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Northern Star (1837-1852), 8th February 1845, Edition 4 of 4, Page unpag, VOL. \III. NO. 378^ LONDON, SATURDAY, FE...

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    • Itnptfuil Earlikmetit
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      Itnptfuil Earlikmetit

      _Itnptfuil _Earlikmetit

      """ "'^ Tcesbat, Fib. 4th, 1845. Opening...

      """ "' _^ _Tcesbat , Fib . 4 th , 1845 . OPENING OF THE _SESSION _«•» , » oneniBg of Parliament by her Majesty in per-- _Xsvent which usually attracts a large con-« on l _*^ jlcr \ fajestv s "loyal " , subjects io witness _•^/ . val eorteae as ft wends its way from the Palace _* _* House of Lords , and on this occasion the fine-* ° _« f the weather gave an additional impulse to the _# _§«» _^ _jj _^ _nv to testify their "loyalty" to her _*^ _Sv At a _' quarter to two o ' clock the report of < m announced that her Majesty and her _illns-^ _ZQoosort liad entered the state carriage , and _&* _% afterwards the Koyal cortege was seen _emerg-* _< fom the Palace gates . At a quarter past two _^• nthc firing of camion was repeated to announce ' _ifihe . eortege had readied its place of destination—- Jtonse of Lords . Within the body of the house iub uiee oi laaies

      — - _eivwason _ujnuc . _auenu- _on _^ occasion to witness ihe interesting ceremony was f irreaterthan usual . The doors of the house _' werc _zfjLa at twelve o ' clock , and quickly every seat was t _^ pieu by those who had heen fortunate enough to \ _^ a tickets of admission . But few peers were _*^ t , _anditwasfortnnatethat the gathering was _tfibiBj as the benches _osnalTy kept vacant for their - _" j _j _-jW accommodation were laid siege to by the fair _iSants wkolooked with imploring eyes to the mes ~ zZr to provide them with places . The dresses of *? _jjv of them were brilliant ; satin , velvets , and silks _/^ _exy huewerein rich profusion : while feathers and _jjL-onds cast a rich lustre over the fair forms of those _jkTworethem . The corps diplomatiquemusteredin \ , rre body , and stars and orders on splendid

      _unif orms glittered from the ambassadors' bench . The L _fcc of Wellington entered in his peer ' s robes at _jjuf-past one . His Grace appeared in good health « id spirits although rather innrm . The Lord _Chan-^ lor next entered . At a quarter to two a flourish _^ fttnuipets aim ouncedtheamFalof Royalty . Again a flemish of trumpets was heard , and the appearance jf the heralds in the portal of the house told to many _expectant eyes that her Majesty was approaching . The Royal cortege then advanced , the Marguis of _tfinenester holding-the cap of maintenance , the Earl _peiawarr the-erown , the Duke of Wellington the sword of state . IBs Koyal Highness Prince Albert held her Majesty ' s hand and led her to the throne .

      % Grace the Duchess of Buccleucn was m attendance on her Majesty as Mistress of the Robes . It nad been reported that his Royal Hhjhnessthe Prince of Wales was to occupy the chair of state on the right _aaad of her Majesty ; but bis Royal Highness was not nrcsein \ Prince Albert sat in the chair Oil tlie left _$ - the throne . Her Majesty , who looked in perfect _iicalik , . TOrc the Royal purple robe over a dress of _* "bite " satin , and a tiara of brilliants on her head _, _jis Uoyal Ilighness Prince Albert wore the uniform of the Life Guards . As soon as the Members of the House of Common * appeared at the bar of the house , the lord Chancellor handed the speech to her _Ma-^ estv and her _Maiesty proceeded to read , aa follows •< Mt _Lobds asd Gextlemek ,

      _"iTCfoice that I am enabled on again meeting you in _fiu-liajnentto congratnlate you on the improved _condition ofthe country-- ¦ increased activity pervades almost every branch of _manofecture . Trade and commerce bave been extended at home and abroad , and among all classes of my people _-jgre is generally prevalent a spirit of loyalty and cheerful obedience to the law . _¦• Icontinne to receive from all Foreign Powers and Stales assurances of their friendlj disposition . " 1 have _baimuch safisfection in receivuig at my Court tae Sovereigns who , in the course of the last year , visited _flus country . " The journey of tbe Bnperor of Bussia , under taken at a Teat sacrifice of private convenience , was a proof of Ihe ftiendship of his Imperial Majesty most acceptable to my feelings .

      " Tbe opportunity of personal intercourse thus afforded tomemav , I hope . beihe means of still further improving those amicable relations wliich have long existed between Great Britain and Russia . "The visit of the King ofthe French was rendered especially welcome to me , inasmuch as it had been preceded £ > _f discussions whicli might have impaired the good understandinE happily established between the two

      countries . " 1 regard tbe maintenance of this gcod _imderstantting is essential to the best interests of both , and I rejoice to witness that the sentiments so cordially expressed by all ilasses of my subjects on the occasion of his Majesty ' s Titdt were entirely in unison with my own . " _Gextixxes of the House of Commoks , " The estimates for the ensuing year have been prejared _, and wiU forthwith De laid hefore yon . " _> The progress of steam-navigation and tiie demands for protection to tbe extended commerce of the country » nll occasion an increase in the estimates connected with

      e _naral service . , " Mt Lords asd _Ginixehkn , . have observed with sincere satisfaction that the im-. -. : i > t which is manifest in other parts of the _Ajantry •; _adeo _tr- Ireland . ' ' : _iutl : _Jcai a _? it : ition and excitement , which I bare _t-. > .-i _* e _ociifl _' . _'a to lament , appear to have gradu-. - -J . : n . _I . s _* : a natural result , private capital has j--, * -.- i _. viv applied to useful public enterprises nn-. „ .: - . i _^ _-siih tlie friendly co-operation of individuals ¦ _¦> .- _i m- ; - * _u _veltareof Ireland . ha- i :: ~ i _-nio effect , in the spirit in which itwas r _* vA . -.: ¦! . - - " * fur the more effectual application oi _iWe _Oos-t - _.-j-as and Bequests . _-r . - _-.- * i ; _- _» sud to your favourable _consideratioa the . _improving and extending the opportunities for _iilciuiral education in Ireland .

      "The report of the commission appointed to _mqunv to the law and practice in respect to the occupation oi no , isnearly prepared , ariS shall be communicated to yen imediatelv after its presentation . » " The _aate of the law in Tegara to the privileges of the m \ oi * Ireland , and to other banking establishments in alcoamrv and in Scotland , willnodoabt occupy your

      ttention . "The health of the inhabitants of large towns ana _opulouc districts in this part of the United Kingdom ha _> een flic subject of recent inquiry before a commission . 3 e » p . - . ri oi which shall be immediately laid before you . " _It-mB be highly gratifying to me if the informatioii sa _sugi-estions contained in that report shall enable you _( deviM the weans of promoting the health and comfort fine poorer classes of my subjects _, " ' _congratulate you on the success of the measures flkh , three years since , were adopted by Parliament for ie purpose of supplying the deficiency in the public evtnue , and arresting the accumulation of debt in the mc of peace . ' " The Act which was passed at that time for imposing a

      ns upon income will shortly expire . "' It will be for you in your wisdom to determine thethcr it may not be expedient to continue its operation v a farther period , and thus to obtain tlie means of _adclaatdy providing for the pnblic service , and at the same ime of making a redaction in other taxation . " Whatever may be the result of your deliberations in ais respect , 1 feel assured that it will be year determinaion lo ni .-iir . isia an amount of revenue amply sufficientio iftt the necessary _eTtpenditm-a of the country , and firmly > uphold that public credit , which is indispensable to tbe afionsi welfare . "Th w . jspect of continued peace , and ihe general omestic prosperity and _tranq-uillity , afford a - opportunity for the consideration ofthe im-. ancrs to which I have directed your attention , _imit them to your deliberation , with the earnest at you may be enabled , under the superintending . --- protection of Divine Providence , to strengthen of

      . _^ s mutual confidence d good-wfll between classes of my subjects , and to improve the conmy people . " _-lajegty baring read the speech , returned it to the -anedlor _, and then descending from the throne , » ok the hand of Prince Albert , and , attended by _« t officers of state , proceeded to _theKobing-xoom . > yal _* jrt ? _£ _« left the house in the same manner in it had entered , her Majesty affectionately shaldng with his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge as _sed _ni-oi . " We have seldom seen ner Majesty on a occasion in better spirits . The house then ad-J / Majesty read the " speech" ( ' } in an effective _nqr _. Her perfect enunciation made every word he address be _distkeflv heard iu the remotest rer of the house . The allusions to the inconie andtu Ireland were Ifetenedtowith _^ _ieoilL'ir in-¦ 51 , and some of the peers and commoners _exttigcd siguificant glances . Her Majesty read the * paragraph ofthe speech slowly and most

      empha-Thc _Speal-er then bowed and retired with the _* moers ofthe ether house . Her Majesty was * ° _rted to the long gallerv hy the officers of state , nd bowed to the peeresses " and peers as she left the l 01 » e . Prince Albert also bowed several times . Her _tojesty looked remartahlv well , and seemed to be tt _«| e _aijoyment of perfect health . i he house resumed at five _o'dock , and almost _un-UMiatel y afterwards , The Iii _& e of WeluxgtoS laid npon the table a bill , _MiOea " An Act for the better regalarion of Select _Ves"e-V which was read a first time .

      _ABBESS IS _aj-swek T 0 HEE MAJESTl _' 8 SPEECH _, j ™ the motion ofthe Duke of _Weu-isotos , _ih _eLoaj _, _CHAKCsttoa " reported" the Koyal speech , nse the language of the journals , or in other words a at length , and the same was _subsecmently read by ' _^« k at the table . _" _* address in reply , which , according to unvarying _^™ _*« was a fMthful echo of the -speech , was moved _5 _^ q _* ns C « H > , ana seconded by Lord Gixsmos , e 5 r ? j * ese noblemen confining themselves npon this , a occasion of appearing before the _Honse , pretty _/ to the topics suggested in the speech , and conn _^ _tttaisei-res , as taev passed each paragraph seve-, _*? - _^ ™ 1 with dedaring _theh-peTfeci accordancein _KMnnentg apressed , and recommemding them for _^ on _oftheir _lorilsmps . e _jiarqms of "Kokmaiibt . so far from moving any

      _thTT vm tte _addras , approTed of all he had _&™ ZZ- _^ _^ measures to be proposedby Government ; _^ _Pfoauseaiiat he , at least , would not taunt Ministers _^ " wconasteney of their present _^ proposals with 3 ahv _!^ _f v _? ofes -onB * He bad always regarded the I * _^ Wch had been in progress as to the tenure of

      """ "'^ Tcesbat, Fib. 4th, 1845. Opening...

      land in Ireland as an unmixed evil , and he regretted io find that the result bad justified his _anticipations . The amount of agrarian outrage was also greater than it hnd been for many years , but he should not for the present bring forward any motion upon the subject . The Duke of Richmond complained that while their Lordships were called upon to express then-satisfaction at tbe national " _prosperity , " no mention had been made _ofthe agricultural body , or of tbe losses to which it had In the last year been subject . There was a Board Of Trade which represented commerce and manufactures . Why was there not also a Board of Agriculture ? lie regretted also that no promise _ivas held out of an alleviation of the hardship _Avith which the income-tax bore upon the agricultural tenant .

      A Noble Loan who followed , expressed his regret that any interference with the Scotch system of banking was contemplated . He earnestly deprecated any change ill a system practically so successful , and threatened the unanimous opposition of the Scotch constituencies to such an invasion of their interests . Lordw HAKXCL « FE said he could not allow the objections which hadfallenfrom the twenoblelordstegowithout reply . The Duke of Richmond had complained , that in the speech her Majesty ' s _Jfiuisters had not rightly _state-l the condition of the country , and then he foundfault with them because the state ofthe fanner was not so flourishing as it had been . If his noble friend would look to the paragraph to which his observations referred , ' he would

      find tliat tbe remark respecting the improved state of the country was confined to the condition of the manufacturing , commercial , and trading part of the community . Then with regard to his other noble friend who spoke of the anticipated change in tlie banking system in Scotland , his noble friend bad introduced the word " currency '' in what he said , that word not being contained in the speech . The paragraph referred only to the banking establishments of Scotland , and not in the least to the currency , Lord _Deougham , after expressing liis satisfaction in strong but general terms witli the several paragraphs of the speech , dwelt especially upon the happy effects which had been produced in both countries by the visit of the King ofthe French , and the improved state of public feeling towards Enirlaud in tiiat country .

      The ilarqms of LiSSDov-sr ., after guarding bnnself from the impression , that because he moved no amendment be acquiesced in all the opinions that had heen expressed , and remarking espeeiaUy upon the occurrences connected with the State trials of last year , proceeded , in reference tothe subjects of difference which had been adjusted between this country and France , to inculcate the necessity in every instance of entering at the earliest period upon a full and explicit explanation . Without this , every insignificant island would become a plaguespot , and any unimportant transaction might be sufficient to disturb the peace of Europe . lie ' objected altogether to the system of protectorates , which , as now constituted , he considered to he entirely innovations , and concluded by an energetic protest against the farther continuance of th o income-tax .

      Lord Aberdeen , in reply to the observations of tbe noble _Starqnis on the subject of mutual explanations , declared that the satisfactory adjustment ofthe questions respecting Tahiti bad in this very manner been accomplished . The question of protectorates had not been in any degree involved . A subordinate officer , without instructions and without authority , had exceeded his duty ; a representation of the circumstances , founded upon justice and urged with moderation , was made to the French Government ; and thus a settlement was arrived at , of which neither party had any reason , or felt any disposition , to complain . Hehadasked nothing wbichbe should not himself , in a similar case , have conceded , and upon this principle the negotiation had throughout proceeded . Lord Campbell said , that as the bill which he introduced during the last session of Parliament , for the better administration of justice in appeal cases , had been referred to , he wished to say , that unless the Government introduced a measure on the same subject , he should take care to renew the proposition which he had made last

      year . Again and again he was determined to bring it forward , unless her Majesty ' s Government took the matter np . With respect to the better administration of the law , he had no doubt that a variety of measures would be introduced . Doubtless much bad been done ; but let it not be forgotten that much remained to be done . Very soon a new Ecclesiastical Courts Bill must he introduced . The law of debtor and _creditor was also in an unsatisfactory _* tate , and various other questions of a like nature would require an immediate settlement ftt the hands of thelegisiutnre ; amongst the earliest to which attention ought to be directed , was the bill for amending tbe law of debtor and creditor , for the most serious inconveniences had already arisen from delay on that subject . He knew that the subject was one of great difficulty . He knew that his -VoMeand Learned Friend who now sat on the edge of the woolsack ( Lord Brougham ) differed on many points from hose by whom that law was administered ; and sueh a state of things made it only the more necessary that the matter should , with as little delay as possible , be taken up h ? the legislature .

      The Lo »» Chanceixoe said , with respeet to the bill which bis noble and learned friend had just mentioned , namely , the bill intended to apply to appeals in criminal cases , he should only say , that if asked whether he intended to support or introduce a bill of that description , he should request the House to remember the history of ihat bill ; it was one intended to meet a particular case , and to afford relief to a particular individual . Bearing thsse facts in mind , he had opposed the measure then , because he thought that those circumstances of themselves formed constltuGonal and legal grounds of objection . But In the present _session the ease was most materially altered , and be should therefore bave no objection , under the sanction of the Government , to introduce a bill having tliat purpose in view .

      Lord Bkoughax said , as to the law of debtor and creditor , he should not now go into that question , though he was perfectly ready to vindicate the measure of last year—a measure respecting which the most extensive attempts had been made to mislead the country , though tliere was really nothing in the bill to produce the misdecision which was sought to be produced . As to the £ ' 20 clause , they all knew what pains bad been taken to show that that clause had upset the retail trade of tbe country . tie was a great friend to that clause ; but he was bound to say that the clause was not his , that he was . in no

      respect tbe author ofthe clause , for , as many of their lordships might remember , it was an addition made in committee . He did not deny the great inconvenience which arose from not making salaries and pensions liable to creditors ; for instance , a clerk with £ 200 a-year , living in _furaished apartments , _mightcontract a debt of £ 18 , and set his creditor at defiance , for the furniture in his lodging could not be seized . Still the £ 20 clause had done great good , and Captain Williams , the Inspector of Prisons , had borne testimony to the beneficial effects which it had produced ; and he believed there was not one instauce in which it bad diminished the wholesome credit granted by

      any retailer . Lord Campbell stated that the bill had been drawn up by Mr . ( now Mr . Justice ) Erie ; the clause referred to had been drawn up at the request of-Jr . M . O'Ferrall . The motion for presenting an address to her Majesty , In answer to the speech from the throne , was then brought up and agreed to unanimously . The house then adjourned to Thursday .

      Ar00107

      And National Tmls""Journal. ,: ::

      AND NATIONAL TMlS _"" JOURNAL . ,: ::

      Vol. \Iii. No. 378^ London, Saturday, Fe...

      VOL . \ III . NO . 378 _^ LONDON , _SATURDAY , FEBRTTART 8 _1845 _pbice : wivbpekce . * ' _'JAAtlU _/ _AJ _., _^ . _'M" _^ _. _. aftX ,., p , _ICHJ . Vire shilvmS * and Sixpence per _Quarter

      House Of Commons—Tuesday, I*Eb. 4. The M...

      HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tuesday , I _* eb . 4 . The members of the House of Commons _aisembled at about half-past one o ' clock ; but the attendance was thin , not more than seventy members being present when the House was summoned to the bar of the Lor ds . On their return no business was transacted , the Right Hon . Gentleman immediately quitting the House , and his example being followed by the other members . At five minutes before four o ' clock the Speaker rcsirmed _* Uiecbair ; when - „ „ „ _' _/• 2 Ir . Clifton , the sewly-elected member for _JJorlh Lancashire , and Mr . J . Somes , member for Dartmouth , were introduced , and respectively took the oaths in the usual form .

      Mr J . _Ton-vc moved that a new writ be issued for the election of a knight of the shire to serve in Parliament for North Wiltshire , in the room of the Hon . Sidney Herbert , who has accepted the appointment of _Secretary-at-War . —Agreed to . The Hon . Gentleman then moved the issue of writs for the election of" a member for the borough of Buckingham , inthe room of Sir T . F . Fremantle , who has accepted the office of Secretary for Ireland * and for the election of a member for Stamford , in the room of Sir G . Clerk , who has accepted the office of Master of her Majesty ' s Mint—Both motions were agreed to . , An Hon . _ME-sntEE on the Opposition benches moved thatthe Speaker issue a " writ to the Clerk of the _ Crown in Ireland for the election of a member to serve m Parliament for Tipperary , in the place ofthe Hon . E . 0 . Cavedeceased . —Agreed to .

      , _ Lord Ashley gave notice of his intention to move , on an early day , for leave to bring in a bffl to regulate the labour of children in the calico printworks of Gre . it Britain aud Ireland , and also a bill to regulate the labour of young persons in mills and factories . Mr J . _Yousg gave notice , ou behalf of Sir R . Peel , that it was the intention of the Bight Hon _baronet to make a financial statement on Friday week , thei « n ot _^ _Sl ' ABTgavenotice of Ms intention to _»»» _£ - « «» appointment ofa select committee to inquire _™ f _™ present system of indirect taxation does not press heavUy and unjustly onthepoor ; also for leave to bring m a bill for the total abolition of the punishment of deatn . ¦

      Mr . Wallace gave notice of lus intention tomove on an early day for tho appointment of a _™* f ? _£ _" _™ quire how many of the railway companies , liable to . the _L- _^ ons of the Aetof _ftelasts-arion _^ _^ _flie regulations of the 6 th clause of that Act , **** * the betttr accommodation of third-class passengers . A lso ,

      House Of Commons—Tuesday, I*Eb. 4. The M...

      tliat on the llth of February he would call the attention of the house to the reports of the Select Committee on Haiiways , and the constitution of the Committee of the Board of Trade intrusted with the transaction of railway business , and the effect of its ' decision on the interests of the country . Mr . Wakzey gave notice that , on this day week , he would move for a return describing the diplomats , licenses , and other testimonials approved of by the Poor Law Commissioners as entitling persons to practise as medical attendants in Poor Law unions in , England and Wales . Mr . Mackinkon gave notice tliat , on this day fortnight , he - would can the attentoon of tlie house to the necessity of promoting the health of towns , by preventing interments within their precincts .

      POST-OFFICE _ESPIONAGE . Mr . T . Duncombe gave notice that , on this day fortnight , be would call attention to the unsatisfactory and evasive character of the report ofthe committee appointed to inquire into the opening of letters at the Post-office ; and that he would submit a motion on the subject .

      THE ADPBE 6 S - . * . The Speakee then reported to the honse that he bad been to the House , of Peers , where he . had heard' the speech of her most gracious Majesty , from the throne , of which , to prevent mistakes , he had got a copy . ¦ . , _^ . . The address upon tlie speech was moved by Mr . _Obab-TEBi 8 , who congratulated the house on the general prosperity ofthe country , as evinced by the steady improvement of our trade and commerce at home and abroad _, no regretted that he could not call this popularity universal , inasmuch as in the agricultural districts with wliich he was himself more immediately connected , there existed at present great distress caused by the failure of the crops . Tie _congratulated her Majesty on the friendly _StatO of Our foreign relations , which be considered would be much confirmed by the visit of three foreign monarch ' s ,

      who had all been the guests ot her Majesty , to our shores within the last twelve months . He particularly insisted ou the good consequences liKely to result from the visit of his Majesty the King ofthe French , which he looked upon as a security for peace , and of renewed and prolonged amity between France and England . . lie hoped , that . a brighter day was about to dawn upon Ireland , in consequence of the nbatement of agitation in tliat country , and of the introduction of measures which , being based on the principles of impartiality and equality between contending sects , were calculated to remove the remnants ot national animosity , and to unite all in the love of our common country . Such a measure was Hie Charitable Bequests Act of Inst session , which he considered as a first instalment ; and he looked forward to the Academical

      Education Bill promised by the Government , and tothe contemplated measure for the improvement of the tenure of land in Ireland , as instalments which were to follow _, lie congratulated tlie house on the increase of tiie income derived from the Excise , which he considered as a sound test of . national prosperity . He likewise congratulated ii on having placed the banking system of England on a safe footing : and hoped that in dealing with the same system in Scotland they would interfere as little as possible with existing interests . He looked forward with confidence to a great amelioration in the moral condition of the poor from the general sympathy whieh had lately been excited for them in the minds of the higher and middling classes —a " sympathy which was testified by the numerous plans which were now daily promulgated and discussed in every quarter .

      Mr . Basing , in seconding the addrese , insisted on several of the topics which bad been noticed by Mr . Charteris . He , too , was of opinion that the maintenance of peace , of so much importance tothe happiness ofthe world , would be coufirmed by the recent visit of foreign sovereigns to this country . He hoped that the visit of the Emperor of Russia to tliis commercial country would induce him to agree to some relaxation of the commercial restrictions on tbeintroduetion of the produce of England within his dominions ; and that the visit of the King of the French would remove those feelings of bitterness

      which had grown up In consequence of the events at Morocco and Tahiti . The interests of England and America were both bound up in the continuance of peace , and he hoped that in spite of newspaper paragraphs in both countries , the good feelings of honest and independent men on both sides of the water would prevent any interruption of it . Indeed , from the mutual interests which sprang up under it , the maintenance of peace _was _. a guarantee for its prolonged continuance . Asa security for peace , England _shoulfU-bftaJwaye * prepared for war ; and if the increase of our commercial transactions and the

      introduction of steam navigation had produced new circumstances , which endangered our safety ; he was sure that the national spirit would gladly provide funds to ; meet a necessary expenditure to avert that danger . He spoke in terms of great satisfaction on the flourishing prospects of the iron manufacture , and on the improved condition of the shipping interest . The cotton manufacture , and still more the woollen trade—the latter of which indicated an improved condition of the poorer classes—were also prosperous . The same was the case with the manufacturers of flax , heinp , and silk . Our imports and exports had both increased , as was evident from the Custom-houee returns on tea , coffee , sugar , and tobacco . This prosperity had acted on the finances of this country , which now appeared in a very satisfactory condition , That condition had arisen from the imposition of the income tax , which had changed a deficiency into a surplus of revenue . If the country was to have rehef either from a remission of duty iu taxation , or from a change . in the mode of raising and colleeting the revenue , he thought that it would not be wise to depart from tins source of

      meome . Lord J . Russell could readily concur in the terms of the address proposed on this occasion ; but there were topics hi the speech of her Majesty , and in the address in reply to it , whieh called for remark . That the visits of foreign sovereigns to this country might be a fresh guarantee for the continuance of peace must be tlie anxious wish and sanguine expectation of every _nflan who heard him ; but it was something singular , that though the mover and seconder of the address were both expressing hopes of peace , Ministers were themselves talking precautions again 6 t the contingency of war . He-congratulated the House that our amicable relations with France were not broken ; but said that he could not participate in those phrases of satisfaction which Ministers used in their own praise at the conclusion of the last session . They

      then thought it right to advise her Majesty to praise the wisdom and moderation with which they had conducted the negotiations with Frauce . He saw no _cavise for admiring either their wisdom or then- moderation . What was the case ? Pritchard had been put nnder arrest , and bad been committed to solitary confinement by the French Commandant at Tahiti , on suspicion of encouraging insurrection among the natives ; and it was communicated to him , that if insurrection took place , he should be held w > af . WKth ! e for all the bloodshed which miKht . ensue . Another French Commandant arrived , who thought that there was no ground for such severity , but who also thought that it was unsate that Pritchard should remain at Tahiti , and therefore desired him to leave the island . It was impossible not to admit that if Captain Bruat thought the conduct of Pritchard to be a cause of

      danger , he had a right to remove bim ; but to place him in solitary confinement , and to say that he should be responsible with his life for any insurrection , was a gross outrage , aud demanded reparation , ne was of opinion that if there had been that cordial -understanding between the two Governments of which their partisans boasted so loudly , a satisfactory arrangement might have been made without the delay of two months and without any danger of war . He commented at some length , npon tbe correspondence which had taken place between M . Guizot and the Comte de Jarnae on this subject , and said that those papers made him believe that the two Governments of Trance and England were both too much influenced by the pressure from without , and that

      the understanding " between them was not cordial and complete .. The cloud which menaced the duration ot peace had , however , blown away , and he now trusted that Ministers on both sides of the Channel would feel _thatu was for the interest of their respective nations , anoV Withe peace of tlie world , that they should remain united , and that thev should not suffer tlieir subordinate officers , at a distance of three or four thousand leagues , to disturb their common tranquillity . The present stste of Spam had been produced by the cordial understanding between England and France , two of the most free nations of tlie earth ; and that was a result which no man could be proud of . Whilst he hoped that that cordial understand _, ing would vet ripen into friendship , he hoped that it would in future be employed in the promotion of

      commerce , in the propagation of intelligence , in the m « e »» e of freedom , in the destruction of slavery , and not for Uicsubstitution of a tyrannical Government , for mild and constitutional sway . He was not satisfied with the revival ol the commission for the revision of the treaties on the slave-trade ; yet , if they thought that the exercise of the right of search would interrupt peace , Ministers ought to tell the public what could be substituted for it . He congratulated the house on she improved condition of our commercial relations with China , and rejoiced that it had tended much to increase _..-iriimercialand manufacturing industry in Great Britain . He referred to the paragraph in the address relating to the abatement of agitation in Ireland , and said that , nevertheless , the accounts which he had receivedfrom thatcountry referred to many symptoms which were hig hly menacing . No man said that there was fear of insurrection or increase of agitation ; but no man could say that there was that love andaffection for tbe imperial legislature which ought to exist in the inhabitants of a free country . He attributed

      that want of love and affection to the very injudicious proceedings which had been taken against several leading persons in that country . He then referred at great length to the O'ConneU trial , and to the reversal of tne judgment in the House of Lords , particularly noticing

      House Of Commons—Tuesday, I*Eb. 4. The M...

      the judgment of Lord Denraan , who , declared that the defendants upon the record had not had a fair trial , and that if trials were / to be conducted * in that wriy , the trial by jury was a delusion , a mockery , and a snare . On the question of ' academical education in Ireland , he did not know whether it was a wise one or not ; but ns it had led Mr . Gladstone , whose talents he eulogized highly , to leave the Ministry of which he was so valuable r . member , he hoped that ' some explanation would be given of a measure which had created such dissension , and appeared so objectionable to the Right Hon . Gentleman : ; _- _* Bjtery . measure _' of that kind was calculated to _excite suspicion , UOt only in England , but in Ireland also . He quoted the Clmritable ; Bequests Bill as a proof . of that position , [ -and imputed the - . unpopularity of its reception in Ireland tothe want of confidence in the sincerity . of , the _party

      Tvincli profiercd it felt by the population of . that country . That party had inflamed religions prejudieps for years ; and how , when its leaders' adopted ' , a better policy , " could they wonder that the agitators shouia _^ _wV _^ upoh them the phrases of "surpliced ruffians" and "demon priesthood , " which they themselves once' used ? Such was the retribution Which always fell on men who , instead of appealing to sound opinion ; appealed _ttfjpopular projndicejandfoundedthcii _' . power on deluding _theiiVcpuntrymen . _^ He expressed great s ati sfaction' in " seeing _^ that the Government w | re now adopting several _. ineagures _/ wliieh they had condemned when proposed b y their predecessors . He rejoice _$ _* iji ] the present-. gratifying ; state of commercial and manufacturing industry , but reminded the house that the prosperity of 1836 hfld been followed by the distress of

      1838 , 1339 , 1840 . We might prevent , such vicissitudes in future , not b y interfering with the dispensations of Pvovideuce , but by enabling tlie _mahufactuvei's of this country to _exchange tlieir produce jfpr the productions of _otlier nations . He implored the , IIouse to endeavour to ward oft " the mischief which other _; de ' 8 c _^ might bring upon us , by giving a freer ihietlo tlie productions of other countries . He was convinced that protection was not the sijpport ,. but the bane of agriculture . That the present duties on foreign corn should be diminished , he had no doubt , neither had the Government . He , therefore , insisted that they ought to reduce them , — -he would not now say to what amount , _—rwhilst we were as now in a state of calm , and not hastily under popular uproar , when it would be said that we could not refuse what we appeared to grant .

      Mr . _lliw . _s wished to know why Lord John had proposed a fixed duty , if he was so _' convinced that protection was the bane of agriculture *? . Had his Lordship found it convenient to make a compact alliance with the Corn Law League ? If the income' tax were continued , he Should Claim that in the reduction of taxation the agricultural interests should not be forgotten . Mr . Gladstone entered into an explanation of the reasons which had induced him to retire from the Government of which he had been a member , After thanking Lord John Russell for the very kind terms in which he had spoken of his services , he observed that in the statement which he was about to make , he had no blame to east upon any of his colleagues for any dereliction of their principles 01 ' their professions . . His statement , therefore , would not be a controversial statement or a justification

      of his conduct , but a mere explanation of circumstances , which if mis-stated or misconceived , might lead to mischievous mistakes . He had not resigned on account of any matter connected with that department of the Governnient with ' which , his services had long been connected . He had not _^ resigned on account of any difference of opinion on the intentions , as far as" he know of them , of his late colleagues towards tlie Church , either of England or of Ireland . He had stated to tlie world formerly , not in haste , hut with great deliberation , tlie relations which a Christian State ought to have with respect to religion . He had a strong impression that those who had once expressed strong opinions on subjects involving such important principles should not be parties to propose material _departures from them . At the close ' of last session

      Sir R . Peel mentioned his intention to inquire into the state of education in Ireland , and the spirit with wliich that education was conducted . , He was not . in possession of the measures which the Government were about to bring forward ; and as to , Maynooth College ,. he knew of nothing which they were about to do that might not be safel y inferred from what they had done . At the ramie time he must say that the views _whiohherMajcsty ' s Government took on that subject . differed froni those which he thought ought to be taken on such a question . The spirit of their measure with respect to the endowment of tlie College of Maynooth differed much from the spirit of that which lie had deliberately , recommended . . > His uniform conviction was , that though he was not to fetter

      his judgment by reference _toabutract theory , yet that it was due to the public to place himself in a position to form an bonest and an unsuspected judgment . He had , thei'etore , taken a course which liad caused him much pain , and which had separated him from men with whom he had acted in public "life , and whom he was hound to say he continued to regard with unaltered sentiments of public regard and private" attachment " . The discussion of an increased grant to Maynootli was connected-with excitable topics in this country ; but lie was not prepared to take part in any religious warfare against Sir R . Peel ' s measure—such as he anticipated it might be—nor to taw distinctions between the Roman Catholics of Ireland and others of his fellow-countrymen , so far as regarded their religious creed .

      Sir R . Peel commenced his observations by referring to tlie subject of Mr . Gladstone , for whose talents he fell an admiration which could only be equalled by the attachment he felt for his private character . His rigm hon . friend had mentioned his objection to their measure some time ago , and if he had not pressed his resignation it was his ( Sir ' R . Peel ' _sj fault , as he was unwilling to lose his splendid services as a Minister of the Crown . It was not OH account of any difference on the commercial policy of the country that _hisri ' glit hon . ' friend had resigned liis office—on ' such points there was , and always had been , the most complete unanimity between theni—but it was one of such a subject , which he might be permitted to mention to the house , though his right hon . friend had declined . . On the motion of Mr . _ _Wyse last year , he , as the organ of the Government ; bad declared that it was

      their intention during the recess to apply themselves to the question of academical education in Ireland . He had then admitted that there were not the same facilities for academical education in that country that there were in Great Britain ; and he was now prepared ' at . ah early period of the session to propose an increase of facilities for academical education in Ireland , open to all classes of ber Majesty ' s subjects . Among ether institutions which would be benefitted by that increased vote , tbe College of Maynootli would be one . The Government intended to propose a liberal increase ' in the grant to that college , unaccompanied by any restrictions or regulations as to religious doctrines which would diminish its grace and favour . Tho sincerity with which the Government was acting on this subject was evident from the fact that it had persevered in its intention with a

      ftiR knowledge that it would lead to the resignation of so valuable a colleague as Mr . Gladstone ; and yet the noble lord had taken a party advantage of the liberal policy adopted by the Government , and had condescended to make a little insinuation against it , in order to persuade the people of Ireland to reject the proposal , because the Government were the authors of it . He then proceeded to defend the ; conduct of her Majesty ' s G overnment in respect to the Charitable Bequests Bill , which they had proposed as a matter of justice to Ireland . The noble Lord had thought it decorous to neutralize the benefit of that _measure by ' again ripping up phrases which had been used in the heat of party contest ; but who could wonder that the agitators usedthem , when the noble Lord forgot his dignity and followedtiicirbad example ? The words which the noble Lord liad _. quoted were not used by him or by his

      friends , and he denied that he had ever used words . 'of insult to the people of Ireland . He considered the speech of the noble Lord as a bitter part y speech , and thought that InV equanimity had been- disturbed by the contrast which existed between the speech from the throne this year and those speeches which had been made when he was Minister . Then there was great distress—now there was great prosperity;—then there was a deficiency , —now there was a surplus of revenue . He then proceeded to justify the proceedings of the Government in the late negotiations with France on the subject , of the treatment of Mr . Pritchard . ,. He had never asked , more of the French Government than that which he ultimately got—a fair and reasonable reparation . He should have felt that he was pursuing a course inconsistent with good policy if he had asked for » reparation humiliating to

      France . He denied that Government had complimented itself at the close of last session on account of its wisdom . All that had been stated was , that the differences had been adjusted by the justice and moderation of the respective Governments of the two countries . lie rejoiced In the good understanding which now existed between the two countries , as there must from their proximity to each other be a good understanding , or something differing little from downright hostility between them . There was not one reparation made by France to us which he would not have made to France himself if the circumstances had been reversed . With regard tothe financial arrangements of the year , he would only remind tbe bouse , that an

      Hon . Jriend of his had given notice that it was his ( Sir Robert Peel ' s ) intention to bring them forward before tlie usual time . He should place at an early period the general outlines of his plan before the house , as he thought that when alterations were to be made in our financial policy an early declaration of them was best . He wished the hObleLord would take ; the sense of the house on the question , -whether the Government had dishonoured the fair fame of their country by their course , either with respect to Mr . Pritchard , or to the right of search . He wished the house to declare whether the conduct of _Government , in accepting a _reparation which * was honourable to both countries , was not a" course dictated by wisdom , and justified by sound pbiicy .

      House Of Commons—Tuesday, I*Eb. 4. The M...

      Sir C . _Xapier complained of the conduct of the French _oflii'iTS at Tahiti , not only towards -Mr , Pritchard , but also -towards the commander of the Cormorant . If an English officer had behaved in the same manner towards French subjects he would have been brought to a courtmartial , and would have lost his commission . He thought that * sufficient reparation had , not been given to this country , He expressed his satisfaction at Heart , that a considerable addition was going to be made to our naval force . If it had been made ; some time ago , we should have heard nothing of tliese outrages towards Mr . Pritchard . _^ i *

      . Mr . Plumptre did not consider tiie explanation ot Mr . Gladstone to be very intelligible . He admitted that Sir R , Peel had last-session promised to make further eoncessions to the Roman Catholics . His' announcement that he was now prepared to carry 'that promise into execution would create a considerable sensation , out of doors . He was surprised that Sir R . Peel , after * his experience , was not' convinced that conciliation was an inexpedient course . Concession was the fruitful parent' of demands , ' and would coiitinne to he so whUe 'anything remained to be'demanded _, : ' : Mr . _Wrbe observed ; that at the close of last session be had not asked for , nor had Sir R . Peel promised to grant ,

      anyconcessioirto ' the Roman Catholics . Thegraut for education was not to be considered as a mere financial question ; it rested on higher grounds * ., it was a * great moral question . He _thooght-that Sir'R . Peel had redeemed the pledges on this subject which ho had given last session . He had promised to take into consideration tlie means Of facilitating the education of the laity and Clergy of Ireland—that was all Sir R . Peel said , and it would be for the house to deal' with his measures , when they were introduced , as it thought fit . He wished ' to know whether it was the intention of the Right Hon , Baronet to throw the University of Dublin open ? On that point he had not said a word .

      Mr . YiLLiEES said that it was now clear that all the objects ofthe protective system had been defeated , and that in consequence of the relaxation of tliat system ; the _present prosperity of the country had been produced .. It was owing to the blessed intervention of Providence , and not to any merits of Hon . . Gentlemen opposite , tliat this was owing . Tbe commercial interests were .-flourishing i but the agricultural interest was complaining—labourers , tenants , and landlords . Geutlemen opposite were the partisans of the protective system ; and they were disappointed at its present results . If those results were bad , what , reason could they urge for its continuance ? . He rejoiced in the declaration , of Lord John Russell , that protection was the bane , and not the support of agriculture , arid called upon the house to watch with the closest attention the new financial measures of Government—to support them , if they abandoned , and to oppose them it thev were based on , the protective principle .

      Mr , Sheil alluded , in a complimentary strain , to the resignation of Mr . Gladstone . He thought that Sir R . Peel would think it unfortunate that his Right Hon . Friend should have determined to sacrifice the statesman to the author , and would have reason to exclaim , " 0 , that my friend had not written a book V He 0 > lr . Sheil ) remembered every word in that book , and he recollected that Mr . Gladstone had stated that " the maintenance of Maynootli was a matter of contract ; that if such contrait existed , Maynootli ought to be maintained in a degree of splendour worthy ofthe donor ; but that if no such contract existed , then Maynooth ought to be suppressed . " Now , there could be no doubt as to the

      existence of such a contract made at the time ofthe union , and confirmed since by many grants of . the Imperial Parliament , and therefore he could not help expressing some surprise that a difference on this point should have induced . . the Right Hon . Gentleman to retire from his situation in the Ministry , He gave Sir R . Peel high praise for making this grant , and for the manner in which he made it . ne also wished to know , whether the University of Dublin was to be thrown open , as it was a point of honour with every Irish Roman Catholic to have its scholarships and fellowships thrown open , as thoy Were not on an equality with their Protestant subjects so long as they were debarred from them . He showed that it was not a small insinuation which Lord

      John Russell had made against the present Government in his admirable speech , for it embraced the injustice of all their proceedings in the celebrated O'Connell prosecution , from its first commencement to its close . He then entered into a discussion on the merita of the Charitable Bequests Bill , and after some other observations , asked Sir J . Graham , if he was still prepared _touring in his Irish Registration Bill , and to repeat his . pledge that conciliation had now reached its utmost limit ? : _^ ir J . Graham had no hesitation in stating that it was the determination of the Government to propose an Irish Registration Bill this session , , As to the period of its introduction , he could not speak so decidedly , as it was

      clear that a measure of vast importance , of which notice had been given that night , must precede it . The Maynooth question and the Academical Education Bill would also precede it ; but it was undoubtenly the intention of Government to introduce such' a measure this session . He could not hold out any hope that Government would alter the main principle of the Bequests Bill , relative to the holding of land in perpetuity ; but as it was not the intention of Government to place the regular Clergy in a worse position than that they occupied before the bill was introduced , they would have no objection to propose an alteration in it , if it should be found that the regular clergy were damnified by the _ICth clause , ai _* d another clause which hod relation to it .

      i Mr . Siuw said , ' that the scholarships and fellowship ' s of Trinity College , Dublin , could not be thrown open to Roman Catholics , as they were part - and parcel of the Protestant Church of Ireland . Lord _PalHEbston concurred iu the satisfaction which had been so generally , expressed by tlie house at tbe late visit of foreign Sovereigns to this country . He was not , however , sanguine in his anticipations as to the real benefits to be derived from it . The effeet of a good understanding between two countries was best seen when casual circumstances rose up which were calculated , to disturb it . He thought that tlie cordial understanding so much boasted of last year had failed on the very first occasion on which it might have been useful . He denied the position laid down in France , and acquiesced in here , that Mr . ' Pritchard was not a consul when arrested at

      Tahiti , He bad suspended bis functions , ouoad the intrusive French officers , who had seized on the island and deposed Queen Pomare ; but he was still in tbe performance . of consular functions to all British subjects frequenting that island as merchants . If there bad been any charge against Mr . Pritchard for endangering the tranquillity of the island , then he admitted that the French authorities in the island had a right to require him , to depart ; but it was incumbent on them , before they called on him to withdraw , to have placed their charge against him clearly under his . view . No such charge had been laid before the French Chamber , and there was nothing to justify his removal from Tahiti , even in the most courteous manner . The French officer removed him , because he suspected thc . t Mr . Pritchard had done something

      worthy of suspicion . Here then was a gross outrage committed ; and it was the fault of the two Governments that it hid been committed , for the protectorship of Tahiti never ought to have been allowed . That change in the Government of Tahiti could not be made without incurring the risk of a collision , whicli might bring the two Governments into a very awkward condition . If we had had a stout frigate or two on that station things would have passed in a manner more decorous , and less likely to have brought the two nations into collision . Ifc would not say that there was great ground for the country to complain , as things turned out at last ; still he could not say that . the result justified those ardent expressions . of satisfaction communicated to the French Government ,. but not repeated to Parliament at the close ofthe last session . Ife maintained that our Government

      had not acted altogether in a way satisfactory to tins country . The Right Hon . Baronet had described the outrage on Mr . Pritchard as a gross outrage , for which he had no doubt that reparation would be given by tbe French Government , and yet no formal reparation for it had ever been demanded by tho British Government . Sir R . Inglis regretted that Lord Palmerston had taken the course he had done on the Tahiti question . For his own part , deeply interested as his feelings were against the slave trade , he would not say or do anything to disturb tho arrangement which had been made and accepted as satisfactory . He warned his Right Hon , Friend , the member for Tamwortli , that he must not expect to pacify Ireland b y the measure which he had just propounded , or by any measure ofa similar character . Lord Sanson was not prepared to join with the last speaker in his objection to the increased grant to the College of Maynooth .

      Lord Howies said that nobody had been more anxious than himself to suppress the 6 lave trade ; but what had been the result of nil the efforts made for that purpose by this country ? Many valuable lives- of our officers and seamen had been sacrificed ; and we had not only failed in our object , but had even aggravated the horrors of the slave trade . ' We had no right to exercise _tlie-police ofthe sea unless it were clear that in so doing we were promoting tbe interests of humanity . He was aware that such sentiments would not find favour with tlie house and the Government ; but he was of opinion that If we abandoned bur right of search , other nations would be compelled by a joint feeling of honour and humanity to prohibit the exercise of the slave trade by their subjects . The address was then put from the chair , and carried unanimously . ' _-,.,.....

      . IXCOHE TAX . Mr . Ha wis inquired whether the usual trade and navigation accounts would be laid on the table before the 14 th of February , when the Right Hon . Baronet proposed to call their attention to the continuance of the income , tax . Also , whether any other papersi relating to the state ofthe revenue , and the operation of the new tariff , would be pre-

      House Of Commons—Tuesday, I*Eb. 4. The M...

      y _~~ t * •** j _^ _tnHr * _T-r- _^**** _** " * -i _^*^**>»»* _'iv _« _gir _»»^' _T" - _»^ _-wm * r _? fur— t * imvh * »¦ _•* y _* — m ¦¦ _¦» viously laid on the table , ao as to enable the house to ra ; r . < to a _cornet _decita . - * ' Sir r ; Peel ; said he would do all , in his power to _expedite the trade arid navigation , rcturns ) . * aii . d Jwould _^ _if possible , lay tliem on the ' table in _extenso before ' the u ' ffi of February . If , however , this was impracticable , be would take care that an abstract of them should be furnished . He had already eaused _^ a paper to bo prepared , showing tlie quantity ' of articles imported two years before and two years subsequent to the tariff , and would lay it on tbe table . Tlie house then adjourned at eleven o ' clock .

      Wednesday , _tisB . 5 . _• The _Si'eakeb took the chair at four o ' clock . Mr . Wai , i . ack presented a petition from -. _iierathre bleachers in Lanark , Renfrew , and . StiriinK _, _noiuplaining ofa protracted detention each day in tlie rooms in which ! a great part of tlieir business was carried on , and in wliich they were exposed to a temperature varying from 112 to 120 degrees of Fahrenheit . They prayed the house to adopt some means of ameliorating their condition / Tlie Hon . Member gave notice , that he would to-morrow _, move that tho petition bo printed hi the votes .

      Mr . W _' AKLEr . gave notice that on Tuesday week lie would move for a return showing the number of persons prosecuted under the Game Laws in the years 184 ? . 164 S _, and 1844 inclusive , distinguishing the parties , whether men , women , or children , so prosecuted , the nature of * l : < r charge , and the result in each case ; Stating also the cost of such prosecutions , and also the cost to the poor-rate of supporting the children of persons so convicted while tbe . fathers or mothers were in prison . ¦ T

      THIRD-CLASS _RAIf . WAY _CABHllOES . Mr . Wallace said , that when he gave notice of his in . tention " to inquire of the President of Hie Board of Trade how many ofthe railway compaiiies ; Coining within the provisions of the Act . of last _session . iuul compile _*^ with the regulations of the sixth clause , ns to having _^ seats ami protection from the weather for the conveyance . of third-class passengers , and also how many had failed , so to comply , "it did hot occur to hiui that the late _Vvesi-jdent of the Board of Trade was not now . in office , . lie _-, did not know whether any other , member of the Government was prepared to answer his question ; if there were .. not any , he was ready to postpone his question to a future occasion . The CiiANCEr , L 0 K of the Exchequee suggested that the Hon . Member might obtain liis object by giving notice Ot a . motion for a return oi those railway companies which liad failed to comply with the ' regulations of lhe sixth clause ofthe Act referred to .

      Mr . Glavsto . ve said , that as the question related . to ., matters which had occurred months ago , lie had no Objection to give tlie Hon . Member an answer . From re- . turns made to the Board of Trade , ho was eiinbled to state that all the railway companies , with a very few exceptions , had complied with tlie provisions of tho Act of last session with respect to the conveyance of third-class . * passengers , and tlie complaints . which , had been made to Hie Board of Trade ou the subject wore very few indeed . He would not name those companies which had complied with the Act , for that would bo to . include them all , with , as he . had said , very few . exceptions . The Board of Trade had not proposed any _altevation in the form of the third-class carriages , but they had insisted that those carriages should be provided with seats , ' - and should be covered in from the weather , as far as was consistent with the necessary admission of light and air . ' ;

      That plan had been adopted , aud it had proved a great accommodation to the poorer classes , ne would mention one or two instances by way of illustration . From the report of the Grand Junction Railway Company it appeared that the plan had been adopted , and that , without any injury worth mentioning to the receipts of the company , 2 , 500 passengers per week of the poorer class had gone by the third-class conveyance , who could not under the formal' system have availed themselves of that mode of travelling . On the Birmingham line 48 , 300 poor persons had been conveyed in three months , which was at the rate of 193 , 000 per year . The number previously con . veyed in a year was 65 , 000 , so that there had been an increase of about threefold in the number of the poorer passengers conveyed by third-class carriages . These facts would , show the great extent of accommodation afforlcd to the poor by this new arrangement .

      Mr . Wallace said , he would adopt the suggestion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer , and move for a return of those railway companies which had failed to comply with the regulations of the Board of Trade , and would fix his motion for to-morrow ( tliis day ) . Mr . Yoong moved tho usual sessional orders . Mr . VVititAMS begged to call the attention of the house to sonic ofthe orders which would be read for its adoption . Amongst these was one which said "That it is a high infringement of the liberties and privileges ofthe Commons of the united kingdom for any lord of Parliament , or other peer or prelate , not being a peer of Ireland at the timo GiGOted , ami not having declined lo serve for any county , city , or borough of Great Britain , to concern himself in the election of niomhers to serve for the

      Comnions iu Parliament , except only any po < _iv of Ireland at such elections in Great Britain respectively where such peer Shall appear as a candidate , or by himself or any others be proposed to be elected ; or for any lord-lieutenant or governor of any county to avail himself of any authority derived from his commission to influence the election of any member to serve for the Commons in Parliament . " This was one of the resolutions adopted by the house at the commencement of every session , as one of its " sessional orders . " But how was it acted upon by the house ' . ' TVas it not notorious that peers not only did " concern ' themselves in the election of membors to serve'in the

      Commons house , but did actually send members there by their own direct influence ? and if the act were proved , as it easily could be , the house had no means of remedying the evil ; or , if it had any such power , it was also well known that it was not exercised . According to the common law , there was nothing to prevent any peer being duly qualified from registering himself as an elector for returning a member to Parliament , and from voting for that purpose , Where , then , was the use of this " sessional order 1 " He hoped the Government would take this into its serious consideration , and so arrange it that these " sessional orders' ' should be in reality what they pretended to be on the books Of the house .

      The Chan-cellos of the Exchequer said that her Majesty ' s Ministers were not moro . interested in the question introduced by tlie Hon .-Member than any other ' members of the house . The question was one relating to its privi . leges ,- with which it woidd not permit the members of the Government or any other body to interfere . The house , and the house only , was the judge of its own privileges ; and with that ancient practice he did not think it right to interfere . He did not mean to deny that a peer had a right to vote for a Member of Parliament independently of the right of the house to examine and decide whether the person so elected had been duly elected . With respect to the . resolution read by the Hon . Member , he ( the Chancellor ofthe Exchequer ) did not wi 6 h to see any alteration mado in it , because he looked upon it as essential to the vnavatcriance of their privileges .

      Mr . Williams would beg to put one question to the Right ilon . Gentleman . He would suppose that a peer duly qualified as to property should present himself to the revising barrister , and claim to have bis name Inserted in the register . Well , the barrister , seeing all the qualifications quite ' correct , could not refuse to cuter hi * name . He could know nothing lliere of the House of Commons , or of its ' _« sessional ' orders . " Then , the claimant ' s name being on the register , and the House of Commons not wishing ' to erase the name from it , he was anxious to know in what way the house could vindicate its privileges . He would ask the Right Hon . Gentleman how it was to be done 9 The resolutions ? iefoi * e the ? iouse were then agreed to . On the next resolution ( that which Mr , Williams had read ) , being read ,

      Mr . T . Buncombe said that it was his intention to renew the notice he had given last session , -of a motion for the appointment of a select committee to inquire , whether in the returns of members to serve in the reformed Pari liament there had been any made through the direct influence of peers . The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he whs anxious that the _resolution , then before the house , should continue on its " sessional orders , " because it was necessary to the maintenance of the privileges . He ( Mr . Duncombe ) ivas , he owned , greatly surprised to hear the Right Hon , Gentleman make this statement and preserve tho gravity of his countenance while he made it . A peer of Parliament must not " concern" himself in any election of a member of Parliament , nor assist him with his influence ! Why the Right Hon . Gentleman

      when he said this must have known that there was scarcely a county * ' member , " and . very " few borough mem . bers _, iii front , or behind , or alongside of liim , who did not implore , nlmost on his knees , that some peer of Parliament would "concern "; himself in his election in order to secure his return . Was it not then a mockery and a fai'CG to talk of inserting in our " sessional orders'' resolution declaring it to he a breach of privilege that any peer of Parliament or lord-lieutenant of a county should " concern" himself in the election of a ' member of Parliament f Let the house but give him the comriuttee for ' wliich he would move , and lie would undertake ' to prove ; that two-thirds ofthe peers and half the bishops ( a laugh ) did " concern" themselves and interfere in the election of members returned to that house . Whv " the

      circumstances wliich passed before their eyes within n few days ' must have convinced , not alone the members in _thohonsej ; for they were convinced already , but must have satisfied every man who took the trouble of _rejecting on thein ;' that peers of Parliament did , and were entreated to " conJ corn" themselves in the return of members to " that house , ( Hear , heiir , and a laugh . ) There was the ease of one gentleman , who , if he did not succeed in persuading a certain peer of Parliament to " concern" himself and interfere in his return , mightplace the house in the unpleasant condition of being without the services of a , Secretary for Ireland . ( Laughter . ) He would repeat , then , tliat ft was a mockery and a farce to talk of maintaining oui privileges by such a sessional order as that now before

      thein , and he was surprised that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should make the statement nnd keep the gravity of his countenance . He had last year voted against this resolution , and he would do so again . For his own part , he would much rather that peers did openly vote for members of Parliament . It would bring them in contact with the people , from which they ( the peers ) would derive great benefit . They would find amongst them what they did not * always find amongst their own body . They would find more candour , more sincerity , more honesty , and patriotism than they could get amongst more elevated members of society . If noble lords mixed more than they did with the working classes , they would find few who would give their toW ( Contimied in our eighth -page . J

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 8, 1845, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns4_08021845/page/1/