Matto ma . Vtarrtliiitgo in liatliamtut.
PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.
Moms or Loans. Monday, March 18. Appellate Jurisdiction of the Peers and the Judicial Committee of Council; Statement by Lord Brougham—Sunday -Poet. office Labour—Case of Mr. Ryland against the Colonial Office. Tuesday, March 19. Show of Industry by All Nations : Motion by Lord Brougham —Journeymen Tailors of London; attention called to their state.
Thursday, March 21: No business of interest discussed ; some bills forwarded a day, March 22. The Show of Industry by All Nations ; heated Conversation— Parochial Education in Scotland; discussion on petition.
Horse or COmmONs. Monday, . March .18. Railway .Legislation ; Caledonian and Edinburgh and Glasgow Railways Amalgamation Bill thrown out—Marriage sad Registration Law—Railway, Mine, and Colliery Accidents—The Mediae' Profession —The Gorham Case; Mr. Denison's Protest ; Lord John Ruasell's Statement— Hungarian Refugees in Turkey ; Lord Pabnerston's Statement—Stamp-duties, in Cemmittee—Drainage, in Committee; Loans not exceeding-3,000,00U resolved on— Parliamentary Voters (Ireland) Bill, in Committee—Elections (Ireland) Bill, and Registration of Deeds (Ireland) Bill, deferred-till after Easter—Brick.luties; Re- peat Bill brought in, and read a first time—Question by .Mr. Hudson. Tuesday, March 19. Order of Business on Thursdays; Resolution—African Squadron : Mr. Mutt's Motion debated, and negatived by 232 to 154EactorieeBill, read .a second time, Wednesday, March 20. Small Tenements Rating Bill, in Committee—Larceny Siimmary Jurisdiction Bill, in Committee—County Rates ExpenditureBill;: Select Committee nominated.
Thursday, Match 21. The Factory Bill; Conversation—The Mutiny Bill, read. a' third time and passed—Law of Succession to Real Property ; Mr. Locke King's Mo- tion debated and negatived--Dependent Princes in:India; Sir Edward Colebrooke's Motion deferred, from the mover's illness—Pirates (Head-Money) Repeal BM, passed through Committee—Judgments (Ireland) Bill, passed through Committee— Select Committee on the County-rates Expenditure Bilinominated. Friday, March 22.. Australian Colonies Government Bill, in Committee ; progress reported—Easter Recess—Distressed Unions .(Ireland) Bill, postponed till 8th April —Process and Pfactics (Ireland) Bill; considered in, Committee and reported as_ amencied—Factones Bill, considered in Committee—Stamp Duties Bill, read a first tiMe.
TIME- TABLE.
The lords.
The Contemns.
Hour of Hoer of
Hour of Hoar of.
Meeting. Adjournment.
Meeting.Adjournment: Monday iik eh 5001 Monday
.
4h . (tra) lh m
Tuesday — 6h 30m. Tuesday — (m) 24 1Sm,
Wednesday
No Sitting. Wednesday Noon .,... 611 m Thursday 512 bh 40m Thursday
ali
4h " zom
Friday — . . 911 m Friday — (m) 14 4501.
Sittings this — this
Week,. 4; Time, Oh m
Sittings this aft
---
Week, 6; Time, 39h 3051
scuba, 29 ; — 17144w Session, M —282b Mr- Tim AFRICAN SQUADRON. - Mr: MOTT moved the following resolution, with a long explanation on the actual state of the African blockade— 'That an humble address he presented to her Majesty, praying that her Majesty will bepleased to direct that negotiations be.forthwith entered into for the purpose of releasing this country from all treaty engagements with foreign states for main- taining armed vessels en the coast of Africa to suppress the traffic in slaves." At the commencement, Mr. Hutt complained of the statement made by Lard John Russell, at-the clew- of last session, when Mx. Hutt. was•absent through, illness, to detract from the, authority of the report made bv the Se- lect Committee : Lard John said, that the recommendation of tho Committee was carried only by Mr. Hutt's casting-vote. The statement was one of those- half-truthe that disingenuous men resort to when they are endea- vouring to steal an advantage which they cannot honourably acquire. The fact simply was, that two members of the majority in the. Committee had previously been removed by. Government appointments—Lord Courtea nay to .the Board of Poor-law Commissioners, Mr. Barkly to the Governor-
of British Guiana ; both of whom had been made converts by their own independent inquiries.
Mr. :Hutt surveyed lb/Fhb:dory of the• squadron, since itaffirst establishment under various treaties with foreign governments, thirty-one years ago ; the increased activity, and horrorwof the trade in pro irtion to the stringency of the measures for its suppression.. In 1822,. Mr. I Meg. being Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Duke of Wellington, as British Minister at the Cdneresa of Verona, submitted a memorandum in which it was declared that the attempts at prevention had tended to increase the. aggregate of human suffering, by suggesting expedients of concealment : England still persevered in the attempt to accomplish her object by strengthening her naval- force ; Brazil, Portugal, and Spain, were placed under more stringent treaties ; and in 1839, Lord John Russell stated the effect in a letter to the Lords of the. Treasury ; the deportation still amounting to 100,000 annually, with a vast amount of human. suffering and waste of life. That letter contained this resume,-
" The preceding statement unavoidably suggests the inquiry, why the costlref- fofts in which Great Britain has so long been engaged for repressing the foreign slave-trade have prosed.thus ineffectual? Without pausing to enumerate the many concurrent causes of failure, it may be sufficient to say that such is the difference
Ibetween the price at which a slave is bought on.thevoast of Africa and the price for which he is sold in Brasil or Cuba, that the importer receives back his purchase-mo- ney tenfold on thesafe arrival-of hia vessel at the port-of destination. We must add to llffsesteitindpntottee the secnritrwhich is rlartvedbfrom insurances and insurance comPaaier s, whieloaravcarried on tos great extent, and combined powerful interests. Under mach circumstances, to repress the foreign slaws..tmde by a marine guard wonlallicercely barmoosible if thewboh British Navy could be employed for that pur- pose. - It is an evil which can newer be adequatelreneountered by any system of mere prohibition and penalties...Her Majesty's confidential advisers are therefore compelled to admit the conviction that it is indispensable to enter upon some new preventive system." This was said to support the Niger Expedition, but no doubt in a spirit of sincerity and truth., In 1840 was held the great assembly in Exeter Hall : PrinceAlbertpresided, Lord John Russell and Sir Robert Peel were present; and the following resolutions were moved and seconded by Sir Powell Bux- ton, the Bishop-of Chester (now-Archbishop-of-Canterbury), -Dr) Luahington,-- anA Archdeacon Wilberforce (now .Bishop of Oxford)- " That; notwithstanding the measures hitherto adopted for the suppression of the foreignizade in slaves, the traffic has increased; and continues to increase under cir- cumstances of aggravated horror. " That the utter failure of every attempt by treaty; by remonstrance, and by naval armaments, to arrest the progress of the slave-trade, proves the necessity of resort- ing to a preventive policy founded on different and. higher principles." In 1840 there was a remarkabledithinution of the slave-trade, imputed by Captain Delman and Captain Matson to the sqUadron of. which. they were commandersas the sexton ascribed the. excellent attendance -at church to the manner.in which he, rang the bell ; but.at that-time,- Brazil under the Marine Minister Cavalcanti, and Cuba under. Governor Valdez,, were reeking. sincere . efforts to .put down slavery. lii 1843 . the Antislavery Ministry of Brazil went out of office, and Governor Valdez was removed ; and then the slave-trade revived—from 30,000 -in 1842, • to. 84,000- in- -1847; and down to last year the activity was still increasing. At the end of1848, Mr. Cruik- shank, who was on a mission to the Kings of Ashen' tee and -Dahomey, stated that "the-present blockadeis no check whatever to. the • slave-trade. The last account from Brazil reports more than 8,000 slaves in the market there, without demand from a purchaser:" Up to 1840 the slave-trade of Brazil was entirelrfr* England having ncetreaty-right to interfere South of the Equator : in 1840 Lord Palmerston acqffired the_right to suppress the slave- trade South of the Line ; yet such has been the subsequent activity that the supply eiceedi the demand, Stich is the experience of-the last thirty yeard.': Unholy and unchristian as the-Raffia-unquestionably is,,. the-attempt ta sup-. press it by force. proves, wholly.,powerless • before the. inducements of coma meree ; just as British goods' penetrated the exclusion of the Berlin and Mi- lan-decrees -to the very door of-the Titileries. The, mostimportaneevidence --taken before the Committee was that of the', fourteen liavaLofficers examined; It,is ta.be.rerearked that those who, with Captain .Denman, entertained a hope-of suppressing the alave-trade, .hiel not . witnessed it ,for seven years, during,which. it had advanced in. activity and : ingenuity of expedients. Those who, like captain- Mansell-and Sir Mario:a, Hotham, had -actually witnessed it withintlrat period, had expressed their conviction of ' our- perfect. -failure. Sir Charles Hotham had been- expressly thanked by -the Lords_of the. Admiralty for "the ability and..eneir,y " with• which he. had conducted his command of the squadron,. for the, " judgraent and -le discretion with which.he hadsecuredthe cooperation of his foreign colleagues .- throughout:the employment abroad" ; and Captain Denman had stated before the Committee that Sus Charles Hothdm was-"the most distinguished Of his ' Standing. in the British Navy." Now SirOharles statedthat 'the squadron was in estate of effeetivadiscipline, but'that-it had afforded no permanent check on the slave-trade : "I consider it. is entirely dependent on the•commercial de- mend for slaves; and.that it has little or. no connexion with the squadron." "Experience has proved the present system to be futile." The late Mr. Ban- dinel, of the Foreign Office—a man naturally judicious and discreet, who had been forty-five•years,in the department-•-said that the squadron had produced on-the slaveatradeno effect at all.: . After -thirty years' experience of the ser-
-and the expenditure of 25,000,0001. on it, it is 'found that the system •
needs "the greatest modification!' Mr. Evans wasabout to produce a centre- projet, somewhat obscurely indicated. Other persons, however, had supplied the deficiency in his-proposal. For instance, one naval Captain had declared that he would undertake to put down the slave-trade if Parliament would only ,triple the- naval . force .upon the African coast. Another said that he - cotild,manage-to-do it with only forty ships,—chiefly steam-vessels ; but then, he said it would be necessary. to make treaties with the African chiefs all abing ,the coast, and to pay them handsome subsidies. (Much laughter.) A very respectable' gentleman, the Chief Justice - of Sierra Leone, Mr. Carr, thought- that, ' if we fuinished a force , sufficient to watch. closely. the whole: seaboard of - both sides -of . the - coast' of Africa, and also changed the. disposition of 'the native cite* -there would be some chance•: of. putting down the slave-trade. (Renewed laughter.) Lastly., there was . the report.of. the Lords'. Committee, which convicted Sir Charles Hotham of incapacity as regarded.themanagement of the fleet, and showed that certain Peers and tisheps wereof opinion- they could manage it a great deal better. According to these tactitiana, a little alteration in the management of the squadron,, and a little additional... expense), and the thing was clone. It was amusing to hear persons tallr in this quiet way_ of increasing the force of the squadron at " little or no additional expense" ; as if the British Govern- ment was under no obligation, either to their own subjects or to. other states, but to try rash experiments for the suppression of the - slave-trade. The force employed amounts to one-fourth of the whole British Navy afloat, ex- clusive of packets and surveying-vessels. (Loud dries of "-Hear; hear !") There were twenty-six. vessels stationed on the-West-coast-of Africa; which, added to those acting in connexion with them which were stationed off the . West Indies, the coast of South America, and other places, made up a force of thirty-nine or forty ships. The annual expenditure is 700,0001. Yet ' that force and that expenditure' are too small. While the ultimate destinies of the country are threatened, not by corrupting 'influence of: the. Crown, conflicts of party, or inroads of democratic usurpation, but 'by reckless ex- - penditure- and financial disturbance, we expend 700,000/. a year. to maintain . an abortive system—a system which places us on bad terms with Brazil., and embroils us with France and America. It is a sinister and ridiculous phi- lanthropy which, for the sake of an abortive- system directed to the suppres- sion of the slave-trade, wouldineur the risk of-involving this mountry in the.e guilt and the horrors of war. It is said that there is to be some new system.-; which will be effee,tivep that has been the story for the last twenty years..- Eighteen years ago it was all to be settled by negotiation—then by the equip- ment clause—then by -the stricter blockade—then. by the cooperation of France—then by that anomalous proceeding under which the slave-traders" of Brazil were made responsible to the municipal laws of England : in short; it was evident that we had been for years following fin ignia fatams_; and - now an attempt was to be made to. take. them in again with,the okl exa- . ploded story.
"'Tie all a cheat !
Yet, fooled by hope, men favour the deceit, . Trust on, and think tomorrow will _repay; .
Tomorrow's falser than the former day--
Lies more —"
He called on the House-as guardians- of the interests of the country-, and
as Christian men,.to pass condemnation on this cruel and delusive system.
Mr. H. Bertara supported the motion ; satirizing the ludicrous boasting year after year, of making a treaty with the Republic of the Equator, the Shah of Persia, and the African lring " Billy"!
Mr. W. EVANS opposed the motion; but withdrew the amendment of which he had • given notice for.= address in.favour of inspeoved arrange- ments, consistent with our honour yet saving expense.
Mr. LABOUCEBRE felt that in the decision which the House should come to ware involved not only the sacred interests of charity' ut the
character andhanoir.of the ecrinitry itself. If they agreed to the motion the people of England would call them to a strict and .well-morited .as count for having entirely misinterpreted their feelings and wishes. • Sir Charles Hotham had been called as a winless for the -motion : yet no person had more strongly insisted. on the "degradation to this courrtrir" which must follow the withdrawal of our squadron ; and inn sense worthy of his high personal character, he had else declared, that "in 'a ease of that description honour and interest -would to a certain extent go together." He expressed 'a belief that- if the squadron were withdrawn smaller 'slave-veasels would be used, and the sufferings of the slave increased: Sir -Civvies would indignantly repudiate the.- use that had been made of his name. Mn-Hutt had been very angry on the mention-of the simple. feet that the report of the Committee was 'carried by a bare -majority": yet he had treated the able and less discursive report. by the Committee of . the . other House with singular -disregard. In point of authority the derision of the Lords Committee might be placed against the single vote of the Chairman of. the Commons Committee. No doubt; the question ef.expeuditureis not to be overlooked; though the people of this country would not from that motive alone consent to relinquish their most cherished hopes ; but when it is said 709,000/. a year will be saved, -is-it -meant-that we shall leave not a ship in those seas for-the protection of the great,.thriving, and increasing legitimate trade, on the fostering of which is based our best reliance for the ultimate success of ourgreat medertaking? Gentlemen suppose their ease is proved atone as aeon as they show that the,equadron has not succeeded in suppressing the slave-traffic : nobodythoughtit would alone, unaccompaniedby other measures. But is it questioned that the squadron Wait:wishes the truffle f A slave costs 20/. in Africa; the contract charge for conveying free. labourers-4e the West Indiesis 6/. Is. 10d.: taking it roundly'at 61: 10s. the total cost price of-the slave in CubicshOuldlie about 261: 103:, whereas it is 10K-; the differ- ence is the measure of -the -restraint placed by the •squadrbu It, can no less bedetnonstrated that if you withdraw-that squadron the 'traffic will spring up into full operation, replunge Africa into scenes of blood and horror, and et once extinguish every spark of civilization and improvement 'which he trusted might by and by grow into a flame to warm and enlighten that rountry. The treaties with the native chiefs have been alluded to with levity. There is at. this moment a fairer prospect of success from that Milne than for many years. - The Republic ofLiboria, under the. inter ligent and able guidanceof President Roberta, is not only establishing its own peaceful relations through treaties with neighbouring ;tribes, but •extenffmg its territories -and -replacing the slaee-trade by the, occupations of commerce and industry. A Commienoner will thievery month 'meet to negotiate 'relations with the Conn of Dahomey. Our purchase of the Danish forts in Africa will touch eontrel the slave traffic in-the Bight of Benin. It may be anticipated that the whole coast from the North down to Whyclah will in a short time bereseued from the horrors .of .the slave-trade.
Mr. Labouchere dwelt on the effect of opening theelave-market to Cuba: and 'Brazil on our own sugar-producing Colonies.. It- would be impossible- to. choose a more unfoitunateanoment for enabling their foreign rivals to obtain an unliinited.frupply of labour than the present, when the great complaint of the colonists is that they find it exceelingly ebtain -labour at a reasonable cost. He took it for granted that the House did not mean to re- vive the slave-trade in favour of the Colonies• themselves, either 'ostensibly
or under any guise- or pretence of immigration. At prove czarColonies-
are in the course of a . revival. In Jamaica, British. Guireee " • and Antigua, the produce of 184741 has been-a considerable in of thateof
1845-6 : there really seems a well-founded hope that they will recover from then distress if: no such measure as this intereupt.them; but if the slave- trade is thrown unchecked into the, eeds of their foreign rivals, the cad, ration of sugar will be rendered impossible in our.Colomes. Mr_ Labouchere did not ask the House to vote that. for an indefinite period the squadron should be maintained : the Government has no abstract preferenoe fci the. squadron:" if any gentlemen were sangfineenough to be- lieve that. the slave-triele could be suppressed by any otheiremeans, they shbuld,suggest thenr. But this' was not said as-a shelter. Gtivernmenthad entered on this policy with pride and .hearty particiliationiebecause they would think England.diegraeed-from her high peaition.among the nations if they did not exercise her power in every legitimate, mode be, put down this accursed traffic.
Cenevrers. traversed much the same ground with Mr: Inbeachere; arriving- at similar conclusions. In. addition, he contended that /he squadron has -lessened the cruelty, of the middle' passage, by making the slave more valuable and more worth caring. for : he described the total suppression of the traffic at the Gailinee, indeed its-total est:Mr/km along 1,500 miles of coast ; he insisted on the consequent decline, almost total cessation, of the import of slaves' intoeulea,—gl proofs- of the efficiency of the squadron ; and he dwelt. nniehon the piracy. and rapine which all commercial men say would immediately spring upon its-withdrawal.
Mr. Giuizereee BEREELRE corrected Mx. Labouchere -MI a point.: it was very unlikely that British -capital would import inizethe Whet Indies "slaves," whom, the emigration-agents _wouhl set .frner ansoon en they landed.
ASSTRY quoted with effect from a despatch of ,Loxd Aberdeen, a.. passage laying dawn that 'u nation is not justified in.nesuming rights
which do not belong to her, because she will use them for a laurlelde par- pow.,
Immediately after the easeof ithe Queen versea Serve., lend Chief Justice Wilde stated his deliberate opinion that the liritish act fer :making prizes of Brazilian ships must/low be taken_ as null, _and should bewlwd from the' !Astute-book.. At the end of our treaties withelie African chiek is a clause tothis 'effect= And in consideration of the signature-of this treaty, theQueen ofGreat Britain, in the presence of Alinighty God, makes the following pre- sents : one -pair of boots; one and a variety of other articles chiefly of dress.
Lord "TARRY VANE -supported the. motion ; Sir GEORGE PECHELL and
Sir ROBERT INoZ.zs.eppcaedit. - Ctilonel TROMBSON was afraid there existed a strong desire, a heat- a lusting, to see the . sinews and limbs of the Africans employed in profitable industry, not throughout the African continent only; but else-
where, English col roc of course taking its share; that industry, as had been said by an eminent writer, once an honour to literature,. being stimulated by the " beneficent whip," as.the " only thing " for Negroes and Irishmen.
As Colonel Thompsonnesumedinsseatocriesof P Divide!" nose solotully and_genirally, that _strangers were ordered to withdraw. But. Mr. Gten- sroern rising, the House immediately gave him attention.
Mr. Gladstone commenced by explaining, that this- motion is not for the ' withdrawal of the squadron, but for removing e preliminary bar to die- ' cession, and setting free the discretion of the House from the objection aris- ing out of over engagements to foreign countries. Criticizing the absurd state of our treaty engagements,—under which France; bound to maintain twenty-six cruisers against the slave-trade, only-maintains twelve with a 1 specially restricted object, while we fulfil the extent of our obligation,—he ' passed on to justify hy evidence Sir Fewell Buxton's reluctant belief that.the system of armed repression is perfectly futile. This opinion was the one to which he lihnsellhad come, after long and painful investigation, commenced with feelings not in accordance with the conclusion at which he had arrived- Iii maintaining it he showed how Mr. Labouchere had misrepresented Sir Charles Rothe/ire wha tells roe, that it is. impossible to put the traffic down —" no amount:of force which you can place in his hands will enable him to repress-it." His substitute for an armed foroe is a treaty with Brazil and 'a modified and limited importation of slavea thither. If Sir Charles were there thatinght.heaciuldbe one.of the most zealous asivell' as. one of the most able supporters of the motion. Are we then to adopt the system as a per- manent one, amt make it an institution of the country ? As to forts, and 1,500 miles of coast cleared of the-trade, what avail these • , when there
are 2,500milesmoresof Coast forthetradetallomish on ? Sir ' Hotham tells you, that the moment you stop it at one place it breaks out afreshat another. A sailing-vessel cannot watch more than thirty miles of coast; you need therefore some eighty or.a hundred ships in place of these you now have. You are told that hanging the captain, or a limited number of the crew, three he believed—a " quorum" !—or that imprisonment, or that transporta-. lion, would be repressive : but, in the present temper of the rulers of the world, does any sane man believe that England will be allowed to exercise . such penal rights over the subjects of other nations? It is not an ordinance of Providence that the government of one nation shall correct the morals of another. It is impossible also to put dawn a great branch of commerce such
as- 'thereby the exercise of mere force. Your efforts do but pat a tax of 10 or 15 per cent on the trade. The prioe of slaves in Brasil was some 300 miireis m1820 ; in 1844 the price was some 700.mikeis ;. but in 1847, when your squadron was unequalled in its effectiveness, the place had fallen again - to 300 milreis. The best indirect evidence establishes that the crowding and consequent-mortality. of the middle passage las increased some 24 per cent.: take 10 per cent only, and the facts mean simply that every year some 8,000 or 9,000 eleaths,beyond the ordinary proportion are caused by your cruisers,. in liberatingthe 5,000er '6,000 whom they capture on the passage. If you have a rational hope of extinguishing the trade by force, persevere ; if none, look the question fairly in the face and determine on other means. "Though," said Mr. Gladstone, "I certainly, look at the pecuniary burden which the system entails upon the people of England as a very serious one —foie I believe that not even the 709,000/.• to meet the charge is really all that is. entailed- on the country, although it may'be something like the limit of the direct charges that are placed on the item which you can risibly comiect with it—yet I say that is not •ney main motive—I am not governed in the mainby a desire-to get rid of this charge. I want to grapple with this question fairly ass question of humanity and otphilanthropy. And I say, admitting that every man's conclusion on such a subject ought to be under certain reserves, yet I .declare it iri the best judgment 'that F can ar- rive at on the question, after endeavouring to become acqnsinted with the • fruits, that the continuance of 'the present system of repression does not dii. . minish, but on the contrary has a tendency to increase, -the sum of" human
wretchedness." On this ground he challenged the deeishr of the House. .
Allusion had been made by Lord Palmerston; in his evidence, to the cone siderable Anti-Slavery party gnawing up in the Brazils. - Let the House con- sider the. position and prospects,of that party, and how their secret influence and power of doing good is affected by our present system-of inevitable col- lision with the spirit of national independence in 'their country.
Lord. Joni RUSSELL owned himself more anxious than ever he re- membered that the House should be impressed. with a .clue sense of thee importance of its present decision. In the beginning of this century we ourselves had elaves in all' ourColonies,
and we ourselves permitted and carried on thetrade in elavee. "In the course-. , of time, almost at.the -beginning of this century, we have seen the Perlis; - ment • of England -abolieh* the slave-trade ; we have seen England, by the-- treaty •of Paris, make stipulations with all the nations of Europe declaring the condemnation of the slave-trade • we have , seen slavery itself eibee lished by an act of the English Parliament ; we - have seen the slave-trade practically, effectually, and entirely abolished, both by France and the MA- ' ted States ; and we have seen slavery itself very lately abolished. in France and Denmark. - We have seen likewise that countries in Africa ,which Alit many years ago were the strongholds of the slave-trade have been reamed • front that criminal traffic, and the peaceful rights of industry and trade flea,. - riehinthose countries which had been the temples of that horrible idol Sir, it is these triumphs of humanity which-I have shortly enumerated, which, having now been won foi half a century, we-are asked to stultify by a retro- grade step--by- undoing all. that we . have hitherto- done--proclaiming. to the world by this first step that we will no longer tate those measures against the slave-trade which we have hitherto taken—that we have no sub= ' etitute • to put in their place, and thereby spreading, discouragenient in every part of the world, Among those nations whicheadzeiring our exam- p]e, and feeling the truth of those Christian maxims we have -professed, and wishing practically to act in the same manner, are endetiveurmg to follow those maxims and abolish this horrible crime."
Mr. Gladstone had referred taLdrd • Palmerston's evidence 'concerning the existence of an Anti-Slavery party in Brazil : since that evidence wasgrven, accounts have been received which represent that party as -totally. extinct. As to our treater obligation with' rance,. no doubt -France does . not display our. zeal, and of we sent a message to her no .thrubt she would relieve us- from our obligation; but her-flag might -then:become. t.he rover to every slaver's operations. Lord 3-dim repeated the arguments in fa+our of they' squadron founded on its restraining effort on the trade, and its powerful pro- tection and fostering of legitimate trade on the .African coast; again claim- ing Captain Hothara as.his witness,• and entering into explanations to show that Captain .1Trithain stated the squadron to fail on became. the means of , repression are not sufficient. . . In asking. the House_ not to sanction the motion, he did not wish to pre- ude any consideration of the subject .whieh may hereafter be thought ad-
Atgaeat change in the publieopinion of. Europe hail takeuplaoe since the..
frimeneenient of our efforts. He thought that if England, .France and the lilted-States of America, having each of them .suppressed their own slave- trade, were to use- language not unfriendly, but at the same time• firm, to: Spain_ and to the' Brazils—that such language from countries so united, so free, and so powerful, would have a eery grouted/eat indeed. As to the sup-. premien of the slave-trade, he would not despond—ho beliened despondency • a great-cause to lie in itself a main cause of failure. " Sir," said Lord-, ohs, inpercuntione" we have been blessed with great saercies.during the past. ear. We have more than once had to -thank 'A iglity -God for ene diaper- Liens of Lis goodness. It appears, then, to me, thatef we were now to say t the trade in mon, that this unhallowed-and oriel traffic, against which land for near fifty years has been working by the efforts of her greatest
statesmen and her best and bravest sailors--that if we were to decide to allow this trade to be pursued freely and unhampered, that we should no longer have a right to expect a continuance of the signal blessings which we have enjoyed. I think, Sir, that the high, the moral, and the Christian character of this nation, is the main source and secret of its strength ; and that, if this night you come to direct the Foreign Minister of the Crown to go forth with a dastardly—(Great cheering)—with a dastardly message to France—that if we give up this high and holy work, and proclaim ourselves to be no longer fitted to lead in the championship against the curse and the crime of slavery, we shall have no longer a right to expect a continuance of those blessings which, by God's blessing, we have so long enjoyed." Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR said, that during the twenty-eight years he had enjoyed the honour of a seat in that House, it had been his good for- tune never to differ with his noble friend Lord John Russell on any es- sential point of policy : ho now opposed him with pain, and voted for Mr. Hutt on the ground that his motion would stop this country from con- tinuing to attempt the moral government of the world upon principles condemned by the moral Governor of the universe on every page of his work.
The House divided—For the motion, 154 ; against it, 232; Ministerial majority, 78.
PARLIAMENTARY FRANCHISE IN IRELAND.
Considerable progress was made by the Commons on Monday in Com- mittee on the Parliamentary Voters (Ireland) Bill. Three divisions were taken by the Conservative Opposition, with promiscuous assistance from Irish Members on both sides of the House, in the endeavour to break down the principle of the bill—a strict registration system ; but the at- tempt was feebly supported by voters. A suggestion by Mr. MONSELL obtained general approbation, and a sort of Ministerial sanction—the plan of increasing small city and borough constituencies by the addition to them of neighbouing towns, according to the practice in Scotland and Wales. Lord JOHN RUSSELL saw no paramount objection to the proposal, and promised a mature consideration of it.
REDUCTION OF STAMP-DUTIES.
In Committee on the Stamp-duties, Sir CHARLES WOOD explained his proposed reductions of the duties on mortgages, conveyances, and leases.
The present scale of mortgage-duties begins with a duty of 20s. on 501. loan, and advances by large leaps-51. for 1,0001., 61. for 2,0001., and so on : it is proposed to begin with 5s. on 251., and to go by steps of 251. up to 1001., and then by steps of a 1001. indefinitely onwards. The result would be, that the present and proposed rates of duties would coincide at 1,000!., and that after that point, instead of increase at a reduced ratio and stopping altogether at a certain amount,. the increase of duty will be at a uniform rate of 1 per cent, and will be infinite. On conveyances it is proposed to begin with a lower scale than at present, and to go on with smaller and more regular gradations in an infinite aeries. To begin with 2s. 6d. for 251. of purchase-money, to increase by 261. up to 1001., and thence by 100/. indefinitely, and to levy a uniform per cent of duty on purchases up to 5001., I per cent thence to 1,000/., and 11. per cent thence indefinitely upwards. In leases the duty will begin with 2s. 6d. on a rent of 251., and go on by 251. to 100/., and by 1001. thenceforwards, at a rate of 1 per cent uni- formly.
Sir Charles Wood's formal resolutions were agreed to.
LANDLORD'S LIABILITY FOR POOR-RATES.
In Committee on the Small Tenements Rating Bill, empowering the Vestry to determine whether owners or occupiers of tenements worth only 61. a year should be rated for them, Mr. Poupsrr ScRorE, Sir joins Hemarsit, and other Members, renewed their:objections to the principle of the bill, as one which will check the building of cottages for the poor. Mr. BAINES, Mr. Bscsnrr DRinsoN, and others, supported the bill for its fiscal convenience, and denied the tendency dreaded by Mr. S crepe. Mr. LAW proposed to make the change of rating—from occupier to owner —compulsory. Mr. BAINES and Sir GEORGE GREY approved of his pro- posal, but counselled its withdrawal, and readvaneement at a stage when it would leas endanger the passing of the bill. The bill was ordered to be reported, and notices of new clauses were given.
THE GORHAM APPEAL : MR. DENISON'S PROTEST.
Mr. Hums inquired what notice her Majesty's Government intend to take of Mr. Denison's published protest impugning the judgment of her Majesty's Council in the case of Gorham versus the Bishop of Exeter, and denying the supremacy of the Crown as head of the Church ? Lord JOHN RUSSELL read a statement just received from Mr. Denison, couched in these terms- " I have not denied, and I do not deny, that the Queen's Majesty is su- preme governor of this Church and realm, and is, in virtue thereof, supreme over all causes ecclesiastical and civil, judging in causes spiritual by the judges of the spirituality, and in causes temporal by temporal judges, as en- acted by the statute 24th of Henry VIII. c. 12 ; and I have not impeached, and do not impeach, any part of the regal supremacy as set forth in the second Canon and in the 37th Article of our Church : but I humbly conceive that the constitution does not attribute to the Crown, without a Synod law- fully assembled, the right of deciding a question of doctrine ; and this, al- though disclaimed by the Lords of the Judicial Committee of her Majesty's Privy Council, is what, as appears to me, has been done, indirectly indeed, but unequivocally, in the late case of Gorham versus the Bishop of Exeter.'
Lord John entertained no fear in stating that Mr. Denison was entirely mistaken in his opinion, and that the judgment given by the supreme court was within its jurisdiction ; and, moreover, that the decision has given general satisfaction. Though "it may appear hereafter necessary, from measures that may be taken by others against Mr. Denison, that steps should be taken by the Government," yet, as at present advised, the Government do not intend to take steps.
APPELLATE JURISDICTION OF THE PEERS AND PRIVY COUNCIL.
Lord Brionsmem called attention to the results of certain returns made on his motion, which throw light on the appellate jurisdiction of the House of Lords, and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
If we choose, for the purposes of our ambition, to possess a boundless em- pire, on which the sun never sets—if we choose to " govern the nations of the earth "—it is our duty (still using the language of the Psalms) " to judge the folk righteously, ".; and, without so judging them, and without securing for them a due administration of justice, never can we expect that they should be " joyful and glad" in our dominion. Our system has so many advantages that in some respects it conies near to perfection ; but in other respects it wanders wide from the mark. The returns show the number of appeals from England, Scotland, and Ireland, during the last twenty years, from the Colonies of the Crown and the Possessions of the East India Corn-
ny during the last ten years. In the twenty years which ended February 1850, there were 140 appeals from England, 534 from Scotland, and 175 from Ireland ; while from the immense number of local courts which dis- pensejustice among our 100,000,000 of Indian feudatories there were but 66 appeals in the last ten years. The cause of this immense disproportion is not the greater contentment with the decisions of the Indian courts, but the greater expense of appealing from the other side of the globe to a body sitting in this metropolis. Of the English appeals, 38, being about 271 per cent, were reversed or varied ; of the Scotch, 153, or about 281 per cent ; of the Irish, 34, or about 44 per cent. Of the writs of error, 41 from England ended in 7 reversals, 21 from Ireland ended in 6 reversals. In 16 appeals from the Channel Islands, there were 5 reversals; in 83 from Crown Colonies, 32 reversals; in 66 from the
East India Company's Possession; 43 reversals. With regard to these 66 Indian cases, of 41 from the Sadder Native Courts, 21 were reversed ; while of 25 from the Supreme Courts no fewer than 22 were reversed. The fact is, that in both cases the judge of appeals finds himself puzzled and hampered by his ignorance of the Ilindoo manners and customs. It is a painful thing to observe the vast mass of perjury in this class of cases ; it is impossible for one used only to the cases from the English and Scotch courts to conceive how much perjury can be imported into the ad- ministration of justice. Seeing these things, it is impossible for the judge of appeals not to give more than the cast of the balance in favour of the knowledge and experience of the Sudder Native Courts. As to the appeals from the Supreme Courts, the expense is so great that none but cases of the highest probability, or almost absolute certainty, are submitted to the risk of appeal. Thus, all the appeals from Bombay and Madras in the last ten years have been reversed. From these indications of the statistical results which his returns present, Lord Brougham proceeded to a description of the admirable establishment at Haileybury ; where, under the most learned pro- fessors of Oriental languages, law, history, and political economy, some eighty or ninety pupils are instructed in everything that can fit them for their future duties, and are living in a state of perfect harmony with their Professors and with each other : a noble institution, promising benefits great indeed to India. He hoped good judges would be sent out, not only to India, but also by Go- vernment to our Colonial possessions in the East and West—to Ceylon, Ja- maica, Barbados. Let them beware of a miserable regard to a paltry and wretched saving of a few hundreds in salaries—of the worst cruelty to the colonists, of restricting judicial salaries and retiring pensions, so as to shut
out competent men. The history of nearly all colonial squabbles has almost entirely depended upon this wretched parsimony." In conclusion, Lord Brougham laid upon the table eleven' resolutions, setting forth the statistical results he had described. The resolutions were agreed to without remark.
THE LAW OF Iimrarreises : PRIMOGENITURE.
The motion by Mr. LOCKE KING, for the adoption of measures to dimi- nish restrictions on the free transfer of land, and also to distribute real property " in cases of intestacy, according to the same rules as prevail in respect of personal property," was supported by a speech picturing " a soil crying out for capital, labour requiring employment, and capital seek- ing investment." He quoted the testimony of writers against the " monopoly of land," and cited the practice of Britons, Romans, Athe- nian; Spartans, and Jews, with most modern nations, against our usage of giving all the land to the elder-born and none to his brothers or sis- ters. The motion was strongly opposed by Mr. NEyroszers., as attack- ing the laws of primogeniture, driving at a change in the depositaries of public power, and ultimately at a social revolution. Sir enemas WOOD mentioned that the Real Property Commissioners [appointed in' 1832] will. soon report on the subject_ of the grst branch of the ., ;notion; and declared that he did not agree with the second part : so be opposed the whole. -Mi. CHATERIS completed. the opposition. Mr. '. MONCETON Mrnriss supported the motion; but qualified his support by r a remark, that it is on the habits and manners of the people, more than on any law, that our conditions of primogeniture depend. Mr. BRIGHT endeavoured to calm Mr. Newdegate's social fears ; though he admitted " that the motion tended in a direction along which he would probably travel further than many Members of that House." The other supporters were Mr. EWART, Mr. Hums, and Sir HARRY VERNEY—who by no means intended to "reflect on the aristocracy" by his vote. On a division, the motion was negatived, by 110 to 52.
MARRIAGE AND REcammenom Aura.
Sir GEORGE GREY informed Mr. Ewell; that the Registrar-General thinks the Marriage and Registration Acts might be amended, "not with a view to do away with the registration, or the seven-days notice to guardians deemed necessary to prevent clandestine marriages," but to dispense with the necessity fa reading the notice at the board before the issue of the licence. He could not say whether a bill would be intro- duced this session.
SMEARY TREATMENT os Lemmas;
In Committee on the Larceny Summary Jurisdiction Bill, Mr. Lew renewed his opposition to the main objects of the rmeasure. In order to allow its discussion on the merits, he moved an amendment dividing it into two bills, separating the provisions regarding the value of the thing stolen from those regarding the age of the offender. Mr. MACCULLAGH, Mr. BERNAL, Sir JAMES Gruner; and Mr. HENLEY, supported Mr. Law in his objection to both the principles of the bill; Mr. 'scam; Mr. Ewen; and Mr. Rims., supported his amendment, from objecting to the pro- visions regarding the age of the offender. Sir GEORGE GREY, Mr. SPOONER, Mr. HUME, Mr.Wnaiaw Mass, and Mr. AGLIONBY, opposed the amend-
ment, being favourable to the whole bill. The amendment was negatived, by 124 to 54. Committee deferred.
LEGAL COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS.
In reply to Mr. SPOONER'S inquiries, Mr. LABOUCRERE said, it is not in contemplation to alter the law relative to the liability of railway com- panies in case of accidents. Mr. Baron Parke's judgment shows the law and the inexpediency of any alteration of it.
Mums AND COLLIERY Acemwrs.
In answer to Mr. WYLD, information was given by Sir GEORGE GREY, that the reports of Inspectors on Mines and Colleries will shortly be re- ceived, and he will then state whether a bill is to be brought in or not.
THE SHOW OP INDUSTRY BY ALL NATIONS.
Lord BROUGHAM moved for a copy of the Royal Commission for the promotion of the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations to be holden in 1861.
He beyond all measure approved the admirable conduct of our tradesmen, shopkeepers, and manufacturers, who so honourably to themselves, with the greatest disinterestedness, the purest patriotism, the utmost love for their customers, and the kindest feelings for their customers' pockets, have assent- ed to a proposition which must lower the price of all the goods and wares which they sell and which we consume. No doubt, they would lose a great deal presently, even though they might gain a good deal ultimately. Down, down, down, would come prices; and so much the better for us, and ulti- mately, no doubt, for themselves. They seem to have made up their minds, and are sending their subscriptions,—a tribute to the advanced spirit of the age, paid by the manufacturer to the agriculturis' t, to compensate him for his lost protection. It was not from any hostility to this exhibition that he made these remarks, but from a wish that one of the lungs of this great capital might not be choked up by a huge building, which he would call a tubercle upon them, and which must occupy a space of some twenty, thirty, or even fifty acres,—for the building must be very huge to contain the in- dwitry of " all the nations," even though the contribution of British indus- try should be small indeed. He thought it had better be in Victoria Park, both for the commercial and convivial purposes of the City. However, if it were suffered to be erected in Hyde Park, " all the Parks would be at an end."
The Earl of CABLISLF, though no longer head of the department of the Woods and Forests, volunteered some remarks.
A request had been made by the Commission, which consists of leading noblemen and gentlemen of all parties, for a certain portion of the Park as a site : it was known that the project has the full sanction of the Sovereign, and her Majesty's Ministers did not feel justified in obstructing the Com- missioners. The erection of the building for some time—a year or so—would not be any obstruction upon the lungs of the metropolis : but even if it were, he saw no reason why their Lordships should be more tender to the aristo- cratical lungs of one portion of the metropolis than to those of the densely- populated district in the neighbourhood of Victoria Park. The open area of Victoria Park contains 190 acres,—and he recommended their Lordships to pay a visit and see the facilities there given for the recreation of those who are pent up during the day_ in this great metropolis ; the area of Regent's Park is 200 acres - that of Hyde Park is 270 acres ; the building would there- fore form the.lealk obstruction upon the arigtocratical lung. If moreover, there was any class who could better than another bear this formidable ob- struction upon the lungs, surely it was the wealthier class at the West end of the town, who could escape with ease from town before the inconvenience, if there were any, should reach them. Lord Bcoiromos—" I warn you, that the West end of London will be- come uninhabitable during the month—the philosophic month—of this ex- hibition."
In reply to Lord Stamm; the Earl of CARLISLE stated, that there is no Intention to remove any of the fine trees in Hyde Park to make room for this building. Tan TEN banns Acr.
The Factories Bill was read a second time,. without remark from any Member, late.= Tuesday night, after the division on Mr. Hutt's African Squadron motion. On Thursday, Mr. MILNER GIBSON hinted that this step had been unexpectedly hasty ; and Lord ASHLEY consented to take the Committee pro formil on that night, and to have the discussion of principle on the recommittal after Easter.
THE JOURNEYMAN Tenons OF LONDON.
In a speech of more than half an hour's length, "scarcely one whole sentence of which was heard in the gallery" of the House of Lords, the Earl of WALDEGRAVE called attention to the wretched condition of the journeymen tailors of the metropolis, especially those employed by the middlemen who undertake the execution of portions of the Government contracts. He believed that such scenes of distress might be witnessed among this class as their Lordships could not conceive ; the earnings being ao small as with difficulty to pay for lodgings, and leave scarcely any- thing at all for the scantiest necessaries. He trusted Government would take the case into their consideration.
The Earl of Mousiresscm.r. agreed that the case of these men, as that of the poor needlewomen, is beyond description deplorable. The misery arises from overpopulation and from free trade. Legislation, however, will " not be easy, particularly with regard to a limitation in the number of hours of labour."
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE deeply regretted the distress ; but would not have the noble Lord flatter himself that the Government has any power, in opposition to the laws of demand and supply, to ameliorate the condition of the journeymen by preventing their employers from taking advantage of depression existing in the particular trade.
The noble Lord said it was in the power of the Government, by putting an end to the present system of contracts, to ameliorate the condition of the journeymen tailors. But the whole plan of supplying the public depart- ments of this country was carried on by a system of contract or competition ; and for this system it would be impossible to substitute any other, unless the Government took into its own hands the supply of these articles. But this would lead to the adoption of a standard of wages, a limitation of the hours of work, and eventually to a system of imposition so enormous, that the ex- penditure of the country would be immeasurably increased; and it would require a whole army of operatives to carry such a system intq effect, while it would be impossible to supply goods on anything like the same terms on which they were now procured.
SUNDAY POSD•OFFICE LABOUR.
Referring to petitions which he had presented on a former day for an entire cessation of Post-office labour on Sundays, the Earl of MALMES.• WRY put a question to the Postmaster-General—whether, so fax as his experience went, he did not think that if the transmission of the mails were stopped and the post-office everywhere closed on Sunday, the most cruel inconvenience would arise ? The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said, he was about shortly, to present returns showing an immense dimi- nution of Sunday labour in the Post-office during the last two years. In his opinion, with a due regard to the convenience, the requirements, nay, the absolute necessities of the country, it would be impossible to stop the transmission of the mails during the whole of Sunday ; nor did he think that any religious or other duty prevented that transmission. The Bishop of OXFORD and the Earl of HAEROWBY maintaining, on " good authority," that the stoppage might be made without the ill consequences dreaded, Lord BROUGHAM remarked, that the advocacy of these extreme views—of these extravagances—inflicts the greatest mischiefs on the ob- servance of the Sabbath ; an observance of the highest importance not only as a religious duty but also in a political sense.
REPUDIATED LEGISLATION.
The second reading of the Caledonian and Edinburgh and Glasgow Railways Amalgamation Bill stood among the House of Commons orders for Monday? In a speech disclaiming the paternity of the bill, yet de- scribing its objects as desirable, Mr. COWAN moved that it be read a second time that day six months. The Caledonian Company being in a state of utter inability to meet the claim upon it, the only object was to raise the question whether or not the two companies could be conducted by one reduced establishment. It was not intended to do anything that would not benefit both parties ; certainly he would not have lent himself to anything like a confiscation. Quite an outcry was raised by several Members against the bill ; the nature of which, however, was not made clearer than Mr. Cowan had made it. Sir ROBERT INGLIS understood that it was repudiated by one company and not consented to by the other. Mr. Fox MAUL& was glad Mr. Cowan denied participation in its objects. Mr. LUSHING- TON looked on its introduction as an insult to the House. Mr. LABOU- CHER& was satisfied that the passing such a measure would spread a panic through the country. Mr. GLADSTONE said, its introduction had given an additional blow to railway property : he hoped it would go forth that Parliament is determined to protect the rights it had created, and that the public are perfectly safe in the hands of the Government and the House of Commons. Mr. DENISON and Mr. Mares thanked the House for its marked deprecation of the measure. Mr. J. B. Slum begged to say he altogether disapproved of the bill, though his name was on its back.
It was unanimously resolved that the bill be read a second time that day six months.
PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS.
Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed (In 1849) to- consider the best means which Great Britain can adopt for the final Extinction of the African Slave-trade. (Brought from the Lords, and ordered by the House of Commons to be printed.)
A blue book of 574 pages. It consists of a report by the Committee of which the Bishop of Oxford was the Chairman, and the minutes of evidence taken before it, together with illustrative charts and diagrams. The Com- mittee state, that "although the efforts of Great Britain have not suppressed the slave-trade, and although it is doubtful whether the number of slaves exported during the last two years is not greater than in some preceding years, upon the whole a large reduction of the trade has been effected, and its probable increase has been prevented." It is also stated that the preva- lent impression as to the general unhealthiness of the cruising squadron is unfounded. Before offering practical suggestions, however, the reappoint- ment of the Committee is recommended, in order that further evidence may be taken. The recommendation has been acted upon, and the Committee has resumed its labours.
Return of Vessels captured on suspicion of being engaged in Slave-trade, from 1840 to 1848 ; of the number of Slaves captured ; and the number of Deaths be- tween capture and adjudication. (Presented pursuant to address.)
The most prolific year was 1848; the number of captures being 91, and of slaves 6,712. For the eight years, the total is 625 vessels, and 38,033 slaves
cap . Of the vessels, 578 were condemned ; of the slaves, 3,941, or about 10 per cent, died between capture and adjudication.
Returns of the Mortality per cent amongst the Officers and Crewe of her Majesty's Ships employed on the Coast of Africa, from 1840 to 1848; and of all Slave-ves- sels captured from 1840 to 1848, 8tc. (Captain Harris.) This return affords a good specimen of the recklessness with which the na- tional printing account is run up. With the exception of nine lines, which contain the information on the subject of the mortality in the African squa- dron, the remaining thirteen pages are a mere reprint or copy of the return "presented pursuant to address, a notice of which appears .above. As re gards the nine lines of information, the most interesting point is, that in 1847 the mortality was 2.5 per cent, in 1848 2.2; in 1841, the rate was as high as 7.9.
Copies of Memorials from the West Indies, in 1848 and 1849, relative to the Slave- trade. (Sir Thomas Acland.)
The prayer of the memorialists is that Brazil and Spain should be "com- pelled in some way or other, to make good their Anti-Slavery engagements, with Great Britain.
Return of Bounties paid for the Capture and Destruction of Pirates under the Act 6 Geo. IV. c. 49. (Mr. Hume.)
The details begin with 1825, and close with 1849. The total amount is 57,265/. ; and of this, 18,1901. was adjudicated in 1849 for exploits performed in 1844, '46, and '47, in the Eastern Sms. If the remuneration is excessive, the recipients in most cases lie a long time out of their money. By a bill now going through its stages in the House of Commons, the mode of re- muneration is to be changed : a large discretionary power is to be left with the Admiralty.
Financial Statement of the Irish Poor-law Unions for October 1849. Ditto for No- vember 1849. (Presented by command.) In addition to the tables for the months specified, the details for the cor- responding months of 1848 are supplied. Comparing the state of matters in. October and November 1848 with the same months in 1849, the result shows an increase in the number of persons receiving in-door relief, and a very large decrease (more than half) in the out-door. Under the head of " ex- penses incurred during the month," there is a saving in favour of 1849. Thus, in November 1848, the amount was 141,7721. ; for November 1849 the sum is 98,0921. In the first case, one in every twenty of the population. was receiving relief either within or without the walls of the workhouse ; in. the second, one in every thirty: The rate of mortality among the recipients was decreasing apace. In November 1848, it was 41 per thousand; in No- vember 1849, it was 2-6.
A Return of Freight-money on the Conveyance of Treasure received by the Trea- surer of Greenwich Hospital, from 26th March 1849 to 21st February 1850. (Sir George Pechell.)
Sir George Pechell, better known as Captain Pechell, the Member for Brighton, has been endeavouring to bring about a change in the practice of rendering unfairly lucrative certain naval appointments on the South Ame- rican stations, by the allowance of large percentages on the conveyance of treasure by her Majesty's ships. Greenwich Hospital comes in for a share; and this return exhibits the amount realized for the year ending in last February. The total is 7,8531. 158. 24. ; the items being—allowance on the conveyance of private (mercantile) treasure, 7,7251. 198. ; of public treasure, 127/. 1.6s. 2d.
Copies of Reports, Plans, Correspondence, Orders, &c. connected with the Search for Sir Joh.n Franklin's Expedition. (Sir Robert Harry Inglis.) This is one of a host of unnecessary publications originating in the rule which requires a Member to conclude with a motion before he can make a exuberant • g ; but a fair measure of dwretion on the pad of Mem- bers upoisip:aaticular point. The rule may ben ecessary as a check upon ben would induce them to ask leave to " withdraw " such motions, after having made their speech. Poor Lady Franklin is the recipient of all kinds of schemes and suggestions : she naturally transmits them to the Admiralty; and here, amongst other things, they are all printed one of her letters is en- dorsed as containing " eight " enclosures.
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