The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-07 00:00:00

within the Belgian territory, the case containing 500
copies of a contraband pamphlet called La Verde des
Evenemens des Mois de Decembre, and also 500 copies of
the Bulletin Francais, a journal published in Belgium,
but suppressed by the Government. The editor of
the latter journal had been tried and acquitted,
on a charge of writing seditious articles, and of course
Mr. Jeff had a legal remedy at law against the Belgian
Government, which would compel her Majesty's Go-
vernment to interfere and see justice done if that remedy
were denied. The seizure took place under an old law
which was made in the time of King William.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL called for some explanation
of the abrupt manner in which the adjournment of the
House had been moved to-night.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
was moved and carried without his knowledge before ho
came down to the House.
Lord J. RUSSELL wished to know if it was intended
to adopt his suggestion of devoting Thursdays to orders
of the day ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would
consider that matter during the holidays. He had an
objection to giving up the Thursday fur the purpose,
but he would sea if some arrangement could not be come
to with the view of expediting the dispatch of
public business, which should be agreeable to all parties.
NOTICES OF MOTION.
Sir DE LACY EVANS gave notice that early after
Easter he should move for leave to bring in a Bill to
amend the Vestry Act.
Sir B. HALL gave notice that early after Easter his
Hon. Friend Mr. Horaman would call the attention of
the House to the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Bennett
to the living of Fronee.
Mr. CHRISTOPHER gave notice that early after
Easter Col. Sibthorp would move for leave to bring in
a Bill to enable candidates for counties to give their
supporters refreshment to the extent of 2.a. 6d., if they
thought proper.—(Oh, oh.)
METROPOLITAN INTERMENT ACT.
Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE wished to ask the Se-
cretary of State, if he had received from the General
Board of Health the annual report relating to the pro-
ceedings of that board, under the Act intituled, "An
Act to make better provision for the Interment of the
Dead in and near the Metropolis;" if so, when he re-
ceived it, and when it is likely to be in the hands of
Members.
Mr. WALPOLE said the report had been received,
and it was his intention to lay it on the table, though it
was defective on one point.
MILITIA BILL.
Sir DE LACY EVANS wished to ask a question with
regard to the Militia Bill. He did not find any chime
in it with reference to substitutes and the amount to be
paid for exemption from service. Perhaps this was left
in the same state as it was under former Acts?
Mr. WALPOLE—Those matters are left exactly as
they were in the former Acts.
Sir DE LACY EVANS said the Bill was not at all
a consolidation of the law.
Mr. WALPOLE contended that it was, as the last
clause contained all such points of the existing Acts as
were not expressly repealed.
COURTS OF LAW.
Mr. HEADLA2.I wished to ask whether there was any
intention on the part of the Government to allow any
public money to be expended in providing new Courts at
Westminster.
Lord JOHN MANNERS said temporary courts had
been erected for the use of the Vice-Chancellors, which
would be ready at the beginning of the next term, but
this would in. no way dispose of the question as to
whether the courts should remain or be removed from
Westminster Hall. Upon that point the Government
were not yet preparGesdootNLo
Dgbievgle4glaeNdn yE
toSo pp. Colonel THOLlPionsitopiOn e to the 19th
instant his motion which stood for that evening in refer-
possible eeor
,whether leas
thehileitoEhfleNßr
Ihswe
IRISH
swouldh Ae increasingdp v A ADVANCES.
CE s . production of
eece to the adoption of measures' to guard against the
the gold
mines upon the holders of the national securities."
•
ExScihreLqu.to ask sikustthifieeCathtahnecrzeleloprayoraf the
t
ofAdv.,atnimeees, AinctrselAcamsigenndment Bill having been read a
second
the moneys which have been
retained in the hands of the treasurers of the Poor-lave
Unions, to await the fate of this Bill, after the exainple
of what was done by the Prime Minister in the case of
the Rate in Aid, when the TrZ5SUry advanced 100,0001.
on the faith of that Bill, after its second reading.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could
hold out no such hope as that which the Hon. Baronet
asked for.
Mr. CLEMENTS wanted to know when the Repay-
ment of Advances Bill was to be proceeded with?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
hat: already been arranged that the Bill should not be
brought on until after Easter.
LOSS OF THE BIRKENHEAD.
Mr. ADDERLEY wished to be informed whether
the Admiralty had received any intelligence of the loss
of the Birkenhead, and if they knew the number of
souls on board at the time she left England?
Mr. STAFFORD said at ten o'clock this morning a
telegraphic message was received at the Admiralty, an-
nouncing the loss, and immediately afterwards a mes-
sage was sent off to Sir John Ommanney, at Plymouth,
requesting him to forward such intelligence as he had
i upon the subject. No reply, however, was returned to
that message up to two o'clock, and a letter was dis-
patched to the gallant officer ordering him
to make a report immediately of such in-
formation as he had upon this distressing
subject. There n-ere 600 souls on hoard at the time
the Birkenhead left this country. Up to half-past four
o'clock no additional news hai been received at the
Admiralty.
POSTAGE LABEL STAMPS.
Mr. MUNI Z presented a petition on this suleject
froze Charles clay bury Archer, gentlemen, setting forth
that, in the month of December last, he became, through
the medium of a fortuitous discovery, Possess" of the
means and information calculated to show the total in-
security of the present system of postage label stamps,
and of their liability to be successfully conterfeited,
and that petitioner was also in posseseion of means
whereby the same might be as successfully prevented.
That petitioner had had a correspondence with the au-
thorities of the Post-office and Inland Revenue, and
submitted that the great circulating medium for the
correspondence of this country, and which had lately
become a legalized form of paper money, ought to be
invulnerable, and not the easy subject of counterfeit or
imitation. Petitioner further stated that the present
newspaper stamp was also the subject of easy successful
imitation, and that consequently both it and the postage-
stamp system might easily become the subject of
spurious and surreptitious issue. That petitioner
had suggestions to make for the improvement
of the postage-stamp system generally, and prayed to be
examined before the Committee thereupon, and also
relative to a proposed plan he had fur improvements in
detaching and cutting postage-stamps and other articles
and substances.
THE RIVER PLATE.
Mr. M. GIBSON wished to know whether the Go-
vernment intended to take any steps to place the relations
between this country and Brazil on a more satisfactory
footing than they had been for some time past; ho also
wished to know whether the Government contemplated
as the result of the joint action and interference of Eng-
land and France, in reference to the River Plate, the
free navigation of the river to the trade of Europe?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied
that not twenty-four hours was lost, after the over-
throw of General Roses, in communicating with
the French Government, in order that steps
might be mutually taken to secure those great results to
the commercial world which were greatly desired. On
the 10th of April Chevalier St. John and Sir Charles
Hotham, who had been appointed by her Majesty, would
leave Europe in two ships of war, end would
touch at Rio. Their visit was not an official one to
the7sCourt of Brazil, but a mission of friendly commu•
nication and explanation. The Government had the
\
erszteeas: confidence in Sir Charles nether°, and they
hoped he would succeed in obtaining the free navigation
°` the River Plate which they and all countries of Eu-
rope
to n no Par
Manchester aletP'lsoAelairbLcithulailY articular privileges or advantages,
'desired. to secure. England and France
world. negotiate for the interest of ail countries in the
ap-
prehended he rrjef°P"l. to the Hon. Member for
tinning
andr river, r,h iet was
a bay or estuary giver plate.
arterialo.f the E
inadvertently made a mistake in men-
tioning
ti
ewhole f beingworld,
whlonlereqPulYesttioonMor; SeDiTtIio(IRELAND).
The CIIANCELI7.-PLLY'
AthieNrAivGerEs Parana and Uruguay.
XCHEQUER said the
sideration of the Govern drainage was under the con-
BUSINESSo
their ti4rno
Lord J. RByUUSoStS:ENe
rLESIS business )iee ,1. Tr
o,u: E 0 I HOUSE.
Hon. Gentleman
dnoo
ts
00,,vcalu eptsyhee.rao mucho
tli 3
jorf the
.Right
the chancel, now from
the Exchequer if he
had fixed an
except the committee on Indianor 11;°a9,,,daY the l9th inst
committeewould be wme lilg to do
iCitiorerimittee on
He thought it'
re-
plied thmaatvethethaPraepsipdaeinattmoefattthoefElT;oiating the
Control
'The CHANCELLOR of
India on the 19th of April ; that thethlYie
be proceeded with on the 23rd ; and ite4alielirwviaerualds
with the exception of questions of great ur
ceed with the Militia Bill and the gencY
as the financial statement—the Government —3l.lc_hi.
would pre
mates. miscellaneous este.
A theft: i:aciTe

Mr.
GB.ATLEILOAStpTs-HoEtTAmVnEveßaSfoOrFleLnOveNtD,ObrNin.
g,
in a
Bill to establish an office for the benefit of ballast
heavers is the port of London.
Mr. HENLEY said ho would not oppose the first
stage of the Bill, but he thought it, was calculated to im-
pose restrictions upon the employment of the ballast-
heavers, and to create a monopoly in favour of a certain
body of labourers.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said the Coalwhippers' Act had
been very successful in its operation, and suggested that
before this 13i11 went to a second reading it should un-
dergo an inquiry by a Committee of the House.
Mr. HUME said the House was, perhaps, not
aware that the ballasting of ships was a monopoly
granted to the Trinity house by tient), the Bth, who
charged twice as much as was necessary, and cleared a
profit from it of between 4,0001, and 5,004 a-year.
'ibis sum he thought ought to be applied in dredging
and otherwise improving the River Thames. He thought
that if a Committee were appointed to inquire into the
whole system of b:illasting, they might greatly relieve
the shipping interest, suggest a more convenient mode
of
fcIP
ballast charges, and greatly improve
the condition of the ballast-heavers. He hoped the Hon.
T.°6w124 heltd. agree to rider the Bill to a Committee.
Metimrbeß-. would hoped the Lim. Member for the

Tower Hamlets would accede to the suggestion to refer
the Bill to a Committee. The ballast-heavers of
London were in the hands of 29 middlemen, 27 of
whom were keepers of public-houses, and the
consequence was that they never gave employment
to any men unless they purchased victuals and spirits of
a very inferior description of them at a first-rate price.
A greater abuse than this eould not exist, and he hoped
some measure might be devised to remedy it.
Mr. WAKLEY thought some plan might be devised
by which an office would be established in which those
who had labour to dispose of would be enabled to do so
to the best advantage. The House need not be alarmed
—he was not going to place the working classes under
the surveillance of the Government—but to suggest the
appointment of a central office where information might
be derived as to where labour was required, and where
it was to be had. A registry might be kept, giving the
names, ages, the name of the last employer, and the kind
of labour each person had to dispose of.
Mr. MACGREGOR did not think that a Bill brought
in like tho present would meet the necessities of the case
without previous inquiry.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY believed it was perfectly
practicable to establish a registry of labour, somewhat
in the manner suggested by the Hon. Member for
Finsbury. He thought it could be done inexpensively;
and if so, it would be a great boon to the working
classes throughout the country.
Str W. CLAY suggested that after the Bill had been
read a second time, it ought to be referred to a Select

Committee.
Mr. GLADSTONE was anxious to say a few words
upon the subject. He was glad to see that all gentle-
men advocating free-trade principles were in favour of
some measure like the present. There was doubtless
great difficulty in any course they might adopt. When
he brought forward his measure with regard to the coal-
whippers, he was aware that these difficulties existed,
and there was a doubt whether, when this large class of
labourers were in a state of the deepest degradation,
Parliament would be able to apply any effectual remedy
for the evil. Nevertheless, the House of Commons did
-
not hesitate to pass the Act; and when it was passed its
good working did not depend upon the provisions of the
Act itself, but upon the mon who were its object. He
had always held that language to the men, and had told
them that its success would be due, not to the framers
of the Act, but to the men themselves. In consequence
of the exemplary conduct cf the men, and the judicious
use they maoe of the powers conferred on them, the Aet
had given general contentment, and no great dissatis-
faction had been expressed among the mercantile class
connected with the coal trade. He had read with great
regret in the public rapers that differences had recently
arisen, and that a strike had taken place in consequence
of the coalwhippers having attempted to exact higher
wages than the trade price would justify. The
consequence would be that the whole system
of restraint would give way if the men
strained their powers so unwisely, and the House would
be called upon to repeal the Act, and would be obliged
to respond to the call. While he ventured to use those
words in the way of warning to the men he was glad to
say that no call had yet been made upon the House for
the repeal of that Act, and if the men continued to ob-
serve the conduct they had almost invariably maintained
they would still be protected by that House, and that
they would continue in the erjoyment of that improved
social condition which the Act, under the blessing of
Providence, had realised for them. Ho admitted that
great caution ought to be used in enlp.rging this category
of exceptions, and it ought not to 15e done unless upon
the broadest and clearest ground. If it was adopted,
unless upon the gravest grounds, it would end in cre-
ating the many evils which it was its object to put down.
He thought, in the first instance, they should have a
Select Committee appointed. The question before the
sohroaulsdelheacvt ecnthmemßititlelefiarnsdt,
thenan d
1,1 House
oee t
Bs aei wasell. Tl e
The
tehe taohifUlwtiaht
steeyoe
n,
o that ought not to be met with
delay. There was no mercy in holding out delusive
hopes to the men, and then postponing their case until
h gaine the
timeef LreaitfesttheimHpoonrt.ance;
Gen-
tleman, in lieu of the motion he had made, would make
they Tim evj as
wouldot
tand neat year.
believed
a motion for the appointment of a Select Committee.
There might be a formidable opposition given to the
second reading, and that would cause delay. He sug-
gested, therefore to the Hon. Gentleman to withdraw bis
motion, and move the appointment of a Select Committee
to inquire into the mode in which ballast-heaving was
conducted in the port of London.
Mr. WILLIAMS observed that, on the Thames, the
greater portion of the labour was protected. It could
only be performed by freemen of the City, and it re-
quired a large sum to take up the freedom. The labour,
therefore, was almost a monopoly. He should vote for
the Bill.
Lord J. MANNERS could not agree with the Right
Hon. Gentleman in the advice he had tendered. He
mast observe that the principle was by no means a new
one, but had been sanctioned by that House over and
over again. He would suggest to the Hon. Member for
the Tower Hamlets, as the Government had given their
sanction to the introduction of a Bill on the understand-
ing that it would be referred to a Select Committee, he
thought that would be the best course to adopt, and he
was satisfied the gentlemen named on the Committee
would be willing to consult the true interests of all par-
ties concerned, and to review all the details of the mea-
sure in a searching and critical spirit, and in a calm and
impartial light, so that the interests of the working
classes and their employers would be equally taken into
consideration.
The House then went into Committee of the whole
House, and
Mr. THOMPSON proposed his resolution on which
to found the Bill.
Mr. HUME objected to the resolution, and suggested
that the Hon. Gentleman should inclade the whole sub-
ject of the ballast question.
Mr. LABOUCIIEItE and Mr. GLADSTONE were of opi-
nion that the resolution might stand as it was.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said his
Right Hon. Friend had intended that the Bill should
he referred to the Select Committee. He advised the
Hon. Member t) adhere to his original plan.
Mr. BROTIIERTON recommended a Select Com-
mittee to take evidence.
Mr. THOMPSON said he should move for such a
Committee after the recess.
The resolution was agreed to, and the House re
sumed,

NEW FOREST.
Mc. WILLIAMS withdrew his motion for the prin
.ng of Mr. Wason's petition as to the New Forest.
POOR-LA W RATING.

Mr. G. A. HAMILTON moved for leave to bring
in a Bill to continue the exemption of inhabitants from
liability to be rated as such in respect of stock in trade
or other property to the relief of the poor.—Agreed to.

LOAN SOCIETIES.
Mr. G. A. HAMILTON moved for leave to bring;
in a Bill to continue and amend the Acts relating to
loan societies.—Agreed to.
COUNTY COURTS FURTHER EXTENSION BILL.
Captain FITZROY moved the order of the day for
going into Committee on this Bill.
In Committee on the Bill,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL suggested the pro-
priety of merely going into Committee pro forma. It
mainly related to the extension of the jurisdiction of the
county courts to equity. T'ae effect of the Bill, in fact,
would be to convert the so county court judges into
secondary masters in Chancery; while at the same time
a measure was in contemplation for a comprehensive re-
form of the Court of Chancery, comprising the abolition
of the office of master.—(Hear.) Surely, therefore, it
would not be wall to let this Bill interfere with the gene-
ral measure of Chancry reform.—(Hear.)
Sir A. COCKBURN said he should concur in this
recommendation, provided his Learned Friend were in a
position to state that the Chancery Reform Bill would
be introduced at once, or immediately after the recess;
otherwise he should advise his Hon. and Gallant Friend
not to defer his Bill.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it was impossible
to tell under present circumstances when an opportunity
would be afforded to introduce the measure, but certainly
it was intended.
Lord R. GROSVENOR asked if it would be ready
after the recess.
Tho ATTORNEY-GENERAL replied that he could
not possibly answer that question.
Mr WAKLEY observed that it was curious that this
Bill, as well as the proposition of the other, originated
in the House of Lords.
Captain FITZROY said he feared the announcement
of the general measure would be used to obstruct any
other measure of legal reform. Tho present Bill went
through both Houses last session in its present form—
(No, no)—at least with the exception of a few clauses he
meant to strike out—(Bear, hear)—and it was reason.•
able that it should go on until it was seen whether any
Bill would be brought in by the Government antagonis-
tic to it, and to bo preferred to it, which he did not at
all dispute might possibly be the case; for he should be
most happy to see a searching reform of the superior
courts, and believed that then they might be better than
any system of local courts.—(Hear.)
A/r. J. STUART observed that another "County
Courts Further Extension Bill" (No. 2) was before the
House of Lords, end it surely would bo best to await
its arrival in this House before proceeding with the pre-
sent Bill.—(gear.)
Sir G. STRICKLAND hoped this Bill would not be
deferred, as it afforded some instalment at least of
Chancery reform, which
ahnadda hlaenegnh)p—roamaidsedhafohradfonrtoyt
years past—ate • '
B measure now promised,
aMnoatshteerr:
brneulieehvinfgaitthhatiints tshoele effect would be to put the clerk of
Chancellorthe
substitute
onein the a
ypsland taarac e
of
ff the c
technicalitylerk o
for
re
The present Bill would, at all events, afford some means
for Passing accounts which never could be got through
the
M said his consten were
aatei's office without enormous an ruings d
tselay.
Lord R. GROSVENOR
much,,, interested in the suljec', and as the Btll was sub-
stantially the same as that passed through both Houses
"tira" ;"i", he hoped it would be persevere"d in, es a
the' hand was worth two in tho bush•
aac
was MLINGS said the Bill in its present form
a "naplete mass of confusion.—(llear.) First came
someawnadsttclauses . about Chancery, then. about. county courts,
Chan-
cellor an
laugh.) It jumped back :Again into Chancery.—(
the Bill at Present
be practically useless to proceediwith
Chan-
cellor and LoTsent. It gave power to the Lord Chan-
pthaabtletho
of bespjutusti"s
the measure. But if the fdouLnoldlritiJounstoife.es to frame certain rules; and this
floral measure of e
not make these ruk-ancerY
thought the measure not ca-
reform, of course they would
being
workhed, by reason of a contemplated ge-
neral
A. COCKBUR;"
reprinted with the all:onto Committee pro forma, and then
a•--(ilear, hear.) He recommended
it until it were seen
withdrawn, and kept ments.—(llear, hoar.)
recommended that the Bill be
intro-
duced. what tleheral measures was L 1 reserve after the reprinting of