treaty concluded between this country and France at the peace of Utrecht, and continued down till the peace of 1814, the right of fishing on a part of the coast of Newfoundland was granted to France. This, however, was not an exclusive right. Latterly a misunderstanding had arisen as to the respective rights of the two countries. The auswer returned by government to an application from the chamber of commerce of Newfoundland, in 1830, in regard to the construction of the treaty, was, that it did not know what rights were possessed under the treaties referred to. In this state of things a vessel was fitted out for the express purpose of proceeding to that part of the coast occupied by the French, and insisting on a right of fishing there. On his arrival, the commander of the vessel was informed by the French, that they claimed the exclusive right of fishing on that part of the coast. He immediately laid before the authorities a protest, for the purpose of preserving the rights of British subjects. He was ultimately, however, on the appearance of a French man-ofwar, compelled to leave the coast. He thought, therefore, that government ought to take some steps to have the rights of British subjects, in reference to this matter, clearly defined. So far from any treaties giving an exclusive right to the French, they were expressly forbidden to make any settlement in that quarter for the purpose of trading. He moved, therefore, for an address to his majesty, to direct the law officers of the crown, to define the rights possessed by British subjects in Newfoundland, and that instructions be sent out to the governor to

maintain and protect those rights.

Mr. Poulett Thomson hoped, that the motion would be withdrawn, as the object in view might be better attained in another way. It was not advisable that the opinion of the law officers of the crown should be taken, in consequence of an address from that house; for, in such circumstances it would be necessary that government should adopt measures for the purpose of enforcing its decision. From any consideration which he had been able to give the subject, he had come to a very different conclusion from that of the hon. gentleman. Important interests were certainly involved in this claim, but he saw many difficulties in the way of its being established. All preceding treaties had been abrogated by the treaty of Paris, the right interpretation of which had long been a subject of dispute among members, even of the same government. He could assure the house, however, that the attention of government would be immediately directed to the subject; and he, therefore, hoped that the motion would be withdrawn.

Mr. Robinson was disposed to give way on this occasion, on the express understanding that the matter should be immediately taken up by government, as it was of importance, and affected the honour of the British flag;-and, after a few remarks from Mr. Baring, who regretted the indifference displayed by government to the fisheries of the empire, the motion was withdrawn.

Mr. Charles Grant announced, on the 4th of August, that the report of the committee on the subject of our communication with

India had been laid on the table of the house. There were two routes under consideration, the one communicating with Bombay by the Red Sea, and the other by the Euphrates and Persian Gulf. With respect to the former of these routes, the committee stated, that experiments made for five successive seasons had completely established the practicability of that line of communication during eight months of the year. It was not so certain, however, that the communication could be effected during the four months of the monsoons. It was proposed that the expense of establishing this mode of communication should be divided between England and India. There appeared no physical obstacle to the route by the Euphrates and the Persian Gulph during eight months of the year. The estimated expense of the undertaking amounted to 20,000l., to be defrayed by the British government. The passage by the Red Sea would not be available between the months of June and September inclusive; and

the line of the Euphrates would not be open between November and February. By the alternate use of these two routes a steam communication could be maintained with India during the whole year. A closer and more advantageous connection could thus be formed between England and her Indian territories. The course proposed to be adopted would give greater security to our Indian empire, and it was sound policy to avail ourselves of all modes of access to it with a view to the commercial prosperity of both countries.

Mr. Buckingham could see no possible objection to our facilitating the communication between the two empires; and Mr. Hume hoped that this was only a prelude to the assistance which India had a right to expect at our hands. He had no expectation of success by the Euphrates. The passage, however, by the Red Sea would, he thought, be found practicable, and satisfactory.

The vote was agreed to.

N the 15th of August, his

ment, and addressed to them the fllow in g speech :

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "The numerous and important questions which have, in the present as in the two preceding years, been submitted to your consider ation, have imposed upon you the necessity of extraordinary exertions; and it is with a deep sense of the care and labour which you have bestowed upon the public business that I at length close this protracted session, and release you from your attendance.

"I continue to receive from all foreign powers assurances of their friendly disposition. The negotiations, on account of which the conferences in London upon the affairs of the low countries were suspended, have not yet been brought to a close; and I have still to lament the continued postponement of a final settlement between Holland and Belgium. On the other hand, I have derived the most sincere and lively satisfaction from the termination of the civil war, which had so long distracted the kingdom of Portugal; and I

rejoice to think that the treaty, affairs

and Portugal induced me to conclude with the king of the French, the queen regent of Spain, and the regent of Portugal, and which has already been laid before you, contributed materially to produce this happy result. Events have since occurred in Spain to disappoint for a time the hopes of tranquillity in that country, which the pacification of Portugal had inspired. To these events, so important to Great Britain, I shall give my most serious attention, in concert with France, and with the other powers who are parties to the treaty of the 22nd of April ; and the good understanding which prevails between me and my allies, encourages me to expect that our united endeavours will be attended with success. The peace of Turkey remains undisturbed; and I trust that no event will happen in that quarter to interrupt the tranquillity of Europe.

"I have not failed to observe with approbation, that you have directed your attention to those domestic questions which more immediately affect the general wel

fare of the community; and I have had much satisfaction in sanction. ing your wise and benevolent intentions, by giving my assent to the act for the amendment and better administration of the laws relating to the poor of England and Wales. It will be my duty to provide that the authority necessarily vested in commissioners nominated by the crown, be exercised with temperance and caution; and I entertain a confident expectation that its prudent and judicious application, as well as the discreet enforcement of the other provisions of the act, will by degrees remedy the evils which at present prevail, and whilst they elevate the character, will increase the comforts and improve the condition, of my people. The amendment of the law is one of your first and most important duties, and I rejoice to perceive that it has occupied so much of your attention. The establishment of a central court for the trial of offences in the metropolis and its neighbourhood, will, I trust, improve the administration of justice within the populous sphere of its jurisdiction, and afford a useful example to every other part of the kingdom. To the important subjects of our jurisprudence and of our municipal corporations your attention will naturally be directed early in the next session. You may always rest assured of my disposition to co-operate with you

in such useful reformations.

The inanity of the speech was ridiculed by the following parody in the Times newspaper:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"It is with a deep sense of the exertion and labour which you have bestowed in the prosecution of your plea

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I thank you for the readiness with which you have granted the supplies. The estimates laid before you were somewhat lower than those of former years, although they included several extraordinary charges which will not again occur. The same course of economy will still be steadily pursued, The continued increase of the revenue, notwithstanding the repeal of so many taxes, affords the surest proof that the resources of the country are unimpaired, and justifies the expectation that a perseverance in judicious and well-considered measures will still further promote the industry and augment the wealth of my people.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"It gives me great gratification to believe, that in returning to your several counties, you will find a prevalence of general tranquillity, and of active industry amongst all classes of society. I humbly hope that Divine Providence will vouchsafe a continuance and increase of these blessings; and in any circumstances which may arise, I shall rely with confidence upon your zeal and fidelity; and I rest satisfied that will inculcate and encourage that obedience to the laws, and that observance of the duties of religion and morality, which are the only secure foundations of the power and happiness of empires."*

you

sures that I at length close this protracted session, and release you from attendance. I am fully sensible of the application you have given to the business of Crockford's, and of the ardent support you have afforded to the whist table at the Travellers', as well as to

Before the prorogation of parliament, the weakness and vacillation of the Ministry had been apparent; from the moment of Lord Grey's resignation, the want of intrinsic power and steadiness had rendered them dependent for their existence on the support of the radical faction, and of O'Connell's popish delegates: and this support was vouchsafed to them in such a way as tended to bring their government still more into contempt. The very men, whose

the more important parties at Graham's. I rely with entire confidence on your judgment and zeal in maintaining the cookery of our excellent kitchens according to the established principles of Ude.

"I continue to receive most favourable accounts of the white-bait dinners at Greenwich and Blackwall, and it is with great satisfaction that I have observed the two great parties in my parliament, encouraging those entertainments so peculiarly national, and showing agreement in a matter of taste so important to the fisheries.

"I continue to receive from all my neighbours assurances that they are my most obedient humble servants at command, and it is with sincere pleasure that I find myself held by many in high consideration.

"As the autumn advances, there is reason to apprehend that the days will shorten and the leaves will fall, but I am not without confident hopes that the return of spring will bless us with length of days and restore vegetation.

"The Thames continues to run through London, and the Monument stands on Fish-street-hill. The prospects of the Regent's Park are improved, and my people will be partially admitted to the privilege of taking the air without swallowing the dust of the road; but to guard the sudden privilege of walking on the grass from licentiousness will be the anxious object of my government.

"The insanity of the dogs during the summer solstice has long been a subject to me of the profoundest grief and concern, but I trust that the committee which has devoted itself to the preven

tion of drunkenness will discover a method of removing the prejudice or delusion of my faithful dogs, and reconcile them to water.

"I have seen with a just indignation the racing of omnibuses, with which hundreds of my faithful subjects are pulverized, so that not even their names are left behind them. Persons living and well one instant, are run down, ground to powder, and flying in dust the next moment. These horrors are not unknown nor undeplored by me, and your attention will naturally be directed, early in the next session, to the adoption of some plan by which all my subjects will be enabled to ride in their own carriages.

"Gentlemen of the House of Com

mons.

"I thank you for your supplies. More money and less need of it is the anxious wish of my heart, and be assured that whatever you grant is well laid out, and that the profusest expenditure of which circumstances will permit is the wisest economy. The same course of frugality which has been proposed in my speeches and those of my predecessors for the last fifty years will be steadily pursued, but while it is pursued it is not in the nature of things that it should be possessed, and my people must consequently be satisfied with the pleasure of the chase.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"It gives me great satisfaction to believe, that in returning to your several counties you will find all at home well, and I rely with confidence on your setting a pretty example.