The Press.
London, England, 1857-06-13 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

Was it likely that a British officer would suffir his
daughter to be living in a state of cohabitation with a
merchant in his neighbourhood? The whole probability
of the case was against such a thing. Again, the entire
evidence went to show that this merchant was a man of
respectability and of excellent character, living in the best
society, and that his lady moved also in the best society of
the place. That society consisted in great part of Presby
terians, persons of strictly religious and moral character,
and the house might be assured that they would never
have received the lady unless they were satisfied that she
was the wife of Mr. Sheddon.

Finally, with respect to the letter of the 12th Nov.,
1798, the petitioner denounced it as a fabrication,
and called upon his opponents to prove it. They
retorted that the document had been handed to the
petitioner, who denied that he had ever received it,
and invited the other side to prove that it had ever
been given to him, at the same time challenging
proof that it had ever been shown to or had been
seen by any person. That challenge had been
declined, and up to the present moment no proof of
that letter had been given :

Was it likely tint a skilled lawyer like Mr. Patrick
would have given up an original document so important
in its nature without taking some receipt, or having the
presence of some witness to prove the fact? Then, again,
looking at th it letter itself as put forth in evidence, its
contents were in contradiction of the great mass of evi-
dence which had been referred to. Moreover, the latter
was dated the kith of November, Mr. Shedsjon's death
taking place on the 13th, while on the 10th it was stated
that he could not turn in his bed, would never be able to
transact business again, nor to open a single letter. Then,
again, the contents of the letter were false. It stated that
it, contained two bills of exchange for 4171., to be applied
for the education of the boy ; but it appeared from entries
in Mr. Sheddon's ledger that the 4171. was not remitted
for any such purpose, but was intended to discharge a iner•
cantile debt. More than that, the original of those bills
never arrived, and the papers produced were only copies,
not signed by the deceased. That evidence had not been
heard by that house or in the court below, ani if the peti-
tioner's legitimacy was established, beyond doubt he had
been unjustly deprived of his estate.
The Earl of EouNrom warmly defended the dolt.
racter of Mr. William Patrick, after which the house
divided, when the motion was lost by a majority of
19 to 11.

The Cinque Ports Amendment Bill was read a
second time, and
Their lordships adjourned shortly after eleven
o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—NIONDVY.
The Earl of FWE took the oaths and his seat for
Banffshire.

MORTMAIN LAWS.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in reply to Mr. Hadfield,
said the Government did not think they would be
able to deal with the amendment of these laws during
the present session in the manner which the magni-
tude of the question required. His hon. and learned
friend the member for Durham had given notice of
his intention to reintroduce a bill on this subject,
and presuming that it would be the same bill that
he brought in in the last and antecedent session, he
should be happy again to assist him in passing it
into a law.

CIVIL SERVICE

TATION.

Mr. D. O'CONNELL wished to know when the Go-
vernment would bring in the bill for the amendment
of the Civil Service Superannuation Act.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER :
The question with regard to the Superannuation Bill is
one of great magnitude and difficulty, and the report
lately presented by the committee is now under the con
sideration of the Government. I cannot say that we have
come to a decision to introduce a bill, but I ought to add
that the committee of this house last year recommended
that certain questions should be proposed to actuaries with
a view of determining how far the claim of the civil
service with respect to an abatement of their payments
was founded in equity, and how far they have ground of
complaint that they have not received an equivalent for
what they have paid. The Treasury called the attention
of the r oinmissioners to that subject, and the commis•
sinner! recommended that the inquiry should be pursned.
The commissioners communicat NI with the actuaries, and
the actuaries have called for a mass of information from
the different departments, but have not yet made a report
on :the subject. The commissioners have promised to
give the report of the actuaries in a supplementary report,
which we have not yet received, and therefore the subject
has not yet been considered by the Government.
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES (SCOTLAND).

The Loan ADVOCATE, in reply to Mr. Baxter, said
the Government were prepared with a bill providing
for the extension of the municipal boundaries of
burghs in Scotland, and he hoped it would pass this
session.

MINISTRY OP JUSTICE.

Mr. BAINES, in reply to Mr. Warren, said that the
Government had na intention this session of re-
appointing the committee of last year, the Govern-
ment having the question of the establishment of a
department of public justice under their considera-
tion.