The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-16 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL RAILWAYS:.

General GASCOVNi.: presented a petition from the .Mayor,
sheriffs, and (onfmon Council of the city of Liverpool against
parts of the Liverpool and Mancheater Railway Bill. The part of
which they principally complained was the elongation of the line
of road, 480 yards beyond that which was hid down in the original
plan. This elongation of line interfered with the building.' of the
Corporation, and they therefore prayed that they might be heard
by Counsel and Agents before the Committee against each part of
the Bill as affected them.

Lord STANLEY wished that the lion. Menthrr would point
out what parts precisely the petitioners complained of.
General (lASCOYNE was at a loss to know what parts they
had complained oldie he had not pointed out. He had distinctly
stated them to be the elongation of the line of road beyond the
original plan, and tire interference with the property of the Cor-
porat ion.
Alice a few words from Lord STANLEY in explanation, the
petition was referred to tire Committez.
The Alliance Assurance Contany Bill was read a third time,
and passtd.
GAS COM PA N ER.

Alderman BRIDGES presented a petition from the Gits-light
and Coke Company against the Oil Gas Company Bill.—Ordered
to lie on the table.

EQUITABLE LOAN BANK BILL.
Dr. LUSH I GTON presented a petition from Limehouse in
favour of the Equitable Loan Bank Bill.
IRISH PROVINCIAL BANKS.

Mr. V. FITROERALD presented a petition from the Grand
Jury and 111agistraey of the count/ of Clare, in favour of the
establishment of Provincial Banks in Ireland. The petition was
numerously and respectably signed : the petitioners prayed that the
Bill on this subject now before the House might pass into a law.
Mr. S. RICE brought up the Report of the Committee on the
petition tar the establishment of Provincial Banks, and introduced
a Bill for carrying into effect the object of the petitioners, which
was read a first time.

3lr. DA IVSON presented a petition from certain Noblemen and
Gentlemen in the North of Ireland, praying for the establishment
of Provincial Banks.—Ordered to lie on the table.
RESTRICTIONS ON THAI/E.

Mr. DAWSON presented a petition, most respectably signed
by several merchants and traders in the Nonlt of Ireland, pray-
ing for a removal of all the restrictions of trade on the Inter-
course between England and Ireland. The petitioners pointed out
various instances in which these restrictions operated to their in-
jury. Among other ca..ea they stated that the duty on coals im-
ported into Ireland caused the mantititcuires, for the production of
which coals were necessary, to be precluded from a fair competition;
they were every where under-sold. In even other department of
nianufsetur,s they were liable to great inconvenience, and thcre-
fore they prayed tor the removal of all restrictions on trade that at
present affected the freedom of intercourse between the two coun-
tries. (Hear, Gear.}.—Ordered to be printed.
SCOTCH JUDICATURE.

Mr. MACKENZIE presented a petition from the county of
Roes in favour of extendirg the powers of Justices under the
Small Debtors' Act, and a petition from the same place praying
for certain amendments in the Scotch Judicature Bill.
ASSESSED TAXES.

Mr. H. DAVIS presented a petition from All Saints, in Brat.
to!, for the repeal of the House and Window Tax.
CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.

Lord PAL3IEBSTON presented a petition from the University
of Cambridge, praying that the Bill about to be introduced for the
relief of the Roman Catholics might not pass into a law. The pe-
titioners expressed anxiety at the renewed efforts which were re-
cently made to carry this measure; and they stated that they
remained of the same opinions which they had formerle expressed
upon it. The 7 wire strengthened in these opinions by the language
of Roman Catholics both in this and in other countries, which
showed the principles of the Catholics to be hostile to civil and reli-
gious liberty. They further stated their apprehensions that, if
what they now asked for was conceded, the concession would only
induce them to make fresh demands. and look to ulterior measures,
which, though not disclosed, would lead to an endeavour to effect a
change in the constitution of the Established Church. They parti-
cularly prayed the House would not entertain the proposition for
admitting the Boman Catholics into the great council of the nation.
Mr. W. BA N KES, though unwilling to Interrupt the progress
of private business, was yet desirous of briefly occupying the atten-
tion of the House oa the petition introduced by his noble colleague.
It was signed by a large portion of that body from which it ems.
nated. Ile wan the more anxious of calling the attention of the
House to this petition, ax the absence of petitions against the mea-
sure of emancipation had been relied upon by the friends of that
measure, as an argument to show that a change had taken place in
the sentiments of the people of' this country on this question. At
that time he knew that this petition was in preparation and pro-
' grass; and the reason it was not sooner presented was not from in-
difference on the part of the petitioners. but in consequence of the
shortness of the interval between the period of giving notice of the
question and introducing it before the llonse. The present Vice-
: thancelior of the Univer'ity was not a clergyman—this, though
sniewhat unusual in universi y officers, appeared to him a matter
1 of little consequence; kut he noticed the circumstance of his not
being a clergyman, as he observed both here and elsewhere a sys-
tematic sealing evinced towards the petitions and representations of
the clergy on this measure. They were a large body; and were they so
ignorant or ill-infomed a body, as not to then a correct opinion ? '
When the members of the Church themselves are the parties con-
cerned, there seems to exist a disposition in some quarters to deny
them a hearing ; but is this consistent ? do we deal so in other
reser? shall we say to the clergy, you are to be silent on the sub.
jeer that concerto, you most nearly, yet all other men in similar cir-
cumstances are to obtain a full hearing? Every class in society
I should unlimitedly imams the right of petition; but if one elass
more than another were entitled to special advantages of this nature,
that class was the clergy—the every other profession and body of indi-
viduals in the State had its that House some Member of their own
class to speak their sentiments and assert their rights. There were
in that House merchants, gentlemen of the army, the nary, the
bar, and he might say of all classes, except the clergy. They pre-
sent the same anomaly that the state of the Catholics does ; they
have no member of their own body in the !louse, and is that a rea-
son that their petition. when respectfully worded, should be
scoffed and %corned at. while that of the Roman Catholics is re-
ceived with attention ? Is this wise ?—is it just ?—is it politic ?
Are they the only petitioners who are to he flouted and discoun.
tenanced, although the petition of a ditKrent—he would not say an
adverse—(:Lurch experienced every consideration and respect ? He
implored the House to deliberate maturely before the Bill to be in-
troduced passed through any of its rages ; before they grant, as it
is stated, this unqualified emancipation ; befote they take that
ulterior step which he feared was calculated to ?hate our Church
Establishment, and endanger our political institutions ; before we
admit the influence of that body, one of whose objects is to share
the dignities of our Prelates.
Mr. HUME rose to deny the charge of scoffing thrown out by
the Honourable Member opposite. He never could he supposed to
hare said that the clergy ought not to be heard.. It would be ab-
surd to imagine that he and other', in that House professing liberal
sentiments could be considered adverse to 4117 party being heard.
If the Honourable (lender:tan did mg understand him he would
explain what he had said. Ile expressed regret that the clergy
should persist in the indulgence of prejudice,' against their fellow.
men professing a different creed. He had long and frequently re-
gretted to find the clergy a century behind the rest of the commu-
Rite in that liberality of sentiment and Christian charity which
ought to be their distinguishing characteristic. There was no
grimed whatever for the accusation made on the other side, but it
was very easy for Honourable Oentlemen, having raised a phantom
of their own creation, to come down to that House and spend time
in demolishing it. For his part he had throgghout done 110 more
than expressed regret that in the present enlightened state of society
the clito of the Established Church should be found opposing

A

themselves to the just claims of the Catholics; nevertheless, he
wolikl not at any time have expressed objections to their being
heard.
Mr. BA NKES explained. He did not mean to apply his obser-
vations personally to Mr. Hume; but he repeated that on other oc-
casions when petitions were presented front the clergy, they
were sneered at and treated with indifference and disrespect.
Mr. C. IVILSON supported the prayer of the petition, and
spoke in the highest term% of the character of the clergy, desig-
nating them as the guardians of our religious rights.
Air. S. RICE, as having been a member of the University of
Cambridge, took occasion to observe, that though the petition was
entitled to every respect, there were very many at the meeting
whence it emanated who altogether dissented from the matter of its
prayer, and lie knew some of the most respected and popular
members of the University to be included antor.gst the dissentients.
It was natural that when the Catholic clergy came to that f!ouse
petitioning for their rights, they should experience a reception dif-
ferent front those who petitioned tint for their own rights but
' against the rights of others. lie could not agrte with the assertion
that the clergy were the guardians of our religious rights. That
•as rather a Popish than a Protestant sentiment, for in this coun-
try every man was the judge of his own religious rights. Atter
apologising fur trespassing upon the attention of the House, he
concluded by saying that lie wished to record the tact that many
respectable member% of the University were opposed to the prayer
of the petition.
Mr. /A LAKES admitted the statement of the Hon. Member who
spoke last.
Alr. C. PEI.H.AM said a few words not audible in the gallery.
Mr. C. WILSON, in explanation, said, that he had not called
the clergy the only guardians of our religious rights, but he con-
sidered them the best. . . .

Air. CHOKER presented some papers which had been ordered
by the House.
WASTE LANDS IN CANADA.
Mr. W. HORTI)N, alter a few words, of which hr.! little wu
audible in the gallery, moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the
sale and improvement of waste lands in the province of Um- er
Canada. . .

A MEMBER, whose name we could not learn, expressed a hope
that roinjury would be dune to the Indian tribes.
Mr. W. HORTON assured him that their rights should be •
respected.
Mr. HUME did not rise to object to the principle of the
measure. Fire years ago he had himself broached the subject, but
he was not then strengthened by the official information which bad
since come into his ion. The measure now proposed for the
settlement of the colony ought to have been brought forward long
since, and the colonial department of our Government was highly
to blame for having delayed it so long. In the years 1817, 1818,
1019, and lON, about 40,000 emigrants were sent from this
country—at least 39,180 arrived. They were sent from this
country in a time of great public distress, and niany of them were
obliged to go to the rained States in search of what ought to have
been supplied to thew' in our own colony ; for although land vas
offered to than, yet it was in a situation so remote from society as to
make the ofer altogether nugatory. Of the number who went out
only 180 families settled on crown lands. If the Bill shall hare for
its object a proper settlement of those lands, it will remove the
system of mismar.agentein which has hitherto prevailed there.
Ile could not--no man ought to be silent when an opportunity of..
feted for noticing the conduct of the Colonial Departanent, fur
none demanded it more; and if he had to address a reformed
House, be should feel ft his ditty to move the impeachment of the
Noble bind at the head of that department, and to propose an
Address to the Crown, praying his removal from office. His
grounds of clinpla;nt were not confined to cataada, or the Cape of
Good Hope, or the lonian Islands, for in other Colonies as well
as in these, mal-administration prevailed. If the Honourable
Gentleman opposite had it in his power to say anything in vindi-
cation let him do so. %Vheti he (Mr. Hume) thought of what
was going on in the Cape of Good Hope, he could not remain
quiet, especially so long as the Nuble Lord at the head of the Co-
lorist Department sits still, and allows British subjects to endure
the tyranny of being liable to transportation to Botany Bay, by
decisions made in disacconlance with the princilaks of freedom. He
really fit that if he could do en it would be effecting a great object
to prevail upon the House to address the Crown, baying for the
removal of the Noble Lord front the office which he had so long
and KO inefficiently tilled. The Howie would scarcely believe the
amount of fees charged upon grants of land in Canada. kitty acres
were said to be given gratis, but such was not the fact; thirty
pound; was charged for two hundred acres, and in that proportion
for larger qnantities. This sum, though small for English land,
was considerable when charged for land in Canada. Why not
adopt the system pastimed in the United States? He was aware
that a reduction in this particular had taken place, but be asked
why had such an abuse ever existed ? If they expected the Colony
to pay its own expenses they should relieve it from all such oppres-
sion. Before he sat down lie wished to inquire if it was intended
to give a too •opoly to those who were to get possession of the land,
so as that they inielit afterwards dole it out as they thought proper
to the settlers? Such a course would as much have the effect of in-
juring the Colony as the vices of the former system of Govan-
meet. He wished to know whether all the rights reserved by the
Crown and the Clergy were to be transferred ?
Mr. BA R IN!) was desirous of learning (se we understood)
whether this was an act framed for the purpose of giving the neces-
sary encouragement to colonisation, or whether it was not rather a
mode of conferring power upon the Crown to receive money from •
Joint Stock Company to be formed in pursuance for the purchase
of the waste lands of Canada ?
Mr. FITZGERALD had sat on the Committee in which the
questions now before the House, and our ge teral Colonial policy,
were subjects of consideration, and thought himself ernitled elssay
the documents, papers, and proceedings of that Committee went to
prove the great improvements which had taken place in our
Cadonial possessions. He believed there existed a correspondent
degree of gratitude in the minds of the settlers who were made the
subject of those regulations. Ile could answer for it, that the in-
dividuals who had emigrated in tl e Canada, from the south of
Ireland felt the warmest gratitude to Govetn.nent for the beneth e :t
and prudent measures adopted for their advantage. They had re-
ceived every facility and furtherance in their intentions, and art
agent had been employed to place them in comfort in their severs.'
settlements. It would be incorrect to say it was the intention s f
the Colonial Department of his 3lajesty's Government to introduce
an improved system into our Colonial policy ; fur that system ens
already in operation, and bad been acted upon this a considerable
time.

lIIr. GORDON could not understand what right the Honour.
able Member for Montrose had to make use of such harsh and
strong language as he had that night adopted towards the conduct
of the Noble Lord at the head of the Colonial Department. lf evcral
reasons might be adduced and numerous causes assigned as maul-
ing the progress of improvement in our Colon.es. Among the rest,
none was more prominent than want of capital, and its judicious
direction towards jects of improvement. But now, at least, it
must be allowed that a different c ease was to be pursued. And
lie did think the language V the Honourable illionhee particularly
inopportune and uncalled-for at Lie present liniment. It was
manifestly unjust to blame the Noble Earl (Bathurst) solely for
appointments which had been made by hint in concurrerce with
the rest of his Majesty's Govemmet t. The Honourable '3leinber
had demanded the rccal of Lord Charles Somerset from the Cape
of Good Hope. If the Noble Lord were not recalled, and any
blame attached on that account, surely the rest of the Cabinet
were equally culpable with the Noble Larl. Ile had been in.
formed, and he partly believed, that it was formerly the practice of
noblemen and persons of rank and influence, when they wanted to
get rid of an individual or provide for him, to send him out to she
Colonies. (A laugh.) That practice did not now prevail ; and, as
he understood, an entire alteration had taken place in the system
of our Colonial Policy in that as well as in other respects.
Mr. BRIGHT thought it absolutely necessary, looking to the
present state of our Canadian possessims, to in: ease the popula-
tion and improve the situation of those colonies. He thought, as
a matter of right and courtesy, that the present plan should be
submitted to the consideration of the persona Lest calculated, from
local knowledge, to form a conclusive judg.nent upou its utility.
It was very doubtful whether the House, at the present moment,
possessed sufficient information respecting that wild and extensise
tract of country, to legislate for it with advantage. It would fol-
low as a matter of course upon the incorporation of the pmposcd
Company, that from their large capital and extensive influence
they would naturally obtain all the choice lands of the country.
He would not pretend to say what were to be the effects of this
monopoly, but lie feared they would prove unfavJurable to a plan
of extensive colonisatior. The House were left completely in the
dark upon many subjects come ed with the intended Bill ;
among the rest, he was not aware whether the measure was in-
tended to apply to Upper or Lower Canada. How, he would ask,
was the 20,0001., which Government would receive front the Com-
pany annually, for a period of I f een years, to be applied? it
was said it was to be devoted to colonial purposes; that was a
vague method of accounting for its application ; but he trusted it
might be employed in the encot rigement of emigration, and in
affieding proper advantages to the settlers.
Mr. A. BA RING said it was important to look well into the
whole of our conduct towards the Canticles. and also to weigh our
future pole aid its cons q uences, ; r :viously to the adoption of r.
fresh measures. This was our only remaining colony in tu .t
quarter of the world, and its situation wax in every teepect a n.ost
singular true. From its local situation, its great distance hum tie
Mother Country, aid its proximity to what might soon be a hostile
neighbour of great power and resources, it must be admitted by
every person who thought upon the subject that it was extremely
unlikely to remain al ays a colony to this country. It was also a
dictum of sound policy, that one country was nut, in the nature of
things, destined to remain long a colony to another, when boat
supplied identical productions. Now this was the case with Canada
and Great Britain. That colony is not only placed in that situa-
thin, but Gentlemen would do well to castanet its geotriphical
situation. It was a narrow strip of land. ex:ending I,SOO utiles in
length, and exposed, from its local situation, to the effbrts of a
most powerful and ambitious people. Color those circumstances,
he confessed, if it were not too bold a question, he would submit
to his Majesty's Ministers, whether that colony had not &Ina le
arrived at that period of maturity, when it might be proper to art
it npon its own legs, and so place it in a situ ultra to defend itself ?
'hether such a line of proceeding were to be adopted or not, it would
at least be well to exhibit a degree of friendly feeling and lit e ;to.
licy towards our colonies, and show a disposition to treat them as an
indulgent parent. If we did intend to continue our present line of
conduct, and persist in treating those countries as Colonies in op-
position to the whole weight and evidence of history and hunt=
character, we must take care to have the hearts of the people not
merely not against us, but enthusiastically with us in our attempt.
And how could that desirable object be so well effected as by tbe
conduct he had pointed out to the House. and the equal estenstoo
of commercial advantages to that part of the erapi:e? It' tlus ware

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done, and due encouragement given to the increase of the populations entered into by the Government with the Companies, it would
two of the country by affording proper facilities to emigrants and be but fair that copies of the agreements, if any, should be laid be-
settlers, they might be rendered competent to def...od themselves, at fore the House. Ile wished also to know, whether these Conipa•
least for some time. But if such measures were not adopted, lie nice were to be incorporated for purposes beyond that of merely
would take upon himself to say, ten years will not have passed enabling them to sue and be sued by their secretary or some other
with tit effecting a mighty change in the relative situations of the official person. If this were intended to be the ease, he considered
two countries. (Hear.) At all crews, if we were not prepared to it to he Int.unabent on that House to watch the provision., of any
relinquish our claims upon Canada as a colony, it was but right, Bill that might be introduced for such an object very narrowly. I.
and fur mutunl advantage, that we should strengthen the fouuda- Mr. HORTON replied in a tone almost inaudible, but we un- '
Lions on which it stood, and enable it to proud itstlf. The prin. derstood him to say, that it wsp intended to incorporate the Com-
cull,' object of the Bill which the Honourable the Under Secretary panics.
fur the Colonial Ikrpartment sought to introduce to the House, asp- The motion was then put, and leaveytiven to bring in the Bill.
p... - red to be to creates Company for the mit:ll4omm' of the untie- REGULATION OF BA Nkri IN IRELAND.
copied howls of the eulogies. Every thing now-a-days was to be I Mir GEORGE HILL observed, that the measure he hoped to
h. a _fitint fitnelr I •nnlrmelv has. the. hnnn....,. L., tr