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( fould , however , have been , awkward if an . adverse pote had neutralised the effect of the China success ; and with & general election . iDefore him ., he yielded . In the Hoiise of Lords , tbe wodc has alreacly % een carved out for the next session , notwithstaiicKng Mr . Disbaeli ' s protest against that " arrogance / ' Lord Shaftesbtjuy proposed two questions—whether the East India Company can legally- cultivate , © pram xmder its statutes , the ' chaxterproliibiting the Company from trading ? and whether the encouragement
of opium smuggling in China is not counter to . the Pottingek . treaty ? He proposed to submit these questions to the judges . Ministers met the motion by offering to submit them to the law officers of the Crown , and to the Queen ' s Advocate ; and , advisedly , Lord Shafibsbuey withdrew his motion . Or rather he postponed it ; for lie announced his intention of challenging a more complete inquiry next session . The proposal is open to real objection , in the form which he gave it . It would ,-as . ' tie
Loud Chaincellor said , practically arraign the East India Company before the House of Lords , wliile the House would be pron . ouncing- a provisional verdict against the Company . The question of trading is extremely obscure , and the prohibition must be somewhat stretched to prevent the Company from talcing a revenue out of its lands or a duty on opium j while it cannot be considered that the Company personally commits itself to any participation , in the Chinese smuggling .
The Skeaker has announced that on . the close of this session he retires from Parliament , ; the visual compliments have been conferred upon him by the House of Commons with more than the usual emphasis ; and he will enter the House of Lords , says gossip , as Baron Heckfieed . The foreigninteUigen . ee is fragmentary , and may be doubled up in a single paragraph . King jFbedebxck William : has played France and England a trick—refusing even in the Paris Conference to accept the arrangement made for
him by those two Powers , and anticipatively ac . cepted by Switzerland . Hussia stands by Sardinia - —against Austria : a complication the more disagreeable , since we do not know on which side our Government stands . The Persian war seems to be really closed , and Persia is said to have made somo concessions—a coaling station or two as a tribute to . the power of this country ; while the Independence of Herat is guaranteed—until next time ; and iu China we hear that Admiral Seymour is iu increasing difficulties , awaiting the expedition which is to go to him .
Fraud is at its fun again in high style . At their half-yearly meeting , the shareholders of the Great Northern Railway , finding that there is an illegal excess of capital , have been obliged to devote their dividends to the extinction of supernumora-ry and fictitious stock . Mr . Esdaile , the Governor of the Royal British Bank , kas been under examination , but we have already told , oh the authority of the Secretary the story which he told . And . in JjYance , they are getting up a splendid International Associatimi ot Commercial Credit—a glorious field for managing att kinds of great operations , commercial or otherwise .
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Monday , March 9 th . DIVG * CJfr AND 1 ESTAMENX 4 KY JUKISDICTMBT JMXLS . In the Housst op Lores , Lord XTNDmnKpr aakad the Lord Chanceller what eowese he meant to purswa- with respect to the Divorce and Testamentary jurisdiction Bills *—The Lord Chancellor replied that in tfie present state at Parliament it was- not tha intention of the Government to proceed fartter with either of those bills during the present session ; "but they would be reiritroduced , with some alterations , at the very earliest period after the reassembling of Parliament .
THE WAR WITH CHINA . The Earl of I-Takdwicke reminded X . ord Panmure that , a . few evenings before , he had stated to him in repl y to a question , that the despatches received from China would be speedily published . He ( Lord Hardwicke ) , however , had riot since seen them published , and believed they were not published , and he now begged to ask the noble lord when he would give them those despatches It was important they should obtain them , as every hour seemed to thicken the plot in China . ( Jlear , hear , ") According to a statement in the papers , wkicTi might or might not be true , we were obliged to
receive assistance from the French in the protection of our countrymen in Hong-Kong : a statement very painful to the feelings of any Englishman . —Lord Panmure thought the noble Earl had misunderstood the statement made by him on a previous night . " What he had said was , that he had received a despatch from Colonel Dunlop , stating that certain operations had taken place and certain casualties had occurred , and describing the manner in which a company of infantry was engaged in performing the important duty entrusted to them . The list of casualties to which he referred had since been published .
TORTUKB IN" INDIA . The Earl of Albebiaklb gave notice that on that day week he would move for certain returns connected with the subject of toriure in Bengal . THE OPIC 3 I TRADE . The Earl of Shattesbtjry , in moving a question to be referred to the consideration of the Judges , as to whether the revenue at present derived by the East India Company from the opium trade with China is in legal accordance with an Act passed in the 3 rd and 4 th years of the reign of William IV " ., said his first object -was to ascertain , whether or not the trade
is one recognised by our laws , and then to proceed , with the assistance of their Lordships , to devise some means for ite total abolition . He believed it to be illegal—not only inconsistent with the spirit of our laivs , but in direct contravention of many of them . By th . e Act of 1833 , the East India Company is restricted frcm being an } ' longer a commercial or trading association ; yet they have a monopoly in this trade . The trade had proved a source of great and permanent injury to the trade of India , a cause of perpetual irritation and
conflict along the south-eastern coast of China , and a standing disgrace to the national character of the English . Eventually , it might -prove a peril . Many of the naost experienced men in China had said that opium and Christianity could not enter that empire together . The present state of things had lasted for half a century ; and successive Governments had connived at its extension . He denied , on the honour of a gentleman , that there was any truth in the taunts which had been uttered against him , that he had brought the subject forward in order to embarrass the Government and take
advantage of the present state of feeling among parties "tvith respect to the affairs of China . He merely wished to bring the question to a settlement . If the Judges declare the whole trade and monopoly to be illegal , he should have carried his point , and it would "bo for the Government of the country to devise a remedy , and to provide some substitute for the revenue that would then bo talcen from them . On the other hand , if the Judges declare the system to be legal , ho should bo able to appeal to tho people of England against this great national sin .
Tho IjOrd Chancellor said ho was not aivare of any precedent which would justify tho course suggested by tho noble Earl . The Judges woro called upon to give their opinions in judicial cases , or to assist their lordships in cases of appeal . But this was another matter . Tho hypothesis of his noble friend was , that the company had been violating tho laws of tho land . If that wore so , they woro liable to bo tried and punished ; Imt tho issue should not bo decided l > y any -tribunal behind thoir backs . Tho Government was willing to submit tho question to the highest law officers of tho Crown , and , when their opinion waa obtained , it would bo laid before the House . Dealing with tho produce of ono ' a own land does not constitute coiniuereo in tho eyes of tho law ; and if tho East India Company , in order to turn their land to tho boat advantage , had cultivated opium , that was not commerce .
Jterham « 4 » No legal enactment would check ih abuse or op i * m ; but our trading in it -with Chin ia * # ifig »« s to- us . It had been announced that a n « nf tiator was to supplant Sir John B owring . He trust rf that some person would be appointed -who would mm mand the- confidence both of that and the other Homo " and = that lie would be sent out with instructions ™ 1 only to settle the present differences , but to take the W means for re-establishing peaceful relations with Chin on . grenade consistent with the substantial interests oitMs country ; . The war at Canton had already led * l fnghtful evils , not only in the destruction of life aivV property there , but in the falling o-ff of the tea trade in England , and consequent injury to the revenue _ TU Earl of Albemarle begged to recal the attention of their Lordships to the question before them . Much mU apprehension existed in this country as to the smujrolw of opium . Legally , in China , the trade in opimn & prohibited , but practically it is free . To a certain ex
tent , the Chinese are dram-drinkers , though whenever they couLd get opium they prefer it . But , if they had not the latter , they would resort to the former , and there could be no doubt that opium eating is a much milder form of vice than dram-drinking . When not carried to excess , it is less deleterious in its effects upon the human frame than isgenerally supposed . —Earl Granvoxe de nied that there was any truth in the assertion that the smuggling of opium into China , is encouraged or connived at by the English colonial authorities at Hon « - - Kpng . Government intends to despatch an euvov to Canton in order to place on a satisfactory basis " our relations with the Chinese Empire . —After a little further desultory conversation , the motion was withdrawn , it being understood that their Lordshi ps would not be in any way committed or bound by the decision at -which the law officers of the Crown might arrive . Their lordships then adjourned ! .
In the House op Commons , several bills , which were coming on for the second reading , were withdrawn , pending the election of the new Parliament .
NESTORIAN CHRISTIANS—PERSIA . Replying - , to Mr . Apsley Pellatt , Mr . Vernok Smith said that instructions had been sent to Mr . Murray on the subject of the amelioration of the condition of Christians in Persia .
SOVJSTD DUES AND TRANSIT DUES . In answer to Mr . George Dundas , the Chancellor of the Exchkqueu said that a treaty had been negotiated with Denmark for the remission of the Sound Dues by the principal powers of Europe , including Austria , Belgium , France , Gxeat Britain , Hanover , Mecklenburg Schweren , Pruss ia , Russia , Sweden and Norway , and he expected that it would be signed this week . The subject negotiated was not merely the remission of the Sound Dues , bait also the reduction of transit dues . He could not state what the precise amount would be , but he believed not loss than fourfifths of the wliole amount of tlie dues .
RETIREMENT OF THE SPEAKER . Before the orders of the day were read , the Speaker said that , under the present circumstances , a dissolution of Parliament being imminent , he felt it due to the House to state that it was his intention to retire from Parliament at the close of the present session . He could not contemplate the termination of his eighteen years' occupancy of the post of Speaker without sincere and grateful acknowledgments for the uniform confifidence and support he liad received , not only from all parties in the House , but from every individual member
of the House . ( Loud cheers ) . He waa quite aware that he had much need of their kind indulgence , especially of late , When he had been too frequently reminded of Ms failing abilities to do justice to tho task committed to him . ( Cries of " JVb , no ! " ) He had always endeavoured to uphold those great and ancient rules of tie House which , contribute to tho freedom of discussion and the independence of the Legislature ; and he could not bo sufficiently grateful for tho cordial co-operation ho had received from all sides . ( Loud and prolonged cheering . ) Lord Palmerston paid a high compliment to the retiring Speaker , and stated tlmt on tho follo-iving day he should move a vote of thanks to Mr . Lefovre . BUSINESS OK THE HOUSE . On tho motion of Lord Palmekston , it was agreed that , on Thursdays , orders of tho day should havo precedence of notices of motion .
WAYS AMD MEANS . The report on tho tea and sugar duties was brought up and agreed to . INCOME-TAX BILL . On the order for the second reading of this bill , * " '• Disraeli , alluding to our hostilities with Persia ana China , and to tho cost which they involved , w qmreu how , under so " turbulent and aggressive a system oi diplomacy , " even scvenpenco of tho income-tax com *} uc taken ofl " . Ho would not opposo tlio bill , but ho < ulv )«> e < J a . more conciliatory foreign policy . — -After a somewMi discursive debate , in whicli Mr . Coohuank , Mr . v «^ liam Williams , Sir IIknuy Wh ^ louohu x-, Mr . Mu . sw , and other members took part , Lord Palmekston viik - cated tho foreign policy of the Government from u charge of being turbulent and aggressive , suggesting Mr . Disraeli that that charge -would not bo a succcseuw clection-crv for him and bis friends .
The Earl of Shabtesuuiw said ho was willing to withdraw his motion on . tho understanding that tho case shouW ^ o referred to tho law officers of tho Crown . — ¦ Earl Grky , while applauding this deter initiation , oxipressed his opinion tbat tho question could not bo settled upon the logal technicalities of nn Act of
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242 THE LEADEE , [ No . 364 , Saturday
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Equalisation of Poor ' s Rates . —A meeting of tho clergymen of tho eastern districts of London ( with tho Key . Canon Champneya In tha chair ) was hold on Tuesday in the Yostry Room , St . Mary ' s , WhitecLapel , to commlcr tho propriety of moving for an equalisation of tho poor s rates throughout tho metropolis . Tho several speakers pointed out tho grievous burden ivhioh has to bo borno by tho more necosaitoua district * fsucl * as those at tlie » cast . end of London ) , while tho richor parishes eacape wth scarcely any assoasmont ; and resolutions in accordance were carried . nf ^« UjrEM . riX ) ? OwJftATivKs . _ Another mooting ^ hfl *??™^ ?* * P ° rativca took place on Monday hi SmithfloUK Not moro than five hundred persons wo prosont , and a Mr . Iford occupied tho chain Tho proceedings woro dovoid of special interest . _ ^ mc mi oit FAm . ~ Accordingto a local paper , tbo Grccnwwh Free F , , tho coiobratod » fttu J , \ 3 b £
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IMPEKIAL PARLIAMENT .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), March 14, 1857, page 242, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2184/page/2/
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