POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY.
The House of Commons spent several hours last night in Committee on the Parliamentary Voters (Ireland) Bill. Several detailed attempts were made to cripple the bill by alterations of the first clause. The first amendment, however, moved by Mr. G. A. HAMILTON, went to save the existing kinds of franchise, which Sir FREDERICK THESIGElt showed to be superseded by the bill; and Ministers, professing to have no such in- tention, accepted the amendment. Mr. HENLEY moved a verbal altera- tion, the object of which was to secure the fmnehiee only for the "right- ful" occupier,—making the franchise depend upon the validity of the occupant's tenure. After long debate, the amendment was negatived without division ; leaving the franchise to the de facto occupant. Mr. G. A. HAMILTON moved to substitute 15/. for 8/. as the rating. After ani- mated discussion—in the course of which Lord CASTLEREAGH distin- guished himself by claiming a hearty and liberal treatment for the Irish —this amendment was negatived, by 213 to 144. Other amendments— including one by Mr. REYNOLDS, to prevent long-standing arrears of rates from disqualifying the voter—were negatived. Having entered upon the consideration of the second clause, the Committee adjourned till Monday.
Earlier in the evening, in reply to Mr. PourErr SCHOFE, Lord JOIL1 RUSSELL stated that it is proposed to take the Navy Estimates first next Monday ; but if anything prevent the bringing on of that subject, the wish is to proceed with the Mercantile Marine Bills. The bill respecting Dis- tressed Unions -will not be brought on till after the financial statement. The Australian Colonies 13ill is fixed for Friday. Lord John doubted, but still hoped, that Sir Francis Baring may be sufficiently recovered to attend the Committee on Navy Estimates on Monday. In reply to Sir BENJAMENT HALL, Mr. FRARGUS O'CONNOR stated that he is now ready to wind up the National Land Company.; and if Lord John Russell would give him an early day, he offered to bring in a bill for the purpose, and wash his hands altogether of the affair.
In the Upper House a discussion was raised by Lord LONDONDERRY,. in presenting a petition from a public meeting of tenant-farmers at Coleraine for observer= of tenant-right, on a second abusive letter which has been addressed to him in breach of his privilege as a Peer. At the request of the Reverend William Dobbin, [whose letter to Lord Londonderry we lately reported,] the Reverend John Rutherford, Presby- terian minister of Ballydowia, hasaviitten to state, that he and his brethren, undismayed by the risk of invading the privilege of the House of Peers, and scorning the impotent attempt to crush their independent principles, repeat their demand that Lord Londonderry should retract his calumnious asper- sions on the Presbyterian clergy. Bunings are rife and assassinations occur, and no hand or voice is raised to prevent it. Ile did not ask the Lord Lieutenant to proclaim the county, but thought something ought to be done. Lord BROUGHAM characterized the letter as remarkable for lowlived ribaldry ; one more unworthy of a gentleman, a man of education, a Chris- tian minister, or a minister: of peace, he never heard ; and he advised severe punishment at the bar of the House. Other Peers concurred in the opinion that the letter was an insolent and vulgar tirade. The Earl of RODEN excepted to the full accuracy of the description of the state of Down ; alleging that in his neighbourhood the farmers are tranquil, and busy sowing their fields.
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