Mr. Hume. A debate ensued, in which Lord John Russell and Mr. Labouchere defended the system pursued in these colonies; Sir Robert Peel declared that there was ample cause for inquiry; Mr. Ricardo moved an amendment, which he subsequently withdrew; and the motion was agreed to with modifications suggested by Lord John Russell and Mr. Hume.

Feb. 21.

(COMMONS.) Sir J. Pakington, in an elaborate recapitulatory speech, moved the second reading of the Bribery at Elections Bill, and its reference to a Select Committee, which was carried after a long debate by a majority of 110 to 80.

Feb. 22.

(LORDS.) The Bishop of London moved for and obtained a Select Committee to consider the best means which Great Britain could adopt for the final extinction of the Slave Trade.

(COMMONS.) Mr. S. Wortley obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend and alter the Act of 5 and 6 Wm. IV. c. 54, so far as it related to Marriages within certain degrees of affinity. Mr. Bouverie moved for a Committee of the whole House to consider the amendment of the Toleration Act, with the view of exempting clergymen seceding from the Church of England from penalties, which was agreed to, and leave given to bring in a Bill. A motion made by Mr. Trelawny for a Select Committee on the subject of the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, was opposed by Lord John Russell, and negatived by a majority of 74 to 27. On the motion of Mr. Anderson a Select Committee was appointed to inquire into the practicability of making the Commercial Steam Navy available for National Defence, with a view to the reduction of the Navy expenditure.

Feb.

23.

(LORDS.) The Habeas Corpus Act Suspension (Ireland) Bill was read a second time: Committee negatived, after a debate in which Lords Brougham and Monteagle took part.

(COMMONS.) The House went into Committee on the Parliamentary Oaths Bill, when a resolution was put from the chair, to make provision in respect of the said Oaths for the relief of the Queen's subjects professing the Jewish religion. Mr. V. Smith moved an amendment, seconded by Mr. Hume, to the effect that all Oaths should be abolished except the Oaths of fidelity and allegiance, which was negatived by a majority of 140 to 68. After a debate, in which Lord John Russell, Sir R. Peel, Mr. Goulburn, and Mr. Drummond, took part, the Bill was brought up, and laid on the table.

Feb.

26.

(LORDS.) The Marriage (Scotland) and Registering Births, &c. (Scotland) Bills passed through Committee; and the Inland Navigation and Habeas Corpus Act Suspension Bills were read a third time and passed.

(COMMONS.) Some explanations were offered by Lord John Russell, in answer to questions from Mr. Horsman, on the subject of the rectory of Bishopwearmouth. Mr. Cobden, on the question of going into Committee of Supply, moved as an amendment, that it expedient to reduce the annual expenditure with all speed to that of 1835, in a long statistical speech, and was seconded by Mr. Hume. The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied and a protracted debate ensued, in which Sir D. L. Evans, Mr. Herries, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Urquhart, Mr. Bright, and Mr. H. Drummond, took part, and the amendment was negatived by a majority of 275 to 78. The Relief of Distress (Ireland) and the Irish Poor Law Bills passed through committee. Mr. Headlam obtained leave to bring in a Bill to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the conveyance and transfer of real and personal property vested in mortgagees, trustees, &c.

Feb.

27.

(LORDS.) The Royal Assent was given by commission to the Inland Revenue and the Habeas Corpus Suspension (Ireland) Bills. Lord Stanley moved that a message be sent to the Com

mons, requesting a copy of the first report of the Committee of that House on the Irish Poor Law, for the purpose of attacking the ministerial course on that subject; to which attack Lord Lansdowne made an energetic reply. (COMMONS.) Sir J. C. Hobhouse, at the instance of G. Thompson and Mr. B. Osborne, made a statement relative to the war in the Punjaub. Mr. Dupre moved the second reading of the Buckingham Summer Assizes Bill, which was carried without amendment.

Feb.

(COMMONS.) The Insolvent Members Bill was read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. Mr. G. C. Lewis moved

28. the second reading of the Public Roads Bill, but withdrew it subsequently, to re-introduce it in an amended form. Sir H. W. Barron moved the second reading of the Offences (Ireland) Bill; but, after a discussion, it was withdrawn. On the motion that the Out-door Paupers Bill be committed, Mr. Baines had an opportunity in reply to Sir H. Willoughby of making a statement on the subject of the " farming principle" with respect to paupers: the Bill then passed through Committee.

1.

(LORDS.) The Earl of Carlisle made some explanatory stateMarch ments on the subject of Crown land in the Green Park, which a Select Committee on the Woods and Forests had reported as occupied but not paid for by various noblemen.

(COMMONS.) Lord Ashley moved an address to her Majesty praying for a commission to inquire into the practicability of subdividing parishes for ecclesiastical purposes, so that the population of each parish should not exceed 4,000, which, after the failure of two amendments moved by Mr. Hume, was granted. Mr. Pusey obtained leave to bring in a Bill on Landlord and Tenant Right. On the question that the whole House go into Committee, Mr. S. Crawford moved an amendment, which was negatived; when Sir J. Walsh moved another amendment, when, after a sharp debate, in which Sir G. Grey, Lord John Russell, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Grogan, Sir L. O'Brien, took part, the original motion was carried by 195 to 96. The House then went into Committee, but immediately resumed. The Relief of Distress (Ireland) and Buckingham Summer Assizes Bills were read a third time.

(COMMONS.) Lord Palmerston entered into explanations of March his foreign policy in the Sicilian question, and the occupation by

2.

the Russians of two towns on the borders of Wallachia. The House went into Committee of Supply, and subsequently into Committee on the Poor Laws (Ireland), when Lord John Russell stated the course he had taken in reference to the proceedings before the Committee, and after a long debate consented to an adjournment. The House went into Committee on the Petty Sessions and Distraining for Rates Bills.

March

5.

(LORDS.) The Relief of Distress (Ireland), Vice Guardians of Unions (Ireland), Commons Inclosure, Buckingham Summer Assizes, and several other Bills, were read a second time; and the Marriage (Scotland) and Registering of Births, &c. (Scotland), a third time. (COMMONS.) The House went into Committee on the Poor Laws (Ireland). A debate ensued, in which Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Osborne, and Sir George Grey, took part; when it was again adjourned.

(LORDS.) The Vice Guardians of Unions (Ireland), and March Relief of Distress (Ireland), Bills were read a third time.

Lord

6. Stanley called forth some explanations from the Marquess of Lansdowne on Sicilian affairs. Lord Monteagle moved for Irish Criminal returns, and returns of the mortality in Irish prisons for the last five years, which was agreed to.

(COMMONS.) Lord John Russell intimated to the House that her Majesty had, in accordance with the advice of her Ministers, appointed Sir Charles Napier to the command of the troops in India. The House went into Com

mittee on the Poor Laws (Ireland), when the debate was resumed by Mr. Grogan, who was followed by Lord Lincoln and others, and the amendment lost by 237 to 164. A proposition put by Mr. Reynolds was negatived by 212 to 51; the House divided on the main question, which was carried by 206 to 34, and leave was given to bring in the Bill. The Petty Sessions and Distraining for Rates Bills were read a third time.

March

(COMMONS.) The Real Property Transfer Bill, after a debate in which the Solicitor-General and Sir George Grey took part, was 7. read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. The Life Policies of Assurance and Affirmation Bills were read a second time. Mr. Bankes moved for an account of all ordnance stores ordered in the year 1848, "for the purpose of being sent to the Sicilian insurgents in arms against her Majesty's ally the King of the Two Sicilies, with the consent of her Majesty's government," which elicited sharp speeches in reply from Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell in vindication of the policy of the Government; the motion was ultimately lost by a majority of 134 to 39. The Report on the Poor Laws (Ireland) was brought up, and a bill ordered to be brought in.

March (LORDS.) The Commons Inclosure and Buckingham Summer 8. Assizes Bills were read a third time.

(COMMONS.) Lord Palmerston, in reply to Mr. Urquhart, denied that a successful termination of the negotiations with regard to the diplomatic relations between this country and Spain had been arrived at. Lord Mahon in a statistical speech moved for copies of the instructions issued by the Colonial Secretary in 1846-7-8, with respect to the transportation and discipline of convicts. Sir G. Grey in reply stated the views of the Government, and the motion was agreed to. Mr. Disraeli in a speech of two hours' duration submitted a resolution to the effect, that the whole of the local taxation of the country falls mainly, and presses with undue severity, on real property. Mr. Hume moved an amendment, and the debate was adjourned. The Lord Advocate obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend the law of Scotland relative to the custody of lunatics. The Spirits (Ireland) Bill passed through Committee.

(LORDS.) The Royal Assent was given, by Commission, to March the Consolidated Fund, Vice Guardians (Ireland), Buckingham

9.

Summer Assizes, and the Commons Inclosure Bills. (COMMONS.) Sir G. Grey stated that her Majesty had issued the necessary directions for appointing a commission to inquire into the practicability of subdividing parishes, &c., as prayed for by Lord Ashley. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Navigation Bill was resumed; Mr. Herries moved an amendment, and Mr. Wilson and Mr. Cardwell spoke in support of the measure; and the Marquess of Granby, Mr. Herries, and Mr. Henley, in opposition; the debate was ultimately adjourned. March (LORDS.) The Petty Sessions Bill was read a second time; the Larceny Acts Amendment Bill a third time.

12.

(COMMONS.) The adjourned debate on the Navigation Bill was resumed, when Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Scholefield, and Mr. Michell, spoke in favour of the Bill, and Mr. Clay, Mr. Wason, Admiral Bowles, Mr. H. Drummond, and Mr. Muntz, in opposition; Mr. Labouchere replied, and the second reading was carried by a majority of 266 to 210. The Spirits (Ireland) Bill was read a third time. Leave was given, on the motion of Mr. Hawes, to bring in a Bill for the regulation of passengers in merchant vessels.

March

(COMMONS.) On the motion that the Dublin Consolidation Bill be read a second time, Sir J. Y. Buller proposed that it be 13. postponed for a fortnight, which motion was carried by 110 to 100. In reply to Mr. Sandars, Lord Palmerston_stated that the Danish govern

K

ment would not recommence hostilities on the termination of the armistice with Schleswig Holstein. Mr. Trelawney, in a recapitulatory speech, introduced his motion for the abolition of church rates, whereupon Mr. W. P. Wood proposed an amendment. A debate ensued, in which Mr. Aglionby, Col. Thompson, Mr. Hume, Lord D. Stuart, Mr. Bright, and Mr. Cobden, spoke in favour of the original motion; Lord John Russell, Sir G. Grey, and Mr. Goulburn, following in opposition, and Sir R. Peel and Mr. Gladstone, urging the House not to come to a premature decision ;-the motion, on division, was lost by 183 to 20; and the amendment by 119 to 84. Mr. W. Fagan obtained leave to bring in a Bill to prevent actions in the Irish superior courts where the debt did not exceed 201.

March 14.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Pusey moved the second reading of the Landlord and Tenant Bill, to which Col. Sibthorp moved an amendment, which was negatived by a majority of 147 to 11. The Real and Personal Property Conveyance and Clergy Relief Bills were read a second time. The adjourned debate on Mr. Disraeli's motion on local taxation was resumed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a speech of two hours' duration; Mr. Christopher, Col. Thompson, and the Earl of March, followed, and the debate was then further adjourned.

15.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Ewart in an explanatory speech moved for March a Select Commitee on the Public Libraries of the United Kingdom, which was agreed to with a verbal amendment by Sir G. Grey. Lord Drumlaniig moved for a return of the expense incurred from framing the returns moved for by Mr. Hume from February, 1848, to February, 1849, which was withdrawn at the suggestion of Sir G. Grey. A Committee was appointed on the motion of Mr. M. Gibson to inquire into the constituton and management of the Government School of Design. The adjourned debate on Mr. Disraeli's motion was resumed. Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Bright, Mr. S. Herbert, Mr. Goulburn, and Lord John Russell, spoke against, and the Marquess of Granby, Mr. W. P. Miles, and Mr. Newdegate, for the motion. Mr. Disraeli replied, when, on a division, Mr. Hume's amendment was negatived by 394 to 70, and the original motion by 280 to 189. Mr. G. Hamilton obtained leave to bring in a bill for consolidating and amendng divers laws relating to attorneys and solicitors in Ireland.

March (LORDS.) The Overseers' (Cities and Boroughs) Bill was read 16. a second time.

(COMMONS.) On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr. Hume moved a resolution that the Ministers should make their financial statement before the supplies were voted, which was supported by Mr. Cobden, opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and lost by 97 against 48. The House then went into Committee of Supply on the Navy and Ordnance estimates; Mr. Hume moved an amendment, which was negatived by a large majority. Several Bills were introduced.

March (LORDS.) The Out-Door Paupers' Bill was read a second 19. time, and the Overseers (City and Borough) Bill a third time. (COMMONS.) Mr. C. Anstey called the attention of the House to the Treasury minute suspending the Act which limited the sale of chicory to be used in coffee; which minute the Chancellor of the Exchequer defended on the ground that chicory improved coffee. Mr. Fox Maule, in reply to Mr. Ewart, intimated that it was the intention of the Commander-in-Chief to institute a test of education for officers in the army. The House then went into Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates. On resuming, the Larceny Acts Amendment Bill was read a second time, and the Annual Indemnity Bill a first time.

March

20.

(COMMONS.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to Mr. Wodehouse, said that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce any measure for the equalization of the land tax.

Mr. Horsman, in a speech that was loudly cheered, proposed an address to the Queen praying for a commission of inquiry into the alleged grievances of the parishioners of Bishopwearmouth and Sunderland, which Lord John Russell opposed in an explanatory speech. Sir F. Baring moved the previous question, which was carried by 52 against 39.

(COMMONS.) The second reading of the Small Debts (Ireland) March Bill was lost by a majority of 31 against 29. The Landlord and 21. Tenant Bill was committed pro formâ, and the Clergy Relief Bill was referred to a Select Committee. On the motion for going into Committee on the Insolvent Members Debtors' Bill, Sir W. Clay moved that the Committee report progress, which was lost by 34 to 77. Clauses 1 to 9 were agreed to, and clause 10 struck out. On resuming, the Public Road3 Bill was read a first time; the Tenants at Rack-Rent Relief Bill a second time; the Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up, and agreed to; and Mr. Mullings obtained leave to bring in a Bill to extend the remedies of sequestrators of ecclesiastical benefices; the bill was subsequently brought in and read a first time.

(LORDS.) The Royal Assent was given, by Commission, to March the Overseers (Cities and Boroughs) Bill. The Out-Door Paupers 22. Bill passed through Committee. Lord Aberdeen moved for the correspondence on the part of the Government to prevent the renewal of hostilities in Northern Italy; which, (after an explanation from the Marquess of Lansdowne, was withdrawn.

(COMMONS.) Lord D. Stuart moved for the production of the Government correspondence with Turkey on the subject of the occupation by Russia of Moldavia and Wallachia; which, after an explanation from Lord Palmerston, was withdrawn. The Recovery of Wages (Ireland) Bill, and the Protection of Justices (Ireland), Bill were advanced a stage. Sir W. Somerville obtained leave to bring in a Bill to renew the Act for the removal of prisoners from the several gaols in Ireland in the case of epidemic'diseases. (LORDS.) The Distraining for Rates Bill passed through Committee. Lord Monteagle moved for an estimate of the sum which 23. it was calculated would be raised by a rate of 21 per cent. on rateable property in Ireland, which was agreed to.

March

(COMMONS.) Sir F. Baring stated, in reply to Sir T. Acland, that the government had determined on offering 20,000l. to any vessel that would afford efficient assistance in saving Sir John Franklin and those under him. Mr. Fox Maule, in moving the second reading of the Mutiny Bill, noticed the charges made by the Liverpool Financial Reform Association against the officers in the army; Mr. Cobden replied, and the Bill was read a second time. Mr. Labouchere, previously to the House going into Committee on the Navigation Bill, announced that it was not the intention of Government to press that part of the measure which had reference to the coasting trade to foreign nations. The House then went into Committee on the Bill, and Mr. Bouverie moved a proviso to the first clause, which, after a debate in which Mr. Gladstone, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Herries, and Mr. Wason, took part, was lost by a majority of 132 to 15. Mr. Gladstone moved the omission of clause 11, and the introduction of another, which amendment was negatived by 158 to 104. Mr. H. Alexander Hastie moved an amendment on clause 16, which was negatived by a majcrity of 197 to 53; and on arriving at clause 19, Mr. Disraeli, in moving to report progress, made a fierce attack on Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Labouchere, to which these gentlemen replied, and the House resumed. The Larceny Acts Amendment Bill passed through Committee; and the Recovery of Wages (Ireland) and the Protection of Justices (Ireland) Bills were read a third time and passed.