The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-11 00:00:00

PROSECUTION OF SOLDIERS IN IRELAND.

The Karl of CA IMIOAN gave not!co that he would this
day put a question regardiurr the manner .n which certain
soldiers in her Majesty's souka were about :o be prosecuted
in Ireland.

MINISTERIAL POLICY.

The house was then about to adjourn, and most of their
lordships were on their feet, when
The Earl of DERBY said, bet we the house adjourned,
he wished the noble lord at the head of Ike government
would allow him to pat a question to him, or rather to
make • single remark. Under ordinary eircumstancre, at
the commencement of • session, their lordships were

aware it was the practice, and the useful practice, for the
minister of the day, in the Queen's speech, to explain more
or lees to parliament and the country the principal measures
which it was the intention of government to submit to the
consideration of parliament. Ile was well aware that at
the print moment they were not at the commencement of
• session, but at ths same time they were assembled under
circumstances which rendered it not the less necessary that
those intentions should be made known. Their lordships
were aware that at the present moment parliament having
been only adjourned, not prorogued, a new government
had succeeded to office, and there had been no indication
whatever of the specifie maser es which government intended
to bring before the consideration of parliament. Ile was not
about to ask of her Majesty's government—he was not ab .ut
to put the question in any hostile spirit, for an explanation of
the general political principles on which they would conduct
the government. The made earl at the head of the govern-
ment did certainly enter into an explanation, but that ex-
planation did not throw any light en the policy of the go-
vernmcnt, and it left the house in as great uncertainty as
to the course to be pursued ns it was in before that speech
was delivered, and they were unable to form any conjecture
as to the general political principles of the government. He
VMS not very anxious to ask on what principles the govern-
ment was to be carried on, as he thought it would be most
fair for them and better for the country that the principles
of the government should be inferred from its measures,
than that they should be judged of by any vague gene-
?slain in which the first minister of the crown
might indicate the general course of policy to
be pursued. The noble lord on the woolsack
had stated that on Monday night he should state the course
her Majesty's government intended to pursue with regard
to law reform. He hoped that they would follow the ex-
ample which bad been set them by his noble and learned
friend behind him (Lord St. Leonard.), who ho found had
not abandoned his efforts, even on leaving the office which,
he might venture to say, even in the presence of the noble
and learned lord who now occupied the woolsack, the
country had great cause to regret his leaving. He hoped
that the cause of law reform would not suffer by • trans-
fer of the seals to other hands ; and of this he was quite
certain, that there were no hands in which that question
might be more judiciously left than those of the noble and
learned lord now on the woolsack. It was the intention
that in the other house of parliament there should be
made that evening a statement of the course IGO
vernment intended to pursue, and although it was
gaits true that all of their lordships would probably
have an opportunity, by the habitual breach of the privi- '
leges of that house, of ascertaining in the morning the state-
ment that was made, he thought it more consistent with
parliamentary practice that the head of the government in
that house should himself state to their lordships the mea-
sures which he intended on the part of the government to
be brought forward. And he thought that that statement
was the more important to be made there, because, from
the circumstances of the present year, it was very obvious
that in the early part of the session the other house of par-
liament would be more than ordinarily occupied in business
in which their lordships could not interfere, and in conse-
quence other measure, would be postponed till a late period,
and meth valuable time at the early period of the session
would w completely wasted, without any measure
being submitted to their lordships' consideration, and •
great Mr of business would be brought before them
towudis the clue of the ses.ion, to the disadvantage of
the been end the public. Ile thought, therefore, that,
elle ban should his informed, not only with regard
Se esewissienee, but also that they might judge prac-
tically ef the degree of confidence they might place in the
governante, what were the subjects which for the last six
weeks bed occupied the attention of ministers and what
ag were t eishjects on which they had made up their minds.
Ile had dready said he would not ask for the assertion of
gored psteciples, but he asked for a declaration of the'
seeeteree Intended to be submitted to parliament. Ile
thought that, more especially in the present state of puha-
ment, if government wished to act conscientiously, nothing
could be more desirable than that they should have an'
opportunity of proving that they were desirous of bringing
in measures for the good of the country, and that
whatever might have been the political differences
of opinion which had subsisted between them on former
occasions, they were combined to bring forward measures
for the ood of the country. They would be judged of by
their practices and performances, and not by any declara-
tion of principles, and he ventured to say for those with
whom he bad the honour to act that if government brought
for. aril measures which they (the opposition) in their con-
science could support and approve, they would receive from
them not only no opposition, but nothing would give him,
and he would, venture to say for many of his friends would
give them, more satisfaction than being able to co-operate
for the purpose of carrying useful measures far the country,
but they wished to know what measures it wee intended to
be brought forward, and whether they would be such that
it would be impossible for • conservative opposition to ap-
prove of.
The Hari of FITZWILLIAM said be was not surprised
at the untie earl having asked the question, but at the lame
time be suggested whether it wits consistent with prece-
dent, and with the practice of former times, to call upon
an administration formed under the circumstances under
which the present administration had been formed, to de-
-

Blare at the roessamecewseut et the asides of pertlessist, for
such he might consider this to be, the particular measures
they intended to propose. He hoped that the prudence tf
the noble earl at the head of the government would induce
him not to gratify the aoble earl's (the Earl of Derby's)
cariosity as to what measures they intended to bring for-
ward, and what mamas they considered it prudent to ab-
stain from.

The Earl of ABERDEEN said on the formation of the
government he laid before their lordships the priociphs on
which it was founded, and he alluded to the principal sub.
jests which would engage their attention with a view to
future legislation. Those subjects had since that day men-
' pied the attention of the government, and on these subjects.
or the greater part of them, he trusted legislatiou would
be effected, but aa for the most part they would
be originated in the Douse of Commons, ho believed
it was uot, seethe noble curl said, according to precedent •
that house to announce the measures which would h.•
brought forward in the Hoes.: of Commons. With regard
to law reform, his noble and learned friend on the wool-
sack had already given notice of his intention to state the
1 measures which be had Toady to lay bane the how. Not-

• withstanding what had already been done on that subject,
it was one in which an abundant harvest was yet to be
reaped, and he had no doubt that the measures to be pro-
, posed by his noble and leased friend would be beneficial to
the country. lie was glad to hear that the noble earl was
, disposed to look at the measures of government with im-
partiality and fairness, and that if he was able be would
give them his support. Undoubtedly that would very
, much facilitate their passing. W hen the measures to be
announced to the Howe of Commons that night came
before their lordships, he trusted they would be ouch as to
merit their support.
The Eorl of DERBY said he gathered from the speech of
the noble earl opposite, and that of the noble lord on the
woolsack, that measures were prepared fur improving the
administration of the law, because he said he would ex-
plain them on Monday; but though be had received that
statement with satisfaction, he was somewhat disappointed
with the answer given by the noble earl, although he did
not, as the noble earl on the cross benchee(Fitzwilliam), ap-
r pear to consider that a statement of the intentions of go-
vernment would be wholly premature at the present
moment. lie bad no doubt that his noble friend on the
erirs benches would look with equal anxiety with himself
in the morning papers of to-morrow for that information,
which he still ventured to say it would have been more ac-
cording to precedent to have had stated in that house. The
noble earl on the cross benches would to-morrow find that
the noble lord at the head of the government in the House
of Consumes had stated to that house what he thought it
would be premature to state to the House of Lords.
Earl FITZ WILLIAM— the difference is this. The
minister in the House of Commons will declare in the House
of Commons what measures be intends to introduce there. My
noble friend here would best ding what isgoing on elsewhere.
Therefore he did not think it would be right for his noble
frieud in that house, to doelare what measures were about
to be brought forward in the other. The noble lord on the
woolsack had stated that he would declare on Monday the
measures of law reform, wbieh were contemplated by the
government to be brought forward in their lordships' house;
but it would not bo proper to stato the measures which
were to be proposed in tee other house.
The Heel of DERBY was afraid that his noble friend on
the cross benches did not give tho government credit fez
unanimity. Ile had always beard that a member of the
government in one house, was reedy to be answerable fur
anything that was said by his colleagues in the other, and
he was sure that the noble lord in the other house would
not take on himself to give the details of the measures of the
government, without the assent of his colleagues in that
house. Ile would limit his question and inquire of the
noble earl at the head of the government what lIICJSUM he
proposed to bring forward in their lordships' house
No answer havine been returned,
The Earl of DERBY again rose and said—Does silence
mean that there will be none ? (" Hear, bear," and a
leugh.)
The Earl of ABERDEEN rose for a moment and said
a word or two across the table, which were quite inaudible.
The Earl of DERBY again rose and said he had the
sanction of his noble 'friend on the cross benches for in•
quiring what measures would be brought forward in their
lordships' house.
No answer was returned, and
The house immediately adjourned at twenty minutes to
seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TIn FEB. 10.
The Si took the chair at a quarter before four
o'clock.

The attendance of members was very considerable, but
that on the ministerial benches vastly preponderated. Mr.
Spooner occupied the post of honour on the Opposition side,
and shortly att.rwards Sir John Pakingtou, Mr. Forbes
Mackenzie, and other leading members of the late govern-
ment, took their places on the front bench. Mr. Disraeli
arrived shortly after four o'clock, and occupied a scat
next to Mr. Spooner. Sir Robert Inglis and Mr. Bright
had places below the ministerial gangway, whilst some of
the Irish Brigade took their seats below the gangway on
the Tory aide of the house.

THE MINISTRY.

The following members of the government took the
oaths and their seats :—Lord John Russell, Viscount Pal-
merston, Mr. Gladstone, Sir JAW! Graham, Mr. Sidney
Herbert, Sir Wm. Molesworth, Sir A. Cockburn, Mr. Bet-
thell, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Strut, Mr. Monsell, the Earl of
Mulvey', Mr. Baines, Mr. Villiers, Admiral Berkeley, Mr.
Cowper, Mr. Chartertis, and Lord A. Hervey.
Sir Giollo3 OIi.EY and Mr. flio3l/.11 BARING also took
the oaths end their seats.

NEW WRIT.
Mr. HATTER moved for a new writ for the county
of Forfar, in the room of Colonel Mettle, who since his
election had accepted the office of Surveyor of the Ordnance.
—Agreed to.
ELECTION PETITIONS ABANDONED.
The SPEAKER announced the abandonment of tho pe-
titions against the returns for East Surrey and King's
County.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

A considerable time was then smut in bringing up the
reports of the Standing Orders' Committee on Privets
Bills, and in similar formalities. Mr. Brotherton had of
eourse, by virtue of his office, " tho lion's share " of this
kind of business, and when he had at list got through his
long list of bills, be was rewarded with a cheer.

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 11, 1853.

traduce any measure :air the improvement of the law of
mortmain, based on this report of the committee of last
session ?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL promised to answer the question
on Monday.
PROPOSED GOVERNMENT MEASURES.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL presented to the berme copies of
some recent state papers relating to Greece, and then spoke
as follows:—In moving that these papers do lie upon the
table, it may be conveaient to the house that I should state ,
the course which her Majesty's government intend to pur-
sue with respect to the measures that may be brought fur-
ward in the early part of the session. And I beg to name
at once, that it is not my intention—nor is it necessary—to
make any statement with regard to the general opinions and
views of the government. A statement of that kind has
been already made by my noble friend at the head of the
government in another place, and that statement is gene-
rally known. What I propose to do is to state to the house
the course which the government mean to pursue with re-
spect
to the measures sad the business which may be brought
forward fee the consideration of the bout.. I should
state, therefore, that the government intend, vs soon
as the estimates are laid upon the table of the house, and '
are delivered to the member', to bring under the eonsidera- I
tion of the house the various estimates for the year. With
respect to the navy estimates, we hope, on Friday se'nnight,
to be able to ask the house to resolve itself into committee I
to consider those estimates; and the army and ordnance
estimates will follow. I may state that, with regard to the
number of men in the navy, the army, and the ordnance,
there will be no increase on the number voted before the
Christmas holidays. (Cheers.) With respect to the sums
to be voted there will be found a considerable increase
upon the estimates of last year ; and when the estimates are
brought forward, such explanations will be given relative
to that increase as I trust may prove satisfactory to the
house—at ell events, such as will bring into discussion the
reasons for which that increase has been thought necessary.
Besides the estimates' the measures which we propose im-
mediately to bring forward are—in the first place,
a bill to enable the legislature of Canada to
dispose, with due regard to the interests of the present
holders, of the clergy reserves of Canada. (Cheers.) A
pledge which was given on behalf of the crown by my
noble friend, Earl Grey, when he was Secretary of the
Colonies; and that pledge the present government ate pre-
pared to carry into effect ; and a bill will be presented to
parliament for the purpose. The next question So be
brought under the consideration of the house will be
brought forward by my right hon. friend this President of
the Board of Trade, who, in moving the introduction of the
Pilotage Bill, will state to the house what course is pro-
posed with respect to the light dues, and with regard to
various other matters affecting the shipping interest of this
country. (Ilear. hear.) I shall propose, on • very early
day, to ask the house to resolve itself into • committee of
the whole house with respect to the removal of those dis-
abilities which yet affect our Jewish fellow-subjects—
(cheers)—with a view to extend to them the same right,
and franchisee as are enjoyed by all other el f her Ma-
ktaty'a subjects. The next question on which I propose to
make certain propositions, but which I shall not do until
thei estimate' that I have alluded to have been voted,—is
upon the important subject of education. (Cheers.) I will
not endeavour to excite false expectations by stating that I
am about to introduce, on the part of toe government, a
very vast plan on that subject; but I shall maker prop. salt
which, I think, if adopted, will tend very greatly to fur-
ther anal promote education,—a subject which impresse, it-
self more and more upon the minds of all who consider the
future destinies of their country—(cheers)—and which,
whatever opinions we may entertain, whatever plans
we may think the best, is a subject which I
think may be considered one of the very highest imeor-
, tance. (Cheers.) In stating the views of the government
upon the subject of the education generally of the poorer
chomp, I will, either then or shortly afterward', state the
course which the government intend to pursue with respect
to the report which has berm made by the commissioners
relating to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
(Cheers.) There is another sal jest connected with those
measures, that is, an educational measure for Scotland ; but
upon that subject I am unable to state when any measures
will be brought forward, nut having had an opportunity for
some time of conferring with my learned friend the Lord
Advocate for Scotland ; but probably in the course of the
present session they will be brought forward. There is
another question upon wbieh the right hon. gentleman, the
late Secretary of Suitt for the Colonies, has given a not'ce
—I mean the important subject of transportation. I need
not now refer to the very important changes which have
taken place, to which I have alluded in former debates,
either with respect to the change in the constitution of the
government in our Australian colonies, or with respect to
the recent discoveries of gold that have been made in Au-
stralia ; but I will state at once that, it having been decided
by the late government that transportation to Australia
should cease, the present government entirely adhere to
that intention. (Cheers.) It is an intention which I think
they very wisely adopted, and which was rendered neces-
sary by the changes to which I have adverted. But it is
impossible not to perceive that, giving up transportation to
Australia, the colonies to which tile great mass of convicts
have been hitherto sent, it is necessary to look most seriously
to the question of secondary punishments. (near, hear.)
The late Lord Chancellor has intimated his intention, I
believe, of introducing a bill into the other house of
parliament fur the consolidation of the criminal law.
I do not know if Lord St. Leonard. intends in his bill to
lay deism any plan of secondary puniahmen's, different from
that which has heretofore been adopted. If he does, it will
of course receive the serious consideration and attention of
the government; if not, the government will themselves
propose an alteration in the system of secondary punish-
ments. I may say here, that the government have already
come to the determination—and my noble friend, the
Secretary of State for the Home Department, will carry
that determination into effect—that after the vessels which

well-founded, no defect can be pointed out so destructive to
public virtue, and to the credit of representative institu•
tions, as those acts of bribery and corruption. (Cheers.)
The house, by means of its select committee., is about to in-
vestigate the truth of the allegations in many of these cases.
We shall be better able to judge, after these investigations
have taken place, of the nature and extent of the evil ;
i whether any legislation is necessary, and, if it be, what as
to be the nature and character of that legislation. The
I subject is one which, in the opinion of the government, is
of the highest importance ; it is one which we think ought
not to be delayed longer than is necessary to allow time for
due deliberation and inquiry ; anal, therefore, to purify the
representation, no effort will be wanting on our part. (Loud
cheers.)
, Mr. HATTER said that it might be convenient for the
house to know the days when the measures indicated in the
speech of bis noble friend would be brought forward. On
to-morrow (this day) the Chancellor of the Exchequer
would move for leave to bring in a bill to authorise ad-
vaaces from the Consolidated Fund to discharge money
borrowed for metropolitan improvements, on the security
of the crown estates, and to charge the lame on the
London Bridge Approaches Fund. On Monday, the
14th. the Lord Advocate would introduce a bill for
laci.itating the procedure in the Sheriffs' Courts of
Seetlsnd. On the 16th the Secretary fur the Colonies
aould introduce a bill empowering the Canadian le•gisls•
tore to deal with the clergy reserves. Ou Friday, the 18th,
the First Lord of the Admiralty would bring forward the
navy estimates. On the 22nd the President of the Board
of Trade would introduce a bill to amend the law relating
to pilotage ; and on the same day Lord John Russell
would move for a committee of the whole house to take
into consideration certain civil disabilities affecting the
Jews. (11eLr, hear.)
ECCLESIAStICAL TITLES BILL.

Colonel SUITHORP wished to killer from the noLlc
lord whether it was his intention to proceed any thrthcr
with the Eecle,iastical Titles Act ?

Lwd J. RUSSELL said he did not quite understand
the question. (Laughter.) Perhaps the non. and gallant
gentleman would repeat it.

Colonel SIIITIIOII.I' wished to know if it was the inten•
tion of the noble lord to give up that rieuure which he
(the noble lord) declared to be of great importance for the
protection of that religion to which he professed himself to
be attached ?

Lord J. RUSSELL said he believed the lion and gaunt
gentleman alluded to the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill. It w.is
nut the intention of government to make any addition to
thiit bill. (Hear, hear.)
METROPOLITAN GRAND JURIES.

I a reply to &I. F. Tullman,
Lord PALMERSTON said that there was no intention
at present on the part of the government to introduce a bill
fur the purpose of abolishing grand juries iu the metropoli-
tan distriet4.