Commons Sitting of 5 October 1841

MINUTES.
Petitions Presented. By Mr. Thomas Duncombe, from William Ashurst and others, for a Tax on Property.— From Meetings held in the West Riding of York, Leeds, and Sheffield, for the abolition of the Silent System of Prison Discipline; from London, for Inquiry into the Anatomy Act; from Leeds, Pershore, and individuals, for Universal Suffrage &c.; and from Mr. Templer, for the equalisation of the Stamp Duties.— By Dr. Bowring, from Dublin, and an individual for the abolition of Slavery.— By Mr. Ferrand, from an individual, against the Repeal of the Corn-laws.— By Mr. Hawes, from Dunstable, and Northampton; by Mr. Cobden, from Eccles, and other places, and by Mr. W. Ellis, from Leicester, for the Repeal of the Com-laws. — By Mr. W. Patton, from Magistrates of Lancashire, relating to County Rates.— By Mr. Hindley, from Warrington, for vote by Ballot By Mr. M. J. O'Connell, to abolish Declarations on Oath against Popery.— By Mr. Lyall, from the county of Charlotte, New Brnnswick, against alteration in the Timber Duties, — By Mr. Cobden, from H. Holland, for inquiry into the influence of the price of food, on disease and mortality.— By Mr. Cresswell, from Liverpool, for inquiry into the most eligible station for West India Mail Packets.— By Mr. Wakley, from William Morris, for Inquiry into his Dynamic Engines; and from Mr. Webb, for Inquiry into the Prevention of Railway Accidents By Mr. P. M. Stewart, from Paisley; by Mr. Yorke, from York; and Mr. Cobden, from Woodley, for inquiry into Public Distress. — By Mr. Sheil, from Thomas Steele, for Abolition of Coronation Oath, relating to Roman Catholics.

THE CASE OF MR. M'LEOD.
Sir C. Napierwished to know from the Secretary

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of the Admiralty, whether orders had been sent out to receive Mr. M'Leod on board one of her Majesty's ships, in case of his acquittal. He understood, that considerable excitement prevailed in America upon this subject, and he thought, that steps ought to be taken to protect Mr. M'Leod.
Sir R. Peelsaid, he was sure, that the gallant Admiral must feel, that it would not be proper for her Majesty's Government, at this moment, to be called on to give information as to what steps would be taken in case of a certain contingency in which Mr. M'Leod might be involved. On consideration, he was sure, it would occur to the gallant Admiral, that it would not be right to press for an answer.
Subject at an end.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
Reports of the 30th of August and 1st of October, read.
Lord Granville Somersetmoved, that the Standing Orders be read. Orders read seriatim. The noble Lord then proposed the adoption of several alterations in the Standing Orders relative to the regulation of the Private Business.
Agreed to.
Standing Orders, as amended, adopted.

PETITIONS TO HER MAJESTY.
Mr. Brohertonwished to know from the right hon. Baronet what was about to be done with respect to the petitions to her Majesty (praying Parliament not to be prorogued), and which had been forwarded to the Secretary of State? There was no official letter acknowledging the receipt of these petitions.
Sir R. Peelknew, that it was the intention of his right hon. Friend to go down, tomorrow, to Windsor, for the purpose of presenting all the petitions, that had been received, to her Majesty.
Adjourned.