POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY NIGHT.
The result of Thursday's debate was followed up last night by the issue of the writ for Nottingham. It was moved for by Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD ; who contended that the course which the question had had taken had removed all bar to the motion. It was opposed by Mr. RUNE, Mr. BERNAL, and Mr. REDHEAD YORKE. Sir ROBERT PEEL explained that he had agreed to suspend, the writ pending the inquiry of the Election Compromises Committee : that Committee had recom- mended no measure ; and therefore there was no reason to suspend the writ any longer. The existing law makes treating an offence both be- fore and after the teste of writ, though a recent statute had made an unwise distinction : let that distinction be removed- " I hope, within the present session, the bill under our consideration will pass with useful clauses respecting head-money, and providing that in cases of com- promise the Committee may conduct the investigation at the public charge. That measure will have a retrospective effect, and will apply to the ensuing election. I cannot help expressing my conviction, that on a bill so intimately connected with our own proceedings and constitution, the House of Lords will pay sufficient deference to our judgment to pass the main provisions of the mea- sure. Of course, I cannot answer for the decisions of the other House ; but at all events, it may be relied upon that I will be no party to. the defeat of the bill."
This declaration vanquished opposition to the motion, and the writ was ordered.
Earlier in the evening, the House went into Committee of Supply. Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS took exception to several items under the head of Civil Contingencies such as 96/. for the entertainment of the Bishop of Exeter during an expedition to the Scilly Islands, and 235/. for the " entertainment" of Lord Sydenham during voyages on the Lakes in Canada : but they passed. Sir GEORGE CLERK stated that Mr. Rowland Hill had received notice that his services would not be required at the Post-office after the expiration of the present quarter. Among other items were 10,000/. additional for Education, and 272,9211. for Army, Navy, and Ordnance Services in India and China.
Mr. HAWES gave notice, that on the proposal of a vote for the erec- tion of a monument to Sir Sidney Smith, he would move the addition of the names of Herschel], Watt, and Davy.
In the House of Lords, the Poor-law Amendment Bill was passed ; and the order of the day for the second reading of the Sudbury Dis- franchisement Bill was discharged, on the motion of the Marquis of CLARRICARDE, on account of the lateness of the session.
Both Houses adjourned till today.
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