§ Viscount Palmerston moved the suspension of the Standing Orders on this bill.
§ The motion having been assented to, the Bill was read a second time, and went through a committee.
§ On the motion for bringing up the report,
§ Sir Thomas Fremantlehoped the noble Viscount would state to the House the grounds on which this motion for the suspension of the Standing Orders was made.
§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, that he had entered into the grounds upon which he intended to make his motion on the previous evening at very considerable length, but he would repeat them in a very few words for the satisfaction of the hon. Baronet. He understood that the ground of the rejection of the former bill arose from a misconception on the part of the House of Lords as to the form of the pro- 158 ceedings. That objection had since been removed by steps which had been taken, and he, therefore, hoped, that their Lordships would consent to adopt this measure. The orders to the commanders of cruisers that were necessary, in order to put a stop to the slave-trade, could not be executed by them, unless they were protected by a bill of this description. The bill protected the commanders of such vessels from all vexatious suits in courts of justice; gave the Admiralty Court a right to adjudicate upon the vessels seized; defined what sort of equipment constituted a slave-vessel; and gave to the Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty Courts a right to deal with vessels taken while engaged in the Slave-trade, but having no nationality, in the same manner as if they were British vessels. He hoped, that the House of Lords, who, he was sure were most anxious to put down the Slave-trade, would concur in this bill, which was absolutely necessary, in order, that their wishes might be carried into effect.
§ The Report received.
§ Bill to be engrossed.