The Sun. — London, England, 1833-05-03 00:00:00

esteemed a cdnPsientious duty. So far as the Hon. Mem •ber had spoked of the• distiess of the people of Ireland, the case he had brought forward was most fully made out. There was no doubt of the distresses of the coun try, and instead of being diminished, it was increased — increased too by the strong arm of the law. He was not going to discuss the Coercive Bill, but he must say that the strong arm of the law encouraged bad landlords, of whom he did not pretend to speak with forbearance, to act with greater rigour than ever towards their tenants. There were more notices to quit served from the 25th of • March and the Ist of May than there bad been for twenty years past. There was not any demand upon the pea• gantry that was not now rigorously enforced, and the re sult was such, that lie was sure the Government would require the same Act next year, in order to repress those heart-burnings that the misconduct of bad landlords, acting under the protection of the present Bill bad occa sioned. It was said that the poor laws would assist in potting an end to the disorders among the peasantry. Ile did not entertain that opinion. Then again it was said that the introduction of the poor laws into Ireland would prevent the annual influx of Irish labourers into this country. It would have no such effect ; but, on the contrary, when the Irish landlords found they had to support the family of the poor Irish peasant, they would find it their interest to send the man himself cff to England ; and as he would not have, as ❑ow, to save money for the support of his family, he would be able to work at even a less rate of wages than a• present. There was one subject connected with the poor laws to which he had not yet adverted, but respecting which it was impossible to be silent; he alluded to the demoralizing influence of the laws affecting bastardy, which arose out of the provision fur the poor, as it already existed in England. It was, as the House well knew, in some parts of the country, an extremely good speculation for a man to marry a woman who had had two bastards. Good God ! could he be then speaking of Englishmen ? He did not for a moment mean to insinuate that Englishmen did not naturally en tertain as just a sense of personal propriety and domestic honour as other men ; but, merciful Heaven ! how they must have been degraded and demoralized by the poor laws, before they could have sunk to such a depth below the moral dignity of other nations, as thus to speculate for subsistence upon a double prostitution, and live upon the produce of their wire's dishonour ! They might im pose what restrictions they thought proper on the unfor tunate Irish—they might, in the exercise of the power intrusted to them, abuse their authority, and make Ire- land the subject of the severest and most tyrannical regu lations which the perverted ingenuity of man could devise; but, do what they might, let them, above all things, not destroy the sense of personal independence which still remained in that country.—(Hear.) Mr. D. W. HARVEY observed, that what the Hon. and Learned Member for Dublin said, was well founded in fact, and sound in reasoning ; it would amount to this— that though he (the Member for Dublin) had all his life been protesting against the tyrannical government of Ire -1 and—though he bad ever been declaiming against the cruel and arbitrary laws imposed upon the Irish people, and the desolation which those laws spread over the land, and the degraded condition to which the people were in consequence reduced—yet now he came forward to picture to them the moral beauty, the propriety, and the rectitude, which, if they were to take his represent ition for the fact, allowed that poor laws were not only not wanted in Ire land, hut would be positively mischievous.—(Hear, hear.) In becoming the advocate of such views, the Hon. and Learned Gentleman lent himself to the doctrines of the political economists, who treated man as if he was a ma chine, or an article of merchandise, and who would apply to human beings the rules of supply and detnand, and con tend that these intelligent beings could be subjected, as if they were bales of cloth or barrels of sugar. He regretted that the 11 , n. and Learned Member fur Dublin, possess ing, as he did, so much influence in Ireland, should lend himself to opinions so adverse to the commonest feelings of humanity, and so opposed to every right that man could cl,e'im of society. The English system of poor laws had been grievously decried ; but lie would put this question— Lad loot all the evils which they produced arisen within the last thirty years? In his opinion, Ireland presented at the present moment a most • favoutable condition for the establishment of a good system of poor laws, and could they but succeed in that, it would prove advantageous to England, not only in the various modes which had been already stated, but likewise as a model for improvements in the English system. Mr. SLANEY was of opinion that Government had alooted the only practicable course, and he hoped, that whatever provision might be made, it would not include the able-bodied, for lie held that there was a wide dis tinction between a provision for the aged, the infirm, and the orphan, and a right in the able-bodied to demand an ample subsistence. He rejoiced heartily that Ministers had agreed to appoint a commission which would institute an honest inquiry into the state of the poor of Ireland. Mr. 11. GRATTAN slid, absentees who abandoned heir country to its misery ought to be compeled by taxa tion to support those whom they made poor. The Le gislature would thus bring to their senses the base de serters of their native land. A species of poor law already existed in Ireland, but the funds were provided only by the lower orders. A rich man built a high fence round his dwelling, but the peasant left his cottage door open for the admission of those who were in want of a meal. The lion. Member contended that the Church also ought to contribute to the maintenance of the poor ; and he re ferred to the authority of St. Chrisostom, in Moore's new 'cork, " The Travels of an Irish Gentleman in Search of a Reli,,jon," to show that such was the opinio❑ of that ve oereble father. He concurred in the amendment of the pllnble Lo: d. Mr. C. PERGUSSON observed that the object of the motion was not •o introduce into Ireland the abuses, but the excellencies of tha, system of English poor laws. He approved of the Commission, but apprehended that the in quiry would not he sufficiently comprehensive, so as to embrace all parts of the :object, and leave no point for fu ture investigation. _ . Mr. HUME was as friendly to the poor as any man ; but having a moral conviction on his mind that great evils existed in the poor laws, he could not conscientiously vote for their adoption in Ireland, which was already sufficiently afflicted. He maintained that the deterioration of the la bouring classes began with the introduction of the poor laws. He contended that the principles of the Hon. Members for Colchester and Kirkcudbright would destroy all security of property. Ile was persuaded, too, that if the system of the poor laws was not corrected in England, it would lead to the total demoralization of the people. He would sug gest that the inquiry should be extended to Scotland—that a Commissioner should go there to inquire into what had been done in that country. Mr. CUTLAR FERGUSSON wished to see relief Oyes to the infirm and aged, and helpless, hut nut to the able-bo.C.2d. Colonel CONOLLY concurred in the views of the Hon. and Learned Member for Dublin, and should sup port the propozition of the Noble Lord.—(Question.) Mr. SHAW agreed in the sentiments expressed on the occasion by the Hon. Member for Dublin, and should, therefore support the amendment of the Noble Lord. Lord ACHESON—Though he entertained an opinion that a modified system of poor laws might prove beneficial to Ireland, yet, upon the whole, thought it better to ac quiesce in the proposition of the Noble Lord. Lord SANDON said that the House was told, that if she poor laws were extended to Ireland the sources of , ; _‘arity would be dried up ; but was that, he would ask, the rase in England ?—(Loud cries of " Question" und coughing.) They should not argue as to any mea sure ficrn its abuses, but rather from its uses.—(Great coughing, a,t5.1 cries of " Question.") He trusted they would inquire i Cao the matter without prejudice, for it was absolutely nßces4.iry, either that Ireland should be made to approximate to England, or else that England should be made to approximata to Ireland. In his opinion the question was not an Irish question only ; it was an English one also. He concluded by regretting that it was obviously the feeling of the House that the project fur poor laws in Leland, however modified, ought to be dis countenanced. Mr. BARRON hoped the Hon. Member fur Knares borough would not now press his motion to a division. Poor laws, in his mind, could alone induce the people when in distress to respect the property of their neigh bours, whom they frequently plundered, because they thought it their duty to preserve themselves and families from starving in the midst of plenty by all and every means in their power. Mr. ESTCOURT thought the amendment of hie No ble Friend seemed designed and framed to.gisotillgo-by to the motion of to.night.—(ll, mr ,,,,i-44,..)- He should, therefOre, suggest that there lat , introduced into the amend ment a recommendation to the commissio n to report whe ther it was expedient to raise any competent sums for the relief of the poor blind and impotent in Ireland. Lord ALTHORP observed that lie hal stated, on the occasion alluded to, that it would not be right in th e Xcaolution adopted by the House to embody in it an re commendation of this kind. It Was better to confine the recommendation to obtainftrg information for the House upon which it might act with safety. He assured his H i n t e ntion to give tit-a question the go-by, but his object was solely to render the Commission subservient to the great object, so as to enable the House to act upon thorough information. Mr. RICHARDS addressed the House at some length in reply. lie quoted, against the opinion of the I-lon. and Leached Member for Dublin, which he highly re specter!, the counter-opinion of another Mr O'Connell, at a meeting in Dublin, at which Lord Cloncurry presided. That gentleman stated that there was a crying necessity for poor larva in Ireland, and that they would not he Christians if they did not, by means of poor laws, attempt to diminish that miss of misery which made Ireland an exception to almost all the nations of Europe. This was so rich—(Loud laughing)—•hat he was not disposed to go further ; but there was one phrase he wished to give them. It was this : ' As I am but newly a convert to this opi. nion," said Air O'Connell, " I come to the advocacy of the subject with all the fervour of a renegade."—(Loud laughter.) He should in this case treat the opinions of these two gentlemen of the same name as two equ 11 quantities on opposite sides of an algebraical equation, and he found they neutralised each other so completely that their effect was precisely nothing.—(lmmoderate laughing.) He disclaimed all prejudice against or toward Ireland and its inhabitants, and assured them his object in this motion was primarily to insure to the Irish peasant and labourer the same comfort and responsibility which had hitherto been the characteristic of the English labourer. He trusted that the Noble Lord would be careful in the selec tion of persons he put upon this Commission, and that he would pl ice none on it who were prepossessed in favour of any particular system, and most especially that he would exclude 311 political economists, to whom the Hon. Member for Middlesex was so partial.—(Loud laughter.) They ought to be men who elicited ficts without accom p toying them with any comments of their own, so as to leave the Legislature at liberty to do what was right upon the premises. Under these circumstances he would not oppose the motion of the Noble Lord. Sir R. PEEL was afraid that in our system of legisla ting on particular objects, we sometimes disregarded the progress of knowledge in other countries. H-, thought that the Noble Lord might glean much, in this emergency, from the law and practice of foreign States will regard ' to their poor. The address was then agreed to, the word " other wise" being substituted alter the words " by law," at the suggestion of Mr. Richards. An HON. 51EMBER, in the absence of Mr. CA YLEY, through indisposition, postponed his motion on the mone tary system. The LORD ADVOCATE moved for leave to bring in a Bill to make the payment of creditors in that part of the kingdom called Scotland more certain and expeditious, and also to regulate money transactions generally there.— Leave granted. HAND-LOOM WEAVERS. Mr. JOHN MAXWELL, in bringing forward his motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to con sider the petitions of the hand-loom weavers in Scotland, for the esttblishment of Boards of Trade to regulate the prices of wages, was ready to withdraw his proposal, if the Noble Lord opposite would consent that the general committer, about to be moved for by him, should be spe cially ins , ructed to consider those petitions. The motion being seconded, Lou' ALTHORP certainly thou2lit it incumbent o❑ the House to show some sympathy for the sufferings of the hand-loom weave's, who, by the competiton of ma chinery, had been reduced to great distress; but, notwith standing this, he very much doubted the propriety of re ferring any such petitions as came from them for boards of trade to regulate wages to a Select Committee, as any such appointment would seem as if the House sanctioned that proposal, whilst, in his opinion, nothing could be more mischievous, or more likely to produce distress than any interference with the equaliz itio❑ of the rate of labour by competition. Mr. ELLICE heard the Noble Lord's sentiments with great regret, as the hand•loom weavers would certainly look upon his determination to be a sign that little or no sympathy existed in the Government for their sufferings. Lord STORMOIrs'"I' did not see any reason why the petition of the parties should not be referred to the Com mittee, to be proposed by the Noble Lord, to inquire into the state of trade and commerce. Lord ALTHORP did not object to the petitions being laid before the Committee. After a few words from Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Fielden, Mr, Tennyson, Mr. Ewing, and Mr. Aglionhy, the mo tion was withdrawn. DOVER ELECTION. Air. lIALCOAIBE rose to make his promised motion respecting the u'e of Government influence at the late elections for Dover. The Hon. Member adverted to several cases in proof of his assertion ; particularly that of Mr. Rigden, the clerk of the Ordnance Works. Mr. Rigden, in the first of the two recent elections, had favoured the Opposition candidates. Immediately after the election, and without any cause assigned, Mr. Itigden w.is sus pended, and Mr. O'Shea was sent for from Ireland to firl his situation. After the second election, how ever, Mr. O'Shea was sent b ,ck to Ireland, and Mr. Rigden was restored to his office. He (Mr. H.) had no doubt that the suspension of Mr. Rigden was made use of by his (Mr. Holcombe's) opponent, Captai❑ Stanhope, for the purpose of deterring other persons in the service of Government from voting against the Go vernment candidates. These circumstances ought, in his opinion, to induce the House to determine to see the cor respondence on the subject. He believed it to be a fact, that the Captains of the Post-office packets had been written to, that if they did not vote for Captain Stan hope, they should be deprived of their situations. He had not himself seen the letters in which that was said— (Hear, bear)—hut the Captains of those vessels had pre viously stated to him that they were most anxious for his success ; and he would ask the House if, when they heard that those Captains afterwards voted for his opponent, they could doubt that there had been Government interfe rence?—(A laugh.) He would further state that he bad received a letter that morning from a person who had been formerly employed in the Government service in Dover, and who stated, that he and five others had been discharged, because they had given their votes in his (Mr. Fialcombe's) favour ; and he understood that another let ter bad come from a gentleman there, in which it was said that 16 more were to be discharged on the same account. The Hon. Gentleman then stated, that in consequence of persons in the employment of Government having refused to support him, unless he produced authority from some member of the Government for them to vote as they pleased, he had written a letter to the Right Hon. Secre tary to the Treasury, stating the scruples of the voters, and requesting the required authority. In the answer which he received, the Right Hon. Gentleman stated that he could not think it probable that the interference men tioned in his letter had taken place, or that threats of any kind bad been used as coming from the Government ; that no person had been authorized by the Government to in terfere, and that " no person would he deprived of his situation for voting as he should think it his duty to do."— (Cheers, and laughter.) The House might think that a very fair answer, and he (Mr. Holcombe) was at first in clined to be of the same opinion ; but still the voters were not satisfied, because the word duty occurred in two places in the course of the letter—(A laugh)—which they con sidered as an indirect way of telling them that it was their duty to vote for the Government candidate. He (Mr. Holcombe) accordingly wrote a second time to the Right Hoe. Gentleman, stating the new difficulty, and requesting an answer in language that would satisfy the voters. Ile would beg attention to the answer, as it was a very short one —(A laugh.) The Right Hon. Gentleman merely slid, " - he had received his letter, and was surprised his former letter on the same subject had not given satisfaction, and he had only to add, that no person %mild he deprived of his situation for giving such a vote as he should think it his duty to give."—(Cheers and laughter.) The Right Hon. Giditleman did not write that they might vote as they pleased, but that they might vote as they considered it their duty - ' to do; and he could tell the House that though Hen. Members might think the terms were syno nymous, he could tell them that at Dover there was a very perceptible distinction between them.—(Loud laugh ter.) He, therefore, wrote again to the Right Hon. Se cret try to the Treasury, that be (Mr. Hilcombe) should think it his duty to bring the matter before the House of Commons, unless he received the support at the poll of every voter in the service of the Government.— (Loud laughter.) The Hon. Member concluded by moving, " That a Committee be appointed to investigate the in terference by, or in name of, the Government, particu larly in the Post e oflice and Ordnance Departments, at the two last eleeti,oo,at Dover." Colonel PERCEVAL seconded the motion. 'Mr. P. THOMSON was astonished, after the flou rish of trumpets with which the Hon. Member had in troduced his name, that not a single fact had been brought forward to connect him with the second election at Dover. He only bad stated something about having heard that a gentleman of Dover had sent the names of sixteen indi viduals belonging to the Ordnance, who had given their votes for him (Mr. Holcombe). Now, be would ask if there was anythin g in that to justify the Hon. Member in bringi ng suc h a charge against him ? As far as regarded his Connection with Dover, he could state (as he bad the poll-hooks before him) that more of those in the employ mentn,,t than in i hntf,te nature heG( l ) , ve ( r oN n fi rc ri. t e Governmentent had voted in favour of his oppo -Irh°ln'a)fa ivonuter.rfer That insthat showed o wed what e Inde e d, so f ar f ront the Go town was.—( Hear, h ear .) vernment candidate (as he was called) receiving support, he (fir. Thomson) had considered himself as rather badly used in not receiving more support.—(Hear, hear.) He had that morning taken the trouble to refer to the various poll-books, when he found that at the time he sat on the Opposition Benches he actually received more support, and was returned by greater majorities, than when he was backed by the Government influence. , —(Cheers.) But he would not pursue the subject further--(Hear, hear)__ he would leave it at once to the judgment of every one who had heard him, and to the decision of the House. All he would say was, that a more cock and bull story he never heard in his life---(Hear)---and he felt pretty sure the House had had quite enough of it.—(lleac.) Sir JAMES GRAHAM confessed that he almost felt ashamed at having a word to say on such a question as this ; but, as the character of a Noble Friend had been as undeservedly as unwisely attacked, he was compelled to say a word or two in justification of him. The Noble Duke alluded to had, in every transaction since he came into office, acted with those under him in the most fair, manly, and straightforward manner ; and be defied any one to bring an instance where he had turned the power of office to a party purpose.—(Cheers.) In no in stance had he used his authority in an unworthy manner; but even if he had done so—if there had been any mal versation of his power, was this the proper place in which to get redress ?—(Hear, hear.) Had not the Hon. Mem - ber access to the courts of I INV, in the practice of which he could boast so much experience—(Hear, and alaugh)— where he was accustomed to argue cases with the same ability which distinguished him there?—(Hear, and laughter). The Hon. Member, with his legal acquire ments, must know that any auch offence as he had been attempting to prove was, under the statute of Ann, visited with special penalties, and that the Postmaster-General, if convicted, would be rendered incapable of ever holding office again. But the Noble Duke, though utterly re gardlesss of any attempt to injure his character—w e n knowing how signally that attempt would fail—was still anxious to clear himself in the eyes of that House, and showing to it that he had in no wise departed from that respect which was ever due to it—(H-ar)—that he had not forgotten whet was due to his own high station, or violated the trust reposed in him by his office.—(Lour) cheers.) As an instance, he would just mention that the post-master at Cardigan having unduly interfered, by the influence of his official situation, in the election at that town, his Grace, on being satisfied of the fact, instantly and for ever dismissed him from his Majesty's service.— (Cheers.) Further lie must state, that previous to the last election, his Grace had forwarded a circular to all the post masters in the kingdom, pointing out the penalties they would be subject to by any attempt in their official cha racter to promote the success of the different candidates.— (lhar.) But lest, as had luckily been foreseen, any thing might hereafter arise, which, by the malevolence of some, or from the disappointment of others, might be turned into a means of attack upon the Government, a letter, which he should read, had been forwarded in No vember last by Sir Francis Freeling to Mr. Hart, the agent for the Dover packets, warning him that any in terference whatever by him or those under him with the fullest fieedom of election, " would not fail to be viewed and treated in the most serious manner, and that he must not fail to take an early opportunity of acquainting all under him with the notice then sent."—(Loud cheers.) Sir James here read the letter, and also one from Mr. Hart, stating that the captains of all the vessels had at the time of election allowed those under them who had votes to remain on shore, and had not by word or deed influenced their votes, and, indeed, knew not, till all was over, which party they had supported. The Hon. Mem ber opposite, he continued, had appealed to the House, and now lie (Sir James) appealed to it. Some idea might be formed of the whole of the Hon. Member's charges from that which he had just refuted, and which he believed might be considered as the touchstone of the whole.—(Cheers.) He thought the House, however, had had too much of the subject already, and he should not call down expressions of impatience by pursuing it.— (Hear, hear.) The House would not condescend to inter fere in what were, in fact, only party squabbles—(Hear, hear)—disputes between Tory and Radical—between Blue and Yellow, or whatever colour might be assumed—they would no longer bear with a subject which had such infi nite varieties, that no one could tell what it really was, or to what good end it really tended.—(Cheers.) One prin ciple the Government had never departed from. They never wished, and never sought to turn their official in fluence to the support of their own power as a Ministry, but they certainly did expect it should not, on any occa sion, be unduly exercised against them.—(Cheers.) After a few words from Sir John Rae Reid, Mr. Mark Phillips, and an Hon. Member, who asserted, " that his Noble Relative was incapable of doing what had been charged tug uinst him," Mr. lIALCONIBE replied, and the motion was nega tived without a division. Mr. EVANS moved for a return of all properties vested in the corporation of Leicester, by virtue of what was called Sir Thomas White's charity. MINISTERIAL COMMISSIONS. Mr. SPRING RICE, on behalf of his Noble Friend (Lord Althorp), postponed till to-morrow (this day), thy motions of Commissions to inquire into the distress which burdened the agriculture and commerce of the country. ADVERTISEMENT DUTY. On the report of the Bill, repealing in part the duty on advertisementi beinz brought, Mr. SPRING RICE moved that it he recommitted this day, Ministers having determin:d to substitute a fixed duty of Is. 6d. on each insertion in lieu of the variable duty previously proposed.—Agreed to. HERT FORD BOROUGH. Mr. BERNAL moved, that the issuing of the writ for a new election for this borough be further provision ally postponed until Monday next, which was agreed to. ASSESSED TAXES. An HON. AIENIBER, whose name we could not learn, expressed his hope that in the Bill to be brought in on this subject, publican's windows might be considered and rated as shop windows. Mr. S. RICE said it must be a very peculiar case in• deed, which would induce his Majesty's Ministers to con. sent to such a proposition. For example, could they look upon the Star and Garter at Richmond in such a light? Mr. R. POTTER said he had been requested by a number of schoolmasters to bring their case under the notice of the Treasury, in the hope that, by allowing their windows to be rated as shop windows, they might partake of the benefits of the intended concession. S. RICE replied, the matter was then under the consideration of the Government. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and ;he House adjourned at half-past two o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS, 111 Ar 2. On the LORD CHANCELLOR taking his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock, Lord TEYNEIANI moved for returns relating to malt and hops. Lord ELLENBOROUGH Dksented two petitions for the abolition of slavery. Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from Mailing, Kent, for the abolition of the malt tax. The Earl of iIIALNIESBURY said that be thought the documents moved for by a Noble Eurl on the subject of the ern laws were calculated to produce erroneous im pressions upon their Lordships' minds. He should there fore move for a return of the quantity of colonial wheat imported into this country, and the duty paid upon it, f,r the last five years up to the 15th of April, 1833. He bad made this motion, because the importation of co lonial wheat had greatly increased within these few years. After a few words from Earl FITZWILLIAM, the account was ordered. Lord SUFFIELD presented petitions for the total and immediate emancipation of the slaves from 50 places. Eat' FITZWILLIAM presented petitions to the same effect from numerous places in the county of York. The Duke of WELLINGTON presented a petition from the bankers, merchants, and other inhabitants of Bel fast, for the gradual abolition of slavery. The petition prayed that a fair compensation be given to the West L.dia planters, for the loss of property they must sustain from the change. Also a like petition from Edin burgh. His Grace, after the last petition had been read by the clerk at the table, reminded the House of the resolutions referred to by the petitioners. Those resoht tions, which were passed a f ew years ago, proposed the gradual emancipation of the sl aves , an d they had never heard till lately of the immediate abolition of the slave. That House, and the other b ranc h O f the Leg i slature, ought to persevere in the abolition of slavery, founded upon the true spirit of these resolution,. The immediate aboli tion of slavery would total'y ruin property in the West Indies, only for the purpose of carrying into effect the emancipation of the slaves a few years sooner than had by these res o l ut i ons. The revenue de been propose! rived from those colonies, which was very considerable, would be reduced to nothing, and the 350,000 tons of shipping at present employed in the trade of the colonies, would be totally.annibliated. The cultivation of sugar would be transferred from our colonies, where slavery was not only in existence, but where the slave trade flourished in great extent. We should thus promote the trade of other countries, and annihilate our own at an expense to this country of seven millions of revenue now derived. The Noble Duke stated a case, where lately an estate had been sold for 4,00 W. which had paid come years before 2,0001. a year to this country. Lord SUFFIELD was not prepared now to go into any argument upon the resolutions set forth, as no notice had been given of these petitions being to be presented. No thing but his high respect for the Noble Duke could have induced him to preserve gravity when he found that the petitioners amounted only to 400, whilst he had presented a petition from that city signed by 20,000 persons. He knew well, and he believed it was well known too in every town, and in every village of England, that the " gradual emancipation" of the slave meant only the perpetuity of slavery. The petition spoke of the " happy condition" of the slaves in the West Indies, whilst it was well known that the slave's condition was, instead of being better, far worse than they were 40 years ago ; indeed, of late he knew that they had been treated with greater cruelty. He had no doubt that his Majesty's 111inisters saw like him, and like nine-tenths of the people of England, that the only safe way now was immediate emancipation ; in short, no Government could now resist the feelings of the British nation upon the subject. It was quite absurd to suppose that any remuneration would he given to the West India planters fur giving up the bodies and souls of the slaves. The colonists had declared that they would resist to the death all intention on the part of this country for tl.e emancipation of the slaves. But, on a former occasion, Sir George Murray had brought them to agree to a point of his by only withdrawing the troops. He must state also, that the f Lets upon which the Noble Duke had founded his arguments were totally untrue. The Duke of WELLINGTON said that the Noble Lord had complained of his having made some remarks on presenting this petition ; but he would remind the House that the Noble Lord himself (lid not always abstain from remarks on such occasions. —(Hear.) All that he (the Duke of Wellington) had said was merely said in justice to the petitioners. Lord SUFFIELD said that be had never indulged in observations, further than to state what the purport of the petitions was. Earl FITZWILLIAM was well satisfied that the Noble Duke had made the speech, because, when he considered the great talents of the Nale Duke, and the attention which he had paid to the affairs of the colonies, he was sure that he had brought forward all the arguments which could be brought forward in favour of a continuance of slavery. He (Earl F.) complained that the petition came upon their table under false colours. It purported to be for the gradual abolition of slavery, and every argument in it, as well as every argument brought in support of the petition, and, indeed, on that side of the question generally, were in favour of a perpetuity of slavery..—(Hear.) Per sons said that the slaves were better off in the West Indies than the labourers of this country. Was that not an ar gument for perpetual slavery? Then, the Noble Duke had said that the abolition of slavery would be the destruc tion of the colonies. If that were true, could there be a stronger argument in favour of the continuance of the system ?—(Hear.) The Duke of WELLINGTON—My arguments went in favour of a gradual abolition, and against a compulsory manumission. Earl FITZWILLIAM—Tho whole tenor of the argu ment was in favour of perpetual slavery. Notwithstanding that the Noble Duke bad said that it would he nothing but insanity to emancipate the slaves at present, be (Earl F.) would give his opinion in favour of immediate emancipa tion.—(Hear.) Lord STANLEY presented , petitions from places in Lancashire, praying fur the immediate abolition of slavery. The Earl of ROSSLYN presented a petition from the Procurators practising in the Sheriffs' Courts in the county of Fife, against the Small Debt Bill. The House adjourned at a qu titer to syven o'clock. COURT CIRCULAR. The Duke of SUSSEX and the Princess AUGUSTA visited their MAJESTIES yesterday. The Duchess de DINO visited the QUEEN. The KING gave audiences yesttrday to the Bishop of WORCESTER, Sir JAMES GRAHAM, the Earl of ALBE... MA ERE, and Mr. ELLICE. The Duke of CUMBERLAND entertained the Directors of the Concert of Ancient Music at dinner on Wednesday, at his residence in the Palace at St. James's. His Royal Highness afterwards, accompanied by his guests, honoured the performance of the Concert at the Hanover-square Rooms with his presence. Prince GEORGE of Cambridge is indisposed. His Royal Highness is attended by Sir CHARLES CLARKE and Mr. ANDREWS. The Duke of BRUNSWICK, attended by his Chamber liin, Baron BuLow, and his Aide-de-Camp, Major BAUSE, paid visits yesterday to Earl GREY, and others of the Cabinet Ministers. The Swedish and Belgian Ministers visited Viscount PALMERSTON yesterday at the Foreign-office. Lords DE 11311 NSTANVILIE, FALMOUTH, PA CET, and other noblemen and gentlemen, had a conference with Earl GREY yesterday at the Treasury respecting copper ore. Sir WILLIAM FOLKES, M. P., Captain YORKE, M.P., and Mr. CHILDERS, M.P., had a conference on tithes with Viscount ALTHORP yesterday at the Treasury. Viscount PALMERSTON visited Earl GREY yesterday. Mr. Secretary STANLEY attended at the Colonial-office on Wednesday, for the first time since his recovery from his recent indisposition. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S. In the early part of yesterday afternoon Glaucus appeared to have the call of Prince Llewellyn ; but towards the close they were each quoted at 7 to 1, Forester and Revenge joining them at the same price, and no one competent to say which was first favourite; the Emmeline colt was only half a point behind them. Titian was backed freely at 14 to 1, and Little Cassino, at the same odds, had several supporters. For the Oaks Tarantella had risen to 2to 1 ; the consummate ease with which she won has entirely cut up the betting on this race. Closing prices— DERBY. 7 to 1 agst Mr. Chifney's Prince Llewellyn 7 to 1 agst Mr. Ridsdale's Glaucus 7 to I agst Mr. Hunter's Forester 7 to 1 agst Mr. Rawlinson's Revenge 71 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Sir Robert 14 to 1 agst Lord Verulain's Little Cassino 14 to 1 agst Mr. Wo )d's 'Fitian (taken) 16 to 1 agst Mr. Cooper's Twatty colt (taken) 20 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Cactus 26 to 1 agst Colonel Cosby's Bravo (taken) 40 to 1 agst Mr. Houldsworth's Despot OAKS. 2 to 1 agst Mr. Cooke's Tarantella ('2 to I:taken) 8 to 1 agst Mr. Batson's Reveley 12 to 1 agst Mr. Stonehewer's Chantilly (taken) 50 to 1 agst Tarantella winning Derby and Oaks (taken) CLIFTON AND BRISTOL RACES. usT DAY.—The Claret Stakes for horses not thorough bred were won by Mr. Newman's Reform beating Col. Cliarritie's Swing in three heats. The Clifton Stakes of 20 soya. each, h. ft., and only 5, &c., with 20 added, 24 subs., 13 of whom declared. Mr. Montague ns. the Witch, 4 yrs., 7st. 131 b 1 Mr. J. Day's Boy Blue, aged, Bst. 41h. Mr. Anstice ns. Lucy, 3 yrs., 7st. 41b......•• Two others not placed. _ _ _ The Maiden Stakes of 10 sovs. each, and 10 added. Mr. Bristow's Pagoda, 2 yrs , 7st. 21b........ ....... Mr. Iron's Miss Fairplay, 3 yrs., Bst. 2 Match, 20 sues. each—Mr. Wilkins's Amelia beat Mr. Williams's Jerry. THE ASSESSED TAXES. In consequence of the doubt which exists in the minds of many as to the precise extent of the proposed _Ministerial reduction in the house and window taxes, in favour of shOpkeepers, owing to a variance in the published reports of what fell from Lord Althorp and Mr. Spring Rice on that subject, the central Westminster committee have determined on seeking an interview with Lord Althorp, and the following gentlemen have been specially appointed to wait on his Lordship :—Mr. Brown, Mr. \Vyld, Mr. Adcock, and Mr. Sui Te. As they are anxious to deter mine the real state of the case as early as can be, they will, if possible, obtain an interview this afternoon, and should such be the case, we will give the result in our latest im pressions. The churchwardens of St. Leonard's, Shore : . ditch, have called a great puld . c meeting for Wednesday next, to take into consideration the best means to pursue at this most important crisis to obtai❑ the total repeal of the house and window duties. KING'S m THEATRE.—DON IZETTI ' S Opera of Anna Baena was performed last night, for the pur pose of re-introducing the PASTA to the English public. She appeared in the part of the herniae, and on her en trance was received with the most enthusiastic greeting from a crowded audience. The high anticipations thus manifested were fully realized. The whole of the mad scene was powerfully managed, and the beautiful air Cielo, a miei lunSlii spasimi (closely resembling the ballad Home, sweet Home!) was sung with a tender ness and feeling altogether her own. We are happy to say that Madame PASTA appeared to he in excellent health ; and her voice, we think, has, if possible, gained in strength and clearness since her retirement. Being loudly called for on the fall of the curtain, she came forward to acknowledge the flattering reception she had met with. The Opera was in all its parts exceed ingly well done. The Opera was followed by the Ballet Faust, with the additional attraction of TAGLIONI. This most elegant danseuse introduced, in the second act, her c e lebrated Tyrolienn e , i n w hi ch she was loudly encore d . IngaEsE Er.sLER, sustained the part hitherto allotted te, PAULINE LEROUX, and was encored in an imitation of one of HERERLE'S favourite steps. THE MAGAZINES. THE UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL. The number for this month contains several interesting articles, and, did our space allow, we should notice them at more length than_we fear is in our power. The two first articles are of a political nature, and, what does not often happen with regard to our contemporary's lucubrations in this department of his Journal, we feel much inclined to concur in the observations they con tain. The first is written for the purpose of showing that colonies are a source of wealth and strength, and ate not necessarily to part from the mother country when they become strong. As the writer admits that they ought to be kindly and justly governed, we will not quarrel with his position. The second contains an attack upon the policy this country has pursued with regard to Turkey and Russia, which, Heaven knows, has been weak enough. We suppose we shall begin to awake when Nicholas rules from the White Sea to the Bosphorus. " A Cruise on the Coast of Naples during the late War," will be read by all who take the Jour nal in hand. But the " Account of the Siege of Badajoz in 1812," from the continuation of " Reminiscences of a Subaltern, many as have been the accounts we have read of that celebrated event, excited in us greater interest than any other. Take the following brief account of the storming of the fort of the Picurina " The great Cathedral bell of the city at length tolled the hour of eight, and its last sounds had scarcely died away when the signal from the battery summoned the men to their perilous task!—the three detachments sprang out of the works at the same moment, and ran forwards to the glacis ; but the great noise which the evolution una voidably created gave warning to the 'enemy, already on the alert, and a violent fire of musketry opened upon the assailing columns. One hundred men fell before they reached the outwork ; but the rest, undismayed by the loss, and unshaken in their purpose, threw themselves into the ditch, or against the palisades at the gorge. The sap pers, armed with axes and crow-bars, attempted to cut away or force down this defence; but the palisades were of such thickness, and so firmly placed in the ground, that before any impression could be made against even the front row, nearly all the men who had crowded to this point were struck dead. Meanwhile, those in charge of the ladders flung them into the ditch, and those below soon placed them upright against the wall ; but in some instances they were not of a sufficient length to reach the top of the parapet. The time was passing rapidly, and bad been awfully occupied by the enemy; while as yet our troops had not made any progress that could warrant a hope of success. More than two-thirds of the officers and privates were killed or wounded ; two out of the three that commanded detachments had fallen ; and Major Shawe, of the 74th, was the only one unhurt. All his lad ders we'e too short,—his men, either in the ditch or on the glacis, unable to advance, unwilling to retire, and not knowing what to do, became bewildered; the French cheered vehemently, and each discharge swept away many officers and privates. Shawe's situation, which had always been one of peril, now became desperate ; he called out to his next senior officer (Captain Oates, of the 88th), and said, " Oates, what are we to do ?" but at the instant he was struck in the neck by a bullet, and fell bathed in blood. It immediately occurred to Oates, who now took the command, that although the ladders were too short to mount the wall, they were long enough to go across the ditch ! He at once formed the desperate reso lution of throwing three of them over the fosse, by which a sort of bridge was constructed ; he led the way, followed by the few of his brave soldiers that were unhurt, and forcing their passage through an embrasure that had been but bel,tered up in the hurry of the moment, carried— after a thief, desperate, but decisive conflict—the point al lotted to him.' The following description of the heroes under Picton, before and after the attack upon the Castle, might be polished up perhaps, but pro bably at the expense of its rough simplicity : " All was now in readiness. It was twenty minutes past nine; the soldiers, unincumbered with their knapsacks —their stocks off—their shirt-collars unbuttoned—their trousers tucked up to the knee—their tattered jackets so worn out, as to render the regiment they belonged to barely recognizable—their huge whiskers, and bronzed faces, which several hard-fought campaigns had changed from their natural hue—but, above all, their self-confi dence, devoid of boast or bravado, gave them the appear ance of what they, in reality, were—an invincible host. " The division now moved forward in one solid mass, — the 45th leading, followed closely by the 88th and 74th ; the Brigade of Portuguese, consisting of the 9th and 21st regiments of the line, under Colonel de Chaplemond, were next ; while the sth, 77th, 83d, and 94th, under Colonel Campbell brought up the rear. Their advance was undis turbed until they reached the Rivellas ; but at this spot, some fire-balls, which the enemy threw out, caused a great light, and the third division, 5,000 strong, were to be seen from the ramparts of the castle. The soldiers, finding they were discovered, raised a shout of defiance, which was responded to by the garrison, and in a moment afterwards, every gun that could be brought to bear upon them was in action ; but, noway daunted by the havoc made in his ranks, Picton, with his division, forced the Rivellas, knee-deep, and soon gained the foot of the castle wall, and here he saw the work that was cut out for him, for he no longer fought in darkness. The vast quantity of combustible matter, which out-topped this stupendous defence, was in a blase, and the flames which issued forth on every side, lighted, not only the ramparts and ditch, but the plains that intervened between them and the Ri vellas. A host of veterans crowned the wall, all armed in a manner as imposing as novel; each man had beside him eight loaded firelocks, while at intervals, and pro portionably distributed, were pikes of an enormous length, with crcoks attached to them, for the purpose of grappling with the ladders ; the top of the tva►l was covered with rocks of ponderous size, only requiring a slight push to hurl them upon the heads of our soldiers ; and there was a sufficiency of hand-grenades and small shells at the dis posal of the men who defended this point to have destroyed the entire of the besieging army; while on the flanks of each curtain, batteries, charged to the muzzle with grape and case shot, either swept away entire sections, or disor ganized the ladders as they were about to be placed, and an incessant storm of musketry, at the distance of fifteen yards, completed the resources which the enemy brought into play, which, as may be seen, were of vast formidableness. " To oppose this mass of warriors, and heterogeneous congregation of missiles, Picton had nothing to depend upon for success but his tried and invincible old soldiers— he relied firmly upon their devoted courage, and he was ❑ot disappointed." w • w * t • • " The dawn of the morning of the 7th of April showed to the rest of the army, like a speck on the horizon, the shattered remnant of Picton's invincible soldiers, as they stood in a lone group upon the ramparts of a spot that, by its isolated situation, towering height, and vast strength, seemed not to appertain to the rest of the fortifications, and which the enemy, with their entire disposable force, were unable to retake from the few brave men that now stood triumphant upon its lofty battlements. Neverthe less, triumphant and stern as was their attitude, it was not without its alloy, for more than five-sixths of their offi cers and comrades either lay dead at their feet, or wounded in the ditch below them. All their generals, Picton amongst the number, and almost all their colonels, were either killed or wounded; and as they stood to receive the praises of their commander, and the cheers of their eq ua lly brave but unfortunate companions in arms, their dimi nished front and haggard appearance told, with terrible truth, the nature of the conflict in which they hail been engaged." CO UR T MA GAZINE. The embellishments to this Number are of superior interest and excellence. The best is the portrait of Mrs. Musters, whose counte nance is strongly marked with the traces of sor row and premature old age. The other engraving is a sketch of that magnificent seat Blenheim —one of the finest, we believe, in the kingdom. The literary contents are pleasingly varied. We quote an anecdote from the illustrative Memoir of Mrs. Musters : " Lord Byron and his rival in Mary Chaworth's affee ions, Mr. Musters, were, notwithstanding their rivalry, hil elt if'ru;veenndilteoccomotpt,a,incikonfis.an:ltliee familylatter rtie.esqidueennatelYort,ne gtio, ters, not many milesert from Newstead Abbliotert, one of these occasi ord Byron and young , room had been bathing in the river Trent, which inreeP ror o clr the pleasure grounds of Colwick very invitinglY ' onto a purpose. Whilst they were dressing thernrele,lbool hank, Mr. Musters observed a ring among the c lo t hs his friend, and recognised it as having very recerol.# longed to Miss Chaworth. Accordingly sion of it, significantly remarking to Lord 13Y,r°Phir know the owner of this ring, and shall keep ''' vert hr was remonstrance on the part of Lord Byron; " e b less he did remonstrate, saying it was given bin , l Or withheld. .iej, Chaworth; the ring, however, was much fruitless altercation, which may be e asily 0 5 _1 tV , mutual silence succeeded during the remainder °' time they were dressing. , be tool' ril e' " On their way home Lord Byron, as if mo re ` 9 to convince himself of Mr. Musters' determine tor p speeting the ring, observed, ' You will of c ourse r . e ,i: to me,' the answer to which was, a decided nega t l 0' last they arrived at the house, the ring not returae ' , the companions still at strife. to ~M r. Musters now, unknown to his parents or cr party, flew to An nes l e y, and entering its antilotleol tory,' was very soon in the presen ce of her who 00 . innocent cause of this juvenile quarrel. T he ° , l c : e tl i t'' his a brupt visit was quickly stated, the ring Pr ° "" c i siv a lover's inqu i ries • • Mary Ch o? made concerning it. fti‘BhToi blustery) u r vtc,r u si,eto) t s wi neTo,rnihett.he)wh obtained, 00:vm ,Aalsditasr rd.bi t explanation e hers confessed that she knew it to be in Lord Byro°'' ' er o f s e ic r p a n n , e that it became so with her permission, or rautleto, e ; and that he had taken it from one of t" „ir declaring, in a playful manner, his intention to We e ( escence in the loss of that which love had made I° i Byron. on oft r but Mr. Musters had something more at hea r s " o paf had determined to divulge. He had felt it ivs',,,' 3 o €oi proper that the fair object of his affections sboulefore` again parted from her, he intimated his wish t :„ - c h,,J,i ene:skimuntsaootdweehr known her eft b uno o rs w itabhl , lie ' erp a ars n reh d qtei , ue sec.tsoltievederlteecitfhboesrir,oei;d:::::),; 11 complied with, and Lord Byron soon co w n " cer a ni v n e g ry t c he re r le in " g BSo:9l ::: parents' hostility, he knew himself to be), ' t n - Li ert,"' g i v en tO tni ; o de' accepted lover (which, in IP i t il e o o oli A t ' that he was the discarded one, though by W hat communication I am ignorant." NEW ANTI-JACOBIN no There i 3 much promise in this li vel , Y zine. The articles are well selected, li t t it gested, and, above all, and before all, is fitting length. The portr a it of Cobbett plc capital one, and the satirical translati°P Horace attached to it, by way of full of point. On some more leisur e '1%15 ei may be tempted to quote the beautif ul lines Shelley, written in " th e C as cine at Pisa. f 1 1 0 NE WMONT LILY G 4 0 - j i t 0 11 i] A very dull, insipid number, with ° sitl? redeeming article—" A Letter from O OO Ten-pound Householder," which contA ins hot? instructive matter, which my Lord A.' so not be the worse for reading. The 5 ,1 ° ; ro so lacks its usual fire a nd s pi r it. It is “ s : (r ° and lachrymose. " Shelley's Expuls', ° ", re oilii Oxford" is entertaining, but the m ode tog the subject is too prolix.. The writer 1 5 09 . a silk-worm or a penny-a-line-man• cossi a Poem," is an imp rac ti ca bl e su bject' ' -5 0 4",' . In a very inferior style by the auth (i i r te " Corn Law Rhymes." t , The i' - ao tstv O'Keefe" contains some pleasant an ec The subjoined is new to us :-- " A DESPERATE HUMOUR' S ! . bat "Tom Ecclin was a gentleman not over riel 1,0 01 " ‘ ; in Dublin for out of the way conduct a n '' fle and most extravagant oddity of behaviour"; called ' the facetious Tom Ecclin.' On e 1 4v 13° ing over Essex Bridge, he went up to a fa tt y i quite a stranger to him, and told her he ha d berrh , adorer many years, at the same time i m plorl ° 'ibe l° ; and her favourable regard to his addresse • e ' re ill' i ?" astonished and hurt at his audacity, scarcely t s o lecl- CO P- V and walked on in her way from Essex street t , d ° that p street. He got before, and again facing her, s ''' o thirs,,, , was the most beautiful of angels, that life ve„,°lps rt him if attended with her indifference, S‘c. e ib walked on, and he kept close to Ler side. o ee said he, cruel fair one ! you are resolved to 10.01 perish—and you shall—and I With W e d , of 1 ,4 he took a spring, jumped upon the balu str' the bridge, and leaped into the Liff e y ! Of coursecopoteOr screamed, and a crowd gathered, and all Iv' 00 0 tion. It was some time before the intelligenceto the tained that he had safely swum in his clothe° of the Bachelor's Walk. f d oe ,t " The above circumstance was the subject O f derment for a few days. Some tim e after, t",;dlPor grand city dinner at a t avern ca ll e d the 11° °e „ 5 0 0 !_ t cp i t e in Dame-stre e t. Th e mayor , s h er iff s , a ldertn e "'„vivt"',, councilmen, and eo f or th, me t i n con f e derate c ° '" o rlici , j'ir, One of the comp any was Ald erman Sank e Y' d erw tb i served most of the city offices with rectitude r' but was of a grave and rigorous cast of table was also an opulent citizen, not ove r ":0 0 2 ° ,,":0' ideas, who generally took the wrong end of °L e r ,' ti e ;ill that might be afloat. Having heard of the °,'" g ture of the facetious Tom Ecclin and the teb ° ,o , into his wise head that it was Alderman Sin'clotlV ' performed this ridiculous expl o it. After th'„ a oVipti when all was sober hil ar ity, and P le ,,e•b cs rum, as expedient at a civic di nner , t his b e ' guest turned to the alderman, and said, 0 o " Alderman Sankey, what made you tbe Bridge and swim to the Bachelor's Walk? ' 4 " e p' True, what made you do so ?' „ OOP Sir, said the alderman, gravely, he y Evex Bridge.' t in " Oh ! didn't you ? I heard you did.' „ a lo o ' " And still, at the second, third,and Jourt n g ai°' of the bottl e , th e wort h y c i t wou ld tur n to b ilj3 13- say, in a loud voice, „esg tot But, Alderman, what the d—l couhil l° ,;'o 3 jump off Essex Bridge in your clothes, an d 6-1 Bachelor's Walk?' , e atlY o; " This question, re p ea t e d every five minote°' aloe? noyed the alderma n; nor cou ld the other bec°l3 re t his error, until one of the company luc kily Ke et upon For rester's print over the mantel- e ce. P' d nod down, and showed it to the citizen, wh o , ' The facetious Tom Ecclin.' 1 ,, br° - 0 /1 "'AI, true ! it was Tom that jumped oil recollect, now, Alderman Sank e y, it WO „ n°- swam in your clothes to Bachelor's Walk I: THE ASIA A L T ' 0 01 : an b la'rhtiiscleis on o nteh e ofE. 7-7—IC Jo tilor hers we have expected, itdas,erecie juid:estbtai'leokiel:,er:,:,:,l a trthbe s hecielti m gw i e g rvobi l iut i eue t intrvt: l l l :o a te v f e ips 0 t h g p h u r e e l a a t r y subject. an o l w t h e e - a el dv ° a rs o ul3 t i? i , e ; l l '' t should cha r r y ge our rt t u h s at do t u h b e le Etbaest plrineaeliafoC:tillirtrtiok; 1 rae i; American ruin by taking m( y )re P countrymen. The great care he would '. o , c t' merchants,orb Dutch merchants c aa olio could sell, manifests a feeling of kin dne no t li , good-will on his part, for which they o ° e a l' r c e ie ad ty ing in . too thankful. The argreotviocedlistitnhtga°ttliC)'ealruslinPalge:thisss, most is No. IV. of a series of articles o°_,eilio! , te , d v :o ve t n il tti l ro e ti, and marclhnindgia.s;etclhesis, a i t s id d w e i ' l °l a ifo e say, afford our readers a very amusing 11 4 .0 h 11 of the DAo_anab,a,rtilcvliell:ebnetitleddevo"u:recie bsycribeo, lovers of the murderous. The Thugs are de je r 11 1 as a set of robbers who invariably sl ur oc e ° whole of their victims. The disapPearao lio'll numerous persons, and fin din g of nearly sill" Bred bodies in one year ill the wdl ells ° of tbit district, first gave the authorities an le3 1 I Xlstetice ' 4ll lrde r ; IPPrehe 11 0Wina b wer e 1' e l e rl. , " :tr y f a patioa I al Ibout t Li ri 'tore 0 t 4t,° 11 ' ,8 t 1 I NEW tiLkit4: