The Sun. — London, England, 1849-06-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 27, 1849. The CHAIRNIAN then reported progress, and ob tained leave to sit on Thursday. Tho House then adjourned until half-past five for a Commission, and until six o'clock for business. The House re-assembled at Half-past Five o'clock. ROYAL ASSENT. The Usher of the Black Rod summoned the Spaker and the House to attend at the bar of the House of Lords to hear the Royal Assent given, by Commission, to several Bills (tor which see Lords' report). PETI [IONS. Sir CHARLES LEMON presented several petitions from Wesleyan Methodists in favour of the Bill or the Protection of Women. Mr. SLANEY pres , nt(d a similar petition from several religious congregations in Shrewsbury, POOH-LAW OFFICERS' FUND. Mr. STUART presented a petition from Newark, in favour cf a superannuated fund for poor-law union officers. SMITHFIELD MARKET. Mr. MACKINNON gave notice that on the 17th nstant he would call the attention of the House to the report of the Select Committee on Smithfield Market. BEI FISH GUIANA. Mr. HUME gave notice that to-morrow he would move for certain papers relative to British Guiana. COLONEL MOUNTAIN. In answer to a question put by Sir H. VERNEY, Mr. FOX MAULE said with reference to the indivi duals upon whom the honour of the second class of the Bath was conferred, Colonel Mountain was not in that class, and the honour that would have fallen to his lot was the third class of the Bath. BRITISH GUIANA. In reply to Mr. HUME, Lord J. RUSSELL said it was quite true that Gover nor Barkly, following the example of persons at hone —(Laughter)—had brought a Bill into Council for the extension of the ruffrege. With respect to the power of the Governor he tis °aid make inquiry, as he was not aware of its nature since he had ceased to be connected with the Colonial-cffice. Mr. FIUME said considerable alarm had been created in the minds of the colonists.—(Laughter.) He would, therefore, ask the question to-morrow. THE COLONIES. Sir W. MOLESWORTH having presented a petition from Wellington, New Zealand, signed by 741 persons, complaining of colonial misrule, proceeded to move an " Address to her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to appoint a Commission to inquire into the ad ministration of her Majeste 's colonial possessions, with a view of removing the causes of colonial complaint, dimi ribbing the cost of colonial government, and giving free scope to individual enterprise in the business of colo nising." With the permission of the House, he would state, as briefly as he could, what, in his opinion, should be tho nature of the inquiry, and to what objects it should be directed. But first, in order to satisfy the House that there ought to be an inquiry, he would en deavour to show what had produced the general con v!ction that there were grave errors and defects in our colonial government. By far the greater portion of our modern colonial empire was of recent acquisition. Our colonial empire consisted chiefly of conquered provinces, garrison towns, and gaols. Their government was in trusted to a central authority in England. The in variable tendency of such an authority is to grasp as much power as possible, and to resist every measure which seems likely, directly or indirectly, to diminish that power. In conformity with these tendencies the colonial policy of Great Britian was formed, and the Colonial-office laid claim to omnipotence and infallibility in all matters concerning the colonies s that claim was long recognised in this country, and scarcely disputed in the colonies, but of late years it bad been contested, not so much within as without the walls of this House; and every colony had repeatedly and energetically protested against it ; and now the conviction was daily gaining ground throughout the empire that cur colonial system was not well suited either to the state of Great Britian or of the colonies. In con quence of great emigration, the relations tetween Great Britain and her dependencies have been profoundly changed, and there ought to have been a corresponding change in her colonial policy, which was framed without reference to any emigration except that of convicts. Public opinion had been much directed of late years to colonial questions in consequence of the discussions which had taken place with regard to free trade and the navigation laws, for most of the statesmen of this coun try had maintained that there was an intimate con nexion between the colonial and commercial policies of of Great Britain. They bad generally defended the acquisition of new colonies on the plea that such foreign possessions afforded markets for the exclusive benefit of our manufactures, and produced a trade for the exclu sive profit of cur merchants and ship-owners; and they persuaded the nation that in return for these privileges It was worth our while to pay vast sums of money for protecting and governing the colonies. These privi leges being abolished , the question seems very naturally to arise, why were we to continue to pay fur them? The colonies were free to trade with whom they will, and in what manner they will. Therefore, they would only trade with us and employ our shipping when it was most profitable for them to do so. In the course of the last fifteen years the colonies had directly cost Great Britain at least 60,000,0001. in the shape of military, naval, civil, and extraordinary expenditure, exclusive of the 20,000,000/. which were paid for the abolition of slavery. Tnerefore, the total direct cost of the colonies had been at least 80,000,000/. in the last ;fifteen years. Now, if Hon. Members would merely take the trouble of recalling to their minds the chief events which were taking place in the colonies while this money was spending, they must at once admit that the result of the expenditure had been far from satisfac tory, either to the United Kingdom or the colonies; and be thought they would likewise admit that there must be something essentially faulty in a policy which had such an enormous cost. He would now state what in his opinion should be the chief objects of inquiry. They might be arranged under the three heads of colonial government, colonial expenditure, and emigration or colonization. Under the existing system in most of our colonies—he might, indeed, say in all of them, with the exception of Canada—representative institutions were rather shams than realities, for they seldom led to the legitimate consequences of representative government, namely,responsible government, according to the will of a majority of the representatives of the people. In almost all the representative colonies the Colonial office generally attempted to carry on the government by means of a mi nority of the Representative Assembly, with the assistance of a Legislative Assembly composed of the nominees of the Colonial-office. The consequence was a perpetual struggle between the majority of the Representative Assembly and the party of the Colonial-office—•a struggle carried on with an intensity of party hatred and rancour, happily unknown to us; each party rejected or disallowed the measures of the other party; thus legislation stood still and enmity increased; after a time the supplies were stopped, and a dead lock ensued; then the Imperial Parliament was called on to take the part of the Colonial-office, and a constitution was sus pended; and finally, a demand was made upon the purses of the British people, who had invariably to pay the piper in every colonial brawl. I g norance, negligence, and vacillation were three inseparable acc id en ts of our system o f colonial govern ment. Ignorance was the necessary consequence of the distance which intervened between the 'rulers and the ruled. Negligence was the invariable result of the want of efficient responsibility, and the responsibility of the Colonial-office to Parliament was merely nominal, iu consequence of the ignorance of Par liament with regard to colonial affairs. His object was to prove that our colonial policy worked ill, and pro • deiced discontent end u.mplaint in the colonies, not be cause it was specially malaiiministered, but because it 'was an essentially faulty system, which could not be - well adaainistsred. It was difficult to censure a system -without appearing to censure the persons connected with it. In order to overcome this difficulty, he (Sir Wm. Molesworth) declared that his object was not to censure any person; his motion might be considered to 1 . e a vote of censure on cur colonial sys t em , but was not intended to be a vote of' censure on the Secretary of State for the Colonies. For, in his judgment, the colonies had not been worse governed by the present Secretary of State for the Colonies than by any one of his predeces sors who had hid equal opportunities for so doing. He knew that a different opinion on this subject prevailed both in this country and in the colonies; that in conse quence of the former speeches made by the present Colonial Minister, very exaggerated expectations had been formed of what he would do when in office; that those exaggerated expectations had been disappointed; that that disappointment had been embittered by the injudicious praises of friends and subordinates; and that hence his name was most unpopular; but in his (Sir W. Molesworth's) opinion it would be a great mistake to suppose that either his removel from office or any mere change in the staff of the Colonial-office would be of any real benefit to the colonies. The fault was in the system. --(Hear, hear.) The wonder to him was—not that the system worked ill—not that it produced discontent—but !tat it worked no worse than it did. Consider, said he, ;for one moment the nature of its working machinery. 'To govern ou r fort y -three colonies, scattered over the face of the globe , inhab i ted by men different in race lan guage and religion , wi th various institutions, strange laws, and unknown customs, the staff of the Colonial office consisted only of fi ve superior and twenty- three inferior functionaries. The superior functionaries were the Secretary of State, the two under secretaries, the assistant under secretary, and the chief clerk. The Secretary of State and one under secretary left office with the Government, and rarely retained office more than two years at a tim e; they were the ostensible h eads of our colonial system, and were responsible to Parlia rnent for the government of the c o lonies. The three other superior functionaries, being permanent, were the real heads of our colonial system ; they were screened from responsibility by the political functionaries; they were unknown to Parliament, scarcely known to the public by name, but had become celebr a t e d o f l ate years under the witty designation " Mr. Mothercoun trY ' " applied to them by Mr. C harles Buller. Subordinate to these gentlemen there were twent y - three clerks, making in all twenty-eight personsfortheeguoavl divisioner government of forty-three colonies. Therefore, with an g of labour, there would not be one official for the govern ment of each colony. But no such division of labour was practicable. The Secretary of State for the Colo nies was respoi sible to j Parliament for the government of every colous . It was his du;y, therefore, to be ac• quiinted with the affairs of each of the 43 colonies; to read and study ea ry dispatch, and to be prepared to i an swer, either n his own person cr by his under secre tary, every question which might be put to him in either House of Parliament with regard to the colonies. It he small divide his time equally between the colonies, as there were 43 colonies, he could give about a week a veer to the affairs o'f' each separate colony; but to no single colony could he st any one time spare a week of eatinuous attention, ter every colony, more or less, toirLd his attention simultaneously; at one time he evuld only give a few hours to one dependency, then a fees hours to another, and so on, turn and turn about, traversing and re traversing in his imagination the ter raqueaus globe—fl) in from the arctic to the antarctic pwe—hurrying from the snows of North America to the burning regions of the tropics—rushing across from the fertile islands of the Went. Indies to the arid deserts of South Africa and Australia—like nothing on earth or in romance, save the " Wandering Jew."—(Laughter.) For instance, one day the Colonial Secretary would be in Ceylon, a financial and religious reformer, promoting the interests of the Dike plant r, and casting discredit on the tooth and religion of Buddha ; the next day he would be in the West Indies, teachiug the economical manufacturer of sugar; or in Van Diemen's Land, striv• ing to reform the friend.; whom he had transported to that pandemonium.—(Hear, hear.) Now he would be in Canada, discussing the Indemnity Bill, and the war of races; anon he would be at the Cape of Good Hope, dancing a war dance with Sir Harry Smith—(Cheers) —and his Kafir carpets ; or in New Zealand, an uneuc ceosful Lycurgus, coping with Iloni Ileki ; or at Natal, treating with Panda, King of the Zoolehs ; or in La buan, digging coal and warring with pirates ; or in the midst of South Africa defeating Pretorious and his rebel beers ; or in Vancouver's Island, done by the Hudson Bay Company ; or in Victoria, alias Port Philip, the chosen representative of the people ; or in the Mauritius, building fortifica tions against a hostile population ; or in the Grecian Islands, enjoying (Sir William Molesworth) hoped, for the sake of his dear friend Mr. Ward, a life of luxurious ease and perfect tranquillity.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. HUNIE seconded the motion. It was universally admitted that the colonial system was nct what it ought to be, and for the last 30 } tars it had been a gnat drain on the resources of the country.—(Hear.) Some per sons were of opinion that the question was too vast for inquiry, but he was of opinion that the magnitude of the colonel interests rendered inquiry absolutely necessary. The colonies under the present system had entailed a heavy expense on the Exchequer, and had caused a great loss of individual capital.—(Hear, hear.) The most lamentable consequences had resulted from the continual change of Colonial Ministers and Governors, for it frequently happened that orders were no sooner issued by one Governor than they were set aside by his successor. He was anxious :to see the system of self government established in e very colony.—(Hear.) The co• lonies would not be a burden to the country if properly managed, but rather a source of profit, and their own interests would strengthen their attachment to the mother country.—(Hear, hear.) If ever the country was celled upon to devise some means cf lessening the expenditure 01 the country and encouraging emigration, this was the time; and he felt quite certain that if Englishmen, Scotelemen, and Irishmen could enjoy as much freedom and liberty in a British colony as in the United States, they would infinitely prefer to live under British institutions --(Hear, hear.) It should not be supposed that he was in favour of an abandonment of our colonies, but, on the other hand, he was for preserv ing them, governing them in such a manner as would enable them to pay their own expenses, and thus be a source of strength instead of weakness to the mother country, by promoting and increasing her commercial op-rations, and affording a means of outlet by emigra tion for the surplus population of the empire. Mr. HAVES observed that the Honourable Baronet the Member for Southwark, in bringing forward his motion, made a speech which, at all events, contained statements easily understood. The motion, however, was one which he might describe as perfectly delusive, and it was on that ground he should oppose it. Ile pro posed a Commiseion to be appointed, consisting of five persons, to inquire into the causes of complaint in their colonies; to the manner in which the expenditure was conducted, and the best means of promoting a good system of emigration. The great cause of complaint in the West Indies arose in consequence of the change in their commercial policy, and would the Commissioners inquire into that, and raise expectations which never could be realised ?—(Hear, hear.) Then, again, another source of complaint was the abolition of slavery; would the Commissioners abolish the great Act of the emanci pation of the slaves, and if not, what practical man could support the present motion fur a Royal Commis sion?—(Hear, hear.) Another cause of complaint in New South Wales was the minimum price of land, and would the five gentlemen of the Honourable Baronet, who might be located in Downing-street, settle that point, tsr arrange the great imperial questions connected with their colonies, which belonged alone to that House? Now what course would that Commission take in case of grievances in the colonies? Sir W. MOLESWORTH—It would save debates in that House. Mr. HAWES—He denied it; for he believed it would increase debates, and when his Noble Friend at the head of the Colonial-office had proposed that the colonies should be governed by local authorities as much as pos sible, he did everything which such a Commission would propose. Now let them take another step with that Commission. Who were to be the witnesses? Who were to be brought from the colonies, or were the Com missioners to proceed there? Were the witnesses to be those men who had peculiar notions on transportation and other topics, but in whom the people of England had possibly little confidence? Then, how was the Commission to be composed? There was to be:a free trader here, and a protectionist there, a representative of one corner of the House, and another for that (the Ministerial side), and that " happy family " was to settle the unfortunate affairs of their colonies. Then he objected to it, because the time was singularly ill chosen at that late period of the session. The Hon. Ba ronet said be attacked the system and not the men; but in point of fact he attacked his Noble Friend the present Colonial Secretary, the late Secretary (Lord Stanley), and all the governors of their colonies from the year 1756. All they had obtained in the last and present century were mostly Crown colonies gained by conquest, and, therefore, the strictures of th'e Hon. Baronet were wholly inapplicable. The Hon. Gentle man then referred to the report made by the Committee of Privy Council in 1841, from which he read extracts, giving a history of the manner in which their colonies were formerly governed, and proceeded:—The views and principles expressed in the report of that Council were those which were since carried out by his Noble Friend, and against which no Liberal in that House had a right to object.— (Hear.) But that was not all. What was done at the beginning of the session? An inquiry was proposed into the colonies, to which he did not object. That was made—the report of one of them was now on the table of the House—and it would be seen whether the charges which were made against the Government were well founded. The Hon. Baronet also referred to Ceylon, but he (Mr. Hawes) believed that as the report was not as yet made, he might have spared his observa tions. Whan his Noble Friend came into office there were in all 19 colonies to which he was most anxious to afford tree institutions under popular control, and, as the House would recollect, introduced a Bill, giving such institutions to Australia. The Hon. Baronet said that Earl Grey gave a Constitution to Vun Diemen's Land. Sir W. MOLES WORTH—But it was suspended. Mr. HAWES believed the ground en which it was suspended was not just, because inasmuch as the white population were much interior to the aborigines, all of whom were armed, they thought it more prudent not to press it, lest a civil war might ensue. Then, as to Cey lon, a Committee was sitting, under the superintendence of Earl Grey, which reduced the expenditure service 60,000/. or 80,000/. a year. Export duties were taken off, industry was relieved, and when the Hon. Baronet spoke with a certain degree of flippancy on their colonial ss stem, he was doing his Noble Friend a positive injus tice. When he came into office the Kafir war was going on ; vigorous measures were taken by his Noble Friend to put an end to it, and by the able and judicious management of Sir 11. Smith, he succeeded in a great measure. But the Hon. Baronet objected to their wish for an extension of territory. He was, generally speak ing, right in his condemnation of such a policy; but the Honourable Baronet was the last man who ought to have made such as objection, inasmuch as he was at all times an advocate for an extension of their colonial possessions. The Honourable Baronet bad referred to the West Indies, and said that the policy of this country had ruined those colonies, but he (Mr. Hawes) would prove that the policy of this country had not done so. • He believed that the changes which had taken place in the policy of this country were changes which had been called for by unavoidable circumstances, and by public opinion, and that no Government could have retarded them; but, in the operation of free-trade principles, he relied as the best source of relieving the condition of the colonies. The Hon. Member then re ferred to papers which had been issued as to the impor tation of sugar and molasses from the West Indies, and said when he included the East with the West Indies, it would appear that the deficient supply of the West Indies was made up by the increasing supply from the East Indies. The Colonial-office, he would observe, had nothing to do with the pressure of that policy which had been alluded to; yet, he still hoped, as he had observed, that free-trade policy would counterbalance any evil effect. He would refer to some other of their colo nies, and he would ask, could any one doubt the pros perity which had attended New South Wales? The in crease in population, and in other respects, had been enormous. In 1838 the population was 97,000, and in 1847 it had increased to 205,000. In 1838 the exports amounted to 800,0001., in 1848 it had increased to 1,800,0001. The value of the wool exported in 1825 was 411,0001., and in 1847 it had increased to 22,000,000/. —(Hear, hear)—and the increase in the landed cultiva tion was on a par with the general prosperity. In that group of colonies, situated in that quarter of the world, there was the greatest prosperity, and he looked for ward with great confidence to the advantages which those colonies would derive from free institutions. — (Hear, hear.) He had not alluded to their North Ame rican colonies. They had progressed, and were pro gressing, and they required no notice from him at pre sent. It would be impossible, he thought, that such a commission as had been proposed by the Hon. Baronet could make their inquiry within a reasonable length of time. The expense which would necessarily be incurred by it was an item which could not be overlooked. As to the expenditure consequent on their colonies, he would remind Hon. Members that it was the interest of England to preserve peace to the highways of the seas, and that an adequate force must for that pur pose be kept up.—[Mr. Hume signified his dissent.] He (Mr. Hawes) would maintain that it was ab solutely necessary that a ship of war should be kept at every colony to maintain perfect confidence, and when they looked at the -vast ulation of their col onies the y could not but expect spa ex enditure. —(leos . ) He n w i e.ei h l t d ha re d ma that - the'sp 1 f the Bon. Baro net that g been in favour of eeP e their abandoning their co lonies, while here' mfore his speeches were of an opposite tendency and in favour of their retaining them• He had endeavoured to show to the House that the working of the Commission._ was impracticable. He believed that it would prove to be a delusion, and that it would raise expectations in the colonies which could never be realised. Under the proposed Commission every ques tion must be or kned, the imperial policy included, and under these circumstances ho thought the motion should he refused.—(Hear.) Mr. GLADSTONE said ho looked at the motion, not BO much as regarded the precise terms which the Ho • nourable Baronet had adopted, but as to .the general scope which it was intended to have. This Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Hawes) had rested his objections in a great measure upon what had been done by the present Colonial Secretary. Now he would admit that Lord Grey had done more than any preceding Secretary to benefit the colonies. It was not his intention to enter into any criminating statements as to Lord Grey's con duct, for he was aware of the increasing difficulties of the Colonial-office, and he was also aware of the Noble Lord's ability, and of his honesty of purpose, and also that in his selection of agents he had not been guided solely by political considerations.—(Hear, hear.) But he (Mr. Gladstone) thought the time was come when they should endeavour to remedy defects in the colonial system, and which, to some extent, was chargeable on Lord Grey's administration. He thought. therefore, without looking strictly to the terms of the Hon. Baro net's motion, that the time was come when some attempt should be made to have such an inquiry as was suggested. Although he knew the difficulty of applying extraordi nary piewers to a Commission of the kind proposed, yet upon the whole he felt bound to give the motion of the Hon. Baronet his support.—(Hear.) He shought that the powers of the Commission ought to be closely de fined, and its attention limited to such duties as fairly lay within its scope, and that Government might bene ficially lay down rules: to guide the members of it in their inquiry. He would remind the Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Hawes) that his objections to the Com missioners would equally apply to the Committee of Council, which he had himself so strongly recommended. He at once conceded that there were questions especially as to what concerned the Imperial Government upon which that Commission should not be permitted to enter. The Noble Lord at the bead of the Government might suppose that the Government was over the Parliament; but be could assure the Noble Lord that Parliament was over the Government.—( . ‘ Hear, hear," from Lord John Russell.) It was, however, almost impossible to bring those colonial questions requiring consideration before Parliament in time to obtain an immediate redress of them. Among other parts of the subject to which he might refer, as exhibiting great mismanagement, was Vancouver's Island, a question which was under discus sion a few evenings ego, and on which he then made some observations. Norfolk Island was also in a state that required the greatest consideration. Jamaica, in like manner, required the serious attention of the Colo nial Government, and he wished that a body of clever and prudent men were appointed to inquire into the abuses in the government and affairs of that island. Lord JOHN RUSSELL—The Committee of Council. Mr. GLADSTONE was willing to abide by the in quiry of the Committee of Council. The Right Hon. Gentleman directed attention to the petition which had that day been presented by the Hon. Baronet (Sir W. Moiesworth) from the people of New Zealand, and said he confessed that the statements in that petition had given him very great pain. He thought it most desirable that free institutions should be conferred on the people of New Zealand; but they should, he maintained, be con ferred, not merely in justice to the people of New Zea land, but in that sense and spirit of justice which would prove creditable to themselves and to the country. In passing, he thought he was warranted in calling the attention of the House to the state of the Canadas ; and in refererce to that question, and in relation to the Bill brought in by her Majesty's Government to com pensate for "rebellion losses," those who were in ep position to her Majesty's authority, he must again say that he did not think the course taken by the Govern merit was a just or a well. considered one. Looking to the military force kept up in their colonies, he thought that every man who had given consideration to the subject must agree with him that great expense was incurred in the maintenance and application of that force, which a wiser and better system of colonial government would render unnecessary.—(Bear, hear.) He thought with the Right Hon. Baronet who brought forward the mo tion, that a Commission of Inquiry into the state and government of the colonies was necessary ; and in the considerations that might come under the notice of such a Commission, the interests nod condition of the " abo rigines " should not be lost sight of, and particularly in relation to their lands. With regard to the disposal of the " wild " lands, he must say that injustice had been done by the Act which had been passed on that subject. The question was a most important one—one on which he felt neither the Colonial Government nor the House could deal in a proper manner—one, he might add, which would, in his opinion, be far more wisely committed to the hands and care of a body of men whose minds would not be distracted by the consideration of any other sub ject. With reference to the question of transportation, it was one beset with great difficulties; but it was one on which the labours of a Commission might effect much good ; and, connected with this part of the subject, the question of labour should be taken into considera tion. To New South Wales transportation had, by an Act of Parliament, been suddenly abandoned, and so in like manner to New Zealand; but to New Zealand it was almost in the same instant resumed, showing a system of the greatest vacillation in the Colonial Government. He felt, on all grounds, that such a Commission as that moved for was necessary, and it was on a full consideration of the whole subject, and having the good and the greatness and security of the colonies at heart, that he should support the motion of the Hon. Baronet—a motion which he thought the Government would not oppose. Mr. LABOUCHERE said he was curious to hear the grounds upon which the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mrs Gladstone) intended to support the motion of the Hon. Baronet. The Hon. Baronet had declared that his mo tion was intended as an attack upon the whole colonial system, and he was sure that that was not a motion which the Right Hon. Gentleman could support, for it would be an attack upon the policy of the Right Hon. Gentleman as much as it would be an assault upon that pursued by the representative of any other Govern ment. He admitted that there might have been grave mistakes in the policy pursued towards the colonies, but, taken as a whole, he believed that policy had been wise and judicious. He protested against the proposition of the Honourable Member for Southwark. He thought it was an unconstitutional thing to place on the shoulders of a Commission duties which should be appli cable only to Ministers of the Crown, who should be made responsible for the advice which they gave to the Crown in respect to the colonies. lie did not know what the Right lion. Gentleman (Mr. Gladstone) meant by the appointment of a Commission on the subject of the colonies. Did he mean that the Commission should be a standing Commission. He admitted that it might be desirable to have Commissions for a particular purpose, such as the case of the aborigines, and the like; but if they were to have a standing Commission, to which all matters connected with the colonies were to be referred, he felt that great inconvenience would arise; for, amongst other things, it would be impossible that they could re fuse to give to it executive powers; and to give such privileges to a body of this kind, would be to assign to it duties V 6 hich would be perfectly incompatible with the existence of a responsible Government. Ile contended that it would he impossible to lay down any particular rules to regulate the colonies, and therefore it would be absurd to assign such duties to any Commission. This being so, he must enter his protest against the present motion; but, in doing so, he did not mean to say that there was nut many things in connexion with the administration of the colonies that required alteration; but he honestly believed that the appointment of the proposed Commission would lead to disappointment, and for this, amongst other reasons, he would oppose the motion. Mr. GLADSTONE, in explanation, said that he had not contemplated a standing Committee, but one to in quire into the particular subjects brought under the consideration of the House. Mr. SCOTT contended that the whole history of the colonies showed that a great neglect had been adopted towards them by the Government of this country, and it was therefore desirable that the whole question should be inquired into as proposed by the Hon. Member for Southwark. With regard to the colony of the Cape of Good Hope, had they adhered to the recommendations of Sir Benjamin Durham the extension of their frontier in South Africa would have been confined within more narrow limits than was projected by the policy of the present Government. Mr. ADDERLEY said the Hon. Baronet who pro posed this motion disclaimed its being a vote of censure, which appeared to be accepted by the Government, yet the Right Honourable Gentleman described it as a censure upon the present and all previous Governments. The argument adduced against the motion, on the ground that it was unconstitutional, would apply with as much force to the appointment of every other Commission, such es the Poor-law Commission. The Government, in this case, left them no other alternative than to vote for this Commission, for they proposal no substitute for it. It was said that they might have to wait for five years before they could have any result from the Commission, but if they waited for the interference of Parliament they would have to wait much longer. The great anomaly of the colonial system was, that the Government of the colonies was based upon the principle of an oligarchy contrary to the democratic principles of Englishmen. Unless they were convinced that there was no ground for inquiry they had no alter native than to support the motion of the Hen. Baronet. For the purpose of emigration it would be desirable to come to a definition of what was to be considered a co lony, and also to define what was to be considered colo nization. Upon these points there were different opin ions. Again, upon what were the objects of colonization, there was a great difference of opinion; all of which it would be desirable to reduce to a fixed standard. Were they agreed as to the best form of government which should be extended to the colonies. some thought that a municipal government was the best; but Gentlemen opposite said there was no materials for such a system. That used not to be the case. It was not the case in the time of William and Mary; nor bad any difficulty arisen until convicts were transferred to the colonies. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said the form in which this motion was introduced was calculated to induce many to vote for it. It proposed an inquiry with the view of giving undue scope to individual enterprise in the colo nies. In this view it was skilfully framed, but when in the course of the Hon. Baronet's speech he sought for the object he was to attain it was nut to be discovered. Commissions were appointed upon extraordinary occa sions; it might be nominated to inquire into a particular subject to ascertain the nature of an existing evil with a view to its remedy, but to appoint a Commission to in quire into a subject so comprehensive and vast as the management of the affairs of the colonies of this country, he could not think that any Commission was competent to undertake such an inquiry. The Right Honourable Gentleman the Member fur Oxford was asked if it was to beast anding Commission, which was altogether repudiated; but for his part he could rot see the pro • .cr, of the youngest Member it, that House living eta. .. to see the end ut it. If they agreed to this motion, it would be a censure upon the colonial policy of this coun try, pursued for the last three-fourths of a century, which had been attended with such glorious results. He was surprised that the Right Hon. Gentleman the Mem bey for the University of Oxford, who had such experi ence of public affairs, should be such an optimist as to believe that five members of a Commission, selected from the different parties in that House, should be infallible upon colonial affairs. The great cause of complaint in the West Indies was that the removal of protection was the cause of their depression; and he could not think by what means the Protectionist Members of the Commis rims would be induced to agree upon that point with the other Members. Let the House only take two or three instances of the prosperity of their colonies of late years. He found that in 1824 the population of Lower Canada was 423,000, while in 1848 it was 766,000; the population of Upper Canada in 1824 was 121,000, while in 1848 it was 723,000; so that the popu lation, which was 570,000 in 1824, was now a million and a half. 'Wes that a proof of misgovernment, or the slow growth of a colony, that the population had so in creased ? Then let them take one of the Australian co lonies, New South W ales for example, including Port Philip. In 1837 the population was 9,000, in 1846 it rose to 126,000, and by the last returns made the im ports, which in 1837 were 1,300,000, in 1846 rose to 1,600,000, while the exports, which in 1837 were 760,000, amounted in 1843 to 1,481 ; 000. These were proofs at least from two of their colonies, where an increase of po pulation and wealth had taken place which was without a parallel. He (Lord John Russell) should therefore say that these facts were some presumption of the excel lence of the system they now proposed to condemn. The Hon. Gentleman who spoke last said they were hos tile to the liberties of their colonies. But it was no such thitsg. The North American Cans - Ilan colonies had free institutions; New Brunswick and Nova Scotia the same free institutions they always had ; and with respect to the latter, the Government were found fault with the other day for giving them too much liberty. Besides, the greater number of their colonies had their own liberties already, and certainly whatever the Commission should say as to colonial authority and colonial submission be should net be disposed to give any authority to it vtbatever. In his mind such an interference in laying down by Act of Parliament fixed rules, the interpretation of that Act would excite them tenfold, and lead to many endless disputes. Then as to the extension of free in stitutions to certain colonies, it was held so far back as the time of Charles the Second, that colonies should have a Council and House of Assembly ; but if in Aus tralia it was now thought better to have but one House, he would rather give them what pleased the mselves than run any risk of exciting discontent by insisting on a favourite theory. His belief was that all these ques tions were to be decided by having fixed principles, and by not having an infallible rule as to the reason in which they :should be applied. Rousseau had declared the science of politics to be one of circumstances and modi fication, to be decided by the statesmen according to cir cumstances, and not to theory, and on this ground the Commission, in his (Lord John Russell's) mind, would utterly fail. The Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for Oxford adverted in his speech to the fact that a co lony was one time intended by Lord Stanley and by himself (Lord John Russell) to be planted in the northern part of Van Diemen's Land, but abandoned by Lord Grey, and observed that if the Commission ex isted such would not occur. His Noble Friend con sulted him, and he agreed with him that such a colony was not advisable ; but if a Commission existed, the Secretary of State should be obliged to defer to their opinion, and that opinion given, too, by per sons wholly irresponsible, either to Parliament or the Government. Had it been proposed to have a Commis sion to inquire into the sale ot waste lands in Australia, to inquire whether the Colonial and Emigration Boards could be extended, they might have been of great use in affording the Government and the House a great deal of information; but as regarded their colonial policy, the constitution of the country was, that it should be in the hands of responsible Ministers, under the control ot Parliament. Unless they had Ministers agreeing with Parliament, everything would go into confusion. Then, as to the change of colonial policy, it ought to be recol lected that it was more so in foreign policy ; and in that respect the Emperor of Russia had a great advantage over them, for he had one Foreign Minister from 1825 to 1839, who carried out the same policy. But the sys tem in this country was the result of free institutions, which they could not get rid of without sacrificing it to despotism. He thought, then, the best they could do was, that having departed from their ancient colonial policy, they should give them greater powers to govern themselves—to endeavour to introduce local free Go vernments as far as possible—to rest on that principle only, and trust to its future operation for the prosperity of the colony. By doing that they would be acting on the ancient maxims of their colonial policy followed by their ancestors, and which made that country and its de pendencies the freest on the earth. Sir. W. MOLESWORTH explained. He denied that his motion would unsettle either the Act which eman cipated the negroes, or that which gave free trade to this country. His intention, if his motion were acceded to, was an inquiry only into their system of Colonial Government, the best form of free institutions for those which were fit for them, and what system of Govern ment should be adopted for those not so fit. To these were added the system of colonial expenditure, and means of promoting emigration. When the Commis sioners made their reports, from time to time, it would be for Parliament to decide on them. He should not trouble the House at any further length; but be should certainly press for a division. The House then divided, when there appeared— For the motion Against it Majority The Militia Ballots Suspension Bill went through Committee. The Soup Duties Allowances Bill was read a third time and passed. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and ,he House adjourned at One o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS, (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) TUESDAY, JUNE 26. COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. Motion made, and Question put, " That an humble Ad dress be presented to her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to appoint a Commission to inquire into the admi nistration of her Majesty's Col on i a l Possessions, with a view of removing the causes of Colonial complaint, diminishing the cost of Colonial Government, and giving free scope to individual enterprise in the business of colonization." The House divided : MINORITY_AyES, 89. Adair, Hugh E. Grogan, Edward Sanders, George Adderley, C. 13‘ Haggitt, F. It, Scott, Francis Alcock, Thomas lierveY, Lord A. Seaham, Viscount Baillie, H. J. Heywood, J a mes Sheridan, R.B. Bankes, G. Ileyworth L. Simeon, John Barrington, Viscount llorsman, ' Edw ard Smith, J. Benjamin Berkeley, G. F. Johnstone, Sir J. Smollett, A. Blair, Stephen Kershaw, James Stafford, Augustus Ilrackley, Viscount King, P. - .T, Stuart, Lord D. Bright, John Legh, G. C. Sturt, Henry G. Broadwood, H. Lincoln, Earl of Sutton, H. M Bromley, Robert Mangles, R. D. Tattered, H. W. Brown, W. Marsh 11, J. G. Thicknesse, Ralph Burrell, Sir C. Miles, W. Thompson, Colonel Clay, James Milnes, R. M. Thompson, George Cobden, R. Moffatt, George Tollemache, F. J. Cochrane, A. Monsen, William Trelawny, J. S. Cotton, W. H. Moore, George 11. Walmsley, Sir 1. Dodd, George Napier, Joseph Walpole, S. H. Douglas, Sir C. Osborne, Ralph Walter, John Duncan, George Palmer, Robert Wawn, J. T. Duncuft, John Pearson, Charles Whitmore, T. C. Dundas, George Pechell, Captain IVodehouse, E. Du I're, C.G. Pigott, Francis Wood, W. P. Fagan, W. Pilkingtou, jameg Wortley, J. S. Floyer, John Portal, Melville Wyld, James Fox, W. J. Powlett, Lord W. Wyvill, Marmaduke Gaskell, J. M. Rendlesham, Lord Gladstone, W. E. Repton, G. W. J. Gordon, Admiral St. George, Chris. Greene, John BalWeY, Colonel : TELLERS. Molesworth, Sir W, Ilume, Joseph MAJORITY-NOES, 163. Abdy, Thomas N. Foley, J. H. O'Brien, Timothy Acland, Sir T. D. Fordyce, A. D. O'Flaherty, Anthony Anson, Colonel Fortescue, J. W. Ord, William Bagshaw, John Freestun, Colonel Oswald, A. Baines, M. T. Frewen, C. 11. Owen, Sir J. Baring, Sir F. T. Graham, Sir J. Paget, Lord A. Baring, Thomas Grenfell, C. Pascoe Paget, Lord C. Barnard, E. G. Grey, Sir G. Palmerston, Via. Bellew, R. M. Grey, R. W. Parker, John Berkeley, 11. F. Grosvenor, Lord R. Perfect, Robert Berkeley, C. L. G. Grosvenor, Earl Power, Dr. Blackall, S. W. Hallyburton, Lord Price, Sir R. Blake, M. J. Balmier, sir John .Pusey, P. Boyle, Colonel nestle, Alexander Eawdon, Colonel BraMeten, T' W. Hastle, Archibald Reynolds, John Brand, Thomas Hawes, Benj. Ricardo, Osman Brockman, E. D. Hay, Lord J. Rich, Henry Brooke, Sir Arthur Hayter, W. G. Robartes, T. J. Brotherton, J. Headlam, T. E. Romilly, Sir John Bruce, C. L. C. Heathcoat, John Russell, Lord J. Ilttnbury, E. H. Heathcote, G. J. Russell, F. C. Burke, Sir T. J. Henley, J. W. Rutherford, A. Butler, P. S. Hobhouse, Sir John Seymour, Lord Buxton, Sir E. Ilobhouse, T. B. Shatto, R. D. Campbell, W. F. Hodges, T. L. Shell, R. L. Cardwell, Edward Howard, Lord E. Smith, Vernon Carter, John B. Howard, C. W. Smith, M. Tucker Cavendish, C. C. Howard, E. G. Somerville. Sir W. Cavendish, W. G. Howard, Sir R. Stanfield, W. R. Chaplin, W. J. Inglis,.;Sir R. H. Stanton, W. S. Charteris, Francis Jervis, Sir John Staunton, Sir G. Coolmeley, Sir M. Keppel, George T. Stuart, Lord J. Coke, E. K. Labouchere, Henry Sullivan, Michao Colebrooke, Sir T. Lascelles, W. S. Talbot, Colvile, C.R. Lemon, Sir C. Talfourd, Sergeant Co wper, W. E. Lewis,Tenison, Cowper, W. F. Lindsay, Colonel; Thornely, Thomas Craig, W. G. Littleton, E. IL Tollemache, John Crowder, R. B. Locke, Joseph Towneley, John Curteis, H. M. Lockhart, W. Townshend, - .Capt. Dalrymple, Captain Mackinnon, W. Tynte, Colonel Davie, Sir II Magan, W . H. Vane, Lord 11. Dawson, T. V. Mahon, O'Gorman Verney. Sir H. Denison, J. E. Mahon, Viscount Vivian, J. H. Colo Duff, George S. Maitland, T. Watkins, nel Duff, James 31artin, Samuel Wellesley, Lord C. Dundas, Admiral Matheson, J. West, F. R. Dundas, Sir D. 31aule, Fox Willcox, Brodie Dunne, Francis P. Pililner, W. M. Williamson, Sir H. Ebrington, Viscount Mitchell, T.,A. Wilson, James Enfield, Viscount Morris, David Wood, Sir Charles Estcourt, J. B. B. 3lostyn, E. Evans, William Mulgrave,' Earl Fergus, John Norreys, Sir D. Fergusen,:.Col, Nugent, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, J. W. O'Brien, J. TELLERS, Tanen, H. Hill, Lord Marcus LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF E.XCIIEQUER, June 26. NOTTIDGE V. RIPLEY AND ANOTHER. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) In this case,. after the conclusion of ➢lr. Cockburn's speech, the Lord Chief Baron summed up, and the jury, after deliberating, found a verdict for the plaintiff for 501., coupling it with an opinion that nu malice against the defendants had been proved with respect to the course they took in confining the plaintiff in the lunatic asylum. Whilst the jury was absent considering their verdict another jury was sworn in a second case of NOTTIDGE 77. RIPLEY. This was an action by and against the same parties as in the case already reported. Miss Nottidge in this case brought an action against her brother-in-law, Mr. Ripley, to recover back 3591 ss. 93., the amount of dividends received by the defendant from money standing in the plaintiff's name, under a power of attorney, whilst the plaintiff was con fined in Dr. Stillwell's lunatic asylum at Hillingdon. The defendant admitted the receipt of the plaintiff's dtvi dends, but pleaded that he had paid away the sum re ceived on the plaintiff's account. The counsel on both sides were the same as in the for mer ease, and it was mutually agreed that the facts de posed to in evidence in that case should be taken as proved in the present case. The question was said to resolve itself into a matter of law, namely, whether payments made on behalf of the plaintiff whilst she was in confinement could be said to be payments made on her account, and the subject of a legal set-off. It was agreed that a verdict should be taken for the plaintiff for the full sum claimed, subject to an appli eatiun to the court to enter a verdict for the defendant, or a non-suit, it the court should bo of opinion that the plaintiff could not maintain her claim. A verdict was accordingly taken for the plaintiff. Damages, 346/.. without any evidence being adduced at either side. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. IRISH BEGGARS.—Dennis O'Leary, a rough-looking Irishman,' was charged before Mr. Bingham with begging in Regent-street. The prisoner was seen by a police-constable, who wes on duty in Regent street about five o'clock yesterday afternoon, lurking about the shop doors in the Quadrant. After watching him for some time he saw him go up to a carriage and solicit alms from a lady. On the lady re fusing to relieve him, he abused her in the foulest lan guage he could utter. Witness then took him into custody and conveyed him to the station, where ho was searched, and is. 6d. in silver found upon him. The prisoner, who pretended not to know a word of English, was committed for seven days. James Riley, a man in the garb of a sailor, was next, charged with being found begging whilst in a state of intoxication. On his being taken into custody and searched the sum of 3s. 6d. in silver and copper was found upon him. Mr. BINGHAM committed him for 14 days. Dennis Regan was then brought up en a similar charge. Lie was seen to go up to a lady and solicit relief. On being taken into custody he said he had not tasted food for two days, and was really starving.:How ever, when he was searched ls. 9d. was found secreted in his trousers. Committed for 14 days. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE OF TUESDAY. ST. JAMES'S PALACE, JUNE 26, 1849. The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Hon. Elizabeth Frederica Lennox to be one of the Maids of Honour in Ordinary to her Majesty, in the room of Lady Caroline Somers Cocks, resigned. ST. JAMES'S PALACE, JUNE 26. The Queen has been pleased to appoint Frederick Temple Lord Dufferin and Claneboye to be one of the Lords in Waiting in Ordinary to her Majesty, in the room of George Sholto Earl of Morton, resigned. FOREIGN-OFFICE, JUNE 23. The Queen has been pleased to approve of Abdullah Effendi, as Consul, at Manchester, for the Sublime Otto man Porte. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland Ralph William Grey, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant June 7. WHITEHALL, JUNE 18. The Lord Chancellor has appointed George Holford, of Manchester, in the county palatine of Lancaster, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. WHITEHALL, JUNE 21. The Lord Chancellor has appointed Thomas Perrior Fleetwood, of Maidstone, in the county of Kent, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. (From the Dublin Gazette of Friday, June 22.) Crown and Hanapar-office, 22d June. ELECTION OF A TEMPORAL PEER OF IRELAND.— The — Gazette of this evening contains a notice that writs, bearing teste this day, have issued for electing a Tem poral Peer of Ireland, to succeed to the vacancy made by the demise of John, Earl of Mayo, in the House of Lords of the said United Kingdom. BANKRUPTS. Stratford Alfred Eyre, apothecary, Fitzroy-stree Fitzroy-square, to surrender July 3, at half-past twelve, and Aug. 10, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Cannan, official assignee, Birchin-lane, Cornhill; Gads den-and Flower, Bedford-row. Jane Bolton, tailor, Pall-mall, July 3, at half-past one, and Aug. 10, at half-past twelve, at the Court of Bank• ruptcy. Cannan, official assignee, Birchin-lane, Corn hill; Lindsay and Mason, Gresham-street. Leonard Just, senior, watch-manufacturer. Jerusalem passage, July 2, at twelve, and Aug. 13, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee, Guildhall-chambers; Scarman, Basinghall-street. John William Edmonds, victualler, Poplar, July 6 and Aug. 11, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, Guildhall-chambers, Basinghall- street ; Carritt and Osgood, Basinghall•street. Edwin Litchfield, upholsterer, Ipswich, Suffolk, July 3, at half• past two, and Aug. 7, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abehurch lane, Lombard-street; Thwaites, Lyon's Inn, Strand; Ewington, Ipswich. Henry Collings, innkeeper, Wickwar, Gloucester shire, July 10 and Aug. 7, at eleven, at the Bristol Dis trict Court. Acraman, official assignee, Bristol; Ayre, jun., Bristol; Boykett, Chancery-lane. Andrew M‘Lellan, draper, Sheffield, July 7 and 28, al ten, at the Leeds District Court. Freeman, official as signee, Sheffield; Taylor, Furnival's Inn; Broadbent, Sheffield. Sarah Greaves Eyre, innkeeper, Leeds, July 12 and 27, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Young, offi cial assignee, Leeds; Dunning and Stawman, Leeds. John Wilkinson, brassfounder, Liverpool, July 9 and 30, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool ; Bridger and Collins, King William-street ; Dodge, Liverpool. Luke Elliott, jun., cbymist and druggist, Rochdale, Lancashire, July 12 and 27, at twelve, at the Manches ter District Court. Hobson, official assignee, Man chester ; Capes and Stuart, Gray's-inn; Molesworth, Rochdale. Phidias George Napoleon Clarke, sculptor and mo deller, Manchester, July 9 and 30, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Fraser, official assignee, Manchester; Gregory, Faulkner, Gregory, and Skirrow, Bedford-row; Gamon, Manchester. William Wilson, grocer, Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, July 6, at half-past twelve, and August 10, at one, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne District Court. Baker, official assignee, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Young and Harrison, Sunderland; Maples and Co., Frederick's-court, Old Jewry. DIVIDENDS. At the Court, Basinghall-street. M. Maclean, Basinghall•street, cloth factor, Stroud, Gloucestershire, clothier, July 17, at one—S. Carroll, Mincing-lane, City, broker, July 18, at half-past eleven —W. Trap, Warminster, Wiltshire, mason and vic• tualler, July 18, at half-past twelve—E. T. kndrews, Southampton, ironmonger, July 18, at one—S. Mobbs, Alfred• place, Alexander-square, Brompton, coal mer chant, July 18, at twelve—B. Bovill and C. Hanbury, Catherine-court, Tower-hill, corn factors, July 14, at twelve—J. S. Story. St. Alban's, Hertfordshire, banker, July 18, at one—W. Richardson, King-street, Covent garden, wine merchant, July 14, at twelve—C. Mayhew, Ebury-street, Pimlico, hosier and laceman, July 18, a• eleven. In the Country. I. Baker and W. B. Baker, Wolverhampton, iron dealers, July 18, at twelve, at the Court, Birmingham --J. Danks, Birmingham, wharfinger and carrier, July 19, at twelve, at the Court, Birmingham—W. W. Batchelor, Worcester, woollen draper and tailor, July 18, at twelve, at the Court, Birmingham. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS. A. M‘Donald, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, confectioner, first dividend of 45., on new proofs, and second dividend of 93., on Saturday, June 30, or any subsequent Satur day, between ten and three, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle- upon-Tyne. W. Smith, jun., Stockton-upon-Tees, earthenware manufacturer, 2s. ld., on new proofs, on Saturday, June 30, or any subsequent Saturday between ten and three, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. NOTICES OF CERTIFICATES, At the Court Basinghall•street. T. Hebard, Water•lane, Tower -street, merchant, July 17, at twelve—F. E. Ball, Cownton, Wiltshire, grocer, July 17, at twelve. Manchester,l n tl te Cot s t ml ry a July 19, at twelve, at the Court, Manchester —S. Hig net, Iloulston, and Middle, Shropshire, raa l ts t e rs and M. M'Giverin,lware manufacturer , farmers, July 19, at twelve, at the Court, Birmingham. At the Court of Review, July 17. G. Roberts, Southampton, grocer and cheesemonger— N. Butler, Portsea-place, Edgware-road, stationer —T. Nunn, Colchester, coal merchant —J. Woods, Leeds, joiner —E. Emans, Liverpool, merchant—J. Williams, St. George's-place, Back-road, St. Georges, East, tailor and outfitter—J. Winder and R. Fisher, Liverpool, merchants—G. Crookes, Sheffield, bookseller and p ter—A. Mackay, Chundernagore, East Indies, merchant and agent—ll. Dunk, Chatham, timber- merchant — W. Laird, Birkenhead, merchant. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. E. Latchford and B. Latchford, Upper St. Martin's lane, bridle makers—J. Woolley and L. F. Brown, Man chester, chemists—J. Breffit and M. Johnson, Sileby, Leicestershire, fancy hosiery manufacturers—S. Bryant and W. B. Herapath, Bristol, surgeons—C. Klitz and R. J. Blitz, Lynaington, Southampton, professors of music —S. Gwinnett and R. J. H. Walker, Warwick, school masters—M. Atberly and E. Stillwell, Bridgewater square, City, gold wiredrawers—E. Pearce and J. Bow den, Ilminster, Somersotshire, ironfouuders—J. Baguley and J. Gray, Cotgrave, Nottingham, millers—J. Hay wood and J. Webb, Birmingham, attorneys—W. Lay bourno and J, Forsyth, Manchester, letterpress printers ShEaHvOeLD receivedT itoo P ordersS. Guards ll ou T t h u e m l u s r t a ßim h e u g ut e h n e t 3o o t f h L in i s f t e . from Hyde-park to Windsor, there to be stationed. The Royal Horse Guards will remove to Hyde-park barracks, from Regent's park, to which latter place the 2d Regiment of Life Guards will march from Windsor. The band of the regiment of Horse Guards will perform, instead of that of the lit Life Guards, at Kensington-gardens, on Mondays and Fridays, weather permitting. POISONOUS NATURE OF EFFLUVIA FROM THE DEAD.—Mr. Mackinnon, M.P., at a meeting respecting burials in towns, stated the following fact:—‘ , A lady having died, her body was placed in a coffin, u p on w hich was nailed a plate, describing her virtues, age , a nd sta tion in life. The nails fastening this plate were unfor tunately so long that they passed through the wood and lead of the coffin, which caused the effluvia of the body to escape, and the gas proved of so noxious a nature that four of the deceased's daughters, who inhaled it while pining over the coffin, died within a fortnight after warde'—.slcdical TimeB. --j. M. Brown, J. A. Newth, and T. Brown. Jermyn- TO THE SECRETARY OF THE street, St. James's, Westminster, military outfitters—J. METROPOLITAN REFORM ASSOCIATION. Turner and J. Miller, Wood-street, Cheapside, woollen Sir,—On Monday the 25th, the Protectionists having warehousemen—C. Marshall and J. Jowett, Sheffield, had time to refer to their or ac l es e l sew h ere, en d eavoure d edge tool manufacturers—G. M. Barker and H. M. to amend their Friday's move on the effect of duties on Griffiths, Birmingham, attorno) s—S. Davies and D. corn. B u t th e r e ports of every paper in London (except Davies, Exetd.r, tea dealers. the Standard, which has the benevolence to cover the INSOLVENT PETITIONERS. mishap) are there to prove the correctness of the state- James Watson, King's Lynn, Norfolk, jeweller. ment formerly made, and show that none of the tenants jo'nn Casburn, Grimstone, Norfolk, general shopkeeper. of the Protectionist benches knew one word about the William Wiseman Thoroughgood, Maidenhead, Berk-' matter, or, though prompted and taunted with their er shire, painter and glazier. ror, could give a coherent account of what it was they John William Willer, New Windsor, licensed victualler. meant to say. If better men at their weapons are n ot George Bryan, Liverpool, provision dealer. produced in Drury-lane, the public will be in little dau- James Allen, Spring-place. Islington, brassfounder. ger from their operations. Thomas Beddows, Birkenhead, licensed victualler. The Transportation for Treason (Ireland) Bill was SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. read a third time by 159 votes against 27, and passed by G. Patterson, Renfrew, commission merchant, to meet 146 against 21. There has never been the smallest ap- July 4 and July 20, at one, within the Railway Arms pearance of the Government's desiring to act with Tavern, Paisley. cruelty or harshness; and under all the circumstances 'it J. Aitchison, Chirnside, Berwickshire, merchant, to would be excusable if it bound itself by the solemn exe meet June 30 and July 23, at one, w ithin the Swan Inn, cration of Paul Pry, " never to do a good-natured thing Duese. again." J. Scott, Edinburgh, tobacconist, to meet June 30 and On the same evening the Australian Colonies Bill was July 21, at one, within MiCallum's Coffee-house, Ediu- withdrawn, and a new Bill ordered to be brought in, but burgh. no time specified. As there have been meat objec- J. Smyth, Whitchester, Berwickshire, to meet July 2 tions on the part of the Dissenters to some of the pro and 23, at one, within the Royal Exchange Coffee-house, visions of the former Bill, it is not impo,sible but the Edinburgh. withdrawal may Le connected with a design to take them R. Meek, Glasgow, coal manager, to meet June 30, at out, and at all events it is an opportunity the objectors twelve, and July 23, at one, within the Crow Hotel, ought to improve. Glasgow. On Tuesday the Home met at noon to go into Com mittee on the Poor Relief (Ireland) Bill, and reported progress at four o'clock, to meet again for other business at half-past five. Sir William Moteswortb, with a very aWe speech, introduced his motion for an Address to her Majesty to appoint a Commission to inquire into the ad ministration of the Colonial Possessions, which was se conded by Mr. Hume. The Government opposed the motion, and it was negatived at past midnight by 163 votes against 89. Tee new Australian Colonies Bill was brought in, and read a first time, and ordered to be printed. THE ARMY. ROYAL AIITILLERY.— WOOLWICH, JUNE 26.—The whole of the Royal Artillery in the garrison assembled on the Barrack-field y. sterday morning at eight o'clock, under the command of Colonel Cruttenden, with Cap tains and Adjutants Travers and Rogers, as aides-de• camp, and marched to Woolwich-common, the Royal Horse Artillery, under Lieutenant• Colonel Bell, and the field-batteries, under Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, hav ing been previously served with twenty rounds of ammu nition for each gun. The dismounted artillery were served with ten rounds for each carabine, and the men formed into three battalions, the right under Lieutenant- Colonel Ward, the left under Lieutenant Colonel Ingilby, and the centre under Lieutenant-Colonel Macbean. On arriving on the Common, the troops formed into line, and at a quarter-past nine o'clock Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Downman, C 8., K.C.H., Commandant of the garrison, accompanied by Colonel Campbell, Lieut.- Colonel Brereton, C. 8., K.H., Lieut.-Colonel Palmer, Lieu!. Colonel Bent, Lieut.-Brigade Major Bingham, Capt. TyldeUDeputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General, and the Adjutants off duty of the Royal Artillery, and Brigade-Major Walpole. Royal Engineers, arrived on the ground. The troops then marched past at quick time, and the Royal Horse Artilley at a trot, and after wards the whole went through the exercises and evolu tions of a field-day. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, AN OLD REFORMER. London, June 27, 1849. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' INSTITUTION. Yesterday afternoon, the annual examination of the children of this excellent institution, which was esta blished in 1845, for the purpose of clothing, educating, and maintaining the orphan and necessitous children of Commercial Travellers, was held at the London Tavern; J. Masterman, E.g., M.P., presided. After the usual preliminaries, the examination was commenced, and at its conclusion the manner in which the children acquitted themselves elicited the enthusiastic eof a most numerous auditory. The subjects selected embraced all those branches of secular and reli gious instruction which are requaite for an enlightened education, and the answering of the children showed that they perfectly comprehended the various elementary de partments of knowledge in whi c h th e y were exam ined. In the evening the governors, the donors, and subscribers, took tea, and at the conclusion of that social meal, The CHAIRMAN said that after the exhibition they had witnessed that day of the proficiency of the children, which reflect( d such credit on them as well as those to whose care their education had been intrusted, it was quite unnecessary for hint to say anything in behalf of the institution considered as a medium of instruction. Twenty gunners left Woolwich yesterday morning for Chatham, to fill up the companies at the station, pre vious to their taking a part in the contemplated siege operations. ROYAL MARINES.—WOOLWICH, JUNE 26.—Captain Fraser's company of the Royal Marine Artillery left Woolwich this morning fur Nine Elms, to proceed by railway to Portsmouth ; and another company from Portsmouth will arrive this evening for duty at Wool wich. One sergeant, one corporal, and eight privates, paid off yesterday from the Grappler steam-vessel, joined the Woolwich division. Some of the crew of the Grap pler have nearly 150/. to receive, including their prize money. CHATHAM, JUNE 26.—A number of fatigue parties from the garrison were employed this day in removing several pieces of ordnance, consisting of 32-pounders and long sixty-eights to the grounds of the fieldworks for raising the siege. There are also several workmen busily employed in erecting triumphal arches at Bromp tore, of which there are to be four upon a very splendid scale, in honour of his Royal Highness Prince Albert's forthcoming visit. Several of the mines were loaded yesterday. Colonel Thomas Weare, we regret to announce, remains in a very hopeless state. Dr. Weare, second master of the Westminster School, and Captain Weare, of the 50:h, two sons of the Gallant Colonel, are in constant attendance on their parent by day and night. It was reported last night this worthy officer could not survive forty-eight hours. The SECRETARY then read a report of the Committee, from which it appeared that the first election of children took place in 1847, and that there were at present in the establishment, which is situated at Wanstead, 57 in mates. It further appeared that the advantages of the institution were not limited to Great Britain, but in cluded Ireland ; and that in imparting information, all sectarianism was sedulously avoided. The prizes having been distributed by the Rev. Mr. Hamilton. The Rev. H. Hucrius bore personal testimony to the intelligence, z€ :al, acid integrity of that class for whose benefit the institution was established, and expressed his extreme satisfacion at the absence of anything like illi berality or doctrinal fetters in its constitution. The Rev. J. ARCHIBALD corroborated the statement of the Rev. Gentleman who preceded him, as far as the sister isle was concerned. Mr. KERSHAW, M.P., as a commercial man, could speak with confidence as to the deserts of commercial travellers, and on the part of the town of Manchester.ex pressed his gratitude to those who originated and sus tained the noble institution whose interests they had as sembled to promote. He trusted that support would yet become national. The CHAIRMAN having alluded to the services of the board of management, which was acknowledged by Mr. WILCOX, the chairman of the board, Mr. Alderman SIDNEY, M.P., said he could testify to the excellent manner in which the house officers of the institution discharged their duties, as he had visited the institution at Wanstead. Having mentioned in terms of high eulogium the services rendered by the treasurer, the Hon. Gentleman concluded by announcing that Mr. Kershaw had become one of the donors. Mr. MOORE returned thanks, and said that the success of the institution was in a great measure to be attri buted to the ladies, whose exertions in its behalf had been unceasing, and one of whom had collected no less than 5471. Great exertions were still, however, neces- sary, for it would require 15,0001. to build an establish ment adequate to the wants of that class whom they were anxious to relieve. Thanks having been voted to the ladies, the same com pliment was paid to the Chairman. The national anthem was sung by the children, and the meeting separated. CRICKET. NARELEBONE CLUB AND GROUND V. SUSSEX. This grand match was commenced at Lords' Ground on Monday, and resumed yesterday, on each occasion in the presence of a large assembly of spectators. The first day's play left the score thus:—Sussex, first innings, 130; Marylebone, with three wickets down, 108. At the close of the play yesterday evening, the score paper presented the following appearance:— SUSSEX. Dean, c. Riddling b Hillyer... 64 c. Chester b. Clark ... It Wisden, b. Hillyer ... 4 not out Hodson, b. Lillywhite ~. 5 a. Ridding b. Hillyer 12 Box, c. Haygarth b. Lilly white ... ... 2 c. Ridding b. Hillyer 6 Mr. E. Napper, b. Hillyer ... 1 b. Lillywhite 0 Mr. W. Napper, c. Dakin b. Lill yw hit e •... 29 run out Bushbv, hit wkt. b. Lilly while 0 s.Ridding b Lillywhite 6 Picknell, b. Hillyer ... 9 b. Lillywhite 16 Hammond, not out ... .. 8 c. Ridding b. Hillyer 28 Mr. G. Barton b. Hillyer 0 b. Hillyer ••• 5 Mr. H. M. Curteis 1. b. w. b. ... 5 Clarke Byes ... ... 1 rnn out ... 7 Byes ... 130 31ARYLEBONE. ... 6 ... 5 lion. R. Grimston run out ... c Box, b. Wisden 4 Air. A. Haygarth, s Box, b Hodson - 35 Clark, c Hodson, b Wisden ... 7 Chester, 1 b w, b Hodson ...... 17 Hillyer, c Hodson, b Wisden. 14 Dakin, c Picknell, b Wisden.. 0 not out 5 Mr. W. Nicholson, a Box, b Dean Mr. R. Kynaston, c Hodson, b Dean.... l3 Mr. S. Whitehead, run out l5 Mr. W. Ridding, not out 27 Lillywhite, s Box, b Wisden 1 Byes, 28; wide, ;no balls, 1. 35 244 9 Marylebone, therefore won by nine wickets. I Zangari v. Royal Horse Guards (Blue) meet to-day at HAYMARKET THEATRE. — He! Majesty the Queen visited this theatre last evening, in order to witness the new acrd successful play of Strathmore. As, however, intimation had been given that her Majesty would not be able to arrive betore nine o'clock, the drama of the Rent Day was played previously to the performance of the tragedy. Eer Majesty the Queen Dowager was also present, two boxes opposite to the royal box having been flung into one for the reception of her suite, The performances went off with the utmost success. The house was crowded. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN S.—On Mon day evening their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess of Mecklenburg- Strelitz, the Princess Mary, Prince and Princess Metter pieh, and a party, attended by the Baron Knesebeck, honoured the gardens with a visit to witness the-Storm ing of 13a&joz. Their Roy al Highnesses arrived in time to listen to Jullien's splendid b and, and were pleased to express the highest satisfac tion wcithharltehse Russell,var teci amuse ments.Ldor La dy Cadogan, L o rd Sirßoss, W. Fremantle, and a great number of the no bility were present. SALE OF THE DIORAMA, REGENT'S PARZ.—The Diorama, Regent's Park, which for a period of twenty six years has maintained its high position among the metropolitan exhibitions of science and art, was yesterday sold by public auction, by Mr. Leifchild, at Garraway Coffee-house, Cornhill. The first offer made was 3,000 L, which gradually rose to 4,8001., at which sum the ex hibition was knocked down. Mr. Leifchild said that much had been said about the scarcity of money, and if any one wanted to prove the same he ought to have been present at that sale. A deputation of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge in the Highlands of Scotland, had an interview yesterday with his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, president of the London Board, hich by royal authority has been honoured with the title of the " Royal Highland School Society." The Rev. Dr. Clark, of Edinburgh, and John Tawae, Esq , W.S., secretary of the Edinburgh Board, wer e intro duced by Robert Hepburn, Esq., on behalf of Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Esq., M.P., the treasurer, and by Charles Mackie, Esq., secretary of the London Board. The object of this audience was to express to his Royal High ness the profound respect and deep obligations of this venerable society to their Royal President; and most humbly and respectfully to convey to her Most Gracious Majesty and Prince Albert, and the Queen. Dowager, their most profo un d respect for her Majesty's person, and that of her Illustrious Consort, as well as their moat grateful acknowledgments for their royal and munificent patronage. THE BRAZILS. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. The James Stewart, Captain MTarlane, has arrived at this port with accounts from Pernambuco to the 12th ult. The province continued quiet, and business was gra dually assuming a healthy appearance. Sugar was quote d a t 2,200 to 2.500 reis for white, and 1,250 reis for brown, and cotton 4,3 50 reis per arroba. Exchange on England continued low, and a little business had been transacted at 25d, In freights there was no change to u9tice. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. Commander Aldham, late of the Vengeance, 81, in the Mediterranean, and now of the Superb, 80, at Ports mouth, is appointed to commission the Swift 10. gun brig (lat.ly employed as a packet between England and the Brazils), at Devonport, tor special service. Her des tination is the South Pacific, to join the squadron under Admiral Hr.raby, but as her route is stated to be via the Cape and Van Diemen's Laud instead of via the Brazils and round Cape Horn, the supposition has arisen that she will convey the Irish convicts, Smith O'Brien and others, to the above penal settlement. Her Majesty's yachts Victoria and Albert, and Fairy, will be quite ready far orders for sea, at Portsmouth, to morrow. COURT-MARTIAL —A court-martial will be held at Portsmouth, on F. idly, to try Commander Lewis de Teissier Prevost, of her Majesty's brig Pantaloon, on certain charges preferred by the Admiralty, connected with the late stranding of her Majesty's brig Ranger, at Puerto Grande Bay, Cape de Verd Islands. The quarterly inspection of the artizans and others of Portsmouth Dockyard was made yesterday by Rear- Admiral Superintendent 11. Prescott, C.B. THE NORTH POLAR EXPEDITIONS.—Letters were de livered yesterday from her Majesty's discovery ship North Star, brought by her Majesty's steamer Strom boli, which was sent to expedite her passage by towing, dated off Cape Farewell, June 7, at which point the Stromboli took leave of her. The North Star was then steadily progressing, at the rate of six knots -an hour, towards the ice. All well. . WOOLWICH, JUNE 26.—The Elfin steam-vessel is ex pected hourly at Woolwich, from Chatham, to be held in readiness to convey his Royal Highness Prince Albert to Gravesend, en route to Chatham, on the day the siege operations will take place at that port. The Black Eagle, stem-vessel, Master-Commander S. B. Cook, is to be held in readiness to convey the Lords of the Admiralty, and a party of about fifty of their friends, to Gravesend, on the same day. Their Lordships and party will land in the morning at Graves end, and proceed by railway to Rochester, and the Black Eagle will go round to Chatham to convey their Lord ships cn their return to town. The whole of the ex penses which will be incurred by the trip in the Black Eagle will be defrayed from their private resources, and it is worthy of being known to the public that when Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer proceeded in the Mon key steam-vessel to witness the siege operations at Chat • ham on a former occasion, the gallant officer defrayed all the expenses of the trip, including the cost of the coals consumed during the passage. The Otter, steam-vessel, was taken out of the basin to day, and will leave on Thursday for the Holyhead station, where she will remain in charge of a second master of the royal navy, to serve as a reserve vessel, in case of any accident or repairs being required in any of the other regular mail steamers. ROYAL GARDENS VAUXHALL. GREAT SUCCESS OF THE WATERLOO FETE. VISIT OF HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WEL LINGTON. The grani fete in commemoration of the battle of Waterloo was, on Monday night, repeated at Vauxhall, with additional preparations. The gardens were crowded with rank and fashion, testifying that Waterloo is still a " magic word " for Englishmen. During the perform ance the veteran hero, whose name is imperishably blended with it, was present, a place being fitted up for him on the Waterloo ground, and no doubt the idea con siderably heightened the effect. The whole amusements of the evening seemed given and enjoyed with extraor dinary spirits, and the performance was rapturously ap plauded. The fireworks were of surpassing splendour, and when, at their conclusion, amidst volleys of rockets, and showers of falling stars and fiery serpents, the illu minated painting of the Duke, surrounded by standard and bouquets of brilliant light, became developed, his Grace was greeted with three hearty cheers. His Grace, accompanied by the Marchioness of Douro and the Ladies Ramsey, arrived almost at the opening of the doors, and were received by the proprietors and shown over the royal property. His Grace on entering inquired after the electric light, in which be was particularly interested, and entered into a lengthened discussion of its merits with Mr. Pearce, the inventor. There was a most respectable and numerous attendance. In addition to the distinguished visitors above mentioned we observed the Duke of Cleveland, Lady West, the Earls of Munster and Lichfield, Lord Strathmore, Lord Hanelagb, Lord Adolphus Fitzcla rence, Lord A. Lennox, General Woolf, and many other persons of distinction. SIR B. HALL AND THE ST. PANCRAS REFORM ASSOClATlON.—Considerable sensation has been excited in the borough of Marylebone in consequence of a letter written by the secretary of the St. Pancras Parliamen tary and Financial Reform Association, Mr. Howell, to Sir Benjamin Hall, dated June the 1 4 th in st., enclosing a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of th e e c a o ss m o . - ciation held the previous evening, appointing csittee of ten members of the association to prepare a requisition calling upon Sir 13. Hall to pay mere atten tion to the interests of his constituents or resign the re presentation of t he borough. To this co mmunication Sir B. Hall replied, and desired the secretary to furnish him with the names and addresses of the ten members of the committee; but as no answer was returned to that reply, the Hon. Member wrote again to the secretary on the 25th of June inst., in which last letter, after ob • serving be had been informed that less than 30 persons out of a constituency of 17,000 registered electors were present when the resolution was passed, he says he has no hesitation in declaring that he shall not accede to the proposition to resign his seat; that he has had a seat in the House of Commons for nearly twenty years, during twelve of which he has represented the borough of Marylebone, and discharged his duty to his constituents to the best of bis ability, never having swerved from any political opinion he has expressed; that he has pre served the local rights and privileges of his constituents unimpaired, and that his time has always been at their service ; that for little more than four months he has been unable to attend his Parliamentary duties, in consequence of a severe visitation of the Almighty ; that the association acted to wards him as if a Member for Marylebone was not to be subject to the dispensations of Pro vidence, or was the only description of being who, when suffering from illness, was not to have time allowed for recovery, and that be, Sir B. Hall, had received letters of the warmest assurance of sympathy from all parts of the borough. The matter has given rise to great in dignation, as the requisition alluded to is considered in most quarters an unwarrantable assumption on the part of a few persons to dictate to the representive Of it con • atitaeney of upwards of 17,000 voters.