POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAL

The House of Lords had a short sitting last night ; the Commons were occupied with a great variety of measures to a late hour.

In the Lords, the Postage Bill was read a third time, and passed.

The Metropolis Police Courts Bill was read a second time, with. out a division, on the understanding that the general discussion of this measure should take place in Committee. Lord Ilnouou.tai said he had the strongest objection to a clause in the bill which enabled the Crownto appoint twenty-seven persons to places with salaries of 1,200/ a year. , It seemed to him that the present House of Commons was distinguished beyond all its predecessors by the extravagant grants of patronage to the Crown. Lord LrxDurnsr said the bill also empowered Government to give retiring pensions to the persons who had filled these twenty- seven places. The Committee was fixed for Monday.

Lord BROUGHAM asked Lord Melbourne, when the inquiry into the conduct of the Birmingham Magistrates would commence ? Lord MELnouits1;—" Almost immediately."

Lord Lyxnnunsr—" As soon as convenient?"

Lord Mimnounxii—" No; within a convenient time."

Lord Bnouunam presented a petition from Henry Vincent, on whom Baron Alderson had passed the somewhat severe sentence of twelve months' imprisonment in Monmouth Gaol. The petitioner complained., that though only convicted of a political offence, lie was treated m prison like a common felon, kept in solitary confinement, and allowed only the use of a Bible and a Prayer-book. This was the grossest ah- surditv. Who would have thought of treating Horne Tooke, or Sir Francis Burdett, or Gilbert Wakefield, like common felons? A letter remonstrating against this proceeding was sent by Mr. Roebuck to Baron Alderson ; who replied—" God forbid, that I should have ever even thought of subjecting the individual to such close confinement." The Secretary for the Home Department had been in consequence applied to on the subject, but without effect. This was the first time had heard of a J udge's recommendation to mercy being treated in so disrespectful a manner. Whether this was or was not a sample of the mode in winch the threat recently thrown out in the other House with respect to the recommendation from the Judges was to be executed, he of course could not say.

Lord Mnr.nourtNn admitted, that if all that Lord Brougham said Time Manchester and Bolton Police Bills were read a second timein were

true, there was cause of complaint, and he would speak to Lord John Russell on the subject. Mese Momnouth Magistrates are of the class whose means of annoyance Lord JOHN RUSSELL will largely extend by his County Constables Bill.]

the Commons. These measures are similar to the Birmingham Pollee Bill, and introduced for the same cause—the doubt as to the right of the new Corporations to levy police-rates.

The motion for going into Committee on the Birmingham Police Bill was opposed by Mr. W. WILLIAMS and Mr. T. ATTwoon. Mr. &mots- FlELE said, that a considerable part of his objection tothe bill was re' moved by Lord John Russell's promise to introduce a clause limiting the dl oration of the measure. It is understood that if the questions of the au- thority of the Town-Council and the validity of the charter are settled in favour of the Corporation, the bill will cease to be operative. [Then why not amend the charter at once ?] The House being in Committee, Mr. CHARLES Ilum.En. moved an amendment giving the Town-Council, instead of the Queen, power to nominate the Superintendent of Police. Aweadment rejected, by 63 to 20. Clauses agreed to ; bill to be " re- ported" on Monday. On Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S motion, the consideration of the Lords' amendments on the Irish Municipal Bill was postponed to .1%Iond1y. Lord John said, that after great pains bad been taken by the Speaker to investigate time subject, and he had obtained the opinions of several Members, he had concluded that on the question of privilege the House could not give way ; but he thought that a new measure might be framed which both Houses would be willing to pass. Mr. SHAW stated the amendments on which the Lords insisted—the preservation of the Parlitunentary rights of freemen, the 10/. franchise, and the continuance of certain taxing powers in Grand Juries. Sir ROBERT INGLIS was op- posed to the measure altogether, as one of unmixed evil. Mr. O'Com- mai. merely rose to protest in point of principle against giving Irish- men fewer privileges than Entrlishmen. [Mr. ()Tits:NELL did not say he should oppose the new bill. The Times says that he has made a contract with Government, by which they are to abandon the Irish Bank Bill, and he is to take the Municipal Bill a good bargain for Ireland, though another triumph for the Tory Lords.]

The Metropolis Improvements 13ill was read a third time, and passed.

The Standing Orders having been suspended, the Portnemse Slave- trade Bill was read a second time, and passed through the 'Committee. On the motion that the report be brought up, Sir THOMAS FREMANTLE asked for some explanation of the hill. Lord PAL:immix briefly stated its principal provisions. He said that the commanders of cruisers could not execute their orders unless protected by a bill of this descrip- tion. Colonel Wool) denied that there was any occasion for this mea- sure: the Government should take upon itself the responsibility of enforcing the execution of treaties. The report was received, and the bill was ordered to be read a third time on 3Iondhy.

Mr. SPEING RICE moved that the Ilouse should resolve itself into a Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. Thomas Demcoeinn then moved the following:amendment-

" That in agreeino to provide the means liw an increase of her Majesty's Military Forces, calred for by the Executive Government at an unusual time and under peculiar circumstances, it is the duty of this llonse to declare : " First, That the troubled state of the country arises from causes which the application of repressive means against large classes of her Majesty's subjects lull not remove. &MO, That the existing discontents are in no small degree attribut- able to the neglect of Parliament, in not taking measures for the improve- ment of the social and political condition of the people.

" Third, That in particular, in the present session, Parliament has refused to remove restrictions on the foreign trade of the country, especially the trade in corn; thereby limiting the demand for English labour, and diminishing its remuneration, while the cost of subsistence is increased : and the New Poor- law is enforced with a view of teaching the people to rely on their own re- sources, by the Caine Legislature which prevents the poor from exchanging their labour for the cheaper food of foreign countries.

, " Fourth, That the measures promised at the commencement of this ses- sion, Ihr rendering justice cheap and accessible to all, have been abandoned,

while the salaries of Judges and Magistrates have been augmented.

" Fifth, That the grievance of Church-rates remains miredressed. " Sixth, That for national education a very small and inadequate provision has been made, while the military and naval expenditure has been greatly aug- mented.

" Seventh, That any necessity for an increase of the Army is mainly occa- sioned by the disturbances in Canada ; and that until a satisfactory arrange- ment of the affairs of that colony be effected, the relief or the people of this country from the expense of its military occupation is not to be looked dir: notwithstanding which, the session loss passed away without any attempt by Parliament to effect such settlement.

" Eighth, That the prayers of the people for further Reform have been dis- regarded.

" Ninth, That protection to the elector in the free exercise of the suffrage was denied, by the rejection or the motion to estiUish voting by Ballot. " Tent iv, That this Rouse has not only refused to grunt :my extension of electoral privileges, but even to take into consideration the prayers of upwards of a million of her 'Majesty's subjects, who solicited attention to their claim of franchise.

"Eleventh, that no hope has been held out to the people, that at any future time Perliament will grant redress or their social arid political grievances. "Twelfth, That, mtil the spirit and course of 1. gislotion jim time Imperial Parliament be changed, and emper regtlril had to the welfare and wishes of the whole people, instead of the niterests or predominant classes, no security frmn the recurreace of such dishaliances as the (3 overamenl now deinands the aid of Parliament to repress, can be reasonably expected." Mr. Duncombe spoke briefly in support of his motion. He said it was the duty of Parliament to do snmething more dm vote money and pass measures of coercion. Me admitted that many of the allegations in his resolutions must 1)0 disalsrt•eable and painful to the House, lint if true, the House ought uot, in the present slate of the public mind, to shrink from admitting their justive. Ile went ra:,irlly over the chief topics referred to in the resolulions—point,edly asking the House, whether each charge were not undeniably true ? If so, it was not yet too late to confess their errors, By adopting his resolutions, the pub- lic discontent would be moderated ; for a guarantee would be given that the next session would not, like the present, pass unprofitably away.

Mr. HumE seconded the amendment.

Lord Jonm RessEti. commenced his reply with a sneer : considering the length of his resolution, Mr. Buncombe had made but a short Speech; and as that gentleman had not thought it necessary to go into details, he would not himself adopt a different course. Lord John Pointed attention to the opposition of the most discontented part of the people to those very remedies which Mr. Duncombe proposed to soothe and satisfy them. They exerted themselves to prevent petitions for the Corn-laws; and they protested against the Ballot. It was true that many measures had been postponed, but only because it was impossible to carry them. He would be glad to support measures for the removal Of social and political grievances—if he approved of them ; but would oppose them if he disapproved. On many of those measures which Mr. Duncombe proposed, there was great diversity of opinion. With regard to Canada, for instance, many persons of high authority thought they had proceeded ton quickly towards the settlement of the affairs of that colony ! He did not feel that the House and the Government were liable to the censure proposed to be cast upon them, and he should therefore vote for going on with the business of the evening.

Mr. \VARLET, Mr. THOMAS Arrwoen, Mr. VILLIERS, Mr. Hume, Mr. WARBURTON, and Mr. EWART supported the amendment. Mr. VILLIERS said— He should support the resolutions because they were clear, and distinct, and true, and because he thought it important the House should admit them to be so; because he thought the proceedings of the House were not worthy of the purposes kr whicii it was assembled ; and because he thought that its first great step towards repentance was to admit its sin.

Mr. Waamorrom reminded Lord John Russell, that the Chartists were not in jiwour of the Corn-laws, but maintained that it was useless iv pet/lion the House, as at present constituted, for their abolition.

Mr. D'Isitaw said, the Government had systematically attacked the civil rights of the people, and the people had at length turned vindic- tively round upon them— They had been for seven years attacking the Chureh. They had revolu- tionized the parochial jurisdiction of the country, the utmost ancimit jurisdiction, and one hearnig a much finer relation to the feelings and wants of the people than any other part of the constitution. The Government had further attacked trial by .lury, they destroyed Corporations, and had not spared the ancient l'aliee of the country. (bmghter.) They had impaired all local ad- ministration, and had emillAatcil the property of the people. Why should not such things occasion discontent ? Why should not a people be exasperated, whose physical comforts, moral resottrces, and self-respect were assailed in so reckless a manner ?

Mr. DUNCOMBE divided the Dunce; when there appeared—

For his resolution 29

r For going into Committee

Tory-Wliig majority .722

The House went into Committee, and voted that 12,026,050/. be raised by Exchequer Bills for the service of the year, and 5,796,000/. be issued out of the Consolidated Fund on the same account.