The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-15 00:00:00

of this sort was to be taken to be a national
expedition, though once or twice, or three times, no
harm might result—and no harm had yet taken
place from this cause; for everything had certainly
gone off in the best feeling, and the visit itself had been
received with the most perfect cordiality by their neigh-
bours—yet, on another occasion great and serious harm
might result, as a collision might take place between
large bodies of the two nations, which would lead to bad
blood between them, and end very probably in the most
mischievous consequences. Therefore, however unne-
cessary the caution might be deemed, he certainly enter-
tained the opinion that on all future occasions it would
be expedient to allow these expeditions to take place
under the sanction of Government.

The subject then dropped.
The Duke of ARGYLE presented several petitions
praying that the privilege of substituting affirmations
for oaths in courts of law, now enjoyed exclusively by
Quakers, Moravians, and Separatists, should be extended
to oth:n. sects. The petitions Were from various sec-
tarian places of worship at Dalkeith, Fife, Edinburgh,
and Dunbar, and also from 1,200 of the inhabitants of
Edinburgh.

Lord NELSON brought in a Bill to regulate the ap-
pointment of chaplains at foreign ports and places.
The Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read
a second time on Thursday week.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented several
returns.

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented a peti-
tion trom Newton Ards, in the cou❑ty of Down, against
the Poor•law (Ireland) Rate in Aid Bill.

ELECTORAL DIVISIONS.

The Duke of WELLINGTON said, that before their
Lordships resolved themselves into Committee on the
Rate in Aid Bill, he should wish to ask the Noble Mar-
quis, the President of the Council, whether any pro-
gress had been made with the Bill to alter the size of the
electoral districts in Ireland?

The Marquis of LANSDO WNE said that no Bill bad
yet been brought into Parliament to effectuate an altera-
tion in the size of the electoral divisions in Ireland; and
the reason was, that though it bad been the intention of
her Majesty's Government for some time past to intro-
duce a measure on the subject, yet the Committee ap-
pointed by their Lordships to inquire into it, had not yet
made its report, neither had the Committee appointed
by the other House, for the same purpose. So far,
however, as the mere alteration of the size of the elec-
toral divisions was concerned, the Commissioners bad
full power to vary them.
The Earl of WICKLOW said he did not believe that
any Act of Parliament was necessary to alter the size of
the electoral districts, as the Commissioners had full
power over it.
YOOR•LAW (IRELAND) RATE IN AID BILL.
The Earl of CARLISLE having moved that their
Lordships should resolve themselves into a Committee
on the Poor-law (Ireland) Rate in Aid Bill,

The Earl of MOUNTbASHEL said that, in conse-
quence of the great agitation which now prevailed in
Ireland with regard to this measure, and its undoubted
tendency to render disloyal the most loyal parts of that
country, he should earnestly recommend the House not
to hurry its progress. In consideration of those points,
he should propose that their Lordships postpore the
Committee. _

The Earl of MINTO said, that as an understanding
had been come to between both sides of the House that
the discussion should be taken at a future stage, although
the Noble Lord had a perfect right to submit a
motion to that effect, he hoped he would not now offer
any opposition to the progress of the Bill.
The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL said that he was not
till then aware of any such understanding, and would not
otherwise have proposed a postponement.
Their Lordships then went into Committee on the
Bill,

The Earl of WICKLOW said be objected not only to
the principle of the Bill, but also to the manner in which
it was drawn up; both being, in his opinion, very unjust.
He should propose, in order to meet the views of many
of his Noble Friends in that louse, that a provision
should be added to the Bill, to empower tenants to de-
duct from their rents the amount of the rate.
The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL said he disapproved of
that proposition altogether, the landlords having enough
on their hands already.
The Earl of CARLISLE said that the suggestion of
the Noble Earl near him (Wicklow), though made iu his
usual liberality of spirit towards Ireland, was wholly un-
constitutional, and could not be entertained.
Lord MONTEAGLE said he had to propose a clause
which, he thought, might have the intended effect. Its
object was to have a distinct account kept of the applica-
tion of the rate in aid within twelve days after the 31st
of December in each year, to which the Bill referred,
together with an account of the amounts levied, and of
th proportions in which it bad been raised.
After a few words from Lords Campbell, Glengall,
Monteagle, and the Earl of Carlisle,
The Earl of WICKLOW consented to withdraw his
motion.

Their Lordships having gone through the clauses,
The Earl of CARLISLE intimated that the report on
the Bill would be brought up to-morrow (this day), and
that upon an understanding that there was to be no dis-
cussion taken upon it before Friday, which he should
name for the third reading, until when Noble Lords
might reserve any observations which they might feel
disposed to make on the Buil.
Lord MOUNTCASHEL protested against those un-
derstandings to which the Noble Earl (Carlisle) had
alluded, and thought that it was not desirable to enter
into any such arrangement as the Noble Earl suggested,
seeieg that on the evening fixed all the power of the Go-
vi,rnment might be brought forward against the oppo-
nents of the Bill—a Bill, he must say, which would only
place Ireland in a worse position than she was even at
present in.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 14.
The SPEAKER took the Chair a few minutes before
Four o'clock.

THIRD READINGS.

The following Bills were read third time and
passed:—
Caledonian Railway (Purchase or Lease of Wishaw
and Coltness Railway).
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway and Mary-
port and Carlisle Railway (Lease and Amalgamation).
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway (Newcastle-
upon-Tyne and Carlisle Railway Lease and Amalgama-
tion).
SECOND READINGS.

The following Bills were read a second time:—
Louth Markets and Improvements.
Westhead's Patent (for Improvements in Manufac-
turing Fur into Fabrics).
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS.

The reports upon the following Bills were considered
and agreed to:—_

Charing-cross Bridge (Amendments of Acts, Powers
to alter authorised Approaches, &c.).
London Gas Light Campany (Amendment of Act).

PETITIONS.

Sir R. H. INGLIS presented a petition from several
clergymen at Warwick against the Parliamentary Oaths
Bill.

Mr. J. BAILEY presented a petition agreed to at a
large public meeting at Hereford, praying for some relief
to toe agricultural and trading interests of the country.
Mr. DUNCAN presented a petition from Dundee
praying for the alteration of the game-laws.
Mr. EVANS presented a petition from the Indepen-
dents of Derby against the continuance of the Regium
Don um grant.

Mr. FERGUS presented a petition frcm a place in
Scotland against the Scotch Sanitary Bill.
Sir J. WALMSLEY presented a petition from Bolton
in favour of an extension of the suffrage and vote by
ballot, both as regards Parliamentary and municipal
elections.

Mr. P. WOOD presented a petition from Oxford in
favour of the poor-law superannuation fund ; also a pe-
tition from farmers and others, praying that free trade
might be carried out by the repeal of the duties upon
malt and hops.

Lord BROOKE presented a petition against any alter-
ation in the Parliamentary oaths.
Mr. HILDYARI) presented a petition from Bridport
against the alienation of tithes from spiritual purposes.
Mr. 0. GORE presented a petition from Clerkenwell
praying for the removal of Smithfield Market.
Mr. STANSFIELD presented a petition against the
paper and advertisement duty.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition in favour of an ex-
tension of the suffrage, several petitions praying for the
liberation of the Rev. Mr. Shore, a petition in favour of
international arbitration, and a petition from Edinburgh,
praying for the abolition of the gams-laws.
Mr. FREWEN presented a petition from Sussex
against the Parliamentary Oaths Bill.
Mr. COBDEN presented several petitions from Lan-
cashire in favour of Parliamentary reform.
Mr. CAYLEY preserved a petition from Melton,
praying for some relief to the agricultural interests.
EMIGRATION.

Mr. J. O'CONNELL gave notice that to-morrow,
when the Hon. Member for Limerick brought forward
his motion on emigration, he would move as a substitute
that emigration was a most expensive remedy for the
relief of Ireland, and that it is more immediately neces-
sary at present to check the disasters of emigration than
to promote it.