The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-12 00:00:00

TION BILL.

On the motion of Lord Baatimonr, the select committee
on this bill was appointed.
MAIL CONTRACTS.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH complained of the short
notice which had been issued with respect to the renewal of
the contract for tarrying the mails to Egypt and Alex-
andria. It was a most profitable contract, and he wished to
ask the noble marquis at the Head of the Post-office, who
had concurred in the suggestion of the committee on this
subject last year, whether he had made any inquiry
as to the profit ealised by the company in carrying the
snails in question ?
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE raid the contract did
not belong to the Post-office. He thought the notice was
not sufficient; but if the contract was net satisfactory, the
government WWI not bound to accept it. He c ,uld assure
tile noble earl that the inquiry to which he alluded had not
been lost sight of.
THE BROAD AND NARROW GAUGES.
Lord REDESDALE said their lordship, would recollect
•resolution which he moved last session on the subject o
the broad and narrow gauges between Birmingham and L
on-
don, that the railway commissioners should be directed to
inquire into the lines between Birmingham and London and
report an to the best manner in which the public interests
could be consulted. Eleven months had passed since that
period, and although he knew there had been difficulties in
the way, still it was important to know when the report
would be presented.
Earl GRANVILLE made • few observations in reply,
which were quite inaudible.
DISCRIMINATING DUTIES (INDIA).
The Earl of ELLEN BOROUGH moved for certain
papers connected with trade in India and the abolition of
discriminating duties. He was afraid the effect of that mea-
sure would be to diminish the revenue and not increase
trade.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had no objection to the
production of the papers.
DEFALCATIONS IN THE SUPREME COURT OF

INDIA.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH had to call attention to
a painful subject. He believed that one or more officers em-
played in the supreme court of justice in Calcutta, in the
receipt and custody of money, had been found defaulters to
a very great extent under moot disgraceful circumstances.
Some measure ought to be introduced on the subject which
would contain previsions with a view to gusrd the public
against the repetition of such shameful conduct. He wished
to know whether the government intended to introduce a
measure on the subject?
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE also thought the transac-
tion alluded to one of a most disgraceful character. As soon
as the facts became known, one of the highest officers of the
court was directed to take such steps as were in his power to
correct the evil. No time was lost in investigating it; and
at this moment a case was laid before the law officers of the
crown with a view to ascertain how this transaction stood in
a legal point of view, and as soon as they had made their
report the government would have to consider whether they
would not bring in a bill on the subject.
Their lordships adjourned at 6 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAT, MAT 11.
The SPEAREE took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
REPORT CONSIDERED.—Patent Galv Wool Iron Company,
trading under the style or firm of Malin and Rawbosons.
imatt BEADlNG.—National Monument of Scotland Amendment
BBL
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
FIRST BEADING.—Borough Elections Bill.
SECOND REAGlNO.—Lunatice Asylum (Sc Aland) Bill.
COMMITTEE.—PubIic Health
TItIED READINGE.—RanomiI of Aliens; Petty Bag-office; Bilk.
NOTICE OF MOTlON.—Porroosi.--Mr. UPAVHALT gave noire
of his intention, to—morrow (this day),• to ask the noble lord the k
reign Secretary. whether any correspondence bad passed respecting •
deigned made by the Portuguese government for nand aid, from
Great Britain, in the Tagus.
EXCISE LAWS (SCOTLAND).
Sir G. GREY, in answer to • questicn from Mr. Dili CAN,
, stated that two bills had been prepared in order to do away
with the injustice committed by the present excise laws of
Scotland, and that he only awaited a proper opportunity for
bringing them in.
POSTAGE RATES IN AMERICA.
Sir G. GREY, in reply to Mr. Hums, stated that nothing
had been done towards equalising the rates of postage be-
tween England and the United States, though he had not
abandoned all hope that such might be 'flirted.
THE BUDGET.
Colonel SIBTHORP inquired when the general subject
of expenditure which had been referred to the committee up
stairs would be brought on by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, in order that its various details might be considered
by the house ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER did not alto-
gether understand the hon. and gallant member's question,
but if it referred to any statement he might have to make as
to the finances he thought it had better be deferred until a
later period of the session, for in the present uncertain state
of everything that in any way affected commerce, every day's
experience was of advantage in enabling ministers to form an
opinion as to the probable revenue. He was happy, however,
to have it in his power to state the customs were improving,
the receipts from that source having exceeded thou of the
corresponding week in the last year. (Cheers.)
AMERICAN POSTAGE REGULATIONS.
Mr. BRIGHT wished to know whether government wan
aware that a bill had been brought into the American legis-
lature, having for its object the establishment of a re=
system of postage as against us, which it was
should continue so long as our regulations u to America
letters remained in force ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had re-
ceived information somewhat to the effect stated by the hon.
gentleman ; who was mistaken only in one point—that W3O
to say, that the proposed law in America would in fact
impose a higher postage duty on the citizens of America,
while it would not affect thole of this country. (Hear.)
THE WAR BETWEEN DENMARK AND PRUSSIA
Mr. URQUHART had given notice of • question as to
the recognition, by our government, of the legality of tie
blockade by Denmark of the Prussian ports—what he wished
to ask was whether in the altered state of circumstances
which had arisen, her Majesty's government were o: opinion
that the guarantee given by the treaty of 1720 applied, and
was still binding on the parties?
Lord J. RLSSELL : Her Majesty's government do rot
think that the guarantee of 1720 applies under the present
state of circumstances between Prussia and Denmark.

THE WEST INDIES.
Mr. HUME observed that his motion as to the state of our
West Indian Colonies, which had been postponed from time
to time, in order that the house might first have the report
of the select committee on that subject, now stood on the no-
tice paps for Tuesday next. Could the noble lord, the
chairman of that committee, state whether the report would
be in the hands of members by that day ?
Lord G. BENTINCK must refer the bon. gentleman for
an answer to the President of the Hurd of Trade and the
hon. member for Westbury, to whom certain propositions
had been submitted to report upon. From what he had
gathered from them, he feared the report would not he
presented for three weeks or a month.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said that a very voluminous report
bad been prepared by the noble lord, involving upwards of
230 distinct proposition, and it was only reasonable
that time should be given for considering them
before they were called upon to affirm or dissent
from them. The committee now stood adjourned
to Thursday next, by which time those who did not agree
with the noble lord were to put their views before them. He
was as anxious as the noble lord that the committee should
close its labours as soon as possage, and he hoped they would
be enabled to report on the day mentioned.
Mr. HUME, in answer to an objection to further pest-
! ponement urged by Mr. Barclay, promised in the course of
to-morrow (this day) to fix definitively a day for his motion.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
Lord J. RUSSELL proposed, that on and after Monday
next public business should commence at half-past 4, instead
of 5 o'clock. (Hear, hear.)
COPPER AND LEAD DUTIES BILL.
Lord G. BENTINCK hoped that whenever this bill wee
brikatit on for a second reading, it would be at such an hour
as would afford an opportunity of discussing it fully.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed
that it stood for a arcond reading that night, but looking at
the business standing before it, he did not think it could
come on at a very ear:y hour, if at all.
Mr. 111:17 expressed a hope that the subject would be
brought on with as little delay as possible.
THE HORSHAM WRIT.
Mr. GORING rose to move, pursuant to notice, "that
Mr. Speaker do issue his warrant to the clerk of the crown
to make out a new writ for the election of a burgess to serve
in this present parliament for the borough of Horsham, in
the room of John Jervis, Esq., whose election has been de-
termined to be Told." As government did not appear to
have any intention of proceeding with the bill promised by
the noble lord for instituting an immediate inquiry into the
alleged corruption at the late election, he on the part of the
electors of the borough of Horsham protested against the
indefinite suspension of the writ until the general measure of
the hon. member for the Flint boroughs (Sir J. Hammer),
which no one couldrauppose would pass, should be decided
upon.
Lord J. RUSSELL. should certainly advise the house not
to issue the writ until some inquiry had been instituted. It
did not appear to him clear whether that inquiry should be
by means of a committee of the home, or by commisaionen
on the spot ; but it had been suggested to him, and on the
whole he thought it the better course, that as there was a
general measure before the house for instituting einnler in-
quiries, by means of a commission to be appointed for the
purpose, se to ether boroughs against erbleih, do eke report of
election committees, similes. srationale corrupt practices
had been made, this case better, be included fn that
general measure with the others. (Hear.)
Mr. HUDSON thought, after the please the noble lord
had given on the previous occasion, sultan the faith of which
alone the wait had been suspended (heir hear), it was due
• to the house, as well es to the electors eC Hug= that the
noble lord should proceed with his bat see to borough
without waiting for the general inquiry by eo=rrsi
under the bill of the hon. member for the nag
Lord J. RUSSELL denied that the house had oeselnued
the suspension of the writ in consequence of any pledge given
,by him. At the requeat of the home he hod mommed to