The Sun.
London, England, 1838-05-24 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, MAY 23.
The SPEAKER took the Chair shoal) before Four o'Clock.
Mr. CRAWLEY, the new Member for Bedford, took the oaths and his seat.

SUDBLITLI"rOWN LANDS.

The Sudbury Town Lands Bill was read a second time nd ordered to
be committed.

REFUGE FOR THE DESTITUTE.

On the motion of Mr. C. LUSIIINGTON, the Refuge for the Desti-
tute Institution Bill was read a thirdtime and passed.

MIDLAND COUNTIES RAILWAY BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
LEICESTER GAS BILL

This Bill was reported.
BISHOPS-CASTLE AND MUNSTER (SALOP) INCLOSURE BILL
This Bill was read a third time and passed.

BOLTON AND PRESTON RAILWAY.

On the motion of Lord STANLEY, the Bolton and Preston Rail-
way Bill was read a third time and passed.

SPANISH LEGION.

Captain MATTHEWS presented a petition from the Non-commis-
sioned Officers composing the late British Auxiliary Legion, complain-
ing of the non-payment of their claims by the Spanish Government, and
praying that some measures might be adopted to enforce the payment.
The Hon. Member gave notice that it was his intention to make a speci-
fic moCon on the subject.
Mr. Serjeant J..,-CKSCN presented a petition from Kilcronv, in
county of Down, against the present system of national euucat.u,•. Abu
petitions to the same effect from various parishes in Ireland.
Mr. C. FERGUSON presented a petition from the Commissioners of
Supply of Kircuilbright, praying that Mr. Hill's plan of postage reduc-
tion should have a fair trial.

Sir G. STAUNTON presented a petition from Portsea against the
Rating of Tenements Bill.

Mr. BLAKE presented a petition from the Grand Jury of Galway
against certain parts of the MedicakCharities Bill
Mr. H. MARSLAND presented 30 petitions, from Stockport and
other places, praying for the abolition of Negro apprenticeship.
Mr. DUNDAS presented a similar petition, but he regretted he could
not support the prayer of it.

Mr. Serjeant TALFOURD presented a petition from the Attornies of
Reading in favour of Rowland Hill's plan.

Mr. HASTIE presented a petition from Paisley, in favour of the Jus
tire of the Peace and Sheriffs Courts Bill.

Mr. KEMBLE presented a petition from Peckham, praying the House
to pass some measure for the better observance of the Sabbath.
OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH.

Sir G. CLERK presented a petition from Glasgow in favour of a Bi
for the Better Observance of the Sabbath.

Mr. W. DUNCOMBE presented Lve petitions to the same effect from
the North Hiding of Yorkshire.

Mr. BETHELL presented three similar petitions from the East Riding
of Yorkshire.

IRISH TITHES BILL.
Mr. Recorder SHA W presented a petition from inhabitants of Dubl
against the Irish Tithe Bill.

CHURCH REFORM.
Mr. LIDDELL presented a petition from the Dean and Chapter of
Durham, praying that the House would not consent to any measure for
carrying into cffect the recommendations of the Ecclesiastical Commis-
sioners.

FACTORIES.
Mr. HUMS: presented a petition from Bradley, West Riding of
Yorkshire, praying that a clause might he introduced into the Factories
Regulation Bill, allowing children to labour eleven hours in the factories.
REDUCTION OF POSTAGE.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from Wisbeach, setting forth the
preposterous system of the present postage laws, and recommending Mr.
Hill's plan, and the adoption of an uniform system, by which the postage
of letters might be somewhat in proportion to their size. As an illus-
tration of the absurdity of the present system, the Hon. Member ex-
hibited to the House a letter, consisting of a sheet a yard and a half
square, which was only liable to a single postage ; and another letter,
weighing only 7i grains, which was charged with a double postage.—
(Laughter.) A more preposterous state of the law could not be
imagined, and he trusted that an alteration would soon be effected.
Mr. WALLACE presented petitions from the National Debt Assu-
rance Company, from the Sun Fire Office Insurance Company, and seve-
ral other parties, in favour of a uniform rate of postage.
Mr. HEATHCOTE presented a petition from Long Sutton, in the
county of Lincoln, in favour of the Bill for the better observance of the
Sabbath; from Crowland, in Lincolnshire, in favour of the Bill for the
rating of small tenements ; and also a petition from a parish in Lincoln
in favour of a lower rate of postage.
COPYRIGHT BILL.
Sir K SLIGDEN' presented a petition from Mr. William Smith, a
bookseller, against the Copyright Bill in its present shape, and praying
that a clause might be inserted to meet cases similar to his
own, he having purchased the copyright in the plates to Lodges'
portraits, by which he should be a loser, under the present proposed
state of the law. The Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman gave notice
that it was his intention to introduce certain amendments in the Bill in
order to meet the case of Mr. Smith and others.
Mr. !LINDE presented a petition from Newcastle, praying for some
measure for the better observance of the Sabbath.
MEDICAL CHARITIES BILL.
Mr. LUCAS enquired of the Hon. Member for Roscommon (Mr.
French) whether he would consent to commit his Medical Charities Bill
pro forma to-night, and strike out the eleven clauses that were to be
struck out, and put in the four clauses that were to be put in.
Mr. F. FRENCH, in answer, said the Hon. Member had anticipated
exactly the course he had intended to pursue.
Sir ROBERT PEEL trusted, after that course was pursued, that
sufficient time would elayse after the printing of the Bill to give distant
parties—for instance, the Universities of Scotland—ample notice.
Mr. F. FRENCH said that any time necessary for that purpose
would of course be given.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL bore testimony to the deep interest
taken in this measure by the Universities of Scotland.
sir ROBERT PEEL—I speak as Lord Rector of the University of
Glasgow, and of course feel a very deep interest.—(Laughter.)
BANK OF IRELAND.
Mr. HEN ELY GRATTAN presented a petition from inhabitants of
the county of Westmeath, against the renewal of the charter of the Bank
of Ireland.

IRISH MUNICIPAL REFORM.
Sir R. PEEL said—Sir, I some days since promised that I should
give liberal notice of the course which I should resolve to pursue
on the motion of the Noble Lord opposite, (Lord John Russell),
that the House should resolve itself into Committee upon the Irish
Municipal Itelbria Bill. On that motion I intend to give a general
statement of my views At present I cannot say whether there is a
prospect of the adjustment of this question ; but I do say that I do not
intend to take any step which might at all obscure the prospect of a satis.
factory adjustment ; and, therefore, I do not mean to move any objection
to the motion, that you, Sir, should leave the chair upon that occasion,
nor will I prejudice any discussion that may arise upon it. I trust,
however, that before we go to this discussion, we shall have an oppor-
tunity of discussion upon the Irish Tithes resolutions, and that an op.
portunity will be given to me of stating my own views upon that subject.
Of course, Sir, I can give ne assurance whatever in respect re, divisions
which may take place in Committee. Several or my Hon. Friends
intend to make several propositions v. ith respect to the provisions of the
Bill. I can enter into no engagement whatsoever as to the extent of
those pr ipos:tions, nor can I state at what period the difference
may take pace, trusting that the general explanation will pre-
vent any possibility of surprise—that the intonation that there
may be divisions in Committee will relieve my Hon. Friends from
any possibility of an imputation of having taken the House by
surprise. Sir, I regret that we are called upon to consi-
der these measures at this late period of the Session,
—with so many other matters of great importance—but perhaps that
can't be avoided. I shall not urge any proposition for farther
delay. If, however, the Noble Lord and the House are of opinion
that, before we proceed to consider the details of the measure in
Committee, it is desireable to have some more formal notice of the na-
ture of the amendments which we intend to propose, I have no objec-
tion (without pledging myself to the nature of those objections) to give
more formal notice of the amendments which I intend to propose, both
in the Corporation and in the Tithe Bill.—(Hear, hear.)
Lord JOHN RUSSELL-Sir, the Right Hon. Bart, has rightly
understood my intentions as to Cl e Irish Tithe Bill. I will now only
state farther, that I am not sure whether it will be necessary in the first
Committee on the Tithe Bill to statperotpohertiT_tT,uultart atmhoitudict—it
bsetvtee'rl thattetthisor a
the resolutionsotiier should merely affirm the
el t
bi amount—
whether e
wil
expediency of commuting tithe commutation into a rent charge,
payable by the first estate of inheritance, leaving the particular propor_
lion of the tithe commutation to be settled in the Committee upon the
Bill.—( Hear, hear, hear.) As to any further notice, I think it would
be better upon' the whole, at this period of the Session, and of the year, to
proceed to consider the Corporation Bill in Committee, and I shall
consider the previous speech of the Right Hon. Gent'eman, before the
Speaker's leaving the chair, a sufficient notice of the amendments which
he prcposes to move in Committee.—(Haar.) Sir, I will only say, in
conclusion, I was glad to hear the Right Hon. Baronet say that lie
hoped nothing he should propose would mar the prospect of a final and
satisfactory adjustment of these questions, and I cordially reciprocate
that hope.—(Hear.)
NEGRO SLAVERY.

The '.k.loar.r.LOttn then said—lf the Hon. Baronet the Member for
Warwickshire (Sir E. Wilmot) had been in his place, I should have
asked him whether it was his intention to make any motion for the in-
troduction of a measure founded on the resolution passed in this House
last night. - I now give the House notice, as I shall give the Honourable
Baronet, that I shall ask the question to-morrow.
LORD'S-DAY BILL.
Mr. PLUMPTRE moved the Order of the Day for the House
going into Committee on the Lord's-Day Bill, but experienced consi-
derable difficulty i❑ procuring a Chairman.
The chair was at length taken by Sir G. SINCLAIR, amidst shouts of
laughter from the Ministerial side of the House.
On the first cLuse being proposed,

Mr. JERVIS said it was a most preposterous clause, for its tendency
was to prevent any work whatever from being done on the Lord's day.
A person could not even get his breakfast, or have his bed made, with-
out violating the provisions of this clause.
Mr. PLUMPTRE said he thought that the Hon. and Learned Member
must admit that there was a feeling in the country that something
should be done in this matter. He was most desirous to obviate the
objections of the Hon. Member, and he thought that might be effected
by the omission of a few words. He would put it---" Any work in
the way of trade—any selling or contracting in the way of trade."
He was of opinion, that in accordance with the feeling of the country,
something ought to be done, and he was only anxious to proceed by
steps. His only object was to suppress trading on the Sunday,