The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-03-10 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS.-FRIDAY.

The house resolved itself into committee on the Irish
Coercion Bill, after the Earl of St. Germans had ex-
plained the amendments intended by the government, and
stated his opinion of those proposed by different noble
lords.
The consideration of the several clauses gave rise to
much discussion, in the course of which Earl GREY at-
tacked the Irish landlords as being the cause of the state
of the country, through neglect of their duties. The
landlords were warmly defended by the Earl of Roden
and Lord Farnham.

When clause 16 was read, making it a misdemeanor,
punishable with transportation of 15 years, for any person
in a proclaimed district to be out of his abode between one
hour after sunset and sunrise. Lord GREY inveighed at
length against the unnecessary severity of the penalty,
and moved as an amendment one year's imprisonment,
with or without hard labour.
This amendment brought on a long debate in which
Lord Campbell, Lord Cottenham, and Lord Langdale
sided with Lord Grey in considering the penalty as quite
out of proportion to the "venial offence" of being out
after dark; while Lord Brougham, the Marquis of Clan-
ricarde, and Lord Monteagle defended the severity of the
measure as an extraordinary remedy for an extraordinary
evil.
Their lordships at last divided on", the amendment,
when the numbers were—

Content
Non-content
Majority —3l
The remaining clauses were then agreed to, and it was
determined by an amendment, moved by the Marquis of
Lansdowne, that the bill should be in force for three years
from October next.

HOUSE OF COMMO NS.—FRIDAY.
In the House of Commons public business commenced
by the House resolving itself into a committee to consider
the Customs and Corn Importation Acts.
Mr. W.IO STANLEY said that he concurred with Lord
J. Russell, in thinking that the interests of the country
were deeply involved in the immediate, complete, and tran-
quil settlement of the Corn-law question. The proposition
of Government was neither an immediate, nor a complete.
nor a tranquil settlement of it. He then proposed, as an
amendment to Sir R. Peel's plan, that " in lieu of the
duties now payable on the importation of corn, grain,
meal, or flour, the product of foreign countries, there
shall be paid a fixed duty of ss. per quarter upon wheat ;
2s. Gd. on barley ; and 2s. on oats ; meal and flour in
proportion.
Colonel Woon. of Brecon, observed that the agri-
cultural interest was now suffering most severely owing to
the delay in adopting the proposition of Government The
corn trade was completely paralyzed by it. He was op-
posed to the amendment now proposed, for he was con-
scientiously of opinion that the time had at last arrived
when the Corn-laws ought to be entirely and immediately
repealed.
Mr. S. O'BRIEN denied that there had been any repre-
hensible delay in the discussion of this question. It would
have been possible for a powerful minority to have clogged
the notice book with amendments on the Government
plan, acd yet not one notice had been given by any
member of that minority. It was better that an im-
portant change of this nature should be doggedly and
pertinaciously discussed rather than be passed rashiy
without inouirv. He should not vote at all upon this
amendment.
After a conversational debate, in which Lord John
Russell, Mr. Collett, Sir J. Tyrell, and others, took
part, the amendment was negatived without a division.
Mr. M. MILNES then moved the omission of all words
in the resolution respecting the importation of corn, refer-
ring to the cessation or alteration of duties to be paid in
the year 1849. He did not expect to obtain much support
to his amendment ; but he was so convinced that, by giv-
ing up all duties on foreign corn we were placing in the
hands of foreigners a large amount of revenue which we
had hitherto enjoyed, that he could not refrain from put-
ting his opinions on this subject on record.
Mr. AGLIONDY urged upon the notice of government
the case of a class of small proprietors in Cumberland and
Westmoreland, who had not capital to improve their land,
and who, being chiefly copyholders, would have, in.case
of such improvement being made, heavier fines levied
upon them. He thought it would be a boon to such per-
sons if their copyholds could be enfranchised.
Sir R. PEEL thought the subject could be considered
by the committee sitting upon agricultural burthens.
Mr. MILES, remarking that he could not concur in any
of the amendments then on the paper, was replied to by
Sir ROBERT PEEL, who observed that the resolutions
then being passel were pro found, and no member would
be compromised by allowing them to pass without a
division.

After some remarks from a number of members, Mr.
Mites withdrew his amendment.
Mr. P. HOWARD and Sir W. JOLIFFE spoke against
the bill, after which
Lord G. BENTINCK enquired of Sir R. Peel what he
expected would be the price of wheat under the new sys-
tem, and what effect that price would have upon the tithe
and the tithe-owner.
Sir R. PEEL was ❑ot prepared to answer the question,
although reminded that he felt no difficulty in 1842.
Mr. FINCH asked the question of Mr. Cobden, and re-
ceived an evasive reply from Mr. Villiers.
Colonel SIBTHORPE agai❑ asked Sir R. Peel when be
intended to fill up the vacancies in the Government of-
fices, and also when certain Cabinet Ministers were likely
to take their seats in that house ; and was told by Sir Ro-
bert that the office of Chief Commissioner of Woods and
Forests was now held by Lord Canning, and that if he
himself would vacateiLincoln the Earl of Lincoln should

11111baL

•••-1,

contest it with him. Colonel Sibthorpe demurred to this I
course; but if Sir Robert Peel would dissolve Parliament
and appear himself as a candidate, he would meet him.
After a few words from Mr. D'lsraeli, the resolution
was agreed to, as were those respecting barley, oats, and
flour.
On the resolution relative to the reduction of the duties
on buck wheat, maize, and rice,
Mr. MILES objected to proceeding with this resolution
at present.
Mr. O'CONNELL implored the committee, on account
of the famine impending over Ireland, to discharge these
articles of duty as soon as possible.
Mr. MILES expressed his readiness, if Sir R. Peel
would introduce a short bill for the introduction of these
articles into Ireland free of duty, to support it. But he
must object to this resolution, if it were attempted to
hurry it that evening through the house.
A long conversation then took place on the question
whether the debate on this question should take place now,
or on the report being produced on Monday next.
Sir R. Peel, Mr. Bright, Mr. Miles, Lord G. Bentinck,
Lord J. Russell, the Earl of March, and Mr. D'lsraeli
took part in that discussion, which, after some angry ap-
pearances at one period of it, was terminated by Mr. Miles
agreeing to withdraw his opposition to the resolution to-
night, and to renew it on Monday night on the presenta-
tion of the report. In the course of the conversation,
Sir R. PEEL informed the committee that the govern-
ment had already expended £lOO,OOO in the purchase of
maize and rice for the relief of the people of Ireland.
The resolutions were then agreed to, and were ordered
to be reported to the house. The committee was then
proceeding to consider the articles in the tariff, when an
objection to that course was taken by Mr. P. Miles and
Lord G. Bentinck. Sir R. Peel gave way to their objec-
tion amid ironical cheers from the opposition benches,
which induced him to say to them with great warmth, " I
wish you had to conduct public business." The chairman
then reported progress. The house resumed. Report to
be received on Monday next.
The Joint-Stock Banks (Scotland and Deland) Bill
was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed
this day fortnight.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and
the house adjourned.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL,.

INTELLIGENCE FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

The London papers of Friday anticipated the Overland
Mail. The despatch brings important news ftom the
theatre of war on the banks of the Sutlej. The British
army, of about 43,000 men, is thus described in the Delhi
Gazette of the 23d of January :-11 troops of Horse Ar-
tillery, say 1,000 ; 8 companies of Foot Artillery, about
600; 7 companies of Sappers and Miners, 800; 3 regi-
ments of European Cavalry, at 450, 1,350 ; 7 regiments of
Native Light Cavalry, at 400, 2,800; 5 regiments of Ir-
regular Cavalry, at 700, 3,500; 9 regiments of European
Infantry, at 750, 6,750 ; 26 regiments of Native Infantry,
at 800, 20,800 ; 2 regiments of Local Infantry, at 800,
1,600 ;—forming a total of about 39,800. Besides which,
the following corps are on their way, or under orders :
The 4th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Scinde;
the 7th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Delhi ; the
67th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, Bundelkund, and the
Kumson Local Battalion : as also Captain Smith's Light
Field Battery, from Scinde, which, when they have joined
the force, will make " the army of Sutlej " of the follow-
ing estimated strength •—Artillery. 1,680; sappers and
miners, 890. Cavalry—European, 1,350 ; native, 2,800 ;
irregular, 3,500-7,650. Infantry—European, 6,750; na-
tive, 23,200; irregular, 2,400-32,350. Ordnance—heavy
24-pounders, 12 ; howitzers, 10-inch, 6 ; howitzers, 8
inch, 6 ; iron 12-pounders (elephant battery), 12 ; already
with the force, siege guns taken from Umballah, where
they were sent for practice from Delhi, 8; 11 troops
Horse Artillery, 66 ; 5 Light Field Batteries, 30—making
the proposed army to consist of 42,480 men, with 140
pieces of ordnance of all sizes. There are alse 21 mortars,
of various sizes, under despatch from Delhi to-day.
The army is formed into five divisions of infantry and
four brigades of cavalry, with a large brigade staff. The
cavalry is commanded by Major-General Sir J. Thack-
well, and the infantry divisions by Major-Generals Sir H.
G. Smith, W. R. Gilbert, Sir R. H. Dick, Sir J. H. Lit-
tler, and Sir J. Grey.
From the 22d of December, when the victory was won
by the British at Ferozeshah, up to the middle of Janu-
ary, both parties appeared to be preparing for the ap-
proaching struggle on the right bank of the Sutlej. The
Governor-General remained at Ferozepore, engaged in
raising the bridge of boats, and in making preparations for
the crossing of the river by the British army. The boats,
which had been sunk, were found to be somewhat in-
jured, and time was required for their repair. The cross-
ing of the river was expected about the 4th or 6th of Feb-
ruary, when the heavy guns which had left Delhi on the
10th of January were expected to have reached the camp.
Sir J. Littler's division was stationed at Attaree, about
seven miles from Ferozepore ; the head-quarters of the
Commander-in-Chief were at Arufkee, twelve miles
thence ; and Sir Harry Smith's force was in advance of
the others. not far from Hurreeke Puttun, which is one of
the great fords of the Sutlej.
In the mean time the Lahore Government was making
every effort to reorganize the army. Several attempts
had been made in different places to cross the river. A
strong force was collected at Phulloor, opposite to Loodi-
anah. This force was independent of the grand Sikh
army stationed on the way from Hurreeke ghat to Lahore
and its neighbourhood, with the object of protecting the
capital.
Some skirmishing took place near the Sikh bridge of
boats on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of January, without any
remarkable effect. On the 15th the Sikhs came over the
river at Phulloor, plundered the neighbourhood, and
pitched a camp on the left bank, in the British territory.
On the following days they made some further advances,
and intrenched themselves near a nulla. Sir H. Smith
moved his brigade up the Sutlej, driving the enemy before
him until the 21st, in the morning, when he came upon
one of the fortified positions of the enemy, which fired
grape shot amongst the British troops. Some of the
native troops are said to have thrown down their- arms,
and to have fled, leaving the Europeans to bear the brunt
of the battle. Her Majesty's 53d and 31st were engaged,
and are said to have suffered severely, but they demanded
to be led anew to the fight, which Sir H. Smith did not
deem it prudent to do, and therefore withdrew the troops.
The Agra Ukhbar construes the retirement into a defeat;
while the Delhi Gazette states that heavy firing was
heard in the direction of Loodianah during the whole of
the afternoon of that day. Nothing positive appears to
have been known as to the results of that day when the
mails were leaving Bombay.
The preparations of the Governor-General at Foroze-
pore appear to be of an efficient kind, and it was supposed
that the British army would move over the Sutlej, and
before the hot weather set in, in April, take possession of
Lahore, the Sikh capital, which is not fifty miles distant
from Use Sutlej. There is said to be considerable disunion
amongst the Sikh chiefs, many of whom hare made pro-
positions to the British authorities, declaring their wil-
lingness to join the British standard as soon as it appeared
on the right bank of that river. It was supposed that the
Sikh troops would try another battle before they would
allow their capital to be taken.
The gallant conqueror of Scinde, Sir Charles Napier,
was again in the field, and, at the head of about 15,000
Bombay and 5,000 Bengal troops, was expected to cause
a powerful diversion, by proceeding to attack and to con-
quer Moultan and the southern provinces of the Sikh
dominions. The very name of Sir Charles Napier in-
fuses dread among the the native inhabitants of the banks
of the Indus and of the five rivers of the Punjab ; he is
called by them Sheilanka beaee, " the Devil's brother."
His troops expected to he in movement towards the
enemy's frontiers on the 16th of February.
The latest intelligence from the Bombay troops in this
exhibition describes them as in the highest spirits, for
they look forward to victory for themselves, and even to
a coronet for their experienced leader.
It is undeniable that the Sikhs are a brave enemy,
whom the discipline they have learned from European
officers renders far more formidable than the other inha-
bitants of India. The necessity of the most strenuous
efforts to subdue the troops and the fanatics of Lahore is
evident. Their emissaries have attempted to tamper
with the Bengal sepoys, but, as yet, they have gained
nothing. The British troops have abundant supplies
of all kinds, and it remains to be known if anything
of a decided nature will occur before the hot season.
The late attempts to produce sedition amongst the
troops and inhabitants of Dinapore, Patua, &c., have
failed, and the ringleaders have been seized and punished.
The latest intelligence from Upper Scinde states, that
Her Majesty's 86th regiment had reached Roree on the
23d of January. A circumstance had occurred in the
Sikb territory, near Bhawulpore, which it may be useful
to explain. Captain Brow, the chief of the Scinde
mounted police, went about ten miles into the Sikh dis-
trict in pursuit of a robber. The head of the village
promised2o surrender the robber; but, instead of doing
so, he collected a number of horsemen (said to be 300)
and proceeded to attack the Scinde police. The first vol-
ley killed three men. This proves the spirit of the Sikh
authorities to the southward. Moultan was quiet, but
great efforts were made to restore the fortifications, as a
siege was expected.
An augmentation has been ordered of five regiments of
irregular cavalry to the Bengal army, and of three regi-
ments of infantry to that of Bombay.
The Bombay Railway, or, as it is called, the Great Pe-
ninsular Railway, has been most successful. The engi-
neers who have examined the districts through which it is
to pass into the interior, have found more facilities for the
undertaking than they ever expected.
The utmost tranquillity prevails in the interior of India.

AMERICA.
Advices have been received from New York to the 12th
ult. On the 9th the House of Representatives passed a
resolution, by a majority of 163 to 54 (only three members
being absent) authorising the President to give notice to
Great Britain of the termination of the joint occupancy
of the Oregon territory. Another resolution was passed,
at the same time, declaring that nothing in the previous
resolution should interfere " with the right of the proper
authorities to pursue negotiations for an amicable settle-
ment." The debate was closed by a speech from Mr.
Adams, who persisted in the view that there was no doubt
but England would in the end concede peaceably all they
required.
On Friday the packet-ship Virginian arrived at this
port from New York, with intelligence to the 14th ult.
Great confidence was entertained at Washington, that
the Oregon controversy would be amicably settled. As
the notice has been qualified by the expression, that it was
not meant nor desired thereby to interfere with or preclude
negotiation, it was supposed that it had been stripped of
its mischievous tendency, and could not be justly objected
to by Great Britain. The senate was about to commence
their debates upon this interminable question, but there
was a probability of its postponement till after the arrival
of the steamer. It was expected also, that the bill for ex-

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