The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-05-31 00:00:00

CANADA.

Lord BROUGHAM said, that, notwithstanding the mention
made in the Queen's speech, and notwithstanding the mes-
sage from the crown, that a measure should be brought for-
ivard with reference to Canada, the house was still without
any Euc4 imasure before it, and he should like to ask whether
it was likely that such a measure would be brought forward
immediately, if possible, rather than probably three weeks
hence, when the house might be much more fully occupied
than it was at present.
Lord MELBOURNE said it was very true that that subject
had been adverted to in the Queen's speech, and had also
been brought before both houses of parliament by a message
from the crown. tinder these circumstances, a measure was
in contemplation—it was a measure of great importance, and
required great consideration, but it was the intention of her
Majesty's government to bring it forward.

COLONEL PRINCE CHARGE. OF MURDER.

Lord BROUGHAM wished to ask the noble marquis on his
left hand, if he had any objection to state whether any steps
had been taken to stigmatise a person in the militia of Canada
of the name of Prince, who, if there was any truth in the
reports of his conduct, had disgraced the name of a British
officer, and degraded that of an English colonel—he meant
that person who had ordered to be shot in cold blood four
miserable persons taken prisoners by the Indians, and after-
wards released, that they might be reserved for the tender
mercies of an English colonel of militia, who instantly drew
them out one after another, and ordered them to be shot on
the spot. That was true, because it had been reported by Col.
Arthur. (Hear, hear.) He asked whether Colonel Prince
was still allowed to hold a commission in her Majesty's

service.
The Marquis of NORMANDY said, the matter had been in-
quired into ; and on the report made to her Majesty's govern-
ment, they had signified their disapprobation of Col. Prince's
conduct. The noble and learned lord had brought forward
all the circumstances of aggravation attached to the case,
without taking in consideration the circumstances of miti-
gation.

- Lord BROUGHAM thought there could be no harm in mov-
ing for a return of the evidence given upon the investigation.
He had read the sentence : that was any thing but satisfac-
tory. He (Lord B.) had stated no circumstances of aggra-
vation--these men had been taken prisoners, and quarter
was given them by the officer who took them. They were
brought in one, at once, and an hour or two afterwards they
were taken out separately, and ordered to be shot by Colonel
Prince without a trial—a course of conduct similar to that
for which Governor Wall was hanged ; and Colonel Prince
was guilty of murder. Governor Wall ordered a'inan to be
massacred ; he flogged him to death without trial by court-
martial, and he was hanged for that. He (Lord Brougham)
had no hesitation, as a lawyer, in stating that Colonel Prince
was guilty. of murder.
The Marquis of NORMAN BY : If the noble and learned
lord moved for the papers, he would have no objection to
their production ; at the same time he would observe, that
her Majesty's government had conveyed their disapprobation
of Colonel Prince's conduct, even after his explanations had
been. given.
Lord BROUGHAM : It was long after the action—after
surrender—after quarter had been asked—in the streets—in
the presence of ladies :—" disapprobation" of murder, no
doubt there would be, but there must be something more,
there must be punishment, and severe punishment also.
POLICY OF MINISTERS.
The Earl of WINCHILSEA begged to ask the noble viscount
if it was his intention to make any statement as to the prin-
ciples upon which her Majesty's government was in future
to be conducted ; and, if so, when ?
Viscount MELBOURNE had no intention to make any ge-
neral statement upon the subject.
The Earl of WINE HILSEA would then give notice, that on
Friday he would make some observations which would call
forth an answer upon the subject.
Lord BROUGHAM said, that as it was always the case that
party questions took up a great deal of time, the notice he
had given for Friday he should bring on on Thursday. The
noble and learned lord then said, that he had a question to
ask the noble lord at the head of the government, which he
should not ask, but that the other house now representing
the people had totally abandoned all care and economy of the
public purse. In fact he might say. that a generation had
grown up that knew not Joseph.—(A laugh, caused by the
noble and learned lord turning to Mr. Hume, who was at
the bar.) The question he wished to put was whether Sir
John M`Nell, who had been appointed to the Persian com-
mission that was now broken up, received any salary ?
Lord MELBOURNE said, that he was not able to give any
answer to the noble and learned lord, but he thought it was
very improbable that he did receive any salary.
Lord ELLEN BOROUGH said, that Sir John M`Neil received
no salary from this country, as the whole expenses were paid
by the East India Company.
After a short conversation the subject dropped, and the
house adjourned.