The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-07-03 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS-FRIDAY.

The Earl of WICKLOW presented a bill to alter the oaths
taken by all persons who are now required to take the oaths of
supremacy, abjuration, and allegiance, which was read a first
time.

Earl GREY moved the second reading of the administration
of justice (Vancouver's Island) bill, and stated that by the
existing law all serious offences and civil causes arising on the
north-west coast of America had to be tried in Canada, but as
a grant of Vancouver's Island had been made to the Hudson's
Bay Company, it was proposed to repeal so much of the law as
would affect this island and to constitute courts for the admi-
nistration of justice there. The noble earl proceeded to detail
the circumstances isnder which this new colony would be
settled and governed, and concluded by stating that it has
been thought advisable, as the island could only be colonised
by private individuals or the Hudson's Bay Company, to end
trust the colonisation to the latter, who had already a small
settlement on the island, and had a greater interest in the
success of the scheme than any other persons could have.
Lord MONTEAGLE objected to grants of large tracts of land
to parties who were irresponsible, and inasmuch as the charter
granted by Charles 11. to the Hudson's Bay Company was, at
least, questionable, he thought the subject ought to be dealt
with carefully by parliament. The noble lord, among other
objections to the project, stated that such was the power of the
company, that if any merchant were to settle in the island,
they might exclude him from any profitable trade, and refuse
him any portion of their freights, if they *anted to oppose
him or drive him out of the island.
The Earl of ABERDEEN -oncurred in the proposition, that
the Hudson's Bay Company could better colonise this island
tban any one else. Durinz his official career it was the only
question which gave him uneasiness as to preserving the peace
of the country ; the question involved in the negotiations with
America having been, as to whether the 49th degree of latitude
should stop at the coast or be carried over the ocean ; and, if
the latter proposition had been adopted, the southern portion
of the island would have been lost to this country. He was
happy to bear his testimony to the advantageous conditions on
which the grant had been made,
The bill was read a second time.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—FRIDAY.
Lord PAW,XERSTON being asked by Lord MA H 0 N
whether there was any prospect of a renewal of amicable rela-
tions with Spain, replied that the Spanish government had
invoked the good offices of the King of the Belgians to bring
about a reconciliation, and some communications had in con-
sequence token place, hitherto without any result. The tone
of Lord Palmerston, though calm, evinced no desire to pur-
chase a return to amity by the slightest concession, and he
remarked, with reference to the conduct of Spain towards
British merchants, which Lord Mahon ascribed to a spirit of
conciliation, that-if the Spanish government adopted a com-
mercial policy favourable to our merchants, but dictated by a
regard-, to Spanish interests, it furnished no reason why the
British g,overnment should manifest a less sense of what was
due to the -honour and dignity of the country. •
The house then, in committee, returned to the discussion of