The Sun. — London, England, 1850-04-23 00:00:00

41)trb Viabition SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. THE NATIONAL REFORM CON FERENCE.—(THIS DAY.) The first meeting of the National Reform Conference was held this morning in Crosby-hall, Bishopsgate street. The hall was crowded long before the proceed ings began with delegates from Reform associations from all parts of the country. On the platform were assembled many of the leaders of the cause, among w h om were Joseph Hume, Esq., Richard Cobden, Esq., M.P., Lord Dudley Stuart, M.P., Sir J. Walms ley, M.P., W. J. Fox, Esq., M.P., Alderman Kershaw, Colonel Thompson, M.P., Laurence Heyworth, Esq., M.P., J. B. Smith, Esq., M.P., George Dawson, Esq., Charles Gilpin, Esq., T. Williams, Esq , M.P., Feargus O'Connor, M.P., Sec. On the motion of Mr. BIGGS, of Leicester, seconded by Mr. WALTERS, of Newcastle, Sir J. Walmsley, M.P., took the chair; and Mr. Thomas Begg, Secretary to the National Reform Association, was appointed se cretary to the Conference. Sir JOSHUA WALMSLET then rose] and said, in ac cordance with the wishes of the conference he should not hesitate to take the chair and to explain the objects of their meeting here. It would be quite unneces sary for him to trouble them with the principle of the association, but he must say for himself, that he felt greatly honoured by being elected to preside over such an assembly, every member of which sat as a delegate froma great constituency. The first object of the conference would be to devise the best means of giving a proper impulse to the public mind, and to 'na ture a system through which the wishes of the people might be best forced upon the attention of the Legisla ture. It was well known that the National Association, though in the operations which it had so far conducted it had met eitith the utmost Success and the general approbation of every part of the country to which it had penetrated was yet in its infancy. The members of the National Association bad hitherto been determined by the accident of residence, but only those who had had experience of the fact could properly esti mate the activity and intelligence of the supporters of the association in the provinces. This was the great reason why the present conference had been called to gether. He incited the conference to the utmost free dom of speech; there would be no restraint, he hoped, imposed on them. The first object, he thought, would be to appoint au executive committee, and though he had no wish to prophecy what their deliberations would be, he might, perhaps, be permitted to p oint out a few of the leering point , ' on which they could touch. He could not insist too much on, local ceiorts.—(Cheers.) A few men like 111 r. Wet, of Norwich—(Cheers) —who would work in each county as he had done in Norfolk, would do an infinite amount of good to the cause. He hoped that they would personally take this hint. Local efforts, disected to the alteration of the existing state of things, where they were inimical to the cause of reform; to ameading and purifying the registration; to the selection of men In their several districts best qua lified to carry nut the objects of the association in Par liament at a future election; and to a more stringent supervision of the present Mem'eers, would beef great advantage.—(Hear, hear.) He would nut detain them from the business of the conference, but would conclude by thanking them for the attention with which they had listened t ) him, and also for the support which both he and all the members of the committee had always met with in their visits to the provincee. Mr. PAR AY proposed the first resolution, which waste appoint a businese committee, consisting of seven indi vidual;, to deliberete upon the order and manner of pro ceedings of the conference. Colonel TenmesoN came forward, amid loud cheering, to second the resolution. Ile hoped that, from their long acquaintance, there could be no doubt of the sin cerity and satisfaction with which he came forward to second that resolution. They had all lived !owe enough to know the Process by which public White bad been settled in this country--a country which, though not quite free, was yet making great progress iu freedom, a country in which they could meet and discuss without fear any matter which they might wish to settle. He congratu lated the meeting on the hands iu which the Government was at present placed; for though not very ready to lead the way, they were quite willing to follow when they saw .a sufficient number had gone More. They were, as Homer said, the light troops in advance, but they were the heavy troops who came behind.—(Cheers and laughter.) They (the conference) ought to be thankful then that they had such a force as the Ministers at their backs. The Ministry would of course be ready to excuse the zeal of a meeting like the present, because it knew that they were only going in advance of what they themselves would be ready to do when the proper time come. They bad had sufficient evidence that earnest, quiet agitation was the way to carry out reforms in a country like this. They had plenty ef encouragement to go for ward, and they could look back on nothing which could disquiet them. All they had got to do was to procure e sufficient quantity of public opinion on their side, and in a very short time they would have to con gratulate themselves on a harvest as abundant as any which had gone before. Ile was persuaded that the strength of the country was On their side. Men were wises than they had been before, and all classes in the country were going on in the right direction for their cause. If he looked back for twenty years, and saw how.dangerous and how different the character of u reformer was then to what it was now, he could not but wonder. In these days reform was fashionable; even the very Tories were reformers now for the fashion's sake, and they'dare no more venture abroad with their ancient prejudices, than they dare venture in the wigs and queues of their ancestors. The cause would go on, and go on, and go on, until their children would look back upon the men.of the. present day and say, " those men did not let .the machine stop in their day, but gave it a push on." There was ono subject upon which he would only just touch, and in doing so he should be very sorry to hurt the feelings of any person present. It was the great schism which was now taking place in the national Church, and be could nut disguise from himself that a great portion of that Church, of which he had never professed himself anything but a member, was hurrying them back as fast as possible to Papacy, holy water, and other things from which they had long escaped. In conclusion, he would heartily en courage them to proceed in the course in which they had already.beaure—(Cheers.) Mr. Hume, M.P., begged to say a few words to the meeting. , He was most gratified to be able to see such a' conference as the present. He believed that the course which they were taking was the one beat cal culated •to effect their objects. The Honourable Gentleman then touched at some length upon the difficulties which had stood in the way of reform, financial and political, when he commenced his career in 1818, and contrasted them with the present state of the public mind, and with the increased facili ties for agitating such questions in the present day. The signs of the times were cheering for the cause of reform. Lot them look at the colonies, and they would see the Government giving to the Capo of Good Hope all that he (Mr. Hume) had asked for England. He had been amused to hear that speech in the House, iu which it was said that every Englishman should carry out with him on going abroad the institutions of his country, because it struck him at the moment that it would . be necessary for him to go abread to enjoy those liberties to which they were entitled. Now, for the modus ope randi, he hoped he might be allowed to throw out a few hints to the Committee as to what had been done. He would recommend them to record, as had been done by himself and others before the Reform Bill, The ill-doings of the House of Commons. Let the votes of each Member on each division be re corded in lists distributed over the country, so that each constituency should know what its members were doing. Then the committee should look out for some man in each constituency to form associations to keep continually before the eyes of every man, voter or not voter, the great and important points of the politics of the present day, and of the course which each Member took upon it. Let them join political and financial reforms together, and he could not doubt that they .would, in a slow and sure course, carry reform, and force the present system to give way to ono more calculated for the present state of affairs He hoped that the committee would bear in mind this one principle, to offend no one; that they would take ca re to show that the changes contemplated would be for the ndantage of all classes, and he could only say that he shopld be very happy to afford them everyassist ance in his power, whether by suggestion or otherwise. The lion. Gentleman sat down amid loud cheering. The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, which was carried unanimously, and the gentleman selected retired to consider on the proposition to be submitted to them for conducting the business of the conference. In the meantime the CHAIRMAN said he would call on the Members of Parliament present to address the Con ference. Mr. COBDEN said that, as he was engaged on a Com mittee in the House of Commons, he hoped the confer ence would allow him to leave for the present and ad dress them to-morrow. — (C heers.) Lord DUDLEY STUART congratulated himself upon having the honour to address such a meeting as this. When he considered that it consisted of gentlemen from all parts of the country, he felt that it was one which any man might felicitate himself upon being present at. After the addresses of the two veteran Re:ormers who had gone before him, there was little left for him to say. Some of their enemies had cried out that the objects of their'association were visionary, but he did not think so when it was considered that it had for its object the equalising the burdens of taxation.—(Hear, bear.) In the year 1832 Mr. Cobbett undertook to demonstrate that by the Stamp Act the poor wan paid forty times as much as the rich man, and such eras the state of things at the present day, which this movement wished to remedy. Parliamentary reform was the first step to this, and he thought the plan proposed for this was one which could not fail of success. Sueh an object could not fail of exciting the support of every thinking man ; and he had no doubt that this association would go on increasing until it was enabled to carry out the great measure of Parliamentary reform. Mr. W.J. Fox,M.P., congratulated the meeting upon the great step which was now being taken towards a social revolution. That some such revolution was wanting was evident from the fact that the veteran Reformer t o whose lucid statement they had listened with such admiration, had never once filled any employment in the public service—merely because he had not been bore in one of those small cliques which seemed to think that the British empire was to be ruled. by them alone. Let them look at history past and present, and they would see the strong necessity for some change. If they looked at the political career of every man sprung from the middle classes—at the career of Burke, Canning, reel, and even the prospects of Disraeli—all showed the aristocratic exclusiveness of the present system of government. What great objects then this association had before it But every man mutt put his shoulder to the wheel—it must be by individual exertion. Reform, too, was needed in the Parliamentary system of operation; nothing could be done without combination. If all the friends of the people having seats in Parlia ment were to combine together even for only one session they would form a body which would make the leaders of parties quail. These vi ere the steps which he had called a social revolution, which would harm none, but would elevate and advance the interests of all.—(Cheers.) The committee then returned, and laid its propositions before the conference, which appointed Sir J. Walmsley, M.P., President of the Conference ; Mr. Tillet and Mr. Bigg, vice-presidents; and Mr. Beggs, secretary; and providing several minor technical regulations f,.)r conducting the business of the Con ferenee. The propositions were unanimously agreed to by the meeting. Mr. Alderman KERSZAW, M.P., was proceeding to move the first resolution when our report left the Con ference. been prepared from information received from the British consols abroai% They gave the highest and lowest prices of wheat at the various port 3 for a series of years, but the average prices could not be ascertained with any accuracy, owing to their not being able to know money was voted for the support of modern professor ' ships. Put such men as Mr. Macauley and Mr. Stanley upon a commission, and the House might depend upon it, the result cf those deliberations would be a manifest improvement in the conduct of our Universities. He had brought this motion forward because he knew that the Universities themselves could not effect a change without legislative interference. There were many points of detail, such as the elective system, which could only be sifted and disposed of by a commission. The Universi ties were the seats, and no doubt would remain the seats, of civilisation, and they ought to change and modify with the improvements of the age. It was an advantage to all men to be educated at one of the Univer sities, and none ought to he excluded who were fit to be admitted into them. To the man who intended to adopt the bar, medicine, or the Church as a profes sion it was almost indispensable that he should have been at college, and no one ought to be ex cluded en account of his religious views. It wus no answer to tell him that thess Universities were nurseries for the Church, because he was prepared to prove that only half of the students who were entered at the two Universities were invested with holy orders. The Universities ought to be the seats of learning generally, not confined to particular branches of study, and he hoped to see the day when the improse ments he had suggested would be fully carried out. clergymen got into debt very frequently at the Univer sities, which weighed them down during all their future lives ; and he knew instances of clergymen not being able to pay their debts incurred at the Uni versity until an advanced period of life. Ile knew a young man who had spent 2,0001 . during his attendance at an University; and he dared say several Members in that House had covered their father's tables with bills incurred by them at the Universities. He objected, too, to the distinctive acade mical dresses which the different students wore at the University ; he thought there should be no dis tinction in this respect among the students. Under all those circumstances he hoped the House would consent to the Commission of Inquiry which he proposed. The Honourable Member then concluded by reading his motion, given above, amidst cries of " Hear, hear." Sir R. 11. INGLIS complained of the course taken by the Hon. Member for the North Lancashire in dragging forward the corporations in the Universities in the manner which he had done, without any grounds being given for having done so. In a pamphlet ad dressed to the First Lord of the Treasury, he believed the Bill of Indictment which the Hon. Member wished to bring against the Universities was pretty generally stated. Tne first proposition of the Hon. Member was, that the interests of religion and education had not ad vanced in the ancient universities to an extent commen surate wit their great resources ; but not one word of proof had the only Member brought forward to support this statement. He did not mean to deny the right of the Crown of visitation, but he did not allowithe uncon stitutional right that the Noble Lord at the head of the Government shonld choose a Member hero, and a Member there, as it suited him, to form a Commission, without the, supervision of the Lord Chancellor, that was an unconstitutional right of visitation which he could not admit. The Universities had, from the latest ages, been considered the nutseries of the Church of England, and in that respect, therefore, he differed from the pre position laid down by the Hon. Member. He considered that Parliament had no power to interfere in spritual matters. the quantities sold. Mr. NEWDEGATE said he thought the discrepan cies required some explanation, as it was the intention of the Hon. Member for Montrose to found a motion upon the returns,and he would appeal to that Hon. Member to postpone his motion until the House was in possession of more accurate returns. Mr. HUME considered the discrepancies mentioned would not affect the object which he bad in view, which was to carry out free trade to the fullest extent, and not simply to possess the name of free trade without having it in fact. It was his intention to appeal to the Govern ment to give him (an opportunity of bringing on the question, which was one of the greatest importance. Mr. LABOUCEIERE said it would be of great public convenience if Honourable Members would give notice when they intended to question the accuracy of any re turn, in order to afford the Government au opportunity of giving some explanation. Mr. NEWDEGATE observed that the Hon.Mernber's motion appeared on the paper to-night, and be thought it right that he should not proceed to argue on returns the facts detailed iu which could not be reconciled. SMITH C'BRIEN. Sir LUCIUS O'BRIEN bad observed certain letters in the newspapers, complaining of the harsh treatment which his brother had received in Van Diemen's Land, and he wished therefore to ask the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he had received any dispatch from the colony, stating what real treatment he was receiving? Sir G. GREY had not seen the statement; but a dis patch had been received from Van Diemen's Land, informing him of the arrival of four of the state prisoners, of whom Mr. Smith O'Brien was one, and of the course pursued with regard to them. If the Hon. Baronet would move for a copy of that dispatch, he should have no objection to produce it.—(Hear, hear.) FREE TRADE. Mr. HUME observed that; considerable misap prehension existed in that House, and out of doors, on the operation of what was called free trade; and he should be glad to know if the Noble Lord at the head of the Government could produce any returns that were calculated to remove that misapprehension. Lord JOHN RUSSELL was not aware that ho could. Mr. HUME would have no alternative then but to bring on his motion. KIRUSH UNION. Mr. P. SCROPE repeated his question which he put last night to the Right Hon. the Secretary for Ireland on theisubject of the Kilrus'n Union. Sir W. SO XIERVILLE said he had written to Ire , land for the information. DISTRESSED UNIONS (IRELAND) BILL. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. SALARIES AND EMOLUMENTS OE THE OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE. The Duke of RICHMOND moved that the report of the Committee appointed to investigate the salaries and emoluments of the officers of the House be printed. It was at all times an invidious task to investigate, with a view to diminution, old emoluments and salaries. The Committee had, however, entered conscientiously on the investigation of the subject, and they were of opinion that the salaries of the door-keepers, which were paid out of the fees, were extravagant. One of the door-keepers, who had died in the autumn had received from 1836 to 1849—during the four lowest years-7231., 724 k, 4011., and 772/., and during the four highest years, 884 k, 1,272 k, 2,5704, and 1,5941., while during the time he was ill a person had done the work, and done it well, for 150/. The Committee recommended that the salaries should be commuted as regards the Government holders of office, upon an average of the seven lowest years out of the four teen, and that their successors should be appointed at far lower salaries. He hoped the Govern ment would take up this measure, and not leave it to a private Member. The Usher of the Black Rod and the Clerk of the Rolls had salaries fixed by Act of Parlia ment, but he understood that those gentleme❑ were wil ling to submit their salaries to the considerstioa of the Committe e. It apt eared that the door-keepers were remunerated by Ices from the East India Company, and from editors of newspapers, and strange to say, there was a body of Quakers who paid 5/. a year to the doorkeepers. He proposed that henceforth they should be paid by the House, and that the only fees to be retained should be the fees to the clerk for the i, , .sue of summonses. Th e M al quis of LANSDOWNE expressed himself as averse to tee performance of duties by deputy, and felt bound tc declare that he acquiesced, both as an individua! Member and as a Minister of State, in the suggestions 01 the report. Colonel DUNNE wished to ask the Noble Lord at the head of the Government, when he intended to proceed with the Bill for the relief of the distressed unions in Ireland, about which the Noble Lord the other night ex pressed so much anxiety. Lord J. RUSSELL was most anxious to proceed with the Bill, but it was difficult to make a promise when ho would bring it on. THE UNIVERSITIES. Mr. HEYWOOD rose to move that all systems of academical education require from time to time some modification, from the change of external circumstances, the progress of opinion, and the intellectual improvement of the people. That in the ancient English and Irish Uni versities, and in the colleges connected with them, the in terests of religious and useful learning have not advanced to an extent commeesurete with the great resource 3 and high position of those bodies ; that collegiate statutes of the fitteenth century ecessionally . prohibit the local authorities from introducing any alterations into vo luminous codes, of which a large portion are now obso lete ; that better laws are needed to regulate the ceremony of matriculation and the grant ing. of degrees ; to diminish the exclusive ness of the University libraries; to provide for a fairer distribution of the rewards of scientific and literary merit; to extend the permission cf marriage to tutors of colleges, and to facilitate the registration of electors for the Universities; that additional checks might be considered with reference to the continued eeeravagance of individual students, and that the mode of tenure of college property ought to be ameliorated, particu larly in Ireland. That, as it is her Majesty's right and prerogative to name visitors and commis sioners to inquire into the ancient Universities and Col leges of England and Ireland, an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to issue her Royal Commission of Inquiry into the state of the Universities and Colleges of Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin, with a view to assist in the adaptation of those important institu tions to the requirements of modern times. The fact that a large number of the Members of the House had been at one of the two Universities was a great advantage to him in bringing forward this mo tion. In 1772 'a great deal of attention was paid to the subject of university reform, and considerable improvement resulted from it. The subject then re mained dormant until 1834, when the House was peti tioned on the subject, and the late Mr. Wood succeeded in passing a Bill which was thrown out in the Lords. Afterwards Mr. Christie, the Master of the Mint, and other distinguished individuals exerted themselves to bring about some alteration in the university system, and of late years considerable alter ations had been made in the laws of both those seats of learning. The first thing that struck a stranger on visiting either of the universities was the large number of tutors who were unmarried. He considered it was a great disadvantage that many of the best men in the universities were obliged to relin quish their fellowships when they married. In such cases they were driven to obtain the mastership of a grammar:school in some country village, and to relin quish situations for which they were peculiarly qualified. He believed to a very great extent the conditions on which the: property of colleges! nas originally left, had died out. Under those circumstances he thought it was very desirable that tr ere should be an inquiry into the property, and the conditions under which that property was held in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It was the intention of James I. in granting charters to the universities, among other things, that the Members of Parliament for those universities should present to Parliament a true state of accounts for the several universities from time to time. He (Mr. Heywood) might call on the members of those universities, under those charters, now to render true ac counts of the universities to Parliament, but he thought it more advisable that the House should get information respecting them through such an inquiry as he proposed. The Hon. Gentleman proceeded to complain of the hardship of the law which rendered it obligatory on authors to depoeit a copy cf their works at each of the Universities, considering the immense revenues en joyed by those seminaries. The income arising from Fellowships at Oxford was about 120,000/. a year; at :,.Cambridge, 90,0001. ; and in Dublin, the re venue of the College estates, amounted to 30,0001, The Hon. Gentleman then read the oath taken by the Fellows of King's College, Cambridge, from which he argued that it was impossible for a member of the society to propose any great change in the constitution of the accioty. In the reign of Henry the Bth, a communion was sent down to enquire late the University of Cam bridge, and though a circle of courtiers were quite ready to snap any confiscations of the university property, the King disappointed them by telling them that the lands could not be in better hants, and contented himself by depriving them of all the bulls which ha I been directed to the University by the Pope. Edward the Sixth, Cardinal Pole, and Queen Elizabeth, all issued commissions for the same purpose to both the Universities. Later on, Archbishop Laud intermeddled with the affairs of Oxford, and would have dune so with Cam bridge, had the Puritan party there allowed him. He was sorry to say that many of the ill effects of that prelate's interference were yet visible at Oxford. He thought a cnange would be beneficial. At Oxford if they looked at the lists they would find that one-fourth of the students failed, the reason of which war, he wes told, that they failed in their divinity. lie thought that none but persons of great learning in that branch should be appointed to the theological chair. The management, too, of the college lands might be greatly amended, and more especially with re gard to the case of Trinity College, Dublin. An importance attached to Trinity College, Dublin, peculiar to itself, on account ()fits being the great and only literary institution for the whole of Ireland. The Honourable Member for Tamworth had certainly done great service to that country by recently establishing schools and colleges at Galway and Belfast, but they could only be considered as superior grammar-schools. He recollected an instance in which a Roman Catholic student obtained a scholarship at Trinity College, Dublin, but was deprived afterwards on his re fusing to take the sacrament. To be sure the emolument was very trifling, being only 251. a year, but it was a degradation that Roman Catholics were not allowed to take the secular honour of a scholar ship. It appeared to him that these scholarships ought to be open, and that the test of the sacrament ought to be entirely abolished. At Trinity College, Cambridge, taking the sacrament was purely voluntary. He believed the first step they ought to take was to institute a searching investigation into the constitution of the old Universities. At Oxford the students treated the thirty-nine articles with great levity, which showed the worthlessness of the test It appeared that the book in w wh hi ie c h h .w th a e s y a s p ig p e li ed ed. their names to the thirty-nine articles contained three columns, one of which was for the sons of noblemen, another for the sons of geetlemen, and the third for the sons ofplebeiane, and the great anxiety was not to put their names in the ple beian columns. On the other hand, however, many had conscientious scruples as to the propriety of acceding to these tests, and Mr. Romilly, one of the Masters at Ox ford, had told him that it was extremely painful to give a refusal to a student wbo adopted dissenting principles. How long was this degrading, this miserable proselitism to continue ?—(Elear, hear.) This question had too long remained in abeyance, and ho hoped the House would now take up the question with vigour. At all events he felt perfectly satis fied that the day was not far distant when they would have a further inquiry into this great and important subject. At present too much was thought of what was called ancient usages and ancient learning, and everything like modern literature was neglected. Nothing was so common as to meet with an Oxford or Cambridge man on the Continent, who were entirely ignorant of French and German. They were taught such useless things as logic, and the natural result was that when a scholar left the University he bad to throw aside his former books, and enter as it were an entirely new world. Now very little charge would be effected in this state of things until the, system was entirely altered end some (LEFT SPEAKING.) THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) WHITEHALL, Arlin. 9, 1850. The Lord Chancellor has appointed Francis Twigg, of Burslena, in the county of Stafford, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. Office of Ordnance, 22d April, 1850.—Royal Regi ment of Artillery—Sergeant-Major Thomas Hasseit to be Quartermaster, vice Porter, retired, April 12, 1850. Corps of Royal Engineers.—First Lieutenant Charles John Gibb to be Second Captain, vice Miller, retired; Second Lieutenant Francis Horatio De Vere to be First Lieutenant vice Gibb, April 16. BANKRUPTS. William Walden, brush manufacturer, Park-place, Mile-end, to surrender April 30, at eleven, and May 31, at half past twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stant fold, official assignee; Finney, Furnivel's Inn. Samuel Browning, nurseryman, Farringdon, Berk shire, May 2, at half-past one, and June 1, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, officiel assignee, Cole man• street; Whits, Eyre, and Co., Bedford•row. James Poole and Walter Poole, builders, Booth-street, Spitalfields, May 2, at two, and June 6, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Cole man-street buildings; Holmer, Cheapside. John Richard West, block and mast-maker, Mill-wall, Poplar, May 4, at half-past one, and May 25, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee, Guildhall-chambers; Stevens and Satchell, Qeocn-street, Cheapside. David Williams, victualler, May 3, and June 7, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Turner, offi cial assignee, Liverpool; Evans, Liverpool. William Sharman, builder, Hulme, Lancashire, May 9 and 31, at eleven, at the Manchester District Court. Hobson, official assignee, Manchester; Slater, Manchester. COURSE OF EXCHA Amsterdam 12 1% Ditto, three months.. 12 3% Rotterdam .... ••.. • • 12 a% Antwerp .. 25 8234 8ru55e15.............. 23 82% Elamburgh . • 11.1.8 . 13 13 Paris, 3 days'sight •• 25 €0 Ditto, 3 months .... 25 80 Aarseilles ............ 25 82y, Bourdeaux.... . Frankfort on Maine.... 121% Berlin • ... • Vienna, effec. fib...." 12 9 Trieste, ditto.. ...... 12 9 Petersburgh, Sil. Rble.. 37% Madrid .... • • ........ 49 % Cadiz • • •••••• •• • • •• 50 Barcelona .• • ......... Seville,. •• 1,41. •• •• •• •• NGE.-(THIS DAY 1 Gibra1tar.............. Legh0rn........ •• ..•• 80 70 Genoa•••••••••••••••• 26 10 Venice. gaples ..• •••.••• • • • • • 40% Palermo, per0z........ 1224 Messina .............. 122a4 Lisbon.... ............ 63 Oporto .• ...• .... ••.. • • 53% I:io Janeiro ...„..... Buenos Ayres .. .... • • New York, 60 dapesight Philidelplia .. :. • • .... ?IMF!! OF BULLION, PBS OF. Foreign Gold in laars...£3 17 9 Portugal Gold Coin 0 0 0 Spanish Doubloons .. 0 0 0 New Dollars • • ... • 0 4 10% Silver In bars 0 4 11% MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London Nero Price Current, April 23.) Sucau.—To-day there was a fair demand for the best refining and grocery sorts of West India, but previous rates were fully supported. For inferior and brown there was not much enquiry ; lower terms were not taken. The public sales of 200 hhds 3 trcs Barbadoes went at full terms, and rather above for superior sorts ; good and fine yellow realized 398 to 425, and low to mid 36s 6d to 38s 6d per cwt. The total sales to-day are SSO hhds and trcs. MAURITIUS.—This afternoon the quantity of Mauritius Sugar submitted to public sale amounted to 32 casks and 8,795 bags, The trade operated with much caution, and a small part only sold at about pre vious rates. Yellow went at from 34s to 41s, brown 281 to 33s 6d, and grey at 33s 6d to 37s per cwt. REFINED.—To -day refined Sugar was operated in with caution for home trade purposes; still, brown gro cery Lumps were not to ba obtained under 48s per cwt. The market is quiet for bonded Crushed Sugar at last week's rates. To•day at public sale 250 boxes Sugar Candy were taken in at 57s to 58s for brown. To-day at public sale 100 puns Cuba Molasses were taken in at 15s 6d, being above the value. EAST,:INDIA. —This afternoon the parcels of Bengal Sugar submitted to public sale amounted to 12,713 bags; about 10,000 sold, but at a reduction of 6d to is per cwt, and the biddings were languid; low to fine white Be nares went at from 36s to 39s 6d, soft yellow 31s 6d to 3es 6d, brown 28s to 304, strong yellow 37s 6d to 41s, white ditto 42s to 46s 6d. FORElGN.—Although rather lower terms have been acceded to for bonded sorts, still there has not been much improvement in the export demand. The private purchases are three cargoes of white Havannah at 30$ to 325, one of yellow at 20s lid, and one of brown Bahia at 18s per cwt. There is still only a small demand for the purposes of refining under bond, and the supply of Sugar at market is larger than in the former week. At auction 759 chests white Havannah were taken in at 28s to 31s 6d for mid to fine ; 595 boxes yellow 17$ 6d to 20s for ord to fine, and 164 bags low brown at 155. For duty-paid sorts the market has presented a quiet aspect, and prices are rather lower ; there is also a larger quantity on offer. At public sale 750 hhds 300 barrels Porto Rico were only in part sold ; good to very fine yellow at 39s to 42s 6d, low to mid dling 36s to 38 6d, good to fine brown to 34s to 35s 6d; 52 cases Bahia were taken in at 36s to 37s for brown, and white at 40s; 132 chests mid yellow Havannah 38s 6d to 395. Of Java, 1,216 baskets 3,247 bags were only in part sold at 39s to 42s 6d for mid is fine strong grey, and at 385 6d to 42s for damp and washed. MOLASSES.—Prices have declined for West India, and the sales are chiefly confined to 200 puns Demerara at 13s 6d to 14s per cwt, a part landed last year. The value of better sorts is from 15s to 17e. There are sellers of Bengal at 13s to 13s 6d, and Mauritius at 12s to 12s 6d; still few buyers are to be met wlth. COFFEE. — To-day there was a fair desire evinced to operate in Native Ceylon Coffee, and at public sale 979 bags sold at 46s to 465 6d for good ord. The market for Plantation has a quiet appearance, and at auction 107 casks 400 bags went at moderate rates, but the chief part sold; low to good ord at 42s 6d to 45s 6d, fine to fine fine ord 46s to 49s 6d, low mid and mid 50s to 545, and better sort 55s to 60. Cocoa.—British Plantation is offered at a redaction on former terms of 3s to 4s per cwt, yet operations have been limited, and of 430 bags Trinidad at auc tion, a small part only sold ; low to good red, of the new crop, went at from 38s to 435, ord and mid grey 355 to 375, the chief part was out of condition and of inferior quality. Of Grenada 200 bags were taken in at 36s to 38s for good and fine red. Only trifling sales have been made in Foreign, and 27s to 29s is the value. This af ternoon at auction 408 bags Bahia Cocoa were taken in at 30s for fine red. TEN.—There are ready sellers of Black, rather under former rates, and the supply continue s to g e t larger ; Town and Country dealers also continued to operate with caution, and an impression exists that a further re duction will take place. The value of low to good ordinary Congou is 9d to 9id, Medium kinds 101 to is Id, and better sorts is 2d to Is 83 per lb. With Green the market is plentifully supplied, and sellers are willing to accede to rather lower rates, still dealers operate with caution, as a further reduction is lookrd for, more espe cially for low and midd sorts. Scented and Pekoe Teas are not much required, and can be obtained at a slight reduction, as supplies are more plentiful. At public sale last 13,900 pkgs of Tea were offered and 5,000 were sold. SPICES —Tc-day Cassia Lignea was not offered at any further reduction, but the demand was not bettor; of 615 chests offered at auction a small part only sold. Pile one at 85e, Pile two and three 763 to 794 and out THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 23, 1850. of condition 68s to 72s per cwt; of Bourbon Cloves 50 bags were sold at 7-Id, and damaged 61:f per lb. 4 cases of fair Nutmegs were sold at 2s 7d. Fur Pimento the market is quiet, and 257 bgs were taken in at 5J to sd, these are rather lower rates. SPIRITS.—In consequence of a further reduction having teen acceded to for Leeward Island Rum, rather more business has been concluded. The sales are 300 puns at is 3i -d to la 4d proof, and low old landed is 33 per gallon. The purchases made in East India have been to a limited extent only, prices are on the decline, and rule at is 31d to is 3d. Demerara is cheaper, and only small purchases have been made at 23 to 2s 4d for 30 to 40 per cent over proof, : Fine Jamaica is held for full terms, still few home or export orders have been completed. Other kinds met with little attention, and can be obtained at rather lower terms. Fur 20 to 29 per cent over proof prices vary from 2s 2d to 2s 6d, 30 to 36 over ord to good 2s 7d to 3s 2d, and fine 3s 4d to 4s 2d. Id Brendy operations have been limited for all purposes. Cognac best brands of the vintage of 1849 4s 4d to 4s 6d, 1848 ditto 4s fid to 4s Bd, 1847 ditto 5s to 58 2d, inferior sorts 2s 8d to 4s 2d, and rower rates are likely to prevail shortly. The market is dull for Geneva is 7d to 4s 8d for export sort, and 2s 3d to 3s 3d for fine. There is still no sale fur British made Spirit at 9s 5J to 9s 611 proof, and for Gin 7s 10d to 8s 4d for 17 to 22 per cent under proof. COCHINEAL.—This afternoon the public sales of Co chineal went off at Id to 2d per lb decline, but 227 bags were all sold at from 3s 7d to 4s 2d for low to fine Hon duras silvers. _ _ . ,he euluniPs. SALTPETRE.—To - clay there was not much desire evinced to oporate in Saltpetre. At public sale 2,694 bags Calcutta went at 6cl per cwt under former rates, and a part only sold at 24s 6tl to 26s per cwt for 141 to 41 per cent refraction, and not refracted at 243 to 265 per cwt. RICE.—To-day East India Rice met with little atten tion, but lower rates were not acceded to. At auction, the sound, of 699 pockets and 2,717 bags Bengal was nearly all taken in at Os to lOs for middling and fine white; a small parcel of inferior sold at Ss per cwt. INDIGO.—OnIy a small amount of business has been concluded f in East India during the last few days by shippers or home dealers, but lower rotes are not taken. The quantity declared for auction is now 10,412 chests. For Spanish the market has become quiet, and the public sales of 150 serous of Guatemala tnis after noop, went at rather lower rates from 2s 4d to 4s 3d per lb. Oms.—Purchases t i a fair extent have been made in Linseed Oil for exportation, and a good home demand has been experienced, whilst the rates paid are 32s to 32s 3d per cwt on the spot. Only limited pur chases have been made in Rape Seed Oil ; a de sire is evinced to sell pale at 39i to 40s, and brown at 37s to 38s. Opinion is uefevourable with rt - - , spent to Olive Oil, and prices rule at from 441 to 461 per tun. For Palm Oil the rates paid for flue and good are 30s to 31s per cwt. With COOO3, Nut the market is plentifully supplied, and there is no improve ment in demand. Of 600 packages at auc tion a small part only sold at 31/ to 341 for middling to fine. In Cod operations have been limited, but there are not sellers under 341 103 per tun. For Seal few buyers aro to be met with for any pur pose, and a desire is evinced to sell, pale at 361 to 361 10s, and other sorts 311 to 351. Au desire has been evinced to operate in Southern, owing to a small supply prices have advanced, and rule at hum 32/ to 34/for common to fine. For Sperm a good de mand rxiqs; holders display firmness and obtsin 811 lOs to 821 for fine British. Tile value of prime Heaclmatter is 871 to 891 per tan. TaLnow.—There is no reduction to notice in prices of Russian on the spot, th,re aro sellers of fine P. Y. C. at 35s 9cl to 37s per cwt. Only limited sales are m ale for delivery in the last three months of the year, although 38s 3d to 38s 6d have been accepted. Home melted has been sold to a fair extent, but at the moderate terms cf 35s to 36s net cash. Ocher sorts of Tallow are net cheaper. At auction 720 pkgs American were sold at from 32s to 36s 9d for low to fine; 420 clts Sydney 34s to 365; 8 eke Cspe, line 38s 6d to 38s 6cl to 38s 9a; 412 cks Odessa, sheep 34s 9d t) 345, ox 35s 6d, and 88 else Archangel 34s to 353 per cwt. Fur iublic competition 1,400 pkgs are declared. DEAL, APRIL 22.—Wind N.N.E. to N.—Sld. Car t atic, Madras; Bengal, Adelaide; Prima Donna, Cape Coast Castle; David Luckie, Demerara; Henry and Victoria, New York; Anna Margaretta, Batavia; Ann, Madras. The Ida, from London to Honduras, got on the Shingles Sand last night, but came off uninjured. COWES, APRIL 22.—Wind N.—Arid. Adele, St. Thomas; Henriette, La Guayra, both for Hamburgh. Sid. Fanny, New York. The Pallas, Prussian barque, from Cardiff to New York, was abandoned in a sinking state, April 10, lat. 40, I:,n. 37; crew saved. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF CO3IIIIOIVS, April 22. THE INDIANS AT HUDSON'S BAY. Mr. CHRISTY asked if the attention of the Govern ment bad been called to a paragraph in the newspapers with reference to a complaint by the Government of the United States against the Hudson's Bay Company as to the supply of a large quantity of spirits to the native Indians? Lord PALMERSTON said it had come to the know ledge of the Government that the United States Go vernment had complained that the Hudson's Bay Com pany supplied the Indians with spirits as an article of commerce. Tbat representation had been referred back to the Hudson's Bay Company, and their reply was that the agents of the company did not supply spirits to the Indians in any way as an article of commerce, but that a very small proportion had been given to tLe hunters when they came to the settlement, which he (Lord Palmer: ton` might say was drunk on the premises."—(Laughter oi State. VANCOUVER'S ISLAND. Mr. HUME asked whether the Noble Lord at the head of the Government had any obj"ction to lay on the table of the House a report of what proceedings had taken place respecting Vancouver's Island? Lord JOHN RUSSELL said he would inquire if there were any papers on the subject, and if so, ho would lay them on the table. NAVIGATION LAWS. Mr. RICARDO wished to know if any communica tions had taken place between the Governments of France and England with respect to the regulations on British shipping, and more especially with respect to those coming from Asia, Africa, and America. Lord PALMERSTON said there were communica tions going on generally with the French Government respecting those alterations in the French system which would 'be the natural consequences of th• Passenger Act of last session, but he was not able at present to state the result. EDUCATION BILL. The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY said he had that morning received a letter from the Hon. Member for the West Riding, correcting a statement which had appeared in a report of his (the Earl of Arundel's) speech on the Hon. Member for Oldham's Education Bill. He had been reported to have said that Mr. Froude had been appointed to the presidency of the new Manchester College, whereas it appeared from the Hon. Member's letter that the college was not yet formed, nor had any appointment yet been made. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION BILL. Mr. HORSMAN wanted to know if he had under stood the Noble Lord at the , head of the Government that he would proceed with the Ecelesia,stical Commission BM on Friday ? Lord J. RUSSELL said he intended to go through the Australian Colonies Bill in Committee before he could speak with any certainty. Mr. DISRAELI said he wished to notice the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that he did not expect there would be any discussion on his mo tion fur next week, and he wished to state that he thought it very probable, considering the interest with which the subject was regarded out of doors, and the unfortunate delay which had taken place, that the sub ject would not b., passed over without any discussion. ADULTERATION OF COFFEE. _ _ Mr. ANSTEY gave notice that on an early day he should move fur papers in continuation on the adultera tion of coffee. AUSTRALIAN COLONIES BILL. The House then went into Committee on the Austra. Tian Colonies Bill. On clause 7, _ _ Mr. V. SMITH said that, at the risk of exciting laughter, he must say thit they were going on much too fast with this Bill. The last clause had been agreed to with very little deliberation, especially the last part of it. As regarded the New South Wales Bill, its history could not be too frequently told, as it did not appear to be very well understood. Now that Bill was more a makeshift than a piece of legislation. From 1788 to 1823, the Colony was treated more like a prison -house than anything else, and so illegally did the House act towards it, that in the year 1823 the Government was compelled to bring in an Act of In demnity, and from that year up to 1839 the House was engaged in discussing how they should deal with the colony. In 1840 the Noble Lord at the head of the Government brought in the Bill under which the government of the colony at present existed. It was proposed to continue the operation of that Bill for ten years, and now that the period had elapsed, it was high time that they extended to all the Australian colonies similar institutions that were enjoyed by our North American colonies. They now, however, proposed to leave the colonies to shift for themselves; but when be looked at the vast amount of emigration which had recently been carried on with our Australian colonies, be thought it was too bad to deprive them of the advice of the mother country. Besides, it was proposed to leave the matter to be settled by the as sembly. Now the assembly did not represent a third cf the colonists, and he doubted much whether the decision would be satisfactory unless some change was made in its constitution. He had the authority of 23 different members of the assembly in New South Wales, for saying that there was no objection in the colony to the admission of the "squatting " interest, which was composed of a most in fluential, intelligent, and respectable body of persons. He thought the House ought to con sider whether it would not be advisable to admit this large class into the new assembly, and make them to have a voice in the decision of those important questions, the settlement of which was afterwards to diverge into the constitution of this important colony. Mr. HAWES said the Bill had been introduced with an intention of leaving the existing constitution of New South Wales as near as possible, if not exactly, in the same state in which it now stood. It was possible that various improvements might be suggested in the Bill, but the express wi,h of the colonists was that it should not vary from the old New South Wales Act. His Right ILn. Friend (Sir Vernon Smith) said a promise was held out when the Bill was intro duced that the colony should have representative institutions funned on the same basis as those of other countries, and it was with that view the Bill now before the Liouse had been proposed. He fully admitted the importance of extending the quali ficatien to the squatting interest. In the Legislature of New S(uth Wra;es the popular members were as two to one to the others; and ti:ey were able enough to l•oing about any reform they wisLed. That being so, the Government wished thew matters to be ai much as possible (fleeted by the colonists themselves. For 'these reason, therefore, he would far rather see that question diseusied and the measure originated in Mr. ADDERLEY said the Government had clearly given a constituent assembly which could not possibly represent the feelings of the community. Mr. W YLD said he could wry well imagine the con stitution proposed by the Government might suit the colony of New South Wales or Victoria, but here they were legislating for a colony which was at this moment exporting a large amount of convicts. In the year 1842 Van Diemeu's Land, to some extent, had been in a state of prosperity, because they had almost altogether ceased to send convicts there, but since that time the tide of transpo , tation had flown in there with renewed s trength; arid since that time the free po pulation, he understood, were leaving the settlement with all the speed in their power. He did not think that the present Bill gave sufficient control over the convict po pulation to the Government, and what ho proposed to . _ . . do was to enable her Majesty and her successors to name an executive council, consisting of the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Treasurer, and the Police Magistrate, to ex rcise control over the convict population. The lion. Member concluded by moving a resolution to that effect as an amendment on clause 7. After a few words from Mr. MO WATT, Mr. LABOUCHERE said he hoped the Hon. Member would not at present persist in his amendment. Clause 7 was one which certainly ought to stand. Sir W. MOLESWORTH said that the Under-Secre tary for the Colonies had not yet answered the ques tion which had been put to him by the lion. Membur for Northampton. Mr. 11A WES replied that the new c:iincils would have no such power as the Honourable Baronet men tioned ; but that any measure for alteritig a constitution would have to be sent home for the consideration of the Colonial-office and the assent of the Crown, before it could become law. Subeqatntly the Honourable Gentleman directed the attention of Sir W. Melesworth to the first part of the clause, which enacted that the proceed ings of the new councils with reference to the altera tion of a constitution should be in accordance with " the conditions now by law required; " consequently, whatever laws were pasted with respect to an alteration of the franchise, and the Secretary of State refused to give them his sanction, this House would have an opportunity of questioning the decision of the Secretary Sir W. MOLESWORTII—Then it followed that no constitution could be established in the colonies until this Eill had been sent out, and they had agreed to a constitution, transmitted h to the Colonial-office, and it was sent lxick to them again. Thus they would not be able to have a new constitution in a shorter period than two years. He *ugggsted therefore that they should no now pass this portion of the Bill, but wait for further in. formation L - on the ecionies. . . Mr. HUME—The Bill gave the colonists the power of basing the sufTra2,e upon whatever principle they pleased, and of framing whatever constitution they might think fit. They would then send it home for the approval of the Government here; and this he thought would induce them to take greater care in its prepa ration. Mr. ANSTEY said the colonies with which ho was acquainted would infiuit .ly rather that this Bill should be passed in its integrity than that there should be even a month's delay in its progress. He thought Sir W. Molesworth had not adopted a fair course towards the House and the Government in regard to the Bib. Mr. MACGREGOR said that no Bill would give more satisfaction to the colonies than this would; and he could assure gentlemen who opposed it that they would get little credit in Van Diemen's Land fur their op position. Sir W. MOLESWORTH—Was it not the fact that two years must elapse before a now Legislature could be established in the colonies? Mr. HAWES did not think it would occupy that space of time. Undoubtedly they could not proceed fo legislate until the Bill was passed. It would have been passed last year but for the multitudinous amendments which were brought forward. Mr. ADDERLEY—It was clear that the plan of the Government would create far more delay then any other plea which had yet been suggested. Who was the origin of the delay which had taken place but the Ministers themselves? They had been urged to proceed with the measure before Easter, but they delayed the debate a month or six weeks, in order to reproduce old dis patches, from which they could draw no information whatever. Mr. WYLD said he would not press the amendment. It was accordingly withdrawn, and clausu 7 was agreed to, as also were clauses 8 and 9. On clause 10, giving power to alter electoral'. districts and the number of members of the Legislative Council, Mr. ANSTEY moved the omission of the proviso at tached to the clause, which provided that one-third of the members of the chamber should be nominees of the Crown. The effect of his amendment would be to have the absolute number of those nominees the same as now proposed, but it would prevent the Government from increasing that number pari pessu with any increase of the elected members which might be hereafte:c decided upon by the colony in a future change of their constitu tion under the provisions of this Act. Lord J. RUSSELL said the Act passed fur New South Wale in 1842, in conformity with which the present measure was framed, provided that one-third of the members of the Legislative Council should be appointed by the Crown; but, of that one-third, only one-hell should hold offices of emolument under the Crown, so that, in fact. the number of official members was only one-sixth of the whole Legislative Council. That ap peared moderate enough, but if the Hon. anti Learned Member's amendment were adopted it would quite dis turb it. Mr. MOWATT did not think it expedient to give the Committee the trouble of again dividing upon the point, and he, therefore, suggested to the Hon. and Learned Member to withdraw it, particularly as he his useif (Mr. Mowatt) proposed to offer an amendment on the report, requiring that the nominated members should be only one-fourth, on which occasion he meant to go fully into the subject. Mr. ADDERLEY approved of the suggestion of the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Mowatt), and charged the Hon. and Learned Member for Youghal (Mr. An stey) with inconsistency in the course he was taking. Mr. ANSTEY defended himself from the charge of inconsistency. Mr. ROEBUCK did not understand what the Govern ment meant by the proviso. He wanted to know why they did not leave it to the Legislative Ch ambers and people of the Australian colonies to decide the ratio which should hereafter exist between the m embers no minated by the Crown and those elected by tee people. Mr. HAWES, in reply, observed that they meant to stand by the New South Wales Act, and ad; sere to the proportion fixed therein, which had been foul id to work well, and against which no complaints had be en made. Mr. ROEBUCK could understand that r easoning if this Act was meant to establish a fixed constitution far the colonies. But no such thing was intended, and it was required that in any future change of the cieestitution a preponderating majority—he believed two-thirds—ef the chamber, should be in favour of it. Under these cir cumstance they ought to allow the colonists themselves to fix the relative proportions of the two classes of Mem bers. It made him rather suspicious to find the Govern ment this acting. Mr. ANSTEY would not press his amenCiment after what had been stated by the Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Mowatt.) The amendment was accordingly withdrawn and the clause agreed to. Clause 11 was agreed to. On clause 12, repealing so much of the lith and 6th Vict., c. 76, as required all Bills altering the salaries of judges to be reserved for the pleasure of the Crown, Sir W. MOLES WORTH inquired what was the cause of this alteration. According to the clause as it now stood, judges' salaries might be reduced in any of the other four Australian colonies; while in Sew South Wales it could not be done without being reserved far the consent of the Crown. He thought the clause ought to be reserved for farther consideration. Mr. HAWES said the point had not befo re occurred to him; but perhaps the House would consen;; to let the clause stand as it was for the present, a nd, on the report, he would see what could be done with respect to it. Mr. ROEBUCK urged the postponement of the clause. Lord J. RUSSELL said it would always depend upon the instructions of the Governor what Bills of that kind he should give his assent to; and for Ids guidance in this case it was proposed to repeal the restrictions exist ing with respect to New South Wales. He did not now argue whether that was right or not. He only stated its purport. Mr. ROEBUCK again urged the propriety of post poning the clause for further consideration. Th e Honourable Member also objected to the governors of any of these colonies being empowered, without the special assent of her Majesty, to alter any of the judges' salaries. There was no principle more Important than that judges' salaries; should not be altered while in office. Lord J. RUSSELL said the salaries of existing judges would not be altered. Sir W. MOLESWORTH said the clause did not agree with the 17th clause, which gave the power of settling the salaries of judges; governors, and "none other," were exempted from the operation. The clause made it lawful for the colonial legislature and the governor to pass au Act for altering the salaries of judges. Mr. ADDERLEY said, that the alteration of judges' salaried was entirely a local affair; and he thought it would be better to leave that question as it Was. Lord J. RUSSELL should art object to a proviso to the effect that no alteration in the salaries of the judges in existence should take place, and ho would not oppose the Hon. Gentleman if he proposed one. The clause was then agreed to. Clause 13. Mr. E. DENISON moved an amendment on this clause, " giving power to the separate colonies to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the waste lands of the Crown in each several colony." It was desirable to cen eider the land of the c , lonies as the inheritance of the poor. The Government had left its disposition, how ever, to the federal assembly. and he (Mr. E. Denison) did not believe it could he left in worse hands. The Legislative Assembly of South Australia had expressed its opinion on the plan propose:!; and it was to the effect that the federative assembly was of no manner of use. The same opinion was expressed by the Governor of Van Diemen's Land, though the Noble Lord at the PETITIONS. Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from the county of Down against any alteration in the law pro hibiting a widower from contracting marriage with his deceased wiCe eister. He had had several other peti titions relating to this subject sent to him, but as they alluded to a all balore the other House, ho of course could not present them, as they were contrary to order; and he hoped Le sl,euld have no occasion to present them, as he hoped that I:ill would never come up to their Lordships' House. ALTERATION IN CIVIL SUITS BILL. On the motion of Lord CAMPBELL, this Bill was real a second time. TITLES OF RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS (SCOTLAND) BILL. The Marquis of BREADALI3ANE moved the second reading of this Bill, The Bill had been Lefore the public a year, and had received universal approval. The Earl of ABERDEEN had last year moved the rejection of the Bill, ou account of the lateness of the period of the session at which it had come up, but he did not now feel himself called upon to oppose the second reading of the Bill. The Bill was teen read a second time. • CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION IMPROVEMENT BILL. Lord CAMPBELL introduced a Bill for the improve ment of the administration of criminal justice, which was read a first time. The Duke of RICHMOND moved for a return of the emmolumeuts received by officers under the Great Seal, in the years 1847, 1848, and 1849. SHEEP AND CATTLE IMPORTATION COMMITTEE. On the motion of E;rIGRANVILLE this Committee was nominated. PROTECTION. The Earl cf HARDWICKE presented several peti tions from variuus farmers and graziers in the isle of Ely complaining of distress and praying for redress. Whether the free-trade experiment turned out niti mutely to be successful or not several respectable indi viduals must be ruined by it. He did not believe this House could at present afford the redress, because it were to propose to interfere with the free trade experi ment, they would be told that the revenue was prosper ing, that commerce was increasing, and if they went out of doors that they should meet with no difficulty in finding farmers to compete for taking any estate that was vacant. They should be told that the income-tax was increasing, and that would be appealed to as a proof of the prosperity cf the country, but he con sidered the increase in the income-tax was a very fallacious argument to prove the increased prospe aity of the country. They should also be told that prices were not lower than in 1835; but in 1835 we had no foreign competition. He believed that shortly, how ever, they would be able to give these persons relief. (LEFT SPEAKING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. - - - The SPEAKER took the Chair a few minutes before Four o'clock. EAST OF FIFE RAILWAY BILL. On the motion that this Bill be read a second time, Mr. LABOUCHERE expressed a wish that the second reading f this Bill should be postponed for a fortnight until the House came to a decision on the Railway Abandeumen'. Bill, which affected Bills of this kind. Mr. FERGUS thought it right to deny that this Bill was promoted by 900 out of 1,000 shareholders; and he bad no objection to its second reading being postponed for a fortnight, though he hoped the House would even tually sanction its second reading. Mr. E. ELLICE, junior, objected to the postpone ment of the Bill, on vie ground of the expense it would entail upon the promoters. • It was ultimately agreed to postpone the second read ing for a fortnight. SECOND READINGS. The following ails we:o lead a *ecoud time and or dered to be committed:— Garstang and Ileiring Syke Turnpike Road. Heronsyke and Eamont Bridge Turnpike Road. Ulverstone, Millthorre, and Lancaster Turnpike Road. i'ETITIONS. Sir DE LACY EVA NS presented a petition in favour of the Ten Hours Bill from a place, the name of which was inauble in the gallery. Mr. WILLCOX presented a petition from Southamp ton praying for the abolition of capital punishments. Mr. H. BERKELEY presented, four petitions from Bristol to the same effect. Mr.:P. PRYSE presented petitions from Dissenting congregations in Wales praying for the suppression of the slave trade and the abolition of church-rates.: Mr. KEOGH presented a petition from Athlone in favour of a reduction of the duty on spirits in bond in Ireland. Lord C. MANNERS presented a petition from Wal thamstow complaining cf agricultural distress. Sir J. TROLLOPE presented a petition from Lincoln complaining of the spread of beer-houses in that part of the country. Mr. W. PATTEN presented a petition from a con gregation of Dissenters in Lancaster praying for the abolition of church-rates. Mr. COBDEN presented petitions from Lancashire h and Yorkshire (as we understood) against capital pnc unish ment. Mr. CURTEIS presented a petition from Ryde against the Merchant Seamen's Bill. Mr. EDWARDS presented a petition from Lanca shire and Yorkshire in favour of the Ten Hoursißill. Captain JONES presented a petition from London derry against the Landlord and Tenant Bill. Sir W. CLAY presented a petition from a person named George Shaw, a Chartist convict, praying that the House would take his case into consideration. Mr. GIBSON presented petitions in favour of a repeal of Ch hh thety newspaperCou r tsExtens i on stamp duty, , and d d i in nt e r f n a a v t o i u o r n a l of arbi tration. e DISTRESSED UNIONS (IRELAND.) Mr. P. SCROPE gave notice that on an early day he should move for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the state of the union of Kilrush in Ireland. ADULTERATION OF COFFEE. Mr. ANSTEY moved for copies of memorials and papers on the subject of the adulteration of coffee, or the use of .roasted vegetable substitutes for coffee (in con tinuation of those presented in the last session of Par liament). PREROGATIVE COURT. Lord HOTHAM moved for a return showing date of appo i n t m ent of Dean of the Arches and Judge of the Prerogative Court ; the number of causes heard ; of a peals proftecuted ; of sentences affirmed, reversed, P o; carried on appeal ; also, showing the number of allega tions, libels, articles, acts on petition, and motions in each year since the appo intment of the present Judges of the said :court* also a return showing the number of causes ready for hearing and left unheard, and of causes heard but reserved for judgment, at the rissng of the courts for the long vacation in each year during the above period. Mr. FRENCH moved for a return of the number of times Sir Herb'..rt Jerner Fast sat as judge in the Pre rogative and Arches' Courts during the last four terms, and the hours of Main?, FREE TRADE. Mr.NEWDEGATE called the attention of the House to certain descrepancies which appeared in a return of the prices o f grain at the afferent continental ports which had lately been laid on the table of the house. Mr. LABOIJWIERE said the returns alluded to had head of the Colonial-office dithered from him on the sub ject. Under these circutt,stancei was it desirable to (1 legate to that assembly the management cf the waste lands in the coloni , a? In the first place, it was more than probable that . assembly would not meet, for there was no inducement; but supposing it did, the interests of the colonies would cause a difference. South Australia, for instance, was satisfied with the present state of things as regarded the waste lands. Van Die men's Lan was e7ely day incre.ring in population, and becoming less and less waste. New South %Vales W 5 a purely pastural country, where five or six acres were required to feed one sheep. The upset price of the land was originally sw. an acre, but the Colonial•office had raised it to 11. What was the consequence? In 1837 ... 360.000 acres were sold. 1838 315,000 1839 285,000 1840 . . 1843 4,000 1844 ... .4,000 1843 ... 7 ; 000 9, 1846 ... 7,000 But the population in 1837 was only 85,000, while in 1846 it was 196,000, or more than double. The case was referred to the Colonial Commissioners sitting in BirdoAge- walls, but they agreed that the price of the hind was not high enough, and sent out instructions ac cordingly to the colony. This being the case, how would the matter stand in the federative assembly, whic h would be composed of twelve members from New South Wales, four from Victoria, five from Van Diewsn s Laud, and Adelaide four? The majority would be con stantly in Sydney, and there could be no doubt that they would make the price cf all other land equal to that in New South Wales. He (Mr. E. Denison) thought se there was at present no less than half the land fund of the colonies devoted to emigration, a portion of the re' mainder should be applied to the use of the labouring poor. There was now a large Chinese emigration into the Australian colonies, whose labour as shepherds could be had equally good and much cheaper than English labourers. He was of opinion that the control of the waste lands in each colony should be left to the legisla tuzes of the respective colonies. This was the amend ment of which he had given notice, and which he sub mitted to the Committee. Lord J. RUSSELL said the view which the Govern ment was disposed to take of this question was this. The colony of Western Australia was founded with the best intentions by Sir G. Murray, but it never made all progress owing to the large grants of land that had been given to the first settlers, and the impediments offered by these means to the construction of roads and the cal' ovation of the country. These evils were brought be fore the public by Mr. Wakefield, and in 1831 Lord Grey, then Under-Secretary for the Colonies, proposed to Lord Ripon, then Colonial Secretary, to sell the lands at ss. per acre. After this it was raised to 125., an d subsequently to 1/. In 1842, after much discussion, na,u, some inquiry by a Select Committee of the House, a 1311 passed through Parliament (5 and 6 Vict.), by which It was decided that the price of land was no longer to be decided by the Colonial-office, and that a uniform F3' B " tem of disposing of waste lands should be followed. That Act also reduced the power of licensing for pasture to a year's duration; and it provided that the proceeds of each sale should be divisible into two parts, one of which should ho applied to the public service of the respective colonies, and the other to the promotion of emigratio n from the United Kingdom. In the present Bill it wils. deemed requisite to adhere to the uniformity principle 0 ' 1842; because if each colony was to:have a separate sys tem tat disposal and no uniformity of price, the legisla tura (lone colony might consider that another colony whore land should be cheaper was holding out ternpt Cons to emigrants, which would be a great evil. xl e (Lord J. Russell) believed that the Congress of Or Ueited Sulu s always 'decided the price of lauds. 1G was plait), therefore, that the proposition of his 1100. Friend was an objectionable one. But, upon consider ation, he believed, also, that there were valid objections to a federal legislature having power over the sval l ? lands in colonies; and believing, also, that it was 11 °` likely, if constituted, it would come soon into operation! he was of opinion that the best course to pursue would, he to omit the provision fir a federal legislature, al )( _, leave the whole question of waste lands as it exis ted under the Bill of 1842. He, therefore, should propo s° that no introduction of the subject should take place la the clause. Mr. DIVETT agreed with his Hon. Friend and tb ° Noble Lord as to the uselessness of a federal legislature' The colonies of South Australia did not desire to be over ridden by Sydney, which would be the result of Or_ clause as it stood. He thought that the best thing that could be done for the colonies and for the country It to leave land as it stood under the Bill of 1842. P: was convinced that if the principles of that Act w e l` adhered to there would be an additional emigration '() South Australia every year. The system of selling, land at a minimum price of 1/. per acre was the boat that could be adopted. There could be no doubt that the best and most popular plan in the colonies was t° adhere to the present system. In a colonial paper conduct of the Colonial Commissioners had been 0; pugned, but this, from his own personal observation , 1 !.. was enabled to contradict. He had always noticed 111,1 these gentlemen the best disposition to do equal and ful justice between the colonies and the emigrant labouriq population. The Hon. Member here read an e xtrac t from the South Australian Gazette and Mining Journa L t to which he had referred. With the exception of abuse of the Commissions, which he had already eal. was totally undeserved, the views laid down in 11 ': paper in question were these which he had reason tu believe were generally entertained. He wished to spit with respect to the squatters generally, but he well . wish to state some of the features of the system of squa t ; ting. Some of the squatters held enormous tracts o f laud. The number of land licences was 2,347, bt i l ji among those who had them were 465 persons who b e ' as follows:- 298 held 60.000 acres each 73 „ 100,000 ~ 150,000 ~ 200,000 ~ ....... 300.000 „ 350,000 „ 400,000 „ 550,000 ~ 600,000 ~ and 2 „ (Hoar.) The gentleman who furnished that statetol asked what inducement had these men to purchase. l , l3 4o at any price? It was to their i n t eres t to keep lall e u er - e thinly populated as possible, a n d t o ge t labour wh. l ` te they could get it at the cheapest. He was not goinghe object to this system as far as it went, as he believed o prosperity of the colony had been in the first insta ° ll " o mainly promoted by these parties; but he though The price of land ought not to come from those parties. - 1- 6 , operation of Lord Stanley's Bill had been moat beoe,4 cial. The number of acres sold in a few years amou rs , to 201,444, and the amount realised was 250,8731 e b e e ' - f es at the rate of 255. 7d. per acre. So advantageous - abo this system, that capitalists had been attracted to of colony, and the best results had followed. It could 13 ,, be expected that affairs should always go on so ver g 's well; but his firm conviction was, if the s ystem continued to be carried out, that not only the col° l3 e 'd, but the neighbouring region, would be equally benefit 0, It was most satisfactory to hear the Noble Lord's F r ec ni . as it would be found the safest way, under all cir ea '" ? stances, to a(lhere to the Act of 1842. Mr. ROEBUCK did not agree with the Noble 1 4 %, in thinking that a demand for a general assemblY lV ., - e g unlikely to be made. With reference to the bound g ` r "he of colonies, they ought to be perfectly definite- -- ` ba limits ought not to be over large, but they ought ° ea t, well defined. When these limits should have bee° -- e r Government would have cleared the way to a PoP o ", system of management for the land fund. If the O w nists had the hope and expectation of a general assen?',4 left to them, he was satisfied the colonies would rap t U 0 expand and grow up. But it was essential to defin e ' OO limits of each colony. There should be no dispot e dt e to boundary between Victoria Colony and New s°"it Wales. It was one of his quarrels with this Bill th 4 "„ - c l made no provision for determining the boundary des limits of each colony. If this was done, it would fibs be ascertained how much of the land belonged t° :ge local legislature, and how much was the aplo ll 7 o l of the poor, or rather the labouring people of tx r ' t e Britain. All the land within certain limits w a g be considered the property of the colonists—all voir",,l out the limits the property Of Great Britain. He a s ' ae . the Noble Lord to look at the question as a statestri o e In planting colonies, let Government get rid of th e l o s of a subject dominion—let Government c onsider a o f lony as an enlargement of this island—an extensiol l ehe England. This would be acting up to the spirit of 1;10 age. Give to each colony the area if they would , A ll give the colonists the full control over that area• pol l the lands outside of this area, until there was a gerl o o assembly, were to be con s id ere d as under the dote ti and as belonging to England, for the use of the Pe c le- And why did he advise this? Because it was not A t f likely Government would create more colonies, a n ro an indefinite limit were left to the boundaries ofthel:i to ,sent colonies, the circumstance would ultimately 1 " o r, serious disputes and quarrels. Government, 1 1 °„ s e ,,atil had hitherto never taken this trouble with our P - ie s, American colonies, nor with our Australian o°! ° o riti and now there was almost a quarrel between V'ee",,ey• and New South Wales about a question. of bol o " lie -(Hear, hear.) The reason why he wished P° r of ie ment to draw the line of the colonies was, be he was not going to give up to ten or tlfeiget or two hundred thousand colonists, who tr o d happen to be settled on the land, all the contr°' o od advantage of the whole of the land, which might , e° er through a very wide circumference. He would ale oath tend the system of limitation and definition t o had Africa. In our colonies in America we no lotig e ' ut iaa the power to dispute the point. He saw no roe 110 (1 taken in this Bill to prevent the same things whip i 4 ia occurred in our American colonies from ocea rc 'e l ll- obl e our Australian colonies. He counselled the - be d. Lord, when he could get light so easily, not to g° long into darkness. did riot Mr. AGLIONBY said, as the Noblo Lord cwa ste intend to make any alteration in the disposal lands, he should not have troubled the House w'r GeV remarks, hal it not been for the Hon. and Learne d er e tleinan's speech. Much of that Hon. and Lease:K (1 ;1101 bee's argument he agrred with, but there was a 14 0 in sore parts of it, which he wished to point ott t ' it , considered the suggestion for defining colonial litn bY o f an admirable and valuable suggestion, and vvor:for adoption. The next point of the Hon. and Learned 'The hey had reference to the disposal of the waste l a nds. 10 0 nnet Learned Gentleman wished the outaifi t .' le 03 6 should belong to this country, and the lands inslue this boundary to the local legislature. He did no t a° 00' was a neceassry conclusion to the premises of t he , 003 0 Member. He did nut see why the lands inside tu e roa rc of the colony should belong to the colonistr, oT I Y o ie° than the lends outside of the limits. He was of apt ad that colonists had no right to dispose of er, clotopeter I right over the waste lands of colonies which tbeJ 33 „ 14 „ 3 1, 2 „ 1 ~ fitspl bt:fastoatithtilet 41 1:p lar:e plisierthraa aeept tri iCioocui ideas:e tr he Itiktioeil rtds,eest tP.ily°lll.lla,7e4odeittaftlistyowoisu ntvieiiellett lauolt tatii Price of la, in g 4411,11.rilaitiotcidtiyett..;.Ge(3,..i)t°1:11rtieE.'s40eLtsatpUmernteeohtutReoetrtteitt.ec,i, mr our North A k 'B' SMITE 0_ _ " " leist""ng P° 49 al 14 not r of heir own e _ expen , ;ski yfit, 400. our coloni, tis,, :either was loth ' elpet this co 10..11r, LiitATz_wh 1;441 1711141.° ,""on it i'ret f • gel WaS IP4I 1111 Y and Tiber 144 04 matters b kemh4 CIIAI clke er to go on k)tit:ree 446.10,: efure the 41 r, nCor4 SMIT: Aker; WaB 110 t is kop 4e411 COl4 • thhadp rezident h Oa 'ltt "eh ent erE t°4 thould the getis—AßOtlce it soul °; aad it '1,41 be e w' 2trer th4eteitti beret ttir°uld b 0 lee tf tl're IS C' Else, Pen tt Partqii3g its sat th_ Pc 110ABT'.1,S,I, Pt 411(1 with 'ticti'd with ged I tt:o it hi a the of i '0.14111.(i 84 VeVersd "NI 4" Press qo„lteuld then zeal ttlieat the- 1.1 ttr Act r°l he Di%/st „wc Act'pits trLi (1,4 .14 Aot • e e° ttiett , .interfi Willeh du ! kr Lett,. 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