The Sun. — London, England, 1847-07-03 00:00:00

EAALIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, July 2. Ike ILIAso sat R to-day at /five o'crock. ROYAL ASSENT. The Royal Aseaut was given to-day by Commission to tfie following seventy-three public and private Bills Naval Mutiny - Bill—Naval Prisons Bill—Royal Marine Service Bill—Quakers and Jews Mar riages Biil Masters in Chancery Bill Baths and Washhouses Bill Cornwall Railway Bill London and North-Western Railway (purchase of Earl Ellesmere's interest, tic.) Bill—Vale of Neath Railway Bill---General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour Rail way Branches Bill—Gloucester and Dean Forest Railway (Construction of Docks) Bill—East Lincolnshir e Grimsbyre Railway (Deviation at Boston, and Branch to G reat and Sheffield Junction Railway at Grimsby)—Ambter gate, Notti ng h am , an d Boston, andEasternu into ncton Railway (Alteration of Line and Bran ches J unc t ion or near the Town of Nottinghain)—LlynßviirreVinagl ley Railway Extension —Shrewsbury and bens Railway Act Wales Amendment and Branches — Bristol and South Junction Railway and Aust Perry—Caledonian Railway, (Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coatbridem Railway, B ran ch to Glasgow and Station)— Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway (De viation between Duntocher Lime-works and Bowling)— Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland—Newry a nd Enniskillen Railway Acts Amendment—N ewport, Abergavenny, and Hereford Railway (Deviations)— Herneßay and CanterburyJunction—Lond on andSoutis _ Western Railway (Widening, &c.)—Dun de e and p-rth Railway (Alterations and Extension)—G la sgow, r Barr. rs head, and Neilstun Direct Railway—Grea t Western Railway (Bra neh to join the West London Railway, &c.) — Eastern Counties Railway (Maldon, Witham, and Brain tree Railway Purchase)—Great Southern and Western Railway Extension (Portarlington and Tullamore)— Norfolk Railway (Branch from Wymondham to the Norwich Extension of the Ipswich and Bury St. Ed mund's Railway, and the proposed Thetford and Reed ham Railway, near Diss)—Glasgow, Barrhead, and Neilston Direct, and Glasgow Southern Terminus Railways Amalgamation—Southampton and Dorchester Railway, (New Forest Deviation and Branches) — Lowestoft Railway and Harbour (Alteration near Reedham) Norfolk Railway (Yarmouth Extensions)—Dublin and Drogheda Railway Branch from Navan to Kells—Southampton and Dorchester Railway (Weymouth Branch)—Swansea Valley Rail way—Manchester and Lincoln Union Railway De viation—Manchester and Leeds Railway (Branch from the Huddersfield Railway)—South-Eastern Railway (North Kent and Bricklayers' Arms Junction) — Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport Railway and Branch— Dundee and Newtyle Railway—London and North- Western Railway (Newport Pagnell, Olney, and Welling borough Branch)—North Staffordshire Railway (Altera tions and Branches)—South Wales Railway—Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire Junction Railway— Dublin and Belfast Junction and Navan Branch Railway —Boston, Stamford and Birmingham Railway (Peter borough and Thorney Line)—East Lincolnshire Railway (Louth Navigation Purchase)—London and North- Western Railway (Coventry and Nuneaton Branches). — London and South-Western Railway (Andover to the Bishopstoke and Salisbury Branch)—Manchester, Shef field and Lincolnshire Railway (Branch at Bug sworth) —York and Newcastl e R a il way, and We armouth Dock Enlargement—Midland Railway (Leicester and Swannington)—London and North-Western Railway (Atherstone and Whitacre Branch) — Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan Railway (Amend ment and Deviations and Branches)—Birmingham and Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley Railway (No. °— Shropshire Union Railways and Canal (Lease to the London and North-Western Railway Company)—Swan sea Docks—Croydon Commercial Ghs and Coke Com pan Dunfermline Waterworks—Falmouth Water works Macdutr Harbour Improvement Wark worth Harbous—London, (City) Small Debts— Westminster and Part of Middlesex Sewers—Bristol Building and Improvement Act Amendment—Bristol Commercial Insurance Company—Wyndham's Estate Estate Bill—Poyntzfield's Estate Bill— Horne's (Ferguson's) Estate Bill—Hodgson Einde's Estate Bill—Leigh's Betate Bill. The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, Earl Spencer, and Lord Denman. PUNISHING A SOLDIER IN THE SEVENTH HUSSARS. Lord BROUGHAM wished to ask his Noble Friend a question with respect to the punishment of a soldier of the 7th Hussars, named Radcliffe, who had been charged with a very grave offence, namely shooting at his sergeant with a pistol loaded with bait. If the charge was true it was a very grave one. He wished to ask his Noble Friend (the Duke of Wellington) whether he had received any in formation that the colonel had ordered him to he marehed to his trial on the following Wed nesday "to receive the greatest punishment that could be inflicted upon him." This was an extra ordinary letter, but he (Lord Brougham) supposed that it referred to the punishment he should receive if he was found guilty. The Duke of WELLINGTON said he had received information of the transaction. The fact of the matter was this. A soldier of the 7th Hussars, of the name of Smith (not Rsdcliffe) shot a sergeant-major of the same regiment by the aid of his fire-arms. This was an infa mous and atrocious Act, and was particularly deserving of notice in Ireland, where it was too much the practice of the country at large to connive at the escape of mur derers.—(" Hear, hear," from Lord Brougham.) It was an Act deserving of the notice of the commanding officer of the regiment ; and it was incumbent on him to mark his sense of its atrocity, not only on account of the regi ment, but of the country where it occurred. The sol dier committed one of two military offences, and the commanding officer was right in ordering him to be con fined, and in the other step he took to mark his sense of the atrocity of the crime which hail been committed. The fault, however, which he (the Duke of Wellington) found with hiln was, that he did not say, when he ordered the soldier's hair to be cut, what was the reason for which he had given that order, for this might lead to the supposition that he was prejudging the case. He was of opinion, Lowever, that in the main the commanding officer had acted rightly in the course he had taken. Lord BROUGHAM said that his Noble Friend was quite right in describing the offence as a grave one, but his objection was against what had t iken place before trial, and also to the tesms of the order. The Duke of WELLINGTON said that the man was not tried fbr being concerned in the murder, but for im properly using his own ammunition, or for purloining that of another. The subject dropped. QUALIFICAZION OF PEERS (SCOTLAND) BILL. On the motion of the Earl of ROSEBERY, this Bill was read a third time. The NOBLE EARL then moved an amendment, giving power to a foreign consul to administer the oath of alle giance in those cases that came under the provisions of the Bill. The Duke of BUCCLEUCH opposed that clause, as he thought no such power ought to be conferred. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw; no division, however, took place. The amendments were then agreed to, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. POOR-LAW ADMINISTRATION BILL. On the order of the day for going into the Poor-law Administration (Ireland) Bill, Lord BROUGHAM said that he should not give bis support to this measure, for in his opinion it was not im portant, in the administration of a law of this nature, to have an officer connected with it in Parliament, to whom any questions concerning it could be addressed. But there was one very serious objection to the method in which it was proposed to connect that officer with the general administration of the country. In all ministerial questions which were proposed, there must be one of two ternsinations to the question—either the defeat of those who opposed the Government, or of the Government itself ; and as this poor-law officer would be connected with the Ministry, every question which was proposed by the fifinistay and disputed in Parliament, must affect him and his office, as one Of that Ministry ; so that, in stead of having a calm and unbiassed administration of these laws by that officer, the poor-law and its adminis tratinn would bo shaken or affected by nearly every ques tion which wits discussed in Parliament. Let them once agree to any such connexion with the Ministry, and every sort of cry that could be raised against the Ministry would be faised, and every act of the Poor-law Commis sioners, though done with the very best intention, would be Urged against them in every possible way. Acts 'bieh might be really humane in themselves, and have for their ttimate object the alleviation of the sufferings 4 th : °poor, would for their apparent severity be caviled at ' n Paylianient, and furnish a constant matter of com plaint a gablat the Government of the day. The exist ence of would furni shelk officer in connexion with the Ministry political intrigu erhor aas additional and fruitful source of question of the Combinations, and . while the be in reality a cl ues la w W 5 I nominally raised it might would be in agitation, bas or be, the poor-laws must meet' - Whatever different sort that the question plight - heel known a Government to gi l' o lY be affected by it. He one or two years with a small majority, and such as i 4 r i s r tri moment he would defy to pursue a steady course with to the poor ttio hindrahce law. It m i g h t b e sa i d that there could D; to the commissioners doing their dut y; might be " fiat justitia, mat ccelum"—meinTgl)ey mo tto in the heaven of Downing- street, but it would be c impossible to hinder the most serious obstacleusttfersr,' being thrown in the way of this officer. This would b e the consequence, and the inevitable consequence of the introduction of this officer into Government. Supposing that at the present time—when the country was upon the eve of a general election —that such an officer were in existenoe, and had laid down with the consent of the Government, a particular mode of administering the roar-laws, co si" it be expected that if t h e existing Government had a small major*, they would attempt in conjunction with this commissioner to carry into effect so obnoxious an order as the one upon which they were beaten the other night—namely, the separation of the sexes? The Government had been defeated the other evening in attempting to enforce this principle —a prin ciple which was a most proper one—and lie for one tendered them his hearty and sincere thanks for resist ing the opposition which was brought against it. He thought that this Bill, if carried, would give a very unfair meons of annoying the existing Government, without any cotaz espording benefit to . the. not indeed think th a t such an officer was n ecessary, and He did it would be very-diffi cu l t to get one with the knowledge of the class over wh ose i nterests he would ha ve to pres ide, and with the firmness which would be required to wry as effect that which it would be his duty to do. Supp os i ng t h at this officer were in o ffice, and just as he bad acquired a ll th ese requisitessuffi ciently for the discharge of his manifold duties, that he should be compelled to go out of office by a chang e of Ministry, woulettillant involv e th e necess i ty of placing he had learn e d a ll another offi.: lffice, "wlidacs as that his pr erEanfoquiredetnight leave his office Kt the 3: *r. . period? - These were his reasons _ - , . = • - , c. for not giving his assent to this Bill, and upon these grounds he felt it his duty to give his vote against it. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that he felt ne cessary to trouble their Lordships for some few moments in answer to the Noble Lord who had last spoken. He was very happy to say that, although there were few of the acts of the Poor-law Commissioners which were open to objection, yet their justification was of necessity given by a tedious and circuitous route, and lost with the public very much of the effect which the immediate and prompt vindication of their conduct would have,and which could be given, by one of their body publicly in Parlia ment. A great deal of the objection which had been raised to the Poor-law Commissioners bad been raised in con sequence of their proceeding, as it were, secretly and in the dark; and this provision would at once remove that unfailing cause of disturbance and clamour. His Noble Friend had stated many difficulties as likely to arise from the connexion of this officer with the Government. There were other officers connected with the Govern ment whose situations were quite as open to the attacks and strategems of the opposition for party - purposes as even this one could be, and he (the Marquis of Lans downe) saw no reason why the gentleman who filled this office should be „particularly selected as the ob.i,ect of this sort of int er f erence any more ttan those gentlemen who now held official situa tion' in connexion with the Government. He would 11) - so say, to the honour of the country, that none of those gentlemen had, except in rare instances, been made the object of any annoyance to the Government by unfounded charges; but, on the contrary, any interference which had taken place, was only with the view of obtaining answers to fair and legitimate questions. The Secre tary of State for the Home Department was an officer who was quite as likely to be made the subject of these unfounded charges, for in his hands was the power of life and death ; he had the power of deciding whether the criminal should suffer the last extremity of the law, and to him the relations and friends frequently came to intercede, and be issued his fiat unchecked or uncon trolled, for execution or otherwise; and yet he had neess a . heard any instance in which any attempt at getting, up charges for party purposes had been made. What ha d fallen from his Noble and Learned Friend did re a t re .„ quire any further answer from him, and he hopsAl that their Lordships would ge into Committee with , jut feel ing that this Bill was likely to create those wedi s w hi c h his Noble and Learned Friend had described After a few words in explanation from Lord BROUGHAM, Lord STANLEY said that he entirely concurred in the statement which had been 'made 'oy his Noble and Learned Friend near him, That the appointment of this officer in connexion with the Government should create some risk of undue interference with these laws for party purposes, but he f.dd think that it would also be a check upon any undue administration of the law by the commissioners, by the appointment of on officer with a Parliamentary responsibility. He thought that if that officer had been appointed in connexion with the Minis try before the present time, many misrepresentations which had gained credence and gone abroad, would have been contradicted and satisfactorily denied. He thought, however, that the Parliamentary responsibility men tioned by the Noble Marquis would rest as much upon the Government generally as upon the officer appointed, and thus a connexion would be formed which would render it the interest of that officer to countenance and support the interference of the Government in these laws whatever it might be. Upon the whole, however re luctantly and doubtfully, he leaned towards the opinion that it was desirable to connect this officer with the Go vernment—for then much of that misrepresentation, and unfounded persecution, lately sustained by the Poor-law Commissioners would either be at once sustained and proved, or publicly and promptly denied. He thought that, under all the circumstances, the connexion of this commissioner with the Government was advisable, and, therefore, without going into any other principle of the Bill at that time, he should give it his support. Lord COLCHESTER very much feared that this plan would not secure to her Majesty's Ministers that secu rity from unfounded imputations which be (Lord Col chester) thought was one of the objects of this Bill ; for, inasmuch as this commissioner was to be connected with the Government, any charge brought against him must be brought against them all. Though he only would attempt to refute or deny any of these accusations. He did not dissent from the principle of the measure, but he certainly thought it capable of very material improve ment. Earl ST. GERMANS said that his Noble Friend had taken off the half-and-half responsibility which was at present incurred by her Majesty's Government, par titularly the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment—with respect to the administration of the poor • laws—in common with the Poor-law Commissioners. That objection would still exist, even though one of these commissioners were to have a seat in Parliament, unless the whole of the Board of Commissioners was re-constructed by the Government, before taking that step. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE then rose, and ad dressed the House briefly, but his observations were quite inaudible in the gallery. The House then resolved itself into Committee upon the Bill. On clause 1 being proposed, Lord ELLENBOROUGH moved that the words— First Lord of the Treasury—be inserted in the list of commissioners to be appointed. Earl GREY said that he did not think that the inser tion of these words would do any harm, neither would they be of the slightest use ; he did not think that any sing'e beneficial object would be answered by the inser tion of these words. Clauses 1 to 9 wre then agreed to. On clause 10 being proposed, Lord REDESDALE moved the omission of this clause—it threw a large amount of patronage into the hands of the Government, at the most dangerous time it could be done, namely, on the eve of a general election. After some desultory conversation, the House divided, when there appeared— For the amendment—Contents Non. contents Majority for Non -contents The Duke of RICHMOND then moved a clause to the effect—that if the board of guardians, after a period of three months, did not appoint a visiting committee, and that visiting committee did not perform its duty by visiting the workhouses to take care that the poor were not ill-treated by those placed over them. It should be imperative on the Poor-law Commissioners to appoint a visitor, and that visitor to be paid out of the rates of that union. This clause was, in his opinion, absolutely necessary for ,the protection of the poor who were re ceiving relief in the workhouses, and for the purpose of compelling the board of guardians to perform th e i r d u ti es. After a brief discussion, the clause was withdrawn. The remaining clauses of the Bill were then agreed to. The House then resumed, and the Bill was reported to the House, with amendments. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and their Lordships adjourned until Four o'clock to morrow. ROUSE OF COMMONS. July 2. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) NAVIGATION -LAWS. Lord JOHN RUSSELL then moved that the Navi gation-laws Bill be read a second time. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK rose to oppose the motion. He did so because he thought the present mea sure was a pretext to undermine the present navigation laws. Since the suspension of those laws, innumerable vessels, in all parts of the world, had been waiting for freight and could not get it. There had not been more than one or two ships from the Mediterranean since the suspension of the laws, and at present .rates were every day falling at Alexandria, Constantinople, and Odessa. He therefore contended that the necessity for the further suspension of the navigation-laws had entirely passed away. With regard to the small vessels from the Elbe and the Weser, which formed so large an item in the re turn of the number of foreign grain-laden vessels, which hid been laid on the table, the further suspension of the laws from September to March would be wholly inope rative.—(Hear, hear.) If the Noble Lord had been so desirous as it was stated to bring in a large supply of foreign corn cheaply, he might have spared the five steam-ships that were cruising off Portugal for that pur pase, and by this means he would have done far more good than by suspending the navigation-laws.—(Hear, hear.) This was the course pursued by France, and it was productive of th e grea t est a d vantage to the trade and commerce of that country. If this suspension of the navigation- laws was to be considered as preliminary to the abrogation of these laws, he would ask the Noble Lord how he proposed to man the navy ?—(Hear, hear.) America had attained the great eminence which at pre sent characterised the navy, not, as it was falsely stated, by relaxing the navigation-laws, but by giving her shipping the greatest protection. In 1814 the British navy was manned by 114,000 men, and now the nutuber was not more than 30,000. It might be said that when the corn-laws were repealed the navigation lavis must share the same fate. He did not see the con nexion which existed between them, or that the one followed as a necessary consequence of the other. It gave him great pain to see some shipowners supporting corn-laws at the time that meas ure the' abolition of the wag brought forward, and he sincerely hoped that they sheilld not have °cotsion to regret the part which they interest.—(Hear, bear.) took aga inst the agricultural i Re ) had" a comparative stateme nt of the est number of grain laden ships that came to this September last to St -It% of America, from the 10th of country from the United the' n. of May There were Of these Cr t Britain ;rid 450 to the United States. the e 'ger ,. ' 294 vessels belonging to thei voyages, thewrell any acc....,-ut at sewere 21 American; of a, while there tho that were ob *g of those which t - w ed er e 3 British . e llly 3 of the to former erwhich had met with and 17 American; throSrieatt; and of those e r cargoes vn overboard ; l ' e a r obliged to have thei 4 British,while that had been stranded there were there' were 12 pilot had not lost his cunning , and cheers.) This, he thoughtAaserican.—(Hear, hear, proved that the British g, nor the British sailor his Wer e 6 British and 27 Arne skill or energy ; and, believ i i navaleg superiority, have the effect of desire tog tthheetshtihis•mea contributed to i s n u t r e e re w st o s u oldf sixmmove that the this 'country, and of undermining their:a atnhyeiropthoewrere,shusse would t l - h e i i d r h g , re m s o tn re es t s h a a n n d Dill ibe read a second time that day Lord J. RUSSELL said, I do not pr°onths. to ,ider—and I hope that this House will no p t os c a o i Con. that this is a question with regard to the repej'as consider-. r navigation-laws.—(H ear , hear.) Whatever may be the the merits of these laws—whether it may be right to main tain them inviolate—whether it is right to make certain changes in them, or right to repeal them altogether — that is not the question brought before the House under the present Bill. All that I will say, therefore, on that Duct of the supposition of the Noble Lord —and which occupied a cousiderable part of his address to the Ho use - is, that I beg to remind the House that, when the Committee upon the navigation-laws was appointed to sit, it wan a question of the most serious importance to the con atry, and in the consideration of the report of bring it. My argument is that if you have a ship which that Co mmittee, or the evidence which authorised any brings corn to you, you ought not t o say " this is altered on to be made i n th e nav i gat i on-laws, this House American corn, it has been taken from on board; is bow id to consider the burdens upon British ship- it has been landed at Havre, and brought again owners , and take into consideration any disadvantage here. I will not admit it—you must take it back they re ay have to contend with, at the same time that it again." My argument is that if you admit corn conside srs any restrictions which are to be a imposed upon —if you have a necess ity f or t h e a d mission of corn, it foreie 9 shipping. Th a t w ill b e at last for our con- ought to be admitted in whatevee ships it may come. sides eation; but the question now before the House is, What are the prospects for the next year? Who can whe that the present navigation-laws shall be suspended tell, however sanguine may be the expectation at —at id it must be obvious to the House that we may sus- the present moment, the weather of the next six weeks pent 1 laws of this natur e without at all affecting the will give us a bountiful and abundant, harvest ? Who prin miple upon which they are founded. With respect can tell whether the harvest of the continent of Europe to Ihe very question of the corn-laws, the corn-laws will be bountiful? Who can tell whether the great hay 6 been, during the last fifty years, frequently sus- abund ance with which America has been blessed during pen tied; sometimes for six months, sometimes fora year, the past year will be continued in the present year, and 1 sometimes for two years, the great majority of both and that we may not have at another time, not only the 11 ' lases of Parliament at the same time maintaining the difficulty of getting supplies of corn in England, 1 301 Icy 'of these laws, and firm on the principle that they and Europe, but the difficulty of having the large sup oil' Ai not to be altered. This may be urged in regard plies we have had in the- present year from America? to the navig a ti on -l aws, and I own that lam surprised Let us not forget, with regard to this subject, that the a',, the Noble Lord and his friends taking this course price of corn has lately been as high, taking into consi wills . regard to the navigation-laws at the present mo• deration the depreciation of the currency, as it was at me it, having consented to the suspension of the corn- any period of the past year ; and let us not forget what law n. It appears to me that if you consented in prin- is the most remarkable part or the present subject—that cipl fe to the suspension of the corn-laws you ,will be there is an extraordinary consumption. But there have per fectly justified in coming before the next Parliament been very large imports from the seats of foreign ate I Saying, "We have not given up the principle of trade, and there have been a very great num pro tection—the Parliament which has been dissolved ber of railway works ' • and I beli eve t h a t t h ey Was" greatly i n error i n d o i ng away w i th that principle, have in many respects diminished or alleviated the and iwe require a sliding scale or a fixed duty on corn, calamities under which we are suffering by causing a for that even is a system found upon a better policy considerable demand for labour. But, at the same time, th an the total repeal of these laws." You would when I look to the amount of calls upon railways from be perfectly justified in raising such an argu- January to this time, and I find that there has been mu m eat ; it is probably not a strong answer ployed twenty-one millions, of which somewhat more to each a proposition to say that you are precluded from than eighteen millions are required for the United King minlking such a proposition, because you suspended the dons, it is impossible not to see that the expenditure of a ce trn-laws during the past year. If that is the case with very large portion of this sum must have led to a con • r egard to the navigation-laws, it cannot be urged as siderable consumption which would not have taken ' .:owing against the navigation-laws, that there has been place if there had not been so extraordinary 's n certain period in which you proposed to suspend those an expenditure. That consumption again leads to laws. The Noble Lord, having consented to the suspen- an increased price, and of course leaves less of the sion of the corn-laws, declares that the navigation-laws whole amount of food to be divided amongst the ought not to be suspended. Now, what is the ground people of this country. But the construction of railways for suspending the corn-laws? It is expected that there has in one sense tended to the augmentation of the diffi will be a great quantity of corn brought into this culty, for I believe that they have mainly caused the country, and therefore it is the policy of this country to consumption which is so much greater than has ever use every means by which that admission may be free before taken place with so high a price of provisions—. and open to all, and if that principle is good with for this extraordinary . consumption must tend to make regard to the corn which is to be admitted, the quantity of food in the country last for a shorter why should it not be held good with regard period than it would otherwise do. Taking all tese to the vessel s i n w hi c h t h at corn is brought ? If you circumstances into consideration, the general result is admit corn free of duty, you must also take measures to that the poli c y o f Parliament ought to be to throw open admit that corn as freely as possible, whatever may be the ports as widely as possible for the admission of the vessel in which that corn may come—we should not food, and to take away every restriction which ask any questions with respect to the lading of these would prevent one single quarter of corn from vessels, or their country, or the parties who own them; coming into this country, if you mean to keep up at all but because they bring provisions, on that ground we the good condition of the labouring people, and, lastly, admit them. It appears to me that the two questions if you look to the state of the revenue in connexion with stand upon a perfectly similar footing, and it is quite all these circumstances, you will find that you ought to inconsistent for the Noble Lord, havingagreed to sus- pursue the policy of free and indiscriminate admission pesid the present corn duties, to raise a new objection for corn. Having come to this general conclusion, I to the suspension of this other law, and thus impose a again refer to the plan of the Noble Lord, and again re. restriction upon the admission of corn from which the peat that we will not on this question discuss the pro• duty is removed. The Noble Lord says, and says truly, priety of the existence of the navigation-laws. That sub that I stated the other day that I was prepared to argue tect will most probably be brought under the con that if 500,000 quarters of corn came in under the re- sideration of Parliament when the evidence which has cent suspension of the navigation-laws, still I should be been taken by the Committee has been considered, and prepared to contend that these laws ought to be further for my part I promise to pay serious attention to that suspended. I did so declare myself, because I think that evidence whenever it shall be produced. I think that the necessity of the country is such that we ought not there is no question which has so many various sub to impose any restrictions whatever, and that the best is jects—as relates to our commercial marine—as relates to make the admission of corn as free as possible— to the state of our naval power, and as relates likewise whether the benefit arising from that admission may be to the general principle of freedom of intercourse —there small or may be large. At least 1 have asserted that is in fact no question which can be put on so many principle, and I have taken away any restriction under various bases as the navigation-laws. I am most which corn is admitted. That as an argument is perfectly unwilling to discuss such a subject towards the close good, whatever may be the amount of corn admitted. of the session with the Committee sitting—(Hear)— The Noble Lord has agreed as to the quantity of corn and taking evidence upon it, and Ishould not be justified admitted—he has agreed to th ose returns, which lin prot ()sing any determination to be taken upon such a believe, with regard to most of the ports in the United subject. I shall be ready to consider any determination Kingdom from which those returns have been received, to be taken with reference to the general principle of are correct. I find with re gar d t o London and Liver- commercial policy —with reference to the effect of these pool the quanti t i es are t h e same. laws upon it—with re fe rence to the altered state of the Lord G. BENTINCK—You have no return from world—and with reference, lastly and chiefly, to the Liverpool naval force and nava l supremacy of this country. Lord J. RUSSELL—With regard to some of the Mr. RICARDO said that he did not think the general ports, I believe that the custom-house has made an error question of the navigation-laws at all involved in this dis with regard to the quantity which might have come in if cussion. He was surprised that the Noble Lord the Member the navigation-laws had not been suspended, and there for Lynn had made a charge against the Government that may be some alteration necessary in the general return, they were seeking to undermine the shipping interest of but as to the total amount which it represents it is pro- the country, and he could not help thinking that in bably correct as to what has been introduced. The opposing this measure the Noble Lord had some amount introduced has been brought in by 508 ship -, electioneering manoeuvre in view. The measure in his amounting in tonage to 63,555 tons. The Noble Lord opinion would do no injury whatever to the shipping says that it would have been far better to have sent interest, but if they ado pted theof line-of battle ships, whi c h cou ld i ntroduce corn the Noble Lord to bring line-of-battle sugg ships p into from foreign countries. I argued this question at competition with the merchant-traders, it would be in the commencement of the s ess i on , an d sat i s fi e d one Hon. flitting an irreparable injury upon th e iree commerce of Gentleman, who made a motion upon that subject, that the country.—(Hear, hear.) He hoped the time was in the first place the amount of tonnage of the line-of- coming when the good old days would be revived, and battle ships which we should have at our command when they should see English and American ships would have been small ; and, in the second plac e , it cros s in g the Atlantic with ballast and returning laden with would have taken some time to have fitted up these line- goods or corn. The period was fast approaching when, of battle ships so as to be prepared for the reception of in his opinion, these laws must be altogether abolished; corn ; and, in the next place, that it would have taken and he thought, when the House was put in possession them away from any military service in which they of the evidence taken before th e Navigation Committee, might be required. Supposing that any question like it would be inclined to agree with him.—(Hear.) the question of Otaheite, which arose a few years Mr. LIDDELL said the present was not a fitting op since, were to arise with any foreign power, it portunity to enter upon a discussion of the merits of the would have been a great disadvantage to the navigation-laws, and he should, therefore, confine his public, to have found ourselves crippled by the employ- observations to the Bill before the House. merit of these ships, so necessary for the service of the It did not follow that because his Noble Friend, country for some other purposes. The last argument the Member for Lynn had consented to a which J used, and which was the strongest of all, was, that further suspension of the corn-laws, he ought to agree when the State interfered in subjects of this nature, the to this measure. The navigation laws had already been more it proclaimed that it was about to undertake to fur- suspended for a sufficient length of time, and he could nish that which commerce usually furnishes, the more it not see what advantage was to be derived from con had disturbed and checked and discouraged the natural tinning the suspension during a period when the enterprise and trade of the country.(Hear, hear.) trade of many countries was shut up by national Now, what will the to nnage o f t h e Q ueen, the Trafalgar, causes. The Honourble Gentleman who last addressed the Albion, and the Rodney amount to if they are the House ridiculed the idea of bringing line-of estimated ? The Queen, 3,104 tons; the Albion battle ships into competition with merchant traders, but 3,110 tons ; and supposing the other two ships he (Mr. Liddell) thought the lion. Gentleman had mis to be of equal amount, or nearly so, we would understood the remarks of the Noble Lord the Member have had 12,000 tons available for these purposes. for Lynn. The Noble Lord did not make the suggest 63,555 is the amount of tonnage which foreign ships have tion attributed to him by the Hon. Gentleman. What he introduced into this country, and which could not have said was, that at a time when several ships laden been introduced except by a suspen s i on o f th e navig a ti on . with corn, and bound to this country, were unable to laws, and they have left yo u to h ave th e empl o y men t of obtain egress into the Atlantic by stress of weather, these ships for any othe r purp oses y ou m i g h t requ i re . there were several ships of war cruising off Portugal and The Noble Lord lies introduced an assertion in his doing nothing, which might have been better employed speech which has nothing at all to do with the present in assisting these ships out of their difficulties. —(Hear.) discussion—n ame l y , t h e policy pursued in Portugal. He would not detain the House any further, That has nothing w h a t ever to do with this subject, be- would sit down imploring the Noble Lord' and he at the cause if these ship s h a d not b een in Portugal they would head of the Government to give his most serious and at have been in the M e di terranean. They are part of the tentive consideration to the subject of the navigation military marine of the country, and are the laws, and not too hastily come to a conclusion upon it. kind of force on which this country must rely Lord JOHN RUSSELL said he wished to tell the in case of any sudden danger. But these foreign ships Hon. Gentleman that he had understood him (Lord John have done all this work—they have done five timea as Russell) quite correctly, and he questioned if the navi much as these vessels could have done for the benefit of eation-laws ought to be left for future deliberation. the country, and without the expense. They have sent Mr. TRELA eIeNY supported the Bill. these ships, and they have done it without any expense Mr. S. HERBERT said, so far as this Bill was con further than the natural payment or profit charges corned he had no sort of objection to its passing. l an I are paid and expected by merchants. Therefore was most anxious that there should continue to be an I entirely dissent, as I said at the beginning of this ample !supply of food in this country and in Ireland, session, from this plan. I disagree with the plan of partic u l ar l y d ur i ng th e fruit season, and without giving bringing out a corps of line-of -battle ships for the pur- any opinion upon. the large and important question of pose of bringing foreign corn into this country. But the navi ga ti on .l aws , he was not disposed to resist the beyond this, let this House consider for one moment progress of this temporary measure. He did most sin this question apart from the question of the navi- cerely regret that the Government had abandoned a Bill gation-laws. What has been the immense ins or- which, if calculated to be useful at all, would be pre of of corn which has been carried on by the trade eminently useful in the present year, of this country for the purpose of supplying the United Mr. MITCHELL would confine himself to the Kingdom with with food. We have had, as I shall presently tion of the expediency of these laws, and the question show, an unprecedented high price in corn, but at the was, could ships be chartered at a lower rate of freight same time the efforts which have been made by th e t ra d e t h an at present ? li e affirmed th a t t h ey could not, and of this co un t ry h ave b een carried on to an enormous ex- th ere f ore t h at did awa y with the necessity of the Bill. tent. Some time ago the importation of corn was at the Taking a ll t h e f re i g ht s together, the freights were 30 rate of nine millions of quarters, but during the last per c en t. hi g h er t h an th e y had b een l ast year. It should month, and i n d ee d l atterly, at the rate of twelve millions be recollected that the greater part of the British ship of quarters in the year, and in some particular weeks it ping was employed in the conveyan ce o f corn, which has exceed e d t h at amount; but altogether, 'beli eve, when they took in preference to other freights. He did not the accounts are made out, that there has been an ins- see, th ere f ore , t h at an y necessity now existed either for mense importation —a greater importation than ever was sending s hip s o f war to bring corn to this country, or known, and I should say that not less than six millions for the - suspension of these laws. of our people may have been fed during the present year Mr. AARON CHAPMAN fully agreed with the by that importation from foreign countries. Compare Hon. Member who had just sat down, that it would that with with any effort which could have been made have been imprudent to have used ships of war in the by line• of-battle ships. Compare this immense amount carrying of corn, and he as fully disagreed with the ar of corn and shipping, owing solely to the enterprise of guments of the Hon. Member opposite (Mr. Trelawny), merchants • and importers. Compare these with any who appeared to found all his arguments on his knowledge efforts the Government could make, and then you may of the Royal Yacht Club.—(Laughter.) In his opinion estimate the fact that, by throwing open the ports, the safety of this country depended upon our navy, and and giving the intercourse with foreign countries, the efficiency of that navy depended upon the encourage you have saved the people from suffering ment of the shipping now employed in commerce. He from want of food. But the Noble Lord seem s to think thought that the Bill was not required, and should not that this must be a repeal of the navigation-laws, because be proceeded with. there are no extraordinary circumstance --that the feces- Mr. TRELAWNY explained. city has passed. He says that there are no circumstances Lord JOHN MAN NERS sa id t h at a f ter the declare which requir e thi s . Lion of the Noble Lord that he would give this measure Lord G. BENTINCK—I said that the necessity would his unbiassed consideration next year, he (Lord J. Man have passed away by the lit of September. ners) was not disposed to oppose the further suspension Lord J. RUSSELL --Now let me ask the attention of of the navigation-laws. the House to the extraordinary circumstances which have Mr. HUDSON saithat he did not thin would be occurred in the last f ewmont h r. Therehas been in France wise at present to obstruct the Government, k it for he was a very great failure of the crops. It was estimated that prepared to grant that so interests in the country France at one time had only 18 days' consumption, at an- might be benefited by other 25 days ; and some went so high as to say that 40 laws for a time. days' consumption of food was wanting—that the supply Mr. FORSTER ho d was to that extent deficient. That deficiency extended to not at the forth the suspensionme of the navigation coming elution raise a cry in favour of Germany to a very great extent, so much so, that corn the shipowners similar that which - in 1841 they raised upon the Rhine had risen at one time to 90s. per quay- for the agriculturists to former . Pe that the Protectionists would ter, and the peace of the country was disturbed in Prus- be very pa t to ima " sia, and in other parts, owing to the extraordinary rise same.—(Hear, hear.) in provisions. This bas called for importation from all Lord G. BENTINgiCia , because the interests would after what had been said parts of Europe and America from which any supply he should not put the Et said, was to be had. There has been an extraordinary supply and should withdraw his use to K e that . their fate would be the amendment" from America, and there has been, as I have stated, a The Bill was then read very great importation to this country. France had re- be committed on Monday. a second time, Fo U u s S e T t O h e D n the trouble ou b I and f a division, ordered to quired a great part of the importation from the Black Sea, and that corn which, if there had been a good The 1 YvveOnFt inOtoFFCEnnlNmDiEttßeeSonßtlhLisL. Bill, and harvest in France, would h ave b een brought here, has the clauses, after some verbal amendments, were agr ee d been taken to France f or th e consumption of that country. to.—Report on Monday. ecitoh ß nn lL w L w . In the month of January we thought the case so urgent, that we proposed a suspension of the corn duty and the Lord MAHON P RISONS hether, after what navigation-laws, and that suspension was at once agreed occurred, the Noble Lord intended to proceed with this t o . The average price for the preceding six weeks to Bill during the .present session. He thought, con that time was 63 5. I ° l Per quarter, and in one w ee k sideri ng the period of the session, and the absence preceding the price vvas so high as 70s. 10d. per quarter. of many Honourable Members who took Under these circumstances, the House agr ee d un a - much interest in the matter, it would be nimously to the suspension of these laws. Since th at a d v i sa bl e, and more c d " on ucive to the public interests, if time there has been a most extraordinary rise in th e it were withdrawn. There certainly was no haste for of corn, and we have seen corn . in Mark-la rise it; and Mark-lane price d on one day, I believe 115 s. per not press it on a thin lieu to 100 s., 1083., an , . se, but adopt his suggestion. hear.) The pricehas againfall en, ' but Lord JOHN RUSSELL would take the Noble Lord's quarter.—(Hear, the l a st six weeks, by the London suggestion into consideration,- his Right and the average for Gazette is 945. 10d. per qu arter.—(Hear, hear.) The Friend (S ir G eorge Grey) would, on Monday, state price of , corn, let me repeat, h the House consented th e course w hi ch the Government intended to adopt with un animously to the suspension ; w o en f the navigation-laws, respe c t t o th e measure. 9swhen the price is STOCK-IN-TR ADE EXEMPTION BILL. was 636. 10d. per quarter ; an d now, 9 45. 10d. per quarter, unreasonable Oa the second reading I am told that it is innse to ask that suspension to be continued. The Sir R. H. INGLIS deprecated the changing of the law Noble Lo d September, tile without discussing its principles and its influence on those r says that upon the Ist of for who would be affected by necessity will havepas se d Who can tell that it. He considered that the Bill away. .., proposed too sweeping this country the n a ebaTeee in the law, and that any .essit will have passed awe" , r Lord G. BENTefliirj r • the ..'' e D . , change should be gradua1...._.(11,,,,.. ) u n l ess t h ey Were --.L said r ,, Teldit , .:,,.. 6,4,.., that is the whor e q uez " .. • , r-- — ' prepared to bring in a general Bill they would do great Lord J. RUSSLLe.u.. e . i .'esi•ice to a large portion of the country. If they were Ile neeeisity for .h.p., ....IL , 1,,c •'.1•••• have passed away—th— prepared to rate stock in trade, the owner of tithes had at is my whole argument; if we . have a necessity f to complain • but if th ey did no t d o so t h ey or 0 041 there is a nec ess it y f or s hi ps t o n o rig ht n , would inflict a grievous injustice upon them. He did not intend to divide the House ; but, unless the Right Hon. Baronet gave a pledge that he would bring such a Bill as the one he had recommended next session, he should be compelled to do so. Sir G. GREY admitted that the subject was fraught with difficulties. The Bill had been brought in in ac cordance with a decision of the Court of Queen's Bench. lie was ready to admit that the subject required future legislation, and, no doubt, mature consideration might lead him to bring forward a more general and unobjec tionable measure than the one before the House.— (Hear.) He did not think any greater burden would be placed upon the tithe owner than on the owners of any other deicription of property.—(Hear.) Sir .JOHN TROLLOPE would rather that this Act should be made a permanent one than that the question should be mooted annually. He did not think that the statements of the Right Hon. Baronet were so explicit as the House had a right to expect. Mr. HENLEY thought it would be impossible to make the Act permanent. He admitted that the subject was one that ought to be looked at with a very jealous eye. It the law was not either put an end to or suspended, it would lead to eternal litigation. After some observations from Mr. NEWDEGATE, Mr. HUDSON expressed a hope that the Government would turn their attention to the rating of railways, as at present he thought the mode of rating those under takings was most unjust. In some instances railways paid two-thirds of the rate of the county through which they passed. He trusted that Government would either bring in a Bill on the subject, or grant a Select Committee to take the matter into consideration. After a few words from Colonel ROLLESTON, Sir ROBERT INGLIS said that he would not press the House to a division, but he hoped the Right Hon. Gen tleman the Home Secretary would take the subject into consideration during its recess, and bring forward a mea sure next session for the purpose of removing the evils which at present existed on the subject of rating. After a few words from Mr. B. ESTCOTT and Sir C. BURRELL, _ _ Lord G. BENTINCK thought the subject too im portant to be discussed in such a thin House, when there was no Cabinet Minister present except the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment. This was one of the evils which -resulted from their working double time. He should, therefore, move that the House be counted. Strangers were ordered to withdraw, but there was a sufficient number of Members present to form a House. Thdßill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday next. The House then adjourned till Five o'clock. The House resumed at Five o'clock. SUTTON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT BILL. Sir J. Y. BULLER moved that the report from the Committee on the Sutton Harbour Improvement Bill be considered forthwith, prints of the amended Bill having been deposited on Wednesday, the 30th day of June last. Mr. GREENE suggested that the better course would be to recommit the Bill. Sir JOHN Y. BULLER would consent to the re committal of the Bill, provided that the Committee were allowed to sit on Monday next. This course was agreed to. COMMIS -lON IN THE LORDS. Sir Augustus Clifford, Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at the bar and summoned the House to the bar of the House of Lords, to hear the Royal assent given by commission to several Bills. The SPEAKER, accompanied by several Members, left for the House of Lords. On the return of the SPEAKER, he announced that several Bills (for which see Lords' report) had received the Royal assent. LORDS' AMENDMENTS. The Lords' auaendments to the following Bills were considered and agreed to : Ashton Gas Calpdonian Railway (Branches to Canonbie, &c.) Chard Canal and Railway (Extension and Amalgamaton) Dublin and Drogheda Railway (Purchase of Navan Branch, &c.) East Lothian Central Railway Eastern Union and the Ipswich and Bury Saint Ed mund's Railways Amalgamation Edinburgh Waterworks Glasgow - , Dumfries, and Carlisle Railway, and Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock. and Ayr Railway (No. 1). Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle Railway, and Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway (No. 2). GI isgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle Railway, and Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway (No. 4). Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway, and Glasgow and Belfast Union Railway (No. 1). Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway (No. 2). Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway (No. 4). London and North-Western Railway (Portobello and Wolverhampton Branch, &c.) Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, and Manchester and Lincoln Union Railway, and Ches terfield and Gainsborough Canal Amalgamation. Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland (Extension from Athlone to Galway). Newport, Abergavenny, and Hereford Railway (Exten sion to Taff Vale Railway). Northampton and Banbury Railway. Parkgate and Chester and Birkenhead Junction Railway. South Staffordshire Railway (Cannock, Wyrley, and Norton Branches, &c.) Swansea and Amman Junction Railway. York Improvement (Lendal Bridge and Approaches). Colonel SIBTHORP presented a petition from a great number of officers employed in the administration of the por-law in England and Wales, praying that the Go vernment would grant a superannuation fund: MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS. Messengers from the Lords brought up the following Bills, which their Lordships have agreed to :—Baths and Washhouses Bill—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lin colnshire Railway (Branch at Bugsworth to join the Peak Forest Canal Tramway, and Amendment of Acts) Bill—Midland Railway (Leicester and Swannington Railway Widening, Deviations, and Branches, Enlarge ment or Leicester Station, and extending Powers as to Branch) Bill—and to Amendments to Hodgson Hinde's Estate Bill, without Amendment;—Juvenile Offenders Bill—Midland Railway (Erewash Valley, &c.) Bill— Kilmarnock Police and Improvement Bill—Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham Railway (Wisbech to Sutton Bridge, &c.) Bill—Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Burntisland Pier, &c.) Bill, with Amendments. RELIEF COMMITTEES. Mr. B. OSBORNE presented a petition from Long. ford, in Ireland, praying that the House would institute an inquiry into the operation of the relief committees in Ireland. EXCISE LAWS. Mr. EWART presented a petition numerously signed by wine and spirit dealers, praying for a revision of that part of the excise law which prohibited the sale of more than two gallons of spirit by retail ; also a petition in favour of the Health of Towns Bill. Ordered to lie on the table. Mr. WARD moved that the Committees on public and private Bills have leave to sit to-morrow. Agreed to. Lord J. MANNERS moved an address for copies of the correspondence between the Lord Primate of all Ireland and Sir Robert Peel, relating to education in Ireland in 1845 ; and also between the Lord Primate and Lord John Russell, on the same subject, in 1847. Agreed to. PUNISHMENT IN THE ARMY. Major LAYARD wished to put a question to the Secretary at War respecting the death of John Rad cliffe, late a private in the 75th Regiment. The circum stances of the case, which he gathered from Saunders's News Letter, were these :—" The man Radcliffe was charged with shooting at his sergeant-major, but it would seem that the man fired with a blank cartridge. Nevertheless, Colonel Halifax, the commander of the regiment, made a severe order of punishment, and the man, in consequence, cut his throat with a razor. The jury that sat upon the coroner's inquest returned the following verdict :—" We find that the deceased came by his death in consequence of having inflicted a wound upon his throat while labouring under temporary insanity, produced by the severity of the order made by Colonel Halifax." The order alluded to in this verdict, was to the effect that the hair of Radcliffe was to be cut close, that he was to be kept in strict confinement, and if any man spoke to him he was im mediately to be put in confinement. He was to be paraded before his comrades, and then marched to Ath lone, to take his trial before a district court-martial. Now the question he wished to ask was, had the Horse- Guards received any report upon the subject? Mr. FOX MAULE said Colonel Halifax was a gen tleman of high military standing and honour, and a man suited in every respect to be placed in command of a body of men. Radcliffe, who was a private in the 10th Hussars, fired at his sergeant-major, not with a blank cartridge, as stated by the Hon. and Gallant Member opposite, but with ball, and Colonel Halifax being naturally jealous of the honour and anxious to maintain the high cha racter of his regiment, made the order in question. From the inquiries he had made, however, he did not think that under all the circumstances, the man com mitted suicide in consequence of the order, for on a former occasion, after he had been found drunk upon the march, he made an attempt upon his life; and on another occasion, while anticipating the result of bad conduct, he threatened to put an end to his existence. IRISH LANDLORDS. Sir D. NORREYS wished to know whether the No ble Lord would have any objection to comply with the following motion :—On going into Committee of Supply, to move that there be laid before this House so much of the correspondence or reports of the inspectors under the Act 10 Vic. c. 7 (with the name, rank, and residence of the parties referred to), as sustains the statements made i g e i u s t t e r a n t a e i a ) t a h n a d d directedo, hera t hat aimn(ai by the Commissioners of Relief in their third report, condemnatory of the conduct of committees, or of indi ecmttaoodfredmfLraom the various reports , • indi viduals in carrying out the provisions of the said Act. Lord J. RUSSELL could_ not hold out to the lion. Baronet that he should consent to give the name and rank according to the replies he received the Loed-L. po extractsfu rz t h n e ing p a s r thh t ieutenant would determine what course he would adopt. oi e eusi c d o n Tb d eh u Sir D. NORREYS emphatically, and wi th much ex citement, asked the Noble Lord if he thought that the Irish nation would be satisfied with such a re ply?— (Cries of " Order." ) He appealed to the Speaker whether he was or was not in order. The SPEAKER • was understood to say that the Hon. Baronet was not in order. MRS. TAWELL. Dr. BOWRINTG wi,he.l to a3k the Attorney General wlr:',tber the property of Tawell, who was executed for murder, arid respecting which an official iequiry has lately talurn pla,c9, will, it:stead escheating to the Crown, be restored to his widow? The ATTORNET-GENERAL wished to undeceive Hon. Members and the public with respect to the state ment which had appeared in the newspapers respecting this matter. The House was, no doubt, aware, that Nhen a person was convicted of a criminal offence, us property was forfeited to the Crown ; but he practice had uniformly been to grant the property to the relations who might petition the Crown for it. In ,his case Mrs. Tawell presented a memorial to the Trea .ury, praying inquiry, and to have the property vested :n the Crown for her use; and an inquiry had been made, And it would be disposed of for her use.—(H-ar, hear.) lie was rather surprised that a statement should have .one forth in the newspapers imputing the grossest in humanity to the Crown, especially whe❑ it was borne in ,nind that the inquiry was made at her own request. MALTA. Dr. BOWRING wished to ask the Under Secretary of the Colonies whether the memorials and petitions from Malta on the subject of the grievances of that island have received the attention of the Government, Ind whether any measures are in progress for their redress ? Mr. HAWES said the memorials had been received, and were now under the attention of the Noble Lord at the head of the Colo&.al Department, and until he came to a decision, he thought it would be imprudent to say anything more on the subject. Act should only be extended to such towns as really re• quired it, whether under the management of a corpora tion or not. He should propose that only in cases where three fourths of the rate-payers of any town petitioned that they should be included in the operation or the Bill, the measure should extend to them. Lord MORPETH said that this subject had been very gravely considered by the Government, and they, taking into consideration the many interests at work in towns, determined that this Bill should extend to all. Ile could not, therefore, think of altering the clause to meet the wishes of the Hon. Member for Birmingham. Mr. HENLEY said that the Noble Lord was running counter to the opinions he had always promulgated, that the subjects of this country should have the right of choosing their own representatives. Now he said that these towns were not fitted to choose their rulers for themselves. Mr. AGLIONBY said that while he fully agreed in what had been said by the Hon. Member for Oxford shire, he, at the same time, did not agree with him— (Laughter)—because he believed that in every town there were parties at the head of those towns who weiq not prepared to take such care of the health and come forts of the inhabitants as the Government would. After a few words from Mr. NE WDEGATE, Mr. J. COLLETT wished to know if this Bill was intended to extend to Wales, because he saw by the title that it was designed for England. The ATTORNEY GENERAL said that all legal documents which stated in the title that they were for England were understood to include Wales also ; and, therefore, the Hon. Member would not again, when scanning an Act of Parliament, require to be informed upon this point.—(Laughter.) While he was upon his legs he might say that this amendment of the Hon. Member for Birmingham was altogether without precedent. Great privileges had been conferred upon towns on the simple petition of the inhabitants, but the idea of rates pavers was altogether a novel OD% Mr. SPOONER suggested that the amendment could be very easily altered to the inhabitant householders, and that perhaps would obviate the legal serpples of the Learned Attorney-General. Mr. WAKLEY said this Bill was intended partiatis larly for the poor, but if the householders were only to be taken into consideration, the Bill would not reach the classes under them at all. Colonel SIBTIIORP said that he opposed the Bill. He had no doubt there were many filthy places in Fins bury—(Laughter)—and the Hon. Member was, _per haps, right in advocating it ; but they required nothing of the kind in Lincoln.—(Loud laughter.) The Hon. Member for Finsbury laughed ; if the people of Line coin were mustered and compared with the people of Finsbury—(Roars of laughter)— not only would they be found cleaner than them—(Laughter) —but Ile cleaner people would be found to exist.—(Laughter.) The House then divided, when there appeared—. For the amendment For the original clause ... Majority tor the original clause The clause was then agreed to. On clause 13 being proposed, which excluded any place within ten miles of St. Paul's, Mr. DUGDALE said that if supported by any Mem ber of the House, he should move that this clause be expunged. Mr. REDHEAD YORKE supported the last speaker,. Mr. KEMBLE said that if it were moved that this clause be expunged, the Bill would never pass (Laughter)—he meant not pass this session —(Con tinned laughter)—and therefore he should support the retention of this clause. Mr. HUDSON could not understand why one of the Members, connected in some degree with the metropoli tan district, should vote for this clause. He thought it came with a very bad grace from him.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) Fever abounded in London, and yet London was to be excluded from the operation of this Bill. Fever did not abound in York, and York was to be included. The Bill would be unjust to one portion. of the kingdom and partial to another, and its ultimate effect would be to stultify itself. After a few words from Alderman HIIMPHERY, And in answer to two questions from Mr. SPOONER, Lord MORPETH said that he had extended the cir cuit around the metropolis from four to ten miles, in order that the waters which had their springs generally speaking, at nine and ten miles off, might be included ; and the answer to the second question was, that he could not include London, because he had been informed from every quarter that, if he wished to do anything at all, he must exclude the city of London. The very association which had taken the greatest interest in all matters contemplated by this Bill, had waited upon him when he had framed his Bill, to include the city of Lon don, and had said that in trying to get all he would lose all. For these reasons he was induced to exclude the city of London from the operation of the Bill. Mr. ROEBUCK said his Hon. Friend made him (Al derman Humphery) represent one great corporation— (Laughter)—and the Right Hon. Secretary opposite (Mr. Hudson) represented another large association Laughter)—but the Right Hon. Gentleman's corporation was rather smaller than the corporation of the Hon Member beside him.—(Roars of laughter, induced by the rather pointed allusion to the corpulency of both the Hon. Members.) He trusted, however, that the Noble Lord would pa; attention to neither, but trust to his own good sense, and taking what he could get now, would, at the first opportunity, introduce a sp ecial Act for London, w hi c h wou ld have the effect of improving its sanatory condition. After some observations from Mr. NEWDEGATE and Mr. Wseetaars, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that Hon. Members argued as if it were proposed to exclude London from all sanatory measures. Their object was to give a mea sure to the rest of the country, and to bring in a Bill for the City of London in the next session of Parlia ment. They had not included London, because the insertion of clauses affecting the metropolis would only lead to further discussion, which would defeat this Bill altogether, and he was sure that the Hon. Gentle men opposite, if their zeal for sanatory improvements was any criterion, would be extremely sorry if this were the result. Mr. WAKLEY said that he intended to vote for the expulsion of this clause, and he believed that all his constituents were agreed with him. The opposition did not arise from the metropolis, but from the city of London alone.—(" Hear, hear," from Mr. Hudson.) He might be allowed professionally to observe to the Hon. Member for Sunderland that his excitement would do him no good.—(Laughter.) It was advice without a fee—(Continued laughter)—and he would add to it by informing his Right Hon. Friend that if he did not take care, he (Mr. Wakley) as coroner, and the Righ Hon. Gentleman, might be yet better acquainted. Some further discussion took place, in which Mr. HENLEY and Viscount NEWPORT took part. The gallery was cleared, and the House divided, when there appeared— For the amendment ..... 7 For the original clause ..................... 112 Majority for the clause ............... —42 The clause was then agreed to. On clause 14 being proposed, Mr. P. BORTH WICK objected that the clause, taken in connexion with the preceding one, was not easily understood. It was, in fact, capable of two meanings, and would, if not amended, give full employment to legal gentlemen in another place. Lord MORPETH said that he should consult with his Hon. and Learned Friend the Attorney-General, and if the clause should bear such construction, as the Hon. Member for Evesham seemed to ascribe to it, he would amend it. Mr. P. BORTHWICK—I have not another word to say. The clause was then agreed to. On clause 15 being proposed, which provides, that any corporate town, not within 10 miles of the metropo lis, might obtain the intervention of the Bill if the re quest was supported by the signature of 300 inhabitants, some discussion ensued. Mr. DUNCOMBE contended that populous districts, like Islington and Kensington, which had no public lamps, would be altogether exempt from the Bill if the clause stood in its present form. Mr. NEWDEGATE then moved as an amendment— That a majority of the inhabitants should be required, instead of 300. The galleries were cleared for a division, but none took place, the amendment having been withdrawn. The clause was then agreed to. Clause 16 was also agreed to. On clause 17, which relates to the payment of the travelling expenses of the commissioners, Colonel SIBTHORP said that they had sat nearly since twelve o'clock. It was now midnight ; and as he intended to move the omission of the clause, and as no doubt considerable discussion would arise upon it, he should move that the chairman report progress, and ob tain leave to sit again. Lord MORPETH said he did not intend to proceed with any clauses beyond the one before the House that night; he trusted the House would allow the clause to be disposed of before the chairman was desired to report progress. - Mr. HENLEY and Colonel SIBTHORP declared that the discussion of the clause would occupy more than an hour, and urged the Noble Lord to suspend any further proceedings to-night. Lord JOHN RUSSELL had no objection to accede to the suggestion of the lion. and Gallant Member, provided the House met at twelve o'clock on Monday, for the purpose of proceeding with the Bill. The motion was then withdrawn. The House resumed. The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again at twelve o'clock on Monday, which was agreed to. TURNPIKE ROADS (SOUTH WALES) BILL. This Bill was read a third time. RAILWAYS (IRELAND) BILL. Report brought up. COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES (IRELAND) BILL. The Compensation for Damages (Ireland) Bill was reLd a second time. POST OFFICE BILL. Report brought up. DRAINAGE OF LANDS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and was ordered Es, be reported on Monday. NEW ZEALAND COMPANY'S BILL. This Bill also went through Committee, and was ordered to be reported on Monday. HOLYHEAD HARBOUR BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. SHANNON NAVIGATION BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and was ordered to be reported on Monday. JOINT STOCK COMPANIES BILL. The third reading of this Bill was postponed, after a short discussion. INSOLVENT DE3TORS BILL Tids Bill pas4bd through Committee.—Report on Monday. SUPPLY. (THIS DAY.) BORNEO. IRISH LANDLORDS. Sir D. NORREYS adverted to his motion on this subject. He considered, that he had been badly used by the Noble Lord in this matter, as he had refused to reply to his question. He said if any parties bad been guilty of misconduct they should be held up to the scorn which they deserved, and he called upon the Noble Lord as an act of justice to say whether all were to be implicated in these disgraceful proceedings or not. Surely the innocent ought to be discriminated from the guilty. Lord J. RUSSELL said the report of the commis sioners stated that there were 1,700 committees, and that amongst them some abuses had occurred; but the Hon. Gentleman would have it that that inferred that all were equally guilty.—(Hear, hear.) He did think that it was impossible to state this more clearly than the commissioners had stated it. He thought that the publication of all th e names, and the institution of an inquiry, for both of which the Hon. Baronet asked, would be productive of great evil.—(Hear, hear.) The more prudent course to adopt would be to take the statement as it was, and when the parties who had acted improperly were appointed to the magistracy that an in quiry should be made into their conduct. Mr. B. OSBORNE said if a Committee were ap pointed, that it could not accomplish the task which would be assigned to them under a year, and that the re sult of their labours would fill one of the largest blue books that has ever been printed. Lord CLEMENTS supported the view of the Hon. Baronet, and considered that the motion ought to be agreed to. Lord J. RUSSELL explained that the cases referred to were the exceptions. Mr. WAKLEY considered that an inquiry was due to those who had not been guilty of the abominable prac tice which had been imputed to many landlords— namely, placing their servants for support upon the rates. The matter then dropped. COLONIAL IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. In reply to Mr. NEWDEGA TE, Lord J. RUSSELL stated that he would make inqui ries respecting the returns for which the Hon. Gentle man had moved. CHINA. Lord SANDON wished to ask the Noble Lord at the head of the Government whether the recent naval and mili tary operations in China had been carried on under the sanction of the Government at home, or whether they had been entered upon on the responsibility of the Governor of Hong-Kong? Lord J. RUSSELL—In answer to the Noble Lord's question, I have to state, that the Governor of Hong- Kong reported certain insults and injuries which were inflicted on -British subjects, and the answer of the Government to him was, that he ought to demand from the Chinese Government redress for such injuries and insults. After he had sent these reports, other cases arose, of which an account did not reach this country until a short time ago; but the Governor of Hong-Kong, on taking into consideration that he was desired to demand redress in certain cases, and these other cases having occurred since that time, upon consulting with the general commanding, thought that the only way of obtaining effectual redress was to ask the officers com manding the naval and military forces to co operate with him, and, certainly, in a naval and military point of view, their plans were well designed and ably carried into effect. This is the only.general answer I can give to the Noble Lord. When the papers on the subject are produced, they will, no doubt, show why the Governor thought it necessary to adopt the course he had taken, and why also he thought he could not obtain redress without adopting that course. HEALTH OF TOWNS. On the order of the day for going into Committee on this Bill, Mr. HORSMAN wished to put a question to the Noble Lord (Lord Morpeth) with respect to interments in crowded cities. He wished to know whether the Government intended to take any measure for the pur pose of putting an end to such interments, which he said not only demoralised the people, but physically deteriorated them. This and the past session had passed by without any mention of a measure on the subject, and as the public attention was becoming every day more and more directed to it, he thought that the Government ought to give an explicit answer to his question, and if they were not disposed to introduce any Bill on the subject, to state what secret obstacles pre vented them from doing so. The Bishop of London 25 years ago, when he was a poor rector, stated that no one, unless devoid of humanity, would hesitate to do all in his power to put an end to such an obnoxious system ; but notwithstanding the increase of the population, they were as far from any measure of reform as they were 25 years ago. Mr. HUDSON said he had been repeatedly among respectable inhabitants of York to call a meeting on the subject. The inabitants were altogether adverse to in terment in the City. Lord MORPETH—As soon as I shall have succeeded in passing this Bill with respect to the health of towns, I shall feel myself bound to mature and introduce a mea sure, and hope to carry it, for the prevention of burials in towns; but I must say, I shall despair of carrying this measure if you do not at once go into Committee upon it. Mr. WAELEY said the subject was most pertinent to that of the health of towns, and strongly urged upon the Noble Lord to lose no time in bringing forward a measure to prevent interments in crowded towns. Mr. HORSMAN protested against the statement of the Noble Lord, that he wished to obstruct the business of the House. This he considered was the most im portant part of the whole subject of sanatory improve ment, and he could not but think it strange that provi sions with respect to it had not been inserted in the Bill. Lord MORPETH had no intention of addressing the Hon. Gentleman in an uncourteous manner, but the rea son why he did not deal with the subject of burials at present was, the physical difficulties which he found in his way. Mr. MACKINNON trusted the Noble Lord would redeem the pledge he had given —that as soon as he had passed the present measure, he would bring for ward, next session, a measure for the regulation of burials in towns—and that being the case, he hoped the House would allow the Bill to be proceeded with, After a few words from Mr. P. BORTHWICK, Mr. HENLEY objected to the Noble Lord charging them with delaying the progress of the Bill, Hon. Members only adopted the course which was legitimately open to them, in calling attention to subjects that ap peared to them of importance. The House then resolved itself into Committee. Upon clause 8 being proposed, Mr. SPOONER proposed a verbal amendment, with respect to the propriety of the notices referred to in the clause being posted up on all tho churches. After some discussion, Lord MORPETH said he had no objection to insert the words "on the door of one or more churches." The clause, so amended, was then agreed to. Colonel SIBTHORP would like very much to know what sort of persons these inspectors were to be, and what salaries they were to h ave; for, as the duties' they were to discharge were of an inquisitorial character, the public should have the information he required. If the Noble Lord refused to give him a satisfactory answer, he would repeat the question at every clause till they came to the 58th— (Laughter) —but he hoped he would not give him that trouble.—(H ear , hear.) Lord MORPETHho ed the lion. and Learned Gen- tleman—(Laughter)—tee Hon. and Gallant Member would not ask him to travel over again the same ground he did last night when he replied to that question. He then said that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury would fix the salary when they were aware of the amount of duty the inspectors would have to discharge, and he could not say till then what ain , )unt they would think a sufficient rernuneratinn for the services to ha pert.rated. The thin. G••ntietnan t dlte l of 100 i ns p ectors being appoln. ,, d, but he h id already stat , d that he did not think more than half a dozen at the utniast would i,e regain d. Clause 9 was agreed to, the words from " or," in Moe 19 to line 21, being left out. Clause 10 was agreed to. On clause 11, Mr. HENLEY objected to that part of the clause pro viding that the offices of the town clerks should be open for one month, for the inspection of the plans, without remune,ratietn. Tile AT GENERAL defended the clause, and said that the admisSien of the principle laid down by the Hon. Gentleman would lead to the greatest abases. some disen,sion the clause was agreed to. On clause 12 being proposed, Mr. SPOONER moved as an amendment that the Mr. HUME inquired when the Noble Lord proposed to go into Committee of Supply? Lard JOHN RUSSELL—I intend to bring on the supply on Monday. SITTING OF THE HOUSE TO-MORROW I❑ reply to Slr. SPOONER, Lord JOHN RUSSELL stated that he did not think t would be necessary for the House to sit to-morrow. Mr. EWART wished to inquire of the Under Score• tary for the Colonies, what measures have been adopted for the establishment of a settlement in the island of Labuan, on the coast of Borneo, ceded to the British Crown in December last. Mr. HAWES said her Majesty's Government were fully aware of the importance of the island ; but there was no desire on the part of the Government to mag nify the colonial establishments ; parties, however, had been appointed, who were competent to give the fullest information, whose reports would shortly be presented to the Government. .A tc , du Bela the Zee bur THE land yes Gw vier tesl Lei Mr. Gni C At toy Uni 5, al tecui tarri feet. U tstadr et hi Maj 4 nobl of cc the the Gent With T 1 the r Lis ] arriv A to tb and Univ Al Trip de; sever o'cloi Arta, morn ~.~ -. ~L ; th an L 2 Zvi an Cc Zi, of at ter Da 01