rendered in the suppression of the After some further discussion of The second reading, accordingly, being proposed on the day appointed, the Bishop of Oxford moved that it be read a second France were co-operating with us; even in Cuba and the Brazils a feeling had arisen that exclusion from our market on account of the slavetrade was injurious to the slaveowning countries. He expressed his deep regret to find that, just as the goal was in view, a measure should be proposed, the inevitable effect of which would be to reopen the slave-trade in all its horrors. The Bishop of London seconded the amendment. The result of his consideration of the arguments which had been addressed to their lordships on the first reading of the Bill was, that if this measure passed, it would sanction the slavetrade, the abolition of which was one of the brightest features in the history of this country. His right reverend friend had shown, that if we were to have a large increase of the quantity of sugar, it must be by a large increase in the number of slaves imported into Brazil and Cuba. The number was now 150,000 per annum, and if we were to have 30,000 tons more of sugar, that could only be supplied by 30,000 additional slaves and the number of slaves imported into sugar-growing countries was no measure of the evils inflicted, inasmuch as for every additional slave two would die in the middle passage, or in the seasoning. From 60,000 to 80,000 human beings would, therefore, be hurried into eternity, after suffering cruel torments. Feeling that the real prosperity, the honour, and the welfare of this country were involved in this measure, he could not acquiesce in it, believing in his heart that it would fix a stain on this country which no future legislation would remove. The Marquis of Lansdowne complimented the Bishop of Oxford upon the eloquence he had displayed, observing, that upon this question the right reverend prelate had peculiar claims to the attention of their lordships. After replying briefly to some of the remarks of the bishop, the noble marquis observed, that it was the opinion of those conversant with the subject, that by freedom of trade, and a liberal and generous policy as far as commerce was concerned, bringing with it an increase of moral and religious feelings, an impulse would be given to free labour. He could not but consider the scarcity of petitions against the Bill a most decisive proof that, in the opinion of the country, this measure was not retrogressive; otherwise, instead of half-a-dozen petitions presented against it in the last few weeks, the table would have been covered with them. He hailed this as a proof that the country did not participate in the fears of the two right reverend prelates, and that the people believed that not only would the interests of commerce be extended by this measure, but that, ultimately, in connection with it, the moral feelings of mankind would lead to a final euthanasia of slavery. Their lordships then divided, when the numbers were CHAPTER VII. Miscellaneous Measures-The Government propose to renew the Irish Arms Bill-Dissatisfaction excited by this announcement-Explanation of the Secretary for Ireland-Debate on the Second ReadingRemarks of Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Hume, Mr. B. Escott, Mr. B. Osborne, Mr. T. Duncombe, and other Members-Lord Morpeth and Lord John Russell intimate a willingness to make concessions—The Second Reading is carried by a majority of 33-On a subsequent evening Lord John Russell announces the determination of the Government to abandon the Measure-Distress in Ireland occasioned by the recurring failure of the Potato Crop-Lord John Russell proposes a measure for the employment of the population in Public Works-Explanation of the Ministerial scheme in detail-Remarks of Mr. D. Browne, Mr. Williams, Mr. Labouchere, the Earl of Lincoln, and other Members-The Public Works Bill passes the Commons, and is introduced in the House of Lords by the Marquis of LansdowneSpeeches of Lord Monteagle, the Earl of Wicklow, and other Peers— Declaration of Lord Lansdowne respecting out-door relief-Further discussions in Parliament respecting the impending scarcity in Ireland -Speeches of the Earls of Roden and Clarendon, and of Mr. Dillon Browne and Mr. Labouchere-Flogging in the Army and Military Reform-Tendency of public opinion on this subject-Captain Layard moves an Address to the Crown praying for an Inquiry, with a view to limiting the period of enlistment-His Speech on moving the Address -Speeches of Mr. Fox Maule and other Members-The Motion is postponed An order is issued from the Commander-in-Chief limiting the Sentences of Courts Martial to fifty lashes-Lord John Russell makes a statement upon the subject-Dr. Bowring moves a Resolution in favour of the total abolition of flogging--Speeches of Captain Layard, Mr. B. Osborne, Colonel Peel, Colonel Reid, Mr. Wakley, Mr. Fox Maule, and other Members-Dr. Bowring's Motion is rejected by a large majority-Statement of the Duke of Wellington in the House of Lords on the subject of the recent order-Occupation of Cracow by the Austrian Government-Lord Beaumont moves_for papers relating thereto-Speeches of the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Kinnaird, and the Duke of Wellington-Mr. Hume makes a similar Motion in the House of Commons-Speeches of Mr. Milnes and of Lord Palmerston-Sees of St. Asaph and Bangor-Earl Powis brings in a Bill to rescind the proposed union-Debate on the Second Reading— VOL. LXXXVIII. [0] France were co-operating with us; even in Cuba and the Brazils a feeling had arisen that exclusion from our market on account of the slavetrade was injurious to the slaveowning countries. He expressed his deep regret to find that, just as the goal was in view, a measure should be proposed, the inevitable effect of which would be to reopen the slave-trade in all its horrors. The Bishop of London seconded the amendment. The result of his consideration of the arguments which had been addressed to their lordships on the first reading of the Bill was, that if this measure passed, it would sanction the slavetrade, the abolition of which was one of the brightest features in the history of this country. His right reverend friend had shown, that if we were to have a large increase of the quantity of sugar, it must be by a large increase in the number of slaves imported into Brazil and Cuba. The number was now 150,000 per annum, and if we were to have 30,000 tons more of sugar, that could only be supplied by 30,000 additional slaves and the number of slaves imported into sugar-growing countries was no measure of the evils inflicted, inasmuch as for every additional slave two would die in the middle passage, or in the seasoning. From 60,000 to 80,000 human beings would, therefore, be hurried into eternity, after suffering cruel torments. Feeling that the real prosperity, the honour, and the welfare of this country were involved in this measure, he could not acquiesce in it, believing in his heart that it would fix a stain on this country which no future legislation would remove. The Marquis of Lansdowne complimented the Bishop of Oxford upon the eloquence he had displayed, observing, that upon this question the right reverend prelate had peculiar claims to the attention of their lordships. After replying briefly to some of the remarks of the bishop, the noble marquis observed, that it was the opinion of those conversant with the subject, that by freedom of trade, and a liberal and generous policy as far as commerce was concerned, bringing with it an increase of moral and religious feelings, an impulse would be given to free labour. He could not but consider the scarcity of petitions against the Bill a most decisive proof that, in the opinion of the country, this measure was not retrogressive; otherwise, instead of half-a-dozen petitions presented against it in the last few weeks, the table would have been covered with them. hailed this as a proof that the country did not participate in the fears of the two right reverend prelates, and that the people believed that not only would the interests of commerce be extended by this measure, but that, ultimately, in connection with it, the moral feelings of mankind would lead to a final euthanasia of slavery. He Their lordships then divided, when the numbers were— For the original question 28 10 CHAPTER VII. Miscellaneous Measures-The Government propose to renew the Irish Arms Bill-Dissatisfaction excited by this announcement-Explanation of the Secretary for Ireland-Debate on the Second ReadingRemarks of Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Hume, Mr. B. Escott, Mr. B. Osborne, Mr. T. Duncombe, and other Members-Lord Morpeth and Lord John Russell intimate a willingness to make concessions—The Second Reading is carried by a majority of 33-On a subsequent evening Lord John Russell announces the determination of the Government to abandon the Measure-Distress in Ireland occasioned by the recurring failure of the Potato Crop-Lord John Russell proposes a measure for the employment of the population in Public Works-Explanation of the Ministerial scheme in detail-Remarks of Mr. D. Browne, Mr. Williams, Mr. Labouchere, the Earl of Lincoln, and other Members-The Public Works Bill passes the Commons, and is introduced in the House of Lords by the Marquis of Lansdowne— Speeches of Lord Monteagle, the Earl of Wicklow, and other PeersDeclaration of Lord Lansdowne respecting out-door relief-Further discussions in Parliament respecting the impending scarcity in Ireland -Speeches of the Earls of Roden and Clarendon, and of Mr. Dillon Browne and Mr. Labouchere-Flogging in the Army and Military Reform-Tendency of public opinion on this subject-Captain Layard moves an Address to the Crown praying for an Inquiry, with a view to limiting the period of enlistment-His Speech on moving the Address -Speeches of Mr. Fox Maule and other Members-The Motion is postponed An order is issued from the Commander-in-Chief limiting the Sentences of Courts Martial to fifty lashes-Lord John Russell makes a statement upon the subject-Dr. Bowring moves a Resolution in favour of the total abolition of flogging--Speeches of Captain Layard, Mr. B. Osborne, Colonel Peel, Colonel Reid, Mr. Wakley, Mr. Fox Maule, and other Members-Dr. Bowring's Motion is rejected by a large majority-Statement of the Duke of Wellington in the House of Lords on the subject of the recent order-Occupation of Cracow by the Austrian Government-Lord Beaumont moves for papers relating thereto-Speeches of the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Kinnaird, and the Duke of Wellington-Mr. Hume makes a similar Motion in the House of Commons-Speeches of Mr. Milnes and of Lord Palmerston-Sees of St. Asaph and Bangor-Earl Powis brings in a Bill to rescind the proposed union-Debate on the Second ReadingVOL. LXXXVIII. [0] |