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    18 Vic , c . 102 , relating to bribery and treating at elections , had not been complied with in regard to the return of election expenses , an expenditure of 8254 . over the amount accounted for by the election auditor baying been incurred . ' .

    BRIDPORT ELECTION . The Speaker read a communication from the agents of the petitioners , stating that it was not intended to proceed with the petition complaining of undue election forBridport . THE MUTINY IN INDIA . Mr- Vernon Smith , in answer to Mr . Roebuck , said that the Government had received no information to the effect that the native army in Bombay had broken out in mutiny ; and indeed , as no mail had yet arrived at Suez , such a communication , even if it were true , could not have been received . He trusted that the editors of respectable newspapers would not publish such vague rumours as to what is now passing in the East .

    TROOPS FOR INDIA . Captain Vivian inquired whether it was true tliat the order to send additional cavalry from this country , on account of the news brought by the last Indian mail , had been rescinded or suspended ?—Sir John Rasisden replied that some regiments of cavalry had been under orders for India for a long time ; but recently the order as to the third regiment had been suspended . WITHDRAWAL , OF THE SAVINGS BANK BILL . The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated , in reply to Mr . Baxter , that , considering the advanced period of the session , and the fact of there being thirty amendments on the paper , he would withdraw the measure for the present session .

    CRIMINAL LUNATICS . In reply to a question from Mr . Joseph Ewart , Sir George Grey said it was the intention of Government to establish asylums to be exclusively devoted to the confinement of criminal lunatics , and a vote had already been taken for the site .

    OUR NAVAL AND MILITARY DEFENCES . On the report of the Committee of Supply beirig brought up , Mr . Bbntincic ( in connexion with the vote for the expenses of the Persian expedition ) , called . atten tion to the state of our naval and military defences . "Virtually , thecountry was defenceless , since , according to the admission of the Government itself , we have no steam line-of-battle ship fit for the conveyance of troops , and consequently none proper for home defence ; added to ¦ which , all the available troops are to he sent to the East , and the militia are not to be called out . A war might spring up between England and one or two of the great

    powers of Europe . What preparations had the Government made to meet such an event ?—Lord Adoijpiius Vane Tempest admitted the necessity of adding largely to the national forces in India ; but reiterated the questions of Mr . Bentiuck as to what the Government proposed to do with respect to the defence of the country . — Mr . Williams protested against any attempt to-stimulate the Government into increasing the standing army . The expenses were large enough alroady , and the matter ought to be left to the unbiased decision of the Ministry . —Colonel Knox remarked that 20 , 000 men hud been abstracted from the country and seut to the East , and they ought to be

    replaced-Lord Palmerston , looking at the state of our defences and at the condition of Europe , could see no reason for asking Parliament for n greater amount of force within the three kingdoms than was already provided . Should any emergency arise , lie was euro that Parliament would not hesitate to supply the neccssury means , and it would bo summoned , should it not ^ be sitting . The gups created by abstractions to the East would be made good by the ordinary process of recruiting . To call out the Militia to recruit from , would be n very expensive process . In roply to Lord Vnno Tempest , the noblo Lord stated that tho amount of force either embarked or under ordors for India was about 20 , 000 mon , partly recruits for tho European corps in tho aorvioo of the Company , partly infantry of tho line , partly cavalry , and ubout 1000 artillery .

    Mr . Lindsay thought that naval defence could nlw « iys be provided for by our merchant service , as an invasion would bo known two months beforehand . Steam-ships would bo of far greater service than sailing vessels , — Sir Charles Napier urged that this country ought never to bo without a Channel squadron . Troops ought to bo sent out to India in screw steamers , aod Government should at onco commence obtaining a uutticiont nuiubor of those vessels . —Lord Claude Hamilton divortod attention to tho Persian war , and asked what bonoilt England had derived in rotum for tho oxponso of that war . Tho offer mado at Constantinople by th . o Persian

    Ambassador before tho war was larger thuu the concessions « t Paris . —Sir Charles Wood replied that tho Poraiau war luul compelled tho Sliuu to porform his treaty obligations , and thus to removo an element of danger as regarded our Indian possessions . Sir Charles then adverted to tho questions started during tho diacusuiou , and maintained that tho East India Company had done well in Bonding a portion of their troops by nulling vessels . Aa to tho naval defences , they wore quite dequate for a time ' profound pqaoo in Europe . England is in . a better stato for war , should it break out tlinn sho was at any time during tho lost forty years .

    The discussion then took a very discursive range , several naval and military members-offering suggestions with , respect to the transport of troops to India . The vote was then agreed to .

    CHINA . On the next vote—400 , 000 ? .. to defray the expenses of the naval and military operations in China—Sir John Pakxngton asked for some further explanation from Lord Palmerston as to the proceedings in China , as it had been stated we are not at war with the Emperor of that country . He alluded to the question put by him on a former occasion , in reference to the diversion of troops from China for service in India , and asked to be informed whether such a step had been taken , and , if so , whether or not it was taken with the sanction of Ministers . He could not but think that the Government had received , months ago , some information of the volcano on which thev were standing in India ; in which

    case their conduct in entering at such a time upon the unrighteous quarrel with China was without excuse . Nine months had passed since it was said to be necessary for the i nterests of this country that proceedings should immediately be instituted to secure reparation , but , though a bombardment had taken place , no advantage had been gained , and , in revenge for what was done by the British fleet , the Chinese had burnt down the British factories , in spite of all the efforts to prevent it . Was Lord Elgin to negotiate at Pekin ? And ( what was more important ) -was he to negotiate without the strength which an army would give him ? He wished for explanation upon these points , and also to be informed to what extent the force despatched to China was to be

    directed to India . Sir Charles Wood repeated his denial of the bombardment of Canton , explaining that he referred to that part of the city in which lived the inhabitants who had taken no part in the hostilities , and that the shelling was confined to the Governor ' s residence and two magazines . Instructions had been given that no unnecessary bloodshed should take place , and Admiral Seymour had addressed a letter to him , stating that every consideration had been paid to humanity . This -was corroborated by the Belgian Minister at Shanghai . He therefore hoped that tiaere would be no more of these unsupported attacks upon a gallant officer in his absence . At every port of China , excepting Canton , friendly relations had been established , and it "was probable that hostilities would be confined to the city presided over by Yeh . Additional marines would be sent to Canton , to enable Admiral Seymour to maintain the position he now

    occupies . Lord Claude Hamilton asked why , if the verdict of the constituencies at the general election had been so greatly in favour of the Chinese war as was affirmed , the Premier did not attempt to erase the adverse vote of the late House of Commons . —Sir Chaklics Napier warmly vindicated the conduct of Sir Michael Seymour at Canton . —General Thompson said that the proofs that the British flag was never flying on the lorcha were daily becoming more and more overpowering . As to the poisoning at Canton , did nny one believe it ? Why , not even the whole College of Physicians could mix arsenic in the bread of three hundred persons , and poison them all without killing any one of them . Qjxughter . ') We had disgraced ourselves by actions worthy of filibusters , and had einplo 3 ed violence to force tho opium trade on tho Chinese—Tho vote was then agreed to , and tho

    report was received . PROBATES AND LETTEKS OP ADMINISTRATION 'BILL . The House then again went into committee on this bill , for tho consideration of new clauses ; on which , the Attorney-General moved a clause providing that district registrars should not grant probate or administration where tho deceased is entitled to Government stock , or other stock or shares transferable in the metropolitan district . —This clause was opposed by Sir John Tkollope , as at variance with the understanding on a former occasion , when tho limitation clause was negatived \ and , after a long dobate , tho clause was abandoned . —Ou

    tho motion of the Attorney-General , a clause ullowing an uppoal from the County Court to tho Court of Probate , und another giving compensation to Sir John Dodsou in case he bo not appointed Judge of the Court of Probate , were agreed to . —Sir Fitzrov Kjblly moved a clause requiring all probates granted by district registrars , so far « e they relute to stock transferable at the Bank of England or tho EaBt India House , to bo sealed by tho Registrar of the Court of Probuto in London , — . Mr , Malinh opposed tho olauae as virtually continuing tho evil of a double probnta } and it was ultimately negatived . —Tho Chairman -was then ordered to report progress .

    Tho Reformatory Schools Bill waB read a third timo und passed , after a protest against it by Mr . Alcook and Mr . 11 uqjussisn . THE CHELSItA BRIDGE BILL . On tho order for $ ho second reading of this bill , a conversation took place on the aubjoat of tho tolls on foot passongors , which wore originally intonduil to boa security for repayment of tho outlay , but which it was now proposed to abolish Mr , JUionxxnok moved to defer tho flpcond reading for three months . —Tho second reading , howovor , wne carried by Si to 74 , and tho bill whs ordered to bo referred to a eoloot connnittoc . Tho romahUng orders wore then , gone through , that

    for the second Teading of the Court of Chancery ( Ireland ) Bill being discharged . Some routine business having been transaoted , the House adjourned at a quarter to two o ' clock .

    Tuesday , July 21 s * . new sotrra wales . The Duke of Newcastle presented a petition from the Legislative Council of New South Wales , referring to the acts passed for Ihe settlement of the boundaries of the colony , and stating that , by a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies , they had learned that it is the intention of the Government to detach from New South Wales a portion of territory lying between the 26 th and 30 th degrees , and some of the territory south of the 30 th degree : and the petitioners prayed

    that their Lordships would not assent to any law for such dismemberment of the colony , except on the petition of the householders of the colony , as provided by law . The petitioners also desired to ascertain whether there is to be an infusion of the convict element into the new colony . —Earl Granville replied that it is intended to separate Morton Bay from the other part of the colony , that the southern boundary will be between the 28 th and 29 th degrees ; and that it is not the intention of the Government to send any convicts to the new colony of Morton Bay .

    The Crowdkd Dwellings Prevention Bill , the Turnpike Trusts Abolition ^ Ireland ) Bill , and the Constabulary Force ( Ireland ) Bill , were read a third time , and passed .

    TRANSFER OI ? LAND . Lord St . Leonards called attention to the measures proposed for facilitating the transfer of land , and observed that great difficulties are experienced , and expenses incurred , which might be avoided by a better state of the law . A general registration , however , he was quite sure , would lead to still greater expense . He was proceeding to make some observations in connexion with Lord Brougham ' s measure , when Lord Campbell suggested that it -would be better to wait until the second reading of that bill before criticising it . —The discussion , however , continued , and Lord St . Leonards proceeded to explain the nature of his own measure . Amongst the

    provisions was one by which it was enacted that a man who honestly buys land shall , after twenty-five j-ears ' occupation , be held to be in secure possession of his purchase . « Bv another provision it was enacted that-any man who shall sell an estate and wilfully conceal any settlement , for the purpose of inducing a purchaser to accept the title , shall be guilty of a misdemeanour , and the person damnified may bring an action for the damage sustained . Ho also proposed that , after an estate shall l > e bonajide sold , no judgment or other matter of that aort on which execution lias not issued shall bind the estate . In conclusion , Lord St . Leonards laid his bill upon the table . —The Lord Chancellor moved that the bill be read a first time ; which was done .

    f * " *^ ADMISSION JEWS PARLIAMENT . """ Lord Campbell asked the Lord Chancellor for information as to the state of the appeal to their Lordships House in the case of Miller v . Salomons , ' which turned on the question whether Jews could lawfully sit in Parliament . —The Lord Chancellor replied that the case had been deferred from time to time on the petition of both parties . It would now probably stand over till next year , as the session was too far advanced to allow of its being heard . Tho House adjourned at eight o ' clock . ELECTION MATTERS .

    At the morning sitting of tho Hoose ov Commons , the attendance of Mr . Locke , the member for Honiton , ¦ who had been appointed tx > sit on the Huntingdon Election Committee in place of Sir Edward Dering , who is indisposed , was dispensed with , also on the ^ ground of indisposition . The Speaker announced that he had received an intimation that the petitions agaiuBt the city members for Bcrwick-on-Tweed would not be prosecuted . —In the evening , he made a similar announcement with respect to the Liaburu petition . BANKINO BILL .

    On tho order for going into committee on this bill , Mr , IIeadlam appealed to Mr , Lowe not to proceed with a measure of so much importance to tho commercial classes this session . —Other members backed this appeal , l ) ut Mr . Lowxs declined to comply , and the llouao wont into committee upon tho bill . —Upon tho third clause , Mr . Headlam , pursuant to notice , moved an amendment to provide for the formation of Joint-Stock Banks based upon tho principle of limited liability ? but after this question had undergone much discussion Mr . Hicadlam consented to withdraw tho amendment . —Uio otnor clauses were agreed to . ••?„« , nai ,,, i , Tho Loan Sooth ™ Bill , tho 9 ° MMONS *™ ? ® ssrJi ^^ ffl ^ ^ - ^^ woroxoad a third time , and ptmaA .

    rAICMAMICNTAinr OATHS . In tho evening , other . numbon who ha . 1 j Wj « J SSSTBiSaSSSas

    Untitled Article

    No . 383 , Jura 26 , 1857-1 »^ X . . 33 A PER . 699

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), July 25, 1857, page 699, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2202/page/3/