The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 14, 1848.

DINNER TO LORD FALKLAND.
On Saturday the directors of the East India Company
entertained Viscount Falkland at dinner at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate- street, on the eve of his departure
to assume the functions of Governor of Bombay.
The entertainment was of the most sumptuous cha-
racter, and in all its arrangements was creditable to the
ample resources and exquisite taste of Messrs. Bathe and
Breach. Covers were laid for 120.
The CHAIRMAN of the East India Company presided,
having on his right Viscount Falkland, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, the Marquis of Abercorn, Earl Fortescue,
the Earl of Auckland, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, Mr.
Wigram, Lord Langdale, the Vice-Chancellor of Eng-
land, the Lord Chief Baron, the Attorney-General,
Mr. Ashburnham, Captain Gough, and Mr. Mills ; on
the left the Lord Mayor, the Deputy-Chairman of the
Hon, East India Company, the Marquis of Clanricarde,
Earl Granville, the Earl of Strafford, Lord Frederick
Fitzclarence, Lord Elphinstone, Mr. Lecb, Lord Camp
bell, Sir G. Arthur, Sir R. Inglis, Sir T. Maemahon,
Mr. Lyall, Dr. Lushington, Sir J. Macdonald, Mr.
Hayter, Mr. Wyse, &c.
The rest of the company embraced the different
members of the Court, and others connected with Indian
affairs.
The band of the Coldstream Guards was placed in the
gallery, and during the evening played some favourite
overtures and national airs.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the first toast, " The
health of our Sovereign Lady the Queen," said that on
ordinary. occasions that toast required no accompanying
observations; but these were times when every head,
every heart, and every voice should be raised to attest
our fealty and devotion to the Sovereign.—(Loud cheers.)
He, therefore, called upon them to rise and pay that
compliment which was due to her Most Gracious and
Excellent Majesty the Queen. Might she enjoy a long
and prosperous reign.—(Drunk with all the honours.)
The healths of " her Majesty the Queen Dowager-and
his Royal Highness Prince Albert, Albert Prince of
• Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family," having been
given and duly honoured,
The CHAIRMAN rose and said, they were assembled
on that occasion to compliment the Noble Lord on his
right, who had been appointed, with the approba-
tion of her Majesty, to the highly important situation of
Governor of Bombay. Being thus called upon to
undertake most important duties, he was confident his
Noble Friend would do ample justice to the deeply
responsible trust with which he had been invested. The
Noble Lord had already been employed in the adminis-
tration of public affairs, and brought great knowledge,
ability, and he was sure the best disposition to the exer-
cise of his new functions. The Presidency of Bombay
was second only to the supreme government of India.
It was a sort of advanced post on our western frontier,
and the line of communication between the mother
country and India. There was a large army which de
served the Noble Lord's utmost care; and he would have
to govern millions of industrious, attached native fellow-
subjects, who required only intelligence to direct and
confidence to lead them.—(Cheers.) He was quite
satisfied the Noble Lord would show every devotion to
their interests ; that he would conciliate;their feelings,
and have regard even to their prejudices and errors.—
(Cheers.) He would find them loyal and attached, and
their services would amply repay his confidence.
Highly important and responsible as was this public
trust, the Court of Directors bad appointed the Noble
Lord, with the utmost confidence that he would fulfil its
; duties and cbligations with zeal, ability, and success.—
(Cheers.) For himself, he would venture to express a
hope that after a useful and prosperous administration
for the benefit of the people, for the good of the
public service, and for his own credit, the Noble Lord
might return in due season to this country to enjoy the
honour of his Sovereign and the applause and regard of
the East India Company.—(Cheers.) He begged to
propose " The health of their distinguished guest.
Viscount Falkland, and success to his administration."
—(Drunk with all the honours.)
Viscount FALKLAND—I should very ill interpret my
own feelings it', in rising to offer my most grateful
thanks for the honour just done me, I were not to ex-
press the sense I entertain of its enhanced value, arising
from the circumstances in which I am placed. I cannot
regard that honour at this moment as a mere act of
courtesy paid upon au ordinary occasion; I look upon it
as an expression of goodwill towards one about to
leave this country for a far distant and far different
scene; and its value will be deeply felt by me on my
arrival among my fellow-subjects in India, the inhabi-
tants of that presidency whose affairs I have been ap-
pointed to administer. I am but too painfully aware
that the generous impulses of my kind friend on my
left, together with your hospitable desire to cheer me,
have led him very greatly to overrate those qualities
and endowments by the energetic and successful exertion
of which alone I can hope to obtain the approbation of
the Court of Directors and of her Majesty's Govern--
Trent, who have done me the favour to recommend me to
-the notice of that Honourable Company of which he is,
for the second orthird time, chairman.—(Cheers.) Were I
for one moment to assume that the utmost exertion of any
poor ability I may possess would insure success in the
performance of that task I have undertaken I might
well be accused of arrogance and presumption ; on the
other hand, I should do great injustice to my own feel-
ings did I attempt to disguise the deep anxiety under
which I labour, and the amount of responsibility which
the important duties about to devolve upon me neces
sarily entail—duties, the pressure of which has recently
been very greatly increased by the annexation to the
territory I shall have to govern of a vast and lately-
, conquered country—duties, let me add, whose creditable
discharge hereafter is by no means rendered less difficult
• by the deservedly high character of my immediate prede-
cessor, the loss of whose services it is impossible too much
to deplore, as it is impossible too much to endeavour to
emulate his high administrative qualities.—(Cheers.)
Such are the strong feelings by which I am actuated.
But while I perfectly recognise, and am deeply impressed
by the heavy responsibilty I have incurred, I am cheered
by the knowledge of the very important and valuable
assistance I shall derive from men of high character,
standing, education, and long experience in India, who
are thoroughly acquainted with the various and compli-
cated interests of our extended eastern empire ; and
likewise by the very confident expectation which I enter-
tain that my bumble endeavours will on all occasions
be fairly estimated, and that a kind disposition
will bo shown, alike by the Hon. Court under whom I
serve, and by her Majesty's Government, who have re-
commended me to their notice, to put the most favour.
able and generous interpretation upon all my actions.—
(Loud cheers.) I thank you for the honour I shall en-
joy in being numbered among the executive officers of a
company, towards the wonderful power and prosperity
of which so many of the greatest warriors and statesmen
of the age in which we live have contributed, either as
having been enrolled umong its servants or auxiliaries
to them—(Cheers)--warriors Of whom it may be said
that they never drew the sword but to conquer; states-
men, of whom with equal truth it may be averred that
they have never directed tho energies of their vast in-
tellects to any subject which they did not illustrate and
adorn.—(Cheers.) The object of my zealous and un-
ceasing efforts will be not to dishonour such a service in
the position to which it is my good fortune to hare been
raised; and it' hereafter it should be my happy lot to be
ranked among those laborious, industrious, and pains-
taking public functionaries to whom British India owes
so much, my proudest aspirations will be satisfied, and
my reward secured.—(Cheers.) With these wishes and
anxieties I venture to hope that, by the blessing of a kind
Providence, my earnest endeavours to prove myself a
useful servant may in some degree approximate to the
sincere and fervent desire which I entertrin to deserve
£0 enviable and so honourable a position.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast, said—l
regret extremely the absence on the present occasion of
Lord John Russell, and I lament deeply the cause.—
(Hear, hear.) Still, wo are honoured with the presence
of a very distinguished member of the Cabinet, and not
of the present Cabinet only, but one who has held high
and honourable distinction in several preceding Admi-
nistrations—the Marquis of Lansdowne.—(Loud cheers.)
The present Government undertook their weighty re-
sponsibilities under circumstances of peculiar difficulty.
Since then national calamity has produced disastrous
consequences, financial and commercial. But I do hope
and believe that the clouds which darkened our horizon
'are passing away. We, in this country, are firm ia all
the attachments of a steady, sensible, and loyal people
—(Loud cheers)—not to be led away by any sudden
impulse —there is amongst us a fund of good' sense, a
strong feeling of loyalty, and a firm principle of reli-
gion.—(Great "cheering.) All these, we have, in fact,
seen brought into useful exercise on a recent occasion;
there was a slight ebullition, but it lasted only for a mo-
ment—our population are sound and stedfast in their
attachment to their Sovereign, to the institutions of the
country, and to that constitution under which England
has so long prospered—(Cheers)— a constitution which,
like the oak, proof against the tempest shock, firmer
roots itself the ruder it blows.—(Cheers.) Anxious for
the prosperity of the state, we must all desire the success
of those eminent individuals who have undertaken the
weighty and important functions of government. Let
us hope that they may prosper in all their measures
which have for their aim the honour of our Sovereign
and the good of our country.—(Cheers.) I confidently
propose to you the health of Lord Lansdowne, who oc-
cupies a highly distinguished post in the councils of Her
brajesty, and who is universally respected and esteemed
for, his many virtues. " The Marquis of Lansdowne and
Her Majesty's Ministers."—(Loud cheers.)
'eeThe Marquis of LANSDOWNE—I beg leave upon my
own behalf, for my colleagues here present, aed those
who are unfortunately absent upon this occasion, to
express to you the satisfaction with which we have re-
ceived the compliment you have now paid to us, and paid
to us at a most important moment.—(Cheers.) I can
m onlya u, stahy, at
iifn
wanswer
entoabwlehdata
thas s f
ua
rl li es
ins ftruo mu
ut
dhue ct 1
wi aii
tr-
h
any advantage the affairs of this great country, it can
only relyingbeby
tions—(Cheers)—institutionsa
wemo find ourselvesto-day
that ngwhichln
umber
hhocenr.sso_mipuasnitutiwhuonsse guests Which,
happily,
are not op-
oaarlmyeddisacnhdargsuinpgported by
that opinion, with the
agreeable to myself when I say that, with that
confidence, confidence of an united people.--
(Cheers.)
which is ag
posed to publiclam ,opinion
(Cheers.) therefore, but
we hope to be able to stem those difficulties
to which the chairman has so justly adverted. Let me
add, that it is a peculiar gratification to us to be
hion, connected as it is with the selection of a
present on this most important and interesting occa.
person by you to administer the concerns of those millions
of men, and that great extent of country, lawfully, and,
I may add, providentially committed to your care. I
have satisfaction in thinking that my Noble Friend who
sits on my left had is, as bas been truly stated by the
Chairman, eminently qualified by his disposition and
by his experience, to take a large share in administering
your affairs in India, and in dispensing to her people
that pacific sway and that righteous government which
you are now enabled, after much warfare and exertion,
to hold out as one of the greatest blessings to the

nations of the East. I am confident that he is eminently '
qualified for that task, that he will apply wisely the
principles of government with which he is acquainted
in this country to his exigencies in that, and, above all,
that he will endeavour to place your rule upon those
foundations of respect for the security of life and pro-
perty upon which governments, in all their variety,
must essentially depend, and without the existence and
firm maintenance of which it would be as impos-
sible for society to prosper as it would be for the
earth to bring forth its fruits without seed or labour
being employed to cultivate it.—(Cheers.) We leave
him to act with firmness on those principles, and I unite
with your chairman this day, in hoping that he may
return crowned and blessed with that success which will
entitle him to the thanks of the East India Company,
and the applause of his fellow-countrymen.—(Cheers.)
Before I sit down, allow me to propose to you The
health of the Chairman, and Deputy-Chairman of the
East India Company," whose princely hospitality we
now partake, and who are, on so many grounds, en-
titled to our respect; and, I will add, to your perfect
confidence.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN—I beg to offer my acknowledgments,
and those of my colleagues, for the compliments which
the Noble Marquis has been pleased to pay us, and more
particularly for the testimony he has borne in favour of
those institutions which have placed us in our present
position. I believe that the arrangements which have
been made by the wisdom of the Legislature for the
good government of India have been happily conceived,
and I do hope they will be successfully carried
out. We see an immense empire, which has been
conquered and administered successfully beyond what
has occurred in any other part of the world, and by very
simple machinery ; by that body which the Noble Lord
has been pleased to compliment, conducting in this
country the concerns of millions in fnr distsut realms,
and over territories greatly exceeding in extent those of
any other state in Europe.—(Cheers.) I trust our ex-
ertions may still be applied to effect the good govern.
ment of India, and retain the confidence of her Majesty's
Government .—(Cheers.) I regret the absence upon this
occasion of the President of the Board of Control. I
did hope I should have had another opportunity, before
laying down my office, of expressing the sense I feel of
his kindness, attention, and cordial co-operation with
the Court of Directors. The two bodies are not anta-
gonist powers ; their duty leads them to co-operate
with each other ; and thus they lend mutual force to the
great machine they put in motion. Anything like dis-
cord or division would necessarily tend to impair its
efficiency ; but nothing of that kind has occurred
while I have had the lhonour to act as chairman. I beg
to propose " The health of Sir J. C. Hobhouse, Presi-
dent of the Board of Control."—(Cheers.)
Mr. C. LEWIS briefly acknowledged the compliment.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of Lord
Auckland and the navy. He had great pleasure in
repeating the expressions of respect and admiration he
had uttered on former occasions towards the Noble Earl.
Lord Auckland had administered the affairs of a great
empire with honour to himself, and advantage to the
people of India, as well as to the interests of the nation
at large.—(Cheers.) He had now to superintend and
promote the efficiency of that main arm of our defence
—the navy, which had so long been our pride and our
boast.—(Cheers.) " The health of Lord Auckland,
with honour and prosperity to the British navy."
The Earl of AUCKLAND—AIIow me, in the first place,
to return you thanks for the kind and flattering terms
in which you haVe been pleased to speak of me as
connected with India. I eau assure you that I bear
a lively recollection of all that occured to me in that
country. I still take a deep interest in all the
concerns of that empire,. lam proud to have been
present on this occasion, and I augur the happiest
results from the administration of my Noble Friend
(Cheers.) I beg further to return you thseles for the
navy—for that navy which has upon may occasions ren-
dered signal service to India, and every efficer of which
who has served in the eastern seas must retain lively
recollections of the liberal hospitality with which he was
received at all the ports of India, and the active support he
found at all times from the Governor-General and
from the Indian navy.—(Cheers.) Referring to that
Indian navy, I cannot but feel that this arm of the ser-
vice is more particularly connected with the Govern-
ment of Bombay, and I may perhaps prove to the Com-
pany how closely the interests of the navy and the
Government of Bombay are united, when I inform you
ihat two chips of the line will shortly be launched from
the dockyard of that presidency.—•(Cheers.) I beg again
to thank you for the honour you have done me in
drinking my health.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The health of Field-
Nlarshal his Grace the Duke of Wellington"—a man to
whom he had long been accustomed to look up with
reverence and admiration—(Cheers)— the warrior who
never lost a battle, the statesman whose wisdom secured
what his valour has won.—(Loud cheers.)
_ _

The Earl of STRAFFORD returned thanks for .the
army. . _

Viscount FALKLAND proposed " The Army of India,'
amidst loud cheers.

•
Sir G. POLLOCK, in acknowledging the compliment,
said the services he had rendered were very small. It
had been his great good fortune to be appointed to a
command where the troops were determined to advance,
and he coal nbt help himself.—(A laugh.) If he had
his brother's eloquence he might perhaps be able to
give some idea of the gratification he now felt; but, as it
was, he could only return them bis best thanks for
the honour they had done him in drinking his
health.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The health of the
Lord Mayor." As chief magistrate of this imperial
city, onerous and difficult duties devolved on him, and
he had performed them with honour to himself and
advantage to the community. The people were sound
at heart, and they only required good leaders and good
directors —a magistracy to check the evil-disposed, and
assist to support the peaceable inhabitants. The Lord
Mayor had acted on a late occasion with eminent success,
and he was entitled to the gratitude of the public.
The LORD MAYOR feared his Hon. Friend the Chair-
man had overrated his services. He should at all times
endeavour to discharge his duty so as to merit the ap-
proval of his fellow-citizens.—(Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN, in giving the next toast, "The
health of Lord Dalhousie, Governor- General of India,"
expressed a confident hope and belief that he would
follow the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor, Vis-
count Hardinge.—(Cheers.) Not that he would be
called upon to emulate his exertions on the field, but to
adopt his example in the Cabinet. The civil career of
Lord Hardinge deserved the highest commendation. He
had displayed throughout a noble and generous policy,
and secured its results by the most wise and considerate
arrangements.—(Cheers.) He gave " The health of the
present and late Governor-General of India."—(Cheers.)
The civil service of India was then drunk and ac-
knowledged by Mr. SHANK; after which the company
retired.
Mr. Toole was toast master.

NEw POSTAGE REGULATIONS.-An order has just
been issued from the General Post office, directing that
letters, hereafter forwarded from the United Kingdom
to Hamburgh, if specially addressed via Belgium and
Prussia, and letters to Cracow, directed by the respec -
tive routes of Belgium, Holland, or Hamburgh, via
Prussia, will be liable to the following rates of postage,
viz.: to Hamburgh via Belgium and Prussia, for a letter
weighing under :fez. Is.; weighing foz., and not ex-
ceeding f oz., Is. 2d.; weighing -fez., Is. 4d.; exceeding
40z., and under 40z., 2s. 2(f.; weighing 40z., and under
loz., 2s. 4d.; weighing loz., 2s. 6d.; and exceeding loz.,
and under lioz., 4s. 2d. A letter to Cracow, via Bel-
gium and Prussia, anything under ioz. Is. Bd. • weigh-
ing 40z.; and not exceeding 40z., 2s. 6d.; weighing ioz.,
33. 4d.; exceeding 40z., and under 4oz, 4s. 2d.;
weighing 40z., and under loz., 55.; weighing loz.,
ss. 103.; exceeding loz., and under 140 z., 7s. 6d. To
Cracow, via Holland, the charge for a letter weighing
under loz. is to be Is. Bd.; weighing loz., and not
exceeding }oz., 2s. 4d.; weighing 40z., 35.; exceeding
ioz., and under 40z., 45.; weighing 40z., and under loz.,
4s. Bd.; weighing loz., ss. 4d.; exceeding loz., and
under lioz., 7s. 4d. To Cracow, via Hamburgh, the
charge for a letter weighing under /oz. is to be Is. ad.;
weighing 40z., and not exceeding koz., Is. 6d.; weighing
koz., Is. 9d.; exceeding f oz., and under loz., 2s. 9d.;
weighing 40z., and under loz., 35.; weighing loz., 3s. ad.;
exceeding loz,, and under lioz., ss. 3,1. By this regu-
lation the combined British and Prussian rates are to be
taken upon the scale of weight now used for charging
inland letters, but the Belgian and foreign transit rates
are to be taken upon a scale advancing by 40z., in ac-
cordance with the principle adopted for charging letters
for I'russia via Belgium. The postage also on letters
for Hamburgh and Cracow by these routes may be paid
in advance, or the letters may be sent unpaid, at the
option of the sender, but the payment of the postage for
a portion of the distance only is not permitted.
THE PEACE OF THB CITY.-We are happy to say
all continues quiet, but the public authorities have re-
laxed nothing of their preparations to meet any such
folly should the slightest attempt to renew it be mani-
fested. The high and special constables have been in
readiness every evening up to Saturday night, but were
dismissed at an early hour-everything being tranquil.
The Sheriff in returning thanks on Saturday night
to the special constables who had assembled in the
Council Chambers, informed them, that it was contem-
plated by the authorities to organize them into a per-
manent body; and that on Tuesday evening such regula-
tions would be brought before them as he had no doubt
would be satisfactory. In the meantime, on his own
responsibility he would suggest that they be distin-
guished by a button, or coat and button. The proposition
was enthusiastically received, and it was suggested that
the Lyon Clerk should be applied to for a properly au-
thorised design. We are happy to state, that the infor-
mation from all quarters as to the state of public feeling
is most satisfactory-the desire to create tumult or disor-
der exists only among the very worst sections of the
community.-Caledonian Mercury,
SOMNAMBULISM EXTBAORDINART.-A short time
since, Mr. Cunnington, of Brampton Moor, fancy turner,
&c., was awakened about two o'clock in the morning by
a noise at his door. He got up and opened the window
when his daughter Hannah called out " Come father, go
to work, the steam is up." Mr. C. dressed himself as
quickly as possible, and went to the engine-house, about
100 yards distant, when he found the steam roaring out
of the boiler which is attached to the engine that turns
his work. Having drawn the fire and made it all safe,
he returned home for an explanation of the strange
occurrence, when he ascertained that his daughter had
got up in her sleep, taken the key, and gone to the en-
gine; she had then made a fire and got the steam up,
when she returned home, but was unable to gain admis-
sion into the house in consequence of the door being
fastened by a drop latch. She was still asleep when
Mr. Cunnington returned, and he had some difficulty in
awaking her. She had no knowledge of what had taken
place, and what makes the affair seem more extraordi-
nary is, that she had not been accustomed to do anything
4t the engine.-Derbyshire Mercury.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, March 13.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon the
Woolsack at Five o'clock.

The Earl of FALMOUTH presented petitiora
from Newtown, in Hampshire; Penley, in Shrop-
shire; and Ruan, in Cornwall, against the admission
of Jews into Parliament.

The Marquis, of BREADALBANE presented
petitions from various Free-Church congregations in
Scotland against the Diplomatic Relations with Rome
Bill.

Lord STANLEY presented a petition from South
Shields against any alteration in the navigation-laws ;
also several petitions against denunciations from the
altar by Roman Catholic priests in Ireland.
OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE—DEATH OF

B. CURRIE, ESQ.
The LORD CHANCELLOR announced to the
Howe that, in consequence of .the retirement of Mr.
Birch, he had intended to have announced to their
Lordships the appointment of Mr. Currie to the office
held by Mr. Birch, of Mr. Rose to that held by Mr.
Currie, and of Mr. Edmunds to that held by Mr.
Rose. In consequence of the melancholy event of
this morning—(his Lordship was understood to al-
lude to the sudden decease of Mr. Currie, which oc-
cured in the afternoon)—the first appoin:;ment, of
course, would be left vacant; but it was his duty to
announce that he had appointed W. Rose, Esq., to
be additional Clerk-Assistant in the room of
Benjamin Currie, Esq., and George Edmunds, Esq.,
to be reading clerk in the room of W. R9se, Esq.)
The Earl of DEVON passed a high eulogium on
the character of the late Mr. Currie.
IRISH POOR-LAW.

The Earl of LUCAN rose, according to notice, to
draw the attention of the House to the state of the
Irish poor-law as regards the rating of lessors.
The Noble Earl contended that nothing could
be more unjust than the present Irish
poor-law was to the landed proprietors
of Ireland, and he was surprised that any Government
should have proposed or should consent to administer
such a measure. The rate should be levied on the
occupier and not on the lessor. The law was a
monstrous law, and he was at a loss to conceive
what defence of could be made by the Government.
The Noble Earl then went into a long detail of the
proceedings adopted by the Government in relation
to a beard of guardians with which he himself was
connected, to enforce the payment of the poor-rates,
which proceedings he denounced as grossly unjust.

The Earl of T. GERMAN'S defended the con
duct of the late Government in introducing and
carrying this law. It had been found absolutely
impossible to collect the rates from the occupiers of
small holdings, and yet it would be most unjust to
exempt this description of property from contributing
to the poor rates, and therefore it was determined that
the lessor should be assessed to the rates instead of the
occupier, and the Act provided that the rates should be
recovered from the lessors. The lessor, in fact, was placed
in precisely the same position as the other ratepayers.
(The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the paid
guardians of the union to which the Noble Earl
(Lucan) had alluded, had been obliged to adopt
legal measures to enforce the levying of the rate,
inasmuch as when they were appointed to succeed
the unpaid guardians they found the union absolutely
without funds, They had no alternative but to levy
a rate as they had done, inasmuch as they had been
refused access to the valuation of the parish, and if
the Noble Earl felt himself aggrieved he had the
right of appeal.
Lord STANLEY understood that there was a
practical difficulty in obtaining a remedy if a person
found himself unjustly set down upon the rate-book
as immediate lessor. He bad, within a limited pe-
riod, to find out the parties who mere really liable,
and to give them notice.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE observed, that
if the lessors were dissatisfied, they had the power of
appeal.
The Earl of LUCAN believed that no instance had
occurred in Ireland, or at least in Mayo, of a lessor
having appealed.
Earl FITZ WILLIAM considered that the landed
proprietors of Ireland should have the largest share
in the administration of the poor-law in that country.
lie was sorry to say, that during the last few years
observations had been made in public and by the press
—he wished he could say such remarks had never
been made in either House of Parliament, which were
calculated to weaken the influence of the landed pro-
prietors of Ireland, and to lower them in the esti-
mation of their countrymen. The Government and
the Legislature seemed to consider that, having passed
a poor-law for Ireland, they had done all that was
necessary ; but he contended, looking not to the rate-
payers alone, but to the thousands who were to be
the recipients of relief, that neither the Legislature
nor the Executive Government had—so far as the
poor-law was concerned—done their duty to the sister
country. He expressed an apprehension that the
distress in Ireland would be as great this year as in
the last, if not greater; and he should, therefore,
wish to see large national works established, and an
extensive system of emigration carried out.
After a few words from. the Earl of LUCAN in
reply, the motion was agreed to.
On the motion of Earl FITZWILLIAM, there
was ordered a return of the number of able•bodied
male adults receiving relief in the several unions of
Ireland on the Ist of December, 1847, and on the
Ist days of January, February, and March, 1848.
The House then adjourned.

ROUSE OF COMMONS, Mweh 13.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at a quarter to Four
o'clock.

NEW MEMBERS.

Sir 11. W. BARRON took the oaths and his seat for
Waterford, and Mr. Aultsraorm for the borough of
Lancaster.

CASUAL POOR WARDS.

Mr. LUSHINGTON presented a petition, signed
by 400 of the inhabitants of Westminster, com-
plaining of the state of the casual wards at the various
unions, and praying the House to make some alter-
ations in the system of affording casual relief to the
poor.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ROME.

Mr. DUNCAN presented a petition from Dundee
against the Bill for authorising the establishment of
diplomatic relations with the Court of Rome.
Sir R. H. INGLIS also presented several petitions
to the same effect.
Petitions against the measure were also presented
by Mr. Ewart, from Dumfries; by Mr. Lushington,
from Westminster ; by Mr. Lockhart, from Lanark •
shire ; by Mr. Plumptre, from various places • by Col.
Lindsay, from Wigan ; by Mr. Cowan, from the
Moderator of the General Assembly of Scotland; and
from varioui other places.
NAVIGATION LAWS.
Mr. HUDSON presented a petition from Sun-
derland against any alteration in the navigation-
laws.

Mr. DUNCAN presented a petition from Dum-
fries to the same effect.

-----ifoliiii,diTHOLlC RELIEF BILL.
Sir R. INGLIS presented several petitions agains'
the Roman Catholic Relief Bill.

Mr. PLUMPIRE presented several petitions to
the same effect.
Mr. COWAN presented petitions to the same effect,

JEWISH DISABILITIES BILL.

Petitions against the Jewish Disabilities Bill were
presented by Sir R. Inglis, by Mr. Plumptre, and by
Mr. Hamilton.

.......
LANDLORD AND TENANT BILL.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD presented a petition against
the proposed Landlord and Tenant Bill from Bally-
more and various other places in Ireland.
IRISH POOR-LAW.

Mr. HAMILTON -presentedi;everal petitions
praying for an alteration---in the present poor-law of
Ireland.

PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.
Mr. CORBALLY presented a petition from
Meath, praying the House to abolish the system of
punishment of death.
Mr. WAWN presented a petition from South
Shields against any alteration in the navigation-
laws.

Mr. MONSELL presented a petition from the
for inquiry on the
grand jury of the County of Limerick, regretting the
failure of Mr. Dunne's motion with respect to the
Irish poor-laws, and praying
subject.
Mr. BRIGHT presented petitions from Shepton
Mallet, and other places, against the game-laws.
LAND REVENUES.
On the motion of the Earl of LINCOLN the fol.
lowing returns were ordered :—Return of the annual
income derived from the possessions and land reve-
nues of the Crown under the management of the
Commissioners of her Majesty's Woods, &c., includ-
ing fines on leases, and all other sums received in
respect of such leases, or otherwise, for or in respect
of the said possessions and land revenues (except from
sales and exchanges), within each of the ten years
ended the sth day of April, 1847, and in the three
quarters of a year ended the sth day of January, 1848 ;
showing, also, the amount which has been applied
within each of the same periods out of such income,
—in the costs, charges, and
expenses attending the
management of the said possessions and land re-
venues ; in the payment and discharge of any fixed
annual sum of money, or any pension permanently
charged thereon; in the payment of any
principal sum, and the interest of any prin-
cipal sum or sums of money, charged upon
the said possessions and land revenues by way
of loan ; and the amount which has been carried to
the Consolidated Fund ; showing, further, the
balance in the hands of the Commissioners of her
Majesty's Woods, &c., in respect of such annual
income, at the end of the periods respectively above
mentioned ; and the balance in the hands of the said
Commissioners on the accession of her present Ma-

jesty. Returns, showing the several powers of sale
now vested in the Commissioners of her Majesty's
Woods, &c., in respect of the possessions and
land revenues of the Crown under the management
of that Board, and showing the amount which in
each of the ten years ended the 6th day of April,
1847, and within the three quarters of a year ended
the sth day of January last, has been raised in exer-
cise of those powers; the aggregate rental of the
properties sold, the purposes to which the produce has
been applied, distinguishing the amount appro-
priated under each head, and the balance in the hands
of the said Commissioners at the end of each
of those periods respectively : of all powers of
purchase vested in the said Commissioners, showing the
amount which has been expended in the exercise of
those powers, the aggregate rental of the property
acquired, and the purposes to which such property
has been applied. And a similar return as to the
powers of exchange vested in the same Commission-
ers, and as to the exercise of such powers, so far as it
may have involved the receipt or application of
money. Returns of all moneys raised and at present
chargeable on the security of the Land Revenues
of the Crown, specifying the authority under
which, and the purposes for which they
have been so raised, and whether such
authority is limited or otherwise in amount, the dates
and amounts of the respective loans, the parties with
whom, and the periods for which they have been con-
tracted; the rate or rates of interest respectively pay
able thereon ; the amount of interest hitherto paid,
and the fund out of which it has been paid. And of
any further sum or sums of money proposed to be
raised on the same security ; the authority under
which, and the purposes for which it is proposed to
raise them, and the amount. Returns, showing the
amounts respectively voted by Parliament within
each of the ten years ended the 31st day
March, 1847, for services in the department
of the Commissioners of her Majesty's works
and buildings, distinguishing special from ordi-
nary services ; showing also the expenditure incurred
in respect of those services : showing the amounts
respectively voted by Parliament, under the same
heads, for the year ended the 31st day of March,
1848; and the expenditure incurred in respect of each
up to the 31st day of December, 1847: of the aggre-
gate balances in the hands of the saki Commissioners,
in respect of the moneys so voted, at the end of each
of the periods above mentioned; and the application
of such balances.
INCOME-TAX.

Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from Leicester,
stating that the petitioners preferred a tax on income
to a tax on articles for consumption, and praying that
no tax might be made on the necessaries of life.—
(Hear, hear.)

EXPULSION OF THE ENGLISH FROM
FRANCE.

Mr. STAFFORD, seeing the Right Hon. the Se-
cretary of State for the Home Department in his
place, wished to ask him whether he had received any
further information with reference to the expulsion
of the English from France ?
Sir G. GREY was most happy to have an opportu-
nity to answer the question of the hon. member. He had
received a list of the workmen who had already ar-
rived at Portsmouth, and a statement of the amount
of wages due to them, which list had been transmitted
to the Foreign-office, in order that a demand might
be made upon the Provisional Government of France
for compensation. He had also ascertained that
conveyance for a considerable number of other
workmen, who were being driven from France,
would have to be provided, while he had re-
ceived information from the Lord Mayor, that
large bodies of labourers, who had been ex-
pelled from various parts of France, were
daily arriving in London in a destitute condition.

and rash in him in presenting himself to the Com- i
mittee at that early period of the evening, but, as he
had had many opportunities of collecting information
on the subject, which, if he were not very stupid, ought
to enable him to give the House an opinion upon it,
he trusted the Committee would allow him to say a
word or two before the debrre proe,e,led fu; lier
—(11( ar.) No subject could be of more importame er
could be more entitled to the calm attention and
scrutiny of the House, than the one now under dis-
cussion ; and however painful it might be to him to
oppose the administration of his Noble Friend the
First Lord of the Treasury, he could not conscien-
tiously support the continuance of a tax for three
years, which he considered to be not only
unequal but unconstitutional.—(Hear, hear.) But
before he went into the question of the tax itself,
perhaps the House would indulge him for a few mo-
ments, whilst he attempted to clear up some
misrepresentations which the House had been put in
possession of with reference to himself. He felt it
to be his duty to declare that he fully concurred in
the wisdom of the policy which the Right Hon.
Baronet the Member for Tamworth pursued
from the day he entered office in 1841 till the
time he left it; and whatever might be stated to
the contrary, he must be allowed to expess
his belief that the measures he introluced
were his own, and the public were indebted to him
alone for the benefit which they had conferred upon
the country.—(Hear, hear.) frith regard to the
extract read front the Glasgow paper the other
night, it was, he supposed, in the relied of a meeting
at which upwards of 6,000 were present, and
where five or six Chartists came forward, one of
whom he believed began the riots the other day at
Glasgow to get up a disturbance.—(Hear, hear, and
laughter.) One of them asked him if he did not pre-
pare Sir Robert Peel's tariff, but he declined to an•
swer him, and thereupon a monsterous uproar took
place.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) In order to
quell the noise he stated that he would endeavour
to give him an answer, and he distinctly stated that
had the Right Hon. Baronet or himself been in office
he would not have given an answer to it, because he
considered it an impertinent question.— (Hear,
and laughter.) He, however, stated to the fellow
who asked the question, that at the time to
which reference had been made, he was Secretary to
the Board of Trade, and that the Right Hon. Baro-
net, who was then Vice-President, directed him to
prepare skeleton schedules for the new tariff ;
and that the Right Honourable Gentleman
himself, anti a young gentleman who was
at the time his own private secretary,
were all who had access to these schedules.—(Hear,
hear.) That was what he did say at the meeting,
and he regretted to state that the only two Glasgow
papers that told the truth in reference to the meeting
were the two opposed to him.—(llear and laughter.)
He objected to the tax because it was unequal,
unpopular, and oppressive in its operation.
He thought this country and Scotland
had great right to complain unless the tax
was extended to Ireland.—(Hear.) He considered
that the e,:penliture of the conn,,ry was exce.::•sive,
and required alteration and reduction. He thought
it would be one of the greatest calamities that the
country could endure if the Chancellor of the
Exchequer was unable to pay the dividends on the
public debt; but he had no doubt such a calamity
might be avoided by a proper economy in the ex-
penditure. If history was to be taken as the teacher
of national policy, it would be found on a reference
to her pages, that prosperity depended upon a sound
system of finance. Frederick the Great, who found
the Prussian Exchequer in a miserable state when he
succeeded to the throne, succeeded, notwithstanding
all the expenses of his wars in Silesia and elsewhere,
to put it on a footing which enabled him to pay off
all the debts of the country, and to leave a large
sum at his death in the Exchequer. On the
other hand Austria, a country equally fertile and
productive, if not snore so, than Prussia, was
never placed under any sound system of finance,
and from the days of Maria Theresa down to the
present time nothing but difficulty arid diftress pre-
vailed its that ceun'ey. Maria Theresa herself had
to beg money of her people, to hold correspondence
with Madame Pompadour and another royal para-
mour, to melt down the silver plate in her chapel, and
to resort ti other expedients ill becoming the dignity
of a great queen of a large kingdom.. The failures
which took place in Austria in 1811 and 1813, af-
forded an example to all the countries in the world
which wished to maintain its independence. The
Hon. Member quoted Schiller's " History of Bohe-
mia" in proof of his assertion, and contended that
every nation, from the Roman empire downwards,
had owed its prosperity or fall to the sound or un-
sound condition of its system of finance. It was the
undoubted right of the House of Commons—for the
Constitution had wisely and justly entrusted it with
the initiative in all questions of taxation—to act in the
most unrestricted manner with respect to proposi-
,' tions of this nature. He trusted the House would
never adopt a policy of mere expediency, but go at
once into the question of our expenditure, rather than
continue in a three per cent. income-tax, which could
, not possibly meet the emergencies of the Exchequer,
' for three years. He would say that the best policy
would be to grant a three per cent., or a five per cent.
tax, or more if necessary, for one year, and to enter
at once on the whole question of taxation.—(Cheers.)
He considered it his duty to make this appeal to the
House, because he considered that such a course
would be in accordance with public opinion—not an
ignorant, a noisy, and a riotous public opinion, but
the opinion of the enlightened and the intelligent, as
represented by an unanimous public press, with only
three solitary exceptions that he could learn. He
should, therefore, vote for the motion of the Hon.
Member for Montrose.
Dlr.Alderman SIDNEY considered it due to the corn-
-nercial and working classes of this country that he
should give expression to his opinions on the question
before the House. With the working classes he had
mixed much, and he could assure the House that they
felt strongly on the subject. He considered that the
tax would not be at all needed had proper economy been
resorted to in the expenditure of the country ; and he,
therefore, thought it to be his duty to give his vote for
the proposition of the Honourable Member for Montrose.
The Honourable Member went into a statement, show.
ing how heavily the shopkeepers suffered from the
enormous amount of taxation to which the country was
subjected, including poor rates, and instanced Norwich
and Leeds, as cases that had, amongst others, come
under his own knowledge. In Leeds, the rate for the
poor in the present year, was as high as ss. 4d. in the
pound ; and four out of every five who commenced
business had failed. The Honourable Member here
entered into a statement of the failures that had oc-
curred in London, Liverpool. Glasgow, and other
great cities and towns in the latter part of 1847, and
concluded by stating, with respect to the defences of
the country, that the best guarantee for those defences,
if required, would be found in a reduction of the tax-
ation from which . trade and industry were so much
suffering.

Mr. HEADLAM felt that he would not be adequately
discharging his duty to his constituents or the country
if he did not state the grounds on which he meant to
give his vote on the question before the House. The
lion. Member then addressed himself to the arguments
which had been advanced by the Noble Lord (Lord
George Bentinck) and other Hon. Members of the
House in favour of a return to indirect taxation, and to
that system which would tax to the consumers in this
country the produce of foreign countries. That was the
first argument which had been advanced in the House
against the renewal of the tax. The second argument
was that the tax was unjust, unequal in its operation,
and oppressive; and the third was that the expenditure
of the country was increasing to an alarming extent for
the last few years, and ought to be reduced. He would
address himself to those arguments. Her Majesty's
Government thought that the tax was best as it was,
.snd held out no hops of alteration, therefore they
must not rely upon them. He approved of the substitu-
"on of direct for indirect taxation, although when it was
imposed it was denounced as inquisitorial, and vexatious,
and arbitrary. Upon the inequalities of the tux many
of her Majesty's present Ministers enlarg-d, and he
thought that the present proposition, equally unjust and
equally unequal, came with a peculiarly bad grace from
them.--(Hear.) There was another subject of alarm,
namely, the extent to which these estimates had in
creased of late years.—(Hear.) The apprehension of
w.itr was the alleged reason of this. The interests of
the working classes were most affected by the evils of
war. They should be taught to understand that truth,
and to aid with the nation at large in the peace move-
ment. At the same time, considering the state of the
country, and the elements of disorder which were at the
present moment scattered around them, he felt it to be
his duty not to oppose the present proposition of her
Majesty's Govern men t.—( Hear.)
Mr. SANDARS said that ho was sure the Noble Lord
(Lord John Russell) did not know the feeling of the
country, or ho would not have proposed the reimposition
of this tax in its present form. The way in which that
tax was imposed uponAhe industry of the country was
most unjust. It should not be imposed upon the pro-
duce of industry in the same way as on realised pro-
perty.—(Hear.) The time had arrived when there
should be a complete revision of the system of taxation.
(Hear.) The time had arrived for economy and re-
trenchment. The tax of 5 per cent. on the assessed
taxes ought to be repealed, and also the window tax. If
the tax. was continued on probate and legacy duty, it
should also be imposed upon the descent of real property.
He did not see upon what principles of justice Ireland was
to be exempt from the income-tax. They were now told
that this tax was to be a permanent tax; therefore, he
said, that it behoved the House and the country to see
that it was placed on a sound basis.—(Hear.) He be-
lieved that none of the evils predicted would follow from
the rejection of this tax. The Hon. Member for West-
bury (Mr. Wilson) had defended the free-trade policy in
corn, but he differed with him on that subject. Ile also
dilated upon the inequalities of the income-tax, but he
was greatly surprised when he expreised his intention to
vote for them. Although he could not recommend a
reduction of the army in the present posture of affairs,
he thought that greater economy was possible, and that
the Hon. Member for Montrose should have appended
to his motion a proposition for a committee of inquiry
on this subject. In Canada the feeling of the failure
of the free trade system was very general. lie thought

that now, whether right or wrong, they were comnutta4
to the policy of free trade. lle was disposed to give it
a fall and a fair trial. Ile did not wish to detract
from the aristocracy, but there was a middle power.
The middle classes were the safety and the glory of
the country, and if this tax bore hardly and unjustly
,!!lon thvm, their interests otv,ht first 3,-11 chiefly to be

UI d (;i, ri )
Mr. RICE sate, that if the proposition of Ministers
was rejected, they could not give a greater blow to de;
credit of the country. At the same time he thought that
there should be a full inquiry into, and revision of the
existing system of taxation. But that could not be done
in one year. Sufficient time was required for that Pnr'
pose. He contended that the strength of their nevi
was the best security not only for the defence of the
empire, but the general interests of commerce. viriuh
regard to what had beer. said by the Hon. Member for
Cockermouth respecting the inequalities of the income'
tax, he could assure the House it bore as hard on the
landed interest as on any other. Ho knew a case ie
which the rent received did not amount to 800/. a ye',
yet the income-tax and other rates were 1,3501. Tile
parties affected did not complain of that ; and he 0011
mentioned it to show that all classes in the countrf
suffered from the inequality. He wished on that aim
count to see the general system of taxation reviewoos
but at the same time he was convinced the credit of the
country required a continuance of the income-tax for
three years, and he should, therefore, support the prop)*
sition of her Maj,sty's Government.
Mr. L. BUCK condemned the tax as the most re;
vulting to the country that could be suggested. It had
been that it emanated drum his (the Opposition) side
of the House—(Hear)—but the Huuse ought to recol•
lect that it was proposed by the Right Hon. Baronet
the Member for Tamworth, for the purpose of carrying
the measures which he afterwards proposed to the
House. He believed that nothing on earth could he
more injurious at that moment than an income-tax. Let
them look at their manufacturing districts, and thew's'
munity at large, and although they had not heard the
same complaints from the agricultural districts the/
were in the habit of hearing, yet there was no doubt
their position was exceedingly precarious. Therefore,
although he was not in the habit of supporting any
motion of his Hon. Friend opposite (Mr. Hume), yet h•
should on that occasion do so, and vote for his propely
tion, in preference to the measure brought forward bl
her Majesty's Government to continue the income-tat
for three years. He was, however, convinced her Ma-
jesty's Government would do their endeavours to lessen
the general expenditure of the country, and on that
account, whenever they brought forward a general re-
vision of the system of taxation of the country their
should receive his support.

Mr. LENNARD confessed that he looked upon the
income-tax as being the most odious that could be levied
or imposed, but he could not, at the same time, help
recollecting the precarious position in which the counts/
was placed. He voted the other night for the moans
of the Hon. Member for Cockermouth, because he wee
convinced that some inquiry ought to be instituted, with
a view to make it as equal as possible on the whole cow
munity. He had listened with great satisfaction to the,
able speeches made during the debate, but he considered
them as totally irrelevant, for there could be no doubt
that measures of free trade had become irrevocable, and
that no chance existed of their retracing their step&
Had he been in the House he would live voted against
those measnres, but now that they were carried, he wee
willing to give them every facility in his power. 'she
only question before the House was, whether they should
give the income-tax for three years or support the modal
of the Hon. Member for Montrose, which limited it to
one year. It was a sort of vote of confidence or census*
on the Government, and he was not prepared to incur
the responsibility of turning the Government out of
office, and on that account he should support the propo-
sition of her Majesty's Ministers.

Lord DRUMLASTRIG had heard enough to convince
him that the inequality of the tax was, if not altogether
fabulous, at least very fabulous in many of the stater
meats put forward. He could not understand how istif
Floziourable Member, who voted for the repeal of the
corn-laws, could now come forward and vote against
the income-tax. He had not the honour of a seat in
that House when free•trade measures were passed.
but considering the position in which the country Wes
then placed with regard to its credit, he certainly felt
bound to vote for the measure brought in by the Go-
vernment to continue the income-tax for three ears
longer.

Mr. E. B. ROCHE could not, as an Irishman, give *
silent vote on the question then before the House. The
people of England were at that moment suffering from
the infliction of an unjust tax, and representing as he did
the largest constituency in Ireland, he was anxious it
should be understood that he was not actuated by any
base, corrupt, or selfish motives in the vote he was about
to give. If he for a moment doubted what course
he ought to pursue, the speech of the Honourable
Member for Westbury would remove that doubt, for he
admitted the impost was most unfair and unjust ; and
the speech of the Honourable—though not very secure
—Member for Liverpool—(A. laugh)—and last of all,
the excuse of the Right Hun. Baronet, the father of the
impost, for its continuance, by a comparison with an
unjust law, which shut out from the working classes air
and the light of heaven, left him no alternative. Looking
at these things, and recollecting the feeling which ex-
isted against the measure in London, Manchester, Liver-
pool, and all the great towns of England, all of which
had declared against it, he was bound as a representative
_
of the people, to vote for the motion of his Hon. Friend
the Member for Montrose. He should next turn to an-
other important question, namely, how he, as an Irish•
man, as well as the other Irish Members, ought to vote.
lie should say, that he read with the greatest pain •
speech said to have been made by his Hon. and Gal-
lant Friend the Member for Westminster, and the Hos.
Baronet the Member for Marylebone, in which they
alleged that the Irish Members were about to support
the Government on that question. He would take the
liberty of saying how they ought to act. What! sup-
port the Government, the individual at the head of
which had said that ho would rather see the people of
Ireland dyed in blood, than grant justice to them ?
What ! support a Government who had sent a Lord-
Lieutenant of Ireland, who was now reviewing his
troops in the presence of the people, to prevent them
from expressing their opinions upon a question of deep
consideration to them ? What ! go in to the lobby with
the Hon. Member for Louth, as the loyal Swiss of the
Minister, to do as he desired ? He trusted that the
popular representatives of Ireland would act in no such
manner, but that they would act in such a way as
would contribute to the weakness of the Government of
the country.
Mr. HENLEY said that the Hon. Member for Cork
had introduced another element of discord into this dis-
cussion, for he suggested as a reason why the proposi-
tion of the Government should not be supported, that
they had taken means to prevent the dismembermeet of
the empire.—(Hear.) The Hon. Member then proceeded
to contend that the measures of 1842 and 1845 had not
tended to produce financial prosperity in the country; on
the contrary, they led to the present difficulties. He also
argued that the tree-trade policy had operated in a man-
ner not at all calculated to allay the fears of the country
as to its results hereafter. Ho must also object to the
observations of the Hon. Member for Westbury, in re-
ference to the colonies; for he looked upon the wel'are
of the colonies to be identical with the prosperity of the
the State, and therefore they ought not to be lightly
dealt with. The Right Honourable Member for Oxford
University (Mr. Gladstone) entered into a statement
of figures to show that the silk trade was not injured by
the operation of free trade. Now, what was the fact?
Why, that the figures showed an increase of 80 per cent
in respect to the importation of that class of silk vvhish
interfered with the silk weavers of Spitalfields. The
operation of the present system was calculated to benefit
the manufacturers, at the expense of the working men.
They ought not to sacrifice one class for the benefit of
another. He did not complain of Hon. Gentlemen giving
the people cheap food, because, as they were going to
run the people in a race of difficulty, they ought at least
to reduce the pressure upon them in respect to the ne-
cessaries of life. But the whole system showed that the
Government not only knew nothing of the financial can-
cern& of the country, but that they were equally unac-
quainted with the temper of the country. He believed
the Government had not taken a safe course in respect
to the finances of the country, yet he should not feel
himself justified, in the present state of affairs, to limit
the income-tax to one year.—(Hear, hear.) He should,
therefore, support the proposition of the Govern.
went. Ho agreed with the Honourable Member for
the town of Newcastle, that instead of Honourable
Gentlemen objecting to the income-tax, on the greuad
of the inequality, they ought to show how an equal
amount of income could be raised by other means with
less inconvenience to the people. In supporting the
Government propositions, he did not mean to identify
himself with that policy of the Government which
brought about the present state of affairs.
Mr. MOWATT said, as a Liberal Member, he woul
oppose the Government snd support the motion of the
Hon. Member for Montrose. He should be ashamed of
himself if he was considered to be a supporter of the
financial policy of the Government. lie, however,
thought the present Government had entirely failed to
fulfil the expectations of the country. So far from
being progressive, they adopted a retrograde policy.
He had hoped they would have brought forward a
plan of their own. The truth was, they were too
aristocratic, and took their plans from a clique.
Why did they not apply the probate duties to land?
—(hear, hear.) There had been levied between
seventy and eighty -millions of money upon move-
able property from that source, while not a farthing wee
imposed upon the land. He wished to know why the
same duty was not imposed upon both ? The et:mutt),
was in a crisis, and they had a deficient revenue, be-
cause the expenditure was greater than the income. PI
this season of depression the Government demanded
three millions and a half. Was this the course for -
middle-class Government to pursue ?—(hear, hear.)
They were represented to be a middle-class Govern-
ment, and if they were not that, they were no Govern-
ment at all. Why not revert to forest lands ; if the
were sold they would meet the deficiency. The trade
and commerce of the country was in a state of paral)-
sis.—(Protectionists' cheers.) That was not attributablu
to free trade.—(Hear, hear.) He scouted such a no-
tion—it was not worth while to refute it. The duty
on corn at the present moment was seven shillings
quarter. It was stated that they wanted to remove
taxation from themselves, and to impose it on other;.
They desired no such thing. All they wanted was to
distribute the burthen the country had to bear
equally on all. The Government showed great incapacity
in making such a demand in the depressed state of this
country—a demand for three millions, which they failed
altogether to justify. Instead of retrenching, they
asked for an increased expenditure of 600,0001. Ile
made great allowances for them in consequence of the
demands made upon them to increase the defences of the
country; but that was a reason why, they. should haw,
reduced the expenditure. Whatever might be the