The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-03 00:00:00

by men who had served immediately under the Duke of Wel-
lington; and therefore, though they have not served imroedi-
Vely under the Duke of Wellington, they have still had the
benefit of his experience. In the battle of Assoc, the ex-
ample of his reoderation—his valour and devotion to the inte-
rest of his country—his regard for all, whit er European or
otherwise, is one which is worthy of emulation. It is passible
at this moment—indeed 'it is more than probable—that the
Noble Duke of Wellington has reserved fur him in
another place an opportunity of hearing his grateful and
wil-
t 'stimony to the merits of • those gallant.
It will be his consolation that, through his example of
valour and military shill, his patriotism, and his devo.e,!ness to
the interests 'of his country, even when we shall have lost
him in the ordinary course of nature, will be imitated by brave
and worthy men, capable, like him; of maintaining the honour
and reputation of die country. These men will be the bul-
warks which viill never fail us aeoinst our enemies, and Who
will always, like the Duke of Wellington, be prepared to make
every effort in a just cause," anti -yet to set glorious an
~:xample of forbeatance, enduring valour, and desperate and
reckless courage, when circumstances of a desperate nature
require the exhibitien of such a quality. And I hope, that
through a succession of men whose principles are formed in
such a school, this example will descend boosost, and
in a righteous cause render this great and glo countyry, im-
pregnable against the assault of an enemy. I must now con-
clude by moving that the thanks of this House be given to Sir
Henry Suith, and to the troops under bis command.
Sir JOHN CAM HOBEI OUSE said that he considered it
overy great distinction
on to be permitt4d to second e motion
f the Right Hon.Baret, and he assured the House that, after
the able and affecting appeal made by the Right Hon. Gentle-
man, it would plainpo in him to do more than in a very
few worsts exp what the House had to consider when
it paid this tribute to the Gall,nt General end the
troops under his command. General Smith, as the Right
lion, Baronet said, had, by this action, maintained the
glory and character of this country, and by this great achieve-
ment had contributed to the subsequent success which is to
farm the subject of a second motion for a vott, of thanks this
evening by the Right lion. Baronet. He would take the
liberty to observe, that never in the annals of Parliament was
it the good fortune of a Minister to propose two votes of
thanks on the same evening on two such splendid victories as
the present. While that Gallant Officer spoke of the deeds of
those who were under him, he made no allusion to his own
exploits, thereby showing that his modesty was equal to his
vali,ur. •It was, as the Right Hon. Baronet had stated, in
his right hand he held the sword, and with the same hand he
also held the pen. As was said of a great character of
antiquit y

et the enemy's army formed two shies of a right-
angled triangle," Sir llenrySmith being placed between
them or. the shorter litre. I will make the matter more
clear by reading in extract from his dispatches.—(Hear,
bear.)—He says, " the enemy thus had me encompassed
with a powerful force, and I, therefore, gradually with-
drew my infantry and cavalry in the direction of Loos
dienah, in the ire-an time exp. cting to are the approach
cif that force of the army, being one regiment of cavalry
and four regiments of infantry." That was the force at
Looodianah. They then made a vigorons attack. The
ground was very sandy, and therefore difficult to
move in. " The enemy," he says, "moved on me in
the neighbourheod of Loodient.li, but my wing moved
with as much steadiness with the cautonede as if they
were on parade—(Cheer')—native as well :is British."
(Loud eheers.) The movements of the envelry were
under Brigadier Cureton.—(Cheers.) He said, "It
was the most perfect thing I ever saw, and one
which I could not expect."—(Hear, heirs) New, Sir,
difficulties were such that it is plain that the successful
termination is to be attributed to the skill, sqlour, and
high character of this colutnander.—(Cheers.) It was
necessary that all his energies should be used, and he
has proved, by his use of _ those energies, how
faithfully he has served his country—nothing
could make him despond.—(Loud cheers.) Sir,
of the battle itself I will not sp-ak. The victory
was complete. It is so well described by the Gallant
Commander that I will not go further into it. And, Sir,
wheat hive been the s,rvicee of that Gallant Officer ?
These events add a new lustre to his name.—(Cheers.)
He was at the capture of Monte Video. ;. Ile
was at the capture—at the attack that was
made on, Buenos Ayres.. He served in the Penin-
sular war ; he ss as at the haute of Vimiera,
and at the battle of Corurnia. ile was at the action Qt
Ciudad Rederigo, and at Torres Vedrae. Ile was at the:
battle of Salamanca, and t the bottle of Vittoria.
was at the battle of the Pyr,nees, the battle of rtitilouse ;
lie was at New Orleans, and at Waterloo.—(Che.-rs,)
Sir, what a series of gallant services—(Cheers)—
and how rejoiced I am to find that there should
be an opportunity through these signal services,
of bringing before the view of a grateful
Country a long life of military exertions such as these.
After he had achieved that signal success, for which we
arc about to give him our especial thanksafter he had
driven back the enemy across the river, he instantly re-
turned to join his coininendieg officer, Sir Hugh Gough.
He arrived on the Bth, two days before the signal
victory was pined under Sir Hugh Gough, and
Sir Henry Hatelinge. For his services, for the victory
which he gained on the 28th, I prop use that there should
be a • distinct and separate vote, and that there should
be another vote for the other, n..t more glorious, perhaps,
but more important victory which he aferwards gained
nut, Sir, again I will nut weaken the effect which the
recital of that victory, as detailed in the di'p itch of th •
gallant officer by whom they are written, by any
attempt to detail their contents. But I will say this 01
the fellow-ccuntrymen of the Generals of that gallant
army—l will do them the jitstice to say, that they
are familiar with thorn.—(Cheers.) Sir. it is right at ill,:
time to do justice to the bravery of the enemy with
whom we had to canto-id After the suceases gained
over them on Dec. 18 and 21, they had so tar recovered
that undaunted courage which had distinguished
them as to come again Ursa the field, and to expose them
selves again to the force of the British army. Sir H nry
Hardinge, speaking of them, says—" Such was the
bravery of the enemy, that they took the bridge which
they had formed, and in the mild le of the riverdisdaitted to
seek for quarter." Sir, I will not enter into details of the
battles on the tenth. The House ie aware that. our gellant
army obtained a complete and signal victory over
the Seikba whose loss was enormous—that after the ex-
bibitien of great talents they were driven across the
Sutlej in great nun here, and that the British
army, croseinr, at places lower dewn the Sutlsj,
and crossing at the point at which the battle was fought.,
united with the forces,e hich had so :tressed, and marched
towards the capital of the Seikh territory. Sir, thus in
a period not exceeding seven weeks, from the day
on which the incursion was made into one
territory, the enemy have been signally defeated
in every action in whiA they encountered.- In ever
action the British were successful. In those engage-
inente not more than one-third of the forces were
Europeans, but the example they set was worthily fol-
lowed by the native troops. Pour suceeasive desperate
battles have been fought in which the British name has been
sustained by the commanders and men of every regiment—
(Cheers)--and without any imputation on the British arms.
We were not influenced by any graaping desire. The attack
was made upon us in a time of pr .found peace. Those who
took no part in the engagements have, sittee the defeat of their
countrymen, frankly admitted what was the object which they
had in view; they thought that they could overthrow the
British army in con-equenee of their artillery, and formidable
infantry and cavalry. They expected to be enabled to over-
come the two detachments of the British farce which were sta-
tioned at the two extremes of the Itne—Ferorpore and Loo-
dianah—and having overpowered them, to have been en-
abled to march into Delhi, and than a succe‘sful attack would
have shook the allegiance of the Indian soldiers and our own
European troops. That was the object they had in view.
There was no breach of truce, lea they admitted that if they
were defeated by the British, that they would receive con-
solation, because their army sas mutinous, and that they should
not regret their dispersion and annihilation by the British.
Sir, for suece•ses so gained, in consequence of conflicts so
boldly conducted, I cannot doubt there sill be as universal
expression of g:atitur!e on the part of this House.—
(Cheers) There is nothing, Sir, to .ally the glories of those
victories. I do hope that that which has been effected Will
long be a state of quiet and peace. There will be, as the re-
sue, a general conviction of our power—a conviction of the
superiority of the British arms that will assure us a long en-
joyment of that state in that country, and the application of
all our efforts to the improvement of the native resources of
India. —( Hear, hear ) Anticipating that this may be the
last war—hoping that it may he so, and that we may now
direct our attention towards the improvement of the resources
of that country—in that anticipation this ILiuse will, I am
sure, refer to some events and some circumstance, which may
Till the heart of every suliject with joy and gratitude.—
(Cheers.) Sir, the iwo commanders of that army, the
Governor General of India and the Commander-in-Chief,
have, through these operations, set the example of
antdial concert and harmony.—(dear.) There was an
entire forgetfulness of themselves. —( Cheers.) And it is this
circumstance which has greatly contributed to these successful
and glorious results.—(Cheers.) All punctillios were sacri-
Arad. —(Cheers.) Sir Henry Hardinge consented to serve as
second in command.—(Cheers.) There was net a suggestion
offered by Sir Henry Hardinge which was not joyfully accepted
by the Commander-in-Chief. Sir, anticipating that this may
be the last. occasion upon which I shall have to perform even
the gratifyine duty of proposing a vete of thanks. and retun-
ing Inblic acknowledgments for victories in India, and a public
expression of my admiration of the bravery and gallantry of our
India army, I will, with the permission in the liothe, refer to
some documents. Since I entered this House 1 have had put
into my hands a letter from Sir H Gough to a private friend,
which was never intended to meet the public eye, but which
does him so much honour that I am sure the House will permit
me to read ire He s,,ys—
" It is now with pride and with pleasure I inclose you a
copy of my dispatch, detailing one of the most splendid and
decisive victories upon record—the Waterloo of Italia. I
have entered so fully both into detail and commendation
in my dispatch to the Governor-General. that it would
be impossible for me to enlarge upon a subject embrac-
ing toe warmest feelings of my heart. Policy, however,
precluded me publicly recording my sentiments on ti e
splendid gallantry of nor fallen foe, or to record the acts of
t 7,
heroism
by
thdispleayse
eri;_ not s only individually, but almost collec-
tively,
weep
, h irders arid army; and I declare, were
it riot from
i,n that my ccuntry's g re-
quire the sacrifice, 1 haveb wept to have witnessed the
fearful slaughter of so devoted
Never, in the page of t
wry it,i_tt,,dry of men —(Loud cheers. )
nialiii,.i„ts.,-,d has the hand of an Ai
wise Being been Si) signally
;et? Him, thereto e, be
the glory ; as his matt-limpets.
thsetrio)nriedlY—rectoLrlu2
cheers. ) But I cannot pass over —l,4lin'oetl,
haenoiro,aiii:e army, afford
guts which, whilst ;they add histreptzkr
Loud
to me, as its head, inexpresoble
cheers.) For upwards of a moith, when ttiePt:o'ua"
in close front of one another, notwibstandine the numerous
were
temptations held tint to our sepoys by 'lnn of their ovin:Z-
aod religion, namely, greatly increased pay, from 7 to 12 ru-
pees a month, and immediate promotion, I had but three (lever_
tions from this large torce.— ( Continued cheers.) Nur should
I omit to mention, a, a proof of the high state of discipline of
this splendid army, that trade has been carried on unrestovestly
since we crossed the Sutlej in the several Seikh towns
around which our divisions hare been necessarily placed
for the procurance of water, and the same confidence has
been shown as though we were in one of our long-
established: provinces."—(Loud cheers.) Sir, continued
the Right Hon. Baronet, the example set by these gallant
officers, who thought not of their personal interest or safety.
but whve thoughts were exclusively diraoted to their coun-
try's honour and the safety of the army, demands the highest
• admiration.—(Loud cheers.) Sir Hugh Gough, in speak-
ing of a young officer, relates acts of devotion, which
I am proud, through the medium of the British House
of Commons, to publish to the world.-1 Hear. hear. )
Sir, while we are awarding that praise, let us not forget the
example set by that Commander-in-Chief, who thinks fit se to
praise those under his command.—( Cheers.) On all occasietis
there was the most perfect under-landing and discipline ob-
served ; and it was that example, no doubt, that influenced the
conduct of the men acting under their command. lam sure,
Sir, the House will permit me, whilst giving utterance to these
expressions of, gratitude, to ming'e my feelings of deep regret
at the loss, the serials and sorroisful loss, that has been sus-
tained.—( Hear, hear.) I had on a former occasion to lament.
and enlist the sympathy of this House, when referring to the
memory of the gallant General Sale, whe was known to most
of us, and not alone known, but admired and beloved—( Hear,
I,ear)—and now, Sir, I have to lament the loss of several
officers of the most gallant bravery. The first 1 will name is
Sir Robert Dock, an (After long distinguished for his great
?ear
.1 bravery.—(Hear, hear.) He entered the service in
Pl64)sent2, at-eurneanied the army to India in 1807, where he was
at the taking of Aloodkee. In 1809 he accompanied
the Peninsular expedition, and commanded the second batta-
lTii(glo."€itthee,;tlas allteginiet, during the siege of Odder( Rode-
likewise eornmZl present at the battle of Salamanca, where he
length h,
had
fatten,
a battalion of the 42d Regiment ; but at
~ bravely fallen. 011 the same day fell
ante hes gallsnt of . Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, son of
Lieutenant-Colonel Tar,
also fell 1 • ylor, of the 20th Light Dragoons, who
g onously. —( Hear, andcheers.)
many there are there, who,
lost. friends an-I relatives. 0, in these brilliant victories, have
betted up. Sir, aatacos. with whom almost their lives were
one, a Noble st daily it is my lot to meat with
Lord, who hart the misfortune to lose a gal-
lint son—l allude to Lord•
wowplore the
av hf a gall,. Fitzroy Somerset, who has to de.
uld he ses oupporteo the 1..,,,yn0ung man, who, had he lived,
I wish I could do justice teour of his father's name. Sir.
many of the illustrious men whonhqi,7„yr. feelings, by naming
in this glorious stctory, but, the istineuished themselves
that I should prefer the injury of (flutist t!" great --( Hear )
rather than read the entire list to the übi,ung them ahmsether
view the nines of those who have taken
Sirs when I
guished part in these sing!e victories ~- a distin-
the names of Sir Henry sesio,e_.(l.le7n I see
hear
of General Packe, and many ot. oft, I re,,,lket
with tion that those illustrious men received their military "tilt-
'ric‘;-s-
-tials under the auspices of the Duke of Wellington.— (ch-1
Sir, it does add, in my opinion, a new lustre to Its im.teo.r'
tal renown—Cheers)—to see men who have b -en brought
in his school, and who have profited by his experience.—(
hear.) Sir, I would speak with equal praise of those who
have no.. had !he immediate ben, fit ot having served underhim.
Those "facers in the Company's service who may nnt have
. been brought up under the immediate command of the Doke of
Wellington, have still had an opportunity. of profiting by the
.memory of the victories which he achieved in India —( Hear.
hear.) At d when they have witnessed the victories of the'
battle of the Outloj, they will 11 moo ect a lesson that was taught

men.

" Eadem animo scripsit quo bellavit."
Allusion had been made to the Governor-General, and perhaps
he (Sic J. Hubhinise) might be excused for saying a few words
with respect to that Right Hon. Gentleman. It was a great
consolation to the 111emb,rs of that House to dwell over the
statement of the Right Hon. Baronet with respect to the Go-
vernor-General. They had mingled with him in discussion,
and he had won the esteem—however, he might have differed
with them in opinion—of those with whom he had, hipptly for
them, ever come in ttenLct. There was something like
Roman grandeur in that Right Hon. Gentleman step-
ping from the floor of that House to command great
and mighty armies. and performing deeds which were
.uffioieet for a life, and to immortalise any man.
Sir Henry Hardinge' from the 17t'a December up to the time
they were speiking.had performed exploits and achieved con-
quests that would illustrate the life of any commander —( Hear. )
He hoped, with the Right lion. Gentleman, that this might
be the last triumim which they sheull have to record. He
could nit help roneuding by saying, whether it was the last or
not, they should still remember with gratitude and pride that
an officer so well known for his abilities in that House was
uqually distinguished is the field, an.' that he more than up-
held the renown which he previous's, obtained. He most
cheerfully seconded the motion of the kire-.t Won. Baronet.
The S.PEAKEIt then read the resolutions, wh ch will be
found in another column, under the bead Parliamentary

Mr. C. RUSSELL said the House would remember tha'
on the lest occasion the House passed a vote of thanks to the
army in India for the victories at Moodkee and Ferozeshah,
a petition was presented by the lion. Member for Durham
(Mr. B-ight) -,from the town which he (Jr. Rustell) had
the honour to represent—Reading—and that a very just.
rebuke was contained in that petition on the Right Hon.
Baronet at the heal of her elajesty's Government. He had
received a request from the inabitants of that borough, through
its mayor and magistiates, that he would express their regret,
and he might add their shame, that such a petition should have
been presented, and the assumption that it emanated from
them. They had carefully examined that petition, and found
attached to it the names of many women and school children,
tegether will the names of many persons who were hardly able
to write; and besides, several of the signatures were foreed,
and 'many of those whose names were attached to the petition
had indignantly denied that they had .signed them, showing
that this was another instance of palming fraudulent petitions
on the House—( Cries of "Oh ! oh I") He had been re-
quested to discharge a duty imposed upon him by his constitu-
ents, and he trusted the House would allow him to do so. He
had been requested to state that there was no town in her Ma-
jesty's dominions more cordially rejoiced at the victories
achieved by our arms in India,- and more desirous to concur in
a tribute of praise to the gallant troops by whom those victories
were ebteineti. It would be presumptuous in him to attempt
to swell the just panegyric which had been passed on the gallant
army in India. He had held a commission in that army for
many years.
Sir ROBERT INGLIS entirely agreed with the latter
part of the speech which his Hon. Friend had just delivered.
Ile congratulated the Bight Hon. Baronet on the opening por-
tion of the dispatches, which ascribed.to Him to whom alone
praise is due, the :glorious result of our arms.• He wished to
tallow up the opening remarks of the -Right Hon. Baronet,
and especially to call attention to the dispatches of Sir Hugh
Gough. The lion. Baronet then briefly alluded to the dis-
patches which had been transmitted after the victoria s of Blen-
heim, the NI., and Trafalg r, which all equally acknowledged
the interference of a superintending Providence in obtaining
the victory, and the Right Hon. Gentleman instituted a com-
parison between those dispatches and a recent dispatch of Sir
H. Gough.
Lrrd JOHN RUSSELL would take this opportunity of
expressing his cordial co operation in the vote of thanks which
had been proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman. He had
never known an instance where a vote of thanks had been pro-
posed with greater feeling than had been evinced by the
Right Honourable Gentleman on the present occasion.
erhaps he mtglit be permitted to say .there was no person
connected with Sir Henry Hardinge, either by political ties or
private friendship, who could feel greater gratification than he
did at the issue of the recent transactions, and the high honour
which he h. d obtained. Let him sty further, with respect to
Sir Hugh Gough, that he was glad to see a native of Ireland
add ane: her laurel to the wreath which Irishmen had wrought.
lie felt great satisfaction at the glory which the British arms
had obtained ; their achievements had been alt igether un-
equalled. The disordered state of the Punjaub rendered it
necessary for a prompt interference of the British army.
Fro:n the manner in which Sir Henry Hardinge had con-
ducted the Rife:re committed to hits, there was no doubt he
was entitled to the highest distinction. If the utmost prepa-
ration had been made wilh a view to suppress the disturbances
in the Punjaub, there could not have been a more brilliant
series of successes than that which had attended oar arms on a
sudden call. He begged leave to express his cordial concur-
rence in the mo•ion.
Sir DE LACY EVANS entered into a general defence of
ibe military operations which Sir Henry 1rni:11 had thought
proper to adopt in the recent conflict on the. banks of the
Stelej. Tie did not think there existed a victory on record,
which equalled this brilliant achievement. He knew full well
what were the effects of unjust criticisms, b oh on officers and
men,•and therefore would refrain from entering into any par-
ticular details. He knew of no achievements in the annals of
history which equalled in brilliant execution that which had
iti• ingui•hed the brief career of the Governor-General of
ledia. Sir Hugh Gough has been the successful Commander-
in-Chief during two wars. and he believed that there scarcely
existed an example, with the exception of :he illustrious Com-
maniter-in-t hies of the English army, when in the space of
two years so mato, gallant. victories hail been obtained.
Sir H. DOUGLAS did not precisely agree with the Hon.
Baronet in regretting the sacrifice of human life which had
occurred in the recent battles, a; without that sacri-
fice the victory would not have been achieved.
The lion Baronet then read a letter giving a geographical
deser lion of the scene of action, and the natural difficulties
whit re the country presents to the march of troops..
as w, rainy other difficulties arising truisi other causes
which the British troops heel to encoutler,...andconeludcil by
declaring .that a more tremendous or crowning vitory for the
future peace of the country had never:Ven'achieved. -' re;
Mr. BROTHERTON said that, but for the speech of the
lion. Member for Reading, he would not have risen to say
one word upon this subject. But lest. it might. appear like
pusillanimity upon his part- if
,he gave a silent vote upon
this question after that speech, he had risen to • say
a few words in defence of those principles ,of peace
of which he was an advocate, • atilt -which he was
always ready to vindicate. . Tie had been waited upon
a short
time ago by a number of friends, who requested him to
triZia a motion to this House which might not appar to be
c;oiridiance with the wishes of the House, and as he did not
w:he same time
lotoanything
his gratitude as post as.
might have the appearance of at-
temptingv;t, anything to do with Hear, hear.) At
decli,..4 interfere
to ,a with the unanimity of the House, he hail
of those who had should say that his heart. was as warm and
a as.,thet of any other man, for the conduct
( Hear,
hear.)
veil acts ter the general benefit of the
with the name of religion, country.—
that ev;rl"n
But he did not wish to mix up war
, for he looked upon war as the
greatest sr. ,urge
a country could be visited with, ands
therefore, he did not think
the blessieg, of God On
such it right for this House to implore
Lord HOTHAM said he bipeda".
the House if he availed he should be pardoned by
himself of the •
seat in the House gave him for offering epportunity which his
this subject ; and he promised they ,biad febe w observations on
already been disposed of in a masterly and brilliantlew, for it had
the Right Hon. Bart-met the First Lord of th manner by
he Treasury. These
proceedings in India had been characterised by the most eo
sumate ability and skill, and nothing could be more satisfactory
than the ct.nduct of the troops. It was also gratifying to knoie
that the gallant officer who had achieved so much honour for
himself and the British arms, Sir Henry Smith, had had
the advent ige of having served five years under the command
of the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsula, where he dis-
played a remarkably quick perception hear)—and. ardent zeal and devo-
tion, and the most undaunted resolution—(Hear,
sccess w hich
to those qualities might be attributed the signal u
With these few
has carried his efforts in India.—(Cheers-)
observations he begged to say that this proposition was one
which had his most cordial approbation and support.— 11 (—ear.)
Mr. HUME said, that before this resolution was passed,
and passed he hoped it would be unanimously, he wished to
say a few words. He was sorry that the policy of war had
been intreduced into this question, for they had now before
them merel &proposition of the Government.—( Hear, hear.)
He would also wish to say a word in reference to the native
troops. The Right Hon Baronet opposite had stated that twos-
thirds of the army in India consisted of native troops; and he
(Mr. Hume) would ray, tbat he hail had some experience of
them in a small way. and he colic' add that no men in any
army were more remarkable for their bravery, loyalty, and
fidelity.—(Hear, hear.) In hit experience of them, he could
say- that in many itestances bribes had been offered, but in no
case had any of them been known to desert.—(Cheers.) He
was sorry that the forms of the Horse prevented them from
taking notice of them in the way deserved, but he trusted that
the East India Company would do their duty by them,—( [leer,
hear.) With retard to what had been said about the grasping
char toter of the Governor-General in India, he could only say
that in the present case not the least honourahle trait in the
conduct of Sir Henry Hardinge was hie forbearance.-4 Hear. )
The SPEAKER then put. the question, and the House de-
clared unanimously in favour of it.
VOTE OF THANKS TO SIR HENRY HARDINGE
AND SIR HUGH GOUGH.

Sir R. PEEL—It is unnecessary for me to trouble this
House with any observa, ions on the ruoiion which 1 am about
to l•tv before tt, sod which proposes that the thanks of this
Howe should to given to Sir Hen, y Hardinge and to Sir Hugh
Gough. The lion. end Galant Officer must have misunder-
stood ra, if he thought that I moult to imply that Sir Henry
Smith had sustained any reverie. lam most anxious to pay a
deserved compliment ifor the action which preceded the late de-
cisive -ction. X. far from intending to apply the term "re-
verse," I that lie had extricated himself from his difficultie4
oith singular dexterity, and that ju-i ice hsd • not b-en (lone to
his conduct. I was most. anxiowi to ,how that previously to theworms victory white he subsequently putrid, he had ex-

tricated himself from great difficulties, without any supporter
reinforcement, with consummate skill. With regard
to the . Hon. and Gallant Officer Sir Hugh Gough,
I shall to-morrow have the satisfaction of communi-
cating lo his son that her efejeety Lae been gre-
ciondy pleased to confer upon him the honour of the British
Peerage, for the gallant example he has set.—(Loud cheers.)
iliit,rtuinsetitihonatwhhisietmheilys,iwsitlrlobe
ngliyirietepsaerrevdest.o alemceapyt, fpoerrtairs t
*,hes
taol o
ter::
vtaol
out ark eshtotwi sn obpyportthuen tpy
rouf,
sbi eanri npgr
ipn
Icvtaelsdtei mmoanr y; .
and I may also be permitted to place upon the re of this
debate, the words which my Gallant Friend, CoSir Henry
P atr
ka.anet,l
Hardinge, speaks of hint. lie says that the army was ho-
noured
eye action.Wwearlell eimm.Taerhs eeCiyift did not
'ahellseol 'sce:titeoa.f
con-
tent themselves cith a distant view of the action, but were in
by
e
the middle of it, and egposed to every danger. I may also be
tnie our
or noblemenez
ed a ,ah °di
permitted to supply an otni-sion in not. having borne sufficient
testimony to the conduct of General Gilbert.. There is in the
coarse of these dispatches • the highest testimony borne to the
conduct of this brave commander, and also to all the other
officers who were engaged on the day, when the late battle was
fought. Sir 11. Gough speaks of General Gilbert in the
highest terms, and says, that he has not words to express his
gratitude to him, not only for his zeal and activity, but also
for his intelligence. - And I have referred to this document,
in order that we might have the opportunity of placing also on
the record of this discussion the opinions of moie competent
judges than we are in these mat tees.
Seer DE DACY EVANS said that, either he had imper-
fectly expressed himself, or he had been misureleietood,
with reference to some expressions which he had alluded to as
having dropped from the Right Hon. I3oronet on the subject
of the motion for the vote of thanks to Sir Henry Smith. He
did not maintain for a moment that the intention of the Right
Hon. Baronet was other than that which was obvious to the
whole House. He merely, as a professional man, objec!ed to
a wort% of which he, in that capacity, might be more cognizant
of than the Right Hon. Barnet. The Right Hon. Baronet
had communicated that the honour of the peerage was to be
conferred on Sir Hugh Gough, and he did not in the least
doubt that the anneuncement was gratifying to the
House; but he wished to say that, on his part, his gratifi-
cation would be great if he had communicated that the
British Peerage was to be conferred upon Sir Henry
Hardinge. His Honourable Friend, the Member for
Montrose, had alluded to the moderation of the Gevernor-
General, in his operations, and seemed to doubt whether he
had not been ton moderate. He (Sir De Lacy Evans) con-
ceived that no part of the conduct of the Governor-General
was marked by more wisdom, judgment, and sound policy than
his conduct after the late victory ; and he believed that the
line of conduct adopted by the Governor-General, would be
most conducive to the permanent power of the British in
India, and to the well-being of the people who were more •
or less connected with us. He wished also to call the atten-
tion of the House to another circumstance. Sir Hugh
Gough had, in his dispatches, in the warmest and most set
terms,' alluded to the brilliant conduct of no less than twelve
brieadiers in his army, and particularly to the conduct of
brigadiers Stec, and Cuerton. He confessed that he did not see
why the precedent i f the names of these twelve gallant officers
being inserted in the vote of thanks should not be admitted.
In this case the ordinary rule might be departed from, and
the names of men so distinguished might be inserted in the
vote of thanks. He would call the attention of the House to
the fact, that during the last war, no less than fifty briga-
diers hail been included in the Parliamentary thanks, and yet
these twelve gentlemen we:e to be an exception.
Sir R. H. INGLIS said that he wished to refer for one
moment to the g-nerous suggestion made by his Gallare,
Friend oppesite. That suggestion would have come with grace
and propriety from any one, but the suggestion of the honour
to be conferred upon Sir Henry Har hinge came from him very-
appropriately. If the Right Honourable Baronet should, in
his discretion, think fit to make such a recommendation to her
Majesty, it would meet the grateful thanks of the House
(Hear, hear.) The conduct of General Thackwell should not,
on this occasion, remain unnoticed, ate his conduct during the
late action hail been peculiarly deserving of admiration.
Sir R. PEEL—This subj et has already been spoken of, but
in order to prevent the possibility of any doubt upon it he
felt it necessary to say that before these dispatches had been
one single hour under the consideration of her Majesty, she
intimated her wish that the honour of the British peerage
should be conferred upon Sir Henry Hardinge and Sir Hugh
Gough. With regard to that gallant officer Celonel Taylor,
before these last dispatches reached England is was determined
to make him one of her Majesty's aids-de-camp, but the
account of his death had intervened.
The motion was then unanimously agreed to.
• THE ORDERS OF THE DAY.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM, after a few words which did not
reach the gallery, intimated his wish that the orders of the
day should be postponed until to-morrow (this' day). He
should move the first reading of the Preservation of Life in Ire-
land Bill et five o'clock.
INTERMENT IN LARGE TOWNS.
Mr. MACKINNON said that he wished to ask the Right
Hon. Baronet the Sect etary for the Home Department whe-
.

ther he was prepared to take any step on the motion he (Mr.
Mackitation) was about to make? He brought the subject
forward at the suggestion of the chairman of the Committee
appointed to take the subject into their consideration. Last
year that House came to a resolution that the nuisaace of in-
terment in larze towns deserved the serious attention of the
Legislature. He was ►.ow induced to apply to the Right Hon.
Baronet to a.certain whether it was the intention of her Ma-
jesty's Government to take any steps in accordance with the re-
commendation of the Committee of the House, the recom-
mendation of the Commissioners, and the resolution which the

House came to nn the subject during the last session of Parlia-
ment ? He world ask whether, in the event of his bringing
forward this motion, it would have the countenance and sup-
port of the (Jove uroent ? He would Wait for the answer of
the Right Hon. Baronet previously to proceeding with the
motion.

sir J. GRAHAM said that the House would remember the
resolution alluded to by the Hon. Member, which was carried
in opposition to his ( Sir J. Graham's) strong remon-trances
on that occasion. He certainly did admit the great importance
of the subject, and he was bound to say that he was prepared
to take some steps on the motion for leave to bring in this
Bill. He should cordially support his Hon. Friend in the
introduction of this measure, and give it every consideration
in his power, and do his best to aid him in preparing the
measure, and to further any suggestions that might be made
on the subject. He was happy to receive his Hon. Friend's
assurance that he was now going to take the right course, and
bring forward a substantive measure with regard to this
subject.
Mr. MA CKINNON said that, after the observaeions that
had fallen from the Right Hon. Baronet, it would be unneces-
sary for him to call the attention of the House to the measure,
and to enter into any shame sion upon it. He would only say
that be felt great difficulty, as an individual member of that
house, in bringine forward a measure of this great. importance
lie was in a very peculiar situation in being compelled, as a
private individual, to bring forward this motion, but he had
recomenendatiens from nearly every town in the kingdom,
pre•ling him to crone forward with this proposal, an Ihe
would, therefore, endeavour to do the best be could. He was
sorry to see that a feeling had gone abroad in this country,that
it was the opposition of the clergy which nrevented the Right
Hon. Baronet from entering upon this subject. He was satis-
fied, from what he knew of the clergy generally, that as a body
they were anxious to promote this measure ; and he confessed
that one of the chief inducements which had led him to bring
forward this measure, was to exonerate the Church and the
clergy from any attack, in consequence of certain observations
which had gone abroad. This opposition did not originate
from any ot the legitimate members of the Church, for he
believed that one of the reasons which had prevented the
carrying of this measure before, was the great difficulty
in Ii gistaeing upon it. The only way to make a Bill on this
subject effective would be to enable every town to apply to the
Privy Council by petition, and to allow a sort of inspector,
who would see that the nuisance should be eba' ed. He hoped
that the first ant second reading of this Bill would be unop-
seised, and after the second reading it could be referred to a
Committee, who in the course of their labours might be able
to submit many valuable observations en the ,-uhjset to the
consideration of the Heuse. Under these circumstances, there-
fore, it was unnecessary for him to enter inte further particu-
lars. There were Hon. Gentlemen present who could assist
him in submitting this Bill for the approbation of that House.
He should also have the assistance of some ot those Hon Gen-
tlemen in Committee, and by that assistance he trusted to en-
able the House to adoe• such measures as would seem neces-
sary to carry out that important suj.tet. The Hon. Member
concluded by moving that leave be given to bring in a Bill to
do away with the practice of interment in the metropolis and
in large towns.
Mr. HUME considered that some step was absolutely ne-
sessery to be taken on the subject. The great difficulty in
legislating on such a question as this was the Church. He re-
collecte, that, in I' t 5, the Spanish Government framed a
decree-,2after . a Committee of Inquiry had investigated the
matter, that •no interments should be made in walled towns.
The Government and the House bothered themeelves often
with matters of very little importance, while they refused to
forward measures like the present, that were imperatively
required.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM would not offer any opposition to
the introduction of the Bill, but, would reserve himself to a
very early stage of its progress. It was not requisite to go
into the main question then, only he would say that the
Church was not the only interest that teas concerned in the
present Bill, as the Dissenters of the metropolis, and other
large towns, had burial-grounds within their precincts.
Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
LECIIIRE AND Rh;ADING-ROOMS.
Mr. DUNCOMBE rase in pursuance of a notice he had
given to ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend an Act
pasted in the 39th year. Geo. 111., cap. 79, commonly
called the Corresponding Act. By its provisions, lecture
and reading rooms were required to be licensed by a magis-
trate, or else ant person receiving or paying money at the
&tor was liable to a heavy penalty. This wee provided in the
15th clause of the Act; and, according to this, there was
scarcely a single lecture-room. reading-room, or mechanics'
decision
institution, in the country, that was not liable to a penalty of
of the magistrates 20/. for receiving money at the doors. A case happened last
was
ognoionfig theon
year at Hull, where a person, for standing at the door of a
lecture-room and charging money for admission,• while
cwoausr, tined ecld
uetpwne,nstyßenpcohu,ndwsh.
when
nTthhee
on this occasion was brought under
the non •
infliction of the penalty
to be pal
i,
111.• re was not a single lecture-
room,country, not licensed by a mechanics'
ma:i t or literary institution in the
for charging money for
admi,‘„.:l, ra'o that the doorkeeper of.
100/, and those who paid the n was
not liable to a penalty of
recently moved fir a return of all
room
:Middlesex line of 201. He bad
:Middlesex and Surrey, which were not lirci:ntsnedthbeutcounties of
it had not
been produced. When it was, it would be sego that very
few
were free from the penalty. He restr,eted the returns in order
that there might be less trouble in furnishing them. There
were often • Shakesprrian readings in the Argyll-rooms, and
who officiated there in taking money
every party
or in paying could be subjected to a fine.—(Hear,
hear.) Not only was it so here, but every house in
London that permitted a lecture, or discusssion, or any public
meeting to take place, was subject to the same penalty. 'l'he
case which had occurred at Hull had impressed upon his mind
the necessity of bringing the subject under the consideration of
the House, in order to protect institutions where lectures and
readitigs took place, and also to protect benefit societies, which
were placed in a very awkward position by the operations of
this law, the clauses relating to corresponding societies inter-
fering with the operations of the latter; and the object of the
Bill he had prepared was to do away with the restrictions of
such societies by the operation of the corresponding clauses of
the Bill now in existence, and to remove the penalties inflicted
under the provisions of the present law, relating to unlicensed
rooms.. 'l'm, Hon. Member concluded by asking leave to in-
troduceehe Bill.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL would not offer any
oppesitiOn to the ihtroduetion of the Bill. The
Honourable Member had rated several grievances under
the existing law, but as it stood he (The Attorney-General)
considered it served in many instances for the veat protection
of the public. Great danger might arise if the law requiring
the licensing of rooms was done away with. His would watch
the Bill closely, and he would see whether it was objectionable
or riot, and would regulate his conduct in relation to the Bill
recordingly. At present he would
.not pledge himself to any
partteu'ar course.
M . 11U' .E said the great protection of lecture-rooms was
publicity. If any person was free to enter, 'there could be no
danger is any thing that sight lie dome within. They had

got rid of many old things, and they should get rid of these • He admitted that the parties might have a right of action, but
penalties among the rest. He hoped they would have free he would submit to the House whether their interfering in the
trade in debate as well as free trade in other things. matter would not clash with the claim of the one party or the
theLno,rfdorptuheNictAtuN.e,nasot
one
etakoef atnhyesnatespx
In answer to some observations ' from Mr. WATSON, defence of the other. He thought it would be much better,
which were ina
Mr. DUNCOMBE said that the Bill did not apply to Ire-
tetible in the gallery, irthaet adllt.strict
land at present. iinsirtahteesaff
oaf
where the occurrences had taken place, wished to say a few
• Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. , words. He had made it his duty to inquire into the facts of
THE PORT OF LIMERICK BILL. the case, and in the outset he might state he had received a
Mr. J. O'BRIEN postponed 'the motion of which he had communication from Messrs. Baxter, who expressed their
given notice, respecting the port'and harbour of Limerick. regret that any officer in their employment should have been
IMPRISONMENT OF FACTORY GIRLS. • guilty of ill-using some of their workpeople, and praying that
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE rose to call the attention of the House their own conduct might be fully told fairly
to a petition presented by William Scott, chairman of a public inquired into. Their' ewer; had frequently been in-
meeting held at Dundee, complaining of the illegal treatment epected by the public officer appointed for that
and imtirisenment of six factory girls. Judging from the alle- purpose, and their mode and manner of conducting it had
gations of the petition, he had rarely known a case of greater been frequently spoken of by that functionary in terms of
hardship. Four out of the six girls were fat herlems and un- praise.. He was instructed to contradict many of the allege-
protected, and in the present case they were opposed by many turns contained in these petitions, and he was sure if the Hon.
lead,ng persons in Dundee,. manufacturers. great and powerful Member who had made the present motion would make in-
merchants, bankers, and shipowners, and others engaged in quiry into their character, he was sure he would be con-
trade and commerce—many of them great and liberal men— vinced that these gentlemen' could never have been guilty of
great. free traders, too, who had subscribed 6001. to the Anti- the conduct imputed to them.
Corn-law League.—(Loud cries of "Hear, bear," from the Mr. AGLIONI3Y neither knew the petitioners nor the
Protectionists.) It was against these powerful parties that he Messrs. Baxter, but he thought, as nobody who had spoken
Asked for justice on bshalf of these poor' girls. The oldest either on one side or the other, ' appeared opposed to any
was 20 years of age, and the youngest was between 14 and 15, inquiry into the matter, they had better grant. the Cont-
end they had been in thaservice of the Messrs. Baxter, of Dun- mittee. The Learned Lord must have been mistaken when
doe, ever since they were nine years of age. During that perioe he supposed their interfering in the matter would be clashing
not one of thni hid been guilty of the slightest offence or ncg. either with the claim or the defence of one party, because
lest till then. Arid what did it amount to? It appeared that on looking over the petition, he did not find any indication of
those girls were earning from 5s 6d. to 5. Ocl. {her week ; ant,' the intention of the parties to have recourse to a court of law.
one of the flats or stories of the factory, having obtained a rise But the parties alleged matters which a tour of law
of wageseehey asked for the same; the amount additional sought could ' not take cognizance of, and this, in his
by them, being hot 3d. per week. 'fhe request not having otnion, was an additional reason why there should be inquiry.
been met, on the 27th of October these girls left the factory at Without expressing any opinion whether the magistrates were.
e the dinner tim and did
,
should have returned at two o'clock. The next mornine they appointment of the Committee ,• and he, for one, must give
returned to work at the usual hoer. About five o'clock that his support to the motion of the Hun. Member for Finsbury.
day, they were apprehended by four men, and taken to a pri- Mr. DUNCAN and the Loan ADVOCATE here explained.
vate office, where they sere kept till nearly twelve o'clock. Sir J. GRAHAM said that the conduct of the girls was
Instead of then being taken before the public Court. and entirely a secondary question. He by no means denied the
examined, they were taken to another private office, competency of the House to inquire into the allegations of the
at which there were present but one magistrre, and Mr. petitioners, but while he admitted the right of the House to
Baxter and his overseers. The were told to sign a paper, do so, he did not tkink that it was a proper way to deal with
and two of them, who could writey did 3..), while the other four judicial 'questions.—( Hear, hear.) He would lay that dawn as
attached their mask. They were then taken before the magic- a general rule, and he thought it would be attended to by
trates, and being shortly examined, after Mr. Baxter had whir- the Hon. Member for Cockermouth. He begged the indul-
pered something into the magistrate's ear, they were sentenced gence of the House, while he explained to them the law and
te 10 days' imprisonment, with bard labour. In all a miler practice in Scotland with ' reference to cases of this
cases of this kind, for leaving work for any number of hours, description, which was quite distinct fr. m the law and prac-
the usual penalty was to dedect a fine equal to the wages of the tice of any other part of the United Kingdom. The advo-
time lost and half as much more. But instead of deducting cates of Edinburgh appointed a portion of their body, men of
the fine of one and a half time, these girls were sent to hard the most distinguished practice at the Scottish bar, to whom,
~labour for 10. days. And what said Mr. Baxter to this ? He as a stsnding Committee, questions of this kind were referred-
said that combinations and strikes prevailed, and that something For instance, if the petitions of the girls in question had
was necessary to keep them in check. But because this was been presented, complaining of the alleged injustice, and they
so, was Mr. Baxter to take the law into his own hands? sued in forma pauperis, the matter would be sent to the
Through the exer inns of an Hon. Member near him ( Mr. Standing Committee, who assigned counsel and agents, and
Hume), the combination laws had bean repealed, anti these those girls, humble as they were, would have ample means of
parties had a perfect right to combine and strike if they thought obtaining justice before the Court of Sessions.
-But having*
fit ; and admitting the rules of the factory to be such as re- , stated thus much, he must still vote against the motion for a
presented, the only penalty that ought to have been inflicted was Cemmittee, because he did not consider it a proper mode of
the taking ;one and a half wages for the time lost. But this satisfying the parties in question.
abstravtion out of the miserable wages of ss. 6d. per week did Mr. eiUNIE would vote for the Committee, principally on
not stiffice. But they also complained that not a single person the ground that the public would conclude that elle House had
' was allowed to approach them white in confinement, to prepare refused the inquiry merely on account of the poverty of the
them for trial. One of the girls had a brother, and when they petitioners. He had no doubt of the respectability of the
were before the justices he tried to get in, but was not allowed. Messrs. Beaters, and the misconduct of the girls was admitted
One of the other girls had some sisters. Two of them came to in their own petition, and were it not for the ground thus
the door of the justice-room, and asked for permission to see stated he should oppose the appointment of a Committee.
their sister, but they were repulsed from the door, and told that Mr. DUNCONI BE replied. The Right Han. Baronet,
it they did not go about their business they would be tried and the Secretary of State for the Home Department, had ai-
imprisoned too. Was that a fair trial, he would ask? He vised the girls to go to law, but what funds did ss. 6d. per week
would ask the question of the Lord Advocate. Would' he say afford them. Tne respectability of the Messrs. Baxter had
that this was a fair trial ? He was certain that the Lord Ad- been talked of, but if they attempted to do in Manchester or
vacate would do no such thing. The Messrs. Baxter stated Stockport what they had done in Dundee, there would be little
that cases of a similar character hail occurred before in Dun- less than a revolution amongst the people. Mr. Stuart, the
dee. He (Mr. Duncombe) had made inquiry, and he had as- factory inspector, had also been quoted as evidence in favour of
certained that no factory girl had ever before been imprisoned the respectability and kindliness of those gentlemen ; but the
under the same circumstances. Imprisonments, indeed, oc- !louse and the country might judge what care they took of the
curred when sailors deserted from ships about tone from port, education of their people, when four out of the six petitioners,.
because in that case ailietinct contract had been broken, but here who have been eight or ten years in their employment, were
there was' no contract.. The penalty for leaving the factory actually obliged to subscribe their marks instead of their
was the fine of a time and a halt, and if they intended to leave names. He contended that the trial was not a fair one—that
altogether they had but to give a week's warning before they it was carried on with closed doors, and it was no wonder that
did leave. He asked again what sort of law was this ? The the poor girl had been noisy in demanding admission into the
Messrs. Baxter stated that they in thinned on the same even.. room. The trial was not a fair one in England, if it was in
ing, and got a warrant, on which the parties were apprehended. Scotland. He maintained that the conduct of the magistrates,
'that was not according to Act of Parliament. It was not and those who acted in unison with them, had been most tyre-
according to Act of Parliament that a petition should be sent nous and cruel towards these poor girls. He hoped
to the magistrates by a servant—that servant merely stating that the House would show to the country that there was still
' that such petition had emanated from such and suet; parties. a court of redress where the poor could have justice done to
The Act of Parliament said that the magistrates or justices of them ; he hoped, therefore, that the buss would grant the
1 the peace should be authorised to grant warrants on complaint Committee for which he had Moved, and he would undertake
made on oa'h by the parties with whom the servants had con- to prove before them the truth, if not of all, yet of a greater
matted, hut these girls had had no contract at all part of the allegations contained in the petition.
with the Messrs. Baxter. They had entered as servants Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and a division
from week -to week, anti there was no considerable took place, when there appeared—
-33
doubt on the minds of legal gentlemen whether the For the motion •••
Act did not apply only to servants employed and en- Against it 63
gaged by the year. He (Mr• Duncombe) could not find Majority against the rnotien ......
that the flat-spinners were included in the Act, but Gentlemen Upon our re-admission into the gallery, we found
from the manufacturing distriche and he saw many around him. Mr. L.' O'BRIEN moving for returns of the total amount of
could inform the House, whether in any one instance one of public money (whether derived from local funds, or from funds
their factory operatives could be taken before a magistrate under voted by Parliament,) which had been paid for services as a
circumstances like these. He was sure that they could not Crown witness, or for other services, to a man named Robert
cite one instance. He would say that this was a most monstrous Reily, alias Geot ge Reily, alias Robert Alexander, alias
and cruel sentence, for it was notorious that these girls were George Rowan, alias Hugh O'lsleil, who was sentenced to
selected and picked out from the rest, because they were father- transportation as a vagrant at the late Spring Assize.; for the
lees and unprotected. One of these only bad a brother, and county of Tyrone, specifying the service for which , suah
yet he had been refused admittance into the justice room. He monies had been paid, the department, and the public officer;
had a statement in hie hand of the miseries endived by the by whom such payments have been made, and the period of
mothers of those girls who were existing by their labour, but time during which such payments had been made.
he would not detain the House by referring to it. A complaint Sir J. GRAHAM said he had no opportunity of receiving
was made to the Lord Advocate of Scotland. and he instituted any communication from Ireland, since the Hon. Member had
an inquiry into the circumstances. If the Lord Advocate given notice of his intention of making the present motion, and
w:uld give him the result of his investigation, what was he had no knowledge whatever of this particular case, but he
called a precognition, he believed, in Scotland, he would be would say that the Government' would consider the employ-
. tiling to forego his motion for a Committee; but the Lord meat of spies for the purpose of creating crime as a most flag-
Advocate said that although he was willing to give up the rant outrage.—(Hear, hear.) And he was fully aware that
names of the justices—to give up the warrants and the other the Government had communicated to the commanding-officer
papers connected with the apprehension of the girls—yet he of the police, in Ireland, Col. McGregor, that any such em-
could not give him his own investigation, because such a course ployment of persons would be one of the gravest possible
was altogether unprecedented. The Messrs. Baxter asked for offences; and until there was a case fully established, be could
every inquiry ; and as the Lord Advocate refused to give him not possibly believe that there was any truth in alleghtions
(Mr. Duricombe) the papers he required, he would give the made with respect to this subject. In conclusion he would
.siessrs. Baxter the opportunity of disproving the statements say that he had no possible objection to grant the mished-for
he had made. He therefore moved for a Select Committee to return.—( Hear, hear )
inquire into the allegations in a petition from Dundee, corn- Mr. GRATTAN said there was a' very prevalent idea
planting that Jane Bennet and other factory girls were illegally throughout Ireland that the Government did employ persons
imprisoned. in the capacity alluded to. Need he remind the Right Hon.
Mr. DUNCAN begged to second the motion. He believed Baronet of the case of ehinrone, of the cases of Parker and
that when the investigation should have been gone Brophy. There was also the case of a dismissed policeman,
into, it would be found that the Messrs. Baxter, in. who, passing under the name of Molyneaux, under pretence of
steah •of being the cruel and oppressive masters they paying
.a visit to England, was said to have gone to the west of
were represented to be, would be found to have Ireland for the purpose of swearing ribbon men. There was
uniformly acted in the meat kindhearted and liberal manner also the case of Casey, in the county of Longford, who was
towards their work-people. The Honourable Member also discovered by the merest chance to be placing a ribbon docu-
breught a charge against the justices of the peace in Dundee, ment in the p-mket of a countryman. There was another point
If this Committee was not ranted, an impression would go to which he would allude, namely, to the corps called the Detec.
abroad among the working classes that the rase was prejudged, tives, who were in the habit of dressing themselves in the
heir-Luse their opponents were rich men, and they themselves clothes of women, and so far bad this practice been carried that
were poor. He (Mr. Duncan) had often acted ai justice of the sources of benevolence were almost dried up, for before
the peace along with the ken lemon who had tried this case, chat ity would now be administered the question was " Please
and he could unly say that no kinder-hearted gentleman. or Ma'am are you a policeman."—(Great laughter.)
more just magistraie, existed. He was also intimately Mr. B. ESCOTT wished to ask the Honourable Member
acquainted with the Messrs. Baxter, ens! he had great pleasure for Limerick whether the law of Ireland permitted the poor to
in assigning the best motiees to all their actions. Previous to be transported for vagrancy.
his leaving Scotland a meeting had been called of the working Mr. O'CoNNELL and Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN submitted that
diners in Dundee, which in that petition was stated to be a several cases of transportation had occurred for the crime of
meeting of the inhabitants. A deputation from that meeting vagrancy.
called upon him relative to the trial and sentences upon these Mr. HUME said he did expect to have heard from the
girls., He ( Mr. Duncan) stated, that as it had been a Government some explanation of the charges which had been
judicial investigation, he hail no right as Member for the Borough made, especially when charges had been made and parties
to take cognizance of it • but with regard to one part of names mentioned. And if such a state of facts existed, could
it, he felt that it was his duty to call the attention of the Lord they wonder at the social state of Ireland—( Hear, hear )
Advocate to it. That portion was the refusal to admit the re• and that at a period when they were called Olson
latives of the girls into the justice-room. The Lord Advo- to adopt coervive measures. Why, if such a state of
cate instituted an inquiry, and he found that that order did excitement existed in Dundee in consequence of the imprison-
not sinanate from the Court, did not emanate from the justice, ment of a few factory girls, what ought to be the feelings of
but arose solely 'ram the ignorance of the door-keeper. lie the Irish people at such conduct, no matter by whom counts.-
( Air. Duncan) intimated to that deputatiou that the Lord nanced? If such demoralising procedinge be allowed, could
Advocate had taken measures to prevent any obstruction of they, he would again repeat it, wonder at the present state of
the same kid again, anti he trusted that this would prove se- the social system in Ireland. —( Hear, hear.) He did hope that
tisfectory. He held in his hind a letter from rite of the par- he would hear some explanation of these facts.
ties interested in the ease, and ;chose name was adhibited to Sir J. GRAHAM said he believed that. the Hon. Member
the petition of the girls—that person's name was John Craig ; could not have heard the statement which had been made to
and to the same person he had, as he had already stated, tee Member for Limerick. He would again repeat that he had
written on the Bth of February. The first notice that he had received no communications from Ireland, and that he had no
of the matter not being settled was the presentation of a peti- knowledge, as yet, of time facts which had been stated by the
tien from the inhabitants by the lion. Member for Finsbury Hon. Member for Meath.
on the other evening. He lied also written to the Lord Pro, The motion teas thee agreed to.
yore and he had receered a Communication in reply, Mr. O'CONNELL moved for a copy of any report sent to
statingehat the Messrs. Baxter and the justices concerned in the Government by a stipendiary or other magistrate, or by any
case were men incapable of abusing their power. Then it police authority, of any attack made, or alleged, on the house
was stated that the Messrs. Baxter were great shippers, and of Mr. P. B, Ryan, or on himself, in the year 1843. Also of
that they exercised an influence over this smaller merchants of any attack made, or alleged to have been made, on the house
Dundee, and that, therefore, they would find individuals to ail- of the said Mr. P. B, Ryan in the month of March, 1846.
vacate their cause. He (Mr. Duticat, ) had as e aril) a feeling Also, a return of the discharge of the said Mr. P. B. Ryan by
for the working classes as the Hon. Member for Finsbury had, the Insolvent Court. in the county of Tipperary, and a copy of
It had been also stated that these five girls haul none to advo- the schedule filed by him on that occasion.
cafe their cause. Now, how enrol the matter ? He held in Sir J. GRAHAM intimated that, he had no hesitation in at
his hand an extract from the balks in the Messrs. Baxter's once acceding to the motion of the Hon. Member.
office. He found that the girls, whose five names were in that Mr. O'CONNELL said that his object in moving for a
petition, had been in the employ of the Messrs. Baxter for copy of the schedule, filed by Ryan, was to see the return of
many years, and that their ages were not, as stated by the property which he then stated lie was possessed of. He had ne
Hon. Member for Finsbury. He found that the girl Miller recellection that ever his Noble Friend —( Leughter)—had been
had entered on the 4th of April, 1837, and that she was then chairman of the Catholic Association in 1823.
registered thirteen years of age; that Bonnet entered in See- EVICTION OF TENANTS IN GALWAY.
teraber, 1838, and was thirteen years of age; that Roy's en- Mr. S. O'BRIEN moved that an humble address be pre-
tered July, 1838, and was thirteen years and five months; sented to her Majesty, to inform her Majesty that the atten-
that Downie, the leader, entered in 1836, and was thirteen Lion of this House has been directed to a case of ejectment of
years of age ; and Conolly, November, 1837, and was thir- tenantry which has recently taken place at a village named,
teen years of age—so that not one of them was under 20fr sears, Ballinglass, in the county of Galway, in which it is stated that.
Downie having been upwards of ten years in their employment, not less than 61 families, comprising 270 individuals, have in one
and none of them under seven years ; and with regard to wages, day been expelled from their habitations, under circumstances
he found that in the seven years of 1841, 1842. and 1843, they the most cruel and mostheart-rending. and pr
to ay her Majesty
had had constant work allowed them, when three-fourths of that elm will be graciously pleased to give directions that the
the workers were going idle. The Messrs. Baxter had 0.500 stipendiary magistrates, and other officers of the Irish con-
workers in and around Dundee. They had 1,500 in this stabuliry, who are
ed in thehe habit of reporting
reto
andthe executive
ll
very' work, and on the evening when these girls left, outrages committ by t peasantry of 11,
because an advance of wages which they had asked had Commissioners as her Majesty may be pleased to appoint, be
not been allowed them, thirty-four out of thirty-seven girls in required to furnish to her Majesty's Government such aa-
the same room left in a similar manner. He would put it to thentic information respecting the facts of this case aslhey '
Hon. Gentlemen connected with the manufacturing districts of may be a:ble to collect upon the spot, and that such reports
this tate of things ought to be allowed to may be laid before Parliament at as early a period as *bl pont e.
pass unchecked. He (Mr. Smith O'Brien) said, that after the debate which
On the naotien being put, had just taken place, on the motion of Mr. Thomas Duncombe,
Dr. BOWRING said that el that although
into and
a fine-minded man relative to the six factory girls, he hoped that the House would
might be ready to inquire tro remedy any case of distress, indulge him while he directed their attention to this case of
yet, he was hound to bear Irist testimony to the character of the ejectment. An account of the case had recently appeared in
Messrs. Baxter in time conduct of their establishment. Not- the newspapers, and, in consequence of the sensation which it
ever he
withstanding this, how thought that every facility ought caused, Dr. Gray, of the Freeman's Journal, who, he believed,
I iof
to be granted for the re .e _ the working classes. .
was a gentleman incapable of doing anything inconsistent with
The LORD ADVOCATE had received
and in a communication the highest principles of honour, sent down a reporter to obtain
on the Bth of November, consequence of ti
ht it is duty to in • that corn. accurate information of the circumstances. That report he
munieation. he thou;
Id be instituted inquire whether a crimi- would take the liberty of reading to the House. It was drawn
nab prosecution shoe
that inquiry,
against these parties, and up, he would confess inrather strong la (The
,
was in consequence of that inquiry, that ha found that the Honourable.'
Gentleman then produces! a copy of the
information received was liable to objection, and might be used Freeman's Journal, from which he read the report in question.)
against the parties who gave it. It oozed out on that inquiry The cases of ejectment excited considerable interest amongst
that this objected information was likely to be used against the the Hon. Members preeent. Having concluded reading the
parties, and that nothing could be more detri •
the administration of keielic justice, and the mental against extract, the Hon. Member went on to say that he knew nothing
the public prosecutor, was bound to protect
Lord Advocate ; of this" but from what he had written in the papers. He had
the consequences of the information which the parties from heard much about the state of the Seikhs ; but he would ask
For the general interests of i:,eiethey had given. whether they or the Irish were in a state of the greater
should be kept back. Each of these youngiY this information wretchedness. The Irish people had been called bar-
amined, but he would be committing adwomen had been ex- barians ; but it would be better for them to be barbarians
gave any opportunity to the parties who iction of his duty if he than to live in this state. He would ask what could be ex-
a conviction. On that inquiry it certainly
to wish for pected from people who were treated in this way. He would
that the parties to this petition eught not toYbappeared to him ask now. would the Government institute inquiry into this
ceed. The point to which be had to direct esuffered to pro- transaction, with a view to ascertain what class of people in
not as to the facts alleged to the his attention was Ireland it is that ought to be coerced ; whether it was the
there had been any offence against the
statute. tactition,but as to whether easants, or the landlords? The Hon. Member concluded by
appear to limn that no sue . h offence atute. It certainly raid reading
lice against the statute notice. the Address to her Majesty, of which he had given
committed. At the time this warrant • had been
it was s granted wie ,h eatsi on Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that the Hon. Gentleman who
morning the 27th of October, and on the • •
of the 28th, too had moved that address, had stated that he knew nothing
evidence was adduced to justify the pr
had been held in gloom which was not eeniion.
The Court of the correctness of the statement he had read in a newspaper,
legally entitled to the and that he also knew nothing eta letter that had appeared in
freedom of the Court. There was another point, for it ap- contradiction of them, and those were the grounds upon which
],eared that a sister of the party to the
prosecution and the that address had been moved. He believed that abetter order of
sheriff of the county had
. determined that she should not be thins wag about to in as regarded the conduct
heard. Be was of oienion that it did fall within his ngs . exist Ireland
true,
h b
to issue a vote on that subject, and
to require the province of landlords, and that, even if that statement were
u be
-
to t the
attention of lieved it was rather the exception than the rule.., , .
the officers to the complaint. It appearesito him I
that no suf- Bill now before the House should not be carried rut°, law, he
fieient grounds had ,
been found i
eel that n the inquiry for a criminal did not see how the conditition of the tenant would be-rendered
prosecution. it appeared °n, the very night of the im- i better,orhow thedeplorable clearance system could heprevented.
prisonment, a brother of the girl nest applied for the liberationl There was an inquiry now in progress on the subject, and it
of his sister, but had given no sufficient reasons for her superfluous to make this address, as they would in-
The release k would be
officer himself via. satiated that there was quire into the real facts of the case. It would be only justice
for criminal proceedings. The parties were nof
groundi 1 the parties concerned that the House should suspend this
perfectly at to
liberty to allege a petition and institute- proceedings. 'measure. Flo was in the hope that the report which bad been

just read was an exaggerated one; and even if therewere some
truth in it. the result of the inquiry would show how' far it
might be relied on.
After a few words from Mr. CALEB POWELL, _
Mr. S. OTIRIEN said that he hoped the Hon. Gentleman
did ;not mean to say that he took any unfair advantage
of Mr. Gerard, because if the speech before the House were
incorrect, there would no doubt be a demand for an inquiry,
and therefore by bringing forward this motion he did not
conceive that he did any injustice. With respect to the out-
rages in Ireland, his statement had been made with no desire
to obtain popularity amongst ruffians and murderers, for on
more than one occasion he had exposed his life in the endea-
vour to suppress such crimess He wished he could impress
on lion. Members, that it was not by coercive measures that
thee would redress the fatal condition of Ireland.
The motion was then withdraWn.
HIGHWAYS IN ENGLAND.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM moved for leave to bring in a
Bill for the purpose of Amending the Acts relating- to
the Highways in England. In making this motion
he was perfectly aware of the deficient state of the law upon
that subject. The House was aware that the rum levied for
the maintenance of highways in England is 1,600,000/. per
annum, and many parishes supported their own highways. In
an Act formerly passed power was given to different districts to
unite and divide for the purpose of maintaining their high-
ways. That Act had not been attended with any general
benefit, and the object of his measure was to render certain
rules and regulations compulsory in certain districts. He
would not long detain the House, while he detailed the ma-
chinery by which he intended to work that system. For the
purpose o making the Act perspicuous and particular, he had
brought together all the existing laws with respect to
highways, and had consulted the provisions contained in them
all. He proposed to form a Board of Commissioners, to
whose management all the highways in England should be re-
ferred, and that the present existing trusts, to the number of
15,01:0, should be formed into districts under the control of the
CommissiOners. He proposed that one superintending officer
should be appointed in each district, whose salary is to be fixed
by the board, and subject to their dismissal. Each parish or
township is to be represented at the district by haywardens.
These haywardens are to have the regulations of the highways
in each district. 'lbis board is to appoint two paid
officers, one a surveyor and the other a superintendent.
These district boards are to meet four times in the year, and they
are to have an annual meeting, to which the accounts are to
be submitted, and estimates for the succeeding year brought
forward and agreed to. He proposed, as already there
were auditors appointed under the Poor-law, that those au-
ditors should audit the accounts of these district boards; and
that the accounts so audited should be forwarded to the En-
closure Commissioners, and reported by them to the Secretary
of State for the Home Department, to be by him laid before
both Houses of Parliament. Powers were also given in the
Bill to change parish rating into union rating, but it must
him the unanimous consent of every one of the hay-wardens.
Otherwise the mode of laying on the rates could net be
altered. The district boards had the power of appoint-
ing sub-commissioners, and to raise rates by an
imposition of 10d. in the pound in each
rate ; but that on no occasion should they have the
power of levying more than three rates in the rate of 2a.
He proposed that the highway rate should be collected in the
Farce way as the poor rate. The Commissioners had also the
power of sending down inspectors into the districts where im-
provements were proposed, in order to report on the expedi-
ency of such improvements. These were the leading points of
the nv asure which he now wished to introduce, and he would
conclude by stating that the Bill would not include South
Wales in its operation, and hoping that the House would allow
him to introduce it at once.
Mr. S. SMITH did not consider that this measure would
be one of what may be called pecuniary relief to the holders of
small tenements in the different districts, because, by the pre-
sent Act, they had the power of obtaining that relief themselves.
The object of the Bill seemed to be to make that compulsory
which was now vol.untary, and he doubted much whether the
farmers would not eomplain of the appointment of a paid

surveyor.
S,r J. GRAHAM—It has never been tied yet.
Mr. V. SMITH—They tried to get vestries, and they re
fused to section surveys on the score of expense. He (Mr.
V. Smith) had ventured to suggest the very principle which
the Right Hun. Baronet was now adopting in the 'debate last
year on the motion of the Hon. Member for Sheffield for an
inquiry into the peculiar burdens of the land. There was one
statement made by the Right Hon. Baronet, which he could
not look on with the same friendly eye, he meant the erection
of a number of fresh districts.. There were few districts now
in which they would find persons willing to undertake the office
of haywarden.
Sir J. GRAHAM—They meet only four times a sear.
Mr. V. SMII H—Well, the seldomer they met the less
objectionable this clause would be found in the working; but,
at the same time, he (Mr. Smith) would have thought that
the board of guardians, who were in the habit of rating for
the poor, would have been the persons to have made the
distribution of the highway rates. He thought one of
the best portions of the Right Hon. Gentleman's measure
the apointment of an auditor, because there were at pre-
sent constant complaints that many of the charges on the
highways ought to have been added to the poor-rates. He
thought that the Right Hon. Baronet oeght to direct his at-
tention to the general system of rating in England. This
13111 would be attended with another considerable advantage,
because it would do away with the necessity for temporary
amendmeots. He trusted, ashy had already stated, that the Right
Hon. Baronet would turn his attention to thesystem of rating in
general, because it was at present so very defective, and because
no improvement would be undertaken under it. The rating
of such tenements was particularly obnoxious. He trusted the
Right Hon. Baronet would introduce further measures of this
kind, and, despite the very exciting topics which were at pre-
sent before the House, that he would carry them through in the
course of the session.
Mr. HANDLEY had heard something respecting an addi-
tion to the usual rate of '2ti. 6d. in the pound, that went to the
effect of enabling the overseers to borrow money. To this he
had some objection. But there was another alteration which
had been proposed, and that was to assimilate the highway-rate
to the poor.rate. This was such an alteration as would mate-
rially interfere with the general administration of the local
finances, and, therefore, he conceived that it would require
more deliberation than the Right Hon. Baronet was inclined
to give to it.
Sir J. GRAHAM conceived that the position of the Hon.
Member for Oxford was quite untenable, for, instead of its
being a loss, he expected to make a large pecuniary saving—in
truth, of no less a sum than 1,600,0001. He had had consider-
able experience in the working of this principle, and in his
own county had been fortunate enough to induce the parties in
authority to act upon the principles which ho was
now propounding. The consequence was, in the course
of the ensuing seven years there would be a saving
of 93 per cent. in the year. According to the account of
the Hon. Member for Oxford, the pre,-lit rate imposed for
highways was half-a-crown in the pound; but instead of there
being an addition on that rate. there would be a relief for it.
1 On these accounts he trusted the House would consent to allow
him to bring in a Bill ; and as the quarter sessions would have
the power to regulate any informality or irregularity, to rectify
abuser, that no objection would be offered to the introduction
of the measure he had'proposed, especially when it was recol-
lected that the highway rate would be considerably reduced.
Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
IRISH ELECTIONS.
Mr. MACARTHY alluded to certain returns which
had been presented to the House of the number of individuals
thut had voted in the Irish elections. In the election for
Dublin, the number polled was stated to be 6,213, of whom
702 came under the letter N, and the whole number of electors
that had polled in that election in Ireland was 17,410. He him-
self could bear testimony, that all that had polled in the late
election for Cork was 348, although the number of the popula-
tion was fir different. His object, then, was so to alter the
law for taking the votes, as to enable every individual
to express his opinion. Under the present system,
so little was there a probability of fair play
that most of those who came under the letter N refused to
register at ail. Under these circumstances he hoped the
use would give him leave to bring in a Bill to remedy these

defects.
Leave was given to bring in the Bill.
PLYMOUTH GREAT WESTERN DOCKS BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be coin
mitte.d.

RAILWAY DEPOSIT BILL.
This Bill went through Committee.—Repurt to-day.
HIGHWAYS I3ILL.
This Bill was brought in, read a first time, and ordered to be
,rioted.

POLLING (IRELAND) BILL.
This Bill was brought in, read a first time, and ordered
)e printed.
The remaining orders of the day were then disposed of, and
he House adjourned at a qtarter to One o'clock.