7 APRIL 1838, Page 2

Elenitrit anti Protrefingti in tattrliatnent.

TRIAL OE' DISPUTED ELECTIONS.

In the House of Commons, on Monday, the order of the day for the further consideration of the report on Mr. Charles Butler's Con. troverted Elections Bill having been moved by Lord JOHN Ressut, Sir ROBERT PEEL rose to lay before the House the result of his inquiries and deliberation on the subject of the bill. He had not lisd any cotninunicition with other Members, and his suggestions must be taken as his own individually. He was firmly of opinion that the House ought not to part with the jurisdiction it now possessed, unless substantial justice were found incompatible with its continuance. h former times, the House of Commons had strenuously opposed the attempts of tie Crown to deprive the House of that power; and Sit' Robert referred to instances in the reigns of Elizabeth and James the First, which proved how tenacious the Commons were of the prwileet of deciding controverted elections. It was proposed to transfer to courts of law the power now held by the House: but be would not mix up the Judges with political quarrels, und he despaired of finding Juries more exempt from party bias than Committees of the House. Then, what was to be done ? He wished a Committee to be appointed Lo suggest the required improvement. The Grenville Act had worked

fl

well at first, but now was very defective. The mode of choostogio)!

Mcnibers—stimulated that party. spirit which it was so desirable The Committees were nut composed of the most able or aerieil ced Members ; for the party who had a bad case always preferred r'die—m h en of least knowledge and talent for is judges, as they were

more easily ratsled by counsel. His own plan was the folloe ing- Ae the commencement of each session, he would call upon the Speaker to

s, a Committee, which he should call a General Commith e for Elec. ri,f,,-- 'Anted which he should propose should consist of very few members—per- --f or six, or some such 'limited number. The House and the country,

ever, -

ow nye might be too few ; but he should have no objection to reduce the number system supported his proposition

therefore, were to be kept up, the public would be burdened with the salaries

et officers whose services were only required for one year out of every four or

&selected from the list so formed by the General Committee for the particular easts which occurred to require them. At the same time, lie would have it

understood by those parties, that whilst the House was willing to pay them with them ceased with the occasion, and that the House was at full liberty to appeal, to ratify or dissent from the decisions of the general body, he thought bility of the House passing it declarator act upon the subject. there were such objections to this tribunal that it ought to be avoided unless There were several practical objections to Mr. Buller's plan— recollected, that his proposal was that a Committee of five should be chosen belay to the place where the facts arose. For example, he should have the had not. that he was compelled to limit his bill in order to procure tor it any

thing like efficient support. The best mode, after all, of getting rid of the difficulties with which the subject was surrounded, would be to sim- plify the franchise and the mode of voting. The Ballot alone would get rid of nine-tenths of those difficulties.

wea a point upon which he was indifferent ; though he thought it o Sir WILLIAM FOLLETT did not object to the removal of the jurisdic- esay to constitute a General Committee of this kind with perfect fairness, that tion from the House on constitutional grounds ; but he would not con- the matter might safely be left iii the hands of the Speaker. The Committee sent to lower the character of the Judges by referring party questions °anointed would be perfectly impartially constituted ; and to this Committee, to their decision. In his opinion, Election Committees were more genii under the obligation of an oath, he would leave the duty of appointing puzzled than depraved. The -law ought to be simplified ; but Mr. Hul- as, Select Committees which were to try all election petitions. Suppose, for ees bill would not render it more intelligible, certain, and simple. The instance, there were thirty election petitions pending, the General C. mmittee of plan of making the assessor the lawgiver and chairman of the Corn- four or six would have to select thirty, Committees to tiy these petitions, either naittee, without giving him a vote, would not work well. The Chair- b,,electing thirty Election Committees in the first place, and then appropriating

' tfiem to the several petitions by ballot, or by selecting the Committee indivi- . mans power depended upon his casting-vote. There were other ob. l' :

dually to try each particular petition. He must say, however, for his own ections to Mr. Bullers plan it would not prevent party excitement PITS, that he was so averse to every thing having the colour of chance about it, in the choice of Committees, for the mode of public challenge proposed that he should much prefer the latter course of appointing& distinct Committee would create much ill.feeling. But the subject was full of difficulties, to try the merits of each particular petition. Suppose, for instance, there was and had not been sufficiently considered. Ile should support a motion a petition from Dublin : be would leave it to the General Committee to ap- which Lord Stanley intended to make for a Committee to prepare a de- point a Committee to try the merits of the petition, with full confidence that claratory law ; at the same time, he would not oppose the further pro- they would select a competent and impartial Committee for the purpose. gress of Mr. Buller's ldll, as perhaps a good measure might yet be The number of Members on an Election Committee should be made out of it.

more limited than at present— Lord STANLEY argued in favour of simplification of the law, as the He thought seven would be quite enough to form a Committee—perhaps first and most necessary thing to be done. The working of the present to sewn or nine. If it was thought that mistakes might still be made, and There bad been twenty-six Committees up to the present time. How many persona he nominated by the General Committee to whom some personal ubjec- of those Conimittees had reported against that party who shared in the ton might reasonably apply, it might be desirable that the Genetal Committee opinions of the majority of the Committees ? Out of the twenty-six Cam- should in the first place appoint eleven or thirteen names, giving the parties to minces, twenty had decided in favour of the party who shared in the poll. the petition a limited right to swike. Suppose, for instance, seven were to be Weal opinions of the majority of the Committees. Ile would not say whether the eillutituent number of an Election Committee, it might still be a question .these decisions had been on this aide or on that side. Ile had abstained from whether the General Committee would appoint those seven at once, or whether mentioning the proportion in which the majorities of the Committees were en ems should nominate eleven, giving the parties on either side a right to two the one side or the other. But the result bail been practically, that twenty out mikes. of twenty-six had decided in favour of the can.lidates who entertained the same It was desirable that Committees should have the aid of assessors— political opinions aa the majority on these Committee.. A great proportion of In order to do this, they might either compose the Committee of six Mem- these were Cononitteea upon Irish elections ; :mil there wet e but two of those ben, with a legal assessor, who should be their chairman, with the voice and Committees that hail not decided in favour of the Member sharing in the poli- authority of a judge, and equal in every respect with that of any other member ticul opinions of the majority. What inference did he draw from this? Did of the Committee, or they might constitute the Committee of seven members, he draw the inference that gentlemen would pay less attention to, or act less sad give them the assistance and aid of an assessor. There were one or two fairly on Irish election Committees? He drew no such inference. Honour- rims upon the respective mer:ts of preferableness of which he should give no able Members were the same on Irish as on English Committees ; the tribunal, opinion. One very great difficulty in the appointment of assessors would be therefore, was the same. But the couclusion which lie drew was not so much this—that the call for their serviees would not be uniform or permanent. At that the tribunal was bad, as that the law we, bLUI• Ilia object was not to the first meeting of Parliament after a general election, there would naturally show what wait the result where political bias was strongest and partiality greatest, but where imperfections and uncertainties in the law much more ea- ts a eornpiratively large number of petitions, and the services of several assea- teneively ex ieted. With respect to Ir WI elections, the law was lees defined upon sore would of course be required ; whilst in subsequent years there might only disputed questions; and where the law was lea% certain, case.' might fairly he Sr. WV two or three contested elections. If a permanent staff of assessor.,

gued on one side or the tither, which could not ariee where the law was well aseer-

tamed, and where there were few conflicting decisions. It was in human nature ire. Upon this point, therefore, he should be inclined to copy the principle of that an incompetent tribiiir 0 would give decisions in favour of that party to which an Irish act, and provide that all persons who were willing to act in the majority were politically attached. lie some time ago stated to the House, that, in his judgment, it was' not so much the tribunal aS the law or, this subs this capacity should notify their willingness to the House, and that they should ject that was d n d defective. Ile was happy to fluid that that opinion ha gained ground with gentlemen who had turned their attention to the subject ; and that it was the opinion of gentlemen on both sidee of the House. Ott the first step House liberally for their services whilst the occasion for them lasted, Its connexion which the Hue ought to take was to appoint a Committee to examine into the practical defects of the existing law ; the uncertainty of that law, occa• cho sioned by the conflicting decisions come to by the Committees; and the possi- se where it pleased on all subsequent occasions. With regard to a court of

y

it WM found absolutely necessary, or unless the points in dispute were of too Ile thought it would be extremely difficult to final gentlemen of high stand- v& ve a nature to be left to the determination of a single judge. ing at the bar who would, for the purpose of holding the titlise of assessor, His suggestions were offered without reference to any party advan- abandon their proles.' ; paseing. three or four years of their time in idleness, tege, but with an anxious desire to maintain the character of the and devoting a 'minim of their fifth year to the overwhelming Imainee. of Elee- House— tion Committees; and, after all, not holding their situations permanentiv. but being removable at the pleasure of the CTOWII, or of a majority of the House "I do feel that the interest and honour of the House are concerned in the of Commons ; and having the appearance of posseesing great power, but really amendment of this system ; I do believe that the interests of justice are involved exercising little or no power over the decisions of the Committee. lie did not is ita ameliuration ; and I alit satisfied that this House, which professes to the !Ilia they wood.' get gentlemen of any standing to accept the office. Accord- governed by principles of honour and integrity, must necessarily entertain tne ing to the pieseut system, the Chairman had the casting vote, which he ml slat strongebt desire that any tribunal appointed to decide controverted elections, not be requil...1 tit give in Ifilthy case.. the number of members on a Gunmittee shall as far as possible partake of that integrity and honour, and be tree from being eleven. Hut that number might, by circuinstancee, be sometimes re- the imputation of partiality." (Cheers from both sides.) dueed to ten ; and then the Chairman would exercise his eight of giving a Mr. O'CONNELL contended strenuously for transferring to judges casting vote. Bin according to Mr. Bulleett proposition. the C'ommitteeit and juries the decision of disputed elections. He denied that the tip- would consist of wily five member., and which number might be reduced to pointment of Committees, as proposed by Sir Robert Peel, would ren- four ; but there would be no casting vote. Suppose a Onninitree to he reduced der the decisions of those Committees more impartial than they were to four meuilteis, dad euppose that a resolution were propweel that A. It. had It present. He preferred his own plan— not been duly elected, And on a division there were two and two, the resolution Ha believed it was understood at the time he matte it, though it might not now could not pa... Then suppose that a resolution were proposed that C. D. was be duly elected. and ...gilt to wive been returned in the place of A. II., and the by the Speaker to determine the issues to be tried between the parties; that Male four geolt emelt divide the Sallie way—two against two-111 it resolution them should be sent to the Court of Queen's Bench, (of which court he made could not p.a... II, the term, of this loll the aawsaor, not h tying el casting vote, could twit her &elate that out. :Wernher had been elected, nor that the other choice,) and that they should be tried as near as was consistent with impar- erstions on Irish petitions tried in the nearest county to that from which each He was inelined to think an assessor might be a useful eppendage emanated, and in which the Judges thought there might be the most impartial to the Committee ; but be would make the law certain, and would de- trid. Ile did not now enter into details, and had referred only to a portion of fine eleaols the eesessor's duties— a pin which he might submit to a Committee, but which could not be sat's- He would tee. efore. ininfer utt the membete of the Committee the power of futorily discussed by the whole House. deciding fleet 1.tet, for which they were competent; awl he would take Ile moved that the bill be referred to a Select Committee, with in. from them the deeisiono of ni atria of law, for which they were not competent; struction to consider and report upon the state of the law, and to sug- and on the assisee lie would iotopoew the duty of laying down the law of the gest improvements therein. case, of appl)mg tee stt let t tiles of evidence, 41111 of determining the course of

proceeding to te• &lowed. In his opinion, the great partiality of Committees

Mr. CHARLES BULI.ER said, it would be a mere mockery to recommit arose quite as Iioit•ii cis the point" tot 1.1 W., in which they were out well versed, 1111 the bill, after it had reached its present stage. Mr. O'Connell's plan upon the pr ...el, II points having a 1161,1 bearing upon the case ; the former he 118 liablc to this decisive objection, that impartial juries who were to would leave ,eiiii els to the &wool.", uf the assessor, however appointed ; and ...decide upon the facts could not be found. Moreover, it would make though he wail hot allow him ro ch,a,ruget•othe Committee like a jury as to both the ne Judges partisans. In Ireland, the Tory Judges always took the side fact and the I nt. he would oblige It lay down the law atizt to sum Up the To Sir and Liberals decided questions according to their party bias, facts, leaving in.. ilecisiou in the 1141111, of tie :Committee. Ile thought that there five Robert Peel's plati Mr. Buller also objected, that it would not would be no ditliveity in finding t. Lopeteitt persime to discharge the duty of F any thing like uniform law, as his assessors were not to be tierma- wisessors ; he neliesed that there were at least a dozen gentleinet, ,it the bar per- fectly competeet to oll.wharce the duty who would accept the appluttslent, and before whow eouiisd woulietiot press many of the points which they now urged, *very session. His own measure was not so extensive as he wished it I presuming on cue C ,,,,, mittee'e ignorance of the law, and a aufficient number of gentlemen might be appointed either by the members of Vie CommiVee or with be consent of the parties, st hose decisions wo ILI give general satisfaction. These gentlemen ought to be handsomely rewarded for their labours ; they need not retire from the general exercise of their profession, and he doubted whether they should even be compelled to give up their practice before other Commit- tees. He held it to be a great objection to Mr. Bullet's proposal, that he in- tended to withdraw the assessors from the active prosecution of their profes • aion; but his suggestion would remedy that objection. Additional security. might be given, because it would not be difficult on the requisition of either MM. whin the law or practice should have been ruled by the assessor, that his decision should be reported to the House together with the Report of the Committee. Having laid down the law in the individual case, a precedent might be established which might be confirmed or set aside by the declaration of the House of Cmornons.

Mr. SHEIL approved generally of Sir Robert Peel's plan. As to Lord Stanley's declaratory law, he should like to know how they would get such a law as the Liberal majority of the Commons would pass, through the house of Lords ?

Sir ROBERT PEEL said, that a plan resembling his was likely to be adopted by the Lords, for regulating Private Bill Committees.

Mr. WARBURTON thought that Lord Stanley was going the right way to get the law simplified ; but then, what became of the finality of the Reform Act ?—

There was hardly a clause in that act on which it would not be necessary to pass a declaratory law. In the Registration Bill, which had been introduced in former sessions, the object was to determine points which were doubtful in the Reform Bill, but this was successfully objected to. If they wanted the law to be certain, they must introduce the necessary changes in the Reform Bill, and declare what was to be the law on these doubtful points. He had no objection to the proposal of Lord Stanley to declare the state of the law, but he assured the House that this would be comparatively useless, unless they also improved the courts of primary judicature—dm courts of the Revising Batristers—which was the essential point to be remedied.

Lord JoitN RUSSELL was glad to observe the general wish of the I-louse to retain the jurisdiction. He suggested that Sir Robert Peel should put his suggestions into the form of a bill, that the House might give it due consideration. For his own part, however, he did, not expect much advantage from it.

Sir ROBERT INGLIS said, that every Member must regard the present system with feelings of the deepest shame. He wished the jurisdic- tion to be removed from the House.

Mr. GALLY KNIGHT and Mr. ORMSBY GORE concurred with Sir Robert Inglis.

Mr. WYNN wished to postpone the bill ; and would support Lord Stanley's proposition for a Committee.

The House divided on Mr. O'Connell's amendment for it, 57; against it, 80.

It was then agreed that the further consideration of Mr. Buller's bill should be put off to the 11th of May, by which time Sir Robert Peel undertook to have his bill ready.

Lord STANLEY gave notice, that on Tuesday next, he should move the appointment of a Committee to examine the state of the law, and report a declaratory law.

Mr. O'CONNELL said he should move an amendment, that the Com- mittee inquire into the entire subject.

LORD DURHAM'S ESTABLISHMENT.

The Marquis of CHANDOS rose at a late hour on Tuesday night, to call the attention of the House to this subject, which he considered of very great importance.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL wished to know what the specific motion was?

The Marquis of CHANDOS said, that the best reply he could give to the inquiry was to read the resolutions he intended to propose. He should move—

'That it is the opinion of this House, that the duties of the High Commissioner and Governor-Ueneral of her Majesty's North American provinces should be con- ducted with the utmost possible degree of economy consistent with the just and ample remuneration of the several persona necessarily employed in the discharge of them.

" That it appears from an account laid before this House, that the total expenditure of the office anti establishment oh the Earl of Gosford, as Goveraor-General and Coin- missioner in Canada, distinguishing the salary and eraolunaeut accruing to each indi- vidual, for one year, amounted to the sum of 12,6;81. 138 6d. " That it appears to this House that such establishment was formed on a just and liberal scale, and therefore appears to constitute a proper precedent to be observed in determining the establishment of the Earl of Durham."

Lord Chandos desired that some limit should be put upon the cost of Lord Durham's mission. It appeared that Lord Durham himself gave his services gratuitously ; but he thought it much better that he should be paid by a fixed salary, for he had observed that, in the end, gratuitous services were more expensive to the country than when they were recompensed by a stipulated sum. According to report, Lord Durham's establishment was to consist of sixty or seventy individuals, and to be formed on a srle of unprecedented splendour. Lord Durham gave his own services for nothing ; and his Private Secretary, Mr. Edward Ellice, in an equally chivalrous and handsome manner, declined to receive pay. But, besides his Private Secretary, . the Governor-General was to take out four other secretaries—

There was the Chief Secretary, at 1,500/. a year ; there was the Military Secretary—a most unexceptionable gentleman, certainly as gallant and highly distinguished an officer as ever trod the sod—lie was to receive 700/. a year ;sand then there were two Assistant Secretaries or Clerks, at COOL a year. These salaries of the secretaries amounted altogether to 2,800/. per annum ; the

salaries of Lord Gosford's Secretaries amounted to 1,S05/. per annum. Why should time noble lord take with him this number of secretaries, and at so great an amount of cost to the country in salaries, be could not conceive. He be- lieved there never was an instance before of a person, being similarly employed, requiring so many attachés as did Lord Durham. After the secretaries came another person who was tube in the retinue of the Lord High Commissioner, he being described as the noble lord's "legal adviser." lle hail taken great pains to examine the establishments of former Lord High Commissioners, and in none of them had he found a legal adviser one of the appendages. Now there were already in Canada an Attorney General and a Solicitor. General, with a salary of 300/. per annum each, gentlemen who were, no doubt, very respectable in their way ; and milieu they found that there was a legal adviser propo.ed, with a salary of 1,500/. per annum, lie thought it was of importance that ilss should know who this legal adviser was to be. This was information which, in his opinion, the House ought to possess, it being intended, he imagin d that the officer in question should in a great measure supeisede the othelegesi gentlemen he had mentioned, and it being unquestionable that very great sponsibility would devolve on him. By the letter of Lord Durham, tile} were also informed that the Lord High Commissioner was to have the serviel of four paid aides.de.eamp ; and when he saw it stated that they would be sr- gently required to ride fast all over the country, be was induced to make sou inquiry to ascertain the number of aides.de-camp that had been required by

great and illustrious a commander as our service ever could boast. The 14: of Wellington, when Field Marshal in 1915, found that six paid aides-dtscamp

were sufficient : but when he had the command, not only of our own'army, but of

the allied troops of all the foreign nations engaged with us in carrying on the war had he eight aides-de-camp? No; he had only four. Now Lord Chando; would put it to the House whether there was any comparison to be instituted between the importance of the services likely to be rendered by the Lord High Commissioner in Canada, and that of the duties which were performed by the Doke of Wellington in the Peninsula? It should be stated that the Duke of Wellington had objected to officers being taken front the ranks to serve u aides-de-camp without permission from head-quarters.

And now, Lord Chandos would ask, what is all this for ?-- If the noble lord, bight in rank and station, anti one to whom this couidry looked with respect—if he were going to some great country, where splendou was required, anti it would be desirable for the riches and power of his own country to be displayed, the case would be essentially different ; but the present was an instance of an individual going to a country where any thing like

splendour was unknown, and where a Lord High Cmurnissioner was, is his opinion, more likely to conciliate by a quiet demeanour and by an unosteraa. tious government, than by all the display and splendour proposed by the ruble lord. Did the noble lord suppose the discontent which had existed in Canada, having arisen in a great measure from the amount of the civil expenditure— did lie suppose that by carrying with him a large number of aides.de-earop- that by surrounding himself by a numerous body of attaclo:s—that by a profuse expenditure and an extraordinary display of magnificence, he should be moil to succeed in calming the discontent and in reconciling men's minds to it new government. He thought that the gallant officer who was now in Canada had the necessary degree of firmness, and was as well able to conciliate u would be the noble earl in his capacity of Lord High Commissioner with allhis splendour. He would repeat that such display was not wanted in a country where one of the great evils of which they complained was the existence of poverty to a great extent : an exhibition of' splendour there was not only not necessary, but was not likely to be favourably received. Ile must say he had felt not a little surprise that no other gentleman in the House had felt it his duty to allude to this question, because, as they all very well knew, there were many of the honourable gentlemen opposite who used to he much in the habit of taking a deep interest on the financial affairs of the country, and who, when they sat on his side of the House, were always awake to things of that sort. (Laughter and cheers.) He should have been glad if some one of thou honourable gentlemen had taken the matter up ; but as they had been silent, feeling its importance, he had considered it his duty to bring it under the coin sideration of the House, with the view of obtaining the expression of their opinion. He must say he considered it something in the nature of a job. (Great cheering ifrosts the Opposition.) He thought it probable that the noble lord was looked upon with some degree of jealousy, and that to have found him an appointment at home suitable to his high rank and great ability might have been an inconvenience. He thought it probable that the Lord High Commissionership of Canada was given to the noble lord with the view of removing him to a distant part, where he would not inconvenience the honourable gentlemen opposite, and where he would have the opportunity of displaying his talents and his power. Ile bad no wish to deny to the noble lord any portion of the credit that was due to him on account of his talents and worthiness as an English country gentleman : he knew he was greatly respected in the county where he resided, and be should lament if any thing he said were suffered to detract from what was due to the noble lord in that

capacity.

He had heard of the magnificent plate and the great number of ser- vants Lord Durham was to take out with him : was the country to be put to an unlimited expense for this outfit ? lie recollected that in 1817, Lord Durham, then Mr. Lambton, made a severe attack on the Government of the day, on the subject of Mr. Cunning's embassy to Lisbon ; which he denounced as outrageously expensive. In those days, Mr. Lambton was opposed to every thing like unnecessary et- penditure. Lord Chandos could not see why the Earl of Durham should have a more costly establishment than the Earl of Gosford; though indeed the latter was only "High Commissioner," and Lord Durham was to be "Lord High Commissioner."

Mr. PRAED seconded the motion. He wished that Lord Durham bad given more distinct information relative to his proposed appoint-

ments. His letter was certainly high-sounding, but he wanted seine. timing less metaphorical and more precise— He was sorry that the noble earl had not taken pains rather to give WV of the information that was desired, than to exhibit so choice a collection of phrases.

" With tropes and metaphors his lordship comes; Phrases for figures, similies for sums."

Surely the House ought to know something about the legal adviser. Was lawyer in Canada who was to receive the immense salary of 1,509/. a What need could there be for such expensive arrangements? Time rebellion was pot down, and there was no prospect of its renewal ; the noble earl .weat out with no power to "adjust," whatever he might understand to be Is 1n. structions, but he was especially appointed merely to carry into effect another commission or inquiry, which would add to the mass of itilormation alleady furnished to the House by the Commissioners of Lord Gostord. Ile belieSed that nothing would result from the mission of Lord Durham but a large blue

book—as

"St. Paul's cupola was brought to bed, After long labour, of a small pin's head."

The first resolution having been put from the chair,

Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, that the Marquis of Chanties had followed a very bad practice in bringing forward a motion on a subject of coast- d. erable importance without any distinct notice of it. As to the motion itself, he must describe it as a very paltry one. As to the gentleman who seconded the motion, he seemed to know nothing of the state of Canada, or the measures under consideration. Arduous arid. iinpui ta.nt duties would be performed by the e perso who filled the office, fur %%Melt nobody pretended tbat Lord Durham was unlit. The attack had reference simply to the cost of the mis,ion it WILS an attempt to tramP the Governor- General— It was merely an attempt at attack upon a minor point, when all Oil atiwks upon the greater part of the measure had failed. It was oily at attempt is a,lii at the smaller matters connected with the mission, and it was, too, an attempt to raise unfounded prejudices for the purpose of battling iu some deg ctke effect of the mission intrusted by the Government to Lord Durham. It was ibis, and nothing else. The noble lord had proposed, with respect to Lord nobaro, that his expenses should be defiued, and that they ought to be 'Ilea- I by the expenses of Lord Gosford ; acid the noble lord Seemed to imagine tha-t Lord Gosford had been sent to Canada to receive asalatv for his services. Lord Gosford had not been sent to Canada with a salary : .he had been sent In lb the were ordinary form of having his expenses paid, with certainly the in- struction that economy should be attended to; and it was also to be observed, that Lord Gosford had with kim two other Commissioners, whose expenses were not included in the account referred to by the noble lord. 13ut then it Wu to be remembered that Lord Durham was intrusted with functions which bad nothing to do with those that had been confided to Lord Gusford. Lord Durham, besides being Governor-General of Canada, was also High Commis- sioner over other provinces in North Anteritra, and in addition to his other most important duties, he had, together with a Council to be named by himself, to frame laws for the regulation of Canada until the Legislature, to be afterwards sanctioned by Parliament, was established. It was to be recollected, too, that &legislature had existed in Canada during the time that Lord Gusford was Governor. The noble lord knew that the machinery of that Legislature was tarried OD at very considerable expense. 'The amount of the sums p in the year to the Speaker and the menthe's of the House of Assembly, during the time that the constitution was in force, was very considerable; so that, if the noble lord meant to contend that the whole of the expense of Lord Dot hain's mission was to fall upon this country, it was to be remembered that the total amount of the whole of the revenues Of Canada, a great part of which were consumed in the expeuses of the legislature, were expenses that would not be incurred during the time that Lord Durham would stay in Lower Canada.

Reference bad been made to expenses not specified in the papers on the table— The noble lord had indeed said that many remarks had been made with re. wet to the expenses of Lord Durham's mission, which were not to be foiled in the papers. Now, as to the particular number of servants and grooms which Lord Durham meant to take out, he could nut give the noble lord any informa- tion respecting them; but then he was fully aware that rumours, and unfounded rumours too, had been circulated for the purpose of injuring Lord Durham's reputation. One of these rumours was to the effort that Lord Durham was to be furnished with an extensive service of plate. The origin of that rumour wu, that Lord Durham had sent his plate to a jeweller for the purpose of having it valued, and insuring it during its passage to Canada. ("//ertr, hear !") And that was one of the rumours which Loud Climilus naturally believed, and which he thought, perhaps, justified hint in the course of proceeding he tel adopted. The noble Mid had next alluded to the aides-deo:amp appointed by Lad Durham ; and the noble loid had also thought tit upon the pre ,211t occa- sion, he did not say whither rightly or wiongly, to attack her Ithijest)'s ( ;overt'. mot for Lord Durham's being sent to Canada. As to the honourable gentle- man who seconded the motion, his i7noranee made hint think that all danger US at an end. (Laughter.) (In the contrary-, the stale of Canwia ICUS criti- cal. It was to be observed that toe situation to whielt Lord Durham had been nominated was much more consonant with the great situation of a Governor- emend of India or the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, thin to that of an mill- wry Governor. 'flue Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whoever he might be, had always four aidesole.camp, and generally several others were appointe I by him. The'nohle lord had mentioned the mune of the Duke of Wellingtom That

wu only for the purpose of exciting a prejoid iee in the iloase. Who' ver the Landlieutunatit of irelmol might be, lie s cd it won ii be unfair to institute suck a comparison lietween hint arid the Dii.se of Wellington, and to say of hits that be was not to be phieed on ici t•ipiahty wish the I hike of Well:nation, who bad commanded ill the itrinies of norope. The number uf ai were to he looked to, awl cmsidered as to what were at the moment the rank

aml the station of the rrsons ii ivi.o.ii were att Ached, mid th i dive to which they belonged. lie did think that C■ICIC W:IS one reason vi by Loid Ditr• ham should have the number of aides-de camp which hall been objeet...: to, and that so., he thought, a riftetly valid one; it was, that lie might wisl to make confidential caminanicatious with the other Governors of the North American provinces, or the British Minister at Wa-Itington, and might think it better to unrest an aide-de-camp to proceed with them, than transmit them by pied, or send them by a common courier. Another appointment of Lot ii Durham's had also been much criticized : it was that of a legal adviser." On this subject it night be observed, that peculiar ditties were imposed upon Lord Durham; fel' he had to consider whether be shutild bring forward certain propositions, for the purpose of their enactment, before the Special Council, of which he MB himself to lie the head. He ventured to say that, possessed of talents, as Lord Durham was, which particularly fitted him for the situation of Governor, yet it could hardly he expected from hint that he could propose such measures as under the circumstances would be required, without the legal advice of a puton fully competent to discharge that duty towards him. The treble lord Ind alluded to the Attotney and Solicitor General of Canada, and asked could not they perform this duty ? Ile hail nu fault to flu,' with those law advisers ; but the question tesolved itself to this, must not some such matter be left to the discretion and responsibility of the government for the time? IVIten Lord Durham mentioned the matter to the Government; it was considered by lam he had taken a correct view of it ; and they believed that its adoption would tend to the successful termination of his lordellip's mission. As to the person in view for such an appointment, he was not aware of any particular person at the present moment ; but he thought that the appointment in itself RUA very proper one.

Allusion had been made to Lord Durham's condemnation of Mr. Cenning's costly embassy to Lisbon; but the fact was, that Mr. Cutaing went to Portugal when there was nothing for him to do. Hie predecessor, Sir Charles Stuart, under the name of Ambassador, VU actually the ruler of Portugal; but Mr. Canning was sent after no such interference in the internal government of Portugal was required, and had merely some formal duties to discharge. It was therefore absurd to attempt an analogy between Lord Durham's omission to Canada and Mr. Canning's embassy to Lisbon. For ordinary duties, 50 ordinary salary could be named. But there was no want of prece- dents to show that ler extraordinary duties it had not been customary to limit the expenditure. Lord John Russell here cited the cost of Mr Prere's mission to Spain, in 1801; Lord Aberdeen's to Vienna, in 1,813; Lord Castlereagh's to Frankfort, in 1814; to Paris, in 1815; to 41x-111.Cilepelle, in 1818; :Sir Charles Stuart's to Liebon and Rio, in 1825;orum all of which exceeded the amount to which it was proposed to

L d D • hem, though the station he was required to till was at kat of equal consideration and importance to any of those named.

, Captain WOOD said, that respect for the prerogative of the Crown had prevented Members of the Opposition from speaking as they thought of Lord Durham's fitness. Gentlemen on the Ministerial title of the House had no such delicacy, as their attack on his noble relative's appointment to the Russian embassy proved. He believed that an examination of Lord Durham's speecbes would prove that he was not the man to aseuege ill Cau.ada the discontent he kid been active in raising in England.

Mr. JAMES would not have thought it too much if Government hush given Lord Durham a carte blanche to spend whatever he thungilt proper, safely depending on the noble lord's high honour and integrity not to spend one pound more than he thought actually necessary for the purpose of carrying his important mission to a satisfactory result. Colonel SIBTIIORPE would never do any thing to disoblige her Ma- jesty. (Loud laughter.) The motion had been called paltry ; but neve; in his life had he heard any thing so paltry as Lord John Russell': reply. The matter of fact was, that Lord Durham was an inconve- nient neighbour, and therefore was to be sent away. The whole con- cern was a manifest job.

ELLICE junior said, that the bitter malignity with which Lord Durham's appointment was attacked proved its excellence. The fury

and vehemence of his assuilants would render Lord Durham more po- pular than ever. As fur himself, lie had beee offered, but declined a salary. Deeply interested in the affairs of Canada, he should be amply remunerated if the result of the mission N'ere the establishment cf peace and contentment in that country.

Sir EDWARD Sueeee thought that it wool.' be well if the " legal adviser" on the affairs of Canada knew srmiticiltieg of the laws of

Canada. He wished to know more about this legal adviser—whether he was to strike out a new constitution for Canada. lie hoped Lord John Russell would seite distinctly what his functions were to be.

Mr. Huese was astonished at the professions of economy made by the Opposition. Surely they, could not be serious. 'Piny willingly sent out brigades of Guards to Canada, and now they wished to cripple the expenditure of the person who was to be responsible for the result of this operation. 'limy were stultifying themselves. No mart of sense could object to the words of the motion ; but he judged of its aim by the language of its supporters. Something was in the beck- ground. 'Was not the motion ;us attempt to retaliete for the attack on

Lord Londouderry's appointment to St. Petersburg ? It was not a question of econtelly. hat a merely pereonal attitek un Lord Diti.hien, msiuui therefore he cue' I not seppurt it.

3Ir. Lem roe iv 1 not pitSS L 1,1 CI i!I•to,e4 lion. tint Lord I em; '..min's iramiedittinciit its a job. A ereetei•otOmItum

had never been tut, ; :.y any loam

The Sereeset w. e• -mm. Laalbtoe wJuld see the imrepi•lee,• ix- plaining his langteige.

LAMilrON 1/01Veil to the cheir : there ei• v.. is a ere.: ...r (.,•: -

take or misrepresent:toren than that of (h.seri'Llime l...• . . :es ,y-

pOintintqlt its j.3!). hi ft11111'.-,S and courtesy the a, , have been attackcel, if at all, in the othor Lur.: i)

was present, night after night, to aim' o' n• :my t■• giv•• nation, and to defend himself. Nothimer hiv mu eemee of iiety eee •I 'IVO!

indtkeell Lord D:trb,cit to iimeept et a self-elite-el. r t!: • :e .it Caned:L.

Lord Jens: Pmeeee 1. eihl, +lett Ime :etc]: •.• •Imve ei.e • ee•ei• question ehi Leri t ;(

Sir Ile- • er I • me. f .1 t it m •• ' !re rii.L.•r • ,;!. ••

01 u:• • 01 !C:s 111••!!..!I i 1

LA:a.:1,;■;•::•... A :••-e . the Royal pr...r ■.1.11 ii m: •■ • •,. l':!:.1 the alo.rditte ri,dit of the r I,otse t • :mi. eta .. „ILL., • tions ith rug ;el to the exoemliture I m .• s ; •: et see;

that L;mrd Jule' Re- oll il! his 1.11C

Crown when he the reisiegi f mem_e I .1 tul

unbecoming motives. Sir Hebert ulid eet tie i built 1.-:,1

ham ; ire consttlet, ii that AlMeisties seere ti heeee. 'Whir it to settle the amount of Lord Durliemn': eapimeese I .li l I lorhat:i I mm. ,•!11,

or the Treasury ? I r.e would refer to Lord Iclt0r l!; Lord 1)urlerin, to prove that it was the latter imul.:e Lei who was :Lee sole judge as to the cost of his coteldiehment- - Pee iiee; ee. et, Marl' .21, I.! 4.

" 'ay Lord--1 01..110:101r to inform yoll it.. u i,!!• i.a !•!.,

Member or the Home .1 coinimeis la hi: plui.s.,Cist •• t.1 10 :I! establishmetit as iiiAertitn-tieticial 01 mho a \::. m u 1',!'!!,!!!'' • u!mm Maj0siy.t: Ii mm:','' ii C•1“: ti toil lhe 110,ii0. Lord !!!! '• !I !,•t •cue

meld, having as-eii10.1 ti 'his revest, I s!.,111 I, • • me %sill& a slateuieut uul .■ ouum estal,101hui,ut or • ,i!

"The Right Doh. Ili, Earl if FM. my, • it., lie was only surerisel that Lod 1)erlutin, ate; 1( ft to controlled by the 'Ireesere, Lad net required a sti:1 m dire ex:aets.vr.:

establishment. SC1, it was bound to say that .1 11mm .11:0: Cs esti- mate of expenses was inte•Im large m th m was remesee.,•— First, there WAS a Chief Secretary, with a salary to. Too it. a yell.; 0,,.11 a Military Secretary. at 70'4. a soar; and then tao limit l'•• man her in which Sir Robra 1'n1 im mi,ii ctd 71. cam' le,.n5 I .1 eitA .1 did not mean to say tisu huedred secrectrie., tdonidt, perhaps, it: BO saying, he might only be anticipating what was to toliew ;ii, but there were two t:oder Seel etaries at 300/. a year eaell, and then, hesides all these, wvi-e to be a l'rivate Secretary and a Legal Arlei,er. Now, looking' at these appoint. molts iirily, if his 01)1111i/11 W3,4 ii- kid on the subject. lie was boon I to s.:y that he considered them exceedingly large; he thought them cut/y:001.s, con in left:tepee to the duties which were to lie performed. No e, with I, spin t 0.1 the heist adviser, with a salaty of I,Oddi. a year, thi ecm,'o1ivi,r Cie 111•11e

Department said Ora he. Wd3 Iltlt ill the us moo Ut :who was in-

tended to till that bitllal:011. NuIV, that 6:.■ig the care:, he was really ',try hp: the noble lord's ignorant', on the subject. 'floe noble lord m is, in this inst ince,

Ike the pliteoix, the wily (metal his species; for he couid to S3y t or nob:c lord was the only man ic the House who did not know who the legal advise& of l.urd Durham was to b. lie would undertake, at least, to say that there were many .1Ietnbers composing what was termed " her 11lajesoy's ( Ipaosition " mmii could confidentially inform the noble lord upon the subject if calied upon. if ii,

laughter, and cri,s " Nana', mune !" ) lle mit :Indy slieuld net have consi- dered himself eutitled to name the individual to whom lie referred, as the com- munication had beeu made to him privately; and it might possibly happen that he was mistaken. But of this he was quite SUIT, ttt mum Cie communication which Lid been made to him, a trap had not hit cm tm I for tic pmu ipest:

said to him, "I shall not be among you when the Controverted Elections Bill is discussed," that observation left him distinctly to unilerstaud, that at the pe- riod in question the honourable and learned gentleman's face would be directed towards the Western possessions of her Majesty. Now, this was an inference, which, coupling the declarations of the honourable and learned gentleman him. self with the rumours which were previously in circulation on the subject, he thought a very remarkable one. (An observation from a;211ember on the Ministerial benches.) Oh, then, the honourable and learned Member went out gratuitously; and in that case there was another candidate for the office of legal adviser. He thought that when any one who knew the rumour pre- viously in circulation, and then coupled with it the information which the ho- nourable and learned gentleman volunteered to confide to him, that he should not be here when the Controverted Elections Bill was discussed, he niight very fairly iufer that nothing would induce the honourable and learned Member to abandon this measure but the hope of rendering valuable service to the public by giving legal advice to the Governor•General of the Canaries. If he was mistaken in drawing this conclusion, he could only say that he was extremely sorry for it ; but that at the stone time it was one into which he had fallen bond fide. However the case might be, he must say that he thought these half-con- idences were very inconvenient, or at least Mr. Buller ought to have added a poatsciipt, or warning note to this effect : " Mind, I am not going to be legal adviser to the Governor•General of the Canaries " Ile must say that he was rejoiced to hear that the honourable and learned gentleman was not he the legal adviser of Lord Durham; not from any personal objection to the honourable and learned gentleman, or from any doubts as to his qualifications for such an office; but because he though that. if these appointments were too freely given to Members of Parliament, it might amount to a virtual evasion of the statute of of Anne, which rendered the appointment to a new office inconsistent with a seat iu that House.

Among the opponents of the motion was Mr. Hume; for that gen • demon had not only ceased to represent Middlesex, but also to uphold the right of the Commons to interfere in matters relative to economy. Now, Mr. Hume attributed unworthy motives to persons who brought such subjects forward. In order, however, to show the difference be- tween a Conservative and a Whig Government, he would cite an ana- logous case to that of Lord Durham. When he was ut the had of the Treasury, and Lord Aberdeen Foreign Secretary, they resolved to send out a Commissioner to Canada to perform certain duties—.

The individual selected for this appointment was all individual of the first rank and station, Lord Amherst ; a nobleman lioldiug the rank of Eat I in this country, a nobleman of no obscure name or statiou, and our. who hail never filled any subordinate office, but had recently filled the office of Governor- General of India, with all the gorgeous and royal splendour which surrounded that appointment. In the next place, let them consider the duties which Lord Amherst was to perform in Canada. His lordship was to ha Governor-Gene- ral of Canada, and also his Majesty's Royal Cutniniasioner ; so that, as far as titles went, the appointment was very analogous to that of Lord Dal hens The duties which Lind Amherst would have to perform, were thus described iu a letter, dated April 2, 1835, from Lord Aberdeen to Lord Aylmer, notifying to the latter wildcat:1u the appointment of Lind Aiuheret " This individual, in the capacity of his Majesty's Royal Commissioner, will repair to Lewur Canada, fulls instructed to examine, autl, if posaib!e, to terminate, the various paints of discussion, in the hope of comprising nil those difference.: which have so long agitated the province, and which have deeply afflicted his Majesty'. !mai nib- jects. For this end, it will be the object of his Majesty to renew an inquiry into every alleged grievauce, to examine eviry cause of complaint, and to apply a i enietly to le s abuse that may still be fnuntl to prevail ; for this end there is no sacrifice ! 4 would nu' dux] fully make which shouhl be colopatihle mith the funtlaurental principles of the constitution itself, and with the continued exist. *nee of the province as a possession of the Pritish Crown."

it was alvo suggested that " sonic comprehensive scheme of general educatior might be adopted." ( Cries of " 011, 0/c!" and "Question I " from the Minisbrial benches.) Why, it was certainly fair, as Lord Durham's duties had been dwelt upon, to state what Lord Ainheret's would have been--

" Show that I am speaking of matters which are inapplicable: answer me, if you can; but du not suppose that you will succeed in doing so by uttering un• meaning sounds. I am contending that Inv noble friend's duties were not ex- actly of equal aniount to those of Lord Durham, but that they were on the whole most important, as he filled both the offices of Governor and High Commissioner. I don't say that the two offices were exactly of equal import- ance; I make every just abatement on that accuunt; but still they were of an analogous nature ; and Lord Amherst, a person of high rank, arid who had filled the most important offices, was selected for the former situation. Now, what was the establishureot of and the expense incurred by Lord Amherst ? And 1 ask the houourable gentleman who has attacked the want of economy of Conservative government, to compare the establishments, making every just abatement fin the difference of duties of the two noble persons, and then to an- swer me this question—Which of the two governnients has given the greatest practical proof of economy? I admit to the noble lord, that he cannot extin- guish the system of special missions. I acknowledge that it is exceedingly dif- ficult to decide what expenses may be incurred in an extraordinary and tempo. ran. ditty; and I say at once that the mission of Lord Amherst was a special mission, and that equal objections apply on principle to Lord Gosford's office of Chief Commissioner on a special mission also. But the establishment of Lord Arnhem, as Governor and Royal Commissioner, in what did it consist? Mr. Elliott was the single person appointed by the Government to accompany him. I believe on Mr. Elliott's recommendation a clerk was assigned him. There . was also a private secretary. That was the whole extent of the establishment. Let those who are now at the Treasury contradict me if I am wrong ; but I believe that the total charge incurred for the outfit did not exceed 1,0001. I believe that the arrangements of that mission were completed, anti that Lord Amherst was on the point of sailing. I may be wrong in my recollection, (but if I be, I ant subject to correction,) and I chat believe that the total charge in. mitred by the preparation of Lord Amherst for the voyage, with an outfit, ex. creeded the sum of 1,000/. Now, when I look at the expenses preparatory to Lord Amherst's departure to fill a situation of rank, and when I remember the duties which devolved on him, I ask the honourable gentleman (Mr. Hume) whether he is warranted in saying that a Conservative government never gave any practical proof of economy. I will allow you to make every increase on account of the difference of duties; and yet I will still maintain this position, that the establishment proposed for Lord Durham does far exceed—does exceed in a fourfold degree—that establishment, for duties which were nearly analo- gous, provided for Lord Amherst." He protested against the imputation that the motives of those who questioned the propriety of a very large expenditure of the public money wete unworthy, and sprung from a feeling of disappointment that the places were not bestowed on them or their friends-

" That charge, I say, is unfounded ; but this charge I prefer against you who have heeu the constant advocates of economy — that when an individual pattwipatiug its your political seutiments is appointed to a public situation, you then s'auw a taudericy to fiat-get the principles which you have professed; amid that your political ascordance with the man obliterates your recollection of tbe principles which you maintained when against governments to which yon were

opposed. And then i

it is that you call the questions is we originate paltry questions, not deserving consideration ; and then t s that you reconcile MU. selves to an establishment when connected with the services of your own frina, which, had the position of political parties been reversed, he who sanctioned 6 who advise I your proceeding, would be the first in high.sounding terms to'ds. trounce as aggravating the feelings of the country suffering under dunces, sst as evidence of a wanton and profligate disposition on the part of government With what triumph would you have referred to the avowal that your finans„; were in such a state that you could not part with a third of the soap-tax ! Hots you, or some of you, would have dwelt on what I have before heard stated, tbst a great numlier of the hand-loom weavers might have subsistence provided for them by the sum allowed to the extravagant establishment which was proposed to be confirmed and sanctioned! But now, because that establishment is pm. posed for one in whose political sentiments you concur, you (the class of whith the honourable Member for Kilkenny is the representative and warmest at cate) forget the principles which you formerly avowed, and try in every lesn. ner to throe ridicule and contumely on those who act in a temperate and morn. rate manlier in accordance with your practice ; and you, through your leader, the honourable Member for Kilkenny, justly give tree to the imputation, not only that you have been succeeded by others in your seats, but that you &resin succeeded by others in your advocacy of the principles of retrenchment and em. nomy. [Sir Robert Peel sat down amid cheers which lasted for some time,] Mr. CHARLES BULLER bad no wish to conceal any thing he bad done or was about to do. In too flattering terms an offer had bees made to him to fill a subordinate office in the Canada mission, and he had accepted it. As to the office of legal adviser, with respect to which Sir Robert Peel had drawn upon his imagination, he could state that up to twelve o'clock on that day no attempt had been made to fill it up.

Sir STRATFORD CANNING observed, that Mr. Canning, when op. pointed Ambassador to Portugal, had insisted upon having the sum to be allowed for his expenses precisely fixed.

Lord PALMERSTON complained of want of notice. It was especially desirable that notice should be given of motions affecting individuals. The imputation of personal feelings to the Opposition was fully born out by Sir Robert Peel's speech. The analogy between Lord Am. herst's and Lord Durham's mission failed in this particular, that the former was to be sent out to the colony while there was still a Gover. nor there, whereas Lord Durham would be the Governor. Thus Sit Robert Peel would have had two establishments, instead of one, in Canada; and the result would have Lemke larger expenditure than would take place under Lord Durham.

The Marquis of CHANDOS briefly replied ; and denied that be was in any degree actuated by personal motives.

The House divided on Lord Chandos's first resolution—.

For it 153 For the previous question 160 Ministerial majority 2

The other resolutions were then put, and negatived; and the House rose at a quarter past two.

ELECTION PETITIONS.

On Tuesday, the Shaftesbury Committee reported that Mr. Poulter was not, and that Mr. George 13enveriuto Matthew had been duly elected for Shaftesbury.

The Maldon Committee was appointed-

Liberals-6; Tories-5;

Lord Fitzalan, Mr. W. Ormsby Gore, Mr. Curry, Mr. Thomas Mackenzie, Lord Griniston, Mr. Bodkin, Mr. Fellowes, Mr. Brodie, Mr. Villiers Stuart, Mr. Lomita. Mr. Pattison, The petitioners are Liberal electors against Mr. Round, one of the Tory sitting Members.

Thursday was the day fixed for choosing Committees to try the ,r. titions against the returns for Wicklow County and Leicester. Tpehe petitioners in the Wicklow case were Tory electors, who prayed that the return of Mr. Howard or Mr. James Grattan should be set aside, and Mr. William Acton, the Tory candidate, be declared duly returned, in the place "of one or either of them "—Grattan or Howud. Mr. GRATTAN submitted, that according to the act 9th George IV. each of the sitting Members was entitled to strike names off the Committee, us their interests were not the same ; because, in the event of Mr. Acton gaining a majority, the question of who should be the other Member would have to be decided. On this question e loag and animated debate took place with closed doors. From the imper- fect reports in the newspapers, the matter appears to have been argued as a patty question; although on the division seventeen Liberals, in- cluding four subordinate members of the Government—Lord Sey- mour, Mr. F. T. Baring, Mr. Cutler Fergusson, and Mr. Robed Gordon—voted with the Opposition. Four Cabinet Ministers.—Lord Howick, Sir John Hobhouse, Mr. Spring Rice, and Mr. Poulett Thomson—with ten officials, supported Mr. Grattan's application. The result was to allow the double strike, by a majority of 124 to 112. The Committee was composed of the following Members-

Liberals-8; Tories-3;

Mr. George Evans, Mr. Hurt,

Mr. Mortis, Mr. Kirk,

Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Irving. Mr. Charles Wood, Mr. Bryan, Sir George Anson, Dlr. Blacicett, Mr. Harvey.

The Leicester Committee consists of— Mr. George Cavendish, Mr. Tories—fl;

Gibson,

s

Liberals-8;

Mr. Pinney, Lord Alford, Lord Ebrington, Mr. Elliot, Mr. Abel Smith. Lord Seymour, Lord Melgund, Lord leveson, Mr. Frederick Howard. The petitioners are Tory electors against the Liberal sitting Membelle MISCELLANEOUS.

THE NOTTING.HILL FOOTWAY (HIPPODROME) BILL Was read a third time on Monday, without a division. On the motion of Mr. Fox MAULS, several clauses were added for the prevention of gambling, riot and intemperance. The motion that the hill pass was opposed by Ittr.' HALL and Lord TEIGNMOUTH, supported by Lord GEORGE LEN- Nox, and carried by a majority of 162 to 123. THE SOAP-TAX. On Tuesday, Mr. Grssosr moved the repeal of the goap-tax. He contended that the revenue would be slightly, if at all affected by the abolition of the duty, if the recommendation of the RevenueCommissioners were followed, by which a saving in theExcise department of 460,0001. might be effected. Lord SANDON moved an amendment, that one-third of the tax, now three halfpence per pound, k taken off. He thought that this reduction would put a stop to the act manufacture of the article, which was carried on to a great extent. Mr. WALLACE, Mr. HAWES, and Mr. HOME supported the motion. Mr. SPRING RICE and Mr. F. BARING maintained, that in the present stare of the revenue the experiment would be hazardous. Mr. GLUON pirbdrew his motion ; and Lord SAN DON'S vu rejected, by 166 to 78.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. Lord JOHN RUSSELL stated, On Mon. gay, that he should not move the third reading of the Irish Poor Bill jj after Easter, and that the Irish Municipal Bill would not be brought forward again until after the discussion on Irish Tithes. He begged, however, that at might be understood that this announcement

as not made in consequence of any thing that Sir Robert Peel had threatened to do.

NEGRO EMANCIPATION; LORD BROUGHAM. In the House of Lords, on Monday, the Marquis of &Au° read a letter from Lord Brougham, denying, in reference to Lord Howiek's remarks in the House of Commons on the previous Friday, that he had been chiefly instrumental in preventing the entire abolition of shivery in 1833. There was no difference in the Grey Cabinet on the subject of appren- ticeship. Lord Sligo added, that, having communicated Lord Brougham's letter to Lord Howick, the latter Lord had written to him stating that his observations were not affected by Lord Brougham's

statements. Earl GREY said, that he knew of no difference in his

Cabinet on the subject. He then presented some petitions for the abolition of the apprenticeship, but said that be could nut support their

prayer. Earl Grey spoke in a feeble and indistinct tone.