§ The Duke of Wellingtonhaving presented a petition for the abolition of negro apprenticeship on the 1st of August next, wished to ask the noble and learned Lord (Lord Brougham) what course he intended to pursue on this point, whether he meant to introduce a separate bill to abolish the system, or to propose a clause by way of amendment to the Bill at present before the House?
Lord Broughamsaid, that this was a most proper question to put. He intended to propose an amendment of the Abolition Act by substituting the words "1st of August, 1838," for the "1st of August, 1840," as the period for the determina- 900 tion of the apprenticeship system. He should be able to discuss its merits in a few observations. He would introduce it before the Easter recess, but he did not propose to take any further step till after Easter. There would be no disadvantage in this course, because sufficient time would be left between that period and the 1st of August, even if the Bill were allowed to pass, and if it were not to pass, the delay would not signify.
§ The Duke of Wellingtonwished to know whether the amendment would be proposed in the present Bill?
Lord Broughamreplied, that the Bill already introduced incorporated all his resolutions but the last, which he considered as the only one of vast importance; this he was determined not to carry out by any side wind, but to bring it distinctly before the House in a separate measure; he should not, therefore, move it as an amendment to the Ministerial Bill.