The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-09 00:00:00

EVENING SUN

-
Provinces, and Plantations in North America or the liberation and ilivestigation, to adopt the views and opinions cf
West Indies, except only Such duty as it might
be expedient to propose for the regulation of tom- 1 that Government to whicht he was attached; and that the same
coerce. Now, he did not think thee ally I deliberation4tantlivrilvietis etion ANwild also bring them tb the ciin:
done justice to the people of i he blilohles;
posed upon all articles alike in the dCliOtYlonilinew; i ivilicClite?'?rso.litlid 'also do justice to the pelarla ef this country.—
He trusted that they would next proceed to re-
or any duty imposed upon articles of British growth, I consider and tat Modify those duties on articles of colonik
couh be fairly said to fall within the terms of a product, which weighed so heavily upon thi lionstittibrs dr
duty for the regulation of commerce. It belonged Great Britain. As there would be flitilin opportunities of dls-
to the class of revenue duties, and as a revenue cussing the question) he *mild net farther trqable the House.
duty it appeared to him to be a proper subject He would °lily repeat that he had heard both the sititeriibiits of
for the cognizance of the Colonial Legislature itself. It the Right Hon. Gentleman, and the principles by which he
had defended his meature) than which none could be more
was true tbat "With respect to Canada, and he believed
the Right Hon. Gentleman's expectations that the - e
sound end jlist, with the greatest satisfaction. He hoped that
Al3O trial respect to Newfoundland, there
would meet with little eppositioh,uldbe realised, hinoterthr-
conaidirable sums at present levied by Imperial
were
standing those syniptoitis of disagreement Which hid been seen
tatition upon British goods, and lest any inconvenience
"should arise from the sudden removal of those.
on dinner thotions in that Heiuse.-ne( Hear, hear hear. ) But
duties by the Imperial Parliament, be pro- o‘
11 not, be begged to aseure the Right Hon. Gentleman, that
oftenat.3l-)11 any humble assistance it was in his power to render ihtiuld be
posed to fax the day for the
eivelihr.toom.
peeAt tLhilaitropßposit.dion.—(hCheeis. )
of the Act at such a period as would afford amle time
for an adjustment of the sub,ject, and as would enable the
a sai that e could not alio* a subject of
Colonies to make such provisions as they might think ht. such vital impertance to the commerce of die ptiantry tti pass
He asked the assent of the House to that plans upon the ground by e about recording his oppoeition to it. He did not think
that it offered an opportunity, without practical inconvenience, he should be doing hit duty ff he did not oppose the measure;
nf gi vine a more Nil and strict application of the principle which and trusted that, those Gentlemen who were inclined to bring it foinkard, would consider well what they Were about.--( Hear.)
they long ago adopted of tendering to our colonial fellow_
subjects evidences of that good-will to which,.,and to whieh He did not expect that.ally opposition from him would have
alone, he believed they were to look for cementing the con- much effect ott a question which had been brought forward last
nenioa between the mother country and her distant possession& year by the Hon. Gentleman opposite and whieb wita notir In
—( Hear, hear.) There were other Changes which he would troduced by the Hon. Gentleetati hear' liliii.—( Hear, hear. )
propose to the Committee, founded upon the same principles. Lord J RUSSELL said that he must certainly defend the
At present the tenor of the law was to this effect, that certain Government On this occasion from one of their own supporters)
articles, not being the produce, or growth! or manufacture of in die introduction of the present Bill.--( Hear, hear.) Bat
the United Kingdom, should pay it certain duty, that eerteth he wished to say a few words on the stihjett of the Introduction
are should be free, anti that all other unenerrerated arti- of flour and tern into Canada tha' the United States. There
ties, should be subject to a duty of 15 per cent. ad valorem, was a free trade ill tionti between those places, and it had been
Now, it appdared to him, with respect to foreign articles which hilietM kt by an agricultural interest in Upper °Made, Which
in no degree or manner competed with articles of British pro. eensidered it a'grievance that corn and flout shotild be admitted
duce, any tax which was levied upon them by the etithority o? duty free. Now, as respected Canada and this country, that
the Imperial Parliament, was strictly taxatiott for revenue, and free admisaiutt of torn *as of the greatest bniteilt.----f Heil')
' not taxation for regulation of commerce. It appeared the hear.) There was how ah agriciilthrikl and landed interest in
most convenient course for Parliament, and the most satisfat- Upper Canada, ikhleh etauld forward the same reasons against
tort' for the colonies, that instead of a system of tendon on all that free trade which had been used at home.—(Loud cries
articles
whatever introduced into the
Colonies, not being of Of " Hear, hear hear.") If by any alteration in the. law
Itritish .TOl , sth, produce, or manufacture, the Govern tilt it was intended only to permit the Legislature of
Should select such articles as they might deem it neeessary to Canada to itepose duties on the flour of the Milted States,
lax for protection or otherwise, and that the importation ofall he Iva afraid the consequences would be to baster a body in Ca.
other articles into the volonies should be left free, so far tit bade who would be read; to give serious opposition to its pros-
relpected the authority of the Imperial Parliament. In perity.—( Hear.) He saw no danger in encouraging free
many of the colonies the Cpstoms' eitablialaments were trade bet Ween ' North America and Canada, and he did not
a source of eositive expense to the country—( Hear, think they could enforce the duty. The frontier was so large,
hear)—for they did not pay the expenses of the and there were so many means of defeating their provisions,
nfficers they required. He would, therefore, now inform the that It would, in his opinion, be very difficult to distinguish
Committee that it was the intention of the Board of Trade to Canadian flour from that of the United States. Now, the
mill the attention of the Government to this great anomaly. principle of the Right Hon. Geelleman seemed to him as
In many of the colonies there were two sets of Custom-house tending to foster ah undue monopoly in Canada—a monopoly
officers, which caused a great waste of public money, and it which he thought would be injurious, and which he, for one,
would be necessary to consolidate these establishments to save should be very sorry to see established. He hoped, there-
expense and inconvenience.--( Hear, hear.) It . would be fore, that that part of the measure, at least, would receive fur-
aleo necessary that the Committee should approve of the general ther cnnaideratton. With respect to the other parts of the
frame of the measure, and should concur with the Board of Measure of the Right Hon. Gentleman, he was glad to find
Trade that it was practicable to get rid of certain exemptions that whatever
Might hare been the earnestness with which the
on nowthe statutes. The necessity for these exemptions Right Hon. Gentleman had last year opposed the measure
would be removed by doing away with the correspontllog introduced by his (Lord John Russell's) Right Hon. Friend
deties from whis h they were exemptions. The
Pies
ex- the late President of the Board of Trade—( Hear, hear, hear)—
emptions he proposed to remove were those of grain and wheat- he no longer entertained those objections which he had urged,
flour, and salt meat provisions. He believed it was the gene. with so much confidence and ability.—( Opposition cheers. )
ral desire of the people of Canada that a moderate tax should Sir CHARLES DOUGLAS denied that the party to
be imposed on provisions coming in from America, especially which he had the honour to belong had offered any uniform
those kinds already mentioned; and he believed, that at the opposition to the principles developed that evening by his
. present moment on the American side, a very considerable Right Hon. Friend, the Vice-President of the Board of Trade.
import-tax was, neyable en grain flour from Canada to the The Hon Baronet, in confirmation of this assertion, referred
amount of 101. a quarter. He would not propose to impose more to a speech of Mr. Herries, in which that Right Hon. Gen-
than 3s. P. quarter on that coming from the United States. tleman had said that the Government might be assured of re-
CanasThis would be done principally with reference to the fact that eeiving the same assistance in their measures of Colonial inn:
Seuria had already sent considerable quantities of grain and provemcnt
from the side of the House to which he belonged
to other parts of the empire, and she was likely to send as from their own.
natich greater supplies when her capabilities were developed Sir ROBERT PEEL besought the House not to draw
under peace and a wise legislation_Weae, hear. ) The theory any inference as to what might be the intentions of the Go-
of the law was, to give an advantage to Canadian produce in vernment with regard to the questions of commercial policy,
the British market; and it wastlesirable that when we send thou- from their introducing the present Bill.—( Hear, hear.) He
sands of emigeants to North America, we should not allow the besought them to suspend their judgments until he should have
inhabitants of the United States to enjoy the privileges intended an opportunity of stating the views of her Majesty's Go-
for the encousaigentent of &Nish subjects, by sending them pros vernment on the general question.—( Cries of " Hear, hear.")
visions through Canada. Those portions of the United States No such inference, if drawn at present, could be just. He had
which bordered on the lakes could send ttfeir provisions as con- stated publicly last year, that although he dissented entirely on
venientln to the ports of Canada as they could to those of New several questions of commercial policy from the late Govern-
York, or other parts of the Union. A distinction should ment, yet he was prepared to give to the present measure his
('ltnerefore be made in favour of the Canadian farmer. He cordial support. He had then understood that the measure
fr. G.) would now state his resolutions, The first proposed had been brought forward first, on the ground of absolute
the repeal ofell existing duties ; the second imposed new ones; justice ; and secondly, on the ground of the general policy appli-
the third and fourth provided that these duties should cable to our West India colonies. No restriction existed as to
be in. addition to any - duties imposed by Colonial the importation of articles into our East India possessions, while
authorities, and some other details ; the fifth stated ex. these restrictions were still suffered to remain on the imports
emptions . from duty in favour of articles used for into our Weat India colonies. We admitted East India pro-
British fisheries; the sixth referred to the roduce el the Chan- ductions to compete in our markets with West India produc-
nel Islands, statint when its introduction would
be 'allowed; Lions on the ground of justice ; then the West India colonies
and the seventh provided for the consolidation of the Customs' ought to be placed on the same footing, in that respect, as our
establishments. It was also proposed that wood should be intro- East India possessions.—(Hear hear.) It had been distinctly
dueed altogether duty free. It had not been thought expe_ stated that this measure ought to pass on the grounds of justice
dieat to go so far as to remove the duty leviable on provisions without reference to any other measures, and on those grounds
imported into the. Vest Indies, becatise its importation was con- he had supported it. If the Right Hon. Gentleman had per-
entered to be much more a matterolconvenience than of nem- severed with his measure, he would have received his (Sir R.
shy. No person could say that the consumer suffered any in- Peel's) cordial support. What could be more in-
comvenience from the duty now imposed, much less by the consistent than that he should now withdraw his support
duty proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman last year ; from the Bill, although he had supported it last, year?
but with respect to the article of wood, he thought it un- But he begged the House not to draw any inference from that
of3fortunate that the colony should be placed in the condition fact as to the general commercial policy of the Government.
iaving to pay any duty on the import of a raw material, He had cordially acquiesced in this measure last year; but
so Important to the comfort of the people, and the well-being with respect to the future intentions of the Government, he
of the colony.---( Hear, hear.) But, moreover, he would re- hoped the House would draw no inferences as to what they
mind the House, that the tax now levied on wood was more were likely to be from that acquiescence. He would take an
a direct test levied on the British consumer than on the Colonist early opportunity of stating to the House what were the inten-
producer. He did not infer from.anything which bad trans- tions of the Government with regard to those questions. He
pired since the proposition for reducing the duty on wood to should, to-morrow, state those intentions with respect to one
a lower point last year—that any colonial interests would most important question, and he would take an early oppor-
be affected injuriously by the removal. And such
being tunity of stating what those intentions were with regard to
the case, he asked the Committee to consent to that re- other most important subjects, when he was afraid it was pro-
move]. He would, therefore, propose a duty of 2s. per bable that the harmony at present existing would be dis-
barrel upon fish dried or salted, and of 3s. upon pickled fish ; turbed.—( Hear, hear.) He thought the Noble Lord would
upon butter, Bs. per cwt. ; upon cheese, ss. per cwt. He not have occasion to taunt them with the adoption of all the
ought to say that the rate of duty here would be higher than views of the late Government en questions of commercial
the duties which the Right Hon. Gentleman proposed last year policy, when he (Sir Robert Peel) should lay before the
of seven per cent., though lower than the present rate. On House the measures by which the present Government pro-
coffee, he would continue the duty of ss. per cwt. On cocoa, posed to extricate the country from the grave financial difficul-
3s. per cwt. ; molasses, 3s. per cwt. • and on unrefined ties in which we were involved.
sugar, ss. per cwt. With '
regard to tea, he would propose a Mr. STUART WORTLEY wished to call the attention of
somewhat different plan from the Right Hon. Gentleman. the Government to the present state of the corn trade between
He should propose that tea, unless imported direct from Chine the United States and our Canadian colonies. Wheat imported
or the British possessions, should pay a duty of 9d. per lb. A into the Uuited States was subject to a duty of 25 cents, a
point would arfse here which it would be necessary to notice, bushel, which was equal to a duty of 9s. a quarter, while
viz., at present the importation of tea from the United States no duty was imposed upon the importation of wheat from the
was prohibited in Canada, and the importation of tea in a legal United States into Canada. Moreover, corn was permitted
way was subject to a duty of 3d. per lb. The effect of removing to be imported into this country from Canada at a low rate
this prohibition would be that tea in Canada from the United of duty. Now, he could not see why we should enable the
States would be subject to a duty of 4d. per lb., which would Americans of the United States to send wheat into Canada
manifestly afford a high premium to the smuggler. He thought without any duty, while, at the same time, a high duty was
it was stated by the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Labeuchere) levied on its importation into the United States; and he
last, Session, that three-fourths of the tea used in Upper Canada thought, if ever there was a fair case for reciprocal restrictions,
was smuggled into that province ; if they were to make this, the ease of the corn trade between Canada and the United
therefore, apply to Upper Canada, without .any reservation, States presented one.—( Hear, hear.) He did not recommend
they would greatly aggravate that evil. He proposed, there- the imposition of duty for the sake of duty, but for the pur-
fore, the providing for this case by a separate clause in the Bill,. rose, if it wits to be done at all, of preventing indirect and il-
postponing the enactment till the Legislature of Canada licit trade, which existed simply and solely by means of our
should -have time to take, the matter into consideration. own indulgence and neglect.
The next article was thatof spirits. In this, also, he agreed On the motion orthe Right Hon. Gentleman, the Chairman
with the Right Hop, Gentleman. He proposed to leave the then reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again on the
duty upon foreign, -spirits precisely as it stood at present, 22d inst., and the House resumed.
namely, 6s
RAILWAYS.
dsper gallon upon rum and Is upon other spirits.
The effect of the measure would be to leave the whole ques- Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE, pto , moved for
Lion of duty, otherwise than as it related to British interests, leave to bring in a Bill for the betters
re gulationnotice of Railways.
entirely in the hands of the provincial legislature. These were The Right Hon. Gentleman said that the experience of last
the whole of the rateage tholes which he proposed at that mo- year, notwithstanding some lamentable exceptions, had shown
ment to submit to the House. ale would now proceed to the that the Committee to which this subject had been referred
schedules-of the ad valorem duties. It might be that he had had come to a right conclusion in stating that the administra-
not included in the schedule every article which in principle tion of railways had upon the whole continued to improve.
ought to be inchtded. .He was net at present aware that any That, too, was the general opinion on the matter. With re-
had been omitted ; but if it should turn out that there had spect to licences to be given to engine-drivers, he thought the
been, it woult be open to those who might be disposed to do so Committee was also of opinion that no provision in that respect
to claim the benefit of that principle. The first article in the ought to be introduced into the Bill. Certainly, that was the
othedale of rateage duties was sugar. Unrefined sugar re- opinion which the present Board of Trade had arrived at. He
cosines as at present. He proposed that sugar refined in bond thought they should look to the action of public opinion
should be subject to a duty of 10 per cent. ad valoreni, and that upon persons occupying that station, as the real and
other foreign sugar should be subject to a duty of 20 per cent. best security on this score. Of course it would
ad valorem. The Canadian Legislature levied a duty of always remain open to Parliament to enlarge the
one perm., per pound upon all refined sugar. The of control
of a few days a report would be laidov onerthe table of the
per cent. upon foreign reined sugar. 'fhis duty of llonse, embracing an account of the accidents on railways dur-
tts:eoy per Sent. o 4 valorem, was computed to be equal ing the last year. By that report it would be seen that the ac •
canazeritlionistatli, according to the custome and regulations of cidents which had occurred were by no means traceable to
here was no proposition in the Act to the effect either misconduct or incompetence on the part of the engineers.
that the duty upon foreign refined sugar should be in addition He thought the House would be of opinion that it was bett. r
to the duty upon sugar refined in this country. The effect of not to introduce any new provision in this respect. That, then,
this, at preeent, was 00., of eculta- hardship to the British re- was oneprovision of last year which he did not think neces-
finers in bond. He did not propose to give any advantage to saYy to renew. The Bill which he asked leave to
the British refiners of foreign sugar, which they did not at lire- lay on the table contained several clauses which would be
sent enjoy, or which they had not a fair right to enjoy. But it found to enlarge the powers of Government.—( Hear, )
was perfectly evident, that this preference was meant to apply The most important clauses were those which proposed to
to shush, and that
.at present they did not enjoy it. They provide a more efficient inspection of new railways before they
even laboured under a disadvantage, for the American refiner were opened, giving the Board power to postpone the open-
eras encouraged by a considerable bounty to export his refined ing if they should think necessary —( Hear, hear.) If the
sugar into the Canadian market.—( Hear. ) Then he came to management of railways had been wrong, his lion. Friend
the list of articles which he proposed to place under a duty of should not have wreaked all his indignation on the Cont-
i per cent. ad valoi em. They were these :—wines, whether
patties, but should have reserved some of it fur the Govern-
bottled or not, mane factures of cotton, manufactures of silk, of ment,--( Hear, hear, and laughter)—for certainly railway com-
linen, of igoollen, of leather, of paper, of hardware, of panics had generally shown adisposition to yield to the wishes
clocks and watches, oakum, pitch, tar and turpentine,
oils, of the Government. The safety of a railway much depended
blubber, fins of fish, and skins of fish, were at present included on the condition of the soil over which it passed, and the
in the' prohibitory enactments. He proposed to remove the avarice of some Companies had induced them to run pas, sen-
prohibition from these articles, and to lay tgion them a duty of gers on them too soon. For this reason, the Board of Trade
15 per cent. ad valorem, Hethanked the House for the atten- asked for power to postpone the opening of railways when
-Con which they had "paid to his statement. He hoped that they should think it necessary. The Board also asked for
enlarged
i
there were very few of the topics which could possibly be open powers to get returns of accidents. At present they could
to dispute-in that House ; and he was confident that the mea- only demand returns on the occurrence of accidents to life or
aure which he haul proposed would be hailed as a measure of I limb; but it was evident that instances of gross mismanage-
eseoll will on the part of the Imperial Parliament, and, there- , ment might occur, without either of those injuries : there-
fore, alike upon commercial and upon national wounds, he ' fore the Board desired to have power to inquire into all cases '
ventured to commend it to the favourable consideration of the of accidents.—(Hear, hear.) The Board also asked power
House.—(C:teers.) .
to order gates to he erected across roads opening into rail-
The SPE AK ER having put the motion, ways,': for the gates hitherto erected across railways,
Mr. LABOUCHERE said he had listened to the very calm in suc cases, had not been found sufficient to prevent acci-
and able statement of the Bight Hon. Gentleman who had just dents; also, that gates opening from farms on to railways should
sat down, with very great, and, he might add, with unalloyed be kept closed ; next to appoint arbiters to settle disputes when
satisfaction. The Bill which had then been proposed was the it was necessary to carry a read under or over a railway, and
lame in principle, as well as in many important details, as that to appoint
an umpire,.
public ; thus putting an end to those disputes
l
which he had had the honour to introduce in the last session, which were in some cases carried on to the injury of the
aid he could assure the Right Hon. Gentleman, that though he also; some provisions for branch railways, and restricting the
( Ale Labouchere) failed in his attempt, he still retained the use of local engines by private parties, which had been allowed
soticitude anti affection of a parent for that measure, and any before experience showed
powers which they did not possess,
showed its
. danger.- Otherwise he proposed
assistance which it was in Iris power to give towards carrying ogi
it should be readily granted. —( Hear, hear.) Ile was also free
such as Railway
to enable Companies
le them to execute work, and in other ways to
to confess, that as far • s he hart been able to follow the Right occupy adjoining land, when it was necessary for them to slope
Hon. Gentleman, the alterations which he proposed to make in
cuttings which were found to be too steep or to widen em-
the measure were improvements. He ha 4 availed himself of ' bankment&that were too narrow. The Right lion 7 Gentle
the tint: which had (Aar ied, and of the opportunities of infor- man concluded by moving for leave to bring in a Bill for the
motion which he possessed, to reconsider thepoints ; and though Better Regulation of Railways.
he could not yet pronounce a final opinion on any of the proposed Colonel SIBTHORP was glad the Hon. Gentleman had
alteratians, at first sight they appeared to be improvements.— adopted the course which he formerly had the pleasure of sug-
( Hear-) The most important of those alterations seemed to grating, and that it was placed in such able hands. He was
be the proposal to enable the Legislature of Canada to tax the actuated by but one motive in that opposition which he had al-
flour of the United States which crossed the border, which he ways given to the introduction of railway schemes, and if
believed the Imperial Parliament had always prevented the accidents increased, as they had done latterly, he could
Legislature from doing. He hoped nothing more was intendesi have wished that his lionourable Friend had in-
than to leave it open to them to follow any course which the, troduced a Bill for the annihilation of railways.
might think Proper ; tha: there was no intention to interfere Hut when the Hon. Gentleman told them, with regard to the
so as to prevent the free import of flour from the United Statue measures which he proposed for the consideration of the
into Canala, unless the Legislature itself should wish to effect House, that great discretionary powers were to be given to
Hon.that object- It was unnecessary for him, after what the Right the Government, it appeared to hint that little public good
Hon. Gentleman had stated, te enter at any length into this would result from it in regard to the lamentable accidents and
He entertained the same opinions which-he had ex- loss of life which had of late occurred ; and if the Honourable
pressed in.tite last Parliament- Ile eonsidered the measure as Gentleman should not do so. he would take the liberty of
of the utinost importanoe, viewed merely at a measure of jus- moving fora return of those accidents, and of the opinions of
tics to the Colonies. He continued to be oft he opinion which ' the Juries on the various cases. He thought, too, that suffi-;
the Right Hon. Gentlemen hadaluoted,that, let Parliament take ' cient had fallen from the public Press on this subject, and he
what course it might with regard to
upon articles duties leviable ' alluded in particular to one Paper, from which he differed in
which Parliament had taken
imported to this country, after
to the course ' political matters—he alluded to The SU7I, the comments of
with regard our West i which, sin the unfortunate accidents which occurred, were of
that of putting P e the
lodise possessions—namely, e
Pro- ' the most salutary kind, and whose efforts in urging that some
duce of !fie East and West Indies upon the same footing—it ' efficient measure should be adopted to prevent them, conferred
was but an act of common justice to relieve the West Indian ' great credit on itself. He thought that most of those accidents
colonies from those burdens to which theywerenoaweubject by occurred from want of due precaution on the part of the Di-
Parliamentary enactment, but which the. Crownh had never im- rectors • and he would be glad that a measure was brought
posed upon our Wien empire, or upon our Australian
. cob,- forward' for settling a greater responsibility on them.. Ile
nies, where the legislation upon these matters vies in the hands thought it was necessary that such a course of inspection as
of the Crown.—(Hear, hear.) He rejoiced to see this mea- was mentioned should be adopted, not only with regard to new
disguise from himself that railways, but regarding all ralways. He thought that, impos-
sure brought forward. Ile could not
it would facilit IN those important reforms with regard to the 1 ing a mere deedand, even of 1,000 e; was not a sufficient re-
duties levied is this country, especially upon sugar and coffee. compence to the relatives of the sufferers. The Directors of
—(Hear, n-ear.) Of oourse, he did not ask the Right Hon. those schemes should be compelled to support the families of
Gentleman to ea •
:i.iess an opinion on that subject on the pre- these who were killed. He was also of opinion that the losses
sent occasion ;
by
hoped that he might take this as a bar- sustained the proprietors of stage-coaches should be made a
binges and omen but he
the Government, by-. which this first subject of consideration by her Majesty's Ministers. He
measure had been brougitt ferwiid, had seen apaeon, upon de, thought that railroads were a proper subject of taxation

~ . ~a'

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBIWARY 9, 1842.

they would produce 'a revenue to the Government, and llto an anqUirrs
wou . as . he believed that the ror, the only way of lower than they could be manufactured there. If the Members .I 1
not affect the Isqdy ()tithe, people. He would give every oppo- conducting cc, would be to ?tend one or twee arties to the s ot, that House did not take steps to arrest the progressofthedistress
iitidli to )tie thll of the Right Hon. Gentleman. who should institute an inquiry 2ricl min' a rephrt; in the fifst thAey, would be placed in the same conditionas those people.—
ME IVA kLEY said he felt bound to express his opinion plane to the Government, and thrO, if it was at ciast6'mar,i, (A fdifeell. 1 It Might eeern to be very laughable, but if they
that the Bill of therßaglit Hori. GentlemAir Opposite wou)d not to this Housee it„ would? he
.perceiVed, therefore, when .17a did ;foaling: to relleit' die pehple, the Poor-laws would make
airy out the object he intended do effect be, it. He was handed in his iilMlOl4 that it Was' for the institution of an in: the fatter eheir masters, and dieresis:mid be an end to their
rents. The Han. baronet then adverted to the siettites pro-
of_ppini;:ln that a fa/ .iiioß stringent ineastire *as necessary— quiry. He could see no Pod in in
Co Littee 8f this Hoitse i
(Helar; heer,' !rem Cail. Sibthorp)—but he was compelled to the time that would he occupied in the inquiry would eithef hibillng Ili infrnatiatinn of cattle, corn, and other articles of
state. that lie feared the influence of railroad Proprietors was far raise hopes in which the people would be disappointed, or previsions into areleld•—(`` Questim, question," from the
the great id thh odie fok any soda Bill to pass into a law. cause theth to think that they were entirely negUctel, He opposite benches.) Sir Valentine Blake apologiecel to the
HE allowed, however, that when three or four Lords hsd lost was the more induced to Urge thfa intlli}iii 4n the, Gevernmesit House for intruding upon
.it so long, and thanked HOrs. Geo-
their lives, or two or three Members of the Government had since the reply of the Noble Lord oppositerelative to the si:ll:set Omen for the courtesy with which he had been heard, but he
lost theirs, the House would be disposed to sympathise with ofemigration. The people had been led to believe that allege field would na tartlet'. trespass on the Gentlemen behind him—
them, but until the lives of ome Noblemen were saerificed, he was about to be opened to them ;he blamed nobody for this; the (Laughter)—and he halefd he would yet leave them behind
had rid hopb the Hduse *oitM pass such a law as the circum Noble Lord had iliddfi. a fair. and distinct statement, ill ; the him.—(Lond and long cheers.) . .
stances of the case' reqiiired. s(Latighter.) The lliglit Hon. disappointment of the people wag trot the lege severe on that Sir R. PEEL—Feeling, as he did, the titmdst sympathy
Gentlemad eppeiltei.had his life placed iii jeopardy, by an account; Of ilioS who Viere sOffeaing from destitution, though for the sufferings which had been described, and gipig the
Oeide,nt on the Briglitdn Railway, and he would perhaps give vast numbers came for*ard) Yet there were eeey_nigny who did HOD. Member *lie hell:lust eat down the utmost credit for the
is oilinidn on the subject. Many eases of accident had come not do so. For these, inquiry was neeeseerv, ante he stated Mane& in he brought forward hia motion, he ( Sir R•
tinder his notice, and from all that he could collect by the tes- that a-partial inquiry instituted by some benevolent individuals, Pet hdped whichod not press it farther at presvnt•—( Hear,
timilOnYe of Competeitit i.altriessW, he was biiund to stete that he had produced such instances of distress, that the party carrying hear.) At the Mille time,
,he (Sir H. Peel) expressed his ni-
oaideren iiiiirda &bell tht aras the safeat that could be it on itterb red tea td a etheof perfect disgust and hopelessness, ,most sympathy for the sufferers) end admired the exemplary
adopted. He entertained do doubt Whateier,uPon the sub- which lie edu d ndi describe: lit herceitied that a gift of Go- patience with which those sufferipgs hdd been enduted. He
ject, not the,. slightest. Bilt tile 111 h eNeh the Right MM. vernteent store` eliad, been made td the destitute weevers. In got4bi not but admire the local exertions which had liven made
Gentlerdati had Intkodithed Was itiother Bill brought forward SpitallleldS, add Ile tie* that nil chitt dietreseed cosintryreen for their relief) and the immense sacrifice of time
frreliii tne bach h --seep of the Whig store. They had got four o! would be thought deserving of a simile!. gift, either of torn taken I and money which had been made for that purpose.
them already, and for his part, he wished the Government outof bond,free ordutY, orProvisions from the Government Rem,. As to the proposal of emigration, he would ask' what would be
would take the whole bate. ,11 and. bring them down to The distress in the neihbourhood of paisley was increasing, the emisequenee of sending down two Commissioners to inhuire
the
esfloilsei ticketing thEm " Willi Bills," Thh ,thaaaufee of and that greatly diminished the prospect of employment to the whether the distress of Paisley could be relieved by emigre-
Hid GliVernment were cothpiainedef,and*hat was their riiiiiier? people iii the tOvvn: 4 The distress was on the increase in Ayr, tion ? the Hon. Gentleman than that from the nature of the
" Oh, we have foilnd the Bill in our office." It was a legacy— Renfrew, and the &oil:lining eohnties. it hdppened that many occupation of the weavers their hands weft% unfit even in their
YeiveHeaven protect him from such legacies.—( Laughter.) The of those unfortunate people had work given tot 'which their oven country to turn to other kinds of work, and if that were
rnerietit found a Measure in an office, and they, therefore, looms were not suited, and vast numbers of them went out on I the case was it likely that in any distant country, where a man
thMight the Y were bound to Ilse it. That was the ease with the roads to break stones, or undertook other heavy out-door i must cern his bread by the severest labour, these men
regard teethe great acid all•impoftant Hestia of factory work: 4t first their hands were blistered, but after a while
could be otherwise than plunged in the greatest distress?
slavery: Then there Wit the Peot-lave, which Was not to be they got bird, aid *halft in time become unfit for the fine work Consider, also, the position of the colon/re) and then you will
piledhroiieht On Until after Easter although the Commission ex- in which they would be employed in theie awn tt?de whenever see that we have no right to cast these encumbrances/ on them
in July. He did not like such tactics. Again, they had it revived. He had now done, and should only offer fiiehernble by tending out persons entirely useless. The consequence of
a Bill With fegaid td the Customs in the West Indies • and recommendation that two or three active, sensible Gentlemen the hinnediete transfer of those burthens which we ought to
ti•b, virai tio etitt td the hompllmheitit ?ditch thh Right 'Hon. out of that House—without the expense of a well paid Com- bear would he that those whom we might send out would be
eittlehiaii Wird iiitiodeieed it paid to the late President of the missilln—Shottid he sent down to Paisley to ascertain the actual exposed to the most dreattiffil eufferings, for it could not be ex-
Board of Trade. He kali-. Wakley) had never heard these condition of the people, and Ihii atent ef, the distress. If that petted that the 'settlers would atippitt them. The people of
compliments paid to the Right Hon. Gentleman before._ inquiry was refused to him, he hoped at ad that her Paisley were entitled to our strongest sympathy, but very few
(Laughter.) It was astonishing to see how lion. Gentle- Majesty's ministers would be prepared to bring forward some Of them were fit for emigration. A young man, of twenty or
men who had obtained the victory could afford to be compli- measure to relieve the distress and destitution, which was thirty, whose hands were not yet formed by long habitude to a
nietitary. Now, the present Bill was very inefficient last year, greater than he had knees?", even in the misery which had particular kind of work, might, in the course of a little time,
and it was almost as inefficient in its present state. They would afflicted the people from time to time in the last ttwenty. learn to earn his bread in Australia or ha Canada ; but a man
never have an efficient measure until they had applied stringent five
p- P years.—( Hear.) He concluded with moving an address— of fifer or sixty years of age and a family of ten
principles to railway proprietors and railway directors. It ha " raying her Majesty will be graciously pleased to command children could never be expected to acquire those new
pened that he (Mr. W.) had been travelling on the Great western tbat an immediate and diligent inquiry be made into the nature habits, and in emigrating he would go to end his days
railway, within a few hours after the accident had taken place and extent of the misery and destitution under which the inha- in the utmost misery ; in sheer unless those who sent
at Sonning-hill. It was useless for him to attempt to describe bitants of Paisley and other towns in Renfrewshire have been them out undertook to support them, their fate must be
the distressing, painful, and agonising character of the scene. suffering for so long a period, and arc still enduring; and fur- absolute starvation. Now there was a great risk, if
But it was known to every one on the spot, as well as to every ther, that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to command. the House interfered at all ; first, that these persons 'who had
one connected with the railway, that if proper precautions had that the said inquiry be prosecuted vigorously, so that the results entitled themselves to the utmost credit by their exertions
been taken such an accident could never have occurred. Dui, may be laid, as soon as possible, before this House, with a view would relaii those exertions, in the delusive hope that the Le-
jag the darkness of the night, there had been no watchman to its providing, with all speed, against the longer continuance gislature would do suff
something; and the erineoe of
stationed at the cutting of Sonning-hill ; and it appeared that of the intolerable distress; as also against the evident and im- Paisley, instead of turning their attention to otheg rp mod people of
stationed at the cutting of Sonning-hiil; and it appeared that of the intolerable distress; as also against the evident and im- Paisley, instead of turning thi attention to other modes of
the policemen who was on duty had not to attend until the six minent danger of disease and pestilence following in its usual occupation for the future, would look to the Legislature for re-
o'clock train from London had arrived. But there was no po- course, thereby causing more numerous deaths from cold and lief, which it could not give. Anything that
the House could
licemeu to watch the alitival of the -luggage train to which the hunger and actual starvation than hitherto, aswell as increasing attempt would only be postponing the evil day, to Fee the dis-
melancholy accident had occurred. Was that a system that the ruinous tendencies of these' appalling evils on the "moral tress aggravated hereafter. He hoped, therefore, the Hon.
could be sanctioned ?—( Hear, hear.) It was quite true that character of all who are directly affected by them, or who live Gentleman would not press his motion, and thus give Hon.
railways were most satisfactory, and conducive to the interests within the range of their influence." Members the pain of voting against his preposition.
of the public as well as to their happiness, but they should be Sir J. GRAHAM sai 1, that he should begin the observe- Sir VALENTINE BLAKE then rose to reply, amidst cries
properly regulated • and he (Mr. Wakley) believed that the tions he intended to address to the House, by saying that of " Order," and he ultimately gave way to
proprietors of railways, or those persons who were inte- the Hon. Gentleman, who had just set down, was entitled to Mr. WALLACE, who stated, in explanation, that the un-
rested in that way in them, should not be the sole regula- great praise for the temperate and judicious manner in which he happy people whose cause he advocated had thought that Go-
tors of them.—( Hear, hear.) There should be a power had introduced the subject of which he had given notice to the vernment had prepared some scheme of emigration for them ;
above them, and in his opinion that power should be vested in House.—( Hear, hear, hear.) He must confess that the mom- but the reply given by the Noble Lord the other night had effec-
the Government:—(Hear, hear.) He wished to refer to the her of persons to be relieved in Paisley, and the surrounding tually dispelled any hopes on that subject which they might havee
facts connected with the accidents which lately occurred on districts, was very great, amouuting to 17,000 persons, and in entertained. He was not aware when he put his notice on th
a forward out of its
the London and Birmingham Railway, although those state- such circumstances it seemed hardly possible the distress could paper, that the Government had steppe-
to t.'
merits were now probably irregular or premature ;he would be relieved. But they ought to be very careful not to aggra- usual course, and supplied funds in the shape of clothes, ..ies
therefore .refrain from adverting to them until the reading of vate the distress, by the excitement of ectations which unfortunate people of Spitalfields. There was a part of his
the Bill ; however, he could not but say that the proprietors could be raised only to be disappointed.--Gear, hear.) Ae motion, which he now abstained from alluding. to, for the
pre-
were not the proper or the best persons to regulate railways in felt it to be the duty of Government to proceed with the utmost eise reason which had been suggested by the Right
.Honourable
this country. caution on the subject. If there were any disputes as to mat- Baronet opposite, as a proper reason, for not clortding the
Mr. GLADSTONE said the Hon. Gentleman had invited ters of fact, it might be necessary to institute an inquiry; but House. H. believed the best medical men admitted, that when
an interruption • the report of the officer of the railway de- he had admitted that the extent of distress was great, and he pestilence was the consequence of famine and destitution, it
partrnent would on the table in ate w days, and although he also admitted the exemplary patience and fortitude with wldch seldom accompanied, but
_generally followed them.He_ begged
(Mr. Gladstone) did not wish to stop a discussion ;he thought it was endured.—( Hear.) All the rights of property were pre- to say to the Right Hon.
Gentlemen opposite and his colleagues,
it desirable that the House should be in possession of all the served, the law had not been violated, and the patient endurance that as they had the best information from the
facts before statements were ensue.—(Hear). highest autho-
- of the sufferers had been of the most exemplary character.-- rities on the subject, he (Mr. Wallace)had decided before the
Mr. WAKLEY only made those statements because he saw ( Hear, hear.) In such circumstances it would be the height Right Hon. Baronet offered him the counsel, not to divide the
the Chairman of the Railway Committee present, but he of imprudence to take any step to excite hopes which wouldend House.—(Heor, hear.) His anxious hope was, that the people
would then refrain from any further statement as to the matter, in disappointment. He must say that the appointment of two of that part of the country whose representative he was, would
Mr. C. RUSSELL said that an allusion had been made to Commissioners, specially directed to the fact of dis- consider that there had been a good feeling
the accidents which occurredon the Great Western Railway ;he tress, would be worse than useless, if the House were not pre- them by the Members of that House.—( Hear, 'hear.;
displayed towards
That the
could not refrain from making a few observations respecting pared to point out the means of relief. If the Hon. Gentle- wish which had been evinced thoughout the length and bre:-'ith
them. No person more deeply deplored that accident than he did. man only intended that a searching inquiry should he instituted of the land had been carried out by the representatives of the
(Hear, hear.) He did everything in his power to console and into the causes of distress, he (Sir J. Graham) should say that people in that House.—( Hear, hear.) With the permission of
compensate the unfortunate individuals who had suffered by it. the inquiry by a Commission was not the best mcde of aster- the House, he would now withdraw his motion, with the hope
( Hear, hear.) It was his duty to attend the inquest which taining them. He could well understand that there were many that her Majesty's Government would not feel the difficulty in
had been held upon them, and it was also his duty to view special circumstances occasioning the distress in Paisley. But performing the task avhich devolved upon them relative to this
the line of railway upon which the accidents had occurred. He he doubted whether so large a community, a great part of unhappy people, increased by any thing which had fallen from
did so most attentively, because he was exceedingly anxious to which subsisted on wages derived from labour, was affected by him.—( Hear, hear. )
ascertain whether blame could be attached to any particular the causes which had been indicated by the Hon. Gentleman. Lord STANLEY said, he did not make it at all a matter
officer, or to the Company, and he (Mr. Russell) was proud to The Hon. Gentleman wished that those special circumstances of complaint against the Hon. Gentleman, for nothing could
be able, solemnly and seriously, to declare that he believed that should be strictly investigated. Now, he (Sir J. Graham) be more creditable than the manner in which he had brought
unfortunate occurrence was as much the visitation of God's did not think that the best mode of instituting the inquiry, forward the question. But he did not wish that an impression
providence as it was the result of accident.—( Hear, hear.) would be by a Commission. He should say that by far the should go abroad with respect to emigration, that in conse-
How was it possible there could be watchmen all through, from best course would be to bring the subject before a Committee quence of intentional silence, or; concealment; of their in-
onee
1
end to another of a line which extended to a distance of a of that House, who might examine a few competent witnesses tentions by her Majesty's Government, any un ounded belief
hundred and eighteen miles ? He had examined the line Me of by whom the facts would be clearly established, and the should be created, that relief for the prevailing depression was
railway, and that particular place where the accident had oc- House would thus be put in possession of the necessary in- to be afforded by an extensive scale of emigration. It was
curred was much better circumstanced than any other part of it. formation. But he (Sir James Graham) was obliged to add about two months ago that reports of such an intention on
The Hon. Gentleman concluded by stating he would refrain that even if the Hon. Member had pursued that more pru- the part of the Government were very prevalent, and he
from making further observation with reference to the matter dent course, he should still feel it his duty to oppose him. (Lord Stanley) had only declared that these reports were
until such time as the Bill was introduced. With regard to the appointment of a Commission, he should without foundation ;he had no right to make a public explanation
Mr. EWART observed that the proprietors were interested say that he thought such a step would give rise-to a most on the subject, but whenever applications had been made
for the safety of those who travelled on their railways, as much unfortunate understanding, and would lead to expectations to him from Paisley and other places, and they had been very
as the Government or any other persons could be. The old which he could not hold out-theleast hope of realising. Under numerous, he had always discouraged the prospects that were
system of railways was, in his opinion, the safest. However, those circumstances, it would he his duty to give his vote founded on these reports.
he hoped that the superintendence would be more efficacious in against the Hon. Gentleman if he should be induced to press Mr. WALLACE said he believed that the Noble Lord had
future; and it was extremely satisfactory to find that in pro- his motion to a division—a course, which he hoped not misled the many persons from those places who were
portion as the superintendence was increased, the number of the Hon Member would not pursue.
It should be known anxious to emigrate ; but he (Mr. Wallace) having told some
accidents were diminished.—(Hear.) If an accident hap- that the Government had already received information on the of those parties that the-Government had no such intention,
pened to a person travelling by railway, or by coach, and that subject from accredited sources. There was a Sheriffs' Subati- they had replied that he had nothing to do with the present
he survived it, he had a good action for the Injury he sustained tute resident in every county in Scotland, whose duty it was Government, and that they had better inforination.
against the proprietors of the railway or conveyance in which to make constant inquiries into the condition of the population, Mr. S. JERVIS said a
great part of the House appeared to
the accident had happened, so that the railway pro- 1 and to report to the Government the facts which he might have be totally ianorant of the state of the Poor-law in Scotland.
prietors were most interested for the safety of the passengers. collected. They had, therefore, sufficient means of obtaining It would be better if the House cold,/ receive some infurma-
it appeared, therefore, that if the person suffering from a information on Om spot ; and, under those circumstances, and tion as to the power which the Magistrates ce•the had to enforce
railway accident survived the effects of that accident, he could for the reasons already given,
lie felt it his duty to oppose the support of the poor in that country. •
recover compensation from the railway proprietors ; but if he motion before the House.
elr. WAKLEY said he had no intention of putting the
died, his relatives had no remedy at all. It was true they Mr. HASTIE was sorry to find that the Right Hon Ba- question, or he would have given his Hon. and Learned Filen('
• might punish the Company, but they could not compensate the ronet had not uttered a word which could give the slightest notice. He thought the House and the country were bound to
sufferer. It struck him that such a state of law was anomalous, hope of relief to the distressed inhabitants of Paisley. It had know what means of relief the people of the country possessed.
and required correction. He was sure that accidents had di- been truly stated that there were now in that town 17,000 inha bi- The LORD ADVOCATE said there was a
poor-
minished, as the experience of railway directors had increased. tants, out of a population of 65,000. depending entirely on law in Scotland, but in many parishes it was unnecessary
He gave his cordial support to the present measure, which, public charity for the means of subsistence. The Committee of to enforce it, and this had led to a belief that such a law did
while it exercised a judicious control over the management of Relief had now but 1,800/. in their hands, which would not exist. But in every part of Scotland there was a law which
railways, did not improperly interfere with the directors ofgive three weeks sustenance to
:only w the unhappy sufferers, provided for every one fallen under the pressure of real destitu-
these undertakings.
and it was impossible to expect that charitable contributions hon. But as to the great question of giving reef to able-
Mr. HARDY approved of the Bill as far as it went, but would be continued.—(Hear, hear.) Unless, therefore,, some bodied labourers, and the means of providing forthem when
thought it did not go far enough for the security of the public. relief were afforded by the Government, he looked with fear out of work, it was obvious that there must be some check ap-
The principal accidents which had happened showed what men- and trembling to the result.—(Hear. ) plied, or the whole population might come on the poor-rates.
tunes might be adopted for the prevention of accidents in future.l Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN hadto-night In this country—in England—that check is the poor-house check.
resented a
He happened to be a passenger by the Brighton Railway when Petition, praying that the Government P.
ht assist In Scotland they gave voluntary aid and assistance, and 15,000/.
the accident occurred on that line. On that occasion two engines ithe people of Paisley. He believed that mOgo case so or 16,000/. was frequently given for the relief of the poor.
had been used for the train. One of them was more powerful strong as that -of Paisley had been ende for such aid, COP YRIG II T.
than the other, and he felt convinced that the second en ice He held in hisiband a petition presented months ago—that I Mr. GODSON said he would not occupy the House for any
had driven the first off the rails, and thus caused the accident. I Petition was signed by no lesS than 3,000 persons,praying that , length of time with regard to the Bill relating to the copyright.
Of the whole of that long train only three of the carriages had Leh aid should be given by Government to th ir esu enng classes, of books, of which he had given notice. He did not intd his
been injured, and those were the carriages nearest the engine. i and (orof that time the distressed Billshouldapply the extension ofthe copyright,but its object
n part
On the Great Western Railway the accident had happened I paid
, supported by contributions by the public, but now it could was to secure the property in copyright which already subsisted,
through the engine being stopped by a slip of land; and thus not be sufficient for that purpose. The Noble Lord the Scene- by having all copyrights registered in the Court of Chancery, the
becoming itself an impediment; in both cases it was only the tary for the Colonies must have seen from the Australian papers assignments of them, and any mortgages. upon them, in order
carriages nearest the engine which had suffered. He hoped, '
that the resources of that colony could not be adequately el to facilitate lawsuits, and to know in whom the copyright was
therefore, that some provision would be introduced in the Bill loped for want of a sufficient number of hands, thee-avta vested. He intended his Bill should render property more se-
to prevent carriages being placed near to the engine, and he great demand for labour existed there. Some measure ought cure, and the public would be also benefited by knowing in
was convinced in that manner the fatal consequences of similar , therefore to be adopted, by which the distressed labourers whom the copyright subsisted. He wished it to be understood
accidents might be prevented.
I might be taken to these colonies; and the petitionout that he did not mean to interfere with any Member who might
points
Sir It. PEEL thought that if effectual precauti n could . '•
othis mode of relieving the distress. Whether the funds should be desirous of bringing forward a Bill for. the extension of
he taken for the prevention of accidents by legislative enact- be raised by a loan on the security of the land for guarantee he copyright. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving for
merits, the Legislature would be fully justified in interfering, could not say ; for he did not know from what sources the ne- leave to bring in a Bill for the better securing the property in
and he felt perfectly certain thet, in such a case, no influence cessary funds could be derived for such an object ; but he the copyright of books.
of any railway proprietor with that House could stand against thought that a great country like this, whichwhen war was The Al TORNEY-GENERAL seconded the motion.
..., a .
the sense of the nation. He doubted if all the railway pro- !to be-
carried . , on, fiend no difficulty ' in raising money for their hfr. COCHRANE, proposed as an amendment, the intro-
rietors of the kingdom united could prevent the adoption by '
,largest operations, ought not thus to suffer a large portion of duction of a proviso to facilitate the extension of copyright
Parliament of effectual measures for the regulation of railways, ' its most industrious and valuable population to continue in dis- --(as we understood).
if such could be the case. But what he deprecated was the ' tress. He had hea-d objections raised • Mr. WA KLEY said, if the Bill was framed upon tine
sed the other night to a
carrying the interference of Parliament beyond its proper limits. ) • •the public measure of emigration at
He considered it injudicious for Parliament to undertake too j •at present- '' but such h• '• He thought those who d
large voluntary emigration
minute an interference with the regulations of railways, and objection did not apply to the emigration' of the of talent were amply rewarded, and those who were not
any attempt to do so would, he considered, be greatly injurious. r distressed for the emigration then spoken of was, Out of per- possessed of talent ought to remain as they were.
Whenever an accident occurredi the number of passengers on • sons who left the country with more or less capital, and was ; Mn, GODSON said the present Bill was to define the pro.
a railway were diminished, and thereehipted some other mode not at all like this case. He felt that that was an improper perty of authors in their works.
of coneeyance. But fished a gentleman came to a conclusive time for entering at large into the question of cad •
gaation, but
opinion on the details of such a provision, he ought to read the he thought he thould not do justice to the interests of those Member would name an early day to bring the Bill before
evidence that had been laid before the Committee last year. whoplaced h • in li. hd • • •
sue interests is an s, if he had riot stated his the House.
He would then see that if th Government were to suggest a impressions on the subject.
Mr. GODSOI\ said he should bring the Bill in directly, as
certain interval between an engine and the carriages, the con- - sequence would be an increase rather than a diminution of ac- Mr: WAKLEY said that it was impossible to hear the state- he had it ready to do so,
the i
.. -
Leave was given to bring in BII
cidents ; for Railway Companies, feeling their responsibility menus made by Hon. Gentlemen without a feeling of great
much lessened, would shelter themselves from the indignation commiserat ion. At the same time if they applied the remedy MUNICIPAL REGULATION BILL.
of the public, by saying that these regulations had been forced Proposed in the present case, it would be impossible to gu• rd The ATTORNEY-GENERAL rose to meee for leave to
upon them against their remonstrances by the Government, against other places similarly circumstanced making a similar bring in a Bill to explain the Municipal Regulation Act.
which oughttobear the blame. But as to the safety of cross- application. His Hon. Friend had certainly brought forward There was a clause in the Act which precluded persons
ings, and the establishments of gates, and such things, the Go- his case in a very temperate speech, and in a manner calcu- holding leases- of land in boroughs from sitting in corpora-
vernment could do something; but as to determining the num- hated to obtain for him the attention not only of the House, but tions, and provided that every person so sitting in such
ben of watchmen that should be employed, and that the trains of the country at large. The facts stated by his Hon. Friend corporation was liable to a penalty every time he took his seat.
should net travel beyond a certain rate of speed, it would be were not disputed. The Government had no doubt whatever He Fad called the attention of her Majesty's Government to the
utterly impossible fur the Government to interfere with pro- about them. But the Hon. Gentleman failed to apply any re- suhject, and the answer given by the then Attorney-Gener
priety. This could only be done by those who had acquired medy. What was the use of sending a Special Commission to was, that he (Sir F. Pcllock) need be under no a h • a
ppre apprehensions
that nice tact, and minute exper.ence, that 'resulted from con- inquire into facts, when every atateinent made by his as to the operation of the Bill. Unfortunately, a case had lately
stant personal application to the practical study of these ques- Honourable Friend respecting those facts was admitted occurred in the Court of Queen's Bench, by which the clause
tions; and any interference of the Government in those de- to be, if anything, unsler.-4he truth ? The proposal he had referred to had been put in operation, and by which a
partments, so far from answering their object would defeat it. made by the Honourable Gentleman who had just sat down was I member of a Town Council had been incapacitated from taking
Mr. LA B 0 UCIIERE said the Bill of the Right Hon. Gen- a feasible one, but it would take much timel to bring it into I his seat. It was, therefore, the object of this Bill to remedy
tleman differed in some respects from that introduced by him operation. His (Mr. Wakley's) chief object in rising was to . that evil.
last year, for his was more stringent, and gave more direct ask what was the nature of the Poor-law in Scotland ? lie Mr. JAR VIS fully concurred in the object of the Bill.
powers to the Board of Trade. His Bill was referred to a Se- wanted to know how it was that the property of Scotland, like Leave was given to bring in the Bill.
lect Committee, and the result of the investigation was, that he that of England, was not applied to the relief of the poor? '
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved ter leave to bring
• lost a great deal of the confidence he first had in that measure, The Lord-Advocate was present, and lie (Mr. Wakles ) then in a Bill to allow of a writ of error in any case of a jtidginent
He was now convinced that the safest course fur the Govern- asked, was there a Poor-law in Scotland ?He understood of the Court of Queen's Bench upon an application for a
ment was, to let the undivided responsibility of the manage- there was, but he should like to know how it was carried into mandamus. The forms of the Queen's Bench admitted this
ment of the railways rest on the directors and officers • and, effect, because it was of no use for Scotch gentlemen to make in some cases, and there was no reasonwhy, on principle,n it
therefore, he thought the Right Hon. Gentleman hadexer- applications to that House, and appeal to its sympathy, if they shouldftir -o`
Il(.71
extended to other cases—Leave
fafrwas
. gimveoved for
cased a sound discretion in excluding some clauses which he neglected their duties in their own country. Ifthere was not a
tt. tof the ' n }antic absence
o,
distin Hawes,uishin that im.
(Mr. Labouehere) had introduced. This subject was by no Poor-law in Scotland, then he (Mr. Wakley) called on the as a emen
British quan y
Indies, s ar . __g f .
gh British
•
ported from the West the Maur tins, t e
tmeans so 'simple as Gentlemen might think at first ; the more Government to apply itself to the subject at. once, and. see that
possessions in India, and from foreign countries, upon which
hey examined it, the more they would see the difficulty of the people of Scotland were provided with an efficient and
duty was paid in each month, from January, 1831, to Decem-
dealing with some questions that at first seemed very easy, He effectual Poor-law, which should give them instantaneous re-
I) 1841, both inclusive. Also the y,f
of British
bar,.
.. average pr.ce ,
was sure that the safer way for the Government would yb'e to lief. That could be done in the course of a week.
interf, re too little, than
would undertake to Plantation Sugar, as advertised in the London Gazelle, '"
rather too much, with the ln one week he (Mr. Wakley)
monththe above • '-
directors. As their knowledge increased they might int f railway
have a Poor Jaw p viled for that country, if he hart each during
farther ; but, at present, he thought the Right Hon. Gentle-e a
inajorir of ni ref
'in that house. He understood the population of the United Kingdom in 1831 and 1841, and
. !icy
man had exercised a sound discretion in • that there Y semblance of a Poor- for each of the intermediate years, assigning one-tenth of the
giving the Board a was something bearing the
Trade the power of makin lug •
increase between these years as. the annual increa,se —Ordered.
poor-houses. He
gestions, leaving it to the Rail- law in Scotland, but that there were no
Sir G. CLERK moved th M W. • -• •
way Companies to refuse
ould be briught at r. iillam Williams be
..e there at their pleasure. ct uld scarcely understand how a Poor law c
Leave Was then given to bring in the Bill. into operation without poor-houses, not . .
that he had any de- added to the Select Committee on Public Petitions.
DISTRESS IN PAISLEY 1. t h
sire to see poor-houses established in Scotland stint ar o t ose Me. WAKLEY seconded the •
motion ; and in doing so lie
-wished
Mr. WALLACE said that in rain ••
existing in England.—(A laugh.) But he thought that, con.sincerely that every man in that House could claim to be
to bring forward the
as good a Radical as Mr. Williams was.—Ordered.
motion of which he had given notice relative to the sidering the lamentable distress which existed in that quarter,
in Paisle_y, he felt it due to the House to be as brief distressa
sit would be a satisfaction to the House and to the country to COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.
Bible. If was so well known to Hon. Members that distress it
precisel and distinctly what was the nature of the Poor- On the motion for the House going into a Committee of
did prevail that the subject required no aid from himre :cos law in Scotland; that if sufficient for that purpose it might Supply,
convince them that it was of a very broad nature, and ex- be applied for the relief of the sufferers, and if not, some speedy Mr. WAKLEY rose and said he took that ' fitting opportu-
tended both far and wide ; but he believed that that House remedy might he adopted. nits to enter his protest—his solemn arid serious protest—
and the country did not know the extent of privation and Mr. YORKE said it struck him that if they were to ap. !gainst the mode in which the Queen's Speech had been framed
suffering to which the people of Paisley and the neighbour- point a Commission for Paisley upon the sufferings of those in- in the present Session, and for some years past. He would not
hood were subjected. So far as he knew, and lie believed he habitants, he was somewhat -c?ompetent-to speak, having wit- detain the House by going at any length into the
expressed the feelings of the whole of the inhabitants of that nessed for himself their allin distress ; it struck him that if subject, but he did think that the manner in which
district, they were all fully grateful for the sympathy and aid they were to have a Commissionfor that town, it would be
that Speech was framed was unbecoming the character
which had been shown towards Clem by the people of this merely a precursor to C • ' •11 almost every tuwn in of that House, and was inconsistent with the
ommisslons I
power,
country, from the Queen on her throne down to the very lowest the kingdom, to such an appalling extent did manufacturing the dignity, and the interests of the country. Latterly
in the realm, who had aid and sympathy to offer. Their con- stagnation prevail. At the time when he was in Paisley, there the commencement of every session had brought with it some
duct, I.e believed, had been most exemplary, and the greater we re upwards of 14,000 persons in a:state of absolute destitution, excuse for adopting that mode, and upon which the House was
their distress and suffering, the more exemplary did it become. and but for what might be called the extraneous assistance ren- unanimous. In consequence of our young and beauteous Queen
The community of which-he spoke had long been known for.' dered to the town, those 14,000 persons must one by one have coming to the Throne, it was considered on that occasion that
visitations similar to those to which he now referred; the artisans died of starvation ; they were still subsisting upon this gratui- no difference of opinion should exist as to thenpee but ther
were chiefly occupied in supplying fancy articles for the markets . tous and accidental relief. On the whole, his hope for Paisley the utmost unanimity should prevail. The came another
of Loadon and other large towns, and any falling off in trade was ' was that which he entertained for the country at large,the hope event—the marriage of this beautiful young lady—and nothing
felt directly by them. At this moment her Majesty's Govern- I that taxes would be taken off the staple commodity of human could be a greater blessing to the House than unanimity on
ment must he aware that there were 17,500 persons in Paisley : existence, and that there would be a thorough revision of that occasion. Then came the results of that marriage.
and the neighbourhood, who were reputed as receiving parish those restrictive impositions which operated most wickedly (Laughter.) First, they had a Princess, and they
Pe nowthey
assistance ; 15,000 of these belonged to the town of Paisley against the bowels of the people.._( Hear, hear.) had a Prince, and it was incumbent on the House
alone. Besides this, there were 1,000 weavers, and some two I Sir VALENTINE BLAKE. the dreadful distress to express its gratitude for these two blessings, and
-spoke on
gs, he was
or three huedred labourers who received partial relief. The , which he lamented to say prevailed in every part of the king_ fully aware that the feelings of the House on that --occasion
amount that weavers could now earn did not exceed 4s. a-week ; Glom urging the
—rather less than more—fory of some prov s necessit iaionary remed were the feelings of the country. But on occasions of this sort
3',
working fourteen, fifteen, and that should to some -at least, furnish some when the Commons of England were assembled for the pur-
I extent, .
sixteen hours a-day. Those who had attended to gaol static- amelioration of it.
enind the House that Simi- Pose of promoting the public interest, he did think it was &-
ties, and to the feeding of the inmates ingaols, have learnt 1f el •
le begged to re . , .
must an periods o epressien had occurred in other countries ; and ting—he thought it was the duty of the framers of the Speech
that considerably more than double that amount was required to in one instance recorded in I •the consequence was ruin —that such expressions should be introduced in the Speech
maintain the inmates in health and stren I And it 'anddecay, and
gt i. when was .
considered that the people of Paisley had no firing, little Member - I met en
or no proceeded to read portions from two histotical writers, Y the attention of the world, and command that House
clothing
ers,
„, and no bedding, they would be able to form a com- amid considerable 1 - h sides of the the respect and admiration of 1 J • large portion of the universe.
aughter from bot House.)
parison between the relative positions of the honest inhabitants Trade was depart' the other Instead of that, the Speeches'
were year after year .
of Paisley and the inmates of ing from Nottingham and
did sa • gaols. He blamd no one—he England, which were b - g —d• t •essed as those f made up of unmeaninggeneralities. They could
e that the distress had reached to such ape extent as had land and Ireland. A German manufacturer icturer eeti4d.hr9 Scots
not put a finger upon h worthy
any part teak was
led him to
menu a _ e a . e.
the consideration that it Was his bounden duty tomake goods of the same kind bpi over of that House. ' After the House had hard the Speech,
the statement which he would' now briefly lay before the House. N . and quality as thos matt d at
se. • ottingham, and sell them ba that town at a pr. 50 per cent: the House adopted an Address the echo of the Speech and he

thoulght nothing could be worse plaitned than the Speech and
Address of the present Session. He did not say the present
_
Government was worse than the preceding one, but during the
late Administration the Wallet Government was lib, r enough
of their condemnation of the fovnier Goveriment, and yet,
when they, the present Government, came into power them-
selves, they adopted the precise course of theirp:edecessors.
Now he (Mr. Wakley) wanted to see an improvement, he de-
sired to see some change, some alteration ; not to go on,. year
after year, 4n expressions of unmeaning generahteess
making the speech from the Throne a thing to be
laughed at, instead of being a State document to be
respected and admired. The Right Honourable Baronet, the
First Lord of the Treasury, had given notice at the opening
of the Session, of his intention of making an exposition of his
views. He ( Mr. Wakley) recollected that, at the close of last
session, that Right Hon. Gentleman stated that he was going
id take a review of the country, and that the House having ben]
prorogued fot five months, at the meeting of Parliament they
should be made acquainted with the measures intended to be
brought forward by the Government. The questions now
discussed were of the last importance to the country, and
deeply concerned it. The conduct of Government on these
questions would determine what must bethe issue of the political
contest they had been engaged in for a long time; he regarded
the aristocracy of England as being on their trial at the present
moment. He, as a Radical Reformer, knew full well that when
the Constitution of England was changed by the Reform Bill,
those who sought more extensive measures of Reform
could not have them completed until the other branch of the in-
terests of the country, who were then out of power, obtained
office ; and the public looked anxiously to what it would do for
their good. The most wealthy, the most respected portion of the
aristocracy were under trial, they had the power of carrying any
measure for the public good, they wanted but the will to do
so. He did not know whether that will existed, but if it did
exist, they had power in that and the other House to accom-
plish great results. Hence there could be no trickery, no in-
trigue, and no fallacies. Nothing could induce the people to
turn their attention from the real merits of the case. The
wealth of England was in power, and were able to pass any
measure they deemed advisable for the public benefit and ad-
vantage. At the present moment he (Mr. Wakley) if called
upon to give aa opinion as a medical man, would not know
rightly what to prescribe.—(Laughter.) When asked what
was to be done with the patient, would it not be strange for the
doctor to say, that when he had his fee in his pocket he should
prescribe? That was certainly a new mode of practice.—
( Laughter. ) He (Mr. Wakley) regretted that the doctor was
not present then. It used in lormer times to be the practice
to prescribe at once for a patient, but now the doctor said be
would prescribe next April, and in the interim he would show
the general system, and measures that shouldbe adopted for the
benefit of the country: He complained of the Speech delivered
from the Throne ; it was vapid, senseless, and useless; it was
utterly unworthy of the Parliament or of the country ; and it
was certainly not calculated to impress the public mind with
that degree of respect which it was desirable they should have
for the Houses of Parliament. He regretted that a greater
number of the members of the Government were not then
present, or he should have extended his observations upon
that subject. However, he for one would certainly move an
amendment to the Royal Speeches to be delivered for the fu-
ture, if they were not framed in a different manner, for they
were now utterly useless to the public interests. He was de-
termined to divide the House upon his amendments, because
he thought it was lamentable to see that, year after year, they
should be cozened into a thing of that sort, and that the public
mind should be left wholly unsatisfied.
Sir G. CLERK said, though the Hon. Member for
Finsbury had a perfect right to bring forward that matter,
yet, he could not avoid saying, that his observation upon
the subject of the speeches received from the Throne were
then very ill-timed—( Hear, hear)—he should have expressed
those opinions on last Thursday evening, when the subject
was under consideration—that was the proper time, when
the Noble Lord opposite had delivered an exortatien upon the
necessity of unanimity ; from the experience of the Hon.
Member for Finsbury, he might have known that upon one
occasion the House were not unanimous upon speeches from
the throne.—(Hear, hear.) He (Sir G. Clerk) was at a loss
to know what tort of speech the Hon. Member for Finsbury
would recommend when he was placed in the situation of
her Majesty's adviser—( A laugh)—though he had a
.perfect right to introduce those subjects for the consideration of
the House, it would have been much better if he had done so
when thb Ministers of the Crown were present, and would be
able to justify and explain the objects of the Speech.—( Hear,
hear.) lie ( Sir G. Clerk) was not aware that there was any
complaint made of the omission of any matter of importance.
~ere was no subject omitted but one, and that was
with rela-
tion to introduction of a Bill for the renewal of the Poor-
laws—that was omitted, and it was alluded to by an Hon.
Member a few nigtm: tzo: The First Lord of the Treasury
:
then stated that the subject, though omitted in the Royal
Speech, should come under the -,,,zsideration of the House
during the present Session, and tna: a satisfactory
measure should be propounded—that the Right: Honourable
Baronet said he would take the very first Ipos.:unity
which he could take consistently with the forms of
the House,
to bring that, as well as all other measures under the considera-
tion of the House; and as soon as he had an opportunity, in a
Committee of Ways and Means, which was the only proper
time he could move any substantial resolution for supply—he
would not only do so, but it was his intention to develope to
the House the measures which he would propose on this sub-
ject. The Right Hon. Baronet could not take any other
course. If there was any important measure to be brought
before the House it was mostexpedient that the example of the
former Government should not be followed in al-
lowing a great number of Bills to be brought forward at once
on matters of importance ; those Bills should be diligently in-
quired into; and, according to the formal practice of intro-
ducing them, no Member of the House knew which of them
were discussed, even though he was 'present. Looking at the
experience of former Sessions, and the length of time wasted
by the introduction of Bills as they then were, he (Sir G.Clerk)
thought that the course marked out by the First Lord of the'
Treasury, in bringing forward measures when they could be
understood and properly discussed, was much better than if he
had brought forward all the measures at once which the Go-
vernment intended to submit to the House. He trusted that
the explanation he had attempted to give would be satisfactory,
and that his motion would be acquiesced in by the Honourable
Gentleman opposite.—( Hear. )
Mr. WAKLEY assured the Hon. Baronet that he had been
in the House every moment since the Session commenced. He
heard a statement of the intentions of the First Lord of the
Treasury—he heard all that had passed—much of what he had
heard gave him great pain—much of it gave him pleasure. He
could not expect that all of it would give him pleasure—if he
did, he should have been very much disappointed. —( Laughter. )
He would tell the Hon. Baronet that he (Mr. Wakley) never
approved of the Royal Speeches, and as to the introduction of
the Poor-law Bill, the House should remember that in August
last a Bill was pasted upon the subject of Poor-law, and
though that Bill was to end in July next, the measure for its
continuance was not to be passed until rifler Easter. The Bill
was not to be introduced till after Easter, and consequently it
was expected that it should be brought through both Houses
of Parliament in six weeks. He complained of that first, be-
cause the public should base ample time to see what those Bills
were before they. were passed into laws. For his own part, he
should have preferred to have no Bills at all rather than have
crude and undigested ones. The public were interested
in the Poor-law Bill, and that should have been the
very first that was introduced to the House. It should
have been introduced in sufficient time to enable
the public to express their opinion upon it by petitions or
otherwise ; instead of that, although the subject was well un-
derstood in the House, and had been frequently and publicly
discussed there, the Bill was to remain snugly in the office
until after Easter, and then, for the first time, it was to be
brought forward, although the Act was to end in July. He
considered that that was not acting fairly by those who brought
in the Bill originally, or by the people, and he would take an-
other opportunity of expressing his opinions upon the subject.
Mr. I. ARREN hoped sincerely that the public would avail
themselves of the opportunity of expressing their opinions on
the Poor-law to the Legislature by petition, and that the Poor-
law Commissioners would not be in future allowed to abrogate
the powers of the Constitution, but that they should have a
Government that would bend to the opinions of the public.
The resolution was then agreed to, and the report ordered
to be received to-morrow.

The other Orders of the Day having Leen disposed of, the
[ouse adjourned at Half. past Nine o'Clock.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
MONDAY, FEB. 7.
PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC PETITIONS
MAJORITY of 239 (Tellers included), who, voted against
Mr. Wallace's Motion relating to the Presentation of Pub-
lic Petitions.
Acland, Sir Thoma
A'Court, Captain
Ackers, James
Aeton, Colonel
Adderley, C. B.
Allis, John Peter
A iitrobus, Edmund
Bailey, Joseph, jun
Baillie, Colonel
Baillie, IL J.
Baird, William
Balfour, J. M.
Baring, W.
Baring, H. B.
baring, F. T.
Barnard, E. G.
Baskerville, T. B. 1
Beckett, William
hell,

Eaton, Richard J,
Ebrington, Viscount
Egerton' Sir P. G.
Eliot, Lord
Elphitistone, Howard
Emlyn, Viscount
Escott, Bickliam
Ferrand, W. B.
Fitzroy, Caplan'
Flolliort, John
Forbes, William
Forman, T. S.
Fuller, A. E.
Gaskell, J. AL
IGill, Thomas
Gladstone, W. E.
Godson, Richard
Gordon, Hon. W.
Gordon, Lord F.
Gore, W. It. 0.
Gore, W 0.
Goulburn' H.
Graham, Sir J.
Granger, T. C.
Grant, Sir A. C.
Greena 1, Peter
Creche, 'l'. U.
Orey, Sir G.
Griimeritch, T.
Grimaton, Lord
Grogan, Edward
lialtord, H.
Hamilton, James
Hamilton. W. J.
Hamilton, Lord C.
Harcourt, 0. G.
Hardinge, Sir H.
Hardy, John
Hattie, A.
Hawes, 8.-
Heathcote, Sir IV.
htzley, J. W.
S.
Hill, Sir ltowlari...'
Hodgson, F.
Hodgson, R.
Hollorid, Robert
HouldsNerth, 1.
Holmes, W.
Hope, Charles
Hope, G. W
Hornby, John
Howard, C. W. G.
Hughes, W. B.
James, Sir Walter
Jernsyn, Earl
Johnson, W. G.
Johnstone, Alex.
Johnstone, Hope
Knatchbuil, Sir E.
Knight, F. Winn
Labouchere, H.
Lambton, H.
Larpent, Sir 0.
Lawson, Andrew
Legli, George C.
Leicester Earl of
Lennox, Lord A.
Liddell, H. T.
Lincoln, Earl of
Lindsay, H.
Li, ton, E.
Loch, James
Lockhart, William
Lowther, J. H.
Lygon, General
Macaulay, T. B
Mackenzie, Thomas
MacGeachy, F. A.
Mahon, Lord

Benett, John
Bereslord, Captain
13ertsford, Major
Blakemore, R.
Bodain, W. 11..
Bolder°, Henry G.
Borthwick, Peter
tkittield, Beriah
Bowes, J.
Bradshaw, James
Brampton, 'l'. W.
Broadley, Henry
Broadwood, H.
Brodie, W . B.
Brotherton, J.
Browne, W.
Brownrigg, J. S.
Bruce, Lord E.
Bruce, C. L. •
Eh ph.; (ieorge
Buck, Lewl., W.
Buckley, Edmunn
Buller, E.
Buller, Sir J. B. Y.
Busfeild, W.
Campbell, Sir H.
Campbell, A.
Carnegie, Captain
Cartwright, W. R.
Chelsea, Visconnt
Chctwode, Sir John
Cholmondeley, H.
Christmas, William
Christopher, R. A.
Clayton, Sir W.
Clerk, Sir 0.
Clive, R. H.
Cochrane, A.
Colborne, W. Ridley
Collett, W. Bickford
Compton, H.
Connolly, Colonel
Corry, H. L.
Cowper, Hon W.
Cre-swell, Baker
Cripi,s, J.
Crosse, 'l'. Bright
Dalrymple, Captain

Mainwaring, T
Manners, Lord C.
March, Earl of
Marsham, Viscount
Martyn, C. Cecil
Maple, Hon box
Mitchell, T. A.
Morgan, Octavius
Mundy, E. Miller
Murray, C. R. S.
Napier, Sir I. h♦rles
Neeld, John
Neville, Ralph
Newry, Viscount
Nicholl, J
NortnlAnd, Lord
O'Brien, W. S.
Paget, Lord Alfred
Pakington, John S.
Peel, Sir ft.
Peel, Jonathan
Philips, Mark
Pigot, Sir It.
Plumptre, J. P.
Pollock, Sir F.
Praed, W. T.
Pringle, A.
Prot"

I)arner:l4(in. liawsot
Dawson, Hon. T. V.
)en icon, John Evelyr
Denison, E. Beckett
Dickinson, F. H.
9ivett, E.
Dodd, t.corge
Douglas, Sir C. E.
Drummond, H H.
Duncan, George
buncombe, 0.
Dundee, David
Easthope, Sir John

2rotheioe, E.
Pusey, Philip
Ilashleigh, William
Reade, W. M.
Hepton, George J.
Richards, Richard
Rous, Hon. Captain
uslibrooke, Colonel
Russell, Lord John
Sandon, Lord
Scarlett, Hon. R.
Shaw, F.
Sheppard, Thomas
Shirley, E. P.
Sibthorp, Colonel
Smith, Vernon
Smythe, Hon. G.
:zmollett, A.
SomerZt, Lord
Somerton, v...:Pount
Sotheron, T. H.
Stanley, Lord
Stanstield, W. IL
Strutt, Edward
Stuart, H.
Stunt, 11. C.
Sutton, Henry N.
Taylor, T. E.
Tennent, J. E.
Thompson, Ald.
Tollemache, John
Townley, R. G.
Trollops' Sir John
'trotter, John
Tufnell, Henry
Yore, Sir C. B.
Verner, W.
Vernon' Granville
Villiers, Viscount
Vivian, C. C.
Waddington, H. S.
Walker, R.
Wall, B.
Wood, Colonel T
Wortley, J. :tuart
Wrightson, W
Wyndham, W,
Young, John
Young, Sir W.

TELLERS.
i Inglis, Sir H. H.
Fremantle, Sir T.

A ,etter from Foix, in the Arriege, states that
early in the morning of the 26th ult:, an enormous avalanche
tell from a height of 1,500 feet. upon the hamlet of Artigues,
near Auzac, at the foot of the Pyrenees, and entirely destroyed
all the houses with the whole of the inhabitants. The intel-
ligence of this dreadful calamity did not reach Auzac till the
day after, on account of the remote position of the hamlet.
Fifty of the inhabitants went to give what succour they could,
bt.:t found only a few corpses out of the total number under
the ruins of the houses. It is not said how many persons are
supposed thus to have perished.