Debates antt Vroteetrings ilt Varliament. DISTRESS OF THE PEOPLE.
In the House of Lords, on Monday, the Bishop of London moved that an address be presented to the Queen, praying her Majesty to direct an inquiry to he made with reference to two statements in the Report of the Poor-law Commissioners, as to the disease and destitu- tion prevailing among the labouring classes in certain districts of the Metropolis ; also praying that a similar inquiry be instituted in other parts of England and Wales ; with a statement of measures necessary for the removal of that destitution and disease.
The motion was agreed to without remark.
MANCHESTER AND BOLTON POLICE.
Lord DUNCANNON moved the second reading of the Manchester Police Bill.
The Duke of WELLINGTON thought that questions of police were ex- tremely important at the present time, when large bodies of amen were moving about the country, disturbing the labouring classes in their daily occupations, destroying the machinery which enabled those classes to work with ease and satisfhction to themselves and profit to their em- ployers. Therefore he was disposed to pay close attention to police- bills ; and on examining that befbre the House, in reference to the cir- cumstances of Manchester, he found that it was an unnecessary inter- ference on the part of the Government with the police already esta- blished in that town. The validity of the charter granted to Man- chester had been questioned, and the Corporation could not raise a police force ; but there was a most efficient force in Manchester, alto- gether independent of the Corporation, raised under a distinct act of Parliament. That body had been found sufficient to repress attempts to create disturbances without the assistance of the military. The Duke went into some statements of the local revenue and taxation of Man- chester, to show that a larger sum was now applicable to the purposes of maintaining the public peace, than would be raised under the bill. He moved to put off the second reading of the bill for three months.
Lord Bnotronam and Lord WHARNCLISPE supported the amendment, and Lord Wicmu.ow the original motion.
Lord Chancellor COTTENHAM was strictly of opinion, that if the charter were valid, the power of the Commissioners under the local act had ceased ; and therefore, unless the bill or a similar measure were passed, there would be no legal mode of maintaining a police force in Manchester.
Lord BROUGHAM differed with the Lord Chancellor on this point ; and contended, that the 84th section of the Municipal Act, alluded to by Lord Cottenham, did not put an end to the Commissioners' authority. No doubt, they had intended so to do ; but they had not passed the clause so as to give it that effect. It was a casus omissus.
Lord FITZGERALD said, the House was placed in an awkward predica- ment between these conflicting opinions, and he thought the bill ought not to be pressed till the point in dispute could be settled.
Lord Lysinnuttsr, not having considered the clause, would give no opinion upon it ; but he found persons generally very astute where their own interests were concerned, and not a single appeal had been made against the rate imposed under the local act in June last.
The Duke of WELLINGTON consented to withdraw his amendment, On the understanding that the question should be again discussed on the motion for going into the Committee.
Bill read a second time.
On Tuesday, Lord DUNCANNON moved the House to go into Com- mittee.
Lord BROUGHAM said he should not press his objections to the bill.
Lord DUNCANNON said, that he found on inquiry, that the Commis- sioners under the local act had power only in the township of Man- chester ; and he feared, if this bill were rejected, that the five neighbour- ing townships would be left without any police at all. He found that the money received under the present bill would be greater, not less, than the amount collected under the local act.
The Duke of WELLINGTON felt extreme reluctance to oppose his opi- nions to those delivered on the other side, and thus to incur the risk of leaving Manchester without a sufficient police force. He therefore would offer no further opposition to the measure.
Lord Chancellor Corm:HA:it said, that the opinion of the Attorney- General and of the Solicitor-General entirely coincided with his own. Bill " committed" and "reported."
Lord DUNCANNON then moved the House to go into Committee on the Bolton Police Bill.
Lord LYNDHURST opposed the motion. The measure was worse than unnecessary—it was unwise and inexpedient ; it would substitute a
force of thirty men for a much greater force now existing, and which the Corporation, supposing the charter valid, could not interfere with. In this respect, the case of Bolton differed from that of Manchester. Perhaps the actual state of Bolton would be adduced as a reason for passing the bill ? But what were the facts ?—
The Mayor of Bolton was a Chartist, and he had sworn in certain of the police who were Chartists ; and the people who were eubmged in the riots, re- collecting these circumstances, did not suppose that the Mayor and police would be very anxious to put down disturbance. Even in the midst of the riots, the Mayor forbade the troops to act. He had taken particular pains to inquire, and he found that some short time since this Mayor signed a requisi- tion calling upon the Boroughreeves to convene a public meeting to consider the propriety of proceeding in procession with the body of Chartists to Kersall Moor. The Boroughreeves refused to call the meeting; and therefore this gentleman agreed to attend a meeting at the theatre to consider this subject. About fifteen hundred persons attended at the meeting; several resolutions of a most inflammatory kind were adopted; and the following resolution was se- lAttors194 lix*tsis gentleman, who now filled the situation of Mayor : " That this fl1thing cdfailly: approves of the People's Charter as drawn top by the Work- ing Min's ltasociationtembodying the principles of Universal Suffrage, Annual Parliathenty, Vritte by Ballot, No Property Qualification, and Payment of Its- prIs tativee.' ATMs resolution was carried by acclamation ; and the result was, that a preielision for the purpose of joining the Chartist meeting at Ker- all. Moor was *kr eed upon. This gentleman was elected Mayor ; and he was ^Lai italepted ,by Mier Majesty's Government to fill the important situation of Justice of the Peace for the town of Bolton. (Loud cries of " Hear,hearl
place; and would their Lordships be surprised that, under these eirennista4 persons who had acted this part should not
It was under these circumstances that the sluaptepotsret(tinbsayettitioenpeionyBleooltfoRnot:i, to be in reality anxious to put down disturbances, but that they were nth,- desirous that those disturbances should be encouraged and should continue; He understood that in the riots that took place the constables were dr; after some time, to a building—the Town-hall, he believed—and informaZt to this effect was given to the Mayor and the other Justices, who were at tlo't time at the Police-office, and they were told that, unless active measures Ivo, taken, the mob would pull down the Town-hall. This representation was N. ceived with the greatest possible degree of indifference, and sonic expression% this effect was made use of; and under these circumstances the town of Bohol remained for three days. At length some of the respectable inhabitants of the town applied to a County Magistrate—a Mr. Fletcher, he believed—to inter. fere : that gentleman did do so ; and, with the assistance of the Borouglireera aud the constables, he in less than an hour restored entire tranquillity tetht town, which was not afterwards disturbed. Another extraordinary fart itos,a4t one of the persons apprehended wits an individual who had attended at thm very meeting which the Mayor had attended, and who had addressed the meet. ing after the Mayor. That person was apprehended for being concerned these riots ; and, on being brought before the Mayor and Magistrates, head. dressed the Mayor in these terms; " I well remember that the gentleman who is now my judge came forward to slate that be was prepared to redeem his pledge to assist us in getting Universal Suffrage, and I ask him how he en commit me to prison oiler the bait lie held out ? My impression was, that he would not put down the rising efforts of public anitation that originated wit of s himself." That, in his opinion, was the cause the tumults that had alien in the town of Bolton.
Lord MELBOURNE said, that thirty men, resolved to do their dun, would he preferable to a larger number of less capable persons. ide looked to the efficiency, not the number of the police. As to all that Lord Lyndhurst had said about the Chartist Mayor and the late din. turbances, it told in favour of the bill, and demonstrated the advantages of a police force independent of the Corporation.
The Duke of WELLINGTON thought it idle to discuss whether the police should consist of two hundred men or twenty, as long as such Justices of the Peace as her Majesty's Government had appointed held authority in Bolton.
The Duke of RtensroND thought that these negligent Magistrates should be made to understand that the Government would punish them for misconduct as far as the law allowed.
Lord MELBOURNE would not admit that the Magistrates and eon. stables had failed in their duty. That was the question, not whether they were Chartists.
It was finally agreed to postpone the Committee to Thursday.
On Thursday, the Bolton Bill went through the Committee ; Lord LYNDHURST withdrawing his opposition, on learning from Lord Dn. CANNON, that Government had directed a full inquiry into the conduct of the Magistrates and other circumstances attending the riot at Bolton Lord DUNCANNON said, that the riot did not last over one day ; that the Mayor was constantly at his post ; that he had sent for Mr. Fletcher, the County Magistrate, and was with him during the whole time he was ac. cupied in suppressing the disturbance.
PORTUGUESE SLAVE-TRADE BILL.
The bill was read a second time by the Lords, on Monday. On the question that it " do pass " being put from the Woolsack,
The Duke of WELLINGNON rose once more to oppose the bill. He objected to the mode of proceeding— Ile could not help thinking that, before the bill was brought to its present stage, their Lordships ought to have received some intimation of her Majesty; intentions with reference this subject; that they should have received some- thing more than the small amount of information which had been given by the noble earl opposite, who was the individual to whom the exercise of the audio. rity given under this bill would be intrusted. In pursuance of the long-estle Wished usage, their Lordships ought to have received, by way of messages communication of her Majesty's intentions, before they were called on to take this very serious step ; and it had been his impression that such would be the case.
e did not think the measure in the least degree improved. It still retained its criminal character—a breach of the law of nations—a breach of treaties entered into between England and other countries— The vessels of other countries were made liable by the bill to be detained, boarded, searched, and their papers examined by cruisers and other vessels commanded by persons in her Majesty's service. He contended that such de. tention, boarding, and searching, which was absolutely necessary in order to ascertain whether the vessel was a slaver or not, was contrary to the treaties which had been entered into between her Majesty's Government and meth all the Powers of Europe; and that such measures insist lead to discussions of the most disagreeable nature. In his opinion, it would tend more to injure the very object which was held out by the measure itself, than it could possibly serve it. Ile would put a case, which he was convinced that no noble lord would say might not probably occur. He would suppose a French vessel sail• ing in 15 degrees of North latitude and 30 degrees of longitude, calculated from the meridian of Paris. Ile would suppose that this vessel was detained, boarded, and searched by one of her Majesty's cruisers, or by one of those other vessels which were under the command of persons employed in her Majesty's service. Ile asked their Lordships whether this would or would not he a breach of the treaty between this country and the King of the French? and whether, in the case of a Spanish vessel, it would not be a breach of our treaty with her Catholic Majesty? The persons to whom he had alluded as hieing is her Majesty's service, and intrusted with the command of these vessels, were a very large and, he believed, a very respectable class; but they were 110t cone missioned officers in her Majesty's service. Nothing could he ore delicate than the execution of offices of this description ; and it might t,:ippen that French merchant-vessels might be searched, under the authority of this net of Parliament, in a way to involve a breach of the treaty matte with the King of the French for the very purpose of putting down this traffic in slaves; vet their Lordships were called on to pass an act which would give Oera.:1011 to this very breach of treaty. No doubt, they might indemnify the parMs enga"vaim these captures, and prevent them from the liability of being punishe'd in a court of justice. What lie contended for was, that these men ought not to bo put in a situation which would render them liable to commit such mistakes. The Government of the country must eventually suffer from the irritation which this attempt must necessarily produce in the ports of other countries with which we were now in alliance.
Really, he could not consent to a bill of this description— In his opinion, the foundation of the political power of this country was its moderation and its justice; and, in his opinion also, if moderation and justice Were banished from the diplomacy and acts of all the councils in the world, vessels engaged in commerce ought to find an asylum in the councils of the British Government; and, instead of passing this hill to put down this traffic, which most certainly was infamous, if the Government had taken the more manly course of declaring that they would go to war with those powers who refused or neglected to perform their treaties with this country, there could he no doubt but that by return of post they would learn that they had effected the object which noble lords opposite had in view. Looking back to the pro- bability of the exercise of the right of search being extended to many powers with whom this country had no treaties whatever, and remembering that the greatest Judge who !nut. ever presided in the Court of Admiralty had held that search to be illegal in time of peace, he thought their Lordships ought to be most cautious on this subject—a subject which he earne: ly recommended Roble lords opposite teal to consider bane they proceeded to carry this bill into
execution.
Be could make no profession of anxiety to put down the slave-trade- Ile had passed a long life of honour in the service of her 1-ttjesty's predecessors: he had served her Majesty's predecessors itt diplomatic situations, and in their councils as well as in antis; and he believed people could not accuse him of saying one thing and meaning another : but thus much he would say, that on this subject of the slave-trade there was no pason, excepting one illustrious individual, under whose directions be had acted, and whose loss, whose melancholy loss, he had never ceased to depiere—with the exception of that one individual, there was no per- son now living, or who was lost to the public service, who had written more than himsell; or negotiated with one-tenth of his zeal, on this very subject, with which he was now told he was not conversant. Ile should certainly say "not content " to the passing of this bill.
The bill passed ; and then Lord Miss.° rose to make a public statement he had received, show- ing the horrible devices contrived by persons engaged in the slave- trade— •
Be had received since this subject had been last mentioned, a despatch from the officer commanding on the coast of the Brazils, in which lie stated, on the authority of Sir George Hamilton, her Majesty's Minister at the Brazils, that on the examination of the papers of the Portuguese slaver Marin, which had been captured by her Majesty's sloop Grecian, there had been found a diabo- Ike] correspondence between the slave-merchants there and their agents on the coast of Africa, from which it appeared that directions had been sent to the latter to poison a cask of wine and the water to be left on the decks of the sla- vers, to be taken Icy the crews of her Majesty's cruisers when they boarded the slave-ships. This was pointed out as the only way to deal with the English cruisers. As he was upon his legs, he might be permitted to say one word, in order to remove any anxiety that tne noble duke opposite, or any other noble lout, 'night have on the subject of the right of search. That right would not be otherwise exercised than at present. E von now, it was necessary, in order to ascertain whether a vessel carrying the flag of France or Spain was a Portuguese slaver, that the British officer should go on board and deal with her as might be required. This was all that would he done wider this bill.
On Tuesday, the Lords' amendments to this bill were agreed to by the Commons.
BANK OF IRELAND.
The House of Commons assembled at twelve o'clock on Monday, in accordance with a vote passed on the Saturday previous, that the Bank of Ireland Iiill should be taken into consideration at the early sitting on Monday.
Mr. Senixo Brie moved the order of the day for going into Com- mittee on the bill.
Mr. O'CONNELL made some observations on the practice of ringing division-bells—of calling Members like domestic servants. It was ab- surd to say that forty Members were necessary to form a House, if that number were to be made up by calling in absent Members. Ile moved an amendment on Mr. Rice's motion, that when notice was taken of fewer than forty Members being present, no bell should be rung in con- sequence thereof.
Mr. ROBERT STEUART said, the practice had not been resorted to
with reference to the Irish Bank Bill ; for two months ago it was adopted for the convenience of Members.
Mr. O'Cossimi. had never heard of the practice till within four or five days.
The SPEAKER said, undoubtedly the practice was modern. Mr. Hume had complained that the business of the country was often de- layed by want of Members to form a House, when a sufficient number would attend if the division-bell were rung ; and Lord John Russell
Suggested that the bell shoUld be rung. The House appearing to con- cur, the Speaker had given directions accordingly.
Mr. WAKLEY seconded Mr. O'Connell's motion, but thought it ought to go further. The ringing of the bell on divisions ought to be pro- hibited; tbr it was most mischievous that Members should come down to vote without hearing a word of the discussions.
The House divided—
For the motion 13 Against it 37 Majority 24
Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE moved, that "in the opinion of this House, the presence of forty Members is necessary for the transaction of busi- ness." The present state of the House, lie said, was disgraceful. The SMAKER said the House could not entertain the motion. The only amendment that could be moved to an order of the day was, that
the House should proceed to the other orders, or sonic other order of the day.
Mr. O'Cos NELL then moved, that the House do proceed to the next order of the day—the second reading of "the Toddle River Bill." He solemnly pledged himself to his constituents and his country, even should he die on the floor, to omit no opportunity which the forms of the House would allow of speaking and dividing against this bill, Mr. DILLON BROWNE seconded the motion.
Mr. Gninoitsr. suggested some modification of the clause which gave the Bank of Ireland the monopoly of issuing notes within fifty miles of Dublin.
Mr. RICE would not repeat what he had said before. but would dis- charge his duty to the public by pressing his motion. _Mr. Joust O'CONNELL moved the adjournment of the debate to four o'clock. Motion rejected, by 55 to 22.
Mr. O'CoNxEm. moved to adjourn the debate to five o'clock.
Motion rejected, by 51; to 20.
The discussion was continued till three o'clock, )then the House rose ; no progress having been made.
On Tuesday, Mr. Mem moved that the order of the day for going into Committee on the bill be read ; ace 1 then proceeded to state the course which the Government had determieed to pursue on this ques- tion. Ile recapitulated the history of tl.: Li I1 sinee its first introduc- tion a month ago, and cuoiplained of the ‘• mechinieal objections" urged by the opponents of the measure. By such a course a minority of five or six might defeat the very best 1,111 That could be introduced. It was said in defence of the mode of proe;.,sli lig, that if Ministers were allowed to delay MC:ISILICS to the end of the st,ion, and then pass them, the votes of official persons would;nice them a complete control over the I louse ; but an analysis or the ilii inn showed a majority for :Ministers without the -votes of any official persms. t tic A.:2%w, the op- position, if persevcred in, must succv.. I le f,•'t himself unable to carry the bill ; though he n .is ready tO light the 1.:1100 Angie-handed to the inicii,kd that ihn, Litt should i e consi hrcd in coin. mittee. reprinted with the amendments, and then he should move to postpone the further comidermitm of the measure for three months, But a difficulty would remain. The Bank of I ran ol liebl 010,000/. of Exchequer Bills, by funding which an advantage would accrue to the pub!ic. Ile intended to bring in a bill cusp e cring hint to fund these E I Ins pier Bills, and another to con, in tie the existingarraneentents with the Batik of Ireland to the tat of Jewelry 184l. lint he fore- warned the House against the dangeroes employment of its forms-- against the prostitution of useftd rules to li,ei purposes. Ire had not been defeated by numbers, but by an unprevedented we of the forms of the I louse.
3Ir. O'CoNsimra felt proud of having established Ihe precedent of which Mr. Rice complained. He had u.:ed the privilege: attic House to defeat a much worse precedent—that of a Minister of the Crown pre- suming to dictate to the I louse of Commons-- This Chancellor of the. Exchequer who had not been aided by any one
single member of the Cabinet honourable gentleman, who hail stood alone, goiltg through a debate of six or eight nights without a solitary
dual upon the Trca-ury benches rising to support hiltf—this undaivited and puissant Chancellor of the Exchequer was the oue who had taken the high and haughty p,,ition which they had seen. ( f,,,,,:fhfc.) The wise and sagacious Chancellor tan,,,i of the public io
He knew the opinion of Scotland pretty well, and he knew he was fairly representing his own constituents. As for the Chancellor of the Exchequer— The right honourable gentleman would soon be sheltered in a safe haven, from which lie might look down upon their struggles ; and he trusted that lie would never have to repeat his name, except for some ancient recollection or another. As the right honourable gentleman had analyzed the divisions on this bill, lie would ask how many of those wino wished to destroy the Ministry had voted in the minority against him? With a single exception, there was no one in those minorities but those who supported her Majesty's Government. But then, said the Chancellor of the Exchequer, "The Bank of Ireland is splendid thing; it is all generosity, and goodness, mid brilliancy." Ile had not said a word against the Bank Directors personally ; he believed that there were not more amiable men in private life ; hot, with one or two exceptions, they were awfully had politicians. They had VI,. sanction of honourable gen- tlemen on the other side of the House, and Mr. t Wowed' gave them credit when Ire believed that they would not have given their support to the Directors of the Bank of Ireland it they had been Liberal.
Igo substantial reason had been stated for continuing the Bank of Ireland's monopoly—
For three years the Chancellor of the Exchequer had neglected his deity. Committee after Committee had sat to obtain information; niformetion had been obtained; for twelve months the Chancellor of the Exchequer had not brought forward the bill; and when he did bring it forward, it was at a time when lie had admitted that he would not have succeeded, even with the aid of a call of the house, in procuring at attendance of half the Members of that House. Ile had mighty,- divisions of 35, 30, and 3S, aced he talked of' lighting single-handed. Tice troops on either side would not number 23 ; and yet this hero of a hundred tights would exhaust his strength in a House limn- bering 23 at one time, 25 at another, and actually amounting to 27 at
another! Ile trusted. that when the question should be again brought forward, sonic Member of more talent, but of equal determination, would resist the attempt as he had done. The Chancelh e of the Excliegner had himself broken down one branch of the monopoly th.it heyond fifty miles had been extended all over Ireland. He had broken that down ; he Mut himself joined the Joint Stock Banks, by which, as he said, notes were coined; and then lie tames round and talked with case about establishing the monopoly itself. He was slurry that Mr. Rice had not given up the bill with something of is better teiliper—with somewhat of a less disposition to tarot obloti.ty on others; when, if there were any crime, lie was himself tJe criminal, without any ex- cuse, and without any attempt at palliation. The spirit which existed in Ire- land would prevent her oppressors from holding the Ministerial bench. Long might that spirit animate her; and as to this bill, he was content to appeal to the opinion of the people of Ireland. (Cheers.) was subsequently brought in, and read a first time ; read a second time .on Wednesday ; and " committed" on Thursday.
FUNDING OF EXCHEQUER BILLS.
'On Monday, the Commons being in Committee for considering " Ex- chequer Bills Funding," Mr. SPRING RICE explained the measures he tad taken to fund four millions of Exchequer Bills. lie cited opinions in favour of reducing the unfunded debt ; and then argued that the course he had taken, that of inviting tenders without fixing his price, was fairest for the country and the contractors. There was besides Mr. Huskisson's opinion tojustify his adoption of that plan. Mr. Rice detailed at length the proceedings relative to this operation, with which our readers arc already familiar ; denying positively that he had held any communication with the Batik respecting any offer that might come from that establishment. He anticipated that before Friday offers of 2,500,0001., in addition to the 500,000/. from the Rank, would be made. The remaining million he supposed he should not get. He concluded by moving. resolutions, preliminary to the introduction of a bill for carrying his plan into effect.
Mr. Hume thought that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the po- sition to which he had been driven, could not have done better than make the offers for tenders that he had made ; but he ought to have applied himself to the reduction of the unfunded debt long ago, and under more favourable circumstances.
Sir JOHN Rase REID said a few words in defence of the Bank ; and stated his opinion that Mr. Rice would obtain the Exchequer Bills he wanted ou the terms he offered.
No other remarks of importance were made, and the resolutions were agreed to.
The resolutions were " reported" on Tuesday, and a bill founded thereon brought in and read a first time. On Wednesday, the bill was read a second time ; and on Thursday,
Mr. SPRING RICE moved that it be " committed ; " prefacing his motion with a statement of the difficulties which the operation had en- countered, but had nearly overcome— The House was aware that the amount of Exchequer Bills proposed to be funded was 4,000,000/. The House was also aware that of that sum half a million was taken at once by the Bank of England. There then remained 3,500,000/. to be provided for.' The subscriptions for that purpose were opened on the 19th August, and on that day 694,0001. were subscribed for. The fol- lowing day, the 20th, was a very gloomy and rainy day ; and, as he should pre- sently show, it not 'infrequently happened that the state of the barometer and the appearances of the weather had a very material influence upon large pe- cuniary transactions in the City. On that gloomy day the subscriptions looked as gloomy as the weather—they fell with the mercury ; the amount subscribed for was only 118,500/. The 21st of August was more cheering—a fresher spirit inspired the market ; the amount subscribed for was 736,0001. And on this day, not being the close of the subscriptions, because they will still be open to-morrow, whether owing to the fineness of the weather or to.any other at- mospheric cause, the amount subscribed for has been 1,67.3,5001.; showing a total already subscribed for, under the new principle, of 3,721,0001. of Ex- chequer Bills, and leaving only a sum of 279,000/. to be subscribed for. He therefore now felt entirely warranted. in congratulating the House, that, in adopting a sound and just principle, the success of the experiment had fully justified the risk run by the Government. He might also congratulate the Rouse upon the terms on which these subscriptions lull been effected. It was not merely the saving of money ; but when the House recollected that the transaction was melertaken at a period when the interest of money was very high—when the interestmn the part of the Bank of England had been raised, and when interest on money loans had been raised to a most extraordinary and be believed most unprecedented extent—when these circumstances were re- membered, he thought the house would agree with him, that there never was an instance of any financial operation which brought to so severe a test the public credit of this country. Notwithstanding the disadvantages to which he had adverted, this funding of 4,000,000/. of Exchequer Bills had been com- pleted—for completed he considered it to be—at a rate of interest which might amount to about 31. 6s. per cent. He would venture to say, that there was scarcely a gentleman whom he had. the honour of addressing who would d priori have anticipated so favourable a result.
His anticipations respecting the diminution of the Handed Debt had been more than realized—
Comparing the year 1836 with the year 1839, he found that in that period Ito less a reduction would have been effected in the amount of the Unfunded Debt of the country than 9,650,0001. That reduction had been carried into effect almost imperceptibly, and without any inconvenient pressure upon the money-market ; beCause he had the satisfaction of seeing that the price of Consols, though high, stood pretty nearly the same as it did before. Ife only
prayed the House to compare this result with that which would have been
inevitable, if he had acted upon the recommendation so strongly pressed upon him by some Members of the House---namely, to raise a money-loan for 4,000,000/., for the purpose of applying the money in Exchequer Bills, He was quite sure that the public would have been losers if that recommendation hail been acted upon, and that the money-market would have been subjected to great inconveuienee.
Mr. Hums wished to know, what would be the amount added to the permanent debt of the country by this operation, the amount of Ex-
chequer Bills issued for public works now outstanding, and the amount proposed to be issued to make good the deficiency of revenue in the present year ?
Mr. RICE said, lie would answer each question distinctly, if Mr. Hume would put them on paper ; but he could then give him a partial reply- -With regard. to Exchequer Bills issued on account of public works, he be- lieved the amount of them now outstanding was about 400,000!., but he had not an exact return. As to the issues on account of the Public Works (Ire- land) Bill, he bad stated that at the commencement the bills amounted to
328,0001.but that amount, on the 5th of was reduced to 193,000/., and he believed it had been further reduced since.
The House went into Committee, and clauses were added to the bill for funding 900,000/. Exchequer Bills held by the Bank of Ireland.
STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH AMERICA. AND THE WEST INDIES.
Mr. Hums, on Wednesday, moved for copies of "any contract, pro- posal, or agreement entered into by the Board of Admiralty, or any other department of her Majesty's Government, respecting the convey- ance of the mails to the West Indies and America ; stating whether the same had been agreed to by private contract or public tender ; and
stating also the terms or offers made by merchants of Bristol or other parties for the said contract."
Mr. CHARLES WOOD said he could not furnish the papers, but hoped Mr. Hume would be satisfied with the explanation he was prepared le give— A contract hail been entered into for the conveyance of mails to Fla% The lowest tender which Government had received in answer to public sem: tisement, was for 45,000/. a year, the mail to be conveyed once a month. WI appeared to Government much too high, and they had consequently lease, private bargain, by which, for a slightly-increased stun, they would have doable the quantity of work performed. The contract was for the conveyance of the mail to Halifax once a fortnight, at the rate of 50,0001. yearly. Government had also made arraneernents for a mail from Halifax to Boston once a forb
night, and the total...yearly expense would be 60,000/. These arrangements
were mole for seven years. With respect to the conveyance of the mails to the West Indies, no contract was yet made ; but he did not anticipate tint the
service would be performed at the same low rate, unless the party contracting to do it had important interests of another kin,' at stake in the West Indies. Certain persons had come to the Treasury and Admiralty, and said they would
perform the duty for 240,000/. That was agreed to. What WAS the service to
be done ? There was now a communication by sailing-vessels twice a month between this country and the West Indies, and there was it communication once a month by the same means with Mexico. But the mode of communica• tion by sailing-packets was alto,gether deficient and unsatisfactory. There're no regular communication at all with Malabar, and the communication between the Whole of our West Indian possessions and the coasts of South and North America was very defective ; there was no packet communication whatever be. tween Mexico and the West Indies, and no direct communication between
Cuba and the cast coast of America. If specie were to In conveyed from Mexico to any part of the West Indies, there was no mole of doing it but by a ship of war. in fact, there was no communication which could be depended
upon between the West Indies and the whole of North America. These were
deficiencies which would be supplied by the parties with whom this contract hod been made. Twice a month steamers of 400 home power would cress the
Atlantic ; and such lines would be established as would connect all the islands of the West Indies, whether British or foreign and as would also connect out
Colonies in the West ladies with those in foreign, and Berbice, with the
Camccas and Honduras, with Havannah, with Vera Cruz and the Western part of the United States. A connexion also would be established betacea Hummel. and New York. The number of steamers required would he about
fourteen ; and the result would be, that they would hare communications be- tween the whole Northern part of South America, and the whole Southern part of the United States, and with the British islands ; and such a ono too, as might he reckoned on as certain. This would be established early in the sum. mer of 1841; which was as soon as so many steamers, which wotild be of a size of which there were as yet only two examples, could be built. 'Phis, he thought, was as satisfactory an arrangement as could he ; and that it was a fair one there could be no doubt, when it was considered how heavy must be the expense of building so many vessels, and also of sending out coal front the counts y to sup. ply them. The arrangement bail been made to last for ten years- the reason for which was, that unless they had settled that the contract should last for a considerable term, the Admiralty would not have been able to get the services performed for the same money.
Sir ROBERT Roane earnestly hoped that it would be a condition in the proposed contract that Falmouth should continue to be one of the packet-stations.
Mr. P. T. BAnisc. hoped the House would express no opinion on the subject, but permit the Government to make such arrangements as would be most beneficial to the public generally.
Mr. FRESIMELD was most anxious to see the contract, or quasi contract— lie did not know what information the honourable Member for Kilkenny might have on the subject, butt in the Falmouth racket there was a repast of a meeting of merchants at Bristol, at which it was resolved that an offer should be made to the Government to convey the mails to and from the West India for 100,000/. less than had been offered by the London Company, which was understood to be 240,000/. It appeared to have created great astonishment that so precipitate a step should have been taken by the Government, and that the country at large should not have been informed of their intention. He was surprised that a contract should have taken place without the public being placed in a situation to bid against each other. Formerly the packet-service was in private hands, and the Government transferred it to the Admiralty; and he saw no reason why it should not be retained by the Government, who ought certainly to be able to perform the duties as cheaply as any company.
Lord ELIOT urged the necessity of keeping up the naval establish- ments of Falmouth ; and objected to give the new company a monopoly for ten years, during which period they would reap all the advantage of improvements in machinery and in the use of fuel.
Mr. ACD.TONBY could see no difficulty in producing the papers moved for by Mr. Hume. If the offer of the Bristol merchauts were accepted, there would be a saving of a million in ten years. Mr. CUAIILES WOOD believed the arrangement was nn extremely good one for the Government and the public. The Government hid always succeeded its making better bargains by private contract than by public tenders.
Mr. Hume. doubted the power of the Government to make contracts which required 2,400,0001. of the public money, without the consent of Parliament— if they had power to dispose of this sum, why should they not have the power to dispose of 20,000,0001, ? If they were aisle to make in contract of this nature for ten years, why not for fifty ? In fact, they might bind down the whole expenditure of the country.
The motion was agreed to ; Mr. Banixo and Mr. Wool) assuring Mr. Hume that the papers they could supply would give him no new information.
MISCELLANEOUS.
BILLS PASSED BY THE LORDS. On Monday—Joint Stock Banks,
Poor-Law Continuance, Birmingham Police. On
Rates Collection. Tuesday —You[ Tine AUCHTERARDER CAM Lord Bnotmt.vu. on Monday, briefly stated the leading circumstances connected with this ease ; reminding their Lordships, that by a decision of their I louse a judgment of the Court of Session in Scotland had been confirmed, whereby it was made incumbent on the Presbytery to admit the minister of a perish, pro' sented to the parish by the lawful patron, without submitting the matter to the people of the parish. The law was perfectly clear, that the Presbytery were bound to appoint the minister on the presentation of the patron alone. The General Assembly lead passed a resolution
in terms assenting to the decision of the House, but tending to obstruct its execution. A Commission of the General Assembly was appointed, to which, during the vacation, this and other matters were referred. At a meeting of this Commission, the report of a deputation which came
to London during the trial of the case was read. It was stated that the Government had directed the Lord Advocate to prepare a bill, nul- lifying the "intrusion " of the minister, whose right the Lords had sanctioned. Then came a letter from the Lord High Commissioner to the Moderator of the Assembly, announcing that in a conversation which he had held with the Queen, her Majesty had commanded
him to declare her approval of the manner in which they had conducted all their proceedings—a manifest misstatement. And this Commission, instead of recording the resolution of the Lords, had adopted, by a ma- jority of 111 to 28, a report which recommended that Mr. Young, the
minister, should not be admitted to " his trials." Now Lord Brougham
wished Lord Melbourne to say whether the Lord High Commissioner had not misunderstood the purport of her Majesty's communication, and whether the deputation had correctly reported the intention of Gorernment with regard to the main question?
Lord MELBOURNE replied, that it was not in his power, nor would it be proper, to give any explanation respecting the Queen's communica-
to the Lord High Commissioner ; but as to the conduct of Government, there was no intention whatever of setting aside the decision of that House, and the Government had only directed the Lord Advocate to confer with the Procurator for the Church of Scotland, and give this subject his serious consideration.
Lord BROUGHAM professed to be satisfied with Lord Melbourne's answer.
COLONEL BRADLEY'S CASE. Lord BROUGHAM, on Thursday, pre- sented a petition from Colonel Bradley, praying to be restored to his commission, and for general relief. The Duke of WELLINGTON said, this case had been pending a long time ; and Lord Melbourne ought to be prepared to say whether Government would take it into considera- tion. Lord MELBOURNE was not sufficiently acquainted with the facts of the case, to say whether the prayer of the petition should be granted or not. The Duke of WELLINGTON said, he was Commander-in-Chief when Colonel Bradley suffered the treatment of which he complained ; but he had not the slightest objection that the Colonel's case should be considered in an indulgent manner. Lord Ilnouenaw withdrew the petition ; for he was sure, after what the Duke of Wellington had said,
Colonel Bradley would obtain redress ; and he thought to present a petition to Parliament was the last stcp that should be adopted.
BILLS PASSED BY THE COMMONS. On Monday—Courts in Counties (to remove inconveniences in administering justice in " detached parts " of counties.) On Tuesday—Consolidated Funds (the Appropriation Bill.) TIM DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH'S PENSION. The MI1 for relieving the
Duke of Marlborough's pension from the tax of one shilling and six- pence in the pound, levied on other pensions, was read a second time on Monday. On Tuesday, it went through the Committee. On Wednes- day, a division took place on the motion to receive the report ; which motion, opposed by Mr. Ilene, was carried by .18 to 5.
METROPOLITAN POLICE COURTS BILL. The Lords' amendments were agreed to by the Commons, on Tuesday.
UNJUST IMPRISONMENT. Mr. WAKLEY, on Thursday, presented a petition from Henry Cornelius Thomas, surgeon, of Camberwell, main-
plaining of the illegal imprisonment of his brother, Frederick Thomas, surgeon of the same place. Frederick Thomas had been sentenced to imprisonment, some months ago, for stealing goods from a house in Camberwell Grove. He was sent to Chelmsford Gaol ; and the im- prisonment had such an effect on his feelings that he became insane,
and was now in the felons' wing of Bethlehem Hospital. The testimony on which he was convicted was of the loosest kind ; and the witnesses were to entirely mistaken, that a Mr. Cooke had since avowed that he
had taken away the goods which Thomas was charged with stealing, and that Thomas never had them in his possession. Mr. Wakley said, that many of the documents on which the prisoner relied to prove his innocence had been sent to the Home Office ; and the petitioner could not get them back, and was not allowed to take copies of them. He wished to found a motion on the subject ; but as Lord John Russell was not in his place, would postpone it till the next day. Mr. Hawes expressed his entire conviction of the complete inno- cence of Mr. Thomas. This conviction was the result of an investiga- tion by two barristers of eminence, who had gratuitously given their services in the case. lie had submitted the matter to Lord John Russell; who gave it every attention, but, nevertheless, came to the conclusion that the prisoner ought not to be released.
Mr. SPRING RICE promised that Lord John Russell should be in- formed of what bad been said.
Mr. WARBUTON said, there was the greatest doubt whether this gen- tleman had been properly convicted. TURKEY AND EGYPT. In reply to a question front Mr. Hume, Lord PALMERSTON made the following statement—
On the 28th of last month, a note was presented to the Ministers of the Porte, signed by the representatives of the Five Powers, technically called a "Collective note," which note said that they (the representatives) were in- structed by their several Governments to infbrin the Porte, that the Five Powers were agreed generally as to the affairs now pending between Turkey and Egypt; and that they were instructed to request the Porte to suspend any negotiations with Mehemet Ali, and not to proceed therein without the know- ledge and concurrence of the Five Powers. That note was received by the Government of the Porte with great thankfulness : therefore the House might rest assured that nothing would he done to lead to a disturbance of the peace of the East, unless some new subject should arise, of which at present there was no prospect whatever.
OYSTER FISHERIES. Lord PALMERSTON obtained leave to bring in a bill to carry into effect regulations, which he expected would be shortly framed under a convention between the' English and French
Governments, for settling the boundaries of the oyster-fisheries between J_ ersey and the coast of France. The subjects of each country would
have the exclusive right of fishinge within three miles of low-water- mark along the whole extent of the coast of the United Kingdom on one hand, and of France on the other.
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