The Sun. — London, England, 1847-12-14 00:00:00

tbirt Itaittion SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock. TI-111 UNITED STATES. By a French steamer, arrived at Havre, we have New York papers to the 25th ult. inclusive. Dispatches from General Scott had been received at Washington, but they contained nothing either new or of importance. Everything remained as at the date of previous ad vices. Santa Anna was said to be universally repro bated. Paredes had again appeared upon the field, and in a manifesto to the nation refers all the mis fortunes of Mexico to the unfortunate internal differ ences so long prevailing, and calls upon the people to unite with him in driving back the enemy, who has penetrated to the heart of the country, that so the anni hilation of Mexico may be prevented. There was a rumour that Santa Anna was about to embark in an English steamer at Tampico, having bid his country an eternal farewell. The domestic news from the United States refers principally to the policy of the approaching Congress, and matters connected with the next Presidential elec tion. Mr. Clay is willing to abandon the conquests made in Mexico, and to withdraw within the Rio Grande, retaining only the bay of San Francisco ; but is is said Mr. Adams goes for the whole of Mexico or none. Accounts by the Acadia, from Liverpool, reached New York on the 21st ult. NEWS FROM PORTUGAL. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, TUESDAY.—The Montrose has ar rived. The elections are over—military force has tri umphed. The national party will not have a deputy in the next Cortes. The new Ministry is in course of pre paration, with the Cabrals at the head, and it is supposed that the President will be Saldanha; Home Minister, Costa Cabral; War Minister, Terceira; Foreign Minis ter, Fronteira ; Marine Minister, Faleo ; Finance Minister, John Oliveira. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of Dec. 14.) SUGAR.—To• day, notwithstanding there were sellers of most kinds of free and slave labour Sugar upon further reduced terms, exporters bought with much caution, and the increase in the home demand was ro,imaterial ; the market was plentifully supplied. The purchases made in West India Muscovado were to a small extent either for grocery or refining purposes, and privately did not exceed 440 hhds and tierces, although the rates taken were rather under those of Friday. At auction 143 hhds of Barbadoes went off heavily, the fine sorts at full prices; but other kinds sold 61 lower—ordinary yellow west at 37s to 37s 6d, mid dling 38s to 395, good 40s to 41s 6d, fine 42s to 44s 6d, and very fine 465; 52 hhds of Berbice were partly sold at about the value—fine yellow 40s, good 3Siis 6d, middling 36s 6d; but low brown was bought in at 33s per cwt. The market for Sugar closes with a dull appearance, especially for brown and inferior sorts. REFINED.—To-day the market was in a quiet state for refined good; prices are not so firm—standard lumps selling at 53s to 53s 6d, and brown grocery 52s to 52s 6d. In bonded crushed the operations are on a more extended scale, but the refiners are inclined to sell, first sort at 30s to 31s per cwt. MAITRMCS.—This afternoon there was no improre ment in the demand for any kind of Mauritius Sup:, and 3,876 bags at auction went 6d to Is under former rates for brown and inferior yellow and grey sorts, whilst the better kinds barely sustained the previous value. Nearly the whole of the Sugar, however, sold. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon a public sale of 1,484 baskets and 9 bags of Penang went off at very low rates. Of Bengal three parcels, amounting to 2,476 bags, were offered at auction, which went off heavily, and at prices rather in favour of the buyers, but the chief part, sold. FOREIGN.—Prices are further depressed for all descrip tious as the supply at market is large, and far exceeds the wants of all parties, whereas there is an anxiety on the part of merchants to sell, although the ar rivals are trifling, since this day week. The amount of business concluded by private treaty has been small for all purposes, and is even less than in the previous week, although a further reduction in prices of 6d per cwt. has been submitted to. The ship ders have only taken 500 boxes of good yellow Ha vannah at 225, and our refiners working under bond, 400 chests of brown Bahia at 17s to 18s. At auction 7,424 bags of Siam were all sold from is to 2s under the valuations. From the foreign markets the accounts are unsatisfactory for sugar. MoLassus.--For West India there are few buyers, still holders decline t , 3 make any further concession in prices, and offer a less quantity for sale: the value of , low to fine is 15s to lis. East India Treacle met with little attention, and 17s to 18s is the value. Of Barba does Molasses 31 puns at public sale were taken in at 18s per cwt. COFFEE.—This afternoon Plantation Ceylon was pur chased with reluctance, and 1,231 bags and 17 casks, at auction, only part found buyers, good middling and good sorts fetched the full value, but the lower kinds sold rather cheaper. Of West India 38 casks, 24 barrels, were only partly sold at easier rates. TEA.—Although there are sellers of all descriptions of Congou rather under previous rates, yet the town and country trade have purchased with reluctance, and the supply far exceeds their wants. Pouchong is neglected, and can be obtained at 3d to 8d for low to fine quality. There is no improvement to notice in the demand for Green, and all kinds are offered at further reduced prices, whilst the supply is abundant. RicE.—To-day there was no improvement in the de mand for Bengal Rice, and at auction 1,870 bags were taken in rather under former rates. Of Sago 100 boxes mid 120 bags found buyers, but at a fall in prices of is to 2s. COCHINEAL.—This afternoon Cochineal was in ex- celleat demand, and 100 bags of Honduras at auction were all sold at Id to 2d advance, low to fine silvers went at 4s 3d to 5s 2d, middling to fine black 6s 3d to 6s 8d; five bags Teneriffe for exportation only fetched lld to 5s 7d per lb. SPIRITS.—To-day Jamaica Rum met with little at tention, and holders experienced difficulty in supporting former rates. All other sorts are dull of sale, and easier to buy—proof Leeward can be obtained at is 7d, and East India is 6d per gallon. For Brandy the demand is on the increase, and prices are on the advance. OILS.—For Southern Oil of all descriptions a much better demand has been experienced, and the supply at market having been small, buyers are compelled to pay an advance on former rates of 103 to 30s per tun. At auction 44 tuns were sold. Cod is little required, prices continue to decline. Seal is more in demand, and better prices are not to be obtained, as the market is well supplied. Purchases to a fair ex tent have been made privately, and at auctiion 105 tuns mostly found buyers. Sperm is not much re quired, and having been brought more freely to market, a decline in the value ensued. Of 81 tuns submitted to public sale a part only sold. The arrivals of Fish Oils are to a small extent only since this day week; stocks here are, however, large. Holders of Olive continue to be willing sellers, although the deliveries yet exceed the arrivals. The purchases made in Cocoa Nut are trifling. The market is firmer for Linseed Oil, and the home trade are large operators. For forward delivery the operations are upon a more extended scale. The value of p ale Ra p e Oil is 37s 6d to 38s, and of brown 375; few sales, how ever, have been made, and the supply i s rather larger than it was. A parcel of fine pale foreign has been disposed of at 40s. Palm further declined ii value, there being a plentiful supply; several parcels were disposed of privately at 27s to 30s for middling to fine quality, but at auction 191 casks were bought in at these rates. Lard Oil is selling at 48s to 545, and ground Nut Oil is selling at 38s to 41s per cwt. For auction 100 casks of Palm, 124 tuns of Sperm, and 10 tuns of Southern are declared. TaLLow.—We have to report a further improvement in the value of Russian on the spot, the demand having been active from the town and country trade, whereas the arrivals are again smalL The rates obtained for fine P. Y. Candle are 46s 9d to 47s 3d. For forward delivery many contracts have been entered into at 45s 6d to 46s up to the close of the year, and at 45s to 45s 6d for spring months. Home made is much wanted, prices continue to advance. All other kinds brought enhanced rates, and met with a free sale, although the quantity at market is yet large. THE LONDON GAZETTE. (T HIS EVENING.) ST. JAMES'S-PALACE, DEC. 9, 1847. The Queen has been pleased, on the nomination of Lord - Foley, to appoint Egerton Ford, Esq., one of her Majesty's Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, lice Hoare, retired. WHITEHALL, DEC. 11. The Queen has been pleased to order a congi delire to pass the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, empowering the Dean and Chapter of th e cathedral church of Hereford to elect a Bishop of that see, the same being void by the translation of the Most Reverend Father in God Doctor Thomas Musgrave, late Bishop thereof, to the see o f York ; and her Majesty has a l so b een pleased to recommend .the Reverend Renn Di c k son Hampden, Doctor in Divinity . , to be elect e d b y the said Dean and Chapter Bishop of the said see of Hereford. FOREIGN-0} ICE, DEC. 11. The Queen has been pleased to approve o f M. Eugene POUj ado as Consu l at Malta for his Majesty the King of the French. WHITEHALL, DEC. 10. The Lord Chancellor has appointed Henry Augustus Templer, ofßridport, in the cou n ty of Dorset, G,;,-t- to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. 8.1 NKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED. William Walton, timber dealer, Willenhall, Stafford shire. BANKRUPTS. Joseph Williams , licensed victualler, Jan. Westminster bridge-road, to sur render, Dec. 23, and 25, twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee; Warrand, Skinner -street, Snow-hill. Thomas Burton, builder, Commercial-rod, Lambeth, Dec. 23, and Jan. 25 , at eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Pennell, official assignee; Lloyd, Milk-street, Cheapside. George Lupton, tailor, St. Helen's, Dec. 22 and Jan. ls, at elev e n, a t the Liverpool Distr ict Court. Bird, official assignee, Liverpool; Gregory an d Co, Bedford row;,,wMarsh St. Helen's; Green, Liverpo ol. E . i ard Rose, licensed victualler, Ruade, Northamp tonshire, Dcc. 22, at eleven, and Jan. ° 9, at one , at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sam- brook-court, Basinghall• street; Pittendreigh and Steven son, South-square, Gray's Inn. William Silcock, jun., victualler, Crawley-street, Oakley-square, St. Pancras, Dec. 22, at half-past one, and Jan. 29, eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee, Aldermanbury; Scadding and Son, Gordon-street, St. Pancras. George Clarke, carpet manufacturer, Ishr.m-mills, Northamptonshire, Dec. 23, at half-past two, and Jan. 25, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry; Watson and Broughton, Falcon-square, Aldersgate-street. Edward Callow and Mark Taversham, stock brokers, Cornhill, Dec. 27, at one, and Jan. 31, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee, Old Jewry-chambers ; Lewis and Lewis, Ely-place. Richard Chaplin, straw plait dealer, Wetherfield, Essex, Dec. 21, at one, and Jan. 27 at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official-assignee, Coleman-street; Brown, Finsbury-place, Sewell, Hal stead. Daniel Taylor Perrott, grocer, Bristol, Dec. 31, and Feb. 1, at eleven, at the Court, Bristol. Acraman, offi cial-assignee, Bristol; Perkins, Bristol, Brittan and Son Bristol. Joseph Stelfox, share broker, Manchester, Dec. 24, and Jan. 14, at eleven, at the Manchester District Court. Hobson, official assignee, Manchester; Vincent, King's Bench-walk, Inner Temple; Simpson, Manchester. William Jabez Davies, plumber and glazier, Manches ter, Dec. 24, and Jan. 14, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Hobson, official assignee, Manchester ; Hall, Mourilyan, and Rowsell, Verulam-buildings, Gray's Inn ; Aspinall, Ridgefield, Manchester. Lancelot Hepworth, shopkeeper, Manchester, Dec. 29, and Jan. 24, at eleven, at the Court, Manchester. Pott, official assignee, Manchester; Hall, Mourilyan, and Rowsell, Verulam- buildings, Gray's-inn, London; Lcem- I ing, Manchester. James Wade, draper, Lisson grove, Dec. 21, at two, ' and Jan. 25, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee; Hardwick and Davidson Weavers'-hall, Basit., , hall- street. Nathaniel Barnsdall, timber merchant, Nottingham, Dec. 24 and Jan. 21, at twelve, at the Birmingham Dis trict Court, Nottingham. Bittleston, official assignee, Nottingham ; Wadsworth, Notiingham ; Cares and Stuart, Gray's Inn. Eli Spooner, butcher, Hanley, Staffordshire, Dec. 23 and Jan. 22, at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court. Valpy, official assignee, Birmingham; Challinor, Hanley; Smith, Birmingham. Joseph Alexander Clarke, china manufaeturer, Long ton, Staffordshire, Dec. 28, and Jan. 16. at twelve, at the Birmingham District Court. Valpy, official as signee, Birmingham; Mason, Stoke-upon Trent. John Barrett, tanner, Horsforth, Yorkshire, Dec. 28 and Jan. 22, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Stansfeld, official assignee, Leeds ; Singleton, Great James-street, London ; Barret, Leeds. William Spink, butcher, I'urston Jacklin, Yorkshire; Jan. 1 and Jan. 22, at eleven, at the Leeds Distr.' ct Court. Stansfeld, official assignee, Leeds; Lever, King's road, Bedford-row, London; Messrs. Clough, Pontefract. Oxfordshire against the admission of Jews into Parlia ment. Sir GEORGE STRICKLAND presented a petition praying the House to do away with Jewish disabilities. Mr. SCHOLEFIELD presented a petition from Bir mingham to the same effect. Mr. HENRY BERKELEY presented a petition in favour of the claims of the Raja of Sattara. Mr. LABOUCHERE and other Honourable Mem bers presented petitions, praying the House to pa.s a law empowering boards of guardians to grant retiring allowances to parochial officers. Lord BROWLE presented two petitions from War wickshire against the admission of Jews into Parlia ment. _ . The Bill was then read a third time and passed. WEST GLOUCESRSIIIRE ELECTION. Mr. WAKLEY, in rising to move the consideration of the petition of the West Gloucestershire election, complaining of an undue interference on the part of the Earl Fitzhardinge with the rrecent election, said, when he mentioued the subject yesterday to an hon. relative of the Noble Peer, he stated that he was authorised to announce to the House that the Noble Peer would have no objection to the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry into the matter. Captain BERKELEY—What I said was this ; if the House thought proper to institute an inquiry into his conduct, Earl Fitahardinge would have no objection to it. Mr. WAKLEY said that was precisely his impres sion, and consequently there was no objection on the part of the Noble Earl ; and now the public would have an opportunity of seeing whether there was any objection on the part of that House. The allegations of the petitioner were not loose or ill defined They were of the most specific character, and there could be no misunderstanding them. There was no beating about the bush, while he might remark to the House that the petitioners were prisoners of the highest respectability in the county of Gloucester, and the manner in which they spoke of the transactions that occurred at the last election was such, that if that House desired in the slightest degree to protect the electors of the country in the exercise of their franchise they would not refuse to institute a searching inquiry into the circumstances of the case.—(Hear, hear.) In askiug for a Committee of Inquiry he did not think it was his duty to make any charges against the Noble Peer in question. He had not the honour of the Noble Peer's acquaintance, nor did he ever exchange a word with him. He merely acted in this case as an independent Member of that House, into whose hands a petition, respectfully worded, had been placed ; he considered it to be his duty to present such petition, and to bring it under the notice of the House. He thought he done no more in that respect than discharge his duty as a Member of that House. Now with respect to the Noble Peer he coold have no private feeling whatever, but he did think the charges in this petition were most serious, and if such charges were allowed to pass un noticed all that he could say was, that all freedom of election in this country was at an end. In fact, if such charges as these were tolerated they would be guilty of fraud on the country if they suffered that standing order to remain on their books which declared it to be an in fringement of the liberties of that House for a Peer of the realm to interfere with the election of its Members. Now what were the charges of these petitioners? It was unnecessary loss through the whole of them, and he would simply mention these that were the most ruinous. He regretted that there should be any family strife or contentions between the noble pair and an honourable relative in that house, and far be it from him to widen the breach that existed between the parties, but he thought what had transpired could not at all redound to the credit of one party at least. Still such cireumstancei as these ought not to deter them from the discharge of their duty. Now, the chief charge was, that a Veer of the realm, in direct violation of the standing orders of the House, had interfered by bribery, ihtimidation, and corruption, with the election of a Member of that House; that he had interfered to prevent the electors from discharging the duty which that House called upon them to exercise, and that being one of the allega• lions, he asked Hon. Members how they could consist ently discharge their dnties if they allowed such state nients as these to be made without instituting a strict. searching, and scrupulous inquiry into the truth of them. He had received a communication from one of the electors, in which it was stated that at one place, by order of Earl Fitzhardinge, wine was carried to the electors in buckets, as well as brandy and water, and ho asked whether it was right ? whether they could discharge their duty to the public if such allegations as these were to remain uninvestigated ? Why, if that statement were true, and no inquiry was to be made into them, of what use would their standing orders be ? They would be a perfeat nullity, and if these statements were to be allowed to pass unnoticed and uninvestigated, the House itself would become a party to these abomin able scenes, they would encourage them from one end of the kingdom to the other, and it would be tantamount to an invitation to wealthy men to come forward and interfere with the rights of the electors, who were in vited to return Members to discharge the duties of that House. He said to .refore that their allegations were entitled to their calm and serious deliberation. and as the Noble Peer had no objection to an inquiry, be begged leave to move that the petition be referred to a Committee of Inquiry. Some Hon. Members might ask, " Suppose your friend, the Noble Peer, guilty, what will you do with him ? What punishment can you inflict upon him when you have no power to inflict any ? He did not know what punishment the House had power to inflict. out this he did know that public opinion, in these cases, was seldom appealed to in vain, and if they had no power to inflict a punishment, the Noble Peer might be left to be dealt with by public feeling and public orinion.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. MUNTZ seconded the motion. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, after a short pause, rose and said, he bad been anxious ascertain what was the opinion of the House upon this subject before ho related the result of his inquiry into the matter; but as no Hon. Member seemed disposed to address the House on the subject he was anxious to point out the difficulties they would get into if they adopted this motion. Now, if he understood the motion, it was founded upon what was alleged to be a breach of the o 'e re priviliges of the House. which privileges were established by the Standing Orders proposed at the first case of each Nedow complaining the case he found in the books of this nature, occurred so far oback the interferenceasli 80,svhe of the Duk e o f Ch an d os w i t h the n a petition titi Parliament. was liam presented sent elec tion of a Member of the County of Northumberland. That petition was very properly referred to the Committee of Privileges, who subsequently reported their opinions to the House on the subject, when a motion was made and carried, to the effect that the consideration of the report be adjourned sine die.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. WAKLEY—That was before the Reform Par. liament.—(Hear, and laughter.) The ATTORNEY - GENERAL continued—The next case took place in the same year, and was reported in page 530. It was a similar application against the Duke of Bolton for interfering in the election for the county of Southampton. The question was re ferred to the Committee of Privileges, but the House, warned by the former case, take no further steps in the matter. On the same page ho found a motion instructing that Committee to report upon the matter ; but it was subsequently withdrawn. There was a farther mot i on respect i ng th e interference of a Bishop in the same election, but the same course was takeu. In 1841, an application of a similar na ture was made in consequence of the interference of Lord Cawdor in the Carmarthen election, through the agency of his steward. The then Member for Bridport (Mr. War burton), a great supporter of the privileges of the House, was a member of the Committee, and he and the Hon. Baronet the ... Member for Ripon (Sir J. N Graham) and the Noble Lord (John Russell) took a part in the discussion ; but it resulted, in no motion being made. Since that time several cases had occurred. On the 4th of April, 1845, an applica tion was made against the Duk e of M ar lbo roug h, o n the strength of a petition from Woodstock ; no mo tion was made. In Septemb er , 1845, a p et i t i on was presented, complaining of the conduct of the Marquis of Salisbury, the petition was printed, but it led to no result. In 1833 and in 1826 similar petitions were pre sented against the Duke of Marlborough, praying for inquiry with fh? sameretilt; and such was the case with respect to a petition against the Marquis of Hertford in 1820. The House felt that it had no remedy in its hands, and nothing was done in either case. Mr. WAKLEY—You may dismiss Earl Fitzhardinge from the lord-lieutenancy.—(Hear. hear.) The ATTORNEY-GENERAL was coming to that part. If the facts alleged were true, the Earl could be proceeded with in a court of justice—(hear) ; and look ing at the precedents he had quoted, it appeared to him that an inquiry by a Committee would be prejudicial to the ends of justice. It was not stated that he was guilty of the conduct complained of in his capacity of Lord-Lieutenant of the county.—(" Oh, oh 1") If he had persuaded his tenants to withdraw their support from his brother, the captain of the militia, as their land lord, and not as the Lord-Lieutenant, it could not be said that he had departed from the duties of his office, but if he had done so it would be a ground for proposing a recommendation to the Queen to dismiss him. He wished simply to set the House right on the law. Captain BERKELEY sought the indulgence of the House for a few moments. He could not do better to show that the charge was trumped up than to read the words of hi s noble relative. (The Gallant Gentleman produced a l etter). He sta t e d that the charge was the vilest falseh oo d that ever di sgr aced any set of tenants, ?r of men. As he had nev er i nterfered i n an y In way with with any other person w ith respeq to the election in question. He (Capt. B.) formerly believed this statement, He hoped the House would deal with his Noble relative as it thou g h t fi t. As for hi ms elf he should withdraw from that discussion.—(The Hon. and Gallant Member hurriedly walked out of the House.) Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY rose and was (LEFT sretAtartG.) a CR Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL presented several petitions from places in Ireland, praying the House to pass an Act to amend the present law of landlord and tenant. Mr. WALPOLE presented a petition from some of the electors of Cheltenham (as we understood), com plaining that the recognizances they had submitted to the examiner for prosecuting the petition presented against the return of the sitting Member for their borough had been rejected, because, by an over sight of the party who drew up the recognisances, they had been made only " joint,' whereas they ought to have been " joint and several." The Hon. Member gave notice that to-morrow he should move that the petition be printed with the votes, with the view of founding a motion upon it on Thursday. CARLOW ELECTION. The SPEAKER informed the House that he had re coived a report from the Clerk of Elections, stating that the recognizances for prosecuting the petition complain ing of the return for Carlow had been completed. PETITIONS. _ Mr. GLADSTONE presented a petition, signed by se veral of the clergy, against the admission of Jews into Parliament. Lord G. BENTINOK rose to present two petitions, one from Trinidad and the other from St. Domingo, complaining of the conduct of the Home Government. lie said the petition from Trinidad was signed by 500 persons, comprising nearly every planter in the island. That from S. Domingo was signed by the Speaker and several of the Members of the Assembly and Council. They complained that the planters were suffering great distress in consequence of the non•fulfilment of the promises held out to them by the Go vernment, of furnishing them with facilities to obtain free, instead of slave labour—of admitting sugar and molasses and they laid great stress upon molasses into the breweries and distilleries of this country, and of equalising the duty on British rum. They stated that their produce had in con sequence been reduced one-third in value, and prayed that not a pound of sugar the produce of slave labour might be admitted into this country, and that vigorous measures might be adopted to put in force the various treaties with foreign countries re specting slavery, and of forcing slave-growing countries to give up those slaves, who, the petitioners asserted, had been feloniously imported into Cuba and Brazil. They both alleged that in consequence of the present price of their produce it wa-, impossible to carry on the cultivation of sugar in the British colonies with anything like a profitable return. The NOBLE LORD also presented a petition against the admission of Jews into Parliament. SUNDERLAND. IMPERIAL PAR LIAM L',NT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY, in the absence of the Lord Chancellor, took his seat upon the Wooliacl•: at Five o'clock. On the motion of Mr. 'rUFNELL a new writ was orrlered to be issued for the election of a Min:ober to repres.mt this borough in Parliament, in the room of Mr. Barclay. JEWISH DISABILITIES. The Bishop of DURHAM presented a petition against the removal of the Jewish RELATIONS WITH ROME. The RIGHT REV. PRELATE also presented a petition from certain of the clergy, praying the House not to sanction the entering into any diplomatic relations with the Court of Rome. RAILWAYS BILL. Messengers from the Commomi brought up the Rail ways Bill, which was read a first time. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition against the removal of the Jewish Disabilities. CASE OF F. A. BROWNS. _ Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from Mr. Anderson. a solicitor, relating to the case of Frederick Augustus Browne, who had been convicted of bigamy, and sentenced to transportation, and whose sentence bad subsequently been commuted. He had no knowledge of the case, except what he derived from the petition. Mr. Browne had in 1844 married a Miss Copeland. After the marriage the latter discovered that he had married a certain Mary Bowen, and Mr. Browne was given into custody, and tried on a charge of bigamy. His defence was that, at the time of the first marriage, he was under age, and that the woman to whom he was married had a husband living at the time. He was tried on the 11th of April, 1846, convicted, and subsequently sentenced to seven years' transportation. He was permitted to re main in Kilmainham gaol until February, 1847, in the Master Debtors apartment. The petition coin I plained of this long delay in carrying the sentence into execution; but there must be an answer to that, because previous to his conviction a suit had been commenced of nullity of marriage against him. Upon sentence of nullity of marriage being pronounced, he entered an appeal to :the Court of Delegates, and that Court did not pronounce its sentence until February 8, 1847, ' therefore he did not complain against the authorities for retaining him during that time in Kilmainham Gaol. After this Mr. Browne thought fit to become the prose cutor of his first wife for bigamy, but he did not think I fit to institute this suit until after his own conviction. The trial came on, and to the no small surprise of all present she pleaded guilty, and she was sentenced to two mochs' imprisonment. The sentence of nul lity of marriage condemned Mr. Browne in the costs, and he also owed Mr. Anderson certain costs, and a detainer was lodged against him at Kilmainham from these costs. He was removed from Kilmainham to Smithfield gaol, the convict prison of Dublin, which is out of the jurisdiction of the Sheriffs of Dublin. Mr. Anderson, therefore, applied to the Government, as he had been informed that a pardon had been expedited by Mr. Browne, and he did not complain of the pardon, that a reasonable time might be granted before the expediting the said pardon, to give him an opportunity of arresting Mr. Browne, for costs. The answer was that Mr. Browne had been pardoned upon certain conditions only, and because, from the state of his health, his life would have been endangered by further confinement. The answer went on to state that he had been pardoned upon conditions, ' and when they were complied with, he would be dis charged from custody. He had been removed to Kil mainham, and Mr. Anderson lodged a second detainer. Mr. Browne was again removed from Kilmainham to Smithfield, out of the jurisdiction of the Sheriffs. Ile again applied, and was informed that so soon as the conditions should be complied with, Mr. Brown wonid be discharged. The pardon came and was sealed, and the whole might have been perfected on the 16th of September, but which was delayed until Saturday, the 18th of December, when the patent was sealed, and, contrary to usual custom, it was enrolled the same day, instead of being enrolled on the Monday following, which would have been the usual practice, and the order for Mr. Brown's discharge was sent direct from the secretary's office, the govern or refused to discharge him at four o'clock on the Saturday, but discharged him the next morning Sunday, when he could not be arrested, so that Mr Copeland and Mr. Anderson were deprived of their . costs. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said the case of Mr. Brown was a most extraordinary one. He had been remanded to Kilmainham gaol to abide the deci sion of the Ecclesiastical Court when that had been given against him he was removed to the usual convict depot. and retained them until the surgeon reported that his life was in danger, and he was then removed to Kilmain ham for his health to a ward, which, under a recent act, had been made a convict depot, and was out of the ju risdiction of the sheriff. He was pardonded on giving a bond that he should absent hiaieelf from her Majesty's dominions. He was removed from Kilmainham to Smithfield at his own desire. On Tuesday, the 14th September, it was reported that the conditions had been complied with. on Thursday the Lord-Lieutenant signed the pardon, on Friday it was enrolled, on Sa turday it was returned to the Secretary's office, and on the afternoon of that day Sir William Somerville wrote the usual order for his discharge, and as far as any Mamber of the Irish Government was con cerned, the affair was conducted according to the usual course, and he put it their Lordships whether it would have been proper in the Government to have given any information to Mr. Anderson to enable him to arrest this man upon his discharge from gaol. The Govern ment pursued a straightforward course as regarded this convict, as they would with regard to any other convict, and there was no ground for accusing them of par tiality. Lord BROUGHAM and the Marquis of CLANRICARDE mutually explained. PENINSULAR MEDALS. The Duke of RICHMOND asked when it was likely the medals would be given to the Peninsular officers and soldiers, and if it was intended to extend the grant of such medals to other officers and soldiers and sailors who served in the late war. He had hoped that those brave men who had served under Aber crombie in Egypt, and those brave sailors who had, during the course of the late war, sustained the honour of their country in skirmishes and in single ac tions, would also be decorated. He thanked his Noble Friends opposite for what they had done, but he thought that medals ought to have been distributed much more extensively. IMINAL COURT.—(THIS DAY.) NEW COURT. (The case of Barr, Brewer, Ralfe, and Carter, continued from our Afternoon Edition.) Counsel addressed the jury at length for each of the prisoners, and several witnesses gave Ralfe an excellent character. The RECORDER in summing up occupied an hour and twenty minutes, a nd the jury retired. After delib era ti ng about an hour and a-half, they returned a verdict of Guilty against all the pri soners, but recommended Ralfe to mercy. The COURT took time to consider its judgment. (LEFT SPEAKING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. Sir GEORGE STRICKLAND and another [lon. Member took the oaths and their seats. Papers from the Poor-law Commissioners were pre sented. ETITI ONS The Earl of ARrI NDEL and . SURREY presented several petitions against the Roman Catholic Trusts Bill. Sir It. IL INGLIS presented several petitions against the admissibility of Jews into Roman C arliament, and ano th er c omplaining of the te conduct daetitio p of rnom the com plaining s in Ireland in denouncing partie,,: . en ia al t t h a o r l . ic priests Mr. FOX pre operation o f t he New Poor-l aw in Ireian, of the Sir W. MOLESWO RTII p re sented a petition. t from Lambeth in favou r of the claims of the late Raja “f Sattarft, and another p etition p ra y in g the Hou se to p a an Act to empow er boards of guardians to grant retirin g allowances to parochial officers. Mr. HEYWORTH presented a similar petition. Captain HAYTER presented a similar petition. Mr. HENLEY presented two petitions from places in -------- IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS. Dec. 13. CRIME AND OUTRAGE (IRELAND) BILL. Messeng ers f rom the Commons brou g ht u p the Bill after their Lordships had been waiting two hours and a half On the motion of Lord CAMPBELL, the Bill was read a first time and ordered to be printed. No order was made for the second reading, but we ofLordships Lansdowne adjourned this day at a Quarter past un derstood, from what fell from the Nob le Lord, t ha t notice of the second reading will be given by the Marquis Their Eight o'clock, TAR SUN, LON DON, TUESDAY EVEN I N G-, DECEMBER 14, 1847. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Dec. 13. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. Lord J. RUSSELL said, I wish to give a notice with respect to the business of the House. In the event of the Royal Assent being given to the Crime and Outrage Bill at as early a period as we expect, it is my intention to move, on Monday next, that the House at its rising should adjourn until Thursday, the Id of February.—(Hear, hear.) THE BANK OF SCOTLAND. Mr. URQUHART rose to support a statement which he had made the other night relative to a speech which the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tainworth delivered in 1844, while supporting his Currency Bill. The Hon. Gentleman read se veral extracts from the Times of the period, to show that the Right Hon. Baronet had expressly stated that the Bill was not to apply either to Ireland or Scotland. The Right Hon. Baronet had no ground for saying that he had stated that which was destitute of founda tion. One part of the Right Hon. Baronet's speech contradicted the other, and how could he judge cor • rectly from aggregate statements thus contradictory? He left the matter in the hands of the House. Sir ROBERT PEEL said there was no question as to the intention of the Government with respect to Scotch banks, because I had to move resolutions— (Hear, hear) —which were necessary before I could have introduced the Bill. Eight or nine resolutions were moved by which the existing banks of Scotland were not to be interfered with, as there was a positive prohibition against the establishment of any new hanks of issue in that portion of the United King dom. Those resolutions were printed, and I was in constant communication with the bankers of Scot land on the subject. I believe those bankers distinctly understood that their banking privileges would not be interfered with by legislation in the course of 1844 ; but it was distinctly understood that no new banks of issue would be constituted after,the passing of the Acts.—(Hear, hear.) There could not be the slightest doubt about the intentions of the Legislature. CRIME AND OUTRAGE (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion for the third reading of this Bill, Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL rose to offer a few remarks, but the earlier portion of his brief ad dress was indistinctly heard in the gallery, owing to the noise that prevailed from Hon. Members leaving the House, and from the conversa tion of those that remained. He earnestly called the attention of those who were too apt to vituperate the Roman Catholic priesthood of Ireland to listen to a letter which had recently been written by the Rev. Mr. 111‘Dermott, the parish priest of Strokestown, who distinctly and solemnly averred that not only was Colonel Mahon not de nounced from his chapel, but that he had not even mentioned his name within its walls. He had also received a letter from the Rev. John Hughes, stating that the language which had been imputed to him had not been used by him, but by a Conservative newspaper, which wished to cast blame upon those of his sacred pro fession. The Honourable Gentleman, after reca pitulating what he stated on the introduction of the Bill, and justifying his subsequent charge of opinion with respect to it, proceeded to say that the Government having now obtained their measure of coercion by overwhelming majorities, all he had to ask them was this—having secured coercion, to turn their serious attention to improve the deplorable condition of the people. The state of Ireland would not Brook delay. Delay would be disastrous, because it would be fatal. He warned them not to rely upon the poor-law, and as sured them, if they did so, that they would lean upon a broken reed. Let them approach the evils of Ireland in a sincere and peaceful spirit ; and although the late Mr. O'Connell possessed an influence over the people never equalled—they might by acting in a conciliatory spirit ob tain a share of the affections of the people almost equal to that possessed by the deceased gentleman to whom he had referred. A good beginning was half the battle. If they acted in the spirit he had indicated, they would solve the problem of Ireland's government—that government being, in his opinion, one of a peaceable and conciliatory character. He concluded by moving that the Bill be read a third time this day six months. He im plored the Government during the recess to devise remedial measures, and to bring them forward imme diately after the recess. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN seconded the motion. He said he was sensible that the House was thoroughly wearied of these repeated discussions— (Hear, hear)—and he should therefore confine what he had to say in as brief a space as possible. There was no maa in the House who felt a greater horror of the outrages committed in Ireland, but he trusted that when the bad government which had produced that state of thing should cease, that then those outrages would cease also. With respect to the measure before the House, he did not see through out the whole of it one single proposition calcu lated to produce the effect sought to be obtained by this measure. He should say that the safer and more effectual mode of suppressing those outrages would be by the establishment of a sufficient moral force to overawe the people.—(Hear, hear.) The present Government had obtained office by op posing a coercion Bill for Ireland; and with what grace could they now come forward and ask for such a measure ? The relief which they had afforded to the people of Ireland was lamentably insufficient, for, although large sums had been expended for food, hundreds of thousands of the people had died, who might have been saved if the Government had adopted more judicious measures. As to the poor-law he had predicted its fate ; he had said that the machinery ef it would not work well, and that prediction had been verified. He always had declared it would be ineffec tive, and it was now proved to be so. It was true that one million and a half of money had been expended as an indemnity to landlords, but the grant was of no prac tical service in mitigating the general distress. Out , of that amount not more than 31,0001. had been ap plied to relieve the distress of the country. The land lords of Ireland had been abused last session, and all the evils of the country attributed to them, but now the blame was thrown on the priesthood, and a class of men had been grossly maligned without whose efforts Ireland would have been in a state of positive insurrection. The Hon. Gentleman proceeded at some length to address the House, but the noise was so great that he was quite inaudible in the gallery. 11r. ROBINSON attempted to address the House, but was met with loud and reiterated cries of " Divide, divide," and was not distinctly heard in the gallery. I\ Ir. M. J. O'CONNELL supported the third reading of the Bill. This was a different Bill to that of 1846 ; if it had been at all like it he would not have given it his support, but he thought this a very moderate Bill, and it interfered as little as possible with the ordinary law. The power of calling in arms was certainly unconstitutional, but it was a power which had been exercised in England, and he re joiced to see the Government legislate for Ireland as had been done for this country.—(Hear.) Mr. BRIGHT said he was compelled to speak on this question. He had presented a petition from Manchester, signed by twenty thousand persons, against this Bill ; he must, therefore, state why he supported it. Had not the Government thought it absolutely necessary he was certain it would not have been proposed. The case for the Bill was com plete ; the ordinary law was utterly powerless. In England the people generally supported the law ; but in the disturbed districts of Ireland the public senti ment was so utterly depraved and vitiated that the law was deprived of its force.—(Cries of " No, no.") He maintained that it was so. Many of the murders that had been committed were not regarded as assas sinations, but rather as eiecutions. In the case of Mr. Lloyd, the murder had been committed most de liberately. Extraordinary powers were clearly re quired. Whether the present Bill would be effective he could not say. He feared the Go vernment had not shown the necessary courage for dealing with the condition of Ireland. The recent poor-law was certainly a most advan tageous measure ; and the Noble Lord at the head of the Government had power to pass any measure that he might propose through that House. He blamed the Irish Repeal Members for not having themselves brought forward the remedial measures which they thought desirable. He had never yet known those Members bring forward and consistently support any measures, or, doubtless, they might have carried them.—(Hear.) He would not imitate their exam ple, but suggest some remedy. He ascribed all the evils of Ireland to idleness; if it could be ascertained, he believed it would be found the people did not work more than two days a week. Hence Ireland starved, and consequently rebelled.—(Hear.) This could only he prevented by setting their industry in motion, for their idleness was not their own fault ; they were able and willing to work, and, when at work, were as ready as Englishmen to keep the peace.—(Hear.) The means of employment were extremely small in Ire land; there were few large towns or manufactories ; and in the towns of the south and west, groups of 20 or 30 were to be constantly seen standing idle. This gave rise to annual emigration, by which large num bers of .the peasantry were drafted off to other coun tries, and thus the means for producing wealth were abridged. He doubted whether tenant-right would be a beneficial measure. The House would never consent to such a measure as the Hon. and Learned Member for the county of Limerick wanted. What was most needed was a measure empowering the sale of encumbered estates. Why was it not ready ? Lord J. RUSSELL—It has been ready several weeks. Mr. BRIGHT wished to know, then, why it had not been brought forward ? Government ought not to wait till they were urged to introduce certain mea sures. In his opinion much evil had resulted from the conduct of the landowners. The encumbrances on the estates were wholly unparalleled in this coun try. In the province of Connaught, he understood, not five per cent. of the land was under settlement, and not one per cent. was free from mortgage. Such being the case, it was idle for the House to go further in pursuit of the evils of Ireland ; and the longer a remedy was delayed the greater the criminality of the Legislature. It was impossible for the Govern ment to benefit Ireland by lending landlords money at 34 per cent. out of the taxation paid by the inha bitants of this country, who were borrowing money at eight per cent. Let a measure be passed for sim plifying the titles to estates in Ireland.—(Hear, hear.) Let Government also diminish the stamps and other expenses which hindered the transfer of estates ; and let the system of entail he for ever put an end to.— (Hear, hear.) This would be done in England at some time; in Ireland it was absolutely necessary now. The absurd system of entail and primogeniture sacrificed the living to the whims of the dead; if the system were applied to personal as well as landed property, the country would be thrown into in extricable confusion. Some might say that the system was necessary to maintain the existing aristo cratic arrangements. But rather let such arrange ments perish for ever, than that a whole country should be in the state in which Ireland was now found. Did the aristocracy rear up their sons with proper habits of industry and just notions of their property, the system of entail would become unneces sary. Whatever Government did for Ireland, it would he wholly unavailing, unless it rested on the foundation of doing away the fetters of the land. Some Hon. Members might think they had an inte rest in keeping up the system ; but it was no such thing. He lived in a county (Lancashire) which had been overrun with the pauperism and pestilence of Ireland, and he protested against the continuance of arrangements by which such things were occasioned. The present Parliament was composed very largely of men of business ; the present Government was essentially one of the middle class ; and if they would grapple manfully with the system of the land in Ire land, they would be supported by the llouse, and would lay the foundation of Irish prosperity.—(Hear, hear.) He should support this measure because he believed the present law was powerless, regretting that Government had not sooner brought forward remedial measures, and believing that if this was not done soon it would be impossible for any Government long to stand.—(Cries of " Divide.") Mr. HUME wished to ask the Noble Lord at the head of the Government when the Bill for regulating the relation of landlord and tenant would be laid before the House ? Lord J. RUSSELL was understood to say that last session the Landlord and Tenant Bill had passed the other House, and that it would be introduced again after receiving certain amendments. Sir B. HALL rose amidst loud cries of " Divide." He read some extracts from the Freeman's Journal, to show that the " Committee of national distress and national safety" had given in their adhesion to the Bill when it was first introduced. With regard to the measure before the House, he thought it had been shown, during the progress of the debate, that there was an absolute necessity for it.—(Cries of "Divide.") As he saw that the House was anxious to go to a di vision, he would content himself by making a state ment which he had received from Mr. Roe, the bro ther of the gentleman who had been murdered. The lion. Baronet then stated that the allegations which had been made by Mr. Loughnane, in the letter re ferred to by the lion. and Learned Member for Limerick, were contradicted in all the Irish papers three days afterwards. That contradiction was, he believed, known to the Hon. and Learned Gentleman. But who was this Loughnane ? He was a person who had been employed on the public works, and was known, as what in Ireland was called, a " gutter agent." Did the lion. and Learned Gentleman know that a very near relative of this individual was now in prison on a charge of murder ? The House then divided, when there appeared— For the third reading ..... 173 Against it Majority. . On the motion of Sir G. GREY, some verbal amendments were agreed to. The Bill then passed. RAILWAY LABOURERS. ..... On the motion that the order of the day for the bringing up of the report on the Railways Bill be read, Mr. A. STAFFORD said . he rose for the pur pose of bringing under the notice of the house the condition of the labourers employed in the construc tion of those railways whose claims had been most shamefully and dangerously neglected during the whole course of their legislation on the subject of railways. They were now about to dismiss great numbers of them at an inclement period of the year without the least consideration, and but for his voice not a single word would probably be heard on their behalf. Those who came after them might well ask, when they beheld the great and magnificent works which had been constructed in this country by the present generation, how they had acted in respect to the temporal and eternal welfare of the labourers— whether their medical care had been attended to — whether their residences and their religious instruc tion had been looked after—and whether they had towards them borne out the character which they assumed to themselves, of being a philanthropic Legislature and a Christian State ? Amongst the numerous Acts which had been passed on the subject of railways, only one was to be found, the Ist and 2d of Victoria, having especial reference to the labourers, and that was one of repression. He begged the House to remember that the present was not the case of those who were old and decrepid, sick and infirm, but of those who were strong and power ful, and who would be able very soon to avenge on society the evils they had received at its hands. In order to show what was the condition of railway la bourers, the Hon. Gentleman read extracts from the evidence of the Rev. J. R. Thompson, the Rev. J. Mason, Mr. Rawlinson, Mr. Pomfret, and Mr. Chad wick, which had been given before the Committee, appointed at the instance of the Hon. Member for Kilmarnock, in July, 1846. This evidence went to show that the habitations of the labourers were of a most wretched description; that in several instances men, women, and children, slept in the same room ; that gross immorality was the result ; that the high wages received were rather a curse than a benefit; and that fever and small-pox were allowed to make their ravages unchecked. Mr. Chadwick stated that the truck system was most injurious to the labourers, and he knew of one instance where the contractors for a piece of work would have lost by the work itself; but who made 7,0001. profit ))3 , the truck of beer and inferior provisions. They lost twenty and thirty, and sometimes as high as GO per cent. by the system, at the same time that they were served with articles of an inferior description. There was no regular system of spiritual instruction, said the Rev. Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Chadwick mentioned the case of a man, who, having received an injury of the spine from which he could not recover, requested to have the scriptures read to him, but was suffered to expire without receiving the least attention of the nature he so earnestly besought. They had to deal with nearly 400,000 persons, and were they to be left in such a state ? They had not heretofore been treated as the members of a civilised community. They had been suffered to go from work to work, receiving high wages, which they squandered in gratifying the wants which evil habits engendered, and in a reckless course of improvident extravagance, insomuch that their average age did not exceed that of forty. He could not, therefore, suffer the further progress of this measure, without raising the voice of notice against the past, and the voice of warning in reference to the future. The Honourable Member concluded by giving notice, that, after the recess, he should bring the question forward in a substantive shape. Sir G. GREY said the subject was undoubtedly an important one, but as the Hon. Member had given notice of his intention tolebmit a substantive pro position on the subject, sh l ould defnowesary,histhoabtsehre vations on it. He would on y thought the Hon. Member had, perhaps, overrated the power of Parliament with regard to it. Very much must be left in the hands of directors of com panies, of contractors, and of the gentry resident in the districts through which the line passed. Lord G. BENTINCK could not quite let his Hon. Friend's charge against the railways pass without observation. He really did not think the devil was quite so black as his Hon. Friend had painted him. It appeared by the report which had been quoted that these very labourers were receiving 225. 6d. per week c w o a m g p es a , ni a e n s d he NN,ere (Lo a r George) had td this syery t dea ime hrd that the contributing 450,0001. a year to the poor-rate, or one-fifteenth of the whole assessment of the country. Mr. A GLIONBY believed that in many instances railway companies had provided admirably well for their labourers. Sir H. VERNEY expressed his gratification at there being a probability of legislating on this most important and interesting question. The report was then brought up, when Mr. STRUTT said he would state what were the amendments he proposed to make in this Bill. The first related to the compensation to landowners. It was proposed to enlarge the exceptions under the sth clause, so as to include all cases in which companies had applied to Parliament to make their line, so that no parties concerned would be in any way prejudiced by the passing of the Act, but would have their re medy upon their c ontracts, either at law or in equity, as if the Act had never passed. Another amendment related to services of notices upon the landowners, which must be posted on the church-doors of parishes through which the lines passed, as well as given through the medium of local or other papers. There were some other amendments of minor importance. The amendments having been read, COMMERCIAL DISTRESS. Lord G. 11ENTCNCIC gave notice that be should propose the appointment of the following Members, in the room of some of those proposed as members of the Committee on Commercial Distress:—Mr. Hastie, in the room of Mr. Labouchere; Mr. William Brown, in the room of Mr. Cardwell; Mr. Henley, in the room of Mr. Ricardo; Mr. Wilson Patten, in the room of Sir William Clay; and Mr. Pattison, in the room of Mr. James Wilson. COURT OF CHANCERY RETURNS. Mr. AGLIONBY moved for returns of the respective ages of the Clerk of Enrolments. and of the four Clerks of Records and Writs of the high Court of Chancery in England, and also of the total amount received by each of them, such Clerk of Enrolments and Clerks of Records and Writs. since the passing of the Act sth and 6th Vic. c. 103, both for salary and compensation under that Act ; and also of the total amount of compensation received by any of the before-mentioned officers under any other Act or Acts of Parliament, as late an Examiner, or late Clerk to an Examiner of the said Court, or otherwise in any other character, and paid out of any funds of the suitors of the said Court ; and, also, of the total amount received by any of the said officers as poundage, or in respect of the income or any other tax imposed upon payments made out of any ( f such funds, distinguishing the sums received by each such person on each of such accounts, and giving his name; and of the names and respective ages of the late Six Clerks who are still living and entitled to compensation under the aforesaid Act of the iith and 6th Vic. c. 103, with the amount of the compensation to each of them. Also for returns of the number of attendable warrants granted by each of the Taxing Masters and late Taxing Masters of the Court of Chancery for the taxation of costs, each day, within the fifth year of his appointment ; distinguishing au the warr ts to justify attendances, and the number of bills of costs, and the amount and rate of the per centage oa the taxation thereof paid thereon during that year, and the sums received by him for warrants granted, and for copies of bills of costs, and for reports or certificates, or otherwise, during that period ; and, of the total amount of the sums received by each of the Taxing Masters and late Taxing Masters of the Court of Chancery (paid out of the Suitors' Fee Fund), both for salary and compensation, since the passing of the Act sth and 6th Vic. c. 103, distinguishing the sums paid to each person, and the names of the persons. Motion agreed to. POOR-LAW UNIONS (IRELAND). Colonel DUNNE wished to know from the Righ Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home De partment, whether the Government would furnish a list of the twenty-two unions in which her Majesty's Go vernment considered assistance in aid of pour-rates necessary, and the reasons that had induced it to come to that conclusion ; also, at what amount of destitution relative to the amount of the rateable value of a district did the Government consider that district unable to sup port the destitution existing in it, and consequently en titled to assistance? Sir G. GREY said that out of the 130 unions of Ireland the Government, from inquiries which they had caused to be made, were of opinion that 22 only of them would require any additional relief above that provided by the Act passed last year. He did not, however, think it would be of any public advantage to , . state to the House the names of those unions; they were, however, most of them situated in the west of Ireland. With respect to the sectmd question he was not in a position to answer that with anything like accuracy. ECCLESIASTICAL PATRONAGE. Mr. CHISHOLM ANSTY wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland possessed any and what ecclesiastical patronage by virtue of that office. Sir W. SOMERVILLE said that he believed there was not a single case of ecclesiastical patronage vested in the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. POOR-RATES (IRELAND). Major BLACKALL wished to know what had bee❑ the total amount of poor-rates collected in Ireland dur ing the month of November, 1847 ? And, whether it was the intention of Government to devise means of providing useful employment for the able-bodied poor in those districts where the rates could not be collected to a sufficient amount to relieve the whole destitution. Sir G. GREY said that no official return had yet been made of the amount of poor-rates collected in Ireland. With respect to the latter portion of the ques• tion, he had to state that the subject was at present under the consideration of her Majesty's Government. THE CASE OF BURON v. DENMAN. Mr. URQUHART wished to know from the At torney-General whether the Government would defend the actions in the cases of I3uron v. Denman, &c.; and if so, what money has been expended, and from what source this money is drawn; and whether there will be any objection to lay on the table the correspondence re lative to these actions, or the circumstances out of which they have arisen, between the Admiralty, the Foreign office, and the law advisers and officers of the Crown. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated that the Go vernment had directed him to defend the actions, and as it was not usual to state to the House the amount ex pended in the defence of any action by the Government, or the sources from which it was drawn, he trusted that he should be excused if he declined, during the period that the actions were pending, to give an answer to that portion of the question. With respect to the latter portion of the question, having reference to the correspondence, it was hardly to be supposed that the Government would consent to make public those docu ments upon which no doubt the defence mainly rested. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF COI'YHOLDS. Mr. AGLIONBY wished to know whether it was likely that any Bill upon this subject would be brought forward by the Government previous to the recess. Sir G. GREY stated, in reply, that the Government had not yet received the report from the Com missioners, and he did not think it probable that any measure would be introduced on the subject at so early a period as that mentioned by the Hon. Member. RAILWAYS' BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCJIEQUER made request to those Hon. Members, who had motions upon the paper, to allow the third reading of the Railways' Bill to take precedence, as it was most important that that Bill should bo sent up to the Lords as speedily as possible. The order of the day for the third reading of the Bill was then read. Mr. W YLD rose to move that the following clause be added to the Bill : —" And be it enacted, that if any rail way company, person, or persons, shall seek to avail themselves of the powers or provisions of this Act, at any meeting or meetings called under this Act, it shall be lawful for the shareholders to determine upon the dissolution of such company, according to the powers and provisions of an Act, intituled, ' An Act to facilitate the dissolution of certain Railway Companies,' 9th Vic., clause 15." The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER trusted that the Hon. Member would not press his motion. The subject had received the most serious attention of her Majesty's Government. Mr. WYLD said that after the appeal made to him by the Right lion. Baronet he would not press his the shareholders existing in companies. these undertakings motion. He th ong h t i t, h owever, necessary that some \ Power should b e g i ven to t h e shareholders of the numerous i w r i e th ssedfor the Nine-teT N i v t e h re a c t o l i e n a i e s CI e o d f payme n t o f t h e i r calls, nothing but trade or manufactures, and if th e y were to b e bankruptcy and ruin would be the result. A .- - AO = A Mr. HENLEY, who had suggested these amend ments, expressed himself perfectly satisfied. Mr. AGLIONBY, on the other hand, thought the alterations would leave the Bill an exceedingly clumsy piece of legislation. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the objections raised by his Hon. and Learned Friend were met by the provisions of the Bill. The clauses were then read a second time, and ordered to be added to the Bill, and the Bill was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow (this day). SUPPLY. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, the Committee of Supply W as postponed until Friday next. PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, the Public Works (Ireland) Bill went through Committee. Mr. F. FRENCH (on behalf of Mr. J. H. Ha milton), moved the addition to the Bill of the fol lowing clause :—" And be it enacted, that the word treasurer' shall, as to the county of Dublin, mean and include the finance committee,' and the word assixes ' shall, as to the said county of Dublin, mean and include the presenting term,' and the words county surveyor' shall, as to the said county of Dublin, mean and include the district surveyor; and that the provisions of an Act, passed in the seventh and eighth year of her Majesty's reign, in tituled An Act to consolidate and amend the laws for the regulation of grand jury presentments' in the said county, and any Act for amending the same, shall, with reference to the raising, applotting, levy ing, and recovering of grand jury cess, so far as the same is applicable, apply as to the said county of Dublin, to sums of money to be presented and raised under this Act." The motion was agreed to, and the clause was added to the Bill. Sir It. FERGUSON moved the insertion of the following clause :—" Whereas, under an Act passed in the first year of the reign of her present Majesty, intituled An Act to provide more effectual means to make treasurers of counties and counties of cities in Ireland account for public moneys, and to secure the same,' it was enacted that every treasurer then in office, and no other, shall have and receive the interest due on Exchequer bills purchased from any balance stand ing to the credit of such treasurer's account, so that such interest does not exceed one-half of the salary appertaining to his office ; and whereas it is just, that such treasurer and the bank, which the grand jury of any county shall have appointed for recovering the public moneys of such county, should be allowed interest on sums paid and advanced under this Act; be it therefore enacted, that the officer whom the Lord-Lieutenant,or other chief governor in Ireland, has authorised, or may hereafter authorise, to audit and declare the accounts of the treasurers of counties in Ireland, may, and he is hereby required, on being applied to by or on behalf of any treasurer entitled to receive interest under the said Act, or of any bank having made any advance above the balance at the credit of such county, to ascertain the amount of interest at the rate of GI. per cent., which would be due to such treasurer or bank on the amount so from time to time unpaid, from the time or times at which such money shall have been paid by the treasurers of such county until the same shall have been dis charged, or until the first day of the assizes next succeeding such application, and to certify the same to the secretary of the grand jury; and it shall sai be lawful for any grand jury to present to the d treasurer or bank such interest so certified to be due, which interest shall be paid to such treasurer or bank out of any balance in hand, and shall be raised and levied off the barony or half barony liable to pay such sums." The clause was agreed to, and added to the Bill, which was reported with amendments, and th e re p ort L ordered to be received to-morrow (this day). NEW ZEALAND. Mr. LABOUCHERE rose to ask, pursuant to ill s notice, the permission of the House to introduce a Bill to suspend some of the most important the of an Act of Parliament passed at the close of the session last year, to make provision for the Governme nt of the colony of New Zealand. Those who had paid sill at t tention to this important colony would re in 1836 it had been, with the general co n introduce mber tence all parties, thought exceedingly desirable to introduce a constitutional form of government into that colony. There had been petitions from the inhabitant s of New Zealand presented to that effect, and the subje ct had been urged upon the Government by t he New Zealand Company ; and he, also, thought that in the discussions meha of which had taken place in this and in the other Rouse of Parliament, all the leading statesmen of this coun try had expressed a desire that a beginning should be made to introduce a constitutional and representative government into that colony. Such was the state of things when her Majesty's present advisers came into office ; and his Noble Friend, who now held the seals of the Colonial Department, at once applied himself to this important subject. He believed that his 'Noble Friend found in his office a record of the determination of the preceding Government to introduce some mea sure of that description, and, accordingly, at the latter end of the year 1846 a Bill was passed almost unanimously by both Houses, by which her Majesty was empowered to grant a charter, and to issue in structions which were to regulate the future govern ment of New Zealand. The main provisions of that Act, and of the letters patent issued under it, were to the following effect :—The colony was to be divided into two provinces—the one to be called New Ulster, the other New Munster; municipal d istricts were constituted, with town-councils in all those where any considerable number of English colon ists had assembled. These were made the nueleus Of a. system of provincial government, and we re to elecb representatives in the legislature of each o f the Pri.°o; vinces. There was also to be a general as scol bly be elected by the two provincial assemblies. pat both provinces, the members of which were t° A t was to take effect as soon as the letters Thti3yeei% en c.,11 were proclaimed by the governor of the colony he roust the instructions which had been sent out, and also mention that with regard to the ve r Y. — f cult part of the subject—namely, the condition not the aboriginal inhabitants of the colony, it following posed to be treated and settled in the ~ manner : it was suggested that the municipal d l _"; tricts should only comprise those parts in which there were settled a considerable number of white jab s ' bitants, and that those great tracts of country oc c°- pied by the aborigines should not be brought jing le s ; diately within the scope of those institutions. It for thought that the aborigines were not yet ripe institutions of that kind, wh ile, on the other halluA the difficulty of subjecting them to t he authority al); control of the white populatio n was foreseen. It b e been endeavoured to provide for that difficulty, bi r securing to the aborigines the enjoyment of their oW, laws and customs in th ose p arts of the colony no' included in the municipal districts, and by preventing the representative assembly from interfering with their rights, laws, and customs. Such, then, was the outline of the scheme sent out to the Governor of NeVi Zealand. The reasons which induced her Majesty's Government to propose now to suspend the operation of this constitution were contained in the dispatches which had been received from Governor Grey after the best consideration he had been able to give to, the plan of the Govern ment. The opinion 0' Governor Grey ought to have the greatest weight with the House and the Government. Any perso° who had perused those dispatches would acknowle d g e that Governor Grey had given vali d reasons for 0 promulgating the new constitution. His main Obj ae ' tion rested on the intelligence of the aboriginal p°ll; ' lation, an d because it was left to the white peP,- w ho were the minority, to make laws and to traP, °- s i duties which would be mainly paid by the aborigti.t inhabitants of the island. From this he stated t dissatisfaction would be created, and tumult and in surrection would be the consequence if the white r; habitants had conferred upon them the powe r of te am s the great body of the population. His Noble De% at the head of the Colonial-office, on receiving t,_ 1 1,1 1 dispatches, had not hesitated as to the course Wil.`".o he felt it his duty to recommend, and bad joined thinking that the peace of the colony ought not to op risked by prematurely, and without due deliberatio._: forcing the new constitution upon the inhabito;rs Lord Grey thought it his duty to recommend to colleagues at once to suspend the operation of the la; When he said suspend the Act, he meant only P ° ,_ e tion of it, for that part of it which provided ore s trl o f framing of municipal institutions for the purp. o . local government it was thought might be safel9La tamed. It was proposed, therefore, to leave untouclf, that part of the Bill which related to municipal stitutions with only an altera tion of the qualifies I, The qualification for a voter i n the municipal district was, the possession of a house and the capability reading and writing in English. But it was fou were that although most of the aborigines could read er e write, it was in their own language, and there IA also foreign settlers, German and French, who c e °ll e 'd - , not read or write in English. It was prop ! big therefore, to modify the qualification, and to e1° 05 ., the governor to give certificates to those whoerPs or sessed the requisite tenements, whether foreigner aborigines. The principal provisions of this Bli.lens firstly, to suspend so much of the former Act, .1 "a" s . patent, and instructions relating to the legislatt,r,a:ve semblies for five years, and to re-enact the legle o land council of 1840, giving power to the governor t to their number. These legislative councils w be in each of the two provinces, either by.nonyiee.lltif:ll or election. The part relating to the municipal t° tutions to be retained, with power to the g 2 1:F s raw enlarge the franchise by certificate. I : ti l e go sure gave a very large discretion to vernor, but he believed that, under 0 4 ... 00 f u er 1 , - gor e ' • to adopt a simple scheme, leaving to t h en_roye cunistances, it was the wisest and safest 0 ' council a large discretion. A comp before the his deter would be found in the papers House of the circumstances which led to t i