The Sun. — London, England, 1840-03-20 00:00:00

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE DAILY PAPERS OF YESTERDAY. (From the Globe.) As the dat of discussion and decision in Parliament of the great national question, the Corn-law monopoly, approaches, its advocates and opponents are employed in matshall:ng their means, and strengthening their posi dour. , The fact that public opinion has, during the last year, made rapid strides toward an entire revisal of the system, with a view to a gradual or immediate aboli tion of the monopoly, is admitted by the journals hitherto the most zealous in its defence ; while the advocates of abolition refer to the crippled state of our manu factures in proof that the abolition of the prohi bitory duties on foreign corn is the only means of averting the impending ruin which threatens our com mercial interests. Those for whose protection the monopoly was pro fessedly established begin to open their eyes to the fal lacy of the pretences on which the system is made to rest ; and in several districts the farmers refuse to sub mit to the injurious deception so long practised on them by the landowners, who alone pocket the advantage (if any), wrung no less from the farmers and labourers than from the manufacturers and those in their employ. (From the Standard.) The Morning Chronicle has reminded us that among the subjects of discussion which the House of Commons I might properly prefer to the "privilege question," the 1 " k'sel Club of Glasgow,' or the comparative merits of the " Bade lights and wax candles"—the operation of the New Poor-law Bill holds no undistinguished place. Our contemporary has discovered that the new code cannot go on in company with the Cora-laws, and so far we agree with it ; but we go a little further, for we say that the New PooF-law code cannot go in company with the British Constitution, or without totally subverting the social state of Great Britain, such as it has been for cen turies. It is well, however, to observe in the outset that this detected incompatibility of the new Poor-law Act with the Corn-laws comes suspiciously late. When ,- the former was under discussion the very reverse effect was predicted. The landlords were told that nothing but the new law could save their estates, the manufac -1 tarers were assured that by raising the character and stimulating the working classes the proposed innovation ' would render wages to them a matter of comparative indifference, while a promise of greatly increased wages was held out to the classes who must live by labour. (From the Courier.) The progress of the privilege claims may possibly ter minate advantageously to the public by clearin g awa y 1 those obstructions to the discussion of questions which are important to the nation at large. The fact begins to he undeniable by the most zealous supporters of old fortis ' that the laws relating to that indefinite offence called libel should be corrected. It is perfectly evident that if the House of Commons choose to protect its own officers in the issue of papers, said to be intended for the advantage of the whole of society, it will be equally ne cessary to extend the like protection to all who assist 1 in the promulgation of the documents which are deemed so advantageous that they cannot be withheld unless at a sacrifice. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S—YEsrgenAY, THE DERBY. 13 to 1 agst Angelica colt 16 to 1 agst Confederate—taken 16 to 1 agst Theon 20 to 1 apt Launcelot 20 to 1 agst Gambia —taken ] 23 to 1 agst Bokhara 30 to 1 agst Monops -30'to 1 agst Wardan—taken 30 to 1 agst Chameau 33 to 1 agst Melody—taken. 40 to 1 agst Black Bess—taken 40 to 1 agst Torres Vedras 50 to 1 agst Grey Milton—taken 50 to 1 agst Diplomatist—taken 1000 to 10 agst Refresher—taken. 1000 to 10 apt Janus—taken 1000 to 15 apt Molineux—taken 1000 to 15 apt Morgan Rattler—taken 1000 to 20 apt Assassin 1000 to 20 apt Dreadnought—taken. THE OAKS. 7 to 2 agst Crucifix 8 to 1 agst Black Bess—taken 8 to 1 agst Lalla Rookh—taken 12 to 1 agst Filly out of Rowton's dam TWO THOUSAND GUINEA STAKES. 10 to 1 agst Crucifix—taken 43 to 1 agst Wardan 7 to 1 agst Angelica colt—taken 28 to 1 agst Angelica winning 2000 gs. Stakes and Darby— taken, Very little doing. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. BOW-STREET. A female of respectable appearance named Mary M. Namara, wife of a hawker residing at the Coach and Horses public house, Aldersgate-street, was charged on suspicion with stealing from the shop of Mr. Mew, 301, High Holborn, a roll of silk containing 95 yards. The prosecutor said that on Monday last the prisoner entered his shop, and was shown by her desire several pieces of silk, and after being gone about ten minutes the property in question was missing, but before she had left she purchased three yards of silk, and not having sufficient money to pay for it she left a deposit, and. having again called for it last evening, she was givers into custody. On making inquiry about her, the accounts received were anything but satisfactory. The assistant who exhibited the silks proved that after exhi biting a dozen pieces she expressed a wish to see a piece which lay in the window, and he supposed that it was when he went to get it that the roller was taken. He was only about four minutes at the window, and there was no person within several yards of the prisoner in the shop. The prisoner wore a large silk cloak, and on handing her the bill of what she had pur chased she appeared to conceal one hand from him. Mr. Mew said that when she was taken into custody she desired that every search would be made at her lodgings. Mr. Wooler, who appeared for the prisoner, contended that there was nothing in the evidence to warrant a conviction, and particularly as she returned to the shop to pay Is. 3d. which remained due. The prisoner said that she lived for several years in Bristol, where she was well known as a respectable person. Mr. Twreour said that there had been enough proved to de- tain her on the charge, and should she consent to take the officer and allow him to search the premises, and that nothing was %mad, she might be discharged. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. VESSELS SPOKEN WITIL —The Medora, of Aberdeen, from Sicily, Feb. 18th, off Algiers ; Su ccess , o f B e lf ast, f rom Si c il y , 25th, off Gibraltar, by the Bristol, Escott, arrived at Milford; Elbe, St. John's, New Brunswick, to Liverpool, lat. 52, lon. 16, by the Huntress, arrived at Liverpool; Bremen, Smyrna to London, 18th ult., off Cape de Gatt ; Palestine, of Aber deen, 13th inst., lat. 51. lon. 13, by the Gipsy, arrived at Cork; Dibdin, bound to Marseilles, 22d ult., lat. 49, lon. 20, by the Lady Gordon, arrived at Crookhaven ; Prince Edward, Morris, Milford to Messina, 23d ult., lat. 10, lon. 20 ; Duchess. of Kent, Liverpool to New South Wales, lat. 11, lon. 40 ; 31anto, thorn Havre. lat. 12, lon. 36; South Durham, New castle to Malta, lat. 10, lon. 30 ; Charles, 9th inst., lon. 7, by the Albion, Young, arrived in the River ; Jubilee, of Sunder land, bound to Bordeaux, off the Lizard, by the Isabella,. Gibber:Ls, arrived in the River; Sarah, New Orleans to Bor deaux, 22d ult., lat. 41, lon. 31 ; Adventure, Liverpool Santa Maria, 26th, lat. 47, lon. 20, by the Earl Durham, ar rived at Swansea; Independence, Liverpool to New York,. Ist inst., lat. 44, lon. 45 ; Susquelsannah, Philadelphia to. Liverpool, sth, by the England, Wayte, arrived at Liverpool ; Congress, Mobile to Liverpool, lat. 33, lon. 74 ; Pocohntos, I t iverpool to Baltimore, 26th alt., lat. 44, lon. 48, by the Oscella, arrived at Liverpool ; Niagara, of New York, from. Liverpool, 20th ult., lat. 44, lon. 52, by the Helen and Eliza beth, arrived at Cork ; Bucephalus, of - Greenock, for Bombay, Ig. 3 N.,40n. 24 W., by the Ida, arrived off Plymouth. A BAD SIGN.—" Faith, and what do you call that same thing up there ?" said an Irish labourer, pointing with astonishment to a hatchment on a noble mansion. "It must be a sign, sure!" " Of course it is," replied his compa nion, with a look of immeasurable superiority, " it is a alga hat somebody is dead." At Calcutta the indigo planters have founded a society called the Planters' Association, which is regarded with some degree of interest, as giving those persons a new position in society. It is supposed that from their knowledge of the interior, the members will have it in their power to present their committee with information which will be highly useful when laid before the Government. At a monthly meeting of the Landholders' Society, it was resolved that these should communicate with the Planters' Association, and express their willingness to unite for mutual support and assistance. LONGEVITY.—Among the provincial papers received within the last few days , we fi n d t h e f ollowing deaths recorded v---Mrs. Sorel-. Holder, of Chartley, near Tewkes bury, 101 ; M r . J . B arker, of St. Keverne , Cornwall,93 Mr. John Da v i es , of Cony Bridg e Ilfracombe, 101, re t a i ning ; 'fall possession of hi s f acu l ties till the last ; Susa n , relict of Mr. John Pearce, P os t master of Tewkesbury, 99; Mr. John Mat. tram, of Waterworks-str ee t, H u ll , 100; Mr. Nathaniel Mills of Great King-street, Bi rm i ng h am, 94 ; and Mr. G. 8.1. Krull, surgeon, Rochester, 94. . ' THE JUDGE PRESENTED WITH WHITE GLOVES IN TIPPERARY.—The present generation have wit nessed many strange and important events. Catholic Emanci pation, the Reform Bill, and the progress of temperance, may be referred to as illustrations of the great changes brought about in our own time ; but we must confess, albeit that experience had so well prepared us for strange oecgrrences, we never expected to hear of a Tipperary Assizes proving maiden, and of a Judge of Assize be coming thereby entitled to receive, at the hands of the High Sheriff, a pair of pure white gloves, as an emblem of peace, and as a token of congratulation that the exe cutioner should not be required to exercise his terrible functions. The Sheriff upon whom this gratifying duty devolves is Mr. H. Prittie, and the Judge who has had the good fortune to be honoured by this singular proof of the progress of order and civilisation in Tipperary, is Baron Richards. Not only have the Assizes for the Southern Division of Tipperary proved maiden—there being no capital conviction —but there - has net been a single conviction for an agrarian offence !—Dubliin Evening Post. BADMINTON. —In addition to the Earl and Countess of Chesterfield, and the Earl and Countess of Wilton Lord Adolphus Fitzelarence the Hon. Capt. Macdonald, Mr. Wombwell, &c., are expecthd' dur ing the visit of his Serene Highnes s band Gotha to the Duke and Duchenscseo FOREIGN WHEAT,- -. Accordi g mada to the House of Commons, the to i n — foreign wheat and flour, at the rate each quarter imported and entered for ho the last day of May to the last da of to join p t r i i ie circle assemblexdecoEf z a s u t f o r f t. Sa - to ° a Return taofnumber of quarters of 921bs. of Hour to Tripe consumption, from 1,507,132 qrs., and the araount Of dutyecreencebeiverd, 11339, wax The largest quantities were imported in June and September. In the former month the total amount was 5 05,365 qrs., and in the latter 812,738 qrs. In order to prevent mistakes, we are requeste d a state that the name of one of the parti es w h o met at Wimble don Common on Friday is L. W. Flower, of Bath. IMPERIAL PARLIAM EN T ROUSE OF LORDS, MARCH 19. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack at Five o'clock. Mr. BROTHERTON and Mr. GIBSON CRAIG brought up the Bolton Small Debts, the Plate Glass Company's, the Edinburgh Gas Company's, and other private Bills. The Earl of HADDINGTON presented a petition from the County of Argyle, praying for an alteration of the law of Church patronage. The Marquis of NORMAN BY presented a petition signed by 500 of the most opulent householders in Stepney, praying for an amendment of the law relating to Leet Juries. Also a petition from the Total Tem perance Society of Dundee, praying for an alteration of the Corn-laws. CHURCH EXTENSION.—CORN - LA WS . Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from Harford, in the county of Devon, in favour of Church Extension, and petitions from the same place, and from several other places in the counties of Devon and Dorset against an alteration of the Corn-laws. CHURCH PATRONAGE (SCOTLAND.) The Duke of BUCCLEUCU presented petitions from Edinburgh, Dundee, and numerous other places, in favour of the principle of Non-intrusion. He also pre sented a petition from Dumfries, which he said was of a very different character, as the petitioners prayed the House to uphold the present ordinations of the Church of Scotland, and they complained of the course taken by the General Assembly as nothing more or less than an attempt to separate the Church from the State. Lord HOLLAND rose to present two hundred petitions which had been entrusted to him—[The Noble Lord was here interrupted by]— The Marquis of LONDONDERRY, who rose amidst some laughter, and upon Lord Holland's giving way, said that he was intrusted with a petition of very great importance on the same subject It was signed by 2,000 inhabitants of Belfast, who, considering the close relationship between the north of Ireland and the people of Scotland, could not behold without regret the dissensions which were now rending the Church of Scotland. The petitioners prayed for the interference of the House to conciliate the differences. Lord HOLLAND (in the absence of his Noble Friend the Marquis of Breadalbane), presented petitions in favour of Non-intrusion from Dryfesdale, Melrose, Forglen, Carnpboltown, Killearnan, Kinfauns, Kinross, Kirtle, Abergaldy, Lochee, Collace, Kinclaven, Gir thon, Anstruther Wester, Stirling, Moffat, Thurso, Marnoch, Airth, Morridie, Glenisla, Linbrathin, Pres tonpans, Cupar Angus, Cleish, Lunen, Leuchars, Bre chin, Dron, Greenlaw, Wich, Eastwood, Blairgowrie, Cargill, Rhynd, Plochton, Stornaway, Torryburn, Kilmuir Wester and Suady, Glenlyon, Ardnamurchan, Glassery, Trinity Gash, Forteviot, Fearn, Newspynie, Banton, Ravyne, Meigle, Glendovan, Maghera, Perth, Lochgilphead, Duthil, Tinwald, Echford, Duntocher, Kilbrandon, Castledawson, Brechn, Ruthwell, Balqu bidder, Annan, Kilmalie, Tarbat, B—dekirk, Kirk hill, Newton Stewart and Penningharr Heriot, Glenorchy and Inishiel, Dartmore, Halkirk, Pettinweem, Milton of Balgowie, Lorne, Lethendy and Kinloch, Turriff, Kirk aldy, Halfmorton, Dunfermline, Ardeonaig, Lawers Breadalbane, Troqueer, Larbert, Dunipace, Monimail, Logie Easter, Elrig, Saint Peter's of Dundee, Logie almond, East Kilbride, Aberdeen, Lybster, Dumbany, Birnie, Caithness, Barry, Fintry, Campsie, Tobermory, Strath Kinness, Dumfries, Kilmuir Easter, Rattray, Reay, North Knapdale, Elgin, Portree, Invertiel, Gar vald Caputh, Tenandry, Mordington, Bernera, Dun keld, Craig, Rothiemay, Bainahine, Glenelg, Logic, Chapelahade, Inverkeillor, Dalton, Speymouth, Forgan denny, Durinish, Killchrenan and Dallavich, Urray, Strathfilian, Fearn, Kilehoman, Darsie, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dingwall, Kilmuir, Stanley, Strontian, I Kembach, Roscobie, Cockenzie, Cockburnspath, Cul ross, Milnathort, Prestonkirk, St. Mungo, Irongray, Tundergartb, Renton, Innerwick„ Gash, Kilspendie, Rosallis, Oban, Sprouston, Coutin, Kilsyth, Dunbar, Tain, Keiss, Portnahasen, Tillicoultry, Stow, Ban nockburn, Denny, Bernedale, Crieff, Torphichen, Uist- Southnapdale, Bowes, Burntisland, Abemyte, Rothes, Anwoth, St. Andrews, Banff, Watten, Knoch, Ben dochy, Kelso, Fortwilliam, Eassay and Nevay, "Kin goldrum, Newtyle, Kilcalmonell, Borth Kennar, Newthorne, Kirkmichael, Abernethy, Scoonie, Cam bernaud, Alloa, Killin, Chinnie, Beath, Fodderty, Bruen, Legerwood, Dunblane, Dundee, Kennoway, Marnoch, Lochbroom. Some of these added to that prayer complaints of the proceedings in the Courts of Law of Scotland, others prayed for an abrogation of the rights usurped by pa trons, but at the same time expressed a wish that the patrons might be compensated for the loss of any pecuniary or other advantage which they derived from their presentations. He felt himself honoured by being entrusted with conveying to their Lordships the prayers of those petitions ; but he was not able to say a word as to the merits of the subjeet L to which those petitions referred. The Earl of ABERDEEN said the Noble Lord had used a very wide word when he described the 1 greater part of the petitions as being in favour of the principle of Non-intrusion. If any Noble Lord would take the trouble of looking into the petitions, he would find that scarcely two of them were alike in their prayer. It would be seen that some of them simply prayed for the abolition of the present patronage, others somewhat inconsistently recognised the rights of the patrons, and prayed for compensation ; and others, again, prayed for an arbitrary veto in the General Assembly. Lord HOLLAND said a few words in explana tion, which were inaudible . IRISH MUNICIPAL REFORM. Lord FITZGERARD said he had a petition to present to their Lordships of no slight importance. Wben he had on a former evening given notice of his intention to present it, he by no means wished to pro pose any controversy on the subject—but re collecting what had passed in a former year when he had presented a petition from the inhabitants of Galway, praying that they might be exempted from the operation of ceitain provisions t f the Municipal Re form Act. He now took the cpr.-. - tunity afforded by the intervals between the stages o the Bill, in order that if any Noble Lord were instructed to express any , dissent to the prayer of the petition he might have an op portunity of doing so, and he bad the honour of presenting last year a petition from the same place. Its prayer was in some respects different from the present ; but the main object was to have the town of Galway removed from the first schedule of the Bill, which gave to the towns contained in it the option of having a Corporation or not. The Bill of last rear differed from that since sent up with respect to the fiscal powers of Grand Juries, which it was proposed to transfer to the Town Council, hut which provision was not included in the present Bill. The town of Galway did not object to the public funds being strictly audited—whatever was his opinion of the Bill, and however much he de sired the abolition of all exclusive Corporations— after the discussions which had taken place, he was so impressed with the importance of settling the question, that he should offer no opposition to it. The Noble Lord said he doubted not that he would be subjected, as others had been, to animadversion and reprobation for what was called an abandonment of former principles. But those principles remained un changed, and he was convinced that he was, never theless,, taking the right course in not adhering with stubborn obstinacy to one course. The in habitants of the town of Galway had instructed their Representatives in the House of Commons to move that it be omitted from Schedule A. and those representatives had, in accordance with this instruction, strenuously supported its object. Yet those Members were among the steadiest and most stedfast supporters of the present Government. This showed that it was no party effort. The petition which he had now to present stated that under the 5 and 6 Will. IV. the funds of the town had been provided for, and that the administration of justice, and the appointment of i Sheriffs, had also been arranged by previous enactments. They therefore prayed that the town might not be bur dened with a corporation—bringing along with it officers to be paid by the burgesses—and that the town might he placed in Schedule B. The Marquis of NOItMANBY could bear a willing .. . .... testimony to the highest respectability of the petitioners, at the same time he had a petition not exactly in oppo sition to, but not in accordance with, theirs—for it prayed that there might be certain alterations in the provisions of the Bill, but did not oppose the in sertion of Galway in schedule A. Lord FITZGERALD said the petition he presented comprised the names of individuals who paid nineteen twentieths of the whole town rating.—( Hear, hear.) Lord GLENGALL presented a petition from Clon rnel, signed, as he would testify, by three-fourths of the rate-payers, and a large majority of the most respectable inhabitant s of the town, against its inclusion in the Bill. MUNICIPAL REFORM (IRELAND). The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented petitions from the city and county of Londonderry against the I r i s h M unicipal Reform Bill, which he gave notice w t h o e ul d 2 6 b t h instant, s ri n g under wh en the h co e n F w i d o e u r l a d t o p n u t o q f o t e h s e_ House tions to the Nobl e M arquis opposite (Lord Normanby) for the purpose of ascertaining wh et h er i t was the intention of the Gove rnment to adhere to the declara tions made by the Nobl e M arquis in M ay l ast. Lord LURGAN presented a petitio n from Belfast in favour of Non-intrusion in the Church of Scotland. The Marquis of BUTE presented a petition from Abercorn, and several other places in Scotland, against , the intrusion of Ministers. VACCINATION BILL. On the motion of the Earl ot SHAFTESBURY the Report on the Vaccination Bill was received. The Marquis of NORM ANBY and Lord ELLEN. BOROUGH intimated they had made some slight alterations in the Act. METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICTS. The Marquis of NORMAN BY presented a Bill for the better defining the pcwer of the Justices in the Metropolitan police districts, which was read a first time, and ordered to be printed ; and read a second time on Monday. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the dis- charge of the Order for the second reading of the Bill for tae Administration of Justice until next week. The House then adjourned at Six o'Clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, MARcir 19. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'Clock. Mr. LOCKHART presented a petition from the Parliamentary Trustees for the improvement of the na vigation of the river Clyde, praying for an enlargement of the harbour at Glasgow. Also a petition from the Merchants' House of Glasgow in favour of the Glasgow Poor-rate Bill. Colonel LYGON presented a petition from Worces ter against the Birmingham Canal Bill. Mr. WILLIAMS presented a similar petition from Coventry. BOLTON SMALL DEBTS BILL. On the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON the Bolton Small Debts Bill was read a third time and passed. Sir C. DOUGLAS presented a petition from the Birmingham Canal Navigation Company, against the Birmingham Canal Junction Bit!. THAMES PLATE GLASS COMPANY. On the Motion of Mr. BENJAMIN WOOD the Thames Plate Glass Company Bill was read a third time and passed. PORTSMOUTH FLOATING BRIDGE. On the motion of Sir GEORGE STAUNTON the Portsmouth Floating Bridge Bill was read a se cond time and ordered to be committed. Mr. MILNES presented petitions from two parishes in the West Riding of Yorkshire in favour of Church Extension. BRITISH LEGION. Sir DE LACY EVANS rose to present a peti tion from 200 officers of the late British legion. The Hon. and Gallant Member observed that he would not trouble the House with entering into a detail of the statements in the petition, but if the House would allow him, he wished to make two or three observa- tions.—(Cries of " Chair, chair.") He threw him self entirely on the indulgence of the House.—(Cries of "Go on, go on.") He wished to correct an erro neous impression that had gone abroad, that he had entered into a contract with the Spanish Govern ment for the pay of the petit:oners and the men of the Legion. That was entirely a mistake. Neither he nor any other person entered into any contract with the Spanish Government, but merely agreed to certain conditions, as any other Government would do. He had entered that service, as any other soldier would have done, entirely upon his own judgment ; yet having had the command of the force, and being the only Member of that force in the House, he was placed in a peculiar position, and he therefore wished to make an observation or two. The SPEAKER said the Hon, Member ought to confine himself to the statements of the petition. If he confined himself to anything strictly personal to himself, the House probably would grant its indul gence.—( Hear, bear) _ _ . Sir DE LACY EVANS—The observations he was about to make were strictly personal to himself. Of course he felt the utmost anxiety to further the settle ment of the claims of the petitioners ; but so long us the success of the constitutional cause remained in doubt, and until the sum due was ascertained, be felt that he had no right to bring the case before the House ; but as that cause was now safe, and as the sum was ascertained to be 280,0001., he considered that—(Cries of " Order, order.') He was anxious to abstain from going into details, but he would call the attention of the House to the petition after Easter—expressing a hope that before that time—(Cries of " Order, order.") The petition was laid on the table. Mr. A. CHAPMAN presented a petition from Whitby, in favour of Church Extension. ilar petitions were presented by Mr. HAL FORD, from two parishes in the county of Leicester. Sir C. LEMON presented seven petitions from parishes in the county of Cornwall, praying that no alteration mght be made in the Corn-laws. Similar petitions were presented by Mr. COMPTON and Lord WORSLEY, from several places in Lincolnshire. Mr. LOCKHART presented a petition from St. George's parish in Glasgow, praying that in any legis lative enactment respecting the Scottish Church, the principle of the Veto Act, as it was caled, might not be recognised. Also, similar petitions from a parish in Lanarkshire and the county of Argyle. Colonel PERCEVA L presented a petition, signed by the High Sheriff, Grand Jury, and all the respecta bility of the county of Sligo, praying for the establish ment of an impartial system of railways in Ireland. Mr. R. CURRIE presented a petition from the in habitants of Long-Buckby, Northamptonshire, for the suppression of Ecclesiastical Courts, relief from Church rates, and the discharge of J. Thorogood. Also a pe tition for the same object, from the Baptist Congrega tion of the same place. Mr. A'COURT HOLMES presented a petition from the Isle of Wight in favour of Church Extension. Mr. JOHN FIELDEN presented petitions from Oldham and other places in Lancashire, praying for the total abolition of the Corn-laws : also a petition from Blackburn, praying for Universal Suffrage, Annual Parliaments, and Vote by Ballot. Mr. PUSEY presented petitions from thirty-two parishes in Berkshire, in favour of the Corn-laws. Sir HUSSEY VIVIAN presented a petition from Cornwall for the immediate and total repeal of the Corn laws. Sir G. STAUNTON presented a petition from Buckinghamshire, praying the House to adopt mea sures for the suppression of the opium trade with China, Mr. M'KINNON presented a petition from Lyming, ton in favour of Church Extension. Sir R. INGLIS presented a petition from Canada against any alienation of the Church property in that colony. Mr. SANFORD presented al petition from a parish in the county of Suffolk, praying for inquiry into the operation of the Corn-laws. Also a petition from the members of the church and congregation of Shepherd's Market, praying for inquiry into the state of Church Es tablishments. An HON. MEMBER presented a petition from Suf folk, signed by 4,831 persons, fur the repeal of the:Corn laws. DIVORCE BILLS. Sir GEORGE GREY moved to amend the Stand ing Order on Divorce Bills, in conformity with the provisions of the Act 1 Geo. IV. c. 101, relating to India, and also the follow:ng resolution—" That in all cases in which the petitioner for the Bill has attended the House of Lords upon the second reading of the Bill, he be required to attend also to answer any questions the Select Committee may think fit to require that he should answer." Mr. HUME expressed his regret that the Govern ment bad not thought it their duty to consider what means could be adopted to prevent that House being made a tribunal for such purposes. Mr. FRESHFIELD presented a petition from the Clergy and Churchwardens of Falmouth, praying for Church Extension. Colonel RUSHBROOK presented a petition from Worthington, in the county of Suffolk, praying for the repeal of the Corn-laws. An HON. MEMBER presented a petition from four parishes in Norfolk against any alteratioo• in the Corn laws. Sir F. TRENCH presented a petition in favour of Medical Reform. Lord TEIGNMOUTH presented a petition from certain bakers of London against Sundi►y Trading in the Metropolis. Mr. HUME presented two petitions pr aying for the release of John Thorogood, and the .abolition of Church -rates, one from Stoney-Stratfore, and the other from a place in Northamptonshire; also six petitions from Glasgow, Ayrbridge, front a parish in Fifeshire, from the Universal Suffrage Associa tion of Lanark, signed by 5,000 persons, and from two other places, praying for ex t ens i on f the suf rage, and no-property qualification ; also eight peti tions from Bradford, and various places in Labeashire, Dumfriesshire and Chester, praying for the aboliti,ln of the Corn-laws. Lord SA NDON presented a petition from the Mi . - nisters and Elders of the Scottish Church in Liverpool, praying that the Legislature might settle the question of Non-intrusion. Mr. BAINES presented a petition from a place in the West-riding of Yorkshire signed. by 700 persons, praying for an abolition of the Corn-laws. Mr. FOX MAULE presented a petition from a place in Nova-Scotia, complaining of the state of reli gious destitution in our North American Colonies, and praying the attention of the House to the subject On the motion of Mr. G. CRAIG the Arbroath and Forfar Railway Bill was read a third time and passed. On the motion of the same Hon. Member, the Lords" a mendments to the Edinburgh Gas Bill were agreed to. Mr. LOCKHART presented a petition from Glas gow against the Glasgow Poor-rate Bill. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL presented a peti. tion from the Chamber of Commerce of Edinburgh, praying for a total repeal of the Corn-laws. CHINA. Sir J. GRAHAM gave notice that on the 2d .4 April he would make a motion with regard to China The precise terms of the motion he would take care to state early next week. THE BRITISH LEGION. Sir DE LACY EVANS gave notice, that soon after Easter he would call the attention of the House to the claims of the British Legion. COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH PRUSSIA. Mr. WODEHOUSE gave notice that on Tuesday h ewould m ove f or t h e pro d uct i on o f papers , : ontaining the negotiations respecting the Prussian Commercial League. THE CHURCH. 1 Mr. HUME gave notice that on Tuesday next be would move for the following ritarns :—Of the number of non-resident incumbents through England and Wales ; also of the curates in each diocese, with . the amount of their incomes ; also of the incumbent admitted by the presentation of the Crown, distinguish ing those of the Lord Chancellor and of the First Lord of the Treasury, and of the Chancellor of the Duch: of Lancaster, with the dates in each case of the entry and of the admission into holy orders, and the amount of the living ; also the aggregate period for which each person actually performed duty since admission. CARRIAGE OF BAGGAGE. The HoN. MEMBER also gave notice of a motion for returns of proceedings at the Horse Guards, relative to the carriage of military baggage. UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW. Mr. WALLACE gave notice of a motion for re turns respecting the absence of certain officers of the University of Glasgow.—(Laughter.) THE CHURCH AND VOLUNTARYISM. Mr. HIND LE Y gave notice of a motion for several - returns relative to the number of places of worship in each parish in England and wales, whether connected with the Established Church (and distinguishing among them those which were supported by the voluntary principle), or whether connected with Protestant Dis senters—stating also the numbers of sittings in cacti class. Sir HUSSEY VIVIAN said that on Tuesday night, in replying to a question from the Hon. and Gallant Member for Sussex, he had stated that the delay in placing the Report of the Naval and Military Corninis sion before the House arose from the lamented illues, of the Duke of Wellington. He hail since as certained that that statement was wrong, for he had found that the report sent to the Duke of We!- lington was returned within 24 hours—(Hear, hear, from the Opposition)—and that the delay had arisen in consequence of the Secretary bei ng una bl e , f rom his numerous and laborious duties, to prepare the do cuments for the press. He had seen the Secretary that day, and he understood they would be ready within a fortnight.—( Hear.) POST-OFFICE. Sir R. PEEL wished to know from the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the papers, for which he had moved, relative to the Post-office, would be laid before• the House? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER— They have been presented.—(A laugh.) Sir R. PEEL—But have they been printed? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER be lieved net. PATENTS. Sir R. PEEL also wished to know whether the papers for which he had moved respecting the decisions of the Committee of Privy Council on Patents had been presented. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the papers would be laid before the House as soon as possible. CHINA. Sir JAMES GRAHAM, seeing the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in his place, wished to ask him two questions. The first question was with respect to opium. It appeared that a certain quantity of opium had been delivered by the Superintendent at Canton, under certificate. There was reason to believe that a further quantity of opium had been purchased by the Superintendent, and had been delivered up by the Chinese authorities, in order to make up the quantity mentioned in the certifi- cate : no such transaction appeared from the papers which had been laid upon the table. He wished to ask the Noble Lord whether such a transaction had taken place, and if there would be any objection to produce the papers relating thereto. The second question he wished to ask related to the supposed destruction of the opium surrendered to, and destroyed by, the Chinese authorities. From those papers it did not appear that the destruction of the opium had taken place ; the only mention made of it seemed to shew that it had been transmitted to Pekin for the use of the Chinese Government. He asked the Noble Lord whether he had any other information upon the subject, showing that it had been destroyed or so sent to Pekin, and if so, whether there would be any objection to its production. Lord PALMERSTON said, with respect to the I first question, what happened was this—the parties in Canton having agreed to deliver up the opium in their or their agents' hands, each house made out a statement of the quantity they bad in China, and the aggregate amount was given to the Chinese Commissioner. (Me of the ships containing the opium disobeyed the orders of the Superintendent, and sailed away ; the conse quence was, that there was a deficiency to the amount that ship contained. Captain Elliot purchased a quantity which had subsequently arrived, in order to make up the aggregate quantity. He was not aware that there were any other papers in the office, but it there were, of course they would be produced. With re gard to the destruction of the opium, he had no other accounts than those contained in the papers which had been presented. Of course he had seen accounts in the newspapers, but he knew nothing farther officially than that contained in the papers. Sir JAMES GRAHAM saw by the instructions to the Superintendent in 1833, reference was made to an Order in Council for regulating the trade with the port of China. He wished to ask the Noble Lord if he had any objection to the production of that Order in Council. His second question was whether the Noble Lord had received and wits ready to produce the remonstrance said to have been made by certain American merchants at Canton against the blockade? Lord PALMERSTON said, with respect to these papers, he produced everything that appeared to him necessary to elucidate the matter, and he had not the least objection to the production of these to which the Right Hon. Baronet alluded. With regard to the second question, be had not received any report of the remonstrance said to have been made by the Ameri can merchants at Canton. PREPARATIONS AGAINST CHINA. Mr. JOHN A. SMITH said the Naval and Mili tary Preparations going on in India being now matter of public notoriety, and as great anxiety existed on the subject, he wished t o as k t h e N o bl e L or d w h e ther he had any objection to state th e o bj ec t of the ex pedition, and when it was likely to take place ? Lord J. RUSSELL said in answer to the Hon. Gentleman's question, he begged to refer him to the answer he had given on a former occasion to a question put to him by alloble Lord on the other side of the House. He had then been asked whether a declaration of war had not been made by the Governor-General of India against China, and his reply was that the Government had received no official information on the sub ject, and could not believe that report to be well founded, but that it probably arose from the order sent out by the Government to make certain prepara tions. What he had then stated had turned out to be the fact, Ili bad been proved by the recent arrival o: official despatches. The orders sent out were to make preparations to have a certain naval and military force in readiness. The Honourable Gentleman now asked him what was the object of these preparations, and he could only state very gene rally what they were. In the first place they were to obtain reparation for the insults and in juries offered to her Majesty's Superintendent, and her Majesty's subjects, by the Chinese Go vernment ; and, in the second place, they were to obtain for the merchants trading with China an indem nification for the loss of their property, incurred by threats of violence offered by persons under the direction of the Chinese Government ; and, in the last place, they were to obtain a certain security that per sons and property in future trading with China shall be protected from insult or injury, and that their trade and commerce would be maintained upon a proper footing. HILL COOLIES. ?his shouid prove i 0 Hon. _Members how cautious they ~hould be i❑ erduring petitions to be printed which were not to come ender the consideration of the House. STEAM NAVIGATION. Sir T. COCHRANE wished to ask the Right lion. Gentleman opposite, the President of the Board of Trade, when he intended to proceed with the Bill re lative to Steam Navigation ? Mr. LABOUCHERE said that there were great many difficulties in that measure which had necessarily led to its delay ; but he was in hopes of proceeding with it shortly. STA D'E DUTIES. Mr. HUTT presented a petition from Hull in favour of the motion he was about to make relative to the Stade Duties. The HON. MEMBER then rose to bring forward the motion of which he had given notice, namely, " That it is the opinion of this House that the tolls now levied upon British ships and cargoes in the river Elbe, by :he authority of the King of Hanover, under the name of Stade Duties, are of doubtful legality, oppressive in amount, and highly vexatious in the mode of ex action ; and that it is therefore incumbent upon her INl,jesty's Government to take the steps necessary for procuring relief from imposts so injurious to the general interests of the country." This subject was one of con siderable importance, and so much expectation existed ,is to the result of the debate upon it that ee confessed he wished it had been introduced by some Gentleman who was more in the habit of addressing the House. But he trusted he should have the good fortune to secure from House that degree of atten tion for the statement which it would be his duty to sub mit, that a subject of such vastimportance to every person connected with our manufactures and commerce merited. It was also a subject of importance as regarded our in fluence among foreign nations, without which neither our trade nor our manufactures would long maintain their superiority. He complained that the King of Hanover had been in the habit of levying on Bri t.sh ships and cargoes navigating the Elbe cer tain dues and charges to which he was not either by law or by treaty entitled, and that he was compelling the payment of his unjust demands by many circumstances of oppression, and in a mariner highly derogatory to our national honour. It was not his in tention to deny that the King of Hanover had a right to levy the tolls. Unhappily for the interests of commerce, be (Mr. H.) was compelled to admit that he had a right to levy those tolls, but he was push ing that right to a most extravagant and illegal excess, and was compelling obedience to his mandates in a man ner which neither our national interest or national honour would allow us tosanction. It was not his intention to make any personal attack on the reigning King of Hanover. The character and political opinions of that Prince were in no way necessarily mixed up with this subject—nay more, he would say he had little doubt that the King of Hanover, in exacting those tolls, was merely exercising his undoubted rights, inasmuch as he was only continuing a practice that had been handed down to him by his immediate predecessor. The circumstances under which the Hanoverian family obtained a right to levy a toll at Stade formed a necessary part of his state ment, and they were full of instruction to foreign nations. The Stade duties were of sonic antiquity ; they grew up among the early Emperors of Germany, under their sanction. In 1648 the town w Stade, tog th rr with other territories, was ceded to the King of Sweden. The King of Sweden exercised the customary privilege of collecting a toll at Stade upon all ships and cargoes proceeding up the Elbe, the 11a7 of Hanover being alone exempted. In consequence of some disputes which arose in the col ection of these tolls between Sweden and Hanover, a Con vention WaS a ppoint,d for the purpose of settling the mat ter between them. That Convention assembled in 1691. A treaty was drawn up with the sanction of both parties, which, after reciting the exemption of Hanover, -.vent on in a clear and explicit manner to lay down the mode in which other ships and cargoes should pay the duty. In 1G92 a tariff was drawn up with the sanction of those two States, which was afterwards incorporated in the treaty, and the two documents were in the course of the same year signed officially. Almost all articles of Commerce were rated at 1-16th per cent., according to the real value as it appeared by the invoices of the goods. To this were added various provisions for the protection of Commerce, and the King of Sweden, as Lord of the Stade, bound himself not to alter or increase the duties. In 1715 the Stade was ceded to George the First, as part of his electoral dominions, in consideration of the sum of 150,000/. paid by the British nation, and of certain acts of hostility committed against Sweden. The sacrifices were a good deal complained of at the time, hut the Minister of the day justified himself by stating the great importance of obtaining the Stade for the promo tion of the British trade. Of course the Elector of Hanover took possession of the country bound by all its obliga tions, and amongst them the Stade duties, against which he did not protest. Under these circumstances the power of levying the dues at the "Stade was transferred to the Hanoverian family. In 1736 George 11. in consideration of his obligations to the British nation, modified in a great degree the manner in which the tolls were to be paid by British and Irish vessels ; and again in 1740 he went further, and gave Up his right to levy the toll, but which continued only for a time. In 1804 the French took possession of the North of Germany, and then the duties at the Stade ceased. In 1814, the French were driven out of possession, and the duties were restored under circumstances of very considerable aggravation. One of the first objects to which their attention had been directed, had been the intercommunication Mr . MACKINNON begged to ask the Nob s' Lord whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Go vernment to allow the importation of Hill Coolies intu the Mauritius and the West India Islands, or whether he had any objection to the production of the des patches addressed to the Governors of the West India Islands. Lord J. RUSSELL said he had no objection to the production of the instructions sent out ; they were ready ; and if the Holt. Member moved for them, he could obtain the information he desired. PETITION OF WILLIAM. JOSEPH, AND JOHN WORKMAN. An Hort . . MEMBER wished to ask the Hon. Member for Finsbury if it was his intention to call the attention ofthe Hou se d ur ing the evening to the p etition of WO nat.% Joseph, and John Work man, according to the no tice .he had given. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said that he intended to postpone the consideration of the notice of motion which he had given. PORTUGUESE CLAIMS. Lord SANDON wished to ask the Noble Lord the Secretary for the Foreign Department if there was any intelligence from Portugal which might show that the case of the Portuguese claimants would be settled at an early period? Lord PALMERSTON said that he had lately appointed a Gentleman to become a Member of the Commission who had to decide on the subject, but that Gentleman had decli r tithe office, and he had not yet been able to2appoint any one to replace him. Lord SANDON said he hoped that the Commis sioner in question might soon be appointed, and that the interests of the claimants might not he trifled with. Lord PALMERSTON said that the first appoint ment he had made was a bona fide one. Lord SANDON wished that the Noble Lord might fi g a time within wh • ich he could complete the com- mission. Lo rd PALMERSTON said that it ..-as ;tnpossible for hi m to fix a day for the purpose, but he could assure the N o h.ie Lord that he was in earnest on the subject. —(A hit* th.) PO,STPONEMENT OF MOTION. Mr. GOLTLBURN said that it appeared that the Hon. Member' for Finsbury did not intend to bring forward his motion regarding the petition of William, Joseph, and Joho Workman, presented on the 13th March last, althlugh that petition had been ordered to be printed with ihe Votes of the House. The petition contained serious ch arges against Magistrates and other parties in Sussex, and be (Mr.Goulburne) thought that between the several States by means of the navigable rivers ; and the grounds had then been laid down of the great principles which for the future were to regulate the question of river navigation, and on which all future negotiations on that subject were to be based. The principles were of the most salutary character, and were expressed in language as clear as legislation had ever employed. They had b en received throughout Europe with the greatest feelings of satisfaction, more particularly had they been received with the utmost satisfaction throughout Germany. The enrglitened men of that country thought with delight that the noble rivers of the Fatherland were about to be made the medium of commercial intercourse, and consequently civilization. They hoped the time had at length arrived when these magnificent streams should no longer be closed at the will o every petty arbitrary power which might choose to exeicise its authority. But this pleasieg dream was fated to be disappointed. The Congress of Vienna bad decided on the general principle, but the details were left to be regulated by a Convention of repre sentatives from the States more immediately con cerned in the river navigation. This Conven• tion met at Dresden, in the year 1819, and consisted of representatives from Austria, Prussia, Saxony, Hanover, Denmark, Mecklenburgh, and Hamburgh. 'There had been no document published officially by that Convention, but a full account of the proceedings had been published by a learned German lawyer, who had access to all the documents, and he hoped the House would permit him to refer to that publication. The object of the Convention of Dresden was to carry into effect the principles laid down by the Con gress of Vienna. Hamburg had declared in accordance with those principles, at the very first sitting of the Con vention,her willingness to give up all taxation on the nar gation of the Elbe. On the 9th June, however, the Minister representing the State of Hanover astonished the meeting or the States by claiming for the Stade duties an exemption from the considera tion of the meeting, on the plea that these duties were a sea tax, end did not fall within the sphcre of the inquiry. The President of' the Assembly protested against this objection, yet, whenever the subject of the Stade duties was brought forward, this miserable quibble was resorted to, and although it was afterwards given up—(Here the impatience of the House became so great that the Speaker was obliged to interfere for the restoration of order.) The Honourable Member continued—He was afraid that these were dry and uninteresting details.—(Loud cheers.) He wished it had been in his power to have rendered this subject otherwise ; but it WPS necessary in the making of any statement on this subject to explain the whole ques tion, and he therefore trusted the House would extend its indulgence to him for a short time.—(Cheers.) Denmark and Hamburg protested against the with drawal of documents of so much importance, and at last. a resolution was come to which constituted the 13th article of the Convention of Dresden, by which the Stade duties remained untouched. Having said this much he thought he should have very little dfficulty in proving the justice of the charges ne had been making against the Crown of Hanover. Up to the year 1829 the tariff for the purpose of protecting the Navigation of the Swedish rivers was a secret, tariff. The answer of the Court of Hangver was—" You don't know what it is, and we don't intend to tell you." Last year, however, the Noble Lord obtained a copy of the document, and it appeared that it had no resemblance whatever to the tariff submitted to the Convention of Dresden—it bore no resemblance to that establishment in 1692, or if it bore any, it was that of a hideous caricature. In the first place, it was ten times the amount.—(Hear, hear.) In the second place all the provisions and regulations for the protection of commerce had been struck out. In the third place there was so much ambiguity in the w ording, and so large a discretion left to the colleeting officers, that the Stade tariff might might be made to sanc tion any abuses or exactions. To give an instance, it up. peered that go9ds shipped as " bales," were liable to pay double the amount of duty, as if they had been entered under another denomination. Enghsh horses, of which a large number were exported, were liable to a duty sixteen times the amount of that imposed on horses of aoy other country. In short, the whole system was one of usurpation and injustice. These were not merely his opinions, but they were those of the autho rities at Denmark and Hamburg, whose ititeres:s were averse to the continuance of these duties. He would read to the House the statement of the Twisters of Denmark, when their attention had horn turned to the subject in the year 1833. The Hon. Member here read the document in utstion, in cinch It Weis ,telti'd, that , E :C t a x t 's IC V ied il i i ewe., re 'W, Pim. tun -•. as et the bead sit fi,, Fei t em. Office- 1 ' were unjust a n d o pp ressive , an d were l itt l e b etter t h an wes am gether a csesien, a mere jingle, be winch to put ' a renewal of the club law of former times. The re- money into the pockets of the Kiee of Hanover out of marks of the Hamburg Commissioners were the same, i those of the British merchants. They had not trifled with with the exception that they put forward' another objet- `Mexico, nor were they about to trifle with China, yet the friendly communications wer e t o b e carried on tion to the se stem, whi c h was, t h at t h e vagueness o f becked by some seventy-fours and a f ew f r i ga t es . Let the the terms which re gu l ate d t h ose taxes l e f t t h e ent i re Nehie Lord take the sense reurse in this mm—let him cemmeree of the Eib e to ?le discretion of the Custom pureue a littl e It cndly C"1141! ,I. , ;er t i ; o n with a seventy tour house officers. He we it ed a l so rea d to t h e H ouse a li st o f lying along the guard-ship. a n d the ma t ter wou ld be ami wasthose taxes, and h,• fund amongst the number that there cably and speedily set l e d. If th e H en . G ent l eman pressed a tax of 21. 15e. on eac h s hi p. E ac h art i c l e was , also taxed to the amou n t f requent ly o f fi ve pet cent inits his motion, he w ou ld f ee l b oun d to vo t e w i t h hi m . real value. Again, a co mm i ss i on o f 64 per cent, tens to ' Sur F. TRENCH had heard with much pleasure the be paid to the collecti n g off icer . Th ere were besides statement of the Noble Lord, and if th e H on . M e mber had otion. f taxes for certificates, and tax e s f or vesse l s returning. faith w his ~ He was perfectly sure th a t the King of were the ingenious devi c es resor t e d to f or t h e pm : - aith in the premises of th e N o bl e L or d, h e wou ld with- Suchd a ll,lloVer %As anxious to d o perf ec t j us ti ce to E ng l an d, nor pose of putting money into the handl o f th e G overnmen t. He believed that from these sources th e Ki n of Hanover eas he at all t o be c o mp are d t o t h e Dey of Algiers or ty g could not obtain less than 70.0001. or 80,000/ p e r annum, , rants of such a stamp. Mr. HUTT replied, H e h a d care f u ll y a b sta i ne d from which were levied almost exclusively o n British vessels. I 1 alluding to the present occupant of the Ha n o v erian throne For the slightest irregularity, and Which no care or pro_ " deuce could avoid, the ships of this c: untry were thrown the Crown of Ha into the hands of the King of Hanoves's officers, and the , _he had constantly used th e wor d s foyer," thereby avoiding as far as p oss ibl e any p erso nal gal owner subjected to confiscation and penalty, as rapacity or lesion. It was a tar rester question th a n e ith e r a Whig cr Tory one—it was a qu es ti on vit a l t o th e comme rce of :,:price might suggest. To give the House some idea of i the extent of robberies, of which otherwise they would l this country. He was glad th a t th e H ouse was unan i mo usly have no conception, the Hon. Member said he would state 1 with him on this quest i on —f or no one gent l eman h a d r i s en two or three cases. In the list of lading of one ship there ,in his place and d fended the arbitrary manlier in which these duties were levied. It w a s with much doubt whether was the emir of words, which could not affect the Stade duties to the extent of eight shillings, but for this triflin he was doing r i g ht, b ut w ith t h e i ntent i on o f d o i ng so, g that he acceded to the wish of the Noble Lord. ( Irnme error Hanover the not l e ers than 0501. ems were oblig In another case of ato the Ki steam ng of drately upon this decl ara ti on u p war d s o f t hi rty M em bers vessel p'ying between Hull and Hanover, on an eccusation on the Tory B e n c h es rose an d l e f t t h e H ouse, am id st the derisive cheers of the elinieterialists..) He trusted that from the King's officers that it bad not stopped so soon as the Noble Lord would expedite the negotiation as much they directed, a heavy fine was inflicted, and the Captain as phssible, and grant relief' to the oppressed mer c hant. having sent a prot es t to the Briti s h C o nsul-General, on e the next voyage th e v e ss e l wa s d e t a i n ed, an d a la r ger fine Inc, pr vious question was then p u t an d agree d t o . imposed. I n a t hi t d i ns t ance , f or a tr i v i a l overs i g ht, a ship Lord TE IGN el OUT H then rose t o move th a t the was detained 14 days. W a s it wo n d er ful, when British petition of Benjanen Mills be referred to a S e l e ct Com merchants were ee mercilessly fleeced, they should besiege mittee. That g entl e man h a d serve d as an assessor of the offices o f th e B oar d o f T ra d e an d F or ei taxes for thirty-one years at, duri ng th e war , a sa l a ry of As fm as he knew, neither remonstr a nce nor petition 500/., and 300/ during the pea c e. Up on th e conso lid a tion o f offices in 1839, he was removed with a pension, upon had had any effect. The merchants of this country had a very much reduced scale, the principle of which the obtained neither reparation nor redress. He did not mean Noble Lord contended was not either just o r r e ason able - . his observati ons t o a p p l y p ar ti cu l ar l y t o th e p resen t Go. vernment, but to ever y suc c ess i ve G overnme nt which had The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said swayed the d es ti n i es o f t hi s coun t ry d ur i ng th e l as t 25 the present question has been, on m ore th an one occa sion, years; they h a d one an d a ll ex hibi te d a d egree o f d ere li c - before the House, and therefore i iis re ply wou ld b e very tion of duty th e mos t re p re h ens ibl e . S o l ong as th e brief. He did not thiuk his Noble Fri en d was aw are of the exact circumstances of the case. A ccor di ng man old King of E ng l an d was Ki ng o f H anover , th ere m i g ht Superannuation Act certain deductions were made from have been a delicacy in meddling with the pecuniary rights the salaries and emoluments of parties holding official si of the Sovereign; but that difficulty no longer existed ; that excuse, a b a d one a t t h e b est , cou ld no t now be tuations, and on these deducti o ns su p erannuat i ons were pleaded in exte n si on . W as th e ev il t o l as t f or e v e r? What granted en the retireme n t o f th e p art i es . I n t h e case of answer were they going to make to the British merchants these surveyors and assessors o f t axes , t h e T reasury t o ok chose p e titio n s now l a y u p on th e i r t a bl e . He wished to be nothing from their emolum en t s , b ut ma d e a d e d uc ti o n informed what answer was to be made to those complaints of I merely from their sala r i es , an d i t was t h en i nt i mate d to British merchants who loudly complained that the King of ;thorn that it was to the deducti ons f rom t h e i r sa l ar i es a l o ne Hanover was plundering their property—that that flag they mustlook for the s u p erannuate d a ll owances t h ey wer e which in former times had been respected throughout the to receive. That was the sho r t s t a t ement o f t h e case, an d world, was no protection to them on his shores. He said he trusted the House would not thi n k i t r i g h t to i nter f ere the Noble Lord was bound to come forward and vindicate in such a matter. If they once underto o k t o rev i se t h e de the conduct of the King of Hanover, or, on the other hand, cisions of the Treasury in these cases of retired all owance s, • proceed-he was bound to put a stop to those disgraceful they would create much discontent and dissatisfactio n , a nd ings, and redress those complaints which had arisen. He parties would be induced to look to the House of Com wished to be informed had the King of Hanover right and moos for redress whenever they thought thems e lves justice on his side when he acted in this manner? If be aggrieved, rather than to the persons wh ose duty it was to had not, he called upon the Noble Lord to prevent him. , apportion these allowances. He should, for the s e rea sons, If it was contended that he had, he ( Mr. H.) would wish oppose the motion of the Noble Lord. to have explained upon what that right was founded. The Mr. FRESH FIELD supported th e mo ti on . It ap ared that th e amount o o King of Hanover had no inherent right to levy a toll upon Phs gentleman was now t recetheivin superannuated 50/. all a-year,wance the Elbe ; if he had, it must rest upon some clear and general foundation which could easily be produced in eve- and no one would say that, after s er vi ng th e coun t ry f or so dunce. Surely the Noble Lord would not rely upon the long a series of years, that was an a d equa t e com p ensa ti o n. treaty of 1692;n0r would the Noble Lord adduce as a rea- lie believed no p e rsons mo re r i c hly d eserve d t h e i r sa l ar i e s son fur the continuance of these duties that they had beets than these servants of th e publi c w h o h a d d evote d t h e b es t levied for a long period of years. Could he for a moment years of their life to its serv i ce , an d i t was h o ldi ng o ut argue that the King of Hanover was to be entitled to very little inducement to them if th e y were turne d o ff in take advantage of his own wrong. Perhaps it would be their old age with so sm a ll a pitt ance . argued that he derived his title from the Congress of Mr. HUME hoped no C o m m itt ee wou ld h e appo i nte d in the present case. He th oug ht th e T reasury h a d acte d Vienna, but the Congress expressly laid it down that the German rivers along their whole course should be free— with perf e ct fai rn es s , hut, if they opened u p t h e ques tion that commerce should be protected and encouraged—that of too small reti r ing a ll owances h e s h ou ld i nsist on open duties should not be raised without the consent of all the ing the question of t oo l arge superannuat i ons, and ins i s t ,on their being reduced. H e f eare d t h ere was too ni uch . States ; yet the establishment formed by the King of inebriation to be over lib era l i ns t ea d o f b e i ng too n i ggar dly. Hanover at the Stade was in direct contravention of every one of the regulations laid down by that Congress. Neither Lord TEIGNMOUTH rep li e d. H e h a d h ear d not hi n g by the act of the Congress of Vie nna, nor by the treaty of in the statement of th e Ri g ht H on . G ent l eman w hich of Hanover any authority to impose 1792, had the King would jueti e v him in withdrawing th e mo ti on , an d th ere fore those duties, which was a system of robbery and wrong, and he should tree the sense o f th e H ouse upon i t . in no assignable respect different from the depredations Strangers were ordered to withd raw . which used to be committed by the Dey of The House then divided, when th e num b ers were — Algiers, except that they had not yet roused For the motion the whole of the civilised world to resistance. Against it . • He appealed to the House in the name of common justice Majority in fav our o f th e mot i on ,,. 25 and in the name of thousands whose welfare was at stake, On our return to th e ga ll ery we f oun d to interpose its power to put an end to the evils to which Mr. WODE HOUSE s t at i ng h e w i s h e d to as k a clu es. he had alluded. He felt grateful to the Noble Lord for tion of the Chancellor o f th e E xc h equer respect i ng t h e pe the field which he had laid open for enterprise, but he titian of the merchants an d b an k ers o f M anc h ester. He must tell him, if he had permitted these things to continue wished to know whether he meant t o re f er t hi s pet i t i on to the Committee or not. If so, did he do it with a view to ' without any effort on his part, especially after the result provide a remedy for the evils of which the petition tom faith of the last dehate on this subject, he had neither kept plained. If he did not mean to refer it, on what grounds 1 1 with the just expectations of the people, nor his own well-founded reputation,—( Hear, hear.) The Hon. was it excluded—and, lastly, w h e th er i n th at case suc h a Member concluded by making the motion of which he had petition ought to be excluded f rom th e cons id erat i on o f the given notice. Committee, which be unde r stood was a b ou t t o b e spec ially Mr. HAWES seconded the motion. He was most appointed for entering into the c o n s id era ti on o f th e prin ciples on which the paper cur renc y o f th e country was re- glad that it had been brought forward, inasmuch as it would have the effect of turning the attention of the gulated. House to the subject. With regard to the river Elbe he The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said than the Hon Member for Hull had made out his case. he thought it was unnecessa r y f o r hi m t o say more the that it was always his intentio n t o re f er th e. petition to Ile believed they had the power of relieving the trade of this country mom the obstructions under which it at pre- the Committee. sent laboured. There never was a time in which the fu- Sir EDWARD SUGDEN then rose an d sa id, that reign policy of the country, as connected with trade, oc- having gone o ut of th e H ouse f or a f ew moments on the eupied so much attention as at present. He was happy to last division, on his return he found his motion on the confirm the opinion of his Noble Friend, that the mercan- 'paper had lapsed. tile interests g , nerally were thankful to the Noble Lord now to bring it forw a rd. for the protection they had r ec eiv e d f ro m him, and he Mr. HU.VIE object e d to the reques t o f t h e H on. Mom hoped the Noble Lord would not disappoint the expec-- her being acceded t o , as it was contrary to the regulations tions of that body on whose prosperity depended that of of time House. the country. be- Lord PALMERSTON said, undoubtedly the question He hoped the House would permit hid , Sir E. SUG DEN did no t vote on the last division. cause he did not understand the question ; he therefore to which his Hon. Friend had drawn the attention of the went to the library, and returned with as much celerity as House was one of great importance to the commerce of possible, and therefore hoped no other Member titan the the country, and, so far, he entirely agreed with the view Hon. Member for Kilkenny would object to his request. he had taken of it ;on the other hand, he was afraid The SPEAKER i nt i mate d t h at h e h a d called - over the the question was not quite so simple as his Hon. Friend name of the Hon. Member twice, and therefore, consist might think it appeared to be, because it was complicated ently with the rules of the House, the lion. Member could with old treaties, and the transfer of territory—with the treaty not bring on his motion. of Vienna, and that conference of pleuipotentiaries which S:r ROBERT PEEL approved of the regulation ee took place immediately after it. He could assure his Hon. nerally, but thought there were cases which should be ex - Friend that he had not at all neglectee to attend to the cepted from its strict observance, and that this was one ef subject since the discussion in the Hous e , b u t h a d earnest l y them. pressed the Government of Hanov er t o come t o an arrange - The ATTOR N EY-GENERAL thou g ht th a t acted' meet which would place th e se t o ll s o n a more rational ing to the request of the H on . M em b er wou ld esta blish a footing, and one more consistent with th e i n t e rests of com bad precedent. matte. It was only within the last month that an answer Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL h o p e d if th e H on. M e mber had been received from the Hanoverian Government to a were allowed to bring on his motion, it would not be until representation that had been made to them by the British after the Orders of th e D a y. The conversation then dropped Minister. That answer was now under the consideration of the Government, and they were proceeding to deter- BANKING COMMITTEE, mine what steps should be taken. It being, therefore, a The CHANCELLOR o f t h e EXCHEQUER moved that the followi ng G en tl emen s h ou ld constitute the subject of conimunication between the two Governments, it would be premature in the House to come to the resolution Banking= Committee : —M r . Ch ance ll or o f t h e Exehe proposed, and he would, therefore, take the liberty of rug_ quer, Sir R+ bent P ee l, M r. H ume, M r. L a b ouchere, Mm'. i gesting to the Hon. Member the propriety of postponing it I Goulbuin Mr. lark Philip:, M r . O'C onne ll, Si r James until it was seen whether they could not by negotiation Graham, Mr, Cl a y, M r Gi s e orne, Si r J ohn R ae R e id ' with the Government of Hanover place the matter on a s Mr. Oswald, Mr, Ch ar l es W oo d , M r. Bi ckfor d , M r J o hn s -, tisfactory footing. He did not think it would be expedient Parker, Mr, Patti son , M r . R etr i es, M r. E ll i ce, M r. S e t , to enter into a discussion apse the right of Hanover to levy geant Jackson, Mr. H ector , M r. Grote Sir Thomas Ere' tolls under existin circumstances; but he WAS bean to mantle, Mr John Ab e l S m i t h, M r. Strutt, Mr. Matthia s gd admit that the tariff under which these tolls were !.vied, Wood, Mr. Mor r i son . was not a tariff which Hanover was entitled to enforce, and Sir R PEEL sa id h e ems starry to fi n d so numero us it was upon that footing that these negotiations had hither. a Committee propose;, as the investigation would be a to been based. But this was a question in which Eng- protracted one, and he thought that a smaller one land was not alone concerned. Negotiations had been would be found to be more efficient, and as some also going on between Hamburgh and Denmark with Ha. branches of the inquiry were sufficiently distinct to nover on this very subject. He would not, therefore, go be submitted to a separate Committee such as that which itsto;the grounds on which his Hon. Friend had rested his must form a main branch of the inquiry, namely, whether motion; but the latter part of it was now altogether urine or not the functions of a Bank of Issue, arid one of Der' cessery, because Government was actively employed in sit were incompatible with each other. He thought, taking measures to relieve the commerce of the c oun t ry separate Committees, composed of a limited number of from those vexatious restrictions of which the petitioners members,vvho would devote themselves to the investige complained. Her Majesty's Government were deeply im- thin, would be better than one composed of twenty-five or pressed with:the importance o f th e co m merc i a l i nterests twenty six members, At the same time he wou ld not un of this country, because every man must see, even upon &mate the farce of the argument, that these questions a superficial view, that our political power and were intimately connected, and that therefore it would be p existence as an independent country must depend on t h ose politic to have them investig a t e d by t h e same Committee . ~omroevieolyzd to o f to the the addl,ie hacking E t tm x e C names t i Committee. E u f E Sir ß a l I s : resources which commerce efforded.—( Hear ) Upon title Mr. HUME objected Cr) th e suggest i on of the Ri g ht or upon every other matter in which the commerce of the I, H , a o rrr n l . leel Baronet, CHANCELLOR and r i o i n A e A t iN , r .c and l i country was concerned, not only would time Government d o its utmost to procure every commercial facility, but they would be obliged to Hon. Gentlemen to bring forward any sented generally to the observations of the R:ght Hon• case of commercial restriction that fell under their notice, Baronet as to the inconvenience of a numerous Comm it " so as to assist and strengthen the Government in the exe- tee, tut on the whole he had thought it would be better , cation of their measures ; because it would then be seen by on this important subject, to h ave suc h a num b er as would foreign powers that the Executive Government in the corn- represent the various interests aff e ct e d by it. H e truste d munications it had with them were not only expressing their that, having paid grea t a tt ention to t h e f ormat i on o f the own sentiments, but were resp.nding to the feelings of the Committee, the House wou ld no t t hi n k i t a d v i sa ble to country in protecting its commerce and increasing the ex- alter the list. tent of its commercial relations.—( Cheers.) Mr. HUME would not wish to p ress hi s mo tion afte r Mr. AARON CHAPMAN was willing to believe the what the Right Hon. Gentleman had said. Goiernment were desirous of removing all restrictions from The motion was then put and nega ti ve d w ithout i ' commerce ; but he could assure the House there was not division. Mr. RAIKES CURRIE thought that the character °f the smallest return made to this country for those charges which were imposed on vessels navigating the Elbe.— the lion. Member for Bridpo7t—the searching nature ° (Hear.) The commerce of this country ought not to be the questions he was in the habit of putting —his extens il e ° emiN,xi uepmdia dbnyearttorrenthampered by such an oppressive and odious tax. He experience of mercantile transactions, wnile at the sate, should support the motion of his Hon. Fsiend. c h t ß i o i m n rl i t : p t a ' h o os e r rt t t w b i z a 7i i s t n il Sir WALTER JAMES now m gu ethi adewithdrawniooitlf.srotohma themthat peculiarly (2om ittp qualifiediie would before he proposed his motion, ought to have moved for which the Heuse had been occasionally o ft the words II e n r. mystified d - l' fi r g e 'n u b r y b e e s o r w ith tab 0 the production of papers, and then the House would have Hon. Members ; he should therefore propose that be ceen what those negotiations were to which the Noble Lord, the Secretary of State, had referred ; but still be i NE assu ß re o d f t t h h e at nEXCHEQUER one else should w id °lj l l ;, 3 did not think his Hon. Colleague had done wrong i n p ur _ added to the Committe e . suing the manly course he had—(Laughter, a n d h ear, The j e C c t, t Hse O he C were CHANCELLOR hear)—and if the motion was pressed to a di v i s i on h e not object, should vote in its favour. What he mainly relied on was Pro S P i o r s( R d .. PEEL said th ere were two ot h er name,' t° bee the Treaty of Vienna, and the Conventions whi c h f o ll owe d roposed. He put it t o the Right lion Ge I le ae that the they Treaty. These charges were most opp ress i ve , an d P they were exacted in the most oppressive manner . Wi t h - House would b e p l aced i n an awkward situation, m if, h av l j r ,' out meaning any disrespect to the Nobl e L or d oppos i te rejected t wo H on. G ent l emen, they should now aPPia°-! (Lord Palmerston) be must say hi s o pi n i on was t h at if t h e the H on . M em b er f or Bridport, and articular) y cone Noble Duke, who was a Me m b er o f t h e ot h er H ouse, h a d in g th e great mer i ts o f Sir H. Parn P ell, and the attention been at th e bead of F o reign Affairs, this matter would have lie had paid to this subject. of the been settl e d long ago.—( H ear , and latighter.) Mr. W ODE HOUSE thought the Chancellor t ee Mr. L ABOUCH F, RE hoped the Hon. 'Member for Ex chequere was in rather a m e lti ng moo d w hen the ° 3 Hull would withdraw his motion• otherwise if pressed to a of Mr. Warburton was proposed. division their conduct mi g ht b e misconstrued , and the ob. Mr. HAWES supported the motion. ~ Id ject which they all had in view would be frustrated. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE R e e r —( Hear, hear, hear.) The Government of Hanover not object to the motion, if no other name were to be 2--- e ed e . had admitted that the Stade duties, as they Mr. SHAW was surprised that, after having ei ve ,% h m were at present collected, were utterly indefensi- question full consideration, the Right Hon. GetetA c 'e af ble. lie fully concurred with his Honourable Friend should now give way. I ha d the Member for Hull in the object of his motion, and if Sir R. PEEL would not give his vote at all. It; ate to to vote upon it ay or no, he should feel obliged coma down ready to support the Right Hon: Gen tie— ,: t : to vote in favour of it ; but as it would be most inexpe- in resitting the motion. If it were proposed drew, under the eiremenstences, to enter into adi - Mr W- b • ti •other that would be adi e icemen et- uron :• m seme nettle, of the question, he hoped iris Hon. Fiend would withdraw rent qu estion. 'Out when the Right Hon. Ger demon , ,a it. But if he refused to do so, he (Mr. L • I prepared give • • he (S . R . Peel) would not gl' et abouchere), i n , to wet, Sir . his 0 0 - , order to avoid • i giving an opinion upon it, would feel it his waY• Tee Right Hon. Gentleman ought to know duty to move the previous question. The Hon. Member !mind —( Cheers ) m ould . for Hull could best Consult the ititerez,ts of his constitu- ' hlr. SMITH O'BRIEN thought the 'ors , 'we , ' _„., e . C to sue-mute Mr. Warburton for some other e nh .oni, eras, which he had so abl, ate...rated oo that, as well as b s hould be glad to see '-ee Henry Parnell on the '-' on former occasiens, if he witedrew the motien, and trusted He to those premises which had been given by the Government. mittee. wou ld to subs' fre, Mr. tfUelE s a id, eiestev,r course the Hon. Member "I he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER if any sugeeet that ihe motion should be withdi awe. an d s, Mr. took, he b e d d orm muc h good by the mooting of the clues timber of the Com m itt ee was net inclined to att eno Mr tort, Even th e G overnment a d m it te d t h a t t he commerce es of the c oun t r y was pl un d ere d, en d h a d b e en plundered for Werbtet et' mime neigh: b e su b st i tute d. a great number of years, aye, even when the Duke of The moeuti was then withdrawn. m....e5e4