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SAXB AND TRANSFER OF LASD ( IRELAND ) BILL . Oa the motion for going into committee , Mr . Serjeant Vbasy urged the propriety of providing ; ompensation in the bill for Mr . Flanagan , the master > f the Encumbered Estates Court , who had for nany years filled the office , and had given up another » ffice to accept it—Mr . Whiteside declared that it iras impossible to make a distinction between Mr . Flanagan and other gentlemen . —After along discussion , the mbject dropped , and the House went into committee . •—Some of the clauses having being agreed to , the House resumed , and the sitting was suspended till six o ' clock in the evening . THK CAGLIARI .
Iu reply to Mr . Serjeant Deasy , Mr . Seymour Fitzgbraxd stated that the arrangement by which the King of N " aplea had placed the Cagliori and her crew at the disposal of her Majesty was not made with the concurrence of the Sardinian Government ; and that the vessel and her crew had been set at liberty without any categorical demand on the part of the Government of Sardinia . The papers would be laid on the table of the House as soon as they could be translated from the Italian , originals .
THE STATE OF THE THAMES . In answer to questions from Mr . R . D . Mangles ( which , strange to say , moved honourable genilemon to merriment ) , Lord John Manners said that the Government had no longer any control over the Thames , the jurisdiction having been transferred to the Metropolitan BoaSrd ' of Works . However , in his individual capacity as a- member of the House of Commons , he was serving On the committee appointed to investigate the subject , and he trusted that a scheme would be devised for the purification of the Thames .
KB . WILUAH HENRI BABBGR . ; Mr . Brady moved for a select committee to inquire i&to-the allegations contained in the petition of "William Henry Barber , presented upon the 27 th of ApriV and to consider and report whether any and what redress should l > e afforded to the petitioner ; or whether any and what other stops should be taken in reference to the matters alleged . Mr . Barber was tried in 1844 for alleged co mplicity in-will forgeries ; he was found guilty , owing to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt refusing to grant hint a separate trial , and thereby depriving him of the means of calling the only evidence which could , show his innocence . The sentence was transportation for life . One person tried with him ( Fletcher ) made a confession , acknowledging Barber ' s innocence ; so also did Mr . and Mrs . Sanders and Mrs . Do-rey , each one acting without communicating with the
other ; and the jury then represented that , had such confessions been known to them at the trial , their verdict would have been one of acquittal . The ultimate result Was that Mr . Barber was at length , after two years' suffering , liberated on a "free pardon granted by her Majesty . Not only was he treated with the utmost cruelty in Newgate , in Millbank , in the convict-ship , and afterwards in that ocean hell , Norfolk Island , but hLs little property was swallowed up by the expenses of his defence , and his large practice in London was blown to the winds . Some compensation , therefore , ought . to be granted him . —Sir John Pakington was willing to accede to an inquiry , if Mr . Brady would consent so to modify his motion as to omit all reference to compensation . He thought the committee should not be bound to any particular course . —Mr . Bbight recommended Mr . Brady to accede to this suggestion ; which was done , and the motion , so modified , was agreed to .
XJNDEU-SECRETARV OF STATE ( SCOTLAND ) . Mr . Baxter moved " that , in the opinion of the House , an Under-Soerefcary of State-for Scotland should bo appointed , to perform the political duties at present attached to . the office of Lord-Advocate . " For more than thirty years after the legislative union of England and Scotland , there had been a Secretary of State for the latter country ; the office , in fact , had never been Abolished , but had only fallen into disuse . The duties of the Lord-Advocate are so multifarious and anomalous , and bo divided between London and Edinburgh , that ' it is difficult to find him when -wanted . His judicial functions , moreover , interfere with his political duties , so that Scotland has only part of his time and attention to cither . If there
were an Under-Secretary for Scotland in that House , the Lord-Advocate could devote the whole of bis attention to lug judicial duties . —The motion was seconded by Mr . Wiluam Ewart , who stated thut it was the opinion of the Duke of Argylo and of Lord Campbell that the duties of the Lord-Advocate arc far too onerous .- —Mr . Bouvkrie , on tho other hand , thought Mr . Baxter had failed to show that tho duties cast on the Lord-Advocate are neglected or inefficiently performed . Scotch business in that House could not be well conducted by any hut a Scotch lawyer . —Tho motion was further opposed by Mr . E . Eluoic , Sir James Ooilvy , Mr . William "Williams , the Lojti ) - Advocatb , Lord Duncan , Lord Pai . mickston , and tho CiiA ^ oitLLOR oif the Exchequer ; and was supported by Mr . ' Stirling , Mr . Craufurd , ami Mr . Dunlop .
In the course of tho debate , tho Loud-Advocate admitted that tho duties of his office are anxious and laborious , ; but he did not recognize in that fact a reason for th « proposed appointment . On tho contrary , ho
thought that the way to get an officer to do his work well : is to give him plenty to do . { Laughter and "Hear , htar ?*) He had not , since he came into office , received a single letter from the Secretary of State for the Homo Department , which would not have properly come to him had there been an Under-Secretary of State for Scotland , ( fiear , Jteur . ) The appointment of such a Minister would not facilitate Scottish legislation . In fact , the Under-Secretary would scarcely have anything to do . —Loud Palmeuston said he could not concur in the resolution . An Under-Secretary of State could not take the place of the Lord-Advocate in . Scotch business in that House . The Secretary of State for tbe
Home Department 33 responsible for every act of the Crown pertaining to public affairs in Scotland , in which he takes the advice of the Lord-Advocate ; but , if the resolution were adopted , he would advise with his own Under-Secretary on Scotch lav , and it was clear that he would possess less information upon the subject . The effect of the motion , therefore , -would not be that which the mover supposed . —The Chancellor , of the Exchequer said that the great objection to tbe motion was , that the House bad no evidence whatever that the people of Scotland were suffering in any degree from the existing system . —Sir 6 . Montgomery expressed a hops that the Government would appoint a Scotch Lord of the Treasury .
Mr . Baxter consented to adopt an amendment suggested by Mr . Stirling , and the resolution then stood in this form : —• " That , in the opinion of this House , an Under-Secretary fox Scotland should be appointed in the Home-office , to perform a part of the duties attached to the office of Lord ^ Advocate . " —Upon a division , this resolution was negatived by 174 to 47 .
ROMAN CATHOLIC SOLDIERS . Mr . Serjeant Deasy said that , in consequence of the explanation given by the Secretary for "War on a former evening , he would not proceed with his notice relative to Roman Catholic soldiers .
. ¦;¦¦ . NEWBILLS . .. ¦ . : ¦ Lord Naas obtained leave to introduce a bill to make better provision for the police force in Dublin and other Irish towns , and also a bill for the more effectual administration of justice in the police districts of Dublin . — The Attohnky-Genkral obtained leave to bring in a bill to enable persons to establish their legitimacy by the judgment of a court of law , and also to enable persons in like manner to establish their right to be regarded as natural-born subj ects of Great Britain . —Mr . M'Mahon obtained leave to bring in a bill to secure the right of new trial in criminal cases . The House adjourned about half-past one o ' clock .
Wednesday , JunelQih . EDINBURGH , &C ., ANNUITY TAX BILL . _ Mr . Black , in moving that this bill be read a second time , said its object was to remove an enormous grievance , the tax being not only extremely oppressive , but injurious to morals and religion , and especially to the phurch of Scotland . "When the tax -was first imposed , two centuries ago , the grounds of its imposition were reasonable ; but what was applicable at that day , when all were of the same creed , is inapplicable now . He insisted that the burden is not merely an oppressive one , but that it is partial in its incidence , and that it forces consciences . The bill proposed that seat-rents and church-door collections should furnish a fund , or the principal part of a fund , aa a substitute for this tax . — The motion was seconded by Mr . Baxter , and opposed by Mr . Blachcburn , who moved to defer the second
reading for sioc months—an amendment which was seconded by Mr . Buchanan . —The bill was further opposed by Mr . Francis Scott ; Mr . Cummeng Brucb , and tho Lord-Advocate ; and was supported by Mr . J . B . Smith , Mr . CovrAXf , Mr . Ctilpin , SirT . E . Colebhooke ( who , however , objected to some of its features ) , Lord Duncan , and Mr . Horsman . —In opposing the measure , the ) Lord Advocate admitted that the present mode of providing for tho stipends of the clergy is inexpedient . He should rejoice at the introduction of any measure which would abolish the tax , while at the same time it provided a sufficient equivalent for the support of the clergy . This hill , however , would not meet tlie requirements of the case , and would interfere with the working of the Established Church . It was in fact a bill of absolute abolition . If it passed , the clergy might be reduced to a state of great distress ; and he felt bound to support the amendment . He was most anxious to have this
question settled ; but ho would never consent to settle it on the terms of this bilt . Upon a division , the amendment was carried by a singlo vote , tlie ayes for the second reading being 129 and tbe noes 180 . The bill , thorofore , is lost . MISCJKXLAMKOU 3 XSUS 1 NKSS . On the order for going into Committee on tho ltiiois-TRATIO :. - OF COUNTY VOTKRS ( SCOTLAND ) BlI . L , Mr Dundas moved to defer tlio Committee for six months . —Af . 'jr a Bhort discussion , thuj amendment was carried ujpon a division by 108 to 96 .
On the order for tho second reading of tho iNsc / RAtfcrc and AssuitANcrc Institutions Kill , Mr . Sheridan desired to postpone tho second reading until tho 7 th of July ; but Mr . IIicnlk y recommenced him to withdraw the bill altogether . —This suggestion not being adopted , Mr . SoTiiKitoN Ebtcouut moved to' defer tho second
reading for six months , —Mr . Sheridan continued to speak upon this amendment until a quarter to six . o ' clock when the debate stood adjourned . ' The remaining orders were then gone through without debate , and the House adjourned at ten xainutea to six o ' clock . Thursday , June 17 th . LETTER FROM LORD CANNING . The Lord Chanceltxhi read the acknowled gment bv Lord Canning of their Lordships' vote of thanks to the military and civil services in India . DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BILL . On the report on this lrill being brought up , the provisions of the Act were , on the motion of Lord Kedbsdale , extended to Ireland .
THE SLAVE TRADE . The Bishop of Oxford presented a petition from St Mary ' s , Jamaica , complaining of the continued violation by the Government of Spain of the treaties by which that country is bound to suppress the slave trade to the island of Cuba , and praying that measures should be taken to compel Spain to fulfil th < $ conditions of those treaties . The profits of the trade , the bishop said he believed , were shared l > y persons standing near the Spanish throne . Whila Cuba remained a slave-importing country , there would always be danger of a war with America . Spain should be compelled to do
for Cuba what Portugal had done for Brazil , where tho slave trade has been abolished . —Lord Brougham strongly urged ths Government to use its influence with Spain on this question . No amount of vigilance by any squadron on the coast of Cuba could stop the traffic ; but the system of corruption upheld by the Governors of Cuba might be put an end to . The so-called " free emigration" patronized by France should also be borne in rnind . The inhabitants of Jamaica have a right to complain of the slave tTade ; for that unnatural and'infernal traffia is a cruel addition to the burdens of the planters .
The Earl of MALMESBURr said that England is not supported to the extent that could be wished in its efforts to suppress the slave trade . Spain opposed to successive English Governments the most difficult force of all to overcome—the force of passive resistance . He had endeavoured to obtain from all civilized countries some agreement as to the means of verifying the nationality of vessels suspected of being slavers , and had strongly represented to the United States that , if an obstinate adherence to the present declarations 6 a the right of search were persisted in , the American flag
would be dishonoured and prostituted to the worst purposes . Sending our squadron to the Cuban waters , instead of keeping it on the African coast , had been a mistake . The slave trade increased greatly after a portion of the squadron was withdrawn from the coast of Africa at the beginning of the Crimean war . England and the European States had always supported Spain in defending Cuba against any hostile invasion ; but , if Spain continued to show such an utter want of principle and base ingratitude to this country , they would , henceforth , instead of taking her part , leave her to suffer the consequences .
The Earl of Carlisle advised caution , but deprecated the adoption of a retrograde policy . —Lord "Wodehousb doubted if the policy of interfering witli foreign states was or iginally a wise one ; but , having been adopted , it should not be precipitately abandoned . — Earl Grey attributed the revival of tb . e slave trade entirely to the conduct of tho Governments of France and the United States . Still , we must be careful how we exercise the right of search with respect to American ships . That the Government of the great Emperor of France should become a gigantic slave-dealer was almost too disgraceful to be believed . The recent rising of the slaves on board the French vessel -was a justifiable act ; but ho hoped Liberia would not be brought into the quarrel . —The
Earl of Aberdeen said that tho instructions for tho guidance of the officers of their cruisers were approved of the American Government at the time they were issued , and ho was not aware that they were altered . —The Earl of Hardwicke thought it possible tliat the officers might have exceeded their du £ y . The' course of tlie French Government had been strictly in accordance with tho desire of their Lordships ; and appeared from papers in their possession that the captured Africans were treated properly on board some of the French vessels . —The Earl of Clauundon declared that lie
heard that statement with great satisfaction , and asked if the papers on -which it vus founded would bo laid on tho table . — Tho Earl of Haudwjckb suggested that his Lordship- should give notice of moving fur them . —The Earl of Clarendon said ho would do so . — Earl of Malmksijury said thnt no public interest could be served by producing the papers . They contained nothing more than a sort of controversy between tlie two Governments respecting the now French system . Tho motion that tho petition do lie on tho tiiblo was agreed to .
T 1 HC OATHS » ILL . In answer to Lord Dknman , tho Earl of IIakdwiokb said that , as far na the Government is concerned , there would bu no objection to the Ouths Mill going down to tho Commons aa aoon as possible , —Some discussion followed na to tho proper course to bo pursued ; but no definite result was arrived at , and the subject dropped . Tho House adjourned at half-past eight .
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580 THE LMDM . fNo . 430 , June 19 , 1858 .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), June 19, 1858, page 580, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2247/page/4/
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