Although in a less distinct manner, the Peers may be
considered last night to have expressed their concurrence in the recent decision of the Commons on the Scottish Church question. Lord CAMPBELL moved the series of resolutions which he had previously laid upon the table of the House ; his object being to elicit a solemn expression of opinion on the subject, before the impending crisis in the Church ; though he entirely agreed in the determination of Ministers not to interfere in the disputes of the Church in the present posture of affairs. He alluded to the struggles through which the Church had attained its present state of efficiency ; cited many expressions of veneration for the insti- tution from leading statesmen on both sides of the House ; and then proceeded to give his own views of a mode of settling the question. Sir James Graham, he said, was wrong in supposing, as his letter to the Moderator of the General Assembly showed him to do, that the existing law authorizes objections to a presentee who may be unex- ceptionable in literature, morals, and orthodoxy, on the ground that he is not "suitable" to the parish ; for the law expressly restricts the question to personal qualification in the points named. Lord Campbell, however, would gladly see such a jurisdiction conceded to the Church ; proper reasons of objection on the score of " suit- ableness " being stated by the congregation and judged by the Presbytery. He entered into long arguments to show that the Veto Act had no chance of passing into law ; that it was not effectual to its object of providing ." suitable" ministers ; for the congregation could not possibly judge of a minister's real suitableness in two preachings ; and that the sine :qua non of the Church, the demand of indepen- dence of the Civil Courts, was a power not held in England, Ire- land, or Scotland, in the palmy days of Popery itself. He quoted declarations by Calvin, Knox, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and other great authorities of the Scottish Church, that the ecclesiasti- cal power must be restrained by the civil: Calvin says, "eat potestas
ecclesiastica includenda certis finibus " ; Knox, that "to kings, princes, rulers, and magistrates, we affirme that chieflie and most princi- palie the conservationn and purgation of the religion belongs." He de- nied the power of the Nonintrusionists to dissolve the tie between the Church and State—to talk so was treason and rebellion ; and he trusted that the more rational would consider the injury to the Church and to religion itself if the secession were carried out.
The Earl of ABERDEEN objected to the passing of abstract resolutions ; which could not be needed as information to the Church, would consti- tute a prejudgment of the case which was about to come before them on a petition from the Church, committed the House to vague promises of concession, on the other hand needlessly shocked those who demanded the abolition of patronage by volunteering a refusal, and were also liable to the objection that they referred to matters which would come before the House judicially. The Earl referred to the measure which he had attempted to pass, and which he now vindicated at considerable length; his object having been to declare the law but not to alter it—to declare the power of the patrons to present, of the people to object, and of the Presbyteries to judge. There was now, however, no hope that even the most extended measure would satisfy the extravagant and arro- gant demands of the leaders of the Nonintrusion party. He ani- madverted on the proceedings at the public meeting in Edinburgh, at which members of the Church promised a new agitation, in which they were to roam about the country intruding into the parishes of other pastors, and seeking, in the words of one of them, to "subvert and pull down the Established Church." He feared that the people shared their sentiments to too great an extent ; yet during the Queen's tour in Scotland, though Ministers occasionally heard cries of "No Corn- laws," or "Free Trade," they heard not a word about the Church. He moved as an amendment, that the House do now adjourn.
Lord BROUGHAM objected to Lord Aberdeen's speech, that it tended to shake the decision in the Auchterarder case ; because he said his bill was " declaratory " of the law, while it was at variance with the una- nimous decision in that case as to what is the law. He was not for closing the door to all conciliation, but he thought no steps could be taken with that view until the wrong-doers abandoned their evil courses—until they were compelled to obey the law. He was em- powered by Lord Denman to express his concurrence in disapproving of the Nonintrusionists' proceedings. Lord Corrzxnam and the Loan CHANCELLOR also expressd their adhesion to the Auchterarder decision. The Earl of HADDINGTON supported Lord Aberdeen.
The Lorin CHANCELLOR was about to put the question, when Lord BROUGHAM rose in haste to give a notice of motion intrusted to him by a noble friend. The LORD CHANCELLOR—" Brougham, Brougham this is an ' intrusion.' " (Loud laughter.) The question was then put ; the amendment was declared to.be carried ; and the thaw adjourned, at a quarter past ten o'clock.
The Duke of WELLINGTON gave notice, that on Tuesday the 11th April, he should move the adjournment of the House to Tuesday the 25th April.
The House of Commons were occupied, in the earlier part of the evening, with the British Watch and Clock-making Company's Bill; of which Mr. WARD moved the second reading. It was intended to authorize the collection of a capital to put in practice the invention of Mr. Ingoldt, a Swiss mechanic, and a simple-minded man, for the ma- nufacture of watches by machinery ; two sets of which would perform the work of three hundred men. It was calculated to revive the watch- trade from its present great depression, by furnishing a cheap supply of 'watches. Mr. Thomas Durmonaz characterized the bill as a scheme to raise money, similar to other schemes fruitlessly attempted by Mr. Ingoldt in other countries. The prospectuses had made extravagant and increasing boasts as to the power of the machinery ; the capital was to be from 250,0001. to 500,000/.; and, in reserved shares and other ways, it was to secure Mr. Ingoldt, the " simpie-minded man." emoluments which Mr. Duncombe estimated at 129,000/. a year. He moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr. Gransrrozz supported the measure, as at least meriting inquiry. He was opposed by Mr. LA.BOUCHERE ; and, after some discussion, the amend- ment was carried, by 154 to 77. The House went into Committee of Supply on the Miscellaneous Estimates. The discussion on the vote of 56,508/. for the Poor-law Commission was resumed ; and Colonel SIBTHORP, who especially ob- jected to the number of Assistant Commissioaers, moved that the vote be reduced to 20,3851. Sir JAMES Galatea" said, that the Assistant Commissioners had been reduced from twelve to nine, the lowest pos- sible number. After a short discussion, of little novelty, the vote was carried, by 93 to 14. Captain PEcaleas. was about to try another divi- sion on the vote ; but he desisted when Colonel &Britons' suggested that they had had a "respectable minority," which would be diminished, as many of the minority had gone to dinner.
The vote of 39,320/. for Secret Service Money, opposed by Mr. HUME, and others who desired some information about it, was carried, by 100 to 13.
The vote of 38,000/. to defray the expenses and law charges incurred by the Treasury was postponed ; several Members wishing infor- mation on an item of 15,000/. for the expenses of the late Special Com- missions.
Several other votes having been agreed to, the House resumed ; and shortly after adjourned, at a quarter before one o'clock this morning.
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