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March 7, 1846. ' THE NORTHERN STAR. 7
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4f-omgn ^btw\\t&
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" And I will war, at least iu words, (An...
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REYELATIONS OF ROME. [From the Westminst...
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THE TYRANNICAL MILLOCttATS OF DUNDEE. Th...
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SERIOUS DISTURBANCE AXD MURDER ON THE HA...
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Railwat Acciuent. —The special train whi...
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imperial Sarlfemtnt*
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HOUSE OF LORDS-Moswt , March?. The Lord ...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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March 7, 1846. ' The Northern Star. 7
March 7 , 1846 . ' THE NORTHERN STAR . 7
4f-Omgn ^Btw\\T&
4 f-omgn ^ btw \\ t &
" And I Will War, At Least Iu Words, (An...
" And I will war at least iu words , ( And—should my chant * so happen—deeds , ) "With all who war with Thought ]"
" And I Will War, At Least Iu Words, (An...
• ' I think I hear a little bird , who singi The people by and Ify will be the stronger . "—ByecJi
Reyelations Of Rome. [From The Westminst...
REYELATIONS OF ROME . [ From the Westminster Jfrweit ' . ] so . II . THE PAPAL GOVEBSMEXT . "We are not here about to treat of the Pope , that nominal head of the State , all-jio werful for evil , absolutely impotent for good . As a grneral rule , he may be set donnas an old imbicile , thrust into power by a faction of the cardinals , whoshareamongthem the spoils ; or as a veteran trafficker iu ambition , who settles with tbe electors the price of his elevation to the pupae ;* , and who is compelled , at the risk of his life , to oDserve the conditions of the compact The real chief is the Stcretar . v of State J-f ecrciario di State ) : this is he who was the
leader of the triumphant "taction in the cancbue . He stands above all authority . He is cuppot-ed to receive the responses of the pjpal oracle , a-idto utter them in -the name of laws . A few strokes of the ptn , forwarded to a tribunal , enable him to annihilate , without publicity , statutory enactments . It often happens that , -when an advocate is relying upon particular articles of law as the "basis of the right of Ms case—even in the third court « f appeal—he is obl ' . pedlo hear that those articles are no longer in force ! The secretary lords it over the finances and ever , other branch of the administration , ( - paring himself the trouble of advertising tbe subalterns of his intentions , so that his commands and their regulations arc eontinaally at -variance . The department of foreign affairs is exclusively Ms .
Xextto him comes the Cardinal Camerlengo . His duties it is hard to define . His titles confer on him the Pref idency of the apostolic chamber , and the management of the customs and the mint ; but the mint has a special president nith independent vatrers , and the customs are at the direction of the treasurer . # # * * Indescribable as l ' roteus , the Camerleapa seems to be thrown into the midst of tbe governmental chaos we are describing , for the sole purpose of mystifying the citizen in the mdeavour to fix on the source of his grievances . Frequently does it occur that the regulations enforced by this high functionary , in virtue of some one of his titular powers , are in direct collision nith those of the treasury or tbe congregation of bridges and roads ; and it tben becomes impossible for the unfortunate who suffers by the
contradiction to tell to which of these authorities he ie to appeal . More definite in duty , bnt equally unaccountable as to performance , is tile treasurer-general , who cvu-npietee the supreme triumvirate of the Papal States . He is the real minister of finance ; though , with the usual rule of tiitf ndf , several branches of that head are entirely independent . Ee attends to the collection of the revenue , and appoints the provincial receivers : he contracts loans , and orders the sale or purchase of public property . He necer glees account to any one of his administration , nor of the distribution of the funds that enter the treasury ; neither has any one a right to demand au account . He can only be dismissed from his office by promotion to the caidinalate : he then leaves on his desk a key supposed to be that of the treasury ; being the only formality that is indispensable .
Below these three great dignitaries are to be found a -multitude of congregations aud other authorities with undefined functions ; the congregation of bridges and roads , composed of cardinals residing at Koine ; to whom belong a council of arts , comprising six engineers , a central directory forthe care of the post roads , and an administrative council for crois-roads , a board of dikes and ¦ wa ter-courses , an administrative couiicil for the aqueducts of Home , an engineer-iii-cMef for the provinces , the Reno commission for all the legations established at Bologna , besides an endless number of sub-councils , inspectars-in-chief , and engineers , all enormously paid for doing nothing ; the congregation of Buon Gotemo , composed of Cardinals ar . d presiding over the busines * of the 31 arches , whose duties should be dif charged By a principal department of the Home 0 & : e ; the Fope ' s auditor , whose caret , according to the constitution , should be confined to the legal protection of widows , minors , and the poor , but
whose power ias so thriven that he can now suspend , by a decree , tbe decisions or the results of decisions pro--Qonnced by the tribunal ! - , even when the cause has run tiie course of all the courts , and is no longer liable to appeal ; the Congregation of Studies , a body of cardinals to superiHtend the spread of education under a system that proscribesmutualinstruction as tainted with heresy ; the Congregazione Miiitaire , composed of Mbnshjnori , under the presidence of the cardinal secretary of State ; the legates and delegates , veritable Pachas of the Holy See ^—tbe former , cardinals , acting as viceroys in the four principal provinces of the state—the latter , Monsignori , taking care of the districts of lessor importance , bnt both exercising an administrative , restrictive , aud judicial authority , immense , arbitrary , and irresponsible ; lastly , the Governor of Rome , having in his bands the general direction of the police , presiding over the metropolitan criminal tribunals , and , like the treasurer , only quitting bis office by promotion to tbe cardinalate .
Again , bdow tkese anthoritSe !* , almost all irresponsible , all without definite limits to thtir power , and busy for plunder and auardi ' u-al csnfusioii , is a greedy , intriguing , demoralised herd of prelates , legists , auditors , secretaries , and subalterns , whose omnipotence , each in his Sphere , lias its TOOt iu the universal ignorance , fated and inevitable to the very constitution of this admbiistrntive hierarchy . * * * * Ignorance is < i" « j > - - ;«< 'for all the high functionaries of the state , because , in the first place , the Pope is bound to select thtrn , not from the mostcanable , but , in accordance with former engagements , from iaiongst those who contributed by thtir intrigues to bis election ; secondly , because , chosen from the clergy , they can have no administrative knowledge , theoretical or practical : a canon
becomes a treasurer ; a cardinal who has'devoted his life to the study of ecclesiastical antiquities , directs the war department ; a wan who has presided over a diocese as bishop turns up as secretary of state . Ignorance is decreed for two-thirds of the head employes in the secondary branchesof administration , because they arefilledup from that mass of Prtlati , followers of the Cardinals , who possess the three indispensable requisites , celibacy , no-Inlity , and interest , and whose education is limited to what is tamjhtintheschool * under tbe mum ; of philosophy , -and to tbe elements of jurisprudence ; often indeed given to those whom it may be wished to dispense with in higher offices , on account of malversation , but whom it mav not be desirable to brand with public disgrace :
this was the constant cu > toin of Cardinal Gonsalvi . On this ignorance in the chiefs is built the graf ping insolence and unbridled license of tbe mixed class we are now speaking of . Each head has his auditor , his ledst , hit . secretary , who does everything for him ; these despise their master , whose ignorance tliey are fiiUy sensible of , and whose favour thty have obtained hy cringing subserviency , if not by disgraceful compliances ; they know they have no longer bold of office than the duration of tbe flickering life of tbat aged Pope who elevated their patron , and their aim is to amass a purse as quickly as possible . Public opinion is no check on them , f » r the . , know that the moral responsibility of their misdeeds will fall wholly on tbeir nomiual superior .
I-NMHOrs PBOFI . IG . iCr OF TK £ PAlit ADSIISISTEAT 10 S . Yet lower , beneath this factitious class of interme . diates between I'rincipals snd subalterns , swarm , as reptiles in filth , a hideous race , not to be hinted at in good society , but whose abnormal existence must be proclaimed inthis our tffurtto make intelligible the uatiKeottbepapal government and the justice of the revolutionary movements of the people—a race of valets , parasites , prostitutes , trafiickers in vice , legions of familiar demons who crawl from the basement to the very summit of the edifice . Tlij celibacy of the clergy , the occupiers of every avenue to power , is tbe source of their influence ; and it will be easily undevstooA tbatin a state where everything goes by interest , that influence is immense . For ages }> ast , the interior corruption a * d tltepowerexercisedatRomcby donnctri « a » J iromoi of jrilluiiJrj- fcate teen noloriaus ; but before the rime of Pius the Si-ub . the profligacy of the priests , though more brazen , had not , in general at least , SiuKicd
the family hearth ; the natural children of Popes , cardinals , and bishop =, impudently recognised by tkeirclevatiou to the highest dignities , were not ike offspring of their neighbours ' wires . The terror of the Reformation aud the ordinances of the Council of Trent still exercised an ameUoraring influence , if no : on the reality , at least on the outward decorum of the manners of the clergy . At a later period , it is observed hv an Italian "writer , the depravity general iu Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries , tbe examples set by Cardinals Ilichelieu , Hazarin , aud Albcroni , and the morale of the theology disseminated by the Jesuits , masters in the art of inciting the human passions , to turn them in the end to their own account—of leading to transgression , to set a price on the pardon—and of fostering covert infamy , to lord it over their penitents by the possession of their secrets , taught the Itonun cardinals and bishops that it was more convenient and less scandalous to insinuate their
seduction where it was the interest of all parties to conceal it The effectsof this lesson became apparent in the papacy of Pius the Sixth , and have but augmented since . At that date , tbe famous Murchesa Sacrati , wife of Gnddi , a Bolognese , was all powerful at court . The husband was created a Chevalier and a Marquis ; aud got a fortune out of tbe customs , during the treasurership of Braschi . -Women became the agents between the I ' rclati ami the pfetitioufcrs for cm } da , vments or srratuitie * : they , and often their husbands , made this traffic a source of wealth . A ' -d out of these sbamele » s practices , which we avoid portraying in full , grew the influence of servants as
accomplices and procurators , ilen such as JIariaiiino and Giovanniuo , tlic former in the service of ihe elder Cardinal Albini , tbe otber in that of Cardinal Gonsalvi , might be seen , under Pius the Sixth and Seventh , holding levees in which were trafficked the employments , pensions , and fa-Toursthatonghtto have been solicitedfrom the Secretaries of State . Places endowed with large emoluments were created solely to gratify the craving of these insatiable cwierieri . The itidtonouriug tradition is still unbroken , and a short residence at Home is sufficient to enlighten thi traveller asto the value to her husband of the allpotcnt influence vested in the wife of Gietanino , thepentifical barber .
The Tyrannical Millocttats Of Dundee. Th...
THE TYRANNICAL MILLOCttATS OF DUNDEE . The following is the petition of the factory girls , from a meeting of the inhabitants of Dundee , presented by Mr . Duncombe , and referred to in the last number of the Star . Ws trust that the inhabitants of Dundee , who have done themselves so much honour by taking up this case of rank free trade oppression , will not now allow the case to die , but will continue energetically until they get satisfaction for the poor pirls from their inhuman masters . The women ol Dundee should not sit in company with anv man who
has not taken a part in this struggle ; the married women should pinch their husbands from night till morning , put salt in their tea , and mustard on their bread ; the girls should refuse to kiss their sweethearts , and the mothers and sisters . should let the men walk barefoot rather than mend theirstockings , if they hare not done their share . Without hearing the case at all , every man with a particle of brains in fos head would at once come to the conclusion , that six girls will not venture to comp lain of their master unless they have right on their side .
-Petition of Cftairman of a Meeting of Inhabitants of Dundee . The petition of the inhabitauw of Dundee , humbly showetb , —That your petitioners have learned with regret aud alarm of the cruel and unjust treatment of six factory girls iu the employ of the firm Baxter and Brother * , manufacturers in this place , of the name of Jane Bennet , Ann Council , Isabella Millar , Barbara Dbwnie . Helen Barret , and Margaret ltoy . These girls had heard that others at the same work had got die promise of an advance af wrges , they also applied with upwards of forty others who wrought in tiie same flat , for a like rise , but getting no satisfaction , they .-topped away from the work for that afternoon . Next morning , at five o ' clock , they returned to work—were lured into an office to speak to some person , and found , to their surprise , that parties were there to apprehend them . They were uo more guilty than the others—did not advise the other * to demand an advance of wages , or
to leave the work that afternoon ; but these , as your petitioners bare reason to fear , were selected as victim-, because they had fen- or none to protect or defend them . One of them has neither father uor mother ; four are without fathers , and their widowed mothers were iu a great measure depending ou them for relief . They had been in the work from their iufauey—never gave any previous offtuee , and received from the manager ( or over , seer ) the character of being steady . Your petitioners have to complain to vour honourable
House that these girls were taken prisoners before six in the morning—taken to a private office in the town , and iletnined there till ten iu _ the forenoon , paraded through the main street to the office of a justice of peace , and detained there till twelve , when they were sentenced to ten days' imprisonment , with hard labour . All these six hours they were under tbe care of four men , who never left them , and thereby they were prevented from attendin ; to the calls of nature , without violating every mark of female modesty , aud in the presence of these officers ot " the law .
Your petitioners have still further to complain that they have reason to believe that tho warrant for apprehension was not according to the forms of law . That they ( the girls ) were tampered with , to give certain answers brfore the justices in the hope of gaining favour an 1 getting clear , which answers might tvnd very much to their injury . Also that tht-y were tried by a close court , to which then * nearest friends were refused access . Tbat they were made to sign papers , of the purport of which they had no knowledge , through the agitation that pervaded their mind .. Pour of them , who could not write , had their names appended to these documents by parties in court , without tbeir mark or constat . Also , that they had no opportunity given to bring any exculpatory evidence forward in their own behalf , aud being
minors , the youngest being thirteen years of age , had no one to conduct their case or speak in their behalf , and were wholly unfit to defend themselves . Also , that some of their toasters were shut up ' with . the justices in a private apartment , as well as their manager or overseer , from which they sallied forth with the judges tbat were to try this case ; that these parties stood near the judges during the time of the mock trial , and that the masters and judges whispered together for some time befora sentence was riven : aud , iu the opinion of your petitioners , such conduct had a tendency to influence the judges iu their decision . These girls were conveyed to prison , underwent the punishment of ten days with hard labour ; during this time they were able to eat little , never having been iu a court before , or charged with any dim :.
Your petitioners have also to state to vour honourable House tbat , at an overwhelming meeting af the inhabitants , it was agreed to memorialise the Lord AdToesite on the subject . His lordship at once agreed to this request , and the sheriff fur this county made an investigation . This investigation was by no means satisfactory to tbe public mind , inasmuch as no one ou the part of the girls or the public was allowed to be present , or to suggest any questions to bring out the truth , or serve the ends of justice * . - Aud your petitioners have also to convplciu that since the investigation his lordship , the Lord Advocate , has refused to satisfy either the girls or the public regarding the re-nlts of the inquiry made .
For these , and other reasons , may your honourable House be pleased to cause an investigation into this case , to cause the whole of the investigation taken by the sheriff for Forfarshire , aud other documents that mot have passed between the Lord Advocate and any party or parties on this subject , to be laid before the House -. and should vour honourable House find that these girls have not been properly treated , that compensation may be given for loss of time and false imprisonment ; and that your honourable House would also make inquiry of tin reasons why the Lord Advocate continues to refuse giving any definite decision on this matter .
Your petitioners would still further pray , that thouhl your honourable House find that these girls have been tried by due form of law , that the law may be speedily alu-red , as nothing cau have a greater tendency to alienate the working classes from the government , the institutions , and laws of the country , than to find that they can be apprehended by their masters , tried by their masters'friends , and , although minors , not allowed any oue to plead for them , or see justice done thtm ; ' that f . iere is * uo redress when an appeal is made to the law officers oftheCrowu , but that masters , judges , law and . aw officers , are all arrayed on on one side against the poor the orphan , the fatherless , and defenceless .
Your petitioners would [ earuestly entreat your honourable House to take this case into your immeduite consideration , that the feeling of the public miud may be abated , aud that they may yet see there is one court tu which they can np ;> eal fur justice , and meet with redress . And your petitioners , as iu duty bound , will ever pray . Signed in the name and on behalf of the public meeting of thciukabitauu . IViiimm Scott , Chairman .
Serious Disturbance Axd Murder On The Ha...
SERIOUS DISTURBANCE AXD MURDER ON THE HAWICK RAILWAY . We regret to suite that , between Saturday night and Sunday morning , a breach of the peace , of the most dari ; -g kind , attended with murder , occurred on ihe North -British Railway Company ' s branch line to Hawick , in the neighbourhood of Fusliic Bridge , about eleven miles south of Edinburgh . It appears that about midnight two of the " navies" employed in the vicinity were taken into custody , charged with stealing a watch or watches , and lodged in the cells of the county police station , at Gorebridge . Some lime after , a large bi < dy of their fellow excavators , to the number , it issiid , of about 300 , assembled , armed with bludgeons , pickaxes , hedgebilis , itc , aud proceeded lo the . station-Jiou . se lor tbe purpose of Iiberatiug the two prisoners . Their entrance was fur a time forcibly resisted b y Sergeant Brown and Con stable Christie , the latter of whom received several
severe it-juries , particularly on the arms ; but their rcs ^ tfiuce could avail nothing against such powerful ii >* sailmi * s , and they had to give way , being overpowered by numbers . Oue of the fellows , it is stated , presented a pistol at the head of the sergeant , and demanded the liberation of the prisoners under the •• . tin of death , aud upon his refusal to unlock the door-: of the cells , they broke them open , and their comrades being thus liberated , they marched off with Uitin iu the direction of Fushie Bridge , about half a mile from the scene of their violenc -. At that point they met tlic district constable Pace , who was reluming from his accustomed rounds , whom they savaueiy attacked and beat in the most brutal manner , one of the ruffians striking him a blow on the head , it is supposed with a pickaxe , which laid his skull open . The poor man was afterwards found lying on the road in this stale , and conveyed home ,
wncre medical aid was promptly in attendance ; but the injuries he had received were such that Iks never >] M-kc -iftcrwards , and died the next day . Infoima turn of the riot and assault having reached Mr . List , the superintendent of the county police , he immediately requested assistance troiu the city polite , with the -view of procei ding iu search of those most conspicuous in the alftiir , and of keeping the peace . Sheriff Jameson having granted a warrant , Captain Ilaining sent off twenty-live of his constables to the scene of action , Mr . List and Sergeant Brownlce having previously set off , and they were afterwards followed by the sberiff and the procurator fiscal , Mr . Scott . Mr . List , with the force placed at his disposal , succeeded in apprehending thirteen of the riotei-s , who were identified as being amongst those who rescued the prisoners from the station-house . It was «<« t then ascertained who was the individual who struck down Constable Pace .
Fcrxh £ r Pai'Ticciaks . —It appears that the "navies" charged with the riot and murder ave Irish . A correspondent sends us word that on Monday morning the Scotchmen working on the line , having b-ecn sorely exasperated by the brutal doings of the Irish , turned out all along the line , to the number of 1 , 500 , ami burned down tiie huts , and drove all the Irish off the line . When our correspondent ' s letter was written all was quiet .
Railwat Acciuent. —The Special Train Whi...
Railwat Acciuent . —The special train which left Rugby station at forty minutes past eig ht ; o ' clock on Saturday nmrmng with the Loudon morning papers for the north , ran into a coke train near the Systonstaticn . Ihe guard received several severe contusions on the head , and little hopes ate entertained ol his ruovcry . The engine-driver is also seriouslv hurt .
Imperial Sarlfemtnt*
imperial Sarlfemtnt *
House Of Lords-Moswt , March?. The Lord ...
HOUSE OF LORDS-Moswt , March ? . The Lord Chancellor took his seat at five o ' clock . PROTECTION OF LIFE ( IRELAND ) BILL . Lord Brougham stated that Lord Chief Justice Denman wished to propose several important amendments on this Ml , but being compelled to leave town for a few days , had requested him to applv for a postponement ot the proceedings with reference to it until his return . After a short conversation , in which the Loid Chancellor , the Marquis of Lansdowne , the Earl of Wicklow , Earl Grey , and other lords took part , the further consideration , qf the bill was postponed till Friday .
TIIE CAMPAIGN , UPON'THE SUTLEJ The Earl of Hires moved a vote of thanks to the Governor-General , the ^ ommander-in-Chief , and the officers and men of the army on the Sutlej , for the late brilliant victories at Moodkeeand Fcrozsshali . After briefly recapitulating tbe circumstances " which renuVred the concentration of the British forces ou the Sutlej unavoidable , the noble lord proceeded to comment on the actions themselves , and on the gallantry displayed by the troops on the occasion .
Daring paid a just tribute to the memories of Sir R . Sale , Sir J . M'Caskiil , and Major Broadfaot , he next parsed an elegant eulogium on the eminent services ol Sir 11 . llardinge and Sir II . Gough , and coneluded b y moving the several resolutions in which the vote of thanks was embodied . The Marquis of Lansoowxe rose with the most perfect sincerity of feeling to give those resolutions his most cordial support . It was impossible not to feel that the bravery displayed by British soldiers on this occasion had never been exceeded . The noble
marquis concluded by saying that he wished for t ie present to consider these great transactions in the splendour of their own success , and would reserve for another time all considerations as to the particular policy which had brought them about , and that he should , therefore , give his most cordial support to the resolutions . The Dulse of Wellington could not hear the motion discussed without adding his unqualified approbation of the conduct of all concerned in these glorious
victories . The Governor-General had set an example which ought to be followed . When he found that his services would be useful , he laid aside his position and power as Governor-General , and volunteered his assistance to the Commander-in-Chief in the great contest which was impending . But not tiie Governor-General alone—all had exerted themselves to the utmost to obtain the great result which crowned their efforts ; and he had not for a length of time heard oi an action which had given him such unqualified satisfaction .
The Marquis of Londonderry was anxious to bear testimony to the devotion to their country displayed by the two chiefs in command , and to the ability with which they had p lanned and executed the masterly evolutions which decided the fate of the day at Fcrozeskali . The Duke of Richjiosd had seen with the greatest satisfaction tbat a medal was to be awarded to all who shared in these actions , and hoped that her Majesty would take this opportunity of returning a favourable answer to those Peninsular veterans who
had applied for a similar boon . lie trusted also that Lord Ripon would consider if it were not possible to have tbe names of the non-commissioned officers and privates printed and published in this country . The Earl of Ellexiwkougii said this last achievement justified the high opinion he had ever entertained of the army with which he had been recently connected in India , and assured the house that everything that had been said applied as much to the natives as to the European troops . After a few words l ' rom Lord Auckland , the resolutions were carried new ., con .
Several bills were then forwarded a stage , and the house adjourned at half-past seven o ' clock . HOUSE OF COMMONS-MONDAY , March 2 . The house met a few minutes before four o ' clock . A great number of railway bills were readasecoud time . Mr . W . Patten presented a petition from Wallingford in favour of a Ten Hours' Factory . Labour Bill ; Mr . S . Crawford presented a petition for the release of Frost , Williams , and Jones . Mr . T . Duncombe present d a petition from a place in Essex against the enrolment ' of the militia , and also a petition praying for a reduction of the stamp duties affecting building societies ; also a petition in favour of a Ten Hours' Factory Labour Bill ; also a petition from Hertford for the repeal of the Coin Laws .
ANDOVER UNION . Mr . Wakle * presenied a petition from one of the board of guardians of the Andover Union , complaining of the violation of ihe regulations laid down by the Poor Law Commissioners . The petition stated that the board had openly declared that they would get rid of Mr . Westlake , the medical officer of the union , in consequence of the cspr . sure which he had caused as to the proceedings in the workhouse . The petitioner prayed for inquiry into the ease . The hon . member then gave notice that he would to-morrow ( this day ) move that the petition be printed with the votes , so that it would be iu the hands of members in time tor the motion of which the hon . member ( Mr . Etwall ) had given notice on the subject , for Thursday .
FABRICATED PETITIONS . Mr . C . Bkrkelet rose to call the attention of the house to the petition which he had presented on Friday last , complaining that a petition had been forwarded for presentation to that hoit-e , ostensibly from Cheltenham , but in reality it was from Manchester . This , he believed , the house would agree with him in saying was a breach of its privileges ; and , having laid the case before them , he would willingly adopt any course which might be pointed out for vindicating those privileges , ile could prove that many of the signatures to that petition were forgeries , and that many names were added which were not on the original sheet . Ile was the mure anxious
that the house should take the matter up , because complaints were very general out of doors that the petitions of the people did not receive that attention from the house to which they were entitled ; but this act could not excite surprise in any one , from the manner in which petitions were got up in many parts of the country . If the house would give him a committee of inquiry , he would put ihe fact of the fabrication of petitions and the forgeries of signatures beyond all doubt . He moved th-it a select committee be appointed to inquire into the presentation of certain forged petitions axd signatures , ami under what circumstances those signatures hau been attached .
Mr . Newdegate , in seconding the motion , said that the hon . member had very properly called the attention of the house to this subject , but there was another subject to which that attention should also be g iven , lie alluded to the practices of the agents of the Anti-Corn Law League in the manufacturing of votes at the registrations . He thought that the privileges of that house were in greater danger from such practices than even from petitions with forged signatures . Mr . Hume rose to order . The hon . member was entering upon a subject not before the house . Mr . Nf-WDEGATB gave notice that it should come before it .
Mr . HuiGitT read a letter from the secretary of the League with reference to the alleged forgeries , and the cause of the petition being sent round by way of Manchester instead of direct from Cheltenham , aud contended that these explanations showed that though there might have been irregularity iu the proceeding , no charge of fabrication could be sustained . Mr . Fehband inquired whether it was competent to him to move an amendment ? He had received a letter from Sheffield , bearing out the statement he had made the other night as to the manner iu which petitions were signed ; aud he had also an extract from another communication , referring to the same proceedings at Leeds . One letter be had received he would-read to the house : — "If the following letter will be of any service to you in your opposition
to the League —( an ironical cheer trom the Opposition bencl ' . es)—l will give you the names and residence * of persons who were employed by the League to add signatures to their petitions , one of them to the tune of 14 , ( 100 , without leaving his room ; and the other to tue number of 500 . and there are more instances if necessary . " He ( Mr . Fcrraiid ) wrote to the person for a reference . is to his respectability ; he tnen went to him , and had a personal interview , and he found the whole of the writer ' s statement to be correct . He was in possession of the names of the witnesses whom he was prepared to produce before a committee , and he would therefore move as au amendment , that the inquiry of the committee should be generally as to the manner adopted by the League lo obtain signatures to petitions to that house .
Lord J . Manners said , that as he was walking the other day down Grosvenor-phtce Ik * , heard , acumfonable-loi , king baker ' s ooy say to his companion , " I say , old fellow , have you signed the Anti-Corn Lawpetition ? 1 have signed it three times . " ( A laugh . ) This was no isolated case . ( Hear , hear . ) Such things had occurred daily in all the great thoroughfares of London . ( Hear , hear . ) He regretted this the more , because they were bmind to pay the utmost attefilion to petitions legitimatel y signed , After some further conversation the suhject
upon , Sir R . Peel had no objection to a general inquiry into the practice " complained of . But would it not be better to confine the committee to the specific case brought forward by the hon . member for Cheltenham , in which a petition had been presented as to which there appeared some informality and impiopriety ? There wi ^ ht be another committee for the general question . 'The second inquiry might be extensive and proton-zed , while it might be necessary to renort on this speciiic case at once . ( Hear . ) " The committee was then agreed to .
TIIE LATE BATTLES ON THE SUTLEJ . The Si-earkr called on Sir R . Peel to move his re solution of thauks to the Indian jinny , when
House Of Lords-Moswt , March?. The Lord ...
Mr . Bright presented a petition from curtain individuals residing at Heading , declaring their abhorrence of all war , and praying the house to grant no vote of thanks to the army in India , which had just 8 a " « o 1010 ^ ' UI ) i ust and impolitic war . c }\ 11 Kh was about t 0 propose that the thanks ot that house-one of the highest rewards that could be cottterrea on successful valour—should be given to Sir H . Hardingc , Governor-Genoral of India , to Sir II . Gough , the Commander-in-Chief of tho forces in the East Indies , aud to the officers aud men under their command , who , on the banks of the Sutlej , bv their discipline , fortitude , and brilliant courage , hail achieved a great and glorious victory , and had shown themselves worthy of the name ot England , and of
the service to which they belonged . But for what ho had just witnessed , he would never have believed , that any body of Englishmen , seeing the unprovoked aggression which our army was called upon unexpectedly to meet and check , would have been found to sign a petition , grudging a tribute of applause to to their valour and devotion which it then displayed . The hon . baronet then proceeded at great length to detail the events connected with these battles ; but , as our readers have already had all the leading facts m the despatches published last week , it is unnecessary to do more than refer to them here . Sir Robert excited the sympathies of the house by reading to it a private ktter from Sir 11 . Hardiuge , to a member of his famil y , giving a most urauhtc picture of the
events ot the memorable night of the 21 st , during which Sir Henry took little rest , but occupied himself in going from regiment to regiment , to ascertain their temper and to animate their ardour . He likewise stated that Sir II . Hardiuge had sent one of his sons , who was in the civil service of India , and happened to be in the held , to the rear , because his presence disturbed him ; but that he had kept hia youngest son , who was a military officer , and had a character to gain , hear to his own person , because it gave him encouragement in the performance of his duty . Having shown that the Commander-in-Chief , the Governor-General , and the officers and men of the British army , had performed exploits worthy of the British name in thus gallantly resisting and
defeating treble their own number of the bravest troops in India , trained by French officers , and provided with the most formidable artillery , he could not , he said , conceal from the house that his feelings of pride and satisfaction at those exploits must be tempered by recollecting that they had been attended with the loss of so many . oiHccrs of the highest promise . Sir 11 . Sale , whom ail admired for his heroic achievements at Jellelabad , had closed in these actions a long career of military glory by a death which he foresaw and even wished for . '' Felix etiam in opporimitate mortis . " lie hoped that the house would unanimously support him , if , in case her Majesty should think fit to record her regret for Sir R . Sale ' s death , and her sense of his eminent services by
recommending the erection of a public monument to his memory , he should propose an address in return , promising on its part their readiness to make good the expense of i * . After paying a melancholy tribute of praise to the services of General M'Caskiil and Major Broadfoot—whose civil sagacity was only to be equalled by his military ardour and valour—he said that he would not make any comments ou individuals of lower rank who had fallen , lest he should offend any deceased officer ' s family by not mentioning the name of their relative , when all had distinguished themselves gloriou sly . Whatever their rank , the house did justice to the services of them all , and deeply lamented their loss . He hoped that the thanks of the house would be conveyed to every regiment and to every man on the field without exception . . Lord J . Russell participated in the feelings which Sir R . Peel had expressed in the name of the house ,
and hoped that lie should be permitted to have the satisfaction of seconding the resolution which he had moved , and which he trusted would meet with unanimous support . These resolutions would animate the survivors of those great actions , and would be a consolation to the families of those who had fallen . lie agreed with Sir 11 . Peel in thinking that when Sir 11 . Hardiuge left his eminent position in the Ministry and in the country to become Governor of India he did so from the most patriotic motives . Without expressing any opinion at present on the policy of the Indian government , he observed that the desire of Sir 11 . Hardingc to confine himself to the territories already acquired by the East India Company was highly honourable to him . It could not be denied that that policy of forbearance had exposed the British army to an unequal encounter ; but the sp'irit of that array , instead of quailing acaitist such odds , was only animated to greater
exertions . Mr . Hume expressed his entire concurrence in these resolutions . He read a letter from a political agent in India , who had long been conversant with the character of the Sikhs , for the purpose of shewing that Sir 11 . Hardingc had not been taken by surprise by the army of Lahore . He hoped that , in disposing of the patronage at its disposal , due consideration would be paid by the govei nment to the families of those officers and soldiers who had fallen . Sir R . I . vclis wished to take his share in the tribute of admiration which was now paid to the English and Indian army . Mr . Ikoo eulogised the courage and fidelity of the native troops . Captain Lxyard and Sir Howard Douglas successively addressed the house in support of the resolutions .
Lord Ebui . vcto . v asked whether the government was prepared to take any measure which would enable the relations of the private soldiers to know their fate in these actions . Lord Jocklyn observed that a list of the officers and men killed and wounded was regularly sent to the Horse Guards , and any information respecting any person in that list would be readily given at the Horse Guards . The list of killed and wounded in these acti ns had not yet been received . Sir J . Uouitouse observed that all measures ought to lis adopted to give information to the relatives of our private soldiers , respecting their fate . He knew that it was not customary to publish the nanus of the private soldiers killed ; but he saw no objection to the course hinted at by Lord Ebrington . After a few words from Mr . Mangles ,
Mr . C . W . Wy . nn suggested that the government should publish cither in the Gazette , or in sonic newspaper , tho names of all the soldiers who had fallen in these actions , lie looked upon these victories as an honourable testimonial to the British government in India , The fact that no desertion hail taken place in our Sepoy army was a decisive proof of the gratitude which they felt for our protection . After a few remarks from Dr . Bowring , Sir It . Peel , and Sir T . Colebrooke , Sir De Lacy Evans recommended that the names of the officers who had fallen should be recorded in some public manner . The glorious name of Sir Robert Sale would not appear in the records of their proceedings .
Sir It . P £ el observed , that so little did he differ from the gallant general on this point , that he had actually prepared a resolution , but there was no precedent for i ; . He hoped that Sir De Lacy Evans would not disturb the unanimity ot the house , by pressing his proposition to a division . The resolutions were then passed limbic disscntienle .
CORN AND CUSTOMS IMPORTATION ACT . The house then went into Committee on this bill . On Mr . Green ' s proposing the first resolution from the chair , Mr . Villiers observed , that as the Ministerial measure recogntr . ed the expediency of establishing the freedom of trade in this country , he regretted that it had been considered advisable , to postpone the establishment of it till the year 18-i'J . In his opinion that delay was uncalled for ; and the lull benefit of the Ministerial st-ht-me might bo obtained at once . He should therefore propose an amendment , providing for the total and immediate repeal of all the existing duties on corn . He showed that it was the opinion of the late Earl Spencer , and of those great livingagrieukurists , the Farlof lla-hioratid Lord Ducie , tbat it
wasfor the interest of the farmer—and , indeed , of agriculture generally—that the abolition oi the Corn Laws should not be gradual , but immediate . Ile then adverted , but not in a spirit of hostility , to the position in which the government stood with regard to his amendment . He could not understand what objections Sir R . Peel could urge against it . If no evil or dilfiitiilty were to be apprehended Irom acceding to bis proposition , he asked the committee to consider whether there were notsome advantages to be derived from it . For instance , it wouhl enable the government to meet with greater ease the emergency of Ireland , and it would lead to the dissolution of the Anti-Corn Law League , which , though it was entitled to the gratitude of the country , would cease its agitation as soon as the cause of it disappeared .
Colonel SiuTiionr inveighed against the Ministers who had insulted the country by their extravagant proposition for the repeal of the Corn Laws . If there should be adivision on this question , he should divide along with Sir R . Peel , but from no affection to him , and from n-J vtgavd to the -aiemhevs ot lus cabinet . He should divide In- that way because , on comparing the propositions of Mr . Villiers and Sir R . Peel , he believed that Sir R . Peel ' s proposition was the less evil of the two . Lord Wobsley observed , that if he were called unon to make a choice between the amendment of
Air . Villiers and the proposition of Sir R . Peel , he should certainly vote for the amendment of Mr . Villiers in preference . But , if he gave such a vote at present , he should be precluded from voting in favour of any oilier amendment w' -ich might be proposed on the Ministerial p lan—for instance , he should not be able to give his support to the ameiidmeutjof Mr . 0 . Stanley for a fixed duty of os ., which he conceived would be an adjustment of the question . Air . M . Giiison considered that Mr . Villiers had taken a most judicious course in proposing his amendment to the house .
Mr . B . Escott considered the amendment of Mr . Villiers tiie must consistent with reason ; bnt could not vote for it on the present occasion , as he was afraid that he should endanger the success of the Ministerial proposal by so doing .
House Of Lords-Moswt , March?. The Lord ...
Mr . It . Oolborne declared his intention of voting forthe amendment of Mr . Villiers . After a few words from Mr . Goring , declaring his intention to oppose this measure to the utmost ol Ins abilities , Mr . Bmght commented on the speech of Lord Worsley , and on his declaration that a fixed duty at 5 s . would now settle this question . Ho read extracts from a speech of Lord Worsley to show that at no very distant period his lordship had declared that such a measure would not prove an adjustment of it . Sir It . Pekl would not renew the debate on the Corn Laws , which had already extended over twelve nights , although he was anxious to make some explanations on some matters which had occurred in
it . He would , however , postpone those explanations till the second reading of tho bill to be introduced upon these resolutions , and would confine himself to the consideration of the question whether it be desirable that the Corn Laws should be totally and immediately repealed , or that they should be modified and continued for three years longer . If he looked singly to the emergency in Ireland , he would not deny that the immediate suspension ol the Corn Laws was the more expedient measure of the two . He knew that the Anti-Corn Law League would be satisfied with nothing else than a total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws ; but there were many persons whn thought that the Corn Laws ought not to be repealed at all . His object in bringing forward
this pnyeet was twofold—ono was to meet the emergency in Ireland , and another was to reconcile the legislature to tin adjustment of the question . ! He repeated his former declaration , that , if the representatives of the agricultural interests should prefer an immediate repeal of the Corn Laws forthe continuance of them for three years , and should combine with Mr . Villiers to carry his amendment , he should accept the amended proposal , and exert himself to the utmost to carry it into law . At the same time he would not answer for the result in another place . Of this he was certain , that had he brought forwaid a motion for the immediate repeal of the Corn Law , he should have abandoned all hope of succeeding with it . He was sorry to hear Mr . Bright threatening
them with continued agitation on this subject . He thought that such agitation would be an evil , and , moreover , he thought that it would be unsuccessful . After a few observations from Mr . G . Palmer against the government mea ore , which the noise in the house rendered almost inaudible , Lord J . Russell took a view of the various propositions which were then before the committee . Comparing the amendment with the government scheme , he considered it to be more wise as an abstract , anu more beneficial as a practical measure . The case , however , which he had then to consider , was , that of government proposing a plan for the settlement of a question on which there was great resistance offered by a party in the Ilouse of Commons , and on which there might be a still greater resistance ollercd ou the
part ol a majority in tbe House of Lords . He did not know what view the uoper house might take of that question , and , therefore , he felt compelled to listen to the views taken by the Prime Alinistor . Sir It . Per . 1 said that he had reasons why he preferred his own proposition . He ( Lord J . Russell ) did not think those reasons sufficient ; but he was obliged to consider , that although on the one hand ho should gain a better measure , he should on tho other risk the success of a beneficial one . On weighing those two considerations , he could not bring himself to assist in carrying out the amendment of Mr . Villiers . The impatience of the house for a division was strongly manifested , but Sir H . Jsluffe succeeded in gaining a hearing for a few words against the proposition of Mr . Villiers and the government plan .
Mr . Hume warned the free trade members against playing into the hands of the Protectionists , and entreated Mr . Villiers to withdraw his motion . After a few words from the Marquis of Granby , Mr . P . Borthwiek moved the adjournment amidst ' a perfect storm of cries of "Divide , " "Adjourn , " " Go on , " Ac ., which lasted some time ; at last the committee divided on the question of tho adjournment , when there appeared ;—Ayes 70 Noes 227 Majority against the adjournment 157 Lord J . Manners proposed a similar amendment , on which an angry discussion , full of personalities , arose , in which Lord J . Russell , Air . Fcrrand , Lord 0 . Hamilton , and several other memberstookapart . It was at last terminated by Lord J . Russell ' s observing that in the then temper of the house the besttiling that could be done was to move that the chairman report progress , and ask leave to sit again
tomorrow . This proposition was acceded to . The house re sunied , and immediately afterwards adjourned at hall past one o ' clock . HOUSE OF LORD?—Tbbbdat , March 3 .
CORN LAWS . On the presentation of a number of petitions by the Earl of Hardwick against the measures of government with reference to the Corn Laws , a discussion ensued , in which several noble lords took part , but as we shall , no doubt , sh ** vtly luve enough of the subject in this " house , " it is unnecessary to do more than notice this " bye blow . "
PENAL COLONIES . The Marquis of Lassbowse presented a petition from the colonists in Van Dicmcn ' s Land , stating that the island had suddenly been made the sink into which all the convict labour of the United Kingdom had been thrown . The result , of this was that the free labourers had been unable to compete with the inundation , and Hud emigrated in great numbers from the colony . Having brought the case of the petitioners before the house , the noble marquis went on to say , that he was not an advocate for the abolition of transportation , but he trusted that some means would be found for diverting the stream of convict labour from Van Diemen ' s Land , and thus easing the petitioners from the grievance under which they at present laboured .
Lord Stanley , though he thought tho evils complained of were exaggerated , admitted that the colony had suffered considerably under the existing system . It must be remembered , however , that by tiie terms of their grants , the petitioners were bound to maintain a certain number of convicts , and labourof this kind had for a ions time been considered by them as a boon . The present government was not responsible for the existing system , which had been planned and carried into effect under Lord Melbourne ' s administration . The petitioners seemed to have ascribed their pecuniary embarrassments to the presence of convicts , when the truth was that they had shared in the mania for speculation which had jifilicted our Australian possessions , and they would no doubt recover , as New South Wales was recovering , from its ruinous consequences .
Lord Lyiielto . v was prepared to state that the case of the petitioners should receive every attention from the Colonial Department . Earl Gre y said he was prepared to express an op inion that transportation should be got rid of ; what was wanted was , not a modiiicauon , but an abolition of the system . The Bishop of Oxford considered that transportation , as it had been hitherto conducted , had been a curse to the world and a reproach to the nation ; we bad sent out , since the commencement of the century large bodies of criminals without the slightest
moral supervision ; these men were to be the founders of a new people , and yet we had given them no means of moral restoration . We had reaped as we had sown , and the fruit of our labours was a crop of most deep and horrible pollution . He fully concurred in the opinion of Lord Grey , tliat our strictly penal discipline could be managed better , more safely , and more cheaply at home ; the separation of convicts and their moral restraint could be much move effectually carried on at home ; but when this was accomplished , and they were fit for social life , transportation should commence .
The Marquis ot Lanseowne briefly replied , and the petition was ordered to lie on the table . Several bills were then forwarded a stage , and the house adjourned tiil Thursday . HOUSE OF COMMONS-TuESDAr , March 3 . Air . T . Duncombe gave notice that on the 18 th instant he would move for leave to bring in a bill for limiting the hours of labour in certain factories . Several hours were occupied , partly in a discussion originated by Mr . Nuviikgate upon " the evils of the Registration system , the misdeeds of the Anti-Corn Law League in procuring frivolous objections to their qualifications to be served upon county electors , and counter-charges of the same character against the agriculturists ; but partly also in the interchange of
all sorts of personalities connected with the exciting subject under discussion . To give an intelligible summary of all the charges made and refuted , or counter-charged upon the original complainants , would occupy far more space than we are able to give between " the pot and the kettle . " The only bit of stv & igHti \> Y \ vi \ rd honesty utievt-d in the course of the debate , was the suggestion of Air . T . Duncombe , who said that Mr . Newdegate would move for a select committee to inquire into the whole system of Parliamentary registration , with a view to reform the Reform Act , and to get rid of tho finality of that measure ; he ( Air . Duucombe ) should be happv to afford every assistance , and to such a motion " he hoped tho right hon . baronet at the head of the government would give his support .
Mr . Hunts felt great taUsfaction that this abuse had arrived at its present crisis , because there was now some hope of its correction . The best mode ot amending the Registration Act would be by simplifying the franchise . There were now fifty different sorts of franchise ; he would reduce them all to nearly one—he meant to household suffrage , Mr . Newdeoate ' s motion , which had given rise to the whole discussion , was ultimately withdrawn , a pretty general opinion being expressed on all sides that some change in the present system of registration is absolutely necessary to protect the duly qualified elector from vexatious objections agaius ' t his right to the franchise .
House Of Lords-Moswt , March?. The Lord ...
CORN LAWS . The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole house on the Customs and Corn Importation Acts , and the adjourned debate on Mr . Villiers ' s amendment for immediate repeal was renewed by Mr . G . Banks , who repealed some kind of arguments with which the countrv has been " do ^ ed" for the last three weeks , and was iolloweil b y Mr . C . Howard , Sir S . Hanmer , Mr . Mottat , Mr . Finch , Mr . Ward . Air . Liddell , Mr . ilutt , and Air . Borthwiek , some on one side and some another , without the slightest novelty in their speeches . Air . Humk observed , that , as during the agitation of the Reform Bill , he had been one of those who had raised the cry of " the bill , the whole bill , and nothing but the bill , " so now he would take the government measure , and nothing bu ^ the . government measure . . *•'•• " " """''
Lord G . Bkntinck maintained , that on the question whether we ought io consent to the immediate repeal of the Corn Laws or to accept tho proposition of government , the sentiments of Air . Alifes and his friends had been greatly misapprehended . Mr . Miles had never said that we should prcier immediate repeal to having it suspei . ded over our heads for three years . He had said , that if it was certain that the blow would be struck , it would be better to have it struck at once than suspended f .-r three years . But it was not certain that the blow would be struck . The friends of protection had received a check and met a repulse ; but they were not half beaten yet . Napoleon had said that Englishmen never knew when they were
beaten . That was the case of the Protectionists now ; they were determined to fight the battle from pillar to post , and from post to pillar ; and to keep the conflict up before the country , until it Wits thoroughly convinced that the Ministerial party had betrayed the trust which its friends bad reposed in it . Before the contest was closed , they would drive the Ministers to appeal to the country , and when that appeal was made , he should no longer despair of the success of the country party . % Air . Cobden called attention to the fact , that very little had been said in the course of this debate on thequestion before the house , which was ? , " Shall the Corn Law be abolished immediately or at the close of three years ? " lie thought that it was unfortunate
that the proposition of Air . Villiers was now brought forward ; but according to the forms ol the house it must be brought forward now er never , He was sure that if it could be proposed at a later stage of the government bill , it would meet with greater success than it was likely to meet at present ; for Mr . Miles in that house , and the Duke of Richmond in the Ilouse of Lords , had both said that they preferred immediate to delayed repeal , and he believed that their opink-ns were very generally shared by the tenant-farmers . Commenting on LordG . Bcntinck ' s declaration that his party was not yet half beaten , and that it would go on fighting from pillar to post against the repeal of the Corn Laws , lie said tbat if the noble lord were determined to continue
this battle for three years longer , it was a sufficient reason to induce the government to settle this question at once and forever . Ile called upon the friends of free trade to stand by their principles , which were embodied in the present amendment ; for if they did they could not be wrong if they should be compelled to go to their constituents . Sir R . Peel had allayed the agitation of the country by the mere introduction of tlte measure ; but he warned the hundmd gentlemen who were prepared to give it a desperate resistance , and if they eared to place Ministers in a minority , that that agitation was only lulled by the expectation that the measure would be passed . He could foresee the possibility of government being driven from office before the measure was pastea by the House of Lords . He did not know whether their tenure of office was worth moro than two mouths' purchase . He doubted the wisdom of the
l ' rotectiimists in upsetting the government , even for their own selfish policy ; but he knew that their success would be a great misfortune to the cause of free trade . It was because he foresaw danger to that cause and a factitious opposition to the government , to which he would not lend himself lor a single moment , that he was anxious to keep his principles intact for the country , on which lie should be prepared to lall back with greater strength in ease the threatened appeal were made to the constituencies . After tho decision on the present amendment , he should , feel it his duty to give the . proposal of Government as cordial a support as any man in that house . Though not a payment in full to the lOiiiiTy , it was an iustalmentof 17 s . Cd . in the pound ; and he would use the resources which he should gain by it , to gain the remaining 2 s . Cd . at the earliest opportunity .
Sir T . A euro mode an impassioned repl y to the speech of Air . Cobden , and declared his intention of supporting the government proposition on this occasion , because he considered it an alleviation of the otherwise rapid descent which the agriculturists would have to undergo . Air . T . Duncombk repeated the declaration which he had made on a former night , of his intention to support the government proposition against that of Mr . Villiers . He had told the government that if they would stand by their new law of settlement , he would stand by their plan of settling the Corn Laws ; and unpopular as the determination might render him , by that determination he would stand . The Protection party , who had heaped such unmeasured invectives upon Sir R Peel , would that night go with him into the same lobby ; but he was almost of opinion that Sir R . Peel would not be » afe in their company ,
'ihe Earl of AIarcii denied that the Duke of Richmiind had ever expressed himself in favour ol the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws . He thought ; that after the events of tbe last session Sir Robert Peel would be quite as safe in the same lobby with the Protectionists , as Sir J . Graham would be in the same lobby with Air . Duncombe . ( Roars of laughter . ) Air . Hudson and Lord Worsley next addressed the house , their principal object being to show , like many preceding speakers , that the farmers were in favour of immediate repeal ; assertion and contradiction ou this point were bandied about like shuttlecocks , during the whole debate . Colonel Sibthorp excited immense laughter by reading from a paper he had prepared , his advice , in all Christian charity , to the government , that , seeing there was no chance of getting the se 3 tle !; s ministers a place iu tho house in any other way , they should restore the franchise to Sudburv for that purcose .
Mr . Wakley regretted that Air . Villiers was determined to persist in dividing the committee upon his amendment , for he was convinced that a more inexpedientcourse could not be taken . Referring to the Westminster election , he said : —The electors had chosen the Radical candidate , and the house ought to underst a nd from this , that Radical principles were advancing and becoming ascendant . He could state , from his continual and daily intercourse with the middle anil working classes , that the impression was prevalent , and all but universal , that the r gut hon . gentleman , the First Minister of the Crow ., had done all that he could do with regard to this subject . Every one was full of the expression— " We do not consider , reflecting upon the position in which the right hon . baronet is placed , that he could do more lhan he has done , and we ou * ht to feel the utmost gratitude for his exertions . " ( Hearhear . ) That
, was the expression of all parties ; and yet hon . gentlemen said , ' ¦ You must goto the country , " and otitsrssaid , " Ton must go to the people . " Thcyhiew perfectly well that they would not go to the people . ( Cheers from the Protectionists . ) If there were an election , would they go to the people ? If they relied upon what were the feelings of the people , Jet them take the election by a show of hands . ( Oh , oh ! " ) Oh , oh ! why , of course , they would not . Then let them say no more of going to the people , who had hands as well as hon . gentlemen opposite . No , the object was to go to those wlio claimed the ri ght oj selling food at their own command , and to dmy to ( he unfortunate kings who created the food b y their labour tlte opportunity of giving their voices . Yet those were called elections by tiie people : what could be more unjust t ( Cries of" Question . * ' ) After a few words from Mr . Newdegate .
Mr . Villers vindicated himself from the censures cast upon him for persisting in this amendment , and expressed his surprise at the reasons urged by Lord G . Bentinck and his party for not giving lam their support on this occasion . The Committee then divided , when there appesiivd—For tho amendment 78 Against it . ' . 205 Alnjority against it 1 S 7 The Chairman was then directed to report progress . The house resumed , and immediately afterwards adjourned at halt-past one o ' clock . HOUSE OF COMMONS-Wr DNKSDAT , March -i . Air . b . Crawford presented a petition from Haywood against the enrolment of the militia , aral one from a person named Wood for an . extension of the elective Iranchise .
CUA . MTA . BLE BEHESTS BILL . Lord J . Makkkus moved the second reading of the Pious and Charitable Bequests Bill . The object of the measure was to afford increased facilities for pious and charitable bequests , by repealing the act of 9 Geo . 11 . Provision was made forthe protection of surviving relations , by enabling the Lord Chancellor , in case ot their destitution , to authorise a provision lor their use out of the bequeathed estates . A security was afforded against undue influence over persons ia extremis , by an enactment requiring that every instrument effecting such bequest should be attested by three medical men , who should depose to the physical iind mental health of the testator , ami to his free agency in the transaction . Sir J . Graham opposed the bill , and moved that it be " read that day six months . "
, „ Alter a discussion , in which Mr . P . Howard , Mr . M . Alilnes , Sir G . Grev , Lord dive , Sir R . lnghs , Mr , O'Conuoll , the Attorney-General , Mr . C . Bullet and Air . Hawes took part , The hotbe divided , When the numbers were—For the second reading -- * Against it , »• Majority against it ........ u ., «• •— 86
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 7, 1846, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_07031846/page/7/
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