The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-16 00:00:00

silent course. Let the house wait for the result of the in•
quiry before the committee of the other house ; that would
be much lees derogatory to their dignity than to hurry on a
discussion of this kind. The navigation laws dated ham the
time of the commonwealth, and ought not to be got rid of
without due deliberation. He demanded that time should
be given, and should divide the house if the government
would not consent to postpone the matter for a tortnight.
The motion that the Chairman do report progress end ask
leave to sit again was agreed to without a division, and the
house then resumed.

Captain HARRIS then moved that the debate be post-
poned until that day fortnight.
The Marquis of Granby supported the amendment. as did
Mr. Alderman Thompson, Mr. Wawn, and Mr. W. Miles.
Mr. LABOUCHERE felt bound to oppose the amend-
ment, for he could not assent to any course calculated to pre-
vent the measure horn praising into a law, if such were the
pleasure of the house, during the present session.
Mr. HUDSON asked why, if the Eememment were so
earnest to pun the measure this session, they had not intro-
duced it at an earlier period ?
Mr. HENLEY called upon those who were opposed to
the measure, to impede its progress by all the means which
the forms of the house admitted.
Col. SIBTHORP said, that the conduct of the ge-
vernment in this case was only another example of the prin-
ciple acted upon by all governments--of forcing on their
measures by every sort of miserable chicanery.
The house divided—For Capt. Harris's motion, 28
Against it
Col. SIBTHORP then moved the adjournment of the
debate.
The house divided.—For the motion 26
Against it 63-37
Lord 0. BENTINCK was surerised that the government
persisted in pressing forward so important a question as the
present without allowing ample time to the country to ex
peels its opinion with regard to it. If the noble lord at the
head of the government was in the house, he was sure he
would consent to the adjournment.
Mr. LABOUCHERE consented to the adjournment of the
debate till Thursday next, when his noble friend at tie
head of the government, who Lad the disposition of the pub-
lic business, would state what course he would pursue.
The debate was then adjourned
LIGHT DUES AND MERCHANT SEAMEN'S FUND

BILLS.
On the motion of Mr. LAllOreltEliE, resolutions were
agre, dto for the purpose of ensbliii.l government to bring
in bills on these subjects.
PUBLIC HEALTH DILL.
Lord MORPETH moved the re-committal of this bill pro
forma.
Col. SIBTHORP thought that when the bill was printed
time ought to be given to consider it. He should wish to know
whether the number of persons who were to receive salaries
had been reduced.
Mr. DIVETT and Mr. HUDSON repressed the same
wish.
Lord MORPETH said that the number of thosewho were
to receive salaries was very much cut down. lie now pro-
posed that they should proceed with the bill on Thi;rs-
- and go on with it till 9 o'clock on that evening.
The SI•EAXPIt then hit the chair, and the bill was com-
mitted pro furnaa, the amendments inserted, the bill ordered
to be reprinted and to be r,committed on Thursday next.
The house adjourned at a quarter to 2.

ELECTION COMMITTEE.
LANCASTEL—Tbe Oenerel Committee of Elections
met yesterday, and the Miaowing members were nominated
to try the merits of the petitions pres.nted against the return
of the Hon. E. O. Stanley t—Mr. Pinney, Lord Adair, Mr.
Ewan, Mr. 0. Duncombe, and Lord Courtenay (chairman).