The Sun.
London, England, 1839-04-13 00:00:00

CORN-LAWS.

Mr. H. BERKELEY presented a petition from
Bristol, signed by 7,000 persons complaining of the
Corn-laws as injurious and oppressive.

BEER LAWS.

Sir B. HALL presented a petition from Monmouth•
shire complaining of the existing state of the beer-shops

POSTAGE.

Mr. E WART presented a petition in favour of a uni•
form Penny Postage.
PROMOTION OF PEACE.

Mr. BAINES said he had to present a petition
which was of very great interest. It was from the Society
for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace.
—(" Hear, hear," and laughter.) The Society was
formed in 1816, from a deep sense of the horrors
•f war, and had endeavoured to point out the barbarity
of that practice—(Laughter)—which they believed t•
be contrary to the principles of the Christian religion.
Perhaps (said the Hon. Gentleman) there would be a
laugh at that. And societies of the same kind had been
formed in France, Switzerland, and the United States.
The petition further stated that in consequence of the
disputes now existing regarding the boundary line, it
was desirable that means should be taken to unite with
the petitioners to endeavour to allay all angry feelings
and passions which might tend to an appeal to arms, the
petitioners conceiving that such an appeal would not pro-
perly settle the question, but which would be better
settled by arbitration.—(Hear, hear, hear.) The
petitioners further stated that they entertained se-
rious apprehensions of the danger of that catas-
trophe, and they earnestly called the attention of
the House to that subject, and they trusted that Par-
liament would put in force all their efforts to avert
so great a calamity. The petitioners prayed that
Parliament would adopt such measures for that pur-
pose as they might think best.—The petition was laid on
the table.
SIR ROBERT PEEL'S AMENDMENT.

Sir ROBERT PEEL then rose and addressed the
House as follows:—Sir, I now rise for the purpose
of proposing the amendment of which I have given
notice. I do not know whether it won't be neces-
sary, on account of that technical form, that I should
ascertain from the House of Lords their proceed-
ings, and no doubt the Noble Lord opposite will not
make any objection to my making a motion on that
subject now. Perhaps it will be for the convenience of
the House that I should read the amendment. Re-
solved—" That on the 13th day of March last a motion
was made in this House for the production of various
documents connected with the state of Ireland
in respect to crime and outrage, including com-
munications made to the Irish Government relating
to offences connected with Ribbonism ; and all memo-
rials, resolutions, and addresses forwarded to the Irish
Government by Magistrates, or other official persons,
in respect of crimes and outrages committed in Ireland,
and the answers thereto. That the period included within
the Returns so called for, extends from the commence-
ment of the year 1835 to the present time, and that the
motion made for the production of them was assented to by
this House, no opposition to it having been offered on
the part of her Majesty's Government. That, on
the 21st day of March last, the House of Lords ap-
poin ed a Select Committee ' to inquire into the state
of Ireland since the year 1835, in respect to crime
and outrage, which have rendered life and property
insecure in that part of the empire.' That, in conse-
quence of the appointment of such Committee by the
House of Lords, it has been proposed that this House
should resolve, ' That it is the opinion of this House
that it is expedient to persevere in those principles which
have guided the Executive Government of Ireland of
late years, and which have tended to the effectual ad-
ministration of the law, and the general improve-
ment of that part of the United Kingdom.'
Resolved, that it appears to this House that the ap-
pointment of it Committee of Inquiry by the House of
Lords, under the circumstances and for the purpose
above-mentioned, does not justify her Majesty's Ministers
in calling upon this House, without previous inquiry,
or even the production of the information which this
House has required, to make a declaration of opinion
with respect to one branch of the public policy of
the Executive Government, still less a declaration of
opinion which is neither explicit as to the principles
which it professes to approve, nor definite as to the pe-
riod to which it refers ; and that it is not fitting
that this House should adopt a proceeding which has
the appearance of calling in question the undoubted
right of the House of Lords to inquire into the state of
Ireland in respect to crime and outrage, more especially
when the exercise of that right by the House of Lords,
does not interfere with any previous proceeding or re-
solution of the House of Commons, nor with the pro-
gress of any Legislative measure assented to by the
House of Commons, or at present under its considera-
tion."—(Cries of " Hear," from the Opposition side of the
House.)
Mr. T. DUNCO MBE begged leave, also, to bring
forward an amendment, which it was his intention to
move. As it appeared to be the custom with the two great
parties in that House, to place upon record the principles
upon which a vote was given, he would state the principles
upon which he and many others out of that House were
guided with regard to Ministers. He would move in the
event of Lord J. Russell's motion being adopted, to add the
following words—" And also that it is expedient to effect
such further reforms in the representation of the people
in Parliament, as may conduce to their contentment and
the security and welfare of the kingdom at large."--
( Hear, hear.)
ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES AND REVE-