THE PARLIAMENT.
THE SINKING FUND.—When the National Debt Bill was about to be passed, Lord Bexley rose, and delivered a panegyric on the " abused sinking-fund, and an apology for his own system of finance. It was only by a real surplus of revenue over expendi- ture, and not by the magic of compound interest, that Mr. Pitt expected the fund to effect its object ; and that object it would certainly have accomplished, if it had not been for the war. He elaborately traced the progress of the finances to the time when Lord Bexley himself quitted office. All was the gift of the sinking- fund. He had no objection to the bill for applying only three mil- lions at present, as it appeared there would be no greater surplus ; but he entreated the Duke of Wellington to ad- here to that, and to preserve the machinery. The Duke of Wel- lington thanked his monitor, and proceeded to echo him, in epitome. It was owing to the abused sinking-fund that we had been enabled to borrow at little more than five per cent. interest during the whole war. Whatever might be its amount, however it might be obtained or applied, we must have a real, efficient sinking-fund, consisting of a surplus of revenue. SILK TRADE.—Lord Goderich took an opportunity at once of expressing his own sentiments, (to the same effect as Mr. Grant last week,) and sounding the Government as to their adherence to the principle of the law of 1824. The Duke of Wellington said it was riot at present intended to make any alteration in that law: the postponement was only to allow time for inquiry.
SLAVERY.—Sir James Mackintosh has given notice, that unless the Government shall without delay. take measures for carrying into effect the Parliamentary resolutions of 1823, the Abolitionists will themselves propose specific measures of Colonial reformation early in the next session. Sir George Murray stated explicitly, that it was not the intention of the Ministers to depart from the principle of those resolutions : they desired to produce, if possible, a system which would be beneficial to the slaves without infring- ing the rights of private property. Mr. F. Buxton and Mr. W. Horton expressed themselves satisfied.
EAST RETFORD.—Mr. Denison is to renew the attempt to trans- fer the franchise to Birmingham.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.—Mr. Hume has been preparing to renew his meritorious efforts for rendering the law of arrest more humane, more just, more agreeable to the practice in other en- lightened countries, and more advantageous to creditors.
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