The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-25 00:00:00

moved the adjournment would be satisfied with such an arrangement.
He believed that he could undertake that this debate would
not go on beyond Friday. The discussion kept the country in a state
of suspense, yet as several gentlemen still wished to speak on the
subject, he thought that he was justified in asking the delay, as, in
his opinion, the debate could not continue beyond Friday, and might
possibly finish on Thursday. He could not give his reasons for that
opinion, as they were nut called for. The Hight Hon. Baronet had
presented a petition from Liverpool, which petition stated that the
long continuance of the debat, caused great trouble and confusion in
mercantile affairs. He knew that a good deal of this discussion was
caused by the temporary decrease of the potatoes in Ireland, and
this ought to be brought to a close as soon as possible, if it were a
lIICASUrt: for temporary alleviation. If the Bight lion. Baronet chose
to bring in a temporary Bill, giving to the Government the power o
taking out of bond food for the purpose of alleviating the distress of
Ireland, he, for one, would give his consent.
Sir ROBERT PEEL said, that if the question had been asked,
he would have given his opinion in favour of an adjournment to
Thursday.
Mr. CHARLES BULLER obtained leave to bring in a Bill to
assimilate the law with respect to the period of notices for elections
in England and Ireland.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House
adjourned at a Quarter to One o'clock.
• tzzazit.::

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY considered that amalgama-
ion of various lines as most detrimental to the public
nterests. He thought that the construction of competing
ines ought to be encouraged.
After a few words from Earl GREY, _ _ _

ought to do the same, for he would find that though he could
dispose of his speech by one fling of the arm, he could not
serve his constituents so. He could not but admire the cool-
ness of the Right Hon. Baronet the Vice President of the
Board of Trade, who, when he addressed the House last
night, had either in his pocket, or his red box, a letter from
his constituents. requesting him to resign. The personal
honour of the Right lion Baronet at the head of the Go-
vernment was at stake, and he ought also to go back to his
constituents at Tamworth. The electors of that place believed
in the pledge of the Right Ilon. Baronet, that he would pro-
tect agriculture, and on that ground they re; urned him. How
he had kept those pledges he would leave it to the House and
country to say. When the Government found they could not
carry out the measures they proposed, instead of resigning

The Duke of WELLINGTON gave notice that the Noble
Earl, the President of the Board of Control, would submit
certain resolutions relating to the recent military operations
in India, and that on Thursday or Friday he would lay on
the table certain papers relating to those operations.
The report on the Public Works (Ireland) Bill was then
brought up, and certain amendments wore then proposed and
agreed to.
The Fisheries, Piers, and Harbours (Ireland) Bill was then
read a second time.
On the motion of the Earl of ST. GERMANS, after a high
eulogium by Lord MoNTEAGLE on the Board of Public Works
(Ireland), and an expression from the Duke of RICHMOND
of his willingness to support any measure for the improve-
ment of Ireland, '_
_ _

_
their places, they ought to have appealed to the country, and
asked the opinions of the people with respect to their mea-
sures; that was the bold and manly course they ought to
have pursued. He thought it was not improbable that an
address would be moved in that House, ere long, praying
her Majesty graciously to send them back to their consti-
tuents; and should such be the case, he shoukl, after the
division was over, look carefully through the names
if all these who voted with the Ministry—he would
see what pledges they had given to their constituents,
and he would take care to show them up in that House.
The llon. Member then, at some length, went into statements
to prove the wretched condition of the operatives of the ma-
nufacturing districts, and asked were they now to hand over
the agricultural labourers to the tender mercies of the lords of
cotton and manufactures. Perhaps ifhe could not get the Right
Hon. Baronet's, at the head of the Home Department, atten-
tion to the statements he had been making, he would con-
descend to notice this fact, that at four o'clock that day the
protectionists of South Nottingham were 460 a-head.
He could assure the House, that the more machinery had
been introduced. the more r pidly had wages declined. He
was not against machinery so long as it did not displace
manual labour, but when it did displace manual labour it
was the greatest curse to the country. He contended that
wages were regulated by the price of food, and quoted seve-
ral authorities in support of his position. Would any mem-
ber of the Anti-Corn-law League venture to state that the
agriculturists of the south of England had proposed to the
manufacturers to use up their surplus population ? He
knew the proposition had come from the manufacturers,
and it was made at a time when the hand-loom weavers
were in a state of the greatest distress. The Poor
law Commissioners had been_ playing into the bands of the
manufacturers,. and the agricultural labourers who had gone
into the manufacturing districts had been worked to death.
He challenged them to deny his statement, and he trusted
the agricultural labourer would be content to live upon
mode-ate comforts at home, rather than migrate into the
manufacturing districts. He had shown up the cruelty
of the manufacturers, and they were as selfish
as they were cruel. They were rot for free trade in
everything, for Mr. G. Witsca, the Chairman of
.the Anti-
Corn-law League, who was a dealer in starch, had, in 1842,
called a meeting to rrevent the removal of protection to
starch, and he had succeeded, and starch and lobsters were
the only articles on which protection was retained; and al-
though it was .now proposed to have a free trade in corn,
starch was still to be protected by a prohibitory duty. Ile
complained of the conduct of the Honourable Member
for Stockport, who had declared that the Anti-
Corn-law League would subscribe liberally to de-
prive him (Mr. FERRAND ) of his seat for Knares-
borough. The Hon. Member then went into a long state.
ment about manufacturers forcing their work-people to pur-
chase milk ; the statement was a very confused one, and
certainly, as re understo el it, it failed to implicate the
Hon. Member for Stockport.
Mr. BORTIIWICK moved the adjournment of the debate to
Wednesday.
Mr. W. MILES moved that it be adjourned till Thursday,
as Wednesday was set apart for private business. He thought
the subject had been fully debated, and he believed that if
the debate were adjourned to Thursday, it would not be con-
tinued beyond Friday night, and it might perchance be over
on Thursday. If the Right Hon. Baronet thought tit to
move at once to take corn out of bond fur the use of the Irish
people, he would support it; but he thought this question
should be amply debated.
Sir R. PEEL had no objection to the adjournment of the
debate to Thursday, which was agreed to • after which the
other orders of the day were disposed of, and the House
adjourned.

Lord DACRE then moved the second reading of the Game
laws Bill. The Noble Lord then went into a detailed history
of the various alterations which had been made in the game-
laws since 1816, and proposed, as an amendment of the pre-
sent law, that every licensed dealer in game should be.foreed
to keep a record of the names of the persons of whom he
purchased game; and thus, if it were found that the olealers
had purchased game from a person not iu the occupation of
land, it would be prima filch. evidence that he had purchased
illegally, and by this measure the demoralization occasioned
by poaching would in a great measure Fe prevented. He
also proposed to give power to magistrates to appoint refe-
rees to assess the amount of damage done to the crops of any
perhon complaining of the game preserved on the land of
any neighbouring occupier, such assessment to be levied by
warrant of distress to be issued by the magistrate. He
thought that the difficulties which would be thus interposed
between the poacher and the dealer, and the easy remedy-
afforded to the injured occupier, would Booth the irritation at
present prevalent on this subject.
Lord CAMOYS objected to the whole of the Bill, as calcu-
lated to make the game-laws more strict than they were at
present, as really affording no check to poaching, and as cal-
culated to increase the acrimony at present existing in regard
to the operation Of the game-laws.
Lord BROUGHAM considtired that the game-laws required
revision. Although the regulating the sale of game did
some good, yet he thought that sufficient securitities were
not taken against abuse.
The Duke of RICHMOND had never paid a single farthing for
damage done by game, for he had always destroyed every
hare and rabbit as mere vermin, and he had done so long
before the celebrated Tamworth decree.
Lord HATHERTON had nearly exterminated hares and
rabbits on his estate, greatly to the satisfaction of his
tenantry and to the improvement of his property.
Lord ASHBURTON recommended their Lordships to take
the hare, as well as the rabbit, entirely out of the class of
game, and he would, in Committee on the report, submit a
clause to that effect.
The Bill was then read a second time, and their Lordships
adjourned.

THE' WEEKLY CHRONICLE of Saturday,
the 21th February, and Sunday, the Ist of March, will con-
tain the Fullest Particulars of the
BRITISII VICTORIES IN INDIA,
from the Official Dispatches and other Sources, the Lists of Killed
and Wounded, Trophies Seized, &c., &c. With the
MONSTER DEBATE AND DIVISION,
the Election for S:uth Notts, Editorial Continents on the State of the
YRFE TRADE QUESTION, and a LETTER FROM COTTON
TWIST I—Office, 337, Strands and all Newsmen. Price 6d.

UNION MAGA ZIN E.-CORN LAWS.-
LJ MARCH number of this Magazine will contain the re-
maining portion of the conclusive Article on the Corn Laws, proving
the beneficial tendency of -their repeal on the agricultural interest ;
together with all the latest, home, and foreign statistics, obtained at
great expense, and now published for the lirst time.
Published by Messrs. Maddest and Malcolm, Leadenhall-street,
London. •

The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four o'clock.
Several railway Bills were read a second time and or-
dered to be committed.
Mr. W. PATTEN presented a petition from Burnley, in
Lancashire, praying for a free pardon for Frost, Williams,
and Jones.
Mr. WILLIAM presented similar petitions from Coventry.
Petitions were presented for and against the free-trade
measures brought forward by the Government.
Mr. O'CONNELL had to complain of a breach of privilege
on the part of the Morning Chronicle, in having made him to
say on Monday, with respect to the execution of Seery, that he
had laid the case upon the subject before Mr. Baron PENNt:-
FATHER, and that that Learned Judge had decided against
him ; now what he stated was, that that Learned Judge
had decided in his favour. Ile was sure that the error was
unintentional, and he should therefore not press the matter
further.

Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from the American
Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool, praying the House to
come to a speedy determination with respect to the Ministe-
rial question now before it.
Mr. O'CONNELL gave notice that he should, on the 26th,
move that the correspondence between Dr. Cantwell and the
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, relative to the execution of Seery,
should be laid on the table. .

Sir R. PEEL gave noticeof hisintention on Monday next,to
move the thanks of the House to the Governor-General of India,
and the officers and men employed in the recent operations
on the left bank of the Sutlej ; and in order that the subject
might be properly understood by the House, he should, a few
days previously, lay on the table dispatches that had been
received by the Government from the Governor-General'of
India.
Mr. EircounT then moved, pursuant to notice, that so
much of the report cf the Committee on Standing
Orders, presented on Friday, which related to the
West Riding. Union Railway petition for leave
to bring in a . Bill, be annulled, and that
the notice be expunged that the West Riding Union Railway
be brought in. The error that had been committed was
merely technical, but the Committee had that day come:to
the resolution that. the standing orders should not be dispensed
with in the case of the West Riding Union Railway Bill,
and had directed him es their Chairman to report it to the
House, in order that no unnecessary delay should occur :to
the parties.
After some observations from Mr. C. Noon, Mr. B.
Deeensox, Mr. Anuoreriv, and Lord Monrem, the subject
was referred back to the Committee on Standing Orders.
Mr. RIME moved for certain notices relative to the carriage
of letters and newspapers to the East Indies, and also for re-
turns relative to the Cape of Good Hope.--Agreed to.
Mr. CORRY, in answer to a question from Admiral DUNDAS
and Sir C. NAPIER, said, that when the navy estimates
were brought forward, a new arrangement would be sug-•
gested relative to the retired list of officers.
Mr. MORGAN JOHN O'CONNELL then resumed the ad-
journed debate on the free-trade measures of the Government.
lie was not ashamed to own that his opinions on this
question had changed during the last twelve months. Al-
though he had formerly voted with the Hon. Member for Wol-
verhampton; he considered that a moderate fixed dtity
would be the best course to adopt, but at the present
moment he considered the only satisfactory mode of
settling the question would be to immediately repeal the
corn-laws. He trusted, whatever agitation might take
place on this question, the farmers of Ireland would
not be forgetful in their support of those plea-
sures which were for their interest. Those interests in Ire-
land, which it had been said would be ruined by free-trade,
had of late years quadrupled their impos is into this country.
There was nothing that would please him better than to ece
the- Protectionists thwart the Right Hon. Baronet were
he called upon to form a Ministry, because he was sure if
they had presumption enough to do so it would end in their
own discomfiture, and their heireg laughed at from one, end o
the country to the other. Ile supported the measure be-
cause he believed it would afford to the working man the
protection he wanted, namely, protection against the . high
price of food.
COL. CONNOLLY opposed the measure of the Government.
Ile did not see any necessity for it, because he was convineud
if the Irish peasants waited till these resolutions were pasied
for relief, they would have to wait a long time. He thought
the present measure rash, inasmuch as it gave au impetus
to that which had already gone too far. While he had a
soul in his body he would never support so frightful a propo-
sition as that put forward by her MaJEsTY's Miuisters.
Lord I NGESTR E felt that it was due to the liopse
that he should apologise for addressing it on such
an important question. It was its importance jin
these days of political aeostacy that must act as his excuse.
He believed that it was the intention of his noble relative to
support the tar:al-arcs of the Government, believing thein to
be beneaciel to the country. He would he glad to hoer from
the Chancel!or of the Exchequer why he had not pursued the
same course a 3 that which was adopted by the Right Hon.
Baronet at the head of the Government in 1829, namely re-
sign his scat, and go again to his constituents in his new
character of a free-trader. Ile believed that the adjust-
ment that was proposed by the Right lion. Baronet at the
head of the Government wculd beethund to be the beginning
and outbreak of fresh trouble ; that the day was not fa ;distant
when lie would exclaim that the period when he brought
forward the measure was the unhappiest of his life. lle
believed that if all parties were allowed to start fair, the
nation would soon overcome the difficulties by which it was
now surrounded. The, admission of Mreign corn would dis-
place a great quantity of British corn, and destroy the hoine
market for manufactures. Seeing that the prosperity of the
country had greatly increased under the present system, he
could see nu reason for altering it in the sudden manner pro-
posed. The proposed measure was an act of injustice to
Ireland, to our colonies, more particularly to Canada, and to
the agricultural interest of England, and although he gave
the Eight Hun. Baronet credit for being actuated by con-
scientious motives, he felt bound to oppose the measure. It
had been said that potatoes were diseased ; now, he held in
his hand certain .young potatos—(Here the Noble Lord,
amidst some laughter, produced from his pocket a handful
of small potatoes) which had been produced from diseaed
eyes, and which were perfectly sound.
Mr. TRELAWNEY supported the Government measure, and
commented in indignant language on the expression made
use of by the Duke of Richmond, that "cotton would burn
a, well as straw."

In the House of Lords, last evening, the executi at of
BRYAN SEERY, at Mullingar, was adverted to; and in con e-
quence of the allusins made to it, possibly some explana-
tion may be given by Earl ST. GERMANS. We believe the
case will be also brought before the commons ; and under
the peculiar circumstances attending the trial, conviction,
and execution of the unfortunate man, such a step cannot be
adopted too soon. It is well known that the great body of
the people in the district of Mullingar believe that he was
unjustly condemned, and that he is regarded as a martyr by
many person., among whom are several of the Irish clergy.
At the first glance the proceedings appear of an extraordinary
character. The principal, or rather the only witness
against him, was the prosecutor. Ile was arraigned,
the evidence was produced, the Judge summed up,
and the jury retired to consider their verdict ; but
not being able to come to any agreement, they were dis-
charged. The prisoner was again arraigned before a new
jury, who found him guilty. Such a mode of conducting a
trial is hardly known in this country, though similar in-
stances have occurred, and, in our opinion, the less it is prac-
tised the better: but the main point is the innocence or
guilt of the victim ; and in order to clear that up, and allay
the commotion created by this unfortunate affair, the Go-
vernment should furnish every possible information. We
believe most persons capable of comparing the different facts
adduced in the evidence, and forming a judgment, are fully
convinced that SEERY was guilty, but that does not appear
to be the impression of the multitude, for the im-
portant statements made by Sir FRANCIS Homuxs have not
any effect whatever. This is unfortunate in many respects,
but, most of all, because the lower Irish seem only to be the
more confirmed in their belief that they cannot obtain jus-
tice in a criminal court, and must trust entirely for protec-
tion to private revenge. As regards the evidence of Sir
FRANCIS Homer , we are boned to say it is in every
respect satisfactory. He had known the man for many
years; Seery had been his tenant, and we believe, also, his
steward ; he had been induced to give up his farm for a con-
tolerable sum of money, taken another in a different district,
and having been unsuccessful, chiefly through his own in-
dolence, he came back to his old quarters, and urged to be
reins' ated in the farmbelotnhgeingocettolpythinegprotesnecaunttor.or This
s
demand, of course, was rejected, and thence be wowed
he
ltaoretal
iateforwhat
either upon
he considered an act of injustice.
When the attempt at assassination was made the moon was
shining bright. Sir Fitaxus, who fortunately escaped the
shot, seized his assailant, held his face up between him and
the light, and distinctly recognised thd features of the man
whom he had known for many years. The man made his
escape, as some accomplices came to his rescue,
but he left parts of his dress, which were recog-
nised as belonging to SEERY. We believe these facts
are admitted by all unprejudiced parties, and the evidence
altogether was considered so strong and conclusive the that
Trish Government allowedthe law to Wise its course. But, be-
sidtss, what object could Sir FRANCIS HOPKINS have in
obtaining, the convictionof an inaocent man, and what motive
could he have in giving such evidence, unless he were fully
couvinectil of his identity? The words of Sir Fnasicis
limn:iris on this point are explicit and decisive:—

"It hay
'wen stated that I solicited a comnintiolon of the extreme
of death, and an Wen:lively:ls tram! therefrom that I had
changed my iniml respecting the identity of my assailant. It is true
that I did solicit the clemency of the Crown for the tneliappy prisoner,
ho rni lid., occasion I 'believe to have been the tool of others, but I
most solemnly dell- that the slut OW or a doubt ever cro,“ell my
mind as to lie identity ofitty assailant, and notwithstanding the re-
ported leclaratioti of innocence by Seery oil the scattold, I
actin affirm that he was the person who fired at, and subsequently
a55„,,11,,, me, oil the night of the Is:11 or November last, and fuel' is
my positirc and unalterable conviction."

Mr.:II,OItOAN JOHN O'CoNxEu. toll the protectionists last
night tl they would forget all their abuse and threatening
as soon
--ibis pending question was settled, and, as after
Catholic .ancipation, be again the humble servants of Sir
iwwil‘t-h 11
ROBERT PEEL. The protectionists cried "No." What is
againar(ily petting and
ptlaietriron'isNino;;lsr-.0r1t,l ?
iintßANTil,i,eywialornel,
ex-
ception, they all united to put clown when he attacked Sir
JAMES GR4HAM about the Nottingham Election Com-
mittee, and Sir JAMES GRAHAM procured a vote of
censure on him from the House of Commons. Mr.
FennAxii, after having been for a long time all but proscribed
by all but the whole of his tarty, spoke again last night
amid the most enthusiastic plaudits, such as cheered him on
in his first Parliamentary efforts. "Adversity makes us ac-
quainted with strange bedfellows," and the great protec-
tionist party, de:7.erted by the Government, have rot thought
it beffeathlltent to take tip Mr. FERRAND again, and avail
themselves of those powers of-abuse, which ware first used to
their gratification against Mr. Coisiiitx and the League,
which were afterwards turned upon Sir UonEnT PEEL and Sir
JAMES GRAHAM., greatly to the disgust of the protection
gentlemen, who were then Sir l:tmEwri'EtlL's and Sir JAmus
GRAHAM'S humble servants, and which mow (all that was
passed being forgotten) are again hounded on by the "gen-
tlemen of England," by the " proud aristocracy" of England,
against the Members of the Government, as they were,
before Mr. FERRAND was found out by his friends, against
the manufacturers. If there were any foreigner in the gallery
for the first time last night, he would have carried away a
strange opinion of the oratory of the English Senate, if
after witnessing Mr. FERRAND'S violent extravagance of
gesture and hearing the vociferous cheers which greeted all
his personal attacks, he bad concluded that his was the
favourite style of speaking with the gentlemen of the English
House of Commons. .
And such a speech as Mr. FERRAND'S was I Why, what
does it all come to? That Mr. Escort' was a vehement pro-
tectionist, and is now a free-trader, and ought to go down
to Winchester for re-election ; that Mr. TEcnErr, of Leeds,
has changed also, and should go to Leeds for re-election, else,
says this gentlemanly orator, lie will be known' ever after
as " dishonest WILLIAM BECKETT," and t his gentlemanly sally
was cheered, too, by the gentlemen of England; and that Sir
JAMES GRAHAM and Sir ROBERT PEEL should give Dor-
chester and Tamworth an opportunity of expressing their
opinions on the conversion of their representatives to free
trade. The extracts from Mr. EscoTT'S and Sir JAMB
GualtAn's foriner speeches were, it .must be allowed, suffi-
ciently amusing. But how does this affect the merits of the,
Ministerial measure? We are disposed to allow Mr. FER-
RAND all that he contends for. We think that Lord ASHLEY
and the others, who, after being returned to Par-
liament as protectionists, have resigned their
seats before voting for the Ministerial measure, have
taken the right course. Members of Parliament are
elected by their constituents on account of their entertain-
ing certain opinions on political questions; there is an end of
the influence of electors in our representative system if thus
much is not conceded. And there can be no doubt that
every Member on the Conservative side was returned in
1841 as a protectionist. This being so, we have no hesita.
tien in saying that every protectionist who has become a
free-trader owes it to himself and to his constituent; to do
as Lord ASHLEY, Lord HICNNIKEU, Mr. STEM`, and Mr.
Cumtmus have done. But, after all, this is a matter

Mr. PACKE felt great regret in being obliged to differ from
an Administration which he had hitherto supported, but so
convinced was he that the propose) measure was ruinous to
the country that he felt bound to oppose it.
The CHANCELLOR of the ExcitEquEt: defended the Govern-
ment proposition. It was unnecessary for him to say that
the removal of protecting duties had invariably bettelitted
the people. Ile utterly de ied the statements that had been
put forth, that lie differed from his colleagues upon the pro-
priety of .the steps proposed to be taken by the Right 11On.
Baronet at the head of the Government. Ile admitted that
he objected to the opening of the ports by an Order in Cottn7
cil, as inexpedient and unnecessary. lie also thought that
further information ought to be obtained before Parliament
was called upon to assemble to alter the law with respect to corn.-
Ile might on these points have been in error, but no circum-
stance had taken place that would lead him at the pre:ent
moment, if the question was again proposed to him, to adoit
a different course. When he resigned his office, he had no
thought that he should have had to deal with the question
of an alteration of the corn-laws, other than as a private indi-
vidual, and in that character he had determined to support an
alteration in those laws. As to his not tendering the resigna-
tion of his seat for the University of Cambridge to his con-
stituents upon the change of his opinions, he did not consi-
der it the duty of a representative who had given no pledge
to do so; indeed, it would be parting with the trust he held
to the people to do so. The Right Hon. Gentleman
then at some length pointed out to the House the benefits.
that would result from the measure, and stated his firm
belief that free trade would improve the condition of all
classes. He was the advocate of consistency in public men,
but he did not think it consistent to uphold a law when it
was found to be injurious to the people. He knew of no is
if it was to be considered consistent to uphold a law when it
was found oppressive, who had been consistent with respect
telthe corn-laws. He believed that the present was the
time for the settlement of the corn-laws, and he trusted,
therefore, the measure of the Government would be adopted
by the House.
Mr. FERRAND then addressed the House. He accused the
Anti-Corn-law League of having purchased, at one shilling
a hundred, the signatures to the petition presented
the other night by the Noble Lord the Member for
the West Riding of York shire. He was prepared
to prove that one man attach& no less than 14,000 signa-
tures to one of the petitions witt iout leaving his house. So
much for the petitions presented to that House. He denied
statementst;:h.teLA smasterc t,Easn odh fa theds
efrovuaHgnoht Hon. .atAthleedme
;tilts forbattle in
Sheffield, that he had
Noblesh ali l innogtLtnol
oiredwsc
beenonadnudc h
Members
eerssenzLeague,tpipx.:B Lordi
into
elleot
hhrAbkael believed,
Westteiire.Ebe,
eine: IRon wifwdi ii)3untihglr
ac-
cused of thimble-rigging; he th. aught they might retort the
observation in these days of unblushing apostacy. The
Member for the West Riding who's seconded the Address was
going to vote against Ministers, a nd would tell the House that
he had been humbugged into se( mnding the Address. As to
the Hon. Member for Winchestt r, he was bound to go down
to the electors there and resign; his seat. He thought the
personal honour of the Secretai 7 at War was at stake, and
that he also ought to go .to his constituents in
Wiltshire, and tell them of the change in his opinions.
As to the Secretary of State rib( the Tome Department, he

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1846.

rather between themselves and their constituents
than for us to meddle with, whose chief anxiety
is to -see Sir ROBERT PEEL'S proposals become the law of the
land. And, we believe, that if the protectionists were to
have their will, and an appeal were to be made to the
country as they ask, that they would take nothing by their
motion.

Evertere domus total optantibus ipsis

Di ladles.
And if Sir ROBERT PEEL were good naturally to let the
protectionists have the dissolution which they pray for, we
believe it would be the dissolution of the protection party,
No inference is to be drawn from the duke-ridden counties
and pocket-boroughs, in which great proprietary influence has
lately compelled. new elections, and substituted men who are
protectionists still for men who were protectionists in 1841.
In some other cases, protectionists would be substituted for
Peelites on a general election ; but there are others in
which Peelitcs would be substituted for protectionists—aye,
and Liberals for protectionists. • Will Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS
ever show his face again in Liverpool, or Mr. BEcliatyr
DENISON (after voting against Ministers) in the West
Riding ? • _ _ _

A dissolution has hitherto been objected to, not be-
cau.e it was feared in itself, but because it would pro-
duce delay in the carrying of Sir ROBERT FEEL'S
measure. Considering that this debate has gone on
for three weeks, and that a Pi rliament may
.be
dissolved and a Eew one called and begin business
in six weeks, perhaps Sir R. PEEL may change his mind.
We, at any rate, advise the protectionists not to reckon too
much on his powers of endurance. He may dissolve. Let
them take care they are not caught in their own trap.

We have received Madrid journals of the 17th, but they
contain no news. A report seemed to gain ground that the
Ministry would pass the Electoral Bill with the utmost dis-
patch, and then dissolve the Cortes, preparatory to a general
election under the new law. Accounts have been received of
the movements of the Infante Don HENRY. He had not
made his escape, as reported, though he had left Vigo on the
12th instant much discontented, and refused to accept the
visit of the authorities. On the 17th the Three per Cents.
closed at 32% for cash, and 33 at 60 days; and the Madrid
and Aranjuez Railroad shares at 2,090 for cash.

The Paris papers are much occupied with the speeches of
the new Spanish Ministers in the Corte!, containing explana-
tions of the late crisis, which several of them give at lengths
with comments, but we find nothing in them requiring
notice. Those of the Opposition are of opinion that NARVAEZ
bas been greatly disappointed by the result, and that when
he resigned he expected to be able to form a Cabinet, of
which he should be the chief. They infer also that he had
some dangerous plans in view, to which his colleagues would
not consent.. In the Committee of the French Chamber of
Deputies, on Monday, appointed to take into consideration the
extraordinary vote of 25,000,000 f. for the service of the army
in Africa, a long and spirited discussion took place. Several of
the speakers, chiefly of the Ministerial side, were in favour of
a flora limited plan of occupation, while the Opposition Mem •
bars generally approved of the policy adopted by Marshal
BUGEAUD, and taking possession of the entire country from
Morrocco to Tynis. Should their opinion prevail many extra-
ordinary grants of 25,000,000 f. will yet be required, but the
general feeling seemed rather the other way, and adverse to
the mode of warfare hitherto practised. The Committee,
however, was nearly equally divided, for four Opposition
members were elected out of the nine. The object of the grant
was to raise the effective strength of the army to 95,351 men.
Political affairs seemed to be in a sad state of confusion at
Berne. A letter from that city, datid the 19th instant, gives
the following account of the last meeting of the Grand
Council :

" iVe have had a stormy sitting to-day which lasted from nine in
the morning to seven in the evening. There were about 112 mem,
hers present. The matter brought under consideration was to de-
mand categorical explanations from the nine members of the Council
of State hostile to the institution of a constituent assembly. These
gentlemen are, MM. Neuhaus, Weber, Steinhaur, Jaggi,
Lecorludgut, Bandelier, Dobler; and Schmalz. The meeting first de-
cided that the nine members should withdraw during the delibera-
tions. M. Funk, President of the Court of Appeal, having in-
sisted on the necessity of the Grand Council knowing precisely the
intentions of functionaries called on to execute its decrees, and in
case of non-approval of calling for their resignation, pre-
sented a motion to that effect, which was adopted by 76 votes to 43,
It then named a committee of five members to bring forward propo-
sitions on the subject during the sitting. These members arc, $l3l.
Ochsenhein, Funk, Dr. Lehmann, Migy, jun., and Steiner. To say
that the President of this Committee was the head of the Corps-
francs, is to declare the tendencies of the body. The Committee then
withdrew, and about three o'clock returned with a proposition, de-
claring that ' the interest of public order demanded imperatively
that the nine dissentient members should state how they in-
tended conciliating the opinion which they had expressed rela-
tive to the Constituent Assembly, with their position of mem-
bers of the high executive authority, of which they composed
the majority. In consequence, the Grand Council decides that
the nine Councillors of State be called on to give, within the space
of au'hour and a half, a tranquillising declaration, stating that they
will loyally assist in getting the resolution of the Grand Council,
confiding the revision of the Constitution to a constituent assembly,
carried into effect.' A warm discussion ensued, in the course of
which, a proposition from Chancellor Ilunerwadel to proceed no fur-
ther in the matter, was at once rejected. At last, the meeting
agreed to extend to eight next morning the Rine which the nine
should have to declare themselves. The proposition of the commit-
tee of five with this change of time was carried by 75 votes to 29.
If the nine memt ers should not to-morrow make a satisfactory de-
claration, they will be dismissed, and the officers of the Government
of Berne will be almost entirely renewed, the vacant places being,
no doubt, occupied by the Radicals."

According to the subjoined letters from Posen, of the 15th
instant, a conspiracy had been discovered in Prussian Poland.
The letters appear in the Government Gazette of Frankfort-
on-the Oder:—
" For several days it had been remarked that the Polish noblemen
who had kept away from Posen during the winter were assemb lug
in great numbers. Yesterday upwards of 600 were counted. Pre-
cisely at the hour-of dinner in the hotels, William-square was oce,i-
pied by troops, and immediately alter domiciliary visits and arrests
commenced. About 100 Polish gentlemen were arrested at dinner,
and taken to the Etat-Major to be interrogated. Those who could
not give satisfactory answers were thrown into prison. Out of
thirty-nine chietis of the conspiracy down on the list, only nine were
arrested last evening. The rest lie concealed, but they will be dis-
covered at last. Couriers were sent out in all directions, and nume-
rous patrols scour the town. A large quamtity of powder and con-
siderable sums of money were found with the conspirators."
Another letter of the same date says :

" The measures taken by the authorities to preserve order have
ensured public tranquillity. There is still, however, much agitation
amongst the Polish population. The individuals. arrested are thirty
in number, not forty, as previously rep,rted, and all are of the kigher
classes of society. It is believed that amongst the persons arrested
at Oilmen, and conducted here, is a Polish nobleman, one of the
heads of the conspiracy, and an emissary of the Propaganda of
Paris. Funds, amounting to 60,000 thalers were seized in the house
of one of the conspirators."
On the Paris liourse on Monday the Thrse per Cents. closed at 84f.
75c. ; the New Loan, at 84f. 50c. ; the Five per Cents , 123 f. 45e. ;
the Orleans Railroad shares, 1,328 f. 75c.; Rouen, 1,055 f. ; Great Nor-
thern, 777 f. 50c. ; Havre, 735 f. ; Avignon, 1,015 f. ' • Vierzon, 725 f. ;
Bordeaux, 655 f. ; Boulogne, 555 f. ; 'Saab", 252 f. 50e. ; Fampoux, 473 f.
Dieppe, 477 f. 50c.; Paris and Strasburg, 556 f. 25c.; Tours and
Nantes, 591 f. 25c. ; Belgian Two-and-a•Balf per Cents., 57% ; spa-
nish Passives, ; Domestic Debt, 32%.

The following are the quotations for other lines

Pc.ris and Lynls, deflnitlie, 625 f. ; Lyons and Avignon (Talabot),
410 f. ; ditto (Lecolnte). 505 f. • ditto (Compa„o-nie 3leridionale),
5011. ; ditto (Dednitivca), Es6f. ; Bordeaux wild Cott° (.31i:c-
Iterale), 502 f. 50c. ; ditto (Esparta), SlOl. Charlerei (Ey-
non's), 495 f.
MARSEILLES, FEB. 10.—'Marseilles and Avignon, 991 f. `2sc.
LYONS, FEB. 21.—MarsePles and Avignon,l,olof. ; Paris and Orleans,
1,3201. ; Paria and Rouen, 1,045 f. ; Orleans and Vierzon, 717 f. 50c.
ItuslNEss DONE IN FOREIiIIN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDoN STOCK EXCHANC.E, FEB. 25.

Boulogne and Amiens, 1I ly —Bordeaux aiel Nlediterranean,
—Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Cette (EApeleta), 2.!i—Eitat Indian, 1 I,y
—threat • Northern of France Constituted, 13!2 —great Western
'4—Threat Western Canada, TS—lt:di:in and Austrian, I
—Louvain and .Jeuiappe, 2—Luxembourg, 2!:, —"Madrid -and Vll-
tenth', I !y —.Namur and Liege, 3;ty - Orleans and Bordeaux, I Ili.

RAI LW AY COMMITTEES.
(THIS DAY.)

Sub-Committee, No. 2.

This Commil tee met to-day at twelve o'clock. The Mem-
bers present were—Sir J. Y. Buller (Chairman), Mr. hell,
Mr. Braanston, and Mr. Walker.
DIRECT LONDON AND MANCHESTER.
The consideration of the remaining allegations in the,
petition, which were not concluded yesterday, were re-
sumed. _ _ _

It was alleged in the petition that notice had not been
served on the owners of the property 42, in the parish of
Ibstock.

Mr. DYSON contended that the ronscnt of the parties peti-
tioning should be proved.
The requisite evidence was then adduced, and the Com-
mittee found that in this case the standing orders had been
complied with.
It was also alleged that a piece of land between Nos. F 5
and SB, in the same parish, was not in the book of reference
deposited with the clerk of peace for the county.
The allegation was not sustained.
There was a similar allegation with respect to the field
marked 32, on the part of Sir Charles Ilaatings, the owner
of the same.
Mr. Hughes (solicitor to Sir Charles Hastings) proved the
ownership of the property in question.
The clerk of the peace for Bedford not being in attendance,
the allegation was abandoned.
There was another allegation, to the same effect, with
respect to the property, No. 72, the property of the same
owner.
The petition was from the occupier, Mr. Rice, whose con-
sent to the petition was shown.
The Committee found that in this case the standing orders
had not been complied with.
Several similar allegations were abandoned.
It was then alleged, on the part of the surveyors of high-
ways in Manchester, that no notice respecting the property,
No. 5, Oxford-row, in the parish of Manchester, had been
served.

This allegation was not pressed.
There was a similar allegation, which was abandoned, the
witnesses not being in attendance.
This was the 334th allegation, and the 344th was the next
taken, the intermediate allegations being abandoned. This
allegation was to the effect, that in No. M in the parish of
Staple-hill, in the occupation of James Wilson, notice had
not been served on the owner.

This allegation was not sustained.
'I here was a similar allegation with respect to Nos. 54 and
58 in the parish of Tutbury, which was abandoned, as well
as an allegation to the effect that the property marked No.
155 was described as the property of Sir Oswald Moseley,
whereas the owner was the Marquis of Anglesea.
It was also alleged that no notice had been served on Sir
Oswald Moseley with respect to a plantation, his property,
marked No. 4.
This allegation was not sustained.

Sub-Committee, No. 3.

This Committee resumed its sittings.at the usual hour this
morning, Mr. Aglionby in the chair.

ELY AND BURY.

The object of the petitioners in this case was to make a
railway, from Ely to the Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's
Railway, at Bury, a distance of 231% miles. The estimated
cost of the line was 230,0001., and the sum &posited with
the Accountant-General amounted to 17,2801. Messrs. Dyson,
Wall, and Co., are the Parliamentary agents, and Mr. I. S.
Valentine the engineer.
The customary formal proofs having been put in, the
Committee decided that the stanOng orders had been com-
plied with.

Sub Committee,
The Committee met at twelve o'clock. Present Mr. Home
Drummond (Chairman), the O'Conor Don, Mr. Rice, Mr.
G. Phillips, and Mr. Compton.