the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and from several places, against the Ministerial plan for National Education.-By Mr. D'Israeli, from Merchants, and others of the city of London, for an Inquiry into the Allegations against the Character of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. hon. Members to communicate than the future policy of the Cabinet. There had been three new writs moved for already, and he doubted not that others were still to come, so that the whole Cabinet seemed about to be re-constructed. He, therefore, NEW WRITS.] Mr. E. J. Stanley, called upon the right hon. Baronet to give having moved for a new writ for the borough of Cambridge, in the room of the right hon. Thomas Spring Rice, who had accepted the office of steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, Mr. D'Israeli said, that before these changes had taken place, there ought to have been an explanation given as to the principles on which the Cabinet was to be conducted for the future, and considering the precarious state of the country and its finances, that the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, if not the old, would have given some information upon the general finances of the nation. As he did not see the right hon. Gentleman in his place, and as it appeared that the Cabinet was to be strengthened by recruits from the official underlings, perhaps some of the hon. Gentleman on the Treasury Bench would feel quite authorized and duly qualified to give an exposition of the policy on which the new Cabinet was to be conducted. Till that was done, he should feel it his duty to resist the motion. Mr. E. J. Stanley said, that not being a member of the Cabinet, he could not take upon himself to reply to the question of the hon. Member. But he was satisfied, that on reflection he would see the propriety, in justice to the people of Cambridge, of not persisting in his objection to the issuing of the writ which he had moved for. Motion agreed to. On the motion of Mr. E. J. Stanley, the clerk of the Crown was directed to issue a new writ for the city of Waterford, in the room of Mr. Wyse, who had accepted the office of one of the commissioners appointed to execute the office of Lord High Treasurer. Mr. D'Israeli, seeing the right hon. Baronet, the President of the Board of Control, in his place, begged to ask the right hon. Baronet if he could afford the House any explanation of the principles on which the new Cabinet was to be conducted? They were about to meet their constituents, and he knew nothing which could be more interesting or important for some explanation on the subject. Sir John Hobhouse was not aware that the Government had any intention to change their policy. Subject dropped. CONVEYANCES OF THE MAILS.] Mr. Warburton, in bringing under the consideration of the House the subject of the contract or agreement made by the Admiralty for the conveyance of the mails to the West Indies and America, said, he considered that the Government were en titled to thanks for having made arrangements by which these mails would be carried by steam-ships instead of sailing packets. But he must complain that the Government had made a blind bargain, and that the House and the country had not been consulted, as they ought to have been, on a matter of so much importance as a contract of ten years' endurance, and for so large an amount as 240,000l. a year, to be paid to a private party. He did not mean to discuss the point, whether the Admiralty had or had not the power to enter into the contract; but his opinion with that consideration and discretion was, that they had not, at all events, acted which the public interests required. The moment that these steam-ships were ready, and a steady intercourse between Europe and America was established for the carrying of the mails, all passengers from Europe would go by them, by which means a complete monopoly of carriage would be created, and all competitors would be thrown out of the trade, to the great advantage of those who were to furnish these steam-ships by agreement with the Government. Had that result entered into the calculations of the Admiralty? No person could tell whether 100,0001. a-year might not be lost by the contract. It was quite a blind bargain. He had been told, that the parties who had made the Nova Scotia contract had already been offered a profit of 20,000l. or 30,000l. for their bargain. The contract ought to have been made by public competition, and Parliament should have had a full opportunity of previous discussion. If that had been done, and the plan of free competition had failed, the public must have been satisfied, and no ground of complaint would have remained. But the hon. Secretary of the Admiralty had objected to public competition in this case, because it had failed on other and former occasions. That was no satisfactory reason. Although the principle may not have answered on other occasions, it was quite possible that it would have answered in the present case. The terms and conditions should have been made public, and laid before Parliament, before any agreement so extensive had been gone into. He had been astonished to hear the hon. Member, the Secretary for the Admiralty, when this question was last discussed, deny that the science of steam navigation had of late years improved. In the last thirty years there had been most important improvements made in the steam-engine, so that the work done by it had increased in the proportion of four to one. He trusted that the Government would yet be compelled to give a full explanation, and that early next Session the contracts would be laid before the House, so that Parliament might pronounce a decision as to the expediency of adopting the agreement. All persons engaged in the construction of steam-engines and machinery viewed the contract with great jealousy, and many well-informed persons said, that 100,000l. a-year might have been saved by public competition. He trusted that the further proceeding with the contract would still be suspended, until the whole matter could be fairly submitted to the consideration of Parliament. He would not say more on the subject at present, and would conclude by a motion for adjournment, so as to afford any hon. Member an opportunity of expressing his opinion on the subject. Mr. B. Smith thought the great improvement in steam navigation of late years was the great increase in the size of the vessels. When the Victory was built, it was said of her, as a mark of praise, that she sailed like a frigate, because first-rates did not sail so fast as those of smaller dimensions, but the largest class of steamships were the quicker sailers. He objected to the small tonnage of the ships to be furnished to the Government. They were not half the size of the Great Western, and the consequence would be, that letters would be sent by other routes and arrive in much less time. Mr. C. Wood said, the reason why he had delayed rising, was the consciousness that he had already addressed the House on the subject twice, and he now felt that he could do no more than repeat what he had again and again stated before. He knew that where public competition had been resorted to on a former occasion, no such favourable offer had been made as that which the Admiralty had accepted. It should be borne in mind that, in cases where the enterprise was, as in the present case, highly difficult, competition would operate much less than in ordinary cases. He thought, therefore, without assigning too great authority to the Admiralty, their experience might be permitted to set aside the theories of the hon. Gentleman. He had never asserted that no improvement had taken place in steam navigation within the last ten years; but what he had stated was, that no such improvements had taken place within that time, as would authorize the expectation of any great reduction taking place in the expense of navigating steam-vessels within the next ten years. The contractors were also bound, on the requisition of the Government, to give the advantage of every improvement that might take place in steam navigation; and taking all these circumstances into consideration, he did not think it would be worth the while of the contractors to make an outlay of capital for a less period than ten years. Mr. Hawes would mention a case of very recent improvement, which would produce a very material reduction in the expense of steam-ships. The company that built the Great Western, were now building another vessel of considerably increased size. That new vessel was to be of iron. By that plan the ship would possess a very greatly enlarged power of carrying cargo, in proportion to her tonnage, compared with any steam-ship built of wood, and the increase of freight which the owners would thus receive, would very much diminish the expenses of her navigation. Captain Boldero said, the company who had made the contract with Government, had issued a prospectus, and their shares hung very heavy in the market, a pretty strong proof that the terms were not so advantageous as the hon. Member for Bridport seemed to suppose. He did not think that very large vessels would have answered better than those which the company had become bound to build, and, give increased security to the property of in the event of war, they were to be armed, the inhabitants of this metropolis, without and to have double complements, while they were liable to heavy penalties in the in any degree infringing the liberties of event of failure in the contract. He the subject. An improvement in the mathought the Government had made a nagement and discipline of our prisons, beneficial arrangement for the public, and as well in England as in Scotland, has that credit was due to them for the manner formed the subject of our most anxious in which they had conducted the bargain, deliberation. We have endeavoured to and also to the spirit and enterprise of the merchants who had taken the contract. Mr. Warburton wished to know if the contract made any provision for the rate of charge to be paid by passengers. Mr. C. Wood said it did not. Mr. Warburton said, in that case the interests of the public had not been duly protected. In granting so great a monopoly, the Government should have taken care that nothing beyond a certain sum should be charged for the conveyance of passengers. House adjourned. HOUSE OF LORDS, Tuesday, August 27, 1839. MINUTES.] Bills. Read a third time:-Bank of Ireland Act Continuance; Fisheries (England and France); Exchequer Bills Funding. PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.] Her Majesty went in State to the House of Peers to Prorogue the Parliament. The Commons having come to the Bar, the Speaker proceeded to address her Majesty to the following effect: "MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, "We, your Majesty's most faithful Commons of Great Britain and Ireland, attend your Majesty with our last bill of supply for the service of the present year. Various and important measures have occupied our attention during a protracted and laborious Session, and none more important and more affecting the interests of the community than those which have for make such alterations, on the one hand, as will render punishment effectual; whilst, on the other, we have paid due regard to the welfare of the prisoners, and to their moral improvement. The attempts which have been made in many parts of the country to excite disaffection, accompanied by riot, and in some instances by the destruction of property, have rendered it an imperative duty on us to adopt such measures as shall prevent a recurrence of similar disturbances. We have accordingly provided for your Majesty the means of increasing your Majesty's military force, and to strengthen the civil authority, by enabling the magistrates of England and Wales to organize a paid constabulary force where the state of the counties shall require it. We have the satisfaction of announcing to your Majesty, that, although the circumstances of the country have not enabled us to make any material reduction in the public burdens, yet we have endeavoured to alleviate their pressure, by making a most important modification in that branch of the revenue which is derivable from the Post-office; by reducing the duty to a low and uniform rate, we not only give encouragement to the industry, and develop the resources of the community, but we have conferred social advantages of the highest character upon the poorer classes of your Majesty's their object the prevention and punish-subjects. We have given our willing aid ment of crime. We have given the most careful consideration to all those improvements which have been suggested to us by experience, and after prudent investigation, with respect to the Metropolitan and City Police, enlarging the extent, and accurately defining the duty of the force, to in furtherence of your Majesty's gracious wishes to abolish the Slave-trade, by protecting from legal proceedings the officers employed under your Majesty's orders for the suppression of that nefarious traffic. We earnestly hope that it may be reserved for your Majesty to perfect the great de. sign which originated with your Majesty's are of the deepest importance to the royal predecessor in the purest spirit of benevolence, and that the final results may shed a bright and enduring lustre on your Majesty's most auspicious reign. It now only remains for me to present to your Majesty two bills, - the one intituled "An Act to appropriate the surplus ways and means for the service of the year 1839;" and the other intituled " An Act for raising the sum of 12,026,050l, for the service of the year 1839;" to which, with all humility, we pray your Majesty's royal assent." The Royal Assent was given to those two Bills, as also to the following bills :the Exchequer bills' Funding Bill; the Fisheries' (England and France) Bill; the Bank of Ireland Continuance Bill; the Fines and Penalties (Ireland) Bill; the Bolton Police Bill; the Duke of Marlborough's Pension Bill; and the County and District Constables' Bill. The Lord-Chancellor handed to her Majesty the Speech, which was read by her Majesty as follows: "MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, " The public business having been brought to a close, I have now to perform the satisfactory duty of releasing you from your long and la borious attendance in Parliament. whole of Europe. "It has afforded me the sincerest pleasure to have been able to assist in effecting a reconciliation between France and Mexico. Intent upon preserving for my subjects the blessings of peace, I am highly gratified when I can avail myself of an opportunity of removing misunderstandings between other powers. " I have recently concluded with the King of the French a convention calculated to put an end to differences which have arisen of late years between the fishermen of Great Britain and of France. This convention, by removing causes of dispute, will tend to cement that union between the two countries which is so advantageous to both, and so conducive to the general interests of Europe. " I shall continue to pursue with perseverance the negotiations in which I am engaged to persuade all the powers of Christendom to unite in a general league for the entire extinction of the Slave-trade, and I trust that, with the blessing of Providence, my efforts in so righteous a cause will be rewarded with success. " I rejoice that a definitive treaty between Holland and Belgium, negociated by the mediation of the Five Powers, has settled the differences between those two countries, and has secured the peace of Europe from yet been satisfactorily adjusted by the dangers to which it had so long been | Government of Persia. exposed. " I regret that the differences which led to the withdrawal of my Minister from the Court of Tehran have not "In order to fulfil the engagements announced to you at the open "The same concord which brought these intricate questions to a peaceful ing of the present Session, the Govergeneral of India has moved an army across the Indus, and I have much satisfaction in being able to inform you that the advance of that expedition has been hitherto unopposed, termination prevails with regard to the affairs of the Levant. The Five Powers are alike determined to uphold the independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire, and I trust that this union will ensure a satis- and there is every reason to hope factory settlement of matters which that the important objects for which these military operations have been undertaken will be finally obtained. as on your determination to preserve inviolate the national faith." " MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, "It is with great pain that I have found myself compelled to enforce the law against those who no longer concealed their design of resisting by force the lawful authorities, and of subverting the institutions of the country. " I have observed, with much approbation, the attention which you have bestowed upon the internal state and condition of the country. I entirely concur in the measures which you have framed for the preservation of order, the repression of crime, and the better administration of justice in this metropolis, and I have given a cordial assent to the bills which you have presented to me for the estab-tration of the laws by all who are enlishment of a more efficient consta-gaged in that duty, have checked the bulary force in those towns which first attempts at insubordination; and peculiarly required it, and for effect- I rely securely upon the good sense ing the important object of generally of my people, and upon their attachextending and invigorating the civilment to the constitution, for the mainpower throughout the country." "GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, "I thank you for the zeal and readiness with which you have voted the supplies for the service of the year. " It has been with satisfaction that I have given my consent to a reduction of the postage duties. I trust that the Act which has passed on this subject will be a relief and encouragement to trade, and that, by facilitating intercourse and correspondence, it will be productive of much social advantage and improvement. I have given directions that the preliminary step should be taken to give effect to the intention of Parliament, as soon as the inquiries and arrangements required for this purpose shall have been completed. "The advantageous terms upon which a considerable amount of the unfunded debt has been converted into stock afford satisfactory proof of the reliance placed the credit and resources of the country, as well a on "The solemn proceedings of courts of justice, and the fearless adminis tenance of law and order, which are as necessary for the protection of the poor as for the welfare of the wealthier classes of the community." The Lord Chancellor then, by command, declared the Parliament to be prorogued to Thursday, 24th October. Her Majesty left the House; the Commons retired, and the Peers dispersed. -.... HOUSE OF COMMONS, MINUTES.] Petitions presented. By Lord Morpeth, from SLAVE-TRADE.] Sir R. H. Inglis seeing the noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in his place, begged to ask the noble Lord if any measure had been taken in pursuance of the discussions and address to the Crown of the last and present Session of Parliament, for the effectual suppression of the slave-trade, by adding to the strength of our naval force on the Brazils and coast of Africa. He believed our present naval force in these quarters quite inadequate for the purpose. Viscount Palmerston could assure the hon. Baronet that her Majesty's Government had adopted proper measures for reinforcing the squadron on both those |