The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-11 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 10.
. _ _

The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
Tho House was exceedingly full of Members, an
unusual circumstance at so early an hour.
THE NATIONAL PETITION.

The national petition, which had been previously
brought to the House in three cabs, lay on the floor
at the foot of the table. It consisted of three very large
bundles, and was dragged into the House before the
Speaker had taken the chair, by Mr. Feargus O'Connor,
assisted by two strangers.
NEW MEMBER.

Mr. P. HOWARD took th• oaths and his seat for
Carlisle.

MANCHESTER CEMETERIES.
Mr. BROTHERTON moved that it be an instruc-
tion to the Committee on the Manchester General

Cemetery Bill, to entertain the petitions of purchasers
of graves and vaults in the Manchester General Ceme-
tery, and of subscribers and holders of shares in the
Manchester General Cemetery, notwithstanding that the
same were not presented within the time limited by the

standing order;.
The motion was opposed by Sir W. IIEATIICOTE,
and ultimately withdrawn.
lIENEAGE'S DIVORCE BILL.
This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS.
The following reports were brought up and agreed
to:—Sufferance Wharfs (Southwark) Bill, Shrewsbury
Market Bill, Oswestry Markets and Fairs Bill, Leicester
Navigation (Sale of Lands on Forest Line) Bill, 'Wor-
cester New Gas-light Company (Additional Capital and
Amendment) Bill, Morley Gas-light Company Bill,
Southampton Gas-light and Coke Company Bill.
PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

Captain PECIIELL presented a petition from the
inhabitants of Brighton, stating that it was the duty of
all Governments to protect life and give security to
property; to educate the people, and to make such laws
as should provide for the happiness of the multitude;
and the 'petitioners, therefore, prayed the House to make
such alterations in the law that every class in the empire
should be fully and fairly represented.—(Hear.)

THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER.
Mr. FEARGUS O'CONNOR, amidst almost breath.

less silence, said—Sir, I rise to present a petition, signed
by 5,760,000 persons ; also another petition, signed
by 100,000 persons, whose names are not appended
to this large muster. The petitioners pray for Annual
Parliaments, Universal Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, Equal

Electoral Districts, no Property Qualification, and Pay-
ment of Members. I beg, Sir, to state, that from
the courtesy I have already received from the
House, I shall say no more than simply move that
the petition be read by the Clerk at the table.
The petition was accordingly read by the Clerk.

At the conclusion of the reading of the petition,
Lord MORPETH rose amid much cheering, and
said—Sir, my Right Honourable Friend the Secre-
tary of State for the Home Department would have
been in his place had he not been greatly occupied by
the necessary business of his department this morning.—
(llear, hear.) I may, however, in his absence, state
that, whatever may be his opinion of the sentiments
contained in that petition, he does not wish that he
should bo considered by his absence as wanting in that
respect which a petition so numerously signed was un-
doubtedly entitled to.—(Elear, hear.)

The petition was then removed from the floor of the
House by four of the messengers.
Colonel TIIOMPSON presented a petition from Brad-
ford in favour of the People's Charter.
Mr. WAKLEY presented a petition from Marylebone
against the Bill fur the better protection of the Crown
and Government, and praying her Majesty to dismiss
her present advisers.
Mr. HAS TIE presented a petition from Paisley in
favour of the People's Charter.
Mr. P. HOWARD presented a petition from Carlisle
praying for a modification of the criminal code.
Colonel MULE presented a petition from Glasgow
and other places, in favour of the People's Charter.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from the delegates
of Manchester in favour of the Charter, and praying
fur the establishment of local boards for the regulation
of trade and payment of wages.
COLONIAL EXPENDITURE.

Sir W. MOLESWORTU gave notice that he would,
upon an early day, bring before the House the question
of the colonial expenditure of the country.
BE WDLEY ELECTION.

Sir F. HANMER gave notice thai-he would, upon
the moving of the issue of the writ for Bewdley,
move the delay of the issue, for the purpose of
affording on opportunity of inquiring into the state of
the elective franchise in that borough.

GREAT YARMOUTH DISFRANCHISEMENT
• • BILL.

Mr. STAFFORD gave notice that upon the second
reading of tho Bill he would move that it be read a second
time that day six months.
THE CHARTER.

Mr. LUSITINGTON gave notice that on Friday next
he would ask the Noble Lord at the bead of the Govern-

meat whether he would hold out any distinct hope that
lie would, during the present session, introduce any
measure for the extension of the suffrage—(Bear, hear)—
the abridgment of the duration of Parliament, the forma-
tion of electoral districts, and the vote by ballot.—(Hear.)
PROTECTION OF CROWN AND GOVERNMENT