The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-27 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COM MONS.-THuR SIM Y.

Mr. C. WOOD stated, in answer to Mr. H. Grattan's inquiry,
that, although there were already more vessels passing between
England and Ireland than at any former period, there would be
added two superior vessels on the Liverpool station. •
Mr. P. Tuomsort said, in answer to Lord Sandon, that the
subject of drawback on exporting refined sugar was under con-
sideration. 'He added (in answer to Sir lt:Bateson's inquiry)
that he had not received any further information regarding the
intentions of the French government to press duties on Miens
imported into France.

•fir It. PEEL directed attention to the plans and estimates re-
garding the new houses of parliainent.
Mr. GILLON deferred his motion for the redaction of the
stamp duty on indentures of apprenticeship in hand-loom weav-
ing, to wait for the committee's report regarding the band-loom
weavers.

Mr. WA LLACE moved the appointment of a "select committee
to inquire into the nature and extent of the duties perforated by
the 30 stipendiary sheriffs in Scotland, who are paid out of the
exchequer; also, into the nature and extent of the duties per-
formed by 52 stipendiary substitutes of the aforesaid sheriffs, who
are also paid out of the eachequer ; and report how far it will be
advisable to continue IR-system of performing by deputy the
duties of sheriffs in Scotland.

'l'he motion was strongly opposed by the Lord Advocate, &c.
but the hon. member persisted in pressing it to a division.
It was negatived by—Ayes'l9, Noes 53; Majority agait st it
34.
Mr. WA RD, pursuant to notice, called attention to the Madras
and Calcutta petition, coniplaining of the act of the East India
legislative council, No. 11, of 1836, much attacked in India as
the " Black Act," and brought to this country by Mr 'rhurton.
He condemned it, as depriving the British-born subjects inhapit,
ing the Mi,fussil country, or the provinces, of the right of appeal
to her Majesty's courts; and he moved fori a select committee
to inquire into the allegation's of the petition, and to report in
what manner and to what extent it affected the rights of British-
born inhabitants of India, the prerogatives of the crown, and
the interests of the united empire.
Sir J. HouttousE resisted the motion, and ridiculed the pe-
tition. He declared that the "Black Act," as it wasnow called,
was forgotten, except when revived by an occasional letter from
Mr. Turton ; that instead of affecting all the inhabitants, it only
concerned those in the Mofussil country or provinces; that the
power of appeal had been used only twice in 23 years, when the
judges were obliged to send back the cases for the law to be ex-
pounded by the company's court; and that had not the act, No.
11, been passed, the governor and council wcalld have been guilty
of dereliction of duty: •
The motion-was discussed at great length, several hon. mem-
bers speaking for and against it; but eventually it was withdrawn
by the bon: mover.

'The nth'er orders of the day were then disposed of, and the.
house adjourned at one tfchick.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-FRitui.

Lord Bnot;G HA it resented several pelitiont for the abolition'.
of negro apprenticeship.
The Bishop of LONDON presented many similar petitions
the same time, strongly supporting them, and maintaining that
it was highly desirable that the system should cease as speedily-
as possible.
Lord Wu A nNcLIFFE was, prepared to support the question cf
abolition in August, unless strong reasous were adduced for
continuing it.—Adjourned..