The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-25 00:00:00

J UNE 25, 1851.

might mention that Major Bygrave, who had been ap-
pointed to examine those accounts, had reported that
there was a balance in favour of Jotee Pershaud.
Lord BROUGHAM—How much?
Lord BROUGHTON did not know the exact amount.
Major Lawrence, who signed the minutes of the Council
of the Government, in a minute, an extract from which
he had now before him, made mention of an offer which
bad been made on the part of Jotee Pershaud of a com-
promise, in which he agreed to put an end to the civil
suit if the Government would abandon the criminal pro-
ceedings against him. The offer was refused. Subse-
quently the whole of the proceedings were reviewed by
the Governor-General; and, in his minute of the 4th of
November, Lord Dalhousie expressed his approval of the
determination of the Council to persevere in the prosecu-
tion, in order that, if it were true, as alleged, the cha-
racter of high departmental officers was implicated, their
misdeeds might the sooner be brought to light; or, on the
other hand, if there was no foundation for those imputa-
tions that their character might be the sooner vindicated.
With respect to some of the minor charges, he had only seen
them in the newspapers. Mr. Wylie showed that the great-
est indulgence had been shown Jotee Pershaud; there had
been no extortion practised on him. He had forfeited
his recognizances, and he had been left unmolested. He
knew, therefore, of no charge which could be brought
against the Government in the matter, unless the Noble
Earl said he was not fairly tried. That, however, could
not be justly maintained; for the jury consisted of four
half-castes and a native, a very able advocate had de-
fended him, and he was acquitted. What, then, did the
Noble Earl complain of? Was it of an error of judg-
ment on the part of the Governor-General in having
ordered his trial? Had he not ordered the trial, would
it not have been said that it was in consequence of some
complicity between Jotee and some high departmental
officers, whose conduct the Government did not want to
have exposed? What, too, was to be done with the re-
ports of the magistrates, four of whom had given it as
their decision that the charges against Jotee Pershaud
were well-founded, and ought to be prosecuted? The
Government had, in fact, no other alternative than to
order the trial, and he could not see that it should be
made a ground of complaint against the Government
that they had failed to obtain a verdict. Their Lord-
ships knew that it was not always possible to obtain a
verdict in this country. All that he contended for was,
that there had been a sufficient case to go before a jury in
the matter.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH replied. He con-
tended that there had been a great error in judgment
committed in the proceeding criminally until Jotee Per-
shaud had proceeded with his civil suit, and had
bean found to rely upon upon documents liable tq im-
peachment. He brought no charge against the Gover-
nor-General, who he believed could not have acted in
any other manner than he had done; but still he doubted
if the prosecution would have been sanctioned by him
had he been in Calcutta in February.
REGISTRATION OF ASSURANCES BILL.
This Bill was read a third time.
On the question that the Bill do pass,
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE observed that in the
passing of that Bill it was his belief that they had ar-
rived at the satisfactory solution of a most important
qeestion—a question, too, that for centuries had been in
agitation. Although this Bill had been introduced
with the sanction of the Government, still the chief
merit of the solution of the difficulties in its details
mainly belonged to his Noble and Learned Friend
(Lord Campbell), who had been the Chairman of a Com-
mission for the investigation of this subject. The
measure was one not hastily or rashly adopted. It was,
on the contrary, the result of the most careful inquiry. It
was a measure that went from that House with greater
sanction as a measure of law reform than any that had
ever before been approved of by their Lordships; it went
from them with their unanimous approval; it was a
measure more entitled to the approbation of the public
than any that he knew of; and he trusted that it would
meet with the concurrence of the other House of Parlia-
ment.—(Hear.)
The Bill then passed.
SALMON FISHERIES BILL.
On the motion of the Duke of ARGYLL, this Bill
passed through Committee.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.
Lord BERNERS presented a petition from Leicester
against Papal aggression, and then stated that nothing
but an imperative sense of duty would induce him to
proceed with the notice he bad given of presenting peti-
tions complaining of the continuance of agricultural dis-
tress, and praying that the laws of settlement and re-
moval might be repealed. He had hoped that some
measure would have been introduced by her Majesty's
Government in consequence of the report of a Select
Committee of their Lordships' House; but now the
petitioners whose cause ho advocated were placed at a
disadvantage in not having the aid of the Noble Duke
the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicester. The petitions be
had to present were signed by upwards of 1,000 respect-
able farmers in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, who
were suffering very great distress, and who hoped some
measures would be adopted, relieving them from the
great burden of taxation to which they were sub-
jected. There had been other petitions to the same
effect entrusted to him, but he would not occupy
their Lordships' time with them at that hour, espe-
cially as some Noble Lords who intended to take part
in the discussion had left the House. There were three
allegations made in those petitions—first, that there
was increased distress; second, as to the mischiefs of
the law of settlement; third, as to the injustice of an
unequal system of rating. He reserved, however, to a
fitter occasion the discussion on these points which he
hoped would receive their Lordships' attention.
COMMON LODGING-HOUSES BILL.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY, in moving the second
reading of this Bill, hoped that it would meet with the
same kind indulgence from their Lordships which it had
received from the other House.
After a few words from the Earl of MINTO,
The Dulto of ARGYLL said, he hoped that the Bill
would be extended to Scotland, where the lodging-houses
were worse than in any part of England.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE complimented the
Noble Earl (Shaftesbury) on the success of his labours
in the improvement of the condition of the poor.
The Bill was then read a second time.
BRITISH WHITE HERRING FISHERY BILL
This Bill was read a second time.
MARRIAGES (INDIA) BILL.
The report on this Bill was agreed to.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

consequence was, as had actually occurred in a district
with which he was connected, that large portions of the
population went entirely without church accommoda-
tion. It was not the doctrine but the discipline of our
Church that required reformation, and before the
House entrusted greater powers to Right Reverend Pre-
lates they ought to insist upon reforming their discipline.
Mr. PLUMPTRE said the two preceeding speakers
bad taken a very erroneous view of the Bill, though ho
was not prepared to dispute that some of its provisions
were highly objectionable, but these could be removed in
Committee and the Bill made a very useful one.
Mr. W. J. FOX said this Bill had Lit en brought for-
ward at a time when it was utterly impossible to con-
sider it fairly, either in or out of doors, and he con-
tended that it was only an act of justice that the second
*mailing should be postponed to some future occasion.
—(Hear, hear.) The Bill contained many clauses,
all of which were of great importance, and some of
which would seriously tax the poor. Ancient parishes
were to be exempted from the operation of the Bill, so
that a man would be taxed for living in a comparatively
speaking new church district, while another clause pro-
posed to pay the clergymen of the churches which the
Bill would embrace out of pew rents, thereby introduc-
ing into the church establishment the worst feature of
dissenting voluntaryism.
Sir R. H. INGLIS admitted that the Bill had bee❑
pushed forward a little too rapidly to allow of its being
fully discussed, but it did not follow from that circum-
stance that the Bill was either had or undesirable. He
denied that the Bill was the Bill of the Bishop of Lon-
don, or that it was prepared for the sake of extending
the patronage of that Right Reverend Prelate. Why,
it would not, in point of fact, confer upon him
more patronage than many Honourable Members of
the House bestowed upon their butlers. He agreed
with the Hon. Member for Oldham, that paying clergy-
men by pew-rents was a bad system, but that defect
could be modified or remedied in Committee; and as the
Bill on the whole was a good one, he hoped the House
would not hastily reject it.
Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR assured the House
that the Bill was very much desired by the working
classes, because it would remove many of the existing
obstacles that stood in the way of building and endow-
ing new churches, and so far from its object being to
increase the patronage of the Bishop, it would in point
of fact have the effect of reducing it.
Mr. HENLEY should vote for the second reading
upon the recommendation of the Noble Lord; but it
must not be held from that fact that he was pledged to
all the provisions of the measure. Indeed he disap-
proved of many of its clauses, and when they got into
Committee he should endeavour to get them omitted.
He thought more time ought to have been given to the
House for discussing the principle of the Bill.
Sir G. GREY said the report upon which the Bill
was founded was laid before Parliament more than two
years ago. It was unfair to assert that the object of the
Bill was either to increase the patronage or the revenues
of the Bishops. He should be prepared en going into
Committee to alter many of the provisions, and he
therefore hoped the House would consent now to read
the Bill a second time.
Lord DUNCAN complained that the Bill bad been
too hurriedly pushed forward, but his main objection to
the measure was that it sought to maintain clergymen
out of pew-rents, which he certainly thought a most
unwise principle. The thirtieth clause related to the
validity of marriages, and as it was a most improper
clause to introduce into a measure of this kind, he should
be glad to know how it came there.
Mr. MO WATT had had ample time to make up bis
mind upon this Bill, which he thought was highly ob-
jectionable, and ought to be rejected by the House. The
Church had within its own revenue the means of making
adequate provisions for the spiritual wants of the poor,
and he should be the last to assent to a Bill of this
nature, which it appeared to him was intended to im-
pose a tax on the puor for the benefit of the rich.
On the motion of Sir GEORGE PECHELL the de-
bate was then adjourned until Friday.
ST. ALBANS BRIBERY COMMISSION BILL.

On the motion that this Bill be read a third time,
Mr. BANKES hoped the motion would not be pressed
at that hour, four o'clock, otherwise he must be allowed
to state his objection to it.
Mr. ELLICE said he would withdraw the motion.
The motion was accordingly withdrawn, and re-ap-
pointed for Friday.
The House adjourned at ten minutes past Four until
Six o'clock.

The House resumed at Six o'clock.
MR. DISRAELI'S RESOLUTION.,

Mr. DISRAELI said, in answer to the question of the
Hon. Baronet the Member for Marylebone, the other night,
as to what stage of the Government measure he in-
tended to move his resolution, that ho had found that
his Hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon (Ur.
Baring) had give❑ notice of a motion respecting the
duties on coffee, which must be brought forward
on the first measure of the Government on Mon-
day, the 30th instant. Therefore-, it would be ne-
cessary for him to move the resolutions, by way
of amendment to the Government propositions, on the
second measure as it applied to the general policy of
the Government, and not to any particular measure.
The resolution which he intended to propose was as
follows:—" That according to an estimate of the
probable future produce of the existing taxes, sub-
mitted to this: House by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, it appears that a surplus revenue may be ex-
pected in the present year to the extent of about
2,000,0001.; that in the revenue so estimated is included
a sum exceeding 5,000,0001, derived from the tax on in-
come, respecting which an inquiry has been directed to
be made by a Committee of this' House, on the result of
whose labours may depend the future renewal or modi-
fication of that important impost; that in this provisional
state of the financial arrangements of the country, it ap-
pears to this House to be most consistent with a due
regard to the maintenance of public credit, and the exi-
gencies of the public service, not to make any material
sacrifice of public income in effecting such changes as
may be deemed advisable in other branches of taxation."
BONDED WAREHOUSES AT MANCHESTER.
Mr. MILNER GIBSON rose to move for a Select
Committee, to inquire into the working of the system
of warehousing foreign goods, in bond, in Man-
chester, as it affects importers, dealers, and
consumers of goods liable to Customs duty,
residing in Manchester and the neighbour-
ing towns ; also as to its effects on the Cus-
toms revenue, and to report to the House as to the
expediency or otherwise of placing Manchester on an equal
footing with all bonded towns in the United Kingdom.
He did not ask for this Committee on behalf of the cor-
poration of Manchester, or of any particular interest in
that town, but on behalf of the whole in-
dustrial population in that immense and im-
portant district. At present foreign goods were
allowed to be bonded in Manchester; but it was under-
stood that the Government were about to nemove these
bonded warehouses, and kis object was to ask for a Com-
mittee to inquire into the propriety of that removal.
In 1340, when a Bill was brought forward for establish-
, ing bonded warehouses, an exception was made by those
who opposed the Bill in favour of Manchester. By the
law as it now stood the Corporation of Manchester were,
in the first instance, liable for the expenses of the Cus-
toms' establishment in Manchester, connected with the
bonding system; but as that expense (2,7091. a year) was
not deemed to be a proper application of the funds of the
rate-payers, the Corporation had given notice, as they
were entitled to do, of their desire to terminate their
liability. It had been said that to allow bonding to be
carried on at the expense of the State would lead to the
establishment of a general system of inland bonding.
Hon. Members on the Treasury bench need not be alarmed
on that point, for they had supported the Bill introduced
by the late Lord Sydenham in 1839, for establishing a
general system of inland bonding. The privilege of a
bonded warehouse had been granted to Manchester,
but was clogged with the condition that the borough
funds should be liable for the expense of the Cus-
toms' establishment. That condition was proposed at
the eleventh hour, and was accepted by Manchester
because it could not be resisted ; but it was always
believed that they would be relieved from this fin

proper liability as soon as the experiment had proved
successful. Supposing it was worth the while of Man-
chester to continue that system, why let it do so. Well,
then, and if other towns similarly circumstanced claimed
the same privilege he had no objection it should be
granted to them. The State having granted the privi-
lege to eighty other places of having bonding warehouses,
and having undertaken the expenses of Custom-house
officers, why not beer the expense in that case also? If
the Chancellor of the Exchequer were of opinion that
the bonding warehouses system was carried too far, he
would ask was it reasonable to commence with a town
which was eighth on the list, and where a large amount
of revenue was collected? There were only seven other
towns in which a larger amount of revenue was collected
than in Manchester. He did not ask that bonding
should be discontinued anywhere; but he thought the
Chancellor of the Exchequer should not lessen his
bonding facilities in the midst of such a locality as that
was. It might be said that Manchester was not a seaport;
and he knew great stress was laid upon that argument.
But Manchester had communication with the sea by
water. Was it not frequently the case in London
that goods were taken out of ships down the river,
and brought up hero to be bonded? What was to
prevent the same thing from being done in Man-
chester? In Chester, a very large proportion of the
goods warehoused was brought from other places, and
not imported directly into the place. He could not see
what difference there was between Chester and Man-
chester in that respect. In Carlisle, too, there had been
Customs received for one year to the amount of no less
than 36,4111. for bonding foreign goods; yet not one
fraction of them had been imported into Carlisle direct.e
Ships could not go up there, for he believed it was ten
alli these goods had
tere In
weret he
beeno r twelve
el
v receivedm miles
e from of from
otherm the
sea;b
bondingut
warehouses.
case of one principal article, viz, that of tea, there
only seven places into which it was permitted to be im-
bauntdththeerreefwoetreetey
40 others into which it might be
did depart from the prin-
cpbiroporleteegd of only
ftonly allowin" bonding to take place in a sea-
port. The same might be said of tobacco and various
other articles in the way of trade. If their bonding es-
tablishment in Manchester was not worth keeping, then
discontinue it. If the Committee for which he sought
thought it was improper to l
put the public to the ex-
pense of the charge of thehe s a
ti sfied
Manchester;
but
ift warehousesheyh
t ou andgh
Customs then he would
t
Somerset,otherwis otherwise thentbat he would
Government
if forwou d say, in the words of Lord G.
he
the
would
most ruinous principle,hsake
of
antleytipnegdaonntiac
attachment to the opinions of cld Customhouse officers
they were to refine paying the expense where such
establishments were already placed. Mr. Goulburn's
opinion had been in favour of the system which be
recommended, provided the necessary expenditure
would be repaid by the benefit to the public. Go-
vernment, nu doubt, would be well represented on the
coaluittoo for which he moved; in fact all partial