The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-05 00:00:00

did the Noble Earl mean to contend that the Government I
were to he quietly by, and let them strike the blow without
interfering ? Why, it was only a few days ago that they had
received an account. of an expedition being fitted out from Corfu
for the invasion of a country in alliance with her Majesty, and
that had been concerted in conjunction with foreigners ►n this
country ; an 1 were the Government not to interfere?
The inquiry should not be directed to particular cases ; it
should be directed to the propriety of continuing the power
and as to the checks to be placed upon its exercise. He
should therefore propose an amendment, introducing the words
which had been introduced in the motion in the house of
Commons, and he would move fur a Secret Committee,
composed of Members of both sides of the House,
giving the majority to Noble Lords on the other
si►ie, and excluding from it all persons holding office, or
connected with office. The Committee would be so formed,
that he trusted it ►would give general satisfaction to the public.
He thought the matter ought to he inquired into, and he
should therefore move as 'an amendment to the motion of the
Noble Earl, that a Committee should be appointed, to consist
of the following Noble Lords :—the Duke of Bedford, the E
of Burlington, Lord Cottenhain, Lord Brougham, Earl Powis,
Earl Somers, and the Bishop of London.
The Marquis of NORM ANBY thought the amendment of
the Noble Duke ought to be carried, in preference to the motion
of his Noble Friend. No person was more anxious than him-
self that the subject should be properly sifted. lie had never
exercised this odious power except in cases where the safety of
the State was concerned. He had heard some of the doctrines
of the Noble Duke with regret. It was true that it was de-
sirable to ir aintain peace, hut how he could apply his observa-
tions to the present case he could not tell. If the letters of
exiles in this country were to be opened with impunity by the
Pest-office, it was impossible to say where it would stop. He
was very glad that the subject was now to un-
dergo a searching inquiry, but he must beg their Lord-
ships to understand that 'be was far from consenting
to the doctrine laid down by the Noble Duke. Of course the
subject would relate to the management of the Post-office in
Ireland as well as in this country. When he was in Ireland
he never exercised the power, except in the case of Ribbonism.
The Duke of WELLINGTON explained. There were two
Noble Lords that he had placed on the Committee, to whom it
would be inconvenient to attend; and he should, therefore,
now propose that the following Noble Lords should form the
Committe : —Earl Somers, the Earl of Burlington, the Earl of
Roseberry, Lord Colchester, Lord Brougham, Lord Cotten-
ham, and the Bishop of London.
Lord CAMPBELL thought the petition of Mr. Mazzini
ought to be referred to the Committee.
The Earl of ABERDEEN said it should be.

Lord CAMPBELL thought the Committee would report
that a Bill of Indemnity was necessary. It was true that the
power had existed for 150 years, and notwith‘tanding that he
would ♦enture to say there had been a great stretch of power
in the Secretary of State's office. His belief was that, balancing
inconveniences on the one side against advantages on the other,
it would be best to put an end to this power.
Lord BROUGHAM said, as he was nominated upon the
Committee, he should, of course, reserve the expression of his
opinion both upon the law and the facts.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE inquired whether the
wording of the motion included the Post-office in Ireland ?
The Duke of WELLINGTON said it would be an inquiry
into the whole.

The Earl of RADNOR withdrew his motion, and the
amendment was carried.

The Committee was appointed to meet on Thursday next.
The Privy Council Appellate Jurisdiction Bill was read a
third time.—Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 4.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at a Quarter to Four.
ROYAL CONINIISSION.

The Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the Bar, and sum-
moned the House to the Bar of the House of Peers to hear her
Majesty's Royal Commission read, for giving the Royal Assent
to certain Bills (for which see Lords' Report).