The Sun.
London, England, 1840-05-14 00:00:00

BOW-SMEET.-(THIS DAY.)

THE MURDER OF LORD WILLIAM RUSSELL.
RE-EXAMINATION OF COURVOISIER.
The Court, and all the approaches to it, were crowded
from an early hour this morning by persons anxious to
catch a glimpse of the valet of the late lamented Noble-
man, who stands charged with the wilful murder of his
master, and who was remanded on Monday last to this day.
Among those present in the Court we observed, his
Serene HighncsF. the Duke of Brunswick, who seemed
very attentive to the whole of the pmeeedings ; Count
Allen, his Equerry; the Earl of Essex ; Sir W. W.
Wynne; Sir G. Beaumont; Mr. Murray.
Mr. HALL, the Chief Magistrate, took his seat on the
Bench shortly before. two o'clock, and almost immediately
afterwards,

Francois Benjamin Courvoisier was placed at the bar. He
appeared collected.
Mr. Hobler conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Flower
appeared for the prisoner. Mr. Wing, the solicitor to
the Puke of Bedford, was also in attendance.
Mr. Hobler said that on the former occasion he bad
merely given the evidence of Pearce; he would now go
through the case from the beginning, and call
Sarah Mancell—l was housemaid to the late Lord
William Russell. He resided at 14, Norfolk-street, Park-
lane. I bad been in his service three years the
last of this month. I was in his service on
Tuesday, the sth of May. His establishMent
consisted of a valet, a cook, and myself, residing in the
house. The prisoner is the valet. His Lordship had two
out-door servants, a coachman and groom. On Tuesday,
sth May, I just saw his Lordship coming down stairs
before breakfast, a little before half-past nine. He re-
mained in the dining. room a quarter of an hour. Ho left
the house the same day a iew minutes before one. His
Lordship had then breakfasted. I after that saw the pri-
soner. He had been in attendance on his Lordship at
breakfast. The prisoner came up into my bedroom, pass-
ing through his own. I asked if his Lordship was gone
out; he said yes. He said his Lordship had " given me
five messages, and I am afraid I shall forget some."
One of his messages was regarding the carriage. He s,.id
his Lordship has ordered the carriage at five at Brookes's.
He asked me what it was, and I told him a club. He
said if his Lordship bad told him that he should have
known what it was. Nothing else passed at that time.
Myself and the prisoner dined together about a quarter
past one. The prisoner left the house after dinner. One
of his messages was to Meisrs. Jarvis and Jones, of Conduit-
street. The prisoner said there was a message about his
'Lordship's hat. The prisoner said if she man came to do
the bell in his Lordship's room, would I go up with him.
He went out after dinner, and returned a little before five.
I was in the dhine-room when prisoner came in. He came
to me there and spoke to me, but said nothing parti-
cular. A few minutes after he said be must lay
his Lordship's things nut to dress for dinner. He then
!eft me. I was in the kitchen, and there came a ring
at the bell the prisoner answered it, and said it was the
upholsterer's man ; this was about five o'clock. I after-
wards saw the upholsterer's man when he came down
stairs ; he left the house by the front door I think. We
then had tea. Whilst the prisoner and the upholsterer
were up stairs there came a ring at the bell. I went into
the area to see, and it was a friend of the valet's, named
Carr. He asked to see the prisoner, and asked him to come
down ; he ultimately did so. I had seers Carr there be-
fore ; he had come to visit the prisoner on former occa-
ior.s. In a few minutes after the prisoner came into the
kitchen. We alt remained in the kitchen together.
His Lordship returned at twenty minutes to six, in a cab.
Whilst we were at tea the coachman came ; he came down to
area steps. I raked the prisoner if he had ordered the
carriage, he said no, he had forgotten it. I said to the
coachman you were ordered to Brook's at five, and ought
to have been there, and the prisoner repeated the same
thing. The coachman did not remain, he only asked the
valet if be bad been to Jarvis and Jones, and went with
the carriage. The prisoner said he should tell his Lord-
ship he ordered the carriage at half-past five. I told him
he had better tell his Lordship the trutb, as his Lordship
would sooner forgive his forgetting the carriage than tell-
ing a falsehood. He said his Lordship was very for-
getful, and must pay for his forgetfulness.' C rr told
the prisoner he had better tell the truth. After we
had done tea, Carr aid the prisoner went into the
passage. When his Lordship came home I went to the
pantry, and Courvoisier said his Lordsbip is obliged to
come home in a cab. He went up to his Lordship; he !
then returned to the pantry. His Lordship then rang the
bell again. Courvoisier went up, and came down into the
pantry with a letter, and taid he was going to the stables
with it by desire of his Lordship. He told me in his pan-
try when he came back that his Lordship had said " I
thought I ordered my carriage at five." He said " No,
half-past." His Lordship —" I thought it was five," and
he said " No, my Lord, half-past five." He said his
Lordship appeared rather angry at first, but after that
he became quite good-tempered. His Lordship had a
large dog, and whey, prisoner returned from the
rabies, he told witness he was going up stairs to
let the dog in. The dog was a large white one.
The dog came into the house every morning and evening.
His Lordship then went out; this was about six o'clock.
His Lordship returned from his walk shortly after six. I
did not see his Lordship go out. Prisoner tcld me his
Lerdabip was gone out again. I said, suppose his Lord-
ship should meet William with the carriage • he said he
had left word at the stables to tell William that his Lord-
ship was come home. His Lordship was absent about
haif an hour, when he returned. The prisoner then made
preparation for his Lordship's dinner. I was in the dining-
room when the prisoner came up with the table-cloth.
After that I went up in my bed-room. The bell-hanger
came again about this time. The valet rang the bell ; I
came down, and the valet asked me to go with the bell-
hanger, to see him put a bell on the door; it was on his
Lordship's bed-room door. I said I would, and went with
him. I was upstairs till 8 o'clock. When I Caine down I found
the prisoner in the pantry. I saw the man tighten the
bell in his Lordship's bed-room, and then he left, taking
with him the handle of the door. The bell is placed at
the head of the bed, near the window, so that a person
can ring it lying in bed. No one was with the prisoner in
the pantry. The coachman came in to fetch the dog a
little before nine, be came by the area steps, through the
kitchen, into the pantry. He remained a little more than
a quarter of an hour, and then he fetched the dog. It
was usual for him to do so. He went to the drawing-room
for the dog. It was his Lordship's custom to have the dog
with him from dinner time until he had coffee. The
coachman Look the dog away. I was in the pantry,
and Courvoisicr said they, were going to have coffee
made, and asked the coachman to have some. lie said
be could not step. The cook was cut. The prisoner
and myself were left alone. We supped together
We conversed together about a new servant coming, and
Courvoisier said if his Lordship did not take his friend he
should not stay ; that ho wi,hed be bad not come into the
place, as he did not like it so well as he thought be should.
lie said his Lordship was fidgetty, and he thought not
pleased with him, and that he was cross and peevish. I said
nonsense. He has at other times used similar expressions.
I recollect his Lordship going to Richmond about a week
before this, where he staid a abort time. The prisoner
accompanied him. He complained shortly after their
return of his Lordship's conduct to him. He said his
Lordship had been very cross and peevish at Richmond,
and that he had changed his room three times. He said
he did not think he should be able to stay long will] his
Lordship. I told him the changing his room bad made
his Lordship cross. The cook returned on Tuesday even-
ing, shortly after six. I was in the kitchen. The prisoner
let her in. He said all the ale was gone, but he would fetch
her more ; he did so ; he went by the area gate. There
is a lock, the key is kept in the kitchen. I heard him
take the key when he went to fetch the beer ; the gate
had been locked at nine. I did net see him bring it back.
In a quarter of an hour after I went to light his Lordship's
bed-room fire. The room was then in order, and I then
went to bed immediately ; this was at half-past ten. The
prisoner's bed-room is on the same floor with mine, at the
tack of the house ; the room where I and the cook sleep
is in front. His Lordship's room is under my Morn. The
cook came up to bed about a quarter of an hour after I
did. His Lordship did not go out of the House after he
had dined. When I went up to bed his Lordship was in
tho hack drawing-room ; he had just rang the bell. I met
the prisoner on the stairs. Alter we were gone to bed, the
only persons left up in the house would be his Lord-
ship and the prisoner. His Lordship retired to rest gene-
rally at twelve o'clock. It was the valet's duty to sit up
until his Lordship bad retired to rest. I did not quit my
room during the night. I awoke about half-past six the
next morning, Wednesday. May 6; and got up and went
down about a quarter to seven. I was accustomed to
knock at tire prisoner's door as I went down. I did so
that morning. I did not see him then. I cannot say
whether he answered. I did not hear him. I went down
stairs.
passed his Lordship's room, and found a warm-
in;-pan lying at the door. It was his Lordship's custom
to have his bed warmed, and that was a duty performed by
hi Lord_
ship's the valet. I had once seen the pan left there 'before,
and told prisoner of it, as it was not a proper place.
I left it, and went into the back room adjoining
then into ship's bed-room to see for the brooz', and
back drawing-room, and chew the blind?. I saw his
Lordship's writing desk turned round, the drawers open,
and the top jammed up with some papers. Ifs keys were

lying on the top drawer, and some, of his papers. A screw I
driver vca3 lying ou tie chair. I hal seen the, screw driver l
bef6re in the valit'e pantry, a few drys before. I: then went
into the front room and opened the shutters, but observed
nothing particular. I then went down stairs, and at the
bottom of the staircase I saw a rumhee of thiegs against the
front door. I saw his Lordship's large blue cloak, his opera
glass, and a little trinket box lying on the top of the cloak,
close to the street door. I saw a number of things tied up
in a napkin, end in the folds were his Lordship's gold pen.
cil-case and his tooth-pick tipped with gold, all lying in the
same passage. I looked into the napkin, and saw a
a silver sugar dredger, a pair of his Lordship's spectacles,
a littlesilver caddy spoon, a silver top of a salt-dredger,
and a silver thimble, and also a siltar dish cover. The
spectacles were mounted with tortoise-shell. It was the
same, it appears, his Lordship bad the day before at
dinner, and he used it twice. I had last seen it in the
drawer in the pantry. This was in the afternoon before
his Lordship's dinner. The sugar-dredger was kept in
the pantry, the caddy-spoon, the cover, and the top of the
salt were also kept in tee pantry. Ido not know where
the spectacles were kept. The tooth-pick and gold
pencil were continually laid on a little table in his Lord-
ship's bed-room, covered with a a bite cloth. His
Lordship had two cloaks, and they were generally placed
on the last chair in the dining-room. His Lordship
hail not used that cloak for a fortnight before. I went up
to the street-door and examined it. I found it unbolted,
unlockel, and unchained, with no other fastening than
the latch. I went into the front drawing-room, and saw
something on the floor. I felt dams& and act the door
odes, and opened the shutters. I saw all the drawers
opened, and the knives and silver lying oti the floor scat-
tered about the room. I felt dreadfully alarmed, and west
up stairs—the silver consisted of the candlesticks, the
the snuffers, end the bottoms of the dish-covers and other
articles. I went up to call the cook ; she was in bed in
my room. I opened the door and asked her if she knew
knew if anything had been the matter last eight, and de-
scribed to her the state I bad seen the room in. She said
" Call Courvoisier." I did so. I said, Courvoisier, do
you know if any thing has been the matter last night? He
said no. I said all your silver things arc about. He came
to the door immediately, He was dressed all but his coat.
He ran down stairs, and took the warming pan with him.
I told him what I had told the cook. Ile looked pale and
agitated. He was not usually so quick when he was called.
Not nacre than five minutes elapsed from the time I first
went down until I returned. I am sure it was not ten
minutes. He would sometimes be nearly an hour after
he was called before he came down dressed. Sometimes
half an hour or 20 minutes. I never knew him dress in a
quarter of cn hour. His time varied from half an hour to an
hour. He washed and dressed himeelfgenerally in his pantry
There was a basin and water-jug in his room. I fol-
lowed him down stairr ; he went first to the dining-room
and laid the pan down; he then proceeded to the pantry.
He said something which I thenot recollect when he came
into-the dining-room. I went with him to the pantry and
observed the cupboard door and drawers open, and several
things on a bench there. He made his way to the drawers
and said, " Or., my God, sonic one lees robbed us." I
said let us go up stairs; we went. On going up I said,
" For God's sake go and see where his Lordship .s." lie
went up and opened his Lordship's bed-:nom door. I
was close to him. The door has a spring ; 1 opened it
instantly, and went in alter him. I saw the prisoner in
the act of opening the shutters of the middle win-
dow. I had got as far as the foot of the bed.
The curtains were cpen. I saw blood on the pintoes.
and screamed and rain out. I do not think I saw his
Lordship. He generally lay on the side nett the window
I only saw the blood. His Lordship generally on the
right side, with his face towards the window. I have often
seen him reposing in bed in that way. The night before
I had prepared the bed and drawn the curtains at the side
hest the door, and a little the Poet curtains ; they were in
, the same state I had left them. I did not hear the pri-
soner say anything. I ran out and left him there, then
went out and gave the alarm to the servants of a neigh_
bone. The door was on the latch. In a few minutes I
returned, and met the cook in the passage at the bottom
of the stairs. I saw the prisoner sitting in a chair its the
front dining-room. There was a large book on 'tire
table, and he was writing on a piece of paper in the
book. He wrote two words. I said " What the devil
are you sitting here for; why don't you go and see for sonic
one, or for a docter l' He said he mew write to Mr.
Russell ; and I said some one must go. He went out on
the step of the front door and beckened to a labouring man
passing. I said don't call such a man as that. He then
came back into the house. Mr. Cutler's man shortly after
came in. and others also. Mr. La•lnam'e butler and his
Lordship's coachman were the first who went into his
Lordship's room, before the police came. I accompanied
them, as did my fellow-servant the cook. I did not sue
the prisoner. I do not recollect that he went with
us. I did not go into the room then, but ran down stairs,
when I heard Mr. Latham's butler ask for a doctor.
I went down stairs, and sent for one. The police came
in about ten minutes, and then I went into the room with
them. I went to the foot of the bed, and saw his Lord-
ship's
face. (The witness was much affLcted while giv-
ing this part of his evidence.) I went to the dressing-
table
; there was nothing on it. There was a great deal
of blood ch one side of his face and on the pillow. The
shutters were then quite open. All the things he used to '
I keep on the dressing-table, such as his rings, his pencil.
case, and toothpick, were all gone. His Lordship was
accustomed to wear a small wedding-ring, a large thick
plain gold ring, a large ring with a large dark stone in
it, engraved with an animal ; another ring with a smaller
stone, and another which I cannot describe. I have
seen these articles many times, and should know them.
I have seen a silver medal, with a ' ribbon
to it in his Lordship's possession. The one produced is
the one, it used to be kept in a box by his Lordship's bed.
I have never examined it, but I believe it to be the same.
Tire rings prodticed are those his Lordship
-used to wear.
The witness also identified the pencil.case, toothpick, spec-
tacles, and other articles, which were produced by the
police, as the property of Lord William Russell. The
napkin was also produced and identified. It was marked
"W. R., No. 2." I: was the onc found in the pass ige,
which I had given out for his Lordship's use on the Mon-
day. His Lordship had some pieces of foreign gold in
his possession. The pieces produced resemble deem. It
might be three mouths since I saw those coins in his Lord-
ship's possession. I know the purse produced. It was '
Lord William Russell's. The Monday before his Lett'.
ship's death I saw the rings all on his Lordship's table.
The pencil.case and toothpick would be lying on the dress- '
ilig-table with the rings. This purse was not his usual
purse; his usual purse was a long silk one. I have had
conversations with the prisoner about money; the last time
was Tuesday morning, sth May. Prisoner said he never
took any money oat with hint, and never left any at borne,
nor had any in the Bank. After that he said he had St
and some add shillings in the Bank. I asked him what
Bank, and he said St. Martin's-lone. I said that was the
best Bank he could put it in. He said that he had brought
some money to England with him, and all the money he
had then was 51., and he must ask his Lordship for more.
I asked him if he had spent all that money I saw him take
out the other day. He said he had, all but 3s. he had
paid a tailor's bill ; that was all that passed then. At tea-
time Carr was talking about a raffle, and said be put pri-
soner down for one. He said he would be put down for two.
Mr. Flower declined asking questions at present.
In answer to Mr. HALL, witness stated that on Wanes-
day morning prisoner pet on his coat as he was corning
down stairs. Witness went into prisoner's room the fhl-
lowing.day. There were no clothes lying about. Witness
did not hear any disturbance during the night. She never
woke all night.
Mary Hastel was then sworn and examined by Mr
Ilemeeit.-1 was in the service of Lord William Russell
as cook. I had been in his service two years and nine
months. The housemaid was there before rne. Tire pri-
soner had been in his lordship's service five weeks.
James Ellis, the last valet, left the day prisoner came.
On the evening of Tuesday, the sth of May, his lord-
ship diced at home. It was the prisoner's duty to wait at
dinner. There was a small quantity of plate used. which
I washed. I went one that evening a little before nine,
and returned a little before ten o'clock. I came in at the
street-door. Couvoisier let me in. He went up the area
steps and returned. I believe he locked the gate, and
brought the key in. Ido not recollect seeing the keg in
his band. He locked and chained the doer when I came in.
I went up to bed. I believe the valet raked me to look at
his Lordship's fire as I went up. This was about half-past
ten. Nothing occurred citti•ing the night to disturb me.
His Lordship usually burnt a rehlight. The how.emaid
was up first tire next morning. I heard her knock at the
prisoner's door. I did not hear any answer. My door was
shut. The housemaid, in about five minutes, came back
and trod me the house was in confusion. I desired her to
tell Courvoisier, and she knocked at his door. I heard
them both go down stairs. I got up immediately and went
down stairs. I heard the housemaid scream, which ft ight-
erred me. I ran down, and sine told me his Lordship was
killed. I went into the dining-room and saw the
housemaid and prisoner. He pointed out the
things lying about. He was sitting down with
pen and paper, as if going to write. He afterwards
was sitting in the back dining-room, and he said, •• Oh,
dear, they'll think it's me ; I shall neverget a place again."
There were various articles lying scattered' about the
diningaroom and passsge, as if they had been disturbed in
the night. After tire police came in I went into his Lord-
ship's bed-room, rind saw the corpse. I generally bolted
and locked the down-stairs doors, the front-kitchen door
and the ,back-kitchen door. I fastened the back-door
before I went out, and do not recollect opening it after-
warder Ido not recollect wbether I went to look at the
door the last thine. It was the man's business to fasten
the door that led frem the passage into the yard.

Mr. Flower declined to cross-examine the witness.
In answer to Mr. HALL witness said she had lost a
thimble, which she saw in a dinner napkin on the
morning in question, with the other articles. The thim-
ble produced is the one. She did not see what the pri-
soner had written, but thinls it was in French.
Sarah Mansell called, and examined by Mr. HALL—I
cannot tell what the two words wet° the prisoner wrote.
I do not know whether be finished the letter and sent it off,
or what became of it. He said be must write to Air.
Russell,
On the application of Mr. Hohler, the further ceasieera-
tion of the case was postponed till to-morrow wctk at 10
o'clock precisely.
Mr. Flower said his client was anxious for the fullest
ir,vestigation.
The prisoner was then remanded till to-morrow week.

THE SPORTSMAN IN IRELAND, AND SCOT-
r-"D, ay A CosmoroLlTE.—L is much to he hoped that the
title of this work will not preveilt t'io:e who are not sportsmen
. from perusing its c'evcr pares. As a sporting tour has un-
doubtedly peculiar and 'specific claims to attention, above
all to the brothers of the angle ; but the volumes have also a
peculiar, a strong, and deep-3eated moral as well as political in-
terest. They have been m: de the m^d um for giving
'odd, for the first time, trite and forcib'e pictures of' to the
a state
human society unparalleled elsewhere in the history of the spe-
cies. The incidental details which we here :wet with of the
actual present condition of the Irish pc sap trv, in some of the less
own districts which the author's rambllag propensities in-
ducedn him to visit, are singularly interesting and. curious.

I M PERLA L PARLIAMENT.
• (THIS EVENING.)

110 USE LuRDS.

Their Lordships mct at Five o'Clcck.

A rnessatTe from the Hota,?, of Commons brought up the
Turnstall Market Bill, the Gravesend Improvement Bill,
and other private Bills.
• The Marquis of DO WNSH IRE presented several pe-
titions from congregations of Presbyterians in the North of
Ireland against intrusion of ministers in the Church of
Scotland.

On the motion of Lord DUNCANNON, the Tithes
Compensation Bill (Ireland) was read a second and third
time and passed; and the Insolvent Debtors' Bill (Ireland)
was read a second time.

The Marquis of WESTME AT H presented n petition
from the Guild of St. John against the Irish Municipal
Reform Bill.

The Mcßee. Mantles, in reference to the question which
he bad intended to put to the Noble Marquis, the Secie-
tary for the Home Department, observed that the (ace of
Master in Chancery in Ireland was filled up, a new new
writ having been moved in the House of Commons in the
place of Mr. Sergeant Currie, but by a Member of that
House. Although the question of which he had given nr-
tic° was rendered unnecessary by that appointment, ho
could help saying that it was a most extraordinary omif-
sion on the part of her Majesty's Government to leave so
important office vacant for more than two months. He
now begged to ask the Noble Marquis of there was no ob-
jection to state what the salary of the newly appointed
Master was to be ? When Mr. Gould was appointed there
ass an understanding that the income should not exec( d
2,0001. British yearly.
The Marquis of NORMANDY said that he was not
aware of any arrangement having been entered into with
respect to the salary of the new Master of Chancery in
Ireland. As regarded the inconvenit rice which the Noble
Marquis'bad stated to have occurred in the Court of
Chancery in Ireland, he (the Marquis of Normanby) had
not:been informed that any such inconvenience had takea
place. He believed. on the contrary, that the business of
the Court in question had of late gone on us usual.
The Earl of HA DDING rON presented a petition
from the Western Division of the Ceunty of Ross, against
the Law of Evidence ( Scotland) Bid ; also a petition fre,rn
parish in the county of Edinburgh, praying that nothing
should be granted in the sense in whicu it had been
demanded by the non-intrusion clergy, until they had
giveen obedience to the law as it ❑ow stood. The Noble
Earl presented a petition to the same effect from Stew-
arton, in the county of Ayr.
The Earl of RADNOR presentd a petition from a
place in the county of York, in favour of a repeal of the
present Corn-laws.
MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS (IRELAND).
On Lord KENYON moving the Order of the Day for
the hearing of Counsel on the. Irish Corporation Bill,
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that though he
did not intend to oppose the mutinn of the Noble Lord, he
wished to call the attention of the House to the subject
He confessed that when he considered how often the prin-
ciples and details of the Bill had been before the house,
he was himself of opinion that it could not Le considered
a very harsh proceeding towa:ds the petitioners, if the
House declined to hear counsel in their favour at the bar.
From the importance; however, which some Noble Lords
seemed to attach to the allegations contained in the report
of the Commissioners on Irish Corporations, he was un-
willing to refuse the petitioneis the opportunity of con-
tradicting these allegations. At the same time he hoped it
would be understood that Counsel should not be heard
against the principle of the Bill, but against certain de-
tails which they might consider militated unfairly
against the interests of particidar parties. That was the
course which had been followed in the only other
instance in which counsel had been heard on a similar sub-
ject. lie alluded to the case of the English Municipal
Bill; and he thought there could new be no objection to
follow the example ;aid down on that occasion.
Lord KENYON said that he merely wished that coun-
sel should be heard on the same principle, and in the same
manner as in the case of the English Municipal Corpo-
rations.

The Marquis of WE STM E ATH thought that the ob-
stivations of the Noble Marquis would have been more
properly made at the time when her Majesty's Ministers
consezted to allow cow scl to be heard. The: counsel had
by this time prepared themselves as to the points on which
they should speak.
Lord ELLEN BOROUGH thought the course which
was followed in respect of the English Corporation Bill
ought to be adhered to as closely as possible; but it would
be better and more convenient to instinct the Counsel
before hand, than to interrupt them every moment, and
discuss the question whether thav were in order or not.
The Marquis_of LANSDOWNE rose, and was:
LEFT 11113AKING.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'Clock

On the [notion of Mr. Alderman COPELAND the
Tunstall Market Bill was read a third time and passed.
Lord SANDON presented petitions from the Mayor
and Corporation of Liverpool, against the Herculaneum
Decks Bill, and against the Liverpool Watch-rates Bill.
The River Wear Watch Bill was lead a third time and
passed.
Mr. BROTHERTON presented a petition from the
Trustees under the will of the late Earl of Devon against
the Exeter Post Dues Bill.

On the motion of Mr. 110DC1ES the Gravesend Itn.
pi ovemen,s B:11 visa rcad a third time and passed.
Lord HOT 11AM preseLtcd a petition from the palish
of West Mausley (Surrey) in favour of Church Extension.
The Noble Lord presented also a petition front the Medi-
cal Practitioners of Great Ripon, in the county of York,
praying for ,Medical Reform.
Ott the motion of Mr. FR ES HFIEL D, Dr. Stock was
appointed to the Committee on the Divorce 13,11, in the
place of Mr. Sergeant Currie, lately api.o.tited a Master in
Chancery in Ireland.
Sir GEORGE ST RICKL A ND presented fifteen pe-
titions from Bradfor', Huddersfield, ar.d other places in
the West Riding of York, against Church Extension.
Sir R. INGLIS presented eighteen petitions from
places in Essex, Surrey, Kent, Worcestershire, Somerset-
shire, and Durham, against any further grant to the Col-
lege of Maynooth.
Mr, WARBURTON presented thirty-seven petitions
against the Copyright Bill, and a petition from Hudders-
field against the Boer Bill.
Mr. BAINES presented petitions from places in
Wilts, Sussex, Northampton, and Yorkshire, against
Church Extension; also twelve petitions from different
manufacturing establlshments in the Went Riding of York-
shire, praying for a repeal of the Corn-laws, and three
petitions for t:e repeal of the post-horse duty and the duty
on carriages.

Colonel THOMAS presented a petition from Kinsale
in favour of the amendment of the Registration Bill.
Mr. GIL LON presented petitions from Perth and For-
far for the repeal et the Corn-la.vs ; a petition from the first
United Secession C(.ngregatif,n of Auehterrnitchty, in Fife,
against Church-rates, and in favour of the release of Juhn
Thorogood ; petitions from William Davidson, of Spring-
field, Glasgow, a::d Robert Henderson, weaver, of Paisley,
praying for HouselvAd Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, and the
abolition of the Corn laws; petitions from the Post-mas-
ters of Leith, preying for a repeal of the post-horse duty,
and from Lanark, Falkirk, Newton Stewart, and other
places to the same effect; also petitions from the Mail
Coach Contractors of the Great North Road, complaining
of the Post-3tfice having been competitors with them in
the cons cyance of parcels by the reduction of the postage,
in consequence of which the weight they had to carry was
greatly increased and their remuneration diminished.
Sir W. SOMERVILLE presented a petition from
11-ogl.eda, against the Irish Registration Act.
Mr. CLAY presented 14 petitions front districts in the
neighbourhood of London, against the Corn-laws.
Captain G Oil DON presented 12 petitions from parishes
in the county of Aberdeen, in favour of the principle (if
non-intrusion of Ministers.

Lord TEIGNMOUTH presented a petition from the
medical practitioners in Maryleborw, praying for medical
reform, and one against any further grant to the College
of Alaynooth..:__

Lord WORSLEY presented a petition from the Dis-
senters of Southampton, and one from Lincoln, praying
for the abolition of Church-rates.

Mr. HUTT piesented a petition from tie Corporation
of Gateshead against that clause in the Constabulary Bill
consul dating the police of boroughs and counties. Also
one from the Fine Arts Society of Newcastle, praying
that the [louse would foster such institutions.

Are alatallinSst parneyseLuretdhersegvrearnatl
tfo)ettlitileons
Collegefrom
M e sMr. ihCi
of Maynooth.
Mr. BUCK presented petitions from North Davon
aga nit any ;;rant to the College of Maynooth, am: also
against the Constabulary Bill.
Mr. Alderman THOM PSON presented a prttition from
Sanderknd in favour of Church Extension, and one from
the Presbytery of Newcastle against the gra4t to May-
nooth.
Mr. PLUM PTRE presented a petition from the Post-
masters of Kent, praying for a reduction of duty on their
trade ; one for the maintenance of the present Poor-laws;
in favour of Church Extension for the Better Observance
of the Sabbath, and against any grant to Maynouth.
Mr. STANSFIE CD presented a petition from Hud-
dersfield and the neighbourhood, praying for the abolition
of the Corn.laws.
Mr, W. TURNER !resented seventeen petitions from
Lancashire, praying for the total repeal of the Corn-lais;
aiso petitions against any further grants for Church Ex-
tension.

ooLmAbeNrl B
of
BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS.
Mr.
thelpNelepresentedLewis, aecomplainingtitsignedion
of
b ya
large the
bribery, intimidation, and coercion which prevailed at the
election of Members of Parliament for that borough, which
the petitioners attributed to the frequency of elections, there
having been one on an average every two years for the
lest thirty years, and as the petitioners believed bribery,
Intimidation, and corruption to he on the increase, not
only at Lewes, but in other parts of the kin :dein, they
prayed the House to provide a remedy without delay.
Mr. Fl'rzßo Y objected to the receipt of the petition
under the circumstances under which it was presented.
H. e had cast his eyes over it, and found it was apparently
signed by about 200 electors. If these persons had known
of the practices they complained of going t n for so many
years, he thought they had shown themselves unworthy of
the franchise in not having given the House an opportunity
of testing the truth ol their allegations before a
Committee of the House.—( Hear, hear, hear.)
It
Was wrong in these persons to make vague and unfair
charges, in petitions to the Houle, when there was a pro-
pcny constituted tribunal where their accusations might
be proved, if true. He had known the borough some years
and since 1835 had steed three elections, and the only in:
stance of bribery he had met was during an election at which
the lion. Member for Leicestershire was a candidate—when
having got scent of the practice that was going on, he (Mr.
Fitzroy) put a person to watch the briber, who was detected ;
in the act, and an action being b.:ought against wa,
convicted in a penalty of 5001. He thought the ease with
which this efUnce was proved and verdict obtained, proved •

tut t extcnsive system or kiloory con:d not exist,
thcref.), thinking it v' unfair that vague
cl-larges :ihould be brought in !Lis manner against a pure.
c:oLstitlic.:,ey, Le Eihouid move that the petition sihould not
be rece..ved.

L A MBTON suggested that the petition should be
read b.• tug Citrk.

o.;it GEORGE GREY said if the petition were
not brouL;lit up it could not he read. From what the Hon.
Member who presented it had said, he saw no objection to
its beiDg brouglit up.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. FITZROY said he should not object to its being
brought up, but ho should object to its lying on the table.
The petition was then brought up and read by the Clerk,
to the effect 13ovi-, stated.

Sir G. GREY said be heard nothing in the petition,
which should prevent the House receiving it. The peti-
tioners stated there existed at Lewes what they conceived
to be a grievance ; and he was, therefore, quite sure the
House would not reject it.
After a few words from Sir J. GRAHAM and Mr. DARBY,
Mr. FiTZROY said, as it appeared to be the opinion
of the House the petition should be received, he would not
divide upon it, but he thought it his duty to protest against
suoii sweeping accusations being made against what he be-
lieved to be a pure constituency.
Sir E. \\AL \I OT presented a petition froio Aston
against the Birmingham Police Bill.
Mr. ROUND presented a petition from a place in
Essex, in favour of Church Extension.

Mr. LEADER preselited a petition from certain me-
dical practitioners, and oilier inhabitants of the parish of
Sr. Martin's-:n-the-Fields, in the City of Westminster, in
favour of medical reform ; also, twenty-one petitions from
Montrose, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and other places in Scot-
praOng for Universal Suffrage ; also three peti-
tions from Bridgewater, and one from Glasgow, praying
fora repealofthe Corn-laws.

Mr. 'E
WART presented a petition from Lancaster
against any grant fur the purpost sof Church Extension, and
for the abolition of Church-rates ; also, a petition from
Wigan, praying that Dissenters from the Established
Church might Le exempted from the payment of Church-
ratcs.

Mr. B. WOOD presented a petition from Protestant
Dist ate's in Rutherhithe against any grant for the pLr-
posz.- of Ciiurch Extension.
L.)rd ADARE presented a petition from Limerick in
favour of Lord Stanley's Irish Registration Bill.
Mr. PALMER presented a petition from Bradfield in
favour of the present Corn-laws.
Lord CLEMENTS presented two petitions from the
county of Leitrim against Lord Stanley's Irish Regis-
tration Bill.

Mr. ELLIS presented a petition from Newry, against
the importation of foreign flour into Ireland; also several
petitions from places in the county Down to the same effect.
Mr. ELLIOT presented a petition from the Presbyte-
rians of Kelso against the payment of Church-rates.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM presented a petition from
Glasgow, against certain clauses in the County Constabu-
lary Bill. The Right Hon. Baronet, however, d.d not
coincide in time prayer of the petition.
Major MAGNA MARA presented a petition from the
landed proprietors of the County Clare, against any al-
teration in the Corn.laws.

On the motion of Mr. F. MAULE, the Report of
the Committee on the Iknff Police and Harbour Bill was
further considered, and.a claase added to the Bill.

Lord G. BENTINCK presented thrre petitions from
Lynn, in favour of Church Extension.
Mr. MORISON presented p.titions from Inverness and
other places in Scotland, Pgain..t Church Extensioa.
Mr. SCHOLFIELD iwc.-xnted petitions from Bir-
mingham and its neighbourhood against Church-rate, and
praying for the release of John Thorogood.
Loid G. LENNOX presented petitions from Sussex
against any alteration in the Coi-, laws, against any grant
to the College of Maynooth, and in favour of the Clergy
Reserves (Canada) B:II.
Mr. G. KNIGHT presented nine petitions in favour of
Church Extension.

Mr. lIALFORD presented petitions from Leicester
itgainst the grant to the College of Maynootli, and from
Suttbcrworth praying for a reduction of the poet-horse
and carriage duty.
Lord DUNGANNON presented petitions from Devon
and Gloucester in favour of Church Extens:on.
Sir S. LUSHINGTON presented two petitions against
Ci.urch Extension.

Mr. BLENNERHASSETT presented a petition from
the inhabitants of Enniscorthy and its vicinity, county
Wexford, signed by the portreovn and 303 persons, in fa-
vour of Lord Stanloy's Irish Registration Bill.
Air. FITZROY KELLY presented petitions rfom
Woodbridge, and a place in Hertfordshire, praying for the
abolnion of capital punishment in all cases except murder.
Mr. HANDLEY presented similar petitions.
Mr. PROTHE ROE presented petitions from various
dissenting congregations in Halifax, against any grant of
public money for Church Extension.

Viscount CASTLEREAGH presented a petition
from a parish in the County of Down, against the im-
portation of flour into Ireland, and a petition from the
Board of Guardians of the Poor-law Union of Down-
patrick in favour of the-IriAt Mendicancy Bill.
B.r ROBERT PEEL presented various petitions in
favour of Church Extension, and against any change in
the existing Corn-laws.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, presented a petition
from the Chamber of Commerce, Edingurgh, coinplair-
ing of the manner in which the duty was now imposed on
railroads, and proposing that a tax should he levied on the
gross receipts of every Railroad Company.
Mr. LITTON presented a petition from a parish in
Kilkenny, in favour of the Irish Registration Bill.
Mr. H ENNAGE presented a petition from the Corpo-
ration of Devizes, against certin counties in the County
and Districts Constable Bill.

Mr. O'BRIEN wished to call the attention of the
House to a subject which he deemed to be of the greatest
importance. His object was to ascertain how the ques-
tion of precedence might he decided between five or six
Members who happeacd to be down at four o'clock, for the
purposes cf giving notices. He was down a quarter before
four with Mr. Hutt. At four o'clock another gentleman came
in. He had arranged with Mr. Hutt that as soon as the
clerk had put down his name he should put down his (Mr.
O'B's.) Three or four gentlemen were standing around
the table, and a dispute arose —(Cries of" Order.") He
believed he was perfectly in order. His object was
to ascertain whether there was any rule whereby those
differences might be determined, and if so, what rule that
was. It certainly would be most desirable to have some
measure adopted by which that interminable confusion and
indecent scrambling might be prevented.
The SPEAKER said the rule way, that when the
Speaker took the Chair the paper with the notices of Inc-
tions was put on the table, and every Member entered his
name upon it. He believed that no one Member could
enter the name of another.

If the House were satisfied with the present arrangement,
there could be no alteration except by adopting the bal-
loting plan.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. O'BRIEN said he wished to know in what manner
the priority—(Oh, oh 1)—of Members was to be settled,
when three or tour were standing together at the table, all
waiting to put their names down.
The 6PE AK E R—l apprehend that whoever first pu
his name down, will be called on first.—(Roars of laughte
and cries of " Hear, hear.)
GRINDING CORN IN BOND.
Mr. HUTT' gave notice that, on the 26th, he should
bring forward a motion respecting the grinding of corn iu
bond.

CHINA.
Mr. G. PALMER said, as the motion respecting
China, of which he had given notice, had been so long
delayed, that its being carried could not now prevent hos-
tilities, he should not boring it on.—( Loud ironical cheers
from the Ministerial benches.)

CANADA.
Mr. C. LUSHINGTON gave notice, that in Com-
mittee on the Canada Bill he should move an addition to
the clause re; rafning the CroAn from appointing any
spiritual person to the Legislative Council.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
Mr. O'BRIEN said he would, to-morrow, move that
the Ladies of every Member desirous of giving a notiec be
written on a separate slip of paper, to be put into a glass
Lox, and thence drawn at random by the Speaker when he
took the Chair.

PERSIA.
Sir S. CANNING said he wished now to put some in-
quiries to the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Af-
fairs on flu; subject of our relations with Persia, and he
trusted the House would feel the deep importance of that
subject to the interests of this country, and particularly at
a period when so many of our foreign relations were in a
state of doubt and perplexity. He wished to know what
was the character of our relations with Persia? Sup-
poiino• our diplomatic relations with Persia to be sus-
pended, whether negotiations were in progress to restore
them ? What difficulty, if any, had arisen, to retard the suc-
cess of those negotiations ? Whether that difficulty, did it
exist, had arisen since the assurances given in her Majesty's
speech from the throne at thei opening of the Session,
that our difficulties with Persia would soon be satisfactorily
settled? At present he would confine himself to these
questions. Front the answers to these questions would
depend whether he should have to put any further in-
quiries.
Lord. PALMERSTON said the present state of our
relations with Persia was exactly what it had been for the
last twelve months. The state of' those relations was pre-
, cisely this—last summer an envoy from Persia came here,
to whom he (Lord Palmerston) gave a distinct statement
• of our demands, to which the envoy gave a reply far from
satisfactory, fer, professing to agree to all those demands,
it in reality proceeded to neutralise that profession by the
way in which it pretended to carry it out. To that reply
a rejoinder had been sent, which would have reached
Teheran, late in March. The answer had not yet be. n
received. The Right Hon. Gentleman would perceive
that negotiations were in progress for bringing about a
settlement, and nothing had occurred to destroy the hope
held out in her Majesty's speech, that this settlement
might be expacted at no distant period, because the last
communications from Persia announced the determination
to comply with our dem:trifs, and probably that had not
been done because of the misunderstanding of our demands.
Sir S. CANNING wished, with the permission of the
House, to put one more question—. Was Sir John *Neil
still invested with the powers of Envoi ?
Lord PA LMERSTON—S.r John M'Neil was now on
lea.e of •bisenee received by him last year. The Second
Officer was in office as Charge d'Alhirs.
pardon of the House for
Sir S. CANNING begged
putting one more question. He wished to know whether
our impoit int trade with Persia was still under Consular
protection. _ _

Lord PALMERSTON said the Consul at Talriz had
his commission still.
Mr. M. PHILLIPS rose amidst loud cries of " Lord
Da:liugton." He merely wished to ask the Attorney-
General when it was likely that the question respecting
the validity of the Cha,ters of the Corporation lately
granted to some large towns was to be settled. The liti-
gation which was going on was leading to a state of total
disorganization in those towns, and it was most itn,:ortant
that it should be settled at the earliest period.

MTh° ATTORNEY-GENERAL Inid expected ilia

very t.ty a-g-neti in the
quer C,harnber; howevs'r, some: of the Ji.tes
to 1,-.t.erid the Centrli Crimind C,turt, end ti
case Nr,s now fixed to be arguei on the 2 lit of month,
on which day he tru,ted there would It, favourable rcsuit.
In answer to question from W. PATTEN,
Mr. L AP,OUt.; HE RE :,rid thut negoeiations were
still twin.- carried on belwoen 11,13 country and France—.
treaty had actually been conc:uth:d.
In answer to a question from Mr. T. PARKER,
Mr. F. MAULE said the Bill stood fur committal, and
the Hon. Member for Kent had given notice that he would
MOVC that it he referred to a Select Commit:cc. He
(Mr. F. Maule) intended to oppose that mollun, and if he
succeeded he should have the Bill committed pru forma,
and to have it reprinted, with certain amendments which
he proposed to introduce, in consequence of suggestions
that had been made to him.