POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAY.

In the House of Commons, last night, the Government resolution for the amendment of the Sugar-duties was further considered in Committee, with another West Indian debate; but the most interesting event was the production of what was called "a second budget," by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The House having gone into Committee, Mr. BRIGHT moved, "That it is not now expedient to make any alteration in the Sugar-duties Act of 1846."

Be argued, that in the antecedent debates the proper question had not been considered. The whole discussion turned upon the Government proposal for a small protection, and the proposal of a larger protection: he maintained, however, that no debt was owing either to the Negroes, who had been emancipated, or to the planters, who had received 30,000.000/. during the last eleven years in the shape of protective duties, besides the 20,000,0001. of compensation. Mr. Bright now contended for the interests of the poor consumer in this country, which had been quite forgotten. The act of 1846 had worked advantageously for the con- sumer, and also for the producer and the revenue. In passing, be made some severe cuts at Mr. James Wilson for having put forward two theories—one in the House, and the other out of doors—one before, and the other since Ids appoint- ment to a place.

Mr. Bright's amendment was opposed, in the Colonial interest, by Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY, Mr. BAGSHAWE, Mr. TOLLEMACHE, Mr. HASTIE, and Lord NUGENT ; on the part of Government, by Sir CHARLES WOOD, and Mr. JAMES WiLsort.

Sir CHARLES WOOD expressed his agreement in great part of Mr. Bright's principles and speech; but, while he contended that the Ministerial proposition would not injure the revenue, he maintained that Government was bound to at- tempt a check to that destruction of property which was threatened in the West Indies from the utter want of credit. He estimated the consumption of next year at 309,000 or 310,000 tons—an increase of 15,000 or 20,000 tons. The amount of revenue would depend on the proportionate increase of Foreign or Colonial sugar: the utmost loss could not be more than 55,0001. ; but he calculated on a revenue of 4,625,0001., being an increase of 284,000/.

As bearing on the resolution before the House, Sir CHARLES WOOD made a statement on the present prospects of the general revenue.

He had formerly calculated on a deficiency of 2,000,000/. Thus far, the reve- nue of the current year has produced quite as much as could have been expected: notwithstanding the calamities of last year, the income of 1847-8 was higher than that of 1845-6.

The expenditure is diminished. The Miscellaneous Estimates had been cal- culated at 4,006,0001.: the items now laid on the table amount to 3,777,000/. ; being a reduction of 230,000/. The efficiency of the Army being so impor tent at this moment, it is impossible to make any reductions under that head; but Government has abandoned the intention of proposing an additional Vote for the Militia; thus avoiding an outlay of 150,000/. He had also found, that, without impairing the efficiency of the Navy and Ordnance, a reduction of 300,0001. may be effected in the charge for those services, though to do so it may be necessary in some cases to postpone works which under other circumstances it might have been desirable to accomplish in the present year. The total reduc- tion of the expenditure would be 685,000/. Re could give the House some further information on the subject of the re- venue. Owing mainly to the exceedingly fine crop of barley last year, the quality of which was better almost than was ever known, malting had been carried on to a much greater extent during the year, and the consequent increase in the excise- duties amounted to a very considerable sum. On the other hand, other sources of revenue were not quite 80 productive as he had anticipated; but, upon the whole, after consulting with the Chairman of the Revenue Board, he found himself warranted in anticipating an increase of revenue, beyond what he had stated in February, of 350,0001. He left out of consideration all receipts from corn. He anticipated relief from another source—" appropriations in aid," which are usually applied to the services of the year succeeding that in which they arise. Ministers had hitherto been prevented from applying these sums in the current year, by the supposition that an act of Parliament would be necessary for the purpose; but it had turned out that the act which had rendered their application in the current year impossible had been indirectly repealed some years ago; and there was therefore no longer any obstacle. He bad accordingly directed that the sums produced by the sales of old stores and other matters, known as "ap- propriations in aid," should be paid directly into the Exchequer. In the present year he calculated on 430,0001. from that source. The total result was to diminish the probable excess of expenditure over income by 1,535,0001.; reducing the deficiency to less than half a million. At a later period of the session it might be his duty to recur to this subject.

Mr. CARDWELL criticized this new "budget."

Mr. Mowarr moved an adjournment; but, with some discussion, Lord JOHN RUSSELL induced the Committee to divide. The amendment was negatived, by 302 to 36; majority, 266. The Chairman then reported pro- gress; the Committee to sit again on Monday.

• Earlier in the evening, a conversation arose concerning returns from the Foreign Office.

Mr. URQUHART referred to an unopposed motion by himself early in March for correspondence touching his recall from Constantinople in 1837 and 1838; whereas the date of the earliest letter laid on the table was in the year 1838. Viscount PALRERSTON admitted the discrepancy between the terms of the mo- tion and the correspondence produced, which was in fact dated in 1839. But the correspondence which he bad engaged to produce was of the latter date. It is contrary to constitutional practice for the Government to be called upon to state any reasons for the recall of a diplomatic agent abroad; and as soon as he found what the papers moved for were he signified his objection. Unless the House were to compel him be should continue to object to produce the correspondence in question, as that would establish a very inconvenient precedent. Mr. URQUHART insisted that this statement was the very reverse of the fact. Lord Mallon, without questioning the propriety of Lord Palmerston's refusal to produce the correspondence, asked whether it was not highly inconvenient that an order of the House to produce certain papers should be disobeyed? It was not consistent with the dignity of the House not to insist on complete obedience to its commands.

Lord JOHN Russzix. concurred. He should on some future day move that the present order be rescinded, and make a fresh motion for papers in conformity with those laid on the table of the House.

Mr. Wm) asked whether Lord Palmerston had received any information to the effect that a British vessel, laden with arms, had been seized off the coast of Brittany, whilst engaged in the attempt to land them? Lord PAL- MERSTON said that he had not heard of any such seizure; and he took the opportunity of contradicting reports that the British Government had en- couraged attempts at disturbance in France: nothing could be more false.

Mr. STAFFORD moved the issue of a new writ for the borough of Sligo, in the room of Mr. Charles Towneley, whose election had been declared void. The Committee had reported treating, but had not found there was any bribery. The motion was opposed by Mr. Hume; who objected that to issue the writ before the evidence given to the Committee was printed and laid on the table was against all precedent. Mr. MORGAN JOHN O'CONNELL thought also there had been much corruption at Sligo; and Sir JOHN HAMNER could not understand why a distinction was drawn between treating and bribery. Mr. WRIGHTSON, the Chairman of the Sligo Com- mittee, was aware of nothing in the evidence to justify the suspension of the writ. On that assurance, Mr. HUME withdrew his opposition; and the writ was ordered to issue.

Mr. STAFFORD then moved a new writ for Great Yarmouth; which was unopposed, and ordered.

In the House of Lords, the Royal assent was given by commission to the Great Yarmouth Freemen Disfranchisement Bill, and several railway and other private bills.

Lord CAMPBELL moved the second reading of the Public Health Bill, and explained its objects and nature. A brief discussion ensued, of a complexion favourable to the bill. It was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Friday.