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time, let your duly attested and faithful bonds be given, waiting for me, in conjunction with the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, to appoint a time for the opium to be delivered up. Do not indulge in idle expectations, or seek to postpone matters, deferring to repent until its lateness render it ineffectual."

18. The army of the Indus, under Sir John Keane, enters the Pass of the Bolan in their march against Dost Mahomed. They were harassed on their journey by Mehrat Khan, chief of Khelat.

- Mr. Villiers' motion "that the House immediately resolve itself into a committee to take into consideration the law regulating the importation of foreign corn," defeated after a debate extending over five sittings by 342 to 195 votes.

21. Mr. Hume's motion in favour of Household Suffrage rejected by 85 votes to 50.

The Earl of Roden's motion for a Select Committee to inquire into the state of Ireland since 1835, especially with reference to the prevalence of crime in that country, carried against Ministers by a majority of 5. His Lordship contended that sufficient evidence existed of a widely-spread Ribbon conspiracy, and that it had been encouraged by the mistaken policy of the Government.

22.-Superintendent Elliott, having urgent reasons for the withdrawal of confidence in the just and moderate dispositions of the provincial Government, requires that all the ships of her Majesty's subjects at the outer anchorages should proceed forthwith to Hong Kong, and, hoisting their national colours, be prepared to resist every act of aggression on the part of the Chinese Government. On the 25th the Superintendent claimed passports for the English ships and people within three days, and expressed his conviction that the peace between the two countries was in imminent jeopardy. On this the Prefect Choo remarked: "In regard to the style of the address, there is much that cannot be understood. Thus, for instance, the words 'the two countries,' I know not the meaning of. While our Celestial Court has in humble submission to it ten thousand (i.e. all) regions, and the heaven-like goodness of the great Emperor overshadows all, the nation aforesaid and the Americans have, by their trade at Canton during many years, enjoyed, of all those in subjection, the largest measure of favours. And I presume it must be England and America that are conjointly named 'the two countries."

24. Progress of Russia in Central Asia. In order to carry on operations so as to excite the least degree of hostility on the part of foreign Powers, the Emperor to-day approves of the following measures, which had been recommended by a committee to consider and report on an expedition to Khiva: "1. To commence at once the organization of an expedition against Khiva, and to establish the (38)

necessary depots and stations on the route without delay. 2. To conceal the real object of the expedition, which should be given out as a scientific expedition to the Ural Sea. 3. To postpone the departure of the expedition until after the settlement of English matters in Affghanistan in order that the influence and impression of the Russian proceedings might have more weight in Central Asia; and that England, in consequence of her own conquests, might no longer have any ground for calling on the Russian Government for explanations; on no account, however, to delay the expedition later than the spring of 1840. 4. In the event of the expedition terminating successfully, to replace the Khan of Khiva by a trustworthy Kazzák Sultan ; to establish order and security as far as possible; to release all the prisoners, and to give full freedom to the Russian trade, 5. To assign 425,000 silver roubles and 12,000 gold ducats for the expenses of the expedition."

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25.-Two boxes of gold-dust, valued at 5,000/., stolen from the St. Katherine's Docks. In the course of the pleadings today before the Lord Chancellor and Lord Brougham, in the Auchterarder case, Sir Frederick Pollock, who appeared for the Presbytery, complained of interruption on the part of Sir John Campbell, retained on the other side. Lord Brougham said: "The Church of Scotland is founded on a rock the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, much less the sneers of her Majesty's Attorney-General.'

26. A committee of the Chartist Convention appointed to draw up a petition, praying that Mr. John Frost might be reinstated as magistrate.

Died, in Vauxhall-bridge-road, London, aged 67, Captain Johnson, who, in 1809, was taken out of prison, where he was confined for smuggling, in order to pilot the English fleet of the Walcheren expedition into Flushing harbour. For this service he received a pension of 100l. per annum, upon condition that he should refrain from smuggling.

27. In compliance with threatening remonstrances from the Governor of Canton, Superintendent Elliott, at present forcibly detained, issues an order for the surrender of all opium owned by merchants belonging to this country, and on behalf of his Government declares himself responsible for the value of the cargoes. Half the quantity delivered up was given over to the Chinese, and destroyed at The remaining half, amounting 20,283 chests, was given up in May. The total value was computed at 3,000,000l.

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The defeat of the Government on Irish affairs in the House of Lords tending to weaken the executive, Lord John Russell intimates his intention of submitting the question to the Commons on the earliest convenient day after the recess 15th April.

April 1.-Public meeting in Edinburgh to support the Ministry. The Chartists mustered in great force, and succeeded in ejecting the Lord Provost from the chair, after which they passed a series of resolutions opposed to those originally intended.

A riot at Devizes, arising out of a Chartist demonstration. Vincent and others entered the town at the head of about 1,000 men, armed with bludgeons, and attempted to address them in the market-place. The populace rose against the agitators, and but for the interference of the civil authorities serious results were likely to happen.

6. Great dinner to Mr. Macready by the Shakspeare Club.

9. Mr. Labouchere obtains leave to bring in a bill to make temporary provision for the government of Jamaica, the House of Assembly having refused to proceed to business until their right to legislate on the internal affairs of the colony was admitted by the British Government. It was now proposed to set aside the House of Assembly, and to empower the Government and Council, aided by three salaried Commissioners, to administer the affairs of the island for five years. This step gave rise to much opposition on the part of Jamaica proprietors in this country, and in a short time a strong party was formed in Parliament opposed to it.

11.-Died at Greenock, John Galt, novelist, aged 60.

13.-Lamer, charged with unlawfully entering Stanfield Hall, convicted at the Norfolk Assizes, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment.

Medhurst tried for the murder of Alsop, at Sturmer's school. Justice Coleridge, in sentencing Medhurst to three years' imprisonment, admitted the absence of malice or premeditation on the part of the prisoner, and commented severely on the master's conduct in leaving the pupils together when he knew they were quarrelling.

15.-Discussion on Lord John Russell's resolution: "That it is the opinion of this House, that it is expedient to persevere in those principles which have guided the Executive Government of Ireland of late years, and which have tended to the effectual administration of the law and the general improvement of that part of the kingdom." After a somewhat languid debate, protracted over five nights, the motion was affirmed in opposition to Sir R. Peel's amendment by 318 to 296 votes. On the last evening of the debate, Sir George Sinclair amused the House by a conversation alleged to have occurred between himself and a Conservative frondeur in a Richmond omnibus. "I daresay, sir," said his friend, "you remember as well as I do the exploits and the prowess of my eloquent and accomplished friend Croker during the two Reform Bill campaigns. His premature retirement from public life is a public misfor

tune. He is now become the recluse of West Moulsey,' and 'armis Herculis ad postem fixis, latet abditus agro.' Though never leader of the Opposition, he might well be called a 'thunderbolt of war,' and was, at all events, 'Lieutenant-General to the Earl of Mar.' İ used to think, sir, that he would never let them get through the letter A of schedule A. The rottenest borough had its Thermopyla. The ground was disputed street by street, where there were any streets, and inch by inch where there were none. I believe even Petersfield had its barricades and its glorious days. Methinks I see Croker now defending the bridge of Appleby with all the ardour of Horatius Cocles, against a whole battalion of Reformers, and now leading on the forlorn hope in a fierce and fruitless onslaught upon Gateshead. How different were such feats as those from the dull drills and pacific parades of modern times! If I had a say in the matter, sir, I'd bring the Government to their marrow-bones before the end of April." (Great laughter.) "Here," said Sir George, 66 our conversation was suddenly brought to an end by my communicative friend arriving at his destination. The omnibus stopped, my friend got out, and we never met again." (Continued laughter.)

19.-Treaty between Holland and Belgium signed at London; to the latter kingdom were assigned the limits she possessed in 1790, with the addition of Luxembourg.

20. The "London Equitable Loan Company, of Glasgow," having advertised the Duke of Wellington as one of their patrons, the Duke writes to Mr. P. Mackenzie that he thinks them a gang of swindlers.

22.-Died, aged 42, Thomas Haynes Bayly, a popular song writer.

23. Numerous petitions presented to Parliament in favour of Mr. Rowland Hill's Penny Postage scheme.

24. The Marquis of Lansdowne entertains her Majesty at Lansdowne House.

25.-The Bengal army march with Shah Soojah into Candahar, the western capital of Affghanistan, and are favourably received by the people. Major Todd was despatched from this place on a mission to Herat. The army recommenced its march on the 27th June, the two months' halt being mainly occupied in the task of provisioning the troops.

29. Stirling Peerage Case. Commenced at Edinburgh, before the High Court of Justiciary, the trial of Alexander Humphreys, or Alexander Stirling, styling himself Earl of Stirling, charged with forging, using, and uttering documents. The first document was an extract from a pretended charter, by Charles I., in favour of William, first Earl of Stirling, conveying to him the whole of Nova Scotia, and a large portion of Canada, with powers to create baronets. Mr. Humphreys, as representing the above Earl of Stirling, raised two actions against private parties, which were dismissed. He was then

served heir to the Earl of Stirling in right of his mother, and sought infeoffment of certain lands claimed. Upon this, the Officers of State in Scotland took measures to reduce the service and infeoffment; and the pleas of Mr. Humphreys not being considered satisfactory by the Lord Ordinary (Cockburn), he was called on to produce further proof. This he sought to supply by an old map of Canada, on the back of which was written what purported to be extracts from the charter of King Charles, these extracts having been made, it was alleged, in 1707 by a person who had seen the originals in Canada. There were also various certificates attached to the map, bearing the names of Louis XV. and Fénélon, the Bishop of Nismes. This document, Humphreys alleged, was given him by Mdlle. Le Normand, a fortune-teller in Paris. Various other documents mentioned in the libel were found to have come from the same quarter. The trial lasted four days, during which the most eminent experts in France and Britain were examined concerning the documents. The prisoner's counsel, Mr. Patrick Robertson, made a feeling and eloquent speech on his behalf. The jury found the documents on the map forged, but that it was not proved that the prisoner forged them, or uttered them knowing them to be forged. The other documents they found were not proven to be forged, or uttered by the prisoner knowing them to be forged. On the verdict being pronounced, the prisoner fell into the arms of his friend, Colonel D'Aguilar, who had accompanied him daily into court. Lord Meadowbank pronounced judgment, and assoilzied the prisoner.

29.-Chartist riot at Llanidloes, Wales. The "Trewythen Arms" inn ransacked, and the inmates expelled. The mob were armed with guns, pistols, and pikes, and seemed to be, for a while, in entire possession of the town.

30.-Lord Brougham proposes, but afterwards withdraws, a motion to disallow certain Ordinances relating to the liberty of the press in Malta, founded on a report presented by the special commissioners, Mr. Geo. C. Lewis and Mr. John Austin.

May 1.-The ship Tory leaves England with the first company of emigrants for New Zealand.

3.-Lord John Russell appears at the bar of the House with a Royal Message, recommending the Commons to consider such measures as might be submitted to them for promoting the union of the two Provinces of Canada.

- The House of Lords dismiss the appeal in the Auchterarder case, and affirm the judgment of the court below. Lord Brougham and the Lord Chancellor spoke at considerable length.

Cheltenham Theatre destroyed by fire. Government issues a proclamation empowering magistrates to apprehend all persons illegally assembled for drilling, or meeting

armed with bludgeons in a manner calculated to cause breaches of the peace.

4. The opium in the British factories at China having been all delivered up, Captain Elliott, with some difficulty, obtains the release of the merchants and others held in confinement under the orders of Commissioner Lin.

The Duke of Newcastle dismissed from the Lord-Lieutenancy of Nottingham, for refusing to make additions to the Commission of the Peace recommended by the Lord Chancellor, because the parties were not of his opinions in politics, and did not belong to the Established Church.

The Rt. Hon. J. Abercromby announces his intention of retiring from the Speakership of the House of Commons.

5.-Mehemet Ali, claiming hereditary power in Syria, takes the field against the Sultan.

6.-Debate in the House of Commons on the Government proposal to suspend the constitution in Jamaica, because the Assembly there had refused to adopt the Prisons Act passed by the Imperial Legislature. The technical question before the House was, "That the Speaker do now leave the chair." The debate was protracted till 2 A. M., when the division showed a Ministerial majority against Sir R. Peel's amendment of only 5 in a House of 583.

In the Court of Exchequer, Lord Abinger delivers judgment in the case of the Canadian prisoners. The Court were of opinion that the return to the writ of habeas corpus was a sufficient and valid return, and, therefore, that the prisoners must be remanded to their former custody. The Court was not called upon to pronounce an opinion as to whether the prisoners had been legally sentenced to transportation or not, as her Majesty's Government would be advised on that subject; but it was clear they had pleaded guilty to the crime of high treason in Upper Canada, and therefore, if the sentence of transportation was irregular, and the prisoners wished to avail themselves of that irregularity, they might be again indicted, and put upon their trial for high treason in this country. Under all the circumstances, the Court felt bound to discharge the writ of habeas corpus, and to order that the prisoners be remanded to their former custody.

7.-The Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel have an audience of her Majesty this afternoon, on the business, as was currently reported, of the formation of a new Ministry.

Lord Melbourne in the Lords, and Lord John Russell in the Commons, announce the resignation of Ministers in consequence of the vote on the Jamaica Bill-a measure requiring more than ordinary support and confidence, bu which had met with less than was usually accorded to them.

8.-Henry Vincent, delegate to the Chartist National Convention, arrested on the charge of inciting to riot at Newport.

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8. On the recommendation of Lord Melbourne, the Queen sends for the Duke of Wellington to assist her in the formation of a Government. The Duke explains that, as the principal difficulty of a new Ministry would be in the House of Commons, he would recommend that Sir Robert Peel should be at once consulted. This was immediately done, and Sir Robert intimated that though he was not insensible to the difficulties that might beset a new Government, yet having been a party to the vote of the House which led to those difficulties, nothing would prevent him from giving her Majesty every assistance in his power. evening Sir Robert submitted to her Majesty the names of the Duke of Wellington, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lords Lyndhurst, Ellenborough, and Stanley, Sir James Graham, Sir Henry Hardinge, and Mr. Goulburn, as colleagues with whom he was prepared to act. To these colleagues, as Sir Robert Peel afterwards explained, he mentioned that in all the subordinate appointments in the Household, below the rank of a Lady of the Bedchamber, he would propose no change to her Majesty; and that in the superior class he took it for granted the holders would at once resign their offices.

9.-During an interview with the Queen, Sir Robert Peel states that it would be of great importance as an indication of her confidence if certain offices of the Household of the higher rank, which might not be voluntarily relinquished by the ladies holding them, were subject to some change. Her Majesty stated in reply that she must reserve the whole of these appointments for herself.

The Globe, a Ministerial paper, announces "The determination which it is well known her Majesty has taken, not to allow the change in the Government to interfere with the ladies of her Court, has given great offence to the Tories."

10. The Queen to Sir Robert Peel: "The Queen, having considered the proposal made to her yesterday by Sir Robert Peel, to remove the Ladies of her Bedchamber, cannot consent to a course which she conceives to be contrary to usage, and is repugnant to her feelings."

Sir Robert Peel to the Queen: "Having had the opportunity through your Majesty's gracious consideration of reflecting upon this point, he humbly submits to your Majesty that he is reluctantly compelled by a sense of public duty, and of the interests of your Majesty's service, to adhere to the opinion which he ventured to express to your Majesty. He trusts he may be permitted at the same time to express to your Majesty his grateful acknowledgments for the distinction which your Majesty conferred upon him by requiring his advice and assistance in the attempt to form an Administration, and his earnest prayer that whatever arrangements your Majesty may be enabled to make for that purpose may be most conducive

to your Majesty's personal comfort and happiness, and to the promotion of the public welfare."

11. The Melbourne Ministry recalled. At a Cabinet meeting the following minute was adopted :-"Her Majesty's confidential servants having taken into consideration the letter addressed to her Majesty by Sir Robert Peel on the 10th of May, and the reply of Sir Robert Peel of the same day, are of opinion that, for the purpose of giving to the Administration that character of efficiency and stability, and those marks of the constitutional support of the Crown which are required to enable it to act usefully to the public service, it is reasonable that the great officers of the Court, and situations in the Household held by Members of Parliament, should be included in the political arrangements made in a change in the Administration; but they are not of opinion that a similar principle should be applied or extended to the offices held by ladies in her Majesty's Household."

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The literature of the Ministerial crisis receives to-day an addition of a kind not so common thirty years ago as now, in the form of an account, by a correspondent of the Spectator, of a dreadful shipwreck in a calm sea; 66 one of those awful visitations of Providence which occasionally arise to cast a shadow over the spirit of human enterprise." The conduct of the crew is thus set forth :-RICE: "If she did not leak so confoundedly, I should feel equally satisfied. But don't you think-to put it merely as a matter of personal safety, and not (God knows) that I care a button about the property of our employers-don't you think, somehow- -" (boat strikes again). RUSSELI. (Chief Mate): "I only think that we are getting too near to this infernal island. ship there! d'ye hear? you at the helm !" THE FISH (in choice Punic-from behind) : "Maning me, sir? And is it turning of me tail again that your honour will see me, before I git me biscuit and me grog? Isn't it me that's making this splash now, and that's laving the sea behind me in such an iligant manner: and what would your honour do widout me?" RUSSELL: "Throw that beast something, d'ye hear?" "Ay, ay, sir." HOWICK (as they approach): "What do you say-suppose we were to land? I don't wish to say anything to vex our mate, but it will not be denied that the boat is going down." RUSSELL (in great wrath): "Who says going down? My boat -built with these hands--going down! Sir, she can't go down-I defy her! (Ship gradually sinking, in a manner particularly apparent to those on shore, who raise ironical cheers.) No, no, she can't go down." HOLLAND: Yet perhaps we could get a little nearer to the shore, in case of accident. If forced at last (which God forbid) to land among these

people, we could easily protest we loved them, and had always intended this visit. They might maul us a little, perhaps, after all our rogueries yet even that's better than drowning, you know. At all events, I suspect we shall gain nothing further by stopping here. In the first place, here are these waves playing the very devil with the boat; then there's that beast behind, grabbing all our biscuits; and vis-à-vis we have those incensed natives, ready to tear us to pieces, some say. A pretty situation,, by G!" RUSSELL (with all the spurious dignity of a little man in a dilemma of his own making): "I regard, sir, with perfect satisfaction the present posture of affairs. I am persuaded that this cockboat is working gradually a great and useful change. (Boatswain announces another leak.) I think our present situation so satisfactory, that, for my part, I wish to cast anchor exactly where we are, neither further from the sea nor nearer to the shore than we find ourselves at this moment. My advice is, that we remain in this situation for the term of our natural lives. (Boatswain announces a new hole in the boat's bottom; water heard rushing in.) Yes, I know all about that. You'll say the water is coming in. Well, sir, what then?-Sir, 'in scanning the general scope' of this boat, I and my partners, you must know, always considered that the water would have as fair a prospect as any other element of obtaining a position in it; and guided, sir, by those principles which I have ever- -" (sudden and total immersion of the cockboat, amidst the most horrible yells of triumphant execration ever heard on this coast). "Friday afternoon. -I break open my letter to announce the extraordinary fact, that, after three days' immersion, the bodies have been seen this afternoon floating on the water, and that the vital spark is not extinct! Four o'clock. -The men live, and are swimming for their lives. Five o'clock. They are trying to reach this shore. What will the natives do with them?"

12.-Outbreak in Paris and attack by the rioters on the Conciergerie and Hôtel de Ville. The National Guard speedily mustered in great numbers, destroyed the barricades, and seized the more prominent disturbers of the peace. About 100, it was reported, were killed. This rising had the effect of terminating a ministerial crisis of some weeks' duration, Marshal Soult at once placing himself at the head of affairs.

13. Explanations in the House of Comnons, by Lord John Russell and Sir Robert Peel, regarding the Ministerial crisis.

The

latter explained his position with reference to the Ladies of the Bedchamber. Frankly admitting that his difficulties were neither Canada nor Jamaica, but Ireland, Sir Robert proceeded: "Would it be considered by the public that a Minister had the confidence of the Crown when the relatives of his immediate political opponents held the highest offices about the person of the Sovereign?

My impression decidedly was, that I should not appear to the country to be in possession of that confidence; and that impression I could not overcome; and upon that impression I resolved to act. Who were my political opponents? Why, of the two I have named, one, the Marquis of Normanby, was publicly stated to be a candidate for the very same office which it was proposed I should fill, namely, the office of Prime Minister. The other noble lord has been designated as the leader of this House; and I know not why his talents might not justify his appointment, in case of the retirement of his predecessor. Is it possible-I ask you to go back to other times; take Pitt, or Fox, or any other Minister of this proud country, and answer for yourselves this question-is it fitting that one man shall be the Minister, responsible for the most arduous charge that can fall to the lot of man, and that the wife of the other-that other his most formidable political enemy-shall, with his express consent, hold office in immediate attendance on the Sovereign? Oh no! I felt it was impossible; I could not consent to this. Yes, feelings more powerful than reasoning on those precedents told me that it was not for my own honour or the public interests that I should consent to be Minister of England. The public interests may suffer nothing by my abandonment of that high trust; the public interests may suffer nothing by my eternal exclusion from power; but the public interests would suffer, and I should be abandoning my duty to myself, my country, and, above all, to the Queen my sovereign, if I were to consent to hold power on conditions which I felt to be-which I had the strongest conviction were incompatible with the authority and with the duty of a Prime Minister."— In the Upper House, Lord Melbourne said: "I frankly declare that I resume office unequivocally and solely for this reason, that I will not abandon my Sovereign in a situation of difficulty and distress, and especially when a demand is made upon her Majesty with which I think she ought not to comply--a demand inconsistent with her personal honour, and which, if acquiesced in, would render her reign liable to all the changes and variations of political parties, and make her domestic life one constant scene of unhappiness and discomfort.

13. The small remnant of the Chartist National Convention removes its sittings from London to Birmingham. They were met at the railway by a mob of about 5,000 people, and conducted through the principal streets. to the great terror of peaceable people. At their first meeting a majority of the delegates adopted a manifesto, urging their supporters to withdraw any money they might have in banks, to deal exclusively with Chartists, to rest a "sacred month" from all labour, and to prepare themselves with the arms of freemen to defend themselves. In the Northern Star Feargus O'Connor urged that their memorial to

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