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Northern Star (1837-1852), 21st June 1851, Edition 2 of 2, Page 7, VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT. METAIRIE V. WIS...

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      God And The June 2i, 1851. ^ ____^ The N...

      June 2 i , 1851 . ^ ____^ THE NORTHERN STA ?

      Defeat Of Thb Amazons. The Subjoined Let...

      DEFEAT OF THB AMAZONS . The subjoined letter gives an account of the defeat of the Dahoraan army before the walls of Abbeokata , a town about sixty miles inland from Lagos , in the Bi ght of Benin . The invasion was wholly unprovoked , and their di & . comfiture is likely to have an important bearing on the decline of the slave trade : — Abbeokuta , Tuesday , Jfarch i , 1851 . I hasten to write a few lines to forward to Badagry , with a hope that it may meet with an earlv opportunity for England . J It is with the greatest thankfulness I desire to communicate the joyful tidings of the defeat of the jtehoman Kwg before the walls of Abbeokuta

      yesterday , and tbat they base fied , according to our latest accounts some sixteen miles , and that the Abbeokuta people are pursuing them . The motions of the Dahomans have been watched most thoroughly by the people of the smaller towns to the westward of this , and information sent to the chiefs cere . On Saturday morning such intelli gence was conveyed as convinced the chiefs of the nfcessity of JTSSSe ly « ranS 1 Dg their afiVira for self-defence . On Sunday the war chiefs formed their camps in ™ a ^ TTT the waUsj of the town . It be-EKT $ ?*} sa * g ° in ? « a when returning SnST * ? 5 charoh , where I had been to assist him . and from their talk which I beard when

      passing , tbat a desperate encounter was before then-winds , and that they were preparing for it with a spint befitting the occasion . Yesterday { Monday } I went ont after breakfast to view the camps from one of the heights . I did not direct iny glass to search for the Dahomans , not knowing the road they might take , nor thinking of their being at hand . On returning home I beard that they tod been seen , and that the advanced party of Egbas { the Abbeokuta people } had exchanged shots with them . Mr . and Mrs . Smith came up to see us for a little change , having- been so long ill ; and Air . Dennis , who came on a visit from Badagryabout a

      , week since , also unwell , was also with us . About twelve o ' clock we heard a rapid discharge of fire arms . I was in the act of showing my interpreter how to form a bullet-mould out of clay , in his bouse , when we beard it . With great impetuosity of manner he called for his son to bring him bis gun , powder , and shot , that he might hasten to the fight ; and with extreme dificulty I restrained him , he frequently exclaiming , — " I cannot bear it ; I must hasten to the battle . " He was restrained , however . My cook , without saying anything , or our knowing of it , took bis gun and ran off and fought until tbe Dahomans were

      retreating , and shot m the fight one of tbe female warriors . Another confidential servant ran off in the same manner . Having no arms , he purposed stoning the enemy if they gave him an opportunity . Goodwill , who is Mr . Smith ' s interpreter , and was left by Mr . Smith to look after the premises , ran also to the battle ; all seemed to he beside themselves . In order to view the encounter Mrs . Smith , Mrs . Townsend , Mr . Dennis , and myself got on a high rock on our ground , whence , with a telescope , we were enabled to view it . The Dahomans advanced in compact lines or masses , bearing all before them . The Egbas endeavoured to check them at the ford of tbe river , but were utterly unaible . They therefore retreated until withinside

      their walls . The walls were black with people They poured forth tbeir fire upon the advancing enemy , who were checked , and could not march straight on as they expected , but extended their lines in front of the wall . A most furious discharge of muskets took place from both sides . The Dahomans extended their lines , expecting to find a weak place to attack , and the Egbas extended parallel with them . At this stage of the battle I observed a large mass marching in good order to theattack , and I feared for the result ; but they also extended , strengthening their companions . Mr . Bowen , an American missionary who lodges in our compound , now joined us , he having gone out long before the Pabomans appeared , to see what preparations tbe

      Egbas bad made , aud was on tha wall at the time of the first attack . He encouraged ns by his account of the firmness of the Egbas . Having once been a soldier himself he bad practical knowledge of warfare in actual service . After a time we observed that the Dahomans showed a disposition to retire , and also that the Egbas bad outflanked them , and were becoming tbe assailants , setting the grass on fire to annoy their enemies , and firing on them whenever they could . The Dahomans were now evidently retiring , but turning about constantly and discharging their muskets . They retired after a while out of our sight , the firing becoming less and less . While this was going on , the Abbeokntn women were leaving the town at the back pouring

      out before us with a few men with them , terrified and cast down : our compound was filled with terrified people . The Egbas now began to show , in truly savage style , some proofs of their s uccess ? the first was the foot of a man who bad been slain , then the band and foot of a woman , and after a while a living captive , one of the renowned women soldiers . I followed her to the house of her captor , near my own : she was attired in a sort of vest . She spoke to me as freely as our ignorance of each other ' s language would admit of . The Dahomans retired to the ford . Mr , Bowen returned to the wall as a spectator , and told me that be saw a daring feat performed by a few of tbe Egbas . They went and provoked the Dahomans to

      attack them , which they did : the Egbas fled , bat suddenly faced about , and discharged their guns witb great effect . Be thought he saw four of the Dahomans fall , but the smoke prevented distinct vision . The Dahomans left many of their party on the battlefield dead , the greater part of whom were woman , and many as prisoners , but the number we have not ascertained with any certainty . The King of Dahomy , as soon as darkness permitted , fled with 200 people , leaving the bulk of his army to covet bis retreat . They were too strong to he attacked by the Egbas after a long fight , and the Egbas had too little discipline to execute an attack in the night ; bnt fhey were harassed all tbe night through bv skirmishes , and early in the morning

      they decamped in good order , followed , by the Esbas . They stamped their character with infamy by an act of great barbarity before retreating . They bad taken a number of farmers , in their march , prisoners , but , before leaving , they decapitated forty-two or upwards and carried off their beads . Their bands being tied , as captives are , and manv being identified by tbeir friends , proved that they were not slain in batSle ; tiro of them were woroerj and one a . boy . I understood that the heads were cast away in the retreat afterwards . This King is tie monster who calls himself the friend of the white people at Whydah , and of the slave trade ; and by such ware slaves are procured . What would tbe members of the Peace Society have done

      behind the walls of Abbeokuta , with these disciplined barbarians advancing in masses to the attack ? Through mercy they have been repelled ; but many of the Egbas have fallen , and many are severely wounded . One of my people came to m in the afternoon , beggine for so : ue one to extract a shot from his shoulder ; it had entered at the side of the upper part of the arai , and passed about six inches taronfh tbe flesh outside of the shoulder blade . Mr . Dennis ventured to try , althoug h he had never dor . e anTthin"ofthesort before , and after considerable trouble cut it out . The poor man's first act , on hearing that it was oati was to bring himself into

      an attitude of pravcr , and silently he offered up thanks to God for his mercy . He is doing well-It is supposed that 200 or 300 of the Dshonwns are lvhu ; dead on the battlefield , and many have been captured . They are retreating in a compact body , but in great distress . If they had broken in their retreat scarcely a man or woman could have escaped the Egbas to-day . They are still being parsned , hut a large number of the Egbas have returned , worn out by their two days' exertions . I feel , also , worn out by excitement , and by witnessin ^ Cheating of so * much slaughter and cruelty I am not aware that the Egbas have acted cruelly

      towards thew prisoners . Wednesday , March 5 . Several persons have returned from the pursuit this' morning , bringing tbe intelligence of a desperate encounter at a town called Ishnga , about Fourteen or sixteen mile ? 'from'tins . Tbe Dahomans endeavoured to enter ' this town , for rest or pillage , but were resisted . The Egbas came up with a Strong force nt the time , and the D a homans were can driven , and , I -understand , divide * . It » said that a part of the pergonal luggage and . provisions of the Kin ? fellinto their hands , and that he w « oS to fly * n foot . The 'mmber slam m to battle was more , they say , than those before Abbeokuta . The Eubascould not make captivesi m tattle ; even when . disarmed , they ( theDahoaansl fought , and refused to surrender ; and thej were Lined I *» »« y re ? ° rt tlw * ? ° . ° •' he

      Crowther ' B communicants is missing , but may * st be found . In order to find him ; if he were vnongsbe slain , Mr . Crowther passed over the ? r » ator part of the battle field , and his _ report of iae number slain is such as to give a greater number . He says tbey are lying in tours and fives , in Prions directions , overs large extent of ground . The length of wall attacked was upwards of a ittile . 1 sent two persons out this morning to count the slain Dahomans ; one counted them in tens , and the other wrote the number down , and to our surprise it anfounted to 1 , 209 . It confirms the WSOrt brought us bv a deserter , an Egba man , " * hohadlon < rbeen a Dihoniaiislave , thattheDaho-^ ws , when " oaihered together , at night , were Struck dumb at ' the loss they bad sum med , e * pec'ftilv of jheir female soldiers , and only one thing wasrtiered brall ^ viz .. ' a fear tb * they would

      * ever be able " to return Lome . This is a suve J * , and we might justly .-isk . -for what were all "tese slain ? To supplv the slave-marketwith ^ ves would be ' a just reirtyV The people evtry-^ kere hsre se « ia » « KTii » ' their ielwereneeto

      Defeat Of Thb Amazons. The Subjoined Let...

      God and the white men . I hopethe Da hi ^ an ^ S will learn a lesson from this , and cease ftwu these barbarous wars , for which not the shadow of a cause was given by . the Egbas , nor , I suppose , by most of the other towns that he has warred against . It is to be hoped that the Egbas will not become too boastful of their victory , and be led into excesses . I reman , & c , I > Ot f . o . —lean form no estimate of tbe number of prisoners , or of the Dahoman armv . Tasked a caps ' n 5 ? many retlred wita tne ^ s > when they lelt themselves defeated to be out of danger ? He said 200 . I asked again , how many were there in the army ? He said that even as it was impossible for

      me to count the people of Abbeokuta , so was it for him to count their army . The Dahoman captives are desperate ; there are three several instances of their rising against their captors , and slaying them in their own houses ; one when he was in the act of giving his captive food . The people treat their prisoners kindly , but I fear all these will be . killed unless we can prevent it by any means . I was with Sagbua this morning , and the subject was discussed . I protested against it . A meeting was proposed , and I told him that they ought not to have a meeting without calling me to it . The prisoners are , however , private property , and this may hinder their being killed . I feel assured that the Egbas would exchange a captive for an Egba slave now in the Dahoman country .

      3lato Intcijigenrf

      3 Lato IntciJigenrf

      Vice-Chancellor's Court. Metairie V. Wis...

      VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT . METAIRIE V . WISEMAN . Mr . Bethell : If your lordship pleases I am instructed to move on behalf of the plaintiff that all the proceedings in this cause , and in the information , be stayed , and that the records of the bill and several answers and information , and the affidavits on both sides , be removed from the files of this court , an arrangement baring been made with the parties on the subject of tho costs , which is satisfactory to the plaintiffs and the persons interested with the plaintiffs in tbe cause . —Lord Cranworth ' . I suppose the object is that there are imputations

      which tbe parties wish to be removed ? Mr . Bethell Tes , my lord . —Mr . Stuart : My lord ,- it is stipulated expressly that all offensive imputations be withdrawn by the plaintiffs , and with the consent of the parties the bill and answer are to be taken off tbe file . We have , the consent of the Attorney-General on" behalf of the charity to the arrangement tbat is made . —Mr . Bethell : He is quite satisfied with what nas been done . Thus ended this remarkable case , which occupied the attention of the Court during nine days . We append the terms of the compromise as contained in the minutes : —

      " METAIRIE V , WI 3 EMAS . —ATIORSBT-OEKERAI , V . COOKE . " We , the undersigned , solicitors of the parties in the above-mentioned suits , hereby agree that all litigation in the suits shall be ended on the following terms , that is to say"First , —Four thousand pounds stock ( part of the £ 7 , 000 stock in the pleadings mentioned ) to be transferred to tbe next of kin of Mathias Carre in the pleadings mentioned , in the shares ! in which they would be entitled thereto in case of an intestacy , and the rest of the £ 7 , 000 stock to remain vested in the trustees of the charity in the plead- * ings mentioned . " Secondly , —The trustees of the charity to pay the sum of £ 401 18 s . Si . to tbe same next of kin

      in the same proportions as mentioned in No . 1 . Mr . Bethell will be so good as to suggest such protection for Mr . Cooke in acceding to these payments as he may think necessary , Mr . Cooke being willing to leave this matter in the hands of Mr . Bethell . " Third , —Each party , except the Attorney-Ge neral , to bear their own costs of each of the suits , and the plaintiff and next of kin to bear one-half of the costs of tbe Attorney-General and the defendant ; the trustees to bear tbe other half of such costs . " Fourth , —All offensive imputation to be withdrawn by the plaintiff , and with the consent of all parties , the bill and affidavits in the suit of 'Metairie v . Wiseman' to be taken off tho file .

      "Fifth , —The above arrangement to be carried into effect by the consent of all parties , including the Attorney-General . " Giieqort , Fatjikexeb and Co . " Nobhis and Soss . "April 25 , 1851 . " "And ber Majesty ' s Attorney-General this day appearing by bis counsel , and consenting and certifying his opinion that it is fit aud proper for tbe benefit of the charity that the said arrangement should be carried into effect , let tbe said agreement be confirmed and carried into effect accordingly ; and let all further proceedings in the aforesaid cause and information respectively be stayed , and let the records of the bill filed in the third , cause and tbe several affidavits filed in the said cause on behalf of tbe plaintiff and defendants respectively be taken off the file . " •

      Bail Cottkt. The Qbee.F V. Lampk1n. —The...

      BAIL COtTKT . THE QBEE . f V . LAMPK 1 N . —THE GOLD DUST BOBHEBT . Mr . Phinn moved for a certiorari to be directed to the Recorder of Winchester , to return into this court all such indictments as might be found against the prisoner . This application arose out of the gold-dust robbery on the South Western Bailway . He moved , on behalf of the prosecutor , there being considerable difficulty as to the venue and jurisdiction of the city of Winchester , which would not apply to that county , tbe prisoner being now committed to take his trial at the Winchester Sessions—Mr . Parr , on behalf of the prisoner , consented ; and also said that the prisoner ' s solicitor was of opinion that his client could not have a fair trial in Winchester , such was the prejudice against him . —Rule granted .

      Census Of Great Britain. Houses And Popu...

      CENSUS OF GREAT BRITAIN . HOUSES AND POPULATION . 1 S 41 ( Ttb June ) . 1851 ( 3 Ut March ) . , * , , « , I SSSSS . 1 = 5 g 2 |§ E | f g * ss oSasns tr « c , n o !? ap £ . § * ft " 2 . Q . S-0 . « f ; Hi . 2 . _ S , » 0 ' 5 P- ? mm S 3 S" 2 . .. ° T 2 . 03 • _ < B u . r ! - £ 0 • ~ » t | SS • o a- s S * ? ° a- * s " " as . -j Z ? ' - S 3 . •* C . ^* * S » "• • 3 •* d — 93 O . . C * 7 - 355 •_»©• O . , sbP _ _ I ff ! - ca « as » M tats " a . » , „ c : M o o < S » MSJ CI M ^ cap w g . mw "hois c ^ iod oca ^ - S esa ctcs t » 'J » ci-J ci q , » ic up »— tcca oo -j r - * - 1 ~ ff 5 w * - m w , a _ i a > -. « J-I O ( - . HO o &;¦ S- ~ » > - > * -u aa oM ^« w % - n csoi " ota — 000 « sei o o a * ° ISO M « IS 0 O ~» Cl-l O S . I •* -o e * a _ ts-i cso cs ! T

      >» t k to to ~ . a t i ^ I . P jr * i ~ £ > ^ 5 c ots " ea * -. J " so ato ccct " .- » ja . s : e » * a a co ^ ito o " o , too sapp 1 tf . ^ - < to oc co 0 . w t- » t— f to i «| * - » jooi 00 to t $ - $ © ' v J 3 M ots Ta a ;* -1 "boo co 3 »» - » oio .- Ol CS" * - ~ , S * - « 2 cc * - . P . T- S . ^ . ciSl - « o O « so * - ¦ - » es ? - » * , oo tx s Q . ~ OOSn QO « J * t- * COCO cfl * ' o * CS H » r- > WOj Sm IS . : — ^ j-j-j a w woo _ S w % co tc ^ - « o ^ - » cc m ~ ++ S ? Q ~» * -J ~ 1 © Q oi > 05 £ , P » j ~ i fo , < - ^ . q &•*¦ *¦ e ^ ' oc * oo to = s Mai " esii " a ¦ ¦ 3 ODl = ; to . OM ua oa - o J- C 5 JilS- I * , C * - ¦ to *¦ -I 5 w " 00 « J "" _ HJ » S J $ C 5 " cc .- * 5 rt 10 " WM -J 13 eta -jcc os sa-a coet cc , = * o » o ? ooS ' ^ « = j *— j- l S . sis . « e « « -ij . i- > to oo Jo cos . < oS co » o ej ^ j . to nr . ^ . tr = o o CJ 5 J •^• 9 -- *

      Note . —The army in" Great Britain , and the navy , merchant seamen , " and other persons on board vessels in the ports , are included in the return of 1851 ; tbe navy , merchant seamen , and persons on hoard vessels , were not included in 1811 . The apparent decrease of bouses in Scotland between lSiland 1851 is attributable to the fact that in 1811 flats or stories were reckoned in many places as " Houses ;" .. in :. tbe-present census tho more correct definition has been employed . ' Gboboe Graham , Reg istrar-General . Census Office , Cratg ' s-court , June H , 1851 .

      Ilihgai. Abre?T Asd Effbctcai Detbsiios....

      Ilihgai . Abre ? t asd Effbctcai Detbsiios . —A case , which has excited considerable interest in Dublin , has been decided in the Court of Exchequer . Lieutenant Arthur . "Wellesley "Williams , of t'iel 2 th Lancers , having been arrested at the suit of an English creditor , to prevent him going With his regiment to the Cape of Good Hope , applied ' , in the Court of Queen ' s Bench , to bo discharged , on the ground that he was wrongly described as " Charles Wel ' esley Williams , " in tho writ upon which the sherifi arrested him . The Chief Justice and one of the judges bting absent from indisposition , and the two remaining justices being of

      opposite opinions on the subject , Mr . Williams had to remain . in custody . In the meantime another creditor eame-in with a writ of detainer , in which Mr .. Williams was accurately described ; but an application was nevertheless made to the Court of Exchequer to order his discharge , on the ground tliat the original arrest was illegal . ' The ' question was argued on 'fire successive days , and the Court were unanimous in declaring the arrest of Lieut . Williams to have been , illegally effected , but refusing to order his discharge , as ' -he was uoquestionabiv the person intended to have been arrested , and as the writ of detainer issued on a fresh case perfectly valid . '

      was . Wra „ . „„ f--n „ o „„ u . _ rKbb ! ReoTsterI Kwimnl-On Sunday tbe usuaUnnual notice from the overseers of ] . arShes rehtive to tbe chum of regirfration wns affixed to the various church door * . All poor andm-^ Tj ^^ jsssrsssssi ff ^^^^^^^^ for votes .

      Mmml Mxlimmt

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      Monday, Jviie 16. House Of Lords.-Lordbr...

      MONDAY , JviiE 16 . HOUSE OF LORDS .-LordBrorjonAM presented a petition from a suitor in Chancery complaining of the delay which arose from the reference of questions £ ? the Masters ' -ofiices . The Eafi ef Egunion complained that a vacancy which had occurred about a month ago in the representative Peerage in Scotland had not been filled up . The Marquis of LassoowM ! replied that the delay which had taken place was unavoidable , but that the Royal proclamation for the election would be issued as soon as possible . The Earl of Malmesbort presented twenty-five petitions from Lincolnshire , complaining of agricultural distress , which was so great in some parts of the country that the subscriptions to the National Schools had materially fallen off .

      The Marquis of Lansoowne doubted the accuracy of the statement , which was confirmed by Lord Habowickb . Some other business was also despatched , and their lordships adjourned . . HOUSE OE COMMONS . —Inreply to a question put by Mr . Disrabli , as to tho intentions of the government with respect to the case of Mr . George Ward , an English merchant at Caraccas , who had been arbitrarily imprisoned bj the Venezuelan government ,

      Lord pjtMEEsroar said , this was one of a great many cases in which British subjects had suffered the grossest injustice from the governments and inferior authorities of South America . Mr . Ward had been confined without the shadow of a pretence , and : ber Majesty ' s government had required , not only his immediate liberation , but that he should be paid a compensation of £ 25 a day during tho period of his confinement , reserving to themselves the right of . demanding further redress on his behalf ,, if necessary , and his case had been for some time under tbeir consideration . ' ¦ In reply to Mr . Urquhabt ,

      • The noble Loan explained the conditions under which the Hungarian and Polish Refugees had been removed from the Turkish dominions . In answer to an inquiry by Mr . J . SrnABr , whether it was the intention of the government to suspend the proceedings under the University Commission until a decision had been pronounced on the petition of the University of Oxford , complaining of its illegality , r 6 Lord J . Busssti . said it was not intended to suspend its proceeding . On the order of the day for the second reading of the Customs Bill ,

      Mr . Disraeli stated the course his party proposed to take with regard to this bill and the inhabited House Duty Bill , and the reasons why he should leel it to be his duty-to ask the house tore-consider these measures which had been introduced prior to the resolution of the house respecting the duration of the income tax , » od consequently under circumstances different from the present . Being unwilling to check the progress of public business , he should offer no opposition to the second reading of these bills , but should , at the next stage , which besuggestedroight be fixed for Monday , call the attention of the house to the general subject of the financial policy of the country . . ¦ ' '

      Lord , J . RirasBTL objected to this course , as interfering with the arrangements already made for the business before the house ; and Mr . Hume observed that ; if tbe principle of these bills was to be contested , that was the most proper and convenient time for the discussion . Mr . Disraeu said , the questien he wished to raise was , whether , after the vote of the house upon the . income-tax , it was prudent and politic to diminish the permanent sources of tbe national income . The question was purely financial , and had no reference to any commercial principle whatever . The bill was then read a second time . On the order for the second reading of the Inhabited House Duty Bill ,

      Ue . yi . WitUAMs complained that , by the commutation of the window-tax for this duty , a vast number of houses in the metropolis would be liable to the house tax which had not paid window tax ; and . be gave notice that in committee he should propose to exempt those houses ; The house then went into Committee of Supply on the Civil Services' Estimates , when certain votes were considered and agreed to . On the vote of £ 23 , 239 for public buildings , & e ., in Ireland , Mr . Spooser moved to reduce it by the sum of £ 1 , 236 , proposed for the ( old ) " Royal College of St . Patrick ' s at Maynooth . " This motion gave rise to a debate of some length , and the vote as proposed was carried by only a narrow majority of two , there beine 119 for the reduced

      vote , and 121 against it . The house having resumed , the report of the Committee of . Supply was brought up , but the resolutions were not considered . The Court of Chancery ( Ireland ) Regulation Act Amendment Bill and the Fee Farm Rents ( Ireland ) were severally committed . Mr . J . SruARr moved the third reading of the Acts of Parliament Abbreviation Act Repeal Bill , insisting upon what he considered to be the absurd provisions of tbeact he proposed to repeal . The _ AiiOBSST-GBNBRAi . opposed the motion , characterising the act as a most valuable and salutary law , and the first great step to improve the language of our legislation . Be moved that the bill be read a third time that day six months .

      Upon a division the bill was rejected by 66 against 12 . ' . '' , * - The ; other , orders having been disposed of , the house adjourned at a quarter to two o ' clock .

      TUESDAY , Jukb 17 . HOUSE OF LOnBS .-Lord SrANtuT . presented a petition from the Shipowners * Association of Liverpool complaining of the . injurious consequences of the repeal of the navigation laws . The noble lord entered at considerable length into arguments to show the serious injury which had been sustained-by the shipowners of this country in consequence of the alteration in the navigation laws , and the total failure of the expectations which had been held out that our example would be followed by foreign states , there not being a single instance in which the system of reciprocity had been fullv adopted . "

      Lord GnANviun contended that there were many points in which the repeal of the navigation laws was beneficial to the British shi powner ; but apart from this , he contended that protection had not really been of advantage to whose who appeared so desirous for its restoration . The shipowners were increasing their business in every direction , employing a far greater amount of tonnage than formerly , which was itself a proof that the repeal of the navigation laws was rather an advantage to them than otherwise , and that their complaints were rather of a conventional than of a real character . lie was glad that even in the speech of Lord Stanley there was nothing which would hold out tho remotest hope to the shipowners that there was any

      chance whatever of this country retracing its policy with respect to the navigation laws . Lord Hardwicke said there was nothing in the speech of Lord Granville calculated to raise the courage of a drooping interest . With respect to tha increase of British shipping , that was no answer to tbe case made out by lord Stanley in his very able speech , because , although there had been an increase in British shipping , that increase bore but a small proportion to tho increase in the mercantile shipping of every other commercial country . AU that the British shipowner asked for was reciprocity . He only asked for a clear slage and no favour , and he could not see Ijow the government could refuse so reasonable . ! demand . Earl Grst . could not believe that gentleman

      would go on blindly in a losing trade , or rush into slap-building -knowing that it was a losing speculation . lie could not understand how British shipping could go on increasing , if those who embarked ia it . were certain to be losers . With respect to reciprocity , he . thought wc received from America as much in that way as we were entitled to expect , although it did so happen that , as regarded California . iAmerica had an advanta ge which we did not possess . France and Spain , he admitted , did not reciprocate with us , but he believed were we to re ^ sort to retaliatory measures we would do more barm to ourselves than to them . . After a few observations from' Lord Colchester , : The petition was placed on the tabic , and after some routine business was disposed of , their lordships adjourned . '

      BLOUSE OF COMMONS .-Tho house met at twelve o ' clock . . . ¦ : ¦ ¦ ; Atlbsburt , Election . —The Sergeant-at ' -Arms appeared at the bw , and stated that John Strutt and Charles Cunningham were in his custody . -The Atioknkt-Genebai . moved that John Struct and Charles Cunningham be brought to the bar of thc . house . and ; reprimanded hy the Speaker ; and then to be discharged . He ° was acting inaccordance with . the sense of the committee'wlieil ho-made this proposal . Had the act of which Mr . Cunninghamand Mr . Strutt were guilty been a simple act ol forgery . he should have advised the adoption of a different course . Inasmuch , however , as there had been previous communication with the party whose

      name , bad been put to the petition , and as Mr . Strutt might have imagined that he was authorised to act for the party , although he certainly could on reflection have found no warrant for the conduct of which to had been guilty , he thought that if the house marked its * displeasure at thogross breach of its privileges , of which these persons had been suilty , "it would be quite sufficient under the circumstances to uphold the dignity of the house . It was quite clear that the act of parliament required that all signatures to petitions should bo genuine . Mr . Strutt aud Mr . Cunningham , from their position ought to have been , aware ofithevprovisions cf the aj .-t , and . ought , ta have known thnt they wrre not atnllwarranted in the proeediKre of which they had been guilty * -

      Monday, Jviie 16. House Of Lords.-Lordbr...

      nmw £ % ?!? IEU > jessed his concurrence' u \ the mWnW f „ ? A" ?™ ey-General , » nd the course . he 5 C «„ ad . ° - iri the raatter ' and Ch ^ W . nS ' beei 1 agreed to , John Strutt iafche ^ we ' re brought to the bar Thl S- yoftl ? ^ ant-at-Arms . You lnh „ e KB V d ( lressed tliera in these terms : been fonSS ^ -l" and CharIes Cunningham , have ! a « r W ™ ? dtotL , si , ouse ° « ^ e 28 th of April How-KKS , ? , igned b * *» ^ bSmK miJi iSK ? ^ rep , ort of ' ^ select comthat vn „ t . eXaaimoa carefully into the matter , the & 5 £ . ' under tllC Sanction ' J « ham dK ^ ° ? 0 Hr V F ** ' Charles Cunni ' S " the ' nnmDT tt ww »»* Wy and culpably affix duty"T TM 8 ton t 0 thafc Petition . Itls the MtL ? f £ v 0 use t 0 P roteat the ri S ht of K eJfZ * ab ? ; , ffc is deter '« ined by the rlff , J authority to check any KXvT ?) ' / Casth , S » bts on it 8 Privi-SportS tendency to lessen their value and mipo tance . According to the ancient-. r . iim nt

      P 6 - son fn V 2 . bmch of ifc 3 P vivile S es for ° » e tton «« £ ? ffi Ath ? name of atlother t 0 any l'eti-S ? f h ^ J f pi : ? . fesslon of the law , and you must thk hT ' v with the U 8 a ^ e and P ^ aCtJ " ce of 111 hous ° \ Your offence , moreover , is greatly aggravated by the fact that you intended this poti-¦ tiw , to which you so culpably adhibited another «„ i y a . me'to form the foundation of judicial inquiry under the authority of this house . Such gross misconduct on your part has receired , as . it wen deserved tho condemnation of this house

      , . But as the house is at all times inclined to exercise wie utmost leniency , consistent with the support of us dignity and authority , and as the-house is wil-»»> g to hope , tha t you repent of the act of which you have been guilty , tho house is willing to believe that you have been already sufficienty punished in the exposure to which you have been subject . I am commanded by the house to convey to you the expression of their displeasure , and I therefore now reprimand you , and acquaint you , that you are discharged from custody on payment of the fees . Mr . Sthuii . —Allow me one word . I regret very much— b ' '

      The Speaker interrupted Mr . Strutt , and said he could not be heard . The prisoners were then removed . ' The St . 'Alban ' a Bribery Commission Bill , and the Prevention of Offences Bill , went through com . nnttee . The house then adjourned until tho evening , and resumed at five o ' clock . The Sr . Albas ' s Election . —Imprisonment of Eowaros , —Mr . IIbadlam presented a petition from ¦ W . Erescott , an elector of St . Alban ' s , stating that he had seen from the notices in the house , that a motion was to be . mado that day for tho discharge from custody of Henry Edwards ; that the said E ( wards had been for years past actively enuaecd

      in bribing the electors , and purchasing votes tot money ; that the petitioner believed that a full investigation of the practices in that borough could not be had without the examination of the said Edwards ; and praying that he might . not be discharged . Mr . Spoombr said this petition was not entitled to the attention' of the . bouse ,. the petitioner merely stating his belief without any evidence . Tho petition of Henry Edwards had been put into his hands by a solicitor of the utmost respectability . Edwards now cauio before , the house with a fulland complete confession of his guilt , and threw himself on the mercy of the house .. The petitioner had a wife and a large family , and whilst it became . hon . gentlemen to vindicate their privileges nnd assert tho

      authority of the house , yet there was a limit beyond wat ' eh he hoped they would , not proceed . If they confined the petitioner longer in Newgate , the consequences would be most injurious to his pecuniary circumstances . He ( Mr . Spooner ) wasalso instructed tbat the petitioner . was confined to his bed , and that the nature of his ailment required a change of air . ( A laugh . ) It mi * ht be objected that , at present , there existed many obstacles to a fair inquiry into the whole truth of the proceedings connected with the St . Alban ' s . election , the . witnesses being out of the way . The petitioner pleaded guilty to every accusation ; but then it should be

      remembered , that there were others more guilty than he was , those who were at that moment living in ease and luxury beyond tbe jurisdiction of that house . The petitioner undertook ; , whenever summoned , to appear before any . tribunal , and answer directly , as far as in his power , any questioiwthnt might be put to him . lie was then some nine weeks in Newgate—his affairs had fallen into disorder—and considering all these matters , he hoped the house would assent to his proposition , namely , that Henry Edwards be summoned to the bar of that , house to-morrow for the purpose of being discharged . The motion having been seconded ,,

      Mr . Bankes wished to know if , in tbe event of the house agreeing in the proposition of the hon . gentleman , it would be competent for any hon ; member to question the petitioner . The Speaker replied that , if the motion were carried , it would not be competent for hon . members to put questions . . Mr .. Hosts considered the matter premature at present . AU the culpable parties in this case kept out of the way ; and , if the petitioner were liberated , what security had the house that he would not do tho same ? ( Hoar ,. hear . ) lulus opinion they would act foolishly to let off the man who was allowed to be the chief participator , if not actor , in the matter . ( Hear . )

      The Attorney-Gbbbiui , said that , though not disposed to press with , severity on the individual then in prison for a considerable period , the house should not forget the circumstances under which that . cominittal took place . Up to the present moment the authority of tho house had been set at nought ; the witnesses whom tho petitioner had been instrumental in removing being still abroad . Tbe Sergeant-at-Arms reported that his officer found them living at Boulogne , in the house of a Mr . Edwards , aged twenty-six ; but whether a relative or not of the party in custody it could not he said . Now the witnesses being thus removed , and Edwards having been instrumental in that removal , the house should pause before releasing him from

      prison . ( Hear , hear . ) If his condition were such that his life or health was endangered by imprisonment , the case would be very different .. But there was . no evidence of such before the house , beyond tbe statement of Edwardskimsclf , which had been made on a previous occasion , but withoutf oam \ a tion . or accuracy . Therefore in his opinion the house sbould . pause , before complying with the motion of the hon . gentlemen . ( Hear . ) ; ' , Mr . Sbwbkgme wished to know if they were determined oil detaining the petitioner in custody until the witnesses returned ? . ( A laugh . ) ¦ Sir 6 . Grey replied ; that that . - . would be a rather indefinite period . But then it should he remembered that the petitioner had been the means of

      removing these witnesses , and . placing them . boyond the jurisdiction of that house .. ( Hear ,- hear . ) Mr . ASjJiBr thought the petitioner ; ill-advised in resorting to the prescnt . proo . eeding . ; instead of-applying to that house , he should have applied to the gentlemen who were ; , contributing funds to the maintenance of the abstracted , witnesses .. ( Hear , hear . ) ' . : " .. ¦¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ : ¦<¦¦ The house then divided : — For Mr . Spooner ' s motion ., ... ¦ 4 Against ... ... ... . ... 133-129 RnrBAii or the Maw Tax , —Mr . Bass moved a resolution to repeal . hnlfi the malt tux in 1851 , with a view , to relieve producer and consumer'without ' uhiniate loss to the : revenue , or disturbance of tho financial arrangement of the current year . ' lie denied that this was . a brewers' question , and insisted ' that a reduction d . fortiori -. the repeal of the ' malt

      tax wo . uld . be highly favourable . to the- " agricultural interest , ; wb . ereW . its > -. maintenance / checked consumption , ; whilst it curtailed the enjoyments of the poor . ' . Mr ; . Bass urged . the instances , in" which' reduction bf taxation . upon articles of aliment ' -had largely . increased their consumption , aud contended that beer , which was bread in a particular form , would bo influenced by the ^ arae law * -Hehad supported thomotion for a total repealof the tax ; but half was . better , than nothing . ,..- ¦ - ¦ ¦;> ¦ Mr . Campbell opposed the motion , avowing that he would prefer a 2 s . duty upon corn to a mutilation of the malt tax . . : '[ , - , , : . ¦ ; . ¦¦ , . , ; : ;• < ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦;•<¦ ¦¦ Mr . Alcock ; suggested , a-commutation of •¦ the malt tax fora dutytf . # 10 , per . ton upon Peruvian guano , which , ho said , wasi a monopoly ; in the hamlspf . the . Gpveriinienfc ^ f . Peru , who ; soid ithere at ' iC . O ' per ton , whereas , jt might , be delivered at £ 3 10 s . . , \ , . ,. . , ¦ ¦ ...,: -.. v . . .: >; ¦

      , Sir \ y . JoLLirFE said , . . this ; tax pressed most sev ' erely upoti agriculture , ; but no relief , would be afforded from . a reduction oftho tax , unless it « -as intended as -. vn . instalhient towards its total repeal ; After some obser . vatipns . bv Mr / 'HuTwoRTii ; Mr . FhEiiipiEi . p ,. and Mr . G .-Sandaus , . .-,... -. . -. .. - « . i •' . The CiiAscKLLon of jthe ExciiKquER . said . that although this motion , w » s . not the same . as Mr-.. Gayley '? ,, for a total repeal of the malt tax , everyargiiment used in the debate ' made it substantially a repetition , of a proportion . whicli the house had ; already negatived .. , A ' .. reduction of ' .. half the 'fax suggested the same tque sfcion—What , was tobe the substitute , ? , Mr ., Disraeli and hi ^ party . doubted whether ,- ii > "the ' . existing ' . siate of our finances , there should he any fiirthcr : reduction . of . taxation . To reduce ' . this duty would 5 affordi-no relief to ; either producer or consunier ' ,. but benefit only an intermediate . in'tei-est . ' . ' . ' , " ' ¦ .. ' . -, ' .. ' . . „ • ¦

      ' Mr . ; &' ewde , oate , . ' Mt »' . Brothkuton , Mr . Drumuo . sp , and & lr ' . ' , tlij > i » , spoko " against' tho motion , which , upon a , dj y iswD , ' wa ' s ' negatived , by . seveatyr aixagainstihirty . ' one ^ ., "' ; , ^ , * ,. '';; > . .-.- ¦• v ' Mr . CobDBs ; . then . l inoved ' an addtessrtoher . Ma * jeaty , pravipg . ' . thstahp will d ^ ect ' t ' he Secretary of State for Foreighi'A'fi & 'ra . to eater into eomraunica . tion with , thetafii : awutolEtan < i « , i » aAend « MOur

      Monday, Jviie 16. House Of Lords.-Lordbr...

      [ toi ;;^ enf , n future that rivalry of warlike prcparations in time Of ?? ace which has hitherto E the policy of the two governments , and to promote if possible , a niu'JUI" reduction of armaments . Tim hon . gentleman argued strongly agnbst the impolicy of doping up riV ^ l . nw'al armaments , to tho injury of the resources of Dot ' countries . Ilu did not believe that either country contemplated an aggression on the other , but as either armed the other followed , rather in a spirit of unnecessary self-defence than anything else , and thus a spirit of rivalry was carried on which it was impossible to see tho end of , unless some proper understanding could be come to in order to stop this great waste . Mr . Hume seconded the motion .

      Mr . Urquii . art , while thinking that the present motion was the natural result of the policy of Lord Palmerston , yet deprecated as inexpedient adopting resolutions calling on tho Grown to originate negotiations on abstract questions . Mr . . Mackinkos , thinking that the policy of Lord Palmerston had been of a very pacific tendency , was of opinion that there was nothing in the state of our relations with Franco to call upon them to adopt such a resolution . Lord l ' ALMEnsros said , however little ho might think tho methods by which Mr . Cohden endeavoured to give effect to his principles were the best calculated to attain the end he proposed , he subscribed implicitly to the general tendency of his vi

      ews . jn aiming at any great object duo attention must be paid to the means . Ii all nations were composed of men of philanthropical principles and enlarged views of human Affairs , the best way to preserve peace might be for each to trust to the good feelings of the others but tho world had not arrived at such a pitch , of civilisation that a nation could confade in the forbearance of its neighbours , ins objection to this motion was that it aimed too imicn at divesting this country of her means of defence withoot waiting until other countries had placed themselves in a similar position . Mr . Cobden had avowedly left out of consideration the large military . force of France ; but in comparing relative means of . offence , our attention must not bo confined to line of battle ships . If a great country tins wished

      iiko to be at peace with other Powers it must take care to maintain unimpaired its ability to repel attack , and , without cherishing any hostile sentiment , it was our duty to ourselves , and to tho functions which Providence had destined this country to fulfil , to keep her in such a position . He was ready to adopt the motion and the speech of Mr . Cobden , responded to by tbe house , as the expression of an opinion that friendly relations between England and France should bo maintained , and that mutual confidence should banish reciprocal distrust . He accepted it with pleasure , as a holding out of the right hand of fellowship to other countries , and ho agreed that there could not be a more appropriate season for such a demonstration .

      If he objected to be hound and fettered by a resolution in which he did not clearly see his way , it was not because ho dissented from the end , but because he thought that end would be more accelerated by the language of Mr . Cobden , and the sentiments manifested in that house , than by any formal and specific resolution . Upon these grounds he trusted Mr . Cobden would be satisfied with the reception his motion had experienced in the house , and with the concurrence of her Majesty ' s government , which was influenced by an ardest desire to averttho calamities of war , and not press his motion to

      a diviaion . which would be liable to misconstruction . Mr . Roebuck expressed his general admiration of the propositions of the noble lord , but did not admire the manner in which he had treated the motion . He approved of the end , but disliked the means ; whereas the means were simple and practical . If a solemn resolution of the House of Commons , not founded upon fear , should commission the Foreign Secretary—careless of the petty jealousies of diplomacy—to say openly to Trance , " We desire peace , and ask you to aid us in this great-work , " we should exhibit a noble spectacle to mankind and set an example to other nations .

      Mr . M . Gibson denied tbat the proposition of Mr . Cobden would reduce this country to a dependence upon the forbearance of other nations , or disable us from repelling an attack . He merely asked the Foreign Secretary to act , with reference to the reduction of warfare , upon the same principle as that ho had adopted in increasing itnamely , by . opening a communication with France and making mutual reductions as we had made mutual augmentations . After some remarks by Sir H . Verney and Mr . Brothbrion , who advised the withdrawal of the motion ,

      Mr Hume supported the resolution , the object of which , he said , was to reduce our armaments to the footing upon which they stood before the unfortunate Syrian dispute . If tho government desired to promote amity with France and reduce our establishments , they ought to adopt his resolution , the withdrawing of which would imply that it wanted the support of the house . Sir B . Indus , Mr . Gbach and Mr . Pstssb recommended tho withdrawal of the motion . Mi * . Cobdkn consented to leave the matter in the hands of the government .

      Lord Palmerston wished the house distinctly to understand that , though he concurred with the principle and object of the motion , namely the maintenance of peace with France , nnd the inspiring the two governments with mutual confidence , and objected only to the particular method proposed of arriving at the result , the government were not pledged to enter into negotiations for this object ; they would be free to take their own course of proceeding . The motion was then withdrawn . Biisle itfoNoPOLY .- —Mr , Hume movedan address , praying her Majesty to cancel the Queen ' s Printer Patent so far as relates to the Monoply of printing Bibles , Psalms . and Prayer-books in England and Ireland . .. : •¦¦•¦¦

      ., The motion was opposed by Sir G . Gbei , who observed . that tbe crown could riot legally cancel the patent , and it was negatived . .. The other business having been disposed of , the house aujournedafc a quarter to one o ' clock .

      / . WEDNESDAY , June 18 . . HOUSE 0 F .-G 0 MM 0 NS .-Thb Truck Ststem . —Mr . T . Buncombe put the question , of which ho had given . notice , to the Secretary for the Homo Department , if ; he had taken any arid what stops , in consequence of a memorial that had been forwarded , to him by workmen employed in the mining district of South Staffordshire , ' complaining of the prevalence of truck in that district , and that : one of the firms deeply engaged in this illegal traffic- was that of Messrs . Dixon . and Hill ; one of . which firm , Henry Hill ; being a justice of the peace , not only sits and acts in petty sessions , butj . is assistant chairman of quarter . sessions , whereby the difficulty of the memorialists to oht' > . in justice and to enforce the law was materially , increased ? . . . - ¦ :

      Sir G . Grey , replied that . Mr . Hill had been applied to and had explained that ' he . had . never taken any active part in the management of any colliery—that he had now ceased to have any pecuniary interest whatever'in-any-colliery . Ilo . ( Sir G .. Grey ) feared that the truck system was expending iu South Staffordshire ; but he hoped that gentlemen engaged in collieries or mines , and who ' at . the same time were magistrates , would use their utmost exertions to prevent infringements of the law . in this respect . ;• ';' " " ' . ' Siw .- Writ for Bath . —Sir . -R . Ikoms moved for . a . new writ for Bath fur a " member to serve in the . pjacp of Lord Ashley , called to the House of Peers . . The'honourable baronet' took this opportunity of eulogising th ' o character . and the services . of . Lord Ashley . ¦ He ; wa 9 proceeding to ' . refer . at length to the various aets ' of Lord Ashley ' s ilife ,. when < .-, . ... - ; . ' ¦ - '"" ' ' - ; ;>; '

      , M . i' ., FoES'iBR , ii ) terfored 1 ana complained that the honourable ., baronet , ought not to have , t « kch so unusual ' a , course without giving' notice ; ( Hear . ) ' The Speaker . —Tho hon . baronet is moving ii new writ ,, and is in orders •• .-. ' ' i . Mr . ' . W . , Williams-: thonght . ! that ifc was-disrespectful to the house to occupy attention-with '' such a ' , matter wben .-the sitting was limited to six hours , and when important . business 'stood on tbo paper . ( Hear . V" . ;" :, .... -. ' : J " ¦ ' ' Sir It . IwoLis . had not ., expected that , ariy' hon ;

      member , would grudge a few moments to an expression of " sympathy at the departure from that'house of tho friend of . thev : friendlossy ; : ; T-he . hon , baroaet then abruptly terminated his . speechand ; nio ? ed that tUc ' writ be issued ; v '; ' ¦; ; . " ; ^ . " , . ' - ( .. : Mi \ . I 3 r 6 tijerto » . concurred in the hon baronet ' s view of themcriforiousseryice ' s in the . cause of tbe poor of Lord "Ashley . ' ¦ " . ' . ; ,.. ' , , " ' ; . " . .-, .. . . . 'Mr . ' Forster begged it would , be understood . that lie had only'interfered , in the . 'belief , ' that . the-. hon . baronet whs out 6 f order . ' ' ' : ' ' ¦ " ' : V

      ; Sir ' . G . ' . Grrv was "' sure . that the house ; would , cordially concur hi the admiration , expressed ' by the ; hon , baronet of tho "d ancer / of , Lord ' . Asnley , ; and . he " hoped ] that that . ' noble . lord , in ^ iis . new , sphere , ¦'¦ w ould successfully . continue ' . that career ... • Thewrit was then , ordered . ' " ' .., " .,... •; Sunday Trading Prevbntiox BiLL .-TTh 9 house then resumed the ' adjourned debato on (; he , motion forgoing into committee on the . SundayTrading . Prevention Bill . !; i : '• : .. ' ' ., .... ' , j ' i . -,. ¦ Mr . W . Williams complained of hon . raembcrs . of that house " who had threatened to ' defeat the . bill by tliro win ? every formal obstacle " possible in the ! way

      of its progress . He considered tins most unfair to . himself and to thepublio , because other . bills vfero , obstructed by tho impediments ralsed / to ^ tspas ? ange ,: It was a different bill fromtiiat of lastyearj the subject' having been , ' since tbi ' inttqductioh of that measure , considered by a . committee ' . ' . At least 8 , 000 shops , were opened for tbe > urppse 8 0 f-. trade oii Suiu % in ? London at 'Uift , \ mdm > aty Wd fully nine-tenths of them ¦ were arfxioua ' for ^ a ; legi slative measure .. to compel them' < allm n ' e ' elbsed on that day ., ; ; The hon . gentleman Concluded ' by ' movini . that tha Speaker should fcarether c bWr ' ' '''

      Monday, Jviie 16. House Of Lords.-Lordbr...

      Mr , Roebuck opposed the bill n . mvc uncalledfor measure never was brought before the . ' io . ,, so - 3 he first proposition in the bill was , that it was ' ne * oossary to suppress Sunday trading but , to meet piat , Ins first clause was a sweeping one , prohibit-« i . ? A ? , din = » stllc > ov hawking of nnv goods or Z ™ 'f J hutover . After this drag net , " ( lie clause E t * - ^ cal withpai-ticulats . It was perunder W t 0 - sdl an > 'tbi ^ »*« " ten ' eioek unocr that clause without beinj ; subject to a penalty . thob ° ili ^ r tlle . ciausc lc * out tho secret of inJSS ; rft * " )""" ^ ^ blunder of exceptto in"Se bni , X ° k T > ' we , e " 0 ' **& " * tt ^ toSZtt ttSrS ' jSS Why should eream ho sold ? w „ Tt B nerossfty or w « . it a luxury ? Tho exceptions were KSr ? l 1 )/

      . rl'lflnn- mato » U ! o nr ., 1 ~ J :..: i . , " « ' | . ISII J , writing materials , and spirituous beverages-except such beer as was sold at lid . per quart Now ho could not conceive how ifc would conduce either to health or morality to allow such wash as beer at I ^ d . per quart to be sold and consumed . Newspapers were also to be excepted , and this exception he could only attribute to the fear of offending tha Sunday press . Tobacco was to be excepted , and really ho was unable to discover what this ridiculous , meddling bill was to accomplish . After all tht-se exceptions , ho really did not know what he could not do . He wanted to know what the bill enacted—what it prevented ? Tho bill did no more than tho existing law at present did , and that , ho contended was a good reason why the house should !

      throw out the bill . Now what was tho . extraordinary machinery by which the bill was to be put into operation ? The exceptions , first , wero ia favour of licensed victuallers and tavern or hotel keepers . He would any , without intending it offensively , that ho hereby convicted the hon . gentleman of pretence . He was told that 20 , 000 persons in London could shut up their shops . Why did they not do so , but because their neighbours who did nob shut up would get all the more custom ? Therewas this remarkable provision in the bill , " thafc it should be lawful for a chief constable to seize without warrant all goods exposed for sale in tho highway or market place contrary to the statute . " Who was empowered to act under this clause i Tha

      police . He would s . iy nothing about that useful body , bnt it was well known from the character © £ the class from which the police were selected thafc it was necessary to watch them carefully , to prevent them from exercising an undue stretch of authority . Ifsuchapower as that contemplated by the bill was given to tho police , what security wus there that it would bo fairly exorcised ? Who could prove that goods seized were lawfully seized , or that they bad been exposed for sale . It ' was further provided that justices wore to havo power to order tbe sale of all goods so seized wit hin three days ; and this was also a monstrous power to confer on justices , as it might be n . ade an engine of oppression on the small trader . Ifc was impossible

      to suppose anything more Inconvenient or dangerous than this kind of legislation . On proof of a previous conviction an offender was to be subjected to the penalty of having all bis goods sold that might have been seized . This was jn addition to a penalty of 20 s . There never was such a monstrous thing ever proposed to that house . Suppose £ 50 of property was seized ; the owner having been convicted before , the justice would immediately order all the property to be confiscated and applied to certain purposes under the act . For the first offence the penalty of 20 s . only was to be imposed . This would make it worth while for the thriving trader to pay this tax of 20 s . and to go on with his business during the day ; but the penalty would act

      very differently on the poor applewoman or , small seller , who not being able to pay 20 s ., must submit to serve out the time of imprisonment in a common gaol . What possible justice was here ? Were they not multiplying mischief by such legislation ? He would first ask the house whether there was any necessity for the bill ? Next , what would the bill accomplish which the present law could not accomplish ? And lastly , he would ask whether the means of pretention -were not wholly beyond the necessity of the case ? He trusted , therefore , tha house would throw out tho bill . Mr . Spooner would urge his hon . friend to withdraw the bill . He was favourable to the principle of the bill , but the bill was objectionable in it ' s

      exceptions , and because there was a great deal in the bill which would tend to encourage litigation ,, and because the mischief of the bill would not bo balanced by any corresponding good , he would beg the honourable member to withdraw it . } Vith respect to shutting up shops on Sundays , it was very well for gentlemen in affluence to say to a tradesman , "Ob , it ' s very wrong to open your shop . Shut it up and go to church . " But when the subsistence of tbat man ' s family depended upon tho business he could transact , and when he saw his neighbour taking away his means of subsistence by opening his shop of a Sunday , the temptation to do wrong was too great for human nature to resist . He contended that legislation ought to compel all

      to shut up , and thus to secure to all the liberty of enjoying the seventh day in a way most conducive to health , morality , and religion . The bill had been much altered since it was first introduced , and when he saw the inishiof thafc mu ? fc ensue by any attempt to enforce tho provisions of the bill , he felt bound to giro the bill his opposition . As the bill was burdened with objectionable matter , he hoped the hon . gentleman would not press it upon the house . If it were pressed the effect would be to prevent right . and wholesome legislation on the subject from taking place . Sir \ Y 7 Clay could not permit the discussion to terminate without saying a few words in reply to the hon . and learned member for Sheffield . This

      was a question , whichever way the house decided , that ought not to be treated with levity or ridi ' cule . The present measure was only the expression of the opinion of some of tho best men of the me tropolitan district . It was a bill to raise the condition , to enlarge the comforts ,, and to ' promote the well-being of the working classes . It was on these grounds he advocated and supported the bill . Treating the Sabbath as merely a human institution , ho contended that : the bill'would be most serviceable in elevating and promoting ' the wellbeing of ttas working classes . As to tho present state of the law , he would only remind the house that the opinion of Mr . Commissioner Mayne was

      that the existing law was inoperative . With respect to the alterations to-which the bUUwulbeen , subjected , some of those alterations had been purposely made to render tho . bill iridiculous , and to cause it to be thrown ont . He had a complete conviction that some such bill was oaicuated to do good . He gave his full assent to the principles of the measure ; but as an air of ridicule had been attempted to be thrown on tha measure by those exceptions which had been introduced in select committee purposely to render it- ridiculous , he should , if the hon . member divided the house on ifc , divide with him , because he believed the bill might , with judicious alteration , be made a good working ¦

      bill . ... •" Mr . Fox said his objection to the bill was thafc ifc did . not go on . those two principles which hon , members who supported it asserted ifc was based upou . If the hill went against Sunday trading and labour on the subject , why not define the Sabbatarian law on the subject ? The bill affected , ttrcetsellers and small shopkeepers ; but it said not a word about cooks , ' coachmen , footmen , and servants of the wealthy ,., classes to the extent of hundreds of thousands qf . persbns . The theological part of the question was a disputed matter , and if the house launched itself on thafc controversy , there would be no knowing when and where it would end . Tho bill whs introduced on behalf of the

      Sabbatarians , tho Sabbatarians being-, a sect who valued their souls much , but-more so , tho profits of their trade . . The bill would affect , theposition of a great number of persons , but it took no broad and large view of society . It affected small shopkeepers and apple-women , but there it -appeared to stop . It might ; ' however , Uea . w < sv . tl \ y inquiry . for that house to ascertain tiio . niiaiinn ^ inf hibou . r that . could be tolerated p ' p Sunday '; , bujj ; untd that was done , it would be premature , to legislate . on the subject . As to the opinion , of Mr . Commissioner-Mayne , which had bean referred ' to , His February report stated that no increase of . Sunday traiiing : / iad , fc ( i ! ieti pi . ico recently . ' If'this ' r eport- . , were tobe relied , upon , then he asserted' that . Sunday trading was not

      on the increase so' lis to require legislative interfe-: rence . Not only oii ' account o £ the obvious imper- ' fections of the bill , but because , of the erroneous mode in which its principle waVattompted ta . be enforced , he should oppose the bill . ' •\ ' . '' , , '"' . ' i ,. .-, : Lord'R . ' 0 RosvK . \ oR > aid the hoh . ; member . for Oldham , in wishing-to have one day s ' et ^ apart from labour , and that th-. s minimum-amount of labour for , Sunday' shouldHo ' . ascertained , conceded all that . '; the puppowors oftho bill wished . ; to" Have . > eco ' g i " ii Uel- '' They agreed in the « rid , ' aw &' wi 1 [ jr & ftered ;" : about tho . n > eaiis . The principle of ' this bill was '' jtb < " secure tliat vuvy < minitnuhVofi labo . iir' wfilch' thV hdh . ' . member . for-Oldham •' wished ; to ' be '' aspqftaih ' ed , 'W ' adopted . ! . lie joined with tho libri . TOcnii er ' ior' Warwick in the request'that the hon . uienit ? er for L ; iinbeth wduld .: mthdr . iw the hill "Ho- honed thAf ¦

      the hon , . niemher would •¦ n ext ''• sejsi ' ofi' ^ in ' e " the measure forward- at an . - eariy : ^ criStf ; ° an 3 , takih <» Warning from whiii had'happijne « n refuso tVrofc / rf t to a select committee-. —^ i ^ n- ^ rr— - — .. iSir ^ n st , said .. ifiheaa ^ any probability ^ by going mtoc oinnii ^^ nbjeot Of reducing Sunday labour in the metropolis , He 8 hould ; be lglad . to assist the : hon . meniber in the cons ; der . atiop , ol his bill ; but seeing no such pi obab W j W . 9 » Heying that the only effect of going on j with the bill would beaconsumptionj of ' the public . t ' . mpj ... h g . Mfc . bound to ask ; thOThon . ''member for Lambeth to , states in deference ^ the appeals made to hjm , : if he inteh ' t ed to go . on . with . the measure , for if he did f & iptend going on -with it ; the-d'scus , ' s ' ioh should beat once brought to a cIofo . . ' - 'H * tW ridt . atjtach . ttny . blame tp . t >; hon ' . m ember or to tne aeleer ' c 6 ^ Mti & iVt « « - » n « ,, » 1 WB : . S ? - ! ' he be ' liuVeu thVy were inherent in the subject .- Aa

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 21, 1851, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_21061851/page/7/