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under the special notice of Ministers. The | removed. At any rate, whatever might legal price to be given for dead bodies be the mischief likely to arise from the would, under this Bill, act as a premium to legalized sale of dead bodies, the prejudice needy people to neglect their relatives. against it must be removed by reflecting on What would be much more beneficial than the still greater mischief of not endeavouranything contained in this Bill, would being, at least, to put a stop to the frightful to throw open the hospitals throughout practices which had lately prevailed in England, instead of suffering them to be London. monopolized as they now were. He himself knew, some years ago, and he had been recently again informed upon the best authority, that the conduct of the young students in the dissecting-room was too often perfectly disgusting-too disgusting to be described even in an assembly like that, composed as it was entirely of men. He regretted, that the Mover of this Bill had not been able to devise a better plan to accomplish his object, for there were many clauses in the Bill which he should feel bound to oppose. They ought not to be satisfied with saying that the relative of a party might give his body up for dissection if the party himself had not forbidden it, but they ought to insist upon the party's mark or signature, made in the presence of two witnesses, to prove such assent; for there could be no doubt that the poverty-stricken wretch, who would wish to dispose of the dead body of a relative, would take care not to let his expressed desire to the contrary be known. The Attorney General thought, that the hon. Gentleman was mistaken in supposing that his hon. and learned friend opposite could have meant to say that this Bill did not give executors greater powers than they now possessed. He recollected a case in which a party was convicted and brought up before the Judges of the King's Bench, and punished for having part of a dead body in his possession. The hon. member for Preston appeared to require some new law to be passed to prevent the practice of Burking;" but what kind of law would he have? Burking" was murder, the punishment for which was as great as possible. The difficulty with respect to " Burking" was its detection; it was generally found, that the more severe was the punishment for an offence, in the same degree was the difficulty in detecting it. The obvious and only mode of preventing this crime was, to take away the motive or inducement to it; and that could only be done by diminishing the price of subjects. At present, medical men must pay for the murder as well as for the corpse; but by making the corpse, in future, easily procurable, all temptation to murder would be

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Mr. Warburton said, he should very shortly reply to some of the observations which had been made on the present occasion, without going into any detail with respect to the principle of the measure. He had heard it remarked, that he had brought forward this Bill in thin Houses, but hon. Members must know how difficult it was, except upon matters of great public or political interest, for any individual, bringing forward a measure, to obtain a large assembly of Members; and when those matters of public interest were brought forward, they engrossed and absorbed the whole time of the House; so that, unless advantage were taken of such evenings as the present, it was vain for any private individual to attempt to originate a legislative enactment. The hon. Baronet (Sir Robert Inglis) had said, that he had made no introductory statement with respect to the Bill; but this had been done when it was first introduced, and he had then fully explained the principal clause-which allowed permission to be given for the anatomical examination of a body, except where the party himself desired that such an examination should not take place, or the nearest known relative of the deceased should refuse his consent to such dissection. He did not think that he could go further towards consulting the wishes and feelings of individuals; and these clauses, it must be remembered, applied to the rich as well as to the poor; although, no doubt, the bodies of the poor would be more numerous than those of the rich, because the poor were in greater numbers than the rich; but the principle of the Bill applied equally to both. Although he had not been successful in founding a Bill upon the Report of a Committee of 1829, he was happy to observe that the labours of that Committee had not been entirely useless; for the Representatives of the free Republican States of Massachusetts having appointed a Committee to inquire into the subject, that Committee had quoted largely from their report, in that which they themselves had made; and, ultimately, a bill was founded upon their report, without its being considered that injury was done to the feelings of any

part of the community by provision being made to the Court of Directors, and inmade for this want of subjects. People structions were sent out by them to the talked of science as a matter of curiosity-government of India, recommending the for the mere gratification of those who had abolition of these laws. He had no doubt, leisure, rather than as one of the noblest therefore, that due attention would be paid and most beneficial acquirements of man; to the subject by the present Governorthey talked as if surgery were like astro- general. Should, however, the object for nomy, or mathematics, and as if it were not which the petitioners prayed, not be ata matter of absolute necessity that means tained in consequence of what had already should be provided for curing the wounds passed upon the subject, the question might and injuries to which the bodies of the poor be brought before their Lordships when were liable as well as the rich. The latter the great question respecting the renewal would always be able to pay for the very of the Company's Charter came under their best treatment; and if it were necessary consideration. that a medical student should go to France or Germany to complete his anatomical education, they could defray the expense consequent upon his so doing; but if the wounds and injuries of the poor were to be cured, the means by which those who are to attend them are to acquire their knowledge must be rendered cheap and accessible. He would beg leave to conclude the few observations he had thought it necessary to make, in reply to what had fallen from hon. Gentlemen, with this general remark, that, as long as the Judges found it necessary to inflict punishment for transactions such as those which had been adverted to in the debate, so long would it be necessary for the Members of the Legislature to consider whether the evils arising out of the law could not be remedied by enactments of their own.

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INDIA LAWS RELATING TO PROPERTY.] Lord Bexley presented a Petition from the Ministers of the Presidency of Bombay, praying for an alteration in the administration of the Hindoo and Mohammedan laws of property and inheritance; the prayer of which, he considered particularly deserving the attention of their Lordships. He was aware that notice had been already drawn to this subject, inasmuch as the matter had been brought before the Committee which sat upon the affairs of India about two years ago; and in consequence of the report which emanated from that Committee, a representation was

Lord Ellenborough did not rise to oppose the prayer of the petition; but he thought it was within the power of the local government of India to do all that the petitioners required. It was particularly desirable, in his opinion, that every question which it might be necessary to discuss, with reference to the production of ultimate benefit to India, should be considered separately, and not be deferred until they came to consider the greater question of the Charter; as he was fully convinced, that in determining what should be the future system of government with regard to India, and the nature of our management respecting the China trade, their Lordships would have subjects, in themselves sufficiently important, to occupy their undivided attention.

Lord Bexley did not wish to defer the consideration of this question until the subjects of the Charter and the China trade should come under the consideration of their Lordships; indeed, he had stated, that he understood orders had been already transmitted to the local government on this question. All he intended to say was, that in the event of the prayer of the petition not being attended to in the meantime, the subject might be brought forward on the occasion alluded to, should it be found

necessary.

Petition to lie on the Table.

TREATY FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF BELGIUM.] The Earl of Aberdeen said, their Lordships would, no doubt, recollect, that on the opening of the present Session, his Majesty in the Speech from the Throne had stated, that a Convention had been concluded between the five great Powers, for the arrangement of the affairs between Holland and Belgium, and that it should be laid upon the Table of the House so soon as ratifications were exchanged. The Convention was dated the 15th of Ncvember, and it was now a matter of the

most perfect notoriety that no ratifications | by a misnomer, was designated the Treaty had been, up to that moment, exchanged; of Reciprocity-a treaty which he was sure although such ratifications ought to have would be regarded by the French only so taken place on the 15th of the present long as their interests required its aid. He month. It was also well known, that his would give notice, that he would on an Majesty's Government had agreed to extend early day, move for some Returns which the time for that expected change of ratifi- would direct their Lordships' attention, not cations, but he must be permitted to say, to the whole of that momentous subject, that he felt some satisfaction that such an but to that portion which wrought, and event had not taken place, for he enter- was likely to work so much injury, and be tained the strongest objections to the productive of so many grievances to the principle upon which that Convention was shipping interest in this country. He would founded, and he had no doubt, that if some day next week bring the subject carried into effect, its operation would be under the consideration of the House. attended with injustice. It was therefore with much pleasure that he observed, there was still time to express an opinion upon the terms of that Convention, and should then give notice that on that day week he would submit a motion to their Lordships on the subject.

SLAVE TRADE.] Viscount Strangford called the attention of the House to that part of his Majesty's Speech which related to our foreign policy, and referred to a Convention which had been entered into between this country and France for the abolition of the Slave-trade, copies of which were likewise to be laid before the House. Parliament met on the 6th of December, and by a strong figure of speech it was said, they met for the despatch of business. Why they had been called together at so unusual a time, he confessed he did not know, unless it was in obedience to the mandates of the Press and the Political Unions. However, during the time the House sat before Christmas, its proceedings were neither so numerous nor so important, as to prevent their taking into consideration a subject of so much importance as that to which he alluded, yet nothing of the sort had been done, nor any reason given, why the Convention was not laid on the Table of the House. He wished, therefore, to learn from noble Lords opposite, how soon they might expect to have that document, for it was one upon which he was desirous of submitting his views to the House? He would now, however, say thus much, that we ought to pause before we formed new engagements with France, while the old remained unfulfilled; and he could not but confess himself one of those who doubted the utility of treaties with France relative to maritime and commercial affairs; and he, for one, founded this doubt upon the non-execution of all the articles and stipulations contained in that which,

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Thursday, January 19, 1832. MINUTES.] Bills brought in. By Mr. SPRING RICE, more

effectually preventing Embezzlement by Public Servants, and to Consolidate the Laws relating to Permits. By the LORD ADVOCATE, for the making Provision for the Despatch of Business in the Scotch Exchequer Court. Returns ordered. On the Motion of Mr. CROKER, the Amount of Assessed Taxes paid in different Counties; and the registered Shipping of the different Ports of the United Kingdom: On the Motion of Mr. SPRING RICE, of all Exchequer-bills issued between 5th January, 1831, and 5th January, 1832; and for all such to be issued, charged on the Supplies of 1832; an account of all Half-pay Pensions, and Allowances to be paid by the East-India Company to his Majesty's Forces serving in India between 5th April, 1832, and 5th April, 1833; an account of Money in the Exchequer, and remaining to be received, to complete the year accounts up to 5th January, 1852:-On the Motion of Mr. CROKER, a comparative statement of the Population of each County in the United Kingdom, and the number of Members to be sent by each according to the Reform Bill, and a Return of the last year's Revenue for England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, respectively, distinguishing the Customs, Excise, Stamp, and Assessed Taxes for each, and an account of the Custom duties collected in, and the amount of registered Shipping, belonging to the several Ports of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, who were to return Members by the Reform Bill:-On the Motion of Mr. HERRIES, Copies of all Communications between the Governments of this country and the Netherlands relating to the payment of the Russian Loan:-On the Motion of Mr. Alderman THOMPSON, of the Expenses incurred in equipping his Majesty's Ships Romney and Ceylon, for Troop Ships, and the comparative Estimate of their maintenauce with hired Ships of the same tonnage. Petitions presented. By Mr. CRAMPTON, from the Catholic Tradesmen, and Catholic Householders of Galway, for a provision in the Irish Reform Bill to preserve the peculiar franchise of that place. By Mr. HUNT, from the Members of the North-western Metropolitan Political Union, for the Repeal of the Assessed Taxes.

GENERAL REGISTRY OF DEEDS.] Mr. Strickland presented a Petition from Hedon, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, against the Registry Bill, which the petitioners alleged would create great expense and its operation be attended with considerable risk and delay. They particularly complained of that provision in the Bill, which prevented the officers of the Registry being personally liable in cases of mal practices. He could

distinctly affirm, that public opinion in the counties of York and Somerset, was decidedly opposed to the whole machinery of the proposed Bill.

Sir Edward Sugden hoped, that his hon. and learned friend, the member for Stafford, would postpone the further consideration of this Bill, until the House had disposed of the Reform Bill. Whilst the Reform Bill was under discussion he was certain that this Bill could not undergo a sufficient discussion.

Mr. Campbell could not consent to postpone the further progress of this Bill. He was most anxious for a full and early discussion of it, for it had been strangely misunderstood. He considered it to be a subject which called for the early consideration of the House.

Mr. Cresset Pelham hoped that the hon. and learned Gentleman would not persevere in pressing this Bill at present on the House.

Mr. Hume expressed a contrary hope. He trusted that his hon. and learned friend would press this Bill forward on all fitting occasions.

Mr. Cutlar Fergusson advised his hon. and learned friend to press forward the Bill, notwithstanding the admonition of his hon. and learned friend, the member for St. Mawes. It was not to be tolerated that the Reform Bill should be made to stop all the other business of the country.

Mr. Daniel Whittle Harvey said, the Bill ought to undergo a thorough investigation before it was adopted, but as it was the parent of all the other bills to effect improvements in the laws relating to real property, he hoped that it would be carried forward without delay.

Sir Edward Sugden said, he was only anxious for so much delay as would enable the country gentlemen fully to understand and appreciate the nature of a Bill which particularly affected them. It ought not to be exclusively left to lawyers to argue it, nor should the laws of the land be altered without having as much information as could be procured upon every subject. The hon. member for Colchester was in error, in saying, this Bill was the parent of other bills; it really had very little connexion with them.

Petition to be printed.

GLOVE TRADE.] Mr. Crampton presented a Petition from the Glove Manufacturers of Milborne Port, against the importation of French Gloves. The petitioners

stated, that since that importation had been permitted, the English glove manufacturers were reduced to a state of unprecedented distress. The trade had suffered so much depression during the last year, that prices had fallen from twelve to fifteen per cent; in consequence of which the present prices were scarcely adequate to pay for the bare manufacture of the articles. The petitioners represented, that their trade was one of a domestic nature, and was carried on in such a way as to prevent the necessity of children being separated from their parents. The petitioners attributed the depression of their trade, entirely to the importation of French gloves; and they considered this country was not able to undersell the produce of foreign markets. They further stated, that unless the Legislature afforded them some protection, they must leave the country or be reduced to the last extremity. The gentlemen whose names were affixed to the petition, employed not less than 500 persons each; and he was sorry to state, that within a very short period they had been obliged to diminish their work by at least one-third; the consequence of which was, that a number of persons were thrown out of employ, many of whom were already in the workhouse. The petitioners concluded by praying, that the importation of foreign gloves might be prohibited. This was a subject of great difficulty; but he certainly hoped, that some measure might be devised, to afford these petitioners relief, and which at the same time, might be compatible with those great principles of unshackled commerce, which had been for some time pursued, and he further trusted, that such relief might be given without detriment to the public revenue.

Mr. Hunt regretted, that he did not see the hon. members for Worcester and Woodstock in their places as he wished to address them particularly, because he was constantly receiving letters from those places, and from Yeovil, complaining of the distress under which the glove trade laboured. Unhappily, these towns, which for so many years, had ranked among the most prosperous in England, had now become the most miserable, and he had, therefore, hoped, the Members of the two former places at least, would have attended on this occasion.

Mr. Hume hoped, that the petitioners would not allow themselves to be led away by the representations which had been made to them, as to the cause of their present

condition. He would ask them, when tioners, to show that the prevailing system they complained of the pressure under of free-trade had been the cause of their which they laboured, to say, what branch distress. But it was a notorious fact, that of our manufactures was not in a distressed a very large quantity of French gloves was state. His great object was, to direct their imported into this country, and he appreattention to the proper cause of their dis- hended, that it was not for the petitioners tress, and to remove from their minds the to make out a case, but for hon. Gentlemen impression, that if this trade were thrown who supported the principles of free-trade, open to-morrow, it would in any degree and who upheld the system which had aid their return to a more prosperous con- permitted this large foreign importation, to dition. With the sentiments which he prove that the present policy operated beentertained on the subject, he did hope the neficially to the home manufacturers. House would suspend their opinion for the present; because, when the persons interested in this trade, brought the matter fully under the consideration of the House, he conceived they were bound to make out a case to shew that what they complained of had been created by the freetrade system. He was satisfied, that no alteration which could be effected in our present commercial policy would benefit the glove-trade and that the cause of its present stagnation did not originate in the adoption of the system of free-trade.

Mr. Warburton had been requested by persons interested in the glove-trade at Yeovil to support the prayer of the petition; and, so far as it prayed for relief, he had no objection to do so. But he apprehended, that no Gentleman in that House, whatever interest he represented whether agriculture, manufactures, or commerce-would support a proposition for extending relief to one body of persons exclusively, to the prejudice of the general interests of the country. The whole of the manufacturing interests were suffering under pressure-for instance, the iron trade. This country exported her iron to the whole world, in various shapes; and yet no branch of her commerce suffered greater distress. The petitioners ought not to delude themselves by erroneous conjectures as to the origin of their present depression, and ascribe it to free-trade: because, before the present system was introduced, smuggling had been carried on to an immense extent. What the circumstances were which had led to the existing depreciation of our trade, he would not stop to explain; but he was persuaded that, so far from the distress of the petitioners being removed by the adoption of a prohibitory system, such a course would only aggravate the evil.

Sir Richard Vyvyan felt it to be impossible to allow one observation of the hon. member for Middlesex to pass unnoticed, as that hon. Gentleman had said, that a case could not be made out by the peti

Mr. Sanford was glad to hear the observations which had just been made by hon. Gentlemen who had spoken on the petition; because, during the last Session, the hon. member for Worcester had moved for a Committee to inquire into the causes of the distress under which the glove-trade laboured, which had not been granted, and he regretted this, as he was sure many persons could be found competent to prove whether the country had been benefitted or not by the present system. The present condition of the manufacturers was such as to force the consideration of the different systems upon the attention of the Legislature.

Mr. Spring Rice said, he had the honour of recently receiving a deputation of gentlemen connected with the glove-trade, who had stated the great difficulties under which they laboured, and had endeavoured to convince him that no other remedy could be devised to lessen their distress than the prohibition of foreign gloves. They had asked, whether there existed any insuperable objection to revert to the old system? Then a doubt arose, whether it would be possible to put down smuggling to such an extent as to protect the manufacturer? Or whether it was possible to prevent the continual intercourse between the dealers in the two countries in England and France; upon this view of the case, the gentleman suggested schemes to protect themselves by. To all their suggestions, the utmost attention was given, and many communications took place in consequence, between them and the Government, and the ultimate result was, he believed, that the parties were satisfied that any prohibitory system, instead of lessening would only aggravate the evils they laboured under, because smuggling would, of necessity, increase to an amazing extent. With regard to stamping gloves, it was made quite clear, that forged stamps would speedily be fabricated, and thus the invention would become useless. He had only to add, that there existed on the part of

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