The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-02 00:00:00

NORTHAMPTON GAOL.

Lord LILFORI) asked a question respecting certain
returns affecting this gaol.
Lord WHARNCLIFFE said that the return was
made to ascertain some irregularities alleged to hare
taken place in the gaol.
POST-OFFICE REGULATIONS—THE MAILS.

Earl FORTESCUE presented a petition from Tiver-
ton (of which he had given notice), complaining of the
conversion of stage-coaches into mail-coaches, whereby
the turnpike dues were evaded.
The Earl of LONSDALE said that the grievance
complained of had been occasioned by the inhabitants of
Tiverton requiring two deliveries daily instead of one.
OTAIIEITE.

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that after
what occurred in the other House last night on the sub-
ject of the late aggressions of the French Admiral in
Otaheite, it was almost superfluous for him to ask, whe-
ther her Majesty's Government were able to inform the
House that the statements which had recently
appeared in the public prints were true ?
Lord ABERDEEN said—lt is perfectly true that
an outrage has been committed upon the person of a
British subject—(Hear, hear)—but it is also perfectly
true that it has taken place without the possible know-
ledge of the French Government, and under a state of
things which has been disavowed by that Government.
In September last the Queen was dethroned, and the
French Admiral, Dupetit Thouars, took possession of
the Island, and exercised sovereignty there. Immedi-
ately after that act was known in Europe, the French
Government disavowed it.—(Hear, hear.) But since that
time a state of things arose, which may account for
many acts, which could not be accounted for under
a more regular and lawful state of affairs.—(Hear, hear.)
When the French Admiral took possession of the island,
the gentleman, who held the office of Consul of Great
Britain, hauled down his flag, arid gave to the French
authorities an official announcement that he was no
longer Consul there, the Queen having been dethroned
—(Hear, hear)—so that in point of fact Mr. Vrichard
was not regarded as having an official character. Ido
not mean to say, my Lords, that any such arbitrary pro-
ceedings as have been taken against that gentleman
could be justified.—(Hear, hear.) I have said before,
that all this mutt have taken place without the slightest
encouragement or even knowledge on the part of the
French Government. I believe this will be a godsend to
the enemies of peace between the countries, and it will
be turned by them to a good account.—(Hear, hear.)
But, my Lords, I have every reason to believe that by
the exercise of a spirit of justice and moderation, this
unfortunate affair will not lead to serious consequences.
—(Hear, hear.) He had reason to believe that the
French Government would take the same view of the
matter that he did.—(llear, hear.)
Lord MINTO said that nothing could be more
satisfactory than the statement of the Noble Earl, and it
could scarcely be supposed that these acts of aggression
had taken place with the cognisance of the French Go-
vernment. But he.wished to ask what her Majesty's
Government had done, with respect to the means of pro-
tection to British subjects in the South Seas ?
Lord ABERDEEN said that jtaheite had not
been without a ship of war sinco the first occupation of
the island, until everything appeared to be settled, and
the afFairs of the island to be going on quietly. Other
ships had recently been sent out.
Lord KINNAIRD considered the English Govern-
ment very much to blame for allowing the French to
take possession of Otaheite. The island might ♦ery
reasonably have been placed under the protectorate of
Ent land and America.

The Earl of ABERDEEN said that the protectorate
of the island had been repeatedly offered to England, and
refused. He believed that at this very moment Queen
Potnare was restored to full power.