ierbateg anti pratetilingit in Parliament. 1. WORKING OF THE SLAVERY

ABOLITION ACT.

Mr. FOWELL BUXTON moved, on Tuesday, for a Select Committee to inquire into the working of the Apprenticeship system in the Colo- nies, the condition of the apprentices, and the laws and regulations respecting them. He commenced his speech in support of the motion by expressing his satisfaction that Ministers had resolved to introduce a measure to enforce the continuance of the act which the Assembly of Jamaica had refused to renew, although it was on the faith of the continuance of that act that the compensation-money had been paid to the Jamaica slave-owners. He then proceeded to point out the right air which the British people possessed to see that the act of mercy and liberty, for which they had paid twenty millions sterling, was not evaded. With the view of ascertaining the facts, he moved for this Committee.

There were important obligations on both parties. In the first place, there was an obligation the British Government to pay, twenty millions; which had been discharged to the last farthing. There was an obligation on the Negroes to work a certain number of hours in each week for those who were their masters. This had not only been fully performed, and they had surpassed, not the low expectations of the West Indians, but the warmest anticipations of their warmest friends. Then there remained the obligation on the Planters which grew out of the others ; and which had been unfulfilled according to the just expectations of the British Senate, and especially in some of the colonies. The House of Assembly of Jamaica had passed two acts, one in December 1833, the other in July 1834, with the professed intention of putting in execution the provisions of the Emancipation Act : but the first act was exceedingly imperfect ; and the second, which was better, had been evaded.

He would state what course the West Indians had pursued on this point. In the first instance, they were determined to obtain the money ; and on this being done, to get rid of as large a portion of the obligations on them as pos- sible. Until the money had been paid, nothing could appear more frank than they were; and they appeared to be not only consenting and willing parties, but zealous Abolitionists. From the day, however, they had received the money, nothing had been done by them to carry their promises into effect : and instead of this, to use the words of Lord Sligo, they offered every possible ob- jection to every measure of improvememt. Not satisfied with insulting the Government, they now insulted the House by the language they used. He heartily wished that this was all that they had done; but they had positively refused to pass the Police Bill, although the Government had told th m it was absolutely necessary. [Sir G. Grey remarked that the news had al rived that it had been agreed to.] Mr. Buxton said, he was glad to hear it ; the news must have been very recently received. But why did they not pass something of much more importance? why did they not pass the Act in Aid ? 'The mode of rejecting it also was almost as offensive as the thing itself. In the original Act the period of its duration was made coextensive with the time of appren- ticeship; but in the Act as it was passed, a line had been surreptitiously intro- duced, by which it was made to expire on the :31st of Deceinber of last year. The money had been paid and the Act had expired, and now the West Indians said that they could not renew it. It was a matter of great regret to him that the House gave its sanction to the first Act; which had been con‘idered extremely bad, and, to use the language of the noble lord opposite (Lord Stanley) "full of defects and imperfections." Mr. Buxton went on to state that the treatment of the Negro ap- prentices was still frequently cruel and unlawful— He bad received several communications illustrative of the treatment of the Negroes, which probably had not reached the Colonial Office. He had moved for returns last year of the punishments inflicted in the West India Colonies, and no returns had been made from Jamaica. [ Sir George

Grey observed that they had recently been received.] Mr. Buxton was glad to hear it. He was sure that every one who had read the returns from the other colonies, would he surprised at the number of punishments inflicted on the Negroes. It was most distinctly understood that an end

should be put to the abominable custom of flogging females. Notwithstanding this, it was found this atrocious system was still pursued, and he had not the

slightest difficulty of proving it to the House. Lord Sligo, in two recent mes-

sages to the House of Assembly in Jamaica, allude to this. In the message received by the last packet there were these words—" The whipping of fe- males, you were informed by me officially, was a practice ; and I called upon you to make enactments to put an end to conduct so repugnant to humanity and so contrary to law." Nothing was more distinctly proved than that there was one law in the West Indies for one class of persons, namely, the Negroes, and another for the White population. The punishment inflicted upon the Coloured population was much more severe than that which fell on the White man for the same offence. For instance, in the first Jamaica Act, there was a power given to the special Magistrates in certain cases to punish the Negro au. well as the White man his authority over the labourer extends to six months' imprisonment, to fifty stripes, to the right of depriving him of fifteen hours' labour in any week during the whole period of the apprenticeship, and also for prolonging that apprenticeship for one whole year ; but his authority over the manager extends only to a penalty of W., or five days' imprisonment, which he is not lequired but merely empowered to inflict. They had numerous instances of the ill conduct of the Overseers towards the Negroes; but he had the autho- rity of the Governor of Demerara, and he believed that the same would be found to be the case in the other colonies, that not a single instance had occurred under the Abolition Act of a Negro having been punished for an assault on a White. The Negro population also had been robbed of their allowances. They were no longer called allowances, but were designated indulgences, and this was ap- parently done for the mere purpose of vexation. As an instance of this, he would mention that the apprentices were made to work eight hours a day, so that they were obliged to sacrifice the Friday. The number of corporal punishments inflicted on the Negroes was still very great. In Demerara, in the course of nine months after the abolition of slavery, there had been 2,177 corporal punishments in- flicted. These facts certainly justified that inquiry which he was glad to find Government was ready to grant; and he hoped that the British Parliament would pass an act annulling all the laws passed by the Jamaica Assembly, which were contrary to the Emancipation Act, Mr. Buxton then reminded the House of the prophecies of ruin to the

West India interest which had been put forth by the opponents of the abolition of slavery. It was said that there would be no sugar raised;

that property in the West Indies would be sacrificed to an enormous extent; and that the revenue would suffer greatly. Now, what were the facts /—

Sir Carmichael Smyth, in one of his despatches, reported that the quantity of sugar entered for exportation at Demerara, during the first year of emanci- pation, exhibited an increase over that of a year of slavery of rot less than 2466 hogsheads; and taking into account the loss of time, of nut less than 4200 hogsheads, or an increase of one quarter. Lord Sligo had added, that

the petfect success of the new system during apprenticeship de; ended solely upon the Whites. Before he sat down, there was one fact which he wished to state, and which he hoped the House would bear in mind, as giving a fair criterion of what the West Indian planters had suffered under tie measure. The fact had been communicated to him by the honourable Member for Lyming- ton (Mr John Stewart). That honourable Member stated, that having for rine years before the measure was passed possessed the largest slave property in Antigua, he had during the whole of that nine years lost every year a con- siderable sum by it ; the total he bad lost amounting to not less than 7000/. ;Rut the honourable Member added, since the period in question, he had not only received in :ompeusation a very large sum, but had let his estate for 1200/. a year for three years' upon unexceptionable security, and after the tin ee years for

1500/. a year ; and, moreover, that since he had concluded this bargain, he had been offered 2000/. for the estate. This exhibited an altered state of things which spoke volumes, and be hoped it would have its due weight with the House.

Lord STANLEY defended his own conduct, and that of Earl Grey's Government, in agreeing to pay to the Jamaica planters the corn- pensation-money although the bill the JaMaica House of Assembly had passed to put the Emancipation Act in operation was not satis- factory.

The whole burden of his communications to the different C,olonial governors was caution and conciliation, and it had been well acted upon. This was the snore dwelt upon, as it was somewhat doubted whether the Legislature of Jamaica would meet the Home Legislature in that spirit ; and as it was con- sidered that all the other colonies would look for guidance in their proceedings upon the subject to what the colony of Jamaica should determine upon. In proportion as Jamaicacame within our views, in that proportion was it thought that the other colonies would accede to the measure. It was not, therefore, only the colony of Jamaica that Government had to look to, but the moral effect which that colony exercised upon the others. Hence it was that Govern- rnent bad so much to throw upon Lord Mulgrave ; but the reliance placed in him was fully borne out by the events. ( (Jheers. ) That nobleman had en- tered into the measure heart and soul, and bent all his great energies to the work of carrying it into effect ; and it was but due to hint to say, that in his opinion, it was mainly owing to that nobleman's excellent judgment, and his caution combined with firmness that this great measure was brought into suc- cessful operation. ( Cheers.) The House of Assembly of Jamaica was opened on the 8th October with a speech from Lord Mulgrave' in which he stated the principles of the measure, the reliance which the Home Legislature placed upon the Colonies for cooperation, Sec.; and in a despatch from that nobleman of 9d November following, there was contained an announcement that an act had been advanced two stages by the Colonial House of Assembly, and was about to pass, which he considered in accordance with the wishes of the British Legisla-

ture, and from which he said he hoped the Government at home would not withhold its consent.. His Lordship, indeed, was so well satisfied with the con- duct of the House of Assembly, that on his taking leave of them he had de- clared his feeling that they returned home with the proud distinction of having strictly done their duty to their constituents. Under these circumstances, he contended that the Government would have been highly blameable had they refused to award the com- pensation-money to Jamaica. He bad consulted his colleagues on this question ; and they one and all agreed with him, that the act of the Jamaica Assembly should be accepted.

Sir GEORGE GREY fully admitted that the People of England had a right to know how far the conditions on which the twenty millions were granted had been complied with, and therefore should not oppose the motion for a Committee. With respect to the condition of the Negro apprentice, he utterly denied what had been asserted by Mr. O'Connell in a speech of impassioned eloquence at Birmingham, that he was worse treated than a slave : his condition had in fact been greatly ameliorated. He sincerely regretted the conduct of the Jamaica Assembly— Lord Stanley, with a generous confidence in the Assembly of Jamaica, had left to them to pass a law, containing a great many important details. That Act they did in fact pass ; but it was only continued to the last day of Decem- ber 1835, instead of being, as it was intended it should be, in force to the year 1840. That Act was not now in force, notwithstanding the remonstrances that had been made upon the subject by Lord Sligo. The exertions of Lord Sligo, in connexion with this matter, were declared to be a breach of privilege, and, as such, resented by the Colonial Legislature. Now, while he expressed every respect for the constitutional privileges of the House of Assembly in Jamaica, yet he felt that the Negro had a right to demand of the Government that pro- tection which the British public stipulated to obtain for him. His Majesty's Government had proposed a bill, which he hoped to present on Thursday, the object of which would be to restore the law to the state in which it bad been previously, and which should continue in force until 1840, unless the Assembly in Jamaica would pass a bill containing the same enactments. He respected much the constitutional privileges of the Colonial Legislature, but still more highly did he respect the fixed principles of justice; and upon all occasions be should endeavour to have them vindicated and maintained for the defence of the oppressed.

Mr. O'CONNELL regretted that Sir George Grey had thought it ne- cessary to pass a complimentary censure upon him; and he begged to offer a few words of explanation—. What he said at the Birmingham meeting was, that the working appren- tices in many instances were worse off than formerly: a great many indul- gences allowed in a state of slavery were now denied to them. He had beard to-night, however, sufficient to make him distrust the information on which he then spoke; and he had no doubt the result of this Committee would be most satisfactory. Still, however, it was necessary that the British public should exert the utmost vigilance as to the working of the system.

Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE and Sir J. R. REID defended the Planters ; and complained of the anonymous abuse poured upon them, and the system of agitation which had been recently revived with a view to excite the prejudices of the ignorant against them. The motion was then agreed to. On Thursday, Sir GEORGE GREY had leave to bring in a bill to revive and continue in force till the 1st of August 1840 an Act passed by the Legislature of Jamaica on the 4th of July 1834, to explain and amend an Act for the Abolition of Slavery in that island, and in aid of the same. This will place the law in Jamaica on the same footing as if the Legislature of that colony bad renewed the Act, which ex- pired in December last, and which they refused to pass at the instance of Lord Sligo.

2. IRISH CORPORATION REFORM.

The House went into Committee on the Irish Municipal Bill on Tuesday ; when, after some discussion, which is very brietly reported, clauses 834 to 140th (the last) were passed. On Wednesday, the schedules and the postponed clauses were agreed to; and the report was ordered to be brought up on Friday. Sir ROBERT PEEL gave notice that there would be a division on the third reading of the bill; which was fixed for Monday next.

3. COMMUTATION OF TITHES.

Last night, Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved the order of the day for the further consideration of the report of the Tithes Commutation Bill.

Mr. GISBORNE inquired if Lord John Russell could state what course he intended to take with respect to mineral tithes ?

Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied, that he was not yet prepared to bring in any bill on the subject. Sir ROBERT PEEL asked Lord John, what alterations he proposed to make in the bill?

Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, he had no alterations to propose as to the principle of the measure : there were some alterations in the details, which would be stated in the Committee.

Sir ROBERT PEEL observed, that the bill did not provide for cases of modus or allegation of modus; and there was no provision for applotments. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, he had a clause on the cases of modus ; but he would not then enter into details.

Sir ROBERT PEEL had supposed that to-night former deficiencies would be supplied by Lord John Russell.

In reply to a question from Mr. ESTGOURT, Lord JOHN Russeee said, that the period during which voluntary commutations might be made, would be extended from six to twelve months.

Mr. GALLY KNIGHT said, that the difficulties they had to contend with arose from the liberality of the clergy. The tithe-payer objected to the bill, because he found upon calculation that the charge proposed would not benefit him to the extent he had anticipated at the expense of the clergy. Ile was in favour of the compulsory principle ; and would give a Board of Commissioners large powers, in order to pre- vent that principle from operating unjustly in particular cases.

Mr. T. B. LENNARD strongly objected to this measure ; which im- posed a permanent charge without reference to the nature of the soil, or the peculiar circumstances of each case. Great difficulties would arise from the alterations recently effected by railroads and other im- provements, and the changes in the seats of manufactures. Country towns, in which manufactures were formerly carried on, were now deserted ; and the value of the tithes in their vicinity must have been materially diminished. Sometimes the sea encroached on the land ; but by this bill, a person who had half his estate washed away, would continue to be saddled with the same amount of tithe. To parts of the bill be gave his consent ; but others he must oppose; though he was willing to make considerable sacrifices to get rid of a great evil. He concluded by moving an instruction to the Committee-

s' To insert provisions enabling owners of lands, where there had been a compulsory commutation as regard's the original owner of such lands, to re- open the valuation at successive periods of ten years, when it shall appear that the annual value (to be ascertained by valuation) of the tithes, if they had been taken in kind, for the preceding five years, after deducting 25 per cent., would have been one .third less than the sums annually paid on account of such composition within the same five years."

The question having been put, Mr. PARROTT spoke a few words in favour of a compulsory com- mutation.

Mr. BLAMIRE said, he was of opinion that the prudent course for the Legislature to take, was to put parties in the best possible train for making arrangements between themselves. It was beyond the reach of human ingenuity to settle this question by one general enact- ment— He would take the liberty of stating to the House the principle which he was anxious to see tried by the nJble lord ; who could carry it into effect by such machinery as he thought fit. He would recommend, that they fairly ascer- tain the value of the tithes in each particular pat ish, or benefice, or tithing dis- trict, as the case might be ; and having ascertained the reasonable and fair amount on which to assess the tithe, he would leave it to the parish, benefice, or tithing district, to apportion or applot the amount of rent-charge among them- selves, without any interference, in the first instance, on the pats of the Go- vernment or the Commissioners. He was sure that if any such proposition were made to parishes, they would accede ti) it with great satisfaction.

This mode was adopted in the North of England frequently. They there selected three or four persons in whom they bad confidence, to inquire into the amount and value of the tithe ; and having ascertained it, they arranged the matter at once without difficulty.

Lord HOWICK feared that there was so much irritation on the sub- ject of tithes in many parts of the country, that the parties, if left to themselves, would not make the amicable arrangement anticipated by Mr. Blamire. He apprehended, that if they paused in order to give time fora voluntary commutation, the very greatest iejustice would ensue to many parties, and very serious inconvenienee to the country at large. Had voluntary commutation been adopted six years ago, the result might have been different; but having once started the notion of a compul- sory commutation, there could be no satisfactory voluntary commuta- tion. Both parties, if you gave them the opportunity, would conduct their operations with a view to that compulsory commutation which must ensue.

Sir ROBERT PEEL complimented Mr. Blatuire on the consummate knowledge he had displayed of the subject before the House, and the perfect clearness with which be had explained his views. He wits not surprised, that after heating that speech from a gentleman whose opinions on all su!Pets were entitled to sash attention, Lord Howick found it necessary to defend the principle of compulsory commutation. lIe was willing, himself, to aid Ministers in effecting a satisfactory

settlement of this question, but he was opposed to their principle of compulsory commutation, which was not equitable. As to the propo- sition of allowing a year for voluntary arrangements, it would be of no service, since at the end of that period the compulsory principle could be enforced. He thought that the House should pause. At the present time the greatest revolutions in the value of land were taking place. Applications for fifty railroads were before the House. Look at the changes effected in Scotland in the value of land by the improve- ments in steam. What would be change effected in the value of land in this country by the substitution of steam for land-carriage ? Care most be taken not to injure the Church. The principle of compensa- tion would not apply in this case. You could not compensate the Church for what you took away in one place, by giving her what she bad no right to in another. He was ready to examine the details in Committee ; but feared that the application of the compulsory principle would be found to be impracticable.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL was convinced that the voluntary principle would not work well. The proposition of Mr. Blamire was the only practicable substitution he had heard for the compulsory principle. After speaking for some time in a tone of voice too low to be heard distinctly, Lord John said that the House must deal with this ques- tion on the assumption that the agricultural produce of the country was likely to increase, not diminish, owing to the greater skill of the cultivators of the soil. To all who were inclined to employ skill and capital in agriculture, it surely must be a great relief to have a fixed and permanent charge instead of a tithe liable to increase and fluc- tuation.

Mr. CAYLEY spoke at length in opposition to the bill. He was for taking away the limit of the minimum of composition; which would operate as confiscation. He objected to the last seven years being taken as the period for calculating the averages; as within that time the expenses of cultivation had been increased by the change of the currency. Mr. BENETT, MP. LAW HODGES, and Mr. FRYME, madea few brief observations. Lord ERRINGTON said that the minimum of 60 per cent, would operate unjustly in Devonshire, where, from various causes, tithe-payments had been very low.

The Speaker then left the chair, and the House went into Commit- tee. After a brief debate, the first twelve clauses were agreed to ; none of them affecting the principle of the bill. The Chairman re- ported progress, and obtained leave to sit again on Wednesday.

4. COMMUTATION OF TAXES.

On Thursday, Mr. ROBINSON moved a series of resolutions, con- demnatory of the present system of taxation, and pledging the House tes investigate the whole state of our finance, with a view to such alte- rations as would relieve the productive industry of the country, and comprehend within the range of taxation every description of property protected by the state. He complained of the injudicious course which had been adopted by Ministers, of yielding to the pressure from without, when they bad a surplus, and removing direct taxes, instead of those which indirectly injured the commerce and industry of the country. In this way, Lord Althorp, against his better judgment, had repealed the House-tax. Under the present system, the possessors of great wealth escaped from paying their fair proportion of taxes; which were for the most part laid on the necessaries of life, and consequently fell heaviest upon those who were least able to bear the burden. Since 1815, 32,000,0001. of taxes had been repealed ; but of this amount 21,000,000/. fell upon the landed and aristocratic classes. The mode in which the Excise-laws operated, Mr. ROBINSON declared to be pe- culiarly hurtful to the mass of the community ; and he condemned the system of specific duties, by which the inferior descriptions of sugar, for example, were taxed at the same rate as those of the finest quality. Be was for a more general extension of the ad valorem principle. His objections to the Stamp-laws were partly removed by the proposed measure of Mr. Spring Rice; but he reprobated the unfair advantage given to the landed interest, who transmitted their estates free from the duty, while the descent of personal property was so heavily taxed. The charge of collecting the revenue amounted to 4,321,414/. a year; and the prospect of reducing it ought to be taken into consideration in any scheme for altering the system of taxation. Though not imme- diately connected with his subject, Mr. Robinson stated his opinion, that the alteration of the standard of value in 1819 had operated inju- riously on the working classes. These were the chief points embo- died in the resolutions, and dwelt upon in Mr. Robinson's speech. He eoncluded by avowing his opinion, that a I'roperty-tax would be the best substitute for the principal part of the existing taxes; but would not move a resolution to that effect. He also said, that he did not intend to press all his resolutions ; but if the first was rejected, he would allow the others to be negatived without a division.

Mr. SPRING RICE replied to Mr. Robinson. He protested against the sweeping alterations proposed by that gentleman ; and contended, that the prudent course was to persevere in reducing expenditure as far as possible, and in removing taxes to the extent the revenue allowed. He denied that the principle of Ministers was to relieve the wealthy in preference to the industrious classes, or that the weight of taxation fell chiefly upon the latter. He reminded the House, that since 1831, taxes to the amount of 8,000,000/. had been reduced, while little more than 600,000/. had been imposed. Already much had been done to im- prove the Excise-laws, and Government was prepared to persevere in the course of improvement. As to a Property-tax, it was quite out of the question in time of peace : it could not be carried by any Minister ; and if it could, Mr. Rice said it would be most prudent to reserve it for the emergencies of a war, when the sources of indirect taxation would in a great measure be dried up. We had this tax in reserve, and the nations of Europe knew it. As it appeared that Mr. Robinson bad no expectation of carrying his resolutions he hoped that he would not press them to a division, but withdraw them.

Mr. BARLOW HOY made a few inaudible observations.

Mr. HUME was opposed to the system of' indirect taxation ; which, be contended, raised the price of all articles of general consumption. For instatice, when the duty on salt was I5s. a bushel, it was sold for 205. when th.:. dpty was taken off', the price fell to 2s.; here we had an addition of 3e. to the price caused solely by the duty. Another evil consequence of indirect taxation was the facility it gave for maintaining expensive establishments. When people were charged with a direct

tax, they knew what they paid, and were the less disposed to submit to an unnecessary impost. He was in favour of a Property-tax, which

would compel the landed interest to contribute their fair proportion of the public expenses. He was surprised, when he recollected the com- position of that Parliament which took off the Property-tax, that the majority was so small as 37; and he thought those who voted for its continuance exhibited an extraordinary degree of virtue and self-denial. But though an advocate for a Property -tax, he could not vote for Mr. Robinson's resolutions ; as they took no notice whatever of two taxes which pressed most heavily on the poorer classes—he meant the taxes On Corn and Timber. Mr. Robinson's conduct as a reformer of the financial system exhibited a degree of absurdity, which he defied any one to match. He professed himself a friend to the poorer classes, yet had supported monopolies, and been in direct opposition to the prin. ciples adopted by the House since 1826; witness his conduct wit: respect to gloves, silk, and shipping. r Mr. J. MAXWELL, MT. FORSTER, Colonel SIBTHWeE, and Me. BAINES, expressed themselves hostile to a Property-tax ; which, the last gentleman said, must be accompanied by an inquisitorial Income- tax, that the country would not bear.

Mr. BENETT had always considered a Property-tax as the best and fairest that could be levied.

Colonel THOMPSON said, England would never again be " merry England " until they had a Property-tax.

Mr. ROBINSON said, be should withdraw his resolutions as he hoped the discussion would make an impression on Ministers and the country.

Mr. T. ATTWOOD protested against the resolutions being withdrawn. He came down prepared to support them, and regretted that so many hours had been wasted in a discussion which was to terminate thus.

The resolutions were then put seriatim and negatived.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL. The House of Com- mons, being in Committee, was occupied for several hours on Monday

night with a very dry and tedious discussion of the clauses on this bill. Nothing worth reporting occurred : in the daily papers the whole debate occupies only about twenty lines.

On the motion of Sir JOHN CAMPBELL, the bill was read a third time on Wednesday. Mr. SCARLETT then rose to propose an amend- ment. The Speaker asked if it were engrossed ? Mr. SCARLETT re- plied, that it was not engrossed. The SPEAKER said, it could not be put. Mr. SeaReert proposed another clause. The SPEAKER—" Is it engrossed ? " Mr. SCARLETT—" No. I hope the Attorney- General will not entrench himself behind the forms of the House." Sir JOHN CAMPBELL—" I move, Sir, that the bill do now pass." (Cheers and laughter.) The bill was then passed.

It was read a first time in the House of Lords on Thursday; and, after some discnssion, was ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next.

AFFAIRS OF CANADA. In the House of Commons, on Monday, 3Ir. ROEBUCK asked Sir George Grey if he bad received adviees from Canada to the effect that two out of three of the Canadian Commis. sioners bad concurred with the majority of the House of Assembly respecting the points in dispute between the contending parties in Canada ; and that, in consequence, the Assembly had agreed to rote the supplies, which, upon the publication of the instructions to the Commissioners, they had determined to refuse ? Sir GEORGE GRIA said, he had received no despatches to that effect. Mr. ROEBUCK asked the date of the accounts last received at the Colonial Office ?— his own were of the 16th of February. Sir GEORGE GREY said, his were only to the 5th.

THE MAURITIUS. Mr. BORTHWICK, at a late hour on Monday night, complained of the manner in which he had been tricked out or an opportunity of bringing forward his motion on the subject of the Mauritius ; but he gave Ministers notice that they should not have a shilling of supply until be had been heard ; for he would move on the first motion for going into a Committee of Supply.

Mr. SPRING RICE said, that Mr. Borthwick appeared to imagine that a great deal of finesse had been employed by Ministers to prevent Lis motion from coming on ; but such an idea had never entered their minds. To be sure, they were anxious that certain business should precede his motion, because they were afraid that if Mr. Borthwiek had the first opportunity, they should be "left without a House; but Mr. Rice now moved that the House should resolve itself into a Committee of Supply, and was quite ready to attend to Mr. Borthwick. Mr. BORTHWICK refused to go on at that late hour ; but was aware that the House had been counted out on a previous occasion, because Ministers had sent away their friends.

On Tuesday, Mr. BORTHWICK succeeded in bringing his motion before a very noisy and impatient House. Mr. WAKLEY, who had a motion for the Repeal of the Septennial Act, and eighteen other Members who had also notices on subjects of more or less impartanes.„.. gave way, on the understanding that the Irish Municipal 13111 should be pressed forward ; but Mr. BORTHWICK denied that Ile sins a party to any such agreement ; and, having gained possession of the House, would not give way ; and was supported by Sir ROBERT FEEL. He then moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the state of the Negro population in the Mauritius. The noise in the House was so great, that scarcely a word he uttered could be heard in the Gallery. Sir GEORGE GREY moved, as an amendment, that copies of des- patches relating to slavery in the Mauritius should be laid before the House ; which amendment was carried, without a division.

On Tuesday evening also, a petition was presented by Mr. Heat

from t inhabitants of the Mauritius, complaining that, although the) had paid 1000/. to the Colonial Office, to defray the expenses, and salary of Mr. Jeremie, who had been appointed to a Judgeship il Ceylon, in order that they might have the benefit of his evideure against certain Judges who bad aliseonducted themselves in the Maw. tits, Government had refused to allow the inquiry; Mr. Jeremie had pocketed the 100W., and had taken his departure for Ceylon. Sir GEORGE GREY said, that the facts were these The petiiioners came from the Mauritius in February of the last year, in the same ship with Mr. Jeremie ; and from their habits of intimacy with that gen- tleman, must have known that, at the solicitation of hi friends here, he had been appointed in October last to a Judgeship in Ceylon ; and yet, though it was said to have been intended to bring the subject forward during the last session of Pailiament, it was only on the 8th of January last that any hint was suggested that, in respect to the inquiry sought for, Mr. Jeremie's evidence was necessary or important. When the notice was given last session for a Committee ot Inquiry, the petitioners were told that Lord Glenelg would give no opposition to the production of Mr. Jeremie es a witness. The noble lord expressed his readiness to grant an extension af leave of absence to Mr. Jeremie, but refused to detain him except OD Mr. Jerernie's express consent. The petitioner, Mr. Hitie, was told, that if he could arrange with Mr. Jeremie, ".at gentleman might remain in this country ; and as an indulgence and favour • the petitioners, all difficulties in the shape of Mr. Jeremie's removal would oe destroyed, provided a deposit was natide to indemnify Mr. Jereinie, the balance to be repaid on the inquiry terminating. The petitioners availed themselves of this favour and indulgence, and deposited the amount stated in the hands of the Cashier of the Colonial Department ; Mr. Jeremie having stated, that being himself an officer of the Crown, he would not receive the money except through the Colonial Office. The money was, however, so depo- sited ; and it was almost immediately afterwards paid to Mr. Jeremie, on the written order of Mr. Hide.

The SPEAKER suggested the House should be aware that if this dis- eussion was allowed to go on the important business on the paper could scarcely be proceeded wit)).

Mr. WILKS thought that this subject should be immediately at- tended to; it was important that some further explanation should be given to the important statements that had been made.

Mr. ROEBUCK said, that the present was the time to deal with the matter— The petitioners merely chimed from the Government an act of justice, and to that they were entitled. He complained that, pending a motion, of which last session he had given notice, with reference to this matter, Mr. Jeremie had been appointed and sent out to the Judgeship at Ceylon, the Government well knowing at the time that it was his (Mr. Roebuck's) intention to do so. Not only was this the case, but Mr. Jeremie had actually been sent out of this country against his will,—for he sought for and wished the inquiry. This fact had been kept back ; there had in this instance been a suppresszo veri by Sir George Grey. Mr. Roebuck had been himself a party to the transaction ; and he owned that be had felt that some apology was due to the Colonial Office on the offer to deposit the sum of 1000/. for the purpose of detaining a witness necessary for the ends of public justice. He, however, had been asto- nished when the money was accepted ; and he was still more surprised alien, after its receipt, an inquiry had been refused. There had been the grossest injustice in the whole transaction ; and he felt that the only means or chance of wiping off the stain cast upon the Government in respect to it, was the re- payment by the Colonial Office of the money so paid and deposited.

The petition was laid on the table, but Mr. IIumE said it would be his duty to bring the subject again before the House.

EDUCATION IN IREI.AND. Mr. WYSE had leave, on Thursday; to bring in a bill for the establishment of a Board of National Education, and the advancement of Elementary Education, in Ireland.

Term TIT1IE BILL Lord MORPETH gave notice last night, that he should bring forward the subject of Irish Tithes on the 25th April.

CARLOW LANDLORDS. A considerable portion of Wednesday even- ing was occupied with a discussion, or rather an altercation, arising out of the presentation of the three petitions by Mr. WALLACE relative to the treatment of the Carlow tenantry by their landlords. The first was from Colonel Bruen's tenants, highly laudatory of their landlord ; the second from Mr. Alexander, complaining of aspersions on his cha- racter, and praying for inquiry; the third from a Mr. Woodcock, charging Colonel Bruen with cruel conduct.

Colonel BRUEN observed, that this Mr. Woodcock who was a half- pay officer of Dragoons, had been prosecuted by him for poaching; and, no doubt, to this he was indebted for the petition. In the case speci- fied by Woodcock, the tenant was at a rent of 83/. 12s., and the ar- rears due from him were 183/. 19s.; and he was most willing to relieve the man of the burden of his farm.

Mr. HARDY made several attempts to reply to Mr. O'Connell's speech on the Carlow Inquiry motion ; and persevered for some time, in spite of the decision of the Speaker repeatedly given, that he was out of order. At length he was obliged to sit down.

Mr. O'CoNNELE complained of the conduct of Colonel Bruen; who, in defending himself, had made a presumptuous allusion to him. He reminded Colonel Bruen that his conduct had not been investi- gated, yet he threw out insinuations.

The motive and the cause of this was obvious—hceret lateri lethalis arundo. He had made no complaint against the colleague of Colonel Bruen. Mr. Ka.. vanagh was an excellent landlord, beloved by his tenantry; who, both Protestant and Catholic, had voted in his favour; while a vast number of the tenantry of Colonel Bruen had voted against him. Mr. O'Connell pledged himself to none of the facts, but he had got before him documents which, if proved, would establish a case of the grossest cruelty and oppression on the part of the honour- able and gallant Member. He fully expected that the honourable and gallant Member and his friends would oppose a Committee of inquiry. If before a Committee, however, he should vindicate himself, he should rejoice. (Ironical cheers from the Opposition benches.) Ile understood those sneers, in which Colonel Percveal had joined, but in which lie ought not to have joined, for he Lad always treated him with respect : he even respected his prejudices. He re- peated, he understood the sneers—menjudged of others by themselves. (Loud cheers from the Ministerial benches.) He should rejoice if the honourable and gallant Member succeeded in vindicating himself: he should rejoice that the calumnies, if such they were, should be exposed, and that the authors of them should be punished, so far as it was in the power of the House to do so: but there were allegations contained in these petitions that called for investiga- tion—that demanded inquiry. It was too much that an honourable gentleman who, having let his lands at war rents, gave receipts for rent as paid only on account when peace came, should turn round upon them for arrears, and then talk of what he called nominal rents.

Colonel BRUEN said, that Mr. O'Connell was out of order, and was allowed to speak as often as be pleased, and what he pleased, while others were held to the strict rules. The SPEAKER, however, showed that Mr. O'Connell was not out of order. Colonel BRuEN attempted to speak again, but was not allowed. The matter was closed by a pro- mise from Mr. WALLACE to fix a day for a motion on the subject witk Colonel Bruen.

ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY. After a brief discussion, on Wednesday, on the motion of Mr. O'BRIEN, a Select Committee was appointed to inquire into the administration of the affairs of the Royal Dublin Society. Mr. SHAW, Sir E. KNATCHBULL, and Colonel PEacEssar.„ were opposed to the inquiry. It was supported by Lord MORPETK and Mr. HUME ; and was carried, by 49 to 13.

NAVY ESTIMATES. The House on Monday, went into a Com- mittee of Supply ; and several sums were voted for the Naval service of the year, without opposition.

MARINE INSURANCES. Mr. SPRING RICE stated, in reply to a ques. tion from Mr. ROBINSON on Tuesday, that the question of reducing the Stamp-duty on Marine Insurances would be open for future consideration.

REGISTRATION OF VOTERS BILL. Sir JOHN CAMPBELL stated last night, in reply to a question, from Sir JAMES GRAHAM, that he doubted whether this bill could pass through the Committee before Easter.

COMPUTATION OF TIME: THE CALENDAR. Mr. PRYME, on Thurs- day, obtained leave to bring in a bill to remove the difficulties arising from the confusion between calendar and lunar months in the compu- tation of time.

VOTES OF CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES. A conversation arose on Wed- nesday, on an application by Sir ANDREW LEITH HAY to the House, to decide whether, as Chairman of the Committee on the Trinity Harbour Bill, he had a right to vote first as an individual member of the Commit- tee, and then, the numbers being made equal by his vote, to give another vote as Chairman. He conceived that he had that right ; and there were authorities—Sherwin and another—in favour of it ; but it had been disputed ; and he thought it advisable that the House should settle the point, to prevent future difficulty. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE seemed to think that Sir A. L. Hay bad the right to give a double vote ; brit Sir C. BURRELL, Mr. W. J. DENISON, Sir JAMES GRAHAM, and the SPEAKER, were of opinion that the Chairman could only give one vote, and that in the case of equal numbers, from the chair. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said be should at a future time call the special attention of the House to that subject.

LEITH TRINITY HARBOUR BILL. Sir A. LEITII HAY, on Wednes- day, called the attention of the House to the proceedings of the Trinity Harbour Committee, of which he was Chairman.

The Trinity Harbour and Docks Committee had assembled that day, and were about to proceed to business, when a motion was originated fora postpone- ment to after the Easter recess, about the 13th of April. On this the Com- mittee divided equally ; but, notwithstanding, the meeting of the Committee was further extended to the 16th of May. Now as he was fully aware that the extension of the time for nearly eight weeks had for its original object to subject the parties interested to expense, and to defeat the bill, he would content him.. self with then moving that the Committee be required to reassemble to- morrow: and on this motion it was his fixed determination to divide the House.

After a brief discussion relative to the claim of Sir Andrew Hay to vote as a member of the Committee, independent of the Chairman's casting-vote in ease of equal numbers, (and which we have already no- ticed,) the Gallery was cleared for a division, but none took place ; and the Committee was ordered to reassemble on the following day.

TODMORDEN ENCLOSURE BILL. Mr. B. WILBRAHAM moved the third reading of this bill, on Thursday. It was supported by Mr. WILSON PATTEN; and strongly opposed by Mr. FiEsnEsr, Mr. Pox- TER, Mr. AGLIONBY, Mr. BROTHERTON, and Mr. HUGHES HUGHES,...... on the ground that it gave the lord of the manor arbitrary and inquisi- torial power, and would be decidedly injurious to the poor, who were no parties to it. The house divided ; and rejected the bill, by 77 to 38.

NEW MEMBER FOR PAISLEY. Mr. ARCHIBALD HASTIE took his seat in the House of Commons as Member for Paisley on Thursday. While the ceremony of of swearing him in was going on, Sir CHARLES BURRELL rose to order, and said—" Mr. Speaker, I remarked that the honourable Member decidedly did not kiss the book." Much laughter ensued; in the midst of which, Mr. Hastie decidedly did kiss the book.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. Lord JOHN RUSSELL mentioned last night that he intended to move on Wednesday next that the House should adjourn from that day to Monday the 11th April. The course of public business, he hoped, would then be as follows— On Monday the 11th April, the Ordnance Estimates would be moved, and perhaps two or three pressing votes of the Army Estimates. On Wednesday the 13th April, the Committee on the Mutiny Bill would be moved by the Secretary at War, involving the question of military punishments. On Friday the 15th April, he should move the second reading of the Registration and Marriage Bill.