POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY.
The preliminary debate in the House of Commons on the Papal ag- gression is at length finished : the Premier last night obtained leave to bring in his bill to prevent the assumption of certain ecclesiastical titles. Some dozen speeches were delivered, but only three of them challenge distinctive mention in this brief memorandum. Mr. FREDERICK PEEL sustained the promising position which he had already assumed. He spoke cautiously, but confidently, and rested his arguments on broad solid facts. The bill seemed to him certainly unable to claim the merit of being a permanent and comprehensive settlement of the questions agi- tated; and especially he doubted if it will not wholly fail as a weapon to prevent or control synodical action : it will only afford another illustration proving how utterly powerless the heavy arm of temporal power is in deal- ing with the voluntary submission of the mind—with those questions of imaginary sentiments, as they have been called, which reside within the precincts of the conscience. Mr. MILNER GIBSON charged Ministers in the rear as Protestant aggressors ; detailing the active support by war-steamers which Government is affording to propagandist Protestant missionaries in Loochoo, as described in the Overland Mail of November 1850. Mr. Bao- 'MERTON had abstained from any part in the agitation, and should abstain from any part in the debate ; except to quote from letters by Roman Ca- tholic constituents at Salford—where, as at Manchester, Catholics are among the most influential citizens—to the effect that "unless Govern- ment will protect us, [the Catholic laity,] all our charity-land and other property will pass into the control of the Court of Rome." The other speakers against the bill were, Mr. FAGAN; Mr. &rims, Mr. Serux, Mr. SCHOLEFIRLD; with Mr. BARING WALL; the last-named gen- tleman declaring it the maximum of persecution, because no persecution is so grating as bit-by-bit persecution, to be dealt out according to the mental reservation with which it is submitted to. In favour of the bill, Sir JAMES Dena, who was also a strong defender of the Premier, Mr. G. A. HAMILTON; Mr. CUMMING BRUCE; Mr. Fox MAULK Mr. MUNI; and Colonel Sfuntoftr ; the last in duty to his Sovereign, on whose attach- ment to the Church be places implicit reliance. The House divided about midnight. The numbers were—
For the introduction of the Bill 395 Against the introduction 83 Majority for Ministers 332
The Cfraweermon of the EXCHEQUER proposes to make the financial statement on Monday evening. He was baited by questions, but would only let out, that in Committee of Ways and Means he will propose the renewal of the Income-tax and the Stamp-duties in Ireland, and will take a first vote if he can.
In the House of Peers, the subject of railways in British North Ame- rica was brought under attention by Lord MONTEAGLK on the presenta- tion of a petition from the county of Westmoreland in New Brunswick. He made a speech in favour of assisting Colonial enterprise, and moved for papers. Lord STANLEY joined in the general spirit of the observations made by Lord Monteagle, and threw additional information into the dis- cussion. Earl GREY fully acknowledged the importance of the subject, and stated that he was in communication with Mr. Howe, a gentleman of great ability, who is now in *his country deputed to represent the views of the Government of Nova fP•otia. Mr. Howe has given valuable in- formation; his plans are under consideration ; till they be decided on Lord Grey could not produce any papers.
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