And we are thoroughly convinced, and can therefore most respectfully and most confidently repre sent it to your Excellency, that it will meet the goneral wishes of the country—now restored to profound ',peace —if their sentence be commuted to the smalleSt-pu.lish ment your Excellency may deem fit. " Trusting that your Excellency will take the prayer of this memorial into your gracious consideration, with that humane spirit which will meet the wishes of the country, and which you have hitherto evinced towards them, your memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray." A WIFE P6ISONING HER HUSBAND. MORPETII, SATURDAY.—Considerable excitement and feelings of horror prevail at the present time throughout this neighbourhood, in consequence of the discovery of another supposed case of secret poisoning, and the committal to the county gaol of the alleged murderess. The circumstances connected with the case, as far as they have yet been ascertained, appear to be as follow :—Some few days since, a married man, about 26 years of age, named William Hornsby, who resided at Haltwhistle, was taken suddenly ill, and he died shortly afterwards, from what was at first believed to be inflammation of the stomach, produced by natural cau=es. The man's death having become generally known through the district, a report be came current that his wife, on the day pre ceding tke death, had purchased some arsenic, for the alleged purpose of poisoning rats. The neighbours and other parties at once made in quiries respecting the mysterious affair, which satis fied them that the poison had not been used for the purpose stated. Mr. Stephen Bird, the coroner, was therefore made acquainted with the suspicions that were entertained that the deceased had not met his death fairly. The result was, that that gentleman gave the necessary instructions for holding an inquest on the body, when, after the examination of sundry witnesses, the inquiry was adjourned until Monday (this day) to allow time for a post mortem examina tion of the deceased's body to he made, and also for an analysis of the contents of the stomach to be made. Dr. Glover, and another medical gentleman of this town, have been directed to proceed with this part of the inquiry, and it is stated that they have discovered indications denoting the presence of arsenic. The magistrates have also taken the case up, and the evidence brought before them was of such a nature as to warrant them in committing the deceased's wife 'to Morpeth Gaol, on suspicion of murdering her husband. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PONINNOUTH, MAT 20.—The-Gladiator steam-frigate, temporarily commanded by Mr. Thomas Laen, late Master of the Royal Sovereign, at Pembroke, but re cently appointed to sueceed Mr. Alexander Barley, Master-Attendant at Chatham, who retires, went to Spithead on Friday night, and sailed at daylight yester day morning for Plymouth and Milford. The Basilisk steam-sloop, Captain H. T. Austin, C. 8., and the Niger, Captain Halsted, sailed yesterday morn ing at an early hour to pursue their experimental trial. It is said that no real injury was sustained by the latter vessel from the extreme heat :of her funnel or smoke box, but that, finding everything in its vicinity getting inconveniently hot, and fearing ignition thereby, it was judged most expedient to return to port, to endeavour to obtain the application of such preventives as might be deemed most efficacious for the purpose. These have been supplied, The Columbia, steam surveying vessel, Commander P. F. Shortland, sailed yesterday morning to the west ward. Before leaving Spithead, Commander Shortland corrected his compasses for local attraction on a plan of his own, by turning his vessel to port and starboard under steam, by this means effecting as much in two hours as would have occupied a whole day with warps in harbour. The Fifeshire freight-ship sailed from Cowes yester day morning, with detachments of regiments from Park hurst•barracks for the Cape of Goud Hope, passing through Spithead. The Comet packet, from Madeira (six days), arrived here yesterday, and landed about 40 passengers. The Lark shooner, Liehtenant-Commander Hall, en route to Liberia, as a yacht for the President of that new settlement, arrived at Madeira from Devonport en the 19th ult., and sailed on the following day fur the coast of Africa. The Rifleman, 4, Lieutenant Commander Crofton, sailed from Madeira on the 20th, for Rio. The Cuckoo steam-vessel, Commander Henry Duma resq, arrived yesterday from Jersey, with a supply of provisions and stores, &c. Yesterday, being the day appointed for celebrating the anniversary of her Majesty's birth. was observed as a holiday at all the Government establishments. All the ships and vessels were dressed in flags from 8 o'clock A.ll. till sunset. At noon the Victory, tho Illustrious, and the Excellent, in harbour; the Superb, at Spithead ; and the platform b attery, ashore, fired royal salutes. Royal salutes were also fired by the Yacht Club bat teries at Cowes and Ryde. Woot.wwg, MAY 19.—The arrangements to make the Stromboli steam-sloop. Commander Lord Amelius Beauclerk, ready for sea were very successful, as she was able to leave Greenhithe at two o'clock P. M. on Wed nesday last, with the North Star in tow, for the Arctic regions. The funeral of the late Mr. M'Callum took place yesterday at two o'clock P.m. The coffin contain ing the body was placed on a 9-pounder gun-carriage opposite the Boatswain's residence in Woolwich Dock yard, and drawn to Charlton Churchyard, nearly two miles, by a number of riggers, who volunteered their serviees to convey it in that manner as a tribute of re spect to the memory of the deceased. The union jack was placed over the pall, and a number of the heads of the departments, with all the warrant-officers of the dockyard and ships and steamers.in the harbour in uni form, followed in procession to the place of interment. he body of the late Mr. Warren, quartermaster of the Unielmoirvict hospital ship, was found this morning in the river near the place where the Fisgard frigate is moored, opposite the dockyard. PORTSMOUTH, MONDAT.—We perceive that the death of another flag officer is reported—Rear-Admiral of the White Sir Nesbit Josiah Willoughby. C. 8., K.C.H., aged 72. There was not an officer living who could show so many honourable scars, earned by his brilliant achievements, as Sir Nesbit Willoughby, as the record of his serrices, which are too well known in the pilot community in which be was so distinguished an orna ment to need recapitulation here, will prove. He lost an eye and an arm in action, and there was scarcely another portion of his body which had not been maimed by the fire or sword of the enemy. Captain Robert Waucnope (1814) obtains his flag by this death vacancy. The ship Kent arrived at Spithead last night from Deptford, with a detachment of the Ist Rifle Brigade. She embarks a draught of the 91st to-morrow, and a draught of the 45th Foot from Cowes on Wednesday. She calls at Cork for a detachment of the 6th Foot, and sails thence to the Cape of Good Hope. Wind—W.S.W., light breezes, and cloudy weather. PLYMOIIIITH, MAY 18.—Her Majesty's sloop Harle quin, 12, Commander Seymour, was inspected ) osterday ' morning in the Sound by Captain Sir Thomas Maitland (Impregnable, 104). Her guns were scaled, sails un bent, and topgallant masts struck, and in the afternoon she was towed up harbour by the Confiance steam-vessel, preparatory to her being paid off. The troop-ship Belleisle, and reserve steamers Spiteful and Conflict, are ordered to be commissioned. The Queen, 110, will be hauled alongside the sheer hulk on Monday, to have her masts taken out. This being her Majesty's birthday, the usual demon strations of loyalty were exhibited. The troops were reviewed on Mount Wise, and the naval pensioners (adorned with their well-earned medals) were assembled before Port Admiral Sir W. Hall Gage, in front of the Government House. Her Majesty's snip Impregnable, Agincourt, and others, were decorated with colours, and salutes were fired from the batteries and men-of-war. Wind—S.W., strong breeze, with rain. MAY 20.—Her Majesty's brig Grecian, 12, Com mander Louis S. Tindal, from Pernambuco, last from Portsmouth, came in between two and three o'cloc k this afternoon. Three of her Majesty's steamers, two of which arrived last evening and one this morning, are gone up to Ha moaze. The Gladiator is said to be one of them. Wind—S.W., blowing strong, with rain. SURREY ADJOURNED SESSIONS. These sessions commenced yesterday at the Ses sions House, Newington Causeway, before Thomas Puckle, Esq., and a full bench of magistrates. The calendar contained the names of 79 prisoners for trial, 31 of whom could neither read or write, 20 read and write imperfectly, 25 read imperfectly, and only three could read and write well. The CHAIRMAN, in his address to the Grand Jury, remarked, that the calendar was extremely heavy for that time of the year, but he believed the majority were trifling offences, which would not occupy much of their time. He was, however, sorry to see so many prisoners under the age of 20, and such a want of education among them. It showed that some alter ation was further required by the Legislature. Many of the offenders were parties rambling from remote parts of the country, and from Ireland, in a state of the utmost destitution, and being refused admission into the metropolitan unions, they committed depredations for the purpose of being sent to prison. The law would now enable them to punish such characters with great severity, as it was not to be tolerated that prisons should be preferred to honest labour, which most of those offenders objected to. He bad one particular remark to make to the Grand Jury, not connected with their duty, but that through them it might become public by the means of the press. On the Ist instant, an Act of Parliament came in force re garding prisoners charged with simple larceny. 'Transportation was now done away with respecting those offences, excepting in two instances, viz., robbing furnished lodgings, or stealing from houses property over 51., or when two previous summary convictions had been proved against the offenders. Henry Lee, 24, was indicted fcr stealing, at Lam beth, a coat, the property of William Webb, a gentle man of independent fortune, residing in Harleyford street. Mr. Charnock prosecuted,' and Mr. Robinson de fended the prisoner. The lady of the prosecutor said that, a little before I..feven o'clock on the morning of the 21st ult., she was standing at the front parlour window, when she saw the prisoner pass the house several times. The hall door was open, and suddenly she heard some'one leaving the hall, and on going to the window she saw the prisoner run past with . the coat under his arm. She instantly gave the alarm, but the prisoner suc ceeded in making his escape. In cross-examination witness said sfie was not able to distinctly see the man's face, but she was certain the prisoner was the party. Two tradesmen in the neighbourhood proved they saw the prisoner run away from the house with a coat under his arm. Mr. RoßiNsoN, on behalf of the prisoner, contended that the witnesses must be mistaken as to their iden tity, as he was instructed to deny the charge. The jury, after a few minutes consultation, re turned a verdict of Guilty. The prisoner was afterwards indicted for stealing two coats, the property of Thomas Hawkins, a trades man in the Borough. This was a case similar to the above, and the jury found him Guilty. Mr. Keene, the governor of the gaol, said the pri soner had been four times in his custody for re examinations, but to his knowledge had not been convicted. i3urton, 272 M, an active officer, said he had known the prisoner some years as an associate of thieves, some of whom had lately been transported. The prisoner had not yet been convicted. The CHAIRMAN told the prisoner that be had been a lucky fellow. Had he been only twice summarily convicted, he would have been transported, as there could be no doubt he was an old offender. Prior to the passing of the new Act, such, no doubt, would have been his fate, but as a warning to him the Court would sentence him to twelve months' hard labour in Brixton House of Correction. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. Henry Wagstaff was charged before Alderman Musgrove under the following circumstances : Mr. Eastwood, a licensed victualler and eating housekeeper, in Tower-street, having good reason to believe that he had been robbed to a considerable extent, caused, by the advice of Spittle, the officer, some money to be marked, and used in the purchase of goods in his house, in which Wagstaff had for some years been acting as shopman and cellarman, for the purpose of testing the honesty of that individual. It was the duty of Wagstaff to pay over to his master or mistress every night all the cash he received during the day, and on the night appointed for trying the experiment upon his integrity, Spittle entered the premises, and after Wagstaff had delivered up all his alleged receipts, discovered that he had in his coat pocket one of the marked pieces of money, the rest being amongst the money paid in according to the practice of the house. A witness was called in support of the prosecution, who stated that Wagstaff had expressed his intention to quit the employment of Mr. Wood and go into business for himself; which his present circumstances seemed to be calculated to enable him to commence, although he had but some months before been re engaged in the house by Mr. Wood from mere com passion on account of his apparent distress. Wagstaff said he had been in the habit of carrying about him money of his own, with which he fre quently accommodated customers as regarded change, and the present suspicion of his honesty arose from the fact ' that a lady having called to purchase some article, and tendered half a sovereign, he gave her part of the change from his own store, and afterwards repaid himself from the money he received from his employer, and thus became the possessor of the marked coin. It was urged by Mr. Wontner that such an excuse was untenable inasmuch as Wagstaff upon being asked by Spittle whether he had any more money about him, replied that he had not, but on being pressed put his hand into his coat pocket, and pulled out the marked coin. Mr. Hobler contended that there was no case for a jury, and that as Wagstaff had borne an excellent character, and the present was the only occasion o n which any imputation had been cast upon him after six or seven years spent in the service of Mr. Wood, it would be but fair to give him the benefit of the doubt, which certainly appeared to be in his favour. Alderman MuscaovE, after having devoted much time to the investigation of the circumstances, said the case was one of great suspicion, but he did not think he should be justified in committing the prisoner. ssh H ahet e shoi informeduo nld o s u bh l eo d ud , l edtali how,prn.pee appear, av e ir r on d d tt,hh i r tee e h c ah t tatinhfdaostt subject hothe mtghir the marke dmight tnifidcboeefr a money c;agacanui. dn brought forward. INSTITUTION TOR PROMOTING INDUSTRT,_ SEC., A MONG the JEWS. — Yesterday evening (Monday) a meeting of the committee of this society was held at the institution, in Rid-Lion-square. From the report of the secretary, James G. Simpson, Esq., it appeared that the efforts of the society in promoting habits of industry among the Jews of both sexes, in teaching different trades, and in conveying a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, had been attended with the most encourag ing success. It was observed that a sale of ornamental and useful needlework, executed by the Jewish females, would take place this day (Tuesday), at 32, Sackville street, Piccadilly, under the immediate patronage of se veral ladies of high rank and distinction. A hope having been expressed that the sale would prove alike satisfactory to the friends of the charity and beneficial to its funds, some routine business was disposed of, and the meet i ng s eparated. PARLI AMENTARY OATHS BILL.—The following is a copy of the oath in clause 1, as proposed to be altered by Lord J. Russell:—" I, A. 8., swear that I will be faithful and bear truo allegiance to her Majesty Queen Victoria, and that I will maintain the succession of th e Crown, as estaolished by an Act entitled 'An Act for the further Limitation of the Crown, and better securing the Rights and Liberties of the Subj ct;" and I make this recognition, declaration, and promise, heartily, willingly, and truly, upon the true faith of a Christian,— So help me God." ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY Yesterday evening the annual meeting of the friends and supporters of the Anti-Slavery Scciety was held at the Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, Mr, G. W. Ah xander presiding. The CHAIRMAN, addressing the meeting, said that the events of the last two years had given great dicourage ment to the friends of the negro. The passing of the Sugar Act of 1847 bad given a great impetus to the slavery system in Cuba and the Brazils, although as great a production might and would take place from tree labour only, as appeared from the following returns: — In 1847, the exportation of sugar from our colonies, the Mauritius and the East Indies, amounted to 4,422,000 cwt ; in 1848 it reached the large amount of 5.798,000 cwt.—an amount far beyond the exportation of any year during the period of slavery; and in 1849 the exporta tion reached 5,000,012 cwt. In 1847 the amount of foreign sugar received was 602,000 cwL ; in 1848 it was 973,000 cwt.; and in 1849—that was, for the year ending in 1849 —the foreign sugar imported amounted (01,225,000 cwL ; and it was absolutely impossible to calculate the amount of cruelty and loss of life connected with this foreign production which had thus increased, although the free labour production increased also. It was an nounced at the last meeting that the French Provisional Government bud determined to abolish slavery, and he was happy to say that that determination had since been confirmed by the National Assembly, thus guaranteeing their freedom to 200,000 slaves in the French colonies. In Denmark steps had been taken towards the emanci pation of slaves, but it was at present subjected to cer , taro objectionable restrictions. In Holland but little bud been done, although there were in that country deter mined supporters of the anti-slavery principle who would l ose no opportunity of advancing the principles they professed. There had been a growing spirit against the slavery system in America, and it seemed likely that the great bulk of the people would no longer remain slaves to the dominion of the southern portion of that great Republic. He saw from an American paper a compara tive statement of the results of freedom and slavery in developing the resources'of a great country, and the con trast was so striking that he would conclude by drawing their attention to it. In 1790 there was in the free states of America a population of 1.968,000, and in the slave states a Population of 1.956,000; but in 1849 the free state population was 12,758,000, whilst, including 3,000,000 of slaves, the slave state population amounted only to 8,928,000, showing an excess in favour of the free states of 3,830,000. With this fact he would con elude his observations, and direct their attention to the annual report. The abstract of the report—a document of very formi dable dimensions—gave the following returns of the slave population in various parts of the world, allowing for the manumission which had taken place in the South American republics :—United States, 3 , 095 , 000 ; Brazil , 3,250,000 ; Spanish • colonies, 900,000 ;Dutch colonies, 85,000 ; South American republics, 140,000 ; African settlements, 30,000; giving a total of 7,500,000 slaves still existing in various places. From 1807 to 1819, 2 ,290,000 a. groes were exported from Africa, and the mortality of the middle passage amounted to 433.000; whilst since 1819 that mortality was swelled to the enor mous amount of 1,121,299, and 117,380 slaves had been captured by British cruisers. The report concluded by giving at full length the report of the Select Committee en the Slave Trade, and giving details of the anti-slave movement in the United States, France, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Brazils, Northern Africa, and the Levant. The income for the year amounted to 1,4301., and the ex penditure to 1,1511. 13s. 7d., leaving a balance of 541. 6s. 3d. to meet liabilities to the amount of 150/. The report was received and adopted. The first resolution, which expressed the satisfaction of the meeting at the progress made by the anti-slavery movement in ,those countries referred to in the chair man's speech, was proposed by Henry Clapp, of the United States, seconded by the Rev. E. Carey, and car ried unanimously. The second resolution (like the first, a document of considerable length) was proposed by Mr. J. STURGE, and carried unanimously. It cont4ined the protest of the meeting against the attempt to suppress the slave trade by armed cruisers, and threw the blame of the horrors consequent upon the system upon the bad faith of the Governments of Brazil and Spain, and urged upon the British Govern ment to insist upon the liberation from slavery of all Africans, and to enforce the demand by excluding their produce from the British market until it was complied with. The third resolution, proposed by the Rev. A. CRuM SIELL, a coloured clergyman from the United statea, seconded by the Rev. Mr. GORE, and carried nem. con., b ct fourth by resolutionb s ta i n recommended the opponent s o f slaver y to ndeavour to a e g n from e ed thn society's protest slave-grown against ; and the °l f i the Government scheme of im mi g ration, and a g ainst the laws to be put in force to rest rict the j ust liberties of the an; w immigrants, and coerce their l abou r . At the conclusion of the p roceedings a vote amidst great applause , to the chairman, of thanks .c turman, and the meeting, which, notwithstanding the u n favourable was given, state of the weather, was very numerous, searated . GRA ND ENTERTAINMENT TO ------- THE BISHOPS AT THE MANSIO N-HOUSE. Yesterday being the 148th anniverssry of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts , t he members and friends of the institution, with the bishops, the clergy, the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs at tended Divine service in the afternoon in St. Paul's Cathedral. In the evening the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress gave a banquet at the Mansion-house, and were honoured with the company of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Miss Sumner, the Bishop of London and Miss Blomfield, the Bishop of Llandaff, the Bishop of Worcester and Mrs. Pepys, the Bishop of Oxford and Miss Wilberforce, the Bishop of Lichfield and Mrs. Lonsdale, the Bishop of Carlisle and the Hon. Mrs. Percy, the Bishop of Hereford and Mrs. Hampden, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Ripon and the Hon. Mrs. Langley, the Bishop of Bangor, the Bishop of Manchester and Mrs. Lee, the Rev. the Lord Bayn iag and Lady Bayning, the Reverends Lord Wriothesley Russell, Hon. J. Evelyn Boscowan, Hon. F. P. Bouverie, Hon, Montagu Villiers, Hon. C. L. Courtenay, and Sir Henry Thompson, the Dean of Westminster and Miss Bucklaud, the Deans of Norwich and Canterbury, Sir R. IL Inglis, Bart., M.P., Archdeacon Hale and Miss Hale, the Arch deacons Sinclair and Croft • the Master of the Temple, the Rev. Doctors Rice, Jell, Mortimer, M'Caul, Croly, Russell, Hawtrey, Vivian, Italie, Roy, and Cumming; the Rev. Messrs. IR. Wood and Mrs. Wood, Dennis Kelly and Mrs. Kelly, R. Dear and Mrs. Dear, J. Jen nings, and Mrs. Jennings, S. R. Cattley, chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and Mrs. Cattley, Cbarles Marshall, E. Auriol, E. Pizey, J. Thomas, W. G. Humphrey, W. Burnett, W. B. Prowd, E. Hawkins J. E. Tyler, J. Davis, J. Carver, J. C o h en, Samuel Wix, T. Burnet, J. rev ß soi . rr, C Gl o ve n o. i r n gß g er t oocnw,anreJr and j m .. Hamilton, J. Macdonald; Hooper,aWld;. Firman, Frederick Poynder, J. Fisher, A. Black, J. J. 011, pe Misseser s r o , n G , ePo .rmg ßurn e t t , Alto, T. Glendall, D. Williams, G. Goodman, J. B. Murray. R. A g ld ro e v rm e, en lv a . n u d u t a h te ei r r , l T ad . ie s s id ; n W ey . Moon, Ali th no e : Lkxl S .a s iblds l o a s :s r .mc o hß n ee s.rr,eeAw,Wrxtel.reh.neLHra,mwilmlrrertn.chcevyetT.Rni.id Elliott ,aWer.' Thompson, eriffLin T n a is m a p ti l d:rs. Finnis, Mr. ' Sheriff Musgrove, w M it rt h C t h h a ei m r, b l e a r d l i a .e i g n ; and Mrs. 0. F os d. h r E n e ac. Brown, roGtm. and b , i r . gmi l vi ' r o rre w ..a vc n De.. C eFpxi l e rua r rt k ny. , esßi M .s ~,Br d ms . t. .o l3ra r . dr n cn: d . Carden; Sheriffs Sp earm an Mr S h J. Mr. i l Manning, Taylor, Mr. Mr.' rHodgson,narand M r . Williams. &c. The Archbishop of York, the Bishops of Winchester, Durham, Gloucester, Pet e rb oroug h , E xeter, and Lincoln, w h o had accepted invitations ' were unavoidably pre vented fromwi with tihonouring company. the The Lord Mayor an d L a dy M ar°re dnner, which was supplied by Messrs. Ring and Brymer, fully supported the high character of that firm as purveyors. The LORD MAYOR, in rising to propose the first toast, said--I esteem it a high honour and privilege to be per mitted to entertain in this hall the Bishops and other dignitaries of the Church upon this important anniver sary. I am aware that it is not usual to offer many observations in prisposinz the toast of the Church and Queen, and I shall adhere to that rule, but it is impos sible on such an occasion to refrain from making allusion to an incident of recent occurrence, which, although greatly to be deplored, tends in no slight degree to pro duce the most unequivocal evidences of loyalty and love to the Sovereign.—(Cheers.) It is quite impossible to conceive anything stronger than the mingled feel ings of anxiety and indignation which burst forth in the metropolis upon the intelligence that an attempt was made upon the life of her Majesty.—(Loud cheers.) At a time when all the continental nations are struggling In political convulsions, this country enjoys a complete immunity from any of those dreadful conflicts to which the rest of Europe is subjected. It would, indeed, be matter of regret if the lustre of the character of a peo ple so distinguished by their attachment to the laws, were dimmed by an act against the person of the Sove reign. —(Ch eers .) But the occurrence to which I allude, although ca l cu l at ed to exasperate, on the one side , is sure, on th e o ther, to call forth renewed ma n i festation s of devoted affection and loyalty. It is with the highest degree of pleasure I propose " The Church and Queen.. —(Lond cheering.) The company immediately rose and drank the toast with the u tmos t enthusiasm. The LORD MAYOR--I DOW rise to propose " The Health of Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." It is unnecessary to say one word in praise of Prince Albert. Every day brings forward a ddi t ional proofs of his desire to promote the good of h er Majesty's subjects, and of his benevolent ex ertions for the advantage of the h umbler classes. — (Cheers.) It has been my happiness personally to wit ness his loyal Highness's labours and the high estima tion in which he is held, not only in the metropolis but in the surrounding counties; and it gives me the most lively gratification to propose the toast.—(Cheers.) The LORD MAYOR next proposed "The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," and took occasion to speak of .the respect entertained by his brother magistrates and his fellow-citizens for that able and eminent Prelate who discharged the difficult duties of his high office in so exemplary a manner.— (Cheers.) The Archbishop of CANTERBURY, in returning thanks, commented upon the magnificent hospitality of the Lord Mayor, and then proposed the health of his Lord ship, many of whose constituents were, he understood, piesent, a nd no doubt delighted to witness the strong feeling of respect and regard which had been expressed by the company for the Chief Magistrate of London. The Leen MAYOR proposed "The Bishop of London and the Bench of Bishops." He spoke of the severe duties which the Bishop of London had to perform in his immensely extensive district, and of that Prelate's never tailing exertions for the diffusion of learning. The Bishop of LODON returned 01511 1 / 4 4 in A n %%dug. rable speech, which be delivered with great spirit. He had, he said, been happily connected with the city of London for twenty-nine years, in eight of which he had served as parochial clerg3 man, and iu nearly twenty-one as bishop, and he rejoiced in the co-operation with which his and his brethren's exertions in the great cha rity they were commemorating had met from the magis trates of London. Ships, colonies, and commerce were the great instruments by which the propagation of the Gospel must be accomplished, so that the union of the city of London with the spirit of that charity was indis pensable to its success.---f Sheers.) The Archbishop of CANTERBURY proposed " The Health of the Lady Mayoress." Several other toasts followed. Most of the company retired at an early hour from the festive boar 3, and all appeared to be delighted with the really magnificent entertainment. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMAIONS, May 21. The SPEAKER took the Chair a few minutes before Four o'clock. NEW WRIT. Mr. TUFNELL moved fc,r a new writ for the election of a Member for Setherland,hire, in the room of Sir David Dtindas, who had accepted the office of Judge- Advocate- G eneral. THIRD READING. The Leeds and Thirsk Railway (Power to guarantee Interest on certain Shares, &c.) Bill, was read a third time and passed. REPORTS. The reports on the following Bills were taken into con sideration, and agreed to: — East Anglian Railways (Ely and Huntington Railway Extension Gf Time). Taunton Town and Market Improvement. Mr. GR ANTLEY BERKELEY presented petitions from G!oucestershire, praying for an arbitration clause in international treaties. AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS. General LYGON presented a petition from the county of Worcester, complaining of the agricultural distress existing in that county. IRISH COURT OF CHANCERY. Mr. SADLEIR presented a petition from the clerks in the Irish Court of Chancery, praying for compensation for the losses they had sustained in consequence of the Irish Incumbered Estates Bill. Mr. F. O'CONNOR presented a petition signed by . upwards of 600 coal miners of Northumberland an d Durham, praying the House to adopt some means to pre vent the recurrence of accidents in coal-mines. INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION. Mr. KERSHAW presented a petition from Stockport, praying for the introduction of an arbitration clause into all international treaties. THE CHARTER. Mr. S. CRAWFOiiD presented a petition from Roch dale, praying that the People's Charter may be passed into a law. DOG-CARTS. Lard MAHON presented a petition from Hereford against the practice of employing dogs to draw carts. POOR-LAW (IRELAND). Mr. P. SCROPE gave notice that when this Bill was in Committee he should move various amendments. PALACE AND MARSHALSEA COURTS. Lord DUDLEY STUART gave notice that he should to-morrow move for a return of the salaries and fees of the officers of the above-named courts, and fur further information with respect to them. FIRING AT THE QUEEN. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said—Mr. Speaker, be fore I move the postponement of the orders of the day which stand for to-night, I think it is right that I should make a statement, in order to allay any apprehension that may exist in consequence of some of the newspapers of Saturday evening, in re porting the attempt made upon the life of her Majesty, stating that the pistol fired off was loaded with ball. I can state, although it is unfortunately true that a pistol was discharged at the Queen as she was returning home along Constitution-hill, yet that there is no reason to acquiesce in the belief that the person who discharged the pistol—who made this treasonable at tempt, which is more remarkable for its baseness than for its atrocity—(Loud cheers)—had loaded the deadly instrument with ball.—(Cheers.) I am sure if the attempt had been of a different kind, that I should have had the cordial assent of the House to an address to her Majesty, congratulating her Ma jesty upon having, under the care of Providence, escaped from death—(Cheers)—and on the preservation of so valuable a life.—(Loud cheers.) Her Majesty on this occasion acted with her usual coolness and courage.— (Continued cheering.) He begged to move that the Poor-law Relief Bill be postponed for a fortnight. Mr. J. O'CONNELL wished to state, as an Irish Member, as it might be considered that the fact of the person who had fired ' at the Queen being one of his countrymen aggravated his offence, that at the moment of the greatest excite ment in Ireland among the fiercest and boldest, that not one would have harboured the idea of personally insult ing her Majesty.—(Loud cheers,) Whatever misfor tunes might have befallen Ireland, it could not be for a moment believed that any portion of the Irish people sympathised with the recent act of a dastardly miscre ant.—(Cheers.) The motion was agreed to. On the motion of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, the Eccle siastical Commissioners' Bill was postponed until the Bth of June. PUBLIC HEATH BILL. In reply to Sir WILLIAM CLAY, Sir GE - ORGE GREY &Aid it was not the intention of the Government to intoduce a Public Health Bill this session. Only recently a Bill had been passed for the consolidation of the sewers, and for promoting im proved drainage. The report of the Sanitary Commis sion was nut yet ready. AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS. Mr. G. BERKELEY, pursuant to notice, wished to ask the Noble Lotd at the head of the Government whether he had in contemplation any measure for the relief under which the agricultural interest was labouring, and whether he was prepared to reduce the income-tax charged under schedule B? Lord J. RUSSELL said that he had no measure in contemplation on the subject first referred to by the Hon. Member, and that it was not his intention to re duce the income-tax. THE KAFIR WAR. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in answer to a question from Mr. V. Smith, said. that the accounts furnished to the Board of Audit of the expenses of the Kafir war being unsatisfactory t o t h at b oard, he should wait till further information was received from the Cape before taking any further step in the matter. DEATHS, RITE LLA, in nD an s wer t 0 a MARRIAGES.question Lord Lt . from Mr. Sadleir, stated that he could not fix any time for the Government instituting any measures on the subject of births, deaths, and marriages. INCUMBERED ESTATES (IRELAND) BILL. The House then went into Committee on the Incum bered Estates (Ireland) Bill. On the Ist clause being proposed, Mr. J. STUART said he had already taken an op portunity of stating his impression of the importance of this measure and his objection to the principle upon which it was founded, but no answer whatever had been given to those objections by any one Member of the Government. Most of the Irish Members, it was true, had expressed their approbation of the Bill, but he was not surprised at that when he remembered that they expressed similar appro bation last year of a measure which had since turned out a total failure.—(Hear, hear.) This Bill, iu fact, was constructed on a principle which was far more objectionable than that of the Bill of last year. It contained provisions which it was the duty of every English Member to attend well to. It proposed to create a set of Commissioners, who were to be paid out of the English Exchequer; and he objected to every clause which related to this Commission, the more so, as the duties imposed on it ought now to be exercised by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. These Commissioners were not to be paid by the land owners or mortgagees of Ireland, but by the tax-payers to the Engliel Exchequer; and if these Commissioners could perform one of the Lord Chancellor's duties they could not see why they should not under take the whole of them.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") He quite understood the reasons which induced the Lord Chancellor of Ireland to approve of the principle of the Bill. It was the duty of the Court of Chancery in Ireland to appoint receivers, and to regulate all the ineumbered property in that country, and to keep it in a legal state for disposal. He could well, therefore, understand the reason why his Honourable and Learned Friend had cited the approval of that learned and eminent personage's opinion—for in tact the Bill was intended to relieve the Court of the duty, whilst it re tained the emolument for the service. This was the principle on which the Bill had been raised. If it was at all necessary to obtain legislative interference at all tor such a purpose as that for which the Bill was !intended to provide, the first point that ought to have been looked to was to provide the foundation of a good title. Had it been advisable, he should have felt it his duty to use every available means which the rules of the House gave him to oppose the clauses seriatim as they were put from the chair; but seeing the friendly spirit in which the Bill was received by the Irish Members, he did not conceive himself justified in wasting the time of Hon. Members by dividing, but he intended on the third reading to give his most strenuous opposition, and to state his reasons for doing so. Clauses one to eight defined the duties of the Commissioners, and those on to clause fifteen devised the means for enabling the Commissioners to fulfil those duties. Every one of these clauses was faulty, and unless the Governm e nt t oo k the opportunity of greatly amending them, he should at a future step earnestly oppose their adoption. He thought it was not right that they should he called upon to pay out of the English Exchequer three new 'unctionaries—thus giving additional patronage to the Government, and appointing persons for the performance of duties which ought to be discharged by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Colonel RAWDON said he had not any objection to the general merits of the Bill. no had received from a gentleman in Dublin, who was well acquainted with Chancery practice, a letter which he thought it might be just to r ea d t o th e House. The writer stated that the Incumbered Estates Bill would be one of the most beneficial measures that could be devised for Ireland; that it was prepared with clearness. and that the provisions were so simple that no one could fail to understand them. Mr. SHAFTO ADAIR thought that the measure would have a very beneficial effect in Ireland; but was of opinion that one or two gentlemen should be ap pointed as C omm i ss ioners, who were acquainted not only with the legal, bat the personal management of estates. It WM incumbent upon the Government, he thought, to appoint gentlemen to the ( - Bee of Corna3issioner who were possessed of the highest possible legal at tainments. Mr. F. FRENCH repeated that he was opposed to the Bill, because it would act most unjustly. Under it many lanis would be sold at but twelve years' purchase, and the proceeds would be, therefore, insufficient to meet the claims upon them. Sir JOHN WALSH was convinced that this Bill, like 'the one of last year, would prove altogether nugatory, and considered that the sale of property at its present depreciated value in Ireland, would be like put ting up a house to auction whilst it was in flames. It would be most difficult to get purchasers. When capi talists purchased landed property, they did so expecting a definite and regular revenue, unlike shopkeepers who speculated when they purchased prop, rty. Capitalists did not purchase property from philanthropic motives, but to profit by what they did. Therefore, capitalists would not invest their money in the impoverished dis tricts of Ireland. He objected to the arbitrary nature of the Commission to be appointed under the Bill. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said the real question was whether the whole state of Ireland was such as to demand some extraordinary measures for re lieving it. Upon the motion for the second reading of this Bill, it was admitted that there were extraordinary cireumstanc,s to justify its intro duction, and he thought, therefore, that the Com mittee ought at once to proceed with the details of the Bill. It was quite evident that the present machinery of the Court of Chancery was inadequate to facilitate the speedy transfer of in cumbered estates, and that fact must be the answer of the Government to the objection which had been raised to the measure, that it imposed duties on Commissioners which ought to devolve upon the Lord Chancellor. Colonel DUNNE should consider himself unworthy of being an Irishman if he did not protest against this arbitrary Bill. If a Bill of this hind was to be passed, be thought that when property was to be handed over to Commissioners, the House ought at least to know who those Commissioners were, and if Hon. Members would divide with him, he would move that the consideration of the first clause shou:d be adjourned until the names of the Commissioners were known. — (Hear, hear.) He thought it monstrous that three un known men should be entrusted with powers scarcely possessed by the Autocrat of Russia.--(Hear, hear.) He had said that this Bill was in blank, and to prove that it was so, he would only refer to the tenth section, which gave a power to Teter disputed pointa to the Privy Council in Ireland, but which stated no rules by which the Council were to be directed in their decisions.—(Hear, hear.) lie con ceived that the Hon. Gentleman opposite was entirely mistaken in supposing that the Irish Members would accept this Bill with anything like friendly unanimity. The Hon. Member was proceeding to comment on certain clauses, when The CHAIRMAN suggested that the Hon. and Gal lant Member had better take the clauses in their regular order, and reserve his remarks upon each until it came duly under consideration. Colonel DUNNE thought that he had been pursuing a proper course by stating all his objections to the Bill at once, intending afterwards to have left the question in the hands of the House to dell with as they thought proper. Ho would, however, bow to the Chairman; but he could not conclude without repeating his protest against this Bill, which was most unjust to Irish pro prietors, and which he believed not one of its supporters could conscientiously say they would apply to England. The real difficulty in Ireland was the defective registry of titles, not in the abstract right of the proprietors, and for that difficulty this Bill provided no remedy. Mr. GROGAN said, the question as to the persons who were to administer this Act was a most important one. The history of Ireland was curious, but it scarcely presented anything more extraordinary in its history than this proposal to dispense with the Court of Chancery, and to place the property of the country at the disposal of an unnamed Commission, invested with almost abso lute powers. If the circumstances of the country were so extraordinary as to call for a measure of this kind, it would certainly be far better that the Commissioners should ,be named in the Bill. By leaving the cause as it stood at present, the Commissioners would be only the nominees of the Government, and he thought that if the House felt there was such a strong necessity for this Commission, it shou:d exercise the privilege,of nam ing it.—(Hear.) It was feared that the Bill would not be efficient in one respect. He feared that it would be too efficient, because the powers given to the Commis sioners were of so absolute a character that not a single owner of property would feel himself, safe against the application of a single creditor for a sale. On the other hand, he believed the Bill by itself would be inefficient. They might compel sales, but they could not secure purchasers at a fair value at the same time. Under the circumstances the incumbered proprietor and his family, and the holder of the mortgage,, would be equally damaged by their legislation. This Bill as it stn ,d, unsupported by other measures, would fail to produce any of the effects anticipated by its framers. The.que,- don that arose, however, on the first clause was, as he had said, whether the circumstances of Ireland were so extraordinary as to warrant such a departure from the ordinary course, and if so, whether the presiding power might not be ben, ficially vested with the Lord Chancel lor, and if notwhether they ought to know who the Commissioners were to be? Sir L. O'BRIEN approved of the Bill in some respects as being superior to the Bill of last year, but at the same time concurring in the opinion of Hon. Members, that they ought to know who the Commissioners were to be. He should divide on the clause it the Hon. Member pressed the question to a division. He must say that the House, in pressing forward these questions. was acting under some delusion.—(Hear, hear.) Their object was to get the estates into the hands of those who owed no money. Why, the persons who purchased were to be empowered to borrow half the purchase money as a mortgage upon them, and when they came to make im provements fresh loans would be necessary.—(Hear.) He thought, therefore, that some more time and consi deration was required with reference to a measure of such importance. At the same time ho agreed that in creased facilities were required, and within proper and judicious limits, calculated to encourage the investment of small capitals in land. He should be prepared to give any such measures his support. Col. DUNNE moved that the Chairman report pro gress and ask leave to sit again until the Commissioners were named. Mr. J. O'CONNELL believed that the people of Ire. land approved of this all as far as it went, and there• fore he deprecated any such obstruction to its consider. ation as that now proposed. Mr. SADLEIR said the Lord Chancellor and Masters already possessed disci.« tionary powers to dispose of property similar to those enacted in this Bill, and there fore it was no new power which was to be given to the Commissioners. Col. DUNNE said these authorities were bound by certain legal forms which very much tended to diminish the chance of these powers being abused. Mr. HORSMAN hoped that the Hon. Member would withdraw his motion and allow the Bill to proceed. After a few words from Col. DUNNE and Sir G. GREY, the motion was withdrawn and the clause was agreed to, as were clauses 2,3, 4, and 5. On clause 6, which fixes the salary of the Chief Commissioner at 3,000/. a year, and that of the two other Commissioners at 2,0001. asyear each, Mr. HENLEY suggested that in order to lighten the expense of the Commission they might charge fees. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL objected to the sys tem of fees. The amounts set down in the clause were net salaries. Mr. GROGAN saw that the Commissioners were em powered to apoint a secretary, and-such clerks as they might require. He wished to know whether a valuator was to be appointed under any of these narnas. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL did not propose to ap point any valuator. In the majority of cases such an officer would not be required. . . After some further conversation the amounts were agreed to. On the question that the clause do pass, a conversation arose as to the latter portion, which enacted that the expense of the Commis.iun sh4ll be defrayed as provided by Parliament. Mr. HENLEY suEgestcd that the word "directed" should be substituted for " provided." He did not want the cost to come out of estimates. The clause, as amended, was then ordered to stand part of the Bill, as were clauses 7,8, and 9. On clause 10, which subjected the Commissioners' rules to examination and confirmation by the Privy Council, Colonel DUNNE moved that the Court of Chancery, and not the Privy Council, should be judges of the rules. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL objected. If the Court of Chancery were named, the proceedings would be de layed and clogged with difficulties. Mr. E. B. ROCHE said that the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman's objection, though apparently to one of the details of the Bill, was in reality against the principle, and he should give it his opposition. Mr. SADLEIR, in reply to a question from Colonel Dunne, admitted that no land would he sold in Ireland, except under the provisions of this Bill; and so deeply was he impressed with this conviction, that be intended urging on Government the propriety of extending the Bill to estates not incumbered. Mr. TURNER thought power of appeal against the sales should be given. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said there was no precedent for such a proposition. Mr. TURNER reminded the lion. and Learned Gen tleman that such a power was given in the West Indian Compensation Act. Colonel DUNNE withdrew his amendment, and the clause passed. Clauses 11, 12, and 13 were agreed to without dis cussion. Clause 14, which enacts that the orders of the Com missioners may be enforced in England, led to a brief explanation by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL, and passed. On clause 15, which arms the Commissioners with the jurisdiction of a Court of Equity, the SOLICITOR GENERAL, in reply to Mr. Martin, stated that the Commissioners would have the power of deciding in cases of disputed title. The clause was then passed. Clause 16, which enacts, that when land, or lease of land in Ireland, is subject to incumbrance, the owner, or incumbrancer may apply to the Commissioners for a sale. caused slight discussion. Mr. SADLEIR thought that the owners of unencum bered estates ought to be permitted to avail themselves of the machinery of the Bill, just as well as the inhe ritors of incumbered estates. The SOLICI FOR-GENERAL feared that, consis tently with the principle of the Bill, it would be impos sible to adopt the Hon. Gentleman's suggestion. Mr. GROGAN suggested, that int.tead of all incum brances as stated in the clause, the words " exl.ting incumbrancer" should be substituted, as that would do away with the possibility of pates creating incum• te irances in order to get their properties sold under Act. Mr. MARTIN considered a clause ought to 10 inserted preventing parties not fully incumbered from, going to the Commissioners in order to get thei r estate sold. Tile clause was then passed, as ware also clauses 17 and 18. On clause 19 being proposed, which provides that leer Commissioners upon application for sale may , IfEe Hullers and hearing, direct a sale, Mr. TURNER moved that a proviso be added to the clause, to the effect, that no such order for sale sh ould° made unless the ineumbrance upon the propego amounted to two-thirds of the value thereof, ma! 81 f that no such order should be made on the applica ti l, ° t a party whose interest in the estate did not exceed 1"11 of The S the highest incumbrance. h OLICITOR-GENARAL objected to SU C- ke proviso. Were such added , before a sale cou ld . lll , place they would have to ascertain the value of th e p r i; perty, and in the existing state of Irish landed pr o p er that would be almost impossible. rrhere Mr. MARTIN supported the amendment. o f could be no difficulty in getting at the va luat lo ,°, - the estates, as the ordnance valuation could be b ad course to. If ,dreen., Colonel DUNNE also supported the ament. t be the ordnance valuation was not considered coniPlet e ,',i ti g poor law valuation was, and hence no difficulty is g e "" at the valuation. but be Mr. TURNER was in the hands of the House , re thought the additional proviso he had proposed 066 " quire(' to make the measure effectual. Sir L. O'BRIEN hoped that his 'lon. and Lein' Friend would not press the first part of the proviso , ~n 4 that her Majesty's Ministers would allow the s ee " part to be inserted without any divi,ion. Mr. TURNER said he had no objcction to the sO til geetion of the Hon. Baronet, and that all parties 1 0 ,1 be be satisfied, he would alter the words " two- thirds 01 4 i. value thi reof to one-half'," which alteration, he Cr dered, could not be opposed by the Solicitor-Gener e ,"o , After a few words from Colonel DUNNE, the y e mittee divided, when there appeared— For the proviso' 9 Against it 57 Majority.. Clause 19 was then agreed to. Clauses 20 to 34, inclusive, were then agreed to. Ciause 37 was then agreed to. tlO / On clsuse 38 being proposed, which provided 0. order for a sale under this Act m a y b e ma d e , nOt ti standing pending suit or decree for sale, Mr. MONSELL suggested that the Commis s ' ° ,.. o l should have the power to take the initiative in the of bankrupt estates before the Court of Chancery. , The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said the object 0' „f Bill was to sell incumbered estates on the a pplicafili et i the parties. The Hon. Member (Mr. Monsell) w, 19 . 0 0 to make an exception, but he (the Solicitor- Genersio , of opinion that in the class of estates to which the , 0 11 Member had alluded, applications for sale would ' n likelihood be among the first made. tt4 o After a few words from Mr. SADLEIR, COL..- n-o and Mr. TURNER, the clause was agreed to. Oa clause 39 being read, ,to The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said he was wil°, 4 s 0 accede to the suggestion of an Hon. Member to 11 ", er y few words to the clause, enabling the Court of Cha l3 "; ri sd to appoint a receiver to an estate during the Pe pending the sale. f or Mr. SADLEIR hoped the Hon. and Learned Soli c lo General would reconsider his preposition, as he k i Sadleir) thought that nothing was more detritne o :o property than the appointment of a court receiver oh was invested with power to manage an estate. 0 0 therefore, hoped that the control and management ° estate would he placed in the Commissioners. , t io4 The SOLICITOR-GENERAL, thought the orbt; of the Hon. Memb, r (Mr. Sadleir) had some w e ': 0 1 and he would, therefore, leave it to him to propto addition to the clause on the bringing up of the rer The clause was then agreed to. On clau--e 40 being read, , s tfo f Mr. M 0 NSE L L suggested that there should be $ 1 „ 0 0 given for the partitioning of unincumbered as w e incumbered estates. het The SOLICITOR-GENERAL was of opinion t give a general power to partition would be stepPi lls o o yond the bounds and objects of the Bill, which limited to incumbered estates. The clause was then agreed to. Clauses 41, 42, and 43 were next agreed to. On clause 44 being proposed, plO Colonel DUNNE objected to-the clause, on thee"( ;be that -no appeal was, allowed without the consent e * Commissioners. if e 1) 16 The SOLICITOR GENERAL said it was cl i es t i i il te: that all pretences for delay should be avoided, sour veil' fore it was that the Commissioners were invest e " summary power. h b Mr. MARTIN said a case might arise in W- ic of Commissioners might decide upon the rights party in his absence, and which decision m i g,. 1 ,,f01l highly prejudicial to his interests. It was , the- o old desirable that in such a case the power to a ah be absolute ß . fed lifr. TUNER said the clause was contrary to e principle of law, and particularly of the W est 9 130 Compensation Act; and the effect of the entire 1,0 would be that estates would be bought up by joint-s;er companies. In his opinion an appeal ought to be P o ; mitted, as in the West India Compensation Act, W illi the consent of the Commissioners. ppeal The SOLICITOR GENERAL replied that 111 :0 0 Act alluded to not a single appeal was ma de fl° l ' Commissioners did not at once accede to. p trr Mr. R. WOOD said they were providing ordinary rernee'y for an extraordinary evil, and t to lay of one or two or more years occurred, it wot o l'Apip vent the practical intention of the Bill being carrie eff.ct by vexatious appeals. The clause was then agreed to, as were the refl 3 clauses, and the House resumed. The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and the r er , was ordered to be brought up on Thursday. so° A messenger from the Lords brought up the re p of several Bills, which were agreed to. PARLIAMENTARY OATHS BILL c",,g ,d On the motion of Sir G. GREY, the third re a O g the Parliamentary Oaths Bill was fixed for Mona* 11th of June. LANDLORD AND TENANT BILL. ,00 1, On the consideration of the Landlord and Ten tl° ' as amended, Colonel SIBTHORP moved that the Bill be r i for six months. The motion was, however, withdrawn. Mr. MULLINGS moved the following ansenaw d e —" After section 7 to insert the following e.-°,llO-, and with a view of preventing or lessening theyol • the right to emblements, as well as the loss an;(1 to tenants holding under landlords having lino 1 " 0 0 0 1 terests, be it enacted, that where the lease or ce :4 of a farm held by a tenant at rack rent, shall dete rtei di the death or censer of the estate of any n ill d io n entitled for his life, or for any other limi te d 01 terest, the tenant shall continue to hold 5 13 „00°., cupy the farm until the expiration of the then roe', year, and shall then quit upon the terms of hi' ' e no tP holding, in the same manner as if such lease or te - o th i e,: were then determined by the effluxion of time ° A la°, lawful means, during the continuance of his le°"d e tl A r estate, and the succeeding landlord shall be en°„" e t recover and receive of the tenant in the same men' op. o 4 'd his predecessor could have done if living, a fair P r o • Lion of the rent for the period which may have o f from the day of the death or testier of the estate ° predecessor to the time of the tenant so quitting , t li ,ll,d su cceeding landlord and the tenant respectively s"„ 011 between themselves and as against each other, be el to all the benefits and advantages, and be subjec t o et b restrictions to which the prceding landlord any' tenant respectively would have be en en titl e d and 8° in case the lease or tenancy h a d d e t erm i ne d in °I A 4 aforesaid, at the expiration of such current year' o f Ir m be it enacted, that in case the growing crops e b tenant of any farm shall be seized and sold by o° ,/ i sej riff or other officer, by virtue of any writ o f fier , '4' or other writ of execution, such crops shall, 80 it I I1 ) the same shall remain upon the farm, be liable ,;11,.‘ rent which may accrue and bi come due to the 1 °;: e 0 after any such seizure and sale, and to the reme °l 4 distress and otherwise for recovery of such 0 ° that notwithstanding any bargain and sale or a te ment which may have been made or executed ° , crops by any such sheriff or other officer. a Mr. PUSEY said he must leave this propose 00 0 • to the consideration of the legal Members of the i d te lt Mr. HENLEY said he thought the clause ve° ll . o ol Bl great improvement, and it might be very leg tl comprised in a Bill of this sort. re / The amendment was then agreed to. I/0 The Bill was then agreed to as amended, and to be reed a third time on Thursday. n te THE CHARITABLE TRUSTS BIT-4.- fg e'y This Bill was read a second time, and, after serva tions from Captain PECHELL, was order ee reported on Friday next. ' PASSENGERS BILL. .0 00 P ep The Passengers Bill went thr oug h Comm forma, and the report was order e d t o b e trough 0 1 1 Thursday next. The other orders of the day were then dieP and the House adjourned at Eleven o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS, May 21. Fr W T oo h l e sae L k ort a l) C HANCELLOR took his seat 0 0 1) t Five o'elnck Lord REDESDALE . 1 I po o ) against the repeal of the navigation-laws. ~te° o' presented severs I 1 , /, Petitions with a similar prayer were pres e n" 0 10 the Earl of Eglinton, the Earl of Warwick, t he .1"- A I Richmond. and Elrl ' Talbot . Lord LYTTELTON presented several P e° praying for the abolition of the law of settlement' ATTACK ON THE QUEEN. „ boP i , The Marquis of L ANSDOWNE hoped that The Marquis of LANSDOWNE hoped hiC' tbe'f, they proceeded to c o nsider a subject on ivh ie— be 1 )1 0 would be much difference of opinion, he mig ht id be ;4 mitted to advert to a subject on which there 0 0 ' vie'. difference of opinion. —(Hear, hear.) T her : os til d o offences of a character most atrocious and st t ' to , 0 ;,. time most contemptible. All that he co uld, e t ,' IV that there were discovered on inquiry ° O O Of circumstances attending the hatetul s t . t , e ts , 0 Saturday nothing to justify a cot:0 11 ° 0 o oi high treason. Had such been the, tf t ° 0 3 would have been their duty to address her DilsJ e9 .aal l a i c° press their abhorrence of the crime. The coo3°3lde 0 been for a misdemeanour, and therefore he ill i _ bei t 4 e propose no address, and he thought it would 70409 le.sve this contemptible criminal to take the ee e o f gib of his crime, without giving to him the notorietY , rL i he WAS perhaps ambitious. dete r `V Lord Sr A NLEY was rejoiced to hear the ible te , tion of the Government to leave the contectiPt._4 0 0 , tO P I 0 6 creant who had perpetrated the outrage i . O IV Had her Majesty been in danger / not opiy sP