The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-02-22 00:00:00

MR. TIIRTON,

The Earl of WINCHELSEA moved for copies of official cor-
respondence relating to the appointment of Mr. Turton by
the Earl of Durham. His lordship reminded the house of
the conversation which had previously taken place, but which
had not satisfied him as to the propriety of the appointment.
Lord MELBOURNE said, that the papers moved for would
not give the noble lord the information he desired, and he
would therefore supply it himself, and state the course which
he had individually taken. This his lordship did in the fol-
lowing terms :—After what had (Occurred in their lordship's
house, he (Lord Melbourne) wrote privately to the noble earl,
then the Governor of Canada, expressing his disapprobation
of the appointment of Mr. Turton, and his hope that it would
be forthwith rescinded. In answer to this the noble earl re-
plied, that he considered his honour pledged as to the appoint-
ment, and therefore most distinctly refused to take. any such
course as that which was suggested. Now, whatever might
have been the real merits of the case, he had not thought it
right to interfere with the government of the noble earl, and
their lordships would therefore not be surprised at his
merely recommending the removal of the gentleman alluded
to, instead of disturbing the noble earl's government by ac-
tually insisting on it. Thus did the matter stand, and more
serious events occurring soon afteawards, this transaction be-
came merged in the effects resulting from them. But seeing
that this question was one of a personal nature, that no very
great information would be obtained as to the earlier part of
the transaction by the production of any despatches, and that
as to the latter part there was no other to be had than that
which he had now given, he trusted the noble earl would not
press for the production of the papers.
Lord BROUGHAM said that he and the Lord Chief Justice,
who heard the case of Mr. Turton, found that it was not so
bad as had been represented. He was the last man to speak
one word in extenuation of seduction or adultery, but let not
persons run into the foolish excess of exaggerating this mat-
ter and mixing it up with other cases that were called by the
same name, but which presented to the eye of the observer
every variety and shade of crime.
Lord DURHAM declared that he had made the appointment
on his own responsibility, and that the crown had nothing to
do with it. He observed, in conclusion, that if Mr. Turton
was to be condemned, the conduct of every official personage
similarly circumstanced should be publicly investigated.
The Earl of I,l"mcniLsEA pledged himself to vote for such
an inquiry if proposed by the noble lord.
The motion was finally withdrawn.
Tne Marquis of WESTMEATH moved for the production
of additional papers relative to an investigation lately held at
Mullingar respecting the conduct of two magistrates.
The LORD CHANCELLOR presented a bill for the better
regulation of courts in boroughs. It was read a first time,
and ordered to be read a second time on Thursday.
The house adjourned shortly before eight o'clock till
Thursday.