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Northern Star (1837-1852), 21st February 1852, Edition 2 of 2, Page 7, Mlt £ttfcfl«J*ttCfc

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      Cbr Rjary 21; 1852. ; The No-Rtherjfr St...

      cBR rjARY 21 ; 1852 . ; THE NO-RTHERjfr STA R ¦ ¦ - - 7

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      France. I The New Press Law. ,.! ,. Efe ...

      FRANCE . i THE NEW PRESS LAW . ,. ! ,. are rumours current in the bes t informed circles , . note of a character likelv to be anything but agreeable niTanis Napoleon has just reached Paris from St . Peters-Whether itis an instruction to the Russian minister a ?' u formal despatch , is not at present to be ascertained . « contents , however , are as nearly as po ssible ofthe follow-3 character : —The Czar can no longer regard in silence rraoid steps bv which the Prince-President is advancing * ' . * nniflis takeaWe term—has seen with displeasure certain 'ia'i aa published by the President of the Republic soon •« - « the results ofthe vote of December the 20 th and 21 st

      « a-l * aai e known—tbe act which substitutes the Imperial eagle . t-the Gallic cock on the standards of ihe Republic—that Ihifirbieb establishes the effigy of the President on tbe coinage aTuaid , finally , that which transfers the presidental residence ' mm Elysee to the Taileries . His Majesty saw in these iriiririous acts , more or less significative indications of the re-5 ? aUiaWi shiaent of another Imperial era , an occurrence which ' i p * must feel it his duty to prevent . The note , it is believed , iVariva nothing of the Orleans decrees . The Russian minister as is been to " the Foreign office , and if he has not produced he te note he has acted upon it by demanding explanations on

      he the subject referred to . The president himself has since eetfcn the Russian minister , and is said to have betrayed repe at indignation at th- suspicions entertained . T The' Moniteur' publishes the law on the press , of which heiie main provisions are as follows : — 'Ko paper may beesisyrtisbed without government authority . Political news * apMpera published in foreign countries will not be allowed to ins ulate in France without government authority . Persons Etfttrodacing or distributing a foreign paper without such authority are to be punished with imprisonment varying from iaiae month to one year , and a fine of from 100 / . to 5 , 0007 nirhe caution-money of a paper appearing more than ihrice

      vUeek tob 2 50 , 000 f . All publicauon of a paper without nLthori ' . y , or without lodging ; the caution-money , is to be lununished , with a fine of from lOOf , to 2 , 000 f . for each numiffcv and imprisonment of from one month to two years , rg-j-e stamp duties imposed on newspapers are alsa appliata'de to foreign newspapers , unless they are exempted is » der a diplomatic convention . A journal may be snpiiuiessfd wi thout previous condemnation , by decree of the I jecutive . It is forbidden to publish reports of trials for r , cess offences . The courts may prohibit publication of | - -her trials . The Prefect designates the journal in which s rjicial advertisements must be inserted . ' The correspondent of the'Daily News' states : — « I have

      ; trd rumours of schemes of territorial aggrandisement , ftich have prevailed more or less ever since the 2 nd of lumber , seriously discussed in one of the leading political nbs o the capital . Thus reports , which at first appear iibsolutely incredible that one can barely allude to them ; tbe most reserved manner withrut appearing toexagge * ¦ e , gradually gather head , and assume a palpable probacy . I alluded , on the'Secession of M . de Persigny to 5 k , to the scheme of annexing Belgium as then growing ao a se'tied aud serious plan . You have seen since that time )* prostrate the government of Leopold has been before kit demand tbat has been made epon it . The indepensnee of the Belgian press has been extinguished , tbe perms of refuzees violated ; and now I hear that the

      destruen s of the Waterloo lion , and the indemnity for the Antrem expedition have been granted as soon as urged . It m all along evident that Belgium bad no support but Engind ; and now the notion has been taken up by the French : orernment tbat even Great Britain would only bluster a arte , and then give mi the point rather than risk a war . Certain it is that Belgium swarms with French emissaries , ad that agents ofthe government of Louis Napoleon have isn sedulously engaged in sapping the allegiance of the my of Leopold ; so that a mi itary declaration in favonr of iraexation to France , which might easily be got up in the Wiian garrhon , would be interpreted here as the cry of be Belgian people , and acted upon accordingly . Intrigues

      ire ou foot alsa for obtaining the cession of the Grand Dnchy of Baden , through the mediation of the President ' s ml the Princess Stephanie , Dowager Grand Duchess of Bid ? o . I mention this , as the annexation of Baden , as ire !! as the Rhine province of Prussia , was seriously disrafd to-day in the drawing-room ( of which I have spoken fore ) , where such projects certainly wonld not have been i ° ntioned had they been as unreal as might he supposed . ' The * Independence' of Biussels publishes a model peti-• m . which the supporters oi Louis Napoleon are circulating 3 i signature , in order to its presentation to the Senate pan its meeting . The prayer of the petition is , that Louis

      • ipoleon may graciously assume the empire , and constitute : hereditary , in order to assure France against evils which lie is now dreading . The first petition emanates from the jwa of Chatillon-sur-Loirs . A correspondent says — « The stagnation of affairs is Mnplained of bitterly on all bands . I am told by a laceabr on the Boulevards tbat , during the month of January , * usually sells about three thousand pounds' worth of lace . M January he sold lace to the amount of 49 fr . This impk fact , which has come under my own observation , ill enable you to form some estimate of the distress geneillv felt bv those who subsist on the sale of articles of

      nury . It is said tbat the formation ot a sort of imperial guard is u contemplation . This would consist of four picked regikbIs , two of which would consist of foot-grenadiers , one of wrse-grenadiers , and one of hussars . A decree enacts that the only day celebrated as a national r / f shall be August lath , tbe Emperor ' s birthday . All objects having belonged to French sovereigns are to k collected from the provincial museums , and to form a di . raon of the Louvre .

      A long decree regulates the emigration and engagements i workmen in the colonies . The Precurseur d'Auvers states that M . Greppo ( the old r ead of Proudhon ) has been engaged as foreman in a silk ssnnfacrory in Switzerland . Before becoming a member ' f the National Assembly Greppo was considered a most skilnl workman . The sub-Prefect of D » mfront , in the One , has snpwssed the game of la soule ( foot-ball ) within his jnrisdic' ¦ w . That game had existed in the department since the * riod of tbe Gauls .

      BELGIUM . The Belgian government has just ordered an angmentaa > n of 100 men in each ofthe battalions of tbe regiments iihe line of the Belgian army . As there are forty-nine »« a ! ions , this will make the total augmentation 4 , 900 . 'i s reported also , says the ' Presse , ' tbat the eovernment "cads to apply to the Chambers for a credit of 6 , 000 , 000 * ncs for the establishment of an entrenched camp in the ? W 0 ns Of Antwerp , and for putting into a state of defence ra Tele de Flanders .

      ITALY . hOMBARDY . —The « Official Milan Gazette , ' of the 12 ; h , « n ! a ; ns a decree from Count Strasoldo , Imperial Lieutenant ™ Lombard y , directing that all money transactions by contact are henceforth to be effected in Austrian money to the fusion of all old or foreign currencies , and are to be un" tt ^ ood so in courts of law , unless it be clearly proved 1 th ; parties really intended for some special object to £ ll pnlate for a particular description of currency . A latter from Milan , in the ' Opinione' of Turin , of the " 'h , states that tbe forts of Milan are to he immediately Spieled , and that the government has established a rel'ffe fund to meet tbe expenses of a war , in case it should Mii out . Lombardy is at this moment entirely snpport-H bv her taxes 100 , 000 men of the Army in AuUrian Italy .

      ! > e population of Lombardy and Venice is only 5 , 000 , 000 . ^ pressure upon the tax-payers is prodncing extensive Mi gration . ROME . —February 10 th being the anniversary of the ^ 'ablishment of a republican form of government in Rome dree years ago , was saluted at early dawn by petards , and ^ pl osions resembling discbarges of artillery , in many parts " lhe city , much in ihe same manner that the ecclesiastical a « h « jritifcs fire off the cannon of St . Angelo on the annual

      Kcarreoce ° f Christmas or Easter-day . Tbe operation must » ave rf quired as much courage as dexterity on the part of «« republicans and their agents , as the sb ' trri were by no ¦ Sfans forgetful of the ominous anniversary , and were about "an early hour to prevent any celebration of it . They " We some arrests of unoffending individuals , who were Pr oceeding to their morning avocations , and were unlucky y th . to be near the petards at the moment of their exf'Osian .

      ; GERMANY . 8 to , ^'~ Another branch has been lopped from the The it the Const , tuli ° n , and one of the most impor tant . Upper Chamber , in the sitting of the 11 th inst ., affirmed cj motlon of M- Klee , removing the trial of political preset '"^ C " mes from the com P elence of a jury . By tbe ajg * ; amendment , offences committed through the press aim ' ' ( to a jury court , * in so far as the law does not d ^ * Pecial exemptions } ' but political offences and mistie « r ° ara "holly taken awav from the competence of 6 b S o £ « h . worne . ' The debate was brief and altogether * ere -f ° * tlie great principle at stake . The arguments tiouj . her deep nor extensive ; a few assertions , assumpar ticu ' * 8 enerauths sufficed to cancel almost the only , 8 io t 5 D the Coestitution that was worth preserving . The Sec <> nd Was - carrie < i ny ninety-two votes against fifty . A | fi j , p 0 tion t which may be considered a pendant to the ! frejte ^ 11 11 ' ftzenplitz , was also carried . It proposes to AUsT ftt le Trionnal' for the trial of political offences . Pufl , ¥ V-The official papers confirm the fact of a disft . ~ . *' lng hpan TaMi .. iI fit . ft . A fsaf AmMIASn nna ( fmm

      ^ asbinrt fldsemann , Autrian Charge d * Affaires at liat € tCQ * l on bating that 'he had broken off all diplomatic hition nuV th the 8 ° TCrament of the United States / The I 0 , t 2 e Amerieaa ienr £ KatatWea ( Yieanahutons

      France. I The New Press Law. ,.! ,. Efe ...

      been both difficult and disagreeable . Tbe behaviour of both the court and the cabinet towards " him has been even suf . fered to be commented on in the cehsoMidden press , and after a residence in Vienna of about twelve-months he is stated never to have been received b y tbe Emperor till within this last week or so , and then very coldly , and not iu a private audience . Some admirable laws have just been published respecting that dangerous class ofoffenders who have lately been so often detected in doing wilful damage to railroads and telegraphs . The punishment to be awarded them will be estimated by the mischief done : for any injury to property the offender will be imprisoned five years ; if any danger is incurred to life or limb this term will be doubled ; and if death is occasioned the criminal will suffer the extreme penalty of the law , just as if he had committed murder in any other way .

      UNITED STATES . Our advices state that a new stock has been announced in the commercial market . —the Kossuth bonds , of which the following is an official intimation : —The Hungarian General Committee , located in this city ( New York ) have been for some time devising a scheme for the issue of obligations of various amounts , to constitute a national loan for Hungary . Last evening the arrangements were completed . Tbe bonds will be in sums of one , five , ten , twenty , fifty , and a hundred dollars , each one bearing the signature of Kossuth , and made payable by the government of Hungary , upon the establishment of a republic . These certificates will be immediately prepared for distribution . Hungarian committees and private individuals may obtain them ; and it is presumed the demand will be extremely pressing . One of tbe most

      eminent lawyers has given it as his opinion that the issue of these bonds will be an indictable offence ; and there will not be wanting those eager to arrest every member of tbe Kossuth committee . Every mail from tbe west brings us news of continued ovations to this extraordinary man . Material aid , however , flows in scantily , and Kossuth has openly expressed regret at the expense lavished on civic entertainments accorded him , and which mi ght have been so much more profitably spent on Hungarian exiles in this and other countries . He has , however , raised six thousand dollars in Pittsburg and its vicinity—principally from tbe contributions of the working classes , numbers of whom he has personally visited in the foundries , factories , & c . He is again represented as quite ill . Tbe Ohio State senators have subscribed five dollars each to the Hungarian fund , and it is said that the members of the house vrili do the

      same . SPAIN . The Queen ' s health continued most satisfactory . She still desired to repair to the church of AtOCha OH the 15 th , but the physicians considered her Majesty too feeble to undertake that pilgrimage . They , moreover , feared the excitement which the enthusiastic reception she would experience on that day might produce . Numerous carpenters were working day and night in erecting columns and triumphal arches iu tbe streets through which the royal cortege was to pass .

      . . CHINA . From the Horig Kong papers we learn that a terrible fire took place on the night of the 28 th , by which nearly 500 houses were destroyed , in a part of the Chinese town known as Sheong-Wan , and that some officers aud privates in attempting to blow up a house by gunpowder to prevent the further spread ef the fire , were killed by the explosion . The rebellion in Kwang-si still continues , but the operations are described as of the most insignificant character .

      INDIA . Our advices from India state that in May last a circular was sent round to all residents , judges , and magistrates , at out stations , directing them to inquire into tbe existence and origin of the belief tbat seemed to he becoming general through the country that any decision that was required might be obtained from the Bombay government , by sending large sums to tbe presidency , to be made use of for purposes of corruption , or what is termed hhutput amongst the natives . To this a long and elaborate reply was sent in by Colonel Outram , giving the explanations government seemed to desire , and showing that at Baroda the belief in

      these practices had long been universal—enclosing a list of decisions given or reversed , in accordance -with the wishes of those chiefly suspected of corrupting , as grounds for the suspicion . Some time after this , a vast mass of papers was sent in by him , on the oppression suffered by the Settanee Joetabbaee , who had , though under our guardianship , been robbed of her only son , stripped of all her property , and her good name slandered away ; when the Bombay government summarily dismissed him from tbe best paid appointment under them , and the Governor refused him an audience—his sole offence being his anxiety to preserve tbe British name immaculate , and his efforts to put down and expose the monstrous corruption of the British residency .

      SWITZERLAND . The Federal Journal' of Switzerland has the following , under the head of Berne * , — ' The note of the French government , recently presented to the Federal Council , complains of the hostility of the Swiss press to the President . We are assured that the ambassador of France , M . Fenelon , declared , in presenting the note , that the French republi c meant that it should be executed , not discussed . This has produced great sensation at Berne . ' The ' Gazette' of the Canton de Vaud states that the French government had de . manded from the Swiss government , in the moat peremptory terms , the expulsion of the French political refugees from the places where they now reside to ones to he named by the government of France . The Geneva journals of the 15 th publish a circular issued by the government of that

      canton , requiring all French refugees whom recent events have brought into Switzerland , and whose passports are not en regie , to present themselves at the bureau of police , and state whether they demand an asylum , or are prepared to apply for travelling passports . These who ha-ve been cited before the French tribunals , or condemned for contumacy , must , if they desire to remain in Switzerland , repair to the interior , to a distance of at least ei g ht leagues from the frontier ; those who desire to leave may receive passports , under the sanction of the federal authority . Citizens are reminded tbat they are forbidden , under penalty , to entertain strangers , without making tbe declaration to tbe proper bureau , which grants permis de sejour It is added that these admonitions are made by the council of the canton , at the demand of the federal com

      missioners . The 'Journal de Geneve ' announces a strike of 400 working jewellers , on account of a misunderstanding with the masters .

      AUSTRALIA . IMPORTANT HEWS FROM THE GOLD DIGGINGS OF AUSTRALIA . By the Overland India and China Mail we have received accounts from the gold diggings to the beginning of November . Extraordinary excitement was created by the announcement of gold being discovered at Melbourne , Port Philip ( now called Victoria ) , in such prodigious abundance as to leave the S ydney diggings completel y in the shade . From all accounts the Melbourne diggings are inexhaustible , whilst the daily jield to each man exceeds in quantity the lucky weights ef which we heard so much in the early gold history of California . About 10 , 000 diggers were at work at the mines at tbe end of October , and the average yield or earnings of each digger was from 1 £ to 1 £ ounce of gold per man per day . Flocks , herds , workshops , and the

      fields were all deserted by men , who preferred tbe moderate luck of £ 20 to £ 100 per day . at the diggings , to toiling for a whole week Cor as tneny shillings . Government escorts had been established to protect the treasure in its transit to town , the daily amount transported being from 2 , 000 to 3 , 000 ounces . For example , on October 23 rd , the arrival of gold under escort from tbe neighbourhood of Melbourne was 88 lbs . 11 oz . 4 dwts ., and 136 lbs . 9 oz . 16 grains from the Geelong and BaUarat diggings , or a total of 2 , 703 oz . 4 dwt . 16 grs . Some notion may be formed of individual success from the circumstance that on October 23 rd the large amount of 931 bs . weight , or 1 , 116 ozs ., was exposed for sale in the rooms of Symons and Perry , in Bourke-street . The person in whose possession it was stated tbat a party of seveu had obtained it at the BaUarat diggings in the snace of fourteen days .

      A man named Sewell had returned from Mount Alexander , bringing with him gold , for which he obtained a cheque for £ 75 , being the ewmwRs ai fourteen days' work . The following is taken from the Melbourne * Daily News , ' October 25 : — « A Mr . Leete called at onr office last night , and kindly communicated that he hed just arrived in town from Monnt Alexander , bringing with him 250 oz . of gold , which he and four others had obtained in the short space of one week . He had 61 J oz . with him , which , on inspection , we found to he precisely similar to tbat obtained at BaUarat , with this slig ht difference , that none of the particles were smaller than the head of a pin , and graduall y ascending to nuggets about the size of a Turkey-bean , '

      The effect of this news was that nearly every male quitted for the digg ings , leaving few but women in the town . Many of these seekers had returned disappointed ; they all agree in saying tbat gold is only to be obtained after an immense quantity of labour . From Adelaide news to November 13 , mentions the discovery of small pieces of gold taken from a piece of quartz , onMr . Boord ' s section on the Torrens , about nine miles from Adelaide .

      A Chaubhob To Thb Taskbes.—We Understand...

      A Chaubhob to thb Taskbes . —We understand that Mr Charles Mare , the eminent shipbuilder of Blackwall , has challenged the Americana to run a vessel against any that they can prodnce for a thousand guiiwas . The tonnage of the shipa to be firona fifty to 300 tons . —Kiijjgd Service

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      -Monday , Feb. 16. House Of Lords.-Affai...

      -MONDAY , Feb . 16 . HOUSE OF LORDS .-Affairs of Ikou . —The Earl of Eilknborough said that since he had given notice of his intention to ask the government what measures they intended to pursue during the present session with regard to the expiration of the East India Company ' s charter , he had seen that it was proposed at an early day to move for a Select Committee on the subject in the House of Commons . All therefore , that he would now ask was when the government meant to move for ' a similar Committee injhafc house ? When that Committee was appointed , he hoped the government would be able to afford tbe fullest information on Indian matters , as was , the case when he moved for a like Committee in 1830 . With regard to our dispute with the Burmese , he hoped , though he could scarcel y believe it that the accounts just received of its settlement were true . ' He was afraid , too , that if hostilities ensued , the govern ' , ment would find the claims for compensation from British subjects enormous ..

      The Marquis of Lansdownb replied that it was his intention to move for a Select Committee on Indian affairs , though he could not say at that moment when he should bring forward his motion . If , when the Committee was appointed i Lord Ellenborough would attend its deliberations he would find the government prepared to produce the desired information . The noble Marquis then en tered into an explanation as to the dispute at Rangoon , saying that he had no reason to doubt the sincerity of the concessions granted by the Burmese Emperor , and concluding by declaring his conviction that we had right on our side . Mobb Admibamt Blowers . —The Duke of Monirose wished to ask a question of tho government with reference

      to the ship Mega ? ra , which had been employed to take out troops to the Cape . They had been embarked at Dover , and within forty-eight ' hours had encountered a heavy gale in the channel . The sea stores and stock belonging to the officers were placed on deck in a most disgraceful manner , and from the want of proper caulking the water poured into the vessel in a most unusual manner . The ship had arrived at Madeira , and by private letters which he had received , ne learnt that this defect continued throughout the voyage to the great discomfort and annoyance of the troops . He wished to ask what amount of ordnance stores were on board , and to whom the blame of the inconveniences complained of attached ?;

      The Karl of Minio said that the ship had been fitted up with more than the usual care ; that inquiry had been made as to the number of men she could take , and the authorities at Sbeerness stated that 702 men could be convenientl y accommodated in her ; that 677 officers and men were sent on board ; and afterwards when the Birkenhead was fitting out to convey troops to the Cape , the Admiralty suggested that 100 of the rifle corps should be transferred to tbat ship , but the answer was , that the officers preferred remaining together . The ship was fitted up with every comfort ; she sailed in bad weather ; and if tho master bad done his duty , he would have taken shelter , and completed his stock at some other port than Plymouth . The Earl of Ellenborough would recommend the noble duke by and bye to move for the doctor ' s report , which would be the true test of the conduct of the Admiralty ; It was more important that 400 troops should bo landed in a state of efficiency than 600 suffering from the effects of the voyage .,

      HOUSE OF COMMONS . ^ Capt . DtspoiiBE took the oaths and his seat for East Retford , in the room of the Hon . Arthur Duncombe , who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds . Mr . FEARGrs O'Connor . —Miv F . O'Connor was one of the earliest members in attendance to-day . The hon . member appears . to have suffered much from his incarceration m Coldbatb-fields prison . He no longer presents the bold front and jolly rollicking appearance for which he was so remarkable , but stoops considerably , walks with an infirm and uncertain step , and looks exceedingly pale and haggard . Mr . O'Connor seemed especially anxious throughout the evening to court the attention of other members , many of whom he solicited to shake hands with him . East Ihm & . Coupjwnt ' s Chmvier . —Mr . 3 ? ox Maulb gave notice for Friday , tho 27 th , to move for a select committee on the East India Company ' s Charter .

      Education in Scotland . —Lord J . Russell stated , in answer to Mr . Forbes M'Kenzie , that a measure on the subject of education in Scotland was in preparation , and would be introduced in the course of the present session . " Cooked : ' Electoral Returns . —Sir B . Hall , Sir De Lacy Evans , and . Mr . . G . Thompson , called attention to several gross inaccuracies in the population returns which government had laid on the table in explanation of tho new Reform Bill . Sir G . Grrv . said the returns had been furnished by the Registrar-General , but the matter should be inquired into .

      New Local Militia . —Lord J . Rossell , in committee of the whole house , brought forward his proposition to re-embody the militia . As showing that the measure was not consequent on threatenings of war , lie referred to his statement of 184 S that it was desirable to make provision for the defence of the country by means of a permanent militia , a proposition which was then withdrawn , the accompanying proposal of increased taxation not being palatable to the house . Speaking of the various treaties by which we were bound to defend certain foreign countries , and to maintain tho balance of power , he urged that it was impossible to say that circumstances might not arise , without any iuterference of ours which would occasion some disruption of our peaceful relations . The introduction of stoam navigation , although ' it afforded us an additional means of protection

      on the one hand , lessened the natural difficulties which an invading force would have to contend against . Our military establishments , in consequence of the jealousy of the people , had been always in time of peace far below „ those of continental powers . It was true , a small increase of our regular force was contemplated , to the extent of 4 , 000 men of tbe line and 1 , 000 artillerymen , or rather less than the whole number of reinforcements sent to the Cape , but this would not provide a force sufficient for home defence . As the militia was formerly constituted it differed little in cost or description from the regular army , except that it could not be employed out of the country . Tiie force now proposed would be a local one , and their services confined to the ' eounties in which they belonged ; the country depending , in case of

      actual hostilities , on a commensurate increase of the regular army . Atrained militia might be usefully employed in repelling any sudden invasion while the necessary recruiting was going on , and that service over , they would return to their more limited and partial duty in their own counties . The first change in the measure now proposed from previous militia bills would be in the appointment of the officers . Of these , two-thirds would be appointed by the lord lieutenant and one field officer , and ene-third of the captains by the Crown . Nor was the lord lieutenant to be restricted as formerly by property qualification , but , with the approbation ofthe Crown , might appoint who he thought fit . With regard to the men , every man between the ages of twenty and twenty-three would be liable to the ballot for the first year ( under the ; old ; Militia

      Act the age was from eighteen to thirty ) , and in subsequent years those only would be ballotted who were between twenty and twenty-one . This it was calculated would give a force of 80 , 000 men for the first year , and of 30 , 000 for after years . The names of those liable in each union and county would be easily obtained from the census of last jear , and they would he required to present themselves on a certain day , when the ballot would be taken , and onefifth of the whole number would be taken for service , ten per cent , being reserved to fill up deficiencies occasioned by admitted exemptions and failures at tho medical examination . The period of service would be four years , to be increased if necesary by order in council for six months , and a further six months on an address to the crown by parliament in the event of threatened danger . Volunteers

      would havo to serve a year less than the ballottod men . The force would be formed into battalions , and would be assembled for training and exercise from fourteen to twenty-eight days in the first year , and fourteen iu subsequent years , and while out on duty the ordinary pay of soldiers would be allowed them . The annual expense was estimated at £ 200 , 000 , for which an efficient force of 30 , 000 trained men would be provided yearly . The total number of men enrolled , it was estimated , would not be less than 80 , 000 the first vear 101 , 000 the second year , and 120 , 000 the third , which was the out & ide limit to which , Ue thought the force should be carried . The bill would be confined to England and Wales ; if , in the course of time , a similar measure for Scotland should be needed , it would be brought forward , but it was not proposed to extend the principle to Ireland .

      Mr . Reynolds did not know whether the exception of Ireland from the government plan was to be regarded as a boon or an insult . ( Loud laughter . ) As an Irishman he could not except the exemption of Ireland as a compliment . ( Continued laughter . ) If the arguments of the noble lord was good for embodying a local militia in Eng . land—and he ( Mr . Reynolds ) was not prepared to say that they were not good—those arguments were still better as applied to Ireland . If it was necessary because of the fear of an invasion from some part of the continent—and he could not guess as to the particular country by which they were most likely to be interfered with—to raise a local militia in England , there was more urgent need of possessing such a force in Ireland , where , in consequence of her geographical position , the danger was still greater . He must remind the noble lord that an Irish local militia was embodied once before at a time of great peril , when the existence o ' . the empire was in the scale . He must remind

      the noble lord , in particular , of 1798 , when an armed French force arrived at Killala , and marched without impediment from the Bay of Killala to the centre of Sligo ; and it should not be forgotten that that force was encountered by a body of Irish militia , commanded b y Colonel Verecour , now Lord Gort . ( An honourable member—Surely not the present Lord Gort . ) Well , his father . ( Great laughter . ) It was a trifling mistake ; and there was no doubt that it was very creditable to the present Lord Gort to have had such a father . ( Roars of laughter . ) To have exempted Ireland from this plan was , therefore ( continued the hon . member ) , no compliment to the loyalty of that kingdom ; and he greatly regretted that tho noble lord had made such a mistake . Lord J . Russell , in reply to Sir J . Parkington , said the local militia would . never be called upon to serve out of their own counties except in tbe event of a threatened or actual invasion . ¦ '

      Mr . Hume would prefer an increase to our regular army rather than a system which must operate as a severe tax on the labouring population . Government ought , at least to give the franchise to those who were drawn . Were , we to have dome new Holy Alliance against some one continental state ? He was astonished at such-ideas—at such apolicy —in the present government . Was any man iu that house so mad as to think that he would ever again see a Bxitish

      -Monday , Feb. 16. House Of Lords.-Affai...

      soldier on tbe continent of Europe as an aggressor ? Suoh a sight would never be . seen , would never be permitted again . To contemplate such a thing was tO j comtemplate a renewal of . that fatal foreign policy which had saddled £ 600 , 000 , 000 ( such was the sum named by tlie hon . member ) upon the country , and which siim , as a permanent debt , ground down the whole people . The noble lord could not be aware of the dissatisfaction which would beexperienced at this proposal to force portions of tho population into compulsory service . There was no suggestion that the men so forced from their homes were to lie enfranchised , ( ffear , hear . ) Ob , no . Tbey were to bo tbe defenders of tbe country . But they were not to have the rights of citizenship . Here , then , was a whig government adopting the princip les and the practice so severely reproof former and if the

      bated in the tory governments years ; noble lord persevered in suoh causes , he ( Mr . Hume ) would tell him that the day was net distant when he would havo to give way . The noble lord seemed to have forgotten Lord Grey ' s declaration , and the approbation which that declaration elicited from the whole people . He ( Mr . Hume ) would take the sense of the house on the question . If he could find a seconder , ho would give the house the opportunity of-dividing . He would ask what we ' re the fleet of 250 vessels doing , that they could not be employed in the protection of our own coasts ? ( Hoar . ) After thirty-seven years of peace they were bound to hesitate before they adopted hastily exploded princip les and proved bad systems . He would demand that , before they arbitrarily interfered with the civil rights of the people , they should inquire if their existing naval and military forces could hot be better and more efficiently applied . - The noble lord no doubt wished peace . But here , in this proposal , he directly and palpably insulted a

      neighbouring power . This militia was an armanent to prepare against the possibility of a French invasion . But they all knew that the interests of France were to be at peace with England ; and in that house the noble lord and all of them had , repudiated the statements and the assaults against the present government of France . Yet now the noble lord said that they were in fear , and that tbey must not attach any credit to the declarations of the French government . ( Hear , hear . ) Half of the 3 . 0 , 000 ' men to bo called out would be taken from agriculture ; and they should be careful how they thus interfered with the natural arrangements of society . They were to be drilled for a week at a time . Now no one could believe tbat that would make them soldiers . It would just suffice to make it extremely dangerous to let them have arms in their bands . ( Groat laughter . ) At any rate the noble lord should have proposed to accompany this bill with the concession of the elective franchise to every person serving in the militia ; and if the hill went forward he ( Mr . Hume ) would take care to move suoh an amendment . The noble lord had referred to steam and to

      steam-vessels as increasing tbe risks to this country . But he ( Mr . Hume ) was prepared to show steam had been the greatest blossing toua , in point of national defence , nnd that the power of protecting ourselves had been increased tenfold by our steam vessels . . Certainly , they were running risks at present . They had ten ships in the Tagus to assist the government of Portugal . They had { from twenty to thirty ships in the Mediterranean to keep the - Ionian Islands in slavery and in subjugation . They had twentythree ships on the coast of Africa for tbe purpose of plundering the natives , and , by way of freak , of putting down one man , and putting up another chief . Then they had an enormous army . It was called a small army . But the estimates showed that they supplied clothing to 185 , 000 troops , either in arms , or ready , at a moment ' s notice to take arms ; and why was this vast force ( and it was quite exclusive of our sailors ) not sufficient ? He would take the sense ofthe house on the matter . ( Hear , hear . ) '*

      Col . Thompson thought that the country would be glad to hear that tbe government was taking precautions in time against the possible proceedings of vain foolish men ; and referred to tbe recent order of the Prince President to his generals to hold themselves in readiness for the 22 ndit might be to make him Emperor , or it might be to make an attack upon Belgium . After some observations from Colonel Sibthorp , Sir H . Yemey , and Mr . M . O'Connell , Mr . Cobdbn urged that with a due application of the force we possessed this proposal would be wholly unnecessary . Upwards of twenty millions had been spent in ten years in building and repairing ships , besides three millions for dockyard improvements , and now we were told tbat we must look to some extraneous force to defend us . While

      we heard this cry of invasion , our enormous fleet , which was basking in the sun in the Mediterranean , had only the other day been reinforced by the Britannia , of 120 guns . In our own harbours wo had ten line-6 f-battle ships and four frigates , and he supposed they were fit for use . We had also ships of war in the West Indies and the East Indies to protect ouv commerce from pirates , but what use were lineof-battle ships in following pirates ? There was no fear of a buccaneering expedition against our colonies , and if government were sincere in their cry of possible invasion , they would show it by ordering home every line-of-battle ship on a distant station . The noble lord had lectured the press for . the manner in which it had spoken of Louis Napoleon , but he himself was doing far more than the press in exciting ill will on the part of tho French nation when he

      called for a force for which he gave no shadow of excuse beyond the necessity of preparing for invasion . There was no argument now , as in 1848 , that France was increasing her armaments ; on the contrary , she had disarmed her National Guard , and in some of the French papers the proprietory of withdrawing some of the ships from commission was seriously discussed . From a word dropped by Colonel Thompson as to Belgium , he feared there was an idea that we might be drawn into a war by meddling with the affairs of the continent ; but looking at our experience , and the expense ef the last war in which we engaged on a similar plea , the people of this country would never consent to such unnecessary and costly interference again . Ho believed this measure would be protested against from all parts ofthe country . He ridiculed the various hypothesis of invasion

      . that had been put forward , especially that of a sort of buccaneering expedition—a descent of 10 , 000 to 12 , 000 men , as suggested by a writer in the " Unite ! Service Journal , " which , he said , if attempted , could only end in tho hanging of all engaged in it . Paying , as we did , eight millions a year for our navy , including that part of the ordnance connected with it , ail that was wanted was a proper distribution , so as to give confidence to the timid , and the calling out of tbe militia would be unnecessary . Lord Palmerston had , in 1846 , and since , urged on government to adopt some measure of this kind for the defence of tbe country . He was as much opposed as anyone to our mixing in continental differences , but wo had engagements beyond the limits of our . own shores , and circumstances might arise which would render our

      inteference necessary . France was not the only country which possessed a' large fleet and great military power , arid should war unfortunately occur , we could not be sure which of them might be found by jealousy to take part against us . Our insular position , while a source of strength on the one hand , was a source of weakness on tho other , by presenting to an enemy so many points of attack . Efficient as our navy undoubtedly was , it would be madness for us to rely solely upon it , and with regard to fortifications , there was none like , a brave and devoted body of men fighting for their own hearths and homes . He did not anticipate war , butto bo prepared for it was tbe best way to avoid it . The habits , feelings , and finances of the country would not permit a large resident regular army , and the

      mode proposed was the best , it not the onl y means , of providing an efficient defensive force . He objected to the omission of Ireland from the measure , which looked like an insinuation against the loyalty of the Irish people , who , he believed , would be as ready to lose their lives in defence of their sovereign and country , as the people of this country or of Scotland . He thought the distinction between local and regular militia unwise , preferring tho same organisation and training by battalions , as under tho former militia act . Mr . F . Maule said , the question whether the plan of the regular militia should be adopted had undergone great consideration , and it had been determined that a militia of a local character was preferable . Mr . Newdboatb supported this as a defensive measure .

      Mr . Roche thought the . exclusion of Ireland from the bill would seem to imply that her population could not be depended upon . Lord J . Rus ? eI / L emphatically disclaimed this implication . There was no want of confidence in the loyalty of Ireland . Mr . Osborne could not avoid expressing his dissent from some of the opinions to which the hon . member for the West Riding had given utterance . The hon . member was never more provoking and aggressive than when he talked about peace —( a laugh)—and in consequence of the monomania under which he laboured on this point the country lost the services of a clever man . The hon member said that he had great confidence in the morality of the French army . The morality ofthe French army ! The morality of any army ! Did the hon . member derive his confidence from tho scenes . laiely enacted ? Was it from the successful fusillade on the Bdnlovards ? i- ( heai ' , hear)—or from the execution done by the . artillery mother streets where tho

      cannon was fired by Frenchmen on Frenchmen ? Did the hon . member suppose that Generals Espinasse and St . Arnaud would hesitate to attack - this country when they bad not hesitated to break all laws , human and divine , arid placed their own Legislature under arrest ? ( Cheers . ) He could go along with him in so far as regarded the Tagus fleet , but he denied thatbe was an alarmist or a bad economist , because he maintained ihat it was the duty of the government to look to the necessary defence of the country . ( Hear , hear . ) With regard to the militia , he would say this , tbat no foreign power had a right to view it in the light in which it had been represented by his hon . friendas a measure of aggression . ( Hear , hear . ) Raising the militia was not a measure of aggression ; as foreign powers knew , it was simply a measure of necessary defence . After further discussion of a very discursive character the motion was agreed to , and the Chairman obtained leave to bring in the bill ,

      Suitors in Chancery Relief Bill . —This Bill was read a second time after a short discussion , in the course of which the , . Solicitor-General , in reply to Sir J . Graham , stated that it was wrong to infer from the observations of the Lord Chancellor in the Lords the o-her night , that the recommendation ofthe Chancery Reform Committee , in regard to the Maatera ' -officc , would not be carried out . Disprakchisembnt otf St . Albans . —Sir G . Grey then moved for leaver to . bring in a bill to disfranchise the borough of St . Albans . He referred to the proceedings last session with reference to this borough , to the appointment of Commissioners . of Inquiry , and to the facts they had reported to her Majesty , , showing the large sum * of ' money which had been expended in bribery , and to tbi : silent to which corruption had prevailed ' there ; thei result being ; Sir Georgeobserved . thattheevil was so engrained in that borough that there was no ' other remedy " than disfranchisement .

      -Monday , Feb. 16. House Of Lords.-Affai...

      ' Sir-DjB Lacy Evans withdrew his amendment to include the borough of Harwich in the bill , intending to move that no writ bo issued to that borough for ten days , to give time for the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry . Mr . Baoshaw said that no one doubted that up to 1841 the greatest possible corruption did exist at the-elections for the borough-of Harwich ; but he emphatically denied that anything of tho sort had taken place since that time : . ? . » g V doul ( i aiiYthinjr show it more than the circum . w «? i Sir Ji Uobbouse liaving been nominated for tho 3 ? d ^ in ? returned for it without having em seen the !« ce ? ( fauirntB

      beMdm . hHw ? nted t 0 l ) reolude a 9 ham < The ! : e C ° - bu the °£ lnr w d T vi ^ comption existed at Harwich , there w ™ r ,, Vr ^ lAeli 0 ^ e 8 l . oul . l keep in mind that nZ Z l » Z "' . ffe , ' " noe between tho corruption ofthe K ? n , J " haP « ! Pora , voter , who sold his own vote SSet or " hr ! M J Wh 0 l ? ° ™ ' * P tion of the rich pl ' ° " E ; S ? a ^ isas ^ A l ^^^ s :: ^ -i ^^ s Spenn ^ because- a couple of hundred men dif thei ^ ff mal lwbnt tho rich nobleman or commoner did in large , and on hie own sole nccount , m his nomination borough and let the nomination boroughs escape . ( Hear , h « ar . ) ' Lord C . Hamilton wanted to know whether gen tlemen opposite , who had such a horror of corruption in relation to all who sat on the lunches opposite to them , had ever heard of Mr . Coppock —( hear , hear)—that remarkablv

      aotive member of the Reform Club —( hear , hear)—who , whenever a now writ was moved , was sure to repair by special train to tho vacant borough , for purposes which the St . Albans evidence fully developed . ( Hear , hear . ) He should " ho glad to know whether the virtuously indignant members of the Reform Club had ever , individually or collectively ^ taken any steps to put a stop to the operations which Mr . Coppock had notoriously been engaged infertile last fifteen years ? ( Hear hear ) Mr . Roebuck said h > , for one , had had nothing to do with Mr . Coppook in any of his elections , and tbat Mr . Coppock would never have dared to come where he was a candidate , pretending to be on his side . Lord C . Hamilton . —Is not tbe hon . and learned gentleman a member of the Reform Club ?

      Mr . Roebuck .-, Yes , 1 am ; but I never go there . ( A laugh . ) Mr . SrooNER having read Mr . Coppook ' s evidence , in efflenso , as to the general bribery and corruption in boroughs , asked the government point blank whether they believed it ? Sir G . Grey did not know what other answer he could give than he bad already given . . r Mr . Bell had desired , on various occasions when this Ml * fovtunate matter —( a laugh ) -had been before the house , to take part in tho debate , but he had always been dissuaded by some person or other , so that for the last fifteen months he had had an incubus hsinging over him , which he had had no opportunity ' of explaining away . ( Laughter . ) The course he had taken had been misunderstood , and he had

      boon supposed either indifferent on the matter or unable to afford a satisfactory explanation of his conduct . Just now , again , when about to offer somo remarks to the House , it had been suggested to him to hold his tongue —( a laugh)—but . he was determined now to act upon his own judgment , and to take his own course . ( " Hoar , hear , " and a laugh . ) Before he said anything about tho borough ' of St . Albans , he wished in some degree , at ail events , to clear himself from the extreme severity , " of the accusations which had pressed upon him , and from the imputation that it was with his eyes open he had plunged into tho affair , and knowing all the circumstances of the case before him . ( A laugh . ) It was all very easy for gentlemen , looking for it on ground all the details of which had been by close research mapped o . ut , to point out what should have been avoided , and whera

      the difficulties and dangers hy , hut he had had no such advantage when he set out in the matter . ( Alaugb , ) It was perfectly clear that he had committed one grave error , and that was in going down to St . Albans at all . ( Great laughter . ) But how was he to have known that the belief on which he had been led to act was a fallacy ? ( Laughter . ) Was there not ground for him to suppose that in going down he should not be opposed , seeing that the three parties in the borough had each , through its representative , requested him to go down ? ( Laughter . ) In his ignorance of the borough and of the politics of the people there , when he found all throe parties saying they were willing to support him , surely it was not for him to suppose that any disputes about secondary matters —( laughter)—would set any of those parties against him when he bad got down

      amongst them . ( Laii « hfer . ) Having once embarked on the battle field , having pledged himself to go to the poll , having canvassed the electors vigorously in order to secure a position as soon as possible —( laughter)—it was too late for him to retreat ; there was no opportunity of retracing his steps , or of extricating himself from the dilemma in which he fouud himself . He must confess , he had noc been long in tho borough before some very strong suspicions came into his head —( laughter)—but then ho had not con « ceived it to be his duty to ferret out all the details of the proceedings . ( Great laughter . ) De understood tbat itwas not usual for candidates to dive into every act of every agent who might bo employed —( laughter)—but that it waa simply the business of the candidate to canvass the constituency , in order to ensure his election ; and this was the

      course which he took . ( Laughter . ) He had since found himself to havo been sadly deceived in various respects . For instance , there were electors who had questioned him and cross-questioned him for half an hour together , and when the electors so questioned him had gone away as his supporters , he had imagined that he had done it all by his arguments —( laughter)—whereas it had transpired in evidence that these parties had been corrupted , and had merely interrogated him and argued with him in order to keep him in the dark as to their proceedings . ( Great laughter . ) There was one particular consideration which bad made him not a free agent , though he might have had strong suspicions that something improper was going on —( laughter)—that he was in the field and occupying a place which would otherwise have been occupied by another

      individual belonging to his party , to the Liberal party—( laughter)—and he was told he was responsible for the principles on which he went down , that was to say , Liberal principles —( laughter)—and he could not , therefore , back out , even had he been so disposed . ( Laughter . ) He might mention that when he spoke of going down to St . Albana on the principles of " a party , " be was not alluding to the government , for tbe report that be had gone down as the government candidate had no foundation in fact , and it was right that ho should take that opportunity of contradicting it . He fully exonerated the guvevnment from any partioipation whatever in tho transaction , and in fact , it was the government that had been pursuing him from the period of the election to the present time . Moreover , it was they who were bringing in a bill to disfranchise the borough ,

      and from that and every other circumstance , he exonerated them from having any participation whatever in his election . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Bell then proceeded to argue against the disfranchisement of the borough . He felt in a rather responsible and delicate position—first , as therepre * sentative of the borough , and , secondly , as having a case to defend for which it was impossible to offer a defence , ( Renewed laughter . ) But still , that being the case , he thought tbat the only course which he ought to pursue waB to point out the injustice of carrying to such an extreme a measure with reference to one single borough , when it had , been proved before the commission at St . Albans that the \ same system generally prevailed in a great many other boroughs throughout the kingdom . A few days ago he had I gone over the House of Correction —( loud laughter)—and I

      he saw there 150 prisoners . He knew at the same time that i there were about 40 , 000 outside as bad as those who were 3 in , but rather more cunning-. 2 fow , if those 40 , 000 were to J hold a meeting , and to pass a resolution tbat , for the sake 9 of making themselves stand well with the public , they f should hang those 150 who happened to be in the prison ,, then , he conceived , tbat tho * e 40 , 000 would be taking aa course similar to that which the , house was taking in dis-lfranohis ' mg St . AWans , and lowing all tbe other boroughs 8 of the kingdom as they were . ( Laughter and cheers . ) He 9 begged to say that at the time of tho election ho was not t aware of the ' amount that was being expended , and even if f ho had , comparing it with the amounts which he constantly r heard spoken of , there was nothing extraordinary in it . He 9 had heard it said , "Here is an hon . member who paid I

      £ 60 , 000 for his election , " and "Here is another who paid 1 £ 60 , 000 , " and another he had himself heard state that his S election had cost him £ 40 , 0 ( 10 , while they all knew that , t , elections costing from £ 5 , 000 to £ 10 , 000 were as plentiful ll as blackberries . Now , he had had the excitement of ana election , the luxury of a petition , and the further indul . l . gence of a commission , and the sum total of bis expenses is had not exceeded £ 4 , 300 . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Under * these circumstances , he thought it was unfair to chargeje him with any oxtraordinary extravagance ; and hon . mem-U * hers who knew what elections were ought to know bcttetSl than to be so exceedingly severe on St . Albans . ( Laugh-bier . ) It certainly appeared remarkably corrupt for a

      per-irson to pay a sum of money for his election , but they . foundld . others , who instead of paying a sum down , spread it overei seven years , ap . d at the end of that time walked over , thehei course and entered the bou---e perfect , patterns of purityiy ,, Whivt difference , be asked , w . sthevauv v ru \ ciple het * eeneni these two ca > e .-. ? ( He ; n < , hear . ) If an agent atan eJii .-tJODOri treated an elector with a mutton-chop und a . glass of a ' e , hchc : was liable to a penalty , and the moinuer mig ht be un-tu " seated ; but if a member of Parliament , during the pcriododl of the-Exliibition , for example , issued cards to all the eletwcv tors inviting . them to his mansion in town to enjoy bis hospi-pitality , ' even though it were in anticipation of an electipnpn ,, that was perfect purity and perfect hospitality- ( Hear , ar „ JlAflt * \ < : After a few words from Colonel Sibthorp and MMr .,

      A NBTRY ' Mr . RiPTON , the other , member for St . Albans , nidtUtall though he had resisted it as much as possible , he was c « . , vinced that bribery had been exercised o » his behalf , andnd that behad paid his election bills as de nf h » "Xf Jihi the same time he stated both publicly and privately that h « h «! never again would become a candidate for St . Albamwwi ( Hear , hear . ) ,, ,., ' .. Mr . G Thompson did not feel thsHhej bhouWbe do \ npj | utrior iiiBtice inthe present instance if they . wero to censuMW Mr Cock and were to leave out of consideration thithin many other individuals who > for years , as was-known to honion . members on both sides of the house , had heen , engaged lid iij nractices nrecisely similar to those m which Mr . Coppoctocil on hia owuconfession , had been concerned . ; ( Hear . ) As As i member of the Reform Club for many years , he was prtpw pared to ' say that a very large ' proportion ofthe membe « be « Of that association were totally unconnected with Mr . CopJoj [ pobknnd his proceedings ; and he was convinced that th thi revelations made at St . Albana were perfectly new to mapian )

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 21, 1852, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_21021852/page/7/