The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-20 00:00:00

BANKRUPTS.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, May 19.
The Lord Chancellor not having taken his seat on the Wool-
sack at a Quarter past Five,
Lord CAMPBELL said that, in the absence of the Lord
Chancellor their Lordships had the power within themselves of
appointing a Speaker, and it being then a quarter past five, he
considered it was time they should go on with public business.
He should, therefore, move' that a Speaker be elected, and he
was sure their Lordships could not make a better choice than by
appointing the Noble and Learned Lord.—(Laugbter, occa-
sioned by Lord Brougham inadvertently progressing towards the
Woolsack.) He proposed that Lord Brougham be appointed
Speaker.
Lord Brougham was on the point of taking his seat, when
the Lord Chancellor entered the House, and amidst con-
siderable laughter occupied the Woolsack.
LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from the
Poor-law Guardians of the Union of Lewes, in the county of
Sussex, complaining of the heavy charges under which they
were placed by the Act of Parliament which had been passed
last session, compelling them to support the lunatic asylum for
that county. They considered, and he (the Duke of Rich-
mond) perfectly agreed with them, that the support of the
lunatics of the county should be imposed on the public funds,
and he was glad to find that the Committee on Local Burdens
had recommended that such should he the case.
CORN LAWS.
The DUKE of RICHMOND presented petitions
from Ross and Cromartie, praying that the free trade
measures introduced by tha Government should not
receive the sanction of their Lordships. The Noble
Duke then nresented several petitions to the same
effect from the counties of Norfolk, Salop, Sussex, Essex, and
Stafford, and from several places in Scotland.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Messengers from the House of Commons brought up several
Bills, which were ordered to be laid on the table.
CORN-LAWS.
Lord WARWICK presented one hundred petitions from
the southern division of Warwickshire against any alteration in
the corn-laws. These petitions had been most numerously
signed, and were most carefully got up. There was not a
single name attached to one of them that was fictitious. The
petitioners prayed that if the duty was taken off corn, it might
also be taken off everything else.—(Hear, hear.)
FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
Lord CAMPBELL presented a considerable number
of petitions from members of the Free Church (Scot-
land), complaining of the difficulties which they ex.
periencetl in obtaining sites for their churches. He
regretted exceedingly that it was necessary to bring the
subject before the attention of the House, but in some parts of
Scotland the members of the Free Church were compelled to
worship God on the hill-tops or the highways. Now he need not
tell their Lordships that this was persecution. The petitioners had
come before their Lordships in a most proper spirit. They
admitted that they had experienced some kindness from land-
lords, and only complained of the refusal to give a site for a
church.

Samuel Whately, grocer, William-street, Lisson-grove, to
surrender May 29, at two, and June 30, at eleven, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basing-
hall-street ; Simpson and Cobb, Moorgate-street.
Henry Elkington, chemist, Maida-bill East, May 26 and
June 26, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Belcher,
official assignee ; Meyrick, Furnival's Inn.
Rebert Perry, draper, Brighton, May 30, at half-past
twelve, and June 20, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Follett, offiial assignee, Sambrook-court, Basinghall-street ;
Sole and Co., Aldermanbury.
Thomas William Green Stevens, hackney master, Bampton,
Oxford, May 28, at eleven, and June 20, at half-past eleven,
at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sam-
brook-court, Basinghall-street ; Close, St. Mildred's-court ;
Rose, Brompton.
James Gordon, jun., ship and insurance broker, East India
Chambers, Leadenhall-street, June 2, at half-past two, and
26, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official
assignee, Abchurch-lane ; Ewbank, South-square,Gray's Inn.
James John Hance, broker, Liverpool, May 29, at twelve,
and June 23, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court.
Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool ; Cornthwaite and Co.,
Old Jewry Chambers, London • Pemberton, Liverpool.
Thomas Hartley and Robert Ingham, share-brokers,
May 26 (and not May 27, as advertised in the Gazette of
Tuesday last), and June 15, at eleven, at the Leeds District
Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds ; Nelson and Co.,
Gresham-place, Lombard-street, London; Nelson, Leeds.
Thomas Walker, tallow chandler, Leeds, June 4th, and
23d, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Freeman, official
assignee, Leeds ; Rushworths, Staple Inn, London ; Sander-
son, Leeds, Yorkshire.
John Cooke, auctioneer, Cheltenham, June 5 and 26,
at twelve, at the Bristol District Court. Acraman, official
assignee, Bristol ; Packwood, Cheltenham.
William Wonnacott, grocer, Bath, May 29, at two, and
June 30, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Hutton,
official assignee, Bristol; Little, Bath.
George Daniel French, cabinet maker, Stroud, June 4, at
half-past one, and June 30, at twelve, at the Bristol District
Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol; Cole, Tokenhouse-
yard, London.
Thomas Bothams, licensed victualler, Nottingham, June 8
and June 24, at one, at the Birmingham District Court.
Bittleston, official assignee, Waterloo-street, Birmingham ;
Wells, Nottingham ; James, Birmingham ; Sudlow and Co.
Chancery-lane, London,
John Russell, coal dealer, Kidderminster, May 30 and June
30, at half-past eleven, at the Birmingham District Court.
Valpy, official assignee, Waterloo-street, Birmingham ; Brin-
ton, Kidderminster.
John Fletcher Corbett, scrivener, Worcester, May 30 and
June 30, at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court.
Christie, official assignee, Birmingham ; INlotteram and
Knowles, Birmingham.
John Richmond Hayward, bookseller, Manchester, May
29 and June 22, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court.
Fraser, official assignee, Manchester ; Johnson, Son, and
Weatherall, Temple, London ; Blair, Manchester.
Samuel Dethick and Thomas Richard Kay, brewers, New-
ton Heath, near Manchester, May 29, and June 22, at one, at
the Manchester District Court. Fraser, official assignee,
Manchester; Norris, Allen, and Simpson, Bartlett's-build-
ings, Holborn; Woods and Jackson, Rochdale.
(Dividends, &c., in our next.)

EDUCATION IN WALES.
The Bishop of ST. DAVID'S presented a petition from the
Common Council and other inhabitants of Cardigan, praying
their Lordships to adopt measures to afford a better system of
education to the poorer inhabitants of the principality than
that which now existed. He earnestly supported the prayer
of the petition, and trusted that its importance would
be an excuse for his troubling their Lordships
with a few remarks in this respect. The petitioners
deeply regretted the want of education among the poor in
Wales, which they attributed to the want of funds to educate
them in the English language ; that the ignorance of that lan-
guage prevented the working of many laws and institutions,
and restricted the natives to those scanty sources of information
which their language afforded; and concluded by praying
their Lordships to take steps for the industrial training
of the poor. In the month of March an inquiry
into the state of education in Wales was acceded to by the Go-
vernment on the motion of an Hon. Member noted for his

humanity, which he feared however would be superfluous, as
the ignorance whichprevailed was too well known. A national
system of education had been successful in England, and he saw no
reason why;it should not be equally successful if applied to Wales;
at any rate the inquiry might lead to some practical result.
Nothing could be done without the assistance of the Govern-
ment, and he thought that that was a case in which they could
claim with some degree of propriety pecuniary assistance for the
purpose to which he had adverted. There was another point
on which he would venture to make a remark. He was afraid
that the anticipations expressed by the petitioners were doomed
to be disappointed ; he did not think that a Government, however
strongly disposed to concur in the wishes of the petitioners,
could guarantee all the results which they expected. There
were numerous districts then in Wales where schools had
been long established, and where tuition had been given in the
English language to the children, but where, notwith-
standing, the language was still very barely understood.
He was of opinion that if a measure of education had been
carried out in Wales they would not have been at the present
time labouring under the burdens they now experienced. They
would not have required soldiers and police to maintain tran-
quillity, nor have been saddled with an enormous expense.
The resources thus applied might have been used with great
advantage in carrying out an efficient system of moral and in-

tellectual education.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE agreed in the suggestions
which had been offered by the Right Hon. Prelate, and thought
something should be done to meet the present alarming defi-
ciency in education. While he agreed with him in that, he at
the same time thought there had been ample information laid on
the table of the House in order to form a correctjudgement. The
result of the inquiry into the Rebecca riots showed that
in the districts where the disturbances principally oc-
curred there was an entire want of education amongst
the people.—( Hear, hear.) He considered something was
absolutely necessary to be done to meet the deficiency.
There had been every year, since Government had undertaken
to maintain the system of education, an increased demand for as-
sistance from the Government, and so much so that the in-
spectors were unable to inspect with anything like
proper attention. He considered that they were not called
upon to adopt a different principle of national education
in Wales from that adopted in England, which he considered
was a sound principle, and he hoped it would never be departed
from. There should be a number of districts apportioned, in
which the utmost latitude should be allowed, in order to effect
a great moral revolution.
The Bishop of ST. DAVID'S observed that the Noble Lord
had completely mistaken his meaning—he was as much grati-
fied as the Noble Lord with the national system of education.
Lord BROUGHAM was glad that the subject of education
in Wales had been brought under the notice of their Lordships,
for he believed that in no part of the country was there re-
quired more assistance from the education fund than in some
of the Welsh districts. But he agreed with his Noble Friend
who was sitting beside him, that no grant ought to be given
for the support of any local scheme, unless they
sent a certain contribution, a certain proportion of pecuniary
aid from the local funds. Without this aid they would only
be weakening the cause of education in the districts which
most wanted their assistance. Charity-schools would never
prosper in any locality that did not itself materially support
them.
The Duke of BUCCLEUCH said, with respect to the state
of Wales, that subject had received the attention of her Ma-
jesty's Government, and was then under the consideration of
the Council. With regard to the condition of schools at the
present time, and the inability of the inspector to look after
them all, he must say that their numbers had lately greatly
increased, so that the work upon the inspectors was more than
they were originally expected to undertake.
CORN-LAWS.
Earl DUCIE presented a petition in favour of the repeal of
the corn-laws from the town of Southampton.
CUSTOMS' DUTIES BILL.
Messengers from the Commons brought up this Bill.
The Duke of BUCCLEUCH moved the first reading of the
Bill.
The Duke of RICHMOND said he could not even allow the
Bill to be read a first time—( Cheers and laughter)—without
expressing his opinion that it was adding positively insult to in-
jury, because they were called upon to consider two Bills taking
away protection to the agricultural interest ; and he must say
that as far as he was concerned, it was a very unusual course,
and extremely hard to the agricultural interest, for those Bills
to be brought into that House before the others had been read
a second time in the House of Commons. He considered that
the provision for lending money for the improvement of land
would be of some service, but he thought it was as bad a Bill
as it was possible to conceive, because it was inconsistent, by
only applying the principle f free trade to some articles and
not to others. There was no reduction on their cottons from
India, for instance. The duties on some manufactures were
to be reduced, but there was not free trade altogether.
He saw no reduction in the Bill of the duty on cotton from
India. He was opposed to free-trade altogether, yet if a
scheme of ti.is kind was to be proposed, it ought to be
injury
con-
sistent, which the present Bill was not. It was his im-
pression that this measure would be of great to the
working population of this country; especially would it operate
injuriously to the silk weavers. Let the measure pass, and
Spitalfields would become a mass of pauperism. There were
other points in the Bill that were equally obnoxious. The
Government talked of free-trade, but they did not carry it
out. There was nothing said in the measure against dif-
ferential duties. In regard to the Canadas, why should they
not be allowed to buy in the cheapest market ? If that were
conceded, they would go entirely into the American
market. Already had the Americans beat this country out of
the South American ports, and they were likely in a short time
to lose the Chinese market. He was justified in this view of
the cotton trade by the evidence of Mr. Gregg, a free trader.
He (the Duke of Richmond) must protest against this, and
the other Bill brought under the consideration of their Lord-
ships. He considered they ought not to have been pushed for-
ward without at the same time proceeding with the other
measures of the Government.
Lord MONTEAGLE considered that the best course
would be to wait until they had the Bill in their hands. Nor
did he think the speech of the Noble Lord was very conclu-
sive, for adopting the principle of free-trade in agriculture
would not necessarily induce its adoption in manufacture;
but this would be matter for future discussion. The only
question they had to consider was, how they could get their
money with the least inconvenience to all parties. His Noble
Friend, on the cross-bench, spoke of certain duties which
were still preprved. He did not know how those duties then
stood, but he did agree with his Nobje Friend in the doctrine,
that the existence of those duties veift necessarily be a depar-
ture from the principle of the tariff.
Lord BEAUMONT said that he considered the course
taken by his Noble Friend as perfectly consistent with, and in
conformity with his expressed opinion; and he had been at-
tending to what had fallen from his Noble Friend, who stated
the case in the following manner. His Noble Friend said,
that they had a Bill now before them, which had been read a
first time, and which Bill overturned the principle of protec-
tion. He objected to the principle of the Bill, for its adop-
tion must be in direct opposition to protection. The House
should consider carefully the new Bill, which came to them
on a totally different principle, and should take the Corn Bill
into consideration first, and fterwards the present measure,
which merely embraced the question' of revenue duties. If
his Noble Friend would act in any way consistently with his
principles, he would draw the distinction between the Bills,
and take the one into careful consideration before at all enter-,
ing into the discussion of the other. But let him putt what-
everad interpretation he might upon free-trade, the
country
but one interpretation for it, and that was tape:rime,
Put upon it by the League—namely, to co d dpnt
of
tdieu
nags
the absence of all taxation. The custom-huou.se wof
survive the bonding warehouse,
do from taxation were
if theueimpmression was generally
to gain ground that free-trade andurf:n
runnings the risk of ace
synonymous terms. They
minds
similating in people's mind edeuties that were for protection
and duties for revenue ; and let them take care that the cus-
toms' duties were not the next point assailed, and eventually
annihilated.
Lord BROUGHAM thought it of no use to bring on a
discussion on the question at present. He rose merely for the
purpose of protesting against the doctrine laid down by the
Noble Lord, that because he supported the principles of free-
trade, he must necessarily be committed to the removal of all
duties which were imposed for revenue. The duties on corn
could not, however, be considered in that category.
Earl GREY thought it very inconvenient that any discussion
should take place on the Bill at present. For his own part, he
had to express his thanks to her Majesty's Government for
having introduced such a measure ; and instead of complaining
of their having done so much, he was desirous they should have
done more. He wasof opinion that it could not be called a free-
trade measure. He only took it as an instalment of free-trade.

He (Ear Grey) had not changed his views upon The Bill was then read a first time, and the second reading
the subject since the time he first came into Parliament, was appointed for Friday next.
and he was now, and ever had been, opposed to all protection, CUSTOMS' DUTIES BILL.
and all duties which were not levied for the purposes of protec- On the question being put that this Bill be read a third time,
tion. The country, he was glad to see, was hourly approaching Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN rose to ask a question of the
to a state of free trade, and he for one felt that it would be Government with reference to agricultural statistics. During
the brightest day that had ever dawned upon this country, the present Parliament, said the Hon. Member, he believed
when it opened its ports to every nation in the world. in the year 1844, the question of agricultural statistics was
Lord ASHBURTON was surprised at the sudaennianner in brought before the Heine by the Hon. Member for Manches-
which this new free trade light had dawned upon the Ministry. ter, who was supported by the Hon. Member for North
These measures would be followed either by good or evil, but Lincoln, than whom perhaps a more experienced agriculturist
whether by the one or the other, no one could doubt that this did not occupy a seat in that House. The Hon. Member for
was a subject which called for the utmost attention at their Manchester consented to withdraw his motion on the understand-
hands.—( Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord who had last sat ing that her Majesty's Government would take some steps to ob-
down had spoken with the straightforwardness which so pecu- tam an alteration in the mode of obtaining those statistics.
liarly characterised him. He did not, like the Noble Lord who 4 He believed that it was understood 4hat the Government of
addressed the House at an earlier period,' view the question as that day were unfavourable to the course which the Hon.
one for protection, or for revenue, and just as it suited his pur- Member for Manchester proposed to pursue. But still there
poses, he took up the one or the other.—(Hear, hear, and was an impression prevailing that they would take the matter
laughter.) The Noble Earl had thrown this shuffling aside, into consideration, and under the difficulty that Hon. Member
and he argued upon the broad principle of free-trade in every- was allowed to withdraw his motion. He tried an experiment
thing.—( Hear, hear.) The Noble Earl desired no restriction to get from the several counties information respecting the
either for the parent country or for the colonies. But if that actual facts of the case, but received the answers from only
were the system on which they were to legislate, of what use, 27 of them. It would be recollected that Sir John Sinclair,
he would ask, were their colonies at all ?—(Hear, hear.) The who was some years since at the head of the Board of Agricul-
Germans had their Zolverein, the French had their restric- tore, had endeavoured to obtain the same information also for
tions, and what would repay them for their risks of war, and the Government. Sir John Sinclair prided himself on the
the other risks which they incurred in maintaining their colt,- knowledge of the counties of Scotland, and had furnished in-
nies if these colonies were not to have a preference in their formation to the Beard of Trade on these points. He did not
markets. Her Majesty's subjects in the colonies viewed these mean to say that the Board of Trade were in a condition to act
questions in a purely mercantile light, and they asked themselves at that time, but this much he would say, that when the ques-
what advantages they gained by their connexion with this coun- tion had been proposed of a change in our system, that the
try. The people of Manchester said that the whole manufacturing clergy had expressed a readiness to acquiesce in the
interests in the country were in favour of the system of free change, at the time this change was most advisable,
trade, but the people of Macclesfield, who were engaged in the and not as now, when it was likely to prove
silk trade, did not seem to fall into that view of the question. most disadvantageous. He trusted, therefore, that this
The people of Manchester did not apprehend any tear, because House would not consider that the agriculturists had no inten-
they could supply their cottons cheaper than they could be got tion to secure a protection for themselves. Looking at these
elsewhere. They were something like the people of New • things, he felt himself not only called upon to express his
castle with regard to coal. Who ever heard of their sending regret, but also to say that he felt he had a right to
from Newcastle for that article? He did not believe the corn- complain that the Government had not taken up this
peissation proposed was at all equal to the injury that would be subject. He believed that when these discussions were
inflicted on the landed interests by the measure of the Govern- originally before the House they might have obtained
ment.—( Hear, hear.) the information which would have been of essential service.
Lord MONTE AGLE said, that in the distinction he made He believed that he and those with with whom he acted had
he followed the example of all great writers on the subject of made out a strong case, and that this was not the time for
revenue, namely, the distinction between duties levied for the legislation. Instead of taking the subject at the best stage,
sake of revenue, and those which were levied for the sake of they had taken it up at the worst, and the clergy and the agri-
protection. culturists expressed alarm at the changes now contemplated.
The Earl of DALHOUSIE objected to anything He would say, that if the farmers of this country were at all
like a discussion being taken on the Bill in its present aware, or in any way acquainted with the great value and im-
stage. He could not let the present occasion pass portance of such statistics, they would have taken care to have
without stating that argument on the part of the Government demanded them of the Government with so much perse-
had been avoided solely upon the ground of the present stages of verance that care would be taken always to have them ready.
the Bill. When the proper time came he would be able to state He would say that, since the year 1770, when so great a change
the reasons why, for the good of the country, their Lordships took place in the value of agricultural produce, a greater boon
should allow the Bill to pass into a law. could not be conferred on the agriculturists of this country.
The Duke of RICHMOND considered, that although the The reason why he had brought forward this measure now in
course pursued on the present occasion was unusual, their its present form was to prevent the possibility of having
Lordships must recollect that the Government in changing technical difficulties and objections thrown in its way. But
their opinion had also acted in a very unusual :manner. He there was another reason, and a more important one, which in-
could not let the present moment pass without entering his duced him to bring this Bill forward; and when he stated it,
solemn protest against the measure. he was not without the hope it would be deemed one of import-
The Earl of DALHOUSIE rose to explain. ante by this House. A Bill of a similar nature was brought
Lord ASHBURTON hoped that the papers which had been before Parliament some time ago, but he would not take up the
moved for would be produced before the second reading of time of the House by speaking of that measure, but this he
the Corn Bill was proposed. • would say, that though there might be some scepticism raised
Earl DALHOUSIE would take care that the papers should to his measure, he would still persevere with it, and
be ready if possible. would bring it on again and again, if the
The Earl of HADDINGTON thought the Noble Duke on session should be permitted to advance much
the cross benches had a right, with every other Peer, to pro- later without the Government taking any step on the subject.
test against the Bill. He would not, like a Noble Lord, start He could not repeat too often that this was a measure upon
a number of hares, each of which it would take a consider- the necessity of which the House was unanimous, and upon the
able time to run down. He would, however, refer to one importance of which they were all agreed, and the best proof he
circumstance. The Noble Duke had stated that it was an in- eould give of its importance was the fact, that in all the debates
suit to their Lordships, because the Corn Bill was sent up upon the subject of agriculture that had taken place in that
from the other House unaccompanied with the other measures House, the statistics of the agriculture of foreign countries were
of relief proposed to be brought forward in connexion with continually referred to and easily had. He beseeched the Go-
that Bill. The blame of this did not rest with the Govern- vernment, as he had always sat in his place in that House for
ment—the blame rested with those Members of the other the interest of the farmer, not to put him off again as they did
House who had delayed the passing of the Bill in an almost the Hon. Member for Manchester two years ago—merely with
unprecedented manner. a letter from the Poor-law Commissioners of Somerset-house—
The Bill was then read a first time, and ordered to be read a but to take into consideration the question whether an inquiry
second time on Thursday, the 28th instant. might not at once be made with reference to these statistics,
WESTERN AUSTRALIA BILL. and to the Highway Act.
This Bill was read a third time and passed. Sir GEORGE CLERK said, as it had been understood
OFF ENCES IN IRELAND. that no debate should take place on this subject, he trusted that
The Marquis of NORMANBY said he had been requested the Hon. Member would excuse him if he did not follow
to postpone the motion of which he had given notice. The him through all his arguments on this subject, but rather
motion was for a return of the murders, and attempts at confine himself to the questions put by the Hon. Member.
murder, committed in Ireland in each month since the Ist of He was very happy to inform the Hon. Member that the Go-
January last, distinguishing the hour of the day or night at vernment had anticipated his wishes in this respect, and had
which such outrages were stated in the constabulary report to fulfilled his desire that they should proceed very cautiously in
have been committed. He was willing to postpone it, but he this matter in the first instance, in of der to avoid exciting any
hoped an opportunity would be given to him, on Friday, to jealousy on the part of the farmers. He was anxious to ascer-
move for the return, when he proposed to comment upon the tain whether he could obtain any satisfactory information, by
conduct of the Government with respect to a Bill which had means of the existing machinery, of the occupiers of land=,
lately passed their Lordships' House, but which), he was glad rather than by resorting to new and expensive machinery. He
to say, had yet made no progress in the other House of Par- could state that an experiment on a small scale Lad been tried.
'lament. He named Friday, because he believed Thursday, A portion of a county in Scotland had been selected, and
being Ascension-day, their Lordships would not sit, and he also a portion of a county In Ireland, from which they endea-
was desirous of going into the discussion before they got in- voured to obtain information. They selected the northern
volved in the Corn Bill.—( Hear, hear.) division of the tour ty of Hampshire, and also the northern di-
The motion was accordingly postponed till Friday. vision of the county of Cavan. The information was collected
INSOLVENT DEBTORS BILL. by the labour of an intelligent and experienced person. Ise
This Bill went through Committee, and
,was ordered to be the county of Cavan, in some parts, these inquiries were more
reported on Friday. difficult, in consequence of the great subdivision of lands, than
Their Lordships then adjourned till Friday. they were in other parts of the country, where the farms were
larger. The requisite information had been received with re-
ference to a union, which only extended over 6,000 acres.
In Scotland they endeavoured to obtain the information
through the means of the parochial schoolmasters, who
had printed forms sent round to them—which forms they
sent to every occupier of land, who, in their turn, were to
them up with statements of their stock on their lands.
He was happy to say, that from that county in Scotland the
information had been obtained. The returns were filled upon
a tabular form. With regard to Hampshire, he was sorry to
.ay, that they had endeavoured to obtain the information, but
had not completely succeeded. Forms were prepared, and
ordered to be left with each occupier of land, and a feeling of
jealousy had interfered ; but many of the farmers and land
occupiers had given all the information in their power. He
believed, if the information was voluntarily obtained, it would
be more accurate than otherwise. He trusted he had satis-
fied the Hon. Member, that the Government had exerted
themselves to procure the information referred to, and he
trusted that they would succeed in procuring it from every
county in England.
Sir ROBERT INGLIS had no doubt that, if the clergy
were applied to, they would be as desirous to furnish such
information as they had done thirty years ago.
Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN considered that the clergy
were better adapted to give statistical information than the
poor-law guardians.
Lord G. BEN TINCK said, as the House was upon the sub-
ject of statistical information, he would ask, whether there
were means of procuring accurate statistical information with
reference to manufactures. It had been stated that the home
consumption manufactured was tAsth the whole production,
whereas he thought it might be shown that it amounted
to 2-3rds.
Mr. BRIGHT considered, from the speeches of the Noble
Lord, the Member for Lynn, that he was well acquainted with
the returns of the quantities of raw material imported into
this country, and the amount of manufactured goods imported.
If the Noble Lord would take 500,000,0001. or 600,000,0001.,
as the amount of the raw material imported,
into this country in one year, and then ascertain the quantity
exported in the same year, he would then, by the simple rule
of subtraction, be able to find out the quantity left at home for
home consumption.—(;Laughter.) There might, perhaps, be
some difficulty in obtaining the eXaCt amount, as the returns of
some of the goods imported were taken by weight, whereas the
accounts of the exports were taken in various forms. He was
convinced that the manufacturers would do their utmost to
furnish any useful information to the country with reference to
their manufactures. When it was proposed by the Hon.
Member for Manchester to obtain agricultural statistics, it was
with the intention of benefiting the farmer, and not from any
wish to inquire as to what agriculturists were doir4T. If the
Noble Lord could show any means by which anythitig could
be done by the manufacturers to benefit the country, .he was
sure they would do it. He thought, the more they knew,' the
);ether would it be for all classes of the community.
After a few words from Mr. MILES, the Bill was read rh
third time and passed.
QUARANTINE LAWS.
Dr. BOWRING rose to submit the following motion, that
an humble address be presented to her Majesty, that she wil
be graciously pleased to direct such correspondence or extraht.S
on the subject of the Quarantine Laws as has taken place vitt°
foreign Governments since the last returns to Parliament, fo
be laid on the table of this House ; and that this House will
see with pleasure such relaxations in the existing system al
may be compatible with a due regard to the public health, and
the general interests of the nation. This was a sub-
ject, he said, which was of great interest and importance, espe-
cially with reference to our commercial and maritime concerns.
Since the last time this matter had bten before the House,.
many circumstances had occurred to justify an inquiry into the
system, and he was the more induced to urge it, from the cir-
cumstance that the able and distinguished individual who had
done so much to disabuse the public of the impression that
pestilence was so easily spread, had expressly declared his opi-
nion that the plague could not be communicated by contagioncot.
The circumstances to which he had alluded materially r
firmed that impression. He must acknowledge at the seraor.
time, that he had little hope of any assistance from the tot,
vernment in doing away with the inconvenience, and altering;tthhaetsylohteemEoolfaiorursteqaumarearnatriureiveldaws.
last Ityewaoruivldithbeao iolreacioalrlemcd:_
fever on boat d from the coast of Africa, and that all sorts of
communication with the vessel was prevented. He believe
that she arrived on the 30th of September,
g that
flag flying with the black ball in the ceiatee, iFti,c: is Was ass
there was death on board from fever. On iz_i:fleualy dead, yet
certained that there were was)thirtye inionaterial whe-
no communication was allowed.
t black fever, neither of
they it was the yellow
The
ene was detrimentale
xorderedmor
morning
nf togor
at t
wchn
rae_
us
os
signalled
b 1 t i
hc
e.
I yet no el* aid was
them Fresh
provisions esiu 1 d
obnet7t
'ordered to row round her to prevent
rendered, d e.red ~annmd communication t h
North Sea. Boats were ordered
shore, and to hinder a y n from
have
re .lgelewi oa given vesselsph e medical ta:o °sersliftna assistance that those individuals rite-
ethscaatptihnrgeenrm-o—ret.men had died,
f but no communication was yet
men heroic roic men—re te ao
be' foZind
allowed, and so it continued or two or three days. This was
owing to the absurdities of our quarantine laws. He believed
the opinion given by Dr. 11I‘William,
ddwtehus many valuable lives might have been saved..
arauoeislin this disease ? He said, that in the Niger expedi-
tiono were attacked with fever, and two out of the four
who published
proved
dn
twhhatotahtetednidseedaseonwthase seicoltmmwoeorieoathtievelasftrom attacked.one t 0
another,Right H oann and
Baroneti it m might tqa whonlTN
yarahe
edtri
pasei ttcodw2hpar,
w3erlot
ghwtaswaewllabree ttehramtetdhea contagious one. 'she
had issued a commission to inquire characterintoßtuhHeian
disease, and he (Mr. Buwring) wished that that inquiry had
been fully carried out. It was well known that in the bazaars at
G over
on
frntehni
st
Grand Cairo the clothes of persons who had died of fever
were exposed for sale, and they were charged for
at the same rate as any other garments.—( Hear.)
What were the conclusions, the unanimous conclusions, to
which the Commission of the Academy of Medicine of Paris
had come to with reference to the plague ? The first was, that
it was endemic in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey; he believed it
constantly prevailed in those countries to a greater or a less ex.-
tent, and its presence was almost invariably to be found in a
certain period of the year. They came to a second resolution,
in which they stated that it was their belief that the plage was
to be attributed to spontaneous action, and local, atmospheric
causes, and not to importations from distant countries. But it
was evident that the plague was in a great measure removed by
the attempts which had been made in different countries to
promote the health of the people. At this moment, in
Tuscany, the Pontine Marshes were being improved, and the,
injurious effects which they had on the health of the people
were being gradually removed. The fourth resolution to
which they arrived was, that the disease was epedemies
fifthly, that the plague was propogated by- atmospheric in,-
fluence, and riot by contagion. Sixthly, that it was not con-
veyed by goods or merchandise. It was, therefore, an ab-
surdity to keep up these obnoxious quarantine laws.
He believed in his conscience that there was no more evidence
of the security given against the introduction of plague by our
sanatory regulation—no more evidence in favour of that sys-
tem, than was to be given of the existence of witches and
ghosts. The quarantine laws were most oppressive, and at
the same time most unequal in their operation. A steam-
vessel, arriving from the plague countries in sixteen or seven-
teen days, was allowed to pin without delay, U any inilueu4.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 19.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
VISCOUNT HARDINGE AND LORD GOUGH.
Mr. Campbell, of the India House, appeared at the bar,
and presented papers connected with the pensions granted to
Viscount Hardinge and Lord Gough.
LANCASTER AND CARLISLE RAILWAY.

Mr. GREENE moved that the order made on the 25th day
of February last, for referring the Ulverstone, Furness, and
Lancaster and Carlisle Railway Bill to the Committee of Se-
lection, be discharged, and that the said Bill be withdrawn.—
Agreed to.
BURY WATERWORKS.
On the motion of Mr. WALKER, this Bill was read a third
time and passed.

REPORTS.
The reports on the following Bills were made and considered,
the amendments agreed to, and the Bills ordered to be en-
grossed :
Scottish Central Railway (Denny Branch ).
Scottish Central Railway (Perth Termini and Stations).
Scottish Central Railway (Alloa Branch).
Slamannan Railway (Bathgate and Jawcraig Branches).
Edinburgh and ;\ orthern Railway (Dunfermline Blanch).
Dundee and Arbroath Railway Extensions.
Dundee and Perth Railway Amendment. -
Rye and Derwent Drainage.
Northumberland Decks.

Carshalton Rates.
Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole Railway (Methley, Askern,
and Oakenshaw Branches).
Forth and Clyde Junction Railway.
Stirling and Dunfermline Branch Railway.
Hartlepool Gas and Waterworks.
Dunblane, Doune, and Callender Railway.
Gravesend and Milton Waterworks.
Kilmarnock and TrOOri Railway.

Plymouth Cemetery.
Salford Hundred Court.
MALTON AND DIFFIELD JUNCTION RAILWAY.
On the motion of Mr. STANSFIELD, this Bill was read a
third time and passed.
BROMSGROVE IMPROVEMENT AND SMALL
TENEMENT BILL.
On the motion of General LYGON,- this Bill was read a
second time, and ordered to be committed.
KENDAL' UNION, GAS, AND WATER BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
CHARING-CROSS BRIDGE COMPANY.
On the motion of Sir DE LACY EVANS, this Bill was read
a second time, and oriiered to be committed.
WATERFORD HARBOUR.

On the Motion of Mr. WYSE, this Bill was read a second I
time, and ordered to be committed.
Sir JAMES DUKE presented a petition lei favour of the
Religious Disabilities Bill.
Mr. MUNTZ presented a petition from Birmingham, pray-
ing the House to reconsider the criminal law so far as it re-
lated to juvenile offenders.
Mr. WILLIAMS presented a petition from Cardigan, pray-
iag
the House to establish a more effective and extended system
of education for the poor.
Mr. HINDLEY presented a petition against the Irish Great
Western Railway Bill.
Mr. BARRY BALDWIN presented petitions in favour of
the Buckinghamshire Railways Bill.
Mr. HUME presented several petitions from Scotland, pray-
ing the House to pass a Bill to enable Christian congregations
in Scotland to obtain sites for places of worship, manses, and '
school-houses.
POOR-LAWS.
Capt. PECHELL presented a petition from a place in Sussex
complaining of the conduct of certain boards of guardians. The
Hon. and Gallant Member gave notice that on Thursday he
should move that the petition be printed with the votes with
the view of founding a motion upon it.
BINGLEY POOR HOUSES.
Mr. FERRAND said that he had been requested to post-
pone putting the questions to the Right Hon. Baronet the First
Lord of the Treasury, of which he had given notice, respecting
the Bingley poor houses. He begged therefore to postpone the
questions to Thursday
THE next, on whic
LAWh day he should put them.
GAME S.
Mr. WILLIAM MILES, in the absence of the Hon.
Member for Cheltenham, gave notice that to-morrow it was
the intention of the Honourable Member to ask the
Hon. Member for Athlone whether he had lodged affidavits in
the hands of the Secretary of State with regard to Sir Charles
Taylor, and whether he intended to take further steps in the
case, or to allow this mtter to rest as it was?
LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO LORD CLEMENTS.
Colonel RAWDON rose to ask for have of absence for
fourteen days to Lord Clements. His Noble Friend was one
net in the habit of neglecting his Parliamentary duties, but his
neighbourhood in Ireland was in such a state that he was re-
quired to be on the spot, in order to use his exertions to find
employment for the people.—( Hear. )—Leave granted.
PREVENTION OF SMOKE.
Mr. MACKINNON gave notice that he wouldon Tuesday,
the 26th instant, bring in a Bill for the prevention of smoke.
ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL.
Mr. B. ESCO'rT presented several petitions from Oxford-
shire in favour of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill.
FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
signed b
Mr. FOX MAULE presented 115 petitions,
y b
14,000 persons, from various parts of Scotland. rain thye
House to adopt some measures to enable
_tbe petitioners to o -
tain sites on which to build places of wotreship.
Mr. P. M. STEWART also presen el petitions of a similar
nature.
Mr. FOX MAULSthen rose to move for leave to intro-
duce a Bill to enable Christian congregations in Scotland to
obtain sites for buildin
places of worship, manses, and school-
houses. He would notg
then enter into any statements with
reference to the Bill. Not seeing either the Lord-Advocate
or the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the
Home Department in their places, notwithstanding that they
h
theye
were aware of his intention to introduce the Bill to-night,
concluded, that tAey had no objection .to :the ;introduction
of the Bill.
Sir R. H. INGLIS wished to know what the Hon. Member
meant by the term religious congregations? The object of the
proposed Bill was to give to certain persons, describing them-
solves as Christian congregations, the power to take a certain
portion of their neighbours' property—it was to enable Chris-
tian congregations to take their nei ghbours' property at fixed
prices, and before he gave any such power, he would like to
have some further statement respecting it.
Mr. FOX MAULE said that he was perfectly ready to go
into a full statement of his grounds for proposing this Bill.
But if the Government officers
owuelrderewsillingthtoeedoncede to him
leave to bring in the Bill, he
its principles till a future occasion ; discussion upon
he was erfecsetli
abide by any proposition of the Government with reference to
o
this measure.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM said he had the most grave objec •
tions to the principles of the Bill, and he did not anticipate that
any exposition of those principles by his Hon. Friend on any
future occasion would be able to remove those objections.
After what had been said in that House, in the course of a dis-
cussion on the subject of the Free Church of Scotland, he
did not feel himself authorised in making any agreement
on the part of the Government with his Hon. Friend. He
kad, however, no objection to the Bill being read a Ant time.