POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY NiGii.4 dVEIS In the House of Lords, last night, the question of opening letters at the Post-office was again under discussion ; the subject having been in- troduced by the Earl of RADNOR on the presentation of a petition from Mr. Mazzini. Lord Radnor asked Ministers to state whether or not a warrant bad been issued for opening Mr. Mazzini's letters ? The LORD CHANCELLOR said, he knew nothing about the matter. The Duke of WELLINGTON complained of the want of notice; and asked the peti- tioner's name. When informed it was Mazzini, " Mazzini—Mazzini- oh I" said the Duke ; and their Lordships laughed. In the discussion that ensued, Lord CAMPBELL reiterated his former opinion, that there should be a specific warrant for opening each letter; in which opinion the Marquis of CLANRICARDE expressed concurrence. The LORD CHANCELLOR and Lord BROUGHAM dissented from such a construction of the law. Lord BROUGHAM said, nothing would make his "noble friend" more dear to him than his being kind enough to answer, how the Home Secretary was to know beforehand what letters Mr. Maz- zini was to receive, and which particular one contained treasonable matter. Lord CAMPBELL conceived the particular letter might be indicated : and he instanced the conduct of Cromwell, who having heard that a letter had been written by his King to the Queen and that it was contained in the saddle of the messenger's horse, watched the messenger, ripped open the saddle, and there found the letter, in which it was intimated that instead of a blue riband he was to get a halter. Lord DENMAN hoped, that when the subject was brought practically before their Lordships, it would be considered not as a matter of antiquarian lore, but as a practical question—whether such a power was suited to the present time. He felt satisfied that the Duke of Wellington himself would bring in a measure for repealing or modifying the statute, were it not that such a course would appear to be deserting his colleague. The power was an assumed power—a relic of former bad times ; and it ought not to be permitted to exist. Lord RADNOR expressed surprise that, among the six Ministers present, not one should know anything about a matter which had given rise to so much discussion in the country. He gave notice, that on Thursday next he should move for the ap- pointment of a Secret Committee to investigate the subject.
The Sugar-duties Bill was read a first time in this House, and the second reading fixed for Monday.
The Commons were occupied chiefly with the Dissenters' Chapel Bill, on the motion for the third reading. Mr. COLW.11101IN moved and Sir ROBERT Imams seconded, that the bill he read a third time that day six mouths. Lord ELIOT announced himself to be a convert to the pro- priety of the measure. Sir THOMAS WILDE also declared himself a convert. Although at first he had been inclined to object to it, he had, after diligent consideration, arrived at the conviction that it was a bill to prevent confiscation and to prevent the intentions of the founders from being defeated. Lady Hewley's case had decided nothing ; it had only shown more clearly the necessity of applying to religious endow- ments the principle of limitation which pervaded the law generally. After some observations from Mr. SHAW in opposition to the bill, the House divided—For the third reading, 201 ; against it, 81 ; majority for the bill, 120. It was then passed.
The Bank Charter Bill went through Committee, without much op. position ; and all the clau-es were agreed to. In the course of the dis- cussion, Sir ROBERT PEEL expressed regret at the extension of Branch Banks ; but he did not see how it could be checked by legislation. An attempt was made by Mr. BARNARD to introduce a clause sanctioning the issue of notes under five pounds ; but the proposal was withdrawn.
A new writ was ordered for the city of Limerick, in the room of Sir David Roche, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
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