_ ,. B 7~ e"cfthi"7econd reading of his Suppression of Brothels 

 X ,f £* 1 FiTZHABrixoK nsAed the motion, and excited 

 B renter by an attack on the Dean and Chapter of Westmin- 



THE NEWSPAPER. 



[1844. 



««w^rtvofthe Deanana Liiapter or we»umi»w.-»«»~»- -«- 



P ^distance from the Abbey.— The Bishop of Gloucbster 

 ISSded San and Chapter/and said that they had bought the 



never admit any 

 ome conversa- 



fnr excluding tlie statue, and hoped they would neve 

 ^morX rd Byron into the House of God.-Soi 

 SXwec' during which the Bishop of Exeter suggested a 

 153 I ralierv for monuments to public men, instead of placing 

 X2n in churches. The bill was ultimately read a second time. 



Wnndan -The Earl of Radnor moved for a return of the 

 «timlJrof warrants issued by the present Secretary of State, for 

 ♦^detention and opening of letters by the general Post-office, 

 mirifvin* the dates and names of the parties, and giving the 

 forms of tl e warrants. The noble Earl brought forward the case 

 nf Si^nor Mazzini, which was discussed by Mr. Duncombe, in the 

 Room of Commons, on Friday last, and the case of Count Os- 

 taowsU a Pole, who had recently been arrested, and his papers 

 tearched as the grounds of this "motion.— The Duke of Wel- 

 lington refused the return, because he thought sufficient con- 

 fidence should be reposed in the Secretaries of State for the due 

 exercise of the power the law gave them of issuing their warrants 

 for the opening of letters; and because, in the case of the Pole, 

 his arrest had been in the usual course, and was a matter for the 

 decision of a police-court, and not their lordships* House.— After 

 an exposition of the law and policy of these warrants by Lords 

 Campbell, Brougham, and Devman, and remarks by the Mar- 



Ireland. There had formerly been, he said, some objection raised 

 to this measure, but now all parties were agreed upon it, and he 

 trusted that it would obtain the approbation of their lordships.— 

 The 'tors and Creditors Bill passed through committee on the 

 motion of Lord Cottknham; and Lord Brougham's Insolvency 

 Bill was read a second time. 



Tuesday. —On the motion of Lord Wharncliffb, the Charit- 

 able Donations (Ireland) Bill, and the Leeds Parochial Division 

 Bill, were read a first time.— The Bishop of Itiros paid a just 

 tribute of praise to Dr. Hook, the vicar of Leeds, for his exertions 

 and his generous sacrifice of patronage and emolument, in effect- 

 ing this measure for the spiritual instruction of the numerous 

 inhabitants of Leeds.— The Slave Trade Treaties Bill was read a 

 third time and passed, after a statement from the Earl of Abkr- 

 DEKVthat though, unfortunately, the slave trade had increased 

 greatly in the island of Cuba since the recall of General Valdez, 

 steps had been taken to remedy tnat extension, which he hoped 

 would prove effectual.— The Earl of Stradbrcke presented a 

 petition relative to incendiarism in Suffolk ; and called the atten- 

 tion of the Government to the uncertain state of the law with 

 respect to the firing of out-houses.— Lord Dknm an suggested, that 

 as a difference of opinion existed amongst the judges as to this 

 offence being a felony, the law ought to be settled.— Lord Wharx- 

 CLiFfE promised to confer with the Home Secretary on the 



t^k"" -0 ' 1 the motion of Lord Brougham, the Insolvent 

 Debtors Act Amendment Bill passed through committee. 



Friday.— The Karl of Clarkxdov called attention to the 

 rumour that Dm Carlos was negotiating a marriage between 

 ins son and the Queen of Spain. It was well known that there 

 was a party ]n this country anxious to place the family of Don 

 Carlos in the Government of Spain ; and he was sure that Lord 

 Aoerdeen was aware how dangerous it would be to give Don 



n a a V° S P i'* er in s P ain » as i,: would bring back the old church 

 party, who had complete control over the ruthless and fanatical 



portion of theSpaiiiah population; indeed he was certain a civil 

 war *ould be the result were Don Carlos to come again 

 mio power.— The Earl of Abkrdkbv said, that his noble friend 

 tot?I[ ssuredthatin any negotiation of the sort alluded 

 in viPw h m T ° fth,s countr y would be well considered and kept 

 safolv nf h theGoven *ment. He wouldadd, that the honourand 

 uplL tne .^ resei 't institutions of Spain would also be studied. 



noble i e ? 1VCd a ,etter from Don Carlos by the hands of a 

 Rnvai u I not a me mber of that house, in which letter his 

 thathpw - eSS referred him to that nobleman, and stated 

 sublet ?V" possessi °n of his opinions and intentions on tne 

 fice Zh\T\ \ ca l ,ab,e of describing the nature of the sacri- 

 ■acifir^f « ?? oyal H «8ftness was disposed to make for the 

 own 2?m? V P , a10 ' which amounted to a renunciation of his 

 son's mil? e crown of Suain » oa the condition of his 



(Lord AhP V° V th the Q ueen °f Spain. This proposition he 

 ment »* wS? 611 ' hart con "nunicateci to the Spanish Govern- 

 any part on B h l ° that of France 5 but he had not thought it 

 tions He i ? Ut> to press for arj U8 *« to his communica- 

 return nfn. 1 previously stated that he had no doubt the 

 cir««irim ^ ar losto the Throue of Spain would introduce 

 nion Ja nnn pa,ace itself » and he had not changed his opi- 

 cultaieVe re mDer ° f l>etitions Paying for protection to Agri- 



wra»dl. [Left sitting.] 



Fr^_ A ftorMr H n USE ° F COMMONS. 

 ingcf letters at h ' 1Jijxcom bk , s motion respecting the open- 



w *nt into enmm-M. st ~ office hatl 1)Cen deposed of, the House 

 Miles then nmnfu 0n the Su ^ ar Duties Bill.- Mr. Philip 

 they resolved amendment, and told Ministers ttiat if 



India colonies thp n °u 0n|rer affi,rtlin B protection to the West 

 Duties on auprm* sh()Ultlat once proceed to place the Sugar 

 me «tof caoital n fw footin8r » Rnd " f > linger induce the invest- 

 continued r °" thefai th of a protection which is not to be 

 that the thou^it 18 this meas «*e with others,* it was clear 

 Section uftroit i Treasiir >" benches were turned In the 

 the advant»iri» r VJ? V nncl i! so » tbey should allow the colonies 

 experiment on rh Steps ' T hctime was ill chosen for this 



°* the state or ti w gar Duties » whether the amount of supply 

 tation of such a l Indles w ere considered ; and the temp, 



f^ownsuenr a m * ,ket as England tor cheaply-raised slave- 

 fOT aUprecautinn;° a rate ()t duty, would be too powerful 



New Orleans and anrt lt Wou!(l therefore be smuggled through 

 ■°W in the mkrkf t *£ . P ° rts ' At present foreign sugar was 

 the five per cent > ' and ' ad(li "& the proposed duty, with 



fic *ent to throw hJn? 11- be introduced at 53s. Srf., a price suf- 

 t^ation. Under th s,,8rar estates in our colonies out of cul- 

 they should try to m t Clrcums -ances, it was no wonder that 

 Wres. He wished Hr lhc best terms they could for them. 

 *J ls 't to his -ate*- C 7 ncellor C)f ««ie Exchequer would pay 

 ^ntch wasthesne^ ln Jamaica, and view a state of things 

 ;5 ea »riciilturi. : s^ v P of %vhat ^ »W« »»ad been. He begged 

 ? h *tof the Wcit nd : * M to rem ^«nl>er that their cause and 

 * n * only that wi n U u S wass a coramon one, the difference be- 

 U <l,an f ^mertrilw British farmsyr grew corn, the West 



Jr^Ptinn of ao. r ,' ru^ ar; an<l that lf tlie protection to theone 

 J? the other w«, c f shou,(1 be abaiuloned, the protection 

 S al f r om the 1 o v U,n h f at Hn *"* He concluded by moving 

 Would be *€,! onti ^ 



S2 dme » t . S SJ?? C VT Mr - ■^*"« seconded tne 

 E;I lMM, PwK Government measure disap. 



toth ejenerai p r ?uc ote^f ^SS^ Ut ' EvVAaT was adverse 



Principle of protectxon, and considered the differ- 



ential sc^le propose! by this amendment as even a great 

 deal m >re objectionable than that of the Government.— 

 The Chancellor of the Exchkqukr reminded the House that 

 the Government had deferred till next year a general review of 

 our financial condition, and characterised the amendment a- 

 not altering the relative amount of protection, but simply pro- 

 posing to reduce ttie revenue which the new sugar duties would 

 yield. He repeated his former arguments about tiie diminution 

 of the supply, arid the necessity pi keeping down the price, de- 

 clared his conviction that the amount which would be imported 

 under the Government plan woula be too small to have a 

 material effect, and stated that the Government in adopting the 

 uniform differential duty of lGs., were actuated by the consider- 

 ation that there was a similar relation in price between the 

 brown and the white clayed sugars of Java and the Manillas, 

 as existed between the same class of sugars of colonial growth. 

 He would uot be deterred by the taunt of free trade from pro- 

 posing a measure which was intended equitably to reconcile the 

 conflicting interests of onsumer and producer, as well as 

 affording a sufficient protection to the West Indies. The feel- 

 ing of this country was too strong to be resisted, that the time 

 had now arrived when individual interests must give way to 

 the general benefit of the community,— Mr. Labouchkrk, after 

 I careful consideration, preferred the plan of Mr. P. Miles to that 

 of the Government, and would therefore support the amend- 

 ment. If the Government were merely bringing it forward 

 as a temporary measure, in order to bolster up their revenue 

 until next year, when, with an overflowing exchequer they 

 would effect other and greater changes, there never was an 

 interest so infamously treated as the West Indian. So fal- 

 lacious was the idea of keeping up a distinction between free- 

 grown and slave-grown produce, that it appeared from a price 

 current, that the bare rumour of the intention to admit free- 

 grown into this country had raised the price of slave-grown in 

 Cuba, because it was conceived that its position would be im- 

 proved in the general market of the world. — Mr. Gonsov, Mr. 

 Bocverik, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Escott, and 

 others, supported the Government proposition; Mr. Bsrhal, 

 Mr. Baring, Mr. Hu.mk. Mr. Colqchowv, ana Mr. Hampden, 

 supported tiie amendment at some length, and in the midst of 

 great impatience.— Lord J. Russkll did not blame the Govern- 

 ment for proposing a reduction of duties, but he blamed the 

 mode in which they proposed to effect it. The amendment 

 would leave the protection as under their proposition, while it 

 would cause a reduction of 95. the cwt. to the consumer; and 

 this benefit, giving an additional spring to consumption, would 

 counteract any trifling loss to the revenue. It was not cer- 

 tainly a complete settlement of the sugar question, any more 

 than the Government proposition, but it was better to all con- 

 cerned. — Mr. EL Bkrkklkv would support tiie amendment, if 

 the four extra shillings on the white clayed sugars were 

 dropped. — Mr. P. Milks replied, and after a few words from 

 Captain Gladstone and Mr, Ricardo, on a division, there ap- 

 peared—For the amendment, 241 ; Against it, 121 ; Majority 

 against Ministers, 20.— On the numbers being announced, there 

 was considerable cheering; and Sir R. Pkel said that it would 

 be the more convenient course to allow the chairman to report 

 progress, and resume the discussion, as the first order of the day, 

 on Monday, when he would state the course he should pursue. 



Monday.— The Speaker informed the House that he had re- 

 ceived a letter from the agents on the petition against Mr. 

 Bouverie's return for the Kilmarnock burghs, stating that it 

 was not their intention to proceed with the petition.— The 

 House resolved itself into a committee on the Sugar Duties Bill. 

 — The Government proposition having been negatived by \he 

 vote of Friday night last, Mr. Miles's amendment to that propo- 

 sition stood as the substantive motion before the committee.— 

 Sir R. Peel moved that the House should go into committee on 

 the Sugar Duties Bill; which having been done, he proceeded 

 to make his statement as to the view taken by Government of 

 the positron in which it has been placed by the vote of Friday. 

 He commenced by sketching the policy pursued by this country 

 with respect to the slave trade and slavery, viewing it in the 

 light of one of the greatest evils and curses on humanity. The 

 cnief onus of suppressing it had fallen on this country : for this 

 we had made great sacrifices ; and only last session an act was 

 passed, more stringently.preventmg the employment of British 

 capital in the trade, and, therefore, showing wnat was the 

 whole tenor of our policy. Men of the most opposite opinions 

 concurred in considering that, with reference to slavery, sugar 

 should be taken out of the ordinary principles of commercial le- 

 gislation. Hitherto our efforts to suppress the slave trade be- 

 tween the coast of Africa and Cuba and the Brazils, have been 

 ineffectual; and to open the sugar trade between (ireat Britain 

 and these countries would only aggravate the traffic and defeat 

 their efforts. But by giving encouragement to the free-labour 

 sugars of the Manillas, Java, and perhaps China, we would 

 strike a blow at the slave-trade, and ameliorate the condi- 

 tion of the slave, even if one consequence should be a slight 

 stimulus to the production of slave-grown produce. Govern- 

 ment felt it necessary to decide during the present year on the 

 course which they should adopt with respect to sugar; our 

 treaty with the Brazils expires on the 10th November next; and 

 the reasons by which they were actuated in bringing in their 

 present measure, and deferring a more general consideration 

 of the subject till next year, were three. First, the income-tax 

 expires next year, and the full operation of the tariff, which was 

 imposed in conjunction with it, would not be distinctly ascer- 

 tained till that time— as, for instance, the full reduction ia the 

 timber duties did not take effect till October la.st. This fact is 

 to be taken along with the general revival of trade and indus- 

 try, which, however gratifying, might not be permanent; if it 

 were, next year would give them positive assurance. Se- 

 condly, there was the great financial operation, the reduc- 

 tion in the Three-and-a- Half per Cents., of which it was of 

 great importance to secure the success; and thirdly, if the 

 income-tax WtTe renewed next year, a revision of the sugar 

 duties would have been considered as one of the conditions 

 of it. The indications ot rising price, and the fear of a deficient 

 supply, led Government to iutroduce their present proposition; 

 the sugar monopoly was the only one that remained (a voice— 

 " Corn " ) ; and tney considered that, without detriment to the 

 revenue, or injury to the West Indies, their measure was calcu- 

 lated to be oi great advantage to the community at large. 

 They wished to ascertain, before next year, if Parliament 

 would sanction and establish the distinction between free 

 labour and slave labour; and they adhered to their opinion 

 that their own proposition was better than the one proposed 

 by Mr. Miles. The distinction he had drawn between musco- 

 vado and white cUyed sugars was one, if adopted, which 

 ought also to be introduced into our colonies. Alter mature 

 consideration, they could not adopt the amendment wiih the 

 view of escaping irom their dittieuUies, because ihey were oi 

 opinion that while it would not lu-nefit either the consumer or 

 tne West India interest, it would be detrimental to the 

 revenue. To prove this he entered into details, taking the effect 

 of the reduction on the timber duties by way of illustration ; 

 and then, pointing out that the amendment w uld create 

 a differential duty of 14s. on certain sugars, while the Govern- 

 ment measure only gave It**, emphatically repeated that the v 

 would not escape from their diihe ilties by giving increased pro- 

 tection to the West India*. He then read extracts from letta 

 which he had received that morning, from individuals htrgeiy 

 engaged in the sugar trade, in whica the wn ers pointed out 

 that bv adopting the higher duty on the white clayed sugars, 

 great injury would be the consequence. There were sugar re- 

 fineries established at Calcutta and in Uenierara, wuich manu- 

 factured a refined sugar, which, while it would escape the duty 

 on the white clayed, WW largely superseding its use. Refusing 

 to adopt the amendment on its commercial merits, neither 

 could they adopt it on political grounds, it had been earned by 



a combination of a portion 01 the supporters or the »overa 

 ment with their po. il a mains, and :. >wevtr ummportan 

 the matter itself might be, it had an important bearing, as 



Indicating 1 want of confidence in the Executive. He did 



not c>n .Iain of the combination, though he believed it to 

 have been preconcerted. Members had a perfect right to act as 

 they pleased, but if tiie Government acquie 1 in tUe vote of Fri- 

 day night, it would only bean encouragement to similar attempts. 

 Though not disposed to take offence, he oooid not »-ut complain 

 of the harsh terms whiefc Mr. Miles and his sec nder, Mr. 

 Bailiie, had used. The Government had been told to *• throw 

 off the mask ;*' and they were accused of having struck a blow 

 at Australia, by the reduction ot the duty on wool— the fact 

 being, that a few days ago, the first sales of Australian wool 

 uce the reduction had been grea r er than ever before known* 

 By the vote of Friday the Government proposition had been re- 

 jected ; the amendment of Mr. Miles had yet to be proposed; 

 and he would then give the House the opportunity of recon- 

 sidering their vote, by restoring the du r y ol 14c on colonial 

 su^ar. After adverting to the general state of the legislative 

 measures of the Government, and expressing his fears that 

 the close of the present session would be marked, like ttie 

 list one, by the abandonment of many of them, he lamented 

 the want of cordiality between the Government and many 

 of its usual supporters, but would not conciliate them by 

 holding out the prospect of taking a different course. They 

 had taken office with the view of not only maintaining, but of 

 improving, existing institutions ; and of gradually relaxing the 

 system of protection. They had been defeated in the House of 

 Lords on a question which, though appearing isolated, was in 

 reality not so ; it was a portion of that ecclesiastical renovation 

 which circumstances required. Seeing, therefore, tnat the 

 policy of the Government was one of gradual improvement, 

 and that they could not hold out any expectation of an altera- 

 tion in it, he concluded by Intimating that important conse- 

 quences might be the result of the decision of the House— 

 Lord J. Russkll remarked that Sir R. Peel was about to 

 renew the proposition which, on Friday night, a majo- 

 rity had rejected. These were terms never before submitted 

 to a House of Commons; the Minister asked his usual 

 supporters to surrender all free w 11 or independent judg- 

 ment, and by acquiescing implicitly in the Government 

 propositions, to exhibit themselves degraded in the eyes of the 

 couutry? Why should Sir R. Peel, who had certainly not been 

 brought into office as a Iree-trade Minister, compel his friends 

 who were in favour of protective principles to abandon their 

 conscientious opinions? As to any "political combination,'* 

 the history of this "secret conspiracy ft was simply this— that 

 Mr. Labouchere had called his attention to Mr. Miles'* amend- 

 ment, of which he had previously been unaware, and they de- 

 termined to support it as the best of the two propositions* 

 The" political combination " was rather to be found in the Minis- 

 terial camp. He admitted that there was some force in the argu- 

 ment, that the distinction in the amendment as to white-clayed 

 sugars should, if adopted, be also introduced into our colonial ; 

 but for the House deliberately to rescind their vote, would be a 

 melancholy proof of subserviency, and by submission on the pre- 

 sent occasion to the overbearing conduct of Sir R. Peel, their in- 

 dependence would be gone for ever.— Mr. Milks thought that 

 Sir R. Peel might have deferred to a majority of the House, 

 and have postponed till next session any further consideration 

 of an alteration in the sugar duties. By no: doing so, he placed 

 them in the painful position of either aoandouing their support 

 of the West India interest, or of withdrawing from the House. 

 He, however, would persevere, and accordingly moved that the 

 duty on colonial sugar be 20s —Sir R. Pkkl then moved, as an 

 amendment, that it should be raised to 14*.— Sir G. Grky asked if 

 Sir R. Peel meant to restore the duty on free foreign sugar to the 

 original government amount? -Sir R. Past replied that such was 

 his intention. —Mr. B. Cochrane said that, though he had voted 

 for the Government on Friday, he could uot give them his sup- 

 port oq this occasion, because their conduct towards tneir usual 

 supporters had changed the questiou from one of sugar duties 

 into one of the independence of the House, and the personal 

 honour of their friends.— Mr. Kkmblk expressed his intention 



of voting against Mr. Miies's proposal, though on the former 

 night he had not voted at all, because he had not then been 

 able to satisfy his mind eitner as to the Government's or Mr. 

 Miies's motion. — Sir H. Docglas likewise stated his intention 

 of voting against Mr. Miies's motion, rhough he still objected 

 to the Government amendment, and should also vote against it 

 when put.— Mr. Labolchkrb supported ttie insertion of 20f. 

 in the clause, and denounced the attempt of the Government 

 to intimidate the House of Commons as unheard of and unjus- 

 tifiable. — Mr. Disraeli congratulated the Hou«e that tne 

 Minister, instead of resigning, had merely moved an amend- 

 ment. The precedents for rescinding a vote applied only in 

 cases of rare and imperious necessity. There seemed to be 

 some fatality, when the House was called on to do this 

 twice within one month. Sir R. Peel ought to have a little 

 more feeling for his followers, and uot to drag them 

 through the mire without need. To call upo » them to rescind 

 one vote per session was enough. Ministers should not lightly 

 say to their friends, you shall submit to public disgrace, or we 

 must submit to private life. Sir R. Peel came forward with an 

 utter detestation of slavery in every place except upon the 

 benches behind him. After the vote of Friday, and the rumours 

 of the last 48 hours, it was somewhat ridiculous, on tins short 

 notice, to be called on to resciud a vote. The same disgrace 

 might soon recur ; better that it snould terminate now, than 

 that Sir R. Peel, who was worthy of higher things, should con- 

 tinue to stand by threatening his friends and cringing to his 

 opponents. He himself, therefore, would not follow the 

 example or Sir H. Dougias.-Lord Sawoon adhered to his vote 

 for Mr. Miies's motion, notwithstanding his regret that Govern- 

 ment had a minority on the Sugar Duties, and the Bishopric 

 in Nortn Wales ; and notwithstanding that they were expected 

 to discontinue their services to the country.-Mr. Shkil sup- 

 ported the duty of 20*., as that which would cheapen sugar to 

 the consumer.- Mr. Uoclbcrv followed, against Mr. Miies's 

 motion- and Mr. P. M. Stewart against it.— Mr. Entwisls 

 explained, that having voted against the Ministerial proposi- 

 tion because hedid not think it gave adequate protection to 

 the West Indies, he should on this occasion decline to register 

 his vote—" because he did not believe the interests of the West 

 Indies would be safe for a moment in the hands ot gentlemen 

 opposite. '—Mr. £scott could not understand how Mr. P. 

 Miles and his supporters could reconcile the two objects of pro- 

 tecting the West Indians, and at the Same time increasing the 

 supply of sugar. He challenged Mr. Miles, of Somersetshire, 

 to show in what way the West Indians could be benefited by 

 his relative's proposal. He inveighed against monopoly in 

 general.— Mr. Milks (Somerset) attacked Mr. Esc ^tt for the 

 inconsistency of his present declarations with those whicn he 

 had made mnrethanonceatthe hustings of Somersetshire. How- 

 ever, the Somersetshire men were not disposed t omca^ue their 

 corn by the " Winchester " busuel. He then adv c ited Mr. P. 

 Miies's proposal on its colonial and general grounds, and de- 

 manded protection with reference to the present impracticability 

 of procuring free labour. He adhered to his own Conservative 

 opinions, and he believed he did more to uphold that P^ y °J 

 an independent course, than by a blind subserviency. ~^^ 

 Howies contended for the t0#< against the 24#. d "-^ nop . 

 denied that the forms of the House were meant togvr ^^ 

 portuiuty for rescinding a vote; what they J£? ™J e thfkt the 

 to prevent a surprise. It was ««M msi **~^^ ir supporters 

 Government were entitled to go out ^•£$5;,, 01 f Corn- 

 differed from them. At «hat rate all wh xcl i ^e ^ ^^ ^ 

 mons would have to do would be to py Rnd lheQ 



ie Government « the b^m«..n* «j ■ atioQ ^^ 



uietly disperse to their homes. » »e «•" 



th 



quietly disp 



