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Leader (1850-1860), 12th August 1854, Edition 1 of 2, Page 749

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      to the utmost of their power to throw obstacles in the way of the proposed loan , inasmuch as it was at variance with the terms of neutrality or of alliance existing between the Courts in question and her Majesty ' s Government . Although strong powers were already possessed by the Government with regard to the transactions to which this measure was intended to apply , he believed that the reduction of Hie offence of dealing in these securities , under certain circumstances , from the crime of high treason to that of misdemeanour would render it more easy to thwart the objects of Russia ; and , feeling that the bill could do no harm and might do some good , he hoped the House would consent to the motion of his noble friend , and allow this bill to pass . "

      The resolution being agreed to , the second reading was moved . Lord Campbelt .,, without opposing , then pointed out certain absurdities in the till , and offered lus aid in framing some new clauses . Some conversation ensued ; and Lord Campbell at last blurted out , —He did not wish to throw the slightest obstacle in the way of the bill passing , but he assured the House if it was adopted in its present state it would not be of the slightest value . This gave'the Duke of Newcastle the excuse required to sneer at Lord Palmerston .

      "He certainly should ; not consent to pass the "bill as it stood after the opinion given by one of the learned judges of the land , that in its present condition it was uttely useless . What , he should propose was , that it pass through all its stages but the last , when the assistance of his noble and learned friend might be obtained , and a clause drawn up making the measure effective in the cases referred to , which might be added ori the'third reading ,, thus , giving sufficient time for the bill to go down to the other House , and to be afterwards brought back and passed . " This course was agreed to , and the bill , having passed through its various stages , was ordered to be read a third time next day . " Other considerations appear to have prevailed ; for , next day , the bill was passed without esssential modifications ; the opinion probably being that the bill was not worth improving .

      SPAIN AND THE SLAVE TRADE . On Wednesday Mr . Home asked some questions about ;' the slave trade , and the state of things in Cuba . " There was now a new Government instituted in Spain , and the principal promoter of the slave trade to Cuba- ^ Queen Christina—had been expelled from that country . The present , therefore , was a peculiarly favourable period for effecting the total suppression of the traffic on the part of the Spanish authorities in Cuba , and he was sure that Espartero would give his best assistance towards this great object . " Lord John Russell seized the opportunity to offer some hints to Espartero . He asserted that the trade was going down , and that in Cuba the importation was being at last officially discouraged : and he then « ' nudged" Espartero .

      " Xn February , 1854 , orders were issued there of the most stringent character , under which all slaves recently introduced were to be liberated ; and JVIr . Crawford expressed himself as having full eonfidenco in the sincerity of the orders which had been so issued . Further orders to the same effect were issued in March , and , under tlieiri , COO negroes who had recently arrived were taken by the authorities and released . Other orders directed that any of the authorities who should . fail to roport the arrival of fresh slaves in the island should bo at once dismissed from their office and be subject to penalties ; and under tljis lvgulation several district officers , who luid offended against it , had been dismissed . In Jlay , also , GOO negroes , who had been landed , and placed on an estate where it was imagined

      thoy would not be interfered with , had been released by the governor , with the full sanction of the tribunals . It was quite obvious that , if such measures were rigorously carried into effect , the importation of slaves into Cuba must soon cease . It was quite truo that the venality of the persons who were employed under the Spanish Government in Cuba had , to a very largo extent , frustrated the efforts which had boon made to suppress the trade ; but , us had beon observed , by his hon . friend , the Queen Mother of Spain , who—the fact was , unfortunately , too notorious—had been tho chief promoter of the- shivo trade to Brazil , had be e n removod , and a now Government had been instituted in Spain , which ho doubted not would give its energetic aid to tho great object in view . General Concha , wlio had been appointed Governor-General of Quba , would , it might bo confidently expected , zealously co-oporato ; and tUo Duke of Vittoria , wlio was now at tho head of tho Spanish Government , ho had ovcuy reason to believe , would leavo no measure untried for the

      same purpose . Ho hud long known that nobleman , and known him as a man of tho groutest honour , integrity , and liberality of sontimoiit . Ho wus quite sure that tho duke would do all in hia power to put an end to the venality and corruption in Cuba which hud so long assisted tlio slave tmdo thoro ; and her Majesty ' s Government would iinpreHs upon tho duko , and upon tho now authorities in bpain , Uiat nil tho credit of their Government would bq forioitedit Uus disgraceful trnflio woro to bo continued under tho it m ' , » wu 3 or device , of tho Spanish Government . ucr Majesty a Miniatora would urgo as Htrongly us possible , and « 9 booh Ha poHHiblo , upon tho new Govo . tfnoiit of tiimin tho nocoHBity ot offootunlly putting down that tmlllo . Lord Aberdeen and tho Foreign Secretary of State had from time of m rnoi « w " ° , n llw S , ^ "Ml Government , that earnestness nreCdn 1 ?" ly nc ? dod to «»» Mot fuit « o ' vor » , n < , nt to bUi ,-Enn Sly ' l ' l 80 lhOP COlUlt ™» iMMl 8 U 1 » K . » BOU it . 1 f i » r'S Jff , mov ° . ° 'ddrou . on tho Vubjoot , l . o might watchful ivS o n Ml U ° y ' B Government would keep u wntohlul ove on tho matter ; ami tlint , - Huttlii" aside- all motives of interest which they ' might hwv ; Kyfeuiui til "

      total suppression of this trade and the consequent civilisation of Africa were objects deserving of the utmost endeavours to accomplish . Sir Joshua Walmsleit said , with evident disbelief in the efficacy of these courteous insinuations , — " the English Government should try coercion if no other plan will succeed I " Russian Securities Bill . —This bill was read a third time in the House of Commons on Monday . Board of Health Bill . —This bill was passed by the Lords on Tuesday—the standing orders ( against receiving bills so late ) being suspended , politely , on the ground of urgency .

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      TESTIMONIAL TO MR . HUME . This week Mr . Hume reached the great Radical success of his career : —the Whigs have presented him with a portrait ; and the City of London with the freedom of the city ia a gold box even more valuable , being worth 200 ? . The deputation from the subscribers to the portrait went up to Air . Hume ' s house , in Bryanstone-square , on Monday . Mr . Hume , with Mrs . and Miss Hume ( the poetess ) , and others of his family , received the company . The deputation included four Whig Ministers : Xord John , I < ord Palmerston , Sir C . Wood , and Sir William Molesworth . Lord John read the address ( which is to Mrs . Hume ) : —¦

      " Madam , —I have the honour to present to you a fulllength portrait of Mr . Hume . This portrait has been painted by that distinguished artist , Mr . JLucas , at the request of a large body of subscribers , among , whom lire seventy-five members of the legislature . I will mention a few of those who have held conspicuous situations in the councils of the Qrown , or who have guided in critical moments the deliberations of Parliament . Among th . e former are Lord Palmerston , Lord Brougtaton . Lord Parimure , Mr . Disraeli , Sir George Grey , Sir Charles Wood , and Sir William Molesworth ; among Uk" latter are Mr . Cobden , and many others whose opinions have great weight both in Parliament and in the country . The list of those who share in the sentiments of the subscribers , but whose names do notappear , would indeed be along one . It would comprise the whole Liberal

      pai-ty , and many whose views do not agree -with those of that numerous party . The sentiments to which I here allude are those ci respect and affectionate" regard for one whose services to his country have been able , indefatigable , arid disinterested ; who , through a long career , lias never been turned aside from his path by the calculations of selfishness or the animosities of political strife ; who has supported without forfeiting his independence , and opposed without provoking personal hostility . To the members of the Liberal party long engaged , though with various modifications , in the same task of political improvement other recollections will occur . They will recal the time when disability on account of religious difference was the rule and not the exception ; when the green mounds of Old garurn

      had their representatives , and the thriving community of Manchester had none ; when by- prohibition and by duties the common food of the people was restricted in its passage , and burdened on its entrance ; when the popular cause wns prostrate , and men of liberal views proscribed- Mr . Hume has laboured long , with perseverance , wild courage , with energy , to change this state of our laws and of our legislature . More especially in the cause of economy and retrenchment his untiring efforts have been conspicuous and successful . The voice of the people has encouraged his efforts , and a s-potlcss reputation is a part of his reward . Tlie conscience that he has served his country us an honest and disinterested patriot will , we all trust , brighten his remaining course , and after tho heat of tlio day give calmness and serenity to the evening of his honourable life . "

      " Mr , Hume said—My lords and gentlemen , I assure you , on behalf of Mrs . Hume , that she is deeply sensible of the great and unexpected compliment which you haive thus paid to us . No person has been more desirous than herself to see this country prosper , or , at tho same time , less inclined to meddle in political affairs . It has been otherwise with me . I have for a long period been actively engaged in public life ; and a stem sense of duty has often compelled mo to differ from those with whom I was , desirous of cooperating ; but , my lord , I can assuro yon , that no man can have more regretted the necessity of suoh differences than myself . It is , however , a great consolation to mo to look back to the period to which your lordship has alluded , for 1 recollect with irionfmru that an humble subaltern in the mnks has nided in bringing about the changes which have taken place in favour of civil and religious fiborty . In all matters I havo boon guided by one general principle—tho interest of tho many . { Cheers . ) Before I entered Parliament I adoptod the principle—not at that time very much in favour—known as Bonthnin ' n nriuoiolo . that , nnmolv .

      of securing for tlio greatest possible number » ho greatest possible advantages which gaud government could nlford . From tho hour that 1 first oiucrod Parliiunont that has bceu my loading principle . I havo always been anxious to promote economy and retrenchment na a means of lessening the burdens of tho people , and of making the administration of public aflaii-H houewt and pure ; and had that oystom beon more fully curriml out , wo should havo been spared many of those scenes which have recoiuly disfigured tlio aspect of our roprosentativo institutions . My lord , I am now an old mun . It ; ia forty-thri'o joura since 1 tlnst , entered l ' urliament , und for this last thirty-six years my political lilu liaa bucn uninterrupted . 1 Imvo undoubtedly committed many errors in Mb course , but my faults havo not been those of intention ; mill it is must gruLifyiiig to iuo , towurda tho closo of my political caroor , to sou around nio on thin occasion not . only tlioso witli whom I Imvo acted , but many also who formerly ilill ' uroil , or still continue to differ , from mo , who no doubt l ' ix ' 1 that , wo had tho kiiiiio olijuet in view , though our moiina of attaining it iniiy bo dillore ' nt . And it io dousing to iuo ,

      however , to believe that we are all gradually approximating towards the same views , as to the measures and principles best calculated to secure the future welfare of our country . Nothing , rny lord , could give me greater gratification' than , to see so many friends assembled around me , to pay me a compliment so unexpected and so far beyond anything to which I am entitled . Numerous as are the marks of approbation which I have at different times received from different parts of the country , I reckon pone equal in value to that which you have now conferred upon me . I can only say further , that this portrait having been originally designed to be placed in some public institution , Mrs . Hume and myself have consulted together on the subject ; and as no public question has engaged my attention more constantly than that of education—( cheers ')—ever since the year 1811 , when I was a member of the Lancasterian School Society , at a time when we had still to dispute the question whether education for the masses was a good or an evil , it has appeared to tis , more especially as I had the

      honour of being a member of the first council of University College , that nothing could be more . gratifying to us both than to see my portrait placed in that institution . ( CAecrs . ) Having been for years a member of its council I know bow much that institution has done to raise the standard of education and the qualifications of instructors throughout the country , and I hope the council will accept the offer which Mrs . Hume desires me to make of placing this portrait under their care and at their disposal . My lords and gentlemen , I have only again to thank you for the kindness which you have shown me , and to assure you that nothing can efiace the impression it has made ; . and * I trust that no act of mine , while 1 continue my labours , will tend in any degree to forfeit the feelings of friendship and esteem which you have honoured me . with . " { Cheers . ' ) The portrait is to go to University College—that being , regarded as the fittest place for the memorial of a mail . "who has been forty years a member of the House of Commons !

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      OUR CIVILISATION . Ai the Chester Assizes , Sarah Featherston was charged with the murder of Joseph Chaddefton Featherstoa , her son , aged eleven months , v" The prisoner , who is a respectable-looking girl , not quite twenty years of , age , has followed the business of a dressmaker at Stoke , near' Crewe , for some time past . About two years ago she was seduced by a young man , who afterwards deserted her . She gave birth to a male child , and about two months since the prisoner put it out to nurse to a woman named Hannah Latham . The prisoner had been promised marriage by another young man recently . The child was a very sickly one , and as no money had been paid by the mother for its maintenance , Sirs . Latham said she could no longer keep it . Accordingly , on Friday morning the 28 tl )

      ult ., the prisoner fetched tlie child from the nurse . Nothing farther was seen of it until the following Tuesday morning , the 1 st inst ., when , as the constable of the district was passing a small pit near the Shropshire Union Canal , close to the nurse's residence , something in it attracted his attention , and he took from it the body of a male infant . The frock was pinned over its head , and two half-bricks were fastened within the frock against the head . The child was quite dead . After her apprehension the prisoner said to the special high constable , immediately prior to her being taken before the coroner , ' I wish you to telt Mr . Edli-ston ( a solicitor ) that he need not attend , for I am guilty of tlie crime ; it is of no use me denying it . ' For her defence , it was stated that the prisoner ' s father died in a state of insanity , her undo is at present in a lunatic asylum , her sister is an idiot , and it was said that sh «

      ( the prisoner ) had attempted some months ago to commit suioide . The probability that the deatli might have been caused by a , fall , and that the unfortunate mode of getting rid of tho body , adopted by the prisoner , was in order to avoid the shame ot a public funeral , was pressed upon the consideration of the jury by tlie learned counsel for the prisoner . She was found ' Guilty , ' with a strong recommendation to mercy . His Lordship ( 5 lurtiri ) , having put on tho black cap , passed sentence of death in the usual form . The recommendation to mercy should bo forwarded to the proper quarter , but : it present lie could hold out no hope . His lordship was "very much affected while passing sentence . Mi Swctcnham then pleaded the prisoner's pregnancy , and a jury of matrons was immediately empanelled . They found , after seeing tho prisoner in tho gaol , that she ia not quick with child . "

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      A Presbyterian clergyman has beon in a disgraceful position before tho Longton magistrates . The information charged tho . Itov . John Alagee Martyn with being tho putative father of a male illegitimate child , of which Sarah Felicia Holmes , a Sunday-school teacher , und an exceedingly good-looking single woman ia tho mother : ' — " Mias S . F . Holmes , tho complainant , a young female , apparently about twenty-two years uf age . gave her ovidenco in a linn liut very becoming manner . Tlio substance of her statement was , that she ivas u niillinor and straw bonnot maker living at Hanloy . and knew tho Uov Mr . Martyn , tho churoh

      defendant , who was tlio minister of the i ' reubylei-ian in that town . She bcoiuno acquainted with him by goin ^ to his church and being u totioluT in his Sunday school , bho coiiHidorotl herself engaged to defendant aix years ago , mid during that tiuio he had promised her innrrlmjo . 1 heir meotings usually look place in her father ' s house , und they were generally lull together in ll « o front room , fcilio had met the rev . di-li-ndaijt at other phitfes , and had walked out with him about , tiuvo tiuu-s . On ll » o loth of October last i , hu mivo birth touchiUl . ' 1 " 1 jo oonn > lainunt hero dutuiled particulars of n .-pouted iiiterooiirso eoiiimuneing at tho latter end of 1 H& 2 , and continuing ovrr&ovoml months in tho following year , aiul , in answer l «> (| ii ( iHtioiis from tlio magistral on , hI »« muted Him Hiicli intercourse , took iiluou in her lather ' s house , tho do-

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      August 12 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 749

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 12, 1854, page 749, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2051/page/5/