The Sun. — London, England, 1853-08-05 00:00:00

Vortarbee than it ought to be. (Hear, hear.) Hitherto it tas been an office of 6,3001. a year, and we are of opinion that it ought not to be reduced below 5,0001- a year. We do not propose that any permanent settlement shouldsoo/ be made with regard to that salary, but, there being a, year already attached to the office of Governor ofJmaica we , we propose to ask for 3,500 1 . to mak e up the sum, and propose that this grant should remain for three years. At t the end. of those three years it woul d be a question whet that salary should be permanently fixed on a different footing by the Assembly and the Council, and on th ions e oth of er hand it may be that, in conformity with te opin persons of considerable experience and authority, the salaries of the governors of our colonies should be provided for by a vote of Parliament. lam not ready to give an opinion on that subject in the present state of affairs. All that we wish to ask from Parliament is, not any law to change or suspend the constitution of Jamaica, but a vote of money amounting to 3,500/. a year for three years, to enable the Govenor of Jamaica to make those propositions to the Assembly and Council of that colony. If these pro positions should be accepted, it is fair to say that the Government would then be prepared to propose the gua rantee which I have mentioned, with the view of extrica ting Jamaica from its present difficulties, and enable it to proceed for the future with such retrenchments as may be thought a dvisable. The colony of Jamaica is, as the house is well aware, a magnificent colony in point of soil and productions —(hear,hear)—and I cannot help believing that if these unfortunate dissensions could be allayed, and no source of dispute were to arise for the future—that is to say, no dispute so serious as to put a stop to the whole machinery of government—l cannot help believinc , that we should see the colony of Jamaica recovering, to at east the same extent as Trinidad and British Guiana, from the de pression which the events of some years ago have helped to bring upon it. (Hear, hear.) Having stated the proposals of the Government, which it was absolutely necessary to state to the house before the end of the session, I have only to say that I hope the house will agree to them. Sir J. PAKINGTON expressed the great satisfaction with which he had listened to the statement of the noble lord. It was on no personal grounds, nor for any persona. reasons, that he (Sir J. Pakington) had addressed a ques. tion to the noble lord on this subject, but because he en , tertained a strong opinion that, considering the great and dangerous crisis which had lately arisen in the affairs of Jamaica, it was the duty of the Government to state to the house the view which they took of that crisis, and the measures which it was their intention to adopt in cense quences. The noble lord had commenc ed his speech by drawing a comparison between the three great West In dian colonies 'of Guiana, Trinidad, and Jamaica, and had com pared the exports of sugar from tho se colonies in the year 1840 with those of a more recent year ; and the ant ele noble lord had also adverted to what was a m ost Import ment in this subject, namely, the supplies of labour which these colonies had respectively received during the same period. But the noble lord had not adverted to another equally important element in the question, which was the comparative price at which s ugars had been sold in those years. He (Sir J. Pakington) should not, however, enter into that question, neither should he speak at present of the policy which had been pursued in 1846, in reference to which he still retained the opinion he had so often ex pressed, np,paely, th a t it was an . unwise and disa s t rous policy He va s glad to say that ne thought that th e pro rentals which the Government had made with regard to . - eine s ca -were wise proposals, and such as no possible ex ception c ould be taken to. One of the most important parts of the plan of the Government was that which re lated to the alterations in those financial powers which had been hitherto exercised by the House of Assembly, and as . it involved an invasion of the rights which the Assembly b a d possessed up to the present time, it was right that her Majesty's Government should be fortified and supported by what he (Sir John Fakington) would now state without hesitation—that had it devolved upon him to deal with this crisis, he should certainly have considered the reformation of certain portions of the constitution of . Jamaica a necessary preliminary to a n y concessions. (Hear, hear.) He held in his hand two most important dispatches of Sir Charles Grey, one of which had been ,sent to Lord Grey at the close of 1851, and the other to himself (Sir J. Pakington) last year. Hear the emphatic manner in which, in the former of these dispatches, Sir C. Grey expressed his view of the working of the constitution as to the mode of raising the public re venues :—" Your lordship is aware that the whole course of fixing, raising, and managing the public revenue in Ja maica is exceedingly faulty and perverted. The Govern ment is in no way represented in the House of Assembly, nor has any organ there by which any tax can be proposed , or any estimates of expenditure, or of ways and means, can be laid before the Legislature. All advice, by way of message, from the governor as to particular measures, is regarded as dictation, and resented as a breach of privi lege. No member has more right or authority than any other to recommend the sort of taxes that are to be ime posed, or the rate or duration of them ; and so jealously careful is the Assembly of its privileges, that the revenues for the most part are voted only from year to year. Every member has the right also to propose a grant or appropria tion of public money ; and in the course of each session a number of miscellaneous grants, though of much less amount now than formerly, are successively authorised, without much reference to estimates, or to the ability of the revenue to bear them, and towards the end of the ses sion are included in one enactment, each individual mem ber who has a grant to propose being naturally inclined to reconcile other members to his own measure by consenting to support theirs. Upon the whole, it may be truly said that there is no system or consistency whatever iu the c n duct of the financial affairs of the colony, nor any recog nised organ of Government or legislation which has the power to bring about effectual and comprehensive improve ment." Objectionable as this system was, he (Sir J. Pa kingten) was sorry to say that the Assembly in Jamaica seemed to cling to it with the greatest tenacity. In Sir C. Grey's second despatch of last year, he said :—" The ses sion of the local legislature was brought to a close on the 26th of February. as reported in my despatch No. IE. March 1, 1852. It had been chiefly remarkable for the re newed pertinacity with which the Government here is en tirely excluded, not only from those functions in the body of the Legislature which the Crown exercises through its Ministers in both houses of the English Parliament, but from all guidance, even qty advice, of the proceedings of the Assembly." Under these circumstances he (Sir J. Paking ton) was afraid that the House of Assembly would not be willing to abandon these functions, and that, with all the now governor's well-known abilities, Sir Henry Barkly would have great difficulties to contend with. He (Sir J. Pakington) hoped, however, that it would strengthen the hands of the Government and of Sir Henry Barkly, when it was known that the opinion was not confined to one side of the house, but that it was undoubtedly felt by the late Government as it was felt by the present Government, that it was imperatively necessary that the abandonment of the anomalous powers of the Assembly should be insisted upon. He must say that, under the present state of the law, which they must consider as settled with regard to the sugar duties, and looking to the fact that the difficulties of Jamaica had long been of a financial character, he thought that her Majesty's Government had taken one, at least, of the most effectual modes of affording relief to Jamaica, and which, although it appeared of considerable magnitude, he believed would not entail any danger upon the finances of this country—be alluded to the proposed guarantee of the public debt of Jamaica by this country, so as to enable the colony to reduce the interest of that debt from 6 per cent., the rate which it at present bore, to probably as low as 3A per cent., thereby greatly alleviating the burden upon the resources of the island. In 18ethe public debt of Jamaica, including the portion due to this country, did not amount to more than 550,0001. ; and at the present moment he believed he did not overstate it when he estimated it at not less than 750,0001. Of this sum the portion due to this country, together with the arrears of interest, amounted to about 200,0001. ; and it appeared, from what the noble lord had said, that the guarantee of the Government was not to extend to that sum. [Mr. Peel was hero understood to say that the interest upon the debt due to this country was already reduced.] He thanked the hon. gentleman for his explain,- i ion ou this point, which was perfectly satisfactory. The annual revenue of Jamaica in 1847 was 240,0001. ; and since that period it had been gradaally falling greatly below the expenditure, until it now amounted to only 180,0001. He had uo doubt therefore that the saving which would be effected by the reduction of the interest on the debt under the plan of her Majesty's Government would give great re lief to the finances of the island, and would he believed be accepted as a great boon and as a measure which he hoped would reconcile the Assembly to snaking the concession which les had already adverted to. It was the intention of the late (government to have sent out a commission to Ja maica to in qu i re on th e s p o t into the working of the con stitution and i n t o th e s t a t e o f the affairs of the island, and to reportand what was th e b es t mo d e o f d e aling with its griev ances dis posed to ildt difficulties. He confessed that he was still hulk that that would have been the best and most prudent course to pursue ; and whether the noble lord, by sending would be able (I).t a governor with the fullest instruc tions,those remedies which t to carry out his views and to afford andwhetherhe state of J a maica so imperatively demanded, without he would be able to effect the needful changes Legislature, he (Sir J. havingpa recourse to the Imperial some doubt. But, whatever must say he entertained be able be his doubts upon that subject, he w(aiese deckled p t yu e p • o r oti b ti V3le to add that, the Go vernment having plan i of sending out a governor rather than a commission , het had not the slightest doubt with regard to the wisdom of choice which the Government made in the person of Sir Henry Barkly; the Govern and, moreover, he must say that he thought Barkly ment had done no more than was due to Sir for the services he had rendered, in recce nni t Sir ington) the honour which he had lately receiv e a el e in g him to vereign. (Hear, hear.) Whilst he (Sir his Be held the seals of the Colonial Department was the Governor of' Guiana, and. he should think himself wanting in justice to that distinguished gentlem an Tr,u did not say that his own limited experience of office, he far as it we nt, confirmed everything which the noble lord had said regarding Sir H. Darkly. He went out to Guiana at 3 time of very great difficulty, and he had had the rare fortune, in the case of colonial governors, of not on l y having gained the confidence and es teem of the Crown and responsible advisers, but he ha d also left the colon y in a condition of co mparativeprosperity, and under the grati fying c i rc umstances that he feeling had secure coolonis rinse per - sona lly the universal good of cola a He (Sir Pakington) thought the Government had acted • wisely in deciding to , charge a portion of th e salar y of the • for tnree years at e , t 1 east upon the funds of new governor., this country. He would exercise . the same to t caution as the he manner in noble lord in expressing any opinion as which this and other colonial governors' salaries should be permanently paid ; but he confessed that his own impres sion was that there were strong reasons in favour of the opinion entertained by competent persons, that it would be better that such salaries should be defrayed altogether by the mother country. He was speaking only for him self, an d h e h a d th e misfortune to differ from those with whom he usually acted, but he thought the Government was pursuing a wrong course in permanently reducing the salary of the Governor of Jamaica. He doubted, on general grounds, the wisdom of reducing the salaries of important Government officers, in whose case he thought the old maxim that theapplicable was peculiarly labourer was worthy of his hire of a great country No policy could be more un worthypublic servants. Nothing than that of underpaying its pressed upon his mintlm w t_liad been more strongly Ure than the necessity, for the interest he was at the Colonial-office no less than the inte res t o f tileterest o f thi s c ountry. competent men, and men of hi colonies, that able and qu alities, should be sel ec t e d to 4.11 and statesmanlike go vernors ; , and if they expected the off ice o f co l on i a l their prospects and pursuits in this such men to expatriate themselves in order to serve the and resignto t r y i ng climates, and often under difficult ere Crown in he did not see how they could secure their sercumstances, out holding such a scale of salaries as would ma k w . i i t i , tw h ptaric3 of ench appointments worth the whilr:e La opanatioa with thie Point THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 5, 1853. his, previous to his report, the late Government advised certain repairs to be at once undertaken. Mr. WILSON said that the estimate was originally for 9,2131. but the Treasury, foreseeing some discussion like the present, had only estimated for the essential repairs. Next year, a vote would be required for the remainder. In answer to Mr. SPOONER, Mr. WILSON said that if the hon. gentleman would propose any form of return, it should, as far as possible, be given by the government. After some further conversation, Mr. BOOKER suggested that the houses should be hired from year to year. He thought the time was corns for taking into consideration the whole of the ambassa dors' salaries. Mr. LAING was willing to vote the 5,0001., if it would put the building in substantial repair. Mr. WILSON said it would be confined almost entirely to substantial repairs. After some conversation, the vote was agreed to. The next vote was 25,750/. for shipping offices and local marine boards. Mr. HUME said this sum was entirely taken from sea men, and he thought they ought to be allowed to make their own engagements. Mr. CARDWELL said the only change had been to bring the sum under the consideration of Parliament ; before it was not so. The vote was agreed to, as was the following :-70,6001. for the pensions of masters and seamen in the merchant service, and their widows and orphans. On the next vote, 2,1751., rewards for certain services in the slave trade, Sir G. PEC HELL asked for some explanation. Col. SIBTHORP wished to know when there was to be an end of this. As long as we encouraged slave-grown sugar, the slave-trade would continue ; and ho thought that the ministers who had given their sanction to free trade in sugar should be made to pay these expenses. Mr. WILSON said the vote referred to circumstances which occurred in 1848, 1849, and 1850, when Captain Dunlop, of the ship Alert, discovered that a number of slave-dealers had established themselves on the coast, in connection with a number of native chiefs in the interior for the purpose of carrying on the trade in slaves. It was necessary to land the troops, and they succeeded in libe rating a large number of slaves. Mr. HUME referred to a similar vote which had been made some years ago for Captain Denman, and which he disapproved of, and afterwards ascertained to be illegal. From the correspondence that had taken place on this matter, he believed that the execution of the two chiefs was nothing less than murder. The law officers would state that this vote was illegal. Mr. BRIGHT hoped that all the information in posses sion of the Government would be given before the vote was agreed to. He believed that most unjustifiable trans actions took place on the coast of Africa, and the votes in reference to them would all be smuggled through the house, were it not for Mr. Hume. Mr. WILSON said he had already given all the informa tion he possessed. Any correspondence that had passed, and not yet published, would be laid before the house. Mr. BRIGHT believed the law officers of the Crown had decided that votes for services rendered on land were ille gal. The effect was merely to encourage officers in under taking marauding expeditions. Mr. WILSON said the vote had been before the house three months, and if papers were required or any informa tion, they would readily have been furnished ; but he could not to postpone the vote upon the ground that they had not been produced. Captain SCOBELL said that a doubt was thrown out, whether it was a legal payment, and that should be shown before the house was asked to assent to it. Mr. HUME insisted upon the propriety of postponing the vote until the correspondence was produced. Lord PALMERSTON said he presumed these men were slaves in a slave barracoon, and on the same liberal prin ciple a bounty was offered for the capture of slaves afloat, so, by a liberal construction of it, a reward was offered in such a case as was now being considered. Mr. BRIGHT thought the noble lord must have pre sumed very far on the credulity of the house, in endeav ouring to induce it, by such an argument, to pass this vote. The case was not the same as where we had treaties with civilised countries, and the facts had been ascertained in courts of competent jurisdiction, for they were dealing with people whose natural condition was war. He ob jected to the principle of giving a vote in every such case, but still, if it were to be acted upon, let the manner of it be properly settled by act of Parliament. Lord PALMERSTON explained that this proceeding had taken place under a treaty with the native chief. It was the policy of this country to multi p l y such treaties, and the chief in this case was bound by one of them. Mr. F. PEEL observed that instead of provoking dis cussion the act of the gallant officer ought to receive the approbation of the house. The King of Ashantee had marched an army into the territory of a chief under our protection. The inhabitants organised themselves for de fence, and it was owing to the tact and judgment of Major Hall that a collision was avoided. Mr. LAING said he must object to the application of the principles to which the noble lord the Home Secretary referred, to interfere by naval officers in the internal wars of savage countries. The committee then divided, and the numbers were— For the vote Against it 25 Majority for —92 The next was a vote of 30,0001. to defray the expenses of the commissions appointed to inquire into corrupt prac tices at. elections. Mr. WALPOLE wished to ascertain the proportions in which the money had been expended, with reference to the several classes of charges which had been investigated. He wished to know, also, whether any instructions had been given to the commissioners, at the time of their appoint ment, as to the manner in which they were to be paid, whether by the day, or a stipulated sum ? There had been five or six of these commissions, a large number of wit nesses had been examined by them, and a similar number were likely to be examined yet ; whereas, if the inquiries had been prosecuted by examining facts upon one or two competent witnesses, they might have saved the examina tion, he would not say of dozens, but of hundreds of wit nesses. Col. SIBTHORP—A more gross, wast ul, and mis chievous expenditure, I do not remember having met with. (A laugh.) I always did set my face against commissions, and I believe I may say that in 99 cases out of 100, com missions are gross frauds on the public—robberies of the public in the enormous sums they have to pay. I have yet to learn what are corrupt practices. I naturally put that question, and I defy the noble lord, whatever may have occurred in the city of London, and however it may be wrapped up in mystery—(laughter)—l defy him to prove one single case in which the humble individual who ad dresses him has been guilty of corrupt practices. (Great laughter.) I court inquiry. These commissions aro used for certain purposes—party purposes—to employ certain hangers-on of Government—briefless barristers —useful men on those particular occasions, but who had no clients to be useful to on others. (Hear, hoar.) There have been five or six of these commissions, and nothing done. Five or six more will be appointed, and they will do nothing. The gallant colonel then moved the postponement of the vote. Lord PALMERSTON said that the selection of these commissioners had been left not to the Government, but to the persons who had moved for the commission, also those gentlemen in every respect fitted for the office, from high legal attainments and position at the bar. They were all circuit-going lawyers, and could not, therefore, afford to relinquish their circuit , without a higher rate Of remu neration than would be given under ordinary circumstances Mr. FRENCH complained of the verdicts which had been given by the select committees, and which had resulted in the appointment of the commissions. He could put his hand on several cases in which there was not a single shade of plausibility for the decision come to by the committee, and unless some reforms were introduced into this system before the next election, he defied any member to retain his seat, if there were inquiry into his election. It mat tered not how pure and cautious the conduct of himself and of his agents might have been, after what they had seen of these committees, his seat, on a petition, must inevitably be sacrificed. Lord J. RUSSELL said he could not believe that there was any justice in the accusation which the hon.gentleman had brought against these select committees. These com mittees were appointed under act of Parliament, and were generally composed of gentlemen eminent for their great knowledge of the law. He (Lord J. Russell) believed that they had conscientiously discharged their duty, and he thought that the house had every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of those committees, and the pains they had taken in the discharge of their duties. At all events, it was not becoming in this house, without very great proof indeed, to attempt to depreciate the authority of those gentlemen. These commissioners had been appointed ac cording to act of Parliament, and on the nomination of persons of various political opinions, and he believed that the persons so appointed were various in their political opinions, and could not, therefore, have been selected from any party feelings or prejudices. (Hear, hear.) There was a danger, he admitted, that the expenses under these commissions might be excessive, and no doubt it would be the duty of the Home-office to watch the conduct of these Commissioners, and if they should find that the mode pursued by them was likely to lead to any abuse, to alter that mode, and endeavour to prevent any expense, beyond that which was absolutely necessary for the purposes of the investigations, being incurred. (Hear, hear.) Mr. AGLIONBY referred to the unanimous opinion expressed by the Plymouth committee that their inquiry was an entire waste of time, and that these investigations could be only properly conducted by a commission sitting on the very spot. (Hear, hear.) Colonel DUNNE suggested that in these cases the bo roughs which formed the subject of inquiry should bear the whole of the expense, in consonance with an ancient law in this country. (Hear, hear.) He considered it un fair that Ireland should have to pay its share of these ex penses when not one of its members had been charged with these corrupt practices. Mr. FRENCH inquired whether the sixteen places which had been deprived of members b y these committees would remain unrepresented until the next session ? Lord J. RUSSELL said that of course if the house did not issue the writs for those places, the house must remain without those members. The vote was then agreed to. On the vote of 3,7231. to Dr. Reid, as the amount of com pensation awarded to him for his services in superintend ing the ventilation of the Houses of Parliament, Col. SIBTHORP protested against the increased ex pense which had been incurred in doctoring up these buildings. He wanted to know when it was likely that this robbery would end ? The vote was agreed to. On a vote o f 28,0001. to defray the fees, salaries, and compensation under the Patent Law Amendment Act, Mr. APSLEY PELLATT said that the real expense of this department was only 4,0001., and that the rest of the money was for fees and compensation for doing nothing. Mr. - WILSON explained that the fees were fixed by the act. and had been very considerably reduced of late. Mr. BRIGHT wished to know whether the 12,0001. were more or less than were received before. He rembered Sir John Jarvis stating that his emoluments of officewere 12,0001. a year, and that the Solicitor-General's were 7,000/, a year. Now, seeing that those gentleman had time to attend to their own professional interest, he was anxious to be in formed respecting the grounds on which the sum of 12.0001. were proposed. Mr. WILSON explained, and said that the expenses of the law officers of the Crown would be 30,0001. less, taken altogether, than they were before. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in answer to Mr. KlN said that the offices of the attorney and solicitor were devoid, in connection with the office of patents, of themselvesAttorney-G i e n n e t r h a e l any salary whatever. When the law was altered, the of Solicitor-General th e Lor d Chancellor, at once who placedtook steps in the matter, and subsequently to their going out of the original amount. The business, as anticipated, greatly office the fees were regulated, and reduced one-fourth of increased, and the law officers of the Crown had, conse quently, greatly increased business and emoluments. The h a a n n d d s Lord Chaucellox ceusequently reduced the tem There thought the subject of the promotion of colonial officers was deserving of attention. Lord Grey had set a very good example in this respect, which he (Sir J. Pakington) had very humbly endeavoured to follow. Still he thought there ought to be a more distinct understanding that the princi ple of promotion should be regularly acted upon with re spect to colonial governors. Nothing could be more un certain than the course pursued at present. A gentleman was appointed governor of a colony for a term of six years; and at the end of that period he bad no security whatever that he would remain in the service of the Crown ; but, having abandoned his profession, perhaps, in the first in stance, to become a governor, he was left without employ ment after his recall, and perhaps had no income to fall back upon. He (Sir J. Pakington) would, therefore, sug gest to the noble lord, whether the Government ought not to consider if it would not be for the improvement of our system of governing the colonies, that the principle of promotion should be acted upon more than it had hereto fore been ; and also that a scale of retiring pensions should be introduced for the benefit of colonial governors leaving the public service, and returning to this country. Having thrown out these suggestions, and pointed out, as he felt bound to do, the extent to which he concurred in the course indicated by the Government, he was sorry to add that in one respect, he must dissent from that course, as being open to considerable censure . The unfortunate state long period affairs in Jamaica had been we ll known for a very t period of time, and yet the noble lord had not announced to the house the course which the Government intended to take until the month of August, 1,a3,. and s t t h a e te n m o en e t duke, in another place, did not make his . similar s until en tG J o ril v y m . mm H e e nt t heonutegrhetdtuhapto,n aotaitc.hee, ntoimr..earNtvhnefnntuirenpnil•oe: Thealiaetrei slsattention lasted as t n h h e d n r p i o t l i e i c a y l s s t o a t e u o r f g t e h n e t l i y s aclnedmoafn jelaemd for a considerable period, and the collision between the two c H h e am d b ic e i rs no h t ad w l i e s c h l too tshpeeakcovirmiptlhettehsetosplipgahgteesotf.dailslrersepvneentuoef. Sir C. Grey, to whom indeed he must pay a tribute for the ability he had displayed t i; t th he e t ac h l n. m ug m h. i t st t r h a n t . administration of o g f ov p e u r b n l n i r c sayl into some indiscretion in the lan aogiffuaajigraaemhaebichuaatdhh:aCblrueeesstnsed to the Assembly. Terms of mu tual reproach passed between the governor and the Assem bly, and the governor held out the threat that the impri soned felons in the island would be let loose ; and, indeed, in some degree, his threat was carried out, and social dis organisationensued. Now, he thou g ht h er M a j e sty's Go vernment might have have averted the whole of these evils if they had done in January or February last what they had stated they intended to do in July. When the hon. member for Westbury (Mr. Wilson), in December last, made a motion in glorification of the policy of 1846, and when he (Sir J. Pakington) endeavoured to show, he be lieved successfully, that there was very little ground for boasting, in that debate the state of Jamaica was fully elucidated, and the dispatches of Sir C. Grey in 1851 and 1852 gave ample warning to the Government of what was about to happen. Sir C. Grey had also declared that he looked forward with alarm to the period when, in July, 1854, the equalisation of the sugar duties would take place. All these warnings and facts were before the Government, and furnished reasons why they ought not to have lost so much time in devising their measures. Therefore, while agreeing to a great extent in the course which the Go vernment intended to pursue, he yet certainly thought that they had much to answer for in not turning their at tention to the state of Jamaica at an earlier period, when he must say that everything had been prepared for them by their predecessors to enable them to act when they ac ceded to office.. To one other subject he must advert, — namely, the question of refining sugar in bond. He had heard with great regret the announcement which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made upon this subject in the course of his Budget speech. When he (Sir J. Pakington) was a member of the Government, they an nounced their intention of conceding this important boon to the West Indies, the value of which he would not over rate when he said it would be equivalent to a differential duty of ls. 6d. or 2s. per hundredweight. Considering the competition to which the produce of the West India colonies was exposed from slave grown sugar, this be came a very important question. When, in July, 1851, they should arrive at a nominal equality in the sugar duties, if Parliament did not grant some such privi lege as that of the power of refining sugar in bond, it would positively give a differential duty of ls. 6d. or 2s. per cwt. in favour of slave-grown sugar, as compared with the free-grown produce of our West Indian colonies. He understood that there was a strong feeling among the sugar refiners of the metropolis against such a change, and hav ing est tblished something tantamount to a monopoly for themselves, they objected to the alteration, and raised the bugbear of danger to the revenue. Now he said that the matter was so essential to the welfare of the West Indies, and so indispensable to the carrying out of the great expe riment resolved upon by Parliament, that they were bound to concede this boon, or if they refused it, to have it proved to a demonstration that the concession would be really dangerous to the revenue. He went even further, and said that if they could not consistently extend the boon in this shape, he would ask Parliament to give them an equiva lent. He was much obliged to the house for the attention with which it had listened to them. He could assure them that he had spoken in no factious spirit, but with a sincere desire to give to the proposals of the noble lord the fairest consideration in his power, and, as he already said, he thought the proposals themselves were well and wisely adapted to the end which the Government had in view. Mr. J. HUME said that Sir H Barkly left Guiana after a most satisfactory administration of the affairs of the colony, and he (Mr. Hume) was bound to say that the new Governor of Jamaica was a bold man to undertake such a responsible office under such difficult circumstances. He thought the Government were doing perfectly right in snaking the proposed experiment for a period of three years, and he hoped that Sir H Barkly would receive the support of the house and the Government at home, in the discharge of his arduous duties. He (Mr. Hume) certainly gave him his cordial support, and he trusted that the trial would be eminently successful. With regard to the general question, he (Mr. Hume) hoped that the Government would before long bring the whole subject of our colonial establishments and ?r the consideration of Parliament. Mr. JOHN M.`GREGOR said that, representing as he did the largest interest in the island of Jamaica, he wished to state that he approved of every word that had fallen from the noble lord. Never, in his opinion, was a consti tution so much abused as that of Jamaica had been ; and the misery of that island ho thought was, in a great mea sure, attributable to the manner iu which money had been voted and spent hy the colony. He thought the constitu tion of Jamaica should be assimilated, as far as possible, to the constitution now established in Canada. He hoped that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would take into his serious consideration the question whether the sugars of our Wert and East India colonies ought not to be allowed to be refined in bond. The subject then dropped. OCEAN PENNY POSTAGE. Mr. MILNER GIBSON said that many petitions had been presented to that house from different parts of the United Kingdom, and also from Australia, Canada, the West Indies, and other colonies, praying for the establish ment of a cheap and uniform system of colonial and inter national postage. He had intended to move for a com mittee to inquire whether there ought not to be an ocean rate of penny postage, so that the transmission of letters from any part of the United Kingdom to parts beyond seas where British mail packets touched should not cost the public more than ld. for each letter; but he wished to explain that, the Government having submitted a proposal for reducing and making uniform, the rate of postage to the consideration of the colonies, and the session being now so near a close, he would not persevere with his motion at present, but give notice that he would move for a select committee to impure into the subject early next session, when he hoped to receive the support of her Majesty's Government. Nothing could be more anomalous than the present state of the scale of oversea postage. In the United States of America a letter might be carried 3,009 miles, from one part of the Union to the other, for 1 Ad., and in this country the charge of conveyance from one end of the United Kingdom to other was Id. ; but the cost of transmission across the seas was Wd. When a deputation of the friends of the ocean penny postage scheme waited upon the present Prime Minister, the noble—earl said that if the shipowners would undertake the carriage of letters at the uniform rate of ld., he believed the objection to the plan would cease. He was prepared to state that an offer had been made by the Glasgow and New York Steam Packet Company, to carry letters across the sea for the British Government, at the rate of Id. each, the terms which the noble earl at the head of the Government said would induce them to accede to the wishes of the deputa tion. Bearing on this subject, there were a variety of existing treaties and postal conventions with foreign coun tries, which would be required to be carefully considered, and which would render the appointment of a committee expedient. It should not be forgotten that the great emi gration which had lately taken place rendered the corre spondence between the working classes in this country and their friends in foreign lands very extensive. (Hear.) Their relations in the United States, Canada, and Austra lia, frequently rent letters containing money for their poor relations left behind ; and it was stated on one occasion by Mrs. Chisholm, that in one case a letter arrived: from Aus tralia, addressed to a poor woman, who was then an in mate of a workhouse in this country. The postage came to three shillings, and the person having no means of pay ing it, the letter was returned to the colony, though it actually contained the sum of 251. for her support. He hoped they would be permitted to have a committee on the subject early next session to enter into the whole question, and trusted he had given a satisfactory explanation why he had not made a motion to that effect during the present session. The Speaker then left the chair, and the house resolved itself into a committee of supply—Mr. BOUVERIE in the chair. BRITISH MUSEUM ESTIMATE. Sir R. H. INGLIS moved a tote of 55,8401. for defray ng the salaries and expenses of the establishment of the British Museum. Mr. HUME thought the house had a right to hear from a Minister of the Crown some explanation of the reasons why none of the recommendations of the commission, ap pointed some years back to inquire into the state of the Museum, had been adopted. He considered the vote enor mous in its amount, and thought the public were entitled plaint s t,o_,. expect,_ a much more efficient administration of the establishment. He wished to know how there came to be als.nce as 11,000 allowed to stand over, to be ap pliedas the Commissioners might think best: Great com usimeist of was made on the subject of the non completion of the catalogue,Dr enaratio e ' -n It consisted of 1,200 folio volumes ; its h „ any t ertatteresop ti o = cost 100,000/. ; it , would take, at the pre cii'res.s, forty years to have it completed, and 13,000 volumes. They ought to which would give manager, or council of management, of the Museum, instealla' of attention to the affairs f minerals and other matters, It was now p roposed to f the present board of trustees. unable to find rooms for several were e ec u t t ie tielrei :PAY considerable sums for the t p h ur ou ch g a h s t e he o y f large collections alreadP took away all securities for t/I'lj g red ' ( which destroyed and occasioned The present system j t e h c e te p cl la a in lso E t n o gl t i h eh e g e i h l a d r in ac g te o r n e t f ii teh l a tii3tu m snit a n in a g ge , ment. He ob jected of Immediately great waste of the public money. Sir R. H. INGLIS said the hon. member mis taken in supposing that none of the reco re a mi r was the commission had been carried into effect. the, after their report was made, a meeting of held, which was attended by the late Sir Roberruiteesi was the purpose of considering the various recommendations made, made, and adopting such of them as fell within the competency of the trustees, and met their approval. He considered the present board of trustees inferior to no fixed board of management which could be appointed. Amongst those who attended regularly (luring the past year he found the Dames of the Marquis of Lans downe, the Earl of Aberd een, the Earl of Rosse, the Bishop of London, Mr. Macaulay, and Sir David Dundas. As to the floating balance alluded to by the hbut on. nrmth ber, it was lodged, not in the hand s of trustees, of the Treasury, and was merely nominal in its character, in ose arising from one quarter of the year falling into one ac count, and another quarter into a different one. During the three or four years that had passed since the report of the commission was laid on the table accommodation had been provided for a great portion of the collections for which it, was wanted ; but there was still one department in which he was most ready to acknowledge that extensive additional accommodation was required — that of printed books. Some years since it had been pr . oposed to set apart 10,0001. a-year for the purchase of printed books, but such was the amount of accommodation that would have been required that the trustees found themselves obliged to decline 10,0001. and accept 5,0001. a-year for that purpose. No man who saw the Museum would hesitate to admit that there was an enormous deficiency of space for the reception of books, the trustees being bound to receive all copy right books and sets acquired by the public. An opportunity of providing adequate room for this and other objects for a long series of years to come, would be obtained by acced ing to the plans that had been laid before the trustees for the construction of a new quadrangle to the east of the present building at an expense of 250,0001. This would enable them to accommodate a greatly increased number of books and additional collections of natural history, as well as to furnish adequate reading rooms. With regard to the vexed question of the catalogue, he would only ob serve that in no public library of Europe were such facili ties given to the readers as were provided by the 1,200 volumes alluded to by the hon. member. Sir W. MOLES WORTH was most ready to admit the want of accommodation existing in the British Museum, especially for printed books. Plans had been proposed for providini. increased accommodation, which had been re ferred by the Treasury to the Board of Works, and re ported upon by that board. The report was now under the consideration of Government, and he was in hopes that next session steps would be taken which would enable such increased accommodation to be provided. (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. BROWN adverted to the falling off that had taken place in the number of visitors to the Museum. The decrease was from more than 2,000,000 in 1851 to 500,000 in 1852. • Sir R. H. INGLIS said the same decrease had been observed in all places of public resort, but there was an increase as compared with the year preceding the Exhibi- tion. Mr. JAMES M`GREGOR believed the cause of the di minution of visitors to arise from the fact that the doors o. the Museum were not left open all the working days of the week. When visitors airived from the country, one of their first visits was to the British Museum ; but knowing nothing of the days when it was open, they often went on days when it was shut, and getting disgusted, they refused to go hack. He wished the authorities would arrange that the Musuem should be open for six days in the week. Sir R. H. INGLIS said there were two classes of visitors to the Museum—those who come from motives of curiosity, and those who visited it in pursuit of science. The Tues days and Thursdays were reserved for scientific visitors and foreigners of distinction—Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for the general public—and Saturdays were re served for cleaning. Mr. HUME called attention to the fact that the trus tees had a balance of 11,0001. on hand from the vote of last year, and he proposed to reduce the estimate for the pre sent year by that sum, and make it 44,0001. Mr. WILSON explained that though the balance of 1 11,0001. remained in the Treasury, there were several pay ments and obligations still outstanding, which must be provided for. The house might depend upon it that not a shilling would be spent without the sanction and control of the Treasury. After some further conversation, the vote was agreed to. On the next vote of 11,9961. for the salaries of the offi cers of the Board of Health, five or six members started up at once to object to it, when Sir W. MOLESWORTH begged to state that the func tions of this board would terminate next year. (Loud cheers and laughter.) Under these, circumstances he trusted hon. gentlemen would not think it worth their while to enter into any debate on the subject. (Hear.) Sir G. PECHELL, Mr. Base, and one or two other mem bers, expressed their satisfaction at this announcement, and the vote was agreed to. The following votes were agreed to :- 15,037/. for the salaries of the officers of the Irish En cumbered Estates Court. 10,9301. for foreign lighthouses. 2,0001. for the improvement of the navigation of the Menai Straits. On the vote of 2,5731. for the expense of drainage and improvement of the navigation of certain rivers in Ireland. Mr. F. FRENCH complained of the want of supervision connected with the workmen on the Shannon. Colonel DUNNE also complained that through some en gineering defects in the works carried on at Banagher, the town was frequently flooded. Mr. WILSON said none of these complaints had reached the Government. If representations were made to the Treasury, he could assure hon. members that they would be attended to. On the vote of 5,8201. for repairs of the house of the Bri tish embassy at Paris, Mr. A. WYSE wished to know what was the necessity for these repairs. He believed that great part of the sum was nominally given for the building of a chapel ; but there were already five or six Protestant chapels in Paris, where Englishmen could both worship according to their own faith and improve their knowledge of the French language. Sir W. MOLESWORTH said that in the spring of last year a representation was made from the Foreign-office to the Board of Works of the indecent and dilapidated state in which the house of the embassy was. An architect was sent over to examine and report, and his report fully bore out the re presentation of the Foreign-office. The verandah round the house had fallen down—the rooms abounded with ver min—the rooms had not been painted for years, and the furniture was stained with the ordure of dogs and cats. (Laughter.) A French architect had been employed to keep it in repair for some years past ; but though he re ceived large sums of money he did nothing, and these repairs were now rendered necessary. On the receipt of this report the Board of Works reported to the Treasury, who directed that the repairs required most immediately should be at once carried out to the extent of 3,4201. They at the same time ordered that a further report should be made upon the general state of the ambassadorial residence at Paris. The result of that was the present report. With respect to the fitting up of the dining-room of the embassy as a chapel, he had to observe that the ball-room had been used for that purpose in previous years, but that the late Government very properly thought it was not fitting that a ball-room should be used for this sacred purpose. Mr. HUME expressed his great surprise at the ill state of repair into which this public property appeared to have fallen, notwithstanding the annual votes which had been made for keeping it in repair. Lord SEYMOUR asked who was the architect who had made the report upon which the present vote was asked for, and also who was the architect who had inspected the ambassadorial; residence in years past ? Sir W. MOLESWORTH said that the architect recently sent over was Mr. Albano ; the inspection in previous years had been made by Mr. Burton. Mr. DISRAELI thought that the committee should pause before agreeing to this vote. During the late Go vernment Lord Cowley addressed to him (Mr. Disraeli) a letter containing such a representation of the state of the ambassadorial residence at Paris, that a regard for the de cent regulation of the things requisite for the proprieties of life required that an inquiry should be forthwith made into the state of the house. Under these circumstances Mr. Albano, a gentleman previously unconnected with the repairs of ambassadors' houses, was sent to Paris, and his report had not been received when the late Govern ment went out of office. Having now before them the statement of the minister with respect to the contents of that report, he would ask them whether they ever heard a statement of the condition of a public building equal to that of the residence of her Majesty's representative in the most polished capital of Europe? He could not say lie thought the vote asked for extravagant ; on the contrary, he could hardly conceive a sum equal to meet such an exi gency as the right hon. gentleman had painted with such graphic force. According to his statement there was not a chamber which was not in a state of corruption ; not a piece of furniture which did not breed vermin. The cel lars of the building are propped up. Sir W. MOLES WORTH—" Were" propped up. Since that report was made 3,4201. have been expended in re pairs. Mr. DISRAELI—I trust that the vermin have disap peared. I think, if so, they have been most cheaply got rid of. (Laughter.) He understood that this unprecedented state of a public building had been brought about in con sequence of there having been a false expenditure of the public money for many years. There appeared to have been for a series of years statements made by a professional man —not an English professional man—on the faith of which the House of Commons had annually voted a certain sum to support, renovate, and maintain the residence of the English ambassador at Paris. And now it appeared that these sums had never been expended. He wished to know whether an English ambassador had resided in this house during this series of years ; whether he had permit ted a sum to be voted by the House of Commons year after year for the maintenance of this structure, which he never theless allowed to fall into this unparalleled state of dilapi dation ? He wished to know too what security the house would have against the repetition of such laches in future. (Hear, hear.) Mr. HUME thought the vote should be postponed until the report of the architect sent over to examine the house had been laid before them. Mr. WILSON said that there was undoubtedly some degree of mystery connected with this matter, and it was clearly necessary that the inquiry should take place. The report ivhich had been referred to in the course of the dis cussion should be laid on the table • but he hoped the house would not postpone the vote, as the repairs were of urgent necessity. Mr. HENLEY thought that the reports for some years previous ought also to be laid on the table. (Hear, hear.) It was evident that a fraud of some kind had been prac tised ; and if they could have no guarantee against that in future, it became a serious question whether they ought not to sell this palace, and allow the ambassador an annual sum out of which to provide himself with a residence. Lord SEYMOUR considered the postponement of the vote was perfectly unnecessary; but he thought that they ought to have not only the report of Mr. Albano, but the last report of Mr. Burton. (Hear, hear.) He believed Mr. A lbano had been employed by the Government before, and that he had always given great satisfaction, his pl ans being suitable, and framed with a due regard to economy. Mr. FRENCH considered the proposition of the Govern ment a perfectly fair one. Mr. V. SMITH asked whether there was no clerk of the works to see that these buildings were kept in a proper state of repair. Sir W. MOLESWORTH said that a French architect had been charged with the general care of the building ; and that once a-year an English architect was sent over to examine and report upon it. Upon his reports the esti mates had been founded year by year. Mr. HUME suggested that the only remedy for the state of things which had occurred would be to make the ambas sadors responsible for the condition of their residences. Mr. DISRAELI said the committee was wandering from the real point at issue. It was impossible that any public structure could have fallen into the state which had been detailed by the right hon. gentleman the President of the Board of Works if there had been that expenditure upon it which had been annually voted by the House of Com mons. Who, then, was responsible for this state of affairs ? (Hear, hear.) What ho wanted to know was, whether the ambassador bad been living in a house of the description they had heard ; whether a single farthing had been ex pended of the yearly votes ; and if so, who had received the money? (Hear, hear.) He did not think that they would receive this information from the papers the lion. gentleman had promised ; but he thought that if the com mittee did not vote the money they would have a better chanceofo t itrining what they desired. (Hear, hear.) notionM r l : . g Mi i: L r ic:laffiNn official :rl etookresidence v a similar h y,n must u sviewt gentlemano have f the given ih c L a have the T g ol ait e4 .I , ,,e r ie ß n u it ,ii te E d his . porter to have resided in such a Mr. WILSON' replace. ld toiheiasail' ts o he n e d London Pari sians w h o a t a for r h t a h t e the most satisfactory manner of arranging prewatoeudltdhbate thefor mtheenheyonh.adgeankteleamdyanheetno dangerous that v the in e statement w as expended. rn A b l ra.ss HAMILTON de r tot ra lse ad eff e ec t t y th th a e t the house was in a dining room floor was _, ie . r n ons condition, and that the E ntl g• The late government, therefore, sent over Mr. Alb ano , and u upon n statement of was, in the first instance, a reduction of one fourth, and in the next, of one-half of the fees. Mr. CHEETHAM was of opinion that the salaries to the law officers of the Crown ought to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund. The vote was then agreed to. On the motion that 70,0001. be granted to her Majesty for the works of the new houses of Parliament, in the pre- sent year, Colonel SIBTHORP opposed the vote on the ground of the interminable expense to the country of those works. Mr. HUME said he had two years ago complained of those yearly demands for money for the works of the new houses of Parliament. Was there ever to be an end of ii;;;;" -- exPensesi - Iethonght there was far more expense incurred in the prosecution of the houses than necessary. Looking at the ponderous locks that were placed on the doors, they reminded him of those of the time of Tubal Cain. (Laughter.) In his (Mr. Hume's) opinion, the houses of Parliament would never be finished, and he wished that an estimate were furnished of what the proba- ble amount of expense would in future be. Sir W. MOLESWORTH would endeavour to obtain such an estimate ; and in future, he begged to state that the vote for the Houses of Parliament would be founded upon the actual estimate, which would be furnished for the satisfaction of the country. Sir H. WILLOUGH BY said the question before the committee was a very important one. Three years ago it turned out that the actual sum expended had come to 707,000/. A question was then put, what the amount for completing the houses would be? and Mr. Barry, in reply said, he could not tell. (Laughter.) He was then asked if it would amount to 100,000/. ? and he answered he could not say. He was then asked, if half a million would do ? and he replied, it might. (Laughter.) Well, since that time, the amount expended on those works amounted to 16,000/. What had they done this year? Why, they voted 110,0001. for the works. The question for the com mittee was, how were they to effect some control over the expenditure for the works for the future ? (Hear, hear.) He found an outstanding debt of 86,000/. in the estimates, and oue of the parties engaged in executing those works said he would not be paid uuless 100,0001. a year were ex pended on the works of the houses. It was quite clear that if they said a million of money would cover the ex penses, that they would not g et out of the business under two millions. He thouoht that some steps should be taken to insure the country that the proper estimates should be laid before the house. (Hear, hear.) Sir W. MOLESWORTH explained that the very large amount of outstanding account for the new houses was occasioned by the necessity of having the works measured before paid for, a process which had not been gone through. The debt had been based upon work which did not come into the financial year. The votes would, however, in future be based upon the estimates of the work to be ex ecuted in the financial year, and would be paid in that year. Mr. MA CARTNEY suggested they should call on Sir Chas. Barry to give an estimate of the further expenses that would be required. Tho hon. member next called attention to the defective state of the arrangements for lighting the house. Lord SEYMOUR -thought the statement of the first Commissioner of the Board of Works was very satisfactory. He was of opiniou, however, that the time was come when the amount of remuneration to Sir Charles Barry should be settled, (Hear.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he agreed with the noble lord that the time had already elapsed when the remuneration to Sir Charles Barry should be settled. He neuld assure them that during the recess they would endeavour to obtain a bond fide estimate of the further expenses that would be required. (Hear.) Mr. BOWYER called attention to the very defective state of the ventilation of the house. More attention had been paid to make the windows of an ornamental cha racter than to make them, by opening, fit for the purposes of ventilation. (Hear.) Mr. BASS said he found now that they had got 21 orders of the day to go through, and believed several of them would create a good deal of discussion. If the com mittee agreed with him he would move that the chairman should report progress. (No, no.) He had no objection to finish the present vote. (Hear, hear.) Mr. BRIGHT said he would be glad to know whether there was any plan of this building, because if they had one they might be able to come to some conclusion as to the time when the expenditure should cease. Sir DENHAM NORREYS wished to observe, that he thought it would be a great convenience if the clock tower were finished without any more unnecessary delay. Lord CLAUDE HAMILTON wished to know whether the right hon. gentleman could give any possible estimate of the loss that had accrued to the public by the changes that had been made to the building. The noble lord then alluded to the various changes that had been made in the roof and windows of the chamber they now occupied, and other alterations for the purpose of hearing. Sir W. MOLESWORTH said it was impossible to give such an estimate. Mr. SPOONER said no ventilation could be better carried out than the ventilation of the house they last occupied. Mr. HUME wished to know, now that Dr. Reid was discharged, who had charge of the lighting and ventilation of the house ? Sir W. MOLESWORTH said that nothing was done with regard to the lighting and ventilation of the house without consulting Mr. Locke and Mr. Stevenson. After a few words from Mr. BALL, Mr. BOWYER wished a plain answer to his question, whether the windows were to be opened or not ; or whether, if not, it would be legal for hon. members to break the windows with those extraordinary beasts upon them, in order to get fresh air. Sir D. NORREYS protested against the suggestion of the lighting being placed under Mr. Gurney. The whole matter ought to be placed under one responsible person, and had been so placed under Mr. Meeson. All he asked was that the lighting and ventilation should be placed under the same person. Mr. MALINS believed he had spent as much time in the house during the last seven months as any one member in it. and he felt bound to say that it was the best ventilated apartment he had ever been in. He thought it but justice to the gentlemen entrusted with it to say so much. Mr. B. OSBORNE said the statement of the First Com missioner of Works, that nothing was done to the lighting without the consent of the Lighting Committee, was not correct. There had been lately 34 lights placed over the back benches to enable the whippers-in to see members on them. These lights were of the most extraordinary kind, fitter for Vauxhall than elsewhere. The committee knew no thing of that, and now the honourable member for Honi ton had told him that such was the heat of the lights on the ceiling, that they would in a short time char the real roof, and in a short time they would have to put up another. The health of members was injured by it, and he feared they would lose many of their most valuable members, from the shocking way in which the light and ventilation was managed. Sir W. MOLES WORTH said the light over the back seats had been ordered by the Speaker, who found that members were occasionally disorderly— (laughter)—and wished to see them. (Renewed laughter.) After some further conversation, the Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again. EDUCATION BILL. Upon the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL it was resolved that this bill be read a second time that day three months. POOR RELIEF ACT CONTINUANCE BILL. The Poor Relief Act Continuance Bill having been read a third time, Mr. MILES moved the insertion of a clause, authorising the Poor Law Board to sanction the separation of unions where the parishes desiring such separation had no work house accommodation, under conditions which would insure such accommodation. The motion was seconded by Sir G. TYLER, but was opposed by Mr. BAINES, and negatived. The bill then passed. INSURANCES ON LIVES BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. BETTING-HOUSES BILL. The house then went into committee on this bill. Mr. PELLATT moved in section 4, line 39, after the word " contingency," to insert, " every person who shall by any bill, placard, or writing, or by advertisement in any newspaper, offer to give information as to the result of any race, fight, or game, thereafter to be run or de termined, and any editor or proprietor of any newspaper, inserting or knowingly suffering to be inserted therein, any such advertisement as aforesaid, shall, upon summary conviction thereof before two justices of the peace, forfeit and pay a sum.not exceeding ten pounds, or at the discre tion of such justices, or in dfault of payment of such fine, be imprisoned in the common jail or house of correction, with or without hard labour, for any period not exceeding one calendar month." The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed the amendment, and it was negatived. The other clauses were agreed to, and the bill was ordered to be reported. DEFACING THE COIN BILL. This bill was read a second time. PUBLIC WORKS ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. The house went into committee on this bill. Several clauses having been agreed to, the house resumed. LINEN, &c., MAUFACTUItES (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a second time. SMOKE NUISANCE ABATEMENT (METROPOLIS) BILL. On the house going into committee on this bill, Lord PALMERSTON said he wished to amend the bill by proposing that instead of the penalty being so much a day, that is, being cumulative, there should be a maximum penalty of 5/. for the first offence, of 101. for the second offence, and so on, the penalty being doubled for every offence. He also proposed that the bill should not come into operation till the 24th of August, 1854. Mr. SPOONER still believed that the bill would never be carried out, and urged the Government to withdraw it. Mr. BASS said the attempt to compel parties to con sume their own smoke was futile. Mr. GEACH and Mr. BLACKETT recommended the Go vernment to postpone the bill till next session. Mr. FOX said it was impossible to suppress the smoke nuisance of steamers except by burning the very best Welsh coal, which at some parts of the year could not be had in the Thames. Lord PALMERSTON trusted the house would allow the bill to be re-printed. With regard to the distilleries, the report of Sir H. Do la Beche and Dr. Lyon Playfair distinctly showed that smoke might be consumed. All classes had of late years been compelled to make sacrifices, and he hoped the manufacturing interest would be pre pared to do what was necessary to relieve the metropolis from a nuisance which might really be prevented. (Hear, hear.) Mr. BASS said all his own efforts to prevent smoke had completely failed. Mr. SPOONER moved that the chairman do leave the chair. Mr. A. PELLATT thought it due to the noble lord that the bill which was really a new one, should be print e d. Lord D. STUART said , as representing a large secti on of the metropolis, he was very anxious that the o bj ec t should be effected , but h e believed that, in fact, it was im practicable. Still he was in favour of the printing of the bill. Lord C. HAMILTON hoped the noble lord (Palmerston) would not be deterred from persisting in his a tt emp t t o cure a serious public nuisance. Lord PALMERSTON said he was first told that he did not give time enough ; he was now told by the same per sons that he had given too much time and asked to post pone the bill to next session. (Laughter.) Mr. SPOONER then withdrew his amendment, and the bill was reported with amendments, and ordered to be re printed. CUSTOMS, &c., ACTS BILL. This bill went through committee. The Copies of Specifications Repeal Bill passed through committee pro forma. The Land Tax Commissioners' Name Bill was read a third time. SOUTH SEA AND OTHER ANNUITIES PROVI- SION FOR ,PAYMENT, &c., BILL. This bill was read a second time. NEW BILLS. Mr. LOWE obtained leave to introduce the following bills : - - - Bill providing places of confinement in England and Wales for female offenders under sentence or order of transportation. Bill to render valid certain marriages in the church of the Holy Trinity, in the township of Hulme and parish of Manchester, in the county of Lancaster. Bill to amend an act of the 7th year of her Majesty, for the better apprehension of certain offenders. Bill for further continuing certain temporary provisions concerning ecclesiastical jurisdiction in England. Bill to continue an act to amend the laws relating to loan societies. Bill to continue the exemption of inhabitants from lia bility to be rated as such in respect of stock in trade, or other property, to the relief of the poor. The house adjourned at a quarter past 3. Mr. Hastio (Glasgow) has paired for the remainder of the session with Lord A. Lennox. THE CAMP AT CIIOBHAM COMMON. Yesterday was another Red Letter Day at Chobham Common. Not only was the weather unusually bright, warm, and sunny, but an additional interest was given to the grand military pageant by the presence of Royalty. Her Majesty, Prince Albert, and the Crown Prince of Wurtembur , , with the Prince of Wales and P r ince Alfred, left London, by the South-Western Railway, at 10 o'clock, for Staines, where the royal carriages were in attendance to convey them to the camp. At half-past 11, while the various regiments were drawn up in front of their several encampments, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge observed the approach of her Majesty from a distance, and rode for ward to meet the royal cortege. Soon after a brilliant group of staff officers, whose full dress scarlet uniforms evidenced that the coming of her Majesty was not unex pected, were seen emerging upon the road from Colonel Challoner's plantation, and in the centre, and a few paces in advance of them, was the Queen, riding a fine black charger, and dressed in a dark blue riding habit, with one gold aiguilletto on the right shoulder, and a star on the left breast. Her Majesty wore a black hat, and feather tipped with red, with a blue veil—a portion of the toilette rendered indispensable by the intense bril liancy of the sun. The Crown Prince of Wurtemburg, in a uniform of dark blue, with red and gold facings, rode on her Ma jesty's left hand ; and Prince Albert, who wore the uni form of a field marshal, upon the right. The young- Princes followed in an open carriage, evidently, from their animated gestures, taking great interest in the scene. Their Royal Highnesses were dressed in light silk coats of a brownish stone colour with caps of white horse-hair, with red bands. The Queen and the royal party, whose approach had been observed with great gratification by the public as sembled on the fields, were received, on their nearing the usual scene of action, with loud cheers, which were continued at every point where the people came near to the royal cortege, as it slowly paced in front of each re giment, drawn up on its parade, along the long line of the encampment. On reaching the end of the tents the royal party turned to take up a position on a hill, situate within about half a mile on the left front of the head-quarters on the Magnet-hill, and known as "the Oyster-hill." Here a tent had been erected for the royal party, in front of which a chair was occupied by her Majesty — the young Princes standing on her right hand, side by side, and the Crown Prince of Wurtemburg on her left. A great number of men had been employed during the previous afternoon in throwing up an entrenchment on a hill opposite the royal position. Upon this a grand series of attacks were now directed, and it was gene rally supposed that the intention was to storm it and blow it up—(the electric wires for this latter operation being on the field)—but whether " the enemy" were too strong, or whether rumour was in advance of Satur day's intended operations, or whatever be the reason, this part of the military performances did not take place, the whole of the manoeuvres of the day resolving themselves into a series of very brilliant advances under cover of artillery, and as rapid retreats under protection of cavalry—the latter force making a most gallant dis play, thanks to the indefatigable energy of the Duke of Cambridge, who, on one occasion, led the whole body of horse, thundering in full charge, up the opposite hill, as if, like another Murat, he would have taken the battery at a gallop. The combination of the Royal Horse Guards Blue and the Scots Greys in one charge, had a remarkably fine effect. The manoeuvres of a short and brilliant field-day— a kind of piece de circonstance invented for the occasion, to show the points of strategy in a little time and within a small space—being concluded, the troops de filed before her Majesty. The Queen exhibited great interest, and replied with much animation to the nume rous questions put to her by the young princes, whose attention seemed much attracted to the Scots Greys and the Bth Hussars. As the 97th marched past, her Ma jesty, who was in excellent spirits, beat time with viva city to the lively air of " Rory O'More," so gaily played by their band, and paid both the 7th Fusiliers and the 88th (Connaught Rangers) the compliment of specially directing the Prince of Wurtemburg's attention to them. Among the many points of praise deserved by all the regiments on the field, the neatness and steady discipline of the 19th should not pass unmentioned. Several of the oldest officers present emphatically commended their appearance yesterday. It was now about half-past 2, and her Majesty hav ing remounted her charger, proceeded, accompanied as before, and cheered even more enthusiastically, along the lines of the Guards' encampment to the royal tent on Magnet-hill, where luncheon was prepared. Here the royal party remained about half an hour—the band of the Coldstream Guards playing several fine pieces during the interval. The square in front of the tent presented several very interesting groups, as the numerous distinguished offi cers present passed and repassed, stopping to join in conversation. The Duke of Wellington, wearing a crape band on his arm, and his brother, Lord Charles Wellesley, were not the least noticeable of the assem blage. About half-past three, a group appeared for a moment at a side entrance of the royal marquee, consisting of the Duke of Cambridge, leading the young Prince of Wales, who, with his royal father and the Prince of Wurtemburg, came out at this period to view the fine military panorama spread out before them. The royal personages were all without their hats, but speedily withdrew, to return again as quickly, Prince Albert now conducting her Majesty, who appeared exceedingly gratified with the scene. The royal party, after surveying the fine view for a few minutes, walked up to the spot where the bands of the several regiments in camp were all assembled to gether—a group of Highland pipers standing at a short distance. Ry her Majesty's suggestion, the collected bands now performed, in concert, a selection of favourite pieces. The Queen evinced great gratification at the perform ance, which was, indeed, masterly. The royal party then retired amidst reiterated cheers, and drove off in four carriages—the first containing her Majesty, Prince Albert, and the Prince of Wurtemburg ; the second, the Royal Princes, Mr. Gibbs, and the Countess of Gainsborough ; the third, the aides-do-camp to the Prince of Wurtemburg and Prince Albert ; and the fourth, the Duke of Wellington and other officers of State. Previous to the royal party leaving the ground his Royal Highness Prince Albert shook hands with Lord Seaton, and expressed the high satisfaction of her Ma jesty and himself at the appearance of the troops, and the skilful manner in which the various manoeuvres of the day had been conducted. It was observed that her Majesty appeared somewhat languid, as might be expected from her recent illness, but otherwise, making allowance for the fatigue and heat of the day, her Majesty's health seemed to be quite re stored. The breaking up of the assembly, on the departure of the royal party, gave rise to a busy and picturesque scene. The quarters of the different regiments were thronged with groups of visitors, and numerous were the admirers who promenaded " the Regent-street of the Grenadier Guards," for so the main interval of their camp is now styled. There are finger-posts put up at the quarters of the different companies—thus a bugle, in plaited straw, denotes a Regiment of Light Infantry, where a finger-post of " Lightfoot-terrace, leading to Re gent-street," surmounted by a rotatory grenadier cut in wood, also marks their quality. " Montpelier-row," and " Albert terrace," have also their martial divisions, but " Cambridge-terrace," at the head of the encamp ment, is a model of military neatness. Here is a plan tation of young firs, with plots of flowers, laid out is devices and ornamental symmetry, with sanded walks and garden seats of plaited straw. Here, too, are clever devices of grenades and regimental arms and honours, and the name " Grenadier Guards," worked in coloured pebbles ; while further down, by the officers' quarters, the Crown, the Garter, the royal motto, and several cyphers and posies, are to be seen laid out in coloured sand, garlanded by heather"; the initials, V. R., ingeni ously formed by the bowls of tobacco pipes and the mottoes by the broken stems of the same fond imple ment of the warrior, ingeniously composed and arranged. The plaited straw work of the Grenadier Guards de serves special attention ; they have huts, sentry-boxes , chairs and even tables, of plaited straw. It is the tri umph of the thatching art. The Fusiliers, who attempted to carry this accomplishment a little further, and thatched their kitchens, had one of them burnt down yesterday, as a lesson against too great luxuriousness. THE OYSTER SEASON AT BILLINGSGATE.—OnWednes day a fleet of eighteen oyster boats arrived at Billingsgate market, and, no opposition being offered by the autho rities, the captains at once opened their hatches and com menced the sale of their fish, contrary to all previous custom at Billingsgate, where, for years past, the oyster season has always been opened on . the 4th of A ugus t . The news soon spread , and the majority of the b oa t s were quickly cleared o f their cargoes. The price for the inferior descriptions of oysters, such as Callus, China Rocks, Royal Barleys, ranged from 10s. to 18s. the bushel. The real natives fetched an enormous price, namely, 48s. per bushel, , and very f ew were to b e b a d eve n at that rate. The new m ar k e t i s now en ti re ly com pleted ; it is a very commodious building, and is a great improvement to the neighbourhood. DISAPPEARANCE OF A POSTMASTER.—Yesterday (Mon day) morning no little surprise was created in Chelms ford by a rumour extensively circulated that the post master, Mr. Bramston Bacon, had disappeared. Upon inquiries we learnt that early on Saturday morning, without first acquainting his wife with the state of his affairs, and before his family were down, Mr. Bacon left his house, and has not since been heard of. An official from the General Post-office has taken possession.— Essex Herald. 81IIPPIN L IGEN OE. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The Tit, Demerara to Whitehaven, July 19, lat. 32 N ., loag. 57 W. The Hazard, for River Plate, July 17, lat. 1 N.) I°7lP 20 W. _ The Prosper, for Valparaiso, July 8, lat. 30 N., long' 40 W. The St. Ives, London to New York, June 29, lat. 4051 long. 29 W. The Cynthia, Ardrossan to New Providence, R. 19 Jll// 11, lat 49 N., long. 48 W. The Salamanca (transport), England to Bombay, J u l 16, off Cape Finisterre. The Silver Cloud, of Boston, for Cape of Good 1 13 1 )61 July 9, lat. 29 N., long. 43 W., The Parthenope, Whitehaven to Antigua, July 3, ./ 22 N., long. 37 W. The Joh Bull, of Dublin, Rio Grande to Cork o r Vol' mouth, July 10, lat. 34 N., long. 37 W. The Venus, Bahia to Falmouth, July 15, lat. 37 to ng. t. The Speculation, London to Melbourne, Jun e 20, 13- N., long. 21 W. The Belle Creole, Calcutta to Cowes, June 25, lat 9 111 long. 25 W. 11, Ist. The Princess Alice, Demerara to Madeira , July - 34 N., long. 41 W. O, The Richard Cobden, Liverpool to Bombay, March— lat. 15 N., long. 73 W. The Mary Ann, Londonderry to St. John's, New BO' wick, July 29, lat. 49 N., long. 21 W. be The Earl of Harewood, for the The Callao, June 21, on Equator, long. 21 W. 11, The Asiatic, Madras to London, July 1 7, l at. 38 long. 44 W. The James Shepherd, from London, June 20, lat 5 long. 24 W. The Marian, Waterford to Quebec, July I s t ' 49114 long. 12 W. COUNTRY MARKETS. ERBY 2. a to There was a better SM suppI ITHFIELD—A.UG y of fat beasts to-day, g i sin otl attendance of buyers was large, but some few r eni tim' unsold. The number of sheep larger than for sora e past. The supply of lambs was less than it wa s 4 ol week, and the demand was again good. The supP l 9: 6 o; of fat pigs was large. Prices as follows : —Beef, sid 'La pot mutton, 6d to 7d ; lamb, 8d to 9d ; veal, 6d to 00 lb. ; pigs, 9s to Os Od per score ; rough fat, 5s Od per hides, 2d to 2id per lb ; calf-skins, 30 to 4d per im. EDINBURGH GRAIN— AuG. 3. Wheat on the top is down, and the average 10c1 Zoll Barley on the top 6cl, and the average 2s 6d, 111)• the top 4d up, and the average 4d down. Bean" top is, and the average is id, up. AVERAGES PER IMPERIAL QUARTER. nd Top of Wheat - —. Barley b Oats Beans 4 2 3 5 7 6 5: 5 -- Total Supply and Sales. Wheat BarleyDAß Oatsevihtaeetni Average g e ef Barleyo of wheat 171028898224 qqqqrsll:: sold 995411 sold a d d N 2 l 2l( q c Its : £2 16 4 0-12ths Ditto of Oats Ditto of Beans -12tiLg 2 3 9 i.a.- BOSTON—Aua. 3. P l l To-day the farmers brought forward an immense :jai of wheat, but only a few parcels were sold to needl 08 ,, for present use, at a decline of is to, in some lust:6_24 !if per qr. The few oats and beans on offer met a sv°';thilig mand at last week's rates. In barley and peas l i es issi doing. Wheat, red, 44s to 545, white, 54s to 570, A o s ta 00s ; oats, 18s to 22s ; beans, 40s to 42s ; barley , 00s ; peas, OOs to OOs per qr. NEWARK—AnG. 3. - At our Corn-exchange to-day we had a thin at,t en beel of farmers, but a good supply of grain, which mo tcheob sale at is per qr. below last week's prices. Prices:- - '0 white, 60s to 635, red 52s to 58s ; barley, grinding , 4 40 0 30s, malting 00s to 00s ; oats, 24s to 27s ; bea ms' 0 0 01 u 46s ; peas, 42s to 44s ; malt, 56s to 60s ; tares, "' per qr. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, AUG. 4. 0 1°11 STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market has been AP day, and prices have ruled about the same as Ye B so; Birkenhead, &c. (Chester and Birkenhead), 20i ; than, 33i ; Eastern Counties, 12 13-16 ; 1an0n5 1 91,41,1 Yorkshire, 76i 7 ; London and North Western' d, Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 28i ; Mia'" 701 I; Preston and Wyre (No. 1). 48/. MANCHESTER, AUG. 4. STOCK EXCHANGE. The business of to-day 13$11 110 be. larger than yesterday, but prices have had a dlotel tendency. The sales were :—Caledonian, 33$ Counties, 12:1 ; East Lancashire, 18A ; Lane:Or:li , Yorkshire, 77 6,, 7 - ; ditto, West Riding tnion, 3 ( bat don and North Western, 115 14A ; ditto, New 00;11; 3-16 prem. ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, • flv ditto, New 6/. Preference, g prem. ; Midland Consols, 71 70i ; South Eastern, 21 5-16. BIRMINGHAM, AUG. 4. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was no business tP' - ollt on 'Change to-day in Railway Shares, and prices, g..„ e " n bley' were unsteady. This was attributed to unfayow" reign intelligence. BRISTOL, AUG 4. a i Sroci: EXCHANGE.—The market did not presen t animation. Th e sa l es made were—Bristol and El..- 1.02 ; Great Westerns at 89 ; Midlands at 70i. _ , 4 911 [ AD VERTISEMENT.I—Fifty Thousand Cures W r eC Barry's Food, w ith out me di c i ne, i nconven iencqd./ pense (as it saves fif ty t i mes i ts cost i n ot h er reinstil l "Twenty-fi ve y ears ' nervousness, constipatiothle tion, and debility, from which I had suffer cu r giet misery, and whi c h no me di c i ne could remove or 40 1 : have been effectually cured by Du Barry's ft e sa str Arabica Fo o d i n a ver y s h or t ti me . W. 11. pe pti * Pool Anthony, Tivert on ."—" Ei g ht years' di r; 081 nervousness, debility, with cramps, spams, and n i a . # l3 , for which my serv an t h a d consu lt e d th e advice ° e f per have been e ff ec t ua ll y remove d b y D u Barry's! sha lll health-rest or i ng f oo d i n a very s h ort time. pd happy t o answer any i nqu i r i es. Rev. John W. 4 esfuj Ridlington R ec t ory, N or f o lk . "—" Th ree year s' e, nervousness, with pains in my neck and left l'; 1 -0; general debility, which rendered my life very 1 ' 1 . 1 ;01. has been radically removed by Du Barry's '" storing food. Alexs. Stuart, Archdeacon of 805,.- bereen."—" 50 years' indescribable agony fr °— O ; pepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipate lency, spasms, sickness at the stomach, and T° l3l 39P r i has been removed by Du Barry's excellent food,. ,05:4 Jolly, Northam Ling, near Diss, Norfolk."--u°l testimonials of 50,000 cures (includi n g those ° Stuart de Decies, Major-Generale Thomas icing ; T.Tre, Shorland, and Harvey) gratis. In canist e r b :l lt ; ; full instructions, 11b., 2s. 9d. 2lb., 4s. 61 ; 5 ,t 121 b., 225. ; super-refined, 51b., 225. ; 101 b. 101 b. and 121 b. carriage free. Barry Du Barry a 77, Regent-street, London. a (I g oy [ADVERTISEMENT.]--The Earl of Aldborougli !041 1° . loway's Pills.—An astounding cure by this so' see c; medicine after every other means had failed. e ali° l , tract from his lordship's letter, dated " Leghorn, Feb. 21, 1845. To Professor ••r e ffe o ;ll Sir,—l beg to acquaint you that your pills 10 ° 0 06 a cure of a disorder in my liver and stomach, : fl yer be the most eminent of the f acu lty a t h ome an d a - f ee t e o Continent had not b een a bl e t o effect—nay, 10t , e A r waters of Carlsbad or Mari en b a d. (Signe , v A i s or°,'e ROUGH." These wonderful pill s w ill cure any d> 074, of the liver or stomach —Sold (also HollovAlple ment) at Professor Holloway's Establhment, 24 e et London, and by all medicine venders throug h kingdom. LADVERTISEMENT.I—THE CAMP AT bier 39, Albemarle-street, Piczadilly.—Observe, opYiaopyet York Hotel. The Royal Exhibition. - 6 na ter7.o o newly-invented, very small powerful willow; P e ,d; glass, the size of a walnut, by which , f 60'0 can be seen and known one mile and a half at #3o o they answer every purpose on the race-cour? 1 , 10 or opera-houses country scenery, and ships are , e rt at 12 to 14 rUiles. They are invaluable for sh°°,, e ltse t roe' stalking, yachting, to sportsmen, gentlemen, Pl a3 p4 and tourists. Tlescopes—A new and inus t o o invention in telescopes, possessing such 0 $ n iee9: l tbi powers that some, 3i inches, with an extra er i ;`s , show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn ' s rl Nig i atr" double stars ; with the same telescope, weiglioeAlte• ounces can be seen a person's countenanco g 0 46 1 1 and a 'half distant, and an object from J-q They supersede every other kind for the vialsMg and are of larger and all sizes, with increS" l iou accordingly. Opera and race - course glasses, wet to 16 0 19 ; ' power ; an object can be clearly seen, from - 1 ; na 1 0 ;4 distant. Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, opticie...;oo vented invaluable preserving spectacle lenses. _l fy w er f they are placed before imp er f ec t v i s ion, i ' eee tiV / ' a pp ea rs clear and distinct; the most aged, " la r i , a ciA becomes bright and brilliant, is brought to l ose° natural, and original state. Deafness—Nef, fl order o . l The Organic Vibrator, an extra.ordinall n ewly-invented instrument, for Deafness, eu""-",„,,c1 4 " - f from all others, to surpass anything been, or probably ever can be, produced. •it lie ° lr of i 3e ipg °Ol Ol same colour as the skin, it is not perceptiblssi poo . ? deaf persons to hear distinctly at church aud. ng tOoter' ance that possibly semblies ; the unpleasant sensation of siugln 00 0 0: the ears is entirely removed ; and it affordsg:solSilf and t. could be desired. —S. Amists and Opticians, 39, Albemarle-stree Observe, opposite the York Hotel. BIRTHS. a"' OF A BON. on Olt On the 4th inst. at at Henrietta-street, - v en Mrs. Charles Few.. 0 ,..,,uf l y ' On the Ist inst., at Guildford, Mrs. Robert Stop O A& OF A DAUGHTER. eill OP . On the 3d inst., at Streatham - hill , Mrs. ..::4(eof On the 2d inst., in Harewood - squ are, the " / topher Cookson, Esq. MARRIED. 11 0 OW/ ova On the 3d inst., at St. Peter's, Sheffield, 11 0 . 0 6 t id Esq., Broom-cross, Sheffield, to Hannah, YcnnsileffleP",, ter of the late Joh Wilson, Esq., Oalc..holo2ll',____/ 0 6 DIED. op JO On the 27th ult., at Killymeal, Dungtuill° rto pe o Sheil, Esq., Q.C. Bangoirep tor ete o On the 30th ult., at Cullen -house, William, Earl of Seafield. On the 27th ult., at Glenearradale, Bi ch Esq., of Auchinbreck. T OT Arrrapo VO.lll LONDON : Printed and Published by 010 . if C of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Me Sun 0 ..k . ' c al Strand, in the Precinct ot the Savoy, in w 1 Middlesex, Friday, August 6, 1861 . . 1 , ~--~"~ It That INDI the Wa I on Ben nattier notieg( 1101:ebay 25.( trY RE INDL P roPriet -ellt th • EMS , e folloN N i n B Y" or th WIL] bepa; 1 11 1 E I a t - Lord D ire land U nber rBOlll n int o as n %I4e foll e oci M 11; a te Ti t : 2_ 3 lre c T e rrace Pier, 1; 7 t 9% TOt 0t4 14 rbu p") , .1.4111 .qt 114' \I R A th t QO M th t l r , ttiot v t tl ? nt of tict