XII.-CHRONICLE OF THE SESSION OF PARLIAMENT, 1861. [24-25 Victoriæ.]

THE Third Session of the Sixth Parliament of Queen Victoria was opened by her Majesty in person on Tuesday, February 5th, 1861. The Queen's speech announced the conclusion of peace with China; and intimated the continuance of agitation among the natives of New Zealand. One of the paragraphs contains the following statement :— "Serious differences have arisen among the States of the North American Union. It is impossible for me not to look with great concern upon any events which may affect the happiness and welfare of a people nearly allied to my subjects by descent, and closely connected with them by the most intimate and friendly relations. My heartfelt wish is that these differences may be susceptible of a satisfactory adjustment." The address in reply to the Queen's speech was moved in the House of Lords by the Earl of Sefton, and seconded by Viscount Lismore, and agreed to without any amendment being proposed. In the House of Commons the Address was moved by Sir E. Colebrooke, and seconded by Mr. Paget. Mr. J. White moved an amendment, the terms of which, if adopted, would render it necessary for the Government to introduce a measure for the extension of the parliamentary franchise. This amendment was seconded by Mr. Digby Seymour, and a discussion having ensued, the vote was taken, and the Address was carried by 129 to 46.

Feb.

Both Houses of Parliament met at 2 o'clock, and proceeded to Buckingham Palace to present the Addresses agreed to by both Houses in answer to the Queen's speech.

7. (COMMONS.) In Committee of the whole house on the Consolidated Fund Acts, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer a resolution was adopted, to charge upon the Consolidated Fund in gross the sums payable to the Bank of England on account of the management of the National Debt. On the motion of Lord Palmerston it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee "to consider whether, by any alterations in the forms and proceedings of the House, the despatch of public business can be more effectually promoted."

(COMMONS.) In reply to questions respecting the Canada Feb. extradition case, Lord Palmerston stated that the Secretary 8. of State for the Colonies had written to the Governor-General of Canada, desiring that John Anderson should not be given up to the United States authorities without directions from the home government; and he would not be given up until the question pending in the Court of Queen's Bench was settled. The terms of the treaty with the United States were clear, that before Anderson could be given up, it must be established by a court of competent jurisdiction that he had committed what by the English law would be accounted murder. If Anderson had not committed murder, he could not be claimed under the treaty. On the motion of Mr. Villiers, it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the administration and operation of the relief of the poor under the Poor Law Amendment Act. On the motion of Sir G. C. Lewis, it was ordered that no motion should be made for a new writ for the boroughs of Gloucester and Wakefield without seven days' notice being given. On the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer a resolution was adopted to enable the government to guarantee a minimum dividend of 4 per cent. to the Red Sea and India Telegraph Company, and a certain

amount of capital in pursuance of a contract entered into which had not been carried out by an existing Act. Another resolution was moved by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and adopted by the House, by which payment is provided for out of the Consolidated Fund of any deficiency which may arise from the establishment of Post-Office Savings' Banks, in the event of the passing of an Act for the establishment of such Banks.

Feb.

11.

(LORDS.) On the motion of the Lord Chancellor, a Bill was read a first time for repealing a vast number of obsolete Acts of Parliament, preliminary to the consolidation of the

statute law.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of the Attorney-General, a Bill was brought in and read a first time for the improvement of the law in Bankruptcy. On the motion of Mr. Cardwell a Bill was brought in and read a first time for the establishment of a general system of Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in Ireland. Mr. Cardwell also introduced a Bill for the better regulating of fairs and markets in Ireland, which was read a first time. Lord C. Paget obtained leave to bring in a Bill to enable the Admiralty to acquire property for the enlargement of her Majesty's dockyard at Chatham, and to embank part of the river Medway, and for other purposes connected therewith, with a view to the enlargement of the dockyard by inclosing St. Mary's Creek. Lord C. Paget also obtained leave to bring in a Bill to enable the Admiralty to acquire property for the enlargement of the Royal Marine Barracks at East Stonehouse.

Feb.

12.

(LORDS.) The Lord Chancellor brought in a Bill for giving protection to manufacturers against fraudulent trademarks. On the motion of Lord Monteagle, the Fictitious Savings' Bank Bill was read a second time, the object of which is to stop the system of establishing private Savings' Banks in which sufficient security is not afforded to the depositors.

(COMMONS.) In reference to a case which recently occurred in the County Court at Rochdale, in which a plaintiff was non-suited because on being asked if she believed in a God and a future state of reward and punishment, she said she did not, and therefore she was not sworn ;-Sir G. C. Lewis said that the ruling of the judge was in accordance with law, and it was not intended to bring in a Bill to alter the law. On the motion of Mr. Collier, a Bill was brought in to prohibit the payment by candidates of the expenses of conveying voters to the poll in boroughs. Mr. Dodson obtained leave to bring in a Bill providing that votes at elections for the Universities may be recorded by means of voting-papers. Mr. Hubbard obtained leave to bring in a Bill for the amendment of the law respecting Church-rates, the principle being to relieve those who dissented from the Church of England from the payment of Church-rates on their making a simple declaration. Mr. Cowper obtained leave to bring in a Bill to enable the Commissioners of Works to acquire additional land for the purpose of the Public Offices Extension Act, 1859.

Feb.

(LORDS.) On the motion of Lord Herbert of Lea, seconded by the Earl of Derby, a vote of thanks was passed to the 14. army and navy engaged in the operations in China. The Duke of Cambridge, Lord Clyde, the Duke of Somerset, and the Earl of Ellenborough, expressed their cordial concurrence in the vote. Earl Grey, while approving the vote, condemned the policy of ministers with respect to China. The Marquis of Bath protested against the destruction of the summer palace of the Emperor of China as an act of

vandalism. The Earl of Ellenborough said that, in an Asiatic point of view, the destruction of the Emperor's palace was a necessary act, calculated to have a great effect on the Chinese people.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Lord Palmerston, seconded by Mr. Disraeli, a vote of thanks was passed to the army and navy engaged in the Chinese expedition. Lord John Russell defended the burning of the Emperor's palace as a just retribution for acts of treachery and barbarity, as it fell not upon subordinates or on any of the people of China, but on the representative of all authority in that empire. On the motion of the Solicitor-General, seven Bills were brought in, the object of which is the consolidation of the statute law of England and Ireland relating to offences against the person, malicious injuries to property, larceny, forgery, coinage offences, accessories and abettors of indictable offences, and to repeal certain criminal statutes. On the motion of Sir G. C. Lewis, a Bill was brought in to assign the four seats in the Commons House of Parliament forfeited by the disfranchisement of the boroughs of St. Albans and Sudbury.

(LORDS.) Lord St. Leonards called the attention of the Feb. House to the scheme for providing the expense of building 15. the new Law Courts from the Suitors' Fee Fund, and opposed the plan of taking 1,400,000l. from that fund to provide buildings for the benefit of all the law courts, which the suitors did not require.

(COMMONS.) Sir E. Colebrooke obtained leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the formation of tramways on turnpike and statute-labour roads in Scotland. Mr. Garnett obtained leave to bring in a Bill for regulating the use of locomotives on turnpike and other roads, and the tolls to be levied on such locomotives, and on the waggons and carriages drawn or propelled by the same.

(LORDS.) In answer to Lord Llanover, it was stated by Earl Feb. Granville that a Commission would be appointed to consider 19. the subject of the embankment of the Thames. Earl Grey, in moving for copies or extracts of despatches respecting an expedition reported to have been ordered to proceed up the Yang-tze-Kiang river, dwelt on the subject of British intercourse with China, and contended that England had exhibited one uniform disregard of the obligations of the treaty which terminated the first war with China, especially in respect of the opium trade and the traffic in coolies. Lord Wodehouse, in reply, urged that the wars which had taken place were entirely attributable to the bad faith of the Chinese authorities.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Locke King moved for leave to bring in a Bill to extend the franchise in England and Wales, the object being to establish a 107. franchise in counties. Lord Palmerston, while not opposing the introduction of the measure, could not promise any active support, as he thought it injudicious, after the reception met with by the Government Reform Bill last Session, to revive the question in the present Session of Parliament. On a division, the motion was lost by 167 to 51. Mr. Hubbard moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the present mode of assessing and collecting the Income and Property Tax, and whether any mode of levying the same, so as to render the tax more equitable, can be adopted. The motion was opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but was carried by 131 votes to 127. Sir S. M. Peto obtained leave to bring in a Bill to make further provision with respect to the burial of persons not being members of the Church of England. Mr. Baines obtained leave

to bring in a Bill to extend the franchise in boroughs in England and Wales, the object being to reduce the borough franchise from 10l. to 67.

Feb. 20.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Mr. Hadfield, the second reading of the Qualification for Offices Bill was carried by 93 to 80. On the motion of Mr. Dillwyn, the Trustees of Charities Bill was read a second time by 164 to 157. On the motion of Mr. Alcock, leave was given to bring in a Bill for voluntary commutation of church-rates. Sir John Trelawny obtained leave to bring in a Bill to allow affirmations or declarations to be made, instead of oaths, in certain cases in Great Britain and Ireland.

Feb.

21.

Feb.

22.

(LORDS.) The Indictable Offences (Metropolis) Bill, the Fictitious Savings' Bank Bill, and the Constructive Notices Amendment Bills, were read a third time and passed.

(LORDS.) The Duke of Marlborough brought in a Bill on the subject of church-rates, embodying recommendations of a Committee of the House.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Mr. M. Milnes, leave was given to bring in a Bill to legalize marriage with a deceased wife's sister. On the motion of Mr. Ayrton, it was agreed that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the local taxation and government of the metropolis, and the expediency of constituting it a county of itself, for the administration of justice and the better management of its affairs. On the motion of Mr. Cardwell, it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the operation of the Poor Law for Ireland. (LORDS.) The second reading of the Bill for the Protection Feb. of Females and Children, moved by the Bishop of Oxford, was opposed by Earl Granville on the ground of the Bill being unnecessary, and was negatived by 48 to 27.

26.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Hodgkinson obtained leave to bring in a Bill to prevent frivolous and fictitious defences to actions for the recovery of debts. Mr. Cave moved certain resolutions affirming the propriety, while still adopting measures to repress the slave trade, of affording every possible encouragement and assistance to the introduction of free immigrants, and especially of settlers from China, into the British West India colonies. Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston having stated that the matter should be left in the hands of the Government, who were fully alive to its importance, the motion was withdrawn. On the motion of Mr. Lindsay, it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the organization of those branches of the Admiralty, War Office, India Office, and Emigration Board, by which the transporting by shipping of troops, convicts, emigrants, materials of war, stores, and other similar services, is now performed. (COMMONS.) On the motion of Sir John Trelawny, which Feb. was opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and by 27. Mr. Disraeli, and supported by Lord John Russell and Mr. Bright, the Church-rates Abolition Bill was read a second time by

281 to 266.

Feb. 28.

(LORDS.) The Earl of Derby, in presenting some petitions respecting the demolition of labourers' dwellings, in consequence of the construction of great public works, especially railways, in the metropolis, suggested whether it might not be desirable to appoint a Committee to inquire into the effect of the extension of railways upon the moral and social condition of the metropolis.

(COMMONS.) On the motion for going into Committee of Supply for the Navy Estimates, Mr. Caird called the attention of the House to the serious deficiency of last harvest. He estimated the whole loss of capital

consequent upon the deficient harvest, at 20,000,000l., and in these circumstances, the most rigid economy should be observed by the Government and by the House in voting the estimates. The Bank of England Bill was read a third time and passed.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Mr. Childers it was agreed

March to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the present

1.

system of transportation, its utility, economy, and effect on colonization, and whether any improvements could be effected. On the motion of Admiral Duncombe it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the constitution of the Board of Admiralty, and the various duties devolving on the Board; also as to the general effect of the system on the Navy. The Law of Foreign Countries Bill was read a third time and passed.

March 4.

(LORDS.) The Marquess of Normanby moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the circumstances attending the appointment and resignation of Mr. Turnbull in the Public Record Office; but upon a division, the motion was rejected by 42 to 26. (LORDS.) On the motion of the Lord Chancellor the Bill March for enlarging and improving the jurisdiction of the Court of 5. Admiralty was read a second time.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Mr. A. Mills it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee to inquire and report whether any and what alterations may be advantageously adopted in regard to the defence of the British dependencies, and to the proportion of the cost of such defence defrayed from imperial and colonial funds respectively. A motion by Mr. Dodson affirming the impolicy of the duty on hops, and the propriety of providing for its removal, was negatived by 202 to 110.

(LORDS.) The Statute Law Revision Act was read a third Mar. 8. time and passed.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Mr. M. Milnes it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the diplomatic service. Mr. Butt moved to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the fiscal business of countries, with a view to the introduction of the principle of representative bodies and popular elections. The motion was negatived by 119 to 25.

March

(LORDS.) On the motion of the Lord Chancellor it was agreed to appoint a Select Committee to consider what parties

11. are by law entitled, or ought to be entitled, to sue in the Divorce Court in England, and in the Court of Session in Scotland, for dissolution of marriage. The Lord Chancellor stated that his object was to extend the principles of the Divorce Court to Ireland and to British subjects in India. On the motion of the Earl of Derby it was agreed that it be an instruction to the Select Committee on the Metropolitan railways to inquire into and report upon the number of houses and of inhabitants likely to be removed by the works of the respective railways; and whether any provision has been made, or is required to be made, for diminishing the evils consequent on a large simultaneous displacement of the labouring population.

(COMMONS.) In answer to Sir F. Smith, it was stated by Sir C. Wood that the Royal Military College at Addiscombe would not be abolished in June next, but would be continued as a preparatory military school for the Artillery and Engineers. In Committee of Supply, Lord C. Paget moved the estimates for the supply of the naval expenditure for the year, 12,029,475l., the number of men proposed being 78,200. For wages 3,122,580l. were voted, and for victuals to seamen and marines 1,328,2591.