The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY MORNING, MARCIPI Itll___ 1845.

Bill, which was read a first, and ordered to be read a
second time.
The Fiscal Procurators Bill was read a second time,
and ordered to be committed.
On the motion of Mr. CLIFTON, the Blackburn and
Preston Railway Bill was read a second time, and
ordered to be committed.
The Launceston and South Devon Railway was read
a second time, and ordered to be committed.
Mr. THORNELY brought in the Wolverhampton
Waterworks' Bill, which was read a first time.
Colonel ROLLESTON moved the second reading of
the Sheffield and Newark Railway Bill.
Mr. HUTT presented petitions against the Newcastle
and Berwick Railway Bill, and the Newcastle and Dar-
lington Railway Bill.—Referred to the Committee.
NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.
The North British Railway Bill was then read a
second time.
SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY.
On the motion of Mr. BARRY BALDWIN, the
South Devon Railway Bill was read a second time.
BERKS AND HANTS RAILWAY.
On the motion of Mr. GRIMSDITCH, the Berks
and Hants Railway Bill was read a second time.
GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND KILMARNOCK
RAILWAY.
This Bill was also read a second time.
SEES OF BANGOR AND ST. ASAPII.
Lord CLIVE presented a petition from some place in
Herefordshire, against the union of the sees of Bangor
and St. Asaph.
SABBATH TRADING.
Mr. SHEPPARD presented petitions praying the
Reuse to adopt measures for restricting the sale of in-
toxicating liquors on the. Sabbath.
THE LAW OF BASTARDY.
Dr. BOWRING presented petitions complaining of
the present law of bastardy.
THE POOR-LAW.
Mr. BLAKE presented a petition from some place in
Ireland, praying that they might not be forced to levy a
rate in repayment of the money borrowed to build union
workhouses.
An HoN. MEMBER presented a petition from Corn-
wall against the sale of intoxicating liquors upon the
Sabbath.

defer the discussion on this subject, till he niors d the re

to him that they wer' greatly wAli the ans-
wer of the Right Hon. Baronet the Hotne Secretary :
in fact it had not been stated whether any warrant at
all had been issued fur the opening of those letters ; and
under these circumstances he felt compelled to adopt
this course. .

solution of the House.
SUGAR. DUTIES.

Mr. HAVES hoped the Right Hon. Chancellor of
the Exchequer would not bring on the sugar duties at a
late hour of the night.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assured
the Hon. Gentleman he would not commence the discus-
sion that night, if the debate on the Customs Act ex-
tended to a late hour.
LAW OF SETTLEMENT.

Sir ROBERT PEEL did hope the Hon. Member
would not persevere in this course. There really
would not be time to comply with his request.—(Hear.)
There would be but to-morrow and the next day, during

which he hoped to go into the question of supply, before
Easter; and, as it would be a great inconvenience to the
c,suntry to costpone that question, he did trust the
House would not throw any obstacle in the way, such as
that stated by the Hon. Member for Fisbury.
Mr. WAKLEY begged to be understood as not wish-
ing to do so of his own accord ; he was only acting in
compliance with the demand of his constituents.-._
(Hear, hear.) But in the circumstances in which he
was placed, he did not think he would be discharging
his duty towards his constituents, if he did not take the '
earliest opportunity of bringing the subject before the
House. He regretted that the Right Hon. Baronet
rendered it necessary that this should be done. The
production of the warrant would have been quite
sufficient, but as the warrant was not produced, and as
his constituents did not know that there was any war-
rant, they were in the condition he stated—they were
very much dissatisfied indeed.
Sir PEEL said Le bad only that day and Wednesday
to get through a great deal of public business, which was
of the utmost importance to the public interests. They
had 400 articles to go through, and though there were
several of them with regard to which he did not expect
any difference of opinion, yet it must necessarily take up
a considerable time to go through them. There was
not a day passed that he had not sixty letters with re-
gard to them. He did not deprecate the Hon. Gentle-
man's bringing forward his motion, but seeing the state
of public business, and the importance to the interests of
trade, that it should be speedily gone through with ;
seeing also that the Hon. Member for Somerset had a
motion which would occupy some time, he wished that
the Hon. Gentleman would not press his motion.
Mr. HUME hoped that his Hon. Friend would not
press his motion, as it could he brought on after Easter
without any great inconvenience ; and, as the Right
flon. Baronet had said, every person was now anxious to
know what would be done with the different articles in
which they were interested.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said there was a clause in
the Sugir Duties Bill, with regard tc, which there,was a
great deal of dissatisfaction, alicl upon which there w uhf
he some discussion. Loolt4: to the state cf the public
business he thought the., lien. Member fur Finsbury
would do well not to press hie motion, but postpone it
till alter Easter.

Mr. C. BULLER asked the Right Hon. Secretary of
State for the Home Department if he intended to press
the second reading of the Law of Settlement Amend-
ment Act on the day for which it stood ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said the second reading was at
present fixed for the 2d of April ; but as it had been re-
presented that the Quarter Sessions would be held on
that day, and it would be inconvenient for many Hon.
Gentlemen to attend, he would postpone the second
reading till the 14th.
FLOATING BREAKWATER.

Captain PECHELL said,some months sirce several sec-
tions of the floating breakwater, invented by Capt. Taylor,
ware moored off the port of Shoreham, and from the
statements of pilots and masters of trading vessels it
appeared the breakwater had entirely answered every
purpose for which it was intended, ships being quite
sheltered on the lee-side of it. He wished to know
whether the Hon. and Gallant Officer (Sir G. Cockburn)
had received any report of the efficiency of this great
work of art, and, if not, whether the Admiralty had
given
nanydirection!, for an inquiry into its merits, for
the purpose of obtaining such a report ?
Sir G. COCKBURN was understood to say that an
inquiry had been ordered, but that no report had yet
been received.
SERVICES OF SIR H. POTTINGER.
Mr. HUME said on a former occasion he had asked
the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's
Government, why the name of Sir H. Pottinger was not
included in the vote of thanks to the military and naval
force employed in China, as it was owing to the exer-
tions of Sir H. Pottinger that the peace was concluded.
He would now ask whether there was any intention, on
the part of the Governnient, to propose a vote of thanks
to that officer, or bestow any substantial reward on him

SCOTTISH BANKING.
Mr. DUFF presented a petition from some place in
Scotland, praying that the system of banking in that
country might not be interfered with.
PROTECTION TO AGRICULTURE.
Mr. H. HALFORD presented petitions from Leices-
tershire, praying for protection to agriculture.
Captain PECHELL presented a petition from Duncan
M'lntyre, of Fort William, North Britain, stating that
he had given information to the Board of
Ordnance in consequence of which, the pecu-
lations of a certain barrack-master had been dis-
covt red; that an inquiry had, been made, and re-
stitution had been recovered by the Gorernm, lit. but
that the petitioner had not been indemnified iu con-
formity with the acts of William 111. and George IV.,
and praying the House to aford relief.
Mr. Sergeant MURPHY presented a petition from
Cork, praying for an alteration of the criminal code ;
and another petition, complaining of the opening of
letters at the Post-office, and praying the House to in-
stitute an inquiry into the subject, and more particularly
into the opening of letters addressed to Thomas Slingsby
Duncombe, Esq.
Colonel RAWDON presented a petition praying for
the repeal of all penal laws affecting the regular clergy
of the Roman Catholic Church.
MARITIME LAW.
Mr. EWART presented a petition, signed by 249 of
the ship-owners of Sunderland, complaining of the ope-
ration of the present maratime laws, and praying for
their modification.
THE ANATOMY BILL.
Mr. MACKINNON presented IZ petition from the
inhabitants of Maryborough against the Anatomy Bill.
TOBACCO DUTIES.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from the tobacco
manufacturers of Glasgow, complaining of the present
high rate of duties on that article, and stating that if
these duties were not reduced, they could not carry on
their trade, owing to the great extent and success of
smuggling, and that therefore if the House could not
enforce the law, they ought to repeal those duties all-
together.
The Hoer. MEMBER also presented a petition from the
inhabitants of Montrose, complaining of the reduced
state of the profits of those engaged in the shipping
trade, and praying for relief from the heavy duties on
shipping.
Mr. MILES presented a petition from the agricultu-
rists of Somerset, praying the House for a mitigation of
the burdens which press upon agriculture, and that it
would take their case into consideration.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition, from a place in
Buckinghamshire, against the game-laws.
Mr. S. O'BRIEN presented a petition from Peter-
borough, complaining of agricultural distress.
NOTICES OF MOTION.
Mr. Sergeant MURPHY gave notice that, after,
Easter, he would move for a Committee to inquire into
the operation of the Act of the 17tth and 18th of
Charles IL, relating to the rating of ministers' money in
certain large towns in Ireland.
Mr. THORNELY gave notice that, in Committe on
the Smoke Prevention Bill, he would propose clauses for
the purpose of exempting iron works from the operation
of the Bill.
Dr. BOWRING gave notice that he would to-morrow
put a question to the Government, respecting the pro-
clamation for the alteration of the currency in Malta.
Mr. ORMSBY GORE gave notice, that after Easter,
he would present a petition, and bring the case of the
Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway Company before
the House, with a view to their proceeding with the
Bill in the present session.
Mr. SHAW gave notice that to-morrow he would
nominate the Committee on the Atmospheric Railway
system.
Mr. AGLIONBY gave notice that he would shortly
move for certain returns relating to New Zealand.
COPPER DUTIES.
In answer to a question from Sir C. LEMON,
Mr. PARKER said, that if he could not bring on his
motion with respect to the copper duties to-night, he
should postpone his motion until the Committee on the
customs duties, after Easter.
JEWISH DISABILITIES BILL.
Sir R. H. INGLIS wished to know if the Right Hou.
Baronet could inform him when he would take the se-
cond reading of the Bill relating to the Jews ?
(Cheers from the Oppcsition.)
Sir R. PEEL could not exactly state when he would
move the second reading. The Estimates would be
brought on early after Easter ; and due notice would be
given of the second reading of the Jewish Diabilities Bill.
He presumed his Hon. Friend would not object to the
first reading of the Bill.
Sir R. 11. INGLIS had no hesitation in stating that
he would acquiesce in the first reading of the Bill. It
was usual in Bills being brought from the House of
Lords, that they should be read a first time without
opposition. Within the last twenty years there had been
but three exceptions to this rule. Had the Bill origi-
nated in that House, he would have opposed the first
reading ; but, as it had come from the House of Lords,
he should allow the first reading to pass.
Sir R. PEEL—I move then, Sir, that the Bill be read
a first time now, and I will fix the second reading for
the 7th of April.
The SPEAKER put the question, and Sir R. H. Inglis
emphatically exclaimed "No I" amidst much laughter,
The Bill was read a first time.

for his services ?
Sir R. PEEL hoped the House would not consider the
answer he was about to give inconsistent with the great
respect he felt for the character of Sir 11. Pottinger, and
his high opinion of his services. But it was not the nsuol
course for the House to vote its thank.~ to individuals
engaged in civil services ; in the present case he did not
think the precedent ought to be established. With re-
spect to the sense entertained by her Msjesty of the ser-
vices of Sir H. Pottinger. it had been proved by the
honours that had been bestowed on him.
Mr. HUME said that he would bring the subject under
the consideration of the House after the Easter recess.
SCOTCH BANKS.
Mr. A. DUFF said, that as scene alteration in the
Scotch banking system was intended, he hoped the Right
Hon. Baronet would inform the House whether or not he
would give some indication of the course the Govern-
ment meant to pursue regarding this question, before the
Easter recess.
Sir R. PEEL replied that he must take the same course
in respect to Scotch and Irish as to English banks, and
reserve all explanation until he brought the matter fully
under the consideration of the House.
Mr. DUFF—When does the Right lion. Baronet in-
tend to bring the measure forward ?
Sir R. PEEL—At as early a period after the recesses
as is consistent with our duty in respect to other mea-
sures of great importance, and of an urgent nature.
COLLEGE OF MAYNOOTH.
Mr. M. BELLEW wished to know from the Right
lion. Baronet when he contemplated bringing forward
the Irish business, and which Irish measures would have
precedence?
Sir R. PEEL said, the two first measures regarding
Ireland which would be brought under the notice of the
House were that in reference to the College of Maynooth,
and that regarding academical education. He could not
bring these measures forward immediately after the re-
cess, in consequence of the press of business, but at as
early a period as possible.
Tti E TARIFF.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was un-
derstood to say that he would not at present press the
elatist-: to which the Nobk37Lord adverted, considering
that they were now levying the duty on the resolution of
the house, without the proviion of the Act of Parlia-
zutut. He would consider whether the clause might not
be subsequently introduced in another form.
Lord J. RUSSELL said the course proposed by the
Right Hon. Gentleman would meet every view. He
thought the proposition of the Right Hon. Gentleman
would be better introduced as a separate measure, and
the Right Hon. Gentleman could consider whether it
would be necessary.
Mr. HAWES said he had a motion on thq, clause re-
ferred to; but the course proposed by the B gh. Hon.
Gentleman was satisfactory to him, and he would not
press it.
Mr. AGLIONBY would recommend his Hon. Friend
the Member for Finsbury to postpone his motion until
after Easter, seeing the importance of the measures
of her Majesty's Government.
After a few words from Mr. HAWES and the
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
Mr. WAKLEY consented 0 withdraw his motion,
and gave notice that he would bring it forward on the
first Committee of Supply day after Ea-ter.
NEW ZEALAND.

Mr. C. BULLET : Wished to ask the Right Hon.
Gentleman opposite whether it was his intention to
bring forward the motion for papers respecting New
Zealand, of which he had given io and to make a
statement respecting the conduct of the Noble Lord the
Secretary of State for the Colonial Department. He
vas most anxious to give tha Government every oppor-
tunity- for explanation at the earliest possible period.
He thought it rather hard that he should be accused of
endeavouring to injure the Noble Lord at the bead of
the Colonial department by the part which he had taken
in this question he had acted only as was consistent
with his public duty, and thought there was nothing in
the terms of his motion fixed for to-morrow evening
which should excite the anger of any Member of the
Goverment, or which showed the least personality or
ill-will. His motion was for .‘ C.,pies of all correspon-
dence between the Colonial-office and the Governor of
the Falkland Islands, respecting the issue of inconver-
tible paper money. Civies of any instructions 10 the
Governors of New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, or any
other colony, authorising, the contraction of debts, and
the issue of inconvertible paper." Surely there was
nothing personal in that.
Mr. HOPE said he was most anxious that the Go-
vernment should have the fullest opportunity of explain-
ing the course they had pursued iu reference to the
affairs of New Zealand, and was glai that the subject
would come before the House in such a manner as would
admit of a full vindication of the conduct of the Noble
Lord at the head of the Colonial department.

Lord EBRINGTON put a question to the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, in consequence of a letter he had re-
ceived from a mercantile friend, whether the duties upon
myrrh, rectified turpentine, and olbanum, would be
affected by the change in the duty upon resins?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that the Hon. Member would see that there wure reduc-
tions of the duty on turpentine and resin already made,
and as to myrrh, It would come under the same category.
Capt. BERNAL OSBORNE wished to know whether
it was the intention of the Hon. Member for Louth to
found any measure upon the subject to which be had ad-
verted with respect to landlords and tenants at Mort ?
Sir R. PEEL said the Government were in communi•
cation on the subject.
Lord J. RUSSELL wished to know whether, if any
measure was introduced, it would be introduced in that
House or the House of Lords, and whether it would be
introduced under the sanction of the Government or the
Commission.
Sir R. PEEL answered, under the authority of the
Government.
Mr. ROCHE wished to know from the Right Hon.
Baronet at the head of the Government, when the Irish
Members might expect the remaining evidence of the
Irish Land Commissioners would be laid on the table
of the House. In the north of Ireland they had had the
evidence that had already been printed with respect to
that part, but Hon. Members were anxious to know
what had been done with respect to the south.
Sir It. PEEL would make inquiry on the subject, and
in the interinkhe could not but congratulate the Hon.
Gentleman in having got through the first portion of the
evidence.
ST. JAMES'S PARK.

RELIEF TO THE AGRICULTURAL INTEREST.
On the motion that the SPEAKER do leave the Chair
that the House might go into Committee on the Cus-
toms Act,
Mr. W. MILES rose to mese that it was the opinion
of this House, " that in the application of surplus re-
venue towards relieving the burthens of the country, by
reduction or remission of taxation, due regard ehould
be had to the necessity of affording relief to
the agricultural interest." The Hon. Member was, for
soon: minutes. quite inaudible, in consequence of the
noise occasioned by Members leaving the House. He
was understood te say that be wished a subject of so
much importance bad been entrusted to abler hands,
but feeling it a daty imperative upon him, he would dis-
chergeit to the best of his ability-. He would, as con-
cisely us possible, state his re lens for bringing the
euleksct under the, notice of the House. It was well known
that a eurplus of three millions and upwards existed, and
Hon. Members must be also aware of the cheering fact
that the manufacturing &inlets eare Si. satisfactory
condition. The Right lion. Baeonet at the head of the
Government bad congratulated the House en the state of
finaecial prosperity ; but it was not difficult to foresee
that, in 1847, if the incoaie-tax were in the interim dis-
continued, there would be, instead of a surplus, a defi-
ciency. Before the House consented to any reduction of
the duty upon sugar, he would ask them to consider the
state of the agricultural districts,and whether some small
benefit might not be extended towards them. It should not
be forgotten that the agricultural interest contributed
very largely to the income-tax, as well es to many other
species of taxation ; and, surely, when there was a re•
mission of taxation, they ought not to be cast aside. Ile
would divide the country into three classes—manufac-
turing, agricultural, and commercial. Plans had been
brought forward for the relief of commerce and nianu-
factures, whilst agriculture had been unnoticed. It had
been said that one of the greatest burdens upon agricul-
ture was the malt-tax ;. but he (Mr. Miles) knew that
from the large sum it yielded, it was one which the Ex-
chequer could not spare ; and, therefore, he would cot
ask for its remission whatever clamour might be raised
out of doors. It could not be denied that whilst the
commercial and manufacturing communities were im-
proving the agricultural interest was declining. It might
be said that the distress in the rural districts was only
partial and confined. He owned that the deficiency in
some parts of the country was greater than in others,
and that no legislative enactments could control
those partial misfortunes, but ha denied that the distress
was merely local—he asserted that the agricultural dis
tress was general. What aggrevated this distress was
that during the last season the price of meat was low,
although barley and turnips were scarce and high in
price—this was siagular and unlike what had occurred in
former years, and, of course, very injurious to the farmer.
He suspected that whilst the price of provender was so
high, that of meat had not risen either in Smithfield or
Lesdenhall, showing that the fernier had no control over
his own markets. Now, as to the price of corn, he would
take the imports which had tsken place under the Act of
1842, and compare them in price and quantity with those
which had taken place under the Act of IU.B. He
would first take the thirty-two months subse-
quent to the Act of 1842. In 1842 there was
imported into this country 2,612,816 quarters 15f
foreign corn, and 524,000 cwt. of flour. In
1843, 1,658,000 quarters of coin ; in 1844, 1,110,255
quarters. The whole quantity of flour which was im-
ported during these thirty-two months was 1,237,190
cwts. The average prices of wheat per quarter was—
in 1842, 555. ; in 1843, 535. ; in 1844, 51s. 3d. ; the
average price being 525. 4id. per quarter. Let them now
look at what took place under the Act of 1828. In the
thirty-six months following the Act of 1828, there were
imported into this country only 640,824 quarters, whilst
in less than that period and posterior to 1842, 4,788,669
quarters had been imported, and a large quantity of
flour. This year large quantities of barley had been
imported from foreign countries; about 1,221,187 quarters
had been imported, and the quality of Italian and other
descriptions of foreign barley were quite equal to those
of home growth. The Hon. Gentleman then went into
a series of details, the import of which was almost in-
audible in the gallery, but the effect of which was to
show that the price of agricultural produce and the pro-
visions for the people had declined since the tariff of
1842. The object of the other statements of the
Hon. Member was to show that the agricultural
interest paid more local rates than the manutieturing.
The agricultural interest likewise complained of the
pressure of the Police Act, bat he was afraid to enter
upon that subject, as it would soon be regularly intro-
duced before the House ; but still he must say that it
was hard that the tenant-farmer, living in a retired
country district, who had never perhaps even seen the
police, should have to contribute to the safety of those
persons living in towns. He had a return from the
county of Essex, in which, if he recollected rightly, it
was stated that the assessed county rates, which in the
year 1836 were 16,0001., now averaged 34,600/. He
trusted that he had rendered himself sufficiently intel-
ligible to the House. He had endeavoured by these re-
turns to make out his case, that nut only did partial,
but unfortunately general, distress exist in the country%
He would now venture very' humbly to suggest to the
Government what, in his opinion, would be as desirable
boon, one of the very best which could psssibly be af-
forded to the agricultural interests—he meant that they
should allow malt to be used for feeding cattle without
the payment of a duty.—(Hear, hear.) Many Hon.
Members had expatiated lengthily and feelingly upon the
subject of agricultural distress, but few had brought
forward any measures for its remedy. He would suggest
two measures, one of which was advocated by the Noble
Lord the Member for Yorkshire (Lord Worsley)--that

Mr. WAKLEY, seeing the Noble Earl at the head of
the Woods and Forests in his place, wished to know
whether the gate- keepers of St. James's-park had
orders to refuse admission through it of labourers in
their working elcessea ?—(Bear, hear.) He had been
informed that such orders had been given, by a gentle-
man who had .t-en a written instruction to that effect in
the halide of the gate-keepers. - I
Load LINCOLN said that, some years ago, instrue-
tions to the of eet alluded to by the Hon. Member had
been ie;ued to the gate-keepers. Bat two or three
years ago he had directed the gate-keepers net to act
on those instructions, except in cases where persons in
that dress were in a state of intoxication.
GRINDING CORN IN BOND.
Mr. HASTIE said, that as the Act authorising the
grinding of corn in bond would expire in August
next, he had been requested by many persons engaged
in the corn-trade, to ask the Right Hon. Baronet,
whether or not it was the intention of the Government
to propose the renewal of that Act ?
ir R. PEEL—We do intend to renew the Act.
CUSTOMS ACT.—BURDE.KNS ON AGRI-
CULTUR
On the motion that the order of the day for the
House resolving itself into Committee on Customs Act
be read,
• Sir WALTER JAMES rose for the purpose of re-
questing the Hon. Member for Somersetshire to
postpone the motion of which he had given notice, on
the House going into Committee. It was an exceed-
ingly important motion, and he would ask the Hon.
Gentleman to postpone it till after Easter. He
made this request entirely propria Inc-tr. He had
not spoken on the subject to any member of her
Majesty's Government. He certainly did ask the opinion
of the Hon. Member for the City of London—the senior
Member for London.—(A laugh.) He said it n as ex-
ceedingly difficult to distinguish among Members of the
City of London, and therefore he mentioned his Hon.
Friend as the senior Member—(Renewed laughter)—he
mentioned him on account of' the very high character he
had in the House.— -(Continued laughter.) He did not
at all wish to distinguish his Hon. Friend from the Noble
Lord opposite—(Shouts of laughter)—of course he had
not consulted the Noble Lord.—(Continued laughter.)
But the Hon. Member to whom he alluded was a high
authority on all commercial subjects—(Hear, hear)—and
his Hon. Friend bad assured him that any delay in the
passing of the tariff would produce a most injurious ef-
feet upon the commercial interests of the country—
(Hear, hear.) Now he could not help thinking that
ninety-nine persons out of a hundred in the country
would be of opinion, after what had fallen from the
Right Hon. Baronet the Prime Minister, that the mo-
tion of his Hon. Friend the Member for Somersetshire
could not produce any immediate practical result.—
(Loud Opposition cheers.) If the Hon. Member wished
to make a protest, in a spirit of conciliation, the pro-
priety of adopting such a course was open to con-
sideration. He (Sir Walter James) would not say
whether such a course of conduct was wise or politic,
but it was at least open to consideration ; but he consi-
dered that 99 persons out of every 100 of common sense
—(A. laugh)—must see that it could not make any im-
portant difference to the county Members whether the
motion were brought on before Easter or after, and
under those circumstances he hoped the Hon. Member
would postpone his motion. He begged to say to his
Hon. Friend that he put this question in the most amica-
ble spirit.—(Laughter.) He had the greatest respect for
the character of his Hon. Friend, as well as for the
county Members in that House generally ; but if he
should not consent to the postponement of it till after
Easter, then upon the county Members would rest the
onus of the delay to the other measures of importance
affecting the commercial interests of the country, of sus-
pending industry, and clogging the channels of trade,
pro tar*, for the time.—(Laughter.)
Mr. MASTERMAN begged to say, as the elderly
gentleman allude:: to—(Laughter)—that he could only
repeat to his Hon. Friend what he had said to him be-
fore in private, that he considered it would be a great
inconvenience to bring on this motion now, and there-
fore he would be willing to givo precedence to the Cus-
toms Act.—(Hear.)
Mr. W. MILES—In answer to the Hon. Member fa
Hull, he regretted to say that he could not comply with
his request, and should adhere to his original intention
of bringing
on his motion on the day he had given notice
of it.—(Hear)—and he hoped and trusted the Houle
would agree with him in that motion ; though from
what he had heard this evening it would appear as if
Hon. Gentlemen thought that such a thing as the agri,
cultural interest did not now exist at all—(Laughter)—
that in fact there was no interest to be cared for in this
country but the commercial.—(Hear.) If he consented
to this motion lie had no doubt he would be looked upon
as throwing 'the agricultural interests overboard al-
together.—(Hear.)
POST-OFFICE ESPIONAGE.
Mr. WAKLEY begged to intimate to the Right Hon.
Bart., the First Lord of the Treasury, that upon the,
Right Hon. Bart. bringing on his motion for the House
going into a Committee of Supply, he would ask a question
relative to the opening of Mr. Duncombe's letters. He
was very unwilling to do this ; but he was compelled to
it by the electors of Finsbury, 1410 had communicated

SCOTCH POOR-LAW.
Lord DALMENY rose to put a question with refer-
ence to the poor-law of Scotland. • The House would,
no doubt, recollect that a short time ago he had asked
the Right Hon. Baronet whether it was the intention of
her Majesty to propose in this session of Parliament
any legislative measure for the amendment or alteration
of the poor-laws of Scotland. To that question he had
received a very courteous, but not a very definitive an-
swer;"and he now wished to ask whether it was the inten-
tion of her Majesty's Government to propose any legis-
lative measure for the alteration or amendment of the
poor-law of Scotland ; and, if such were their intention,
at what period of the session such measure would be
laid on the table of the House ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said that notwithstanding the great
mass of business which had pressed on the attention of
his collegues and himself at the commencement
of this session, he could assure the Noble Lord that the
important subject to which his question referred had not
been overlooked by her Majesty's Government ; but
he would venture to suggest to the Noble
Lord and to the House, that the interval of the Easter
recess should still be given to them before they returned
a definitive answer. He would undertake that, on the
first day after the Easter recess, either he himself, or the
Lord-Advocate of Scotland, would announce definitively
the course which Would be taken by her Majesty's Go-
vernment, on this subject. 'Whilst he was on his legs,
seeing the Noble Lord the Member for Dorsetshire, ho
begged to say that be observed that a very important
Bill introduced by that Noble Lord stood for the
second reading on Wednesday next, namely, the Bill re-
lating to calico print-works. That Bill was introduced
on the 12th of die present month, and, as it bad not been
in the hands of Members more than three or four days,
he hoped his Noble Friend, considering. the extreme im-
portance of the subject, and the great interests involved
in the Bill, would consent to postpone the second reading
of the Bill until after Easter.
Lord ASHLEY said he had been most anxious that
the Bill should be proceeded with before Easter, but
with a view to the public convenience he would post-
pone it until Wednesday, the 2nd of April. He must,
however, be allowed to remark, that he.was astonished
that her Majesty's Government should hesitate to
affirm the principle only of such a measure as thet—
a measure which went no further than to limit the
labour of children under thirteen years of age, below
a period of sometimes not less than thirty-six conse-
cutive hours.
The order of 'the day for the second reading of the
Calico-printers' Bill was then read for the purpose of its
being postponed until April 2.
AUCTION - DUTY.
Mr. BRIGHT begged to ask the Chancellor of the
Exchequer a question with respect to the proposal of
the Government, as to the removal of the auction duty.
He did so on account of a letter which he had received from
Haddington, in Scotland. The writer stated that it was
there customary for things not only to be sold free of auc-
tion duty, but by parties who had no auctioneer's licence, if
it were sold on the farm or the estate where it was prod used.
It was stated to be quite impossible, on account of the
small trade which was carried on, that it could be worth
the while of parties to pay the auction duty ; and he
wished to ask whether the Government proposed to con-
tinue to the produce of land the particular and special
favour of being sold without the licence of an auc-
tioneer ? If not, he thought extreme hardship would be
inflicted in the case of individuals placed in the same
situation as the person to whom he had referred.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER must