Debates anb liroteebings in Vatliameat,

THE SPEAKERSHIP.

The House of Commons reassembled on Monday, after the 111 tide recess. There was a very full attendance of Members. Th 'was brought in by the Sergeant -at- Arms, and laid wider the till" About a quarter to four, Lord Joust Russm.i. rose, and, addressisadtble; Clerk, announced the Queen's permission that, to prevent the inte- --D- tion of public business, the House should immediately proceed trrud election of a Speaker, in the room of Mr. Abercromby ; who ha°,1 signed the chair, for reasons already known to the House.

Mr. HANDLEv rose. He commenced his speech with compliments te the late Speaker, and expressions of regret that the state of his health should have compelled him to quit the chair. He then adverted ta'sn.• Robert Peel's remark, that one of the first difficulties his Governmeni had it been formed, must have encountered, would have been opposit;01; to his candidate for the Speakership. But Mr. Handley protested against the chair of the House being considered as an appendage to Ministerial patronage. He entirely concurred in the observations which fell from Sir Robert Peel when proposing Mr. Manners Sutton for the Speakership in 1819. Sir Robert on that occasion described the Speakership " as an office which had this peculiar character—Met it is the only high and important situation in the state which does not depend on the nomination of the Crown, but which proceeds entirely from the election of the People." This being Sir Robert Peel's opt. thou, how could he think of risking his Government upon the result of an election for which he was in no way responsible, but which depended entirely upon the Representatives of the People ? He considered that the gentleman whom he intended to propose might have received the

unanimous suffrage of the House, if the election laid not been made a party question. It never ought to be a party question ; and, acting on this conviction, he had, though with pain, separated himself from his friends in 1835, and voted for Sir Charles Manners Sutton. Mr. Hand- ley proceeded to describe the qualifications which the Speaker should possess—knowledge of the business and experience in the forms of the House, equable temper, dignity of deportment, urbanity, firmness, and assiduity. All these qualities Mr. Lefevre was known to possess ; and the remark that he never made an enemy and never lost a friend, might be truly applied to him. He moved, " That Charles Shaw J. fevre, Esq., do take the chair of this House as Speaker."

Sir STEPHEN LI7s1 I N OTON seconded the motion. He referred to the

universal satisfaction with Mr. Abereromby's conduct in the chair; and remarked, that although the election of Speakers might be made a trial of party strength, they had always exhibited discretion and firm- ness in divesting themselves of all party feeling when once elected. He considered it particularly necessary that the chair should be filled by a competent person at the present time, when there existed an in- tention in certain quarters to attack the privileges of the House. It was also very desirable that a Speaker should be elected whose opinions were in conformity with those of the majority of the House, and, as he believed, of a large majority of the People. He supported Mr. Le- fevre because his opinions were popular opinions, and because he had shown himself on all occasions the bold advocate of reform.

Mr. Wyss: said, that Mr. Handley and Sir Stephen Lushington ap- peared to support Mr. Lefevre on very different grounds, Mr. Handley protested against the election being considered as a political question; whereas Sir Stephen Lushington avowed that he voted for Mr. Lefevre because he agreed with his popular opinions. He concurred with both in thinking that it was a question of the highest importance ; and he would not utter a word in depreciation of Mr. Lefevre's capacity to discharge the onerous dtities of the Speaker's chair with credit to him- self and advantage to the House— They had constantly felt that the credit of the House was not maintained by attempts to depreciate those whom the regard of friends had put forward as candidates for that high office. He would not allude further to the very different course that had been adopted with regard to his right honourable friend whom it was his intention to propose. Ile would only say, that the accounts he had seen made him feel deeply ashamed that any lately of men should be found in that country who could listen to such wanton abuse and ribaldry—( Chem from the Opposition)—without sentiments of the deepest disgust. (Renewed cheers.) To him who could so litr forget the character of a gentleman—( Great cheering .P.om the Oppositiou)—he would make no further affusion ; but certainly be felt that not only those gentlemen who usually voted on his side of the House, but also honourable Members opposite, and even those who generally acted with the individual reported to have made use of the expressions to which he had referred, would concur with him in his detestation of such expressions. An objection had been raised to the appointment of any Member to the Chair of the House who held an office under the Crown, or who might expect to be selected for an office under the Crown; but he saw no force in the objection, and no reason why the choice of the House should be limited. The practice of the House had been to elect Members who had held offices—.

Let them look back to former cases. Sir John Mitford had been elected Speaker from the office of Attorney-General ; his successor from the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland; Mr. Manners Sutton from the office of Judge Advocate; Mr. Abercromby from being a member of his late Majesty's Cabinet. He did not believe that it was necessary to say more on that topic, as he was colk! fident his views coincided with the general feeling of the House, and Motif He passed a high eulogium on Mr. Abercromby's conduct qualification of his there had been any thing in the objection stated as to the honourable friend to fill- the office of the Chair, it would have been discovered and stated before this time.

concluded by moving, "That the Right Honourable Henry Gouffium do take the Chair of this House as Speaker."

Mr. WILSON PATTEN, in seconding the motion, enlarged upon Mr. Goulburn's excellent qualities— Mr. Goulburn had filled great public situations, he had been high in office; and in those several stations he had had the opportunity of evincing every qualification the most requisite for the gentleman who presided over this House. He had filled public situations, the duties of which had more than any other. subjected him to animo.dversion ; he had filled offices, the duties of which hod been of the most unpopular character, and where discretion, firmness, su__". decision were equally required with a kind and gentlemanly and courteona behaviour ; and he would venture to say, that he had profited most amply by those opportunities, and that he did enjoy a character for decision, for armee occompanied that with a courteous and gentlemanly demeanour. There sho another point which was certainly likely to attract public attention 0,1"- create confidence in the honourable INtember for Dublin—( Loud laugh(er)— lanuit the honourable Member for Cambridge—namely, the circumstance l'otrti, place which he represented; for his honourable friend represented a oestituency not surpassed by. any other in m the United Kingdom fiw its talents sid resPectability. (Loud epees of " Oh, oh !" partieulqrly b, Mr. O'Cinmell, by Tory cheers.) Notwithstanding the cheers he had just heard from a .4 •I1 quarter, he trould state that the time had not yet passed in this country, elien those who were honoured by the confidence of the Universities of the wary carried with them the greatest esteem, deference, and respect. NG Straw LEFEVRE rose, but Lr W. DUNC031BE insisted upon addressing the Housc. He re- minded thaw who objected to making the election of a Speaker a party question, that the opposition to Lord Canterbury had been most de- cidedly a party opposition. He would not say a word in disparagement .of Nr.Lefevre ; but he did think that the choice of Ministerial- Mem- bers aught to have fallen on Mr. Bernal ; who, as Chairman of Cotu- nditees—an office second only in dignity to the Speakership—had be- haved midi great credit to himself and honour to the I louse.

Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE said, he felt exceedingly grateful for the kind encouragement he had received ; but whatever his qualifications might be, he felt sensible that they could not be pat in competition with those of Me Abercromby, whose retirement i'as a source of so much regret wall parties. Entertaining as he did a very high sense of the responsi- bility of the Speaker, and being aware of the laborious nature of the blies he was called on to perform, he miein perhaps be considered pre- somptuotts in offering himself as a candidate for that important office. llehanOt, like his friend Mr. Goulburn, had the advantage of holding my high political situation— any roam has been that of an independent country gentleman, anxious poly to make myself as useful as my position in Parliament would enable me tab& It was with that object that I have acquired a small and humble share the approval which has been pronounced of those improvements to which ay honourable friend (Mr Handley) referred, with regard to the conduct of Private Business; and if the experiment which has been mtule—I allude to the Committee on Petitions especially—has been successful, I can claim but a ma portion of that credit which attaches to it in colinnou with the honour- able Members by whom I had the honour of beiag assisted in that work of dorm We could not he ignorant of the advantage of the interests involved is this branch of legislation ; we could not be ignorant of the great dissatiseee- lion which prevailed out of doors as to the conduct or the private business ; seal believe we all felt most anxious to restate it from an imputation which 1 unafraid was too justly deserved. I shall .ntly add, that although I am per- fectly conscious that there are many :%[einbers 15110 pOWSS special qualifications flu superior to 'eine, yet I yield to no one in a desire to maintain the honour and dignity of this House, in a st eine, sense of the importance of protecting ibprivileges from being in the slightest degree trenched upon, and in a firm determination to exert all the energies I possess in the discharge of any duty which the House may impose upon me. With these observations, I cheerfully admit myself to the pleasure of the House."

Mr. Got:owner was not ashamed to confess that he addressed the Rouse under feelings of considerable embarrassment—

"I cannot but entertain a. fear lest I should in any manner appear insensible to the honour which has been proposed to me ; and on the other, lest I should

e bethought capable of arrogating as my due the lavish praise which has been expressed with regard to me through the kindness or my him's. I have had the advantage of long Parliamentary experience. I have had the honour of witnessing the elevation to that chair of Mr. Abbott, of Mr. Manners Sutton, and of the right lumourable gentleman whose secession we all lamented ; and I am well aware, feoin the observation I have haul the opportunity of making, how important the duties are that attach to the Speaker of the House of Coin- mons. I know, in eomnion with my hononrable friend opposite, that at the prerientmoment—from the greater complication of the national interests—from the increased pressure of both public and private bliSille6S—from the greater attention which the People arc in the habit of paying to the proceeding.s of this Rouse—and, above all, tram the nicely-balanced state of political opinions and interests—the difficulties which ordinarily attach to this Mice are greatly in- creased. And, on the other hand, I cannot but feel how very deficient I tun in those qualifications which would enable ally gentleman to discharev those ditties m such a manner as would give satisfaction to this House. lean ad- mice no pretensions beyond what are possessed, I might almost say, by every honourable Member of this House, who, deeply attached to the constitution of the country, feels an anxious desire to uphold the privileges of Parliament, and I. roainhun those rules and forms in our proceedings which are so essential to the support and confidence of the public at large. Under these circumstances, I have little to offer on my own heltalf to the House, I cannot but feel deeply grateful to the right honourable gentleman the Member' for Montgomeryshire, who has proposed me, and time honourable Member for Lancashire, who has seconded the proposal, for the too partial manner in which they have been pleased to speak of my past conduct and my present qualifications. Whatever may be the result of this evening's discussion, the recollection of their partial friendship will be to me a source of unfeieened ,gratilleation ; and if, in the course of a now long public life, I have rendermtany services to toy country, ami if, as my right lionourable friend has observed, I have elsewhere bent sub- jected to obloquy, the knowledge that I possess their regard and estcein will be more than a compensation for any services I have rendered, and will be an ade- quate consolation for any vituperative expressions that may have been bundled upon me elsewhere. (Loud Opposition cheers.) I have only further to sub- mit myself entirely to the judgment of the House. If it shall be their pleasure to place me in that chair, I shall be bound to exercise whatever of ability or eMletience I possess to discharge satisfactorily the duty the House shall Im- Pou upon me; but if, on the other hand, the House should eXCieise a sounder discretion, and should overbear the partiality of my friends in consideration of 14 acknowledged merits of my honourable friend opposite, I can as sincerely suture the House, that I shall, with greater satistketion to myself, and Ito less teal for the dignity of the Utilise, cooperate with every Member of the House to support the authority. of the chair, and maintain that regularity and order in ale proceedings av:deli I believe to be essential to our own character, and which can alone command for us the confidence of the country." (Opposition cheers.) The question " that Charles Shaw Lefevre, Esquire, do take the Clair," was put by the Clerk ; who decided that the "yeas had it." The House then divided, and there appeared—

For Mr. Lefevre 317 For Mr, Goulburn 299 Majority 18

LEFEVRE was led to the Chair by Mr. Ilandley and Sir Stephen Lashington; and then briefly expressed his thanks-

" I venture to offer my sincere and heartfelt acknowledgments for the dis- tinguished honour you have conferred upon me. I wish your election had fidlen upon an individual more worthy of the honour ; but I assure you I will endeavour by an honest and impartial discharge of my duties to deserve the high distinction I have received at your hands." (Cheers.) Lord kills: Russku.s. congratulated Mr. Lefevre on the distinguished honour he had received, and expressed his entire conviction that his conduct would justify the approbation of the House. He rejoiced that the discussion had beeo conducted with so much amenity, and felt cer- tain that from both sides of the House Mr. Lefevre would receive the support so necessary to enable him to perform his laborious duties.

On Tuesday, Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE, attended by his mover, seconder, and a large Is tly of 3fembers, appeared at the bar of t lie House of Lords. Mr. LEFEVRI: stated, in the usual form, that the Commons had elected him to the office of Speaker ; and the LORD CHANCELLOR, ill the usual complimentary strain, signified " her Majesty's Royal approbation and allowance " of him as Speaker. On his return to the House of Com- mons, Mr. LEFEVRE stated what had passed in the Lords.

JAMAICA.

Mr. LAIlOrCIIERE, cm Thursday, moved for leave to bring in a bill " to provide for the enae it of' certain laws in the island of Jamaica." 'Ellis measure, Mr. Labouehere said, was intended as a substitute for the t which he had proposed at an earlier period of the session ; and which he abandoned with deep regret, only because he despaired of ;woe nrin7, for it such support as would leave any chance for its becoming the law of floe laud, except by so small a majority, that it could not have aay good effect in Jamaica. It was very lamentable that measures of this deseliption should be considered in the spirit of party. Unless Member: Nv mild divest themselves of this feeling, Colonial interestS would 1,- placed in a situation of the utmost peril. The bill he now 11 1 WtIllid leave the Jamaica Assembly what Sir Robert Peel had called a fours penitentiee. He was not very sanguine that the Assembly would avail itself of the opportunity tendered, but he could state dis- tinctly for Lord Normanby and hiinself, that in every communication with the Assembly, the disposition should be manifested to give that body a fair and bond fide trial. The bill authorized the Governor to call together the House of Assembly and ascertain whether they would resume their legislative functions. It was necessary that this point should be speedily settled, that provision might be made for the re- newal of the annual laws, and the enactment of others, required by the new state of society, for the prevention of vagrancy, for regulating the rights and duties of masters and servants, for determining the qualifica- tious of electors, tbr regulating the militia, and preventing the unautho- rized occupation of land. There were laws required for regulating prisons and police ; and it was intended to give the House of Assem- bly ample tunic to decide whether they would pass these laws, and in case of refusal, to authorize the Governor and Council to renew and revise expired laws, and unless within is certain time the Colonial Legislature passed new acts on the subject of vagrancy, the relations between master and servant, and squatting, on the principle of Orders in Council already transmitted to the Crown Colonies, then also the Governor and Council would he empowered to enact those absolutely nece.:sary measures, without the consent of the Assembly. Sir Romer PEEL would not oppose the motion, and would not pre- judge the question involved in it. the approved of the principle of the bill ; but whether its provisions were in aceordauce with its principle, was a point on which he should reserve his opinion. He felt called upon, however, to reply to Mr. Labouchere's observations on party pro- ceedings. Ile claimed for himself and those who acted with him the right of' maintabling their opinion that it was unnecessary to suspend the constitution of Jamaica. They proceeded in the usual way, and gave fair notice of their intention. The Government had ample oppor- tunity of' defence. No unfair advantage was taken, bat there was time given to secure the atonal attendance of Ministerial supporters— And here he begged to remind Mr. Labouchere, that in this case it was not only those who sat on the Opposition side of the !Luise that formed the phalanx of which he had spoken. (Cheers and bocihter, in the midst of which some remarks were made by one of the Ministers, on which Sir Robert Peel observed.) The right honourable gentleman was perfectly at liherty to speak for hue own friends but he denied that he had any right to speak for others. There were ten men for which the right honourable gentle- man could speak; they might have been actuated by party motives ; but of the three hundreui and t..venty gentlemen who sat on time Opposition side of the House, he denied that the right honourable gentleman had any right to say that they afforded a testimony to the truth a time charge that the measure was opposed from party feelings. As he heel already said, to raise captious objec- tions upon this question, merely for the purpose of hara.ssing the Government, would be manifestly unfair ; but if there really existed a bond fide dif- ference of opinion on the question of suspending the constitution of Jamaica, they might talk of Members being influenced by party motives as much as they pleased, but depend upon it each party would resort to the usual means to secure an attendance in order to eupport their views. This was not the doctrine of former days. Mr. Pitt might have said to Mr. Fox, " You are embarrassing my proceedings by making the war a party question ;" but if Mr. Fox was serious in his opposition to the war, it became his duty to offer it what opposition lie could, although he might indirectly embarrass the proceedings of the Government. Front the first, his opinion was that they had not stalk:lent constitutional ground to suspend the constitution of Jamaica : that opinion was confirmed not ouly by the division, but by its being acquiesced in by gentlemen whom he differed from out general politics. Having determined to enforce his opinion by taking the .sense of the House upon the question, he was certainly also determined that Ills opposition should not be a hollow aud insincere one, but he would take every means he could to maintain it.

Lord JOHN Ressietz considered the interference of Parliament ne- cessary to secure a fair trial of the Emancipation Act, and regretted that the twenty millions had been paid to the slaveholders before that object had been accomplished. He fully admitted the right of gentle- men opposite to reject the Jamaica Bill ; but he had cause of complaint against Sir Robert Peel— It was natural that those who had not looked particularly into the merits of the bill, that such of Sir Robert Peel's party as supported the general line of policy which he pursued, and who were at little pains to inquire for them- selves, should agree with him in his opposition to the Government measure relative to Jamaica, and that they slimild follow the course which he ha pre- scribed. But there were others of Sir Robert Peel's party who were not in that situation. There were those on the other side of the House who had examined for themselees—who had formed their own opinions—who were intimately con- nected with Jamaica—who from the extent of their property had a deep interest in the welfare of the colony ; and therefore he must say, that when the right honourable gentleman expressed his opposition to the bill, and when he called on those who approved of his general policy to follow the course which he had pointed out, and to reject the bill—he must say, in such a case, that those ought to have been exempted who had a deep interest in Jamaica, who had formerly ex- pressed a filvourable opinion of the measures of the Government, and who had com- municated that opinion to various members of the Administration. He thought that such persons should have been allowed to act upon their own views and with reference to their own interests, and that they should not have been forced to sacrifice their opinions and their interests on the question of Jamaica to gratify Engliell party. (Loud cheers from the Ministerial benches, echoed hael ji•om the Opposition.) I it asking that there should be free permission for the expression of opinion, and that no force should be applied by those in op- position to such of their body as were owners of primerty in Jamaica, he thought he seas not askin., any very extravagant concession. But in the late division that concession had not been made ; and every means had been used to induce those on the opposite side of the House, whose interests were at va- riance with the course of proceeding adopted by Sir Robert Peel, to refrain from voting with the Government ; and those means had been successful. (Loud cries of " Ninny. 1") lie believed the fact was notorious on the other side of the house. (Loud cries øf " Hear, hear !" and ". Name !") He had asserted what he believed to be correct. (Cries of " Who do you mean?") Such was not the course taken with regard to the Canada Bill. Moreover, on the Jamaica llill, Sir Robert Peel avowed principles which he had never before professed, in order to gain votes from Members sitting on the Ministerial side of the House, who held extreme opinions opposed to those of Ministers on some questions, but yet differed still more widely from Sir Robert Peel— In his opinion, appeals were made to principles of constitutional government winch the right honourable gentleman was not accustomed to make ; and he seemed contented to rest, not on his own strength, or on that course of conduct which, us lie thought, he had honourably and wisely pursued last year, but he seemed determined to adopt a new course of' palicy and a new lin, streegthening himself not only by his own numbers, but by the votes of those who were offended with the Government because they did not go further in the way of Reform. With regard to the Jamaica Bill, these considerations had influenced his mind in the coarse which he took after the discussion on that bill, and after it appeared that the right honourable gentleman was determined to adopt a new course of policy and new line and to obtain the votes of those who differed from the Government, thote;lt they differed still more widely from themselves.

- Mr. GODSON said, that this new bill was only a fresh attempt to sus- pend the constitution of Jamaica.

Mr. lirstu thotteht he could prove that no better case lied hen made out for this bill than the last. lie wished to know whedier any reply- had been sent to the request of the Jamaica Assembly to know whether they were at liberty to legislate or not?

Sir CLIARLES GREY defended the former and the present measure.

Mr. Lenoueneue stated in reply to Mr. Hume's question, that no answer had been sent to the Jamaica Assembly, both because that body had not been sitting, and because, until the decision of Parliament was known, it was impossible for Ministers to give any answer.

Sir EDWARD SIX DEN said, that it was only after a careful examina- tion of tlie subject, that he had resolved, reluetantly, to oppose the .Tetmaica Bill. He had voted upon a strong con vietion that :lie measure was wrong ; and he did not sec that, because he mpported the bill for suspending the Canadian constitution, he was obliged to suspend the Jamaica constitution also.

Leave given to bring in the bill.

In the Lords, on Tuesday, Lord 13normetet presented a bill "decla- ratory of the legislative power of the Mother Country over the Colo- nies, and prohibiting the fraudulent practice which had been adopted in some Colonies, of passing resolutions, instead of bills, against the Coloured population."

Goveexensx.r Meessunes.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL informed the House of Commons, on Monday, that his motion for a grant of money for the purposes of Education would be put off front the next Friday to Friday the 14th of June ; an announcement -which elicited loud ironical cheering from the Opposi- tion. On Tuesday, Lord JOT'S stated the reason of the postponement— that the scheme of education which Government intended to propose had been misunderstood ; and that he wished to lay some papers on the table, which would afford Members an opportunity of ascertaining what it really was.

• On the same day, Lord JOHN Russ= mentioned the course Minis- ters proposed to take in reference to other measures— He proposed on Monday met to take the message of the Crown on the af- fairs of Canada into consideration, with the view of laying on the table a re- solution or resolutions Amine generally the principle of' union as the ground- work of the measure he intended to introduce. He should merely move the resolutions on Monday, and postpone the consideration of them for a week, with the view of then asking the opinion of the House upon them • and, if' the House concurred in them, of founding, upon them a motion for leave to bring in a bill. With respect to some other questions, he had already men- tioned that the County Courts Bill would be brought forward on Friday. The Attorney-General would also on that day propose to go into committee upon the Registration of Electors Bill. Lord John Russell was also very anxious to bring forward the Metropolitan Courts Bill, the Metropolitan Police Bill, and likewise a bill respecting factories. He should proceed with the bill for the better ordering of prisons, on Friday or Monday next ; but with regard to the Prisons Discipline Bill, it appeared that it would be necessary to reintro- duce those clauses which upon a former occasion he bad consented should be struck out. Some delay, therefore, would necessarily take place in the progress of that measure.

Sir ROBERT PEEL observed, that Lord John seemed to have entirely forgotten the Elections Petitions Bill ; but it was extremely desirable that the law should be amended before another general election.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL was anxious to forward that as well as other measures' and would move on Thursday or Friday, that Orders of the Day should have precedence of Motions on Thursdays, except under circumstances of special importance.

Sir ROBERT PEEL was so strongly convinced. that it was "time the House should be doing something,' that he should willingly support that motion. s a rm. esnpt the yeeE a rt owo oku that ob te ompapdoer t?

unity of stating his intentionnthoe um to the House.

thine the powers of the Commissioners for a year beyond the time °Dne.

law

Lord Joust RUSSELL replied, that he should introdseu:sewan

Mr. DAILEY inquired, what the Ministers meant t d

btilletaohete. of itlote ste 78 itt

founded on the Report of the Select Committee on Postage. same time, he would make a general financial statement to the

propose, within a fortnight, a resolution respecting the postage eon It was only within ten days that he had received accounts of last y°114;

expenditure in Canada, without which it was impoossoibmlelthfotrhel: make a full and satisfactory exposition of the state of the the tion of which he had given notice some time ago.

cified in the Act ; but he should not introduce this - r. a ihng oefs:e.

METROPOLITAN POLICE.

reading passed, he would allow the bill to be referred to aSl C City of London Police Bill.

Sir Mnernew Woon, on Tuesday, moved the second. e de' ect om. Mr. HAWES wished to ask Mr. Fox Mettle whether, if the second mittee ?

Mr. Fox MAutu said, the usual course was not to decide till aftes the second reading whether a bill should be referred to a Select or Pule

lie Committee. He thought it would be more satisfactory f

ory o re es the

measure before the House to a Select Committee.

Mr. HAWES wished to know whether Sir Matthew Wood would agree to that ?

Sir MATTHEW WOOD Said, he should oppose every proposal that came from an opponent of the bill. The Government had brokea faith with the City of London.

Lord JOHN Russurx denied the charge of breach of faith. Tie had consented to the introduction of the bill, and wished it to proceed through its various stages.

Sir Merrum Woon said, that when a change of Administration scented probable he went to Lord John Russell,who then agreed to the second reading the bill, on the condition that Mr. Fox Mauls were put upon the Committee. To this he assented. Not a word was said about a S,Acet Committee. \Vas the bill to be sent to a Committee chosen by Mr. Hawes ? Was there ever such it thing 11 earl" of as a prints bill, paid for by the City of London, being sent to a Select Committee? Mr. Hawes thought he had influence enough at the Home Office to carry his point; but that, Sir Matthew believed, was a ittii bill —he sure he could not carry his point in that liouse. After

altered so as to meet the approval of the Commissioners of Police, itwas not right to take the course now proposed at the last moment.

Lord JOHN Russets, said, it appeared from Sir Matthew Wood's own statement, that there had been no engagement with the Govermnent, and consequently there was no breach of faith. lie did not me any fault in the bill, and wished it to pass ; but he thou:41it a measure of such importance ought to be referred to a Select Coninlitie.

Mr. lawEs could easily clear himself from Sir Matthew Wool's, ure just and unfounded aspersions. The honourable Alderman was very loose in his statements in that House. (" Order t")

The Speaker considered Mni Hawes out of order in saying that the honourable Alderman was loose in the statements he made in that House.

Mr. HAwes bowed to the Chair, and withdrew the expression; buthe should be able to show that Sir Matthew Wood had made a statement not founded on fact— The honourable Alderman had stated that the bill and all it.; chimes had been approved of' and agreed to by the Commissioners of Police. He would undertake to say that there not the slightest foundation whatever for that statement. lie positively assured the House that they objected to the hill, and to every clause contained in it. That was a tint ; and lie challenge' the honourable Aldermen to make goad his statement. The whole pestle:1 was a simple one. A Committee of' that House sot for two sessiona. It was composed of Members of every shade of opinion, and their Report had been 'unanimously agreed to. That Committee came to an unanimous determina- tion to recommend that a bill should be brought in, placing the Police under one heath; vie. the Commissioners of Police. That report had Immi agreed to in direct contravention with the present bill. Every Committee that-had sat from 1702 to the present time had all agreed in recommending similar mea• sures ; and he would mid that the Commissioners appointed to impure lite the Corporation of the City of London hind recommended a measure founded on the sante principles. It was pretended that this bill was founded on similar principles to the Metropolitan Police Bill ; but he could show that such was not the Case—

The Corporation appointed a Committee, which was annually elected; they they had the sole control over the Police acting uuder the instructions of the

Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common COuncilmen ; so that the Policed a district containin,g 123,000 inhabitants, instead of being under one head, was sunder the controrof the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councilmen, and the Committee annually elected. The bill was also defective on another point ; for lie was surprised to find that the bill did not state by whom the sues were to be appointee. It stated that the men belonging to the folice force should not canvass or vote at elections ; but the most important officer in the force was capable of having a seat in that House. The Commissioners of Police, the Magistrates of Westminster, were by special act of Parliament prevented from having seats in that House ; and he would put it to the House if they would permit the officer at the head of the City Police to be capable of being elected a Member of that House ; because, if' the Police Commissioner might become a Member of that House, be might be engaged in contested elections; aml he would ask the House if' they thought it was right and proper that such an officer should be so engaged? He was surprised to hear the noble lord ssy that he saw no material objection to this bill, when one of the most important officers under it, and who was to be in the receipt of a large salary, had the power of sitting in Parliament. Ile hoped that the House would not glee this part of the measure at least their sanction. Another objection which _bee. had to urge to this appointment was, that the Commissioner was neither tab. a Magistrate, nor placed under the control of the Magistrates. In fact, dus person, having unLer his command a force of five hundred men, was relered front all responsibility to any legal authority except that of the Corporation, Sir EDWARD KNATCHBULL asked Mr. Spring Ric h

e, w en the finonelel

„.......--

pki the parsers of this bill w e not even consistent in placing the whole

kw ander the audio of. the Commissioner; for the 51st clause

a ii 1;irtosoithe election of we mulles, who were to be wholly independent jojaser. When it was considered that this new body would be more as,'. , dged wore expenaive than the Metropolitan Police, and that the latter zione every day the increased confidence and approbation of the public, it saa in his opinion, much to be lamented that a sound and uniform system valise was not adopted throughout the whole empire. At any rate, no ti Ihe Metrorlis stood more in need of such an efficient body than the C, a London, in which the receiving-houses for stolen goods were more OW and the burghtthe more frequent, than in any other quarter of W, imdat, He was of opinion, then, that they ought to refer this bill to a Se- kdCoannittee ; for though a private bill, it related to interests of great public oaartance. If he received a distinct pledge from Lord John Russell that he o'dd oppose this measure in the Select Committee, he should allow the owl reading of the bill to pass. But if no such intimation were given, he glaaki take the sense of the House on the second reading. Sir MATTHEW WOOD contradicted the assertion that the City Police would be more expensive than the Metropolitan. Mr. Hawes had in- vowed with a great flourish the Report of the Police Committee ; but to forgot to state that he very often conducted the whole proceedings of tht Committee, of which he as Chairman, himself.

Ma liaviss—" I give that assertion a distinct and indignant denial." (Much laughter.) sr M. W000—" Well, qe ell events there were only fivelrgetet , Atm the report was agreed. to." A fter Lord John Russell's promise 0 t

up or t, he was much surprised at Mr. Pox Mastic's support of Mr. - Intros's views. • Yr. Fox MauLE had always considered that the bill would require ,anandment. It was indispensable that the Home department should kne &joint control with the Magistrates over the Police.

• •••Sir RonEaT PEEL said this was a matter of great importance. He -considered that the highest credit was due to Mr. Hawes for the assiduity tad talent be had displayed in reference to this subject. He had dways thought that the entire Metropolitan Police should be under one *horny; but finding so great an oppositioa to such a course from the City of London, he yielded his own opinion, and, governed by pru- &WA motives, abandoned his original intention of uniting the whole Pollee under one head. He doubted the policy and advantage of forcing inessure so opposed upon the City of London. He hoped that the kond reading of the bill would not be opposed ; and that Sir Matthew irrajd's consent would be given to the appointment of a Select Coin- inittee, with a view to render the bill es perfect as possible.

' Mr..HAIVE8 depended upon Sir Robert Push for the appointment of good Committee. There had, however, been so many "fuse founda- tions" of late, that he did not know where dependence was to be placed. (Opposition laughter.)

Sir ROBERT PEEL hoped, that if upon trial he should find this new kundation to be safe, Mr. Hawes would not object to extend his con- fidence to its authors on other occasions.

BiU ordered to be referred to a Select Committee.

CONDUCT OF COLONEL PRINCE.

, Lithe House of Lords, on Monday, Lord BnouonAm asked the Mar- quis of Normanby whether any steps had been taken to stigmatize a samio alwijaaadian Militia, named Prince, who had ordered four Arable creatures, taken prisoners by the Indians, and afterwards re- leased, to be shot in oold blood, without trial?

That was true, for it had been reported by Colonel Arthur, who stated that Colonel Prince was excited at the time. There was but One kind of excite- teat which would justify his conduct if he were tried before a jury, and that was au unsound state of mind at the time when the act was perpetrated. Wend Arthur stated that the four persoas had been butchered in cold blood without a trial, lie asked, whether Colonel Prince was still allowed to hold a commission in her Majesty's service ?

The Marquis of NORMANDY said, that Government had signified dis- approbation of Colonel Prince's conduct. Lord Brougham had men- tioned the circumstances of aggravation attached to the ease, omitting those of mitigation.

Lord BROUGHAM conceived that there would be no harm in moving for a return of the evidence given on the iuvestigation- He bad read the sentence, which was any thing but satisfitetory. He haul stated no circumstances of aggravation. The men had been taken prisoners, and quarter had been granted to them by the officer who took them. They . were brought in at once. and au hour or two afterwards were taken out sepa- rately, and ordered by Colonel Prince to be shot. For an act similar to this, Governor Wall had been hanged, having flogged a man to death without trial 12y courtlnartial He had net hesitation in declaring, as a lawyer, that Colonel Prime was guilty of murder.

The Marquis of NORMANRY would not object to produce the papers. Government had conveyed their disapprobation to Colonel Prince even after receiving his explanation. Lord BROUGHAM staid— Death was indicted long after the action, after surrender, after quarter had ken asked, in the streets, awl in the presence of ladies. Disapprobation of murder no doubt there would be, butt them must be something inure—there must be punishment, and severe punishment too.

On Tuesday, Lord BROUGHAM asked, whether it would not be con- venient to the House that his motion for the papers should be put off to Monday?

Lord ELLENROROUGH thought that a charge of so grave a nature dlotdd not be delayed. Lord BROUGHAM was willing to enter on the question on Thursday. The Duke of WELLINGTON thought it would be absolutely impossible to consider the question in reference to Colonel Prince, without enter- ing upon the whole question out of which the war had sprung. He thoughthe should be able to show, that the occurrence was chargeable not upon the individual, but upon the system on which the warfare had been carried on.

Lord BROUGHAM Said— The sentence of the Court of inquiry had been printed in the Gazette by Sir George Arthur, which he had seen, and Clue sentence did not acquit Colonel Prince of having killed four or fire men after the battle was over, but it stated ' that the charges brought by Mr. Elliott, and confirmed by Mr. Charles

Elliott, were very much exaggerated; fit • 'fore those persons were reprimanded, and one of them had been dismissed. But Sir George Arthur stated—and upon his statement was founded the noble lord's statement—that he severely

reproved Colonel Prince for having put to death the four or five men who had surrendered, without any trial or legal proceeding whatever. That WU the charge brought by Sir George Arthur against Colonel Prince ; and he added, that his conduct could only bepalliated by a reference to the excited state of his feelings at the moment.

Here the conversation dropped.

On Thursday, Colonel Prince's conduct was discussed at length by the Lords, on Lord BROUGHAM'S motion for a copy of the " Minutes of the Militia Court of Inquiry on Colonel Prince." Lord ELLEN110- ROUGH and the Marquis of NORMANDY undertook the explanation, and in part a defence, of Colonel Prince's proceedings ; which Lord BROUGHAM, in strong language, impugned. The statements on both

sides were so contradictory, that it is difficult to ascertain the degree of blame fairly attributable to the Canadian officer—that he acted in a hasty, irregular, and illegal manner, is not disputed. The charge against him, as stated by Lord Bitorowtm, is, that on the 4th of De- cember last, being at the head of a detachment of troops, at Sandwich, in Upper Canada, live prisoners, some of' whom (it is doubtful how many) had surrendered on the condition of receiving quarter, were nut to death by his orders, without trial, in defiance of repeated protesta- tions of other officers, in the presence of ladies, and with eiremnstances of aggravated cruelty, two of the prisoners being at the time dangerously wounded. Thirteen officers had made a statement of these proceedings ; and the consequence was an examination of the whole affair by Court of Inquiry. The verdict of the Court, and the judgment pronounced by Sir George Arthur, constitute Colonel Prince's chief defence. Sir George stated, that " the invidious colouring which characterizes the details of the facts, in the address signed by Colonel Elliott and others, was not in any way borne out by the evidence ; " but Sir George added the expression of deep regret, " that, under circumstances of im- pending danger and highly excited feelings, Colonel Prince should have been induced to anticipate the result of legal proceedings, in directing summary execution of four of the captured criminals, while he exone- rates idol from the charge of wanton cruelty." In further exculpation of Colonel Prince, it is alleged that the Attorney-General of Upper Canada had given his opinion that the American marauders could no be treated as guilty of high treason, seeing that they were not Bri

subjects, hut that a hey might be dealt With tus outlaws,--an opinion is Lord Brougham said, Colonel Prince, who had formerly practised

attorney in Oxford, ought to have known to be directly contr law. It appeared that murders had been committed by the Arne "brigands " in Captain Prince's own neighbourhood,—one on a

gun ; another on Dr. I fume, the Colonel's friend; and that extreme irri- tation prevailed in consequence of the tardiness of Government in punishing the pcisoners who filled the gaols. Further, he was in a situation of difficulty and danger, this described by Lord NORMANDY—. On the 4th of December in the morning, Colonel Prince beinOn hubs house, about half a mile from the town of Sandwich, was roused by an alarm that the town of Windsor, between two and three miles distant, MS hut the hands of brigands. 'Elie number was variously reported, but all agreed that it was very considerable. Colonel Prince collected, Lord Normanbv believed, not more than 150 men at the first intelligence, and started fur Windeos believing it to be in the possession of the brigands. He found a ev&sideralds body of posted, from which they were driven towards the woods, Colonel Prince follow- mg them all the way. On his arrival at the border of this wood, intelligence was brought to him that Sludwieb, the place be had left in the morning, was in possesston of a considerable body of these marauders. Colonel Prince upon this determined to march at once to Sandwich, and retreated, as he said, from Windsor in double-quick time. Ile did not know whether, after attacking the brigands at Windsor, he might not have to sustain an attack from tltose whom he imagined were at Sandwich.

It was in this state °falai-in and uncertainty that he caused the prisoners to be put to death.

Although there is so distinct a denial of the allegation of cruelty, it is is fact which sta.fis to tell strongly against Colonel Prince, that his own neighbours have refused to associate with him since the affair of' the 41.1). December. This the Colonel hiurelf admitted, in a speech t at a public meeting in Toronto, where he abused " the contemptible and ungrateful people, with Wiln:11 he lucid the misfortune to he connected for five years. "lite Colonial Office has directed further inquiry to be made into the facts ; pending which inquiry, the Duke of WEI.I.mc- PON, who rose towards the end of the debate, declared that he thought the discussion premature, irregular, and improper. The Duke proceeded to make some forcible remarks on the horrors of a war carried on by volunteers ; on the necessity of greatly increasing the regular force in Canada ; and on the nature of the hostilities, which, he asserted, were going on at the present dine on the Ameriean frontier.

It was a AVIIT fell of the greatest horror, misery, and outrage. At this mo- ment, our penis and piegnets were necessarily kept on the whole line of fron- tier, ftom one end of the country to the other. !t. by any accident we were obliged to withdraw our troops from one part of tile line, the prsons very ap- propriately deigoated brigands crone over in 1 or some other description of carriage, crossed the country, find the lieuE:o:, of the inhabitants evorywhere in that particular direction were destroyed, Ii 11!:en, and property Idondered. All along this frontier there was a perpetual fire kept up from the side of the United States across the imaginary line, open our guards, our piequets, and even on the single etntinels postcd along the line. In war, every menus was justifiable on both si,!es to get the bolter of the en-my; but 0,•rfitinly he had never before, in the whale course of his experience, heard of such a thing to firini; on single sentries, not to say guards or picquets. Yet this species of warfare was going on at pmsent in this province. 'flu re had latch v lwen a message brought down with respect to uniting this peovince with the other provit ; but had we posses-inn Was there a sin:.fle spot i f ground, except that on which the trottps stood, on which her :`,30jesiy's authority could be enfi».ccd ? When flu-pt these events occ-arced, hi reconnaelnled the Co vertnnent te provide a sufficient farce ; he tohl them t that there ought to he no such thing Ibr a great country like this as a little war, lie recommended that a large army and a large di-et should be assembled on the Snint Lawrence at the open- ing of the season 183S. These recommendations were not acted sq.on ; they were not adopted; and the House had nothing Cu do butt to look at It little dis- tance from us to see the reason NVIly those treammendations were not adopted. What had been the conseque:iee ? That Govrnnient had been under the ne- cessity of employing in its service the inhabit ants of the country, the militia, the various local corps, insteati of haviic, bodies of regular disciplined troops commanded by officers who knew their ditty and how to perform it. It was owing to this that these unhappy events had occurred—events which no. one man more deplored than he himself, and the guilty in which he was most desirous to see punished. It was most unfortunate that it should have been found neces- sary to make use of what he could but call an inferior description of troops. Horrors such as those which had been witnessed could hardly be pre- vented, except with regular troops carrying on their operations under the command of officers of character, conduct, and experience. This was the only remedy for such evils as those; which must invariably pre- vail more or less wherever irregular acts of revenge were carried on by bodies of men acting on principles of civil war. lIe had in his experience more than once had the offer of men of this description ; but he had always sent them away, preferring rather to have a limited body of troops than to have with him troops of this description, who would not obey the orders they received. his opinion was, that unless a sufficient army was provided, we must in the end abandon the country. Volunteers and that description of troops would always carry on war after the manner of civil war, and the same consequences would always ensue. It was impossible that the war could continue to be carried on as it had hiterto been conducted, without the same results.

Lord GLENELG said, that a very considerable augmentation had been made to the troops in Upper Canada, since the Duke had given his advice to that effect.

It does not appear from the reports in the newspapers whether Lord Brougham's motion was carried or negatived.

MISCELLANEOUS.

CALL OF THE HOUSE. NATIONAL EDUCATION. Lord ASHLEY gave notice, on Thursday, that Ile should move on Tuesday- next that the House be called over on the 14th of June, the day fixed by Lord John Russell for the discussion of the Government plan of National Educa- tion. Lord Join; Rossi:1m said he would second that motion.

An immense numbim of petitions were presented against the scheme. The Speaker called upon Members who held petitions on that subject to produce them ; and about twenty Members ran at once to the table, and a scene of confusion ensued ; the Opposition repeatedly cheering as the prayer of each petition was announced. Mr. BAINES, Sir Gsonan STRICKLAND, Mr. TURNER, and other Liberal Members, presented peti- tions against the scheme.

DUTIES ON WOOLLEN GOODS. Mr. CRESSWELL moved for papers respecting the payment of duties on woollen goods exported to the United States since 1815. From a statement made by Mr. Cresswell, d supported by Lord SANDON, Mr. Hurls and Mr. THORNELY, it eared that a considerable sum had been paid on the exportation of len goods to the United States, after an act had passed repealing e duties, of which. act the complainants were ignorant. Obstacles d been thrown in the way of obtaining repayment, which the parties whom Mr. Creswell represented wished Parliament to remove.

Mr. POIFLETT THOMSON would produce the.papers ; and it would appear that the case stated by Mr. Cresswell was of a most trumpery nature. He would resist any motion for the liquidation of the claims.

Lord &mass said, this trumpery- case was that of thirty of the first merchants in Liverpool—men of all parties.

Mr. HUTT said, no department required reform more than the Board Of Customs. He supported the claim for repayment.

Mr. THORNELY spoke 011 the same side— Instead of the conduct of claimants being open to the charge of being trum- pery, the proceedings of those who had resisted the payment of these claims were trumpery in the extreme. The conduct both of the Treasury, and the Government generally had been most unfair throughout the whole business.

Mr. CRESS WELL maintained that his case was indisputably good in the law and facts. Motion agreed to.

REGISTRATION OF VOTERS. Mr. GIBSON obtained leave to bring in a bill to prevent electors in England and \Vales from losing their votes by removal from their dwellings after registration and before an election.

EXPORTATION OF BULLION. Mr. THOMAS ATTWOOD moved a series of resolutions, imputing the distress of the working classes to the con- traction of the currency consequent upon the exportation of gold to pay for corn ; stating that the Bank of England had no power to pre- vent the difficulties ; and that the interference of Parliameut was neces- sary. After a brief debate, the resolutions were negatived without a division.

THE CUSTODY OF INFANTS BILL was read a second time, and ordered to be "committed" on Wednesday the 12th of June.

BREACH or PRIVILEGE. On Tuesday, after a desultory discussion, Mr. Benjamin Lovibond, a solicitor, was reprimanded by the Speaker, for appending certain signatures to a petition against the Parrett Navi- gation Bill. 114r. Lovibond staid that he represented the parties whose names he had signed, conceiving himself authorized to do so.

NEW WRITS. On Tuesday, writs were ordered for Ludlow, in the room of Viscount Clive, now Earl Powis, and for Edinburgh, in the room of Mr. Abercromby, create Baron Dunfermline.

THE MEDEA STEAM FIUGATE. In reply to a question put by Vis- count STRANGFORD, in the House of Lords on Thursday, the Earl of Mramo said, he had received full particulars and a satisfactory explana- tion from Commodore Douglas of a collision between the Medea and a French ship of war, the Griffin. Lord Minto read the following letter from Conunodore Douglas to Mr. Charles Wood-

- Medea, Ikrintat, April 20, 1839. " Sir—I beg you to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that, on the morning of the I lth instant, at seven e.m., a vessel was discovered, supposed to be a slaver, standing along the land to the southward of Cuba. Our course was immediately altered, with the intention of boarding her; a gun was fired without shot, and after that a volley of blank cartridges was fired ; and as she did not shorten sail, the Medea stood after her, and on approaching her and hailing, found her to be a French brig-of-war. The vessels separated a little, and wishing to inform him that all was settled at Vera Cruz, 1 ordered Commander Notts to approach him a second time; the vessels came in contact with each other, from the Medea not ansaMing her helm so quickly as was ex- pected, when several shots were fired from sine stranger, intended to cross our bows, which unfortunately wounded a seaman, Matthew Harper, whose leg was afterwards amputated. The stranger proved to be the Griffin French

• brig-of-war, of 20 guns, from Brest, bound to Vera Cruz, and on the French commander, Captain Offiver, coming on board, he offered the most ample apology, and stated the reason of' this firing was, that he conceived it possible that she might have been a Mexican vessel of war, as he had heard that several

vessels had been fitted out in America to cruise against the French; re 11 very sincerely the unfortunate occurrence which hadbrought the veseec; contact with each other, and declared that he never intended to fire more one fun across our bows, hat that his men disobepy.eird.hroisoeurGdLerAss,,and flat Se would inquire into their disobedience.

"I am, &c. Commodore and Commander-M-0We "Charles Wood, Esq., Secretary of the Admiralty," ,fae.