POSTSCRIPT, SATURDAY.
The debates in both Houses of Parliament last night exhibited un- usual ability ; but our space and time forbid more than a very slight 'and cursory indication.
In the House of Lords, the Marquis of NORMANBY moved the second reading of the Lower Canada Bill, in a rather feeble speech. Ile relied upon despatches front Lord Durham and Sir John Colborne for evidence that an increase of power was necessary to the existing Government in Lower Canada. The present measure would confer the required .authority, and no more. lie found much to commend in Lord Durham's Report ; but his own experience in government had taught him that the double responsibility of the Colonial Executive to the Colonial legislature and the Government at home was impracticable. Measures for the permanent settlement of Canadian affairs, Lord Normanby said, must be delayed till further information, especially from Upper Canada, was acquired. It was to he hoped that time would improve the social condition of the Colonies, and smooth down asperities, so that before .1842 a legislative union between the two provinces might lie safely effected.
Lord BROUGHAM followed the Marquis of Normanby. The first part of his speech was devoted to a cutting exposure of the vacillation, im- becility, and indolence displayed by Government on the Canadian .question. He contended that ample time and materials for legislation lad been afforded ; and that the true cause of postponement was the fear of a defeat, which would again upset the Administration. Lord Brougham then pointed attention to the extraordinary powers which the bill would confer ; describing them as exceeding in extent those possessed by the Roman Dictators, whose acts were valid only during their Dictatorship, whereas Sir John Colborne's were of unlimited dura- tion. Ile might even establish annual Parliaments and the Ballot—in Canada—" experimentum in corpore vili." Now this extravagant authority Lord Broughton considered unnecessary ; and lie argued with much ability, that it was possible to restore the constitutional govern- ment in Lower Canada with such modifications as would render its existence safe and satisfactory to men of all parties. lie utterly repu- diated the notion that the course of legislation for the two provinces should depend upon the opinion of the majority in Upper Canada. Lord MELBOURNE ridiculed Lord Brougham's apprehensions of the extraordinary abuse of Sir John Colborne's authority. When Lord Brougham threatened the Peers with the Ballot in Canada, no doubt he thought he hit them on a raw part ; but his noble and learned friend lealt much in " exaggeration." As to the motives which Lord Brougham imputed to Ministers, he denied their existence. It was not the state qt parties at home, but the condition of Canada, which induced them to postpone legislation.
The Duke of WELLINGTON harped on his old string : send more troops to Canada—establish her Majesty's authority there—put down the rebels by force of arms ; and then proceed to legislation for the permanent arrangement of their affairs, but not before. Lord DURHAM called the Duke of Wellington to witness, that before
he set out for his government in Canada, he had stated the necessity of having a large military force. With respect to the bill, though very averse to the continuance of unconstitutional authority, he really thought it necessary for the maintenance of the Government in Canada. He approved of the determination to postpone definitive legislation until the opinion of the colonists on his propositions should be ascertained. He defended the principle of responsibility ; and argued that it was absurd to give the Local Legislature power to stop the supplies, and yet deny them the " results of that power." Throughout a not very long speech, Lord Durham's tone was subdued, and precisely what Lords Melbourne and Normanby would desire from a complaisant employe.
Earl FITZWILLIAM dissented from the Duke of Wellington's plan of pacifying, a country, and defended the principle of responsibility of the Colonial Executive to the Colonial Legislature.
The bill was read a second time, without a division ; and the House went into Committee. A division took place on the taxing-clause, which was carried by 50 to -Pi. The other clauses were disposed of, and the report was ordered to be received on Monday.
We suspect there will be no debate this session on the Normanby Administration of Ireland. There are even symptoms of Lord Buotattwes " backing out," though he last week declared he would not be " driven off." The Duke of Wituasarrox, though a mem- ber of the Committee, has not read the evidence ; and what can the House do without the Duke? Lord Bitola:Has! says that he will state next Tuesday what course he shall take ; but if he cannot procure a full discussion this session, he will bring the subject forward " early in the next session." Why not name the Greek Kalends ? Next ses- sion, the Irish Report will occupy as much attention as Lord Durham's Canada Report—and no more. Several Whig Lords appealed to the Ex-Chancellor, as though he " possessed the first influence in the House:" but, said Lord Ilnouoiesse " God knows, I have no more influence here than my noble friend at the head of the Government."
The LORD CHANCELLOR stated, that he had been in correspondence with Lord Denman respecting the jurisdiction of County Magistrates ; and had convinced Lord Denman, by "reasons and authorities," that his interpretation of the law was wrong, and that County Magistrates- /we a concurrent jurisdiction in boroughs with Quarter-sessions. Lord Denman had formed his erroneous opinion front reading one clause of the Municipal Act without attending to other clauses. Lord Beouoittst had no better excuse to offer for his bad law, than that Lord Denman had misled him. [Thus, a point which ought to have been perfectly clear—which a plain man would have made clear in one line—the learned framers of the Municipal Act made so obscure that the Lord Chief Justice misapprehended it, and a microscopic perusal of a voluminous law is required to ascertain the real meaning of one little point, but one on the right understanding of which happens to turn the question of Magisterial jurisdiction and duties in a disturbed town.] The Commons resumed, in Committee, the discussion of Mr. Spring Rice's Irish Bank resolution. The first part of the debate was almost entirely occupied with an altercation between Mr. SPRING RICE and Mr. O'CONNELL. The Member for Dublin insinuated a charge of un- fair dealing against the Chancellor of the Exchequer—that the Chan- cellor had given the Bank of Ireland an early and exclusive intimation of his plan. With a vast display of virtuous indignation, Mr. RICE repelled the charge. Again, Mr. Rice was accused of having misled the Deputation from Drogheda respecting the extent of the Bank's monopoly ; and on this point Sir WILLIAM SOME RVILLE and Mr. ltsansoToN concurred with Mr. O'Connell. Sir WILLIAM SOMER- viLLE " left the presence of the right honourable gentleman under the conviction that the towns of Drogheda, Dundalk, and Newry, were to be relieved front the operation of the Bank monopoly." [Mr. RICE must have a very unhappy manner of expressing himself—he is so often misunderstood.] Sir Ronmer PEEL wished the question to be postponed. There really was so much to do—twenty-eight orders of the day on that day's paper—it was not possible to discuss the subject fully and fairly. There was no excuse for putting off to so late a period a bill for extending a banking company's term.
Mr. Vlladauts delivered by far the ablest speech of the debate ; in- deed, the session has hardly produced its equal on a dry subject. He did for Mr. haute's proposition what the Member for Kilkenny was quite incapable of performing himself—he demonstrated the mischief of monopoly, and put the argument for free trade in banking in the clearest light.
Mr. Emds of Newry spoke earnestly against the Bank monopoly. Mr. O'Cossm.i, repeated, that deception had been practised on Ire- land by Mr. Spring Rice ; and moved the adjournment of the debate.
For the motion 24 Against it
Majority 56 [From the printed Division-list it appears, that Sir ROBERT PEEL, though he spoke in favour of postponement, and complained that time was not allowed to discuss the question, voted with Mr. RICE against adjournment, and for iinmediate legislation.] Mr. RICE'S resolutions were then carried, by 79 to 24. The House resumed. The resolutions are to lie " reported" on 3Ionday ; when Mr. RICE will move to bring in his bill.
Twelve clauses of the Metropolis Police Courts Bill were • agreed to in Committee, after much opposition. The Shannon Job 11111, at last, was read a third time, and passed.
The Factories Bill was withdrawn—in consequence, Lord Joust Itussem, said, of Lord Ashley's persevering opposition. The House adjourned at two o'clock, to Monday.
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