The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-28 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY

On the order of the day for committee of supply, Mr. T.
DUNCOMBE recurred to the often-repeated history of Thoro-
good's church-rate grievance, which he diversified by the
relation of an amusing dialogue between the martyr and Sir
Robert Inglis. Lord John Russell, Sir R. Peel, and others,
thought it advisable that the man should be released, if his
release could be legally effected, for the purpose of depriving
him of that factitious consequence which he enjoyed from
his assumption of the character of martyrdom. On the ex-
pression of their opinions, Mr. Duncombe thought it expe-
dient to withdraw his motion.

After some animadversions by Mr. Hume, on the manner
of keeping the public accounts, and a few words from Mr.
Goulburn, the house, which was very thinly attended, went
into committee of supply on the navy estimates.
Mr. HytitE, on the vote for 2,000 additional seamen, asked
some questions of Lord Palmerston about the state of affairs
in the east, which questions Lord Palmerston courteously
declined to answer; and Mr. Hume, a little nettled, declared
that he abstained from dividing against the vote only from
the consideration that a division would demonstrate the want
of the 40 members requisite to make a house.
Lord J. RUSSELL said, it seemed to be thought that
British interference alone had prevented the existence of
amicable relations between the two parts of the Turkish em-
pire. This was a total misapprehension, and if England and
the other powers had not taken the course which they had
adopted, a jealousy would have arisen of the Turkish inter-
position in the affairs of the Porte, which would almost
inevitably have involved Europe in war.
On the vote of money to defray the conveyance of mails
between different parts of the Mediterranean, Colonel DAW-
SON DAMER, who has recently passed some time in that part
of the world, proposed, that instead of carrying the mails, as
at present, by contracts with individuals, th government
should employ armed steamers of its own. This description
of marine, he observed, would be our only efficient resource
in the event of any sudden outbreak of war. The French had
already acted extensively upon this policy.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that what-
ever might be the wisest policy for France, England, from the
extent of maritime capital end enterprise among her subjects,
found greater advantage, and a greater probability of secure
defence, in encouraging and assisting private companies for
these great undertakings. He believed the general opinion
to be, that private companies would manage the transit of
letters and of passengers better than it could ever be done by

any government.
Mr. GOULBURN said the question turned, not upon mere
convenience and economy in the present transmission of let-
ters and passengers, but upon great considerations of national
defence in a sudden emergency.
Captain PECHELL concurred in the suggestion of Colonel
DAMER.
Mr. Molex O'PERRALL said, that every contract for the
conveyance of letters had been made at a rate more economi-
cal than that at which the same object could have been
effected by the government itself. It was now provided in
the contracts made by the Admiralty, that the vessels should
be built in a manner which would leave them available for
warlike purposes in cases of exigency.
Lord INGESTRIE urged, in support of Colonel Damer's
suggestion, the importance of familiarizing the officers of the
navy with the practical details of steam navigation.
The navy estimates having been gone through, the militia
estimates succeeded; and then the remainder of the miscella-
neous. On a vote to the National Gallery for the purchase
of pictures,
Mr. HUME and Mr. EWART ingrafted a great deal of ir-
relevant discussion about the character and conduct of the
Royal Academy ; after which Mr. GOULBURN complained of
of the proposed vote of £11,300 for legal expenses incurred
in the execution of the act respecting the river Shannon : and
Mr. E. TENNENT suggested that these expenses had been in-
creased by a job in favour of a particular solicitor, which
Ministers sharply denied. The grant for the expenses incur-
red in suppressing the Canadian insurrection was passed with
only a few words from Mr. HUME. The grant for the ex-
penses occasioned by the rupture with China came next, and
was passed with some general explanations‘ from the CHAN-
CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and Sir J. HonstousE.
On the vote of £30,000 for public education, Mr. Gout,-
BURN said that the late minute of council had greatly im-
proved the arrangements upon this important subject. He
rejoiced that it was in his power, therefore, to concur in this
grant, although he certainly should have preferred to see the
object effected by a legislative measure.
Mr. liumE said, that the Government bad been obliged to
yield; but, however he might regret this, he would interpose
no objection to the grant.
Lord JouN RUSSELL expressed the satisfaction of Go-
vernment at having been able to concur with the Archbishop
of Canterbury on the subject of inspection, and trusted that
there would now be au improvement in the quality as well as
in the quantity of the national education.
Mr. LANGDALE lamented the uninstructed state of the
lower Irish in the metropolis, almost all of whom were
Roman Catholics. They were left uneducated when chil-
dren, and when adults they were thrust into gaol for offences
the consequence of that want of education. Even in the
gaols they had no religious instruction from clergy of their
own faith. They could obtain it only by apostacy. Instead
prisons, you should invite
of excluding the priest from your
him to visit them.

Mr. ROCHE con erred in the opinion of Mr. Langdale.
Mr. BAINES asked whether the veto of the Archbishop
upon the inspector was to extend to the schools of dissenters.
To which

- -
Lord J. RUSSELL answered, that an inspector, constituted
for the schools of the Church of England, would not inspect

tie schßli 01 dinontan, orbera Any oWestion on their part
might (mist Against ilia performing that function.
Two or three other grants were allowed to pass, at a quarter
after 1, on the understanding that the discussion of them
should be taken on the report ; but, on the vote of money to
build a hall for the General Assembly of Scotland,
Mr. GILLON, much against the inclination of the house,
persisted in making a speech. This was the last of the esti-
mates, and the report was fixed for Monday.
Adjourned.

HOUSE OF OF COMMONS.-SATURDAY

The regency bill was brought from the Lords. It was not,
however, read the first time.

The committee on the churches' discipline bill was defer-
red, in consequence of what Mr. WARBURTON deemed ob-
jectionable provisions—provisions that leave clergymen too
much at the mercy of their superiors, without power of ap-
peal to their peers.
Mr. F. MAuLE admitted that debateable bills ought not
to be pressed at a Saturday's sitting. The committee was
named for Thursday.

Mr. Fox MAuLi withdrew, for the present session, the
bill regarding the employment of dogs as animals of draught
or burden.

The Blenheim Palace repairs bill was read the third time
and passed.

The infant felons' education bill, on motion of Mr. Fox
MAIILE, was read the second time, and ordered to be consi-
dered in committee on Monday.

.......,.
On motion of Lord J. RussaLL, the slave trade treaties
bill went through committee; and on the motion of Lord
PALMERSTON, the slave trade (Venezuela) bill was read the
second time.

The house having, on the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL,
resolved into committee on the sugar excise duties bill,
Mr. EWART objected to its provisions, as being calculated
to impose additional restrictions on the manufacture of sugar
in this country.

Mr. HAWES added, that it would also have the effect of
very seriously injuring our fruit growers.
On the motion of Mr. E. J. STANLEY, the metropolis
improvement bill, " No. 1," was reported, arid ordered to
be read the third time on Wednesday.
The fisheries bill (regarding the long-disputed questions
between the French and English fishermen) was read the
third time and passed.
The notices of elections bill. on the motion of Lord J.
RUSSELL, went through committee pro forma :—the report
to be considered on Monday.
Dr. Nrcuou. stated, in reference to the case of John
Thorogood, that, according to law, not only is payment of
the demand requisite, but compliance with the claim for sub-
mission ; nothing short, indeed. of submission to the law can
procure the prisoner's liberation: The submission required
is to appear in court, and recognise its authority. It such
a course were neglected, he undertook to say that should
Thorogood appear before the hon. member for the Tower
Hamlets (Dr. Lushington), that learned judge could not
liberate him.

Lord J. RUSSELL observed that he had understood the
Attorney-General's opinion to be, that the churchwardens
could make such an application as would have the effect of
securing the release of John Thorogood ; but he would in-
quire whether he had correctly understood his hon. and
learned friend. If it should appear that Dr. Nichol' was
right, then his lordship submitted it would be for the house
to determine whether it might not be advisable to bring in
some short bill extending the act (Sir E. Sugden's) regarding
contempts in chancery to cases like Thorogood's.
The house then adjourned.