The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-07-25 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS-FRIDAY,

Mr. F. O'CoNNort, amidst cries of order, and an in-
terruption by the Speaker. said that the -comnrittee on his
National Land Company had that day come to a unani-
mous resolution, after the fullest investigation, absolving
him from the charges which had been brought against
him with reference to that scheme. _ _

On the order of the day being read for going into com-
mittee on the Sugar Duties Bill,
Lord G. BENTINCK entered into a variety of details
tending to show that there were no less a number than 23
errors in the calculations in the schedules, and concluded
by asking whether it was too much to expect of the Go-
vernment to abandon this horribly blundering piece of
legislation, and propose fresh resolutions in accordance
with the intentions of Parliament and legislature ?
After some discussion the house went into committee,
when the debate turned upon the question of the impor-
tation of foreign sugars into the West India colonies,
which was terminated by Mr. GOULBURN moving that
after the words " sugar the growth or produce of British
possessions," be inserted the words " in America, or other
British possessions," which proposition was negatived by
a majority of 45, the numbers 73 to 28.
The question of the duties on refined sugar was then
proceeded with ; but, after the occupation of considerable
time, it was at length determined, so many were the
alterations necessary to be made in the schedules, to go
through the bill pro forma, and to have the bill, as
amended, reprinted before its recommittal.
This proceeding accomplished, the house resumed,
when, on the question of going into committee of supply,
Mr. KEOGH moved. in a speech bearing very severely on
the Government, for the appointment of a select com-
mittee to inquire into the law and practice of striking
juries in criminal cases in Ireland; and especially into the
facts connected with the striking of the juries in the late
cases of the Queen against W. S. O'Brien, M.P., and
Messrs. Meagher and Mitchel.
Sir G. GREY'S observations in answer included a per-
sonal attack on the hon. mover, which characteristic
pervaded the debate to the period when Mr. Anstey
moved the adjournment of the house, which was negatived
on a division by a majority 133, the numbers being
155 to 22.

Mr. FAGAN then moved the adjournment of the debate,
which was agreed to, and fixed for Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-SATURDAY.

Lord J. RossELL assured the house of the deep con-
cern which he felt in having to propose to it the suspen-
sion for a limited time of the constitutional liberties of
Ireland. In proposing it, he undertook to prove three
things—first, that the present state of Ireland was fraught
with evil, and that we were upon the eve of a formidable
outbreak, if it were not suppressed in time; secondly,
that there were means provided by the leaders of the con-
templated insurrection to produce great injury and dan-
ger, unless some measure were adopted to counteract
them ; and, thirdly, that the measure which he was about
to propose was that particular remedy which appeared to
be the best to be adopted in the present calamitous con-
dition of Ireland. He then traced the history of the agi-
tation for the repeal of the union from its com-
mencement under Mr. O'Connell, who declared that no
political change was worth the shedding of one single
drop of blood, down to the present period, when a new
faction had started into existence, who held out at first co-
vertly and ambiguously, but at last openly and explicitly,
that their object was the total separation of Ireland from
the dominions of the United Kingdom. The means which
they proposed for effecting that object were distinguished
by the appellation of physical force, which evidently
meant rebellion against the crown of this kingdom.
Whilst England and Scotland had been contributing their
private and public funds to the mitigation of the famine
which had recently ravaged Ireland, all that the confede-
rates and their leaders had contributed was seditious ha-
rangues, inflammatory appeals to the passions, and
misrepresentations of the contributions and motives of
the British people. Ireland was slowly recovering from
that great calamity, when the events of February last oc-
curred in Paris, giving encouragement to all who believed
that the force and authority of this empire might be
overthrown by open insurrection. A deputation, com-
prising amongst its members Mr. S. O'Brien, was sent
from Ireland to Paris for the purpose of asking assistance
from France to the contemplated Irish insurrection. Al-
though the attempt failed, the project went on, and there
was Effie or no disguise any further attempted as to the
intentions of the Irish confederation. His lords rip
then adverted to the seditious articles published
in the United Irishman, for which Mr. Mitchel was now
suffering transportation, and to the more recent articles
in the Irish Felon, to show that this Confederation in-
tended, first, to abolish the imperial government of these
islands ; next to take away from the Queen all authority
over Ireland ; and, lastly, to abolish at once all the ex-
iscing rights of property. To accomplish these objects it
was proposed that the people should arm them elves, and
should thus be ready to encounter any force which the
government might have at its disposal. It was felt, how-
ever, in Ireland, and by none more than the Roman
Catholic clergy, that if the Confederation should succeed
in its objects, there would be an end of all_respect for
religion, and that the rule of brute force would be es-
tablished. In order to neutralize the alarm thus felt by
the clergy, the leaders of the intended Irish republic,
after disclaiming all intentions of village and massacre,
and of overthroWing religion, issued a resolution In which
they frankly avowed that their object was not merely to
repeal the legislative union, but to overthrow the power
and authority of this country altogether, and the sway of
that government which they were bound and had sworn
to obey. He then came to his second proposition, which
was that there were formidable means preparing for a
rebellion against the constitutional authorities of the
country. All the accounts which he had recently received
from Ireland combined to this conclusion, that the orga-
nization proposed by this Confederation was of a for-
midable character, was rapidly extending, and that in
parts of the country the clubs and associations established
by it were already ripe for insurrection. It was, however,
chiefly within the last month that their proceedings had
become more formidable and dangerous. He then read
extracts from the despatches of Lord Clarendon, stating
that though the clubs might not contemplate an outbreak
immediately, government must determine before parlia-
ment was up whether it would seek for fresh powers or
would permit the organization for an immediate civil war
to proceed unmolested. The accounts received through
the constabulary reports corresponded with the views of
Lord Clarendon. He then referred to the establishment
of numerous clubs during the last two months at Carrick-
on-Suir, Meath, Cork, Waterford, and other places, and
showed that the titles of several of them had been en
from parties who had rendered themselves conspicuous in
the rebellion of 1798, with the express intention of encou-
raging the members to imitate their traitorous example.
He particularly referred to the military organization
of the clubs of Cork which had been reviewed by Mr. S.
O'Brien, to the salutation which had there been addressed
to that aspiring traitor as King of Munster, and to his mock
modesty in refusing the appellation by saying, " Not yet,
not yet." He also adverted to the language used by Mr.
Meagher on his arrest at Waterford, and on his return some
time afterwards from Slievenamon, where he was met by
some 10,000 or 15,000 people, who avowed that, as all pro-
perty had originally belonged to the people, a division of it
now would only be a resumption of their own by the people.
He then alluded to the recent events at Carrick-upon-Suir,
where the peasantry had assembled armed with muskets
and scythes, and other formidable weapons, for the rescue
of some persons arrested for bailable offences. On that
occasion neither the will nor the intention to rebel was
wanting ; all that was wanting was the occasion. He then
read a letter, which he had received that morning from
Lord Clarendon, declaring that the change which had come
over the people within the last ten days was most alarming,
and was greater than any which had ever been seen before
in Ireland. No doubt any attempt at insurrection would
be put down, but it could not be done without much blood-
shed, and the sacrifice of many lives. He therefore felt it
to be his duty to come down to Parliament and propose a
measure to meet this state of things. The Lord Lieutenant
and the Lord Chancellor of Ireland had both pointed out
the dangerous character of the Confederate clubs. It might
yet be necessary to introduce a measure to prevent the
organisation of these clubs. Constituted as these clubs
were, no doubt could exist as to their illegality, but the
means of procuring evidence against them was not such
as enabled the government to put them down with faci-
lity. Such being the case, he knew of no remedy so
direct in its object and so immediate in its purpose,
as that of securing the persons of those who were
at the head of this projected insurrection, by the
suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act. There was at this
moment a necessity for a bill to enable the Lord-Lieu-
tenant of Ireland to secure the persons of those whom he
suspected of meditating high treason. He, therefore,
asked the House of Commons to consent to the introduc-
tion of such a bill. He might have been justified in
asking for such a bill at an earlier period ; but he bad
waited until in his mind, and in that of his colleagues,
the necessity for it was so clear, so notorious, and so con-
vincing as not to be denied by either house of Parliament.
He trusted that no time would he lost in passing this bill
into law. Protracted debates on such a subject could do
no good, and might do incalculable harm. No man could
say what might be the consequence of withholding even
for a short time the powers which the Government now
sought to obtain ; and be asked those who were of opinion
that the bill should pass not to render themselves re-
sponsible for the delay of a measure which might prove
the saving of life in Ireland. He stood before the house
responsible for proposing this measure ; he assumed that
responsibility, and confidently asked the house to assume
its responsibility also, that was, to be mindful of the
blessings which it yet enjoyed and might secure, and also
of the results which must flow from any other course than
that which the Government invited it to follow.

Mr. F. O'CoNNoR observed, that the object of this
measure was to seize upon Smith O'Brien and Meagher
because they shared in his feelings and hopes that Ireland
would one day rid herself of the dominion of England.
He was proceeding to avow himself an advocate for the
separation of the two countries, when

Lord J. RUSSELL took up from the table the board to

‘‘. . • %.

which the oath of allegiance is attached, and pointed it
out very significantly to Mr. F. O'Connor amidst the
tumultuous approbation of the house.
Mr. F. O'CONNOR paused for a short time in his career
of sedition. but afterwards proceeded to contend that the
best mode of keeping his oath of allegiance was by point-
ing out the way in which Her Majesty was most likely to
retain her British dominions. He was determined to give
every opposition in his power to this bill, and he trusted
that every Irish member would do so too. The effect of
it would be an immediate revolution in the land. He
honoured the press of England by directing against it a
volley of abuse.
Sir R. PEEL gave his most decided and cordial support
to the measure proposed by Her Majesty's Government.
He believed that there existed in Ireland at present a
wicked conspiracy to deprive the Queen of her rightful
dominions in that country.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD moved, as an amendment, " that
the present distracted state of Ireland arose from mis-
government and the want of remedial measures, without
which no coercive measure could have effect."

After several other members had spoken the house
divided when the numbers were : for the amendment 8,
against it 263. Leave was then given to bring in the bill,
and the standing orders being suspended, it was read a
first, second, and third time and passed.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.

ARRIVAL OF THE C..4318R1A

The royal mail steam-ship Cambria, Captain Harrison,
arrived in the Mersey at half-past three o'clock yesterday
morning, with advices from Boston to the 12th, and Hali-
fax to the 14th instant. She made the run from Boston
to this port, including twelve hours detention off Halifax
by fog, in eleven days and a half. She brings fifty pas-
sengers, but no specie on freight.
The steam-ship Niagara, Captain•Ryrie, hence, arrived
at Boston on the morning of the 12th instant, after a
passage of ten days and three quarters.
The screw steamer Sarah Sands, Captain Thompson,
sailed from New York for this port on the 7th instant.
The official proclamation of peace had been published
at Washington.
The President, in his message, recommends the appro-
priation of twenty millions to fulfil the treaty stipulations,
to be paid in four annual instalments ; provision for the
appointment of a board of commissioners to decide on the
claims of United States' citizens against Mexico ; the im-
mediate establishment of a territorial government over
California and New Mexico, and the extension of laws
over the same ; the regulation of commerce on the coast
by law; liberal grants of public land to settlers, and,
finally, that no increase in the army be made.
Official orders had been issued for the honourable dis-
charge of the commissioned, non-commissioned officers,
and men of the ten additional regiments raised for the
period of the war into Mexico. It is also announced that
deserters from the army at large may peaceably return to
their homes without being subjected to punishment or
trial on account of sub-desertion. _ '

Congress will not probably adjourn before August ; but
there are no subjects before it of interest in Europe.
Our Mexican advices contain but little intelligence. A
body of troops had marched to attack Parades and Jar-
nata, who were in rebellion. A large number of Ame-
rican deserters had been incorporated into the Mexican
police force, and proved themselves useful in maintaining
order.

Froa, Yucatan, we learn that the army was more than
usually insubordinate, and that in consequence the Indians
had partly recovered their advantage, the Yucateco troops
having been compelled to evacuate Ticul, a town which
they had recovered from the Indians.
Accounts from Tampico state that the city has been
given up to the Mexican authorities, and that nearly all
the troops have left. Strong fears are entertained of at-
tacks from the Indians.

THE WEST INDIAN MAIL.

The Royal Mail Steam-packet Company's ship Forth,
E. May commander, bringing the West Indian and
Mexican mails, has arrived at Southampton.
The dates by this arrivals are—New Orleans, June l 9;
Vera Cruz, 15 ; Havannah. 21; Jamaica, 22; Bermuda,
July 7. Amongst other goods the Forth brings on
freight 1,400,000 dollars on merchants' account, and 323
serons of cochineal. She has also brought 50 passengers.
This steamer has experienced fine weather on the
voyage.
The commercial advices by this arrival are of no great
interest. The Jamaica markets remain dull.

The Scourge, with John Mitchel on board, arrived at
Bermuda on the 20th of June. _ _ _

The shock of an earthquake has been felt at St.
Thomas, but caused no injury.
The health of the West India Islands was in general
good, and the weather seasonable.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.