The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-21 00:00:00

VA'S

3 s

non: Friend made no disorderly observations. The ex-
pressions use ;d by my Hon. Friend referred to a public
docuthent nigh I myself have read in this House, and
respecting whit :h I can assure the Noble Lord—although
I have nu flesh' eto revive bygone topics—he is entirely
in error. That public document was publicly quoted
from by a Miilister, with a view to convey the impres-
sion that a large quantity of capital was being invested
in the island of Jamaica in the manufacture of sugar,
while there was a subsequent paragraph in the same
memorial, seating that the persons who had so made the
investments. were already insolvent.—(Hear.) If I re-
collect aright, that is an accurate account of the memo-
rial, and if so, it certainly justifies the observations of
ray Hon. Friend.-'—(Hear.) I have endeavoured to vin-
dicate the language of the motion of the Hon. Member,
and I tiannot say that I can recommend him in any way
to altei it. It seems to be good English—to be good,
straightforward languaee, cony,eyigi4:l/44arlisenentary.
phraseetheeintenfioes tof the Hon. Gentleman who brings
it forward, and I cannot conceive by any possible perver-
sion Of mine by what hallucination the. lion. Member
for Stoke has arrived at' the version which he has given
to hi' but that wo shall vote against his amendment is,
I imagine, perfectly clear.—(Cheers.) We shall do so
because we want to obtain an object in making it, which
is an inquiry into the administration and government of
those dependencies. But there is a second reason why
we should vote against it, and that is that we ought to
maintain the character of the House of Commons for
stritikhtfeetverd dealing and common sense, and not let
it go forth,to the public that we can be deterred from the
performance of our duty by a manoeuvre which has not
even the merit of dexterity. We have before us the
case of a rebellion in a most important colony—sup-
pies'sed by violent means—by the public execution of
many of the subjects of her Majesty—by the institu•
tion 'of courts-martials—we have these facts before us,
and I Want to know what can better authorise an inquiry
on the' 'part of the House of Commous than such circum-
stances, especially when we have had two high authori-
ties in the House rising in their places, and alleging ex-
tictrk diffsrent causes why that rebellion occurred? One
tells-you it was'financial reform caused it, another that
it had been long suppressed, and that it was a deeply-
seated political cause. If, there is such a difference of
opinion, it is one of the best reasons why the House of
Commons should investigate it. I am now only going
to etc a few lines from one document in relation to
this-" Subject. It is a passage from a dispatch
of 2teird Torrington, not is the volume con-
n4cteri with tbe affairs of Ceylon in every Hon. Gentle-
man's' hands, but in the blue-book on the colonies, and
I think it is' if' the greatest importance, if the misgovern-
merit of Ceylon is at alt caused by its financial state, that
we Shahid understand the opinions of the governor on
theiutleet -of retrenchment. After a very long dispatch,
in4ihich the Noble Lord analyzes the whole condition
Wthe poloniei, he went on to say, that paradoxical as it
ght appear, .he 'was concerned to say he anticipated
greater difficulties in combating the expenditure than in
proiiding a suitable amount of revenue, many sources of
which-appeared to, be untouched, or to be capable of ex-
tension by judicious management. Here, in June, im-
mediately before the rebellion, you have Lord Torring-
ton's matured opinion on financial reform—it is increased
taxation; and not retrenched expenditure, that is to
maintain his government.—(Hear, hear.) If this increased
expenditure has produced the rebellion, we have no
reason to suppose that the country has been properly
governed, or that the Governor is equal to the occasion;
if, on the .contrary, the cause of it was of a deep-seated
and' political nature, which baffles a general remedy,
I know of no better subject for the investigation of a
Committee than the detection of the real cause of the
disturbance which has caused incidents of so sanguinary
a nature.—(Hear.) I will not touch upon the subject
of the other colony of British Guiana, saving only this,
that it is a colony suffering which aims at, retrenchment,
and that the Government at home had quarrelled with
them on that account.--(Hear, hear.) It this is not a
subject under present circumstances worth investigation
by a Committee of the House, I know not what is; and
I cannot suppose that the House will offer much support
to the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Stoke in the
amendment he has brought forward. As for the warn-
ing, of the Noble Lord, that unless we are very precise
in our instructions to the Committee it may last as long
as the Coffee Plantation Committee of last session, I
cannot agree with him that the length of that Com-
mittee was:a subject for public regret. Why, Sir, what-
ever may be the policy approved of by Hon. Gentlemen,
they must approve of the efficacious services of any
Committee the result of which is a substantial altera-
tion in the policy of a Minister—(Hear, hear)—
and the last person who ought to censure it is the Mi-
nister who, in consequence of its investigations and
report, is obliged to change the almost solemn settlement
of st,question.—(Hear, hear.) These are the general
views I hold on this subject; but at such a late hour I
cannot venture to detain the House with any details.
There never was a case, I believe, in which a Committee
was more properly appointed. I think the House is
much indebted to the Hon. Gentleman who brought the
subject forward—not with malignant asperity, but with
singular ability.—(Hear, hear.) I think, also, that un-
der:the circumstances the House should not hesitate in
opposing the amendment of the Hon. Member for Stoke;
and particularly I address myself to those who are the
sincere supporters of free-trade opinions. Don't let
thein be misled on this occasion, to prevent an important
investigation, because a phrase is thrown in their way to
deceive them, and because a manoeuvre of this kind is
sanctioned—not, I think, in a manner which will add too
much to the credit of the Government.--(Hear, hear.)
I therefore call on the House to support, the motion of
my Hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, and to resist
in the most decided manner the amendment of the lion.
Member for Stoke.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. LABOUCHERE said, that if the House gene-
rally agreed in the propriety of appointing a Select
Committee to inquire if say improvement could be
made in the government and administration of Guiana
and Ceylon, he thought it desirable that there should be
no 'dispute with respect to the terms in which it was ap-
pointed. He thought it would not be difficult to propose
words which would balance the difficulties on both
sides—on the one not to send out to the'colonies the im-
pression that the House intended to make the Committee
the means of 'discussing the principles of free-trade and
protection e and, 'on the ot?her that the House did not
wantltb derive them 'of the benefit of inquiring into
thaitrgeleiranee: With that view he had looked to
the elorda' Of' the motion, and perhaps the House would
accede 'to an alteration in them which would have the
effect; as he eenceived, of removing those difficulties.
He. provied after the word" inquire,' to omit the words
, •
" into t e grievances," &c., when the motion would run
thus," Select Committee to inquire and to report to the
House whether any measures can be adopted for the bet-
ter administration and Government of the Crown colo-
nies of Ceylon and British Guiana."--(" Oh, oh I") If
the House appointed a Committee to inquire into the
alleged grievances of those colonies, they would havea
very wide field of inquiry. The whole foundation of
the dispute between the Colonial-office and British
Guiana, for instance, was this, that the latter com-
pained of the Act of 1846, and declared she could no
langer support her establishments or pay taxes in
consequence.—(Hear, hear.) Would it not necessa-
rily follow, then, if the Committee were appointed ac-
cording to tile original motion, that it would have the
injurious effect of raising an expectation that the House
was bout to investigate the principles of the Act of
1846, and thus occasion the greatest misfortune to the
colony? Hon. Gentlemen opposite disclaimed any in-
tention of making the appointment of the Committee a
free-trade question, and he thought therefore he had a
fair claim, if that disclaimer were bona fide, and that they
did not intend to raise the question of protection, to ask
them to allow this alteration, and not to insist on words
which might lead to great misconception.—(Hear, hear.)
The Hon. Gentleman who brought forward the motion
adverted to the indignity of punishing one of the in-
surgents, who declared himself to be of a princely family,
with lashes, being evidently under the impres-
sion that the man's statement was true, and that the
fact was calculated to drive the Cinzalese to re-
But,Colonel Drought stated that the man was an
impostor, and, indeed, it was not unusual to practise
similar frauds. Exactly the same thing occurred in
1833, when the pretender turned out to be a low caste
Indian, and was punished with 100 lashes and imprison-
ment.—(hear.) lie mentioned this to show how diffi-
cult it was for any one at such a distance to distinguish
the true state of the case. A British Governor was, he
thought, entitled to a fair construction on his conduct
under circumstances of peculiar difficulty and danger.
As to what the Hun. Member (Mr. Disraeli) stated with
respect to Lard Torrington showing no disposition to
reduce the expenditure, he was altogether inaccurate.
The Noble Lord had reduced it by 20,0001. in one halt'
year, so that he was enabled to lay out money on the
-
eonstructlon of roads. Whatever judgment the House
might form on particular points of his administration, it
was, in his (Mr. Labouchve's) judgment, impossible for
any one to rise from the perusal of the papers before the
House without feeling that the Noble Lord was pos-
sessed of very considerable vigour and talent. Ile be-
lieved the words he proposed would meet the object in
view without upsetting the minds of the colonists._
Mr. OSBORNE-, e
as one of the free-trade party, must
protest against the attempt to introduce the subject t
free-trade and to hoodwink the House.—(Loud cheers.)
He hoped there independent Members who would not be
led by a mere bugbear would prove on this occasion that
they were not to be taken in by a clumsy manceavre—
(Hear, hear)—but would give their votes to inquire into
the system of colonial government, which, without im-
plicating Lord Grey or Lord Torrington, had sat for
so many years as an incubus on the interests of the
coun try.—(Ch
Mr. BL ILLIE—Am I to understand that the amend-
ment is to be withdrawn? If so, lam prepared to make
souse ale--at:ten in my motion.—(Cries of " Divide.")
Mr. RICARDO—ReaIIy, after all there is not much
difference between us.—(Great laughter.) But there are
expressions in the motion which led me to think that
the Committee might go into questions respecting pro-
tection.—(Cries of " No.")
Mr. WAWN would give the amendment his most de-
cided opposition.
Mr. P. WOOD suggested that the inquiry should be
limited to the grievances
complained of in the
adminis-
tration of the Crown colonies and that the Committee
should be required to report whether any improvement
could be made in such administration.
The Earl of LINCOLN stated that, if the
amendment
were withdrawn, the Hon. Member
for Inverness
prepared to alter not the spirit but the words of is mo-
tion,was SO as to render it impossible to misinterpret the ob-
jects of inquiry.
Lord J. RUSSELL inquired what change he proposed
to make?
Mr. BAILLIE proposed to alter the motion as fol-
lows: " That a Select Committee be appointed to in-
Attire into the grievances complained of in the Crown
-Teei of Ceylon and British Guiana, in connexion
'thee administration and government of those depen-
':
el,e6,:end to report their opinion whether any meet-
" eiikes can be adopted for the redress of any grievances
• which theie ean.te shown just reason to complain."

Mr. RICARDO then withdrew his amendment.
Mr. HUME proposed to add the words" and whether
any measures can be adopted for the better administra-
tion and government of these dependencies."
The motion, as thus amended, was then ag eed to
without a division.

Mr. BAINES obtained leave, without observation, to
bring in a Bill to provide a more effectual regulation
and control over the maintenance of poor persons in
houses not being the workhouses of the union parish to
which they belong.
Mr. BAINES moved for and obtained leave to bring
in a Bill to remove doubts as to the appointment of over-
seers of the poor in cities and boroughs.
On the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL it was ordered
that the House, at its rising, should adjourn to Two
o'clock to-morrow.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX-
CHEQUER, Colonel Anson was substituted for the
Marquis of Granby on the Committee on Ordnance and
.Army EstiniataT. ' '
In answer to a question from Mr. HERRIES,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that he would ask the House
to proceed with the Jew's Bill on Friday, and with the
Army Estimates on Monday.
The Consolidated Fund (8,000,0001.) Bill and the Com-
mons Inclosure Bill were each read a second time.
The House then adjourned at Half•past Twelve
o'clock.

THE LEGAL TITLE ASSURANCE
COMPANY.
(Provisionally Registered, January 17, 1849.)
Capital, 2,000,0001., in 80,000 Shares, of 251. each.
Preliminary Deposit, 2s. 6d. per Share
Prospectuses and full information may be obtained at the Tempo-
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lication to

G. F. HOWE, Ron. Sec., pro tern.

NEW NOVEL, BY THE AUTHOR OF " EMILIA WYNDHAM."
Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
ORDAUNT
HALL.
By the Author of
"EMILIA WYNDHAM," "ANGELA," &c.
" Popular as the previous works of this author have been, we feel
certain that the present volumes will surpass them in the estimation
of the public. The author has never before written with so much
energy and feeling. No one but a person of real genius could have
produced such a tale."—Britannia.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

Immediately, in 2 vols. post
MEMOIRS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF

SIR ROBERT HURRAY KEITH, K. 8.,
MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY
At the Courts of Dresden, Copenhagen, and Vienna, from 1769 to 1793.

Edited by airs. GILLESPIE SMYTH.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.
Orders received by all Booksellers.

ST. JAMES'S TH E:A T RE.
Season 1849.
FREXCH PLAYS and OPERA COMIQUE.
On FRIDAY NEXT,
The Performances will commence at Half-past Seven o'clock, with
rule II INEL LE.
To conclude with the popular Opera Coutique, entitled
LA DAME BLANCHE.
Georges, Mons. Bennamy ; Anna, Mdlle. Charton; Jenny, Mdlle.
Gulchard.
Mr. Mitchell begs also to announce that, notwithstanding the In-
creased expenses of the present entertainment, the prices of admis-
sion are determined as follows:
Boxes .. • • • • • • • • La. °a.
Pit • . • . 3s. ed.
Amphitheatre .. • • .. 2s. Od.
Subscriptions for the season may be arranged at Mr. Mitchell's
Royal Libiary, 33, Old Bond-street; Mr. Sams', St. James's-street ;
Mr. Andrews', New Bond-street ; and at aa-Box-office of the
Theatre, which is open daily from eleven till Lye.

kIEATRE ROYAL, LIAY,MARti E I
Mr. B. Webster, Sele Lessee and Manager. Old 13rompton.
The public is respectfully informed that this Theatre has, during
the recess, undergone very extensive repairs and alterations and the
whole rekdecorated.
TO-MORROW EYE/ TING
Will be perfoimed DON CIESAR,DR BIZAN. Don Cmsar, Mr.
James Wallack ; Lazarillo, Miss Horton"; Maritana, Miss Bennett.
To be followed by an Arabian Nights' Entertainment, entitled
CAMARALZAMAN AND BADOVRA ; or, The Pert who Loved
the Prince. Characters by Messrs. Bland, Keeley; Mrs. Keeley, Miss
Horton, and Miss Reynelds.
To conclude with a new Farce, entitled YOUR LIFE'S IN
DANGER.

TREATRR ROYAL, ADELPHI.
,-nder the direction of Madame Celeste

During the Recess this Theatre has been entirely re-decorated, the
oiginal designs by Digby Wyatt, Es. 4 , executed by Mr. Sang. A
aew Stage, Curtain, Act Drop, and Chandelier. An approved sys-
tem of Ventilation, Sec., Sec. The Private Boxes enlarged, Backs
added to the Seats, and Stalls rendered mere comfortable.

TO-MORROW EYENINii,
Will be performed the original Drama, called HARVEST
HOME. Principal characters by Messrs. H. Hughes, Lambert,
Wright, P. Redford, 0. Smith, Madame Celeste, Miss Woolgar, Mrs.
Frank Matthews, Miss Turner, Sze.
After which, TrIE ENCHANTED ISLE. Alonzo, Mr. Paul
Bedford; Prospero, Mr. 0. Smith; ArieL Miss E. Chaplin.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Management of Madame Vestris.
Sole Lessee, Mr. Charles Ms, he ws.
TO-MORROW EVENING

Will be performed SHAVE YOURSELF DIRECTLY.
After which, a new Fairy Extravaganza, entitled THE KING OF
rHE PEACOCKS. Characters by Messrs. Harley, John Reeve,
Selby, H. Hall, Marshall, and H. Marshall ; Miss Kathleen Fitzwil-
`lam, Miss L. Howard, Hrs. Macnamara, Miss Marshall, Miss L.
Marshall, Miss Coleman, and Madame Vestris.
To conclude with USED UP.
Dress i:vies, Ss. ; Upper Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. No
waif-price to any part of the house.
The New Illox-office, No. 2. Wellington-street, is open to the
public every (lay, from Ten till Six.

PRINCESS'S THEAD:E.
Mr. J. If. Maddox, Sole Lessee and Manager.
During the Recess this Theatre has been re-decorated and embel-
lished in a superb and costly manner 1-y Mr. Hurwitz. A new Chan-
delier has been fitted, and the best arrane men ts have been made for
the due Ventilation of the Theatre, and the couuort and convenience
oi the audience.
TO-MORROW EVENING,
Will be performed the Opera of LA VIVANDIERE.
To conclude with a new grand Pantomime, entitled BLUFF
RIRG HAL ; or, Harlequin and it (Charmed Arrow. Harlequin,
Mr. Bologna ; Pantaloon, Mr. P mule ; Clown, Mr. Flexmore ; Sprite,
Mr. De Barr ; Columbine, Miss Fawcett.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
Under the Patronage of her Majesty the Queen, his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, &c.
Enormous success of the Holiday Novelties, the most astounding in
the Metropolis.—A gorgeous Spectacle.—Erilliant Scenes of the
Arena.