Dtbatts anb Vrocabinas itr Varliament.

PRIVILEGE.

Sir ROMMT INGLIS, on Tuesday, called the particular attention of the House of Commons to a petition from the printers of the Times and Morning that newspapers, having reference to the Printed Papers Bill then passing through that House— The petitioners state, that it was indispensably necessary that they should. republish the Reports published by order of the Ilouse; and that the utility of such Reports was derived in a great measure from the circulation which they received through the medium of the daily press; that they would be unable to publish these Reports henceforth, and to give them such useful circulation, without subjecting themselves not only to indictments for libels, but to actions for damages from individuals who might think themselves aggrieved by such publication, if protection were exclusively granted to persons printing such re- ports by order of the House. They therefore prayed, that no bill might be permitted to pass into a law granting exclusive protection to the printers of the Rouse, and which did not also grant similar protection to persons republishing those reports.

Mr. Rolllittl: STEUART having brought up the report of the Committee attic whole House on the Printed Papers Bill, Sir EowAito Suomix moved to add a clause, providing that on the termination of the actions against officers of the House now in progress, the persons in custody for the offence of bringing and aiding in these actions should be released.

Lord JOHN JIuSSELL opposed the introduction of the clause ; which he regarded as a direct interference with the privileges of the House.

Sir Rontarr [sous concurred with Sir Edward Sugden, but rose espe- cially for the purpose of directing Lord John Russell's attention to the petition from the Times and the Morning Post. In his opinion, the petitioners had a right to the protection they prayed for— Were they, lie asked, to give protection to a libel because it was in a blue book, and refuse to give it if the same libel were reprinted in the daily papers ? It was well known that honourable Members themselves did not take their in- formation from their blue-covered books, but from the extracts made from them In the daily papers. Why then not give protection to that which was a bond fide extract from a purchased publication ?

If no other Member took up this question, lie should move the in- sertion ( f a clause, before the bill passed, to give protection to persons republishing thy Reports published by order of Parliament.

Report received.

POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS IN GLASGOW UNIVERSITY.

Mr. DENN1STOCN having presented a petition from Glasgow, praying for inquiry into the Political Associations of Glasgow University, Mr. WALLACE moved for returns showing the names of office-bearers and Professors in the University of Glasgow who had been enrolled members of the University Peel Club, or of the University Li- beral Association ; with the number of students belonging to those po- litical societies, the probable ages of the youngest students, and the places of meeting, whether within or without the walls of the Univer- sity. Mr. Wallace contended that the public, who paid the salaries of the Professors in the University of Glasgow, had a right to know how they conducted themselves.

Mr. IIuME seconded the motion.

Mr. COLQUHOUN could not see what the House had to do with the proceedings of the young gentlemen of this University. He thought that if this motion were carried, they ought to have similar returns from the Union of Cambridge, the Debating Society of Oxford, and every other debating society in the kingdom.

Mr. HUMS said, Mr. Colquhoun seemed to think it a matter of no importance how the youth of the country conducted themselves. In- stead of a simple motion for returns, Mr. Wallace, in his opinion, ought to have moved for a Committee. Allusion had been made to the Union of Cambridge, and to private clubs ; but was the public money voted for the support of those clubs ?

Sir JA3IES GRAHAM had doubted much whether it was his duty to address the House on the subject of this motion. Ile was sure the British public would be amazed—that they would scarcely believe, that the precious time of Parliament could be consumed in a debate of this description. Nevertheless, as misstatements had been made, he felt it his duty to say a few words. It was not true that the Peel Club was the first association of the kind in Glasgow University ; for the Camp- bell Club was older ; and the Peel Club was established to counteract it. Gentlemen opposite were very sore on this subject ; and naturally, for since elections of Lord Rectors had been open, their party had been defeated three times. Perhaps, too, it was apprehended that Glasgow might change its representative. Mr. Maule and Mr. Steuart could tell the state of political feeling in Perthshire. Really, when this trumpery question was put from the chair, he felt for the Speaker. For his own part, he scouted it.

Mr. DEISISTOUN thought Sir James Graham was the last person who Should talk about a constituency changing its representative ; for, if he remembered right, a great Northern county had turned out Sir James Graham, by almost the same majority as the Perthshire electors had given to Mr. Drummond. Then as to wasting.the time of the House he must say, that he had attended on three days when neither /th' Wallace nor Sir James Graham were present to make up a house When Sir James complained of misemploying the time of Parliament' he had a right to ask why he and other Members did not attend to thei; duty, and make up a House?

Mr. WARBURTON had found upon inquiry, that the average age of the Glasgow students was fourteen ; and he could quote the evidence of all the Professors, with one exception, to show that political excitement was unfavourable. to the instruction of youth. " Do let us act honestly and fairly, and abolish a custom more honoured in the breach than in the observance.'

Sir ROBERT PEEL responded to Mr. Warburton's sentiment. Sine the subject has been brought under the notice of the House, " do lets act honestly and fairly" by it—

The evidence which Mr. Warburton had quoted he had left to rest for eight

or mime years, and after the continuous elections of Lords Rector of his own opinion—of Mr. Campbell, of Lord Jeffrey, of Lord./lricillitiibrablit Hamilton, and of Lord Brougham. Now when a change had taken place in public opinion, the honourable gentleman said, let us act honestly a '1'hc report of the Commissioners stated that great advantages had risen to the students from the election of Lords Rector ; anil yet Mr. Warburton gave the Evidence and omitted the Report. What was the truth of the case ? From 172; the sta dents had been invited to take part in the elections. And they had exercised their right with such integrity, as to confer the distinction of Lord Rector on men of the most splendid talents in the country. would not mention any one present who hud received that high honour, but when he called to mind the eminent men belonging to the party opposite who had been so distinguished, he should pause before he consented to abolish such a custom. Who was his opponent in 1836? The Attorney-General. The political party with whom the Attorney-General was connected did not then feel that those political corn. binations were improper. They put forward a person holding one of the highest offices a Member of that House was capable of holding. Ile beat him soundly, and the consequence was this club was established. It was not a literary club, but instituted for the purpose of supporting Conservative candidates for the Rectorship. The object of its institution was political. It was not ofthat character exclusively : it gave prizes for literary productions. He found, by a paper which he held in his hand, that one of these essays was a critiileistinlieonititaline writings of Coleridge. The Liberals now appealed to Parliament to confer upo advantage which they could not gain by their own strength but the truth was, Parliament could not interfere to prevent freedom of dis. cussion.

Freedom of discussion was one of the advantages of free government ; and nothing could be more odious—nothing more intolerant, than that a desire should be exhibited on the part of a majority to control the conduct of their opponents, and to set an example of interference with the free discussionof opinions. This became the more offensive and the more intolerant, when the desire was exhibited on the part of those who had ahvays professed to be the great advocates and great supporters of perfect freedom of expression, liven admitting the expediency of the principle, with what justice could it be esta• bfished in one individual case ? Why was the University of Glasgow to be the first place in the United Kingdom in which the freedom of discussion was to be suppressed? If the experitnent were to be tried at all, why was it to be first tried at this University ? As far use he was concerned, he owned he had felt very much flattered by the debate which bad taken place on this occasion, After the splendid manlier in which he hail been received a few yeses ago at Glasgow, he could never hear the name either of' the University or of the City of Cla,gow mentioned without feeling the warmest interest III all that con• corned the welfare of both. Nothing would be more gratifying to him thne to have all the proceedings of the Peel Club exhibited, in order that the immense superiority of that association over its rival might be at once demonstrated. Therefore, in opposing the 'notion, lie did great violence to his feelings. Mr. Wal. lace had read a list of the toasts drunk at some of the convivial meetings of the Peel Club, to show that they were all of a political character certainly, the character of a toast in these days was in sonic degree to be judged of by the song which accompanied it. At all events, if the song were to be taken ass test, there could be no doubt that the following, which appeared upon the list of toasts drunk upon an occasion at the Peel Club, was highly political. "The Treasurer," song, " Money in both pockets." (Great laughter.) The club being rich, and having "money in both pockets," could only have indulged in this song in a spirit of triumphant derision, pointing, of course, to time Treasury in Downing Street, which was supposed not to have the advantage of a great deal of coin even in one pocket. (Loud laughter.) Mr. Fox MAIJLE deprecated a Parliamentary discussion of this kind as most inconvenient, and inconsistent with the duties of the House of Commons. He had therefore advised Mr. Wallace not to bring the motion forward. At the same time, he disapproved of the conduct of the Professors in joining political clubs and promoting political excite- ment in an institution, but little removed from an ordinary seminary in England— Was it not possible that the Professors might carry their partisan feelings into their class-rooms? Was it not possible that they might show more L. position to advance a student who belonged to their own political party than one who belonged to the opposite party? Was it desirable to promote and foster such a feeling in a public seminary ? He thought it would be well if honourable gentlemen would reflect a little upon these points. In all schools and all seminaries, he should deprecate a political contest between the students and the Professors. Under the present constitution of the University of Glasgow, he knew it could not be avoided ; but he trusted that the Professors would see the propriety of withdrawing themselves from political associations of this kind, and, instead of encouraging the students to pursue a system of political animosity, endeavour, as far as possible, to shorten the period of pa. litiod excitement which necessarily ensued upon the election of any new Lord Rector. (Cheers.) Mr. WALLACE replied—

Two of' the Lord Rectors of the University had that evening expressed an opi- nion decidedly in favour of the encouragement of political discussions

m the Uvivcrsity, and neither of them had denied that the University itself had been made the arena in which some of these discussions took place. If any grant for the use or support of the University of' Glasgow should this year lit; Po: posed in the Estimates, be should then most decidedly take the opportunity of moving certain resolutions, upon which he would positively take the sense of the House, unless, in the mean time, the Professors publicly declared that they would withdraw from their political association with the students.

He would not press his present motion to a division.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM begged to state in explanation, that never within the precincts of the College had any permission been given for any political meeting of any kind, either on one side or the other.

Motion withdrawn.

THE STADE DUTIES.

HUTT, on Thursday, moved a resolution- " That it is the opinion of this House, that the tolls now levied upon British ships and cargoes in the river Elbe, by the authority of the King of Hanover, under the name of Stade Duties, are of doubtful legality, oppressive in amount, and highly vexatious in the mode of exaction; and that it is therefore incum- bent upon her Majesty's Government to take the steps necessary fbr procuring relief from imposts so injurious to the general interests of the country.', The subject to which he wished the House to direct its attention, had, bits Hutt could assure honourable Members, excited great interest among large and influential interests in this country. Unhappily, he could not deny that the King of Hanover had a right to collect tolls at Stade; but he contended that those tolls were extravagant in amount, and levied in a manner utterly incompatible with commercial security and national honour. He was not about to make any personal attack ppnt the King of Hanover— He did not admire that 3tonare1m, but his character and opinions were in no may mixed up with the Stade tolls, and it was not his intention to confound them. Ile would say more, that he could easily believe that the present King of Hanover considered that in levying those tolls as he had done, he is only exercising his unquestionable rights, inasmuch as he was only continuing a practice handed do;vn to him by two of his immediate predecessors. Mr. Huh gave a history of the Stade duties. They grew up origi- nally under the early Emperors of Germany-, to whom the town of Stade was subject. In 1692, by a treaty between the city of Hamburg and the King of Sweden, (to whom Stade had been ceded with the rest of the Bremen territory,) a scale of duties, called time permauent settle- ment of the Stade tax, was agreed upon. In 1715, the Dutchy of Bremen, including Stade, was sold by Denmark, who had wrested it from Sweden, for 150,000/. to George the First as Elector of Hanover,— the 150,000/. being paid by England on the ground that it was necessary to obtain Stade for the security of the trade to Hamburg, even then very important. George the Second abandoned the Stade tax, but George the Third resumed it. During the French possession of Hanover, front 1804 to 1.i14, the tax was discontinued ; but on the rastablishmeut of the ancient government of Hanover, the duties were again levied with many aggravations, which continued till the Congress of Vienna agreed to certain general principles for regulating the river navigation of Germany ; leaving details to be settled by the governments of the ountries more immediately. interested. A convention met at Dresden on the 19th of June 1819, to make arrangements respecting the naviga- tion of the Elbe, when the Hanoverian 3liuister astonished the Con- vention by declaring that the Stade tax being a sea, not a river duty, did not come within their powers. After much difficulty, the Hanove- rian Minister promised to submit the tariff to the inspection of' the Commissioners. He did not fulfil the promise till the Commissioners met to exchange ratifications ; when he produced the tariff, which passed as a matter of course, a resolution having in the meanwhile been agreed to, that the ditties should be collected in conformity with the general priuciples laid down by the Congress of Vienna. It was oily last year that the King of Hanover was prevailed upon to furnish the British Minister with a copy of the tariff Up to 1539 it was an un- acknowledged, if not a secret document. It differed materially from the only legal tariff, that of 1692. If there was any resemblance, it was a hideous caricature.

In the first place, it %vas more than ten times as long; again, all the stipu- lations Iiivourahle to commerce in the legal tariff, were struck out ; in the -third place, in regard to the rates laid down, such a latitude of construction was assigned to the collecting-officer, that the whole character of the ta,ill, as n table of fixed charges, was effectually and entirely nullified. In short, the tariff which I lauover admitted to Mr. Bligh to be that in practical use, bore no sort of resemblance to that which was handed over on the cession of the dutchy of Bremen to George the Second. It could derive ito pretence to legality from the treaty of 1692 It was a heap of miscellaneous exactions, with too force or 'Validity but what they gathered from usurpation.

He would recite the different classes of taxes which a vessel passing to Hamburg was forced to pay the King of ffanover at Stade- They consisted of eight kinds. Taxes on the ship; which on a ship of 230 tons was about 2/. 15s. Taxes on the cargo, every article being charged in de- tail. These taxes frequently amount to 5 per cent. on the value of the com- modities. Commission of 6.1 per cent. on the above paid to collecting officers ; ship's expenses ; commission thereon to the collecting officers ; eventualiter interim certificate ; certificate of return ; tax on passing Stade outward-hound. From these various imposts the King of Hanover obtained for his private re- venue 70,000/. or 80,0001. per annum; and, large as the amount was, it was absolutely as nothing in comparison with the cost and trouble thrown upon merchants and shipowners by the penalties which menaced them should they offend in any manner against the mandates of the Hanoverian Customhouse, or against the caprice of the officers placed in charge of it. On the slightest inaccuracy in the ship's papers,—and both the papers and her cargo were scru- tinized with the most vigilant search after inaccuracies,—the ship and her cargo were seized and confiscated; a penalty sottietimes commuted Mr heavy fines and ruinous expenses. Ile would niefition one or two cases of these species of oppression; for he doubted it; without some such illustrations, the House would give credit to the full extent of the grievance he referred to. Some time ago, Messrs. Gee, Loft, and Co., of Hull, merchants of great wealth and of the highest integrity, shipped for Hamburg, by the Fairy, Captain Gell, at vessel which was loaded by them with a general cargo, " three bales of cottons or merchandise." In the bill of lading the articles were inadvertently. entered "bales of cotton twist ;" the difference of the Stade duty was about Ts. only. All the ship's other papers described the goods with technical correctness, and in no other respect was there any informality. For this error alone in the bills

of lading, the Fairy was seized by order of the H moverian Customhouse, to be

released only on Messrs. Gee, Loft, and Co.; paying to the Kim, of Hanover the sum of 215/. 17s. 61. This enormous fine was paid, and all applications for reconsideration were unavailing—not a farthing was ever restored ! All suspicion of fraudulent intention must, in this case, be out of the question ; the undoubted honour and integrity of the parties on time one hand, and the miser- able benefit attainable by an act of smuggling (7s.) on the other, alike pre- clude the poseibility, of such a construction of the irregularity. It was, in

truth, one of those trifling inaccuracies in the ship's papers which may be de- ducted in the clearance of most of the ships that enter our ports with a general cargo; yet it was punished,jike an act of outrage and criminality, with a fine of 215/. and expenses in the law courts of Hanover.

In another and recent case a fine of eight marks was imposed upon a vessel, the Severn steam-ship, because site had not obeyed the signal to stop soon enough off Stade • and when the Captain demurred to this imposition, he was fined fifty dollars for the act of contumacy. Mr. Hutt did not charge the present Government only, but all the Governments of this country for the last twenty-five years, with a dereliction of duty for allowing these exactions— So long as the King of Hanover was also King of England, he stipposed that the Stade duties, being the private property of the:lion:tech, was a delicate and difficult subject to deal with. But that difficulty existed no longer. That excuse, a bad one at best, could nut justify our doing nothing now, Was the evil not to be stayed here? What answer did the House mean to give to the petitioners, whose complaints, expres,ed in respectfid led vehement language, now lay upon the table? They asse,tmd that the King of Ilanover was levying unjust demands on their property, and enforcing payment with every circum- stance of injury and insult. Lord Palmerston was hound either to justify the conduct of the King, to prove that he has a right to act in the way he had described, or else to put a period to such proceedings at once and for ever. Had the King of Ilanover law and justice em 11:s when he burdened our com- merce and oppreseal our mariners ? Ile trirded that the House would support the motion, which will declare; to• the King of Hanover that he should not do do these things V.1111 protested that be could not approach the subject with temper ; it throw him into a 1 ;, -4,11 that any Prince or authority in this world should continue to phoul,r and oppress the maritime navy of England, and that our merchants slerill not wily be denied all redress

for past injuries, lea &flied even at guarant,e I, r L, L e ment in future.

Mr. Hutt proceeded to argue that the decrees of the Congress of Vienna gavo the King of I lanover no ri;;If t to eolIcet the duties to the present amount and in so vexatious a nefneer t ',UPI .1W emphatically called upon Lord Palmerston to do his duty, and upoo the House to support his motion-- reo former 3finister, as far al, IIC knew, ever paid so much attention to the general into: et- of our commerce ; but the nolde lord must excuse him if he told him, th it in regard to the Stade exactions. he appeered neither to have kept faith with his country, nor with his 01V11 screed reputation. The parties of Wm-, enese he had been the feeble advocate were wearied of the fruitless applicat f a. red re!..s to official boards and Government offices. They had resolved, after many years of patience, to seek reparation and protection from other quarters ; and, strong in the conviction of right—strong in the be- lief of their country's sympathy—to this House, as the !wrens plitritc which had rum often tear a the wrongs of the injured, they altered their last appeal. Mr. II.twos seconded the motion.

Lord P.sim sTox replied to Mr. Hutt. The pith of his speech may be comprised in a sentence. The questimet was a very complicated one ; it was the .sal';. et of friendly negotiation \\ !I-Mover; Lord Painter-

stun did not thiek the to Was one Willett II Mover had a right to

enforce ; he would sln-nuously exert himself to procure a satisfactory revision ; and then:fore he hoped the motion would nut be pressed.

Citaesias and Sir Waisreot J Asu:s supported the motion. Mr. Ldrouen taut moved the previous onsotion, as lie could not ne- gative the resolution.

Mr. Ilumt: advised Lord Palmerston to send a friendly " communi- tion" to Ilamossr in to seventy-four ; and that would S0011 settle the business.

Sir Fnuounice TIWNCII assured the 'Rouse of King Ernest's kind and feoliugs towards this country. Sir. Ilurr briefly replied. I le would nut prv-s motion to a divi- sion.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Conti-Laws, Sir. TilonNELy gave notice on Tuesday, on behalf of his colleague, tll eoleieliltellee mit' a domestic afflic- tion, that -Mr. Villiers %%mild Toes i,:. mla 31st of for a Committee of the IOWA.' to COUSider t I.:Ws regulating the importation of foreign grain.

31UTINV Btus. The :Ninthly Bill and the Marine Mutiny Bill having gone through their previous stages without reillark, were, on Tuesday., agreed to in Committee; reported on Wednesday; and read a third time, 1111,1 passed oft Thursday.

CLAIMS Or TIM 01'11.:761-:01.:1:CIIANTS. Mr. CRAWTORD presented a petition from Messrs. Jardine, Matillesou, Horsley Palmer, and other merchants trading to tliina, praying inquiry into the circumstances under which a very large amount of Opikl' 11 lied been delivered to the Chinese owl,pies, ot, the requisition of rprriutcudeut Elliot; for the service of her Majesty's Government. Mr. Crawford also gave notice, that on the 2 I th iastant he should move that the petition be referred to a Select Committee.

On Thursday, Sir James GRAHAM said he wished to put questions to Lord Paliner,,..on respecting the opium destroyed in It appeared that a certain quantity it opium had been delivered up by the Superintendent at Comtism, under certificate. 'There was reason to believe that a 'Urther quantity of opium had been purelmeall by the Superintendent, and ha I been delivered up to the Chinese authorities, in order to make up the quantity mentioned in the certificate eo such transaction appeared front the papers which had been laid fig on the table. lie wished to ask the noble lord, whether such a tran,eletion had taken place, and if there would be any objection to produce the papers rel it ing to it ? The second question lie wished to ask related to the suppas,,,1 da,Thatetion of the opium surrendered to and destroyed by the Chinese authorities. From those papers, it did not appear that the de- struction of the "lame ,eel taken place; the only mention made of it seemed to show that it Iced bccn transmitted to Pekin for the use of the Chinese Covernmeut. Ile asked the noble lord, whether he had any other information upon the subject, showing that it h el heel) destroymd or SO sent to Pekin; and if so, whether theme %e mull he any objection to its production?

Lord Pa 1.311.:1:ST,/N -The parties in f •fiton agreed to deliver up the °piton in their or their agents' hands, each boos made out a statement of the quantity they had in China ; and the aggregate amount was eiven to the Chilit,e Commissioner. One of the Allis 7.antainitte. the opium disobeyed the orders of she Super- , intendent, and ,e)ilea away ; the eons...Twelve wee, that there was a deficiency to the amount that ship cant:tined. Captain Elliot purchased a quantity which had subsequently arrived, it) order to make up the ageregate quantity. He was not aware that thee,: were any other impels in the office ; but if there were, of course they would he produced. With regard to the destruction of the opium, he had no other accounts than those contained in the papers which had been present .a. Of course he had seen account: in the newsp Tors, but he knew mollies: farther officially. than that contained in the papers. Sir JAMES (11111AM SaW ill the papers reference to an Order in Council regulating the trade with the port of Canton : would that Order be produced ? Would the remonstrance of the American mer- chants against the blockade of the port of Canton be produced ? Lord PALMERSTON was ready to lay the Order in Council on the table, but had no official report of the American remonstrance, CHINA. Sir JAMES G nanam gave notice on Thursday, that lie should f and proceeded towards the stage-door. Her Majesty followed un-

make a motion with regard to China on the 2d of April. The precise terms of the motion he would take care to state early next week.

Mr. JOHN Atom SMITH asked Lord John Russell to state the object of the expedition against China, and when it was likely to take place?

Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied— On a former occasion, he had been asked whether a declaration of war had not been made by the Governor-General of India against China ; and his re- ply was, that the Government had received no official information on the sub- ject, and could not believe that report to be well founded, but that it probably arose from the order sent out by the Government to make certain preparations. What he had then stated had turned out to be the fact, as had been proved by the recent arrival of official despatches. The orders sent out were to snake preparations to have a certain naval and military force in readiness. The honourable gentleman now asked him what was the object of these pre- parations; and he could only state very generally what they were. In the first place, they were to obtain reparation fir the insults and injuries offered to her Majesty's Superintendent, and her liajesty's subjects, by the Chinese Go- vernment; and in the second place, they were to obtain for the merchants trading with Chins en indemnification for the loss of their property, incurred by threats of violence offered by persons under the direction of the Chinese Government; and, in the last place, they were to obtain a certain security that persons and property in future trading with China shall be protected from insult or injury, and that their trade and commerce lie maintained upon a proper footing. (Cheers.) BANK INQUIRY. The following Committee was named by the CHAN- CELLOR of the ExcuEQusme on Thursday—

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir It. Peel, Mr. Hume, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Goulburn, Mr M. Philips, Mr. O'Connell, Sir J. Graham, Mr. Clay, Mr.

Gishorne, Sir J. R. Reid, Air. Oswald, Mr. C. 'Wood, Mr. Rickford, Mr. J. Parker, Mr. Pattison. Mr. Berries, Mr. Ellice, Mr. Sergeant Jackson, Mr. Hector, Mr. Grote, Sir '1'. Fremantle, Mr. J. A. Smith, Mr. Strutt, Mr. Mat- thias Attwood, and Mr. Morrison.

- Mr. II (1311; moved to add the names of Sir Henry Parnell and Mr. Thornely ; and Mr. RateEs Cumuli wished Mr. Warburton to be placed on the Committee. Sir Roomer PEEL strenuously objected to additions to a Committee already, in his opinion, too numerous. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, however, promised to put Mr. War- burton on the Committee, in case any Member was unable to serve.

It was agreed that the Committee should be secret. Mr. Hume opposed this ; but he was outvoted on a division, by 33 to 23.

MENDICITY IN IRELAND. Lord Moment obtained leave to bring in a bill "for the suppression of mendicancy in Ireland." The measure comprised the mendicity clauses of the Poor-law passed bust session, which it was understood should be embodied in a separate bill. He proposed to make mendicity punishable by law, but only in those dis- tricts where workhouses were built. Ample time would be given for the consideration of the bill.

ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES AND REVENUES BILL. Lord JOHN RUSSELL, on Tuesday, postponed the consideration of this bill till Friday next, for a reason he would state to the House— He had received within the last few days, a proposition from those whose attention had long been engaged on this subject, belonging to the Cathedral Chapters of this country. it was impossible fur him to say whether the pro- position would be in accordance with the views of the Cathedral Cheptcru, cr whether it would meet with the approbation of the Archbishop of Cat irbury and the other heads of the Church, but the proposition was of so much im- partanee that it ucr his intentihn to seggest that it should be taken into con- sideration by the Archbishop of Cantt:rliary.

CANADA Maas. Lord JOHN RUSSELL ;rave notice on Tuesday, that on Monday next he should lay the Clergy Reserves Bill on the table, and move for leave to bring in a Lill for the reunion of Upper and Lower Canada. In reply to questions front Mr. LEADER, Lord JOHN also stated, that Chief Justice Robinson had obtained leave of absence first from Lord Glenelg, and afterwards front Lord Normenby, but that he would depart for Upper Canada in April ; and in the mean- while, he received, according to the established rule, only half his salary.

&wren Cornen. Several petitions respecting the intrusion of clergymen into Scotch livings Inure been presented during the week. On 'Tuesday, the Marquis of LaNsnowNe in the Lords, and Lord Joute RIISE1.t in the Commons, stated, when questioned, that the deter- mination of Government would be made known to Parliament as soon as arty determination had been come to.

On Thursday, Lord HOLLAND, in the absence of the Marquis of Breedalbane, presented about two hundred petitions from different places in Scotland in favour of " Non-Intrusion." Lord ABERDEEN re- marked, that though all the petitioners were Non-Intrusionists, yet they held a variety of opinions respecting the question of patronage.

CHANCERY REFORM. The Loin) CHAN::ELLOB, on Thursday, post- poned till next week the second reading of a bill which he had intro- duced on the previous Friday, for regulating the Court of Equity. The following are the principal changes Lord Cottenham's bill is intended to effect-

1. The Equity business of the Court of Exebequer to be removed to the Court of Chancery. 2. Two additional Vice-Chancellors, at salaries of 5,0001. each. 3. Two additional :Masters of the Court of Chancery—the Exchequer Masters becoming such. 4. Two additional Registrars. 5. Master of the Rolls to be Vice-President of the Privy Council, and Presiding Judge of the Judicial Committee. 6. Compensation to be given to Exchemier officers not provided for.