The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-23 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY, Mmtcn 22.
The LORD CHARCILLOR took his seat at 5 o'clock.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
MILITIA.—By the Earl of CARLISLE, from Leeds,
against Calling out the militia.
Idataotrrit.—By the Karl of CAWDOR, from Llando-
very, for the repeal of the grant to Maynooth.
CoNOIERCIAL POLICT.—By the Earl of ALBEMARLE,
from the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacture in Man-
ch, ster, pr.iyinz that no retrocession way take place in the
eontrinecial policy now existing.
EcvLEniarrtud. TITLRS BILL.— By Lord MONT-
E.WLE. from a place is Ireland, against the Ecclesiastical
Titles Bill. _

rENT LAW4.—By Lord unorcium, from Halifax
and Bradford, for an alteration and amendment of the
patent lam.
ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT.

Lord BROUGHAM wished to lay on their lordships'
table a bill to amend as oversight in the statutory
law, touching the assembling of parliament by
proclamation of the crown. At present a new
parliament could not be amenibled until 50 days
from the time of the proclamation; and the objet
of his bill was to reelu m the time from 50 to 2.5 days. He
had brought the bill forward because if any of his noble
friend* behind him (the oppmitioo) had done eo, their mo-
tives might have been questioned. He would take this op-
poituaity of impressing upon their lordships the absolute
necessity that rained for taking immediate and stringent
steps to put down the bribery and corruption which was
now practised at elections. They were approaching a dis-
solution of merinimeut. and he hoped before that event took
place some measure would be brought forward to put an
en.l to bribery at elections. Ile need not remind their
I ordships of the scenes that hail taken place at
the last general election, to the disgust of all
elheerreni, and to the irrep irable injury of the character of
the country. Briisery tended to spread immorality amongst
the people, and endangered the elective franchise. it was
not merely the political and personal corruption of the
Teter who took a br,be of which he complained, but he com-
plained of bribery becaue.i there was iutimately connected
with it a greater crime, via, the crime of perjury, and
thereby a deeper shade of guilt was given to the transaction.
Yt voter could take a bribe without, morally speaking,
committing perjury, because if by sentient the bribery osth
were not adniiai.tered to him, yet lie was prepared to for-
swear him•all, lie was satiated that bribery at elections
would never put down unless the member returned were
compelled to make a searching, stringent. thorough-going
and •ittioit declaration that he hod not directly°, indirectly
been gaily of twitwry. !war.)
The Earl of IsEßal did not tee any objection to the in-
troduction of the bill. At the sone time, he thought it was
a mince which ought to be debated in parliament. There
were we woos when the shortenin: of the period between
th proclamation and the arientliting of parliament would
he most desirable. With ilk!, ace to the other subject to
which the noble lard had alluded, he was sure he would
not wish him to enter into a general disco-non upon it.
They went all anzioua to prevent bribery at elections, and
Le agreed with the Dottie and learned lord that it was a
matter to which the attention of parliament had better be
directed previous to the corning election. A bill on the
subj. et bad been interim-eel by her Majesty's late govern-
meut, the essential provisions of which had been adopted by
the preacut government, and it was now under the coon.
detain of the other lonise of parliament. (Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of DREADALDINE said the corruptor
smash d to be a greater culprit than the pence corrupted,
and they ought to see if some *event measure could not be
adopted to punish him.
The bill was then read a first time.
CLERICAL DIFFERENCES IN COLOMBO.

Lied CIth.3IOILNE wished to give notice of his inten-
tion on Thursday next to put a %%cation to the noble earl
(ltesart'l the Under Secretary fur the Colonies relative to a
report which had reached lust by the overland mail as to
diffiTs. aces which had mist n betw,en the Bishop of Colombo
and hi. clergy. Ile intended to ark whether the govern-
ment had received any papers on the subject; if so, whether
they w uuld object to lay them on Vic t ; and also, sup-
posing they had received intirmation with reference to the
'reported disagreement, whether they intended to take any
steps with a view to tiring the matter under the notice of
their spiritual superi,rs.
The Earl of I)ESAItT said the papers had only been re-
ceived that day, and he might not be prepared to answer
the warstion on 11".(1n,adny.
r a few wen!. from the Earl of Denny, the noble
lord 110•111011C11 lii. nonce.
Their lordships Dieu, at a quarter before six o'clock, ad-
journed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—NIoNDAT, MARCH 22.
The SPEAK/11 took the chair at a little before four
o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Birkenhead Dock Trustees' Bill was read a second
tiro•.
—..—.--

PUBLIC BUSINESS.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.

Fsnownneser Or MATNOOTH.—By Mr. WILLCOX, from
Southampton, and by Sir R. INGLIS, from places in Nor-
folk, neeinst the enlowment of the College of Maynooth.
Taut os: FOOD. By Sir J. WALMSLEY, from
Bolton, against any re-imposition of any taz on the Mod of
the people.
DCTIES.—By Mr. HENEAOE, from Great
Orinishy,agnittat the post-horse and carriage duties.
TAIZI. ox lisiowLenent.—By Sir DE L. EVANS, from
Westminster, praying fur the repeal of the duty on paper,
advertisements, and newspaper..
NITLITIV—By Mr. BECKETT, from Leeds, and Mr.
SCHOLEFIELD, front Birmingham, against calling out
the militia.
MAILS TO AUSTRALIA.
STAFFOItD, in reply to a question from Mr. F.
French, as to the Australian Mail Company, said that the
company had not entered into the contract with the govern
ment, as they waited till they had obtained the completion'
of their charter, thinking it would be more satisfactory to
make a contract as a chartered company. Their charter
enalikd the e.mpany to raise 500,0001. at once and a mil-
lion hereafter, and thi.re was already between 300,000!. and
400,000/. paid up. A charter had been granted to the mm-
pany. The first steamer would mail on the 3rd of June, and
not on the 3rd of May as had been originally intended.
COUNTY COURT EXTENSION BILL.

Oa the motion of Captain Fmtnon this bill, which bad
come down from the Holm of Lords, was read a drat time,
and ordered to be ►esd a mond time on this day fortnight.

CLERGY RESERVI S ACT.

Mr. G LADifcWii as ;1; notice that to-morrow (this day)
Ise would present a petition from the bishops, clergy, and
conarrirations of several dioceses in Canada against any
alteration in the Clergy Reserves Bill of 1442.
JOINT STOCK CONI PAN I ES.

Mr. MACGREGOR gave notice that on Friday nest he
would ask the President oldie Board of Trade whether he
intended in the present session to bring in any bill to nor
dity the liability of shareholders in jointsteek companies.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
Mr. EWART asked the Chancellor of the Excheirer
whether it is the intection of the government to take into
its consideration (as it was intimated to be the Intention of
the late government) the formation of libraries freely open
to the public in different parts of the metropolis; but inti-
mited that, if it was more convenient to the right hon. gen-
tleman, he would bring forward the subject when the
estimates were before the house.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
would be more convenient if the honourable gentleman
would bring on the subject at Olt time he had mentioned.
MISSION TO SIAM.
In en.wer to a question Irom Sir E. Comenisoona,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER raid that
there was an intention to resew the mission to Siam, when
circumstances occurred which held out a prospect to its
kading to a successful result ; and circumstances had
lately occurred which led the government to hope that it
would be renewed speedily.
MONTHLY PUBLICATIONS—" THE HOUSEHOLD