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tee; a long discussion ensued as to the distress of the West India planters and the means of relieving it. The petition was received, and a committee appointed to inquire into the state of the West India colonies. Their Lordships adjourned to the 7th of May.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

March 19. Lord John Russell having moved the third reading of the Reform Bill, Lord Mahon rose to move an Amendment, "that it be read a third time that day six months."-The amendment was seconded by Sir John Malcolm.-Mr. Wilbraham and Mr. Slaney supported the original motion; which was opposed by Sir R. Inglis and Mr. Pemberton.-Mr. Macaulay again strongly supported the Bill, calling on Sir Robert Peel to state what was his plan of Reform, since all admitted that something must be done; in reply to which, Mr. Croker said, that as the Parliament had before dissolved, after showing that their numbers ought not to be diminished, there was not much encouragement to improve the Minister's plans. After a short address from Lord Althorp in opposition to, and a few words from Lord Valletort in favour of, the amendment, the debate was adjourned.

March 20. The debate on the Reform Bill was resumed, the motion for the third reading being supported by Mr. Schonswan, Mr. Offley, Mr. H. Gurney, Colonel Torrens, Mr. Robinson, General Palmer, Mr. Duncombe, and the Attorney General; and the amendment of Lord Mahon, supported by Mr. Trevor, Sir J. Brydges, Mr. Pigott, Mr. Mackinnon, Colonel Wood, Sir H. Vyvyan, Sir C. Wetherall, and Mr. Perceval, the debate was again adjourned.

March 22. The adjourned debate on the third reading of the Reform Bill was resumed. Mr. C. Pelham and Mr. C. Stewart spoke against the Bill.-Mr. E. J. Stanley, Mr. Wason, and O'Conor Don in favour of it.-Sir E. Sugden opposed the Bill at great length, detailing the different changes that had taken place in it.-Mr. R. Grant maintained that it was necessary so to legislate as to content the improved intelligence of the people; otherwise the separation between the higher and lower orders would become still more wide and dangerous.-Lord Porchester resisted the Bill as ruinous to the country.-Sir J. C. Hobhouse spoke at great length in favour of the Bill.-Sir R. Peel still condemned the Bill, and said he had not produced his own plan of Reform, because he thought that if the time was come when there must be reform, the measure would come with a better grace from those who had always been its friends and supporters, than if it were introduced by its declared enemies, and had the appearance of being extorted. He then

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drew a mournful picture of some supposed future time. And," continued the Right Hon. Gentleman, "that I may not be called to the bar of posterity-that I may not be visited with that censure which will naturally arise from the evils, public and private, which I foresee this Bill must create -that I may carry with me the satisfaction of having struggled in this conflict with perseverance, though without effect, and the consolation of having surrendered without dishonour-my last vote shall be given as my first, in opposition to the Bill."-Mr. Stanley admitted that the whole responsibility rested with Ministers, and he rejoiced in it. The responsibility of advising the Sovereign to create Peers was great, but when the two Houses of Parliament were at hopeless variance, it was undoubtedly in the power of the crown thus to decide the difference. Impeachment might be a word to frighten children, but it would not alarm those who knew the stake they were playing for, and who disregarded mere brutum fulmen for the sake of discharging their conscientious duty. When the Right Hon. Baronet talked of the danger of the Bill, did he think nothing of the danger of rejecting it? Did he suppose that another Government could be formed upon the principle of granting no reform ? Did he think nothing of the excitement of keeping the measure pending and paralyzing trade and industry for another year. The House was now taking leave of this measure, he hoped for ever, and he trusted that it would meet a favourable reception in the House of Lords, who, he hoped, would follow the example of their ancestors in the year 1688, in concurring in the resolutions of the other House without an amendment.-Mr. Hunt said he should vote for the Bill, as nothing better could be obtained, but that it would afford no relief to the working classes.-Colonel Sibthorp moved that the question be further adjourned; but this was successfully resisted.-The House then divided, when there appeared-for the third reading, 355; against it, 239; majority for the third reading, 116.*-Total, 594.

March 23. Some verbal amendments having been proposed and agreed to, the Reform Bill was read a third time, and passed.

March 26. Sir James Grabam moved the order of the day for the House to go into a Committee of Supply. A long discussion hereupon arose relating to the Foreign Po licy of the Government, and after some time spent therein, the House resolved itself into

On the third reading on the 21st of September, 1831, the numbers were:-For the third reading, 345; against it, 236; majority, 109.-Increase on the third reading of 1832 over 1831-7.

a Committee of Supply, when several grants were agreed to.

March 27. The debate on Mr. Stanley's resolution, respecting the Tithes of Ireland, was resumed, and again called forth a lengthened discussion. Mr. Ruthven moved an amendment on the resolution, declaring that the Church system of Ireland required revision, particularly with a view of resuming a portion of it for the benefit of the poor.-Mr. Stanley said, whatever might be his opinion of a portion of the amendment, he must oppose it; if they had not sufficient evidence to discuss the original resolutions, still less were they provided with adequate information to consider so large a question as that involved in the amendment. The debate was continued to a late hour. -The amendment was negatived on a division, when there appeared, ayes, 27; noes, 123; majority against the amendment, 75.

March 28. On the motion of Sir J. Hobhouse, the House resolved itself into a Committee upon the Army Estimates, when the Right Hon. Bart. said, that under the peculiar circumstances of the country, the Government had found reduction impracticable. Sir Henry Parnell declared his disappointment, because by an estimate which, before his abdication of office, he had submitted to Government, a saving of six hundred thousand pounds a-year in the military expenditure was proposed. The Chancellor of the Exchequer defended the Government with reference to the Estimates; and the votes for the number of men and for their pay, were eventually agreed to.

March 30. On the motion of Mr. Stanley, the House resolved itself into a Committee on the Resolutions for an alteration of the Tithe System in Ireland. The resolutions were opposed by Mr. Hume, Mr. Wyse, Mr. T. Duncombe, Mr. Hunt, Sir J. Burke, and Mr. Ersborne, and supported by Dr. Lushington, Mr. Shaw, and M. A. Lefroy. -The House divided-for the resolutions, 113; against them, 25; majority, 88.

April 2. The report of Mr. Stanley's resolutions on the tithes of Ireland was presented, when Mr. Wallace moved, as an amendment, a series of counter resolutions. He said he moved them in order that there might appear on the Journals the sentiments of those who had opposed the plans of the Government, and in justice to the Irish Members in particular; and as that was his only object, after the manner in which the original resolutions were carried, he should not press them. They were negatived, and the report of the original resolutions adopted.

April 3. Colonel Davies moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the state of the Glove Trade, as a Committee had been appointed on the Silk Trade. It was re

sisted by Mr. P. Thompson and others, on the ground that the object of the Silk Committee was to inquire whether there was the alleged smuggling, and, if so, how the evil could be remedied. The motion was negatived by a majority of 44 to 26.

April 4. The Chancellor of the Exchequer intimated that he should shortly make his long-promised motion, to propose the appointment of a Select Committee on the Bank of England Charter.

April 6. On the House going into Committee on Sir James Graham's Bill for consolidating the different Naval Boards, Sir George Clerk opposed the whole plan, as tending to remove that responsibility, without which the various departments of the service could not be usefully carried on. He moved an amendment, to the effect "That an adequate number of persons be appointed to superintend the respective departments, in place of the board now existing; and that these heads of the departments should form a board, to exercise all such powers of revision as the Commissioners may think proper from time to time to establish." The House divided; for the amendment, 50; against it, 118; majority 68.-The second reading of the Irish Tithes Bill was moved by Mr. Stanley, and gave rise to a lengthened debate; but the measure was carried by 119 to 21; majority in favour of the second reading, 98.

April 9. The House went into Committee on the Irish Tithes Bill. Several clauses were put, and, after a few verbal amendments, agreed to, without opposition. Mr. Crampton proposed, as an amendment to one of the clauses, that no costs should be due or payable under this Bill, except as therein before provided for. The Committee divided; for the clause as amended, 107; against it, 13.

April 10. A discussion took place on the Report of the Committee on the Court of Exchequer (Scotland) Bill. The compensation of 20001. a-year was characterised as a gross job by Mr. Dawson; and the Bill was opposed by Sir W. Rae, and others; after a desultory conversation, the clauses were agreed to.

April 16. The third reading of the Irish Tithes' Bill gave rise to a lengthened discussion; Mr. Shiel and most of the Irish Members protesting against it. The House divided on the motion for reading the Bill a third time 52 voted for, and 7 against. The Bill was read a third time, and passed.

April 18. Mr. C. Fergusson brought forward his statement of the case of Poland. He adverted to the Treaty of Vienna of 1815, which secured to Poland her nationality and free institutions-a provision accomplished by the late Lord Castlereagh; therefore, what had now been done by the Emperor Nicholas was a positive infraction

of the treaty. He did not call upon this country to go to war with Russia in consequence of the infraction, but he thought England ought, at least, to have tried the effect of a vigorous remonstrance. The power of Russia, he observed, was before great enough, but it was now so tremendous as to make it appear that the rest of Europe might be considered as indebted to its clemency, if permitted to enjoy repose and their own institutions. Respecting the late struggle, he considered that such had been the conduct of Constantine that the revolt of Poland against Russia was justifiable by the law of nations. The Hon. Member did not conclude with proposing any motion: he observed that he considered he had performed his duty in making his statement and remonstrance.-Lord Althorp said that his Noble Friend the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Lord Palmerston) was unavoidably absent, and though he must applaud the

AFRICA.

sentiments of the Hon. Member, yet at the same time, as the Government had no offcial information of many of the recent proceedings in Poland to which allusion had been made, he could take no steps. He assured the House that the Ministers were by no means unmindful of the condition of Poland, and he trusted they would be found not to have neglected their duty in a case of so much interest.-Many Members followed, expressing their anxiety in behalf of Poland, and their detestation of the Government to which it was exposed. The Anatomy Bill was once more committed, and was opposed chiefly by Mr. Hunt on almost every clause. The Committee divided seven or eight times, the minorities being from one to eleven, while the majorities varied between forty and forty-five. Finally it went through the Committee.-The House then adjourned to Monday, the 7th of May.

THE COLONIES.

The tranquillity of our settlements in the Gambia has been lately disturbed by the refractory conduct of the King of Barra, who rules over the tract of country on the right bank of that river. This chieftain commenced his hostile operations in the month of August last by attacking a small detachment of the Royal African corps stationed at Barra Point. After some skirmishing, in which, from the overpowering numbers of the natives, the detachment sustained a loss of nine killed and ten wounded, our troops withdrew across the river. The intelligence of this event spread rapidly along the coast; and the timely arrival of assistance from Sierra Leone, and from our squadron, together with the appearance of the French vessel of war La Bordelaise, followed by the Governor of Senegal in person, soon quieted the apprehensions that were entertained at Bathurst respecting the ulterior designs of the Chief of Barra and his confederates; and finally enabled the Lieutenant-Governor of that settlement to regain possession of Barra Point. This object was accomplished in the month of November by a comparatively small force, who gallantly attacked and defeated the enemy, with the loss of 13 killed and 103 wounded; and, after some little negotiation, the King of Barra and his associates made their submission by signing a treaty of peace.

EAST INDIES.

Recent accounts from India state that the weather having been favourable to the Indigo plantations, the result was in general successful, especially when the diminished advances and outlay are taken into consideration, as compared with those in the year 1830. The low price indigo is said

to have brought, of late years, in Europe, has operated as a prohibition to the further extension of its growth in Hindostan, even in districts where it had been most successfully cultivated, and closed all those factories that could not produce their indigo at less than the medium charge of 120 rupees per maund. It is thought even that the proportion of fine indigo will be greater than last year, and that it will come earlier into the market.

By recent accounts from Madras we learn that very dreadful inundations had occurred in Northern and Central Cuttack, an area of 150 miles having been inundated, and the waters being from seven to fifteen feet deep. The loss of life had been immense, being estimated at 10,000 persons! In one state that consisted of thirteen villages, eleven had been swept away, and not a soul survived; not a seed of grain remained at Balasore for sale, and almost all the salt had been lost. Between Hanson and Rol thirty-seven villages had been destroyed, and the total number swept away is estimated at 300 villages.

It is also stated, that a party of marauders, about 600 in number, called Molavees, had collected in the neighbourhood of Baugundee, a place not more than thirty-five miles from Calcutta, and had committed serious excesses, more particularly in factories at Kishnagur. They succeeded, in the first instance, in repelling not only the civic force, but also a party of militia sent against them. On the arrival, however, of a detachment of troops from Calcutta, they were subdued after a very obstinate conflict, in which from 80 to 100 were killed, and 250 taken prisoners. These Molavees are de

scribed as the remnant of a party of fanatics, subsisting formerly by predatory incursions into the territory of Runjeet Sing. The occurrence of such excesses within the British territory, and at so short a distance from the seat of Government, is characterized as an instance of weakness, or want of proper vigilance, in the authorities of Calcutta. Sir Wilmot Horton, the new Governor of Ceylon, had arrived at Calcutta, as had also Sir E. Barnes, whom he succeeded in that post.

WEST INDIES.

The recent accounts from Jamaica are by no means satisfactory. They state that the insurrection has been suppressed, but that the accounts from the north side are not

COLUMBIA.

equally favourable. The fact is, that the insurrection commenced, like all former insurrections, in the islands at the north side, and upon that side alone can they assume a very formidable character. The Jamaica letters state that alarming earthquakes had been felt throughout the disturbed parishes, and that they had destroyed all the Baptist meeting-houses, and nothing else. These are very singular earthquakes; we suspect they are more political than physical. The executions and punishments appear horribly numerous and severe; where a whole population is said to be under the influence of terror and revenge, it is vain to expect impartial justice, or a temperate administration of the laws.

FOREIGN STATES.

Intelligence from Columbia announces that the Congress has abolished tithes throughout the Republic.

FRANCE.

At a late sitting of the Chamber of Deputies, the President of the Council, in reply to Marshal Clausel, who wished to know whether the government intended to occupy or abandon Algiers, stated that France occupied Algiers and Oran, and would shortly occupy Bona, where she had always had establishments to protect the coral fisheries. Every proper disposition had been taken to remain at Algiers; and there was nothing in the proceedings or preparations of government that could induce a supposition that there was any intention of abandoning the conquest.

The principal news from France during the month regards the Cholera. The disease made its appearance in Paris towards the close of March, and continued to spread with frightful rapidity through all parts of the capital. It was met, however, with the utmost promptitude and alacrity by the authorities, and large sums were immediately collected for the purpose of establishing hospitals, and of affording instant relief to those who were attacked.*

As the disease appeared to have broken out simultaneously in every part of the city, orders were issued to arrange medical boards in each of the forty-eight districts, at which every medical man living and practising in them is obliged to attend in turn. mayors of the twelve arrondissements ar

The

The Duchess of Berri sent to Paris, through the hands of Chateaubriand, 12,000 francs for the relief of the poor attacked by cholera; but the Prefect of the Seine (the Count de Bondy) refused to receive the donation!

May.-VOL. XXXVI. NO. CXXXVII,

ranged houses of reception in each quarter of these districts, with lanterns to point them out at night. Placards were stuck up on the walls, announcing the means of preventing and of curing the disease; and atvarious places boxes were fixed to receive notice of the persons requiring medical assistance. They were opened every hour.

Notwithstanding all efforts, however, the disease continued to increase; nor was it here, as it has been elsewhere, a respecter of persons. A considerable number of the upper ranks have been attacked, and the Neapolitan Ambassador, Prince Castelcicala, with other distinguished persons, are dead. A sort of panic seized the opulent classes, and many of them hastened away from the city. Almost all the Deputies have fled, and the consequence is that the business of the Chamber is left undone, and the Session has been brought to a premature close.

The following list of victims to the contagion exhibits its progress, from the 1st to the 16th of April :

April 1

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In military establishments, also, numerous deaths have occurred.

It will thus be seen, that the disease is somewhat on the decline; it has, however, manifested itself in several other parts of France.

HOLLAND.

The following is an official declaration of the sentiments and intentions of Russia, on the important subject of the Treaty of London for the arrangement of Dutch and Belgic affairs.

Count Orloff, after having recounted in minute detail the circumstances showing that, through the whole course of the Belgian negociations, he has not failed to give unequivocal proofs to the King of the Netherlands of respect and friendship conformable to the declarations of the Emperor his master, proceeds as follows:

"His Majesty has charged the undersigned to make the following declaration:

"After having used all means of persuasion and every mode of conciliation to aid his Majesty King William to establish upon amicable terms, and in a manner consistent with the honour of his Crown, and the interests of the faithful portion of his subjects, a separation between two great divisions of his kingdom, his Imperial Majesty does not see any opportunity of hereafter rendering to the King of the Netherlands either support

or succour.

"Faithful to his promises, his Imperial Majesty will not become a party to the employment of coercive measures, for compelling the King of the Netherlands, by force of arms, to subscribe to the twenty-four articles; but, considering that these articles comprise the only basis upon which a separation between Belgium and Holland can be effected, and they being open to amendments, admissible in a final treaty between the two countries, his Imperial Majesty considers it just and reasonable that Belgium should remain in the enjoyment of all the advantages resulting from the articles in question, and more particularly of that neutrality, in principle, recognized by the King of the Netherlands.

"As a necessary consequence of this principle, his Imperial Majesty will offer no opposition to any repressive measures (mesures repressives) which the Congress may adopt for the purpose of guaranteeing and defending this neutrality should it be violated by a renewal of hostilities on the side of Holland.

"In this case, should it unhappily arise, his Imperial Majesty reserves to himself the right to concert with his allies as to the means most proper for promptly re-establishing the neutrality of Belgium, in order that the general peace of Europe may be protected from even the least danger of violation."

After having presented to the King of the Netherlands the foregoing declaration, Count Orloff demanded of his Majesty a categorical answer this answer being in the negative, the Count demanded his passports, and on the following day set out for London.

The ratification of the Belgian treaty has

at last been exchanged between the Austrian and Prussian, and the British and French Plenipotentiaries. The ratification from Russia has not yet arrived.

POLAND.

Under the date Warsaw, March 25, a royal manifesto has been published by the Emperor Nicholas, promising happiness, security, and liberty of conscience to the Poles, but at the same time promulgating organic statutes, by which the kingdom of Poland is for ever incorporated with the Russian empire, and forms an integral part of it. The kingdom to have its separate administration, and its own civil and criminal code of laws. The following is an extract from this atrocious document:

"The kingdom of Poland, conquered in 1815

by the victorious arms of Russia, obtained at that time, by the magnanimity of our august predecessor, not only the restoration of its national existence, but its own laws, which were consecrated by the Constitutional Charter. These

benefits, however, could not satisfy the eternal enemies of all order and legal authority, who, obstinately persevering in their treasonable plans, did not for a moment cease to dream of the separation of the two nations subject to our sceptre, and ventured, in their pride, to abuse the benefits of the restorer of their country, by employing the very laws and privileges which his powerful arms had generously conferred on them, for the overthrow of his great work. All these misfortunes are now past. The kingdom of Poland, again subject to our sceptre, will recover its tranquillity, and again flourish in the bosom of peace, which is restored to it under the auspices of a vigilant government. As we besides desire to insure to our subjects in the kingdom of Poland the permanency of all the happiness that is necessary for the welfare of every individual in particular, and of the country in general, namely, the security of persons and property, liberty of conscience, and all the laws and privileges of the cities and communes, in order that the kingdom of Poland, with a separate administration adapted to its wants, may not cease to be an integral part of our Empire, and that the inhabitants of that kingdom may henceforth form with the Russians one nation, bound together by uniform and fraternal settlements, we, in conformity with these principles, have resolved by our gracious organic statute, granted on this day, to introduce a new form and order in the administration of our kingdom of Poland. This document is dated February 16th, 1832.

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