The Sun.
London, England, 1835-03-18 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY SUMMARY.

In the House of Lords last night, the Earl of
MuLGRAVE put some questions to Government, as
to whether they had lately received any information
with respect to the working of the new system of the
West Indian Slave population ; whether a vagrant
law would not be requisite ; and whether there would
be the average supply of sugar ? The Earl of ABER-
DEEN replied, that Government had received some
information to the effect, that the Slaves proceeded
most satisfactorily on the new system, and that there
would be the average supply of sugar. The Duke of
BUCKINGHAM remarked, that there were many thou-
sands of slaves wandering about in Barbadoes, in con-
sequence of their having no master to whom to apply
for protection, and that assassinations had been frequent
in that island. Lord BROUGHAM, in answer to what
the Attorney-General had said in the House of Com-

mons in introducing the Ecclessiastical Court Bill,
respecting, the Abolition of the Court of Delegates,
observed that that Court was abolished more than
three years since. The Duke of BUCKINGHAM pre-
sented a petition from Stoke Pogis, complaining of the
conduct of the Poor Law Commissioners, in uniting,
that parish with eighteen others, although its pro-
ceedings had never been found fault with. The
Duke of WELLINGTON hoped that the petition
would be postponed for two or three days, in order
that he might be furnished with replies to its charges.
Lord BROUGHAM remarked that no postponement
was necessary, for that the union of the parishes al-
luded to had been resolved on at a full meeting, and
would be productive of much benefit, in addition to
its recommendations, as an economical measure. His
Lordship added that the Poor Law Commissioners
had acted throughout with the greatest prudence and
discretion. The petition was ordered to be received.
In the House of Commons, after the SPEAKER
had announced that the petition against the return
for the city of Waterford was discharged, for want of
sureties, Mr. FEARGUS O'CONNOR gave notice that
he should move on Monday next, that all clergymen
acting as Magistrates in Ireland, be immediately dis-
missed from the Commission of the Peace. A new
writ was moved for Nottingham, in the room of Lord
LUMLEY, who had been called to the House of
Peers by the death of the Earl of SCARBO-
ROUGH. Lord JOHN RUSSELL announced his
intention of bringing forward his motion respecting
the Irish Church, on Monday the 30th instant. Sir
It. PEEL then introduced his measure for providing
rAief in the case of marriage, for those Dissenters
who objected to the ceremony as performed according
to the rites of the Established Church. Mr. WILKES,
as the organ of the Dissenters, praised the measure
of the Right Hon. Baronet in very high terms, and
promised it his support. A long discussion ensued,
in which Dr. LUSUINGTON, Lord JOHN RUSSELL,
Mr. D. W. HARVEY, Mr. EWART, Lord SANDON,
and other Hon. Members, (all of whom concurred in
praising the Bill) took a part, after which it was read
a first time.

The most prominent feature of the Bill is to bring
back the law as respects marriage to the principle
which was in force down to 1754—making marriage
now, as it was then, a CIVIL CONTRACT. None of its
provisions contemplate members of the Establishment,
but those persons only who dissent from its doctrine
and discipline.

It provides that marriage may be celebrated between
such persons after notice to a magistrate, if the parties
have lived seven days within the hundred.
That the said marriage be celebrated between four-
teen clays after such notice, and before the expiration
of three months.

That notice to one Magistrate be sufficient, and the
declaration by the parties to be similar to that now
made on making application for a license.
That the Magistrate, before whom the contract has
been entered into, do transmit a copy of the said con-

tract to the Clergyman of the district, with a view to a
general registry.
Compensation to the Church for the loss of fees and
emoluments.

Seven shillings to be paid to the Magistrate, out of
which five shillings to the Church.
No compulsion for the observance of any religious
ceremony.

Mr. Alderman WOOD brought in a Bill for
the better regulation of the cabs and omnibusses
plying in and about the metropolis. Sir JAMES
GRAHAM obtained permission to bring in two Bills :
one, to improve and consolidate the laws relating to
the merchant-seamen of the United Kingdom ; the
other, to encourage the voluntary enlistment of seamen.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved for copies of any special
Reports received from the Commissioners of Religious
Instruction in Ireland, which was agreed to. One or
two more motions were made and agreed to, after
which the House adjourned at 12 o'clock.