The Sun. — London, England, 1842-03-15 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE. ROLLS' COURT, March 14. ♦GABEO V. HASTWELL. V'M SP -METROPOLITAN AN TI-CORN LAW ASSOCIATION. Yesterday (veiling a special meeting of the Deputies from the branches of the above Society was held, for the purpose of onsidering what measures ought now to be adopted for the future agitation of the cause of tetal and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws. JOSEPH H esti, Esq.,took the Chair shortly after five o'clock, amidst loaf cheering, and said, the course which he would recommend the Association to adopt was the course pursued with so much effect by Mr. Sturge in Birmingham. The plan adopted there was to divide the town into separate districts, le which every man of twenty-one years of age was to ballot for thz right to be on the Committee. Due care was taken to prevent any interruption on the part of strangers, thus keeping out those parties who, after all, were only trying to cause disunion amongst all parties, and cast obloquy upon the cause which was so dear to them all By these means, and by these alone, the real principles of the constituents of each delegate could be ascertained, and with that feeling he ( Mr. Hume) threw the suggestion before the meeting. Mr. Simms, as delegate from the Sussex Anti Corn-law Association, wished to state that, amongst his constituents, there was a strong feeling ag ainst the Corn-laws at present , notwithstanding the proposed Ministerial alterations in general, asad that they were fully impressed with the fact that the ma jority of the House of Commons were both selfish as legislators, . and wanting in feeling and consideration for the wants of their fellow-men. A DELEGATE (whose name we could not ascertain, owing to the distance front the table, and inconvenience of the place where we stood) said, he trusted whatever course they struck out for thernse;ves, they would pay all the respect to the feel ings, and perhaps he might add, the prejudices of the Chartists, which so large and so powerful a body should command. It was no use for them to look up to the aristocracy to redress their grievance, s o they should ouly look do wn t o th e mil lions. He hated class legislation, but he most certainly would prefer being governed by the many than the few. Mr. Winxtresote proposed the first resolution, which was to the following effect .—" That the short space of three years, during which the formation of public opinion in a systematic form on the subject of freedom of trade, the reform of the British commercial tariff, and the recon struction, upon more enlightened and equitable principles, of the whole scheme of public taxation, has been undertaken by the various Anti-Corn-law Associations throughout the country, 'their exertions have prospered to an extent unexampled in the history of this great question." The resolution then proceeded to state, that by the exertion of the Anti-Corn-law League, and the course they pursued, they had succeeded in drawing ever to an accordance with their views several religious congregations, a number of the mem bers of the Anti-Slavery Society, and succeeded in eliciting the unequivocal expression of the sentiments of the Queen in her appointment of the Reverend Baptist Noel as her spiritual adviser immediately after the publication of his " Plea for the Poor," and concluded with a general review of the exertions of the Association in promoting a total repeal of the Corn-laws. Mr. BEACON seconded the resolution, which was carritd unanimously. Husra rose and said he regretted much that circum stances compelled him to vacate the Chair at such an early stage of the proceedings. He trusted, however, the meeting would believe his sincerity when he said he should be with them heart and hand in all their struggles. Colonel THOMPSON having been called to the Chair amidst loud acclamation, A long and desultory conversation ensued, after which Mr. SHAW E said he would at once proceed to move the second resolution, as if any gentleman present wished to snake a proposition suggesting the adoption of any course to be pursued by the Association, the more proper time would be when the resolutions about to he submitted to the Meeting had been put from the Chair. The meeting had not been convened for the purpose of discus sing the Ministerial measure as was submitted to the public, but to promote by all means in their power the total and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws. They could do no thing better than pursue the course which they had followed with so much benefit tss the cause they advocated, and to keep straight forward in the course until they effected the total and immediate repeal of those odious laws. Mr. Shawe concluded by moving the following resolution :—" That the unexampled success which has hitherto attended our past exertions, and the blessings which we have been thereby unabled to impetrate from the Legislature to the labouring and industrial interests of the country, we attribute to our strict adherence to the fundamental principles which have formed our bond of union, the sedulous ex clusion of party politics from any share in our operations, the refu sal to identify ourselves with any political faction or opinions, ad vocacy of our opinions upon the solid ground of justice, mo rality, and sound political science, and the adoption for our means of success of those principles alone." The experience of the past proves the wisdom and policy of a steady adherence to thc rule of action by which we have hitherto so singularly prospered. We have only now to recommend to our consti tuents the adoption of simultaneous meetings of the Associa tions and of the public on a day to be afterwards fixed, for the purpose at once of warning our opponents of our irre vocable determination, and of confirming ourselves in its prose cution—solemnly, deliberately, and finally to pledge ourselves to each other and to our common country, that we will never relax in our exertions, but, on the contrary, that we will increase the sphere and intensity of their activity and application until the Corn and Provision-laws are entirely repealed, and free trade, in spirit and in truth, made for ever part and parcel of the law of our native land. Mr. ELWALL seconded the resolution, which was put from the Chair, and passed without a dissentient. On the motion of Mr. LAWSON, seconded by Mr. WRITE, the third resolution was put by the Chair, and carried unani snottily. It was to the following effect :—" That the adoption of the for...going resolution be recommended to the various Anti-Corn-law Associations and the friends of free trade throughout the empire, and that they are respectfully requested. at their earliest convenience, to call preliminary meetings for the purpose of consulting as to the most expedient mode of ,earrying them into practical effect." A DELEGATE here inquired hew any memorial which might be ulopted by this or any other meeting would be presented to her Alajesty . Mr. SYDNEY SMITH said he should take care that it would lie presepte l d by either Lord Kinnaird, Lord Ducie, or Lord Radnor. The follewlxis resolution cos put and carr'el amidst loud Resolved-1 hat "Diogenes" be requested by this meeting to prepare an AdAress on behalf of this Association to every Anti - Coro-law Association throughout the empire, applicable to the present circumstances of the question of the Corn-laws." The Gentleman who writes in several of the leading journals under tint above signature, rose and said he felt deeply the eomplirnt nt implied to him in the last resolution, and felt most happy to comply with the request contained in it. Mr. ASHDOWN having proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by Mr. Elwell, and passed amidst loud cheers, Col. Ttiomrsox siadhesincerely thanked the meetingfer the 4nour conlerred upon him by the manner in which the vote of thanks was passed to him. He hoped he would yet live to f, fee the fruition of his exertions in advocating those measures which he thought most likely to conduce to the wel fare and happiness of the great body of the people, and if lie did he should find an ample reward for all his efforts, and look back with unfeigned pleasure upon his early advocacy .of those immutable principles of truth which time wasevery day ssiakii.g mine manifest. The meeting shortly afterwards separated. Ler& La Nene T.P gave ju Igment in this part-heard cause to • day. There were two questions brought under consideration tee.this occasion. The first was, whether the plaintiffs were entitled to the costs of the suit, the other related to the interest accruing on the testator's property. llis Lordship would dis vise of the question of interest first. The testator in the cause is I diet in August, ISM, having bequeathed to his four sons 50,000/. in stock, with certain limitations. One of the sons having died soon after the testator's death his interest in the fund of course had ceased. A second son of the testator, namely, Johannes Agabeg, had died ha 1516, and his interest as the fund had become in consequence vested in his three etiedren, under the terms of the original will. The surviving • sons, namely. Carapate and Bective Agabee, in the month of March, let 1, hail execu ed a deed by which they transferred their interest in the fund to trustees fur the benefit of their children. The fifty thousand pounds was vested iiii English stock, anti the dividends on it hail been received by tto te•nator's agents in England, Messrs. Fairlev, llouham, and Co., and hail town by them carried during his lifetime to his eounnercial account, and after his death to the account of his sees. Not long after the execut:ois of the deed mentioned, settee of the transaction had beer, given to the defendants, Fairley, Bonham, and Co., and his Lordship thought he must thereto e assume that they had become aware of Johannes' share of the property having become vested in his children. It seemed that, notwithstanding the notice tints giv‘ n, the defendants had continued to receive the dividends, and to carry , them to the .commercial account, as formerly. The testator s son, Cara. sate, had died in 1819, leaving issue, in whom his share of *he property had become vested Bective had been the only of tee testator, who now survived him, which he had done by ten years. A bil had been filed in this (Ihe )lolls) Court 'by the trustees-of the deed of settlement, and the sons of Carapute desiring tir have the rights of the parties ac t:terse]. •'1 he first decree had been made in 1831, and it had directed certain inquiries to be made. Those inquiries had been satisfactory, and had been reported upon in the •month of May, 183:2. In the year 1833 the cause had .some on to be heard before the Vice-Chancellor, and he had deers-re that Fairley, Bonham, and Co. were entitled to carry (tie dividends to the commercial account of the testator during 1,!0 life, and after his death to the commercial account of his wins ", An appeal from that decree hail been made to the Lord Chan:tenor, who confirmed the Vice- Chancellor's decree. The of the Lord Chancellor not being satisfactory to the vertices concerned, au appeal from it lid been made to the Howse of Lords. Pending this appeal, a repot pursuant to the decre, of 1833 had been made in 1834, and the result was that a petition had been presented to this Court, and the cause having come on for hearing before Lord Cottenhain, ti:en Master of the )tolls, in the month of 'Aray, 1235, he had made a decree, ordering the interest to be paid on the fund in reepect of the title of the children of 'Johannes and Carapate after the death of their parents. Some time after that decree had been pronounced the appeal to the House of Lords had been heard, anal judgment had been given, whereby the decrees made by the Vice-Chancellor and Lord Chancellor had been both reversed. It had been in fact then declared that the defendants, Fairley, Bonham, and Co., had no right to receive the dividends after notice had been given them teat the morew had been vested in trustees for the benefit of the children of Carapate and Bective. A petition for rehearing had come on before the Lord Chancellor in 1840, when a ,decree proper on the occasion had been made, and with regard to the question of interest, whether it was open or not, depended very much on whatlhad been done on this latter oc ...amen. What had been done by the d ecree i n 1835 h a d b een inconsistent with the decree made in 1833, and this latter being also inconsiste n t w i t h t h e order of the House of Lords in 1837, it had Lecome impossible to give effect to it. It had, therefore, been necessary to provide so much of the decree of '1835 as effected the question of interest, in order to make it consistent with the order of the House of Lords. It appeared to' bis Lordship that, nothwithstanding the decree of 1840, the etion, as to what ought to be done with the interest, still remained open. Under these circumstances he though e he could not do otherwise than order that the' interest at the same rate should be taken for those dividends as for the former ones. With respect to costs, if there had b ee n any common fund in Court, he would have thought i t ,his duty to have ordered them to be paid out of that; but su p t'h in ia _fund not being in Celia, he oould not give c osts to the VICE-CfffINCELL ORS' COURT, March 14. (Belore Vice-Chancellor BRUCE ) Allen, who wa s en t i tl e d t o FORD V. CLOIIG fi ...i 41 ...,-- , N, '. - . In this case a lady of the name of '.. a considerable sum of money, and who war stated to be a per. son of weak intellect, had been induced to many the plaintiff .. Ford. It appeared that a licei. ,, 4 had been obtained by the plunder on an affidavit that he was twenty-one years of age. Under a recent statute, the marriage, under the circumstances, had been declared by the Court to be valid, though the plaintiff ';e. bad subjected himself to a criminal prosecution. The object i , t of the present application was to obtain a settlement of the wife's property. The Court directed the property to be settled on th e w if e f or her life, with remainder to ber issue, and, in ~~{'=' default, to her next of kin, excluding the husband from all participation and power whatever. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. MIDLAND CIRCUIT. —Nottingham, March 11. John Richardson, aged 23, was capitally indicted for eom miupon the body of Ann Hickson, at Flintham. gin a rape Of the committal of the offence thet e was clear and distinct proof, and in spite of a vigorous cross 'examination, the prose cutrix stuck to her tale. The corroborating witnesses ap ; peared, however, throughout to have a pique against the pro • secutrix, and did not corroborate her in any cne particular that they did before the Magistrates. They spoke so much at variance with her evidence that his Lordship, however much he reprehended their conduct, was obliged to direct an acquittal of the prisoner. WILFUL MURDER AT MANSFIELD.—John Jones, alias Samuel Moore, aged 24, was placed at the bar, charged with the wilful murder of Mary Hallam, at Mansfield, by cutting her throat with a knife. The prisoner, who is a fine handsome young man, formerly lodged with the deceased's parents, and had for some time paid his address es t o h er w i t h success.A little before last Easter, however, the intimacy broke off, owing to some violence on his part, and the prisoner went to lodge at Mrs. Wragg's, in the same yard ; still, however, speaking to the deceased at certain times, loving her, as he says himself, "to destraction." She had, however, formed an acquaintance with another person, which gave him great uneasiness. On Thursday. Dec. 30, the deceased returned home from the country, and at nigh about half-past eight she went out into the yard, saying sht would go and hear some news. She never returned. Search was made for her everywhere, until at last the prisoner's shop, which is a garret in the same yard, underwent inspection. By getting on a table and chair a view through the window was obtained, and there lay the lifeless body of the hapless girl, with her throat cut in many places, and the floor a pool of blood. The prisoner was apprehended in his lodgings within three hours after the girl had left home, and on the road to the lock-up confessed that it was he who did the murder ; that he thought as he could not have her no one else should, and that he intended to destroy himself ; but his mind misgave him, and he was glad he had not done so, as he ought to suffer publicly, as a warning to others. The only palliation he endeavoured to make was, that the crime was not premeditated ; that it was done in a moment. He did not wish to be defended on his trial, and actually at first pleaded guilty, but his Lordship would not receive the plea, and tine people of Mansfield, who pitied his situation, raised a subscription to defend him. Mr. Miller addressed the Jury for the prisorer. His LORDSHIP then summed up, and the Jury immediately found the prisoner Guilty of Murder. He was sentenced to execution. PEEL'S NEW TAXES. A Northern Correspondent informs us that the news of Sir Robert Peel's scheme of additional taxation, has been received on the Tyne and the Wear by men of all parties, Whig, Tory, and Radical, with astonish ment and indignation. The income tax, which is to send a legal inquisitor into the very heart of every man's business, will be evaded by all the " ingenious devices " that so hateful a measure can call into action. It is felt to be monstrous to lay an equal tax on the comfortable owner of real property, worth, say 2001. per ,annum, and on the shopkeeper and merchant's clerk, who have but the same income, and that precarious, wherewith to keep up a decent appearance in society, and make provision for the wants of old age, and it may be, for the future de mands of their children. The shipowners are uttering curses loud and deep against the author of the proposed tax on export coal. Already cramped in the field of enterprise, and pushed to the verge of destruction by our abominable Corn-laws, they look with utter dismay on this last blow to their expiring interests. Were our gracious Queen to dis solve Parliament, the duped manufacturer, the cheated shipowner, and the " humbugged" farmer, would com bine to return a House of Commons very different from the present one. Those that cried out against the rule of the Whip, as the reign of King Log, are now feeling the tender mercies of the Tory King Stork. They are rightly served for placing him where he is. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. PROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY. GLOBE.—While we think the financial scheme of the Government open to such objectitms as we have stated elsewher e , an d ma y p u t forward more fully on future occasions, we cannot subscribe to some of the strictures of the Times (while it professes, on the whole, concurrence with the policy of the measure) and of the Chronicle. The latter compares it to Mr. Addington's Property Tax; and says, " Those who ex perienced the Property tax can testify at once to the justice, as well as the universality, of this feeling [against it.] " The tax was odious, because it was direct. Direct taxes are always those which the sub ject pays most unwillingly; because the whole amount is taken from him by the tax-gatherer at once, and with out disguise; and the people of England entertain this objection to direct taxation itiore strongly than those of any other country, because they have been the least accus tomed to it." The Chronicle, however, had stated that the :people contributed, without murmunnina, not much less than 15,000,000/. a year under this tax. This is admitting too much in its favour, in extraordinary public emer gencies, to allow . of summarily condemning it, on ac count of the odiousness of direct taxation. Its sanc tion, or condemnation, must depend on the neces sity of the case ; and'such, on the Chronicle's showing, was the public feeling, while it was necessary. There can be no doubt of the ordinary feeling against direct taxation ; the question is, in a case of emergency, whether the force of that feeling, or the care for public credit, and for the public service, has the predominance. Whenever there is a clear case of necessity, the public have shown themselves willing to submit to a much larger amount of direct taxation than is now called for, and one of much more unmitigated incidence on men of small means. We repeat what we said on Saturday, that our final judgment of the Government plan must depend, not on its general principle of direct taxation, but on the manner in which that mode of taxation is applied in the present instance. There may be good reasons for con demning an income tax, to which a property tax would not he liable. STANDARD.—No taxes—we may generalise the proposition—no payments are in the abstract objects of love, but men reconcile themselves to rent and rates aaue cessary evils,, and habit will reconcile them as easily to an income tax; The tax has been heretofore unpopular, chiefly because it was unusual ; and not without reason, for a payment for which men have made no pro vision in arranging their affairs and adjusting their style of living, must be more or less oppressive. beyond the actual amount paid. Usage and reason will, however, at length reconcile all men who are not entirely selfish to that form of taxation which, if not perfectly just, is the most just that the mind can conceive, and which is absolutely the most economical and efficient. We have already avowed that we value Sir Peel's pro position 'chiefly as the auspicious opening of a rational and just system of finance. We find that we. have not allowed ourselves room to take up Lord John Russell's objection to the parallel of 1797-1798 with 1842. Rut putting out of the question the mutiny at the Nore,' which could not affect the financial question in one way or the other, AS it cost nothing to suppress it, we con tend that the British empire demands far larger provisions for its defence now than it required at the epochs referred to. Look to 1798, when you had all the military division of Europe, that is, Prussia, Austria, and Russia; if not actually leagued with you, anxiously wishing for your safety and success— France, your only enemy, betrayed into bankruptcy And torn by anarchy. True, enough was not done in 1797, 1795, to make advantage 'of these circum stances, und, therefore, a worse state of affairs fol lowed. Compare this state of affairs with the pre sent. Look to rraned, firm and consolidated—look to the feelings and policy of Russia—look to the United States—look to your wars in Asia—and to the state not less to be regarded than a state of actual rebellion in which the 'Whig-Radicals left Ireland—look to these things. and then say that our present condition does not ' require as ample preparation and as " wary walking" as 1797 or 1798. LORD ABERDEEN and M. GUIZOT. The following is M. Gdzot's speech in the debate on the secret funds : M. Guizot began by %iv ing he would not open a debate upon questions already treated of and exhausted. The Cham ber was nst a place for idle chat about public affairs. He never refused discussion, when it was required, or the subject new. lint every orator had already had the opportunity of speaking on every subject, and there was 110 use in renewing debates on these. He would reestablish the truth respecting one circum stance, viz., the exequatur of foreign Consuls residing at Al- giers. It was the custom in changes of Government for Con- sills to continue to act by virtue of the exequatur obtained un der the old Government. This rule has been observed at Algiers, not only with regard to the British, but other Consuls. The English Consul was in Algiers previous to I S3O, and the post not having since become vacant, there has been no ground for the renewal of the exequatur which he bad already received. This Consul having de manded for a Vice-Consul the right of installing him self in another part of our territory, he was informed that, in order to obtain his right, a new exequatur was requi site. The exequatur was not applied for—( Ah, a' , , flora the left)—but the translation which' was requested has not taken place, and it will not be permitted until the exequatur shall have been applied for and granted. I will add, that when the ' post of the English Consul at Algiers shall become vacant, the new Consul will be compelled to apply for the exequatur; but, until then, there will be no motive for renewing tho exequatur of the English Consul in our colony. I have now to allude to the subject of the despatch relative to our conquest in Algeria, which I communicated some time since to the Chamber. In the first place I mast be allowed to rectify an asaertion which is completely false. It is not true that it ever entered into my mind to ask for, or that the French Ambassador in London ever said a word which could justify such a supposition, the adhesion of England on the subject of our conquest. It is not tree that I, at any period, or under any circumstances, would even permit any step which could admit the right on the part of England of raising a difficulty on this question. M. Durand here observed that he had not said anything of this kind. M. Guizot—lt has been said, however, that we applied for the approbation of England on the subject of our possessions in Africa. I deny the fact. The real slate of things is as fol- Liws :—ln a conversation with the French Ambassador, Lord Aberdeen said spontaneously, that in 1830, he had made, against our occupation of Algeria. protests and lively inces sant remonstrances, but now he did not resume that position, that his attitude w as diff erent , t h at ten years ' posses.,ion was in his ekes a serious circumstance, an event accomplished, and that on this subject he had not objections or observations to make. The different between the two words does not seem to me important (me touehe peu). 'this conversation was not provoked. The words were spontaneous. What, thinks Lord Aberdeen, was the sanction of time, the conquest becoming pro gressively a fait accamplt? Lord Aberdee n s p o k e s i mp l y and sensibly. The fact. was simple and evident, and need not give rise to such a discussion. Ten years ago, I was the first to say, " France has conquered Algeria, and will keep her con quest." Every one now repeats these words. But let us not be astonished that time WAS neces sar y to bring things to this pass. thorna Conquests sa m oc u t s i t oo be a o consolidated h o b r y i ty t . i me. T eT words ealo o n f e gi ves Aberdeen were nithing else than a recogn i tion of the sanction sgiteinenprof good part, timeword words of ourpeace, A lgaebrainnd abandoning old ; words old cavils of ten years ba c k. Th ese ex p r e s sions, spontaneously given, were correctly transmitted by the Kings ambassador in London. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 1842 • Any difference in expression is of little consequence. The fact alone is important. And the great fact is, that France having conquered Algiers,- twelve years' possession of it has brought the cabinet and the statesman who had made the strongest objections and remonstrance on this subject to take quite a different attitude and tone on resuming office. Let our possession last longer, and you will see the English cabinet, and other cabinets, and the Porte itself, make new steps, and the most complete and definitive sanction—the recognition of all the world will consummate the empire in Africa. Thus has it been with all great conquests. Thelast point which I have to notice is that relative to the observations of the President of the Council of Ministers at Madrid. It is said that some journals have asserted that the English Government, after hav ing approved of our instructions as to the etiquette in present ,iag the letters of credence of our Ambassrdor in Spain, had changed its views, and that the Spanish Government, on the receipt of despatches from England, put forward opposite pre tensions. I know nothing about this statement; but I can state that I have knowledge of a despatch from Lord Aberdeen, in which he .approved of the instructions given by the French • Government to our Ambassador on the subject of the letters of credence. This despatch was of great length, and went fully into the question. •I.have too high an opinion of the firmness of mind and of the honour of Lord Aberdeen to believe that he can have retracted his views so readily ; and have reason to believe that he never did retract them, and that they still exist. I will notice another point of the Spanish question. In the Spanish Cnamber allusion was made to what I had said relative to information given by the French Government to that of Spain on the subject of the movements which were preparing in the Basque provinces. I have a very good answer to make to the Spanish Minister. I have only to communicate to him the letter of the Spanish Consul at Bayonne, thanking the Director of the Customs for informing him that arms and ammunition were passing the frontier, thus indicating an approaching movement.—[M. Guizot here read the letter.] Ido not know whether the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain has been apprised of the contents of this letter. If he has, all doubt must have been removed from his mind. Having noticed these points, Gentlemen, I repeat, that I will not be induced on this oecasion to enter upon ques tions which have already been fully discussed. But if the Chamber, notwithstanding all that has been said on the Spanish question, should desire a further discussion, I will not shrink from it, although no new fact has transpired to render further discussion necessary. What I have stated has been stated frankly, and with the strictest regard to truth—it is impossible to contradict it. The result of this discussion will show whe ther any thing more is required from me. fore he saw with great satisfaction a gentleman who was well known to entertain friendly feelings towards Spain, and especially towards the present Government, ap pointed to represent France at that Court. Shortly after the arrival of M. Salvandy at Madrid, a mis understanding arose ; and, in this case, as in many others, a little forbearance and moderation on both side, would here prevent the unpleasant and serious consequences that had ensued.—(Hear, hear.) Her Majesty's Government were informed that the first instructions to the French Minister was to present his credentials to the Queen herself, and not in the pre sence of the Regent ; and they had heard that it was the intention of the Regent to receive the credentials him self, and not in the . presence of the Queen. He (Lord Aberdeen) thought that it was possible to effeet a com promise, without very much departing from the views of either party : He certainly did think that the Ambassador might be allowed' to present his credentials to the Queen, in the presence of the Regent, and that the latter might answer the address. That was the proposition of this (the British) Government, and the French Ambassador assented to it. Indeed, our Mi nister had acted from the first upon those views, and with that excellent good sense, which had distinguished all that gentleman's conduct.—(Hear, hear.) It appeared that, ac cording to the Spa n i s h Con s tit u tion, the Regent has all the authority of the Sovereign, in whose name the laws were made. He (Lord Aberdeen) did not think that the Act in question was such a one as it was necessary for the Regent to perform in person. But he was bound to say, that the interpre tation put by the Spanish Government upon this ample of the • Constitution, was honest and conscien tious.—(Hear, hear.) But in consequence of the inter pretation, the Regent declined to receive the Ambassa dor in the way suggested. The whole matter appeared to be one merely of etiquette and ceremony. But at the time of its occurrence the British Govern ment was engaged in obtaining what in the present state of Spain was of great importance ; that was, to establish diplomatic relations between Spain and the Northern Powers. But be could not help fore seeing at the time, that the rejection of the French Am bassador's pretension to deliver his letters into the hands of the Queen would be looked upon by those persons as a derogation from Royal authority, which would dis incline them to make the concession which this Govern ment endeavoured to obtain. He hoped, however, that the attainment of that object was only delayed.--(Hear.) He was not aware of any contradiction of what he now stated.—(Hear, hear, hear.) He had entertained on this subject but one opinion, and he never ex pressed any other.—(Hear, hear.) And now he begged to ask what was the object of the Noble Marquis in patting this question? Was it meant to be insinuated —was it supposed that the advice was given to the Spanish Government with an unfriendly spirit ? The Noble Lord was never more mistaken in his life. The advice of her Majesty's Government was given to that of Spain, and received, though not acquiesced in, in the spirit in which it was offered —that was, a desire the most sincere to remove difficulties out of the way of the Spanish Government, and as a proof of the friendly in terest felt by her Majesty's Government for the stability and prosperity of Spain. If the proceeding of the Noble Marquis meant to show a want of kindness from her Majesty's Government towards that of Spain it was very poor work indeed. The Noble Marquis should look for something more indicative and important in its nature if he wanted to fix a censure on her Majesty's Government as respected Spain, But the present was altogether too trifling an incident. Indeed, he (Lord A.) would venture to say, that if the Spanish Government were then present on their Lordships' floor, he would confidently appeal to them to disclose whether they had ever experienced greater cordiality, greater friendship, or greater efforts, to prove this kind feeling in an adequate manner, than they had received from her Majesty's present Govern ment (Hear, hear) and he would say that the expressions of their acknowledgments and gratitude had not been sparing in consequence. He would repeat, that the advice tendered on the occasion referred to by the Noble Marquis was given and received in the most friendly spirit ; and it it were not adopted—indeed, it must be admitted there was , an insuperable obstacle in the way—it was, no doubt, because the Spanish Government must be allowed to be the best interpreters of their own Constitution, otherwise no doubt the suggestion given by her Majesty's Govern ment would have been cheerfully acquiesced in by the Government of Spain. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said his motives in putting that and the other question were quite differ ent from those supposed by the Noble Earl. He (the Noble Lord) was perfectly satisfied as to the feel ing which the Noble Earl, said her Majesty's Government felt towards that of Spain. But the matter in question, though apparently trifling, was not in reality so. In the first place it was not unimportant to this country that there should be a suspension of relations between the Courts of France and Spain. He could assure the Noble Earl that diplo matic negotiations, apparently trifling in their nature, might lead to important results. He (Lord C.) did not mean to impute blame to the Queen's Government. He knew not how it was, but it so happened, that during the short time the Noble Earl had been at the bead of foreign affairs, and since the present Administration had come into power, three sources of difference had arisen—two of which, at least, were of the greatest interest—with that Government ; and when we saw assertions in the French Chamber about the conduct of our Government, we might look with consi derable anxiety to the opinion of the French Minister ; and when we saw the Spanish Minister con tradicting what the French Minister said, we were entitled to ask from our Government for as much information as the French and Spanish Chambers had got front theirs. As the Noble Earl said lie did not understand his (the Marquis of Clanricarde's) reference to the mistake in the information given to Mr. Aston, ho (the Noble Marquis) would refer the Noble Earl to a statement of M. Gonzales, in the Senate of Madrid, that the English Government had had reason to modify the opinion it expressed. Newspapers might not always be correct authorities, but they bad great in fluence on the mind of the public of this and other countries--(Hear, hear).—and if the Spanish Cham ber and public were so informed, lie did not see why we should not be let know as much. He should be very sorry to accuse the Noble Earl of an unfriendly feeling towards the Government of Spain or that of France ; but he. (the Noble Marquis) would say, that as respected us and those Powers, there were differences and questions afloat which might have a serious effect on the affairs of Europe. He did not know how or why it had happened, but lie would be very glad indeed if France could be induced, by any means, to ratify the Treaty which she had lately entered with us and the other Powers.—(Hear.) levying a larger proportion of the latter income than of the former. " 7. That with the same view it is expedient to make no distinction in favour of persons in the civil service of the State, or of persons receiving pensions from the State. "8. That it :is neither consistent with justice nor with sound policy to levy a greater proportion of tax upon larger incomea-than upon smaller incomes; and that an exemption of even the smallest income from the ope ration of the tax czn only be justified on the supposition that the owners are wholly unable to pay it. " 9. That while it is the duty of the people to bear those burdens which are necessary for supporting the credit of the country, and maintaining the security of its widely extended O. mainions, it is equally the duty of Parliament to afford them every practicable relief by enforcing the most rigorous economy in all depart ments of the public service, by discouraging all proceed ings which may endanger the continuance of peace, and by adopting whatever measures may best conduce to the improvement of our commercial resources ; and that it is in an especial manner incumbent, without any delay, to remove any income-tax that may be imposed, as soon as it shall appear that the ordinary branches of the revenue shall have recovered from their temporary depression." He (Lord Brougham) gave their Lordships that evening notice, that they may be free and unfettered ; because if they waited for the vote of the other House of Parlia ment, and until a Money Bill was passed, it would be in competent for their Lordships to make any alteration, however urgent ; and perhaps it may be expedient to re ject it altogether. COPY OF ♦ DESPATCH FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN TO HER MAJESTY'S AMBASSADOR. ♦T PARIS, DATED FOREIGN-OFFICE, JAN. 28, 1842. My Lord,—My attention has been directed to the Report in the Mimiteur, of a speech delivered in the Chamber of Depu. ties by Monsieur Guizot, on the 20th inst. On that occasion his Excellency read in the Tribune an account of a conversa tion between the Count de St. Aulaire and myself, which had reference to the French possessions in Africa, and which had been transmitted by the Ambassador to the French Minister. In this relation, the Count de St. Aulaire observes—"l began by asserting that the security of our African possessions was for us an interest of the highest importance, which he could not allow to give way before any consideration; and Lord Aberdeen, after having listened to me attentively, said, I am very glad to be able to explain myself distinctly to you upon this point. I was Minister in 1830. If I were to back to that time, I should have much to say ; but I take affairs as they are in 1841, and in the state in which they have been left by preceding Cabinets ; I therefore look upon your position in Africa as a fait accompli, against which I have no further ob jection to make." Now, I readily subscribe to the accuracy of this statement, with the exception of the last sentence. I never said that I had now no objection to make to the establishment of the French in Algiers ; but that I had now no observation to make on the subject, and that it was my intention to be silent. The con text shows that such was my meaning ; and, in fact, this deci sion was the result of mature reflection. I felt that, after ten years of acquiescence, any objections at the present moment would have been misplaced; and that the course which it would have been impossible Lr me formerly to have adopted, had now become entirely consistent with propriety and duty. It does not follow, however, that objections, although not ex pressed, may not he entertained. I have explained to the French Ambassador the misappre hension into , which he had fallen, and the erroneous statement which, in consequence, he had made to his Government. With the same object in view, your Excellency will have the goodness to read this despatch to M: Guizot.—l (Signed) ABERDEEN. His Excellency the Lord Cowley, &c. UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD, MARCH 12.—Yesterday the Examiners of the candidates for the University scholarship for the encouragement of Latin literature notified to the Vice-Chancellor that they had awarded it to Mr. Goldwin Smith, commoner, of Christ Church, and that Messrs. M. Arnold, of Balliol College, and George G. Bradley, of University College, had honourably distinguished themselves in the examination. There were 28 candidates for this scholarship. On Thursday next there will be an election at Lincoln Col lege of scholars and exhibitioners. Messrs. Hansel!, of Magdalen College, and Smith, of Queen's College, have been appointed public examiners. Lady Carew has presented the Rev. A. Dene, late of Exeter College, to the vicarage of Rattery, Devon. The Archbishop of Canterbury has presented the Rev. W. Valiance, of University College, to the rectory of St. Martin's and St. Paul's, Canterbury. The Rev. L. Gilberton, Fellow of Jesus College, has been appointed Minister of the new church of Llangorwen, near Abervstwith.: The Rev. Dr. H. J. B. • Nicholson, of Magdalen Hall, has been appointed a Rural Dean in the Archdeaconry of St. Alban's. A Convocation will be holden on Thursday, the 17th inst., at twelve o'clock, to receive a proposal for granting the sum of 3001. per annum to each of the new Professors of Theology, until they succeed to the canonries of Christ Church assigned to them by Act of Parliament. The General Committee on Election Petitions met yesterday at one o'c!ock, but the business being only of a prelimi nary nature, the committee. room was not opened to the public It is said that the late Marquis of Hertford died worth nearly two millions of money. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, March 14. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon the Wool sack shortly after Five o'Clock. Lord KENYON presented a petition from the Church of England Lay Association, praying for support to the Etablished Church. PRESBYTERIAN• MARRIAGES Lord STRAFFORI) presented. a petition from some place in the County of Donegal, praying for an alteration in the law relating to Presbyterian mixed marriages. Lord HAWARDEN presented petitions to the same effect from places in the counties of Down, Tyrone, An rim, and Longford. PRESBYTERIAN MARRIAGE BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR said that he had to pre sent to their Lordships a Report from the select Com mittee appointed to consider the Bill for amending the laws relating to Marriages in Ireland, which Committee had been directed to report to their Lordships from time to time as to them might seem fit. The Committee had accordingly thought it right to report to their Lord ships the following resolution : "Resolved, unanimously, that his the opinion of this Committee that all further proceedings in regard to this Bill be postponed until after the return of the Judges from Circuit." He (the Lord Chancellor) thought it right to state to the House that a case of a nature precisely similar to the one which had given rise to the Bill in question had re cently come before - one of the - Judges on the circuit, in Ireland, and in order to give an opportunity for a further consideration of the question, the jury had. at the suggestion of the Judge, returned a special verdict, so as to bring the case before the Court of Queen's Bench in Ireland,., and ultimately the matter would. probably be . brought before their Lordships. Their Lordships would allow.him to suggest that in con sequence of the public notification now given, he appre hended no inconvenience would result from the postpone ment of the Bill. He begged to mention also that the Com mittee would proceed, notwithstanding what he had now stated, to the other matters referred to their determination. Lord BROUGLIAM said he hoped, after public notice had been given to the. statement of his Noble Friend, and the question being before the Committee, no persons in Ireland would risk the miserable consequences that may ensue if they acted on the possibility that, the mar riages being invalid, they may contract a new one. Whoever so acted must be understood to e do so at his or her high peril. Lord CAMPBELL concurred in what had fallen from his Noble Friend, and more especially as he received a letter from one of the Judges in Ireland, stating that a second special verdict had been given on the subject, at the Carrickfergus Assizes, before Judge Judge Crampton, a person of great talents and learning, also directed, a similar special verdict at the Armagh Assizes. Both cases would probably come before their Lordships, and they would have an opportunity of de tiding on the subject. LEICESTER ROADS' IMPROVEMENT BILL. A message from the Commons brought up the Leiees tor Roads Repair and Improvement Bill. CORN-LAWS.-1 - 10 IT I t.—(lla LAND.) The Martinis of CLANRICARDE presented tt peti tion from a hotly of operative Irish millers against the importation of Flour into Ireland. BAPTIST AFFIRMATION BILL. Lord DENMAN presented a petition in favour of the Baptist Affirmation Bill. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ENGLISH AMBASSA DOR AT MADRID. The Marquis of CLANRICA RDE said, when a differ ence arose between the French and Spanish Governments, as to the reception to be given to the French Ambas sador, it was understood that the Noble Earl intended our Minister'at Madrid to support the same view of the question as was taken by the French Government. But the Spanish Minister had stated in the Senate of 'Ma drid that the English Government had subsequently thought fit to change its opinion pn this sub ject. This statement having been made, both in the French and Spanish Chambers, as to the views of this Government, there was no reason why the two Houses of Parliament should not be equally well informed as those chambers. He would, tnerefore, ask the Noble Earl, if he had any objection to lay on the table of the House, any instructions he may have given to the minister at Madrid, or if there had been any alteration in the views of her Majesty's Government on this subject. Lord ABERDEEN said he had no objection to an swer the question of the Noble Marquis, although on pr a o e r t e i e onen result, curiosity whateverthan one e s tslulabtj subjeuld ct it might be the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, or however it might be expressed, it was not communicated wase ad Pe t r o h aly s to the Spanish Government till some time after the French Ambassador had left Madrid, 'and there fore could hair() had no bearing at all on the conduct of the Ambassador. There had been a serious attempt to overthrow the present Go vernment of Spain, and when that was put down, much acrimony of feeling against the French Govern ment, and against those parties who were supposed, whether truly or not, to have been connected with that amount. It appeared, therefore, most important that a friendly feeling should be retained ; and her Majesty's Government looked with great anxiety to a renewal of the good understanding which before subsisted, There- INCOME TAX. Lord BROUGIIAM having presented petitions from the Lord I;rovost and Corporation of Glasgow, and from the parish of St. James's, Westminster, against the Corn-laws, said that he was about to give a notice for to-morrow on a subject of the greatest importance. Eiehad given notice io his Noble• Friend, the Presiden Df the Board of Trade, to whose department the subjee more immediately related, of the resolutions which to. morrow it was his intention to submit to their Lordships. He should not at present enter into discussion on the sub ject, but should confine himself to reading the resolutions on which he to-Morrow proposed taking the sense of their Lordships. He had been induced to adopt this course - in consequence of what he had seen on the 'votes of the other House of Parliament. In those votes and the other documents laid before the House he perceived present advised, he could ae which, nir a e s a a p t probation, more especi a lly the outline of a very important financial plan, to the l ive his i p w a a r r t t o; to that part of it which referred to the great improve ment proposed in our commercial tariff.—(Hear, hear.) He perceived by the votes that the duty on spirits had been already agreed to, and that a part of that duty was proposed to be confined to Ireland. From that he gathered that it was the intention of her Majesty's Government that the increased spirit duty should be confined to Ireland; and he also thought from that circtimstanee,there were just grounds for supposing that there was some foundation for those reports which had generally gOne abroad, that it was the intention of the Government 'to propose a tax upon income ; he, therefore, proposed to call their Lord ships' attention to the subject, and to-morrow he should submit to their Lordships the following resolutions : His Lordship then read a series of resolutions to the fol lowing effect " 1. That a direct tax upon income ought never to be resorted to, unless in some great emergency of public affairs, when an extraordinary expenditure may become unavoidable for a time, or in some pressure upon the finances of the country, which can be sustained by no other means. " 2. That such a tax ought, on no account, to form part of the ordinary revenue of the State, but to cease with the necessity which alone could justify its imposi tion—inasmuch as, besides all the other objections to which-it-is liable, its inquisitorial operation being equally vexatious whatever sums are levied, the facility of in creasing its amount according to the real or supposed exigencies of the public service offers a constant tempta tion to extravagance on the part of the Government, re moving the most effectual check upon improvident et penditure, and dispensing with the necessity of seeking a revenue in retrenchment. " 3. Thatialthough the actual deficiency in the revenue to meet the expenditure,amounting to e ncabove f or nextoo ,0001. in five years, and the estimateyear, amounting to above 2, 500,0001., besides probable de affairs in the East, mends arising from the sta te may render the temporary r ecourse to an income tax necessary, after an attempt to increase by l -20th the ' d d of deficiency duties of Excise and Customs had ended in obtaining a 200th only, thereby proving the impossibility of draw ing any further revenue from increased taxes on con • sumption, while the relief which may justly be expected both to commerce and to finance, from lowering those taxes, cannot be made immediately available, yet it . ' behoves the Parliament, as. faithful guardians of the people's rights and interests, W take care that during the temporary existence of this tax its pressure shall be distributed in such a manner as shall make it most easily and most patiently be borne. " 4. That with this view it is first of all necessary to satisfy the people that there shall be no invidious exemptions, but that the highest personages in the State shall be permitted to bear their due of a burden which absolute neccessity alone could warrant the Parliament to impose. " 5. That with the same view it is expedient to make a distinction between income arising from capital of every description and income arising from labour, merely by levying a smaller proportion on the latter ineome . than the former. "6. That with the same view it is expedient: to make a distinction between income possessed by persons who have only an interest in the same fur their lives, or for some lesser term, and income possessed by persons who have a n inter e st in the capital whence the income- arises BANKRUPTCY LAWS. The LORD CHANCELLOR laid on the table of the House his Bill for amending the laws relating i to bank ruptcy. He would reserve any statement of his intentions respecting this Bill till its second reading. At present he should state that many of the provisions of the Bill were founded on the report of Commissioners who had been ap pointed for the purpose of considering the laws relating to bankruptcy. It wasoin some respects similar to the Bill on this subject of his Noble and Learned Friend (Lord Cottenham), who had preceded him (the Lord Chan cellor) on the Woolsack. Those points on which the two Bills differed would be discussed at a further stage of the Bill. In answer to a question from Lord BROUGHAM, The LORD CHANCELLOR said that what he proposed was this : It had been recommended by the Commissioners referred to, and had been suggested, he believed, by some of the principal merchants of the City of London, that in consequence of the increased facilities of communication the jurisdiction of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy, which, according to old practice, was confined to within forty miles of London, should be extended throughout the island. He (the Lord Chan cellor) proposed to extend the jurisdiction in accord ance with that recommendation. Earl FITZWILLIAM presented petitions against the Corn-laws from several places in Northamptonshire, the West Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and the county of Durham ; and also from the boroughs of Sheffield and Sunderland. The Noble Lord said he would take that opportunity of stating that he was never so much astonished as he was at the proposition of Go vernment for a property tax. They might call it a pro perty tax, in order to get a little popularity, but it was in reality an income tax. It would have been far better if they had at once distinctly laid on a land tax. The present proposition would be in effect a land tax. LOANS SOCIETIES BILL. This Bill was read - a third time and passed. APPRENTICES REGULATION BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. PRESBYTERIAN MARRIAGES. Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from Smith borough, in Northamptonshire, praying for a measure to legalize mixed marriages of Protestants and Presbyte rians The House then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, MARCH 14. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'Clock. SUDBURY IMPROVEMENT BILL. The Sudbury . Improvement Bill was brought in and read a first time. SEVERN NAVIGATION. Lord MARCUS HILL presented a petition from Evesham jn favour of the Severn Navigation Bill. SOUTHWARK IMPROVEMENT BILL. Sir W. JOLLIFFE presented a petition from certain individuals, praying to be heard by Counsel against the (No. 2) Southwark Improvement Bill ; also a petition from the parish of St. Saviour's, to the same effect. GLASGOW RAILWAY BILL. Mr. MARK PHILIPS presented a petition praying for certain alterations in the Glasgow Railway Bill. ARDROSSAN HARBOUR. Leave was given to bring in the Ardrossan Harbour . Bill. GRAVESEND PIERS. The Gravesend Town Pier Bill, and the Gravesend Terrace Pier Bill, were respectively brought in, and read a first time. MARYLEBONE VESTRY BILL. Sir B. HALL presented a petition from the Vestry and Parish of St. Pancras against this Bill. The Hon. Baronet wished to ask the Hon. Member for Lyming• ton one or two questions in regard to this Bill, which were of considerable importance. He wished to know, first, whether it was the intention of the framers of this Bill to alter Sir J. Hobhouse's Bill; secondly, he wished to know whether it was intended to introduce any clause affecting the Poor-law Commissioners ; and, thirdly, ho should be glad to hear when the second reading of the Bill was proposed. Mr. MACKINNON said (as we understood), that having been requested to take charge of this Bill, any thing which he might say, might be considered as com ing from the framers and advocates of the Bill. In answer to the first question, whether it was intended to alter Sir J. Hobhouse's Bill, he begged to say that it was intended only to amend the errors of that Bill, and not to have a new Bill at all. In respect to the second ques tion, as to what was to be done with regard to the Poor law Commissioners, he begged to state distinctly that it was not the intention of this Bill either to give any power or to take any power away from the Poor-law Commis sioners ; the intention was to leave whatever power at present existed in the vestry, or whatever power at present existed in the Poor-law Commissioners, exactly in the same state as it was now. In reply to the third question as to the second reading, of the Bill, he begged to say that he saw no reason what ever for not reading it to-morrow night. BRANDLING JUNCTION RAILWAY BILL. Mr. GREENEbrot!gkttp the Report on this Bill. SOUTHWARICIMP . ROVENIENT BILL. Mr. B. WOOD presented a petition from certain in habitants of Southwark, against this Bill. MARYLEBONE IMPROVEMENT BILL. Mr. LEADER presented a petition from the parish of St. James, Westminster, Complaining of certain clauses in the Marylebone Improvement Bill. The Hon. Mem ber then moved that the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Standing orders. Mr. GREENE opposed the motion. After a few words from Sir B. HALL, and from Mr. LEADER, in repy, Mr. MACKL. NON said the Bill did not affect the interests of the petitioners in the slightest de g ree. As far as the parish of St. James's was concerned, the new Bill was the same as the old one. Mr. MILES suggested that the petition should not be referred to the Meet Committee on Standing Orders, The SPEAKER observed, that the prayer of the peti tion was against the second reading of the Bill, and not that it be referred to a Committee. Mr. LEADER said the reasdn the petitioners had made that prayer was, they were under the impression it was the only prayer they could make. All he then sought was, that the petition should be referred to the Committee on Standing Orders, or to the Committee on Private Bills, merely to ascertain whether the Standing Orders had been complied with or not. After a few words from Mr. SHAW, Mr. LEADER said he hoped that it would be taken into consideration to-morrow, on the second reading; that there was a complaint of this sort, and that the Bill would not be passed partially, because it was only a pri vate Bill, for he could assure the House that it affected public interests to a very great extent. The motion was then withdrawn. MARRIAGES (IRELAND). Sir R. BATEMAN presented several petitions from Pr( sbyterians in the North of Ireland, praying for an amendment of the laws relating to mixed marriages in that country. EDUCATION (IRELAND). The same HON. MEmnEa presented also several peti tions from places in the counties of Down and London del ry, in favour of the system of education adopted by the Church Education Society. CORN -r AWS Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORIT presented a petition for the repeal of the Cern-laws from Newtownards, in the county of Down, unani►nously agreed to at a public meeting, convened by public requisition. Newtownards is the principal town on the estate of the Marquis of Londonderry,: and is situate in the centre of a district entirely agricultural. The petition is signed by 1,600 inhabitants of that town. The petitioners state that they are chiefly working men, having no other property but the labour of their hands. That your Honourable House has passed laws to raise the price of bread, al though you have refused to pass any law to keep up wages. Your petitioners allege that this is unjust legis lation ; and they therefore pray your Honourable House to blot out, and for ever, the broad-tax from the statute books of the United Kingdom. Mr. MARK PHILIPS presented a petition from a parish in Manchester, stating that the distress now prevailing among the poorer classes of the country, was• owing to the duties upon the neces saries of life, and praying for a repeal of the Corn and Provision-laws ; also a petition from an individual in Manchester, praying for the abolition of the law of primogeniture. Dr. BOWRING presented a petition from the Mayor of Bolton, praying that the operation of the Bill for the improvement of boroughs might not be entrusted to irresponsible and self-appointed officers ; also a petition from a place in Lancashire, praying for a total repeal of the Corn-laws. Colonel FOX presented a petition from certain inha bitants of Stepney, praying for a repeal of the Corn laws and a removal of the restrictions upon commerce. THE CORN-LAWS. Mr. LEA DER presented a petition from the parish of St. James, Westminster, against the new Corn-law Bill. Mr. HASTIE presented a petition from Paisley, against the Corn-laws. Mr. B. BALDWIN presented sixteen petitions from the county of Cork and the Queen's County, against the importation of flour into Ireland, D,Ty. J, O'BRIEN presented a petition from the Grand Jury of the county of Clare, for greater protection ft.r Irish oats and other produce. EASTHOrE presented petitions from Way. Mink PAW Qther places, against the Cora-laws. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL presented some petitions from a number of Irish millers against the importation of flour into Ireland. . . Sir W. CLAY presented a petition against the pre sent Corn-laws. IZEFORM OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from Fins bury praying for a Radical Reform of the House of Commons. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. WODElloUSiiiegied to give notice, that on to-morrow, he would move that a statement be laid on the table of the House, shewing the average price of barley in the years of 1838, 1839, 1840, and 1841 ; also for a similar return respecting the port of Stettin. Dr. BOWRING pursuant to notice, begged "to inquire respecting returns ordered during the last Session, as to the taxes in continental countries, especially those levied on land." He would take that opportunity of stating that he had no reason to complain of the want of courtesy and attention on the part of Government. He found them very willing to give attention to any application of his. With respect to the returns, he had found them of a very unsatisfactory nature. The Hon. Gentleman was proceeding to state that on a subject of such importance as this, the Orders of the House ought to be promptly attended to, when he was inter rupted by cries of " Order, order, Chair, chair." Sir R. PEEL said that several returns had been re ceived, and others had not. Some of those returns which had been received, were not drawn up in a form to make them intelligible. The returns were not complete ; but he should examine those which had been received, and he had no objection to give the most perfect returns. Dr. BOWRING made some observation respecting former returns, which did not reach us. Mr. GLADSTONE would take that opportunity of stating that the returns respecting France (as we under stood) should be laid on the table of the House in the course of this evening. On the motion of Mr. MACKINNON, the follow ing Members were nominated a Select Committee, to improve the health of towns by preventing interments within their precincts :—Mr. Mackinnon, Sir Matthew Wood, Mr. D'Eyncourt, Lord Ashley, Mr. T. Dun combe, Mr. Evelyn Dennison, Sir W. Clay, Sir R. H. Inglis. Mr. Beckett, Mr. Ainsworth, Viscount Sandon, Mr. Cowper, Colonel Acton, Mr. Vernon, and Mr. Kemble. EXPORTATION OF COALS. Mr. G. PALMER gave notice, that when the ques tion of the duty on the exportation of coals came to be considered, he should take the sense of the House upon it. IRISH SPIRITS. Mr. O'CONNELL, in an almost inaudible tone of voice, put a question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, relative to the duty on Irish spirits; and he wished to know whether Scotch spirits were to compete with the Irish market ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the duty would now stand in Ireland as it did in England. NORFOLK RURAL POLICE. Mr. DUNCOMBE gave notice that in the course of a few days he should meve for the return of all letters be tween the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Chief Constable of Norfolk, or the chief con stabulary agent of Norwich, relative to the conduct of the rural police in that county. INCOME TAX. Mr. BARING gave notice that to-morrow he should ask a question of the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government, in order to ascertain the pro posed mode of enforcing payment of the income tax. Mr. BROTHERTON begged to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he intended to propose any modification in the mode of collecting the passenger tax on railways ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had received various proposals for changing the mode in which the duty was at present levied ; and he bad no objection to consent to an alteration, provided the re venue was not diminished. He had made a proposal on the subject to several parties connected with railways, to which he had as yet received no answer. Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Vice-President bf the Board of Trade, whether it was his intention to bring on the discussion of the Railways Regulations Bill that even ing, as he and several other Members had amendments to propose. Mr. GLADSTONE had no intention to proceed with the Bill before that day week. Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY proposed that leave of absence should be given to the Hon. Member for Wareham until the 15th of April. After a short conversation, the motion was agreed to. EASTER RECESS. Sir R. H. INGLIS hoped it would be convenient to his Right Hon. Friend, the First Lord of the Treasury, to state what day before Easter it was his intention to pro pose that the House should be adjourned. _ _ Sir ROBERT PEEL trusted that the House would consent to sit to the latest possible period before Good Friday ; he would therefore propose that it should sit until Thursday week, as it would very much facilitate the progress of public business; he would propose that the Houseshould sit on Thursday also ; that it should be adjourned on that evening, and that it should meet again on the Monday week following. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Sir GEORGE GREY wished to ask the Noble Lord, the Secretary for the Colonies, whether he meant to bring in a Bill for the regulation of South Australia, and when it would be ready to be laid on the table of the House. Lord STANLEY said that the Bill for the regulation of the Colony of South Australia was prepared, and he would move for leave to bring it in as soon as possible. It would be laid on the table of the House in the course of a day or two. The delay was caused by some tech nichal difficulties in preparing it. He wished to state that it was his intention to bring in the Bill as soon as possible. RURAL POLICE. An Hos. MEMBER wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it was liis intention to bring in a Bill for the further regulation of the rural police ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM said it was not the intention of her Majesty's Government to bring in any Bill, either to repeal, vary, or alter the Rural Police Bill, but it was the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of parish constables. CORN - IMPORTATION DUTIES. Lord WORSLEY wished to ask the Right Hon. Ba ronet, the First Lord of the Treasury, what amount of revenue he expected would be obtained from the corn importation duties? Sir R. PEEL was understood to decline answering the question for the present. They would enter into the whole subject on Friday next. THE _INCOME TAX. Mr. C. BULLER wished to put a question to the Right Honourable Baronet at the head of her Ma jesty's Government, which appeared to him to be ofcon siderable importance with respect to the House and their constituents, upon the subject of the Right . Hon. Gentle man's proposal of an income tax. The Right Hon. Gentleman had mentioned the subject for the first time on Friday last ; and on Friday next he meant, as he had stated, to take the opinion of the House upon the reso • lotion for the adoption of that tax. Now, as the subject was of that kind which would render it desirable that the opinion of the country with regard to it should be known before the House came to any decision, he wished to ask the Right Hon. the Speaker, whether, according to the forms of the H ouse , i t wou ld b e possible if the House should agree in the first stage to adopt the Right Hon. Baronet's resolution, it would be possible afterwards to receive any petition from the people against the adoption of the tax ? The SPEAKER, in reply to the question of the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, said that it was 'against the rules of the House that any petition should be received against any tax which had come under the consideration of tho House ; and therefore, after the Right Hon. Baronet had proposed his resolution, it would be impos sible to receive any resolution against the tax iq question. EXCHEQUER BILLS - FRAUD BILL. Lord J. RUSSELL wished to put a question to the Right Honourable Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, respecting the time at which he tended to bring on the discussion of tile Exchequer Frauds Bill. It was desirable that the subject should be considered in a full House, and not, at any late period of the evening. He wished to know whether the Right Honourable Gentleman meant to bring for ward the Bill to-night, and, if so, whether he meant it should take precedence of other business ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was his intention to suggest that the House should go into Committee that evening. He would take care that the Bill should be immediately printed ; and in the bringing up of the Report to-morrow, he would propose that the dis cussion should take place upon any part of the Bill upon which discussion might be thought necessary. But in the amendmentS he had introduced into the Bill he had endeavoured to obviate all, or at least many, of the ob jections which had been urged against it on its first in troduction. He was desirous that the House should go into Committee upon the Bill immediately before proceeding to the other Orders of the Day. THE INCOME TAX. _ _ _ Mr. C. BULLER would put it to the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government, whether, after the statement which had been made from the Chair, he was still determined on proceeding with his pro posal of a property tax on Friday next. He would put it to him, whether it was not desirable that some more time should be given to the country for expressing its opinion upon a matter of th e ki nd ? Sir R. PEEL said it has his intention to proceed with the resolution on Friday next.—(Loud cries of " Hear hear," from the Ministerial benches.) , THE EXCHEQUER BILLS FRAUD. Lord J. RUSSELL said that it appeared to him that the course which the Right Honourable Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposed to take upon this Bill would be an inconvenient one; because if he were to take the decision upon the l3ill to-morrow, there would be the same objection to his taking such a step as on this evening, inasmuch as there were other motions on the paper for to-morrow which would occupy their time till a very late hour. He thought it would be better that the Right Hon. Gentleman should appoint the discussion for an early hour some other eveling. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he would have the Bill printed on to-iaorrow ; and lie would in the evening name the day he should think most convenient for its discussion. SPANISH DIPLOMACY, Mr. SHIEL wished to pat a cineation to the Right Honourable 7-. ll 4reuet At the head of th e G overn ment, relative to e erta l n events which had lately taken place In Spain. In order to make the question intelli gible, he would offer a few introductory observations. It was notorious that the French Government had sent M. Salvandy to Spain with the intention that he should deliver his credentials to the Spanish Queen, Tio Spanish Government had unanimously come to a decision m condemnatory n z o a f l es, the t h p e r e i di cif, on the 27th of February, declare d that the' tish Government had at first appeared satisfied ?: . e e n side g nt the course taken by the French Governm ent, but tint, Lord Aberdeen had afterwards changed his ° p into _ of o f t h t e h e } c re There could be no. doubt that any discussion en; that House made on the Chamber of e pt ! t te t r ought to be deprecated ; but if a French Min?s, stated facts which affected the character of a Wins: , Minister, he thought they had a right to expect an planation uin the matter. Now, he found that M. Guizot, on the 10th of this month, stated r !, he had official kn ow l e d ge of a despatch sent by,suic7, Aberdeen to our Mi n ister at Madrid, in ' h Lord Aberdeen gave his full sanction to the pr : 0 1,.. ceeding taken by the French Government. .).cto Guizot added that he had too notch in the firmness of mind and in the' honour of . 1 -4'';7 , : Aberdeen, to suppose that he would retract that oln.nr e p His (Mr. Sheil's) question was, whether Lord - 1 " or deen had written any despatch to . our Minister, Madrid, signifying his approval of the course sidoptedl, the French Government in reference to the deliver) , the credentials of M. Salvandy ; and vvhether 1, 1 5 Aberdeen, after having written such a despute.h.l expressed a different opinion to that which he origal" entertained. HO Sir R. PEEL cordially agreed with the Right. s _ for : Gentlemen in lamenting that the necessity did making references in that House to debates and (Z ia sions which might take place in a popular the' another country. In order that he might e'P ) - 0 , 1 course pursued by Her Majesty's Govermen t ne m . subject brought under their consideration, it was eost' sary he should enter into some details• hot , ea ever opinion her Majesty's Government migh t ,1 net tertained or expressed upon the subject, 2: e o.- ta w! the slightest practical influence upon the eon — on eeni by the Spanish Government. Th e Spanish G° lte Be f o re had taken its course upon its own sense of 0) % ea t hid the opinion expressed by her Majesty's Govern l)3 oo a of. been received at Madrid the question was di ie , s PEeell, M. Salvandy was accredited by the King of „ to the Queen of Spain. The English GovernT; c i s dif heard with great regret, that at a critical pe rt the ' Go ference of opinion was likely to ari se between vernment of France and the Governm entvet that might lead to an interruption of all diplein s " - f e lt 4 tions between the two countries. They therefore too their duty, actuated by a feeling of interest in % 01 -0' of Spain, to tender their advice to the Spanish . 4 . r ola' ment with reference to that possible case of till, e poil There had been recently in Spain an attempt 'n i t; t ie the Palace of the Queen at Madrid—an attenl" opt her person, and there had been considerable excit;po,,, and disturbance in some of the prop inces °, f sof! The deliberate feeling of the people °I sbl° in favour of the existing Government , e o eba; that Government to suppress the attempts in o ,, e iv e`, They thought it would be unfortunate in every : 00 1 ' the diplomatic interest between France and Spai n do pro; it be suspended. They had very re2ently Ina rno rt o e posals to the northern Courts, pakticularly the Austria, earnestly recommending them to r t i ose tho existing Government of Spain, for the pulp tha t giving stability to that Government, and thro n n ,g s eive i stability encouraging the people to apply t he 7 s voe tr i to the pursuits of industry, and to the ordinnr), and tions which marked a state of tranquilh t •qe 513 they entertained fears, that if there shouldi,etweell interruption of the diplomatic intercourse othe r France and Spain, their efforts to induce tl e vere . Governments of Europe to recognise the „ et' meat of , Spain might fail. They theref°r"oie pressed to the Government of Spain a hope that it ues ee ll , be possible to reconcile these differences. Th e 1 rfi'„ P arose upon the 59th article of the Constitutio n • all article declared that the Regency should exercise o f tbd authority of the Queen, in whose name the acts; 011" Government should be performed. They ogl e r; the Government of Spain th a t it might sible that an arrangement should take eew," which should reserve to the Regent of in s f l ; the whole of the authority which til e 01 S e r tution intended to devolve upon him, and sh 00,1 respect the Royal dignity in what appeared to '0 1 a matter of ceremony and etiquette th an a substa n „,:k; They suggested that these l e tt ers s h ou ld be ( k il l ,' s t the Queen in the presen c e o f th e Regent, t act of authority connected w ith th e reply I° t letters should be performed by the Reg e ' e a . rit l e course somewhat similar to that had been f both in the case of Greece and of ,the, e 00 • 14 when the Sovereign upon the Throne was a n s ,i,iiveJ the case of Greece the letters of credence were - n; to the Infant King in the presence of the R e g t e ie ' c''' were handed by the King to the Regent. 1 1 of Brazil, the Regent of Brazil issued a L' e- per o f quiring the letters of credence of foreign,. ace h f sadors to be delivered to him in the e11,,e(1 the King. That assump ti on b y hi m wa s re s ' o . 11 2 4 the Courts which h a d accre dit e d Minis an an arrangement w a s ma d e b y which the le tter delivered to the R egen t, i n the presence of ea bitl 0 Before that advic e , h owever , cou ld b e r eceive job . !J Spanish Government, that Government acted up on lie construction of the Constitution of Spain. Ile 0 g c '' • that Government acted with perfect sincerity t wo . 6: 0 that construction to the article of Regency t it i :ol vernment resolved, and the Cortes resolved, the inconsistent with the C ons tit u ti on th a t the (297 e n,'', receive the letters of c re denc e , but that e, , ,1 ; act of ceremony should be performed by thf .0 himself. They never questioned the,. .k i ,„ right 'of the Spanish Gover n m e nt t o own construction upon its own Constini 4 o as he said before, the Spanish Governargt. give that constructi on t o t h e Constitution, and,' '50 1 , 0 4 P. upon it before th e i r a d v i ce was received „T ee d er" They regretted th a t th at construct i on was P' - the,'' r e the article, entertaini ng a s i ncere d es i re to pro mos e , O l , 4 faro of Spain, and fearing that those consequenc es v ` r fenf.,:‘; suit which had resulted from the diplomatic int,, of France ; but they had never questioned t P",epttl f ei right of the Spanish Government and th e h „ r iti , ,,,,l authorities, who were the superior author h" decide this question for themselves.--(' l '' t he jzr The advice was offered before they knew 0 0] ‘ , ii struction which would b e p u t u p o n ° e n v' , and no other Po wer h a d a r i g ht to clu a ',,f' tl,lo them for their inte r pr e t a ti on o f an a rticle on own Constitution. Their opinion, It owev 0. 4 f t ; O , subject had never changed. lie (Sir 1 1 ° 1 1,i knew not on what authority the Ilonourav'ere tleman said that M. Gonzalez stated that tb e been a change of opinion on the part of t h e e c ret ° ,P, Government. Their opinion was that the x might be performed by the Duke. They °, ll ii e e etiay , ele suggestion to the Spanish Government, in 'Pio the interpret tion which might be put upon t 'n , h ich by the Spanish au th or iti es . Th at re p o rt, t' ie t t „ ° 0 1 Right Hon. Gentleman had referred, with r ° !,, fo il " Of allegation of M. G onza l es , was ent i n dy , 111.0 tion. M. Guizot was certainly e orree' fr i vo l assumption that the opi n i ons of th e , Va t ;10 Government had undergon e no change.e a m si i' o sv ti o , il e ij, o o , answered, as well as he was abl e , the qu Hon. Gentleman. He trusted that the House Ile j ot far as possible, abstain from these refer ences' , 114 mitted that the Ri g ht H on . G ent l eman had eb`: e tir distinction betwe e n o th er cases an d cases : ), ao . question arose as to the conduct of the Bri t ' s q ltilesr . meat. He had co n fi ne d hi mse lf t o the to sought by the Right Honou ra bl e Gentlell33lfl;reliCe the hear.) He had stadiously avoided all re ; r debates, whether in th e Sp an i s h L eg islat li tb - ing ' - ‘ 1„ Chamber of Deputies, b e li ev i ng that nn `.,,11, greater tendency to provoke feelings of excite mutual r ecrimination, than allusions t,O „ tb ° in the Legislature of o th er States.—(Hear , ne- d wit, Lord PALMERSTON- said he quite ngr ec eesi ° , l Right Honourable Baronet in deprecating ha ve the Legislature of one country, to what mig ht in the Legislature of another. But, Sept . it there was perhaps Something still more to be . fort f fb° 0 which was that a misconception should P it ons it tei' l Europe with regard to the conduct and °P l ecsl be erJ i. i Government of this country upon r o de itt tions of great importance.'-(Hear, hear' no es' j 5 Ho thought, under ' all the circnl n t i p l it would hare been an unworthy into the effle prof%i br io h ll a, now, for the first time since the Goveron' ic eptl ° ,4eg possession of power, that' inise ni- e oen t i ,• ,l l h arisen, and had been repeated in foreig i n Vigo to the opinions and expressions O. the.,,,,g1c1,,;ti Government. He begged to .a" it " h ot' " - J o Honourable Baronet,. therefore, wli r eth e d r oe silo on inconvenient in this case to p ursu e the e ° „" f er 6 7„y ;„ been adopted with regard to the et fr ie y n - r . " the occupation of Algiers, and hes lei Co * Pe ° the table of' the Hous e any de s - u o rd structions that had be en forwarded to teoreet4glan.; Mr. Aston, with respect to the differenc e wh ich v a nger mwa stood naadsSdpitevaosiii with regard France, el he T ge h aet l a d t af w tot ro a t h s tw h ohs o ehe w altea t eon h vng e e tru p rail o gr: s ii i ii t eg i ot o hit n ot iti hhe v t i l e os_vh : essr d i P etil vernment should be cleared up. n . 9 11 0 e I Sir ROBERT PEEL said he Se i e % ote t ce e lle had no other motive but to P l ' •oteri e— i e tee the fare of the country, and the, 1 lelV " J h l o the English Government was mad sr) , that t wald same desire. His present impression inJ duction of the papers referred to `l n d, no d oo to the English Government, yet prudent course. Though it wont" , be ne ia neat' . tage either to Spain or France. a firs"p • Mr. SHIEL said the statement Chronic orer'' the Morning Herald and the Morning , Ge c o/ • the -rA ll h f the t ot Sir R. PEEL said at the time ot aware o ment offered its advice, they were n e nt p l y; t • o vernln struction which the Spanish titutio n, f eel" ; the particular article of the cons theYP t ' of it , t to moment they were aware _ vertuee n the right of the Spanish (Jo its own interpretation on the harter. ILLs• ft" EXCHEQUER B ed through Come„,l It would ay , The Exchequer Bills Bill L BURDENS CORN IMPORTATION 151 •ttee cJ LAND- • c rA prot the Corn Importation Bill, rdhalmotion en the Mr. WARD brought for . it! w he yee reason to n ii e; , le said d notice ;10 burdens" on land. I • lie had given that the motion of which legislation on the r tit if The House having resolved itself into point of fact, necessary e tor 10 the earliest mom It , 1 had taken forward. 110 he was disappointed _.„he him for the discussion, bill, a subject, and it was n earance of the b 3 Ol hopes by the very unuhsu pp k a li arose doubtless from : et • i t Baron opposite on that day, w - Honourable ,„,ee Right bi a s fault if he had not brong en natural wish to give the. , orte nt stan,elY e , won.,a forwaru was , But the motion he had brought estion. It s l essential to a consideration of the qu red au" li d it had acqul trinsically important, an ; that had bee day's relaxation before making his imp , importance by the opinions out ° ,; 0 0 The subject was very generally theonsiderto- vs § Into c bu rp House too. Mr. M'Culloch went in here were theE eci that I expressed both in that House an debutedof it.'"l/41 it very carefully, and ass= I, 1 i(1) 5I „, 1 4 , 1 ,411 i 144 i 14 tf *IL t k obi 1.41 b, P() 11, 1.41 4+4 ~~8 ~' :, ~~ 4, 1 / 4 -!k( 4,, t,,, it :42 .04,01