The Sun.
London, England, 1844-02-10 00:00:00

public opinion was very strong on the subject of the
bastardy clauses, and that in deference to that opi-
nion, he had thought it his duty to re-consider the
subject. He had not proposed to revert to the ancient
law, but to separate the subject of bastardy alto-
gether from the subject of the poor law—an altera-
tion in which hP thought the House would acquiesce.
He had two questions to answer, one from the Ilon.
Gentleman opposite (Mr. Berkeley). and the other
from his Hon. Friend behind him. The former
question was, whether parish officers would be justi-
fied in refusing relief on the ground that no order
had been applied for ?
Mr. BERKELEY—No. It was, would they re-
quire women who had bastard children to affeliate
those children ?

Sir J. GRAHAM said the claims for relief in such
case would be decided in exactly the same manner as
the claims of widows with children born in wedlock.
He thought the answer would be sufficient for his
Hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock (as we un-
derstood), namely, whether in the case of illegitimate
children a different provision would be made to those
children born in wedlock. In answer to his Hon.
Friend the Member for the West Riding of York-
shire, he had to state that the schools would extend
over a district of fifteen miles to each school. The
Hon. Member for Rochdale had inquired whether,
in the present Bill, there would be any alteration in
the law of settlement, and he (Sir James Graham)
had to state that, since the recent decisions in the
Court of Queen's Bench, it had been determined to
re-model the law of settlement, and to introduce a
separate and distinct measure on the subject.
Mr. J. S. WORTLEY begged to express his gra-
tification at the nature of the measure introduced by
the Right Hon. Baronet, which would be a consider-
able relaxation in the present law—without believing
that would entirely satisfy the Hon. Member, for
Knaresborough (Mr. Ferrand), and others who
were strongly opposed to the present law-7
he thought it would be hailed with great satisfaction
and he hoped a still further relaxation would be in-
troduced of that severe provision of the acts which en-
forced the separation of aged men from their wives.
The question was then put from the Chair, and the
Bill was introduced and read a first time.
OFFENCES ON THE HIGH SEAS.
Sir J. GRAHAM said, as the House had been
kind enough to allow him to introduce the Bill, he
would still further trespass on their kindness, by
asking them for lehie to introduce another, which
stood next on the paper. It was a Bill for securing
the more speedy trial of criminals charged with of-
fences on the high seas. All these offences were now
tried at the Central Criminal Court ; the consequence
of this was, that on the arrival of vessels at the
out-ports, the depositions were taken there
and then sent up to London; witnesses were also
obliged to be brought up to the Central Criminal
Court at a great expense and inconvenience. By this
Bill he proposed, in the commissions of oyer and ter -
miner, to give to her Majesty's Judges of assize the
power of trying these offences.
Captain PECHELL thought the only ojection to
the-Bill was likely to be made by'the country gentle-
men on the ground of expence.
Sir J. GRAHAM said he intended that the pro-
secutions should be conducted as heretofore, at the
public expence.

Leave Was then given to bring in the Bill.
, PRISON DISCIPLINE.

Mr. DUNCOMBE asked the Right Hon. Baronet
the Secretary for the Home: Department, whether he
intended to bring in any Bill this session for the
better regulation of the discipline of prisons.
Sir J. GRAHAM said that he could not give a
positive answer to the Hon. Gentleman; ,at the
same time he should be sorry to say that no measure
on that subject would be introduced during the pre-
sent session.

POOR-LAW.
Sir J. GRAHAM tdem brought ,in the
Bill fur the amendment of the Poor-law Act, which
was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second
time on Monday se'nnight.

The RIGHT HON. BARONET also brought in the
Offences at Sea Trial Bill, which was aead a first
time, and ordered to be read a second time on Mon
day next.