The Sun.
London, England, 1837-06-06 00:00:00

PRIVILEGES OF PARLIAMENT.

Lord ELLENBOROUGH said that the Noble and
Learned Lord opposite had given notice, that on to-day
he would make a motion in reference to the resolutions
which had been lately adopted in the House of Commons.
He (Lord E.), however, would express his expectation that
the Noble and Learned Lord would not submit any mo-
tion of that nature to the consideration of that House
under present circumstances without the most mature con-
sideration of it, as the difficulty of the position in which it
might place their Lordships was of no ordinary character,
if a question of privilege were introduced without the greatest
necessity existed for it. He had stated his conviction of this
when the Noble Lord gave notice of his intention, and
since then the consideration he had given the subject had
strengthened him in his first impression, and he would there-
fore venture again to press upon the consideration of the Noble
and Learned Lord what he had then ventured to state ; and
also that in reference to the resolutions adopted by the
House of Commons, although their Lordships could take
notice of them in the proceedings of that House, yet
as they had not been communicated to their Lordships,
as there had been no step taken for this purpose, and
also as the House of Commons had not yet acted upon
them, the time had not yet arrived when it would be
proper to make a motion with respect to them.--(Hear,
hear.) Ho would . therefore venture to suggest to. the
Noble and Learned Lord that he may be induced to re-
consider his determination.—( Hear, hear.)
The Duke of RICHMOND joined with the Noble
Lord, in thinking that it would be' better to postponeothe
discussion for the present.
Lord LYNDHURST thought, as the resolution bad
not been communicated to the House, it would be better
to delay it.
Lord DENMAN said—when the Noble Lord opposite
expressed his hope that I would not without the most
mature deliberation bring forward so important a question,
I assured him that I had given the subject the most
serious consideration. The observations he has since
made I have given great weight and full importance to.
They have all passed in my mind ; but notwithstanding
all those considerations, I thought it was the less evil on
my part to take some notice of what had passed, than
allow matters to go on without noticing it at all. My
Lords I ca not very sincerely say that I think it better
at present to forego the consideration of a question of
such immense importance.—(Cheers, and hear, bear.)
Although these resolutions have not been communicated
to your Lordships, and although no steps have been taken
upon them by the House of Commons, I certainly thought
as they were upon the votes which are regularly laid on
your Lordships' table, and more particularly as those re-
solutions are not confined to the assertion of the pri-
vileges of this House—(Much cheering)—but the privi-
leges of both Houses, I certainly have been of opinion
that the circumstances that have taken place gave a fair
and proper opportunity for me to bring the matter be-
fere your Lordships.—(Cheers.) My Lords, I consider
myself as an individual standing in a situation of accusa-
tion, if not of cenviction.-e-(Cheers..) I find my conduct
has been considered rash, in doing that which, as one of
the sworn Judges of the land I consider my duty to adopt.
—(Cheers.) My conduct has been considered rash for lay-
ing down the law, as in my conscience I believe it to be.-
-(Cheers.) Since that period I have seen no reason what-
ever to change that opinion. lam ready, my Lords, to lay
down that opinion the very moment that I am convinced
that itiis incorrect ; but to which I will adhere to the very
last moment of my life as long as in my conscience I think
it is correct.--(Great cis cring.) I certainly thought that
it was my duty to take, the filet opportunity of disclaiming
against the charges of acting with rashness and impro-
priety.—( Hear, hear.) In making those observations,
I wish not to become the voluntary censor of so im-
portant an assembly as the House of Commons ; but a lien I
find that there is a growing disposition to admit resolu-
tions of such a nature, I felt myself bound to bring the
subject under the attention of your Lordships.—(Cheers.)
It is extremely difficult for me in any way to resist an im-
pression which I think I perceive to he eencral among your
Lordships. I have to thank the Noble Baron opposite for
the courtesy with which he °Toed his advice, and I am
sure anything that falls from the Noble Doke will always
entithel te the utmost respect on my p :rt. I think I
see an imarss,:ion among your Lordships that this nietter
ought not to be hroveht forward unless there is 'something
like a necessity for it. I, however, bog leave to say, that
in adopting that advice I do not withdraw the notice of a
motion I geive, the partieulars of which are comparatively
unimportant ; but -that I reserve to myself at some future
period—(Hear, hear),—when • other events may make
such proceedings necessary, the right of iringing this
matter again before your Lordships.—(Hear, hear.) I
should wish to c,:rne some other d,ty to which this notice
ruilit be postrlned. I am toll that on Thursday

. .
it i:, quite impossible to expect that there should
be nr.y c.,!!:,ridance here, and I should be sorry not to hive
th:s-matter considered by a considerable number of your
Lordships. On Friday your Lordships' time will be occu-
pied by an important matte?. Monday happens to be the
last day of Term, and it is well known that Judges on that
day cannot attend anywhere \ but in Westminster-hall. I
shall, therefore, beg leave that this motion may rernain'on
your Lordships' books till Tuesday, reserving to myself the
right if I then think proper of calling your Lordships' atten-
tion to it.—(llear, hear, hear.)
Lord AT HERTON presented a petition from Sud-
bury, praying that small tenements might be rated upon the
landlords.
BUSINESS OP PARLIAMENT.

Lord BROUGHAM, Ivith reference to the Committee
which he had moved for I,lst night, begged to say that some
of the words had been omitted in the order. The Com-
mittee appeared to be to enquire into the state of the husi;-
ness before the House, and he now moved that the order
be discl:arged, for the purpose of having it correctly entered.
The motion having been agreed to, the Committee was
appointed, and the House adjourned to Thursday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at the usual hour.

Sir ROBERT BATESON presented petitions from
Garcon, the subscribers to which were proprietors of Stock
in the Agricultural Bank of Ireland. They were willing
to sacr:fice the instalments they Lad already paid, and
praying that the Bank might be entirely extinguished.

On the motion o! Sir JOHN BECKETT the Leeds
Water Works Bill was read a third time and passed.
Mr. BROTHERTON moved the second reading of the
Dean and Chapter of St. Peter's ( fork) Estate Bill.—
Agreed to.
Mr. BARNAIID presented a petition in favour of the
Collier Dock Bill. -

I.lr. C. LUSHINGTON presented four petitions in
favour of the Ministerial plan for the abolition of Church-

rat .3.

Mr. II AWKINS presented a petition with a similar
prayer from the Isle of Wight.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD presented a petition from the
parish of Kilmeena, ccunty Mayo, stating that the peti-
tioners bad seen with the greatest disappointment the con-
tinuance' of the tithe system, praying that the House
would extinguish tithes in name and reality, and pay
due attention to their humble petition. Also a petition
from 'several of the governors of the County Loutb Hospital,
stating that in their opinion the forcing a connexion between
the Medical Charitable Establishments, and the New
Poor Law Institutions would be highly detrimental ; that
many avail themselves of these institutions—who although
unable to pay the expences of surgical relief, ought not to
be classed as paupers ; that under the management of
the Governors their Hospital has been most beneficially
conducted ; that by savings out of the funds—aided by
private subscriptionsa building had been, erected at the
cost oh 3,0001., without any addition to the public burthens ;
they also prayed the House would not make any change
that could endanger the well doing of these institutions, or
interrupt the present course of private contributions.
Mr. WILKS presented a petition from a Wesleyan
Congregation, in Leicester, in favour of the abolition of
Church-rates ; also one, most numerously and respectably
signed, by the inhabitants of the Ward of Cripplegate
Without, in the city of London. The petitioners referred
to the Report lately prepared by the Corporation Commis-
iioners, in order to prove the existence of numerous abuses
in regard to the privileges enjoyed by many of the Com-
panies, and praying the House to take that report into their
ierious consideration without delay.
Mr. Hurr presented a petition, praying for the esta-
blishment of steam-boats to conduct the trade .to India ;
also one, praying that if such a step were taken, the island
of Ceylon might be made a depot for the boats employed.
Lord S AN DON presented a petition from Great Abing-
don, Cambrid,geshire, against the abolition of Church-rates.
Mr. WALTER presented a petition from the Rev. C.
Dewdney, the Rector of Portsea, complaining of the con-
duct of the Pocr Law Committee, before whom he had
been examined as a witness. The Hon. Gentleman moved
that it be printed with the votes, and taken into consi-
deration on Tuesday next.