The Express.
London, England, 1847-02-27 00:00:00

NEW HOUSES OF Pl

Lord BROUGHAM wished to know what prospect there
was of getting into a more habitable place than the one they
now occupied. His desire to enter the new elysium was not
at all diminished by a late inspection of the building, which
did the greatest possible honour to the skill, learning, and
ingenuity of the architect. (Hear, hear.) If any thing
could mitigate his dislike of Gothic architecture it was the
splendid palace which he saw to-day—the most splendid, per-
, haps, that any country could bout of. (Hear, hear.) If
any thing could make that style of architecture alatable it
would be the okili of the excellent architect so evinced in the
new palace. ( Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that anticipating
such a question might be put to him, he obtained the neces-
sary information on the subject from Mr. Barry, to whom
the noble and learned lord paid so handsome and just a tel.
hire. That gentleman had kept the engagement which he
had entered into last session with the house, for if it were
thought desirable, their lordships might enter the new house
before Easter but as it would be most inconvenient to
remove before the Easter adjournment, he could confidently
state, on the authority of Mr. Barry, that there was not the
slightest doubt of every preparation being made for their
lordships' reception after Easter. (Heir, hear.)

DUCHY OF LANCASTER.
Lord STANLEY said he raise for the purpose of putting
the question of which he had given notice respecting the
Duchy of Lancaster. He did not put the queluon by way
of complaint, but as all they knew on the subject was that
about a week or a fortnight ago three noble lords, members
of that house, and two right hon. gentlemen, members of
the other house of parliament, had been appointed as
a council for managing the affairs of the Duchy of Lan-
caster, and as parliament exercised some control on the sub-
ject, he thought that they ought to obtain some information
from the noble and learned lord (Lord Campbell) why them
appointments had been made. he noble and learned lord,
as Chancellor of the Duchy, was responsible for the due
administration of its affairs; and, so the noble and
learned lord was not an infant, or a lunatic, or a
femme eourerte—(laughter)—nor laboured, as far as he
( Loral Stanley) knew, node r any mental or physical incapacity,
he did not see why persons should be appointed to perform
the duties which had hitherto devolved on the noble and
learned lord, and which had been performed by his predeces-
sor. They we re appointed either for the purpose of advising,
controlling, or superseding the noble and learned lord; and
in either case it was not slop asonable that parliament should
lupus in what respect the administration of the office
had been found deficient, and what mums led to those unex-
plained alteration.. He applied to one of the noble lords
appointed, to know what his duties were, and his answer was,
that he had not the least idea. (Laughter.) He was,
therefore, desirous of knowing what were the motives
which led to the establishment of this new commimion

what portion of the duties was withdrawn from the chancel-
lor of the duchy ? what portion of patronage was with-
drawn from Tim ? or whether he retained the patronage, I
and left the duties to the new board ? (Laughter.) Whether
the hoard was to adriee the chancellor, or to act indepen-
dently of him ? what wee the nature of the oath taken by
them, and by what authority it was taken ? whether :here
were, or were to be, any instruction* drawn up by the com-
mission specifying what the eatent of their duties was to
be?

Lord CAMPBELL said he returned sincere thanks to the
noble lord for putting the question. as there was a great deal
of misconception on the subject. and many foolish comments
had been made in ignorance of the facts. His answer was
that there was no commission, no innovation. The constitu-
tion of the duchy remained as it stood in the time of John of
Gaunt. Toe chancellor had always the asaistar.ce of a
conne;l, hut he had the patronage in his own hands. He
appointed the magistrates of the county of Lancaster proprio
'Nola. His council were, the vieeelisneellor, the receiver-
general, the auditor, and the attorney. general. The chancellor's
was a political other, but the council had Lathing whatever
political belonging to them. Mr. H. Twists, a learned Chan-
, ccry barrister, and one of the Tory party, was the vice-
chancellor. Mr. Lockhart, who was so eminent in litera-
ture, was the auditor. Central Fox was the ree.dver-
general, and Mr. Ellis, an eminent barrister of the telthent

circuit, wan the attorney-general. They were the ooeec
to the chancellor for the management of the property and**
finances of the duchy. Bat great inconvenience had arisen,
from not having persons in the council acquainted with the let-
ting of land, anti who might know how to deal with property of
the miscellaneous description comprised in the Duch) of
Lancaster. He (Lord Campbell) wag certainly nut &femme
converts. (L3ughter.) God knows he was not an infant—
(laughter), and he hoped he war not a lunatic; but with
regard to the qualifications to which he alluded, he was
really under disabilitiea. He was not, however, so badly off
as the noble and learned lord opposite (Lord Brougham),
who, when Mr. CA. of Norfolk showed him a field of corn,
exclaimed, " Oh, what a fine field of lavender:" (Laughter.)
He hoped the noble lord had received an answer
to his question, and that he was satisfied the constitution or
the Duchy of Lancaster remained unimpaired.
Lord BROUGHAM said if it were true that there was
wisdom in a multitude of councillors the affairs of the dutch
ought to be well managed. But his noble and learned friend
had disqualified himself by an act of stultification in de-
claring himself incapable of managing the revenues, which
was one part of his duties. (Laughter.) Whatever the di-
vision of the duties was, he did not think that hie noble and
, learned friend divided his salary with the new council.
(Laughter.) There was not the least foundation for the
anecdote which his noble and learned friend related about
the lavender. It was all a joke of Mr. Coke's. He and Sir
It. Wilson and the late Lord Durham were riding over Mr.
Coke's farm, and when they desired to see some of the crops
that had been raised on the land recovered from the German
sea, Mr. Coke said, " What use is there in showing
them to you gentlemen from London, who do not
know wheat from lavender ?" (Laughter.) He believed
the estate of the Duchy of Lancaster produced 20.000/. a
year, and he was satisfied the whole council would not
increase it by 1001. a year.
SCOTCH BANKS
•. . .

The Earl of EGLINTON rose for the purpose of ob-
taining a copy of the correspondence between the Tate and
present government and the Scotch bankers, respecting the
Joint Stock Banks Bill of last session. It was im-
possible to speak in too high terms of the system oa which
the Scotch banks had been established and conducted.
The late prime minister brought forward a measure in 1835
for restricting the paper circulation of Scotland to the
average of the three previous years, although_ the whole
rimer, andix u_nloattioonn eofftehileurec° uonftrl joint-sleek thhartrtaleiln-
place. Not content with the melanin of 1846, Sir Robert
Peel breetht forward another meows on the lase .abject
he was wetted epee by a &pennies of the
Scotch bankers, and it was considered that he bad abandoned
the measure ; hut it was afterwards taken up by the present
ministry, and hurried forward late in the session. He had
intended to oppose it, but a deputation consisting of Mr.
Tennant and hfr. Drew of the North British Bank, waited
on him, and said the bankers had withdrawn their onosi-
tion. This, however, proved to be incorrect, and the people
of Scotland now thought they had a claim, under all circum-
stances, to a reconsideration of the subject. Ile should
therefore move for the correspondence of the Scotch bankers
with the late and present governments relative to the bill
for regulating joint-stock banks in Scotland and Ireland,
which was passed lust session, end in particular the corre-
spondence of any of the directors of the North British Bank ;
also for the terms or conditions of an agreement or arrange•
went said to have been entered into in favour of that hank.

The Earl of CLARENDON could not agree to the mo-
tion, because the papers did not exist. The Chancellor of
the Exchequer had had them searched fur without effect.
It war thought right to make the bill 'rend to the North
British Bank, which wu then in an inchoate state, but
no private arraugement whatever had been made. The go
vernment had reason to suppose that the opposition of the
Scotch hankers had been withdrawn, and they had received
no complaints or remonstrances against the bill.
The Earl of RADNOR thought there was no necegsity
for meddling with the banking system of Scotland, and the
measures complained of were the result of the mere caprice
of the late prime minister, ilk accordance with his views on
the currency question.
MEDICAL CHARITIES (IRELAND).
The Earl of CLANCARTY inquired whether it was the
intention of the government to propose, in the Fes, nt ses-
sion, any measure with respect to the medical relief of the
sick poor in Ireland, founded on the recommendations in the
report of the select committee appointed last session to in-
quire into the subject; and if not whether it was intended
to propose any other measure for the improvement of the
medical charities ?

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that it would
not be through any inattention on lus part if such a bill were
not introduced in the course of the present session.
Their lordships adjourned at 20 minute. after 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FRIDAY, FEB. 26.
The Sesaiont took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIYATY. BUSINP.BB.

PHTMONS.—By Mr. lhrettrno,, punnet the Croydon and Brom-
ley bronchia of the South Pastern It,i!sruy; against the un‘imega,
and lialatcod line; against the London and Brighton eatemion• ;
against the North Kent line, on their merits. Capt. Joiti,, from
Bromley against the Croydon and Bromley branch. Mr..k,t.sso.
*newt the Yeovil end Exeter railway. Mr. Oisuossr. and Dr. PAW-
NING, against the South EAsterri extenOons. Loot Moans., in
favour of the Shefileld and Rotherham Junction railiesy. Cram;
against the Brighton extensions.
MAT READINGS.—VaIe of Beath Railway; South Woks Rail-
way ; Wisbeavh Pat; BLackburn Improvement ; Liverpool Cm;
Dublin and Dundrum Railway Bills.
SECOND REA DlNGS.—Beiton Improvement; Cheltenham Water.
worts; London (City) Small Debts (adjourned debate',; Newbury
Cemetery; Northamptoa and Banbury Railway; Norwich Small
Tenements; Shiftlind, Rotherham. and Doncaster Junction Railway
(Masbrough to Doncaster) (by order) ; Sutton Harbour Improve-
ment; Swarm Harbour; York and North Midland Itallwayoitoot
Riding Canals Purchase) ; York and North Midland Railway
Bagley Branch) ; York and North Midland Railway (Ilarropte
Branch, Burnughbridge, and Knaresborough Exuma/ma); York and
Newcastle Railway (Pelaw Tyne Deck, rte., Branches); York and
• Newcastle and Newcastle and Berwick Railways Amalgamation;
Blue; she Meld, Rotherham, and Doncaster Junction Railway (Mas.
borough to Doncaster).
PUBLIC BUSINESS.

PETITIONS.—By Sirlt.7.l44LlN,7lollVl4.trninuham, Suffolk, against
the Anatomy Act ; from the parochial authorities of St. la,eird's,
M.n.nrx, on mMject of Poor Removal Act. Mr. Wooisio. so, from the
lia:fitrad Union, for repeal of Poor Removal Act. Mr. D. Booms%
several petitions from Mayo, complaining of inadequacy of poser t.
meet measures for relief, and for the estabßahnient of depot. In Mayo,
and for employment of labourers on aimicultural works ; from a with
in Mayo, in favour of fifty million. beinnirranted for relief in Ireland,
and that the house would show no much eolicitodr for the live, of the
Irish as for the emancipation of the mirrors in the Weal Indies : from
labourers employed on public works in Mayo, oomplaqiing that only
one meal a day was granted, and in favour of two. Mr. Iisc•IN,ON,
from Bury, against Anatomy Art. Mr. Race, from Charlton. Kent,
against nor Removal Act. Mr. Gorteran from Paton, Ckurbridge.
shire, against the Anatomy Act from Weal India planters and met,
cheek., in favour of admission of rum on the reduced dative. Mr. W.
Evass, from a perish In Derbyshire, against the Poor Removal Act.
Mr. S. Caawromi, from • town in Scotland, in favour of employing
Queen.ashipsintramportot provisions to behead; from Boyne, against
the Navigation Lame. Mr. Funks, front shipowners o Berwick,
against the Ligfrom i=ib,Mr. More
aaaßrt au, , fronranToermaji, to the aeon,
Relief Rill.
From John Carlyle, or l'arlisle, complaining that a prisoner had been
confined In the Queen's Bench prison since 1812, for contempt of the
Court of Chancery, and for the abolition of such power of imprison-
ment. Mr. D. CALIAMI., from a piece in the county of Ork, In
favour of • National Poor-rate. Prom committee of merchants of Cork,
against the Light Dues. Mr. Wsixsa, from guardian, of Bury in
favour of moment of property in Ireland for the relief of the Ititur,
Lord lirsousmon, from Brent.Eicigh, Suffolk, against the Poor Re-
moval Act.

Plata READINO.—Poor of Ireland Sonervivion
NOTICES OF MtMON.—Forenvotx.—Mr. Ilisnutr, on Monday
next, to ea the First Lord of the Treasury to elate the sore proposal
to be granted for educational purposes to the miceellaneona 'etiolates,
and whether he would bring specially before the hocia^ the considers.
lion of the minutes of the Committee of Council laid on the table on
the Sth February.
Burn CAT.—Mr. Forma, os behalf of Mr. Mtma, postponed the
notice of motion on this anbject.
Anne Est...rue:tr.—Mr. F. MAVI2., on Monday next, to move for
leave to bring in ■ bill fur limiting the period of enlistment in the
Way.
Dasossos Am.—Mr 0. Geer. on Monday next, to move for leave
to bring In a bill for the amendment of the Drainage Act aid het
session.
YEW MEMBER.

Mr. MONAHAN (the Solicitor-General for Ireland) took
the oaths and his seat for the town of Galway.
PRIVATE BILLS.

Mr. HUME moved that the Select Committee on Private
Bills have leave to report from time to time. The motion
having been agreed to, the bun. member brought up a report.
ROYAL ASSENT.

The Deputy Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the
table and summoned the house to attend the Royal Com-
mission in the House of Lords. On his return, the Speaker
announced that the Royal Arent bad been given by corn-
utirion to t►e Destitute Poor (Ireland) Bill.

GRANT OF SEED TO IRELAND.

In reply to Sir R. biome,
Mr. LABOUC HERE said that the grant of 50,0001. to be
made by government to Ireland in the form of seed, would
be in Reed fur green, and not for grain crops. As to the
government supplying grain seed for all Ireland, it was obvi-
ously out of the question ; and he trusted that not for a
moment would the grant referred to operate in any degree
to supersede or relax the effort, of the landlords and people
of Ireland to promote the cultivation of that country to the
utmost possible extent. With reference to the prospect, oe
the next harvest in Ireland, he believed that a greater
breadth of land had been laid down in wheat then than had
ever been so applied before—(iner, hear.)—and he further
believed, that very general efforts were being made to extend
that cultivation. Everything, however, depended on the
next six weeks ; no injury had as yet been done which might
not be repaired within that period, if the upper and middle
classes in Ireland would energetically do that which was
at once their duty and their interest. in promoting by every
means the cultivation of the moil. (Hear, hear.)
POOR-LAW ADMINISTRATION.

Mr. ROEBUCK raid, that in the Times newspaper of
that morning there had appeared a legal opinion, given by
a learned friend of his, on a question of considerable public
interest. The question was, whether the proceedings of the
poor-law commissioners of Ireland, in certain cases, were
legator illegal, and, if illegal. whether any and what remedy
was open to the aggrieved parties. The answer was, that
the proceedings alleged were illegal, and that there was
redress by way either of indictment, or of information, or
of action. Now the house was Arcady quite aware that the
poor-law conirnissioaere had been guilty of illegal proceed-
ings ever since their appointment to office. This evidence
before the Andover Union committee clearly showed that
all their proceedings, their whole conduct of business, bad.
been in direct violation of the act of parliament by which
the board was o.n.tituted. The house was about to be asked
not only to reconstruct this act, but to extend it to a still
more difficult field of action—lreland ; it was most import-
ant that, before it proceeded to this task, it should, by a full
and impartial inquiry into the past administration of
the existing poor-law, be placed in a position to know whe-
ther it was any, and what, inherent defect in the law,
which bad occasioned its undoubted failure, or simply
the inefficiency of its administrators. An to the commis-
sioners, indeed, unless something were done to protect
them, it seemed most probable that, after Mr. Davenport
Hill's opinion, they would for some months to come be over,
whelmcd with indictments, informations, and actions, front
all parts of the country, for the illegal acts which, in all
parts of the country, they had committed. It was most de-
sirable thatere the house was called tilmn to discuss the new