The Express.
London, England, 1849-07-27 00:00:00

HARBOURS 'OF REFUGE.

On the motion for the third reading of this bill,
Mr. HUME rose, puruant to notice given yesterday, to
till the attention of the house to the circumstances connected
with the cep mditure of public money in the improvement
,f harbours, which he thought to be of great importance.
The house would recollect that about eight veins ago a dis-
cussion took place with regard to the harbours of this coun-
try, and that in 1845, by an address of that house, her Ma-
jesty app dated a tomminioa to inquire into the state of our
tidal harbours and navigable rivers. That commission col-
lected a vast deal of valuable information upon the subject
generally, and the members were unanimous in recom-
mending the adoption of a course to the goes rnment with
the view or securing for the future a pr ,per appropriation of
any funds that might be required for the improvement of
the harbours 0. this country. Amongst other evils which
the C0M3241.1 ou pointed out there was one of long standing.
By an act of Chardw, the harbours of the country had been
placed tinder the superintendence of the authority of the Lerd
High Admiral, who had powers under that act to prevent
all encroachments on land under and within the high-eater
mark of ordinary tides. In ellen, instructions were laid
own in that act that no buildings, no works, or alterati, no
of any description shou'd take place, but untie, the sanction
of the Admiralty. On irquiry ft VIM found that the Ad-
miralty, from the pressure of eircumstanws and the im-
mense amount of business falli-g on that depsetme
had altogether neglected that duty, and that in no cans had
they ever interfered with any works proceeding in any river
er haerour, unites the same had been referred to them by
the compl int of parties interested. The cersequence was,
that many works had been undertaken without the know-
ledge of the Admiralty which had tended, owing to their un-
skilful execution, materially to injure the harbours. The
come.issioners, finding that this was the case, and that the
Board of Admiralty had not had leisure to attend
to these numerous works, but had deputed a large
pendia of the business to the hedrographer, recomended
that a separate department should be appointed to manage
these matters, and they prepared a hill which was intended
to carry out all their recommendations and to provide for the
appointment of a permanent officer who,. duty it should be
to see that no injury was done to the harbours of the country.
It appeared to the commission that the system hitherto car-
ried on had not been attended with advantage ; that the
natural harbours of the country had been neglected, and in
many eases bad actually filled up. A emnraittee was ap
pointed, consisting of Capt. Bethune, Capt. Washington,
and another gentleman, who were to take cognisance of the
state of our harbours and navigable rivers. The appoint-
ment of that committee had resulted in the greatest advan-
tage—millions of money had been saved to the country
by their promedings, and the whole expense had been
the difference between the half pay of Captain Washing-
ton and 8091. a year that gentleman having been
appointed by the government on account of his immense
acquaintance with our rivers and harbours. It was intended
that no money, either public or private, should be expended
on tidal harbours or navigable rivers, except under the
superintendence of that department; hut he complained that
that rule hod not been carried out. With reference to the
services rendered by the commission which was appointed
with the concurrence of Lord Auckland, he must say that he
had never met with any man, whose seal, attention, and in-
dustry, had exceeded that of Capt. Washington. Open at all
times to give information, ready at all times to go anywhere
where the public service required his attention, he felt bound
to express the highest opinion of the talent which Captain
Washington had exhibited, and the unvarying exactitude of
his details. The report of the harbour committee was now
printed ; and though it was not yet in the hands of mem-
bers the result wan, that it recommended the reduction of
the harbour department, and dispensing with the services of
Captain Washington. He (Mr. Hume) wished to ask then
who was, henceforth, to take the duties of that department—
s department which the Tidal Harbours Commission had
pointed out to be necessary, which was approved by the late
government, and by Lard Auckland, and of which Mr. Ward,
when he saw the amount of information they bad gained,
recommended the continuance. Whe, he asked, was hence-
forth to conduct that department—who was to superintend
the expenditure of money in matters connected with
our harbours and navigable rivers? He held in his
hand a list of 16 reports which had been laid on the
table of the house, all connected,. more or len, with the
harbours of refuge and navigable rivers of this country—a
pretty good evidence of the importance of the subject; bat
be wanted to know what bad been done, and In what way
had the public interests been protected in the expenditure of
money for the improvement of harbours of refuge.
Admiral BOWLES, having been chairman of the com-
mission
on the state of tidal harbours, and having had an op-
portunity of knowing the dangerous state in which they
were, and the narrow escape several harbours had of being
completely blocked up, thought that nothing could be MOTS
important than to direct attention to the report
which had been made is March, 1846. He had beard
that the Admiralty intended to diminish the efficiency of the
Court ef Conservancy, and a report was abroad, which he
trusted was unfounded, that some powerful influence was at
work to neutralise the endeavours to make harbours clear.
Another report which he had heard was that Capt. Washing-
ton had been fulfilling his duty too earnestly, and that now
he was to be dismissed.

Sir F. BARING said that he bad been the only party
concerned in the arrangements, and he was the party to
blame, if there was any. He had made no alteration in the
liminess of the harbour department. He had withdrawn no-
thing from the efficiency of the harbour department, and it
was not his intention so to do. He believed the harbour de-
partment was the foundation of a great deal of useful and valu-
able information, and it was not his intention to diminish the
usefulness of that department. On inquiring into the whole
subject the committee came to this conclusion ; they
said, if it was thought desirable to maintain the harbour de-
partment, they were decidedly of opinion that two would be
sufficient to perform the work. He believed the work would
be efficiently performed by two gentlemen, and with that
opinion he tit it his duty to communicate to Captain Wash-
ington, without throwing any censure on him, that as he
was the last appointed, he was the party on whom the re-
duction must tall. He wan attacked for thinking the work

could be done by two, and therefore he would not keep up
three. That wu the reduction of whieh I.e had been guilty,
As to the superintendence of the harbours of refuge, they
were not created under the authority of the Admiralty. The
harbours of refuge were a government arrangement with the
consent and co-operation of Lord Auckland. As far so the
Admiralty was concerned, the Admiralty give their ceuseat.
The hon. gentleman asked how was the work done? The
Admiralty entered into a contract with the parties performi
the work, and Messrs. Kendal and Walker were the sod:
neon superintending the work, sending quarterly state-
ments of the progress of the work, and certifying the
amount of the we rk done on the contract. Lord Auckland
took a great deal of personal interest in these matters, aid
inspected the works last year of the Channel Islands, end
other works. Since be (Sir F. Baring) had b. en in office,
he had made no alteration whatever• It was his intention,
as loon as the house was up, to go to the Channel Islands,
and see the works going on there. If he had committed say
job, it bad only been one of saving the public money.
- •

_ •
Mr. W. PATTEN expressed a hope that some arrange.
merits might be made. that such reports u the Admiralty
thought it accessary to make, might be laid before tba
house.

After a few words from Capt. BERKELEY,

Mr. RICE said that it was only from what was stated by
the First Lord of the Admiralty that they knew it was the
intention to make reductions. The Hon. Member for Mont-
role had mixed up two questions which were quite distinct,
via., tidal harbours and lharbours of refuge. The harbours
of refuge were proposed to be made becawe there shi.uld not
be tidal harbour,. The hon. member for Montrose said
there was no inspection, that nobody knew what state the
works were in. If he was not wrong the Lords of the Ad-
miralty had inspected the works themselves both at Harwich
and Dover.

Capt. PECHELL said that, at an early part of the see-
sion he drew the attention of the First Lord of the Ad-
miralty to the system of the distribution of medals to the
officers and seamen of the navy; and the house was given
to und, rstand that there would be a reconsideration of the
several claims.

Sir H WILLOUGHBY asked who was the party respon-
sible for the original plan of the works and for the original
estimate ?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
all these work, were founded upon the report of a committee,
appointed in the time of the late government, to recommend
certain ports for harbours of r, fuge. The Admiralty was
the department responsible for the performance of the duty.
Sir J. GRAHAM could not say that this conversation was
altogether uselets, becetve it was clear from the inquiry into
the naval estimates last year, that the Mmiralty did not
hold themselves responsible for the details of the manaTemeat
of harbours of refuge. On the contrary, as far as Fe appre-
hended, from rending the evidence of the miscellaneous com-
mittee, it appeared to him that the expenditure wee under
the more immediate control of the Treasury and of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer in particular.
_ _

---
Mr. GROGAN, in reference to the distribution of medals,
called attention to the services of those who had been
engaged in boat actions_

Lord J. RUSSELL paid that it was necessary to lay down
a rule, and if those rules were departed from, then every
man is the sersice of tho crown during the war might re-
ceive a medal. There was every desire to give these medals
in a manner to do justice to all.

Mr. HUME said that he had moved for a copy of the rules
and regulations ; end tr ked why they +err not Itti,l on the
table. The rule laid clt wn did not apply to the raw of tp.
Cape of Good Hope. All modish ofticers were reflood.

Lord J. RUSSELL said that the Duke of Wellinptou had
convinced him that it was impusible to establ.sh a ddierent
rule.

Mr. HUME observed that from wh t he had heard on the
subject, there wag no chr ek and prup,r elntrol, av irdended
and approved of by Lord Auckland. If Lord Auckland
made a survey, vby was there not a report made. It was
int.cuded that the house should have a permanent rccurd of
all these proceedongv.

Biz F. BARING said that he had made no alteration,
and it there wu any blame, it was not at his door.
The bill was thea read a third time and passed.

CUSTOMS BILL.
The above bill was read a third time and passed.
WORKHOUSE LOANS (IRELAND) BILL.
On the order of the day for the third reading of this bill,
Lord J. RUSSELL said be had intimated to an hoe.
friend that he would take the Lords' amendments on the
Irith Poor-law Amendment Bill into considers.ion that day,
hut he found himself obliged to postpone it until to-morrow
(this day) at 12 o'clock. To tome of these antenOments the
government were prepared to agree, and to Beam they
disagreed. The amendments were extensive and important;
and as they were connected with the prrsent bill, he thought
that it also had better stand over until to-morrow.

Sir J. GRAHAM hoped that, previous to the discus,ion,
the noble lord would place in the hands of members the al-
terations contemplate d by government.
Lord J. RUSSELL would do so with regard to the prin-
cipal amendments he meant to propose.
Bill postponed to this day at 12 o'clock.

TREASURY INSTRUMENTS BILL.
This bill was read a third time and pawed.

COMPOUND HOUSEHOLDERS BILL

Sir W. CLAY, in moving the second reading of this bill,
wild, be was Lorry to trouble the house with at y observa-
tions at that late 7period of the resion ; but it would give
groat satisfaction to a large body of liousohe'd.rs if the
house were to ratify the principle of relief a netodi i in the
bid. The question Icy in a nutshell, and with the permission
of the house he would shortly explain it. Hen. nemben
were aware that the new franchise created by the .It-form
Bill was given to householders ocrupyire tent tient 5 of e cer-
tain yearly value, having resided within the borough for
which they claimed to vote for six months, and having occu-
pied atonement for 12 months. The other coo dsion was that
they should have paid up all rates and taxes. The machinery
provided by the Reform Bill for carrying the principle into
effect was that the overseers of every parish were required to
make out a list of persone.occupying tenements of 10/ yearly
value, and who had paid their rates and taxis. From the
list so prepared the clerk of the peace made out the register
of votes. Now, in very many of the large parishes in Hog-
land, and especially in the metropolitan 'needles, there were
local acts empowering the palish officers to compound with
the °weer, of houses for the payment of rates; and this power
was very extensively acted upon. A deduction was allowed
of 25 per cent., and the consequence wee, that the owner of
60 or 100 small houses obtained no inconsiderable profit b
calling on his tenenta to pay him the full rate, while he had
a discount of 25percent. The only name in the rate- book was
that of the parson who paid the rate, and the consequence
was that for several years subsequent to the passing of the
reform bill, the occupiers of such houses known as com-
pound householder, had been completely disfranchised.
He was sure the house would agree with him in thinking
that such a state of things demanded a remedy ; and what
he proposed to de in his bill was to put the compound house-
holders on the same footing as the 40.. freeholders—tiant was
to say, to require from them only one claim for the
franchise, that being the requirement of the 37th section
of the Reform Act. All other persons being qualified
were placed on the register without their own act, but the
40s. freeholders In counties were obliged to make one claim.
lie could not conceive that there would be any objection to
the principle of this measure. Some of the machinery might
be thought clumsy, but he did not think that any one would
consent to keep from the franchise persocs who, both by
occupation and payment of rates, were entitled to it. (Hear.)
Mr. HENLEY was glad to see that this was no question
of the franchise, all were agreed as to the justice of the
principle. (Hear, hear.) But he objected to the machinery
as involving uncertainty in ascertaining who was and who
was not entitled to the franchise. The great object of de-
volving the duty of registration on the overseers was to
place the matter beyond the possibility of doubt or conten-
tion. He moved as an amendment that the bill be read
second time that day three months.

Lord J. RUSSELL agreed that this was not a question
of the franchise, but undoubtedly it was one of registration.
He could not assent to the proposition that it was not aam
requiring a remedy. (Hear, hear.) The Reform Bill gave
the right to vote to 101. householders, but in certain cote
they did not enjoy the right, owing to the fact of their rates
being paid by the landlord. The mode of ascertaining the
right was, as his noble friend had said, difficult and vexa-
tious, requiring many applications; and that certainly was
not what the Reform Bill intended. Now he (Lard J.
Russell) must say that, in his opinion, his hon friend hal
completely made nut his case. (Hear, hear.) He thought
that when a man had to go several times to the overseer to
ascertain whether his name was on the list, that constituted
a serious obstacle to his obtaining a vote. (Hear.
hear.) His hon. friend contemplated the security in-
tended by the Reform Bill by providing that the householder
should have paid his rates. (No, no.) The intention of the
Reform Bill was, certainly, that no person should be entitled
to vote who hail not paid his rates. (liein, hear.) He
should give his arsent to the second reading, merely on the
ground that there was a case requiring a remedy, but is
committee he should take care that the persons claiming to
be on the list should be liable to rate, and like every other
householder, should have paid his rate previous to his being
entitled to vote.

Mr. NEWDEGATE opposed the bill.
Mr. ROEBUCK appealed to the hon. mrmber for the
Tower Hamlets, not to delay the house by a division, which
could have no practical result.
Capt. PECHELL supported the bill.
Sir J. GRAHAM thought it would be a lamentable
waste of time, if the hon. baronet, the 'amber for the
Tower Hamlets, pressed his motion to a division. It driven
is a division, he (Sir J. Graham) shou:d certainly vote
against the bill. He wsa of opinion that the compound
householders were entitled to the franchise, and he agreed
that some remedy should be applied. (Hear, hear.) But
as he did not think the hon. baronet's bill the proper remedy
he must of necessity vote against it. (Cries of " With-
draw.")
Sir W. CLAY unwillingly consented to withdraw the bill
for the present, but would console himself with the Om*
aion which the aoble lord at the head of the government had
made as to the justice of its principle.
Bill withdrawn.

GENERAL BOARD OF HEALTH BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
INCLOSURE ACT (EXTENSION OF POWERS)
BILL.
Bill read a third time and passed.
LEASEHOLD TENURES OF LAND BILL.
This bill was read a third time.

On the the iillZpass,
Mr. DICKSON moved the following chum :
'Whereas some lands are held in Ireland by leases for a termer yen!
exceeding Ike hundred years, with • proviso or covenant costa=
therein, that three lives therein named should so long live, and ao

a aims sr ememet te resew Ohm three lhes from time to
doe the sit Ism et yam, without elan lee open
wede meeirel; mad vilerees swasdif sue Numb
▪ 2.lo,=nir wesedese, le it thavehre masted, by the
ethithrise MT Pleb team then math= lel hold toed
ass hese he the tag Wm of yap iwpwiow wow by nth
aimed of ray web isse ae to-the hem below deptadent on
memos gram of any Uwe 111101•1 tieds%R the mesealty et renew.
The BOLICITOII.I2IBNERAL opposed the dente. as not
eosin within the scope and *let at the MU. end, after
mew COOT. nation. it was withdraws.
Mr. HAMILTON moved tie lenertimi sof Ho Wowing
stevas :
and be k meseed. that la ere of We band sr mire Semi la
„„..gweep, where the weer et the Isms seethe earint.btheoZa n
giggly.* thelletikos hils de wile% arm b, so
War side wan the arm a thirteenths sr heir in awl teem
ahrtlurs.or wq ameted thieved be WNW and imidest frees
mow Yeses nee eat a simiswel. ea sew ken or valor lore
head
faet cowry se Ste ems meriV stall Is Meted err the owner
b the thew et rap Mil wile se
aster Meal Is motley seek mieseont R eratrast ae
agar le the emit court, by petition, in
ow▪
thaws as awatimodoed subject to the like pro.
vldeeamd OMAN that he is mast et the lease se wear kw" in
~,wwwaity Is mewl Mad, derived immediately from gash weendoe,
ajamtefre be, eh uld acquire the he at Medusa In each
"Nem bath, wider the providers et this set, rued.* to such (m-
--om met or mate as herein pre d; Tai web pea dos shall be
bow sod Melt with to like rasar,ari the rent., lace. km, and
yaws, deny, and the ise.llwas NM IR Mints be reeerved shall be
aneetialeed in like ssarair es berreishelbre prodded, with like power@
Ite ma naiades the st ether paths, sad a like report he
meg, with like opera wed eubjeet respemicethos nearly se may
es, le the precipices es \menthe.", emetalard, Mating to an
opplisstios sada Ms act by the owner eta Wee Is perpetuity.
lie HOLICITOR.OENHILAL admitted that lee vers-
ant, to the biU of last writs, bad wrillitt to err a
reciprocal power to the owner es the one Mad, as to the
Imre os the other, bat it woo net fband prudes) to carry it
fats effect. It would be ashen to hese the t 0... to maven
when, pettier", he might not bare the mem el raising the
smeary foods.
Mr. OROGAN hoped the Solieitor-Cinteral would prorates
bring is a bill sent mission to meet the d.fficulty.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL would give his best stun-'
clan to the subject, but could cot pledge himself to !Ling in
shill.
Sir W. SOMERVILLE observed, that though the bill
WINS once-sided as against the landlord, the renewal of lease-
hold tenses sew in Ireland was one-sided se spinet the
landlord, who was compelled to renew on the concision' laid
dews.
C.d. DUNNE supported the clause, and denied that the'
renewal of leasehold tenures was eimpulsory as against the
laridlord only.
Kr. GRATTAN suggested that the Solicitor-Genend
should insert words Is the present bill to meet the ease
stated. Tile present law of renewal was not one-sided, as
the right hoe. gentlemen (Sir W. Ikenereille) improved.
Mr. SIIEIL mid it appeared to !dm that there wu no
reciprocity in the law of nooses]. What his right hon.
friend had stated was perfectly correct ; the tenant could
compel the landlord to renew, bet the landlord could not
winuiel Kum tenant to renew.
• -

—Mr. GIUNTAN—You are quite wrong. (" Hear" sod •
limik.)
Ms. BliElL—That is only aissrtioo, but assertion is net

ORATTAN—It is a roe tkst lawyers differ in he-
ad so well as in England. (A laush.)
Et. DICKSON spoke in favour of the elm se.

-111 t A. FEROUiON bo2ed his hon. friend would with-

.-- -
Mr. HAMILTON consented to do to, and the chase wee
itbdraws eeceedi^Fh•
Se D. NORBEIS mo7ed the following proviso to
we 4:—

---
Pmviskvi always, that when any owner intermediate between the
finer °I the lowest estate in perpetuity nit the owner ot the reser-
WM in tee, -ball object t the intermediate rent Wong Increased by the
ma Cud on al an equivalent foe royalties, it •baR be lawful Ibr the
riser u: nab lowest estate In perpetuity to take a separate fee farm
greet of on to purchase Loa the reversioner in tee the right to work
the mow, minerals, and gunnies ot his estate, without requiting the
worst ot the Intermediate owner.

The SOLICITOR-MINERAL considered the proviso
maid masks much complication and difficulty. As the
bid Mood each a easel as that suggested might be provided
hy mead unsugemont.
The armadas/at was than negatived, and the bill was read
• third time and passed.
The Metropolitan Sewers BM was read a third time and
pared.
BANKRUPT LAW CONSOLIDATION BILL.

Oa eke a ution rorcenaidering theantenillents iOShIa bill,
Ms. ROEBUCK observed that by the 266th clause cer-
tain acts were set down is offences—there were nine of
tkem—and if the court—that was, a single judge—should be
of opinion that the bankrupt le,d been guilty of any one of
*bee. nine off nee% he might refuse :he certifizate, and then
all the debts proved under the commission became judgment
dem, sod any roe of the creditors might take the bankrupt
in execution end incarcerate him in • gaol ler • year, the
court having the power to 'cleave him withil that
time. had i.o objection to the court saying to bank-
rupt—. I belie,. you to have be en why of drstr..ying a
book, piper, or document fraudulently, and I will order the
assignee to institute a prosecution against you in the cri-
minal courts." They had made a proviso to this effect In
mother clause, and he moved that they do the same in
elars. 236.

The ATTOA.NET•GENERAL orposed the intendment,
and mid that with the exception of his hon. and le►rned
friend (Mr. Setback) the retention of the clause as it now
used had rewire.* the general support of the committee.

Mr. BERNAL from lamed that a mitedevous
gulaity attended the bi 1. It had come down from
the Muss of Lords at the eleventh hour, and ho-
nourable members were now suddenly called upon to
dtti.:e uu one of the m-st important measures connected
with the trading Interests of the country which could by
possibility he introdueed. In teeth, they were required,
within two i r three days of the termination of the session,
to consider the provisions of a massive which few of them
bad read. (near.)

Ili. PEEL mid that at present, upon the refuml of a cer-
tificate, the onsequences to a bankrupt were two-fold—
ikst, with respect to his property, and nest, with respect to
hie person His property pass. d at opts into the hands of
assif• mete, and his reason was liable to be taken in
sucation by any creditor who had chosen not to come
into the Barkruptey Court, but who had taken
eat emotion at law. AU debtors who came under
the bankruptcy set were burnt from proceedings at law,
whetter the certificates were or were not granted. The pre-
sent hill proposed to make every debt under the bankruptcy
a judtment debt; and the effect would be, upon the refusal
or suspension of the certificate, or withdrawal of protection,
to give the power to any creditor, or assignee acting on behalf
of the whole body of creditors, to put the bankrupt in prison.
The general effect of the clause would ho to limit the dims-
tile of the commissioners, whereas at present that discretion
was without control. The bill enumerated certain acts of
misconduct, and it then proceeded to enact that upon
satisfactory proof in evidence before the court of that
misconduct, the commissioners might refuse or suspend
the certificate; and upon that refusal or suspension the'
bankrupt would be liable to be put in prison. He believed
this alteration to be called for, because considerable dissatis-
faction was felt with the insufficiency of the percent bask.
ropey law to cheek acts of misconduct on the past of fradu.
loot bankrupts. He thought the creditor stood in
need cf protection in cues of fraudulent bankruptcy, and
that a cheek ought to be imposed on the uncer-
hauled bankrupt who again embarked in wade.
These were the principal objects for which the
power of imprboament for debt had been fat:educed into the
bin, and he believed it to he the method bed spas to objet-
her'. The leases lo bankruptcy aessuated te 10,000.0001.
annually ; and he should therefore support the clause be-
cause It would afford to the creditor that protection which he
required, and which late legislation had tended to take from
him.

Sir J. GRAHAM followed his hon. friend (Mr. Peel)
with plesmure and regret—pleasure that he should have
made so perspicuous a speech, and regret that the doe-
triro he had laid down was open to objection. The clues-
tint was whether the policy the house had recently adapted
in favour of the debtor within due and equitable limits
should now be materially changed, and whether they should
proceed now to arm creditors with some of the powers which
they had reason to believe might be exercised with undue
severity. It wee quite true that the offences enumerated
in clause 266 were, by the law, now indictable t bat the
real queedow was whether jurisdiction should he given to •
single Judge with respect to thee- offences, which might now
be panished by iadictment ? (Hear, hear.) it was wror
proposed to give the credi•or a double power over the
debtor—the same power which he now enjoyed crowd
his property, end Ikea a summary power affecting his
person. Now, he was obliged to say, for truth compelled
him to do sk that owing to the limited meant if their
telsry the ,Wre of the Bankruptcy Court Kali met be sap-
pored to ham eceupied the highest position at the her ; and
with respect to some of their altwmeteneea bed un-
fortunately arisen which ought to make the house somewhat
*refit in extending such a power to them. He entertaised
juat jealousy remitting the confusion of criminal sad civil
risdiction, and he was of opinion that it was MO expedient
that rote court of bankruptcy should have the double re-
medy against the person and property of the debtor, and that
n single judge, wiltout jury or bar, should mercies au exten-
sive • power. (Hear.)
Mr. HEADLA.M would not take upon himself the reepon-
sibdi.y of opposing the further progress of the measure, but
he was surprised to Sad it making so few alterations in the
existing law. He, however, could cot agree in the amend-
ment of the him. member for Sheffield.

Mr. HENLIZY said that the bill involved a principle
which, If adapted in themes of bankrupts, must be carried
farther, aad be would, therefore, vote for the amendment.
Mr. MA:MERMAN supported the clams as a pc
e
imovieisn againw fraud. If hon. gentlumen know as=
of trade and traders as he did, he was sure they would agree
with him in that opinion.

Mr. SPOONER was fully convinced of the necessity of a
reform in the law of bankruptcy ; but admitted himself in•
capable of coming to a satisfactory conclusion on the bill be-
fore them, and should only receive it on the high character of
those gentlemen who had devoted so much sttention to it in
the committee.

Kr. ROEBUCK declined to divide, and the clause was
agreed to.
On the mehaditle being proposed,
Mr. ROEBUCK moved the ommissicn of words which
empowered the commiseioner to affix his judgment to the
certificate.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed the amendment,
arguing that the contmiwioner had already the power to
iSin judgment in open court, where it might he reported ;
sad it would make the bankrupt more cautious, if that

tr 7

()!,,

=t should be made permanent, sad be more utile
these with whom he was afterwards to deal.
de 3. GRAHAM supported the motion foe the wands-
b
MITCHELL defended the proesedinp of the Dom-
efifftes, simonise that it had been framed beaus* the evils
of the lew - embed at such a point, that the commercial
blenels gibe gentry would materially suffer if these evils
wen Nee mondied. He denied that the measure was hastily
hen* leeward.
lk Z. GRAHAM inquired whether it was certain that ea
appeal was provided, for it did sot appear to be dada*
eleelleesa in terms
Tie ATTORNEY-GENERAL said his Minion ow-'I
Indy bed hen to give as appeal, and he *ought it erase
mipeemed in the bill. However, to rash* it nne mink ke
neeteld bent the esprees words.
Mr. WORLEY objected to the classifiestlea es amount of
lie TIVINSIMIS of the terms in which the dames were ar-
earred, sad stated that he should vote for the amendment.
Mr. SPOONER supported the clause as it stood, and it
was ultimately agreed to without • division.
The other clauses were also weed to, sad the bill was
said a third time and pawed.
ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION IN THE COLONIES
BILL.
This bill, as amended, was considered, read • third time,
and passed.
CEYLON.
Mr. 11. BAILLIE presented the report of the select um-
skim epos Ceylon.
Lord J. RUSSELL inquired whether the committee had
determined upon printing the evidence.
Mr. BAILLIE said they had determined not to print the
evidence.
Mr. HUME thought it highly important that the evi-
dence should be printed and laid before the house. He was of
spine" after the disturbances which had taken plat. in that
enemy, the proclamation of martial law (under which 18
pewee were tried and shot), and the banishment of name-
ens persons, that It was absolutely necessary that the er-
ameseasess should be inquired into bye emeeniesim on the
smite Theists. member was nuking some further °burn-
tins Win he was interrupted by
TM SPEAKER, who stated that the hon. member was
oat of order. The bringing up of the report was merely a
formal proceeding, and no discussion could take place
upon it.
Mr. HUME gave notice that he should to-morrow move
that the evidence taken before the committee be presented
le the house.
Mr. HAWES could not say ens word upon the debate;
bet he must caution the home against receiving the state-
ments of the hon. member fur &tunings, as representing the
real facts of the case, or as being concurred in by the majo-
rity of the committee.
Mr. BAILLIB gave notice that he 'Maki to-moran Oki
day) move that an humble address be peeseneed her
Majesty, praying her Majesty to appoint • cam aissioa to
esquire, upon the spot, into the recent elisturbaues in
Ceylon.
THE MAURITIUS.
Mr. HUME mon an edamss for copies er extracts of all
despatches or letters from Sir William Maynard Gcmm,
Governor of the Island of Mauritius and its dependencies,
wi.h copies of all petiiiens or memorials addrersed to her
Majesty or to pertinent, u well by the inhibitions of ,
Mauritius as by the Mauritius AMCIII6OII in London ; to-'!
gather with copies of all recent local laws passed by the
Governor and Council of Mauritius, and of the inerutions
and despatches to the present governor, Sir George William
Anderson, C. 8., and not yet laid before this house.
Mr. HAWES slid that he nuld not consent to the motion
in its present form. His hon. friend had batter confer with
him upon the subject and they might arrange the matter to-
getber. If the bun. member would withdraw his motion he
would undertake to place a return in hie hub which would
be satisfactory to him.
Mr. HUME then withdrew his motion.
ORANGE PROCESSIONS.
Mr. REYNOLDS moved for copies of any correspondence
between the government of Ireland and the civil and mili-
tary authorities of the county of Down. relating to proem
nem, pubic meetings, or armed assemblagrs of the people
on the 12th day of this instant July.
Viscount CASTLEItE.tGH appealed to the hon. gentle-
men not to press this motion, as it was calculated to foster
r.ligious animosities.
Sir G. GREY intimeted that the motion was one to which
be could not assent, as an inquiry was ccw going on into
the whole circumstances of the case.
Mr. REYNOLDS could not consent to withdrew his mo-
tion. Very recently an innocent Roman catholic had been
butchered in the county of Down, and the murderer had
been shielded by the authorities of the law. The very utmost
excitement prevailed in Ireland upon this subject. Mr.
Bear, the magietrato, who had been present assisting at the
butchery of the 12.11 of July, had since been present at a
dinner, presided ova. by the high sheriff of the county, at
which he made a speech rejoicing in the triumph they had
obtained on that day, which was stained only with " one
little blot, if iodeed he could call it a blot," and
yet those gentlemen remained in the commission of
the peen. Let it be remembered that her Majesty
was about to honour his country by a visit, and who
could say what might happen it the mass of lice
men catholic, believed that the late proceedings bad
been a wanton, malicious, sectarian, and party conspiracy
to der-rive the people of their lives. Unless the
question was now discussed, and a perfect under-
standing arrived at, that justice would be done,
it migh. lead to discord when every good Irishman wished
for nothing hut peace. Lord Roden was still a magistrate
et the county of Down—ho was still deputy-lieutenant of the
eounty ; and Mr. Here, who said that Dallybrae should
hereafter be called Kies William's Hill, was still a magis-
trate. Until sectarian ascendancy was put an end
to they never would have peace in Ireland. For
• violation of the law Mr. Smith O'Brien had been
transported ; fee writing seditious articles John Mitchel and
others had been tunsoortel for 10 years ; but he looked
upn these Orange murd re as more heinous than their
offence. He called upon the right hon. baronet to ascertain
whether these magistrates were prevent at an assembly which
was illegal. If it was so, these magistrates should be deprived
of their reitios, as some atonement to the survivors of those
who were murdered.
Mr. SCULLY seconded the motion.
Sir G. GREY had before stated the reasons why be felt it
aeciessary to oppose the production of these paper,. He
thought it would be most inexpedient to produce partial, and
perhaps not most correct, information. (Hear, hear) He
must also deprecate the discussion of this question, se one
from which no one good could arise. The Lord Lieutenant
had directed a thorough and searching inquiry to be made
tote all the circumstances connected with the lamentable M-
emento. The hon. gentleman called upon the government
here and in Ireland to act vigorously ; but if they acted in
conformity with his advice, they would he punishing the
people without investigation. Ile thought that the
Lord Lieutenant had acted with great judgment
and moderation, but not the lees &mums, in di-
recting an inquiry and committing it to a penes fully
competent to conduct the inquiry, and of whose etude sad
impartiality there could be no doubt. With respect to:a
quietism pat to him by the hon. member for Manchester he
stated be the morning what he now repeated, that the Lord
Leintement gen the report of the dinner in the
Dubin autttpeprld Sit it his duty immediately to obtain
correct lebnaniene with a view to such ulterior measures
se might result been inquiry. The hon. gentleman would
not c oedema the noble lord for satisfying himself by
inquiries as to the demanntances before betook hi measures.
Sir W. VERNIRpve the most unqualified contradiction
to every ens of tie statements of the hon. member for Dub-1
lia, is pe.eel tot elyal protestant amociatioes. His user-
tin that Oeigawea wlshed to alter the sueseesion to the
bone wee tee geMemptible to notice. Hi object in mov-
ies for returns, din to those moved for by lie hon. mese
her was to eat lie hens itt co
.either die ; that=
abutg =its:chime that the enl/8".711.as Istushen of
the page In Ireland were tie pea reheats. life modest was
in holdings to Yr. Reynolds' male for a copy of any coy-
between the 'evensongs( Ireland and the civil
=rllenill= authorities of the oeselly of Down, relating to
peemelmes, public meetings, or lensed assemblages of the
people, an the 12th day of this Instant July; for a similar
Mars of say correspondence relating to • procession at
01111.Pri In all soosty of Down, oe the 17th day of March
Yes; ane ales der meeting and preemies which took plies
nee the Wen of Ready, en the county of Armagh, in the
attenuate( numb the 28th day of June last, or early in
the stressing of Friday, the 29th ; but after what had been
stated by the Secretary of State for the Home Departmeut,
he did not feel Juni/lee in perseurieg In the modem, ami
therefore begged leave to withdraw it.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said that the appeal which tad
been made to him by his hon. and gallant hand had takes
him by surprise. One word as to the totality of thole pro-
mediae. He asked why, if they were illegal, the fact was
tot basovered on the 17th March last, when the Lord
Lieutenant, by 'simple proclamation, might have dimmed
all the parties concerned He repeated his opinion, that
further discussion should be suspended until the results of
the judicial investigation were before the house.
Mr. SCULLY said that this unfortunate affair had caused
great excitement not only in Dublin, but all through the
south of Ireland, mad might be the cause of worse disasten
hereafter if justice were not fairly dealt out. lie quite
agreed with the noble lord opposite that government might
have prevented the catastrophe by a proclamation or the
same promptitude as had been displayed in the cases of the
magistrates dismissed for attending a repeal meeting.
(Hear, hear.) He should consent to hie hon. friend's with-
drawing the motion on conditioa that after the inquiry all
correspondence with the civil and military authorities should
be laid before the house.
Lord CASTLEREAGH explained.
Mr. G. A. HAMILTON deprecated further discussion
until the results of the inquiry were before the house.
Speeches in that,beinse could only add to the exasperation
already exiseipseettreland.
Mr. H. GEATTAN exculpated Lord Roden from any
inclination to produce collisions between different classes o
the people. He believed that if his lordship wale have fore-
seen the late lamentable affair, he would never have con-
sented to receive:the proemial. (Hear, hear.)
Capt. ARCHDALL reminded the house that while hon.
numbers talked of bands of armed Orangemen, they forgot
that the opposite party were armed also, and wero the
attacking party.
Mr. REYNOLDS consented to withdraw his motion,
believing that the matter was perfectly safe is the hands of
Lord Clarendon. He was, however, still of opinion that the
magistrates should be dismissed at once, and that Lord
Roden should be written to, and if his assent were not mei-

factory that he should be at ones superseded. With refe-
rence is the dinner at Downpatrick baring se ennui=
with the affair at Dolly's Bras, he bend to say that at the
dinner Mr. Beira pointedly alluded to the transaction. and
said that for the future the place should be called Mug
William's Brill. (Hear, hear.)

Loud NAAS wished to mail, one remark. la 1836, when
aTameat wished the orange lodges to be dissolved, Lord
Roden took upm himself all the odium of advising them to
separate. (Hear, hear.) Ho (Lord Nam) believed that ii
was mainly owing to Lord Rodeo's ens nuns that they war.
dissolved at that time. Since then his lordship had done
everything to discourage party pros:endow. (Hear.)
Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL was not anxious for precipitation
in this matter. In his opinion government should act de-
liberately, co that anything they might do should wear to
every one in Ireland the appearance of justice, and not Yin-
dietivenem—Motion by leave withdrawn.
The house adjourned ate quarter to eight o'clook.

Cite erpreni.

OUTGOING MAILS.

Mails far tbritlsh North America mad the United States wM he
made up this swain.
The West India Nails, including Bermuda, Harass, NMI%
dooduns, New Orleans, and Kauko, and excluding those foe
Madeira, M. Jasn.do.Nlearagua. New Granada, Lnill„ and Pent, wilt
he made up on the lad of August.
The sulk for Madeira, the Marla, and Buenos Ayres, willbe made
apes the eth of August.
TL mails foe Vino, Oporto, Lisbon, Waders, Udla, and
will to made up cc the 7th of August.
The mails, cis Marseilles, to the Malltarrareen, Egypt, Ceylon.
ladle, Bong-Kong, am., will be made up ea the evade( of the 7th
August.
Ise mails tee Gibraltez, Mall., Grime, the lonian Wanda, Left.
Ceylon, ladle, sad Chins. Ms wmthaayton, will be made up an
the morning of the Beth of Anima.

MOM WiTEk AT LOWDON alltDol.
Turn 74,-4/.4.4.6, W. gen 7: 40 NIL. Mt 7
TO NAL•••• /lambs,. • al. poet 4; Aftemosa. ala. poi Ix

LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 27.

THERE are two objects which every liberal mind,
in extending its views and its anxiety to the events
of Europe, mutt consider the first things to be de-
sired and sought. These are peace and progress. It
is impossible not to see how closely they are wedded
together, and how much war passions, war ex-
penses, together with the prevalence of those men and
that i,,Ouence which war throws uppermost, tend t
retard progress, and prolong a state of irritation, if
not of war, of what is as bad, a permanent prepara-
tion for war.

Peace. commerce, economy, under any regime, I
which brows a certain amount of freedom to action I
and to thought, create a class of men, and of ideas, I
and of necessities, which constitute liberal develop- '
meat. If raters have either wisdom or humanity, I
they will not run counter to it. If they
do, it is impos-ible to prevent, one day or other,
an outburst of the minds and wills of men, 1
compressed beyond human tolerance. The mental I
energy of man is an element, like water or the air we
breathe. And however simple or indiscernible in its 1
natural state, it will 0111 'de and overcome any force '
ignorantly employed to compress it.
One nation gets the start of another in its liberal
development. And if the nations that are lagging
behind in barbarism take their own ignorance to be
wisdom, and would make use of the brute force of
their passive subjects to repress and keep down the
development and the liberty of neighbours more
enlightened, more advanced, and more in want of
free movement than they, then comes the war of intel. '
ligence against brutality, of the wants and rights of
millions of thinking men against the stupid prejudices
of one dupe: in command of some thousand mili-
tary machines. Self-defence of the free and
enlightened against ignorance and fore'gn despotitim is
the most sacred right of huminity. It was the right
of the Athenians at Marathon, of the Swiss at
Nforgarten and at Montt, of the, French in the
Ardennes, of the Poles at Warsaw.
There is no Peace Society in the world that would
recommend the citizen to stretch forth his throat and
hi. purse to the murderer and the robber. That is
nst the creed of any rational partisan of peace. His
creed is, on the contrary, that each country should
be the judge of its own progress and
necessities—that one nation should not consti-
tute itself the judge of another nation's
necessities. The world, even the world of courts,
has made adaances. No prince or minister now
makes conquest his principle, and avows it. They
merely wield the sword to make their influence pre-
dominant, and remove from even their vicinity the
danger of parties and doctrines hostile to them.
France, republican itself, will not tolerate repub-
lic inism at Rome. It re sista ultra-demlcracy wish
bayonets, instead of allowing ultra-dem Tracy to did
of its own impracticability. With precisey the same
reasoning Austria will not sae r constitutional go-
vernment in any contact with it. And Russia, again,
sets its face and its armies against administrative re-
forms, consultative chambers, or even enlightened des-
potism. A century ago Europe was full of wars, arising
from sovereigns seeking tomb each other. Toe pre-
sent century is full of wars, arising from sovereigns
dreading the nature and example of other sovereigns'
government.
This new mania, the great cause of war at the pre.
sent time, it is the great duty and purpose of the
Peace ociety, if we rightly understand its
aim, to combat. There is no scene, no spot,
which it could choose more aptly for the
combatting of this principle than Paris. The
French have more strenuously and more successfully
than any country fought for the great right to manage
their own affairs, to make revolutions when they pleased,
and counter-revolutions when they pleased. The thing
to be desired is that France would set the example of
allowing other countries that liberty which it has
conquered and exercised itself. It may not approve
what is doing in Rome, or in Madrid, or in Vienna.
But that it should employ merely moral means
to combat bad tendencies and encourage good, that
is what the Peace Society will recommend France.
It need not preach against the spirit of conquest, for
that no longer exists. What tt has to prove is the
inutility and injustice of intervention.
The way, however, to disprove and discredit inter-
vention, is not to adopt it oneself, or to go to war to
prevent intervention. In that beautiful pamphlet of
M. Dc COHMENIN upon Italy, which the Peace Society
ought to translate and reprint, the French writer up-
holds non-intervention as the great principle of
modern civilisation.
" People ask me," he says, " where is the guarantee
of non-intervention, or who is to furnish the means
and the power of making it be respected? Fear not,"
adds Da CORMENIN " establish the principle first,
and the guarantee will follow ; that guarantee will be
in the adhesion and acclamation of every people." ,

The world may be divided into the warring classes
and the non-warring classes. The latter are to the
former as twenty to one in fact, as an hundred to one
in will. The Peace Society addresses the non-war-
ring cleans, and demands their voice and support to
keep down the instinls and the passions of the war-
ring classes. It would disprove their theory, show
the futility of their aims, and the cruelty and in-
justice of their means. Who does not see that the
great strife of Europe at present is a strife of ideas, and
that bad ideas are best discredited by letting them dis-
prove themselves? What has killed socialism? Certainly
not CAVAIONAC Of CHANOARNIEZ, but the socialists.
It socialism survive, it will be owing to the military
extinguisher which, instead of acting as en extin-
guisher, will act as a guardian and preserver. By
putting down Hungary, Russia shakes her cherished
despotic principle more by the effort, than she
strengthens it by the conquest.
Mr. COBDEN denounces the Russian invasion of '
Hungary as a nefarious act. The old school politicians
construe this int* a recommendation to go to war with
Russia. It is quite the contrary : it is the use of moral
condemnation, as quite sufficient to attain its end without
recurring to mortal combat. Mr. COBDEN discredits
and disproves that gigantic power of Russia, with
which our absolutists would awe the world. Is that
a provocation to war P —no, it is advice tone, to preserve
equanimity, and neither to crouch to Russia as
omnipotent, nor to rush to war with Russia in
dread of that omnipotence, bat to regard and to
treat her as we do the other European powers,
reprobating their evil acts, and applauding their
good. War is in general the result of one or two base
passions—fear or cupidity. Mr. COBDEN has long em-
ployed his pen and tongue in combating that undue
rm. of Russia, which at one time was near hurrying
us into war, and which has now bowed down too
many of us into servility. We will not go to war
with Russia for Hungary, but merely tell her
that she is committing a bus and an imp°-
, litic act in extinguishing the old constitution
of a free and an orderly people. We wish the Hun-
, garians success in their "sacred tear of defence." But
• the war that is sacred for them to carry on would be