The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-21 00:00:00

( II lir
k 41,51
• g.s

LONDON. SATURDAY. MARCH 21, 1846.

The LORD CizANcsLten took his seat on the Woolsack al
Five o'clock.

Various petitions having been presented,
The Earl er CLANcarrir stated that Mr. GULSTON had
presented to the Committee on the Irish Poor-laws the
papers to '.Bich a Noble and Learned Lord (13nouGtux) bad
alluded yesterday.

Lord BrouolLui expressed himself satisfied with what
bad fallen from the Noble Earl, but he wished for the papers
to be produced.

Tho Metropolitan Buildings Act passed through Com
mittee.

The Marquis of CIANRICARDE EGGred the petition of
G. Frvme, Esq., of Cambridge, and JameitsiTt
and of
feoolsT4
lingtoa, be referred to a Select Committee to iLler;
thereon. These petitiens were against the London
Railway Bill, and had been confided to him on'Alttonar fork
because
he had held them over to make inquiries, and trusted taii;t thed
petitioners would not be prevented from being heard
he had kept back the petition..
Lord BEAUMONT opposed the motion as quite irregular.
Lord MONTEAGLE thought the petitioners should be per-
mitted to go before the Committee.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY thought. the better course to
pursue would be to give notice cf a motion suspending the
standing orders, anti then the matter would be regularly dis-
cussed on Monday.
The suggestion was adopted, and the further discussion of
the point postponed till Monday, after which their Lordships
adjouraed.

The SrsaKtzr. took the Chair at Four o'clock.
Several Railway Bills were read a second time and ordered
to bl.‘ committed. _

Several petitions were presented in favour of the Man-
cheFter and Southampton Railway Bill.
i On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUHR,
it was ordered that the House, at its rising, should adjourn
to Monday next.
Mr. WILSON PATTEN gave notice of his intention on Mon-
day to move the appointment of a Select Committee with re-
spect to railways.
Sir J. GRAnam, in answer to a question from Mr. Wm,
said that a charter of incorporation of the Board of National
Education in Ireland had been granted by the Government,
that since the granting of that charter measures had been tak en

by the Board establish schools in England, and also to
promote agricultural schools or colleges in Ireland.
Sir J. GRAHAM, in answer to a question from Mr. RE 13.•
HEAD YORKE, said that the Government had thought it
I roper to grant a free pardon to Joseph Mason, who was
sentenced to twenty years' transportation, at the York Mar.:th
Assizes, in 1842, upon a conviction which turned out to
have taken place in error.

Mr. BORTIIIVICK, on reading the order of the day for tige

further consideration of the Customs and Corn Importation
Act, asked Sir It. PEEL whether it was the intention of the
Government to present to the House copies or extracts of
any correspondence which might have passed between
the Secretary of State for I oreign Affairs and her
Majesty's Ministers at Washington, relative to the Oregon
territory ?
Sir R. PEEL thought that any explanation on the subject
was wholly unnecessary, because ke was convinced that the
expressions of her Majesty from the Throne, and
the statements of Gentlemen in that House, had Lot
been misunderstood. He had no objection to lay on the
table of the House those public communications which had
already been made public, if it was thought desirable that he
should do so.
Lord J. RUSSELL wished to ask what course the Govern-
ment intended to pursue with respect to the Corn Bill, and
the Irish Life and Property Protection Bill?
• Sir R. PEEL said that lie never felt greater anxiety for the
progress of a measure than he did for that with respect to
the corn-laws. He had received communications from
parties both in favour of and against Ministers, earnestly de-
eiring, a decision on the corn-laws. He thought it desirable
that the House should come to an early decision upon the
subject, and it was not his intention to permit any of the Go-
vernment business to interfere with it. With respect to the
Irish Life and Property Protection Bill, the course he
intended to pursue was this—he proposed to take
the second reading of the Corn Bill on Monday; it
was understood that that discussion would last till
Friday, but, in the hope that the discussion would terminate
on Thursday, lie would propose that the Irish Bill should be
taken on Friday, as far as the first reading, but upon the un-
derstanding that if the debate on the Corn Bill was not con-
cluded till Friday, then that the Irish Bill should: be read
a first time on Monday. He would take that opportunity of
stating, with respect to the report of the Classification Cs-m-
-inittee, relative to railways having a proposed termini in the
City, that the Government intended to act upon the recom-
mendation of the Committee, and that on Monday they
should acquiesce in the motion, and advise her Majesty to
appoint a Loyal Commission upon the subject.
On the question of the further consideration of the Cus-
toms ( the Tariff),
The Marquis of WORCESTER moved that timber be omitted.
Mr. H. HINDE supported the amendment.
Mr. CARDWELL defended the resolution, observing that it
was one of the most popular that had been brought forward.
Mr. A. CHAPMAN objected to the resolution, believing that
it would have the effect of making this country dependent
upon foreigners for timber to build their ships.
Captain HARRIS also objected to the resolution.
Mr. G. PALMER also opposed the resolution.
Mr. WARBURTON supported- the Government proposition,
aid felt no doubt, looking at the beneficial results of the
tariff of 1842, that increased good would take place, if the
present proposition was carried into effect.
Mr. P. BORTHWICK. supported the amendment of the
Noble Marquis, the Member for Gloucester.
Mr. HENLEY and Mr. FlusrE supported the government.
Lord G. BENTINCK spoke at some length in favour of the
smendment.
After a reply from Sir G. CLERK the House divided ; their
being for the Amendment 107, for the Ministerial measure
232 ; majority 123.
The orders of the day having been disposed of, the House
,diourned at one o'clock.

The vote of the American Senate on the Oregon ques
ion, which has been looked for with some anxiety by
took-jobbers, and by that class only, is regarded by most
ether persons, at least by all who are acquainted with
the constitution of the United States, without the
;lightest interest. From the speeches made in that
[rouse on the subject, the principles on which the
alembers are elected, and the enormous power granted
to the PRESIDENT, it may be taken as a certain result
hat on this point all the three different estates will
three. The popular voice in that country hes power
.o influence and guide every movement both in domestic
tad foreign relations, because all the agents are de-
aendent on its will. In this kingdom, even with the
iumerous and great changes produced by the Reform
3ill, the power of the people arising from the franchise
3 extremely limited, and when compared with that of
site inhabitants of the United States, can scarcely be
'aken into calculation. The ten-pound franchise
ells only in the large towns—in the small boroughs
t is of no use whatever, so completely are the electors
'xposed to the influence of some powerful landed pro-
2rietor or mill-owner, as well as to the temptation of
oribery and corruption. The Americans are not half so
'wariest as the English electors, but their very condition
—ake fact that they are scattered over an immense terri-
ory, without any great lord or wealthy neighbour to
!ontrol them—compels them to look for other fruits from
heir votes than those which are generally sought after
a this country. Whatever, therefore, is the mania of
he day must be adopted by the Legislature as well as
-)y the PRESIDENT himself. The elections take place
very two years for the House of Representatives, and
hose for the Serrate every six years, the Chief Magis-
mite being elected for only four—all short tenures. A
'light glance at the mode in which these three elements
.f Government are selected is sufficient to show that the
rower of the people is without bounds, and must also ef-
ectually control the well-weighed and deliberate opinions
•ven of all who aspire to the rank of statesmen, or to
my office whatever under Government. The re-
wesentatives are elected by the persons why elect
the popular branches of the different state legis•
:stares—that is, by the whole body of the male
nhabitants, who are of age, sound mind, and un-
ainted by conviction for felony or some degrading
!rime. The Senate is elected by the legislatures of the
lifferent states, all chosen by the people, and the Pre-
ident is appointed by electors nominated by the dif•
'erent states, each state nominating a number equal to
its senators and representatives in Congress. The num-
ier of senators for each state, whether small or great,
s two ; the nnmber of representatives depends on the
.copulation—New York, for instance, returning thirty-
'our members, while Delaware returns only one; but
in whatever proportion, or through whatever forms
he course of election runs, it proceeds ultimately
rom the people as its source, and hence the
timid, wavering, and electioneering harangues of such
men as WensTeu and CALHOUN, and the few other
aatesmen who apparently act on independent principles.
the PRESIDENT, it is true, has a veto on the acts of
Congress, but that only for a limited number of times,
tnd besides he is a very transitory ruler—he can reign
)nly four years, and must go back to his good masters to
et a renewal of the lease. He has thus every induce-
ment to yield to the popular clamour, and when, as in
' the present instance, he not only yields to it, but seems
to lead it, the decisions of Congress are virtually those of
1, countless democracy, scattered over a vast territory,
and consisting in a great measure of men half educated,
it not educated at all, not scrupulous in their morality,
Ind disposed rather to contemn than respect those con-
aitutional principles and those international conventions
which have been viewed with reverence by the inhabitants
-If• more ancient and civilised communities. The vas t patron-
ego of the PRESIDENT, too, is a dangerous weapon in times
like these, and cannot fail to have a most injurious in-
fluence on Members of Congress. lie
,is Co:nmander-
.a-Chief of the army and navy ; he makes treaties,
.vhich, however, require the ratification of the Senate ;
le nominates to all judicial and diplomatic offices ; in
'act, he enjoys the whole patronage of the Union, and
vas infinitely greater means to purchase votes than any
Torrned bead in Europa. This is the machine con-
aructed by the WASHINGTONS, the FRANKLINS, and
he ADIMSES, to be the model of Government for the
cew World, and the envy and won ler of the Old.
Every day, bowel er, it appears to fail more and more
it accomplishirg the objects of its authors ; bankruptcy
&rid want of natioaal faith are considered no defects ;
'he preservation of peace, so dear to its great founder, is
the last consideration of the existing rulers; the occupa-
tion of their neighbours' territory by force or fraud, is a
master-stroke of policy ; and a wanton assumption of
Maims which they call rights, and which renders them
the enemies of every European power, is praised as a
proof of the power, and wisdom, and independence of the
sew Republic. Lord ABERDEEN, it will thus be seen,
sas no easy task in preserving peace with a community
like this ; but still he is confident of success, and all we
say is—if the Foreign Secretary can settle the Oregon
,luestion without a war, and at the same time maintain
he rights and the honour of England, he will be entitled
to a high rank among the first of statesmen.

Never have Members of the Lower House exhibited
uch pertinacity in frittering away the time of Parlia-
ment and the patience of the people as the protec-
tionists have done throughout their wanton and forlorn
opposition ; and never was this grievance more manifest
;ban during the discussion of yesterday evening. We
had participated in the general expectation that these Hon.
:4eatlemen would have yielded to the dictates of com-
mon tense, and have withdrawn, or at least moderated,
heir frivolous antagonism; their proceedings, however,
LrL.
n i
reference to the timber duties, have dispelled the iUu-
(gether. They are the same egregious stutublinn•. -
blocks as heretofore—they will not rest satisfied until
they have each individually stood in the very pathway
the great Ministerial proposition, and been crushed
:o absolutely ne in the
thingthe
Marqgueis of WORCESTER
of tine free-trade
treasures through Committee. Ina maiden speech of
to %
prtteusions hatever,
.novel an amendment favourable to the continuance
if protection to foreign tlniber, and, after
asspeweteillie
w moments of significant trepidation on thea
part of Mr. H. HINDE, that Honourable Gentleman
as of various
masse, were delivered
others condemna-
toryusupported
rf
resolutionst.e(t this
Mr. PALMER, Mr.
itsllepatirnitiieCnnudlatilieeLTE:SiOrli Outert
otl t
bIETY11:11. CBIIORATP:WANIC'KC:IapntdaibnirH.IAIRERNILSEY; and as if to give
the opposal a climax, Lord GEORGE BENTINcK—the
SISYPHUS of landed monopoly—occupied the House
(luring two mortal hours in the utterance of an harangue
perfectly commensurate with the shallowness of
his cause. About the most tangible argument upon
which these disputants: laid especial stress was, the
malific consequences to our colonial possessions, which
must result from such a reduction of duties upon the
importation of timber, and also upon the direct manner

iu which it would deteriorate our shipping trade gene

rally. For evidence (?) of the reality of those gloomy ex-
pectations, a few garbled quotations from statistical tables
and a swarm of lugubrious forebodings were produced ;
and in this is concentrated the whole cause, force,

and bearing of that long-winded oppcsition of last night,
than which, altogether, nothing could 1 e more useless,
more incorrigible, or more thoroughly contemptible in
every conceivable respect. Looking at the matter in its
truest and simplest point of view, namely, as to whether
the proposed reduction would be advantageous or
detrimental to our colonies, but especially to Ca-:
nada (whose interests were treated overnight
with the most hypocritical tenderness by the
mock-paladins of agriculture), what are the veritable
conclusions at which we must arrive ? How are we to
deduce our primary inferences upon the question one
way or the other ? In which direction must we look
for our first answer ? Surely to those individuals IN hose
interests are one and indivisible with the interests of
our colonial territories (Canada for instance), and our
shipping trade ; or to those whose fortunes fluctuate in
a lesser degree to the fluctuations of either of such im-
portant funds. And how, forsooth, have those persons
acted with reference to the resolution embodying P. re-
duction of the timber duties ? By not making any de-
monstration worthy of a moment's notice against a
matter se materially connected with their pockets
Surely that silent acquiescence upon the proposed inno-
vation of Sir R. PEEL is sufficiently significant, and is
more worthy of consideration than the idle and pecu-
liarly personal manifesto of men merely striving to
retard the progress of an entire system, by seizing
hold of any and every clause I In reference to this
circumstance Hr. CARDWELL spoke judiciously and feel•
ingly. He controverted the fallacies about the injuries
which would be entailed upon cur colonies in a few
Eimp'e, but irrefragable facts ; he proved by the plainest
possible arithmetic, that far from the interest of Canada
being tampered with, by the proposed alteration, that
country would, on the contrary, be materially bene-
fited, adducing, is corroboration of Coe statement, the
gradual but glaring increase in the amount of the timber
trade subsequent to the discarding of the old duty in 1842.
The progressive improvement is too striking to be
omitted :—ln 1843, it amounted to 45.000/. ; in
1344, to 71,0001. ; in 1845, to 94,000 k Of the good
which has resulted to the shipping trade also from
the reductions in the last tariff, the calculation
of that interest is Liverpool is remarkable evi-
dence enough. For 1838, the number of vessels entered
in that port were 305, the aggregate amount of whose ton-
nage was 160,000; in 1842, (the transition year, be it ob-
served!) the number of vessels was 165, the tonnage of which
was 90,000 ; while in 1845, the number of vessels had
actually increased to 423, with a tonnage of '239,000.
One more transcript from the table of returns, and our
employment of Arabic nurnericals shall terminate for
the present ; and this conclusive quotation is no less
than an estimate of the exports of Canadian timber pre-
cedent and subsequent to the reduction already made
in that article. In 1838, 15,000,000 loads of timber were
exported ; in 1842 (the transition again I), merely
9,000,000 ; whereas in 1845 there was an exportation
of 28,000,000. After glancing over these incontestable
facts, it is really beyond all Christian endurance to hear
the flimsy prating of Lord GEORGE BENTINcie, and his
irrelevant and haekneyed allusions to " letting loose the
hell dogs of war," and " clouds in the west," and " re-
posing on our laurels." It is provocative of more than
impatience, it rouses up the indignation of
every unbiassed thinker, to behold those who might
be endowing their countrymen with blessings,
persisting, with a sullen and stolid blindness, in the pro-
crastination of an issue which they must know to be in-
evitable ; allowing stagnation to fall upon commerce ;
disease and privation to accumulate in :the sister island ;
and themselves to become, not merely an isolated, but a
repudiated faction in their native land. As if to enforce
this conviction upon them, by showing them beyond all
gainsaying their utter impotence, the majorities by which
their amendments are severally quash d are becoming
really something too ludicrously disproportioned for a
sober perusal. Let us hope that this weapon of division
will goad them at length into silence.

We have received Madrid journals of the 13t1i, but
they add little to our previous information respecting the
dissolution of the Ministry. Some of the papers state
that it was mainly owing to a difference of opinion
among the Members themselves as to the measure re-
cently brought forward by the Minister of the Interior
for the dotation of the clergy, and that the Bill would be
withdrawn.

On the 13th the Three per Cents. closed on the
Madrid Bourse at 28 9.16 cash, and 281 for the 30th of
April. The Five per Cents. were not quoted.

In the French Chamber of Peers, on Thursday, a de-
bate took place on the Polish insurrection, which was
begun by the Count nn MONTALEMBERT when discuss-
ing the Secret Service Money Bill. The Noble Peer
regretted that he could not grant the Ministry a vote of
confidence as regarded their foreign policy, and least of
all, with regard to Poland. His object in adverting to
the question was to defend the holiest legitimacy, the
only one he recognised—the right of every nation to
exist and be governed according to the laws of justice.
The late insurrection, he maintained, had not been ex-
cited from abroad. The Poles required no such excita-
tion. Their oppression was a perpetual cause of excite-
ment; it was their right to strive to shake off an iron
yoke; it had been their history during the last eighty
years. He had not the courage, like others, in pre-
sence of the reverses of the insurgents and the blood
they had just shed, to blame their late attempt. No-
body in France was placed in a condition to appreciate
the circumstances that led to the insurrection, and to
judge of its opportunity. Those who are deprived of
all the blessings enjoyed in other countries should not
be lightly condemned for not better biding their time
and calculating their chances of success. He then
examined the condition of the Poles under the Prussian
and Austrian rule, and commended the system pursued
by Prussia towards her Polish subjects, who were at
least freed from bondage and all forced labour. In Gal-
licia the people possessed nothing, and could legally pos-
sess nothing. The peasants were subjected to the
most arbitrary treatment, and it was not surpris-
ing that they had revolted against the. nobility.

"It— was JOSEPLL 11. nho had estranged from the
latter the affection of the rural classes. That Sovereign
had charged the nobility with the exercise of the most
onerous and oppressive part of the Austrian system
of government. It had been denied that Austria
had set a price on the head of the Gallician nobles, but
he had received a document from which it appeared that
something very like this had been done, fur the Aus-
trian Government had offered a premium of 12f. to the
peasant who should reveal the intrigues of the nobles,
and 25f. to those who delivered their landlords hand-
, cuffed to the authorities. But Poland, he foretold, would
again rise; twenty-two millions of souls were not easily
exterminated, and so long as justice should be denied
them they would revolt. And why should Poland cease
to hope, when she sees Greece and Ireland, so long op-
pressed, and like her effaced from the map of Europe, re-
sume their rank among nations ? lie declared, in con-
cluiioe, that Poland was imperishable, and that he hoped
to live to witness her resurrection, and to see M. GUIZOT
himself come forward to proclaim the legitimacy and
equity of her revolution. M. GUIZOT briefly replied, and
said ho did not consider it useful or expedient to enter
on such a discussion. It was not the duty of the
Government to interfere in favour of, or take part in, the
Polish insurrection—all the Government could possibly
do was to afford a hospitable refuge to Polish exiles, and
give them all the assistance due to their misfortune. A
Government, after mature reflection, having adopted a
political resolution, should shape its ections to it words.
Now, the partition of Poland was an accomplished fact,
upon the justice of which the present Government had
not been called to pronounce, and which it had merely ace
cepted with the rest of Europe. The Prince DE MOSK.OWA
the son of NEY, who knew the Poles well, next ad-
dressed the Chamber, and was left speaking at the hour
of post. It appears from the 111 eridionale, a paper pub-
lished at Toulouse, that a disturbance had taken place
at the theatre of that town, in consequence of the
audience making some vary noisy demonstration in re-
gard to the Polish insurrection. The following account
of the affhir appears in that journal of the 16th inst.:—
"Theheriewpector of police
representation of Robert le Diable last night was
attended with more agitation than that of Don Sebastien on
Friday. Sunday is the day most favourable to demorstra-
tions ..of this After the second act the cries reached
their loudest point, and the performance could proceed uct.
further. Attempts were made to sing the Marseilloise, the
Parisienne—and then Malbrotvh, La Bouanc,Qre, and we
know not what other songs a a character not very pa-
triotic. It was again necessary to clear the house, and we
saw with deep sorrow those deplonible scenes, s.uppol tnl by
people who, under pretence of 'sympathy in favour of
Poland,' injure that cause and the sympathies which might
be raised fur it. Several police agents were ill-treated and
wounded. A sergent de villa being alone in the pit, was
etci.esexedabree
entertained
iarisintouetdrebr
ethehilrs‘o.
awrsenrceo down under the benches, and
trampled on and kicked in such a manner, as to cause fears
dfriospnitaayn3o,fametislitaofryvifoolrecnect;e:b.dsumotAnaaid'tnte, in order to deter
ttoh tphleacheoduusecri.
lee.mot
Laving received a severe wound in' the head from a stone,
the legal warning was given, and the Place was cleared by
the military, and strong picquets were placed at the entrance
of the streets leading to it. Patrols at the same time paraded
through the town. At one o'clock everything was quiet.
About 40 individuals have been arrested, The commanding