Star.
London, England, 1831-02-22 00:00:00

church ; he must, however, observe, that the defence set up was an
afterthought.
The papers were then nnkred.
ATFAIDS Or YORTIMAL.
Lord STR A NGFORD again rose and said, in consequence of the
late hour he was willing to tpone till to-moeruw his motion for pa-
pers on the trade to Portugal.
Earl GREY said his Siajetty's ministers were then in that house for
the purpose of hearing the r.ohle lonrs motion.
Lord STRANGPORD resumed. The noble lord observed that he
entertained great afftetion for a country (Portugal) in which he had spent
se much of his life, and he humbly conceived that there existed ample
wool for his 'meson. The noble lord then entered into a detail of the
menniktreaties entered into between this and Portugal; eon.
tending that thvse treaties the ministereslirtlis country were bout.,)
to give maid to the Government of Portugal before any alteration of the
duties of the wines of Portugal could be entered upon ; the Methuen
Treaty, which admitted the woollens of this country into Portugal.
was Violated by Poch a want of notice; h was also glebe the wines
of Prawn a decided advantage over those of Portugal, thereby,
alienating the affections of the people of that country from
England..— It had become a common observation, in mov-
ing for papers of this description from a new Government, to dia.
claim all wish to give embarrassment. lie (Lord Strapgfurd)
trusted that when he used such an expression it arose from a far differ.
tat feeling than one or mere form. After some other remarks the noble
lord concluded by moving for copies or extracts of the instructions given
to the British Consuls at Portugal prior to 1811; also copies of the
treaties subsisting between Great Britain and Portugal relative to the
suspension of th;e treaty of Paris signed at Rio de Janeiro •
,together
with copies of the instructions to the Captains of all his Majesty's ships
stationed in the Tagus in 1830.
Viscount GODERICII contended that no breach of faith had been
committed. The noble lord (Strsngford) had not quoted the treaties
correctly. The noble Viscount then read the various treaties to show
the: they contained clauses which provided a mode for Portugal to right
herself by not admitting the woollen-manufactures of England. (Hear.)
He then denounced the Oporto Wine Company as one of the most de-
testable of monopolies, as unjust and pernicious in hi nature, as ever
disgraced the commerce of the country which gave it birth. The noble
Viscount then at great length detailed the nature and bearings of the
various treaties, contending that there was no ground for any imputa-
tions being east upon his Majesty's government, for the measures they
intended to introduce, respecting the wines of Portugal. With respect
to the papers themselves, )e (Viscount Goderich) had no objection to
the production of all of them excepting the last ; to that he had a de-
cided objection, inasmuch as the production of the instructions to the
captains of ships In the Tagus last year would make a premature dia.
closure of what were the intentions of his Majesty's Government at
that time.

Lord ELLENBOROUOII was satisfied nothing was more natural
than that the noble lord (Strangford) should call for the production
of the papers in question. When the ministers of the crown acted hi
direct contravention of Treaties to which the noble lord himself hod
been a party, it became him (Lord Strangford) to call for every expla-
nation on the subject. The noble lord then entered upon an explana-
tion of his views of the various treaties between England and Portugal,
to shew that it was not competent for his Majesty's ministers to make
any alterations in them without first giving notice to the Court of Porte.
gal in terms of the treaties between the high contracting ;tanks ; to have
given notice to the authorities of Portugal would not have required more
than two or three weeks, which would have fulfilled the clause of the
treaty requiring such notice; then it was to be recollected that `y
the Methuen treaty the woollen manufactures of England to the
amount of 3011,01101. per annum. found their way to Portugal; it traw
desirous that the woollen trade, of all others, should not be injured;
whilst, at the sane time, every measure lending to produce M sunny be-
tween this Hover' nment and Portugal, and intorruptiag existing tweed.
Atm between the two countries, ought to be carefully avoided. With re-
gard to the amount of revenue from the proposed measures--240,0001. he
was persuaded that no such sum could be realised. He contended it
was impolitic to propose a duty on a commodity the consumption of
which was diminishing, whilst at the same time it tended to alienate
the affections of a people who had long stood by England as one other
most faithful allies.

The LORD CHANCRLLOR then rose said add, rather than lend
himself to any measure which would tend to a breach of faith under
ex sting treaties, he should sooner suffer his right hand to be cut off.
(hear, hear. hear,)---but it was because he saw no breach of faith,
looking at the measure as a lawyer, he gave his cordial support to the
plan which has been submitted by the Ministers of the Crown. For his
own part, he saw not the shadow of a shade of any breach of faith in
these measures. The fact was their lordships, by the course the debate
had taken, were called todiscusi the budget of the house of commons,
and the inconvenience of such a step was very obvious to him ; and
he deemed It would have been far better to have deferred touching on
these topics at all until a bill was brought into Parliament on the sub-
ject, for until that step had been taken, no breach of faith, if any
should by possibility exist, could have been committed ; but how could
the noble baron (Rilenborough) undertake to tell him (the Lord Chan.
cellor) that notice has not been given to Portugal of the intended ale.
ration ;he is now leaping in the dark. God wot, that Minister should
be little able to stand which could not resist such arguments aa those
which the noble baron and others had brought against it. The noble
and learned lord then, at great length and force, contended that the
Methuen treaty had not been violated, and that no favour was inten.
tionally shown to France with a view to curry favour with that nation
at the expense of Portugal.

The Duke of WELLINGTON imagined, from the pains taken by
the noble and learned lord on the woolsack, that his Majesty's ministers
bad found themselves somewhat embarrassed by the motion of the noble
lord. He did his Majesty's ministers the justice to believe that they
did not wish wilfully to break faith in the face of existing contracts;
but they had neglected to give that nodes regarding these contracts.
The noble duke then referred to the treaties alluded to, with a view
to show that the noble and learned lord oo the woolsack had not ex-
pounded them correctly, His noble friend (Lord Strangfeed), be con-
tended, 'ming a party to the framing of these treaties, was, surely,
beet able to understand and expound them clearly. The noble duke
I then referred to the great Importance of being on a friendly footing
with Portugal. Owing to the evils of agitation, Ireland, of which
country, he obeerved, that, unfortunately, the great measure which
he had the honour of introducing three years ago, bad We been at.
tended with all the idea' tagea anticipated to flow from it by some.

Lord KING observed, that as seen as the prawn measure was dis-
cussed, he had no doubt but these in opposition to his Majesty's MI-
Meters would bring forward questions relative to the colonies, them the
shipping interest, then the lead mines, sodium the Willa duties ',saki
be brought for ward to swell out the Eat ; the band of pensieuees, he had
no doubt, would also come filmed end complain that they had been
stripped of their all; but the fact was, poet and prejudice were now
nearly lone for--(A laugh.)
Earl STA NA PE contended, that by the Methuen Treaty a re-
ciprocity of advantages was secured to this country and Portugal, and
it had been violated, as no notice of any alteration had been gives.
Earl GREY observed, that Ms Majesty's Administration hod been
charged with committing a breach of faith, but that charge bad not
bee* supported by any argument. He was as anxious as any of their
lordships to keep up a friendly intercourse with Portugal. When the
measure came to be discussed in the regular way. it would be under-
stood better, and he doubted not that it would then ap evident no
injury had been inflicted on Portugal by the proposed least
none so extensive as that now imagined ; the trade of Portugal had
been decreasing, and this was occasioned by the very existence of
the Oporto Company, which of itself was a violation of the Methuen
treaty; but under that treaty his Majesty's ministers had a right to
adopt those measures which they had proposed. Feeble own pan, he
had no objection to the production of the papers, excepting always the
last, and that for the reason already stated by a Noble Viscount
(Goderich.)
After a tew words from Lott] STRANOTORD and the Lord Crux-
es*. Loa, in el:planation, the papers, with the exception of the copies
of instruction ut 18 0. to the Captains of ships• in the Tagus, were or.
.:end, and their Lordships adjourned at Hetr.rssT SLAV= o'Clock

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
A new member was sworn, and took his mat.
Mr. POItTM AN brought up the report of the Carlow election corn.
Inittee. that Lord Tullamore, the sitting member, was duly elected, and
that the petition against hie return was not frivolous or vexatious.
Mr. ROBERT PALNIER brought up the report of the Wlpe
election committee, that the sitting members were duly elected, and the
petition against their election was not frivolous or vexations.
Mr. CLIVE brought up the report of the Wexford 40W Polldell.
that Mr. lirigraun, the sitting member, was not duly elected, and that
Sir E. C. Deering was duly elected.
Ordered, that the Clerk of the Crown attend tomorrow to amend the
return.

Sir E. K N ATcH BULL presented a petition from Gravesend,
against the London port duties on Coal.

Mr. J. WOOD presented apetition from the inhabitants of Dona-
tor. Wilts, stating that their borough had but six electors, who were
all the tenants of a noble lord, who dictated to them the representatives
they should return ; and praying for a reform in Parliament. The hon.
gentleman presented a petition from Stockport, stating that in their
leighbourhood there were 900,000 panes unrepresented, and praying
foe Reform of Parliament, and a similar petition from Congleton. He
happy that he had not presented one petition for Reform which did
not pray foe the vote by ballot, without which ht was confident the
puhlie would be disappointed.
A Maxima said, Lord Radnor, the proprietor of the borough of
Downton, had publicly deelared, at a county meeting, that be was
moat desirous that his borough pa sh be taken from him.
Mr. WOOD said he hoped other borough proprietors would be
equally prudent, for he was confident the people would no longer sub-
mit (be used the word advisedly);to be governed by parliamentary peers.
Mr. O'CONNELL said he was glad to find parliamentary peers
beginning to reform themselves. He was determWd to endeavour to
reform the late sitting of the House, and move the adjournment of
the Howie at a quarter to eleven o'clock, unless the House would de-
clare its willingness to adjourn at twelve o'clock.
Mr. Aid. WAITH MAN thought the observations made respecting
the late hours of the house had nothing to do with the presentation or
the petition. It was the infliction of unnecessary speeches on the house
that delayed the proper business.
Sir 11. W. RID LEY said the house had the power of protecting It-
self from the boo. member fur Waterford, and was above his taunts or
threats.—.(Hear, hear.)
Mt. fl UM E said he was surprised at the complaints of the hon.
barb which was calculated to rut an end to the liberty of speech. It
was well known that the public interests Buffered by the late sittings of
the house. If the hon. member for Waterford moved the adjournment
of the house at twelve o'clock, he would protect the interests of the pea
plc by supporting the motion.
Mr. DU NCO ti HE said if the hon. member for Waterford persisted
in moving the adjournment, be hoped the house would rescind the
standing OfillT.
Mr. fl UNT said If all the standing orders of the home were not
acted on he would move that they be all rescinded. The hon. alderman
who talked of inflicting speeches, had, a few nights ago, inflicted a
speech on the house, that drove the whole house out of the house.—
(A great Lugh.)
Mr. °ICON NR LL said he was as willinpp any Member could be
to attend at as early an hour of the day M might be thought necessary
for transacting the public business of do country in the manner it
aught to be teanaacted, which was not dune at, present, for at three or
four o'clock in the morning witen'there were but few Members in the
Hors; and all fatigued, the business was hurried over in a manner
wholly inconsistent with proper consideration. Such hours were so de-
structive to health th.tt he knew many persons, who would make valu.
able Members of the House, deterred by them from coming into it.
Such hour. most also be injurious to the gentleman alto filled the
Chair of the House, for whom sake, if thine were no other reason, :he
practice shouldle altered.
Mr. WARBURTON said if the Hoo. Member for Waterford
would bring forward a motion for concluding the business of the House
at an earlier hour than at present, it would well deserve, and would no
doubt receive the consideration of the House.

COMMITTIE or SVPPLY.
Lord A LTHORP moved that the House resolve itself Into a Com-
mittee of Supply.

-
SIX 'Alin GILIMAX9II IM,LANATION.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM rase and said:—Although he was at all
times unwilling to intrude on the House any thing of a private or
personal nature. yet he hoped on the present occasion he should
receive their indulgence for a few moments.—(Hear, hear.) In
the wamth of dehate on a former night, iu the course of an un.
premeditated speech, he had used the term " demagogue ;" he had
been asked to explain whom he meant by that term, and In reply be had
no besitatiou to state that he hid not applied it to the boo. member for
Clare, nor did he know, when he used it, that the hon. !amber revalue
was sitting behind him. He stated thus much in compliance with the
wishes of his noble friend. He must now add, In jusiice to his own (tel.
inp, that he did use the team Its reference to another member, whom
he now taw in his pLsce,(Alr. O'Connell); and when he recollected that
that honourable member at the moment lse:wsed it was not present—
and also certain declarations made by that honourable gentleman,
which ought to make him very cautions in the language bt toed,
and certainly ought to make all other gentlemen very cautious in the
language they used towards him—and more especially when he recol-
lected the position in which that honourable gentleman stood towards
his Majesty's government, be frankly and freely confessed he regretted
the expression had escaped his lips. (Hear, hear.)
Colonel DAVIES said, he understood the right hon. baronet to
have said as much immediately after be had used the expression,
when he said, that as he found it offensive, be would not repent
it.--(Hear.)
Mr. O'CONNELL mM, as the right bon. baronet had so pattenlarly
alluded to him, he hoped be might be permitted to say one word. I o
offering an apology to another, or making an explassatioo, be thought the
tight hon. baronet bad no right to allude to him. He (Mr. O'Connell)
never said any thing in that house or out of It, which he was net prepare
to support as a Christian, oe retract if he found himself in meat. Troth was
his only object and guide. The right hon. baronet had mentioned the
situation in which be (Mt. O'Connell) was placed with respect to his
Majesty's Government; that situation he believed was much misunder-
stood. He bad hoped to arrive at the house to-day in time to have his
tam—hc would mite especial care to arrive early enough for it to..
morrow—that he might have the opportunity of stating most dis-
tinctly the situation in which he really did stand with reference to
Government. Ha would only say in emission, that there was not
the least occasion far the hon. baronet to explain any thing he said in
reference to him.

COTTON bl7llllll.
JAM A GTHORP said he would take that opportunity to state
the arrangements he bad made respecting the elites duties. He had
s..vn a deputation of highly intelligent and respectable persons in the
trade. and after hearing the facts they had to state, and the sug-
gestions they had to offer, he had owns to a determination with
which he was happy to m they had exposed themselves perfectly
satisfied. That det was, to propose to Parliament the im.
mediate repeal of the duty on printed claimed ; allowing the present
drawback on the expert for three months to come, aid so lay a duty
of dre.eightha of a penny on all raw cotton imported i and net to
allow any drawback on the export of cotton goads. This he ex-
ttld7ooki produce a revenue newly equal to the duty at hint

WEST INDIA IXTEIZITS.
The Marquis of CH ANDOS said, be rose for the purpose pf bring.
lug tinder the consideration of the hones the deeply distressed state of
the. West India interests. There had been much communication be-
tween the West India planters, and matitants, and the Government ;
the result was, that Government had declared that they could not grant
any relief. A tax had been laid on serge' as a wet tax, and it was still
condoned, to the prejudice of the West Indies and the people
of England. (Hear, hear, hear.) It was evident the tinance plan uf
the year was not yet agreed on, and be called upon Gorernmeet
and the House to grant the relief now prayed for. The Vice.
President of the Board of trade last year, before he was In office,
said be was meet anxious to relieve the West India interest, and
that the vacilladon of Government was most injurious to them. The
President of the Board of Cootrool had also seconded his opinion in
layout of the West Indians and tha people of England, who were the
consomme. Thecae 0:* of England celled aloud for the rtdtte-
tiee of the lax. d of the Wet Indies was so great that if
relief was net alibrded be would not be answerable for the comitquent es.
He called upon Mantas upon every account to settle this great
tion which would greatly aid them in settling the slave siut:stiun.
noble lord moved that the distressed state of the Wet India pla: .1 :A