Viscount Strang fordcalled 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, 588 by a misnomer, was designated the Treaty of Reciprocity—a treaty which he was sure would be regarded by the French only so long as their interests required its aid. He would give notice, that he would on an early day, move for some Returns which would direct their Lordships' attention, not to the whole of that momentous subject, but to that portion which wrought, and was likely to work so much injury, and be productive of so many grievances to the shipping interest in this country. He would some day next week bring the subject under the consideration of the House.