The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1841

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.

GLOBE.—The intervention of Lord Howick has not
advantaged the Opposition or embarrassed the Ministry
in the manner which the forincr anticipated. There has
been no difficulty created by his ameadme:A of Mon-
day, beyond a trifling delay, in taking the sense of the
House decisively on the vital question, as r, gards the
Ministerial measure—the 8/. franchiEe. Lord Howi,,k,
having failed in his object of compromise between the
two parties, abandoned, as our readers will perceive by
the debate, another amendment of which he had given
notice, as unlikely to receive support, Two successive
amendments of Mr. Hume were negatived on a division,
Mr. Sheil gently hinting to the Honourable Member that
he evidently knew less about Kilkenny than M.ddlesex.
On these amendments, Sir Robert Peel voted will Mini-
sters, in order that the conclusive vote of the House might
be taken on the direct clause as Ministers intend to pro-
pose it. We should have thought this directness of purpose
in the chief of the Opposition might have prevented him,
on Monday, from heading his party in hurrying on a
division, or might have induced him, on similar grounds, as
last night, to vote with Ministers on that division I He has
made it clear that be meant to express no practical con-
currence with Lord Howick. I: was an otiose vote of
acquiescence in a general principle ; a principle he had no
intention of concurring in carrying out. It was
just such an abstract and speculative vote as Sir Robert
Peel condemns, when he does not happen to spy a party
advantage in giving it. The only practical result, on the
present occasion, will be that of introducing an addition to
the franchise. originally proposed--an addition, it may be
doubted whether quite so conducive as the English
Cbandos clause has been to the purposes of the Tory
party. The speech of Lord J. Russell gave a luminous
view of the essential difference between the English and
Irish constituency ; and, with that of Mr. Shell,
afforded, as it seems to us, conclusive arguments against
any scheme of a mere occupation franchise far the litter
country. It cannot be necessary to remind Liberal Mem-
bers that the decisive vote is to-night, and that it appears
understood the Bill is to have precedence of all other
business. _ _ _

STANDARD.—It is extremely difficult to present any
distinct view of the resumed debate last night upon Lord
Morpeth's Bill. Lord Howick's reasoning and his con-
duct are alike incomprehensible to any common sense
understanding. The franchise proposed in the Ministerial
Bill is, as all know, a franchise not based on property ;
it is a franchise based solely upon the occupation, for
a certain term, of land, rated, according to the first
proposition, at 51., according to the second at 8/. ; and
all Lord Howick's arguments on Monday went to
show the danger of any camparatively low franchise
not based upon a beneficial interest—in other words,
upon property his lordship recommending speci-
fically a franchise hated upon a beneficial interest of
at the least 5/. As such Lord Howick's proposition
was understood by Sir Robert Peel, who gave this interpre-
tation of it in distinct terms, and by the whole party who
so triumphantly carried it. Nay, last night again Lard
Howick repeated his objecion to the ministerial fran-
chise, as not giving a property test, though he de-
clared that his amendment was only intended to
provide an addition to, and not a substitute for it. Who
can understand this ? A proposition is male which
is described as essentially vicious in principle, not
defective in extent, and another proposition, not
subject to the same objections, is recommended.
Is this to propose an addition or a substitute ?
But what would be practically the amount of ad-
dition made by Lord Hoaick's amendment ? Lord
Morpeth's Bill (in the second version) would enfranchise
all tenants of a certain short tenure, rated at 8/. Lord
Howick's amendment would add all tenants having a
beneficial interest of 51., though rated at less than
81. There must be tenants having a profit of 5/.
upon lands paying less than 3/. in rent, of whom
there are probably not fifty in a country cir-
cumstanced as Ireland is. Was this addition worth
all the elaborate preparation for Monday's debate, and all
the heralding of the Examiner and the other organs in
Lord Howick's confidence ? No. Lord Howick did
mean a substitute for the Ministerial franchise, though
now he denies that he did. By the aid of the Conserva-
tives he carried this substitute; and now he backs out
of it, obviously because he has taken fright at the effect
of his success.
COURIER.—Lord John Russell, on completion of
the two days' grace so humbly prayed for, and mercifully
conceded, on Monday, for the purpose of considering whe-
ther or not to redeem his official honour by Ministerial resig-
nation, announced last evening to a House very numerously
constituted and all agape with curiosity, that " Govern-
ment would not be at all justified if they considered that
vote (the adverse majority of 21 on Monday) as conclu-
sive on such a question"—that is, conclusive of the
melancholy necessity of their resignation. Scornful
murmurs were very audibly breathed from all sides
of the House as this very strange declaration was
sneakingly delivered by Lord John, but not one ex-
pression of surprise fell from a single lip, nor was any
feeling manifested on a single countenance save that of
contempt and derision combined. Nobody expected the
resignation of Ministers, and precisely because such
would have been the course of public men with honour
and character to lose ; therefore no one was disap-
pointed to find Lord John still minister, or astonished
to hear him coolly, but not confidently, indicating his
determination still to remain so. The explanations re-
ciprocated between my " Noble Friends," Lords John
and Howick were, of course, of the most amicable and
srl the duello was not pro-
ceeded with. Lord John assured the thiu-se-ii was all a
mistake " 'pon honour," and had he understood his No-
ble Friend's amendment in the light since represented,
but which he then entirely mistook, far from opposing, it
should have had his delighted acquiescence, as the means
of a substantial enlargement of the franchise and addition
to the numbers of the Irish constituency. My Lord
Howick, on the other hand, affected by his Noble Friend's
magnanimous acknowledgment of his Monday's blundering,
albeit not displeased with his majority 21, gallantly met his
advances towards a reconciliation, poured wine and oil into
the gaping wound of Monday's fierce encounter by the
intimation of regret for past differences, and the announced
withdrawal of further part in the registration fray, even to
the sacrifice of all the amendments he had yet in store and
given notice of. rather than again run the risk of forcing
his Noble Friend into the painful predicament of holding
fast by his place, even at the loss of caste and character.

KING'S COUNTY ELECTION
COMMITTEE.
The Committee met yesterday morning at Eleven
o'Clock.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM resumed his argument for the
petition. The Learned Counsel said his argument on
the previous day had been, that pensioners under the
Crown during pleasure, were disqualified for sitting in
Parliament, and that the pension in this case was of that
nature. He apprehended that it was intended to draw
some distinction between this pension, which was paid out
of the Stamp-office, and the case of a pension which was
paid out of the Civil List. Ha contended, however, that
wherever the Minister, in the name of the Crown,
had power to exercise control over the independence of a
Member of Pat liament, under the statute of Anne be was
disqualified.
Mr. AUSTIN said he admitted without hesitation
that it was a pension under the Crown, granted
under the statute. If his Learned Friend could show
that it was also a pension during pleasure, be should at
once admit that Mr. Armstrong could not retain his seat.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM said. that being admitted, be
would next proceed to show that the office was held during
pleasure. The Learned Counsel then referred to the case
cited yesterday in the matter of Hand, for the purpose of
showing that the Treasury had power to grant a
pension for life, and that this cffice was held dur-
ing the pleasure' of the Crown. The only other point,,
supposing this to be established, was whether sufficient
notice was given of the objection at the time of the election.
Mr. Ausne contended that the two questions were
perfectly distinct. It should be established that the office
was rsi a disqualifying nature before they proceeded to the
selficiency of notice.
A letter was put in by Mr. Austin, and was iden-
tified by Mr. Cuff, Sub-Sheriff of the county, as the hand-
writing of Mr. Armstrong.
Evidence was taken as to the making up of the
poll-books, but no point turned upon it.
Mr. Pressley wan then called, and examined by Mr.
Sergeant WRANGHAM.—Witness said ho was secretary to
the Board of Stamps. The Boards of England and Ireland
were consolidated in 1831, and certain reductions were
made in consequence. The office of Receiver-Gene-
ral was among the number. On the 31st of July 1831,
a report was made to the Treasury, recommending an
alteration and reduction of the establishment. On the
Treasury approving of the reduction a report was made of
the officers who would be discontinued, amongst whom was
Mr. Armstrong. In February 1832 they applied for the
ages of these officers with a view to compensation, and Mr.
Armstrong, not having served ten years, they granted him
a gratuity of one year's salary, amounting to 4611. Ils. On
the 17th of June, when the reduction Lad been completed,
Mr. Armstrong memorialised the Treasury, and it being re-
ferred to the Board of Stamps they reported to the Treasury
that he had then completed his ten year's service. In Septem-
ber, 1832, Mr. Armstrong was placed on the redundant
list, and a gratuity of 1231. a year was awarded to him.
I. A letter was then put in evidence, of the 25th of Sep-
tember, 1832, placing Mr. Armstrong on the redundant list]
Mr. Armstrong was liable to be called into active service. In
the event of his refusing to serve his pension would cease.
'Phis salary would cease if he were appointed to any new
office. Up to the close of the month of February he had
received no instructions to discontinue the pension. Mr.
Armstrong's receipts were transmitted to the Audit-office;
his name would necessarily remain upon the list until
orders were received to discontinue payment.
Mr. Tyrrell, Receiver-General of Ireland, thee. pro•
duced the warrant from the Stamp-office to pay
the salary. He, as cashier, bad paid Mr. Arm-
strong's salary by quarterly payments. The last
payment he made was on the sth January in this year.
[The receipt was put in evidence.] He had not paid the
salary on the sth of April. He received no countermand
up to the month of March. He should not cease to pay
it without an order to that effect.
Mr. TALBOT then addressed the Committee on behalf
of the petitioners.
Mr. AUSTIN rose to address the Committee on behalf
of the sitting Member. The Learned Counsel commencd by
citing extracts from Roe's Treatise upon e'ection law,
and from Mr. Stevens's work on the same subject, for the
purpose, as he said, of showing the Committee what was
the principle to be applied to cases of alleged disquali-
fication. After referring to the circumstances of disqua-
lificaiion, it was stated that the whole doctrine of disquali-
fication being restrictive of the elective franchise, the rules
which went to disqualify the persons elected were always
of strict construction, the presumption of law being strongly
against dinqualiecation. That was the principle which
had invariably been acted upon. In this case there were
no merits whatever. If Mr. Armstrong was to be unseated
he was to be unseated upon a mere technical point of law.
His friend, therefore, was entitled to no indulgence what-
ever at the hands of the committee; he was bound to

prove a disqualification within the clear letter of the statute.
It had been concluded by the counsel for the petitioners
that Mr. Armstrong was disqualified from sitting
as a Member of Parliament, by the circumstance
of his being a pensioner at the pleasure of the Crown, as
well as upon the ground that he was still an officer of the
Stamp-office. He would first state, in reference to this
argument, that whatever pension Mr. Armstrong had held
before the election, that pension had been resigned. Hav-
ing two strong points, he would not have faded in his duty
to his client had he not availed himself of both. He
trusted, however, that he would be able to show that, upon
both points, his learned friends were wrong. First,
then, with regard to the duration. Before the year 1827,
Mr. Armstrong was Receiver-General-of the Stamp Duties
in Ireland. In 1828 passed the 7th and Bth of George
the Fourth, which enabled the Government amongst other
things to consolidate the Boards of Stamps in Dublin
and London. It had been stated that the two Boards
were consolidated in 1831. Upon the occasion of the
consolidation of those two boards, the Government acting
under the powers of the 7th and Bth of George the Fourth,
abolished the office of Receiver-General cf Stamps in Ire-
land. That was the first material fact. The office was
abolished and had never been revived. This pension,therefore,
was granted upon the abolition of an office, and not as a
superannuation allowance. Tile Learned Counsel then
referred at considerable length to the 31 of Geo. IV.,
section 15, in support of this view. He contended that
this pension was a pension during good beh,siour, and as
such a pension for life. With regard to the point that
Mr. Armstrong was still in office, he would only remind
the Court of what he had before stated, that the office of
Receiver-General, which he f armerly held, was abolished.
That in his opinion completely set that point at rest.
He would now come to the second part of his argument,
and far this purpose he must suppose an entirely new state
of things; namely, that Mr. Armstrong was, in fact,a pen-
sioner at the pleasure of the Crown. It was notorious
before the election that Mr. Barnard had no chance of
being returned, and all were astonished that he should
persist in going to the poll. A day or two, however,
before the nomination, Mr. Armstrong was told that the
secret of this strange conduct was that he (Mr. Arm-
strong) was a pensioner under the Crown, and his return
would be opposed. The nomination took place on the 19th,
and on the 20th M-. Armstrong, in order to secure him-
self against this species of objection, resigned his pension.
The Learned Counsel then read the resignation and the
subsequent proceedings, by which the warrant for the pay-
ment of the pension was revoked.
The Committee adjourned at Four o'clock.

__—
GRAVESEND —A very gay and animated scene
presented itself here on Wednesday, occasioned by the de-
parture under a grand salute, and with colours and signals
flying, of two fine vessels, the Whitby and Will Watch.
A b idy of civil engineers and surveyors, together with a
complement of labourers are on board, and destined fur
New Zealand. This expedition is under the command of
Captain Wakefield, R.N., and is intended as a preliminary
measure for selecting and preparing the seat of a new set-
tlement. in that enchanting country. resembling the expe-
dition commenced by Colonel Wakefield, which sailed
from this in May, 1839, and which resulted in the esta-
blishment of Port Nicholson; the first colony of the New
Zealand Company. The civil engineers and surveyors
are cighteen in number, and duplicates of their machinery
and instruments necessary fur the furtherance of the object
in view are carried out in each ship, so that no time may
be lost, on the arrival of either vessel, in setting earnestly
to work to prepare the way for those who are to follow.
Captain Liardet, of the Royal Navy, is also a passenger,
having been appointed the Company's principal agent at
their settlement of New Plymouth. Tnie distinguished
officer was Commander on board the Powerful, under
Commodore Napier, in the Mediterranean, and obtained
his rank as Post Captain for his recent services at Acre.
There are several volunteers in the expedition, intended to
be settlers at the new colony to be called Nelson, the first
settlement having been named Wellington. Among these
volunteers are two members of a distinguished Scottish
family, the sons of Mr. Tytler, of Woodhouse Lee, and
nephews of the historian. The vessels, which were scru-
pulously inspected by Mr. Soamee, the Governor of the
New Zealand Company, accompanied by Mr. Aglionby,
M. P., Mr. Ross Mangles, and other Directors, appeared
to be very roomy and commodious, and order and regularity
exhibited itself wherever the eye could penetrate. The
labourers, who are remarkable for their size and strength,
were all clothed in a warm and uniform suit of blue, with
bearer hats ; and exhibited correctness of demeanour and
the most cheerful dispositions ; indeed, it was evident
that everything had been done for them that forethought
and kindness could dictate. They are all under 30
years of age and are married, and before leaving were
mustered on deck, and Mr Soamcs, in a very appropriate
and feeling speech, gave the fullest assurance that their
wives and families should be sent out to join them by the
May expedition, and that they should be well taken care
of the meantime. The principal officers of the expe-
dition and their friends, who had come to take leave of
them, dined at Wate's H )tel, and embarked at six o'clock,
under a salute from the ship, which at once dropped down
the river, and proceeded on their voyage.
The Admiralty have issued regulations respect•
ing the supply of cabin furniture to captains and other
commanding officers of her Majesty's vessels, of which the
following are the principal :—The articles of furni ure
consisting of plate, in forks, spoons, ladles, fish slices,
and sugar tongs; linen, bed and table; glass and china,
in decanters, glasses, dinner-sets, breakfast and tea sets;
and chairs and tables arc to be considered as the esta-
blishment, to be supplied from the naval stores to com-
manding officers who may demand the whole or any
eoirelatisissuent as MU their own con_
VenienCe. 101. per cent. per annum wiii-nerien-urgea-
on the value to officers for the use of the furniture. In
the event of the death of an officer, or of his bring super.
seded, his successor is to be at liberty to use the cabin fur-
niture on board the ship, on taking a survey of the remains'
and of their actual condition, for the information of the
Admiralty but if officers should not make use of the
cabin furniture of their predecessors, a survey is to be
made, and the stores delivered into the charge of the
purser, as public property, to be returned into store
at the first naval yard at home or abroad, at which the
ship may touch. If an officer succeeding to a corn-
mand shall require the use of the furniture after it is
given in charge to the purser, it may be. supplied. On
the refit of a ship at any of H. M. dock-yards, furniture
may be obtained to replace any which may have been lost,
or rendered unfit for use by the casualti es of the service. ;
Officers removing from one ship to another are at liberty
to take with them the furniture from the ship they leave.
If the furniture of a predecessor is on board the ship to
which a commanding officer removes, and his successor in
the ship he leaves desires to have it, it is to be transferred
to him, not exceeding the proportions allowed to the class
of the ship. A transfer of a proportion of furniture from a
larger to a smaller ship may be made, the remainder to be
left in charge of the purser of the ship from whence the
transfer is made. Officers promoted may complete their
stores from the furniture of their predecessors. The valuation
of the stores, on which 10 per cent.is to be charged, will
be regulated according to their actual value when issued,
and their valuation will continue until they are re-
turned. The officers to whom stores are supplied are to be
liable to the full cost of any of the articles missing when the
ship is paid off, except the deficiencies are attributable
to the casualties of the service, and not to neglect. In all
cases of special service when officers are required t ) carry
passengers, an increase of articles may be demanded, which
are to be returned into store at the expiration of t'ie service.
In every instance of alteration in the disposition of the
stores or any part of them, a report is to be forwarded to
the Admiralty. A box of plate has already arrived from
Lon ion at this dockyard fur general service, and the other
articles will soon follow. The measure will be an advan-
tage to the commanding officers availing themselves of it,
but most officers will, we have no doubt, prefer taking their
own plate. &c., from which they are not debarred.—De•
vonport Telegraph.
It is reported that from a recent survey of the
country, between this town and Cirencester, a line has
been selected for the completion of the Cheltenham and
Great Western Railway, which presents less engineering
difficulties than the one originally proposed, and that by
means of an inclined plane the existing obstacles may be
easily surmounted.—Cheltenham Examiner.
GREEN OLD AGE.—On Easter Monday last,
a ball, which took place at the Crown Inn, Canon Piou,
was graced by the agile presence of one old man, who
danced out his seventy-sixth year, and met his seventy-
seventh, poised on "the light fantastic toe," his fair partner
was sixty years younger than himself. Who after this will
say that " May and December can never agree?"—

Cheltenham Examiner.
We of the other sex should delight in seeing the
intel!ect and taste of women cultivated to the utmost of
their capabilities ; but it is clear that woman is not in.
tended for the rough business of the world, and that her
perfection is best tisplayed in quiet intellectual and etc.
gent occupations, and in care and activity directed to the
happiness of those individuals to whom she i; attached.
" For nothing lovelier can be found
In woman than to study household good,
And good works in her husband to promote."
Women ill appreciate the true loveliness of their Fez who
wish to resemble man in their mind and occupations.
" All higher knowledge in her presence falls
Degraded : Wisdom in discourse with her
Loses discountenanced, and like Fully shows."
_Elliotson's Human Physiology.
THE CHARGE OF AN AMERICAN JUDGE TO
A JURY AT KENTUCKY.—Gentlemen—in this case, the
counsel at both sides arc quite unintelligible, the e,idence
of the witnesses i 3 quite incredible, and plaintiff and de-
f,sndant are such bad characters, that it is quite indifferent
to me which way you give your verdict,

On Tuesday the attention of the promenaders
was directed to her Majesty's brig the Rapid, about three
miles to the eastward of the town, which was discharging
her gun•. It appears that some French boats were fish-
imr Within the limits prescribed by the Convention, viz ,
three miles of the headlands, and that the brig was warn-
ingthem of their trespass.—Brighton Gazette.

MURDER AS A HELP TO MEMORY.—On a
trial at Cambridge, relative to the liability of the inhabi-
tints of Doddington to repair a highway, a question oc-
cupied the Court for five days—viz., whether the road re-
ferred to was a public highway or not. No amusing in-
cident occurred to relieve the tedium of the cause, yet the
interest was such, that during every portion of it the Court
and all the avenues leading to it were crowded with persons
anxious to hear the details of a case of such vast impor-
tance in the fen districts, where many hundred miles of si-
milar roads, there called " droves," exist. Several of the
old witnesses dated from an event which, in their younger
days, seems to have caused universal interest, " the year
Solomon Tuck was hanged," " so many years before or
after the year Solomon Tuck wits hanged" (which was 60
years since), was their common form of expression. This
Solomon seems to have murdered his wife and children
under circumstances of no common atrocity.—lpswich

Express
A lady reading a paragraph in one of the papers
that had been extracted from the Literary Gazette, in-
quired of Lord - the meaning of the abbreviation at the
end, "Lond. Lit. Gaz." "It means," replied The 11.01 e
dandy, "tbat London is always lit with gess I"

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.
Yesterday a Court was held for the despatch of bu-

rior proceedings in a Court of Justice. Now, he
could rot reconcile these answers, nor could he un-
descend shat any proceedings in a Court of Jus-
tice could have to do with the question, as the offence
of Mr. Candlish in disobeying the law had been com-
pleted. The fact of his being a leader of those who were
engaged in opposing the law ought to be sufficient to pre-
vent that gentleman's appointment. He wished to know
whether the intention to appoint him had or had not been
finally abandoned?
The Marquis of NOR M ANBY said that be must give
the same answer he had on a former occasion, that
it was not his intention to persevere in the appointment of
Mr. Candlish. He thought the Noble Earl had mis-
understood what had been said in another place relative to
the event of ulterior proceedings. Suppose the Court of
Session should determine that the interdict was not a legal
one, surely that would put Mr. Candlish in a different
position from the one he now occupied ; but he could not
be called on to state how he would act in the event of such
a decision bring come to.
The Earl of ABERDEEN had advised those who had
suffered from the persecution, not to bring the matter be-
fore the Court :in such a way as would place him in a
position to attract sympathy; and, therefore, he thought
that any idea of bringing him before the Court for punish-
ment would be abandoned. There were various modes
by which Mr. Candlish might mote for the repeal of the
interdict, and his not doing so was a proof he was afraid of
encountering the consequences. ( Hear, hear.) If the
institution of the Professorship were of such importance
it ought to be filled up immediately, and there were many
quite as well qualified for it as Mr. Candlish. The
course adopted by the Government on this question was
not a fair one ; it was a shirking course, and he called
upon them to carry out their own decision.
The Marquis of NORMAN BY had understood on the
former occasion most distinctly that it was intended to in-
stitute proceedings against this gentlemen, which would
have the effect of truing the validity of the interdict, and
he considered the abstaining from doing so rather honest
than otherwise. Notwithstanding the taunts of his
Noble Friend he must be permitted to exercise his own
discretion as to the course he should recommend the
Crown to pursue in filling up the appointment.
The Earl of ABERDEEN explained.

The Marquis of L ANSDONVisTE presented petitions
from various medical practitioners in Ireland, praying for a
reform of the medical profession in Ireland; also a petition
from some place in Cornwall, in favour of the removal of
Jewish

Tee Marquis of NORMANBY presented a petition
from Newcastle to the same effect ; also a petition against
Church-rates ; and a petition from the Rational Religion-
ists, praying for inquiry.
CORN-LAWS.

Earl FITZ WILLIAM said it was not his intention to
fix any day for the discussion of the Corn-laws, but he
must take that, the only opportunity he should have before
the financial statement should be brought forward else-
where, of drawing the attention of the House to the Corn-
laws, in conney,ion with our finances. The Noble Duke
had alluded to the impolicy of keeping our establishments
on a low scale, but that was only half the question. These
could not be maintained without a large and increasing
revenue, and how was that to be obtained? Commerce
was diminished, manufactures were diminished, and were
those who signed petitions for continuing the Corn-laws
prepared to say that the revenue of the country could be
kept up without revising the whole system of the import
duties ?

The Earl of WARWlCK.—Certainly.
Earl FITZ WILLIAINI thought the Noble Lord could
have paid little attentioti to the recent investigations on
the subject. They must make up their minds to lay
their taxes not on those who laboured for wealth, but on
those who had acquired wealth. They must make up their
minds to a property-tax. As to what the nature of
it might be was a different question, but they must make
up their minds that they could not exempt them-
selves from taxation in the way they had hitherto
done.—( Hear.) They could not say that they
would exempt one article from the searching exami-
nation to which the whole system of import duties mast be
subjected. It was a delusion to imagine that they could
say to the people you may have cheap tea or cheap sugar,
but you shall not touch that article cn which our rents
depend—you shall not have cheap bread. The increase
in the exports of half manufactured articles, connected as
it was with the decrease in the export of the perfected
manufacture, was one of the most fatal symptoms. These
we e matters deserving of the most serious consideration,
and he should not have done his duty if he had not called
attention to the subject on the eve of the financial state-
ment being brought forward. The Noble Earl then pre-
sented several petitions in favour of a revision of the Im-
port Duties, and a repeal of the Corn-laws.
Earl STANHOPE said the decline of the revenue
was solely attributable to a repeal of taxation. He thought
the old prohibitory system the one most conducive to the
comfort and prosperity of the country.
Lord ASHBURTON said, if they gave up a large
amount of Post-office duties they must expect a deficient
revenue. If the Noble Earl would bring the question of
the Report of the Committee on Import Duties regularly
before the House, he ( Lord A.) would prove that a more
shallow, vague, partial, and unfounded statement had
never issued from either House of Parliament. The
manufacturing distress was entirely owing to the state of
the currency in the United States, and if the currency of
America were placed in a sound state their difficulties
would disappear.
Earl FITZ W IL L IA M denied that there was atemporary
fluctuation merely in the demand for our manufactures; the
demand for them was gradually and steadily on the de-
cline. E was not clear that the state of the currency on
the other side of the Atlantic might not have been in-
fluenced by the tLia side of the Atlantic.
Tho Earl of CLARENDON presented a petition from
the Chamber of Commerce of Manchcs'er, praying for
the repeal of all discriminating and protective duties
whatever. Also a similar petition from Musselburgh.
POOR-LAW.

Earl STANHOPE presented several petitions pray-
ing for a repeal of the new Poor-law, and gave notice
that if the all now in progress in the House of Com-
mons on the subject of the new Poor-law, continuing the
uneonstituti9nal powers of the Commissioners, should be
brought up to that House, he should on notice for the
second reading, move that it be read a second time that
day six months.

The various Bills on the table were forwarded a stage,
and their Lordships wijourned at SeNen o'Clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, APRIL 29.]
The SPEAKEIt took the Chair shortly before Four
o' Clock.

Mr. WALTER was introduced by Sir F. Burdett and
Mr. Fie Wen, and took the oaths and his seat for Notting-
ham, amidst loud cheers from the Opposition Members,
BRITISH PLATE GLASS COMPANY.

Mr. R. HODG SON moved that the British Plate
Glass Company Bill, which had been referred to the
Hampshire List, should be referred back to the Committee
of Selection, with an instruction to the Committee that it
he rcirred to the surrey List instead of the Hampshire
List.

Mr. ESTCOURT defended the conduct of the Com-
mitter! of Solution, but thought it immaterial to whit list
the Bill should be referred.

Mr. HODGSON HINDE supported the motion.
Sir ROBERT INGLIS opposed the motion, on tl-c
ground that the House was bound to support the deeisitn
of the Committee of Selection, unless some impreper cot.-
duet could be proved against them.

Mr. M. PHILLIPS thought it desirable that the Bill
should be referred to a Committee, the members of which
were more conneettel with trade and commerce than the
members on the Hampshire list, and he should therefore
support the motion.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the
House divided, wliTn there appeared,
For the motion

Against it
Majority against the motion
On the motion of the Earl of SURREY the Bury
(Sussex) Inclosure Bill was read a third time and passed.
Lord BARRINGTON presented a petition from the
Poor-law guardians of a union in Surrey against certain
clauses in the Poor-law Bill. _ _ _

- -
Mr. LANGDALE presented petitions from the Roman
Catholics of Leicester and another place, praying that
paupers of that persuasion might be attended by Roman
Catholic clergymen in the workhouses.
Mr. LEADER presented petitions from the Tower
Hamlets and Westminster, praying for a free pardon for
Frost, Jones, and Williams. The lion. Member pre-
sented several other petitions, the purport of which we
were unable to catch from the great noise prevailing in
the body of the House.
Mr. VILLIERS presented the following petitions
against the Corn-laws—one from the City of London,
signed by 1,260 householders, with the names of the street
and number of their residences ;axed ; two from Rother-
hithe ; one from Tottenham-court-road; two from West-
minster ; one from Southwark ; one from the county of
Down; one from the linen bleachers of Spring Vale, Bain-
bridge ; and one from the operatives of Stewarton, in
Scotland.
Sir R. BATESON presented eighteen petitions from
Londonderry, Down, Donegal, and Antrim, against Church
Patronage in Scotland.
Petitions in favour of Church Extension were presented
by Sir CHARLES BURRELL and Lord LINCOLN.
Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN presented a petition from a
place in the county Limerick in favour of the Government
Registration Bill, and against that of Lord Stanley.
The Honourable Member also postponed to Thursday,
the 13th of May, the motion of which he had given
notice, for the House
going into Committee on Fri-
day next, to consider an address to her Majesty, pray-
ing that she will be graciously pleased to recom-
mend to Parliament tbat provision be made for carrying
into effect the suggestions contained in the second Report
of the Commissioners appointed toenonfreidlaenrda,
lid
subject t
recom-
mend a general system of Railways
i
such extension or modification as may appear desirable to
her Majesty's advisers and to Parliament,
Mr. G. PA LMER begged to ask what was the inten-
tion of her ;Majesty's Ministry respecting the Poor-law
Commission Continuance Bill ? The Hon. Member,
who was very indistinctly heard, was understood to say
that he thought it bet.er for the Government at once to
bring in a Bill to abolish vestries, end to deprive the
parishes of England altopther of the power of regulating
their affairs.---( Hear, hear.)
Lord J. RUSSELL, who was also very imperfectly
heard, did not intend to act noon the suggestion of the
Hon. Member—(Hear, and a laugh)—hut he would pro-
ceed with the second reading of the Poor-law Bill on
Monday.
In answer to a question from Col. SIBTHO RP,
Lord J. RIT SSE LL said that. it was his intention to
bring on the Civil Contingencies' Bill on Monday next.
Mr. O'CONNELL postponed to this day week the in-
troduction of his Bill to facilitat,i the proof of bribery and
corruption at elections of Members to serve in Parliament.
TOLLS ON BRIDGES.
Sir MATTBEW WOOD moved that the following
gentlemen be appointed the Select Committee, on opening
Waterloo, &c., bridges, free of toll :_Sir Matthew,
wood, Mr. E, 3, Stanley, Sir R. Pee), Mr. Herries, Sir