The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-13 00:00:00

.iat a clause should be inserted in the Bill giving to tho Admiralty
the power of regulating the speed and weight of trains passing
through such tunnels, end of imposing such penalties as they might
think fit tor any infraction of the regulations they might lay down.
They further wished to make such regulations as they might deem
necessary for the purpose of preventing any injurious effect on the
astronomical observations at the observatory, of which injuries they
were to be the sole judges, and giving them the power of inflicting
such penalties for the infraction of such regulations as they might
deem necessary, and also, in the event of the continued contravention
of those regulations, to stop the trains altogether.
The CIIAUSIAN said that it would be very important to the Com-
mittee to know the nature of the restrictions to be proposed by the
Adadralty. Were the clients of 31r. Austin satisfied that those re-
gulations would be such as would not injure the traffic; and would
Mr. Stephenson be prepared to take that branch as his only line with
those regulations?

Other witnesses were called by the promoters to prove the amount
of traffic, and the general advantages to be derived from the line.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock.

IMPHEORUSIEALOF
LPOA-RADLS;IAIII ENT.,
Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock.'ay 12.
CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL.
The Earl of SHAFTEBURY presented a petition from
the authorities of Winchester College praying their Lordships
to exempt that institution from the provisions of the Bill.
LOCAL BURD.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented ENS
reports which, on his
motion, were referred to the Committee on Local Burdens.
A BISHOPRIC FOR MANCHESTER.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from the
Church Lay Society of Bath, very numerously and respectably
signed, praying their Lordships to form a new bishopric for
the town of Manchester and the adjacent districts. He thought
he need hardly say that he entirely agreed in the prayer of the
petition, and could see no argument why their Lordships should
not accede to it.

GROUP XL.

LEEDS, YORE., AND MIDLAND JUNCTION.
The Committee on this group sat as usual—Mr. Stafford O'Brien
(ehairman), and the rest of the members being present.
Mr. Wilkes, jun., was called by the Counsel for the line ; and, after
some evidence regarding traffic had been gone into,
Mr. Sergeant WILKINS requested the Hon. Chairman would ask
permission of the House to-night for certain petitioners in favour of
this line to he heard by counsel.
Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN said it appeared to be a question of prece-
dent, and the other members of the Committee expressed an opinion
that no such precedent existed, which was also the opinion of Mr.
Hardy, who appeared for the Leeds and York.
Mr. Sergeant WILKINS said he was in error; the application was
simply that the petitions should appear before the Committee.
31r. SIIL•RIDAN inquired whether they had been duly presented, to
which the Learned Sergeant answered in the affirmative.

- - .
I Mr. Stephenson—Quite so.
IMr TALBOT said that he was prepared to prove that the trains
could not be worked with safety to the observatory.
Toe Committee here deliberated for a short time, and at length
The CuAlamAN said that the consent of the Admiralty was de-
pendent Ott certain conditions which struck the Committee as very
Important. The Committee were desirous of ascertaining what those
clauses would be, so that they could be satisfied that they would not
injuriously affect the public interest, or the traffic. The Committee
could therefore not proceed until such information had been obtained.
Mr. AUSTIN said that the Committee could not expect to dud any
code of regulations contained in those clauses. They would simply
contain the power of making regulations. He apprehended that no
regulations would be imposed on the line until the Admiralty found
that such regulations were necessary, which lie believed they
would not.
The CMAIRNIAN said still such information should be obtained, and
a sufficient thus adowed to do so.

Other evidence was then gone into respecting the navigation of the
river Cock up to Tadcaster, which went to prove that there were not
more than two obstructions in dry weather, which might easily be
removed, and that vessels drawing six or seven feet of water could
at all times get up. These facts were elicited by questions put by
Mr. Stafford O'Brien and by Lord Norreys to Mr. Coles.
Mr. Benjamin Thomson, solicitor, of Tadcaster, gave evidence in
favour of the proposed line.
Mr. J. Fowler, civil engineer, stated that the Leeds and York line
was the longest, the most expensive, had the heaviest earthworks in
contemplation, as well as the highest gradients, and passed through
a thinly populated district. 31r. Leather's line was also superior to
Mr. Hudson's line in every respect, and although he was ready to
concele all capability to Mr. Birkenshaw, yet he thought he had not
had sufficient time allowed him for fixing the most eligible route.
He thought the mode in which Mr. Birkenshaw proposed to cross the
Midlands Railway, near Leeds, very objectionable, as likely to cause
frequent detentions to both companies, there being considerable
traffic.

FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition, numerously signed
by members of the Free Church of Seotiand, praying their
Lordships to pass some measure to enable the members of that
church to obtain sites for the erection of places of public wor-
ship. He wished, however, to take that opportunity
to say that information had reached him that members
of the Free Church of Scotland had behaved unreasonably, and
had not been contented with the sites which had been assigned
to them, and which would have answered their purpose, and
had insisted upon having other sites assigned to them with no
other object than to annoy the members of the Established
Church. But if a landowner refused to allow a site for the
erection of a place of worship for a considerable number of
those on his property who professed the doctrines of the
Free Church, that, in his opinion, would be an
abuse of the rights of property, and their Lordships would be per-
fectly justified in pas-sing a measure to enable those persons to ob-
tain sites by fairly remunerating the proprietors of the land.
The Duke of RICHMOND coasidered that, e.-here a land-
owner held the whole of the parish, he should give a central
si,e for the purpose of building churches. Ile hoped to see the
unpleasant differences between the free church and the old
church healed. These churches would then make good preach-
ing stations for the old church.
CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL.
Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from Barnet against
the Charitable Trusts Bill.
Lord MONTEAGLE also presented a petition from the
congregation of York-street Chapel, Walworth, against the
Bill.

The Committee then deliberated, and the Chairman announced that
they had reversed their decision, and had determined to proceed at
once. .
. . .

31;. TALBOT said that he was instructed, and he believed correctly,
that the consent of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests would
o ly be given on such terms as would render the formation of the
line of no use. The Committee should adjourn until those terms
were known.

Mr. KNOWLES asked witness whether the same thing did not occur
at Methley, to whom the reply was that this case only agreed in
passing front York to Leeds, but not in passing from Leeds to York,
and that the trains were obliged to pass very slowly, though not
actually obliged to stop.
Mr. Viguoles, C.E., gave precise'y similar evidence, which was
not shaken by the cross examination to which he was subjected by
Mr. Ilildyard.

Mr. COCKBURN said that he had no doubt of the consent of the
Commissioners of Woods and Forests, but still they had not got a
formal consent.

The CHAIRMAN said, that under those circumstances, though it
might appear to be vacillating, the Committee would adjourn until
such consent could be and obtained.
At the suggestion of Mr. J. O'CONNELL,
The CHAIRMAN inquired whether so much of the evidence could
not be gone into as would permit of the objection of the landowner
to be heard. The Greenwich portion was but an inch in the yard of
road they had to lay down, and the objection to that question might
be deferred. The Committee were very anxious to save both time
and money to the Companies.
Both sides seeming to consider this arrangement as not likely to
meet their views, '
The Committee adjourned until twelve o'clock en Thursday.

Mr. Michael Machiroed stated 70,087/. 9s. 6%d. to be the gross re-
venue from traffic, and after all deductions, leaving a net revenue of
32,0001., or better than 9 in a third per cent., or 340,0001. ; the capital
proposed to be invested for the formation of the Leeds, York, and
Midland Junction Railway.
To Mr. HARDT, witness said that nothing was included in the
traffic table going less than eight miles. 46,000/. was the amount of
passenger traffic. Between Leeds and York the amount is about
11,000/. ; tile remainder is derivable from the traffic front interme-
diate points. He calculated 5 per cent. on mails and parcels.
This witness then explained to the Committee his method of taking
the passenger traffic, when
Mr. Green was called by
Mr. Sergeant Ihrusiss merely to prove the correctness of the popu••
lation tables.

GROUP XVIII.
SOMERSETSHXRE MIDLAND.

Lord STANLEY presented a petition from the ttsstees of
the Wesleyan Chapel in Birmingham of a similar nature.,
RAILWAY COMPANIES.
Lord MONTEAGLE moved for returns of the amount of
capital proposed to be raised by railway companies in the pre-
sent session.

This Committee resumed its sittings this morning at the usual
hour; Mr. B. Denison, chairman.
Mr. E. Hippesley, surveyor, of Wells, in Somerset, proved that
the line, as laid out on the plans and sections, could not be com-
pleted within the lines of deviation, or if completed it would he
utterly impracticable to work it, as it would consist of a number of
small curves of not more than a quarter of a mile radius.
In his cross•examination by Mr SMITH, he .:dmitted that he had
not been employed in laying out a railway before he had levelled
upon several lines of railways.

Mr. ROBINSON having called Mr. John Garland, builder and valuer,
to testify as to the correctness of the valuations the Company had
made,

Mr. Sergeant WILKINS stated that his case was now virtually closed,
The Committee then adjourned till Thursday.

L
CRN-AWS.
The Earl of HARDWIOCKE presented a petition from the
Corporation of the Bedford Levels, praying their 'Lordships
not to allow the Ministerial measures, with refetence to the
importation of corn, to be passed into law. The Noble
Lord said there was no part of her Majesty's do-
minions that had a better right to petition against the repeal of
the corn-laws than this Corporation, as the land of the Bedford
Level had been reclaimed from the sea at a great expense and
was maintained by great care and drainage. Before the em-
bankment and drainage of this tract of country it was entirely
useless, but since the time of Charles 11. it had
been reclaimed and now there was no port in
the empire that exported more wheat than the port
of Lynn. The average rent of land here was 051. per acre,
and the expenses were I6s. per acre before a single farthing
was forthcoming. The value and preservation of this entirely
artificial tract of land would be placed in great peril and
jeopardy if the present measure of her Majesty's Government
was carried. He thought it right that he should explain this
much in presenting the petition to their Lordships.
Earl FITZ WILLIAM said that, after the remarks which
had been made by his Noble Friend, it might be inferred, if he
did not make one or two observations to the House, that he
had suffered judgment to go by default. Notwithstanding
the prophecy of his Noble Friend, he (Earl Fitzwilliam )
would volunteer a counter-prophecy, and that was, that not-
withstanding that the Bill which was now about to be brought
before their Lordships were passed—a Bill giving perfect free-
dom of trade in foreign corn—( Hear, hear)—he en-
tertained not the slightest doubt that the Noble Lord and
himself would continue to recaive the rents they had been
accustomed to impose within that level, unless, indeed, they
bad exacted more than their property was worth. He (Lord
Fitzwilliam) was sure that it was not so with his Noble Friend,
' and he could also depose that it was not so with himself.
He repeated, that if they had not so raised the rents,
there was no danger that the proper rents would not
be received. He would venture to prophecy, therefore, that
in ten years hence the rents would be as good as those they
were receiving at the present moment. Great improvements
had do doubt been made by the introduction of an improved
system of agriculture, and by the introduction of a mode of
managing land superior to that formerly in use. Great im-
provements had also been made in drainage, and par-
ticularly in these levels, and those improvements would
doubtless progress with the growing necessity. He had
no doubt that under the new system increased energy would be
followed by increased success.
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
This Bill was brought up from the Commons, and read a first
time.

GROUP XLIII.

LEEDS AND Trans. (NORTET-EASTEnN

Mr. Stable corroborated •the accuracy of the levels as taken by the
previous witnesses.

EXTENSION).

Mr. Ashmead and Mr. Fox gave evidence to the same effect.

The Committee re-assembled at twelve o'clock this morning, and
immediately after the room was ordered to be cleared. On our re-
admission,

Mr. Hubbersty—Had estimated that the amount of earth-work ne-
cessary in the construction of the line would be 1.211.1:57 cubic yards
more than stated by Mr. Hill. The cost of the necessary earth-work
would be 125,5411., or about one hundred and twenty per cent. more
than Mr. Hill's estimates.

't he Cilium Ari said the Committee wished to have some evidence
as to the particular necessity for the construction of a line between
Northallerton and Yarn, especially as railway communication al-
ready existed between those places.
Mr. Bainbridge, of Yarn, was then called, who deposed that the
existing line between Northallerton and Yarn was very circuitous, and
owing to the high charges for carriage, the goods were usually con-
veyed to Northallerton by the manufacturers' own waggons. He
was in the habit of transmitting goods to Hull, Selby, Birmingham,
Sheffield, and Leeds, all of which were conveyed by waggons in pre-
ference to the existing railway. If the proposed line were made, the
communication would be more direct, and the cost of conveyance
would be considerably diminished.
Mr. Mothersdale, under-steward to Lord llarewood, and a resident
of Weilbury, was the next witness examined. He was well ac-
quainted with the agricultural produce of the district, and if the line
between Northallerton and Yarn were opened, it would afford great
facilities fo.i the conveyance of the produce to Leeds. The line would
also afford great facilities for the transmission of lime, coal, cattle,
and manure. The price of coals, in particular, would be cheapened
4s. per ton.

Cross-examined by Mr. DEEDES—Iie had not been on the line.
The estimates were made up by his clerks in the office from data
furnished to him by the sections of the previous witnesses.
This witness concluded the case on the part of the promoters.

It w,,s then proposed tkat the iurther consideration of the case
should be adjourned till Thursday next, in order to allow the pro-
moters to call witnesses to rebut the evidence which had been laid
before the Committee.
The room was then cleared for a division.

Upon the parties being called in,

The CHAIRMAN informed them that it was the unanimous opinion
of the Committee that it would be useless to waste the time of the
parties, or themselves, in receiving further evidence, as the Corn-
mittee had come to the conclusion, irrespective of this portion of the
evidence, that it would be unwise in them to grant the Bill.
The preamble of the Bill was, therefore, declared not to be proved.
The Committee then adjourned at three o'clock.

Mr. Grainger, a civil engineer, was next called, and deposed as to
the course which the proposed line would take, and its general
working. The length of the main line was 20 miles 3 furlongs and
1 chain. The total length of the three small branches was 1 mile 3
furlongs and 1 chain. The steepest gradient on the line would be
lin NO. There were two curves of less than a mile radius. One
curve consisted of I in 5 furlongs 4 chains, and another curve was
1 in 5 furlongs. The total amount of the estimated expense of the
railway was 375,0001., and, in his judgment, that sum was quite suffi-
cient for the entire completion of the line. The value of land was
taken at 58,087/. There were no engineering difficulties of any con-
sequence to contend against. No tunnel at all was required, and he
considered the gradients and curves on the line very favourable.
The witness was cross-examined at some length, but the main
features of his evidence remained unshaken.

Mr. Cubitt vas next examined, and proved that the line was gene-
rally well laid out. He also corroborated the testimony of the pre-
vious witne,s with respect to the estimates of the railway.
A discussion then ensued as to whether the counsel for the op-
ponents to the line were in a position to be heard against the pre-
amble. The Committee ultimately decided that they could not be
heard against the preamble, but they could be heard upon the
clauses.
The preamble was then declared to have been proved.
A lengthy conversation next took place between the com-
mittee and counsel for the various parties who were inte-
reste, which resulted in a permission from the Committee
to insert a clause to the following effect; viz. That the Leeds
and Thirsk Railway Company, before proceeding to make the
line from Northallerton to the junction with the Stockton and
Hartlepool Railway, should give six months notice of their intention
to the Great North of England Company, in order that the latter
Company might have the option of making the line conjointly with
the Leeds and Thirsk Company; but, in the event of the Great North
of England Company not signifying their intention, within one month
after receiving notice, to the Leeds and Thirsk Company, that Com-
pany is to have liberty to proceed by itself with the construction of
the line.
Sonic routine business was then gone through, and the Committee
adjourned till twelve o'clock on Thursday.

CIVIL DISABILITIES BILL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR gave notice that on Friday
neat he would move that the House go into Committee on the
Civil Disabilities Bill.
STANDING ORDERS ON RAILWAYS.
The Earl of DEVON presented a petition, praying for an
alteration in the standing orders on railways requiring petitions
to be presented on the merits of the case not later than the 2eith
March, and before the second reading of this Bill.

GROUP XIV.
The members of this Committee meLt at ,the usual hour (in Room
No 25, New Houses of Parliament), aisd proceeded with the ad-
journed case of the

Lord BROUGHAM said he must oppose the reception of
such a petition as this, as be himself was about to move for
the abrogation of those orders, on the ground of the great in-
justice which it occasioned to many individuals. He was the
more induced to do this, because the individual for whom he
spoke had been cast into prison, by not complying with the
order. He should present that petition on Friday.
THE STAFFORD GAS BILL.
This Bill was brought up and read a first time.
CON TINGENT REM AINDERS.
Lord BROUGHAM moved the second reading of this Bill,
and after some conversation with the Lord Chancellor, it passed
that stage.

CVETRETWE 317NOTXON.
Mr. Coates, the Parliamentary agent, gave evidence as to com-
pliance with the resolutions of the Hon. Member for IT sbury.
Mr. Ca, ley, the engineer of tne line, was called, and gave the usual
ent ineering evidence. He described the course of the line, which com-
mences at Accrington, and proceeds by Whalley, Ciitheroe, and Long
Preston to Settle, where will be its northern extremity. At two miles
and three quarters from Accrington it sends oir a branch to Black-
burn, and at about foul miles from Accrington another Branch by
Padtham to Burnley. Accrington is about 22 miles from Manchester.
Mr. Cawley gave the usual details as to the amount of population
in the districts through which the line passes: the total amount
ntay be taken at 100.000 persons. The proposed line was
the most direct that could be made through the district, and would
afford the best communication through the district. The gradients
were favourable. The cost of the line would be about 700,0001.,
being 10 ,000.1. less than the Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North-Western
Junction, the competing line, would cost.
Mr. Merrivale, on the part of Mr. Taylor, a petitioner
against the line, and Mr. Baines, on the part of the
Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North-Western, cross-examined the
witness at great length. It appeared that the line would pass
fir three-quarters of a mile through Mr. Taylor's park and farm
land. The witness referred to a large model of Mr. Taylor's park
which had been put in by the petitioner, and by means of which he
explained the mariner in which the line interfered with the property.
His evidence on this point could only be understood by reference to
the model.

PROTECTION TO PUBLIC OFFICERS.
Lord BROUGHAXI begged to lay on their Lordships' table
a Bill which was of the utmost importance for the the en-
forcement of the law; its object being to protect magis-
trates, revenue, and naval and military officers, from the
prosecutions to which they were liable in the discharge
of their duty. As the law now stands, an action
must be brought within six months, with one month's notice
This was the only protection they possessed against
actions for proceedings which they were compelled to take.
He concluded by moving that the Bill be now read a first time
and printed, which was agreed to.
RELIGIOUS OPINIONS RELIEF BILL.
Lord CAMPBELL wished to know when the Noble and
Learned Lord on the Woolsack would lay the amended Bill,
bearing this title, on the table of the House. The
subject was an extremely important one, and as much
time had been suffered unnecessarily to elapse he
was anxious that it should be in the possession of their Lord-
ships at the earliest possible moment. The subject was referred
to the Criminal Law Commissioners, who more than twelve
months ago presented their first report, various Acts of Par-
liament, and the particular clauses in them which had reference
to the subject. Besides, the Bill itself was presented to the
Noble and Learned Lord in the month of November last.
The only part of the scheme as yet introduced was that relat-
ing to penalties. It was his decided impression that the
measures relating to the other part should be introduced at
once, so that the two Bills might go in concurrently. Perhaps
the objections of the Right Rev. Prelate would be admitted,
if the whole scheme was before their Lordships. He
trusted that the present session would not pass over
till the other portion of the scheme was introduced,
No person had been prosecuted for treason in copsequence of
declaring the supremacy of the Pope, for the last 300 years. He
hoped that the remaining portion of the Bill would be forth-
coming on Friday night, as it would be Impossible for them to
give any opinion upon the measure until the whole measure was
before them.

The cross-examination of Mr. Crawley occupied the Committee for
more than two hours.

Mr. Jeremiah Garnett, a cotton-spinner at Clitheroe, a magistrate,
and a director of this line, gave evidence as to the coal and cotton traffic
which might be expected by the promoters of the Bill, the advantages
to the inhabitants of the country through which the line would pass.
and other general matters. This witness's evidence occupied the
Committee up to four o'clock, and Mr. Baines was just rising to cross-
examine him, when the Speaker was announced at prayers. As the
Learned Counsel said that he had but very few questions to put to
the witness, he was allowed to go on with his cross-examination,
which being completed, the Committee roso and adjourned till to-
morrow.

STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES.
lIOUSE OF LORDS.
This Committee reassembled this morning at the customary hour.
The first Bill called on was the
WILTS, SOMERSET, AND SOUTHAMPTON,
the standing orders in which case were not allowed to be dispensed
with.

WARWICK .AND WORCESTER.
Not allowed to proceed.
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM (NEWPORT PAGNF.L
BRANCHES).
Standing orders not dispensed with.

PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR PIER.
Allowed to proceed.

BIDEFORD AND TAVISTOCK.
Not allowed to proceed.
WEST RIDING UNION (No. 2).
Allowed to proceed.

The LORD CHANCELLOR—In answer to the Noble
Lord, I beg to state that I will not introduce the other portion
of the Bill until the present Bill is disposed of. The Noble
Lord has been pleased to denounce my pursuing this course o
conduct. Having denounced me by anticipation, I beg to tell
him that I shall be quite prepared in the future stages of the
Bill to bear the whole weight of this denunciation.
After a few words from Lords CAMPBELL and BROUGHAM,
The Bishop of EXETER said, I can assure your Lordships
that it gave me great pleasure when I heard the Noble Lord
express his determination to oppose the Bill going into Com-
mittee.

THE EXETER AND EXMOUTH.
The consideration of this Bill by the Standing Orders' Committee
was postponed to Monday next.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
MIDLAND (BIRMINGII..k.II AND GLOUCESTER).
Allowed to proceed.

LON tsON AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION.
This was the next case called on, but the promoters of It were not
in attendance.
WORCESTER, HEREFORD, ROCHESTER, AND GLOUCESTER,
Net allowed to proceed.

Lord CAMPBELL—I do not consider that your Lordships
nor the country have been used well in this matter.
The subject then dropped, and their Lordships adjourned.

BERKS AND HANTS.
A similar decision was given in this case.
____

NORTH DEVON.

And in this also.
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION (NORTHAMPTON,
DAVENTRY, LEAMINGTON, AND WARWICK.)
The promoters not being prepared in this case, it was ordered to
stand over till Friday next.
The Committee then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 12.
The SPEAKER. took the Chair at Four o'clock.
COLCHESTER, STOUR VALLEY, SUDBURY, AND
Hit; At
em:
dHeoSr:tT:Ri
sdsEea:,
ni Al
thatyi: tty h
tßechaji7ißAlLWAY.Colchester,
dayrctehhaeedsomteaf
Sudbury,
rTy,UaFnNd TUFNELL ret,Aeht
third
itulirum required Valley,
l was
sy
by not-
withstandingthe Order ofth et
this
only in the London Gazette once prior to the meeting.
Mr. BARNARD objected to the motion, as be wanted to
give the inhabitants of HaLstead, wbo were to meet next week,
an opportunity of expressing their opinion. It was proposed
to cross no less than fifteen public roads on a level, and this was
acting very much in contrariety with the good old custom that
formerly prevailed in the town, of never allowing any railway
Bill to pass which contemplated the crossing of any public road
on the level. He did net oppose the Tocion on account of any
hostility to the progress of the Bill, but merely to give
time for arrangements to be made to prevent the crossing of
the Colchester line on the level.
A conversation then ensued, which resulted in
Mr. TUFNELL consenting to witlfetraw his motion.
The motion was withdrawn accordingly.
IRISH GREAT WESTERN BILL.
On the second reading of this Bill being moved,
Mr. WARBURTON presented a petition from the share-
holders, praying the House not to allow the second reading.
Mr. BRO THE RTON presented a petition to a similar effect.,
Mr. FINCH, the Chairman of the Committee, stated, that
the petition had been got up by a broker on the Stock Ex-
change, and there was no proof whatever, that the parties who
had signed the petition. were bond fide shareholders. He COn
sidered it perfectly irregular to oppose the Bill on the second
reading, and hoped the House would allow it to be proceeded
with.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
MONDAY, MAY 11.
The following Petitions or Railways were reported, and the Rills
ordered to be brought in hy the undernamed Hon. Members :
Liverpool and Bury—Mr. Fatten and Mr. Entwisle.
Lancaster and Preston Junction and Carlisle Railways Amalgama-
tion—Colonel Lowther and Mr. C. Howard.
West Lancashire —Mr. Brotherton and Mr. M. Philips.
The following Petition for a Railway Bill was withdrawn:—
Manchester and Bury Atmo pheric.

RAILWAYS
Select Committee on Group No. 22.
earl of Arundel and Surrey discharged ; Mr. Alexander :elected,
and added to the Committee.
Select Committee on Group No. 23.
Lord Oesulston discharged, Mr. Trelawny selected, and added to
the Committee.

Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by the
Viscountess Canning, the Hon. Miss Kerr
, tharquis of Ormonde,
S
Gordon,
, honoured the French plays
Colonel Berkeley, and Captain
with their presence on Monday. HerpaßetorliHmigh.nAesusguthsteaDauc.hiceess
of Kent, attended by the Baroness
Lady Anna Maria Dawson, and Captain Murray, occupied box
j
the
mat to her Majesty. We observed also
present,
nt, the Duke and
Duchess of Beaufort, Dowager Marchioness of Donegal, the Earl
and Lady Newport, the Earl and Countess
f
Lord and Lady Auckland, Lord
omCooruletyrt, Countess of
yCdheesteurfinsetladnvine,
Cowper, Lord Sidney, Lady Adelaide Paget, Marquis of Douro, Sir
Ralph and Lady Howard, Lady Meux, Hon. Mr. Cape!, Hon. Mr.
Pery, Marquis Pallaveino, Sir William Massey Stanley and Mr. John
Stanley, Sir George and Miss Talbot, Sir Henry Webb, Lady and the
Misses Burgoyne.
WINDSOR, MONDAY EVENlNG.—lntelligence reached
Windsor yesterday evening of the death ofjthe Hon. and Rev. Dr.
Hobart, Dean of Windsor, who expired on the afternoon of Friday
last, at Nocton Priory, Lincolnshire. The late Dean, who was also
Dean of Wolverhampton, rector of Nocton, and who held the living
of Wantage, in this county, and the vicarage of Hasely, Oxford, suc-
ceeded to the Deanery of Windsor upon the appointment of Dr.
Legge to the Bishopric of Oxford in 1816.

After a few words from Colonel CoNonny- and Mr. Con-
LETT, the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be com-
mitted.

t
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.
On the motion for the consideration of the report from the
C oma i
rm. i t
st e. e
oo till thisßi
EB
Ni 1 l beinge
dre
tand
ait be re-committed to the
,
former Committee, with leave to sit and proceed on Wednes-
day, and to report on Thursday.—Agreed to.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.
Mr. GRIMSDITCH moved that it be an instruction to
the Committee on the Seuth. Eastern Railway Bill to hear the
vicar, churchwardens, and landowners of the parish of Green-
wich, by their counsel, agents, and witnesses, against the Bill ,
notwithstanding their petitions were not presented to the Hou
three clear days prior to the sitting of the Committee. se
Agreed to.
COLCHESTER, STOUR VALLEY, SUDBURY, AND
HALSTEAD RAILWAY.

SUDDEN DEATH IN A CHAPEL.-011 ►Sunday after-
noon, about seven o'clock, during the performance of the evening
service at the large Wesleyan Chapel in the Back road, St. George's
in the East, Mr. John Moffatt, a retired servant of the East India
Company, residing at 44, John-street, St. George's, who formed one
of the congregation, was observed to fall suddenly as if he had been
shot. Mr. Luke Farrow, who also formed one of the congregation,
rendered immediate assistance, in which he was assisted by Mr.
Rees, a surgeon, residing in the neighbourhood, but 'heir efforts were
of no avail, as life was utterly extinct. _ _ _

musicali/ON world.it,idwihnoglseftfrpoararisltsaalmyehmtivonethrseaacghoe, din thane
alarming state of health, has not derived from the mild climate of
I .D—o
nS I zaedt 1
his count 4 the improvement which his friends anticipated. His
health continues to decline, his mind has fallen into deep melancholy,
and his tottering reason is plunged into gloomy meditations; he ad-
dresses those who surround him but to dwell, not on his approaching
end, but on his already accomplished demise. He sits down to his
piano, preludes some brilliant notes—his fugitive thoughts soon es-
cape him ; his fingers wander at random over the keys and produce
but incoherent sounds, when the unfortunate man strikes his fore-
head, and mournfully exclaims, " You see that I am dead !" Ho
walks in his garden, gathers flowers, scatters about their leaves, and
says, pointing to them, "Poor flowers—dead, like poor Donizetti !"
In vain do his friends strive to cheer him by executing his finest
Compositions. Its listens, but is insensible. lie no longer know 111 S
04" CiFfaCrop and =Um 119 MM. st bi>s films—Partiffrittf.

This Bill was read a third time and puled.
HARWICH AND EASTERN COUNTIES JUNCTION
• RAILWAY AND PIERS.
This Bill was also read a third time and passed.
Stamford.r Railway.
o
REPORTS OF RAILWAY BILLS.
The following reports of railway Bills were considered and
agreed to :
' i\nin
gs
.
Wilsontown,
Morningside, and Coltnees Railway (Improve-
ment
and Branches).
Raman= and 13crrowitounes1 Railway.

THE SUN; LONDON, NirtIYNESDAY MOItIVING. MAY 13, IS A.

Wilsontown, Morningside, and Coltness Railway (Bathgate
Branch).
Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway (Thirsk and
Staffordshire
ffe
yoßranches).
Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham Railway (Stamford to
Wisbech).
Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway.
Melton and Driffield Junction Railway.
Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway Extension
YRAN
ooyo
rt rrhkst
Rotherham
hrnßritishAyrshire, Bridge
n North
ro
dRg Railway i wf a
Weir,
(
(No. 2).
Glasgow,
looi
arrrsktkghe
on_
a;
North-Western
Barrhead,
Northeal
rrmnr hp
Railway.
aoadv:
Midland
Port Glasgow Junction Rail-
way.
Stowmarket Navigation.
Gas.rth Midland Railway (East Riding
(East Riding Branches,
gow, Barrhead, and Neilston Direct Rai
No. 1).
Railway
y (Branchesßranches,
No. 2).
NotrothThsotarnffloiredbsahnikr,e IRloaiulsweahillicahnudrnlieutrvleat)ii.ey
NG:taro:sl:Pa
Line) •
Neilston Direct Railway (Branches
shire Railway (Pottery Line).
and Neilston
d Commissioners. Railway
North Staffordshire Railway ( Hare castle to Sandbach. ).
Buckinghamshire Railway (Oxford and Bletchloy Junction).
Sidmouth Market.
Southampton Port and Harbour.
Wishaw and Coltness Railway (Greenhill Branch).
Sligo Harbour Improvement.
Scottish Central Railway (Alloa Branch).
Greenlaw Roads.
Leith Paving.
Westruther Road.
Port Ellen Harbour.
Chard Canal Railway.
Yeovil Market and Fairs.
Kilmarnock and Troon Railway.
GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY AND THE RIVER
MERSEY.
Mr MILNER GIBSON begged tollearn from the Noble
Lord, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what course
the conservators of the River Mersey proposed to take in refer-
ence to the new bridge proposed to be erected by the Grand
Junction Railway Company over the River Mersey below
Warrington. The bridge was to consist of five arches and four
piers, and, if erected, would be a considerable impediment to the
free navigation of that river.
Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET was understood to say,
that the Board of Admiralty and the conservators of the river
did not propose to take any steps against its erection, believing
that it would not interfere with the navigation.
Mr. HUME said, that the application made by the Hon.
Member for Manchester was a very proper one ; and, if he un-
derstood the Noble bird's answer correctly, he did not understand
what were the grounds which induced the Board of Admiralty
to acquiesce in such a course. He believer there were no lets
than 2),000 tons of merchandise daily passing up and down
that river, and it these piers and arches were erected, the free
course of the river would be impeded, and the free navigation
of the river rendered extremely dangerous. He was sorry to see
so little regard paid to river navigation, as he believed it con-
stituted one of the principal sources of the commercial
prosperity of the country. He hoped his Hon. Friend would
take another opportunity, when some of the Lords of the Ad-
miralty were present, of bringing forward the question, in order
that it might be considered.
Mr. MARK PHILLIPS wished to know of the Noble Lord
if the bridge was intended to be a swivel bridge ? He would be
extremly sorry to oppose any well-regulated scheme for the
purpose of facilitating the transit of traffic either by land or
water, but he could not help entertaining a fear that the pre-
sent plan would be injurious to the free navigation of the
river. lie would, therefore, like to know whether it was
intended to be a swivel bridge?
Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET said that it was
not proposed to be a swivel bridge, but the arches
would be sufficiently high to admit of vessels
passing under them, with their masts standing and
he did not think that any obstruction would be caused.
Mr. AGLIONBY considered that the country was ♦ery
much indebted to the lion. Member for Manchester for bring-
ing the subject before the House. There was an opinion
abroad, he was not aware upon what quantity of truth
it was founded, but there was an opinion very
generally held that the Board of Admiralty had
too much to do to attend to these particulars. The
immense power which had been lately conferred upon railway
companies induced a neglect to the public interests. The
Committee had come to the decision that there should be no
Interference with the navigation of the Mersey, unless with
the consent of the conservators of the river. They had no
knowledge of those persons who were appointed by the Admi-
ralty, and were changed from time to time. They might be
trustworthy, or they might not, and consequently they could
not know whether the interests of the public would be pro-
tected or not. However, if they allowed the papers which the
Hon. Gentleman moved for, they would be in a position to
know something more of the subject. It was of immense im-
portance to the public, and he hoped his Hon. Friend would
continue to give his attention to the subject.
Mr. MILNER GIBSON wished to ask the Noble Lord
(Granville Somerset) whether elauses were to be :in-
troduced into the Bill that the bridge was to be built in a par-
ticular manner, or would there be a plan submitted to
the House so as to enable them to see the
exact mode in which it was to be constructed ? He
wished also to know, was there not a report made to the
Board of Admiralty, by Captain Evans, with regard to the
constructing a bridge across the Mersey, upon some former
occasion, and if so, would the Government have any objection
to lay that report before the House?
Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET, who was perfectly in-
audible in the gallery, was understood to reply that the Govern-
ment would have no objection to lay the papers on the table
of the House.
Mr. THORNELY said that the Grand Junction Company
crossed the Mersey already by means of a bridge at Warring-
ton. He had been on a Committee, which sat some years ago,
when it was proposed to cross the Mersey by means of a bridge
between Warrington and Runcorn. On that occasion it was
made out, to the satisfaction of the Committee, that such a
bridge might be erected without injury to the navigation.
An Holt. MEMBER, presented several petitions against the
branch lines of the London and Birmingham Railroad Coin
panv.
Mr. ESTCOURT presented a petition from the inhabi
tants of Warrington in favour of the Roman Catholic Relic
Bill.

SUGAR DUTIES.
Mr. HUME gave notice, that on that day fortnight, he
should move a resolution to be adopted with regard. to the
produce of our West India Colonies, viz., that the duty on all
sugars used there for the purposes of manufacture and distilla-
tion be removed.

Mr. SPOONER gave notice that, on that day fortnight, he
should move for leave to bring in a Bill for the more effectual
suppression of prostitution and the better protection of females.

BRIDPORT ELECTION.
Mr. G. BAN KES moved that the petition which he pre•
sented the previous evening, with reference to the case of
Wm. Rocket, be printed, and in case of the House acceding to
that motion, he should give notice that on Thursday next he
should move that Win. Rocket have leave to state his ease at
the bar of the House.

POOR-LAWS.
Mr. P. BORTHWICK said he had a motion on the paper
for a Select Committee to inquire into the state and operation
of the laws which relate to the administration of relief to the
poor in England and %Vales, and he wished to know whether the
Right Hon. Baronet would grant him the Committee without
his saying one word upon the s.ubject ?
Sir R. PEEL said he could not accede to so important a
motion without any previous discussion taking place upon it.
He put it, however, to the good feeling of the Hon. Gentleman
not to interpose his motion in the way of the adjourned debate.
Mr. P. BORTHWICK said he had tried to get his motion
placed first on the listthat day fortnight, but unsucces.fully.
Yet he put it to the Muse whether they would not give him
the same position on Thursday fortnight as he held last night.
He hoped the Government would, as he had yielded so much
to them by enabling them to resume the adjourned debate, as-
sist him in this matter.
Sir R. PEEL said he was scrry he could not give the Hon.
Gentleman the assistance he desired.

Mr. BORTHWIUK said he was very sorry to be placed in
the position which he then held; but the House would agree
with him that the question was not second in importance
even to the corn•law itself—it was a question of the
most vital importance to the country. He would,
however, leave it to the fate of the ballot, trust-
ing that when tlie time would come for its discussion,
her Majesty's Government would not forget the sacrifices
which he had made.

Mr. HUME moved for a copy of all reports to the Admiralty
of trials made at Woolwich, Portsmouth, and on board the
fleet, of Mr. Rettie's signals for the prevention of the collision
of vessels at sea ; and also on his proposed signals of distress
at night. He held in his hand a list of no less than thirty-six
vessels run down in the Channel, from the want of some proper
regulation upon the subject —The motion was agreed to.
Mr. HUME moved for leave to bring in a Bill to relieve the
ropemakers of the United Kingdom from the operations of the
Factory Act.—Agreed to.
The How. MEMBER then moved for a return of the total
amount of costs and law expenses incurred and paid during
each of the ten years prior to the Ist day of Janttary, 1846, by
the four following trusts, viz.—the town council of Glasgow,
the trustees for managing the river Clyde and harbour of Glas-
gow, the trustees for managing the bridges over the river
Clyde, at Glasgow, and the trustees for managing the markets
of Glasgow, in preparing, promoting, opposing, and also the
expenses of deputations in any way relating to Bills before
Parliament, and for all other Parliamentary and law proceed-
ings connected with each of these trusts, in prosecuting, de-
fending, or in any way relating to judicial and Parliamentary
proceedings ; distinguishing the amount- incurred and ex-
pended in each year for each such trust ; stating the particular
business or proceeding in which such costs or expenses were
incurred; and the persons by whom they were conducted, and
the persons to whom these moneys were paid in each year for
each trust.; and also the aggregate of law and Parliamentary
expenses for each trust, in the ten years up to January, 1846.
His object was to show the immense expenses which were in-
correct by legal proceedings, with a view to some remedy being
applied to prevent their recurrence in future.
LORD LINCOLN AND MR. HILDYARD.
On the order of the day for resuming the adjourned debate,
Mr. HILDYARD rose and said that he wished to take
the first opportunity of replying to a charge which had been
made against him by the Noble Lord the Member for
the Falkirk Burghs. The Noble Lord was reported to
have said that he (Mr. Hildyard) had imputed bribery to the
Noble Lord. Now, in ti.e strongest language which the
rules of that House would permit, he begged to
deny that he ever did so. He wits perfectly' aware
that this was only the assertion of one min against the asser-
tion of another, but he thought when he referred to the news-
papers published at that time that they would bear him out in his
assertion. He would not trouble the House by reading his own
speech, but it could not be considered as hostile to the Noble
Lord. He would, however, read a portion of the speech of
the Noble Lord which had reference to himself. The
Noble Lord had represented him as stating that,
notwithstanding the lavish expenditure of the other' side, they would be enabled to gain the victory.
He ceitainly had stated at the election that bribery had been
Practised for the purpose of securing the return of the Noble
Lord, and he maintained the same opinion now. But he did
not then believe that that bribery had been practised by the
Noble Lord himself.—(tlear, hear.) He really could not per-
ceive how the Noble Lord could make the statement which he
had.—(Hear, hear.) But he did impute bribery to the Free
Trade Committee at Nottingham, and he would now state to
the House why he did so. At one of the polling-places during
the election, two men were pointed out to him by some re-
spectable people, living in the town, as having received 21. a
piece for their votes. He went to those two men and they
repeated the same thing to himself. He went to another poll-
ing place, and a man went up to him and said that he had
been offered 231., and another man was pointed out who had
had the same offer. He then went to another polling-booth,
and he stated what he had heard. He was rerfectly willing to
admit that he ought not to have made the charge of bribery
against the free-trade body, and he was now perfectly willing
to retract it.—( Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord had stated
that the county was canvassed before he vacated his seat.
Now, he (Mr. Hildyard) could assure the Noble Lord that he
had been strangely misinformed upon the subject. The first
intimation that he (Mr. Hildyard) heard of the election taking
place ?tat a letter from the Nobla Lord himself, asking for his

. _
nae5ee.................. i sipport—(Laughter)—and begging them to lose no time analysed the statements of M. Guizot and. had found them
in canvassing the county, so as to anticipate those who might inaccurate. He had tested their veracity; and he would bring
Ibe disposed to vote against him.—(Hear, hear.) He could before the House an analysis which showed the truth. Mr.
assure the Noble Lord that this was the first intimation he had Spackman must be a gentleman well known to Honourable
of the whole proceeding. He had also been in the county of Members on both sides of the House, and he proved, by his
Nottingham for the last few days, and had seen a gentleman account of the census of 1841, that the majority of the popula-
who said that no such canvass had taken place, and that if it lation of this country were engaged in agricultural pursuits.—
had they would have voted for him (Mr. Hildyard), agd not (Hear, hear.) The same gentleman proved that the census
for the Noble Lord.— (Hear, hear.) Now he must say that bad been taken upon an erroneous data, and this Mr. Speck-
he hoped he had now refuted the assertions of the Noble Lord man contended would be manifest, if. the instructions
to the satisfaction of the House.—(Hear, hear.) He must for preparing the census were laid before the world. He
say at the same time that he thought that the charge was most (11
Ir. Newdegate) believed that it would, and it was his inten-
uncalled-for, and most ungenerous on the part of the Noble tion to avail himself of the earliest opportunity of moving for
Lord, particularly as he (Mr. Hildyard) was absent in the those instructions.—( Hear, hear.) The census, in fact, had
country. The Noble Lord must have known that he (Mr. grossly misled the public, and he would endeavour to find out
Hildyard) had, during tha whole of the election, done every- how it was, or for what reason so palpable a fraud had been
thing on his part to secure his election. He'had not said a practised upon the world.—(Hear, hear.) Why, in many
single word which could be construed into a personal hostility, countries that were purely agricultural, and carried on little or
He did not even retaliate the charges, or indulge in the person. no trade in manufactures, the majority of the population were
alities which were then made use of by the Noble Lord. stated to be engaged in manufactures. He believed, however,
These personalities were regretted by the Noble Lord's if a proper return were obtained, it would be shown that there
enemies, and they were not denied by his friends. He were 771,689 engaged in agriculture over the number engaged
only trusted that his fate, which was so regretted by his in manufactures. The real number, he believed, would stand
Noble Friends, would be the fate of many others at the thus :-16,949.000 of the inhabitants of this country were en-
next general election.—(Cheers from the protectionists.) gaged in agriculture, and 9,837,000 in manufactures. This,
The Earl of LINCOLN said, he regretted taking up the in his opinion, was sufficiently conclusive against the present
time of the House on anything personally interesting to him- policy of the Government, and he therefore would not detain
self. When he addressed the House on Friday last he was the House further, but, thanking them 'for their attention, he
not aware of the Hon. Member's absence from his place in would sit down, regretting the course Government were pur-
Parliament ; in fact he thought he was then in the House.— suing, and declaring his intention to vote against the tlaird.
( Hear, hear.) With regard to the charge which he alluded reading of this Bill.—(Cheers.)
to on Friday night, what he (Lord Lincoln) said was, that Mr. PALMER said it was only of late that free-trade no-
the Hon. Member had charged him, through his friends, with tions and opinions had made any way, either in the House or
a lavish expenditure at the election. He did not say that the the Cabinet, and he dared to say, if every Member could put
Hon. Member had charged him with bribery ; what he had his hand upon his heart and vote conscientiously for this mea-
said was, that his friends were charged with lavish expendi- sure, two-thirds of the House would be opposed to it.—(Hear,
ture. Now he could assure the Hon. Member that friends hear.) He could bear out the opinion of the Hon. Member
were not so easily to be found ready with a lavish
expenditure ; for Warwickshire, that the population, like many other returns
and as for himself (Lord Lincoln) he had not expended bearing upon the subject, could not be relied upon, and he for
more than the legal sum for the purposes of the elan- one had long ago protested against the fallacy of these returns.
tion.—( Hear. hear.) If the Honourable Member had stated —(Hear, hear.) They were prepared
.by officers under the
before what he had stated that
heard a word about' thmaattteevreninintgh,atheriwoonuteld. never
nte Hon.haye thumb
o of the Government, who well knew the inclinations and
Member,pinions of the members of the Executive ; and these returns
when applied to about such charges, refused to were. prepared, not with a view of putting the public in pos-
explain itnything about it. out
tould assure the Hon. Alem- session of correct information upon the subjects upon which
ber that he had no ill.will tie
unwilling to lay under the claire s f him. However, as he was they treated, but of pandering op
to the inions and inclinations
he should say a few words ratereo having
stated a falsehood, of those who constituted the Government.—(Hear,.
hear.)
stated that he did not take the count The Hon. Member had He repeated, then, that these returns were faldactouson, and he'
it had not been canvassed by him, and that them,
surpsise, and that hoped, in future, no reliance would be place .up .
nd . -
that an election was to take place until he he was not aware without it could he shown that they had been fairly . nor had heard of it from rectly matle.—(Hear hear.) With regard to the measure it-
him (Lord Lincoln). Now he (Lord Lincoln) was aware that self he was firmly ' convinced that it would
the Noble Low' did not start for the county until the Monday the' majority f
after the Saturday upon which he had got his (Lord Lincoln's) House dint-dotbrtohe
it out,
of
etltis
ecioutitrryw;ougnil. if this.
letter; while he (Lord Lincoln) should say that tire An Hoer. MEMBERI mouotv,ellethtarut trusted thnousehebe
mil:
ted.
county had been canvassed two months before he had Strangers were ordered to withdraw, but forty Members
vacated his seat, for an unknown candidate, and being present,
for a gentleman who it was intended should be his (Lord Mr. PALMER proceeded. He contenaed that the eeal
Lincoln's) opponent, but that he was obliged to be absent. of the corn-laws would not extend our manufactures, bercapuse
Well, then, upon his (Lord Lincoln's) arrival at Newark, on as the manufactures of other countries increased the less those
the Monday morning, he was told it was known that he had countries would require from us. In all those articles which
been appointed Secretary for Ireland, and he found the whole they could not do without he thought they ought to depend
upon themselves for. Corn could not be done without, and
of the election machinery at full work, by which meal, he was
defeated; and the only additional expense he was put to in therefore its growth in this country ought to be protected.
consequence w's the employment of an increased number Those who would first suffer by the measures of the Govern-
of solicitors. In conclusion, he had only now to say that the ment would be the small farmers, and from them distress would
Hon. Member was mistaken if he purposed that he (Lord spread to all-classes in the country.
Lincoln) had the least ill-feeling towards him, and that he Catain believeth would ver
(Lord Lincoln) was perfectly satisfied with the explanation he materially affectPOLHl theLL interests at
of thethis tenantmeasure farmers. In-
y
had given.—( Hear, hear.)
deed so strongly was his impre:sion upon that subject that.he
COMMUNICATION WITH NEW YORK.
tlought it necessary some time ago to press upon the attention
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, in of the House the necessity of introducing into this measure a
answer to a question, that he believed it was intended to have clause which would enable that class of agriehlturists to claim
weekly instead of fortnightly communications between Liver- such amounts as they should prove before a Setect Committee
pool and New York.
to have lost by the operation of this measure. The Right
On the order of the day being read, Honourable Gentleman in the chair had however informed
Mr. DISRAELI thought that it was but right that the him that it was out of his power to propose any
House should be put into possession of the facts on which his such clause. An article in the Times stated that if such a
Noble Friend (the Noble Lord the Member for Devon) had Committee were appointed, they would have no less than
stated the circumstance on which he had acted. The Noble 300,000 applicants for relief. Now, if he were of opinion that
Lord had not made any specific charge, but the statement so large a portion of his fellow.creatures would be injured by
which he had made was founded on the fact that the Noble this measure, he should moat decidedly give his vote against the
Lord(the Member for the Falkirk Burghs) had engaged every third reading of the Bill before the House-. The progress of
professional agent in the county.
ADJOU this measure had been delayed. to the great injury of the agri-
R
The order of the day wasNE again read. D DEBATE. cultural, as well as the manufacturing classes ; and he trusted
that the Legislature•
ld y set tle' uestion either
Mr. NEWDEGATE regretted that on this ques- one way or the ether.wou He trusted that, afterthe theq passing of this
tion he was placed in the prominent position hi now occupied ; measure, those gentlemen who had formed the association called
but it should be borne in recollection that the Noble Lord the " The Anti-Corn•law L ," would do verythin in their
Member for the East Riding of Yorkshire was in the posses- power to dissolve that aessaogeuieationwhich em'ght ingitself be
sion of the House, and made a speech which reminded him of legal, but which at the same time he considered unconstitue
the spirit of the days of Pitt and of Canning, rather than of tional. This great measure had been introduced as an experi-
the spirit that pervaded the debates of the present day. He ment, and he sincerely hoped that it might realise the most
must take permission to speak to the Noble Lord's arguments, sanguine expectations of its promoters. He hoped that their
on whose authority, toe, he was quite ready to rely, on the state• cheering prophecies would be fulfilled. He could not sit down
ments of the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home withoutexpressing his sincere thanks to the Noble Lord the
Department (Sir J. Graham). That Noble Lord had Member for Lynn ( Lord G. Bentinek ), for the very able man-
stated that twenty millions of bushels of corn were grown nor in which he had advocated the claims of the agriculturists.
annually in Prussia, but to this opinion he could not assent. He had certainly done great credit to himself and the party
He had been at some pains to collect the prices of wheat at which he led. Considering it of the, utmost importance to the
New Orleans, the outlet of the Western States of America, well-being of the country that this question should be speedily
and during the last three !rears the average price of wheat was settled, he (Captain Polhill) would give his vote for the third
245. Bd. per quarter; and, according to the best information reading of this measure, in order that the excitement which at
he could get on the subject, the expense of transit and car- present prevailedmight be allayed.—( Hear, heer.)
riage was 10s. per cwt. They might expect, therefore, that Mr. BENNETT wished to address himself to a point in
wheat woundld be introduced into this country at an average which he had for the last fifty years taken the greatest interest,
of 31s how, he would ask, could the British farmer viz., the interests of the labouring classes of this country ; and
contend against prices like this?—( Hear, hear.) He would he wished to know from the members of her Majesty's Govern-
now refer to the statements of the Right Honourable ment how they could prove that this measure would effect that
Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- object ? The Hon. Member proceeded to quote from a speech
went, which appeared to him to have been particularly. delivered by Mr. Charles Buller, on 7th March, 1844, in which
directed to the Members of the protectionist party. that Hon. Gentleman said that the condition of the manufac-
For his part he could see no reason for apprehension, but if taring labourers was far worse than that of the agricultural
there was any danger which might have acted upon the appre- labourers. It was contended by all that this measure
hensions of her Majesty's Government, it was probably a would tend to increase th e prosperity of the manu.
stagnation of trade.—(Hear, hear.) Now he was much of facturers at the expense of the agriculturists ; the
the same opinion, but he considered that they would have a labouring poor of this country would consequently be brought
stagnation of trade, whether these measures were carried or more into large towns, where, as had been shown by the Hon.
not. He could not help thinking that certain measures, intro- Member for Liskearcl (Mr. C. Buller), their lives would be
duced by the Government in 1844, were very much the cause of shortened fifty per cent. ; and yet that same Hon. Gentleman
the depression. When they remembered the speech of the Noble now came for rd to give his support to this measure. If the
Lord the Member for London, and how he warned them on wages of the tricultural labourer were low, it was owing to
that side of the House, that unless they yielded in favour of their employers having imitated the example of the manufac-
public opinion, when expressed in such combinations as the terers, by buying in the cheapest market and selling in the
Anti-Corn-law League, they could not be surprised at dearest.--( Hear.) Who could blame them ? It was human
the course which had been adopted. The Noble Lord nature. Even if this measure would increase the wealth and
quoted to them the course of events on the passing of the greatness of this country, he wished to know whether the hap-
Reform Bill, of the Catholic Emancipation Bill, when public piness of the community at large would increase with the in-
opinion overcame her Majesty's Government. and even when, crease of wealth and greatness e Anal if it did not (which was
at a later period the monster meetings and agitation in Con- his firm opinion), he contended that no sufficient case had
ciliation Hall had again caused the firmness of the Minister to been made out for the adoption of this measure. He contended
yield.—(Hear, hear.) He told them that success was ine- lhe Government had not acted with sufficient foresight in thus
vitable. If that were so, the Noble Lord was prepared to proposing a measure the result of which they did not know.
yield to another agitation in another country, and its chance
of success stood in all respects equal. Upon this subject he Mr. PLUMPTRE also considered the experiment about to
would al!utle to the opinion of the Hon. Member for Cork, be made by her Majesty's Ministers was a very rash one.
whom he did not then see in tis place, but he trusted that he They
party, and destroyed the confidence of a large
had thrown ever 3 thing into confusion, and divided a
might be allowed in his absence to allude to these opinions, great
ar Party,
and, how matters would finally be settled
The Hon. Member then quoted various extracts from the p
he really could not tell ; and he th, the effect of these
speeches of Mr. O'Connell, made about the passing of the
measures on the question of tithes had not been sufficiently
grant to Maynooth, which augured favourably of the repeal
movement, in consequence of the passing of the Maynooth considered ; and he maintained that it was necessary that the
grant, and other measures of a popular character. Were not price of corn in this country should be kept up to 51s. per
the present circumstances such as to justify the anticipations of quarter, in order to enable the earn-growers of this country to
the Hon. Member? When the present corn-laws were re-
-
cope with the foreign producsr. The injury which would be
pea'ed, what could prevent the Right Hon. Baronet from con
caused by the passing of this rneasere, would be one which
ceding to the Hon. Member for Cork what he did not refuse
would extend to all classes of the community, and poverty,
to the Hon. Member for Stockport ?—( Hear, hear.) He be-
ruin, and misery would spread far and wide; and he hoped
lieved the greatest loss which would be sustained by the pass-
the evils he anticipated from the passing of this measure. would.
ing of the present measure would be the loss of character and
not take place, and that the good providence of God would on want of confidence in public men.—( Hear, hear.) He tinue to watch over the country, and preserve it from these
evils. He had no selfish feelings in the matter, and it was
fully coincided with the Hon. Member for Huntingdon that
with regret that he felt himself bound in his conscience to give
the greatest suffering to which the public were subject
his vote against the third reading of the Bill.
in these times was from the dearth of statesmen.
The Hon. Secretary for the Home Department had stated Mr. HASTIE thought it would be desirable to know the
that he thought the nature of the present currency system in- proportion of the rental of the United Kingdom which was,
consistent with the maintenance of our present state of cone-
received from corn.
merce. Was it unreasonable of him (Mr. Newdegate) to sup- Sir JOHN WALSH said that the Right Hon. Gentleman
pose that an alteration, such as proposed by the
_Right Hon. the Secretary for the Home Department, when discussing the
Bart., was only the precursor of more serious alterations, which subject on the previous night, passed over the arguments of
the
it would be better for the country if they had never been Honourable Member for Somersetshire with the same carelse
adopted. The Right Hon. Baronet said that he thought that ness as he threw aside his own previous opinions—( Hear, hear)
the Hon. Member for Shrewsbury had said something about an —but he did not consider that his Hon. Friend had made out
exportation of bullion as soon as these measures had Passed. In an unanswerable case that the free importation of corn would
order that he might not misquote the Right Hon. Baronet, he be most disadvantageousto the country, and to the agricultural
would read what he had said. The Right Hon. Baronet interests in particular. He would ask, was it not an admitted
ageeed with the Hen. Member for Shrewsbury, that in the fact that corn could be grown and transported from the northern
present state of the monetary system an exportation of bullion parts of Europe at a less cost than it could be produced by the
would be injurious. How did that agree with the opinion of English farmer, and it could not be too generally known that
the Right Hon. Baronet at the Head of the Government, who that corn was about five shillings a quarter better than that
said that he did not care if an exportation of bullion took place, ordinarily grown by the British farmer.—(Hear, hear.) It and indeed he rather wished it? But again the Right Hon. was well said that there was no royal road to learn
Baronet had admitted a little more than the Right Hon. mathematics but let them depend upon it there
Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department. He was no cheap way to improve land.—( Hear, hear.)
said, that after this panacea of free trade had been enacted, Another branch of the subject to which be would allude, d
when the time of peculiar emergency and scarcity arrived which was lost sight of entirely during this debale,w_a_s.a:thet
there must be a large exportation of bullion. Who could operation of these laws on the price of wages. The !ifer.l.
doubt that that would be the case ?—( Hear, hear.) He Hon. Baronet (the Secretary for the Home Department) said
would ask the House, knowing the effects of an that the price of the food had no connexion
tr with the price of
exportation of bullion remembering the prices of wages. That might apply to such a colhonde,ashAutmtehreiccas.selonf
1825—(Hear, hear)—and the prices of 1839, whether after Jamaica also the theory might be ap
they had reduced the wages of labour in this country, which England was totally diffearenrtpid- Tinhcirselacsoeunitnrythe waspupdueinutsieoluy
he contended they must do, in order to gain the extension of populated, and there was
a proposed
space
of
The Right Hon. Gentleman has referred
trade which they desired—( Hear, hear)—whether such a com- constantly going
mercial crisis would be felt more or less ?—( Hear, hear.) But to the epebruietnhceeo(onfsi.thre
jl.astrwthairsehe)yefacarsretdo
tjhuasttisfyucthhe then the Right Hon. Baronet went on to explain how, in the
measures,timeVi AS not a proper criterion to form a correct judge
ordinary course of trade, the opening of the ports would t
pre-had ment on this point. There might be many circumstances
vent the exportation of bullion. The Right Hon. r_
eillieevweasthaaett.utahteedtheory would hold good if
said, "he could not separafe the question of the foreign from to operate so as apparently to justify the conclusion come to,
the home trade, and that as soon as the consumption of our but he did not 1
manufactures at home would not be oral to the
which
tdo, those applied to a longer period. , The Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir
exported to the foreign market, would R. Peel) said that
soon be glutted, and in that case it would be d
necessaryeman
payment for those goods in:corn." by the most disinterested
Well,
now,supposing take and purest motives. It was not necessary for him to make such
that a declaration to him ( Sir J. Walsh), for he avowed his implicit
was the case, all that would be effected, and the manufacturers- confidence in the purity and integrity of the Right Hone
would have the opportunity of shifting the loss, which would Baronet's intentions.—( Hear, bear. ) "But while he gave him
be entailed upon them, by the reduction in the prices conse- credit for disinterestedness of purpose, he could not avoid
quent upon the glutted state of the market. There would be, stating that the course which he now proposed to pursue was
a forced importation of corn into the home market, and the an enormous error—an error which shipwrecked statesmen
manufacturers would relieve themselves from the loss in the and shipwrecked states.— ( Hear, hear.) What he said he
first instance, by causing a glut of corn, which they would take said with the utmost respect to the Right Hon. Baronet, but
in exchange for their goods. But how would that act upon he deeply regretted the course he had taken, though he could
the country ?. Every one who knew anything of forced ex- not help expressing his belief in the integrity of the motives by
changes of goods would know that it was quite clear that which he was actuated.—( Hear, hear.) The argument of the
bullion would be brought back as well as grain. They would Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down, as to the measure
then have a forced exportation in payment or the caueing_a fall in the price of agricultural produce, was based
goods they sold in the foreign markets, and they would not be upon a fallacy. He wished to remind the Hon. Gentleman, and
able to recover from that glut, because the remittances would those who held that opinion, that the effect of
be in corn, and all their ordinary imports, which did not de- that argument would operate in two ways. If
pend upon the exclusion .of the foreign trade, would be, ilur- it : craned a fall in agricultural produce, that
uhi
m
,
g the whole time abstracting their bullion. The .conse- reduction would go to the benefit of the labourer.He would, quenee of this state of things would be distress to all classes therefore, impress upon them, that such
this
argument would go
in this country. He believed that when Adam Smith and to strengthen the imputation, that was i landlord's
Ricardo recommended free trade, they contemplated a different question, and not one in which the labourer was concerned. If the "
system Of currency to the present system ; and, in feet, the prices fell, the labouring classes would be proportionably benefited
Right Hon. Baronet had admitted it. He thought this noun. He would, therefore, impress upon the Hon. -Gentleman not to
try would have bitterly to regret the determination of the place his argument on such a foundation. The Hon. Gentle-
Right Honourable Baronet. The Right Honourable Gen- man also referred to the question of capital, but he would ask
in tlean at the head of the Home Department had talked were not the labouring classes the origin of all the weal+ and
much of the fall of prices in agricultural produce. prosperity of the country ? The Hon. Gentleman also re-
He would call his attention to the opinion of Malthus, (erred to the prices of wages bearing a relative proporti.ot
in his letters to the landed interest. He had abandoned those the price of food, he denied that such was the case, fowraisnhnaod
principles; but were they good in 1826 and bad now? Were been over and over again proved that tlizeren
shown
circumstances changed, or the pressure of the national debt less? such dependence, and it
much had
better off when
Mr. Malthus said that if the price of wheat were to fall to that the labourer w
50s. there could be no doubt the stockholder would be bone- food was cheap, and his, wages werepTrohpeorptrioioneaibpliyet hreigashoeur than
why
fited at the expense of the industrious tnan, and instead of the when it was dear. --(Hear,hebear. )
arguments which had been made
interest paid by Government being five per cent., according he rose was to allutdoe to
th et
condition of Ireland. It had been
to the present monetary sytilem, the result would be that they use of with respectd.
would in reality pay seven, eight, and nine per cent. The said there was no Atreesmsainrktehtast
dciodunntrotte
foLhiitshwaassannffierrieron;
price that was contemplated was not, howercr, 505., it was neous statement.
355. He would now turn to the question whether the corn- criterion whereby to form an accurate judgment on this point.
laws were just or unjust. It was a novel position for the Right In some partst.of Ireland potatoes were not extremely high in
but an argument was found from that circumstance
Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State when he called the corn- price
in
one, for
of the condition of the people, it was an erroneous
laws unjust. It was in fact a virtual confession that be had
on, the reason why the food was cheap was because
been unjust for a period-of thirty years to the people of this
o
the people were not in a condition to purchase it.
country. lie (Mr. Newdegate). felt assured that the effect f
Where the people were in a condition to purchase food, it had
these laws would be to drive seven or eight million quartersin.
risen to a very -alarming extent. Corn had risen, and oats had
of grain out of the market. The home markets would b
undated with foreign corn. He maintained that this country risen beyond the means of the people to purchase, and this was
would never be rendered independent of foreign. countries by good proof that distress really did exist to a most lamentable
free trade. He had expressed reasons which inuced him degreee. From the causes which he had stated, the markets
to believe that the corn laws were not unjust.He would had not shown the distress in its real bearing. He maintained
advert to the statements which had been made by the Noble that it was for the interest of the aristocracy to give to all
Lord the Member for London. He had advised t
wo Members classes of the people food at the very cheapest rate. The
a state of
of the Upper House of parliament, as they d per- people could not be contented without such
serve their position, to s ceumb to the popular things were brought about. He might be told that
feeling.—(Hear, hear.) He,
however, as an humble reducing the price of food would,
also bring down
individual would recommend them
to convince the people of the rents of the landlords. lie did not care for that as an
this country that they bad the
wisdom.honesty to act in accordance Irish landowner—as an English representative he felt bound to
with the dicates of prudence and The Upper House .te meet so great a change when I was demanded for the good of
was a court of justice as well as an arena for legislation. the people. He would bear his share of the injury, as it was
Grievous misstatements existed as to whether the population of his duty and every landowner's duty when the Wants of the
Were dependent al u gt .Alt , ..e had country required
et On 4 icnu e T 4 it. —(Htar, hear.) For such realms he felt,
this country