Dames unit iprotettrfngs in tiartiament.

BRITISH WEST INDIES; MONEY ADVANCES.

When the House of Commons resumed its sittings after Easter, on. Monday, the first business of any importance was the moving of resolutions by Sir CustmEs WOOD, in Committee of Supply, for pecuniary assistance to the West Indies.

First, it was resolved that the Treasury be authorized to issue out of the Consolidated Fund a sum not exceeding 5,0001. for the relief of sufferers by the hurricane of last October in the island of Tobago.

It was next resolved, that the Treasury, for similar relief, should issue from the same fund, or raise by Exchequer Bills, a sum not exceeding 50,0001.; the repayment of which should be adequately secured. A third resolution was, that a sum not exceeding 200,0001. should be advanced on security in and of loans authorized by the Legislatures of British Guiana and Trinidad for promoting the immigration of free labour to those Colonies. Sir CHARLES WOOD explained this more particularly— In 1844, application had been made to Lord Stanley to sanction an immigra- tion of Coolies from the East to the West Indies; and, after some hesitation, he had consented to arrangements by which 10,000 were imported to Guiana, at a cost of 75,0801. Since that time, 8,778 Coolies had been added to those in Guiana, and 4,276 had been imported to Trinidad. The Laud and Emigration Commissioners bad endeavoured to raise 100,0001.; but difficulties had been encountered. These difficulties have since been removed; the Colonies have agreed to pay interest on the loans; and the Imperial Government has thought it could beneficially assist them in the object they have in view. Mr. HOME opposed the proposition, as irregular and inexpedient. It appeared that 166,0001. had already been advance& `Now,by the talesof the House, no public money ought to be spent without previous authority by any Government department, unless on an emergency,--such, for instance. as that on which the 5,0001. was given to Tobago. The whole case of the West Indies would shortly come under the consideration of the House; and this vote had better be postponed till the report of the West India Committee had been pre- sented and discussed.

Mr. JAMES WILSON stated, in the absence of Lord George Bentinck, that the report of the West India Committee was not yet agreed to, and Could not be presented for several weeks. Mr. Hamra suggested, that the vote should be confined to the 166,0001. already incurred, and that the voting of the remainder should be deferred till the presentation of the Committee's report.

Mr. HAWES explained, that 166,0001. was the amount at present known to be incurred: but 10,0001. or 20,0001. more might have to be added to that sum.

With regard to the Coolie immigration, no Colonial Minister had looked on it with great favour. Mr. Hawes himself thought it had failed, and would natu- rally end itself. But if this vote were refused, African immigration—for which all the Colonies were pressing—must cease. Dr. Bowinwa, Mr. HILDYARD, and Mr. Cattovram. spoke in support of the suggestion of Mr. Herries. Mr. T. BARING and Mr. BARKLY were disappointed to find that the vote was only for money already expended. Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE explained the earlier history of the question under the Colonial administration of himself and Lord Stanley. Lords JOHN RUSSELL rather favoured the proposal of Mr. Harries; and Sir CHARLES WOOD acceded so far as to propose taking the vote at present for 170,0001. only.

Mr. HUME, however, still resisted any vote till all papers on the subject should be before the House; and moved that progress be reported, and leave asked to sit again.

On a division, the vote of 170,0001. was carried, by 76 to 21.

The Earl of LINCOLN explained, that he had simply voted supplies to make good liabilities incurred. He entirely disapproved of Lord Grey's letter authorizing the advances, which had been written during the sitting of Parliament: the subject might and ought to have been brought before the House at that time.

ADVANCES FOE PUBLIC WORKS IN IRELAND.

On the same day, it was resolved that the Treasury be authorized, during _three years from the 5th of April 1848, to issue loans not exceeding 145,0001., for completing public works begun under the acts 9th Victoria, c. 1, and 9th and 10th Victoria, c. 107; provided that the sum issued should not at any time exceed the repayments in the Exchequer under those acts. Sir CHARLES WOOD observed, that the primary object of the advances under these acts had been the relief of the famine-stricken people, not the promotion of public works; though the utility of these had everywhere been carefully kept in view. The cost of the relief afforded, from Novem. ber 1846 to June 1847, had been about one shilling a day for each person, half that expense devolved on the public exchequer ; the other half was to be repaid, by twenty half-yearly instalments.

ELECTIVE FRANC 8E IN IRELAND.

On the same day, Sir WILLIAM Sowsweatili moved for leave to brink in a bill to regulate the elective franchise and the Parliamentary registza: tion of Ireland.

The present system requires amendment in three particulars: the definition of the present franchise is uncertain; the constituency is too narrow, and is still di_ ininishing ; an&the registration is intricate and defective. The present franchise is based partly on tenure and partly on occupation. Perplexing questions arise in respect of the extent of the valuable interest which, under each of those categories gives the qualification. It is proposed to fall back upon the simple criterion of the rating in the (poor-books for the qualification, and to give every person the franchise whose rating to the poor shall amount to 81. a year. It is also proposed to give a vote to every person entitled to an estate in fee-simple or fee-tail of the annual value of 51. Lastly, the bill will repeal prospectively all the clauses of the present law reqturing payment of municipal rates, and give the franchise to joint as well as to sole occupiers. These changes will, it is thought, about quadruple the present number of electors in Ireland.

A short discussion ensued; Sir WILLIAM SOMERVILLE explaining some details, and postponing the explanation of others till the bill should be be- fore the House.-,—Leave given.

ALIENS REMOVAI. BILL.

The second reading of the Aliens Removal Bill was moved in the House of Commons on Monday, by Sir GEORGE GREY; who explained its pro- visions.

Sir WILLIAM MOLESWORTH strenuously opposed the bill— So far as it regarded aliens, it was analogous in principle to the famous law of sus- pected persons of the 17th September 1793, one of the most accursed laws of the Reign of Terror. It was a repetition almost word for word of the 15th, 16th, and 17th sections of the Alien Act of 1793,—an act which, like this, was proposed as a temporary law, but which had been continued from year to year for thirty-three years, before the opposition to it from every man of note in the Liberal party was successful. Lord John Russell himself made his maiden speech against that bill in 1814. In 1824, Lord John and Mr. Denman were the tellers against the bill. On the last occasion, (alas for human sagacity and forethought!) Lord John expressed his hope that that would be the last time he should raise his voice on the subject; as he was convinced that, after the expiration of the act, the House would look back on it as a.meastus which ought never to have been Sane- tioned. The present measure was directed especially against Frenchmen, and was offensive and impolitic. It moreover paid but an ill compliment to the feel- ings of our own people. The score of desperate characters now in London, against whose machinations the bill was to guard, would be harmless in this country though dangerous in their own; for here they would find neither a Monarch self seeking and hated, a Ministry corrupt, an upper class profligate and despised, nor a middle class indifferent to the institutions of their country. Sir William Moles- worth would not, because he had confidence in the Ministry, give them powers which every person on their side of the House would have refused to Sir Robert Peel if he had asked for them.

Sir William moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months.

Lord Dummy STUART remarked, that- under this bill a Secretary of State need not in some cases have " information " against but only " appre- hensions " concerning an alien, to justify seizing him, and expelling hint from the country. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL contributed some corrections of mistakes made by previous speakers in the debate.

In 1798, foreigners had almost insuperable obstacles placed in the way of their becoming naturalized subjects. The law is no longer in that state. The diffi- culty and the expense of being naturalized are now nominal; and any person wishing to reside here permanently can become naturalized, on proof that he has no designs against the peace or institutions of the country; and on becoming naturalized, is immediately exempted from the operation of the bill. Under the bill, too, the Government can only act on information which the Secretary of State will be bound to produce.

The other speakers were—for the hill, the Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY, Mr. HENRY DRUMMOND, and Captain HARRIS (who had seen a good many busy foreigners in Trafalgar Square on the day of the meeting there): against it, Mr. W. J. Fox, Mr. Hume, Mr. EWART, and Mr. Ungu- HART, (who quoted Leviticus xxiv. 22, and Numbers ix. 14, that there should be but " one ordinance both for the stranger and for him that was born in the land.") Dr. BOWRING observed, that all men are propagandists as far as they are able; but he had faith that all our institutions of value would be preserved by the good opinion of those interested in them. On a division, the second reading was carried, by 141 to 22.

THE " No Hones " GRLEVANCE.

On Wednesday, Mr. HUME complained that the House had not been formed on Tuesday. There was now only one night in the week on which Government had not the priority. No member of the Government was present at four o'clock on Tuesday, though several important motions then stood for discussion.

A lengthened conversation of an acrimonious and recriminatory character ensued. Mr. GlIANTLEY BERKELEY declared he had been canvassed at the door of the House, and asked not to go in, as there was business disagreeable to the Government.

Colonel SIBTHORP called upon the Government to gives particular ac- count of themselves—

Where had they been? What had they been at? Had they been minding their duties? Why had not some of their well-paid hirelings been present yester day? The House ought to know these things.

Mr. Housstsw thought the occurrence of the previous day was not acci- dental. He accused the Government of systematic and habitual attempts to cause such occurrences—

He had known subordinate members of the Government go to the clubs and labour to prevent Members from attending the House when it was desired not to make one. Independent Members had lately given up one of their two days in the week; but if their fair claim on the Government to the full advantage of the re- maining day were not acknowledged and acted on, the Supply days would be trenched upon. The Government would then find their course to be as unwise as it was unfair. Sir GEORGE GREY remarked, that Mr. Horsman never omitted an op- portunity to cast a slur on the Government.

His present imputations were unjust. Not one of the numerous Members who complained that the Government had net made a House took the trouble to be themselves present at four o'clock. Public business had prevented the Ministers from attending. till half-past four; and when they comedown they felt as much regret as surprise that there had been no House. If 40 Members out of 658 did not feel the importance of a motion sufficiently to attend at four o'clock, surely the Government was nowise to blame. Mr. HENRY DRUMmoND raised some ironical cheers by the observation that "the time and talents of the Government were overtaxed." Some other Members having spoken their sentiments, the subject dropped. GREAT YARMOUTH FREEMEN DISFRANCHISEMENT BILL.

On the same day, Mr. SEYMER moved that the House go into Committee en this bill. Sir GEORGE GREY suggested that the Committee be post- poned till it were seen what course the House would take on the Borough Elections Bill. It might be necessary to include Great Yarmouth in a commission under that bill. Sir George Grey's suggestion was supported by several Members; but ultimately the House went Into Committee; and clause-1 was proposed for consideration.

Mr. HOME asked if Ministers had any objection to take the opportunity which this bill would afford them of lowering the franchise so as to include all 51. house- holders? If they disfranchised so many freemen as was here proposed, it was right that the number of electors should be made up in some way.

-Lord JOHR RUSSELL could not enter into a discussion of this nature at present; but he thought he might say that it would not be expedient to make any such proposal-as that suggested. Mr. O'Cossrort was rather alarmed at Mr. Hume's question; and asked him if a 51. suffrage was to form the basis of the great measure he was about to in- troduce?

Mr. HUME assured Mr. O'Connor that the basis of his measure would be much wider.

The clauses of the bill were then agreed to; and the House resumed.

Jamul DISABILITIES.

On Thursday, on the order of the Day for the third ,reading of the Jewish Disabilities Bill, Sir FREDERICK THESIGER moved that the bill be read a third time that day six months.

Sir Frederick gave up the doctrine that to admit the Jews to the Legislature would in any degree interfere With the Divine decree under which their condition presents a standing miracle: foritisabsurd, and perhaps worse, to suppose that any course of proceedings adopted by the frail and feeble inhabitants of this nether world could interfere with the councils of the Almighty. But he opposed the alteration of the oath, because our laws must be based upon Christian mo- rals; and with that view it is proper that there should be a teat to judge of the inclination of every one entering the House to accept that basis. Admit the Jews, and the Deists—a class, he feared, not less numerous than the Jews—might say that they desired to serve their country, but that the declaration "on the true faith of a Christian" operated to their exclusion.

The third reading was also opposed by Mr. CAMPBELL, Mr. Passim Scorr, Mr. RAPHAEL, Lord MAHON, Sir ROBERT INGLIS, and Mr. NEW- DEGATE; supported by Mr. TRELAWNEY, Mr. WESTHEAD, Mr. G. C. LEWIS, Mr. BROTHERVON, Mr. ROBINSON, and Mr. FORTESCCE, a new Member.

Lord RCM RUSSELL made some distinctions as to the grounds on which he advocated the bill. He did not support it on the ground that religion has nothing to do with politics, or that they ought not to be guided by re- ligious views and motives in legislation- " I believe that religion ought to influence us in the smallest-domestic affairs, and in the highest legislative concerns. I believe that Christianity, far from having nothing to do with legislation, is the source of the most enlightened laws which modem times have produced. I believe that it is owing to Christianity that the slavery which prevailed in the ancient world was abolished in an early part of the modern ages. I believe that it was Christianity which inspired Mr. Wilber- force and those who acted with him to make that attempt which finally succeeded for destroying the slave-trade, which was a disgrace to any Christian country. My belief is—to speak of no particular law, but of the general spirit of institu- tions—that, whereas ancient republics and states, the mere they became civilized became the more loose in their morality, the more bewildered by vain theories of philosophy, and the more corrupt in their moral practice,—moral nations, on the contrary, having Christianity to guide them, will, in proportion as they become more civilized, so far from falling into those corruptions, and being less governed by the moral law, as in early and remote ages, become more subject to the rules of morality, and will more acknowledge the supremacy of the, Divine law. But you cannot by special declarations, by mere words introduced into an oath— yen cannot by the mere terms of a statute, obtain that religious spirit and that acknowledgment of Christianity which you desire. It is not to be gained in that way. I proved this formerly by the instances of those who, being notoriously unbelievers in Christianity, nevertheless sat in this House in spite of these declarations: but I will pat it to the simple test—if these declarations were sufficient, why do you not carry your legislation mach further? Why not impose a declaration to be made by every Member that he is not governed by.prejudice or partial affections, that he is not swayed by corrupt motives or personal ani- mosities, but that in all his votes he is governed by love of the country ? If men were ruled by the mere words of a declaration, surely such a declaration would be as good as any declaration with regard to the religious belief of the party."

On a division, the third reading was carried by 234 to 173; and the bill was passed.

LORD PALMERSTON AND THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT.

Mr. URQUHART inquired, on Thursday, whether the remarkable corre- spondence recently published—which he characterized in severe terms— between Lord Palmerston, Mr. Bulwer, and the Duke of Sotomayor, was authentic?

In the absence of Lord Palmerston, Lord Joule Rossum, stated that there was an omission in the published version of Lord Palmerston's de- spatch to Mr. Bulwer. The real despatch began by saying, in substance- " He earnestly recommends, if an opportunity should arise "; which made all the difference between an absolute instruction to take a particular course, and a direction to wait till an opportunity should arise for presenting a note. But Lord John Russell defended Lord Palmerston's intervention by its antecedents— "This This country is bound by a treaty which lays us under an obligation, when called upon for that purpose by Spain, to supply assistance by sea, and to furnish certain quantities of arms and ammunition tor land service, with the purpose of maintaining the present Queen on the throne of Spain. Considering, then, the obligations of this treaty, and considering the sums of money due by the Spanish Government to England for arms and for the munitions of war, remembering the treaty which obliges this country to make naval efforts for the maintenance of the Queen's Government in Spain,—bearing in mind that, if called upon, we have en- gaged to make those efforts,—it is, I conceive, our right thus to tender advice; and it is natural that we should desire that any danger of disturbing the Govern- ment of Spain should not be recklessly incurred: at least, we were entitled to give such friendly advice as appeared to us best calculated to avert civil war... Of this I feel perfectly assured, that that was all that my noble friend intended; he did not intend anything like dictation. But this country being in alliance with Spain, he did mean to offer such friendly advice as was consistent with the relative posi- tions of both countries, with the interests of Spain, and with the engagements into which we had entered."

Lord Palmerston now entering the House, Mr. CRQuitAttr asked whe- ther it had been resolved before or after the late proceedings in Spain, to confer the recent distinction upon Mr. Bulwer?

Lord PALMERSTON had no hesitation in saying, that advice was given to her Majesty to confer that honour long ago: it was given as a mark of her Majesty's approbation of Mr. Bulwer's general servioes; and recent events have certainly supplied no reason for altering that determination.

SCH LES WIG-HOLSTEIN.

Mr. Uagnasam next asked, whether the present Government meant to maintain the treaty that guaranteed the rights of Denmark; whether any mediation ou the part of England had been offered; and whether that offer had been accepted?

Lord PALMERSTON replied, that no case had arisen which called for our interference with any view to the fulfilment of the guarantee which We gave with regard to Denmark: but an offer of mediation had been ac- cepted—

" The German Confederation, with the Prussian Government as its organ, on the one hand, and Denmark on the other, have agreed to accept our good offices; and communications are at present going on with a view to reader that mediation effectual." (Cheers.)

THE SMALL DEBTS Btu,. On Wednesday, Mr. Stamm COCHRANE moved the second, reading of his Small Debts Bill; which, he explained, was intended to prevent imprisonment for debt in any part of a gaol but the debtors' side, or in any gaol where there was not a debtors side. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed thii bill, as an impracticable interference with the 9th and 10th Victoria; and he moved that it be read a second time that day six months. This was carried without division.

Suss %%Jam& Goancr. On the motion of Lord Joins Russam., seconded by Sir ROBERT LaiGus, on Thursday, the Commons resolved, netnina contradicente —"That this House entertains a just sense of the zeal and ability with which the late Sir William Gosset uniformly discharged the duties of the office of Ser- geant-at-Arms during the period of his attendance upon this House."

THE HOUSE OF LORDS reassembled after the recess on Thursday; received a few petitions and notices of future motions; and adjourned.