The Principality

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.—At Fulford, Win. Rankin, a pri- O:' the I. 3rd, was last week married to Miss Maclaurin, es.i to E5,000, who was given away by her father. The e IS 26, nd cil3 bridegroom 30 years of age. j

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY, MARCH 8. CONVICT DISCIPLINE. Lord MAHON, pursuant to notice, called the attention of the House to the instructions issued in 1846, 1847, and 1848, with respect to the transportation, and discipline of convicts. He began by complaining of the repeated fluctuations in the views and principles of Lord Grey on this subject, and asked for a distinct declaration of what their system really was. He then adverted to the abolition of transportation to New South Wales, reviewing the convict system and its administration in the Australian colo- nies, and censuring the meddling and vacillating policy of Earl Grey with relation to the system discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the penitentiary system, and urged the mis- chievous consequences of setting convicts, at the expiration of their term of discipline, free in the mother country. In consi- dering the practical suggestions for the treatment of convicts, he observed that Captain Maconochie's were not all to be received with implicit confidence his own suggestions included the re- establishment of the colony of North Australia, which had been unwisely abandoned transportation, under an improved system, to New South Wales, and a reformed system of assignment in that colony and Van Diemen's Land, under conditions,fas an ex- periment. He concluded with a motion for certain returns. Mr. HERBERT gave some interesting details respecting the in- crease of crime and the crowded state of the prisons in Ireland, the numbers being swelled by convicts under sentence of trans- 1 portation. Sir GEORGE GREY admitted the evil of the crowded state of the Irish gaols, which did Not arise from the suspension of trans- portation the increase of crime was connected with the reeent state of that country, and the convicts were mostly of a class unfit for transportation. Sir George then considered the practical sug- gestions of Lord Mahon, showing the inexpediency of carrying out the scheme of a settlement in New Australia, and of :a return to the assignment system, which, in- any shape, would be one of slavery. Subject to modification, transportation, as a punishment, would be continued by the Government, which must, however, be allowed a certain degree of discretion. Mr. flUME complained of the ever varying plans of convict dis-" cipline of the expenses incurred thereby, and of the absurdity of what was termed "hard labour. The present system of en- deavouring to reform criminals at home would fail, aud labour was wanted in the colonies, where the assignment system should be re-introduced. Sir J. Pakington, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Ewart, Mr. Alderman Sidney, and Mr. P. Scrope, spoke shortly upon some of the topics in question. The motion was agreed to.

PROTECTION FOR AGRICULTURE. Mr. DISRAELI then rose to move certain resolutions declara- tory of the unequal burdens cast upon real property and the agri- cultural interests of the country, and pledging the House to take measures which may establish a more equitable apportionment of the public burdens. He said he hoped to induce the House to consent to a great measure of conciliation, of justiee, and of policy. Assuming the admission of great agricultural distress in the country, he decliued discussing the causes of it, as unnecessary for his argument, or to enter upon a controversy as to the policy of the changes by which, according to Mr. Cobden, the agricultural class had not been fairly treated. He still thought that our new commercial system was founded upon erroneous principles, and he shortly enumerated some of the reasons upon which he founded that opinion but he looked not to a sudden retrogression, but to legitimate means, for remedying the evils of this new system. The question before the House was extremely simple. No less than £10,000,000 was levied last year by direct local taxation upon real property, independently of £ 2,000,000 land tax that is, a direct taxation of 112,000,000, from whicn other property was ex- empt, was levied upon a rental of £ 67,000,000. The whole in- come of the country was Jt 249,000,000 on what principle of jus- tice could £ 12,000,000 of local taxation be cast upon little more than one-fourth of that income? Who would suppose that this burden was cast, in the teeth of the law, upon the proud and rapa- cious aristocracy, who always made laws for their own advantage ? He exposed the confusion of terms which annexed the idea of lo- cality to these taxes, whereas they were of a much wider and more comprehensive character.; and he illustrated this argument by an ingenious exposition of the nature and objects of these so-called local rates and the local causes of some of our general national taxation. The grievance and anomaly of these two forms of taxa- tion had been long felt, and, as a remedy, a system of national rating had been recommended; but to this he objected. He would not resist an inquiry into the subject of the probate and le- gacy duties; for the result would show that a large proportion was paid by the land, on the property of the farmer; but this was beside the question as tothejustice of throwing £ 12,00J,00u of taxse upon one-fourth of the property of the country: and if the House wouldgointo committee, he would offer a plan, which wasfounded in justice, to remedy this inequality. In a spirit of compromise and conciliation, he should propose, the present system of local admi-' nistration remaining, the present levy of rates continuing, that the local districts should be responsible for one moiety, and that the other should be paid by the Consolidated Fund. Mr. Disraeli then described, in forcible terms, the treacherous manner in which the agricultural interest had been treated on the subject of the malt-tax, the repeal of which he nevertheless persuaded them not to press for, but to be content with the measure he proposed—a measure founded in justice; and concluded an eloquent address of nearly three -hours' duration, in the following language :-The spirit of the landed interest is deeply wounded, and whether they have foundation for their feeling or not, it is one which I would recommend any Minister not to treat with contempt (loud cheers). I have observed that, at no time is the landed interest more un- justly treated than when demagogues are denouncing them as oli- garchical usurpers (hear, hear). You think you may trust their proverbial loyalty. Trust their loyalty, but do not abuse it (cheers). I dare say it may be said, as it was said 3,000 years ago, in the most precious legacy of political science that has des- cended to us-I dare say it may be said of them that the agricul- tural class is the least given to sedition (hear, hear). I doubt not that that is as true of the Englishman of the plain and the dale as it was of the Greeks of the isle and the continent; but it would be just as well if you also recollected that the fathers of these men were the founders of your liberties, and that, before this time, their ancestors have bled for justice (hear, hear). You may rely upon it that the blood of those men who refused to pay ship-money is not to be trifled with (loud cheers). Their conduct to you has exhibited no hostile feeling, notwithstanding the political changes that have abounded of late years, and all apparently, to a diminu- tion of their power. They have inscribed a very humble sentence upon their rural banners, but it is one which, if I mistake not, is calculated to touch the heart and convince the reason of England Livoand let live" (great applause). You ha\e adopted a different motto-you, the leading spirits on the ben hes which I see before me, have openly declared your opinion that if there was not an acre of land cultivated in England it-would not be the worse for this country (hear, hear). You have all of you in open chorus been always ready to announce your object to obtain a mo- nopoly of the commerce of the universe, and to make this country the workshop of the world. Your system and theirs are exactly contrary. They invite union. They believe that national pros- perity can only be produced by the prosperity of all classes. You prefer to remain in isolated splendour and solitary magnificence, but believe me I speak not as your enemy when I say that it will be an exception to the principles which seem hitherto to have ruled society if you can succeed in maintaining the prosperity which you desire without the possession of that permanence and, stability which the territorial principle alone can afford (hear, hear). Although you may for a moment flourish after their de- struction-although your ports may be tilled with shipping—al- though your factories may smoke on every plain, and your forges flame in every city, I see no reason why you should form an ex- ception to that which the page of histor) has recorded; that you, too, should not fade like the Tyrian dye and moulder like the Venetian palaces (loud cheers). But, united with land, you will obtain the best and surest foundation upon which you can build an enduring prosperity and you will find in that interest a consoler in all your troubles in dangers your undoubted champion and in adversity your ready customer (renewed applause). It is to assist in producing this result, sir, that I am about to place these resolu- tions in your hands. I wish to see the agriculture, the commerce, and the manufactures of Englarid not adversaries, but co-mates and partners—rivals only in the ardour of their patriotism and the activity of their public spirit (tne hon. gentleman resumed his seat amid prolonged applause). Mr. HUME said he could not help expressing his utter astonish- ment at the remedy which the hon. gentleman had proposed for the alleged distress of the agricultural interest. His speech had not been at all in accordance with his resolutions, for his resolu- tions stated that the burden of local taxation "bore with undue severity on the occupiers of land whereas in his speech the ] occupiers of land" had never been mentioned from first to last. (Hear, hear.) It had been all about the landed interest, and the t plan which the hon. gentleman had proposed would benefit the I landed interest alone. What benefit it would confer upon the tenant- t farmer he (Mr. Hume) could not possibly imagine. The hon. i gentleman had asked with what justice they could call upon the ( landed proprietors to pay the local taxes he had enumerated. He — ——ir-iat Mr. Hume) would say that they were bound to pay them upon every principle of justice. The lands were obtained originally upon condition of rendering military service. That, for the con- venience of all parties, had been commuted into the payment of certain taxes; the lands that had since changed hands had been bought with the burden of these taxes upon them, and under pro- portionate deductions for the same, and therefore the landowners had no right now to ask to be relieved of them. The statement of the hon. gentleman then was all moonshine. It was an appeal to the charity and commiseration of the House—not to its justice. The hou. gentleman had spoken of the roads as imposing a burden on the agricultural interest but wherever good roads had been established at the expense of a county, they had proved more than reproductive as regarded the value of the landed property. Then, with respect to police establishments and the administration of justice, were the same parties not interested in preventing rob- bery and had not the property of a county always been bound to uphold those establishments and that administration ? It was the ancient lords of the soil who, in the absence of the Sovereign, were the administrators of justice. Bridges were built in early times for the convenience of the locality indeed, there were none of the taxes mentioned by the hon. gentleman which did not come within the category of taxes raised within the district for the ad- vantage of the district. The tenant farmers had been hoodwinked and led to suppose that the motion would lead to their relief; but if the whole L12,000,000 taxes were removed, what would be the consequence ? The very next time the landowner came to let his land he would charge the full rent, including; the amount thereto- fore paid,for those taxes. Nothing could be more wild than the supposition of the hon. gentleman that the tenant farmers could be so stolid and stupid as not to see through the present attempt. If the hon. gentleman succeeded in adding X6,000,000 to the taxa- tion of the country, another Income-tax would be necessary. The hon. gentleman addressed merchants and manufacturers as if they were the only parties who ought to pay for the packet service and other objects of national concern. But what was it that made the land of England five times more valuable than the land of Poland, though it was in itself no better and produced no better crops ? J. The difference consisted in the enhanced value which arose from the operations of the Birmingham and Manchester manufacturers, and from that commerce which had been stigma- tized as carried on in Liverpool. But for their enterprise, capital, and success, the land of England would be as little worth as that of Poland. Some strange speeches had been delivered within the last two days. A rev. gentleman had spoken of a farm which in 1792 was rented at £700,. though now it brought £ 4,000 a year. To what was that owing, but to the influence of com- merce and manufactures ? The day was coming when justice would be done. ("Hear, hear," from the Opposition benches.) Up to this hour the landed interest had had the control of the expenditure and taxation. Had not their families been pro- vided for by means of taxes raised from the industry of the country ? It was too much to hear other classes taunted, as if no class were of any avail except the landed proprietors. The hon. gentleman did not propose the repeal of the malt-tax. He (Mr. Hume), however, would do so, having consistently main- tained that the malt and hop duties were two of- the worst taxes and having voted some years ago with the majority of the House for the repeal of the malt-tax, though hon. gentlemen opposite a few days after reversed their votes and the decision. In 1821 he moved for the repeal of taxes, to the amount of E,,1,000,000, which were imposed upon salt, leather, candles, and soap. The taxes on the first articles had been repealed, and the soap-tax would also have been repealed, if Lord Monteagle had not made a fool of himself (much laughter). He now wished to repeal taxation to the amount of £ 10,000,000, imposed upon malt, hops, windows, soup, bricks, paper, and other articles; and, when those imposts were removed, he would abolish the Excise department altogether. It was not to be supposed that he could succeed in repealing £ 10,000,000 of taxation all at once, but he would abolish the malt-tax as soon as he could get the farmers on his side (a laugh). Agricultural members who might vote against his resolutions must be prepared to encounter strong opposition at the next general election. The farmers were becoming men of sense, and all that he (Mr. Hume) wanted was that the county members should behave better. He must.observe that the hon. gentleman through- out never said one word about reimposing protection. He took it for granted, therefore, that the hon. gentleman contemplated nothing of the kind. The hon. gentleman spoke of reciprocity. He (Mr. Hume) was for reciprocity also but he could not un- derstand why we should not. take off the duty on our imports, be- cause other countries would not do the same (hear, hear). Let every country attend to her own interests (ironical cheers and laughter.). The hon. gentleman then concluded by moving, after the word "that" in the original resolution, to leave out all the remainder words, and to insert the following :—" If the local taxa- tion of the country presses unequally on real property, or bears with und.ue severity on the occupiers of land, such inequality and undue pressure ought to be removed but, with the view of grant- ing speedy relief to the agricultural and other interests of the country, without detriment to the claims of the national creditor, it is the opinion of this House that the public expenditure, now excessive, ought to be forthwith reduced so as to enable Parlia- ment to repeal totally the Excise duties on malt and hops; and to remove, as far as practicable, other burdens which impede the progress of agriculture and of commercial industry." Al r. BRIGHT seconded the motion. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ihe de- bate was adjourned until Wednesday. Mr. AGLIONBY obtained leave to bring in a bill to effect the compulsory enfranchisemer.t of lands of copyhuld and customary tenure. On the;jnomination of the Select Committee on the Bribery at Elections. Bdi, some rather sharp words were exchanged between Colonel SmTHoRP aod the ATTORNEY GENERAL. The House adjourned at one o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY, MARCH 9. The Royal assent was given, by commission, to the following bills :—The Consolidated Fund Bill, the Vice-Guardians (Ireland) Bill, the Bucks Summer Assizes, and the Commons Enclosure Bill. The commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of C I Lill rde, and the Earl of Shaftesbury.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FRIDAY, MARCH 9. NAVIGATION LAWS. Mr-HERRIES presented a petition, which, however, he could not lift. (An hon. member here raised a huge bundle of paper and placed it upon the table amid the laughter of the House.) It came from the inhabitants of Liverpool, and was signed by 24,700 persons, who prayed the House not to pass the bill for the repeal of the navigation laws (loud cheering from the Protectionists). Sir J. DUKU presented a petition from merchants, bankers, shipowners, artificers, and seamen of the city of London, against the repeal of the navigation laws, to which were attached the sig- natures of 20,759 persons. (This announcement, as well as the production of the petition, which was id most as bulky as that presented by Mr. Herries, was received with renewed cheering from the Opposition benches.) Several other petitions were also presented for and against the measure, after which, Mr. HERRIES rose to oppose its further progress, and to move that it should be read a second time that day six months, objecting as he did to its principle as well as its details. The interval since last session had afforded time for considering this measure, and the result had been a vast body of opinions and of evidence ad- verse to its policy. He examined the reasons assigned for the change by Mr. Labouchere, and contended that the advantages sought to be obtained by their abolition would not compensate for the loss the mercantile marine would inevitably suffer. Mr. J, WILSON, in replying to the objections of Mr. Herries, protested against the opinions expressed in the petitions, however numerously signed, being accepted as conclusive evidence of the sentiments out of doors and then travelled in the route of Mr. Herries'a arguments, pointing out his errors and misapprehensions, and appealing to recent declarations of opinion in the West Indies in favour of tin's measure, and to the fact that many of the foreign commercial States had actually granted a perfectly free trade. Mr. Wilson, then entered into copious details showing the benefi- cial action of free trade and the removal of restrictions, which, though exposing our merchants to competition, had augmented the aggregate,commerce of the country and asked why the shipping interest should be exempted from a rivalry which all other in- terests we to compelled to encounter. He then proved the little real importance which the Navigation Laws were to the British shipowner, who, by the very policy of those laws, was exposed to competition.in the long voyage trade m every country where com- petition was most injurious to him and that all the tests which had been applied to tne question showed the full ability of British shipowners to compete wick the foreign; even in the American trade British ships had increased more rapidly than the Americau. He enumerated the many advantages and the few risks likely to result from the repeal of the Navigation Laws, which were a pal- pable, well-defined evil. r The Marquis of GRANBY said the question really was whether ;he Bi-i-ill shipowner could compete with foreigners if he could Z, lot, the House would not do right, merely because it had adopted he principle of free-trade, to apply that principle to his ruin and t w..s shown by the evidence before the Lords' Committee, that >Um^ v^vners could not mninta'irvsuch a competition. Mr. CURDWELL, although he could not share in the gloomy ap- prehensions of Mr. Herries and the Marquis of Granby, felt anxi- ety in approaching this question, considering what was due to the great mercantile interests of this country and the colonies. He warned the House of the danger of not taking timely steps \(h regard to what was called the "long voyage clause," which some of the witnesses before the Lords' committee regarded as one of the fundamental principles of the Navigation Laws; and he showed. the effect of maintaining that clause in defeating the policy of the warehousing system, and robbing us of a large share of the com- merce of the world. Mr. HENLEY expressed his astonishment that Mr. CardweH, instead of removing the anomalies to which he had adverted, should propose to sweep away these laws altogether—a process of reason- ing he could not understand. The experiment of free trade had not been sufficiently tried to justify the application of that prin- ciple to another great interest, which involved not only capital and industry, but the national defence. On the motion of Mr. GLADSTONE, the debate was adjourned until Monday, to which day the House adjourned at twelve o'clock. ————

HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY, MARCH 12. Lord BEAUMONT called the attention of the House to the case of Mr. Cotter, a British subject, who had been arrested by the Spanish Government at Cadiz and deported to Manilla. Lord EDDISBURY explained that Mr. Cotter had entered into the service of the Queen of Spain, and thereby forfeited his clairti to be considered a British subject. He had only been treated as any other Spanish subject might expect to be treated under the circumstances, and the British Government had not thought it ne- cessary to interfere in his behalf. Some other business was then disposed of. and their lordtlrlpx adjourned. ————

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY, MARCH 12. THE NAVIGATION LAWS. The adjourned debate was resumed on the second reading of the bill for the repeal of the navigation laws. Mr. GLADSTONE said he could have no hesitation in voting for this bill,, being convinced that the time had arrived when Parlia- ment ought definitively to consider this question, and being pie- pared to assent to a great change in our navigation laws. Tile change itself being justified, be next discussed the manner of making it, and here he differed from many supporters of the mea- sure. If the British shipowner was to be forced into unlimited competition with the foreigner, in the first place he should be re- lieved from every peculiar burden the timber duty should be reduced, the law should be altered as to the manning of his ships, and whatever burden of a political or fiscal nature pressed upon him should be unconditionally removed. In the next place the British shipowner should be secured an entrance into ports whore he is now excluded, as a compensation for the admission 01 foreigners into our own. He therefore advocated a conditional relaxation, not an abrogation, of these laws, on the model of the policy of the United States, not by means of treaties of reciprocity —his objection to this bill being that it would entangle us in the meshes of reciprocity treaties—but by orders in Council, or bv more direct enactments, granting to the vessels of foreign States the same privileges which those States granted to ours. Mr, ROBINSON, although he did not believe, if their particular burdens were removed, British shipowners would be able to com- pete with foreigners, reminded the House that they were. called upon to give up these laws without any assurance that such an equivalent wouid be secured to them. Mr. CLAY, Mr. HORNBY, Mr. WARREN, Mr. C. BRUCE, Mr. R. C. HILDYARD, Admiral BOWLES, and Mr. DRUMVOND opnoserl the bill. Mr, MITCHELL, Mr. WILCOX, and Mr. J. L, RICARTJO u supported it. Mr. LABOUCHERE said, the principle of the measure was tie virtual abandonment of the system of restriction as applied to the navigation of this country. There were details of the utmost con- sequence, respecting which he should be ready t ) listen to any suggestions consistent with the principle. He then repeated what he had before described as the three fundamental principles unou which the Navigation Laws rested, declaring that the more he considered the subject, the more lie was assured that it was ne- cessary for the general interests of the country, and for the mer- cantile interest itself, that these laws should be' examined, in order to see whether the restrictive principle did not threaten them with the greatest amount of evil. Mr. Labouchere went over much of the ground he had passed when introducing the measure, repb'^o- as he proceeded to Mr. Herries and other opponents of the^biiT,' and proving how baseless was the terror that our ship-builders would be ruined by encountering foreign competition. He should deeply regret if the House should adopt the principle of condi- tional legislation or strict reciprocity, suggested by Mr. Gladstone, which would make foreigners legislators for this country. Re- taliation" was not reciprocity and Mr. Labouchere showed how ineffectually this self-acting principle would work, and how it would complicate our commercial system. He admitted that H. great commercial navy was the only security for a great military navy but if this measure was calculated to increase our com- merce, it would thereby foster our military navy. After a few words from the members for Birmingham. Mr MUNTZ in opposition, and Mr. SCHOLEFIELD in favour of the LJl, the House èivided- I For Mr. Herries's amendment 210 Against it 266 1 Majority for the Government the announcement of the numbers was received with e-reaf. Cueering by the Opposition. ° The bill was then read a second time. The following members voted for the billViscount Arhre, R. Blewitt, Sir R. Bulkeley, Sir J. Guest. Sir J. Hanmer, f:r T. F. Lewis, David Morris, E. Mostyn, Lord G. Pager, J. 1-1' Vivian Col. Watkins, F. R. West, John Williams. Against itW. Bagot, D.A. S. Davies, Howel Gwyn, IV. B. Hughes, O. Morgan, Col. Pennant, Col. Powell, David' Pug}/ Capt. Somerset, R. Richards, C. li. Talbot, G. Trevor Sh"V Walsh.. The other orders of the day were then disposed Df, and the House adjourned at a quarter to 1 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY, MAR. 13. DUBLIN CONSOLIDATION IMPROVEMENT, W ATER- WORKS' AND SEWKRS' BILL. On the motion foT the second reading of this bill, Mr. REYNOLDS observed that the bill was an attempt to perpe- tuate a most unprincipled job. It was an attempt on the par! of an attorney, the sole promoter of the bill,-to obtain, under the sanction of an Act of Parliament, payment of a large and unjust bill of costs. After some discussion the House divided, when there appeared- for the motion no Against it 100—10 The further progress of the bill was then adjourned for a fn- night.

EASTERN UNION AND EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAYS. On the motion that the Eastern Union and Eastern Counties Railway Companies (amendments of Acts, and power to lease, sell, or amalgamate to or with the Eastern Counties Railway Company) Bill be read a second time, Mr. AGLIONBY moved an amendment, that it be read that day six months, which, at the request of Mr. Bume, waf; withdrawn. Mr. Hume then moved that the second reading be postponed for a month. The House divided, when there appeared— For the second reading 113 Fortheatnendmeiit. 5t Majority 79 The Bill was accordingly read a second time, and ordered to be committed.

SCHLESWIG HOLSTEIN. Mr. GEORGE SXNDARS v, iihel to ak Viscount Palmersto". as the armistice between the Danish and Russian Governments on the affairs of the Schleswig Holstein is to cease on the 26th install-, and as there exists great desire on the part of the merchant trading to the Elbe and the ports of the Baltic to know the prt- sent state of the question, how the question stands, and whether. after the 26th inst., he anticipates a renewal of hostilities, and a blockading of the ports under the German c Confederation and if so, whether the property of British merchants, in either British or foreign ships, will be held free from capture and forfeiture. Lord PALMERSTON said the question which the honourable member had put to him was one of great importance to this country and the commerce of Northern Europe. It was true that the Danish Government had given notice to terminate the ice on the 26th of the present month, but in that notice the pardes concerned had at the same time declared in writing that it was not their intention to commence hosii.ities, and their object in termi nating the aunistice was rather to express a wish to make soms different arrangement with regard to the-Provisional Government of the Duchies of Schleswig F] o"sleiii. With regard to the present position of the riegociation, all that he could say was, that Govern- ment were favouring the endeavour to bring the two parties to an uadeistand ng not merely upon the points with regard to the sus- pension of hostilities, but with regard to the basis upon whieh the permanent arrangement should be concluded (hear). He was convinced that the spirit which animated both parties, if it lasted would ere long induce them to come to a good understanding upon their affairs (cheers)..